硅藻土/玉米秸秆木质陶瓷制备及其对废水中四环素吸附动力学

为资源化利用农业废弃物,探求玉米秸秆的高效综合利用。以玉米秸秆和酚醛树脂为主要原料,通过硅藻土改性,制备了硅藻土/玉米秸秆木质陶瓷。结合SEM、XRD、FI-TR、压汞法现代测试手段对样品的结构及性能进行了表征。以四环素为目标污染物,研究了样品对四环素的吸附等温线和吸附动力学。结果表明:经硅藻土改性的木质陶瓷内部含有大量孔洞,以非晶质为主,含有少量石英晶相和结晶石墨。木质陶瓷的孔径范围主要在1 000～3 800 nm,孔隙率约为48.6%,比表面积达到7.83 m2/g。由相关系数R2可知,Langmiur等温吸附模型比Frendlich模型更好地描述了木质陶瓷对四环素(0.9990.975)的吸附过程;pH值为3、5、7、9条件下,以木质陶瓷对初始浓度为5 mg/L的四环素溶液进行吸附。动力学模型拟合结果表明,准二级动力学模型参数R20.98,能够更好地拟合材料对四环素的吸附过程。该研究实现了废弃材料的深度利用和对四环素废水的有效处理,为玉米秸秆的利用提供了新的途径。     

改性高岭土对废水中磷的吸附性能及机理研究

采用盐酸和煅烧2种方法对苏州高岭土进行了改性,分析其对模拟含磷废水中磷的吸附效果,并初步探讨了其作用机制,继而进行了等温吸附和吸附动力学试验研究。结果显示,酸、热改性均不同程度地提高了高岭土对模拟废水中磷的吸附净化能力,尤以9%酸改性和500℃煅烧效果最为明显。在处理25 ml浓度为20 mg/L的模拟含磷废水中,高岭土投加量为2%(重量比)时,经9%酸改性高岭土对磷去除率达81.8%,较天然高岭土提高了44.6%。在处理50 ml浓度为20 mg/L的模拟含磷废水时,经500℃煅烧改性高岭土对磷的去除率高达99.5%,残留溶液中磷浓度仅为0.10 mg/L,达到我国相应排放标准。酸改性可通过改变高岭土的吸附活性点位来提高其对磷的吸附净化性能,而煅烧通过活化高岭石中的铝而提高其对磷的吸附净化性能。天然、9%酸改性及500℃煅烧高岭土磷吸附等温线均符合Freundilch和Langmuir方程,皆达极显著水平(P<0.01)。天然、9%酸改性及500℃煅烧高岭土对磷的动力学吸附特征一致,皆与准二级方程拟合最佳,达极显著水平(P<0.01)。500℃煅烧高岭土对磷的饱和吸附量最大,在净化含磷废水中具有良好的应用前景。     

蒸汽闪爆处理对生姜纤维吸附性能的影响

生姜纤维来源于废弃的生姜渣,以生姜纤维资源化利用为前提,以制备一种高效处理染料废水的生物质吸附剂为目的,该文对生姜纤维进行蒸汽闪爆、冷冻粉碎联合处理得到闪爆粉碎生姜纤维吸附剂,探究了蒸汽闪爆处理及冷冻粉碎处理、不同吸附条件(吸附时间、pH值、盐浓度和蒸汽压强)对生姜纤维吸附性能的影响。结果表明:蒸汽压强为1.9 MPa时,闪爆粉碎生姜纤维对活性染料RB19的吸附量最高,其最大吸附量(115.12 mg/g)是原生姜纤维(48.80 mg/g)、粉碎生姜纤维(54.10 mg/g)的2.36倍、2.13倍,其吸附动力学过程符合准二阶动力学模型(R2为0.99),吸附等温线符合Langmuir模型(R2为0.99)。闪爆粉碎生姜纤维吸附能力经过吸附、解吸5次循环后仍保留80%,循环吸附性能良好。扫描电镜分析显示,随着蒸汽压强从1.3升高到1.9 MPa,生姜纤维内表面暴露出来,染料分子RB19更容易进入生姜纤维内部。X射线衍射(X-ray diffraction)分析显示,闪爆粉碎生姜纤维与生姜纤维相比,结晶指数从39%下降到20%,无定形区扩大,从而提高其吸附能力。研究结果可为生姜纤维用作染料废水吸附剂提供参考依据。     

