Evaluation of some Methods for Fish Canning Wastewater Treatment

A fish canning facility processes 1900–2000 tons of mackerel and sardine annually at arate of 10–15 tons per day for a total of 200 days yr^-1. This factory generates an average of 20 m³ of industrial wastewaters per day. The objective of our study, which was carried out on a bimonthly basisfrom December 1995 to November 1996, was to determine the overall pollutant load associated with this effluent in relation to the applicable Egyptian Standards and to propose methods for pollutant load reduction before discharging it to the local sewer. The methods were to benefit through the recovery of wasted organic load and transform it into an environmentally safe residue amenable for either immediate reuse or final disposal thereafter. Five chemical coagulation/flocculation treatments were tried using ferric chloride, alum, lime, ferric chloride and lime, and alum and lime. The best method involved the use of FeCl₃ and Ca(OH)₂ (0.4 g Fe L^-1 and 0.2 g Ca L^-1, respectively) which reduced the average influent BOD₅ from 989 to 204 mg L^-1, the COD from 1324 to 320 mg L^-1, TSS from 4485 to 206 mg L^-1, total protein content from 812 to 66 mg L^-1 and oil and grease from 320 to 66 mg L^-1. The separated dried precipitate averaged 50 g L^-1 which was found to contain 40% by weight recovered protein and 20% recovered fat. The solid was ideal for on-site reprocessing as animal feed. As well, the final effluent, if not discharged to the area sewer, was safe for controlled use in some irrigation applications or forestry projects at the desert area surrounding the factory.     

Infectious tenosynovitis in broilers and broiler breeders in Egypt

Two infectious tenosynovitis-producing viruses were isolated from tendon sheaths and synovial fluids of 59 broilers and 15 broiler breeders obtained from different flocks in Egypt during June to October 1983. The viruses grew well on the chorioallantoic membrane of developing chicken embryos, produced small localized white pock lesions with oedematous swellings at the inoculation sites and death of most of the embryos 72 to 96 hours post-inoculation. They also induced cytopathic effect in chicken embryo rough, Vero and MS cell lines. The viruses were neutralized by reovirus S1133 antiserum, both in tissue culture and. on the chorioallantoic membrane. Inoculation of the viruses into 2-day-old broiler chicks via the foot pad, intramuscular and oral routes reproduced the disease with the development of characteristic clinical, pathological and serological responses. The infection was transmitted to in-contact control chicks. This is the first report of the disease and of the isolation and identification of the causative virus in Egypt.     

Infectious tenosynovitis in broilers and broiler breeders in Egypt

Two infectious tenosynovitis-producing viruses were isolated from tendon sheaths and synovial fluids of 59 broilers and 15 broiler breeders obtained from different flocks in Egypt during June to October 1983. The viruses grew well on the chorioallantoic membrane of developing chicken embryos, produced small localized white pock lesions with oedematous swellings at the inoculation sites and death of most of the embryos 72 to 96 hours post-inoculation. They also induced cytopathic effect in chicken embryo rough, Vero and MS cell lines. The viruses were neutralized by reovirus S1133 antiserum, both in tissue culture and on the chorioallantoic membrane. Inoculation of the viruses into 2-day-old broiler chicks via the foot pad, intramuscular and oral routes reproduced the disease with the development of characteristic clinical, pathological and serological responses. The infection was transmitted to in-contact control chicks. This is the first report of the disease and of the isolation and identification of the causative virus in Eqypt.     

