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Municipal sewage sludge contains considerable amounts of macro and microelements essential for plant nutrition. With decreasing use of natural and organic fertilizers, there is a need to search for alternative sources of organic matter (which is a substrate for humus reproduction). In a field experiment carried out on heavy soil with neutral reaction, the effect of single application of municipal sewage sludge in a dose of 5.34 Mg·ha−1 DM was compared to an equivalent dose of mineral fertilizers. The test plant was spring barley. After application of municipal sewage sludge, slight positive changes in the chemical properties of the soil were observed. The sewage sludge increased the yield of spring barley grain and straw by, respectively, 14 and 13% in relation to treatment with mineral fertilization. Spring barley fertilized with sewage sludge contained more elements than barley grown only on mineral fertilizers. It was shown that application of municipal sewage sludge to the soil had a significant effect on increase in nutrient uptake by spring barley. Fe was taken up in the highest amount, followed by Al and Mn, and Co was taken up in the smallest amounts. Utilization of Fe, Mn, Co and Al from sewage sludge by spring barley was at 6.0, 4.7, 0.7 and 0.7%, respectively of the amount applied to the soil with this waste. The mass ratios (Fe:Mn, Fe:Al, Mn:Co) analyzed in spring barley biomass were much wider in straw than in grain. In terms of grain feed value, Fe:Mn ratio in grain and straw was greater than optimum.

Due to the fact that soils in Poland are mostly light soils, there is a need to improve their physical, chemical and biological properties. In addition, as a result of the decrease in the number of farm animals, a decrease in production of natural fertilizers can be observed. Low production of natural fertilizers speaks in favor of agricultural use of municipal sewage sludge in Poland. Municipal sewage sludge is composed of large quantities of macronutrients necessary for plants. This waste also contains significant amounts of organic substance. Chemical properties, including a high content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and often calcium, speak in favor of environmental use of municipal sewage sludge. Increasing requirements with respect to environmental protection cause the necessity to assess the effects of using organic waste for fertilization. In a farm located in the commune of Iwanowice (Małopolska province), municipal sewage sludge was applied under spring barley cultivation. The soil on which municipal sewage sludge was applied was classified into the category of heavy soils with neutral reaction. When assessing the content of available nutrients (P, K, Mg) in the soil, their low content was determined. After application of municipal sewage sludge in a dose of 24 Mg fresh matter per hectare, which corresponded to 5.34 Mg DM·ha−1, under spring barley, beneficial changes in chemical properties of the soil were observed. An increase in soil abundance in organic carbon and total nitrogen was observed, as well as an increase in the content of available forms of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Based on the results of the conducted chemical analyses, it was established that biomass of spring barley fertilized with sewage sludge contained more macronutrients (N, P, K, Na, Ca and Mg), which improved its feed value. The field experiment showed that application of municipal sewage sludge increased uptake of macronutrients by spring barley.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The present study determined the heavy metal contamination (mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic and nickel) of nori, restaurant‐served sushi and ready‐to‐eat sushi meals available via retail chains. Moreover, both microbiological load and biogenic amine content in ready‐to‐eat sushi meals were analysed. RESULTS: All of the nori samples contained high levels of Cd (2.122 mg kg–1), Ni (0.715 mg kg–1), As (34.56 mg kg–1) and Pb (0.659 mg kg–1). The studied sushi samples contained high levels of Ni and Pb, reaching 0.194 and 0.142 mg kg–1 wet weight, respectively, being potentially hazardous to women during pregnancy and lactation and small children. None of the studied samples contained high levels of Hg. Overall, 37% of ready‐to‐eat sushi meals exceeded a microbiological load of 106 cfu g–1. However, biogenic amine content in all of the samples was low, with a highest histamine content of 2.05 mg kg–1. CONCLUSION: Sushi is not the source of high levels of biogenic amines even with high microbiological loads. Nevertheless, the high microbiological loads at the end of the shelf‐life indicate that some processors might have problems with the distribution chain or implement a poor hygienic regime. Moreover as a result of possible risk associated with heavy metal contamination, the present study highlights the need to establish new regulations regarding the contamination of nori and sushi. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish is a desirable component of a diet because of its high nutritive value and sensory qualities. However, fish consumption is still low in many countries. The aim of this study was to assess the content of Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Ni and Cr in the meat of freshwater fish and quantitative changes after processing (smoking or marinating). Moreover, the exposure of consumers to heavy metals by eating a portion (100 g) of the examined products was estimated as well as the safe amounts (comparing to the maximum limit - ML and as the Benchmark Dose Lover Confidence limits - BMDL) of processed fish for two population groups. The research material consisted of 3 species, i.e. common carp (Cyprinus carpio), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykkis) and northern pike (Esox lucius). The content of heavy metals (except for mercury) was determined in samples of fresh as well as processed fish, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). In turn, for the determination of mercury, an AMA-254 Advanced Mercury Analyzer was used. Nickel and chromium in all the samples were below limits of detection. The study revealed a relatively safe content (below MLs) of heavy metals in almost all fish samples, except for the cadmium concentration in fresh and smoked common carp as well as in marinated rainbow trout. The calculated intakes of these contaminants through consumption of one portion of the examined fish products were all below BMDLs and Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWI or TWI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Microbiological and chemical safety concerns regarding frozen fillets from pangasius catfish ( Pangasius hypophthalmus) exported to Poland, Germany and Ukraine and Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus) exported to Poland and Germany were investigated by analyzing heavy metal residues, microbiological hazards , biogenic amines, and thiobarbituric acid ( TBA) and total volatile basic nitrogen ( TVB-N) content. RESULTS The heavy metal residues from all studied samples were far lower than the limits established by authorities. The most abundant biogenic amine found was histamine, with a maximum content of 9.6 mg 100 g−1, found in pangasius exported to Poland. The total viable counts were from 2.8 log cfu g−1 in pangasius exported to Ukraine to 4.3 log cfu g−1 in pangasius exported to Germany. Vibrio spp. were present in 70-80% of all studied pangasius groups, whereas there no Vibrio spp. were found in the studied tilapia samples. 