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Characterizing Diversity Based On Nutritional And Bioactive Compositions Of Yam Germplasm (Dioscorea Spp.) Commonly Cultivated In China, Z.-G. Wu, W. Jiang, M. Nitin, X.-Q. Bao, S.-L. Chen, Z.-M. Tao

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Yams (Dioscorea spp.) are widely cultivated as edible resources and medical materials in China. Characterizing chemical compositions in yam germplasm is crucial to determine their diversity and suitability for food and medicine applications. In this study, a core germplasm containing 25 yam landraces was used to create an effective classification of usage by characterizing their nutritive and medicinal compositions. All studied landraces exhibited high contents of starch from 60.7% to 80.6% dry weight (DW), protein (6.3-12.2% DW), minerals (especially Mg 326.8-544.7 mg/kg DW), and essential amino acids. Allantoin and dioscin varied considerably, with values of 0.62-1.49% DW and 0.032-0.092% DW, …

Dietary Antioxidants And Their Indispensable Role In Periodontal Health, G. Kaur, R. Kathariya, S. Bansal, A. Singh, D. Shahakar

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Periodontitis is an increasing area of interest due to its global prevalence. This inflammatory condition results due to the loss of the critical balance between the virulence factors produced by microorganisms and the inflammatory host response. A number of efforts have been made in the past to address this condition and regain periodontal health. Targeting the root cause by nonsurgical debridement has been considered the gold standard. However, research has shown the possible effects of nutrient deficiency and an imbalanced diet on the periodontium. Therefore, an effort toward the maintenance of optimal conditions as well as improvement of the oral …

Quantitative Analysis Of Insulin In Total Parenteral Nutrition Bag In Taiwan, K.-H. Yu, H.-L. Tsao, S.-J. Lin, C.-Y. Chen

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Regular insulin can reduce hyperglycemia when directly added to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions. Insulin is not routinely added to all TPN solutions. For patients who require insulin prior to the initiation of TPN supplement, one-third to one-half of the usual total daily dose can be added to the TPN bag as regular human insulin. However, an incorrect dose or an interaction between insulin and the TPN bag material may affect blood sugar control in clinical practice. Therefore, it is important to quantitatively determine the final dose of insulin in the TPN bag. High performance liquid chromatography is a very …

Comparative Effect Of Horse Gram And Black Gram On Inflammatory Mediators And Antioxidant Status, V. Rajagopal, C.K. Pushpan, H. Antony

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

A balanced diet is important for the overall wellbeing of an individual. Pulses are an important part of a nutritive diet. Pulses have been consumed for at least 10,000 years and are among the most extensively used foods in the world. They are a rich source of protein and fiber, as well as a significant source of vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, and magnesium. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two pulses, horse gram and black gram, on inflammatory mediators and the antioxidant enzymes. Two sets of experiments were conducted in rats which …

Time Course Effects Of Fermentation On Fatty Acid And Volatile Compound Profiles Of Cheonggukjang Using New Soybean Cultivars, K.M. Cho, H.-J. Lim, M.-S. Kim, D.S. Kim, C.E. Hwang, S.H. Nam, O.S. Joo, B.W. Lee, J.K. Kim, E.-C. Shin

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

In this study, we investigated the effects of the potential probiotic Bacillus subtilis CSY191 on the fatty acid profiles of Cheonggukjang, a fermented soybean paste, prepared using new Korean brown soybean cultivars, protein-rich cultivar (Saedanbaek), and oil-rich cultivar (Neulchan). Twelve fatty acids were identified in the sample set—myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, vaccenic, linoleic, α-linolenic, arachidic, gondoic, behenic, and lignoceric acids—yet, no specific changes driven by fermentation were noted in the fatty acid profiles. To further explore the effects of fermentation of B. subtilis CSY191, complete profiles of volatiles were monitored. In total, 121, 136, and 127 volatile compounds were …

