Identifying Type of Refined Petroleum Products in Environmental Media: Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) as a Quick Methodology

The ultimate goal of our study is to establish thin-layer chromatography (TLC) as a quick and simple method for identifying the type of refined petroleum products present in the environmental media. As a preliminary step, TLC chromatograms of different petroleum products, including gasoline, kerosene, and diesel, were characterized and compared. Methanol was determined as the optimum carrier solution in TLC analysis. The spherical-shaped TLC chromatogram of gasoline showed the longest migration distance, and thus the highest retardation factor (R _f) of 0.91. This was followed by that of kerosene (0.63) with an elliptical-shaped, and diesel (0.24) with an elongated trapezoid-shaped chromatogram. R _f of kerosene and diesel increased with the dilution factor, while gasoline showed a constant value. Additionally, it was observed that the TLC chromatograms of oils produced the same peak pattern with the corresponding petroleum products in gas chromatography (GC). A mixed sample of kerosene and diesel presented a triangular shaped chromatogram, underlining the need to consider the shape of chromatogram in addition to the R _f value, as an indicator of the petroleum type. The findings indicate that TLC has a huge potential to be used as a quick and reliable method for identifying the type of refined petroleum products in the environmental media.     

The effect of bentonite concentration on the drug delivery efficacy of a pH-sensitive alginate/bentonite hydrogel

We produced a protein loaded, pH-sensitive alginate-bentonite hydrogel for wound dressings. Alginate is a nontoxic polysaccharide with favorable pH-sensitive properties that make it useful for the intestinal delivery of protein drugs. However, the use of alginate for drug delivery is limited by drug leaching and rapid dissolution of alginate at the higher pH, which may result in lower entrapment efficiency and a burst in the release of entrapped protein drugs. To overcome these problems, we created a novel cross-linked alginate-bentonite hydrogel by combining mineral-rich bentonite with the alginate matrix along with an additive to ensure controlled release. We analyzed the gel in the drug loading process in an aqueous environment by looking at the release profiles of a model protein drug (BSA) from the hydrogel at pH values of 4.5, 5.2 (skin area) and 7.4, 9.2 (wound area). The swelling ratio decreased with bentonite concentration, but did not fall below 6. The rate of drug release was slowest at a pH value of 4.5 and fastest at a pH value of 9.2. The rate of drug release decreased with bentonite concentration. The presence of bentonite prevents the rapid dissolution of alginate at the higher pH, ensuring the controlled release of the entrapped drug.     

苏云金芽胞杆菌新菌株的研究

为筛选对昆虫有高力的苏云金芽胞杆菌特异性菌株,从韩国不同地区土壤中筛选出两株对鳞翅目和双翅目昆虫具有杀虫活性的苏云金芽胞杆菌菌株K9805和K9903,它们分属于苏云金芽胞杆菌库斯塔克亚种和鲇泽亚种,形成典型的双金字塔型伴胞晶体,两菌株不但对小菜蛾、甜菜夜蛾具有较高的生命活性,而且对双翅目昆虫致倦库蚊有毒。K9805含有cry IAa,cy IAb,cry IC,cry ID和cry I基因,K9903含有cry IAa,cry IAb,cry IAc,cry IE和cry Ⅱ基因。     

Molecular mapping of a new gene for resistance to rice blast (Pyricularia grisea Sacc.)

A single dominant blast resistance gene conferring resistance to a Korean rice blast isolate was identified in rice variety `Suweon 365'. We report the chromosomal localization and molecular mapping of this blast resistance gene designated as Pi-18, which confers resistance to Korean isolate `KI-313' of the blast pathogen. To know whether there is a relationship among genes conditioning resistance to location-specific isolates of the blast pathogen and thereby to identify linked markers to resistance gene for isolate KI-313 collected in Korea, RFLP markers previously reported to be linked to major blast resistance genes in different rice germplasm and other markers mapped to nearby regions were surveyed for polymorphism between a resistant (`Suweon 365') and a susceptible (`Chucheongbyeo') parent. Linkage associations of the RFLP markers with the resistance gene were verified using an F2 and F3 segregating population of known blast reaction. RFLP analysis showed that Pi-18 was located near the end of chromosome 11, linked to a single copy clone RZ536 at a distance of 5.4 centiMorgans (cM) and that this gene was different from Pi-1(t). An allelism test revealed that this gene was also different from Pi-k. Currently, a combination of RAPD and microsatellite primers is being employed to find additional markers in this region. Tightly linked DNA markers will facilitate selection for resistant genotypes in breeding programs and provide the basis for map based cloning of this new blast resistance gene. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizers on Growth Characteristics of Two Species of Bellflower (Platycodon grandiflorum)

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Fertilization plays a vital role to enhance productivity in several medicinal plants, including Bellflower. A pot experiment was conducted in 2018 to...