Molecular characterization of Fasciola hepatica in endemic regions of Colombia

Fasciola hepatica is a zoonotic trematode that affects a wide range of hosts, including cattle, sheep, and goats. The economic impact of the parasite on the cattle industry is significant, with high losses reported worldwide. While its impact on human health was previously underestimated, recent years have seen a rise in fascioliasis cases, leading to increased interest among researchers globally. To characterize the genetic diversity and intraspecific variation of this parasite in South America, specifically in Colombia, we collected 105 adult parasites from cattle bile ducts in seven Colombian departments (Antioquia, Boyacá, Santander, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Nariño, Norte de Santander, and Santander) to assess the parasite's phenotypic analyses, genetic diversity, and population structure. A computer image analysis system (CIAS) was applied based on standardized morphological measurements. Liver-fluke size was studied by principal component analysis (PCA). DNA sequences were obtained for nuclear markers such as the 28S, β-tubulin 3, ITS1, ITS2, and the mitochondrial marker Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI). Multiple statistical tests were performed, and the parasite's population structure was analyzed. Maximum Likelihood (ML) phylogenetic reconstructions were carried out using the sequences obtained herein and sequences available in GenBank. Morphological results revealed that all the obtained individuals matched F. hepatica's morphology. There was no evidence of high genetic diversity, and the absence of genetic structure at the country-level was notable, possibly caused by a demographic expansion of this trematode in Colombia or the low resolution of the molecular markers employed. Future studies are still needed to unveil the genetic population structure of F. hepatica across the country.

Yield, phenology and triterpene saponins in Colombian quinoa

Exploring yield, phenology and their relationship with secondary metabolites in seeds provides a fundamental analysis that expands knowledge on the nutritional quality of seeds and the effect on productive potential. This knowledge is fundamental when improving or selecting nutritionally important crops, including Chenopodium quinoa Willd, which has excellent nutritional properties and contributes to global food security. This species contains saponins, a metabolite that imparts a bitter taste and can be highly toxic to consumers in large quantities. Therefore, the identification and selection of genotypes according to their saponin contents and outstanding agronomic characteristics are fundamental objectives for the genetic improvement programs of these species. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the characteristics of the grain, the phenology and the saponin content of 30 C. quinoa accessions with an aim to select or relate genotypes according to their yield and grain quality. The accessions were sown using randomized complete blocks (RCB) with nine repetitions for each material. Seven FAO-defined descriptors were evaluated to characterize the grain and physiological maturity. Saponin was extracted using microwave, and the quantification was done with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) which a UV-VIS detector at 277 nm wavelength. The accessions were classified according to their phenology: semi-late (56.7%), late (36.7%), and semi-early (3.3%). The total triterpene saponin content varied from 0.018 to 0.537%. The multivariate and cluster analyses formed groups of accessions with good yields (>62.02 g of seeds per plant) and desirable grain morphological characteristics. The more suitable accessions for the production of saponins are Quinoa semiamarga (0.537%), Quinoa peruana (0.412%) and Amarilla de maranganí (0.305%). Quinoa real and Quinoa primavera are more suitable for food products, which can be used as parents in future quinoa genetic improvement programs in Colombia.

Caracterización morfológica de lulo (<i>Solanum quitoense</i> Lam.) en el municipio de Pachavita, Boyacá

El lulo (Solanum quitoense L.) es considerado una frutal agroindustrial promisorio por su valor nutricional, sabor y apariencia. Contiene vitaminas A y C las cuales le confieren propiedades antioxidantes, diuréticas y regeneradoras de tejidos. Sin embargo, este fruto sufre problemas fitosanitarios que disminuyen la calidad y rendimiento debido a que no se ha explotado su máximo potencial genético por lo que es necesario la implementación de estrategias para analizar su diversidad genética, por tanto, el objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar la diversidad genética de los materiales de lulo procedentes del municipio de Pachavita, Boyacá, Colombia, mediante la utilización de los descriptores morfológicos. Se colectaron 21 materiales de lulo los cuales se caracterizaron morfológicamente utilizando cuatro descriptores cualitativos y 18 cuantitativos. El análisis de componentes principales (ACP) presento una variación del 84 % dada por los primeros cinco valores propios que son mayores a uno, identificando la alta variabilidad de los materiales estudiados. El dendograma generado por el ACP de los materiales colectados de lulo, muestra tres grupos, de acuerdo principalmente con las características del fruto. Las variables más representativas en la caracterización morfológica fueron eje ecuatorial del fruto (EJE), eje polar del fruto (EJP), grosor de la cascara (DEPI), peso de cinco frutos (PF), peso de 100 semillas (PCS), volumen de jugo de cinco frutos (VJF) y color de la pulpa (FcMeso), por su alta variabilidad, servirán de referencia para estudios a mayor profundidad en mejoramiento genético de lulo (Solanum quitoense).

Caracterización molecular con microsatélites amplificados al azar (RAMs) de Inchi (Caryodendron orinocense K.)

