Fungal Community Composition and Enzyme Activity in Different Type Bark of Pinus koraiensis

Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc. is an endemic and dominant tree in temperate zone needle broad-leaf mixed forest and has great economic and ecological value. As the barrier, pine bark has many important functions. However, the ecological functions and forming mechanism of bark fungal community are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to reveal the fungal community of Korean pine bark from Changbai Nature Reserve of Northeast China. Based on Illumina Hiseq2000 platform with five different types from three sites, the results showed that the bark types and collecting sites have strong influence on the fungal community structure. CCA demonstrates the physico-chemical properties of barks and sample collecting height are important factors. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between dominant ASVs and these factors showed the impact in detail. Dominant ASVs in living and dead tree bark are animal or plant pathogens mainly, and they are negative with the total N and P. Meanwhile, wood saprotroph and other undefined saprotroph fungi occur in the bark near the ground and they prefer the substrate with higher total N and P content. Furthermore, enzymes activities including lignin-related oxidoreductases, cellulose and hydrolytic enzyme are affected significantly by the bark’s physico-chemical properties.

Download Full-text

The Impact of Filler Geometry on Polylactic Acid-Based Sustainable Polymer Composites

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26010149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 149

Author(s):

Karol Leluk ◽

Stanisław Frąckowiak ◽

Joanna Ludwiczak ◽

Tomasz Rydzkowski ◽

Vijay Kumar Thakur

Keyword(s):

Polymer Composites ◽

Polylactic Acid ◽

Matrix Material ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate ◽

Cellulose Fibres ◽

Shape Factors ◽

Pure Cellulose ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The Impact

Recently, biocomposites have emerged as materials of great interest to the scientists and industry around the globe. Among various polymers, polylactic acid (PLA) is a popular matrix material with high potential for advanced applications. Various particulate materials and nanoparticles have been used as the filler in PLA based matrix. One of the extensively studied filler is cellulose. However, cellulose fibres, due to their hydrophilic nature, are difficult to blend with a hydrophobic polymer matrix. This leads to agglomeration and creates voids, reducing the mechanical strength of the resulting composite. Moreover, the role of the various forms of pure cellulose and its particle shape factors has not been analyzed in most of the current literature. Therefore, in this work, materials of various shapes and shape factors were selected as fillers for the production of polymer composites using Polylactic acid as a matrix to fill this knowledge gap. In particular, pure cellulose fibres (three types with different elongation coefficient) and two mineral nanocomponents: precipitated calcium carbonate and montmorillonite were used. The composites were prepared by a melt blending process using two different levels of fillers: 5% and 30%. Then, the analysis of their thermomechanical and physico-chemical properties was carried out. The obtained results were presented graphically and discussed in terms of their shape and degree of filling.

Download Full-text

Soil fertility and leaf nutrient status of litchi orchard sites

Dhaka University Journal of Biological Sciences ◽

10.3329/dujbs.v30i2.54640 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 141-149

Author(s):

Tasnim Zannat ◽

Farhana Firoz Meem ◽

Rubaiat Sharmin Promi ◽

Umme Qulsum Poppy ◽

MK Rahman

Keyword(s):

Particle Density ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Matter Content ◽

Average Particle ◽

Total N ◽

Available N ◽

Dominant Soil ◽

Physico Chemical

Twelve soil and twelve leaf samples were collected from twelve litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) orchards from different locations of Dinajpur to evaluate some physico-chemical properties and nutrient status of soil, and concentration of nutrients in litchi leaf. The pH of the soil varied from very strong acidic to medium acidic (4.8 - 5.7), organic matter content varied from 0.84 - 1.88%, EC varied from 302.4 - 310.2 μS/cm. The dominant soil textural class was clay loam. The average particle density was 2.49g/cm3. Total N, P, K and S in soils were 0.053 - 0.180%, 0.02 - 0.07%, 0.046 - 0.370 meq/100 g, and 0.015 - 0.028%, respectively. Available N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Mn and B in soils 30.40 - 57.8 mg/kg, 10.53 - 14.33 mg/kg, 0.03 - 0.32 meq/100 g, 20.03-34.80 mg/kg, 0.68-1.50 μg/g, 31.8 - 41.5 μg/g, 6.75 - 7.39 μg/g and 0.25-0.51 μg/g, respectively. The concentration of total N, P, K, S, Zn and Mn in the leaf were 1.74 - 2.20%, 0.11 - 0.188%, 0.104- 0.198%, 0.129 - 0.430%, 12 - 14 μg/g and 30 - 74 μg/g, respectively. The overall results indicated that the fertility status of the soils under the litchi plantation in the Dinajpur area are medium fertile. So, farmers could be advised to grow litchi plants after applying amendments to the soils to improve the physico-chemical properties in the Dinajpur area of Bangladesh. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 30(2): 141-149, 2021 (July)

