Almond Research Articles

Selective colorimetric detection of Cyanide from Agro products and blood plasma by a bio-active Cu(II) complex of azophenine derivative: A potential tool for autopsy investigation

An azophenine derivative based copper complex (CN-1•Cu2+) is rationally designed and unveiled herein for the first time in the realm of azophenine family, which can selectively detect cyanide from purely aqueous medium via metal-displacement approach (MDA). CN-1•Cu2+ exhibits ‘naked-eye’ chromogenic change from brown to yellow with corresponding hypsochromic shift in UV-Vis spectra having detection threshold of 0.23 µM (60 ppb) which is far below the permissible limit of CN- in drinking water set by WHO. The mechanistic course of interaction has been affirmed by experimental evidence with theoretical corroboration. A one-to-two decoder logic circuit has been formulated based on the selective recognition phenomenon. CN-1•Cu2+ can also monitor CN- in a series of environmental samples, wherefrom CN- could be recovered at an appreciable quality rate (~99.4–101.1%), escalating the real-field applicability of the developed material. Interestingly, the complex also exhibits efficacy towards recognition of endogenous cyanide from cyanogenic food sources like sprouting potatoes, bitter almonds. Moreover, CN-1•Cu2+ is equally responsive toward real-time monitoring of cyanide in different physiological samples, like blood plasma, serum with appreciable intracellular fluorescence imaging capability examined on HeLa and Candida albicans cell lines, which unambiguously could be a potential tool for autopsy investigation in cyanide-induced death cases. This is the first azophenine-based copper complex, which exhibited significant anti-bacterial activities on Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, anti-mycotic activities on Candida albicans and also in-vitro anti-cancer activities on cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa).

Extraction and Characterization of Antioxidant Compounds in Almond (Prunus amygdalus) Shell Residues for Food Packaging Applications.

This work proposes the revalorization of almond shell (AS) wastes as an active additive for food packaging applications. A new microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method to obtain extracts rich in polyphenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity was optimized. An experimental design to optimize the MAE procedure through response surface methodology (RSM) using a Box–Behnken design was proposed. The effects of extraction temperature, irradiation time, ethanol:water concentration, and solvent pH at three levels were evaluated in terms of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays). The optimal conditions found were 57 min, 80 °C, pH 8, and 70% (v/v) ethanol. Optimized MAE extracts showed low soluble protein content (0.43 mg BSA g−1) and were rich in TPC (5.64 mg GAE g−1), flavonoids (1.42 mg CE g−1), and polysaccharides (1.59 mg glucose g−1), with good antioxidant capacity (2.82 mg AAE acid g−1). These results suggest the potential application of these extracts in the food industry as active additives. This strategy opens new pathways to valorize almond shell residues, contributing to the circular economy.

A Novel Fluorescent Probe for the Detection of Cyanide Ions in Solutions and Studies on Its Biophysical Interactions with ctDNA and Proteases.

A new cationic indolium based styryl dye (Ci) as a fluorescent probe was synthesized and its anions selectivity/sensitivity properties/molecular interactions with protease enzymes (pepsin/trypsin) and ctDNA has been studied by spectroscopic and computational methods. The fluorescence measurements at different temperatures indicated that quenching mechanism of enzymes by Ci was static. ΔH and ΔS data pointed out electrostatic/hydrophobic interactions with pepsin, and also hydrogen bonds/van der Waals forces with trypsin of Ci. According to Förster's non-radiative energy transfer, binding distances (r) were calculated as 3.53/3.27nm for pepsin/trypsin. It was also investigated that groove binding is effective in interaction with ctDNA. The results were supported with molecular docking analyzes which have same tendency. Ci has been demonstrated hypsochromic effect with a decrease in polarity of solventsand it showed highly selective colorimetric and fluorometric sensing behavior for cyanide in organic solvent and inaqueous solution. 1H NMR titration was performed to examine the interaction mechanism between Ci and cyanide. The LOD values of cyanide ion were reported as 4.87 × 10-9M and 9.70 × 10-7M in DMSO and DMSO/H2O binary mixture, respectively. In addition, sensitivity of Ci as a chemosensor to cyanide was investigated in bitter almond samples.

