Toxicity and Biochemical Effects of Cumin and Basil Essential Oils on Tribolium Castaneum

The essential oils (EOs) of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) herb were extracted by hydrodistillation and tested against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) for insecticidal and biochemical effects on certain enzymes of this insect. Major components of C. cyminum EO determined by gass chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis were γ-terpinene (15.78 %) and benzenemethanol (11.32 %), while those of O. basilicum EO were linalool (56.7 %) and epi-α-cadinol (11.4 %). The lethal concentration values for 50% mortality after three days of T. castaneum whole body exposure were 678 mg kg–1 for cumin oil and 755 mg kg–1 for basil oil. The enzymatic activity of treated insects showed a reduction in total protein, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase compared to untreated ones. However, α-amylase activity increased with both tested EOs. Hence, for T. castaneum control, these EOs may represent alternatives to conventional insecticides.

Plant Extracts Inducing Enzyme Activity in Grains Against Loose Smut Disease

This study investigated the role of endogenous Palestinian plant extracts in inducing wheat and barley resistance systems against loose smut disease with the aim to alternate the chemical pest control with natural fungicides. Twenty indigenous herbal plant extracts and essential oils were assessed for their biological and antifungal properties against Ustilago tritici and Ustilago nuda. Their potential role in inducing resistance pathways was studied on four different cultivars of wheat and barley. Two common enzyme indicators – guaiacol peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) – are expressed in plants only after physical or chemical induction. The antifungal activity of the plant extracts was investigated in vitro. Totally 70 % of the plant extracts showed antifungal activity against Ustilago tritici and Ustilago nuda. Coridothyme extracts ranked first (61 %) in the fungal growth inhibition, followed by varthemia, salvia, ambrosia, artemisia, and lemon thyme. Some plant extracts significantly increased the POX and PPO effect compared to control for all the wheat and barley cultivars tested. The study revealed that oregano, clove or lavender and pomegranate, common yarrow or chamomile oil effectively induced the resistance indicator enzymes in wheat and barley.

In Vitro Assessment of N-Phenyl Imides in the Management of Meloidogyne Incognita

The infestation with root knot nematode Meloidogyne spp. is a key issue in agriculture. Conventional control methods are based on the use of synthetic nematicides, which comes with severe environmental problems. In this study, n-phenyl imide and n-phenyl phthalamic acid were synthesized and reacted independently with Enantia chlorantha crude extract–manganese chloride complex. The effects of the resulting organic compounds were appraised against the root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White 1919) juveniles and eggs in two laboratory experiments. The most active compound was n-phenyl phthalamic acid (PN/TLMA) with 4% egg hatch over a 9-day observation after treatment as against distilled water which recorded 100% egg hatch at 9 days after treatment. n-Phenyl phthalamic acid showed 100% juvenile mortality at 10 days of observation compared to carbofuran dissolved in water (CBFN/water) and carbofuran dissolved in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (CBFN/HPCD) while no outstanding (P < 0.05) difference was recorded between the effects of other organic compounds and carbofuran in both solvents. The different rates of treatment applications were not appreciably (P<0.05) dissimilar on percentage juvenile mortality and egg hatch. The nematicidal test results indicated that the synthesized imide compounds with manganese complex moiety are a promising basis for developing new nematicidal compounds with less environmental hazard.

Lacticaseibacilli and Lactococci from Slovak Raw Goat Milk and their Potential

Strains potential such as bacteriocin activity, biofilm formation ability, growth in skim milk, susceptibility to antibiotics, tolerance to bile and low pH as well as enzyme production was tested in the species Lacticaseibacillus paracasei and Lactococcus lactis detected in Slovak raw goat milk. The strains showed mostly low-grade biofilm formation ability, susceptibility to antibiotics and sufficient tolerance to oxgall/bile. Lacticaseibacillus (Lcb.) paracasei ZM-1, ZM-2 and Lactococcus (Lc.) lactis PD MO 1/8 showed high tolerance to pH 3 (67 %, 83 % and 63 %, respectively). The strains showed bacteriocin activity against the principal indicator Enterococcus avium EA5 (inhibition zone ranging 5–24 mm). A concentrated substance of Lcb. paracasei LPa ML 12/1 (pH 6.3) inhibited EA5 strain (inhibition activity 100 AU ml–1). Lcb. paracasei ZM-1 and ZM-2 also produced a high amount of β-galactosidase (40 nmol). Although the strains indicated their beneficial potential, additional testing is needed; some tests are in processing for further possible application of selected strains in dairy.

Response of Laying Hens to Aqueous Extracts of Petiveria alliacea Root and Leaf

This study investigated the response of laying hens to aqueous extracts of Petiveria alliacea root and leaf. A total of 288 eighteen-week-old Isa brown pullets were used for the 25-week study. The pullets were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial experimental layout in a completely randomized design. The pullets were distributed into two groups administered root extract or leaf extract. Pullets in each group were allotted to four subgroups administered aqueous extracts of Petiveria alliacea at 15, 30 and 45 g l–1 concentration levels making eight treatments in total. Each treatment was replicated three times with twelve pullets per replicate. Eimeria oocyst counts and intestinal bacteria counts were lower (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0028, respectively) in hens administered 15, 30 and 45 g l–1 of Petiveria alliacea extracts than the control. The highest (P < 0.0001) antibody titre against Newcastle disease vaccine was recorded in hens administered 30 and 45 g l–1 concentrations of root (9.06 and 9.10 log2, respectively) and leaf (9.08 and 9.18 log2, respectively) extracts. The liver sections of hens in all treatments appeared normal. In conclusion, aqueous extract of Petiveria alliacea root and leaf at 30 and 45 g l–1 concentrations performed best as antimicrobial and immune stimulating agent without impairing liver health.

