Mississippi State University

About: Mississippi State University is a education organization based out in Starkville, Mississippi, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catfish. The organization has 14115 authors who have published 28594 publications receiving 700030 citations. The organization is also known as: The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science & Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science.

Characterization of fast pyrolysis bio-oils produced from pretreated pine wood.

Abstract: The pretreatment of biomass prior to the fast pyrolysis process has been shown to alter the structure and chemical composition of biomass feed stocks leading to a change in the mechanism of biomass thermal decomposition. Pretreatment of feed stocks prior to fast pyrolysis provides an opportunity to produce bio-oils with varied chemical composition and physical properties. This provides the potential to vary bio-oil chemical and physical properties for specific applications. To determine the influence of biomass pretreatments on bio-oil produced during fast pyrolysis, we applied six chemical pretreatments: dilute phosphoric acid, dilute sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, and hydrogen peroxide. Bio-oils were produced from untreated and pretreated 10-year old pine wood feed stocks in an auger reactor at 450 °C. The bio-oils’ physical properties of pH, water content, acid value, density, viscosity, and heating value were measured. Mean molecular weights and polydispersity were determined by gel permeation chromatography. Chemical characteristics of the bio-oils were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared techniques. Results showed that the physical and chemical characteristics of the bio-oils produced from pretreated pine wood feed stocks were influenced by the biomass pretreatments applied. These physical and chemical changes are compared and discussed in detail in the paper.

Shrimp culture in inland low salinity waters.

Abstract: Inland aquaculture of shrimp in low salinity waters is widespread in many regions worldwide. Owing to its ability to grow and survive in low salinity environments the Pacific white shrimp, (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone) has become the candidate of choice for low salinity culture. Remediation techniques have been developed to improve the osmoregulatory capacity of shrimp reared in low salinity waters. These techniques have evaluated water modification strategies that improve low salinity waters used for production by adding potassium and magnesium fertilizers and dietary approaches that involve modification of the feeds offered to shrimp with supplements that might improve osmoregulatory capacity. Based on our own experience as well as what we found predominantly in the literature, it appears that modification of the rearing medium with potassium and magnesium fertilizers is more effective than dietary modification techniques at improving the growth, survival and osmoregulatory capacity of shrimp reared in low salinity waters.

Hepcidins in amphibians and fishes: Antimicrobial peptides or iron-regulatory hormones?

Abstract: Hepcidin, originally identified as a 25 amino acid peptide antibiotic produced in the liver, is a key regulator of iron balance and recycling in humans and mice. Closely related hepcidin genes and peptides also have been identified in other mammals, amphibians, and a number of fish species. We hypothesize that hepcidin, the iron-regulatory hormone in humans, may have evolved from an antimicrobial peptide in fishes. In this review we will highlight the evidence that indicates hepcidin evolved from an antimicrobial peptide to an iron-regulatory hormone in vertebrate evolution. This evidence includes the discovery of hepcidin as an antimicrobial peptide and iron-regulatory hormone, structural comparison of mammalian hepcidins and nonmammalian hepcidins, and the cellular and molecular evidence indicating that, while some fish hepcidins may serve only as antimicrobial peptides, other fish and amphibian hepcidins may function as iron regulators.