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The Apulian Region (Italy) is a socio-ecological system shaped by the millennial co-evolution between human actions and ecological processes. It is characterized by monumental olive groves protected from Regional Law 14/2007 for the cultural value of the landscape, currently threatened by the spread of a devastating phytopathogen, the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa. The aim of this paper is to apply landscape resilience analysis focusing on ecosystem services to understand the potential effects and trade-offs of regeneration policies in a peri-urban area characterized by monumental olive groves land cover. The study involved land-cover and land-use analysis, supported by a survey on the inhabitants and an ecosystem services analysis. The results showed a mismatch between the agroecosystem and the social and economic use linked to leisure or hospitality. The study area was defined as a peri-urban landscape characterized by tourist use. From the interviews of the users, the cultural heritage of olive groves seems linked to the presence of olive trees like a status quo of the landscape and olive oil productions. The culture aspect could thus be preserved by changing the type of olive trees. In addition, the analysis showed that the microclimate could be preserved and enhanced in terms of air temperature and thermal comfort, by replacing the olive trees with varieties resistant to Xylella, such as cv. Leccino. Therefore, regeneration policies that promote replacing dead olive groves with new olive trees could be efficient to stimulate social components of the landscape and improve the resilience of ecosystem services in peri-urban areas in the interest of the cultural heritage of the users and benefits that they provide. An ecosystem services analysis at a local scale could be a strategy for an integrated regenerate approach between land-use and land-cover with social, ecological, and economic evolutions vision orientated to a sustainable and desirable future.
Teodoro Semeraro; Elisa Gatto; Riccardo Buccolieri; Valentina Catanzaro; Luigi De Bellis; Lorenzo Cotrozzi; Giacomo Lorenzini; Marzia Vergine; Andrea Luvisi. How Ecosystem Services Can Strengthen the Regeneration Policies for Monumental Olive Groves Destroyed by Xylella fastidiosa Bacterium in a Peri-Urban Area. Sustainability 2021, 13, 8778 .
AMA StyleTeodoro Semeraro, Elisa Gatto, Riccardo Buccolieri, Valentina Catanzaro, Luigi De Bellis, Lorenzo Cotrozzi, Giacomo Lorenzini, Marzia Vergine, Andrea Luvisi. How Ecosystem Services Can Strengthen the Regeneration Policies for Monumental Olive Groves Destroyed by Xylella fastidiosa Bacterium in a Peri-Urban Area. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (16):8778.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTeodoro Semeraro; Elisa Gatto; Riccardo Buccolieri; Valentina Catanzaro; Luigi De Bellis; Lorenzo Cotrozzi; Giacomo Lorenzini; Marzia Vergine; Andrea Luvisi. 2021. "How Ecosystem Services Can Strengthen the Regeneration Policies for Monumental Olive Groves Destroyed by Xylella fastidiosa Bacterium in a Peri-Urban Area." Sustainability 13, no. 16: 8778.
During their evolutionary history, plants have evolved the ability to synthesize and accumulate small molecules known as secondary metabolites. These compounds are not essential in the primary cell functions but play a significant role in the plants’ adaptation to environmental changes and in overcoming stress. Their high concentrations may contribute to the resistance of the plants to the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which has recently re-emerged as a plant pathogen of global importance. Although it is established in several areas globally and is considered one of the most dangerous plant pathogens, no cure has been developed due to the lack of effective bactericides and the difficulties in accessing the xylem vessels where the pathogen grows and produces cell aggregates and biofilm. This review highlights the role of secondary metabolites in the defense of the main economic hosts of X. fastidiosa and identifies how knowledge about biosynthetic pathways could improve our understanding of disease resistance. In addition, current developments in non-invasive techniques and strategies of combining molecular and physiological techniques are examined, in an attempt to identify new metabolic engineering options for plant defense.
Marzia Vergine; Francesca Nicolì; Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Secondary Metabolites in Xylella fastidiosa—Plant Interaction. Pathogens 2020, 9, 675 .
AMA StyleMarzia Vergine, Francesca Nicolì, Erika Sabella, Alessio Aprile, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Secondary Metabolites in Xylella fastidiosa—Plant Interaction. Pathogens. 2020; 9 (9):675.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarzia Vergine; Francesca Nicolì; Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2020. "Secondary Metabolites in Xylella fastidiosa—Plant Interaction." Pathogens 9, no. 9: 675.
Climate change will inevitably affect agriculture. Simulations of the effects of climate change on the agronomic performance (plant height, biomass dry weight, number of spikes, grain weight, harvest index, and 1000-kernel weight) of nine durum wheat cultivars were performed to identify the genotypes that will have a greater yield potential over the next 50 years. Plants were grown in two Fitotron® CGR crop growth chambers: “room 2020” designed to reproduce the current climatic conditions (control) and “room 2070”, designed to simulate the expected climate for the year 2070 in the RCP8.5 scenario (800 ppm, elevated [CO2], and a temperature increase of 2.5 °C). The plant life cycle was clearly shorter in “room 2070” due to the physiological strategy of the plant to escape the high summer temperatures through early ripening of the kernels. Again, in “room 2070”, the modern cultivars Rusticano, San Carlo, and Simeto and the old cultivar Cappelli increased the grain yield. Surprisingly, Cappelli seemed to be particularly suitable for cultivation in an environment rich in atmospheric CO2 and under high temperature stress, since it produced a grain yield that was approximately three times higher than the other varieties.
Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Carmine Negro; Francesca Nicolì; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi De Bellis. Impact of Climate Change on Durum Wheat Yield. Agronomy 2020, 10, 793 .
