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This study investigated the physicochemical properties of PM2.5, especially among secondary aerosols, based on the particulate matter and gaseous precursors in Yongin, Korea measured between February and June 2022. A comparative analysis of PM composition across two seasons highlighted the atmospheric characteristics of this suburban area. As observed, the average PM2.5 concentrations in February and March were higher than those in May and June, with NO3− being particularly predominant during the colder months when PM2.5 levels were elevated. During this period, the high levels of gaseous precursors such as NOX, HNO3, and NMHC likely contributed to secondary aerosol formation. The intermediate oxidation states of organic matter in Yongin indicate its suburban characteristic, which is intermediate between urban and rural areas. Inorganic aerosols were enriched with (NH4)2SO4 with sufficient NH3 availability, and then the formation of NH4NO3 was promoted through the reaction of the same phase (gas–gas) HNO3 with NH3. Additionally, the temperature variations influenced the PM2.5 composition, promoting the production of NH4NO3 in February–March. In Yongin, HNO3 acted as a limiting factor in NH4NO3 production. Thus, the management of precursor gases such as HNO3 and NO2 is crucial during periods of high PM2.5 in the colder seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The most promising technologies for processing oil sludge are their use in the production of road construction materials. Purpose. Investigation of the composition and properties of an average sample of the total liquid phase of oil sludge and the possibility of obtaining a component of road bitumen. Methodology. The methods of physico-chemical research adopted in the technology of production of road construction materials were used. Originality. The technology of phase separation of liquid viscous oil sludge has been developed, which makes it possible to isolate a fraction from n.k. 2000C, which can be used as boiler fuel and one of the binding components for road construction purposes. Findings. During fractional distillation of oil sludge, the mass fraction of light fractions up to 200oC was 34%; up to 245oC-42%; up to 285oC - 56%. The resulting composition of the product composition is oil sludge (fraction above 200oC):gossypole resin:sulfur:calcium oxide, met the requirements of GOST 6617-76. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental contamination from petroleum refinery operations has increased due to the rapid population growth and modernization of society, necessitating urgent repair. Microbial remediation of petroleum wastewater by prominent bacterial cultures holds promise in circumventing the issue of petroleum-related pollution. Herein, the bacterial culture was isolated from petroleum-contaminated sludge samples for the valorization of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and biodegradation of petroleum wastewater samples. The bacterial strain was screened and identified as Bacillus subtilis IH-1. After six days of incubation, the bacteria had degraded 25.9% of phenanthrene and 20.3% of naphthalene. The treatment of wastewater samples was assessed using physico-chemical and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, which revealed that the level of pollutants was elevated and above the allowed limits. Following bacterial degradation, the reduction in pollution parameters viz. EC (82.7%), BOD (87.0%), COD (80.0%), total phenols (96.3%), oil and grease (79.7%), TKN (68.8%), TOC (96.3%) and TPH (52.4%) were observed. The reduction in pH and heavy metals were also observed after bacterial treatment. V. mungo was used in the phytotoxicity test, which revealed at 50% wastewater concentration the reduction in biomass (30.3%), root length (87.7%), shoot length (93.9%), and seed germination (30.0%) was observed in comparison to control. When A. cepa root tips immersed in varying concentrations of wastewater samples, the mitotic index significantly decreased, suggesting the induction of cytotoxicity. However, following the bacterial treatment, there was a noticeable decrease in phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity. The bacterial culture produces lignin peroxidase enzyme and has the potential to degrade the toxic pollutants of petroleum wastewater. Therefore the bacterium may be immobilised or directly used at reactor scale or pilot scale study to benefit the industry and environmental safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the physico-chemical characteristics of rhizosphere saline soil of Chenopodium album L from Baramati Tehsil, District in Pune, India. Topics discussed include reason that salinity reduced agricultural productivity, locality of studied sites, and finding on rhizosphere of Chenopodium album.

This study assesses the physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of well water within some selected residential areas of the Ajaokuta Housing Estate (A-Racca-Foam, B-Borno, CKwara, D - Lagos, and E - Abuja Estates). Water samples (six samples per estate) were collected from thirty wells in the study area, and were analyzed for physicochemical and bacteriological properties using standard techniques, and the results compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The results indicated that some physico-chemical parameters were outside the WHO acceptable limits. Notably, iron and manganese and magnesium contents exceeded the WHO in the five selected area where samples were collected, with the highest concentration at 0.54, 1.0 and 60.0 mg/L, respectively. Total hardness and total alkalinity were also above the permissible limit of 100 mg/L in all samples. Bacteriological analysis showed elevated TVC (0 to 3.0 × 103 CFU/mL) and TCC (0 to 1,200 per 100mL) especially with samples in areas B, D and E, suggesting potential faecal contamination or inadequate well maintenance. The presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, further re-emphasises the public health risks posed by the water samples. Statistical analysis showed no significant discrepancies in water quality across the different wells sampled. These findings suggest that well water in the study area may not be totally safe for consumption without adequate treatment. Hence, a regular and proper thermal or chemical treatment of well water in the study area is recommended to ensure safe drinking water for the community/environs and prevent waterborne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative analysis of changes in the microbiological and chemical composition of water and peat in