Advances in BioScience
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Effect of Fusarium sp. On Paddy Straw Digestibility and Biogas Production
Get PDFChopped and moist paddy straw was pretreated with Fusarium sp. to enhance its digestibility and biogas production. The potential of microbial pretreatment of paddy straw was investigated at regular interval of 5, 10, 15 and 20 days by determining the change in Chemical composition of paddy straw like cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and silica contents. The pretreated straw was used for biogas production in 2l capacity biogas digesters. Results indicate that the cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and silica contents decreased by 17.2%, 3.4%, 27.1% & 16.5% respectively. Biogas production also increased by 53.8% in 10 days pretreated samples. The significantly higher reduction of silica along with lignin content in the pretreated straw indicates that removal of silica by Fusarium sp. might be more responsible for increasing paddy straw digestibility and biogas production
Comparative Chemical Analysis of the Extractives Constituents in the Bark and Heartwood of Juglans regia L. from North of Iran
Get PDFExhaustive ethanol-toluene of the bark and heartwood of Juglans regia L. (Juglandaceae) afforded pale red colored extractives 10 and 12% yields, respectively. Detailed chemical evaluation of these extracts using GC/MS revealed the major components in the bark and heartwood extractives to be the 3,7-dioxa-2,8- disilanonane,2,2,8,8-tetramethyl (25.17%), while the major heartwood extractives constituent was benzoic acid, 3,4,5-tri(hydroxyl)/Gallic acid (44.57%). The same components of the bark and the heartwood also contained amounts of the gallic acid, 3,7-dioxa-2,8-disilanonane, 2,2,8,8- tetramethyl, and d-glucose,2,3,4,5,6- pentakis-o-(hydroxyl). The most toxic components in the heartwood were juglone (5.15%) and 2,7-dimethylphenanthrene (5.81%)
Lead, Nickel and Copper Concentration and Related Factors in Some Uncooked Vegetables Irrigated by Wastewater
Get PDFPopulation density of Erbil City, Northern Iraq (where this work was carried out) estimated as more than 2 million. The sewage discharge of the city may reach 77760m3/ day during low level and 108000m3/ day during high-level periods. About 225 hectares of scattered farmlands are used by local farmers for production of uncooked vegetables for local need, all of which are irrigated by untreated sewage water. In the present work, about 28 physical and chemical variables those related to sewage water quality were assessed on fortnightly bases for 7 months. Some toxic heavy metals, namely; Pb, Ni and Cu bioaccumulation rates in sewage, soil and some uncooked vegetables in five different locations/ farms were followed up (only bioaccumulation rates of Pb, Ni and Cu in lettuce, cress, dill and radish are given here) (Full data can be obtained from both authors). Onset results revealed that Pb, Ni and Cu bioaccumulation rates calculated for lettuce, cress, dill and radish were surpassed maximum permissible levels (MPL). However, the bioaccumulation ranges calculated for lettuce, cress, dill and radish respectively were; lead (3.01-6.72mg/ kg/ dwt), (3.03-6.52mg/ kg/ dwt), (0.48-2.74mg/ kg/ dwt) and (0.41-3.00mg/ kg/ dwt); nickel (1.01-3.92mg/ kg/ dwt), (4.03-7.99mg/ kg/ dwt), (0.37-3.98mg/ kg/ dwt) and (1.00-3.95mg/ kg/ dwt) and copper (8.02-15.26mg/ kg/ dwt), (7.20-13.62mg/ kg/ dwt),(6.35-10.37mg/ kg/ dwt), (2.01-5.94mg/ kg/ dwt). The studied vegetables were showed different modes concerning heavy metal accumulation rates
Optimization of Extracellular Keratinase Production by Aspergillus terreus Isolated from Chicken's Litter
Get PDFIn this current study 45 fungal isolates were isolated from chicken's litter on Feather Agar Medium (FAM) were screened for determining the potent keratinase producing isolates. Out of these fungal isolates, twelve species and one species variety exhibited various degrees of keratinolytic activities from which A. terreus showed the highest keratinase production (12.6U/ml). The optimum temperature and initial pH for keratinase production by A. terreus were 40°C and 8, respectively. The highest keratinase production was observed for a period 25 days. The optimum ionic strength for the enzyme production was 80mM NaCl. Deprivation of K+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Ca2+ or Zn2+ from the culture medium drastically reduced the keratinase production by A. terreus. In contrast, sulfur deprivation did not significantly affect the keratinase production. The Km and Vmax values for A. terreus keratinase were 8.64mg keratin and 56.7U/mg proteins, respectively. The optimum temperature, pH and ionic strength for keratinase activity were 35°C, 7.8 and 80-100mM NaCl, respectively
Water Quality Index for Assessment of Water Quality of Duhok Lake, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Get PDFWater quality of Duhok Lake was evaluated by Water Quality Index (WQI) technique. A water quality index provides a single number that expresses the overall water quality at a certain location and time based on several water quality parameters. The objective of an index is to turn complex water quality data into information that is understandable and usable by the public. Ten most important parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total hardness, total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and sulfate (SO4) were taken for the calculation of WQI. The result indicated that water quality of Duhok Lake poor in the years 1999, 2000 and is poor in 2009 too. The impact of various anthropogenic activities was evident on some parameters such as the EC, alkalinity and hardness. It is suggested that monitoring of the lake is necessary for proper management. Application of the WQI is also suggested as a very helpful tool that enables the public and decision-makers to evaluate water quality of lakes in Iraq
