Dragana Budakov

Application of liquid chromatography with diode-array detector for determination of acetamiprid and 6-chloronicotinic acid residues in sweet cherry samples.

SUMMARY A rapid and simple method for simultaneous determination of acetamiprid and its metabolite 6-chloronicotinic acid in sweet cherry samples has been developed. This residue analysis method is based on the reversed phase separation on C18 column with gradient elution. Analytes’ determination and quantification were performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode-array detector and chromatograms were extracted at 230 nm. Extraction efficiency experiments demonstrated the ability of this method to extract neonicotinoids from sweet cherry samples. These insecticides were extracted with a mixture of acetonitril/0.1N ammonium-chloride (8/2, v/v). The average recoveries of acetamiprid and 6-chlornicotinic acid from sweet cherry samples were in the range of 95-101% and 73-83%, respectively, with the associated relative standard deviations (RSDs) <5%. Expanded measurement uncertainties for the analyzed compounds were 2.7 and 3.01%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 10 µg/kg and 30 µg/kg for acetamiprid and 6-chloronicotinic acid, respectively. Thus, the developed HPLC/DAD method can be considered a useful tool for sensitive and rapid determination of acetamiprid and 6-chloronicotinic acid. Hence, the method may find further application in the analysis of real sweet cherry samples contaminated with these insecticides at a ppb level.

Analysis of Rhizoctonia solani isolates associated with sugar beet crown and root rot from Serbia

Rhizoctonia solani is one of the most important sugar beet pathogens worldwide with anastomosis groups (AGs) 2-2 and 4 as the most pathogenic strains on sugar beet. AG 2-2 (intraspecific groups IIIB and IV) can cause both root and crown rot and damping-off, while AG-4 is typically associated only with seedlings damping-off. A total of 20 isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. from sugar beet roots, showing characteristic crown and root rot symptoms, were collected from 4 localities in Serbia. Regarding colony morphology and cultural characteristics, they were divided into 2 groups, which corresponded to their pathogenic, anastomosis and molecular traits. Sequence analysis proved that the first group of isolates were closely related (sequence homology 100%) to AG-4, subgroup HG II, whereas the second group was determined to belong to AG 2-2 IIIB (sequence homology 99%). These two groups differed in range of hosts and in disease intensity on sugar beet, bean and soybean plants. This is the first detailed report on R. solani anastomosis groups that cause sugar beet crown and root rot in Serbia.

Evaluation of rapid protocols for DNA isolation from Cercospora beticola Sacc.

Summary: The most fungal DNA isolation protocols are designed to obtain high amounts of very pure DNA, requiring large fungal cultures and extraction procedures with many purification steps. Since the PCR does not require high purity DNA, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate three fast and simple fungal DNA isolation protocols for further use in Cercospora PCR based research. The purity and quantity of isolated DNAs were determined spectrophotometrically, electrophoretically and by PCR reaction with universal primers. The amounts of DNA evaluated on agarose gels, isolated by protocols A and C, did not correspond to the spectrophotometrical values, probably due to RNA impurities. In samples isolated by protocol B these impurities were not detected and the DNA concentrations were more similar. Neither protocol eliminated impurities such as carbohydrates and phenol. The average DNA yield of protocol A was 1.04 µg/µl, protocol B 0.88 µg/µl, and protocol C 0.55 µg/µl. The DNA quality most suitable for PCR analysis was obtained by protocol A, where amplification product with universal primers was detected in all DNA samples. The amplification product was detected in 87% of samples isolated by protocol C and in only 60% of samples isolated by protocol B. Although DNA obtained by protocol A had the highest yield and best quality, the isolation protocol C should be also recommended, for it does not require phenol, chlorophorm or liquid nitrogen.Key words: Cercospora, DNA, impurity, isolation, protocol

