Tomatoes are among the most cultivated and used vegetables in the world. They are very succeptible to post harvest losses due to high perishability, therefore the use of postharvest treatments may contribute to conservation of this fruit, however the treatments might affect significantly physico-chemical, sensory and nutritional characteristics of tomatoes. Given the perishability of tomato and the economic importance of small tomato fruits, the purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of gamma radiation, carnauba coating and 1-MCP treatments on tomato fruit quality during storage. The study may be divided into two parts. In the first, mini tomatoes cv. Sweet Grape were harvested at breaker stage, divided into 4 grous and treated with gamma radiation (0.6 kGy), carnauba coating (1 L 1000 kg-1) and 1-MCP (500 nL L-1) and then stored at 25±2°C for 30 days with a control group of tomatoes. In the seconnd part, tomatoes harvested at light-red stage were submitted to the same treatments and storage period. Every 6 days tomatoes were evaluated for color modifications, fruit firmness, souble and total pectin (only for light-red tomatoes), mass loss, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS), SS/TA ratio, carotenoids profile, formation of lycopene isomers, total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and antioxidant capacity. For tomatoes harvested at breaker stage and submitted to the treatments the results showed mass loss was delaying mainly by carnauba wax, and to a lesser extend by 1-MCP. Fruit firmness were better retained for 1-MCP treated fruits and carnauba treatment showed a transient effect in preserving fruit firmness. SS/TA of tomatoes treated with gamma radiation and carnauba presented no differences from control values, and were lower with the application of 1-MCP. Color was negatively affected by 1-MCP and earlier changed (6th day) when gamma radiation was applied. In relation to bioactive compounds of tomatoes harvest at breaker stage, results indicated gamma radiation and 1-MCP decreased the final content of lycopene and produced more (Z)-isomers of lycopene. Gamma radiation also induced a decreased in ?-carotene and an increased in phenolic compounds by the end of storage period. 1-MCP treatment promoted a slow down increase in ascorbic acid content during storage. Antioxidant capacity of the hydrophilic fraction was not dramatically affected by treatments and the lipophilic fraction was lower, especially for 1-MCP fruits. In addition, contents of ?-carotene, lycopene, (Z)-isomers of lycopene, ascorbic acid and antioxidant capacity increased during the period of storage while contents of lutein and phenolic compounds tended to decrease. Regarding tomatoes harvest at light-red stage, the most effective treatments for delaying fruit firmness and mass loss was carnauba and 1-MCP, while gamma radiation was the treatment with higher mass loss and the less fruit firmness, which could be associated with the higher solubilization of pectins promoted by radiation treatment. Color (L* and Hue) was mainly affected by 1-MCP treatment which delayed color development, however, by the end of storage, the values were not different from the other treatments. SS/TA ratio was lower for fruits treated with 1-MCP and TA was not so dramatically affected by treatments. Furthermore, mini tomatoes harvested at light-red stage, demonstrated irradiation induced changes in the final content of lycopene, increasing it, and formed less (13Z)-lycopene, while 1-MCP and carnauba coating slow down the increase in lycopene and slown down the decrease of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds. Antioxidant capacity of lipophilic fraction was not affected by treatments and the hydrophilic fraction was lower for irradiated fruits only on day 0 as well as phenolic compounds. In the other days, no differences among treatments were observed for hydrophilic antioxidant capacity. Considering the results, the best combination of SS and TA and fruit preservation for mini tomatoes harvest at breaker stage was promoted by carnauba coating, which seems to be the treatment that causes fewer changes in bioactive compounds of breaker tomatoes. However, when mini tomatoes were harvested at light-red stage, SS/TA ratio and color were better and, to preserve the quality of these fruits, besides carnauba coating, 1-MCP also could be indicated / Os tomates estão dentre as hortaliças mais cultivadas e consumidas no mundo, porém os frutos do tomateiro são muito sucetíveis a perdas após a colheita devido a alta perecibilidade, por isso, o uso de tratamentos pós-colheita pode contribuir para a conservação dos frutos. Entretanto, o uso destes tratamentos pode afetar significativamente características físico-químicas, sensorias e nutricionais dos tomates. Dada a perecibilidade e a importância econômica dos mini tomates, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o efeito da radiação gama, revestimento à base de cera de carnaúba e 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) na qualidade do tomate durante o armazenamento. O estudo pode ser dividido em duas partes. Na primeira, mini tomates cv. Sweet grape colhidos no estádio de maturação breaker foram divididos em quarto grupos e tratados com radiação gama (0.6 kGy), cera de carnaúba (1 L 1000 kg-1) e 1-MCP (500 nL L-1) e então armazenados a 25±2°C por 30 dias, juntamente com um grupo de frutos controle. Na segunda parte, tomates colhidos no estádio de maturação vermelho-claro foram submetidos aos mesmos tratamentos e período de armazenamento. A cada seis dias os frutos foram avaliados para modificações nas características físico-químicas: coloração, firmeza, pectina solúvel e total (somente para os frutos vermelho-claro), perda de massa, acidez titulável (AT), sólidos solúveis (SS), relação SS/AT; e compostos bioativos: perfil de carotenoides, formação de isômeros de licopeno, compostos fenólicos totais, ácido ascórbico, e capacidade antioxidante. Para os tomates colhidos no estádio breaker, os resultados mostraram que a perda de massa foi retardada, principalmente pelo uso de cera de carnauba e de 1-MCP, este último em menor proporção. A firmeza dos frutos foi melhor retida para os frutos tratados com 1-MCP e, a cobertura com carnauba mostrou um efeito transitório em preservar a firmeza dos frutos. A relação SS/AT dos frutos irradiados e cobertos com carnauba não apresentaram diferenças dos valores do controle, mas foram menores com a aplicação de 1-MCP. A coloração foi negativamente afetada pelo uso do 1-MCP e precocemente modificada (no 6° dia) quando a radiação gama foi aplicada. Em relação aos compostos bioativos destes mesmos frutos, os resultados indicaram que a radiação gama e o 1-MCP diminuiram o conteúdo final de licopeno e produziram mais (Z)-isômeros de licopeno nos frutos. A radiação gama também induziu a diminuição de ?