Download Full-text

Unveiling the Efficiency of Vermicompost Derived from Different Biowastes on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plant Growth and Soil Health

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9120791 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 791 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zubair Aslam ◽

Safdar Bashir ◽

Waseem Hassan ◽

Korkmaz Bellitürk ◽

Niaz Ahmad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Soil Health ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Test Plant ◽

Cow Dung ◽

Aphid Infestation ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Chemical Attributes ◽

The Impact

The present study was conducted to explore the role of different types of vermicomposts (VCs) prepared from different substrates to improve soil health (physical and chemical properties) and wheat plant growth under field conditions. Different combinations of vermicompost prepared from different substrates (cow dung, paper waste, and rice straw) and inorganic fertilizers were applied in soil using wheat as a test plant. The impact of three different VCs on physico-chemical characteristics and nutrient availability in soil was evaluated to examine their efficacy in combination with chemical fertilizers. Temporal trends in vermicomposting treatments at various stages showed significant improvement in physico-chemical attributes of the VCs substrates. All the plant physiological attributes showed significant response where N:P:K 100:50:50 kg ha−1 + 10 t ha−1 cow dung vermicompost was applied. In addition, post-harvest analysis of soil not only revealed that different combinations of the vermicomposting treatments improved the soil health by improving the physico-chemical attributes of the soil. Conclusively, application of cow dung vermicompost along with recommended NPK not only improved crop yield, soil health, reduced insect (aphid) infestation but also fortified grains with Zn and Fe.

Download Full-text

IMPACT OF AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS ON SOIL EROSION PROCESSES AND SOIL PROPERTIES ON HILLY LANDSCAPE IN WESTERN LITHUANIA

Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management ◽

10.3846/16486897.2015.1054289 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 60-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gintaras JARAŠIŪNAS ◽

Irena KINDERIENĖ

Keyword(s):

Soil Erosion ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Soil Texture ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Erosion Processes ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The Impact

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different land use systems on soil erosion rates, surface evolution processes and physico-chemical properties on a moraine hilly topography in Lithuania. The soil of the experimental site is Bathihypogleyi – Eutric Albeluvisols (abe–gld–w) whose texture is a sandy loam. After a 27-year use of different land conservation systems, three critical slope segments (slightly eroded, active erosion and accumulation) were formed. Soil physical properties of the soil texture and particle sizes distribution were examined. Chemical properties analysed for were soil ph, available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N). We estimated the variation in thickness of the soil Ap horizon and soil physico-chemical properties prone to a sustained erosion process. During the study period (2010–2012) water erosion occurred under the grain– grass and grass–grain crop rotations, at rates of 1.38 and 0.11 m3 ha–1 yr–1, respectively. Soil exhumed due to erosion from elevated positions accumulated in the slope bottom. As a result, topographic transfiguration of hills and changes in soil properties occurred. However, the accumulation segments of slopes had significantly higher silt/clay ratios and SOC content. In the active erosion segments a lighter soil texture and lower soil ph were recorded. Only long-term grassland completely stopped soil erosion effects; therefore geomorphologic change and degradation of hills was estimated there as minimal.

