The effect of adaptation of Lactobacillus amylovorus to increasing concentrations of sweet potato starch on the production of lactic acid for its potential use in the treatment of cannery waste

Abstract

Lactobacillus amylovorus, an amylolytic species, was cultured in increasing concentrations of sweet potato starch to test the effect of this progressive acclimation on lactic acid production. This research is part of a project on the use of the waste stream from a sweet potato cannery to produce lactic acid. The media used for this acclimation was a modified version of the de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe medium, in which glucose was partially or totally substituted with sweet potato starch. The process was done in five steps, starting with 100% glucose in the first step and ending with 100% sweet potato starch in the last one. At each step, the effectiveness of the acclimation was tested by running fermentations with and without pH control for 62?h. The effect of the overall adaptation process was tested by comparing the growth and activity of the acclimated vs non-acclimated bacteria using sweet potato starch as the only source of carbohydrates. Growth and activity assessments indicated that L. amylovorus was able to ferment sweet potato starch into lactic acid. In most cases, pH control resulted in better substrate utilisation and larger amounts of lactic acid. In the comparison study, however, the adaptation process had a major influence on lactic acid production than the effect of pH. For 20?g L^–1 sweet potato starch media, adapted L. amylovorus under no pH control yielded 11.20?g L^–1 versus the non-adapted bacteria, which yielded 7.10?g L^–1. Under controlled pH conditions, 14.80 and 4.20?g L^–1 lactic acid were produced by adapted and non-adapted bacteria respectively.     

The role of tryptophan in don‐induced feed rejection

Abstract

Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) commonly produced by Fusarium fungi can alter feeding behaviour of pigs and other farm animals. The effects of dietary tryptophan (TRP, precursor of brain amine serotonin) in combination with DON were examined in mice to determine if TRP can modulate DON toxicity. Results indicated that brain TRP can be influenced by dietary TRP, but no evidence of TRP potentiating DON toxicity was observed. Higher TRP levels likely induced amino acid imbalance leading to weight gain suppression.     

Dry and heat stress affects H2S production of Salmonella on selective plating media

The pH of Salmonella pre-enrichment media can become acidic (pH 4.0–5.0) when feeds/ingredients are incubated for 24?h. Salmonella in feed that have been stressed by heat and desiccation exhibit different pH tolerances than non-stressed cultures. Acidic conditions can result in cell injury/death and affect biochemical pathways. In this study, eight serotypes of Salmonella were grown in sterile meat and bone meal that was subjected to desiccation and heat stress. Cultures of non-stressed and stressed isolates were subsequently exposed to acidic pH from 4.0 to 7.0 in 0.5?pH increments (3 replicates/pH increment) in citrate buffer. At 6 and 24?h, serial dilutions were plated in duplicate on XLT-4 (xylose lysine tergitol-4) agar. Four serotypes showed an impaired ability to decarboxylate lysine on XLT-4. This inability to decarboxylate lysine was dependent on isolate, stress status, and incubation time. When the isolates’ ability to decarboxylate lysine was examined using biochemical tests, cultures were found to be able to decarboxylate lysine with the exception of S. Infantis. This suggests that XLT-4 contains a biochemical stressor(s) which affects the rate of decarboxylation by these Salmonella. These results suggest that acidic conditions may influence the detection and confirmation of Salmonella in feed.     

Excretion stereoselectivity of triticonazole in rat urine and faeces

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to study the excretion stereoselectivity of triticonazole enantiomers in rat urine and faeces. Six male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were administrated 50?mg/kg rac-triticonazole. Rats urine and faeces were separately and quantitatively collected at the following intervals: 0–3, 3–6, 6–9, 9–12, 12–24, 24–36 and 36–48?h. The faeces samples were homogenized in an aqueous solution containing 0.2% DMSO at the ratio of 1?g: 40?mL. An aliquot of 100?μL rats urine or faeces homogenate was spiked and mixed with 6.0?μL of 1.00?μg/mL flusilazole as an internal standard. The triticonazole enantiomers in urine and faeces were determined by using an HPLC/MS–MS after samples preparation. The excreted amounts of enantiomers in the urine showed a significant difference (P?<?0.05) except for 3–6?h. The cumulative excretion rate (Xu_0→24) in urine was 26.43?±?0.08% and 37.58?±?0.11% for R-(?)- and S-(+)-triticonazole, respectively, indicating high enantioselectivity (P?<?0.001). The cumulative excretion rate (Xu_0→72) in faeces was 6.93?±?0.03% and 6.77?±?0.03% for R-(?)- and S-(+)-triticonazole, respectively, without a difference. The results showed that the total cumulative percentage of triticonazole enantiomers accounted for in urine and faeces was 64.00?±?0.13% and 13.70?±?0.32%, the urinary excretion of R-(?)- and S-(+)-triticonazole were significantly different and S-(+)-triticonazole was preferentially excreted. However, the faecal excretion of the enantiomers showed no difference.     

