Temperature-dependent development of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its larval parasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): implications for species interactions

Habrobracon hebetor (Say) is a parasitoid of various Lepidoptera including Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), a key pest of different crops and vegetables. The development of both H. armigera and H. hebetor were simultaneously evaluated against a wide range of constant temperatures (10, 15, 17.5, 20, 25, 27.5, 30, 35, 37.5 and 40 °C). Helicoverpa armigera completed its development from egg to adult within a temperature range of 17.5–37.5 °C and H. hebetor completed its life cycle from egg to adult within a temperature range of 15–40 °C. Based on the Ikemoto and Takai model the developmental threshold (T o) and thermal constant (K) to complete the immature stages, of H. armigera were calculated as 11.6 °C and 513.6 DD, respectively, and 13 °C and 148 DD, respectively, for H. hebetor. Analytis/Briere-2 and Analytis/Briere-1 were adjudged the best non-linear models for prediction of phenology of H. armigera and H. hebetor, respectively and enabled estimation of the optimum (T opt) and maximum temperature (T max) for development with values of 34.8, 38.7, 36.3, and 43 °C for host and the parasitoid, respectively. Parasitisation by H. hebetor was maximal at 25 °C but occurred even at 40 °C. This study suggests although high temperature is limiting to insects, our estimates of the upper thermal limits for both species are higher than previously estimated. Some biological control of H. armigera by H. hebetor may persist in tropical areas, even with increasing temperatures due to climate change

Identification of bioactive compounds with GC Q-TOF MS in the extracts from Clinacanthus nutans using subcritical carbon dioxide extraction

Subcritical carbon dioxide Soxhlet extraction of biologically active compounds from Clincanthus nutans was investigated by full factorial design to identify and optimize the factors (particle size and co-solvent) affecting extract yield, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. An average of 3.103% yield, 98.90% antioxidant activity, 49.40 mg/g (GAE) TPC, 43.76 mg/g (RE), and 88.58% AGI activity can be achieved using the optimum levels of independent variables. The GC-Q-TOF MS identification of optimized extract shown that different classes of phytoconstituents were successfully separated by CO2-Soxhlet to produce potential antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity

Electrohydrodynamic drying of kiwi (Actinidia Chinensis) slices

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) enhanced drying of kiwi slices using multiple point-to-plate electrode arrangements under a DC voltage was carried out in an experiment to compare with those of oven drying at 60 ºC and ambient-air at 25 ºC. The EHD was run at high electric field of 375 V mm-1 using thirteen ionizing needles to a plate electrode. The effects compared included drying rate, temperature, energy consumption, color, and shrinkage. Samples dried by the EHD and oven showed nearly the same values of moisture content whereas that of the air-dried sample was 3.5 times higher at the end of a 7-hour drying. The sample subjected to EHD preserved the same temperature during the drying. Compared with oven drying, EHD’s energy consumption was negligible. EHD and ambient-air drying rarely developed undesirable changes in color whereas the oven-dried sample color underwent a significant change in color. Finally, slices underwent almost the same final shrinkage in volume in both EHD and oven drying

Preparation of Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2/PrVO4 nanocomposite in various molar ratios: Investigation on photocatalytic performance on organic contaminate and bacterial environments, and anti-cancer properties

Various SiO2/TiO2 nanoparticles coated on Fe3O4 core and a nanocomposite with PrVO4 were prepared through an ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation approach. The sample with optimal properties for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine-B under visible light (around 55 for degradation in 100 min) was chosen, and its photo-antibacterial effects against gam-positive and negative Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) under UV�Vis light was evaluated. Also, the cytotoxicity properties on Panc1 cells using the MTT assay studied and its IC50 is about 250 mg/L. Structural, morphological and magnetic characteristics of the nanocomposites were evaluated through XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, MAP, UV�Vis DRS, and VSM tests. The crystalline size of Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 nanoparticles and Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2/PrVO4 were determined to be in the range of 55�75 nm, and 80�100 nm respectively, through SEM tests. XRD results indicated that the nanocomposites were pure and VSM analyses proved that the saturation magnetization of the sample is adequate for its applications. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

Preparation of Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2/PrVO4 nanocomposite in various molar ratios: Investigation on photocatalytic performance on organic contaminate and bacterial environments, and anti-cancer properties

Various SiO2/TiO2 nanoparticles coated on Fe3O4 core and a nanocomposite with PrVO4 were prepared through an ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation approach. The sample with optimal properties for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine-B under visible light (around 55 for degradation in 100 min) was chosen, and its photo-antibacterial effects against gam-positive and negative Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) under UV�Vis light was evaluated. Also, the cytotoxicity properties on Panc1 cells using the MTT assay studied and its IC50 is about 250 mg/L. Structural, morphological and magnetic characteristics of the nanocomposites were evaluated through XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, MAP, UV�Vis DRS, and VSM tests. The crystalline size of Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 nanoparticles and Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2/PrVO4 were determined to be in the range of 55�75 nm, and 80�100 nm respectively, through SEM tests. XRD results indicated that the nanocomposites were pure and VSM analyses proved that the saturation magnetization of the sample is adequate for its applications. © 2020 Elsevier Lt