Influence of boron concentrations on some meta‐bolites of date palm and sorghum seedlings

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. cv Khedhri) and sorghum (sorghum Sudan grass hybrid cv sugar Graze 11) plants were grown in vermiculite in a controlled environment and watered with a nutrient solution containing eight different concentrations of boron (B) (0 to 500 ppm), six months for date palm and four weeks for sorghum. The chlorophyll (Chl) content of the seedlings increased significantly with low concentrations of B for both date palm and sorghum, but no further significant increases were observed at higher concentrations. Generally, there was a positive correlation between B and calcium (Ca) content in the tissues of both seedlings when B concentrations were increased in the media. A negative correlation was found between B concentration in the media and the tissue content of phenolic compounds and the activity of some enzymes, such as polyphenol oxidase, IAA‐oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase in the tissue, while there was a positive correlation in the case of peroxidase. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) increased significantly in date palm with the increase of B in the medium, but for sorghum, the increase occurred at 10–100 ppm and decreased at 300 and 500 ppm B in the media.     

Zur Morphologie,Biologie und Ökologie von Anacampsis populella (Clerck) (Lep., Gelechiidae)

In 1975 and 1976 the leaf-rolling Microlepidoptera at birchtrees (Betula alba andB. pubescens) were investigated in the moor-land of Groebenzell western of Munich, Bavaria. Among the 14 species the GelechiidAnacampsis populella was predominant. The egg, larva and pupa, largely unknown hitherto, are described. In particular the chactotaxy of the larval stages are considered. The average number of eggs laid was 46.5, those of eggs within an egg cluster 6.5. The number of eggs remaining in the abdomen after death amounted to 9.5 per female. The larvae fed mainly on birch-trees and at a smaller scale on aspen. Willows and poplars were rejected. The first instar is living free at the underside of the leaf. Following the moulting the second instar rolls the leaf by help of spinning fibres.A. populella showed only one generation per year. The eggs overwintered. 20 species of parasitic Hymenoptera were reared: 10 larval, 4 pupal and 6 secondary parasites. The maximal quote of parasitation amounted to 59%.     

Survey of the parasitoids of the Greasy Cutworm,Agrotis ipsilon Rott. (Lepidoptera,Noctuidae) in Egypt

Weekly samples of the cutworm,Agrotis ipsilon Rott. larvae were collected for 3 successive season 1983/84–1985/86 from 3 Governorates in middle Egypt to survey and evaluate the role of parasitoids in suppressing the pest population.Two gregarious internal larval parasitoids were recorded,Apanteles ruficrus Hal. andMeteorus rubens Nees. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). Percentages of parasitism were estimated. They reached 20.2, 22.2 and 24.7% in seasons 1983/84, 1984/85 and 1985/86, respectively, with an average of 22.5% (10.3%A. ruficrus and 12.2%M. rubens). The highest rates of parasitism were recorded in March and April.

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Zusammenfassung Wöchentliche Aufsammlungen der Raupen vonA. ipsilon während der Jahre 1983/84 bis 1985/86 im mittleren Ägypten erbrachten zwei gregäre Endoparasitoiden,Apanteles ruficrus Hal. undMeteorus rubens Nees. (beide Hym., Braconidae). Sie erreichen zusammen in den 3 Jahren 20,2, 22,2 und 24,7%, i.M. 22,5% (A. ruficrus=10,3%, undM. rubens=12,2%). Die höchsten Parasitierungsraten wurden im März und April festgestellt.

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With one figure     

Sand Drift Potential in El-Khanka Area,Egypt

Wind erosion force vectors were computed from data of frequencyof occurrence of windspeed and direction based on the assumptionthat wind erosion is proportional to (windspeed)³× duration of exposure.The vertical distribution of eroded soil material wasmathematically described. The transition height betweensaltation and suspension could be identified and used tointegrate the two equations describing saltation and suspension.The soil avalanching process was studied by evaluating the horizontal changes of eroded soil material. The vertical andhorizontal distribution of eroded soil constituents, i.e.,particle size distribution, mean weight diameters, plantnutrients and heavy minerals content for selected wind stormswere also evaluated. Results revealed that soil constituents change considerably with the height and downwind distance.To assess the changes in soil properties due to wind erosion,surface soil samples were taken from the original eroded surfaceand from freshly accumulated drifts near the eroded field.Enrichment ratios were more than one for the fine fraction, organic matter, moisture retention, and chemical constituentsindicating a loss in their contents in the eroded field.     

