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Smallholder farmers in northern Punjab struggle to adopt sustainable practices like essential oil extraction, despite their potential to improve livelihoods. Core elements from theory of planned behavior, technology acceptance model, and innovation diffusion theory are amalgamated to develop an adoption model, which is subsequently analyzed using structural equation model. The results unveil significant mediating effects involving attitudes (perceived usefulness, easiness), normative concerns (social influence), and indicating maximum variation (R²) regarding by-product preparation (0.76) and steam distillation (0.65). The model successfully accounts moderating effects of socioeconomic variables, indicating a robust association among latent variables. Hence, improving the adoption behavior among smallholders necessitates a focus on socio-psychological and socioeconomic factors.

 

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 Fresh fish is a highly perishable food item and spoils easily. In this research, after investigating the antioxidant properties of the Eryngium Campestre extract (Ece), its effect along with the sodium alginate coating was evaluated on the shelf-life of rainbow trout under refrigerated conditions (4°C) for 12 days. To assess the antioxidant properties of the extract, tests such as DPPH, total phenolics, reducing power, and ABTS were performed. Subsequently, samples treated with an Ece containing alginate coating applied via spray method were analyzed for chemical parameters (TBA, TVN, and pH) , microbiological parameters (total psychrotrophic and mesophilic bacteria), and sensory evaluations at four day intervals up to the 12 day. The results indicated that Ece possessed significant antioxidant properties. Furthermore, treatments that included the extract combined with the sodium alginate  coating significantly reduced pH, TVN, and TBA levels compared to the control sample (p<0.05). Microbial tests indicated that all treated samples inhibited bacterial growth when compared to the control sample, with a reduction of approximately 3 log CFU/g compared to the control group. In the sensory evaluation, treatments containing Ece and sodium alginate  yielded more favorable results than those of the control group. According to the obtained results coating the samples with sodium alginate  and Ece improved the microbial, chemical, and sensory properties and shelf life of rainbow trout in refrigerator conditions by about four days.
 

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Sediment-related environmental problems pose a serious threat to sustainable land management in many developing countries, including Iran. Information regarding sediment sources represents a key requirement from the management perspective since identification of sediment sources is a precursor to the design of effective sediment management and control strategies. The fingerprinting approach has increasingly been adopted as an alternative to assembling such information. A wide range of fingerprint properties has been used as a means of discriminating potential sediment sources. However, determining the ability of these properties is very important in the design of cost-effective catchment management strategies before each study. This contribution addresses the ability of two acid extractable metals (Co and Cr) that were used extensively in previous studies to be used to differentiate sediment sources. The results of the statistical analysis demonstrate that no single property is capable of classifying the source material samples into the correct source categories at the Amrovan drainage basins. In the case of the Atary drainage basin, Cr and Co were found in only 47.5 and 43.8% of the source material samples respectively. According to the result obtained, it is recommended that acid extractable metals for sediment sources differentiation in conjunction with the composite of other properties to improve sediment source discrimination.

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The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. is one of the important arthropod pathogens that can play an important role in the regulation of mite populations in agricultural ecosystems. In this study, the combined effect of a native isolate of fungus B. bassiana (EUT105) and ether-extract of plant, Ginkgo biloba was evaluated against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. At first, effect of three concentrations 5, 10 and 20% of G. biloba was evaluated on B. bassiana conidial germination and mycelial growth. Then, potential synergism between B. bassiana and G. biloba was investigated in order to incorporate both in the control of this pest. Only the 20% concentration of plant extract had significantly inhibitive effect on germination and mycelial growth. The mortality of adult female T. urticae increased significantly when B. bassiana was applied with 5 and 10% concentrations of G. biloba extract. Hence, there is a synergistic effect between this native B. bassiana and ether-extract of G. biloba in controlling the two-spotted spider mite.

