Polyphasic approach to the identification of Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from Brazil nuts

The aim of this study was to use a polyphasic approach to identify Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from Brazil nuts collected in the Amazon forest: investigation of macro- and microscopic morphology, production of extrolites, heat-resistance fungi, and sequencing of DNA regions. The following Aspergillus section Flavi species were identified: Aspergillus flavus (75.5%), Aspergillus nomius (22.3%), […]

Effect of pollen source on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of dried figs (Ficus carica L.) cvs ‘Payves’ and ‘Sabz’ in Kazerun – Iran

In dried fig production, caprification (pollination) is very important to obtain economical yield. The selection of pollen source with good quality and quantity of pollen is an essential practice in fig orchards. This study was conducted in Kazerun region, Iran, to investigate the effect of pollen source on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of dried figs […]

Berry components inhibit α-glucosidase in vitro: Synergies between acarbose and polyphenols from black currant and rowanberry

Polyphenol-rich extracts from certain berries inhibited α-glucosidase activity in vitro. The two most effective berry extracts, from black currant and rowanberry, inhibited α-glucosidase with IC50 values respectively of 20 and 30 μg GAE/ml and were as effective as the pharmaceutical inhibitor, acarbose. These berry extracts differed greatly in their polyphenol composition: black currant was dominated […]

Enzyme activity and biochemical changes of three date palm cultivars with different softening pattern during ripening

The physicochemical composition changes during palm ripening were studied. The activities of invertase and cell wall-modifying enzymes, namely pectin methylesterase (PME), β-galactosidase (β-Gal), endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase (EGase), and cellulase were monitored during growth and ripening of Shahani, Piaro and Deiry cultivars with different texture. Also we estimated the concentrations of six organic acids by HPLC .Reducing sugars, […]

Biodiesel from Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) seed kernel oil

In this paper, Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) seed kernel oil was investigated for the first time as a promising non-conventional feedstock for preparation of biodiesel. Siberian apricot seed kernel has high oil content (50.18±3.92%), and the oil has low acid value (0.46mg g-1) and low water content (0.17%). The fatty acid composition of the […]