Morphological changes induced by heavy metals in dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.) growing on mine soils

Purpose

Heavy metal accumulation produces significant physiological and biochemical responses in vascular plants. Plants growing on abandoned mine sites are of particular interest, since they are genetically tolerant to high metal concentrations. In this work, we examined the effect of heavy metals (HMs) on the morphology of T. officinale growing in pots with mine soils, with the following objectives: (1) to determine the evolution of HM concentration in leaves and roots over 3 years of cultivation; (2) to highlight possible damage at anatomical and cytological level.

Materials and methods

Wild specimens of Taraxacum officinale Web., with their soil clod, were gathered from three sites with different contamination levels by heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) in the abandoned Imperina Valley mine (Northeast Italy). A control plant was also gathered from a non-contaminated site nearby. Plants were cultivated in pots at the botanical garden of the University of Florence (HBF), and appeared macroscopically not affected by toxic signals (reduced growth, leaf necrosis) possibly induced by soil HM concentration. Leaves and roots taken at the same growing season were observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Results and discussion

Light microscopy observations show a clear difference in the cellular organisation of non-contaminated and contaminated samples. The unpolluted samples present a well-organised palisade tissue and spongy photosynthetic parenchyma. Samples from contaminated sites, instead, present a palisade parenchyma less organised, and a reduction of leaf thickness proportional to HM concentration. The poor structural organisations, and the reduced foliar thickness of the contaminated plants, are related to soil contamination. Differences in root micromorphology concern the cortical parenchyma. Moreover, all the samples examined present mycorrhiza. Ultrastructure observations of the parenchyma cells show mitochondrial structure alteration, with lacking or reduced cristae of the internal membrane at increasing metal content. Instead, chloroplast organisation does not present significant differences, particularly in number and compartmentalization of thylakoids.

Conclusions

Although macromorphology does not present evidence of phytotoxicity, the recorded observations of the micromorphological characteristics of leaves and roots, show a suffering state of the plants, strictly related to HM content. Leaching reduced partly the HM content of the soil, therefore decreasing their phytotoxic effect. A gradual restoration of leaf organisation suggests that somewhat resilience occurred in plants. Moreover, the presence of stress-tolerant mycorrhizal fungi could contribute to reduce metal toxicity.     

Metabolite Analysis Allows Insight into the Differences in Functionality of 25 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains in Bread Dough Fermentation

During dough fermentation, yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) changes the physical properties of the dough matrix. In this study, we investigate if different yeast strains have an impact on dough rheology and on the gas holding capacity of fermenting dough. Furthermore, we analyze whether observed differences are linked to the metabolite profiles of the yeast strains. More specifically, the impact of 25 yeast strains on dough spread, dough fermentation properties, and dough metabolite profile was analyzed. Our results demonstrate large differences in the fermentation ability and metabolite profile of the 25 strains. Analysis of metabolites in fermented dough confirmed that acetic acid and succinic acid are likely responsible for the lowering of dough pH during fermentation and that the onset of CO₂ release from dough is related to dough pH rather than to the volume of CO₂ within the dough. Our results further suggest that the spread test is an inadequate tool to quantify rheological differences observed for strains with different fermentation profiles.     

Effect of water quality on soil structure and infiltration under furrow irrigation

The quality of irrigation water has the potential to significantly affect soil structural properties, infiltration and irrigation application efficiency. While the effect of electrolyte concentration (as indicated by the electrical conductivity EC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) have been studied under laboratory conditions, the effect on soil profile structural properties and irrigation performance have not been widely investigated under field conditions. In this paper, water with three different levels of sodium (SAR = 0.9, 10 and 30) was applied as alternative treatments to a clay loam soil. The application of 238–261 mm of medium- to high-SAR water was found to reduce aggregate stability, increase the bulk density of both the surface crust and underlying soil, and reduce the total depth of infiltration and final infiltration rate. Where low-SAR water was used, there was no significant (P<0.05) difference in final infiltration rate after the first four irrigations. However, where moderate- and high-SAR water was applied after the first four irrigations with the low EC-SAR water, the final infiltration rate was found to decrease on each of the successive irrigation events. For the moderate- and high-SAR treatments, this suggests that a steady-state equilibrium had not been reached within that part of the soil profile impeding infiltration. It is proposed that the initial reduction in infiltration is related to the physical processes of slaking leading to the development of an apedal, hardsetting surface soil layer. Similarly, it is proposed that the subsequent increase in bulk density and decline in infiltration where moderate and high EC-SAR water is applied is due to an increase in clay tactoid swelling reducing the size of the conducting micropores, dispersion blocking pores, and/or an increase in the thickness of the apedal surface layer. The reduction in infiltration associated with the use of high-SAR irrigation water was found to reduce the performance of the irrigations, with the application efficiency of the final irrigation decreasing from 40% where the low-SAR water was used, to 21% where the high-SAR water was applied. The implications for surface irrigating with water containing high sodium levels are discussed.Communicated by A. Kassam     

