The Autocatalytic Chemical Reaction of a Soluble Biopolymer Derived from Municipal Biowaste.

The paper discusses the perspectives of further implementation of the autocatalytic properties of a soluble biopolymer (SBP) derived from municipal biowastes for the realisation of a biorefinery producing value-added bio-products for consumer use. The reaction of an SBP and water is reported to cause the depolymerisation and oxidation of the pristine SBP organic matter with the formation of carboxyl-functionalised polymers having lower molecular weight and CO. These findings demonstrate the oxidation of the SBP via water, which could only occur through the production of O and OH radicals catalysed by the SBP.

Mild Chemical Treatment of Unsorted Urban Food Wastes.

Municipal biowastes are conventionally treated by assessed anaerobic and aerobic fermentation to produce biogas, anaerobic digestate, and compost. Low-temperature hydrolysis and the oxidation of the digestate and compost, which are still at the experimental stage, are known to yield water-soluble value-added chemical specialities for use in different sectors of the chemical industry and in agriculture. The present paper reports the application of the two chemical reactions to the biowastes before fermentation.

The effect of isabelin, a sesquiterpene lactone from Ambrosia artemisiifolia on soil microorganisms and human pathogens.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (common ragweed) is an invasive weed, which is well known for the strong allergenic effect of its pollen as well as for its invasiveness and impact in crop fields (e.g.

Bioherbicidal activity of a germacranolide sesquiterpene dilactone from Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (common ragweed) is an invasive plant whose allelopathic properties have been suggested by its field behaviour and demonstrated through phytotoxicity bioassays. However, the nature of the molecules responsible for the allelopathic activity of common ragweed has not been explored.

Cultivating Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus quadricauda microalgae to degrade inorganic compounds and pesticides in water.

This work evaluates the possibility of cultivating Scenedesmus quadricauda and Chlorella vulgaris microalgae in wastewater from the hydroponic cultivation of tomatoes with the aim of purifying the water. S. quadricauda and C.

Processed vs. non-processed biowastes for agriculture: effects of post-harvest tomato plants and biochar on radish growth, chlorophyll content and protein production.

The aim of this work was to address the issue of processed vs. non-processed biowastes for agriculture, by comparing materials widely differing for the amount of process energy consumption. Thus, residual post harvest tomato plants (TP), the TP hydrolysates obtained at pH 13 and 60 °C, and two known biochar products obtained by 650 °C pyrolysis were prepared.

Determination of forchlorfenuron in fruits by solid phase or QuECHERS extraction and LC-UV or LC/MS/MS.

Forchlorfenuron, N-(2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)-N'-phenylurea, is a plant growth regulator used to increase the size of kiwifruit, apples, table grapes, and peaches and to promote increased yields of potatoes, rice, and wheat. This study reports the comparison of the performances of two extraction methods [Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) and SPE] and two analytical methods (LC-UV and a LC/MS/MS) when determining forchlorfenuron in apples, kiwis, and grapes. Both extraction methods gave recoveries of forchlorfenuron from fruits >70%.

Moniliformin analysis in maize samples from North-West Italy using multifunctional clean-up columns and the LC-MS/MS detection method.

A fast clean-up method has been developed to purify maize extracts and to detect moniliformin (MON) in maize samples from North-West Italy over a four-year period (2008-2011). The method is based on the use of MycoSep® 240 Mon clean-up columns (Romer Labs®). Samples were extracted using acetonitrile/water (84:16, v/v), and the extracts were purified with previously described clean-up columns.

Organo-clays and nanosponges for acquifer bioremediation: adsorption and degradation of triclopyr.

To avoid the problem of groundwater contamination, mitigation techniques have been proposed that consist of creating barriers made of suitable materials that can facilitate the adsorption and degradation of the pollutants. This study aims at evaluating the capacity of two organo-clays (Dellite 67 G and Dellite 43 B) and one nanosponge to adsorb the herbicide, triclopyr. Triclopyr was chosen because it is a good example of a moderately mobile, leacheable molecule.

Organically modified clays as binders of fumonisins in feedstocks.

This study reports an investigation on the ability of organically modified clays to bind mycotoxins, fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2). Organically modified clays are commercia materials prepared from natural clays, generally montmorillonite, by exchanging the inorganic cation with an ammonium organic cation. A screening experiment conducted on 13 organically modified clays and 3 nonmodified clays, used as controls, has confirmed that the presence of an organic cation in the clay interlayer promoted the adsorption of both fumonisins.

Buffer strip effect on terbuthylazine, desethyl-terbuthylazine and S-metolachlor runoff from maize fields in Northern Italy.

The effectiveness of a 6 m wide vegetative buffer strip for reducing runoff of S-metolachlor, terbuthylazine and desethyl-terbuthylazine was studied in 2007-2008 in Northern Italy. Two cultivated fields, with and without the buffer strip, were compared. Residues of the chemicals were investigated in runoff water collected after runoff events and their dissipation in the soil was studied.

Dissipation of propanil and 3,4 dichloroaniline in three different rice management systems.

This study focused on the dissipation of propanil and 3,4 dichloroaniline (3,4 DCA) over time in the soil, field water, inlet water, and outlet water of paddy fields under three management systems: conventional water seeding (CON), conventional water seeding with supplied liquid manure (LMA), and dry seeding (DRY). Propanil dissipation in water was also investigated under laboratory conditions. The field study was conducted from 2004 to 2006 at Vercelli, northern Italy.

