Assessment of Biotransformation of Sludge from Vegetable Oil Refining by Composting

The evolution of organic matter of sludge from vegetable oil refining (50%) mixed with turf (40%) and straw (10%) during 6 months of composting was evaluated by physicochemical and spectroscopy analysis. The intense microbial activity is characterized by a significant increase in temperature (over 67°C) during the thermophilic phase (7 days). The final product is characterized by a decomposition rate of 50, C/N ratio about 12, NH₄⁺/NO₃^? ratio less than 1, and a neutral pH. The lipid analysis showed that total lipids decreased by 83% as a result of biodegradation of lipid compounds of the composted substrate. The degree of polymerization during composting is of about 16%, which provides information on the success of the process. The spectroscopic analysis showed a decrease of the ratios E4/E6 and E2/E6, which clearly shows the humification of organic matter. The physicochemical and spectroscopy parameters of the mixture show the stability and maturity of the final compost, which is confirmed by the germination index (60% for lettuce and turnips, and 90% for cress and lucerna). The results of the evolution of sludge from vegetable oil refining mixed with green wastes produced a mature product that can be applied in agriculture.     

Effects of Co-Application of Zeolites and Vermicompost on Speciation and Phytoavailability of Cadmium,Lead, and Zinc in a Contaminated Soil

In this study, we investigated, with pot experiments, whether combined application of zeolites and vermicompost is more effective than single application on plant growth and heavy metals’ uptake in a heavy metal contaminated soil. The results showed that co-application of these amendments decreased zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) availability by their redistribution from plant available forms to organic matter and metal oxide associated fractions. While, the addition of vermicompost and zeolites increased the lead (Pb) concentration significantly in the soluble/exchangeable form as compared with the control. Applying vermicompost individually or in combination with zeolites markedly increased plant biomass. Single zeolites and vermicompost reduced Zn and Pb contents of corn roots and shoots compared to un-treated soil, but less compared to the combined zeolite and vermicompost treatments. The results obtained suggest that co-application of zeolites and vermicompost could be an option for immobilizing Cd, Pb, and Zn in heavy metal contaminated soils.     

Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction Based on Modified Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for the Preconcentration of Ultra-Trace Amounts of Copper Ions in the Environmental and Plant Samples and its Determination Using FAAS

In the present work, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) coated with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and modified with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as a new nanoparticle were prepared and used as an adsorbent for the extraction and preconcentration of copper ions. After adsorption, copper ions were desorbed with nitric acid (HNO₃), followed by determination with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The extraction conditions0. were investigated systematically. The linear range 3.0–500.0 ng mL^?1 and the detection limit of 0.6 ng mL^?1 were obtained. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method for seven replicate determinations of 0.1 µg mL^?1 of Cu(II) was 2.2%. The method was applied for the determination of Cu(II) in different water samples with good trueness. The accuracy was also evaluated through analyses of a certified reference material (CRM TMDW-500).     

Role of selenium in mitigation of cadmium toxicity in pepper grown in hydroponic condition

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans but is not considered as essential for plants. However, its beneficial role in improving plant growth and stress tolerances is well established. In order to study the role of Se in cadmium (Cd) toxicity in pepper (Capsicum frutescens cv. Suryankhi Cluster), this experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions. Treatments comprised Cd [0, 0.25, and 0.5 mM cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)] and Se [0, 3, and 7 µM sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃)] with three replications. The result showed that Cd decreased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, whereas Se supplementation diminished Cd toxicity on photosynthetic pigment. Selenium at 7 µM significantly increased the leaf area in the plants grown at 0.25 mM Cd. The application of Se at 3 µM with 0.25 mM Cd and Se at 3 µM and Se at 7 µM with 0.5 mM Cd increased the activity of catalase (CAT). Selenium at 7 µM decreased the proline content of pepper leaves exposed to Cd at 0.5 mM (30%). Selenium significantly enhanced the antioxidant activity of leaves, which was diminished by Cd toxicity. In general, Se has a beneficial effect on plant growth and is an antioxidant enzyme of pepper cv. Suryankhi Cluster under Cd stress and non-stress conditions.     

Effects of Bentonite Application and Urea Fertilization Time on Growth,Development and Nitrate Accumulation in Spinach (Spinacia oleraceae L.)

Under excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer, vegetables can accumulate high levels of nitrate in their vegetative body and, when consumed by living organisms, pose serious health-related risks for humans. Regarding such problems, it is necessary to minimize the accumulation of nitrate in leafy vegetables. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate bentonite levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 g/kg soil) application and urea fertilization times (25, 50, 75 days after sowing; at the rate of 0.2 g per pot) on the growth, development and nitrate accumulation of spinach. Results showed that urea fertilization on 25 days after sowing date had the highest effect on the quality, while application of 60 gr bentonite had the highest effect on the improvement of growth parameters of spinach. The lowest nitrate and nitrite accumulation rate was observed at urea fertilization on 50 days after planting and lack of bentonite application, whereas the lowest oxalic acid content was obtained at urea fertilization on 25 days after planting in a soil without bentonite application. The results showed that implementing an appropriate rate of bentonite and urea fertilization times may bring about favorable results for spinach production.     

Increased drug concentration and repeated eye drop administration as strategies to optimize topical drug delivery: A fluorophotometric study in healthy dogs

Objectives

Determine tear film kinetics with different fluorescein concentrations and repeated eye drop administration at various time intervals.

