Search

Organic wastes from vegetable mix (V) and butchers (B) were used as substrates (V100%, V75%+B 25%, and V50%+B50%) for Hermetia illucens to assess the mineral profile of the larvae and frass, and the potential bioaccumulation of toxic elements (As, Cd, Pb, Hg). The V100 larvae had the highest concentrations of all minerals, except for Se and P, higher in the control group (poultry diet as substrate) (p <.01). The V50B50 and V75B25 larvae showed lower (p <.01) mineral concentrations than the other groups. The V50B50 group had the highest (p <.01) bioaccumulation factor (BAF) for Cd (8.52%), the V100 for Pb (p <.01). The equations to estimate the mineral content of larvae from the substrate were significant only for Ca and Mg (p <.05). The V100 frass had the highest (p <.01) levels of As, Cd, Pb, Fe, K and Mg, while the control group showed the highest (p <.01) levels of Se, Zn, Ca, P and K. Toxic elements can accumulate in black soldier fly larvae and frass, with the exception of Hg. However, organic wastes from V and B had a very low content of toxic elements and that strongly reduced the risk of excessive bioaccumulation in larvae. Indeed, the content of toxic elements in larvae is lower than the maximum values established for feed materials by EU regulations. In conclusion, organic substrates from vegetables or butchery wastes can be used for BSF larvae growth without the risk of accumulation of toxic elements. HIGHLIGHTS: Insect production for food and feed are increasing worldwide A well assessment of insect product safety is required by European Union Toxic elements can give bioaccumulation problems in black soldier fly larvae and frass but the risk depends on their level in the growing substrate [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open-field-grown tomatoes in Saudi Arabia are stressed by poor soil fertility because of the low organic matter content, low nutrient availability, and high pH. Thus, high chemical fertilizer inputs are crucial for commercial production; however, they cause economic loss as well as negatively affect environmental sustainability. The use of efficient organic fertilizers would be useful for developing more cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable agriculture. The current study evaluated the impact of Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) frass (BSFF) fertilizer applications as organic fertilizer on postharvest fruit quality and shelf life of open-field-grown F1 hybrid 'Sinag Tala' tomatoes compared with those grown under control treatment (received recommended doses of chemical fertilizers for tomato production under open field conditions). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The results showed that the application of BSFF fertilizer, especially at the higher rate (5 ton/ha; BSFF3), improved the overall quality of tomato fruit. The BSFF fertilizer treatments reduced weight loss, maintained higher firmness, antioxidants [vitamin C, total phenol content (TPC) and total flavinoid (TFC)], total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA) contents, and lowered the TSS/TA ratio of fruits during shelf life compared with those of the control. The decay incidence was only detected after 9 days of shelf life and was significantly lower in all the BSFF fertilizer treatments (range, 8.40%-12.05%) than in the control (15.9%). In addition, BSFF fertilizer treatments reduced both disease incidence and severity of gray mold following pathogen inoculation during shelf life compared with those of the control. These results might be attributable to the higher antioxidants content (vitamin C, TPC, and TFC) and higher polyphenol oxidase activity in BSFF-fertilized tomatoes. In conclusion, BSFF fertilizer could be used as a potential eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers to improve tomato fruit quality during shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passivated-carbon quantum dots (P-CQDs) have been attracting great interest as an antimicrobial therapy tool due to their bright fluorescence, lack of toxicity, eco-friendly nature, simple synthetic schemes, and possession of photocatalytic functions comparable to those present in traditional nanometric semiconductors. Besides synthetic precursors, CQDs can be synthesized from a plethora of natural resources including microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). Converting MCC into NCC is performed chemically via the top-down route, while synthesizing CODs from NCC can be performed via the bottom-up route. Due to the good surface charge status with the NCC precursor, we focused in this review on synthesizing CQDs from nanocelluloses (MCC and NCC) since they could become a potential source for fabricating carbon quantum dots that are affected by pyrolysis temperature. There are several P-CQDs synthesized with a wide spectrum of featured properties, namely functionalized carbon quantum dots (F-CQDs) and passivated carbon quantum dots (P-CQDs). There are two different important P-CQDs, namely 2,2′-ethylenedioxy-bis-ethylamine (EDA-CQDs) and 3-ethoxypropylamine (EPA-CQDs), that have achieved desirable results in the antiviral therapy field. Since NoV is the most common dangerous cause of nonbacterial, acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, this review deals with NoV in detail. The surficial charge status (SCS) of the P-CQDs plays an important role in their interactions with NoVs. The EDA-CQDs were found to be more effective than EPA-CQDs in inhibiting the NoV binding. This difference may be attributed to their SCS as well as the virus surface. EDA-CQDs with surficial terminal amino (-NH2) groups are positively charged at physiological pH (-NH3+), whereas EPA-CQDs with surficial terminal methyl groups (-CH3) are not charged. Since the NoV particles are negatively charged, they are attracted to the positively charged EDA-CQDs, resulting in enhancing the P-CQDs concentration around the virus particles. The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were found to be comparable to the P-CQDs in the non-specific binding with NoV capsid proteins, through complementary charges, π-π stacking, and/or hydrophobic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, a great deal of concern has been offered to develop safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to harmful agricultural chemicals. As a result, organic agriculture, or organic farming, has gained increasing popularity in recent years and is increasingly distinguished as an integral part of global food production. By definition, organic agriculture is natural agriculture without using chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified seeds. Instead, the primary goals of organic farming are to maximize the efficient use of soil and its organic elements to improve its sustainability and properties naturally and reduce the demand for chemicals. Furthermore, several