干制荔枝果肉吸附等温线及热力学性质

为了解干制"乌叶"荔枝果肉含水率与水分活度、贮藏温度之间的复杂关系,并为干制"乌叶"荔枝果肉贮藏条件的确定提供技术依据,运用吸附原理,在水分活度为0.112~0.976范围内,研究了干制"乌叶"荔枝果肉在20、30和40℃时的水分吸附等温线;采用8种模型对试验数据进行拟合,通过比较模型决定系数(R2)和均方根误差确定用于描述干制"乌叶"荔枝果肉吸附等温线的最适模型;通过不同温度下干制"乌叶"荔枝果肉的吸附等温线数据获得净等量吸附热、焓变、熵变和自由能等热力学性质。结果表明,干制"乌叶"荔枝果肉的水分吸附呈Ⅲ型等温线,在相同水分活度时,平衡含水率随温度的升高而下降。Peleg模型用于描述吸附等温线是较适合的,决定系数为R2为0.9950~0.9979,均方根误差为1.9431~2.7102。热力学性质显示,净等量吸附热随含水率的增加而降低,在较高含水率时趋近于0。焓变与净等量吸附热有相同的值,其范围为0.95~186.98 k J/mol。熵变随含水率的增加而降低,并没有表现出对温度的依赖性。自由能随含水率和温度的增加而减小。焓-熵补偿理论适用于干制"乌叶"荔枝果肉中的水分吸附过程,此水分吸附过程是焓驱动的。研究结果为干制"乌叶"荔枝果肉的加工和贮藏稳定性提供理论依据。     

生物改性玉米秸秆处理含铜废水的研究

为解决水体中铜离子污染治理及玉米秸秆资源化利用等问题,以黑曲霉为改性菌剂,采用固态发酵法改性玉米秸秆,制备出复合生物吸附剂。采用傅里叶红外光谱仪(FT-IR)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)表征改性玉米秸秆,同时对吸附剂的投加量(0.05～0.30 g)、溶液初始浓度(10～200 mg·L~(-1))、溶液初始pH(1.0～6.0)以及动力学和等温吸附线进行了研究。结果表明,通过黑曲霉固态发酵法改性后的玉米秸秆对Cu(Ⅱ)的饱和吸附量为33.6 mg·g~(-1),是天然玉米秸秆的2.65倍。FT-IR和SEM表征结果显示,改性材料表面空隙增多,更为粗糙,更多的活性基团得以暴露,这为吸附性能的提高提供了依据。改性玉米秸秆对Cu(Ⅱ)吸附30 min后达平衡,可用准二级动力学模型较好地拟合,吸附等温线符合Langmuir方程,该吸附过程以单分子层吸附为主。利用黑曲霉固态发酵技术改性玉米秸秆,是一种快速资源化处理玉米秸秆的方法。     

茶树枝叶制备生物炭负载纳米零价铁净化水中Cr(VI)

茶树废弃物引起的环境破坏和病虫害爆发问题日益突出,对其进行无害化和资源化利用具有重要意义。该研究以修剪的茶树枝叶提取液作为还原剂和封端剂,以提取后的残渣作为炭源,成功制备了一种可高效去除水中六价铬(Cr(Ⅵ))的生物炭负载纳米零价铁复合材料(nanoscale zero-valent iron embedded tea leaves,TLBC-nZVI)。分析了材料用量、溶液初始pH值和温度等对Cr(Ⅵ)去除效果的影响;利用扫描电子显微镜结合能量色散X射线光谱仪(SEMEDS)、傅立叶变换红外光谱仪(FTIR)、X射线粉晶衍射仪(XRD)和X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)等对材料进行表征,结合吸附动力学、吸附等温线和吸附热力试验探讨了去除机制。结果表明酸性条件、高温、增加材料用量有利于TLBC-nZVI对Cr(Ⅵ)的去除。TLBC-nZVI吸附过程符合准二级动力学模型、颗粒内扩散模型和Freundlich吸附等温模型,该吸附是自发的化学吸热过程。TLBC-nZVI与Cr(Ⅵ)的反应机制为吸附在材料上的Cr(Ⅵ)被零价铁(Fe⁰)和还原性官能团还原为三价铬(Cr(Ⅲ))...     

