Improvement of phytoremediation effects with help of different fertilizer

Abstract

Phytoremediation is increasingly used to remediate metal contaminated soils. However, in order to provide technically efficient phytoremediation of contaminated sites the plant yield and metal uptake have to be enhanced dramatically. The aim of the study was to find appropriate combination of plant species and fertilizers capable of improving yields of the plants and stimulate a transfer of metals to more available to the plants forms. Wheat Triticum vulgare was used for the phytoremediation research. To increase yield of crops and enhance mobility of metals in the rhizosphere the soils were amended with three fertilizers (urea, horse manure, and “ispolin”). Short-term (36 d) vegetation test showed that concentrations of heavy metals in the plants grown in contaminated soil (from site 2) were significantly higher than those in the plants grown in clean soil (from site 1). Growth of wheat resulted in a decrease of Cd content in the soil. Amendment of the contaminated soil with urea enhanced the effect and the decrease of Cd concentration in the soil was more significant. The best effect was demonstrated after application of ispolin: concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the rhizosphere decreased 1.2–1.4 times as compared with those in the initial contaminated soil (the decrease was statistically significant).     

Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Properties of Bioactive Compounds in Organic and Conventional Growing Kiwifruit

The bioactivity of two kiwifruit’s cultivars growing under organic and conventional conditions were studied and compared. The bioactive compounds were extracted with water and ethanol using similar conditions which are applied in pharmaceutical applications and for daily fruit consumption such as tea drink. Antioxidant radical scavenging assays [ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP); cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC); 2, 2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)], fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet spectroscopy, two (2D-FL) and three-dimensional (3D-FL) fluorometry were used for the detection of biologically active metabolites derived from kiwifruits (total phenols, flavonoids, chlorophylls, carotenoids and ascorbic acid). The correlation between the total phenol content (TPC) and other bioactive compounds, and their total antioxidant capacities (TAC) was calculated for studied kiwifruit’s extracts. The interaction between drugs and human serum albumin (HSA) plays an important role in the distribution and metabolism of drugs. The properties of kiwifruit’s phenol extracts showed their ability to quench HSA, forming the complexes similar to the ones between the proteins and pure flavonoids such as quercetin. The cultivar ‘Bidan’ exhibited significantly higher TAC than the classic ‘Hayward’. In conclusion, for the first time ‘Bidan’ organic kiwifruit was analyzed and compared with widely consumed ‘Hayward’, using its bioactive and fluorescence properties. The influence of physiologically active kiwifruit’s compounds on human health, through our investigations in vitro and scientifically proven information, was explained. Relatively high content of bioactive compounds, high antioxidant and fluorescence properties of kiwifruit justify its use as a source of valuable antioxidants.     

Fasciola hepatica: Histological demonstration of apoptosis in the reproductive organs of flukes of triclabendazole-sensitive and triclabendazole-resistant isolates,and in field-derived flukes from triclabendazole-treated hosts,using in situ hybridisation to visualise endonuclease-generated DNA strand breaks

