Search

The olive oil processing industry’s liquid effluents (OMW) have a polluting capacity for the ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical quality of OMW of two varieties of separated and combined olives cultivated in Khenchela Eastern Algeria, from the cold extraction of the olive oil extraction system. These was to determine their degree of pollution and biodegradability during one year of storage at ambient temperature to recommend the correct treatment for each storage time. Results of the measured parameters pH, EC,TSS percent, H2O percent, lipids, DM, OM, MM, VM, COT percent, NTK percent, C/N, BOD5, COD, BI, TOM, BOD5/COD show that wastewater from olive oil mills has an acid pH, and they are very loaded with organic matter evaluated in terms of COD and BOD5, quite filled with minerals. The storage of olive mill waste can reduce progressively the pollution caused by this waste. Whereas during one year, the reduction rate of COD, BOD5, TOM, BI, is respectively 29.4%, 54.8%, 39.16%, 54.2%, but C/N, BOD5/COD continue to increase as well as pH that continues to decrease during the storage. Accordingly, storing olive mill waste during a year reduces its pollution rate, so it is slowly biodegradable. When disposing of it, an adequate treatment procedure must be required to protect the environment.

Three durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) cultivars, namely Bousselam, Vitron, and Gaviota durum, and one barley genotype (Hordum vulgare L.), Fouara, grown under semi-arid conditions were compared for their total phenolic and flavonoids content and antioxidant activities. Antioxidant activity was tested using DPPH radical scavenging assay method. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, saponins and phenolic compounds in each variety seeds. The results of the present study indicate significant differences among the evaluated varieties in terms of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and for radical scavenging capacity. Among the tested varieties Gaviota durum showed high total phenolic (95.32± 0.27 µg/mg) and flavonoid content (78.80 ± 0.27 µg/mg) and an intermediate radical scavenging capacity. While barley variety Fouara expressed high radical scavenging capacity (54.8% ±0.34) and intermediate total phenol and flavonoids contents. The tested durum wheat and barley varieties possessed varying but meaningful antioxidant activities which were not significantly correlated to their phenol and flavonoid contents. It is necessary to ensure that increased bioactive components in grains are combined with good agronomic performance, high grain yield and high quality for processing. The results of the present study should have significant implications for plant breeders as well as for grain and food processors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction processes of olive oil produce huge amounts of by-products, such as olive mill wastewater (OMWW) and olive mill pomace (OMP), these by-products have significant polluting properties related to their undesirable color and odor, high organic load, acidic pH, high phenolic compounds, high salinity, while their effect on soil organisms is unclear. The study into the effects of these by-products on soil bioindicators, such as earthworms should therefore be prioritized. Indeed, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of environmentally realistic concentrations of olive mill wastewater and olive mill pomace on the growth, reproduction, and survival of the earthworms Aporrectodea trapezoides , and Eisenia fetida. Bioindicators were exposed under laboratory conditions to increasing doses (12.5%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% w/w) of OMWW and OMP separately and in combination. The results showed a higher growth rate on Eisenia fetida when exposed to 12.5% OMP, with a neutral effect on reproduction and survival. Toxicological effects were found at higher doses, namely: there was no cocoon production, growth inhibition, and mortality; these effects were probably due to the higher level of phenolic compounds and higher salinity. In general OMP was found to have toxicity higher than OMWW, the combination of both by-products showed stronger effects on some earthworm endpoints. Comparative responses between the two species showed that Aporrectodea trapezoides proved to be more tolerant. Dilution and bioremediation of these by-products is recommended as a possible solution to reduce their toxicity. [Display omitted] • A. trapezoides and E. fetida were exposed to olive mill wastewater and pomace. • The negative effects on growth, reproduction and survival were found at high doses. • The positive effects on E. fetida growth were found with 12.5% olive mill pomace. • Comparative responses showed that A. trapezoides are more tolerant than E. fetida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]