Weed control and desiccation are routinely executed with herbicides. Potato vine desiccation facilitates harvest, improves skin set, and regulates tuber size. Saflufenacil, glufosinate, saflufenacil plus glufosinate, and carfentrazone plus glufosinate were compared to diquat applied at 43, 31, and 17% B potatoes; similar vine desiccation (14 days after treatment), skin set, and yield were noted amongst treatments. Residual herbicides are routinely used for weed control in pumpkin. Fluridone and acetochlor formulations applied preemergence were evaluated in direct-seeded pumpkin compared to other labeled herbicides. Fluridone resulted in total crop loss following heavy rainfall immediately after planting; less rainfall resulted in transient injury. Acetochlor formulations resulted in significant pumpkin injury (34 to 39%) 14 days after planting. S-metolachlor controlled weeds similar to acetochlor without significant injury. Palmer amaranth has developed resistance to six different herbicide modes of action. The weed grows rapidly and is best controlled <10 cm in height. To control glyphosate and ALS- resistant biotypes, fomesafen plus dicamba were applied at first postemergence (POST) to small Palmer amaranth (<5 cm, 0 d) and at simulated delays of 7, 14, 21, and 28 d. All plots received lactofen plus dicamba 14 days after first POST. Palmer amaranth control 14 days after first POST was 100% when delayed 0 or 7 d and 62% at the 28 day delay; control increased to 88% following lactofen plus dicamba applied second POST. Yield was significantly reduced when first POST was delayed 28 days at one location. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Herbicides effectively control weeds by either applying them to the soil prior to emergence or applying them to foliage. Herbicides are used for desiccation of potato vines to facilitate harvest, improve skin set, and regulate tuber size. Potatoes with tougher skin have a longer shelf life and are more resistant to disease. Potato grade classifications include size chef, A, and B potatoes. Size B potatoes hold the greatest value for redskinned potatoes. Experiments were conducted in Virginia to evaluate saflufenacil, glufosinate, saflufenacil plus glufosinate, and carfentrazone plus glufosinate as desiccants compared to diquat applied at 43, 31, and 17% B potatoes. All desiccants resulted in similar vine desiccation 14 days after treatment, skin set, and yield. This research demonstrates that glufosinate and saflufenacil are effective alternatives to diquat for potato vine desiccation; however, further research is needed to evaluate the safety of saflufenacil applied to potatoes prior to harvest. Soil applied herbicides are commonly used in pumpkin production. Fluridone and two acetochlor formulations, herbicides that effectively control troublesome weeds in other crops, were evaluated for pumpkin production in addition to fomesafen, ethalfluralin, clomazone, halosulfuron, and S-metolachlor. Fluridone and acetochlor formulations resulted in significant pumpkin injury early in the growing season and total crop loss was observed by fluridone in 2018. Fomesafen significantly reduced pumpkin iv stand and yield. S-metolachlor, a member of the same chemical family as acetochlor, provided similar weed control without significant pumpkin injury. This research demonstrates that fluridone and acetochlor formulations are poor candidates for pumpkin production. Palmer amaranth is a troublesome weed in soybean that grows rapidly and is resistant to many herbicides. Palmer amaranth is best controlled at a height of 10 cm or less, but timely applications are not always feasible. Fomesafen plus dicamba were applied to small Palmer amaranth (<5 cm, 0 day) and at simulated delays of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. All treatments received lactofen plus dicamba 14 days after the initial postemergence. Palmer amaranth control 14 days after first postemergence was 100% when application was delayed 0 or 7 day whereas Palmer amaranth control was 62% when first postemergence was delayed 28 days. Lactofen plus dicamba applied second postemergence increased control to 88% when the first postemergence was delayed 28 days. Compared to nontreated plots, Palmer amaranth biomass was reduced 99% by all treatments. This research demonstrates that fomesafen plus dicamba followed by lacofen plus dicamba can be effective for rescue control of Palmer amaranth.

