Bioavailability of calcium from sweetpotato and soy flour supplemented diets in hamsters

The bioavailability of calcium from two varieties of sweetpotatoes and supplementation of sweetpotatoes with soy flour was investigated in hamsters using plasma calcium concentration and femur calcium content as indicators. Five different diets were fed to five groups of animals for 28 days. There was no significant difference in plasma calcium concentrations of hamsters in all the diet groups. However, the femur calcium content of hamsters with transgenic sweetpotato flour (TSPF) and parent nontransgenic (from which transgenic was produced) sweetpotato flour (NTSPF) diets was significantly higher than that of the transgenic sweetotato flour supplemented with soy flour (TSPF + SF) and parent nontransgenic sweetpotato flour supplemented with soy flour (NTSPF + SF) diets. The relative bioavailability of calcium from the control (100%), TSPF+SF (30%), NTSPF+SF (23%), TSPF (57%) and NTSPF (46%) indicated that sweetpotatoes could be the better source of calcium, however, supplementation with soy flour might reduce the bioavailability of calcium.     

Nutritional assessment of transgenic sweetpotato on body weight, lipid, and protein status in hamsters

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the nutritional quality of genetically modified sweetpotato (genotype PI318846-3) on growth, lipid metabolism, and protein metabolism of hamsters. Three different diets made with transgenic and nontransgenic sweetpotato protein flour including a control diet with casein were fed to male Golden Syrian hamsters for 28 days. The protein efficiency ratio (1.35 +/- 0.01) of the transgenic sweetpotato protein diet was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the nontransgenic sweetpotato and control diets. Plasma albumin and plasma total protein concentrations of hamsters fed the sweetpotato diets were significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control. The casein diet (control) produced hypercholesterolemia in hamsters, whereas sweetpotato diets maintained lower plasma and liver total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in hamsters. Sweetpotatoes contain less amount of protein to maintain the normal animal growth; however, transgenic sweetpotato has good quality protein that supported the growth of hamsters better than nontransgenic sweetpotato.     

NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF TRANSGENIC SWEETPOTATO ON BODY WEIGHT,LIPID, AND PROTEIN STATUS IN HAMSTERS

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the nutritional quality of genetically modified sweetpotato (genotype PI318846-3) on growth, lipid metabolism, and protein metabolism of hamsters. Three different diets made with transgenic and nontransgenic sweetpotato protein flour including a control diet with casein were fed to male Golden Syrian hamsters for 28 days. The protein efficiency ratio (1.35±0.01) of the transgenic sweetpotato protein diet was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the nontransgenic sweetpotato and control diets. Plasma albumin and plasma total protein concentrations of hamsters fed the sweetpotato diets were significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control. The casein diet (control) produced hypercholesterolemia in hamsters, whereas sweetpotato diets maintained lower plasma and liver total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in hamsters. Sweetpotatoes contain less amount of protein to maintain the normal animal growth; however, transgenic sweetpotato has good quality protein that supported the growth of hamsters better than nontransgenic sweetpotato.     