Animals Studied

Six healthy Beagles.

Procedures

Six experiments were conducted on separate days: single eye drop administration (control) or two separate eye drops administered at 30 s, 1, 2, 5, and 10 min intervals. For each experiment, one eye received 0.3% fluorescein solution while the other eye received 1% fluorescein solution, and tear fluid was collected with capillary tubes at 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min. Fluorescein concentrations were measured using automated fluorophotometry.

Results

Compared with 0.3% solution, eyes receiving 1% fluorescein solution had significantly higher tear film concentrations (p ≤ .046) and the area-under-the-fluorescein-time curve was twofold greater (p = .005). Compared with control: (i) Tear film concentrations were significantly higher for up to 20 min when repeating administration 30 s to 5 min after the first drop (p ≤ .006); (ii) The highest increase in area-under-the-curve was obtained with 2 and 5 min intervals for 0.3% (+109%–130%) and 1% solutions (+153%–157%); (iii) The highest increase in median precorneal retention time (defined as tear film concentration < 5% from baseline values) was obtained with 5 min intervals for 0.3% (55 min vs. 15 min in control) and 2–5 min intervals for 1% solutions (50 min vs. 25 min in control).

Conclusions

Drug delivery to the ocular surface can be enhanced by using more concentrated formulations and/or by repeating eye drop administration 2–5 min after the first dose.     

Chemical, Sensorial and Rheological Properties of a New Organic Rice Bran Beverage

Rice bran is a solid residue from rice polishing that is used in animal nutrition and rice oil production. Cultivation conditions with agro-toxics, lipids instability, and tendency for mycotoxin contamination restrict its application in human nutrition. Therefore, organic agriculture is an alternative to use the properties of rice bran. Rice bran beverage is a new cereal product from organic rice. This work presents the preliminary results of the chemical and rheological studies of a bath pasteurized rice bran beverage. Compared with integral defatted milk, soy extracts, and brown rice low-fat milk, the rice bran beverage studied in this work presents itself as an important source of minerals and unsaturated lipids. All essential amino acids were found in this product. Glutamic and aspartic acids were predominant. Bath pasteurization at boiling water temperature for 15 and 30 min was adequate for microbiological safety. Refrigeration storage for 20 days, evaluated by pH and acidity variations, was ideal for assessment of the beverage conservation time. The beverage viscosity was of the Newtonian standard behavior, and its viscosity during storage was not a good parameter to evaluate shelf life. Sensory preference tests showed positive perspectives for this new beverage.     

Carbohydrate molecule size affects the metabolic and digestive dynamics of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen)

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of carbohydrates with different molecular sizes on growth performance, feed utilization and composition, activity of digestive enzymes, plasma and hepatic metabolites of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen). Triplicate groups of jundiá (4.08 ± 0.005 g) were stocked in 12 tanks with stocking density of 25 individuals per tank and fed for 40 days with four isonitrogenous diets (37%) and isocaloric diets (3,200 kcal/kg) containing fructose (FRU), sucrose (SUC), maltodextrin (MALDEX) or corn starch (CS). The results showed no significant differences for growth variables and digestive enzymes. Fish whose diet received maltodextrin showed higher levels of deposited body fat and hepatosomatic index. Moreover, the above‐mentioned treatment resulted in lower concentrations of glucose and cholesterol in the plasma of jundiá, higher levels of triglycerides, and lower reserves of glucose and liver glycogen. However, fish fed the starch‐based diet presented higher moisture content, crude protein deposition, and body protein retention coefficient. In that same treatment, the jundiá presented higher levels of plasma glucose and liver protein. In conclusion, the efficiency of using digestible carbohydrates in iso‐nutritional diets for jundiá depends on the size of their molecular structure. The corn starch was the best dietary carbohydrate source for jundiá, based on feed utilization and composition and greater synchronicity between energy utilization and protein synthesis.     

Trials on Pacific oyster (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis> Thunberg) rearing in the middle Adriatic Sea by means of different trays

The aim of this study was to compare the growth of juvenile Pacific oysters (mean weight 2.22 g; mean length 26.8 mm) reared with the suspended technique using three different types of trays fixed to long lines at a mussel farm located in the middle Adriatic Sea. Growth, mortality rate and quality traits of oysters cultured in a new type of tray (EXP) were compared to those of specimens reared in conventional trays (CON) and in “poches” (POC). Culture density was fixed at 0.03 oysters cm⁻² in all the tray types. After 11 months of growth, oysters reared in all the tray types reached marketable size, weighing between 94.08 and 110 g without significant differences. Length (98.8–103.3 mm), width (61.1–70.5 mm) and height (31.6–34.1 mm) did not show significant variations. The condition index showed differences among EXP (93.17%) compared to CON (81%) and POC oysters (72.87%), and significant differences were found between those reared at the surface and the bottom, regardless of tray type. Concerning mortality, the EXP group (7.5%) recorded significantly smaller losses than CON (18.4%) trays and POC (31.6%).     

Effect of broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) on some agro-morphological and biochemical traits of Tunisian and some reference sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) accessions

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Orobanche cumana Wallr. is an important new problem for sunflower crop in Tunisia. Little information is available on the behavior of sunflower to O....