Optimizing food waste hydrothermal parameters to reduce Maillard reaction and increase volatile fatty acid production

The occurrence of the Maillard reaction and melanoidins formation during the hydrothermal treatment of food waste can reduce the yield of volatile fatty acids (VFA); however, few studies have investigated the adverse effects of the Maillard reaction. This study identified the impact of hydrothermal treatment parameters on hydrolysis and melanoidins formation and optimized the hydrothermal treatment conditions to enhance VFA production by minimizing the impact of the Maillard reaction. A response surface methodology was employed to optimize the hydrothermal treatment parameters and VFA production was evaluated. Results showed that temperature, reaction time, and pH were significant interacting factors with respect to hydrolysis and melanoidins formation while the C/N ratio and moisture content of food waste had little impact. The optimal conditions for hydrothermal treatment (temperature of 132 °C, reaction time of 27 min, and a pH of 5.6) enhanced VFA production by 22.1%. Under optimal hydrothermal treatment conditions, a higher initial C/N ratio further increased VFA production.     

Hepatitis A Virus Disinfection in Water by Solar Photo–Fenton Systems

This study evaluates and compares the effectiveness of solar photo–Fenton systems for the inactivation of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in water. The effect of solar irradiance, dark- Fenton reaction and three different reactant concentrations (2.5/5, 5/10 and 10/20 mg/L of Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) on the photo–Fenton process were tested in glass bottle reactors (200 mL) during 6 h under natural sunlight. Disinfection kinetics were determined both by RT-qPCR and infectivity assays. Mean water temperatures ranged from 25 to 27.3 °C, with a maximum local noon UV irradiances of 22.36 W/m². Photo–Fenton systems yielded increased viral reduction rates in comparison with the isolated effect under the Fenton reaction in darkness (negligible viral reduction) or the solar radiation (0.25 Log of RNA reduction). With the highest concentration employed (10–20 mg/L Fe²⁺–H₂O₂), an average RNA reduction rate of ~ 1.8 Log (initial concentration of 10⁵ pfu/mL) and a reduction of 80% in the infectivity capacity were reached. Results showed a strong synergistic effect between Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ and sunlight, demonstrating that significant disinfection rates of HAV under photo–Fenton systems may occur with relatively higher efficiency at middle environmental temperatures and without the need for an energy-intensive light source.     

常规金属离子对Fe3O4磁性纳米颗粒悬浮和沉降的影响

水体中的有机质、无机盐及酸碱度是影响纳米材料迁移转化的主要因素.考察了Na~+、Mg~(2+)、Ca~(2+)、Sr~(2+)和Ba~(2+)对Fe_3O_4磁性纳米材料(Magnetic Nanoparticles,MNPs)的沉降作用.结果表明,Fe_3O_4MNPs的沉降作用是水体pH、金属离子化合价、离子强度共同影响的结果.整体上,碱土金属离子较Na~+更能加速Fe_3O_4MNPs的沉降.当pH为5.0时,浓度低于1.0 mmol·L~(-1)的Na~+、Mg~(2+)和Ca~(2+)有助于Fe_3O_4MNPs的悬浮;当浓度大于1.0 mmol·L~(-1)时,较强的离子强度促使Fe_3O_4MNPs团聚,发生沉降.当pH为9.0时,碱土金属离子较Na~+更能促使Fe_3O_4MNPs聚沉.因此,纳米颗粒在水体中的扩散和聚沉需要综合考虑金属离子种类和浓度.     

