Arsenic (As) uptake by turnip, growing under soilless culture conditions, was studied. A 4 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted with four As species [arsenite, arsenate, methylarsonic acid (MMAA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA)] and three As concentrations (1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 mg L -1 ). Arsenic phytoavailability and phytotoxicity were primarily determined by As speciation. Organic arsenicals, especially MMAA, were clearly phytotoxic to this turnip cultivar. Plant As concentrations significantly increased with increasing As application rates. Both organic arsenicals showed a higher upward translocation than their inorganic counterparts, contributing to the greater phytotoxicity and lower dry matter productions of these organic treatments. Both inner root and outer root skin As concentrations were above the maximum limit set for As content in food crops (1.0 mg kg -1 ). If turnip plants are exposed to a large pulse of As, as growth on contaminated nutrient solutions, they will accumulate residues at levels that are unacceptable for animal and human consumption.

Turnip mosaic potyvirus is a virus of brassicas that emerged from a lineage of monocotyledon-infecting potyviruses about 1000 years ago. In vivo and in silico studies all indicate that sites, primarily in its protein 3 (P3) and cylindrical inclusion protein (CI) genes, but also its small 6kDa 2 protein (6K2) and genome-linked viral protein (VPg) genes, control host specificity in a dynamic way. It is most likely that non-unique combinations of transient viral genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), not all of them non-synonymous, allowed the host switch to occur. These SNPs were probably ephemeral and replaced over time by other combinations as the population subsequently diverged within, and adapted to, the brassica host population.

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a mechanism for preventing self-fertilization in flowering plants. In Brassica, it is controlled by a single multi-allelic locus, S, and it is believed that two highly polymorphic genes in the S locus, SLG and SRK, play central roles in self-recognition in stigmas. SRK is a putative receptor protein kinase, whose extracellular domain exhibits high similarity to SLG. We analyzed two pairs of lines showing cross-incompatibility (S 2 and S 2-b ; S 13 and S 13-b ). In S 2 and S 2-b , SRKs were more highly conserved than SLGs. This was also the case with S 13 and S 13-b . This suggests that the SRKs of different lines must be conserved for the lines to have the same self-recognition specificity. In particular, SLG 2-b showed only 88.5% identity to SLG 2 , which is comparable to that between the SLGs of different S haplotypes, while SRK 2-b showed 97.3% identity to SRK 2 in the S domain. These findings suggest that the SLGs in these S haplotypes are not important for self-recognition in SI. Corresponding author: Makoto Kusaba, Institute of Radiation Breed-SRK (Conner et al. 1997; Stahl et al. 1998) reduced ing, National Institute of Agrobiological Resources, P.O. Box 3, Ohmiya-machi, Naka-gun, Ibaraki-ken, 319-2293, Japan. expression of SLG and SRK and caused conversion to

BACKGROUND: Herbal medicines are now recently used as treatment options. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the combination therapy of medicinal herbs in the treatment of induced gastrointestinal injury among albino wistar rats. METHODS: A total of 60 Albino Wistar rats of both sexes weighing between 130g-150g were used. The control groups which consisted of negative control groups received 1ml of normal saline while the positive control group was given 20mg/kg of indomethacin and sacrificed after 6 hours. Those in the test group were given 20mg/kg of indomethacin, treated in different doses of single and combined extracts of Allium sativum, Brassica oleracea and Aloe barbadensis at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg body weights, twice daily for 8 days and sacrificed. RESULTS: There was no visible sign of ulceration or perforation observed on the stomach and duodenum when compared with the control. The combination of all three plant extracts at different concentrations ranging from 100-300mg/kg cleared all visible ulcers and perforations on the stomach of wistar rats. Similarly, all ulcers in the duodenum of indomethacin induced wistar rats were cleared by the combination of the three extracts. The sections of rat stomach and duodenum given 100mg/kg herbal cocktail and indomethacin showed normal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: A mixture of the three herbs at 300mg/kg was better in healing gastric and duodenal ulcers. The mixture of the three plants extracts exhibit good anti-ulcer activity that warrants further studies.