-caroteno e o aumento dos compostos fenólicos no final do período de armazenamento. A aplicação de 1-MCP promoveu desaceleração no aumento do conteúdo de ácido ascórbico durante o armazenamento. A capacidade antioxidante da fração hidrofílica não foi muito afetada pelos tratamentos e, a fração lipofílica foi menor para os frutos tratados com 1-MCP. Além disso, os teores de ?-caroteno, licopeno, (Z)-isômeros de licopeno, ácido ascórbico e capacidade antioxidante aumentaram durante o armazenamento, enquanto que, o teor de luteína e compostos fenólicos tenderam a diminuir. A respeito dos tomatates colhidos no estádio de maturação vermelho claro, os tratamentos mais efetivos para retardas a perda demassa e a firmeza foram a cobertura de carnauba e 1-MCP, enquanto o tratamento com radiação gama apresentou a maior perda de massa e de firmeza de frutos, o que pode ser associado a maior solubilização de pectinas promovida pela radiação gama. A cor (L* e Hue) foi principalmente afetada pelo tratamento com 1-MCP, que retardou o desenvolvimento da mesma, porém no final do período de armazenamento, os valores não diferiram dos outros tratamentos. A relação SS/AT foi menor para os frutos tratados com 1-MCP e a AT não foi muito afetada pelos tratamentos. Além disso, mini tomates colhidos no estádio vermelho-claro demosntraram que a irradiação induziu modificações no teor final de licopeno, aumentando-o e houve menor formação de (13Z)-licopeno, enquanto que 1-MCP e carnauba desaceleraram o aumento no teor de licopeno e desaceleraram a diminuição de ácido ascórbico e compostos fenólicos. A capacidade antioxidante da fração lipofílica não foi afetada pelos tratamentos e a fração hidrofílica foi menor para os tomates irradiados somente no dia 0, assim como para compostos fenólicos. Nos demais dias não houve diferenças entre os tratamentos. Considerando os resultados, a melhor combinação de SS/AT e preservação de mini tomates colhidos no estádio breaker foi promovida pela cobertura de carnaúba, a qual pareceu ser o tratamento que causou menores mudanças nos compostos bioativos dos tomates beaker. Entretanto, quando os mini tomates são colhidos no estádio vermelho-claro, SS/AT e coloração são melhor desenvolvidas e, para preservar a qualidade destes frutos, além da cera de carnaúba, o 1-MCP também pode ser indicado

Microalgae, photosynthetic microorganisms, are rich in lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, as well as carotenoids, which are antioxidants that may protect human body from various diseases including obesity, cardiovascular disease, vision-related diseases such as macular degeneration and certain types of cancer. These natural pigments have applications in the pharmaceutical (nutraceutical), food (coloring, functional food, and supplements), and cosmetics industries (e.g. sunscreen), as well as in aquaculture (animal feed). The Dunaliella salina microalga can synthesize 10% of dry weight in &#946;-carotene (orange pigment, pro-vitamin A activity) under high light intensity and nitrogen and phosphorus limitation, among other stress conditions. The first chapter of this thesis presents a review focused on microalgae carotenoids: culture systems, mode of operation, and applications. In this bibliographic survey, the advantages of microalgae cultivation in relation to traditional sources (higher plants) were discussed, as well as a discussion of the main cultivation systems and their importance in cell growth. This review presented a critical analysis of the different operational regimes like batch, fed-batch, semi-continuous and continuous. Relevant information on the most important world producers of microalgae carotenoids were presented. Chapter II presents the development of a modified method of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) for rapid extraction of &#946;-carotene from Dunaliella salina cultivated in tubular photobioreactor, with subsequent development of a rapid chromatographic screening method using a C4 column for separation of geometric isomer of &#946;-carotene. The use of benzene as extraction solvent and water with 50% acetone as dispersant provided the best condition for the extraction of this carotenoid. In HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography), employing mobile phase composed of methanol and water (95:5, v/v), it was possible to detect/quantify &#946;-carotene at 14 min (retention time). Besides the short analysis time (<20 min), by the miniaturized extraction (< 10 mL organic waste) this method abide by green chemistry analytical principles. It is known that nitrogen, phosphorus, as well as carbon and vitamins are vital elements for the growth of microalgae, also determining the biochemical composition of biomass. In this sense, Chapter III presents the study of the influence of different amounts of sodium nitrate (1N = 75 mg L-1; 1.5N = 112.5 mg L-1, and 3N = 225 mg L-1) and phosphate monobasic dehydrate (1P = 5.65 mg L-1, 1.5P = 8.47 mg L-1, and 3P = 16.95 mg L-1) in seawater-based f/2 medium on the growth of Dunaliella salina and &#946;-carotene biosynthesis, by continuous process with different replenishment proportions (R = 20% and 80%). Best results of cell productivity were obtained by semicontinuous process (mean values of Px up to 6.7 x 104 cells mL-1 d-1 with medium 1N:1P; R =20%) in comparison with batch process cultivation. Maximum cell density (Xm) obtained in this work was not dependent of R, but the best results were obtained when using medium 1.5N:1.5P (mean values up to 5.6 x 105 cells mL-1 with R =80%) instead of 1N:1P. The content of &#946;-carotene in the cells, in general, was higher in cells grown in medium 1N:1P (mean yield values up to 57.5 mg g-1 with R =80%) in comparison with medium 1.5N:1.5P. The cultivation of D. salina with media 3N:3P led to a long lag phase, followed by decrease in cell density and cell lysis. The use of a tubular photobioreactor contributed to successfully cultivate this microalga without contamination by protozoa. The cultivation of Dunaliella salina in tubular photobioreactor with the use of 12:12 photoperiod was appropriate, as well as to induce carotenogenesis, in the second stage, by increasing the light intensity and absence of pH control / As microalgas, micro-organismos fotossintetizantes, são ricas em lipídios, ácidos graxos poli-insaturados, carboidratos, proteínas, vitaminas, além de carotenoides que são antioxidantes com potencial de proteger o organismo