Morpho-physiological and biochemical characterization of Kinnow (Citrus reticulata) in response to canker pathogens (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri).

Fruits play an important role in human life on our planet, since they supply a variety of essential services. One of the paramount crops in Pakistan is Citrus reticulata (Kinnow), which plays a vital role in the country's economy. The citrus crops are confronted with various challenges such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses, all of which have adverse effects on the quality and yield of the fruits. Citrus canker, in particular, stands as the most fatal disease, affecting numerous citrus species worldwide, inflicting devastating consequences. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of citrus canker on the morphology, physiology of leaves, and the quality of citrus fruits. The research was conducted in four major citrus-producing tehsils of the Sargodha district. The study found significant differences in morphological and physiological traits between healthy fruits and those infected with citrus canker. Healthy fruits exhibited higher values in fruit weight (FW) of 149.02 g, peel thickness (PT) of 3.76 g, rag weight (RW) of 35.95 g, leaf area (LA) of 22.49 cm2, and juice weight compared to the citrus canker-infected fruits. The significant variations in fruit weight, juice weight, chlorophyll content, vitamin C content were present between healthy and diseased fruits and leaves. A biochemical study revealed that healthy fruits had greater levels of total soluble solids (TSS), TSS-acid ratio, vitamin C, and reducing power (RP), but citrus canker-infected fruits had a higher acidity percentage. The significant decreases in important morphological and physicochemical characteristics, emphasizing the necessity for immediate disease control techniques to safeguard the citrus sector and maintain food security.

Multispecies pasture diet and cow breed impacts on milk composition and quality in a seasonal spring-calving dairy production system.

In recent years, there has been significant emphasis on the composition of pasture-based cow feed and the potential benefits of incorporating multispecies swards to improve sustainability and biodiversity. This study compared the effects of a conventional perennial ryegrass (PRG) monoculture supported by high chemical nitrogen (N) usage with a low chemical N application multispecies sward system (MSS) on the composition and quality of milk across lactation using spring-calving Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Jersey Holstein-Friesian (JFX) cows. Bulk milk samples (n = 144) were collected from each group at morning and evening milking on a weekly basis (n = 36) throughout lactation and analyzed for gross composition and physico-chemical properties. Cow breed had a significant impact on milk profile, with milk from HF cows having significantly smaller milk fat globule (MFG) size, higher instability index values, higher yield, and lower total solids levels, compared with JFX cows. Notably, HF cows had increased milk total solids and fat levels when fed on MSS, as opposed to the PRG-fed HF cows. Feeding MSS pasture increased creaming velocity values in mid and late lactation, and resulted in similar milk gross composition to PRG. In comparison to PRG, MSS-fed groups showed significantly increased total solids yield, including higher levels of protein and fat yield. In late lactation, MSS feeding was associated with reduced MFG size. All physicochemical properties studied (MFG size, creaming velocity, instability index) showed decreasing values from early to late lactation stage. Overall, these findings demonstrate the significant effects of cow diet, breed and stage of lactation on compositional and physico-chemical characteristics of milk, with important implications for milk processing and dairy product quality.

Safety profiling of technical lignins originating from various bioresources and conversion processes.

In this work, a set of eight technical lignin samples from various botanical origins and production processes were characterized for their chemical composition, higher heating value, size distribution, dust explosion sensitivity and severity, thermal hazard characteristics and biodegradability, in further support of their sustainable use. More specifically, safety-focused parameters have been assessed in terms of consistency with relating physico-chemical properties determined for the whole set of technical lignins. The results emphasized the heterogeneity and variability of technical lignins and the subsequent need for a comprehensive characterization of new lignin feedstocks arising from novel biorefineries. Indeed, significant differences were revealed between the samples in terms of hazards sensitivity. This first comparative physico-chemical safety profiling of technical lignins could be useful for the hazard analysis and the safe design of the facilities associated with large scale valorisation of biomass residues such as lignins, targeting "zero waste" sustainable conversion of bioresources.

Alterations in physico-chemical properties, microstructure, sensory characteristics, and volatile compounds of red pepper (Capsicum annuum var. conoides) during various thermal drying durations.

