Identification of lactic acid bacteria isolated from wine using real-time PCR

Different lactic acid bacteria strains have been shown to cause wine spoilage, including the generation of substances undesirable for the health of wine consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of selected species of heterofermentative lactobacilli, specifically Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus hilgardii, and Lactobacillus plantarum in six different Slovak red wines following the fermentation process. In order to identify the dominant Lactobacillus strain using quantitative (real time) polymerized chain reaction (qPCR) method, pure lyophilized bacterial cultures from the Czech Collection of Microorganisms were used. Six different red wine samples following malolactic fermentation were obtained from selected wineries. After collection, the samples were subjected to a classic plate dilution method for enumeration of lactobacilli cells. Real-time PCR was performed after DNA extraction from pure bacterial strains and wine samples. We used SYBR® Green master mix reagents for measuring the fluorescence in qPCR. The number of lactobacilli ranged from 3.60 to 5.02 log CFU mL^?1. Specific lactobacilli strains were confirmed by qPCR in all wine samples. The number of lactobacilli ranged from 10³ to 10⁶ CFU mL^?1. A melting curve with different melting temperatures (T_m) of DNA amplicons was obtained after PCR for the comparison of T_m of control and experimental portions, revealing that the most common species in wine samples was Lactobacillus plantarum with a T_m of 84.64°C.     

4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol in wines: estimating non-microbial sourced contributions and toxicological considerations

Analyses of commercially available wines suggested non-Brettanomyces sources of 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol. Grapes, enological additions, exposure to plastics, and oak-barrel aging were potential inputs considered. Investigations of whole grape bunch samples from two major red wine Vitis vinifera cultivars (L. cv. Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir), a commercial mannoprotein additive, and three commercial enological tannin additions indicated they are not likely significant sources of these compounds. Studies on 15 commercial oak barrelled red wines from six Vitis vinifera cultivars (L. cv. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dunkelfelder, Merlot, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir), and a review of volatile phenol extraction from toasted oak wood, suggested that oak-aging may produce concentrations of up to 50 microg L(-1) 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol. Thus, following potential Brettanomyces-sourced aroma impacts in wine using 4-ethylphenol and/or 4-ethylguaiacol concentrations as proxies should only be considered reliable at analyte levels>100 microg L(-1). A review of worldwide 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol concentrations in wine, consumption patterns, and available toxicological data also suggested that levels of 4-ethylphenol being observed in wines worldwide do not warrant concerns about acute or long-term effects. While little is known about the toxicology of 4-ethylguaiacol, it is unlikely that elevated concentrations will pose any health-related concerns.     

Alternative antimicrobial compounds to control potential Lactobacillus contamination in bioethanol fermentations

Antibiotics are commonly used to control microbial contaminants in yeast-based bioethanol fermentation. Given the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, alternative natural antimicrobials were evaluated against the potential contaminant, Lactobacillus. The effects of nisin, ?-polylysine, chitosan (CS) and lysozyme were screened against 5 Lactobacillus strains. A standard broth- microdilution method was used in 96-well plates to assess the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). L. delbrueckii subsp lactis ATCC479 exhibited maximal MICs with CS, ?-polylysine and nisin (1.87, 0.3125 and 0.05 mg/mL, respectively). Nisin reduced most Lactobacillus strains by 6 log CFU/mL after 48 hours with the exception of L. casei. Synergism occurred when ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was added with nisin. An MIC of 0.4 mg/mL of nisin combined with the EDTA at an MIC of 1 mg/ml markedly suppressed L .casei by 6 log CFU/mL. In conclusion, alternative antimicrobials proved to be a potential candidate for controlling bacterial contamination in the fermentation process. Synergistic effect of nisin with EDTA successfully inhibited the nisin-resistant contaminant, L. casei.     

Factors affecting the removal of aflatoxin M1 from food model by Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains

This paper describes the ability of six dairy strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium to remove aflatoxin M1 (AFM 1) from phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and reconstituted milk. Bacteria were incubated in both PBS and reconstituted milk containing 5, 10 and 20 ng mL(-1) for 0, 4 and 24 h at 37 degrees C. After centrifugation the concentration of AFM 1 was determined in the supernatant fraction using high-performance liquid chromatography. The binding abilities of AFM 1 by viable (10(8) CFU mL(-1)) and heat-killed Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains in PBS ranged from 10.22 to 26.65% and 14.04 to 28.97%, respectively. Similarly, AFM 1-binding capacity in reconstituted milk was found to range from 7.85 to 25.94% and from 12.85 to 27.31% for viable and heat-killed bacteria, respectively within 4 h. While B. bifidum Bb 13 was the best binder, the poorest removal was achieved by L. acidophilus NCC 68. Binding was reversible, and a small proportion of AFM 1 was released back into the solution. The toxin concentration and incubation period had no effect on the removal of AFM 1 by bacteria both in PBS and reconstituted milk.     