AMA StyleErika Sabella, Alessio Aprile, Carmine Negro, Francesca Nicolì, Eliana Nutricati, Marzia Vergine, Andrea Luvisi, Luigi De Bellis. Impact of Climate Change on Durum Wheat Yield. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (6):793.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Carmine Negro; Francesca Nicolì; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi De Bellis. 2020. "Impact of Climate Change on Durum Wheat Yield." Agronomy 10, no. 6: 793.
Bois noir is a disease associated with the presence of phytoplasma ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ belonging to the Stolbur group (subgroup 16SrXII-A), which has a heavy economic impact on grapevines. This study focused on the changes induced by phytoplasma in terms of the profile and amount of secondary metabolites synthesized in the phenylpropanoid pathway in leaves of Vitis vinifera L. red-berried cultivar Sangiovese. Metabolic alterations were assessed according to the disease progression through measurements of soluble sugars, chlorophyll, and phenolic compounds produced by plant hosts, in response to disease on symptomatic and asymptomatic Bois noir-positive plants. Significant differences were revealed in the amount of soluble sugars, chlorophyll, and accumulation/reduction of some compounds synthesized in the phenylpropanoid pathway of Bois noir-positive and negative grapevine leaves. Our results showed a marked increase in phenolic and flavonoid production and a parallel decrease in lignin content in Bois noir-positive compared to negative leaves. Interestingly, some parameters (chlorophyll a, soluble sugars, total phenolic or flavonoids content, proanthocyanidins, quercetin) differed between Bois noir-positive and negative leaves regardless of symptoms, indicating measurable biochemical changes in asymptomatic leaves. Our grapevine cultivar Sangiovese results highlighted an extensive modulation of the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway as a defense mechanism activated by the host plant in response to Bois noir disease.
Carmine Negro; Erika Sabella; Francesca Nicolì; Roberto Pierro; Alberto Materazzi; Alessandra Panattoni; Alessio Aprile; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Antonio Miceli; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Biochemical Changes in Leaves of Vitis vinifera cv. Sangiovese Infected by Bois Noir Phytoplasma. Pathogens 2020, 9, 269 .
AMA StyleCarmine Negro, Erika Sabella, Francesca Nicolì, Roberto Pierro, Alberto Materazzi, Alessandra Panattoni, Alessio Aprile, Eliana Nutricati, Marzia Vergine, Antonio Miceli, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Biochemical Changes in Leaves of Vitis vinifera cv. Sangiovese Infected by Bois Noir Phytoplasma. Pathogens. 2020; 9 (4):269.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmine Negro; Erika Sabella; Francesca Nicolì; Roberto Pierro; Alberto Materazzi; Alessandra Panattoni; Alessio Aprile; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Antonio Miceli; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2020. "Biochemical Changes in Leaves of Vitis vinifera cv. Sangiovese Infected by Bois Noir Phytoplasma." Pathogens 9, no. 4: 269.
Xylella fastidiosa is a highly virulent pathogen that causes Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS), which is currently devastating olive plantations in the Salento region (Apulia, Southern Italy). We explored the microbiome associated with X. fastidiosa-infected (Xf-infected) and -uninfected (Xf-uninfected) olive trees in Salento, to assess the level of dysbiosis and to get first insights into the potential role of microbial endophytes in protecting the host from the disease. The resistant cultivar “Leccino” was compared to the susceptible cultivar “Cellina di Nardò”, in order to identify microbial taxa and parameters potentially involved in resistance mechanisms. Metabarcoding of 16S rRNA genes and fungal ITS2 was used to characterize both total and endophytic microbiota in olive branches and leaves. “Cellina di Nardò” showed a drastic dysbiosis after X. fastidiosa infection, while “Leccino” (both infected and uninfected) maintained a similar microbiota. The genus Pseudomonas dominated all “Leccino” and Xf-uninfected “Cellina di Nardò” trees, whereas Ammoniphilus prevailed in Xf-infected “Cellina di Nardò”. Diversity of microbiota in Xf-uninfected “Leccino” was higher than in Xf-uninfected “Cellina di Nardò”. Several bacterial taxa specifically associated with “Leccino” showed potential interactions with X. fastidiosa. The maintenance of a healthy microbiota with higher diversity and the presence of cultivar-specific microbes might support the resistance of “Leccino” to X. fastidiosa. Such beneficial bacteria might be isolated in the future for biological treatment of the OQDS.
Marzia Vergine; Joana B. Meyer; Massimiliano Cardinale; Erika Sabella; Martin Hartmann; Paolo Cherubini; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. The Xylella fastidiosa-Resistant Olive Cultivar “Leccino” Has Stable Endophytic Microbiota during the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS). Pathogens 2019, 9, 35 .
AMA StyleMarzia Vergine, Joana B. Meyer, Massimiliano Cardinale, Erika Sabella, Martin Hartmann, Paolo Cherubini, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. The Xylella fastidiosa-Resistant Olive Cultivar “Leccino” Has Stable Endophytic Microbiota during the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS). Pathogens. 2019; 9 (1):35.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarzia Vergine; Joana B. Meyer; Massimiliano Cardinale; Erika Sabella; Martin Hartmann; Paolo Cherubini; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2019. "The Xylella fastidiosa-Resistant Olive Cultivar “Leccino” Has Stable Endophytic Microbiota during the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS)." Pathogens 9, no. 1: 35.
Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are two toxic heavy metals (HMs) whose presence in soil is generally low. However, industrial and agricultural activities in recent years have significantly raised their levels, causing progressive accumulations in plant edible tissues, and stimulating research in this field. Studies on toxic metals are commonly focused on a single metal, but toxic metals occur simultaneously. The understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between HMs during uptake is important to design agronomic or genetic strategies to limit contamination of crops. To study the single and combined effect of Cd and Pb on durum wheat, a hydroponic experiment was established to examine the accumulation of the two HMs. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms activated in the roots were investigated paying attention to transcription factors (bHLH family), heavy metal transporters and genes involved in the biosynthesis of metal chelators (nicotianamine and mugineic acid). Cd and Pb are accumulated following different molecular strategies by durum wheat plants, even if the two metals interact with each other influencing their respective uptake and translocation. Finally, we demonstrated that some genes (bHLH 29, YSL2, ZIF1, ZIFL1, ZIFL2, NAS2 and NAAT) were induced in the durum wheat roots only in response to Cd.
Alessio Aprile; Erika Sabella; Enrico Francia; Justyna Milc; Domenico Ronga; Nicola Pecchioni; Erika Ferrari; Andrea Luvisi; Marzia Vergine; Luigi De Bellis. Combined Effect of Cadmium and Lead on Durum Wheat. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2019, 20, 5891 .
AMA StyleAlessio Aprile, Erika Sabella, Enrico Francia, Justyna Milc, Domenico Ronga, Nicola Pecchioni, Erika Ferrari, Andrea Luvisi, Marzia Vergine, Luigi De Bellis. Combined Effect of Cadmium and Lead on Durum Wheat. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019; 20 (23):5891.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessio Aprile; Erika Sabella; Enrico Francia; Justyna Milc; Domenico Ronga; Nicola Pecchioni; Erika Ferrari; Andrea Luvisi; Marzia Vergine; Luigi De Bellis. 2019. "Combined Effect of Cadmium and Lead on Durum Wheat." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20, no. 23: 5891.
Due to global climate change, complex combinations of stresses are expected to occur, among which the interaction between pathogens and drought stress may have a significant effect on growth and yield. In this study, the Xylella fastidiosa (Xf)-resistant cultivar Leccino and the susceptible one Cellina di Nardò were subjected to (a) individual drought stress, (b) Xf infection and (c) combination of both stress conditions. Here we report the physiological response to stresses in water content in leaves and the modulation in the expression level of seven genes responsive to plant water status and pathogen infection. In Xf-resistant plants, higher expression levels are reported for genes belonging to ROS-scavenging systems and for genes involved in pathogen stress (pathogenesis-related, PR, and leucine-rich repeat genes, LRR-RLK). However, PR and LRR-RLK were not further induced by water deficit. Interestingly, the genes related to drought response (aquaporin, PIP2.1, dehydration responsive element binding, DREB, and dehydrin, DHN), which induction was higher in Cellina di Nardò compared to Leccino during drought stress, was poorly induced in Xf-susceptible plants when Xf occur. Conversely, DHN was induced by Xf presence in Leccino. These results were consistent with observations on water content. Indeed, response was similar in Leccino regardless kind of stress or combination, whereas a strong reduction was observed in Xf-susceptible plants infected by Xf or in presence of combined stresses. Thus, the reported findings indicate that resistance of Leccino to Xf could be linked to its lower resistance to water stress, probably leading to the activation of alternative defense pathways that support the plant in Xf response.
Mariarosaria De Pascali; Marzia Vergine; Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Eliana Nutricati; Francesca Nicolì; Ilaria Buja; Carmine Negro; Antonio Miceli; Patrizia Rampino; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Molecular Effects of Xylella fastidiosa and Drought Combined Stress in Olive Trees. Plants 2019, 8, 437 .
AMA StyleMariarosaria De Pascali, Marzia Vergine, Erika Sabella, Alessio Aprile, Eliana Nutricati, Francesca Nicolì, Ilaria Buja, Carmine Negro, Antonio Miceli, Patrizia Rampino, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Molecular Effects of Xylella fastidiosa and Drought Combined Stress in Olive Trees. Plants. 2019; 8 (11):437.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMariarosaria De Pascali; Marzia Vergine; Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Eliana Nutricati; Francesca Nicolì; Ilaria Buja; Carmine Negro; Antonio Miceli; Patrizia Rampino; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2019. "Molecular Effects of Xylella fastidiosa and Drought Combined Stress in Olive Trees." Plants 8, no. 11: 437.
Grapevine is largely cultivated in several parts of the world, and a spurt in its cultivation has occurred in the last two decades in grapevine cultivated areas of South and East Asia, mainly in China, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia. Grapevine yellows (GY) represent one of the most important diseases in viticultural areas of the world, and they have been assigned to five different groups: aster yellows [AY (16SrI)], peanut witches’ broom [PnWB (16SrII)], X-disease (16SrIII), elm yellows [EY (16SrV)], and Stolbur (16SrXII). This study provides a comprehensive overview of the presence of phytoplasma strains and their vectors associated with GY complex, and their potential impact on viticulture of the South and East Asia. In general, both AY and EY were reported on several herbaceous plants and/or cultivated plants in South and East Asia, along with its vectors that were largely reported in China and sporadically in Japan. Interestingly, AY and EY are yet not found in South and East Asia grapevine regions; however, their presence on different plant species suggests the potential spread of the pathogens that may occur in grapevine regions in the near future. Additionally, a few reports also suggest the presence of Stolbur group in Asian countries, along with one study that found a Stolbur-related strain in China on Vitis vinifera. Similarly, PnWB was also frequently reported in India and China on several plant species, but not in grapes. Conversely, sporadic detections of phytoplasma strains related to X-disease in Thailand, South Korea, and China indicate that their potential influence in viticulture is rather negligible. Our review suggests that monitoring and control strategies against GY are essential in order to prevent epidemic phytoplasma spread, especially in vine-allocated areas in Asia.
