Volume 21, No. 3 (2020)
Articles
KINETIC MODELING FOR THE BIOSORPTION OF COPPER, LEAD AND ZINC BY PENICILLIUM CITRINUM ISOLATED FROM POLLUTED ALGERIAN BEACHES
GHANIA BOURZAMA(1*), ALIMA RIHANI(1), NADJET ENNAGHRA(1), HOURIA OULED-HADDAR(2), BOUDJEMA SOUMATI(1)
The use of microorganisms, mainly fungi, is an alternative processing method for removing heavy metals from contaminated environments. These microorganisms have the ability to resist severe environments such as the presence of heavy metals and salinity. The aim of this study is to isolate natural fungi capable of accumulating lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) from polluted Algerian beaches. Heavy metal-resistant fungal strains were screened with different concentrations of these metals for 7 days at 25 ± 2 °C. The isolate showing the highest resistance to tested metals was selected to determine its ability to simultaneously uptake lead, zinc and copper from CYA broth medium. The kinetic models were applied on the metal tolerant Penicillium citrinum. Biosorption of the heavy metals was investigated under pH ranging from 1 to 11 and at temperature ranging from 15 to 45 °C. The screening of the heavy metal-resistant fungal strains showed one resistant strain to the three heavy metals at once. It followed the Langmuir model biosorption towards initial concentrations of the three metals showing an important affinity when compared with the earliest studies. The optimal pH and temperature were determined as 5.5 - 6 and 27 - 30 °C, respectively.
NEW FORESIGHT METHODOLOGY FOR TOXICITY ASSESSMENT
SVETLANA G. DAVYDENKO(1*), TATIANA V. MELEDINA(2), VERA A. IVANOVA(2*)
We present here an original express method of quantitative assessment based on carbon dioxide intensity production by yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast suspension is sucked inside medical syringe, hermetically sealed from one side. During yeast fermentation carbon dioxide intensively releases and the syringe pistol starts to raise. Probes, containing toxic substances show less fermentation efficiency and the height of pistol rising is less compared to the control probe, giving opportunity to assume toxic effects of different substances, foodstuff and medicines Method is independent from highly skilled personnel and hi-tech expensive equipment. By means of a simple technique it allows receiving a comparative assessment of beverages toxicity, such as beer, vodka, energy drinks, etc. and can give information on toxicity and chemical pollution of water, food, and soil. Test for toxic effect of medicines can also become a scope of this approach. According to this concept, it is necessary to replace laboratory animals by other models. Thus, the offered technique is a tool for detection of environment potential danger to humans without experimental testing on animal models. Now days there is worldwide growing tendency: people ignore cosmetic products that were tested on animals. Our method for some extend is able to replace animal models for toxicity assessment.
QUALITY, SAFETY AND SHELF LIFE OF “RED COTTAGE CHEESE” PRODUCT
GUZEL ALKHAMOVA, ALEKSANDR LUKIN*
New recipes and production technologies for “Red Cottage Cheese” product was developed. The optimal technological conditions for the production of the given cottage cheese product were established. The product had a sour-milk, caramel taste and the smell of baked milk. The shelf life of "Red Cottage Cheese" product was determined by analyzing the dynamics of changes in organoleptic, physical, chemical, and microbiological quality indicators during its storage. The shelf life of “Kyzyl Eremsek” cottage cheese product with stevioside at a temperature of (4 ± 2 °С) was determined to be 15 days.
