 |
|
Olive residues as pesticides
April 29, 2003During the production of olive oils a huge amount of peels, stones and other solid components arises. After appropriate treatment these residues seem to be suitable for inhibiting dangerous moulds. While searching for new recycling ways the undesirable bio waste scientists of the University of Bonn discovered the mould inhibiting potential of the olive residues and could prove it in the lab scale. The project is funded by the "Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ern'¤hrung" (state department of agriculture and nutrition).
Living next door to an olive grower is not always pleasant: On one hand the final products are popular and tasty edible oils. But on the other hand the production of olive oils causes a huge amount of solid residues starting to smell disgustingly after a while. Mainly it is caused by the high oil and fat content of the residues. In addition to that olive residues contain polyphenols which prevent the microbiological breakdown of the residues by preventing propagation of reducers (bacteria and moulds). Causing a big stink "olive residues can be a long lasting and very intensive experience" Dr. Laufenberg from the Department of Food Technology remarks.
Experiments using liquid extracts from olive residues to inhibit moulds have already been very effective. For example success could be achieved against the grain pest Fusarium culmorum and by inhibiting the growth of Botrytis cinerea, a grey mould which prefers growing on mature strawberries. Both moulds showed worse growing characteristics on petri dishes containing residue extract in comparison to normal growing conditions. Further field experiments will be realised in summer. The scientists plan to use their extracts against Phytophtora infestans, the germ causing potato rot. In the middle of the 18th century this pest destroyed the whole potato harvest in Ireland for several years. The resulting famine was disastrous, more than a million people died and the resulting mass exodus led two million Irish people to America.
Oleuropein is the most important polyphenol in olives. In the plant it works as a self-synthesized "bioweapon" against pathogens. "Freezing the residues or heating it for a short time induces the breakdown of Oleuropein into further products which are even more effective", Dr. Laufenberg says. It is also possible that the combination of these three substances could be the key to success. The food scientists also examine how to treat the residues to obtain a concentrated extract from the olive showing improved inhibiting properties. They also try to increase the polyphenol yield by using different methods of extraction. "There are many adjusting screws to be twisted", Robert Pospiech, a co-worker of Dr. Laufenberg says. The researchers freeze or boil the brown substance. Afterwards they use ultrasonic treatment to release the polyphenols or they dry and grind it to obtain a fine flour, which can be dissolved easily in alcohol or water. Results are totally different referring to each method. "Of course we prefer environmentally sound solvents and energy-saving extraction methods", Dr. Laufenberg says, "any other processing way would only increase costs unnecessarily and entail a worse ecological balance". The scientists hope to be able to develop a kind of "polyphenol varnish", which can be used as a pesticide in the agriculture by spraying it on the fields - being a "natural barrier" against pathogens.
Originally the Bonn food scientists had totally different plans what to do with the brown stinky residues. "Our aim was the bioproduction of flavours using oily residues as a suitable substrate." The work should be done by useful moulds and bacteria - similar to the species being involved in the production of sauerkraut. Dr. Günther Laufenberg: "But there was no growth at all to observe on the olive residues."
