Preparation and characterisation of biodegradable pollen–chitosan microcapsules and its application in heavy metal removal

. This study examines the hypothesis that Danish agricultural areas are the main source of airborne Alternaria spores in Copenhagen, Denmark. We suggest that the contribution to the overall load is mainly local or regional, but with intermittent long distance transport (LDT) from more remote agricultural areas. This hypothesis is supported by investigating a 10 yr bi-hourly record of Alternaria spores in the air from Copenhagen. This record shows 232 clinically relevant episodes (daily average spore concentration above 100 m−3) with a distinct daily profile. The data analysis also revealed potential LDT episodes almost every year. A source map and analysis of atmospheric transport suggest that LDT always originates from the main agricultural areas in Central Europe. A dedicated emission study in cereal crops under harvest during 2010 also supports our hypothesis. The emission study showed that although the fields had been treated against fungal infections, harvesting still produced large amounts of airborne fungal spores. It is likely that such harvesting periods can cause clinically relevant levels of fungal spores in the atmosphere. Our findings suggest that crop harvest in Central Europe causes episodes of high airborne Alternaria spore concentrations in Copenhagen as well as other urban areas in this region. It is likely that such episodes could be simulated using atmospheric transport models.

/pdf/crop-harvest-in-denmark-and-central-europe-contributes-to-gvzi0m1z0k.pdf

Crop harvest in Denmark and Central Europe contributes to the local load of airborne Alternaria spore concentrations in Copenhagen

Effect of air pollutant NO2 on Betula pendula, Ostrya carpinifolia and Carpinus betulus pollen fertility and human allergenicity

A number of ornamental plant species produce pollen grains with allergenic properties, thus posing a potential risk to human health. A comparative study of the ecological and aerobiological characteristics of ornamental urban flora in four Andalusian cities revealed the presence of over 100 potentially allergenic ornamental plant species. Most of these were phanerophytes, and species of Asiatic origin predominated, followed by Mediterranean and American species. However, not all potentially allergenic ornamental plants were of aerobiological significance, since some produce only small amounts of pollen, while others were infrequent or were located at a considerable distance from the sampler. Even so, when designing new urban parks and gardens, every effort should be made to ensure maximum species variability avoiding the excessive use of any single species.

Aerobiological and ecological study of the potentially allergenic ornamental plants in south Spain

An aeropalynological study was performed in Bodrum, the famous tourism center in southwestern Turkey with a Hirst-type volumetric 7-day pollen and spore trap for 2 years (2007–2008). In Bodrum, 25,099 pollen grains as a mean value belonging to 41 taxa were recorded annually during the study period, and pollen grains from woody plant taxa had the largest atmospheric contribution of 86.99 % and 24 taxa. However, 17 herbaceous plant taxa constituted 12.82 % of the annual total pollen count, and 0.19 % were unidentified. An average annual pollen index of 22.66 % was recorded in March, despite differences from year to year. The highest pollen variability of 34 taxa was recorded in April and May. Predominant pollen types belonged to Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (42.73 %), Quercus (15.95 %), Pinus (9.78 %), Olea europaea (9.04 %), Poaceae (5.50 %), Betula (1.82 %), Pistacia (1.74 %), Morus (1.72 %), Urticaceae (1.46 %), and Plantago (1.28 %) and generated 91.03 % of the annual total. In total, 32.59 % of the mean annual total pollen index was recorded in the morning, and less pollen was recorded in the evening (18.71 %). Maximum pollen concentration was recorded between 11:00 and 12:00 a.m.

Seasonal and intradiurnal variation of airborne pollen concentrations in Bodrum, SW Turkey.

Knowledge of airborne pollen concentrations and the weather conditions influencing them is important for air quality forecasters, allergists and allergy sufferers For this reason, a 7-day recording volumetric spore trap of the Hirst design was used for pollen monitoring between January 2006 and December 2007 in Kastamonu, Turkey A total of 293,427 pollen grains belonging to 51 taxa were recorded during the study period In the 2 years of study, the period March–August was identified as the main pollination season for Kastamonu The highest monthly pollen counts were observed in May in both years Six taxa made up 865% of the total amount of pollen recorded in the atmosphere of Kastamonu These were as follows: Pinaceae (429%), Cupressaceae (206%), Poaceae (97%), Quercus (55%) Betula (53%) and Carpinus (26%) Four of these are considered to be highly allergenic (Betula, Carpinus, Cupressaceae and Poaceae) There were also a greater percentage of highly allergenic taxa found within the city, including Betula pendula that is not part of the local flora This shows that through urban planting, the public and municipalities can unconsciously create a high risk for allergy sufferers Daily average pollen counts from the six most frequently recorded pollen types were entered into Spearman’s correlation analysis with meteorological data Mean daily temperature, relative humidity, daily rainfall and wind speed were found to significantly (p < 005) affect atmospheric pollen concentrations, but the relationships between pollen concentrations and meteorological variables can vary and so there is a need for more local studies of this nature

A 2-year aeropalynological survey of allergenic pollen in the atmosphere of Kastamonu, Turkey

Pollen morphology of the genus Genista L. (Fabaceae) in Turkey.

Not available. Keywords: Pollen grains; Potentilla recta L.; Rosaceae . DOI: 10.3329/bjpt.v17i1.5395 Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 17(1): 93-96, 2010 (June)

/pdf/a-comparison-of-pollen-grains-of-potentilla-recta-l-rosaceae-2yc4u4ggy2.pdf

A comparison of pollen grains of Potentilla recta L. (Rosaceae) groups A, B & C in Turkey

Objective: It is known that pollens from trees of the order Fagales usually cause allergic reactions. It is also known that cross reactivity takes part as a trigger in the development of allergies. Cross reactivity may occur between different allergen sources. Moreover, it can be found between different biological structures of same source such as pollen and seed. Pollen and seed of hazelnut can cause allergic reactions. Hazelnut seeds which are consumed as roasted have a commercial prominence. Materials and Methods: In this study, protein profiles of hazelnut seeds and pollens have been taken out with SDS-PAGE method and compared with each other. In addition, effects of heating process on seed protein profile have been investigated. Results: When the results have taken, it is seen that 8 same bands were found between pollen and seed at the end of SDS-PAGE analysis. After the SDSPAGE analysis process, 22% of bands have disappeared in roasted seed and 9 and 17 kDa bands were heat resistant while 14 kDa was heat sensitive. Conclusion: As a result, we thought that hazel allergy tests obtained from the regional resources may contribute the treatment of food allergies.

http://www.aai.org.tr/index.php/aai/article/download/230/163

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Papers

A 2-year aeropalynological survey of allergenic pollen in the atmosphere of Kastamonu, Turkey

Pollen morphology of the genus Genista L. (Fabaceae) in Turkey.

A comparison of pollen grains of Potentilla recta L. (Rosaceae) groups A, B & C in Turkey

Comparison between Pollen and Seed Protein Profiles of Corylus Avellana