Gray mold severity and vase life of rose buds after pulsing with citric acid, salicylic acid, calcium sulfate, sucrose and silver thiosulfate

Gray mold of roses (Rosa hibrida) caused by Botrytis cinerea requires many management strategies for its control. The effect of pulsing rose cv. Kiss with solutions of citric acid, salicylic acid, sucrose, calcium sulfate, and silver thiosulfate (STS) on disease severity and vase life of the flowers was evaluated. The solutions were applied to cut stems at different stages of harvest, the variation in the opening stage of harvest did not affect the results. Pulsing with STS reduced the values of area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and of severity of disease by 15% and 55%, respectively, and increased the vase life of the flowers by 20%. Calcium sulfate consistently reduced AUDPC by 66% and maximum severity by 88%, and increased vase life of the flowers by 37%. Therefore, pulsing rose buds with solutions of STS and calcium sulfate is potentially useful in reducing losses due to gray mold after harvest and in extending the vase life.

Synthesis and thermal studies of solid state 2-chloro-benzylidenepyruvic acid and its compounds with sodium, aluminium (III), gallium (III) and indium (III) cations

The synthesis of sodium 2-chlorobenzylidenepyruvate and its corresponding acid as well as binary, binary together with it's acid or hydroxo-2-chorobenzylidenepyruvate of aluminium (III), gallium (III) and indium (III), were isolated. Chemical analysis, thermogravimetry, derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), simultaneous thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and X-ray powder diffractometry have been employed to characterize and to study the thermal behaviour of these compounds. The results provided information concerning the stoichiometry, crystallinity, thermal stability and thermal decomposition.

Thermal behavior of alginic acid and its sodium salt

An evaluation of hydration and thermal decomposition of HAlg and its sodium salt is described using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). TG curves in N2 and air, were obtained for alginic acid showed two decomposition steps attributed to loss of water and polymer decomposition respectively. The sodium alginate decomposed in three steps. The first attributed to water loss, followed by the formation of a carbonaceous residue and finally the Na2CO3. DSC curves presented peaks in agreement with the TG data. In the IR alginic acid presented bands at 1730 and 1631 cm-1, while sodium alginate presented a doublet at 1614 e 1431 cm-1, evidencing the presence of salified carboxyl groups.

Comparison of Potassium and Sodium Content in Diet and Non-Diet Soft Drinks by Using Capillary Electrophoresis with Capacitively Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detection

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) was used for determination of sodium and potassium concentrations in diet and non-diet soft drinks. Higher sodium concentrations were found in the diet samples due to the utilization of sodium salts of cyclamate and saccharine as sweeteners. The CE-C4D method can be used by food industries and health regulatory agencies for monitoring sodium and potassium content, not only in soft drink but in many others food products.

Thermal behaviour of succinic acid, sodium succinate and its compounds with some bivalent transitions metal ions in dynamic N2 and CO2 atmospheres

Thermal stability and thermal decomposition of succinic acid, sodium succinate and its compounds with Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) were investigated employing simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) in nitrogen and carbon dioxide atmospheres and TG-FTIR in nitrogen atmosphere. On heating, in both atmospheres the succinic acid melt and evaporate, while for the sodium succinate the thermal decomposition occurs with the formation of sodium carbonate. For the transition metal succinates the final residue up to 1180 ºC in N2 atmosphere was a mixture of metal and metal oxide in no simple stoichiometric relation, except for Zn compound, where the residue was a small quantity of carbonaceous residue. For the CO2 atmosphere the final residue up to 980 ºC was: MnO, Fe3O4, CoO, ZnO and mixtures of Ni, NiO and Cu, Cu2O.

Utilisation of magnetic field in membrane filtration

As it is known, the major problem of membrane filtration is fouling of membrane during the filtration process. There are a lot of methods to prevent or reduce fouling. One very little studied method is applying of magnetic field in membrane filtration. Magnetic field has such advantages as bulk, contact free, nondestructive impact on the sample, thus it can be combined with different types of processes. In addition, the use of magnetic fields has given positive results in various areas of science and life. So, the present thesis is devoted to the research of influence of magnetic field on performances of nanofiltration. In the literature part of the thesis a short description of membrane process and mechanism of reorientation of nanoparticals in magnetic field is presented. The utilization of magnetic field in different spheres of life, in general, and membrane area, in particular, is represented. In the experimental part the influence of magnetic field created by two permanent magnets on filtration of two solutions (citric acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate) was investigated. Factors, which affect on the impact of magnetic field was estimated. The effect of magnetic field was evaluated by measuring a change of pure water permeability after the filtration of model solution. This work demonstrated that direction of magnetic field and the type of molecules of filtered solution has significant effect to the efficiency of nanofiltration. Utilization of magnetic field might increase retention of membrane and flux through membrane and reduce fouling.

