Estimation of Biomass Availability in Panglao Island Using SENTINEL-2 MSI

Remote Sensing (RS) technology using SENTINEL-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI) imagery was used in the estimation of residual biomass’ available energy potential. The estimation was done in Panglao Island, within the province of Bohol, Philippines. Estimation of biomass availability was processed using Geographical Information System (GIS) software incorporating the calculation of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to extract information on land resources and its spatial distribution. It was found that the majority of vegetation cover on the island is in the form of perennial woody plants and coconut trees. Coconut production on the island of Panglao contributed 1.26% of the total cultivation area for the province based on processed captures of Sentinel-2 imagery. The residue concentration amounted to 2,865 tons of coconut residues based on the RPR method. This amount of residues can be translated to 52.92 TJ of theoretical energy potential. The result of this study may serve as a baseline for the locality to consider the utilization of agricultural residues such as coming from coconut trees to support the use of indigenous resources for energy generation.

Degradation of Imidacloprid Residue on Red Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) by Advanced Oxidation Processes and Analysis using Spectrophotometer and HPLC

The insecticide imidacloprid (C9H10ClN5O2) common used by farmers to control pests on red tomato plants, is a dangerous substance classified as a Class II toxic. The imidacloprid residue in red tomatoes enters the body, it will lead to health problems. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of imidacloprid residue that can be degraded using the Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) method, which includes sonolysis, sonozolysis, ozonolysis, ozone water, and the effect of various parameters. Processing time, water volume, and red tomato mass were the test parameters studied. The change in imidacloprid residue concentration during the degradation process was measured using a UV/Vis spectrophotometer (double beam) with a wavelength of 200-400 nm and HPLC with mobile phase composition used was acetonitrile/water (65:35 v/v). With a processing time of 10 minutes, the imidacloprid residue in red tomatoes can be degraded 57.38% by sonozonolysis, 63.51 % by sonolysis, 85.17 % by ozonolysis, and 88.76 % by ozone water. The imidacloprid residue in 75 g of red tomatoes could be removed as much as 91.65% by treating with ozone water for 15 minutes. HPLC analysis showed that no intermediate compounds were detected in the imidacloprid residue degradation process in red tomatoes.

Comparative Studies on Grain Quality and Pesticide Residues in Maize Stored in Hermetic and Polypropylene Storage Bags

The conventional method of grain storage involving the use of polypropylene bags in conjunction with pesticides and hermetic bags are paramount in developing countries. However, there is limited information on grain quality and pesticide residue concentration of maize stored in such bags. This work determined grain quality and pesticide residue concentrations of maize stored in polypropylene and hermetic storage bags. Maize samples stored for a period of one year in polypropylene and hermetic bags were obtained from three major maize growing communities in the Ashanti region of Ghana and were analyzed for grain quality, aflatoxin content and pesticide residue concentration using standard methods. The amount of diseased, discolored, broken, insect-damaged, stained, germinated, shriveled, total defective, inorganic and organic matter of maize stored in hermetic bags was significantly lower than that of polypropylene. Levels of aflatoxin in maize stored in the polypropylene bags were significantly higher (13.9 ppb–20 ppb) than in maize stored in the hermetic bags (0.90 ppb–2.6 ppb). Out of 35 pesticides screened, only lambda-cyhalothrin was detected in polypropylene bags and deltamethrin in hermetic bags. The presence of these pesticide residues may be due to their long-lasting abilities. Levels of lambda-cyhalothrin residues were above the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.02 mg/kg, but have no significant effect on health. Deltamethrin residue concentrations in hermetically stored maize samples were below the MRL. In conclusion, maize grains stored in hermetic bags have higher grain quality and lower aflatoxin and pesticide residue concentrations than polypropylene bags. Education and promotion on the utilization of hermetic bags should be a priority in storing and supplying safe maize grains to consumers.

