The occurrence of Microsporon gypseum (Bodin, Guiart & Grigorakis) in soil nematodes
The author gives a brief survey on the prevailing statements of today's soil biology on the occurrence of nematodes in soils, further on their conditions of living and on those of the rapacious fungi as well. On the basis of his own investigations carried out mainly in garden soils of the Hungarian Plain being dressed and undressed with manure, he comes to the conclusion that the occurrence ofM. gypseum cultured by means of the To-Ka-Va method, and on the presence of the nematodes in the soil admit the assumption that the frequent infection of persons engaged in gardening which is generally caused byM. gypseum, is likely to be in correlation with the abundance of nematodes in these soils.
Some Hyphomycetes that Prey on Free-Living Terricolous Nematodes
In several preliminary summaries (12, 13, 14) published a few years ago, were set forth synoptical ly the morphological features of 16 fungi observed to subsist by the capture of free-living nematodes infesting old agar plate cultures started from various decaying plant materials. Little attention was then given to the relationships of the different fungi to species previously described, only one among them, the widely familiar and well characterized Arthrobotrys oligosfora Fres., whose predacious behavior had been impressively recorded by Zopf (72) nearly a half century earlier, being mentioned by name. In a subsequent paper (15), consideration of special organs developed by nematode-capturing ftmgi entailed identification of two other of the 16 forms; one being recognized as Dactylaria Candida (Nees) Sacc, the other as Dactylella ellipsospora Grove. The remaining 13 fungi, with the exception of two species belonging in the Phycomycetes, could be referred to (16, 18, 20) only rather cumbersomely as members of an interrelated series of Hyphomycetes distributed in large part among the genera Trichotkecitim, Arthrobotrys, Dactylella (including Monacrosporium), Dactylaria and Pcdilospora. Although some of the mucedinous forms known to capture nematodes are dealt with under established binomials, usage regarding these binomials has not always been consistent. The
The status of FAO and codex alimentarius developments on vegetable proteins
The FAO is interested in increasing world protein supplies both by advising and assisting developing countries to increase their production of staple foods and by encouraging the development of technology to produce protein concentrates both from vegetable and animal sources to supplement diets which are low in protein content. Recent revisions of the amount of protein required in the diet in relation to total per capita energy requirements and the difficulties encountered in introducing novel foods into established dietary patterns has led FAO to concentrate on increased agricultural productions in developing countries as the primary means of combatting malnutrition. In the meantime, in North America and Europe, advances in the technology of processing vegetable proteins has given highly acceptable products simulating meats which are being used as meat extenders and meat analogues. The consequent increase in vegetable protein production has revealed a need for international, agreement on standardization, and it has been agreed that this will be undertaken by the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards’ Programme. The program operates chiefly through the Codex Alimentarius, Commission, an international governmental body, the purpose of which is to protect consumers against health hazard in food and against fraud. The Commission, which has 116 member governments, controls an intensive program of work covering the composition, labeling, additives, contaminants, pesticide residues, hygiene, sampling and analysis aspects of foods and has established a procedure which allows member governments ample opportunity to reach agreement on food standards and to accept them for incorporation into national legislation. The Codex Commission, at its 12th session, decided to establish a Committee on Vegetable Proteins with the following terms of references: “to elaborate definitions and world-wide standards for vegetable protein products deriving from soybeams, cottonseed, groundnuts, cereals and from other vegetable sources as they come into use for human consumption, and to elaborate guidelines on utilization of such vegetable protein products in the food supply system, on nutritional requirements and safety on labeling and on other aspects as may seem appropriate.” The question of which country will host the Committee is still under discussion.