Extraction and characterization of hydroxyapatite-based materials from grey triggerfish skin and black scabbardfish bones

The conversion of food industry by-products to compounds with high added value is nowadays a significant topic, for social, environmental, and economic reasons. In this paper, calcium phosphate-based materials were obtained from black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo) bones and grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) skin, which are two of the most abundant fish by-products of Madeira Island. Different calcination temperatures between 400 and 1000°C were employed. Materials obtained from calcination of bones of black scabbard fish were composed by homogeneous mixtures of hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO4)₆(OH)₂, HAp) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂, β-TCP). Because of the high biocompatibility of HAp and the good resorbability of β-TCP, these natural biphasic materials could be very relevant in the field of biomaterials, as bone grafts. The ratio between HAp and β-TCP in the biphasic compound was dependent on the calcination temperature. Differently, the material obtained from skin of grey triggerfish contained HAp as the main phase, together with small amounts of other mineral phases, such as halite and rhenanite, which are known to enhance osteogenesis when used as bone substitutes. In both cases, the increase of calcination temperature led to an increase in the particles size with a consequent decrease in their specific surface area. These results demonstrate that from the fish by-products of the most consumed fishes in Madeira Island it is possible to obtain bioceramic materials with tunable composition and particle morphology, which could be promising materials for the biomedical field.     

Marine Phospholipids from Fishery By-Products Attenuate Atherosclerosis

In this study, the anti-atherosclerotic properties of three marine phospholipids (MPLs) extracts from fishery by-products including codfish roe, squid gonad, and shrimp head are verified. Their effects on key factors involved in atherosclerosis are examined and compared to explore whether the differences in their constitutions lead to the differences in the function. All three MPLs dampen oxidation of low- density lipoproteins (LDL) in vitro. Treating RAW264.7 macrophages and HUVECs endothelial cells with each MPLs ranging 10–100 µg mL⁻¹ does not decrease cell viability, yet ox-LDL caused cytotoxicity of both cells are alleviated by 50 or 100 µg mL⁻¹ MPLs treatment. In addition, the three MPLs reduce ox-LDL induced macrophage foam-like transition, mainly through inhibition of lipid uptake. Of the three MPLs, the one from squid gonad exhibits the best effect. On the other hand, all three MPLs modulate inflammatory responses, equally, by inhibiting the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells, and decreasing secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and MCP-1. Using a high-cholesterol diet induced zebrafish model, it is found that all three MPLs, especially the one from squid gonad, alleviates cholesterol accumulation in early plaques, and decreases total cholesterol as well as lipid peroxide in vivo. Practical Applications: As a way of making the best of the increasingly scarce marine resources, valuable lipid components can be recovered from by-products and wastes from the fishery industry. Here, we tested the anti-atherosclerotic effects and the mechanisms of three MPLs extracted from codfish roe, squid gonad, and shrimp head. Our study provides further evidence that marine phospholipids extracted from fishery by-products could protect against atherosclerosis, and helps to elucidate the structure-function relationship of MPLs.     

Valorisation of potato wastes

Potato processing industry has a high degree of discarding, which currently has low added value being used primarily for animal feed. However, potato wastes offer a broad range of interesting components such as antioxidants, starch, protein or fibre with potential applications in the food and non-food industries. The recovery of these high valuable fractions using efficient multistage and multiproduct processes could be of great interest. This short review provides a general overview on the integral valorisation of potato wastes, offering an updated vision of the main residual parts generated during potato harvesting and processing, the high valuable obtained components focusing on the bioactive ones and the potential of the emerging extraction techniques over conventional ones. In addition, innovative applications are discussed to highlight the scientific and applied interest of these underutilised and undervalued fractions and to emphasise the integral valorisation of raw materials.     

一氯胺消毒剂检测新技术及应用

讨论了传统一氯胺测定方法在应用中的局限性,并介绍了一种新的检测技术.实际应用表明该技术可以使水厂饮用水消毒中产生尽可能多的一氯胺,还可以使污水处理厂出水消毒中一氯胺的检测精确,而不受有机氯胺、亚硝酸盐和锰的干扰;帮助水厂控制过量投加氯和氨,从而降低成本.     

