Potassium Compounds Research Articles

Multi-heteroatom self-doped microporous biochar derived from fish scale for boosting uranium immobilization performance

Biochar materials with low cost and desired properties have gradually been widely applied in multitudinous domains, especially in radioactive wastewater remediation. Multi-heteroatom doping is a useful method for the design of doping biochar with uranium immobilization of excellent performance. Herein, multi-heteroatom self-doped microporous carbon was designed and synthesized via extraction and carbonization of collagen by potassium compound assisted, which was extracted by low-cost fish scales as the precursor and tested for high-performance uranium immobilization. The multi-heteroatom self-doped biochar exhibited the maximum saturated adsorption capacity of 142.06 mg/g for U(VI) at pH = 5, reflecting the significant increase in available adsorption sites from multi-heteroatom doped. The strong complexation process was proposed for the mutual effect between U(VI) and multi-heteroatom doped biochar, where abundant functional groups (oxygen and amino) and sulfur metal sites groups were the primary active sites. The design of multi-heteroatom self-doped biochar provided a universal and effective method for purifying U(VI) from wastewater systems.

Chemical Constituents (Proximate, Minerals, Bioactive Compounds) of Pea [Pisum sativum (L.)] Shells

Background: Peas are preserved by freezing in pea processing industries because of seasonal limitations; there is a vast amount of pea peels as solid waste generated. Now days, the nutritional and techno-functional properties of by-products play an important role in the development of functional and enriched products in the food sector. The current study aim to analyze the nutrients content in pea shells. The result suggests pea shells can be used for value-addition in products and presence of antioxidant in pea shell powder indicates a better health effect if consumed. Methods: In this laboratory investigation during 2017-2018 peas were collected from market a single lot and analyzed for chemical constituents. In this connection, a fibrous coat of pea shells was separated, dried and prepared powder to perform nutritional analysis. Result: The study result indicates that pea shells have high nutritive value, e.g. protein (17.76%), total dietary fiber (21.04%), calcium (803.33 mg/100 g), iron (10.70 mg/100 g), potassium (1078.75 mg/100 g), magnesium (1029.55 mg/100 g) and bioactive compounds. Fresh pea shells have higher antioxidant activity (91%) compared to powder (86%). The total phenols, vitamin C and â-carotene strongly correlated with antioxidant activity. During the storage study, total phenols and antioxidant activity significantly decreased while on 90 days it was increased.

A Synergistic Effect of Potassium and Transition Metal Compounds on the Catalytic Behaviour of Hydrolysis Lignin in CO2-Assisted Gasification

CO2-assisted gasification of carbon-based waste materials is one of the processes that both utilises waste carbon chemicals and produces CO, which is a highly sought after raw material. In this work, we aimed at finding and clarifying the synergistic effects of simultaneous potassium and Fe, Co, or Ni-driven catalysis. To reveal the behaviour of such systems, a series with different potassium loadings and a fixed second metal loading of 5 wt.% was prepared. The following methods were applied for this purpose: SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, electron diffraction, and catalytic tests. The most active sample was found to be 3 wt.% K and 5 wt.% Co- or Fe-loaded hydrolysis lignin. The attained CO2 conversion was up to 92%, while the pure lignin sample demonstrated only 62% conversion under the same conditions.

