Life Sciences Commons^™

Investigating The Phytochemical Profiles Of Wild And Cultivated Blueberries (Vaccinium Spp.) In Central Florida, Anisa Khalid

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are valued for their high nutritional quality and flavor. There are five species in the Vaccinium genus native to the state of Florida, but only three are palatable to humans: V. myrsinites, V. darrowii, and V. corymbosum. While V. darrowii has been studied extensively due to its successful hybridization with northern highbush blueberry cultivars, V. myrsinites and wild V. corymbosum have been understudied. This study aims to 1) quantify the abundance of various phytochemicals in fruits of these wild blueberry species and compare fruit quality both among the wild taxa and two varieties of …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Black Soldier Fly Larvae Pathogen Suppression And Growth Substrate In Relation To Maine Agricultural Industries, Haley Morrill

Honors College

Insects are promoted as cost-effective and sustainable protein sources for animal feed. Their utilization may help to avoid a predicted global protein shortage. Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) grow on organic wastes, converting these wastes into larval biomass which can fulfill this purpose. Potential benefits of using BSFL to remediate organic wastes include reduction of waste mass and bacterial load, along with the sale of larvae as a protein supplement. BSFL suppress the growth of some Gram-positive and Gram-negative human pathogens in these substrates; though suppression of Bacillus cereus, a spore-forming bacterium that causes food-poisoning, …

S3e2: What Does The Future Look Like For Maine’S Wild Blueberries?, Ron Lisnet, Lily Calderwood

The Maine Question

Along with lobsters and lighthouses, wild blueberries are an iconic product from the state of Maine. While the industry has struggled of late, promising developments exist for wild blueberries and the people who grow and make products out of them. UMaine's wild blueberry expert Lily Calderwood shares her thoughts on the work being done at the university to grow the industry and what the past, present and future holds for this delicious, native crop.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics Of Landscape Use By The Bumblebee Bombus Pauloensis (Hymenoptera: Apidae) And Its Relationship With Pollen Provisioning, Pablo Cavigliasso, Colin Phifer, Erika M. Adams, David J. Flaspohler, Gerardo P. Gennari, Julian A. Licata, Natacha P. Chacoff

Michigan Tech Publications

Understanding how bees use resources at a landscape scale is essential for developing meaningful management plans that sustain populations and the pollination services they provide. Bumblebees are important pollinators for many wild and cultivated plants, and have experienced steep population declines worldwide. Bee foraging behavior can be influenced by resource availability and bees' lifecycle stage. To better understand these relationships, we studied the habitat selection of Bombus pauloensis by tracking 17 queen bumblebees with radio telemetry in blueberry fields in Entre Ríos province, Argentina. To evaluate land use and floral resources used by bumblebees, we tracked bees before and after …

What’S Going To Happen To My Pancakes? The Impacts Of Climate Change Upon Blueberries And Sugar Maple, Ashley Kayser

Honors College

The United Nations believes that the foremost challenge of the future will be climate change. Because of human use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gases have been released into the atmosphere at unsustainable rates, which have resulted in an altered climate that will impact weather patterns around the globe. There have already been measurable shifts in precipitation and temperature in many regions; in the state of Maine the general trend has been toward higher temperatures and increased precipitation. This is resulting in impacts to agriculture throughout the state. Blueberries and sugar maple are two culturally and economically valuable crops which will …

Efficacy Of Alternative Sanitization Methods On Wild Blueberries And Fresh Cut Cantaloupe, Selena Callahan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the last decade, outbreaks linked to the consumption of contaminated fresh produce have increased mitigation efforts to minimize the risks associated with these products. Due to the lack of a kill step during processing of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, good manufacturing practices (GMP’s), and sanitization are the key prevention areas most commonly used to control these risks. Many factors must be considered by processors for successful intervention such as sanitizer type, method of application, duration of application, and concentration. Additionally, product considerations such as water content, pH, and bacterial harborage sites can contribute greatly to how effective an applied treatment …

Bird Species And Abundances In Fruit Crops And Implications For Bird Management, Melissa B. Hanney, Jason R. Boulanger, Paul D. Curtis, Rachael A. Eaton, Benjamin C. Hawes, Deanna K. Leigh, Cody A. Rossetti, Karen M. M. Sttensma, Catherine A. Lindell

Biology Faculty Publications

Fruit consumption by birds is a costly problem in North America, yet basic information about the species and abundance of fruit-eating birds in fruit crops, and factors that influence abundance, are lacking. We conducted a study of fruit-eating birds in 'Honeycrisp' apples, blueberries, grapes, and sweet cherries in Michigan, New York, and the Pacific Northwest in 2012 and 2013. We documented the most frequently observed fruit-eating birds in each crop across our study regions, and used fruit-consumption data to identify bird species for each crop and region that have a great impact via fruit consumption. We found that American Robins …

