Development and validation of a lateral flow device for the detection of nicarbazin contamination in poultry feeds

Concentrations of the coccidiostat nicarbazin as low as 2 mg/kg in feed can result in violative drug residues arising in poultry liver. A lateral flow device (LFD) was developed for the detection of contaminating concentrations of nicarbazin following solvent extraction of poultry feeds. Test results, as determined by both visual and instrumental measurement, are available within minutes. For 22 feed samples, nicarbazin-free and fortified at 2 mg/kg, the % relative inhibition ranged from 0 to 45% and from 53 to 85%, respectively. Nicarbazin contamination at the critical concentration (2 mg/kg) can be determined in all cases providing the sampling is representative. A wide range of feed samples taken at a mill that incorporated nicarbazin into poultry feed were analyzed. Data generated for these samples by both the LFDs and a mass spectrometric method were compared, and a significant correlation was achieved.     

激光诱导荧光水体叶绿素a浓度监测仪器研制

叶绿素a浓度是反映水质的重要参数之一，常作为水产养殖、渔场预测、环境保护等领域的重要评价指标。针对现有叶绿素a监测仪器实时性差、自动化程度低、环境干扰严重等问题，该研究以实时监测叶绿素a浓度为主要目标，提出了环境光校正算法和数据处理算法，设计了一种基于激光诱导荧光技术的水体叶绿素a浓度监测装置。该装置可向水体发射波长440 nm的激光，诱导激发叶绿素a产生中心波长680 nm的荧光，利用可见光传感器获取叶绿素a受激产生的680 nm荧光强度，即可实现对叶绿素a浓度的监测。以绿藻门小球藻和蓝藻门铜绿微囊藻为对象，利用680 nm荧光值和叶绿素a浓度的线性关系建立拟合模型，模型决定系数R²为0.99；基于统计分析法设计的数据处理可有效剔除误差数据，提高测量结果的稳定性；利用环境光校正算法可有效降低环境光对测量结果的干扰。在仪器稳定性试验中，通过测量激光模块的供电电流和光谱模块的440 nm通道光强值，4 min后两者的标准差系数均为0.001，皮尔逊相关系数为0.84，表明可通过控制电流强度控制激光输出。在性能验证试验中，2组不同光照强度和6组不同藻种的待测水样的平均测量误差在5.48%以内。研究结果可为水质监测领域提供设备支持。     

手持式黄油桃可溶性固形物可见近红外光谱检测设备研制

桃在鲜果市场中占有重要份额。可溶性固形物含量（soluble solid content,SSC）是衡量桃品质的重要参数,是挑选优质桃以及预测最佳采摘时期的重要决策依据。该研究开发了一款基于可见近红外光谱技术的手持式黄油桃SSC无损检测设备。该设备的硬件系统主要由微型光谱仪、卤素灯、OLED显示屏、微控制器以及自主设计的驱动电路组成。为了评估所开发设备的检测性能,采用北京平谷区种植的黄油桃作为样品进行验证。首先,获取校正集样品在680～940 nm范围内的可见近红外光谱,经5点平均平滑和最大值归一化对光谱预处理建立黄油桃SSC偏最小二乘回归模型并用于预测集样本的SSC分析,预测相关系数和均方根误差分别为0.947和0.728%,单果检测时间不超过2 s。为了提高模型精度和稳定性,将校正集和预测集合并后作为新的校正集进行建模,并将重新构建的模型对独立验证集进行预测,SSC预测值与实测值的相关系数为0.906,均方根误差为0.732%。采用分段直接校正算法将主机模型传递到从机。经过模型传递后,从机对独立验证集SSC的预测值与实测值的相关系数和均方根误差分别为 0.865和0.919%。该手持式SSC检测设备可将SSC预测数据以蓝牙方式传输到手机客户端,借助手机定位功能,在地图上实现黄油桃SSC空间可视化分布。研究结果表明,该手持式SSC无损检测设备可以实现黄油桃SSC的准确测量,借助模型传递算法。实现了模型在不同设备间的有效传递,避免了重复建模,可为该设备批量生产节约大量成本,具有广阔的应用前景。     