Biological nitrogen fixation associated with roots of field-grown barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Nitrogenase (C₂H₂) activity was measured in microbial media inoculated with barley root segments or corresponding rhizosphere soil. Three different media were used, Döbereiner's malate medium, a modified Ashby medium, and an acid nitrogen-free medium. Only Döbereiner's medium gave consistently positive results, and cultures inoculated with roots showed higher activity than cultures inoculated with corresponding rhizosphere soil. Similar experiments with roots and rhizosphere soil from wheat gave only negligible nitrogenase activity, whereas the tropical grass, Cynodon dactylon, gave higher activity than barley. Measurements on intact soil cores containing barley root systems showed an initial lag phase followed by a rather stable activity level over a period from 12 h to 48 h, and then the activity again decreased. The activity during the stable period corresponded to fixation of about 100 to 200 g N₂ ha^?1 24 h^?1. Measurements on isolated, washed barley roots showed only negligible nitrogenase activity.     

Effects of bicarbonate and different Fe sources on vegetative growth and physiological characteristics of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants in hydroponic system

In order to determine the best iron (Fe) sources under alkaline conditions, an factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with two factors of Fe fertilizer at four forms [iron sulfate (FeSO₄), Fe- ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Fe- diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and Fe- ethylenediamine-N,N’-bis (EDDHA), and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)] at three levels (0, 10 and 15 mM) with three replications. Results showed that the highest loss of vegetative growth (stem length, leaf number, leaf area, stem diameter, and leaf, stem and root dry weight) and ecophysiological parameters (F_v/F_m, SPAD and RWC) was observed in plants treated with FeSO₄. Alkalinity stress increased proline concentration especially in FeSO₄ treatment. Bicarbonate treatments decreased Fe concentration in plant tissues. Fe-EDTA and Fe-DTPA fertilizer sources acted similar or even better than EDDHA at 10 mM NaHCO₃ concentration, but the best Fe fertilizer source was Fe-EDDHA at 15 mM NaHCO₃ concentration.     

海栖热袍菌极端耐热木聚糖酶B的提纯

克隆并在大肠杆菌中表达的海栖热袍菌的 xyn B基因 ,其表达产物木聚糖酶 B的 C 末端带有 6×His标签 ,研究了这种基因重组酶的提纯方法。通过对粗酶提取液的热变性处理 ,Ni NTA亲和柱层析和离子柱层析 ,最终得到了电泳纯的木聚糖酶 B,提纯倍数 4 4.4 ,得率 11。SDS PAGE法测定木聚糖酶 B的相对分子质量为 4 2 ku,与理论推算值 4 2 333u相吻合     

Does the Relief of Glucose Toxicity Act As a Mediator in Proliferative Actions of Vanadium on Pancreatic Islet Beta Cells in Streptozocin Diabetic Rats?

Background: Data shows vanadium protects pancreatic beta cells (BC) from diabetic animals. Whether this effect is direct or through the relief of glucose toxicity is not clear. This study evaluated the potential effect of oral vanadyl sulfate (vanadium) on glycemic status and pancreatic BC of normal and diabetic rats. Methods: Rats were divided into five groups of normal and diabetic. Diabetes was induced with streptozocin (40 mg/kg, i.v.). Normal rats used water (CN) or vanadium (1 mg/ml VOSO₄, VTN). Diabetic rats used water (CD), water plus daily neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin injection (80 U/kg, ITD) or vanadium (VTD). Blood samples were taken for blood glucose (BG, mg/dL) and insulin (ng/dL) measurements. After two months, the pancreata of sacrificed rats were prepared for islet staining. Results: Pre-treated normal BG was 88 ± 2, and diabetic BG was 395 ± 9. The final BG in CD, VTD, and ITD was 509 ± 22, 138 ± 14, and 141 ± 14, respectively. Insulin in VTN (0.75 ± 0.01) and VTD (0.78 ± 0.01) was similar, higher than CD (0.51 ± 0.07) but lower than CN (2.51 ± 0.02). VTN islets compared to CN had larger size and denser central core insulin immunoreactivity with plentiful BC. CD and ITD islets were atrophied and had scattered insulin immunoreactivity spots and low BC mass. VTD islets were almost similar to CN. Conclusion: Besides insulin-like activity, vanadium protected pancreatic islet BC, and the relief of glucose toxicity happening with vanadium had a little role in this action. Key Words: Vanadium, Rats, Diabetes, Protection, Beta cells     