pH和共存阳离子对草莓茎吸附水体氨氮的影响

为了开发新型氨氮吸附剂和探讨环境因素对氨氮吸附的影响,以草莓茎为吸附材料,通过批平衡法研究了不同初始pH、共存阳离子、初始浓度和温度下氨氮去除的特点.结果表明,等温吸附符合Langmuir和Freundlich这2种模型,理论最大吸附量qm在15、25和35℃下分别为3.05、4.24和4.79 mg.g-1.温度升高有利于草莓茎对氨氮的吸附.草莓茎吸附氨氮最适初始pH为4～8.低pH减少草莓茎表面负电荷,高pH减少溶液中NH 4+的含量,都减少氨氮的吸附.草莓茎对溶液pH的缓冲则缓和了两者对氨氮吸附的影响.共存阳离子K+、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+对草莓吸附铵离子没有竞争作用,而Zn2+、Al3+则由于其水解降低溶液的pH而显著降低草莓茎对氨氮的吸附.草莓茎吸附氨氮的应用pH范围较广且不易受废水中常见金属阳离子的干扰,说明草莓茎不仅可以作为废水中氨氮的吸附剂原料,而且较大多数矿物原料还有其自身的优势.     

Temperature Dependent Depuration of Norovirus GII and Tulane Virus from Oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

Raw oysters are considered a culinary delicacy but are frequently the culprit in food-borne norovirus (NoV) infections. As commercial depuration procedures are currently unable to efficiently eliminate NoV from oysters, an optimisation of the process should be considered. This study addresses the ability of elevated water temperatures to enhance the elimination of NoV and Tulane virus (TuV) from Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas). Both viruses were experimentally bioaccumulated in oysters, which were thereafter depurated at 12 °C and 17 °C for 4 weeks. Infectious TuV and viral RNA were monitored weekly for 28 days by TCID₅₀ and (PMAxx-) RT-qPCR, respectively. TuV RNA was more persistent than NoV and decreased by?<?0.5 log₁₀ after 14 days, while NoV reductions were already?>?1.0 log₁₀ at this time. For RT-qPCR there was no detectable benefit of elevated water temperatures or PMAxx for either virus (p?>?0.05). TuV TCID₅₀ decreased steadily, and reductions were significantly different between the two temperatures (p?<?0.001). This was most evident on days 14 and 21 when reductions at 17 °C were 1.3–1.7 log₁₀ higher than at 12 °C. After 3 weeks, reductions?>?3.0 log₁₀ were observed at 17 °C, while at 12 °C reductions did not exceed 1.9 log₁₀. The length of depuration also had an influence on virus numbers. TuV reductions increased from?<?1.0 log₁₀ after seven days to?>?4.0 log₁₀ after 4 weeks. This implies that an extension of the depuration period to more than seven days, possibly in combination with elevated water temperatures, may be beneficial for the inactivation and removal of viral pathogens.

     

Resistance of the grain mite Acarus siro L. (Acarina,Acaridae) to unfavourable physical conditions beyond the limits of its development

The resistance of the grain mite Acarus siro to unfavourable physical conditions was studied to determine how long some members of a population might survive so that development and increase could continue if conditions became favourable. Preliminary experiments showed that: (i) the eggs formed the most resistant stage, both to extreme temperatures and to desiccation; (ii) the most resistant eggs were those in an early stage of development, and that resistance declined with age; and (iii) environmental conditions prior to oviposition influenced resistance, resistance being greater in eggs from populations reared at near threshold conditions than in those reared at ecologically more favourable temperatures and humidities.Experiments with eggs exposed to lethal high and low temperatures and to both favourable and desiccating humidities show that above 30°C and below 0°C, relative humidity ceased to affect survival, the eggs being killed by heat or cold before the effects of desiccation became important. Eggs were fairly susceptible to high temperatures; none survived longer than 10 h at 35°C or 35 min at 40°C. They showed greater tolerance to low temperatures, surviving up to a maximum of 12–14 days at ?10°C and 24–26 days at ?5°C. At 0°C, the maximum survival period varied from 80 days at 20% RH to 180 days at 90% RH. For eggs exposed at temperatures within the developmental temperature range to relative humidities from 20 to 50%, survival appeared to be directly related to humidity and inversely to temperature, maximum survival periods ranging from 20 days (20% RH) to 45 days (50% RH) at 5°C, and from 1 day (20% RH) to 3 days (50% RH) at 30°C.     

