SR ISO Research Articles

Effect of Foliar Antibroadleaf Herbicides on Fat Content in Seeds of Various Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Cultivars

In this study was investigate the effect of vegetative treatment with the herbicides Basagran 480 SL, Pulsar 40 and Express 50 WG on the fat content of seeds of different Bulgarian cotton cultivars. The experiment was carried out with twelve Bulgarian cotton cultivars (Gossypium hirsutum L.) - Chirpan-539, Helius, Trakia, Vicky, Philipopolis, IPK-Veno, Boyana, Avangard, Natalia, Darmy, Dorina and Nelina. The herbicides were applied at the bud formation stage of cotton. Fat content in cotton seeds was determined by extraction - SR ISO 6492 method. For the first time in the world it has been established that in the vegetative treatment with herbicides the most valuable with regard to cotton seed fat content are all cultivars treated with Basagran 480 SL, except Chirpan-539 and Helius. It has been established that the treatment with the Express 50 WG herbicide less affected the cultivars Chirpan-539, Helius, Trakia, Vicky, Philipopolis, IPK-Veno, Boyana, Avangard, Natalia but all cultivars were negative influenced by the treatment with the herbicide Pulsar 40 with regard to fat content in seeds.

A study on drinking water quality in SE Romania

Water is a fundamental and indispensable constituent of the human body. Small changes produce serious disorders and insufficient water intake is much less tolerated than in other deficiency. The aim of this work is the study of drinking water quality indicators in selected localities in SE Romania (Galati, Braila, Buzau, and Vrancea counties). Water samples were taken from sources of drinking water (tap water, well water, spring water, filtered tap water with biological filter), frequently used by the population (15 places). They were subjected to chemical and physico-chemical analysis in order to determine the physical, chemical parameters of quality that can have impact on the health of residents. In five water sources (Independenta (tap), Independenta (spring), Lunca/Buzau, Liesti fountain at 40 m depth and Galati (biologically filtered tap water) the pH is below 6.5, a value that does not fit into STAS acquis in force - SR ISO 10523-2009. Oxidability index values in the majority of cases are below the maximum allowed, of 5 mg O2/L water, according to SR EN ISO 8467-2001; in some cases, the values exceed the limits as following: Independenta: 8 mg O2/L; Lunca/Buzau: 10 mg O2/L; Focsani spring: 9 mg O2/L; Focsani tap: 8 mg O2/L; Galati tap: 6 mg O2/L.

SR EN ISO 20623 - A standard for tribological evaluation of lubricants that may bust innovation

This paper presents the opportunities offered for research by using the four ball machine and the procedures included in SR ISO 20623:2018. There are presented results of research studies that are started from the procedures and parameters included in standard, but also wear and friction parameters that derived from recording friction and wear scar dimensions and texture parameters.

Study of Water Quality Indicators of Mountain Rivers Used as Source of Drinking Water Supply of the Targu-Jiu Municipality

Water quality criteria are all physicochemical and biological indicators that characterize a body of water. The current study aims at investigating the quality of two natural waters in the Gorj County sub-mountainous area (�u�i�a, Vaidei and Runc, capture Runc) used as drinking water sources of Targu-Jiu. Sampling and determinations use spectrophotometric, gravimetric, volumetric or electrometric techniques in accordance with standard methods (SR ISO and / or SR EN) for a series of physicochemical indicators analyzed between January - December 2017: thermal and acidification, oxygen regime, nutrients, salinity, relevant pollutants. Experimental values, annual averages related to the quality standards for potable water, ecological status and classification of water bodies, place the water of the two rivers in the drinking water category A1 and the first class of ecological quality. The Water Quality Index (WQI) for 9 selected parameters highlighted a sensitively close overall level of the water of the two rivers Susita (88) and Runc (85.2), the good quality category (7o-9o), reported to national quality standards for surface water which can be used for delivery as drinking water.The study of indicators of the two rivers in relation to national rules aligned with the European water requirements and research shows a high qualitative status corresponding to community uses.

