Search Results (23)

A unique isotonic sports drink (ISD) was created in this study using a pilot-scale short-wave ultraviolet light (UV-C, 892 mJ/cm², 20 °C) assisted by mild heat (UV-C/H, 534 mJ/cm², 50 °C), which was followed by the addition of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract (YME). Consumer perception and microbiological and physicochemical stability during refrigerated storage (4 °C/23 d) were assessed for the ISD. Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris (AA) spores and cocktails of yeasts and Escherichia coli were considerably inactivated by UV-C/H. The TEM and SEM micrographs showed that AA evidenced sustained severe structural damage. Furthermore, UV-C/H completely inactivated the native microbiota, while YME incorporation increased the initial aerobic mesophilic and mold-and-yeast populations by 0.48 and 0.70 log cycles, remaining stable during storage. YME addition enhanced total polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity by 2.7–3.7, 16.5–16.7 and 6.6–24.0 times compared to the untreated ISD and ISD-UVC/H samples. Except for sedimentation and turbidity, the other physical characteristics mostly did not change (going from 1494 ± 382 to 2151 ± 106 NTU). The initial 5-HMF value in the ISD was raised by UV-C/H treatment and YME addition. Notwithstanding, it stayed below the allowed threshold throughout storage. ISD-UVC/H+YME had a high overall acceptability score; 60% of panelists gave the drink a score of seven or higher. Additionally, the herbal taste of YME was well liked, and its bitterness was perceived as mild. These findings suggest that including YME and the UV-C/H treatment can produce an ISD of superior quality with distinct sensory attributes. Full article

Wheat plays a crucial role in global food security; however, in recent years, Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) has severely impacted both wheat yield and quality. Strong oxidative free radicals, with high oxidation potential and rapid reaction rates, offer an effective approach for pollutant degradation and microbial inactivation. In this study, the control effect of strong oxidizing radicals on FHB was evaluated by comparing the untreated control group (JM23), which was infected with FHB, to the experimental group (FG06), which was treated with strong oxidizing radicals following FHB infection. The results show that FG06 achieved a control effectiveness of 87.87%. The study also assessed grain characteristics and milling quality. Statistical analysis revealed that FG06 had a slightly lower flour extraction rate (71.24%) compared to the control wheat (JM23), but it exhibited competitive flour whiteness (81.30) and a gluten index of 85.50%. The dough stability at 10 min was 27.00 FE, while several gelatinization parameters were significantly lower than JM23. However, FG06 had higher protein content (10.94%), flour protein content (10.70%), ash content (0.58%), wet gluten content (28.70%), dry gluten content (9.40%), and sedimentation value (73.00 mL), all significantly higher than those of JM23. Additionally, FG06 had a gelatinization temperature of 68.61 °C, similar to JM23. Overall, Strong oxidizing radicals as an alternative to conventional pesticides not only effectively controls FHB but also maintains or even enhances wheat milling and processing quality, promoting more sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

Deployment of photocatalysis for water disinfection necessitates engineering the process kinetics and achieving the complete recovery of the photocatalyst following the remediation of water. The recovery of the photocatalysts, especially nanostructured photocatalysts, remains a challenge, as indicated by a previous study by our group where only 57% of TiO₂ nanowires were recovered by gravity-assisted settling and sedimentation from water after its photocatalysis-assisted E. coli inactivation. To overcome this challenge, a novel method involving the use of photocatalysts in the form of porous foams is developed and presented. Use of TiO₂ nanowire foams led to a 2–3-log reduction of E. coli in a span of 180 min when ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light was employed for photoactivation, similar to that observed previously by our group. More importantly, the photocatalyst foams were easily recoverable from water via mechanical separation using tweezers, which in this study led to a recovery of 98–99% of the TiO₂ nanowire photocatalysts. This strategy allows for further optimization of both the process kinetics and the total amount of photocatalysts needed for water remediation through optimization of the porosities and the geometries of the foams and ensuring that all the photocatalyst surfaces remain accessible to both the pollutants and light. Full article