蔬菜穴盘育苗播种漏播检测及智能补种装置设计与试验

为保证植物工厂蔬菜穴盘育苗高质量作业要求,该研究在气吸滚筒式蔬菜穴盘育苗精密播种器的基础上,优化设计了在线漏播检测与智能补种装置,以可编程逻辑控制器（programmable logic controller, PLC）为控制核心,实时进行播种器吸孔漏吸检测及穴盘穴孔漏播位置预报,并完成漏播穴孔的定点定穴补种。采用光电检测技术检测播种器吸孔漏吸位置,构建漏吸吸孔与育苗穴盘穴孔的对应动态补种矩阵,实现穴盘穴孔漏播位置精准预报;优化设计了智能补种装置,根据预报的穴盘穴孔漏播位置实现定点定穴精准补种。以中双11号菜心种子为对象,开展播种器吸孔漏吸检测与穴孔漏播位置预报试验,得到吸孔漏吸平均检测准确率为98.82%,穴孔漏播位置预报准确率为100%。采用Box-Behnken试验设计方法,对智能补种装置开展作业性能试验,构建主要性能指标（单粒合格指数、重播指数和漏播指数）与主要影响因素（吸针负压、吸针孔径和种室振动压力）的关系,并进行多目标优化,确定智能补种装置最优工作参数组合为吸针负压10.19 kPa、吸针孔径0.67 mm、种室振动压力0.07 MPa,此时补种装置播种的平均单粒合格指数...     

Odor thresholds of microbially induced off-flavor compounds in apple juice

Microbially derived off-flavor is a major problem in apple juice production as it diminishes the sensory quality of the juice significantly. Fifteen relevant off-flavor compounds that are formed in apple juice, for example, by the strains Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris and Actinomycetes (Streptomyces ssp.) were investigated with respect to their sensory relevance. The odor threshold values (i.e., detection and recognition values) were determined for all compounds in the matrix apple juice. Odor threshold values for fenchyl alcohol are reported here for the first time. The obtained values were set in relation to the limits of detection and quantification of a previously published GC-MS method. Eight tainted apple juice samples were analyzed for the presence of the 2 strains and the 15 off-flavor compounds. Both strains could be found in the samples; the presence of Streptomyces ssp. as spoilage bacteria of apple juice is reported for the first time. In samples with distinct off-flavor, 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine, 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine, 2-methylisoborneol, 1-octen-3-ol, fenchyl alcohol, geosmin, and guaiacol as well as 2,6-dibromophenol were determined in concentrations higher than the detection threshold.     

Measurements of aeration in waterlogged soils: some improvements of techniques and their application to experiments using lysimeters

The techniques of measuring oxygen concentrations, oxygen flux and redox potential have been adapted for use in lysimeters. The accuracy and precision of the measurements have been improved, as well as their convenience for use in the limited soil volume of lysimeters. Concentrations of dissolved and gaseous oxygen are measured with a membrane covered polarographic electrode. The analysis is made on samples of air or solution carefully extracted from collection vessels permanently in the soil. Oxygen flux is measured with bare platinum electrodes. Careful choice is made of effective voltage for the measurement of equilibrium oxygen related currents. Redox potential is measured by the same platinum electrode and the reproducibility of measurements from permanently installed electrodes was assessed. The effect of soil structure upon the three kinds of measurement was seen and attributed to differences between the volumes of soil sampled by the different instruments.     