Resilience of Norovirus GII.4 to Freezing and Thawing: Implications for Virus Infectivity

Genogroup II.4 norovirus (NoV) remains the predominant NoV strain in food- and water-borne outbreaks. Capsid integrity as well as viral RNA persistence were determined for GII.4 NoV by real-time RT-PCR after 1?C14 freeze/thaw (F/T) cycles (?80?°C/+22?°C) or after ?80?°C storage for up to 120?days. In both cases, capsid integrity and viral RNA titers remained stable. RNase was exogenously added after 1?C14 F/T cycles, but did not alter the amount of genomic NoV RNA detected, indicating that capsids remained intact. Presumptive NoV infectivity was evaluated in functional studies by a porcine gastric mucin binding assay. Viruses frozen and thawed up to 14× bound similarly to porcine mucin, suggesting no reduction in virus infectivity. Overall, this study shows that a) NoV particles retain their integrity for at least 14 F/T cycles, b) long-term (120?day) frozen storage does not decrease NoV RNA titers, and c) capsid binding to receptor-like glycoprotein moieties remains unaltered after 14 F/T cycles. This work indicates that freezing and thawing of foods or beverages would not be a practical processing intervention to reduce NoV contamination. Likewise, repeated freezing and thawing, as might be encountered during winter months, is not expected to inactivate NoV in the environment. Results do show that laboratory samples destined for molecular biological analyses or for use as positive controls may be repeatedly frozen and thawed without any anticipated reduction in NoV RNA titers. This study documents the cryostability of NoV capsids and RNA to freezing and thawing and to the possible retention of virus infectivity.     

粉煤灰提铝中间产物合成4A分子筛对氨氮的吸附行为研究

采用粉煤灰提铝中间产物合成4A分子筛,利用XRD、SEM、热重分析、化学成分分析、阳离子交换容量对4A分子筛进行表征.考察吸附时间、pH、分子筛投加量、氨氮初始浓度、共存阳离子对其吸附性能的影响,研究其对模拟废水中氨氮的吸附效果,并结合准二级动力学方程、吸附等温线研究吸附性能和机理.结果表明,初始浓度为50 mg·L~(-1)、4A分子筛投加量为5 g·L~(-1)、pH值为6~9、吸附时间为80 min时氨氮去除率可达71.34%;随着氨氮初始浓度升高,其去除率降低,吸附容量增加;共存阳离子Na~+、K~+、Ca~(2+)对NH_4~+有强烈的竞争吸附,Mg~(2+)无明显竞争作用.吸附过程符合准二级动力学方程和Freundlich模型.Langmuir吸附等温线显示最大吸附容量为20 mg·g~(-1).     

Phosphogypsum stabilization of bauxite residue: Conversion of its alkaline characteristics

Reduction of the high alkalinity of bauxite residue is a key problem to solve to make it suitable for plant growth and comprehensive utilization. In this study, phosphogypsum, a waste product from the phosphate fertilizer industry, was used to drive the alkaline transformation of the bauxite residue. Under optimal water washing conditions(liquid/solid ratio of 2 mL/g, 30°C, 24 hr), the impact of quantity added, reaction time and reaction mechanism during phosphogypsum application were investigated. Phosphogypsum addition effectively lowered p H levels and reduced the soluble alkalinity by 92.2%. It was found that the concentration of soluble Na and Ca ions in the supernatant increased gradually, whilst the exchangeable Na+and Ca~(2+)in solid phase changed 112 mg/kg and 259 mg/kg, respectively. Ca~(2+)became the dominant element in the solid phase(phosphogypsum addition of 2%, liquid/solid ratio of 2 mL/g, 30°C, 12 hr). X-ray diffraction data indicated that cancrinite and hydrogarnet were the primary alkaline minerals. SEM images suggested that phosphogypsum could promote the formation of stable macroaggregates, whilst the content of Ca~(2+)increased from 5.6% to 18.2% and Na reduced from 6.8% to 2.4%. Treatment with phosphogypsum could significantly promote the transformation of alkalinity cations by neutralization, precipitation and replacement reactions.This research provided a feasible method to promote soil formation of bauxite residue by phosphogypsum amendment.     