Residues of streptomycin antibiotic in commercial layers in Abeokuta and Ibadan metropolis

Old layers sold for human consumption in six open markets in Abeokuta and Ibadan metropolis of Ogun and Oyo States of Nigeria were analyzed for the presence of residues of streptomycin antibiotic. One hundred and twenty samples comprising of muscle (thigh and breast), liver and kidney tissues were subjected to microbiological assay technique for the detection of residues of the antibiotic. The assay was done on antibiotic medium 5 agar with Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) organism. Results showed that 34.17% of the sampled birds were positive for the presence of streptomycin antibiotic. The concentration of the residues ranged between 0.18µg/g and 0.91µg/g. The mean residue levels recorded among the organs are not significantly different (P>0.05). Some of the muscle samples recorded residue concentration levels higher than the W.H.O recommended maximum residue level for streptomycin antibiotic in muscle tissue of food animals. In view of the importance of antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial diseases in both human and animals, it is advocated that the use of these drugs in food animals be done judiciously.

CS Regeneración de aceites lubricantes usados que cumplan la norma NTE - INEN 2030 en el Ecuador, empleando el método de extracción con butanol y el método ácido-arcilla.

Se comparó parámetros, concentración de residuos y su viabilidad económica de los métodos más utilizados para la regeneración de aceites lubricantes. Mediante investigación y revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre regeneración de aceites lubricantes usados, se determinó las características de cada método, como también sus características fisicoquímicas de cada producto final, identificando el más apto para su implementación en el Distrito metropolitano de Quito, siempre y cuando cumpla con las normas NTE INEN 2030. Para así obtener un método eficiente para la regeneración de aceite lubricante, que sea amigable con el ambiente y económicamente viable. Palabras clave—métodos_regeneración/regeneración_aceite/aceite_lubricante/concentración_residuos/norma_nte_inen2030 Abstract— Parameters, residue concentration and their economic viability of the most used methods for the regeneration of lubricating oils were compared. Through research and systematic review of the literature on the regeneration of used lubricating oils, the characteristics of each method were determined, as well as their physicochemical characteristics of each final product, identifying the most suitable for implementation in the Metropolitan District of Quito, as long as comply with the NTE INEN 2030 standards. In order to obtain an efficient method for the regeneration of lubricating oil, which is friendly to the environment and economically viable.

Characterization of some bottled Romanian mineral waters on the basis of the total mineral content

Romania has many mineral water sources due to its geological features. In the present study, bottles of 26 Romanian mineral water brands were purchased from the market to make a characterization based on the pH, conductivity, and fixed residue content. Focusing on the total fixed residue, the distribution of low, medium, and highly mineralized water was 43.9%, 41.46%, and 14.63% respectively. The mean of fixed residue concentration was 763.3 mg/L, ranging from 40.37 mg/L to 2,603 mg/L. The pH values of the still mineral waters varied between 6.86 and 7.91, while the pH values of the sparkling mineral waters were the lowest (4.7). The conductivity was strongly related to the concentration of the ions, so the maximum measured conductivity for the still waters was 573 μS/cm, for the partially sparkling waters 2,133 μS/cm, and for the sparkling mineral waters 3,079 μS/cm. The chemical composition of the mineral waters was highly dependent on the rock types. Using the hierarchical cluster analysis, two different clusters were detected according to the main characteristics of mineral waters.

Uptake and Dissipation of Carbofuran and Its Metabolite in Chinese Kale and Brinjal Cultivated Under Humid Tropic Climate

Carbofuran is an insecticide with a broad spectrum of activity and is relatively cheap. It is banned in many countries in the world; however, it remains widely used in Asia, Australia, and South America. Carbofuran is commonly used in vegetable farming in Malaysia and it is a legally registered pesticide. This study reports the uptake and dissipation of carbofuran and 3-ketocarbofuran in Chinese kale and brinjal under humid tropic field conditions. The residue profile in plants demonstrated an increase to a maximum, followed by a consistent reduction to a level below the limit of determination (<0.01 mg/kg) over the experimental period. The maximum residue concentration was attained on Day 3 for kale (1.16 mg/kg fresh weight) and Day 7 for brinjal (0.06 mg/kg fresh weight) after carbofuran application. In order to comply with the maximum residue level (MRL) of 0.01 mg/kg, the preharvest interval for kale and brinjal were suggested at 23 and 28 days, respectively. The preharvest interval indicates that carbofuran is not recommended for Chinese kale but it is acceptable for brinjal. The average half-life of carbofuran in soil is 1.24 days, shorter than the literature values reported based on temperate condition, indicating accelerated dissipation under tropical climate. The estimated half-life of carbofuran in leaves was shorter than that in fruits with kale leaves reported at 2.54 days whilst brinjal leaves and fruits recorded at 3.22 and 10.33 days, respectively.

