Valorization of Brazilian vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash ex Small) oil

The valorization of extracts from Brazilian vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash ex Small) roots was studied. This study took into account the extraction method, the chemical composition of the extracts, their sensorial characteristics, and the possibility of chemical transformations of the product. The performed extraction methods were hydrodistillation and extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide. Some pretreatment methods were tested on the vetiver roots and evaluated in terms of extraction yield, process time, chemical composition, and sensorial properties. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction resulted in high yield (3.2%) in significantly less time than the other methods. The chemical compositions of the extracts obtained by the different methods were also compared to those of commercial vetiver oils from other sources, showing that Brazilian samples had a greater acid amount. An extraction in basic medium from Brazilian vetiver oil was done to remove its main acid (zizanoic acid), which was chemically transformed into an alcohol (khusimol) of desirable sensorial properties. Sensory evaluation indicated that the Brazilian volatile oil without acid could be used in perfumery and the extract obtained with supercritical carbon dioxide could have application in food.     

Mechanism for lactate-color stabilization in injection-enhanced beef

In two experiments, the relationship between metmyoglobin (MMb) reduction and lactate to pyruvate conversion with concomitant production of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) via lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was investigated. In experiment 1, nonenzymatic reduction of horse MMb occurred in a lactate-LDH-NAD system. Exclusion of NAD+, L-lactic acid, or LDH resulted in minimal MMb reduction. Increasing NAD+ and L-lactic acid concentrations increased reduction. In experiment 2, beef strip loins (longissimus lumborum muscle) were injected with combinations of potassium lactate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium chloride, and/or sodium acetate. Steaks were packaged in high-oxygen (80% oxygen/20% carbon dioxide) modified-atmosphere packaging and stored for 2-9 days and then placed in a fluorescent-lighted, open-top display case for 5 days at 1 degrees C. Enhancing loins with 2.5% potassium lactate significantly increased LDH activity, NADH concentration, MMb-reducing activity, and subsequent color stability during display. These research results support the hypothesis that enhancing beef with lactate replenishes NADH via increased LDH activity, ultimately resulting in greater meat color stability.     

超临界CO2干燥罗非鱼片的传质模型和数值模拟

为了探讨超临界CO2干燥罗非鱼的机理,该文基于微分床的质量守恒定律建立了超临界CO2干燥罗非鱼片的传质数学模型,通过Matlab软件对其干燥过程进行了数值模拟,分析了干燥室内超临界CO2中的溶质质量分数和罗非鱼片中的溶质质量分数随干燥时间和干燥床高度变化的规律,揭示溶质在超临界CO2干燥过程中的传质模式。结果表明:在超临界CO2干燥罗非鱼片的过程中,溶质传质主要以对流扩散为主,而以轴向扩散为辅;数值模拟的结果与试验值拟合良好(R2=0.97),相对偏差的绝对值在10%以内,说明建立的传质数学模型能较好的模拟超临界CO2干燥罗非鱼片的过程。研究结果可为超临界CO2干制罗非鱼片的工业化生产的过程控制提供参考。     

Controlled release of isoproturon, imidacloprid, and cyromazine from alginate-bentonite-activated carbon formulations

Different alginate-based systems of isoproturon, imidacloprid, and cyromazine have been investigated in order to obtain controlled release (CR) properties. The basic formulation [sodium alginate (1.50%), pesticide (0.30%), and water] was modified using different amounts of bentonite and activated carbon. The higher values of encapsulation efficiency corresponded to those formulations prepared with higher percentages of activated carbon, showing higher encapsulation efficiency values for isoproturon and imidacloprid than for cyromazine, which has a higher water solubility. The kinetic experiments of imidacloprid/isoproturon release in water have shown us that the release rate is higher in imidacloprid systems than in those prepared with isoproturon. Moreover, it can be deduced that the use of bentonite and/or activated carbon sorbents reduces the release rate of the isoproturon and imidacloprid in comparison with the technical product and with alginate formulation without modifying agents. The highest decrease in release rate corresponds to the formulations prepared with the highest percentage of activated carbon. The water uptake, permeability, and time taken for 50% of the active ingredient to be released into water, T50, were calculated to compare the formulations. On the basis of a parameter of an empirical equation used to fit the pesticide release data, the release of isoproturon and imidacloprid from the various formulations into water is controlled by a diffusion mechanism. The sorption capacity of the sorbents and the permeability of the formulations were the most important factors modulating pesticide release. Finally, a linear correlation of the T50 values and the content of activated carbon in formulations were obtained.     

