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Effect of walnut shell biochars on soil quality, crop yields, and weed dynamics in a 4-year field experiment

Safaei Khorram M, Zhang G, Fatemi A, Kiefer R, Mahmood A, Jafarnia S, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2020 May;27(15):18510-18520.
PMID: 32198685 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08335-w

The introduction of biochar has been extensively tested under short-term greenhouse or field studies mainly in sandy or acidic soils, while its effects on soil properties, crop plants, and weed species especially in neutral or alkaline soils are still not well understood. Therefore, this study focused on relatively long effects of two walnut shell biochars (5 t ha-1) on soil nutrient dynamics, two crop plants (wheat and lentil) growth and developments, and weed growth dynamics over 4 years (2014-2017). Applied biochar added once at the beginning of the experiment while planted crops were supplied with macro-nutrients and sprayed with pesticides according to conventional requirements of the region. Biochars improved soil properties by 10-23% during the first and second years while positive effects of biochars on weed growth were drastically higher (60-78% higher weed density) during the whole period of this study most likely due to increase in bioavailability of nutrient shortly after biochar amendment and indirect positive effects of biochars on soil physical properties as well. Consequently, biochar macro- and micro-nutrient will be utilized by weed plants with higher efficacy compared with crop plants.

Matched MeSH terms: Juglans*
Using walnut shells as low-cost adsorbent materials in an anaerobic filter medium of a De-centralized wastewater treatment system (DEWATS)

Zaheer M, Ali MS, Huang N, Ashraf MA

Chemosphere, 2023 Nov;341:140080.
PMID: 37678602 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140080

The flow of unprocessed sewage through municipal sewers is a great source of water contamination. This study aims to observe the pollutants removal efficiencies of walnut shells as an efficient low-cost adsorbent material compared to gravel materials as an anaerobic filter medium. Two models of the De-Centralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) were constructed. The wastewater flowing from toilets and handwashing places was connected to anaerobic filters filled with walnut shells and gravel. The efficiency of both filter media in the removal of biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate (NO3), and phosphate (PO43), pH and temperature were observed at the influent of the settler tank and then at the effluent of the collection tank (CT). Temperature and pH were within the acceptable limit of wastewater discharge. The results also indicated that the walnut shells filter media was more efficient at removing organic pollutants (TSS 94%, BOD5 88%, COD 85%, Nitrate 57%, phosphate 46%, and TDS 29%) than the gravel (TSS 81%, BOD5 82%, COD 84%, Nitrate 35%, phosphate 38%, and TDS 26%) at the successive stages. The average removal efficiency of the walnut shell was 88% while in the gravel case, it was 83%. The removal efficiency of walnut shell filters was extensively better over the complete experiment compared to gravel filters for the removal of pollutants, representing the high sorption capability of the walnut shell material. The results of this study show that the walnut shells may be a very useful substitute for other conventional fillers for anaerobic treatment in the anaerobic filter of DEWATS.

Matched MeSH terms: Juglans*
Application of isolated halophilic microorganisms suspended and immobilized on walnut shell as biocarrier for treatment of oilfield produced water

Hasanzadeh R, Abbasi Souraki B, Pendashteh A, Khayati G, Ahmadun FR

J Hazard Mater, 2020 12 05;400:123197.
PMID: 32947738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123197

Salinity expressed as total dissolved solids (TDS), is the most challenging parameter in bioremediation of produced water which may inhibit the microbial activities and cause sedimentation problems. The present study explores the feasibility of using walnut shell as an inexpensive and accessible adsorbent-carrier for the immobilization of isolated halophilic microorganisms for treatment of synthetic oilfield produced water. The moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was examined with influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations from 900 to 3600 mg L-1, TDS concentrations from 35,000-200,000 mg L-1, and cycle times from 24 to 72 h. Comparison of the MBBR with the conventional sequencing batch reactor (SBR) indicated that both systems operated at lower influent COD and TDS concentrations satisfactorily; but at higher TDSs (above 150,000 mg L-1) the MBBR was more resistant to the shocks of toxicity (salinity) and organic load relative to the SBR. Also, the effluent turbidity was lower and the free sludge settling property was more favorable in the MBBR with average sludge volume index (SVI) of 38.8 mL g-1 compared to the SBR with SVI of 98.09 mL g-1. Microbial identification confirmed the presence of eight dominant halophilic species which were hydrocarbon degraders and/or denitrifiers.

Matched MeSH terms: Juglans*
Green fabrication of biologically active magnetic core-shell Fe3O4/Au nanoparticles and their potential anticancer effect

Izadiyan Z, Shameli K, Miyake M, Teow SY, Peh SC, Mohamad SE, et al.