the drained and fire-event areas of the Bakchar bog (the northeastern part of the Great Vasyugan Mire) was performed during the growing season of 2022. It was revealed that the fire effect persists in the upper layer (up to 50 cm) of the post-pyrogenic area even 6 years after the fire. It manifests itself in a disruption of the seasonal dynamics of the content of a number of components (O2, CO2, , ), and in the size variance of different physiological microflora groups: ammonifying, pedotrophic, oligotrophic, hydrocarbon-oxidizing, cellulose-destructing, denitrifying, and sulfate-reducing. In addition, the correlations between the analyzed microbiological and physico-chemical parameters differ for drained and post-pyrogenic areas, which suggests the long-term pyrogenic effect on the processes of accumulation and destruction of organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To study the changes of physico-chemical characteristics and microbial community structure during natural aerobic composting under low temperature in the field, realize the resource utilization of breeding waste in low temperature season. [Method] Using pig manure and rice husk as raw materials for aerobic composting in the field, the temperature, pH, water content, NH+4-N, NO-3-N and germination index (GI) of seeds during composting process were analyzed, the bacterial 16S rDNA V3-V4 region and fungal ITS region were further selected for high-throughput sequencing. The diversity and composition of microbial communities in different stages of aerobic composting process were compared. [Result] When the environmental temperature was -6.7-6.4 ℃, the high-temperature stage of the entire composting process lasted for 11 days. After 38 days of aerobic composting treatment, the moisture content, pH, NH+4-N, NO-3-N and other indicators of the pile tended to be stable. At the end of composting, the GI reached 122.12%, indicating that the compost product was completely decomposed. The analysis of microbial communities in samples from different stages of composting under low temperature conditions showed that Acinetobacter was the dominant bacterial genus in the early and heating stages of composting, Pseudofulvimonas and Ensifer had the highest abundance in the high temperature stage of composting, and Parapedactor was the dominant bacterial genus in the late stage of composting. Ascobolus was the dominant fungal genus in the early stages of composting, while Mycothermus was the dominant microbial community in the heating, high temperature and maturation stages of aerobic composting. The predicted results of bacterial community function showed that amino acid transport and metabolism, carbohydrate transport and metabolism et al were the main metabolic functions of bacteria in composting process. The correlation analysis between physicochemical indexes and microbial diversity showed that the pH and genus abundance were highly correlated, followed by water content, temperature, NH+4-N and GI. [Conclusion] Natural aerobic compost can be carried out smoothly and completely decomposed in the field under low temperature conditions, it provide a basi for natural aerobic composting in the field under low temperature environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiments reported in this research paper aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical and sensory characteristics, microbial quality and antioxidant potential of goat's milk paneer during storage (0–12 d, 4 ± 1°C). The juices from five different citrus fruits were used as coagulant (treatments) to make goat's milk paneer. The pH of all paneer samples decreased during storage whereas titratable acidity increased. Ash (%) fat (%) and protein (%) of paneer increased slightly during storage, whereas sensory perception decreased. The juices from all the citrus fruit varieties showed high contents of total phenolics and total flavonoids which ultimately influenced ferric reducing antioxidant power, total antioxidant capacity and radical scavenging activities. As the contents of different juices were also retained in the paneer matrix, so paneer coagulated with citrus juices also showed encouraging results in terms of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power and radical scavenging activities. Amongst all the paneers, the most promising was that coagulated by kinnow juice. In addition, the whey obtained from paneer coagulated by citrus juices also showed appreciable quantities of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, thereby beneficially influencing ferric reducing antioxidant power andradical scavenging activities. It is concluded that citrus juices improve the sensorial quality and antioxidant potential of goat's milk paneer and its whey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundant stockpiling of food waste (FW) which leads to climate change has been a growing concern over its carbon footprint (CF) in recent years. In India, student enrollment in higher education has been increasing in recent years, reaching close to 4 billion, especially in universities. The present study aims to identify varying characteristics of FW generated in a university hostel mess due to temporal and seasonal conditions. This study evaluates consumer attitudes and behaviors concerning FW, and artificial neural networks are also used to forecast the percentage of FW streams based on various characteristics. FW characters were found to vary with time and temperature. High moisture content during autumn and winter seasons was found to decrease destructible solids content, a key parameter governing biogas generation. Statistical assay of FW quantity shows that FW generation is high during the weekdays followed by Saturdays, whereas during festivals and Sundays, the generation is highly variable, which might be due to the presence of inmates during holidays. Based on data from six months sample data set, it is projected that 716.57 kgs of food were wasted per day with 1361.48 kgs carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq.) related CF. It showed that parameters such as household wealth, meal contentment, meal days, education, sex, and food-saving efforts significantly impacted the CF of FW. The avoidable FW can be stopped nonetheless to prevent shadowed CF. It can be concluded that effective FW management can be done by varying number of collection points, where FW accumulation varies in a year, enabling an efficient source sorting process. This will help in transferring the FW to proper treatment and management process like anaerobic digestion and composting. The Anaerobic digestion pose an efficient methods of FW