Recovery of carboxylic acids from aqueous streams by extraction and back extraction

Separation of carboxylic acids from aqueous streams is an important part of their manufacturing process. The aqueous solutions are usually dilute containing less than 10 % acids. Separation by distillation is difficult as the boiling points of acids are only marginally higher than that of water. Because of this distillation is not only difficult but also expensive due to the evaporation of large amounts of water. Carboxylic acids have traditionally been precipitated as calcium salts. The yields of these processes are usually relatively low and the chemical costs high. Especially the decomposition of calcium salts with sulfuric acid produces large amounts of calcium sulfate sludge. Solvent extraction has been studied as an alternative method for recovery of carboxylic acids. Solvent extraction is based on mixing of two immiscible liquids and the transfer of the wanted components form one liquid to another due to equilibrium difference. In the case of carboxylic acids, the acids are transferred from aqueous phase to organic solvent due to physical and chemical interactions. The acids and the extractant form complexes which are soluble in the organic phase. The extraction efficiency is affected by many factors, for instance initial acid concentration, type and concentration of the extractant, pH, temperature and extraction time. In this paper, the effects of initial acid concentration, type of extractant and temperature on extraction efficiency were studied. As carboxylic acids are usually the products of the processes, they are wanted to be recovered. Hence the acids have to be removed from the organic phase after the extraction. The removal of acids from the organic phase also regenerates the extractant which can be then recycled in the process. The regeneration of the extractant was studied by back-extracting i.e. stripping the acids form the organic solution into diluent sodium hydroxide solution. In the solvent regeneration, the regenerability of different extractants and the effect of initial acid concentration and temperature were studied.

Evaluation of the efficacy of hydrated sodium aluminosilicate in the prevention of aflatoxin-induced hepatic cancer in rainbow trout

The use of aluminum silicates for decontaminating animal feed containing aflatoxins has yielded encouraging results in chicken and turkey poults. In contrast, very few studies have tested these substances in aquaculture. In this work, we investigated the efficacy of a trout diet containing 0.5% hydrated sodium aluminosilicate (HSAS) in protecting against contamination with aflatoxin B1. Trout were reared on these diets for one year and the experimental groups were examined monthly for hepatic presumptive preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Regardless of the presence of HSAS, all of the fish that received aflatoxin in their diet have shown hepatic lesions indicative of a carcinogenic process, presenting also the development of cancer in some fish. The concentration of HSAS used in this study was ineffective in preventing the onset of hepatic lesions induced by aflatoxin B1 in rainbow trout.

Ethological activities, ruminal parameters and weight gain of calves supplemented with different amounts of sodium chloride

The daily weight gain, behavioral activities (grazing, ruminating and water consumption) and the number of rumen protozoa, pH, NH3, and the osmolarity of rumen fluid was evaluated for four groups of six calves HPB/Zebu submitted to daily intake of 15, 30, 60 and 90g of NaCl during 135 days (9th Jan. to 24th May 2008).Throughout the experimental period the calves were in perfect health condition and did not show any signs suggestive of chronic sodium poisoning. There was no significant difference in average daily gain of the calves as the intake of NaCl increased. No significant behavioral changes were observed in the activities of grazing and rumination. However, there was a noticeable change in the frequency of water consumption in the calves that ingested 90g/d of NaCl; they went more often to the trough and drank more water than the group that ingested only 15g sodium chloride/d. The osmolarity of ruminal liquid was higher in the group of calves fed 90g of NaCl/d. The pH, NH3 concentration and number of rumen protozoa was within the normal range.

Effect of exposure to sublethal concentrations of sodium cyanide on the carbohydrate metabolism of the Indian Major Carp Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Experiments were designed to study in-vivo effects of sodium cyanide on biochemical endpoints in the freshwater fish Labeo rohita. Fish were exposed to two sublethal concentrations (0.106 and 0.064mg/L) for a period of 15 days. Levels of glycogen, pyruvate, lactate and the enzymatic activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), phosphorylase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (AcP) were assessed in different tissues (liver, muscle and gills). Result indicated a steady decrease in glycogen, pyruvate, SDH, ALP and AcP activity with a concomitant increase in the lactate, phosphorylase, LDH and G6PD activity in all selected tissues. The alterations in all the above biochemical parameters were significantly (p<0.05) time and dose dependent. In all the above parameters, liver pointing out the intensity of cyanide intoxication compare to muscle and gills. Study revealed change in the metabolic energy by means of altered metabolic profile of the fish. Further, these observations indicated that even sublethal concentrations of sodium cyanide might not be fully devoid of deleterious influence on metabolism in L. rohita.

