Mineralization of Nitrogen from Biofuel By-products and Animal Manures Amended to a Sandy Soil

Transformations of nitrogen (N) from poultry litter (PL), dairy manure compost (DMC), anaerobically digested fiber (ADF), Perfect Blend 7–2–2 (PB), a compost/litter mixture (C/L), dried distillers grains from ethanol production (DG), and mustard meal from biodiesel production (MM) applied to a Quincy fine sand were investigated in an incubation experiment over 210 days. The cumulative release totals of available N after 210 days were 61, 61, 56, 44, 29, 2, and –2% for the total N in MM, PB, DG, PL, C/L, DMC, and ADF, respectively. With application of MM and DG, ammonium (NH₄-N) accumulated initially in the soil with very little nitrification, possibly because of inhibition of nitrification related to chemical compounds in the amendments. Mineralization of organic N to NH₄-N and nitrate (NO₃-N) was relatively slow from MM- and DG-amended soils, indicating the potential for using biofuel by-products as slow-release N sources for plants.     

Omega-3-Rich Oils from Marine Side Streams and Their Potential Application in Food

Rapid population growth and increasing food demand have impacts on the environment due to the generation of residues, which could be managed using sustainable solutions such as the circular economy strategy (waste generated during food processing must be kept within the food chain). Reusing discarded fish remains is part of this management strategy, since they contain high-value ingredients and bioactive compounds that can be used for the development of nutraceuticals and functional foods. Fish side streams such as the head, liver, or skin or the cephalothorax, carapace, and tail from shellfish are important sources of oils rich in omega-3. In order to resolve the disadvantages associated with conventional methods, novel extraction techniques are being optimized to improve the quality and the oxidative stability of these high-value oils. Positive effects on cardiovascular and vision health, diabetes, cancer, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, and immune system improvement are among their recognized properties. Their incorporation into different model systems could contribute to the development of functional foods, with market benefits for consumers. These products improve the nutritional needs of specific population groups in a scenario where noncommunicable diseases and pandemic crises are responsible for several deaths worldwide.     

Fish Protein Isolates Recovered from Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) By-Products Using Alkaline pH Solubilization and Precipitation

ABSTRACT

Fish protein isolates (FPI) were produced from silver carp processing by-products by means of the isoelectric solubilization-precipitation method, and the quality was evaluated. The alkali-aided process led to significantly more lipid reduction (p < 0.05) compared with the acid-aided process. Similar protein types were extracted for the acid and alkali solubilization, and most protein types can be recovered from the raw materials, as observed in the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. The FPI was higher in total amino acids and essential amino acids (EAAs) compared with the original by-products (p < 0.05). The alkali-aided process yielded a higher nutritional and color quality than the acidic process. Furthermore, we found that alkali-aided protein had higher oxidative stability than the acid-aided protein. Our study indicates that high-quality fish proteins can be efficiently recovered from low-value silver carp processing by-products using isoelectric solubilization/precipitation, particularly the alkali-aided process, and subsequently be used in value-added human foods.     

Potential of Chitosan (Chemically Modified Chitin) for Extraction of Lead-Arsenate Contaminated Soils

Arsenic, lead, and phosphorous contamination in soils represents a health risk. Chitosan (poly-N-acetyl glucosamine) inexpensive by-product derived from chitin has been used as a metals adsorbent. Objectives of this research were to evaluate the effectiveness of chitosan solution for arsenic, lead, and phosphorous extraction from lead-arsenate contaminated soils, and evaluate the effectiveness of protonated chitosan flakes (PCF) and ferric hydroxide chitosan beads (Fe(III)-CB) for water-soluble As removal from these soils. Percentage of arsenic, lead, and phosphorous removed from the soils by chitosan solution ranged from 0.96% to 17%, 1.80% to 31%, and 0.66% to 11%, respectively. Percentage of water-soluble arsenic removed by PCF and by Fe (III)-CB ranged from 12% to 47% and 36% to 77%, respectively. Averaged over soils, Fe (III)-CB removed slightly more arsenic (As) (42 mg kg^?1) compared to Mehlich III (40 mg kg^?1) extractant. Results indicate potential for the use of chitosan as an extraction for lead-arsenate contaminated soils.     

Partial cutting as a conservation alternative for oak (Quercus spp.) forest—Response of bryophytes and lichens on dead wood

Semi-open oak-rich forests may support many species adapted to large trees and coarse woody debris. Currently many oak-rich forests in northern Europe have more or less closed canopies due to lack of natural and cultural disturbances. In these forests, conservation oriented partial harvesting of biofuel may restore a desired forest structure and light regime that potentially may favour many species that have declined during the last century. We quantified effects of such cutting on lichens and bryophytes living on dead wood in southern Sweden, using a design with paired cutting and control plots (each 1 ha) in 15 forests. In each plot we surveyed the same five logs and three stumps before and after harvest (25% of the tree basal area removed). The epixylic species composition shifted towards a flora typical for dryer dead wood. The mean species number of lichens per stump increased (clear effect) and the mean number of bryophytes per stump decreased (nearly significantly) due to harvesting. The species composition, but not species richness, on logs was affected. No increases or decreases in species of conservation concern could be detected. Since the overall negative effects were weak, we suggest that partial harvesting of dense oak forests is compatible with maintenance of the diversity of lichens and bryophytes on dead wood. However, the amount of such forest harvested needs to be carefully assessed in relation to demands of other taxa.     

