Comprehensive matrices for regulatory approvals and genetic characterization of genetically modified organisms

The production of new types of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the use of products containing or derived from these materials are expanding globally. This poses a challenge in providing cost-effective comprehensive analyses. In this line, the state of art testing approaches rely on a matrix representing the GM events with their corresponding GM markers - DNA elements used in plants' transformation. Accordingly, this study aimed first at constructing an updated and comprehensive matrix of genetic characterization of GM events based on an extensive review of the relevant databases. Inclusive lists of 356 GM markers and 508 events in 29 plant species were compiled and organized into a matrix. The frequency of occurrence of these elements was then determined. Moreover, for the first time, a matrix representing the regulatory status of every compiled GM event was established. Remarkably, numerous inconsistencies were detected among the databases at the levels of nomenclature, events' registry, molecular characterization and regulatory approvals. Both matrices represent a useful tool for comprehensive and cost-effective analyses. The genetic matrix permits designing the most straightforward testing strategy that provides the maximum information about GMOs in a sample in the minimum number of experimental steps. Moreover, the novel regulatory matrix, allows further decreasing the number of required event-specific identification tests by giving higher probabilities to those authorized in the samples' country of origin. Finally, the genetics and regulatory matrices represent the building-block for establishing an inclusive automated database for GMOs which is instrumental for testing laboratories worldwide.     

Willingness-to-pay price premiums for certified fruits —A case of fresh apples in China

Food safety certification has increasingly received much attention by Chinese consumers since the melamine milk crisis. The paper aims to determine consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) a price premium for fruit quality certification, and outreach strategy to monitor fresh fruit regulations. 504 fresh apple consumers in four cities located in different parts of China were interviewed face-to-face by a structured questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to reduce and summarize information on fruit attributes variables. Probit regression model was employed to identify critical determinants of consumers' WTP for certified fruits. Gender, education background and monthly income were the positive deciding factors for consumers WTP a premium for certified fruits. Better knowledge and higher confidence in certified fruits would foster consumers' WTP. Fruit quality and purchase convenience were also important factors being considered by consumers.     

环保生物酸技术研究与应用

环保生物酸解堵剂是一种高性能的生物活性酸,不仅可以解决油井堵塞的问题,还可以解除钻井、压裂等聚合物的残渣伤害。环保生物酸能有效保证酸进入油水井井眼深处,且酸化形成物对地层伤害很小,具有有效期长、无需返排的特点。在胡尖山油田的现场应用表明,油井产液、产油上升较快,含水稳中有降,措施效果较好。     

Sampling of raw materials and processed foods for the presence of GMOs

The extent to which sampling of raw materials and foods, for detection of the presence of GMOs, presents a significant problem depends on the type of material to be sampled, the purpose of the analysis and the degree of risk that is acceptable in obtaining a wrong result. Sampling for indications of non-segregation or co-mingling of raw materials is the main area for which sample plans will for the future need to be developed. Fortunately, there is considerable experience in sampling of commodities in analogous areas such as for the presence of mycotoxins in cereals and nuts where well-tested sampling plans could be utilised.     

生物工程用稠环芳烃衍生物

对应用于生物工程的萘、芴、芘、蒽、苊等稠环芳烃衍生物作了概括介绍。     

Innovative technologies to manage aflatoxins in foods and feeds and the profitability of application – A review

Aflatoxins are mainly produced by certain strains of Aspergillus flavus, which are found in diverse agricultural crops. In many lower-income countries, aflatoxins pose serious public health issues since the occurrence of these toxins can be considerably common and even extreme. Aflatoxins can negatively affect health of livestock and poultry due to contaminated feeds. Additionally, they significantly limit the development of international trade as a result of strict regulation in high-value markets. Due to their high stability, aflatoxins are not only a problem during cropping, but also during storage, transport, processing, and handling steps. Consequently, innovative evidence-based technologies are urgently required to minimize aflatoxin exposure. Thus far, biological control has been developed as the most innovative potential technology of controlling aflatoxin contamination in crops, which uses competitive exclusion of toxigenic strains by non-toxigenic ones. This technology is commercially applied in groundnuts maize, cottonseed, and pistachios during pre-harvest stages. Some other effective technologies such as irradiation, ozone fumigation, chemical and biological control agents, and improved packaging materials can also minimize post-harvest aflatoxins contamination in agricultural products. However, integrated adoption of these pre- and post-harvest technologies is still required for sustainable solutions to reduce aflatoxins contamination, which enhances food security, alleviates malnutrition, and strengthens economic sustainability.     

