Vol. 13 Issue 3
Reda Helmy Sammour, M.N. El-Shourbagy, A.M. Abo-Shady and A.M. Abasary
The seed proteins of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) were qualitatively and quantitatively investigated. Qualitative studies were carried out using different electrophoretic techniques (SDS-PAGE, Poro-PAGE, 2-D SDS-Page, Isoelectric focusing, Mapping gels). Analysis of the water extracted flour on SDS-Page and SDS-Poro-PAGE gave five major polypeptides with MWs of 63.5 KD, 60 KD, 58 KD, 55 KD and 51 KD. The pattern of the buffer extract exhibited 8 major polypeptides with MWs of 65.5 KD, 63.5 KD, 60 KD, 58 KD, 55 KD, 54 KD, 51 KD and 42.5 KD. Second dimension gel showed that the polypeptides with MWs of 65.5 KD, 60 KD, 58 KD, 55 KD, 54 KD, 51 KD are legumin-like proteins. Isoelectric points of the majority of the sunflower seed proteins were between 5 and 7 7. Mapping gels, however, showed that sunflower seed proteins were highly heterogeneous, especially the major bands. A quantitative study indicated that the albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin fractions amounted 38.32%, 39.04%, 5.53% and 17.09% respectively of the extracted proteins.
Said A. Azab and Ahmad K. Hegazy
Growth and plant water relations of seven citrus rootstocks were tested under the arid environment of Qatar. Rootstocks used were Rangpur lime, Volkamer lemon, Citrus macrophylla (Alemow), Yuma Citrange, Citrus amblycarpa, Sacaton Citrumelo and Cleopatra mandarin. Transplants were raised in the greenhouse and when six months old, they were transplanted in the open field and monitored to age of 32 months.
While in the greenhouse, all seven rootstocks showed similar and irregular pattern of increased absolute growth rate (AGR) with age as based on shoot height. The highest values of AGR in the greenhouse ranged between 3.9 mm/day in Sacaton citrumelo to 5.1 mm/day in Yuma citrange. The AGR was significantly reduced during the first year of transplantation, while increased rates were resumed during the second year after transplantation with highest values ranged from 1.6 mm/day in Citrus amblycarpa to 9.3 mm/day in Rangpur lime. Generally, the three rootstocks namely Rangpur lime, Volkamer lemon and Citrus macrophylla exhibited after transplantation an overall better AGR, survival, stem diameter, lead area, dry matter production and shoot branching than the other four rootstocks.
All tested rootstocks showed limited fluctuations in their water content and water saturation deficit during the day time. The Rangpur lime, Volkamer lemon and Citrus macrophylla have significantly lower number of stomata on their leaves than the other rootstocks- an important asses for plants to reduce water loss and delay, ibset of water stress and maximize the period of growth.
It is recommended that raising of transplants in the greenhouse ensures their successful establishment and growth after transplantation in the open field. The two rootstocks Rangpur lime and Volkamer lemon are recommended to be used in Qatar.
Mamdouh I. El Amry and Burlyn E. Michel
Reported effects of applied abscisic acid (ABA) on water and ion uptake rates of excised leaves and roots are many and contradictory. Seedlings (8 d) of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Meer. cv Bragg) were trimmed to three uniform root branches and grown in nutrient solution. Seedlings (18 d) were transferred to a continuously aerated circulating nutrient solutions in 3 glass tubes mounted together. An automatic system was used to monitor water and ion uptake at 10 min intervals. Concentrations of ABA from 10^-5 to 5 x 10^-4 M were applied to one root division. The other two divisions were used as controls. Water uptake was enhanced by 10^-4 to 5 x 10^-4 M ABA in the treated root portion for a short time and then reduced throughout the treatment. WHen ABA was replaced with nutrient medium, treated roots began to recover slowly. Complete recovery required more than 24 h. Water uptake of untreated roots was reduced less than treated roots and returned more rapidly to normal water uptake. Reductions of water uptake rates were less during applications of 3.16 x 10^-5 and 10^-5 M ABA. Ion uptake rates were reduced in treated root portions were not affected. Patterns of nutrient uptake reduction were unrelated to ABA concentration.
