Effective antibacterial and antioxidant properties of methanolic extract of Laurus nobilis seed oil

This study was carried out to determine the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil, seed oil, and methanolic extract of seed oil obtained from Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae). The methanolic extract of seed oil exhibited more effective antibacterial activity comparing to essential oil and seed oil, GC-MS analyses of the essential oil resulted in the identification of 25 compounds. 1.8-Cineol (44.72%), a-Terpinyl acetate (12.95%), Sabinene (12.82%) were the main components. The fatty acid composition was characterized with the high content of linoleic acid (40.79%) and lauric acid (38.08%). The 50% (IC50) inhibition activity of the essential oil on the free radical DPPH was determined as 94.655 mg ml(-1), whereas IC50 value of methanolic extract of seed oil was found unstable. In the case of the linoleic acid system, oxidation of linoleic acid was inhibited by essential oil and methanolic extract of seed oil, which showed 64.28 and 88.76% inhibition, respectively. The inhibition value of the methanolic extract of seed oil was quite close to the synthetic antioxidant BHT, 92.46% inhibition.     

The influence of sweating on the heat transmission properties of cold protective clothing studied with a sweating thermal manikin.

One of the objectives of the European SUBZERO project was to study the influence of sweat evaporation and condensation on the heat transmission properties of cold protective clothing. With the sweating thermal manikin Coppelius, water vapour transfer through and water condensation in the clothing can be determined simultaneously with the thermal insulation. In this study, 4 cold protective ensembles, intended for use temperatures between 0 and -50 degrees C, were measured with the dry manikin and at 2 different sweating rates. In addition, the ensembles were measured with non-sweating thermal manikins and in wear trials.     

Blood clinical-chemical parameters and feeding history in growing Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) chicks exposed to Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate and Dechlorane Plus in ovo

Blood clinical-chemical parameters (BCCPs) are used to investigate physiological consequences attributed to exposure to anthropogenic stressors, such as exposure to Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) and Dechlorane Plus (DP), which are flame retardants (FRs), on avian health. Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were used as a model species to investigate individual and mixture effects of both FRs by injecting different concentrations (5, 50, or 500 ng/µL) of either of these compounds as well as a 1:1 mixture of both into fertilized eggs. To estimate post-hatching effects, 18 BCCPs were evaluated from 101 chicks at day 14. Albumin levels were found to be significantly elevated in the groups exposed to high doses of TDCIPP alone as well as a mixture of TDCIPP and DP. However, during the course of the study, the initial corn-based feed had to be substituted by a fishmeal-based feed. The 8 days consuming the new feed played a significant role on 12 of 18 BCCPs measured. Consequently, it is recommended that dietary habits need to be considered when investigating the physiological impact of contaminants using BCCPs as biomarkers in growing nestlings both in controlled in vivo and field experiments.     

Influence of irrigation methods and an adjuvant on the persistence of carbaryl on pakchoi

Influence of irrigation methods and use of an adjuvant on the persistence of the carbaryl (1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate) on pakchoi [Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis (Rupr.) Olsson] was studied using a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit. After applying carbaryl at a.i. 10.6 g L(-1) with or without an adjuvant (Latron B-1956) to leaves, plants were provided water daily by either overhead or basal application. Pesticide residue on leaf tissues was examined immediately after pesticide application and on 2, 4, 6, and 8 d after pesticide application. Use of the adjuvant did not affect the initial deposit of the pesticide, however pesticide persistence was improved with the adjuvant regardless of irrigation. Overhead irrigation contributed to rapid loss of the pesticide by washing carbaryl from the leaf surface. The longest half-life of carbaryl (6.5 d) was detected on plants receiving basal irrigation plus the adjuvant while the shortest half-life (2 d) was observed when plants were treated with overhead irrigation and no adjuvant.     

