Baseline Sensitivities of Major Citrus, Pome, and Stone Fruits Postharvest Pathogens to Natamycin and Estimation of the Resistance Potential in Penicillium digitatum

Plant Disease ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Chen ◽  
Helga Forster ◽  
James Adaskaveg

Natamycin is a biofungicide that was recently registered for postharvest use on citrus and stone fruits in the United States. It has been used as a food preservative for many decades, with no resistance ever observed to date. The objective of this study was to determine baseline sensitivities for mycelial growth of 43 to 72 isolates of seven postharvest pathogens to natamycin and the resistance potential of Penicillium digitatum. Mean effective concentrations to inhibit mycelial growth by 50% (EC50 values), as determined by the spiral gradient method, were 0.90 μg/ml for Alternaria alternata, 0.76 μg/ml for Botrytis cinerea, 3.20 μg/ml for Geotrichum citri-aurantii, 0.17 μg/ml for Monilinia fructicola, 1.54 μg/ml for Penicillium digitatum, 1.14 μg/ml for P. expansum, and 0.48 μg/ml for Rhizopus stolonifer. Distributions of EC50 values for each pathogen were unimodal and mostly normal with no outliers detected. Natamycin was also inhibitory to spore germination with values for five of the species similar to those for mycelial growth. Microscopically, natamycin generally arrested spores at the pre-germination swelling stage. Mass platings of conidial mixtures of ten isolates of P. digitatum were inoculated on agar media with 2.5-log radial concentration gradients of natamycin or fludioxonil, and platings of G. citri-aurantii were executed on media amended with natamycin or propiconazole. No resistant isolates were observed for both species to natamycin or for G. citri-aurantii to propiconazole, whereas a resistance frequency of 4.5 x 10-6 to 3.1 x 10-6 was calculated for P. digitatum to fludioxonil. The wide spectrum of activity against different fungal pathogens and a low resistance potential support the registration of natamycin as a postharvest treatment and its integration into an integrated pest management program with other practices including sanitation and rotation of other fungicides with different modes of action.

Plant Disease ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 384-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Hong Lu ◽  
R. Michael Davis ◽  
S. Livingston ◽  
J. Nunez ◽  
Jianjun J. Hao

The identity of 172 isolates of Pythium spp. from cavity spot lesions on carrot produced in California and Michigan was determined, and their sensitivity to three fungicides was examined. Pythium violae accounted for 85% of California isolates, with P. irregulare, P. dissotocum (the first report as a carrot pathogen in the United States), P. ultimum, and P. sulcatum making the balance. P. sulcatum, P. sylvaticum, and P. intermedium were the most commonly recovered (85%) species in Michigan; others from Michigan included P. intermedium, P. irregulare, and an unclassified strain, M2-05. On fungicide-amended media, 93% of isolates were sensitive to mefenoxam (inhibition of mycelial growth was >60% at 10 μg active ingredient [a.i.]/ml); however, two of five isolates of P. irregulare from California were highly resistant (≤60% inhibition at 100 μg a.i./ml); about half of the isolates of P. intermedium and P. sylvaticum and a single isolate of P. violae were highly or intermediately resistant to mefenoxam (>60% inhibition at 100 μg a.i./ml, or ≤60% inhibition at 10 μg a.i./ml). P. dissotocum, P. irregulare, P. sulcatum, M2-05, and three of seven isolates of P. intermedium were insensitive to fluopicolide (effective concentrations for 50% growth inhibition [EC50] were >50 μg a.i./ml), while P. sylvaticum, P. ultimum, P. violae, and some isolates in P. intermedium were sensitive (EC50 < 1 μg a.i./ml). All isolates were sensitive to zoxamide (EC50 < 1 μg a.i./ml). Sensitivity baselines of P. violae to zoxamide and fluopicolide were established.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiaan G. Abildso ◽  
Olivier Schmid ◽  
Megan Byrd ◽  
Sam Zizzi ◽  
Alessandro Quartiroli ◽  
...  