Acaricidal efficacy of bitter almond against two tick species, Argas persicus and Haemaphysalis darjeeling – an in vitro study

ABSTRACT Use of plant extracts as acaricides for controlling ticks is an essential area of research concerning economic security and environmental health. The aim of this study was to focus on the acaricidal efficacy of bitter almond powder and bitter almond extracts (aqueous and alcoholic) against the nymph and adult stages of two tick species. It was evaluated at five different concentrations (1% to 5%) with bitter almond powder, bitter almond extracts, and alpha-cypermethrin (1 ml/100 ml) at four different exposure times (24, 48, 72, and 96 hours). The effectiveness of bitter almond alcoholic extract was significantly higher than the aqueous extract, and effectiveness was lowest with the powder at all concentrations at different exposure times for both species. Furthermore, aqueous and alcoholic extracts showed a higher mortality rate among both species than alpha-cypermethrin. LC50 value showed that the toxicity level of bitter almond acaricides increased with the longer exposure time and higher concentration. Toxicity level decreased in the order of alcoholic > aqueous > powder on both species. For both species, the highest toxicity level of bitter almond alcoholic extract was shown for the adult than nymph. Therefore, extracts of bitter almond can be used as an excellent acaricidal alternative to alpha-cypermethrin against these two species.

Fatty acid metabolism-related genes are associated with flavor-presenting aldehydes in Chinese local chicken

Aldehydes are primary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in local Chinese chicken meat and contribute green grass, fatty, citrus, and bitter almond aromas to chicken meat. To understand the genetic basis of these aldehyde VOC aromas, we used approximately 500 Chinese Jingxing Yellow (JXY) chickens to conduct genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on the flavor traits with the data of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions and deletions (INDELs). In total, 501 association variants (253 SNPs and 248 INDELs) were found to be suggestively (SNPs: p-value < 2.77e-06 and INDELs: p-value < 3.78e-05) associated with total aldehydes (the sum of nine aldehydes), hexanal, heptanal, benzaldehyde, (E,E)-2,4-nonadienal, octanal, (E)-2-decenal, nonanal, decanal, and octadecanal. Of them, six SNPs and 23 INDELs reached a genome-wide significance level (SNPs: p-value < 1.38e-07 and INDELs: p-value < 1.89e-06). Potential candidate aldehyde genes were functionally annotated for lipid metabolism, especially fatty acid-related pathways and phospholipid-related gene ontology (GO) terms. Moreover, the GWAS analysis of total aldehydes, hexanal, and nonanal generated the most significant signals, and phenotypic content differed between different genotypes at candidate gene-related loci. For total aldehydes and hexanal traits, candidate genes were annotated based on the significant and suggestive variants on chromosomes 3 and 8 with highly polymorphic linkage blocks. The following candidate genes were also identified: GALM, MAP4K3, GPCPD1, RPS6KA2, CRLS1, ASAP1, TRMT6, SDC1, PUM2, ALDH9A1, MGST3, GMEB1, MECR, LDLRAP1, GPAM and ACSL5. We also found that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (C18:2n6c linoleic acid and C18:3n3 linolenic acid) were significantly correlated with total aldehydes and hexanal contents. PUFAs are important aldehyde precursors, and consistently, our results suggested that candidate genes involved in fatty acid pathways and phospholipid GO terms were identified in association loci. This work provides an understanding of the genetic basis of aldehyde formation, which is a key flavor-forming compound.

Wide diversity of pollens in honey samples from Indian Himalayan neighbourhoods: a melissopalynological study

Melissopalynological analysis of 34 honey samples (17 summer and 17 autumn samples) collected from feral colonies of Indian hive bee (Apis cerana), European bee (Apis mellifera) and rock bee (Apis dorsata) during 2011 – 2015 from the Shimla Hills of Himachal Pradesh (India) was performed. Pollen from plant taxa belonging to 43 families was found in the honey samples. Of 34 honey samples from the Shimla Hills, 18 were unifloral with 12 pollen types as predominant and the remaining 16 samples were multifloral. The predominant pollen plant taxa of summer were Pyrus sp., Malus domestica, Prunus amygdalus, Prunus sp., Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Citrus sp. and Rhododendron arboreum. In autumn, the predominant pollen plant taxa were Leucaena leucocephala, Salvia officinalis, Eriobotrya japonica, Impatiens balsamina and Prinsepia utilis. Melissopalynological analysis of summer honey collected from Summer Hill and Sarahan tagged these as “mad honey”, since Rhododendron pollen was predominant. The pollen spectrum indicated a diverse bee plant flora, which is promising indicator to augment the beekeeping industry in this region.

