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Monica Gonzalez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Optimizing conditions for the extraction of pigments in cochineals (Dactylopius coccus Costa) using response surface methodology
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2002Co-Authors: Monica Gonzalez, Aurelio Carnero, Jesus Mendez, M. Gloria Lobo, Ana M. AfonsoAbstract:A simple method was developed for the extraction and determination of color pigments in cochineals (Dactylopius coccus Costa). The procedure was based on the solvent extraction of pigments in insect samples using methanol:water (65:35, v:v) as extractant. Two-level factorial design was used in order to optimize the solvent extraction parameters: temperature, time, methanol concentration in the extractant mixture, and the number of extractions. The results suggest that the number of extractions is statistically the most significant factor. The separation and determination of the pigments was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-visible detection. Because the absorption spectra of different pigments are different in the visible region, it is convenient to use a diode array detector to obtain chromatographic profiles that allow for the characterization of the extracted pigments.
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optimizing conditions for the extraction of pigments in cochineals Dactylopius coccus costa using response surface methodology
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2002Co-Authors: Monica Gonzalez, Aurelio Carnero, Jesus Mendez, Gloria M Lobo, Ana AfonsoAbstract:A simple method was developed for the extraction and determination of color pigments in cochineals (Dactylopius coccus Costa). The procedure was based on the solvent extraction of pigments in insect samples using methanol:water (65:35, v:v) as extractant. Two-level factorial design was used in order to optimize the solvent extraction parameters: temperature, time, methanol concentration in the extractant mixture, and the number of extractions. The results suggest that the number of extractions is statistically the most significant factor. The separation and determination of the pigments was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV−visible detection. Because the absorption spectra of different pigments are different in the visible region, it is convenient to use a diode array detector to obtain chromatographic profiles that allow for the characterization of the extracted pigments. Keywords: Natural colorants; Dactylopius coccus Costa; food analysis; solvent extraction; experimental de...
H. G Zimmermann - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the biology of Dactylopius tomentosus hemiptera dactylopiidae
Bulletin of Entomological Research, 2009Co-Authors: Catherine W Mathenge, Paul Holford, John H. Hoffmann, George A Beattie, Robert Spoonerhart, H. G ZimmermannAbstract:Dactylopius tomentosus (Lamarck) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) is a cochineal insect whose host range is restricted to Cylindropuntia species (Caryophyllales: Cactaceae). This insect has been utilized successfully for biological control of Cylindropuntia imbricata (Haw.) F.M. Knuth in Australia and South Africa. Despite this, its biology has not been studied previously, probably due to the widely held belief that the biology of all Dactylopius species is similar. This study investigated the life cycle and the morphological and reproductive characteristics of D. tomentosus. Results revealed some unique characteristics of D. tomentosus: (i) eggs undergo a much longer incubation period, an average of 17 days compared to <1 day in its congeners; (ii) eggs are laid singly but are retained as an egg mass secured in a mesh of waxy threads attached to the female; (iii) the developmental times of males and females are longer compared to other Dactylopius spp. due to a longer egg incubation period; (iv) D. tomentosus does not undergo parthenogenesis; (v) D. tomentosus is smaller in size than its congeners; and (vi) male mating capacity and reproductive potential were both high and variable between males. There was a significant, strong, positive relationship (r = 0.93) between female mass and fecundity, whereas the relationship between the number of females mated per male that became gravid and their fecundity was negative (r = -0.68). Besides contributing to our knowledge of this economically important species, the finding of unique characteristics of D. tomentosus biology underlines the need to study each species in this genus.
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The biology of Dactylopius tomentosus (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae).
Bulletin of entomological research, 2009Co-Authors: Catherine W Mathenge, Paul Holford, John H. Hoffmann, Robert Spooner-hart, George A Beattie, H. G ZimmermannAbstract:Dactylopius tomentosus (Lamarck) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) is a cochineal insect whose host range is restricted to Cylindropuntia species (Caryophyllales: Cactaceae). This insect has been utilized successfully for biological control of Cylindropuntia imbricata (Haw.) F.M. Knuth in Australia and South Africa. Despite this, its biology has not been studied previously, probably due to the widely held belief that the biology of all Dactylopius species is similar. This study investigated the life cycle and the morphological and reproductive characteristics of D. tomentosus. Results revealed some unique characteristics of D. tomentosus: (i) eggs undergo a much longer incubation period, an average of 17 days compared to
Ana Afonso - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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optimizing conditions for the extraction of pigments in cochineals Dactylopius coccus costa using response surface methodology
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2002Co-Authors: Monica Gonzalez, Aurelio Carnero, Jesus Mendez, Gloria M Lobo, Ana AfonsoAbstract:A simple method was developed for the extraction and determination of color pigments in cochineals (Dactylopius coccus Costa). The procedure was based on the solvent extraction of pigments in insect samples using methanol:water (65:35, v:v) as extractant. Two-level factorial design was used in order to optimize the solvent extraction parameters: temperature, time, methanol concentration in the extractant mixture, and the number of extractions. The results suggest that the number of extractions is statistically the most significant factor. The separation and determination of the pigments was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV−visible detection. Because the absorption spectra of different pigments are different in the visible region, it is convenient to use a diode array detector to obtain chromatographic profiles that allow for the characterization of the extracted pigments. Keywords: Natural colorants; Dactylopius coccus Costa; food analysis; solvent extraction; experimental de...