响应面法和神经网络优化Acinetobactersp．DNS32发酵基质

为了提高阿特拉津降解菌Acinetobactersp．DNS32的产量,分别采用响应曲面法和基于人工神经网络的遗传算法对阿特拉津降解菌DNS32发酵培养基中3个重要基质成分（玉米粉、豆饼粉、K：HPO。）进行优化研究。响应曲面法确定3种成分的含量为玉米粉39．494g／L,豆饼粉25．638g／L和K。HPO。3．265g／L时,预测发酵活菌最大生物量为7．079×10^8CFU／mL,实测量为7．194×10^8CFU／mL;人工神经网络结合遗传算法优化确定3种主要成分含量为玉米粉为39．650g／L,豆饼粉为25．500g／L,K2HPO4为2．624g／L时,预测最大值为7．199×10^8CFU／mL,实测量为7．244×10。CFU／mL;最终确定培养基配方：玉米粉为39．650g／L,豆饼粉为25．500g／L,K2HPO4为2．624g／L,CaCO3为3．000g／L,MgSO4·7H2O和NaCl均为0．200g／L;优化后阿特拉津降解菌DNS32发酵生物量比优化前提高了36．6％。结果表明,在阿特拉津降解菌DNS32发酵培养基组分优化方面,响应面法和基于人工神经网络的遗传算法都是可行的,基于人工神经网络的遗传算法具有更好的拟合度和预测准确度。     

响应面法和神经网络优化Acinetobacter sp. DNS32发酵基质

为了提高阿特拉津降解菌Acinetobacter sp.DNS32的产量,分别采用响应曲面法和基于人工神经网络的遗传算法对阿特拉津降解菌DNS32发酵培养基中3个重要基质成分(玉米粉、豆饼粉、K2HPO4)进行优化研究。响应曲面法确定3种成分的含量为玉米粉39.494 g/L,豆饼粉25.638 g/L和K2HPO43.265 g/L时,预测发酵活菌最大生物量为7.079×108CFU/mL,实测量为7.194×108CFU/mL;人工神经网络结合遗传算法优化确定3种主要成分含量为玉米粉为39.650 g/L,豆饼粉为25.500 g/L,K2HPO4为2.624 g/L时,预测最大值为7.199×108CFU/mL,实测量为7.244×108CFU/mL;最终确定培养基配方:玉米粉为39.650 g/L,豆饼粉为25.500 g/L,K2HPO4为2.624 g/L,CaCO3为3.000 g/L,MgSO4.7H2O和NaCl均为0.200 g/L;优化后阿特拉津降解菌DNS32发酵生物量比优化前提高了36.6%。结果表明,在阿特拉津降解菌DNS32发酵培养基组分优化方面,响应面法和基于人工神经网络的遗传算法都是可行的,基于人工神经网络的遗传算法具有更好的拟合度和预测准确度。     

A simple HPLC method for determination of permethrin residues in wine

An isocratic High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) method was optimized for 3-phenoxybenzyl (1RS)-cis-trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylate (permethrin) residues identification and quantification in wine matrix. Analytical reverse phase (RP) C-18 column was used (25 cm × 4 mm i.d., 5 μ m) with mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water in ratio 70 %/30 % (v v^?1), flow-rate 2.0 mL min^?1, UV-detection at 215 nm and controlled oven temperature at 25°C. The peaks of isomers were identified with the retention times as compared to standard cis-/trans- mixture and confirmed with characteristic spectra using photodiode array detector. Under these conditions, permethrin isomers were well separated with resolution 2.8 and no interference with the naturally present wine compounds was observed. The method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). Linear regression analysis data proved a good linear relationship (correlation coefficients, r², for cis- and trans-isomer are: 0.9995 and 0.9997, respectively) between response of the detector and concentration of permethrin isomers over a wide concentration range for both isomers (0.55 mg L^?1 ?4.40 mg L^?1). Experimental data showed mean recoveries between 93.95% and 96.58% with RSD values in range: 0.89% ?3.69%. The effect of ethanol content in the solvent on permethrin isomers peak areas was also studied and 60% v v^?1 ethanol was found to be optimal for sample preparation. The method was successfully tested on 20 commercial wine samples from the market in which no permethrin was detected. Thus, it was proved that it is suitable for routine permethrin residues analysis. The proposed method is suitable for routine analysis because of the simple sample preparation, acceptable run-time, low cost and its applicability with conventional instruments.     

微生物絮凝剂用于河道疏浚底泥快速脱水的研究

河道疏浚底泥含水率高、体积庞大,不便于储存、运输和资源化利用。首先需要对其进行减量化,使其快速脱水。通过筛选获得一株高效的微生物絮凝剂产生菌F22,通过试验获得其最佳培养条件:葡萄糖为碳源,酵母膏和尿素为氮源,培养时间为60h,培养温度为32℃。将F22菌株所产絮凝剂应用于底泥脱水,试验结果表明,当底泥泥浆(含水率为93%)体积为100mL时,絮凝体系最佳pH为8～10,助凝剂CaCl2最佳投加量为4～5mL,F22菌株发酵液最佳投加量为3mL;絮体在1min左右大部分沉降至底部,F22菌株所产絮凝剂能够使底泥快速脱水。F22菌株所产絮凝剂在絮凝过程中起作用的是糖类物质,其通过氢键结合力产生絮凝作用。     

Effectiveness and kinetics of ferrate as a disinfectant for ballast water

This study examined whether ferrate could meet the international standards for successful ballast water treatment, including final concentrations of less than 1 CFU/mL of Enterococci, less than 2.5 CFU/mL of Escherichia coli, and less than 1 CFU/100 mL of Vibrio cholerae. Pure cultures of E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and V. cholerae, and a mixed culture of Enterococcus faecium and E. faecilis were grown in saline solution to simulate ballast water and were treated with dosages of ferrate ranging from 0.25 to 5.0 mg/L. A ferrate dose of 5 mg/L resulted in complete disinfection of all organisms tested, and smaller dosages were also very effective. Tailing was consistently observed, and the Hom's model (1972) appeared to most accurately represent the action of ferrate on these organisms. Salinity and pH did not adversely affect results, and regrowth was not a problem. Ferrate shows good potential as an effective disinfectant in the treatment of ballast water.     

Determination of the insecticide diflubenzuron in mushrooms by kinetic method and high-performance liquid chromatographic method

In the present study, a new sensitive and simple kinetic-spectrophotometric method for the determination of the insecticide diflubenzuron [1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-diflubenzoil)urea] is proposed. The method is based on the inhibited effect of diflubenzuron on the oxidation of sulphanilic acid (SA) by hydrogen peroxide in phosphate buffer in presence Cu(II) ion. Diflubenzuron was determined with linear calibration graph in the interval from 0.31 to 3.1 μg mL?1 and from 3.1 to 31.0 μg mL?1. The optimized conditions yielded a theoretical detection limit of 0.18 μg mL?1 corresponding to 0.036 mg kg(-1)mushroom sample based on the 3S(b) criterion. The RSD is 5.03-1.83 % and 2.81-0.71 % for the concentration interval of diflubenzuron 0.31-3.1 μg mL?1 and 3.1-31.0 μg mL?1, respectively. The reaction was followed spectrophotometrically at 370 nm. The kinetic parameters of the reaction are reported, and the rate equations are suggested. The developed procedure was successfully applied to the rapid determination of diflubenzuron in spiked mushroom samples of different mushroom species. The HPLC method was used like a comparative method to verify results.     

水质净化高效复合微生态制剂的研制

在室内模拟条件下,采用正交实验的方法对光合细菌、枯草芽孢杆菌和反硝化细菌的复配比例进行了研究,筛选一种用于水产养殖水质净化的高效复合微生态制剂。结果表明,当光合细菌(菌细胞浓度约为2×109CFU/mL)、枯草芽孢杆菌(菌细胞浓度约为8×108CFU/mL)和反硝化细菌(菌细胞浓度约为8×108CFU/mL)按菌液体积比为1∶2∶1进行复配利于水中溶解氧的提高和COD、氨氮、亚硝态氮、硝态氮的降解。验证实验表明,筛选组合各指标均优于商品微生态制剂和空白对照,其中溶解氧含量显著高于商品微生态制剂EM和复合芽孢菌处理,在实验第5天对COD的降解率为95%,显著优于EM和复合芽孢菌处理的66.3%和47.9%,实验第7天对氨氮、亚硝态氮和硝态氮的降解率分别达到70%、89%和56%。     

