SELENIO, ZINC Y DMSA EN LA INTOXICACIÓN RENAL POR MERCURIO EN RATAS / SELENIUM, ZINC AND DMSA IN RENAL MERCURY POISONING IN RATS

La intoxicación con mercurio es un problema de salud mundial. Para tratar de contrarrestarlo se ha estudiado el modo de acción de este elemento dentro de los seres vivos. Estos estudios han proporcionado gran información en cuanto a la forma de acción del metal en muchos órganos y células de los organismos afectados. Como propuestas de tratamiento contra la intoxicación renal con mercurio, se establecieron grupos de ratas Wistar macho, los cuales fueron divididos en controles, expuestos a mercurio y expuestos al metal y tratados con los micronutrientes zinc y selenio, así como con el agente quelante ácido dimercaptosuccínico (DMSA). La exposición fue de tipo agudo y por la vía oral utilizando una sal inorgánica de mercurio. Los resultados demostraron que el uso de los micronutrientes por separado ocasionó daños algunas veces más severos que el propio mercurio. El tratamiento establecido utilizando ambos micronutrientes junto con el agente quelante mostró un restablecimiento renal muy importante

Isolation of beneficial bacteria for heterocyclic hydrocarbon compounds removal from mariculture environment

Despite the obvious merits of mariculture or cultivation of marine organisms for food, this activity is highly susceptible to environmental chemical pollutants. Components such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic hydrocarbons (HH) compounds are known to accumulate in marine organisms through bioconcentration, which leads to food safety risks for humans. The objective of this is study is to isolate bacteria which can be utilized for heterocyclic hydrocarbon compounds removal from aquaculture environment. Seawater samples were collected from fisherman village Kampung Buntal, Sarawak and confirmation of the presence HH-degrading bacteria are conducted via enrichment cultures using artificial seawater ONR7a media supplemented with carbazole (CAR) as the sole carbon source. Bacterial isolation was conducted on double layered artificial seawater ONR7a agar, supplemented with HH compounds such as CAR, dibenzothiophene (DBT) and dibenzofuran (DBF). A total of four isolates have showed growth on CAR, DBT and DBF. Two most promising bacteria have been identified as Capnocytophaga sp. strain EC1 and Idiomarina sp. EC2. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were conducted to measure the degradation ability of these bacteria. After a period of 12 days, strain EC1 and EC2 were able to degrade 24.33% and 25.16% of CAR respectivel

Isolation of beneficial bacteria for heterocyclic hydrocarbon compounds removal from mariculture environment

Despite the obvious merits of mariculture or cultivation of marine organisms for food, this activity is highly susceptible to environmental chemical pollutants. Components such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic hydrocarbons (HH) compounds are known to accumulate in marine organisms through bioconcentration, which leads to food safety risks for humans. The objective of this is study is to isolate bacteria which can be utilized for heterocyclic hydrocarbon compounds removal from aquaculture environment. Seawater samples were collected from fisherman village Kampung Buntal, Sarawak and confirmation of the presence HH-degrading bacteria are conducted via enrichment cultures using artificial seawater ONR7a media supplemented with carbazole (CAR) as the sole carbon source. Bacterial isolation was conducted on double layered artificial seawater ONR7a agar, supplemented with HH compounds such as CAR, dibenzothiophene (DBT) and dibenzofuran (DBF). A total of four isolates have showed growth on CAR, DBT and DBF. Two most promising bacteria have been identified as Capnocytophaga sp. strain EC1 and Idiomarina sp. EC2. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were conducted to measure the degradation ability of these bacteria. After a period of 12 days, strain EC1 and EC2 were able to degrade 24.33% and 25.16% of CAR respectivel

Effects of temperature on wastewater treatment in an affordable microbial fuel cell-adsorption hybrid system