Sanitizer residues in the milk of cows which had passed through footbaths

Copper sulfate and sodium hypochlorite are used in footbath solutions for the prevention and treatment of bovine digital diseases; however, data on the residues of such elements in milk are sparse in Brazil. This study evaluated the cost of applying the footbath treatment and the total amount of copper and chlorite residues in the milk of healthy cows after they had passed through these footbath solutions. Two groups of 7 cows each (GI and GII) were studied. In the case of GI, 1% sodium hypochlorite was used and for GII 5% copper sulfate was employed in the footbath. The milk samples were collected before the 7-day footbath treatment period (M0) and 24 h (M1), 48 h (M2), 72 h (M3) and 15 days (M15) after the last footbath. Statistical analysis to compare the different samples within each group was carried out by applying Friedman's test, followed by Dunn's test (p<0.05). It was concluded that the amount of total chlorites and copper in the milk of healthy cattle after routine daily footbaths for a period of 7 days presented some variations. However, the concentrations observed were considered insufficient to represent a risk to human health. The cost of the footbath solutions was found to be reasonable.

Morfologian hallinta nikkelin sulfidisaostuksessa

Diplomityön tarkoituksena oli tutkia nikkelin sulfidisaostuksessa syntyvien kiteiden morfologiaa ja siihen vaikuttavia parametreja. Syntyvien kiteiden kasvua ja morfologiaa tutkittiin kiteen muodostumisen ja kasvun teorioiden avulla. Saostuksen olosuhteet, kuten lämpötila, paine ja pH vaikuttavat muodostuvien kiteiden morfologiaan. Muilla parametreilla, kuten liuoksen ylikylläisyydellä, epäpuhtauksilla, lisäaineilla, sekoituksella ja reaktioajalla on myös suuri merkitys. Kokeiden avulla haluttiin liuoskoostumuksen, saostusolosuhteiden ja muiden komponenttien vaikutusta nikkelisulfidikiteiden morfologiaan. Kokeissa käytettiin kahta eri sulfidilähdettä: natriumvetysulfidia ja rikkivetyä. Puolipanoskokeissa nikkelipitoisuus oli 1,5 g/l, paine 101,3 kPa ja sekoitusnopeus 650 rpm. Saostuskokeet tehtiin natriumsulfaatti- 5 g/l ja ammoniumsulfaattiliuoksissa 300 g/l. Saostuskokeissa muuttujia olivat saostimen konsentraatio ja määrä, rauta- ja magne-siumepäpuhtaudet, lämpötila ja lisäaineet. Diplomityön kokeellisessa osassa morfologiaa tutkittiin suoraan valomikroskoopin ja pyyhkäisyelektronimikroskoopin (SEM) avulla. Morfologiaa tutkittiin myös epäsuorasti laskeutumisnopeuden, keskimääräisen partikkelikoon, ja ominaispinta-alamittausten avulla. Saostimen pitoisuuden vaikutukset partikkelimuotoon olivat pieniä, mutta vaikutukset ominaispinta-alaan ja partikkelikokoon olivat suuria. Natriumlauryylisul-faatti ja EDTA ohjasivat partikkelien rakennetta levymäisemmäksi, joka johti hitaaseen laskeutumisnopeuteen. Polyakryylihappo lisäaineena muuttaa partikkelien morfologiaa kuutiomaisemmaksi. Flokkulanttien ja raudan morfologiset vaikutukset olivat pieniä. Partikkelikoko ja omaispinta-ala pienenivät selvästi magnesiumpitoisuuden kasvaessa. Lämpötilan kasvattaminen lisäsi epäsäännöllisten kiteiden määrää ja muodostuneet kiteet olivat enemmän neulamaisia.

Sodium bicarbonate as prevention of metabolic acidosis in sheep submitted to experimental ruminal acidosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of sodium bicarbonate on systemic acidosis due to ruminal acidosis, which was induced by ingestion of concentrate after prolonged fasting. Fourteen sheep were divided into three experimental groups: control group (Cg), with four sheep, submitted to fasting without development of ruminal acidosis; no-treated group (NTg), with five sheep with rumen acidosis without preventive treatment; and treated group (Tg), with five sheep with rumen acidosis and preventively treated with sodium bicarbonate. Assessments of ruminal pH and arterial hemogasometry were performed for 48 hours after ingestion of the concentrate. There was a reduction in the ruminal pH in all groups, whereas the Cg showed a reduction only after 24 hours. A reduction in the arterial pH, bicarbonate and base excess in all groups was also noted, indicating systemic metabolic acidosis, but the NTg presented the greatest alteration. It is concluded that sodium bicarbonate prevents systemic metabolic acidosis, reducing its severity in sheep subjected to ruminal acidosis.