ALBERT

Notes: Adsorption isotherms of mechanically mixed and freeze-dried mixtures of NaCl/casein at solute percentages of 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 (wet basis) were obtained over the aw range 0.23–0.927 at 20°C. Experimental isotherm values were compared to those calculated by a mass balance equation. The mechanically mixed samples sorbed additively as predicted by the mass balance equation below 0.755 aw, whereas the freeze-dried mixtures sorbed more water than predicted (positive interaction) below 0.755 aw, Both types of mixtures sorbed less water than predicted by the mass balance equation (negative interaction) above the saturation aw of the NaCl, 0.755.

Notes: The effects of concentration, type and level of ingredients, heat and freeze/thaw treatments on the water mobility of starch-based fat re-placers were investigated. Water mobility in the starch-based fat re-placer samples containing gums, proteins or emulsifiers was similar to that of samples without additional ingredients. Water mobility was not affected by heat treatment, but was increased by freeze/thaw treatments. Water mobility in the solute containing samples was lower than in samples without additional ingredients and changed only slightly after heat and freeze/thaw treatments.

Notes: Interactions between sucrose and casein were investigated by adsorption isotherms. Mechanically mixed and freeze-dried sucrose/casein mixtures at sucrose percentages of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20% (wet basis) were compared to calculated isotherms using the mass balance equation, over the aw range 0.23–0.93 at 20°C. The mechanical mixtures did not exhibit solute/polymer interactions. The freeze-dried systems showed positive interaction (i.e., sorbed more water than calculated) for 1 and 5% sucrose at all aw values. For the 10, 15 and 20% sucrose mixtures, positive interaction continued below 0.86 aw; however, above 0.86 aw, no interaction was apparent. That is, experimental sorption values equaled calculated values.

Notes: Reduced ascorbic acid (RAA) content, total chlorophyll and green color retention, enzyme activities and texture changes were followed in broccoli spears packaged in polymeric film and nonpackaged during 96 hr storage (10°C). Concentrations within packages monitored by gas chromatography were (CO2,) 8% and (02) 10%. RAA retention, moisture content, total chlorophyll and color retention were greater in packaged broccoli. No differences were found between packaged and nonpackaged broccoli for ascorbate oxidase and peroxidase activities, or texture.

Notes: Abstract The North Shore Volcanic Group in northern Minnesota is part of the Middle Proterozoic Keweenawan sequence, one of the largest plateau lava provinces in the world. The primary geochemistry of the basalts suggests that volcanism occurred in an intracontinental rift environment. The subaerial lava flows, mainly amygdaloidal olivine tholeiites and tholeiites, have undergone low-grade metamorphism from zeolite to lower greenschist facies. On the basis of alteration phases replacing the primary magmatic minerals, infilling amygdales and veins, and replacing secondary minerals, the following zones have been distinguished: (1) thomsonite-scolecite-smectite, (2) heulandite-stilbite-smectite, (3) laumontitechlorite-albite, (4) laumontite-chlorite-albite ± prehnite ± pumpellyite and (5) epidote-chlorite-albite ± actinolite zone.In addition to the overall zonation based on mineral parageneses, zonations in the composition of the Ab content of the newly formed albite replacing primary Ca-rich plagioclase and of the newly formed mafic phyllosilicates are observed within the sequence and within single flows. Mafic phyllosilicates in the upper part of the sequence (mainly smectites and mixed-layer smectite/chlorites) display high Si and Ca + Na + K contents, whereas in the lower part of the sequence the amounts of Si and Ca + Na + K are markedly lower (mainly chlorites and mixed-layer chlorite/smectites). Similar zonations are observed within the individual flows. The albite content of the newly formed plagioclase is highest, and the Si and Ca + Na + K content of the phyllosilicates lowest in the amygdaloidal flow top while the opposite is true for the massive flow interior.The above features suggest that the overall pattern is one of burial-type metamorphism associated with extension in the rift setting. In detail, the mineral assemblages are controlled not only by the stratigraphic position but also by the flow morphology controlling permeability whose effect on the assemblages is most pronounced in the stratigraphically upper parts. This suggests that at the first stages of alteration (lowest grade) the patterns of fluid flow were important effects in controlling the assemblages. At greater burial depth, assemblages are more homogeneous, perhaps representative of a more even and pervasive flow pattern.Using the observed assemblages at face value to define grade and/or facies, different conditions would be assigned within the different morphological flow portions. Thus at low-grade metamorphic conditions it is essential to integrate assemblages from different morphological flow portions in order to define satisfactorily the overall metamorphic conditions.