epidemiological studies have demonstrated the safety of organic products with a positive relationship between organic food consumption and health. However, before exploring the concept of organic farming in-depth, some questions need to be addressed: What is organic farming? How do conventional and organic farming systems differ? What are the types of organic products? And what is the impact of organic agriculture on food safety? What are the objectives and advantages of organic agriculture? What are organic agriculture’s disadvantages and challenges, and what are the solutions? We address these questions and clarify crucial organic farming concepts in the current literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, crude flakes (CFs) of shellac were converted into purified, nonwoven, thermospun fibers (shellac floss) using two devices, namely, an electric thermospinner (ETS) and a microwave thermospinner (MTS). This conversion was achieved by the action of heating and the centrifugal forces that arose toward the outside of the spinner-head cavity. The dissolved MTS floss was bleached using hydrogen peroxide to produce the bleached MTS floss. The unbleached shellac (CFs, ETS floss, and MTS floss) and the bleached MTS floss were characterized physically and chemically. There was no deterioration in the floss properties due to the heating tools or bleaching process. For the unbleached shellac, although there were no statistical differences in properties among the three shellac types (CFs, ETS floss, and MTS floss), except for insolubility in hot alcohol, acid value, and moisture content, the MTS floss exhibited superior values compared with the other types for nearly all the properties studied. Bleaching the MTS floss produced the greatest color change among other studies, caused a high reduction in insoluble solid matter due to increasing the solubility of some of the solid constituents of shellac, and slightly decreased its Young's modulus (E). The important dental applications were surveyed and it was suggested that the suitability was enhanced by using the bleached MTS floss, based on its superior whiteness, along with the unique properties detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed to review the recent advances in using insect meal in poultry nutrition to assess the suitable species, dietary inclusion level, and nutrients profile, advantage, and disadvantage as well. More than 50 research articles, review articles, short communications, and book chapters were obtained from various online databases i.e. Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, using the following keywords insect breeding and insects in poultry nutrition, black soldier fly Hermetia illucens (BSF). The selected black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), and pupa (BSFP) are based on growing interest due to easy breeding, valuable protein resource, and economic value. The urgent needs for alternative and locally available feed resources have been substantially increased after the COVID-19 crisis due to different reasons such as lockdown, close of boards, airports, and seaports. Most developing countries are dependent on imported feedstuffs for animal nutrition which was greatly influenced during COVID-19, affecting animal feed chain supply for farm species. That has raised the need for alternative/nonconventional local protein sources to sustain animal protein production. The BSF is a promising and candidate feed resource based on recently published broilers, laying hens, Japanese quail, and ducks’ studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment & Arid Land Agriculture Sciences is the property of King Abdulaziz University, Scientific Publishing Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Root rot of alfalfa caused by Rhizoctonia solani is considered one of the most important diseases, which annually occurred in many plants and causes great losses in yield production. So the present study aimed to find the best strategy to control or at least reduce disease severity. The Results showed that the fungal isolates were identified by using the morphological features of mycelia as R. solani. Effect of certain antagonistic bio-agents fungi to inhibit the growth of R. solani has been studied under laboratory. In general isolate No. 2002, followed by 2008 and 2004, which recorded (60.5, 47.2and 33.1%), respectively In this respect, the highest inhibition of R. solani growth was occurred by isolate No.5001, followed by 5007 and 5009, 5002, which recorded (54.56, 449.39, 46.26 and 46.26 %), respectively. Eight bacterial strains were tested against growth of Rhizoctonia sp was investigated in vitro. demonstrated that all tested bacteria significantly inhibited growth of Rhizoctonia sp in vitro the highest inhibition of R. solani growth was occurred by isolate No.1001, followed by 1016 and 1010, which recorded (59.25, 52.76 and 47.16 %), respectively. While, the least inhibition of Rhizoctonia growth was occurred by isolate No.1009, which recorded (31.47%). Ten yeast strains were tested against growth of the pathogen were investigated in vitro demonstrated that all tested yeast significantly inhibited growth of the pathogen in vitro. In conclusion, we could say that Biocontrol agents could be used as an eco-friendly approach to effectively control the disease and may be advised to the farmers for profitable organic farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum is considered one of the most important and wide spread bacterial pathogen that is responsible for great and destructive losses to the production of potato worldwide leading to the loss of hundreds of tons in the fields, transit or even during the shipment. The present study mainly carried out to assess the antibacterial activity of three essential oils against P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum as the bacterial causal pathogen of potato tuber soft rot disease. This assessment achieved within in vitro and in vivo studies to make complete suppression of soft rot disease. Ten isolates of pathogenic bacteria, P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum were isolated from naturally diseased potato tubers. They identified as P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum according to some different microbiological characteristics such as morphological. Tested oils showed inhibition of the bacteria growth and in vitro experiment the best oils caused inhibition of the growth is thyme oil, colve and cumin according these results we used these oils to control the disease on potato tuber. In conclusion we could recommended that use of thyme oil at concentration 10 mg to protect potato tuber from infected of pathogen under storage conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina is the property of Sociedad Entomologica Argentina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)