Differential allelopathic expression of different plant parts of Achillea biebersteinii

Achillea biebersteinii (Asteraceae) is a perennial medicinal plant and has a wide distributional range in the Mediterranean region. The present study investigated the inhibitory effects of different plant parts of A. biebersteinii on germination characteristics and seedling growth of wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum). Water extracts were prepared by incubating separately five grams of dried powder of roots, stems, leaves and flowers of A. biebersteinii in 100 ml of distilled water for 24 h and distilled water was used as the control. The water extracts from different plant parts of A. biebersteinii differed in their effects on the germination and seedling growth of wild barley. Water extracts prepared from leaves and flowers were more suppressive to germination of wild barley than root and stem extracts. The maximum inhibition in radical and plumule growth of germinating caryopses and in root and shoot growth of greenhouse-grown wild barley was recorded for leaf extract followed by flower extract. The lowest Chl a, Chl b and total chlorophyll and protein contents were resulted after exposure to leaf extracts. According to these results, the inhibitory effects of different A. biebersteinii plant parts can be arranged in the order: leaf > flower > stem > root

Novel Zinc Finger-Homeodomain Gene from Barley (HvZFHD1) is Differentially Regulated During Spike Development and under Hormonal Treatments and Abiotic Stresses

Plant zinc finger-homeodomains (ZFHDs) are transcriptional factors that play an important role in regulating plant growth and development. Several ZFHD genes were cloned and characterized in many plant species. In the present study, a full-length cDNA sequence of ZFHD gene was cloned from barley (termed as HvZFHD1) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The sequence analysis showed that the HvZFHD1 was 1477 bp in length, and contained a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 1161 bp. The deduced protein is composed of 386 amino acids, with a predicted molecular weight of 40.46 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 8.5. Multiple sequence alignment indicated that HvZFHD1 protein shared high identity with ZFHD proteins from wheat, maize, and rice. The predicted HvZFHD1 protein contained the characteristic putative zinc finger domain in the N-terminus and a DNA binding homeodomain in the C-terminus. The expression level of HvZFHD1 was investigated using qRT-PCR during spike development and in response to exogenous phytohormones and abiotic stresses. The results showed that the expression level of HvZFHD1 was fluctuated during spike development with higher expression during anthesis, medium milk, late milk, and early dough stages. The expression of barley ZFHD1 was strongly responsive to abscisic acid treatment and was up-regulated in seedlings treated with methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, and ethephone. In addition, the expression levels of HvZFHD1 were increased by dehydration, salinity, and heat stress, but not affected by cold stress. The expression patterns of HvZFHD1 suggest that it might play a role in flowering and flower development and is involved in plant responses to abiotic stresses

Examining the key determinants of the jordanian customer's adoption of genetically modified food

Genetically modified food (GMF) is one of the most debated issues in the food market. There has been considerable interest from both academic researchers and policy makers regarding the antecedents and consequences of the commercial adoption of GMF applications. Conceptually, GMF can be defined as "Genetically modified (hereafter GM) foods are produced from genetically modified seeds or ingredients derived from plants or animals whose DNA has been manipulated using genetic engineering methods" [1, p. 2861]. However, only a limited number of studies have tested the related issues of GMF products from a customer perspective. Thus, this project intends to discover and examine the main drivers and hindrances in predicting customers' intention and buying decision behaviour in developing Arabian countries (i.e., Jordan). A diffusion of innovations (DOIs) model was selected as the theoretical basis for the current study project. A field survey study was conducted to collect the requested quantitative data from a convenience sample of Jordanian customers. Statistical results largely supported the role of relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, social approval, awareness, perceived risk and price value on the behavioural intention to adopt GMF products, which in turn significantly predicted actual adoption behaviour. The results of the current project will hopefully expand the current academic understanding of the main factors that predict Jordanian customers' perception and adoption of GMF products.This research project (Project ID DSR-2020#239) was funded by Al-Balqa Applied University . We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Al-Balqa Applied University for its invaluable support and generous contribution towards our project.Scopu

Molecular characterization of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance among fecal Escherichia coli isolated from surface water of Wadi Shueib-Jordan

Objective.  Contamination of surface water with pathogenic organism is  highly dangerous for  people who used it for drinking or for domestic activities.  Detection of  Escherichia coli in water can be used as a general important indicator for fecal contamination .This study investigated the occurrence of  fecal E. coli and two important toxigenic types of  E. coli isolates and their  antimicrobial resistance in water samples collected from a surface water source ( Wadi Shueib) in Jordan .   Methods. A total of 51 water samples were collected from three different locations of wadi shueib over a three month, July through September, 2016. For each sample, 200 ml of water was collected in sterilized containers. All samples  which were positive for fecal E. coli were subcultured on Eosin methylelne blue agar and incubated at 37 ºC for 24 hours. E. coli isolates were identified by API- 20 E test , and all isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and for the presence of virulence genes of ETEC and EHEC.   Results. A total of 46 /51 (90%) of water samples were contaminated with fecal E. coli. These 46 E. coli isolates were resistant in the range  between 4%-76%  to  commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of urinary tract infection in Jordan. Multidrug resistant isolates to at least three antibiotics accounted for 17/46 (37%) of the isolates.   Out of 46 fecal E. coli isolates, 4(8.7%) were enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and 2 (4.3%) were enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) as detected using PCR.   Conclusion. This study indicated that the surface running water of Wadi Shueib is contaminated with potential enteropathogenic E. coli , and it can be a source of causing diarrheal diseases . Fecal E. coli isolates from water also showed high level of antibiotic resistance patterns comparable to human E. coli isolates in Jordan