humano de várias doenças incluindo a obesidade, doenças cardiovasculares, doenças relacionadas à visão como a degeneração macular e certos tipos de câncer, entre outras. Esses pigmentos naturais têm aplicações em indústrias farmacêuticas (nutracêuticos), alimentícias (colorantes, alimentos funcionais e suplementos) e de cosméticos (exemplo: filtro solar) e na aquacultura (ração animal). A microalga Dunaliella salina é capaz de sintetizar, sob alta intensidade luminosa e limitação de nutrientes como fontes de fósforo e nitrogênio, dentre outras condições de estresse, 10 % do peso seco em &#946;-caroteno (pigmento laranja com atividade pró-vitamina A). Assim, neste trabalho, numa primeira etapa, foi feita uma revisão da literatura abordando a produção de carotenoides por microalgas, bem como sua aplicação. Nesse levantamento bibliográfico abordou-se, dentre outros assuntos, as vantagens do cultivo de microalgas em relação as fontes tradicionais (plantas superiores), assim como uma discussão dos diferentes sistemas de cultivos e sua importância no crescimento celular. Esse review apresentou uma análise crítica dos principais regimes operacionais como batch, fed-batch, semicontínuo e contínuo. Apresentou-se também informações relevantes sobre os mais importantes produtores mundiais de carotenoides de microalgas. Numa segunda etapa, foi desenvolvido um método modificado de microextração líquido-líquido dispersivo modificado (DLLME) para a rápida extração de &#946;-caroteno de Dunaliella salina cultivada em fotobiorreatores tubulares, com subsequente desenvolvimento de método cromatográfico em uma coluna C4 para a separação do isômero geométrico de &#946;-caroteno. A extração ótima de &#946;-caroteno foi obtida com benzeno como solvente extrator e água com 50% de acetona como dispersante. Empregando uma fase móvel composta por metanol e água (95:5, v/v) em HPLC, foi possível a detecção/quantificação de &#946;-caroteno com 14 minutos de tempo de retenção. Além dos tempos curtos de análises (<20 min), pela extração em volume reduzido (< 10 mL resíduos orgânicos) este método obedece aos princípios da química verde. Sabe-se que nitrogênio, fósforo, assim como carbono e vitaminas são elementos vitais para o crescimento das microalgas e também exercem influência na composição bioquímica da biomassa. Assim, na terceira etapa deste trabalho, estudou-se a influência das quantidades de nitrato de sódio (75 mg L-1, denominado 1N; 112,5 mg L-1, denominado 1,5N; 225 mg L-1, denominado 3N) e de fosfato monobásico dihidratado (5,65 mg L-1, denominado 1P; 8,47 mg L-1, denominado 1,5P; 16,95 mg L-1, denominado 3P) em meio f/2, que tem como base a água do mar, no crescimento e na síntese de &#946;-caroteno da Dunaliella salina por processo semicontínuo, com uso de frações de corte (R) de 20% e 80%. Foram obtidas produtividades celulares mais elevadas em processos semicontínuos do que em processo descontínuo, com produtividades médias de até 6,7 x 104 células mL-1 d-1 (meio 1N:1P; R =20%). A máxima concentração celular (Xm) obtida neste trabalho não foi dependente de R. Os melhores resultados de Xm foram obtidos quando se usou meio 1,5N:1,5P em vez de meio, com 1N:1P, com valores médios de até 5,6 x 105 células m L-1 (R =80%). O conteúdo de &#946;-caroteno nas células, de maneira geral, foi maior nas células cultivadas em meio 1N:1P do que no meio 1,5N:1,5P, com valores até 57,5 mg g-1 (R =80%). O cultivo de D. salina com o meio 3N:3P levou a uma longa fase lag, seguida por uma diminuição na concentração celular e sua lise. O cultivo de células em um fotobiorreator tubular contribuiu para um crescimento celular sem contaminação por protozoários. O cultivo de Dunaliella salina em fotobiorreator tubular com o uso de fotoperíodo 12:12 foi apropriado, assim como induzir a carotenogênese, no segundo estágio, por meio do aumento da intensidade luminosa e ausência de controle de pH.

Tomatoes are among the most cultivated and used vegetables in the world. They are very succeptible to post harvest losses due to high perishability, therefore the use of postharvest treatments may contribute to conservation of this fruit, however the treatments might affect significantly physico-chemical, sensory and nutritional characteristics of tomatoes. Given the perishability of tomato and the economic importance of small tomato fruits, the purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of gamma radiation, carnauba coating and 1-MCP treatments on tomato fruit quality during storage. The study may be divided into two parts. In the first, mini tomatoes cv. Sweet Grape were harvested at breaker stage, divided into 4 grous and treated with gamma radiation (0.6 kGy), carnauba coating (1 L 1000 kg-1) and 1-MCP (500 nL L-1) and then stored at 25±2°C for 30 days with a control group of tomatoes. In the seconnd part, tomatoes harvested at light-red stage were submitted to the same treatments and storage period. Every 6 days tomatoes were evaluated for color modifications, fruit firmness, souble and total pectin (only for light-red tomatoes), mass loss, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS), SS/TA ratio, carotenoids profile, formation of lycopene isomers, total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and antioxidant capacity. For tomatoes harvested at breaker stage and submitted to the treatments the results showed mass loss was delaying mainly by carnauba wax, and to a lesser extend by 1-MCP. Fruit firmness were better retained for 1-MCP treated fruits and carnauba treatment showed a transient effect in preserving fruit firmness. SS/TA of tomatoes treated with gamma radiation and carnauba presented no differences from control values, and were lower with the application of 1-MCP. Color was negatively affected by 1-MCP and earlier changed (6th day) when gamma radiation was applied. In relation to bioactive compounds of tomatoes harvest at breaker stage, results indicated gamma radiation and 1-MCP decreased the final content of lycopene and produced more (Z)-isomers of lycopene. Gamma radiation also induced a decreased in ?-carotene and an increased in phenolic compounds by the end of storage period. 1-MCP treatment promoted a slow down increase in ascorbic acid content during storage. Antioxidant capacity of the hydrophilic fraction was not dramatically affected by treatments and the lipophilic fraction was lower, especially for 1-MCP fruits. In addition, contents of ?