Phytoconstituents evaluation and antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Mahonia leschenaultia Takeda in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Hyperlipidemia is an associated complication of diabetes mellitus. Many spices and herbs are known to be hypoglycemic. Mahonia leschenaultia Takeda (Berberidaceae) (MLT) is a traditional medicinal plant that is commonly used against diseases in India and other Asian countries. The aim of this study is to identify the phytoconstituents by gas chromatography–mass spectrography (GC–MS) and evaluate the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of the ethanol extract of MLT on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Phytoconstituents like oleicacid, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)-n-hexadecanoic acid were identified as high % peak when compared with other compounds by GC–MS. STZ-induced diabetic animals were fed with plant extracts at different doses (250 or 500 mg kg^?1 body wt) of ethanol extract of MLT. The results of the study revealed a significant increase in total hemoglobin and glycosylated hemoglobin along with the reduction in hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia effects in MLT-treated STZ-induced diabetic rats compared to diabetic only rats. Further, ethanol extracts of MLT-treated animals at 500 mg kg^?1 showed that shrinkage of β cells of islets of Langerhans was restored as evidenced by histological studies of pancreas of diabetic animals. Thus the ethanol extract of MLT might serve as a reliable adjuvant for antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of STZ, and may be promising for development of phytomedicines for diabetes mellitus.     

Speciation of mercury in South African coals

Total mercury (Hg_TOT) concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS) for South African Highveld coals. The distribution of Hg in coals was investigated using a four-stage sequential leaching protocol and isotope dilution/gas chromatography coupled to ICP MS (ID-GC-ICP MS). The results show that Hg_TOT ranged from 144 to 303?µg?kg^?1 with a mean of 199?±?26?µg?kg^?1, while Hg_TOT leached from coals using different solvents ranged between 103 and 310?µg?kg^?1 (mean: 218?±?60?µg?kg^?1). Hg leaching rates of 53–78% were achieved in crushed coals. Hg⁰, Hg²⁺, and CH₃Hg⁺ were identified in all coals. CH₃Hg⁺ in studied coals ranged between 0.1 and 0.4 (mean: 0.2) µg?kg^?1. GC ICP MS chromatograms also showed unknown Hg peaks which were identified as other organomercury species such as ethylmercury. Modes of occurrence of Hg in coals were variable with the organic-bound (37–40%) and the sulfide-bound (37–39%) being the dominant mercury forms. Increasing the HCl concentration in the used protocol increased the amount of Hg leached (16%) during this step.     

Surface glycoproteins are not the contact pheromones in the Lysmata shrimp

Behavioral evidence suggests that some male caridean shrimp, such as those of Lysmata species, identify conspecific females via contact pheromones that coat the cuticle surface of the females. In this study, we attempted to determine whether the contact pheromones in three Lysmata species, Lysmata ankeri, Lysmata boggessi, and Lysmata wurdemanni, are glycoproteins as hypothesized previously in a diverse group of aquatic invertebrates. Twenty lectins were screened and lectin-binding experiments indicated that lectin treatment did not affect mate recognition in the shrimps. The behavior of the male-phase (MP) shrimp in the three treatments (non-lectin-treated MP and lectin-treated euhermaphrodite-phase (EP) shrimp, lectin-treated MP and lectin-treated EP shrimp, and lectin-treated MP and non-lectin-treated EP shrimp) and in the control was not different in responding to lectin-treated and control EP shrimp. All the MP shrimp copulated with lectin-treated and control EP shrimp successfully. All the MP shrimp copulated with ethylenediamine tetraacetate-treated EP shrimp (with glycoproteins removed from their cuticle surface) immediately after they detected the EP shrimp. The results suggest that glycoproteins are not likely to be the contact sex pheromones in the three Lysmata shrimp species.     

