Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Protein Recovered from Fish Waste

ABSTRACT

This work aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and functional properties of proteins recovered from whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) and Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) residues obtained by the process of acid solubilization using HCl at pH = 2 and alkaline solubilization using NaOH at pH = 12 and isoelectric precipitation (pH = 5.5). The proximate composition and functional properties were determined. The solubilization and water holding capacity (WHC) of the recovered protein were studied in the pH range of 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The high protein content and lowest lipid reduction presented by the protein recovered from the whitemouth croaker residue and obtained by the acid solubilizing process was 97.1 and 98.4%, respectively. The maximum solubilized protein was at pH 3 and 11, and the minimum solubilized protein was at pH 5 for both species. The greater ability to retain oil was observed for the alkaline solubilization process (8.3 and 7.3). The lower WHC was at pH 5. The acid and alkali residue concentrates of the whitemouth croaker presented higher WHC at pH 3 and 11. These proteins can be used in preparing edible films and have been used to produce bioactive compounds for supplements or functional ingredients.     

Full-Scale Remediation of a Jet Fuel-Contaminated Soil: Assessment of Biodegradation, Volatilization, and Bioavailability

Here, we addressed biodegradation vs. volatilization processes, and also bioavailability limitations during biopile remediation of soil initially contaminated by more than 5,000 mg/kg of hydrocarbons. In order to select bioremediation strategies, we first conducted a biotreatability study, which included geochemical, textural, and microbiological characterization of the soil matrix. Next, we implemented five bioremediation approaches onsite in real-scale biopiles. In order to monitor hydrocarbon depletion and to distinguish between biological and non-biological processes, we analyzed chemical biomarkers by means of gas chromatography?Cmass spectrometry. In addition, a comprehensive study of soil grain size and its implications on bioavailability were studied. Furthermore, the evolution of microbial populations was also examined. Two of the strategies implemented in the biopiles (the combination of a slow-release fertilizer and a surfactant, and the use of an oleophilic fertilizer respectively) reduced the soil hydrocarbon content to under 500 mg/kg in 5 months. Additional results from this study indicate that volatilization was the predominant degradation process for light hydrocarbons (below 12 carbon atoms), whereas heavier compounds were mainly biodegraded. However, even in the most favorable situation, a residual concentration of hydrocarbons linked to the finer fraction of the soil was found.     

Study of conifer nitrogen nutrition using hydroponic cultures: Application to fertigation systems

Nitrogen (N) optimization of a nutrient solution for ornamental conifers was obtained with two different experiments in hydroponic cultures: First, by using three different NO₃ ^‐/NH₄ ⁺ ratios (60/40, 55/45, and 40/60 in percentages of the total N supplied); and, secondly by testing three total N levels (3.7; 4.7 and 5.5 mmol L^‐1). Best growth was obtained with a NO₃ ^‐/NH₄ ⁺ ratio of 55/ 45 and a total N level of 3.7 mmol L^‐1. With these experiments, reference levels of foliar concentrations of the macronutrients N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and the biochemical indices, such as chlorophyll and starch levels, were obtained with the treatments corresponding to the plants with the higher growth. In the course of a growth cycle, a substrate assay with two different pot mixes (moss peat plus perlite and black peat plus sepiolite 60/40 ‐% v/v‐) was carried out by using the best N ratios and doses in nutrient solutions as obtained in hydroponics. The results indicated that the same N fertilization in fertigation systems changes depending on the different physicochemical properties of the substrates used; in this case, depending on the different physical properties of the two substrates. By applying DRIS to perform nutritional diagnosis, it is possible to find nutritional limitations to plant growth, but not additional factors, such as water‐air relationships in the growth media.     

Policy impacts on regulating ecosystem services: looking at the implications of 60 years of landscape change on soil erosion prevention in a Mediterranean silvo-pastoral system

Context

Policy decisions form a major driver of land use change, with important implications for socially and environmentally susceptible regions. It is well known that there can be major unintended consequences, especially where policies are not tailored to regionally specific contexts.

Objectives

In this paper we assess the implications of 60 years of agricultural policies on soil erosion prevention (SEP) by vegetation, an essential regulating ecosystem service in Mediterranean Europe.

Methods

To assess these implications we produced and analysed a time series of land cover/use and environmental conditions datasets (from 1951 to 2012) in relation to changing agricultural policies for a specific region in the southern Portugal. A set of indicators related to SEP allowed us to identify that land use intensification as increased soil erosion in the last 60 years.

Results

Particularly in the last 35 years, as a consequence of headage payments for cattle, the agricultural policy had a significant effect in the density and renewal of the tree cover, resulting in drastic effects for the provision of the SEP service. These are more significant after 1986, coinciding with the implementation of several Common Agricultural Policy instruments focused on increasing the modernization and productivity capacity of farm systems.

