Enhancing effect of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin on the intestinal absorption process of genipin

The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of the genipin/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) inclusion complex on the intestinal absorption of genipin and identify its mechanism of action. The phase solubility profile was classified as A(L) type, indicating the formulation of a 1:1 stoichiometry inclusion complex. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffractometry, and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and two-dimensional (2D) (1)H rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement (ROESY) NMR spectroscopies further confirmed the formulation of the inclusion complex with superior dissolution properties than the drug alone. The results of single-pass intestinal perfusion showed that the intestinal absorption of genipin was affected by P-glycoprotein (Pgp). The absorption rate and permeability value of the inclusion complex were significantly higher than the free drug, suggesting that its enhancing effect was involved in its solubilizing effect and Pgp inhibitory effect. The mechanisms of HP-β-CD on Pgp inhibition were demonstrated by restraining the Pgp ATPase activity rather than changing the fluidity of the cell membrane.     

Quantifying effects of primary parameters on adsorption–desorption of atrazine in soils

Purpose

Adsorption and desorption are important processes that influence the transport, transformation, and bioavailability of atrazine in soils. Equilibrium batch experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption–desorption characteristics of atrazine. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine and quantify the main soil parameters governing atrazine adsorption and desorption phenomena; (2) find the correlativity between the identified soil parameters; and (3) investigate the universal desorption hysteresis traits.

Materials and methods

Fifteen soils with contrasting physico-chemical characteristics were collected from 11 provinces in eastern China. The equilibrium time was 24 h both for adsorption and desorption experiments. Atrazine was detected by Waters 2695/UV HPLC.

Results and discussion

Adsorption isotherms of atrazine could be well described by the Freundlich equation (r?≥?0.994, p?<?0.01). The total organic carbon (TOC) was the first independent variable that described 53.0 % of the total variability of K _f, followed by the pH (9.9 %), and the clay (4.0 %) and silt (1.2 %) contents, separately; while the primary soil properties that affect desorption parameters included the TOC, pH, free Fe₂O₃ (Fe_d) and the sand content, with the biggest contribution achieved by the TOC (ranged from 48.5–78.1 %). The results showed that when the content ratio of clay to TOC (RCO) was less than 40, the atrazine adsorption was largely influenced by the organic matrix, while when the RCO was greater than 40, they were vital affected by the clay content.

Conclusions

Adsorption–desorption isotherms of atrazine in soils were nonlinear. The content of TOC, clay, and iron oxides, as well as the pH value were the key soil parameters affecting the adsorption–desorption of atrazine in soil, among which the RCO especially exhibited relevance. Additionally, the desorption hysteresis existed for atrazine retention in all 15 tested soils, and the hysteretic effect enhanced with the increasing time for desorption. This would be ascribed to the heterogeneity physical–chemical properties of these soils.     

Effect of an anionic surfactant on hydraulic conductivities of sodium- and calcium-saturated soils

The effect of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate （SDBS）, an anionic surfactant used widely in household products and industrial processes, on saturated hydraulic conductivities （Ksat） of an Anthrosol saturated with sodium （Na-soil） or calcium （Ca-soil） was analyzed in a laboratory experiment using the constant head method, and adsorption and dispersion experiments were also conducted to infer the possible mechanisms of Ksat fluctuations. The results showed that SDBS was more intensely adsorbed in the Ca-soil than in the Na-soil. With an increase in the SDBS concentration, the stability of the Na-soil suspensions decreased when the SDBS concentration was less than 1.2 mmol L^-1 and then above this concentration, increased markedly, while the stability of the Ca-soil suspensions increased gradually at all SDBS concentrations studied. With an increase in the SDBS concentration, the Ksat of the Na-soil increased, which resulted mainly from the increase of water channels in the soil because of the coagulation of the soil particles, while the Ksat of Ca-soil decreased mainly on account of the clogging of partial water channels by precipitated Ca（DBS）2 and the fine soil particles generated.     