香蕉皮改性材料对废水中二价Cd离子的吸附特性与机理

为探究农业生物质制备绿色吸附材料处理含Cd~(2+)废水方法,以香蕉皮为原料,制备改性吸附材料。采用单因素试验,优化了改性工艺条件。通过静态吸附试验,结合等温模型和吸附动力学模型探讨了其对Cd~(2+)吸附过程。利用比表面及孔径分析(brunner-emmet-teller)、扫描电镜(scanning electron microscope)、能谱仪(energy disperse spectroscopy)、元素分析仪、傅里叶变换红外光谱(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy)等手段对改性前后材料的表面形态和结构进行表征,并分析了改性和吸附过程的机理。结果表明:改性较佳工艺条件为Na OH浓度为0.25 mol/L,改性时间为30 min。在此条件下香蕉皮改性后,对水中Cd~(2+)的理论饱和吸附量由37.61 mg/g提高到87.15 mg/g,平衡时间由60 min缩短到45 min。吸附符合Langmuir等温模型(R~2=0.998)和准二级动力学模型(R2=0.999)。改性后的香蕉皮对水中Cd~(2+)的吸附以离子交换吸附为主。研究结果可为木质纤维素生物质改性制备绿色吸附材料处理含重金属废水提供理论依据。     

混价铁氢氧化物对无机磷的吸附/沉淀

应用电化学方法研究了混价铁氢氧化物对磷的吸附/沉淀及主要环境因素的影响。结果表明,混价铁氢氧化物通过吸附/沉淀可将水溶性磷维持在较低水平,该吸附较好地符合Langmuir方程(R2=0.9742),混价铁氢氧化物对磷的最大吸附容量为56.8 mg/g;亚铁比例越高,单位铁的磷吸附/沉淀容量越高;混价铁氢氧化物氧化导致磷吸附容量降低;pH为中性时,混价铁氢氧化物的磷吸附容量最大,弱酸、弱碱性则不利于磷的吸附;钙离子可增加混价铁氢氧化物的磷吸附容量;硫离子则相反,原因是硫离子促进了三价铁还原及硫化亚铁的形成;尽管铵离子对混价铁氢氧化物的磷吸附容量有影响,但增幅不大。     

不同pH条件下添加纳米型蒙脱土和高岭土对溶液中铜的去除效果研究

通过有机插层法对蒙脱土、高岭土进行改性,制备成纳米型蒙脱土、高岭土,并利用制备的纳米型高岭土、蒙脱土对溶液中铜的吸附效果及吸附机理进行了研究。结果表明,纳米型蒙脱土和高岭土对溶液中的铜具有很好的去除效果,其吸附等温线可以用Langmuir和Freundlich方程进行拟合。相比而言,蒙脱土比高岭土具有较高的吸附量和吸附亲和力参数。在溶液中铜离子浓度低于120 mg/L时,纳米型蒙脱土、高岭土对铜的最大去除率分别达到99.5%和94.3%,对溶液中铜的去除率随铜离子浓度增加和溶液的pH降低而降低。     