State of soil fertility in Lviv Region

The main indicators of soil fertility based on the results of an agrochemical survey of agricultural lands of Lviv region in the XI round (2016–2020) are given. It was established that the acidity of the soil solution in the region is dominated by lands with a neutral reaction of the soil solution (31.3%). The weighted average indicator of saline pH is 6.0, which corresponds to a close to neutral reaction of the soil solution. According to the level of humus provision, soils with an average humus content prevail (36.1%) and the weighted average humus content in the region is 2.6%. According to the content of easily hydrolyzable nitrogen, most of the lands have a low (60.4%) and medium nitrogen content (18.0%). The weighted average indicator of easily hydrolyzable nitrogen content for the reporting period is 125.6 mg/kg of soil, which corresponds to the low availability of this element. The region is dominated by lands with increased (25.1%) and high content of mobile phosphorus compounds (25.3%) and the weighted average indicator of the content of mobile phosphorus compounds is 107.2 mg/kg, which corresponds to increased availability. In terms of the content of mobile potassium compounds, lands with average potassium content (30.3%) prevail and the weighted average indicator of the content of mobile potassium compounds is 72.2 mg/kg, which corresponds to the average supply with macro element. It was established that in Lviv region, the largest area is occupied by soils of average quality (52.2%), and the average weighted assessment of agricultural land in Lviv region is 43. A comparison of the qualitative assessment of the soils of Lviv region for the X (2011–2015) and XI rounds (2016–2020) of agrochemical examinations is carried out. The results established that the quality of the soils in the Starosambir, Mostysky, Radekhiv and Drohobytsky districts has hardly changed. The quality assessment of the soils of Busky, Zhovkivskyi, Kamianka-Buskyi and Sokalskyi districts improved by 2–4 points, the qualitative assessment of the land condition of Peremyshlyanskyi, Zolochivskyi and Yavorivskyi districts improved by 7-19 points. A decrease in land quality indicators by 2-5 points was recorded in Brodivskyi, Pustomytivskyi, Sambirskyi and Stryiskyi districts, indicators of the qualitative assessment of land condition in Zhydachivskyi and Mykolaivskyi districts worsened by 12-13 points.

Analysis of the structure and fertility of agricultural land in western Ukraine and its monetary assessment

An important sector of the Ukrainian economy is agriculture, which is based on the fertility of agricultural land, in particular, the land of the western region of Ukraine. Analysis of the structure, fertility of agricultural land, and its monetary valuation can provide insight into its productivity and potential for agricultural development. The purpose of the study is to analyse the structure and fertility indicators of agricultural land in the west of Ukraine, demonstrate their main characteristics, and compare land prices in the western regions of Ukraine. In the study, the materials of the land directory of Ukraine and regional reports on the state of the environment of the west of Ukraine were used, involving analysis and comparison of the state of land resources by the content of humus, mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium, easily hydrolysed nitrogen, their material and monetary assessment. After analysing the structure of the land fund of the west of Ukraine (13125.5 thousand hectares), it was identified that agricultural land accounts for more than half of the total area (56.1%), and forests and other wooded zones – about a third of the total area (32.8%). Built-up land, open wetlands, open land without vegetation cover or with little vegetation cover, and other land account for less than 10%. Among agricultural land, the largest share is arable land, a little less is hayfields and pastures, and the least is perennial plantations and fallows. The total value of agricultural land in the western administrative regions is markedly different. The highest land value is in Khmelnytskyi and Ternopil regions (1.71 and 1.09 billion USD), and the smallest – in Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpattia (489.90 and 317.21 million USD). 1420223 shares were leased on the territory of western Ukraine. The largest number of them was leased in Khmelnitsky and Ternopil regions (25.2 and 20.7%), and the smallest – in Zakarpattia (1.0%). Thus, the total area of land cultivated by farmers is 330.8 thousand hectares, the largest in the Ternopil and Khmelnytskyi regions (23.3 and 22.7%). The findings of the study will contribute to the adoption of managerial decisions on conducting efficient agriculture and the preservation of soil fertility of agricultural lands in the region under study. Monetary assessment of these territories is useful for the country’s population in the context of changes in the law on the land market in Ukraine, and in the implementation of an environmentally balanced agricultural policy

Impact of sterilization and chemical fertilizer on the microbiota of oil palm seedlings.

