Mycotoxins in organically versus conventionally produced cereal grains and some other crops in temperate regions

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 755-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Brodal ◽  
I.S. Hofgaard ◽  
G.S. Eriksen ◽  
A. Bernhoft ◽  
L. Sundheim
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Cereal Grains ◽  
Organic System ◽  
Mycotoxin Contamination ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Apple Products ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Difference

This paper presents peer-reviewed studies comparing the content of deoxynivalenol (DON), HT-2+T-2 toxins, zearalenone (ZEA), nivalenol (NIV), ochratoxin A (OTA) and fumonisins in cereal grains, and patulin (PAT) in apple and apple-based products, produced in organically and conventionally grown crops in temperate regions. Some of the studies are based on data from controlled field trials, however, most are farm surveys and some are food basket surveys. Almost half of the studies focused on DON in cereals. The majority of these studies found no significant difference in DON content in grain from the two farming systems, but several studies showed lower DON content in organically than in conventionally produced cereals. A number of the investigations reported low DON levels in grain, far below the EU limits for food. Many authors suggested that weather conditions, years, locations, tillage practice and crop rotation are more important for the development of DON than the type of farming. Organically produced oats contained mainly lower levels of HT-2+T-2 toxins than conventionally produced oats. Most studies on ZEA reported no differences between farming systems, or lower concentrations in organically produced grain. For the other mycotoxins in cereals, mainly low levels and no differences between the two farming systems were reported. Some studies showed higher PAT contamination in organically than in conventionally produced apple and apple products. The difference may be due to more efficient disease control in conventional orchards. It cannot be concluded that any of the two farming systems increases the risk of mycotoxin contamination. Despite no use of fungicides, an organic system appears generally able to maintain mycotoxin contamination at low levels. More systematic comparisons from scientifically controlled field trials and surveys are needed to clarify if there are differences in the risk of mycotoxin contamination between organically and conventionally produced crops.

scholarly journals Measuring serum oestradiol in women with Alzheimer's disease: the importance of the sensitivity of the assay method

2003 ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Hogervorst ◽  
J Williams ◽  
M Combrinck ◽  
A David Smith
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Robust Regression ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Sensitive Assay ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Difference

OBJECTIVE: Oestrogens could be protective against the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but reports on oestrogen levels in AD have been conflicting. DESIGN AND METHODS: A meta-analysis using robust regression was carried out to assess whether the sensitivity of the assays of past studies had affected the reported level of total oestradiol. We had also measured total oestradiol in women with AD (n=66) and controls (n=62) not using hormone replacement therapy. We used two assays for total oestradiol to assess the difference between sensitive (radioimmunoassay with a specific rabbit antibody: 3 pmol/l) and relatively insensitive (immunoassay: 37 pmol/l) assays. RESULTS: Meta-analysis using robust regression indicated that insensitive assays gave higher levels of total oestradiol when many samples fall below the level of sensitivity of the method. Earlier reports of low levels of total oestradiol in AD might be explained by this phenomenon, since total oestradiol levels (using the sensitive assay) in our controls were one third of those reported in the earlier studies. Using the sensitive assay we found that women with AD had significantly (P<0.01) higher levels (26+/-13 pmol/l) of total oestradiol than controls (21+/-13 pmol/l). Using the insensitive assay, there was no significant difference in the levels of total oestradiol. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of the assay determines the reported value of the oestradiol levels. Studies using a sensitive assay do not report significantly lower levels of total oestradiol in women with AD. This weighs against the hypothesis that low levels of total oestradiol are a risk factor for AD.

scholarly journals Effect of antinutritional factors and extrusion at the level of cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein and testosterone in serum of broiler chickens

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1715-1726
Author(s):  
D. Beukovic ◽  
D. Ljubojevic ◽  
M. Beukovic ◽  
D. Glamocic ◽  
S. Bjedov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Protein ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Antinutritional Factors ◽  
Trypsin Inhibitors ◽  
Cholesterol Levels ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Set Up