The Effect Of Wild Blueberry Anthocyanins And Phenolic Acids On Innate Immunity: The Compliment System, Vasiliki Papakotsi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ingestion of berries containing polyphenols is associated with lower risk of inflammatory, metabolic, cardiovascular and degenerative diseases. Diet has been shown to modulate the activation of the complement system, a set of over 50 proteins present in the circulation and tissues that reacts in response to damage or microbial encounter and is critical for the maintenance of homeostasis. Imbalanced activation is tightly correlated with inflammation and various pathologies. Wild blueberries are a rich source of anthocyanins and phenolic acids, which can be found in plasma shortly after consumption. Given the involvement of both complement and polyphenols in the modulation of …

Floral Scent Mimicry And Vector-Pathogen Associations In A Pseudoflower-Inducing Plant Pathogen System, Scott H. Mcart, Timothy D. Miles, Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, Annemiek Schilder, Lynn S. Adler, Matthew J. Grieshop

Biology Department Faculty Publication Series

Several fungal plant pathogens induce ‘pseudoflowers’ on their hosts to facilitate insect-mediated transmission of gametes and spores. When spores must be transmitted to host flowers to complete the fungal life cycle, we predict that pseudoflowers should evolve traits that mimic flowers and attract the most effective vectors in the flower-visiting community. We quantified insect visitation to flowers, healthy leaves and leaves infected with Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi (Mvc), the causative agent of mummy berry disease of blueberry. We developed a nested PCR assay for detecting Mvc spores on bees, flies and other potential insect vectors. We also collected volatiles from …

Effect Of Phytosanitary Irradiation And Methyl Bromide Fumigation On The Physical, Sensory, And Microbiological Quality Of Blueberries And Sweet Cherries, Karen Thang, Kimberly Au, Cyril Rakovski, Anuradha Prakash

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Background

The objective of this study was to determine whether irradiation could serve as a suitable phytosanitary treatment alternative to methyl bromide (MB) fumigation for blueberries and sweet cherry and also to determine the effect of phytosanitary irradiation treatment on survival of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes on these fruit. ‘Bluecrop’ blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) and ‘Sweetheart’ cherries (Prunus avium) were irradiated at 0.4 kGy or fumigated with methyl bromide and evaluated for quality attributes during storage.

Results

Irradiation caused an immediate decrease in firmness of both fruit without further significant change during storage. Fumigated fruit, in …

Application Of Spatial Modeling Tools To Predict Native Bee Abundance In Maine's Lowbush Blueberries, Shannon J. Chapin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Non-native honeybees historically have been used to pollinate many crops throughout the United States, however, recent population declines have revealed the need for a more sustainable pollination plan. Native bees are a natural resource that can play an important role in pollination. I used spatial modeling tools to evaluate relationships between landscape factors and native bee abundance, with a focus on the wild native bees that pollinate Maine’s lowbush blueberries. I applied the InVEST Crop Pollination ecosystem spatial modeling tool, which predicts pollinator abundance based on available floral resources and nesting habitat, to the Downeast Maine region. The InVEST model …

Can Antioxidant-Rich Berries Improve Risk Factors Associated With Cardiovascular Disease In Postmenopausal Smokers?, Jordan Alaine Teeple

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of smoking on risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and determine the efficacy of antioxidant-rich berries in ameliorating these risk factors in postmenopausal smokers. Menopause and cigarette smoking have been identified as major risk factors for CVD due to a decrease in antioxidant protection, increase in inflammation and oxidative stress, and adverse changes in serum lipids. Antioxidants, specifically flavonoid compounds found in blackberries and blueberries, have been shown to prevent low-density lipoprotein cholesterol oxidation and thus prevent downstream inflammation and oxidative stress. Healthy, postmenopausal nonsmokers (n=14) and smokers (n=31) …

Antioxidants In Cancer Research And Prevention: Assay Comparison, Structure-Function Analysis, And Food Product Analysis, Andrew Robert Garrett

Theses and Dissertations

Recent epidemiological studies have suggested that the development and progression of several chronic diseases may be initiated or augmented by oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species react readily with and can damage nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. While biological systems are equipped antioxidant defenses to cope with oxidative stress, oxidative damage may still occur when oxidative stress overwhelms antioxidant defenses. This damage, if left unchecked, may lead to a variety of degenerative diseases, including heart disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and cancer. Several assays have been designed to describe the antioxidant activity of various phytochemicals, vitamins, and …

Tb203: Recent Advances In The Biology And Genetics Of Lowbush Blueberry, Daniel J. Bell, Lisa J. Rowland, John Smagula, Frank Drummond

Technical Bulletins

For lowbush blueberries, this publication presents an in-depth look at the biology and genetics of lowbush blueberry. The authors provide details on its genetic composition and the outline the usefulness of various biochemical, genomic, and other markers in studying the plants genetic structure. The authors also provide an overview of the plant’s economic value to Maine, nutritional value, and its life history.