Stability of Ceramic Glazes Obtained by Valorification of Anorganic Pigments Extracted from Electroplating Sludge

This paper presents the results of the research activity in order to etablish the stability and leaching potential of ceramic tiles which have been developed using glazes colored with pigments obtained by the extraction of chromium and iron metals from electroplating sludge. All these ceramic tiles contain various amounts of heavy metals in their glazes due to the pigments composition. The ceramic samples have been subjected to leaching tests in order to detect if various elements of relevance such as chromium, lead, cadmium, zinc or iron migrated to any great extent into test solutions. Leaching tests have been performed following the international standard SR ISO 10545-15 method for specific metals leaching into 4% acetic acid solutions at 220C after a 24h period and the international standard SR EN 12457/1-4 method with distilled water as leaching agent at LSR of 10 l/kg, for 24h period. Amounts of heavy metals have been negligible or non-detectable (iron) in the leaching solutions, being well below the limit values established by the legislation in force.

Assessment of Industrial Effluents Quality and their Possible Impact on Surface Water

The printing, textile, wood and plastics industries have an important environmental impact, since they consume large amounts of water and produce highly polluted waste waters (Sostar-Turk et al. 2005). The current study aimed to investigate several effluents generated by different industries based on their physicochemical parameters and to evaluate their possible impact on the water body. Effluents from two printings, a textile, a wood and a plastics industry from Cluj County were analysed for various physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, biochemical and chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, ammonium, chloride, sulphate, petroleum ether extractible substances and detergents. The samples were analysed using the corresponding standard procedures SR ISO 105523-97, SR ISO 1899/1-03, SR ISO 6060-96, STAS 9187-84, STAS 6953-81, Merck 14543, Merck 14537, SR ISO 7150/1-01, EPA 375.4/05, SR IS 9297-01, SR ISO 7150/1-01, SR EN 903-03. The temperature, total dissolved solids, chloride, sulphate and detergents content of the effluents were within the permissible limits for surface water discharge, while the other parameters exceeded the limit set by legislation. The data of the present study showed that the analysed physicochemical parameters significantly varied with the effluent source. The study indicated a seasonal variation for several parameters, dictated by the production regime of the manufacture. In many cases the quality of the studied effluents was below the limits set by Romanian and UE legislation.

Analysis of the Human Health and Safety Requirements to Vibration Generated Risks

Having as starting point the fundamental requirements outlined in Directive 2002/44/CE in which the minimum health and safety requirements for the workers’ exposure to the risks generated by physical agents (vibrations) are established, the paper presents a concrete evaluation, based on experimental determinations, of the vibrations transmitted to the entire body of a human operator. The evaluation of the level of exposure to vibrations is based on the computation of the daily exposure, expressed over a period of eight hours. The weighted mean square acceleration will be determined function of the frequency weighting curves Wc, Wd and Wk , using a MATLAB program developed by the author. Based on the indications from SR ISO 2361-1 the evaluation of the vibrations for health, comfort, and perception are presented as experimental results. In this context, the necessity of compliance with the minimum health and safety requirements imposed by the current legislation are highlighted.

Microbial Risk Assessement of the Contamination Level of Bovine Carcasses Slaughtered in an Abattoir in Maramureş County

Cattle carcasses may be contaminated during the flow diagram process with a wide variety of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms with diffrent origin, from various sources (soil, water, tools, knives, feces, operators), but only few of them will be able to develop in the new ecosystem conditions, and from these only a small proportion will eventually start the spoilage processes. Taking into account the above mentioned we aimed to perform a microbiological risk evaluation focusing on the aerobic plate count (APC), E. coli count, Enterobacteriacea count and the identification of Salmonella spp . The research material was represented by 60 surface samples of refrigerated beef, collected during January-December 2013, in a slaughterhouse in Maramures County. In order to evaluate the contamination level of the carcasses we used the following standardized methods: SR ISO 4831/2003 for aerobic plate count, SR ISO 21528-2/2007 for Enterobacteriaceae count, SR ISO16649-2/2007 for Echerichia coli and SR ISO 6579/AC/2006 for Salmonella spp. identification. The statistical data obtained concerning the slaughtering process revealed that the total microbial load was between 2.5-5.67 log cfu/cm 2 . These elevated values indicate non-compliance regarding the good hygiene practices and good manufacturing during the technological flow. Fom the total collected samples analized, the germs belonging to Enterobacteriaceae family, exceeded the maximum admitted level in 10.8%, respectively E. coli presented values between 0.5-1.9 log cfu/cm 2 . All the sample were negative for S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium .

Microbiological Evaluation of Imported Frozen Mussels and Locally Harvested Black Bea Mussels

Mussels are increasing in popularity and availability throughout the world, becoming a part of the international menu, in various forms, leading to a growing interest in their food safety profiling, which remains in the spotlight of current research.The microbiological quality of frozen mussels sold in retail stores was compared with that of locally harvested, fresh mussels.Samples of frozen, processed mussels and Black Sea mussels were analyzed in terms of coliforms and aerobic plate count (APC), according to the national standards for APC and coliforms’ enumeration method (SR ISO 4833/2003 and SR ISO 4832:2009, respectively). The results were statistically analyzed using univariate un-paired t tests. We considered p<0.05 to be statistically significant. SPSS statistical software was used for data analysis.The aerobic plate counts were higher for processed, frozen mussels than for the samples of locally harvested Black Sea mussels. The difference is considered to be extremely statistically significant (p < 0.0001, t= 5.7465, DF=9). The coliforms’ counts were also higher for the frozen mussel samples, than for the samples of locally harvested Black Sea mussels, but the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.0641, t = 1.9724, DF=9).The overall results indicate that locally harvested Black Sea mussels are less contaminated than imported, processed, frozen mussels.

Assessment of Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Seafood

The aim of this work is to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological attributesover a period of 5 months for two products from the category of Seafood:calamari rings and seafood cocktail. Appreciation of the freshness of seafood was tested bydetermining pH, easily hydrolysable nitrogen, the reaction Eber / Nessler andreaction with hydrogen sulphide according to SR ISO 2917:2007, SR 9065-7:2007and SR 9065-7:2008. Theresults of microbiological determinations for batch 1 revealed an increase inthe number of sulphite-reducing clostridia than the maximum limit. Resultsobtained from physico-chemical determinations were within the maximumpermissible by data legislation. The food quality is influenced by non-hygienicconditions of storage, handling and marketing.

Environmental Indicators of Water Quality in the Cibin River (Transylvania, Romania)

ABSTRACTWater pollution has become a worldwide problem and its influence over the health of human populations grows every day. This study was carried out to determinate the rate level of pollution of the Cibin River (Transylvania, Romania) via physical-chemical and microbiological tests. Water samples were measured at six different locations along the Cibin River for a period of 12 months. Analysis methods used to determine physical-chemical quality indices for water were as follows: O2- ISO 5814/99, pH - SR ISO 10523-97, PO4-KIT Merck, SO4-- PS/LE 17, conductivity - Sonda, NH4+- SR ISO 7150-1/2001, NO3-- SR ISO 7890/2000, NO2-- SR EN 26777 - ISO 6777/2002, chlorides - SR ISO 9297/2001, CCOCr - SR ISO 6060/96, CBO5- SR ISO 5815/95, suspended solids - STAS 6953/81, residues - STAS 9187/95. The water samples were analyzed also from a sanitary and public health point of view, for example: total number of mesophilic bacteria, total number of yeasts and moulds, total coliforms, total fecal coliforms, Enterococcus and Escherichia coli, according to current Romanian legislation and normatives (Order 1146/2002). The significant results place the river in the first (sampling stations 1, 2 and 3) and second (sampling stations 4, 5 and 6) water Quality Class. Due to the fact that the upper dam reservoir at Gura Râului is the main source of drinking water for Sibiu, it is certain that this water presents optimal characteristics for human consumption and is thus declared to be one of the healthiest water sources in Romania.

