Use of Modified Zeolites for the Remediation of Waters and Cultivated Soils from Cu(II)

The ability of iron oxides (goethite) and natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) to adsorb copper from its aqueous solutions was extensively studied in the past. In this paper, the production of modified zeolites (systems I and II) from raw materials of zeolite and goethite was investigated compared to the initial materials. These two systems presented higher adsorption than goethite or clinoptilolite. Comparing the two systems, system II presented higher adsorption than system I. Isotherm studies showed that the adsorption data from all materials were best described by Freundlich isotherm. According to thermodynamic study, the values of ??G° became more negative with the increase of temperature, indicating that the adsorption process was more favorable to higher temperature. The positive values of ??H° indicated endothermic nature of adsorption. The use of all adsorptive materials as soil improvements was also investigated. Goethite, zeolite, and systems I and II were mixed separately with three different soils (clay loam, sandy loam, and loamy sand). Lettuces were cultivated, and the combination of system II with the loamy sand soil led to the best morphological characteristics of lettuces with the minimum adsorption of copper. Consequently, modified zeolites could be considered as two satisfactory detergents of highly copper concentration in soil and water.     

Distribution of Peroxidases in Durum Wheat (Triticum durum)

A biochemical study of the main durum wheat milling fractions (bran, embryo, and semolina) showed that peroxidases (POD) were present in multiple forms in the kernel and appeared to be tissue specific: one form for the embryo, one for the endosperm, one for the subaleuronic layer, and one for the outer layers. Large varietal differences were found regarding both the composition and the POD activity. POD activity, detected by diaminobenzidine, was found mainly in the cell wall of the subaleurone layer and inside some specific, differentiated cells of the embryo. Immuno‐localization with antibodies of durum wheat POD showed the presence of POD in several layers of the pericarp (epidermis) and the seed coat (testa), in the embryo, and also in the endosperm. In this latter tissue, the staining intensity decreased gradually from the outer layers toward the center of the kernel. The localization of POD in durum wheat kernel suggests specific functions for different forms.     

多环芳烃长期污染土壤的微生物强化修复初步研究

本研究通过室内模拟试验,以急性毒性较强的菲(Phe)和遗传毒性较强的苯并[a]芘(B[a]P)为代表性多环芳烃(PAHs)污染物,以不同C源、通气状况和水分条件为调控因子,对PAHs长期污染土壤的土著微生物强化修复进行初步研究。结果表明,搅动处理使污染土壤中Phe和B[a]P的降解率分别达59.44%和26.14%,而淹水处理使两者降解率分别达46.48%和13.27%。添加C源(淀粉和葡萄糖)处理提高了土壤中PAHs的降解率,且随着C源的施用量而增加。同时也发现污染土壤中PAHs降解菌和微生物总量呈正相关,并随着PAHs降解菌数量的增加,土壤中PAHs降解率也随之提高。可见,土壤中PAHs降解速率主要决定于PAHs的降解菌数量。     

污染土壤的微生物修复原理与技术进展

微生物修复是土壤环境生物修复技术的重要组成部分,是最具发展和应用前景的生物学环保新技术.本文以土壤中重金属及典型有机污染物为对象,从土壤微生物与污染物质的相互作用入手,较为系统地综合评述国内外污染土壤的微生物修复原理与技术,并结合当前土壤污染的新特点,提出了需进一步认识和解决微生物修复过程中出现的新现象和新问题,以不断丰富和拓展土壤环境微生物修复范畴与内涵.     

