Sustainable Ecosystem Services Framework for Tropical Catchment Management: A Review

The monsoon season is a natural phenomenon that occurs over the Asian continent, bringing extra precipitation which causes significant impact on most tropical watersheds. The tropical region’s countries are rich with natural rainforests and the economies of the countries situated within the region are mainly driven by the agricultural industry. In order to fulfill the agricultural demand, land clearing has worsened the situation by degrading the land surface areas. Rampant land use activities have led to land degradation and soil erosion, resulting in implications on water quality and sedimentation of the river networks. This affects the ecosystem services, especially the hydrological cycles. Intensification of the sedimentation process has resulted in shallower river systems, thus increasing their vulnerability to natural hazards (i.e., climate change, floods). Tropical forests which are essential in servicing their benefits have been depleted due to the increase in human exploitation. This paper provides an overview of the impact of land erosion caused by land use activities within tropical rainforest catchments, which lead to massive sedimentation in tropical rivers, as well as the effects of monsoon on fragile watersheds which can result in catastrophic floods. Forest ecosystems are very important in giving services to regional biogeochemical processes. Balanced ecosystems therefore, play a significant role in servicing humanity and ultimately, may create a new way of environmental management in a cost-effective manner. Essentially, such an understanding will help stakeholders to come up with better strategies in restoring the ecosystem services of tropical watersheds

Enhancement of cyanobacterial control by fungi degraded palm oil trunk

The elliptic azimuthal anisotropy coefficient (v2) is measured for charm (D0) and strange (K0 S, Λ, Ξ−, and Ω−) hadrons, using a data sample of p þ Pb collisions collected by the CMS experiment, at a nucleonnucleon center-of-mass energy of ffiffiffiffiffiffiffi sNN p ¼ 8.16 TeV. A significant positive v2 signal from long-range azimuthal correlations is observed for all particle species in high-multiplicity p þ Pb collisions. The measurement represents the first observation of possible long-range collectivity for open heavy flavor hadrons in small systems. The results suggest that charm quarks have a smaller v2 than the lighter quarks, probably reflecting a weaker collective behavior. This effect is not seen in the larger PbPb collision system at ffiffiffiffiffiffiffi sNN p ¼ 5.02 TeV, also presented

A novel hybrid approach of activated carbon and ultrasound cavitation for the intensification of palm oil mill effluent (POME) polishing

This investigation focuses on activated carbon (AC) adsorption and ultrasound (US) cavitation for polishing the palm oil mill effluent (POME). Both AC adsorption and US cavitation were investigated individually, in series and operating them in a combined way. The efficiency of above processes has been evaluated in terms of removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS). For the individual operation, the optimisation studies were carried out by using the following conditions: AC dosage (50–200 g/L); contact time (2, 4, 6 h); US power amplitude (50% and 80%) and US cavitation time (30–180 min). The optimisation studies utilising US power amplitude (50%) and cavitation time (15 min) followed by AC adsorption using minimum AC dosage (50 g/L) and contact time (30 min) resulted in ∼100% COD and 83.33% TSS removals which meets the discharge limits set by the Department of Environment (DoE), Malaysia. The hybrid operation was also studied by simultaneously employing AC adsorption and US cavitation and it was observed that an adsorption dosage of 50 g/L resulted into achieving 73.08% COD and 98.33% TSS removals within 15 min of US irradiation. With the possibility of continuous and feasible sonochemical reactors, this hybrid approach of US cavitation followed by AC adsorption could be an alternative processing technique for POME polishing

First report of anatoxin-a encoding gene in isolated cyanobacterial strains from Malaysia

Aims: This study focus on the presence of cyanobacterial toxin in Malaysia and anatoxin-a-encoding gene was detected in this study and the status of cyanobacterial toxins in Malaysia can now be clarified. Methodology and results: As part of status determination of cyanobacterial toxins in Malaysia, cyanobacterial strains have been isolated from different environments and identified using cyanobacterial 16S rRNA gene sequence. PCR assay was carried out to detect the presence of cyanobacterial toxin-encoding genes in these isolated strains by amplifying genes encoded for microcystin, anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin. Using molecular identification of 16S rRNA gene sequences, a total of forty-two cyanobacterial strains were identified, which belongs to eighteen different genera of Synechococcus, Cyanobium, Synechocystis, Chroococcidiopsis, Leptolyngbya, Nodosilinea, Limnothrix, Pseudanabaena, Cephalothrix, Aerosakkonema, Oscillatoria, Alkalinema, Pantanalinema, Planktolyngbya, Scytonema, Nostoc, Hapalosiphon and Symphyonemopsis. The toxicity of these strains was tested using PCR amplification of toxin-encoding genes using specific primers. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Anatoxin-a (ATX) gene, which involved in the biosynthesis of anatoxin-A was detected in two isolated strains namely Limnothrix sp. B15 and Leptolyngbya sp. D1C10. This study focus on the the presence of cyanobacterial toxin in Malaysia can now be determined as potential threat because anatoxin-a-encoding gene was detected in this study and the status of cyanobacterial toxins in Malaysia can now be clarified. © 2018, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Removal of rhodamine B from water using a solvent impregnated polymeric Dowex 5WX8 resin: statistical optimization and batch adsorption studies

