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The hydrolysis of the sulfonylurea herbicide triasulfuron [(2-(2-chloroethoxy)-N-[[4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]benzenesulfonamide] was studied in aqueous buffers of pH values 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9. The reaction was of first-order and pH-dependent. Triasulfuron was more persistent in neutral or weakly basic than in acidic solution. Five metabolites have been isolated and identified. At all pH values studied, the primary pathway of degradation was the cleavage of the sulfonylurea bridge. However, minor degradation pathways have also been observed like O-demethylation and opening of the triazine ring. The product distribution was pH-dependent. Keywords: Sulfonylureas; herbicides; triasulfuron; hydrolysis; degradation

Compartmentalized in liposome arrays, the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) oscillatory reaction might represent a good model for biochemical networks. In order to engineer such liposomes, we used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to study the effect of individual BZ reactant as well as of the entire BZ mixture on the structural properties of lipid layer(s) formed by 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) phospholipids in aqueous media. These properties were compared with those of lipid layers doped with myristic acid (Myr-A), sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS), and cholesterol (CHOL). In parallel, the effect on the BZ reaction exerted by doped DMPC liposomes was investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy, followed by image analysis of the recorded time series. SAXS experiments showed that chemical species involved in the BZ reaction bring small changes to the internal structure of DMPC bilayers. However, ferroin can reduce the liposome lamellarity by being adsorbed on the surface of lipid layers. Also, the presence of charged dopants such as STS and TA tends to reduce the lamellarity of liposomes, while CHOL brings marked changes in the BZ system due to chemical reaction with oxidant species. In particular, an increase of the oscillation frequency is observed when the BZ reaction is carried out in the presence of CHOL-DMPC liposomes. For this behavior, a possible explanation supported by numerical simulations is bromination of CHOL double bonds by BZ intermediates.

We experimentally discriminated and qualitatively-quantitatively characterized the extracellular fraction of a forest soil DNA pool. We sequentially extracted and classified the components of extracellular DNA by its strength of interaction with soil colloids as: (1) extractable in water, free in the extracellular soil environment or adsorbed on soil colloids; and as (2) extractable in alkaline buffer after previous extraction in water, bound on soil colloids. The comparative molecular analysis (fluorometer, gel electrophoresis, genetic fingerprinting) of directly and sequentially extracted extracellular DNA revealed quantitative and qualitative differences, also in terms of genetic information about microbial communities. The sequential extraction of extracellular DNA revealed differences in molecular weight, indicating a relationship between DNA fragment length and strength of interaction with soil colloids. The sequential extraction was also suitable to assess the presence of tightly bound DNA, providing information about the DNA-colloid interactions naturally occurring in the soil environment.

The effect of blanketing with CO 2 , naturally evolved during malaxation of olive pastes, on the quality of virgin olive oil was investigated at lab-scale. The O 2 depletion was monitored along with CO 2 emission to confirm the previously hypothesized accelerated respiration. Malaxation experiments were conducted for 180 min both in sealed (SC) and in the traditional open-to-air conditions to ascertain whether the oil quality was affected by O 2 concentration as afforded by CO 2 blanketing. The quality of olive oils obtained at different time intervals was monitored by total acidity, peroxide value (PV), specific extinction coefficients K 232 and K 270 , total chlorophyll and total hydrophilic phenols, and HPLC hydrophilic phenols profile. A rapid decrease in oxygen concentration and a simultaneous increase in CO 2 concentration were recorded, confirming the accelerated respiration. The oil produced in SC showed a lower PV and K 232 coefficient and a higher chlorophyll (10-17 mg/kg) and hydrophilic phenols (110 mg/kg) concentration. No differences in total acidity and K 270 coefficient were observed. The hydrophilic phenols profile indicated that, at least for the Frantoio cultivar and an advanced ripeness state, the maximal extraction is generally achieved already after 20 min. Most of the individual hydrophilic phenols have higher concentrations (up to 50%) in SC.

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Vertical centrifugation is an important step in continuous virgin olive oil production. It is used to clarify the oil, through the separation of water and suspended solids. Despite its effectiveness, the centrifuge can impair quality. In particular, it requires water to work, which reduces the concentration of minor compounds in the oil, and introduces dissolved oxygen. This paper reports the impact of the use of a vertical centrifuge on olive oil quality, with particular respect to minor compounds. Tests were carried out on two common cultivars (Arbequina and Coratina) 1 month after production and after six months of storage. The vertical centrifuge was found to impair parameters

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