Sub-lethal concentrations of Perilla frutescens essential oils affect phytopathogenic fungal biofilms

The lack of deep knowledge of plant pathogenic fungal biofilms is reflected in the few existing environmental-friendly options for controlling fungal plant disease. Indeed, chemical fungicides still dominate the market but present-day concerns about their real efficacy, increasing awareness of the risk they pose to human health and the environment, and the incidence of fungicide resistance have all led to the current trend of near zero-market-tolerance for pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables. Here, essential oils (PK and PK-IK) from the edible leaves of two cultivars of Perilla frutescens are proposed as new, effective, non-toxic, eco-friendly pesticide-free options suitable for a preventive or integrative approach for sustainable crop protection and product preservation. PK and PK-IK were extracted and characterized, and their ability to affect the biofilm formation of the phytopathogenic model fungi Colletotrichum musae, Fusarium dimerum and Fusarium oxysporum was studied at non-lethal doses. Both essential oils at 1000 and 2000 mg l^-1 showed excellent anti-biofilm performance: i) reducing conidia adhesion up to 80.3 ± 16.2%; ii) inhibiting conidia germination up to 100.0 ± 0.0%; iii) affecting biofilm structural development, with a reduction in dry weight of up to 100.0 ± 0.0% and extracellular polysaccharides and proteins up to 81.4 ± 8.0% and 51.0 ± 6.1% respectively. In all cases PK-IK showed better activity than PK.

Rapid monitoring of grape withering using visible near-infrared spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

Wineries need new practical and quick instruments, non-destructive and able to quantitatively evaluate during withering the parameters that impact product quality. The aim of the work was to test an optical portable system (visible near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer) in a wavelength range of 400-1000 nm for the prediction of quality parameters of grape berries during withering.

RESULTS

A total of 300 red grape samples (Vitis vinifera L., Corvina cultivar) harvested in vintage year 2012 from the Valpolicella area (Verona, Italy) were analyzed. Qualitative (principal component analysis, PCA) and quantitative (partial least squares regression algorithm, PLS) evaluations were performed on grape spectra. PCA showed a clear sample grouping for the different withering stages. PLS models gave encouraging predictive capabilities for soluble solids content (R(2) val  = 0.62 and ratio performance deviation, RPD = 1.87) and firmness (R(2) val  = 0.56 and RPD = 1.79).

CONCLUSION

The work demonstrated the applicability of visible NIR spectroscopy as a rapid technique for the analysis of grape quality directly in barns, during withering. The sector could be provided with simple and inexpensive optical systems that could be used to monitor the withering degree of grape for better management of the wine production process.

[Pleurodesis. Indications and review of symphyseal agents]

Recurrent or chronic pneumothorax and neoplasm of the pleura are the major indications for pleurodesis. However certain chronic or recurrent forms of pleural affections of mechanical origin or secondary chylothorax may not respond to aetiologic treatment and could benefit from therapeutic pleural symphysis. The objective may be reached with several physical and chemical agents including cyclins and talcum powder among the most effective products devoid of major risk. The classic surgical techniques have been abandoned in favour of interventional thoracoscopy to obtain pleural abrasion and pleurectomy. Promising results have been obtained.