EVALUATING THE MOLECULAR INTERACTION OF SAMBUCUS PLANT BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS TOWARD TNF-R1 AND TRAIL-R1/R2 AS POSSIBLE ANTI-CANCER THERAPY BASED ON TRADITIONAL MEDICINE: THE BIOINFOTMATICS STUDY
WIRA EKA PUTRA(1), MUHAIMIN RIFA’I(2*)
Inducing the apoptosis signaling pathway is one of the favorable treatment to overcome cancer incidence. Current treatment showed the increasing usage of natural products as therapy. Thus, the present work aims to evaluate the molecular interaction of Sambucus plant bioactive compounds toward the TNF-R1 and TRAIL-R1/R2 as possible anti-cancer therapy through the computational study. Approximately 31 bioactive compounds of Sambucus plant were screened as potential ligands to bind the TNF-R and TRAIL-R1/R2 protein models. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the interactive features of the ligands toward the apoptosis channels. In this present study, the results showed the Pro C1 was on the top with the lowest free binding energy on the interaction with TNF-R1, TRAIL-R1, and TRAIL-R2. Moreover, based on the computational prediction demonstrated that several bioactive compounds from Sambucus plant have similar residues in the interaction with TNF-R1, TRAIL-R1, and TRAIL-R2. The evidence from this study implied that Pro C1 that mostly found in Sambucus plant has therapeutic potency as the activator of apoptotic signaling pathways through the interaction with TNF-R1 and TRAIL-R1/R2.
CHARACTERIZATION AND THERMAL STUDY OF SEWAGE SLUDGE FROM THE MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OF EL EULMA, ALGERIA
ISSAM BOUDRAA(1,2,3*), HASSINA BOUGHERARA(1), BRAHIM KEBABI(1)
The continuous produce of sewage sludge generated by the treatment of wastewater in wastewater treatment plants poses a serious environmental problem. The characterization of sewage sludge before its reuse in safe way becomes very important. The aim of this study is the characterization of sludge and calcined sludge in different temperatures in the range of 200 °C - 1100 °C. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were achieved using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Thermal behavior of sludge was studied using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Loss in mass, carbonates rate, pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nitrate contents are also measured. Results show that major mineral constituents in our sludge and calcined sludge are, Al2O3, SiO2, CaCO3 and Fe2O3. Thermal behavior of sludge indicates three important losses in mass, first with a value of 8.24 % in temperature lower than 250 °C, the second with a value of 43.79 % between 230 °C and 700 °C and above 700 °C until 1100 °C a loss of 13.77 %. pH measurements values of different calcined samples are in the range from 6.3 to 11.1. Measurement of COD and nitrates contents reveals the values 2474 mg·L-1 and 134 mg·L-1 respectively.
INFLUENCE OF ROSEHIP POWDER ADDITION ON QUALITY INDICATORS OF MIXTURES OBTAINED WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF WHEAT FLOUR
NICOLETA PIRCU VARTOLOMEI(1), VASILICA ALISA ARUȘ(2), ALINA MIHAELA MOROI(2), DUMITRU ZAHARIA(3), MARIA TURTOI(1*)
This study was focused on the chemical analysis of the mixtures of wheat flour with rosehip powder. Different types of wheat flours, i.e., white flour (WF), intermediate wheat flour (IWF), whole wheat flour (WWF) and wheat flour with bran (WFB), and various amounts of rosehip powder (Rp), i.e., 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 % were used to obtain several flour mixtures whose proximate composition and physical properties were determined. The data show that chemical composition of the flours is modified by the addition of Rp: the moisture, protein and wet gluten content decreases and the ash content increases with an increased addition of Rp. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between flour mixtures, separately for each type of flour. The in-depth analysis of the quality indicators of flours reveals that the wet gluten content corresponds to the optimal level only for all the WF-Rp mixtures. This leads to the selection of the WF-Rp to obtain bread and study the influence of Rp addition on bread properties in future research.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE POLYPHENOLIC CONTENT, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-TYROSINASE ACTIVITIES OF CORNUS OFFICINALIS FRUIT BY BIFIDOBACTERIUM BIFIDUM FERMENTATION
XIUREN ZHOU(1*), YIMIN ZHAO(2), YONGCHAO LI(1), GUIFANG XU(1), XIANGXU ZHOU(3)
Fermentation is considered a promising way to increase the bioactive substance content as well as the curing efficacy of foods and herbal medicines. However, in the vast majority of cases, it remains unknown what bioactive ingredient and physiological activity are altered in traditional herbs after fermentation. Here, in order to find the effect of fermentation on the bioactive compound content and health efficacy of Cornus officinalis fruit, an important Chinese traditional medicine, its total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity and anti-tyrosinase activity were estimated during Bifidobacterium bifidum fermentation process. The results showed that, during COF (Cornus officinalis fruit)’s fermentation, the total phenolic contents were significantly increased, however, the total flavonoid contents weren’t obviously changed, and that the antioxidant activity as well as the anti-tyrosinase activity was enhanced. In addition, the total phenolic content was positively related not only to the antioxidant activity but also to the anti-tyrosinase activity. This research can help us better understand the alterations of ingredients and physiological activities of fermented traditional medicines that influence curing efficacy.
