Symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation (SNF) occurs in specialized organs called nodules after successful interactions between legume hosts and rhizobia. Within nodule cells, N-fixing rhizobia are surrounded by plant-derived symbiosome membranes, through which the exchange of nutrients and ammonium occurs between bacteria and the host legume. Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient, and N2-fixing legumes have a higher requirement for P than legumes grown on mineral N. First, I investigated the impact of P deprivation on wild-type Medicago truncatula plants. My observations that plants had impaired SNF activity, reduced growth, and accumulated less phosphate in P-deficient tissues (leaves, roots and nodules) is consistent with those of similar previous studies. Galactolipids decreased with increase in phospholipids in all P-starved organs. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) of phosphatidylcholine (PC) species in nodules showed that under low P environments distributions of some PC species changed, indicating that membrane lipid remodeling during P stress is not uniform across the nodule. Secondly, a metabolomics study was carried out to test the alterations in the metabolic profile of the nodules in P-stress. GC-MS based untargeted metabolomics showed increased levels of amino acids and sugars and decline in amounts of organic acids in P deprived nodules. Subsequently, LC-MS/MS was used to quantify these compounds including phosphorylated metabolites in whole plant. My findings showed strong drop in levels of organic acids and phosphorylated compounds in P deprived leaves with moderate reduction in P deprived roots and nodules. Moreover, sugars and amino acids were elevated in whole plant under P deprivation. Finally, the last project of my thesis involved studying the response of PDIL3 (Phosphate Deficiency-Induced LncRNA-3) a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) mutant under severe P stress. PDIL3 is known to regulate Pi-deficiency signaling and transport in M. truncatula (Wang et al., 2017). My results confirmed that in P starvation, pdil3 plants showed better shoot growth, accumulated more phosphate in shoots, had impaired SNF and less rhizobial occupancy in nodules than WT. Subsequently, MALDI–MS imaging was used to spatially map and compare the distribution of phosphatidylcholine (PC) species in nodules of pdil3 and WT in P-replete and P-depleted conditions. Several PC species showed changes in distributions in pdil3 nodules compared to WT in both P sufficient and P deprived conditions. These data suggest that PDIL3's role is not just suppression of the Pi transporter, but it may also influence P partitioning between shoots and nodulated roots, meriting further investigation.

L’Organisation mondiale de la Santé recommande aux individus de limiter leur consommation d’aliments sucrés dans le but de prévenir le développement des maladies chroniques. En santé publique, peu de recherches ont tenté d’identifier les facteurs individuels et contextuels qui peuvent influencer conjointement la consommation de ces aliments. Or, de telles connaissances seraient utiles pour guider les interventions nutritionnelles visant à en réduire la consommation. L’objectif de cette thèse est d'étudier les facteurs reliés au comportement et les contextes associés à la consommation quotidienne d’aliments sucrés chez des adultes vivant dans un milieu urbain occidental. Cette étude a été menée auprès d'une communauté moyen-orientale établie dans la Ville de Montréal. Les aliments sucrés ont été définis comme étant les glucides raffinés dont la teneur en sucres totaux dépasse 20 % de l’énergie totale. Lors de l’étape exploratoire (N = 42), un rappel de 24 heures a permis d’identifier les sources d’aliments sucrés et de déterminer l’apport quotidien en sucres totaux de cette communauté. Une étude qualitative descriptive a été privilégiée et un cadre écologique a guidé la réalisation d’entrevues semi-dirigées sur les contextes de consommation (N = 42). Une analyse de contenu employant des procédures de codage initial et focus a mené à l’élaboration d’un instrument de mesure quantitatif sur les contextes de consommation. Cet instrument a été soumis à un pré-test (N = 20), puis administré à l’échantillon principal (N = 192). Une analyse factorielle exploratoire a permis de préciser les contextes de consommation. Les facteurs individuels mesurés incluent les données sociodémographiques, les symptômes dépressifs, la maîtrise de soi, l’assoupissement de jour, les perceptions ainsi que l’hémoglobine glycosylée. La consommation quotidienne de sucres totaux a été mesurée par un questionnaire de fréquence alimentaire (N = 192). Une analyse de régression multivariée employant le modèle linéaire généralisé (distribution de type gamma et lien logarithmique) a été effectuée pour mesurer les relations entre les contextes de consommation, les facteurs individuels et la consommation de sucres totaux, en contrôlant l’âge et le sexe. L’apport quotidien en sucres totaux de l'échantillon est de 20,3 %, ce qui s’apparente aux apports des Canadiens et des Québécois. La consommation quotidienne moyenne est de 76 g/j. Les analyses qualitative et factorielle ont permis d’identifier un ensemble de 42 contextes de consommation regroupés en sept domaines (Actes et situations de grignotage, Stimuli visuels, Besoins énergétiques, Besoins émotionnels, Indulgence, Contraintes, Socialisation). La consommation quotidienne de sucres totaux est supérieure chez les hommes (B = 0,204, ES = 0,094, p = 0,03). Les facteurs positivement associés à la consommation sont le grignotage (B = 0,225, ES = 0,091, p = 0,01), la prise de dessert (B = 0,105, ES = 0,036, p = 0,001) ainsi que les symptômes dépressifs (B = 0,017, ES = 0,094, p = 0,03). L’âge (B = -0,01, ES = 0,004, p = 0,02), l’indulgence (B = -0,103, ES = 0,052, p = 0,05) et l’auto-modération (B = -0,121, ES = 0,042, p = 0,001) montrent, pour leur part, une association négative. Cette étude a privilégié une méthodologie mixte et a permis de développer une mesure innovatrice pour étudier les facteurs contextuels associés à la consommation d’aliments sucrés. Ceux-ci ont été analysés conjointement avec les facteurs individuels. Afin d'encourager les individus à réduire leur consommation de sucres totaux