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Performance of Anaerobic Co‑digestion of Pig Slurry with Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Bio‑waste Residues
Publication . Azevedo, A.; Gominho, Jorge; Duarte, Elizabeth
Agro-food industries produce large amounts of bio-waste, challenging innovative valorisation strategies in the framework of
circular economy principles. Anaerobic digestion technology is an interesting route to stabilise organic matter and produce
biogas as a renewable energy source. This paper aimed to study the optimal performance conditions for anaerobic co-digestion
(AcoD) of pig slurry with pineapple (Ananas comosus) peel bio-waste. The anaerobic digestion (AD) trials were performed
at lab scale, in a continuous stirred reactor, for 16 days’ hydraulic retention time in mesophilic conditions (37 ± 1 °C). Three
hydraulic retention time were performed, one for the reference scenario (
T0) and two for AcoD trials (
T1, T2).
Feeding mixtures
(20:80; v:v) of pineapple peel liquor and pig slurry, with an OLR of 1.46 ± 0.04 g TVS L−
1
reactor day−
1 were used during
AD/AcoD trials, presenting high values for soluble chemical oxygen demand and C/N ratio. This operational conditions
highlight bioenergy recovery up to 0.58 L CH4
g TVSadded
−1, in comparison with that obtained with pig slurry substrate (0.31
L CH4
g VSadded
−1). The AD performance showed a total volatile solids and chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency of
23% to 47% and 26% to 48%, comparing T0
with the average of T1
and T2,
respectively. The digester stability, evaluated by
specific energetic loading rate, was below the limit (0.4 day−1) throughout the trials. Pig slurry co-digestion with pineapple
peel liquor seems to be a promising approach for potential bioenergy recovery.
Modeling Zucchini squash irrigation requirements in the Syrian Akkar region using the FAO56 dual-Kc approach
Publication . Darouich, Hanaa; Karfoul, Razan; Eid, Haitham; Ramos, Tiago B.; Baddour, Nisreen; Moustafa, Ali; Assaad, Mahmoud I.
The coastal area of the Syrian Akkar region is particularly suitable for intensive vegetable production, and
Zucchini squash (Curcubita pepo L.) is one of the most profitable crops grown there. Local agricultural policies
have been especially concerned at improving irrigation water management in the region by rationalizing water
and nutrient use, modernizing irrigation methods, and minimizing the associated environmental risks. The
objective of this study was to compute the soil water balance in Zucchini squash plots irrigated with furrow and
drip methods using the SIMDualKc model during four growing seasons (2012–2015). The furrow plots (treatment
T0) represented the traditional irrigation practices in the study area while the drip plots (treatments T1 and
T2) followed alternative irrigation schemes. The SIMDualKc model was able to simulate soil water contents
measured in the field plots, returning root mean square error values lower than 0.002m3m−3 and modelling
efficiencies ranging from 0.166 to 0.732. The basal (non-stressed) crop coefficients (Kcb) varied from 0.18 to
0.22, 0.85 to 0.98, and 0.56 to 0.71 during the initial, mid-season, and end-season stages, respectively, with the
actual values (Kcb act) often matching the potential ones. The evaporation coefficients (Ke) varied according to
irrigation schedules and methods during the early crop stages, but were minimized with full canopy development.
Drip T1 presented always the highest water productivity (WP) indicators due to the higher frequency of
irrigation events, with less water applied per event. In contrast, furrow T0 resulted in substantial percolation
losses, which affected yields and WP. Hence, model results evidenced the benefits of precise irrigation for
Zucchini squash production in the Syrian Akkar region, further enhancing the need for sustainable water
management practices in local production systems
Effect of moderate hydrostatic pressures on the enzymatic activity and bioactive composition of pineapple by-products
Publication . Santos, Diana I.; Pinto, Carlos A.; Corrêa-Filho, Luiz C.; Saraiva, Jorge A.; Vicente, António A.; Moldão, Margarida
The application of abiotic stresses by moderate hydrostatic pressures (MHP) is still
underdeveloped. Abiotic stresses allow activating the enzymatic complexes inducing
the synthesis of de novo bioactive compounds. Pineapple by-products are rich in bromelain
and bioactive compounds that can be enhanced through abiotic stresses. The
aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MHP on the enzymatic activity of
pineapple by-products. Pineapple by-products were submitted to MHP (50–400 MPa
between 1 and 15 min) according to a central composite factorial design matrix. Samples
were stored at 5 ± 1 C for 24 hr, to allow enzymatic activity to occur. Enzymatic
and antioxidant activities and total phenolic compounds (TPC) were quantified. MHP
promoted a 262% increase in the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and 36%
increase in TPC, in shell samples. In core the activity of bromelain increased 350%.