Cheap in situ voltammetric copper determination from freshwater samples

Detection of low concentrations of heavy metals in environmental samples is of particular interest because most of them represent persistent, highly toxic pollutants. Cu2+ detection in environmental samples is important because it is typical heavy metal, being an essential element for human beings but at higher concentrations it can create health risks. Due to the accumulation steps involved, anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) is one of the most sensitive techniques used for the detection of low concentrations of metal ions form different environmental samples. In order to minimize sample loss during sample collection, storage and transportation it is of particular interest to perform in situ rapid and reliable routine analysis. In the present paper we describe the use of a simple, disposable pencil graphite electrode (PGE) for the determination of Cu from river water samples by mercury film anodic stripping voltammetry. The investigated water samples were collected during a period of 3 years (2009-2011), from six sampling points situated along the lower part of the Prut River (Romania). ASV measurements were performed in the presence of Hg 2+ in 0.1 M HNO3 at a carbon pencil graphite working electrode. Standard addition method was applied for the quantification of Cu 2+. The Cu 2+ content of the most river water samples analysed exceeded 2 ⎧g/L (MEWM, 2006), the maximum admitted concentration for surface waters, and these could be due to the anthropogenic activities in the region (e.g. the largest steel factory in Romania is located in the vicinity of the sampling area). Samples show an additional importance as the region is included in a protected area, Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park, and trace elements transfer along the aquatic food chain has been previously documented (Matache et. al, 2012). The results obtained by ASV on PGE agreed well with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) using the Romanian standard SR ISO 11885-09. The sensor used in this work has shown some important advantages such being cheap, sensitive and able to generate reproducible results using a simple and direct electrochemical protocol. By using this type of disposable working electrodes and a portable electrochemical analysis system the developed method can be applied to the determination of copper ions directly at the sampling point.

Evaluation of Strong Wheat Type 650 Flour Parameters with the Farinograph Instrument

SUMMARY In Romania, one of the most popular instruments used to evaluate the rheological properties of the dough is the Farinograph. This de vice gives information regarding the modifications that appear in the rheological proper ties of the dough during the kneading process and allows the evaluation of the critical f actors that influence these properties, such as flour quality and strength (Codina, 2010). The eval uation and interpretation of the Farinograph was reported by several researchers lik e D’Appolonia, 1984; Mani, 1992; Shuey, 1972. The objectives of this study were to determin e some correlations between analytical parameters of wheat flour and Farinograph rheologic al data. The study was carried out on 25 strong wheat flours type 650. The analytical and rheological parameters (with Bra bender Farinograph) were determined according to the SR ISO approved methods (ASRO). The samples’ parameters were in the following range: 24.8-30.8 wet gluten, 10.25-13.65 protein content, 3-5.5, deformation index, 225-446, falling number index 13-14.42 humidity, 0.62-0.67 ash content. The range of the following parameters, determined from the resulting farinogram curves, were: 55-63 water absorption, 1.2-2.2 dough development time, 1.9-8.1 dough stability and 62-84 degree of softening. All results were duplicated. All the dat a was analyzed with the SPSS Inc., v.16. Between the analytical parameters of the analyzed flours an d the farinograph, there is a series of statistical ly determined correlations. The content of protein nat urally correlates with the quantity of wet gluten. A high significant correlation r=0.804 and p=0.01 w as obtained between these two parameters. In terms of parameter stability, this is influenced ma inly by gluten quality and also by the deformation index (r=0.578). The stability parameter is negativ ely correlated with the degree of softening parameter (r=-0.558), similar results being obtaine d by Dap cevic et al., 2009. The dough development time is strongly influenced by protein, starch properties and enzymatic activity, between this parameter and falling number index being a negative significant correlation of r=0.578. REFERENCES

Polychlorinated Biphenyls Concentration in Soil Samples from Pasture Areas

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) banned under the Stockholm Convention. Because soil represents an important reservoir for PCBs in the terrestrial environment it is important to monitor the levels of the contaminants deposited to the surface soil, especially in the case of sensitive areas. Six indicator and 11 dioxin-like PCBs were analyzed in surface soil from two counties in Transylvania region, Romania. For the identification and quantification of these contaminants the method used followed the Romanian standard SR ISO 10382/2007. Concentrations of indicator PCBs in the two sites were 1.19 ng/g dw in soil samples from S1 and 4.05 ng/g dw in soil samples from S2. Regarding dioxin-like PCBs concentrations in the two sites the TEQ values were 0.03 and 0.01 ng TEQ/g dw. Levels of PCBs varied between and within sites. Concentrations of PCBs obtained in this study are comparable with other PCBs levels from Romanian regions.

Matrix for isolation of technetium and actinides

Radioactive waste of nuclear power engineering is a considerable environmental hazard. Liquid highly radioactive waste (HRW) of irradiated nuclear fuel reprocessing is most hazardous. Such HRW with com� plex chemical composition is solidified into glassy confinement matrices to improve its storage safety [1]. For this purpose, aluminophosphate glasses are used in Russia and borosilicate glasses are applied in other countries. Such glasses are chosen because of the sim� plicity of industrial production and high solubility of many elemental substances from HRW in them. At the same time, there are some doubts in the longevity of their properties. The glass will crystallize, especially on heating accompanying the decay of Cs and Sr iso� topes. This increases the rate of leaching of radionu� clides from such matrices and, thus, the hazard of these radionuclides. First of all, this concerns actinides and some of their fission products, for exam� ple,

Treatment of subclinical intramammary infections in small ruminants.