management due to its high potency in biogas production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study's goal was to examine how the physico-chemical properties of high-altitude springs in eastern Nepal's Sagarmatha National Park and buffer zone changed annually over a period of three years (2008- 2010). The majority of the sampling locations were chosen along the treks from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, Gokyo, and Imja valley. Chemical parameters, such as total nitrogen and total phosphorous, were studied in the ecology laboratory of Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, while physical characteristics such as pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), and conductivity were assessed on the spot by water analyzer kit Although water quality standards still meets the WHO's and Nepal's standards for drinking water, the quality of the spring water is starting to deteriorate. On the main tourist treks, Changes in water quality metrics in water bodies have been observed. Each year, the values of total nitrogen (TNNO3), total phosphorous (TP-PO4), and pH change, indicating a decline in the quality of the springs water bodies in the Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone (SNPBZ). The values of TN-NO3 and TP-PO4 had significantly increased, indicating that human impact had also increased. Although the amount of total nitrogen in water samples was lower than the WHO limit, there has been an increase in nitrate-nitrogen as compared to past findings. Similar to this, it was discovered that the total phosphorus value increased both annually and in earlier reports. Therefore, sufficient care should be taken to stop future deterioration. The research produced a database for the current state of Nepal's highland springs, which may be used to manage the springs and research how human activity affects water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics of Veraval harbour water for six month. Water quality characteristics of three stations of harbour was calculated in two seasons, viz; post monsoon and pre monsoon. The purpose of study was to measure the level of water pollution in the harbour. The results of the study showed that water temperature ranged between 25.14°C to 31.56°C, pH 7.32 to 8.11, Electrical Conductivity 43.02 to 63.60 ms/cm, Salinity 25.10 to 38.62 ppt, Turbidity 52.39 to 66.54 NTU, Odour varies as disagreeable, fishy and rotten egg, Dissolved Oxygen 0.44 to 3.09 mg/L, Biochemical Oxygen Demand 0.32 to 2.93 mg/L, Total Suspended Solids 26.87 to 48.67 mg/L, Total Dissolved Solids 36.40 to 68.87 mg/mL. The study revealed that the harbour water was slight to moderate polluted and it might be due to the excess industrial discharge and domestic wastewater runoff and running processing units to the harbour area of Veraval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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PPy/GO composite materials formed of graphene oxide nanosheets and polypyrrole (PPy) were effectively prepared by polymerization fabrication method for optical energy applications. The measurements of TEM, XRD, SEM, FT-IR, and XPS showed that PPy/GO composites were successfully synthesized. The nanosheets GO were homogeneously joined into PPy as recorded by SEM images. TEM recorded that the GO nanosheets have different sizes ranging from 5 to 35 nm. The optical parameters, including the absorption edge, band gap, number of carbon clusters, and Urbach energies, were assessed by the UV–Vis method. The band gap reduced of 1.84 for PPy to 1.77 and 1.72 eV for PPy/GO-II and PPy/GO-III, and the absorption edge decreased from 1.78 for PPy to 1.60 and 1.50 eV, respectively. The optical susceptibility and refractive index were deduced for PPy and PPy/Go. Comparing the PPy/Go composites to pure PPy revealed a considerable enhancement in optical conductivity and the number of carbon clusters for PPy/Go. The outcomes of this research is the fabrication of potential flexible polymeric nanocomposite films with innovative physico-chemical properties for high-performance optoelectronics devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the popularity of plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs). This work examined the nutritional value, antioxidant profile and physicochemical characteristics of commercial non-cocoa- and cocoa-flavoured PBMAs. The examined products were either nut or oat-based ones. In the absence of protein fortification, the products' protein content was found to be low. Fat content was also low, whereas carbohydrate and sugar contents were related to sugar addition. Oleic, linoleic and α-linolenic acids were the primary unsaturated fatty acids. PBMAs have low Atherogenicity (AI) and Thrombogenicity (TI) indices and high hypocholesterolaemic:hypercholesterolaemic fatty acid ratio (h/H). The antioxidant profile significantly differed (P < 0.001) between non-cocoa- and cocoa-flavoured PBMAs. The antioxidant profile of cocoa-flavoured PMBAs improved due to the polyphenols present in cocoa beans. The physicochemical characteristics of the analysed PBMAs demonstrated great versatility. The nutritional profile of PBMAs also showed considerable variability, influenced by factors, such as product type and ingredient formulation. Additionally, differences in the nutritional composition and physicochemical properties were observed between non-cocoa and cocoa-based PBMAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superlattices are periodic arrangements of two or more different materials on a nanoscale. Ge-Sb-Te (Germanium-Antimony-Tellurium) superlattices are a type of material used in phase-change memory (PCM) technology. PCM is a non-volatile memory technology that relies on the reversible phase transition between amorphous and crystalline states in certain materials. This phase-change property, combined with the non-volatile nature of the material, makes it suitable for applications like phase-change memory in electronic devices. Topological and entropy indices are the mathematical tools that are helpful to estimate the physico-chemical characteristics of chemical compounds. In this article, we have calculated some reduced reverse degree-based topological indices and entropy indices for Ge-Sb-Te superlattice. Ravi et al. [32] examined the statistically significant relationship of reduced reverse degree-based topological indices with physico-chemical characteristics of drug structures and proposed regression models using entropy indices. In this context, our computed results can be helpful in predicting the physico-chemical characteristics of Ge-Sb-Te superlattices.

