Screening of Trichoderma isolates for their potential of biosorption of nickel and cadmium

Abstract Fourteen Trichoderma isolates were evaluated for their tolerance to two heavy metals, nickel and cadmium. Three isolates, MT-4, UBT-18, and IBT-I, showed high levels of nickel tolerance, whereas MT-4, UBT-18, and IBT-II showed better tolerance of cadmium than the other isolates. Under nickel stress, biomass production increased up to a Ni concentration of 60 ppm in all strains but then decreased as the concentrations of nickel were further increased. Among the nickel-tolerant isolates, UBT-18 produced significantly higher biomass upon exposure to nickel (up to 150 ppm); however, the minimum concentration of nickel required to inhibit 50% of growth (MIC50) was highest in IBT-I. Among the cadmium-tolerant isolates, IBT-II showed both maximum biomass production and a maximum MIC50 value in cadmium stress. As the biomass of the Trichoderma isolates increased, a higher percentage of nickel removal was observed up to a concentration of 40 ppm, followed by an increase in residual nickel and a decrease in biomass production at higher nickel concentrations in the medium. The increase in cadmium concentrations resulted in a decrease in biomass production and positively correlated with an increase in residual cadmium in the culture broth. Nickel and cadmium stress also influenced the sensitivity of the Trichoderma isolates to soil fungistasis. Isolates IBT-I and UBT-18 were most tolerant to fungistasis under nickel and cadmium stress, respectively.

Application of pollution indices for evaluation of heavy metals in soil close to phosphate fertilizer plant, Assiut, Egypt

Pollution indices were used to investigate the levels of heavy metal concentrations in a polluted area under the effect of fertilizer plant emissions at Manqabad, Assiut. Huge amounts of dusts, fumes and gases containing heavy metals which are released from the industrial processing activities, precipitated in the neighbouring area by the effect of meteorological factors causing soil pollution. Soil samples were taken from the area downwind of the factory and analyzed to detect concentration of heavy metals in the study area. Results of soil analysis showed that the area has been harmfully affected by the heavy metals: Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn and their average concentrations are 0.3 mg/kg, 57.0 mg/kg, 94.7 mg/kg and 80.7 mg/kg respectively. These values exceeded the concentrations in soil background [0.013 mg/kg for Cd, 9.62 mg/kg for Cu, 5.17 mg/kg for Pb and 11.56 mg/kg for Zn] obtained from unpolluted area far from industrial activities and also exceeded the international standards for soil pollution stated by WHO. Pollution indices were developed to evaluate the levels of soil pollution with heavy metals. Index of geo-accumu!ation [Igeo], Enrichment Factor [EF], Pollution Index [PI], and Load Pollution Index [LPI], were estimated. The calculated results of contamination degree showed that the investigated area lies under the class of high pollution. In final conclusion, the investigated area is highly affected by emissions from the fertilizer plant So control measures should be applied to the fertilizer plant and the polluted soil area adjacent to the factory should be remediate

Chemical composition, metals content and pesticide residues in raw, pasteurized and UHT milk and their dietary intake

Chemical composition, metal contents and pesticide residues were determined in raw, pasteurized and UHT [Ultra High Temperature] milk samples collected from local markets in Cairo Governorate, Egypt. Fat, T.P. [Total Protein], ash, lactose and T.S. [Total Solids] contents were [3.50, 3.20, 0.71, 4.10 and 11.40%], [3.00, 3.50, 0.80, 4.65 and 11.50%], and [3.00, 3.40, 0.80, 4.44 and 11.50%] in raw, pasteurized and UHT milk, respectively. Levels of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, Cd and Sn were [3.59, 0.62, 0.17, 0.06, 0.03, 0.036, 0.032, 0.032, 0.025 and 0.002 mg/kg], [3.11, 0.55, 0.15, 0.041, 0.030, 0.030, 0.030, 0.021, 0.022 and 0.002 mg/kg] and [3.11, 0.60, 0.180, 0.050, 0.020, 0.030, 0.030, 0.020, 0.020 and 0.002 mg/kg] in raw, pasteurized and UHT milk, respectively. Organochlorine pesticides [HCB, lindane, aldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, chlordane, endrin and DDT metabolites] were detected in raw milk at levels higher than the tolerance limits. However, these chemicals were detected in pasteurized milk at slightly higher levels and in UHT milk at levels lower than the tolerance limits. On the other hand, non of raw, pasteurized and UHT milk revealed the presence of organophosphorus pesticides [malathion, profenofos, pirmiphos-methyl and dimethoate]. To assess any possible risks to consumers of milk, dietary intakes have been estimated using the mean concentration of various metals and pesticide residues in this monitoring. Data showed that, daily intake of the investigated metals and pesticides in milk were lower than the recommended levels except that Pb and Cd are higher than it