30% of Pangasius fillets exported to Poland were contaminated with coagulase-positive staphylococci. No E. coli was found in any of the studied samples. Although the results of TBA analysis differed significantly between studied groups, the malonic aldehyde content in all studied groups was still very low. The TVB-N content in frozen fillets from pangasius was significantly lower than in frozen tilapia fillets. CONCLUSIONS We reported that pangasius catfish frozen fillets were widely contaminated with Vibrio spp., which could prove hazardous for the final consumer if the fish is eaten raw or undercooked. The rest of the analysis showed no other reason for concern associated with Nile tilapia and Pangasius catfish frozen fillet consumption. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a pot experiment the impact of composts containing polymeric materials modified with biocomponents on the diversity of crops of oats and mustard was examined. The composts used in the study were produced in the laboratory from wheat and rape straw, and pea seed cleaning waste with 8-percent addition of chopped biopolymer materials (films) which were prepared in the Central Mining Institute (GIG) in Katowice. Three polymers differing in content of starch and density were selected for the composting. The pot experiment was conducted on three substrates: light and medium soil and on the sediment obtained after flotation of zinc and lead ores, coming from the landfill ZGH "Boleslaw" S.A. in Bukowno. The need for using such materials and substrates results from the conditions of processing some morphological fractions of municipal waste and from improving methods of reclamation. Yield enhancing effect of composts depends on the substrate on which the compost was used, cultivated plants and crop succession. Application of composts prepared with 8% of polymeric materials based on polyethylene, modified with starch as biocomponent, resulted in significantly lower yields in sandy (light) soil in case of oats and, in some cases, in medium soil. Subsequent plant yield did not differ significantly between the objects fertilized with compost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese belongs to a group of elements classified as heavy metals. Plants absorb it mainly as Mn+2 from the soil solution or soil sorption complex. Because in soil manganese participation in oxidation-reduction processes it affects the activity of other trace elements in soils. Therefore their strong binding by Mn-Fe concretions may be the cause of secondary deficiency of these elements necessary for plants. The main objective of presented paper is defining and describing, using Surfer 8.0. programme, manganese transfer in food chain in the areas to various extent polluted with heavy metals. The investigated area covers 100 km² in the vicinity of Bolesław Mine and Metallurgical Plant (ZGH) in Bukowno near Olkusz. Soil and plant material was sampled from 139 points in the months from June to August 2008. Samples of: - soil from two levels: 0-10 cm and 40-50 cm, - vmaterial of uni- and dicotyledonous plants were collected. Manganese content was assessed in dissolved plant and soil samples using AAS atomic absorption spectrometer made by Soolar M6. The analyzed soils surrounding Bolesław Mine and Metallurgical Plant (ZGH) reveal strongly diversified manganese content and the highest concentrations, reaching 6396 mg Mn kg-1 d.m., occur in the 40-50 cm soil layer close to the Plant. Like in case of manganese concentration in soil, also its accumulation in shoots of uni- and dicotyledonous plants growing around ZGH "Bolesław" is characterized by considerable diversification, however unicotyledonous plants accumulated maximum twice smaller amounts of manganese in comparison with dicotyledonous plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of nutrients present in amaranth flour and flaxseed, used as ingredients in gluten-free rolls, was examined in rats. The chemical composition of amaranth flour, flaxseed and enriched rolls was compared. In the nutritional study Wistar rats were fed diets consisting solely of air-dried gluten-free rolls and water, to check the hypothesis that the enrichment of gluten-free rolls with flaxseed or amaranth can improve biochemical indices in rats. The animals were divided into 3 groups of 6 rats. Group I was fed control (not enriched) rolls, group II and group III were fed amaranth and flaxseed, respectively, enriched rolls. The experiment was conducted over 30 days. At the end of the experiment, the blood and organs were removed from the anesthetized rats. The lipid profile and content of some elements were measured in blood serum, while other tissues were checked for Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Na, K, Cu, Zn and Mn content. Weight gain was observed only in treatment groups of animals. Both applied ingredients decreased the TC and HDL-cholesterol content of serum in both treatment groups of animals. They also increased Ca content in the serum of the rodents. The concentration of calcium and phosphorus was significantly higher in the bones of rats fed with diets with amaranth or flaxseed enriched rolls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of laser biostimulation technology in agriculture has thus far been limited to assessment of the effect of stimulation of seeds or seedlings on crop yield, mainly due to the technical limitations of the apparatus. Advances in mechatronics will enable broader application of laser biotechnology, for stimulation of plants in field conditions in order to minimize biotic and abiotic stress throughout their growth and development. This will increase productivity and improve crop quality, while reducing the use of pesticides, minimizing mineral fertilization, and increasing nutrient utilization by crop plants. Laser biotechnology can be used not only in agriculture, but also in energy production and environmental protection. More effective reclamation of degraded areas through biostimulation of plants can significantly increase the production of biomass as an energy raw material and contribute to the development of renewable bioenergy production (with no negative effect on food production) and the entire bioeconomy. Wider use of laser biotechnology can also contribute to more effective environmental protection and better exploitation of water resources by substantially increasing the efficiency of hydrobotanical wastewater treatment plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]