lorsque nécessaire, les initiatives en santé publique devraient en effet cibler les contextes de consommation de même que les facteurs individuels. / The World Health Organization recommends that individuals reduce their consumption of sweet foods and drinks to prevent chronic diseases. Research in public health has not generally sought to elucidate the environmental and individual factors that may jointly influence sweet food consumption. Such knowledge would be relevant, however, in supporting interventions on sweet food consumption. The aim of this thesis was to examine contextual and individual factors associated with daily consumption of sweet foods in adults living in a western urban setting. An established Middle Eastern community in Montreal was the setting for this study. Sweet food was defined as refined carbohydrates that contain more than 20% of total energy from total sugars. In a preliminary step (N = 42), 24-hour recalls enabled the identification of sweet food sources and the measurement of daily intake of total sugars from total energy intake. The context of sweet food consumption was studied through a qualitative descriptive study. An ecological conceptual framework was used to frame the context of sweet food consumption and thus to guide the collection of semi-structured interviews (N=42). Content analysis using open and focused coding techniques was used to inform the development of a quantitative measure to investigate the context of sweet food consumption. This measure was pilot-tested on 20 individuals and administered to the main sample (N = 192). Contextual domains were clarified using exploratory factor analysis. Individual factors measured included depressive symptoms, mastery, sociodemographic factors, perception, daytime sleepiness and HbA1C. A food frequency questionnaire was used to measure daily intake of sweet food (N = 192). Sweet food consumption followed a gamma distribution. Multivariate regression analysis using the generalised linear model (gamma distribution and log-link function) was used to estimate the associations between contextual and individual factors and consumption of sweet food, accounting for covariates (gender and age). Total sugar consumption was 20,3 % of total energy, similar to the average intake of the population of Quebec and Canada. Daily consumption of total sugars averaged 76 g/day. Qualitative analyses and factor analysis led to the identification and refinement of a 42-item contextual measure with items grouped into seven domains (emotional needs, snacking, energy demands, socialisation, visual stimuli, indulgence and constraints). Consumption of total sugars was higher amongst males (B = 0,204, SE = 0,094, p = 0,03). Domains positively associated with total sugar consumption included eating dessert (B = 0,105, SE = 0,036, p = 0,001), snacking (B = 0,225, SE = 0,091, p = 0,01) and depressive symptoms (B = 0,017, SE = 0,094, p = 0,03). Indulgence (B = -0,103, SE = 0,052, p = 0,05), self-moderation (B = -0,121, SE = 0,042, p = 0,001), and age (B = -0,01, SE = 0,004, p = 0,02) were negatively associated with sugar consumption. This mixed-methods study developed a novel measure to study the factors associated with sugar consumption. Individual and contextual factors were jointly associated with consumption of sweet foods. Contextual as well as individual factors should be jointly targeted by public health efforts to support individuals in limiting their consumption of sweet foods, as necessary.

Cadmium (Cd) concentration in the environment has increased in most recent decades, which represents a serious socio-environmental problem, since Cd is toxic to most living beings. Thus, it is important to reduce the concentration of this metal in contaminated environments, and the use of plants properly supplied with sulfur (S) can contribute to this (phytoextraction), since S is a component of metabolites involved in defense responses against stress caused by Cd. Therefore, our aim with this study was to evaluate the effect of S on i) Cd uptake kinetics, ii) root development and nutrient uptake, iii) metabolic profiling and thiol peptides synthesis, and iv) activity of antioxidant and photosynthetic system of Massai grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Massai) used for Cd phytoextraction. The studies were carried out in a greenhouse conditions using pots of 0.5 and 2.0 L for development of the study about Cd uptake kinetics (treatments represented by combinations of S: 0.1 and 1.9 mmol L-1 and Cd concentrations: 0.1 and 0.5 mmol L-1) and Cd detoxification mechanisms (treatments represented by combinations of S: 0.1, 1.9 and 3.7 mmol L-1 and Cd concentrations: 0.0, 0.1 and 0.5 mmol L-1), respectively. Pots were distributed in randomized blocks, with four replications. Plants used in Cd kinetics study were exposed to treatments for 14 days after they remained in solutions containing only S for 42 days, while plants used in Cd detoxification study were exposed to treatments for 9 days after growing in solutions containing only S for 44 days. At the end of studies, plants used were harvested and sent for analysis. Maximum uptake rate (Vmax) and Cd apoplastic influx of Massai grass exposed to highest Cd concentration was highest when the plants were supplied with highest S concentration. The root development of Massai grass was strongly inhibited when plants were exposed to 0.5 mmol L-1 Cd, but proper (1.9 mmol L-1) S supply allowed highest Cd uptake, while excessive S supply (3.7 mmol L-1) decreased iron plaques formation in the roots of plants. Lysine, cysteine, ornithine, arginine, tryptophan and histidine were accumulated in more than one tissue in plants exposed to Cd, as well as galactinol. Glutathione (GSH), phytochelatins (PCs) and their homologues were strongly induced by Cd, whereas plants supplied with 1.9 and/or 3.7 mmol L-1 S showed the highest concentrations of these peptides. Plants supplied with highest S concentration showed lowest lipid peroxidation and highest photosynthetic rate, which evidences that antioxidant system of these plants was more efficient in mitigating the damages caused by Cd. In view of these results, it is clear that Massai grass properly supplied with S shows greatest Cd tolerance, as well as phytoextraction potential / A concentração de cádmio (Cd) no ambiente