基于光谱技术的畜禽污水化学需氧量快速测定方法的研究

化学需氧量(COD)是评价水体污染程度的一项重要综合性指标。随着环境污染问题的日益严重,传统的测量方法由于存在分析成本高、时间长,并且还会造成二次污染等问题,已经不能够满足污水检测的需求,提出了采用光谱技术进行畜禽污水COD快速测定的方法。采用ASD公司的便携式光谱仪,选用容积分别为1000 mL和2000 mL的烧杯作为盛样容器,对18个不同COD浓度水平的污水样本进行了测量。通过吸光度与水样COD值的相关性分析表明,水样的光谱特性与COD值之间存在较好的相关性,以此建立偏最小二乘回归模型。结果表明,两种不同盛样容器(1000 mL、2000 mL)下的预测决定系数达到0.9895和0.9985,校正样本标准偏差为14.2和11.5,预测样本标准偏差为22和32,预测相对偏差均在10％以下,能够满足农业工程应用的要求。说明可以利用光谱技术对畜禽污水的COD含量进行定量分析,COD预测模型的建立也将为开发水质在线检测仪器提供技术基础。     

Antioxidant potential of two red seaweeds from the Brazilian coasts

In this work, in vitro antioxidant activity of two Brazilian red seaweeds, Gracilaria birdiae and Gracilaria cornea, was characterized. The total phenolic content, the radical-scavenging activity and the antioxidant activity were determined in two solvent extracts of the algae. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) allowed identification of important antioxidant compounds. The ethanol extract of G. birdiae was found to have the highest value of total phenolic content: 1.13 mg of gallic acid equiv (GAE)/g of extract. The radical-scavenging activity of G. birdiae and G. cornea extracts has been evaluated at different extract concentrations; the IC(50) values of ethanolic extracts of G. cornea and G. birdiae were 0.77 and 0.76 mg mL(-1), respectively, while for methanolic extracts, the IC(50) values of G. cornea and G. birdiae were 0.86 and 0.76 mg mL(-1), respectively. The antioxidant activities of these two seaweeds' extracts as assessed by the β-carotene-linoleic acid assay were equally high, achieving values of β-carotene oxidation inhibition of up to 40%. Finally, in the methanolic extracts, LC-MS/MS allowed identification in both algae of two important antioxidants: apigenin and gallic acid.     

基于可见/近红外光谱生鲜肉多品质参数检测装置研发

为了解决生鲜肉多个品质参数快速、无损、同时检测的问题,该文利用双波段(350~1 100 nm和1 000~2 500 nm)可见/近红外光谱技术,结合硬件单元和编写的软件控制程序,研发了多品质参数同时检测装置,实现对双波段光谱信息的同时采集、实时处理、显示以及保存。基于该检测装置,采集覆盖生鲜肉多个品质参数的可见/近红外光谱信息(350~2 500 nm),经过平滑和标准正态变量变换(standard normal variate,SNV)预处理后,分别基于单波段和双波段光谱数据,与国家标准方法测定的猪肉颜色(L*、a*、b*)、p H值、挥发性盐基氮(total volatile basic nitrogen,TVB-N)、含水率、蒸煮损失和嫩度建立偏最小二乘(partial least square,PLS)预测模型。在此基础上,利用竞争性自适应加权算法(competitive adaptive reweighted sampling,CARS)筛选特征变量,建立简化的PLS模型,对各个品质参数的预测集相关系数分别为0.962 5、0.933 6、0.938 9、0.941 5、0.936 3、0.912 3、0.920 0和0.901 9,预测误差为0.628 7、0.757 6、0.547 1、0.078 2、2.835 4 mg/(100 g)、0.380 9%、2.560 0%和6.896 7 N。结果表明,该装置可以实现生鲜肉多个品质参数的同时检测,研究结果可为实时获取肉品品质信息,实现肉品评定和分级提供参考。     

A standardized method for the determination of the intrinsic carbon and nitrogen mineralization capacity of natural organic matter sources