高密度CO2处理虾肌球蛋白形成凝胶的临界浓度与凝胶强度

为了探讨高密度CO_2(dense phase carbon dioxide,DPCD)诱导蛋白质形成凝胶的机制,以凡纳滨对虾肌球蛋白为研究对象,研究了DPCD处理压强、温度和时间对虾肌球蛋白形成凝胶的临界浓度和对虾肉糜凝胶强度的影响。研究结果表明:DPCD处理压强和温度对虾肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界浓度有显著影响,处理时间对肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界浓度无显著影响,但增加处理时间,可以形成更加紧实的凝胶。在40℃和5~30 MPa时虾肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界质量浓度为14 mg/mL,在50℃和5、10 MPa时虾肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界质量浓度为12 mg/mL,在50℃和15~30 MPa时虾肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界质量浓度为11 mg/mL,在60℃和5~30 MPa时虾肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界质量浓度为10 mg/mL。DPCD处理压强和温度对虾肉糜的凝胶强度也具有显著影响(P0.05),且随着压强增加和温度升高,虾肉糜凝胶强度呈增加趋势(P0.05);在50℃和25 MPa下处理虾肉糜20 min,形成的凝胶强度较好,达到了(14.28±0.57)N·mm。DPCD处理温度越高,虾肌球蛋白形成凝胶的临界浓度就越低,而虾肉糜形成凝胶的强度越高;DPCD处理压强越高,虽然对虾肌球蛋白形成凝胶的临界浓度影响较小,但能使虾肌球蛋白和虾肉糜形成凝胶的强度增加。从分析中还可以推断,DPCD低压(5~10 MPa)诱导虾肉糜形成凝胶主要是热效应的作用,DPCD较高压强(10 MPa)诱导虾肉糜形成凝胶是热和CO_2分子效应的共同作用。研究结果为进一步阐明DPCD诱导蛋白质形成凝胶的机制提供了基础数据。     

河北省耕地集约利用水平与碳排放效率的相关性

为探索不同耕地集约利用水平下的碳排放效率变化规律,更好实现耕地集约利用的社会效益和生态效益,该文分别构建了耕地集约利用模型和数据包络分析模型,运用GIS（geographic information system）空间分析技术分析了河北省138个县（市）耕地集约利用度和耕地碳排放效率时空变异特征,在此基础上探索了耕地集约利用与碳排放综合效率的空间聚集差异特征。研究结果表明：河北省耕地集约利用水平呈现由平原区向山地丘陵再向坝上高原区扩展的趋势;碳排放综合效率有效区域集中分布于坝上高原与山地丘陵区,而石家庄、邢台和经济发展较好的唐山等地区碳排放综合效率较低;耕地集约利用度和碳排放综合效率空间分布上总体呈现负相关性,且随着时间推移局部聚集效应呈现不断增强的态势。     

DISTRIBUTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE AQUEOUS PHASE OF AEROBIC SOILS

Theory predicts that in the aqueous phase of aerobic soils carbon dioxide concentration/distance gradients are 1·35 times as large as those for oxygen. Because of differences in solubility, the partial pressure/distance gradients of carbon dioxide should be less than one-twentieth of the gradients of oxygen partial pressure. Experiments were carried out to test this prediction. In some experiments oxygen partial pressures were measured directly by means of a micro-electrode and carbon dioxide indirectly by methods involving microelectrode determinations of specific conductance in agar-CaCO₃ gel. Measurements were made in models of water-saturated soil consisting of yeast cells embedded in agar-CaCO₃ gel, around plant roots in agar-CaCO₃ gel and within water-saturated soil. Oxygen partial pressures fell by 5–15 per cent of an atmosphere over distances of 0·2–0·4 cm whereas carbon dioxide partial pressures increased by less than 0·3 per cent of an atmosphere over the same distance. In other experiments different thicknesses of water-saturated soil were incubated with their upper surfaces exposed to air. The mean oxygen partial pressure fell by 7–13 per cent of an atmosphere with increasing the thickness from 0·2 to 0·4 cm whereas the carbon dioxide partial pressure never increased by more than 0·2 per cent of an atmosphere. Both sets of evidence confirm the theoretical prediction. It is concluded that the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the aqueous phase of soils containing no oxygen-free zones, would never, even at the surfaces of roots, be more than 1 per cent of atmosphere greater than in the gas phase.     

