Effect of transpiration on plant accumulation and translocation of PPCP/EDCs.

The reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation in arid and hot climates where plant transpiration is high may affect plant accumulation of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In this study, carrot, lettuce, and tomato plants were grown in solution containing 16 PPCP/EDCs in either a cool-humid or a warm-dry environment. Leaf bioconcentration factors (BCF) were positively correlated with transpiration for chemical groups of different ionized states (p < 0.05). However, root BCFs were correlated with transpiration only for neutral PPCP/EDCs (p < 0.05). Neutral and cationic PPCP/EDCs showed similar accumulation, while anionic PPCP/EDCs had significantly higher accumulation in roots and significantly lower accumulation in leaves (p < 0.05). Results show that plant transpiration may play a significant role in the uptake and translocation of PPCP/EDCs, which may have a pronounced effect in arid and hot climates where irrigation with treated wastewater is common.

Lipase pre-hydrolysis enhance anaerobic biodigestion of soap stock from an oil refining industry.

A novel alcalophilic Staphylococcus haemolyticus strain with the lipolytic activity was used to perform enzymatic hydrolysis pretreatment of soap stock: a lipid rich solid waste from an oil refining industry. The culture liquid of the selected bacteria and an enzymatic preparation obtained by precipitation with ammonium sulphate from a filtrate of the same culture liquid were used for enzymatic pretreatment. The hydrolysis was carried with different incubation concentrations (10, 20 and 30%) of soap stock and the pretreatment efficiency was verified by running comparative biodegradability tests (crude and treated lipid waste). All pretreated assays showed higher reaction rate compared to crude lipid waste, which was confirmed by the increased levels of biogas production. The pretreatment of solutions containing 10% emulsified soap stock was optimized for 24 h hydrolysis time, enabling high-biogaz formation (800 ml). The use of enzymatic pre-treatment seemed to be a very promising alternative for treating soap stock having high fat contents.

Long-term impact of integration of household water treatment and hygiene promotion with antenatal services on maternal water treatment and hygiene practices in Malawi.

A clinic-based program to integrate antenatal services with distribution of hygiene kits including safe water storage containers, water treatment solution (brand name WaterGuard), soap, and hygiene education, was implemented in Malawi in 2007 and evaluated in 2010. We surveyed 389 participants at baseline in 2007, and found and surveyed 232 (60%) participants to assess water treatment, test stored drinking water for residual chlorine (an objective measure of treatment), and observe handwashing technique at follow-up in 2010. Program participants were more likely to know correct water treatment procedures (67% versus 36%; P < 0.0001), treat drinking water with WaterGuard (24% versus 2%; P < 0.0001), purchase and use WaterGuard (21% versus 1%; P < 0.001), and demonstrate correct handwashing technique (50% versus 21%; P < 0.001) at the three-year follow-up survey than at baseline. This antenatal-clinic-based program may have contributed to sustained water treatment and proper handwashing technique among program participants.

Water treatment and handwashing behaviors among non-pregnant friends and relatives of participants in an antenatal hygiene promotion program in Malawi.

Access to safe drinking water and improved hygiene are essential for preventing diarrheal diseases. To integrate hygiene improvement with antenatal care, free hygiene kits (water storage containers, water treatment solution, soap) and educational messages were distributed to pregnant women at antenatal clinics in Malawi. We assessed water treatment and hygiene practices of 275 non-pregnant friends and relatives of the hygiene kit recipients at baseline and follow-up nine months later to measure program impact on non-participants in the same communities. At follow-up, friends and relatives who did not receive kits or education were more likely than at baseline to purchase and use water treatment solution (25% versus 1%; P < 0.0001) and demonstrate correct handwashing practices (60% versus 18%; P < 0.0001). This antenatal clinic-based program resulted in improved water treatment and hygiene behaviors among non-pregnant friends and relatives living in the same communities as hygiene kit recipients, suggesting that program benefits extended beyond direct beneficiaries.

Enzymatic synthesis of fatty acid ethyl esters by utilizing camellia oil soapstocks and diethyl carbonate.

This study was reported on a novel process for fatty acid ethyl esters preparation by transesterification and esterification from renewable low-cost feedstock camellia oil soapstocks and friendly acyl acceptor diethyl carbonate. The main components of product were 83.9% ethyl oleate, 8.9% ethyl palmitate, 4.7% ethyl linoleate and 2.1% ethyl stearate, which could be used as eco-friendly renewable resources or additives of industrial solvent and fossil fuel. The effects of molar ratio of diethyl carbonate to soapstocks oil, lipases, organic solvent, reaction temperature and time were investigated, and process conditions were optimized. The yield was up to 98.4% in solvent-free system with molar ratio of diethyl carbonate to soapstocks oil 3:1 and 5% Novozym 435 (based on the weight of soapstocks oil) at 50 °C and 180 rpm for 24 h. Moreover, there was no obvious loss in the yield after lipases were reused for 10 batches without treatment under optimized conditions.