aumentou em décadas recentes, o que representa sério problema sócio-ambiental, visto que o Cd é tóxico para a maioria dos seres vivos. Por isso, é importante reduzir a concentração desse metal em ambientes contaminados e o uso de plantas adequadamente supridas com enxofre (S) pode contribuir para isso (fitoextração), uma vez que o S é componente de metabólitos envolvidos no combate ao estresse causado pelo Cd. Assim, o nosso objetivo com esse estudo foi avaliar o efeito do S na i) cinética de absorção do Cd, no ii) desenvolvimento radicular e na absorção de nutrientes, no iii) perfil metabólico e síntese de compostos tiol, e iv) na atividade do sistema antioxidante e fotossintético do capim-massai (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Massai), utilizado para fitoextração de Cd. Os estudos foram conduzidos em casa de vegetação utilizando-se vasos de 0,5 e 2,0 L para a condução do estudo de cinética de absorção de Cd (tratamentos representados pelas combinações das doses de S de 0,1 e 1,9 mmol L-1 e Cd de 0,1 e 0,5 mmol L-1) e para o estudo dos mecanismos de detoxificação de Cd (tratamentos representados pelas combinações das doses de S de 0,1; 1,9 e 3,7 mmol L-1 e Cd de 0,0; 0,1 e 0,5 mmol L-1), respectivamente. Os vasos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As plantas utilizadas no estudo de cinética foram expostas aos tratamentos durante 14 dias após as mesmas terem permanecido em soluções contendo apenas S durante 42 dias, enquanto as plantas utilizadas no estudo de detoxificação de Cd foram expostas aos tratamentos pelo período de 9 dias após terem crescido em soluções contendo apenas S por 44 dias. Ao final dos estudos, as plantas utilizadas foram colhidas e encaminhadas para análises. A velocidade máxima de absorção (Vmax) e o influxo apoplástico de Cd do capim-massai exposto à maior dose de Cd foram maiores quando as plantas foram supridas com a maior dose de S. O desenvolvimento radicular do capim-massai foi fortemente inibido quando as plantas foram expostas à dose de Cd de 0,5 mmol L-1, mas o adequado (1,9 mmol L-1) suprimento de S permitiu maior absorção de Cd, enquanto o suprimento excessivo (3,7 mmol L-1) de S diminuiu a formação de placas de ferro nas raízes das plantas. A lisina, cisteína, ornitina, arginina, triptofano e histidina foram acumulados em mais de um tecido nas plantas expostas ao Cd, assim como o galactinol. A glutationa (GSH), as fitoquelatinas (PCs) e seus homólogos foram fortemente induzidos pelo Cd, sendo que as plantas supridas com as doses de S de 1,9 e/ou 3,7 mmol L-1 apresentaram as maiores concentrações desses peptídeos. As plantas supridas com as maiores doses de S apresentaram menor peroxidação lipídica e maior taxa fotossintética, o que demonstra que o sistema antioxidante dessas plantas foi mais eficiente na atenuação dos danos causados pelo Cd. Diante desses resultados, fica claro que o capim-massai suprido adequadamente com S apresenta maior tolerância ao Cd, assim como maior potencial de fitoextração

Cadmium (Cd) concentration in the environment has increased in most recent decades, which represents a serious socio-environmental problem, since Cd is toxic to most living beings. Thus, it is important to reduce the concentration of this metal in contaminated environments, and the use of plants properly supplied with sulfur (S) can contribute to this (phytoextraction), since S is a component of metabolites involved in defense responses against stress caused by Cd. Therefore, our aim with this study was to evaluate the effect of S on i) Cd uptake kinetics, ii) root development and nutrient uptake, iii) metabolic profiling and thiol peptides synthesis, and iv) activity of antioxidant and photosynthetic system of Massai grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Massai) used for Cd phytoextraction. The studies were carried out in a greenhouse conditions using pots of 0.5 and 2.0 L for development of the study about Cd uptake kinetics (treatments represented by combinations of S: 0.1 and 1.9 mmol L-1 and Cd concentrations: 0.1 and 0.5 mmol L-1) and Cd detoxification mechanisms (treatments represented by combinations of S: 0.1, 1.9 and 3.7 mmol L-1 and Cd concentrations: 0.0, 0.1 and 0.5 mmol L-1), respectively. Pots were distributed in randomized blocks, with four replications. Plants used in Cd kinetics study were exposed to treatments for 14 days after they remained in solutions containing only S for 42 days, while plants used in Cd detoxification study were exposed to treatments for 9 days after growing in solutions containing only S for 44 days. At the end of studies, plants used were harvested and sent for analysis. Maximum uptake rate (Vmax) and Cd apoplastic influx of Massai grass exposed to highest Cd concentration was highest when the plants were supplied with highest S concentration. The root development of Massai grass was strongly inhibited when plants were exposed to 0.5 mmol L-1 Cd, but proper (1.9 mmol L-1) S supply allowed highest Cd uptake, while excessive S supply (3.7 mmol L-1) decreased iron plaques formation in the roots of plants. Lysine, cysteine, ornithine, arginine, tryptophan and histidine were accumulated in more than one tissue in plants exposed to Cd, as well as galactinol. Glutathione (GSH), phytochelatins (PCs) and their homologues were strongly induced by Cd, whereas plants supplied with 1.9 and/or 3.7 mmol L-1 S showed the highest concentrations of these peptides. Plants supplied with highest S concentration showed lowest lipid peroxidation and highest photosynthetic rate, which evidences that antioxidant system of these plants was more efficient in mitigating the damages caused by Cd. In view of these results, it is clear that Massai grass properly supplied with S shows greatest Cd tolerance, as well as phytoextraction potential / A concentração de cádmio (Cd) no ambiente aumentou em décadas recentes, o que representa sério problema sócio-ambiental, visto que o Cd é tóxico para a maioria dos seres vivos. Por isso, é importante reduzir a concentração desse metal em ambientes contaminados e o uso de plantas adequadamente supridas com enxofre (S) pode contribuir para isso (fitoextração), uma vez que o S é componente de metabólitos envolvidos no combate ao estresse causado pelo Cd. Assim, o nosso objetivo com esse estudo foi avaliar o efeito do S na i) cinética