Residue levels of ethoxyquin, imazalil, and iprodione in pears under cold-storage conditions.

A gas chromatographic method is presented for the simultaneous determination of the antiscald ethoxyquin and the fungicides imazalil and iprodione in peel and pulp of Blanquilla pears. Fruits were cold-stored in commercial chambers in normal atmosphere and in controlled atmosphere with low oxygen content (oxygen and carbon dioxide were held at 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively). The method uses gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) with an alkaline flame ionization detector (detector of N-P, NPD) and allows the detection of the mentioned compounds to minimum levels of 0.08-0.12 mg/kg in fresh fruit. With this system the evolution of residues in fruit was monitored throughout the period of cold storage. In the surveys carried out the residue levels of these compounds were found to be below the limits allowed by the legislation of European Union. For the three studied products residues in pulp are lower and disappear more quickly than in peel.     

Baiting of rhizosphere bacteria with hyphae of common soil fungi reveals a diverse group of potentially mycophagous secondary consumers

Fungi and bacteria are primary consumers of plant-derived organic compounds and therefore considered as basal members of soil food webs. Trophic interactions among these microorganisms could, however, induce shifts in food web energy flows. Given increasing evidence for a prominent role of saprotrophic fungi as primary consumers of root-derived carbon, we propose that fungus-derived carbon may be an important resource for rhizosphere bacteria. To test this assumption, two common saprotrophic, rhizosphere-inhabiting fungi, Trichoderma harzianum and Mucor hiemalis, were confronted in a microcosm system with bacterial communities extracted from the rhizospheres of a grass and sedge species, Carex arenaria and Festuca rubra. This showed a widespread ability of rhizosphere bacteria to attach to and feed on living hyphae of saprotrophic fungi. The identity of the fungi had a strong effect on the composition of these potentially mycophagous bacteria, whereas plant species identity was less important. Based on our results, we suggest that food web models should account for bacterial secondary consumption since this has important consequences for carbon fluxes with more carbon dioxide released by microbes and less microbial carbon available for the soil animal food web.     

Effect of decontamination agents on the microbial population, sensorial quality, and nutrient content of grated carrots (Daucus carota L.)

Several decontamination agents including water, sodium hypochlorite, peroxyacetic acid, neutral electrolyzed oxidizing water, and chlorine dioxide gas were tested for their effectiveness to reduce the natural microflora on grated carrots. Microbial reductions of the total aerobic count obtained after the different treatments varied between 0.11 and 3.29 log colony-forming units (cfu)/g. Whether or not a decontamination step induced significant changes in the sensory attributes of grated carrots is highly dependent on the type and concentration of disinfectant. To maintain the nutritional value, the influence of the decontamination agents on carotenoid content, alpha-tocopherol content, total phenols, and antioxidant capacity was studied. Besides the part of the nutrients that was leached away from the cutting areas by water, the nutrient losses caused by adding sanitizers were rather limited. Compared with the untreated carrots alpha-tocopherol content was, however, significantly reduced when 250 ppm of peroxyacetic acid (-80%) or 200 ppm of sodium hypochlorite (-59%) was used. Additional losses in carotenoid content were caused by contact with chlorine dioxide gas (-9%). On the condition of an optimized decontamination process toward time and concentration, the microbial quality of fresh-cut carrots could be improved without negatively influencing their sensory quality and nutrient content.     

