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Allegra A, Gallotta A, Carimi F, Mercati F, Inglese P, Martinelli F. Metabolic Profiling and Post-harvest Behavior of "Dottato" Fig ( Ficus carica L.) Fruit Covered With an Edible Coating From O. ficus-indica. Front Plant Sci 2018; 9:1321. [PMID: 30233636 PMCID: PMC6134321 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Fig fruits are usually highly sensitive to some physiopathological disorders during post-harvest life, such as softening and skin cracking. Indeed, the use of edible coating (EC) has been evaluated in several fruit crops to reduce fruit post-harvest transpiration and to maintain fruit visual quality. The aim of this study was to determine the post-harvest metabolic response of breba figs treated with mucilage extract from O puntia ficus-indica cladodes, using an untargeted metabolomic approach. Coated and non-coated (control) fruit were sealed in plastic bags, and stored at 4°C for 7 days. The effect of the ECs on their quality fruit during cold storage and qualitative attributes were evaluated by analyzing the fruit primary metabolism and other qualitative parameters such as total soluble solids (TSS) content, titratable acidity (TA), fresh weight loss and firmness. Results underlined that EC was effective in maintaining fruit fresh weight, and fruit firmness. Stepwise discriminant analysis was able to discriminate fruit conditions. Alanine, xylulose, aspartic acid, glutamic, acid and 2,5-dihydroxypyrazine showed a significant role on discriminating edible coated fruit from untreated ones. Principal component analysis (PCA) was able to highlight clear differences in the overall metabolism changes between untreated and treated fruit. The application of EC significantly mitigated the decrease of most of the aminoacid content during cold storage. EC treatment caused the changes of several organic acids in comparison to untreated control, increasing the amount of carbohydrates and other key metabolites, such as beta-sitosterol, glycerol, and uracil. These results clearly showed the drastic effects of EC on fig metabolism during post-harvest and shed light on the beneficial mechanisms of this treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Allegra
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences – Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gallotta
- Department of Soil, Plants and Food Science (DiSSPA), University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Carimi
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Division of Palermo, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Mercati
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Division of Palermo, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Inglese
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences – Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Federico Martinelli
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences – Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Gallotta A, Allegra A, Inglese P, Sortino G. Fresh-cut storage of fruit and fresh-cuts affects the behaviour of minimally processed Big Bang nectarines ( Prunus persica L. Batsch) during shelf life. Food Packag Shelf Life 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fpsl.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Ferrara G, Gallotta A, Pacucci C, Matarrese AMS, Mazzeo A, Giancaspro A, Gadaleta A, Piazzolla F, Colelli G. The table grape 'Victoria' with a long shaped berry: a potential mutation with attractive characteristics for consumers. J Sci Food Agric 2017; 97:5398-5405. [PMID: 28503773 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Puglia is the most important region in Italy for table grape production. Since consumers look for new products, the number of table grape varieties has greatly increased in recent years. RESULTS In a survey in the Puglia region, we identified several years ago a potential mutation of the cv. Victoria. We described this accession in comparison with the standard Victoria for some amphelographic traits. All the characteristics were very similar to the standard Victoria except for the berry shape, which was significantly more elongated. Moreover, the berry of the mutated Victoria showed higher firmness, lightness and chroma than the standard one, with a more intense yellow colour of the skin (appreciated by consumers). The molecular characterisation with 25 SSR markers showed that normal and mutant Victoria were genetically identical at all the analysed loci, thus suggesting that the two accessions could be considered as clones with the difference in berry shape probably due to a somatic mutation. CONCLUSIONS This mutation of the cv. Victoria may have interesting perspective for the market since consumers are always attracted by different shape and colour of the fruits (consumers buy with eyes). This accession can be an alternative clone of the already known standard Victoria. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ferrara
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti - Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gallotta
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti - Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - Carmela Pacucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti - Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Maria Stella Matarrese
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti - Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Mazzeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti - Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - Angelica Giancaspro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agro-Ambientali e Territoriali - Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - Agata Gadaleta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agro-Ambientali e Territoriali - Università degli Studi di Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Piazzolla
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell'Ambiente - Università di Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Colelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, degli Alimenti e dell'Ambiente - Università di Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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Allegra A, Sortino G, Inglese P, Settanni L, Todaro A, Gallotta A. The effectiveness of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage edible coating on post-harvest maintenance of ‘Dottato’ fig ( Ficus carica L.) fruit. Food Packag Shelf Life 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fpsl.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Martini A, Fattovich G, Guido M, Bugianesi E, Biasiolo A, Ieluzzi D, Gallotta A, Fassina G, Merkel C, Gatta A, Negro F, Pontisso P. HCV genotype 3 and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA)-IgM are independently associated with histological features of NASH in HCV-infected patients. J Viral Hepat 2015; 22:800-8. [PMID: 25611978 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) enhances the risk of progressive liver disease. In chronic hepatitis C (CHC), liver steatosis is frequent, especially in genotype 3, but its clinical significance is debated. As squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA)-IgM has been associated with advanced liver disease and risk of tumour development, we evaluated its occurrence in CHC and the possible relation with NASH at liver biopsy. Using a validated ELISA, serum SCCA-IgM was measured in 91 patients with CHC at the time of liver biopsy performed before antiviral treatment, at the end of treatment and 6 months thereafter, and in 93 HCV-negative patients with histological diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, as controls. SCCA-IgM was detected in 33% of CHC patients and in 4% of controls. This biomarker was found more elevated in CHC patients with histological NASH, and at multivariate analysis, SCCA-IgM and HCV genotype 3 were independently associated with NASH [OR (95% CI): 6.94 (1.21-40) and 27.02 (4.44-166.6)]. As predictors of NASH, HCV genotype 3 and SCCA-IgM had a specificity and a sensitivity of 97% and 44%, and of 95% and 27%, respectively. PPV and NPV were 80% and 86% for HCV genotype 3 vs 73% and 72% for SCCA-IgM. In patients with sustained virologic response to therapy, SCCA-IgM levels decreased significantly, while these remained unchanged in nonresponders. In conclusion, SCCA-IgM is detectable in one-third of patients with CHC and significantly correlates with histological NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Martini