Roberto Pierro; Teodoro Semeraro; Andrea Luvisi; Harsh Garg; Marzia Vergine; Luigi De Bellis; Harsimran K. Gill. The Distribution of Phytoplasmas in South and East Asia: An Emerging Threat to Grapevine Cultivation. Frontiers in Plant Science 2019, 10, 1 .
AMA StyleRoberto Pierro, Teodoro Semeraro, Andrea Luvisi, Harsh Garg, Marzia Vergine, Luigi De Bellis, Harsimran K. Gill. The Distribution of Phytoplasmas in South and East Asia: An Emerging Threat to Grapevine Cultivation. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2019; 10 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRoberto Pierro; Teodoro Semeraro; Andrea Luvisi; Harsh Garg; Marzia Vergine; Luigi De Bellis; Harsimran K. Gill. 2019. "The Distribution of Phytoplasmas in South and East Asia: An Emerging Threat to Grapevine Cultivation." Frontiers in Plant Science 10, no. : 1.
This paper is devoted to the analysis of the impact of changes in olive urban forests affected by Xylella fastidiosa on ecosystem services. The focus is on microclimate and thermal comfort evaluated by two indices: the temperature of equivalent perception (TEP) and the predicted mean vote (PMV), which take into account both microclimate parameters and personal factors (heat resistance of clothing and human activity). The work has been carried out through (i) a qualitative analysis of the potential ecosystem services changes caused by temporary transition from olive groves to uncultivated soil, (ii) a study of the potential change of land use from monumental olive groves to other types of use, and (iii) a quantitative analysis on microclimate impact due to the loss of ecosystem services in two selected neighborhoods located in the Apulia region and chosen due to their proximity to the urban context. The analysis revealed that (i) direct effects on ecosystem services are principally linked with regulation functions and cultural services, (ii) a critical loss of cultural value of monumental olive groves occurred in the two neighborhoods, (iii) such a loss may lead to an increase of TEP and PMV, indicating a decrease of thermal comfort in the whole neighborhoods. Thus, it is necessary to plan the replanting policies of the use of the areas affected by X. fastidiosa not only in terms of agricultural planning but also in terms of landscape, urban planning, and human well-being.
Teodoro Semeraro; Elisa Gatto; Riccardo Buccolieri; Marzia Vergine; Zhi Gao; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Changes in Olive Urban Forests Infected by Xylella fastidiosa: Impact on Microclimate and Social Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 2642 .
AMA StyleTeodoro Semeraro, Elisa Gatto, Riccardo Buccolieri, Marzia Vergine, Zhi Gao, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Changes in Olive Urban Forests Infected by Xylella fastidiosa: Impact on Microclimate and Social Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (15):2642.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTeodoro Semeraro; Elisa Gatto; Riccardo Buccolieri; Marzia Vergine; Zhi Gao; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2019. "Changes in Olive Urban Forests Infected by Xylella fastidiosa: Impact on Microclimate and Social Health." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 15: 2642.
In olive trees, Xylella fastidiosa colonizes xylem vessels and compromises water transport causing the olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS). The loss of hydraulic conductivity could be attributed to vessel occlusions induced both by the bacteria biofilm and by plant responses (tyloses, gums, etc.) that could trigger embolism. The ability of the infected plants to detect embolism and to respond, by activating mechanisms to restore the hydraulic conductivity, can influence the severity of the disease symptomatology. In order to investigate these mechanisms in the X. fastidiosa-resistant olive cultivar Leccino and in the susceptible Cellina di Nardò, sections of healthy olive stems were analysed by laser scanning microscope to calculate the cavitation vulnerability index. Findings indicated that the cultivar Leccino seems to be constitutively less susceptible to cavitation than the susceptible one. Among the vascular refilling mechanisms, starch hydrolysis is a well-known strategy to refill xylem vessels that suffered cavitation and it is characterized by a dense accumulation of starch grains in the xylem parenchima; SEM-EDX analysis of stem cross-sections of infected plants revealed an aggregation of starch grains in the Leccino xylem vessels. These observations could indicate that this cultivar, as well as being anatomically less susceptible to cavitation, it also could be able to activate more efficient refilling mechanisms, restoring vessel’s hydraulic conductivity. In order to verify this hypothesis, we analysed the expression levels of some genes belonging to families involved in embolism sensing and refilling mechanisms: aquaporins, sucrose transporters, carbohydrate metabolism and enzymes related to starch breakdown, alpha and beta-amylase. The obtained genes expression patterns suggested that the infected plants of the cultivar Leccino strongly modulates the genes involved in embolism sensing and refilling.
Erika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Alessandra Genga; Tiziana Siciliano; Eliana Nutricati; Francesca Nicolì; Marzia Vergine; Carmine Negro; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Xylem cavitation susceptibility and refilling mechanisms in olive trees infected by Xylella fastidiosa. Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 1 -11.
