Normal Environmental Conditions Research Articles

Development of an Edible Coating from Okra Mucilage to Preserve the Crispiness in Soft Dough Biscuits Upon Storage

Baked food products are considered to be one of the most popular processed foods in the world. Among all the bakery products, biscuits are the most frequently consumed snack food item. There is a vast and diverse market for biscuits as a leader in ready-to-eat baked goods. Biscuits have long shelf life than other bakery products when stored under proper conditions. But immediately after exposure to the air by opening or damaging the package, biscuits absorb moisture from the air and reduce its crispiness of the biscuits. According to the market survey results, the highest number of respondents (53.7 %) suggested developing an edible coating for biscuits to prevent the loss of crispiness in biscuits upon storage. As well as 98.5 % of respondents prefer edible coatings developed using natural sources. Polysaccharide-based edible coatings maintain the physicochemical, microbiological & sensorial properties of the food. Therefore, okra mucilage was used as the main ingredient for edible coating preparation for biscuits. The coating was applied on biscuits with different coating methods, different baking stages and stored in different environmental conditions to identify the efficiency of the coating. According to the results, a coating applied before the baking stage displayed better moisture barrier properties than that of the coating applied after baking in controlled, semi-controlled, and normal atmospheric environmental conditions. It's responsible for the reduction of moisture absorption of biscuits upon storage

Captive Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) Are Colonized throughout Their Lives by a Community of Bifidobacterium Species with Species-Specific Genomic Content That Can Support Adaptation to Distinct Metabolic Niches.

ABSTRACTThe common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is an omnivorous New World primate whose diet in the wild includes large amounts of fruit, seeds, flowers, and a variety of lizards and invertebrates. Marmosets also feed heavily on tree gums and exudates, and they have evolved unique morphological and anatomical characteristics to facilitate gum feeding (gummivory). In this study, we characterized the fecal microbiomes of adult and infant animals from a captive population of common marmosets at the Callitrichid Research Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha under their normal dietary and environmental conditions. The microbiomes of adult animals were dominated by species of Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Prevotella, Phascolarctobacterium, Megamonas, and Megasphaera. Culturing and genomic analysis of the Bifidobacterium populations from adult animals identified four known marmoset-associated species (B. reuteri, B. aesculapii, B. myosotis, and B. hapali) and three unclassified taxa of Bifidobacterium that are phylogenetically distinct. Species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed that these same species of Bifidobacterium are abundant members of the microbiome throughout the lives of the animals. Genomic loci in each Bifidobacterium species encode enzymes to support growth and major marmoset milk oligosaccharides during breastfeeding; however, metabolic islands that can support growth on complex polysaccharide substrates in the diets of captive adults (pectin, xyloglucan, and xylan), including loci in B. aesculapii that can support its unique ability to grow on arabinogalactan-rich tree gums, were species-specific.

Detection and removal of poly and perfluoroalkyl polluting substances for sustainable environment

PFAs (poly and perfluoroalkyl compounds) are hazardous and bioaccumulative chemicals that do not readily biodegrade or neutralize under normal environmental conditions. They have various industrial, commercial, domestic and defence applications. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, there are around 4700 PFAs registered to date. They are present in every stream of life, and they are often emerging and are even difficult to be detected by the standard chemical methods. This review aims to focus on the sources of various PFAs and the toxicities they impose on the environment and especially on humankind. Drinking water, food packaging, industrial areas and commercial household products are the primary PFAs sources. Some of the well-known treatment methods for remediation of PFAs presented in the literature are activated carbon, filtration, reverse osmosis, nano filtration, oxidation processes etc. The crucial stage of handling the PFAs occurs in determining and analysing the type of PFA and its remedy. This paper provides a state-of-the-art review of determination & tools, and techniques for remediation of PFAs in the environment. Improving new treatment methodologies that are economical and sustainable are essential for excluding the PFAs from the environment.

Moringa leaf extract improves biochemical attributes, yield and grain quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under drought stress.

