Effect of Extraction Variables on the Biodegradable Chelant-Assisted Removal of Toxic Metals from Artificially Contaminated European Reference Soils

Development of aminopolycarboxylate chelants (APCs) having enhanced biodegradability is gaining increasing focus to replace the EDTA and its homologs with those used widely for the ex situ treatment of contaminated soils and are potential eco-threats. The paper reports the chelant-assisted extraction of the toxic metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) from the metal-spiked European reference soils (Eurosoil 1 and Eurosoil 4) using biodegradable APCs, namely EDDS, GLDA, and HIDS. The effects of chelant-to-metal molar ratio, solution pH, and metal/chelant stability constants were evaluated, and compared with that of EDTA. The selectivity aptitude of the biodegradable chelants towards the toxic metals was assumed from the speciation calculations, and a proportionate correlation was observed at neutral pH. Pre- and post-extractive solid phase distributions of the target metals were defined using the sequential extraction procedure and dissolution of metals from the theoretically immobilized fraction was witnessed. The effect of competing species (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, and Mn) concentrations was proven to be minimized with an excess of chelant in solution. The highlight of the outcomes is the superior decontamination ability of GLDA, a biodegradable APC, at minimum chelant concentration in solution and applicability at a wide range of pH environments.     

Resynthesis of Brassica napus L. for self-incompatibility: self-incompatibility reaction, inheritance and breeding potential

Self-incompatibility (SI) in Brassica has been considered as a pollination control mechanism for commercial hybrid seed production, and so far has been extensively used in vegetable types of Brassicas. Oilseed rape Brassica napus (AACC) is naturally self-compatible in contrast to its parental species that are generally self-incompatible. Introduction of S-alleles from its parental species into oilseed rape is therefore needed to use this pollination control mechanism in commercial hybrid seed production. Self-incompatible lines of B. napus , carrying SI alleles in both A and C genomes, were resynthesized from self-incompatible B. oleracea var. italica (CC) cv.'Green Duke' and self-incompatible B. rapa ssp. oleifera (AA) cv. 'Horizon', 'Colt' and 'AC Parkland'. All resynthesized B. napus lines exhibited strong dominant SI phenotype. Reciprocal cross-compatibility was found between some of these self-incompatible lines. The inheritance of S-alleles in these resynthesized B. napus was digenic confirming that each of the parental genomes contributed one S-locus in the resynthesized B. napus lines. However, the presence of two S-loci in the two genomes was found not to be essential for imparting a strong SI phenotype. Possible use of these dominant self-incompatible resynthesized B. napus lines in hybrid breeding is discussed.     

Simultaneous Extraction and Fractionation of Fish Oil from Tuna By-Product Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (SC-CO2)

ABSTRACT

Fish oil was extracted and simultaneously collected into six fractions based on molecular weight and the chain length of triglycerides in terms of fatty acid constituents without splitting of the triglycerides, using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) at optimized conditions of 40 MPa, 65°C, and a flow rate 3 mL min^?1. In each type of fractionation, the first fraction (F1) was rich in saturated fatty acids (SFA; 52.57 to 61.26%), followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA; 22.17 to 23.22%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; (0.54 to 20.37%); the sixth fraction (F6) was rich in PUFA (48.93%), followed by MUFA (33.59%) and SFA (13.61%). It was obvious that short-chain fatty acids were extracted at an earlier fraction; therefore, the latter fractions were dominant in long-chain fatty acids, especially MUFA and PUFA. Thus, omega-3 fish oil (last three fractions) was successfully separated to be used as a value-added health product.     

Application of Biofloc Technology for the culture of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) in Bangladesh: stocking density,floc volume,growth performance,and profitability

Though Biofloc Technology is a new concept in Bangladesh, it provides advantages for improving aquaculture production in many countries, leading to achieve sustainable development goals. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of stocking densities on the growth performance of stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) under Biofloc Technology and assess the economic prospects and business feasibilities. Fingerlings were stocked in unique 5000-L tanks with three stocking densities, i.e., 3500 fish/tank (Treatment-I), 4000 fish/tank (Treatment-II), 4500 fish/tank (Treatment-III). The treatments showed significant differences (P?<?0.05) considering the species-specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. Treatment-I had significantly ((P?<?0.05) higher final biomass (29.51 ± 0.04 kg/m³) than the other treatments. The present findings revealed that using a lower stocking density, the Biofloc Technology reduced ammonia (NH₃), nitrite (NO₂), nitrate (NO₃), TDS, and floc volume but significantly increased the dissolved oxygen. As a result, Treatment-I had generated significantly higher net income (BANGLADESHI TAKA—BDT 86,278.90) over the other treatments. Moreover, the NPV, net BCR, and RoR with 4% and 9% opportunity cost were also significantly higher in Treatment-I than other treatments. The internal rate of return (IRR) and SWOT analysis index indicates that investing in Biofloc Technology is far superior, and a stocking density of 3500 fish/tank (Treatment-I) resulted in a faster investment return.