餐厨垃圾猪粪混合厌氧发酵研究

为解决我国餐厨垃圾污染环境,资源化利用程度低的问题,本研究通过试验将餐厨垃圾与猪粪混合发酵。得到餐厨垃圾与猪粪混合厌氧发酵的最佳原料比例为1:1.5,得到餐厨垃圾与猪粪混合厌氧发酵的最佳搅拌频率为60r/min,餐厨垃圾与猪粪混合厌氧发酵的最佳温度为38°C,餐厨垃圾与猪粪混合厌氧发酵的最佳时间为10h,餐厨垃圾与猪粪混合厌氧发酵的最佳pH为7。为我国餐厨垃圾资源综合利用提供参考。     

压载水中消毒副产物碘代三卤甲烷形成机制研究

由于海水中I~-、Br~-含量较高,通过电解法处理压载水过程中会产生一定含量的碘代三卤甲烷(ITHMs),该类物质具有极强的致癌和致突变特性,在电解处理工艺过程中极易生成,难以有效控制。本研究通过次氯酸钠投加模拟实验分析消毒副产物碘代三卤甲烷的形成机制与影响因素,结果显示:(1)Na Cl O浓度由5 mg/L增加至15 mg/L时,I-THMs生成量增加24.76μg/L;(2)I-THMs的生成量随着温度的升高而增加,当温度高于20℃时I-THMs的生成量增加迅速;(3)酸性条件下,I-THMs的生成量较小,碱性条件下,I-THMs的生成量明显增大;(4)对于溶液中不同溴碘浓度比,I-THMs的生成量和各组分比例差异较大。因此,建议在压载水电解处理工艺过程中应对反应条件进行最佳优化,以期保证其处理效果的同时有效控制消毒副产物DBPs的产生。     

长三角地区农作物秸秆资源量的时空分布特点

为提高长三角地区秸秆资源的综合利用率,采用草谷比法,评估长三角地区秸秆的资源量和秸秆资源的分布特点。结果表明:2000-2014年长三角地区农作物秸秆资源总量呈稳中上升趋势;秸秆分布地区格局差异显著;作物秸秆产量主要分布在粮食主产区的江苏省和安徽省,浙江省和上海市则比较低,2000-2014年作物秸秆资源量为江苏安徽浙江上海;农作物秸秆主要类型为稻谷、小麦和油菜籽,以稻谷为长三角地区最主要的粮食作物秸秆。     

Production of Chondroitin Sulphate from Head,Skeleton and Fins of Scyliorhinus canicula By-Products by Combination of Enzymatic,Chemical Precipitation and Ultrafiltration Methodologies

This study illustrates the optimisation of the experimental conditions of three sequential steps for chondroitin sulphate (CS) recovery from three cartilaginous materials of Scyliorhinus canicula by-products. Optimum conditions of temperature and pH were first obtained for alcalase proteolysis of head cartilage (58 °C/pH 8.5/0.1% (v/w)/10 h of hydrolysis). Then, similar optimal conditions were observed for skeletons and fin materials. Enzymatic hydrolysates were subsequently treated with a combination of alkaline hydroalcoholic saline solutions in order to improve the protein hydrolysis and the selective precipitation of CS. Ranges of 0.53–0.64 M (NaOH) and 1.14–1.20 volumes (EtOH) were the levels for optimal chemical treatment depending on the cartilage origin. Finally, selective purification and concentration of CS and protein elimination of samples obtained from chemical treatment, was assessed by a combination of ultrafiltration and diafiltration (UF-DF) techniques at 30 kDa.     

Host-parasite dynamics of Sorghum bicolor and Striga hermonthica – The influence of soil organic matter amendments of different C:N ratio

The effect of organic amendments on the interactions between Striga hermonthica and a sorghum host was studied in a field experiment during three cropping seasons, following a three-factorial design with (i) bare fallow versus continuous cropping, (ii) two Strigahermonthica infection levels and (iii) five organic matter levels, a single inorganic fertiliser treatment of 120 kg N ha⁻¹ and a control. The effects of two different cotton by-products and their mixtures on sorghum yield were well described by their N-mineralisation pattern. The impact of organic amendments in the sorghum production system was directly related to N-mineralisation in the three cropping seasons. There was an increasing negative effect of organic matter on S. hermonthica as the quality of the applied material increased. The emerged numbers of S. hermonthica were well described by N-release after one month, while S. hermonthica biomass and sorghum biomass were well described by N-release after three months. As a stand-alone measure, addition of low-quality organic matter is disadvantageous in cropping systems with high S. hermonthica seed densities, as it does not improve sorghum performance compared to no addition of organic matter, while S. hermonthica numbers increase. Implications for integrated soil fertility and S. hermonthica management under different infection levels of S. hermonthica are discussed.