铁改性生物炭促进土壤砷形态转化抑制植物砷吸收

通过盆栽试验研究了不同砷污染水平(10、20、40和80 mg/kg)下,添加不同量(10、20和40 g/kg)改性前后的生物炭对土壤砷形态及植物吸收砷规律的影响。该文以棉花秸秆生物炭及改性生物炭(棉花秸秆生物炭与Fe Cl3?6H2O按质量比为20∶1)为试材,小白菜为供试植物。结果表明:生物炭(10~40 g/kg)和改性生物炭(10 g/kg)能促进小白菜的生长,在添加量分别为20和10 g/kg时生物量最大,其最大值分别为8.26和6.68 g/盆,改性生物炭在添加量为10 g/kg时高于对照组和等量未改性生物炭处理组。在砷质量分数为10和20 mg/kg的基础上,添加生物炭(10~40 g/kg)后,土壤中砷主要以残渣态形式存在;水溶态砷分别增加了0.22%~3.36%和0.96%~3.70%;改性生物炭添加对土壤砷质量分数为10 mg/kg时水溶态砷无明显影响,土壤砷质量分数为20 mg/kg时,添加改性生物炭(10~40 g/kg)后水溶态砷减少了0.12%~0.58%。在高浓度(40和80 mg/kg)砷土壤中,水溶态砷含量随着土壤中砷含量的增加而增大;添加生物炭(10~40 g/kg)后,土壤中水溶态砷分别增加了0.21%~1.56%和2.11%~8.94%,但砷主要以铝形砷形式存在,残渣态砷次之。各处理组小白菜可食部分和根部砷质量分数在添加10~40 g/kg生物炭后的变化规律不尽相同,等量的改性生物炭添加后,可食部分由18.28 mg/kg显著降低至2.66 mg/kg(P0.05),根部从133.99 mg/kg显著降低至20.21 mg/kg(P0.05)。改性生物炭与未改性生物炭相比,改性生物炭能降低土壤中水溶态砷的含量及对小白菜吸收砷有显著的抑制作用。因此,该研究可为改性生物炭在含砷土壤的修复应用中提供数据支撑与理论基础。     

Linalool in orange juice: origin and thermal stability

Linalool concentrations were determined in juice from three groups of 60 Valencia oranges using pentane:ether extraction and high-resolution capillary GC. The outer peel (flavedo) was removed from one group. The other two groups retained their peel intact. Juice was extricated from the halved fruits of the flavedo-less group and from one of the peel-intact groups using a hand reamer. A peel-cutting/macerating juice extractor was used for the other peel-intact group. Linalool concentrations were 0.004 mg/L in peeled fruit juice and 0.020 and 0.106 mg/L for hand-reamed and mechanically extracted peel-intact juice, respectively. Juice from peeled fruit contained significantly (P < 0.05) less linalool than peel-intact juice. Approximately 80% of the total juice linalool content was associated with peel using reamer design, and 96% was associated with peel-cutting/macerating design. Linalool increased with increasing peel oil levels; however, the increases were not proportionate. Since all commercial juices are mechanically extracted, the vast majority of linalool in commercial orange juice originates from the peel and not from the juice vesicle cytoplasm. Juice from peel-macerated, mechanically extracted fruit increased from 0.106 to 0.134 mg/kg after thermal processing, whereas juice from reamer extraction was essentially unchanged.     

Arsenic(V) Adsorption from Aqueous Solution on Magnetic Fe0.2(Co20Ni80)0.8 Alloy Porous Microfibers

