Volume 18, No. 2 (2017)
Articles
SYNTHESIS, THERMAL STUDIES AND CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF 4-AMINOPYRIDINIUM SEMI-OXALATE HEMIHYDRATE
CECILIA CHACÓN(1), JULIA BRUNO-COLMENÁREZ(2), JOAZAIZULFAZLI JAMALIS(3), GERZON E. DELGADO(4*)
The title compound has been synthesized by grinding in an agate mortar. Its structure was characterized by TGA-DSC studies and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound crystallize in the monoclinic system with space group C2/c, Z = 4, and unit cell parameters a = 16.109(2) Å, b = 5.748(7) Å, c = 20.580(3) Å, β = 107.36(1)°. The salt, C2HO4-.C5H7N+.0.5 H2O, is an ionic ensemble assisted by hydrogen bonds established between 4-aminopyridinium cations, oxalate anions and water molecules. The three components thus construct a supramolecular assembly with a three-dimensional hydrogen bonded framework.
STUDY ON THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL, ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES AND MINERAL CONTENT OF FIVE HONEYS PRODUCED IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF ALGERIA
MOUNIR HABATI(*), ABDELAZIZ GHERIB, BOULANOUAR BAKCHICHE, AHMED. A. BENMEBAREK
The present study evaluated the physicochemical, antioxidant properties and mineral content of five Honeys from the Central Region of Algeria (Laghouat). Physicochemical properties were examined according to the official methods of analysis of AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists); antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (Ferric reducing ability of plasma) assays, the minerals were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results compared to those recommended by Codex Alimentarius indicated that the quality of the tested honey was very good. The samples exhibited good antioxidant activity. A linear positive relationship existed between antioxidant activity and total phenolics (R2 = 0.95)/flavonoids (R2 = 0.99). The analyzed honey samples possess valuable antioxidants for culinary and medicinal uses. The analysis revealed the presence of (K) 220.88 ± 1.72 ppm, (Na) 85.84 ± 1.72 ppm, (Fe) 0.1922 ± 0.47 ppm, (Co) 0.9144 ± 1.63 ppm, (Cu) 0.1252 ± 1.76 ppm and nickel (Ni) 0.0463 ± 0.10 ppm in the collected samples. Toxic elements identified in the studied honeys are safe because they are below the maximum residual limit. Therefore, these results indicate that the areas of production of these honeys are unpolluted by the toxic elements.
PURIFICATION OF WATER SOLUBLE PROTEINS (2S ALBUMINS) EXTRACTED FROM PEANUT DEFATTED FLOUR AND ISOLATION OF THEIR ISOFORMS BY GEL FILTRATION AND ANION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
IMÈNE BOUALEG(*), AISSA BOUTEBBA
2S albumins are water-soluble seed storage proteins present in dicotyledonous plants, including legumes. In peanuts, 2S albumins have been identified as major allergens. In this work, we aimed to study these water soluble allergenic proteins. They were extracted in water from peanut defatted flour (oilcake). It was quantified by Bradford method. The total and insoluble proteins content was determined by Kjeldahl method (% P = N x 6.25). The crude 2S albumins were purified using gel-filtration chromatography. Anion exchange chromatography analysis was applied to isolate their isoforms. The recorded values for total and insoluble proteins are 45.49 % and 36.65 % consecutively. A value of 9.99 % was determined for water soluble proteins content which correspond to 20 % compared to the total proteins. Analysis by Sephadex G-75 chromatography of soluble extract gave two majors peaks in which, the Mr ~ 25 kDa peak was predicted to be pure 2S albumin fraction. Using DAEA-cellulose chromatography, two peaks were appeared from pure 2S albumins, it were predicted that 2S albumin isoforms theoretically represent the peanut major allergens Ara h2 and Ara h6. These approaches are the basis for further studies may involve immunological analysis to understand the impact of these biomolecules on peanut allergenicity.