Changing climate, food shortage, water scarcity and rapidly increasing population are some of the emerging challenges globally. Drought stress is the most devastating threat for agricultural productivity. Natural plant growth substances are intensively used to improve the productivity of crop plants grown under stressed and benign environments. The current study evaluated whether leaf extract of different moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) could play a role in improving drought-tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Rice plants were grown under three drought conditions, i.e., no, moderate and severe drought (100, 75 and 50% field capacity, respectively). Moringa leaf extract (MLE) obtained from four landraces (Multan, Faisalabad, D. G. Khan and exotic landrace from India) was applied during critical crop growth stages, i.e., tillering, panicle initiation and grain filling. Drought stress adversely affected the gas exchange attributes, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes’ activities, yield and quality parameters of rice. Application of MLE from all landraces significantly improved physiological, biochemical and yield parameters under stressed and normal environmental conditions. The highest improvement in gas exchange traits (photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and respiration rate), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) and enzymatic activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase) and oxidative marker (H2O2) was recorded with MLE obtained from Faisalabad landrace. The application of MLE of Faisalabad landrace also improved yield and grain quality of rice grown under drought stress as well as drought-free environment. Thus, MLE of Faisalabad can be successfully used to improve growth, productivity and grain quality of rice under drought stress.

Extraction and characterization of cellulose from agricultural waste materials

Agricultural and industrial wastes are produced in huge amount throughout the worldwide. In Sultanate Oman and other regions, these wastes are generally not exploited to be re-used or recycled. Waste materials have become of interest due to the beneficial use of the residual biomass left behind. These wastes tend to have harmful impacts on the environment because they might contain strong fibers that decompose at slow rate under normal environmental conditions. Agricultural waste materials contain cellulose which can be extracted to be used in many important processes including the production of bio-plastic and the production of food. The project conducted to isolate and characterize cellulose from waste residuals. Cellulose has been isolated from waste residuals via alkali pretreatment using NaOH followed by bleaching process, while cellulose was produced via acid hydrolysis method using sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The cellulose produced was characterized with Fourier Transform Inferred Spectroscopy (FTIR) in which it is found the main dominant functional groups are O–H and C–H, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) which showed a smooth surface morphology which indicates the removal of wax, lignin & hemicellulose and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) showed that the cellulose approximately contains of 64.5 wt% of C, 30 wt% of O, 1% S and 1.7% Na.

Underfloor heating as a cause of fire

Introduction. The relevance of the topic, addressed in the article, is backed by the fact that modern heating systems, such as the underfloor heating, remain potential sources of fire, despite the improvement in their designs. The purpose of the study is to identify the causes of fires that occur in the process of operation of modern heating systems “Underfloor Heating”; to analyze and generalize the conclusions made by the fire safety experts in respect of the heating systems analyzed in the article.Materials and methods. To assess the flammability of the infrared film underfloor heating, an experiment was conducted by the experts: the process of underfloor heating was simulated under normal environmental conditions at room temperature.Results and discussion. The experiment has shown that the floor covering, made of the material capable of accumulating heat, is the most dangerous one, although its small area prevents its disconnection from the thermal sensor. When dismantling the construction, the co-authors found out that the foil insulator had been melting in the area of maximal temperatures. Over the course of seven hours of operation, the temperature exceeded 120 ºC, and after that the odor of products of thermal decomposition of a synthetic product appeared.Conclusions. Despite all the features of advanced underfloor heating systems, their automated operation and transformation, they remain potentially flammable. Modern underfloor heating systems can take fire both as a result of violation of the fire precautions in case of non-compliance with the requirements for the operation of heating devices, and as a result of overheated film heaters located under the floor covering.

