Determination of Pesticide Residues in Most Commonly Consumed Leafy Vegetables in Riyadh Region (Al-Kharej Province)

A total of 81 samples of various leafy vegetables viz., Rocket (Eruca sativa), Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Corchorus (Corchorus olitorius), Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), Radish (Raphanus sativus), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Mint (Mentha sachalinensis) and Green onions (Allium cepa) were collected from 20 different areas in Riyadh region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Liquid-Liquid Extraction of extraction partitioning method and confirmation by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer for the presence of various pesticide residues was performed. Pesticide residues were detected in all the collected samples with varying concentrations. A variety of pesticides including organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, herbicides, acaricides and insecticides have been identified in the samples. While the residue levels were low for most pesticides, higher levels of chlorpyrifos (0.123 mg/kg and resmethrin (0.1 mg/kg) were found in Rocket, carbaryl (0.92 mg/kg) in spinach and corchorus (0.116 mg/kg), permethrin (total cis + trans permethrin) inlettuce (0.103 mg/kg) and coriander (0.126 mg/kg), and cypermethrin in parsley (0.126 ppm). The highest maximum residue limit (MRL) values of pesticide residues on leafy vegetables of 0.10 mg/kg were observed for carbaryl in Spinach and Corchorus, whereas in Parsley an MRL of 0.5 mg/kg was found. The current research shows that in some leafy vegetables, higher doses of pesticides were found.

Insecticidal Activity of Diverse Extracts of the Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Against the Blue Green Aphid Acyrthosiphon Kondoi Shinji

The efficiency of three different extracts from stem and leaf of Citrullus colocynthis against the blue green aphid Acyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji was studied. Results showed that the ethanolic extracts from the two parts of C.colocynthis caused higher mortalities of aphids after 48 hours (96 % and 93 % for the stem and leaf, respectively). Toxicological parameters demonstrated that ethanolic extract from the stem of C.colocynthis was more toxic to aphids than leaf extract. This study suggests that detailed chemistry on the stem of C. colocynthis is required before applying it in the integrated pest management of aphids.

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.): A Promising Nutritive Source for Livestock Feeding Supplements

This study was carried out to evaluate and compare the nutritive characteristics and the amino acids and fatty acids profiles of four Mungbean verities from China, India, Pakistan and the local commercial mungbean seeds. The results showed that protein content ranged from 20.04 to 23.76% fat from 1.12 to 2.85%, fiber from 3.95 to 4.48%, ash from 3.61 to 4.77% and starch from 42.63 to 50.66%. China and Pakistan verities had the highest concentrations of eight amino acids. Pakistan variety was the highest rarity in the unsaturated fatty acids, whereas the local commercial seeds were the highest in saturated fatty acids content.

Influence of Season and Housing System on Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites and Physiological Responses of Growing Friesian Calves

Sixteen Friesian growing calves were used to study growth and physiological responses during winter.

In vitro Gas Production, Methane Emission and Rumen Fermentation Characteristics with Increasing Roughage to Concentrate Ratios

Effects of roughage to concentrate ratio on gas production (GP) and nutrient degradability were evaluated in vitro. Rations I: 0R:100C, II: 20R:80C, III: 40R:60C, IV: 60R:40C, V: 80R:20C and VI: 100R:0C were incubated for 24h. Concentrate (0R:100C) produced greater GP/gDM, TDOM and MCP. TDDM was higher for rations I to IV than V and VI. Roughage (100R:0C) had lower PF and higher pH and protozoal count with no VFA effect. Ration III and IV containing 60 and 40% concentrate, respectively exhibited balanced distribution of soluble substrate between microbial biomass production and fermentation waste products and are optimal for sheep nutrition.

Effect of Temperature on Antimony Leaching from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) into Bottled Water

In this research, the level of the heavy metal antimony (Sb) was assessed in seven PETE-bottled water brands, representing major producing firms in Jeddah city. On the same day samples brought from local superstores, each sample underwent 4-replicate analysis (as time-zero Sb level). Soon after analysis, bottles of each brand were tightly closed, divided into three subsets, stored for 2 months (23°C, 5°C, 50°C, respectively), then re-analyzed. ICP-OES was used for analysis. Sb ranged from 0.100 (time-zero) to 1.664-µg l-1. Compared with time-zero level, significant (p ? 0.05) effects of temperature on Sb level were observed. Reactivity to elevated temperature indicated a significant variation between some brands at 50° C. Although the outcomes of this study indicate that Sb levels increase with elevated temperature, such levels are well below the international MCLs, and are unlikely to exceed them under the standard storage conditions.

Monthly and Seasonal Variation of the Tropopause Pressure on the Middle East

tropopause is the natural boundary between two different atmospheric layers, that is, stratosphere and troposphere. However, both of these layers (stratosphere and troposphere) differs significantly in terms of various dynamical and chemical parameters (for example, temperature, pressure, water vapors, etc.). It is therefore necessary to study the tropopause in order to better understand the static and dynamic conditions of aforementioned atmospheric parameters. This study therefore highlights the monthly and seasonal variation of tropopause pressure over the Middle East region. For this, reanalysis data set of tropopause pressure over Middle-East through the period from 1948 to 2006 are acquired from National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Average of monthly and seasonal tropopause pressure distribution over the study region are estimated and discussed. The results of the study show that the summer seasons and the first month of autumn season have similar tropopause pressure distribution over the study region. The results of the study also show that the distribution of tropopause pressure for summer season started as a short wave at the end of spring season. In addition, northern part of the study region has zonal distribution of tropopause pressure with the exception of summer season as well as for the first month of autumn season.

Causes of Occupational Accidents and Injuries in Construction Industry in Jeddah City

This study identified the causes of accidents and injuries in the construction industry among 300 workers in Jeddah City, situated on the coast of the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia. Results from the questionnaire showed that the major cause of accidents and injuries is the lack of awareness about occupational safety and lack of experience among the workers (> 82%); and the most common type of accidents and injuries that occur in the construction industry, are workers falling from a height (>80%), and electrical shock (>60%). Recommendations to prevent accidents and injuries in this industry are provided in this paper.

Biological and Chemical Investigations of Water Quality and Contamination Study After a Suspicious Algal Bloom in a Coastal Lagoon, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection (GAMEP) started an investigation about suspicion of microcystis bloom with toxin production in lagoon near Obhour, Jeddah. Water samples were collected from different spots covering all lagoon directions. The samples were analyzed for salinity, coliforms, toxin producing microalgae using MPN, and microscopic examination. LC/MS-MS analysis was used to identify and quantify the extra-cellular microcystins (MCs) in the lagoon water. The results revealed complete absence of the toxic algae or its secreted toxins. The results revealed the presence of Dunaliella salina with rich ?-carotene production responsible for brown or pink color in the lagoon.

Building a System Dynamics Model to Achieve Optimal Economic Efficiency of Groundwater Use, Case Study: Wadi Al-Dawasir, Saudi Arabia

An agricultural hydro-economic System Dynamics model is built to study optimal solutions for economic efficiency of groundwater use and to achieve water and food sustainability in Wadi Al-Dawasir. Seven scenarios are proposed for the period (2017-2030). These scenarios are designed to study the anticipated effects of the government’s decision to stop growing fodder crops by 2019. The results showed that the implementation of this decision would reduce the cumulative depletion of water by 21 billion m3. In addition, the transfer from fodder to vegetable farming is the least water consuming and offers higher value agricultural products than other scenarios.