QUALITY PARAMETERS OF DAIRY WASTEWATER IN THE MUREŞ COUNTY, ROMANIA
MIHAELA TIŢA(1), ROXANA TUFEANU(1*), OVIDIU TIŢA(1), DAN MIRICESCU(2)
The objective of this study was to investigate the main quality indicators of wastewater in a dairy factory located in Mureş County, with a water treatment plant built recently. The wastewater samples were tested for extractable matter, total suspended matter, fixed residue, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids and pH values. The results indicated that pollution levels of wastewater samples tested were found high. This means that the method of treatment does not have the necessary effectiveness that can cause high load of effluent in NH4+, total suspended solids, Chemical Oxygen Demand - COD-Cr, Biochemical Oxygen Demand - BOD5, pH for dairy wastewater from the production of cheese and butter. To maintain quality indicators of effluents discharged, in the limits established by the Romanian regulations in force, to avoid the environmental pollution, appropriate treatment method is required.
INVESTIGATION OF UV/TiO2-ZnO-Co PHOTOCATALITIC DEGRADATION OF AZO DYE (REACTIVE RED 120) BY RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
MOHSEN MANSOURI(1*), MARJAN TANZIFI(1), HOSSEIN LOTFI(2 3), MOHSEN NADEMI(3)
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are the most attractive methods to degrade diferent organic pollutants. The AOPs have grown extensively because water quality control and regulations have become very strict in many countries. Optimizing the photocatalytic degradation of azo dye (Reactive Red 120) was our goal of research for applying the experimental design methodology. pH (X1), concentration of dye (X2) and TiO2-ZnO-Co nanoparticles volume (X3) in reactions were described mathematically as the function of parameters and were designed by using response surface methodology (RSM). Results were in agreement with empirical values and the sensitivity analysis showed above parameters as the most efficient variables in decolorization efficiency. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly determination coefficient value (R2 = 0.9996 and adjusted-R2 = 0.999) and satisfactory prediction second-order regression model. The desirable quantities were obtained at the pH = 7, TiO2-ZnO-Co concentration = 0.1 g·L-1, and the initial Reactive Red 120 (RR 120) concentration = 16.4 mg·L-1. Finally, kinetics reaction of degradtion RR 120 was carried in the optimum conditions.
ZETA POTENTIAL AND COLOR INVESTIGATIONS OF VEGETABLE OIL BASED EMULSIONS AS ECO-FRIENDLY LUBRICANTS
ROMICĂ CREŢU(1), LIVIU CĂTĂLIN ŞOLEA(2*)
In the past 10 years, the need for biodegradable lubricants has been more and more emphasized. The use of vegetable oils as lubricants offers several advantages. The vegetable oils are biodegradable; thus, the environmental pollution is minimal either during or after their use. The aim of this paper is to presents a preliminary study concerning the influence of some preparation conditions on the stability of vegetable oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions as eco-friendly lubricants stabilized by nonionic surfactant. In this context, vegetable oil-in-water emulsions characteristics where assessed using microscopically observation and zeta potential. In addition, the color of these emulsions can be evaluated. It can be observed that the emulsions tend to stabilize in time.
POLLUTION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND BY NAPHTHALENE OF ROADSIDE ORIGIN
DAHBIA ZERROUKI(1*), MOHAMED MAATOUG(1), MOKHTAR AMIRAT(1), IMEN CHAKER(1), MYKOLA KHARYTONOV(2)
The aim of this work is to study the mobility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mainly naphthalene, in an agricultural soil in road environment. The recorded naphthalene concentrations in soil’s surface horizons (19.37 ± 0.32 mg∙g-1), allowed to highlight that the traffic and road’s infrastructures are an important toxic source of naphthalene to the environment. This pollutant can disperse and fall dry or wet on the edges of the pavement, carried by storm water runoff into the ground. This naphthalene accumulation is influenced by the physical and chemical parameters of the soil (pH, cation exchange capacity, clays rate). High levels of naphthalene in soil were observed at low pH (r = -0.25**), in contrast, soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the clays rate are positively correlated with these levels (r = 0.20* and r = 0.17**).
