RESUMEN Objetivos: En el presente trabajo se comparó el uso de proteínas de clara de huevo en soporte de alginato y alginato de calcio para la formulación. Material y Métodos: Tras la encapsulación de microorganismos en proteínas de clara de huevo en alginato, se evaluaron ensayos de supervivencia y liberación en diferentes condiciones. Para el análisis se han utilizado la microscopio electrónico con escáner y la espectroscopia infrarroja de transformada de Fourier. Resultados: Los resultados muestran el alto potencial de este tipo de formulación en la protección de los probióticos frente a las condiciones ácidas del estómago, por el aumento significativo en la supervivencia de las bacterias. Nuestro estudio demostró que la viabilidad de L. casei y L. acidophilus era mucho menor, sin embargo, con la encapsulación de las bacterias con proteínas de clara de huevo en alginato aumentaron significativamente su supervivencia especialmente para L. casei. La hinchazón y el comportamiento de contracción de las proteínas de clara de huevo en cápsulas de alginato en diferentes pH mostraron que la hinchazón de la cápsula en el agua destilada en términos neutros tenía más capacidad de inflación que una posición similar en términos de acidez gástrica. Conclusion: El uso de proteínas de clara de huevo-alginato para la encapsulación de probióticos mejora la estabilidad de estos microorganismos en condiciones adversas simuladas del medio gástrico.

ABSTRACT Aims: In the present study, we evaluated the use of egg white proteins in alginate scaffolds and calcium alginate for the formulation of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus in the stomach acidic conditions. Material and Methods: After microorganism’s encapsulation in egg white proteins in alginate, survival assays and release in different conditions were evaluated. Scanning electron microscope and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used for analysis. Results: The results showed the high potential of this type of formulation in protecting the probiotics from stomach acidic conditions that is due to the significant increase in survival of the bacteria. Our study showed that the viability of the L. casei to free L. acidophilus had much less, however, with the encapsulation of the bacteria Egg white proteins in Alginate increased their survival significantly. Specially for the L. casei. Swelling and shrinkage behavior of egg white proteins in alginate capsules in different pH showed that the swelling of the capsule in the distilled water in the neutral terms had more inflation- capacity than similar position in terms of gastric acidity. Conclusions: The use of egg white proteins-Alginate for encapsulation of probiotics enhanced the stability of these microorganisms in simulated gastric environments adverse conditions.

Abstract This study was conducted in Iran in order to assess the distribution of CTX-M type ESBLs producing Enterobacteriaceae. From January 2012 to December 2013, totally 198 E. coli, 139 Klebsiella spp, 54 Salmonella spp and 52 Shigella spp from seven hospitals of six provinces in Iran were screened for resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. After identification and susceptibility testing, isolates presenting multiple-drug resistance (MDR) were evaluated for ESBL production by the disk combination method and by Etest using (cefotaxime and cefotaxime plus clavulanic acid). All isolates were also screened for bla CTX-M using conventional PCR. A total of 42.92%, 33.81%, 14.81% and 7.69% of the E. coli, Klebsiella spp, Salmonella spp and Shigella spp isolates were MDR, respectively. The presence of CTX-M enzyme among ESBL-producing isolates was 85.18%, 77.7%, 50%, and 66.7%, in E. coli, Klebsiella spp, Salmonella spp and Shigella spp respectively. The overall presence of CTX-M genes in Enterobacteriaceae was 15.4% and among the resistant isolates was 47.6%. This study indicated that resistance to β-lactams mediated by CTX-M enzymes in Iran had similar pattern as in other parts of the world. In order to control the spread of resistance, comprehensive studies and programs are needed.