B852: Organic Wild Blueberry Production, Frank Drummond, John Smagula, Seanna Annis, David Yarborough

Bulletins

Recent research carried out under the auspices of a USDA organic transition grant resulted in a better understanding of the interaction of wild blueberry production tactics such as pruning method, soil pH reduction by sulfur (S) application, and organic fertilizer rates on wild blueberry growth, development, and yield. This bulletin is the product of what we have learned over the past four years of this research project.

Mp759: Grower Survey Of Organic Pest Management Practices For Wild Blueberries In Maine With Case Studies, Andrew C. Files, David Yarborough, Frank Drummond

Miscellaneous Publications

This report describes the results of a survey of all known organic blueberry growers in Maine conducted in December 2006. The survey included questions ranging from acreage owned and/or managed to market outlets to pruning techniques to educa­tion level of grower to methods of learning new information and was part of a larger, interdisciplinary project addressing organic pest-management strategies for lowbush blueber­ries.

Tb198: Economic Analysis Of Organic Pest Management Strategies For Lowbush Blueberries Using Enterprise Budgeting, Andrew C. Files, David Yarborough, Frank Drummond

Technical Bulletins

Enterprise budgets were developed for the 12 different pest management treatments of a large-plot organic blueberry transitions project in Maine, covering two prune/harvest cycles (2004–2005 and 2006–2007). Regression analysis of the plot-level yield results for the aggregate of the two prune/harvest cycles indicated that burning fields as compared to mow­ing fields significantly increased blueberry yields over the aggregate of two prune/harvest cycles. Similarly, adding 1,000 lbs of sulfur before the first prune/harvest cycle significantly increased blueberry yields over the aggregate of two prune/harvest cycles as compared to no addition of sulfur. The addition of fertilizer had no significant impact on …

Development Of A Soy-Blueberry Burger And The Changes In Anthocyanins And Phenolics During Storage And Broiling, Pamela Beth Small

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Blueberries are high in phenolic acids and flavonoids, which make them one of the leading sources of antioxidants. When added to foods, antioxidants can increase shelf life, maintain nutritional quality, and retard production of heterocyclic amines in meats during cooking thus having the potential to be of great significance to the food industry. Soy and soy-based foods have been gaining in popularity as a functional food for specific health conditions. Increased media coverage touting the health benefits of soy has generated a rise in consumer awareness. Two soy-blueberry burgers were prepared using 10 and 15% blueberry puree. A soy burger …

Use Of Decoy Traps To Protect Blueberries From Juvenile European Starlings, Michael R. Conover, Richard A. Dolbeer

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Fruit consumption by large flocks of juvenile European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) is a serious problem for growers of strawberries, grapes, apples, cherries, blueberries, and other small fruit. This study examined if numbers of juvenile European starlings foraging in blueberry orchards could be reduced by catching them in decoy traps and relocating the birds elsewhere. From late July through August of 1989, 620 juvenile starlings were captured in 2 decoy traps at a blueberry orchard in Connecticut. A similar number were caught during the same period in 1990. During these 2 years, numbers of juvenile starlings foraging daily in …

The Effect Of Whole Wild Blueberries On Endothelial Function Of The Sprague-Dawley Rat As Related To Cardiovascular Disease, Cynthia Ann Norton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly fed three different diets (n=8 per group), a control diet (AIN '93) (C), a blueberry diet (B) for 13 weeks and a reverse diet (R)(C for 13 weeks, switched to B for 8 weeks). Aortae were excised, rings were prepared, and two intact and two denuded rings were immersed in tissue baths containing physiological salt solution (PSS) at 37OC, aerated with 95% 0 2 and 5% CO2 (pH 7.4). Following equilibration and pre-conditioning under 1 Sgm preload, cumulative dose response curves were generated with six doses of the a-1 adrenergic receptor agonist L- Phenylephrine …

Antioxidant Assessment In Western Maine Elderly Women Following 30 Days Of Wild Blueberry Consumption, John David Bagnulo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increased fruit and vegetable consumption is the single most protective characteristic of a diet against disease. While the exact mechanism by which this protection is offered remains unclear, the leading theory is centered on the antioxidant content of fruits and vegetables. Recent studies have shown that certain fruits and vegetables have significantly higher antioxidant contents than others. Wild North American blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) have one of the highest antioxidant contents of all h i t s and vegetables tested. This thesis investigates the relationship between the consumption of blueberries and blood antioxidant levels in 24 elderly women. In addition, fruits …