de absorção do Cd, no ii) desenvolvimento radicular e na absorção de nutrientes, no iii) perfil metabólico e síntese de compostos tiol, e iv) na atividade do sistema antioxidante e fotossintético do capim-massai (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Massai), utilizado para fitoextração de Cd. Os estudos foram conduzidos em casa de vegetação utilizando-se vasos de 0,5 e 2,0 L para a condução do estudo de cinética de absorção de Cd (tratamentos representados pelas combinações das doses de S de 0,1 e 1,9 mmol L-1 e Cd de 0,1 e 0,5 mmol L-1) e para o estudo dos mecanismos de detoxificação de Cd (tratamentos representados pelas combinações das doses de S de 0,1; 1,9 e 3,7 mmol L-1 e Cd de 0,0; 0,1 e 0,5 mmol L-1), respectivamente. Os vasos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As plantas utilizadas no estudo de cinética foram expostas aos tratamentos durante 14 dias após as mesmas terem permanecido em soluções contendo apenas S durante 42 dias, enquanto as plantas utilizadas no estudo de detoxificação de Cd foram expostas aos tratamentos pelo período de 9 dias após terem crescido em soluções contendo apenas S por 44 dias. Ao final dos estudos, as plantas utilizadas foram colhidas e encaminhadas para análises. A velocidade máxima de absorção (Vmax) e o influxo apoplástico de Cd do capim-massai exposto à maior dose de Cd foram maiores quando as plantas foram supridas com a maior dose de S. O desenvolvimento radicular do capim-massai foi fortemente inibido quando as plantas foram expostas à dose de Cd de 0,5 mmol L-1, mas o adequado (1,9 mmol L-1) suprimento de S permitiu maior absorção de Cd, enquanto o suprimento excessivo (3,7 mmol L-1) de S diminuiu a formação de placas de ferro nas raízes das plantas. A lisina, cisteína, ornitina, arginina, triptofano e histidina foram acumulados em mais de um tecido nas plantas expostas ao Cd, assim como o galactinol. A glutationa (GSH), as fitoquelatinas (PCs) e seus homólogos foram fortemente induzidos pelo Cd, sendo que as plantas supridas com as doses de S de 1,9 e/ou 3,7 mmol L-1 apresentaram as maiores concentrações desses peptídeos. As plantas supridas com as maiores doses de S apresentaram menor peroxidação lipídica e maior taxa fotossintética, o que demonstra que o sistema antioxidante dessas plantas foi mais eficiente na atenuação dos danos causados pelo Cd. Diante desses resultados, fica claro que o capim-massai suprido adequadamente com S apresenta maior tolerância ao Cd, assim como maior potencial de fitoextração

L’Organisation mondiale de la Santé recommande aux individus de limiter leur consommation d’aliments sucrés dans le but de prévenir le développement des maladies chroniques. En santé publique, peu de recherches ont tenté d’identifier les facteurs individuels et contextuels qui peuvent influencer conjointement la consommation de ces aliments. Or, de telles connaissances seraient utiles pour guider les interventions nutritionnelles visant à en réduire la consommation. L’objectif de cette thèse est d'étudier les facteurs reliés au comportement et les contextes associés à la consommation quotidienne d’aliments sucrés chez des adultes vivant dans un milieu urbain occidental. Cette étude a été menée auprès d'une communauté moyen-orientale établie dans la Ville de Montréal. Les aliments sucrés ont été définis comme étant les glucides raffinés dont la teneur en sucres totaux dépasse 20 % de l’énergie totale. Lors de l’étape exploratoire (N = 42), un rappel de 24 heures a permis d’identifier les sources d’aliments sucrés et de déterminer l’apport quotidien en sucres totaux de cette communauté. Une étude qualitative descriptive a été privilégiée et un cadre écologique a guidé la réalisation d’entrevues semi-dirigées sur les contextes de consommation (N = 42). Une analyse de contenu employant des procédures de codage initial et focus a mené à l’élaboration d’un instrument de mesure quantitatif sur les contextes de consommation. Cet instrument a été soumis à un pré-test (N = 20), puis administré à l’échantillon principal (N = 192). Une analyse factorielle exploratoire a permis de préciser les contextes de consommation. Les facteurs individuels mesurés incluent les données sociodémographiques, les symptômes dépressifs, la maîtrise de soi, l’assoupissement de jour, les perceptions ainsi que l’hémoglobine glycosylée. La consommation quotidienne de sucres totaux a été mesurée par un questionnaire de fréquence alimentaire (N = 192). Une analyse de régression multivariée employant le modèle linéaire généralisé (distribution de type gamma et lien logarithmique) a été effectuée pour mesurer les relations entre les contextes de consommation, les facteurs individuels et la consommation de sucres totaux, en contrôlant l’âge et le sexe. L’apport quotidien en sucres totaux de l'échantillon est de 20,3 %, ce qui s’apparente aux apports des Canadiens et des Québécois. La consommation quotidienne moyenne est de 76 g/j. Les analyses qualitative et factorielle ont permis d’identifier un ensemble de 42 contextes de consommation regroupés en sept domaines (Actes et situations de grignotage, Stimuli visuels, Besoins énergétiques, Besoins émotionnels, Indulgence, Contraintes, Socialisation). La consommation quotidienne de sucres totaux est supérieure chez les hommes (B = 0,204, ES = 0,094, p = 0,03). Les facteurs positivement associés à la consommation sont le grignotage (B = 0,225, ES = 0,091, p = 0,01), la prise de dessert (B = 0,105, ES = 0,036, p = 0,001) ainsi que les symptômes dépressifs (B = 0,017, ES = 0,094, p = 0,03). L’âge (B = -0,01, ES = 0,004, p = 0,02), l’indulgence (B = -0,103, ES = 0,052, p = 0,05) et l’auto-modération (B = -0,121, ES = 0,042, p = 0,001) montrent, pour leur part, une association négative. Cette étude a privilégié une méthodologie mixte et a permis de développer une mesure innovatrice pour étudier les facteurs contextuels associés à la consommation d’aliments sucrés. Ceux-ci ont été analysés conjointement avec les facteurs individuels. Afin d'encourager les individus à réduire leur consommation de sucres totaux lorsque nécessaire, les initiatives en santé publique devraient en effet cibler les contextes de consommation de même que les facteurs individuels. / The World Health Organization recommends that individuals reduce their consumption of sweet foods and drinks to prevent