The researches were effectuated on primipara sheep and goats originating from flocks in which somatic cell number in bulk collected milk was higher than 1,000,000 cells/ml. During lactation the number of somatic cells was determined through the rapid electronic flour optic method SR ISO 13366-3/2001. In the situations in which the limit of 750,000 somatic cells/ml was exceeded as well as at the end of lactation we gathered milk samples. These samples were used to verify through bacteriological examination if the animals had an infection and if so of which origin (Staphylococcus aureus, Stafilococi non aureus or other germs). In 126 sheep and 94 goats diagnosed with subclinical mastitis, after weaning, we performed a treatment with Orbenin Extra (600 mg Cloxacillin “Dynomilled”) administers intramammary following the last milking. We administered a syringe for each half of the mammary gland, respecting the hygiene and administration rules, avoiding iatrogenic mastitis. In the following lactation we gathered milk samples (a mix from the two mammas) for the determination of somatic cells number and for the bacteriological exam, with diagnostic purpose. The results were compared to those obtained at the same number of sheep and goat (witness lot), selected on the same criteria, which were not treated. Healing percentage, in case of the treated animals, was of 78.57% in sheep and 70.21% in goats, and spontaneous healing percent in non treated animals was of 23.02% in sheep and 19.15 in goats.

RESEARCH CONCERNING THE EFFICIENCY OF HYGIENIZATION OF THE WORKING AREAS AT CATTLE SLAUGHTERING

The research have followed the determination of the total number of aerobic bacteria TGN/cm and of the presence of coliform bacteria/10 cm work area within a unit of cattle slaughtering. The determinations were made through the following methods: for the TGNMA determination the methodology of the Romanian Standard SR EN ISO 4833/2003 was applied; the determination of the number of coliform bacteria – according to SR ISO 55412/1994. There have been established through work proceeding the following experimental variants:

THE MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PaRMESAN CHEESE ON THE MATURATION PERIOD

SUMMARY The researches have followed the determination of t he TNG, of the total number of micromycetaceae, of the number of coliform bacteria and the number of E. coli/g product for the maturation of the Parmesan cheese. There have b een harvested a number of 4 samples: after 48 hours, after 10 days, after 17 days and af ter 25 days from the make. The determinations have been made through the following methods: - the TGN determination ‐ according to SR EN ISO 4833/2003; - the determination of the total number of micromyc etaceae ‐ according to SR ISO

RESEARCHES CONCERNING MICROBIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA TO YOGHURT STORAGE DURING SHELF-LIFE

Lactic acid bacteria evolution ( Lactobacilus delbrueckii ssp bulgaricus and Streptococcus termophilus ) was followed in tree stages of storage: in first day of storage after processing; in the middle of storage during s helf-life; in the last day of storage during shelf-life. For yoghurt, the manufacture depends on a symbiotic relationship between two bacteria, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, where each species of bacterium stimulates the growth of the other. The a im of this study was to research in which way lactic acid bacteria evolved (concentrati on of viable cells) to storage during shelf-life. The method for determination of lactic acid bacter ia was conforming Romanian standard SR ISO 13437/1999 and was used enrich and isolation microbial mediums . Also, from the same samples was determined and total yeast and molds. 5 samples of yoghurt were taken in study and determination was made at s torage, during shelf-life. A decrease of concentration of lactic acid bacter ia was observed to storage, especially in the last decade of shelf-life to all samples taken in study. Concentration of lactic acid bacteria witch should be from 10 7 ufc/gram until the end of shelf-life is registered only in the first day of product storage ..The end of shelf-life the concentration was very low, by 10 4 ufc/gram (witch is consider inadequate). Also, in 15% from total samples taken in study, wer e observed that in the last decade of storage, lactic acid bacteria are inhibit ed by yeast and molds. The concentration continues to decrease until the end of shelf-life. This indicate a low stability of starter culture in fermented dairy, the viable germs being inhibited by the development of other microorganisms, primarily Enterobacteriaceae and then yeasts and molds.