Effect of Microbial Transglutaminase on Dough Proteins of Hard and Soft (Triticum aestivium) and Durum (Triticum durum) Wheat Cultivars

Microbial transglutaminase (MTGase), a protein‐glutamine γ‐glutamyl transferase (E.C. 2.3.2.13), catalyzes acyl transfer reactions by introducing a covalent cross‐link between l ‐lysine and l ‐glutamine residues. The use of this enzyme has been proposed as an improver to increase dough strength. The objective of this study was to assess and compare the effect of MTGase on different fractions of dough proteins found in hard, soft, and durum wheat. Three different concentrations of the MTGase (0, 5, and 10U/g of gluten) were tested. Moisture, protein, and dry gluten contents were determined for each concentration in addition to rheological measurements done with the farinograph. Following each treatment, the dough proteins were extracted and analyzed by SE‐HPLC and RP‐HPLC. Soluble polymeric protein, gliadins, albumins, and globulins were quantified in addition to the gliadin subclasses and glutenin subunit types. The combustion procedure was used to determine the amount of insoluble polymeric protein. Differences were observed in susceptibility to MTGase catalysis among the dough proteins of the cultivars studied: the cultivar Cortazar (soft wheat) was the most susceptible. The proteins of this cultivar had a characteristically higher amount of ω and α+β gliadins when compared with the other cultivars. As reported earlier, solubility of high molecular weight glutenin subunits and ω‐gliadins was reduced because of the MTGase treatment. However, all gliadin subclasses, including the γ and α+β gliadins, also participated in cross‐linking. The proteins of the cultivar Altar (durum wheat) were the least susceptible to the effects of MTGase. Albumins and globulins did not show any reduction in solubility, implying that they did not participate in cross‐linking.     

Effect of boron application on calcium and boron concentrations in cell wall of durum (Triticum durum) and bread (Triticum aestivum) wheat

A greenhouse experiment was conducted with three doses of boron (0, 1, and 10 mg B kg^?1 in the form of boric acid (H₃BO₃). Durum wheat (Triticum durum L. cv: Çakmak-79) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv: Gerek-79) cultivars were used as plant material. B toxicity symptoms strongly appeared in durum wheat compared to bread wheat. Applications of B at 1.0 mg B kg^?1 stimulated and increased the dry weights of both the cultivars, while high level B application (i.e., 10 mg B kg^?1) depressed and decreased the dry weights significantly. B concentration and uptake in the leaf tip were increased with an increase in B application, whereas calcium (Ca) concentration and uptake were decreased in both the cultivars. It was observed that a substantial amount of B was accumulated in the plant cell wall. As similar to leaf tips, B concentrations in the cell wall also increased with B application, whereas Ca concentration was decreased.     

Preparation and characterization of durum wheat (Triticum durum) straw cellulose nanofibers by electrospinning

Cellulose nanofibers from durum wheat straw ( Triticum durum ) were produced and characterized to study their potential as reinforcement fibers in biocomposites. Cellulose was isolated from wheat straw by chemical treatment. Nanofibers were produced via an electrospinning method using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as the solvent. The nanofibers were 270 ± 97 nm in diameter. Analysis of the FT-IR spectra demonstrated that the chemical treatment of the wheat straw removed hemicellulose and lignin. XRD revealed that the crystallinity of the cellulose was reduced after electrospinning, but nanofibers remained highly crystalline. The glass transition temperature (T(g) value) of the fibers was 130 °C, higher than that of cellulose (122 °C), and the degradation temperature of the fibers was 236 °C. Residual TFA was not present in the nanofibers as assessed by the FT-IR technique.     

Alkylresorcinol content and homologue composition in durum wheat (Triticum durum) kernels and pasta products

The total alkylresorcinol (AR) content and relative homologue composition of 21 durum wheat (Triticum durum) kernel samples, as well as 5 pasta products and the corresponding flour mixtures, were determined. Durum wheat contained on average 455 microg/g ARs, and the average relative homologue composition was C17:0 (0.4%), C19:0 (14%), C21:0 (58%), C23:0 (21%), and C25:0 (6.5%). The homologue composition was found to be relatively consistent among samples, with durum wheat being different from common wheat by having a higher proportion of the longer homologues. No differences in content or homologue composition were observed in pasta products compared to flour ingredients, showing that alkylresorcinols are stable during pasta processing. The ratio of the homologues C17:0 to C21:0 was < or =0.02 for whole grain durum wheat products, which is different from those of common wheat (0.1) and rye (0.9).     

