Uso de la ecografía para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la gestación en la cabra Murciano-Granadina

Se realiza una sucinta revisión en un intento de profundizar y mejorar la precocidad del diagnóstico ecográfico de la gestación. La descripción de los principios en los que se basa la aplicación de los ultrasonidos sobre las partes anatómicas del aparato genital de las hembras caprinas con indicación de las nuevas metodologías que en la actualidad pueden aplicarse, como es el caso de la apreciación de la circulación sanguínea en el desarrollo e implantación del embrión y del feto. Para ello se muestran en distintas coloraciones desde la formación de vesículas germinativas hasta el latido cardiaco en los estadios precoces de la gestación. La aplicación del sistema Doppler y el efecto de tres dimensiones en las imágenes ecográficas pueden ser de gran ayuda, no solo en el diagnóstico de la gestación sino también en el desarrollo embrionario. Se exponen imágenes sobre las gestaciones obtenidas en cabras Murciano Granadinas en distintos días tras la inseminación donde se percibe desde la aparición de líquidos indicadores de gestación hasta a presencia de órganos en distintos estadios de desarrollo.

Application of reproductive biotechnology for the recovery of endangered breeds: birth of the first calf of Murciana-Levantina bovine breed derived by OPU, in vitro production and embryo vitrification

In a conservation project, reproductive biotechnology was implemented for the recovery and conservation of an endangered bovine breed in Spain. The breed Murciana-Levantina, declared to be worthy of special protection status (http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000464/index.html), is of great interest because of its hardness, longevity, docility and disease resistance. This contribution describes the birth of the first calf of this breed obtained by reproductive biotechnology, using ultrasound-guided punction and aspiration of ovarian follicles, in vitro embryo production, vitrification of embryos by a cryotop device and, finally, the transfer of cryopreserved embryos to recipient heifers of a commercial dairy herd.

Determination of antioxidant constituents in cactus pear fruits

An analytical study was carried out on the presence of antioxidant constituents and the in vitro antioxidant capacity in the extracts of three species of Spanish red-skinned cactus pear fruits (Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia undulata and Opuntia stricta). The cactus pear fruit extracts were analyzed for determined constituents: ascorbic acid, flavonoids (quercetin, isorhamnetin, myricetin, kaempferol and luteolin), betalains, taurine, total carotenoids and total phenolics. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by means of two different methods: the 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) method and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical method. Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract had the strongest antioxidant capacity and taurine content. O. stricta fruits were the richest in ascorbic acid and total phenolics, whereas O. undulata fruits showed the highest carotenoid content. Quercetin and isorhamnetin were the main flavonoids detected. This study provides basic information on the presence of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in extracts of cactus pear fruits, in order to consider these extracts as ingredient for the production of health-promoting food.

Effects of two different diets on carcass and meat quality traits of Chato Murciano pigs

Abstract. A total of 40 castrated male pigs of the Spanish autochthonous Chato Murciano breed were used for this study to evaluate the influence of two diets. One group of 20 pigs was fed with a high protein/low fat (HP/LF) diet and slaughtered with life weight (LW) of 125.03 kg. The other group of 20 pigs was fed with a low protein/high fat (LP/HF) diet and slaughtered with 121.91 kg LW. The effects of diet on carcass and meat quality traits were studied. Meat samples were taken from the longissimus lumbar (LL) muscle. The HP/LF diet produced a faster growing rate and higher daily weight gain, and measurements in the LL muscle showed higher values of ultimate pH (pHu), colour parameters, and higher content in Ca, Mg, Zn, K and Na. The LP/HF diet led to higher values of Fe and Cu. The difference in the LL muscle intramuscular fat (IMF) levels was noteworthy, with values of 3.21 % in the HP/LF group and 11.00 % in the LP/HF group; however, the dorsal fat thickness measurements showed no differences. The fatty acid composition of the IMF was 42.43 and 42.29 % of saturated fatty acids (SFA), 50.34 and 51.35 % of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and 7.20 and 6.24 % of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for the HP/LF group and LP/HF group respectively, with only statistically significant differences in the MUFA levels (P≤0.05).

Application of high-performance liquid chromatography to the characterization of the betalain pigments in prickly pear fruits

The qualitative and quantitative betalain pigment content of two cultivars of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruits grown in southeastern Spain was evaluated. After methanolic extraction of crushed fruits, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection were applied simultaneously for the separation, identification and quantification of these pigments. Two main pigments were obtained, which were identified as indicaxanthin (lambda(max) 484 nm) and betanin (lambda(max) 535 nm). Spectrophotometric evaluation of both pigments showed a yield of around 20-30 mg per 100 g of fresh pulp. When the influence of temperature (25 to 90 degrees C) on betacyanin pigment stability was investigated, the results revealed a substantial degree of thermodegradation at temperatures higher than 70 degrees C.

Effect of electron beam irradiation on color and microbial bioburden of red paprika

The effect of irradiation with electron beams on the microbiological quality and color properties of red paprika was examined. The irradiation doses ranged from 0 to 12.5 kGy. The counts performed were total mesophilic aerobic microorganisms, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, sulfite-reducing clostridia, molds, and yeasts. It was concluded that molds, yeasts, and sulfite-reducing clostridia were the most resistant species, although a 10-kGy dose of irradiation leads to optimum sanitation. Extractable color and apparent color were analyzed to appraise the incidence of the irradiation treatments in the color properties of red paprika. Extractable color was determined according to the American Spice Trade Association method, and apparent color was analyzed by reflectance using the CIELab color space. Data showed no significant differences between the color properties of irradiated and nonirradiated samples. Irradiation was a suitable procedure to minimize the bioburden of red paprika with small modifications of its color properties.

High-performance liquid chromatographic screening of chlorophyll derivatives produced during fruit storage

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array and fluorescence detection was applied to the systematic screening of chlorophylls and derivative pigments. The chromatographic procedure proposed made it possible to successfully separate and identify eight chlorophyll derivatives (the a and b forms of chlorophyll, chlorophyllide, pheophytin and pheophorbide) by using a linear gradient of methanol, acetone and ammonium acetate. The method has been routinely applied to study chlorophyll degradation during the postharvest storage of cherimoya (Annona cherimola, Mill.) fruits. The brilliant green colour even at maturity, and its high chlorophyllase and Mg-dechelating activities, indicate that this plant material might be suitable for investigating the as yet not well known chlorophyll breakdown processes.

Note. Non-destructive appraisal of the ripeness in Cantaloupe melons / Nota. Evaluación no destructiva de la madurez en melones Cantaloupe

This paper attempts to determine the optimum ripeness of Cantaloupe melons ( Cucumis melo L.) by means of a non-destructive technique. Soluble solids, titratable acidity, fruit weight, ethylene emis sion and external color during the fruit development, from 15 days after pollination (DAP) to fruit harvesting (45 DAP) were determined. Changes in color correlated with the changing characteristics of melons. The research was focused on finding a chromatic index to appraise 'harvesting maturity' in a non-destructive way. Among the different relationships investigated ( L/a; a/b; COL = 2000 a/ L.C; CCI = 1000 a/L.b; L/C) the L/C ratio, derived directly from the external reflectance of the fruit, showed the highest correlation with harvesting maturity (35 DAP)