RESEARCH REGARDING THE POTENTIAL ACTIVITY OF SOME HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS ON PLANTS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
OANA-IRINA PATRICIU(1), ŞTEFAN CIOBANU(2), DANIELA NICUŢĂ(2), LUMINITA GROSU(1), MIRELA SUCEVEANU(1), IRINA-CLAUDIA ALEXA(1*), ADRIANA LUMINITA FÎNARU(1*)
It is well known that growth and morphogenesis of plant tissue cultures can be improved by small amounts of some organic compounds. Heterocyclic compounds such as chromanones and thiazoles derivatives, valuable because of their potential biological activities, have also been reported as pesticides, herbicides and plant-growth regulators. In the present study, different concentrations of chromanones and thiazoles derivatives were employed to evaluate their effects on plantlets growth of Ocimum basilicum L. and Echinacea purpurea L. The studied compounds were proved to be growth inhibitors at high concentrations. A growth stimulation effect was registered at low concentration.
GROWTH CAPACITY OF BACILLUS POTENTIAL STARTER STRAINS ISOLATED FROM COCOA BEANS FERMENTATION UNDER CULTURE STRESS CONDITIONS
WILFRIED YAO, BERNADETTE G. GOUALIE(*), HONORE G. OUATTARA, SEBASTIEN NIAMKE
The study investigates the growth capacity of Bacillus with pectinolytic activity, acidifying and citrate metabolism capacities under culture stress conditions. Spontaneous heaps fermentation was conducted from cocoa of six producing regions of Côte d’Ivoire. Bacillus isolated using plate agar on nutrient medium were analyzed for pectinolytic enzymes production, citric acid breakdown, acidification and growth capacity under different stress conditions. A total of 970 Bacillus strains were isolated and 44.53 % of them produced pectinolytic activity. Among pectinolytic strains, 163 (37.73 %) exhibited acidifying and citrate metabolism capacity. Five (5) of these strains exhibited a strong thermotolerance at 50 ºC with the optimal growth at 35 ºC and a good capacity to grow at pH 4 to pH 8. Moreover, sugar concentrations ranged 5 to 25 % showed low effect on all tested strains growth with a maximum growth at 5 % fructose and sucrose concentration and at 15% glucose concentration. However, ethanol stress conditions (up to 8 %) repress strongly growth capacity of the strains analyzed. This study indicates that Bacillus strains involved in Ivorian cocoa fermentation possess some properties essential for a well-fermented cocoa. Therefore, these results show that Bacillus studied should be potential candidate as starter for cocoa beans fermentation control.
OPTIMIZATION OF BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM ORGANIC FRACTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE: EXPERIMENTAL TEST USING LIQUID FROM WASTE FERMENTATION
MAHAMADI NIKIEMA(1 2), NARCIS BARSAN(2*), MARIUS K. SOMDA(1), DESIRE TRAORE(1), DAYERI DIANOU(3), VALENTIN NEDEFF(2), ALFRED S. TRAORE(1)
The present study aimed to produce biogas using liquid from OFMSW fermentation. In this study the physic-chemical parameters of liquid from OFMSW were determined. Anaerobic digestion using liquid from OFMSW and 2 % (w/v) of OFMSW as substrate load was carried out both in batch anaerobic digesters during 25 days. The pH, ammonium nitrogen and gas (CO2, CH4 and H2S) were followed during anaerobic digestion. The concentration of ammonium nitrogen ranged respectively 3 g NH4-N·L-1 to 6 g NH4-N·L-1 and 5 g NH4-N·L-1 to 9 g NH4-N·L-1 in anaerobic digestion from liquid from OFMSW and 2 % of OFMSW. This technology has permit to obtain good quality of biogas (57 % CH4, 3 % CO2 and 20 ppm H2S) in a short time of 20 days.