These results pinpoint the potential to increase the value of pineapple by-products
by enhancing the amounts of bioactive compounds through MHP application
Translating the agricultural N surplus hazard into groundwater pollution risk: Implications for effectiveness of mitigation measures in nitrate vulnerable zones
Publication . Cameira, Maria; Rolim, João; Valente, Fernanda; Mesquita, Marta; Dragosits, Ulrike; Cordovil, Cláudia
In the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones farmers are required to implement measures to reduce the nitrogen (N) surplus.
Nevertheless, in some cases the status of the water bodies show that the effect of these measures remains
insufficient despite the global decrease in N surpluses. The present work aims to contribute with a method that
produces an appropriate indicator for the N mitigation measures effectiveness for reducing groundwater nitrate
pollution. The Global Risk Index (GRI) results from overlaying the agricultural N surplus hazard and aquifer
vulnerability. It includes both irrigation activity and precipitation contribution to water recharge calculated at
the municipality level. It integrates a range of regional datasets combined with monitored nitrate (NO3 ) concentrations
in groundwater under a GIS framework. Results show that the pollution status of the Tagus
Vulnerable Zone (TVZ) aquifers has been aggravating in spite of the overall reduction in the N surpluses that
resulted from the implementation of the Nitrates Directive measures. Twelve years after the TVZ designation, the
GRI indicates high and moderate NO3- pollution risk, respectively in 33 % and 66 % of the territory. Scenario
analysis indicates the potential of targeted measures for ending high risk areas and reducing moderate risk areas
to 13 %. This supports that N mitigation measures must be reformulated and spatially targeted according to site
specific hazards and vulnerabilities
The antimicrobial properties of Moringa oleifera Lam. for water treatment: a systematic review
Publication . Bancessi, Aducabe; Pinto, M.Manuela F.; Duarte, Elizabeth; Catarino, Luís; Nazareth, Teresa
Plant extracts have been used as alternatives to the conventional chemical water treatment. Moringa oleifera Lam. is one
of the plants used for this purpose due to its antimicrobial and coagulant properties. However, there is no systematization
of Moringa’s application methodology. Different parts of the plant, extraction methods and concentrations can be
applied to remove several pathogens present in contaminated drinking water. In the present work, reported Moringa
applications with antimicrobial effect were systematically reviewed, in order to identify effective methodology(ies) for
water treatment. Forty-nine articles were screened for: (1) part of the plant used, (2) extraction method, (3) extract
concentration, (4) targeted pathogens, and (5) inhibition zone obtained. Nine articles complied with these criteria and
were carefully analyzed; eight of them reported on leaf extracts and only one on seed extracts. Two approaches were
used: analysis by pathogen and overall analysis. A total of eight different extraction methods were reported. Extract
concentrations used ranged from 0.02 to 800 mg mL−1 and were tested on twenty pathogens. Our analysis revealed that
none of such methods is effective against all the tested pathogens. However, leaf extracts obtained with distilled water
or with 95% ethanol were the most effective ones for a higher number of pathogens such as Escherichia coli and, possibly,
Vibrio cholerae. Moreover, Moringa’s extract concentration of 30 mg mL−1 obtained by the 95% ethanol extraction
method was the most efficient. Findings suggest an effective procedure to use Moringa, reinforcing its importance as an
environmentally friendly alternative for water treatment in areas lacking a water supply system
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Funding agency
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Funding programme
6817 - DCRRNI ID
Funding Award Number
154705