The enterovirus A71 (EV71) inactivated vaccine is an effective intervention to control the spread of the virus and prevent EV71-associated hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). It is widely administered to infants and children in China. The empty particles (EPs) and full particles (FPs) generated during production have different antigenic and immunogenic properties. However, the antigen detection methods currently used were established without considering the differences in antigenicity between EPs and FPs. There is also a lack of other effective analytical methods for detecting the different particle forms, which hinders the consistency between batches of products. In this study, we analyzed the application of sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation (SV-AUC) in characterizing the EPs and FPs of EV71. Our results showed that the proportions of the two forms could be quantified simultaneously by SV-AUC. We also determined the repeatability and accuracy of this method and found that both parameters were satisfactory. We assessed SV-AUC for bulk vaccine quality control, and our findings indicated that SV-AUC can be used effectively to analyze the percentage of EPs and FPs and monitor the consistency of the process to ensure the quality of the vaccine. Full article

Dredging, adsorbent inactivation, and phytoremediation are commonly used to control internal nitrogen and phosphorus sediment loads in eutrophic still-water ecosystems, such as lakes and ponds. However, the effectiveness of these remediation techniques has not been verified for rivers, lakes, and reservoirs with large disturbances. In this study, a calcium-loaded clay granular adsorbent (CRB) was prepared as an alternative to commercial adsorbents, and an experiment was conducted on the ecological restoration effects of both dredging and adsorbent single treatments as well as combined treatments on eutrophic flowing water. The enhancement effect of phytoremediation on the above restoration techniques was investigated. The results indicated that CRB inactivation treatment reduced the phosphorus and turbidity of the water by 63% and 80%, respectively and increased the total nitrogen and permanganate index (COD_Mn) by 25% and 101% before phytoremediation, respectively compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in the nutrient indexes of the sediment and water between the dredging treatment and the control group, but dredging enhanced the effect of the CRB treatment. Compared with the CRB treatment, the total nitrogen and COD_Mn of water in the dredging and combined CRB treatments decreased by 13% and 15%, respectively. Phytoremediation significantly improved the effectiveness of the dredging and adsorbent treatments, both individually and in combination. Additionally, there were notable differences in the growth rates of the submerged plants and the contents of different phosphorus speciation among the plant species. Selecting suitable plant species is recommended when implementing phytoremediation methods. This study highlights that the combination of multiple restoration techniques is effective for eutrophic flowing water. The results provide a guide for the ecological restoration of flowing water. Full article

Three novel lipopeptides, PM130391 (1), PM130392 (2), and PM140293 (3) were obtained from cultures of Streptomyces tuirus PHM034 isolated from a marine sediment. Structural elucidation of the three compounds showed they belong to the nonribosomal peptides family, and they all contain an acylated alanine, three piperazic acids, a methylated glycine, and an N-hydroxylated alanine. The difference between the three compounds resides in the acyl chain bound to the alanine residue. All three compounds showed cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines. Genome sequence and bioinformatics analysis allowed the identification of the gene cluster responsible for the biosynthesis. Inactivation of a nonribosomal peptide synthase of this cluster abolished the biosynthesis of the three compounds, thus demonstrating the involvement of this cluster in the biosynthesis of these lipopeptides. Full article