Notes: The characteristics of nitrogen acquisition, transport and assimilation were investigated in species of an Atlantic Forest succession over calcareous soil in south-eastern Brazil. Differences in behaviour were observed within the regeneration guilds. Pioneer species showed high leaf nitrogen contents, a high capacity to respond to increased soil nitrogen availability, a high capacity for leaf nitrate assimilation and were characterized by the transport of nitrate + asparagine. At the other end of the succession, late secondary species had low leaf nitrogen contents, little capacity to respond to increased soil nitrogen availability, low leaf nitrate assimilation and were active in the transport of asparagine + arginine. The characteristics of nitrogen nutrition in some early secondary species showed similarities to those of pioneer species whereas others more closely resembled late secondary species. Average leaf δ15N values increased along the successional gradient. The results indicate that the nitrogen metabolism characteristics of species may be an additional ecophysiological tool in classifying tropical forest tree species into ecological guilds, and may have implications for regeneration programmes in degraded areas.

Notes: Nitrate was found to be the predominant form of available nitrogen in mulga soils. Nitrate reductase activities on a fresh mass basis of a range of plants from eastern (Queensland) mulga ecosystems 2 weeks after partial relief from drought were uniformly low for both herbaceous species (165 ± 25 pkat g−1) and woody perennials (77 ± 14 pkat g−1). Supply of nitrate for 24 h to cut transpiring shoots of woody species or application of nitrate solution to the rooting zone of herbaceous species promoted little further increase in mean shoot nitrate reductase activities. Most species exhibited high tissue nitrate concentrations during water stress and soluble organic N profiles were in many cases dominated by the osmoprotective compounds, proline or glycine betaine. Species with low levels of proline or glycine betaine showed high foliar concentrations of other compatible osmotica such as polyols or sugars. Effects of relieving water stress on nitrate reductase activity, proline, glycine betaine and nitrate levels were followed over, 3d of irrigation. Available soil nitrate rose 10-fold immediately and, following rapid restoration of leaf water status of the eight study species, a 4-fold increase occurred in mean nitrate reductase activity together with progressive decreases in mean tissue concentrations of nitrate, proline and glycine betaine over the 3 d period. Similar changes in soil nitrate, nitrate reductase activity, proline and tissue nitrate were observed in the same ecosystem following a natural rainfall event and in western (S.W. Australia) mulga following irrigation. It is concluded that, although nitrate nitrogen is present at high concentrations and is the predominant inorganic nitrogen source in soils of the mulga biogeographic region, its assimilation by perennial and ephemeral vegetation is limited primarily by water availability. A scheme is presented depicting interrelated physiological and biochemical events in typical mulga species following a rain event and subsequent drying out of the habitat.

Notes: Protein, amino acids and ammonium were the main forms of soluble soil nitrogen in the soil solution of a subtropical heathland (wallum). After fire, soil ammonium and nitrate increased 90- and 60-fold, respectively. Despite this increase in nitrate availability after fire, wallum species exhibited uniformly low nitrate reductase activities and low leaf and xylem nitrate. During waterlogging soil amino acids increased, particularly γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which accounted for over 50% of amino nitrogen. Non-mycorrhizal wallum species were significantly (P 〈 0.05) 15N-enriched (0.3–4.3‰) compared to species with mycorrhizal associations (ericoid-type, ecto-, va-mycorrhizal) which were strongly depleted in 15N (-6.3 to -1.8‰). Lignotubers and roots had δ15N signatures similar to that of the leaves of respective species. The exceptions were fine roots of ecto-, ecto/va-, and ericoid type mycorrhizal species which were enriched in 15N (0.1–2.4‰). The 515N signatures of δ15Ntotal soil N and δ15Nsoil NH4+ were in the range 3.7–4.5‰, whereas δ15Nsoil NO3− was significantly (P 〈 0.05) more enriched in 15N (9.2–9.8‰). It is proposed that there is discrimination against 15N during transfer of nitrogen from fungal to plant partner. Roots of selected species incorporated nitrogen sources in the order of preference: ammonium 〉 glycine 〉 nitrate. The exception were proteoid roots of Hakea (Proteaceae) which incorporated equal amounts of glycine and ammonium.

Notes: The foliar natural abundance of 15N was analysed to compare the potential nitrogen sources of vascular rainforest epiphytes and associated soil-rooted trees. Leaves of epiphytes collected from six rainforest communities in Brazil, Australia and the Solomon Islands were depleted in 15N relative to the trees at each site. Epiphyte δ15N was as low as -6.4%o, while trees were generally enriched in 15N (0.7 to 3.5%o). These results indicate either that epiphytes use nitrogen sources depleted in 15N or that discrimination against 15N is an intrinsic function of epiphyte physiology. At three sites, epiphytes could be grouped into those having both low δ15N and low leaf-nitrogen content and those possessing both high δ15N and high leaf-nitrogen content. The second group had δ15N values in the range sometimes attributable to N2 fixation (-2 to 0%o). There was no correlation between growth form and δ15N. It is concluded that epiphytes may utilize 15N-depleted nitrogen from atmospheric deposition and N2 fixation.