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) can cause detrimental soybean yield loss. Due to widespread resistance to glyphosate and ALS-inhibiting herbicides, growers rely on protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibiting herbicides (PPO) such as flumioxazin applied preemergence (PRE) and fomesafen postemergence (POST) to control both weeds. Experiments were conducted with the overarching goal of reducing PPO selection pressure for Palmer amaranth and common ragweed. Flumioxazin alone PRE controlled Palmer amaranth near 100%. However, sulfentrazone combined with pyroxasulfone or pendimethalin provided similar control to flumioxazin. Acetochlor and linuron controlled common ragweed <74%, yet controlled Palmer amaranth >96%. Glufosinate applied POST controlled Palmer amaranth and common ragweed 74-100%, regardless of PRE treatment. Flumioxazin PRE followed by fomesafen POST controlled common ragweed well; however, several non-PPO herbicide treatments or programs with only 1 PPO-inhibiting herbicide provided similar common ragweed control as the 2 PPO system (flumioxazin followed by fomesafen). Treatments consisting of a PRE and POST herbicide controlled Palmer amaranth at least 80% and common ragweed 95%. To reduce PPO selection pressure, soybean producers growing glufosinate-resistant soybean may use flumioxazin PRE followed by glufosinate POST whereas non-glufosinate-resistant soybean growers should reduce PPO herbicide use by using a non-PPO herbicide PRE. Alternatively, these producers can effectively reduce PPO selection pressure by implementing residual combinations of a PPO-inhibiting herbicide + non-PPO with spectrums of weed control that overlap at either Palmer amaranth or common ragweed. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Soybean producers planted 35.4 million hectares in the US during 2018. Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) are both common and problematic in soybean production. The introduction of a glyphosate-resistant soybean cultivars coupled with glyphosate allowed soybean producers to easily control these weeds along with many other broadleaf and grass weeds. However, over reliance on glyphosate selected for biotypes of common ragweed and Palmer amaranth resistant to the herbicide. In response, soybean producers have reverted to preemergence (PRE) herbicides and alternative modes of action postemergence (POST) to control these herbicide-resistant weeds. One such herbicide mode of action is inhibition of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). Flumioxazin and fomesafen are both PPO-inhibiting herbicides and have been widely used in soybean, however increasing reliance on PPOs has selected for resistant common ragweed and Palmer amaranth biotypes. This research focused on reducing risk of PPO-inhibiting herbicide resistance development (“selection pressure”) by finding alternatives to or combinations with PPOinhibiting herbicides that would effectively control both weeds and thus preserve effectiveness of a valuable herbicide group. Of PRE herbicides applied alone, flumioxazin was the only treatment to control Palmer amaranth >79% 14 DA-PRE at Painter 2017. However, combination of PRE herbicides such as sulfentrazone or metribuzin in combination with pyroxasulfone, and pendimethalin + sulfentrazone, all controlled Palmer amaranth well. While metribuzin and pendimethalin alone did not provide as much control, a POST application of glufosinate coupled with these residual herbicides adequately controlled Palmer amaranth. Soybean producers can effectively control Palmer amaranth with a non-PPO PRE herbicide followed by glufosinate postemergence (POST) or residual combinations of a PPO + non-PPO while reducing risk of herbicide resistance development. Several PRE herbicide treatments adequately controlled common ragweed. During 2017, residual herbicides that controlled common ragweed at least 90% included flumioxazin, flumioxazin + clomazone, linuron, or metribuzin, fomesafen + linuron, and linuron + clomazone. All treatments controlled common ragweed greater than 94% during 2018, except metribuzin, linuron, and clomazone, which controlled the weed 75, 86, and 90%, respectively. Fomesafen alone or in combination with metribuzin controlled common ragweed 80 to 84%. Regardless of PRE, glufosinate POST controlled common ragweed 99% 56 and 70 days after planting (DAP). In fields infested with common ragweed yet to develop PPO resistance, growers should use a non-PPO herbicide in combination with flumioxazin PRE. Additionally, tank mixtures of effective MOAs PRE followed by glufosinate rather than a PPO POST may reduce herbicide selection pressure. The final study set out to determine which was more critical to controlling herbicideresistant Palmer amaranth and common ragweed in soybean, a PPO-inhibiting herbicide applied PRE or POST. Flumioxazin applied PRE controlled both weeds almost completely. Acetochlor and linuron did not control common ragweed as well, but controlled Palmer amaranth >96%. Both metribuzin and clomazone were weaker on common ragweed and Palmer amaranth. However, all PRE herbicide treatments followed by glufosinate or fomesafen controlled Palmer amaranth and common ragweed at least 80 and 95%, respectively. To reduce PPO selection pressure, soybean producers growing glufosinate-resistant soybean may use flumioxazin PRE followed by glufosinate POST whereas non-glufosinate-resistant growers should reduce PPO herbicide use by using a non-PPO herbicide PRE. Alternatively, these producers can effectively reduce PPO selection pressure by implementing residual combinations of a PPO-inhibiting herbicide + non-PPO with spectrums of weed control that overlap at either Palmer amaranth or common ragweed. Results from these experiments suggest PPO-inhibiting herbicides are critical for common ragweed and Palmer amaranth control. Previous research has shown effective tank mixtures with various effective MOAs has reduced the risk of herbicide resistance development. Protoporphyrinogen oxidase herbicides should be used sparingly and in combination with effective non-PPO herbicides to reduce selection pressure. / Soybean producers planted 35.4 million hectares in the US during 2018. Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) are both common and problematic in soybean production. The introduction of a glyphosate-resistant soybean cultivars coupled with glyphosate allowed soybean producers to easily control these weeds along with many other broadleaf and grass weeds. However, over reliance on glyphosate selected for biotypes of common ragweed and Palmer amaranth resistant to the herbicide. In response, soybean producers have reverted to preemergence (PRE) herbicides and alternative modes of action postemergence (POST) to control these herbicide-resistant weeds. One such herbicide mode of action is inhibition of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). Flumioxazin and fomesafen are both PPO-inhibiting herbicides and have been widely used in soybean, however increasing reliance on PPOs has selected for resistant common ragweed and Palmer amaranth biotypes. This research focused on reducing risk of PPO-inhibiting herbicide resistance development (“selection pressure”) by finding alternatives to or combinations with PPOinhibiting herbicides that would effectively control both weeds and thus preserve effectiveness of a valuable herbicide group. Of PRE herbicides applied alone, flumioxazin was the only treatment to control Palmer amaranth >79% 14 DA-PRE at Painter 2017. However, combination of PRE herbicides such as sulfentrazone or metribuzin in combination with pyroxasulfone, and pendimethalin + sulfentrazone, all controlled Palmer amaranth well. While metribuzin and pendimethalin alone did not provide as much control, a POST application of glufosinate coupled with these residual herbicides adequately controlled Palmer amaranth. Soybean producers can effectively control Palmer amaranth with a non-PPO PRE herbicide followed by glufosinate postemergence (POST) or residual combinations of a PPO + non-PPO while reducing risk of herbicide resistance development. Several PRE herbicide treatments adequately controlled common ragweed. During 2017, residual herbicides that controlled common ragweed at least 90% included flumioxazin, flumioxazin + clomazone, linuron, or metribuzin, fomesafen + linuron, and linuron + clomazone. All treatments controlled common ragweed greater than 94% during 2018, except metribuzin, linuron, and clomazone, which controlled the weed 75, 86, and 90%, respectively. Fomesafen alone or in combination with metribuzin controlled common ragweed 80 to 84%. Regardless of PRE, glufosinate POST controlled common ragweed 99% 56 and 70 days after planting (DAP). In fields infested with common ragweed yet to develop PPO resistance, growers should use a non-PPO herbicide in combination with flumioxazin PRE. Additionally, tank mixtures of effective MOAs PRE followed by glufosinate rather than a PPO POST may reduce herbicide selection pressure. The final study set out to determine which was more critical to controlling herbicideresistant Palmer amaranth and common ragweed in soybean, a PPO-inhibiting herbicide applied PRE or POST. Flumioxazin applied PRE controlled both weeds almost completely. Acetochlor and linuron did not control common ragweed as well, but controlled Palmer amaranth >96%. Both metribuzin and clomazone were weaker on common ragweed and Palmer amaranth. However, all PRE herbicide treatments followed by glufosinate or fomesafen controlled Palmer amaranth and common ragweed at least 80 and 95%, respectively. To reduce PPO selection pressure, soybean producers growing glufosinate-resistant soybean may use flumioxazin PRE followed by glufosinate POST whereas non-glufosinate-resistant growers should reduce PPO herbicide use by using a non-PPO herbicide PRE. Alternatively, these producers can effectively reduce PPO selection pressure by implementing residual combinations of a PPO-inhibiting herbicide + non-PPO with spectrums of weed control that overlap at either Palmer amaranth or common ragweed. Results from these experiments suggest PPO-inhibiting herbicides are critical for common ragweed and Palmer amaranth control. Previous research has shown effective tank mixtures with various effective MOAs has reduced the risk of herbicide resistance development. Protoporphyrinogen oxidase herbicides should be used sparingly and in combination with effective non-PPO herbicides to reduce selection pressure.

Spiny amaranth is a problematic weed of heavily grazed pastures in Kentucky and surrounding states. The first objective was to evaluate spiny amaranth control when herbicides are applied before and after emergence. Spiny amaranth seed collected in 2008 were seeded in rows in the fall (November) and the following spring (March) in fields located near Lexington and Princeton, KY. Treatments consisted of five application dates and five herbicides plus an untreated control arranged in a split-split plot design. The following parameters were measured: fresh weight, plant height and percent visual control. At both locations pendimethalin applied in November, March and April before spiny amaranth emergence gave the greatest control and significantly reduced fresh weight biomass compared to other treatments. June applications of 2,4-D reduced plant height and provided 80 control. Fresh weight biomass and height were also reduced with dicamba, aminopyralid and aminocyclopyrachlor applied in June compared to pendimethalin and the untreated control. A soybean bioassay was conducted to measure soil dissipation of aminopyralid, a common pasture herbicide active ingredient. Soil samples were collected from two sites in Lexington and Princeton. During a season of above average rainfall aminopyralid had dissipated from the soil within 16 weeks at Lexington and by 4 weeks at Princeton.

