Water-soluble Organic Substances Research Articles

Selection and optimization of the method for DNA isolation and purification from Corylus species for PCR analysis

Aim.The use of molecular genetic analysis tools requires DNA preparations of high purity. However, in the case of hazelnut plants (Corylus spp.), obtaining quality DNA is complicated by the presence of a significant amount of secondary metabolites in the leaf tissue. The aim of the study was to select and optimize the method for isolation and purification of hazelnut DNA for further use in PCR analysis. Methods. Three methods of DNA isolation using cetavlon as a detergent were used, which differ in the DNA purification steps: the commonly used protocol by Doyle, Doyle, 1987; a modified method with purification using silicon dioxide microparticles; and a method using the extraction of soluble metabolites, which precedes the DNA isolation step. Results. The first two methods were shown to be unsuitable for DNA isolation from dry hazelnut leaves due to a high amount of impurities. The last method allowed to remove a significant part of water-soluble organic substances at the first stage and obtain high-quality DNA preparations. Conclusions. The method for DNA isolation from Corylus spp. plants and hybrids was selected and optimized, which allows isolation of a sufficient amount of high-quality DNA from dried leaf tissue, suitable for further molecular genetic analysis using PCR.

Превращения урацила , глицина и глюкозы, поступающих в составе опада в лесную подстилку дерново-подзолистой почвы

In model experiments under forest ecosystem conditions, samples of partially decomposed forest litter and soil from a 0–10 cm layer containing 14C-labeled organic matter were selected. The label was introduced in the form of low molecular weight water-soluble organic substances of individual nature – glycine, uracil and glucose together with unlabelled plant litter in nylon bags. The experiment was carried out in the late autumn period on the territory of the Malinsky forestry, 20 km south-west of Moscow, on a medium loamy sod-podzolic soil. For the study, samples were taken from two selection periods – 40 days after labelling and after two years. The selected samples were extracted and separated into soil organic matter fractions containing 14C in their composition, followed by radiometry. The results showed differences in the transformation and incorporation of radiocarbon of the studied products – glycine, uracil, and glucose into different fractions of soil organic matter of low molecular weight water-soluble substances, depending on their nature.

Dielectric constant of aqueous solutions of proteins and organic polymers from molecular dynamics simulations.

The dielectric constant of water/oligomer mixtures, spanning the range from pure water to pure oligomeric melts, is investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. As prototypical water-soluble organic substances, we consider neutral poly-glycine, poly-ethylene glycol, and charged monomeric propionic acid. As the water content is reduced, the dielectric constant decreases but does not follow an ideal mixing behavior. The deviations from ideal mixing originate primarily in the non-linear relation between the oligomer mass fraction and collective polarization effects. We find that the dielectric constant is dominated by water polarization, even if the oligomer mass fraction exceeds 50%. By a double extrapolation of the MD simulation results to the limit of vanishing water fraction and to the limit of infinite oligomeric chain length, we estimate the orientational contribution to the dielectric constant of the pure polymeric melts. By this procedure, we obtain ɛ = 17 ± 2 for polyglycine and ɛ = 1 ± 0.3 for polyethylene glycol. The large difference is rationalized by polarization correlations of glycine units. Interestingly, we find constant temperature simulations to outperform replica exchange simulations in terms of equilibration speed.

Properties of Water-Soluble Organic Substances Isolated from Soils Using Centrifugation and Vacuum Filtration

Properties of Water-Soluble Organic Substances Isolated from Soils Using Centrifugation and Vacuum Filtration

Adsorption behavior and mechanism of tetracycline onto hematite: Effects of low-molecular-weight organic acids

Tetracycline (TC) is known to be one of the most widely used antibiotics and is released into the natural environment, where amounts of iron oxides exist. Low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs), widespread water-soluble organic substances in the eco-environment systems, may affect the interactions between iron oxides and TC molecules. Nevertheless, our knowledge about the impacts of LMWOAs on the adsorption process of TC onto iron oxides still remains incomplete. In this study, we investigated the adsorption characteristics of TC onto hematite (as a model iron oxide) with various LMWOAs (i.e., acetic acid, glycolic acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, and citric acid). The results clearly showed that LMWOAs suppressed TC adsorption onto hematite particles at pH 7.0 (e.g., the maximum adsorption amounts (qmax) decreased from 9.05 mg/g (without LMWOAs) to 5.90 mg/g (with 0.5 mM citric acid)), which was mainly ascribed to the competitive adsorption between TC and LMWOAs on the hematite surface, the increased electrostatic repulsion between negatively charged iron oxide particles and TC– species, and the steric hindrance. Additionally, divalent cations (Ca2+ and Cu2+) enhanced the adsorption-inhibition effects by forming cation-bridging with deprotonated LMWOAs. Interestingly, different mechanisms were involved in the adsorption process with increasing pH from 3.0 to 10.0. At pH < 5.0, electrostatic repulsion, adsorption site competition, and steric effect co-controlled the inhibitory effects. Differently, at pH > 5.0, electrostatic repulsion solely dominated the adsorption-inhibition effects. The findings of this study reveal that ubiquitous LMWOAs are critical factors controlling the fate of antibiotics in the natural environment.