Lipid Globules and Fatty Acids in Milk of Lactating Raccoon (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

In this study, milk samples (n=52) from nine healthy female raccoons at 3–45 days of lactation were manually collected at a regular morning hour from all active teats and used to investigate the changes of lipid globules size, fatty acids (FAs) profile and fat content.The results indicated that raccoon milk is characterized by a high fat content. Small lipid globules sizing up to 6 µm prevailed with their greatest share in milk during lactation phases I and III. The milk fat content was increasing with the proceeding lactation, whereas the content of free FAs had a decreasing tendency. Totally eighteen FAs were identified in raccoon milk. The unsaturated long-chain C18–C20 FAs were dominating (over 60%). The individual FAs contents in raccoon milk did not exceed 1%, except for palmitic, vaccenic and linoleic acids representing over 20% of the total FA content.The study results can be used for establishing the energy requirements during the suckling period for proper growth and development of puppies.

Early-Season Effects of Wildfire on Soil Nutrients and Weed Diversity in Two Plantations

This study assessed early-season effects of spontaneous wildfires on soil fertility and weed diversity in two managed plantations – cashew and teak – in Ilorin, Nigeria. Soil pH and nutrients in the topsoils and subsoils of burned and unburned plantations plots after a spontaneous wildfire were analysed. Species diversity and similarity were determined based on the composition and abundances of weed flora two months post-fire. The fire effects on soil nutrients and weed composition in the plantations were evaluated using the canonical correspondence analysis. Burns incidence significantly improved the organic carbon, organic matter, and Ca contents while reducing total N and Mg in both plantations. Twenty-eight weed species were distributed in 9 angiosperm families. Fire differently affected weed composition, abundance and diversity in the plantations. Burning improved soil organic carbon and organic matter contents and restricted Tephrosia bracteolata, Desmodium tortuosum, Daniellia oliveri, Senna obtusifolia and Zornia latifolia to the burned cashew plantation. The occurrence of Euphorbia heterophylla, Eriosema psoraleoides and Crotalaria retusa in the burned teak plantation was associated with a direct fire effect on soil Na and Ca contents. Burning influenced soil nutrients in the studied plantations, but weed diversity increased in the teak plantation and was reduced in the cashew plantation.

Costs and Benefits of Green Tramway Tracks

In recent decades, green tramway tracks have still more often been installed in many cities as an alternative to standard rails placed on concrete sleepers or grooved rails since the vegetated tracks are beneficial to urban dwellers. In this article, we summarize and compare the benefits of grass and low-maintenance tramway tracks and link them with their investment and maintenance costs in two Czech cities. We conclude that grass surfaces offer a slightly higher rainwater retention capacity, while the rest of the benefits are similar for grass and low-maintenance surfaces. The investment costs are also similar, however, the maintenance costs are 30× higher for grass surfaces than for the low-maintenance ones.

Fungal Contamination in the Working Environ-Ment of Waste Sorting Facilities: A Review

In recent years, many studies have pointed to a relationship between the working activity in waste sorting facilities and the occurrence of health problems (respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, skin and eye irritations). Employees in these facilities are simultaneously exposed to many biological, chemical and physical factors. Due to the repeated detection of high concentrations of airborne fungi (reaching up to 1.8 x 106 CFU m–3) in the working environment involving potentially allergenic, infectious and toxigenic fungal species, it can be assumed that fungi may play an important role in the development of health problems. In terms of minimizing health risks, it is necessary to take several preventive and protective measures to reduce contamination of the working environment by biological agents. The basic recommendation is the consistent use of protective equipment as well as the observance of personal hygiene by the employees. Other necessary measures are the frequent air exchange inside the facility, educating the employees about health risks associated with waste sorting and establishment of regular medical check-ups.

Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties and Sensory Qualities of Pasta Enriched with Freeze-Dried Sweet Whey

For food industry, the production of functional pasta from non-conventional raw materials represents a challenge. This study aims to evaluate the potential of animal proteins of freeze-dried whey as a component for pasta production and its effect on the pasta qualities and consumer acceptance. Sweet whey was freeze-dried, then directly incorporated to pasta at a 20% level. Two pasta types (pasta non-enriched vs. enriched with whey powder) were manufactured following a small-scale pilot procedure, and then evaluated for their physicochemical and sensory qualities. Results of all analyses (whey, semolina and pasta) met the standards according to international legislation; however, the characteristics of enriched pasta differed. Whey addition significantly increased ash, proteins content, optimal cooking time and water uptake (P < 0.05); it significantly decreased moisture levels, colour parameters (CIE system: a* redness, b* yellowness) and the swelling index (P < 0.05). Sensory analysis revealed that overall sensory and product quality of enriched pasta was not affected by whey fortification and it was found acceptable by panelists. This study points out that whey powder could be used for the functional pasta production to increase proteins levels.