The role of some feed additives in fish fed on diets contaminated with cadmium

The decline of cadmium pollution in fish farms is needed by any adequate method. The present study was designed to explore the effect of dietary cadmium contamination and its amelioration by using dietary clay, probiotic (Bactocell®), vitamin C, and vitamin E supplementation in Nile tilapia fish diet on growth rate, feed efficiency, blood components, and cadmium residues. Fish were separated into 15 groups, each group of fish was stocked into three aquaria and each contains 20 fishes. The fish of the first five groups were fed the basal diet, the second five groups were fed the basal diet contaminated with 25 mg cadmium/kg, and the third five groups were fed the same diet contaminated with 50 mg cadmium/kg. Within each dietary cadmium level, the first group was fed the diet without any supplementation, the second was fed the diet supplemented with natural clay (bentonite) at level 3%, the third group was fed the diet supplemented with 1 g Bactocell®/kg, the fourth group was fed the diet supplemented 50 mg vitamin E/kg, and the fifth group was fed the diet supplemented with 100 mg vitamin C/kg. Live body weight, daily body weight gain, and feed intake of Nile tilapia decreased significantly (P < 0.001) with increasing dietary cadmium level, while feed conversion was impaired. Fish group fed on diets contaminated with 50 mg cadmium/kg recorded the lowest live body weight and weight gain. Serum total protein and albumin concentration significantly (P < 0.001) decreased, while serum creatinine, AST, and ALT significantly (P < 0.001) increased with increasing cadmium level in fish diets. Blood hemoglobin and total erythrocyte (RBCs) significantly (P < 0.001 or 0.05) decreased with cadmium contamination in fish diets, while leukocytes were insignificantly affected. Body cadmium residues increased significantly (P < 0.001) by increasing cadmium level in fish diets. Live body weight, daily body weight gain, and feed intake of Nile tilapia increased significantly (P < 0.001) with feed additive supplementation in diets, also while feed conversion improved. Fish group fed on diets supplemented with probiotic Bactocell® or natural clay recorded higher body weight and gain rate than the other experimental groups. Serum total protein, blood hemoglobin, and total erythrocyte increased, while urea-N, creatinine, ALT, AST, and leukocytes decreased as affected with the feed additive supplementation. Feed additive supplementation in fish diets significantly (P < 0.001) decreased cadmium residues in fish bodies. Irrespective of dietary cadmium level, feed additive supplementation in fish diet improved the growth rate and decreased the concentrations of serum creatinine and ALT. The obtained results indicated that feed additive supplementation could modify the function of the kidney and liver in fish exposed to the cadmium toxicity.     

Rheological profile of diets produced using agro-industrial wastes for rearing codling moth larvae for baculovirus biopesticides

A rheological study of diets using the agro-industrial wastes (brewery wastewater and pomace waste) was carried out in order to obtain a diet most adapted to supply nutrients for growth of codling moth (CM) larvae. Nutritive capacity (g/L) of brewery wastewater (BWW) (25.5 ± 5.5 carbohydrates; 16.9 ± 2.1 proteins; 6 ± 1.6 lipids) and pomace waste (POM) (22.0 ± 0.03 carbohydrates; 11.3 ± 1.3 proteins; 2 ± 0.2 lipids) were essential and important as replacement or in association with other ingredients [soya flour (SF), wheat germ (WG), yeast extract (YE)] of the standard diet for the breeding of codling moth larvae. These diet additives also contributed to the preservation of texture and nutritive content of larvae diet. The eggs and CM larvae were grown on alternate diets under industrial conditions (16:8 h photoperiod; 25 ± 1 °C and 50 ± 0.5 % of humidity). The higher assimilation of nutrients of the diets in BWW and control diet was observed by calculating the rate of hatching of eggs (0.48 to 0.71); larvae growth (0.23 to 0.4) and fertility (1.33 to 3 for control diet). The excellent growth and fertility rates of codling moth larvae were attributed to variations in viscosity (varying from 50 to 266 mPa.s?1), particle size (varying 24.3 μm in 88.05 μm with regard to 110 μm the control diet) and total solids (145.88 g/L POM + YE; 162.08 g/L BWW + YE; 162.2 g/L POM + WG; 173 g/L control; 174.3 g/L BWW + WG) diets. Lower viscosity favored improved diet due to ease of assimilation of nutrients. Thus, rheology is an important parameter during preparation of diets for growth of codling moth larvae as it will dictate the nutrient assimilation which is an important parameter of larvae growth.     

Effects of lead-contaminated sediment and nutrition on mallard duckling brain growth and biochemistry

Day-old mallard (Anas platyryhnchos) ducklings received either a clean sediment (24%) supplemented control diet, Coeur d'Alene River Basin, Idaho (CDARB) sediment (3449 microg/g lead) supplemented diets at 12% or 24%, or a positive control diet (24% clean sediment with equivalent lead acetate to the 24% CDARB diet) for 6 weeks. The 12% CDARB diet resulted in a geometric mean concentration of 396 ppb (WW) brain lead with decreased brain protein and ATP concentrations but increased oxidized glutathione (GSSG) relative to the control diet. The 24% CDARB diet resulted in a concentration of 485 ppb brain lead with lower brain weight and ATP concentration than controls but higher concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and calcium. Lead acetate accumulated twice as well as CDARB derived lead and resulted in histopathological lesions of the brain. With a combination of a suboptimal diet and 24% CDARB, brain lead concentration was higher (594 ppb) than with 24% CDARB in the standard diet, histopathological lesions became apparent and GSH was higher than suboptimal diet controls.     

