Removal of Hexavalent Chromium-Contaminated Water and Wastewater: A Review

Cr(VI) is a well-known highly toxic metal, considered a priority pollutant. Industrial sources of Cr(VI) include leather tanning, cooling tower blowdown, plating, electroplating, anodizing baths, rinse waters, etc. This article includes a survey of removal techniques for Cr(VI)-contaminated aqueous solutions. A particular focus is given to adsorption, membrane filtration, ion exchange, and electrochemical treatment methods. The primary objective of this article is to provide recent information about the most widely used techniques for Cr(VI) removal.     

Marine Microbial Fibrinolytic Enzymes: An Overview of Source,Production, Biochemical Properties and Thrombolytic Activity

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have emerged as a major threat to global health resulting in a decrease in life expectancy with respect to humans. Thrombosis is one of the foremost causes of CVDs, and it is characterized by the unwanted formation of fibrin clots. Recently, microbial fibrinolytic enzymes due to their specific features have gained much more attention than conventional thrombolytic agents for the treatment of thrombosis. Marine microorganisms including bacteria and microalgae have the significant ability to produce fibrinolytic enzymes with improved pharmacological properties and lesser side effects and, hence, are considered as prospective candidates for large scale production of these enzymes. There are no studies that have evaluated the fibrinolytic potential of marine fungal-derived enzymes. The current review presents an outline regarding isolation sources, production, features, and thrombolytic potential of fibrinolytic biocatalysts from marine microorganisms identified so far.     

Growth and flowering of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) as influenced by foliar application of organic fertilizers

Foliar application effects of two commercial organic fertilizers: Drin and Algaren on growth and flowering of two cultivars (‘Mahallati’ and ‘Dezfuli’) of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) were examined. This research was carried out in a complete randomized design with factorial arrangements including two factors (cultivars and organic fertilizers), each treatment with three replications. Drin and Algaren improved vegetative growth in tuberose and concentration of 0.4–0.6 mL L^?1 Drin and concentration of 0.6 and 0.8 mL L^?1 of Algaren could be recommended for foliar application on tuberose. This is the first report on using new types of organic fertilizers on ornamental bulbous plants. Further experiments are needed to clarify more the effects of these organic fertilizers on bulbous plants.     

The effect of silver nanoparticle on Fenugreek seed germination under salinity levels

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect s of silver nanoparticles for ameliorating negative effects of salinity on germination and growth of Fenugreek seeds. In order to investigate salinity stress on Fenugreek germination indices, an experiment was carried out in Iran from October 2014 to November 2014 at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in the biotechnology Laboratory, to create salinity stress, sodium chloride (NaCl) at the levels of 0 (as control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 dS/m and Five levels of silver nanoparticles (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 μg mL^–1) on Fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum); were tested Germination characteristics such as total germination (GT), Germination Speed Index (GSI), Shoot and Root of seedling long, Fresh Mass and Dry Mass were measured. Results showed the great effects of silver nanoparticles to improve salinity stress on Fenugreek seed germination. Results showed a significant reduction in germination percent and seedling growth due to the salinity stress while significantly increased with silicon nano-particles application. In without silver nanoparticle low level of salinity (0 dS/m) increased seed germination percentage, while the high levels (5, 10, 15 and 20 dS/m) inhibited the seed germination significantly. The results showed that the effect of AgNPs was significant on germination percentage in P ≤ 0.05. Overall, application of AgNPs was beneficial in improving salinity tolerance in the Fenugreek seedling and its application may stimulate the differences defense mechanisms of plants against salt toxicity.     

Investigating the effects of temperature on seed germination of cutleaf geranium (Geranium dissectum L.) and determination of its cardinal temperatures

Phytoparasitica - Cutleaf geranium is a weed infesting crop fields in various parts of the world. The present study was conducted to determine the cardinal temperatures of germination for its seeds...     

Alginate coarse/nanoemulsions containing Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil as edible coatings and the impact on microbial quality of trout fillet

In this study, the effect of edible coarse/nanoemulsions of alginate as coating containing Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (ZEO) on the microbial quality of fish fillets was investigated at three concentrations (i.e. 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% [w/v]) in 16 days of storage at 4°C. Moreover, a comparison was made between the fabricated coarse emulsion and nanoemulsion coatings by particle size and polydispersity index analyses. Sample analysis was performed with regard to total viable count (TVC), total psychrophilic count (TPC), hydrogen sulphide‐producing bacteria count (HSC) and Enterobacteriaceae count (ENC) on days 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16. According to the findings, all the samples showed increased microbial counts during the storage periods. The highest reduction rates of TVC (about 2 log CFU/g), TPC (about 1 log CFU/g), HSC (about 1.5 log CFU/g) and ENC (about 3 log CFU/g) were observed in the nanoemulsion of alginate containing 1% w/v ZEO (NE 1%) samples, compared with alginate and control samples. The microbial growth was significantly inhibited in all treatments, compared with that in the control (p < .05). Accordingly, it can be concluded that nanoemulsion coating was more effective than coarse emulsion to prolong the durability of fish fillets and revealed a faster and greater inhibition of microbial flora, compared with coarse emulsions during the storage time.     