Yellow Pigment Determination for Single Kernels of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

The carotenoid concentration of durum wheat is a criterion for the assessment of semolina quality, and it is of particular importance in determining the color of pasta. Thus, the development of a rapid screening method for kernel and semolina color has facilitated increasing the yellow color in durum wheat cultivars. However, the distribution of the pigment might vary within the ear of the wheat. The micromethod for the determination of yellow pigment concentration (YPC) of single wheat kernels now allows the discovery of whether this variation is the same for cultivars with different carotenoid concentrations. All of the cultivars investigated showed similar trends in the arrangements of the kernels within the ears, with the central positions of the ears being the most stable for YPC. Indeed, the best combination of higher YPC and larger kernel size is seen for the basal‐central region of the ear, which can be used for the selection during wheat‐breeding programs of cultivars with a more intense yellow color.     

Application of Bioassays for Risk Characterisation and Remediation Control of Soils Polluted with Nitroaromatics and PAHs

Six soil samples taken from three contaminated sites have been assessed using chemical, ecotoxicological and genotoxicological methods. From two of these sites, samples were characterised after remediation. An overall assessment of the soil samples was done with a scheme consisting of two phases. Remediation of main pollutants in these samples, did in general not lead to a risk reduction of the water-extractable ecotoxic and genotoxic potential. It was concluded, that the assessment and remediation of contaminated sites without consideration of biological test systems is not sufficient. Focussing on single hazardous compounds does in many cases not lead to a reduction of the ecotoxic or genotoxic potential. Consequently, effects of accompanying hazardous compounds, which are not routinely quantified, might be underestimated. It was pointed out, that the assessment of contaminated soil samples on the basis of LID-values applying dual dilution series seems to be sufficient for the evaluation, if there is no need for a quantitative comparison of toxic potentials.     

基于实验室高光谱数据的大围山森林土壤氧化铁全量反演

氧化铁是土壤中含铁矿物的主体,是土壤发育和土壤分类最明显和最有用的指标之一。本文以湖南省大围山森林土壤为研究对象,通过实验室化学成分测定和光谱采集,在光谱预处理及组合变换基础上,采用相关性分析筛选土壤氧化铁全量的敏感波段,并分别建立多元逐步回归和偏最小二乘回归反演模型。结果表明:不同土壤光谱曲线趋势基本一致,均形似陡坎,且在420～580 nm波段,土壤氧化铁全量与光谱反射率呈负相关关系;不同的光谱数据变换方式可以提高光谱与氧化铁全量的相关性,Savitzky-Golay(S-G)平滑和去包络线相结合优于其他预处理方法;土壤氧化铁全量的特征波段主要为392、427、529、523、549、559、565、570、994和1040nm,偏最小二乘回归模型比多元逐步回归模型具有更好的稳定性,适合于快速估算红黄壤区森林土壤氧化铁全量。     

Influence of Structural Characteristics of Aleurone Layer on Milling Behavior of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

The structure of the aleurone layer was considered for many years as a potential factor influencing wheat milling efficiency. Eight durum wheat samples of different milling values, including distinct cultivars and harvesting conditions, were employed to investigate the structural characteristics of the aleurone layer through image analysis of kernel sections. Particular attention was paid to tissue thickness and structural irregularity of its interface with the starchy endosperm. Wheat cultivar, agricultural conditions, and location of measurement within the grain had an influence similar to both thickness and irregularity of the aleurone layer. Conversely, grain weight and morphology showed no effect on these parameters. Statistical investigation demonstrated no correlation between structural characteristics and wheat milling behavior. However, the negative correlation between the extraction rate of semolina and starch content in the bran fraction, which was used as an indicator of the endosperm‐aleurone dissociation extent, demonstrated the relevance of the tissue adhesion on milling efficiency.     

