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Biological Resources (biological + resource)
Selected AbstractsEfficient Extraction of Lycopene from Rhodopseudomonas palustris with n -Hexane and Methanol after Alkaline WashCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 10 2010Y. Bao Abstract Extraction of lycopene from Rhodopseudomonas palustris with various solvents and alkaline wash was investigated. Dichloromethane or benzene as single polar or nonpolar solvent were the most effective solvents. The maximum extraction efficiency was achieved with a combination of n -hexane and methanol (1:1 v/v). which was approximately one time higher than that obtained with a single solvent. The partitioning behavior of lycopene in n -hexane/methanol indicated that almost all extracted lycopene from R. palustris cells was dissolved in the n -hexane phase. Further studies showed that lycopene extraction was much improved after an alkaline wash of R. palustris cells. The measured lycopene content was much higher than that in tomatoes which indicates that R. palustris will become an important biological resource of lycopene. [source] Ecological perspectives on the sequenced genome collectionECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 12 2005Jennifer B. Hughes Martiny Abstract Our complete genome collection is one of our most valuable biological resources. A key challenge for the future is the interpretation of these genomes from an ecological perspective. In this review, we discuss current work at this increasingly important interface. In particular, we review ongoing work aimed at developing high quality data sets that combine ecological, environmental, evolutionary and genomic information. Such data will help to identify biases in the sequence collection and facilitate future discoveries about the nature of ecological adaptation at the genome level. These efforts will be greatly enhanced by the contributions of ecologists. [source] The Contribution of Bioenergy to a New Energy ParadigmEUROCHOICES, Issue 3 2005Daniel De La Torre Ugarte Biomass is a widely available resource that is receiving increased consideration as a renewable substitute for fossil fuels. Developed sustainably and used efficiently, it can induce growth in developing countries, reduce oil demand, and address environmental problems. The potential benefits include: reduction of greenhouse gases, recuperation of soil productivity and degraded land, economic benefits from adding value to agricultural activities and improving access to and quality of energy services. The production of bioenergy involves a range of technologies, including solid combustion, gasification, and fermentation. These technologies produce energy from a diverse set of biological resources - traditional crops, crop residues, energy-dedicated crops, dung, and the organic component of urban waste. The results are bioenergy products that provide multiple energy services: cooking fuel, heat, electricity and transportation fuels. It is this very diversity that holds the potential of a win-win-win for the environment, social and economic development. Bioenergy has to be viewed not as a replacement for oil, but as an element of a portfolio of renewable sources of energy. Coherent and mutually supportive environmental and economic policies may be needed to encourage the emergence of a globally dispersed bioenergy industry that will pursue a path of sustainable development. La biomasse est une resource largement répandue, qui commence à retenir l'attention comme substitut renouvelable aux énergies fossiles. En l'utilisant de façon efficace et durable, on peut accélérer la croissance des pays en voie de développement, réduire la demandepour le pétrole et résoudre certains problèmes d'environnement. Au nombre des bénéfices potentiels il faut mettre : la réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre, la reconstitution de la fertilité dessols et des terres dégradées, les avantages économiques liés à l'accroissement de la production agricole et à l'amélioration des services énergétiques, tant en qualité qu'en accessibilité. La production de bioénergie met en oeuvre un large éventail de techniques parmi lesquelles la combustionde produits solides, la gazéification et la fermentation. Elles produisent de l'énergie à partir d'une grande variété de sources biologiques : cultures traditionnelles, résidus de cultures, cultures spécialisées, fumiers et déchets organiques urbains. Les produits bio-énergétiques qui en résultent couvrent une grande variété d'usages : énergie de cuisson, chauffage, électricité et transports. C'est précisément sur cette diversité que repose l'espoir de gains dans toutes les directions, sociales, environnementales et économiques. Il ne faut pas voir la bioénergie comme un simple substitut au pétrole, mais comme un portefeuille de ressources renouvelables. Pour encourager l'émergence d'une industrie bioénergétique largement répandue et susceptible de contribuer au développement durable, il faudra sans doute élaborer des politiques économiques et environnementales cohérentes, capables de se soutenir mutuellement. Bei Biomasse handelt es sich umeine weithin verfügbare Ressource, welche zunehmend als erneuerbarer Ersatz für fossile Brennstoffe in Betracht gezogen wird. Sie kann bei nachhaltiger Entwicklung und effizienter Nutzung zu Wachstum in den Entwicklungsländern