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2019 Mar;96:51-57.
PMID: 30606561 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.11.008

Core-shell Fe3O4/Au nanostructures were constructed using an advanced method of two-step synthesis from Juglans regia (walnut) green husk extract. Several complementary methods were applied to investigate structural and magnetic properties of the samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), electron diffraction, optical, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used for nanoparticle characterizations. As shown by HR-TEM, the mean diameter of core-shell Fe3O4/Au nanoparticles synthesized using co-precipitation method was 6.08 ± 1.06 nm. This study shows that the physical and structural properties of core-shell Fe3O4/Au nanoparticles possess intrinsic properties of gold and magnetite. VSM revealed that the core-shell Fe3O4/Au have high saturation magnetization and low coercivity due to the magnetic properties. The core-shell nanoparticles show the inhibitory concentration (IC)50 of 235 μg/ml against a colorectal cancer cell line, HT-29. When tested against non-cancer cells, IC50 was not achieved even up to 500 μg/ml. This study highlights the magnetic properties and anticancer action of core-shell Fe3O4/Au nanoparticles. This compound can be ideal candidate for cancer treatment and other biomedical applications.

Matched MeSH terms: Juglans/chemistry
Fulltext Data on environmental analysis of natural antioxidant production from walnut husk by a solar photovoltaic-driven system as a replacement for potentially carcinogenic synthetic antioxidants

Khounani Z, Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha H, Nizami AS, Sulaiman A, Goli SAH, Tavassoli-Kafrani E, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Feb;28:104933.
PMID: 31886362 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104933

In order to develop a product sustainably, multiple analyses, including comprehensive environmental assessment, are required. Solar-assisted production of walnut husk methanolic extract (WHME) as a natural antioxidant for biodiesel was scrutinized by using the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. More specifically, the environmental sustainability of WHME antioxidant was evaluated and compared to that of propyl gallate (PG), the most widely used synthetic biodiesel antioxidant, under two scenarios. Additionally, supplementary files including the inventory data consisting of raw data as well as elementary flows, mid-point, and end-point categories are presented. The analysis of scenarios revealed that the use of the natural antioxidant and the avoidance of the chemical antioxidant in biodiesel fuel could be regarded as an eco-friendly approach substantially enhancing the environmental friendliness of biodiesel in particular in terms of human health. Furthermore, given the waste-oriented nature of WHME, the scenario involved its application could serve as a promising strategy to simultaneously valorize the agro-waste and generate a value-added product; a move toward implementing the circular economy approach in the biodiesel industry.

Matched MeSH terms: Juglans
Flow injection determination of free fatty acids in vegetable oils using capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection

Makahleh A, Saad B

Anal Chim Acta, 2011 May 23;694(1-2):90-4.
PMID: 21565307 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2011.03.033

A single line flow injection analysis (FIA) method that incorporated a preconcentrator column packed with C(18) particles and capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector (C(4)D) was developed for the determination of free fatty acid (FFA) in vegetable oils. The carrier stream was methanol/1.5 mM sodium acetate (pH 8) 80:20 (v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1). Calibration curve was well correlated (r(2)=0.9995) within the range of 1-200 mg L(-1) FFA (expressed as palmitic acid). Sampling rate of 40-60 h(-1) was achieved. Good agreement was found between the standard non-aqueous titrimetry method and the proposed method when applied to the determination of FFA in palm (crude, olein, and refined, bleached and deodorised) and other vegetable (soybean, rice bran, walnut, corn and olive) oils. The proposed method offers distinct advantages over the official method, especially in terms of simplicity, high sampling rate, economy of solvents and sample, offering considerable promise as a low cost automated system that needs minimum human intervention over long periods of time.

Matched MeSH terms: Juglans
Walnut intake may increase circulating adiponectin and leptin levels but does not improve glycemic biomarkers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Yang L, Guo Z, Qi S, Fang T, Zhu H, Santos HO, et al.