Introdução: Doenças cardiovasculares constituem importante causa de morte em todo mundo e a hipercolesterolemia está diretamente relacionada como fator agravante desta morbidade. A dieta desempenha papel importante neste processo e alguns alimentos como o amaranto, especialmente sua proteína, tem mostrado capacidade de redução do colesterol plasmático. Estudos sugerem que este efeito está relacionado a peptídeos formados durante a digestão da sua proteína, os quais desempenham um papel importante na regulação e modulação do metabolismo lipídico. Os efeitos hipocolesterolêmicos, já observados, indicam o uso da proteína do amaranto como um composto bioativo direcionado para a promoção da saúde. Considerando que os efeitos hipocolesterolêmicos destes peptídeos são complexos e há diversas hipóteses formuladas, torna-se importante a realização de estudos visando avaliar a interação dos peptídeos na absorção intestinal do colesterol e da sua modulação genética. Objetivos: Verificar os efeitos do hidrolisado da farinha do grão de amaranto na absorção de colesterol e modulação de genes ABCA1, ABCG1, NPC1L1, AMPK, HMGR e SREBP-2em células Caco-2, e modulação dos genes ABCG8, HMGR, SREBP-2 e AMPKem enterócitos de hamsters. Metodologia: O amaranto foi triturado, sua farinha desengordurada e sua proteína isolada, com posterior digestão in vitro e filtração dos peptídeos. Três experimentos in vitro foram conduzidos com as células: permeação de hidrolisado, permeação de colesterol e de efeito sob a expressão gênica. No primeiro, o hidrolisado proteico de amaranto foi permeado em culturas celulares de Caco-2 no tempo de 2 horas. O permeato foi coletado e analisado por LC/MS/MS. No segundo, o hidrolisado de amaranto foi incorporado a micelas de colesterol e incubados em culturas celulares, nas concentrações de 1,0 mg/ml, e 3,0 mg/ml em tempos de 2h. Também em concentrações de 3,0 mg/ml foi adicionado albumina e caseína para efeito comparativo. O conteúdo de colesterol na porção apical e basolateral foi analisado em HPLC. O terceiro experimento foi avaliaçãoda exposição do hidrolisado, em concentrações de 0,5 mg/ml, 1,0 mg/ml e 3,0 mg/ml, em tempos de 2h e 12h. Após este período, foi realizada a extração de RNA total, avaliação de rendimento e integridade do material; medida quantitativa de expressão de RNAm por RT-PCR e quantificação relativa da expressão por ?CT dos genes ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCG8, NPC1L1, AMP1, HMGR e SREBP-2das células Caco-2 e tecido intestinal de hamsters, coletados em ensaios anteriores. Resultados: Na permeação de colesterol não houve diferença entre as concentrações dos hidrolisados proteicos e controle, porém o hidrolisado de amaranto em 1,0 mg/ml demonstrou uma tendência em diminuir a absorção de colesterol (p = 0,05). Na exposição das células Caco-2 aos peptídeos por 2h, houve uma diminuição nas concentrações de RNAm dos genes ABCA1, NPC1L1, AMPK, HMGR e SREBP-2 nas concentrações de 3,0 mg/ml. O tempo de exposição de 12h apresentou resultados semelhantes ao tempo de 2h. Somente a expressão gênica de ABCG8foi influenciada pelo isolado proteico de amaranto no experimento in vivo. Conclusão: A partir do exposto, podemos concluir que os peptídeos do grão de amaranto influenciam o metabolismo de colesterol por mecanismos genéticos. Portanto, torna-se uma alternativa a ser introduzida na dieta de indivíduos saudáveis e em pacientes com hipercolesterolemia, visando a prevenção de agravos e como estratégia de terapia adicional no controle dos níveis de LDL-c plasmático. Contudo, mais experimentos in vivo e em humanos são necessários para estabelecer a dose efetiva para consumo. / Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are an important cause of death worldwide and hypercholesterolemia is directly related as an aggravating factor of this morbidity. Diet plays an important role in this process and some foods such as amaranth, especially its protein, have shown ability to lower plasma cholesterol. Studies suggest that this effect is related to peptides formed during the digestion of their protein, which play an important role in the regulation and modulation of lipid metabolism. The hypocholesterolemic effects, already observed, indicate the use of amaranth protein as a bioactive compound aimed to promoting health. Considering that the hypocholesterolemic effects of these peptides are complex and there are several hypotheses formulated, it is important to carry out studies to evaluate the interaction of peptides in the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and its genetic modulation. Objectives: To verify the effects of amaranth grain flour hydrolyzate on cholesterol uptake and ABCA1, ABCG1, NPC1L1, AMPK, HMGR and SREBP-2 genes modulation in Caco-2 intestinal cells, and modulation of ABCG8, HMGR, SREBP-2 genes and AMPK in hamster intestinal cells. Methodology: Amaranth was crushed, the created flour was defatted and its protein isolated, with subsequent in vitro digestion and filtration of the peptides. Three in vitro experiments were conducted with the cells: hydrolyzate permeation, cholesterol permeation and genetic expression. In the first, the amaranth protein hydrolyzate was permeated in Caco-2 cell cultures in the time of 2 hours. The permeate was collected and analyzed by LC/MS/MS. In the second, the amaranth hydrolyzate was incorporated into cholesterol micelles and incubated in cell cultures at concentrations of 1.0 mg/ml and 3.0 mg/ml in times of 2 h. Also, at concentrations of 3.0 mg/ml albumin and casein were added for comparison. Cholesterol content in the apical and basolateral portion was analyzed by HPLC. The third experiment was to evaluate the exposure of the hydrolyzate at concentrations of 0.5 mg/ml, 1.0 mg/ml and 3.0 mg/ml, in times of 2 h and 12 h. After this period, the extraction of total RNA, evaluation of yield and integrity of the material was performed; quantitative measurement of mRNA expression by RT-PCR and relative quantification of ?CT expression of the ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCG8, NPC111, AMPK, HMGR and SREBP-2 genes from Caco-2 cells and hamster intestinal tissue, collected in previous assays, were finalized. Results: In cholesterol permeation there was no difference between the concentrations of the protein hydrolysates and control, but the amaranth hydrolyzate at 1.0 mg/ml showed a tendency to decrease the cholesterol absorption (p = 0.05). Exposure of Caco-2 cells to peptides for 2 h resulted in a decrease in ABCA1, NPC111, AMPK, HMGR and SREBP-2 mRNA levels at concentrations of 3.0 mg/ml. The exposure time of 12h presented results similar to the time of 2h. Only the gene expression of ABCG8 was influenced by the amaranth protein isolate in the in vivo experiment. Conclusion: From the above, we can conclude that amaranth peptides influence the metabolism of cholesterol by genetic mechanisms. Therefore, it becomes an alternative to be introduced in the diet of healthy individuals and in patients with hypercholesterolemia, aiming at the prevention of aggravations and as a strategy of additional therapy in the control of plasma LDL-c levels. However, more studies should bedone with animals and humans to define the dose-efficiency for diet.