Deep-sea mercury resistant bacteria from the Central Indian Ocean: A potential candidate for mercury bioremediation

Deep-sea bacteria when grown in normal environmental conditions get morphologically and genetically adapted to resist the provided culture conditions for their survival, making them a possible aspirant in mercury bioremediation. In this study, seawater samples were collected from different depths of the Central Indian Ocean and seven mercury resistant bacteria (resistant to 100 mg L-1 concentration of inorganic Hg as HgCl2) were isolated. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the identified isolates belong to the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Pseudoalteromonas. The presence of the merA gene in the isolates contributes to the effective volatilization of mercury. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass-Spectroscopy analysis revealed that the isolates can reduce up to >80% of inorganic mercury. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared spectrum analysis indicates that functional groups play a key role in the mechanism of adaptation towards Hg2+ reduction. Thus, the deep-sea bacteria expressed significant tolerance and reduction potential towards ionic mercury.

Estimation of unattached and aerosol-attached activities of airborne short-lived radon progeny in indoor environments

Inhalation of the airborne short-lived radon progeny is regarded as the most crucial way of internal exposure to the natural radiation dose delivered to the human lung. In this respect, this study aims to determine the unattached and aerosol-attached activities of radon progeny and to estimate some important physical parameters employed to assess the radiological impact of this radiation on humans. For this purpose, radioactive aerosol samples collected on polycarbonate membrane filters to measure total alpha activity by passive alpha dosimetric technique using CR-39 detectors in sixteen different locations including some houses and workplaces in El Jadida city, in Morocco. In addition, the room-specific parameters and aerosol physical processes that affect the unattached and attached activity concentrations were determined. The obtained experimental results by the three-count method and room model parameters were used as input data on a developed PC-based software that we have developed to solve mathematical equations and calculate required physical quantities. Accordingly, the individual activities of radon progeny namely 218Po, 214Pb, and 214Po as well as radon activity concentration were determined. Simultaneously, the unattached and aerosol-attached activity concentrations (Cju and Cja) of radon progeny were calculated based on the room model calculation. Consequently, some radiological quantities used in the calculation of the lung dose were estimated. The results showed that the indoor radon activity concentration in different targeted locations ranges between 38 and 143 Bq. m−3 with an average value of 84.8 ± 9.5 Bq. m−3. The average obtained values of the equilibrium-equivalent concentration (Ceq), unattached fraction (fp), and equilibrium factor (F) at low and good ventilation rates change respectively from (24 Bq. m−3, 0.08, and 0.25) to (34 Bq. m−3, 0.02, and 0.41). Under normal environmental conditions, the average obtained values of Ceq, fp, and F, in houses and at workplaces were (17 Bq. m−3, 0.07, and 0.25) and (32 Bq. m−3, 0.04, and 0.35) respectively. Depending on the different aerosol conditions and obtained values of unattached fraction fp, the calculated average values of dose conversion factors (DCFs) were 8.70 mSv.WLM−1 and 11 mSv.WLM−1 in houses and workplaces respectively. These values were in good agreement with the recommended values by ICRP, which are in the order of 9 mSv.WLM−1 and 12 mSv.WLM−1 for houses and workplaces respectively.

Endothelial cell regulation of systemic haemodynamics and metabolism acts through the HIF transcription factors

BackgroundThe vascular endothelium has important endocrine and paracrine roles, particularly in the regulation of vascular tone and immune function, and it has been implicated in the pathophysiology of a range of cardiovascular and inflammatory conditions. This study uses a series of transgenic murine models to explore for the first time the role of the hypoxia-inducible factors, HIF-1α and HIF-2α in the pulmonary and systemic circulations as potential regulators of systemic vascular function in normoxic or hypoxic conditions and in response to inflammatory stress. We developed a series of transgenic mouse models, the HIF-1α Tie2Cre, deficient in HIF1-α in the systemic and pulmonary vascular endothelium and the L1Cre, a pulmonary endothelium specific knockout of HIF-1α or HIF-2α. In vivo, arterial blood pressure and metabolic activity were monitored continuously in normal atmospheric conditions and following an acute stimulus with hypoxia (10%) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Ex vivo, femoral artery reactivity was assessed using wire myography.ResultsUnder normoxia, the HIF-1α Tie2Cre mouse had increased systolic and diastolic arterial pressure compared to litter mate controls over the day–night cycle under normal environmental conditions. VO2 and VCO2 were also increased. Femoral arteries displayed impaired endothelial relaxation in response to acetylcholine mediated by a reduction in the nitric oxide dependent portion of the response. HIF-1α L1Cre mice displayed a similar pattern of increased systemic blood pressure, metabolic rate and impaired vascular relaxation without features of pulmonary hypertension, polycythaemia or renal dysfunction under normal conditions. In response to acute hypoxia, deficiency of HIF-1α was associated with faster resolution of hypoxia-induced haemodynamic and metabolic compromise. In addition, systemic haemodynamics were less compromised by LPS treatment.ConclusionsThese data show that deficiency of HIF-1α in the systemic or pulmonary endothelium is associated with increased systemic blood pressure and metabolic rate, a pattern that persists in both normoxic conditions and in response to acute stress with potential implications for our understanding of the pathophysiology of vascular dysfunction in acute and chronic disease.