Time‐dependent zinc desorption in soils

Abstract

Time dependent zinc (Zn) desorption in eight benchmark soils of India was studied in relation to various pH values and ionic strengths. Soil samples were equilibrated in solutions containing 10 μg Zn g^‐1 soil at pH 5.5,6.5, and 7.5 for 48 h at 25±2°C, and adsorbed Zn extracted with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) for various periods of time. Desorption of Zn decreased with increasing pH, and the desorption rate decreased abruptly at pH 7.5. In contrast, an increase in the equilibration period and ionic strength of the background electrolyte increased Zn desorption. Four rival kinetic models were fitted and evaluated for their suitability for describing the Zn desorption process. Reaction rate constant (ß) calculated from the Elovich model for the different soils ranged from 9.99 to 25 (mg Zn kg^‐1)^‐1. The different kinetic models tested indicated that Zn desorption in soils was a diffusion controlled process. The desorption was rapid in the first 4 h, followed by slower phase in the rest of the time at all the pH values indicating a biphasic desorption, characteristic of a diffusion controlled process. The ß value for the Elovich equation showed a strong association with soil clay content and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Further, the best prediction of Zn desorption reaction rate constant could be made using multiple‐regression equation with soil clay content and CEC as variables.     

Long-term effects of bone char and lignocellulosic biochar-based soil amendments on phosphorus adsorption–desorption and crop yield in low-input acidic soils

Although the addition of biochar has been shown to reduce the phosphorus (P) adsorption capacity of soil, quantitative evidence of this has mainly been provided by incubation experiments and it is therefore essential to conduct long-term field trials to draw general conclusions. It is largely unknown whether bone char has a greater effect than lignocellulosic biochar on P adsorption–desorption processes and crop yield. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term (8 years) effect of bone char and biochar on P adsorption–desorption and crop yield in low-input acidic soils. The results showed that bone char decreased the maximum P adsorption capacity (Q_m) by 10% and increased the desorption capacity (D_s) by 150% compared with the control (i.e. without a soil amendment). The desorption ratio was highest for the bone char treatment (10.3%) and three times more than the control. Plant-available P was seven times greater under bone char than the control. There was no variation in adsorption–desorption characteristics, desorption ratio and plant-P available content between bone char and lignocellulosic biochar treatments. The average yield increment following the application of bone char and biochar was 1.7 and 1.4 Mg ha⁻¹ for maize and 1.8 and 1.9 Mg ha⁻¹ for soya bean, respectively. Despite the low application rate (4 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), these findings demonstrated that the long-term application of bone char and biochar-based amendments enhanced P availability in low-input cropping systems, mainly by altering the P adsorption and desorption capacity of soils.     

Effect of wetting and drying on DTPA‐extractable Fe,Zn, Mn,and Cu in soils

Abstract

The study reported herein was intended to determine the effect of (i) wet‐incubation and subsequent air‐drying, and (ii) oven‐drying on DTPA‐Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu.

Analysis of wet‐incubated soils showed significant decreases in DTPA‐Fe, Mn, and Cu at the 1% and Zn at the 10% level of probability. Air‐drying of these moist‐incubated soils increased the levels of Fe, Zn, and Cu to values close to their original levels. Levels of Mn sharply deviated from their original values after air‐drying of incubated soils. Correlation coefficients (r) between the amounts of extractable nutrients in original air‐dry soils and wet‐incubated soils were 0.54, 0.87, 0.91, and 0.13 for Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn, respectively. Oven‐drying increased the levels of DTPA‐extractable micronutrients from 2 to 6 fold.     