Amelioratory effect of vitamin E on organophosphorus insecticide diazinon-induced oxidative stress in mice liver

Considering that the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the toxicity of organophosphate insecticides (OPIs), the aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative properties of vitamin E (vitE) against the subchronic effect of diazinon (DZN) on oxidative damage markers such as lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the antioxidant defense system (ADS) in the liver of male MFI albino mice. The groups were intraperitoneally (i.p) administered with either vehicle or vitE (100 mg/kg body weight) or ¼ LD₅₀ of DZN (16.25 mg/kg b.w.) or ½ LD₅₀ of DZN; 32.5 mg/kg b.w) or ¼ LD₅₀-DZN + vitE or ½ LD₅₀ + vitE every consecutive day for 14 days. Hepatic damage markers analysis revealed that alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly decreased in both DZN doses. Also, the significantly increased levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress as LPO and protein carbonyl (PC) and the decreased antioxidant defenses like reduced glutathione (GSH), and free radical scavenger enzymes viz., catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione reductase (GSH-Rx) were noted in DZN-treated groups as compared to control group. Distinctly lower levels of GSH and increased levels of LPO, along with alterations in endogenous antioxidant enzymes were evident in hepatic toxicity of DZN which is dose-dependent. Hepatic specific marker enzymes were restored to normalcy in mice supplemented with vitE following treatment with DZN which otherwise was decreased in the DZN-treated mice. The results show that co-treatment of vitE with DZN prevents or diminishes the oxidative stress of DZN-treated mice and may act as a putative protective agent against DZN-induced liver tissue injury.     

Base cations ameliorate Zn toxicity but not Cu toxicity in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris)

Seedlings of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) were grown in nutrient solutions containing a range of Cu and Zn concentrations. Based on measurements of shoot and root length and dry weight, copper was found to be already toxic at 10 μM, while Zn became toxic at 100 μM. At Cu and Zn levels found to induce a similar level of growth inhibiton, the influence of increasing the supply of K, Ca and Mg was investigated. Increasing the concentration of both Ca and Mg in the nutrient solution attenuated the degree of inhibition of root growth by Zn, but not Cu. Potassium did not affect the toxicity of either Cu or Zn. An increase in Ca decreased the level of both Cu and Zn in roots. Magnesium ameliorated the toxicity effects of Zn without effecting the Zn concentration in the roots. Treatment with Zn significantly decreased the concentration of Mg in the roots. An increased supply of Mg lowered the percentage decrease in root Mg concentration due to Zn toxicity. The maintenance of an adequate Mg level in the roots may be critical to prevent Zn induced inhibition of root growth.     

Avian infectious laryngo-tracheitis in Egypt. I. Epidemiology,virus isolation and identification

Serious outbreaks of haemorrhagic tracheitis in poultry induced by infectious laryngo-tracheitis virus (ILTV) have been recorded in Egypt for the first time. The disease occurred in different localities during late 1982 and early 1983. The associated drop in egg production ranged between 5% and 35% and there was a mortality rate which ranged from 0.05% to 19.8%. The causal virus was isolated on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of developing chicken embryos where it induced large yellowish-white pock lesions, 3–4 mm in diameter, by the fifth or sixth day post-inoculation. It was non-lethal to the inoculated embryos. It grew also with cytopathic effect (CPE) on the CER cell line. The CPE was characterized by syncytial formation and intranuclear inclusions. Chickens experimentally inoculated with the virus developed respiratory signs and 14 of 20 birds died with subsequent virus re-isolation. The isolated virus was unable to agglutinate chicken red cells and it was precipitated and partially neutralized by reference serum to ILTV. Viral antigen was detected by the indirect fluorescent antibody technique in tracheal smears obtained from naturally and experimentally infected birds. This is the first report of the isolation of ILTV in Egypt.