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - G Fattovich
- Division of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy.,Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - M Guido
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - E Bugianesi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - A Biasiolo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - D Ieluzzi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | - C Merkel
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - A Gatta
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - F Negro
- Division of Clinical Pathology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Division Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - P Pontisso
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Pessina S, Pavan S, Catalano D, Gallotta A, Visser RGF, Bai Y, Malnoy M, Schouten HJ. Characterization of the MLO gene family in Rosaceae and gene expression analysis in Malus domestica. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:618. [PMID: 25051884 PMCID: PMC4124139 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Powdery mildew (PM) is a major fungal disease of thousands of plant species, including many cultivated Rosaceae. PM pathogenesis is associated with up-regulation of MLO genes during early stages of infection, causing down-regulation of plant defense pathways. Specific members of the MLO gene family act as PM-susceptibility genes, as their loss-of-function mutations grant durable and broad-spectrum resistance. RESULTS We carried out a genome-wide characterization of the MLO gene family in apple, peach and strawberry, and we isolated apricot MLO homologs through a PCR-approach. Evolutionary relationships between MLO homologs were studied and syntenic blocks constructed. Homologs that are candidates for being PM susceptibility genes were inferred by phylogenetic relationships with functionally characterized MLO genes and, in apple, by monitoring their expression following inoculation with the PM causal pathogen Podosphaera leucotricha. CONCLUSIONS Genomic tools available for Rosaceae were exploited in order to characterize the MLO gene family. Candidate MLO susceptibility genes were identified. In follow-up studies it can be investigated whether silencing or a loss-of-function mutations in one or more of these candidate genes leads to PM resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Pessina
- />Department of Genomics and Biology of Fruit Crops, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
- />Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefano Pavan
- />Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Catalano
- />National Research Council, Institute of Plant Genetics, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gallotta
- />Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Richard GF Visser
- />Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yuling Bai
- />Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mickael Malnoy
- />Department of Genomics and Biology of Fruit Crops, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Henk J Schouten
- />Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Beneduce L, Pesce G, Gallotta A, Zampieri F, Biasiolo A, Tono N, Boscato N, Gatta A, Pontisso P, Fassina G. Tumour-specific induction of immune complexes: DCP-IgM in hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur J Clin Invest 2008; 38:571-7. [PMID: 18625005 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2008.01985.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the sera of liver, colorectal and prostate cancer patients, several biomarkers may be detected as IgM immune complexes. To determine whether the presence of immune complexes was correlated to an increase of IgMs, we measured the IgM content in the sera of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis, and evaluated the occurrence of des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) as immune complexes (DCP-IgM) compared to the levels of DCP and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). PATIENTS AND METHODS Serum samples from 31 patients with cirrhosis, 33 untreated HCC patients diagnosed by ultrasound, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance and confirmed by histopathology, when indicated, and 30 healthy controls were analysed. Concentrations of IgM and DCP-IgM were determined by ELISAs. RESULTS Circulating IgM in patients with HCC (median level = 1.79 mg mL(-1)) and cirrhosis (1.09 mg mL(-1)) were not significantly different (P = 0.1376) while DCP-IgM were significantly higher in HCC patients (median level = 2171.2 AU mL(-1)) than in those with cirrhosis (1152 AU mL(-1), P = 0.0047). No correlation was found between DCP-IgM and IgM in HCC (r = 0.227) and cirrhosis patients (r = 0.475). DPC-IgM was positive in 55% (18/33) of HCC patients and in 26% (8/31) of cirrhosis patients compared to 39% and 26% for DCP and 48% and 13% for AFP. DCP-IgM, DCP and AFP tests had 100% specificity in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS DCP-IgM in HCC patients was not associated with an increase in IgM concentration. DCP-IgM was more frequently detected in HCC patients than DCP and AFP, strengthening the diagnostic role of IgM immune complexes for liver cancer.
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Beneduce L, Marino M, Gallotta A, Pesce G, Pontisso P, Fassina G. O.159 A new class of biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma: IgM immune complexes. J Clin Virol 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1386-6532(06)80150-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Riccardi L, Giorgio V, De Giovanni C, Lotti C, Gallotta A, Fanizza G. The genetic diversity of Apulian apricot genotypes (Prunus armeniaca L.) assessed using AFLP markers. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2003; 7:431-6. [PMID: 12378246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Apricot is an important crop in Italy and, especially in Southern regions, in the last five years numerous plantings using new cultivars and appropriate cultural management have been established. The cultivars available were created in different environments (USA, France, New Zealand, etc), they then often show low adaptability to Italian conditions. However, in the South of Italy, it is still possible to safeguard and to exploit a considerable amount of the apricot genetic variation available in ecotypes often characterised both by useful bio-agronomic traits and by good environmental adaptation. These genetic materials could be used in breeding programs aimed at broadening the harvest period and obtaining high fruit quality and resistance to the main biotic and abiotic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Riccardi
- Department of Agroforestry, Environmental Biology and Chemistry, Section of Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Bari, Amendola 165/A; 70126, Bari, Italy
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