Chitinolytic Bacteria-Assisted Conversion of Squid Pen and Its Effect on Dyes and Pigments Adsorption

The aim of this work was to produce chitosanase by fermenting from squid pen, and recover the fermented squid pen for dye removal by adsorption. One chitosanase induced from squid pen powder (SPP)-containing medium by Bacillus cereus TKU034 was purified in high purification fold (441) and high yield of activity recovery (51%) by ammonium sulfate precipitation and combined column chromatography. The SDS-PAGE results showed its molecular mass to be around 43 kDa. The TKU034 chitosanase used for the chitooligomers preparation was studied. The enzyme products revealed that the chitosanase could degrade chitosan with various degrees of polymerization, ranging from 3 to 9, as well as the chitosanase in an endolytic manner. Besides, the fermented SPP was recovered and displayed a better adsorption rate (up to 99.5%) for the disperse dyes (red, yellow, blue, and black) than the water-soluble food colorants, Allura Red AC (R40) and Tartrazine (Y4). The adsorbed R40 on the unfermented SPP and the fermented SPP was eluted by distilled water and 1 M NaOH to confirm the dye adsorption mechanism. The fermented SPP had a slightly higher adsorption capacity than the unfermented, and elution of the dye from the fermented SPP was easier than from the unfermented. The main dye adsorption mechanism of fermented SPP was physical adsorption, while the adsorption mechanism of unfermented SPP was chemical adsorption.     

Characterization of flavonoids and pectins from bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) peel, a major byproduct of essential oil extraction

Bergamot peel is an underutilized byproduct of the essential oil and juice-processing industry. As with other Citrus peels, it still contains exploitable components, such as pectins and flavonoids. Commercial glycoside hydrolases, specifically a combination of pectolytic and cellulolytic enzymes, solubilized a high percentage of the material (81.94%). The flavonoid profile of the peel consisted of characteristic Citrus species flavanone rutinosides and neohesperosides derived from naringenin, eriodictyol, and hesperetin. In addition, a number of minor flavanone and flavone glycosides, not found in orange and lemon peels, were identified. The majority of flavonoids were extracted in the two 70% v/v EtOH extractions. Processing this material clearly has economic potential leading to low environmental impact.     

The structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora infestans</Emphasis> populations from organic and conventional crops

The characteristics of populations of Phytophthora infestans from organic farms, small conventional farms and large conventional farms were determined from isolates collected in northern Estonia in 2004 and 2005. For the population as a whole 41% were A2; all virulence factors to the 11 R genes from Solanum demissum were found; and more than 70% had high or intermediate resistance to metalaxyl. Isolates from organic farms tended to have more complex pathotypes than isolates from either large or small conventional farms, but there was a higher proportion of metalaxyl resistant isolates from large conventional farms than from small conventional farms or from organic farms.     

Quantitative trait loci influencing fruit-related characteristics of tomato grown in high-temperature conditions

The objective of this study was to identify molecular markers linked to fruit-related traits in the tomato subjected to high temperatures. In total, 160 F₂ plants derived from a cross between a heat-tolerant breeding line, CL5915-93D4-1-0-3 (Solanum esculentum), and a heat-sensitive wild accession, L4422 (S. pimpinellifolium), were grown in a greenhouse. Six traits including fruit number, fruit weight, brix, seed number, fruit setting, and flower number were scored. The distributions of fruit number, fruit set, flower number, and seed number were skewed towards heat susceptibility which is known to be characteristic of L4422. Polymorphic bands were generated by PCR-derived methods of RAPD, ISSR and AFLP Polymorphism, the segregation ratio, and distribution over the genome of the above 3 markers were compared. Ten linkage groups, ranging 20.6–151.6 cM in size, were constructed with 62 informative markers spanning a total of 776.3 cM. Fruit-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were non-randomly distributed in the tomato genome. For the 6 traits investigated, 21 QTLs were dispersed on linkage groups 2–5. The genetic effects of the various QTLs were differently exhibited, in our study we have respectively found from 10.5% to 30.2% of the variation explained by the QTL for flower number (FRN4) and brix (BX2). Thirteen QTL-mapped markers were unique to 1 trait, and 4 markers were linked to more than 1 trait. Among them, QTLs linked to the I868-470 marker had effects on fruit weight and brix, and a significant positive correlation between these 2 traits was noted (r = 0.35, P < 0.05). Thus, the I868-470 marker may have the potential for simultaneous selection of high fruit weight and brix. These markers also allowed us to align genome linkage maps across distantly related species and to reveal the co-localization between these QTLs and major genes.     