Bonn, Universitaet
Science Research Departments
Earth Science
Alternative Energy | Anthropology and Archaeology | Earthquakes and Volcanoes | Environment and Nature News | Global Warming | High-Energy and Particle Physics | Ozone Hole | Scientists Slow Light | Tsunami
Space Science
Astronomy and Space News | Black Holes | Chandra X-Ray Observatory | Extrasolar Planets | Hubble Telescope | International Space Station | Jupiter Galileo Mission | Jupiter Cassini Mission Flyby | Mars Exploration | Mars Odyssey 2001 | Mars Global Surveyor | Mars Polar Lander | Mars Climate Orbiter | Mars Pathfinder | Meteors and Asteroids | Mir Space Station | NEAR Asteroid Probe Mission | Pluto Planet Debate | Search for Extraterrestrial Life | Space Shuttle Program | Space Shuttle Mission: STS-102 | Space Weather
Life Science
Animal News | Biotechnology and Genetics | Brain Research | Human Cloning | Dinosaur and Fossil Discoveries | Endangered Species | Gene Therapy | Genetically Modified Food | Stem Cell Research | Whales and Whaling
 |
Scientific Explorer's Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists by Scientific Explorer Mind blowing experiments to delight and educate young scientists! Erupt a color changing volcano. Mix up magic ooze with a mind of its own. Play with sand that never gets wet. Mix safe chemicals and watch colors change before your eyes. You'll amaze yourself and your friends as you explore the science behind these truly remarkable reactions. |
 |
The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series) by Tom Robinson (Author) Science has never been so easy - or so much fun! With The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book, all you need to do is gather a few household items and you can recreate dozens of mind-blowing, kid-tested science experiments. High school science teach Tom Robinson shows you how to expand your scientific horizons - from biology to chemistry to physics to outer space. You'll discover answers to questions like: Get ready to enter the laboratory and learn how to conduct cool experiments, understand scientific terms... |
 |
Scientific Explorer's Disgusting Science - A Kit for Studying the Science of Revolting Things by Scientific Explorer Grow your own friendly germs and fuzzy molds. Mix up a batch of coagulating fake blood. Even make a stinky intestine. learn the science behind unmentionable bodily functions while doing some truly NASTY Experiments. Ages 8+ |
 |
The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works (National Geographic) by National Geographic (Author), Marshall Brain (Foreword) A delight for the casual reader, yet so complete and wide-ranging that science buffs and students will welcome it, The Science Book encapsulates centuries of scientific thought in one richly illustrated volume. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, and the most up-to-date investigations are explained in detailed text, and 2,000 vivid illustrations—including 3-D graphics and pictograms—make the information even more accessible and amazing to discover. The Science Book offers both a general overview of topics for the browsing reader and more specific information for those seeking deeper insight into a particular subject. Six major sections, ranging from the universe and planet Earth to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, encompass everything from microscopic life... |
 |
Scientific Explorer's The Magic Science Wizard's Kit by Scientific Explorer Cast real smoke from your fingertips, make a wizard wand, and whip up color-changing potions in your test tube laboratory. Also included are laminated cards with wizard facts, an instruction booklet with 11 activities, lab equipment, and mysterious wizard powders that will mix together to mystify you! |
 |
Magic School Bus Journey into the Human Body Science Kit by Young Scientist Club The Magic School Bus and Ms. Frizzle take Young Scientists on a wild ride into the human body with these breathtaking experiments. Young Scientists bend bones, make joints, map taste buds, expand lungs, build a stethoscope, measure lung capacities and heart rates, perform the iodine starch test, spin glitter, simulate synovial fluid, create a human body poster, and much, much more! This exciting kit includes a life-size poster with eight sheets of body part stickers. So put on your seat belts, students, and get ready to discover The Human Body! |
 |
The Complete Book of Science, Grades 5-6 by School Specialty Publishing (Author) The Complete Book of Science for grades 5 to 6 teaches children important science skills!
Children complete a variety of exercises that help them develop a number of skills in this 352 page workbook. Including a complete answer key this workbook features a user-friendly format perfect for browsing, research, and review.
Over 4 million in print! The best-selling Complete Book series offers a full complement of instruction, activities, and information about a single topic or subject area. Containing over 30 titles and encompassing preschool to grade 8 this series helps children succeed in every subject area! ... |
 |
Scientific Explorer's Tasty Science Chemistry in the Kitchen Kit by Scientific Explorer Who knew science could taste so good? With this kit, you’ll whip up cupcakes, cookies, candy, and more—all in the name of science! Learn what makes cakes rise, candy crystallize, and more real chemistry happen in the kitchen. Tasty Science is packed with ingredients, recipes, activity cards, a test tube laboratory, and lots more to explore the science of taste. |
 |
What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2) by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld (Author), Paul Meisel (Author) Did you ever walk through a wall? Drink a glass of blocks? Have you ever played with a lemonade doll, or put on milk for socks? This latest addition to the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series introduces the youngest readers to an important science concept: the differences between solids, liquids, and gases. Any child who wants to know why he can't walk through a wall will enjoy Kathleen Zoehfeld's simple text and Paul Meisel's playful illustrations. |
 |
Scientific Explorer's Spa Science Chemistry Kit by Scientific Explorer Whip your bath into a frothy fizzing sea of color and fragrance. Make colorful, fragrant bath gels, bath fizzers, spa lotion, bath balm, a face mask, and shampoo. Mix colors and fragrances to creat your own product line with secret and exclusive mixtures. Explore the science of gels, fragrance and fizzers. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |