No abstract

Elsevier Vitale, R.; Bevilacqua, M.; Bucci, R.; Magrì, A.; Magri, A.; Marini, F. (2013). A rapid and noninvasive method for authenticating the origin of pistachio samples by NIR spectroscopy and chemometrics. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems. 121:90-99. doi:10.1016/j.chemolab.2012.11.019. sensitivity and specificities, the only exception being the two categories Turkey and Iran, whose 36! heterogeneity resulted in a poorer specificity (anyway higher than 80%). In particular, the results 37!obtained for the samples coming from Bronte (Sicily), the only PDO pistachio production in Europe 38! -95.5% non error rate in PLS-DA, 90% sensitivity and 97% specificity in SIMCA, as evaluated on 39! the external test set -are very promising from the viewpoint of the authentication of this product. 40!In general, the results show that the coupling of NIR spectroscopy to chemometric classification 41! techniques can be a valuable tool for tracing the origin of pistachio nuts, providing a reliable 42! authentication in a rapid, relatively cheap and non invasive way.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The paper describes the fieldwork at the Italian test site of the abandoned mine of sphalerite and galena in Ingurtosu (Sardinia), with the aim to assess the applicability of a "toolbox" to establish the optimized techniques for remediation of soils contaminated by mining activities. A preliminary characterization-including (hydro)geochemistry, heavy metal concentration and their mobility in soil, bioprospecting for microbiology and botany-provided a data set for the development of a toolbox to deliver a microbially assisted phytoremediation process. Euphorbia pithyusa was selected as an endemic pioneer plant to be associated with a bacterial consortium, established with ten selected native strains, including metal-tolerant bacteria and producers of plant growth factors. The toolbox was firstly assessed in a greenhouse pot experiment. A positive effect of bacterial inoculum on E. pithyusa germination and total plant survival was observed. E. pithyusa showed to be a well-performing metallophyte species, and only inoculated soil retained a microbial activity with a high functional diversity, expanding metabolic affinity also towards root exudates. These results supported the decision to proceed with a field trial, investigating different treatments used singly or in combination: bioaugmentation with bacterial consortia, mycorrhizal fungi and a commercial mineral amendment. Microbial activity in soil, plant physiological parameters and heavy metal content in plants and in soil were monitored. Five months after the beginning, an early assessment of the toolbox under field conditions was carried out. Despite the cold season (October-March), results suggested the following: (1) the field setup as well as the experimental design proved to be effective; (2) plant survival was satisfactory; (3) soil quality was increased and bioaugmentation improved microbial activity, expanding the metabolic competences towards plant interaction (root exudates); and (4) multivariate analysis supported the data provided that the proposed toolbox can be established and the field trial can be carried forward.

No abstract