Soil nutrients and microbiota are known as essential components for healthy plant growth and crop productivity. However, limited studies have been conducted on the importance of soil microbiota in the early growth of oil palm seedlings (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) under the influence of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) compound fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). In this study, we analyzed the root microbial community associated with seedlings grown under normal and sterilized soil conditions to ascertain the microbial strains potentially associated with soil, plant health and chemical fertilizer efficiency. Oil palm seedlings were grown under four treatments: (i) fertilized normal soil (+FN), (ii) unfertilized normal soil (-FN), (iii) fertilized sterilized soil (+FS) and (iv) unfertilized sterilized soil (-FS). Our findings revealed that chemical fertilizer promoted the growth of the copiotrophs Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota in the control +FN, which are known to degrade complex polysaccharides. After autoclaving, the soil macronutrient content did not change, but soil sterilization reduced microbial diversity in the +FS and -FS treatments and altered the soil microbiota composition. Sterilized soil with a depleted microbial population adversely affected crop growth, which was exacerbated by fertilizer use. In the rhizosphere and rhizoplane compartments, a total of 412 and 868 amplicon sequence variances (ASVs) were found depleted in the +FS and -FS treatments, respectively. Several genera were identified in the ASVs with diminished abundance, including Humibacter, Microbacterium, Mycobacterium, 1921-2, HSB OF53-F07, Mucilaginibacter, Bacillus, Paenibacillus, and several unclassified genera, suggesting their possible roles in promoting the plant growth of oil palm seedlings. Soil sterilization might remove these beneficial microbes from the bulk soil pool, affecting the colonization ability in the rhizocompartments as well as their role in nutrient transformation. Therefore, this study provides useful insights concerning the benefits of a soil microbiome survey before making fertilizer recommendations.

Investigation of the Thermal Properties of Alkali Metal Thorium Phosphates and Their Application for the Sorption of Uranyl Ion from Acidic Medium

AbstractThermo physical properties of potassium, rubidium and cesium thorium phosphate compounds were investigated. All compounds were synthesized by conventional solid state method. Formation of orthorhombic AMThP3O10, tetragonal AM2Th(PO4)2 and monoclinic AMTh2(PO4)3; [AM=K, Rb and Cs] was confirmed using Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Structural study of CsThP3O10 was carried out for the first time from Rietveld refinement of XRD data. Thermal stability of all compounds was established using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. When heated at 1673 K for 30 h in air, all the compounds decompose to ThO2. High temperature X‐ray diffraction (HT‐XRD) data of the compounds, synthesized during present study, were collected in an inert atmosphere from ambient to 973 K and their thermal expansion coefficients were calculated. These compounds show positive thermal expansion up to 973 K. Molar heat capacities for all phosphates were measured between 300–863 K using Differential Scanning Calorimeter. Alkali metal thorium phosphates, AMThP3O10 and AMTh2(PO4)3, showed efficient uptake of uranyl ion from aqueous acidic medium predominantly following Langmuir isotherm and Webber Morris intra particle diffusion kinetics.

Hypothetical confirmation for the anti-bacterial compound potassium succinate-succinic acid in comparison with certain succinate derivatives

The development of antibacterial medications has recently been promoted due to the non- effective usage of antibiotics and the rise in severe bacterial infections. The effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy alternatives is constrained due to the prevalence of germs that are resistant to medications. Our current study’s goal is to favor metallic compounds for antibiotic delivery in order to increase the effectiveness of the antibacterial regimen. Due to its bioactivity, potassium succinate-succinic acid is preferred because in general, the succinic acid compound has the greatest potential against microbial infections and a natural antibiotic because of its relative acidic nature. In the current study, the molecular geometry, band gap energies, molecular electrostatic interactions and potential energy distribution of the molecule were compared with those of certain succinate derivatives. The potential compound potassium succinate succinic acid was probed using FT-IR and FT-Raman analyses. Vibrational assignments pertaining to different modes of vibration with potential energy distribution have been improved by normal coordinate analysis. The chemical bond stability which is largely important for biological activity is studied using NBO analysis. The molecular docking study suggests that the molecule possesses antibacterial action and displays a minimal binding energy of −5.3 kcal/mol which can be endorsed for the prevention of any bacterial illness. From the results of our studies, the material would be stable and bioactive according to the FMO study, which indicates a band gap value of 4.35 eV and the pharmacokinetic features of the molecule, was predicted using the ADMET factors and the drug-likeness test. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Tracing the pathway toward decomposition: Crystal structure of Ag3(PO2NH)3 and K3(PO2NH)3 as a function of temperature

