Biodegradation of monoaromatic hydrocarbons in aquifer columns amended with hydrogen peroxide and nitrate

The ability of indigenous microorganisms to degrade benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) in laboratory scale flow-through aquifer columns was tested separately with hydrogen peroxide (110 mg/l) and nitrate (330 mg/l as NO₃⁻) amendments to air-saturated influent nutrient solution. The continuous removal of individual components from all columns relative to the sterile controls provided evidence for biodegradation. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, the indigeneous microorganisms degraded benzene and toluene (> 95%), meta- plus para-xylene (80%) and ortho-xylene (70%). Nitrate addition resulted in 90% removal of toluene and 25% removal of ortho-xylene. However, benzene, ethylbenzene, meta- and para-xylene concentrations were not significantly reduced after 42 days of operation. Following this experiment, low dissolved oxygen (< 1 mg/l) conditions were initiated with the nitrate-amended column influent in order to mimic contaminated groundwater conditions distal from a nutrient injection well. Toluene continued to be effectively degraded (> 90%), and more than 25% of the benzene, 40% of the ethylbenzene, 50% of the meta- plus para-xylenes and 60% of the ortho-xylene were removed after several months of operation.     

Steam Surface Pasteurization of Beef Frankfurters

Meat and poultry products are sources of foodborne bacterial contamination. We used flash steam heating followed by evaporative cooling to quickly reduce bacterial contamination on the surface of beef frankfurters without degrading appearance. The rate of heat transfer was studied by measuring surface temperature in a pressure chamber during steam heating. Quality changes were determined by measuring color and weight as functions of steam temperature and treatment time. Efficacy of the process was verified by microbiological experiments using L. innocua. Treatment times of 30–40 set at 115–136°C gave a 4 log reduction in bacterial counts on the surface without severely affecting color or weight. After long-term storage at 6°C and at 19°C, levels of bacteria on inoculated frankfurters remained reduced and there was no difference between treated and untreated products in color or weight.     

Storage Changes of Fresh and Pasteurized Blue Crab Meat in Different Types of Packaging

We investigated pasteurization and storage of blue crabmeat in steel cans, aluminum cans, plastic cans, nonbarrier pouches, and barrier pouches. Fresh meat was packed in copolymer polyethylene/polypro-pylene cups, Saran® over-wrapped or vacuum skin packaged polystyrene trays, and nonbarrier pouches. Meat pasteurized in plastic and aluminum cans had better sensory and microbiological quality and longer shelf life than meat packed in steel cans. Oxygen-barrier pouches had the lowest quality and shortest shelf life. Nonbarrier pouches had product with quality similar to meat in steel cans, but with an extended shelf life. No packaging materials improved the microbiological shelf life of freshly cooked meat. Vacuum skin packaging resulted in improved sensory qualities of freshly cooked and picked meat.     

An Eco-Friendly Approach to the Control of Pathogenic Microbes and Anopheles stephensi Malarial Vector Using Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles (Mg-NPs) Fabricated by Penicillium chrysogenum

The discovery of eco-friendly, rapid, and cost-effective compounds to control diseases caused by microbes and insects are the main challenges. Herein, the magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) are successfully fabricated by harnessing the metabolites secreted by Penicillium chrysogenum. The fabricated MgO-NPs were characterized using UV-Vis, XRD, TEM, DLS, EDX, FT-IR, and XPS analyses. Data showed the successful formation of crystallographic, spherical, well-dispersed MgO-NPs with sizes of 7–40 nm at a maximum wavelength of 250 nm. The EDX analysis confirms the presence of Mg and O ions as the main components with weight percentages of 13.62% and 7.76%, respectively. The activity of MgO-NPs as an antimicrobial agent was investigated against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, and exhibited zone of inhibitions of 12.0 ± 0.0, 12.7 ± 0.9, 23.3 ± 0.8, 17.7 ± 1.6, and 14.7 ± 0.6 mm respectively, at 200 µg mL⁻¹. The activity is decreased by decreasing the MgO-NPs concentration. The biogenic MgO-NPs exhibit high efficacy against different larvae instar and pupa of Anopheles stephensi, with LC50 values of 12.5–15.5 ppm for I–IV larvae instar and 16.5 ppm for the pupa. Additionally, 5 mg/cm² of MgO-NPs showed the highest protection percentages against adults of Anopheles stephensi, with values of 100% for 150 min and 67.6% ± 1.4% for 210 min.     

采油菌株的分离及其特性研究

从采油菌剂及原油中共分离出11株细菌,并对其发酵特性和生理生化特性进行研究。结果表明,分离菌株可以利用石蜡产表面活性物质,但不产气;菌株发酵液的pH值没有明显的变化,对原油有不同程度的乳化作用;Y-1和Y-5为芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus),Y-2和Y-6为节杆菌属(Arthrobacter),Y-3为棒杆菌属(Corynebacterium),Y-4、J-1、J-2、J-4、J-5和J-6为不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)。大多数分离菌株为兼性厌氧菌,具有运动性,不产生硫化氢,能够利用蔗糖、葡萄糖等廉价碳源产生有机酸和气体,这些特性有利于菌株应用于微生物采油。     

微生物处理含钒废水中V5+、Cr6+的实验研究

对含钒废水处理现状进行了分析，采用复合功能菌对钒制品废水中V^5＋、Cr^6＋重金属离子进行处理。结果表明：用微生物工艺流程处理含钒废水中V^5＋、Cr^6＋重金属离子技术上可行；V^5＋、Cr^6＋去除率最高达99．9％；出水金属离子浓度达到国家排放标准。     

PCR生物芯片/微装置在微生物检测中应用研究

聚合酶链式反应(PCR)技术已经在分子生物学、生物化学、临床医学、遗传以及法医等领域得到广泛的应用.基于微电子机械系统技术开发而成的PCR生物芯片由于具有所需样品和反应混合物体积小、反应时间短、轻便等优点而日益受到人们的重视.介绍PCR生物芯片/微装置(包括反应池内固定扩增式和连续流动式)在微生物埃希氏大肠杆菌(E.coli)和微生物战剂检测中的应用.     

Nonthermal plasma for pesticide and microbial elimination on fruits and vegetables: an overview

Nonthermal plasma (NTP) is defined in terms of partly ionised gas which overall temperature is quite low because the stored energy is mostly in free electrons. Applications of NTP have been expanded to new areas of food applications such as the microbial inactivation and also the elimination of pesticide and toxic chemical residues in food such as fruits and vegetables while nutritional content and key characteristics are still preserved. Plasma treatment has successfully decreased the concentrations of pesticides by about 45‐71%. In this article, NTP technologies as well as investigations about applying of NTP for removing pesticide residues and improving microbial safety in fresh produce are described. Potential applications of NTP in food processing together with some of their challenges and limitations are also discussed.     

库存环境对羽绒填充物微生物影响的探讨

本文从重庆、沈阳、上海三地分别抽取库存一年、两年、三年的羽绒服,根据GB/T 14272《羽绒服装》进行微生物检测,探讨各地环境、库存时间对羽绒服微生物的影响,为企业改善羽绒制品的仓储条件提供依据。     

己酸菌液在浓香型白酒生产中的应用

采用公司自制的己酸菌功能茵液，应用于窖池养护、回窖发酵、串蒸提香以及制备调味酒等方面，并对应用结果进行了分析总结。结果表明，利用己酸菌功能茵液进行窖池的养护及其微生物复壮，能改善窖池，提高酒质；应用于回窖发酵、串蒸提香、调味酒生产等能明显提高产酒质量，增加经济效益。