AMA StyleErika Sabella, Alessio Aprile, Alessandra Genga, Tiziana Siciliano, Eliana Nutricati, Francesca Nicolì, Marzia Vergine, Carmine Negro, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Xylem cavitation susceptibility and refilling mechanisms in olive trees infected by Xylella fastidiosa. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1):1-11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErika Sabella; Alessio Aprile; Alessandra Genga; Tiziana Siciliano; Eliana Nutricati; Francesca Nicolì; Marzia Vergine; Carmine Negro; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2019. "Xylem cavitation susceptibility and refilling mechanisms in olive trees infected by Xylella fastidiosa." Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 1-11.
In the last years, the interest in Italian monovarietal oils has increased due to their specific organoleptic qualities. Extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) are rich in phenolic compounds, secondary metabolites well known and studied for their nutraceutical properties. However, among EVOOs, there is great variability in phenolic composition due to the origin, the production technique, and mainly, the genotype. The aim of this work was to evaluate the different phenolic profiles and the antioxidant activities of monovarietal oils. The results confirm this variability. In fact, the overall content of oleuropein varies up to four times between the different genotypes (from 33.80 to 152.32 mg/kg oil), while the oleocanthal content is significant only in two oils. The antioxidant activity, determined with 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays, is correlated with the content of total phenolic substances, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for the DPPH test ranging from 160 to 91 mg of oil, while the ORAC test shows values between 5.45 and 8.03 μmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/g oil.
Carmine Negro; Alessio Aprile; Andrea Luvisi; Francesca Nicolì; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Antonio Miceli; Federica Blando; Erika Sabella; Luigi De Bellis. Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Italian Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils. Antioxidants 2019, 8, 161 .
AMA StyleCarmine Negro, Alessio Aprile, Andrea Luvisi, Francesca Nicolì, Eliana Nutricati, Marzia Vergine, Antonio Miceli, Federica Blando, Erika Sabella, Luigi De Bellis. Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Italian Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils. Antioxidants. 2019; 8 (6):161.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmine Negro; Alessio Aprile; Andrea Luvisi; Francesca Nicolì; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Antonio Miceli; Federica Blando; Erika Sabella; Luigi De Bellis. 2019. "Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Italian Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils." Antioxidants 8, no. 6: 161.
Olive leaf extracts are of special interest due to their proven therapeutic effects. However, they are still considered a by-product of the table olive and the oil industries. In order to learn possible ways of exploiting this waste for health purposes, we investigated the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities in the leaves of 15 Italian Olea europaea L. cultivars grown in the same pedoclimatic conditions. The phenolic profiles and amounts of their seven representative compounds were analyzed using HPLC ESI/MS-TOF. The antioxidant activities were determined using three different antioxidant assays (DPPH, ORAC, and superoxide anion scavenging assay). Wide ranges of total phenolic content (11.39–48.62 g GAE kg−1 dry weight) and antioxidant activities (DPPH values: 8.67–29.89 µmol TE mg−1 dry weight, ORAC values: 0.81–4.25 µmol TE mg−1 dry weight, superoxide anion scavenging activity values: 27.66–48.92 µmol TE mg−1 dry weight) were found in the cultivars. In particular, the cultivars Itrana, Apollo, and Maurino, showed a high amount of total phenols and antioxidant activity, and therefore represent a suitable natural source of biological compounds for use in terms of health benefits.
Francesca Nicolì; Carmine Negro; Marzia Vergine; Alessio Aprile; Eliana Nutricati; Erika Sabella; Antonio Miceli; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi De Bellis. Evaluation of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of 15 Italian Olea europaea L. Cultivar Leaves. Molecules 2019, 24, 1998 .
AMA StyleFrancesca Nicolì, Carmine Negro, Marzia Vergine, Alessio Aprile, Eliana Nutricati, Erika Sabella, Antonio Miceli, Andrea Luvisi, Luigi De Bellis. Evaluation of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of 15 Italian Olea europaea L. Cultivar Leaves. Molecules. 2019; 24 (10):1998.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Nicolì; Carmine Negro; Marzia Vergine; Alessio Aprile; Eliana Nutricati; Erika Sabella; Antonio Miceli; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi De Bellis. 2019. "Evaluation of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of 15 Italian Olea europaea L. Cultivar Leaves." Molecules 24, no. 10: 1998.
The olive tree "Cellina di Nardò" (CdN) is one of the most widespread cultivars in Southern Italy, mainly grown in the Provinces of Lecce, Taranto, and Brindisi over a total of about 60,000 hectares. Although this cultivar is mainly used for oil production, the drupes are also suitable and potentially marketable as table olives. When used for this purpose, olives are harvested after complete maturation, which gives to them a naturally black color due to anthocyanin accumulation. This survey reports for the first time on the total phenolic content (TPC), anthocyanin characterization, and antioxidant activity of CdN olive fruits during ripening and after fermentation. The antioxidant activity (AA) was determined using three different methods. Data showed that TPC increased during maturation, reaching values two times higher in completely ripened olives. Anthocyanins were found only in mature olives and the concentrations reached up to 5.3 g/kg dry weight. AA was determined for the four ripening stages, and was particularly high in the totally black olive fruit, in accordance with TPC and anthocyanin amounts. Moreover, the CdN olives showed a higher TPC and a greater AA compared to other black table olives produced by cultivars commonly grown for this purpose. These data demonstrate the great potential of black table CdN olives, a product that combines exceptional organoleptic properties with a remarkable antioxidant capacity.
Alessio Aprile; Carmine Negro; Erika Sabella; Andrea Luvisi; Francesca Nicolì; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Antonio Miceli; Federica Blando; Luigi De Bellis. Antioxidant Activity and Anthocyanin Contents in Olives (cv Cellina di Nardò) during Ripening and after Fermentation. Antioxidants 2019, 8, 138 .
