Bioavailability of As,Cd, Co,Cr, Cu,Hg, Mo,Ni, Pb,Se, and Zn from Biosolids Amended Compost

Appropriate compost standards are being considered in Canada. Five aspects of compost safety and quality are being evaluated; probably the most controversial aspect is the standards for metals in compost. In order to assist in the development of appropriate standards, the authors began an extensive research project in October, 1993 to determine the bioavailability of metals from compost and compost-metal mixtures. Swiss chard was grown in compost-amended soils or compost in a growth room using five treatments of increasing percentages of compost in the media (0, 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, 100 percent compost (v/v)). A Truro loamy sand and a race-track manure-biosolids compost (RTM-biosolids) supplemented with a high metal biosolids were used in a completely randomized design with five replicates. Dry matter yield, metal content in plant tissue, and total metal uptake were evaluated as well as the total and DTPA-extractable metal content in the compost-soil mixes. The results of this and five other experiments conducted by the authors will help determine whether the suggested limits for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn in composts are appropriate.     

Glucoraphanin and 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin contents in seeds of 59 cultivars of broccoli, raab, kohlrabi, radish, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage

The importance of dietary sulforaphane in helping maintain good health continues to gain support within the health-care community and awareness among U.S. consumers. In addition to the traditional avenue for obtaining sulforaphane, namely, the consumption of appropriate cruciferous vegetables, other consumer products containing added glucoraphanin, the natural precursor to sulforaphane, are now appearing in the United States. Crucifer seeds are a likely source for obtaining glucoraphanin, owing to a higher concentration of glucoraphanin and the relative ease of processing seeds as compared to vegetative parts. Seeds of several commonly consumed crucifers were analyzed not only for glucoraphanin but also for components that might have negative health implications, such as certain indole-containing glucosinolates and erucic acid-containing lipids. Glucoraphanin, 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, other glucosinolates, and lipid erucic acid were quantified in seeds of 33 commercially available cultivars of broccoli, 4 cultivars each of kohlrabi, radish, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage, and 2 cultivars of raab.     

Phytoestrogen content of beverages, nuts, seeds, and oils

Phytoestrogens are secondary plant metabolites that have received increasing attention for their bioactivity, in particular due to their structural and functional similarity to 17beta-estradiol. Although urinary and plasma phytoestrogens can be used as biomarkers for dietary intake, this is often not possible in large epidemiological studies or in the assessment of general exposure in free-living individuals. Accurate information about dietary phytoestrogens is therefore important, but there are very limited data concerning food contents. In this study was analyzed a comprehensive selection of tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, nuts, seeds, and oils for their phytoestrogen content using a newly developed sensitive method based on LC-MS incorporating (13)C 3-labeled standards. Phytoestrogens were detected in all foods analyzed, although the contents in gin and bitter (beer) were below the limit of quantification (1.5 microg/100 g). Lignans were the main type of phytoestrogens detected. Tea and coffee contained up to 20 microg/100 g phytoestrogens and beer (except bitter) contained up to 71 microg/100 g, mainly lignans. As these beverages are commonly consumed, they are a main source of dietary lignans. The results published here will contribute to databases of dietary phytoestrogen content and allow a more accurate determination of phytoestrogen exposure in free-living individuals.     

The influence of soil properties,total copper,iron, manganese,and zinc on the yield of oat,carrot, onion and lettuce

Abstract

As part of a series of studies for evolving useful soil tests for Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in cultivated organic soils, 55 such soils from eastern Canada were used in a greenhouse study. Oat, carrot, onion, and all three followed by lettuce were grown in a greenhouse in 2 L pots containing 1.8 L of soil. The moisture, fertilization and temperature conditions provided were known to be non‐Hmiting. And yet, yields of crops, on per kg soil basis, generally correlated negatively with certain soil properties. The more decomposed and denser soils tended to be less productive, even though more soil, but not significantly less water, was accessible to the roots in such soils than in the case of less decomposed, more open soils. In contrast, crop yield per unit soil volume (1.8 L) basis showed a negative effect of water holding capacity on yield of oat, and positive effect of pH on carrot yield. No other correlations were significant. The results thus corroborated the practice of basing soil tests and fertilizer reconmendations on volume rather than weight of organic soils; indicated that the quality of organic soils, in terms of ability to store and cycle water, oxygen and nutrients, declines with length of cultivation, even before nutritional and water management problems arise, probably due to poor soil aeration; and suggested that the effect of soil quality on potential productivity be examined to derive factors that would help refine fertilizer recommendations.     