全氟辛磺酸（PFOS）对非洲爪蟾（Xenopus laevis）生长发育、甲状腺和性腺组织学的影响

为了揭示全氟辛磺酸(PFOS)的甲状腺激素和性激素干扰效应,并探索运用爪蟾动物模型同时检测多种环境内分泌干扰效应的可能性,将NF48阶段非洲爪蟾(Xenopus laevis)蝌蚪暴露于0.01、0.1和1mg·L-1PFOS中6个月,检测PFOS对爪蟾生长、变态、甲状腺和性腺的影响.结果表明,在各取样时间,PFOS组爪蟾体长、体重和蝌蚪尾长与对照组均无显著差异(p>0.05);2个月后,PFOS组比对照组平均慢1个发育阶段,4和6个月后,0.01mg·L-1PFOS组反而比对照组分别快1和2个发育阶段.6个月后,PFOS组甲状腺出现滤泡上皮细胞增生、胶质减少甚至空泡化等现象,且随着PFOS浓度的增加而加重;各组幼蛙性腺出现间性、睾丸珍珠状和先天性萎缩等畸形现象,外观为间性的性腺主要表现为睾丸组织中产生类似雌性个体的卵巢腔.对照组幼蛙的雌雄比为0.5:1,而暴露组分别为2.3:1(0.01mg·L-1组)、4.5:1(0.1mg·L-1组)和5:1(1mg·L-1组).上述结果表明,PFOS对爪蟾的变态过程具有小剂量刺激效应,能引起甲状腺组织结构的损伤,导致睾丸组织的雌性化和雌雄性比的异常升高,表现出明显的甲状腺激素和性激素干扰效应,可以认定为一种环境内分泌干扰物.实验同时表明非洲爪蟾可以用于多种环境内分泌干扰效应的同时检测.     

全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)对斑马鱼血浆和组织匀浆中卵黄蛋白原含量的影响

为了研究低剂量的全氟辛烷磺酸(perfluorooctane sulfonate,PFOS)对水生生物的内分泌干扰效应和作用机制,考察了PFOS对斑马鱼(Brachydanio rerio)血浆和组织匀浆中卵黄蛋白原(vitellogenin,VTG)含量的影响。将雄性和雌性斑马鱼分别暴露于0.1、1、10和100μg·L-1的PFOS中进行21d毒性实验,染毒结束后分别检测雄鱼和雌鱼的血浆、头尾组织匀浆液和全鱼匀浆液中的VTG含量。结果显示:(1)PFOS暴露可引起斑马鱼血浆、全鱼和头尾匀浆液中VTG含量的升高,VTG含量的排序为雌鱼(血浆>>全鱼匀浆>头尾匀浆)>>雄鱼(血浆>全鱼匀浆>>头尾匀浆);(2)PFOS暴露所引起的雄鱼血浆和头尾匀浆中VTG含量的升高与剂量呈负相关关系,暴露浓度为0.1μg·L-1时与对照组相比有显著性差异(p<0.05);(3)雌鱼血浆和头尾匀浆中VTG含量的升高与剂量呈倒U型曲线关系,暴露浓度为10μg·L-1时与对照组相比有显著性差异(p<0.05);(4)雄鱼和雌鱼的全鱼匀浆液中的VTG含量与对照组相比均无显著性差异。研究结果表明,PFOS暴露对斑马鱼的内分泌干扰作用明显,其毒性作用机制可能是类雌激素效应,血液和头尾匀浆液中VTG含量能够作为PFOS内分泌干扰效应评价的敏感生物标志物,但响应曲线可能因性别和组织部位的不同有所差异。     