Analysis of metabolic changes in Trichoderma asperellum TJ01 at different fermentation time-points by LC-QQQ-MS

Trichoderma spp. are among the most widely recognized biocontrol fungi used to inhibit pathogens and promote plant growth. These functions are related to primary and secondary metabolites. This study investigated the different metabolites in Trichoderma asperellum TJ01 cultured for 24 and 72?h using liquid chromatography with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry. Compared to the 24?h culture of T. asperellum TJ01, the 72?h culture with amino acid metabolism tended to decrease while sugar and lipid metabolisms tended to increase. Furthermore, the 72?h culture had a higher proportion of upregulated flavonoids, in combination with a higher proportion of downregulated alkaloids, and equal proportions of upregulated and downregulated polyphenols and hormones. This study also identified a few valuable medicinal substances such as trigonelline and 5-hydroxytryptophan in T. asperellum TJ01 fermentation cultures.     

Response of selected poultry cecal probiotic bacteria and a primary poultry salmonella typhimurium isolate grown with or without glucose in liquid batch culture

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine whether fermentation by a cecal probiotic co‐culture of an Enterococcus sp. and Veillonella sp. would inhibit the in vitro growth of a S typhimurium poultry isolate. The growth rates of S. typhimurium and Enterococcus were significantly reduced at pH 5. At the two pH levels, there was a significant (p < 0.001) increase at 24 h in colony forming units for each of the bacteria enumerated from the mixed culture compared to the respective pure culture enumerations. S. typhimurium was not inhibited in mixed cultures. The mixed cultures produced more acetate than any of the pure cultures and lactate produced by Enterococcus appeared to be utilized by Veillonella.     

Toxicological response of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) after acute exposure to a commercial insecticide containing thiamethoxam

Abstract

This study assessed the hematological, enzymatic and osmoregulatory responses of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) exposed to sublethal concentrations (1.125 and 3.750?µg/L) of a commercial thiamethoxam-containing insecticide used on rice crops. Groups of 6 fish per tank (in triplicate, n?=?3, total 54 fish) were exposed for up to 96?h to different concentrations of the compound. After this period, fish were placed in clean water for 48?h. Two fish from each tank (6 per treatment) that had been exposed to the insecticide for 24?h were anesthetized with eugenol and blood was collected to evaluate hematological and biochemical parameters. Blood, liver and muscle were collected for determination of metabolic parameters, plasma cortisol, Cl^-, Na⁺ and K⁺ levels and H⁺-ATPase and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in the gill. H⁺-ATPase activity was higher in fish exposed to 1.125?µg/L insecticide at 24?h compared to control (0.0?µg/L). Differences in cortisol levels were evidenced throughout the experimental period. These results indicated that exposure to the insecticide changed the hematological, biochemical and metabolic profile of the animals, suggesting concern about environmental safety. Therefore, we discourage the use of this pesticide in areas that come into contact with water bodies inhabited by fish.     