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of various antinutritional factors and extrusion at the level of cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein and serum testosterone in broiler chickens. The experiment was set up as four treatments with four replications, where the chickens fed diets with different soybean varieties and different way of processing. The groups were: SS-raw standard strain, SL-raw soybeans with low levels of Kunitz trypsin inhibitor, SGstandard extruded soybeans and extruded soybeans LG with low levels of trypsin inhibitors. Significantly higher cholesterol levels compared to the SS group (3,0125 mmol/l) was in SL (3,6125 mmol/l) and SG (3,8875 mmol/l) group, while in relation to the LG (3,4 mmol/l) group was higher but the difference was not significant (p> 0.05). Triglyceride level was highest in the LG group (1,6375 mmol/l), followed by SL (1,425 mmol/l) and SG (1,125 mmol/l) groups and between these three groups no statistically significant differences. The lowest level of triglycerides in the SS group and is significantly lower than in the other three groups. Total protein level was highest in the SL group and significantly higher than the SG and LG groups (p <0.05) and highly significant difference compared to the SS group. Differences between groups SS, SG and SL are not statistically significant.The experiment confirmed that in addition to Kunitz trypsin inhibitors are heat labile and other factors that influence different biochemical parameters of blood.

scholarly journals Nutrient Removal by Grain in Modern Soybean Varieties

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Esper Neto ◽  
Lorena Moreira Lara ◽  
Silas Maciel de Oliveira ◽  
Rayssa Fernanda dos Santos ◽  
Alessandro Lucca Braccini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Breeding ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference

Knowing the nutrient removal by soybean grain harvest in different varieties, locations, and over time is essential to correctly adjust agronomic recommendations, update farmers’ practices, and increase nutrient use efficiency. A field-based research trial was carried out to assess macronutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and sulfur (S)] removed in grain by modern soybean varieties from southern Brazil introduced between 2007 and 2016. We examined changes between our set of modern varieties and a dataset of historical values encompassing a wide range of varieties introduced before 2007. Moreover, we undertook a synthesis analysis using scientific literature published after 2007 to investigate nutrient removal by grain among modern Brazilian soybeans and a dataset that included field trials from Argentina, United States, and India. There were no yield gains across the years for modern soybean varieties introduced among 2007 and 2016 in Brazil, although the grain N and Mg concentrations decreased. Modern Brazilian soybeans increased nutrient removal compared with that by soybeans historically planted in Brazil, with 11.1, 26.9, 45.0, and 31.6% more N, P, K, and Mg removed, respectively. Our results indicated that soybean growing in Brazil removed 4.3% less N relative to the values reported in the literature dataset, whereas K removal was 21.4% greater. A significant difference was also recorded for high-yield soybean varieties, and Brazilian varieties removed 11.8% less N and 8.6% more K than varieties in the literature dataset. No differences were found among locations for P removal, averaging 4.9 kg Mg–1 grain. In conclusion, this study indicates that the amounts of nutrients removed by modern soybean varieties were greater relative to the historical values recorded in Brazil, excluding Ca and S. Nonetheless, in the middle to long term (10 years), a significant impact of plant breeding on grain nutrient concentration was recorded only for N and Mg. The difference in nutrient removal patterns between Brazil and other countries indicates an integrated effect of management, genotype, and environment on nutrient removal. These findings provide guidance for optimal nutrient management and specific information for plant breeding programs to understand nutrient variability.

scholarly journals The Effect of Plant Density on the Yield of Sunflower Hybrid’s in 2001-2002

2003 ◽  
pp. 184-189
Author(s):  
András Szabó ◽  
Péter Pepó ◽  
László Zsombik
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Vegetation Period ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Infection Level ◽  
Optimal Density ◽  
Diaporthe Helianthi ◽  
High Plant Density ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference

Nowadays, for increasing efficiency of sunflower production treating hybrid-specific technologies was required. Increasing of hybrid choice gave reasons for trials in respects of critical factors, as well as in case of genotype-enviroment interactions. The effect of changing plant density show up as determinant factor which affects on yield as well as on plant hygienic conditions. Trials were established on calcareous chernozem soil (Hajdú-Bihar county), in 2001-2002. The field trials were randomized, in four repetition on small parcels. The plant density trials were established in 35.000-75.000 plant/hectar interval using a scale of 10.000 plant/hectar. 10 hybrids were used in both year.In 2001, 55.000 plant/hectar density was the optimal, in case of most of the hybrids. The yield of tested hybrids did not show significant difference. Yield decreasing effect of using less than optimal density was more significant than in case of using optimal plant density. In 2002, the optimal density was in 45.000-65.000 plant/hectar interval, there was no possibility to find narrower optimum.Presence of Diaporthe helianthi and the damage caused by the pathogen was significant in 1997-1999, whereas in 2001-2002 the large-scale appearance of the pathogen did not occur. In 2001, the affect of high plant density on disease caused by Diaporthe helianthi showed just tendency-like appearance, in 2002, the infection showed up just in the end of the vegetation period, without significant damage. In spite of the low infection level, the difference between the infection of the diverse plant density treatment was significant. Increasing plant density made increase the frequency of the Diaporthe helianthi infection. The rate of the flower diseases was around 3-16% in 2001, the highest infection level emerged in 65.000-75.000 plant/hectar density, whereas in 2002, the rate of infection level was less than 10%. The increasing plant density helped the development of flower diseases.

Risk factors for mycotoxin contamination of buckwheat grain and its products

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 519-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Keriene ◽  
A. Mankeviciene ◽  
R. Cesnuleviciene
Keyword(s):  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Mycotoxin Contamination ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Ripening Stages ◽  
Early Ripening ◽  
Hot Weather ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Aflatoxin B

The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation have indicated that higher contamination of agricultural produce with mycotoxins is associated with the alterations in the weather conditions. The aim of the current study was to quantify mycotoxin contamination on buckwheat grain at early and complete ripening stages and to estimate the effects of the weather conditions on mycotoxin occurrence as well as to consider natural measures that could potentially reduce mycotoxin contamination in buckwheat products. Mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), zearalenone (ZEA), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA) were analysed in fully ripe buckwheat grain in 2013 and at early ripening stages in 2014 and 2015. The field trials of buckwheat were set up at the Perloja Experimental Station, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. The least concentrations of the investigated mycotoxins in buckwheat grain were found in 2013. Particularly high concentrations of AFB1 (up to ~72 μg/kg) were identified in buckwheat grain at early ripening stages in 2014 and 2015. It is likely that buckwheat grain were contaminated with AFB1 under favourable weather conditions, which were uncharacteristic of Lithuania’s climate in 2014 and 2015: hot weather and drought prevailed during the buckwheat flowering and ripening stages. However, such meteorological conditions were less favourable for the synthesis of DON, T-2, ZEA and OTA mycotoxins in buckwheat grain. The high AFB1 contents found in grain question the quality of buckwheat products. Hulls were 10-fold more contaminated with AFB1 than grain, which suggests that they serve as a protective shield against buckwheat groat, bran and flour contamination with this mycotoxin. Phenolic compounds were found to decrease the risk of mycotoxin occurrence in grain: with increasing concentrations of rutin, quercetin and total phenolics content in hulls and grain samples, the contents of trichothecene mycotoxins were significantly (P<0.05) lower.

