Biological treatment of potato processing wastewaters

A bench-scale laboratory study was conducted to determine the performance of the single-stage treatment system of powdered activated carbon activated sludge reactors and the two-stage treatment system using activated sludge reactors followed by the biological activated carbon columns. Two activated sludge reactor runs and two biological activated carbon (BAC) column runs were conducted in this study. Hydraulic detention time in the aeration tank was 8, 16, and 32 hours for the activated sludge reactor runs. In run 2,4 g/1 of powdered activated carbon (PAC) were added to the activated sludge reactors to improve organic pollutant removal. The feed COD (chemical oxygen demand) was from 2668 to 3309 mg/1. For the BAC runs, the hydraulic detention time varied from 0.288 to 4.034 hours. Results indicate that 92% of COD was removed in the non-PAC activated sludge reactors, while 96% of COD was removed in the PAC activated sludge reactors. Biomass accumulation in the BAC columns improved the COD removal. Effluents from BAC columns contained 34 to 95 mg/1 COD. The two-stage treatment system of activated sludge followed by BAC process had better treatment performance than the single-stage treatment system of PAC activated sludge process.     

Waste cotton fibers based activated carbon: Optimization of process and product characterization

Waste cotton fibers were used to produce activated carbon fiber (ACF) via chemical activation method with phosphoric acid. The effect of different operational parameters on the adsorption capacity and yield of activated carbon fibers was studied by Taguchi experimental design. Optimized conditions were: Activation temperature of 450 °C, activation time of 0.5 h, impregnation ratio of 2, and the rate of temperature rising of 10 °C min^?1. The activated carbon fiber produced under optimized conditions was characterized by pore structure analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy-dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The obtained results showed that the produced activated carbon has developed porous structure, fibrous shape, predominantly amorphous structure, large number of oxygen functional groups, and acidic nature.     

Eradication of potato virus Y and S from potato by chemotherapy of cultured axillary bud tips

Ribavirin (virazole) treatment of cultured axillary bud tips (3-4 mm) was tested as a method of eradicating potato virus Y (PVY) and potato virus S (PVS) from two potato cultivars, Norchip and Desiree. Ribavirin treatment was phytotoxic at all concentrations tested, but cultivars treated at 5 mg/1 were visually similar to the nontreated control cultures after 20 weeks. The buds treated with ribavirin at 20 mg/1 had a survival rate of only 30–40%. Virus assays indicated that 2,74,82, and 89% of the plants were free of PVY, and 1, 71, 83 and 90% were free of PVS, 20 weeks following treatment with 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/1, respectively. Virus assays indicated that 2, 74, 82, 89% of the plants were free of PVY, and 1, 71, 83 and 90% were free of PVS, 20 weeks following treatment with 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/1 ribavirin treatment respectively for cultivar Norchip. Desiree cultivar assayed 2, 69, 80 and 86% free of PVY and 2, 74, 85 and 93% free of PVS, 20 weeks following treatment with 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/1 ribavirin treatment respectively.     

Treatment of potato processing wastewaters by activated carbon adsorption process

A laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of degrees of pretreatment, types of activated carbons, dosages of activated carbons on the organic removal rates of potato processing wastewaters using the activated carbon adsorption process. Primary treated effluents, and secondary treated effluents using activated sludge and powdered activated carbon activated sludge processes were used as adsorbate in this study. Two types of activated carbon used consisted of granular activated carbon, Nuchar WV-L, and powdered activated carbon, Nuchar S-C, in dosages varied from 0.25 to 4 g per 50 ml of wastewater. Results indicated that activated sludge treatment removed 86–96% of COD from primary settled wastewaters. Activated sludge followed by activated carbon adsorption treatment removed 97% COD from primary settled wastewater with an effluent COD of 24 mg/1. Powdered activated carbon was more effective than granular activated carbon in removing COD from activated sludge treated effluents.     

Eradication of potato virus X from potato by ribavirin treatment of cultured potato shoot tips

Ribavirin treatment of cultured potato shoot tips was tested as a means of eradicating potato virus X (PVX) from two potato cultivars. Shoot tips were cultured on liquid medium containing 0, 1, 10 or 100μg/ml ribavirin. Cultures were evaluated periodically for viability, and scored for vigor on a relative growth scale. Developed plantlets were assayed for PVX by transmission tests toGomphrena globosa. Ribavirin treatment was phytotoxic at all tested concentrations, and lethal to all cultivars treated at 100 μg/ml. Treatment also delayed plantlet development by up to 2 months at 1 and 10 μg/ml as compared with nontreated controls. PVX assays indicated that 80 and 83% of the plantlets were free of PVX following treatment with 10 μg/ml for cultivars Russet Burbank and Red McClure, respectively. Five and 6% of the plantlets developed from the 1 μg/ml treatment were PVX-free, whereas 0 and 2% of the controls were PVX-free for the same cultivars. Six to 8 months were required to develop plants from shoot-tip cultures treated with 10 μg/ml ribavirin.     