Intentional weight loss among overweight and obese adults (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2) is associated with numerous health benefits, but weight loss maintenance (WLM) following participation in weight management programming has proven to be elusive. Many individuals attempting to lose weight join formal programs, especially women, but these programs vary widely in focus, as do postprogram weight regain results. We surveyed 2,106 former participants in a community-based, insurance-sponsored weight management program in the United States to identify the pre, during, and post-intervention behavioral and psychosocial factors that lead to successful WLM. Of 835 survey respondents (39.6% response rate), 450 met criteria for inclusion in this study. Logistic regression analyses suggest that interventionists should assess and discuss weight loss and behavior change perceptions early in a program. However, in developing maintenance plans later in a program, attention should shift to behaviors, such as weekly weighing, limiting snacking in the evening, limiting portion sizes, and being physically active every day.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1447
Author(s):  
Abhinav Kumar ◽  
Jane O'Bryan ◽  
Peter J. Krause

Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa that are primarily transmitted by hard-bodied (Ixodid) ticks and rarely through blood transfusion, perinatally, and organ transplantation. More than 100 Babesia species infect a wide spectrum of wild and domestic animals worldwide and six have been identified as human pathogens. Babesia microti is the predominant species that infects humans, is found throughout the world, and causes endemic disease in the United States and China. Babesia venatorum and Babesia crassa-like agent also cause endemic disease in China. Babesia divergens is the predominant species in Europe where fulminant cases have been reported sporadically. The number of B. microti infections has been increasing globally in recent decades. In the United States, more than 2000 cases are reported each year, although the actual number is thought to be much higher. In this review of the epidemiology of human babesiosis, we discuss epidemiologic tools used to monitor disease location and frequency; demographics and modes of transmission; the location of human babesiosis; the causative Babesia species in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia; the primary clinical characteristics associated with each of these infections; and the increasing global health burden of this disease.


Plant Disease ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Liu ◽  
H. D. Luo ◽  
W. Z. Tan ◽  
L. Hu

Conyza sumatrensis (Asteraceae), an annual or biennial plant, is native to North and South America. It is an invasive, noxious weed that is widespread in southern and southeastern China. It invades farm land and causes great losses to dry land crops, including wheat, corn, and beans. It also reduces biological diversity by crowding out native plants in the infested areas (3,4). During a search for fungal pathogens that could serve as potential biological control agents of C. sumatrensis, a leaf spot disease was observed in 2010 in Chongqing, China. An isolate (SMBC22) of a highly virulent fungus was obtained from diseased leaves. Pathogenicity tests were performed by placing 6-mm-diameter mycelial disks of 7-day-old potato dextrose agar (PDA) cultures of SMBC22 on leaves of 15 healthy greenhouse-grown plants of C. sumatrensis; the same number of control plants was treated with sterile PDA disks. Treated plants were covered with plastic bags for 24 h and maintained in a growth chamber with daily average temperatures of 24 to 26°C, continuous light (3,100 lux), and high relative humidity (>90%). Lesions similar to those observed in the field were first obvious on the SMBC22-inoculated leaves 3 days after inoculation. Symptoms became severe 7 to 9 days after inoculation. Control plants remained healthy. The fungus was reisolated from inoculated and diseased leaves and it was morphologically the same as SMBC22. The pathogenicity test was conducted three times. A survey of 10 southern and southeastern Chinese provinces revealed that the disease was widespread and it attacked leaves and stems of seedlings and mature plants of C. sumatrensis. Lesions on leaves were initially small, circular, and water soaked. The typical lesion was ovoid or fusiform, dark brown, and surrounded by a yellow halo. The spots coalesced to form large lesions and plants were often completely blighted. Fungal colonies of SMBC22 on PDA plates were initially white and turned dark gray. Colonies were circular with smooth edges with obvious rings of pycnidia on the surface. Aerial hyphae were short and dense. Pycnidia, black and immersed or semi-immersed in the medium, were visible after 12 days of incubation. Pycnidia were 72 to 140 μm in diameter. Conidia were produced in the pycnidia and were hyaline, unicellular, ellipsoidal, and 4.4 to 6.1 × 1.6 to 2.2 μm. To confirm identification of the fungus, genomic DNA was extracted from mycelia of a 7-day-old culture on PDA at 25°C (2). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene of rDNA was amplified using primers ITS4/ITS5. The gene sequence was 524 bp long and registered in NCBI GenBank (No. HQ645974). BLAST analysis showed that the current sequence had 99% homology to an isolate of Phoma macrostoma (DQ 404792) from Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) in Canada and reported to cause chlorotic symptoms on that host plant (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. macrostoma causing disease on C. sumatrensis in China. P. macrostoma, thought of as a biocontrol agent of broadleaf weeds in Canada, has been patented in the United States. The current isolate of P. macrostoma is considered as a potential biocontrol agent of C. sumatrensis. References: (1) P. R. Graupner et al. J. Nat. Prod. 66:1558, 2004. (2) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycoscience 42:135, 2001. (3) W. Z. Tan et al. Page 177 in: Manual of Emergency Control Technology Invasive Pests in China. G. L. Zhang, ed. Science Press, Beijing, 2010. (4) C. Wang et al. J. Wuhan Bot. Res. 28:90, 2010.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Mohamed Farid ◽  
Kota Kodama ◽  
Teruyo Arato ◽  
Takashi Okazaki ◽  
Tetsuaki Oda ◽  
...  

