Thermal treatment using microwave irradiation for the phytosanitation of Xylella fastidiosa in pecan graftwood
Pecan bacterial leaf scorch caused by Xylella fastidiosa is an emerging disease for the U.S. and international pecan industries and can be transmitted from scion to rootstock via grafting. With the expanse of global transportation and trade networks, phytosanitation is critical for reducing the spread of economically significant pathogens, such as X. fastidiosa. We developed […]
Ecology of Diaporthe eres, the causal agent of hazelnut defects
Diaporthe eres has been recently reported as the causal agent of hazelnut defects, with characteristic brown spots on the kernels surface and internal fruit discoloration. Knowledge regarding the ecology of this fungus is poor but, is critical to support a rationale and effective hazelnut crop protection strategy. Therefore, a study was performed to describe and […]
Cloning and functional characterization of seed-specific LEC1A promoter from peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) is a HAP3 subunit of CCAAT-binding transcription factor, which controls several aspects of embryo and postembryo development, including embryo morphogenesis, storage reserve accumulation and skotomorphogenesis. Herein, using the method of chromosomal walking, a 2707bp upstream sequence from the ATG initiation codon site of AhLEC1A which is a homolog of Arabidopsis LEC1 was […]
Composite core set construction and diversity analysis of Iranian walnut germplasm using molecular markers and phenotypic traits
Iran is a center of origin and diversity for walnuts (Juglans regia L.) with very good potential for breeding purposes. The rich germplasm available, creates an opportunity for study and selection of the diverse walnut genotypes. In this study, the population structure of 104 Persian walnut accessions was assessed using AFLP markers in combination with […]
The influence of cultural attitudes to nut exposure on reported nut allergy: A pilot cross sectional study.
Food allergies in children have become a common management and diagnostic concern and have a significant influence on general health-related quality of life. We investigated the prevalence of reported nut allergy between populations with different cultural attitudes to nuts during pregnancy and infancy. We conducted a survey to investigate the relationship between cultural differences in […]
Metaphycus macadamiae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)–a biological control agent of macadamia felted coccid Acanthococcus ironsidei (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) in Hawaii.
A new species of encyrtid wasp, Metaphycus macadamiae Polaszek & Noyes sp. n., (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae: Encyrtinae) is described as a solitary endoparasitoid of the invasive macadamia felted coccid, Acanthococcus ironsidei (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) in Hawaii. This parasitoid is native to Australia, and the species description is based on material collected from a Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & […]
Expression and activation of the steroidogenic enzyme CYP11A1 is associated with IL-13 production in T cells from peanut allergic children.
Activation of the steroidogenic enzyme CYP11A1 was shown to be necessary for the development of peanut-induced intestinal anaphylaxis and IL-13 production in allergic mice. We determined if levels of CYP11A1 in peripheral blood T cells from peanut-allergic (PA) children compared to non-allergic controls were increased and if levels correlated to IL-13 production and oral challenge […]
Survival kinetics of Listeria monocytogenes on chickpeas, sesame seeds, pine nuts, and black pepper as affected by relative humidity storage conditions.
Nuts and seeds have been increasingly associated with recalls due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Storage of these food commodities occurs at various relative humidity (RH) conditions for months or years. The objective of this study was to assess L. monocytogenes survival on four commodities representing dried legumes, seeds, and spices categories: chickpeas, sesame seeds, […]
Molecular evolution of genes encoding allergen proteins in the peanuts genus Arachis: Structural and functional implications.
Food allergies are severe immune responses to plant and animal products mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE). Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are among the top 15 crops that feed the world. However, peanuts is among the "big eight food allergens", and allergies induced by peanuts are a significant public health problem and a life-threatening concern. Targeted mutation studies in peanuts demonstrate that single residue alterations […]
Comprehensive analysis of the internal structure and firmness in American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) fruit.
BACKGROUND: Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon L.) fruit quality traits encompass many properties. Although visual appearance and fruit nutritional constitution have usually been the most important attributes, cranberry textural properties such as firmness have recently gained importance in the industry. Fruit firmness has become a quality standard due to the recent demand increase for sweetened and dried […]