淀粉对无芒雀麦修复煤矿区多环芳烃长期污染土壤的影响

采用温室盆栽试验,以无芒雀麦(W)为修复植物,研究淀粉(D)不同剂量与无芒雀麦组合对煤矿区多环芳烃(PAHs)长期污染农田土壤修复的影响。结果表明,在土壤中添加淀粉剂量D1、D2培养3个月后,显著促进了土著微生物对煤矿区长期污染农田土壤PAHs的降解。D1、D2处理土壤中16种PAHs总量降解率(16.82%,19.06%)分别比对照CK(11.12%)提高了51.26%和71.40%,尤其对6环PAHs的降解增效最为突出。D2处理对6环PAHs的降解达最高,为37.05%,比CK处理提高了241.01%,且为D1处理的1.77倍。在污染土壤中添加淀粉并种植无芒雀麦(D1+W,D2+W)后,与对照CK、淀粉(D)和种植无芒雀麦单一处理(W)相比,土壤中16种PAHs总量降解率有了明显增加,D1+W与D2+W处理下16种PAHs降解率分别为26.26%和28.39%;在PAHs不同环数中对5,6环PAHs的修复效果提升最为明显,对其它环数PAHs降解效果提升不显著,其中5环和6环PAHs降解率在D2+W组合处理下达到最高,为48.63%和58.32%,比CK处理提高了110.36%和436.82%,比无芒雀麦单一处理提高了27.50%和47.77%。从土壤酶活性角度,淀粉、无芒雀麦单一处理及其组合下的土壤过氧化氢酶活性差异不明显,但均显著高于对照CK处理;无芒雀麦对多酚氧化酶活性有明显的激活作用,且与淀粉组合进一步显著提升了该酶的活性,与D1+W与D2+W组合下的5,6环PAHs降解率达最高相一致。综上,利用淀粉与无芒雀麦的优化组合形式能明显提升煤矿区5,6环PAHs长期污染农田土壤的修复效果,可以作为该区污染土壤修复治理的一种选择。     

Hexavalent Chromium Reduction with Zero-Valent Iron (ZVI) in Aquatic Systems

Hexavalent chromium is a heavy metal used in a variety of industrial applications which is highly toxic to humans, animals, plants and microorganisms. Moreover, it is a well-established human carcinogen by the inhalation route of exposure and a possible human carcinogen by the oral route of exposure. Therefore, it should be removed from contaminated waters. Its reduction to trivalent chromium can be beneficial because a more mobile and more toxic chromium species is converted to a less mobile and less toxic form. During the last two decades, there has been important interest in using zero-valent iron (ZVI) as a Cr(VI)-reducing agent. A considerable volume of research has been carried out in order to investigate the mechanism and kinetics of Cr(VI) reduction with ZVI, as well as the influence of various parameters controlling the reduction efficiency. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to provide updated information regarding the developments and innovative approaches in the use of ZVI for the treatment of Cr(VI)-polluted waters.     

Influence of Phosphate on the Arsenic Uptake by Wheat (Triticum durum L.) Irrigated with Arsenic Solutions at Three Different Concentrations

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - In the present paper, electrocoagulation (EC) has been employed for the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction of a distillery wastewater...     

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seedlings Grown in Soils Amended with Electroplating Industrial Sludge

A glasshouse study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of lime-treated (0, 0.5, and 1%) industrial sludge amendments (10 and 20%) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedling growth and heavy metal accumulation in soils as well as in wheat seedlings. Industrial sludge–amended soil samples were filled in earthen pots (2 kg pot^?1) one week before planting and 7-day-old seedlings were transplanted in pots (3/pot) and were kept in a glasshouse. Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable metals and metals in seedlings increase with increasing doses of industrial sludge. Biomass and growth have been found to increase with increasing rates of sludge. It also enhanced heavy metal concentrations in wheat seedlings and followed the trend zinc (Zn) > lead (Pb) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd). Lime enhanced the biomass and reduced the heavy metal concentrations in wheat seedlings. Although 20% treatments in both soils showed a significant enhancement in shoot length, metals like Pb reached beyond permissible limits.     

