Evaluation of Rheological Properties of Four Italian Rice Samples and Starch Thereof by RVA and FTIR Spectroscopy Supported by Double Two‐Dimensional Correlation Analysis: Evidence of Lipid–Carbohydrate Interactions

In this paper four rice samples and purified starch thereof characterized by different genetic background, amylose content, and gelatinization behavior were considered. They were examined with respect to chemical composition and pasting properties. To explain differences observed in the Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) curves, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was also used to characterize the rice and starch samples. Double two‐dimensional correlation analysis (D2DCORR), a powerful chemometric tool not commonly used in food analysis, was applied to FTIR spectra to support the interpretation of FTIR results. Finally, a study by FTIR spectroscopy was performed to characterize the lipid components extracted from some rice and starch samples. Rice samples showed different pasting properties owing to genetic characteristics, although these differences were mostly evident in the samples of starch thereof. However, the most interesting differences among samples were evidenced in the lipid component related to lipid–carbohydrate interactions, as resulted from the FTIR spectra and D2DCORR analysis.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Slurry Phase Bioremediation of a Manufacturing Gas Plant (MGP) Site Aged Soil

Bench scale tests have been carried out in order to investigatebioremediation feasibility of a Manufacturing Gas Plant site(Bovisa Gasometri – MI – I) aged soil, highly contaminated bypolyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mineral oils. Biodegradationstudies were carried out at 22 °C in a slurry system reactor, with a solid to liquid ratio of 10% w/w. Three testswere performed, over a period of 23, 24 and 91 days respectively.In the first test, only soil and water were put into the system.In the second test, microbial activity was inhibited to evaluatethe amount of abiotic losses. In the third test, macronutrientswere added to the reactor; bioaugmentation was also carried outby an inoculum of autochthonous PAH-degrading microorganisms. Saturated hydrocarbons, PAHs, transformation products, heterotropic and PAH-degrading bacteria and fungi were monitored.Tests showed that high removal efficiency could be obtained following 23 days of treatment for all PAHs, including high molecular weight compounds. Abiotic losses were an importantprocess contributing to concentration abatement in soil, especially in the first phase of the treatment. Lag time lackfor all polyaromatic hydrocarbons revealed that autochthonousmicroorganisms were well adapted to these contaminants; bioaugmentation did not seem to speed up the process. The higherremoval rate and efficiency for high molecular weight PAHs obtained in the third test suggested that nutrient addition could play an important role in the biodegradation process ofthese compounds, whereas it did not significantly modify total(abiotic + biotic) removal of light compounds.     

Influence of environmental factors on the biological treatment of organic compounds in contaminated lagoon sediments