Download Full-text

Dry Matter Production, Nutrient Cycled and Removed, and Soil Fertility Changes in Yam-Based Cropping Systems with Herbaceous Legumes in the Guinea-Sudan Zone of Benin

Scientifica ◽

10.1155/2016/5212563 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Raphiou Maliki ◽

Brice Sinsin ◽

Anne Floquet ◽

Denis Cornet ◽

Eric Malezieux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Block Design ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Mucuna Pruriens ◽

Total N ◽

Herbaceous Legumes ◽

Andropogon Gayanus ◽

The Impact

Traditional yam-based cropping systems (shifting cultivation, slash-and-burn, and short fallow) often result in deforestation and soil nutrient depletion. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of yam-based systems with herbaceous legumes on dry matter (DM) production (tubers, shoots), nutrients removed and recycled, and the soil fertility changes. We compared smallholders’ traditional systems (1-year fallow ofAndropogon gayanus-yam rotation, maize-yam rotation) with yam-based systems integrated herbaceous legumes (Aeschynomene histrix/maize intercropping-yam rotation,Mucuna pruriens/maize intercropping-yam rotation). The experiment was conducted during the 2002 and 2004 cropping seasons with 32 farmers, eight in each site. For each of them, a randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replicates was carried out using a partial nested model with five factors: Year, Replicate, Farmer, Site, and Treatment. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the general linear model (GLM) procedure was applied to the dry matter (DM) production (tubers, shoots), nutrient contribution to the systems, and soil properties at depths 0–10 and 10–20 cm. DM removed and recycled, total N, P, and K recycled or removed, and soil chemical properties (SOM, N, P, K, and pH water) were significantly improved on yam-based systems with legumes in comparison with traditional systems.

Download Full-text

MRI Relaxivity Changes of the Magnetic Nanoparticles Induced by Different Amino Acid Coatings

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano10020394 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 394 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Iryna Antal ◽

Oliver Strbak ◽

Iryna Khmara ◽

Martina Koneracka ◽

Martina Kubovcikova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Nanoparticles ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Hydrodynamic Diameter ◽

Contrast Imaging ◽

Dispersed Particles ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The One ◽

Molecular Contrast ◽

The Impact ◽

Positively Charged

In this study, we analysed the physico-chemical properties of positively charged magnetic fluids consisting of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalised by different amino acids (AAs): glycine (Gly), lysine (Lys) and tryptophan (Trp), and the influence of AA–MNP complexes on the MRI relaxivity. We found that the AA coating affects the size of dispersed particles and isoelectric point, as well as the zeta potential of AA–MNPs differently, depending on the AA selected. Moreover, we showed that a change in hydrodynamic diameter results in a change to the relaxivity of AA–MNP complexes. On the one hand, we observed a decrease in the relaxivity values, r1 and r2, with an increase in hydrodynamic diameter (the relaxivity of r1 and r2 were comparable with commercially available contrast agents); on the other hand, we observed an increase in r2* value with an increase in hydrodynamic size. These findings provide an interesting preliminary look at the impact of AA coating on the relaxivity properties of AA–MNP complexes, with a specific application in molecular contrast imaging originating from magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic resonance techniques.

Download Full-text

Biochar as soil amendment: Impact on chemical properties and corn nutrient uptake in a Podzol

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.1139/cjss-2015-0044 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 96 (4) ◽

pp. 400-412 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

A.B. Syuhada ◽

J. Shamshuddin ◽

C.I. Fauziah ◽

A.B. Rosenani ◽

A. Arifin

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Uptake ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Total N ◽

Fertilized Soil ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Exchangeable Al ◽

Completely Randomized Design ◽

Healthy Growth ◽

The Impact ◽

Biochar Amendment

A study was conducted to investigate the impact of biochar amendment on chemical properties and corn nutrient uptake in a sandy Podzol soil. Four rates of biochar (0, 5, 10, and 15 g kg−1) and two rates of inorganic fertilizer (0 and local recommendation rate for corn) were randomly applied to a completely randomized design with four replicates. Corn was grown for 45 d in a glasshouse using sandy Podzol. The increase in pH of the soil was concomitant with a decrease of exchangeable Al. The fertilized soil significantly increased total N, with a concomitant decrease in soil pH due to a N nitrification. Positive changes did occur in the soil due to biochar application, leading to a significant increase in dry matter yield and corn height. Corn N and K uptakes were significantly increased by the addition of biochar, but the same was not true for Ca and Mg. However, it was found that the concentrations of N, Ca, and Mg in the corn tissue were still lower than their critical level. Our results demonstrate that application of biochar alone is not able to supply enough nutrients for the healthy growth of corn.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of the Physico-Chemical Properties of Liposomes Assembled from Bioconjugates of Anisic Acid with Phosphatidylcholine

