Seijo-Coello M. Carmen

University of Vigo | UVIGO · Faculty of Science

Bee pollen is frequently characterized as a natural source of bioactive components, such as phenolic compounds, which are responsible for its pharmaceutical potential and nutritional properties. In this study, we evaluated the bioactive compound contents of mono- and polyfloral bee pollen samples using spectroscopic and chromatographic methods and...

Bee pollen is considered a natural product, relevant for its nutritional and antioxidant properties. Its composition varies widely depending on its botanical and geographical origins. In this study, the botanical characteristics of 31 bee pollen samples from Galicia (Northwest Spain) were analyzed; samples have not been studied until now from this...

The increase in invasive alien species is a concern for the environment. The establishment of some of these species may be changing the balance between pathogenicity and host factors, which could alter the defense strategies of native host species. Vespid species are among the most successful invasive animals, such as the genera Vespa, Vespula and...

The most significant pollinators of crops globally are thought to be honey bees. Unfortunately, bee loss is an issue brought on by a variety of circumstances, such as pesticide use, poor nutrition, parasitic mites, and climate change. The spore-forming unicellular fungi Nosema apis and N. ceranae cause nosemosis, a serious microsporidian disease of...

Invasive species become established in non-native areas due to their intrinsic characteristics and the ability to adapt to new environments. This work describes the characteristics of the nesting behavior of the invasive yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) in Galicia (Northwest Spain). The first nest was detected in the area in 2012 a...

Secondary infections of early blight during potato crop season are conditioned by aerial inoculum. However, although aerobiological studies have focused on understanding the key factors that influence the spore concentration in the air, less work has been carried out to predict when critical concentrations of conidia occur. Therefore, the goals of...

Forecasting systems are widely used to predict the application of fungicides for managing late blight. However, airborne inoculum has rarely been included in these forecasting systems. Monitoring the sporangia in crop environments may offer an opportunity to improve late blight forecast systems by integrating pathogen pressure. Hence, this experime...

In recent years, early blight epidemics have been frequently causing important yield loses in potato crop. This fungal disease develops quickly when weather conditions are favorable, forcing the use of fungicides by farmers. A Limia is one of the largest areas for potato production in Spain. Usually, early blight epidemics are controlled using pre-...

The aim of this study was the characterization and evaluation with in vitro test of some biological activities of honey samples belonging to the Algerian flora. Physicochemical analyses were performed to evaluate the quality of the honey samples. Total phenols, flavonoid content, and free radical scavenging activity of 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy...

Honey is a natural product well known for its beneficial properties, which depend on its composition [...].

Vespa velutina is an invasive species that is currently the main concern for beekeeping in some areas of northern Spain. The hornet hunts honeybees to feed its larvae, stressing and weakening the honeybee colonies. To avoid losses of honeybee colonies, it is essential to investigate the pressure that is exerted by the yellow-legged hornet on apiari...

The volatile fraction of three monofloral honey types produced in arid and semiarid areas of Algeria was studied to establish a link between their chemical composition and their botanical origin. Palynological analysis was performed to confirm the main botanical origin. Volatile extraction using HS-SPME coupled to GC-MS revealed exclusive component...

This study was conducted on 34 honey samples produced in Algeria from different botanical and geographical origins. The main objective was to compare some biological properties like the antioxidant capacity and the a-amylase inhibition of different honey types and their relationship with physicochemical properties. The botanical origin of the sampl...

The aim of the present work was to determine the main quality parameters on tuber potato using a portable near-infrared spectroscopy device (MicroNIR). Potato tubers protected by the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI "Patata de Galicia", Spain) were analyzed both using chemical methods of reference and also using the NIR methodology for the de...

The Kabylie of Babors (NE Algeria) is considered a hotspot for Mediterranean biodiversity exhibiting a great diversity of melliferous plants. In this paper an inventory of spontaneous and cultivated plants whose flowers were frequently visited by bees (Apis mellifera L.) has been performed. The main objective of identifying and classifying these pl...

Vespa velutina has been rapidly expanding throughout Galicia since 2012. It is causing human health risks and well-known losses in the beekeeping sector. Control methods are scarce, unspecific, and ineffective. Semiochemicals are insect-derived chemicals that play a role in communication and they could be used an integrated pest management tool alt...

