Chemical control of weeds in transplanted tomatoes in Saudi Arabia

The herbicides metobromuron, diphenamid and dinitramine were tested either singly or in combination with dalapon for the control of weed species in transplanted tomato crops in Saudi Arabia, during 1979 and 1980. All herbicides were effective in controlling Chenopodium murale L., the primary broad-leaved weed in the area. However, they were less effective against other broad-leaved weed species and, even in combination with dalapon, failed to reduce populations of grass weeds. Tomato seedlings showed various degrees of injury: dinitramine was the most phytotoxic herbicide, followed by metobromuron and diphenamid. No toxicity was observed for dalapon. Diphenamid was the most promising herbicide for controlling weeds and producing significantly higher yields of tomatoes.     

Development of a new method, based on a bioreactor coupled with an L-lactate biosensor, toward the determination of a nonspecific inhibition of L-lactic acid production during milk fermentation

The development and characteristics of a bioreactor employing bacteria (Streptococcus thermophilus) encapsulated in Ca-alginate beads coupled with an L-lactate biosensor are reported. The biosensor comprises a carbon paste electrode modified with enzymes HRP (horseradish peroxidase), LOD (lactate oxidase), and FcH (ferrocene) as redox mediator. The measurement of L-lactate is based on the signal produced by H(2)O(2), the product of the enzymatic oxidation of L-lactate by LOD. The detection of H(2)O(2) is performed at the electrode surface via HRP/FcH at low operating potential (-100mV vs Ag/AgCl). Optimization studies were performed using the bioreactor in conjunction with an L-lactate electrode operating in a flow injection system to assess the ability of encapsulated bacteria to ferment carbohydrate solutions. The possibility of using the developed method to assess the fermentation capability of milk samples was evaluated. Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitro propane-1,3-diol) was chosen to simulate the effect of an inhibitory agent of milk fermentation. The obtained results indicated that the evaluation of the amount of L-lactate amount produced through the bioreactor could be used as a measure of inhibition of lactic acid production in milk samples.