Showing papers in "Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment in 2013"

Investigation on the insecticidal limonoid content of commercial biopesticides and neem extract using solid phase extraction

Abstract: Neem extract is an alternative insecticide for organic farming and is an allowed component for commercial biopesticide in Korea However, crop protection properties are not consistent in commercial products In this report, quantitative analysis of commercial biopesticides for the four insecticidal limonoids of neem extract-azadirachtin A, azadirachtin B, deacetylsalannin and salannin, was conducted through solid phase extraction method with lipophilic-hydrophilic balanced material The recoveries of the four limonoids ranged from 805% to 105%, and their limit of quantitation ranged from 0028 mg/L to 0356 mg/L On the five imported neem extracts, the total contents of the four bioactive limonoids extracted were from 321 mg/L to 5810 mg/L, but there were big variations in the relative composition of the limonoids The total limonoidal concentrations in 23 commercial bio-pesticides made from neem showed from below LOQ to 7190 mg/L with significant differences in the relative composition These differences determine the biopesticide’s efficacy on pests, therefore, tracking the active ingredients is necessary for the quality control of commercial bio-pesticides

Application of PCR primer sets for detection of Pseudomonas sp. functional genes in the plant rhizosphere

Abstract: Plant growth promoting pseudomonads play an important role in disease suppression and there is considerable interest in development of bio-marker genes that can be used to monitor these bacteria in agricultural soils. Here, we report the application ofa PCR primer sets targeting genes encoding the main antibiotic groups. Distribution of the genes was variably distributed across type strains of 28 species with no phylogenetic groupingfor the detected antibioticsgenes, phlD for 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG) and phzCD for phenazine-1-carboxylic acid or hcnBC for hydrogen cyanide production. Analysis of field soils showed that primer sets for phlD and phzCD detected these genes in a fallowed neutral pH soil following wheat production, but that the copy numbers were below the detection limits in bulk soils having an acidic pH. In contrast, PCR products for the phzCD, pltc and hcnBc genes were detectable in mature root zones following plantingwith wheat. The ability to rapidly characterize populations of antibiotics producers using specific primer sets will improve our ability to assess the impacts of management practices on the functional traits of Pseudomonas spp. populations in agricultural soils.

Factors affecting flocculation performance of synthetic polymer for turbidity control

Abstract: A multilateral effort into managing nonpoint source pollution from agriculture has gotten much attention for many years Particularly during the heavy rain season, run-off of turbid water from sloped farmlands, fallow ground and/or unmanaged uplands is deteriorated Flocculant polymer, commonly used in wastewater treatment facilities, but now exploited to improve control of sediment turbidity by promoting flocculation of particles in construction site This study used the flocculant polymer to control the discharge of agricultural nonpoint source pollution and focused on the understanding of how soil-water and polymer properties affect flocculation performance Therefore, a series of flocculation experiments under different conditions was evaluated for better polymer clarification efficiency Various factors such as flocculant dose, end-over-end inversion of a cylinder, and soil-water properties (pH, NaCl, organic matter) were studied The effective flocculant dose that fulfilled fast settling rate was 10mg·L-1 Additional findings included that 1) increasing pH decreased the settling rate of soil particle; 2) a positive relationship between the percentage of turbidity reduction and a level of salinity in Kaolin suspension was observed, and 3) organic matter in soil solution inhibited PAM adsorption onto soil particles, which caused the reduction of flocculation performance The findings of this study revealed that flocculant polymer possess good results as a turbidity reducetion measure and couldfurther provide valuable information to make better decision on establishment of Best Management Practice for handling agricultural nonpoint source pollution

Quantitative differentiation of phenolic compounds in different varieties of buckwheat cultivars from China, Japan and Korea