One-pot synthesis of Fe/Cu-SSZ-13 catalyst and its highly efficient performance for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxide with ammonia

Series of Fe/Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts with different Fe loading content were synthesized by simple one-pot strategy. The obtained catalysts were subjected to selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x with NH₃ and were characterized by various techniques. The results show that Fe_0.63/Cu_1.50-SSZ-13 catalyst with proper Fe content exhibits excellent catalytic activity with widest operation temperature window from 160 to 580°C, excellent hydrothermal stability as well as good resistance to sulfur poisoning when compared with Cu-SSZ-13, signifying its great potential for practical applications. Further characterizations reveal that the synthesized Fe/Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts present typical chabazite (CHA) structure with good crystallinity, while isolated Cu²⁺ and monomeric Fe³⁺ are revealed as the predominant copper and iron species. At low temperatures, isolated Cu²⁺ species act as primary active sites for SCR reaction, while monomeric Fe³⁺ species provide sufficient active sites for sustain the SCR activity at high temperature. Moreover, Fe over doping would lead to the damage of zeolite structure, destruction of isolated Cu²⁺ site, as well as the formation of highly oxidizing Fe₂O₃, thus causing deterioration of catalytic performances.     

Deactivation of Cu-SAPO-34 by urea-related deposits at low temperatures and the regeneration

Selective catalytic reduction(SCR) with urea catalyzed by Cu-SAPO-34 is an effective method to eliminate NO_x from diesel exhaust. However, urea-related deposits may form during cold-start and urban driving due to low exhaust temperatures. The activity of CuSAPO-34 at 175°C is significantly degraded by urea exposure, and 300°C is required for regeneration. Through in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy(DRIFTS) and temperature-programmed hydrolysis studies, the dominant stable deposit at 175°C is identified as biuret, which can be eliminated at 300°C. The urea-derived deactivation and regeneration mechanisms of Cu-SAPO-34 were compared with those of anatase-supported catalysts.     

河南鸡冠洞洞穴水对极端气候的响应及其控制因素研究

为揭示洞穴水地球化学动态的变化特征及其控制因素,从2009年10月至2013年12月对黄土高原东南缘河南西部栾川县鸡冠洞洞穴水的水化学指标进行了4个完整水文年的动态监测.结果表明:1鸡冠洞洞穴水的化学类型主要是HCO-3-Ca2+-Mg2+和HCO-3-Mg2+-Ca2+型,阴离子中HCO-3占80%以上,阳离子中Ca2+、Mg2+是优势离子,地下河常年处于溶蚀状态,池水、滴水处于沉积状态.2鸡冠洞洞穴滴水、池水可以很好地响应外部气候环境的变化,其地球化学指标具有显著的季节效应.3Ca2+、Mg2+、SO2-4能够敏感地响应极端气候事件引起的年际降水量变化,Ca2+、Mg2+、SO2-4浓度洪涝年升高,干旱年降低.HCO-3主要受CO2浓度控制,对极端气候事件响应不明显.4鸡冠洞地下河中Ca2+、Mg2+、HCO-3、SO2-4浓度波动幅度较小,且无明显的季节变化规律.对2010年和2013年的极端降水事件响应不明显.     

