Volume 22, No. 4 (2021)
Articles
REMOVAL OF CHROMIUM (VI) FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY EXTRACTED ONION PROCESSING WASTE
TSVETKO V. PROKOPOV(1), MILENA I. NIKOLOVA(1), DONKA S. TANEVA(1), NADEZHDA T. PETKOVA(2*)
The aim of the present study was to examine the performance of residue from extracted onion processing waste for the ability to remove Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The characterization of applied biosorbent was conducted by FT-IR analysis. Batch experiments were carried out and the effects of different adsorption process parameters were determined. Maximum removal efficiency of 98.29 ± 0.17 % was obtained at pH = 1.0, adsorbent dose 0.5 g·L-1, initial Cr (VI) concentration 50 mg·L-1, temperature 25.0 ± 0.5 oC, agitation speed 200 rpm and contact time of 30 min. The pseudo-second order model and Langmuir model provided the best fit to experimental kinetics and equilibrium isotherm data, respectively. Based on the values determined for the maximum adsorption capacity (qmax = 47.17 mg·g-1) the extracted onion processing waste could be applied as a low cost biosorbent for removal of Cr (VI) ions from polluted water.
SCREENING OF BIOSURFACTANT PRODUCING MICROORGANISMS FROM THE SOIL
ANUSHREE SURESH, DISHA NAGDA, JAYANTHI ABRAHAM(*)
The primary motive of this research was to check for the presence of microbial species which has the ability to produce biosurfactant. The soil samples were collected from petrol bunk which was contaminated with petroleum oil and enrichment technique was carried out with minimal salt medium (MSM) for isolation of microbial strain. Serial dilutions of the enriched culture were performed. Two bacterial isolates and one fungal isolate showed activity for biosurfactant production. The methods employed for screening were oil displacement, oil drop collapse, blood hemolysis, blue agar plate method and confirmatory tests like phenol-sulphuric acid method. Both, bacterial isolates (MB1 and MB2) and fungal isolate (JAD1) showed emulsification activity of 41.66 %, 64.70 % and 90.90 % respectively. Biosurfactant was extracted and screened for antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram-negative clinical pathogens. These biosurfactant producing isolates can be used to enhance in situ bioremediation of soils contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
COMPOSITION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SEED OIL OF RARELY GROWN VARIETIES OF GRAPES
KRASTENA NIKOLOVA(1), MARIYANA PERIFANOVA(2), ALEKSANDAR PASHEV(3), STEFKA MINKOVA(1), GALIA GENTSCHEVA(*3,4), GINKA ANTOVA(5), GALIA UZUNOVA(2)
The composition of grape seeds oil from a mixture of two varieties of red grape (Sangiovese and Pinot noir) from Varna region was investigated. Different analytical techniques have been used to determine the content of biologically active compounds, fatty acids, sterols and elemental compositions. It has been found that the oxidation stability of the oil is relatively low - about 4.5 hours. The fluorescence spectrum analyzed at an excitation wavelength of 350 nm contains peaks that are attributed to pigments, oxidizing products and vitamins. Transmission spectra were used to determine the content of β-carotene, chlorophyll and color characteristics in the CIELab colorimetric system. Infrared spectroscopic experiments (ATR and permeability) were used for confirmation of the fatty acid profile of the analyzed oil. The results show that this oil is a good source of various healthy nutrients.
IDENTIFICATION OF PROPOLIS AND HONEY SOURCES POLLEN ANALYSIS OF THE SOUTH OF NORTH CAUCASUS AND THE LOWER VOLGA
ELENA YU. BABAEVA(1*), SVETLANA V. POLEVOVA(2), BORIS G. ZUGKIEV(3)
Palynomorphological study of propolis and honey from the regions of the North Caucasus and the Lower Volga Russian Federation and Republic of Abkhazia (RA) has been held. Propolis samples have been obtained in Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (RNO-A), in Volgograd and Saratov regions of Russian Federation and RA at 2010 - 2015 years. Honey samples have been obtained in RNO-A and Republic of Ingushetia (RI) at 2015 year. Microscopy, determination of pollen types (PTs) and counting of pollen grains (PGs) carried out in 3-fold repetition on temporary preparations with a cover glass area of 24 x 24 mm under a light microscope. An analysis of the palynological spectra of propolis and honey samples showed the dominance of pollen from plants of the Asteraceae family. Propolis always contained pollen from several PT, a third of the samples of honey were monofloral. An analysis of the occurrence of PT was carried out. All propolis samples aligned according to the degree of contamination. Samples of honey can differ greatly in the wind-pollinated component.
