http://hdl.handle.net/10174/14486 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:54:49 GMT 2026-04-03T21:54:49Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41674 Title: First Report on the Synergistic Interaction between Essential Oils against the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Authors: Jorge M. S. Faria, Tomás Cavaco; Pedro Barbosa, Dora Martins Teixeira; Maria L. Inácio Abstract: Control of the pinewood nematode (PWN), the causal agent of pine wilt disease, can be achieved through the trunk injection of nematicides; however, many pesticides have been linked to environmental and human health concerns. Essential oils (EOs) are suitable alternatives due to their biodegradability and low toxicity to mammals. These complex mixtures of plant volatiles often display multiple biological activities and synergistic interactions between their compounds. The present work profiled the toxicity of eight EOs against the PWN in comparison to their 1:1 mixtures, to screen for successful synergistic interactions. Additionally, the main compounds of the most synergistic mixtures were characterized for their predicted environmental fate and toxicity to mammals in comparison to emamectin benzoate, a commercial nematicide used against PWN. The mixtures of Cymbopogon citratus with Mentha piperita and of Foeniculum vulgare with Satureja montana EOs showed the highest activities, with half-maximal effective concentrations (EC50) of 0.09 and 0.05 L/mL, respectively. For these, complete PWN mortality was reached after only ca. 15 min or 2 h of direct contact, respectively. Their major compounds had a higher predicted affinity to air and water environmental compartments and are reported to have very low toxicity to mammals, with low acute oral and dermal toxicities. In comparison, emamectin benzoate showed lower nematicidal activity, a higher affinity to the soil and sediments environmental compartments and higher reported oral and dermal toxicity to mammals. Overall, uncovering synergistic activities in combinations of EOs from plants of different families may prove to be a source of biopesticides with optimized toxicity against PWNs. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41674 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41672 Title: Infection of In Vivo and In Vitro Pines with the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Isolation of Induced Volatiles Authors: Faria, Jorge M. S.; Figueiredo, A. Cristina; Teixeira, Dora M.; Inácio, Maria L. Abstract: The pinewood nematode (PWN) is a phytoparasite that causes pine wilt disease (PWD) in conifer species. This plant parasitic nematode has heavily contributed to pine deforestation in Asian countries, e.g., Japan, China, and Korea. Over the last two decades, in Europe, Portugal and Spain have been greatly affected. Research on the mechanisms of PWN infection and/or PWD progression in susceptible host species relies on the controlled infection of pine seedlings under greenhouse conditions. This technique is laborious and mobilizes substantial economic and human resources. Additionally, it can be prone to variability that results from the genetic diversity associated with some pine species but also from the interference of external factors. As an alternative, in vitro co-cultures of pine with PWNs offer a more advantageous system for studying biochemical changes since they a) allow controlling single environmental or nutritional variables, b) occupy less space, c) require less time to obtain, and d) are free from contamination or from host genetic variation. The following protocol details the standard in vivo PWN infection of Pinus pinaster, the maritime pine, and the establishment of the novel in vitro co-cultures of pine shoots with the PWN as an improved methodology to study this phytoparasite influence on pine volatiles. PWN-induced volatiles are extracted from in vivo and in vitro infected pines by hydrodistillation and distillation-extraction, and the emitted volatiles are captured by solid phase microextraction (SPME), using fiber or packed column techniques. © 2024 JoVE Journal of Visualized Experiments. Sat, 31 Aug 2024 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41672 2024-08-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41445 Title: A multi-analytical approach applied to pottery from Oman as a key to understanding ancient Indian Ocean maritime trade Authors: Zampierini, Daniele; Moita, Patrícia; Lischi, Silvia; Marile van, Aerde; Barrulas, Pedro; Mirão, José Abstract: The populations in Sumhuram (third/second century bce to fifth century ce) and Hamr al-Sharqiya 1 (HAS1) (first millennium bce to first/second century ce) were involved in one of the most important examples of large-scale trade systems in antiquity: the maritime network connecting the coasts of the Indian Ocean. This research focuses on a total of 35 southwestern Arabian and Indian pottery sherds from both the settlements of Sumhuram and Hamr al-Sharqiya 1, analysed through a multi-analytical complementary approach. This study intends to test the input potential of this type of approach applied to ceramics in the context of the Indian Ocean trade network. The techniques adopted are powder X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results obtained allow the identification of eight distinct groups, each characterized by unique (textural, mineralogical, geochemical) signatures, providing specific clues for determining their provenance, specifically from the Indian subcontinent and southwestern Arabia. This paper shows the importance of this type of archaeometric study that must be integrated into a transdisciplinary approach. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41445 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41438 Title: Beyond Technology: Pottery Reveals Translocal Social Relations at a Bell Beaker Monumental Site in Central Europe Authors: Gaspar, Adam; Tsoupra, Anna; Cardoso, Ana; Beltrame, Massimo; Mirão, José; Schiavon, Nick Abstract: The Bell Beaker site near Brodek u Prostějova (Czechia) has yielded remains of a large timber construction accompanied by four symmetrical ritual deposits with numerous artefacts, including more than fifty ceramic vessels. Their decoration consists of incised patterns, in nineteen cases with preserved white inlaid incrustations. To investigate the social relations at this extraordinary site, a multi-analytical and micro-destructive approach was employed to determine the provenance and technology of the pottery and the composition of the white incrustations. The results indicate various origins for the pottery within the region and the presence of extra-regional fabrics and graphitic temper. The main raw materials for the white inlays were calcium carbonate (calcite), hydroxyapatite (bone), and bright clay. The mixing of decorative motifs and the variation in the shape and size of the beakers suggest unique manufacturing processes. These results lend support to the monumental site of Brodek serving as a ritual place for several communities from both local and wider areas. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41438 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z