Respiration induced by substrate and bacteria diversity after application of diuron,hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl alone and in mixture

Abstract

After application, herbicides often reach the soil and affect non-target soil microorganisms, decreasing their population, diversity or affecting metabolic activity. Therefore, laboratory studies were performed to evaluate the effects of diuron, hexazinone and sulfometuron-methyl alone and mixed upon carbon transformation by soil microorganisms in clayey and sandy soils and the effect on bacterial diversity and structure. Control treatment without herbicide application was also performed. Sub-samples from the control and herbicide treatments (10?g – in triplicate) were collected before herbicide application and 7, 14, 28 and 42?days after treatment (DAT), then 1?mL of ¹⁴C-glucose solution was applied. The released ¹⁴CO₂ was trapped in 2?M NaOH solution and the radioactivity was analyzed by liquid scintillation counting (LSC), 12?h after glucose application. The effect of herbicides on bacterial diversity was evaluated by T-RFLP. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design. Hexazinone did not affect ¹⁴CO₂ evolution. Diuron showed a greater ¹⁴CO₂ evolution in sandy and clayey soil, while sulfometuron-methyl led to an increase in sandy soil, at 42 DAT. A greater evolution of carbon was observed in the treatment with herbicide mixture in sandy soil, compared with the same treatment in clayey soil or control. However, the herbicide mixture application did not affect the soil biological activity measured by the respiration rate induced by substrate. On the other hand, the herbicide mixtures affected the bacterial diversity in both soils, being the strongest effect to diuron and sulfometuron-methyl in clayey soil and hexazinone in sandy soil.     

Coupling of solar-assisted advanced oxidative and biological treatment for degradation of agro-residue-based soda bleaching effluent

This study evaluates the effect of integrated solar-assisted advanced oxidation process (AOP) and biological treatment on the extent of degradation of effluents from chlorination (C) and first alkaline extraction (E₁) stages of soda pulp bleaching in agro-residue-based pulp and paper mill. Biodegradation of the effluents was attempted in suspended mode using activated sludge from the functional pulp and paper industry effluent treatment plant acclimatized to effluents in question. The photocatalytic treatment was employed using zinc oxide (ZnO) in slurry mode for decontamination of effluents in a batch manner and the degradation was evaluated in terms of reduction in chemical oxygen demand. The biological treatment (24?h) of C and E₁ effluent resulted in 30 and 57?% of degradation, respectively. Solar-induced AOP of C and E₁ effluents resulted in 53 and 43?% degradation under optimized conditions (2.5?g?L^?1 ZnO at pH?8.0) after 6?h of exposure. For C effluent, a short duration of solar/ZnO (1?h) prior to biological treatment reduced the time required at biological step from 24 to 12?h for almost same extent (92?%) of degradation. However, sequential biological treatment (24?h) followed by solar/ZnO (2?h) resulted in 85.5?% degradation. In contrast, in the case of E₁ effluent, sequential biological (24?h)?Csolar/ZnO (2?h) system effectively degrades effluent to 95.4?% as compared to 84.8?% degradation achieved in solar/ZnO (2?h)?Cbiological treatment (24?h) system. In the present study, the sequencing of photocatalysis with the biological treatment is observably efficient and technically viable process for the complete mineralization of the effluents.     

Impact of desiccation and heat exposure stress on Salmonella tolerance to acidic conditions

In a recent study, the pH of commonly used Salmonella pre-enrichment media became acidic (pH 4.0 to 5.0) when feed or feed ingredients were incubated for 24 h. Acidic conditions have been reported to injure or kill Salmonella. In this study, cultures of four known feed isolates (S. montevideo, S. senftenberg, S. tennessee, and S. schwarzengrund) and four important processing plant isolates (S. typhimurium, S. enteritidis, S. infantis, and S. heidelberg) were grown on meat and bone meal and later subjected to desiccation and heat exposure to stress the microorganism. The impact of stress on the isolates ability to survive in acidic conditions ranging from pH 4.0 to 7.0 was compared to the non-stressed isolate. Cell injury was determined on xylose lysine tergitol 4 (XLT4) and cell death determined on nutrient agar (NA). When measured by cell death in non-stressed Salmonella, S. typhimurium was the most acid tolerant and S. heidelberg was the most acid sensitive whereas in stressed Salmonella, S. senftenberg was the most acid tolerant and S. tennessee was the most acid sensitive. The pH required to cause cell injury varied among isolates. With some isolates, the pH required for 50% cell death and 50% cell injury was similar. In other isolates, cell injury occurred at a more neutral pH. These findings suggest that the pH of pre-enrichment media may influence the recovery and bias the serotype of Salmonella recovered from feed during pre-enrichment.     