chronic diseases. Research in public health has not generally sought to elucidate the environmental and individual factors that may jointly influence sweet food consumption. Such knowledge would be relevant, however, in supporting interventions on sweet food consumption. The aim of this thesis was to examine contextual and individual factors associated with daily consumption of sweet foods in adults living in a western urban setting. An established Middle Eastern community in Montreal was the setting for this study. Sweet food was defined as refined carbohydrates that contain more than 20% of total energy from total sugars. In a preliminary step (N = 42), 24-hour recalls enabled the identification of sweet food sources and the measurement of daily intake of total sugars from total energy intake. The context of sweet food consumption was studied through a qualitative descriptive study. An ecological conceptual framework was used to frame the context of sweet food consumption and thus to guide the collection of semi-structured interviews (N=42). Content analysis using open and focused coding techniques was used to inform the development of a quantitative measure to investigate the context of sweet food consumption. This measure was pilot-tested on 20 individuals and administered to the main sample (N = 192). Contextual domains were clarified using exploratory factor analysis. Individual factors measured included depressive symptoms, mastery, sociodemographic factors, perception, daytime sleepiness and HbA1C. A food frequency questionnaire was used to measure daily intake of sweet food (N = 192). Sweet food consumption followed a gamma distribution. Multivariate regression analysis using the generalised linear model (gamma distribution and log-link function) was used to estimate the associations between contextual and individual factors and consumption of sweet food, accounting for covariates (gender and age). Total sugar consumption was 20,3 % of total energy, similar to the average intake of the population of Quebec and Canada. Daily consumption of total sugars averaged 76 g/day. Qualitative analyses and factor analysis led to the identification and refinement of a 42-item contextual measure with items grouped into seven domains (emotional needs, snacking, energy demands, socialisation, visual stimuli, indulgence and constraints). Consumption of total sugars was higher amongst males (B = 0,204, SE = 0,094, p = 0,03). Domains positively associated with total sugar consumption included eating dessert (B = 0,105, SE = 0,036, p = 0,001), snacking (B = 0,225, SE = 0,091, p = 0,01) and depressive symptoms (B = 0,017, SE = 0,094, p = 0,03). Indulgence (B = -0,103, SE = 0,052, p = 0,05), self-moderation (B = -0,121, SE = 0,042, p = 0,001), and age (B = -0,01, SE = 0,004, p = 0,02) were negatively associated with sugar consumption. This mixed-methods study developed a novel measure to study the factors associated with sugar consumption. Individual and contextual factors were jointly associated with consumption of sweet foods. Contextual as well as individual factors should be jointly targeted by public health efforts to support individuals in limiting their consumption of sweet foods, as necessary.

Compte tenu des changements climatiques annoncés, les végétaux risquent d'être confrontés, dans un proche avenir, à des épisodes de sécheresse sévères de plus en plus fréquents. Afin de prédire l'impact de telles contraintes sur la productivité et le rendement des plantes cultivées, il convient d'étudier l'effet du manque d'eau sur l'activité photosynthétique, le transport et l'accumulation des sucres. Dans un premier temps, la croissance, le développement, la biomasse et la photosynthèse de huit écotypes d'Arabidopsis thaliana ont été caractérisés. Trois de ces écotypes (Col-0, Mt-0 et Shahdara) ont ensuite été soumis à une période de déficit hydrique. Une chute du contenu relatif en eau des rosettes (RWC), de la conductance stomatique (gs) et de l'assimilation nette (AN) a été observée précocement chez Mt-0, écotype initialement caractérisé par une très faible efficience de l'utilisation de l'eau (AN/E). En réponse au stress, l'analyse des courbes AN/Ci de chaque écotype montrait que la limitation stomatique s'accompagne rapidement de limitations métaboliques (baisse de la Vcmax). En fin de stress hydrique, une diminution des réserves en amidon a conduit dans tous les cas à une accumulation de saccharose dans les feuilles. Les expressions des gènes codant les principaux transporteurs foliaires de sucres (polyols, hexoses et saccharose) étaient quant à eux différemment affectés par le manque d'eau. Shahdara, qui est parvenu à conserver un RWC relativement élevé, est l'écotype qui a le mieux toléré la contrainte hydrique. À l'opposé, Mt-0 présentait, en fin de stress, une inhibition de l'AN couplée à des altérations majeures et irréversibles des photosystèmes II (chutes de qP et de Fv/Fm). / Considering the predicted climate changes, plants are likely to face, in the future, severe and frequent droughts. In order to evaluate the impact of such stress on productivity and crop yield, the effect of water shortage on photosynthetic activity, sugar transport and accumulation was investigated. Firstly, growth, development, biomass and photosynthesis of eight Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes have been characterised. Secondly, three of them (Col-0, Mt-0 and Shahdara) were subjected to drought stress. The relative water content (RWC), the stomatal conductance (gs) and the net assimilation (AN) decreased early in rosette leaves of Mt-0 which was initially characterized by a very low water use efficiency (AN/E). In response to drought, AN/Ci curves analysis for each ecotype showed that stomatal limitation was quickly related with metabolic limitations (lower Vcmax). At the end of the stress, reduced starch content always led to a sucrose accumulation in leaves. The expression of genes encoding the main leaf sugar carriers (polyols, hexoses and sucrose) was differently impaired by the water shortage. Shahdara, that managed to maintain a relatively high RWC, was the most tolerant ecotype to water stress. In contrast, at the end of the stress, Mt-0 exhibited an AN inhibition together with significant and irreversible photosystem II alterations (drop of both qP and Fv/Fm).