Zinc sorption–desorption by sand,silt and clay fractions in calcareous soils of Iran

Zinc sorption–desorption by sand, silt and clay fractions of six representative calcareous soils of Iran were measured. Sand, silt and clay particles were fractionated after dispersion of soils with an ultrasonic probe. Zinc sorption analysis was performed by adding eight rates of Zn from 6 to 120 μmol g^?1. For the desorption experiment, samples retained after the measurement of Zn sorption were resuspended sequentially in 0.01 M NaNO₃ solution and shaken for 24 h. Results indicated that Zn sorption by soil fractions increased in the order clay > silt > sand, and correlated negatively with CaCO₃ content and positively with cation exchange capacity (CEC) and smectite content. Results indicated that for all fractions, the Langmuir equation described the sorption rates fairly well. In contrast to sorption, Zn desorption from soil fractions increased in the order sand > silt > clay, and correlated positively with CaCO₃ content, CEC and smectite content. Results showed that parabolic diffusion and two constant equations adequately described the reaction rates of Zn desorption. In general, for all soils studied, the coarser the particle size, the less Zn sorption and more Zn desorption, and this reflects much higher risk of Zn leaching into groundwater or plant uptake in contaminated soils.     

Effect of seed zinc content on grain yield and zinc concentration of wheat grown in zinc‐deficient calcareous soils

Field experiments were carried out to study the effect of different seed‐zinc (Zn) content on grain yield and grain Zn concentration in a bread wheat cultivar Atay 85 grown in a severely Zn‐deficient soil under rainfed and irrigated conditions for two years. Three groups of seeds with Zn contents of 355, 800, and 1,465 ng Zn seed^‐1 were obtained through different number of foliar applications of ZnSO₄.7H₂O in the previous crop year. Experiments were carried out with 23 kg Zn ha^‐1 (as ZnSO₄.7H₂O) and without Zn fertilization to the soil. Grain yield from seeds with 800 and 1,465 ng Zn seed^‐1 content was significantly higher than that from low seed‐Zn, especially under rainfed conditions. In the first year, under rainfed and Zn‐deficient conditions, yield of plants grown from the highest seed‐Zn content was 116% higher than the yield of plants grown from the low seed‐Zn content. However, in the first year soil‐Zn application combined with low‐Zn seed resulted in a yield increase of 466% compared to nill Zn treatment with low‐Zn seed, indicating that higher seed‐Zn contents could not compensate for the effects of soil Zn application. Soil Zn application significantly increased Zn concentrations in shoot and grain. However, the effect of different seed Zn contents on Zn concentrations of plants was not significant, probably due to the dilution of Zn in tissues resulting from enhanced dry matter production. The results presented show that wheat plants grown from seed with high Zn content can achieve higher grain yields than those grown from the low‐Zn seed when Zn was not applied to the soil. Therefore, sowing seeds with higher Zn contents can be considered a practical solution to alleviate Zn deficiency problem, especially under rainfed conditions in spite of it being insufficient to completely overcome the problem.     

Effect of different zinc application methods on grain yield and zinc concentration in wheat cultivars grown on zinc‐deficient calcareous soils

The effect of six different zinc (Zn) application methods on grain yield and concentrations of Zn in whole shoots and grain was studied in wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum, L. cvs. Gerek‐79, Dagdas‐94 and Bezostaja‐1 and Triticum durum, Desf. cv. Kunduru‐1149) grown on severely Zn‐deficient calcareous soils (DTPA‐extractable Zn: 0.12 mg‐kg^‐1 soil) of Central Anatolia which is the major wheat growing area of Turkey. Zinc application methods tested were: a) control (no Zn application), b) soil, c) seed, d) leaf, e) soil+leaf, and f) seed+leaf applications. Irrespective of the method, application of Zn significantly increased grain yield in all cultivars. Compared to the control, increases in grain yield were about 260% with soil, soil+leaf, and seed+leaf, 204% with seed and 124% with leaf application of Zn. In a similar manner, biomass production (dry weight of above‐ground parts) was increased by Zn treatments. The highest increase (109%) was obtained with the soil application and the lowest increase (40%) with the leaf application. Significant effects of Zn application methods were also found on the yield components, i.e., spike number.m^‐2, grain number‐spike^‐1, and thousand kernel weight. Spike number.m^‐2 was affected most by Zn applications, particularly by soil and soil+leaf applications. Concentrations of Zn in whole shoots and grain were greatly affected by different Zn treatments. In plants without added Zn, concentrations of Zn were about 10 mg‐kg^‐1 both in shoots and grain and increased to 18 mg‐kg^‐1 dry weight (DW) by soil application of Zn, but not affected by seed application of Zn. Soil+leaf application of Zn had the highest increase in concentration of Zn in shoot (82 mg‐kg^‐1 DW) and grain (38 mg‐kg^‐1 DW). Soil application of Zn was economical and had long‐term effects for enhancing grain yield of wheat grown on Zn deficient soils. When high grain yield and high Zn concentration in grains are desired, soil+leaf application of Zn was most effective method of Zn application.     

