Exploring natural colorant behavior of husk of durum (Triticum durum Desf.) and bread (Triticum aestivum L.) wheat species for sustainable cotton fabric dyeing

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Revival of natural colorants in textile dyeing is one of the important strategies to reduce synthetic chemical-based environmental pollution. The...     

Environmental friendly extraction of walnut bark-based juglone natural colorant for dyeing studies of wool fabric

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Environmental friendly products particularly natural dyes are going to be much popular around the globe due to their non-toxic and bio-degradable...     

Evaluation of kapok (Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.) as a natural hollow hydrophobic-oleophilic fibrous sorbent for oil spill cleanup

Oil sorption capacity and hydrophobic-oleophilic characteristics of an agricultural product, kapok (Ceiba pentandra), was thoroughly examined. The kapok fiber has a hollow structure with large lumen. Its performance was compared with that of a polypropylene (PP), a widely used commercial oil sorbent for oil spill cleanup. The oils investigated were diesel, hydraulic oil (AWS46), and engine oil (HD40). Reusability of the kapok after application to various oils was also evaluated. Both loose (at its natural state) and densely packed kapok assemblies were examined. Sorption capacities of the packed kapok assemblies were very much dependent on their packing densities. At 0.02gcm(-3), its oil sorption capacities were 36, 43 and 45gg(-1) for diesel, ASW46 and HD40, respectively. The values decreased to 7.9, 8.1 and 8.6gg(-1) at 0.09gcm(-3). Its sorption capacities for the three oils were significantly higher than those of PP. When the oil-saturated kapok assemblies were allowed to drain, they exhibited high oil retention ability, with less than 8% of the absorbed diesel and HD40, and 12% of the absorbed AWS46 lost even after 1h of dripping. When applied on oil-over-water baths, the kapok exhibited high selectivity for the oils over the water; almost all oils spilled could be removed with the kapok, leaving an invisible oil slick on water. After the 4th cycle of reuse, the reused kapok assembly only lost 30% of its virgin sorption capacity if packed at 0.02gcm(-3), and the loss in sorption capacity was much less at higher packing densities. The hydrophobic-oleophilic characteristics of the kapok fiber could be attributed to its waxy surface, while its large lumen contributed to its excellent oil absorbency and retention capacity.     

Screening of Cd tolerant genotypes and isolation of metallothionein genes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

In order to evaluate Cd tolerance in wide-ranging sources of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and to identify Cd tolerant genotypes which may potentially be useful for restoring Cd-contaminated environments, thirty-six accessions of alfalfa were screened under hydroponic culture. Our results showed that the relative root growth rate varied from 0.48 to 1.0, which indicated that different alfalfa accessions had various responses to Cd stress. The candidate fragments derived from differentially expressed metallothionein (MT) genes were cloned from leaves of two Cd tolerant genotypes, YE and LZ. DNA sequence and the deduced protein sequence showed that MsMT2a and MsMT2b had high similarity to those in leguminous plants. DDRT-PCR analysis showed that MsMT2a expressed in both YE and LZ plants under control and Cd stress treatment, but MsMT2b only expressed under Cd stress treatment. This suggested that MsMT2a was universally expressed in leaves of alfalfa but expression of MsMT2b was Cadmium (Cd) inducible.     

Phytoextraction of cadmium by rice (Oryza sativa L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and maize (Zea mays L.)

Selecting a phytoextraction plant with high Cd-accumulating ability based on the plant's compatibility with mechanized cultivation techniques may yield more immediately practical results than selection based on high tolerance to Cd. Rice (Oryza sativa L., cv. Nipponbare and Milyang 23), soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr., cv. Enrei and Suzuyutaka), and maize (Zea mays L., cv. Gold Dent) were grown on one Andosol and two Fluvisols with low concentration of Cd contamination ranging from 0.83 to 4.29 mg Cd kg(-1), during 60 days in pots (550 mL) placed in a greenhouse. Shoot Cd uptake was as follows: Gold Dent相似文献   

Determination of microbiological contamination,antibacterial and antioxidant activities of natural plant hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) pollen