Novel method for determining pyrene biodegradation using synchronous fluorimetry

To study the biodegradation rate of pyrene dissolved in liquid medium supplemented with mineral salts, a synchronous fluorimetry (SF) method was established. The limit of detection for pyrene dissolved in mineral salts medium (MSM) was determined as 0.19 ng/ml with a relative standard deviation of less than 1.3% (n = 9). The pyrene degrading rates of four bacterial strains were investigated using this method under the same experimental conditions. The degradation rates of the three active strains ranged from 76% to 87% after a 14-h incubation. The results were confirmed by the gas chromatography with a flame ionized detector (GC/FID) method. This implies that pyrene degradation can be directly monitored by the SF method without the solvent extraction of samples. The advantages of SF are that it is less laborious, faster, and less expensive than the GC/FID determination method with solvent extraction. The SF method provides a new tool for studying the degradation of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the natural environment and under experimental conditions.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of essential oils mixture on performance,eggshell quality,hatchability, and mineral excretion in quail breeders

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six different levels (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) of phytogenic feed additive containing a mixture essential oils from thyme, black cumin, fennel, anise and rosemary on performance, eggshell quality, reproductive traits, and mineral excretion in quail breeders. In this trial, a total of 60 male and 120 female quails, 91 days old, were randomly distributed in six experimental groups. During the 60-day experiment period, birds were fed with six treatment diets. Performances, eggshell qualities, hatchability, and mineral excretion data were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Results showed that the different dietary levels of essential oil mixture had no significant effect on performance parameters, damaged eggs, eggshell weight, fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, hatchability of set eggs, and lead and boron excretion. On the other hand, 50 mg/kg supplementation of essential oil mixture (EOM) significantly improved egg-breaking strength and eggshell thickness, and ash, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and cadmium excretion was significantly depressed in quail breeders supplemented with the two higher doses (400 or 600 mg/kg) of EOM. These results concluded that supplementing diets with EOM improved egg-breaking strength and decreased excretion of minerals in breeder quails.     

Abatement of sulfur hexafluoride emissions from the semiconductor manufacturing process by atmospheric-pressure plasmas

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is an important gas for plasma etching processes in the semiconductor industry. SF6 intensely absorbs infrared radiation and, consequently, aggravates global warming. This study investigates SF6 abatement by nonthermal plasma technologies under atmospheric pressure. Two kinds of nonthermal plasma processes--dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and combined plasma catalysis (CPC)--were employed and evaluated. Experimental results indicated that as much as 91% of SF6 was removed with DBDs at 20 kV of applied voltage and 150 Hz of discharge frequency for the gas stream containing 300 ppm SF6, 12% oxygen (O2), and 40% argon (Ar), with nitrogen (N2) as the carrier gas. Four additives, including Ar, O2, ethylene (C2H4), and H2O(g), are effective in enhancing SF6 abatement in the range of conditions studied. DBD achieves a higher SF6 removal efficiency than does CPC at the same operation condition. But CPC achieves a higher electrical energy utilization compared with DBD. However, poisoning of catalysts by sulfur (S)-containing species needs further investigation. SF6 is mainly converted to SOF2, SO2F4, sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxygen difluoride (OF2), and fluoride (F2). They do not cause global warming and can be captured by either wet scrubbing or adsorption. This study indicates that DBD and CPC are feasible control technologies for reducing SF6 emissions.     

Seasonal variation in the atmospheric deposition of inorganic constituents and canopy interactions in a Japanese cedar forest

The seasonal changes in throughfall (TF) and stemflow (SF) chemistry and the canopy interactions of K+ and N compounds were studied in a Japanese cedar forest near the Sea of Japan. The fluxes of most ions, including non-sea-salt SO4(2-), from TF, SF, and rainfall showed distinct seasonal trends, increasing from autumn to winter, owing to the seasonal west wind, while the fluxes of NH4+ and K+ ions from TF+SF might have a large effect of canopy interactions. The contact angle (CA) of water droplets on leaves decreased with leaf aging, suggesting that surface wettability increases with leaf age. The K+ concentration in TF was negatively correlated with the CA of 1-year-old leaves, while the NH4+ concentration was positively correlated with the CA. The net fluxes of NH4+ and NO3(-) from TF were positively correlated with the CA. The increase in wettability may accelerate leaching of K+ or uptake of NH4+.     