-carotene, lycopene, (Z)-isomers of lycopene, ascorbic acid and antioxidant capacity increased during the period of storage while contents of lutein and phenolic compounds tended to decrease. Regarding tomatoes harvest at light-red stage, the most effective treatments for delaying fruit firmness and mass loss was carnauba and 1-MCP, while gamma radiation was the treatment with higher mass loss and the less fruit firmness, which could be associated with the higher solubilization of pectins promoted by radiation treatment. Color (L* and Hue) was mainly affected by 1-MCP treatment which delayed color development, however, by the end of storage, the values were not different from the other treatments. SS/TA ratio was lower for fruits treated with 1-MCP and TA was not so dramatically affected by treatments. Furthermore, mini tomatoes harvested at light-red stage, demonstrated irradiation induced changes in the final content of lycopene, increasing it, and formed less (13Z)-lycopene, while 1-MCP and carnauba coating slow down the increase in lycopene and slown down the decrease of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds. Antioxidant capacity of lipophilic fraction was not affected by treatments and the hydrophilic fraction was lower for irradiated fruits only on day 0 as well as phenolic compounds. In the other days, no differences among treatments were observed for hydrophilic antioxidant capacity. Considering the results, the best combination of SS and TA and fruit preservation for mini tomatoes harvest at breaker stage was promoted by carnauba coating, which seems to be the treatment that causes fewer changes in bioactive compounds of breaker tomatoes. However, when mini tomatoes were harvested at light-red stage, SS/TA ratio and color were better and, to preserve the quality of these fruits, besides carnauba coating, 1-MCP also could be indicated / Os tomates estão dentre as hortaliças mais cultivadas e consumidas no mundo, porém os frutos do tomateiro são muito sucetíveis a perdas após a colheita devido a alta perecibilidade, por isso, o uso de tratamentos pós-colheita pode contribuir para a conservação dos frutos. Entretanto, o uso destes tratamentos pode afetar significativamente características físico-químicas, sensorias e nutricionais dos tomates. Dada a perecibilidade e a importância econômica dos mini tomates, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o efeito da radiação gama, revestimento à base de cera de carnaúba e 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) na qualidade do tomate durante o armazenamento. O estudo pode ser dividido em duas partes. Na primeira, mini tomates cv. Sweet grape colhidos no estádio de maturação breaker foram divididos em quarto grupos e tratados com radiação gama (0.6 kGy), cera de carnaúba (1 L 1000 kg-1) e 1-MCP (500 nL L-1) e então armazenados a 25±2°C por 30 dias, juntamente com um grupo de frutos controle. Na segunda parte, tomates colhidos no estádio de maturação vermelho-claro foram submetidos aos mesmos tratamentos e período de armazenamento. A cada seis dias os frutos foram avaliados para modificações nas características físico-químicas: coloração, firmeza, pectina solúvel e total (somente para os frutos vermelho-claro), perda de massa, acidez titulável (AT), sólidos solúveis (SS), relação SS/AT; e compostos bioativos: perfil de carotenoides, formação de isômeros de licopeno, compostos fenólicos totais, ácido ascórbico, e capacidade antioxidante. Para os tomates colhidos no estádio breaker, os resultados mostraram que a perda de massa foi retardada, principalmente pelo uso de cera de carnauba e de 1-MCP, este último em menor proporção. A firmeza dos frutos foi melhor retida para os frutos tratados com 1-MCP e, a cobertura com carnauba mostrou um efeito transitório em preservar a firmeza dos frutos. A relação SS/AT dos frutos irradiados e cobertos com carnauba não apresentaram diferenças dos valores do controle, mas foram menores com a aplicação de 1-MCP. A coloração foi negativamente afetada pelo uso do 1-MCP e precocemente modificada (no 6° dia) quando a radiação gama foi aplicada. Em relação aos compostos bioativos destes mesmos frutos, os resultados indicaram que a radiação gama e o 1-MCP diminuiram o conteúdo final de licopeno e produziram mais (Z)-isômeros de licopeno nos frutos. A radiação gama também induziu a diminuição de ?-caroteno e o aumento dos compostos fenólicos no final do período de armazenamento. A aplicação de 1-MCP promoveu desaceleração no aumento do conteúdo de ácido ascórbico durante o armazenamento. A capacidade antioxidante da fração hidrofílica não foi muito afetada pelos tratamentos e, a fração lipofílica foi menor para os frutos tratados com 1-MCP. Além disso, os teores de ?-caroteno, licopeno, (Z)-isômeros de licopeno, ácido ascórbico e capacidade antioxidante aumentaram durante o armazenamento, enquanto que, o teor de luteína e compostos fenólicos tenderam a diminuir. A respeito dos tomatates colhidos no estádio de maturação vermelho claro, os tratamentos mais efetivos para retardas a perda demassa e a firmeza foram a cobertura de carnauba e 1-MCP, enquanto o tratamento com radiação gama apresentou a maior perda de massa e de firmeza de frutos, o que pode ser associado a maior solubilização de pectinas promovida pela radiação gama. A cor (L* e Hue) foi principalmente afetada pelo tratamento com 1-MCP, que retardou o desenvolvimento da mesma, porém no final do período de armazenamento, os valores não diferiram dos outros tratamentos. A relação SS/AT foi menor para os frutos tratados com 1-MCP e a AT não foi muito afetada pelos tratamentos. Além disso, mini tomates colhidos no estádio vermelho-claro demosntraram que a irradiação induziu modificações no teor final de licopeno, aumentando-o e houve menor formação de (13Z)-licopeno, enquanto que 1-MCP e carnauba desaceleraram o aumento no teor de licopeno e desaceleraram a diminuição de ácido ascórbico e compostos fenólicos. A capacidade antioxidante da fração lipofílica não foi afetada pelos tratamentos e a fração hidrofílica foi menor para os tomates irradiados somente no dia 0, assim como para compostos fenólicos. Nos demais dias não houve diferenças entre os tratamentos. Considerando os resultados, a melhor combinação de SS/AT e preservação de mini tomates colhidos no estádio breaker foi promovida pela cobertura de carnaúba, a qual pareceu ser o tratamento que causou menores mudanças nos compostos bioativos dos tomates beaker. Entretanto, quando os mini tomates são colhidos no estádio vermelho-claro, SS/AT e coloração são melhor desenvolvidas e, para preservar a qualidade destes frutos, além da cera de carnaúba, o 1-MCP também pode ser indicado