Traditional Dye Yielding Plants of Firozabad, U.P., India
Get PDFDistrict Firozabad is a city of glass work and Bangles. It is also a rich source of ethnobotanical studies. Local weavers and ethnic communities use plant dyes for imparting different shades to their clothes, hands, hairs and food items. About 19 plant species belonging to 17 families of Dicots, mostly trees and herbs have been identified as traditional dye yielding plants
Effect of Mercuric Chloride on Hepatic Phosphatases and Transaminases in Albino Rat
Get PDFMercuric chloride is a serious health hazard and produces various disorders. However, phosphatases and transaminases are marker enzymes of hepatic toxicity. Twenty four adult albino rats have taken and divided into 4 groups. Group one for acute study, while three for subacute studies with 3 rats in each. Control was also taken with similar references. Mercuric chloride gave orally administered (LD50=9.26mg/kg b.w.) by gavage tube with distilled water. Rats were autopsized at predetermined time interval to assess hepatic toxicity. Phosphatases include alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase while transaminases include alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase. Results revealed that ALP and ACP were significantly increased after acute and subacute treatment due to the destruction of the cell membrane of lysosomes. However, AST and ALT were also increased significantly due to toxic effect of mercuric chloride on hepatic cells. Hence, the present study demonstrates that mercuric chloride produces hepatic toxicity in the form of elevation of phosphatases and transaminases enzyme level
A Study on the Physicochemical Properties of the Selected Ponds of Patna Town, Bihar, India
Get PDFWith the progress of the urbanization and industrialization, many types of water pollutants (such as pesticide, heavy metals, detergents, municipal wastes, domestic wastes and fertilizers) were generated. These pollutants were distributed into the environment by the different sources. These pollutants were distributed into the environment by the different sources. In this research paper, physicochemical characteristic of water samples from selected ponds in and around Patna, Bihar has been studied. The parameters observed were Temperature, pH, Electrical conductivity, Calcium, Phosphate, Total Hardness, Alkalinity, Chloride, Dissolved oxygen, Free CO2 and Nitrate. It can be concluded that the water parameters which were taken for the present study were above the pollution level of surface water which does not satisfy their requirement for the use of various purposes. In this investigation, a brief attempt has been made to study the extent of change in the quality of water in comparison to water quality standards of World Health Organization (WHO)
Isolation, Identification and Seasonal Distribution of Soilborne Fungi in Different Areas of Erbil Governorate
Get PDFA survey study was undertaken for the isolation and identification of soilborne fungi inhabiting different areas in Erbil, Iraq. A total of 15 soil samples collected seasonally during August 2008-July 2009.
Fungi were isolated from soil during this study's period, by soil dilution plate method on selective medium: Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), eighty-one different genera of fungi were isolated during the four seasons; (30, 33, 70, and 53) genera isolated in (summer, autumn, winter and spring) respectively, the most frequently isolated fungi during four seasons were Aspergillus sp. (539x103) colony forming units /g.soil, followed by Penicillium sp. (215x103) cfu/g.soil, Rhizopus spp. (115x103) cfu/g.soil, Emericella spp. (109x103) cfu/g.soil, Fusarium spp. (47x103) cfu/g.soil, and Ulocladium botrytis (47x103) cfu/g.soil, while the least frequently isolated fungal genera were Blakeslea tuningtam, Clasterosporium cyperi, Idriella sp., Naranus cryptomeriae and Torula alternata, (1x103) cfu/g.soil, for each one.
Fungi isolated from soil by washing method counted for ninety three species belonging to fifty six genera, among them: Aspergillus sp., Circinella sp., Cunninghamella sp., Mucor spp., Mycelia sterilia, Rhizopus sp
The Effect of Fertilizer Treatments at Three Compactness Levels on Qualitative Traits of Sport Lawn in Winter Season
Get PDFLawn quality, which introduces by good color, density, uniformity and texture varies depending on the species, maintenance operation, and time of the year. In the current study, the effect of organic fertilizers containing Leaf Mold (LM), Rice Husk (RH), manure, Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC), a mixture of LM, RH and SMC (mixture 1), a mixture of LM, RH and manure (mixture 2), with the ratio of 1:1:1 and control (no fertilizer) at three levels of soil compactness including roller weights of 36, 56, 76 kilograms on qualitative traits of sport lawn were investigated in winter season. Treatments were applied in a strip plot design with three replications, in research farm of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources during fall 2008-2009. According to achieved results, manure and RH treatments in first and second compaction and manure treatment in third compaction level showed the highest amount of chlorophyll content. In visual assessment, the highest and lowest of lawn quality was observed in the manure and the control treatment respectively. In first and second compaction, the maximum height was observed in manure treatment. Control and LM treatments showed the minimum height. In third compaction, maximum and minimum heights were associated with manure and control treatment respectively