Improving productivity of steviol glycosides in Stevia rebaudiana via induced polyploidy

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - The polyploidy induction using mutagenic chemicals is one of the breeding approaches to improve enhancing productivity of yield and secondary metabolites...     

Dietary patterns among pregnant women in the west-north of Iran

This study was conducted to assess the food consumption pattern and nutrient intakes of pregnant women residing in Maku-the west north of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 284 pregnant women (142 from urban area and 142 from rural areas) participated. Subjects were interviewed privately, face-to-face. Dietary intake data was collected using two 24 h recalls and a food frequency questionnaire for 3 months. Mean consumption of grains and dairies was higher in rural women compared to their counterparts in urban areas. Women in urban areas consumed 140 g fruits compared to 248 g consumed by rural women. There were no significant differences regarding consumption of vegetables, pulses, fat and oils between these two groups. All women consumed adequate amount of energy, protein, thiamin and niacin (> 75% RDA). Intake of vitamin B6, folate, vitamins A and D, iron, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and zinc was not sufficient in these women. Inadequate intake of vitamin C and riboflavin was also reported in urban women. Percentage of energy from carbohydrate, fat and protein was 66, 23 and 11% for urban women, respectively and 68, 20 and 12% for rural women, respectively. Iron intake was lower in urban women compared to rural women. The findings indicated that rural women have better nutritional status than urban women. Future studies should determine factors associated with food consumption pattern in these women.     

Chemical control of weeds in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Iran

Experiments were conducted in 2006–2007 at six research stations of the Iranian Plant Protection Research Institute to study the efficacy of different herbicides to control weeds in wheat. Treatments included mesosulfuron-methyl plus iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium plus mefenpyr-diethyl (WG) at 45 + 45 + 135 g a.i./ha, respectively, sulfosulfuron at 21, 31.5, 42 and 51 g a.i./ha, chlorsulfuron at 15 g a.i./ha, bromoxynil plus MCPA at 600 g a.i./ha with clodinafop propargyl at 64 g a.i./ha, sulfosulfuron plus metsulfuron-methyl at 36 g a.i./ha, mesosulfuron-methyl plus iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium plus mefenpyr-diethyl (OD) at 15 + 3 + 45 g a.i./ha, respectively, and a full season weed-free control. Herbicides were applied at wheat tillering. Results showed that sulfosulfuron plus metsulfuron-methyl, and bromoxynil plus MCPA with clodinafop propargyl resulted in satisfactory weed control and wheat grain yield at most locations. Weed control efficacy of both formulations of mesosulfuron-methyl plus iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium was variable across locations. Efficacy of the OD formulation appears to depend upon location, so that application of this herbicide at Shiraz and Gorgan resulted in better weed control compared to use of the WG. Satisfactory performance of the OD formulation at Gorgan and Shiraz could be attributed in part to the even pattern of rainfall distribution during the growing season and wheat cultivar used, respectively. With respect to grain yield, however, the OD formulation was better than WG formulation at most of the locations.     

Evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe vera</Emphasis> Gel as an Alternative Edible Coating for Peach Fruits During Cold Storage Period

Application of bio-based edible coatings, which are in line with sustainable agriculture practices, has been a hot topic in recent years. In order to evaluate the effect of Aloe vera L. gel coating, on the store ability of peach fruits, a 30-day postharvest experiment with 10-day sampling intervals was performed. A. vera gel coating had significant positive effects on the weight loss, color change, and sensory evaluation. The amount of weight loss, color change, Total Soluble Solids (TSS) and Titratable Acidity (TA) in coating was lower than control. Furthermore, our results showed that A. vera gel coating can enhance visual properties, and could also lead in more favourable taste and texture. Regarding the obtained results, it can be suggested that A. vera gel coating can enhance the qualitative and quantitative post-harvest traits of fruits, hence, it could be a suitable alternative for chemicals preservative in commercial storage of peach fruits.