Field observations on the occurrence of new indicators of disinfection efficiency

This paper summarizes studies on the presence of acid-fast and yeast organisms in wastewater and water treatment plants and in surface water. These organisms were found to satisfy three of Bonde's criteria for indicator organisms: presence whenever pathogens are likely to be present; resistance at least equal to that of pathogens; and lack of regrowth in the post-treatment environment. This, plus prior data, indicates that these organisms are at least as acceptable as indicators of disinfection efficiency than the coliform group.     

On the suitability of agricultural by-products for the manufacture of granular activated carbon

An investigation of several agricultural by-products revealed that their suitability for activated carbon production is not determined by general material-specific features (elemental composition) but by type-specific features. A coarse-cellular structure (as in wood), which is indicated by porosities of the raw materials higher than 35% is disadvantageous. A specific change in the properties of cokes (porosity, density, hardness) is possible by varying the conditions of pyrolysis. By rapid heating in the pyrolysis step, for instance, macroporous residues are produced. Temperature and burnoff have the greatest influence on the quality of the activated carbon during the activation step. Of the investigated materials, coconut shells yield granular activated carbon of the highest quality. The following order of suitability of raw materials for activated carbon production was established: coconut shells> peach stones> plum stones> hazelnut shells> walnut shells> cherry stones.     

Product and by-product formation in laboratory studies on disinfection electrolysis of water using boron-doped diamond anodes

Boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes were studied with respect to the formation of inorganic by-products in water electrolysis. Experiments in non-divided cells were performed with systems containing sulphate, chloride, chlorite, chlorate and nitrate ions. Discontinuous experiments in thermostated cells with rotating disk diamond anodes and expanded mesh IrO₂ cathodes were carried out at 20 °C. Current density was varied between 50 and 300 A m⁻². Ion chromatography was mainly used for species detection.

It was not possible to demonstrate the decomposition of sulphate although a slight tendency seems to exist in some experiments. Hydrogen peroxide is one of the anodic and cathodic by-products. Active chlorine is detectable at higher chloride concentrations compared with the use of mixed oxide anodes (MIO). One reason for this is the reaction of formed chlorine with ozone or hydrogen peroxide. Chlorate can be formed electrolysing chloride, hypochlorite and chlorite solutions. Perchlorate formation was detected. Cathodic processes are responsible for the formation of nitrite ions and ammonia. If chlorine is present, the formation of monochloramine is one possible side reaction. Results show that the processes are very complex. Reaction spectra may vary from case to case. Perchlorate formation is a high risk in drinking water treatment.     

Disinfection of wastewaters: high-energy electron vs gamma irradiation

A study was undertaken to examine the sensitivity of a wastewater population of coliphage, total coliforms and total flora present in raw sewage and secondary effluent after irradiating with similar doses delivered by a high-energy electron beam and y -radiation. The electron beam study was conducted on a large scale at the Virginia Key Wastewater Treatment Plant, Miami, Fla. The facility is equipped with a 1.5 MeV, 50 mA electron accelerator, with a wastewater flow rate of 8 ls⁻¹. Concurrent y-radiation studies were conducted at laboratory scale using a 5000 Ci, ⁶⁰Co y -source. Three logs reduction of all three test organisms were observed at an electron beam dose of 500 krads, while at least four logs reduction were observed at the same dose utilizing the y-source.     

商业布草的清洗与消毒概述

讨论了商业布草清洗消毒的现状,阐述了目前国内商业布草洗涤存在的问题及现在普遍使用的检测方法和标准,并分析了布草残留的主要原因,进一步探讨了商业布草洗涤领域热议的新发展、新技术。旨在让更多人了解到商业布草的现状,得到业内人士的关注,激发更多研究人员与管理人员改善商业布草洗涤消毒现存问题的欲望,进一步满足人们对高质量生活的要求。     

气相色谱法检测消毒产品中的正丙醇与乙醇

使用HP-Plot Q色谱柱与FID检测器检测消毒剂中复配的正丙醇与乙醇含量,最大方法相对偏差(RSD)为2.14%,最小方法回收率为100.0%,乙醇与正丙醇的检出浓度为0.025%,是一种快速准确的一针检测法。