AMA StyleAlessio Aprile, Carmine Negro, Erika Sabella, Andrea Luvisi, Francesca Nicolì, Eliana Nutricati, Marzia Vergine, Antonio Miceli, Federica Blando, Luigi De Bellis. Antioxidant Activity and Anthocyanin Contents in Olives (cv Cellina di Nardò) during Ripening and after Fermentation. Antioxidants. 2019; 8 (5):138.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessio Aprile; Carmine Negro; Erika Sabella; Andrea Luvisi; Francesca Nicolì; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Antonio Miceli; Federica Blando; Luigi De Bellis. 2019. "Antioxidant Activity and Anthocyanin Contents in Olives (cv Cellina di Nardò) during Ripening and after Fermentation." Antioxidants 8, no. 5: 138.
Monitoring Xylella fastidiosa is critical for eradicating or at least containing this harmful pathogen. New low-cost and rapid methods for early detection capability are very much needed. Metabolomics may play a key role in diagnosis; in fact, mobile metabolites could avoid errors in sampling due to erratically distributed pathogens. Of the various different mobile signals, we studied dicarboxylic azelaic acid (AzA) which is a key molecule for biotic stress plant response but has not yet been associated with pathogens in olive trees. We found that infected Olea europaea L. plants of cultivars Cellina di Nardò (susceptible to X. fastidiosa) and Leccino (resistant to the pathogen) showed an increase in AzA accumulation in leaf petioles and in sprigs by approximately seven- and sixfold, respectively, compared with plants negative to X. fastidiosa or affected by other pathogens. No statistically significant variation was found between the X. fastidiosa population level and the amount of AzA in either of the plant tissues, suggesting that AzA accumulation was almost independent of the amount of pathogen in the sample. Furthermore, the association of AzA with X. fastidiosa seemed to be reliable for samples judged as potentially false-negative by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (cycle threshold [Ct] > 33), considering both the absolute value of AzA concentration and the values normalized on negative samples, which diverged significantly from control plants. The accumulation of AzA in infected plants was partially supported by the differential expression of two genes (named OeLTP1 and OeLTP2) encoding lipid transport proteins (LTPs), which shared a specific domain with the LTPs involved in AzA activity in systemic acquired resistance in other plant species. The expression level of OeLTP1 and OeLTP2 in petiole samples showed significant upregulation in samples positive to X. fastidiosa of both cultivars, with higher expression levels in positive samples of Cellina di Nardò compared with Leccino, whereas the two transcripts had a low expression level (Ct > 40) in negative samples of the susceptible cultivar. Although the results derived from the quantification of AzA cannot confirm the presence of the erratically distributed X. fastidiosa, which can be definitively assessed by traditional methods, we believe they represent a fast and cheap screening method for large-scale monitoring.
Francesca Nicolì; Carmine Negro; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Alessio Aprile; Erika Sabella; Gina Damiano; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Accumulation of Azelaic Acid in Xylella fastidiosa-Infected Olive Trees: A Mobile Metabolite for Health Screening. Phytopathology® 2019, 109, 318 -325.
AMA StyleFrancesca Nicolì, Carmine Negro, Eliana Nutricati, Marzia Vergine, Alessio Aprile, Erika Sabella, Gina Damiano, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Accumulation of Azelaic Acid in Xylella fastidiosa-Infected Olive Trees: A Mobile Metabolite for Health Screening. Phytopathology®. 2019; 109 (2):318-325.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Nicolì; Carmine Negro; Eliana Nutricati; Marzia Vergine; Alessio Aprile; Erika Sabella; Gina Damiano; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2019. "Accumulation of Azelaic Acid in Xylella fastidiosa-Infected Olive Trees: A Mobile Metabolite for Health Screening." Phytopathology® 109, no. 2: 318-325.
Marzia Vergine; Francesca Nicolì; Carmine Negro; Andrea Luvisi; Eliana Nutricati; Rita Annunziata Accogli; Erika Sabella; Antonio Miceli. Phytochemical Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Salvia species from Southern Italy. Records of Natural Products 2019, 13, 205 -215.
AMA StyleMarzia Vergine, Francesca Nicolì, Carmine Negro, Andrea Luvisi, Eliana Nutricati, Rita Annunziata Accogli, Erika Sabella, Antonio Miceli. Phytochemical Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Salvia species from Southern Italy. Records of Natural Products. 2019; 13 (3):205-215.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarzia Vergine; Francesca Nicolì; Carmine Negro; Andrea Luvisi; Eliana Nutricati; Rita Annunziata Accogli; Erika Sabella; Antonio Miceli. 2019. "Phytochemical Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Salvia species from Southern Italy." Records of Natural Products 13, no. 3: 205-215.