The aim of our study is to determine microbial contamination, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of 14 pollen samples of Corylus avellana collected from different locations in Slovakia. Microbiological analysis was carried out in two steps: microbiological assays and studies of antibacterial activity of pollen extracts. The antimicrobial properties of pollen extracts were carried out with the disc-diffusion method. Methanol (70%), ethanol (70%) and distilled water were used for pollen extracts. Five strains of bacteria such as gram-negative (Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica CCM 3807, Escherichia coli CCM 2024, and Yersinia enterocolitica CCM 5671) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus CCM 2461 and Bacillus thuringiensis CCM 19T) were tested. Antioxidant activity of pollen extracts was determined by the DPPH method. Bacterial analysis includes the determination of the total bacterial count ranged from 4.08 to 4.61 log CFU g^?1, mesophilic aerobic bacteria ranged from 3.40 to 4.89 log CFU g^?1, mesophilic anaerobic bacteria ranged from 3.20 to 4.52 log CFU g^?1, coliform bacteria ranged from 3.30 to 4.55 log CFU g^?1, yeasts and filamentous fungi ranged from 3.00 to 3.56 log CFU g^?1. Microscopic filamentous fungi Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., Rhizopus spp., and Paecylomyces spp. were isolated from hazelnut pollen. Yersinia enterocolitica was the most sensitive strain among ethanolic and methanolic pollen hazelnut extracts. Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive strain against aqueous hazelnut pollen extracts. We determined the following sensitivity against ethanol pollen extracts respectively: Yersinia enterocolitica?>?Salmonella enterica?>?Staphylococcus aureus?>?Bacillus thuringiensis?>?Escherichia coli. Methanol pollen extracts had shown following sensitivity: Yersinia enterocolitica?>?Salmonella enterica?>?Escherichia coli?>?Staphylococcus aureus?>?Bacillus thuringiensis. Aqueous extracts had shown the following sensitivity: Staphylococcus aureus?>?Salmonella enterica?>?Escherichia coli?>?Bacillus thuringiensis?>?Yersinia enterocolitica. Hazelnut pollen extracts have over 82% antioxidant capacity in samples from non-urban zones. An elevated level of antioxidant potential in the pollen is determined by its biological properties conditioned by biologically active substances. DPPH method allowed characterizing pollen as a source of antioxidants.     

Accumulation of heavy metals in Typha angustifolia (L.) and Potamogeton pectinatus (L.) living in Sultan Marsh (Kayseri, Turkey)

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn and Cu) were measured in bottom sediments, water and Typha angustifolia and Potamogeton pectinatus in Sultan Marsh. Sultan Marsh is one of the largest and most important wetlands in Turkey, Middle East and Europe, embodying saline and fresh water ecosystems and providing a shelter for 426 bird species. The organs of T. angustifolia have a larger quantity of the measured elements than the P. pectinatus. Considerably higher contents of Cd were found rather than in helophytes (P. pectinatus) in submerged plant (= emergent, T. angustifolia) species. The percentage of Cd in plant tissues points to a certain degree of water pollution in Sultan Mash. Analyses of water, bottom sediments and plant samples indicated that the Marsh were polluted with Pb, Cd, and partly with Cu and Zn. All sampling sites in the study area basin are generally more or less polluted when compared with the control values. Strong positive correlation was found between concentrations of Pb in water and in plants. Ni and Pb were accumulated by plants at a higher rate from bottom sediments than from water. Leaves of T. angustifolia accumulated less heavy metal than the corresponding roots. There was a significant relationship between Cd concentration in samples of plants and water pH value. It has been found that the tissues of T. angustifolia accumulate more heavy metals than the tissues of P. pectinatus. Therefore, all plants can be used as a biological indicator while determining environmental pressures; however, T. angustifolia is proved more appropriate for such studies.     

Lead induced changes in antioxidant metabolism of horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.) and bengalgram (Cicer arietinum L.)

One-month old horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. cv VZM1) and bengalgram (Cicer arietinum L. cv Annogiri) were exposed to different regimes of lead stress as Pb(NO3)2 at 0, 200, 500 and 800 ppm concentrations. The extent of oxidative damage as the rate of lipid peroxidation, antioxidative response and the accumulation of lead in roots and shoots of both plants were evaluated after 12 days of lead stress. Lead (Pb) treated plants showed increased levels of lipid peroxidation as evidenced from the increased malondialdehyde content coupled with the increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST) compared to control (untreated) plants. Lead stress caused significant changes in the activity of antioxidative enzymes. The effect of lead was found to be concentration dependent. Higher concentration of lead (800 ppm) resulted 2- to 3-fold increase in SOD, catalase and peroxidase activities, 3- to 5-fold increase in GR activity and 3- to 4-fold increase in GST activity in roots and leaves of both horsegram and bengalgram plants. Lead stress caused a significant increase in the rate of peroxidation as showed in the levels of malondialdehyde content in roots and leaves of both plant species. Horsegram registered lower Pb accumulation than bengalgram, however localization of Pb was greater in roots than leaves in both plants. In general, lipid peroxide levels and antioxidative enzyme activities were higher in horsegram than bengalgram and also more in roots than leaves which best concordance with the lead contents of both the plants and organs. These results suggest that Pb toxicity causes oxidative stress in plants and the antioxidative enzymes SOD, CAT, POD, GR, GST could play a pivotal role against oxidative injury.     

