JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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Four cultivars of olive, Kalamata, Marri, Zard and Fishmi were obtained from Roodbar town and treated with two methods, natural and controlled fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum as a starter culture at 25°C for 100 days. HPLC analysis experiments were conducted during the whole study period. A higher level (1.08% w/w) of total acidity was produced in Fishmi cultivar especially in the natural fermentation (0.8-1.1 g lactic acid/ml) than in other cultivars. Individual organic acids were determined by HPLC. Quantitative changes of organic acids in olives showed (P<0.0l) an increasing pattern of lactic and acetic acids during fermentation, but decreasing levels of malic and citric acids were revealed. The highest level of lactic acid (1.1% w/v) was observed in Zard cultivar and the type of fermentation had no effect on acid production. Malic and citric acids gradually disappeared during 50 days of fermentation period and this change was faster for citric acid during controlled fermentation. Malic acid did not follow this pattern.

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Physicochemical characteristics of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) are very important for storage and processing qualities. The amount of reducing sugars (glucose and fructose) and organic acids at harvest, during and after storage is the most important factor. In this study, three potato cultivars (Moran, Marfona and Agria) were collected, dry cleaned and graded into three sizes. They were analyzed for specific gravity and dry matter content. Potato tubers were stored at 4°C and about 85% R. H. for 15 weeks and then reconditioned at room temperature (25±l)°C for 4 weeks. During the storage period of tubers, sugars (sucrose, glucose and fructose) were analyzed on a weekly basis, but citric, D-malic and D-pyroglutamic were analyzed on a monthly basis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data were analyzed statistically in a completely randomized design with sampling and Duncans multiple range test.

The total sugar and organic acid contents of tubers significantly increased during the 15 weeks of storage at 4°C and decreased after reconditioning at room temperature. The size of tubers did not affect the accumulation of total sugars. Dry matter content and specific gravity of Agria tubers were higher than those of both Moran and Marfona. Also accumulation of reducing sugars was lower in Agria than in Moran and Morfona initially and after the storage and reconditioning periods. Therefore, Agria must be suitable for processing into chips or dry powder.

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In order to evaluate the relationship between SDS-sedimentation value and breadmaking quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), glutenin subunits of different genotypes (foreign and Iranian cultivars) were analyzed by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). SDS-sedimentation value was used as an indirect criterion for breadmaking quality.

 Correlation coefficients revealed a closer relationship between low molecular weight (LMW) glutenin subunits and variation in SDS-sedimentation value. Principal component analysis confirmed the presence of association between some of the glutenin subunits and SDS-sedimentation value. Based on the stepwise regression analysis, two LMW and four high molecular weight (HMW) peaks (subunits) were selected which accounted for 70.2 and 18.7% of variability in SDS sedimentation values, respectively. On the basis of the results of the stepwise regression analysis, a discriminant function was developed. The great efficiency of discriminant function in correct classification of completely different genotypes (Iranian landraces and cultivars) showed that the observed relationship between glutenin subunits and SDS-sedimentation value has a genetic basis and the effects of LMW and HMW glutenin subunits on SDS-sedimentation value are additive. Therefore, it seems that this method based on more protein components (rather than only on HMW glutenin subunits) can be used to predict breadmaking quality of wheat against many genetic backgrounds.

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Evaluation of uric acid contents of poultry excreta was examined for use in the estimation of apparent protein digestibility. Uric acid was determined either by high-performance liquid chromatography or by spectrophotometric method. A high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay was used with absorbance measured at 285 nm. The method used a reverse-phase system with a C18-bonded column (250*4.6 mm, i.d.). The mobile phase was distilled deionized water. Injection volume was 20 l with a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Correlation (r) between the two methods for uric acid content of excreta from birds fed diets with different methionine levels was 0.976. The uric acid values were then used to determine apparent protein digestibility. The apparent protein digestibility values, when corrected for uric acid nitrogen, were comparable with those calculated from amino acid analysis.

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Three potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.), spring Marfona, autumn Cosima and Marfona, obtained from Isfahan Province, were stored under different conditions: 4^oC, darkness 12^oC, fluorescent light room temperature, darkness and room temperature, daylight. Relative humidity of the above stores was 85 to 90%. Analyses were carried out to determine total glycoalkaloids, α-solanine, specific gravity and total solids, during 30 days for the spring cultivar and 90 days for the autumn cultivars in stored tubers. α -Solanine content of each cultivar was determined by HPLC, in mg per 100 g dry weight, at the beginning, the midinterval, and the end of storage periods. Also, amounts of α-solanine in autumn cultivars, which showed the highest levels after storage for sixty days, were determined before and after heat processing for frying and cooking. Data were analyzed statistically by completely randomized design with Duncan’s multiple range test. The results revealed that the amount of α-solanine of the spring cultivar considerably increased under 12^oC and flourescent light as compared with the other storage conditions. The amounts of α-solanine considerably increased during the storage of autumn cultivars which were stored at 12^oC under flourescent light compared with those stored at room temperature and daylight, room temperature and darkness, and at 4^oC and darkness, respectively. The amount of α-solanine decreased due to spring conditions during the storage period for cultivars stored at room temperature and darkness. In spite of the decreasing effect of peeling, before frying and after cooking, frying and cooking processes had no effect on the amount of α-solanine in the samples. Therefore, according to the above results, the most appropriate storage conditions to prevent increasing effect of α-solanine in potato tubers was 4^oC in darkness.

