Kinetics of Lead Bioaccumulation from a Hydroponic Medium by Aquatic Macrophytes Pistia stratiotes

The goal of this work was to study quantitatively lead bioaccumulation from a lead-doped nutrient medium by using a living aquatic macrophytes Pistia stratiotes. Several sets of aquatic plants with approximately 30 g weight were grown in greenhouse conditions and in hydroponic solutions supplied with a non-toxic Pb²⁺ concentration. The synchrotron radiation total X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was used to determine the metal concentrations in dry plants and hydroponic media as a function of time. Four different non-structural bioaccumulation models were applied to describe the process dynamics and to estimate the accumulated lead maximum capacity and rate constants. According to the experimental data, both biosorption and bioaccumulation mechanisms can be considered. Due to the low desorption rate constant, the experimental data were well described by the irreversible kinetic model. The results concerning modeling of living macrophytes’ metal bioaccumulation kinetics can be used to predict the heavy metal removal dynamics from wastewaters in artificial wetlands.     

Multispectral radiometric monitoring of bacterial blight of coffee

Precision Agriculture - Bacterial blight of coffee caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. garcae shows great destructive potential in the main coffee producing regions in Brazil and worldwide. Remote...     

Bioremoval of Surfactant from Laundry Wastewater in Optimized Condition by Anoxic Reactors

Effects of ethanol and nitrate on linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) degradation were investigated using central composite design. At experimental design, removal of 99.9% was observed in batch reactors (1 L) with 9.8 to 41.2 mg L^?1 of LAS. The batch reactors were kept under agitation at 120 rpm and 30 °C. Ethanol (co-substrate) and nitrate (electron acceptor) were statistically significant factors (p?<?0.05) in surfactant removal. Optimal values were 97.5 and 88 mg L^?1 for ethanol and nitrate, respectively. LAS removal was kinetically investigated by varying surfactant concentration while using optimal values. Batch I (27 mg L^?1 LAS) exhibited greater degradation rate (K^LAS) (0.054 h^?1) in the presence of ethanol and nitrate. Nonetheless, in Batch II (60 mg L^?1 LAS), the K^LAS values decreased in those reactors probably due to inhibition by excess substrate for same concentrations of nitrate and ethanol added in reactors. As LAS concentration increased, the dominance of bacterial populations also increased, whereas diversity index decreased from 2.8 (inoculum) to 2.4 and 2.5 for reactors with both added nitrate and ethanol and those with only added ethanol, respectively. Probably, a selection of microbial populations occurred in relation to LAS concentration. The nitrate and ethanol, at able concentration, made it possible the induction of denitrifying microrganisms foward to LAS removal.     

A Model for comparing reduced impact logging with conventional logging for an Eastern Amazonian Forest

Using data from a logging experiment in the eastern Brazilian Amazon region, we develop a matrix growth and yield model that captures the dynamic effects of harvest system choice on forest structure and composition. Multinomial logistic regression is used to estimate the growth transition parameters for a 10-year time step, while a Poisson regression model is used to estimate recruitment parameters. The model is designed to be easily integrated with an economic model of decisionmaking to perform tropical forest policy analysis. The model is used to compare the long-run structure and composition of a stand arising from the choice of implementing either conventional logging techniques or more carefully planned and executed reduced-impact logging (RIL) techniques, contrasted against a baseline projection of an unlogged forest. Results from “log and leave” scenarios show that a stand logged according to Brazilian management requirements will require well over 120 years to recover its initial commercial volume, regardless of logging technique employed. Implementing RIL, however, accelerates this recovery. Scenarios imposing a 40-year cutting cycle raise the possibility of sustainable harvest volumes, although at significantly lower levels than is implied by current regulations. Meeting current Brazilian forest policy goals may require an increase in the planned total area of permanent production forest or the widespread adoption of silvicultural practices that increase stand recovery and volume accumulation rates after RIL harvests.     

Characterization of antibiosis and antixenosis to the whitefly silverleaf <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> B biotype (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in several squash varieties

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential resistance mechanisms to Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) B biotype, in eight Cucurbita pepo varieties. Attractivity, oviposition preference, and nymphal development were evaluated under greenhouse and laboratory conditions. Variety Bianca was the least attractive to adult whiteflies in multi-choice tests. The whiteflies showed oviposition nonpreference (antixenosis) for Novita Plus, Bianca and Sandy in multi-choice test, and similar results were observed in no-choice tests with varieties Bianca, Novita, Caserta Cac and Sandy. Sandy expressed high antibiosis levels against whitefly nymphs, leading to 63.9% mortality. The high level of resistance in variety Sandy can serve as base for genetic improvement of C. pepo focusing on the development of resistant varieties to B. tabaci B biotype.     