Computed tomography of proximal metatarsal and concurrent third tarsal bone fractures in a Thoroughbred racehorse

A 2‐year‐old Thoroughbred filly presented to the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California at Davis for whole body nuclear scintigraphic evaluation after an acute onset of nonweightbearing right hindlimb lameness post race. The use of computed tomography (CT) enabled visualisation of additional pathology that was not initially appreciable using combined imaging modalities of nuclear scintigraphy and digital radiography, which ultimately altered the selected course of treatment. Computed tomography in horses with fractures of the cuboidal bones of the hock can provide valuable additional information regarding fracture configuration and radiographically occult pathology, which may help to guide clinical decisions about treatment.     

Willingness of residents to pay and motives for conservation of urban green spaces in the compact city of Hong Kong

People attach multiple values to urban green spaces which play varied roles in cities. Properly designed monetary valuation surveys can ascertain their non-market value and underlying motives. This study investigates Hong Kong residents’ recreational use of urban green spaces and assesses the monetary value of these areas. A total of 495 urban residents from different neighbourhoods and socio-economic groups were interviewed. About 70% of the respondents visited urban green spaces at least weekly. Major companions during patronage were family members and then children. Exercises and clean air topped the list of visit purposes. The recreational pattern is associated with the cramped private living condition that pushes people to public open areas which are construed as extension of home space. The valuation question solicited overwhelming support, with over 80% of the respondents willing to pay to recover a possible loss of urban green spaces area by 20%. It yielded a monthly average payment of HK$77.43 (approx. 9.90 USD) per household for five years. Non-instrumental aspects played some role in the respondents’ bidding decision. The findings could assist green space planning and nature conservation, and hinted the need to consider the pluralistic community views and expectations in relevant public policies.     

Arsenic accumulation by rice grown in soil treated with roxarsone

Poultry litter is widely used as a fertilizer for lowland rice in Taiwan and China. However, the organic‐arsenic compound roxarsone (additive of poultry feed) in poultry litter can be absorbed by the plants and the resulting arsenic (As) contamination may pose a serious threat to human health. This study used various amounts of poultry litter contaminated with roxarsone in pot experiments to evaluate the effect of roxarsone on rice agronomic parameters and the bioaccumulation of total and inorganic As in rice‐plant tissues. Rice‐grain yield decreased significantly with increasing As content of the soil, and the critical threshold that killed rice was 200 mg roxarsone (kg soil)^–1. The As concentrations in root, straw, leaf, husk, and grain increased with increasing soil As (p < 1%). At 100 mg roxarsone per kg of soil, the As concentration in the rice grain exceeded the statutory permissible limit of 1.0 mg As (kg dry weight)^–1 and at 25 mg roxarsone (kg soil)^–1, the inorganic As concentrations in grains exceeded the statutory limit of 0.15 mg of inorganic As kg^–1 in China. For all treatments, the As concentrations in various plant tissues at maturity follow the order: root > stem > leaf > husk > grain. Arsenite was the predominant species in root, straw, and grain, while arsenate was the predominant species in leaf and husk. No significant difference existed between the amounts of arsenite and arsenate when various amounts of poultry litter were applied. This result illustrates that large amounts of added roxarsone are not only toxic to rice but also accumulate in grains in the inorganic As forms, potentially posing a threat to human health via the food chain.     

Assessment of synthetic chemicals for disruption of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus response to attractant-baited traps in an urban environment

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), is one of the most severe pests of ornamental palm species in urban areas of Mediterranean countries. Aiming to discover inhibitory semiochemicals for RPW population management in urban environments, we conducted electroantennographic (EAG) screenings of 17 commercially available synthetic compounds, representing three groups of plant volatiles (isoprenoids, phenyl propanoid derivatives and fatty acid derivatives) known for their repellent effects toward insects. These tests were followed by trap-based screenings of EAG-active menthone, α-pinene and methyl salicylate, singly and in combination, under urban conditions. In EAG bioassays, RPW antennae of both sexes showed positive dose-dependent responses to 13 of the 17 synthetic chemicals with significant differences among them. In field trapping experiments, conducted in the city of Palermo, Italy, from weeks 31 to 38 in 2010 and 2011, α-pinene, tested singly or in combination with methyl salicylate (2010) or menthone (2011), reduced trap catches by about 30% to 40%. Methyl salicylate and menthone alone were inactive. In conclusion, RPW is significantly affected by α-pinene. This isoprenoid is a promising disruptant for semiochemical-based management of this pest. In addition, identification of a large number of EAG-active chemicals could serve as a database for future design of active repellents or attractants of RPW adults.