Oil Treatment Research Articles

Bioinspired Living Coating System for Wood Protection: Exploring Fungal Species on Wood Surfaces Coated with Biofinish during Its Service Life

Biofinish is an innovative wood protection system inspired by biological processes. It enhances the hydrophobicity of wood through oil treatment, resulting in improved dimensional stability. Living cells of the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans effectively protect wood from deterioration caused by other decaying fungi. The melanin pigment produced by the fungus provides an appealing dark surface and additionally protects the wood substrate against UV radiation. The significant advantage of Biofinish is its remarkable self-healing ability, which distinguishes it from conventional wood protection methods. This research aimed to explore fungal species colonising surfaces exposed to natural weathering and assess the survival of A. pullulans on wood surfaces coated with Biofinish during its in-service period. This study was performed on a facade composed of European larch wood (Larix decidua) treated with linseed oil and coated with Biofinish at the InnoRenew CoE building in Izola, Slovenia, following a 9-month exposure period. The majority of the detected species belonged to the genera Aureobasidium. The results indicated the survival and effective antagonistic action of A. pullulans, the living and active ingredient of the coating, against other wood-decaying fungi.

Effect of oil contaminants on antioxidant responses and antioxidant properties of Pleurotus florida (P. Kumm)

ABSTRACT This research investigated the antioxidant responses of Pleurotus florida at different concentrations of gas oil [0% (control), 2.5%, 5%, and 10% (v:v)] for 30 days. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes decreased in responses to the gas oil presence by an average of 83% and 49%, respectively. In contrast, the activities of the ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes displayed an upward trend in the groups cultured in oil-contaminated media. The gas oil contaminant increased total phenol and flavonoid accumulation, reflecting the variation in secondary metabolism. According to the 1,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, the 2.5% gas oil treatment resulted in the highest antioxidant activity (48 μg mL−1). The highest scavenging activity of nitric oxide radicals (IC50 = 272 μg mL−1) was observed in the treatment with the highest gas oil concentration (10%). Also, this treatment showed an excellent ability to chelate Fe+2 ions (IC50 = 205 μg mL−1). The IC50 values of methanolic extract for nitric oxide scavenging activity and metal chelating ability were significantly reduced by increasing gas oil concentration in the treatments. With increasing the gas oil concentration, malondialdehyde content as a criterion measure of lipid peroxidation level showed significant reduction. These results show that P. florida is resistant to and a compatible mushroom with oil pollutants. Also, the activity of glutathione peroxidase and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle detoxify nitric oxide radicals and products of reactive oxygen species–induced lipid peroxidation in the gas oil treatments.

Environmental factors influencing the soil-air partitioning of semi-volatile petroleum hydrocarbons: Laboratory measurements and optimization model

The soil-air partition coefficient (KSA) values are commonly utilized to examine the fate of organic contaminants in soils; however, their measurement has been lacking for semi-volatile petroleum hydrocarbons within soil contaminated by crude oil. This research utilized a solid-phase fugacity meter to determine the KSA values of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under crucial environmental conditions. The results showed a notable increase in KSA values with the extent of crude oil contamination in soil. Specifically, in the 3 % crude oil treatment, the KSA values for n-alkanes and PAHs increased by 1.16 and 0.66 times, respectively, compared to the 1 % crude oil treatment. However, the KSA values decreased with changes in temperature, water content, and particle size within the specified experimental range. Among these factors, temperature played a significant role. The KSA values for n-alkanes and PAHs decreased by 0.27–0.89 and 0.61–0.83 times, respectively, with a temperature increase from 5 °C to 35 °C. Moreover, the research identified that the molecular weight of n-alkanes and PAHs contributed to variations in KSA values under identical environmental factors. With an increase in temperature from 5 °C to 35 °C, the range of n-alkanes present in the air phase expanded from C11 to C34, and PAHs showed elevated levels of acenaphthene (ACE) and benzo (b) fluoranthene (BbFA). Furthermore, heightened water content and particle size were observed to facilitate the volatilization of low molecular weight petroleum hydrocarbons. The effect of environmental variables on soil-air partitioning was evaluated using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) model, resulting in the attainment of the lowest log KSA values. These results illustrate that soil-air partitioning is a complex process influenced by various factors. In conclusion, this study improves our comprehension and predictive capabilities concerning the behavior and fate of n-alkanes and PAHs within soil-air systems.