Estimation of Reference Values for Cadmium,Cobalt, Chromium,Copper, Nickel,Lead, and Zinc in Brazilian Soils

Abstract

The objectives of this study were 1) to recommend reference values (RVs) and tolerance limits (TLs) for representative Brazilian soils and 2) to propose a model to calculate natural contents of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in a soil from the silt, clay, manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) values. A set of 256 soil samples was classified by similarity in seven groups, and the concentrations corresponding to the upper quarter of data collected were then calculated. These concentrations are proposed as RVs for Brazilian soils. Additionally, TLs were obtained for each group from the antilog expression (m+2s), where m=mean value and s=standard deviation of data transformed in log₁₀. The classification functions of discriminant analysis proved to be suitable to allocate new samples in the established groups. Thus, it is possible to evaluate soils under anthropic activity and, by comparison with reference values, to be aware of pollution risks in a given area.     

Chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, and microbiology of lysinoalanine, lanthionine, and histidinoalanine in food and other proteins

Heat and alkali treatments of foods, widely used in food processing, result in the formation of dehydro and cross-linked amino acids such as dehydroalanine, methyldehydroalanine, beta-aminoalanine, lysinoalanine (LAL), ornithinoalanine, histidinoalanine (HAL), phenylethylaminoalanine, lanthionine (LAN), and methyl-lanthionine present in proteins and are frequently accompanied by concurrent racemization of L-amino acid isomers to D-analogues. The mechanism of LAL formation is a two-step process: first, hydroxide ion-catalyzed elimination of H(2)S from cystine and H(2)O, phosphate, and glycosidic moieties from serine residues to yield a dehydroalanine intermediate; second, reaction of the double bond of dehydroalanine with the epsilon-NH(2) group of lysine to form LAL. Analogous elimination-addition reactions are postulated to produce the other unusual amino acids. Processing conditions that favor these transformations include high pH, temperature, and exposure time. Factors that minimize LAL formation include the presence of SH-containing amino acids, sodium sulfite, ammonia, biogenic amines, ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, and glucose; dephosphorylation of O-phosphoryl esters; and acylation of epsilon-NH(2) groups of lysine. The presence of LAL residues along a protein chain decreases digestibility and nutritional quality in rodents and primates but enhances nutritional quality in ruminants. LAL has a strong affinity for copper and other metal ions and is reported to induce enlargement of nuclei of rats and mice but not of primate kidney cells. LAL, LAN, and HAL also occur naturally in certain peptide and protein antibiotics (cinnamycin, duramycin, epidermin, nisin, and subtilin) and in body organs and tissues (aorta, bone, collagen, dentin, and eye cataracts), where their formation may be a function of the aging process. These findings are not only of theoretical interest but also have practical implications for nutrition, food safety, and health. Further research needs are suggested for each of these categories. These overlapping aspects are discussed in terms of general concepts for a better understanding of the impact of LAL and related compounds in the diet. Such an understanding can lead to improvement in food quality and safety, nutrition, microbiology, and human health.     

Variation of N,P, K,Ca, Mg,Mn, Zn,and al in slash pine foliage

Abstract

The seasonal patterns of foliage nutrient concentrations and contents were monitored for two growing seasons in an 11‐year—old Pinus el1iottii stand. In the first growing season after needle initiation, N, P, K, Mg, and Zn concentrations decreased, but this was followed by an increase in the fall and winter months. Another drop in concentration of all elements, except P, occurred in the second growing season. Decreases in total contents indicated that this drop was a result of translocation to other tissues. In contrast to the mobile elements, the concentration and fascicle contents of Ca, Mn, and Al increased with aging of the needles.

Between‐tree variability was least for N, P, and Zn and the N, K, Mg, Mn, and Zn in the current foliage had consistently lower variation than that in the 1‐year‐old foliage. Between‐tree variation for K was lower in the winter than the spring.

For pine foliage, recommended sampling period for N, P, Mg, and Zn is mid to late summer and for the other elements it is late fall to late winter.