Effect of chilling acclimation on germination and seedlings response to cold in different seed coat colored wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

BackgroundFlavonoids can protect plants against extreme temperatures and ROS due to their antioxidant activities. We found that deep-purple seed coat color was controlled by two gene interaction (12:3:1) from the cross between yellow and deep-purple seed coat colored inbreds. F2:3 seeds were grouped in 3 by seed coat color and germinated under chilling (4 °C) and non-acclimated conditions (18 °C) for a week, followed by normal conditions (18 °C) for three weeks and a subsequent chilling stress (4 °C) induction. We analyzed mean daily germination in each group. Additionally, to study the acclimation in relationship to the different seed coat colors on the germination ability and seedling performances under the cold temperatures, we measured the chlorophyll content, ROS scavenging activity, and expression levels of genes involved in ROS scavenging, flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, and cold response in seedlings.ResultsThe results of seed color segregation between yellow and deep purple suggested a two-gene model. In the germination study, normal environmental conditions induced the germination of yellow-seed, while under chilling conditions, the germination ratio of deep purple-seed was higher than that of yellow-colored seeds. We also found that the darker seed coat colors were highly responsive to cold acclimation based on the ROS scavenging enzymes activity and gene expression of ROS scavenging enzymes, flavonoid biosynthetic pathway and cold responsive genes.ConclusionsWe suggest that deep purple colored seed might be in a state of innate pre-acquired stress response state under normal conditions to counteract stresses in a more effective way. Whereas, after the acclimation, another stress should enhance the cold genes expression response, which might result in a more efficient chilling stress response in deep purple seed seedlings.Low temperature has a large impact on the yield of crops. Thus, understanding the benefit of seed coat color response to chilling stress and the identification of limiting factors are useful for developing breeding strategies in order to improve the yield of wheat under chilling stress.

Monitoring of Technetium in Groundwater: Development of a Novel QCN Based Sensor

Technetium-99, a pure β-emitter with Emax =294 keV, is one of the most significant (t1/2 =2.1×105 y) nuclear waste isotopes, produced by the fission of U with a yield of 6%. Under normal environmental conditions, it is mostly encountered as the pertechnetate ion, TcO4 -, which is highly soluble and consequently mobile in water. For this reason, its monitoring into groundwater is a statutory requirement for every nuclear license site. Because of its relatively low concentration in environmental samples, current determination methods of 99Tc involve several steps, such as chemical separation from the matrix, purification and source preparation, prior to radiometric (e.g. liquid scintillation counting) or mass spectroscopic (e.g. inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy) determination. The detection of 99Tc may take up to several days, thus making these techniques inappropriate for an emergency situation. Hence, We report on the development of a sensor for the real time monitoring of 99Tc in groundwater based on the Quartz Crystal Nanobalance (QCN). The QCN is a piezoelectric resonator, which oscillates in a resonant frequency fs when an electric potential is applied across its body. It is capable of measuring very small changes in mass at its surface, through the change of the resonant frequency. We modify it to respond exclusively to the presence of TcO4 -, by application of a novel Ag-4,4bipyridine metal-organic framework thin film built layer-by-layer on a self-assembled monolayer of 4-mercaptopyridine on the gold surface. The film’s structure is characterised by several techniques such as XPS, AFM and XRD and we evaluate its response and selectivity by monitoring the changes in the resonant frequency as a function of the concentration of ReO4 -, which is a non-radioactive chemical surrogate for TcO4 -. Finally, we model the adsorption of ReO4 - and other interferences with adsorption isotherms such as Langmuir, Freundlich and Sips.