Оценка свойств, процессов и режимов кислотно-основного состояния дерново-подзолистых почв

The paper offers an assessment of the acid-base state of soils, accounting for the interrelationships of properties, processes and modes. The information content of the assessment of the fractional composition of acid-base systems, the kinetics of the processes, the suspension effect, the buffer capacity in different pH ranges, the depositing ability of soils to ions that determine their acid-base state is shown. The optimal indicators of the acid-base state of soils are estimated using the feedback principles: introduction of elements into the soil suspension - analysis of the response of plants developing on this suspension by the parameters of photosynthesis - search for the extremum. It is shown that the change in soil acidity is largely due to the processes of complex formation, the effects of protonation and hydrate formation of complexes of organic ligands and polyvalent cations. The expediency of using water-soluble organic substances of decomposing plant residues to increase the solubility of CaCO3 and purposefully change the exchange constants H+, Fe2+, Mn2+, A13+ from the Soil Absorption Complex to the Ca2+ ion is shown. Shown that increased sod soil formation process leads to a migration of Ca, Mg, and K to the arable layer from underlying layers. Ca, Mg and K also transition from a non-exchange state to the exchange state that allows for an increase in the time between repeated rounds of liming of sod-podzolic soils. Keywords: SOIL ACIDITY, SOIL PROPERTIES PROCESSES AND MODES

Технологія комплексної переробки торфу

Every country tries to be independent in everything, first of all it is necessary to have a high level of use of own energy resources. Due to the energy crisis, the transition from traditional energy sources to the integrated implementation of alternatives is relevant. The purpose of the study is complex processing of peat for fuel and extraction of humic substances for fertilizer production. Studies of extraction of humic substances were performed on a laboratory stand EI-10, which reproduces the work of a pulsating dispersant with an active diaphragm. The classical technology of extraction of humic substances using chemical methods is based on high temperatures of the mixture, which requires high energy consumption. It was proposed mode of extracting humic component developed by the standard rules, but changes in temperature and duration of extraction processing in an alkaline solution cavitation device. The use of cavitation in the technology of obtaining humic preparations makes it possible to achieve their high physiological activity, high yield of water-soluble organic substances. Briquetting was used to increase the energy density of solid fuel. Based on the research, the technology of obtaining humic fertilizers from peat was developed. The developed technology allows to be integrated into the existing production of the peat briquette plant and will allow to extract as much as possible humic substances from peat with essential reduction of temperature and extraction time with the subsequent application of liquid fraction as fertilizer.

Interaction of the Water-Soluble Organic Substances of Coniferous Litter with Minerals and Horizons of Podzolic Soil and Podzols

The water-soluble components originated in coniferous litters desorb into solution the native organic substances from the solid phase of the eluvial horizons of podzols and podzolic soil. In podzols, the water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) extracted from litter and then passing through the E horizons are sorbed by the BFH horizons if their concentration in solution exceeds 35 mg C/L. The sorption ranges from tens to hundreds of milligrams of carbon per kilogram of the BFH horizon. The WSOM can be sorbed by the BT horizons of podzolic soil when the concentration of organic substances in the liquid phase is higher than in podzols. The model experiments with minerals show that kaolinite and illite interact with the soluble substances percolating from the litter and selectively extract more hydrophilic and less aromatic components with relatively low molecular weights. On the contrary, goethite interacts with the WSOM prevalently sorbing hydrophobic components, substances of phenolic nature, components enriched in aromatic carbon, and substances with molecular weights less than 7 kDa. The spectral characteristics of WSOM change after the sorption interaction with minerals: the fluorescence associated with the humus substances with the longest conjugation chain decreases or disappears, while new fluorophores containing fragments of phenolic and/or protein structures emerge. The presence of kaolinite and illite in the eluvial horizons and their interaction with WSOM most likely contribute to the transformation of WSOM composition and appearance of the properties maximally favorable for their sorption on iron hydroxides in the lower horizons.

