The most-probable-number enumeration of dichlobenil and 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM) degrading microbes in Finnish aquifers.

In groundwater subsurface deposits and a topsoil from five aquifers having 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM) in water, we determined the most-probable-number (MPN) of 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (dichlobenil) and metabolite BAM degrading microorganisms. Dichlobenil and BAM were combined nitrogen sources in the MPN tubes, which were scored positive at concentrations <75% after 1 month incubation. Aerobic and anaerobic microbes degrading dichlobenil and BAM were common in samples in low numbers of 3.6-210 MPN g dw(-1). Additional degradation occurred in high MPN dilutions of some samples, the microbial numbers being 0.11-120 x 10(5) MPN g dw(-1). The strains were isolated from low and high dilutions of one deposit, and degradation in pure cultures was confirmed by HPLC. According to the 16S rDNA sequencing, strains were from genera Zoogloea, Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas, Rhodococcus, Nocardioides, Sphingomonas, and Ralstonia. Dichlobenil (45.5 +/- 18.3%) and BAM (37.6 +/- 14%) degradation was low in the MPN tubes. Despite of microbial BAM degradation activity in subsurface deposits, BAM was measured from groundwater.

Atrazine and terbutryn degradation in deposits from groundwater environment within the boreal region in Lahti, Finland.

The degradation of pesticides atrazine and terbutryn was investigated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions in the northern boreal region subsurface deposits and sterilized controls from the depths of 6.3-21.0 m below the surface and 1.2-16.9 m below the groundwater table. During 1.3-1.7 years of laboratory incubation, atrazine degradation under aerobic conditions varied from rapid (half-live 38 days) to no degradation. Anaerobically, atrazine half-lives were 430-829 days. Organic matter, nitrogen, and lead in deposits correlated positively with the atrazine concentration in groundwater. Aerobic and anaerobic terbutryn half-lives were 193-644 and 266-400 days, respectively. Microbial aerobic atrazine and terbutryn degradation was confirmed in the deep deposits near the water table. Under aerobic conditions, the high amounts of Cr, Mn, Ni, and Zn in deposits decreased the chemical degradation of terbutryn.

Isolation and identification of oligomeric procyanidins from Crataegus leaves and flowers.

Oligomeric procyanidins were isolated from the leaves and flowers of hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata). A trimer, epicatechin-(4 beta-->8)-epicatechin-(4 beta-->6)-epicatechin, and a pentamer consisting of (-)-epicatechin units linked through C-4 beta/C-8 bonds have been isolated from hawthorn for the first time, in addition to known procyanidins including dimers B-2, B-4 and B-5, trimers C-1 and epicatechin-(4 beta-->6)-epicatechin-(4 beta-->8)-epicatechin, and tetramer D-1. A fraction containing a hexamer was also found.