Effects of Plant Essential Oil Treatment on the Growth of Pathogenic Fungi and the Activity of Defense-Related Enzymes of Fungi-Inoculated Blueberry

Fungal decay is one of the most significant causes of postharvest losses of blueberries, with Botrytis rot caused by Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria rot caused by Alternaria alternata being the two most destructive fungal diseases. Plant essential oil has attracted the extensive attention of scholars due to its natural antifungal and anti-corrosion effects. In this study, the effects of fumigation treatment with plant essential oils on the growth of pathogenic fungi in blueberry fruits in vitro and the activity of defense-related enzymes of fungi-inoculated blueberry were evaluated. The results showed that, of the six natural plant essential oils of cinnamon, oregano, clove, tea tree, pomelo peel, and rosemary, oregano essential oil had the most efficient inhibitory effect on Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata in PDA. After fumigating inoculated blueberry fruits with concentration gradients of 0, 30, 60, and 90 μL/L of oregano essential oil, it was found that the activity of defense-related enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), chitinase (CHI), and β-1,3-glucanase (GLU) in the inoculated blueberry fruits was induced and enhanced to varying degrees throughout the entire storage period, effectively enhancing the resistance of blueberry fruits to pathogenic fungi and reducing the postharvest decay caused by Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata. The optimal concentration for the fumigation treatment with oregano essential oil is 60 μL/L. This study provides a theoretical basis for the postharvest application of oregano essential oil in blueberries and other fruits and vegetables.

Evaluation of risk associated with treatment of fat, oil, and grease: Grease interceptor from food processing industry effluent using bowtie analysis

AbstractFat, oil, and grease (FOG), a deposit in wastewater, develops from any processes in food and processing industries. FOG deposits in wastewater management systems can cause blockages in sewer systems. Grease Interceptor (GI) is one of the control measures to treat and prevent the blockage of FOG deposits in the sewer system. Nevertheless, few studies evaluate the extended hazard of GI application in FOG treatment. This study aims to assess the risk of GI in FOG treatment by using a bowtie technique. The hazard identified is FOG itself, whereas the top event was GI failure. The high contributions of the threats were an unsuitable variation of GI's type and design, no GI cleaning process schedule, and a clogged outflow pipe from GI. GI design according to standard and cleaning FOG deposits in GI by a licensed grease hauler were two suitable preventive barriers. The desludging process is essential to guarantee that the GI operates smoothly and is identified as an excellent recovery barrier. Inter‐rater reliability (IRR) analysis to measure the consistency of their ratings on the data provided. The experts had a 75% overall agreement value of IRR risk rating value on assets, while 50% agreement value on people.

Heavy metal and soluble organic matter removal using natural conglomerate and siltstone soils: Towards soil aquifer treatment for oily wastewater

The present work aims to assess the viability of vadose zone siltstone and conglomerate for oil and gas-produced water (PW) treatment using soil aquifer treatment (SAT). Comprehensive batch adsorption tests were carried out to analyze siltstone and conglomerate removal capacity for dissolved organics (phenol), and heavy metal ions (Ni 2+, and Zn 2+). The results demonstrated that conglomerate displayed a 98% removal capacity for Zn 2+ and 88% for Ni2+ while siltstone showed 82% removal for Zn2+ and 88% removal for Ni 2+. However, both siltstone and conglomerate showed low phenol removal (32% for siltstone, and 9% for conglomerate). The equilibrium adsorption isotherms were fitted by several adsorption models. The Langmuir model exhibited the best fitting for the adsorptions of phenol, Ni 2+ ions, and Zn 2+ ions on the two soils. The kinetics studies have revealed that phenol, Ni 2+ ions, and Zn 2+ ions adsorption on the two soil samples obey a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies revealed that the Si-O peak in the soil plays a predominant role in interactions with heavy metal ions and phenol due to its high content in the soils. However, the electrostatic interactions between functional groups (Si-O, CO32-, and CO carbonyl groups) of the soil samples and the Ni2+ ions, Zn2+ ions, and phenol also contributed to the removal capacity. It is revealed that Zn2+ has a greater affinity for carboxyl groups than Ni2+. The obtained data in this study would support the effective design of SAT treatment for PW and help in reducing the risk of contaminating the groundwater aquifer.