2005-2015年小江流域生态系统服务供需变化及对石漠化的响应

喀斯特地区石漠化及其生态修复引起的土地利用变化,改变了地表植被覆盖等下垫面条件,进而对生态系统服务产生影响。为了探究石漠化治理工程以来生态系统服务变化情况,采用InVEST、CASA模型等多种模型和方法,研究了小江流域2005-2015年水服务、粮食服务和固碳服务的供需时空变化及对石漠化的响应。结果表明：（1）3种服务的供给水平整体都呈现递增趋势,增幅分别为14.34%,44.00%,40.11%,而需求方面,水服务和固碳服务呈现增加趋势,增幅为3.26%和61.54%,粮食服务呈现减小趋势,减幅为6.98%。（2）水服务和粮食服务的供需比均呈现增加趋势,且供给大于需求,而固碳服务的供需比呈现减小趋势,2015年供给小于需求。（3）石漠化面积越大的区域,粮食服务越低,随着石漠化程度的加重,水服务和固碳服务都呈现递减趋势,而随着石漠化面积减小,水服务和固碳服务变化不明显,粮食服务呈现一定程度的增加趋势,其中变化的面积越大,趋势越明显。流域内生态系统服务的供需状况及对石漠化的响应可在一定程度上反映石漠化治理对人类福祉的影响,能够为区域内生态系统的管理以及石漠化综合治理提供重要的参考。     

Photosensitizing properties of protein hydrolysate-based fertilizers

The use of protein hydrolysate-based fertilizers (PHF) as adjuvant for pesticides or herbicides has been proposed; however, the behaviors of mixtures of PHFs and pesticides under solar light are not known, and various photochemical reactions may occur. The photosensitizing properties of PHFs were investigated in water solutions (0.8 g of total organic carbon L(-1)) within the wavelength range of 300-450 nm, using furfuryl alcohol (FA) as a probe to test the involvement of singlet oxygen and Irgarol 1051 as an example of organic pollutant. Two commercial PHFs and one standard PHF were studied, all of the products being of animal origin. PHFs photosensitize the transformation of FA (10(-4) M), and the kinetics of FA disappearance follows an apparent first-order rate law. Through the use of sodium azide (1 x 10(-3) M) as singlet oxygen scavenger and deuterium oxide (D2O) for increasing the singlet oxygen lifetime it was shown that singlet oxygen contributes largely to the phototransformation of FA. The replacement of water by D2O increases the apparent first-order rate constant 6 times, whereas the addition of sodium azide reduces it by approximately 90%. These results are confirmed using Irgarol 1051 (10(-5) M). The photosensitizing properties of PHFs might be due to pigments naturally present in tissues from which they are extracted or to compounds generated during the production processes.     

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and characterization of Laurus nobilis essential oil

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction allowed essential oil of Laurus nobilis to be obtained. Extraction conditions were as follows: pressure, 90 bar; temperature, 50 degrees C; and carbon dioxide flow, Phi = 1.0 kg/h. Waxes were entrapped in the first separator set at 90 bar and -10 degrees C. The oil was recovered in the second separator working at 15 bar and 10 degrees C. The main components were 1,8-cineole (22.8%), linalool (12.5%), alpha-terpinyl acetate (11.4%), and methyleugenol (8.1%). Comparison with the hydrodistilled oil did not reveal any significant difference. Collection of samples at different extraction times during supercritical extraction allowed the change of the oil composition to be monitored. Lighter compounds such as hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpenes were extracted in shorter times than the heavier hydrocarbon and oxygenated sesquiterpenes.     