Objetivo. Amaranto é considerado um alimento funcional devido às suas propriedades de redução de colesterol plasmático. Um possível componente do amaranto responsável por este efeito é a proteína.Métodos. Neste estudo, foi produzido isolado protéico de amaranto através da solubilização da proteína em pH 11 e precipitação em pH 5,7, obtendo-se o isolado com pureza de 96% de proteína. Este isolado protéico foi utilizado como fonte de proteínas em dietas experimentais para hamsters que tiveram hipercolesterolemia induzida, previamente, por dieta contendo 30% de caseína e 0,05% de colesterol, durante 3 semanas. Os animais foram, então, distribuídos em três grupos (n=11 animais/grupo) e foram alimentados com dietas contendo: (A) 20% caseína (controle), (B) 20% proteína de amaranto purificada (grupo substituição) e (C) 20% caseína + 10% proteína de amaranto purificada (grupo suplementação). Resultados. Comparando-se com a dieta controle, o grupo da suplementação e o da substituição tiveram dramáticas reduções do nível de colesterol plasmático, 30% (p<0,05) e 51% (p<0,05) respectivamente, enquanto o controle apresentou redução de apenas 7% após os 28 dias de dieta. Já na primeira semana este comportamento de redução para as duas dietas contendo amaranto foi percebido, e a redução foi mais marcante na fração LDL. Os mecanismos envolvidos na redução do colesterol plasmático foram investigados. A digestibilidade verdadeira da proteína do amaranto foi igual à da caseína. A excreção de ácidos biliares foi inversamente proporcional à redução do colesterol plasmático nas diferentes dietas, enquanto que o colesterol excretado foi proporcional à redução do colesterol. Quando aminoácidos livres simulando o perfil da proteína de amaranto foram utilizados como única fonte de nitrogênio da dieta, a redução dos níveis de colesterol foi de 11%. A dieta contendo caseína e suplementada com arginina de forma a resultar numa relação lisina/arginina de 0,5 (a mesma observada na proteína de amaranto), mostrou-se deletéria aos parâmetros plasmáticos. Conclusões. Comprovou-se que a proteína de amaranto reduz o colesterol plasmático. A digestibilidade e excreção de ácidos biliares não estão relacionados com a redução do colesterol provocada pela proteína do amaranto. A relação dos aminoácidos lisina/arginina explica apenas parcialmente o mecanismo e apenas a proteína íntegra tem efeito sobre a excreção de colesterol nas fezes. O mecanismo envolvido na redução do colesterol nestes experimentos ainda não está totalmente elucidado, sugerindo a necessidade de futuros estudos da ação direta de peptídeos formados pela digestão incompleta da proteína do amaranto no metabolismo lipídico. / Objective. Amaranth has been considered a functional food because its consumption can lower blood cholesterol levels. In the present work the effect of amaranth protein on this property was investigated in hamsters. A possible component in amaranth grain that would respond for this effect is the protein fraction. Methods. In this study the amaranth protein was isolated by its alkaline solubilization at pH 11 and acid precipitation at pH 5.7. The isolate thus produced was defatted and resulted in a protein content of about 96%. This product was introduced in experimental diets to fed hamsters that previously had their blood cholesterol increased by a diet containing 30% casein and 0.05% cholesterol during 3 weeks Animals were then, divided in 3 groups (n = 11/group) were fed diets containing (g/100 g diet): (A) 20 casein (control), (B) 20 purified amaranth’s protein (group replacement), (C) 20 casein + 10 purified amaranth’s protein (group supplementation) for 4 wks. Results. The results showed that when amaranth was the sole protein source (at 20% level) or it was admixed with casein (20% casein +10% of amaranth protein), the hypercholesterolemized hamsters had a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in cholesterol levels (51 and 30%, respectively) as compared 7% reduction of the control group (20% casein). In the first week of diet the decrease was already observed. The lowering was mainly in LDL fraction. The mecanisms involved in lowering plasma cholesterol were investigated. Digestibility of amaranth protein was as high. The bile acids excretion was inversely proportional to plasma cholesterol lowering, while cholesterol excretion in feces was directly proportional. When free amino acids simulating the amaranth protein were used as the only nitrogen source of diet the cholesterol reduction was about 11%. Casein supplemented with arginine to bring the lysine/arginine ratio to 0.5, as observed in amaranth protein, was had deleterious effects to hamsters’ cholesterol levels. The bile acid and cholesterol excretion of this trial were equal to all groups. Conclusions. Amaranth´s protein reduces plasma cholesterol. Digestibility and bile acid excretion are not related to hypocholesterolemic effect of amaranth’s protein. The proportion between lysine/argine is a partial explanation for this effect, but the presence of whole protein is necessary for the higher cholesterol excretion in feces. The full understanding of mechanisms involved in cholesterol reduction in these experiments is not fully elucidated, suggesting further research on the direct action in lipid metabolism by peptides originated from the incomplete digestion of amaranth protein.