Genetic and environmental effects on a temperament score in beef cattle

1984 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 723 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Hearnshaw ◽  
CA Morris
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
New South ◽  
North Coast ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Difference

Temperament scores were taken on 8-month-old calves from five calf drops (1976-80) and over three sections of a large crossbreeding trial on the North Coast of New South Wales. A 0-5 scale was used, with lower values for quieter cattle. The heritability �s.e. of temperament score of Bos taurus calves (sired by Hereford, Simmental and Friesian bulls) was 0.03�0.28, and for B. indicus-sired calves (Brahman, Braford and Africander bulls) 0.46�0.37, and for all data combined 0.44�0.25. There was a significant difference (P < 0.01) between the mean score of Brahman-sired halfbred calves (1.96) and B. taurus-sired calves (1.05). The difference was halved to 0.45 points for quarterbred Brahman calves versus B. taurus calves, i.e. as expected for an additive trait. There were significant differences in temperament among calves sired by B. indicus bulls, but there were no significant differences amongst the B. taurus sire breeds. The repeatability (mean � s.e.) of operators' score of 701 weaner calves was 0.67�0.08. From temperament scores of 315 cows at weaning in 1981, an operator repeatability of 0.82�0.08 was obtained. Correlations of cow and calf score were not consistent, but averaged 0.18�0.04 from 547 records. The repeatability of scores taken at two separate times on 132 calves, was 0.43�0.09. The group given a medium level of nutrition had significantly higher temperament scores than those given high or low levels. Sex effects were not significant on scores at weaning. A log transformation of the data equalized the variance of scores of different breeds, but did not affect the conclusions.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF THE COMPOSITION OF WINTER WHEAT GRAINS GROVN IN LATVIA AND NORWAY

AGROFOR ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vita STERNA ◽  
Vija STRAZDINA ◽  
Arta KRONBERGA ◽  
Ievina STURITE ◽  
Mauritz ÅSSVEEN
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Total Content ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Kernel Weight ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Wheat Varieties ◽  
Wheat Grains ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Wheat is one of the major grains in the diet of the world’s population and thereforeit may have a great impact on human health. The yield and chemical compositionof grains can vary greatly due to genetic and environmental factors. The aim of thepresent study was to assess how different climatic conditions affect the chemicalcomposition of wheat grains of the same genotipe. The field trials were establishedin Stende (Latvia) and at Apelsvoll (Norway). Wheat varieties used were ‘Edvins’,‘Ellvis’ and ‘Skagen’ In the studied samples the content of protein, amino acids,1000 grain weight, hectolitre weight and falling number were determined. Theprotein content in the grains ranged from 8.9% to 11.8% in organic fields and from10.0 to 13.1% in conventional fields and differed between the varieties. The proteincontent in the samples of the same variety differed significantly due toenvironmental conditions. The difference in protein content was greater in theorganic fields. The 1000 kernel weight in the wheat grain samples varied from 39.9to 49.2 and depended on the variety and the growing place. The ratio of essentialamino acids to the total content of amino acids (in %) ranged from 30.8 to 33.3% inthe conventional growing system and from 30.5 to 32.9% in the organic growingsystem. Significant difference between the varieties was not detected.

Effect of agronomic practices and weather conditions on mycotoxins in maize: a case study of subsistence farming households in Zimbabwe

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ndemera ◽  
S. Landschoot ◽  
M. De Boevre ◽  
L.K. Nyanga ◽  
S. De Saeger
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Subsistence Farming ◽  
Mycotoxin Contamination ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mycotoxigenic Fungi ◽  
Fertiliser Application