 

 

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In order to determine effects of chicken and cattle manures in culture of Chlorococcum, an experiment was designed in six treatments including; 0.1, 0.4, 0.8 g/l of chicken manure and 0.1, 0.4, 0.8 g/l of cattle manure as completely randomize design with three replicates for 28 days. Results showed that the mean maximum density (87.1 × 10⁵ cell/ml), specific growth rate (0.054 day^-1), algal dry biomass (0.644 g/l), and chlorophyll a (9.42 mg/l) were obtained with 0.8 mg/l chicken manure. In order to compare performance of these manures with other culture media, second experiment with five treatments including; BBM (control) (Bold’s Basal Medium), BBM + soil extract, 0.8 g/l chicken manure, 0.8 g/l cattle manure and mixture of all treatment (BBM, BBM + soil extract, chicken manure and cattle manure) was designed as completely randomize design with three replicates for 15 days. Comparative results showed that BBM + soil extract had highest algal density (11.6 x 10⁶ cells/ml), highest algal dry biomass (0.81 mg/ml), maximum SGR (0.13 /day), highest chlorophyll a (10.15 mg/l) and minimum doubling time (4.97 days). In conclusion, performance of BBM + soil extract was better in terms of biomass and growth parameters of Chlorococcum.

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In this paper, results of the study on heavy metals solubility behavior of Ni-Cd filter cakes in Iranian Zinc Mine Development Company (IZMDC) plants are investigated. The effects of pH, temperature, liquid/solid ratio and contact time on the release of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Ni and Pb) into water media was examined. Also, “Extraction procedure tests” approved by EPA were applied to the residues. Moreover, statistical data analysis was performed and the most important parameters for dissolution of Zn, Cd, Ni and Pb were found to be the pH and L/S.. The concentration of Cd and Pb in the extracts obtained from filter cakes by applying EPA extraction procedures at pH 5 are over 1.0 and 5.0 mg/L, which are toxicity limits, respectively. The concentrations of other metals in the solution are above the limits given by various quality standards for surface water.

 

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The carob moth is one of the most devastating pests of pomegranate and some other products. Various pest control measures have been undertaken in order to control this pest but none of them has been successful so far. In the current study the effects of cereal seed proteinaceous extracts including triticale and three wheat cultivars (MV17, Aflak, and Zare) have been studied on α-amylase and protease activity of salivary glands of this insect.Initial screening showed 38, 44, 28 and 76% inhibitory effect for triticlae, MV-17, Aflak, and Zare cereal seed extracts respectively on α-amylase activity. Further studies were performed with Zare wheat cultivar using various concentrations including 13, 6.5, 3.25, 1.625 and 0.8125 µg protein on the enzyme activity and results showed that they inhibited the enzyme activity by 76, 75, 68, 60, and 42%, respectively. Gel assays confirmed the spectrophotometric data i.e the effect of the seed extract on the enzyme was dose dependant. The same trend was observed when seed extracts were tested against proteinase activity. These data suggest that plants produce different proteins with different specificity toward herbivores digestive enzymes some of which could be used for insect control in IPM program.

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The effect of the antioxidant extracts on the quality indices of rainbow trout fillet stored at refrigerator (4±1ºC) for 15 days was investigated. The fillets in 3 treatments, including salted in 10% brine, salted in 10% brine plus 1% nettle leaf extract, and salted in 10% brine plus synthetic antioxidant BHT were evaluated at every 3 days interval, using the quality indices including the free fatty acids (FFA), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), peroxide (PV), moisture content, pH levels and sensory characteristics. The results showed that TBA and FFA values increased significantly (p<0/05), but PV significantly decreased in all treatments during the course of storage (p<0/05). Samples containing antioxidants had significantly lower TBA, PV and FFA values in comparison with the control sample throughout the storage. Also, the methanol extract from nettle leaves (at 1% balance) controlled the TBA, PV and FFA indices and entirely replaced the synthetic BHT antioxidants (at 1% balance). Since the sensory evaluation (smell, texture, taste and after taste elements) showed no significant differences between the two antioxidants, both are recommended to preserve the quality of rainbow trout fillet. The nettle leaf extract was found to be more efficient on shelf life extension the fillet.