<p><strong><em></em></strong><strong>Título en ingles: Molecular characterization with random amplified microsatellites (RAMs) of Inchi </strong><strong>(<em>Caryodendron orinocense</em> K.)</strong><br /><strong>Resumen: </strong>El Inchi o Cacay (<em>Caryodendron orinocense</em> Karsten) es una de las especies más promisorias de la Amazonía y la Orinoquia colombiana.  El principal producto del Cacay son sus almendras, de las que se extrae un aceite con aplicaciones cosméticas, fitoterapéuticas y alimenticias, además presenta un alto contenido de antioxidantes como los Omega 3, 6 y 9 y Vitaminas como la A y E. No existen estudios sobre la caracterización molecular de este recurso fitogenético, por lo cual el objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar la diversidad genética usando marcadores Microsatélites Amplificados al Azar (RAMs). El análisis de similitud al 0.50 formó cuatro grupos de acuerdo al sitio geográfico, siendo los materiales procedentes de Putumayo, Cacayal 19, Pauna y Castilla los de menor similitud. Los valores de heterocigosidad estimada fueron de 0.16 y 0.28 para los cebadores CGA y GT, respectivamente. El porcentaje de loci polimórfico varió entre 55% para el cebador CGA y el 90% para el GT. El valor de Fst promedio para los 27 materiales estudiados fue de 0.35, mostrando que la dinámica espacio-temporal de los materiales de <em>Caryodendron </em>tienden hacia una diferenciación genética, propio de sus procesos evolutivos e incidencia de la domesticación.<strong></strong><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Palabras clave: </strong>cacay, marcadores moleculares, diversidad genética, flujo genético, domesticación.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The Inchi or Cacay (<em>Caryodendron orinocense</em> Karsten) is one of the most promising species of the Amazon and Orinoco Colombian. The main product of Cacay are its almonds, from extracted oil cosmetic, phytotherapeutic and food applications, also has a high content of antioxidants such as Omega 3, 6 and 9 and vitamins like A and E. There are no studies on the molecular characterization of this plant genetic resource; therefore the objective of this research was to characterize the genetic diversity using Random Amplified Microsatellite markers (RAMs). The similarity analysis to 0.50 formed four groups according to geographical location, being materials from Putumayo, Cacayal 19, Pauna and Castilla lowest similarity. Estimated heterozygosity values were 0.16 and 0.28 for the primers CGA and GT, respectively. The percentage of polymorphic loci ranged from 55% for the primer CGA and 90% for the GT. The average Fst value for the 27 materials studied was 0.35, showing the space-temporal dynamics of materials <em>Caryodendron</em><em> </em>tend toward genetic differentiation, due to their own evolutionary processes and domestication incidence.<strong></strong><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Key words:</strong> cacay, molecular markers, genetic diversity, genetic flow, domestication.</p><p><strong>Recibido: </strong>septiembre 15 de 2014<strong> Aprobado: </strong>abril 10 de 2015</p>

Variabilidad interspecífica de duraznos (Prunus pérsica L. Batsch.) y ciruelos (Prunus domestica) usando RAMs

<strong>Título en inglés: Intraespecific variability of peach (<em>Prunus persica</em> L. Batsch.) and plums (<em>Prunus domestica</em>) using RAMs</strong><p><strong>Resumen: </strong>Se seleccionó una muestra de 41 materiales de <em>Prunus</em> de la colección de caducifolios de la Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, para evaluar su variabilidad genética usando ocho marcadores Microsatélites Amplificados al Azar (RAMs). Se generaron un total de 121 alelos con pesos moleculares entre 260 y 1000 Kb. Se formaron tres grupos, a un coeficiente de similitud de 0.75, de acuerdo a las características del fruto y a la especie, encontrándose en el grupo II a los materiales de ciruelo. El porcentaje de loci polimórficos varío entre 71 y 99% para los cebadores CGA y CCA, respectivamente. El valor promedio de heterocigosidad fue de 0.22, mucho más bajo que los encontrados en otros estudios de diversidad genética en el género <em>Prunus</em>. La técnica RAMs mostró ser una herramienta útil para evaluar la diversidad genética en frutales caducifolios, al discriminar a los materiales en tres grupos e identificar el alto grado de consanguinidad que existe entre las diferentes especies de <em>Prunus</em> lo cual debe ser aprovechado dentro de las estrategias de hibridación que busquen la obtención de nuevos y mejores materiales. </p><p><strong>Palabras claves: </strong><em>Prunus</em>, Diversidad genética, Microsatélites RAMs, caducifolios.</p><p><strong>Abstract: </strong>A sample of 41 <em>Prunus </em>materials from the deciduous collection of the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia was selected to evaluate its genetic diversity using eight primers for Random Amplified Microsatellite (RAMs). A total of 121 alleles were generated with molecular weights ranging between 260 and 1000 Kb. Three groups were formed, a similarity coefficient of 0.75, according to fruit characteristics and specie, found plum materials in group II. The percentage of polymorphic loci ranged from 71 to 99% for the primers CGA and CCA, respectively. The average value of heterozygosity was 0.33, much lower than values found in other genetic diversity studies in the genus <em>Prunus</em>. The RAMs technique showed to be a useful tool for assessing genetic diversity in deciduous fruit, discriminate the materials into three groups and identify the high degree of consanguinity between different Prunus species which should be exploited in hybridization strategies looking for obtaining new and improved materials.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Key words</strong>: <em>Prunus</em>, Genetic diversity, Microsatellites RAMs, deciduous. </p>