Investigation of arsenic accumulation and tolerance potential of Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L

Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L., a facultative halophyte, is considered a suitable candidate for the phytoremediation of metals. An investigation of As accumulation and tolerance was conducted in Sesuvium plants upon exposure to As(V) (100-1000 μM) for 30 d. Plants demonstrated a good growth even after prolonged exposure (30 d) to high As(V) concentrations (1000 μM) and a significant As accumulation (155 μg g⁻¹ dry weight) with a bioaccumulation factor of more than ten at each concentration. The results of shoot and root dry weight, malondialdehyde accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, and total soluble proteins demonstrated that plants did not experience significant toxicity even at 1000 μM As(V) after 30 d. However, metabolites (total non-protein thiols and cysteine) and enzymes (serine acetyltransferase, cysteine synthase and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase) of thiol metabolism, in general, remained either unaffected or showed slight decline. Hence, plants tolerated high As(V) concentrations without an involvement of thiol metabolism as a major component. Taken together, the results indicate that plants are potential As accumulator and may find application in the re-vegetation of As contaminated sites.     

Suppression of nitrification and N2O emission by karanjin--a nitrification inhibitor prepared from karanja (Pongamia glabra Vent.)

A laboratory incubation study was undertaken to study nitirification and N2O emission in an alluvial, sandy loam soil (typic ustochrept), fertilized with urea and urea combined with different levels of two nitrification inhibitors viz. karanjin and dicyandiamide (DCD). Karanjin [a furanoflavonoid, obtained from karanja (Pongamia glabra Vent.) seeds] and DCD were incorporated at the rate of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of applied urea-N (100 mg kg(-1) soil), to the soil (100 g) adjusted to field capacity moisture content. Mean N2O flux was appreciably reduced on addition of the inhibitors with urea. Amounts of nitrified N (i.e. (NO3- + NO2-)-N) in total inorganic N (i.e. (NO3 + NO2- + NH4+)-N) in soil were found to be much lower on the addition of karanjin with urea (2-8%) as compared to urea plus DCD (14-66%) during incubation, indicating that karanjin was much more potent nitrification inhibitor than DCD. Nitrification inhibition was appreciable on the application of different levels of karanjin (62-75%) and DCD (9-42%). Cumulative N2O-N loss was found to be in the range of 0.5-80% of the nitrified N at different stages of incubation. Application of karanjin resulted in higher mitigation of total N2O-N emission (92-96%) when compared with DCD (60-71%).     

Efficacy of Si fertilization to modulate the heavy metals absorption by barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Silicon-based fertilizers and soil amendments can have direct and indirect positive influences on cultivated plants. The solid forms of Si-based substances, the most widespread in use, are efficient only at high application rates due to their low level of solubility. Several types of Si-based substances such as fumed silica, slags from the iron and steel industry, modified slags, and a Si-rich product were tested using barley and pea as silicon accumulative and non-accumulative plants, respectively, at two application rates. The plants were grown under toxic concentrations of heavy metals in a greenhouse. Si-rich materials high in water-soluble Si had a positive effect at both the low and high application rates, and for both plant species. This type of substance can be regarded as Si fertilizer, demonstrating greater efficiency at a low application rate and lessened efficiency at a high application rate for protection of the cultivated plants against accumulation of the heavy metals.

     

Screening of Bangladeshi winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars for sensitivity to ozone

The sensitivity to ozone of ten Bangladeshi wheat cultivars was tested by exposing plants to eight ozone exposure regimes (50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 135, 150, and 200 ppb for 14, 11, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 1 days, respectively, for 8 h/day) in controlled environment chambers. Visible leaf injury, dry weight, chlorophyll, carotenoid content, leaf greenness (SPAD value), quantum yield of photosynthesis, and stomatal resistance were measured to evaluate response. Shoot biomass, total chlorophyll, leaf greenness, and carotenoid content were reduced in ozone-exposed plants. Based on the results of principal component analysis (PCA)-biplot analysis, the order of sensitivity to ozone was: Akbar?>>?Sufi?≥?Bijoy?≥?Shatabdi?>?Bari-26?≥?Gourab?>?Bari-25?≥?Prodip?≥?Sourav?>>?Kanchan. The most important parameters to discriminate cultivars with respect to ozone sensitivity were visible injury and chlorophyll b/a ratio, whereas quantum yield of photosynthesis was less important. Differences in stomatal resistance were not a significant factor in ozone response. Regression of cultivars’ PCA scores against year of release revealed no trend, suggesting that ozone tolerance was not incorporated during cultivar breeding.     