苯并(a)芘对鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)肝脏抗氧化酶的影响

研究了苯并(a)芘(BaP)暴露对鲫鱼肝脏抗氧化酶的影响．共设置4个处理组，浓度分别为每千克体重0．01mg、0．1mg、1mg和10mg，暴露方式采用腹腔注射，分别在暴露后6h、12h、48h和96h测定肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过靴氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性．结果显示，所有暴露浓度对SOD活性明显抑制，各处理组活性在暴露后6h均低于对照组，在暴露后12h至48h有所回升，暴露后96h又降至对照水平以下．0．01mg kg^-1、0．1mg kg^-1处理组CA3、活性在暴露期间无显著改变，1mg kg^-1、10mg kg^-1处理组CAT活性在暴露后12h显著升高，暴露后96h回落至对照水平以下，此时10mg kg^-1处理组与对照组差异显著．对照组GPX活性在暴露后出现波动，0．1mg kg^-1处理组在暴露后96h显著低于对照组，而其它处理组活性与对照组在暴露期间无显著差异．结果表明，BaP能对鲫鱼肝脏抗氧化酶产生影响，多种抗氧化酶活性相结合可作为BaP暴露的生物标志物．图3参18     

三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)磷酸酯诱发肝脏损害及病理改变研究

本研究观测有机磷酯阻燃剂(OPFRs)污染是否可以诱发肝脏损害,考察其发生及发展程度,并探讨其发生机理,为有机磷阻燃剂污染的防治和相关疾病的有效治疗提供基础数据和科学依据。实验以大鼠为动物模型,将60只SPF级SD雄性大鼠分为5组,每组12只,选取典型的氯代有机磷阻燃剂三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)磷酸酯(TDCPP)对大鼠进行染毒,空白对照组不做任何处理,溶剂对照组以相同体积的橄榄油灌胃,染毒组以不同剂量的TDCPP进行灌胃(125 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)、250 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)和500 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)),每周测量体重,于第4周和第8周取血检测肝功及其他生化指标,在第8周每组抽取3只大鼠取肝脏组织做HE染色,并用透射电镜观察分析肝组织病理学改变。TDCPP对大鼠染毒8周后,结果表明:(1)体重指标在灌胃1周后开始发生差异,TDCPP处理组大鼠的体重有下降的趋势,染毒组与空白对照组和溶剂对照组相比较,差异显著(*P0.05,**P0.01),其中高剂量灌胃组的体重下降最为明显(**P0.01);(2)血清肝功指标表现出显著变化,血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、胆固醇和甘油三脂水平在第8周呈现明显下降趋势,染毒组与空白对照组和溶剂对照组比较,差异明显(*P0.05,**P0.01);(3) TDCPP暴露组生理生化指标变化明显,血清乙酰胆碱酯酶活性显著降低,MDA含量显著升高,SOD活力显著性降低,造成氧化损伤,与空白对照组和溶剂对照组比较,差异显著(*P0.05,**P0.01);(4)病理切片结果显示染毒组与对照组比较,细胞坏死现象明显,且高剂量组坏死更为严重。研究结果显示:TDCPP可引起大鼠体重明显下降,大鼠肝脏细胞损伤、合成功能下降,造成肝脏代谢功能紊乱,造成较为严重的肝损伤。     

邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基）己酯对斜生栅藻的生态毒性作用

为了研究邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯(DEHP)对水生藻类的生态毒性作用,以斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)为受试对象,设置5个DEHP浓度梯度(5、10、20、40、80mg·L-1)和1个对照组,实验周期为96h,以藻细胞数量和光合色素含量为测试指标,检测了DEHP对斜生栅藻生长的影响.结果表明,DEHP对斜生栅藻生长和色素含量具有一定的影响:暴露96h后,各DEHP暴露组斜生栅藻生物量(藻细胞数)与对照组均有显著差异(p<0.05),且随DEHP暴露浓度的升高,生物量逐渐降低;各DEHP暴露组叶绿素a、b含量均显著低于对照(p<0.05),在较低DEHP浓度(5、10mg·L-1)下,叶绿素a、b含量略呈上升趋势,较高DEHP浓度(≥40mg·L-1)下,则呈下降趋势;DEHP暴露对类胡萝卜素含量影响不大,除80mg·L-1组显著降低(p<0.05)外各实验组差异不大(p>0.05).     