The beneficial health effects of prebiotics have been demonstrated in numerous research papers. However, their incorporation into daily food remains unfamiliar to consumers. This work evaluates the effects of the addition of resistant maltodextrin (RMD) on the sensory attributes of pasteurised orange juice, together with the physico-chemical properties and the aromatic profile. RMD addition increased the sweetness and decreased the acidity and bitterness, resulting in a higher overall panellists' rating of orange juice. It also proportionally increased °Brix together with density and decreased acidity. Colour changes were registered with higher RMD concentrations. Orange pulp presence affected the volume particle size distribution analysis, while RMD addition did not have any effect. The aroma volatile compounds were also analysed. Pulp-added samples showed a higher quantity of alcohol and aldehydes, whereas pulp-free samples registered higher terpene and terpenoid values. Ketones and acids were also quantified. RMD had a moderate impact on volatile compound quantifications, with the orange pulp presence playing a much more decisive role. A correspondence analysis was also performed to relate instrumental and sensory determinations for all samples. This work proves that the addition of RMD to orange juice is technologically feasible while also achieving a good response at the sensory level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial and physico-chemical characteristics of cold smoked sea bass (CSSB), a novel italian fish product. The microbiological analyses showed the presence of bacterial contamination from the raw material, the environment, and the production process. The microbial spoilage population was dominated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with Gram-negative fermenting bacteria, including Photobacterium phosphoreum and psychrotrophic Enterobacteriaceae. Brochotrix thermospacta and Aeromonas spp. were also present; in contrast, mould and yeast were not detected (<2 CFU/g). High levels (6–7 log CFU/g) of LAB and total bacteria count (TBC) were observed from day 45 of storage; however, their presence does not seem to have influenced the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), which always remained below 35 mg N/100 g. Consequently, the product is acceptable until day 60 of storage, considering that the malonaldehyde index (TBARS) was lower than 6.5 nmol/g. Pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected. Currently, there is a growing demand for seafood due to its high quality and nutritional value. Cold smoked sea bass offers a source of macro- and micronutrients essential for the proper functioning of the human body. It is also rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The WHO and FAO evaluated the benefits and risks and concluded that there is convincing evidence of health benefits from fish consumption, such as a reduction in the risk of heart failure and improved neurodevelopment in infants and young children when fish is consumed by the mother before and during pregnancy. The CSSB analysed in this study demonstrated to have health benefits due to long-chain omega-3 PUFAs and other nutrients, such as proteins, minerals, and vitamin D, which are sometimes difficult to obtain from other sources. The results show that CSSB has a high nutritional value and excellent microbial quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porphyrazines ( P z ) are porphyrinoids, which are macro-cyclic compounds made up of four in-dole rings. P z has various potential and practical uses in health and technology due to their distinctive optical and electrochemical characteristics. Topological descriptors are numerical values given to molecular structures that may be used to predict specific physical characteristics. In this work, we have investigated topological features of the porphyrazine and tetrakis porphyrazine structure based on degree. We have calculated the closed forms of the Zagreb, Randic, geometric-arithmetic, harmonic, augmented and atom-bond connectivity (ABC) indices of the porphyrazine and tetrakis porphyrazine structures. The present research would be beneficial for understanding the structure's biological and chemical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spring Zlatarica is located 6 km northeast of Bugojno. The spring is situated in a distinctly mountainous terrain, which includes the mountains Kalin (1,530 m) and Rudina (1,385 m). The spring is located at the bottom of the mountain Kalin, in the valley of the river Vitina at an altitude of 783 m. This study aimed to examine the physicochemical, microbiological and radiological properties of drinking water and production for the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond. Physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics, presence of heavy metals and metalloids and measurement of total beta activity (radiological correctness) were examined thirteen years, in the period from 2008 to 2021. Quality and analyses were performed in accredited laboratories: The Federal Institute of Public Health in Sarajevo, laboratories for chemistry and microbiology of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences University of Sarajevo. The methods used were in accordance with current legislation and standards for testing researched water quality parameters. Analyses of physical and chemical parameters of water samples taken from the Zlatarica spring showed that the water is: drinkable, low-mineralized, average temperatures at the spring 9.3 0C, with average mineralization 280 mg/L, colourless, odourless and tasteless, and with pH of 7.85. According to the ionic classification, water belongs to the hydro carbonatecalcium type. The sulphate content was very low and had a mean value of 4 mg/L. The chloride content is also low and was 1.77 - 2.48 mg/L. Of particular importance is the sodium (Na) content is very low (2.13 - 6.9 mg/L). Water does not contain nitrites and ammonia, while the content of nitrates is very low, almost insignificant, which indicates the absence of organic pollution of water. Consumption of KMnO4 is very low and is 0.4 - 0.94 mg/L. According to the analysis of metals and metalloids, the content of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (Ar), mercury (Hg), and other heavy metals were very low and corresponds to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Rulebook on health safety of drinking water. The content of fluoride (0,27 mg/L) and selenium (Se) of 6.6 mg/L show the quality important for human health of the tested water. Bacteriological analyses confirmed there weren't coliform bacteria were present, the total number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria was 2, while coliform fecal bacteria, streptococci, Proteus spp., sulphitereducing clostridia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were not isolated. Radiological measurement of total beta activity on the beta counter LB5100 was < 1 Bq/L. In accordance with the test results, it can be concluded that all physical and chemical parameters correspond to the values determined by the Rulebook on the health safety of drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of ripening and preservation containers on the physico-chemical, microbiological, and textural characteristics, and volatile profile of white cheese. White cheeses were manufactured on an industrial scale using large-capacity stainless steel tanks (SST) of 500 kg, and the respective control samples in tin containers (TC) of 17 kg. No significant differences (p > 0.05) in fat in dry matter and total protein content were observed at 60 days of ripening between the TC and SST cheeses. After 60 days, of ripening, the moisture of the cheeses in SST and TC did not show significant statistical differences (p > 0.05). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between the TC and SST cheeses in the mineral concentration (Ca, Mg, K, and Na) and textural characteristics. Similar results of pH and bacterial counts, as well as absence of yeasts and molds, were observed during ripening and preservation time in both groups of cheeses. Furthermore, proteolysis was not affected statistically significantly (p > 0.05). A moderately increased rate of ripening for the cheeses in TC was observed up to 90 days but, at 180 days, proteolysis was similar in both groups of cheeses. Regarding the SFA, MUFA, and PUFA content, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between the TC and SST cheeses. A total of 94 volatile compounds were identified in the volatile fraction of both the SST and TC cheeses. Organic acids and alcohols were the most abundant classes of volatile compounds that were identified. The flavor and texture scores in the TC and SST cheeses were similar (p > 0.05). Overall, the TC and SST cheeses did not show any significant statistical difference in any of the analyzed parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal relationship between the physico-chemical characteristics and the macrobenthic fauna community was studied in Lake Qarun, Egypt. Lake Qarun receives a huge amount of agricultural drainage water from the neighboring cultivated land via El-Batts and El-Wadi drains. Generally, the obtained results have shown a decrease in dissolved oxygen, transparency and increase in COD, NO3– and NH3 at the stations in front of El-Batts and El-Wadi drains due to the continuous pollutants discharged into the Lake's water. The WQI revealed that the water quality of Lake Qarun is poor for aquatic life. The macrobenthic community consisted of sixteen species belonging to three phyla, Mollusca (7 species) that was dominated by Cerastoderma glaucum, Annelida (4 species) that was dominated by Limnodrillus spp. and Arthropoda (5 species) that was dominated by Balanus pallidus. The structure and abundance of macrobenthic species were affected by many factors especially pollution from the drainage water contaminated with sewages, which affected all living organisms in the Lake. The WQI values of Lake Qarun ranged from 32.30 to 38.40 (poor class) and the average value in the whole area was 35.89 ± 1.64 that is ranked as poor for the aquatic life utilization. To avoid this undesirable effect, the pollutants that flow into the Lake must be treated before being discharged.