ABA applied to roots reduced stomatal aperture as evidenced by consistent reductions in leaf conductance and in total water uptake
J.A. Abbas and Q.A. Mandeel
Twelve Fusarium species were recovered from seven different habitats, namely salt marsh, playa basin, sabkha, sand dunes, rhoda, water spring, and cultivated soil in Bahrain Island. A soil-dilution plate technique was used to recover Fusarium species on Nash and Snyder, Komada selective, and Fusarium selective medium. A total of 59 isolates were recovered in summer and a total of 323 isolates were recovered in winter. The species recovered were F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. tricinctum, F. equiseti, F. sambucinum, F. pallidoroseum, F. chlamydosporum, F. compactum, F. reticulatum, F. nivale, F. lateritium, and F. moniliforme. F. solani and F. oxysporum were found to be the most prevalent species in summer and in winter. The results indicate that species distribution and abundance over this small geographical scale could be affected by salinity.
M.Y. Al Gounaim, A. Diab, Roqia Al-Abdulla and Nabila Al-Zamil
During the invasion of Kuwait, Iraqi invaders destroyed oil wells. As a result 60-80 million barrels of crude oil contaminated about 49 km^2 in the desert of Kuwait. The residual oil in a polluted areas in the desert of Kuwait was measured during the years 1992, 1993 and 1994. Results of the analysis of residual oil show that the saturates fraction decreased from 23.4% in the first year to 11.9% in the second year, and nearly disappeared in the third year. The aromatic and the resin fractions decreased then increased again, while the asphaltene fractions increased and accumulated during the last two years.
The residual n-alkanes and iso-alkanes of the saturates fraction were followed by gas chromatography. During the first year less quantities were removed during the second year. On the other hand most of the n-alkanes (except traces of some components) were removed during the last year. It was observed that high molecular weight n-alkane (C31) was accumulated in the soil samples collected during this year.
Oil-degrading bacteria showed positive response to the exposure to oil pollutants, their ratios of the counts of the polluted samples (SP) to that of control samples (SC) ranged from 3.7-50. In contrast the SP/SC ratios of the total bacteria, actinomycetes, cellulose decomposers and thermophiles were in the range of 0.03-4.2. Fungi were of positive response to oil pollutants than bacteria, their SP/SC ratios ranged from 4.7-11.1.
The microbial mixture activity of each soil samples to biodegrade petroleum oil and its fractions was studied. It was found that biodegradation activity of the microbial population of the polluted soil samples decreased with decreasing the residual oil pollutants. In soil samples of 3.9% residual oil, 37.5% crude oil, 51.2% of the saturates and 17.4% of the aromatics were biodegraded. When the residual oil was 0.1% in the last year, 17.0% of the added crude oil and 20.3% of its saturates fraction were biodegraded, while none of its aromatic fraction was biodegraded. As a comparison, microbial population of the control soil samples showed less biodegradation activity.
The utilization of n-alkanes of the saturates fraction was followed by gas chromatography. Kuwait crude oil (KOC Blend) contains n-alkanes C12- C34 as well as a number of iso-alkanes. Weathering was found to remove C12- C13, most of C14 and slight reduction in the other components.
The pattern of n-alkanes utilization varied according to the structure of the microbial community and the amount of residual oil present in each soil sample. Microbial population present in polluted soil samples collected during 1992 and 1993 resulted in the removal of all n-alkanes except traces of some components. Microbial populations of the soil samples collected during the last year, removed large quantities of such components. On the other hand microbial communities found in the control soil samples also succeeded in removing large quantities of n-alkanes, but slightness than those of the polluted soil samples.
A total of 92 fungal isolates (62 from the polluted samples and 30 from the control samples) were identified. Aspergillus spp and Stemphylium spp were sensitive to oil pollution.
