Antifungal, Acute Toxicity and Mutagenicity Activity of Extracts from Datura stramonium, Jacquinia macrocarpa and Krameria erecta on Fusarium verticillioides

The effect of Baccharis glutinosa, Jacquinia macrocarpa, and Krameria erecta extracts was investigated on the growth and the spore germination of Fusarium verticillioides (ATCC 52539). Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) was used to evaluate the potential acute toxicity of the fractions obtained from plant extracts. The butanol fraction of J. macrocarpa totally inhibited the radial growth for 144 h and up to 95% after 168 h. The ethyl acetate fraction of B. glutinosa caused 100% of radial growth inhibition for 96 h. The ethyl acetate fractions of B. glutinosa and K. erecta caused the higher inhibitory effect on F. verticillioides spore germination, 100 and 95%, respectively. All plant fractions tested at a concentration of 5.0 mg mL-1 caused 100% brine shrimp lethality after 24 h. The Ames test did not reveal the presence of an evident mutagenic activity.Keywords: Antifungal Activity, Plant Extracts, Brine Shrimp Bioassay, Mutagenicity Assay, Fusarium verticillioide

Isolation and Identification of an Antimutagenic Phthalate Derivative Compound from Octopus (Paraoctopus limaculatus)

Purpose: To isolate and evaluate the antimutagenic properties of compounds previously identified in octopus (Paraoctopus limaculatus).Methods: Octopus fractions, previously obtained by a sequential thin layer chromatography (TLC) procedure, were subjected to further fractionation by TLC and their anti-mutagenic activity monitored using Salmonella tester strains TA98 and TA100 with metabolic activation (S9) in Ames test. The isolated fractions were subjected to structural studies by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C NMR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results: Five new fractions were obtained from a previously isolated and reported anti-mutagenic octopus fraction. Fractions RB21321b2 and RB21321b3 inhibited > 80 % of the mutagenicity induced by 500 ng AFB1 on both tester strains and were selected for chemical/structural characterization. Data from IR and 1H and 13C NMR suggested the presence of phthalate type of compounds. GC-MS analysis revealed 278 m/z for both fractions which is consistent with a butyl isobutyl phthalate structure.Conclusion: Based on the findings, the compound responsible for the high anti-mutagenic activity of the isolated fraction from octopus is 1-butyl-2-isobutyl-phthalate.Keywords: Octopus, Anti-Mutagenic, Paraoctopus limaculatus, 1-Butyl-2-isobutyl-phthalat

Mass transfer enhancement and improved nitrification in MABR through specific membrane configuration

One of the main energy consumptions in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is due to the oxygenation of aerobic biological processes. In order to approach to an energy self-sufficient scenario in WWTPs, Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactors (MABRs) provide a good opportunity to reduce the impact of aeration on the global energy balance. However, mass transfer limitations derived from poor flow distribution must be tackled to take advantage of this technology. In this work, in order to improve mass transfer between biofilm and bulk water, a specific configuration was developed and studied at laboratory scale, aimed at compactness, energy efficiency and high nitrification rates. Nitrification rates were higher in the innovative configuration than in the conventional one, achieving a Volumetric Nitrification Rate (VNR) as high as 575.84-g NH4-N m-8722;3 d-8722;1, which is comparable with confirmed technologies. Regarding energy consumption due to aeration, a reduction of 83.7% was reached in comparison with aeration through diffusers with the same Oxygen Transfer Efficiency (OTE). These results highlight the importance of hydrodynamic conditions and the membranes configuration on treatment performance.The Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness partiallyfunded this research through the Network of Excellence Red-NOVEDAR (CTQ2016-81979-REDC) and the project PBi2(CTM2012e36227), the latter being co-financed by the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (FEDER)