A novel type of biochar from chitinous Hermetia illucens waste with a built-in stimulating effect on plants and soil arthropods.

The breeding of insects generates waste in the form of insect excrement and feed residues. In addition, a specific chitinous waste in the form of insect larvae and pupae exuvia is also left. Recent research tries to manage it, e.g., by producing chitin and chitosan, which are value-added products. The circular economy approach requires testing new, non-standard management methods that can develop products with unique properties. To date, the possibility of biochar production from chitinous waste derived from insects has not been evaluated. Here we show that the puparia of Hermetia illucens are suitable for biochar production, which in turn exhibits original characteristics. We found that the biochars have a high nitrogen level, which is rarely achievable in materials of natural origin without artificial doping. This study presents a detailed chemical and physical characterization of the biochars. Moreover, ecotoxicological analysis has revealed the biochars' stimulation effect on plant root growth and the reproduction of the soil invertebrate Folsomia candida, as well as the lack of a toxic effect on its mortality. This predisposes these novel materials with already built-in stimulating properties to be used in agronomy, for example as a carriers for fertilizers or beneficial bacteria.

Silver Is Not Equal to Silver: Synthesis and Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles with Low Biological Activity, and Their Incorporation into C12Alanine-Based Hydrogel.

A new type of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was prepared and comprehensively studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses indicated that 24 nm AgNPs with narrow size distribution were obtained while Z-potential confirms their good stability. The composites of the obtained AgNPs with nontoxic-nature-inspired hydrogel were formed upon cooling of the aqueous solution AgNPs and C12Ala. The thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) do not show significant shifts in the characteristic temperature peaks for pure and silver-enriched gels, which indicates that AgNPs do not strongly interact with C12Ala fibers, which was also confirmed by SEM. Both AgNPs alone and in the assembly with the gelator C12Ala were almost biologically passive against bacteria, fungus, cancer, and nontumor human cells, as well as zebra-fish embryos. These studies proved that the new inactive AgNPs-doped hydrogels have potential for the application in therapy as drug delivery media.

Tailoring Surface Chemistry of Sugar-Derived Ordered Mesoporous Carbons Towards Efficient Removal of Diclofenac From Aquatic Environments.

Ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3), obtained from an abundant natural source, sugar, was thermochemically modified with dicyandiamide and thiourea as well as by classical oxidization with hydrogen peroxide to introduce specific surface groups. Thermochemical modifications resulted in carbon with almost unchanged porosity and altered surface chemistry while porosity of H2O2-treated carbon was seriously deteriorated. The obtained carbons were tested as sorbents of diclofenac, considered as one of the emerging water contaminants. Changes in porosity and surface chemistry of modified carbons resulted in significant differences with regard to the uptake of diclofenac. Dicyandiamide-modified carbon showed highest uptake of drugs, reaching 241 mg g-1 that is attributed to its developed microporosity as well as surface chemistry composed of basic groups facilitating electrostatic interactions with diclofenac anions. Desorption study showed that diclofenac is strongly bonded, albeit with a different degree depending on the modification of the CMK-carbon. The obtained results were compared with up-to-date literature regarding sorption of diclofenac by carbon-based sorbents.

Oxalate oxidase from Abortiporus biennis - protein localisation and gene sequence analysis.

We have described for the first time the localisation of oxalate oxidase (OXO, EC 1.2.3.4) in Abortiporus biennis cells, using histochemical and immunochemical methods coupled with transmission electron microscopy. Rabbit anti-oxalate oxidase immunoglobulins with anti-rabbit secondary antibody conjugated with 10-nm gold particles were used. Moreover, the formation of electron dense precipitation of reaction of diaminobenzidine (DAB) with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for histochemical localisation of the enzyme was found. OXO was localised close to the membranous structures of the cell membranes, in membranous vesicles located close to the outer cell membrane, and vacuolar membranes surrounding vacuoles. The positive immunoreaction to OXO was also intense in cell wall areas. Moreover, we proved that gene coding for OXO was expressed in the same cultures. Corresponding mRNA was isolated, full length cDNA was synthesized, cloned and sequenced. Two copies of cupin domains were found in the sequence of amino-acids conserved domain coding for the cupin enzyme. Comparison of the genomic DNA and cDNA sequences has revealed the presence of seventeen introns in the gene. The isoelectric point of the protein was estimated at pH 4.5 and several possible N-glycosylation sites were predicted.

Distribution of plastids and mitochondria during male gametophyte formation in Tinantia erecta (Jacq.) Fenzl.

During meiosis in microsporogenesis, autonomous cellular organelles, i.e., plastids and mitochondria, move and separate into daughter cells according to a specific pattern. This process called chondriokinesis is characteristic for a given plant species. The key criterion for classification of the chondriokinesis types was the arrangement of cell organelles during two meiosis phases: metaphase I and telophase I. The autonomous organelles participate in cytoplasmic inheritance; therefore, their precise distribution to daughter cells determines formation of identical viable microspores. In this study, the course of chondriokinesis during the development of the male gametophyte in Tinantia erecta was analyzed. The study was conducted using optical and transmission electron microscopes. During microsporogenesis in T. erecta, autonomous cell organelles moved in a manner defined as a neutral-equatorial type of chondriokinesis. Therefore, metaphase I plastids and mitochondria were evenly dispersed around the metaphase plate and formed an equatorial plate between the daughter nuclei in early telophase I. Changes in the ultrastructure of plastids and mitochondria during pollen microsporogenesis were also observed.