This book aims to publish an overview about the current state of the art for sustainable potato production systems and achieving global nutrition and food security targets. The chapters of the book deal mainly with theoretical and practical fundamentals on seed potato production, crop growth and production, postharvest and storage of potato tubers....

Melissopalynological and physicochemical analysis of Heather honey ( Erica arborea L.) from the region of Babors Kabylia (Algeria)

Potato crops are susceptible to numerous field diseases causing significant losses in the quality and tuber yield. Control measures have a negative impact in soil and water resources affecting also farmers’ health and food security. Hence, a more sustainable agriculture management is a need to preserve ecosystems. Therefore, the objective of this s...

Twenty-six samples of Algerian honeys were analyzed to determine their color intensity, content of bioactive compounds using colorimetric methods and phenolic profile using a high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) analysis. The antioxidant activities of the samples were estimated using 6 methods (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrilhydrazyl...

Vespa velutina and V. crabro are eusocial insects in which chemical communication is decisive for social interactions. V. velutina was accidentally introduced in 2004 in France and subsequently in northern Spain in 2010. It is an invasive species that severely affects the beekeeping sector. The hornet autochthonous V. crabro with a similar ecologic...

Potatoes production is the main source of income in A Limia (Northwest Spain). Most of the potatoes harvest is stored in piles in farmer´s warehouses without systems to control temperature and relative humidity and only a few industries have storage facilities with cooling systems. This study constitutes an approach to detecting fungal spores prese...

There is an increase in the consumption of natural foods with healthy benefits such as honey. The physicochemical composition contributes to the particularities of honey that differ depending on the botanical origin. Botanical and geographical declaration protects consumers from possible fraud and ensures the quality of the product. The objective o...

This study aimed to characterize the honeys of Babors Kabylia through sensory, melissopalynological and physico-chemical parameters. Thirty samples of honey produced in this region were collected over a period of two years and analyzed. All the samples presented physico-chemical parameters in conformity with legislation on honey quality, with few e...

The present study focuses on establishing thresholds of weather variables for predict early blight in potato crops. For this, the TOMCAST model was adjusted using weather variables and Alternaria conidia levels (mainly A. solani and A. alternata) during six growing seasons in A Limia (Northwest Spain). TOMCAST for the effective management of early...

Heather honey is highly appreciated by consumers for its sensorial profile, which varies depending on the flora used by the honeybees. Volatile compounds contribute to these qualities. Characterisation of the volatile profile related to the botanical origin is of great interest for the standardization of unifloral honey. For this reason, 33 heather...

The palynological and physicochemical analysis of 62 honey samples produced in different biogeographical areas of Algeria was conducted. Results showed high variety in the botanical origin of samples and their physicochemical profile. Twenty-six samples were polyfloral honey, 30 were unifloral honey from different botanical sources such as Eucalypt...

A melissopalynological study was carried out on 46 samples of Ziziphus lotus honey from Laghouat and Djelfa region (central Algeria). The number of pollen types identified per honey sample ranges between nine and 39 with a mean of 24. These correspond to 52 botanical families with 79 different pollen types in the whole samples. Asteraceae and Fabac...

The development of a potato crop differs according to the environmental conditions and growing season of an area. Periods of high temperatures and drought have been frequent in recent years, and this has affected crops worldwide. The effect of meteorological factors on the plant morphology of potato cultivars growing in A Limia was analyzed for thr...

Early blight caused mainly by Alternaria solani Soraeur and Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl is one of the main diseases of potato. To improve forecasting of disease risk and to provide useful tools for a good decision support system, knowledge about the influence of environmental conditions on the Alternaria species, is necessary. The pattern dis...

This Special Issue contains innovative research papers on the characterization, chemical composition and physical properties of honey. This constitutes very useful information to avoid frauds and to guarantee the authenticity of this food product. The knowledge of the particularities of honey is increasingly demanded by beekeepers and consumers, an...

Potato early blight caused by Alternaria solani generates significant economic losses in crops worldwide. Forecasting the risk of infection on crops is indispensable for the management of the fungal disease, ensuring maximum economic benefit but with minimal environmental impact. This work aimed to calculate the interrupted wet periods (IWP) accord...