There are several sources of variation that influence the level of nutrients in tree foliage. The most important of these, apart from the tree nutrient status, are seasonal fluctuations, variation between trees, and age of needles . Smaller sources of variation are associated with position of the needles within the crown, diurnal changes, year to year variation, and analytical errors^1,2. These variables must be studied in order to develop suitable sampling techniques and in Pinus this has been undertaken for P. banksiana ¹, P. taeda ³, P. strobus ⁴, P. resinosa ⁴, P. sylvestris ⁵, and P. radiata ^6,7. However, foliage sampling has not been studied in detail for slash pine (Pinus elliottii Englem var. elliottii) and earlier studies with other pines have been largely confined to temperate or cool climates.

This study reports the variation in elemental concentrations with season, age of foliage, and between slash pine trees growing in a subtropical climate in Florida.     

Distribution of lutein,zeaxanthin, and related geometrical isomers in fruit,vegetables, wheat,and pasta products

Quantitative data with regard to dietary (3R,3'R,6'R)-lutein, (3R,3'R)-zeaxanthin, and their (E/Z)-geometrical isomers are scarce, and in most cases, only the combined concentrations of these two carotenoids in foods are reported. Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the human macula and have been implicated in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The qualitative and quantitative distributions of lutein, zeaxanthin, and their (E/Z)-isomers in the extracts from some of the most commonly consumed fruits, vegetables, and pasta products were determined by HPLC employing a silica-based nitrile-bonded column. Green vegetables had the highest concentration of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z), and the ratios of these carotenoids (L/Z) were in the range 12-63. The yellow-orange fruits and vegetables, with the exception of squash (butternut variety), had much lower levels of lutein in comparison to greens but contained a higher concentration of zeaxanthin. The ratio of lutein to zeaxanthin (L/Z) in two North American bread varieties of wheat (Pioneer, Catoctin) was 11 and 7.6, respectively, while in a green-harvested wheat (Freekeh) imported from Australia, the ratio was 2.5. Between the two pasta products examined, lasagne and egg noodles, the latter had a much higher concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin. The levels of the (E/Z)-geometrical isomers of lutein and zeaxanthin in these foods were also determined.     

Total phenolics and antioxidant activities of fenugreek, green tea, black tea, grape seed, ginger, rosemary, gotu kola, and ginkgo extracts, vitamin E, and tert-butylhydroquinone

The total phenolics and antioxidant activities of fenugreek, green tea, black tea, grape seed, ginger, rosemary, gotu kola, and ginkgo extracts, vitamin E, and tert-butylhydroquinone, were determined. Grape seed and green tea were analyzed for their phenolic constituents using high-performance liquid chromatography. The total phenolics of the plant extracts, determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, ranged from 24.8 to 92.5 mg of chlorogenic acid equivalent/g dry material. The antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts determined by conjugated diene measurement of methyl linoleate were 3.4-86.3%. The antioxidant activity of the extracts using chicken fat by an oxidative stability instrument (4.6-10.2 h of induction time) followed a similar trend in antioxidant activity as determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Seven phenolics in grape seed and green tea extracts were identified that ranged from 15.38 to 1158.49 and 18.3 to 1087.02 mg/100 g of extract, respectively. Plant extracts such as green tea and grape seed extracts can be used to retard lipid oxidation in a variety of food products.     

Losses of Solids,Moisture, Nitrogen,Phosphorus, Potassium,Carbon, and Sulfur from Laying-Hen Manure in Storage Facilities

The losses of total solids, moisture, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), carbon (C), and sulfur (S) were determined in two storage events of laying-hen manure immediately removed from three different housing systems in Iowa, USA. The three laying-hen houses were conventional cage (CC), enriched colony (EC), and aviary (AV). The houses held a nominal number of 200,000, 46,700, and 50,000 Lohmann LSL lite layers, respectively. The manure collected on belts in each house was cleaned out twice a week. A fraction of the cleaned out manure was transferred to designated storage rooms wherein losses of different components were determined in two storage events. Manure was loaded into the storage rooms over 171 days during the first storage event and over 185 days during the second storage event. The total storage periods were 202 and 245 days, respectively, for the first and second storage events. Manure was weighed, sampled, and analyzed before it was loaded into the storage rooms and at the end of each storage event. Mass balance calculations were used to determine the losses of different components. Statistical analyses show that the nutrient contents, on a wet basis, of manure loaded in CC, AV, and EC storage rooms were significantly different due to the differences in manure moisture contents. However, on a dry basis, they had no significant differences. The fresh manure cleaned out from the EC layer house was drier than that from the other two houses. Loaded-in nitrogen losses in the CC, AV, and EC storage rooms were 24.6, 12.9, and 20.8%, respectively. Nitrogen losses depended on house temperature, manure moisture, and pH. The average losses of loaded-in manure mass, moisture, and total solids during the two storage events were 27.6?±?1.9, 33.8?±?8.3, and 20.8?±?7.0%, respectively. The losses of N, P, K, C, and S were 19.4?±?13.4, 11.7?±?5.6, 10.2?±?6.8, 27.0?±?6.5, and 8.3?±?8.5% of their loaded-in amounts, respectively. The total loss of N, P, K, C, and S was 56% of the total loaded-in solids loss; thereof, the loss of N, P, and K was 7%, and C loss was 48%. The laying-hen-specific losses of N, P, K, C, and S were 0.34, 0.05, 0.08, 3.2 and 0.019 g day^?1 hen^?1, respectively. The results of this research are important for assessing impacts of stored manure on environment and nutrient losses. They can also be used to develop methodologies for the mitigation of the emissions from egg production facilities.     