Towards osteogenic bioengineering of human dental pulp stem cells induced by incorporating Prunus amygdalus dulcis extract in polycaprolactone‐gelatin nanofibrous scaffold

AbstractIn this study, the osteo‐inductive potential of Prunus amygdalus dulcis (SA) extract that loaded with different concentrations in poly‐ε‐Caprolactone/gelatin (PCL/GEL) nanofibrous scaffolds was investigated. The morphology and composition of nanofibers were evaluated using field emission scanning electron microscope and FT‐IR spectroscopy. Mechanical properties, hydrophilicity and pore structures were determined by tensile test, contact angle, and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, respectively. By incorporation of SA extract into PCL/GEL nanofibers, mechanical capabilities as well as their physical qualities were improved. The response of human dental pulp stem cells on prepared scaffolds were studied using MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, alizarin red assay, and quantitave real‐time PCR analysis. The SA loaded nanofibers presented excellent cell attachment and enhanced osteoblast proliferation and mineralization compared to the pristine PCL/GEL nanofibers. The analysis revealed the addition SA extract to PCL/GEL nanofibers increased the expression of osteogenic genes significantly. According to our findings, PCL/GEL/SA nanofibers show a lot of potential for bone tissue engineering.

Effects of whole-orchard recycling on nitrate leaching potential in almond production systems.

Inefficient nitrogen (N) fertilization and irrigation have led to unhealthy nitrate levels in groundwater bodies of agricultural areas in California. Simultaneously, high commodity prices and drought have encouraged perennial crop growers to turnover less-productive orchards, providing opportunities to recycle tree biomass in situ and to use high-carbon (C) residues to conserve soil and water resources. Although climate change adaptation and mitigation benefits of high-C soil amendments have been shown, uncertainties remain regarding the benefits and trade-offs of this practice for N cycling and retention. We used established almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb] orchard trials on Hanford fine sandy loam with short-term and long-term biomass recycling legacies to better understand the changes in N dynamics and retention capacity associated with this practice. In a soil column experiment, labeled N fertilizer was added and traced into various N pools, including microbial biomass and inorganic fractions in soil and leachate. Shifts in microbial communities were characterized using the abundance of key N cycling functional genes regulating nitrification and denitrification processes. Our findings showed that, in the short term, biomass recycling led to N immobilization within the orchard biomass incorporation depth zone (0-15cm) without impacts on N leaching potential. However, this practice drastically reduced nitrate leaching potential by 52%, 10 yr after biomass incorporation without an increase in N immobilization. Although the timing of these potential benefits as a function of microbial population and C and N biogeochemical cycles still needs to be clarified, our results highlight the potential of this practice to meaningfully mitigate nitrate discharges into groundwater while conserving soil resources.

δ18O compound-specific stable isotope assessment: An advanced analytical strategy for sophisticated adulterations detection in essential oils - Application to spearmint, cinnamon, and bitter almond essential oils authentication

Natural plant extracts are primarily used as raw materials in the cosmetic and perfumery industry. However, adulterations with petrochemical products are occurring in the market, leading to non-100% natural products. Several analytical techniques such as impurity detection or enantioselective ratio assessments have been previously described as good indicators to detect any addition of synthetic products, but these techniques are ineffective with novel type of synthetic pathways such as semisynthesis. In order to improve authentication, development of advanced analytical strategies such as δ18O stable isotopic ratios assessment was tested on spearmint, cinnamon and bitter almond essential oils major metabolites (carvone, (E)-cinnamaldehyde, and benzaldehyde). Natural δ18O mean values (δ18OCarvone = 18.4‰; δ18OCinnamaldehyde = 13.9‰; δ18OBenzaldehyde = 16.5‰) were found to be higher than semisynthetic origin for the 3 studied molecules (δ18OCarvone = 9.2‰; δ18OCinnamaldehyde = 8.8‰; δ18OBenzaldehyde = 10.9‰). These measurements proved to be efficient to discriminate natural and semisynthetic origins of these components and therefore potentially lead to a novel way to authenticate natural products.