Honey color and other physicochemical characteristics depend mainly on the botanical and geographical origin. The study of these properties could make easier a correct classification of unifloral honey. This work determined the palynological characteristics and some physicochemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity, and color (Pfund sc...

Oak honeydew and chestnut honeys often share the same production area in Atlantic landscapes. Consequently these honeys have common physicochemical properties and pollen composition, making their differentiation by routine methods, a difficult task. The increase in the demands of consumers for clear honey labelling, identifying floral make-ups and...

This work investigates the similarities and differences of oak honeydew (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) and evergreen honeydew (Quercus ilex L.) honey produced in Spain. For this purpose, the physicochemical characteristics of 17 samples from oak honeydew and 11 samples from evergreen honeydew collected in different geographical regions were analyzed. A...

The yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, is a recent invasive species in Galicia (NW Spain). Its invasion has an important socio-economic impact because it preys upon honeybees (Apis mellifera) and other crucial insect pollinators. The dispersal of this species must be monitored to minimise the damage it causes and to take the necessary control ac...

The heathers communities constitute a very interesting habitat for the conservation of the biodiversity and even for honey production. This honey is very appreciated for its sensory qualities and for coming from a natural barely intervened habitat. This article provides information about the characteristics of 40 honey samples obtained in two subty...

Royal jelly may contain pollen grains and their presence can be used to determine the phytogeographical origin of the product. This study analyzed the phytogeographical origin of commercial royal jelly samples from São Paulo State, tested as part of the Brazilian Federal Inspection System (SIF), found to be contaminated with spores of the bacterium...

The paper describes phenological and aerobiological monitoring conducted during 6 years on a potato crop. The progression of the phenological stages in relation with thermal time [growing degree-days (GDD) and physiological days (P-days)] was analyzed. The growing cycle for Kennebec variety required less than 120 days and mean values of 1700 GDD an...

Physicochemical properties of the tuber as a commercial product differ according to environmental conditions of the area and the growing season. The knowledge about how weather affects these characteristics, allows estimating the correct selection of the cultivars in order to obtain the highest yields or desired physicochemical qualities. In this s...

The immense diversity in potato varieties makes it interesting as food in the market worldwide. Information regarding the nutritional composition and minor compounds contained within the food are demanded by consumers. The physicochemical characteristics (phenols, flavonoids, IC50, dry matter, total soluble solid content, apex and flesh texture, an...

Potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary has major economic impacts on this crop worldwide. Forecasting the risk of infection in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars is indispensable for the management of this disease. Agronomic, chemical, statistical or mathematical methods are used to reduce the potato blight outbrea...

The characterization of jujube (Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam) honey produced in Algeria, was carried out on the basis of their palynological and physicochemical properties: water content, pH, acidity, HMF, fructose, glucose, saccharose, melezitose, turanose, maltose, electrical conductivity, proteins, phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, mineral c...

Potatoes are one of the main foods throughout the world contributing to the daily intake of nutrients. This work studies the relationship among some physical characteristics of tubers from 35 potato varieties, the total phenol and flavonoid content and their antioxidant potential. Some significant differences were found depending on the potato vari...

The phenolic composition (total phenols and flavonoids), antioxidant capacity measured using the Total Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging % methods, color (L* a*b*) and biocide properties of 53 propolis samples from Chile and Spain (Galicia and Castilla y León) were analyzed using methods...

Potato is one of the main agricultural crops in north-western Spain. Varieties such as Baraka, Kennebec, Desiree and Alava are more commonly planted, but there is an interest in introducing other improved cultivars. The first step in the identification of a new potato varieties includes an assessment of the morphological characteristics of its aeri...

In recent years, authentic foodstuffs have became a major requirement for consumers and producers worldwide. Honey has increased in popularity since it is associated with a natural diet, and because of honey’s authentic origin. The present study investigated the palynological characteristics, physicochemical parameters, total phenol content, flavon...

The potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) with remote reflectance fiber-optic probes for determining the mineral composition of propolis was evaluated. This technology allows direct measurements without prior sample treatment. Ninety one samples of propolis were collected in Chile (Bio-Bio region) and Spain (Castilla-León and Galicia region...