Starch Characteristics of Waxy and Nonwaxy Tetraploid (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) Wheats

Manufacture of pasta products is paramount for durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). The recent development of waxy durum wheat containing starch with essentially 100% amylopectin may provide new food processing applications and present opportunities for value‐added crop production. This investigation was conducted to determine differences in some chemical and functional properties of waxy durum starch. Starch was isolated from two waxy endosperm lines and four nonwaxy cultivars of durum wheat. One of the waxy lines (WX‐1) was a full waxy durum wheat whereas the other line (WX‐0) was heterogeneous, producing both waxy and nonwaxy seed. Effects on starch swelling, solubility, pasting, gelatinization, and retrogradation were examined. The full waxy starch had four times more swelling power than the nonwaxy durum starches at 95°C, and was also more soluble at three of the four temperatures used. Starch pasting occurred earlier and peak viscosities were greater for starches from both waxy lines than for the nonwaxy starches, but their slurries were less stable with continued stirring and heating. Greater energy was required to melt gelatinized waxy starch gels, but no differences were found in either refrigerated storage or freeze‐thaw retrogradation, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The results of this investigation showed some significant differences in the starch properties of the waxy durum wheat lines compared to the nonwaxy durum wheats.     

Diversity of Paenibacillus polymyxa populations in the rhizosphereof wheat (Triticum durum) in Algerian soils

The diversity of Paenibacillus polymyxa populations associated with the rhizosphere of durum wheat was investigated in Algerian soils sampled in regions where wheat had been cultivated for 5 and 26 years (Hamiz, H5 and Z26), 70 years (Algiers, D70), and more than 2 000 years (Tiaret, T2000 and K2000). A total of 111 strains were isolated by immunotrapping and identified as P. polymyxa using an API50CHB kit and restriction analysis of the amplified 16S rDNA gene. The phenotypic characteristics of the P. polymyxa populations were compared and the strains found not to cluster according to their origin. The longer the history of wheat cultivation, the lower the phenotypic diversity and the higher the frequency of nitrogen-fixing strains. Population genetic diversity, evaluated by ERIC-PCR, showed the same trends as phenotypic diversity. The distribution of ERIC genotypes among the different populations studied were compared using Pearson’s Chi-squared test. The strains isolated in D70, Z26, and H5 derived from soil populations sharing the same genetic structure, but those isolated in T2000 and K2000 each stemmed from a population with a specific genetic structure. These data suggest that the genetic structure of P. polymyxa populations has been affected by long-term wheat cultivation.     

Assessment of genetic diversity in emmer (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) × durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) derived lines and their parents using mapped and unmapped molecular markers

In the last few years, the renewed interest for emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) in Italy has stimulated breeding programs for this crop releasing improved genotypes obtained not only by selection from landraces, but even by crosses with durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) varieties. The purpose of this work has been to uncover the genetic make-up of some emmer × durum derivatives, specifically by comparing the differences from their parents. Genetic diversity of advanced breeding lines and varieties derived from a durum × emmer cross has been evaluated on the basis of AFLP and SSR markers in comparison with the corresponding emmer and durum wheat parent for addressing the seminal question of how much ‘wild’ variation remains after selection for agronomic type.     

Polymorphism and Genetic Diversity for the Seed Storage Proteins in Spanish Cultivated Einkorn Wheat (Triticum monococcum L. ssp. monococcum)

The seed storage protein composition of one collection of cultivated einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum L. ssp. monococcum) of Spanish origin has been analysed by SDS-PAGE and A-PAGE. Three allelic variants were detected for the Glu-A1^m, whereas up to six alleles were detected for the Glu-A3^m. For the gliadins, 7 and 14 alleles for the Gli-A1^m and Gli-A2^m were found between the evaluated accessions. Internal variability was detected in some of these materials, which could be related to the landrace nature of them. Up to 48 different genotypes based on the origin and seed storage protein composition have been identified. Further researches on these materials must be carried out for determining the variability degree in morphological traits that could complement the evaluation for their safeguard.