Since its inception in Japan, functional food has continued to deliver a true added value to a wide spectrum of customers, especially in aging subpopulations. Japanese companies have strong &quot;R&amp;D&quot; capabilities and strong know-how in the field of functional foods. They have the opportunity to grow overseas by promoting and marketing their products. The main challenge is to understand the foreign markets and their regulations to be able to promote Japanese products overseas. To achieve this goal, the study reports a scientific review of the relevant literature and official legislative reports published by the authorized entities in several countries to create a comparison between the rules and regulations in different countries such as China, the European Union, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States. The study results provide suggestions for entry strategies to recommended foreign markets based on regulatory situations. The study also provides a comparison for the different functional food regulations in Japan (FOSHU, FNFC, FFC), along with an introduction for the new local government certification system.


1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (04) ◽  
pp. 277-296
Author(s):  
David J. Witmer ◽  
Jack W. Lewis

BP Oil Company time-charters a fleet of American-flag tankers for the ocean transportation of crude oil and petroleum products to the East, West and Gulf Coasts of the United States. Commencing in 1991, ship response and structural monitoring instrumentation was installed on the four ships of the Atigun Pass-class. These crude carriers are operated in the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Service, or "TAPS" trade, sailing the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Alaska. The structural monitoring systems were designed to measure the effects of subjecting a ship to the typical loads and forces encountered while at sea: hogging, sagging, slamming, hydrostatic pressure, and hull girder springing. Additionally, BP was interested in developing a system that could provide shiphandling guidance to the master or watch officer so that the detrimental effects of prolonged exposure to such loads and forces could be effectively minimized. The paper describes in detail the physical arrangement of the BP Oil Tanker Structural Monitoring System (BPSMS), including the suite of sensors employed to measure ship responses and hull girder stresses. It explains how the response data collected by the sensors is analyzed by the onboard computer located on the ship's bridge and how ship response data are presented back to the deck officers via a family of display monitor screens. These displays provide the officers with a "tool" that can be used to effectively monitor the physical and structural response of their ship to waves, and to quantify, in terms of lowering the wave bending moment and reducing the risk of slamming, the result of an action or actions taken to minimize the risk of incurring structural damage. Onboard ship response and structural monitoring is now an integral part of BP's tanker fleet structural management program. The units have greatly increased the awareness of the ship's officers regarding their role in helping to control the amount of structural damage done to the ships. Data from the units have also helped management make more informed decisions regarding operational requirements placed on the ships.