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A group of the natural antioxidants is the polyphenols in green tea leave extracts (GTE). In this research, the extraction of antioxidants from the leaves was done with aqueous solution and then the extract was purified and finally dried and made into powder. Then the antioxidant effects of produced powder and α -tocopherol at 200 and 500 ppm , butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at 100 and 200 ppm , and the combination synergistic effect of mixtures: 200 ppm GTE+500 ppm α -tocopherol , 500 ppm GTE+200 ppm BHA and 500 ppm GTE+200 ppm BHT in two types of sunflower oil (with and without citric acid as a chelator) at 50oC and time intervals of 0, 5, 8, 12 days were examined and compared for peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test. Results showed that the individually antioxidant effect of GTE at both concentrations was better than that of other antioxidants. Combination of GTE+BHT demonstrated antagonistic effect but no remarkable synergism or antagonisim was observed in other combinations.

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TheChah Nimeh reservoirs of Sistan is as one of the main water sources of Zabol City used for drinking, agriculture, industry and livestock purposes. This study aimed to determine the contribution of the natural and concentration factors of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb and Cu in sediment of Chah Nimeh of Sistan. The concentrations of heavy metals in surface sediments were studied in six stations during 2013. To determine the concentration of the heavy metals atomic absorption spectrometer (Contr AA 700) was used. Sequential extraction analysis  was applied based on the share of natural and concentration factor sources of heavy metals. Sequential extraction analysis showed that a considerable part of the Pb (63.67%), Cd (55.17%) and Cu (57.17%) were from natural sources. The highest concentrations of Cd and Pb were 0.81 and 5.57 mg kg^-1, respectively, obtained in station one and the maximum Cu concentration was observed in station five (37.8 mg kg^-1), while the lowest concentration of Cd, Pb and Cu were 0.34, 3.95 and 31.4 mg kg^-1, respectively.

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Chrysoperla carnea is a voracious predator. It is currently mass-reared and released for biological control programs. This study was aimed at finding out the effect of different diets on biological characteristics of adult predator, and to introduce a better and cheaper artificial diet for its mass-rearing. In order to obtain a pure and physiologically homogenous population, the predator was reared for seven successive generations in laboratory conditions. The effect of six different diets [a mixture of 30% concentrations of glucose, fructose and sucrose (1: 1: 1);, glucose, fructose, sucrose plus extract of Sitotroga cerealella eggs (1: 1); glucose, fructose, sucrose plus extract of Anagasta kuehniella eggs (1: 1);, a mixture of honey, yeast and distilled water (1: 1: 1);, honey, yeast plus extract of S. cerealella eggs (1: 1: 1) and honey, yeast plus extract of A. kuehniella eggs (1: 1: 1)] was studied on biological parameters (Pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition period,longevity of males and females, fecundity, egg hatchability and eggs remained in the ovary of females after death) of the seventh generation. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions (25 ± 2ºC, 60 ± 10% RH and 16L: 8Dh) with four replications and five observations. Results revealed that the mixture of honey, yeast and extract of A. kuehniella eggs (1: 1: 1), influenced the biological traits of the predator more effectively and favorably than all other diets, considering the average longevity, oviposition period and fecundity of female (37.73 ± 0.59, 28.57 ± 1.09 days, 795.0 ± 23.05 eggs, respectively), and egg hatchability (84.98 ± 0.71 %) compared to those of other diet treatments. Minimum pre-oviposition period (6.66 ± 0.49 days) was also found in adults fed by this diet.

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Pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on some morphological characteristics of Thlaspi caerulescens L., and also on the accumulation of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in roots and shoots of T. caerulescens L.. Experiments were then set up in three treated pots with doses of 3, 6 and 9 mmol kg^-1 of EDTA and control pots (C: uncontaminated soil and W: contaminated soil). The results indicated the significant effect of EDTA on morphological characteristics and accumulation of heavy metals in the plant (P<0.05). Data revealed that the maximum of germination (99.11 and 96.00%), maximum of root length (73.31 and 70.14 mm) and maximum of shoot length (51.64 and 44.14 mm) and maximum of biomass weight (61.31 and 52.18 mg) were achieved by C treatment followed by W treatment. The maximum bioconcentration factor (3.57) and translocation factor (0.89) was observed on 9 mmol kg^-1 EDTA. In addition, the effect of EDTA on Tolerance Index (TI) showed that the TI decreased with increasing doses of EDTA. The findings indicated that the study species tolerated heavy metals concentration. EDTA had potential to promote the uptake of heavy metals for T. caerulescens L., butwith respect to non-significant differences between 6 mmol kg^-1 EDTA and 9 mmol kg^-1 EDTA treatments. Thereore, low dose of EDTA suggested to be applied because of its environmental risk.