四溴二苯醚对人甲状腺细胞功能的影响

为研究四溴二苯醚(BDE-47)对原代培养人甲状腺细胞功能的影响,分别用浓度为10-12、10-10和10-8mol·L-1的BDE-47处理原代人甲状腺滤泡上皮细胞(TEC)24h,采用化学发光酶联免疫检测法检测细胞上清液中甲状腺球蛋白(Tg)的浓度,半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应技术检测功能相关的Tg基因和双链复合蛋白8(Pax-8)基因的表达.结果表明,10-12、10-10mol·L-1暴露组Tg分泌量较对照组显著减少(p<0.05),而10-8mol·L-1BDE-47组Tg分泌量与对照组无显著性差异(p>0.05).甲状腺功能相关Tg基因和Pax-8基因的表达量随BDE-47浓度的增加而显著降低(p<0.05),呈明显的剂量-效应关系.以上结果提示,BDE-47对离体培养的原代人甲状腺细胞的功能具有抑制作用,甲状腺功能相关Tg基因和Pax-8基因的表达下调可能是其作用机制之一.     

A preliminary study of temporal differences in serum concentrations of perfluoroalkyl acids,among New York anglers,in the absence of known changes in manufacturing practices

Perfluorinated compounds have been manufactured in large quantities and used in myriad industrial processes and commercial applications. The aim of this preliminary study was to generate hypotheses with regard to differences in body burdens of perfluoroalkyl acids, among a sub-sample of participants from the New York State Angler Cohort Study, over a time interval during which no known substantial changes occurred in US manufacturing practices or commercial use. Paired serum specimens, collected from 15 subjects in 1993–1994 (time 1), and in 1995–1997 (time 2), with a minimum interval of 2.5 years, were assayed for PFDA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, PFOSA and PFUnDA using HPLC with ES-MS/MS. By subject, differences in concentrations between time 1 and time 2 were estimated, employing paired t-tests, correlations, and multivariable linear regression to accommodate heterogeneity in duration between specimens, and in time 1 concentrations. A statistically significant (P < 0.05) adjusted mean decrease of 0.16 ng mL^?1 (18.8%) between time 1 and 2 was detected for PFNA, and an adjusted mean increase of 0.54 ng mL^?1 (56.8%) was detected for PFOA. The results of this study may be indicative of short-term changes in human body burdens of PFNA and PFOA in association with local exposure sources.     

Bioreduction of hexavalent chromium by Exiguobacterium indicum strain MW1 isolated from marine water of Paradip Port,Odisha, India

Hexavalent chromium-tolerant (1500?mg/L) bacterium MW1 was isolated from harbour water of Paradip Port and evaluated for Cr(VI) reduction potential. The isolate was identified as Exiguobacterium indicum by biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence methods. Salt tolerance of the bacterium was evaluated in a wide range of NaCl concentrations (0.5–13%, w/v). The Cr(VI) reduction of the strain was evaluated and optimised with varied Cr(VI) concentrations (100–1000?mg/L), pH (5.0–9.0), temperature (30–40°C) and shaking velocity (100–150?rpm) in two different minimal media (M9 and Acetate). Under optimised conditions, after 192?h of incubation nearly 92%, 50% and 46% reduction in the M9 minimal medium and 91%, 47% and 40% reduction in the acetate minimal medium were observed for 100, 500 and 1000?mg/L of Cr(VI), respectively. The exponential rate equation for Cr(VI) reduction yielded higher rate constant value, that is, 1.27?×?10^?2?h^?1 (M9) and 1.17?×?10^?2?h^?1 (Acetate) in case of 100?mg/L and became lower for 500 and 1000?mg/L Cr(VI) concentrations. Further, the association of bacterial cells with reduced product was ascertained by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, UV–Vis–DRS and field-emission scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. The above study suggests that the higher reducing ability of the marine bacterium E. indicum MW1 will be suitable for Cr(VI) reduction from saline effluents.     