An outstanding feature of orchids is the diversity of their pollination systems . Most remarkable are those species that employ chemical deceit for the attraction of pollinators . The orchid Epipactis helleborine is a typical wasp flower, exhibiting physiological and morphological adaptations for the attraction of pollinating social wasps . As noted by Darwin [1], this species is almost entirely overlooked by other potential pollinators, despite a large nectar reward. Therefore, the mechanism for the attraction of pollinating social wasps was something of a mystery. By using a combination of behavioral experiments, electrophysiological investigations, and chemical analyses, we demonstrate for the first time that the flowers of E. helleborine and E. purpurata emit green-leaf volatiles (GLVs), which are attractive to foragers of the social wasps Vespula germanica and V. vulgaris. GLVs, emitted by damaged plant tissues, are known to guide parasitic wasps to their hosts . Several E. helleborine GLVs that induced response in the antennae of wasps were also emitted by cabbage leaves infested with caterpillars (Pieris brassicae), which are common prey items for wasps . This is the first example in which GLVs have been implicated in chemical mimicry for the attraction of pollinating insects.

Simple reproducible procedures for purification of the main soluble (S) and ionically bound (IB) cationic peroxidase isoenzymes from turnip roots were established. The procedures included ammonium sulfate precipitation of the isoenzymes, chromatographic separation of the main isoenzymes using cellulose phosphate columns and purification to homogeneity by hydrophobic interaction chromatography on phenyl Sepharose columns. The specific activity of the phenyl Sepharose purified S and IB isoenzymes were 2760 and 896 units/mg protein with 140 and 4.8 fold increase over the crude extract and 38 and 13% recovery. The pH maxima and K,, for phenol and H20: of purified S and IB were determined.

Amending soils with Se-hyperaccumulator plant derived sources of selenium (Se) may be useful for increasing the Se content in food crops in Se-deficient regions of the world. In this study we evaluated total Se and the different chemical species of Se in broccoli and carrots grown in soils amended with ground shoots of the Se-hyperaccumulator Stanleya pinnata. With increasing application rates of S. pinnata, total plant Se concentrations increased to nutritionally ideal levels inside edible parts. Selenium compounds in aqueous extracts were analyzed by SAX-HPLC-ICPMS and identified as a variety of mainly organic-Se forms. Together with bulk Se K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis performed on broccoli florets, carrot roots and shoots, dried ground S. pinnata, and the amended soil at post-plant, we demonstrate that Se-enriched S. pinnata is valuable as a soil amendment for enriching broccoli and carrots with healthful forms of organic-Se.

The seed ger mi na tion and root elon ga tion test is one of the sim plest meth ods of envi ron men tal bio mon i tor ing . This method was developed to ascer tain the tox ic ity of pol luted liquid sam ples on seed ger mi na tion and root elon ga tion . The support used for the test is fil ter paper; how ever, the adsorp tion of metal ions to fil ter paper may inter fere with the tox ic ity of the same met als . Hence over the years attempts have been made to increase the sen si tiv ity of the test by replac ing fil ter paper with sup ports that have dif ferent chem i cal char ac ter is tics from paper, so as not to reduce the bio avail abil ity of pol lu tants in the ger mi na tion medium. One of the first vari ants of the test was described by Tak ij ima (1960), who placed the seedling on a poly vi nyl screen from which the root can grow into the test solu tion. Although this method can be applied to assess the tox ic ity of organic and inor ganic compounds to rice and wheat, it is not always suit able for dicot y ledon ous plants with small seeds. A fur ther var i ant was sug gested by Wang (1993), replac ing fil ter paper with a seed tray, a chem ically inert per fo rated plas tic sup port which is unable to inter act with pol lut ing sub stances, but in the pres ence of a tox i cant, the roots stayed on the top side of the device. How ever, at the pres-Assessment of heavy metals phytotoxicity using seed germination and root elongation tests: A comparison of two growth substrates M. Di Salvatore, A.M. Carafa, G. Carratù * Di par ti men to di Ar bor i col tur a Botan ica Pat o lo gia Veg e tale, Uni ver sità de gli Studi di Napoli "Fede ric o II", Via Uni ver sità 100, 80055 Por tic i (NA),Italy a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

A number of factors that are known to influence genetic transformation were evaluated to optimizeAgrobacterium-mediated transformation of hypocotyl explants of cauliflower variety Pusa Snowball K-1. The binary vector p35SGUSINT mobilized intoAgrobacterium strain GV2260 was used for transformation and transient GUS expression was used as the basis for identifying the most appropriate conditions for transformation. Explant age, preculture period, bacterial strain and density were found to be critical determinants of transformation efficiency. Using the optimized protocol, the syntheticcryIA(b) gene was mobilized into cauliflower. Molecular analyses of transgenics established the integration and expression of the transgene. Insect bioassays indicated the effectiveness of the transgene against infestation by diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae.