The magnetic, nanocrystalline Fe_0.2(Co₂₀Ni₈₀)_0.8 alloy porous microfibers were prepared by the citrate gel thermal decomposition and reduction process. The morphology, chemical composition, microstructure, and magnetic properties of the microfibers were investigated by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, Brunauere?CEmmette?CTeller, and vibration sample magnetometer. The as-prepared magnetic, nanocrystalline Fe_0.2(Co₂₀Ni₈₀)_0.8 porous microfibers consisting of about 48 nm grains are characterized by diameters of 1?C4???m, specific surface area of 17.73?m²/g, and specific magnetization of 196.7?Am²/kg. The arsenic(V) absorption on these magnetic Fe_0.2(Co₂₀Ni₈₀)_0.8 porous microfibers at room temperature was determined by the ICP-AES measurement of arsenic(V) in aqueous solution. The results show that the pseudo-first-order kinetic model is consistent with the arsenic(V) adsorption process and a good correlation coefficient (R ²?=?0.9862). By comparing among the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Redlich?CPeterson models for adsorption isotherms of arsenic(V) onto the magnetic Fe_0.2(Co₂₀Ni₈₀)_0.8 porous microfibers at room temperature, the Freundlich model and Redlich?CPeterson model can be used to evaluate the arsenic(V) adsorption isotherm at room temperature. The arsenic(V) equilibrium absorbance of the magnetic Fe_0.2(Co₂₀Ni₈₀)_0.8 porous microfibers is up to 1.9?mg/g when the initial arsenic(V) concentration is 1.0?mg/L in aqueous solution.     

Accumulation of Lead and Arsenic by Potato Grown on Lead–Arsenate-Contaminated Orchard Soils

There are concerns of potential food chain transfer of metals in crops grown on lead–arsenate-contaminated soils. The objective of this study was to investigate lead and arsenic uptake by four potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars grown on lead–arsenate-contaminated soils with lead and arsenic concentrations ranging from 350 to 961 and 43 to 290 mg kg^?1, respectively. Yield was not reduced due to treatment. Potato tubers were washed thoroughly before peeling. Lead concentration in both peeled tubers and peel was below instrument detection limit. Arsenic concentration in peeled tubers grown on the lead–arsenate soils ranged from 0.24 to 1.44 mg kg^?1. Arsenic concentration was 60% higher in the peel than in the peeled tuber. The relatively high arsenic levels in the peel demonstrated that arsenic was taken up into the potato peel tissue. It is recommended that if potatoes are grown on these soils they should be peeled before consumption.

Abbreviations Pb, lead; As, arsenic; DW, dry weight; FW, fresh weight     

磁性壳聚糖微球吸附苹果汁有机酸的动力学及热力学特性

为充分利用中国丰富的苹果资源,开发多品类的苹果深加工产品,以磁性壳聚糖微球为吸附剂,通过磁分离技术,吸附获得苹果汁中的天然有机酸,并对其吸附过程进行研究。利用Lagergren准一级动力学方程、准二级动力学方程、Elovich方程及内扩散方程对吸附反应动力学过程进行拟合;利用Langmuir等温吸附模型、Freundlich等温吸附模型及Temkin等温吸附模型对吸附等温数据进行拟合,并对其吸附反应热力学特性进行分析。通过比较线性拟合方程的决定系数,发现磁性壳聚糖微球吸附苹果汁中有机酸的动力学过程更加符合Lagergren准二级动力学模型,吸附温度越高,吸附速率常数和初始吸附速率越大,但平衡吸附量越低。等温吸附过程更加符合Langmuir等温吸附模型,表明该吸附过程更趋向于单分子层的化学吸附。298 K时,有机酸的饱和吸附量可达到188.679 2 mg/g,表明磁性壳聚糖微球是苹果汁中有机酸的1种高效吸附剂。热力学参数ΔG°0,ΔH°0,ΔS°0,表明磁性壳聚糖微球对苹果汁有机酸的吸附过程为熵增加的可自发进行的放热过程。动力学及热力学结果为磁性壳聚糖微球吸附苹果汁有机酸的研究提供了理论基础与技术支持。     

Evaluation of Iron(III)-Coordinated Amino-Functionalized Poly(Glycidyl Methacrylate)-Grafted Cellulose for Arsenic(V) Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a novel adsorbent (Fe(III)-AM-PGMACell), Iron(III)-coordinated amino-functionalized poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-grafted cellulose for the adsorption of arsenic(V) from aqueous solutions. The Fe(III)-AM-PGMACell was prepared through graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto cellulose (Cell) in the presence of N,N??-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a cross linker using benzoyl peroxide initiator, followed by treatment with ethylenediamine and ferric chloride in the presence of HCl. Batch experiments were performed to evaluate the adsorption efficiency of Fe(III)-AM-PGMACell towards As(V) ions. The contact time to attain equilibrium and the optimum pH were 90?min and 6.0, respectively. More than 99.0% adsorption was achieved from an initial concentration of 25.0?mg/L. A two-step pseudo-first-order kinetic model agreed well with the dynamic behavior for the adsorption process. Equilibrium data fitted well with Sips isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 78.8?mg/g at 30??C. The desorption of As(V) was achieved over 98.0% with 0.1?M NaCl solution.     

