Sequential effects of spent coffee grounds on soil physical properties

Spent coffee grounds are a bio-residue studied as soil organic amendment and it has been proven that it has short-term effects on soil physical properties. However, its sequential effects on the cultivation of clayey soils are little studied. Therefore, an in vitro experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of increasing doses (1%, 2%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5% and 15%) of spent coffee grounds on the physical properties of a clayey soil in the Spanish Mediterranean area which is rich in smectites. The addition of spent coffee grounds increased water retention at −33 and −1500 kPa proportionally to the added amounts, but the increase in the wilting point was much larger than the field water capacity, decreasing the plant available water content. A non-linear influence on the aggregate size is demonstrated. It increased total porosity and consequently reduced soil bulk density. This fact was reflected in the stereomicroscopy images where an increase in the pores analysed with image analysis was observed. Furthermore, SEM images corroborate that spent coffee grounds act intensely in the short-term due to the interaction between their particles and those of clay. The 5% dose acted as a threshold dose from which the greatest effects on soil physical properties occur. In general, the use of SCG as an organic amendment is a good sustainable solution because it supposes a reuse of this bio-residue (15 million tons per year), an increase in soil organic carbon (SCG contains ≈ 50% carbon) and an improvement of the soil physical and chemical properties.Andalusian Ministry of Economic Transformation, Knowledge Industry and Universitie

Seeds as Potential Sources of Phenolic Compounds and Minerals for the Indian Population

PThis study was funded by the University Grant Commission through grant No. F.181/2011(BSR)2016 under a basic science research (BSR) fellowship awarded to KSP.Seeds are major sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds for human beings. In this work, the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of 155 Indian seeds (belonging to 49 families) are reported. Moisture and ash were measured with reference protocols from AOAC; total polyphenols and flavonoids were measured with spectrophotometric methods after extraction with organic solvents, and mineral elements were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometry. Total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and mineral contents (Al, Ba, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Rb, S, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) were found to vary in the ranges 182–5000, 110–4465 and 687–7904 mg/100 g (DW), respectively. Noticeably, polyphenol contents higher than 2750 mg/100 g were observed in 18 seeds. In addition, mineral contents >5000 mg/100 g were detected in the seeds from Cuminum cyminum, Foeniculum vulgare, Commiphora wightii, Parkia javanica, Putranjiva roxburghii, Santalum album and Strychnos potatorum. Botanical and taxonomical variations in the proximate characteristics of the examined seeds are also discussed.University Grants Commission, India F.181/2011(BSR)201

Hydrochars Derived from Spent Coffee Grounds as Zn Bio-Chelates for Agronomic Biofortification

Previous studies have attributed both phytotoxicity and the capacity to mobilize nutrient elements to the presence of polyphenols and melanoidins in spent coffee grounds (SCG) and SCG-hydrochars obtained through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). This work aimed to evaluate SCG and two SCG-hydrochars obtained at 160 and 200 °C that were functionalized with Zn salts (bio-chelates), to achieve the in vitro biofortification of lettuce. Two application modes were established: (1) a fixed Zn concentration of 10 mg kg−1 of soil and (2) a fixed dose of 0.5% bio-product. Soil alone (control A) and commercial chelates (control B) were used as controls. Outcomes showed that SCG-hydrochars retain the capacity to mobilize Zn compared to SCG. However, the chelating capacity was reduced (Zn: 94%) and the toxicity was significantly increased (p < 0.05) with higher temperatures of HTC (200 °C). Both fresh and dry lettuce weights were less affected at doses of 0.5% of bio-product and registered a maximum increase of 136% of Zn in the plant content. The present study approaches the possibility of using these by-products as bioinorganic fertilizers at subtoxic doses, although more research is neededPY20_00585 from FEDER and RDPTC-2018 (AT17_6096_OTRI UGR) from the Andalusia n Ministry of Economic Transformation, Knowledge, Industry and Universities

Why Should We Be Concerned with the Use of Spent Coffee Grounds as an Organic Amendment of Soils? A Narrative Review

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are produced in massive amounts throughout the world as a bio-residue from coffee brewing. However, SCG are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, bioactive compounds and melanoidins, which are macromolecules with chelating properties. Additionally, SCG have showed potential applications in several fields such as biotechnology (bioethanol, volatile aromatic compounds, carotenoids, fungi and enzymes), energy production (combustion, pyrolysis, torrefaction, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization) and environmental sciences (composting). This review will focus on the last of these applications. SCG improve soil quality by increasing their chemical, physicochemical, physical properties and biological fertility. However, SCG inhibit plant growth at very low concentrations (1%) due to i. the stimulation of microbial growth and consequent competition for soil nitrogen between soil microorganisms and plant roots; ii. the presence of phytotoxic compounds in SCG, such as polyphenols. The SCG transformations that have proven to eliminate these compounds are vermicomposting and pyrolysis at 400 degrees C. However, it has been pointed out by some studies that these compounds are responsible for the chelating properties of SCG, which makes their elimination not recommended. The use of SCG as biochelates has also been studied, generating a residue-micronutrient mixture for the biofortification of edible plants.Andalusian Ministry of Economic Transformation, Knowledge Industry and Universities PY20_00585Plan Propio de Investigacion y Transferencia of the University of Granada under the program "Intensificacion de la Investigacion, modalidad B