Phenolic compounds are a large group of phytochemicals widespread in the plant kingdom. Depending on their structure they can be classified into simple phenols, phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and flavonoids. Phenolic compounds have received considerable attention for being potentially protective factors against cancer and heart diseases, in part because of their potent antioxidative properties and their ubiquity in a wide range of commonly consumed foods of plant origen. The Brassicaceae family includes a wide range of horticultural crops, some of them with economic significance and extensively used in the diet throughout the world. The phenolic composition of Brassica vegetables has been recently investigated and, nowadays, the profile of different Brassica species is well established. Here, we review the significance of phenolic compounds as a source of beneficial compounds for human health and the influence of environmental conditions and processing mechanisms on the phenolic composition of Brassica vegetables.

The etiologic agent(s) that was responsible for the 1981 toxic oil syndrome [TOS] epidemic in Spain has not been identified. Liquid chromatography combined with atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used for the analysis of oils associated with TOS. Analyses focused on measuring 3-(N-phenylamino)-l,2-propanediol [PAP], the 3-oleyl ester of PAP [MEPAP], and the 1,2-di-oleyl ester of PAP [DEPAP]. DEPAP and MEPAP were found more frequently and at higher concentrations in TOS case-associated oils than in control oils with odds ratios of 13.7 (95% CI 5.0-38) and 21.9 (95% 6.1-78), respectively. Other fatty acid esters of PAP are also likely to be present in the TOS caseassociated oils. More significantly, DEPAP and MEPAP were found in aniline-denatured rapeseed oil refined at ITH, the oil refining company with the clearest link to TOS cases, yet these PAP esters were not detected in unrefined aniline-denatured samples of rapeseed oil delivered to ITH. These results show that the esters of PAP were products of the ITH refining process and were not formed spontaneously during storage. PAP esters were not detected in samples of other aniline-denatured rapeseed oils that were refined elsewhere, and which were not associated with illness. These findings provide strong support for the hypothesis that one or more of the fatty acid esters of PAP were the etiologic agents for TOS.

Glucosinolate levels in leaves were determined in a collection of 113 varieties of turnip greens (Brassica rapa L.) from northwestern Spain grown at two sites. Sensorial attributes were also assessed by a consumer panel. The objectives were to determine the diversity among varieties in total glucosinolate content and glucosinolate profile and to evaluate their sensory attributes in relation to glucosinolate content for breeding purposes. Sixteen glucosinolates were identified, being the aliphatic glucosinolates, gluconapin and glucobrassicanapin the most abundant. Other aliphatic glucosinolates, such as progoitrin, glucoalyssin, and gluconapoleiferin were relatively abundant in varieties with a different glucosinolate profile. Indolic and aromatic glucosinolate concentrations were low and showed few differences among varieties. Differences in total glucosinolate content, glucosinolate profile and bitterness were found among varieties, with a total glucosinolate content ranging from 11.8 to 74.0 lmol g À1 dw at one site and from 7.5 to 56.9 lmol g À1 dw at the other site. Sensory analysis comparing bitterness with variation in glucosinolate, gluconapin and glucobrassicanapin concentrations suggested that these compounds and their breakdown products are not the only determinants of the characteristic flavour of this vegetable. Other phytochemicals are probably involved on the characteristic bitter flavour. The varieties MBG-BRS0132, MBG-BRS0082, MBG-BRS0173, and MBG-BRS0184 could be good candidates for future breeding programs since they had high total glucosinolate content and good agronomic performance. The presence of glucoraphanin in some varieties should be studied more extensively, because this aliphatic glucosinolate is the precursor of sulforaphane, a potent anti-cancer isothiocyanate.