Gas chromatographic determination of fenpropimorph residues in citrus fruit

A rapid gas chromatographic method for determining fenpropimorph residues in citrus fruit is reported. The fungicide is extracted with hexane after pH adjustment of the fruit homogenate. A short liquid-liquid partitioning process is performed before gas chromatography on an OV-17 column with nitrogen-phosphorus specific detection. The limit of detection of the method was 0.01 mg/kg, based on a 25 g sample. Recovery was always higher than 70%. Fenpropimorph residues in "Washington Navel" oranges and "Hernandina" clementine fruits dipped in a 1500 mg/L fungicide solution were determined. The fungicide remains mainly in the peel, with levels less than 0.1 mg/kg in the pulp. Fungicide residues in the peel decrease during storage, mainly in Washington Navel peel, where values decreased from 5.2 to 2.8 mg/kg.     

不同钾氮配比对荔枝果实矿质元素含量及其耐贮性的影响

【目的】在广东省惠州市荔枝主产区,于2009 2012年连续3年研究不同钾氮养分比例对荔枝果实矿质元素含量的影响及其与耐贮性的关系,以期为荔枝高产优质高效栽培与耐贮增值的科学施肥技术提供理论依据。【方法】在大田栽培条件下,以1995年嫁接苗种植的国内主栽品种妃子笑为试材,设钾氮不同施用比例(K2O/N分别为0.6、0.8、1.0、1.2和1.4)5个处理,分别用K0.6N、K0.8N、K1.0N、K1.2N、K1.4N表示。在荔枝收获期测定果实矿质元素含量,并进行室温(25±1°C)自然贮藏试验,每2d采样测定相关贮藏指标。【结果】1)随着K2O/N比的提高,荔枝外果皮钾(K)、硼(B)含量呈下降趋势,内果皮K含量呈先下降后增加,果肉K、内外果皮和果肉钙(Ca)、内果皮B含量均呈现先增加后下降,果核Ca含量呈现逐渐增加的趋势。2)随着K2O/N比的提高,内外果皮K/Ca、Mg/Ca、(Mg+K)/Ca、K/B比均呈先下降后增加,外果皮Ca/B比呈增加的趋势。3)内果皮K含量与果实好果率呈极显著负相关,外果皮Ca、内果皮B含量与果实好果率呈显著或极显著正相关。内、外果皮K含量与果皮细胞膜透性呈显著正相关,外果皮Ca含量与果皮细胞膜透性呈显著负相关。内、外果皮K含量与多酚氧化酶(PPO)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性呈显著正相关,而内、外果皮Ca含量则与两种酶活性呈显著负相关。4)内、外果皮K/Ca、Mg/Ca、(Mg+K)/Ca和K/B比与果实好果率呈显著或极显著负相关,与果皮细胞膜透性、PPO和POD活性均呈显著或极显著正相关,而Ca/B比则完全相反。【结论】荔枝生产中合理调控钾、氮养分施用比例(K2O/N),不仅可以提高内、外果皮的Ca/B比值,还有利于降低内、外果皮K/Ca、Mg/Ca、(Mg+K)/Ca和K/B的比值,对提高果实耐贮性具有重要作用。本试验条件和施肥方法下,K2O/N的施用比例以1.2∶1时能最大限度地满足优良耐贮性能适宜的养分含量及比例。     

Kinetic and Removal Mechanisms of Ethylbenzene from Contaminated Solutions by Chitin and Chitosan