Antibiofilm Activity Of Cashew Juice Pulp Against Staphylococcus Aureus, High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Diode Array Detection And Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analyses, And Interference On Antimicrobial Drugs, M.V. Dias-Souza, Santos R.M. Dos, Siqueira E.P. De, P.H. Ferreira-Marçal

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus infections has evolved in recent years, as this species is a major Gram-positive pathogen associated with healthcare services. The antimicrobial resistance of this species raises an urgent need for new treatment strategies. Fruits play important nutritional and economic roles in society, but their biological and pharmacological features are poorly explored when compared to nonedible parts of plants such as barks and leaves. In this study, we show that the cashew apple juice [cashew juice pulp (CJP)] extract is active against the planktonic cells of S. aureus strains, and for the first time, we show that …

Long-Chain Bases From Sea Cucumber Mitigate Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress And Inflammation In Obesity Mice, S. Hu, J. Wang, J. Wang, C. Xue, Y. Wang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammation can induce hyperglycemia. Long-chain bases (LCBs) from sea cucumber exhibit antihyperglycemic activities. However, their effects on ER stress and inflammation are unknown. We investigated the effects of LCBs on ER stress and inflammatory response in high-fat, fructose diet-induced obesity mice. Reactive oxygen species and free fatty acids were measured. Inflammatory cytokines in serum and their mRNA expressions in epididymal adipose tissues were investigated. Hepatic ER stress-related key genes were detected. c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and nuclear factor κB inflammatory pathways were also evaluated in the liver. Results showed that LCBs reduced serum and hepatic reactive …

Effect Of Storage Temperature And Time On The Nutritional Quality Of Walnut Male Inflorescences, W.-E. Zhang, C.-L. Wang, B.-B. Shi, X.-J. Pan

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of storage temperature and time on nutrients, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activities of walnut male inflorescences. The results showed that the moisture, saccharides, fat, protein, amino acids, ascorbic acid, phenolic and flavonoid compound contents, and antioxidant activities of walnut male inflorescences were markedly influenced by storage temperature, and different degrees of decrease in these parameters were observed during the entire storage period. Moreover, higher storage temperature had a more significant effect on the nutrients, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activities of walnut male flowers, and the loss rate of these components …

Smog Induces Oxidative Stress And Microbiota Disruption, T.-Y. Wong

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Smog is created through the interactions between pollutants in the air, fog, and sunlight. Air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, heavy metals, nitrogen oxides, ozone, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic vapors, and particulate matters, can induce oxidative stress in human directly or indirectly through the formation of reactive oxygen species. The outermost boundary of human skin and mucous layers are covered by a complex network of human-associated microbes. The relation between these microbial communities and their human host are mostly mutualistic. These microbes not only provide nutrients, vitamins, and protection against other pathogens, they also influence human's physical, immunological, nutritional, and …

Bioactive Phytochemicals In Barley, E. Idehen, Y. Tang, S. Sang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that regular consumption of whole grain barley reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases. The presence of barley fiber, especially β-glucan in whole grain barley, has been largely credited for these health benefits. However, it is now widely believed that the actions of the fiber component alone do not explain the observed health benefits associated with the consumption of whole grain barley. Whole grain barley also contains phytochemicals including phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, tocols, phytosterols, and folate. These phytochemicals exhibit strong antioxidant, antiproliferative, and cholesterol lowering abilities, which are potentially useful in lowering the risk …

Biopharmaceutical Potentials Of Prosopis Spp. (Mimosaceae, Leguminosa), S. Henciya, P. Seturaman, A.R. James, Y.-H. Tsai, R. Nikam, Y.-C. Wu, H.-U. Dahms, F.R. Chang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Prosopis is a commercially important plant genus, which has been used since ancient times, particularly for medicinal purposes. Traditionally, Paste, gum, and smoke from leaves and pods are applied for anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial purposes. Components of Prosopis such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, quinones, or phenolic compounds demonstrate potentials in various biofunctions, such as analgesic, anthelmintic, antibiotic, antiemetic, microbial antioxidant, antimalarial, antiprotozoal, antipustule, and antiulcer activities; enhancement of H+, K+, ATPases; oral disinfection; and probiotic and nutritional effects; as well as in other biopharmaceutical applications, such as binding abilities for tablet production. The compound juliflorine provides a cure in …