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the variation of phenolic compounds in common and tartary buckwheats collected from China, Japan and Korea. Two buckwheat varieties of each country were cultivated using nutrient solution and vermiculite in the greenhouse from February to May, 2012 and harvested at two-week intervals. Phenolics such as chlorogenic acid, C-glycosylflavones (orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin), rutin, and quercetin were quantified using high performance liquid chroma-tography (HPLC). At 17, 29, 44, 58, and 72 days after sowing (DAS), before harvesting each organs, rutin content of cultivars from China and Korea at 17 DAS was the highest (mean 43.63 and 39.95 mg?g–1 DW, respectively) than that of 29 and 44 DAS. However, two varieties from Japan at 44 DAS were documented maximum; whereas, the amount of rutin in “Hokkai T10” harvested at 44 DAS (58.36 mg?g–1 DW) was the highest of all cultivars. Rutin level in the leaves and stems at 72 DAS were comparatively higher than at 58 DAS. The highest of rutin content was found at 72 DAS (73.33 mg?g–1 DW) in “Hokkai T10” leaves followed by “Daegwan No.3-3” (61.13 mg?g–1 DW), “rice tartary” (53.89 mg?g–1 DW). Rutin content of flowers was presented as the highest amount in “Hokkai T10” at 72 DAS (88.3 mg?g–1 DW) was approximately 14-fold higher than that of 58 DAS (6.44 mg?g–1 DW). However, rutin content of flower in “Xiqiao No.2” was 3-fold higher at 72 DAS than at 58 DAS. Rutin and total phenolic compounds content in flowers, leaves, and stems were higher in the order. The content of four C-glycosylflavones in common buckwheat was higher than those in tartary buckwheat, but rutin content which accounted >90% of the total phenolic compounds was higher in tartary buckwheat. The highest amounts of chlorogenic acid and quercetin were measured in the flower of “Xiqiao No.2” (6.85 and 11.69 mg?g–1 DW, respectively). Based on these results, the presence of different phenolic compounds in all the varieties of buckwheat confirmed that it can be regarded as a potent source of functional foods.

Cultivation characteristics and flavonoid contents of wormwood (Artemisia montana Pamp.)

Abstract: The aim of this study was to establish the optimum harvesting time and the content of flavonoids in the leaves, stems, and roots of Artemisia montana Pamp. A. montana was monitored from June to October in 2012. The yield of A. montana at high density (30 × 10 cm) was higher than that of A. montana at low density (30 × 20 and 30 cm). Yield in terms of dry weight was increased with an extended growth period and development stage. High yield achieved at 2580 and 2757 kg?10 a?1 in September and October, respectively. Among the leaves, stems, and underground plant organs, jaceosidin and eupatilin were mainly detected in the leaves, and the highest levels were observed in June, at values of 66.6 and 158.2 mg?100 g?1, respectively. In contrast, apigenin was the major compound detected in the underground plant organs, with levels ranging from 21.2 to 29.5 mg?100 g?1 until September. Therefore, optimal harvest times were between September and October, generating a high yield and adding economic value although a higher level of total flavonoids was observed in crops harvested in June.

Isolation and identification of alkaloids and anthocyanins from flower and bulb of Lycoris radiata using HPLC and LC-ESI-MS

Abstract: Three anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-diglucoside, cyanidin 3-sambubioside and cyanidin 3-glucoside) together with eleven known alkaloids (lycoricidine, hipppeastrine,O-Demethyllycoramin, lycoricidinol, galanthine, lycorine, lycorenine, lycoramine, galanthamine, homolycorine and pretazettine) were identified in the flower and bulb of Lycoris radiata using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry Anthocyanins play a major role in protecting plant’s DNA from the UV spectrum of sunlight and also in attracting insects for the purpose of pollination Thus, knowledge on the contents and types of anthocyanins of L radiata will help to evaluate the adaptive evolution of flowers and provide useful information for the ornamental breeding

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil from Korean Citrus unshiu peel

Abstract: The chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil from peel of Citrus unshiuwhich cultivated in South Korea were investigated Eight compounds were identified as l-limonene (8811%), γ-terpinene (466%), cyclohexane, 2,4-diisopropenyl-1-methyl-1-vinyl (182%), diethyl phthalate (102%), β-linalool (097%), β-myrcene (091%), α-farnesene (091%) and o-cymene (085%) by GC-MS The SC50values of this essential oil on DPPH and superoxide anion were 021 and 022% (v/v), respectively The results of zone of inhibition, MIC, MBC and cell viability demonstrated the essential oil of-Citrus unshiupeel displayed antibacterial effect against B cereus KCTC 14042, B subtilis ATCC 6633 and S aureusATCC 6538 The release of cell material and potassium ion from the B subtilis ATCC 6633 cells treated with essential oil was further investigated SEM observation also revealed the damaging effect of the essential oil on the morphology of B subtilisATCC 6633 cells at minimum inhibitory concentration