Carryover of Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) in Pigeon Pea Seeds from Field to Storage and its Management by Smearing Oil on Seeds

Background: Pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (L.) is a vital pulse crop in South Asia, with India accounting for 90% of it’s global production. Its protein content (21-25%) is essential for nutrition and plays significant role in improving food security and nutrition in regions with limited resources. The insect pest attacks in Pigeonpea cause significant amount of grain loss in field and storage, the research was carried out to investigate the carryover of pest from field to storehouses and to study the efficacy of oils on C. maculatus management in which literature available is scarce. Methods: This study was carried out at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut, U.P., India during the year 2020-2022. Pigeonpea seeds were collected from research farm threshing floor of ICAR-IIFSR, Meerut. Infestations of pulse beetle carried from field to storage was studied on basis of mean no. of eggs laid and mean seed damage caused by beetle. To study efficacy of oils, the seeds were subjected to linseed, mustard, soybean, rice bran, safflower, castor, mahua and neem oil each at concentrations of 0.20, 0.50 and 1.00 ml per 100 g of seeds and five pair of beetles of same age were released into each container and removed after 5 days to study the damage incurred. Result: In the carryover study, maximum oviposition (16.88 eggs) was recorded on freshly harvested seeds that were kept open in storehouse for infestations which witnessed field as well as storage egg laying. Oils application on seeds showed 1ml oil per 100 g seed as most suitable dosage and neem oil, castor, mahua as most successful oil providing beetle control in terms of oviposition, damage and adult survival. Residual action of oil on seed surface after 3 months revealed different oil treatments showed significant reduction in the number of eggs laid, adult emergence and seed damage due to C. maculatus in pigeonpea seeds in comparison to control. Mean reductions in the number of eggs, adult emergence and seed damage were relatively higher in all the oil treatments.

Separation of oil–water emulsions by electrocoagulation and electro-persulfate with sonication pretreatment: Determination of economical electrode configuration, optimization, and comparison

This study aimed to separate oil–water emulsions by electrocoagulation (EC), which is considered an effective and promising method for sustainable water management, and the electro-persulfate method (EPS) as an advanced EC process. Firstly, oil–water emulsions were treated with EC using three different electrode configurations and the most economical electrode pair (perforated and plate electrodes) was determined. Secondly, the Box-Behnken design (BBD) was applied to explore the influence of operational variables (pH, current density, and electrolysis time for EC; pH, current density, PS/COD, and electrolysis time for EPS) on the removal of COD (5800 mg/L) as a response with the identified electrodes. As a result, at neutral pH, the optimal operating conditions determined for maximum COD removal were 27 mA/cm2 and 37 min for EC and 27 mA/cm2, 25 min, and PS/COD = 0.5 for EPS. At the predicted optimal conditions, the predicted and tested COD removal was respectively 100 % and 97.15 % for EC, 88.18 % and 87.94 % for EPS. Moreover, the total cost was 2.39 $/m3 and 1.27 $/m3 for EC and EPS, respectively. Consequently, it was determined that perforated electrodes were more economical, and EC achieved higher wastewater treatment performance than EPS, however, from an economic point of view, the EPS process enabled the more efficient treatment of oil–water emulsions.

Biodeterioration Field Test and Mechanical Properties of Maesopsis eminii Wood Treated with Boron Preservative and Plant Oils

Boron preservatives have insecticidal and fungicidal effects. The leaching problem of boron preservative-treated wood can be overcome using oil treatment. This study evaluated the resistance in a biodeterioration field test and the mechanical properties of manii wood (Maesopsis eminii Engl.) treated with boric acid and plant oils. Manii wood samples were impregnated in two stages with boric acid and vegetable oils (neem, tamanu, and candlenut oils). The impregnation process was performed in a chamber at a pressure of 7 kg cm−2 for approximately 4 h. Next, the sample was heated at temperatures of 60 °C, 120 °C, and 180 °C. The biodeterioration field test was conducted in ground contact for 100 days. In addition, mechanical tests in terms of modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and hardness were conducted using an Instron universal testing machine. The test results prove that the combination of boric acid preservation with neem, tamanu, or candlenut oil treatment increases the resistance of manii wood to subterranean termites, especially when the treatment is accompanied by heating at 120 °C. The combination treatment of boric acid and plant oils also increases the MOE, MOR, and hardness values of manii wood.