Improvement Of Nutritional Components And In Vitro Antioxidative Properties Of Soy-Powder Yogurts Using Lactobacillus Plantarum, J.H. Lee, C.E. Hwang, E.J. Cho, Y.H. Song, S.C. Kim, K.M. Cho

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

This research was the first to demonstrate changes in nutritional compositions (isoflavone and CLA) from the 50% methanol extracts of soy-powder milk (SPM) and soy-powder yogurt (SPY) through fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum S48 and P1201 strains. The radical scavenging activities and protective effects against oxidative stress in LLC-PK1 cells were also investigated. The average physicochemical characteristics including acidity and viable cell number as well as β-glucosidase activity increased with 0.2 → 0.7%, 7.5 → 9.8 log cfu/mL, and 0.0 3 → 1.75 U/g in SPYs. Total average isoflavones were considerably reduced (3180.3 → 2018.3 μg/g) with the increase of aglycone …

Bioactive Polyphenols In Kinkéliba Tea (Combretum Micranthum) And Their Glucose-Lowering Activities, C. Welch, J. Zhen, E. Bassène, I. Raskin, J.E. Simon, Q. Wu

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Herbal tea kinkéliba prepared from the leaves of Combretum micranthum has been widely consumed in West African countries for its flavor, nutritional and medicinal properties. Under bio-guided screening, the kinkéliba leaves were chemically investigated using various chromatographic and spectrometric methods that led to the identification of thirteen different flavonoid compounds. Further biological tests illustrated that the identified compounds may have synergistic effects to decrease the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA and glucose production in an H4IIE hepatoma cell line, indicating its potential use for insulin-resistant diabetes treatment. Further in vivo study on C57BL/6J mice indicates that kinkéliba can lower …

A Simple And Robust Quantitative Analysis Of Retinol And Retinyl Palmitate Using A Liquid Chromatographic Isocratic Method, S. Yokota, S. Oshio

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Vitamin A is a vital nutritional substances that regulates biological activities including development, but is also associated with disease onset. The extent of vitamin A intake influences the retinoid content in the liver, the most important organ for the storage of vitamin A. Measurement of endogenous retinoid in biological samples is important to understand retinoid homeostasis. Here we present a reliable, highly sensitive, and robust method for the quantification of retinol and retinyl palmitate using a reverse-phase HPLC/UV isocratic method. We determined the impact of chronic dietary vitamin A on retinoid levels in livers of mice fed an AIN-93G semi-purified …

Rapid Screening Of Toxic Glycoalkaloids And Micronutrients In Edible Nightshades (Solanum Spp.), B. Yuan, D. Byrnes, D. Giurleo, T. Villani, J.E. Simon, Q. Wu

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) because of their nutrient density have the unique potential to reduce micronutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa, yet some may also contain anti-nutritive compounds. Vegetable nightshades from Solanum americanum, Solanum nigrum, Solanum scabrum and Solanum villosum are among the major AIVs used as a leafy vegetables and consumed regularly in many countries in sub-Sahara Africa. These under-recognized food crops have not been subjected to extensive studies for their nutritional and antinutritive factors. In this study, 15 entries of the vegetable nightshades were field-grown and the leaves which are the consumed product of commerce chemically profiled by LC/ESI-MS. …

Corrigendum To “Chemopreventive Effect Of Natural Dietary Compounds On Xenobiotic-Induced Toxicity” [J Food Drug Anal 25 (2017) 176–186] (S1021949816301818) (10.1016/J.Jfda.2016.10.019)), J.-C. Wu, C.-S. Lai, M.-L. Tsai, C.-T. Ho, Y.-J. Wang, M.-H. Pan