Structural network of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) and pectins in apple fruit during ripening and senescence processes.

The cell wall is an essential framework determining the overall form of the plant cell. Our study was focused on the distribution of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), arabinan, and homogalacturonan in fruit cells during ripening and storage with emphasis on quantitative analysis of their presence in particular regions of the cell wall - plasma membrane. The localization of the examined compounds was determined with immunohistochemistry techniques and immunogold labelling. Spatio-temporal colocalization between AGPs epitopes - [ßGlcA(1→3)-αGalA(1→2)Rha] recognized by JIM13 and MAC207 antibodies, and arabinan labelled by the LM16 antibody was detected in the inner cell wall layer, in association with the plasma membrane. The specific arrangement of AGP and arabinan epitopes differentiated them from homogalacturonan epitopes, consisting of GalA residues recognized by LM19 and LM20 antibodies in all the examined fruit maturity stages. The disruption of cell wall - plasma membrane continuum, observed during ripening-associated softening process, was associated with both the substantial decrease of AGPs, pectins content and with remodeling of their arrangement. The results indicate that the textural properties of fruit during growth and postharvest storage, an attribute of fruit quality becoming selection criteria for consumers, depend on the existence of dynamic network organizing polysaccharides and glycoproteins in the extracellular matrix.

Ascorbic acid- and sodium ascorbate-loaded oxidized potato starch films: Comparative evaluation of physicochemical and antioxidant properties.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of increasing concentrations of ascorbate ions (AIs, 0-100mM) in the form of ascorbic acid (AA) and sodium ascorbate (SA) on the properties of edible oxidized potato starch films. The browning reactions were faster in the SA-added films than in those of AA-added. In, turn, AA recrystallized faster than its sodium salt. The highest concentration of SA increased the water vapor permeability of the films. The mechanical strength and stiffness of the films gradually decreased with the increase of AI content. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra suggested that addition of SA provoked a more intensive structural changes in the films than AA. X-ray diffraction showed that 25 and 50mM AI-added films exhibited higher crystanility than the control. The films with AA and SA did not differ in terms of dissolving behavior, ability to release AI, and consequently, antioxidant activity.

New approach in evaluation of ceramic-polymer composite bioactivity and biocompatibility.

Regeneration of bone defects was promoted by a novel ß-glucan/carbonate hydroxyapatite composite and characterized by Raman spectroscopy, microCT and electron microscopy. The elastic biomaterial with an apatite-forming ability was developed for bone tissue engineering and implanted into the critical-size defects of rabbits' tibiae. The bone repair process was analyzed on non-decalcified bone/implant sections during a 6-month regeneration period. Using spectroscopic methods, we were able to determine the presence of amides, lipids and assign the areas of newly formed bone tissue. Raman spectroscopy was also used to assess the chemical changes in the composite before and after the implantation process. SEM analyses showed the mineralization degree in the defect area and that the gap size decreased significantly. Microscopic images revealed that the implant debris were interconnected to the poorly mineralized inner side of a new bone tissue. Our study demonstrated that the composite may serve as a biocompatible background for collagen ingrowth and exhibits the advantages of applying Raman spectroscopy, SEM and microCT in studying these samples.

The comparison study of bioactivity between composites containing synthetic non-substituted and carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite.

Apatite forming ability of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and carbonate hydroxyapatite (CHAP) containing composites was compared. Two composite materials, intended for filling bone defects, were made of polysaccharide polymer and one of two types of hydroxyapatite. The bioactivity of the composites was evaluated in vitro by soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF), and the formation of the apatite layer was determined by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometer and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that both the composites induced the formation of apatite layer on their surface after soaking in SBF. In addition, the sample weight changes and the ion concentration of the SBF were scrutinized. The results showed the weight increase for both materials after SBF treatment, higher weight gain and higher uptake of calcium ions by HAP containing scaffolds. SBF solution analysis indicated loss of calcium and phosphorus ions during experiment. All these results indicate apatite forming ability of both biomaterials and suggest comparable bioactive properties of composite containing pure hydroxyapatite and carbonate-substituted one.

Uranium sorption on bentonite modified by octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide.

The sorption of U(VI) on octadecyltrimethyl-bentonite was investigated at the pH values of the aqueous phase ranging from 3 to 10 and the concentrations of U(VI): 0.1-1 mmol/dm(3). The concentrations of alkylammonium cation in bentonite were increased from 21% to 150% of CEC (cation exchange capacity). It was determined that the sorption of U(VI) on modified bentonite, i.e. the distribution constant -K(d) decreases with the percent of mineral modification until it attains a minimum at 76% of CEC and then increases again. The effective sorption of U(VI) was found to be in the pH range: 6-10 for the modified bentonite and was explained as the consequence of U(VI) anionic hydroxy complexes sorption. Both FT-IR and XRD spectra of the modified bentonite were analyzed and provided arguments for the existence of surfactant cations in the form of monolayer and bilayer in the interlamellar space of bentonite. In turn the luminescence spectra of bentonite suspensions, i.e. their character at different values of pH, proved the existence of hydroxide-like planar polymeric U(VI) species in the bentonite phase at pH 9.