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Although Lamiaceae family have been used for centuries as flavouring agent or spice in different foods and also in traditional medicine for treatment of digestive and viral diseases, for example utilization of Ziziphora clinopodioides in yoghurt for above mentioned objectives but a few studies have been performed on the interaction between these compounds and yoghurt starter culture activity. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Ziziphora clinopodioides on growth of yoghurt starter culture. Trials of set yoghurt were prepared according to standard method with different cocentrations of the essential oil (0,125,250,500 μg/L) and extract (0,1000,2000,4000 μg/L) of Ziziphora clinopodioides. Viability of starter culture was investigated during the storage of yoghurt at 4 ° C at different time intervals. The results showed that the number of starter culture in all samples decreased during storage. There was no significant difference of Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oil between samples and control (P <0.01). The extract of Ziziphora clinopodioides at high concentration (4000 μg/L) significantly (P <0.01) decreased the viability of starter culture after 19 th day of yoghurt production.

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Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius) leaf extract was applied against two strains of the crown gall disease agent (Agrobacterium tumefaciens); strains C58 and AR125. In vitro, we used the agar well diffusion method and the extract was tested in different solvents selected according to their polarity indices, at different concentrations and different incubation temperatures. In vivo, we tested the extract prepared in different solvents on the stems of young tomato plants (cv. Firenze) which were inoculated with the strain C58.The best results were obtained with the extract prepared in hot sterile distilled water and in methanol (0.3 g.ml^-1) incubated at 25 °C and 30 °C. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated to be 10^-4 g.ml^-1. In another aspect, to identify the nature of certain substances from S. terebinthifolius leaf extracts, we made a test of fractionation using the Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) method and phytochemical screening of the crude methanol leaf extract. We noticed the presence of alkaloids and flavonoid compounds which may be responsible for the antibacterial activity. These tests indicated that false pepper leaf extract has an antibiotic effect against Agrobacterium tumefaciens both in vitro and in vivo, which represents a conceptual approach with great promise for future biological control.  

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Oxidative stability of oils, fats and fatty food products can be affected by many factors such as oxygen, light, heat, metal ions and enzymes used and finally it brings about oxidative corruption. This study has been done to survey the role of Dorema aucheri extract in oxidative stability of fish oil (under microwave heating) and comparising that with BHT synthetic antioxidant. Concentrations of 250 and 500 ppm extracts of Dorema auchri and BHT 200 ppm were added to fish oil and a fish oil sample without the addition of antioxidant was considered as control, Then they were sampled after putting in microwave at time periods 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes. Chemical oxidative indicators (peroxide, free fatty acids and thiobarbituric acid) were surveyed. According to the results, in all times putting in microwave the amount of peroxide, free fatty acids and thiobarbituric acid  in the treatments that contained extract, were lower than the control treatment, but were higher than the treatment that contained  BHT. A significant difference wasn^'t seen among the treatment that contained 250 ppm of extract and the treatment that contained BHT (p>0/05). According to the results, because of significant difference of samples contained extract with control sample and the lack of significant difference sample containd 250 ppm extract with BHT, it would be expected that Dorema aucheri  extract as antioxidant can be used  in food industry in maintenace of fish oil.

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During the past decade, natural plant products as environmentally safe option have received attention for controlling phytopathogenic diseases. Investigation of plants containing natural antimicrobial metabolites for plant protection has been recognized as a desirable method of disease control. The fungus Fusarium oxysporum causes diseases such as root rot, damping off and Fusarium wilt and it infects many plant species and crops. Methanolic crude extracts of 30 plant species belonging to 17 families collected from the west of Iran were screened for antifungal activity against F. oxysporum during 2012. Bioassay of the extracts was conducted by agar dilution method with five replications. The inhibitory effect of the extracts was examined at concentration of 2000 ppm. Twenty out of 30 tested plant species (67%) showed inhibitory activity against mycelial growth of F. oxysporum. The most effective extracts with more than 50% inhibition belonged to Haplophyllum perforatum and Calendula officinalis. High number of plants with antifungal activity in this experiment showed that the flora in the west of Iran could be regarded as a rich source of plants with antifungal activity. Therefore, further screening of other plant species, identifying active fractions or metabolites and in vivo application of active extracts are in progress.  