Introdução As doenças cardiovasculares estão entre as principais causas de morte no Brasil e no mundo. Evidências epidemiológicas e clínicas estabelecem associação entre dieta, dislipidemia e aumento do risco de morte. O consumo de proteína isolada de amaranto tem efeito hipocolesterolemizante e por isso pode reduzir, de modo significativo, os fatores de risco das doenças cardiovasculares. Objetivo Avaliar o efeito da ingestão do isolado protéico de amaranto, no perfil de lipoproteínas plasmáticas e na expressão de proteínas relacionadas à modulação da síntese do colesterol hepático. Métodos Vinte e oito ratos Wistar (Ratus novergicus) foram distribuidos em quatro grupos e receberam dietas diferenciadas pela fonte protéica. Os grupos experimentais (I e Icol) receberam dieta com 20por cento de proteína de amaranto e os grupos controle (C e Ccol) receberam dieta com 20por cento de caseína. As dietas col apresentavam 1por cento de colesterol. Ao grupo controle foi fornecida a média da quantidade de ração ingerida pelos grupos experimentais I e Icol (controle pair feeding). Para determinar o efeito da ingestão das dietas no metabolismo do colesterol, foram avaliadas as concentrações plasmáticas de triacilgliceróis, colesterol total e HDL-c, e as concentrações hepáticas de colesterol e lipídios totais. O efeito da ingestão da proteína de amaranto na regulação das vias de síntese do colesterol hepático foi investigado pela avaliação da expressão das proteínas nucleares: receptor X hepático alfa (LXR alfa), receptor ativado por proliferadores de peroxissoma alfa (PPAR alfa) e proteína ligadora do elemento regulado por esterol 2 (SREBP-2). Resultados A dieta Icol promoveu menor concentração plasmática de colesterol total e triacilgliceróis (36por cento e 47por cento , respectivamente) em comparação ao grupo Ccol. Observou-se, no fígado dos animais alimentados com dieta contendo proteína isolada de amaranto (I e Icol), menor concentração de lipídios totais e de fração colesterol. A digestibilidade entre as dietas Icol e Ccol não apresentou diferença significativa, enquanto a da dieta I foi menor que a da dieta C. Não foi observada alteração na expressão das proteínas PPAR alfa e LXR alfa em nenhum dos grupos. Uma redução significativa na expressão da proteína SREBP-2 foi verificada no fígado dos ratos que receberam dieta Icol em relação aos do grupo Ccol. Conclusão A ingestão de dieta Icol reduz de forma significativa a expressão do SREBP-2 no fígado de ratos. Essa redução sugere que o efeito hipocolesterolemizante promovido pela proteína de amaranto pode estar relacionado ao metabolismo endógeno do colesterol. Esse efeito independe da ação dos fatores de transcrição PPAR alfa e LXR alfa e pode estar associado à formação de peptídeos bioativos, muito embora os mecanismos não estejam claros. O isolado protéico apresenta efeito hepatoprotetor por diminuir o acúmulo de lipídios hepáticos mesmo quando o colesterol está presente na dieta / Introduction - Cardiovascular diseases are among the most important causes of death in Brazil and around the world. Epidemiologic and clinical evidences associate diet, dyslipidemia, and increased risk of death. Consumption of amaranth protein isolate has a hypocholesterolemic effect that may reduce, significantly, cardiovascular disease risk factors. Objective To assess the effect of amaranth protein isolate intake on plasma lipoprotein profile and on expression of proteins that modulate hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Methods Twenty eight Wistar rats were distributed in four groups and fed on different protein diets. The experimental groups (I e Icol) diets contained 20per cent amaranth protein and the control groups (C e Ccol) diets contained 20per cent casein. The col diets also contained 1per cent cholesterol. It was offered to the control group the mean of the amount of food consumed by the experimental groups (pair feeding control). In order to determine the effects of dietary intake on cholesterol metabolism, plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL-c levels were assessed, as well as hepatic total lipids and cholesterol levels. The effect of amaranth protein on pathways of cholesterol synthesis was investigated by liver X receptors alpha (LXR alpha), peroxisome proliferator activated receptors alpha (PPAR alpha) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP-2) expressions. Results Rats fed on Icol diet showed lower concentrations of plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides (36per cent and 47per cent, respectively) than those observed in Ccol diet group. A lower cholesterol and hepatic lipid concentration was observed in rats fed on amaranth protein isolate (I e Icol). There was no significant difference shown between the digestibility of the Icol and Ccol diets, although the digestibility of the I diet was lower than the digestibility of the C diet. No change was noticed in PPAR alpha and LXR alpha expression in any of the studied groups. There was a significantly down-regulation in SREBP-2 expression in the liver of rats fed on Icol diet when compared to those fed on Ccol diet. Conclusions The consumption of Icol diet reduces significantly SREBP-2 expression in the liver of rats. This decrease in SREBP-2 expression suggests that the hypocholesterolemic effect of the amaranth protein may be related to the endogenous metabolism of cholesterol. This effect does not depend on the transcription factors PPAR alpha and LXR alpha, and may be associated with bioactive peptides formation, although the mechanisms involved are not yet clear. The protein isolate has a hepatic-protective effect because it lowers hepatic lipid accumulation even when cholesterol was present in the diet

The grain amaranths (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L., A. cruentus L., and A. caudatus L.) are important pseudocereals native to the Americas that have received increased attention for their nutritional content, specifically their balance of amino acids. The objective of this project was to produce and characterize a set of highly informative, reproducible microsatellite markers for the grain amaranths. A total of 1457 clones were sequenced from three genomic libraries enriched for the microsatellite motifs AAC, AAT and AC. Of these, 353 (24%) contained unique microsatellites. An additional 29 microsatellite loci were identified among 728 BAC-end sequences of a newly developed amaranth BAC library. Flanking primers were designed for 319 of the microsatellite loci and all were screened on a panel of diverse amaranths, including grain and weedy Amaranthus species. A total of 179 (56%) microsatellites were polymorphic across accessions from the three grain amaranths. Among these polymorphic microsatellite loci, a total of 731 alleles were identified with average of four alleles per locus. Heterozygosity values ranged from 0.14 to 0.83 with a mean value of 0.62. Thirty-seven (21%) of the markers were polymorphic between the parents of a segregating population and were shown to be inherited in a normal Mendelian fashion based on chi-squared analysis, demonstrating the utility of these markers for linkage mapping of the amaranth genome. Phylogenetic analysis using the marker data showed A. hybridus accessions in two of the three major grain amaranth clades, suggesting the polyphyletic evolution of the three cultivated species from different A. hybridus ancestors. The microsatellite markers reported here will be useful for further evaluating the relationships among the grain amaranths and their relatives and are an ideal resource for use in marker-assisted breeding programs, germplasm analysis and varietal identification. The transferability of these markers to A. hybridus, A. powellii, and A. retroflexus as reported here suggests that the markers may be useful to other species with the genus Amaranthus, including economically important weeds, vegetable amaranths, and ornamentals.