Experimentation on minimum ignition temperature for boron blended fireworks flash powder dust cloud at normal and inert environmental conditions

SummaryIn fireworks industries, mixing and filling of chemicals are being done manually and hence, dust formation is inevitable. Due to inherent nature of ingredients like aluminium metal powder, which has more combustible and the possibilities of dust explosion are merely high. Nowadays, the use of boron as a replacement of aluminium in firecracker mixtures is being researched upon. Hence, this paper aims at measuring the minimum ignition temperature (MIT) of existing and boron blended firework composition by using Godbert Greenwald furnace. Nowadays, many firework industries are employing automation. In such places, by limiting the level of oxygen supply with Nitrogen gas, the accidents can be avoided. Hence, the limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) is also measured. It has been concluded that the probability of ignition is higher when the replacement level of aluminium with boron is less than 70% at a concentration of 1456 g/m3 with less than 75% inert gas level. The safe margin has been found which will be useful for risk assessment study.

Bioplastics are revolutionizing the packaging industry

The production of bioplastics is a growing trend. The utilization of renewable sources, in some cases currently wasted, to replace petroleum derivatives, is providing opportunities to achieve more environmentally friendly product life cycles. The possibility of producing biodegradable products under normal environmental conditions is another goal of recent studies. This editorial summarizes current aspects in the production of bioplastics. We highlight new studies that make it possible to obtain biodegradable composites using a natural, renewable, high availability, and low-cost material, such as cellulose.

Differential regulation of undecylprodigiosin biosynthesis in the yeast-scavenging Streptomyces strain MBK6.

ABSTRACT Streptomyces are efficient chemists with a capacity to generate diverse and potent chemical scaffolds. The secondary metabolism of these soil-dwelling prokaryotes is stimulated upon interaction with other microbes in their complex ecosystem. We observed such an interaction when a Streptomyces isolate was cultivated in a media supplemented with dead yeast cells. Whole-genome analysis revealed that Streptomyces sp. MBK6 harbors the red cluster that is cryptic under normal environmental conditions. An interactive culture of MBK6 with dead yeast triggered the production of the red pigments metacycloprodigiosin and undecylprodigiosin. Streptomyces sp. MBK6 scavenges dead-yeast cells and preferentially grows in aggregates of sequestered yeasts within its mycelial network. We identified that the activation depends on the cluster-situated regulator, mbkZ, which may act as a cross-regulator. Cloning of this master regulator mbkZ in S. coelicolor with a constitutive promoter and promoter-deprived conditions generated different production levels of the red pigments. These surprising results were further validated by DNA–protein binding assays. The presence of the red cluster in Streptomyces sp. MBK6 provides a vivid example of horizontal gene transfer of an entire metabolic pathway followed by differential adaptation to a new environment through mutations in the receiver domain of the key regulatory protein MbkZ.

Comparative study on the effect of fiber type and content on the fire resistance of alkali-activated slag composites

