The Interstellar Medium of Dwarf Galaxies

Dwarf galaxies are by far the most numerous galaxies in the Universe, showing properties that are quite different from those of their larger and more luminous cousins. This review focuses on the physical and chemical properties of the interstellar medium of those dwarfs that are known to host significant amounts of gas and dust. The neutral and ionized gas components and the impact of the dust will be discussed, as well as first indications for the existence of active nuclei in these sources. Cosmological implications are also addressed, considering the primordial helium abundance and the similarity of local Green Pea galaxies with young, sometimes protogalactic sources in the early Universe.

Development of muffins with green pea flour and their physical and sensory evaluation and essential amino acid content

ABSTRACT: Wheat flour (WF), pea flour (PF) and whole wheat flour (WWF) were mixed in different ratios by applying a simplex-centroid mixture design, in order to evaluate the impact of these combinations on the physical and sensorial properties of muffins. The interaction between WF and WWF produced muffins with brighter crusts and muffins prepared with higher ration of PF were harder. The ranking test was performed with the objective of identifying the most preferred muffin experiments according to the flavor attribute. The experiments with the lowest ranking scores were selected and submitted to the acceptance test. In the acceptance test, the attributes of color, taste, texture and overall acceptance were evaluated, where muffins obtained scores higher than 7 (“moderately liked”), indicating good acceptance of all experiments. The experiment (a) (80% of WF, 10% of PF and 10% of WWF) was chosen for presenting the highest set of scores.

Accumulation and Combined Effect of Salinity and Heavy Metals on Growth, Yield and Uptake of Green Pea Grown in Piped Hydroponics

This research is to study the accumulation and combined effect of three salinity levels (750, 1500 and 3750 ppm) and of heavy metals (3.26, 3.2, 2 ppm, 2, and 0.2 of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Mo, respectively) on growth, yield, and uptake of green pea plants grown in piped hydroponic. Due to freshwater shortages, the use of hydroponic growth system was encouraged and used. The experiment consists of planting green peas from seeds into a 6” PVC piped system. After 2.5 months of growing, the experiment was stopped and plants parts were separated and divided into pods, leaves, stems, and roots, Then, physical, and chemical measurements conducted on them. Results indicated that (1) Salt concentration above 1500 mg/l was detrimental on the growth of green pea, (2) the best growth, yield, and biomass weight were observed at salinity of 750 mg/l, (3) heavy metals had positive effect on stems and roots of plants, but declined effect plant growth in general, (4) lines with nutrient deficiency were deficient in growth too, (5) sodium increased in plant’s organs in response to increased salinity in the feed solution, (6) the largest concentration of copper and zinc were found at the roots of the highest salinity level lines (36.05 and 211.58 mg/kg dry plant, respectively), (7) the hydroponic system proved to be efficient and economical and therefore, it is recommended for use for Palestinian farmers, and (8) results obtained in this study agree with previously published research with extent differences.

Green Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Hull Polyphenol Extracts Ameliorate DSS-Induced Colitis through Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway and Gut Microbiota Modulation

As a processing by-product, green pea hull (GPH) was found to be rich in phenolic components in our previous studies. In this study, UHPLC-LTQ-OrbiTrap-MS (Ultra performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry) technique was used to quantify polyphenols, and DSS (sodium dextran sulfate)-induced colitis mouse model was established to explore the effect of GPH extracts on colitis. The results showed that quercetin and its derivatives, kaempferol trihexanside and catechin and its derivatives were the main phenolic substances in the extract, reaching 2836.57, 1482.00 and 1339.91 µg quercetin/g GPH extract, respectively; GPH extracts can improved inflammatory status, repaired colonic function, regulated inflammatory factors, and restored oxidative balance in mice. Further, GPH extracts can activate Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway, regulate downstream antioxidant protease and gut microbiota by increasing F/B value and promoting the growth of Lactobacillaceae and Lachnospiraceae, and improve the level of SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids) to relieve DSS-induced colitis in mice. Therefore, GPH may be a promising dietary resource for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.