INVESTIGATION USE IRRADIATION TO TREAT SOIL CONTAMINATE WITH OIL

the utilization of gamma rays with a high energy is common in the treatment of water contaminated with organic matter. Although it is an effective method for treating water contamination with biological contaminants. The effect of these rays on soil contamination with oil has not been investigated. In light of this, the impact of radiation on soil contaminated with oil was studied the effects of these rays on the physical and chemical properties of oil in the treated soil after being exposed to gamma rays at various dosages was studied. The nuclear lab of the Physics Department, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Iraq processed three samples of oil-contaminated soil. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a close setup, all samples may be radioactively irradiated concurrently at dosages of 0, 11, 30, and 70 krad. The area of experimentation in the Kufa University, Faculty of Science, Ecology Departments for 30 days. The main results have been reduction in TOC, DO, COD, in contaminate soil with oil for all radiation doses. This demonstrates the utility of radiation technology in contaminate soil with oil treatment and the possibility of using irradiation technology in the biological treatment in such kind of contaminate soil. This is an effective, new, and fast method of treatment.

Variation of Soil Bacterial Communities in Forest Soil Contaminated with Chainsaw Lubricants.

Pollutants can exist in the soil for a long time and alter the bacterial community. Using lubricants to prevent the wear of chainsaw blades is necessary for thinning activities and wood harvesting. We investigated the influences of soil contamination with chainsaw lubricants on soil bacterial communities. Bio-oil, mineral oil, and recycled oil were scattered on each treatment to investigate variations in soil bacterial structure during treated periods using the Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform. The results obtained were 5943 ASVs, 5112 ASVs, and 6136 ASVs after treatment at one month, six months, and twelve months, respectively. There was a significant difference in Shannon and Simpson indices between treatments and controls. A total of 46 bacterial genera with an average relative abundance of more than 1.0% were detected in all soil samples. Massilia was the most common genus detected in control at one month, with an average relative abundance of 14.99%, while Chthoniobacter was the most abundant genus detected in bio-oil, mineral oil, and recycled oil treatments at one month, with an average relative abundance of 13.39%, 14.32%, and 10.47%, respectively. Among the three chainsaw lubricants, bio-oil and mineral oil had fewer impacts than recycled oil. The abundances of several functional bacteria groups in the bio-oil treatment were higher than in other treatments and controls. Our results indicated that different chainsaw lubricants and their time of application affected the soil bacterial community composition.

RHEOLOGICAL AND COLLOID-STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOUR OF HIGH-VISCOSITY CRUDE OIL AND EMULSION AFTER WAVE ACTION

One of the main problems in oil production is the formation of stable oil-water emulsions that cause corrosion of pipelines, malfunction of pumping equipment, and poisoning of catalysts at refineries. The features of the viscosity-temperature behaviour of high-viscosity resinous crude oil from the Russkoye field (Yamal-Nenets autonomous district) and its 30 wt% emulsion after exposure to electromagnetic and low-frequency acoustic fields are investigated. Electromagnetic treatment of crude oil leads to a decrease in the phase transition temperature and the yield strength coefficient. Low-frequency acoustic processing of the emulsion is accompanied by a decrease in the effective viscosity and the yield strength coefficient. After a complex wave action, the viscosity-temperature characteristics of crude oil continue to fall, and the stability of the formed emulsions decreases due to the intense coalescence of water-phase droplets. It is shown that the amount of released asphaltenes in oil-containing systems decreases after wave treatment. On the contrary, after a complex impact, their content in crude oil increases, while in the emulsion it continues to decrease. This is likely to occur due to the release of hydrocarbons occluded in the asphaltene structure into the liquid oil phase.

