Chitinase is often produced in higher plants as a general defence response after wounding or pathogenic attack. Since germinating seeds are exposed to soil pathogens, the activity and expression of chitinase in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds was investigated. One acidic and three basic chitinase isoforms were detected, beginning 40 d after anthesis in developing and fully mature seeds. Both ...

At least 14 ascorbate oxidase (AO) isoenzymes with isoelectric points in the range of pH 3 /10 have been identified and their expression profile studied in various Cucurbitaceae tissues and during development and ripening of melon fruit (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus). At least four acidic AO isoenzymes were mainly located in the apoplastic fraction, whereas 10 basic AO isoenzymes were found...

Peat replacement is an increasing demand in containerized and transplant production, due to the environmental constraints associated to peat use. However, despite the wide information concerning the use of alternative materials as substrates, it is very complex to establish the best materials and mixtures. This work evaluates the use of mixture design and surface response methodology in a peat ...

Phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-amylase activities were studied in the ethanolic extract of five available Bangladeshi fruits. The fruits were Averrhoa bilimbi (Bilimbi), Artocarpus lacucha (Monkey jack), Cucumis melo (Mask melon), Phoenix sylvestris (Wild date palm) and Flacourita jangomas (Indian plum). P. sylvestris had the highest total phenolic content (37.40 ± 1.72 mg GAE/10 g of e...

BACKGROUND The gorgeous frescoes organized by the master Renaissance painter Raphael Sanzio (1483-1520) and illustrating the heavenly adventures of Cupid and Psyche were painted between 1515 and 1518 to decorate the Roman villa (now known as the Villa Farnesina) of the wealthy Sienese banker Agostino Chigi (1466-1520). Surrounding these paintings are festoons of fruits, vegetables and flowers p...