Size fractionation and microbial community structure of soil aggregates

Abstract: The microbial community structure in various microaggregates in a loamy sand soil was investigated. The microaggregates were separated into outer and inner aggregates using a series of soil washes. Further physical fractionation of inner aggregates was achieved by separation into coarse and fine sand as macroaggregate fractions, coarse and fine silt as microaggregate fractions, and clay. Research on microbial communities and soil microaggregates can aid in our understanding of soil microhabitats and microorganisms in soil structures, with applications that may contribute to increasing crop production and maintaining sustainable agriculture. In order to study the microbial community structure of aggregates, polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) was performed using 16S rRNA genes. The PCR-DGGE of the Bacteria Actinomycetes and Archaea showed divergent results between the different aggregate fractions. The results showed that the bacterial community structure was highly similar between bulk soil and clay; the inner aggregate community structure of Actinomycetes was closely related between coarse and fine sand and coarse silt, and the Archaea community structure of outer and inner aggregates was more similar than that of total bacteria or Actinomycetes.

Chemical characterization of rainwater over Suwon region during farming and non-farming periods

Abstract: Recently, special attention has been givento acid rain and its problem to environment such as acid precipitation and air pollution in East Asia.In the present study, rainwater samples werecollected from Apr to Oct (farming period) and from Nov to Mar (non-farming period) in 2009 ~ 2011. The samples were chemically characterized for the assessment of emission sources. Suwon region, a typical agricultural area in Gyeonggi province (South Korea) was chosen as a study site. The content of ionic species and theirtemporal variation were used forfactor analysis, which was used to presume the natural and anthropogenic sources depending upon the farming and non-farming periods. The cationsobserved during farming and non-farming periods were > Na+> Ca2+> K+> H+> Mg2+and Na+> N >Ca2+> H+= Mg2+> K+, respectively. The anions during farming and non-farming periods were > > Cl- and > > Cl-, respectively. While the amounts of sulfate, one of the major dissolved components of rainwater were 113.5 and 177.0 ueq.L-1, the ones of NSS- (Non-Sea Salt sulfate) were 93.7 and 87.1% during farming and non-farming periods, respectively. The comparison of observed pH values (pHobs) with the theoretical pH values (pHthe) showed that the neutralization of rainwater considerably went along during farming and non-farming periods. The highest amountof rainfall throughout the year was310.5 mmin August and its corre sponding nitrogen loading was5.03 kg·ha-1. The major ion contents for crop growth, , Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, were 49.4, 5.5, 18.1,1.4 kg·ha-1from April to October. The major contributions to the existing chemical ions in rainwaters during farming and non-farming periods were from the natural sources (sea and soil) and the anthropogenic sources (human and animal waste, vehicular emission + fossil fuels combustion), respectively.

Antibacterial compounds from Rutaceae with activities against Flavobacterium columnare and Streptococcus iniae

Abstract: From the ethyl acetate extract of Murraya koenegii (Rutaceae) leaves, isomahanine (1) and mahanine (2) were isolated that showed antibacterial activity towards Flavobacterium columnare and Streptococcus iniae which caused columnaris disease and streptococcosis respectively. Isomahanine was found to have the strongest activity against F. columnare (isolate ALM-00-173) and S. iniae (isolate LA94-426) based on 24-h 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). Although compound (7), a nicotinamide isolated from Amyris texana had the lowest MIC (2.8 ± 0 mg/L) of any of the test compounds against F. columnare, the 24-h IC50 of 14.8 ± 0.6 mg/L was higher than that of isomahanine and subsequently the 24-h IC50 RDC values for (7) were almost a magnitude of order higher than those obtained for isomahanine. Isomahanine also had the strongest activity against S. iniae, with a 24-h IC50 of 1.3 ± 0.1 mg/L and MIC of 3.5 ± 0 mg/L, respectively.