Red pepper (Capsicum annuum var. conoides) is commonly used for dried pepper production in China, and the drying process, particularly the during duration, profoundly affects its quality. The findings indicate that prolonged exposure to high temperatures during thermal drying results in significant darkening, an evident decrease in red and yellow tones, and gradual transformation of the pepper's microscopic structure from granular to compact, along with 88% reduction in moisture content and 81% decrease in thickness. The capsaicinoid content increased, resulting in a 4.3-fold increase in spiciness after drying compared to that of fresh pepper. The pepper aroma shifts from fruity, choking, and grassy to herb, dry wood, and smoky. Compounds such as 2-Acetylfuran, furfural, 2-methylfuran, 1-methylpyrrole, 2-methylpyrazine, and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine exhibited positive correlations with drying time, whereas ethyl 2-methylpropanoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, ethyl hexanoate, and 3-methylbutyl butanoate showed negative correlations, indicating their potential as markers for monitoring thermal drying processes.

Impact of Pyrolysis Temperature on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Non-Modified Biochar Produced from Banana Leaves: A Case Study on Ammonium Ion Adsorption.

Given the current importance of using biochar for water treatment, it is important to study the physical-chemical properties to predict the behavior of the biochar adsorbent in contact with adsorbates. In the present research, the physical and chemical characteristics of three types of biochar derived from banana leaves were investigated, which is a poorly studied raw material and is considered an agricultural waste in some Latin American, Asian, and African countries. The characterization of non-modified biochar samples pyrolyzed at 300, 400, and 500 °C was carried out through pH, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and specific surface area measurements. The adsorption properties of banana leaf-derived biochar were evaluated by ammonium ion adsorption experiments. The results demonstrated that the pyrolysis temperature has a large impact on the yield, structure, elemental composition, and surface chemistry of the biochar. Biochar prepared at 300 °C is the most efficient for NH4+ adsorption, achieving a capacity of 7.0 mg of adsorbed NH4+ on each gram of biochar used, while biochar samples prepared at 400 and 500 °C show lower values of 6.1 and 5.6 mg/g, respectively. The Harkins-Jura isotherm model fits the experimental data best for all biochar samples, demonstrating that multilayer adsorption occurs on our biochar.

Termite mound soil based potting media: a better approach towards sustainable agriculture.

Termite mound soils are known to possess unique physico-chemical and biochemical properties, making them highly fertile. Considering their rich nutrient content, the objective of the current experiment is to assess the physico-chemical properties and enzyme activities of termite mound based potting media and evaluate theirperformance for further exploration in floriculture. Potting media consisting of termite mound soil (TS) of a subterranean termite, Odontotermes obesus were prepared in 7 different combinations with garden soil (GS), sand (S) and farmyard manure (FYM) and a control (without termite mound soil), i.e., T1 (TS, GS, S, FYM (v:v:v:v /1:2:1:1)), T2 (TS, GS, S, FYM (v:v:v:v / 2:1:1:1)), T3 (TS, S, FYM (v:v:v / 2:1:1)), T4 (TS, GS, FYM (v:v:v / 2:1:1)), T5 (TS, GS, S (v:v:v / 2:1:1)), T6 (TS, S, FYM (v:v:v / 3:1:1)), T7 (TS, S, FYM (v:v:v / 1:1:2)) and control (GS, S, FYM (v:v:v / 2:1:1)). The samples were then analysed in laboratory. Experimental analysis on physico-chemical and biological parameters revealed superiority of T7 (TS, S, FYM (v:v:v / 1:1:2)) in terms of pH (7.15), organic carbon (2.13%), available nitrogen (526.02 kg ha-1), available phosphorus (56.60 kg ha-1), available potassium (708.19 kg ha-1), dehydrogenase activity (18.21 µg TTF g-1 soil day-1), Phosphomonoesterase (PME) activity (46.68 54 µg p-nitrophenol/gsoil/h) and urease activity (3.39 µg NH4-N g-1 soil h-1). Whereas T4 (TS, GS, FYM (v:v:v /2:1:1)) registered superiority in terms of PME activity (50.54 µg p-nitrophenol/gsoil/h), Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) activity (11.01 µgfluorescein/gsoil/h) and Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon (SMBC) (262.25 µg/g). Subsequent to the laboratory analysis, two best potting mixtures (T7 & T4) were selected and their performance was assessed by growing a test crop, Tagetes erecta cv. Inca Orange. Considering the growth parameters, the potting media: T7 was found to be significantly superior in terms of plant spread (39.64 cm), leaf area index (4.07), fresh weight (37.72 g), yield (317.81 g/plant), and diameter (9.38 cm) of flower over T4 & control. The Benefit:Cost (B:C) ratio meaning the ratio of net returns to total cost of cultivation was determined. The B:C ratio of raising marigold flower as potted plant in T7 was 1.10 whereas the B:C ratio of the potting mixture of T7 was 2.52. This shows that T7 potting media is also economically viable choice for commercial purposes.