The mechanisms of transepithelial absorption of dietary sucrose in the American lobster, Homarus americanus, were investigated in this study to determine whether sugars can be transported across an animal gut intact or as monosaccharides following hydrolysis. Lobster intestine was isolated and mounted in a perfusion chamber to characterize the mechanisms of mucosal to serosal (MS) 14C -sucrose transport across the intestine MS fluxes were measured by adding varying concentrations of 14C-sucrose to the perfusate which resulted in a hyperbolic curve following Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The kinetic constants of the proposed sucrose transporter were KM = 15.84 ± 1.81 µM and Jmax = 2.32 ± 0.07 ρmol cm-2min-1. The accumulation of 14C-sucrose in the bath in the presence of inhibitors, phloretin, phloridzin, and trehalose was observed. Inhibitory analysis showed that phloridzin, an inhibitor of Na+-dependent mucosal glucose transport, decreased MS 14C-sucrose transport suggesting that MS 14C-sucrose radioactive flux may partially involve an SGLT-1-like transporter. Phloretin, a known inhibitor of Na+-independent basolateral glucose transport, decreased MS 14C-sucrose transport, suggesting that some 14C-sucrose radioactivity may be transported to the blood by a GLUT 2-like carrier. Decreased MS 14C-sucrose transport was also observed in the presence of trehalose, a disaccharide containing D-glucose moieties. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was used to identify the chemical nature of radioactively labeled sugars in the bath following transport. TLC revealed 14C-sucrose was transported across the intestine largely as an intact molecule with no 14C-glucose or 14C-fructose appearing in the serosal bath or luminal perfusate. Bath samples evaporated to dryness and resuspended disclosed only 15% volatile metabolites. Results of this study strongly suggest that disaccharide sugars can be transported intact across animal intestine and provide support for the occurrence of a disaccharide membrane transporter that has not previously been functionally characterized.

MSCAGR (Plant Production) / Department of Plant Production / Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an excellent utilizer of residual soil moisture in agricultural ecosystems. However, its seed quality and hence reproduction is constrained by water stress, seed size and storage conditions. This study was carried out at the University of KwaZulu- Natal (UKZN), Pietermaritzburg Campus. It was conducted to evaluate the performance of chickpea genotypes (Desi-K, Saina-K and ICCV-K) with different seed sizes on seedling emergence (i), seed ageing effect on seed quality and imbibition of genotypes produced under water stressed and non-stressed conditions (ii), and (iii) the effect of water stress during seed development on sugars and protein accumulation, germination and seed vigour. Pot experiments were conducted under glasshouse / tunnel conditions at the Controlled Environment Facilities (CEF). The experiment for objective 1 was laid out as a single factor in completely randomized design (CRD). Data on emergence rate, final hypocotyl and complete emergence was collected. The small seeded Desi-K showed higher and faster emergence compared to medium sized Saina-K and large seeded ICCV-K. In the experiment of the second objective, seeds of the three genotypes were first obtained by production under water stressed and non-stressed growing conditions. They were then aged for 0, 1, 3, 5, or 7 days at 41 ºC and 100% relative humidity to form a 2 x 3 x 5 (water levels x genotypes x ageing) factorial design. Data was collected on germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (MGT), electrical conductivity (EC), tetrazolium chloride test (TZ) and imbibition weight. Seed ageing caused progressive loss of seed viability and vigour in all genotypes, which resulted in lower GP, delayed MGT, reduced TZ staining, cell death and high solute leakage from the seeds produced under the two water regimes. However, the effect was more severe under water stressed conditions. In the experiment for objective 3, seeds of all three genotypes were larger when grown under non-stressed condition compared to those under water stressed condition. These larger seeds had higher seed viability and germination percentage but lower electrical conductivity and mean germination time. Stressed seeds had higher soluble sugars than non-stressed seeds. It was deduced that irrigation during seed development reduces the final sugars and protein content but increases the seed size and physiological quality parameters allied to production of chickpea. Therefore, water provision to chickpea crop is critical during seed development. / NRF

Les insectes endophytophages, tels que les insectes foreurs de tiges, les galligènes et les mineurs de feuilles, vivent et se nourrissent à l’intérieur des végétaux. L'hypothèse de l'alimentation sélective stipule que ces organismes endophytes possèdent un avantage adaptatif par rapport aux ectophages en accédant aux tissus les plus nutritifs tout en évitant les principaux composés défensifs de la plante. Ce comportement d’alimentation sélective peut être également renforcé par une manipulation de la physiologie de la plante comme cela a été démontré chez les insectes galligènes mais également suggéré chez certains insectes mineurs. Ces derniers sont en effet capables d’induire un phénotype « îles vertes » qui se manifestent par la persistance de la photosynthèse au niveau de la zone minée à l'automne alors que le reste de la feuille entre en sénescence et jaunit. L’objectif de notre étude a été d’étudier, en conditions de terrain, les capacités de manipulation du végétal dans le système Malus domestica / Phyllonorycter blancardella. Cet insecte hautement spécialisé complète l’ensemble de son développement dans une zone restreinte d’une seule feuille. / Endophytophagous insects, such as stem-boring, gall-forming and leaf-mining insects, live within plant tissues and feed internally. The selective feeding hypothesis states that this life-style presumably provides adaptive advantages for the insect over other external-feeding modes by allowing access to most nutritional tissues while avoiding main plant defensive compounds. This selective feeding behavior can be reinforced by manipulating the plant physiology which has been clearly demonstrated in gallers but also suggested in leaf-miner insects due to the autumnal formation of “green islands” around mining caterpillars in yellow leaves. This study aimed to investigate, under field conditions, the ability of insects to manipulate their host-plant in the Malus domestica / Phyllonorycter blancardella biological system. This insect is highly specialized and entirely develops within a restricted area of a single leaf. We first characterized the plant-insect interface by describing larval mouthparts and leaf anatomy alterations resulting from the insect feeding activity.