Agnieszka Saeid

Biologically Active Compounds in Seaweed Extracts - the Prospects for the Application

The paper covers the latest developments in research on the utilitarian properties of algal extracts. Their appli- cation as the components of pharmaceuticals, feeds for animals and fertilizers was discussed. The classes of various bio- logically active compounds were characterized in terms of their role and the mechanism of action in an organism of hu- man, animal and plant. Recently, many papers have been published which discuss the methods of manufacture and the composition of algal ex- tracts. The general conclusion is that the composition of extracts strongly depends on the raw material (geographical loca- tion of harvested algae and algal species) as well as on the extraction method. The biologically active compounds which are transferred from the biomass of algae to the liquid phase include polysaccharides, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty ac- ids, pigments, polyphenols, minerals, plant growth hormones and other. They have well documented beneficial effect on humans, animals and plants, mainly by protection of an organism from biotic and abiotic stress (antibacterial activity, scavenging of free radicals, host defense activity etc.) and can be valuable components of pharmaceuticals, feed additives and fertilizers.

Biosorption of Microelements by Spirulina: Towards Technology of Mineral Feed Supplements

Surface characterization and metal ion adsorption properties of Spirulina sp. and Spirulina maxima were verified by various instrumental techniques. FTIR spectroscopy and potentiometric titration were used for qualitative and quantitative determination of metal ion-binding groups. Comparative FTIR spectra of natural and Cu(II)-treated biomass proved involvement of both phosphoryl and sulfone groups in metal ions sorption. The potentiometric titration data analysis provided the best fit with the model assuming the presence of three types of surface functional groups and the carboxyl group as the major binding site. The mechanism of metal ions biosorption was investigated by comparing the results from multielemental analyses by ICP-OES and SEM-EDX. Biosorption of Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions by lyophilized Spirulina sp. was performed to determine the metal affinity relationships for single- and multicomponent systems. Obtained results showed the replacement of naturally bound ions: Na(I), K(I), or Ca(II) with sorbed metal ions in a descending order of Mn(II) > Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Co(II) for single- and Cu(II) > Mn(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) for multicomponent systems, respectively. Surface elemental composition of natural and metal-loaded material was determined both by ICP-OES and SEM-EDX analysis, showing relatively high value of correlation coefficient between the concentration of Na(I) ions in algal biomass.

Soybean meal enriched with microelements by biosorption--a new biological feed supplement for laying hens. Part I. Performance and egg traits.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of soybean meal enriched with Cu(II), Zn(II), Fe(II) and Cr(III) by biosorption on egg traits (egg weight, eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, yolk colour, albumen height) and performance of laying hens. Also, the effect of increased microelement doses in biological form on egg quality parameters and hens performance was investigated. A consumer questionnaire was undertaken to evaluate the organoleptic parameters of the eggs. Generally, our study showed that in the groups fed with the new biological supplement, egg quality parameters improved, including eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, albumen height and yolk colour. The biological form of microelements also improved the feed conversion rate, especially in the group fed with a biological form of Cr(III). Moreover, the new supplement improved organoleptic parameters of the eggs, in comparison to the inorganic form of microelements as well as to chelate. Enriched soybean meal could constitute an alternative for currently used feed additives with microelements.

Exposure to nickel by hair mineral analysis

The aim of the present work was to investigate the exposure to nickel from various sources by investigation of mineral composition of human scalp hair. The research was carried out on hair sampled from subjects, including 87 males and 178 females (22 ± 2 years). The samples of hair were analyzed by ICP-OES. The effect of several factors on nickel content in hair was examined: lifestyle habits (e.g. hair coloring, hair spray, hair straighteners, hair drier, drugs); dietary factors (e.g. yoghurts, blue cheese, lettuce, lemon, mushroom, egg, butter); other (e.g. solarium, cigarette smoking, tap water pipes, tinned food, PVC foil, photocopier, amalgam filling). These outcomes were reached by linking the results of nickel level in hair with the results of questionnaire survey. Basing on the results it can be concluded that exposure to nickel ions can occur from different sources: lifestyle, eating habits and environmental exposure.

Plant Growth Biostimulants, Dietary Feed Supplements and Cosmetics Formulated with Supercritical CO2 Algal Extracts

The review paper presents the use of algal extracts as safe and solvent-free components of plant growth biostimulants, dietary feed additives and cosmetics. Innovative technology that uses extracts obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction, as a method of isolation of biologically active compounds from algal biomass, is presented. An important part of the complete technology is the final formulation of the product. This enabled realization of the further step which was assessment of the utilitarian properties of the extract-based products. The extracts were analysed for the presence of biologically active molecules (e.g., plant hormones, polyphenols) which provide useful properties such as antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. The bio-products were tested in germination tests and underwent field trials to search for plant growth biostimulatory properties. Tests on animals (laying hens experiments) were conducted to assess pro-health properties of new dietary feed supplement. Another application were cosmetic formulations (dermatological tests). The results of the application tests were very promising, however further studies are required for the registration of the products and successful implementation to the market.