Bacterial pigment for Nile tilapia feeding

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different carotenoids sources in tilapia fish diets on the animals’ performance and fillets characteristics. Nine hundred and sixty tilapias, Oreochromis niloticus, averaging 15 g were distributed into 24 tanks to receive one of the six treatments (four repetitions) for 80 days: basal diet with no pigment (control group), basal diet with 350 mg/kg astaxanthin 10 % and basal diets added of four different concentrations of Rubrivivax gelatinosus biomass (175, 350, 700 and 1400 mg/kg). Variables analyzed included feed consumption, weight gain, feed conversion and specific growth rate for the animals and pH, proximate composition, carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and color for the fillets. Productive parameters did not differ statistically. Moisture content was lower on the fillets of treatments with pigments. The protein contents on the fillets of diets supplemented with the bacterial biomass were higher than in control group, while pH, minerals and lipids did not vary among treatments. Lightness and yellowness did not differ among the treatments, but redness and carotenoids contents were higher for all the groups that received the pigments than for the control group. The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids n-6/n-3 was improved with the dietary biomass. So, it was concluded that the use of the pigmenting ingredients did not alter productive parameters but increased redness and carotenoids contents in the fillets. Moreover, the use of R. gelatinosus biomass also increased the protein contents and improved the fatty acids profile in the fillets.     

Investigation of insecticidal activity of rye α-amylase inhibitor gene expressed in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) toward cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis)

Innumerable proteinaceous α-amylase inhibitors have been isolated and identified from different plant species. Among them, an α-amylase inhibitor gene with bioinsecticidal potential toward Anthonomus grandis (cotton boll weevil) was previously identified in rye seeds (Secale cereale). This cereal inhibitor was expressed in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum) under control of phytohemaglutinin promoter by using Agrobacterium tumefasciens - mediated transformation. Presence of αBIII-rye gene and further protein expression were confirmed by PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Immunological assays indicated that the recombinant inhibitor was expressed in concentration range from 0.1% to 0.28% (w:w) of the total protein in tobacco seeds of R₀ plants. From 14 independent transformants, five plants with expression levels between 0.20% and 0.28% in seeds were in vitro assayed against A. grandis amylolytic enzymes causing clear inhibition. Moreover, bioassays using transgenic seed flour mixture for artificial diet produced 74% mortality in A. grandis first larval instar. These data suggest that rye inhibitor could be a promising biotechnological tool for produce transgenic cotton plants with an increased resistance to cotton boll weevil. Moreover, αBIII-rye gene should be considered a potential compound for a pyramiding strategy aiming to delay insect-resistance.     

Evaluating ipê (Tabebuia, Bignoniaceae) logging in Amazonia: Sustainable management or catalyst for forest degradation?

Prized for their dense, rot-resistant wood, Tabebuia impetiginosa and T. serratifolia (vernacular name = ipê) are among the most valuable Amazonian timbers. We analyzed the geographical extent, spread and trajectory of ipê logging in Brazilian Amazonia, and evaluated harvest pressure on this forest resource. We also examine Tabebuia population response to reduced-impact logging, a more ecologically benign alternative to destructive conventional harvest practices in Amazonia. Based on eight years of population monitoring at multiple sites in the eastern Brazilian Amazon, we project second harvest ipê yields in forests logged using RIL under legally allowable (90% of commercial stems) and reduced (70%) harvest intensities.In recent years ipê harvests have declined or ceased in the majority of old logging frontiers in eastern Amazonia while spreading to new logging frontiers in central and southwestern Amazonia. With current timber market prices, transportation infrastructure and harvesting costs, logging of ipê would be profitable in an estimated 63% of the Brazilian Amazon; in the more remote logging frontiers only logging of ipê and a few other high-value timbers is currently profitable. All populations of T. impetiginosa and T. serratifolia in northeastern forests showed drastic population declines over multiple RIL harvests in simulations, with no indication of population recovery over the long term. We conclude from study of Tabebuia populations in eastern Amazonia and modeling of response to logging that these two species are endangered by logging activity and merit additional protection under forest legislation.