Refuse derived soluble bio-organics enhancing tomato plant growth and productivity.

Municipal bio-refuse (CVD), containing kitchen wastes, home gardening residues and public park trimmings, was treated with alkali to yield a soluble bio-organic fraction (SBO) and an insoluble residue. These materials were characterized using elemental analysis, potentiometric titration, and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and then applied as organic fertilizers to soil for tomato greenhouse cultivation. Their performance was compared with a commercial product obtained from animal residues.

Changes in chemical and biological parameters during co-composting of anaerobically digested sewage sludges with lignocellulosic material.

This study reports a pilot experiment of composting of anaerobically digested sewage sludges deriving from the production of biogas in a wastewater treatment plant. Two composting piles (about 15 m(3) each) were prepared by mixing 50% and 30% (v/v) sludges with lignocellulosic material. The composting process was monitored through determination of the main physicochemical properties.

Role of local anesthetic spread pattern and electrical stimulation in ultrasound-guided musculocutaneous nerve block.

Study Objective: To evaluate local anesthetic spread on the frequency of success of musculocutaneous nerve block, and to determine needle-to-target-nerve distance by ultrasound imaging and electrical stimulation.

Design: Observational study.

Settings: Private hospital.

Effectiveness of control strategies against Botrytis cinerea in vineyard and evaluation of the residual fungicide concentrations.

This investigation was undertaken to test different control strategies against Botrytis cinerea vineyards. Two commercial vineyards, "Barbera" and "Moscato," located in Piedmont (Northern Italy) were divided into seven plots and treated with different combinations of fungicides including fenhexamid, pyrimethanil, fludioxonil + cyprodinil, iprodione, and boscalid, a new carboxamide compound. An integrated strategy including a chemical (pyrimethanil) and a biocontrol agent (Trichoderma spp.

Removal of fenhexamid and pyrimethanil from aqueous solutions by clays and organoclays.

The ability of a sodium montmorillonite (CLONa) and two commercial available organoclays having interlayer organic cations possessing different functional groups (CLO20A and CLO30B) was investigated for adsorbing two pesticides namely fenexamid (FEX) and pyrimethanyl (PMT). The two organoclays displayed a higher affinity with the pesticides than the unmodified clay, but the improvement in adsorption capacity varied according to the characteristics of the pesticide and the interlayer organic cation. FEX was adsorbed to a greater extent than PMT by both organoclays, which may be due to the higher hydrophobicity of FEX thereby indicating considerable hydrophobic interaction between the adsorbent/adsorbate systems.

Evaluation of the field dissipation of fungicides and insecticides used on fruit bearing trees in northern Italy.

The dissipation of the fungicides captan, cyprodinil, fludioxonil, dithianon, and tebuconazole and of the insecticides chlorpyrifos, fenitrothion, and malathion was studied, following a single treatment of different cultivars of pears, apples, and peaches. The study was conducted in northern Italy, over two successive growing seasons (2004 and 2005). The treatments were performed by the farmers involved, in line with their usual practice.

Fate and degradation of triasulfuron in soil and water under laboratory conditions.

The behavior and fate of triasulfuron (TRS) in water and soil systems were examined in laboratory studies. The degradation of TRS in both buffer solution and soil was highly pH-sensitive. The rate of degradation could be described with a pseudo first-order kinetic and was much faster at pH 4 than at pH 7 and 9.

Use of model soil colloids to evaluate adsorption of phenanthrene and its mobilization by different solutions.

Inorganic (a montmorillonite; a complex of montmorillonite and aluminium hydroxide) and organo-mineral model soil colloids (a complex of montmorillonite, aluminium hydroxide and humic acid) were tested for their capacity to adsorb and desorb phenanthrene. The adsorption-desorption isotherms demonstrated that the inorganic surfaces were able to bind the pollutant, although to a lesser extent than the organo-mineral complex. The capacity of different aqueous solutions to desorb phenanthrene after 1, 7, and 30 days' contact with the model colloids was tested in order to assess their efficacy with respect to the aging effect.

Evaluation of the bioavailability of the herbicide prosulfocarb through adsorption on soils and model soil colloids, and through a simple bioassay.

Adsorption isotherms of prosulfocarb were determined on soils with different physicochemical properties. The extent of adsorption increased with the organic carbon content, but the results also suggested the involvement of some inorganic soil surfaces. In order better to understand the role of each soil surface, adsorption-desorption isotherms were determined on model soil colloids consisting of a soil humic acid, a montmorillonite, a synthetic aluminium hydroxide and their associations.

Cinosulfuron: chemical and biological degradability, adsorption and dissipation in flooded paddy field sediment.

Cinosulfuron is a sulfonylurea herbicide largely used in the extensive cultures of flooded rice in North Italy. The degradation of cinosulfuron has been investigated in sterile aqueous solutions at 30 degrees C at different pH values. It was rapidly degraded at acidic pH (half-lives 3, 9 and 43 days at pH 4, 5 and 6, respectively) while the half-life was > 1 year at pH 7 and 9.

Bioavailability and biodegradation of prosulfocarb in soil.

Active microbial degraders of the herbicide prosulfocarb (PSC) were isolated to evaluate their performance in soil with a view to their use for bioremediation. The isolated cultures (a microbial consortium and a Pseudomonas sp. strain) were active when tested in mineral medium with PSC as the only carbon source, but had an adverse effect on the soil indigenous microflora.