Production of phosphate biofertilizersfrom bones by phosphate-solubilizingbacteria Bacillus megaterium

Abstract In this paper, the production of phosphate biofertilizers from bones by phosphate-solubilizing bacteria Bacillus megaterium is presented. The biofertilizers used in this study contain phosphorus compounds that are in available form to plants as well as components of growth medium. The solubilization was performed under two conditions; with chlorides and with sulphates instead of chlorides. Three biofertilizer forms are proposed in relation to the doses of bones applied in the solubilization process (4, 10 or 20 g L-1). The solubilization degree varied according to the bacterial medium formulation and the bones doses. The replacement of chlorides with sulphates yielded a lower growth rate, and resulted, in a lower solubilization. The specific growth rate of the cells of B. megaterium in a sulphate medium was lower than compared with the specific growth rate of cell culture in a medium of chlorides of about 22.4, 39 and 14%, for 4, 10 and 20 g L-1 of bones concentration, respectively. In the stationary phase, the solubilization factor (SF) was higher (61.7%) for the solubilization process conducted in a medium with chlorides − Cbone 4 g L-1, compared with the solubilization process conducted in the medium of sulphates (52.7%). Graphical Abstract

In situ solubilization of phosphorus‐bearing raw materials by Bacillus megaterium

This paper presents the results of in situ studies on solubilization of different phosphorus‐bearing raw materials by application of natural ability to produce organic acids by Bacillus megaterium. Poultry bones as well as fish bones were used as renewable sources of phosphates. Morocco phosphorite was used as nonrenewable sources of phosphates. Glass columns, filled with the soil mixed with different doses (1, 5, and 10%) of mentioned sources of phosphorus, were used as a medium for solubilization. It was found that the amount of released phosphorus (determined in the eluent and expressed as P2O5) significantly increased in the cases of columns where B. megaterium was used, when compared with the control group (without microflora). Higher doses of phosphorus‐bearing material used in the experiment influenced in the release of higher amount of phosphorus. The highest effectiveness of solubilization was found in the case of poultry bones. The experiment was repeated for poultry bones but with the supplementation of nutrients. It was found that the delivery of nutrients had a strong effect on the increase of effectiveness of solubilization. Two times higher amount of phosphorus (express as P2O5) was released from the hydroxyapatite structure of bones. It was confirmed that poultry bones could serve as a source of phosphates in microbial solubilization performed in in situ.

New generation of phosphate fertilizer from bones, produced by bacteria

Abstract In this article, the phytotoxicity of biofertilizer produced from bones and its utilitarian properties are presented. Biofertilizer was obtained from bones in a solubilization process of phosphates conducted by bacteria Bacillus megaterium. Two in vivo tests were used for examination of the utilitarian properties of the biofertilizer: a hydroponic and a germination test. The experiment was performed using three groups of plants and four replications: group 1 − not treated (control 1), group 2 − with a conventional fertilizer (control 2), and group 3 – with the biofertilizer (experimental group). In the hydroponic tests, the best growth parameters were found for the samples where the biofertilizer was applied. The greater dry mass of plants was observed for plants collected from this group compared to the control 1 group and the group where the commercial fertilizer were used. In the case of the plant length and the intensity of green color, statistically significant differences were found. The utilitarian properties of the biofertilizer, evaluated from a germination test, were similar to those of the classical fertilizer. Statistically significant differences were found between the mass and intensity of green color of the experimental group (with the biofertilizer) and the control 1 group. Graphical Abstract

Valorization of Phosphorus Secondary Raw Materials by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

This paper presents the possibility of producing phosphorus fertilizers through Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans utilization in secondary raw materials solubilization. Phosphorus was obtained from the bones of poultry and fish as well as from Morocco phosphorite. Four doses of poultry bones and fish bones were used in the experiment (2, 4, 10 and 20 g/L) and two doses (2 and 4 g/L) of phosphorite were also used. The experimenters measured the final pH, which increased in proportion to the increase in the number of poultry bone doses, whereas in the case of fish bones it decreased in proportion to the increase in the number of fish bone doses. Only in the case of phosphorite, where 10 g/L were used, there was a slight increase in pH during solubilization observed. The highest phosphorus concentration of 1.9% (expressed as P2O5) was found for the solubilization performed on fish bones with the highest dose (20 g/L). The formulation obtained in this study meets the necessary requirements for use as a bio-fertilizer because of the relatively low content of P2O5 and the low content of toxic elements. The results confirm the utilization of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in the biosolubilization of phosphorus renewable raw materials that can alleviate the problem of the world’s depleting phosphorite deposits.

The effect of increase in concentration of Na(I) ions on biosorption of Cr(III) ions by Enteromorpha prolifera and Spirulina sp

AbstractIn this study, the effect of the increase in the initial concentration of Na(I) ions in the solution during biosorption of Cr(III) ions by two edible algae: marine macroalga — Enteromorpha prolifera and microalga — Spirulina sp. was investigated. During biosorption, essential elements are exchanged with alkali and alkaline earth metal ions (e.g. Na(I) ions), which are naturally bound with the biomass. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of the increase in concentration of Na(I) ions on biosorption performance. The equilibrium of the process is described by Langmuir equation. It was found that with the increase in the initial concentration of NaCl (from 132 to 7331 mg L−1), there was a lower biosorption capacity of Enteromorpha prolifera (from 85.8 to 51.0 mg g−1) and Spirulina sp. (74.2 to 20.7 mg g−1) towards Cr(III) ions. It was also possible to determine the number of times the solution used in the biosorption process can be recycled and yet mantain high biosorption capacity. The determined numbers were: 16 for Enteromorpha prolifera and 19 for Spirulina sp.