Toxicity,degradation and analysis of the herbicide atrazine

Excessive use of pesticides and herbicides is a major environmental and health concern worldwide. Atrazine, a synthetic triazine herbicide commonly used to control grassy and broadleaf weeds in crops, is a major pollutant of soil and water ecosystems. Atrazine modifies the growth, enzymatic processes and photosynthesis in plants. Atrazine exerts mutagenicity, genotoxicity, defective cell division, erroneous lipid synthesis and hormonal imbalance in aquatic fauna and nontarget animals. It has threatened the sustainability of agricultural soils due to detrimental effects on resident soil microbial communities. The detection of atrazine in soil and reservoir sites is usually made by IR spectroscopy, ELISA, HPLC, UPLC, LC–MS and GC–MS techniques. HPLC/LC–MS and GC–MS techniques are considered the most effective tools, having detection limits up to ppb levels in different matrices. Biodegradation of atrazine by microbial species is increasingly being recognized as an eco-friendly, economically feasible and sustainable bioremediation strategy. This review presents the toxicity, analytical techniques, abiotic degradation and microbial metabolism of atrazine.     

单甲脒动物代谢的研究

采用气相色谱／傅立叶红外光谱和气相色谱／质谱仪分析大鼠肝脏中单甲脒的代谢产物，证明大鼠经口摄入单甲脒后，在肝脏中迅速代谢，其代谢中间产物为２，４－二甲基苯胺和含酰胺基的化全物。     

Terminal double bonds in the alkenes and acetates of defensive secretion from the thrips Suocerathrips linguis Mound & Marullo, 1994 (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Defensive secretions of adult males and females of the subsocial thrips Suocerathrips linguis were examined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The samples contained six long-chain acetates and five aliphatic alkanes and alkenes. Whole-body extracts yielded six methyl esters of fatty acids as well as hexadecyl acetate. Structures of the two main components, (11Z)-icosa-11,19-dienyl acetate and octadecyl acetate, were confirmed. The third most abundant substance was identified as octadec-17-enyl acetate, which is a new natural product. In addition, (9Z)-octadec-9-enyl acetate was identified along with other acetates. Pure icosadienyl acetate was found to remain liquid down to −15°C, and is the solvent for the solid components of the secretion cocktail. A tentative biosynthetic pathway for all of the 12 acetates, alkanes and alkenes is discussed, considering especially the components with terminal double bonds that are uncommon in Thysanoptera and other insects.     

Role of Acinetobacter sp. in arsenite As(III) oxidation and reducing its mobility in soil

Microbial arsenite oxidation was observed by Acinetobacter sp. XS21, this strain oxidised arsenite As(III) up to 80?mM within 48–72?h of incubation. The present strain XS21 oxidised As(III) at a very high concentration in a shorter interval of time than any of the previous reported microbes. Further, XS21 was applied to the soil to observe its ability in reducing the mobility of As(III), and we found that Acinetobacter sp. XS21 efficiently removed arsenite from soluble-exchangeable fraction and removed 70% of the arsenite as compared to control. This feature makes it a potential candidate for bioremediation. Arsenic-resistant bacteria with strong As(III)-oxidising ability may have potential to improve bioremediation of As(III)-contaminated sites. To understand their basis of resistance and transformation we found the As(III) oxidase gene using degenerate primer and amplified ～550?bp of aioA gene. Amplified aioA gene sequence exhibiting 52% identity in terms of gene and deduced protein sequence to Uncultured bacterium, and Achromobacter sp. arsenite oxidase of larger subunit. Arsenite oxidase, an enzyme, was also observed in this isolate, which may provide a resistance and transforming ability. This bacterium was identified as Acinetobacter sp., by sequencing 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis.     