CRICKET POWDER (ACHETA DOMESTICA) AS FOOD ADDITIVE FOR PROCESSING OF DRY-FERMENTED POULTRY BARS
DESISLAVA B. VLAHOVA-VANGELOVA(*), DESISLAV K. BALEV, NIKOLAY D. KOLEV, DILYANA N. GRADINARSKA, STEFAN G. DRAGOEV
In the recent years crickets, as well as cricket powder (CP) are interesting food ingredients in the European market. Some benefits of CP are high content of quality proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals and little environmental footprint. The aim of this work was to explore the impact of CP additive (2 and 4 %) on the color characteristics, technological and sensory properties of dry-fermented poultry bars. The use of CP as meat additive significantly decreases L* and a* values of the product. Structural strength, plastic strength and pH were significantly increased (p ˂ 0.05) in CP enriched raw and dry-fermented poultry bars. The moisture content and water activity (aw) in the final CP enriched poultry products increased (p ˂ 0.05). The incorporation of 2 % CP had slight impact on sensory properties of final product and can be successfully used for processing of value-added meat products. CP addition up to 4 % had negative effect on the color, sensory properties, structural and plastic strength on the filling mass and dry-fermented meat bars.
SELECTIVITE D'ADSORPTION DES FRACTIONS DE SRFA PAR LES BENTONITES ADSORPTION SELECTIVITY OF SRFA FRACTIONS BY BENTONITES
HADI DEBIH(1*), SMAIL TERCHI(2), MOHAMED KHODJA(3), AZZEDINE MELOUKI(2)
This work aims to assess the adsorption selectivity of the organic matter fractions contained in Suwannee River Fulvic Acid (SRFA), on three Algerian clays. SRFA is a natural organic matter contain a large number of functional moieties such as carboxylic, phenolic and alcoholic groups that interact with surface groups as well as ions in solution. The selected clay minerals are phyllosilicates (2:1 family) namely "industrial load bentonite" (noted BCI), "drilling bentonite" (noted FB2) and "treated bentonite" (noted BT). After bringing SRFA into contact with the clays, characterizations by XRD, FTIR and TGA before and after contact were realized. The results showed a remarkable and distinguished affinity of the SRFA fractions toward the three clays and allowed us to establish the following order: BT > BCI > FB2. BT clay (rich in Na and Ca) adsorbs and retains almost of all SRFA fractions, whereas BCI clay adsorbs only a few fractions: alcohols, acids (O−H); aliphatic (C−H), phenol-acids and sugars (C−O); aromatic (C−H). However, for the FB2 clay, it only adsorbs the alcohol, acid (O−H) and aliphatic (C−H) fractions. The proposed mechanism is due to interactions (electrostatic, hydrophobic) and ligand exchange. The adsorption is favored according to the swelling nature of the clay, for the least negative zetapotential, for the lowest “natural” pH and the highest CEC. It can be concluded that BT can be considered as a reservoir of organic matter and that the BT/SRFA complex will contribute to the structure of the soil, the capacity of water retention and the reduction of oxidative reactions thus playing a major role in the cycle of various nutrients and pollutants.
EFFECTS ON SEEDS GERMINATION AND BIOACCUMULATION OF LEAD IN WHITE MUSTARD IN A LABORATORY STUDY
ANDA G. TENEA(1,2), GABRIELA G. VASILE(1*), MIHAELA MURESEANU(2), CATALINA STOICA(1), STEFANIA GHEORGHE(1)
The paper presents a laboratory study concerning the Pb effects on seeds germination and bioaccumulation in the white mustard plants (Sinapis alba). The garden soil rich in nutritive elements was watered with Pb solutions until the concentration of 45 mg·kg-1 and 85 mg·kg-1. After 60 days of exposure, the contents of Pb in soil and plant organs were evaluated. The Pb transfer (TC) and translocation (TF) indices were calculated. In addition, the effect of Pb pollution to assimilation of essential metallic elements (Zn, Ca, Mg, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn) in plants was investigated. Pb (85 mg·kg-1) can cause negative effects on seed germination (40 % inhibition). The Pb was immobilized by plant at root level, both in the control and in the exposed samples (TC and TF < 1). The absorption and translocation processes of the essential metals are influenced by the increasing of Pb concentrations. Their presence decreases the toxicity of Pb to both tested concentrations. Competitive processes were observed between Pb (45 mg·kg-1) and Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn. Antagonistic processes of Pb were observed in case of Fe, Cu and Ni in the plant. At 85 mg·kg-1 Pb inhibition or stagnation of accumulation compared to the control was notice. The photosynthesis process measured through chlorophyll detection reveled not significantly influences of Pb. Phytotoxic effects are reduced. The results reveled that Sinapis alba have the capacity to adapt to Pb contamination having a great phytostabilization potential.