Graphical abstract: A cost effective single-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) integrated with adsorption system was tested under different operating temperatures to observe pH profiles, organics, solids, nutrients, color and turbidity removal and power density generation. The optimum operating temperature range was found to be ∼25-35°C with majority of the removals achieved at ∼35°C. Maximum power density recorded was 74±6mW/m3 with coulombic efficiency (CE) of 10.65±0.5% when operated at 35°C. Present studies had successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of a hybrid system in removing various types of pollutants in POME at optimum temperature and able to fulfill the stringent effluent discharge limit. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids (TS) and turbidity removals increase linearly with temperatures with removal efficiency of 0.5889%C−1, 1.0754%C−1 and 0.7761%C−1, respectively. The temperature coefficient (Q10) is found to be 1.06, 1.45 and 1.09, respectively. Besides, MFC-adsorption hybrid system had demonstrated superior stability over a wide range of operating temperatures in terms of COD removal as compared to the non-integrated MFC system

Human and ecotoxicological impacts assessment from the Mexican oil industry in the Coatzacoalcos region, as revealed by the USEtox™ model

Human and ecotoxicological impacts were analyzed in the lower basin of the Coatzacoalcos River (Veracruz, State in Mexico). High pollution levels of contaminants from the oil industry have been reported in natural streams and the Coatzacoalcos River and in their sediments. USEtox™ model was employed to evaluate environmental fate, exposure, and effect of nine organic compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and one of which was in the group of polychlorinated biphenyls), a heavy metal (lead), and the effect of the industrial wastewater emitted into the river, on the Coatzacoalcos region. Most of these compounds are highly toxic; they bioaccumulate in human and animal tissue, mainly in the fatty tissues and can damage different organs and systemic targets such as the liver, kidney, hormonal system, nervous system, etc., of both humans and wildlife. The model estimates that 96 % (3,247 kg/day) of organic compounds is transferred from the water into air, whereas only 4 % (151 kg/day) remains in the water. In addition, it predicts that humans are mainly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners (28 and 153) by eating contaminated fish, due to PCBs accumulating in the fish fat tissue. The number of cases of cancer and noncancer (1 in 862 habitants per additional kilogram) is expected to have an increment due to the higher PCBs exposure of human population. Genetic damages in fishes, earthworms, and toads have been observed and related to higher exposure to organic compounds. The relationship between the field reported data and those one predicted by the USEtox™ model have been confirmed empirically by using the nonparametric correlation analysis (Spearman's rho). Based on the USEtox model, the environmental stress in the Coatzacoalcos industrial zone is between 2 and 6 orders of magnitude over geometric mean of acute aquatic EC50s. We think that USEtox model can be used to expand the number of substances that have the current water quality guidelines to improve the watermanagement inMexico

CELL VIABILITY, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF PROBIOTIC COCONUT JUICE DURING COLD STORAGE

Probiotic fermentation has gained considerable attention in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Milk-based products are not in demand among vegetarians, people with allergies to certain proteins, and lactose-intolerant consumers. Therefore, there is a genuine interest in the production of crop juice-based probiotic beverages with probiotic potentials. The objective of this study is focused on the development and storage of probiotic coconut juice using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as a starter. The viability of the probiotic, its physicochemical properties, and antibacterial potentials of the stored probiotic coconut juice employing LAB (Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393, Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC20174, Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469, and Lactococcus lactis IO-1) as a single starter culture were studied. Sensory tests were also performed on the samples. There was an increase in total acidity production and a decrease in pH and brix levels, as well as phenolic, antioxidant and tannin contents during the refrigerated condition. At weeks three and four, coconut juice inoculated with L. lactis IO-1 samples had the highest total acidity (1.32%). However, the level of phenolic compound, antioxidant, and tannin contents showed a slight decrease during storage. The probiotic strains were viable throughout the refrigerated condition. L. lactis IO-1 showed greater viability compared with other strains (8.426 log CFU/mL). There were no significant differences between all the samples in terms of taste, aroma, colour and appearance. It could be inferred from this study that high acidity and the presence of inhibitor phenolic compounds in the probiotic coconut juice have no negative impact on the viability of the probiotics and antibacterial potential of the samples throughout storage. Hence, probiotic fermentation could provide an alternative outlet for coconut juice utilization, and could be used to produce novel probiotic beverages for consumers, especially in terms of sports nutrition