Relative bioavailability of tropical volcanic soil-bound chlordecone in laying hens (Gallus domesticus)

The former use of chlordecone (CLD) in the French West Indies has resulted in long-term pollution of soils and of food chains. CLD may be transferred into eggs of hens reared outdoors, through polluted soil ingestion. Tropical volcanic soils display variable capacities of pollutant retention: CLD is less available and more persistent in andosol than in nitisol. The impact of soil type on CLD bioavailability to hens was tested through a relative bioavailability study. The deposition of CLD in egg yolk and in abdominal fat was measured in 42 individually housed laying hens fed with diets containing graded levels of CLD from polluted andosol, nitisol, or spiked oil during 23 days. Within each ingested matrix, the concentration of CLD in yolk and in abdominal fat linearly increased with the amount of ingested CLD (P < 0.001). However, the response to andosol diets and to nitisol diets was not different from the response to oil diets (P > 0.1), indicating that CLD was equally bioavailable to laying hens, irrespective of the matrix. This suggests that the hen's gastrointestinal tract efficiently extracts CLD from the two tropical volcanic soils, regardless of their retention capacity. Thus, hens reared on polluted soils with CLD may lay contaminated eggs.     

Relative bioavailability to laying hens of indicator polychlorobiphenyls present in soil

Transfer of indicator polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) from soil into hen eggs may occur in hens reared outdoor, which ingest significant amounts of soil. This transfer depends on the bioavailability of the ingested compounds. The impact of soil on the bioavailability of indicator PCBs was assessed by means by a relative bioavailability (RBA) trial, in which their deposition in egg yolk and in abdominal fat, in response to their ingestion through contaminated-soil and through spiked-oil were compared. A sandy soil (709 μg indicator PCBs kg⁻¹ dry matter) was collected in the vicinity of a former fire involving treated wood. Twenty-eight laying hens were individually housed and fed one of the seven experimental diets during 14 d. The seven experimental diets were an uncontaminated control diet, three diets in which contaminated soil was introduced at levels of 3%, 6% and 9% and three diets in which spiked oil was introduced to achieve similar levels and profile of contaminants. Yolk, abdominal fat and liver were collected at the end of exposure. Indicator PCBs were extracted by ASE (Accelerated Solvent Extraction) and analyzed by GC-HMRS. Within each ingested matrix, the concentration of indicator PCBs in yolk and in abdominal fat linearly increased with the amount of indicator PCB ingested (P < 0.001). Except for PCB 28, the slopes of the responses to soil and to oil could not be differentiated (P > 0.1). RBA estimates did not differ from 1 for all indicator PCBs except for PCB 28, for which it was 0.58-0.59. Measurements performed on liver confirm these conclusions.     

Application of an in vivo swine model for the determination of arsenic bioavailability in contaminated vegetables

Considerable information is available in the literature regarding the uptake of arsenic (As) from contaminated soil and irrigation water by vegetables. However, few studies have investigated As speciation in these crops while a dearth of information is available on As bioavailability following their consumption. In this study, the concentration and speciation of As in chard, radish, lettuce and mung beans was determined following hydroponic growth of the vegetables using As-contaminated water. In addition, As bioavailability was assessed using an in vivo swine feeding assay. While As concentrations ranged from 3.0 to 84.2mg As kg(-1) (dry weight), only inorganic As (arsenite and arsenate) was detected in the edible portions of the vegetables. When As bioavailability was assessed through monitoring blood plasma As concentrations following swine consumption of As-contaminated vegetables, between 50% and 100% of the administered As dose was absorbed and entered systemic circulation. Arsenic bioavailability decreased in the order mung beans>radish>lettuce=chard.     

