Solvent extraction of sodium chloride from codfish (Gadus morhua) salting processing wastewater

Codfish is worldwide mostly consumed salt-cured due to the highly appreciated sensory characteristics promoted by salt. During the salting process huge amounts of salted wastewater are generated – approximately 22% w/w of the codfish – carrying ca. 250 g/L of sodium chloride and ca. 10 g/L of organic compounds, namely proteins and free amino acids. In this study, the salt load of wastewater generated during the salting process of codfish (Gadus morhua) was successfully reduced by ethanol extraction. The effects of time, sample:ethanol ratio, pH and temperature on salt extraction by ethanol addition were assessed by a onevariable-at-a-time approach and then by performing a 32 fractional factorial design. The effects of pH were also assessed in absence of ethanol. The maximum amount of salt precipitated in the wastewater was ca. 33%, at a wastewater-ethanol ratio 1:1 (v/v), at a temperature of 0 °C and after 30 min. Proteins and free amino acids present in the wastewater significantly limited salt precipitation; in a blank solution (salt in water at ca. 250 g/L) a higher amount of salt, ca. 37%, was precipitated in the same conditions. Ethanol and temperature showed a linear effect on salt precipitation for both wastewater and blank solution however ethanol was the driving factor. Changes in pH did not result in salt precipitation either in absence or presence of ethanol. During salt extraction, no precipitation of free amino acids occurred in the wastewater while ca. 1.4% of protein fell into the precipitated phase along with the salt

Isolation of a Xanthobacter sp. degrading dichloromethane and characterization of the gene involved in the degradation

A bacterial strain able to degrade dichloromethane (DCM) as the sole carbon source was isolated from a wastewater treatment plant receiving domestic and pharmaceutical effluent. 16S rDNA studies revealed the strain to be a Xanthobacter sp. (strain TM1). The new isolated strain when grown aerobically on DCM showed Luong type growth kinetics, with lmax of 0.094 h-1 and Sm of 1,435 mg l-1. Strain TM1 was able to degrade other aromatic and aliphatic halogenated compounds, such as halobenzoates, 2-chloroethanol and dichloroethane. The gene for DCM dehalogenase, which is the key enzyme in DCM degradation, was amplified through PCR reactions. Strain TM1 contains type A DCM dehalogenase (dcmAa), while no product could be obtained for type B dehalogense (dcmAb). The sequence was compared against 12 dcmAa from other DCM degrading strains and 98% or 99% similarity was observed with all other previously isolated DCM dehalogenase genes. This is the first time a Xanthobacter sp. is reported to degrade DCM.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Valorisation of natural extracts from marine source focused on marine by-products: A review

The wide chemical and biological diversity observed in the marine environment makes the ocean an extraordinary source of high added value compounds (HAVC) which can be employed in many applications. Minerals, lipids, amino acids, polysaccharides and proteins from marine sources have unique features and, surprisingly, their highest concentration is often found in parts of marine organisms that are commonly discarded. Fish heads, viscera, skin, tails, offal and blood, as well as seafood shells possess several HAVC suitable for human health applications, yet most end up as residues throughout the raw material processing. This review updates information on this issue and conveys critical analysis of the chief methodologies to carry out extraction, purification and eventual transformation, with a focus on their actual and potential applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterisation of soluble nitrogen and muscle proteins in wastewater throughout the salting process of Codfish (Gadus morhua)

In Portugal, Atlantic codfish (Gadus morhua) is usually consumed after dry salting; this process is carried out by mixing deboned codfish with food–grade marine salt followed by stacking in a tank for 6 days. Along the salting process, codfish incorporates salt as well as it is partially dried by the release of water - up to 22 % (w/w). Currently, this wastewater is treated as a residue not being further valorized. However, the presence of a significant amount of valuable compounds in this rest, such as amino acids and proteins, may allow for valorization opportunities not yet explored. The present work focuses on the identification of the nitrogen-containing compounds present in such wastewater. Total nitrogen (WSN), trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen (TCASN) and phosphotungstic acid-soluble nitrogen (PTASN) were evaluated by the micro-Kjeldahl method; Biuret method was used for total protein determinations and SDS-Page was performed for protein molecular weight screening. The results revealed an increase of WSN, TCASN and PTASN with time, with corresponding values of 3.17 g/L (WSN), 1.62 g/L (TCASN) and 1.16 g/L (PTASN) by the end of the process; the evolution of WSN versus the released water was approximately constant during the salting process, as well as the ratios of TCASN/WSN and PTASN/WSN with values of 51.25 and 36.55 % (w/w) at equilibrium, respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Highly Energetic Expansion of SN2010bh Associated with GRB 100316D