Ana M. Afonso - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Optimizing conditions for the extraction of pigments in cochineals (Dactylopius coccus Costa) using response surface methodology
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2002Co-Authors: Monica Gonzalez, Aurelio Carnero, Jesus Mendez, M. Gloria Lobo, Ana M. AfonsoAbstract:A simple method was developed for the extraction and determination of color pigments in cochineals (Dactylopius coccus Costa). The procedure was based on the solvent extraction of pigments in insect samples using methanol:water (65:35, v:v) as extractant. Two-level factorial design was used in order to optimize the solvent extraction parameters: temperature, time, methanol concentration in the extractant mixture, and the number of extractions. The results suggest that the number of extractions is statistically the most significant factor. The separation and determination of the pigments was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-visible detection. Because the absorption spectra of different pigments are different in the visible region, it is convenient to use a diode array detector to obtain chromatographic profiles that allow for the characterization of the extracted pigments.
Mónica Rosenblueth - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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metatranscriptomic analysis of the bacterial symbiont dactylopiibacterium carminicum from the carmine cochineal Dactylopius coccus hemiptera coccoidea dactylopiidae
Life, 2019Co-Authors: Rafael Bustamantebrito, Arturo Vera-ponce De León, Mónica Rosenblueth, Julio Martinezromero, Esperanza MartinezromeroAbstract:The scale insect Dactylopius coccus produces high amounts of carminic acid, which has historically been used as a pigment by pre-Hispanic American cultures. Nowadays carmine is found in food, cosmetics, and textiles. Metagenomic approaches revealed that Dactylopius spp. cochineals contain two Wolbachia strains, a betaproteobacterium named Candidatus Dactylopiibacterium carminicum and Spiroplasma, in addition to different fungi. We describe here a transcriptomic analysis indicating that Dactylopiibacterium is metabolically active inside the insect host, and estimate that there are over twice as many Dactylopiibacterium cells in the hemolymph than in the gut, with even fewer in the ovary. Albeit scarce, the transcripts in the ovaries support the presence of Dactylopiibacterium in this tissue and a vertical mode of transmission. In the cochineal, Dactylopiibacterium may catabolize plant polysaccharides, and be active in carbon and nitrogen provisioning through its degradative activity and by fixing nitrogen. In most insects, nitrogen-fixing bacteria are found in the gut, but in this study they are shown to occur in the hemolymph, probably delivering essential amino acids and riboflavin to the host from nitrogen substrates derived from nitrogen fixation.
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Candidatus Dactylopiibacterium carminicum, a Nitrogen-Fixing Symbiont of Dactylopius Cochineal Insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae).
Genome biology and evolution, 2017Co-Authors: Arturo Vera-ponce De León, Ernesto Ormeño-orrillo, Mónica Rosenblueth, Shamayim T. Ramírez-puebla, Mauro Degli Esposti, Julio Martínez-romero, Esperanza Martínez-romeroAbstract:The domesticated carmine cochineal Dactylopius coccus (scale insect) has commercial value and has been used for more than 500 years for natural red pigment production. Besides the domesticated cochineal, other wild Dactylopius species such as Dactylopius opuntiae are found in the Americas, all feeding on nutrient poor sap from native cacti. To compensate nutritional deficiencies, many insects harbor symbiotic bacteria which provide essential amino acids or vitamins to their hosts. Here, we characterized a symbiont from the carmine cochineal insects, Candidatus Dactylopiibacterium carminicum (betaproteobacterium, Rhodocyclaceae family) and found it in D. coccus and in D. opuntiae ovaries by fluorescent in situ hybridization, suggesting maternal inheritance. Bacterial genomes recovered from metagenomic data derived from whole insects or tissues both from D. coccus and from D. opuntiae were around 3.6 Mb in size. Phylogenomics showed that dactylopiibacteria constituted a closely related clade neighbor to nitrogen fixing bacteria from soil or from various plants including rice and other grass endophytes. Metabolic capabilities were inferred from genomic analyses, showing a complete operon for nitrogen fixation, biosynthesis of amino acids and vitamins and putative traits of anaerobic or microoxic metabolism as well as genes for plant interaction. Dactylopiibacterium nif gene expression and acetylene reduction activity detecting nitrogen fixation were evidenced in D. coccus hemolymph and ovaries, in congruence with the endosymbiont fluorescent in situ hybridization location. Dactylopiibacterium symbionts may compensate for the nitrogen deficiency in the cochineal diet. In addition, this symbiont may provide essential amino acids, recycle uric acid, and increase the cochineal life span.