Potato minitubers: Technology validation in Mexico

The effects of four previously reportedin vitro tuber-inducing modified culture media on the potato cultivars Atzimba and Juanita were studied under three illumination regimes. Tuberization from stem segments started 7–18 days after transfer for all the cultivar-light-medium combinations, but this early start was not related to tuber yield. Atzimba tuberized more than Juanita (1.0 and 0.8 tubers/plant respectively), and 8 h light was optimal. The medium by Wang Hu (WH) promoted the greatest tuberization for cultivar Atzimba (1,198 mg/plant) and that by Palmer-Smith (PS) for Juanita (290 mg/plant). The modified Stallknecht’s (ST), on the contrary, slightly stimulated tuberization under all illumination conditions. The presence of cytokinins and light favored the tuberization process. Dormancy was not observed in any of the microtubers, regardless of the tuber-inducing treatment.     

Potato leafroll virus purification and antiserum preparation for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) was purified from potato foliage and stems with an average yield of 0.14 mg of PLRV/kg of potato. Modifications of an existing purification procedure are reported. Five low dosage (38-118 μg of PLRV) intravenous injections were used to produce a PLRV antiserum for use in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) from tubers. PLRV was readily detected in ELISA testing of potato tubers and leaves and inPhysalis floridana Rybd. Non-specific reactions were low with all tissues. In parallel tests, a Canadian antiserum produced higher nonspecific reactions with tuber and leaf tissue. The results indicated that the use of low dosage-intravenous injections might be necessary methodology for producing PLRV antiserum for use in ELISA diagnostic tests with tuber tissue where high non-specific reactions have been reported.     

Inheritance of potato glycoalkaloids

Significant differences in tuber glycoalkaloid (TGA) content were found among parents and among family means in a two year study of 10 tetraploid crosses. TGA contents of the parents ranged from 3.6–36 mg/100 g, with an average content of 10 mg/100 g. Offspring variations within families were generally continuous, indicating polygenic inheritance. Heritability (1-year—1-replicate base) ranged from 86–89% in the broad sense and from 66–84% in the narrow sense. It was concluded that TGA content is highly heritable. The use of parents with high TGA contents in a breeding program is discussed.     

Preparation and characterization of glass fiber-coir hybrid composites by a novel and facile Prepreg/Press process

The present study explored the preparation of glass fiber-coir reinforced unsaturated polyester resin hybrid (GCU) composites with a novel Prepreg/Press fabrication process. Flexural, impact and thermal-mechanical properties of GCU composites were investigated. Coir reinforced unsaturated polyester resin (CU) composites was also prepared with the same process to explore the enhancement effect of glass fabric on the mechanical properties of coir-based composites. The effect of fabrication pressure on the mechanical properties of CU and GCU composites was examined. Micromorphology and interfacial reaction of the composites were analyzed. It is shown that GCU composites fabricated with the Prepreg/Press process have excellent flexural strength (185.0 MPa), MOE (18.3 GPa), and impact strength (67.2 kJ/m²). The mechanical properties of GCU composites increased with the increase of applied pressure up to 0.8 MPa in the Prepreg/Press process. However, further increase of applied pressure led to the decrease in mechanical properties. The addition of glass fabrics to GCU composites showed 419 % improvement in flexural strength, 708 % improvement in MOE and 562 % improvement in impact strength over coir-based composites. The micromorphology study proved that the poor interfacial bonding between coir and matrix led to the low mechanical properties of coir-based composites.     

Kinetin,thermotherapy, and tissue culture to eliminate potato virus (PVX) in potato

PVX infected plantlets from two potato cultivars grownin vitro with 0.3, 3, 30 or 300 ppm kinetin were exposed to temperatures of 28 or 35 C. After 3 wk, axillary buds were isolated and grown aseptically in organogenic media, followed by PVX testing by ELISA. The serological test was also run on whole plantlets at the end of the kinetin-temperature exposure. No donor plants exposed to 28 C nor the plantlets derived from their buds gave an ELISA (-) reaction, regardless of the kinetin content of the media or that of the cultivar. At 35 C the virus was suppressed to undetectable levels in several whole plantlets. In the cultivar Alpha, 2 out of 6 resulting plantlets after isolation of buds were virus-free in the presence of 3.0 mg/1 kinetin during the treatments. From Atzimba, about 15–40% of the regenerated plants were ELISA (-), without any relationship to the cytokinin content in the media. Heat had a stronger influence on virus elimination than kinetin and the results varied with the cultivar.     