Structure-guided engineering of key amino acids in UGT85B1 controlling substrate and stereo-specificity in aromatic cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis.

SUMMARYCyanogenic glucosides are important defense molecules in plants with useful biological activities in animals. Their last biosynthetic step consists of a glycosylation reaction that confers stability and increases structural diversity and is catalyzed by the UDP‐dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs) of glycosyltransferase family 1. These versatile enzymes have large and varied substrate scopes, and the structure–function relationships controlling scope and specificity remain poorly understood. Here, we report substrate‐bound crystal structures and rational engineering of substrate and stereo‐specificities of UGT85B1 from Sorghum bicolor involved in biosynthesis of the cyanogenic glucoside dhurrin. Substrate specificity was shifted from the natural substrate (S)‐p‐hydroxymandelonitrile to (S)‐mandelonitrile by combining a mutation to abolish hydrogen bonding to the p‐hydroxyl group with a mutation to provide steric hindrance at the p‐hydroxyl group binding site (V132A/Q225W). Further, stereo‐specificity was shifted from (S) to (R) by substituting four rationally chosen residues within 6 Å of the nitrile group (M312T/A313T/H408F/G409A). These activities were compared to two other UGTs involved in the biosynthesis of aromatic cyanogenic glucosides in Prunus dulcis (almond) and Eucalyptus cladocalyx. Together, these studies enabled us to pinpoint factors that drive substrate and stereo‐specificities in the cyanogenic glucoside biosynthetic UGTs. The structure‐guided engineering of the functional properties of UGT85B1 enhances our understanding of the evolution of UGTs involved in the biosynthesis of cyanogenic glucosides and will enable future engineering efforts towards new biotechnological applications.

Preconcentration of Copper Ions from Aqueous Solution using EDTA Modified Prunus Dulcis L. Peels and Determination by FAAS

Son yıllarda, tarımsal atık olarak adlandırılan, ucuz ve bol miktarda bulunan meyve ve sebze kabukları gibi doğal atıklar, doğada oluşturdukları depolanma sorunları nedeniyle, metal iyonlarının gideriminde ve zenginleştirilmesinde etkili bir biyosorbent olarak kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, tarımsal bir atık olarak, düşük maliyetli bir biyosorbent olan Prunus Dulcis L. kabukları, etilendinitril tetra asetik asit (EDTA) ile modifiye edilmiş, sulu çözeltilerden bakır iyonlarının zenginleştirilmesi ve atomik absorpsiyon spektrometresi ile tayininde kullanılmıştır. Hazırlanan biyosorbentin karakterizasyonunda taramalı elektron mikroskobu (SEM) ve fourier dönüşümlü infrared spektroskopisi (FTIR) analizleri kullanılmıştır. Zenginleştirme yöntemi olarak katı faz özütleme yöntemi kolon sisteminde çalışılmış, pH, geri alma çözeltisi, kolon akış hızı, örnek hacmi gibi parametreler optimize edilmiştir. Ortalama geri kazanım ve bağıl standart sapma (RSD) değerleri Cu(II) iyonları için %99,43±1,14 ve %2,23 olarak bulunmuştur. Biyosorbentin kapasitesinin belirlenmesi amacıyla Langmuir ve Freundlich izoterm grafikleri çizilmiştir. Bakır iyonları için en yüksek biyosorbent kapasitesi Langmuir izoterm modelinden ham Prunus Dulcis L. kabukları için 34,60 mg g-1 EDTA ile modifiye edilmiş Prunus Dulcis L. kabukları için ise 42,19 mg g-1 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Yöntemin doğruluğunu teyit etmek için sertifikalı referans madde (ERML-CA021a) analizi yapılmış ve kantitatif sonuçlar elde edilmiştir.

Almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch.): A Latest Review on Pharmacology and Medicinal uses

Prunus amygdalus (Batsch.) is an important medicinal plant and belongs to the family Rosaceae. It is known as Badam in Hindi and almond in English. The nutritional and medicinal properties of badam fruit are related to its kernel. It has been therapeutic uses for constipation, headache, heart weakness, diarrhea, sedative, amnesia, peptic ulcer, leprosy, polyuria, facial paralysis, Cough, Sexual disability, leprosy, etc. Kaempferol-3-xylosylglucoside and Quercitin are common chemical properties. Almond oil contains the source of vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, E, D, and also contains calcium and magnesium. The preclinical studies mainly depend on flavonoids, phenol, alkaloid, and saponins, tannins. The present review provides comprehensive information of the plant on its Pharmacognostical and Pharmacological profile including its preclinical and clinical studies/ clinical trial and nutritional value in different varieties.

Physiological characterization of the wild almond Prunus arabica stem photosynthetic capability.

Leaves are the major plant tissue for transpiration and carbon fixation in deciduous trees. In harsh habitats, atmospheric CO2 assimilation via stem photosynthesis is common, providing extra carbon gain to cope with the detrimental conditions. We studied two almond species, the commercial Prunus dulcis cultivar “Um-el-Fahem” and the rare wild Prunus arabica. Our study revealed two distinctive strategies for carbon gain in these almond species. While, in P. dulcis, leaves possess the major photosynthetic surface area, in P. arabica, green stems perform this function, in particular during the winter after leaf drop. These two species' anatomical and physiological comparisons show that P. arabica carries unique features that support stem gas exchange and high-gross photosynthetic rates via stem photosynthetic capabilities (SPC). On the other hand, P. dulcis stems contribute low gross photosynthesis levels, as they are designed solely for reassimilation of CO2 from respiration, which is termed stem recycling photosynthesis (SRP). Results show that (a) P. arabica stems are covered with a high density of sunken stomata, in contrast to the stomata on P. dulcis stems, which disappear under a thick peridermal (bark) layer by their second year of development. (b) P. arabica stems contain significantly higher levels of chlorophyll compartmentalized to a mesophyll-like, chloroplast-rich, parenchyma layer, in contrast to rounded-shape cells of P. dulcis's stem parenchyma. (c) Pulse amplitude-modulated (PAM) fluorometry of P. arabica and P. dulcis stems revealed differences in the chlorophyll fluorescence and quenching parameters between the two species. (d) Gas exchange analysis showed that guard cells of P. arabica stems tightly regulate water loss under elevated temperatures while maintaining constant and high assimilation rates throughout the stem. Our data show that P. arabica uses a distinctive strategy for tree carbon gain via stem photosynthetic capability, which is regulated efficiently under harsh environmental conditions, such as elevated temperatures. These findings are highly important and can be used to develop new almond cultivars with agriculturally essential traits.

Mistletoe infested Moringa oleifera and Terminalia catappa leaves supplemented diet enhances antioxidant and insulin-like peptide mRNA levels in Drosophila melanogaster

Moringa and Almond are common plants of medicinal and economic value which are often infested with mistletoe. Host plants’ infestation could result in major differences in their phytoconstituents and biological activities. Thus, effects of mistletoe infestation on Moringa and Almond host plants supplemented diets on mRNA expression levels of Drosophila insulin-like peptide-2 (Dilp2), heat shock protein-70 (Hsp70) and superoxide dismutase (Sod) in diabetic-like flies were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR system. Mistletoe infestation on host leaves caused significant upregulation of Sod and significant downregulation of Hsp70 and Dilp2 genes. Hence, we opined that infestation of Moringa and Almond trees with mistletoe resulted in improved expression level of antioxidant and insulin-like peptide genes. This may be the mechanism by which host plants caused enhanced regulation of circulating glucose and oxidative stress. Therefore, consumption of mistletoe infested Moringa and Almond host leaves could possibly offer better antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects.