Maize is susceptible to many mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins, being prone to Fusarium spp. infection and subsequent mycotoxin contamination. Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is the predominant mycotoxin in Zimbabwean subsistence-grown maize and results of mycotoxin analyses indicated FB1 to be significantly higher compared to other mycotoxins. To fully elucidate maize agronomic practices influencing FB1 contamination of maize produced by Zimbabwean subsistence farming populations, an investigative field survey was conducted in the selected provinces of Mashonaland West and Manicaland. Agronomic data and associated climatic data were collected during the 2014/2015 agricultural season. A total of 158 maize samples were collected from households’ harvest, three months and six months post-harvest. Analysis and quantification of mycotoxin contamination in the maize samples was performed using a validated multi-mycotoxin analysis method with a scope of 23 mycotoxins. Maize was mainly contaminated by FB1. There was low mycotoxin co-occurrence in Zimbabwean maize, which was typically of Fusarium toxins. FB1 occurred in 23, 47 and 47% of samples at harvest, three and six months post-harvest, respectively. The corresponding means of positive samples were 609, 597 and 289 μg/kg, respectively. Regarding fumonisins, the choice of seed and fertiliser application were significant in modulating FB1 contamination. There was no significant difference in mean FB1 contamination during post-harvest maize storage. Daily temperatures were key factors influencing FB1 incidence and levels. High temperatures were associated with high FB1 contamination particularly at the flowering stage of maize. Rainfall was positively correlated with FB1 contamination. Good agricultural practices attributed to low FB1 contamination in maize pre-harvest. Post-harvest practices such as preserving seed integrity by preventing pest infestation using grain protection chemicals are important in achieving lower mycotoxin contamination and in particular, FB1, in maize grain.

scholarly journals Mood, Disability, and Quality of Life among a Subgroup of Rheumatoid Arthritis Individuals with Experiential Avoidance and Anxiety Sensitivity

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mehta ◽  
D. Rice ◽  
S. Janzen ◽  
J. E. Pope ◽  
M. Harth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Cluster Membership ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Cluster 2

Objective.The current study aimed to identify and characterize distinct RA subgroups based on their level of EA and AS and compares the difference among the subgroups in mood, disability, and quality of life.Methods.Individuals with chronic pain for at least 3 months were recruited from an academic rheumatoid clinic. Participants were assessed for demographic, psychosocial, and personality measures. A two-step cluster analysis was conducted to identify distinct subgroups of patients. Differences in clinical outcomes were compared using the Multivariate ANOVA based on cluster membership.Results.From a total of 223 participants, three distinct subgroups were formed based on cluster analysis. Cluster 1 (N=78) included those with low levels of both EA and AS. Cluster 2 (N=81) consisted of individuals with moderate levels of EA and low levels AS. Cluster 3 (N=64) included those with moderate levels of EA and high AS. Compared to those in Cluster 1, those in Cluster 3 had significantly higher levels of mood impairment and disability and lower quality of life (p<0.05). Significantly lower levels of mood impairment were seen in Cluster 1 compared to Cluster 2 (p<0.05). However, no significant difference in disability or quality of life was seen between the two groups.Conclusions.The three subgroups differed significantly in levels of impairment in mood, disability, and quality of life. However, levels of EA had a greater impact on disability and quality of life than AS.

scholarly journals 1021 RECENT ADVANCES IN NATIONWIDE STUDIES OF CRANBERRY NITROGEN NUTRITION

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 574e-574
Author(s):  
J. R. Davenport ◽  
C. J. DeMoranville
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Nutrition ◽  
Reductase Activity ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Ammonium Nitrogen ◽  
Fruit Crops ◽  
The Past ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Nitrogen Rates

Like many fruit crops, the difference between vegetative and reproductive production in cranberry is strongly influenced by nitrogen supply, as is fruit quality. However, the optimal supply for this crop has not been established. Further, there have been mixed results on whether or not cranberry can metabolize nitrate nitrogen. Within the past 6 years there has been an upsurgence in research on cranberry nitrogen nutrition and it has started to provide answers to some of these unknowns. Results from the lab of L. Peterson (U Wi - Madison) have shown that cranberry will take up nitrate nitrogen, however the uptake is minimal unless ammonium nitrogen is present. The work from Peterson's lab has also shown that there is some nitrate reductase activity in cranberry leaves, albeit at very low levels. Work that we have conducted and work by J. Hart's group (OSU) have been the basis for establishing optimal nitrogen rates and timings for cranberry in the different growing areas in North America. Overall, the work from these different groups has shown that except in extreme situations, 22 - 33 kg N/ha is optimal for cranberry production. However, timing of application varies widely due to weather conditions in the different growing areas.

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