Trimetaphosphimates are both molecular model systems for oxonitridophosphates and oxonitridic glasses as well as precursors for their syntheses. The decomposition of both K3(PO2NH)3 and Ag3(PO2NH)3 afford amorphous products. Analysis of the atomic displacement parameter as a function of the temperature revealed a higher increase just before decomposition, especially with respect to stretching vibrations. This is more pronounced for the P3N3 ring in Ag3(PO2NH)3, indicating that the ring is predetermined for decomposition, whereas there are no conspicuous sites in the potassium compound. Libration corrections for trimetaphosphimate anions result in rather small changes of bond lengths, most pronounced for P–O bonds at high temperatures.

Whole genome characterization of thermophilic Campylobacter species isolated from dairy manure in small specialty crop farms of Northeast Ohio.

With more public interest in consuming locally grown produce, small specialty crop farms (SSCF) are a viable and growing segment of the food production chain in the United States. The goal of this study was to investigate the genomic diversity of Campylobacter isolated from dairy manure (n = 69) collected from 10 SSCF in Northeast Ohio between 2018 and 2020. A total of 56 C. jejuni and 13 C. coli isolates were sequenced. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) identified 22 sequence types (STs), with ST-922 (18%) and ST-61 (13%) predominant in C. jejuni and ST-829 (62%) and ST-1068 (38%) predominant in C. coli. Interestingly, isolates with similar genomic and gene contents were detected within and between SSCF over time, suggesting that Campylobacter could be transmitted between farms and may persist in a given SSCF over time. Virulence-associated genes (n = 35) involved in the uptake and utilization of potassium and organic compounds (succinate, gluconate, oxoglutarate, and malate) were detected only in the C. jejuni isolates, while 45 genes associated with increased resistance to environmental stresses (capsule production, cell envelope integrity, and iron uptake) were detected only in the C. coli isolates. Campylobacter coli isolates were also sub-divided into two distinct clusters based on the presence of unique prophages (n = 21) or IncQ conjugative plasmid/type-IV secretion system genes (n = 15). Campylobacter coli isolates harbored genes associated with resistance to streptomycin (aadE-Cc; 54%) and quinolone (gyrA-T86I; 77%), while C. jejuni had resistance genes for kanamycin (aph3'-IIIa; 20%). Both species harbored resistance genes associated with β-lactam (especially, blaOXA-193; up to 100%) and tetracycline (tetO; up to 59%). Our study demonstrated that Campylobacter genome plasticity associated with conjugative transfer might provide resistance to certain antimicrobials and viral infections via the acquisition of protein-encoding genes involved in mechanisms such as ribosomal protection and capsule modification.

Efficiency of Application of Organic, Organo-Mineral and Mineral Fertilizer Systems on Sod-Podzolic Heavy Loamy Soil in Sis-Urals

In a long-term field experiment, laid down in 1968, an assessment of the effectiveness of the use of organic, mineral and organo-mineral fertilizer systems on sod-podzolic heavy loamy soil was carried out. It was found that in the climatic conditions of the Urals, the organic fertilizer system was inferior to the mineral and organo-mineral fertilizer systems in terms of its effect on crop yields. In some rotations of crop rotations, the organo-mineral fertilizer system was more effective, in others - the mineral fertilizer system. The effectiveness of the use of fertilizers depending on the conditions of humidification of the growing season is considered. The balance of organic carbon and basic nutrients in the soil is calculated. Long-term cultivation of agricultural crops without the use of fertilizers led to the loss of 10 tons of organic carbon, ~2300 kg of nitrogen, 780 kg of phosphorus and 2700 kg of potassium from the soil. High negative balances of basic nutrients in the control variant led to a deterioration in soil fertility indicators. It is shown that the use of all fertilizer systems provided an increase in the content of mobile phosphorus and potassium compounds in the soil relative to the initial level by 1.2-3.0 times. When using organic and organo-mineral fertilizer systems, the maintenance of organic carbon content at the initial level (1.3%) was noted. When using a mineral fertilizer system, the maintenance of the organic carbon content at the initial level was noted only at a higher saturation of the arable land with NPK. The mineral fertilizer system has led to acidification of the soil.