Effect of inoculum,variety, nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium on yield,protein and oil content of soybeans at jabalpur,M.P. India

Abstract

Regardless of inoculum or fertility rate Bragg outyielded Clark 63 soybeans. Yields of Bragg and Clark 63 were increased about 1000 kg per ha by treatment with inoculum at the rate of approximately 313, 000 bacteria per seed. At the highest rate of applied N, yields of uninoculated soybeans, were lower than the inoculated soybeans at the lowest applied N rate. Phosphorus fertilizer increased yields at a decreasing rate and yields were decreased at the highest rate of applied P. Potassium fertilizer had a negative effect on soybean yields and did not significantly effect the protein or oil content of soybean seed. With increasing P fertilizer rates, there was a decrease in oil content and in increase in protein content of soybean seed.     

Soils,surficial geology,and geomicrobiology of saline-sodic wetlands,North Platte River Valley,Nebraska, USA

Saline-sodic wetlands along a 200-km stretch of the North Platte River Valley in western Nebraska, USA lie within an important agricultural region, but their processes, salt mineralogy, and geomicrobiology have not previously been investigated. Putative anthropogenic salinization has long been a concern, yet early historical accounts of widespread surface salts in the area have never been applied as comparative standards. Surface salts in the area originate from soil capillarity and surface evaporation. Thenardite (Na₂SO₄) and/or mirabilite (NaSO₄·10 H₂O) dominate, depending on ambient conditions. Bloedite (Na₂Mg[SO₄]₂·4[H₂O]), halite (NaCl), burkeite (Na₆CO₃[SO₄]₂), and calcite (CaCO₃) are minor constituents. Historical accounts indicate that salts accumulated naturally long before Euramerican settlement, apparently as a result of rock–water interaction in nearby volcaniclastic sediments of the Brule Formation.Ephemeral to permanent water-holding basins in the wetlands contain Na⁺-rich waters that vary widely in electrical conductivity (as high as 159 mS/cm) and in ionic composition, but local spring waters are extremely dilute. Basin floors exhibit a unique type of microrelief, which appears to form by the filling of microlows with water and the dispersal of soil material therein by Na⁺, followed by dewatering and collapse of the soil with drying. Illite dominates basin surface soils, but smectite dominates at depth; high soil pH, available K⁺, and frequent wetting–drying cycles in the wetlands suggest that in-situ illitization may have occurred. Soil crusts and vesicular surface horizons are common as are upward increases in electrical conductivity. The activity of sulfate-reducing microbes forms prominent near-surface horizons of sulfate reduction in saturated soils, which retract or disappear entirely during dry episodes.Saline-sodic wetland soils in the study area change on daily to seasonal scales. Cycles of surface salt development, microbial activity, and microrelief genesis are all controlled by regular wetting–drying cycles and the interaction of ponded surface waters and shallow groundwaters. Relatively unique aspects of microbial ecology and surface processes make the soils important as “geomicrobial reactors” wherein important parts of hydrological and geochemical cycles occur.     