Aspergillus spp, the dominant fungus in the polluted samples was identified as Aspergillus terreus, it was selected and studied for its biodegradation activities. The results show that this fungal species was able to utilize in 21 day 30% of the crude oil, 31.8% of the saturates fraction and 13.8% of the aromatic fraction. It succeeded to utilize most of the components of the n-alkanes.
A total of 90 bacterial isolates were isolated from colonies appeared on oil- silica gel plates. All strains from soil samples collected during 1994 and of control soil samples were Arthrobacter spp. Pseudomonas was more frequent (80%) in soil samples of 3.7% pollutants. Six isolates, two Pseudomonas spp and four Arthrobacter spp representing cultures showing very good growth on media containing petroleum as the only carbon source, were selected and studied for their abilities to degrade crude petroleum and its fractions. Pseudomonas spp showed biodegradation activity more than the Arthrobacter spp. They degraded 11.2- 16.8% of the crude oil, 26% of the saturates and 5.6 -6.8% of the aromatics.
On the other hand Arthrobacter spp isolated from the polluted soil samples showed more activities than Arthrobacter spp of the control soil samples. Three strains of Arthrobacter were able to degrade 1.3- 4.6% of the resin fraction.
Results of the utilization of n-alkanes by the above bacterial strains show that biodegradation accomplished by Pseudomonas spp resulted in the removal of most of the n-alkanes. On the other hand Arthrobacter spp showed less activities than the Pseudomonas. Arthrobacter spp (1 & 2) isolated from the polluted soil samples were found to removemore n-alkanes than those isolated from the control soil samples. The appearance of an increase of n-alkanes C30 was noted during the growth of Pseudomonas spp and Arthrobacter spp.
Mahmoud A. El-Banhawy, Mohamed F. El-Asmer, Fathalla M. Hassan and Tarek R. Rahmy
Histological alterations produced in the liver tissues of mice intramuscularly with a sublethal dose of the crude venom of the non-horned Cerastes cerastes snake were studied after 24h of envenomination. The hepatocytes were noticeably hypertrophied, exhibiting distinct degenerative changes accompanied with disorganization of the hepatic lobular structure. The blood sinusoids were constricted and their endothelial linings were markedly deteriorated. The collagen lying around the blood vessels and the sinusoids have lost their continuity being demolished and dissolved at certain points.
Moreover, the pathogenesis induced by a pure hemorrhagic fraction (HR-1) isolated from the crude venom, on the liver tissue of mouse, was microscopically studied after 24h, of intramuscular injection of a sublethal dose of it. Light microscopic observations revealed cytoplasmic granulation and vacuolation, together with focal areas of cellular degeneration. Hepatic sinusoids were engorged with RBC's and endothelial damage was displayed. Severe degree of collagenolytic activity was also prominent.
S.A. Al-Saleh and A.M. Al-Johany
The spiny-tailed lizard Uromastyx aegyptius and the black scorpion Androctonus crassicauda are frequently found together in nature. This relationship has been studied under laboratory conditions. No interactions were observed between the diurnal lizard and the nocturnal scorpion either during the day or the night. These animals are mutually tolerant, and immunological studies confirmed that the scorpion never stings the lizard. The lizard furnishes shelter for the scorpion in a location full of cohabiting prey and the scorpion provides protection for the lizard by stinging its enemies
Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui and Ahmed H. Al-Harbi
A preliminary ecological investigation of Wadi Hanifah stream revealed the presence of a permanent stream flowing from north (Badiah) to south (south-east of Al-Hair city) covering a distance of about 50 km. The main sources of stream water are sewage effluents, agricultural runoff and pumped shallow ground water from Arriyadh city. The effects of sewage pollution were apparent from sampling stations 10 to 13. Thereafter, the quality of stream water improved. A luxuriant growth of reed plant and Typha domingensis has taken place along the margin of the stream. Seven introduced fish species have established breeding populations in the stream. Three species of snails were recorded. Marsh frog was common. Other invertebrate fauna comprising insects, crustaceans, rotifers, annelid words, free living nematodes and protozoans were tpoor. Twenty two species of migratory birds were recorded.