Removal of micropollutants from aerobically treated grey water via ozone and activated carbon.

Ozonation and adsorption onto activated carbon were tested for the removal micropollutants of personal care products from aerobically treated grey water. MilliQ water spiked with micropollutants (100-1600 µgL(-1)) was ozonated at a dosing rate of 1.22. In 45 min, this effectively removed (>99%): Four parabens, bisphenol-A, hexylcinnamic aldehyde, 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor (4MBC), benzophenone-3 (BP3), triclosan, galaxolide and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. After 60 min, the removal efficiency of benzalkonium chloride was 98%, tonalide and nonylphenol 95%, octocrylene 92% and 2-phenyl-5-benzimidazolesulfonic acid (PBSA) 84%. Ozonation of aerobically treated grey water at an applied ozone dose of 15 mgL(-1), reduced the concentrations of octocrylene, nonylphenol, triclosan, galaxolide, tonalide and 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor to below limits of quantification, with removal efficiencies of at least 79%. Complete adsorption of all studied micropollutants onto powdered activated carbon (PAC) was observed in batch tests with milliQ water spiked with 100-1600 µgL(-1) at a PAC dose of 1.25 gL(-1) and a contact time of 5 min. Three granular activated carbon (GAC) column experiments were operated to treat aerobically treated grey water. The operation of a GAC column with aerobically treated grey water spiked with micropollutants in the range of 0.1-10 µgL(-1) at a flow of 0.5 bed volumes (BV)h(-1) showed micropollutant removal efficiencies higher than 72%. During the operation time of 1728 BV, no breakthrough of TOC or micropollutants was observed. Removal of micropollutants from aerobically treated grey water was tested in a GAC column at a flow of 2 BVh(-1). Bisphenol-A, triclosan, tonalide, BP3, galaxolide, nonylphenol and PBSA were effectively removed even after a stable TOC breakthrough of 65% had been reached. After spiking the aerobically treated effluent with micropollutants to concentrations of 10-100 µgL(-1), efficient removal to below limits of quantification continued for at least 1440 BV. Both ozonation and adsorption are suitable techniques for the removal of micropollutants from aerobically treated grey water.

Personal care product use and urinary levels of phthalate metabolites in Mexican women.

Sources of phthalates other than Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) related products are scarcely documented in Mexico. The objective of our study was to explore the association between urinary levels of nine phthalate metabolites and the use of personal care products. Subjects included 108 women who participated as controls in an ongoing population-based case-control study of environmental factors and genetic susceptibility to breast cancer in northern Mexico. Direct interviews were performed to inquire about sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history, use of personal care products, and diet. Phthalate metabolites measured in urine by high performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry were monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate (MCPP) as well as mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate (MEOHP), mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl phthalate (MEHHP), mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP) that are metabolites of di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Detectable urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites varied from 75% (MEHP) to 100% (MEP, MBP, MEOHP, MEHHP and MECPP). Medians of urinary concentrations of some phthalate metabolites were significantly higher among users of the following personal care products compared to nonusers: body lotion (MEHHP, MECPP and sum of DEHP metabolites (ΣDEHP)), deodorant (MEHP and ΣDEHP), perfume (MiBP), anti-aging facial cream (MEP, MBP and MCPP) and bottled water (MCPP, MEHHP and MEOHP). Urinary concentrations of MEP showed a positive relationship with the number of personal care products used. Our results suggest that the use of some personal care products contributes to phthalate body burden that deserves attention due to its potential health impact.

Immunomodulatory lipids in plants: plant fatty acid amides and the human endocannabinoid system.

Since the discovery that endogenous lipid mediators show similar cannabimimetic effects as phytocannabinoids from CANNABIS SATIVA, our knowledge about the endocannabinoid system has rapidly expanded. Today, endocannabinoid action is known to be involved in various diseases, including inflammation and pain. As a consequence, the G-protein coupled cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoid transport, as well as endocannabinoid metabolizing enzymes represent targets to block or enhance cannabinoid receptor-mediated signalling for therapeutic intervention. Based on the finding that certain endocannabinoid-like fatty acid N-alkylamides from purple coneflower ( ECHINACEA spp.) potently activate CB2 cannabinoid receptors we have focused our interest on plant fatty acid amides (FAAs) and their overall cannabinomodulatory effects. Certain FAAs are also able to partially inhibit the action of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which controls the breakdown of endocannabinoids. Intriguingly, plants lack CB receptors and do not synthesize endocannabinoids, but express FAAH homologues capable of metabolizing plant endogenous N-acylethanolamines (NAEs). While the site of action of these NAEs in plants is unknown, endogenous NAEs and arachidonic acid glycerols in animals interact with distinct physiological lipid receptors, including cannabinoid receptors. There is increasing evidence that also plant FAAs other than NAEs can pharmacologically modulate the action of these endogenous lipid signals. The interference of plant FAAs with the animal endocannabinoid system could thus be a fortunate evolutionary cross point with yet unexplored therapeutic potential.