Effect of variety and maturation of cheese on supercritical fluid extraction efficiency

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has been utilized by the food industry in many applications to extract, fractionate, and recover compounds from various food matrices. However, little research has been conducted using SFE as an alternative process for producing reduced-fat cheese. Lipids in cheeses may be selectively extracted due to the nonpolar properties of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2), without leaving residual chemicals as is the case in solvent extraction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence on the extraction process due to cheese variety and protein breakdown by age. A Latin square design was utilized to test the extractability of lipids from Parmesan and Cheddar cheeses, aged young (9-10 months) or old (24 months). Extraction took place in a 500 mL SFE vessel using 100 g of grated cheese samples. The SFE parameters of the extraction were 350 bar, 35 degrees C, and supercritical carbon dioxide at a flow rate of 20 g/min for 55 min. Compositional analysis measured all treated samples and controls of total lipids, lipid profiling, total protein, protein/peptide analysis, moisture, ash, and pH. Cheese type was a major variable in fat extraction. The extraction in Cheddar showed an average fat reduction of 53.56% for young cheese, whereas that in old Cheddar was 47.90%. However, young Parmesan was reduced an average of 55.07%, but old Parmesan was reduced at 68.11%, measured on a dry basis. SFE extracted triglycerides and cholesterol, but did not remove phospholipids. This investigation introduces the observations of the effect of Cheddar and Parmesan varieties on SFE, offering data on the important parameters to consider in the design of SFE processes to reduce fat in cheese.     

Functional properties, lipoxygenase activity, and health aspects of Lupinus albus protein isolates

To utilize lupin seeds for food and pharmaceutical applications, lupin seeds were pretreated to remove oil using hexane or carbon dioxide. Two types of lupin protein isolate were prepared. Both types of protein isolate showed good foaming activity, comparable to egg white. Protein isolate extracted under acid conditions showed higher foaming activity than protein isolate extracted at neutral pH. The lipoxygenase activity was much reduced in both of the protein isolates. The protein isolate extracted at neutral pH showed a stronger angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition than the protein isolate extracted under acidic pH. In contrast, the protein isolate extracted under acid conditions had a greater sodium cholate binding capacity, comparable to that of cholestyramine. Lupin samples showed less DPPH radical scavenging activity than deoiled soybean. The deoiling method did not affect the functional properties, lipoxygenase activity, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition, sodium cholate binding, and radical scavenging activity.     

Non-turbulent fluxes of carbon dioxide and sensible heat—A comparison of three forested sites

The advection initiative ADVEX within CarboEurope-IP conducted advection experiments at three European coniferous sites in 2005 and 2006. All experiments shared the same geometry and instrumentation. Data of the ADVEX experiments were used to calculate advective fluxes of carbon dioxide and sensible heat using exactly the same method. However, the advective flux of sensible heat can be assessed more easily than the carbon dioxide flux with its associated complex measurements of gas concentrations. We explored the possibility to use advective fluxes of sensible heat as a proxy for the corresponding flux of carbon dioxide despite somewhat differing sinks and sources. On average, advective fluxes of sensible heat were of opposite sign in relation to the advective fluxes of carbon dioxide for the three investigated sites, especially during nighttime. Therefore, the respective gradients were of opposite sign, on average, for vertical and (to a lesser extent) horizontal direction. This is not as obvious for horizontal direction as for the vertical direction. A scheme is presented to explain the correlation of the respective gradients for different conditions. Based on the gained insights and regression statistics, two simple empirical models were tested to derive advective fluxes of carbon dioxide from advective fluxes of sensible heat. Our results suggest that the advective flux of sensible heat could be taken as an indicator concerning the presence and sign of carbon dioxide advection. However, the suitability of advective fluxes of sensible heat as a quantitative proxy for advective fluxes of carbon dioxide is more problematic because the representativeness including the magnitude of advection derived from advection measurements is not yet clarified. An inspection of the budget of sensible heat and carbon dioxide revealed considerable changes by advection. The results indicate that the budget of carbon dioxide might be generally more affected by the investigated non-turbulent advective fluxes than the budget of sensible heat.     