4-Ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol in wines: Estimating non-microbial sourced contributions and toxicological considerations

Analyses of commercially available wines suggested non-Brettanomyces sources of 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol. Grapes, enological additions, exposure to plastics, and oak-barrel aging were potential inputs considered. Investigations of whole grape bunch samples from two major red wine Vitis vinifera cultivars (L. cv. Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir), a commercial mannoprotein additive, and three commercial enological tannin additions indicated they are not likely significant sources of these compounds. Studies on 15 commercial oak barrelled red wines from six Vitis vinifera cultivars (L. cv. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dunkelfelder, Merlot, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir), and a review of volatile phenol extraction from toasted oak wood, suggested that oak-aging may produce concentrations of up to 50 μg L^?1 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol. Thus, following potential Brettanomyces-sourced aroma impacts in wine using 4-ethylphenol and/or 4-ethylguaiacol concentrations as proxies should only be considered reliable at analyte levels > 100 μg L^?1. A review of worldwide 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol concentrations in wine, consumption patterns, and available toxicological data also suggested that levels of 4-ethylphenol being observed in wines worldwide do not warrant concerns about acute or long-term effects. While little is known about the toxicology of 4-ethylguaiacol, it is unlikely that elevated concentrations will pose any health-related concerns.     

Leaching of trifluralin,metolachlor, and metribuzin in a clay loam soil of Louisiana

Trifluralin[2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluormethyl)benzenamine], metolachlor[2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide], and metribuzin[4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)one] were applied in field plots located on a Commerce clay loam soil near Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the rate of 1683 g/ha, 2759 g/ha and 609 g/ha, respectively. The half-lives of trifluralin, metolachlor, and metribuzin in the top 0-15 cm soil depth were found to be 54.7 days, 35.8 days and 29.8 days, respectively. The proportion of trifluralin, metolachlor, and metribuzin in the top 0-15 cm soil depth was 94.7%, 86.6%, and 75.4%, respectively of that found in the top 0-60 cm soil depth 30 days after application. Trifluralin concentrations were within a range of 0.026 ng/mL to 0.058 ng/mL in 1 m deep well water, and between 0.007 ng/mL and 0.039 ng/mL in 2 m deep well water over a 62 day period after application. Metolachlor concentrations in the 1 m and 2 m wells ranged from 3.62 ng/mL to 82.32 ng/mL and 8.44 ng/mL to 15.53 ng/mL, respectively. Whereas metribuzin concentrations in the 1 m and 2 m wells ranged from 0.70 ng/mL to 27.75 ng/mL and 1.71 ng/mL to 3.83 ng/mL, respectively. Accordingly, trifluralin was found to be strongly adsorbed on the soil and showed negligible leaching. Although metolachlor and metribuzin were also both readily adsorbed on the soil, their leaching potential was high. As a result, in the clay loam soil studied, metribuzin concentration in groundwater with shallow aquifers is likely to exceed the 10 mg/L US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advisory level for drinking water early in the application season, whereas trifluralin and metolachlor concentrations are expected to remain substantially lower than their respective 2 ng/mL and 175 ng/mL EPA advisory levels.     

三菌复合发酵提高厨余真蛋白含量的研究

为改善厨余发酵的品质,增加发酵后产品蛋白含量。采用三菌复合对厨余进行发酵,探讨了三菌复合的比例、接种量、发酵时间、初始pH值对发酵效果的影响,采用L9(34)正交实验对发酵条件进行优化,并对实验菌Lc和Ydy进行16S rRNA及18S rRNA分子鉴定。结果表明,最佳发酵条件为:菌剂配比(Lc∶Ydy∶S1)为3∶2∶1,接种量为0.15%,初始pH值为5.0,发酵时间为48 h。扩大实验结果表明,在最优发酵条件下,厨余经发酵后品质得到改善,真蛋白含量由发酵前的15.42%上升到发酵后的22.47%,增加率为45.80%;发酵后大肠菌群下降到30 cfu/g以下;乳酸菌及酵母菌数量分别为1.5×109 cfu/g和6.6×108 cfu/g。分子测序及鉴定结果表明,Lc为乳酸乳球菌,Ydy为热带假丝酵母菌。     