Alkali-activated slag (AAS) binder has been recognized as a suitable material for construction applications owing to its low carbon footprint and good mechanical and durability performance. As a promising alternative to the conventional Portland cement binder, it is important to maximize the performance of AAS composites under normal and harsh environmental conditions such as exposure to fire. The use of fibers in a brittle matrix is a well-known approach to enhance the mechanical strength and cracking behavior under thermal loading. In this study, polypropylene fiber (PPF), glass fiber (GF), and basalt fiber (BF) are used at volume fractions of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% in AAS mortar mixes. First, the workability, compressive strength, and flexural strength of mixes were evaluated at ambient temperature. Then, the mortar mixes were exposed to elevated temperatures of 200, 400, 600, and 800 °C, and the residual flexural and compressive strengths and the mass loss as well were determined. Furthermore, the changes in the matrix after heat treatment were investigated utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Based on the test results, the fiber type and dosage did not have a considerable influence on the mass loss of mixes, and in general, fiber-reinforced mixes showed a higher mass loss due to the melting of fibers. The optimum PPF, GF, and BF content based on the compressive strength measured at the ambient and elevated temperatures was found equal to 0.5%, 0.5%, and 1%, respectively. Whereas, the optimum percentages to achieve the highest flexural strength were equal to 0.5%, 1%, and 1%, respectively. It was found that the GF-reinforced mix containing 0.5% and 1% GF exhibited 33% and 160% higher residual compressive and flexural strengths at 800 °C, respectively, compared to that of the control mix.

Changes in Blood Metabolites and Immune Cells in Holstein and Jersey Dairy Cows by Heat Stress.

Simple SummaryAs global temperatures rise, thermal stress can be a major problem affecting cows. If they are subjected to heat stress, they are likely to exhibit abnormal metabolic reactions and affect their immune system. However, the relationship between metabolism and immunity during thermal stress and these crosstalk mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand the changes in blood immune cell response with the physiological metabolism changes of Holstein and Jersey cows through the biochemistry and flow cytometry branches under thermal stress conditions. We found that various blood metabolites were reduced in both Holsteins and Jerseys by heat stress conditions. There were breed-specific variations in the immune cell population in Holstein and Jersey cows under different environmental conditions. The main findings of this study provide information on the metabolism and immunity changes of two types of cow under heat stress, broadening the potential relationship of these changes.Owing to increasing global temperatures, heat stress is a major problem affecting dairy cows, and abnormal metabolic responses during heat stress likely influence dairy cow immunity. However, the mechanism of this crosstalk between metabolism and immunity during heat stress remains unclear. We used two representative dairy cow breeds, Holstein and Jersey, with distinct heat-resistance characteristics. To understand metabolic and immune responses to seasonal changes, normal environmental and high-heat environmental conditions, we assessed blood metabolites and immune cell populations. In biochemistry analysis from sera, we found that variety blood metabolites were decreased in both Holstein and Jersey cows by heat stress. We assessed changes in immune cell populations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using flow cytometry. There were breed-specific differences in immune-cell population changes. Heat stress only increased the proportion of B cells (CD4–CD21+) and heat stress tended to decrease the proportion of monocytes (CD11b+CD172a+) in Holstein cows. Our findings expand the understanding of the common and specific changes in metabolism and immune response of two dairy cow breeds under heat stress conditions.

Pengaruh Perawatan Air Laut dan Air Tawar terhadap Kuat Tekan Beton Geopolymer yang Memadat Sendiri

The replacement of 10% cement as pozzolan material with cementitious materials such as fly ash and rice husk ash aims to improve the quality and durability of concrete to aggressive environments, under normal environmental conditions fly ash and rice husk ash are able to improve the quality of concrete. Based on the review was conducted research on the influence of curing sea water and fresh water to strong press self-compacting concrete with fly ash and rice husk ash as a substitute for cement. Cylindrical test objects measuring 10 x 20 cm with strong concrete press testing at the age of 28 and 56 days to determine the durability of concrete to aggressive environments. The process of curing sea water affects the compressive strength as well as the durability of concrete at the age of 28 and 56 days. The highest average compressive strength increases by 19-24% from normal concrete.