Residue concentration of cefquinome taking into account different milk fractions and comparing the performance of two screening tests

This Research Communication describes the residue concentration of a dry cow antibiotic in two different milk fractions and describes effects of milk fraction and milk composition on the test performance of a rapid screening and a microbial inhibitor test. Thirteen dry cows were treated with an intramammary dry cow antibiotic containing 150 mg cefquinome. Quarter foremilk and stripping samples were collected on the first 10 d postpartum. All milk samples were analyzed for milk composition by the local Dairy Herd Improvement Association and were tested for antibiotic residues using the rapid screening test Milchtest BL and the microbial inhibitor test Delvotest BR Brilliant Plates. The residue concentration of cefquinome was determined in foremilk and stripping samples from milkings 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 after calving using high performance liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry. The logarithm of cefquinome concentration (logCef) was higher in foremilk than in stripping samples and higher in milk samples with lower lactose content. Furthermore, logCef decreased with the number of milkings (P < 0.001). The Milchtest BL was more likely to be not evaluated (i.e. no test and control line or no control line appeared) in stripping samples and milk samples with higher protein content. In the Delvotest BR Brilliant Plates milk samples with higher protein content were more likely to have a false positive result (i.e. the screening test result was positive, but the HPLC-MS/MS result was below the detection limit of the screening test). These results indicate that foremilk is the recommended milk fraction to be tested for residues of cefquinome and that a high protein content can be a cause of test failure and false positive results when milk during the first 10 d postpartum is tested for antibiotic residues using screening tests.

Effect of Growing Groundcover Plants in a Vineyard on Dissipation of Two Neonicotinoid Insecticides

This study investigated the difference in neonicotinoids dissipation in a grape vineyard by planting different groundcovers plants, including a control bare field (CF), Arachis pintoi Krap. and Greg. (peanut field (PF)) and Clinopodium brownei (Sw.) Kuntze (mint field (MF)). After one day of pesticide spraying, the highest dinotefuran residue concentration was in 0- to 15-cm soil in the CF (0.161 mg/kg), but 30- to 45-cm and 15- to 30-cm soil in the MF and PF, respectively (0.307 and 0.033 mg/kg). Also, after four days, the highest imidacloprid residue concentration was in 0- to 15-cm soil in the CF. Imidacloprid was not retained in the 30- to 45-cm soils in the PF, but in the MF, a 0.015- and 0.011-mg/kg residue was detected in 30- to 45-cm soil in the second and third soil samplings, indicating a different distribution with different groundcover plants. The dinotefuran absorption ability was greater with A. pintoi than C. brownei, and the imidacloprid absorption ability was greater with C. brownei. Our results suggest that groundcover plants affect the dissipation of neonicotinoids differently, while A. pintoi has a high metabolic rate toward the two neonicotinoids and can increase the soil organic matter content, which is a preferable choice for a groundcover.

Effects of aflatoxin B1 contaminated feed on Thai koi

The effects of five levels of aflatoxin B1 (0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 ppb) and three (15, 30 and 45 days) culture durations on the growth performances and residue concentration in Thai koi, Anabas testudineus was investigated in indoor plastic tanks. Significant differences were found in 100 and 200 ppb treatment groups in average daily weight gain (ADG, g/d) and specific growth rate (SGR, %/d) compared to those of control, 25 and 50 ppb treatments group. Body muscle in 200 ppb treatment group had significantly higher concentration of aflatoxin B1 (AFB) residue than in the 100 and 50 ppb treatments. Control and 25 ppb treatments group did not have any residue. Total protein and fat contents decreased compared to control, 25 and 50 ppb treatments group. The results suggested that the level of contamination by 50, 100 and 200 ppb aflatoxin B1 in the feed of Thai koi fingerlings may concentrate in the body muscle at a level of above human health hazards. Any feeds with even 50 ppb AFB1 should not be used as feed for raising food fishes. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 28(1): 37-47, 2019 (January)