Examination of the natural mineral water quality in the Kesserwan region, Lebanon.

Introduction: Water is an essential element for life, especially the water that we drink. The water is consumable for humans as soon as it meets certain quality requirements. Any chemical, physical, or biological change in water quality may lead to harmful effects on health. Objective: This study presents the updated situation of some spring water from groundwater in Lebanon, specifically in the Kesserwan region. Method: To assess the quality of the water, certain physico-chemical parameters such as total dissolved solids, temperature, pH, and microbiological indicators were monitored on 15 sampling sources covering the Kesserwan region. All the parameters were studied during the winter period. Results: The results identified multiple contaminated sources in Kesserwan. Consequently, groundwater cannot be consumed directly without treatment. Out of the 15 sources tested, only 8 were found to be microbiologically safe, while the remaining 7 were contaminated and required treatment before consumption or use. Conclusion: Each municipality in the region should be responsible for protecting and maintaining the cleanliness of the areas surrounding the spring water. Additionally, regular, systematic testing of the spring water must be conducted to ensure its suitability for drinking by confirming the absence of contaminants.

Fatliquor for fungus resistant leather-a sustainable ecofriendly approach.

Surface-active softening agents, such as Fatliquors, have a significant impact on the leather industry as they enhance the physicochemical properties of leather. This study focuses on analyzing the synthesis, properties, characterization, and sulfonation of Swietenia mahagoni seed oil to determine its potential as a fatliquoring agent for leather. An investigation was conducted to verify the alteration of Swietenia mahagoni oil through the analysis of its properties before and after the sulfonation process. A scientific analysis was carried on the oil using GC-FID, revealing the presence of various unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic, linolenic, oleic, palmitic, and arachidic acids. This demonstrates the sulfonating capability of this sky fruit seed oil. A fatliquor was created by sulfonating the oil, and the sulfonation was verified through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra. The prominent peak observed at 1209 cm-1 in the FTIR spectra indicated the stretching of S=O in both sulfate and sulfonate groups. The newly formed protons (H-C-S or H-C-O) showed signals between δ 4.09 and 4.29 ppm in the 1H NMR spectra, confirming the sulfonation of the fatliquor that was prepared. Moreover, the change in the melting point of sulfonated Mahogany oil from 40.8 °C to 48.1 °C suggests increased saturation levels. The fatliquor's emulsion stability was found to be at a satisfactory level. After conducting tests on the treated leather, the physical strength and morphological structure was analyzed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), the fatliquor improved the lubrication and strengthened the fibrous network structure of the leather, composed of thin and tight collagen fibers. The BOD5/COD ratio of the effluent from the experimental trial was determined to be 0.52, suggesting that the fatliquor developed is a biodegradable product. Finally, the antifungal capabilities of the fatliquor-treated leather were tested against four different fungus species: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium notatum, and Candida albicans, and the treated leather sample shown favorable antifungal activity.

Bioremediation of petroleum refinery wastewater using Bacillus subtilis IH-1 and assessment of its toxicity.

