Mineral constituents in Leccinum scabrum from lowland locations in the central Europe and their relation to concentration in forest topsoil

Leccinum scabrum is an edible mushroom common in European regions in the northern hemisphere. Macro and trace mineral constituents such as Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, P, Rb, Sr and Zn were studied in L. scabrum and in the top soil collected from the same location underneath soil substratum. The “pseudo-total” and labile (extractable fraction of minerals) were measured to get insight into the levels, distribution between the morphological parts of fruiting bodies, potential for their bioconcentration by mushroom and evaluated for human exposure via consumption of the mushroom. The sampling sites include the Dar?lubska Wilderness, Trójmiejski Landscape Park, Sobieszewo Island, Wdzydze Landscape Park and outskirts of the K?trzyn town in Mazury from the norther part of Poland. Median values of K, Rb and P concentrations in dehydrated L. scabrum were for caps in range 27,000–44,000 mg kg^?1, 90–320 mg kg^?1 and 6,200–9,100 mg kg^?1, and followed by Mg at 880–1,000 mg kg^?1, Ca at 48–210 mg kg^?1 and Al at 15–120 mg kg^?1. The median concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in caps were in range 15–27 mg kg^?1 db 38–140 mg kg^?1, 5.3–27 mg kg^?1 and 130–270 mg kg^?1. For Ba and Sr, concentrations on the average were at ～1 mg kg^?1, and almost equally distributed between the caps and stipes of the fruiting bodies. L. scabrum mushrooms were low in toxic Ag, Cd, Hg and Pb, for which the median values in dried caps from five locations were, respectively, in range 0.48–0.98 mg kg^?1 (cap to stipe index, Q_C/S, was 2.5–4.1), 1.0–5.8 mg kg^?1 (Q_C/S 2.9–3.8), 0.36–0.59 mg kg^?1 (Q_C/S 1.6–2.7) and 0.20–0.91 mg kg^?1 (Q_C/S 1.2–1.9). Substantial variations in the concentrations of the “pseudo-total” fraction (extracted by aqua regia) or labile fraction (extracted by 20% solution of nitric acid) of the elements determined in forest topsoils were noted between some of the locations examined. The elements K, P, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Na, Rb and Zn can be considered as those which were bioconcentrated by L. scabrum in fruiting bodies, while the rates of accumulation varied with the sampling location.     

Can Export-Oriented Aquaculture in Developing Countries be Sustainable and Promote Sustainable Development? The Shrimp Case

Industrial shrimp farming has been promoted by international development and financial institutions in coastal indebted poor countries as a way to obtain foreign exchange earnings, reimburse external debt, and promote development. The promotion of the shrimp industry is a clear example of a more general trend of support of export-oriented primary products, consisting in monocultures of commodities, as opposed to the promotion of more diverse, traditional production directed to feed the local population. In general, it is assumed that export-oriented aquaculture and agriculture, in a framework of liberalization policies, facilitates economic growth and this is associated with poverty reduction and the improvement of food security. However, it has been shown that the promotion of export-oriented production, mostly in the hands of big corporations, can have detrimental consequences for the livelihoods of local populations and the environment. As a result, international institutions, NGOs, and the industry aim to minimize these impacts by promoting sustainable export-oriented production. But some impacts may remain, since the main issue is the primary focus on international deregulated markets and the search for cheap primary products. To illustrate the relationships between the mainstream concept of development, the environmental and social impact of industrial farming systems, and the promotion of export-oriented production in developing countries, this article analyzes the case of the shrimp aquaculture industry.     

Health and Environmental Implications of Rural Female Entrepreneurship Practices in Osun State Nigeria

In rural Nigeria, food processing is mostly engaged in by women and children. Most of these processes are done using outdated technologies that make use of traditional woodstoves. This article presents the health and environmental implications of the rural female entrepreneurs involved in food processing and proffer means of bettering the lot of these women to handle these hazards. A partially structured questionnaire and focus group discussion was used to capture data from respondents. The study revealed that about 73 % of women involved in direct production of garri and palm oil processing could be at risk of early death or disability-adjusted life years from the mentioned diseases. The article concludes that the rural female entrepreneur needs to be better positioned to handle these hazards, for her health, that of her children, as well as for the environment.     

Balancing Water Resources Development and Environmental Sustainability in Africa: A Review of Recent Research Findings and Applications

Sustainable development in Africa is dependent on increasing use of the continent’s water resources without significantly degrading ecosystem services that are also fundamental to human wellbeing. This is particularly challenging in Africa because of high spatial and temporal variability in the availability of water resources and limited amounts of total water availability across expansive semi-arid portions of the continent. The challenge is compounded by ambitious targets for increased water use and a rush of international funding to finance development activities. Balancing development with environmental sustainability requires (i) understanding the boundary conditions imposed by the continent’s climate and hydrology today and into the future, (ii) estimating the magnitude and spatial distribution of water use needed to meet development goals, and (iii) understanding the environmental water requirements of affected ecosystems, their current status and potential consequences of increased water use. This article reviews recent advancements in each of these topics and highlights innovative approaches and tools available to support sustainable development. While much remains to be learned, scientific understanding and technology should not be viewed as impediments to sustainable development on the continent.     