In response to the finding of chironomid larvae in tap water, South Korea’s water treatment system has stepped up water quality monitoring. However, due to the challenging nature of larval behavior, effective elimination remains difficult despite the use of various purification techniques such as coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. Based on it, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of coagulation and chlorination in inactivating chironomid larvae and investigate their behavior. The coagulation experiment tested how the behavior of the larvae changed in water with a high turbidity level of ±100 mg/L and 2 mg/L Al³⁺ as a coagulant, compared to water with a lower turbidity level of ±30 mg/L and 1 mg/L of Al³⁺ as a coagulant. The larvae were exposed to various doses of chlorine (0.5–20 mg/L as Cl) in 500 mL beaker glasses. The behavioral activity of the larvae was observed at different time points for 5 days. It was found that chironomid larvae exhibit different responses to exposure to coagulant and chlorine, with coagulation causing the formation of flocs that cover the larval body as a protective measure. Conversely, exposure to chlorine causes a decrease in activity and growth, leading to the death of the larvae and subsequent melting. The results showed that the first instar larvae dead after 48 h of exposure to coagulation treatment, while the first instar larvae exposed to chlorination experienced mortality after a mere 5 min of exposure to 10–20 mg/L as Cl. The larvae can still grow and transform into pupae and adults, especially during the third and fourth instars, even after exposure to coagulant and chlorine with low dosage. These findings suggest that the floc generated during coagulation must be thoroughly cleaned, as it may contain larvae that can persist and develop further. Furthermore, the presence of larvae during the chlorination process highlights the need for alternative, more effective oxidants to be utilized in place of the conventional chlorine treatment. Full article

Recent studies suggest that X-linked glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency entails a proinflammatory state that may increase the risk of several disease conditions. However, it is not clear how this relates to the degree of enzyme insufficiency and, in heterozygous females, to skewed inactivation of the X chromosome. This study aimed to (i) investigate the enzyme activity in a cohort of 232 subjects (54.3% females) from Northern Sardinia, Italy, further stratified into three subgroups (G6PD normal, partial deficiency and total deficiency); (ii) measure the levels of some non-specific inflammatory markers, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and those derived from cell counts, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), in relation to the underlying molecular defect and X inactivation. G6PD activity was measured in red blood cells according to G6PD/6PGD ratio, and X-chromosome inactivation was assessed by the HUMARA method. Overall, ESR was increased in males with total deficiency compared with normal males (15.0 ± 7.2 vs. 11.9 ± 6.2, p = 0.002, Tukey’s test), albeit not in males with partial deficiency. High-sensitivity CRP was slightly increased in males with total deficiency, compared to males with normal G6PD activity (5.96 ± 3.39 vs. 3.95 ± 2.96, p = 0.048). In females, neither marker showed significant differences across the subgroups. MLR was significantly and progressively increased from normal to totally deficient subjects with intermediate values in partially deficient subjects (0.18, 0.31 and 0.37, ANOVA p = 0.008). The NLR and PLR were not different in the three subgroups. Our findings show that G6PD deficiency may be associated with a proinflammatory profile, especially in elderly females, and worsened by the concomitant asymmetric inactivation of the X chromosome. Full article

Successful management of lake ecosystems used for recreation requires firstly an identification of nutrient sources. It is necessary to identify the factors causing the deterioration of water quality and to plan measures for their mitigation. Analyses of the external and internal nutrient loading were carried out for the hypereutrophic Raczyńskie Lake. The study included flows from lake tributaries, stormwater runoff from impermeable areas and direct catchment impact as external sources of nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as bottom sediments as an internal source of phosphorus. In the case of external sources, the largest load (about 80% of N and 67% of P) is supplied from croplands via the shoreline. Both external and internal loading was characterized by distinct seasonal variability. The loads from watercourses supplying the lake played the most significant role in spring, whereas the release of phosphorus from bottom sediments (accounting for 81.4% of the total P load) was responsible for cyanobacterial blooms in summer. In order to improve Raczyńskie Lake water quality it is crucial to implement both in-catchment and in-lake measures by means of diversion of stormwater runoff, reduction of nutrient content in some of tributaries at their inflow to the lake (gabions filled with dolomite surrounded by macrophytes) and restoration treatments aiming at the inactivation of phosphorus in the water column and reduction of its release from sediments. Full article