Environmental contamination from petroleum refinery operations has increased due to the rapid population growth and modernization of society, necessitating urgent repair. Microbial remediation of petroleum wastewater by prominent bacterial cultures holds promise in circumventing the issue of petroleum-related pollution. Herein, the bacterial culture was isolated from petroleum-contaminated sludge samples for the valorization of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and biodegradation of petroleum wastewater samples. The bacterial strain was screened and identified as Bacillus subtilis IH-1. After six days of incubation, the bacteria had degraded 25.9% of phenanthrene and 20.3% of naphthalene. The treatment of wastewater samples was assessed using physico-chemical and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, which revealed that the level of pollutants was elevated and above the allowed limits. Following bacterial degradation, the reduction in pollution parameters viz. EC (82.7%), BOD (87.0%), COD (80.0%), total phenols (96.3%), oil and grease (79.7%), TKN (68.8%), TOC (96.3%) and TPH (52.4%) were observed. The reduction in pH and heavy metals were also observed after bacterial treatment. V. mungo was used in the phytotoxicity test, which revealed at 50% wastewater concentration the reduction in biomass (30.3%), root length (87.7%), shoot length (93.9%), and seed germination (30.0%) was observed in comparison to control. When A. cepa root tips immersed in varying concentrations of wastewater samples, the mitotic index significantly decreased, suggesting the induction of cytotoxicity. However, following the bacterial treatment, there was a noticeable decrease in phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity. The bacterial culture produces lignin peroxidase enzyme and has the potential to degrade the toxic pollutants of petroleum wastewater. Therefore the bacterium may be immobilised or directly used at reactor scale or pilot scale study to benefit the industry and environmental safety.

Exploring urea as a prospective auxiliary for starch functionalization: A concise review on modified starch properties and the sustainable packaging films.

Urea is also known as carbamide, an inexpensive and eco-friendly additive for starch functionalization. This article reviews the potential role of urea in starch modification, with the prominence of the mechanism of urea action, alterations in the starch structure and functional properties. In addition, current literature conveys the prospective effect of urea in fabricating starch films for food packaging, and the relevant areas that need to be covered in the forthcoming research are specified at the end of the article section. Urea can modify the diverse physico-chemical and functional properties of starch. Starch-based films exhibit pronounced effects on their mechanical and barrier properties upon the incorporation of urea, although this effect strongly depends on the urea content and degree of substitution (DS). Overall, urea holds great potential for use in the starch and bioplastic film industries, as it produces biocompatible derivatives with desirable performance.

Assessing the biodiversity of rhizosphere and endophytic fungi in Knoxia valerianoides under continuous cropping conditions.

BACKGROUND: Rhizosphere and endophytic fungi play important roles in plant health and crop productivity. However, their community dynamics during the continuous cropping of Knoxia valerianoides have rarely been reported. K. valerianoides is a perennial herb of the family Rubiaceae and has been used in herbal medicines for ages. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing technology Illumina MiSeq to study the structural and functional dynamics of the rhizosphere and endophytic fungi of K. valerianoides. RESULTS: The findings indicate that continuous planting has led to an increase in the richness and diversity of rhizosphere fungi, while concomitantly resulting in a decrease in the richness and diversity of root fungi. The diversity of endophytic fungal communities in roots was lower than that of the rhizosphere fungi. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant phyla detected during the continuous cropping of K. valerianoides. In addition, we found that root rot directly affected the structure and diversity of fungal communities in the rhizosphere and the roots of K. valerianoides. Consequently, both the rhizosphere and endophyte fungal communities of root rot-infected plants showed higher richness than the healthy plants. The relative abundance of Fusarium in two and three years old root rot-infected plants was significantly higher than the control, indicating that continuous planting negatively affected the health of K. valerianoides plants. Decision Curve Analysis showed that soil pH, organic matter (OM), available K, total K, soil sucrase (S_SC), soil catalase (S_CAT), and soil cellulase (S_CL) were significantly related (p < 0.05) to the fungal community dynamics. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of fungal species in the rhizosphere and root of K. valerianoides was reported for the first time. The fungal diversity of rhizosphere soil was higher than that of root endophytic fungi. The fungal diversity of root rot plants was higher than that of healthy plants. Soil pH, OM, available K, total K, S_CAT, S_SC, and S_CL were significantly related to the fungal diversity. The occurrence of root rot had an effect on the community structure and diversity of rhizosphere and root endophytic fungi.