Fingerprinting of volatile organic compounds for quick assessment of vigour status of seeds

AbstractSeed is a fertilized mature ovule, which possesses an embryonic plant. When the dry, mature seeds are subjected to imbibition, they release a wide range of organic substances, which include low molecular weight carbonyl compounds (gases and volatiles) and water-soluble organic substances (enzymes and polysaccharides). The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are molecules of low molecular weight (300 g mol−1) and high vapour pressure (0.01 kPa at 20°C) and include diverse chemical compounds. The nature and emission kinetics of volatiles produced from seeds vary, depending on the moisture content of the seeds. Orthodox seeds stored at ‘low seed moisture content’ undergo seed deterioration, predominantly due to lipid peroxidation, initiated by autoxidation or enzymatic oxidation of unsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. This peroxidation leads to emission of volatile compounds. The quantity of VOCs emitted is positively correlated with the advancement of seed deterioration. With respect to the seed germination process, exposure of seeds to ‘high moisture conditions’ leads to increased respiration, triggers glycolysis and mobilization of storage reserves, resulting in the emission of volatile metabolic products. The quantity of VOCs emitted on commencement of metabolic activity in germinating seeds depends on (1) vigour status and (2) amount of storage reserves. Since it has been established that there is a significant difference between high and low vigour seeds with respect to quantity and profile of VOCs emitted, there is great potential for utilizing the VOC profile to obtain a quick and reproducible test of vigour status of crop seeds. In order to harness the VOC profile for quick assessment of vigour status of seeds, research has to be taken up to develop standard protocols for fingerprinting of VOCs for the purpose of seed vigour assessment and to fix the standard volatile biomarker(s) specific to crop and vigour status of seeds.

Reactions’ Mechanisms and Applications of Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a key substance in the appearance of life and maintenance of the life-supporting conditions on the Earth. Electron transfer processes between H2O2 and various reducers are of major interest for the environment, natural life, technology, etc. An overview of structure, proprieties and main reactions of hydrogen peroxide in model and real systems is presented. The authors try to find the answers to the following questions: why this substance has the unique and specific dual reduction-oxidation properties, what is the connection between its structure and reactions, what role it plays in the catalytic reduction processes occurring in the natural environment and technological systems, accompanied by the formation of intermediate compounds, active radicals, complete and partial charge transfer complexes, etc. The thermodynamic possibility of the synchronous two-electron transfer during the inner sphere reaction with the involvement of metal ion complexes capable of changing the valence by two units is discussed. The role of the partial charge transfer structures which combine the properties of the initial reagents and the expected reaction products is demonstrated. Such complexes can be decomposed both reversibly and irreversibly. In case when the single-electron transfer is thermodynamically preferable, the main oxidizing particle is OH-radical, capable to interact non-selectively with almost all the water-soluble organic substances. Special attention is paid to the photo initiation of peroxidase transformation processes. The results of our multi-annual research of these issues are reported.

Research of the Process of Obtaining Organo-Mineral Fertilizer Based on Nitrogen Acid Decomposition of Non-Conditional Phosphorites of Central Kyzylkumes and Poultry Cultivation Waste

The article presents the results of decomposition of substandard phosphorites at a non-full rate of nitric acid (10-50% of stoichiometry on CaO), followed by its processing by bird droppings in various ratios. The optimal parameters for obtaining organic mineral fertilizers are determined, the technological scheme is given and the material balance is calculated, the possibility of obtaining nitrogen-phosphorus-humus fertilizers based on substandard phosphorites and bird droppings is shown, by composition (wt.%): P2O5 total - 6.53; Р2О5 acceptable - 4.04; СаО total - 17.12; N - 4.21; organic matter - 28.38; humic acids - 9,12, fulvic acids - 5,25, water-soluble organic substances - 4,2; pН – 5,93.

Vitamin E in Plants: Biosynthesis, Transport, and Function.