BACKGROUND: Despite their high potential, Tunisian virgin olive oils (VOOs) are mainly exported in bulk or blended with VOOs of other origin, hindering their international market placement. To face this situation, their valorization is needed by highlighting their unique features and by developing tools to guarantee their geographical authenticity. Compositional features of Chemlali VOOs produced in three Tunisian regions were assessed to identify suitable authenticity markers. RESULTS: Quality indices ensured the quality of the VOOs studied. Volatile compounds, total phenols, fatty acid (FA) and chlorophylls are significantly influenced by the region of origin, which was justified by the differences found in soil and climatic conditions of the three geographical regions. To explore the capabilities of these markers for the geographical authentication of Tunisian Chemlali VOOs, classification models based on partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) were developed by grouping the minimum number of variables allowing the highest discrimination power, minimizing in this way the analytical procedure. The PLS‐DA authentication model based on combining volatile compounds with FA or with total phenols achieved a correct classification of 95.7% of the VOOs according to their origin, as assessed by 10%‐out cross‐validation. Sidi Bouzid Chemlali VOOs achieved 100% of correct classification, while the misclassification between Sfax and Enfidha ones did not exceed 10%. CONCLUSIONS: These results allowed to establish the most promising and affordable combination of markers for the geographical authentication of Tunisian Chemlali VOOs from distinct production regions and provide the basis to further develop authentication models based on wider datasets. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is as follows: (I) determination of physical and chemical characteristics of the wine; (II) determination of the possibility of neutralizing and improving the characteristics of oxidized wines. Two types of wine (red and white) of the individual manufacturer from at south from river Ibar in the territory of Kosovo and Metohia were analyzed. Experimentally determined physico-chemical characteristics are density and quantity of the following: alcohol; extract; reducing sugars; ash; total acids; volatile acids; total; and free sulfur dioxide. Neutralization of oxidized wines (reduction of quantity of volatile acids) was carried out using chemical reagents (sodium hydrogen carbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide) and biological material (corn flour). By using sodium hydrogen carbonate to neutralize oxidized wines, the amount of volatile acids is reduced by 57% in red wine and 54.6% in white. By using corn flour, the content of volatile acids in red wine is reduced by 56% and in white by 54%, which is confirmed by the traditional experience of application of corn pistes during distillation. The methods of classical analytical chemistry were used to perform the experimental part of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flooding occurs when water is in excess and can no longer be evacuated normally. The nature of the soil has been identified as one of the major causes of flooding; hence, this study aimed is to show the influence of the physico-chemical properties of the soil on the recurrence of flooding in the Mbo plain. Four soil profiles were carried out on the alluviums according to the altitudes. These profiles were described, and undisturbed soil samples were taken. Then, measurements of the infiltration rate of water in the soil by the Porchet method were taken in sixteen sites. Finally, soil samples taken by auger and core sampling were studied in the laboratory. Physico-chemical parameters such as grain size, porosity, moisture, pH, compactness and organic matter were determined. Infiltration tests carried out in situ using the Porchet method revealed a hydraulic conductivity between 10–5 and 10–7 m/s, characteristic of a semi-permeable soil. This low value of permeability results from the morpho-structural arrangement and the chemical composition of the soils of the plain. These soils are hydromorphic, which means that they are constantly flooded and temporarily waterlogged. They are more or less sandy-clay on the surface, and very clayey at depth, generally from 25 cm. The very clayey soils at the base considerably slow down infiltration and act as a real barrier layer that prevents water from infiltrating, resulting to intense runoff. These soils are very porous and compact with a fairly high water content of up to 71%. This work allows us to conclude on the role of intrinsic soil properties on the genesis of floods in lowland areas. As in many plains in Africa and in the world, the nature of the soil in the Mbo plain is a natural predisposing factor to flood risks. The methods used can be applied in areas with the same characteristics as the Mbo plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water quality and phytoplankton diversity of the Okamini Stream, Port Harcourt, Nigeria was studied between April and June 2018 at three stations. The data was used to assess the health of the system for supporting local communities. Compared to national and international standards, the stream was found to be acidic, but pH levels (5.87 ± 0.40) were similar to other systems in the New Calabar River catchment. Analysis of variance showed that there was no significant variation (p < 0.05) in water quality between the stations, with the exception of PO4 (0.82 ± 0.40 mg l-1), which was significantly higher than other local systems. A total of 26 species of plankton were recorded during the study. These species belonged to the Bacillariophyceae (n = 10), Chlorophyceae (n = 6), Cyanophyceae (n = 5), Euglenoidea (n = 3), and Chrysophyceae (n = 2), but phytoplankton density was low. The most frequently occurring phytoplankton species were indicators of organic pollution, such as Cyclotella comta, while Melosira varians was recorded at all sampling occasions. Relatively high diversity indices indicated a stable environment. We conclude that the Okamini Stream is not yet degraded, but that the water quality should be monitored, and anthropogenic activities managed to avoid potential future deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'Signuredda' bean is a local genotype of pulse with particular technological characteristics, cultivated in Sicily, Italy. This paper presents the results of a study to evaluate the effects of partial substitutions of durum wheat semolina