Concentrations of arsenic,cadmium, mercury,and lead in common foods and estimated daily intake by children,adolescents, adults,and seniors of Catalonia,Spain

This study was designed to estimate the dietary intake of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) by the general population of Catalonia, Spain. The concentrations of these elements were determined in food samples randomly acquired in seven cities of Catalonia between June and August 2000. A total of 11 food groups were included in the study. As, Cd, Hg, and Pb levels were measured by ICP-MS and AAS. The dietary intake of these elements was determined by a total diet study. Calculations were carried out on the basis of recent data on the consumption of the selected food items. Trace element intake was estimated for five population groups: children, adolescents, male and female adults, and seniors. The highest dietary intakes of As (223.6 microg/day), Cd (15.7 microg/day), Hg (21.2 microg/day), and Pb (28.4 microg/day) corresponded to male adults. For all analyzed elements, fish and shellfish was the group showing the highest contribution to the respective intakes. In comparison with previous results, a general decrease in As, Cd, Hg, and Pb intake has occurred. The dietary intake of these elements was also compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). Dietary intakes of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb by the population of Catalonia are currently well below the respective PTWIs.     

Hydrophilic chromatographic determination of carnosine, anserine, balenine, creatine, and creatinine

A new HPLC procedure based on hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) has been developed for the simultaneous determination of carnosine, anserine, balenine, creatine, and creatinine in meat. This is the first time that HILIC has been directly applied to the study of meat components, having the advantage of not requiring complex cleanup and/or sample derivatization procedures. The chromatographic separation has been developed using a silica column (4.6 x 150 mm, 3 microm), and the proposed methodology is simple, reliable, and fast (<13 min per sample). The method has been validated in terms of linearity, repeatability, reproducibility, and recovery and represents an interesting alternative to methods currently in use for determining the mentioned compounds and other polar substances. The detection limits are 5.64, 8.23, 3.66, 3.99, and 0.06 microg/mL for carnosine, anserine, balenine, creatine, and creatinine, respectively.     

Evaluation of Decomposition Procedure to Determine Ba,Co, Cr,Cu, Ni,Mn, V,and Zn Total Content in Soil Samples

Different procedures have been proposed to decompose soil samples. Most of them regard determination with fertility aims. In this case, the contents available to the plants are considered. On the other hand, there are procedures to determine total content. The objective of this work was to propose a new decomposition procedure to determine barium (Ba), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) total content in tropical soils with high content of oxides and silicate. According to the results, the digestion procedure proposed in this study provided satisfactory results for the contents recovery for the elements Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, V, and Zn, above 90%, and the use of inverted aqua regia, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hydrofluoric acid (HF), pre-digestions and agitation was shown as a new alternative for the high silicate content soil sample total digestion, such as the oxisols.     

Fluxes of Cu,Zn, Pb,Cd, Cr,and Ni in temperate forest ecosystems

The literature on the fluxes of six heavy metals in temperate forest ecosystems is reviewed. Special attention is given to wet and dry deposition and internal flux, to metal budgets for ecosystems and soils, to concentrations in aqueous compartments of the ecosystem and to speciation in soil solutions. Metal fluxes are discussed in relation to pollution load, soil type, tree species and land use. The mobility of Cu and Pb is strongly dependent on the solubility of organic matter. These metals are commonly accumulated in forest soils. Zinc, Cd and Ni are greatly influenced by soil acidity and are often lost in considerable amounts from acidified soils. Chromium is often at balance in forest ecosystems. Implications for metal solubility and budgets in forest soils are discussed in connection with an increase in soil acidification.     

Liquid chromatographic assay of ascorbic acid, niacinamide, pyridoxine, thiamine, and riboflavin in multivitamin-mineral preparations

A simple and rapid method is presented for the liquid chromatographic assay of ascorbic acid, niacinamide, pyridoxine, thiamine, and riboflavin from a single chromatogram. Ion-pair chromatography with a reverse phase C18 cartridge in a radial compression system is used. Quantitation is excellent with a total analysis time of less than 20 min. A mobile phase of methanol-water (15 + 85) (0.005M heptanesulfonic acid) with 0.5% triethylamine at pH 3.6 and a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min gives the most satisfactory separation of the 5 water-soluble vitamins. By using 2 detectors in series set at different wavelengths and sensitivities, all 5 vitamins, with peak heights on scale, can be measured from a single injection; peak elution order is ascorbic acid, niacinamide, pyridoxine, thiamine, and riboflavin. Ascorbic acid is measured at 254 nm and the other vitamins, at 280 nm. The amount of amine modifier in the mobile phase is critical to the separation of niacinamide and pyridoxine. Recoveries of 5 water-soluble vitamins from spiked placebos were in the range of 98.2-102.0%. Confidence limits, +/- 3 SD, were in the range of 1.0-5.4%. Overall, the results obtained using the liquid chromatographic method show excellent agreement with manual methods and automated analysis.     