The microbial populations associated with the different sections of broccoli harvested from three locations in Australia were studied during storage at 5, 15 and 208C. Bacterial and yeast populations associated with the outer florets and cut surfaces of the stem were generally 10-fold or more higher than those associated with inner florets or non-cut stems, respectively. The predominating bacterial species varied with the origen of the broccoli. Pseudomonas fluorescens, Ps. 5 7 corrugata and Ps. viridiflava predominated at populations of 10 -10 cfu / g on broccoli harvested from Victoria, Ps. 3 6 fluorescens, Ps. mendocina and Ps. fragii and Arthrobacter spp. (10 -10 cfu / g) were prevalent on broccoli harvested from Queensland. Broccoli harvested from New South Wales exhibited a predominance of Ps. fluorescens, Arthrobacter spp. and 3 5

Use of antioxidant components is a new approach for improvement of insulin resistance (IR) as a main feature of type 2 diabetes and its complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of broccoli sprouts powder (BSP) containing high concentration of sulphoraphane on IR in type 2 diabetic patients. Eighty-one patients were randomly assigned to receive 10 g/d BSP (A, n ¼ 27), 5 g/d BSP (B, n ¼ 29) and placebo (C, n ¼ 25) for 4 weeks. Fasting serum glucose and insulin concentration, glucose to insulin ratio and homoeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) index were measured at baseline and again 4 weeks after treatment. Seventy-two patients completed the study and 63 were included in the analysis. After 4 weeks, consumption of 10 g/d BSP resulted in a significant decrease in serum insulin concentration and HOMA-IR ( p ¼ 0.05 for treatment effect). Therefore, broccoli sprouts may improve IR in type 2 diabetic patients.

Radiofrequency countermeasures (i.e., chaff) may be released by fighter jets during tactical countermeasures training. Chaff cartridges, pistons, and endcaps (i.e., chaff dispenser materials), all currently made of styrene, are also released into the environment. Accumulation of chaff dispenser materials in the environment is a concern of the Department of Defense. The US Navy is exploring the possibility of constructing degradable chaff dispenser components made of biodegradable polymers. Five polymers are being considered. Degradability and toxicity tests are two of several criteria being used to evaluate various available biodegradable options. Dissolution products from four of five polymers being considered were toxic to aquatic organisms with LC50s/LOELs ranging between 1.24 and 731.30 mg total organic concentration/L. Supernatant from dissolving a 90:10 polyester amide/polyvinyl alcohol copolymer in water for 24 h inhibited shoot growth of Brassica rappa and Lepidium sativum. Since our results were obtained using fractions of saturated degradable polymer solutions (1 or 10 g/L), we conclude that the tested degradable polymers were of low toxicity to the seven aquatic organisms and two terrestrial plant species used in our assays. However, our characterization of the toxicity of these degradable polymers may not be applicable to all species or environmental situations. Information gained from these studies will be used for making decisions on which polymers should be used in the engineering of environmentally friendly chaff dispenser cartridges, pistons, and endcaps. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of oxalic acid (OA) on nonhaem iron absorption in humans. Design: Two randomized crossover stable iron isotope absorption studies. Setting: Zurich, Switzerland. Subjects: Sixteen apparently healthy women (18-45 years, o60 kg body weight), recruited by poster advertizing from the staff and student populations of the ETH, University and University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland. Thirteen subjects completed both studies. Methods: Iron absorption was measured based on erythrocyte incorporation of 57 Fe or 58 Fe 14 days after the administration of labelled meals. In study I, test meals consisted of two wheat bread rolls (100 g) and either 150 g spinach with a native OA content of 1.27 g (reference meal) or 150 g kale with a native OA content of 0.01 g. In study II, 150 g kale given with a potassium oxalate drink to obtain a total OA content of 1.27 g was compared to the spinach meal. Results: After normalization for the spinach reference meal absorption, geometric mean iron absorption from wheat bread rolls with kale (10.7%) did not differ significantly from wheat rolls with kale plus 1.26 g OA added as potassium oxalate (11.5%, P ¼ 0.86). Spinach was significantly higher in calcium and polyphenols than kale and absorption from the spinach meal was 24% lower compared to the kale meal without added OA, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P40.16). Conclusion: Potassium oxalate did not influence iron absorption in humans from a kale meal and our findings strongly suggest that OA in fruits and vegetables is of minor relevance in iron nutrition.