改善植物油的氧化稳定性

分析了植物油氧化稳定性差的原因,从抗氧剂,生物技术和化学改性方面评述了改善植物油氧化稳定性的方法。     

Quality deterioration of phane, the edible caterpillar of an emperor moth Imbrasia belina

The cause for the deterioration of quality in phane, the edible larva of the emperor moth, Imbrasia belina (Westwood) was investigated. Samples were subjected to bacteriological and mycological analyses. In addition insect pests which affect storage life of the product were also assessed. 70% of the bacterial isolates associated with phane were proteolytic and 75% were either chitinolytic, lipolytic or both. Most isolates were sporeformers. But, other Gram-positive and negative isolates were also present in significant numbers. The most frequent fungal isolates were species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Cladosporium and phycomycetes. Some of the fungal isolates are known to be mycotoxin producers. The insect which were associated with phane were Dermestes maculatus, Sitophilus zeamais, Corcyra cephalonica, Tribolium confusum, Tribolium casteneum, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Bracon hebetor, Anisopteromalus cavandrae, and Stathmopoda species. Mites were also found infesting stored phane. The postharvest deterioration of phane appeared to be a concerted effort by the bacteria, moulds and insects.     

Hydrotreating rice bran oil for biofuel production

Hydrotreating technique is one of the most promising method for producing high quality of biofuels from plant oils. Here, the non-esculent rice bran oil was subjected to hydrotreatment in a high pressure cata-test unit, using sulfided NiMo/Al₂O₃, catalyst, under various pressures, temperatures and liquid hourly space velocities. The influence of each of these factors on the qualities and quantities of the acquired products was investigated, and the operating conditions were optimized. Evaluation of the final product was made on basis of its fuel characteristics, and compared with those of the raw oil. The results revealed the significant improvement of the physicochemical properties of the hydrotreated product to become very close, or may be better than those derived from petroleum sources.     

激活地层本源微生物提高稠油采收率

以地层微生物地化活动的活化作用为基础的提高石油采收率生物技术，在大港孔店油田做了先导性试验（2001～2004年）。微生物的活化作用是通过注水井循环导入充气水和补充含N，P的矿物盐而获得的。这项生物技术的使用引起地层微生物的活化，这个活化首先是在注水井的近井底区域，接着是在沿着水动力学方向一致的区域进行。第一阶段，需氧烃降解微生物的活性增加，导致地层水碳酸氢盐和乙酸盐含量的增加；第二阶段，在缺氧区域甲烷产生菌被激活。本源MEOR先导性试验表明，地层水中的微生物指标与生产井的产量有关，通过试验多采出16000余吨原油。     

Degradation of acephate and its metabolite methamidophos in rice during processing and storage

The degradation of acephate and its metabolite methamidophos during different stages of commercial processing, homing processing, and storage was assessed. Residues were determined by a simple gas-chromatographic method using a flame photometry detector. Acephate and methamidophos mostly remained in rice hull fractions, and hulling significantly reduced acephate and methamidophos in rice. Commercial processing caused the loss of 86% of acephate and 35.9% of methamidophos from rough brown rice to polished rice, whereas home processing caused the loss of 83.9% of acephate and 70% of methamidophos from polished rice to cooked rice. Washing for 5, 15, and 30 min (with tap water, 0.9% NaCl, and 0.1% Na₂CO₃) caused an average loss in the range of 9.8%-35.3% of acephate and 9.7%-45.2% of methamidophos. Extending washing time and adding a small amount of soda into the washing solution can efficiently eliminate acephate and methamidophos. The stability of acephate and methamidophos in polished rice was studied at different storage intervals, from 7 to 42 days at ambient temperatures (25 °C). Methamidophos was found to be more persistent than acephate.     

农用乳化沥青的研究

通过实验室小型和中型试验，对沥青原料进行了筛选，研制出符合暂定技术要求的农用乳化沥青产品。考察了沥青原料和乳化剂用量对乳液性质的影响：随沥青用量的增加，乳液粘度明显增大；随乳化剂用量的增加，乳液储存稳定性和稀释稳定性均有较为明显的改善。