Conclusions

The results show some unintended effects of agricultural policy mechanisms on ecosystem service provision and highlight the need for context-based policies, tailored to the environmental constrains and potentials of each region.

     

Hyoscine‐N‐butylbromide premedication on cardiovascular variables of horses sedated with medetomidine

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) hyoscine premedication on physiologic variables following IV administration of medetomidine in horses.Study designRandomized, crossover experimental study.AnimalsEight healthy crossbred horses weighing 330 ± 39 kg and aged 7 ± 4 years.MethodsBaseline measurements of heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), respiratory rate, systemic vascular resistance (SVR), percentage of patients with second degree atrioventricular (2^oAV) block, mean arterial pressure (MAP), pH, and arterial partial pressures of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) and oxygen (PaO₂) were obtained 5 minutes before administration of IV hyoscine (0.14 mg kg^?1; group HIV), IM hyoscine (0.3 mg kg^?1; group HIM), or an equal volume of physiologic saline IV (group C). Five minutes later, medetomidine (7.5 μg kg^?1) was administered IV and measurements were recorded at various time points for 130 minutes.ResultsMedetomidine induced bradycardia, 2^oAV blocks and increased SVR immediately after administration, without significant changes in CI or MAP in C. Hyoscine administration induced tachycardia and hypertension, and decreased the percentage of 2^oAV blocks induced by medetomidine. Peak HR and MAP were higher in HIV than HIM at 88 ± 18 beats minute^?1 and 241 ± 37 mmHg versus 65 ± 16 beats minute^?1 and 192 ± 38 mmHg, respectively. CI was increased significantly in HIV (p ≤ 0.05). Respiratory rate decreased significantly in all groups during the recording period. pH, PaCO₂ and PaO₂ were not significantly changed by administration of medetomidine with or without hyoscine.Conclusion and clinical relevanceHyoscine administered IV or IM before medetomidine in horses resulted in tachycardia and hypertension under the conditions of this study. The significance of these changes, and responses to other dose rates, requires further investigation.     

Influence of the stage of ripeness on phenolic metabolism and antioxidant activity in table grapes exposed to different CO2 treatments

We have analyzed the influence of the stage of ripeness on L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene expression, accumulation of anthocyanins and total phenolics, and on antioxidant activity in the skin of table grapes treated with 20% CO₂ + 20% O₂ + 60 % N₂ for 3 or 6 d at low temperature (0 °C). The residual effect of high CO₂ treatment after transfer to air was also studied. In early harvested grapes, neither the anthocyanin content nor the accumulation of VcPAL mRNA was affected by any of the CO₂ treatments applied. However, in late harvested grapes, the duration of high CO₂ treatment determined its effect and a 6 d treatment with CO₂ sustained higher levels of total phenolics and anthocyanin accumulation, and VcPAL expression than observed in untreated late harvested grapes. The increased antioxidant capacity was correlated with the total amount of phenolics and anthocyanins. Conversely, in grapes treated for 3 d with CO₂ the phenylpropanoid pathway did not appear to be induced and a relationship between antioxidant activity and anthocyanins was not observed. Thus, further studies are needed to identify the most important antioxidants in these treated fruit.     

Molecular evidence of Leishmania spp. in spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) from The Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve,Veracruz, Mexico

Veterinary Research Communications - The black-handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is a platyrrhine primate distributed in southern Mexico, Central America, and part of South America. Two...     

Pimarane diterpene from Viguiera arenaria (Asteraceae) inhibit rat carotid contraction

ent-Pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid (PA) isolated from Viguiera arenaria (Asteraceae; Heliantheae) inhibited rat carotid rings contraction induced by phenylephrine (10(-8) mol/l) or potassium chloride (45 mmol/l) at concentration ranging from 5 to 20 microg/ml. This inhibitory effect was not reversible after the removal of this compound from the medium bath.     

Afforestation trials with Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz and Prosopis flexuosa D.C. in the Dry Chaco, Argentina

In implantation trials carried out with Prosopis chilensis and Prosopis flexuosa, the following variables were considered: implantation time (December and March), implantation technique (direct seeding and seedling transplantation) and age of the seedlings at the time of transplantation (60, 105 and 150 days). Survival was evaluated for more than 9 months after implantation and trials were repeated in 3 consecutive years.

Results from both species were similar and they show that survival after transplantation was higher (60–80%) than from direct seeding (35–45%). Survival from transplantation was independent of the size and age of the seedlings and it was less affected by climatic conditions than direct field sowing. Survival from direct seeding was higher in March than in December. The best time for either implantation alternative would be the end of the summer or beginning of fall, when climatic conditions increase the probability of seedling survival.