Short-term effects of spent coffee grounds on the physical properties of two Mediterranean agricultural soils

We investigated the short-term effects of spent coffee grounds on the physical properties of two Mediterranean agricultural soils (Calcisol and Luvisol). The in vitro assay was performed with two spent coffee grounds doses (60 and 240 Mg ha-1), two incubation times (30 and 60 days) and two modalities: with and without lettuce seedlings (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia). Spent coffee grounds addition increased water retention at -33 and -1500 kPa, and decreased bulk density and plant-available water content. With spent coffee grounds, the percentage of macroaggregates increased, the percentage of meso- and microaggregates decreased and the structural stability of all types of aggregates increased. The stereomicroscopy images showed that: the structural aggregates were rounded, the porosity increased by 316%, the structure was ordered into smaller aggregates, the incorporation of spent coffee grounds particles could occur in intraped cracks and spent coffee grounds particles could act as a binding agent. Scanning electron microscopy also showed that spent coffee grounds particles interacted with mineral particles and integrated into soil structure; moreover, fungal hyphae also developed on many spent coffee grounds particles. If spent coffee grounds effects are compared with those described in the literature for other organic amendments, the same trend was observed in most of the soil physical properties although with a different intensity, principally with regard to structural stability.This work was supported by project AGL2014-53895-R from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and by project CGL2016-80308-P from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (2015-2018)

Seeds as potential sources of phenolic compounds and minerals for the Indian population

Seeds are major sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds for human beings. In this work, the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of 155 Indian seeds (belonging to 49 families) are reported. Moisture and ash were measured with reference protocols from AOAC; total polyphenols and flavonoids were measured with spectrophotometric methods after extraction with organic solvents, and mineral elements were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometry. Total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and mineral contents (Al, Ba, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Rb, S, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) were found to vary in the ranges 182–5000, 110–4465 and 687–7904 mg/100 g (DW), respectively. Noticeably, polyphenol contents higher than 2750 mg/100 g were observed in 18 seeds. In addition, mineral contents &gt;5000 mg/100 g were detected in the seeds from Cuminum cyminum, Foeniculum vulgare, Commiphora wightii, Parkia javanica, Putranjiva roxburghii, Santalum album and Strychnos potatorum. Botanical and taxonomical variations in the proximate characteristics of the examined seeds are also discussed

Zn Biofortification of Dutch Cucumbers with Chemically Modified Spent Coffee Grounds: Zn Enrichment and Nutritional Implications

Spent coffee grounds (SCGs) are a food waste with a large generation around the world. However, their utilization as a soil organic amendment is difficult due to their phytotoxic effect. In the present work, the impact of agronomic biofortification on Dutch cucumbers was studied by using different chemically modified SCGs, analyzing their effects on Zn content, the release of antioxidant capacity and the production of short-chain fatty acids after in vitro digestion–fermentation. The results indicated variations in the Zn content and chemical composition of cucumbers according to the treatment groups. The functionalized with Zn and activated SCGs were able to increase Zn levels in cucumbers. Meanwhile, the activated hydrochar obtained at 160 ºC and the activated and functionalized with Zn SCGs showed the highest Zn supply per serving. Differences in the antioxidant capacity and short-chain fatty acid production were observed between the groups. It is concluded that the growing conditions and the presence of Zn may significantly influence the contribution of these cucumbers to the dietary intake of nutrients and antioxidants, which could have important implications for human health and nutrition.Research project P20_00585 from the Consejería de Economía, Conocimiento, Empresas y Universidad of the Andalusia GovernmentEuropean Research Commission (Research Executive Agency) under the research project Stance4Health (Contract Nº 816303)Plan propio de Investigación y Transferencia of the University of Granada under the program “Intensificación de la Investigación, modalidad B”Unit of Excellence ‘UNETE’ from the University of Granada (reference UCE-PP2017-05

Intrusions of dust and iberulites in Granada basin (Southern Iberian Peninsula). Genesis and formation of atmospheric iberulites