Application of oil refinery waste in the biosynthesis of glycolipids by yeast.

Candida antarctica or Candida apicola synthesized surfactants (glycolipids) in the cultivation medium supplemented with oil refinery waste, either with soapstock (from 5.0% to 12.0% v/v) or post-refinery fatty acids (from 2.0% to 5.0% v/v). The efficiency of glycolipids synthesis was determined by the amount of waste supplemented to the medium and was from 7.3 to 13.4 g/l and from 6.6 to 10.5 g/l in the medium supplemented with soapstock and post-refinery fatty acids, respectively. The studied yeast also synthesized glycolipids in the non-supplemented medium however, by the enrichment of medium with the oil refinery waste, a 7.5-8.5-fold greater concentration of glycolipids was obtained in the post-culture liquid then in the medium without addition of oil refinery waste. The yeast synthesized from 6.6 to 10.3 g dry biomass/l and the intra-cellular fat content was from 16.8% to 30.2%. The efficiency of glycolipids synthesis was determined by yeast species, medium acidity and culture period. The surface tension of the post-culture liquid separated from yeast biomass was reduced to 35.6 mN/m, which corresponded to the surface tension obtained at the critical micelle concentration of glycolipids.

Effect of saponification on the anaerobic digestion of solid fatty residues.

In France, fatty residues considered as "non-ultimate" waste will not be accepted in landfill from 2002, in accordance with French legislation. Anaerobic digestion appears as an alternative process to mobilize and profitably use such fermentable waste. In this work, the effect of an alkaline pretreatment on the degradation of hexane extractible matter (HEM) and the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) was compared in reactors working at pH 6.5 and 8.5. The results obtained showed that 40% (+/- 0.1) of HEM were degraded at pH 8.5 versus 10% (+/- 0.3) at pH 6.5, regardless of the alkali agent used to saponify the greasy wastes. The highest performances of VFA production (8.45% +/- 0.3) were obtained at pH 8.5 with greases saponified by potassium hydroxide, compared to results (4.25% +/- 0.1) with greasy waste saponified by sodium hydroxide. This difference in VFA production might be attributable to biotoxic molecules generated during the saponification of greases by soda, limiting consequently the VFA production process.

Dissociation of calcium soaps of long-chain fatty acids in rumen fluid.

Dissociation of 5% solutions of calcium soaps of soya, tallow, stearic acid, and palm fatty acid distillate was studied by titration with 1 N HCl. Release of calcium ions was directly correlated with decrease in pH value. Estimated pKa values were 5.6, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.5 for calcium soaps of soya, palm fatty acid distillate, tallow, and stearic acid, respectively. Dissociation of 5% solutions in acetate buffer at pH values of 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 was measured in terms of release of soluble calcium. Dissociation was maximum at pH 5.0, minimum at pH 6.5, and dependent on unsaturation of fatty acids in the soaps. Soluble calcium in the acetate-buffered rumen fluid was higher than predicted from pKa of calcium soaps, due to formation of soluble calcium acetate; however, the relative patterns were similar to their pKa values. Unsaturated soaps are less satisfactory for maintaining normal rumen function, because dissociation is relatively higher. Calcium soaps of palm fatty acid distillate were satisfactorily stable to pH 5.5.

Production of exopolysaccharides by Acinetobacter strains in a controlled fed-batch fermentation process using soap stock oil (SSO) as carbon source.

The production of two extracellular capsular heteropolysaccharides by two different Acinetobacter strains has been studied in separate controlled fermentation processes with a view to their industrial applications as specific dispersing agents. The first, emulsan, is an extracellular polyanionic amphipathic heteropolysaccharide (MW 10(6) D) made by A. calcoaceticus RAG-1. It forms and stabilizes oil in water emulsions. The other, biodispersan (PS-A2), is another extracellular zwitterionic heteropolysaccharide (MW 51 kD) made by A. calcoaceticus A2. This polysaccharide disperses big solid limestone granules forming micron-size water suspension. Both polysaccharides are synthesized within the cells, exported to their outer surface to form an extracellular cell-associated capsule and released subsequently into the growth medium. The polymers were produced in a computer-controlled fed-batch intensively aerated fermentation process. A commercially available and cheap fatty acids mixture (soap stock oil) served as the carbon source, and was fed in coordination with the required nitrogen. The coordinated feed of carbon and nitrogen was operated on the basis of two metabolic correlations: The first correlation related the cell protein produced and the ammonium nitrogen consumed with the outcoming coeffients of 24 and 21 mM NH3/g protein for the emulsan and the biodispersan fermentations respectively. The second correlation linked the consumption of the fatty acids with that of the nitrogen source dictating the appropriate C/N ratio of the feed into the operating fermentor. These ratios were 7.7 g C/g N for the emulsan fermentation and 8.5 gC/g N in the case of the biodispersan production process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of age, dietary cholic acid, and calcium levels on performance, utilization of free fatty acids, and bone mineralization in broilers.