This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Trends and Perspectives in the Application of Polymeric Materials for Wastewater Treatment[EN] Herein, commercially available Dowex 5WX8, a cation exchange polymeric resin, was modified through solvent impregnation with t-butyl phosphate (TBP) to produce a solvent impregnated resin (SIR), which was tested for the removal of rhodamine B (RhB) from water in batch adsorption experiments. The effect of SIR dosage, contact time, and pH on RhB adsorption was studied and optimized by response surface methodology (RSM), interaction, Pareto, and surface plots. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were respectively used for characterizing SIR surface morphology and identifying active binding sites before and after RhB adsorption. SEM showed that the pristine SIR surface was covered with irregular size and shape spots with some pores, while RhB saturated SIR surface was non-porous. FTIR revealed the involvement of electrostatic and π–π interactions during RhB adsorption on SIR. Dosage of SIR, contact time, and their interaction significantly affected RhB adsorption on SIR, while pH and its interaction with dosage and contact time did not. The optimum identified experimental conditions were 0.16 g of SIR dose and 27.66 min of contact time, which allowed for 98.45% color removal. Moreover, RhB adsorption equilibrium results fitted the Langmuir isotherm with a maximum monolayer capacity (qmax) of 43.47 mg/gSIDeanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University: Research Group No. RG-1437-031; FCT/MCTES support to CESAM (UID/AMB/50017/2019); FCT Investigator Program (IF/00314/2015

Antiulcerogenic, Anti-Secretory and Cytoprotective Effects of Piper Cubeba (L.) on Experimental Ulcer Models in Rat

This paper evaluated anti-gastric ulcer and anti-secretory effects of a popular spice Piper cubeba L, (Family: Piperaceae) in rats. The gastric ulcer protective potential of an aqueous suspension of Piper cubeba (PCS) was evaluated against different acute gastric ulcer models in rats induced by pyloric ligation (Shay), hypothermic restraint stress, indomethacin and by necrotizing agents (80% ethanol, 0.2 M NaOH and 25% NaCl) induced gastric mucosal injury. Piper cubeba aqueous suspension (PCS) at the doses 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight administered orally (intraperitoneally in Shay rat model) showed a dose-dependent ulcer protective effects in all the above models. Besides, the PCS offered protection against ethanol-induced depletion of gastric wall mucus (GWM); replenished the reduced non-protein sulfhydryls (NP‑SH) concentration and significantly replenished malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the gastric tissue. Ethanol induced histopathological lesions of the stomach wall characterized by mucosal hemorrhages and edema was reversed by Piper cubeba aqueous suspension treatment. Pretreatment of rats with Piper cubeba provided significant protection of gastric mucosa through its antioxidant capacity and/or by attenuating the offensive and by enhancing the defensive factor

Bioremediation and Electricity Generation by Using Open and Closed Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells

The industrial contamination of marine sediments with mercury, silver, and zinc in Penang, Malaysia was studied with bio-remediation coupled with power generation using membrane less open (aerated) and closed (non-aerated) sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs). The prototype for this SMFC is very similar to a natural aquatic environment because it is not stimulated externally and an oxygen sparger is inserted in the cathode chamber to create the aerobic environment in the open SMFC and no oxygen supplied in the closed SMFC. The open and closed SMFCs were showed the maximum voltage generation 300.5 mV (77.75 mW/m2) and 202.7 mV (45.04 (mW/m2), respectively. The cyclic voltammetry showed the oxidation peak in open SMFCs at +1.9 μA and reduction peak at -0.3 μA but in closed SMFCs oxidation and reduction peaks were noted at +1.5 μA and -1.0 μA, respectively. The overall impedance (anode, cathode and solution) of closed SMFCs was higher than open SMFCs. The charge transfer impedance showed that the rates of substrate oxidation and reduction were very low in the closed SMFCs than open SMFCs. The Nyquist arc indicated that O2 act as electron acceptor in the open SMFCs and CO2 in the closed SMFCs. The highest remediation efficiency of toxic metals [Hg (II) ions, Zn (II) ions, and Ag (I) ions] in the open SMFCs were 95.03%, 86.69%, and 83.65% in closed SMFCs were 69.53%, 66.57%, and 65.33%, respectively, observed during 60–80 days. The scanning electron microscope and 16S rRNA analysis showed diverse exoelectrogenic community in the open SMFCs and closed SMFCs. The results demonstrated that open SMFCs could be employed for the power generation and bioremediation of pollutants

