Physiological responses of garden cress (L. sativum) to different types of microplastics

In this study, for the first time, acute and chronic toxicity caused by four different kinds of microplastics: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and a commercial mixture (PE + PVC) on Lepidium sativum were evaluated. Parameters considered were: i) biometric parameters (e.g. percentage inhibition of seed germination, plant height, leaf number and fresh biomass productions); and ii) oxidative stress (e.g. levels of hydrogen peroxide, glutathione, and ascorbic acid). On plants exposed to chronic stress chlorophylls, carotenoids, aminolaevulinic acid, and proline productions were, also, evaluated. PVC resulted the most toxic than other plastic materials tested. This study represents the first paper highlighting microplastics are able to produce oxidative burst in tested plants and could represent an important starting point for future researches on biochemical effects of microplastic in terrestrial environments such as agroecosystems

Mussel watch program for microplastics in the Mediterranean sea: Identification of biomarkers of exposure using Mytilus galloprovincialis

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants that have also been detected in the aquatic ecosystems at high concentrations. The use of shellfish as bioindicators is widespread for assessing and monitoring the environmental quality in both freshwater and marine environments. On this path, biomarkers represent an effective tool in monitoring programs. This minireview would broaden the existing knowledge on biomarkers of MPs in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. This species was selected as it is widely distributed across the Mediterranean Sea and used as a bioindicator to monitor the presence of MPs in the marine environment. The literature search returned only 11 studies, mainly related to oxidative stress biomarkers. Although certain biomarkers were explored to estimate the effects of MPs on M. galloprovincialis, a battery of standardized and validated biomarkers as well as the inclusion of new ones are needed in future studies to obtain more comparable and robust findings across the Mediterranean Sea

Pollo brianzolo : performance e reattività

Nell\u2019ultimo decennio, a seguito di una forte industrializzazione dell\u2019allevamento avicolo, sono emerse due questioni fondamentali: da un punto di vista etico-scientifico, la necessit\ue0 di salvaguardare la biodiversit\ue0; da un punto di vista prettamente commerciale; la richiesta da parte di un consumatore pi\uf9 attento e cosciente, di produrre carne e uova provenienti da allevamenti alternativi, pi\uf9 rispettosi dell\u2019ambiente e del benessere animale. Il pollo Brianzolo \ue8 un esempio di recupero della tradizione rurale e di un prodotto tipico. Lo scopo del presente lavoro \ue8 stato quello di caratterizzare l\u2019ibrido \u201cPollo Brianzolo\u201d dal punto di vista delle caratteristiche fenotipiche, della reattivit\ue0 e degli aspetti produttivi. Con cadenza settimanale sono stati registrati i parametri relativi alle caratteristiche quali-quantitative delle uova incubate e, in seguito alla schiusa, sono stati raccolti i dati relativi alle performance di crescita fino all\u2019et\ue0 di 6 mesi. All\u2019et\ue0 di 4 mesi, 145 animali sono stati valutati fenotipicamente per fissare lo standard di razza e su un campione di 93 soggetti scelti random, \ue8 stato effettuato il test di immobilit\ue0 tonica. I risultati della selezione fenotipica hanno consentito di fissare i caratteri somatici quali, ad esempio, forma della cresta e colore della livrea, che saranno l\u2019obiettivo della selezione. I risultati di questo lavoro, pur preliminari, sembrano mettere in evidenza le caratteristiche di buona rusticit\ue0, accrescimento lento (peso medio a 6 mesi= 2350 g; IMG=13,5 g/d) e di una reattivit\ue0 che mantiene le caratteristiche ancestrali del pollo Brianzolo. La media del numero di induzioni durante il test di immobilit\ue0 tonica \ue8 di 1,25, mentre la durata media del test \ue8 di 98,19 sec. Questi risultati preliminari verranno sottoposti ad ulteriore validazione attraverso lo studio delle generazioni successive. Accanto alle valutazioni sui parametri produttivi e riproduttivi, la reattivit\ue0 e le caratteristiche fenotipiche verranno valutate le caratteristiche qualitative della carne.Performance and reactivity in Brianzolo chicken. Unconventional rearing systems for poultry meat production greatly increased due to consumers interest in healthier and more natural food. The poor adaptability of commercial hybrid strains selected for intensive production systems and fast growing rate lead to the development of researches dealing with breed suitability for alternative productions. Brianzolo is an example of Italian chicken breed for unconventional system. The aim of this study was to characterize the hybrid \u201cBrianzolo\u201d for fenotipic caracteristics, reactivity and performance. Hatching eggs qualitative and quantitative characteristics parameters were recorded on a weekly basis and to growth performance data were collected 1 day to 6 months of age. To define the breed standard 145 animals were phenotypically tested at the age of 4 months. Tonic Immobility test was carried out on 93 subjects randomly chosen. Results of the phenotypic selection made it possible to standardize some characteristics such as, comb size and plumage colour, that will be selection objective to standardize birds morphology.The results of this study, although preliminary, showed productive performance typical for slow growing to a rural breeds adapted to alternative production systems (average weight at 6 months = 2350 g; IMG = 13.5 g / d). Regarding reactivity in this hybrid the conservation of ancestral characteristics such as man fear was evaluated through TI test for reactivity. The mean number of attempt to induce immobility was 1,25, while the mean duration was 98,19 sec. Brianpollo is a research project funded by Regione Lombardia (Italy) aimed to standardize and valorize Brianzolo chicken, a traditional Lombardy breed for non-conventional rearing systems (Ferrante et al., 2009)