Structure of Microscopic Fungal Species in Soils at Amber Mining Territories before and during the use of New Technology of Pine Plantation Formation.

Introduction: Ukraine is one of the European leaders in amber deposits. The main deposits of the mineral are concentrated in the forests of the Rivne, Zhytomyr and Volyn regions. As a result of the extraction process, the integrity of forest’s ecosystems is violated, the fertile soil layer is destroyed, and 3.5 thousand hectares of forests have to be restored. Aim: Evaluation of different forest management strategies in degraded soil regeneration. Objective: The study aims to explore the response of soil mycobiota to extreme conditions associated with amber mining and to propose biotechnology to restore the fertile soil layer by methods of regenerative land use, namely the use of biomass of various ways of birch cuts, which is the primary succession to the indigenous pine stands in the region. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on the territory of the Klesiv amber deposit in the Ukrainian Polissya. The bioindication method with the help of soil micromycetes was used to assess the quality of the plant development environment in the conditions of ecosystem restoration after amber extraction. To determine the species composition of hyphomycetes, the method of serial dilutions and direct seeding on agar media of soil suspensions was used. The analysis of soil mycobiota was performed using quantitative ecology methods. The method of correlation groups was used to determine the taxonomic diversity of hyphomycetes. To determine the effectiveness of the restoration of the studied forest soils, the express analysis of the content of essential nutrients using NPK-sensor was used. Standard methods for the determination of mobile phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen compounds were used as controls. Results: The species composition and taxonomic characteristics of soil micromycetes of forest ecosystems disturbed by amber mining have been studied. It was found that in the areas of amber mining, soil micromycetes form linear connections and three-membered structures, which is characteristic of disturbed biocenoses. In the 60-year-old plantation, soil micromycetes form strong six-membered structures that are characteristic of menopausal ecosystems or intact biocenoses. The biotechnology of restoration of the indigenous plantation characteristic of these conditions - pine with an admixture of hanging birch is offered. The result of the application of this technology will allow to reproduce natural forest ecosystems in large areas. Conclusion: For the first time, the structure of fungal complexes in the areas of amber mining has been determined, which indicates that the formation of a stable structure requires time and a systematic approach to the restoration of damaged soils. In the soils disturbed by amber mining, initial linear, three-membered and four-membered structures were formed, the structural genera of which are the “pioneer genera” Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, the species of which were the first to inhabit plant remains. In the process of reforestation in areas affected by amber mining, biotechnology was used for the first time, which involved the formation of natural pine stands by cutting birch, forming the primary succession in the studied areas. The comparison of the results of chemical analysis of soils of the studied areas of the Klesiv forestry before and after the application of birch pruning technology for the formation of pine stands proves the effectiveness of the technology, as in all areas nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were increased in the soil.

Influence of potassium p-aminobenzene thiosulfate on the membrane potential and ATPase activity of the plasmatic membrane of the embryos of weatherfish (Misgurnus fossіlis)