Effect of incubation and microbial inhibition at field moisture capacity on changes in DTPA‐extractable Fe,Zn, and Cu in soils of varying pH

Abstract

To determine the effect of incubation on DTPA‐extractable Fe, Zn, and Cu in soils with a wide pH range (4.2 ‐ 9.4) and to determine the nature of this effect, soils were incubated at field moisture capacity for 1 week with and without a sterilant (toluene). After incubation these soils as well as their air‐dry counterparts were analyzed for DTPA‐extractable Fe, Zn, and Cu.

Incubated soils were significantly lower in DTPA‐extractable Fe, Zn, and Cu than air‐dry soils over all soil pH values tested but there was no significant difference in mean values for incubated soils due to the addition of toluene. The results suggest that, upon incubation at field moisture capacity, the decrease in DTPA‐extractable Fe, Zn, and Cu observed was noa‐microbial in nature.     

Effect of ammonium chloride,ammonium sulphate,and sodium nitrate on take‐all and grain yield of wheat grown on soils in South‐western Australia

Five field experiments are described which measured the effect of three sources of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, applied at 45 kg N/ha, on the incidence of take‐all and grain yield of wheat. The N fertilizers were ammonium sulphate, ammonium chloride, and sodium nitrate. Compared with the Nil N treatment, ammonium‐nitrogen fertilizer, either as ammonium sulphate (ASdr) or ammonium chloride (ACdr) drilled with the seed, lowered the severity of take‐all. Sodium nitrate topdressed (SNtd) to the soil surface reduced the severity of take‐all in three of five experiments, while ammonium sulphate topdressed (Astd) reduced the severity in four of the five experiments. Ammonium sulphate and ammonium chloride drilled with the seed were equally effective in reducing the severity of take‐all in three of the five experiments. However, ACdr was more effective than ASdr in reducing the severity of take‐all in one experiment whereas ASdr was more effective than ACdr in another experiment. In these two experiments (1 and 5), the effects of the reduction in take‐all severity between the ASdr and ACdr treatments did not affect grain yield. The results suggest that grain yield losses from take‐all are most severe where wheat plants are deficient in N. Chloride containing fertilizers are unlikely to control take‐all disease of wheat on soils of southwestern Australia.     

Effect of Synergism and Antagonism between Metals on Toxicity in Soils

Synergism and antagonism of cadmium(Cd),copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) to biological toxicities in red soil,yellow brown soil and black soil were evaluated by MICROTOX method.The relation between forms of the tested metals in soil and the synergism or antagonism between them was also studied.Results showed that owing to the difference of soil chemical properties,toxicity of these metals in soils was different.In red soil with acid reaction and low in cation exchange capacity,antagonism occurred significantly between metals when they coexisted at high concentrations,while synergism occurred only under low concentrations.It is indicated that in red soil,toxicity of metals affected by synergism or antagonism depends on concentration of the metals present.For yellow brown soil and black soil with larger cation exchange capacity and lower exchangeable aluminium(Al),no toxicity of metals was observed even if metals were added to soil in high concentrations.Synergism and antagonism between Cd,Cu and Se were controlled by the forms of metals present.The amount of water-soluble metals was the most important factor in determining synergism and antagonism. In this paper,comparisons of synergism and antagkonism between metals in soils and in water solutions were made.There occurred the synergism of metal toxicity in water solutions when the concentration of coexisting metals was high.This is just opposite to the case in soils.     