Low dose effects and non-monotonic dose responses for endocrine active chemicals: Science to practice workshop: Workshop summary

A workshop was held in Berlin September 12–14th 2012 to assess the state of the science of the data supporting low dose effects and non-monotonic dose responses (“low dose hypothesis”) for chemicals with endocrine activity (endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs). This workshop consisted of lectures to present the current state of the science of EDC action and also the risk assessment process. These lectures were followed by breakout sessions to integrate scientists from various backgrounds to discuss in an open and unbiased manner the data supporting the “low dose hypothesis”. While no consensus was reached the robust discussions were helpful to inform both basic scientists and risk assessors on all the issues. There were a number of important ideas developed to help continue the discussion and improve communication over the next few years.     

Food utilization and growth of cutworm Spodoptera litura Fabricius larvae exposed to nickel,and its effect on reproductive potential

Food utilization and growth of the 5th and 6th instar Spodoptera litura Fabricius larvae, and its effect on reproduction potential was evaluated by feeding larvae diets with different doses of Ni for 3 generations. Dose-dependent relationships between Ni levels and food consumption and growth were variable with different larval developmental period and Ni exposure duration. RCR, AD and RGR of the 6th instar larvae were much more affected by Ni exposure than those of 5th instar larvae, and the effects were strongest in the 3rd generation. It was found that RCR was significantly stimulated after 1 and 20 mg kg⁻¹ Ni exposure, while AD was significantly inhibited after 1, 5, 10 and 40 mg kg⁻¹ Ni exposure. However, lower levels of Ni (?5 mg kg⁻¹) significantly increased and higher levels of Ni (?10 mg kg⁻¹) significantly decreased RGR. In 3 successive generations, 10 mg kg⁻¹ Ni significantly increased the ECI and ECD of the 5th instar larvae, and 5 mg kg⁻¹ Ni significantly increased the ECD of the 6th instar larvae. However, ECD were all significantly inhibited with 20 mg kg⁻¹ Ni exposure. Results also revealed that durations of larvae were shortened at low levels of Ni, but extended at high levels of Ni. Fecundity was inhibited by the highest Ni doses in each generation, while improved by low Ni doses in the 3rd generation. Hatching rates in all treatments were significantly decreased in a Ni dose-dependent manner. Study indicated that effects of Ni on these parameters were predominant with the increasing Ni exposure period.     

Human health risk from Heavy metal via food crops consumption with wastewater irrigation practices in Pakistan

The current study was designed to investigate the potential human health risks associated with consumption of food crops contaminated with toxic heavy metals. Cadmium (Cd) concentration in surface soils; Cd, lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) in the irrigation water and food crops were above permissible limits. The accumulation factor (AF) was >1 for manganese (Mn) and Pb in different food crops. The Health Risk Index (HRI) was >1 for Pb in all food crops irrigated with wastewater and tube well water. HRI >1 was also recorded for Cd in all selected vegetables; and for Mn in Spinacia oleracea irrigated with wastewater. All wastewater irrigated samples (soil and food crops) exhibited high relative contamination level as compared to samples irrigated with tube well water. Our results emphasized the need for pretreatment of wastewater and routine monitoring in order to avoid contamination of food crops from the wastewater irrigation system.     

离子色谱法测定污泥与餐厨垃圾联合厌氧发酵液中有机酸

采用离子色谱法同时测定污泥与餐厨垃圾联合厌氧发酵液中乳酸、乙酸、丙酸、正丁酸、异丁酸、正戊酸、异戊酸等7种有机酸,通过试验优化洗脱程序,使得7种有机酸在2．00mg／L～60．0mg／L范围内线性良好。试验表明,方法检出限为0．250mg／L～0．580mg／L,标准样品的加标回收率为93．O％～108％,8次测定结果的RSD为3．7％一7．1％,实际样品测定的加标回收率为90．6％～109％。     

Assessment of human exposure to benzene through foods from the Belgian market

Benzene is a volatile organic compound known to be carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) and may be present in food. In the present study, 455 food samples from the Belgian market were analyzed for benzene contents and some possible sources of its occurrence in the foodstuffs were evaluated. Benzene was found above the level of detection in 58% of analyzed samples with the highest contents found in processed foods such as smoked and canned fish, and foods which contained these as ingredients (up to 76.21 μg kg⁻¹). Unprocessed foods such as raw meat, fish, and eggs contained much lower concentrations of benzene. Using the benzene concentrations in food, a quantitative dietary exposure assessment of benzene intake was conducted on a national representative sample of the Belgian population over 15 years of age. The mean benzene intake for all foods was 0.020 μg kg bw d⁻¹ according to a probabilistic analysis. These values are below the minimum risk level for oral chronic exposure to benzene (0.5 μg kg bw d⁻¹).     

Microwave/SPME method to quantify pesticide residues in tomato fruits

A new analytical method using focused microwave-assisted extraction (FMAE), coupled with solid phase micro-extraction (SPME), has been elaborated to determine 25 pesticides used in tomato cultivation. Microwave energy was used for a fast and controlled heating of solvent to selectively extract compounds. Calibration curves were plotted from blank tomato samples spiked at different concentrations with standards. A linear response was obtained between 10 and 1000 μ g/Kg for pyrethroids and between 0.1 and 5000 μ g/Kg for other compounds. For all studied substances, the resulting correlation coefficient (r²) was greater than 0.99. Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were measured lower than 8 and 25 μ g/Kg, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was determined below 15% for all pesticides. Field incurred tomato samples were used to validate the new FMAE/SPME method. Observed analysis results by using this technique were in good agreement compared to those obtained by two accredited trading laboratories using traditional methods. Four tomato samples, bought in a local market, were also tested with the FMAE/SPME method.