In this study, the efficiency of chitin and chitosan toward the removal of ethylbenzene from aqueous solutions was investigated. Batch adsorption experiments of ethylbenzene-contaminated waters (5?C200 mg/L) were carried out to evaluate the removal performance. Ethylbenzene uptake was determined from the changes in concentration, as the residual concentration was measured by gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy. The results indicated that the adsorption of ethylbenzene by chitin and chitosan were in agreement with the Langmuir isotherm, for two parameters model, and Redlich?CPeterson isotherm, for three parameters model. A maximum removal percentage of 65% of ethylbenzene can be achieved using chitosan as adsorbent material. The adsorption capacity of ethylbenzene followed the order chitosan?>?chitin. The pseudo-second order rate model described best the adsorption kinetics of ethylbenzene for the two selected adsorbents. The kinetic studies also revealed that the pore diffusion is not the only rate controlling step in the removal of ethylbenzene. Overall, the study demonstrated that chitosan is a potential adsorbent for the removal of ethylbenzene at concentrations as high as 200 mg/L.     

Organic vs conventionally grown Rio Red whole grapefruit and juice: comparison of production inputs, market quality, consumer acceptance, and human health-bioactive compounds

Most claims that organic produce is better tasting and more nutritious than nonorganic (conventional) produce are largely unsubstantiated. This is due mainly to a lack of rigor in research studies matching common production variables of both production systems, such as microclimate, soil type, fertilizer elemental concentration, previous crop, irrigation source and application, plant age, and cultivar. The aforementioned production variables common to both production systems were matched for comparison of Texas commercially grown conventional and certified organic Rio Red red-fruited grapefruit. Whole grapefruits from each production system were harvested between 800 and 1000 h at commercial early (November), mid- (January), and late season (March) harvest periods for three consecutive years. Within each harvest season, conventional and organic whole fruits were compared for marketable qualities (fruit weight, specific gravity, peel thickness, and peel color), and juices were compared for marketable qualities (specific gravity, % juice, and color), human health-bioactive compounds (minerals, ascorbic acid, lycopene, sugars, pectin, phenols, and nitrates), and consumer taste intensity and overall acceptance. Conventional fruit was better colored and higher in lycopene, and the juice was less tart, lower in the bitter principle naringin, and better accepted by the consumer panel than the organic fruit. Organic fruit had a commercially preferred thinner peel, and the juice was higher in ascorbic acid and sugars and lower in nitrate and the drug interactive furanocoumarins.     

Selenium uptake and fruit quality of pear (Pyrus communis L.) treated with foliar Se application

Consuming selenium (Se)‐rich fruit may play an important role in human health by supplementing Se. The aims of this study were to (1) determine the Se tolerance of pear trees and (2) explore the effects of different Se sources and spraying dates on Se concentrations and transformation of inorganic Se into organic Se compounds in various parts of the pear tree and on fruit quality. Spraying Se(IV) or Se(VI) at a concentration of > 40 mg L^?1 resulted in leaf yellowing, marginal withering, and finally leaf abscission. Furthermore, fruit growth and appearance were adversely affected at high Se doses. At the same application stage, Se concentrations in different parts of the fruit were 1.1–4.7 times higher under Se(VI) compared to Se(IV) treatment. For the same Se source, Se concentrations under treatment at the fruit expanding stage were 1.9–2.5 times higher than under treatment at the fruit‐setting stage. Of the total Se in the fruit, 40% accumulated in the juice under Se(IV) treatment and > 70% under Se(VI) treatment. However, regardless of the Se source, the Se in the juice was almost all inorganic, while the transformation of inorganic Se into organic Se compounds was > 80% and 70% in the peel and pomace, respectively. Foliar Se application somewhat improved fruit quality by increasing the concentration of soluble solids. Compared to other species, Se tolerance in pear trees was relatively low. Given the high accumulation of Se and efficient transformation of inorganic Se into organic Se compounds in the peel, consumption of unpeeled Se‐rich pears is recommended.