Broccoli inflorescences have been recognized as components of healthy diets on the basis of their high content of fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, and glucosinolates/isothiocyanates. Broccoli sprouts have been recently shown to have high levels of glucoraphanin (4-methylsulfinylbutyl glucosinolate), the precursor of the chemoprotective isothiocyanate, sulforaphane. This study evaluated the effects of temperature and developmental stage on the glucosinolate content of broccoli sprouts. Seedlings cultivated using a 30/15°C (day/night) temperature regime had significantly higher glucosinolate levels (measured at six consecutive days postemergence) than did sprouts cultivated at lower temperatures (22/15 and 18/12°C; p < 0.001). Both higher (33.1°C) and lower (11.3°C) constant temperatures induced higher glucosinolate levels in sprouts grown to a uniform size. Glucosinolate levels were highest in cotyledons and lowest in roots of sprouts dissected both early and late in the 11 day developmental span investigated. Nongerminated seeds have the highest glucosinolate levels and concordantly greater induction of mammalian phase 2 detoxication enzymes. Levels decline as sprouts germinate and develop, with consistently higher glucosinolate content in younger developmental stages, independent of the temperature regime. Temperature stress or its associated developmental anomalies induce higher glucosinolate levels, specific elevations in glucoraphanin content, and parallel induction of phase 2 chemoprotective enzymes.

The flavonoid composition of broccoli inflorescences has been studied by LC/UV-DAD/ESI-MS n . A large number of hydroxycinnamic acid esters of kaempferol and quercetin glucosides has been characterised. The structures of the flavonoid glycosides were analysed after alkaline hydrolysis, and were identified as 3-sophoroside/sophorotrioside-7-glucoside/sophoroside of kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin (this last found in trace amount). These complex quercetin and isorhamnetin glucosides have not been previously characterised in nature. In addition, several less complex glucosides based on the same aglycones have been identified. The effect of sugar substitution and acylation on chromatographic mobility and ESI ionisation and fragmentation are discussed.

Three cultivars of broccoli seeds (Brassica oleracea var. italica), cv. Tiburon, cv. Belstar and cv. Lucky, and two cultivars of radish seeds (Raphanus sativus), cv. Rebel and cv. Bolide, were germinated for three and five days and safety aspects such as microbiological counts and biogenic amines were investigated. Cytotoxicity evaluation was also carried out. Broccoli and radish sprouts contained numbers of mesophilic, psychrotrophic, total and faecal coliform bacteria which are the usual counts for minimally processed germinated seeds. Putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine and spermine increased during sprout production although these levels were below those permitted by legislation (5 mg/100 g of edible food). Broccoli and radish sprouts demonstrated no toxic effects on proliferation and viability of HL-60 cells and should be included in our diets as healthy and safe fresh foods.

Objectives: Induction or inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme activities, enzymes that activate or detoxify xenobiotics, is one mechanism by which vegetables may alter cancer risk. As the effect of food on CYP enzyme activities have not been studied in the Jordanian population, we examined the effect of supplementing the diet with broccoli on CYP1A2 and CYP2A6 activities. Methods: Five men and five women, non-smokers, consumed a standard diet of broccoli (500 g) for 6 days. Enzyme activities were determined by measuring urinary metabolite ratios after a 100 mg caffeine tablet on the seventh day. Results: The mean CYP1A2 activity for men (21.1 ±3.2) was significantly lower than that for women (27.6 ±1.6) before the consumption of broccoli (P <0.05). These activities were significantly induced in both men (52.5 ±6.6) and women (36.6 ±8.4) after a standard diet of broccoli (P <0.005). Similarly, the mean value of CYP2A6 activity for men was 0.061 ±0.040 and for women, 0.144 ±0.039 before consumption of broccoli, which were significantly different (P <0.05). The activity of CYP2A6 was induced in both groups significantly after broccoli consumption (P <0.05). The mean value for men was 0.193 ±0.02 and for women, 0.214 ±0.064. Conclusion: Our study on a group of Jordanians confirmed the well-established observation that broccoli induces CYP1A2 activity. This study also demonstrates the effect of gender and broccoli consumption on CYP2A6 activity in Jordanians.

Sulphur (S) fertilization is essential for primary and secondary metabolism in cruciferous foods. Deficient, suboptimal, or excessive S affects the growth and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in adult plants. Nevertheless, there is little information regarding the influence of S fertilization on sprouts and seedlings. An experiment was set up to evaluate the effect of S fertilization, supplied as K 2 SO 4 at 0, 15, 30, and 60 mg/L, on the glucosinolate content of broccoli sprouts during the germination course of 3, 6, 9, and 12 d after sowing. Glucosinolate concentration was strongly influenced by germination, causing a rapid increase during the first 3 d after sowing, and decreasing afterwards. The S supply increased aliphatic and total glucosinolate content at the end of the monitored sprouting period. S-treated sprouts, with S 15 , S 30 , and S 60 at 9 and 12 d after sowing presented enhanced glucosinolate content. Overall, both germination time and S fertilization were key factors in maximizing the bioactive health-promoting phytochemicals of broccoli.