Metabolic enzymes activity and histomorphology in the liver of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) and pike (Esox lucius L.) inhabiting a mineral contaminated lake

The effects of wastewater from a mining and ore-dressing mill on fish in Lake Kostomukshskoe, which is used as a cesspool of circulating water and for storage of industrial wastes produced by the Kostomuksha mining and ore-dressing mill in northwest Russia, were studied. The lake is characterized by heavy mineralization, high pH, elevated levels of K⁺, Li⁺, SO₄ ^2?, NO^2?, Cl^?, Li, Mn, and Ni, and the presence of a fine-dispersed mechanical suspension. To assess the impact of contamination on fish and determine the mechanisms of their adaptation, we investigated the biochemical indices and histology of the liver of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) and pike (Esox lucius L.) inhabiting Lake Kostomukshskoe, downstream Lake Koyvas (64° 47′ 30° 59′), and Lake Kamennoe, which is located in a nature preserve and has not been affected by anthropogenic activity (64° 28′ 30° 13′). Changes were detected in the activity of metabolic enzymes (cytochrome c oxidase (COX), lactate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) in the liver. Specifically, the COX activity in the liver of both fish species from the contaminated lake decreased, indicating a low level of aerobic metabolism. Lipid infiltration was the most visible and widespread change observed in the liver of both fish species; therefore, it can be considered a marker of such long-term contamination. Lesions in pike liver demonstrated a wider range of severity than in those of whitefish. In summary, metabolic enzyme activity and histomorphology of the liver of whitefish and pike differed among lakes in a species-specific manner. The changes in enzyme activity and histomorphological alterations in fish that were observed can be applied for evaluation of freshwater systems that may be subjected to mineral pollution.     

Arsenic accumulation in duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza L.): a good option for phytoremediation

Some unavoidable drawbacks of traditional technologies have made phytoremediation a promising alternative for removal of arsenic from contaminated soil and water. In the present study, the potential of an aquatic macrophyte Spirodela polyrhiza L. for phytofiltration of arsenic, and the mechanism of the arsenic uptake were investigated. The S. polyrhiza L. were grown in three test concentrations of arsenate and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA) (i.e. 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0microM) with 0 (control), 100 or 500microM of phosphate. One control treatment was also set for each test concentrations of arsenic. The PO(4)(3-) concentration in control treatment was 0.02microM. When S. polyrhiza L. was cultivated hydroponically for 6d in culture solution containing 0.02microM phosphate and 4.0microM arsenate or DMAA, the arsenic uptake was 0.353+/-0.003micromolg(-1) and 7.65+/-0.27nmolg(-1), respectively. Arsenic uptake into S. polyrhiza L. was negatively (p<0.05) correlated with phosphate uptake when arsenate was applied to the culture solutions owing to similar in the sorption mechanism between AsO(4)(3-) and PO(4)(3-), and positively (p<0.05) correlated with iron uptake due to adsorption of AsO(4)(3-) onto iron oxides. Thus, the S. polyrhiza L. accumulates arsenic by physico-chemical adsorption and via the phosphate uptake pathway when arsenate was added to the solutions. These results indicate that S. polyrhiza L. would be a good arsenic phytofiltrator. In contrast, DMAA accumulation into S. polyrhiza L. was neither affected by the phosphate concentration in the culture nor correlated (p>0.05) with iron accumulation in plant tissues, which indicates that S. polyrhiza L. uses different mechanisms for DMAA uptake.     

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell,a potential plant species for degradation of textile azo dyes

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The current study highlighted the phytoremediation potential of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell for most commonly used azo dyes which are resistant to...     

Concentrations of some organochlorines in otters (Lutra lutra L.) in Scotland: Implications for populations

The concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and residues of organochlorine pesticides (HEOD and DDE) were measured in livers of otters (Lutra lutra) from different areas in Scotland. Whilst HEOD and DDE occurred at very low concentrations only, PCBs were present in high levels in some areas, the highest in Shetland (geom mean 2.05 ppm wet wt), related probably to high levels in sediments in the north-east Atlantic. PCBs were a mixture of congeners in which higher-chlorinated ones predominated, especially 138, 153, 170 and 180, a pattern comparable to that observed in otters from continental Europe. Individual values of total PCB reached levels of over 14 ppm wet weight, even in otters in good condition in thriving populations. Otter population densities were known in some of the study areas; in Shetland numbers increased over the study period, and the density was relatively high also elsewhere in Scotland. There was a strong negative correlation between PCB and body condition, but no correlation between PCB concentration and age of otters (mean age=4.1 years), which suggests that PCBs do not accumulate substantially in otters in the long term. The observations cast doubt on the significance of published 'critical levels' of PCBs to otter populations, based on data obtained from captive mink.     

