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Mytilus galloprovincialis female specimens were collected from two mussel farms located in two sites next to Castel dell'Ovo, a historical complex located in the Naples Bay. Such sites were named, respectively, A‐area and B‐area for the different microbiological parameters so that mussels from A‐area can be sold without purification, whereas mussels from B‐area must be purified before sale. The mussels were collected during the nonreproductive (summer 2009) and reproductive periods (autumn 2009). Gonadosomatic index, structural organization of the ovary, presence of apoptosis, estrogen receptors expression, as well as the bisphenol A (BPA) content in the ovaries, were evaluated. Ovaries from specimens collected in area B showed a different and significant distribution of the investigated biomarkers as well as of BPA content in respect to those measured in the A‐area specimens, confirming that mussels are valid sentinel organisms to biomonitor in the Naples bay too. Bisphenol A (BPA) content in the Mytilus ovary of samples collected in A‐area and B‐area of Naples Bay. Each value represents the mean ±  SEM. Asterisk corresponds to a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation and mineralization of the nonionic surfactant octylphenol ethoxylate (OPEO), commercially known as Triton™ X-45, by the peroxymonosulfate (PMS)/UV-C process were investigated. Three different toxicity tests (Daphnia magna, Vibrio fischeri and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) as well as the Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) bioassay were undertaken to evaluate the potential toxic and estrogenic effects of OPEO and its oxidation products. OPEO removal was very fast and complete after 7 min via PMS/UV-C treatment under the investigated reaction conditions (OPEO = 20 mg L−1 (47 μM); TOC = 12 mg L−1; PMS = 2.5 mM; initial reaction pH = 6.5; applied UV-C dose = 21 Wh L−1). TOC removal also proceeded rapidly; a gradual decrease was observed resulting in an overall TOC removal of 84%. The toxic responses of PMS/UV-C treated OPEO solutions varied according to the test organism used in the bioassay. Daphnia magna was found to be most sensitive to aqueous OPEO, whereas Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata appeared to be the least sensitive one. Daphnia magna and Vibrio fischeri tests revealed that the inhibitory effect of OPEO decreased significantly during the course of treatment. On the other hand, PMS/UV-C oxidation products exhibited a high toxic effect towards Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (around 60%). YES test results underlined the need for improving the PMS/UV-C treatment performance to remove the estrogenic activity of OPEO and its oxidation products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate sol-gel layers for biosensing applications prior and after glucose oxidase (GOD) immobilization. The changes occurring in sol-gel infrared spectrum after GOD immobilization were clearly evidenced confirming the retaining of the enzyme activity. Moreover, micro-ATR experimental technique allowed us to investigate the spatial distribution of enzyme concentration. The non-destructive nature of our approach also enabled to monitor the time stability of sol-gel layers and of embedded GOD. The temporal evolution of some peaks in infrared spectra of these sol-gel layers was compared with absorption and steady-state fluorescence measurements. The results reported here confirm that micro-ATR infrared spectroscopy can be usefully employed for a non- or minimally invasive detailed characterization of supports for enzyme immobilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]