Mediterranean coastal lagoons: The importance of monitoring in sediments the biochemical composition of organic matter

Transitional water ecosystems are targeted by the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive (WFD, CE 2000/60) monitoring programs in coastal zones. Concerning sediments, activities performed for the WFD focus on a few variables concerning the biochemical composition of organic matter. Our research reports the effects of oxygen availability on the biochemical composition of organic matter in sediments to highlight levels of targeted variables in time and, according to the depth of sediment layer, both under oxygenated and anoxic conditions in a mesocosm study on sediment cores. Results provide evidence that tested factors of interest (i.e., disturbance type, oxygenic versus anoxic conditions; persistence time of disturbance, 0\u201314 days; penetration through sedimentary layers, 0\u201310 cm depth) are able to significantly affect the biochemical composition of organic matter in sediments. Large part of the variables considered in this study (total organic carbon (TOC), total phosphorous (TP), total sulphur (TS), Fe, carbohydrates (CHO), total proteins (PRT), biopolymeric carbon (BPC), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) are significantly affected and correlated to the oxygenation levels and could be good early indicators of important changes of environmental conditions. Monitoring activities performed under WFD guidelines and management strategies of Mediterranean coastal lagoon ecosystems shall include the biochemical composition of organic matter in sediment to provide an exhaustive picture of such dynamic ecosystems

Performance and reactivity in the F1 and F2 generation in Pollo Brianzolo (Gallus g. domesticus)

Brianpollo is a research project funded by Regione Lombardia, Italy (2011-2013) aimed to standardize and evaluate Brianzolo chicken, a traditional Lombardy breed for non-conventional rearing systems. Since traditional Italian poultry breeds were slow growing and had low production levels, both for meat and eggs, they were substituted by commercial hybrids. The result of this policy was the extinction or a very strong contraction in native poultry breeds. The project aim is to characterize the breeds for reactivity and adaptability to the environment in which this animal was reared in the past. The project started with a historical survey on the presence of Brianzolo chicken in the Lombardy region in order to outline a breed standard to be achieved with the selection process (weight and size; color of feather, ear lobes, skin, eyes; comb type; feathering). Six genetic lines of grand parents will be selected, each one constitutes by 1 male (white Leghorn) and 2 female (New Hampshire). The following seven generations will be reared to obtain the Brianzolo standard. The animals will be reared according to the Brianzolo rearing program (DGR n.3641/2009). The space available will be 10 birds/m2 in the poultry house and 10 m2/bird outside. Within the different generations, a significant number of males and females will be weighed at hatching, at 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks of age. In both males and females, Tonic Immobility test (TI) will be carried out on F1, F4 and F6 generations to study the conservation of ancestral characteristics such as fear of persons. The aim of this study was to characterize the hybrids F1-F2 for phenotype, performance and reactivity. To select the next generation breeders (F3), 230 animals were phenotypically tested at the age of 4 months. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics parameters of hatching eggs were recorded on a weekly basis and the growth performance data were collected at 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks of age. FCR was recorded too. TI test was performed on 93 subjects of F 1, randomly chosen. Results of the phenotypic selection made it possible to standardize some characteristics such as comb, size and plumage colour, that will be selection objective to standardize birds morphology. Performances data of different generations showed some interesting results about the growth rate. F1 and F2 showed similar increase of weight gain rate, always higher in the F2. At 24 weeks of age the final weight of F2 (2175\ub1137,5 g) was higher than F1 (2133,4\ub1115,5 g). FCR was 2,3 and 2,5, F2 and F1 respectively . Regarding fear response the hybrid F1 showed ancestral characteristics: the mean number of attempts to induce immobility was 1,25, while the mean duration was 98,19 sec. The results of this study, although preliminary, showed productive performance typical for slow growing rural breeds adapted to alternative production systems

Short-term physiological and biometrical responses of Lepidium sativum seedlings exposed to PET-made microplastics and acid rain

Plastics enter in terrestrial natural system primarily by agricultural purposes, while acid rain is the result of anthropogenic activities. The synergistic effects of microplastics and acid rain on plant growth are not known. In this study, different sizes of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and acid rain are tested on Lepidium sativum, in two separate experimental sets. In the first one we treated plants only with PET, in the second one we used PET and acid rain together. In both experimentations we analyzed: i) plant biometrical parameters (shoot height, leaf number, percentage inhibition of seed germination, fresh biomass), and ii) oxidative stress responses (hydrogen peroxide; ascorbic acid and glutathione). Results carried out from our experiments highlighted that different sizes of polyethylene terephthalate are able to affect plant growth and physiological responses, with or without acid rain supplied during acute toxicity (6 days). Short description: This study showed that different sizes of PET microplastics affect physiological and biometrical responses of Lepidum sativum seedlings, with or without acid rain; roots and leaves responded differently