Assessing the Potential of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex. G. Don - A Leguminous Plant Species commonly found in Nigeria to Decontaminate Crude Oil-polluted Soil in Terrestrial Ecosystem

The potentials of Parkia biglobosa (a leguminous plant species) to decontaminated crude oil-polluted soil in terrestrial ecosystem was evaluated in this study using appropriate standard techniques to estimate seedling germination, height, collar diameter, number of leaves and physicochemical characteristics (organic matter, pH, calcium, magnesium and sodium, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) of soil used, were determined using standard protocols. Results indicated that varying concentration of crude oil influenced the variables measured. For 0 ml, 25 ml, 50 ml, 75 ml and 100 ml crude oil treatments, Parkia biglobosa had 18%, 18%, 16%, 13% and 11% germination rate correspondingly; mean height of 38.70cm, 26.80cm, 21.20cm, 18.50cm and 6.80cm respectively, mean collar diameter of 0.32mm, 0.30mm, 0.26mm, 0.24mm and 0.22mm respectively; 2, 0, 0, 0 and 0 nodules count respectively, and 8.00, 6.00, 5.00, 5.00 and 2.00 leaf count respectively. All physicochemical parameters measured decreased in the soil in inverse proportion to crude oil concentration. So also, seedling germination, height, collar diameter, number of leaves and nodulation decreased in inverse proportion to crude oil concentration. Parkia biglobosa grew tolerably in both high and low concentrations of crude oil, which is an indication of its able to withstand crude oil toxicity. Parkia biglobosa as a nitrogen fixing plant would be a good candidate for the terrestrial restoration of crude oil contaminated regions in Nigerian.

Changes in the Root Architecture of Oil Palm Seedlings in Response to Nitrogen Starvation

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a widely cultivated crop known for its high oil yield. It is cultivated extensively across tropical regions, notably in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It plays a vital role in global vegetable oil supply, meeting approximately 35% of the world’s demand. However, the expansion of oil palm plantations often involves the utilization of degraded soils where nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen, is limited, posing challenges to plant growth and productivity. Roots are crucial in responding to nitrogen deficiency by adjusting their growth and distribution; however, research on root system distribution patterns in oil palm still needs to be completed. This study analyzes the root system architecture using RhizoVision Explorer, a 2D root image processing software while assessing its relationship with nitrogen availability across two commercial cultivars: Deli × La Mé of African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and the interspecific hybrid O×G Coari × La Mé. Our findings reveal significant associations between eight root traits in oil palm seedlings and treatments with and without nitrogen availability. Notably, total root morphology (length, surface area, and volume), rotation angle, solidity, and hole characteristics decreased under nitrogen deprivation, whereas surface angle frequency increased. We highlight the variability of these traits across cultivars, suggesting genetic dependence and potential utility in breeding programs. Moreover, interactions observed in primary root morphology and hole size indicate greater differences between control and nitrogen-treated groups in C × LM than in D × LM cultivars. On the other hand, cultivar differences, regardless of nitrogen availability, influenced lateral root morphology, while nitrogen availability, irrespective of cultivar, affected inclined angle frequency. Significant differences were observed in growth and development parameters such as root and shoot biomass, root-to-shoot ratio, and leaf emission numbers between nitrogen-optimal and nitrogen-starved conditions. Nitrogen significantly affects root architecture and plant growth in oil palm, particularly in the C × LM cultivar during the nursery stage.

Effect of Crude Oil Contamination on Compaction and Consistency of Some Clay Soils from Parts of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Bayelsa state is the southernmost part of the crude oil prolific Niger Delta region of Nigeria where oil exploration and exploitation activities have resulted to the pollution of its land, water, and air. Most parts of the area have experienced crude oil contamination of one form or the other, and the effects on man and the ecosystem are wide ranging. This study has examined the effect of oil contamination on the compaction behaviour of two clay samples obtained at shallow foundation depths in Yenagoa. The two clay samples, A and B are classified according to the unified soil classification system (USCS) as high plasticity inorganic sandy fat clay, and sandy lean clay, respectively. 4, 8, and 12 % crude oil by mass of dry soil were used to mix with the soil samples and left to cure in plastic bags for 48 hours before testing. In sample B, liquid limit (LL) was found to increase by about 9% for all proportions of crude oil while plastic limit (PL) was increased by 13%, 15%, and 27% for 4, 8, and 12 % oil content, respectively. These increase in LL and PL also brought about an increase in plasticity index except for 12% crude oil treatment. However, in all, a low plastic soil was changed to a slightly high plastic one as plotted on the Casagrande chart. The maximum dry density (MDD) of the two samples was also reduced by oil contamination with an increasing oil content exacerbating the reduction of MDD. It is therefore, recommended that care be taken during construction when dealing with clay soils within a potential crude oil contaminated region.