Submitted by Sandra Pereira (srpereira@ufrrj.br) on 2016-08-26T14:00:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011- C?ntia Let?cia da Silva Rosa.pdf: 3366742 bytes, checksum: 280ece7f9ee6afde0d927d4a7dd0c3ef (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-26T14:00:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011- C?ntia Let?cia da Silva Rosa.pdf: 3366742 bytes, checksum: 280ece7f9ee6afde0d927d4a7dd0c3ef (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-31 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / This study aimed to evaluate accessions of tomato 'heirloom' whose cultivation is still little known in Brazil, grown organically, and its physical-chemical, nutritional and sensory characteristics after processing to obtain concentrated pulp. We used the non-hybrid tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) San Marzano, Chico Grande, Amish Paste and called EUA 05. The fruits were produced in the period from May to September 2010, the sector of Horticulture Department of Plant Science, of UFRRJ. In fresh fruit were analyzed total soluble solids (TSS), acidity (TTA), pH, quantification and identification of carotenoids, color of skin and pulp, texture instrumental and analysis of pesticides. Access San Marzano was not processed because of bacterial contamination in the field. The process was composed of the stages of pre-washing, washing / screening, milling, pulping, concentration, filling, exhaustion, closing, heat treatment / cooling and storage. It were added in the formulation of 1% salt, 0.4% sugar and citric acid for pH correction for microbial control. It was performed viscosity and pre-commercial sterility analyses in addition to those cited in the fresh tomato, both in the pulps in this study as six commercial brands on the market. For the sensorial analysis of the product manufactured was performed the Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) with trained judges and acceptance test with consumers. With respect to the TSS in tomatoes fresh, the Chico Grand and San Marzano showed the highest values (5.2? Brix). Access Chico Grande showed greater balance between acidity and sugar content in fruit, established by the TSS / TA (? Brix /%) of 19.2. Regarding the content of lycopene, access San Marzano had a higher average level of 6029 ?g/100g and more red coloration observed in the amount of a *= 29.68. No pesticide residues were found in the samples for organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides. Results for the SST of pulps showed that accessions Amish Paste and EUA 05 stood out with values of 10.1 ? Brix. Regarding ATT access Amish Paste showed higher citric acid (1.445 g/100g) and lower pH value (3.66), which can lead to an impairment of sensory quality. The efficiency of the processing of pulp was 73% for access Chico Grande, Amish Paste 72% and 81% for EUA 05. After analyzing the lycopene content of the samples, we observed that the sample Amish Paste (3346.0 ?g/100g) and EUA 05 (3375.0 ?g/100g) showed the highest values with no statistical difference between them, corroborating the red color represented by lower values of hue angle. With respect to viscosity, the samples Chico Grande (246cP) and EUA 05 (235cP) stood out by the highest maximum viscosity. The results found in ADQ characterized the pulps by the attributes of astringency, taste salty, sour and acid flavor, and the commercialpulps by the attributes sweet aroma and sweet taste, flavor and aroma of tomato pulp. With respect to acceptance, the lowest scores were attributed to pulp in this study. However, samples Chico Grande (4.41) and the EUA 05 (4.48) had the highest score for overall acceptability with statistically significant differences with regard to the sample Amish Paste (3.06). It can be concluded with respect to fresh tomatoes that tomato 'heirloom' evaluated showed good quality in relation to balance acidity/sugar, and lycopene content. In pulps prepared from the three accessions 'heirloom' studied, concentrated pulp obtained from tomato Amish Paste and USA 05 showed the best characteristics for the food industry, with respect to soluble solids, lycopene content and red color. However, access Chico Grande showed higher viscosity when compared to other accessions. After the sensory analysis concluded that there was a rejection by the majority of consumers with regard to all the pulps obtained from tomatoes 'heirloom' due to significant changes in aroma and taste sour, salty taste as well as during the preparation / Este trabalho teve como objetivo geral avaliar acessos de tomate ?heirloom? cujo cultivo ainda ? pouco conhecido no Brasil, cultivados no sistema org?nico, e suas caracter?sticas f?sicoqu?micas, nutricionais e sensoriais ap?s o processamento para obten??o de polpa concentrada. Foram utilizados os tomates n?o h?bridos (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) San Marzano, Chico Grande, Amish Paste e o denominado EUA 05. Os frutos foram produzidos no per?odo de maio a setembro de 2010, no setor de Horticultura do Departamento de Fitotecnia, da UFRRJ. Os frutos in natura foram caracterizados pelas an?lises de s?lidos sol?veis totais (SST), acidez total titul?vel (ATT), pH, quantifica??o e identifica??o dos caroten?ides, cor da casca e da polpa, textura instrumental e an?lise de pesticidas. O processamento e as an?lises foram realizados na Embrapa Agroind?stria de Alimentos, Rio de Janeiro-RJ. O processamento foi composto pelas etapas de pr?-lavagem, lavagem/sele??o, tritura??o, despolpamento, concentra??o, envase, exaust?o, fechamento, tratamento t?rmico/resfriamento e armazenamento. O acesso San Marzano n?o foi utilizado devido ? contamina??o bacteriana no campo. Foram adicionados na formula??o 1% de sal, 0,4% de a??car e ?cido c?trico para corre??o do pH para controle microbiol?gico. As mesmas an?lises realizadas no tomate in natura e ainda as an?lises de viscosidade, coliformes a 45?C, salmonelas, pr?