To study the effects of zeolite and selenium (Se) application on production and physiological attributes of three canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars under water stress, an experiment was conducted in two growing seasons (2006 and 2007), at Karaj, Iran. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks in factorial split plot with three replications, and three factors: 1) irrigation: complete and restricted at stem elongation stage; 2) zeolite: 0 and 10 t ha-1; 3) Se (as sodium selenate): 0, 15 and 30 g L-1. These treatments were randomized into Zarfam, Okapi and Sarigol canola cultivars. According to the results, Zarfam cultivar showed the lowest electrolyte leakage and the highest biological yield due to zeolite application and 30 g L-1 Se. The highest chlorophyll content and seed yield was related to Okapi cultivars under the same treatments, while Sarigol was next. Zeolite and Se applications increased seed yield, but under water stress they did not change this variable. Furthermore, the biological yield increased due to Se and zeolite application, especially under water stress. Thus, application of 15 g L-1 Se and 10 t ha- ¹ zeolite may increase canola seed yield under water stress.

Para estudiar los efectos de la aplicación de zeolita y selenio (Se) en la producción y atributos fisiológicos de tres cultivares de canola (Brassica napus L.) bajo estrés hídrico, se realizó un experimento en dos épocas de cultivo (2006 y 2007) en Karaj, Irán. El diseño experimental fue de bloques completamente al azar en parcelas divididas en un arreglo factorial, con tres repeticiones, y tres factores: 1) riego: completo y restringido en la etapa de elongación de los tallos, 2) zeolita: 0 y 10 t ha-1, 3) Se (como sodio selenita): 0, 15 y 30 g L-1. Estos tratamientos fueron distribuidos al azar en los cultivares de canola Zarfam, Okapi y Sarigol. Según los resultados, el cultivar Zarfam mostró la menor pérdida de electrolito y el mayor rendimiento biológico debido a la aplicación de zeolita y 30 g Se L- ¹. El contenido de clorofila y rendimiento de semilla más alto se relacionó con el cultivar Okapi con los mismos tratamientos, seguido de Sarigol. Las aplicaciones de zeolita y Se aumentaron la producción de semillas, pero bajo estrés hídrico no cambiaron esta variable. Además el rendimiento biológico aumentó debido a la aplicación de Se y zeolita, especialmente bajo estrés hídrico. Así, la aplicación de 15 g L-1 Se y 10 t ha- ¹ de zeolita pueden aumentar el rendimiento de semilla de canola bajo estrés hídrico.

O estresse hídrico limita significativamente o crescimento de plantas e a produtividade da cultura. Por isto, o manejo eficiente da umidade no solo e o estudo de alterações metabólicas que ocorrem em decorrência do estresse hídrico são importantes para a agricultura. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito de seis genótipos de canola (Rgs003, Sarigol, Option500, Hyola401, Hyola330 e Hyola420), cultivados com e sem estresse hídrico e com e sem a presença de polímero hidroabsorvente, na qualidade e teor do óleo extraído de suas sementes. Utilizou-se delineamento em blocos casualizados, com parcelas subdivididas, em esquema fatorial 2x2x6 (estresse hídrico x polímero x genótipos), com três repetições. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em área pertencente ao Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, em Karaj, Irã. Observou-se efeito significativo para os níveis de estresse hídrico, presença de polímero e genótipos, no teor e composição do óleo e no teor de glucosinolato. O estresse hídrico reduziu os teores de óleo e ácido linoleico, mas aumentou o teor de glucosinolato e de ácido esteárico. A aplicação do polímero hidroabsorvente aumentou o teor de ácido linoleico, mas diminuiu outros componentes. Foi possível concluir que, sob estresse hídrico, a aplicação de polímero hidroabsorvente, em razão de sua maior retenção de água, aumentou a capacidade de armazenamento desta no solo, o que contribuiu para um aumento no período vegetativo da planta, favorecendo a qualidade do óleo, por diminuir o teor de ácidos graxos saturados e aumentar o de insaturados.