Runoff of trifluralin,metolachlor, and metribuzin from a clay loam soil of Louisiana

Trifluralin[2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluormethyl)benzenamine], metolachlor[2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl) acetamide] and metribuzin[4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)one] were applied as pre-emergent herbicides to soybean plots in Louisiana (LA) at the rate of 1683 g/ha, 2759 g/ha and 609 g/ha, respectively. The concentrations of trifluralin in the runoff water ranged between 0.09 ng/mL and 0.02 ng/mL, which is lower than the 2 ng/mL US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advisory level for trifuralin in drinking water. Metolachlor concentrations in the runoff water ranged from 9.0 ng/mL to 221.5 ng/mL, which is both lower and higher than the 175 ng/mL EPA advisory level for metolachlor. Similarly, metribuzin concentrations in the runoff water ranged between 1.5 ng/mL and 56.2 ng/mL, which is also lower and higher than the 10 ng/mL EPA advisory level for metribuzin. Accordingly, from the field plots located on a Commerce clay loam soil in LA, although the concentration of trifluralin in runoff water were substantially lower than the EPA advisory level, metolachlor and metribuzin concentrations are likely to exceed the EPA advisory levels early on in the application season with a subsequent rapid decrease to safe levels. The total loss of trifluralin in runoff water was 0.005% of the applied amount over an 89 day period after application. The total loss of metolachlor and metribuzin in the runoff water was 4.67% and 5.36% of the applied amount, respectively, over a 22 day period after application. As such, there was almost no movement of trifluralin in the runoff water, whereas metolachlor and metribuzin were much more easily moved.     

Kinetic analysis of constructed systems for the recovery of contaminated areas by acid mine drainage

INTRODUCTION: Flowing of the acid mine drainage may contaminate the adjacent water bodies causing substantial changes in the aquatic ecosystem. This aspect is the most relevant problem in the southern of Santa Catarina once the contaminated areas are inserted in the watershed of the Araranguá, Urussanga, and Tubar?o rivers, increasing the need for recovery studies. These areas are between Criciúma, I?ara, Urussanga, Siderópolis, Lauro Müller, Orleans, and Alfredo Wagner towns where a conservation unit exist called the Environmental Preservation Area of Baleia Franca. Aiming to compare the kinetics of the ash derived from burning coal and to neutralize acid mine drainage, different neutralizer, limestone, fly, and bottom ash, was mounted on a pilot scale experiment. DISCUSSION: The transport parameters showed the same order of infiltration and dispersion: fly ash < bottom ash < limestone. The order of measured alkalinity was: limestone < fly ash < bottom ash, with pH values of 9.34, 12.07, and 12.25, respectively. The limestone kinetics of acidic drainage neutralization was first order with reaction rate constant k?=?0.0963 min(-1), bottom ash was 3/4 with k?=?0.0723 mol(1/4) L(-1/4) min(-1), and the fly ash had higher order kinetics, 4/3, with reaction rate constant k?=?27.122 L(1/3) mol(-1/3) min(-1). However, by mathematical modeling, it was found that due to a combination of transport and kinetics, only limestone treatment reached a pH above 6 within 5 years, corresponding to the ideal as planned.     

Simultaneous analysis of free and sulfo-conjugated steroid estrogens in artificial urine solution and agricultural soils by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple and robust analytical method was developed to simultaneously detect and quantify 17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol-3-sulphate (E2-3S), and estrone-3-sulphate (E1-3S) in aqueous solutions (calcium chloride and artificial urine solutions) and agricultural soils using high performance liquid chromatography and UV detection. The standards for all four compounds were linear in the range of 0.01 to 1.0 μg mL(-1) (n = 6) and 1.0 to 20 μg mL(-1) (n = 6), respectively, with correlation coefficients > 0.999. The on-column limits of detection at an injection volume of 50 μL and S/N (signal: noise) ratio of 3 were: 9.0 ng mL(-1), 10 ng mL(-1), 5.0 ng mL(-1), and 7.0 ng mL(-1) for E2-3S, E1-3S, E2 and E1, respectively. The limit of detection and quantification in artificial urine solution and CaCl(2) solution was 1.0 ng mL(-1) for all four compounds. Method detection limits for the compounds in the 3 soils ranged from 2 to 2.4 ng g(-1) (E2-3S and E1-3S), and 1.0 to 2.9 ng g(-1) (E2 and E1), respectively.     