Multifunctional modification of wool fabric using graphene/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite

In this study, a new finishing technique is introduced through treatment of wool fabric with graphene/TiO₂ nanocomposite. Graphene oxide/titanium dioxide nanocomposite first applied on the wool fabric by hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide in graphene oxide suspension and then this coating chemically converted by sodium hydrosulfite to graphene/TiO₂ nanocomposite. The homogenous distribution of the graphene/TiO₂ nanocomposite on the fiber surface was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray mapping. X-ray diffraction patterns proved the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a crystal size of 127 Å on the treated wool fabric. Also, the defect analysis based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) established the composition of the nanocomposite. Other characteristics of treated fabrics such as antibacterial activity, photo-catalytic self-cleaning, electrical resistivity, ultraviolet (UV) blocking activity and cytotoxicity were also assessed. The treated wool fabrics possess significant antibacterial activity and photo-catalytic self-cleaning property by degradation of methylene blue under sunlight irradiation. Moreover, this process has no negative effect on cytotoxicity of the treated fabric even reduces electrical resistivity and improves UV blocking activity.     

Weed control and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield under application of 2,4-D plus carfentrazone-ethyl and florasulam plus flumetsulam: Evaluation of the efficacy

Three field experiments were conducted at the research fields of Plant Protection Research Institute, Iran, at different locations in 2004–2005 to study the efficacy of different broadleaved herbicides to control weeds in wheat. Treatments were the full-season hand weeded and weed-infested controls, and post-emergence applications of florasulam plus flumetsulam at 8.75, 10.50, and 12.25 g a.i./ha, 2,4-D plus carfentrazone-ethyl at 210, 245, 280, and 490 g a.i./ha, bromoxynil plus MCPA at 75, 100, and 150 g a.i./ha, 2,4-D at 560, 720, and 1120 g a.i./ha, tribenuron methyl, and 2,4-D plus MCPA. Herbicides were applied at wheat tillering stage. Naturally occurring broadleaved weed populations were used in experiments. Results indicated that bromoxynil plus MCPA at 150 g a.i./ha, 2,4-D plus MCPA, and 2,4-D plus carfentrazone-ethyl at 490 g a.i./ha were the best options to control weeds. Bromoxynil plus MCPA at 150 g a.i./ha and 2,4-D plus MCPA also resulted in the highest wheat yield. Overall, it could be concluded that rotational application of bromoxynil plus MCPA at 150 g a.i./ha, 2,4-D plus MCPA, and 2,4-D plus carfentrazone-ethyl at 490 g a.i./ha would be the best option to achieve satisfactory weed control, high grain yield and prevention of evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds.     

Synthesis of urethane polycarboxylate as a novel adsorbent and its binary system dye removal ability from aqueous solution

In this paper, urethane polycarboxylate (UPC) as a novel adsorbent was synthesized and characterized. Dye removal ability of UPC from aqueous solution of single and binary systems was studied. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was used to characterize UPC. Basic Blue 41 (BB41), Basic Red 18 (BR18), and Basic Violet 16 (BV16) were used as cationic dyes. Dye removal isotherm and kinetic were evaluated. The effect of UPC dosage, initial dye concentration, and inorganic anions on dye removal was investigated. The capacity of UPC to remove BB41, BR18, and BV16 were 333 mg/g, 278 mg/g, and 222 mg/g, respectively. Dye removal kinetics and isotherm using UPC were fitted with the pseudo-second order and Langmuir model, respectively. The results showed the UPC might be used as a dye adsorbent to treat multicomponent systems containing cationic dyes.