Investigation of the triclabendazole (TCBZ) resistance status of populations of Fasciola hepatica in field cases of fasciolosis, where treatment failure has been reported, can be supported by histological examination of flukes collected from recently treated hosts. In TCBZ-sensitive flukes (TCBZ-S) exposed to TCBZ metabolites for 1–4 days in vivo, but not in TCBZ-resistant flukes (TCBZ-R), morphological changes suggestive of apoptosis occur in cells undergoing meiosis or mitosis in the testis, ovary and vitelline follicles. In order to verify or refute the contention that efficacy of TCBZ treatment is associated with apoptosis in the reproductive organs of flukes, histological sections of TCBZ-S (Cullompton isolate) flukes and TCBZ-R (Sligo isolate) flukes were subjected to the TdT-mediated dUDP nick end labelling (TUNEL) in situ hybridisation method, a commercially available test specifically designed to label endonuclease-induced DNA strand breaks associated with apoptosis. Additionally, sections of in vivo-treated and untreated flukes originating from field outbreaks of suspected TCBZ-S and TCBZ-R fasciolosis were labelled by the TUNEL method. It was found that in treated TCBZ-S flukes, strong positive labelling indicating apoptosis was associated with morphologically abnormal cells undergoing mitosis or meiosis in the testis, ovary and vitelline follicles. Background labelling in the positive testis sections was attributed to heterophagy of cell debris by the sustentacular tissue. The triggering of apoptosis was probably related to failure of spindle formation at cell division, supporting the contention that TCBZ inhibits microtubule formation. In treated TCBZ-R (Sligo Type 1) flukes, and in treated flukes from field outbreaks of suspected TCBZ-R fasciolosis, no significant labelling was observed, while sections of fluke derived from a field case of fasciolosis where TCBZ resistance was not suspected were heavily labelled. Light labelling was associated with the testis of untreated Cullompton (TCBZ-S) and Sligo Type 2 (TCBZ-R) flukes, which exhibit abnormal spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, respectively. This was attributed to apoptosis and to heterophagy of effete germ line cells by the sustentacular tissue. It is concluded that demonstration of apoptosis by in situ hybridisation using the TUNEL method on sections of 1–4 days in vivo TCBZ-treated F. hepatica can contribute to the diagnosis of TCBZ resistance in field outbreaks of fasciolosis.     

Reaction of 25 Apomictic Apple Rootstock Selections to Inoculation with Mixtures of ’latent’ Viruses

Malus sieboldii, M. sargenti and most hybrids showed sensitivity to inoculation with mixtures of ‘latent’ viruses from apple cultivars. The main symptoms were chlorotic leaf spots and leaf distortions combined with severe stunting in many seedlings. There was no reaction in the M. hupehensis group and Bittenfelder Seedling except for stem pitting or stem grooving symptoms in two hybrids. It is suggested that the same sensitivity reaction to apple ’latent’ viruses which leads to incompatibility when apple rootstocks are budded may also cause virus symptoms in apomictic species rootstocks. This would seem to apply especially to the M. sieboldii and M. sargenti groups, but probably not to the M. hupehensis group.     

Compaction of Corn Distillers Dried Grains

Corn distillers dried grains (DDGS) were compacted into cylindrical pellets (3.5 cm in length, 1.5 cm in diameter) utilizing a closed‐end die under axial stress from a vertical piston applied by an Instron universal testing machine. The effects of independent variables, including the raw material moisture content (25–35% db), processing temperature (100–120°C), pressure (12.5–37.5 MPa), and dwell time (5–15 sec) on pellet density, durability, and stability were determined using response surface methodology. Moisture content, temperature, and pressure significantly affected (P < 0.05) the properties of DDGS pellets, while the influence of dwell time was negligible (P > 0.05). Increasing temperature initially increased and then decreased unit density. High moisture and pressure had favorable effects on unit density and durability rating. The density ratio increased with increasing pressure and moisture content. The results suggested technical feasibility of compacting DDGS. For the range of variables tested, optimum levels were identified as 34.6% moisture content, 107°C press temperature, and 36.8 MPa pressure to obtain maximum durability and density and acceptable dimensional stability.     

Cause and duration of mustard incorporation effects on soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi

Two fungal plant pathogens, Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2 and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lini, were studied in relation to general responses of soil fungi and bacteria following incorporation of Brassica juncea. Our aim was to understand to what extent the changes in the biological and physicochemical characteristics of the soil could explain the effects on the studied pathogens and diseases, and to determine the temporal nature of the responses. Short-term effects of mustard incorporation (up to 4 months) were investigated in a microcosm experiment, and compared with a treatment where composted plant material was incorporated. In a field experiment, the responses were followed up to 11 months after removal or incorporation of a mustard crop. In general, responses in the variables measured changed more after incorporation of fresh mustard material than after addition of similar amounts of composted plant material (microcosms) or after removal of the mustard crop (field). The soil inoculum potential of R. solani AG 2-2 decreased directly after incorporation of mustard, but increased later to disease levels above those in the untreated soil. Neither of these effects could be explained by changes in the population density of R. solani AG 2-2. Fusarium spp. were less influenced, although an increase in the suppressiveness to Fusarium wilt was observed after mustard incorporation as compared with the treatment where mustard was removed. The microbial responses to mustard incorporation were more pronounced for bacteria than for fungi. After an initial substantial increase, the bacterial density decreased but remained above the levels in the control treatment throughout the experimental periods. The bacterial community structure was modified up to 8 months after mustard incorporation. We conclude that incorporation of fresh mustard influences soil microbial communities, especially the bacteria, and has a potential to control the pathogenic activity of R. solani 2-2 on a short-term perspective. The time dependency in microbial responses is important and should be taken into consideration for the evaluation of the potential of Brassicas to control plant disease on a field scale.     