-esterilidade comercial e avalia??o sensorial foram realizadas nas polpas concentradas e em seis marcas comerciais do mercado. Para realiza??o da an?lise sensorial utilizou-se a An?lise Descritiva Quantitativa (ADQ) com equipe treinada e Teste de Aceita??o com consumidores. Com rela??o ao teor de SST nos tomates in natura os acessos Chico Grande e San Marzano apresentaram os maiores valores (5,2 ?Brix). O acesso Chico Grande apresentou maior balan?o entre acidez e o teor de a??cares no fruto, estabelecido pela rela??o SST/ATT (?Brix/%) de 19,2. Com rela??o ao teor de licopeno o acesso San Marzano apresentou maior teor m?dio de 6029 ?g/100g, bem como colora??o mais vermelha observada pelo par?metro instrumental a*=29,68. N?o foram encontrados res?duos de agrot?xicos organofosforados e organoclorados em nenhuma das amostras. Nas polpas concentradas os resultados encontrados para a an?lise SST demonstraram que os acessos Amish Paste e EUA 05 se destacaram com valores de 10,1?Brix. O acesso Amish Paste apresentou maior valor de acidez (1,445g/100g), bem como menor valor de pH (3,66), o que levou a um comprometimento da sua aceita??o sensorial. O rendimento ap?s despolpamento dos tomates foi de 73% para o acesso Chico Grande, 72% para Amish Paste e de 81% para EUA 05. Ap?s a an?lise do teor de licopeno das amostras, observou-se que a amostra Amish Paste (3346,0?g/100g) e EUA 05 (3375,0?g/100g) apresentaram os maiores valores sem diferen?a estat?stica entre si, corroborando com a colora??o vermelha representada pelos menores valores do ?ngulo hue (?h). As polpas Chico Grande (246cP) e EUA 05 (235cP) se destacaram pelos maiores valores de viscosidade m?xima. A avalia??o sensorial (ADQ) caracterizou as polpas obtidas pelos atributos adstring?ncia, gosto salgado, gosto ?cido e aroma ?cido; e as polpas comerciais pelos atributos aroma doce, gosto doce, sabor e aroma caracter?stico de polpa de tomate. Com rela??o ? aceita??o, as menores notas foram atribu?das ?s polpas deste estudo. No entanto, as amostras Chico Grande (4,41) e EUA 05 (4,48) apresentaram a maior nota de aceita??o global com diferen?a estat?stica significativa com rela??o ? amostra Amish Paste (3,06). Pode-se concluir com rela??o ao tomate in natura que os acessos de tomate ?heirloom? avaliados apresentaram boa qualidade com rela??o ao equil?brio acidez/a??cares e teores de licopeno. Nas polpas elaboradas dos tr?s acessos ?heirloom? estudados, a polpa concentrada obtida do tomate EUA 05 e Amish Paste apresentaram melhores caracter?sticas para a ind?stria de alimentos, com rela??o ao teor de s?lidos sol?veis, teor de licopeno e colora??o vermelha. No entanto, o acesso Chico Grande apresentou valores maiores de viscosidade quando comparados aos outros acessos. Ap?s an?lise sensorial concluise que houve uma rejei??o pela maioria dos provadores com rela??o a todas as polpas obtidas dos tomates ?heirloom? devido a altera??es significativas no aroma e sabor ?cido, bem como no gosto salgado, decorrentes de sua formula??o.

La viticulture dépend des conditions climatiques. Dans le contexte de réchauffement climatique, les changements de la vigne et du raisin sous l’effet des températures élevées vraisemblables pour les prochaines décennies pourraient modifier l’aire de répartition des cépages et même menacer la durabilité de la viticulture des régions chaudes. L’objectif de cette étude était donc d’analyser les effets de l’élévation de température sur la composition du raisin, du transcriptome au métabolome. L’utilisation d’un système « open top » passif au vignoble a permis d’augmenter la température autour des grappes de 0.5-1.6 °C en moyenne, une valeur compatible avec le réchauffement climatique prévisible. Les expérimentations ont été conduites sur Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) et Sauvignon Blanc (SB), de la nouaison à la surmaturité, à Bordeaux (France) et en Barossa Valley (Australie). Les analyses ont ciblé essentiellement les métabolites primaires, les composés phénoliques et aromatiques (l’IBMP, arôme de poivron vert; les précurseurs de 3SH, arôme de pamplemousse et la ß-damascenone, arômes floraux). En complément, des analyses RNA-seq et q-PCR ont été réalisées pour explorer la réponse transcriptomique à cet échauffement modéré en conditions réalistes de vignoble.L’échauffement modéré a peu affecté les concentrations en sucres, acides et total en acides aminés, mais a modifié la distribution des différents acides aminés. La composition en acides aminés s’est principalement différenciée suivant la variété, le stade de développement et le site expérimental.Les concentrations finales en IBMP n’ont pas été affectées par l’échauffement. Cependant, à la fermeture de la grappe, les baies de CS échauffées avaient une moindre concentration en IBMP associée à une sous-expression de VviOMT3. La concentration en IBMP des baies de SB échauffées n’a pas montré de différenciation, bien que les niveaux d’expression de VviOMT3 et VviOMT4 soient diminués. Les effets limités et dépendant du génotype suggèrent qu’une augmentation modérée de la température ne serait pas suffisante pour modifier significativement l’IBMP.Glut-3SH-Al était bien plus concentrée que Glut-3SH et Cys-3SH. le traitement échauffé a fait diminuer la présence de Glut-3SH-Al et Cys-3SH dans les baies de SB, en association avec une sous-expression de VviGST4. Par ailleurs, VIT_08s0007g01420 (GSTU8) a été réprimé par le traitement, et pourrait donc être un gène candidat potentiel impliqué dans la biosynthèse de précurseurs de 3SH.Pour les baies de CS, les concentrations en caroténoïdes totaux et celles des deux caroténoïdes majeurs (la lutéine et le β-carotène) n’ont pas réagi à l’augmentation de température. La zéaxanthine a montré une tendance à la diminution sous l’effet de l’échauffement, jusqu’à une diminution significative. Cette concentration plus faible pourrait limiter la biosynthèse de β-damascenone et expliquer la plus faible teneur en β-damascenone observée dans les baies à sur-maturité en cas de température élevée.Un total de 357 gènes (DEGs) ont été différentiellement exprimés en réponse à l’augmentation de température pour les échantillons de 2015 à Bordeaux. D’après l’analyse d’enrichissement « Gene Ontology », le traitement a principalement régulé quatre catégories en relation avec les microtubules, la paroi cellulaire, l’espace extracellulaire et l’activité des facteurs de transcription. 6 DEGs liés à la biosynthèse des anthocyanes ont été régulés négativement, ce qui pourrait expliquer, au moins en partie, la concentration réduite en anthocyanes totaux observée dans les baies de CS échauffées. En revanche, les tanins n’ont pas été affectés par l’augmentation de la température. / Viticulture depends on climate conditions during the growing season. In the context of global warming, any changes in viticulture caused by the rising temperatures expected for the next decades may alter the geographical distribution of grape varieties and even threaten the sustainability of viticulture in hot areas. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of moderately elevated temperature on grape composition, both at metabolic and transcriptomic levels. A passive open-top heating system was applied in Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) and Sauvignon Blanc (SB) vines grown with standard practice in Bordeaux, France and the Barossa Valley, Australia (CS only) to increase the bunch zone mean temperature by around 0.5-1.6 °C, which was commensurate with the projected global warming. This moderate heating was applied from fruit-set to two weeks after harvest. Metabolites related to technical, phenolic and aromatic maturities (IBMP, the green pepper aroma, precursors of 3SH, grapefruit aroma, and β-damascenone, floral aroma) were assessed, together with transcriptome analysis via RNA-seq and q-PCR, in order to obtain a comprehensive view of berry responses to this moderately elevated temperature in realistic vineyard conditions.The moderately elevated temperature hardly affected the concentrations of sugars, organic acids and total amino acids, but it altered free amino acid composition depending on varieties, vintages and locations.The final concentrations of IBMP were not affected by warming condition in mature berries. However, the elevated temperature significantly reduced IBMP content and expression level of VviOMT3 (a known key gene of IBMP) in CS berries at bunch closure stage, while it reduced the expression levels of VviOMT3 and VviOMT4 at bunch closure stage without affecting IBMP concentration in SB berries. This limited and genotype-dependent effect of elevated temperature suggests that a moderate temperature elevation may not be sufficient to significantly modify IBMP.Glut-3SH-Al was much more concentrated than Glut-3SH and Cys-3SH. Reduced Glut-3SH-Al and Cys-3SH concentrations were associated with a significantly lower expression level of VviGST4 in heated SB berries. Meanwhile, VIT_08s0007g01420 (GSTU8), was down-regulated by elevated temperature and might be a potential candidate gene involved in the biosynthesis of precursors of 3SH.The concentrations of total carotenoids and two predominant carotenoids (lutein and β-carotene) were not altered by elevated temperature in CS berries, but zeaxanthin was reduced by elevated temperature and was significantly less concentrated at harvest. This lower concentration may limit the biosynthesis of β-damascenone and explain the observed lower β-damascenone concentration in post-ripening berries under elevated temperature.A total of 357 genes were differentially expressed (DEGs) in response to the elevated temperature in Bordeaux samples in 2015. Enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology showed that temperature mainly regulated four GO categories, including microtubule, cell wall, extracellular region, and transcription factor activity. 6 DEGs related to anthocyanins synthesis were down-regulated and it could explain, at least in part, the observed lower total anthocyanins in warmed CS. Conversely, tannins were not affected by elevated temperature.The results provide a better understanding of potential global warming effects on metabolite changes during berry development, along with novel molecular insights into the response of grape berry to moderate heating in vineyard conditions.

Potato cultivars exhibit a wide variation in skin and flesh colour due to the presence of pigments. This study established that potato cultivars differ greatly with respect to types and concentrations of carotenoids in tubers. A total of 46 cultivars were evaluated for quantitative and qualitative carotenoid composition in different growing seasons, locations, storage conditions and disease symptoms. Factors controlling carotenoid accumulation were also tested by developing an in vitro minituber system as a new high-throughput model system for carotenogenesis in potato tubers. Tuber flesh colour was found to correlate with total carotenoid content in potato cultivars grown in both New Zealand and Netherlands. The main carotenoids identified in 32 potato cultivars in New Zealand were lutein, neoxanthin, violaxanthin and β-carotene. The ratio of these carotenoids varies between cultivars. Neoxanthin was detected in only 13 cultivars (10.59 to 69.21µg/g DW); violaxanthin was found only in 1 cultivar (32.76 µg/g DW). Whereas lutein and β-carotene were found in most of the cultivars but the concentration varied from (0.00 to 160.63 µg/g DW) and (0.00 to 13.62 µg/g DW) respectively. The main carotenoids identified in 12 cultivars grown in the Netherlands were neoxanthin, violaxanthin and lutein, whereas zeaxanthin was not found in any of the cultivars analysed. Marked differences were observed between the same potato cultivars grown in New Zealand and the Netherlands. Therefore cultivars were analysed over a second growing season to assess stability in carotenoids composition. The carotenoid profiles of the potato tubers grown for two different seasons showed highly significant differences between the cultivars, the seasons, the carotenoid pigments, and all combinations of interactions, indicating the complex nature of factors influencing carotenoid composition. Reflectance colorimeter measurement of yellow hue component in this study confirmed that the higher the total carotenoid content, the greater the yellow intensity colour. Eight cultivars were grown at three locations in New Zealand and Agria and Desiree were grown at eight locations in the Netherlands to further investigate the stability of carotenoid composition. Highly significant differences were observed between the cultivars, the locations, the carotenoid pigments, and all combinations of interactions, which emphasises that changes in carotenoid composition are complex and the responses are not consistent across cultivars. Reflectance colorimeter measurement of yellow hue component confirmed the relationship between the yellow colour intensity of tuber flesh, as well as confirming the interaction between colour and locations. Disease and post harvest storage conditions markedly influenced the levels of total carotenoid, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein and β-carotene in potatoes. The magnitude of these effects depends on the cultivar, time of storage, and the intensity of powdery scab symptoms. Results showed that long term storage resulted in the accumulation of neoxanthin, violaxanthin and zeaxanthin with a concomitant decreased of lutein, β-carotene and total carotenoid content. Genotypes infected with disease (lower and higher scab score) resulted in accumulation of violaxanthin, β-carotene and total carotenoid with a concomitant decreased in neoxanthin and lutein. A high-throughput model system for investigating carotenoid biogenesis in potato tubers was developed. This involved in vitro potato minitubers and was validated by assessing the effects of environmental variables, such as drought stress, light intensity and nutrient availability on carotenoid accumulation. Light influenced the presence of zeaxanthin, whereas water stress and nutrient strength influenced the accumulation of neoxanthin and violaxanthin. Although these factors had an effect on the carotenoid content and profile, the most influential factor appeared to be cultivar selection.