Oil droplet fouling on lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) eggshells does not enhance the crude oil induced developmental toxicity

The oil industry's expansion and increased operational activity at older installations, along with their demolition, contribute to rising cumulative pollution and a heightened risk of accidental oil spills. The lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) is a keystone prey species in the North Sea and coastal systems. Their eggs adhere to the seabed substrate making them particularly vulnerable to oil exposure during embryonic development. We evaluated the sensitivity of sandeel embryos to crude oil in a laboratory by exposing them to dispersed oil at concentrations of 0, 15, 50, and 150 µg/L oil between 2 and 16 days post-fertilization. We assessed water and tissue concentrations of THC and tPAH, cyp1a expression, lipid distribution in the eyes, head and trunk, and morphological and functional deformities. Oil droplets accumulated on the eggshell in all oil treatment groups, to which the embryo responded by a dose-dependent rise in cyp1a expression. The oil exposure led to only minor sublethal deformities in the upper jaw and otic vesicle. The findings suggest that lesser sandeel embryos are resilient to crude oil exposure. The lowest observed effect level documented in this study was 36 µg THC/L and 3 µg tPAH/L. The inclusion of these species-specific data in risk assessment models will enhance the precision of risk evaluations for the North Atlantic ecosystems.

Development and Clinical Evaluation of a Low Glycaemic Index Multi-Millet Snack

The prevalence of metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol, has been closely linked to dietary habits characterized by a high intake of refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. Addressing this issue through healthy eating practices is crucial in preventing the onset of these disorders. However, popular snacks in society often contribute to unhealthy diets. In response, this study aimed to develop a nutritious multi millet snack using food technologies like protein extraction, extrusion puff technology, tumble blending and no-fry oil treatment. The nutritional analysis revealed high protein and high fibre content, as well as a low-fat profile. Clinical evaluation of the snack on 16 human volunteers demonstrated a low glycemic index (GI) 45.7, indicating slower sugar release into the bloodstream. The experiment's outcome presents a promising avenue for promoting health-conscious and diabetic-friendly dietary choices. The study underscores the potential of combining food technologies with millet-based formulations to create foods that align with the needs of individuals seeking to maintain or improve their metabolic health. Further investigations and long-term studies are needed to evaluate benefits of this multi millet snack on cholesterol and obesity when used as a replacement to regular dietary practices Key Words: Food technology, Millet, Snack, healthy, Low Glycemic index, GI

Integration of satellite surveillance and metagenomics for the monitoring and protection of water basins from oil spills

The planetary crisis regarding water resources means that new methods are needed to monitor large areas of water basins that are threatened by chemical and natural pollutants, together with climate change. With the aim to detect oil spill, we applied an algorithm, which could consistently and reliably confirm the presence of oil in four polluted lake waters analyzed. Combined algorithm application and metagenomic analysis from the spill areas that had been detected by the satellite identified drivers of the microbial response to oil pollution. Based on ortholog abundances, metabolic pathway reconstruction carried out in PICRUSt2 highlighted the degradative capacity of these microorganism. These microorganisms could be suitable candidates for treatment of crude oil, aromatic hydrocarbons and the desulfurization of persistent petroleum substances like dibenzothiophene.Environmental changes have been analysed with the combination of satellite monitoring and metagenomic in other studies. Red snow phenomenon, in Franz Josef Land's Arctic observed by satellite, is the result of a microbial succession dominated by Chlamydomonas nivalis, a unicellular, red-colored photosynthetic green algae. Similarly, satellite monitoring and metagenomic monitoring were used to assess the impact on coral reefs of a huge quantity of mud spill from iron ore mining on the Abrolhos Bank reef in Brazil.In our study, the combination of satellite sensing and metagenomics analyses offer useful tools for the real-time monitoring of water bodies threatened by oil spills, as well as for the design of recovery strategies based on the use of valuable hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms.