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Homogenized milks at 0.5 and 2.5% fat content were each fortified with three levels of Vitamin A palmitate at 3000, 4000 and 5000 IU/L. Vitamin was added just before homogenization and then pasteurized milks were packed in polymeric pouches and glass bottles. All samples were refrigerated at 4-5 °C for 48 hours. Any reduction in vitamin A level was monitored using HPLC, while sensory evaluation was conducted in order to rank the samples. ANOVA and Friedman analyses indicated that fat content along with package type had a significant effect on the residue of vitamin A. The loss of vitamin A was significantly higher in 0.5% milk either packed in polymeric pouch or glass bottle. However, besides fat concentration, more vitamin A was lost in glass bottles rather than polymeric pouches. Sensory evaluation showed that milk fortification had no adverse effects on color and flavor of the product.

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Resveratrol (5,3,4'- trihyroxystilbene) is a valuable polyphenolic compound which prevents cancer, heart and vascular diseases in human. In this research, the compound was extracted from leaf and fruit tissues of two Iranian grape cultivars (Rajabie Sefide Shiraz and Keshmeshie Ghermez) using a general extraction method with some modification, and analyzed quantitatively by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Resveratrol content in leaf and fruit of Rajabie Sefide Shiraz cultivar was higher than Keshmeshie Ghermez and its amount in the fruits of both cultivars was observed to be greater than their leaves. The accumulation of Resveratrol at the early stage of fruit growth (4 weeks after full bloom) was higher than the subsequent stages of fruit growth and development (8 weeks after full bloom and ripened fruit) in both cultivars. This compound gradually decreased from the beginning of fruit set to the complete stage of growth and development and reached the lowest level when the fruits were ripe. Leaves and fruits of both cultivars were treated with methyl jasmonate (1 mM), then the rate of resveratrol was measured after treatments. It was observed that the amount of this compound was significantly increased in treated samples when compared with the control however, the difference diminished later. The fruits of both cultivars responded better to the treatments 4 weeks after full bloom.

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Sweet tasting glycyrrhizic acid is considered to be the most important chemical compound in licorice root. However, environmental factors affect chemical composition of licorice root including glycyrrhizic acid content. In this study, the effects of the harvesting time and location on licorice root composition were studied. Chemical composition of the licorice roots (Glycyrrhizia glabra) collected in summer and fall seasons from three locations in Fars province (Eghlid, Beiza and Doshman-Ziary) and one location from each of Kerman (Baft) and Kermanshah (Islam-Abad) provinces was determined. Glycyrrizhic acid, ash and sugar content before and after hydrolysis were measured in all samples after extraction. A combined analysis of variances was performed on data based on a randomized complete block design in six replications. The results showed that effects of harvesting season on sugar content, and the effects of location and its interaction with harvesting season on ash, sugar and glycyrrhizic acid content were significant (p<0.01). It was also found that the lowest ash content were obtained from roots harvested from Islam-Abad in summer the highest sugar content before hydrolysis belonged to roots harvested from both Baft and Islam-Abad in fall. Highest amount of sugar after hydrolysis was reported in the roots collected from Islam-Abad in Fall. Roots harvested from Beiza in Fars province in fall had the maximum glycyrrizhic acid content.

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  In this study, chemical quality of Zayandehrud river between Zayandehrud Regulating Dam and Nekouabad Diversion Dam, three discharging drains and one Fehlman well were measured using HPLC with determine the pollution concentration of diazinon insecticide from July 2006 to March 2007. Also, Zayandehrud’s assimilative capacity was determined. The results showed that river water and drains were not polluted to diazinon. Physical, chemical and biological factors effective in the diazinon detection were assessed. Diazinon was detected in the groundwater sample in October with concentration of 32.1 ng/L. This level was lower than the maximum permissible level for drinking water. Also, the NO^-₃ concentration in this month was 24 mg/L that is 2.4 times the standard level (10 mg/L). Due to the increased discharge of different wastewaters to Zayandehrud, its assimilative capacity decreased from upstream to downstream. So, prevention of use of pesticides and pre-treatment of wastewaters that are discharged to this river need more attention.