The thermoresponsive Zinc TetraPhenylPorphyrin photosensitizer/Dextran poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) graft copolymer/Au Nanoparticles (ZnTPP/D-g-PNIPAM/AuNPs) triple hybrid nanosystem was synthesized in aqueous solution as a nanodrug for potential use in thermally driven and controlled photodynamic therapy applications. The aqueous solution of the nanosystem has demonstrated excellent stability in terms of aggregation and sedimentation several days after preparation. Optimal concentrations of the components of hybrid nanosystem providing the lowest level of aggregation and the highest plasmonic enhancement of electronic processes in the photosensitizer molecules have been determined. It has been revealed that the shrinking of D-g-PNIPAM macromolecule during a thermally induced phase transition leads to the release of both ZnTPP molecules and Au NPs from the ZnTPP/D-g-PNIPAM/AuNPs macromolecule and the strengthening of plasmonic enhancement of the electronic processes in ZnTPP molecules bound with the polymer macromolecule. The 2.7-fold enhancement of singlet oxygen photogeneration under resonant with surface plasmon resonance has been observed for ZnTPP/D-g-PNIPAM/AuNPs proving the plasmon nature of such effect. The data obtained in vitro on wild strains of Staphylococcus aureus have proved the high potential of such nanosystem for rapid photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms particular in wounds or ulcers on the body surface. Full article

Marine sediments are a sink for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant microbes (ARMs). Wastewater discharge into the aquatic environment is the dominant pathway for pharmaceuticals reaching aquatic organisms. Hence, the characterization of ARGs is a priority research area. This baseline study reports the presence of ARGs in 12 coastal sediment samples covering the urban coastline of Kuwait through whole-genome metagenomic sequencing. The presence of 402 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were recorded in these samples; the most prevalent were patA, adeF, ErmE, ErmF, TaeA, tetX, mphD, bcrC, srmB, mtrD, baeS, Erm30, vanTE, VIM-7, AcrF, ANT4-1a, tet33, adeB, efmA, and rpsL, which showed resistance against 34 drug classes. Maximum resistance was detected against the beta-lactams (cephalosporins and penam), and 46% of genes originated from the phylum Proteobacteria. Low abundances of ESKAPEE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter sps., and Escherichia coli) were also recorded. Approximately 42% of ARGs exhibited multiple drug resistance. All the ARGs exhibited spatial variations. The major mode of action was antibiotic efflux, followed by antibiotic inactivation, antibiotic target alteration, antibiotic target protection, and antibiotic target replacement. Our findings supported the occurrence of ARGs in coastal marine sediments and the possibility of their dissemination to surrounding ecosystems. Full article

Intermittent reduction of temperature set-points and periodic shutdowns of water heaters have been proposed to reduce energy consumption in buildings. However, the consequences of such measures on the occurrence and proliferation of Legionella pneumophila (Lp) in hot water systems have not been documented. The impact of single and repeated heat shocks was investigated using an environmental strain of L. pneumophila and a reference strain of V. vermiformis. Heat shocks at temperatures ranging from 50 °C to 70 °C were applied for 1 h and 4 h in water and water heaters loose deposits (sludge). The regrowth potential of heat-treated culturable L. pneumophila in presence of V. vermiformis in water heaters sludges was evaluated. A 2.5-log loss of culturability of L. pneumophila was observed in simulated drinking water at 60 °C while a 4-log reduction was reached in water heaters loose deposits. Persistence of Lp after 4 h at 55 °C was shown and the presence of V. vermiformis in water heater’s loose deposits resulted in a drastic amplification (5-log). Results show that thermal inactivation by heat shock is only efficient at elevated temperatures (50 °C) in both water and loose deposits. The few remaining organisms can rapidly proliferate during storage at lower temperature in the presence of hosts. Full article