Decomposition of SF6 in an RF plasma environment

Sulfur hexafluoride (SFd)-contained gas is a common pollutant emitted during the etching process used in the semiconductor industry. This study demonstrated the application of radio-frequency (RF) plasma in the decomposition of SF6. The decomposition fraction of SF6 [etaSF6 (C(in)-C(out))/C(in) x 100%] and the mole fraction profile of the products were investigated as functions of input power and feed O2/SF6 ratio in an SiO2 reactor. The species detected in both SF6/Ar and SF6/O2/ Ar RF plasmas were SiF4, SO2, Fe2, SO2F2, SOF2, SOF4, S2F10, S2OF10, S2O2F10, and SF4. The results revealed that at 40 W, etaSF6 exceeded 99%, and the reaction products were almost all converted into stable compounds such as SiF4, SO2, and F2 with or without the addition of oxygen. Sulfur oxyfluorides such as SO2F2, SOF2, SOF4, S2OF10, and S2O2F10 were produced only below 40 W. The results of this work can be used to design a plasma/chemical system for online use in a series of a manufacturing process to treat SF6-containing exhaust gases.     

Comparison of in vivo and in vitro methodologies for the assessment of arsenic bioavailability in contaminated soils

An in vivo swine assay was utilised for the determination of arsenic (As) bioavailability in contaminated soils. Arsenic bioavailability was assessed using pharmacokinetic analysis encompassing area under the blood plasma-As concentration time curve following zero correction and dose normalisation. In contaminated soil studies, As uptake into systemic circulation was compared to an arsenate oral dose and expressed as relative As bioavailability. Arsenic bioavailability ranged from 6.9+/-5.0% to 74.7+/-11.2% in 12 contaminated soils collected from former railway corridors, dip sites, mine sites and naturally elevated gossan soils. Arsenic bioavailability was generally low in the gossan soils and highest in the railway soils, ranging from 12.1+/-8.5% to 16.4+/-9.1% and 11.2+/-4.7% to 74.7+/-11.2%, respectively. Comparison of in vivo and in vitro (Simplified Bioaccessibility Extraction Test [SBET]) data from the 12 contaminated soils and bioavailability data collected from an As spiked soil study demonstrated that As bioavailability and As bioaccessibility were linearly correlated (in vivo As bioavailability (mgkg(-1))=14.19+0.93.SBET As bioaccessibility (mgkg(-1)); r(2)=0.92). The correlation between the two methods indicates that As bioavailability (in vivo) may be estimated using the less expensive, rapid in vitro chemical extraction method (SBET) to predict As exposure in human health risk assessment.     

Abolishing cadmium toxicity in Chlorella vulgaris by ascorbic acid, calcium, glucose and reduced glutathione

Addition of ascorbic acid, calcium (Ca2+), glucose and reduced glutathione (GSH) to the cadmium (Cd2+)-amended Kuhl medium significantly accelerated the growth and chlorophyll content of Chlorella vulgaris. This enhancement was found to be dose dependent. Their relative effectiveness against Cd2+ on growth and chlorophyll content has been arranged as GSH > Ca2+ > glucose > ascorbic acid. However, Ca2+ offered more protection against Cd2+ toxicity on protein contents, followed by ascorbic acid, GSH and glucose. The different concentrations of all amelioratives completely alleviated the toxicity of Cd2+ on total carbohydrates to exceed the control level. Photosynthetic oxygen evolution showed more response to Ca2+ and glucose in alleviating Cd2+ toxicity. On the other hand, at certain concentrations, GSH, Ca2+, ascorbic acid and glucose stimulated respiratory oxygen uptake over the control level. The uptake of Cd2+ dropped significantly in cultures supplemented with 20 microM ascorbic acid, glucose and GSH, while Ca2+ (30 microM) significantly lowered the Cd2+ uptake by 58% indicating that Ca2+ had a more antagonistic effect against Cd2+.     

Dechlorination of chloroorganics,decolorization, and simultaneous bioremediation of Cr6+ from real tannery effluent employing indigenous Bacillus cereus isolate