A new method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the intrinsic carbon and nitrogen mineralization capacity of organic matter (OM) sources by means of an aerobic incubation in suspension. The proposed method is based on determination of the oxygen consumption, monitored indirectly via pressure measurement, and on determination of nitrogen mineralization, through the periodical measurement of NH₄⁺-N, in a liquid suspension of the samples. The suspension is standardized in terms of nutrient composition and pH, and well-controlled incubation conditions that can be enforced as desired. This method rules out the effect of soil conditions and thus reflects the intrinsic properties of the OM. The method is faster and more reproducible than soil incubation tests that are currently used. In such a system, it is important that nitrification is inhibited to avoid oxygen consumption by nitrifiers and prevent the production of gaseous nitrogen compounds. Two nitrification inhibitors, N-allylthiourea and 2-ethynylpyridine, were tested at different concentrations for three reference samples, soil, bark and manure. Both inhibitors completely suppress NO₃⁻ formation without suppressing the heterotrophic microbial activity, thus allowing the correct determination of the oxygen uptake rate (OUR). When nitrification inhibitors were added, nitrous oxide could not be detected anymore in the gas phase of the system, which confirms that nitrification was inhibited and indicates that denitrification and nitrifier denitrification activity was negligible. N mineralization rates were determined by frequent sampling from the liquid phase of the system without disturbing the pressure measurement during the incubation and subsequent determination of NH₄⁺-N. The method presented allows for the reliable and relatively easy and cheap, simultaneous determination of carbon and nitrogen mineralization rates for a wide range of OM sources.     

Rapid Determination of Mercury in Plant and Soil Samples Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, a Comparative Study

The objectives of this study were to simplify sample preparation and validate mercury detection in soil and plant samples using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). A set of mercury contaminated and mercury free soil and plant samples were digested and analyzed by ICP-AES, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CVAAS). Results show that mercury measurements in soil and plant samples using ICP-AES were in agreement with those analyzed using ICP-MS and CVAAS. The concentrations of mercury in soils and plant tissues determined by ICP-AES were 92.2% and 90.5% of those determined by CVAAS and ICP-MS, respectively. Digestion of soil samples with 4 M HNO₃ and direct measurement by ICP-AES without reduction of Hg²⁺ to Hg⁰ gave a reasonable and acceptable recovery (92%) for determining Hg in soils. We conclude that ICP-AES with optimized conditions (addition of gold chloride, extension of washing time, linear working range, and selection of wavelength – 194 nm) resulted in reliable detection of mercury in environmental samples.     

FTIR determination of Aspartame and Acesulfame-K in tabletop sweeteners

Two different strategies for sweeteners determination in tabletop samples by Fourier transform middle-infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, an off-line and a fully mechanized extraction of Aspartame and Acesulfame-K with different mixtures of chloroform and methanol, have been developed. The off-line method involves the extraction of both active principles by sonication of samples with 25:75 v/v CHCl3/CH3OH and direct measurement of the peak height values at 1751 cm(-1), corrected using a baseline defined at 1850 cm(-1) for Aspartame, and measurement of the peak height at 1170 cm(-1) in the first-order derivative spectra, corrected by using a horizontal baseline established at 1850 cm(-1), for Acesulfame-K. Limit of detection values of 0.10 and 0.9% w/w and relative standard deviations of 0.17 and 0.5% were found for Aspartame and Acesulfame-K, respectively. The time needed for the sweeteners determination is reduced from 35 min for the HPLC method to 7 min by FTIR. On the other hand, the fully mechanized on-line extraction avoids the contact of the operator with toxic solvents and differentiates between samples that contain Aspartame and Acesulfame-K and those that include only Aspartame, reducing the time needed for the analysis of the last kind of samples to 5 min.     