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] La citricultura se enfrenta a escenarios ambientales cambiantes que provocan diferentes estreses bióticos y abióticos que pueden dificultar la producción o afectar a la calidad de la fruta. El patrón sobre el cual se injerta una variedad específica es una importante herramienta para mejorar su adaptabilidad a cada área de cultivo. En la presente Tesis se realiza el estudio del efecto del patrón sobre la calidad físico-química y nutricional de la fruta en variedades de gran interés comercial en la actualidad, mandarinas 'Clemenules' y 'Tango' y naranjas sanguinas 'Tarocco Rosso' y 'Moro'. En 'Clemenules' se llevó a cabo la evaluación de la calidad de la fruta de árboles injertados sobre ocho patrones en tres momentos de cosecha durante dos campañas. Los patrones Forner-Alcaide 13 y C-35 destacaron por adelantar el cambio de color, lo que es de gran interés comercial. Por otra parte, Forner-Alcaide V17 destacó por mantener niveles óptimos de acidez hasta el final de la campaña y presentar el mayor contenido en vitamina C, flavonoides, glucosa y fructosa. Carrizo Citrange también indujo altas concentraciones de sacarosa y vitamina C. 'Tango' es una mandarina de reciente introducción en el área mediterránea de gran interés por su periodo de recolección tardío. En esta Tesis se abordó el estudio de los cambios en la calidad fisicoquímica, nutricional y sensorial de la mandarina 'Tango' injertada sobre dos patrones (Carrizo Citrange y Forner-Alcaide 5) en las dos áreas principales de producción de Andalucía. Los resultados revelaron que la calidad de la fruta se vio influenciada por la localización de las parcelas, lo que se relacionó con la composición de la textura del suelo. En ambas localizaciones, Forner-Alcaide 5 indujo mayor contenido en acidez, sólidos solubles totales, sacarosa, vitamina C y ácido cítrico en la fruta. Las determinaciones físico-químicas, junto con la evaluación sensorial permitieron establecer el momento óptimo de recolección dependiendo de las diferentes condiciones estudiadas. También se ha incluido un estudio del comportamiento postcosecha de esta variedad, ya que no existían datos en nuestras condiciones de cultivo. La mandarina 'Tango' presentó síntomas externos de daños por frío a partir de los 20 días almacenada a 1°C y 5°C. Se realizó un estudio micro-estructural para caracterizar la alteración. Los frutos del patrón Forner-Alcaide 5 presentaron una menor incidencia de los daños por frío. El almacenamiento a 9°C no comprometió la calidad externa o interna. Dentro del grupo de naranjas, en los últimos años existe una creciente demanda por las naranjas sanguinas para su consumo en fresco. Para evaluar el efecto del patrón se tomaron las variedades 'Moro' y 'Tarocco Rosso' injertadas sobre ocho patrones. La calidad interna se vio afectada por el momento de cosecha, siendo más evidente en 'Moro'. En ambas variedades el patrón afectó a los parámetros de calidad durante la maduración. En 'Moro', se observó una reducción en el color del zumo debido a la degradación de los antocianos, siendo los patrones C-35, Macrophylla y Volkameriana los que mostraron un mayor descenso. Esta degradación se relacionó con los cambio de la temperatura durante el periodo de recolección. En 'Tarocco Rosso' no se evidenció ninguna degradación, lo que sugiere que esta variedad es menos sensible a los cambios de temperatura. En esta variedad Forner-Alcaide 5 y Forner-Alcaide 13 produjeron fruta con mayor contenido en antocianos y azúcares. Además se llevó a cabo el estudio de la aptitud a la frigoconservación de las variedades de sanguinas 'Tarocco Rosso' y 'Sanguinelli'. Mientras que la calidad interna no se vio afectada por el almacenamiento (1°C, 5°C y 9°C) durante 45 días, la fruta presentó síntomas de daños por frío a 1°C. 'Sanguinelli' presentó mayor incidencia que 'Tarocco Rosso'. Estas sanguinas se pueden almacenar entre 5 y 9°C / [CA] La citricultura s'enfronta constantment a escenaris ambientals canviants que provoquen diferents estressos biòtics i abiòtics. El patró sobre el qual s'empelta una varietat específica és una important eina per a millorar la seua adaptabilitat agronòmica en cada àrea de cultiu. En la present Tesi s'ha dut a terme l'estudi de l'efecte del patró sobre la qualitat físic-química i nutricional de la fruita en varietats de gran interés comercial, mandarines 'Clemenules' i 'Tango' i, taronges sanguines 'Tarocco Rosso' i 'Moro'. En 'Clemenules' es va dur a terme l'avaluació de la qualitat de la fruita d'arbres empeltats sobre huit patrons en tres moments de collita, en dues campanyes. Entre els patrons avaluats, Forner-Alcaide 13 i C-35 van destacar per avançar el canvi de color. D'altra banda Forner-Alcaide V17 va destacar per mantindre nivells òptims d'acidesa fins al final de la campanya i va presentar el major contingut en vitamina C, flavonoides, glucosa i fructosa. Carrizo Citrange també va induir altes concentracions de sacarosa i vitamina C en la fruita. 