A native Bacillus cereus isolate has been employed, for the first time, for simultaneous decolorization, dechlorination of chloroorganics, and Cr⁶⁺ remediation from the real tannery effluent. Most of the physicochemical variables in 3:1 diluted effluent were well above the standard prescribed limits, which decreased substantially upon microbial treatment. The extent of bioremediation was better in diluted (3:1) as compared to undiluted effluent supplemented with nutrients and augmented with B. cereus isolate. Maximum growth, effluent decolorization (42.5 %), dechlorination (74.1 %), and Cr⁶⁺ remediation (34.2 %) were attained with 4.0 % (v/v) inoculum, 0.8 % glucose, and 0.2 % ammonium chloride in 3:1 diluted effluent at natural pH (8.1) within 72 h of incubation. The efficiency of bioremediation in a bioreactor was higher as compared to a flask trial during 72 h of incubation: decolorization (47.9 %) was enhanced by 5.4 %, dechlorination (77.4 %) by 3.3 %, and Cr⁶⁺ removal (41.7 %) by 7.5 % at an initial color of 286 Pt-Co units and initial concentration of 62 mg chloride ions and 108 mg l^?1 Cr⁶⁺. Immobilized biomass of Pseudomonas putida and B. cereus coculture enhanced the extent of Cr⁶⁺ remediation (51.9 %) by 10.2 % compared to the bioreactor trial. Chromate reductase activity and reduced Cr directly correlated and were mainly associated with soluble fraction of B. cereus plus effluent natural microflora. The GC-MS analyses revealed the formation of metabolites such as acetic acid and 2-butenoic acid in bacterially treated effluent. The supplementation of nutrients along with B. cereus augmentation is required for efficient effluent bioremediation.     

Plasma pharmacokinetics of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol following oral and intravenous administration to sheep

The pharmacokinetics of deoxynivalenol (DON) were studied in sheep after administrating intravenous and oral doses (0.5 and 5.0 mg/kg, respectively). The plasma concentrations were measured using an electron-capture gas chromatographic method. After iv administration DON plasma levels were found to decrease biexponentially, showing a rapid distribution phase (t 1/2 alpha = 12-23 min), followed by a slower elimination phase (t 1/2 beta = 57-78 min). Only trace levels of DON could be detected in plasma 7 hr post-dosing. Further pharmacokinetic data suggest that DON was confined mainly to extracellular fluid, and did not appear to undergo any significant binding or uptake by tissue. After oral dosing, DON was quickly absorbed (t-max 4.0-5.3 hr), but had a systemic bioavailability of only 7.5%; due in part to its rapid and efficient metabolism by rumen microorganisms. Half-life of elimination (t 1/2 beta) was 100-125 min following oral administration, and depending on the animal, required 20-30 hr to be cleared from the system. The metabolic formation of the glucuronide conjugate after iv and oral administration of DON appeared to occur quite efficiently (iv, 21%; oral, 75%), and its elimination half-lives (iv, 150-200 min; oral 6.1-7.1 hr) were considerably longer than that of the parent toxin. Detection in plasma of the de-epoxide metabolite, DOM-1, accounted for only a minor portion of the dose after either dosing regimen (iv, less than 2.0%; oral, less than 0.3%), occurring predominantly as the glucuronide conjugate.     

Correlation between calcium carbonate content and emission characteristics of incense

In Taiwan and China, calcium carbonate is commonly added as a filler during incense production to lower the cost. This study has found an unexpected benefit for this practice: it reduces particulate emission. Nine types of the popular incense on the local market were chosen for this study. The calcium content in raw material incense was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, followed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy. The correlation between the calcium content and emission characteristics of incense was investigated. The calcium content varied from 1.8 to 60 mg/g (incense burned) among those nine different types of incense. Very little calcium (< 1%) was found in natural wood or plants, which is mainly the raw material of incense. Instead, most calcium was artificially added in the form of CaCO3 during manufacturing. The combustion characteristics, including burning rate, emission factors of particulate, ash, and solid-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (S-PAHs), varied significantly among the nine types of incense. Incense containing 2% calcium would emit 30% less S-PAHs, compared with those with little (< 0.2%) calcium. More importantly, increasing the calcium content from 0.5 to 5% by adding CaCO3 reduced the particulate emission from incense by approximately 50%.     

Ascorbic acid supplementation of diet for reduction of deltamethrin induced stress in freshwater catfish Clarias gariepinus

Static bioassays were made to evaluate efficiency of supplementation of ascorbic acid to remove stress of pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin from freshwater catfish Clarias gariepinus. Clarias gariepinus exhibited several symptoms of stress when treated with deltamethrin (0.005 mg/l) for 24 h. Hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen, ascorbic acid of blood, liver, and kidney decreased while plasma glucose levels increased. Fish previously fed for 60 days with a diet supplemented by a high level of ascorbic acid (100 mg/100 g) could remove most of the stresses. Low levels of ascorbic acid supplement did not remove the stress. Dietary supplement of ascorbic acid at also appropriate level appeared to be a good way to counter toxicity of deltamethrin to the catfish.