Moisture‐Triggered Self‐Healing Flexible Perovskite Photodetectors with Excellent Mechanical Stability

Flexible devices are urgently required to meet the demands of next-generation optoelectronic devices and metal halide perovskites are proven to be suitable materials for realizing flexible photovoltaic devices. However, the tolerance to moisture corrosion and repeated mechanical bending remains a critical challenge for flexible perovskite devices. Herein, a self-healing formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3 ) film is fabricated to cure mechanical damage by absorbing moisture from the surrounding environment. A poly(vinyl alcohol) microscaffold is designed not only to stabilize the black phase of the FAPbI3 film but also to endow it with self-healing ability in a humid environment. The photodetector based on a self-healing film exhibits a high responsivity of 11.3A W-1 and recovers to over 90% of the initial responsivity after the self-healing process. This work provides an effective self-healing strategy to stabilize the operation of flexible perovskite devices under normal high-humidity environmental conditions.

Durability of sorption of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in soils immobilised using common adsorbents: 1. Effects of perturbations in pH

The global problem of groundwater being contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) originating from highly contaminated soils has created a need to remediate these locations. In situ immobilisation of PFASs in soil by applying sorbents is often a preferred low-cost technique to reduce their mobility and leaching to groundwater, but the long-term efficacy of sorbents has not yet been investigated. In this study, the longevity of remediation of two different soils by two common sorbents (RemBind®, and pulverized activated carbon, Filtrasorb™ 400) was assessed. Regulatory agencies often rely on standardised leaching procedures to assess the risk of contaminant mobility in soils. Hence, the Australian Standard Leaching Procedure and the U.S. EPA Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework were applied to quantify the desorption/leaching of a wide range of PFASs from unremediated and remediated soils under a range of pH conditions (pH 2 to 12). Ease of desorption and subsequent leaching from the unremediated soils was related to C-chain length; while short-chain PFASs were easily desorbed and leached, long-chain PFASs were more difficult to desorb. Desorption of long-chain PFASs was also pH dependent in unremediated soils, with desorption being greater at high pH. Both sorbents retained PFASs strongly in the remediated soils (> 99% for most PFASs) across a broad range of pH conditions, with only small differences between the sorbents in terms of efficacy. Both sorbents showed better retention of PFASs under low pH conditions. Remediation of PFAS-contaminated soils with these sorbents could be considered robust and durable in terms of changes in soil pH, with little risk of subsequent PFASs desorption under normal environmental pH conditions. Ultimately, to give regulators and site owners the greatest level of confidence that immobilisation is stable for the longer term, it should also be tested under repeated cycles of leaching and under different conditions.

Effect of Storage Material and Location on Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Composition of Stored Bread Wheat in Ethiopia

Postharvest management intervention of wheat grain needs to be examined from technological quality perspectives before its introduction to end-users. Local and improved methods of grain storage cause a lot of losses in terms of physical and Physico-chemical properties. These losses could be improved by providing appropriate storage materials at all agro-ecologies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different grain storage materials on the physical and physicochemical properties of stored wheat at different locations. The experiment included three treatments; (Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS), polypropylene bags, and Jute bags) at different agro-ecological locations; midland (Debrezeit), lowland (Werer), and highland (Kulumsa). Wheat, Lemu variety was stored in triplicate (25 Kilogram/container) for six months (December 2018 - June 2018) under normal environmental conditions in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replication times Wheat stored in Jute bag at lowland for 6 months had lower final germination percentage, lower gluten index, and higher falling number value. In addition, wheat stored at lowland in jute bag had reduced hardness index value. Meanwhile, wheat stored in a Jute bag at midland for 6 months had a lower final germination percentage, lower hectoliter weight but, insignificant change in the hardness index value. Wheat stored at low land, midland, and highland in a jute bag for 4 and 6 months had shown increment in protein content. Wheat stored at midland in jute bag and PICS for 6 months had lower hectoliter weight and flour yield percentage. Besides, wheat stored at midland in a jute bag for 4 months of storage had higher wet and dry gluten content but, lower gluten index value. This condition may pose a negative influence on the baking performance of flour from wheat stored at lowland and with traditional jut bags. From this study, it can be concluded that PICS bags at all storage sites had Significant effective storage materials to preserve wheat grains. Further investigation, however, is very important to evaluate the influence of these treatments on the end-use qualities including baking quality.