13004 research outputs found
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BMP test to monitor seasonal efficiency of dry anaerobic digestion plant
No full textThe lack of specific monitoring tools is a hurdle for dry anaerobic digestion plant performance studies. The work aims to suggest a solid-state BMP protocol to monitor the full-scale dry anaerobic digestion process of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. Physicochemical analyses, biomethane potential, and biodegradability data of different seasonal mixes fed in the reactor are provided. The data collected showed the effectiveness of the dry BMP test to analyse the process efficiency and to estimate the potential methane production of the biowaste. The process efficiency (expressed as % of methane production) was estimated combining the experimental data (BMP) and the plant parameters (organic loading rate and specific methane production) in four different seasons (Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer). The methane production (MP) of the plant ranged from 70 to 90 % of the potential biomethane production measured at lab scale. From the data collected, the seasonal differences were due to input biowaste (organic fraction of municipal solid waste and lignocellulosic materials used as bulking agent in dry AD) and their biodegradability, which results in different volatile solids removal in industrial reactor. The approach provided may be useful to better manage the process in a dry anaerobic digestion full-scale plant
1H-NMR metabolomic fingerprinting for differentiation of organic and conventional Italian brown and white rice
Full text linkConventional farming is the most common agricultural system in Italy, but the demand for organic alternatives is steadily increasing, given the environmental and health concerns of the consumers. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) offers fast, non-destructive, and reproducible analysis for such purposes. In this work, the selected NMR metabolomics approach led to the development of supervised and unsupervised multivariate statistical models which classified Italian brown and white rice samples according to cultivation practice. Amino acids (aspartate, tryptophan, lysine, leucine), sugars (maltose, sucrose, glucose), and purines (adenosine, guanosine, oxypurinol) were the main metabolites proposed as markers for rice authentication. Quantification results showed that organic samples were higher in amino acids and nitrogen compounds and conventional brown rice being the only with high purine content
Optimization of calcium oxide treatment against salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis): a controlled laboratory study
Full text linkSalmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infestations pose a significant challenge to the salmonid farming industry. While most conventional water-treatment protocols primarily target lice at parasitic stages once attached to the fish, preventive measures targeting planktonic/free-living stages are scarce. This study investigated the effects of fine calcium oxide (CaO) particles on salmon louse planktonic stages under controlled laboratory conditions. The study tested a range of concentrations (0.2 g/L to 0.6 g/L) exposure times (2–15 minutes) and frequency of exposures (from daily to every five days). The results indicated that the effects of CaO exposure were positively correlated with the concentration, duration, and frequency of the treatment. Exposure to CaO (10 minutes at 0.2 g/L) reduced by 60–70 % the number of nauplii reaching the copepodid stage by decreasing survivability and molting. CaO treatment (10 min at 0.6 g/L) induced up to 90 % mortality of free-living copepodids. In infection trials using copepodids that survived CaO treatment, there was a 42.1 % reduction in the number of parasitic chalimus, pre-adult, and adults on the salmon five weeks post-infection as compared to control. The LC50 for copepodids ranged between 0.54- and 0.36-g/L for an exposure time of 2–10 minutes, respectively. This laboratory study serves as an essential first step in validating the efficacy of CaO and establishes a foundation for future field trials to assess its potential as an antiparasitic treatment in aquacultur
Protocol of the systematic literature review on the state of biocide resistance in wild vector populations in the EU and neighbouring countries
Full text linkGlobalisation, climate change, and altered land use have facilitated the spread of disease vectors into new areas, making these diseases a significant challenge for European public and veterinary health authorities. In many cases, vector control is the primary strategy to prevent transmission, as vaccines or effective treatments may be lacking. Methods such as biocide application are commonly used to control vector populations, but the widespread use of biocides has led to the development of resistance in vector species. This resistance, which reduces the effectiveness of biocides, complicates efforts to manage vector-borne diseases, increasing the public and veterinary health burden. Resistance to biocides used in public and veterinary health has been reported globally. Understanding the scope of biocide resistance in wild vector populations is essential for adapting and improving control strategies. This systematic literature review protocol aims to review the current status of biocide resistance in wild vector populations within the EU/EEA, excluding outermost regions, and to provide an overview of the mechanisms of resistance observed in these species, supporting more effective vector control interventions
