Mycoflora of fungal contamination in wheat storage (silos) in golestan province, north of Iran

Background: Cereal products are susceptible to mould damage during pre- and post-harvesting stages of the production. The regional specificity of Golestan province in the northern region of of Iran, with its high temperature and high relative humidity, acts as a leading factor for the growth of aflatoxin-producing fungi. It is well known that contamination of starch-based ingredients with mycotoxigenic fungi is a risk factor among the consumers due to its aflatoxins. Objectives: This survey was carried out to determine the extent of fungal contamination of wheat in three silos of Golestan province in Iran. Materials and Methods: 34 samples from three active silos were collected in order to clean the polyethylene bags. Wheat analyzed for fungal contamination and aflatoxins extracted by immunoaffinity column chromatography, and measured by HPLC method. Results: The most common moulds isolated were Alternaria spp. 26.7%, Aspergillus niger 21.4%, Fusarium spp. 17.8%, Aspergillus flavus 10.7%, Cladosporium spp. 10.7%, Penicillium spp. 8.9%, and Rhizopus spp. 3.5%. The screening of aflatoxin, B1, B2, G1 and G2 was carried out. 10(29.4%) samples of wheat had traces of aflatoxin, but in a level lower than the standard levels [Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIR< 15 ng/g)]. Conclusions: Despite the lower detected aflatoxin levels (lower than the ISIR level), the fungal contamination rate could not be neglected. Since the isolated mycotoxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. are important in food industry, it would be possible that the increased retention time of samples might have raised the detected contamination rate. © 2013, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

NBS as a Powerful Catalyst for the Synthesis of &#946;-Hydroxysulphides with Thiolysis of Epoxides under Mild Reaction Conditions

N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS) catalyses the ring opening of various epoxides with different thiols in CH3CN at room temperature under mild reaction conditions. The corresponding β-hydroxysulphides are obtained in short reaction times and in good to high yields with nearly complete regioselectivity. The catalyst was compared with previously reported catalysts and only one that we have found [B(C6F5)3] gave the same regioselectivity, but the reaction time was much longer (4 h versus 5 min) and the yield was considerably lower. Zn(ClO4)2.6H2O gave slightly lower selectivity but higher yields. The reaction time was about 12 times longer.Keywords: N-Bromosuccinimide, thiols, ring opening, epoxides, β-hydroxysulphide

Effects of acute crude oil exposure on basic physiological functions of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus

Hematological parameters are suitable biomarkers for evaluating the potential risk of the chemicals. The aim of this study was to investigate of acute crude oil exposure on basic physiological functions of Persian sturgeon,Acipenser persicus. 210 juvenile Persian sturgeon (9.4 ± 1g) were supplied by the Rajaei fish farm in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Juveniles were exposed to the crude oil (15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 ppm). The 96h-LC50 were detected under static condition by SPSS software. Hematological and biochemical parameters were compared between control group and treatment exposed to 96h-LC50. The median lethal concentration was 16.5 ppm in 96 h toxicity test. WBC, RBC, Hb and MCHC decreased, while MCV, MCH and PCV were significantly higher in the treatment which exposed to LC50 concentration (P<0.01). Results of differential leukocyte count showed that after treatment with LC50 concentration, neutrophils and monocytes increased, while lymphocytes and eosinophils decreased (P<0.01). Biochemical parameters showed an increase in serum glucose (p<001). Other parameters including total protein, ALT, AST, ALP and LDH enzymes decreased in treatment group significantly (p<0.01). Our results provides evidences that crude oil may have disruptive action on the erythropoietic tissue which may be due to its influence on the viability of the cells. Crude oil also inhibited all of the enzymes activities leading to hyperglycemia due to stress inoculation

The effects of creosote on mortality rate and blood biochemical factors of stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus)

The effects of creosote on stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) juveniles each weighing 3.6 ±1 grams was evaluated. Acute toxicity test was undertaken in static water quality at 22 degree C plus or minus 1 according to the OECD method at the Caspian Sea Ecology Institute in 2005. The effect was assessed based on the results of the acute toxicity test. For the test, the hematological and biochemical properties of one control and five experimental groups of the fish juveniles what were exposed to creosote were compared. The acute toxicity test lasting 96 h was performed in fully static water condition with aeration

By-catch of sturgeon juveniles in beach seine fishing method in Mazandaran Province, northeast Iran

In an attempt to recognize the harmful fishing times and locations for sturgeons, we used catch statistic to evaluate by-catch of sturgeon juveniles during beach seine fishing over the years 2001-2002 in Mazandaran Province. We found that over the fishing period, 23760 hauls were conducted during which 103000 sturgeons were caught. The highest by-catch occurred in October (37% of the catch) and the lowest occurred in January (5% of the catch). The maximum sturgeon catch per haul was 14.2 in autumn decreasing through the year with 1.26 sturgeon fish caught in each haul in spring. The species composition of the by-catch sturgeon juveniles was determined to be Persian sturgeon (54%), Stellatus sturgeon (37%), Beluga (6%), Russian sturgeon (2%) and Spiny sturgeon (1%)