We studied the effects of the newly synthesized biologically active compound potassium aminobenzene thiosulfonate on electrophysiological parameters of the embryos of weatherfish (Misgurnus fossіlis L.), in particular the dynamics of transmembrane potential (TMP) of the plasmatic membranes of the weatherfish and the activity of the membrane enzyme Na+/K+–ATPase during synchronous cleavage of blastomeres in early embryogenesis. A slight impairment of electrogenesis of the cellular membranes under the action of potassium aminobenzene thiosulfonate indicates changes in the permeability of plasmatic membrane and transport of electrogenic ions. This was related to the inhibition of biosynthetic processes in the first hours of the development of embryos, which led to 60.6 ± 2.6% decrease in the activity of membrane pump when subject to high (10–3 М) concentration of potassium aminobenzene thiosulfonate. Its activity further recovered to the level of the control only in 10–8 М concentration. Also, we conducted a comparative analysis of the effects potassium aminobenzenethiosulfonate had on the activity of the membrane pump of embryos in in vivo and in vitro experiments. We determined that the action of the examined compound depends on the presence of a correspondding concentration in the embryo incubation medium. To characterize the variability of changes in the activity of membrane pump of the embryos in the conditions of action of potassium aminobenzene thiosulfonate, we determined constants of semi-inhibition (І50) by linearization of the developed concentration-effect curves using Hill’s plot. To determine which factors contribute to the changes in the activity of membrane pump the most, namely, various concentrations of potassium p-aminobenzene thiosulfonate, duration of the development of embryos or other factors that had not been taken into account, we performed a dispersion analysis of how these factors affect the variability of the studied parameter. We determined that the extent of variability of the activity of the membrane pump is also determined by the effect of different concentrations of potassium p-aminobenzene thiosulfonate, and the factor of time of embryo development. The electronic-microscopic study of weatherfish’s blastomeres subject to potassium p-aminobenzene thiosulfonate revealed the changes in the ultrastructure of mitochondria, which led to inhibition of their matrix and electron transport chain, and therefore decrease the efficiency of ATP production and energy-dependent processes.

Comparative Reactivity of Different Polyols in the PET Saponification Process

This work is concerned with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) saponification by different potassium compounds in various polyols as well as biodiesel’s main by-product, crude glycerol. It was established that reaction conditions (initial PET/K+ molar ratio, reaction time, etc.) could control the molecular weight of obtained oligomeric products. In ethylene glycol, depolymerization proceeds rapidly, and already at 10–30 min, PET is completely dissolved in the reaction mixture with the formation of liquid oligomers. Then, these oligomers react with potassium compounds, and after 200 min of the process, there are only solid, low-molecular-weight products (dipotassium terephthalate, monomers, and dimers). At the same time, PET saponification in pure glycerol is less effective, and solid polyether flakes could not fully decompose even after 200 min of the process. Crude glycerol takes the middle position between pure polyols. Based on the obtained data, an improved kinetic model was developed, and rate constants were estimated. This model takes into account PET saponification by potassium salts as well as direct PET glycolysis. Ethylene glycol is formed in situ by transesterification between fatty acid ethylene glycol esters and glycerol in the case of pure and crude glycerol.

Pengolahan Camilan Stick Rumput Laut Hijau (Eucheuma) Berdasarkan Uji Organoleptik pada Murid Sekolah Dasar (SD) Negeri 29 Kendari

Stick snack products are foods that are still rarely found in the community. Green seaweed plants contain carbohydrates, protein, fat, most of which are salt, sodium, and potassium compounds. beta-carotene and minerals. This study aims to determine the acceptability of color, texture, aroma and taste of green seaweed stick snacks with the addition of wheat flour in school children at SDN 29 Kendari. The type of research used is descriptive. The panelists were 53 students of SD Negeri 29 Kendari. The sampling technique used is the saturated survey. The data obtained using observation sheets and analyzed descriptively. The result of color preference for green seaweed stick snack products, namely R4 has the best acceptance rate of 90.6%. From the aspect of texture, that is R4 as much as 89.2%. From the aspect of aroma, namely R4 as much as 92.5%. Meanwhile, from the taste aspect, R4 is 92.5%. The conclusion of this study is the acceptability of green seaweed stick snacks based on the attributes of color, texture, aroma and taste. Meanwhile, the panelists preferred the R4 product more than other products.

High-Pressure Synthesis, Synchrotron Single-Crystal XRD and Raman Spectroscopy of Synthetic K–Ba Minerals of Magnetoplumbite, Crichtonite and Hollandite Group Indicatory of Mantle Metasomatism

The paper summarizes the results of an experimental study of the formation of K–Ba high-Ti (and Cr) oxides synthesized in the chromite–rutile/ilmenite–K2CO3/BaCO3–H2O–CO2 systems at 1.8–5.0 GPa. Experiments confirm the conclusion that the formation of K–Ba high-Ti oxides characterizes the most advanced or repeated metasomatic stages in upper mantle peridotites, which lead first to the formation of simple Ti oxides and then to the formation of K–Ba high-Ti and Cr oxides. Relations between the oxides is a function of the activity of the K and Ba components in the fluid. The appearance of priderite corresponds to the highest activity of K in the mineral-forming media. Redledgeite is formed only in the Fe-poor chromite–rutile–H2O–CO2–BaCO3 system, and, in the system with ilmenite, minerals of the magnetoplumbite group preferably crystallize. A direct dependence of the Cr content in oxides on pressure is revealed. Raman spectra of K–Ba high-titanium oxides are presented. The structure of a potassium compound of a magnetoplumbite group with the chemical formula K0.90Ti5.16Cr2.94Fe2.54Mg0.87Al0.22Mn0.30O19 is studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using a synchrotron radiation. The obtained data can be used to specify the nomenclature of the magnetoplumbite mineral group.

Haematological and Hepatorenal Alterations Induced by Potash (Akanwu) on Male Wistar Rats

Introduction: Potash refers to the various naturally occurring water-soluble compounds of potassium used as a traditional food additive in Nigeria. Several health warnings have highlighted the deleterious effect of their consumption.
 Aim: The present study is aimed at evaluating the effects of graded doses of potash consumption on haematological and hepatorenal indices using Wistar rat models.
 Materials and Methods: Potash was locally sourced and the elemental composition was determined by X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Twenty (20) male Wistar rats (170 – 200g) were used for the study and were divided into four (4) groups of five (5) animals each. Group 1 served as the control while Groups 2 – 4 served as the experimental group and received an aqueous mixture of potash via oral gavage at 200, 400 and 800mg/kg respectively for thirty (30) days.
 Results: XRD elemental analysis of potash revealed the presence of potassium (27.44%), phosphorus (14.27%), antimony (5.18%), barium (4.27%), fluorine (2.78%), cadmium (2.06%), yttrium (1.63%), tellurium (1.32%), caesium (1.12%), niobium (1.04%), sodium (0.42%) and germanium (0.06%). Results from haematological and hepatorenal parameters show a significant reduction in mean values of red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume among the experimental groups compared to control (p<0.05) and significantly increased mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, white blood cell count, lymphocytes, neutrophils, MID cell percentage, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatine, sodium, potassium and chloride ions among the experimental group compared to the control (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: The data presented has shown that the chronic consumption of potash at 800mg/kg can negatively alter the haematological and hepatorenal profiles of Wistar rats. Therefore, this study considers potash, a possible toxicant to the blood, liver and kidney.

An Analysis of the Reaction of Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L.) to Cadmium Contamination with a View to Its Use in the Phytoremediation of Water Bodies

Macrophytes play an important role in assessing the condition of aquatic ecosystems. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of cadmium uptake by frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) for the phytoremediation of aquatic ecosystems. The study examined cadmium (Cd) uptake by frogbit grown under conditions of low and high fertilizer dose and three cadmium dose levels over three- and six-week exposure times. Cadmium uptake was found to be influenced by water reactivity, mineral nutrient abundance, and exposure time. Its accumulation in frogbit is hence a good bioindicator of cadmium pollution in water bodies. Where the plant had greater access to phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium (PNK) compounds, i.e., high fertilizer level, a higher pH level (7.6) was associated with increased cadmium uptake and decreased plant biomass. A higher PNK level was also associated with greater tolerance to cadmium, while at lower PNK levels, more efficient cadmium uptake was noted after three weeks. Hydrocharis morsus-ranae can be used for water and wastewater treatment in the final stage of phytoremediation, but in combination with other species of pleustophytes that represent different biosorption sites.