Pre and early post-emergence weed control with Paraquat in potatoes

Studies using Paraquat herbicide for early post-emergence control of broadleaved and grass weeds in Katahdin and Russet Burbank potatoes were conducted in Maine during four growing seasons. All rates and times of application of Paraquat gave good commercial control of grass and broadleaf weeds when compared to Premerge and Dowpon treatment as checks. Paraquat applied to Katahdins 2 weeks after ground crack reduced the yield of tubers but did not significantly affect specific gravity. Yield and specific gravity of Russet Burbank was reduced by Paraquat applied one and 2 weeks after ground crack. Paraquat can be used effectively for weed control in Katahdin up to one week after ground crack without crop damage. In Russet Burbank it appeared that application at ground crack was about as late as Paraquat could be applied without affecting yield or specific gravity of tubers.     

Photoinduction of glycoalkaloids in cured potatoes

Curing of Sebago potatoes for 10 days at 25°C prior to common storage at 5°C, reduced the responsiveness of tubers to photoinduced glycoalkaloid synthesis. Continuous illumination with 15 and 25-Watt incandescent light for 10 days increased glycoalkaloid content of peelings (12–14% of tuber weight) in uncured potatoes by a factor of 3.2 and 2.8, respectively, while the corresponding factor for cured tubers was only 1.8 for both lights. The peeled tuber portion (86–88% of tuber weight) had negligible amounts of glycoalkaloids, averaging about 1 mg per 100 g of fresh weight. The rise of glycoalkaloid levels in peels of uncured tubers was nearly linear to 164.7 mg/100g (15W light) with no indication of levelling off. In peels of cured tubers, the rise began only after the 4th day of light exposure with an apparent maximum and levelling off at 94.7 mg or approximately 43% lower than the final TGA levels in uncured tubers.     

Small tuber studies of sugar accumulation in potatoes

Small potato tubers, less than 1 cm in diameter, responded in a manner typical of larger tubers and accumulated sucrose and reducing sugars during storage at 1°C. Prolonged soaking (50% submerged) was used as a method for introducing metabolic inhibitors into intact, small tubers. Judging from the effects on respiration, cycloheximide was absorbed within 25 h. Cycloheximide treatment inhibited the sucrose and reducing sugar accumulation associated with storage at 1°C     

Fungicidal residues on and in Egyptian oranges

Two orange varieties, Navel and Baladi Egyptian oranges, were analysed for fungicidal residues. Na-orthophenyl phenate was used in the rinse water during the commercial application of fungicidal dips and wrappings treatment of the orange fruits. Thiabendazole was used as fungicide incorporated in the wax. Diphenyl was used as impregnant for wrapping papers for fruits. The maximum values of the fungicidal residues on/or in the two orange types were less than the maximum permissible concentration for human consumption reported by FAO/WHO \committees. Surface residues of the fungicides provided higher concentration than whole fruit pulp\residues. Small amounts of the\fungicides diffused into the pulp. Changes in fungicidal residues during five weeks'storage at 42°F and at room temperature were studied. The residues decreased during storage at room temperature more than at 42°F.     

Effect on man's serum lipids of a faba-bean protein concentrate

The hypocholesterolemic effect of a vegetable dietary protein was studied by comparing egg white protein and faba-bean protein concentrate in 4 hyperchol-esterolemic persons (3 type IIA, 1 type IIB) and 1 normal individual. To maintain stable body weight, participants were kept for 1 month on an isocaloric diet (20% protein, 48% CHO, 32% fat, P/S=2) and then hospitalized for two consecutive cross-over periods of 18 days each, when they again received an isocaloric diet but of different composition (15% protein, 59% CHO, 26% fat, P/S=2), with the two protein sources as the basis of the cross-over. Serum total, LDL-, VLDL- and HDL-cholesterol and total and VLDL-triglycerides were analyzed every three days. Compared to baseline values, serum total and LDL-cholesterol decreased during both diets, reaching statistical significance for the egg white diet; serum HDL-cholesterol significantly decreased on the faba-bean diet; serum total and VLDL-Tg did not show any significant changes. Comparisons of lipid values at the end of each diet (faba-bean vs. egg white) showed small differences in mean values, none statistically significant. In conclusion, evidence was not obtained that the faba-bean diet produced a significant lowering of serum total and LDL-cholesterol.     