Management of Fusarium fruit rot of Luffa cylindrical caused by Fusarium incarnatum and Fusarium chlamydosporum

Fusarium rot of Luffa cylindrical was detected at Kafr-El-Dawar province, Beheira governorate, North Egypt during the growing season 2021. Surveyed disease incidence at Beheira, Kafr El-Shekh and Sharkia governorate showed fruit rot incidences of 18.33%, 16.12%, and 12.42%, respectively. Two fungal isolates of Fusarium spp. were tested for their pathogenic ability to induce Fusarium rot disease and typical disease symptoms. The online Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for Nucleotide Sequences (BLASTN) was used for identification and confirmation of identity performance of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) and DNA sequencing, then compared with sequences available in GenBank. The two fungal isolates were identified as Fusarium incarnatum and Fusarium chlamydosporum and registered under accession number MN480497 and MN480498, respectively. Under laboratory conditions, organic acids, essential oils and organic salts significantly inhibited the growth of the two fungal isolates. Complete inhibition of fungal growth (100%) was recorded at 0.75 g/l of Topsin-M70 (Thiophanate-methyl) and 0.5% of salicylic acid. Meanwhile, a moderate growth reduction was observed using benzoic acid, coumarine, and cinnamon, thyme oil and garlic oil treatments. Under field conditions for two successive seasons, similar trends were observed. Foliar sprays with the fungicide Topsin-M70 showed the largest reduction in disease expression. The highest fruit rot disease reduction was recorded for salicylic acid and coumarin treatments followed by thyme oil, benzoic acid and potassium carbonate, garlic oil, boric acid and sodium bicarbonate. We concluded that the treatments are effective, safe and cost-effective methods for the control of this pre-harvest fruit disease under field conditions.

Oils with different degree of saturation: effects on ileal digestibility of fat and corresponding additivity and bacterial community in growing pigs

BackgroundOils are important sources of energy in pig diets. The combination of oils with different degree of saturation contributes to improve the utilization efficiency of the mixed oils and may reduce the cost of oil supplemented. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of oils with different degree of saturation on the fat digestibility and corresponding additivity and bacterial community in growing pigs.MethodsEighteen crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) barrows (initial body weight: 29.3 ± 2.8 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum. The experimental diets included a fat-free basal diet and 5 oil-added diets. The 5 oil-added diets were formulated by adding 6% oil with different ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (U:S) to the basal diet. The 5 oils were palm oil (U:S = 1.2), canola oil (U:S = 12.0), and palm oil and canola oil were mixed in different proportions to prepare a combination of U:S of 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5, respectively.ResultsThe apparent and standardized ileal digestibility (AID and SID) of fat and fatty acids increased linearly (P < 0.05) as the U:S of dietary oils increased except for SID of fat and C18:2. The AID and SID of fat and fatty acids differed among the dietary treatments (P < 0.05) except for SID of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and C18:2. Fitted one-slope broken-line analyses for the SID of fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA) and UFA indicated that the breakpoint for U:S of oil was 4.14 (R2 = 0.89, P < 0.01), 2.91 (R2 = 0.98, P < 0.01) and 3.84 (R2 = 0.85, P < 0.01), respectively. The determined SID of fat, C18:1, C18:2 and UFA in the mixtures was not different from the calculated SID of fat, C18:1, C18:2 and UFA. However, the determined SID of C16:0, C18:0 and SFA in the mixtures were greater than the calculated SID values (P < 0.05). The abundance of Romboutsia and Turicibacter in pigs fed diet containing palm oil was greater than that in rapeseed oil treatment group, and the two bacteria were negatively correlated with SID of C16:0, C18:0 and SFA (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe optimal U:S for improving the utilization efficiency of mixed oil was 4.14. The SID of fat and UFA for palm oil and canola oil were additive in growing pigs, whereas the SID of SFA in the mixture of two oils was greater than the sum of the values of pure oils. Differences in fat digestibility caused by oils differing in degree of saturation has a significant impact on bacterial community in the foregut.