Toxicity of nanoparticles of CuO, ZnO and TiO2 to microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Toxicities of ZnO, TiO₂ and CuO nanoparticles to Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata were determined using OECD 201 algal growth inhibition test taking in account potential shading of light. The results showed that the shading effect by nanoparticles was negligible. ZnO nanoparticles were most toxic followed by nano CuO and nano TiO₂. The toxicities of bulk and nano ZnO particles were both similar to that of ZnSO₄ (72 h EC50 ~ 0.04 mg Zn/l). Thus, in this low concentration range the toxicity was attributed solely to solubilized Zn²⁺ ions. Bulk TiO₂ (EC50 = 35.9 mg Ti/l) and bulk CuO (EC50 = 11.55 mg Cu/l) were less toxic than their nano formulations (EC50 = 5.83 mg Ti/l and 0.71 mg Cu/l). NOEC (no-observed-effect-concentrations) that may be used for risk assessment purposes for bulk and nano ZnO did not differ (~ 0.02 mg Zn/l). NOEC for nano CuO was 0.42 mg Cu/l and for bulk CuO 8.03 mg Cu/l. For nano TiO₂ the NOEC was 0.98 mg Ti/l and for bulk TiO₂ 10.1 mg Ti/l. Nano TiO₂ formed characteristic aggregates entrapping algal cells that may contribute to the toxic effect of nano TiO₂ to algae. At 72 h EC50 values of nano CuO and CuO, 25% of copper from nano CuO was bioavailable and only 0.18% of copper from bulk CuO. Thus, according to recombinant bacterial and yeast Cu-sensors, copper from nano CuO was 141-fold more bioavailable than from bulk CuO. Also, toxic effects of Cu oxides to algae were due to bioavailable copper ions.To our knowledge, this is one of the first systematic studies on effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on algal growth and the first describing toxic effects of nano CuO towards algae.     

实时控制实现短程硝化过程中种群结构的演变

为了考察实时控制下实现短程硝化过程中硝化污泥种群结构的演变,采用荧光原位杂交技术(FISH)和扫描电镜(SEM)对处理生活污水的序批式反应器内污泥进行了跟踪观测.结果表明:通过检测pH曲线上的"氨谷"特征点快速启动了短程硝化,短程硝化维持期间亚硝化积累率平均在93%左右.接种污泥形态多样,含长杆、短杆及球状菌,而随着运行的延续,污泥形态呈现了向短杆状、球状转变的态势.实时控制下反应器内亚硝酸氧化菌(NOB)逐渐被淘洗,而氨氧化菌(AOB)得到了富集.从短程硝化启动初期到短程硝化稳定运行102d,AOB的相对数量从3.5%逐渐上升到8.5%,而对应的NOB相对数量从3.1%下降至0.5%以下.利用好氧曝气时间实时控制实现短程硝化是一种面向种群优化的控制方法,有利于短程硝化系统长期稳定的运行.     

Reuse of treated municipal wastewater in irrigation: a case study from Lebanon and Jordan

In this study, we present the results of scenarios where secondary‐treated municipal wastewater was used for table grapes irrigation in the region of Ablah, Bekaa valley in Lebanon, and fodder crops irrigation (vetch and barley) in the region of Ramtha in Jordan. In Lebanon, we carried out experiments to assess the response of drip‐irrigated table grapes grown under two water quality regimes (Freshwater (FW) and treated wastewater (TW) and two water levels (100% of evapotranspiration (ETc) and 75% of ETc). While in Jordan, we carried out experiments to assess the response of drip‐irrigated fodder crops considering 4 irrigation levels (Q1: Rain fed; Q2: 80% of ETc; Q3: 100% of ETc; Q4: 120% of ETc) and three crop patterns (C1: Barley 100%; C2: Vetch 100%; C3: Mix 50% barley and 50% vetch). Based on the production and quality components, table grapes were successfully grown on plots that are supplied with TW. Fodder crops were successfully grown using TW with remarkable increase in biomass and grain yield production for the irrigated treatments.     