中亚热带常绿阔叶林湿沉降过程中盐基离子变化特征

基于野外实验和室内实验相结合的方法,于2012年9月至2013年8月对四面山常绿阔叶林大气降水、穿透水、地表枯透水、土壤渗滤液进行了持续一年的森林不同层次盐基离子季节动态变化特征的研究.结果表明,四面山大气降水全年pH平均值为4.90,最大值为5.14,大气降水明显偏酸性;土壤层和林冠层能使降雨的p H值有所升高,其中土壤层对p H值的调升幅度最大,其次为森林冠层;森林冠层只对Na~+有一定的截留作用,降雨能够淋溶森林冠层的Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、K~+;研究结果也表明,枯枝落叶的降解是导致各盐基离子质量浓度在枯透水中增加的主要原因;枯透水下渗的过程淋溶了森林土壤中的Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、Na~+.四面山大气降水经过森林生态系统后Ca~(~(2+))、Mg~(2+)、Na~+、K~+的总截留率分别为33.82%、-7.06%、74.36%、42.87%,森林生态系统对Ca~(2+)、Na~+、K~+表现出了截留作用,其中对Na~+截留率最大.     

Effects of bile salts and divalent cations on the adsorption of norfloxacin by agricultural soils

The effects of bile salts （sodium cholate and sodium deoxycholate, 0-20 mmol/L）, divalent cations （Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, Cu^2＋ and Zn^2＋, 0-20 mmol/L） or pH （3.0-10.0） on the adsorption of norfloxacin by three selected soils （Paddy_H, Paddy_G and Red_J） were systematically studied. Soil adsorption of norfloxacin follows a pseudo second-order kinetics model, and the maximum adsorption capacity has been determined from the nonlinear fit of the Langmuir isotherm model to be 88.8, 88.1 and 63.0 μmol/g for the adsorption onto Paddy_H, Paddy_G and Red_J, respectively. The results indicate that norfloxacin has a high adsorption affinity for the agricultural soils tested and that the organic content of these soils have at least a slight influence on this adsorption. The adsorption of norfloxacin to soils was strongly dependent on pH and exhibited a maximum at approximately pH 6. The presence of divalent cations prominently suppressed the adsorption of norfloxacin by paddy soils, which followed an order of Cu^2＋ 〉 Mg^2＋ 〉 Ca^2＋ 〉 Zn^2＋, and by red soil, which followed an order of Cu^2＋ 〉 Zn^2＋ 〉 Ca^2＋ 〉 Mg^2＋. The adsorption of norfloxacin （by the soils studied） sharply decreased as the amount of bile salts was increased. For uncharged norfloxacin at environmentally relevant pH values, such factors as soil type, exogenous divalent cations and macromolecules significantly altered the environmental fate and transport of norfloxacin between aquatic and soil interfaces.     

云南鹤庆西山岩溶地下水主要离子雨季和旱季对比及来源分析

鹤庆西山岩溶地下水是当地居民的主要生活用水来源,本文综合运用统计学分析方法对地下水主离子的雨季和旱季变化特征及其来源进行了研究。结果表明,研究区岩溶地下水主要补给来源为大气降水,TDS介于113.3~180.76mg/L属弱矿化度水,总硬度(Ca2++Mg2+)介于38~53 mg/L之间属于极软水。HCO-3和(Ca2++Mg2+)分别占主要阴阳离子的79.6%~95.5%和75%~94%,按照O.A.阿列金分类法研究区水质为HCO3-Ca·Mg型水。Ca2+、Mg2+、Cl-、SO2-4及HCO-3均未出现季节性变化,Na+与NO-3为丰水期枯水期,K+出现异常为丰水期枯水期。参照我国及世界卫生组织饮用水标准,锰矿黑龙潭泉受人为活动的影响较大,不宜长期饮用;其他地区主要离子浓度不会对人体产生危害。     