with 5%, 7.5%, and 10% of bean flour to prepare durum wheat functional breads. The physico-chemical properties and the technological quality of flours, doughs, and breads were investigated, as well as their storage process up to six days after baking. With the addition of bean flour, the proteins increased, as did the brown index, while the yellow index decreased. The water absorption and dough stability according to the farinograph increased from 1.45 in FBS 7.5%, to 1.65 in FBS 10%, for both 2020 and 2021, and from 5% to 10% supplementation for water absorption. Dough stability increased from 4.30 in FBS 5%-2021 to 4.75 in FBS 10%-2021. According to the mixograph, the mixing time also increased. The absorption of water and oil, as well as the leavening capacity, were also examined, and results highlighted an increase in the amount of water absorbed and a greater fermentation capacity. The greatest oil uptake was shown with bean flour at 10% supplementation (3.40%), while all bean flour mixes showed a water absorption of approximately 1.70%. The fermentation test showed the addition of 10% bean flour significantly increased the fermentative capacity of the dough. The color of the crumb was darker, while the crust became lighter. During the staling process, compared with the control sample, loaves with greater moisture and volume, and better internal porosity were obtained. Moreover, the loaves were extremely soft at T0 (8.0 versus 12.0 N of the control). In conclusion, the results showed an interesting potential of 'Signuredda' bean flour as a bread-making ingredient to obtain softer breads, which are better able to resist becoming stale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of dried tomato pomace and the viscoelastic behavior of suspensions obtained by the rehydration of dry, grinded tomato pomace and sieved with a particle size < 120 µm. Investigated systems comprised of three different dry tomato pomace powder (TP) concentrations (15, 20 and 25%) heat-treated at two temperatures (60 °C and 95 °C) corresponding to the "cold-break" and "hot-break", during 30 min. The dynamic rheological properties and color parameters of the suspensions formulated were evaluated. The water activity, water absorption index, water retention capacity, pectin content and color parameters assessed revealed good properties of the dry tomato pomace powder (TP) to develop new products. Tomato pomace suspensions with different concentrations processed at different temperatures caused significant changes in rheological behavior. The viscoelastic properties of the TP suspension showed a much stiffer structure at 25% TP, processed at 90 °C. Instrumental color parameters a* and b* increased, while lightness (L*) decreased with concentration and temperature increase. These results could be useful to select the adequate concentration of TP to achieve a desired consistency of the product during processing with positive effects on quality parameters of the finite product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regular monitoring of the chemical status of water bodies remains crucial in countries where data on chemical fingerprints that can assist in environmental policy is still limited. The current study focused on the concentrations of 14 metals and their sources in two important South African rivers that pass through various rural areas and two semi-urban towns in the province of the Eastern Cape. Most of the essential metals were within the South African guidelines for domestic water use except for selenium and iron which reached the concentrations of 131 and 712 µg L−1 that exceed the guideline values of 20 and 200 µg L−1, respectively. Cadmium and lead were above the South African Water Quality Guidelines and World Health Organization limits of 3 and 10 µg L−1, attaining the highest concentrations of 35 and 34 µg L−1, respectively. The impact of the wastewater treatment plant effluent and the municipal dumpsite leachates on metal ion concentrations in the rivers was observed for some metals. The metals source was related to deterioration of galvanized corrugated steel sheets from scrap yards and dwellings made-out of galvanized corrugated sheets, as well as agricultural activities and natural geological processes. An overview of the current water quality status of the two rivers may serve as a basis for sink-oriented pollutant fingerprinting toward sustainable water sources for communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Macaroni is a common side dish or main dish that is served with sauces. Traditional macaroni is typically made using flour, water and eggs and is typically yellow in color. It has a high amount of starch and is deficient in fiber, minerals, vitamins and bioactive components. Material and methods. The effects of Gac aril (3, 5, 7 and 9%) and xanthan gum (1, 1.5 and 2%) on the quality characteristics of macaroni were investigated. Macaroni was evaluated for cooking quality (cooking loss, volume increase, rehydration ratio), colour, chemical (β-carotene and lycopene) and structure/microstructure to assess the impact of experimental factors. Results. The proximate composition of Gac aril was analysed and showed that Gac aril added to macaroni recipes is a food ingredient capable of enhancing bioactive compounds (β-carotene and lycopene). Studies on the combined effects of the addition of Gac aril and xanthan gum have shown that macaroni with 7% gac and 1.5% xanthan gum used resulted in a beautifully colored macaroni product (before and after cooking), good structure, high β-carotene and lycopene content (15.26 μg/g and 61.26 μg/g, respectively). The cooking quality of the macaroni was thoroughly analyzed. The rehydration rate and volume both increased with the addition of Gac aril and the xanthan gum content increased. However, the cooking loss was shown to be slightly different. The cooking loss increased as the content of Gac aril supplement was increased, while the added xanthan gum reduced the cooking loss. Conclusion. The effects of macaroni enrichment with gac and the use of xanthan gum on product quality were noted. The physicochemical components, bioactive compounds, firmness, microstructure and cooking quality of the analyzed products emphasized the role of the ingredients used in the results obtained. The microstructure of the product has also been improved and ensures the desired product quality attributes. Further studies are needed in order to be applied at an industrial scale and with high consumer acceptance of this new product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveying, mapping, and