With the introduction of herbicide resistant Palmer amaranth into Kentucky during the past 10 years there has been an increasing concern for effective control measures in grain production. Field trials were performed in 2016 and 2017 near Barlow and Paris, KY to determine efficacy of chemical control programs targeting herbicide resistant Palmer amaranth. Percent visual control, effects on plant density and plant height were measured in 2016 to determine treatment effectiveness. Treatments containing four different sites of herbicide activity achieved an average of 98% control. Treatments containing only 3, 2 or 1 site of activity only achieved 64%, 45% and 33% control, respectively. Within the long-chain fatty acid inhibitors herbicides in this study, pre-emergent applied pyroxasulfone provided greater control than S-metolachlor or acetochlor. Pyroxasulfone also provided greater control than the photosystem II herbicides atrazine and metribuzin. In 2017 PRE treatments consisting of three-way mixtures of flumioxazin + pyroxasulfone + chlorimuron or S-metolachlor + metribuzin + fomesafen followed by a POST herbicide treatment provided > 90% suppression of Palmer amaranth 4 weeks after trial initiation. Post-emergence treatments containing glyphosate + dicamba or glyphosate + 2,4-D following a soil-applied pre-emergent treatment achieved the most effective season-long control of Palmer amaranth.

Orientador: Jaime Amaya-Farfán / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T20:15:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rocha_LianeMurari_M.pdf: 1432593 bytes, checksum: 24e7488e1f2f725796661cf483329250 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: A ingestão do grão de amaranto é conhecida por promover a redução dos níveis de colesterol no sangue. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do consumo diário de cookies de amaranto por adultos diagnosticados com síndrome metabólica (SM), sem promover outras alterações na dieta habitual destes. Participaram da pesquisa 18 indivíduos de ambos os gêneros, com idade entre 33 e 55 anos, diagnosticados com SM de acordo com o critério do National Cholesterol Education Program. Os participantes consumiram aleatoriamente 30g por dia de farinha de aveia ou amaranto na forma de cookies durante 30 dias. Em jejum, o colesterol total sérico total (CT), lipoproteína de baixa, muito baixa e elevada densidade (LDL-C, VLDLC e HDL-C), triacilglicerol, insulina e glicose foram medidos e o índice HOMA foi calculado antes e após a intervenção. Os participantes também foram pesados, tiveram sua circunferência abdominal e pressão arterial medidas nas fases inicial e final do estudo. Três dias de registros alimentares foram preenchidos a cada semana durante a intervenção. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à ANOVA e Wilcoxon, com significância estatística definida em P< 0,05. Nenhuma diferença significativa foi observada para os parâmetros analisados entre os grupos que consumiram aveia e amaranto. No entanto, ambos os grupos apresentaram níveis significativamente mais baixos de CT (-28mg/dL, p = 0,011 e -27.3mg/dL, p = 0,0209, para a aveia e amaranto, respectivamente.). O consumo de aveia promoveu a redução de HDL-C (-4.2mg/ dL, p = 0,013), enquanto o amaranto não apresentou esse efeito, mas diminuiu LDL-C (-19 mg/dL, p = 0,033). A pressão sistólica (-8mm Hg, p = 0.0117) e HOMA (-0,8, p = 0,036) diminuíram nos voluntários que consumiram amaranto. Uma modificação mínima na dieta típica brasileira com cookies de amaranto apresentou vantagem quando comparado à aveia com relação à diminuição dos níveis de colesterol sanguíneo e HOMA, no entanto, sem melhorar os parâmetros de SM / Abstract: Ingestion of amaranth grain is known to lower the levels of blood cholesterol. Here we wished to evaluate the effect of consuming a few cookies a day of amaranth by adults diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MS), without further changes of their normal diet. The diets of 18 subjects of both genders, aged 33 to 55 years, diagnosed with MS by the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program were randomly intervened by either consuming 30g/day of oatmeal or amaranth flour cookies for 30 days. Fasting serum total cholesterol (TC), low-, very low-, and high density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, VLDL-C and HDL-C) and serum triacylglycerol and blood insulin and glucose were measured before and after the intervention. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance was calculated. Participants were also weighed, had their waist circumference and blood pressure measured at the initial and final stages. Three-day dietary records were filled out each week during the intervention. Data obtained were submitted to ANOVA and Wilcoxon, with statistical significance defined at P<0.05. No significant difference was observed for any of the analyzed parameters between the oatmeal and amaranth groups. However, both groups gained significantly lower TC levels (¿28mg/dL, p=0.011 and ¿27.3mg/dL, p= 0,0209, for oats and amaranth, resp.), but oats reduced HDL-C (¿4.2mg/dL, p=0.013), while amaranth did not and yet diminishing LDL-C (¿19mg/dL, p=0.033). Systolic pressure (¿8mm Hg, p=0,0117) and HOMA (¿0.8, p=0,036) decreased within the amaranth volunteers. Minimal modification of a common Brazilian diet with amaranth cookies had an advantage over oats in lowering blood cholesterol and HOMA indices, but without improving MS parameters / Mestrado / Nutrição Experimental e Aplicada à Tecnologia de Alimentos / Mestre em Alimentos e Nutrição