Estimation of the Temperature Dependent Growth Parameters of Lactobacillus Viridescens in Culture Medium with Two-step Modelling and Optimal Experimental Design Approaches

In predictive microbiology, the model parameters has been estimated using the traditional two-step modeling approach (TS), in which primary models are fitted to the microbial growth data and secondary models represent the dependence of model parameters with environmental variables. The optimal experimental design approach (OED) has been used as an alternative to TS, mainly because the improvement of model identifiability and reduction of the experimental workload and costs. The fitting of mathematical model to experimental data in TS is sequential, whereas in OED is simultaneous. Lactobacillus viridescens is a lactic acid bacteria that is of great interest to the meat products preservation. The objective of this study was to estimate the growth parameters of L. viridescens in culture medium with TS and OED. For TS, the experimental data were obtained in six temperatures; for OED, the data were obtained in four optimal non-isothermal experiments, two experiments with increasing temperatures (ITOED) and two with decreasing temperatures (DTOED). The Baranyi and Roberts, and the Square Root models were used to describe the microbial growth, in which the b and T_min parameters (± 95% confidence intervals) were estimated from the experimental data. The parameters obtained for TS were b = 0.0290 (±0.0020) h^-0.5°C^-1 and T_min = -1.33 (±1.26) °C, with R² = 0.991; for ITOED were b = 0.0314 (±0.0019) h^-0.5°C^-1 and T_min = 0.12 (±0.71) °C, with R² = 0.995; for DTOED were b = 0.0295 (±0.0019) h^-0.5°C^-1 and T_min = -1.57 (±1.05) °C, with R² = 0.999. The parameters obtained in the OED approach presented smaller confidence intervals, higher R² and less experimental time than the parameters obtained in the traditional TS approach. In this way, it is possible to answer positively that OED approach is feasible and could be widely applied in predictive microbiology.     

Microbiological Properties and Biogenic Amines of Whole Pike‐Perch (Sander Lucioperca,Linnaeus 1758): A Perspective on Fish Safety During Postharvest Handling Practices and Frozen Storage

Abstract: The biogenic amines (tyramine, histamine, cadaverine, and puterscine) and microbiological properties (mesophilic, psychrotrophic, and Pseudomonas spp.) of whole pike‐perch (Sander lucioperca) was investigated during 2 d prestorage icing and 90 d frozen storage (−24 °C). At the end of ice storage, a noticeable increase only was found for puterscine level (P < 0.05), and microbial loads of fish increased in comparison with fresh fish (P < 0.05). During the frozen storage, as time passed, a continuous increase of biogenic amines and decrease of bacterial load (except for Pseudomonas spp. at the last 30 d) was detected (P < 0.05). The total contents of biogenic amines ranged from 6.24 to 91.76 μg/g during the investigated period. Puterscine was the major amine detected in pike‐perch and its concentration varied between 1.75 and 56.95 μg/g; due to a more step‐wise increase it was a good quality indicator. At the end of storage, all of the obtained values are below the tolerable maximum amounts based on available regulations. Based on biogenic amines content and microbial load, it could be concluded that pike‐perch can be consumed without any health risks after 2 d icing condition and 90 d frozen storage. Practical Application: Biogenic amines as one of the commonest forms of food intoxication occur in protein‐rich food such as fish. Short‐time icing during transportation is the simplest method to fish preserving for processing or long‐term storage. In this study formation of biogenic amines and bacterial changes in ungutted pike‐perch as highly demanded fish species for human consumption, during transportation and frozen storage was investigated. The results of the research can be advantageously used by fish industry. These findings suggest that the production and storage practices of fish in the retails condition could have acceptable food quality level.     