Evaluation of water quality and trophic status in relation to seasonal water mixing in a highland Lake Ardibo, Ethiopia.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the spatio-temporal variability of various physical and chemical parameters of water quality and to determine the trophic state of Lake Ardibo. Water samples were collected from October 2020 to September 2021 at three sampling stations in four different seasons. A total of 14 physico-chemical parameters, such as water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity, turbidity, alkalinity, Secchi-depth, nitrate, ammonia, silicon dioxide, soluble reactive phosphorus, total phosphorus, chloride, and fluoride were measured using standard methods. The results demonstrated that temporal variation existed throughout the study period. Except for turbidity, the water quality of the lake varied significantly within the four seasons (ANOVA, p < 0.05). DO levels decreased significantly during the dry season following water mixing events. Chlorophyll-a measurements showed significant seasonal differences ranging from 0.58 µg L-1 in the main-rainy season to 8.44 µg L-1 in the post-rainy period, indicating moderate algal biomass production. The overall category of Lake Ardibo was found to be under a mesotrophic state with medium biological productivity. A holistic lake basin approach management is suggested to maintain water quality and ecological processes and to improve the lake ecosystem services.

Complete physico-chemical characterisation of foundry waste.

The manufacture of foundry metal parts generates various types of mineral wastes. Studies mentioned in the literature are mainly interested in the characterisation of foundry sands and their recycling way. The other wastes (finer than sand) are not dealt and are currently stored in landfills without any recycling solution. This paper aims to fill this gap and reports the complete characterisation of foundry wastes (FW) we carried out to find a way of recycling these materials. FWs were characterised by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetry analyses (TGAs). Leaching tests complying with the NF EN 12457-2 standard were also carried out to evaluate the pollution degree of the different waste products. The results of this work that foundries do not produce just one type of waste, but several. Five types of waste were thus analysed and the results indicated in the first step that each sand was unique and in a second one that the two foundries present a certain similarity with regard to their materials. This complete characterisation study will provide a better understanding of their chemical composition and degree of pollution, so that they can be used more effectively in cement blends, which will be the subject of the rest of this study. The reuse of FW in concrete and mortars is possible and can reduce the environmental impact caused by their storage in landfills.

Time series (2003-15) analysis of selected physicochemical parameters in Indian Ocean: Cumulative impacts prediction on coral bleaching using machine learning.

Coral bleaching is an important ecological threat worldwide, as the coral ecosystem supports a rich marine biodiversity to survive. Sea surface temperature was considered a major culprit; however, later it was observed that other water parameters like pH, tCO2, fCO2, salinity, dissolved oxygen, etc. also play a significant role in bleaching. In the present study, all these parameters of the Indian Ocean area for 15 years (2003-2017) were collected and analysed using machine learning language. The main aim is to see the cumulative impacts of various ocean parameters on coral bleaching. Introducing machine learning in environmental impact assessment studies is a new approach, and the prediction of coral bleaching using simulation of physico-chemical parameters interactions shows 94.4 % accuracy for the prediction of the future bleaching event. This study can be probably the first step in the application of the machine learning language for the prediction of coral bleaching in the field of marine science.

Immobilization of human tyrosine hydroxylase onto magnetic nanoparticles - A novel formulation of a therapeutic enzyme.

Human tyrosine hydroxylase (hTH) has key role in the production of catecholamine neurotransmitters. The structure, function and regulation of hTH has been extensively researched area and the possibility of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) involving hTH through nanocarriers has been raised as well. However, our understanding on how hTH may interact with nanocarriers is still lacking. In this work, we attempted to investigate the immobilization of hTH on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with various surface linkers in quantitative and mechanistic detail. Our results showed that the activity of hTH was retained after immobilization via secondary and covalent interactions as well. The colloidal stability of hTH could be also enhanced proved by Dynamic light scattering and Zeta potential analysis and a homogenous enzyme layer could be achieved, which was investigated by Raman mapping. The covalent attachment of hTH on MNPs via aldehyde or epoxy linkers provide irreversible immobilization and 38.1 % and 16.5 % recovery (ER). The hTH-MNPs catalyst had 25 % ER in average in simulated nasal electrolyte solution (SNES). This outcome highlights the relevance of immobilization applying MNPs as a potential formulation tool of sensitive therapeutic enzymes offering new opportunities for ERT related to neurodegenerative disorders.