PATHOGENIC, MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS OF ALTERNARIA TENUISSIMA FROM SOYBEAN

During 2008 and 2009 phytopathological isolations were done from soybean plants and seed samples from several localities in Serbia. A total of 19 isolates of Alternaria spp. were isolated, 13 from the seed and 3 from both leaf and stem. In order to determine and characterize isolates, cultural, morphological, molecular and pathogenic characteristics were thoroughly investigated. The slowest growth of the examined isolates was noted on Malt agar (MA) with average colony diameter of 42.9 mm after 7 days of incubation. On other two media (V8 and PCA), colony growth was uniform and faster, with average diameter of 66.8 mm and 66.1 mm, respectively. Isolates of fungi form unbranched or poorly branched conidial chains on short unbranched conidiophores. Conidia are dark in colour, multicellular with transverse and longitudinal septae. They are of different size regarding the place of formation in the chain. Based on these characteristics, the tested isolates were determined as Alternaria tenuissima. Molecular identification with sequencing of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA verified that investigated isolates belong to Alternaria tenuissima group. Pathogenicity test proved that all isolates were more or less virulent to soybean seed (12.5% to 40% of rotten seeds), while pathogenicity on plants was poorly expressed.

A New Concept to Secure Food Safety Standards against Fusarium Species and Aspergillus Flavus and Their Toxins in Maize

Commercial maize hybrids are exposed to different degrees of ear infection by toxigenic fungal species and toxin contamination. Their resistance to different fungi and toxin relationships are largely unknown. Without this knowledge, screening and breeding are not possible for these pathogens. Seven- to tenfold differences were found in resistance to Fusarium spp., and there was a five-fold difference in ear coverage (%) in response to A. flavus. Three hybrids of the twenty entries had lower infection severity compared with the general means for toxigenic species. Three were highly susceptible to each, and 14 hybrids reacted differently to the different fungi. Differences were also observed in the toxin content. Again, three hybrids had lower toxin content in response to all toxigenic species, one had higher values for all, and 16 had variable resistance levels. Correlations between infection severity and deoxynivalenol (DON) content were 0.95 and 0.82 (p = 0.001) for F. graminearum and F. culmorum, respectively. For fumonisin and F. verticillioides ear rot, the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was 0.45 (p = 0.05). Two independent isolates with different aggressiveness were used, and their mean X values better described the resistance levels. This increased the reliability of the data. With the introduction of this methodological concept (testing the resistance levels separately for different fungi and with two isolates independently), highly significant resistance differences were found. The resistance to different fungal species correlated only in certain cases; thus, each should be tested separately. This is very useful in registration tests and post-registration screening and breeding. This would allow a rapid increase in food and feed safety.

Correlation between lipid peroxidation and phenolics content in leaves and roots of sugar beet infected with Rhizoctonia solani

The correlation between intensity of lipid peroxidation and changes in antioxidant capacity of sugar beet plants (cv. ‘Drena’) infected with Rhizoctonia solani Kühn isolate (AG 2-2 IIIB group) was studied. Successful inoculation was confirmed by the presence of infection cushions in a cross section of leaf petioles. On the 7th day of the experiment, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL; EC. 4.3.1.5) activity was in negative correlation with intensified lipid peroxidation process in leaves of sugar beet plants (r= –0 .99). Also, in leaves and roots of inoculated sugar beet plants, total flavonoids content (35% and 20%, respectively) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-scavenging activity (80% and 55%, respectively) were significantly reduced. Necrotic processes resulting from R. solani infection of sugar beet plants was followed by induction of plant phenolics metabolism; however, antioxidant capacity of these plants was reduced.

Gibberella intermedia the pathogen of St. John's wort, coneflower and marshmallow in Serbia.

Gibberella intermedia (Kuhlmann) Samuels et al. (anamorf: Fusarium proliferatum /Matsushima/ Nirenberg) was isolated from seeds of St. Johns wort, marshmallow, and coneflower, as well as from roots and stalks of marshmallow and roots of coneflower. These plants had symptoms of leaf chlorosis, malformation, withering and plant dwarfing and were collected from several localities in Serbia during five-year investigations of mycopopulations of the mentioned plants. The morphological characteristics of the pathogen were described.