The effects of age on the utilization of dietary palmitic or a 50/50 mixture of palmitic and oleic acid at the 8% inclusion level in the absence or presence of .2% cholic acid and also in the presence of low (.8%) or high (1.2%) calcium were investigated using broiler chicks from 1 to 56 days of age. Significant interactions (P less than .01) were observed between the type of fatty acid supplemented and the presence or absence of cholic acid on weight gain and feed efficiency. Supplementing diets with a mixture of equal weights of palmitic and oleic acid, reduced feed intake relative to control diets and diets supplemented with palmitic acid alone. There was an interaction between the age of the bird and the type of fatty acid supplemented on fat retention and metabolizable energy (ME) of diets (P less than .01). There was also a significant interaction between the type of fatty acid supplemented and the addition of cholic acid on fat retention and ME of diets. While cholic acid reduced soap formation during the process of digestion (P less than .05), increasing dietary calcium level increased the proportion of the digesta fat that was present as soap (P less than .01). The proportion of digesta and excreta fat, present as soap, depended on the type of fatty acid supplemented. The addition of free fatty acids to broiler diets resulted in a decrease in bone ash and bone calcium content relative to those birds fed the control diet. It is concluded that the ability of broilers to utilize dietary free fatty acids depends on the age at which they are fed, although in all cases supplemental cholic acid enhances fatty acid utilization.

Metabolic disposition of pyrithiones.

The urinary pattern of pyrithione metabolites in urine of the rat, rabbit and rhesus monkey was similar to that of the swine after iv. administration of sodium pyrithione (Sodium Omadine) and the magnesium sulfate adduct of 2,2'-dithio-bis(pyridine-1-oxide), (Omadine MDS). The major metabolite accounting for 80% or more of the metabolites in urine was the S-glucuronide of 2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide. After Omadine MDS administration, three transient metabolites and one persistent metabolite were observed in the plasma. The transient metabolites were tentatively identified as 2-methylthiopyridine-N-oxide, 2-methylsulfinylpyridine and 2-methylsulfinylpyridine-N-oxide. 2-Methylsulfonylpyridine was the only metabolite observed in the plasma 16 hr after Omadine administration. This metabolite could be detected 14 days after rats were treated repeatedly with a shampoo formulation containing Omadine MDS.

[Histochemiscal characteristics of lipids in different forms of goiter]. / Gistokhimicheskaia kharakteristika lipidov pri razlichnykh formakh zoba

Histochemical studies were carried out of the content and localization of neutral and acid lipids, cholesterol and its ethers, phospholipids, free fatty acids and soaps in various forms of goiter (96 of the thyroid glands removed during during the operation in connection with goiter). It was shown that thyreo-toxic strumas were characterized by a very small amount of neutral lipids in the apical part of thyreocytes and some small amount in the stroma. The greatest amount of lipids (predominantly acid ones, free fatty acids and soaps) were identified in euthyroid macro-microfollicular strumas which were characterized by cystic degeneration of the glandular parenchyma and by a marked process of desquamation of the follicular epithelium. Histochemically, the desquamated Kulesh-Lauer's cells were found to contain moderate and insignificant amounts of neutral lipids, cholesterol and its ethers, with the help of the reaction with Nile bleu sulphate a great amount of acid lipids was identified, by Fischer's method--a great amount of free fatty acids. The results obtained also showed that Ashkinazi's cells were free from lipids. C-cells, which hardly identifiable in thyreotoxic colloid-parenchymatous strumas, were found to be rich in phospholipids, whereas in other cellular elements of the thyroid gland they were not detected, which in the authors' opinion, may serve as a histochemical test of C-cells.

[Soap abortion and fat embolism]. / Seifenabortus und Fettembolie.

PIP: Autopsy results in 9 cases of illegal soap abortion are reported. In 2 cases, death occurred very shortly after the abortion and was due to air embolism. Fatty liver was a common finding, and was more pronounced in patients who had survived longer. fatty substances had been forced mechanically into the vessels of the uterus and placenta. Lung tissue was surprisingly rich in neutral fats, and presented the typical picture of traumatic fat embolism. It is believed that the fatal outcomes of soap abortions are due to soap poisoning, which results in insufficiency of the clearing factors, disturbing the stability of the neutral fat emulsions. The effects of fats mechanically forced into the bloodstream are of lesser importance.^ieng