Courtship activity, copulation & insemination success in a mosquito vector fed a herbal aphrodisiac: Implications for sterile insect technology

Background & objectives: In sterile insect technology (SIT), mating competitiveness is a pre-condition for the reduction of target pest populations and a crucial parameter for judging efficacy. Still, current SIT trials are being hindered by decreased effectiveness due to reduced sexual performance of released males. Here, we explored the possible role of a herbal aphrodisiac in boosting the mating activity of Aedes aegypti. Methods: Males were fed one of two diets in this study: experimental extract of Eurycoma longifolia (MSAs) and sugar only (MSOs). Differences in life span, courtship latency, copulation activity and mating success were examined between the two groups. Results: No deaths occurred among MSA and MSO males. Life span of MSOs was similar to that of MSAs. The courtship latency of MSAs was shorter than that of MSOs (P<0.01). MSAs had greater copulation success than MSOs (P<0.001). In all female treatments, MSAs mated more than MSOs, but the differences in rate were significant only in the highest female density (P<0.05). In MSAs, mating success varied significantly with female density (P<0.01), with the 20-female group (P<0.01) having the lowest rate. Single MSA had better mating success at the two lowest female densities. In MSOs, there were no significant differences in mating success rate between the different female densities. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results suggested that the herbal aphrodisiac, E. longifolia, stimulated the sexual activity of Ae. aegypti and may be useful for improving the mating competitiveness of sterile males, thus improving SIT programme

Bio-energy generation in an affordable, single-chamber microbial fuel cell integrated with adsorption hybrid system: effects of temperature and comparison study

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) integrated with adsorption system (MFC-AHS) is tested under various operating temperatures with palm oil mill effluent as the substrate. The optimum operating temperature for such system is found to be at ∼35°C with current, power density, internal resistance (Rin), Coulombic efficiency (CE) and maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 2.51 ± 0.2 mA, 74 ± 6 mW m−3, 25.4 Ω, 10.65 ± 0.5% and 93.57 ± 1.2%, respectively. Maximum current density increases linearly with temperature at a rate of 0.1772 mA m−2 °C−1, whereas maximum power density was in a polynomial function. The temperature coefficient (Q10) is found to be 1.20 between 15°C and 35°C. Present studies have demonstrated better CE performance when compared to other MFC-AHSs. Generally, MFC-AHS has demonstrated higher COD removals when compared to standalone MFC regardless of operating temperatures. Abbreviations: ACFF: activated carbon fiber felt; APHA: American Public Health Association; CE: Coulombic efficiency; COD: chemical oxygen demand; ECG: electrocardiogram; GAC: granular activated carbon; GFB: graphite fiber brush; MFC: microbial fuel cell; MFC-AHS: microbial fuel cell integrated with adsorption hybrid system; MFC-GG: microbial fuel cell integrated with graphite granules; POME: palm oil mill effluent; PTFE: polytetrafluoroethylene; SEM: scanning electron microscope. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Detection, genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles of Bacillus cereus isolated from sago processing plants in Malaysia

Aims: Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped and spore-forming bacterium. It is a ubiquitous bacterium which is widely distributed in several environments such as soil and plants and is commonly isolated from food and its processing environment. This study was aimed to determine the genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance of B. cereus isolated from sago processing in Sarawak. Methodology and results: Out of 120 samples, 42 B. cereus isolates were detected with the presence of hly gene of B. cereus by using specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty B. cereus isolates were randomly selected and further characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of chromosomal DNA digested with NotI to examine the genetic diversity. The result of the PFGE analysis confirmed that the B. cereus strains in sago processing were genetically diverse. Based on the dendrogram generated, B. cereus strains were grouped into two major clusters and these clusters were grouped together based on sources of isolation. The investigation on the antibiotic resistance of B. cereus strains revealed that the B. cereus strains were uniformly highly resistant to penicillin and ampicillin and highly susceptible to imipenem and norfloxacin. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The results of this study suggest that the B. cereus isolated from sago processing derived from a mixture of sensitive and resistant strains with diverse genetic contents