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The affiliations of Min-Hsiung Pan were missing. The affiliations should be corrected to: fDepartment of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan gDepartment of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan hInstitute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan © 2017

Fatty Acid Composition And Antibacterial Potential Of Cassia Tora (Leaves And Stem) Collected From Different Geographic Areas Of India, S. Shukla, S. Hegde, A. Kumar, G. Chaudhary, S.K. Tewari, D.K. Upreti, M. Pal

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The comparative analysis of the fatty acid composition of Cassia tora (leaves and stem) was determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Twenty-seven fatty acids were identified in C. tora (leaves and stem) which was collected from three different geographical areas of India: Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Nainital (Uttarakhand), and Bhavnagar (Gujarat), coded as CT-1, CT-2, and CT-3, respectively. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of various saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The major fatty acids found were palmitic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, margaric acid, melissic acid, and behenic acid. The highest amounts of saturated fatty acids were found in …

Metabolite Profiling, Antioxidant, And Α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities Of Germinated Rice: Nuclear-Magnetic-Resonance-Based Metabolomics Study, P. Pramai, Hamid N.A. Abdul, A. Mediani, M. Maulidiani, F. Abas, S. Jiamyangyuen

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

In an attempt to profile the metabolites of three different varieties of germinated rice, specifically black (GBR), red, and white rice, a 1 H-nuclear-magnetic-resonance-based metabolomics approach was conducted. Multivariate data analysis was applied to discriminate between the three different varieties using a partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model. The PLS model was used to evaluate the relationship between chemicals and biological activities of germinated rice. The PLS-DA score plot exhibited a noticeable separation between the three rice varieties into three clusters by PC1 and PC2. The PLS model indicated that α-linolenic acid, γ-oryzanol, α-tocopherol, γ-aminobutyric acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, fumaric …

Nutritional Composition In The Chia Seed And Its Processing Properties On Restructured Ham-Like Products, Y. Ding, H.-W. Lin, Y.-L. Lin, D.-J. Yang, Y.-S. Yu, J.-W. Chen, S.-Y. Wang, Y.-C. Chen

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Low-fat meat products always have harder texture, lower juiciness, and worse flavor. Due to their higher water-holding, water absorption, and organic molecule absorption, chia seeds (CHIA) have been applied in powders, nutrition bars, breads, and cookies. Hence, the objectives of this study were to: (1) analyze the nutritional compositions in CHIA; and (2) look for the possible application of CHIA on restructured ham-like products. CHIA has high amounts of α-linolenic acid, crude polysaccharides, and also contains essential amino acids, minerals, and polyphenols. Regarding processing properties of CHIA, a combination of CHIA and carrageenan (CA) increased (p < 0.05) production yield of restructured ham-like products. A scanning electron microscope observation indicated that CHIA and CA addition can assist an emulsification in this ham-like product. Addition of 0.5% CA and 1.0% CHIA in this ham-like product showed the similar overall acceptance as products with added fat. Following storage at 4°C, higher (p < 0.05) purge and centrifugation losses, as well as hardness of this ham-like product can be improved by adding CHIA and CA. CHIA addition also resulted in lower (p < 0.05) lipid and protein oxidation, especially a 1.0% addition. In summary, due to both nutritional addition and improvements on physicochemical and sensorial properties of restructured ham-like products, CHIA seeds have great potential on the development of healthy and good-quality meat products. © 2017

Ceratonia Siliqua Honeys From Morocco: Physicochemical Properties, Mineral Contents, And Antioxidant Activities, R. El-Haskoury, W. Kriaa, B. Lyoussi, M. Makni

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Physicochemical properties, main mineral content, and antioxidant activity were determined for eight floral carob honeys collected from different geographical regions of Morocco. Moroccan honeys showed good chemical and nutritional qualities, fulfilling the criteria described in the standard codex for honey. The percentages obtained for ashes were (0.13–0.69%), electrical conductivity (0.36–1.35 mS/cm), water content (17.30–22.80%), pH (4.17–5.05), free acidity (11.0–42.50 meq/kg), lactone acidity (4.0–16.50 meq/kg), and for total acidity (16.50–59.50 meq/kg). In addition, minerals such as K, Na, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Ca of honey samples were determined and potassium was the major mineral in all samples. The antioxidant activities based …