Improved procedures for the isolation and culture of protoplasts fromSolanum etuberosum

An efficient and convenient procedure for the isolation of protoplasts fromSolanum etuberosum is described. Excised leaves of plants grownin vitro were preconditioned for 3 days in the dark at 4 C. A 16 h enzyme digestion followed with purification by flotation in Babcock bottles produced a mean yield of 12.5 × 10⁶ protoplasts/g fresh weight. Protoplast viability as judged by morphology at the time of isolation was 89%. Liquid preculture for 1 day at 1 × 10⁶ protoplasts/ml was used prior to plating at 1 × 10⁵ protoplasts/ml and gave a mean survival of protoplasts of 43% after 8 days in culture.     

Some aspects of potato appearance and texture. III. Sampling tubers for cation analysis

Individual unpeeled Kennebec tubers were analyzed after being subdiviled in various ways for sampling. The individual portions were wetashed whith a nitric-perchloric mixture and three cations were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Representative samples of the tubers could be obtained by using subsamples of a blend or by using two opposite sectors cut longitudinally where each sector comprised 1/16th of the tuber. The latter method gave the greatest uniformity among the subsamples. Magnesium was uniformly distributed in the tubers studied, while calcium and potassium were more concentrated in the area external to the vascular tissue and in the stem and the bud ends of the tubers. The inequality of calcium distribution was extremely great.     

Mechanical and rheological properties of calcium carbonate-filled ethylene propylene diene elastomer reinforced by metallic acrylate salt

High performance ethylene propylene diene methylene elastomer (EPDM)/calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)/aluminum triacrylate (ALTA) hybrids have been prepared by a melt compounding process. The mechanical properties of the peroxide cured EPDM/CaCO₃/ALTA vulcanizates were investigated by tensile, hardness, resilience, abrasion and fatigue life tests. The results showed that the ALTA can greatly improve the modulus at 100 %, tensile strength, abrasion resistance and fatigue life of the EPDM/CaCO₃/ALTA vulcanizates, while retaining their high elongation at break. ALTA as a reactive filler had accelerating effect on the vulcanization reaction of and increased the crosslink density of the EPDM/CaCO₃ composites. This phenomenon is due to increasing the ionic bonds arise from both homo-polymerization of ALTA and graft co-polymerization of it onto the EPDM. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of ALTA causes to the roughness of the fracture surface of CaCO₃-filled EPDM compounds demonstrating high interaction between the fillers and EPDM improved by introduction of ALTA. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that the glass transition temperature (T _g ) and dissipation peak (tan δ) of EPDM composites decreases with increasing ALTA content. Decrease in tan δ value and inward shifting of T _g were related to improved interaction of filler and EPDM.     

A study of surface morphology and structure of cotton fibres with soluble immobilized-cellulase treatment

Our previous studies have demonstrated that cotton fabrics treated with soluble immobilized-cellulase showed considerably lower degradation and higher retention of tensile strength than those treated with free cellulase. It is important to investigate the surface morphology and structure of cotton fibres for understanding the enzymatic degradation. In this study, the effects of the soluble immobilized-cellulase on the surface morphology and structure of cotton fibres were investigated. The ultrastructural changes in the fibre surfaces were inspected using Tapping-Mode Atomic Force Microscopy (TM-AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the results showed that the smooth surfaces could be obtained after the immobilized-cellulase treatment, and no obvious damage was observed on the fibre surfaces. The hydrogen bonds in the certain depth area beneath the fibre surface were investigated using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) after the cellulase treatments. Furthermore, the result of fibre accessibility indicated that the hydrolysis occurring in the interior of the cotton fibres was limited during the immobilized-cellulase treatment. Crystalline index (CI) of the cotton fibres treated with free cellulase was slightly higher than that of fibres treated with immobilized cellulase.     

Analysis of Biologically Active Oxyprenylated Ferulic Acid Derivatives in Citrus Fruits

4′-Geranyloxyferulic (GOFA) and boropinic acid have been discovered during the last decade as interesting phytochemicals having valuable pharmacological effects as cancer chemopreventive, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-Helicobacter pylori agents. A reverse-phase HPLC-UV/Vis method for the separation and quantification of the title oxyprenylated ferulic acid derivatives in extracts obtained from peels of nine edible Citrus and Fortunella fruits was successfully applied. Concentration values showed a great variation between the different species, being orange (C. sinensis) the fruit richest in GOFA (0.141?±?0.011 mg/g of exocarp fresh weight) and kumquat (Fortunella japonica) the one in which boropinic acid was recorded as the most abundant phytochemical (0.206?±?0.002 mg/g of exocarp fresh weight). Both secondary metabolites were not detected only in three species. The set-up methodology showed limits of quantification (LOQ) values, that were able to selectively quantify both GOFA and boropinic acid. Results described herein depict a potential chemopreventive dietary feeding role for the Rutaceae spp. under investigation.