Ali M. Al-Darby and Abdullah A. Al-Sheikh
This study was conducted to investigate the combined effect of soil gel-conditioner (Aquasorb) addition to calcareous soil (Typic Torripsamments) and irrigation water qualities under different water requirements. The soil gel-conditioner was added to the soil surface (0- 0.06 m) at the rates (C): 0.0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9% (on dry weight basis). Natural irrigation waters having different qualities (ECw): 0.45, 3.10 and 6.25 dS/m were used at three irrigation levels (IL): 40, 60, and 80% of evaporation from free water surface (Ev). The effect of ECw on the relative water absorption capacity (RWAC) was determined. The gravimetric soil water content a field capacity (WFC), and at permanent wilting point (WPW) were determined and the available water (WAW) was calculated. Soil expansion and bulk density (Db) were also determined. In addition, the volumetric soil water (θ) and salinity (ECs; for extract of 1 soil: 2.5 water) profiles were evaluated.
The RWAC was exponentially decreased with increase of ECw. Although, the gravimetric soil water contents at field capacity, permanent wilting point and available water were significantly increased with increase of C, they were significantly decreased with increase of ECw. These relationships were illustrated exponentially with r> 0.910. Although the soil surface layer expansion was increased due to the increase of C, it was clearly decreased with increased of ECw. This expansion resulted in peculiar bulk densities for surface layer. The Db decreased as C increased, but the rate of decrease was reduced with increase of ECw. A linear relationship between Db, C and ECw was obtained with r=0.968.
In general, it was found that the volumetric soil water content of sandy soil profiles increased with increase of C especially at the treated surface layer, and increased with increase of ECw. Increasing of IL resulted in an increase of soil water content at treated surface layer. The ECs values at treated surface layer significantly increased by increase of C and ECw. The ECs of treated surface layer was increased with increase of IL with the exception of 80% were ECs was lower than that at 60% irrigation level. Generally, the irrigation water quality should be considered in the selection and management of soil gel-conditioners beside their rate of addition.
Essam A. Sharaf, Abdullah I. Al-Mansour and Mohammed El-Nayel
Truck tire pressure is one of the main traffic inputs to any pavement analysis procedure. High tire pressure levels are known to have two effects. The first effect is related to the pavement structure. The second effect is related to vehicle operators. High tire pressure levels produce higher levels of stresses and strains in pavement structures, thus reducing their servile lives. On the other hand, higher levels of tire pressure result in less contact with pavement surface, thus reducing the energy consumed by the traffic.
The main purpose of this study was to identify the operating levels of truck tire pressure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to analyze the effects of those levels on main pavements response parameters.
The results presented in this paper are based on a sample of 1658 trucks. The sample data was collected from seven weight stations located on different locations on the Kingdom's highway network. Tire pressure measurements were obtained from about 22760 tires. In addition, axle loads and wheel spacings were also collected to allow a theoretical analysis of the effect of tire pressure levels on pavement responses.
The effect of the sample operating levels of tire pressure on pavement response parameters was conducted using two Elastic Layer System computer programs (ELSYM5 and DAMA), to study the effect of tire pressure levels on pavement response parameters and the corresponding effect on pavement service life. Pavement response parameters included in this analysis were: surface deflection, tensile strain at the bottom of the lowest bituminous layer and the compressive strain at the top of subgrade.
The results indicated that the operating levels of tire pressure are very high (about 96% of the sample are operated with tire pressure higher than 90 psi [621 kPal]) Tensile strain was found to be the most effected pavement response due to the high levels of tire pressure. The analysis showed that current tire pressure levels produce tensile strains of 5% to 53% higher than those produced under a standard tire pressure of 90 psi (621 kPa) which can cause reduction in pavement service lives ranging from 20% to 70%