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils of a mangrove forest affected by forest fire

Surface soils affected by forest fires from Igbanko mangrove forest in Nigeria were analyzed for 16 EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The total PAHs concentrations in the soils ranged from 63 to 188?µg?kg^?1 dry weight (average: 108?µg?kg^?1). The three predominant PAHs in the soils were naphthalene (Na), fluoranthene (Flu), and benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF). Compared to the control sample (19?µg?kg^?1), elevated PAHs concentrations were observed in the soils, an indication of some level of PAHs contamination. PAHs source diagnostic ratios of Flu/(Flu?+?Pyr) and Ant/(Ant?+?Phe) indicated that the PAHs have a pyrogenic origin which may have resulted from combustion of grass, wood, or coal. An assessment based on Canadian soil quality guidelines indicated that the studied locations do not pose any serious adverse risk on human health.     

Polychlorinated-dibenzo-p-dioxins, -dibenzofurans and -dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in aquatic organisms from lake Kasumigaura,Japan

Polychlorinated-dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), -dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and -dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DLPCBs) were determined in aquatic wildlife of Kasumigaura Lake (KUL), Japan from 1978 to 2001. Two plankton species elucidated several fold greater concentrations (2400–7800) than small tiger fish (310–6500), shrimp (160–1100), and three large fish namely, black bass (120–240), carp (94–120) and mullet (54) on pg/g fat. PCDD homologues were predominant accumulants with >68–<95% contribution and remaining was shared by PCDFs. Accumulation, non-ortho DLPCBs in plankton (3500–9200), shrimp (1600–8600) and small fish (2000–8800) and large fish (1300–3900) on ng/g fat basis were several orders magnitude greater than PCDD/DFs. The mono-ortho DLPCBs in large fish species were 23?000–83?000?ng/g fat and which it is accounted 94.3–95.9% the total dioxin-like PCBs accumulation. Temporal trends of PCDDs, PCDFs, non-ortho PCBs and TEQ in shrimp and small tiger fish were varied. The mullet had minimum toxic equivalency “TEQ” (14?pg?TEQ/g) followed by plankton Neomysis intermedia (25?pg?TEQ/g), small tiger fish (mean: 33, ranges 14–66?pg?TEQ/g), plankton Cyclopus vicinus (34?pg?TEQ/g), carp (mean: 35, ranges 32–38?pg?TEQ/g), shrimp (mean: 38, ranges 11–68?pg?TEQ/g) and black bass (mean: 59, ranges 38–79?pg?TEQ/g) on fat basis. In all the samples, PCDD was predominant TEQ contributor followed by PCDFs and DLPCBs. The contribution of mono-ortho DLPCBs to the total TEQ was 0.52–0.92 in large fish.     

Evaluation of initiation activity of dimethylarsinic acid: Initiation potential of rat hepatocarcinogenesis

There is a dearth of data on the initiation activity of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA (V)), a major metabolite of the ubiquitous environmental and occupational carcinogen and toxicant, arsenic (As). The initiation activity of DMA (V) was investigated on rat hepatocarcinogenesis with liver being a major target organ for As-induced carcinogenicity. A total of 50 rats at 10 weeks old were randomly divided in a nine-week medium-term bioassay into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 received 200 ppm of DMA (V) in drinking water for four weeks while groups 3 and 4 drank only tap water until the sixth week when groups 1 and 3 were given 0.01% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) in their diet for two weeks in the promotion stage. All animals were subjected to two-third partial hepatectomy (PH) at the seventh week. Quantitative analysis of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci in liver, a pre-neoplastic marker of rat hepatocarcinogenesis, demonstrated higher numbers in group 1 (DMA (V) + 2-AAF) than 3 (2-AAF alone) at foci consisting of two–four cells and 15 or a greater number of cells. The numbers of GST-P positive foci consisting of five–nine cells were significantly higher in group 1 than 3. Foci consisting of 10–14 cells were also higher but not significantly different. The GST-P positive foci were apparently similar in groups 2 and 4. Expression of total GST-P positive foci was significantly higher in group 1 compared to 2, 3 or 4. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) test performed to clarify the apparent trend of GST-P data revealed significantly higher PCNA index in group 1. Data indicate weak initiation potential of DMA (V) and for the first time appear to provide evidence for initiation activity in DMA (V)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.     