Effect of cooking on concentrations of β-estradiol and metabolites in model matrices and beef

Because beef food products are generally cooked prior to consumption, the behavior of chemicals in these cooked foods is important in estimating human exposure. The heat stability of the natural estrogen β-estradiol (β-E2) and its metabolites α-estradiol (α-E2), estrone (E1), and several catechol estrogens was examined in heated vegetable oil and aqueous solutions. The chemicals were also incorporated into regular and extra lean ground beef and subjected to cooking. E1 and E2 were stable in aqueous solutions at 100°C, whereas the catechol estrogens exhibited first-order decay curves with half-lives of 2-10 min. Their stability improved to the same level as the other test chemicals when an antioxidant was added to the solution, suggesting that their disappearance was due to oxidation rather than thermal degradation. E1 and E2 were also stable in heated vegetable oil (160-180°C), whereas catechol estrogen decreased 30-50% over the 2 h duration of the experiments. Chemical losses from cooked beef appear to be related to the fat content of the beef, with greater losses occurring in regular ground beef (25-30%), compared to extra lean ground beef (5-20%). This study shows that cooking reduces but does not eliminate the potential for dietary exposure to growth promoters in ground beef.     

Inoculation of pines with mycorrhizal fungi in natural soils—III: Effect of soil fumigation on rate of infection and response to inoculum density

Pinus radiata seedlings were inoculated with basidiospores of Rhizopogon roseolas and Suillus granulatus, and with chlamylospores of two unidentified but highly effective mycorrhizal fungi in undisturbed cores of natural soil fumigated with methyl bromide. Fumigation stimulated mycorrhizal infection rate and enhanced the response of seedlings to increasing concentrations of both inoculum types, but the effect of chlamydospore inoculum was more favoured by fumigation than that of basidio-spores. Chlamydospore inocula appear more sensitive to competitive and antagonistic soil microorganisms than basidiospores. Soil fumigation appears a necessary adjunct to the use of chlamydospores as inoculants in nurseries and is discussed in relation to nursery culture of pines.     

Effect of Submergence on Iron Transformation and Phosphorus Availability in Calcareous Soils

A thermostatic incubation experiment was carried out to estimate the effects of flooding periods,stalk application and P addition of Fe transformation and P availability in calcareous soils.Submergence increased amorphous Fe,especially in the case of stalk application.The newly formed amorphous Fe with a great surface area played an important role in Psorption;and submergence also stimulated the dissolution of inorganic P,thus increasing the availability of soil P in calcareous soils.Meanwhile,a part of soluble P was absorbed and fixed again on the surface of newly formed amorphous Fe,thus resulting in a decrease of P availability.Soil rapidly available P increased after 150-day incubation.There existed significantly negative correlations between soil amorphous Fe content and soil Fe-P and rapidly available P contents.Submerged conditions promoted the transformation of inorganic P added toward Fe-P in calcareous soils,especially in the case of stalk application.     

Time of Day Effect on Foliar Nutrient Concentrations in Corn and Soybean

Foliar nutrient concentrations vary during the day. Field research was conducted to quantify and better understand this variation in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) with foliar sampling during the vegetative and reproductive stages. Time of day effects occurred inconsistently across nutrients. Nitrogen (N), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) foliar concentrations were generally high early in the day. Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) foliar concentrations varied inconsistently with time of day, while concentrations of boron (B) in both crops and copper (Cu) in corn were not affected. Limiting foliar sampling to after 10:00 AM reduced the variation for soybean but not for corn. Interpretation by Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) did not reduce the time of day effect. The variation caused by time of day, along with other causes, affects confidence in interpretation of foliar results suggesting use of the information with either additional foliar sampling or soil testing in making nutrient management decisions.     