Hormetic effect of glyphosate on Urochloa decumbens plants

Abstract

Urochloa decumbens plants may be reached by herbicide drift from applications of glyphosate from neighboring areas or by variations during applications. Considering the different phenological stages and size of plants in these areas, the amount of active ingredient that reaches the plants probably varies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the application of different doses of glyphosate on U. decumbens plants. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted with two replications at different times. The first experiment evaluated the biological response of U. decumbens plants to glyphosate doses (0, 2.81, 5.63, 11.25, 22.5, 45, 90, 180, 360, 720, and 1,440?g a.e. ha^?1), with six replications. The second experiment evaluated the response of U. decumbens plants to the application of a selected low dose of 11.25?g a.e. ha^?1. Evaluations of injury were performed at 0, 7, 14, and 21?days after application, and dry weight of plants was determined for each evaluation period. U. decumbens plants increased in dry weight when using the glyphosate dose of 11.25?g a.e. ha^?1. However, plants had different responses to the application of this low dose. It can promote both stimulation and inhibition of plant growth.     

Soil Persistence of Triasulfuron Herbicide as Affected by Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Persistence of triasulfuron [3-(6-methoxy-4methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-1-{2-(2-chloroethoxy)-phenylsulfonyl}-urea] in soil was studied under wheat crop and laboratory conditions. Field experiment was conducted in the farms of Agronomy Division, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. Randomized block design (RBD) was followed with four replicates and two rates of treatments along with control and weedy check. Triasulfuron was applied as post-emergent application to wheat crop at two rates of application viz., 15 g and 20 g a.i. ha^?1. Soil samples at 0 (3 h), 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30-day intervals after application were drawn, extracted, cleaned up, and analyzed for herbicide residues by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using C₁₈ column and methanol: water (8:2) as mobile phase at 242 nm wave length. Effect of microbial activity and soil pH was studied under laboratory conditions. Dissipation of triasulfuron followed a first-order-rate kinetics. Residues dissipated from field soil with half-life of 5.8 and 5.9 days at two rates of application. The study indicated biphasic degradation with faster rate initially (t _1/2 = 3.7 days), followed by a slower dissipation rate at the end (t _1/2 = 9.4 days). Similar trend was observed with non-sterile soil in laboratory with a longer half-life. Acidic pH and microbial activity contributed toward the degradation of triasulfuron in soil.     

Screening Capsicum Accessions for Capsaicinoids Content

Ninety Capsicum accessions selected from the USDA Capsicum germplasm collection were screened for their capsaicinoids content using gas hromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC/NPD). Fresh fruits of Capsicum chinense, C. frutescens, C. baccatum, C. annuum, and C. pubescens were extracted with methanol and analyzed for capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and nordihydrocapsaicin. Mass spectrometry of the fruit crude extracts indicated that the molecular ions at m/z 305, 307, and 293, which correspond to capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and nordihydrocapsaicin, respectively, have a common benzyl cation fragment at m/z 137 that can be used for monitoring capsaicinoids in pepper fruit extracts. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were the dominant capsaicinoids detected. Capsaicin concentrations were typically greater than dihydrocapsaicin. Concentrations of total capsaicinoids varied from not detectable to 11.2 mg fruit^?1. Statistical analysis revealed that accession PI-441624 (C. chinense) had the highest capsaicin content (2.9 mg g^?1 fresh fruit) and accession PI-497984 (C. frutescens) had the highest dihydrocapsaicin content (2.3 mg g^?1 fresh fruit). Genebank accessions PI-439522 (C. frutescens) and PI-497984 contained the highest concentrations of total capsaicinoids.     