Vitamin E, which includes both tocopherols and tocotrienols, comprises lipid-soluble antioxidants that modulate lipid peroxidation. Recently, significant advances have been made in our understanding of vitamin E biosynthesis, transport, and function. The phytyl moiety from chlorophyll degradation is used for tocopherol biosynthesis. An α-tocopherol-binding protein (TBP) has been identified in tomato (SlTBP) serving in intraorganellar vitamin E transport in plants. Moreover, α-tocopherol not only scavenges free radicals through flip-flop movements in the lipid bilayer, but may also contribute to fine-tuning the transmission of specific signals outside chloroplasts. Vitamin E, and α-tocopherol in particular, appear to be essential for plant development and help to provide the most suitable response to a number of environmental stresses.

The effect of humic substances on Cu migration in the soil profile

ABSTRACTHumic substances (HS) are widely used for diverse purposes. The effect of HS on the metal’s status in contaminated soils is contradictory. The aim of this work was to investigate the Cu migration in soils treated with HS. A model field experiment with the addition of Cu (1.243 mg Cu/kg) and HS Extra® (potassium humate) was performed. The Cu addition resulted in acidification (by 0.7 pH) after 3 months. The major part of the added Cu remained in the upper 7-cm-thick soil layer; 4% reached the lower soil layer, while only 0.1% were removed beyond the profile. The addition of HS mitigated soil acidification increased the content of Cu bound to solid-phase organic substances and abruptly reduced the Cu activity in the soil liquid phase. Simultaneously, the HS addition increased the water-soluble organic substances (WSOS) by four times, including those in the hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions, resulting in a twofold increase in the content of soluble Cu. Copper complexes with hydrophilic WSOS mainly reached lysimeters, and hydrophobic organic substances were absorbed by the soil. The HS addition to a slightly acidic soil can accelerate the migration of Cu to adjacent environments.

Transformation of Water-Soluble Organic Substances in Litters of Podzols in the Background and Technogenic Areas of the Kola Peninsula

Mineralization of water-soluble organic substances in forest litters of different compositions under conditions of their pollution with heavy metals from aerogenic emissions is considered. Water-soluble organic substances of the pine forest litters are shown to be less stable than that under the spruce forests irrespective of their pollution; the portion of mineralized at 20°C carbon for a month reached 40%. In the spruce litters, mineralizable amounts of carbon are related to their pollution: in the technogenic areas, compared to the background ones, carbon losses from the litters are twice greater. In the course of decomposition, in the spruce and pine litters, phenol compounds accumulate among the water-soluble organic compounds, and this process is more intense in the contaminated areas. After the decomposition of all the litters, irrespectively of their composition and the distance from the pollution sources, the water-soluble organic substances are characterized by higher indices of humification (HIX), more intense fluorescence, and greater coefficients of specific extinction (E260). In the ultraviolet spectra, bands appear in the region of aromatic amines absorption. These changes indicate the transformation of water-soluble organic substances: the degrees of their condensation and aromaticity increase and nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds are formed.

Synthesis, Structural, and Adsorption Characteristics of γ-Fe2O3/SiO2 Composite

The γ-Fe2O3/SiO2 composite is synthesized by coprecipitation of the magnetic carrier γ-Fe2O3 (specific surface area S = 17 m2/g, pore volume V = 0.51 cm3/g) and silicon dioxide from a solution of sodium-liquid glass. The influence of the synthesis conditions (SiO2 content, temperature, introduction of electrolyte into reaction mixture) on the structural and adsorption characteristics of the resulting composites is studied. Coprecipitation in the presence of electrolyte (5% NaCl) makes it possible to obtain the most highly porous composites. At SiO2 content from 20 to 50%, S is from 70 to 150 m2/g, V is from 0.74 to 0.89 cm3/g. These composites have a large adsorption capacity for test substances: a main dye, methylene blue, and an enzyme, cytochrome C. The capacity of these composites on dye (15–40 mg/g) is approximately 10–30 times larger that of the initial iron oxide (1.2 mg/g), and on enzyme (130–280 mg/g) 3–6 times greater than the capacity of iron oxide (45 mg/g). Such composites can be used as magnetic sorbents to for purification, concentration or immobilization of water-soluble organic substances and biopolymers.