Phytotoxicity of cobalt,vanadium, titanium,silver, and chromium

Abstract

The phytotoxicity of five nonessential elements (Co, V, Ti, Ag, Cr) to higher plants was studied in solution culture experiments with bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. C.V. Improved Tendergreen). All, but in varying degrees, tended to concentrate in roots with a decreasing gradient to stems and leaves. Cobalt was one of the more mobile of the five trace metals. Its toxicity was expressed as severe chlorosis; 43 (with 10^‐5 M) and 142 (with 10^‐4 M) μg Co/g dry weight in leaves resulted in severe chlorosis. Vanadium as 10^‐4 M vanadate resulted in smaller plants but not in chlorosis. Leaf, stem, and root V, respectively, were 13, 8, and 881 μg/g dry weight. Titanium was somewhat mobile with considerable yield decrease at 10^‐4 M; leaf, stem, and root Ti concentrations, respectively, were 202, 48, and 2420 μg/g. Symptoms were chlorosis, necrotic spots on leaves, and stunting. Silver was very lethal at 10^‐4 M AgNO₃; at 10^‐5 M yields were greatly decreased, but plants were grown without symptoms. Leaf, stem, and root concentrations of Ag for this treatment, respectively, were 5.8, 5.1, and 1760 μg/g dry weight. Plants grown with 10^‐5 N Cr₂O₇ were decreased in yield by about 25% with or without EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) while the same level of Cr₂(SO₄)₃ was essentially without effect. For the two salts, the leaf, stem, root concentrations for Cr, respectively were 2.2 and 1.3, 0.7 and 0. 7, and 140 and 104 μg/g. Most of the trace metals studied here had interactions in the uptake and/or distribution of other elements.     

Detection, accumulation, distribution, and depletion of furaltadone and nifursol residues in poultry muscle, liver, and gizzard

Nitrofurans were broadly used as an extremely effective veterinary antibiotic especially in pig and poultry production farms. Because of fears of the carcinogenic effects on humans, the nitrofurans were banned from use in livestock production in many countries, including the European Union. The present study examines the accumulation, distribution, and depletion of furaltadone and nifursol and of their tissue-bound metabolites [3-amino-5-morpholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ) and 3,5-dinitro-salicylic acid hydrazine (DNSAH), respectively, in poultry edible tissues (muscle, liver, and gizzards) following administration to chickens of therapeutic and subtherapeutic concentrations of both compounds. Nitrofurans determination was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively, for feeds and for poultry tissues. Furaltadone and nifursol, in very low concentrations, were found in samples of muscle, liver, and chicken's gizzard collected from slaughtered animals after 5 weeks of treatment and no withdrawal time period. When a withdrawal time period of 3 weeks was respected, no detectable nitrofuran parent compounds was observed in all of the studied matrices. For AMOZ, concentrations of 270 μg/kg in meat, 80 μg/kg in liver, and 331 μg/kg in gizzard were determined after administration of a medicated feed with furaltadone (132 mg/kg), 3 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. For DNSAH, the concentration values obtained are much lower than those observed for AMOZ. For meat, liver, and gizzard, DNSAH concentrations of 2.5, 6.4, and 10.3 μg/kg, respectively, were determined, after administration of a medicated feed with nifursol (98 mg/kg), 3 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. The gizzard could be considered a selected matrix for nitrofuran residues evaluation in poultry, due to its capacity of retaining either nitrofuran parent compounds or metabolites in higher concentrations, regardless of the administered dose or of the respected withdrawal time period.     

A Red Bloom of Euglena Shafiqii,a New Species,in Dal Lake,Srinagar, Kashmir

A bloom of Euglena was observed at the surface of Dal Lake, Kashmir, in the last week of June, 1991. The species exhibited a circadian colour change, from green at dawn to blood-red during the day and again green at dusk. The present new species is, therefore, named Euglena shafiqii. It is distinguished from the cogenus by the structure and occurrence of Z-tubules, chromatophores, nucleus shape and by a coloured pulsating structure at the posterior end. A stress induced transformation from an elongated egg to a round shape is also peculiar. The light absorption spectra of the pigment showed λ maxima at 416, 441, 467 and 485 nm. The red bloom was found in the part of the lake basins which receives waste effluents.