Effect of Milling and Parboiling Processes on Arsenic Species Distribution in Rice Grains

This study identified the role of milling and parboiling on arsenic (As) content and its species in large numbers of rice samples. Total As contents were 108 \ub1 33 \u3bcg/kg in polished rice grains (PR), 159 \ub1 46 \u3bcg/kg in unpolished rice grains (UR), 145 \ub1 42 \u3bcg/kg in parboiled polished rice grains (PPR) and 145 \ub1 44 \u3bcg/kg in parboiled unpolished rice grains (PUR). The percentages of inorganic As (iAs) were 66% \ub1 8% in PR and from 72% to 77% in other grain categories. The polishing process reduced the As content in the rice grains, removing outer part of the UR with high amount of As, whereas the parboiling technique transferred the semimetal content within the grain. Total As and iAs contents were not significantly different in UR, PPR and PUR, homogenizing its distribution inside the grains. The results allowed to understand how different operations affect As fate and its chemical forms in grains

In vitro evaluation of the inhibitory activity of different selenium chemical forms on the growth of a fusarium proliferatum strain isolated from rice seedlings

In this study, the in vitro effects of different Se concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 100 mg kg−1) from different Se forms (sodium selenite, sodium selenate, selenomethionine, and selenocystine) on the development of a Fusarium proliferatum strain isolated from rice were investigated. A concentration‐dependent effect was detected. Se reduced fungal growth starting from 10 mg kg−1 and increasing the concentration (15, 20, and 100 mg kg−1 ) enhanced the inhibitory effect. Se bioactivity was also chemical form dependent. Selenocystine was found to be the most effective at the lowest concentration (5 mg kg−1 ). Complete growth inhibition was observed at 20 mg kg−1 of Se from selenite, selenomethionine, and selenocystine. Se speciation analysis revealed that fungus was able to change the Se speciation when the lowest Se concentration was applied. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed an alteration of the fungal morphology induced by Se. Considering that the inorganic forms have a higher solubility in water and are cheaper than organic forms, 20 mg kg−1 of Se from selenite can be suggested as the best combination suitable to inhibit F. proliferatum strain. The addition of low concentrations of Se from selenite to conventional fungicides may be a promising alternative approach for the control of Fusarium species

Agronomical valorization of eluates from the industrial production of microorganisms: Chemical, microbiological, and ecotoxicological assessment of a novel putative biostimulant

Plant Biostimulants (BSs) are a valid supplement to be considered for the integration of conventional fertilization practices. Research in the BS field keeps providing alternative products of various origin, which can be employed in organic and conventional agriculture. In this study, we investigated the biostimulant activity of the eluate obtained as a by-product from the industrial production of lactic acid bacteria on bare agricultural soil. Eluates utilization is in line with the circular economy principle, creating economical value for an industrial waste product. The research focused on the study of physical, chemical, biochemical, and microbiological changes occurring in agricultural soil treated with the biowaste eluate, applied at three different dosages. The final aim was to demonstrate if, and to what extent, the application of the eluate improved soil quality parameters and enhanced the presence of beneficial soil-borne microbial communities. Results indicate that a single application at the two lower dosages does not have a pronounced effect on the soil chemical parameters tested, and neither on the biochemical proprieties. Only the higher dosage applied reported an improvement in the enzymatic activities of β-glucosidase and urease and in the chemical composition, showing a higher content of total, nitric and ammonia N, total K, and higher humification rate. On the other hand, microbial communities were strongly influenced at all dosages, showing a decrease in the bacterial biodiversity and an increase in the fungal biodiversity. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that some Operative Taxonomic Units (OTUs) promoted by the eluate application, belong to known plant growth promoting microbes. Some other OTUs, negatively influenced were attributed to known plant pathogens, mainly Fusarium spp. Finally, the ecotoxicological parameters were also determined and allowed to establish that no toxic effect occurred upon eluate applications onto soil

La problematica dell'amianto e dei rifiuti contenenti amianto

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Trattamento e smaltimento dei rifiuti solidi urbani pericolosi

SIGLEITItal

Metal Concentrations in Unio pictorum mancus (Mollusca, Lamellibranchia) from 12 Northern Italian Lakes in Relation to their Trophic Level.

Abstract not availableJRC.H-Institute for environment and sustainability (Ispra

Effects of chromium yeast supplementation on growth performances and meat quality in rabbits

The aim of the trial was to estimate the effect of dietary Cr-yeast addition to growing rabbit diet on growth performance, meat composition, muscle fatty acid profile and Cr content of meat and edible organs. Ninety-six male rabbits were weaned at 35 days and divided into 4 groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4) of 24 each. The animals were fed ad libitum for the whole trial (44 days) with pelletted diets differing in the presence of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), grown or not on Cr-enriched medium. The control diet (T1) did not contain yeast, the T2 diet was supplemented with non-enriched yeast, while the T3 and T4 diets were supplemented with Cr(III)-enriched yeast to increase the concentration of Cr by 0.400 mg/kg and 0.800 mg/kg, respectively. Control diet (T1) contained 0.830 mg/kg Cr due to the presence of the trace element in raw materials. The dietary treatment did not affect either the mortality, or the growing and slaughtering performance, or the incidence of kidneys, scapular and perirenal fat on carcass weight. A reduction in the liver incidence on the carcass was observed in the T3 group compared to the T4 (4.36% vs 5.67%; P<0.01). Hind leg proportion on carcass weight and its muscle to bone ratio, as well as chemical, physical and organoleptic characteristics of meat did not differ among groups. The presence of Cr(III) in the feed did not alter the fatty acid profile of muscular fat or the chemical composition, pH and colour of the meat. The Cr concentration in meat and edible organs (liver and kidneys) was not affected by treatment. In conclusion, Cr-yeast supplementation had no positive effects on the rabbit growth performance and carcass and meat quality and did not increase the Cr(III) content of meat for human consumption.[...

La bonifica di aree contaminate

SIGLEITItal