Development of controlled release formulations of carbofuran and evaluation of their efficacy against Meloidogyne incognita

Controlled release (CR) formulations of the insecti-nematicide carbofuran have been prepared using commercially available rosin, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose with clay (bentonite, kaolinite, and Fuller's earth). The kinetics of carbofuran release in soil from the different formulations were studied in comparison with that of the commercially available granules (3G). Release from the commercial formulation was faster than with the new CR formulations. Addition of clay in the biodegradable polymer matrix reduced the rate of release. The diffusion exponent (n value) of carbofuran in soil ranged from 0.462 to 0.740 in the tested formulations. The half-release (t1/2) values ranged between 4.79 and 25.11 days, and the period of optimum availability (POA) of carbofuran ranged from 15.10 to 43.97 days. The mean EC50 of the commercial formulation against Meloidogyne incognita was quite high as compared to those of CR formulations. The effective duration (te) of carbofuran from the CR and commercial formulations was predicted by fitting the mean EC50 values of test formulations in the model (M(infinity) - Me)/M(infinity) = Kdte. It was 0.7 day in commercial 3G in comparison with 17.8 days for CMC-bentonite. The bioassay studies revealed that with the rosin-yellow polymer, the dose of carbofuran could be reduced to half of its recommended dose for nematode control. Overall, a comparison of CR formulations with the commercial one showed an earlier degradation of carbofuran in the latter and relatively prolonged activity in the former.     

褐土中铁的氧化还原与碳素转化

采用泥浆厌氧恒温培养的方法,研究了光照对旱作褐土中氧化铁的厌氧还原过程的影响,探讨了土壤中铁氧化物的还原-氧化过程与碳素转化的关系。结果表明,旱作褐土中游离铁氧化物的55.31%可在厌氧避光条件下发生还原,厌氧光照条件下游离铁氧化物的还原率最大仅为38.90%,还原产生的Fe(Ⅱ)可能被蓝细菌中的鱼腥蓝细菌属光合过程产生的氧氧化,40 d培养后其游离铁氧化物还原率低至7.95%。厌氧避光条件下培养40 d后土壤中水溶性总碳、无机碳含量分别增加了69%和246%,厌氧光照条件下水溶性总碳和无机碳则呈现先增加后降低的趋势,40 d培养后仅为反应前的47%和70%。水溶性总碳和无机碳含量分别与Fe(T)和Fe(Ⅱ)含量呈极显著线性正相关关系。     

Insecticide formulations based on nicotine oleate stabilized by sodium caseinate

Organic farming and new trends toward the use of safer insecticides for crop protection have created new opportunities for botanical insecticides in the pesticide market. In this study, the botanical insecticide nicotine was formulated as a dispersion (20 vol %) stabilized by sodium caseinate, with nicotine oleate solutions used as the dispersed phase. The formulation showed a phase transition on increasing the nicotine oleate concentration, being an emulsion at 7.5-8.2 wt %, a suspo-emulsion at 8.2-9.7 wt %, and a suspension at 9.7-10.8 wt %. Biological activity, apparent viscosity, dispersion time, and protein surface coverage were dependent on nicotine oleate concentration. The emulsion with 8.2 wt % nicotine oleate and the suspo-emulsion with 8.7 wt % nicotine oleate were found to be the most appropriate formulations for insecticide purposes due to their high bioactivity, low viscosity, and low dispersion time. Nicotine oleate formulations showed good creaming and microbiological stability for at least 4 months without losing their biological activity.     

An assessment of gases in oxygen-deficient hay silos and the effects of forced ventilation

Many modern tower silos used in the agricultural industry for hay and grain storage are oxygen-limiting by design. Forced-air ventilation using a forage blower is a method commonly used to decrease concentrations of toxic and asphyxiant gases and to increase the O2 content within a silo headspace prior to worker entry. This article describes the methods used to measure gas concentrations and the results obtained from a pilot study by the Washington Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program of two oxygen-limiting forage tower silos in eastern Washington State. The silos were monitored for oxygen (O2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Measured O2 concentrations were low in all areas of the headspaces monitored for both silos. After beginning forced-air ventilation, O2 concentrations within the silo headspace returned to ambient levels within 8 to 20 min. Nitrogen dioxide levels exceeded the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) short-term exposure limit (STEL) in the silo that was filled six days earlier (silo 2), but not in the silo that was filled four days earlier (silo 1). The NO2 concentration in silo 2 decreased to below the WISHA STEL within 15 min of starting ventilation but began to rise shortly after ventilation was stopped. Carbon dioxide, which was only measured in silo 1, was detected at 2% within the headspace of this silo. The carbon dioxide concentration decreased to <1% within 3 min of starting ventilation.