Variation In The Severity Of Mummy Berry Disease Among Lowbush Blueberry Clones, Laura Penman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lowbush blueberry production is important for the economy of Maine and the Maritime provinces, and mummy berry disease, caused by Monilinia vaccinii- corymbosi, often reduces plant stand vigor and fruit production. The severity of mummy berry disease among clones of lowbush blueberry were measured in four fields over a two year period (2001 and 2002). In each of 37 clones,lO flowering stems with and without symptoms of blight were randomly selected at flowering to represent "diseased" and "healthy" stem populations, respectively. The severity of leaf and flower blight and fruit mummification was measured for each of these stems, and the …

Tb172: Evaluation Of Entomopathogens For Biological Control Of Insect Pests Of Lowbush (Wild) Blueberry, Francis A. Drummond, Eleanor Groden

Technical Bulletins

To maintain the economic viability of Maine’s blueberry farms, to offer alternative pest control strategies in light of the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, and to reduce the human health and environmental risks associated with pest management, these researchers have been researching biological control tactics. This technical bulletin outlines protocols and experimental design necessary for evaluation of entomopathogens targeted against the significant direct and indirect pests associated with lowbush blueberry.

Mr415: Why Not Tame The Wild Blueberry, Walter Litten, John M. Smagula

Miscellaneous Reports

A discussion of two studies of different methods of propagating lowbush blueberry plants. These methods could be used for introducing blueberry plants into existing fields to improve field cover, or to start a blueberry field from scratch.

Sp284-E-Pruning Blueberries In Home Gardens, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Proper pruning practices in blueberries are important to maximize yields and quality throughout the life of the planting. Pruning should be done every year, beginning at the time plants are set. During the early years, the objectives of pruning are to promote both plant survival and growth. Once plants have attained full size, pruning is used to promote fruit yields and quality, as well as to maintain plants within desired size limits.

Ec94-448 Let's Preserve: Jams, Jellies & Preserves, Julie A. Albrecht

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Jams, jellies and preserves are foods with many textures, flavors, and colors. They all consist of fruits preserved mostly by means of sugar and they are thickened or jellied to some extent.

Fruit jelly is a semi-solid mixture of fruit juice and sugar that is clear and firm enough to hold its shape.

Jam also will hold its shape, but it is less firm than jelly. Jam is made from crushed or chopped fruits and sugar. Jams made from a mixture of fruits are usually called conserves, especially when they include citrus fruits, nuts, raisins, or coconut.

Preserves are made …

B823: Transporting Fresh Blueberries From Maine To The Boston Market: A Look At The Economic Alternatives, Antonia L. Hoelper, Michele C. Marra

Bulletins

A study was initiated at the University of Maine to investigate various transportation alternatives available to marketers of fresh blueberries and similar fresh-market enterprises to determine economies of size in shipping. Several methods of economic analysis, including partial budgeting and break-even analysis, were used to assess the feasibility of several transportation alternatives. The alternatives analyzed were (1) contract shipping services, while using various percentages of truck capacity, (2) purchase of a truck and large trailer (20,000 Ibs capacity), and (3) purchase of a truck and smaller trailer (10,000 Ibs capacity).

B780: A Cost Analysis Of Pruning Procedures In Lowbush Blueberry Production, Eric J. Hanson, Amr A. Ismail, Homer Metzger

Bulletins

Burning fields with fuel oil is currently the most practical method of pruning blueberries but is costly and destructive to the organic material on the surface of the soil. Fuel oil is a nonrenewable resource that is rapidly increasing in cost and, in the future, may become less readily available for this use. The need to develop alternative means of pruning lowbush bleuberries is evident. This bulletin compares the economics of six pruning procedures on operations of three sizes. The budgets are based on certain assumptions and costs which will change over time. The results will allow blueberry growers to …

B738: Costs And Returns In Lowbush Blueberry Production In Maine, 1974 Crop, Homer B. Metzger, Amr A. Ismail

Bulletins

Blueberry production is primarily a part time enterprise with a wide variation in acreages per grower and a modest investment per acre.

Blueberry growers recovered cash costs and most of the variable costs of producing and harvesting the 1974 crop. For a competitive return on investment and a modest wage, the average grower would have had to receive 35 cents rather than 20 cents per pound, considering the yields obtained in 1974. To be reasonably assured of adequate returns, a grower should achieve yields of over 1,000 pounds per acre.

Tb70: Physical And Chemical Changes Associated With The Development Of The Lowbush Blueberry Fruit Vaccinium Angustifolium Ait., Amr A. Ismail, Walter J. Kender

Technical Bulletins

The objective of this investigation was to determine the growth characteristics, changes in the soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity for the purpose of defining and describing stages in the growth of the blueberry fruit.