characterizing soil properties are the critical steps in designating soil quality. Continuous use of inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, wastewater discharge, and leachates cause soil degradation and contamination of potable water and food ultimately leading to soil pollution and ill effects on human health. This study was undertaken to monitor the soil quality of agricultural soil samples collected from ten different agricultural fields in Ludhiana, Punjab (India), near Buddha Nullah, a Sutlej River tributary. Physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metal contents of soil samples were estimated during the study. The obtained results showed that all the agricultural soil samples were slightly alkaline in nature. Soil nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, and potassium ranged from 0.06 to 0.11 mg/g, 0.03 to 0.08 mg/g, and 0.04 to 0.15 mg/g respectively. The contents (mg/kg) of heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, and lead were observed to be above the permissible limits in most of the soil samples. Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay was used for genotoxicity studies which has shown that Hambran (HBN), a site approx. 12.9 km of the Buddha Nullah, induced maximum genotoxic effects, i.e., 46.7% aberrant cells in root tip cells of Allium cepa. The statistical analysis revealed the positive correlation of heavy metals like Cr, Cu, and Ni (at p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.01) with the total chromosomal aberrations induced in Allium cepa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of Euglenophyceae diversity and density is very important to get current knowledge about the status of the aquatic environment because Euglenophyceae communities are abundantly found in organically polluted water bodies. In the present study, some new Phacus species (Euglenophyta), were recorded for the first time in the Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, and they were described based on their morphological features. In addition, some physico-chemical parameters were analysed such as, water temperature, рН, salinity, total dissolved solids, and dissolved oxygen during the study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive oil sector witnesses an important growth due to the health benefits related to the product. However, olive oil producing countries suffer from the considerable amount of wastewater generated at the end of the process. Olive oil wastewater is a powerful pollutant. The nature of this effluent is highly variable due to various factors that should be taken into consideration. Generally, the nature of this wastewater is oily and contains a high organic load and low biodegradability due to the high content of phenols. Currently, it is discarded in the majority of countries, especially with the absence of uniform legislation for its treatment and reuse. Thus, olive mill wastewater represents a severe environmental pollution problem. Various studies suggested different types of treatment to deal with olive mill wastewater. However a low-cost and effective treatment remains a challenge on the practical part. This review aims to highlight the olive oil production with a special interest in the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of all the types of olive liquid waste, from olive washing wastewater and olive mill wastewater. In addition, the variability in olive wastewater composition based on various factors has been explored. Finally, different treatments techniques tested and applied on olive liquid waste were documented. This work will allow researchers to easily understand the variability of olive liquid waste's characteristics and factors to study when dealing with this effluent. Moreover, it will help researchers for a better knowledge related to olive liquid waste treatments and challenges faced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal relationship between the physico-chemical characteristics and the macrobenthic fauna community was studied in Lake Qarun, Egypt. Lake Qarun receives a huge amount of agricultural drainage water from the neighboring cultivated land via El-Batts and El-Wadi drains. Generally, the obtained results have shown a decrease in dissolved oxygen, transparency and increase in COD, NO 3 – and NH 3 at the stations in front of El-Batts and El-Wadi drains due to the continuous pollutants discharged into the Lake's water. The WQI revealed that the water quality of Lake Qarun is poor for aquatic life. The macrobenthic community consisted of sixteen species belonging to three phyla, Mollusca (7 species) that was dominated by Cerastoderma glaucum , Annelida (4 species) that was dominated by Limnodrillus spp. and Arthropoda (5 species) that was dominated by Balanus pallidus. The structure and abundance of macrobenthic species were affected by many factors especially pollution from the drainage water contaminated with sewages, which affected all living organisms in the Lake. The WQI values of Lake Qarun ranged from 32.30 to 38.40 (poor class) and the average value in the whole area was 35.89 ± 1.64 that is ranked as poor for the aquatic life utilization. To avoid this undesirable effect, the pollutants that flow into the Lake must be treated before being discharged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-use change from the forest to others will affect the soil’s physicochemical properties. The research was conducted to identify soil physicochemical properties affected by land-use change in Sungai Batang, the east-south part of Maninjau caldera. The research used a survey method from which soil was sampled at four different types of land use (forest, bushland, mixed garden, and paddy soil) at 0-30 cm depth with three replicates. The results show that the soil in Sungai Batang was still developing. It was indicated by coarse soil texture (clay loam to sandy clay loam). Land-use change from the forest to other uses has altered some soil physicochemical properties. It increased soil bulk density and decreased total soil porosity, permeability rate, SOM content, and total-N. However, there was an increase in soil characteristics, especially soil P-availability, CEC, Ca- and Na-exchangeable . While the soil pH (H2O), K-and Mg-exchangeable stayed the same. In general, land use changed from forest to other use, mostly farming land degraded physicochemical characteristics of the soil derived from volcanic materials in Sungai Batang. That was mainly due to the decrease in SOM content.