Glucosinolates from the genus Brassica can be converted into bioactive compounds known to induce phase II enzymes, which may decrease the risk of cancers. Conversion via hydrolysis is usually by the brassica enzyme myrosinase, which can be inactivated by cooking or storage. We examined the potential of three beneficial bacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum KW30, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis KF147, and Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, and known myrosinase-producer Enterobacter cloacae to catalyze the conversion of glucosinolates in broccoli extract. Enterobacteriaceae consumed on average 65% glucoiberin and 78% glucoraphanin, transforming them into glucoiberverin and glucoerucin, respectively, and small amounts of iberverin nitrile and erucin nitrile. The lactic acid bacteria did not accumulate reduced glucosinolates, consuming all at 30−33% and transforming these into iberverin nitrile, erucin nitrile, sulforaphane nitrile, and further unidentified metabolites. Adding beneficial bacteria to a glucosinolate-rich diet may increase glucosinolate transformation, thereby increasing host exposure to bioactives.

A polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) technique was used to determine the microfloral composition during the fermentation of kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented vegetable food. The kimchi was fermented at 10 degrees C or 20 degrees C for 30 or 20 days, respectively. DGGE of the partially amplified 16S rDNA was performed and the most intense bands sequenced. The application of this culture-independent molecular technique determined that the lactic acid bacteria Weissella confusa, Leuconostoc citreum, Lactobacillus sakei, and Lactobacillus curvatus were the main microorganisms responsible for kimchi fermentation.

Although urban horticulture provides multiple benefits to society, the extent to which these vegetables are contaminated by the absorption of chemical elements derived from atmospheric deposition is unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of air pollution on leafy vegetables in community gardens of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Vegetable seedlings of Brassica oleracea var. acephala (collard greens) and Spinacia oleracea (spinach) obtained in a non-polluted rural area and growing in vessels containing standard uncontaminated soil were exposed for three consecutive periods of 30, 60 and 90 days in 10 community gardens in Sao Paulo and in one control site. The concentrations of 17 chemical elements (traffic-related elements and those essential to plant biology) were quantified by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Tillandsia usneoides L. specimens were used as air plant biomonitors. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr and Pb found in vegetables were compared to the recommended values for consumption. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to cluster the elemental concentrations, and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were employed to evaluate the association of the factor scores from each PCA component with variables such as local weather, traffic burden and vertical barriers adjacent to the gardens. We found significant differences in the elemental concentrations of the vegetables in the different community gardens. These differences were related to the overall traffic burden, vertical obstacles and local weather. The Pb and Cd concentrations in both vegetables exceeded the limit values for consumption after 60 days of exposure. A strong correlation was observed between the concentration of traffic-related elements in vegetables and in Tillandsia usneoides L. An exposure response was observed between traffic burden and traffic-derived particles absorbed in the vegetables. Traffic-derived air pollution directly influences the absorption of chemical elements in leafy vegetables, and the levels of these elements may exceed the recommended values for consumption.

Glucosinolates have attracted significant interest due to the chemopreventive properties of some of their transformation products. Numerous protocols for the extraction and analysis of glucosinolates have been published, but limited effort has been devoted to optimize and validate crucial extraction parameters and sample preparation steps. We carried out a systematic optimization and validation of a quantitative assay for the direct analysis of intact glucosinolates in Isatis tinctoria leaves (woad, Brassicaceae). Various parameters such as solvent composition, particle size, temperature, and number of required extraction steps were optimized using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). We observed thermal degradation of glucosinolates at temperatures above 50°C, and loss of &gt;60% within 10min at 100°C, but no enzymatic degradation in the leaf samples at ambient temperature. Excellent peak shape and resolution was obtained by reversed-phase chromatography on a Phenomenex Aqua column...