Розрахунковий метод визначення рівня забезпеченості рослин макроелементами живлення

The purpose of the article is to highlight the results of research and substantiate the possibility of using the calculation method for determining the level of provision of plants with macronutrients. Improving the information and methodological support for sustainable management of crop nutrition in a state of war is of particular importance – this will allow much more efficient use of very limited fertilizer resources. Applied materials and methods: – results of many years of research in a stationary field experiment; analysis, generalization and statistical processing of data from stock and modern literary materials (partially combined in an electronic database); analysis and synthesis of data from the agrochemical service in the country. Investigated objects: the main soils of Ukraine, including typical chernozem (Haplic Chernozem), theoretical substantiation of mathematical formalization and interpretation of the assessment of the nitrogen, phosphate and potassium status of Ukrainian soils. It has been established that the total content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compounds in the soil can be predicted quite accurately by building a mathematical model. The corresponding regression equations are proposed. Unfortunately, the practical significance of such models is low. It has been proved that a direct attempt to build a model of the dependence of the content of mobile compounds of phosphorus or potassium on the composition of the soil or its properties is doomed to failure. At the same time, the identified features of the nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium systems of soils (as thermodynamic systems) made it possible to theoretically substantiate the possibility of mathematical formalization of the assessment of the trophic state of arable soils (the level of provision with natural mineral nitrogen), as well as mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium under their extensive conditions. intensive and post-intensive use. It has been confirmed that all, without exception, chemical methods of analysis (acidic, alkaline, saline) have the ability to clearly reflect the presence of phosphorus or potassium, which entered the soil in the form of water-soluble fertilizers. Since the value of the phosphate or potassium level of unfertilized or poorly fertilized arable soils is a constant value, it is not advisable to conduct any additional examination of them, especially in war conditions. Mathematical models have been developed for extrapolation and interpolation of data on the content of mobile compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in arable soils formed under the influence of natural or anthropogenic factors.

Вплив тривалого внесення добрив на агрохімічні показники чорнозему типового та якість зерна пшениці озимої

The aim of the article is to present the results of analytical research on the evaluation of changes in the parameters of the properties of typical chernozem in a stationary field experiment under the influence of 28 years of application of various types and combinations of mineral fertilizers on two agrophones in a crop rotation. The experiment established in 1990 on a typical heavy loam chernozem (Haplic Chernozem) in the experimental farm "Hrakivske” which belongs to the NSC "Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry Research" named after O. N. Sokolovsky, in the Chuguyiv district of the Kharkiv region. The aim was to conduct agroecological monitoring in conditions of intensive agriculture to establish the permissible level of load of intensive chemicalization on physical, chemical, and biological soil processes. In the soil samples taken in 2019 from the 0-30 cm layer, the changes that occurred after long-term application of fertilizer in the pH of the soil solution and the content of the following soil components were determined: humus; mineral compounds of nitrogen; nitrate nitrogen; ammonium nitrogen; mobile phosphorus compounds; mobile compounds of potassium. The quality of winter wheat grain determined by the gluten content. Seven variants of the experiment with different fertilizer combinations and the control variant (without fertilizers) placed on two agrophones: natural (only mineral fertilizers applied) and after-effect of manure (mineral fertilizers and manure applied). The results of the research in 2019 compared with the initial state of the soil in 1990 separately at each site, thus revealing changes in the parameters of the agrochemical characteristics of the soil under the influence of different types of fertilizers. Common conclusion. In the Left-bank high Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, the long-term (28 years) application of mineral fertilizers in the natural agrophone has a negative effect on the reaction of the soil solution and the content of total humus, but has a positive effect on the accumulation of mobile compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil. The negative effect of mineral fertilizers on the soil properties manifested to a lesser extent after the application of manure. The application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in the norms of N60P120 provides a gluten content in winter wheat grains at the level of 25 %, which meets the regulatory requirements of the second class of group A.