Compositional Analysis of the High Molecular Weight Ethylene Oxide Propylene Oxide Copolymer by MALDI Mass Spectrometry

The composition of narrow distribution poly ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer (Mw ~ 8700 Da) was studied using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. The ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer produced oligomers separated by 14 Da. The average resolving power over the entire spectrum was 28,000. Approximately 448 isotopically resolved peaks representing about 56 oligomers are identified. Although agreement between experimental and calculated isotopic distributions was strong, the compositional assignment was difficult. This is due to the large number of possible isobaric components. The purpose of this research is to resolve and study the composition of high mass copolymer such as ethylene oxide-propylene oxide

Germination of Seeds Grown on Medium from Olive Mill Liquid Waste, Olive Mill Pomace, and Stone Sludge Waste

Germination of Barley and Tomato seeds was investigated on a medium formulated from industrial waste by-product. Solid Olive Mill Pomace (SOM) was mixed with Stone Sludge waste (SSW) and untreated Liquid Olive Mill Liquid waste (OML), (aka: olive mill waste water =OMLW) in different mixing ratios. The seeds were sown in pots containing different mixture of the three components of waste by-product. Germination resulted in certain pots and inhibitions occurred in other pots. It appears that as the percentage of stone sludge was increased in the mixed formulation, a better growth in the pots was observed. This is probably due to the fact that the OML is acidic in nature, and the SSW is basic in nature. The purpose of experiment was to develop sustainable method of new agriculture practices and to reduce the negative impact of serious pollutants produced from olive mill industry and stone factories in Palestine. to protect  the biophysical environment and quality capacity building in Palestine Three polluting materials including olive mill waste water (OMWW), lime stone sludge and solid waste of olive mill factories (pomace or Jeft) were mixed in specific ratio to produce artificial soil. Keywords: olive mill waste, stone sludge, germination, agriculture, pomace, recyclin

Determination of Total Polyphenolic Antioxidants Contents in West-Bank Olive Oil

The purpose of the study was to measure the total concentration of polyphenol in some samples of Palestinian olive oil. The total polyphenol content of the methanol extracts was evaluated colorimetrically using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. A diluted extract or phenolic standard was mixed with Folin- Ciocalteau reagent and acqueous Na2CO3 and the total polyphenols were determined colorimetrically at 725 nm. Gallic acid standard solutions were used to calibrate the method. The concentration of polyphenols in olive oil ranges from 150 to 300 mg/kg. Keywords: Polyphenols, Antioxidant, Olive oils, Gallic aci

Characterization of Grey Water from Country-Side Decentralized Water Treatment Stations in Northern Palestine

Fresh-water problem in Palestine dates back to the early 1900's due to various geographical settings and political turbulences. The problem is exacerbated by the ever-increasing demand on water by population growth and development. As pressures on freshwater resources grow in Palestine and as new sources of supply become increasingly scarce, expensive, or politically controversial, utilizing alternative options has become a must, to meet water needs. To reduce water demand by increasing the efficiency of water use and to expand the usefulness of alternative sources of water previously considered unusable. One option of supply is greywater. The project seeks to treat and reclaim household grey water to supply irrigation water, and enhance crop production in patch gardens. The task results reveal that grey water from household activities has the potential for irrigating crops and offers many social and financial benefits to improve the residents source of revenue. Various parameters were monitored and measured for a decentralized constructed wetland system yielding some interesting and promising data. Keywords: Treated Grey Water, Irrigation, Agriculture

Alteration of Nabali Baladi EVOO chemical parameters as a function of air and sunlight exposure

An experimental investigation performed to study changes to the olive oil quality as a function of sunlight and air. The chemical property changes of Nabali Baladi olive oil were monitored as a function of sun/air exposure and recorded in terms of free acidity, peroxide value, DK, chlorophyll and carotenoids. Three batches of samples (run in triplicates) that were classified extra virgin olive oil from previous years 2014, 2015, and 2016 were studied. The results showed that as sun/air-exposure time interval increases, the acidity, the peroxide value and DK increase rapidly, and the concentration of the carotenoids and chlorophyll decreased. Exposing extra virgin olive to sunlight/air for long periods of time results in rapid deterioration of its quality. The statistical calculations aided in confirmation and support of the experimental results

Performance Indicators for Wastewater Reuse Systems in Gaza Governorates

The purpose of the study was to apply performance indicators on wastewater reuse in the Palestinian Territories (Gaza) to assess on the impact of waste water and grey water projects on the ambient environment, labor costs and consumers in terms of technical, socio-economic and environmental aspects leading to safe and productive use of wastewater for crop production systems at the farm level and similar use of grey water at the household level. The study was conducted in Gaza in the period of 1 November 2012 to 1 August 2013. A field survey covered the main groups of interest for using treated wastewater, and questionnaires were designed for the target group. The questionnaires were distributed to 30 beneficiaries from Al-Zaitoun District and Khan Younis Governorate, filled, collected, sorted, and documented. Descriptive statistics were calculated from the collected data. Interesting result of data analysis that addressed key factors are discussed in this paper. Most farmers were willing to use treated wastewater in principle, and so need to be more educated and trained in the reuse of reclaimed water in terms of social, economic, environmental issues Keywords: performance indicators, agriculture, wastewater, Palestinian territories (Gaza