Background and Scope  Many technologies available to remediate soils are not cost-effective when applied to marine and lagoon sediments, due to the physico-chemical characteristics of these matrices (high percentages of small particle size material, high moisture and organic matter content, many different types of inorganic and organic contamination). For these types of waste, slurry phase bioreactors can provide versatile processes, with very high removal efficiencies of recalcitrant organic compounds. The biodegradation of these contaminants strictly depends on the specific structure of the molecules and on environmental factors, such as the dissolved oxygen concentration, salinity, pH, and macronutrient availability. This paper presents the results of lab-scale tests performed to investigate the effect of the above-mentioned factors on the removal efficiency of saturated hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in slurry phase biological treatment of lagoon sediments. Methods  Sediments were contaminated by saturated hydrocarbons (958 mg/kg d.w.), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (29 mg/kg d.w.) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) (236 μg/kg d.w.). Carbon to nitrogen to phosphorous ratios in the matrix were not properly balanced for biological treatment. High concentrations of metals were also present (Cu: 200 mg/kg d.w.; Zn: 1710 mg/kg d.w.; As: 33 mg/kg d.w.; Cd: 13 mg/kg d.w.; Pb: 244 mg/kg d.w.). Biodegradation studies were carried out at 21 ± 1°C, in completely mixed slurry phase aerobic, anaerobic and sequential anaerobic/aerobic batch systems (3.5 1), with a solid to liquid ratio of 10% w/w. Where required, anaerobic conditions occurred naturally within three days of not aerated treatment. The aerated reactors were also equipped with traps for the waste vapors. Twelve tests were performed, over a period between ten and twenty-two days, mixing water, sediments and different amounts of various additives (macronutrients to balance C:N:P to 100:10:1 w/w, sodium chloride from 0 to 20 g/1, pH buffer solution) in the reactors, depending on the test being performed. Results and Discussion  No significant differences among the removal efficiencies of saturated hydrocarbons in tests could be observed. Abatements between 63% and 93% were obtained. The dissolved oxygen concentration was the most critical factor affecting the treatment of PAHs. Removal efficiencies below 20% were obtained for two and three-ring PAHs in the non-aerated tests. Higher values, between 45% and 61%, were obtained for these compounds in the aerated treatments; however, large (16% to 21%) abiotic losses (volatilization) were observed in these cases. Four-ring PAH removal efficiency was below 5% in all the non-aerated treatments, except for test performed without additions (30%); in the aerobic processes, removal efficiencies between 40% and 50% were obtained, except for test performed with nutrient addition and 10 g NaCl/1 (16%). Abatements of five and six-ring PAHs were between 43% and 69% in the aerated tests, and between 17% and 51% in the non-aerated treatments. Concerning PCBs, tests evidenced that reductive dehalogenation mechanisms have occurred in the anaerobic reactors with the most stable pH values, resulting in an increase of 2,4,4′-CB and 2,2′,5,5′-CB concentrations; the aerobic treatments did not modify the PCB mixture. In both types of systems, no variation of the total PCB concentration could be observed. Conclusions  This study showed that saturated hydrocarbon removal efficiency was nearly insensitive to the environmental factors investigated. The molecule structure and the dissolved oxygen concentration were the most affecting factors the removal efficiency of PAHs. PCB degradation under anaerobic conditions could be related to the pH values measured during the tests. Evaluation of results suggested that the abatement of pollutants investigated was not limited by a high salinity. High concentrations of dissolved metals and macronutrient addition did not influence the removal efficiency. Recommendations and Outlook. The slurry phase biological treatment of contaminated sediments could be applied whenever moderate removal efficiencies were required for remediation from saturated hydrocarbons and PAHs within a few days; further studies should be performed to improve the PCB abatement. Aerobic conditions should be maintained for the biodegradation of polyaromatic compounds; seawater or lagoon water could be used in the system.     

Methods for Extracting Heavy Metals in Soils from the Southwestern Amazon,Brazil

There are significant concerns about the impact of heavy metal contamination in soils as a consequence of urbanisation and industrialisation in developing countries. Routine chemical analysis of soils is used to measure the total concentration of metals from point source or diffuse activities, but this fails to put in context the bioavailability of the analyte or the potential toxicity of multiple contaminants. Bacterial biosensors provide a useful tool for assessing the toxicity of the bioavailable fraction of heavy metals in soils and for complementing chemical analysis. There are few examples of genuine environmental applications of biosensors for pollutant diagnosis. This study applied constitutively marked biosensors (which were comprehensively characterised) to soils collected from across Northern China (60,000 km²). The biosensors were responsive to soils impacted by As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn when compared to ‘uncontaminated controls’. The response of the biosensor correlated with individual (or groups of) metals related to their concentration and source. The geo-accumulation index (I _geo) assisted in explaining the biosensor response. The constitutively marked biosensors offered a focussed understanding of analyte bioavailability and placed in a relevant context the elemental analysis. When matrix-matched control samples can be collected, then such a biosensor procedure (as adopted here) is applicable to contrasting soils exposed to a wide range of contaminants. Biosensor applications complemented routine soil chemical analysis for this regional-scale study.     

Lab-scale feasibility tests for sediment treatment using different physico-chemical techniques

Purpose  

The fairly high amounts of sediments dredged in coastal or internal water bodies for navigational and/or environmental purposes claims for the identification of appropriate management strategies. Dredged sediments are frequently affected by organic and inorganic contamination, so that their reuse, as an alternative to final landfill disposal, could need remediation. In this framework, a two-year joint research project was carried out to assess the feasibility of different remediation technologies for the treatment of polluted sediments.     

Shifts in the Holstein dairy cow milk fat globule membrane proteome that occur during the first week of lactation are affected by parity