Temperature limits trail following behaviour through pheromone decay in ants

In Mediterranean habitats, temperature affects both ant foraging behaviour and community structure. Many studies have shown that dominant species often forage at lower temperature than subordinates. Yet, the factors that constrain dominant species foraging activity in hot environments are still elusive. We used the dominant ant Tapinoma nigerrimum as a model species to test the hypothesis that high temperatures hinder trail following behaviour by accelerating pheromone degradation. First, field observations showed that high temperatures (> 30°C) reduce the foraging activity of T. nigerrimum independently of the daily and seasonal rhythms of this species. Second, we isolated the effect of high temperatures on pheromone trail efficacy from its effect on worker physiology. A marked substrate was heated during 10 min (five temperature treatments from 25°C to 60°C), cooled down to 25°C, and offered in a test choice to workers. At hot temperature treatments (>40°C), workers did not discriminate the previously marked substrate. High temperatures appeared therefore to accelerate pheromone degradation. Third, we assessed the pheromone decay dynamics by a mechanistic model fitted with Bayesian inference. The model predicted ant choice through the evolution of pheromone concentration on trails as a function of both temperature and time since pheromone deposition. Overall, our results highlighted that the effect of high temperatures on recruitment intensity was partly due to pheromone evaporation. In the Mediterranean ant communities, this might affect dominant species relying on chemical recruitment, more than subordinate ant species, less dependent on chemical communication and less sensitive to high temperatures.     

Development and validation of abiotic ligand model for nickel toxicity to wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A terrestrial biotic ligand model (t-BLM) was developed to predict nickel toxicity to wheat (Triticum aestivum) root elongation in hydroponic solutions. The competitive effects of five major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and H⁺) on Ni toxicity were investigated and Mg²⁺ was found to be a strong competitor, while H²⁺ showed less competing effect. Besides free Ni²⁺, the toxicity induced by the species NiHCO₃⁺ was non-neglect able at pH > 7 because NiHCO₃⁺ occupied a significant fraction of total Ni under such condition. Thus, a t-BLM including Ni²⁺, NiHCO₃⁺, Mg²⁺, and H⁺ could successfully predict the nickel toxicity to wheat root elongation and it performed better prediction than the conventional free ion activity model. In addition, the model was examined with two sets of independent experiments, which contained multiple cations and low-molecular-weight organic acids to mimic the rhizo-sphere condition. The developed t-BLM well predicted nickel toxicity in both experiments since it can account in both complexation and competition effects, suggesting its potential to be used in a complicated matrix like soil solution. This study provides direct evidence that the t-BLM is a reliable method for the risk assessment of nickel in terrestrial system.     

Offspring sex in a TSD gecko correlates with an interaction between incubation temperature and yolk steroid hormones

We incubated eggs of the Japanese gecko Gekko japonicus at three temperatures, and measured yolk testosterone (T) and 17??-estradiol (E2) levels at three time points in embryonic development (oviposition, 1/3 of incubation, and 2/3 of incubation), to examine whether maternal influence on offspring sex via yolk steroid hormone deposition is significant in the species. Eggs incubated at 24?°C and 32?°C produced mostly females, and eggs incubated at 28?°C almost a 50:50 sex ratio of hatchlings. Female-producing eggs were larger than male-producing eggs. Clutches in which eggs were incubated at the same temperature produced mostly same-sex siblings. Yolk T level at laying was negatively related to eggs mass, and yolk E2/T ratio was positively related to egg mass. Results of two-way ANOVA with incubation temperature and stage as the factors show that: yolk E2 level was higher at 32?°C than at 24?°C; yolk T level was higher, whereas yolk E2/T ratio was smaller, at 28?°C than at 24?°C; yolk E2 and T levels were higher at 2/3 than at 1/3 of incubation. Our data in G. japonucus show that: (1) maternal influence on offspring sex via yolk steroid hormone deposition is significant; (2) incubation temperature affects the dynamics of developmental changes in yolk steroid hormones; (3) influences of yolk steroid hormones on offspring sex are secondary relative to incubation temperature effects; and (4) offspring sex correlates with an interaction between incubation temperature and yolk steroid hormones.