We present the spectroscopic and photometric evolution of the nearby (z = 0.059) spectroscopically confirmed type Ic supernova, SN 2010bh, associated with the soft, long-duration gamma-ray burst (X-ray flash) GRB 100316D. Intensive follow-up observations of SN 2010bh were performed at the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) using the X-shooter and FORS2 instruments. Owing to the detailed temporal coverage and the extended wavelength range (3000--24800 A), we obtained an unprecedentedly rich spectral sequence among the hypernovae, making SN 2010bh one of the best studied representatives of this SN class. We find that SN 2010bh has a more rapid rise to maximum brightness (8.0 +/- 1.0 rest-frame days) and a fainter absolute peak luminosity (L_bol~3e42 erg/s) than previously observed SN events associated with GRBs. Our estimate of the ejected (56)Ni mass is 0.12 +/- 0.02 Msun. From the broad spectral features we measure expansion velocities up to 47,000 km/s, higher than those of SNe 1998bw (GRB 980425) and 2006aj (GRB 060218). Helium absorption lines He I lambda5876 and He I 1.083 microm, blueshifted by ~20,000--30,000 km/s and ~28,000--38,000 km/s, respectively, may be present in the optical spectra. However, the lack of coverage of the He I 2.058 microm line prevents us from confirming such identifications. The nebular spectrum, taken at ~186 days after the explosion, shows a broad but faint [O I] emission at 6340 A. The light-curve shape and photospheric expansion velocities of SN 2010bh suggest that we witnessed a highly energetic explosion with a small ejected mass (E_k ~ 1e52 erg and M_ej ~ 3 Msun). The observed properties of SN 2010bh further extend the heterogeneity of the class of GRB supernovae.Comment: 37 pages and 12 figures (one-column pre-print format), accepted for publication in Ap

Association of Accelerometry-Measured Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Events in Mobility-Limited Older Adults: The LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) Study.

BACKGROUND:Data are sparse regarding the value of physical activity (PA) surveillance among older adults-particularly among those with mobility limitations. The objective of this study was to examine longitudinal associations between objectively measured daily PA and the incidence of cardiovascular events among older adults in the LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) study. METHODS AND RESULTS:Cardiovascular events were adjudicated based on medical records review, and cardiovascular risk factors were controlled for in the analysis. Home-based activity data were collected by hip-worn accelerometers at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months postrandomization to either a physical activity or health education intervention. LIFE study participants (n=1590; age 78.9±5.2 [SD] years; 67.2% women) at baseline had an 11% lower incidence of experiencing a subsequent cardiovascular event per 500 steps taken per day based on activity data (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.96; P=0.001). At baseline, every 30 minutes spent performing activities ≥500 counts per minute (hazard ratio, 0.75; confidence interval, 0.65-0.89 [P=0.001]) were also associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular events. Throughout follow-up (6, 12, and 24 months), both the number of steps per day (per 500 steps; hazard ratio, 0.90, confidence interval, 0.85-0.96 [P=0.001]) and duration of activity ≥500 counts per minute (per 30 minutes; hazard ratio, 0.76; confidence interval, 0.63-0.90 [P=0.002]) were significantly associated with lower cardiovascular event rates. CONCLUSIONS:Objective measurements of physical activity via accelerometry were associated with cardiovascular events among older adults with limited mobility (summary score >10 on the Short Physical Performance Battery) both using baseline and longitudinal data. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01072500

The role of the prostate cancer gene 3 urine test in addition to serum prostate-specific antigen level in prostate cancer screening among breast cancer, early-onset gene mutation carriers

Objective: To evaluate the additive value of the prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) urine test to serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in prostate cancer (PC) screening among breast cancer, early-onset gene (BRCA) mutation carriers. This study was performed among the Dutch participants of IMPACT, a large international study on the effectiveness of PSA screening among BRCA mutation carriers. Materials and methods: Urinary PCA3 was measured in 191 BRCA1 mutation carriers, 75 BRCA2 mutation carriers, and 308 noncarriers. The physicians and participants were blinded for the results. Serum PSA level≥3.0. ng/ml was used to indicate prostate biopsies. PCA3 was evaluated (1) as an independent indicator for prostate biopsies and (2) as an indicator for prostate biopsies among men with an elevated