Examining drinking water quality: analysis of physico-chemical properties and bacterial contamination with health implications for Shangla district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

A comprehensive understanding of water quality is essential for assessing the complex relationship between surface water and sources of pollution. Primarily, surface water pollution is linked to human and animal waste discharges. This study aimed to investigate the physico-chemical characteristics of drinking water under both dry and wet conditions, assess the extent of bacterial contamination in samples collected from various locations in District Shangla, and evaluate potential health risks associated with consuming contaminated water within local communities. For this purpose, 120 groundwater and surface water samples were randomly collected from various sources such as storage tanks, user sites, streams, ponds and rivers in the study area. The results revealed that in Bisham, lakes had the highest fecal coliform levels among seven tested sources, followed by protected wells, reservoirs, downstream sources, springs, rivers, and ditches; while in Alpuri, nearly 80% of samples from five sources contained fecal coliform bacteria. Similarly, it was observed that the turbidity level, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, biological oxygen demand, and dissolved oxygen in the surface drinking water sources of Bisham were significantly higher than those in the surface drinking water sources of Alpuri. Furthermore, the results showed that in the Alpuri region, 14% of the population suffers from dysentery, 27% from diarrhea, 22% from cholera, 13% from hepatitis A, and 16% and 8% from typhoid and kidney problems, respectively, while in the Bisham area, 24% of residents are affected by diarrhea, 17% by cholera and typhoid, 15% by hepatitis A, 14% by dysentery, and 13% by kidney problems. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved water quality management practices and public health interventions to mitigate the risks associated with contaminated drinking water. It is recommended to implement regular water quality monitoring programs, enhance sanitation infrastructure, and raise awareness among local communities about the importance of safe drinking water practices to safeguard public health.

Identification of environmental and methodological factors driving variability of Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV) across three wastewater treatment plants in the City of Toronto.

PMMoV has been widely used to normalize the concentration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to account for variations in the fecal content of wastewater. PMMoV is also used as an internal RNA recovery control for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) tests. While potentially useful for the interpretation of WBE data, previous studies have suggested that PMMoV concentration can be affected by various physico-chemical characteristics of wastewater. There is also the possibility that laboratory methods, particularly the variability in centrifugation steps to remove supernatant from pellets can cause PMMoV variability. The goal of this study is to improve our understanding of the main drivers of PMMoV variability by assessing the relationship between PMMoV concentration, the physico-chemical characteristics of wastewater, and the methodological approach for concentrating wastewater samples. We analyzed 24-hour composite wastewater samples collected from the influent stream of three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Samples were collected 3 to 5 times per week starting from the beginning of March 2021 to mid-July 2023. The influent flow rate was used to partition the data into wet and dry weather conditions. Physico-chemical characteristics (e.g., total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), alkalinity, electrical conductivity (EC), and ammonia (NH3)) of the raw wastewater were measured, and PMMoV was quantified. Spatial and temporal variability of PMMoV was observed throughout the study period. PMMoV concentration was significantly higher during dry weather conditions. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrates that the number and type of physico-chemical parameters that drive PMMoV variability are site-specific, but overall BOD and alkalinity were the most important predictors. Differences in PMMoV concentration for a single WWTP between two different laboratory methods, along with a weak correlation between pellet mass and TSS using one method may indicate that differences in sample concentration and subjective subsampling bias could alter viral recovery and introduce variability to the data.