A new highly effective hybrid fungicide containing difenoconazole and tea tree oil for managing scab of apple, pecan and almond trees and as a tool in resistance management

AbstractManagement of scab diseases of apple, pecan and almond is mostly based on fungicide applications according to host phenological stage and wetness events. Resistance to widely used locally systemic fungicides including the methyl benzimidazoles, demethylation inhibitors (DMIs) and quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs) has been reported. We evaluated the activity of a new premixed hybrid fungicide containing the DMI difenoconazole and essential tea tree oil (TTO) against mycelial growth of Venturia inaequalis in vitro and against scab of apple, pecan and almond in field trials. Mycelial growth of 24 isolates of V. inaequalis collected from commercial apple orchards varied in their sensitivity to difenoconazole (EC50 values of 0.0002–1.29 mg/L). Difenoconazole–TTO was significantly more inhibitory to some of the isolates than difenoconazole alone, primarily to those that were less sensitive to difenoconazole. Protective foliar applications of difenoconazole–TTO in field trials were highly effective in controlling scab of apple and generally provided significantly higher disease control than difenoconazole alone. On apple and almond, difenoconazole–TTO treatments were similarly or more effective than applications with other synthetic fungicides belonging to the DMI, QoI and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) groups, or their mixtures. Difenoconazole–TTO completely prevented scab on pecan trees. Results suggest that difenoconazole–TTO can be integrated into scab control programmes for these crops and be used as a strategic approach in fungicide resistance management in orchards.

Ameliorative Effect of Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Perssea americana and Prunus dulcis on Caffein-Testicular Damage in Male Wistar Albino Rats

This study investigated the effect if ethanolic fruit extracts of Perssea americana and Prunus dulcis on caffeine-testicular damage in male albino rats. Sixty rats weighing 120 and 170 g were used for this study. The rats were separated into 12 groups of five rats per group. Group 1 served as normal control, group 2 received 200mg/kg of caffeine, serving as negative control while group 3 served as positive control. Rats in group 4-6 were orally administered 200mg/kg caffeine + ethanolic 100, 200, and 400mg/kg of Prunus dulcis, group 7-12 received 200mg/kg caffeine + ethanolic 100, 200, and 400mg/kg, and Caffeine + ethanolic 100mg/kg Persea americana +100mg/kg Prunus dulcis fruit extract for 7, 14, and 21 days. Blood sample was collected from the tail of each rats at 7 days interval after treatment, for biochemical assays while one rats in each group was sacrificed and the testis was harvested for histological analysis. The plasma luteinizing hormone level of the negative control for 7, 14, and 21 days were 1.62 ± 0.01IU/ML, 1.71 ± 0.02IU/ML, and 1.05 ± 0.09IU/ML respectively. The plasma luteinizing hormone level of group 6 treated with 400mg/kg of Prunus dulcis fruit extract for 7, 14, and 21 days were 3.06. ± 0.05IU/ML, 3.41 ± 0.05IU/ML, and 3.63 ± 0.01IU/ML respectively, were significantly different from group 2 while those of group 9 treated with 400mg/kg of Persea americana fruit extract for 7, 14, and 21 days were 3.51 ± 0.05IU/ML, 3.82 ± 0.05IU/ML, and 3.90 ± 0.02IU/ML. Regeneration of damage testicular tissues occurred after treatment. The significant increases observed on the hormonal profile and regeneration of damaged testicular tissues of the extracts treated rats indicated testiculo-curative effect of P. dulcis and P. americana fruit on caffeine-induced testicular damage in rats.

Comparison of the antifungal activities of selected botanical extracts against the Carica papaya fruit rot pathogen (Cladosporium herbarum)

This study sought to utilize plant extracts to reduce rot in Carica papaya fruit caused by Cladosporium herbarum. Separate studies on the isolation and reemergence of the fungus were conducted. The phytochemical qualities of Anacardium occidentale, Prunus dulcis and Gmelina arborea leaf samples were assessed, and the potential antifungal properties of the extracts were investigated using disc diffusion test. The pathogenicity of the fungus was confirmed, as was the presence of some phytochemicals in the extracts. Overall, the results are consistent; inhibition of hyphal extension was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by interactions of various concentrations and experimental days. The inhibition was concentration-dependent, the highest zone of inhibition was observed at 150 mg mL−1 in all extracts. A. occidentale demonstrated the highest inhibition (87.5%), but 38.3% in G. arborea on the seventh day. Inhibitory activities of these botanicals enlist them as effective antifungal agents for the treatment of rot disease.