STUDY REGARDING THE INFLUENCE OF EXERCISE AND DIET ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF HEALTH DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
CĂTĂLINA ABABEI(1*), RADU ABABEI(2), IRINA LOREDANA IFRIM(3*), ALINA ABABEI(4)
The Covid 19 pandemic has troubled the entire world with its aggressive and fast way of spreading. The states of emergency and alert declared by multiple countries, including Romania, have determined major changes in all aspects of life. Banning free movement of any kind and the high number of cases of infection have created unrest and even panic. The people's general health was endangered. Exercise, among many other benefits, releases endorphins and that is why the authors thought that this could improve one's health during the pandemic. This study's objective was to investigate how during the pandemic, exercising for 40 minutes four times per week together with a personalized nutritional plan, can contribute to the improvement of one's health, mainly one's cholesterol and triglycerides values. The study has shown that the training sessions and personalized nutritional plan had a great effect to improve the health by reducing their cholesterol and triglycerides values and their body mass and from a motor point of view on the 56 year old subject, in the sense that there was a decrease in weight 7.14 % higher than in the 30-year-old subject.
THE PROBLEM OF OCHRATOXIN A IS REAL IN ARMENIA
LUSINE HAKOBYAN(1*), KARINE GRIGORYAN(2)
Mycotoxins are especially dangerous biological contaminants of food. OTA (ochtatoxin A) is the main problem in countries with developed winemaking and viticulture. The aim of our work was to identify contamination level of dried vine fruit by ochratoxigenic and aflatoxigenic filamentous fungi and their mycotoxins and to reveal dangers for consumer. Dried vine fruit sold in Armenia including local production and imported were analyzed. Quantities of OTA and AFB1 (aflatoxin B1) in fungi extracts and in dried grape samples were determined by TLC (Thin-Layer Chromatography) method. 508 strains of potential producers of OTA and AFB1 from genus Aspergillus were isolated from dried grape and identified. 30 strains of A. carbonarius, 15 strains of A. niger, 3 strains of A. ochraceus and 12 strains of A. flavus were analyzed on mycotoxin content. OTA were revealed in 20 strains of A. carbonarius and 6 strains of A. niger. In order to discover the sources of contamination of Armenian dried vine fruit by toxigenic species, mycological analysis of fresh grape berries was carried out. 218 potentially toxigenic strains were isolated and 43 strains (20 A. carbonarius, 16 A. niger and 7 A. flavus) were analyzed. None of them produced mycotoxins. OTA and AFB1 were revealed in dried grape samples of Armenian production.
EVALUATION OF THE CORROSION INHIBITION POTENTIAL OF RAPHANUS SATIVUS AND SPINACIA OLERACEEA EXTRACTS PART II: MILD STEEL CORROSION INHIBITION BY RAPHANUS SATIVUS AND SPINACIA OLERACEA EXTRACTS AS GREEN CORROSION INHIBITORS
NICOLAE CATALIN TAMPU, RALUCA IOANA TAMPU(*), OANA-IRINA PATRICIU*, BOGDAN ALEXANDRU CHIRIȚĂ, LUCIAN GAVRILĂ
Our study presents the investigation of the inhibitive performances of Spinacia oleracea (spinach) and Raphanus sativus (radish) hydroalcoholic leaves extracts on mild steel corrosion in acidic environments. The spinach and radish leaves extracts were obtained under green conditions (microwave assisted extraction and ethanol as biodegradable solvent). The extracts were added in the corrosive solutions at a concentration of 0.5 g·L-1. The inhibition of the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4 solution by the plant extracts has been studied using the weight loss method. Both extracts inhibit steel corrosion in 0.1 M H2SO4, but Raphanus sativus extract proved slightly higher corrosion inhibition efficiency (78 %) than Spinacia oleracea the extract (75 %).