Decolorization efficiency of Funalia trogii under static condition: Effect of C: N ratios

Effects of physical conditions (pH and temperature), carbon and nitrogen source on decolorization of Reactive black 5 (RB5) by Funalia trogii were investigated under the static condition. Optimization of temperature and pH were also examined. Moreover, two different carbon sources (sucrose and starch), four different nitrogen sources and also four different C:N ratios (0.9, 3.0, 6.0, 18.0) were studied. Decolorization was expressed by mg dye / g dry mycelium weight. Optimal pH and temperature were found to be 4.78 and 30ºC, respectively. Decolorization efficiency increased with decreasing C:N ratio in starch-NH4H2PO4, starch-urea, sucrose-NH4H2PO4 and sucrose-urea containing media. Maximum decolorization was found as 9.61 and 7.77 mg dye/g dry mycelium weight in media containing no extra carbon and nitrogen sources. Kinetic studies were also carried out. The Lineweaver-Burk plot gave a Km of 406.66 mg/L and Vmax of 196.07 mg/L day for the diazo dye Reactive Black 5 decolorization by F. trogii under static condition.Key words: Funalia trogii, decolorization, reactive black 5, static condition

A comparative study of heavy metal accumulation and antioxidant responses in Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaves in polluted and non-polluted areas

The purpose of this study was to explore a possible relationship between the availability of metals in soil (Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) and their concentrations in leaves of Vaccinium myrtillus L. as a species which has been reported to be a successful colonist of acid-and-heavy metal-contaminated soil. Analysis also concerned the antioxidant response of plants from three heavily polluted (immediate vicinity of: zinc smelter, iron smelter and power plant) and three relatively clean sites (nature reserve, ecological site and unprotected natural forest community) in southern Poland. The contents of glutathione, non-protein thiols, protein, proline and activity of guaiacol peroxidase in leaves of bilberry were measured. Generally, the concentrations of metals in the HNO(3) and CaCl(2) extracants of the soil from the polluted sites were higher. Moreover, the antioxidant responses were also elevated in bilberries in the polluted sites. Significant positive relationships between Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in soil and in the plants were found. In the leaves of V. myrtillus from the polluted sites, higher concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn were noted (In Miasteczko Śląskie respectively 6.26, 157.09 and 207.17 mg kg(−1) d.w.). We found a positive correlation between the increase in the NPTs and protein contents as well as the Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in V. myrtillus. Cd, Pb and Zn also decreased guaiacol peroxidase activity. However, the activity of this enzyme increased under Fe. A decreasing trend in glutathione contents was observed with increasing iron and manganese concentrations in bilberry leaves. Parameters such as protein, non-protein –SH groups and changes in GPX activity seem to be universal, sensitive and correlated well with heavy metal stress