Fourteen samples of deposited atmospheric dust collected during desert dust intrusions over Granada in the summer of 2010 are studied here. During these atmospheric dust events the PM10 ranged from 25 μg m−3 to 200 μg m−3, surpassing occasionally the standard limit (50 μg m−3) established by the European Union Directive as a risk for the human health. The mineralogical composition of the dust samples is very heterogeneous, showing that the origin of collected particles is from north-northwest of Africa and local/regional soils. The analyzed dust samples contain between 1 and 9% of iberulites, polymineral spherical particles with diameter between 34 and 111 μm. New compositional results obtained by mapping chemical elements and mineral compositions of iberulites with VPSEM-EDEX technology allowed as to go further than previous studies and provide new insight on the iberulites genesis. The SEM-microstructure analysis of the iberulites and the compositional results obtained by VPSEM-EDEX technique showed that clay and sulphur components are important in determining their spherical shapes. The analysis also shows that iberulites present a typical vortex at one of the poles and an external covering by nano-clays in laminar clusters, a form of rind and a core internal with sizes less than 10 μm. On the other hand, the micromorphological analysis evidences that the bacteria and its polymeric exudates participate in the iberulite genesis, acting as aggregation agents and contributing to its protection and compensating its fragility. The role of bacteria and its polymeric exudates in the iberulite genesis has not been described previously, and it would explain the flux, transport and survival of tropospheric microorganisms over long distances. These new observations and finding led us to take into account the role of bacteria in iberulite genesis and to reconsider the previous hypothesis regarding the iberulite genesis proposed in previous works

Calendari científic escolar 2024 (català)

El proyecto “Calendario Científico Escolar 2024” ha consistido en la elaboración de un calendario dirigido al alumnado de educación primaria y secundaria obligatoria. Cada día se ha recogido un aniversario científico o tecnológico como, por ejemplo, nacimientos de personas de estos ámbitos o conmemoraciones de hallazgos destacables. Además, el calendario se acompaña de una guía didáctica con orientaciones para el aprovechamiento educativo transversal del calendario en las clases, incluyendo actividades adaptadas a cada rango de edad y al alumnado con necesidades especiales. Se trata de la cuarta edición de este proyecto de divulgación científica.Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (IGM, CSIC-ULE); Delegación del CSIC en Castilla y León; Universidad de León; Casa de la Ciència de Valencia (CSIC); Cátedra de Cultura Científica de la Universidad del País Vasco/ Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU); University of California-Davis; Academia de la Llingua Asturiana; Federación Española de Esperanto; Teagasc; Universidad de Granada; Universidad de Zaragoza; Casa Árabe; CSIC Delegació a Catalunya; CCULT.org; Museo Didáctico e Interactivo de Ciencias de la Vega Baja del Segura (MUDIC VBS-CV); Universidad Miguel Hernández; Unidade de Divulgación Científica e Cultural – Universidade da Coruña; Asociación Cultural Nogará ReligadaInstituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME); Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA); Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO); Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO); Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA); Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN); Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB); Institut d’Investigació en Intel.ligéncia Artificial (IIIA); Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona - Centre Nacional de Microelectrònica (IMB-CNM); Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM, CSIC). Discapacitodos; Mujeres con Ciencia; Comisión Mujeres y Ciencia de la Sociedad Geológica de España; Asociación Española para el Avance de la Ciencia (AEAC); PRISMA – Asociación para la diversidad afectivo-sexual y de género en ciencia, tecnología e innovación; Círculo Escéptico; Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB); Asociaţia Secular-Umanistă din România; Civiencia; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Evento Ciencia; Europa Laica; Canaima; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Fundación Odón de BuenPeer reviewe

Scienca lerneja kalendaro 2024 (esperanto)

El proyecto “Calendario Científico Escolar 2024” ha consistido en la elaboración de un calendario dirigido al alumnado de educación primaria y secundaria obligatoria. Cada día se ha recogido un aniversario científico o tecnológico como, por ejemplo, nacimientos de personas de estos ámbitos o conmemoraciones de hallazgos destacables. Además, el calendario se acompaña de una guía didáctica con orientaciones para el aprovechamiento educativo transversal del calendario en las clases, incluyendo actividades adaptadas a cada rango de edad y al alumnado con necesidades especiales. Se trata de la cuarta edición de este proyecto de divulgación científica.Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (IGM, CSIC-ULE); Delegación del CSIC en Castilla y León; Universidad de León; Casa de la Ciència de Valencia (CSIC); Cátedra de Cultura Científica de la Universidad del País Vasco/ Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU); University of California-Davis; Academia de la Llingua Asturiana; Federación Española de Esperanto; Teagasc; Universidad de Granada; Universidad de Zaragoza; Casa Árabe; CSIC Delegació a Catalunya; CCULT.org; Museo Didáctico e Interactivo de Ciencias de la Vega Baja del Segura (MUDIC VBS-CV); Universidad Miguel Hernández; Unidade de Divulgación Científica e Cultural – Universidade da Coruña; Asociación Cultural Nogará ReligadaInstituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME); Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA); Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO); Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO); Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA); Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN); Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB); Institut d’Investigació en Intel.ligéncia Artificial (IIIA); Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona - Centre Nacional de Microelectrònica (IMB-CNM); Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM, CSIC). Discapacitodos; Mujeres con Ciencia; Comisión Mujeres y Ciencia de la Sociedad Geológica de España; Asociación Española para el Avance de la Ciencia (AEAC); PRISMA – Asociación para la diversidad afectivo-sexual y de género en ciencia, tecnología e innovación; Círculo Escéptico; Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB); Asociaţia Secular-Umanistă din România; Civiencia; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Evento Ciencia; Europa Laica; Canaima; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Fundación Odón de BuenPeer reviewe