Broccoli offers many heath-promoting properties owing to its content of antioxidant and anticarcinogenic compounds. The concentration and bioavailability of polyphenols, glucosinolates, sulforaphane and selenium depend on plant biochemistry, cultivation strategy and type of processing. In this article, the main biochemical properties of broccoli are reviewed regarding their health-promoting effects. Additionally, the way these properties are affected by processing is discussed. Steaming and drying result in an apparent increment of sulforaphane content as well as antioxidant activity, most likely due to an increase of the extractability of antioxidants and sulforaphane. Freezing and boiling diminish polyphenols concentration, mainly due to volatilization and leaching into the cooking water. In view of these results, the optimization of broccoli processing in order to maximize the content of bioactive compounds should be possible. The effect of processing on selenium compounds has been poorly studied so far, and therefore this topic should be investigated in the future. Finally, the effect of operating conditions in different drying processes on the content of bioactive compounds in broccoli should be investigated in a greater depth.

The experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh during the period from October 2011 to March 2012 to find out the response of broccoli to different organic manures. The experiment consisted four different organic manures viz. M0: Control i.e. no manure application; M1: Cowdung @ 15 t/ha; M2: Poultry Manure @ 12 t/ha and M3: Vermicompost @ 13 t/ha following Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Maximum weight of primary curd (484.7 g), diameter of primary curd (10.0 cm), number of secondary curd (3.0), weight of secondary curd (76.7 g), dry matter content of leaves (13.9 g), dry matter content of curds (13.1 g), yield/plot (11.2 kg) and yield/hectare (12.0 ton) were found from M2 while minimum from M0.

Probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum L4 and strain Leuconostoc mesenteroides LMG 7954 were applied for the controlled fermentation of cabbage heads. The parameters of the controlled and spontaneous fermentations, including antimicrobial effect of cabbage brines obtained at the end of both fermentations, were monitored. To check out the influence of starter culture strains, 10 randomly chosen lactic acid bacteria, isolated at the end of controlled cabbage heads fermentation were identified by API 50CHL test, and the presence of the probiotic culture was confirmed by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis. The starter cultures applied for cabbage heads fermentation allowed lowering of NaCl concentrations from 4.0% to 2.5% (w/v), considerably accelerated fermentation process by 14 d, and improved the product quality. The produced sauerkraut heads are considered probiotic product as viable probiotic cells count in final product was higher than 10 6 colony-forming units (CFU) per gram of product.

In the recent study, the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana was used to evaluate its pathogenecity against adults of different aphid species i.e., Schizaphis graminum, Rhopalosiphum padi, Brevicoryne brassicae and Lipaphis erysimi, and their natural enemy Coccinella septempunctata. B. bassiana was found effective at all concentrations i.e., 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 and 1×10 8 spores/ml on all aphid species, but the uppermost concentration (1×10 8 spores/ml) provided maximum control within short period of time (P < 0.0001). B. bassiana with LC 50 value of 6.28 × 10 5 proved to be lethal to B. brassicae after 3 rd day. Mortality of L. erysimi was observed maximum on highest concentration of 1×10 8 spores/ml with LC 50 value of 1.36 × 10 6 , while the LT 50 values were in range of 2.19-3.73 days for different aphid species treated at various concentrations. B. bassiana showed little or no detrimental effects to C. septempunctata. By testing the field efficacy of B. bassiana against aphid species, this insect pathogenic fungus can be used as potential biocontrol agent for the management of aphids.

The study was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh during the period from October 2011 to March 2012. The experiment consisted three different planting times as T1: Planting at 3rd November, 2011; T2: Planting at 18th November, 2011 and T3: Planting at 3rd December, 2011 using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Maximum weight of primary curd/plant (427.8 g), diameter of primary curd (10.1 cm), weight of secondary curd (66.8 g), dry matter content of leaves (13.6 g), yield/plot (9.9 kg) and yield (10.6 t/ha) was found from T2 while minimum from T3. So, planting at 18th November was better for the broccoli production in Bangladesh.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) 6 and 11 are primarily associated with anal, genital, or oral warts, which may progress to malignant transformation at the site of infection. HPV 16 and 18 are primarily associated with cervical cancer and are considered high-risk infections. HPV has increased over 500% in the last 30 years. CAM considerations for HPV prevention and treatment are; green tea extract, Podophyllum, Coriolus veriscolor mushroom, Brassica family metabolites: Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and 3’-diindolylmethane(DIM), escharotic treatment and vaginal suppositories.