Long-term exposure of bacterial and protozoan communities to TiO2 nanoparticles in an aerobic-sequencing batch reactor

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanopowders at different concentrations (0–50 mg L^?1) were injected into an aerobic-sequencing batch reactor (SBR) to investigate the effects of long-term exposure to nanoparticles on bacterial and protozoan communities. The detection of nanoparticles in the bioflocs was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The SBR wastewater experiments were conducted under the influence of ultraviolet light with photocatalytic TiO₂. The intrusion of TiO₂ nanoparticles was found both on the surface and inside of the bioflocs. The change of microbial population in terms of mixed liquor-suspended solids and the sludge volume index was monitored. The TiO₂ nanoparticles tentatively exerted an adverse effect on the microbial population, causing the reduction of microorganisms (both bacteria and protozoa) in the SBR. The respiration inhibition rate of the bacteria was increased, and the viability of the microbial population was reduced at the high concentration (50 mg L^?1) of TiO₂. The decreasing number of protozoa in the presence of TiO₂ nanoparticles during 20 days of treatment with 0.5 and 1.0 mg L^?1 TiO₂ is clearly demonstrated. The measured chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the effluent tends to increase with a long-term operation. The increase of COD in the system suggests a decrease in the efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant. However, the SBR can effectively remove the TiO₂ nanoparticles (up to 50 mg L^?1) from the effluent.     

Corrosion behavior of low‐alloy steel in the presence of Desulfovibrio caledoniensis

Sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) are shown to be common inhabitants of oil reservoirs. Desulfovibrio caledoniensis isolated from a production well was used in this study. After an incubation period of 1 month with the SRB culture, two layers of corrosion products with different compositions were detected on the test coupons. The Tafel plots showed that the corrosion potential exhibited a cathodic shift and the corrosion rates increased with the incubation time. The analysis of the Nyquist diagrams revealed that the diffusion process begins to dominate with time in bacteria containing medium. These results are in good accordance with the Tafel data.     

Dynamic Control of Electron Transfers in Diflavin Reductases

Diflavin reductases are essential proteins capable of splitting the two-electron flux from reduced pyridine nucleotides to a variety of one electron acceptors. The primary sequence of diflavin reductases shows a conserved domain organization harboring two catalytic domains bound to the FAD and FMN flavins sandwiched by one or several non-catalytic domains. The catalytic domains are analogous to existing globular proteins: the FMN domain is analogous to flavodoxins while the FAD domain resembles ferredoxin reductases. The first structural determination of one member of the diflavin reductases family raised some questions about the architecture of the enzyme during catalysis: both FMN and FAD were in perfect position for interflavin transfers but the steric hindrance of the FAD domain rapidly prompted more complex hypotheses on the possible mechanisms for the electron transfer from FMN to external acceptors. Hypotheses of domain reorganization during catalysis in the context of the different members of this family were given by many groups during the past twenty years. This review will address the recent advances in various structural approaches that have highlighted specific dynamic features of diflavin reductases.     

Estimated human health risks from exposure to recreational waters impacted by human and non-human sources of faecal contamination

This work was conducted to determine whether estimated risks following exposure to recreational waters impacted by gull, chicken, pig, or cattle faecal contamination are substantially different than those associated with waters impacted by human sources such as treated wastewater. Previously published Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) methods were employed and extended to meet these objectives. Health outcomes used in the analyses were infection from reference waterborne pathogens via ingestion during recreation and subsequent gastrointestinal (GI) illness. Illness risks from these pathogens were calculated for exposure to faecally contaminated recreational water at the U.S. regulatory limits of 35 cfu 100 mL⁻¹ enterococci and 126 cfu 100 mL⁻¹Escherichia coli. The probabilities of GI illness were calculated using pathogen dose-response relationships from the literature and Monte Carlo simulations. Three scenarios were simulated, representing a range of feasible interpretations of the available data. The primary findings are that: 1) GI illness risks associated with exposure to recreational waters impacted by fresh cattle faeces may not be substantially different from waters impacted by human sources; and 2) the risks associated with exposure to recreational waters impacted by fresh gull, chicken, or pig faeces appear substantially lower than waters impacted by human sources. These results suggest that careful consideration may be needed in the future for the management of recreational waters not impacted by human sources.