SURVIVAL OF DIFFERENT PROBIOTIC STARTERS IN BLENDS OF APPLE JUICE AND VEGETABLE EXTRACTS CONTAINING PREBIOTICS
AYGÜL CAN(1), EGEMEN OZÇELIK(2), ÇIĞDEM UYSAL PALA(2*)
Viabilities of three different probiotic starters (LGG, LA-5, and ABT-2) inoculated to the formulations (F1-9) based on blends of apple juice and some vegetable extracts containing fructooligosaccharide and lactitol were monitored during fermentation and cold storage. Storage quality and stability of formulations in terms of physicochemical and antioxidant properties and sensory evaluation were investigated. F7 (Apple Juice + Cucumber extract + Carrot extract; 1 : 1 : 1, v/v/v) was the most successful among the formulations in terms of probiotic growth with more than 7 logs CFU‧mL-1 for all starters after fermentation at 37 °C for 24 h. F8 (Apple Juice + Cucumber extract (1 : 1, v/v) + 2 % FOS + 4 % Lactitol) come second for only LGG starter. Among the starters, LGG strain maintained its required viability with more than 6 logs CFU‧mL-1 in the formulations (F7-9) during cold storage. The viabilities of LA-5 and ABT-2 with more than 7 logs at the beginning of the storage periods constantly decreased below 1 log and 3 logs, respectively. Antioxidant properties of the probiotic beverages did not change significantly during the fermentation and storage period. F9 (Apple juice + Cucumber extract + Carrot extract (1 : 1 : 1, v/v/v) + 2 % FOS + 4 % Lactitol) was the most preferred formulation compared to all other formulations.
ECOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOME SOILS IN GREENHOUSES FOR VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
SIMONA ANDREI(1), IOAN V. RATI(2), ANA M. ROSU(3), VALENTIN ZICHIL(3), DENISA I. NISTOR(3*)
Due to the continuous growth of the population, there has always been a concern to increase vegetable production, but without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In this article, we propose a new direction for improving the soils of vegetable greenhouses, by using clays combined with certain substances to fulfil a protective role against pests and a role of enhancing the rooting of plants. For this experiment, we used hydrotalcite (anionic clay), to which we interspersed silver, and then we made a mixture with spirulina (Spirulina Arthrospira Platensis) and powder from willow extraction (Salix L). We worked comparatively on a soil that came from the soil harvested from Vanatori Neamt Natural Park, compared to a soil made in the laboratory by dosing this mixture (clays + spirulina + willow extract) in a proportion of 3, 5 and 7 %. The plant on which the experiment was performed was the green climbing bean Phaseolus vulgaris L, the “Theodora” biotype. The beans were purchased from the Research and Development Station for vegetable growing, Buzau. The experiment took place in a specially arranged greenhouse within the company FRUCTEX SRL from Bacau. Encouraging results were obtained regarding the germination rate of the beans, the height of the plants, the number of leaves and the number of pods.
INFLUENCE OF HEMP FLOUR ON DOUGH RHEOLOGY AND BREAD QUALITY
ANA M. ISTRATE(1), ADRIANA DABIJA(1), GEORGIANA G. CODINĂ(1), LĂCRĂMIOARA RUSU(2*)
The effect of hemp flour in a partially defatted form (HF) at levels 5, 10, 15 and 20 % on the dynamic rheological properties and wheat bread quality was analyzed. The dynamic rheological tests have shown a drop in storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G") for dough samples in which HF was incorporated in wheat flour. The bread’s physical parameters (loaf volume, porosity, elasticity) presented higher values than those obtained for the control sample up to a level of 10 % HF addition. The color of the bread crumbs and crust became darker with the increased level of HF addition. The bread firmness increased whereas the bread gumminess and chewiness decreased with the increased level of HF addition. Sensory, the most appreciated bread samples were those up to 5-10 % level of HF addition in the bread recipe. The PCA plot shown that, on overall acceptability, the most significant impact (p < 0.01) had the color (r = 0.855), smell (r = 0.899) and taste (r = 0.900) sensory characteristics.