Water stress significantly limits plant growth and crop yield. Hence, the efficient management of soil moisture and the study of metabolic changes which occur in response to drought stress are important for agriculture. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of six oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) genotypes (Rgs003, Sarigol, Option500, Hyola401, Hyola330, and Hyola420), with and without drought stress, and with and without the use of super absorbent polymer, on oil quality and content. A complete randomized blocks design, with a split-plot arrangement, in a 2x2x6 factorial scheme (drought stress x polymer x genotypes), with three replications, was used. The research was carried out in a farm owned by the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, in Karaj, Iran. Results showed a significant difference for drought stress levels, presence of super absorbent and genotypes on oil content and composition, as well as on glucosinolate content in the oil. Drought stress conditions decreased the oil and linoleic acid contents, but increased the glucosinolate and stearic acid contents. The use of super absorbent polymer increased the linoleic acid content, but decreased other components. It was possible to conclude that, under drought stress conditions, the super absorbent polymer application, for reserving higher amounts of water in itself, increased the soil ability to store water, what increased the plant vegetative period and consequently the oil quality by decreasing saturate fatty acids and increasing unsaturated fatty acids.

Para estudar os efeitos da aplicação de zeólita e selênio, nas características agronômicas de três cultivares de canola, um experimento foi realizado em duas safras (2006 e 2007). O estudo foi conduzido em área experimental do Instituto de Sementes e Melhoramento de Plantas, em Karaj, Irã. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. O fator irrigação foi empregado em dois níveis: irrigação normal e estresse hídrico no estádio de alongamento das hastes. A zeólita foi empregada em dois níveis: sem aplicação e aplicação de 10 t ha-1 O selênio foi aplicado em três concentrações: 0 g L-1 15 g L-1e 30 g L-1de seleneto de sódio. Estes tratamentos foram casualizados nas parcelas principais, enquanto as três cultivares de canola (Zarfam, Sarigol e Okapi) foram casualizadas nas subparcelas. Com base nos resultados, é possível inferir que os efeitos isolados foram significativos, enquanto as interações não foram significativas. O fator irrigação foi significativo para todas as variáveis agronômicas estudadas, com o estresse hídrico reduzindo os parâmetros avaliados. A aplicação de selênio aumentou o diâmetro da haste, o número de sementes e síliquas e a produção de sementes, mas não alterou significativamente o comprimento da síliqua. A aplicação de zeólita aumentou significativamente a produção de sementes e os componentes de produção. As cultivares apresentaram diferentes números de síliquas e de sementes. De modo geral, a aplicação de zeólita e selênio apresentaram efeito positivo e significativo no crescimento, nas síliquas e na produção de sementes. Como resultado, pode-se sugerir que a aplicação de zeólita e selênio podem ser benéficas para melhorar o crescimento das plantas sob estresse hídrico.

In order to study the effects of zeolite and selenium application on the agronomic traits of three canola cultivars under drought stress conditions, an experiment was conducted in two growing seasons (2006 and 2007). The study site was the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, in Karaj, Iran. The experimental design was a randomized complete block arrangement, in a split-plot factorial scheme, with three replications. The irrigation factor was applied at two levels: normal irrigation and water holding at the stem elongation stage. Zeolite was used at two levels: non-application and application of 10 t ha-1 Selenium was sprayed at three concentrations: 0 g L-1 15 g L-1 and 30 g L-1of sodium selenate. These treatments were randomized in main plots, while three canola cultivars (Zarfam, Sarigol, and Okapi) were randomized as subplots. The results showed that the main effects were significant, while interaction effects were not significant. Irrigation had significant effect on all traits as drought stress lead to a decrease of those traits. Selenium application increased stem diameter, silique and seed number, and seed yield, but it had no significant effect on silique length. Zeolite application provided a significant increase in seed yield and yield components. The cultivars were different in silique and seed number. In general, selenium and zeolite application had significant and positive effect on growth and silique and seed yield. As a result, it can be suggested that the zeolite and selenium application may improve plant growth under drought stress.