Complement Ther Med, 2020 Aug;52:102505.
PMID: 32951753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102505

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Walnut intake is considered a healthy dietary approach worldwide, particularly as a nutritional tool for the management of obesity and cardiometabolic disorders. Among these lines, leptin and adiponectin, as well as glycemic biomarkers, deserve further attention. We aimed to examine the impact of walnut intake on circulation levels of leptin and adiponectin through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs); secondarily, assessing the glycemic profile as well.
METHODS: The literature search was implemented in four following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and Google Scholar, thus, determining studies that measured the effects of walnut consumption on adiponectin, leptin, and glycemic biomarkers levels from 2004 up to December 2019.
RESULTS: Fourteen trials were include in the meta-analysis, with an intervention period ranging from 5 weeks to 12 months.Walnut intake increased leptin (weighted mean difference (WMD): 2.502 ng/mL; 95 % CI: 2.147-2.856, p

Matched MeSH terms: Juglans
Fulltext African walnuts attenuate ectopic fat accumulation and associated peroxidation and oxidative stress in monosodium glutamate-obese Wistar rats

Uti DE, Atangwho IJ, Eyong EU, Umoru GU, Egbung GE, Nna VU, et al.

Biomed Pharmacother, 2020 Apr;124:109879.
PMID: 31991383 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.109879

AIMS: African walnuts were previously shown to modulate hepatic lipid bio-accumulation in obesity. Herein, we investigated the impact of the nuts on fat accumulation in adipose and ectopic regions, and associated oxidatiive stress status in obese rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole ethanol extract (WE) of the nuts, and its liquid-liquid fractions-ethyl acetate (ET) and residue (RES) were separately administered to obese rats for 6 weeks. The normal (NC) and obese (OC) controls received normal saline and the standard control (SC), orlistat (5.14 mg/kg b.w.), during the same period. Thereafter, the animals were euthanized and the adipose, brain, kidneys and heart tissues were studied.
RESULTS: The change in body weight to naso-anal length which increased by 63.52 % in OC compared to NC (p < 0.05), decreased by 57.88, 85.80 and 70.20 % in WE, ET and RES-treated groups, respectively, relative to the OC (p < 0.05). Also, adipose tissue weights were lowered upon treatment with the extracts and fractions versus OC (p < 0.05). Total lipids, phospholipids, triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations in the studied tissues which were higher in OC (p < 0.05) were lowered (p < 0.05) and compared favorably with SC. Further, malondialdehyde levels in the tissues were lowered upon treatment, compared to the OC (p < 0.05). Glutathione level and activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase which were decreased (p < 0.05) in OC, were restored upon treatment with the extracts, relative to the obese control (p < 0.05).
SIGNIFICANCE: African walnuts assuaged lipogenesis, oxidative stress and peroxidation in extra-hepatic tissues of obese rats, hence, may attenuate ectopic fat accumulation and its associated pathogenesis.

Matched MeSH terms: Juglans/chemistry*
African Walnuts (Tetracarpidium conophorum) Modulate Hepatic Lipid Accumulation in Obesity via Reciprocal Actions on HMG-CoA Reductase and Paraoxonase

Uti DE, Atangwho IJ, Eyong EU, Umoru GU, Egbung GE, Rotimi SO, et al.

Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets, 2020;20(3):365-379.
PMID: 31339080 DOI: 10.2174/1871530319666190724114729

BACKGROUND: Obesity is characterized by increased body fat and involves an imbalance between the synthesis and degradation of lipids.
OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the effect of African walnuts (Tetracarpidium conophorum) on lipids storage and the regulatory enzymes of hepatic lipid metabolism in obese rats.
METHODS: Nuts were extracted in ethanol (WE) and further separated to obtain the ethyl-acetate fraction (ET) and the residue (RES). These were administered orally to 3 groups of monosodium glutamate- obese rats (n = 6), respectively, for 6 weeks. Other groups in the study were: normal (NC), obese control (OC) and standard control (SC) which received orlistat. Hepatic total lipids, total phospholipids, triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TCHOL), 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase and paraoxonase were studied.
RESULTS: Total lipids, TG and TCHOL which increased in OC compared to NC group, decreased. HMG-CoA reductase activity decreased in the 3 study groups relative to OC. Paraoxonase activity which decreased in OC was up-regulated, while the magnitude of hepatic cholesterol decreased from 94.32 % in OC to 52.19, 65.43 and 47.04 % with WE, ET and RES, respectively. Flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins and saponins were detected in the nut. GC-MS analysis revealed 16, 18 and 10 volatile components in WE, ET and RES, respectively. Unsaturated fatty acids (linolenic acids: 33.33, 47.95 and 50.93 %, and α-linolenic acids: 25, 19.66 and 26.63 %) in WE, ET and RES, respectively, are the most abundant, and likely to be responsible for the observed activity.
CONCLUSION: African walnuts can prevent hepatic lipid accumulation through reciprocal actions on HMG-CoA reductase and paraoxonase in obesity.

Matched MeSH terms: Juglans*