Among cereals, durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum) accumulates cadmium (Cd) at higher concentration if grown in Cd-polluted soils. Since cadmium accumulation is a risk for human health, the international trade organizations have limited the acceptable concentration of Cd in edible crops. Therefore, durum wheat cultivars accumulating low cadmium in grains should be preferred by farmers and consumers. To identify the response of durum wheat to the presence of Cd, the transcriptomes of roots and shoots of Creso and Svevo cultivars were sequenced after a 50-day exposure to 0.5 μM Cd in hydroponic solution. No phytotoxic effects or biomass reduction was observed in Creso and Svevo plants at this Cd concentration. Despite this null effect, cadmium was accumulated in root tissues, in shoots and in grains suggesting a good cadmium translocation rate among tissues. The mRNA sequencing revealed a general transcriptome rearrangement after Cd treatment and more than 7000 genes were found differentially expressed in root and shoot tissues. Among these, the up-regulated genes in roots showed a clear correlation with cadmium uptake and detoxification. In particular, about three hundred genes were commonly up-regulated in Creso and Svevo roots suggesting a well defined molecular strategy characterized by the transcriptomic activation of several transcription factors mainly belonging to bHLH and WRKY families. bHLHs are probably the activators of the strong up-regulation of three NAS genes, responsible for the synthesis of the phytosiderophore nicotianamine (NA). Moreover, we found the overall up-regulation of the methionine salvage pathway that is tightly connected with NA synthesis and supply the S-adenosyl methionine necessary for NA biosynthesis. Finally, several vacuolar NA chelating heavy metal transporters were vigorously activated. In conclusion, the exposure of durum wheat to cadmium activates in roots a complex gene network involved in cadmium translocation and detoxification from heavy metals. These findings are confident with a role of nicotianamine and methionine salvage pathway in the accumulation of cadmium in durum wheat.
Alessio Aprile; Erika Sabella; Marzia Vergine; Alessandra Genga; Maria Siciliano; Eliana Nutricati; Patrizia Rampino; Mariarosaria De Pascali; Andrea Luvisi; Antonio Miceli; Carmine Negro; Luigi De Bellis. Activation of a gene network in durum wheat roots exposed to cadmium. BMC Plant Biology 2018, 18, 238 .
AMA StyleAlessio Aprile, Erika Sabella, Marzia Vergine, Alessandra Genga, Maria Siciliano, Eliana Nutricati, Patrizia Rampino, Mariarosaria De Pascali, Andrea Luvisi, Antonio Miceli, Carmine Negro, Luigi De Bellis. Activation of a gene network in durum wheat roots exposed to cadmium. BMC Plant Biology. 2018; 18 (1):238.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessio Aprile; Erika Sabella; Marzia Vergine; Alessandra Genga; Maria Siciliano; Eliana Nutricati; Patrizia Rampino; Mariarosaria De Pascali; Andrea Luvisi; Antonio Miceli; Carmine Negro; Luigi De Bellis. 2018. "Activation of a gene network in durum wheat roots exposed to cadmium." BMC Plant Biology 18, no. 1: 238.
To evaluate the effects on modulation of K+ channel in antiviral treatments, we report the application of potassium channel blockers (PCBs) tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) and cesium chloride (Cs) in in vitro plantlets or callus cultures infected by Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). The effect of PCBs were evaluated in: a) in vitro TMV-infection trials, where PCB-treatments were applied during infection process of healthy plantlet; b) chemotherapy trials, where PCB-treatments were applied in combination to antiviral drugs on TMV-infected plantlets; c) in antiviral trials using callus culture and sieving technique. Both PCBs were able to reduce relative concentration of virus [calculated as Fold Changes (FC) relative to control samples] during infection process, with major effect observed at 7 dpi and in medium or upper portions of plantlet. Positive effects of PCBs were also observed following chemotherapy trials, where TEA significantly improves antiviral effectiveness of the antiviral drugs, causing higher FC compared to that obtained with just chemotherapy treatment since 3th subculture. Nevertheless, plantlets were positive to TMV up to 6th subculture, thus virus elimination was not achieved). Finally, the callus culture and sieving technique lead to 11.1 ± 3.8% of TMV-negative plantlets, while TEA-treated mother-calli lead to 22.2 ± 3.8% of negative plantlets. Concluding, findings suggest that modulation of K+, previously indicated as essential in early stages of viral infection, could be also involved in antiviral techniques.
Erika Sabella; Roberto Pierro; Alessandra Panattoni; Alberto Materazzi; Marzia Vergine; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. Effects of modulation of potassium channels in tobacco mosaic virus elimination. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 2018, 102, 180 -184.
AMA StyleErika Sabella, Roberto Pierro, Alessandra Panattoni, Alberto Materazzi, Marzia Vergine, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi. Effects of modulation of potassium channels in tobacco mosaic virus elimination. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 2018; 102 ():180-184.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErika Sabella; Roberto Pierro; Alessandra Panattoni; Alberto Materazzi; Marzia Vergine; Luigi De Bellis; Andrea Luvisi. 2018. "Effects of modulation of potassium channels in tobacco mosaic virus elimination." Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 102, no. : 180-184.
We report the characterisation of Salvia clandestina L. shoots and roots aqueous extract using HPLC-ESI/MS-TOF. Among the 29 compounds detected, we observed the presence of danshensu (3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl) 2-hydroxy-propinic acid), a powerful antioxidant and a cardio-protective agent. The danshensu content found in the shoots of S. clandestina was considerable (4.96 mg g-1 DW) if compared with previous studies on S. miltiorrhiza Bunge, the main source of this compound. We also determined the total phenolic concentration and we evaluated their antioxidant activity by ABTS, FRAP and Superoxide anion scavenging methods. All the three assays confirmed a greater antioxidant activity for the shoots in comparison to roots. S. clandestina shoots may represent a valuable and natural unexploited source of danshensu and other phenolic compounds, so that it may be useful for future applications in functional foods and pharmaceutical industries.
Francesca Nicolì; Marzia Vergine; Carmine Negro; Andrea Luvisi; Eliana Nutricati; Alessio Aprile; Patrizia Rampino; Erika Sabella; Luigi De Bellis; Antonio Miceli. Salvia clandestina L.: unexploited source of danshensu. Natural Product Research 2018, 33, 439 -442.