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms222313146 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (23) ◽

pp. 13146

Author(s):

Hanna Pruchnik ◽

Anna Gliszczyńska ◽

Aleksandra Włoch

Keyword(s):

Phase Transition ◽

Lipid Bilayer ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Main Phase ◽

Cancer Therapies ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Scanning Calorimetry ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Anisic Acid ◽

The Impact

The aim of this work was the evaluation of the physico-chemical properties of a new type of liposomes that are composed of DPPC and bioconjugates of anisic acid with phosphatidylcholine. In particular, the impact of modified anisic acid phospholipids on the thermotropic parameters of liposomes was determined, which is crucial for using them as potential carriers of active substances in cancer therapies. Their properties were determined using three biophysical methods, namely differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), steady-state fluorimetry and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Moreover, temperature studies of liposomes composed of DPPC and bioconjugates of anisic acid with phosphatidylcholine provided information about the phase transition, fluidity regarding chain order, hydration and dynamics. The DSC results show that the main phase transition peak for conjugates of anisic acid with phosphatidylcholine molecules was broadened and shifted to a lower temperature in a concentration- and structure-dependent manner. The ATR-FTIR results and the results of measurements conducted using fluorescent probes located at different regions in the lipid bilayer are in line with DSC. The results show that the new bioconjugates with phosphatidylcholine have a significant impact on the physico-chemical properties of a membrane and cause a decrease in the temperature of the main phase transition. The consequence of this is greater fluidity of the lipid bilayer.

Download Full-text

Interdisciplinary Projects Applied to Chemistry Lessons: Example of Chemistry Linked to Food Science

CHIMIA International Journal for Chemistry ◽

10.2533/chimia.2020.196 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 74 (3) ◽

pp. 196-198

Author(s):

Lydie Moreau ◽

Véronique Breguet Mercier

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Network Formation ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Working Environment ◽

Food Science ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Interdisciplinary Projects ◽

The Impact ◽

Design Experiments ◽

Good Organization

An interdisciplinary project regarding the effect of ascorbic acid on bread dough's physico-chemical properties was proposed to bachelor students in chemistry and food sciences. Such an approach was proposed to develop both scientific and soft skills, in order to prepare students for their future working environment. Together, students deepened their knowledge regarding food science and chemistry. They were then able to plan and design experiments demonstrating the impact of gluten network formation and ascorbic acid influence onto bread dough and finished product characteristics. This way of teaching was very appreciated by students, nevertheless it highlighted the fact that the professors' investment was considerably high, and that good organization, alignment and preparation prior to the start of this project is key.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Chitosan on the Chemical Structure, Morphology, and Selected Properties of Polyurethane/Chitosan Composites

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym12051205 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1205

Author(s):

Agnieszka Piotrowska-Kirschling ◽

Joanna Brzeska

Keyword(s):

Chemical Structure ◽

Materials Science ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Materials Synthesis ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Structure Morphology ◽

Basic Parameters ◽

Properties Of Materials ◽

The Impact ◽

Positive Effect

Materials science is an interdisciplinary area of studies. This science focuses on the influence of the physico-chemical properties of materials on their application in human everyday lives. The materials’ synthesis should be developed in accordance with sustainable development. Polyurethanes (PUR) represent a significant consumption of plastic in the world. Modification of PUR, e.g., with polysaccharide of natural origin (chitosan, Chit), should have a positive effect on their functional properties and degradability in the natural environment. The basic parameters affecting the scope and direction of changes are the size and quantity of the chitosan particles. The impact assessment of chitosan on the chemical structure, morphology, thermal properties, crystallinity, mechanical properties, flammability, water sorption, adsorption properties, degradability, and biological activity of PUR/Chit composites (without other additives) is discussed in this article. To the best of our knowledge, recent literature does not contain a study discussing the direct impact of the presence of chitosan in the structure of PUR/Chit composite on its properties, regardless of the intended uses. This paper provides an overview of publications, which presents the results of a study on the effect of adding chitosan in polyurethane/chitosan composites without other additives on the properties of polyurethane.

Download Full-text