Evaluation of the starch-based flocculants on flocculation of hairwork wastewater

China is the world's largest producer of wigs, and the manufacturing generates large quantities of hairwork effluents. Coagulation/flocculation is an important step in the water treatment process. In this study, two versions of starch-based flocculants were successfully prepared through etherification and graft copolymerization, respectively. Starch-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl triethyl ammonium chloride (St-CTA-DQ) and starch-graft-poly[(2-methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride] (St-g-PDMC-DQ) both contain strongly cationic quaternary ammonium salt groups, but have differing cationic contents, specifically, the degree of substitution (DS) and grafting ratio (G). Furthermore, the additional functional groups were distributed on different chain sites (the starch backbone for St-CTA-DQ, and the branch chains for St-g-PDMC-DQ). These two flocculants demonstrated superior efficiency for turbidity and UV254 removal in hairwork wastewater as well as better floc properties compared to polyaluminum chloride. The effects of pH, flocculant dose, and cationic group contents (DS and G) were systematically investigated. Consequently, it was determined that a higher cationic content in both the flocculants led to better flocculation performance as well as increased removal rates of both turbidity and UV254. This was primarily due to improved charge neutralization, which highlighted the preference towards a lower optimal dose. In addition, flocculation performance worsened as the pH level increased. Overall, St-g-PDMC-DQ exhibited similar flocculation performance to St-CTA-DQ. However, the wastewater treated by St-g-PDMC-DQ showed lower residual turbidity than when treated by St-CTA-DQ. This was attributed to the distinct branch chain architecture of St-g-PDMC-DQ, which was beneficial for coagulating the uneasily flocculated contaminants in water, such as smaller-sized colloids and water-soluble organic substances. Flocculant structural factors, specifically charge properties and chain architecture, heavily affected the final flocculation performance.

A gas phase method for the generation of aqueous submicron suspensions of poorly water soluble organic substances

This work presents a novel process for the production of vapor-borne submicron organic particles and their transfer into an aqueous environment. A mixture of water and the organic substance is totally evaporated in a micro-structured evaporator. In a second step, the hot vapor mixture is rapidly cooled down inside a quench cooler so that the organic component gets into a supersaturated state and fine particles are formed due to homogenous nucleation. The rapid cooling is realized by the injection of liquid water into the hot vapor atmosphere. The liquid water evaporates and thereby cools down the vapor mixture. Water as one component of the vapor mixture remains in the vapor phase and acts as a carrier for the generated organic particles. The generation of the aqueous suspension is realized by the total condensation of the water vapor atmosphere directly after the quench cooler. The condenser is continuously supplied with surfactant solution. This prevents agglomeration as soon as the particles get transferred from the vapor into the liquid environment. The process has been realized successfully in a lab-scale plant. First results with Tocopheryl acetate and Myristyl myristate as model substances are presented in this work.

Artifact weathering, anthropogenic microparticles and lead contamination in urban soils at former demolition sites, Detroit, Michigan

A chronological sequence of urban soils 3–92 years old was studied to determine the effects of time on morphogenesis, artifact weathering, and the geochemical partitioning of Pb. Key chronofunctions determined are an increase in ˆA horizon Development Index (defined herein based on soil color) and water-soluble Pb, and a decrease in pH and C/N, with increasing soil age. Key artifact weathering reactions are: 1) portlandite in mortar altered to calcite, 2) ferrite in wrought-iron altered to ferrihydrite and goethite, and 3) carbonaceous materials altered to water-soluble organic substances. Mortar and wrought-iron were found to be Pb-bearing, but weather to produce immobilizing agents. Hence, they are both a source and a sink for Pb. The origin and mobilization of water-soluble Pb is complex and probably includes microbial extracellular polymeric substances, biodegraded soil organic matter, and solubilized organic substances derived from carbonaceous anthropogenic microparticles (soot, char and coal-related wastes).

Complexation between metal ions and water soluble organic soil substances as analyzed by electrochemical techniques

Conductometric and potentiometric titration of water extracts from soils using metal salt solutions (Cu, Al, Pb) were performed. A nonlinear dependence of electrical conductivity of water extracts on the concentration of metals added was established, which is caused by the formation of metal organic complexes proceeding with the participation of metal ions. A parameter describing the differential equivalent electrical conductivity (Δλ) was proposed which characterizes the complexation process, and a formula for the calculation of this parameter was given. The basic parameters of copper ion complex formation with water soluble organic substances of the extract were determined on the basis of conductometric titration of water extracts from soils using copper nitrate solution. These processes were shown to proceed differently for soddy and podzolic soils, the properties of which are known to differ significantly. An integrated parameter of the equivalent electrical conductivity for ligands of soil water soluble organic substances was assessed.

Using discriminative analysis in the evaluation of changes in amounts of water-soluble soil organic substances

Differences in soil sampling periods that determine the greatest changes in the soil content of readily and hardly oxidizable water-soluble organic substances during rice cultivation are found and proved using multidimensional discriminative analysis.