AMA StyleFrancesca Nicolì, Marzia Vergine, Carmine Negro, Andrea Luvisi, Eliana Nutricati, Alessio Aprile, Patrizia Rampino, Erika Sabella, Luigi De Bellis, Antonio Miceli. Salvia clandestina L.: unexploited source of danshensu. Natural Product Research. 2018; 33 (3):439-442.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Nicolì; Marzia Vergine; Carmine Negro; Andrea Luvisi; Eliana Nutricati; Alessio Aprile; Patrizia Rampino; Erika Sabella; Luigi De Bellis; Antonio Miceli. 2018. "Salvia clandestina L.: unexploited source of danshensu." Natural Product Research 33, no. 3: 439-442.
Recently, Xylella fastidiosa was reported in Italy, associated with the "Olive Quick Decline Syndrome". The cv. Leccino exhibits an evident tolerance with a slow disease progression compared with the other cultivars. Between the mechanisms proposed to explain the putative tolerance of some hosts to X. fastidiosa diseases, lignin deposition plays an important role. Analysis of phenolic compounds in healthy and infected Leccino and Cellina di Nardò leaves showed, in the two cultivars, a reduction of hydroxytyrosol glucoside (usually associated with drought and cold stress) and, only in Leccino, an increase of quinic acid, precursor of lignin. To determine if lignin biosynthesis is involved in defence response, we investigated the expression of genes coding for entry-point enzymes in different branches of the phenylpropanoid pathway. In stems of Cellina di Nardò infected plants, Cinnamate-4-Hydroxylase (C4H) and 4-Coumarate:CoA Ligase (4CL) resulted strongly down-regulated, indicating a plant disease response since the inhibition of C4H is reported to promote the accumulation of benzoic acid and salicylic acid as defence signals. Instead, in the cv. Leccino, Cinnamoyl-CoA Reductase (CCR, reported to be strongly induced during the formation of lignin defence response associated) was up-regulated in the stem of infected plants; moreover, Polyphenol oxidase (PPO), coding for an enzyme involved in the hydroxytyrosol biosynthesis, was down-regulated. The quantification of lignin in healthy and infected branches of both cultivars, showed a significant increase of total lignin in infected Leccino compared with the sensitive cultivar; moreover, histochemical observations of stem sections exhibited a different lignin distribution in the sclerenchyma and in the xylem tissue of infected Leccino plants compared to sections of healthy ones. Results suggest a critical role for lignin in X. fastidiosa tolerance of cv. Leccino.
Erika Sabella; Andrea Luvisi; Alessio Aprile; Carmine Negro; Marzia Vergine; Francesca Nicolì; Antonio Miceli; Luigi De Bellis. Xylella fastidiosa induces differential expression of lignification related-genes and lignin accumulation in tolerant olive trees cv. Leccino. Journal of Plant Physiology 2018, 220, 60 -68.
AMA StyleErika Sabella, Andrea Luvisi, Alessio Aprile, Carmine Negro, Marzia Vergine, Francesca Nicolì, Antonio Miceli, Luigi De Bellis. Xylella fastidiosa induces differential expression of lignification related-genes and lignin accumulation in tolerant olive trees cv. Leccino. Journal of Plant Physiology. 2018; 220 ():60-68.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErika Sabella; Andrea Luvisi; Alessio Aprile; Carmine Negro; Marzia Vergine; Francesca Nicolì; Antonio Miceli; Luigi De Bellis. 2018. "Xylella fastidiosa induces differential expression of lignification related-genes and lignin accumulation in tolerant olive trees cv. Leccino." Journal of Plant Physiology 220, no. : 60-68.
Heavy metal excess in soil represents a critical problem for crop productivity. Among these pollutants, cadmium (Cd) is one of the most dangerous in terms of food-chain contamination. Two durum wheat near-isogenic lines (NILs) and 12 commercial varieties (cultivars Arcangelo, Aureo, Aziziah, Cappelli, Cirillo, Creso, Iride, Maestrale, Parsifal, Russello, Strongfield, and Svevo) of durum wheat were exposed to a nontoxic level of Cd to evaluate its concentration in grains, roots, and shoots, as well as effects on biomass production. Cultivar Iride showed the most interesting behavior because it stored large amounts of Cd in the roots, preventing its translocation to grains. On the contrary, Cirillo and Svevo genotypes were characterized by a high Cd concentration in the grains. Furthermore, a molecular characterization employing the ScOPC20 marker associated with the Cd uptake locus has shown the absence of the expected fragment in the Iride variety and in other varieties characterized by low Cd concentration, as well as the presence of it in high Cd-accumulating cultivars.
Marzia Vergine; Alessio Aprile; Erika Sabella; Alessandra Genga; Maria Siciliano; Patrizia Rampino; Marcello Salvatore Lenucci; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi De Bellis. Cadmium Concentration in Grains of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2017, 65, 6240 -6246.
AMA StyleMarzia Vergine, Alessio Aprile, Erika Sabella, Alessandra Genga, Maria Siciliano, Patrizia Rampino, Marcello Salvatore Lenucci, Andrea Luvisi, Luigi De Bellis. Cadmium Concentration in Grains of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2017; 65 (30):6240-6246.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarzia Vergine; Alessio Aprile; Erika Sabella; Alessandra Genga; Maria Siciliano; Patrizia Rampino; Marcello Salvatore Lenucci; Andrea Luvisi; Luigi De Bellis. 2017. "Cadmium Concentration in Grains of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum)." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 65, no. 30: 6240-6246.