Physico-chemical characterization of Anopheles gambiae s.l. breeding sites and kdr mutations in urban areas of Cotonou and Natitingou, Benin.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the physicochemical characteristics of An. gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii breeding sites, the susceptibility profiles to commonly used insecticides in public health, and the underlying insecticide resistance mechanisms. METHODS: Anopheles breeding sites surveys were conducted in Cotonou and Natitingou in September 2020, January and August 2021. Physicochemical properties and bacterial loads were determined in individual breeding sites. The WHO susceptibility assays were carried out using the female of the emerging adult mosquitoes. Anopheles species were identified through PCR techniques. Kdr L1014F/S, N1575Y and G119S mutations were investigated using TaqMan genotyping assays. RESULTS: Molecular analysis showed that all mosquitoes analyzed in Cotonou were Anopheles coluzzii, while those of Natitingou were Anopheles gambiae s.s. Fecal coliforms were identified as playing a role in this distribution through their significant influence on the presence of An. coluzzii larvae. WHO susceptibility assay indicated a high level of resistance to deltamethrin in the two cities. The resistance levels to deltamethrin were higher in Cotonou (X2 = 31.689; DF = 1; P < 0.0001). There was a suspected resistance to bendiocarb in Cotonou, whereas the mosquito population in Natitingou was resistant. The kdr L1014F mutation was highly observed in both mosquito populations (frequence: 86-91%), while the Ace-1 mutation was found in a small proportion of mosquitoes. In Cotonou, salinity was the only recorded physicochemical parameter that significantly correlated with the resistance of Anopheles mosquitoes to deltamethrin (P < 0.05). In Natitingou, significant correlations were observed between the allelic frequencies of the kdr L1014F mutation and pH, conductivity, and TDS. CONCLUSION: These results indicate a high level of pyrethroid resistance in the anopheles populations of both Cotonou and Natitingou. Moreover, this study report the involvement of abiotic factors influencing Anopheles susceptibility profile.

A domestic-like carrot cooking methodology for multiple research applications.

Domestic-oriented research focusing on food requires methodologies that closely mimic practices occurring in home kitchens while meeting scientific standards. Currently however, there is a lack of methodologies that can be implemented in both laboratory and home environments. This paper proposes a method that fulfills the scientific requirements of repeatability and reproducibility, while utilizing commonly available materials and processes found in the average household. The method is applied to the preparation, boiling, and seasoning of roots of Daucus carota L. ("carrots"), which can be employed in various scientific fields with only minor adjustments. Three scientific experiments utilizing this methodology are presented, namely sensory evaluation, ionic chromatography measurements, and NMR experiments. In the existing literature, numerous protocols have been used for carrot sample preparation, hindering direct comparisons between studies. In this paper we would like to highlight the ability of the methodology to enhance comparability, as well as its potential utilization in other research applications. The main principles underlying the proposed methodology can also be extrapolated to prepare samples of several other vegetables or cereals.•Comprehensive guidelines for standardizing the shapes, lengths, and widths of carrots are outlined, ensuring minimal variability while preserving the integrity of the raw material.•The cooking method for carrots is tailored to utilize commonly available household materials, while meeting scientific standards required for research purposes.•Seasoning practices involving readily available domestic materials, like commercial salt, are suggested.

Management of dredged marine sediments in Southern France: main keys to large-scale beneficial re-use.

Fifty million cubic meters of marine sediments are dredged each year in France in order to maintain harbor activities and sustain the economy of littoral territories. Because of anthropogenic activities in and around harbors, sediments can contain significant amounts of chemical and organic pollutants whose behavior during dredging must be addressed in order to avoid releasing risks for humans and the environment. French regulations come to govern the management of dredged sediments, considering them "safe" and possible to be dumped at sea or "contaminated" and needed to be treated on land as waste. In recent years, new constraints have been pushed toward the management of land. This management is, however, challenging as few channels are proposed to reuse marine sediments, and elimination appears to be economically and environmentally unsustainable. This study provides an overview of the technical and regulatory aspects related to dredged marine sediment management in France and aims to identify and discuss the limits of their valorization. Dredged sediments are mainly composed of particles with heterogeneous grain size, some being known for many applications such as building materials and growing media. However, several reasons have been put forward to explain why these particles are not reused when extracted from dredged sediments. Several technical, socio-economic, and regulatory obstacles explain the low demand for dredged sediments. This demand can be stimulated by government incentives and a good regulatory framework. National regulations could help streamline their reuse by removing their "waste" status and creating a regulated market for dredged sediment.