Vegetable, Fruit, And Phytonutrient Consumption Patterns In Taiwan, W.-H. Pan, N.-H. Yeh, R.-Y. Yang, W.-H. Lin, W.-C. Wu, W.-T. Yeh, M.-K. Sung, H.-S. Lee, S.-J. Chang, C.-J. Huang, B.-F. Lin, M.-T. Chiang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Phytonutrients may play important roles in human health and yet only recently a few studies have described phytonutrient consumption patterns, using data obtained from daily consumption methods. We aimed to estimate the phytonutrient content in Taiwanese diets and analyzed main food sources of 10 major phytonutrients. In this study, food items and dietary data gathered with the 24-hour dietary recall from 2908 participants in the 2005–2008 Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan were used to create a food phytonutrient database with 933 plant-based foods through integrating database, literature search, and chemical analysis and to appraise phytonutrient consumption status of participants. …

Using Gas Chromatography And Mass Spectrometry To Determine 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels For Clinical Assessment Of Vitamin D Deficiency, M.-Y. Yang, C.-Y. Huang, T.H.T. Chiu, K.-C. Chang, M.-N. Lin, L.-Y. Chen, A. Hu

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Vitamin D is responsible for multiple metabolic functions in humans. Rickets are the most common disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. It is caused by poor calcium intake resulting in poor serum-ionized calcium. The purpose of this study is to develop a rapid, sensitive, and feasible method to determine the 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels in blood samples for clinical assessment. In this study, gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry with trimethylsilyl derivatization (TMS-GC-MS) is the most suitable protocol for quantitative analyses of 25(OH)D3. Performance of method was evaluated and compared with liquid chromatography and immunoassay. Method validation has been carried out …

Effects Of Heat Treatment Of Mandarin Peel On Flavonoid Profiles And Lipid Accumulation In 3t3-L1 Adipocytes, J. Sung, J.H. Suh, Y. Wang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Citrus peel, a primary byproduct of citrus fruits, contains a variety of flavonoids. Heat treatment is a favorable food processing for solid peel to release bioactive compounds from tissues and intensify nutritional effects. In this study, we explored alterations of flavonoids by thermal treatment of mandarin peel and their effects on lipid accumulation and intracellular levels during differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells to adipocytes. The heat-treated sample showed stronger inhibition on the formation of lipid droplets than the non-treated sample, along with enhanced intracellular levels of flavonoids. Overall flavonoids, especially flavonoid aglycones showing better efficacy, were found to increase in the …

Give 5 Gives Back: Assessment Of A New Civic Matchmaking Program For Older Adults, Gloria J. Galanes, Bradley J. Fisher

eJournal of Public Affairs

This study assessed participants’ responses to the Give 5 Program, a civic matchmaking program where volunteers learn about and are encouraged to volunteer at local nonprofits. Participants were also asked general questions about successful aging. Of the 83 respondents, who were overwhelmingly positive about the program, 95% had recommended it to others, 81% were volunteering at four hours per week on average, and 57% had given money to one or more agencies. Respondents said the most important characteristics to successful aging were having a purpose, positive interactions with others, good health, the opportunity for personal growth, self-acceptance, and staying active. …

Physical Robustness And Resilience Among Long-Lived Female Siblings: A Comparison With Sporadic Long-Livers, Angéline Galvin, Svetlana Ukraintseva, Konstantin Arbeev, Mary Feitosa, Kaare Christensen