Orientadores: Florencia Cecília Menegalli, Paulo José do Amaral Sobral / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T09:34:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 VillamanDieguez_MariaCristina_M.pdf: 3299521 bytes, checksum: b5bf8aa7ece9693c382d364d2a207cb4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: A aplicação da nanotecnologia na elaboração de filmes nanocompósitos, tem sido muito utilizada nos últimos anos na área de desenvolvimento de materiais biodegradáveis. Os nanocompósitos são misturas de polímeros orgânicos e partículas nanométricas, entre as mais estudadas para esta aplicação está a montmorillonita (MMT), uma argila mineral composta por capas de aluminatos e silicatos hidratados. Neste projeto foram elaborados filmes nanocompósitos (F.NC) baseados em farinha de amaranto (FA) e MMT, utilizandose o método de intercalação por solução. Foram realizados estudos preliminares para escolher o processo mais indicado para a inclusão da MMT na solução filmogênica (SF). Experimentaram-se quatro processos, que compreenderam diferentes tipos e velocidades de agitação e distintos tempos onde era adicionada a MMT (antes ou depois do processo térmico). As análises de microscopia óptica revelaram que o processo em que se utilizou uma agitação forte (7.000 rpm) e que a gelatinização do amido ocorreu na presença da MMT, foi o único que conseguiu obter uma matriz filmogênica homogênea. Por meio deste processo elaboraram-se filmes e analisaram-se por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), onde se confirmou a formação de uma matriz homogênea, na superfície e na secção transversal dos filmes. Para o desenho experimental foi utilizado um delineamento composto central rotacional DCCR 22, para se estudar o efeito da concentração da argila [CMMT] e da temperatura do processo (TP), nas propriedades dos filmes. Trabalhou-se numa faixa de [CMMT] entre 0% a 9,4% (m/m), com uma concentração fixa de glicerol de 25%, na qual os filmes obtidos eram facilmente manipuláveis. Como resultado observouse que o aumento simultâneo da [CMMT] (m/m) e da TP, produz um aumento na tensão e, conseqüentemente uma diminuição da elongação destes filmes. A propriedade de solubilidade também foi afetada por ambos os fatores. Realizaram-se análises estatísticas para maximizar o valor de tensão e minimizar a solubilidade destes filmes. Encontraramse que as condições ótimas para conseguir esse propósito foram: [CMMT] = 9,4% e TP = 83°C. Nessa T P, quando a CMMT foi aumentada de 0 a 9,4% a tensão aumentou de 1.20 MPa para 1.61 MPa e a solubilidade diminuiu de 48.2% a 44.98%. Interessante foi o resultado obtido para a permeabilidade ao vapor de água (PVA), que decresceu em 96% ao ser adicionada a MMT / Abstract: The application of nanotechnology in the development of nanocomposite films has been the most widely used in recent years in the development of biodegradable materials. Nanocomposites are mixtures of organic polymers and nano-sized particles, among the most studied for this application, is montmorillonite (MMT), a mineral clay composed of layers of hydrated silicates and aluminates. Were carried out preliminary studies to determine what would be the most appropriate process for the production of amaranth flour films (FA) and montmorillonite (MMT) by the method of intercalation by solution. We compared different types of agitation and the differences in the addition of the nanoclay before or after the heat treatment. Optical microscopy analysis revealed that process with vigorous shaking (7.000 rpm) and where gelatinization of the starch occurred in the presence of montmorillonite, was the only one forming a homogeneous matrix. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) we were able to corroborate the production of a homogeneous matrix in both, the surface and cross sections. Then the study of the effect of clay content [CMMT] and process temperature (TP) on the production of amaranth flour/clay nanocomposite films was investigated. Since easily manageable films were obtained at concentrations ranging from 0% to 9,4 % (w/w) of MMT and 25% glycerol, these conditions were chosen in the DCCR 22 experimental design. The simultaneous rise on [CMMT] (w/w) and TP, resulted on increased tensile strength and, consequently, decreased elongation at break values. Solubility was also affected by both factors. Statistical analysis was performed to maximize the tensile strength and to minimize the solubility of these films. A concentration of 9,4% at a temperature of 83°C was found to be optimal for this purpose. At that TP, when CMMT was increased from 0 to 9,4% the tensile strength was increased from 1.20 MPa to 1.61 MPa and the solubility (%) was decreased from 48.2% to 44.98%. Interestingly, the water vapor permeability (WVP) values were decreased by 96% upon addition of MMT / Mestrado / Mestre em Engenharia de Alimentos