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fungal community associated with Dactylopius hemiptera coccoidea dactylopiidae and its role in uric acid metabolism
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2016Co-Authors: A. Leon, Alejandro Sanchezflores, Mónica Rosenblueth, Esperanza MartinezromeroAbstract:In this work, we study fungal species associated with the carmine cochineal Dactylopius coccus and other non-domesticated Dactylopius species, using culture-dependent and -independent methods. Thirty seven fungi were isolated in various culture media from insect males and females, from different developmental stages and Dactylopius species. 26S rRNA genes and ITS sequences, from cultured fungal isolates revealed different species of Cryptococcus, Rhodotorula, Debaryomyces, Trametes, Pichia and Penicillium, which are genera newly associated with Dactylopius. Uric acid (UA) and uricase activity were detected in tissues extracts from different insect developmental stages. However, accumulation of high UA levels and low uricase activities were found only after antifungal treatments, suggesting an important role of fungal species in its metabolism. Additionally, uricolytic fungal isolates were identified and characterized that presumably are involved in nitrogen recycling metabolism. After metagenomic analyses from D. coccus gut and hemolymph DNA and from two published data sets, we confirmed the presence of fungal genes involved in UA catabolism, suggesting that fungi help in the nitrogen recycling process in Dactylopius by uricolysis. All these results show the importance of fungal communities in scale insects such as Dactylopius.
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Genomes of Candidatus Wolbachia Bourtzisii wDacA and Candidatus Wolbachia Pipientis wDacB from the Cochineal Insect Dactylopius coccus (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae)
G3&#58; Genes|Genomes|Genetics, 2016Co-Authors: S. T. Ramirez-puebla, A. Vera-ponce De Leon, L. Lozano, Ernesto Ormeño-orrillo, Mónica Rosenblueth, A Sanchez, Esperanza Martínez-romeroAbstract:Dactylopius species, known as cochineal insects, are the source of the carminic acid dye used worldwide. The presence of two Wolbachia strains in Dactylopius coccus from Mexico was revealed by PCR amplification of wsp and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. A metagenome analysis recovered the genome sequences of Candidatus Wolbachia bourtzisii wDacA (supergroup A) and Candidatus Wolbachia pipientis wDacB (supergroup B). Genome read coverage, as well as 16S rRNA clone sequencing, revealed that wDacB was more abundant than wDacA. The strains shared similar predicted metabolic capabilities that are common to Wolbachia, including riboflavin, ubiquinone, and heme biosynthesis, but lacked other vitamin and cofactor biosynthesis as well as glycolysis, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and sugar uptake systems. A complete tricarboxylic acid cycle and gluconeogenesis were predicted as well as limited amino acid biosynthesis. Uptake and catabolism of proline were evidenced in Dactylopius Wolbachia strains. Both strains possessed WO-like phage regions and type I and type IV secretion systems. Several efflux systems found suggested the existence of metal toxicity within their host. Besides already described putative virulence factors like ankyrin domain proteins, VlrC homologs, and patatin-like proteins, putative novel virulence factors related to those found in intracellular pathogens like Legionella and Mycobacterium are highlighted for the first time in Wolbachia. Candidate genes identified in other Wolbachia that are likely involved in cytoplasmic incompatibility were found in wDacB but not in wDacA.
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The Opuntia (Cactaceae) and Dactylopius (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) in Mexico: a historical perspective of use, interaction and distribution with particular emphasis on chemical and phylogenetic aspects of the Dactylopius species
Acta Horticulturae, 2013Co-Authors: C. K. Chávez-moreno, Mónica Rosenblueth, Shamayim T. Ramírez-puebla, A. Tecante, Alejandro Casas, L.e. Claps, Mabel Fragoso-serrano, P.m. Rogelio, Esperanza Martínez-romeroAbstract:Historical aspects on the use and production of Mexican species of Dactylopius (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) and Opuntia (Cactaceae: Opuntioidae), as well as on their origin, diversity and distribution were investigated. Main issues on the conservation of these taxa are discussed. The colorant of five species of Dactylopius was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector, and phylogeny of these insects was analyzed through PCR amplified 12S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequences. Opuntia and Dactylopius are endemic to the American Continent, Opuntia spp. being among the main components of human diet during pre-agricultural times and their cultivation started several hundred years ago, whereas cochineal was used and probably cultivated at least from the tenth century. Mexico is one of the main areas of diversity of Opuntia, having 83-104 out of nearly 200 species worldwide. More than 50 species are used mainly as food, fodder and medicine and 20 species are cultivated with different degrees of domestication. Dactylopius includes nine species, with five of them naturally occurring in Mexico, with a distribution corresponding with that of their hosts. Arid and semi-arid areas of Mexico are among the most important reservoirs of biological diversity for both genera, particularly for D. coccus. Only D. coccus has been cultivated and domesticated but other wild species have been used throughout history as a source of natural red colorant, among other uses. The chemical analysis allowed each species to be identified on the basis of differences in their metabolic profiles, and to be recognized as a source of colorant. The first molecular analysis of Dactylopius species was obtained. These analyses were useful to describe Dactylopius-Opuntioideae host association. Specific measures for protecting such biodiversity and genetic resources are necessary. Particularly, strategies for in situ conservation associated with the promotion of cochineal use and production are promising policies.