Pb concentrations and isotopic compositions in the soil and sediments around the abandoned mine in southwest of Korea

Abstract: This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of Pb contaminant dispersal from an abandoned mine For the study, 23 samples of sediment and soil were collected around the abandoned mine located in southwest of Korea Pb concentrations and isotope ratios of sediment samples were analyzed through ICP-OES (Optima 5300 DV, Perkin Elmer) and MC-ICP-MS (Plasma II, Nu), respectively The sediment samples collected in the main stream from the mine entrance showed high Pb concentrations of 139 - 1079 mg/kg, while Pb concentrations of the other sites were 19 - 29 mg/kg Pb isotope ratios of the main stream sediments were 24854 - 24883 for 208Pb/207Pb and 11693 - 11740 for 206Pb/207Pb On the other hand, the Pb isotopic compositions of sediments collected from the other sites were clearly different from those of ore deposits The Pb isotope ratios versus inverse concentrations plot showed high linear correlation between the main stream, the tributary stream and one of the downstream sites representing the two end member mixing system between these sites According to the binary mixing equation, the relative contribution of Pb pollutants from the abandoned mine to the downstream area were approximately 33% - 36%

Vegetation of mono-layer landfill cover made of coal bottom ash and soil by compost application

Abstract: Monolayer barriers called evapotranspiration (ET) covers were developed as alternative final cover systems in waste landfills but high-quality soil remains a limiting factor in these cover systems. Coal bottom ash was evaluated to be a very good alternative to soil in previous tests and a combination of soil (65% wt.wt-1) and coal bottom ash (35% wt.wt-1) was evaluated to be the most feasible materials for ET cover systems. In our pot test, selected manure compost as soil amendment for the composite ET cover system, which was made of soil and bottom ash at ca. 40 Mg.ha-1 application level was very effective to promote vegetation growth of three plants; namely, garden cosmos (Cosmosbipinnatus), Chinese bushclover (Lespedezacuneata), and leafy lespedeza (Lespedeza cyrtobotrya). To evaluate the effect of compost application on plant growth in an ET vegetative cover system, two couples of lysimeters, packed with soil and a mixture of soil and bottom ash, were installed in a pilot landfill cover system in 2007. Manure composts were applied at the rates of 0 and 40 Mg.ha-11before sowing the five plant species, i.e.indigo-bush (Amorphafruticosa), Japanese mugwort (Artemisia princeps, Arundinella hirta, Lespedezacuneata, and Lespedezacyrtobotrya). Unseeded native plant (green foxtail,Setaria viridis) was dominant in all treatments in the 1st year after installation while the growth of the sown plants significantly improved over the years. Total biomass productivity significantly increased with manure compost application, and more significantly increased in the composite ET cover made of soil and bottom ash treatment compared to the single soil ET cover, mainly due to more improved soil nutrient levels promoting vegetation growth and maintaining the vegetation system. The use of bottom ash as a mixing material in ET cover systems has a strong potential as an alternative to fine-grained soils, and manure compost addition can effectively enhance vegetative propagation in ET cover systems.

Effects of metal ions on the activity and stability of peroxidase in Tartary buckwheat shoots

Abstract: This is the first report to purify and characterize POX in shoots of buckwheat species. POX was partially purified from Tartary buckwheat shoots by 48.0 fold with a final yield of 9.07%. During ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography,only one peak corresponding to POX activity was found. The molecular weight of POX was determined to be 37.5 kDa using gel filtration chromatography. The optimal pH of POX activity was 5.5 (guaiacol, quercetin) and 5.0 (ABTS). The Km of POX activity was 22.3 mM (guaiacol), 6.3 mM (ABTS) and 0.92 mM (quercetin). In contrast, the Km for quercetin in the presence of Fe3+ions was two orders of magnitude less (0.018 mM) than that in its absence. The stability of POX activity was increased in the presence of trivalentmetal ions, even after 186 h in solution. POX activity was retained by 83.6% and 56.1% in the presence of 1 mMFe3+and Al3+ions, respectively, whereasit was completely inactivated in their absence. To the best of our knowledge, this is thefirst study to detail the activation and stabilization of POX activity in relation to trivalent metal ions.

