World Cocoa Foundation Research Update: July 2005
Robert D. Lumsden, Plant Pathologist and WCF Scientific Advisor
Publications by Smithsonian/Barro Colorado scientist Allen Herre and his collaborators (including A.E. 'Betsy' Arnold, Luis Mejia and Enith Rojas) have demonstrated the presence of endophytic fungi within asymptomatic leaves of cacao at different sites in Panama. Their results suggest that the fungi found in cacao leaves may be specific to that host, and evidence published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science indicate that some endophytes, when reintroduced into cacao plants, can provide a measure of protection against attack by Phytophthora species. The mechanism of that protection is not known. The publications did not specify the endophytic fungi by name. Ms Rojas' project will begin to provide the missing taxonomic backbone to the work by identifying the most common 'morphological species' using DNA sequencing and microscopic and cultural studies. At the same time, the training that she will receive will enable her to better identify future collections of fungi taken not only from cacao but other crop plants as well.
Mars, Incorporated Research Group. From Marlene M. Machut, Director,Health, Science & Nutrition Communications, July 25, 2005: 'As a valued friend/colleague/business associate, we wanted to keep you informed of an important steps forward in our cocoa flavanol research program that has spanned more than 15 years. Mars, Incorporated takes pride in its long-term commitment to leading this cocoa science platform, and is proud of the many strong relationships we have developed with the world-class scientists with whom we collaborate. Attached [ see publications listing below] you will find a press release and fact sheet that announces the cutting-edge cocoa flavanol science which was discussed at a meeting held this week in Switzerland We anticipate the news coverage from this press release to talk about how our cocoa flavanol science is moving from nutrition science to serious potential medical benefits, with implications for public health pharmaceutical applications. As you can see, we continue our commitment to leading the scientific advances in cocoa research and building our health & nutrition portfolio with public health benefits in mind. Our goal is to move the perception of Mars from one of a candy company to one where people believe there is more to Mars than they originally thought.
WEB SITES: The University of Reading / International Cocoa Germplasm Database can be accessed at: http://www.icgd.rdg.ac.uk/ranking.htm
The Pennsylvania State University/Guiltinan/Research protocols for cacao somatic embryogenesis, rooting of cuttings and other research methods at: http://guiltinanlab.cas.psu.edu/Research/Cocoa/protocols.htm
RECENT CACAO PUBLICATIONS:
Note: WCF Document Resource Center: The WCF Cacao Research Document Resource Center has been revised to better direct readers to CACAO RESEARCH articles of interest. The new categories are: 1. Genomics and Physiology a) Genetics, b) Physiology, c) Agronomics/Nutrition/Shading; 2.Diseases and Pests a) Disease and Pest Biology, b)Resistance Breeding, c)Biological Control, d) Integrated Pest (Crop) Management; 3.Environment and Sustainability, a) Agroforestry, b) Conservation, c) Biodiversity; 4. Post Harvest, a) Fermentation, b) Drying, c) Processing; 5. Socio-Economic, a) Social Concerns, b) Economic issues, 6. Human Nutrition, a) Phytonutrients, b) Antioxidants, c) Flavanols.
**Queiroz, V.T.; Guimaraes, C.T.; Anhert, D.; Schuster, I.; Daher, R.T.; Pereira, M.G.; Miranda, V.R.M.; Loguercio, L.L.; Barros, E.G.; Moreira, M.A. Identification of a major QTL in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) associated with resistance to witches' broom disease. Plant Breeding 122: 268-272, 2003. (Diseases/Pests/resistance breeding 145KB)
**Olsson, P.O.C.; Anderbrant, O.; Lofstedt, C . Flight and oviposition behavior of Ephestia cautella and Plodia interpunctella in response to odors of different chocolate products. Journal of Insect Behavior, Vol. 18, p. 363-380, 2005. (Diseases/Pests/biology 157KB)
**Edwards, H.G.M.; Jorge Villar, S.E.; de Oliveira, L.F.C.; de Hyaric, M. Analytical Raman spectroscopic study of cacao seeds and their chemical extracts. Analytica Chimica Acta Vol.538, p. 175-180, 2005. (Genomics & Physiology/biochemistry172 KB)
** Luna, F.; Crouzillat, D.; Cirou, L. ;Bucheli, P.Chemical composition and flavor of Ecuadorian cocoa liquor. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Vol. 50, p 3527-3532, 2002. (Genomics & Physiology/biochemistry 55KB)
**Johnston, J.J.Evaluation of cocoa- and coffee-derived methylxanthines as toxicants for the control of pest coyote. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. Vol. 53, p. 4069-4075. 2005. (DiseasePest /biocontrol 369 KB)
**Cilas, C; Muller, E.; Mississo, E. Occurrence of Cacao swollen shoot virus in Litimé, the Main Cocoa-Producing Area of Togo. Plant Disease Vol. 89, p. 913. 2005. (Diseases/Pests/biology34KB)
**Mars Inc. Research finds flavanols in cocoa may help treat diabetes, strokes, and dementia. Press Release 25 July, 2005 (see above). (Mars,Inc05(HumanNutr/Flavanols42KB)
Santosa, E.; Sugiyama, N.; Hikosaka, S.; Takano, T.; Kubota, N. Intercropping practices in cacao, rubber and timber plantations in West Java, Indonesia. (Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Tokyo University, Bunkyoku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan). Japanese Journal of Tropical Agriculture, Vol. 49, p. 21-29, 2005. Agroforestry.
Hartemink, A.E.Nutrient stocks, nutrient cycling, and soil changes in cocoa ecosystems: A review. Advances in agronomy. Vol. 86, p. 227-253, 2005.
Engelbrecht, C.J.B.; Harrington, T.C.Intersterility, morphology and taxonomy of Ceratocystis fimbriata on sweet potato, cacao and sycamore. Mycologia, Vol. 97 (1), p. 57-69, 2005. Fungal DNA
Maximova, S.N.; Young, A.; Pishak, S.: Miller, C.: Traore, A.; Guiltinan,M.J.Integrated system for propagation of Theobroma cacao L., in: Protocol for Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Plants. Series: Forestry Sciences, Vol. 77, Jain, S. Mohan; Gupta, Pramod K. (Eds.) 2005, Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, ISBN: 1-4020-2984-5. [ See Penn State Web Site above for protocol details].**Complete article is available on line at the WCF web site, www.worldc ocoafou ndation.or g : go to:
Library>Document Resource Center> Cacao Research: 1. Genomics and Physiology, 2. Diseases and Pests, 3. Environment and Sustainability, 4. Post Harvest, 5. Socio-Economic, and 6. Human Nutrition. These articles are made accessible to the cacao research community for research purposes only.
Contributions to the UPDATE may be sent to lumsdenr@ba.ars.usda.gov. News items will be included in the next month's update.
Anyone interested in subscribing to the World Cocoa Foundation Newsletter (produced monthly) as well as the monthly WCF Research Update, send complete name, company/institution, mailing address and e-mail address to Robert Peck, World Cocoa Foundation, robert.peck@ worldcocoa.org.
RDL - August 1, 2005