Enzymatic activity and half-lives of capsaicin,dihydrocapsaicin, and pentadecanoic acid methyl ester in soil sprayed with hot pepper extract

Pest management is facing economic and ecological challenges in the United States and worldwide due to pest resistance, human and environmental hazards caused by use of synthetic pesticides. Natural product-based pesticides offer advantages that they are specific to the target species and typically have unique modes of action with little mammalian toxicity. Studies conducted at Kentucky State University revealed that the insecticidal and acaricidal performance of crude extracts from the fruits of Capsicum species justified the need for developing a natural pesticide formulation for agricultural use. Analysis of hot pepper extracts indicated the presence of three compounds having pesticidal efficacy: capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and pentadecanoic acid methyl ester. The main objectives of this investigation were to: i) determine the half-live (T_1/2 value) of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and pentadecanoic acid methyl ester in soil sprayed with hot pepper formulation and ii) assess the impact of hot pepper formulation on total soil enzyme activity. Analysis of soil sprayed with pepper extracts indicated that T_1/2 values of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and pentadecanoic acid methyl ester were 7.3, 1.5, and 10.2 d, respectively. Hydrolysis of the fluorescein diacetate [3, 6-diacetylfluorescein (FDA)], used for measuring overall soil enzyme activities, indicated that total enzyme activities was slightly enhanced by 2% in soil sprayed with hot pepper extracts.     

In vitro response of human ovarian cancer cells to dietary bioflavonoid isoquercitrin

Abstract

Isoquercitrin is a dietary bioflavonoid used as a food supplement. We studied the mechanism underlying its effect in human ovarian cancer cells using OVCAR-3 cell line. Viability, survival, apoptosis, release of human transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and TGF-β1 receptor, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by OVCAR-3 cells were examined after isoquercitrin treatment at concentrations 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100?μg mL^?1. AlamarBlue assay revealed that isoquercitrin did not cause any significant change (P?>?0.05) in cell viability as compared to control. Apoptotic assay using flow cytometry did not find any significant change (P?>?0.05) in the proportion of live, dead and apoptotic cells as compared to control. ELISA also showed that the release of human TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 receptor were not significantly (P?>?0.05) affected by isoquercitrin as compared to control. Chemiluminescence assay demonstrated that lower concentrations (5, 10, and 25?μg mL^?1) were able to exhibit beneficial effects by inhibiting the generation of intracellular ROS. In contrast, elevated concentrations of 50 and 100?μg mL^?1 led to oxidative stress (P?相似文献   

Acid–base balance and metabolic response of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus to different seawater pH and temperatures

Purpose

In order to better understand if the metabolic responses of echinoids could be related to their acid?Cbase status in an ocean acidification context, we studied the response of an intertidal sea urchin species, Paracentrotus lividus, submitted to low pH at two different temperatures.

Methods

Individuals were submitted to control (8.0) and low pH (7.7 and 7.4) at 10°C and 16°C (19?days). The relation between the coelomic fluid acid?Cbase status, the RNA/DNA ratio of gonads and the individual oxygen uptake were studied.

Results

The coelomic fluid pH decreased with the aquarium seawater, independently of temperature, but this explained only 13% of the pH variation. The coelomic fluid showed though a partial buffer capacity that was not related to skeleton dissolution ([Mg²⁺] and [Ca²⁺] did not differ between pH treatments). There was an interaction between temperature and pH on the oxygen uptake (V _O2) which was increased at pH?7.7 and 7.4 at 10°C in comparison with controls, but not at 16°C, indicating an upregulation of the metabolism at low temperature and pH. However, gonad RNA/DNA ratios did not differ according to pH and temperature treatments, indicating that even if maintenance of physiological activities has an elevated metabolic cost when individuals are exposed to stress, they are not directly affected during short-term exposure. Long-term studies are needed in order to verify if gonad production/growth will be affected by low pH seawaters exposure.     

An investigation of anthraquinone dye biodegradation by immobilized Aspergillus flavus in fluidized bed bioreactor

Purpose

Biodegradation and biodecolorization of Drimarene blue K₂RL (anthraquinone) dye by a fungal isolate Aspergillus flavus SA2 was studied in lab-scale immobilized fluidized bed bioreactor (FBR) system.

Method

Fungus was immobilized on 0.2-mm sand particles. The reactor operation was carried out at room temperature and pH?5.0 in continuous flow mode with increasing concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 500?mg?l^?1) of dye in simulated textile effluent on the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th, and 14th days. The reactors were run on fill, react, settle, and draw mode, with hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24?C72?h. Total run time for reactor operation was 17?days.