'Tango' és una mandarina de recent introducció en l'àrea mediterrània amb gran interés pel seu període de recol·lecció que comença quan finalitza el de les clementines. En la present Tesi es van estudiar els canvis en la qualitat físic-química, nutricional i sensorial de la mandarina Tango empeltada sobre dos patrons (Carrizo Citrange i Forner-Alcaide 5) durant el període de collita en les dues àrees principals de producció d'Andalusia. La qualitat de la fruita es va veure influenciada per la localització, la qual cosa es va relacionar amb la composició de la textura del sòl. En totes dues localitzacions, Forner-Alcaide 5 va ser el patró que va induir major contingut en acidesa, sòlids solubles totals, sacarosa, vitamina C i àcid cítric en la fruita. Les determinacions físic-químiques i l'avaluació sensorial van permetre establir el moment òptim de recol·lecció depenent de les diferents condicions estudiades. També s'ha inclòs un estudi del comportament postcollita d'aquesta varietat, ja que no existien dades en les nostres condicions de cultiu. La mandarina 'Tango' va presentar símptomes externs de danys per fred a partir dels 20 dies emmagatzemada a 1°C i 5°C. Es va realitzar un estudi micro-estructural per a caracteritzar l'alteració provocada per les baixes temperatures. Els fruits del patró Forner-Alcaide 5 van presentar una menor incidència dels danys per fred. L'emmagatzematge a 9°C no va comprometre la qualitat externa o interna d'aquesta varietat. Dins del grup de taronges, en els últims anys existeix una creixent demanda per les taronges sanguines pel seu consum en fresc. Per a avaluar l'efecte del patró sobre sanguines es van prendre dues varietats, 'Moro' i 'Tarocco Rosso' empeltades sobre huit patrons. La qualitat interna es va veure influenciada pel moment de collita, la qual cosa va ser més evident en la varietat 'Moro'. En totes dues varietats el patró va afectar els canvis en els paràmetres de qualitat estudiats. En 'Moro', es va observar una reducció en el color del suc degut a la degradació del antocians. Aquesta degradació es va relacionar amb el canvi de la temperatura experimentada durant el període de recol·lecció. 'Tarocco Rosso' és menys sensible als canvis de temperatura. En aquesta varietat els patrons Forner-Alcaide 5 i Forner-Alcaide 13 van produir la fruita amb major contingut en antocianos i sucres. A mes s'aporta l'estudi de l'aptitud a la frigoconservació en les sanguines 'Tarocco Rosso' i 'Sanguinelli'. Mentre que la qualitat interna no es va veure afectada per l'emmagatzematge a cap de les temperatures assajades (1°C, 5°C i 9°C) durant 45 dies, la fruita va presentar símptomes de danys per fred a 1°C. `Sanguinelli' va presentar major incidència que 'Tarocco Rosso'. La fruita es pot emmagatzemar entre 5°C i 9°C durant 30 dies en el cas de 'Sanguinelli' i fins a 45 en e / [EN] Citriculture faces changing environmental scenarios that cause biotic and abiotic stress. The rootstock onto which a specific variety is grafted is an important tool to help to improve its agronomic adaptability to each crop area. The present Thesis was carried out to study the effect of rootstock on physico-chemical and nutritional fruit quality in some varieties of commercial interest today: 'Clemenules' and 'Tango' mandarins, and 'Tarocco Rosso' and 'Moro' blood oranges. In 'Clemenules', the fruit of the trees grafted into eight rootstocks at three harvest times was evaluated by performing studies during two seasons. Forner-Alcaide 13 and C-35 Citrange stood out for their earlier color change, which is very interesting for this variety, in which early harvesting is a relevant aspect from the commercial point of view. Forner-Alcaide V17 stood out for maintaining optimum acidity levels until the season ended and presented the highest contents in vitamin C, flavonoids, glucose and fructose. Carrizo Citrange brought about high concentrations of sucrose and vitamin C in fruit. 'Tango' is a mandarin variety that has been recently introduced into the Mediterranean Region. Its harvest time is very interesting because it starts when that of clementines ends. The present Thesis studies changes in the physico-chemical, nutritional and sensorial quality of 'Tango' fruit grafted onto two rootstocks (Carrizo Citrange and Forner-Alcaide 5) during the harvest period in the two main production areas in Andalusia. The results revealed that fruit quality during harvest was influenced by the location, which was particularly related to soil texture composition. In both areas, Forner-Alcaide 5 was the rootstock that induced higher acidity content, and more total soluble solids, sucrose, vitamin C and citric acid in fruit. The physico-chemical determinations, along with the sensorial evaluation, allowed the optimum harvest time to be established depending on the different studied conditions. This Thesis also includes a study about this variety's postharvest behavior as no data are available for our crop conditions. The 'Tango' mandarin presented outer chilling injury symptoms after being stored for 20 days at 1°C and 5°C. A microstructural study was done to characterize the alteration caused by low temperatures. The Forner-Alcaide 5 rootstock fruit showed a lower chilling injury incidence. Storage at 9°C did not compromise quality fruit. Among oranges, demand for blood oranges to be eaten fresh has grown in recent years, basically due to their high content in anthocyanins and their positive effect for human health. To assess the effect that rootstock had on blood oranges, two varieties were taken, 'Moro' and 'Tarocco Rosso', grafted onto eight rootstocks. Internal quality was strongly influenced by harvest time, which was more evident for 'Moro'. In both varieties, rootstock affected changes in the quality parameter studied. In 'Moro', juice color faded as anthocyanins degraded, and rootstocks C-35 Citrange, Macrophylla and Volkameriana showed the most marked reduction. Such anthocyanin degradation was related to the change in temperature that took place during the harvest period. In 'Tarocco Rosso', anthocyanins did not undergo degradation, which suggests that this variety is less sensitive to changes in temperature. In this variety, rootstocks Forner-Alcaide 5 and Forner-Alcaide 13 gave fruit with a higher content of anthocyanins and sugars. This Thesis also includes a study of the suitability of cold storage of two blood orange varieties: 'Tarocco Rosso' and 'Sanguinelli'. Although storage at any tested temperature (1°C, 5°C and 9°C) did not affect internal quality for 45 days, fruit displayed chilling injury symptoms at 1°C, with a higher incidence for 'Sanguinelli' than for 'Tarocco Rosso'. Fruit can be stored between 5°C and 9°C for 30 days for 'Sanguinelli' and for up to 45 days with 'Tarocco Rosso'. / This study has been supported by Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias and co-financed by FEDER and European Social Fund. The authors thank Anecoop S. Coop. and Frutaria Agricultura, S.L for supplying the fruit herein used and its technical support. / Morales Alfaro, J. (2021). Effect of Rootstock on the Fruit Quality of Mandarins "Clemenules" and "Tango", and Blood Oranges "Tarocco Rosso" and "Moro" [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/165858 / Compendio