Spatial distribution and sources of trace elements in sediments affected by old mining activities

The distribution of trace elements throughout mining areas is an important issue because abandoned tailings could be a major source of environmental pollution. In order to analyze the spatial variation of trace elements in a zone where mining activities took place and to identify pollution sources in the study area, a three-step study was carried out at a regional, at a local, and a detailed scale. In addition, a conceptual model of trace elements dispersion was established and confirmed by a geographic information system. The results obtained allowed to establish points affected by primary, secondary, and tertiary contamination, according to their proximity to contamination sources and as a function of attenuation processes which could take place in the studied area.     

Decontamination trends in the aquacultured fish gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) after feeding long-term a PCDD/F spiked feed

Aquacultured fish gilthead seabream (Sparusaurata), previously exposed to low levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) trough the diet for a 13 months period, were fed on a clean feed for another 22 months. Gilthead seabream is a protandrous hermaphrodite species and this “decontamination” period coincided with the stages of sex differentiation, maturity and reproduction of the fish. PCDD/F levels in the fish tissues (i.e. muscle, liver, perivisceral fat and gonads), expressed in pg WHO-TEQ g⁻¹ fresh weight, showed a general decreasing trend during the “decontamination” period. However, this general trend varied among tissues and was also dependent on sex and lipid contents. Toxicological effects affecting fish behaviour and hepatic marker responses were also evaluated. The results pointed out that exposure to PCDD/Fs did not have an impact on fish development and reproduction, since the proportion of sexes found after the sex reversal process was within the normal range described for this species. In addition, long-term exposure to low PCDD/F levels did not significantly affect the response of most of the biochemical markers considered. On the contrary, some of them (e.g. EROD activity) showed variations in their responses during the sex differentiation process and onwards. Finally, the hepatic AhR mRNA levels increased during dioxin exposure but they returned to values typical for non-exposed fish after the “decontamination” period.     

Multi-compartmental environmental surveillance of a petrochemical area: levels of micropollutants

Since 2002, the chemical/petrochemical industrial zone of Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain) is being annually monitored. As part of the environmental surveillance program, in this study the levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Pb and V) were determined in soil and vegetation samples collected in 4 areas of Tarragona County (chemical, petrochemical, urban/residential, and unpolluted). Moreover, the airborne concentrations of the same micropollutants were determined in each area. In soil samples, significant higher levels of PCNs and higher concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PAHs were found in the urban zone. PCDD/F levels in vegetation samples significantly decreased from 2002. The concentrations of Cr in soil samples, as well as V levels in vegetation samples collected in the vicinity of an oil refinery were significantly higher than those found in the unpolluted zones. A significant and progressive increase in V concentrations was also noted. The current results clearly indicate that the petrochemical industry is still being an important focus of inorganic pollution for the surrounding environment. In air, the higher amount of the 7 carcinogenic PAHs suggests a relatively greater impact on the petrochemical and urban areas. The temporal trend of the global pollution was also studied an Integral Risk Index was applied.     

Factors affecting re-vegetation dynamics of experimentally restored extracted peatland in Estonia

Increasing human activity continues to threaten peatlands, and as the area of natural mires declines, our obligation is to restore their ecosystem functions. Several restoration strategies have been developed for restoration of extracted peatlands, including “The moss layer transfer method”, which was initiated on the Tässi extracted peatland in central Estonia in May 2012. Three-year study shows that despite the fluctuating water table, rainfall events can compensate for the insufficient moisture for mosses. Total plant cover on the restoration area attained 70 %, of which ~60 % is comprised of target species—Sphagnum mosses. From restoration treatments, spreading of plant fragments had a significant positive effect on the cover of bryophyte and vascular plants. Higher water table combined with higher plant fragments spreading density and stripping of oxidised peat layer affected positively the cover of targeted Sphagnum species. The species composition in the restoration area became similar to that in the donor site in a natural bog. Based on results, it was concluded that the method approved for restoration in North America gives good results also in the restoration of extracted peatland towards re-establishment of bog vegetation under northern European conditions.