Results

The average overall biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and color removal in the FBR system were up to 85.57%, 84.70%, and 71.3%, respectively, with 50-mg?l^?1 initial dye concentration and HRT of 24?h. Reductions in BOD and COD levels along with color removal proved that the mechanism of biodecolorization and biodegradation occurred simultaneously. HPLC and LC?CMS analysis identified phthalic acid, benzoic acid, 1, 4-dihydroxyanthraquinone, 2,3-dihydro-9,10-dihydroxy-1,4-anthracenedione, and catechol as degradation products of Drimarene blue K₂RL dye. Phytotoxicity analysis of bioreactor treatments provided evidence for the production of less toxic metabolites in comparison to the parent dye.

Conclusion

The present fluidized bed bioreactor setup with indigenously isolated fungal strain in its immobilized form is efficiently able to convert the parent toxic dye into less toxic by-products.     

Electrochemical Monitoring of Methylparathion Degradation in an Acid Aqueous Medium in Presence of Cu(II)

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of Cu(II) in degradation of methylparathion (o,o-dimethyl o, 4-nitrophenyl phosphoriotioate) in acid medium. Initial electrochemical characterization of Cu(II) and methylparathion was done in an aqueous medium at a pH range of 2–7. Cu(II) was studied in the presence of different anions and it was observed that its electroactivity depends on pH and is independent of the anion used. Methylparathion had two reduction signals at pH ≤ 6 and only one at pH > 6. The pesticide's transformation kinetic was then studied in the presence of Cu(II) in acid buffered aqueous medium at pH values of 2, 4, and 7. Paranitrophenol appeared as the only electroactive product at all three pH values. The reaction was first order and had k values of 5.2 × 10^?3 s^?1 at pH 2, 5.5 × 10^?3 s^?1 at pH 4 and 9.0 × 10^?3 s^?1 at pH 7. It is concluded that the principal degradation pathway of methylparathion in acid medium is a Cu(II) catalyzed hydrolysis reaction.     

Schwermetallbelastung von Dreissena polymorpha in Donau und Drau und ihre Bedeutung als Bioindikator

Zusammenfassung  Ziel und Absicht. Das Hauptinteresse der Untersuchung galt dem Vergleich der Schwermetallbelastung von Dreissena polymorpha mit jener im Wasser und im Sediment. Damit sollte ein Beitrag zu der kontrovers geführten Diskussion über die Rolle von D. polymorpha als Bioindikator geleister werden. Methoden. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die Konzentrationen von Zink, Kupfer, Cadmium und Blei im Gesamtweichk?rper und in ausgew?hlten Organsystemen von D. polymorpha aus der Donau und der Drau mittels Atomabsorptionsspektrophotometrie (AAS) analysiert und miteinander verglichen. Ergebnisse und Schlu?folgerungen. Die Schwermetallkonzentrationen in den Gesamtweichk?rpern und den Organsystemen von D. polymorpha aus der Drau waren durchgehend h?her als jene von Muscheln aus der Donau. Für Zink und Cadmium lagen die Werte in den Muscheln aus der Drau auch deutlich über jenen, wie sie für Muscheln aus unbelasteten Gew?ssern in Deutschland und den Niederlanden angegeben wurden. Innerhalb der untersuchten Organsysteme wurden Unterschiede festgestellt. Zink und Kupfer wurden haupts?chlich in den Kiemen beziehungsweise im Gewebe von Fu? und Byssusdrüse angereichert, Cadmium und Blei hingegen im Gewebe der Mitteldarmdrüse. Die Schwermetallkonzentrationen im Sediment und in D. polymorpha waren um ein Vielfaches h?her als jene des Wassers. W?hrend zwischen den Konzentrationen im Wasser und jenen in den Muscheln kein Zusammenhang festgesteilt werden konnte, stimmten im Gegensatz dazu die Schwermetallbelastungen bei Sediment und Muscheln auffallend gut überein. Empfehlungen und Ausblick. Aufgrund der erzielten Ergebnisse wird angeregt, in zukünftigen Untersuchungen ein besonderes Augenmerk auf die Verh?ltnisse im Sediment zu richten. Erst durch eine ausreichende Kenntnis der damit in Verbindung stehenden Gegebenheiten ist eine umfassende Bewertung von D. polymorpha als Bioindikator m?glich. OnlineFirst: 30. August 2004