Treatment of metallic effluents using coconut shell coke.

The effect of various parameters on the removal of metal ions (Zinc and Cadmium) by adsorption using coconut shell coke is investigated. The time of contact, initial metal ion concentration, adsorbent dosage, volume of the adsorbate solution, size of the adsorbent particle and the effect of the presence of another metal at various concentrations are the parameters studied. The adsorption isotherms so obtained in this study followed the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms showing a marginal average deviation.

impact of heavy metals on the energy reserves of lepidotriglae lastovisa from the South-Eastern Mediterranean, Alexandria, Egypt

Lepidotriglae lastovisa were collected monthly over one annual reproductive cycle, from January to December 1994. Total lipid, protein, Pb and Cd content were determined in muscles, liver and gonads of mature [>13 cm length] and immature [8-13 cm length] fishes of both sexes. Mercury content was determined in fish muscles of both sexes at different lengths during one month. Lipids were primarily transported to ovaries prior to fertilization. Energetic lipids were maximal in liver and muscles before spawning and declined to the minimum after spawning, during early winter. L lastovisa spawns two times a year, from February to April, and from August to October. Fish that spawned early still had plenty of fat left in muscles it probably takes its energy from liver fat, while late spawners had low fat reserves [declined by about 70%]. The total energy required for gonad development were significantly parallel in both sexes, and were mostly consumed from lipid mobilization rather than protein. The body lipid content increased significantly during the period of heavy phytoplankton blooms [July and September] and declined in winter. Muscle protein was found to be related to that in the ambient water. Mercury content showed similar distribution patterns in both sexes, being accumulated with growth. The general levels of Pb and Cd were remarkably high in different tissues, which may be traced to the elevated levels in surrounding water, sediments and biota. Bioaccumulation of such metals occurred in almost the same proportion as the total discharge to the area. Such elevations in metals seem to reduce the body energy reserve, where significant inverse correlations between total energy [in the form of lipid and protein] with Cd and Pb was computed and assessed

Synthesis and in vivo hypoglycemic screening studies on some life essential metal complexes of oral antidiabetic [N-(p-tolylsulphonyl)-N'-n butyl-urea] (tolbutamide).

Present communication deals with the synthesis of complexes of [N-(p-tolylsulphonyl)-N'-n butyl-urea], with certain transition metals viz. Cu(II), Zn(II), Fe(II) and Cd(II). Structures of all the complexes have been established on the basis of their consistent elemental and spectral analysis. Also, it reports their in vivo hypoglycemic screening on albino rats. Out of all the complexes studied, Zn-Tolbutamide complex could be recommended as more potent hypoglycemic agent in lieu of tolbutamide alone.

Water pollution by wastes of poultry automatic slaughter house in Belbis canal

Water pollution is one of the major problems confronting public healthofficials everywhere. The present study tried to screen some importanttoxic anions and heavy metals as wastes pollutants in the surface water ofBelbis Canal, Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. Fifty water samples were collectedalong different steps of an automatic Poultry Slaughter House. The levels ofnitrite, phosphate, chloride, cadmium, mercury, zinc and lead were recorded ineach step of the plant. The results showed that the levels of all themicroscopical examination of some organs of albino rats treated by mercury,lead or cadmium with the high test concentration of heavy metals obtained inwater samples revealed histopathological alterations