Bioflocculants produced by bacterial strains isolated from palm oil mill effluent for application in the removal of Eriochrome Black T dye from water

This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Performance of Biopolymers[EN] Four strains of bioflocculant-producing bacteria were isolated from a palm oil mill effluent (POME). The four bacterial strains were identified as Pseudomonas alcaliphila (B1), Pseudomonas oleovorans (B2), Pseudomonas chengduensis (B3), and Bacillus nitratireducens (B4) by molecular identification. Among the four bacterial strains, Bacillus nitratireducens (B4) achieved the highest flocculating activity (49.15%) towards kaolin clay suspension after eight hours of cultivation time and was selected for further studies. The optimum conditions for Eriochrome Black T (EBT) flocculation regarding initial pH, type of cation, and B4 dosage were determined to be pH 2, Ca2⁺ cations, and a dosage of 250 mL/L of nutrient broth containing B4. Under these conditions, above 90% of EBT dye removal was attained. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR) analysis of the bioflocculant revealed the presence of hydroxyl, alkyl, carboxyl, and amino groups. This bioflocculant was demonstrated to possess a good flocculating activity, being a promissory, low-cost, harmless, and environmentally friendly alternative for the treatment of effluents contaminated with dyesSIThe authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for funding this work through research group no. RG-1441-376. The Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Lisboa, Portugal) is acknowledged for support through the FCT Investigator Program (IF/00314/2015). Thanks are due to FCT/ Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (MCTES), for the financial support to CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020+UIDB/50017/2020), through national fund

GC-MS Analysis: In Vivo Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oil of Achillea biebersteinii Afan. Growing in Saudi Arabia

WOS: 000376329100001PubMed ID: 27293452Liver disease is a worldwide problem. It represents one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in humans. Achillea biebersteinii is used as herbal remedy for various ailments including liver diseases. But the scientific basis for its medicinal use remains unknown. Thus, this research was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of A. biebersteinii essential oil (ABEO) (0.2 mL/kg) in the amelioration of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rodent model. Moreover, the chemical content of the oil was investigated using GC and GC-MS. The following biochemical parameters were evaluated: serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (gamma-GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin. Furthermore, lipid profile, malondialdehyde (MDA), nonprotein sulfhydryl (NP-SH), and total protein (TP) contents in liver tissue were estimated. 44 components (92.0%) of the total oil have been identified by GC-MS analysis where alpha-terpinene and p-cymene were the most abundant. The high serum enzymatic (GOT, GPT, GGT, and ALP) and bilirubin concentrations as well as the level of MDA, NP-SH, and TP contents in liver tissues were significantly reinstated towards normalization by the ABEO. Histopathological study further confirmed these findings. In addition, ABEO showed mild antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and beta-carotene-linoleic acid assays.Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University [RGP-VPP-073]The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for funding the work through the research group Project no. (RGP-VPP-073)

GC-MS analysis of chemical constituents and in vitro antioxidant activity of the organic extracts from the stem of Bridelia stipularis

In the present study the stems of the Bridelia stipularis (L.) Blume, which is traditionally used by ethnic communities in Sabah, Malaysia, has been investigated for its chemical composition, total flavonoid content (TFC) and total phenolic content (TPC) via Gas-Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis consuming hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate as extraction solvents and gallic acid and quercetin as internal standards. In vitro antioxidant activity (AA) was determined by the application of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazine (DPPH) radical scavenging assay using tert-butyl-1-hydroxytoluene (BHT) as comparative drug. The GC-MS profiling showed the presence of 1-dodecanol (40.917%), oxalic acid, cyclobutyl octadecyl ester (24.985%), 1-octanol,2-nitro (12.424%), benzaldehyde, 2,4-dimethyl- (9.583%), 4-tridecanol (6.359%) and nitric acid, nonyl ester (5.616%) as major constituents. The TPC (224.62 ± 0.08 mg QE/g) and TFC (160.48 ± 0.08 mg GAE/g) was reported highest for the most polar solvent i.e. ethyl acetate. The in vitro antioxidant study disclosed highest IC50 value for ethyl acetate (2.15 mg/mL), queued by chloroform (1.19 mg/mL) and hexane (0.89 mg/mL), displaying that polar solvents are good extraction solvents for the identification of free radical scavenging properties, TFC and TPC