Background: The milk fat globule membrane(MFGM) proteomes of colostrum and transition milk are rich sources of proteins that are likely important for neonatal calf health. In addition, characterization of these proteomes could also yield valuable information regarding mammary gland physiology of the early postpartum lactating cow. The objectives of this research were to characterize the MFGM proteomes of colostrum and transition milk through sample collections at four timepoints postpartum, including the first milking(M1, colostrum), second milking(M2, transition milk), fourth milking(M4, transition milk), and fourteenth milking(M14, mature milk), and compare these proteomes between multiparous(MP; n = 10) and primiparous(PP; n = 10) Holstein dairy cows. Isolated MFGM proteins were labeled using Tandem Mass tagging and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS). Protein identification was completed using MASCOT and Sequest in Proteome Discoverer 2.2. The scaled abundance values were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS to determine the effects of milking(MIL), parity(PAR), and MIL × PAR. The adaptive false-discovery rate(FDR)-adjusted P values were determined using PROC MULTTEST. Protein characterization and bioinformatic analysis were completed using a combination of PANTHER, Blast, and Uniprot.Results: A total of 104 common proteins were identified in each of the MFGM samples. Statistical analysis revealed that70.2% of identified proteins were affected by MIL. Of these, 78.1% were lower in M14 compared with M1, including immune-related proteins lactotransferrin, lactadherin and hemopexin. Parity affected 44.2% of proteins. Of the proteins affected by PAR, 84.8% were higher in MP cows compared with PP cows, including apolipoprotein E and histones 2 A, 2 B, 3,and 4 b. Butyrophilin subfamily 1 member 1 A and annexin 5 were higher in samples from PP cows. Milking × parity affected32.7% of identified proteins, including lactotransferrin, gelsolin, vitamin D binding protein, and S100 proteins.Conclusions: This research supports previous findings that the Holstein MFGM proteome changes rapidly during the first week of lactation. In addition, this research identifies the impact of parity on the colostrum and transition milk MFGM proteomes, which may be important for milk-fed calf health or for the identification of protein biomarkers for mammary functionality.     

Does ontogeny modulate irradiance-elicited plasticity of leaf traits in saplings of rain-forest tree species? A test with Dicorynia guianensis and Tachigali melinonii (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae)

? Irradiance elicits a large plasticity in leaf traits, but little is known about the modulation of this plasticity by ontogeny. Interactive effects of relative irradiance and ontogeny were assessed on leaf traits for two tropical rainforest tree species: Dicorynia guianensis Amshoff and Tachigali melinonii (Harms) Barneby (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae).

? Eleven morphological and physiological leaf traits, relative to photosynthetic performance, were measured on saplings at three different architectural development stages (ASD 1, 2 and 3) and used to derive composite traits like photosynthetic N-use efficiency. Measurements were made along a natural irradiance gradient.

? The effect of ASD was very visible and differed between the two species. For Dicorynia guianensis, only leaf mass-per-area (LMA) significantly increased with ASDs whereas for Tachigali melinonii, almost all traits were affected by ASD: LMA, leaf N content and photosynthetic capacity increased from ASD 1 to ASD 3. Photosynthetic N-use-efficiency was not affected by ASD in any species.

? Leaf traits were severely modulated by irradiance, whereas the degree of plasticity was very similar among ASDs. Only few interactions were detected between irradiance and ASD, for leaf thickness, carbon content, and the ratio Chl/N in T. melinonii and for photosynthetic capacity in D. guianensis.

? We conclude that ontogenic development and irradiance-elicited plasticity modulated leaf traits, with almost no interaction, i.e., the degree of irradiance-elicited plasticity was stable across development stages and independent of ontogeny in these two species, at least in the early stages of development assessed here.

     

Distribution of Trace Metals in Channel Sediment: a Case Study in South Atlantic Coast of Spain

Recently, Sancti Petri channel on the southwestern (SW) part of Iberian Peninsula has been experiencing urban, industrial, and vehicular expansion. Until recently, there have been only few published reports documenting the pattern of metal accumulation in this estuarine sediment. In the present study, trace metals such as Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, Pb, Co, Cd, As, and Hg concentrations were analyzed from 69 sediment samples collected from 23 sampling sites of the Santi Petri channel. The magnitude of trace metal accumulation found as the following trend: Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Co > As > Cd > Hg. Spatial distribution pattern demonstrated overall decreasing trend of trace metal from Cadiz Bay mouth to the open ocean mouth, clearly correlative to the presence of anthropogenic inputs. Results of the principle component analysis (PCA) revealed that sediment metal chemistry of Sancti Petri channel is mainly regulated by the concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni; possible sources of those were from vehicular-related emissions. Pollution load index (PLI) and geo-accumulation index (I _geo ) indicated overall low values. The study will stimulate improvement of our understanding regarding the pattern of accumulation of metals in the coastal sediments, and the recorded values of metals in the present study can be used as suitable reference for future studies.     

Effect of topical vapocoolant spray on perioperative pain response of unweaned calves to ear tagging and ear notching

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of a vapocoolant spray to provide local anaesthesia for calves during ear tagging and ear notching.