Effect of zinc on some important macro‐ and microelements in blackgram leaves

Abstract

Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) plants were grown in glasshouse earthen pot experiment. Zinc (Zn) was applied to the soil at different concentrtions. Plant leaf samples were analysed at the age of 30, 45, and 65 days after sowing. The accumulation of Zn in the plant increased with the applied Zn concentration to the soil. Also a variation in the uptake of Zn by the plant with age has been observed. The excess accumulation of Zn in the plant induced a reduction in the content of some macro‐ [calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na)] and micro‐elements [iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu)] in the plant leaves. Furthermore, the Ca: Zn ratio decreased with increasing Zn concentration which clearly indicates a toxic Zn effect on blackgram plants.     

Effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids on Cl- adsorption by variable charge soils

Low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids exist widely in soils and have been implicated in many soil processes.The objective of the present paper was to evaluate effect of two LMW organic acids, citric acid and oxalic acid, on Cl^- adsorption by three variable charge soils, a latosol, a lateritic red soil and a red soil, using a batch method. The results showed that the presence of citric acid and oxalic acid led to a decrease in Cl- adsorption with larger decreases for citric acid. Among the different soils Cl- adsorption in the lateritic red soil and the red soil was more affected by both the LMW organic acids than that in the latosol.     

Effect of cultivated plants on physico‐chemical characteristics of humic substances of soils amended by sewage sludge

Abstract

Humic substances were extracted from raw sewage sludge samples as well as an alluvial slightly alkaline soil [Typic Xerofluvent (So)], a clay loam soil [Calcixerollic Xerochrept (M)] and the corresponding field plots amended with different rates of sewage sludge and cultivated with corn and cotton respectively, in a two‐year field experiment. These substances have been characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The chemical analyses showed that humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs), were effected by the cultivated plant. Humic substances extracted from field plots with cotton showed higher carbon, but less nitrogen (N), total acidity and carboxylic groups content, as compared with those under corn. Generally HAs and FAs extracted from the fields plots amended with sewage sludge had higher N content, lower values of total acidity, carboxylic groups and carbon contents than those from the unamended soils. The FT‐IR spectra of humic (HAs) and fulvic (FAs) acids extracted from sewage sludge indicated the presence of high percentage of aliphatic carbon, polysaccharides and proteinaceous materials. The spectra of the humic matter in the field plots showed less aliphatic but increased amide stretch in comparison with the sludge. The absorption due to C=O in carboxylic groups of the FAs was not pronounced, though the presence of polysaccharides and protein decomposition products was clearly indicated.     

Effect of B,Mn and Zn on nodulation and N2‐fixation in southernpeas

Abstract

Two greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of B, Mn and Zn on nodulation and N₂‐fixation of southernpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Halp.) cultivars ‘Freezegreen’, ‘Mississippi Silver’ and ‘Pinkeye Purple Hull’. The cultivars were grown in plastic pots with a Norfolk sandy loam (fine, loamy siliceous thermic, Typic Paleudult) soil treated with B, Mn and Zn at rates of 0, 5, 10 and 20 kg/ha each at pH levels 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5. At pH 6.5 all micronutrient treatments significantly increased nodulation and N₂‐fixation over the control (no micronutrient applied). The effects of B, Mn and Zn on nodulation and N₂‐fixation depended on the cultivar and soil pH. For plants given the 5 kg/ha B and Mn treatments, ‘Mississippi Silver’ produced the highest number of nodules and ‘Pinkeye Purple Hull’ the least. At 20 kg/ha Zn, nodulation of ‘Freezegreen’ was highest and ‘Pinkeye Purple Hull’ the lowest. As a whole, maximum nodulation was at 5 kg/ha B and Mn and 20 kg/ha for Zn. Nitrogen fixation rates responded similarly except that the optimum rate for Zn was 10 kg/ha. Seed yield of plants peaked at 5 kg/ha for B and 10 kg/ha for Zn, indicating a possible relation of N₂‐fixation to seed yield.