The characterization of thirty-one honey samples using melisopalynological and physicochemical characteristics as diastase activity, invertase activity, pH, moisture, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, and color, as well as phenolic and flavonoid content, mineral composition, and sugar content was performed. All the samples wer...

Pollen spectra of 67 honey samples from four regions of central Algeria were studied. Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Apiaceae were the best represented families. The pollen from Hedysarum coronarium, Ziziphus lotus, Eucalyptus, Peganum harmala, Echium, Olea europaea, Citrus, Ononis natrix, Dorycnium and Euphorbia were identified as dominant pollen. Sampl...

In this work, different types of honey were characterized based on their palynological and biochemical characteristics. A mellisopalynological analysis was performed to authenticate the botanical origin of the honey samples. According to this method, the honey types were classified in: acacia (n = 10), linden (n = 10), and rape (n = 10). This artic...

The selection of antioxidant variables in honey is first time considered applying the near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic technique. A total of 60 honey samples were used to develop the calibration models using the modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression method and 15 samples were used for external validation. Calibration models on honey mat...

The qualities of Sulla honey samples of Médéa region (Algeria) were evaluated by determing the pollen spectrum and physicochemical attributes. It is generally accepted that a minimum content of 45% of Hedysarum coronarium (Sulla) pollen is necessary to classify an Sulla honey as unifloral. The samples were analysed for parameters including moisture...

a b s t r a c t The selection of antioxidant variables in honey is first time considered applying the near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic technique. A total of 60 honey samples were used to develop the calibration models using the modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression method and 15 samples were used for external val-idation. Calibration mo...

One hundred eighty-seven honey samples from an Atlantic European area were studied to determine their nutritional compositions and antioxidant capacities, as well as the relationships between them. The results showed that heather, polyfloral, blackberry, and eucalyptus honeys had the highest carbohydrate contents, whereas honeydew and chestnut hone...

Fifty-four honey samples collected over two consecutive harvest seasons (2009–2010) from different floristic areas of Romania were analysed. A melissopalynological analysis including qualitative and quantitative analyses was carried out in order to identify the principal pollen types in Romanian honeys and therefore, the important plants exploited...

Honeys were studied in order to know the relationships between their botanical origin, the total content of phenols and flavonoids, and the 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The principal floral resources for honeybees in the studied area were Castanea sativa, Rubus, Eucalyptus, Erica, and Cytisus. Results showed the...

Thirty-eight samples of honey from Pontevedra has been analysed in order to establish its botanic origin and its principles production areas. Eucalyptus globulus and Castanea sativa are the most important taxa in this honey. We have classificated twelve Eucalyptus honey, four Castanea honey and twenty—two polyfloral honey.

Samples of fifteen unifloral honeys from Eucalyptus and Citrus produced in the Blida region (Algeria) were studied. Pollen features and some physicochemical parameters (water content, electrical conductivity, pH, acidity (free, lactone, and total), total sugar, glucose, fructose, F+G, sucrose, proteins, and hydroxylmethylfurfural contain) were dete...

Cladosporium spores are ubiquitous in the air and are included in the fungal contaminants that define environmental quality. This paper provides an updated review of their concentration in the Iberian Peninsula, based on data from 12 sampling stations collected using a common non-viable volumetric sampling method and the same subsequent data-treatm...

Fifty two honey samples from different regions of Romania were used in order to define the rheological properties and their relations with the sugar composition and palynological characteristics. The botanical origin of the samples was tested by a pollen analysis. The result let to classify 14 samples as linden honey, 11 as black locust, 11 as rape...

This paper provides an updated of airborne Alternaria spore spatial and temporal distribution patterns in the Iberian Peninsula, using a common non-viable volumetric sampling method. The highest mean annual spore counts were recorded in Sevilla (39,418 spores), Mérida (33,744) and Málaga (12,947), while other sampling stations never exceeded 5,000....

Twenty-three honey samples from Galicia (Northwest Spain) were analysed to determine their botanical origin, phenolic compounds and antibacterial activity. In all samples Rubus pollen was predominant, followed by that of Castanea sativa. Other important pollens found belong to Cytisus type, Trifolium repens, Echium, Eucalyptus globulus, Erica umbel...