Role of NADH-dependent chromium reductases,exopolysaccharides and antioxidants by Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus PS 5 against damage induced by reactive oxygen species

ABSTRACT

Cr (VI) being used in various activities of industries and its improper treatment lead to contamination of environment. Among different methods, biological is the most efficient method to control pollution from soils affected with metals. Present study was designed to assess the role of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus PS5 for adsorption, Cr (VI) reduction and mechanism of reduction. Sorption of chromium (VI) by strain PS5 was obtained by batch equilibrium method. Cr (VI) reduction in both free and immobilised cells were evaluated by 1,5-Diphenyl Carbazide method. The formation of biofilm by Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus PS5 was observed for colour change as well as quantified spectrophotometrically. Analysis kits were used to measure the amount of eDNA, superoxide and malondialdehyde (MDA). Metal resistant strain PS5 was characterised as P. thiaminolyticus using 16S rRNA gene sequence. Maximum biosorption of Cr (VI) by strain PS5 was found at pH 6–8 and 100–400 µgCr/mL within 24 hours of incubation. Complete reduction of Cr (VI) by strain PS5 was achieved at pH 6–8 and100–300 µg/mL Cr (VI). Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus PS5 immmobilisation on sodium alginate and polyvinyl alcohol facilitated complete reduction of Cr (VI) within 18 hours due to the formation of more biofilm under metal stress conditions. Strain PS5 reduced almost all Cr (VI) into Cr (III) in supernatant, most of which was immobilised by cell debris. Experiments confirmed the reduction of Cr (VI) by cytosolic cell-free extracts which is a mechanism of detoxification. The release of exopolysaccharides and antioxidants by strain PS5 played a protective role against cell damage by Cr (VI) as Cr (VI) could not release the significant amount of eDNA, superoxide and MDA. The present study proved strain PS5 to be a super bioinoculant which has great capacity for adsorption, biotransformation and can activate cytosolic reductases, exopolysaccharides and antioxidants against oxidative damage.     

Identification and field evaluation of the female sex pheromone of Stathmopoda masinissa in Korea

The sex pheromone of Stathmopoda masinissa Meyrick, an important pest of persimmon fruit in East Asia such as Korea, China, and Japan, was investigated. A lure using (E4,Z6)-4,6-hexadecadienyl acetate (E4,Z6-16Ac), which was identified as a sex pheromone compound of Japanese population, did not work at all for Korean population. Therefore, components in the abdominal extract of the moth were identified and their attractiveness was evaluated in the field. Two components, E4,Z6-16Ac and (E4,Z6)-4,6-hexadecadien-1-ol (E4,Z6-16OH) were identified from the extract of female abdominal extract in a ratio of 10–15:90–85 by GC–MS analysis with synthetic standards. E4,Z6-16Ac and E4,Z6-16OH were previously identified as EAG-active components of this moth in Japanese population. However, (E4,Z6)-4,6-hexadecadienal (E4,Z6-16Ald), which is one of the abdominal extract components and EAG-active component in Japanese population, was not detected in our samples. In the persimmon orchard, single component of E4,Z6-16Ac or E4,Z6-16OH was not attractive. However, the 1:1 mixture of the two components significantly increased the captures of male S. masinissa. Interestingly, traps baited with E4,Z6-16Ac captured significantly higher number of Oedematopoda ignipicta (Lepidoptera: Stathmopodidae) than the traps baited with E4,Z6-16OH or blend of the two components. The attractiveness of E4,Z6-16Ac to O. ignipicta is a new finding.