Origine e tracciabilità dei chitosani, nuovi strumenti dalla ricerca
No full textDalla Fondazione Mach la proposta di un metodo innovativo per discriminare il chitosano di origine fungina, unico ammesso all’uso in enologia, da quello derivante da crostacei, non ammess
SOIL2GUT: From Soil to Gut: Tracing Nature’s Hidden Connections
No full textExposure to environmental microorganisms through contact with soil affects mammalian immune function and gut bacteria. It is unknown, however, whether these impacts are conditional on the specific origin of the soil and/or extend to the gut fungi. Using a wild animal model Clethrionomys glareolus we quantified whether soil from urban areas or national parks elicited comparable responses in the host’s gut microbiota and immune function. Overall, soil exposure altered gut microbiota composition and organization, but gut fungi responded more strongly than bacteria. Notably, exposure to urban soil stimulated innate immunity activation characterized by epithelial defenses. Our results demonstrate that the outcomes of biodiversity intervention extend beyond the gut bacteria to the gut fungi, and are conditional on the origin of the soil. These findings indicate how anthropogenic impacts on soil, such as those impacting microbial biodiversity in urban areas, can affect key components of health in humans and wildlife
Cold-tolerant bacteria isolated from alpine plants can promote growth and mitigate cold stress in tomato seedlings by complex transcriptional reprogramming of stress-related genes
Full text linkCold stress adversely affects crop growth, and climate change is increasing its severity and frequency in many agricultural regions. Tomato plants are sensitive to low temperatures, although they activate some stress response mechanisms. Beneficial microorganisms can enhance cold-stress acclimation in tomato plants, but the transcriptional regulation underlying this process remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the transcriptional processes activated by cold stress in tomato plants following inoculation with cold-tolerant bacteria isolated from alpine plants to identify genes potentially involved in cold stress acclimation. Among 41 cold-tolerant bacterial isolates tested, Chryseobacterium sp. GRCS301 and Pseudomonas sp. GRCS202 inoculation in sterilized soil promoted tomato growth under controlled non-stress (25 ± 2 °C) and cold-stress (10 ± 2 °C) conditions. Bacterial inoculations lowered H2O2 content and affected the transcriptional regulations activated in tomato shoots after one day and 14 days of incubation under cold-stress conditions. In mock-inoculated plants, cold stress downregulated genes related to energy generation, photosynthesis, and reproductive processes, highlighting its detrimental effects. Conversely, plants inoculated with Chryseobacterium and Pseudomonas upregulated genes involved in DNA replication, galactose metabolism, polysaccharide metabolism, photosynthesis, and protein metabolism in response to cold stress. Bacterial inoculation induced the expression of genes involved in reactive oxygen species homeostasis, cold-stress response, and hormonal signaling, suggesting that cold-tolerant bacteria trigger key transcriptional changes in tomato plants and enhance cold-stress acclimatio
Il controllo microbiologico dei processi enologici
No full textQuali sono le tecniche di laboratorio che rispondono all'esigenza di un attento monitoraggio per prevenire eventuali problemi o, se possibile, correggerli in corso d'opera
Agri-food traceability today: advancing innovation towards efficiency, sustainability, ethical sourcing, and safety in food supply chains
Full text linkBackground The increasing globalization and complexity of agri-food supply chains have heightened the demand for transparency, safety, and traceability in food systems. The integrity, authenticity, and safety of food products are critical, and the implementation of specific and reliable protocols for tracing and tracking is becoming the priority in food industry. Food supply chains often lack efficiency and consumers are becoming more conscious of the origin and quality of the foods they purchase, demanding more accurate systems for data delivery. In this light a straightforward understanding of agri-food supply chain traceability has become necessary. Scope and approach This review provides a roadmap for food traceability systems from legal requirements, to technological and analytical perspectives. The review explores key concepts such as tracking and tracing, outlines international regulatory frameworks, and introduces a novel taxonomy that classifies traceability systems by technological maturity and data granularity. Particular focus is given to innovative analytical technologies, such as proteomics, metabolomics/volatilomics, genomics, stable isotope and elemental profiling, as well as emerging digital technologies including AI and AsI, blockchain, IoT and FCM. Case studies for wine, garlic, and coffee traceability, demonstrate the application of these tools in real-world industrial and local scenarios. Key findings and conclusion By integrating regulatory insights with innovative technologies, the review highlights best practices and strategic directions for boosting efficiency for end-to-end traceability. The review addresses innovative technologies for advanced food supply chains and underscores the role of traceability systems in building consumer trust, supporting public health, and advancing sustainable food productio