Open Access Publications

Long-lived individuals are central in studies of healthy longevity. However, few pro-longevity factors have been identified, presumably because of "phenocopies", i.e. individuals that live long by chance. Familial longevity cases may include less phenocopies than sporadic cases and provide better insights into longevity mechanisms. Here we examined whether long-lived female siblings have a better ability to avoid diseases at ages 65+ (proxy for "robustness") and/or survive to extreme ages (proxy for "resilience") compared to sporadic long-livers. A total of 1,156 long-lived female siblings were selected from three nationwide Danish studies and age-matched with sporadic long-lived female controls. Outcomes included cumulative …

Fruit And Vegetable Consumption Is Associated With Lower Prevalence Of Asymptomatic Diverticulosis: A Cross-Sectional Colonoscopy-Based Study., Benjamin Maxner, Jessica Mcgoldrick, Danielle Bellavance, Po-Hong Liu, Ramnik J Xavier, Joseph C Yarze, Rocco Ricciardi, Kyle Staller, Daniel C Chung, Hamed Khalili

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Previous studies of the relationship between dietary factors and risk of diverticulosis have yielded inconsistent results. We therefore sought to investigate the association between consumption of fruit and vegetables and prevalent diverticulosis.

METHODS: Our study population included participants in the Gastrointestinal Disease and Endoscopy Registry (GIDER), a colonoscopy-based longitudinal cohort at the Massachusetts General Hospital, who provided comprehensive information on dietary intake and lifestyle factors using validated questionnaires prior to colonoscopy. Information on presence and location of diverticula was obtained from the endoscopist at the end of each procedure. We used Poisson regression modeling to calculate the prevalence ratios …

Solvation Structures And Dynamics Of Small Molecules: Experimental And Computational Studies Using Carbonyl Vibrational Modes As Probe, Xiaoliu Zhang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Solutions are ubiquitous in both the global environment and the human body, and play a significant role in scientific research and industrial production. The structures and dynamics of solutions have been studied for centuries. However, conventional experimental methods, whose intrinsic measuring time is on the order of nanoseconds to microseconds, could not detect the fast dynamics taking place in the solution on the timescale of femto- and pico-second. In this dissertation, the ultrafast two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) spectroscopy was applied to characterize the structure and dynamics in three different types of solutions on the sub-picosecond timescale. Linear Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy …

Introduction To Diet, Food, Exercise, And Nutrition (D-Fend) 2.0, Jamie Baum

Diet, Food, Exercise, and Nutrition (D-FEND)

An Introduction to project DFEND 2.0!

Impact Of Winter Cover Crop Usage In Soilborne Disease Suppressiveness In Woody Ornamental Production System, Milan Panth, Fulya Baysal-Gurel, Terri Simmons, Karla M. Addesso, Anthony L. Witcher

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Diseases caused by soilborne pathogens are a major limitation to field grown nursery production. The application of cover crops for soilborne disease management has not been widely investigated in a woody ornamental nursery production system. The objective of this study was to explore the impact of winter cover crops usage on soilborne disease management in that system. Soils from established field plots of red maple (Acer rubrum L.) with and without winter cover crops (crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) or triticale (× Triticosecale W.)) were sampled following the senescence of the cover crops. Separate bioassays were performed using red maple …

Extensive Morphological Variability In Asexually Produced Planktic Foraminifera, Catherine V. Davis, Caitlin M. Livsey, Hannah M. Palmer, Pincelli M. Hull, Ellen Thomas, Tessa M. Hill, Claudia R. Benitez-Nelson

Faculty Publications

Marine protists are integral to the structure and function of pelagic ecosystems and marine carbon cycling, with rhizarian biomass alone accounting for more than half of all mesozooplankton in the oligotrophic oceans. Yet, understanding how their environment shapes diversity within species and across taxa is limited by a paucity of observations of heritability and life history. Here, we present observations of asexual reproduction, morphologic plasticity, and ontogeny in the planktic foraminifer in laboratory culture. Our results demonstrate that planktic foraminifera reproduce both sexually and asexually and demonstrate extensive phenotypic plasticity in response to nonheritable factors. These two processes fundamentally explain …