苹果外部缺陷全表面在线检测分选装置研发

中国是水果消费大国,但在水果产后检测装备方面相对滞后。针对目前在线检测装置无法采集苹果全表面图像信息且无法精确计算缺陷面积的问题,该研究以表面缺陷面积的快速检测为主要目标,提出苹果全表面图像合成算法,设计了一套苹果外部品质在线检测及分级装置。该研究以苹果为例,基于球模型提出苹果全表面图像合成算法、缺陷面积校正算法精确计算苹果的表面缺陷面积。通过试验验证,对苹果表面图像进行分割合成后,整体的图像的漏检率为0。提出缺陷面积校正算法,可以计算图像中位于任意位置的苹果缺陷真实面积,选取了120个样本进行验证,其中擦伤样本、碰伤样本、痘斑病样本、表面腐败样本各30个。4种表面损伤面积的预测值和真实值的决定系数R²均在0.97以上,均方根误差(Root Mean Squared Error, RMSE)在4 mm²以下。在偏角试验中,4种表面损伤面积的预测值和真实值的决定系数R²均在0.974 2以上,RMSE在6.304 4 mm²以下。装置检测苹果的速度为2个/s,评级准确率为95%。研究结果表明,检测与苹...     

脉冲式蒸发器水面蒸发量手机在线检测装置研制

为提高水面蒸发量的智能检测水平,研制了一种可以通过手机进行水面蒸发量在线检测的装置。该装置主要由整体结构稳定装置、传感器位置固定装置、调节装置、检测和脉冲控制模块、电源模块及上位机控制计算显示存储软件、物联网服务器、数据传输模块组成。采用水位检测传感器探头接触水面后,通过传感器探头的电平状态变化,对单片机所发出的脉冲进行计数,推算水面蒸发量,进行灌溉区间的动态计算,实现了水面蒸发量的在线检测。结果表明:1)装置运行可靠:水位传感器回到初始位置的成功率和单片机开发板接收到检测指令的成功率均为100%;2)装置运行稳定,检测精度较高:试验测定的脉冲数的最大极差为3,与人工测量值相比,该装置测定值最大相对误差为2.04%;3)单片机所发出的脉冲数和水位高度呈现线性关系,决定系数R2达到1;4)田间试验结果表明,该装置适应性较好,性能良好,最小相对误差为0.85%,最大相对误差为2.68%。可见,该装置运行稳定可靠,测量精度较高,不仅通过手机实时查看数据,而且通过手机远程控制检测过程,提高了水面蒸发量在线检测的智能化水平,研究可为智能化节水灌溉的灌溉定额提供依据。     

脱水蒜片在线分选技术及装置研究(简报)

目前市场上脱水大蒜片的分选主要靠人工感官进行.大蒜片对人眼的刺激性强,人工分选难以坚持严格、统一的标准,分选精度不易保证,分选结果一致性差.为解决以上问题,该文提出基于计算机视觉的脱水大蒜片分选技术,并开发出相应的自动分选装置.试验结果表明,分选正确率大于80%,带出比小于32%,所开发的技术和装置用于脱水大蒜片的在线分选是切实可行的.     

Portable Probes to Measure Electrical Conductivity and Soil Quality in the Field

Abstract

Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a useful indicator in managing agricultural systems, but tools for convenient and inexpensive measurements in the field are generally lacking. Handheld conductivity probes were designed to evaluate in‐field naturally occurring and human‐induced total soluble electrolyte levels in soil and water. The probes were used to survey and monitor EC in the field and to assess soil and water quality as related to environmental stability and sustainable food production. A pencil‐sized 16‐cm probe (PP) was connected to a handheld Hanna (DiST WP 4) conductivity meter, resulting in an economical, compact, and easy to use device. The tool provided accurate and precise results compared with laboratory instrumentation under standardized conditions of soil water content and temperature. Soil samples, varying widely in texture and organic matter content, and having ECs ranging from 0.13 to 2.32 dS m^?1 were used for comparison. Mean values and coefficients of variation were similar for the PP and the commercial laboratory EC meter with values determined with the two instruments being strongly correlated (r²=0.96–0.99). The handheld and PP probes effectively replaced expensive and cumbersome laboratory and field instruments used to measure EC in water and soil samples. The probe measurements were useful alternatives to conventional methods as they enabled accurate and precise measurement of EC, were a manageable size for field use, and were reliable and economic. The utility of EC as an indicator of soil health, plant‐available N, and environmental quality is also presented.     