Optimization of process parameters for biodiesel production from three indigenous vegetable oils

Optimization procedures using a variety of input parameters have gotten a lot of attention, but using three non-edible seed oils of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas), Sesame (Sesamum indicum), and Sweet Almond (Prunusamygdalus dulcis) has a few advantages, including availability and non-food competitiveness. Optimizing a two-stage trans-esterification process using a sodium hydroxide-based catalyst at a fixed catalyst (1.0wt %) and temperature (60 oC) while varying molar ratio (1:3, 1:6, 1:12), time (20–60 min), and mixing speed (500–1000 rpm), to produce optimal responses of yields were studied using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimization solution of molar ratio (1:3), time (40.9 min.), and speed (500 rpm) resulted in an 86.9 % for refined jatropha biodiesel (RJB), the optimization for refined sesame biodiesel (RJB) with molar ratio (1:6), time (41.7 min.), and speed (619 rpm) resulted in an 88.5 %, and the optimization for refined sweet almond biodiesel (RSAB) with the molar ratio (1:3), time (49.359 min.), and speed (500 rpm) resulted in an 88.7 % at the conditions. RJO, RJB, and RSAB had predicted biodiesel yields of 86.9 %, 88.5 %, and 88.7 %, with less than 0.2 % variation, respectively. The characteristics of biodiesel were studied, and the results were determined to meet both ASTM D6751 and EN14214 criteria. The effects of molar ratio, and time on biodiesel yield from their respective oils were important parameters that greatly influenced the yields, but speed only changed the yields marginally. This work has addressed important difficulties influencing mass production of biodiesel such as the utilization of low-cost feedstock such as non-edible vegetable oils, boosting production efficiency through variable optimization of process parameters, and lowering catalyst dosages through catalyst regeneration.

Impact of woody semi-natural habitats on the abundance and diversity of green lacewings in olive orchards

Habitat management is a conservation biological control technique which helps to reduce the use of inputs in olive orchards and also to improve sustainability. Recent studies of olive orchards have pointed out that vegetation cover, which provides food resources, as well as reproduction and refuge sites, increases Chrysopidae populations and diversity. However, little is known about the effect of woody semi-natural habitats (SNHs) in olive orchards. In this context, our study aims to determine the attraction of adult Chrysopidae to different tree species in SNHs adjacent to olive orchards in order to promote the conservation biological control of this key predator. We vacuumed 75 almond, oak, olive and pine trees fortnightly between April and October of 2016. The trees were chosen at random and evenly distributed among five organic olive orchards selected according to their availability. Oak trees recorded the highest abundance, species richness and diversity levels of adult Chrysopidae, while olive trees had the highest abundance of Chrysopidae larvae. A total of 20 green lacewing species, belonging to seven different genera, were collected, of which Chrysoperla mutata (McLachlan, 1898), Chrysoperla pallida Henry et al., 2002 and Pseudomallada (prasinus) pp3 (Duelli and Henry, 2020) were the most abundant during the period of the study and had a preference for olive trees (C. mutata and C. pallida) and oak trees P. (prasinus) pp3. Furthermore, the number of Chrysopidae larvae collected showed a positive correlation with the percentage of predated eggs in the anthophagous and carpophagous generations of Prays oleae.

Providing antibacterial properties to denim and non-denim trousers with encapsulation technology

PurposeThe aim was to prepare antibacterial microcapsules and transferred to denim and non-denim (canvas) trousers.Design/methodology/approachFor this purpose, lavender and sweet almond oil as active agents were encapsulated with ethylcellulose shell with a spray dryer method and carried out capsule optimization studies.FindingsThe particle diameter of the capsules ranged between 0.61 and 8.76 µm, SPAN value was 1.608 and the mean particle size was 4 µm. The mass yields of capsules ranged between 35.0 and 75.4 %w/w. Denim fabrics were treated with prepared capsules by exhaustion and spraying methods. It was seen that microcapsules provided a reduction of bacteria by over 97% against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and the fabrics still showed an antibacterial effect after five washing cycles.Originality/valueWhen application methods were compared, the spraying method was found to be more sustainable process than exhaustion and could be used as an alternative for reducing energy consumption and capsules could provide antibacterial properties to the fabrics.