Effect of Salinity on Germination and Root Growth of Jordanian Barley

The fundamental aim of this study was to investigate the growth responses of selected Jordanian cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes to the salinity stress. Twenty-six landraces and two recent cultivars were subjected to four levels of salinity (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM NaCl). The salt stress was found to influence the majority of germination ability such as germination % which ranged from about 80% to 100% (One-way ANOVA; p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, germination was statistically affected in correspondence to exposure time to salinity and in relation to genotypic composition of studied barley (two-row vs. six-row accessions) (Two-Way ANOVA; p ≤ 0.05). Early seedling growth traits were also found to decline with increasing salinity stress. Moreover, according to the growth parameters genotypes, M’ 1595, M’ 1593, Ir 1558, Ir 1631, Ir 1639, Mf 1545, and Mf 1548 were found to have better performance than others. On the other hand, the genotypes M’ 1593, M’ 1594, M’ 1595, Ir 1558, Ra 1552, Ra 1611, Mf 1616, Mf 1617, and Ma 1592 were most affected genotypes by salinity. The results of this study lead to the conclusion that the response to the salinity stress is complex, yet the comprehensive results found in this study provide a foundation for deeper exploration of diversity as well as the gene–trait relationships and their utilization in future barley improvement

Genetic Signature and Serocompatibility Evidence for Drug Resistant <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i>

Campylobacteriosis, a foodborne illness, is one of the world′s leading causes of gastrointestinal illness. This study investigates the link between human campylobacteriosis and the consumption of potentially contaminated food with Campylobacter jejuni. Three hundred sixty samples were collected from humans, chicken cloaca, raw chicken meat, unpasteurized milk, and vegetables. The chickens were obtained from licensed and non-licensed slaughterhouses, and only the necks and wings were studied. Samples were enriched under microaerobic conditions then cultured on the modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar. Bacteria was identified by staining, biochemical testing, and molecular identification by the polymerase chain reaction for the virulence genes; hipO, asp, dnaJ, cadF, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC. The genomic homogeneity of C. jejuni between human and chicken isolates was assessed by the serological Penner test and the pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Campylobacter was not detected in the vegetables and pasteurized milk, though, only twenty isolates from chickens and clinical samples were presumed to be Campylobacter based on their morphology. The biochemical tests confirmed that five isolates were C. coli, and fifteen isolates were C. jejuni including two isolates from humans, and the remaining were from chickens. The colonization of C. jejuni in chickens was significantly lower in necks (6.66%) obtained from licensed slaughterhouses compared to those obtained from non-licensed slaughterhouses (33.3%). The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that all identified C. jejuni isolates were resistant to antibiotics, and the majority of isolates (53.5%) showed resistance against six antibiotics, though, all isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and aztreonam. The Penner test showed P:21 as the dominant serotype in isolates from humans, necks, and cloaca. The serohomology of C. jejuni from human isolates and chicken necks, wings, and cloaca was 71%, 36%, 78%, respectively. The PFGE analysis of the pattern for DNA fragmentation by the restriction enzyme Smal showed a complete genotypic homology of C. jejuni human isolates and chicken necks compared to partial homology with cloacal isolates. The study brings attention to the need for effective interventions to ensure best practices for safe poultry production for commercial food chain supply to limit infection with foodborne pathogens, including Campylobacter.</i

Dry Biosolids Reuse as Costless Biodegradable Adsorbent for Cadmium Removal from Water Systems

The recycling of untreated dry biosolids, as costless biodegradable adsorbent for the removal of cadmium from aqueous phase was characterized. The adsorption of cadmium was reported to depend on initial pH, adsorbent dose, agitation time, and initial Cd concentration. The results of the batch experiments revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity of the untreated dry biosolids was 39.22 mg g-1 under optimum operating conditions (i.e. pH: 5, adsorbent dose: 2 g l-1, contact time: 16h). Adsorption reaches equilibrium after 16h, which can be attributed to both external surface adsorption (R2 = 0.86) and intraparticle dif usion (R2 = 0.98). The Langmuir isotherm model best described cadmium adsorption (R2 = 0.99) and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model was obeyed, suggesting that the mechanism involved was chemisorption. Biodegradability would make the recovery of adsorbed Cd an environmentally friendly process. Comparing the obtained findings with the related published results, it can be concluded that treating biosolids might be an unnecessary and costly procedure for recycling biosolids as an adsorbent for cadmium

Sustainable vs. Conventional Approach for Olive Oil Wastewater Management: A Review of the State of the Art

The main goal of this review is to collect and analyze the recently published research concerning the conventional and sustainable treatment processes for olive mill wastewater (OMW). In the conventional treatment processes, it is noticed that the main objective is to meet the environmental regulations for remediated wastewater without considering the economical values of its valuable constituents such as polyphenols. These substances have many important environmental values and could be used in many vital applications. Conversely, sustainable treatment processes aim to recover the valuable constituents through different processes and then treat the residual wastewater. Both approaches’ operational and design parameters were analyzed to generalize their advantages and possible applications. A valorization-treatment approach for OMW is expected to make it a sustainable resource for ingredients of high economical value that could lead to a profitable business. In addition, inclusion of a recovery process will detoxify the residual OMW, simplify its management treatment, and allow the possible reuse of the vast amounts of processed water. In a nutshell, the proposed approach led to zero waste with a closed water cycle development