Physico-Chemical and mineral analysis of composts fortified with NPK fertilizer, Ammonium Chloride and Kaolin

Abstract: This work presents the physicochemical and mineral analysis of compost samples made from waste materials of cassava, vegetable, banana, orange, and cow dung fortified each with 100g of NPK, 100g of kaolin and 100g of ammonium chloride. Microbial analysis of the fresh compost samples revealed that the unfortified compost possesses more microbial load than the fortified samples. The physicochemical analysis showed that the kaolin fortified compost (KFC) has the highest ash content and phosphorus content while the unfortified compost (UC) contains the highest organic matter. All the compost samples have little nitrogen when compared with NPK chemical fertilizer. However, the fortification with kaolin, NPK and ammonium chloride increased the percentage of nitrogen over that of the unfortified compost by 38.8%, 56.23%, and 71.17% respectively. The fortification with kaolin, NPK, and ammonium chloride also increased the phosphorus content over that of the unfortified by 56.31%, 53.21% and 36.75%, respectively. The result of the mineral content showed that the fortification with NPK and ammonium chloride increased the magnesium content of the compost sample while fortification with kaolin increases the magnesium and calcium content. The nitrate and sulfate contents are reduced by the fortification with kaolin, NPK and ammonium chloride.

In vivo control of perilla rust disease by oak pyroligneous liquor

Abstract: Leaves of Perilla frutescens, commonly known as perilla are widely used in Korea, due to their medicinal properties. The rust disease of perilla interrupts its wide use every year. The present study was carried out to evaluate the control of perilla rust disease by using oak pyroligneous liquor having various biological properties. The rust disease infected perilla leaves were applied with 100 μl of oak pyroligneous liquor at different concentrations such as 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 μg/ml. Then the leaf samples were observed for the abortion of active rust pustules (yellow color) after 48 hours of incubation at 26?C. Further, inhibition of rust pustules development by oak pyroligneous liquor was evaluated on the leaves of artificially induced perilla rust disease. The best abortion of rust pustules by oak pyroligneous liquor was noticed at the concentration of 50 μg/ml, where 74.4% of the pustules were aborted. Discoloration of rust pustules was also observed in the treated leaves from yellow to white when compared with the untreated control. In addition, oak pyroligneous liquor completely inhibited the development of rust pustules in artificially induced leaves even at low concentration (6.25 μg/ml). The results clearly indicated that oak pyroligneous liquor is a good candidate for the management of Perilla rust disease.

Dietary exposure estimates of trace elements in selected agricultural products grown in greenhouse and associated health risks in Korean population

Abstract: This study focuses on the dietary exposure of trace elements (TEs) through the intake of various agricultural products grown in greenhouse, and its corresponding health risks at different age categories in Korean population. It was observed that the mean contents of TEs found in selected agricultural products were well below their guidelines. Mean and 95th percentile intake estimates of TEs were ranged from 0.02 to that considerable attention should be paid to the potential health risks of TEs through intake of various foodstuffs and other exposure pathways.

Biphenyl- and carvone-induced protein expression patterns in Rhodococcus sp. ACS

Abstract: Protein expression patterns in the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-degrading Rhodococcussp. strain ACS were examined following growth on two substrates capable of inducing the enantioselective biotransformation of PCBs via different degradation pathways. Eleven inducible proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE and characterized by LC-MS/MS. Four of the peptides, a spore coat protein, an extracellular serine protease, a spoVP, and a molecular chaperonin from Bacillus subtilis, were identified as being unique to biphenyl-induced cells, whereas anextracellular serine protease from B. subtilis was identified as being unique to carvone-induced cells. None of the peptides identified had sequences that corresponded to known dioxygenases or other PCB-degrading enzymes of this Gram- positive bacterium, suggesting that the identified induced proteins may be involved in either PCB degradation or adaptive responses that protect cells from toxicity.