Fifty-year sedimentary record of heavy metal pollution (Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb) in the Lot River reservoirs (France)

The Lot-Garonne fluvial system is known for its historic heavy metal pollution resulting from mining and smelting activities since the late 19th century. Here, we report 137Cs activities and heavy metal (Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb and V) concentration-depth profiles from sediment cores retrieved in 2001 from three reservoirs in the Lot River. High mean sedimentation rates of 2.4-2.8 cm a(-1) are indicated by 137Cs dating. The reservoir sediments have recorded the heavy metal deposition and thus allow establishing a connection between the temporal evolution of the heavy metal pollution and historical changes in smelting and waste-treatment proceedings. Based on heavy metal concentrations in sediments upstream of the anthropogenic inputs and bottom-sediments of the furthest downstream core (interpreted as old soil or riverbed), concentrations of approximately 17, approximately 82, approximately 0.33 and approximately 28 mg kg(-1) for Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb, respectively, are proposed as natural background values for the Lot fluvial system. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo [Müller, G., 1979. Schwermetalle in den Sedimenten des Rheins-Ver?nderungen seit. Umschav 79, 133-149.]) revealed that the Lot River sediments must be considered as "severely polluted" in Cd and Zn. Moreover, despite remediation efforts undertaken in the former smelting site, the Lot River is still "severely" (Igeo approximately 4) and "moderately to severely" (Igeo>2) impacted by Cd and Zn inputs, respectively.     

Influence of fenamidone, indoxacarb, pyraclostrobin, and deltamethrin on the population of natural yeast microflora during winemaking of two sardinian grape cultivars

The influence of fenamidone ((S)-1-anilino-4-methyl-2-methylthio-4-phenylimidazolin-5-one), pyraclostrobin (methyl 2-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yloxymethyl]-N-methoxycarbanilate), indoxacarb (methyl 7-Chloro-2,5-dihydro-2-[[(methoxycarbonyl) [4- (trifluoromethoxy) phenyl] amino] carbonyl] indeno[1,2-e][1,3,4] oxadiazine-4a(3H)-carboxylate), and deltamethrin ([cyano-[3-(phenoxy)phenyl]methyl] 3-(2,2-dibromoethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate) on spontaneous fermentation carried out by natural yeast grapes microflora, was studied during the wine-making process. Aliquots of pesticide standard solutions were added to the grapes before crushing, to reach a concentration equal or half the maximum residue limit (MRL). Vinifications were performed, with maceration (R), or without maceration (W). During the wine-making process, samples were taken at the beginning (one hour after grapes crushing), at the middle and at the end of the spontaneous fermentation process. At half the MRL concentration, deltamethrin affected Pichia sp. population with a decrease of almost 50 %, while fenamidone decreased Candida sp., Candida stellata at 83, and 36%, respectively. Metschnikowia pulcherrima population decreased in all samples when compared to the control. Experiments at MRL levels showed a strong reduction for all non-Saccharomyces yeast species, when grapes had been treated with pyraclostrobin, fenamidone, and deltamethrine, except for Candida sp. which was found to have been affected only by fenamidone residues. Growth zone inhibition test showed only an in vitro activity of pyraclostrobin over Kloeckera spp., C. stellata, and M. pulcherrima. Microvinification experiments produced wines with no differences concerning S. cerevisiae population as well as production of ethanol and residual sugars. Experiments showed that at the end of the fermentation process pesticides were adsorbed by the lees and grape skins, and no pesticides residue was detectable in wine.     

Brominated flame retardants and perfluorinated chemicals, two groups of persistent contaminants in Belgian human blood and milk

We assessed the exposure of the Flemish population to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) by analysis of pooled cord blood, adolescent and adult serum, and human milk. Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in blood (range 1.6-6.5 ng/g lipid weight, lw) and milk (range 2.0-6.4 ng/g lw) agreed with European data. Hexabromocyclododecane ranged between <2.1-5.7 ng/g lw in milk. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) dominated in blood and ranged between 1 and 171 ng/mL and <0.9-9.5 ng/mL, respectively. Total PFC levels in milk ranged between <0.5-29 ng/mL. A significant increase in PBDE concentrations was detected from newborns (median 2.1) to the adolescents and adults (medians 3.8 and 4.6 ng/g lw, respectively). An identical trend was observed for PFOS, but not for PFOA. We estimated that newborn exposure to BFRs and PFCs occurs predominantly post-natally, whereas placental transfer has a minor impact on the body burden.