The antioxidant potential of broccoli powder extract (BPE) was determined and evaluated in goat meat nuggets at three different levels 1, 1.5 and 2%, compared with control and butylated hydroxyl toluene (100 ppm BHT). Total phenolics in 5 mg broccoli powder was higher (P b 0.05) than 100 ppm BHT. Free radical scavenging activity of 2.25 mg and 3 mg broccoli powder was found similar to 50 and 100 ppm BHT. Reducing power of 10 mg broccoli powder was comparable to the 100 ppm BHT. Incorporation of 1.5 and 2% BPE decreased (P b 0.05) the pH value of the products. Total phenolics in product with 2% BPE was similar to BHT nuggets. Chroma value of products with 1.5 and 2% BPE was lower (P b 0.05) than control and BHT nuggets. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances number of BPE nuggets was lower (P b 0.05) than control throughout the storage. Thus 2% BPE can be used as natural antioxidant in goat meat nuggets without affecting product acceptability.

Glucosinolates are an important class of secondary plant metabolites, possessing health-promoting properties. Young broccoli plants are a very good source of glucosinolates with concentrations several times greater than in mature plants. The aim of our study was to develop a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry qualitative and quantitative method for the measure of glucosinolates in broccoli sprouts. The described method provides high sensitivity and specificity, allowing a rapid and simultaneous determination of 14 glucosinolates. The proposed method has been validated for eight glucosinolates: glucobrassicin, glucoraphanin, glucoiberin, glucoerucin, progoitrin, gluconapin, sinigrin and glucocheirolin. The linear range was 1-150 mg ml À1 , the intra-day and inter-day precision values are within 6% and 8% at the lower limit of quantification, while the overall recovery of the eight glucosinolates was 99 AE 9%. This validated method was used successfully for analysis of glucosinolates content of broccoli sprouts grown in different conditions. Precision and accuracy were evaluated at three concentration levels for each compound through triplicate intra-day assays and inter-day assays over 3 days LC-MS determination of glucosinoloma

Prevention of transgene flow from genetically modified crops to food crops and wild relatives is of concern in agricultural biotechnology. We used genes derived from food crops to produce complete male sterility as a strategy for gene confinement as well as to reduce the food purity concerns of consumers. Anther-specific promoters (A3, A6, A9, MS2, and MS5) were isolated from Brassica oleracea and B. rapa and fused to the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and candidate genes for male sterility, including the cysteine proteases BoCysP1 and BoCP3, and negative regulatory components of phytohormonal responses involved in male development. These constructs were then introduced into Arabidopsis thaliana. GUS analyses revealed that A3, A6, and A9 had tapetum-specific promoter activity from the anther meiocyte stage. Male sterility was confirmed in tested constructs with protease or gibberellin insensitive (gai) genes. In particular, constructs with BoCysP1 driven by the A3 or A9 promoter most efficiently produced plants with complete male sterility. The tapetum and middle layer cells of anthers expressing BoCysP1 were swollen and excessively vacuolated when observed in transverse section. This suggests that the ectopic expression of cysteine protease in the meiocyte stage may inhibit programmed cell death. The gai gene also induced male sterility, although at a low frequency. This is the first report to show that plant cysteine proteases and gai from food crops are available as a novel tool for the development of genetically engineered male-sterile plants.

The formation of plant-derived biomolecules during sauerkraut fermentation was studied. Cabbage was fermented with a starter culture, and the results were compared to the results of spontaneous fermentation. The concentration of flavonoids and glucosinolates was analyzed by HPLC, and that of the glucosinolate breakdown products, by GC-MS. Of the 20 different flavonoids tested, only kaempferol was found (0.9 mg/ kg FW, fresh weight). The content of kaempferol remained constant in the cabbage fiber matrix over the fermentation process. The nitrite concentration was below the detection limit in both fermentations. The total glucosinolate content in the raw material was 3.71 µmol/g DW, dry weight. Glucosinolates were totally decomposed in both fermentations during two weeks, and different types of breakdown products were formed. Isothiocyanates, indole-3-carbinol, goitrin, allyl cyanide, and nitriles were determined in the fermented cabbage. Isothiocyanates and allyl cyanide were the predominant breakdown products in both fermentations. Sulforaphane nitrile and goitrin were found only in small quantities in the end products.