The thesis combines laboratory experiments and field expeditions to study production, transfer and consumption of non-enzymatic antioxidants and thiamine in an aquatic food web. In particular, I (1) documented spatial and seasonal variation of tocopherols and carotenoids in the Baltic Sea pelagic food web, and (2) examined the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on tocopherol, carotenoid and thiamine concentrations in phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish. Moderate differences in temperature and salinity affected α-tocopherol, β-carotene and thiamine production in microalgae. Furthermore, the results suggest that acute stress favors the expression of non-enzymatic antioxidants rather than enzymatic antioxidants. Because production of α-tocopherol, β-carotene and thiamine differ markedly between microalgae, the availability of non-enzymatic antioxidants and thiamine is likely to be highly variable in the Baltic Sea and is difficult to predict. The transfer of non-enzymatic antioxidants from phytoplankton to zooplankton was biomass dependent. The field expeditions revealed that phytoplankton biomass was negatively associated with α-tocopherol concentration in mesozooplankton. Thus, increased eutrophication of the Baltic Sea followed by an increase in phytoplankton biomass could decrease the transfer of essential biochemicals to higher levels in the pelagic food web. This could lead to deficiency syndromes, of the kind already observed in the Baltic Sea. Astaxanthin is synthesized from precursors provided by the phytoplankton community. Thus biomass dependent transfer of astaxanthin precursors from phytoplankton to zooplankton could be responsible for astaxanthin deficiency in zooplanktivorous herring. Astaxanthin in herring consists mostly of all-Z-isomers, which are characterized by low bioavailability. Therefore, astaxanthin deficiency in salmon could be explained by the low concentration of this substance and its isomeric composition in herring.

No description available.

The current research project investigated the anoxygenic phototrophic and metal(loid) transforming bacteria of hypersaline and deep ocean hydrothermal environments. The East German Creek brine springs, an unusual flowing hypersaline system, was enumerated using classical techniques. Subterranean sulfide supported purple sulfur and nonsulfur bacteria, but at the highly oxygenated surface, aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs (AAP) were numerically dominant (up to 16-36% of cultivable bacteria). Strains (EG8, EG13, EG17, EG19) with unusual phylogenetic affiliation and novel photosynthetic and metal(loid) reducing traits were described taxonomically. Chromocurvus halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. was proposed as a second example of a gammaproteobacterial AAP. It exhibited bent rod-shaped cells, unusual among AAP. Facultatively anaerobic Charonomicrobium ambiphototrophicum gen. nov., sp. nov. was capable of both aerobic and anaerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis, and incapable of photoautotrophy, distinguishing it from both AAP and purple nonsulfur bacteria. Roseovarius vanadiphilum sp. nov. surprisingly produced 4.5 times more biomass and 2 times more bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) at extremely high NaVO3 concentration (7.5 g/l) than in metal-free medium. A second novel metabolic mode, anaerobic respiration on the toxic metalloid tellurate, was described for a relative of non-phototrophic Shewanella frigidimarina (ER-Te-48), from deep ocean hydrothermal vent Paralvinella worms at Explorer Ridge in the Pacific Ocean. Other strains respired on SeO32- (ER-Se-17L), VO3- (ER-V-6), and VO43- (AV-V-25). These organisms provided the first examples of anaerobic respiration on Te, Se and V at hydrothermal vents. High level resistance of AAP to metal(loid)s prompted investigation of the influence of TeO32- on photosynthetic pigment production in species including Erythromicrobium ramosum (from a terrestrial hydrothermal system) and Erythrobacter litoralis (from a hypersaline supralittoral system). Tellurite enhanced photosynthetic pigment production up to 3.4 times, consistent with an antioxidant carotenoid-based defense mechanism. However, in E. litoralis BChl precursors such as Mg protoporphyrin or its monomethyl ester also accumulated, indicating biosynthetic pathway interruption. In hydrothermal and hypersaline ecosystems, largely devoid of eukaryotic phototrophs but often enriched in metal(loid)s, AAP and metal(loid) reducers are key modulators of nutrient and toxin availability. The presented results on their ecology, physiology and biochemistry have important implications for theoretical understanding of extreme environments and hold potential for biotechnological applications.

The current research project investigated the anoxygenic phototrophic and metal(loid) transforming bacteria of hypersaline and deep ocean hydrothermal environments. The East German Creek brine springs, an unusual flowing hypersaline system, was enumerated using classical techniques. Subterranean sulfide supported purple sulfur and nonsulfur bacteria, but at the highly oxygenated surface, aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs (AAP) were numerically dominant (up to 16-36% of cultivable bacteria). Strains (EG8, EG13, EG17, EG19) with unusual phylogenetic affiliation and novel photosynthetic and metal(loid) reducing traits were described taxonomically. Chromocurvus halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. was proposed as a second example of a gammaproteobacterial AAP. It exhibited bent rod-shaped cells, unusual among AAP. Facultatively anaerobic Charonomicrobium ambiphototrophicum gen. nov., sp. nov. was capable of both aerobic and anaerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis, and incapable of photoautotrophy, distinguishing it from both AAP and purple nonsulfur bacteria. Roseovarius vanadiphilum sp. nov. surprisingly produced 4.5 times more biomass and 2 times more bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) at extremely high NaVO3 concentration (7.5 g/l) than in metal-free medium. A second novel metabolic mode, anaerobic respiration on the toxic metalloid tellurate, was described for a relative of non-phototrophic Shewanella frigidimarina (ER-Te-48), from deep ocean hydrothermal vent Paralvinella worms at Explorer Ridge in the Pacific Ocean. Other strains respired on SeO32- (ER-Se-17L), VO3- (ER-V-6), and VO43- (AV-V-25). These organisms provided the first examples of anaerobic respiration on Te, Se and V at hydrothermal vents. High level resistance of AAP to metal(loid)s prompted investigation of the influence of TeO32- on photosynthetic pigment production in species including Erythromicrobium ramosum (from a terrestrial hydrothermal system) and Erythrobacter litoralis (from a hypersaline supralittoral system). Tellurite enhanced photosynthetic pigment production up to 3.4 times, consistent with an antioxidant carotenoid-based defense mechanism. However, in E. litoralis BChl precursors such as Mg protoporphyrin or its monomethyl ester also accumulated, indicating biosynthetic pathway interruption. In hydrothermal and hypersaline ecosystems, largely devoid of eukaryotic phototrophs but often enriched in metal(loid)s, AAP and metal(loid) reducers are key modulators of nutrient and toxin availability. The presented results on their ecology, physiology and biochemistry have important implications for theoretical understanding of extreme environments and hold potential for biotechnological applications.