The beneficial health effects of prebiotics have been demonstrated in numerous research papers. However, their incorporation into daily food remains unfamiliar to consumers. This work evaluates the effects of the addition of resistant maltodextrin (RMD) on the sensory attributes of pasteurised orange juice, together with the physico-chemical properties and the aromatic profile. RMD addition increased the sweetness and decreased the acidity and bitterness, resulting in a higher overall panellists’ rating of orange juice. It also proportionally increased °Brix together with density and decreased acidity. Colour changes were registered with higher RMD concentrations. Orange pulp presence affected the volume particle size distribution analysis, while RMD addition did not have any effect. The aroma volatile compounds were also analysed. Pulp-added samples showed a higher quantity of alcohol and aldehydes, whereas pulp-free samples registered higher terpene and terpenoid values. Ketones and acids were also quantified. RMD had a moderate impact on volatile compound quantifications, with the orange pulp presence playing a much more decisive role. A correspondence analysis was also performed to relate instrumental and sensory determinations for all samples. This work proves that the addition of RMD to orange juice is technologically feasible while also achieving a good response at the sensory level.

The enhanced environmental concerns, increasing energy demand, and dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels explore the need for sustainable and renewable substitute fuels. Biodiesel is one of the best alternatives. Also, the used cooking oils available in every part of the world are very harmful and a significant pollutant source. The present work focuses on a simple and userfriendly approach for converting waste cooking oil into biodiesel and further characterization of this synthesised biodiesel. For this, waste cooking oil has been procured from the college (BIT Sindri) canteen to synthesise biodiesel. Different fuel blends were prepared using diesel and kerosene oil. To characterise fuels and blends, physico-chemical properties were measured and compared with those of diesel fuel. Spectroscopy studies of fuel samples were performed using FTIR and GCMS, which are helpful to identify the different functional groups and compounds present in the fuel samples. FTIR interpretation of biodiesel and their blends shows that all the oil samples have some joint functional group as diesel to be used as a fuel on a diesel engine. The GCMS interpretation of synthesised biodiesel shows its highest percentage of fatty acids and methyl ester. It indicates that waste cooking oil has excellent potential for producing biodiesel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are gaining popularity as potential substitutes for conventional antibiotics and bio-preservatives in response to an increase in antimicrobial resistance cases. However, their poor pharmacokinetic profiles limit their applicability. This study using ADMETlab, OECD QSAR toolbox, and VEGA HUB virtual environments profiled 82 peptide sequences of seven bee antimicrobial peptides (BAMPs: abaecin, apamin, apisimin, apidaecin, defensin, hymenoptaecin, and melittin) using 81 descriptors combining physicochemical, medicinal chemistry, ADMET, and toxicophore criteria. BAMPs adhere to key drug-like physicochemical features and drug-ability regulations set forth by pharmaceutical giants, including Lipinski, Pfizer, and GlaxoSmithKline. BAMPs have been predicted to demonstrate favorable cell permeability, high water solubility, oral bioavailability, no blood-brain barrier penetration, oral and intestinal absorption, excretion, and a high therapeutic index. They function as non-substrates of p-glycoprotein and do not alter the pharmacokinetic effects of P-gp substrates. None of BAMPs were found to inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes, indicating their potential to promote drug clearance and metabolism. BAMPs are safe from adverse reactions, free of respiratory toxicity, hERG blockers, hepatotoxicity, sensitizers, carcinogens, and mutagens. They are non-corrosive, non-irritating to the eyes, non-bioaccumulative, non-ecotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, low toxic with no toxicophore or PAINS alerts recorded. They are non-toxic to various receptors, including gonadal and stress receptors, PPAR-γ, mitochondrial membrane receptor, heat shock element, and p53. Seven BAMPs have been tested for their drug-like properties, supporting their potential as potential leads for the pharmaceutical and food industries as antimicrobial agents and bio-preservatives. Future studies should optimize bee peptide expression in biological systems.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the characteristics, moisture contents, chemical fingerprints changes and aflatoxins accumulation of Atractylodis rhizoma during storage, further to determine the optimum temperature and relative humidity conditions. Based on the suitable temperature (20–40 °C) and relative humidity (80–95%), 13 different temperature and humidity conditions were set up by the central composite design-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM) for Aspergillus flavus. After inoculation with Aspergillus flavus by artificial infection, A. rhizoma samples were stored under normal conditions and 13 different temperature and relative humidity levels. By taking the changes of characteristics, the contents of moisture, chemical fingerprints and aflatoxins as the evaluation indexes for A. rhizoma with or without Aspergillus flavus fungi to optimize the optimal storage conditions. After storage for 10 days, the color of A. rhizoma was deepened, the water content and chemical composition increased, and some unknown components were detected. The susceptible condition for aflatoxins production in A. rhizoma was identified at temperature 22–37 °C and relative humidity over 87.5%. Thus, the suitable storage conditions for A. rhizoma should be controlled at temperature below 20 °C and relative humidity less than 85%. This paper screened out the optimum temperature and humidity for the storage of A. rhizoma. Then, the storage specification for A. rhizoma was proposed, lying technical and data support for the scientific preservation of other food or herbs.