Zur Bestimmung von Gips in Böden

On the determination of gypsum in soils The (020) X-ray reflection of gypsum at 7,56 Å is nearly specific and may be used for detection and quantitative measurement of the mineral in soil samples. By X-ray powder diffractometry gypsum can be detected as far down as 0,5% by weight. This limit may be extended down to 0,005% by concentration in the density fraction 2,1–2,5 g/cm³. For quantitative measurements references may be prepared from sample parts by dehydration of the original gypsum and adding known quantities of this mineral. So it is possible to compare samples of nearly identical grain size distribution, and mineral contents. This is important in the powder-diffractometrical quantitative measurement of a mineral with low hardness and good cleavage where mechanical stress during homogenisation lowers the intensities of X-ray reflections. Under comparable conditions for sample and reference, gypsum contents can be determined in the range of 0,5 to 20% by weight with an accuracy of ± 3% (relative).     

土柱入渗性能自动检测装置研制与试验

为实现室内竖直土柱入渗性能的自动检测,研制了一种土柱入渗性能自动检测装置。该装置主要由传感器位置调节装置、土样盛放装置、供水装置、检测和控制模块、电源模块和上位机显示存储模块组成,采用压力应变式传感器检测入渗过程的累积入渗量,采用介电常数土壤水分传感器检测土壤含水率的变化,进而推断湿润锋的运移位置。基于这2种传感器,实现土柱入渗过程自动检测。采用水头为10 mm,容重为1.15、1.20和1.25 g/cm~3的红壤土进行室内土柱入渗试验,检验该装置的性能。结果表明:1)9个试验和18个检测位置,土壤水分传感器进出土柱成功率为100%,表明该装置运行可靠;2)与烘干法相比,土壤水分传感器检测得到土壤含水率的最大相对误差为-4.4%,检测结果比较准确;3)与人工观测湿润锋位置相比,土壤水分传感器推算出的湿润锋位置最大相对误差为-12.9%,说明土壤水分传感器检测湿润锋的运移效果比较明显;4)压力应变式传感器检测累积入渗量与人工实测得到的数据对比,最大相对误差为2.27%。该装置可作为土柱入渗自动检测试验平台。     

Liquid chromatographic determination of chloramphenicol in calf tissues: studies of stability in muscle, kidney, and liver

A liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the measurement of chloramphenicol (CAP) in muscle, liver, and kidney. The mean recovery levels were 82.6, 75.3, and 79.2% in muscle, liver, and kidney, respectively. The method was repeatable and reproducible for CAP measurement in muscle, with a detection limit of 1 microgram/kg. Investigation of CAP stability in muscle, liver, and kidney showed that CAP stability in muscle was good at -20 degrees C; for spiked liver and kidney, degradation of CAP was observed, and the use of piperonyl butoxide (PB) for metabolism inhibition was recommended for recovery and linearity studies. However, PB was unnecessary for preservation of treated animal tissues if samples were cut into cubes and cooled at -20 degrees C, just after slaughter, pending analysis. With these limitations, CAP can be measured in liver and kidney.     

HAI-RTP determination of carbaryl pesticide in different irrigation water samples of south Spain

In this work, a widely used pesticide named carbaryl, present in numerous water supplies, has been determined by the so-called heavy atom induced room-temperature phosphorescence (HAI-RTP) methodology. A detailed study of numerous instrumental variables such as sensitivity, slits, decay time, and gate time, and those of experimental type such as heavy atoms, oxygen scavenger, temperature, buffer solutions, and organic solvents, have been carried out. The detection limit was 2.8 ng mL(-)(1) with a relative standard deviation of 2.12% at the 150 ng mL(-)(1) level. Spiked irrigation water samples taken from different places near agricultural fields gave mean percentage recoveries of 95.7%. The results obtained in this study indicate that the proposed method is suitable for the determination of residues of carbaryl pesticide in water samples with good reproducibility and sensitivity for the analysis of this compound being rapid and very simple for routine analysis.