Recent decline in cod stocks in the North Sea–Skagerrak–Kattegat shifts the sources of larval supply

Cod stocks in the North Sea, including the Kattegat and the Skagerrak, have declined dramatically since the 1970s. Occasionally there is a high recruitment of juveniles in Kattegat/Skagerrak, without leading to the rebuilding of adult cod stocks despite reduced fishing mortality. In a biophysical model of egg and larval drift, we examined the potential importance of extant and historical spawning grounds for recruitment of cod in the Kattegat/Skagerrak seas using data of spawning stock biomass from the 1970s and from today's reduced stocks. The results suggest that Kattegat in the 1970s relied on largely locally retained (83%) larvae with little annual variation in recruitment. Kattegat also provided a substantial proportion of larvae recruiting in Swedish Skagerrak (72%). This is in contrast to present conditions where the Kattegat spawning stock has been reduced by 94%, and Kattegat only provides 34% of locally retained larvae and 30% to Swedish Skagerrak. Instead, the protected area in the Öresund and the Belt Sea are expected today to provide most larvae recruiting in Kattegat. Also, the inflow of larvae from the North Sea to Skagerrak and Kattegat can be significant although highly variable between years, with a positive correlation to the North‐Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO). The rebuilding of healthy spawning areas in the Kattegat may be key for restoring local cod stocks in both Kattegat and along the Skagerrak coast. This poses a management challenge if cod with local ‘Kattegat’ adaptations, e.g., in terms of egg density and migration patterns, are lost or reduced to non‐resilient densities.     

Red grapefruit positively influences serum triglyceride level in patients suffering from coronary atherosclerosis: studies in vitro and in humans

The contents of the bioactive compounds in red and blond grapefruits and their influence on humans suffering from hypertriglyceridemia were studied. It was found that red grapefruit has a higher content of bioactive compounds and a higher antioxidant potential than blond grapefruit, determined by oxygen radical scavenging capacity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, carotenoid bleaching, and Folin-Ciocalteu assays. Fifty-seven hyperlipidemic patients, ages 39-72 years, after coronary bypass surgery, recruited from the Institute's pool of volunteers, were randomly divided into three equal in number (19) groups: two experimental (red and blond groups) and one control group (CG). During 30 consecutive days of the investigation the diets of the patients of the red and blond dietary groups were daily supplemented with one equal in weight fresh red or blond grapefruit, respectively. Before and after this trial, serum lipid levels of all fractions and serum antioxidant activity were determined. It was found that serum lipid levels in patients of the red and blond groups versus the CG after treatment were decreased: (a) total cholesterol, 6.69 versus 7.92 mmol/L, 15.5%, and 7.32 versus 7.92 mmol/L, 7.6%, respectively; (b) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 5.01 versus 6.29 mmol/L, 20.3%, and 5.62 versus 6.29 mmol/L, 10.7%, respectively; (c) triglycerides, 1.69 versus 2.32 mmol/L, 17.2%, and 2.19 versus 2.32 mmol/L, 5.6%, respectively. No changes in the serum lipid levels in patients of the CG were found. In conclusion, fresh red grapefruit contains higher quantities of bioactive compounds and has significantly higher antioxidant potential than blond grapefruit. Diet supplemented with fresh red grapefruit positively influences serum lipid levels of all fractions, especially serum triglycerides and also serum antioxidant activity. The addition of fresh red grapefruit to generally accepted diets could be beneficial for hyperlipidemic, especially hypertriglyceridemic, patients suffering from coronary atherosclerosis.