Avoidance of toxic mixing zones by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in the limed River Audna, southern Norway

Chlorophyll a (chl a) fluorescence was used to determine the effects of treatments with gaseous HF or aqueous solutions of NaF on the photosynthetic apparatus of spinach prior to the appearance of visible injury. Placing the petioles in 2 mM NaF for 3 h resulted in the accumulation of 240 ppm F in leaf blades. The second oldest leaves of spinach plants accumulated similar concentrations (270 ppm F) when the plants were exposed to gaseous HF at 5 microg F m(-3) for 6 days. These NaF and HF treatments did not result in visible injury nor did they affect Fo, Fm or Fv/Fm. However, during the slow (>2 s) induction kinetics, fluorescence quenching in fluoride-treated leaves increased during the P to S phase and the M peak was no longer resolved. This was due, in part, to increased photochemical quenching. The results are consistent with a reduced ability to develop or maintain a trans-thylakoid proton gradient in chloroplasts containing elevated concentrations of F.     

Protective role of a methanolic extract of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) against Pb toxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings: beneficial effects for a plant of a nutraceutical used with animals

Spinach extracts contain powerful natural antioxidants and have been used to improve the response of animal cells to various stress factors. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of a methanolic extract of spinach (SE) used at two concentrations (21.7 and 217 ppm) on the growth, certain enzymes and antioxidant systems in wheat seedlings under lead stress. When wheat seedlings were grown for 7 days in a solution containing Pb(NO₃)₂ (3 mM), germination and growth were impaired, while signs of oxidative stress were observed. SE (217 ppm) pretreatment was able to protect seedlings from Pb toxicity by both reducing Pb uptake and Pb-induced oxidative stress. As a consequence, almost normal germination, elongation, biomass and α-amylase activity were restored by SE (217 ppm) pretreatment of wheat seedlings, in spite of the presence of Pb. Our results support the protective role and the antioxidant effect of SE against Pb. These results show an amazing similarity to the effects of SE in animals, which suggests that providing “nutraceuticals” to plants could improve their “health” status.     

Inheritance of ambient ozone insensitivity in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The inheritance of ozone (O(3)) insensitivity in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was evaluated using F(2) and F(3) populations under ambient conditions. This study was conducted over two growing seasons (1987, 1988) at Virginia State University, Randolph Research Farm, Petersburg, Virginia. Two populations were obtained by crossing insensitive plant introductions with sensitive commercial cultivars. Ratings on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 = 0 to 20% leaf injury, 2 = 21 to 40%, 3 = 41 to 60%, 4 = 61 to 80%, and 5 > 80%) were made on 160 F(2), F(3) progenies, and parental lines. Population mean injury ratings were recorded and estimates of genotypic, environmental, and phenotypic variances were computed. Estimates of heritability in the broadsense and of genetic advance were calculated for each population using F(2) and family component variance methods. Population means of the F(2) and F(3) progenies were not significantly different from their mid-parent values, suggesting that genetic variance was primarily additive. Broad-sense heritability estimates using F(2) variance method ranged from 51.4 to 70.5% and using family component variance method ranged from 62.1 to 75.6%. In this study, the computed genetic advance values closely parallel those of heritability estimated values. The high heritable nature of insensitivity would indicate that effective levels of insensitivity could be transferred to agronomically superior cultivars in a relatively short time.     

Alteration of physiological parameters in needles of cloned spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) by ozone and acid mist

Three-year-old clonal spruce trees, kept in growth chambers, were treated with ozone and acid mist during a period of 14 months. One half of the trees were grown on an acidic sandy soil, the other half on a calcareous soil rich in carbonate. At the end of the fumigation period, carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, sucrose, raffinose, starch, glucose-1-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate) and parameters of the energy status (ATP-, AdN-(ATP + ADP + AMP)- levels, ATP/ADP-ratios and adenylate-energy-charge-(AEC)-values) were determined in the current-year's needles. The results indicate that the metabolic status of a plant tissue is not only influenced by the nature of the air pollutants. Soil factors play an important role in metabolic changes within the plant and are thus of relevance in the manifestation of damage symptoms.