Drinking water treatment residuals (DWTRs) generated during drinking water treatment have been proposed for use in lake restoration as a solid-phase sorbent to inactivate phosphorus (P) in lake sediment. However, treatments that minimize leaching of nitrogen (N) and optimize P sorption capacity may be necessary prior to use. This study assessed seven different treatment methods, including washing and heat treatments at different temperatures and with and without oxygen limitation, among two DWTRs from Thailand. Results showed that oxygen-limited heat treatment at 600 °C substantially reduced N leaching (<0.2 mg/kg TKN) while also improving P sorption capacity (increase of 18–32% compared to untreated DWTR) to a maximum of 45.7 mg P/kg. Washing with deionized water reduced N leaching if a sufficient volume was used but did not improve P sorption. Heating at 200 °C with or without the presence of oxygen did not improve N leaching or P sorption. Regression of P sorption parameters from a two-surface Langmuir isotherm against physio-chemical properties indicated that oxalate-extractable (i.e., amorphous) aluminum and iron were significantly associated with total P sorption capacity (R² = 0.94), but micropores and oxalate-extractable P modulated the P sorption from high-affinity to low-affinity mechanisms. In conclusion, this study confirmed the importance of amorphous aluminum in DWTRs for inactivating P, and the results suggest that high-temperature treatment under oxygen-limited conditions may be the most reliable way to optimize DWTRs for environmental remediation applications. Full article

Eutrophication often results in the loss of submerged vegetation in shallow lakes and turns the lake to be a turbid state. Recovery of submerged macrophytes is the key in the restoration of shallow eutrophic lakes to create a clear water state. However, internal loading control was considered as the critical process for the recovery of submerged macrophytes in shallow lakes after the external nutrient reduction. Phoslock^® (Lanthanum modified bentonite) is a useful passivation material in controlling the internal loadings (release of phosphorus from the sediments), which was applied to restore the eutrophic lakes. However, the effects of Phoslock^® on the growth and life strategies of submerged macrophytes are less focused so far. In the present study, we studied the responses in the growth and morphological characteristics of Myriophyllum spicatum to the addition of Phoslock^® to the sediments. Our results showed that the addition of Phoslock^® significantly decreased the contents of bioavailable forms of phosphorus in the sediments, such as redox-sensitive phosphorus bound to Fe and Mn compounds (BD–P), phosphorus bound to aluminum (Al–P) and organic phosphorus (Org–P). However, the concentration of the non-bioavailable forms of phosphorus in the sediments, such as calcium bound phosphorus (Ca–P), increased significantly in the Phoslock^® treatments compared with the controls. At the end of the experiments, the total biomass, aboveground biomass and relative growth rate (RGR) of M. spicatum decreased significantly in the Phoslock^® mesocosms compared with the controls. In contrast, the wet root biomass, root–shoot biomass ratio, root numbers and root length of M. spicatum were significantly higher in the Phoslock^® treatments than that in the controls. Our results indicated that the growth of M. spicatum was suppressed by the addition of Phoslock^®, and thus the biomass was decreased; however, the increase of root biomass might be beneficial to the inhibition of phosphorus release and resuspension of sediments and to the restoration of the lake ecosystem. Full article

Lake restoration is a part of geoengineering, which is a useful tool for landscape management. The phosphorus inactivation method is one of the most popular lake restoration methods. Using chemical compounds for P binding is leading to the creation of sediment “active layer”, which should show higher P adsorption abilities, compared to non-modified sediment. Howewer, it provides rather little information, how long the modified sediment remains active, and whether it is effective in continuous P binding. Lake meromixis is not commonly observed phenomenon, and sediment located in monimolimnion area is subjected long term anoxia. Therefore, observation of “active layer” in a meromictic lake can give very important data about durability of restoration effects. The object of our study was meromictic Starodworskie Lake (5.57 ha, max. depth 24.5 m), located in Olsztyn Lakeland, Poland. In the past the analyzed lake was subjected to various restoration methods, and phosphorus inactivation method by alum use (1994–1995) was the last used treatment type. The mixing regime of this lake had changed from bradimictic (before and during restoration time) into durable meromictic (post-restoration period). The research made two decades after implementing of P inactivation showed the presence of “active” sediment layer 10–15 cm below sediment surface. This sediment layer showed much higher content of P bound to aluminum, compared to surficial sediment layer. P binding molar ratio was assessed and amounted to 16.1 straightly after restoration and 6.1 after 21 years. This fraction amounts were higher that the values noted before restoration (ca. 358% higher than in 1994) and during restoration (ca. 86% higher than in 1995), which was probably the effect of continuous phosphorus adsorption by “active layer” in post-restoration period. Full article