2021 ◽  
pp. 221-239
Author(s):  
Oscar Calvo-Gonzalez

This chapter explores how, behind the change in economic policymaking, lies a change in the ideas of the elite. And behind the change in ideas was a relentless scanning of experience outside Spain, especially in Europe. The chapter documents how the technocrats that held increasing power in 1960s Spain consistently sought out new ideas about policymaking from Europe and the United States. They were deliberate policy entrepreneurs. Like their Western European peers, the technocrats considered a responsibility of the state to seek to advance progress for a wide spectrum of society. To pursue this objective, they considered it critical to increase efficiency and put great faith in technological progress. The chapter concludes that what truly stands out of the technocrats is that they were able to implement their practical agenda over a sustained period. There had been previous technocratic efforts to emulate European practices, sometimes from reformers that reached even higher levels of government. A long-term horizon allowed policies to evolve without unnecessary volatility, striking a balance between policy innovation and policy continuity.


Author(s):  
Hans Tammemagi

Fire has always held a fascination for humans, and it has been one of our most useful tools. Fire has provided warmth, cooked food, cleared forest lands, offered protection against marauding animals, and much more. Although garbage has probably been burned ever since humans discovered fire, it has been incinerated in a systematic manner for only about a century. Perhaps surprisingly, given its long history and obvious benefits, waste incineration is a topic that is both controversial and emotional. In this chapter we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of incineration and how it can contribute to an integrated waste management program. Under proper conditions, incineration provides a number of benefits: • It greatly reduces the volume of waste that must go to disposal in landfills—a vitally important objective. In conventional municipal incinerators, the volume reduction ranges from 80% to 95%, with a mean of about 90%. • It can be used in conjunction with landfill mining (see chapter 8) to reclaim closed landfills and greatly extend the operating lifetimes of existing landfills. • The ash produced is relatively homogeneous and thus more suitable than raw waste for treatment such as solidification in concrete. • A relatively large proportion of the organic compounds, including putrescible and hazardous wastes, is destroyed; thus, there is a net reduction in the quantity of toxics. • Energy can be generated as a useful byproduct, which preserves nonrenewable fuels like natural gas, oil, and coal. Fewer air pollutants are produced by burning waste than by burning coal or oil. The use of incineration has been increasing in the United States since about the mid-1980s, and currently the country burns about 16% of its municipal wastes (EPA, 1994). This figure is significantly lower in Canada—about 4%—but it can be much higher overseas. For example, Japan, which faced its waste disposal crisis in the 1950s, 20 years before the crisis reached North America, incinerates approximately 34% of its municipal garbage (Hershkowitz & Salerni, 1987). Most Japanese incinerators generate electricity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (S1) ◽  
pp. 41-41
Author(s):  
Emilia Galli Thurber ◽  
Hanan Aboumatar

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of both hospitalizations and readmissions in the United States, and about 1 in 5 hospitalized patients with COPD will be readmitted within 30 days. COPD-focused self-management programs are frequently used to help patients better manage their symptoms and prevent hospitalization. However, while the majority of patients with COPD have at least one comorbidity, most trials of COPD self-management programs either excluded patients with significant comorbidities or did not analyze the impact of comorbidities on patient outcomes. Using data from the BREATHE trial of a COPD self-management program, this study aims to determine if patient post-intervention outcomes differ based on the intensity and type of patient comorbidities. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: In total, 240 patients hospitalized for COPD were randomly assigned to either a comprehensive self-management intervention or usual transitional care. Primary outcomes for this trial were the number of COPD-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits at 6 months and changes in COPD-specific quality of life. To determine whether patient comorbidities modify the effect of the self-management intervention on readmission and quality of life outcomes, we will compare patient outcomes across groups stratified by comorbidity burden (Charlson Comorbidity Index) and type (baseline diagnosis of congestive heart failure, diabetes, and depression). In addition, we will use regression analysis with interaction terms to test for interaction between comorbidity burden/type and intervention assignment. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We hypothesize that the effect of the self-management intervention will differ in patients with greater comorbidity burden due to competing medical demands for patients with multimorbidity. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The results of this study will help clinicians better target disease-specific self-management programs to the groups of patients with COPD who are likely to receive the greatest benefit from this type of intervention.


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