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The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of methanol and acetone extracts of three marine algae, including Hypnea hamulosa, Gracilaria corticata and Enteromorpha intestinalis wereinvestigated.Antioxidant activities were determined by means of total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic compounds, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Antibacterial activity was determined using a paper disc diffusion method against pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Acetone extract of E. intestinalis showed the highest antioxidant activity and contained the highest phenolic compounds. The highest percentage of DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed in the methanol extract of H. hamulosa (p<0.05). The highest ferric reducing antioxidant power was observed in the methanol extract of Glacilaria (p<0.05). The strongest inhibition (p<0.05) against L. monocytogenes was shown by the methanol extract of E. intestinalis and the highest inhibition against B. subtilis and E. coli was observed in the acetone extract (p<0.05). In conclusion, E. intestinalis extracts showed favorable antioxidant and antibacterial activity suggesting its application in food and pharmacological industries.

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Some plant extracts have been reported to exhibit antimicrobial properties. Plant based pesticides appear to be an alternative for the synthetic pesticides because of their less dangerous impacts. The objective of this study was to assess the inhibitory activity of Brassica napus water extract on mycelial growth of six phytopathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia solani, Phythophtora drechseleri, Pythium aphanidermatum, Verticellium dahliae, Fusarium oxysporum, and Gaeumannomyces graminis. Antifungal activity test was performed by disc diffusion method. Concentrations of 100 and 50 ppm had the highest and the lowest inhibitory effects on all studied species respectively. The shoot extract (SE) was significantly exerted higher antifungal activity than root extract (RE). At 100 ppm, V. dahliae (17.02% inhibition by RE) and F. oxysporum (50% inhibition by SE) were the most sensitive species however, R. solani (1.8 and 15%) was the most resistant fungus to both extracts. Active compounds of B. napus extract were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Phenolic compounds had the highest concentrations in extracts and are probably the main cause of the mycelial growth inhibition. Application of canola aqueous extract or incorporation of canola in crop rotation program can be considered as a method for management of some soil-borne phytopathogenic fungi.

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MeHg and total mercury concentrations were determined in the muscle tissues of four fish species (Cyprinus carpio, Rutilus frisii, Carassius auratus and Esox lucius) from Anzali wetland (Guilan, Iran). Fish with the highest amount of MeHg was selected to determine the thermodynamic parameters of MeHg extraction. The extractions process was performed in the range of temperatures 331.15 to 367.15 K and at atmospheric pressure. Results show the extraction of MeHg from SH groups of sulfhydryl proteins was an endothermic process with a positive value for entropy and Gibbs free energy changes at the room temperature. Significant difference was found between MeHg content at T=367.15 K and other temperatures. Correlation coefficients results showed that the mercury concentration in muscle tissue was significantly related to the length and weight of fish (p≤0.01). Also, thermodynamic parameters of methylmercury extractions had significant correlation (p≤0.05) with length and weight of the six fish specimen.

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In a completely randomized design, the effect of the extract from Trifolium alexandrium (0, 0.2 and 0.4%) on the germination, some morphological characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, and nutrients uptake of Prosopis cineraria was evaluated. The highest germination rate and percentage (9.16 and 21%, respectively) were recorded in the 0.2% treatment. The maximum and minimum lengths of radicle (6.58 and 3.16 cm) and pedicel (6.56 and 14.23 cm), and dry weight were recorded in the control and 0.4% treatments, respectively. The highest level of chlorophyll a (16.80 mg g^-1 fresh weight) was found in the control. The highest and lowest chlorophyll b (9.65 and 7.96 mg g^-1 fresh weight) were measured in the 0.2%and control, respectively. The extract adversely affected the nutrient uptake by P. cineraria, the minimum and maximum of which were recorded at the 0.4%and control treatments, respectively. In general, although the extract of T. alexandrium increased the P. cineraria germination in the 0.2% treatment, the increased concentrations led to its reduced growth and nutrient uptake. Therefore, the simultaneous cultivation of these two species in the dry lands is not recommended.