     

Increasing Tree Cover in Degrading Landscapes: ‘Integration’ and ‘Intensification’ of Smallholder Forest Culture in the Alutilla Valley,Matiranga, Bangladesh

Research was conducted in Alutilla Valley in eastern Bangladesh to identify the nature of existing agroforestry systems and to identify potential agroforestry models that could ameliorate currently degrading forest resources Data were collected through farmer participatory research and a structured quarterly survey in two villages. Qualitative and supplementary quantitative analysis methods were used to assess the financial potential of agroforestry systems. Various patterns of agroforestry exist in the study site, but all have two common principles, namely ‘integration with agriculture’ and ‘multi-functionality’. Two agroforestry models suitable for adoption by farmers have been identified. Multi-strata agroforestry, based on a fruit and timber tree canopy with vegetables and tuber species in the understorey, can be practiced in the shifting cultivation fields near settlements. Fruit and timber tree-based conservation agroforestry is well suited to manage large-scale biologically depleted landscapes. Both systems yield early financial returns, facilitating the change from shifting cultivation to multi-strata agroforestry or fruit and tree-based conservation agroforestry.     

Efficacy of nine insecticides against shoot and fruit borer, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucinodes orbonalis</Emphasis> Guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in eggplant

Shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee, is a serious pest of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Management practices of this obnoxious pest are limited to frequent spray of chemical insecticides. Due to increasing levels of resistance of L. orbonalis to different insecticides there is an urgent need to test new chemicals. In this study, nine insecticides such as azadirachtin 0.03EC, abamectin 1.8EC, flubendiamide 24WG, chlorpyriphos 20EC, cartap 50SP, carbosulfan 20EC, thiodicarb 75WP, cypermethrin 10EC, and lambdacyhalothrin 2.5EC belonging to different chemical groups were tested against eggplant shoot and fruit borer in laboratory and field. In laboratory trial, carbosulfan and flubendiamide showed the highest toxicity against fourth instar larvae of L. orbonalis after 24 and 48 h of exposure, respectively. In field trials, they reduced more than 80% shoot and fruit infestation in winter, and 80% shoot and 70% fruit infestation in summer over control. Carbosulfan protected the highest amount of healthy fruit yield in both cropping seasons. Flubendiamide also showed the similar efficacy. Cartap and thiodicarb were moderately effective in both the seasons. Efficacy of cypermethrin and abamectin was moderate in winter but low in summer. Lambdacyhalothrin and chlorpyriphos although reduced shoot and fruit infestation of eggplant and protected higher yield as compared to control, their effectiveness was not satisfactory. The performance of azadirachtin against the pest both in the laboratory and field trials was the poorest while that of carbosulfan and flubendiamide was the best. Thus, it is suggested that carbosulfan and flubendiamide may be used for the control of L. orbonalis in eggplant.     

A review of okara (soybean curd residue) utilization as animal feed: Nutritive value and animal performance aspects

Year by year, huge quantities of by-products are generated during the manufacturing process of soybean-based products. Okara is one of the by-products, and it is an insoluble portion of the soybean. It consists of high moisture (8.4–22.9%); on dry matter basis, it contains high metabolizable energy (9.0–14.2 MJ/kg) and other components that include crude protein (20.9–39.1%), crude fiber (12.2–61.3%), crude fat (4.9–21.5%), and ash (3.4–5.3%). Fermentation of okara improves its nutritional quality and reduces its anti-nutrient contents. Due to animals' palatability, okara can be used to replace the soybean meal/concentrate feed partially or completely in ruminant's diet and partially in nonruminant's diet. Okara feeding does not depress the intake, digestibility, growth, milk production, blood metabolic profiles, and meat quality of animals. However, this by-product decays quickly due to its high moisture content, and its heavy weight and sticky nature make it difficult to process and expensive to dry using conventional methods. This paper thoroughly summarizes the utilization of okara as animal feed in the cause of developing a general guideline with favorable levels of inclusion in the diets of animals for its exploitation and valorization. This review will encourage further research to develop eco-friendly and value added feed for animals.     

Effects of stocking density on production and economics of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) polyculture in periphyton-based systems

The present research investigated the effect of stocking density on pond (75 m², depth 1.2 m) production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) stocked at a fixed 3:1 tilapia:prawn ratio. Three stocking densities were tried in triplicate: 20 000 ha⁻¹ (treatment TP‐20), 30 000 ha⁻¹ (TP‐30) and 40 000 ha⁻¹ (TP‐40). The ponds were provided with bamboo as substrate for periphyton development. Bamboo poles (mean diameter 5.5 cm and 5.0 poles m⁻²) were posted vertically into pond bottoms, resulting in 60% additional substrate area in each pond. On average, 43 genera of algae and 17 genera of zooplankton were identified from pond water, whereas 42 genera of algae and six genera of microfauna were attached to bamboo substrates. No differences were observed between treatments in the ash‐free dry matter (AFDM), chlorophyll a and phaeophytin a content of periphyton (P>0.05). Survival of tilapia and prawn and individual weight gain of tilapia were lower (P<0.05) in treatment TP‐40. The net yields were higher (P<0.05) in treatments TP‐30 (2209 and 163 kg ha⁻¹ 105 day⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively) and TP‐40 (2162 and 141 kg ha⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively) than in treatment TP‐20 (1505 and 136 kg ha⁻¹ of tilapia and prawn respectively). The net tilapia yields were quadratic correlated (R²=0.92) with fish stocking density. The cost–benefit analysis shows that the net profit margin was highest in treatment TP‐30 (69%), followed by TP‐20 (50%) and TP‐40 (44%).