führen, die Nachfrage nach Öl senken und dazu beitragen, die Umweltprobleme in den Griff zu bekommen. Zu den potenziellen Nutzen gehÖren: Verringerung der Treibhausgase, Wiederherstellung von Bodenproduktivität sowie von erodiertem Land, wirtschaftlicher Nutzen durch zusätzliche Wertschöpfung aus landwirtschaftlicher Aktivität und besserer Zugang zu und Qualität in der Energieversorgung. Bei der Erzeugungvon Bioenergie kommen eine Reihe von verschiedenen Technologien zur Anwendung, z.B. Verbrennung fester Brennstoffe, Vergasung sowie Gärung. Diese Technologien erzeugen Energie mittels unterschiedlicher biologischer Ressourcen , traditionelle Feldfrüchte und deren Rückstände, spezielle Energiepflanzen, Mist sowie der organische Anteil städtischer Abfälle. Die daraus erzeugte Bioenergie kann zum Kochen, zum Heizen, als Elektrizität oder als Treibstoff genutzt werden. Gerade in dieser Vielfalt liegt der potenzielle Gewinn für die Umwelt und die soziale sowie die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung. Bioenergie sollte nicht als ein Ersatz für Öl, sondern als Bestandteil des Portfolios erneuerbarer Energiequellen angesehen werden. Kohärente und sich gegenseitig unterstützende ökologische und Ökonomische Politikmaßnahmen könntenerforderlich sein, um die Entstehung einer global verbreiteten Bioenergieindustrie zu begünstigen, welche eine nachhaltige Entwicklung verfolgt. [source] Intellectual property protection in the natural product drug discovery, traditional herbal medicine and herbal medicinal productsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2007Murat Kartal Abstract Traditional medicine is an important part of human health care in many developing countries and also in developed countries, increasing their commercial value. Although the use of medicinal plants in therapy has been known for centuries in all parts of the world, the demand for herbal medicines has grown dramatically in recent years. The world market for such medicines has reached US $ 60 billion, with annual growth rates of between 5% and 15%. Researchers or companies may also claim intellectual property rights over biological resources and/or traditional knowledge, after slightly modifying them. The fast growth of patent applications related to herbal medicine shows this trend clearly. This review presents the patent applications in the field of natural products, traditional herbal medicine and herbal medicinal products. Medicinal plants and related plant products are important targets of patent claims since they have become of great interest to the international drug and cosmetic industry. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Status of freshwater fish around the Korean Demilitarized Zone and its implications for conservationAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 6 2008Min-Ho Jang Abstract 1.The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which divides the Korean peninsula, currently serves as a sanctuary for diverse biological resources, owing to limited development and human activities. The fish fauna of the DMZ areas, including the Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) and Military Facility Protection Area (MFPA), was investigated by quarterly sampling at 53 sites from August 2001 to May 2004. 2.In total, 10,946 fish were collected and classified into 99 species and 26 families. Zacco platypus (relative abundance, RA 18.6%) was the dominant species, while other key species were Rhynchocypris steindachneri (16.0%), Pungitius sinensis (12.5%) and Zacco temmincki (8.5%). 3.Thirty species were found to be Korean endemics, representing seven families. Eight Korean vulnerable species and two Korean natural monument species were recorded. Three exotic fish species (Carassius cuvieri, Micropterus salmoides and Lepomis macrochirus) were collected at 13 study sites, all but one of which are outside the CCZ. There were significant relationships between altitude and fish species richness (r2=0.448, P<0.001) and the number of endemic fish species (r2=0.487, P<0.001). 4.Owing to very limited human interference, the DMZ could provide good benchmark sites to enable ecological restoration on other rivers and streams for maintenance of natural freshwater fish biodiversity. It is suggested that a natural park is instituted around the DMZ areas for ecological protection and as a symbol of peaceful coexistence between South and North Korea. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] 4142: The Sanger Mouse Genetics Programme: high throughput characterisation of knockout miceACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010AK GERDIN Purpose The Sanger Mouse Genetics Programme (MGP) aims to make a significant impact on our understanding of the function of genes and their role in disease by generating, characterising and archiving in the order of 200 lines of knockout mice per year, including 40 lines as part of the EUMODIC consortium. The phenotyping screens employed include a wide range of assays relevant to key disease areas including diabetes, obesity, hearing and vision disorders, immune disorders, pain and motor function. The data generated by the primary screen will help to further the understanding of the interplay of genes and disease and will provide an insight into the various underlying biological pathways. All phenotyping data and biological resources generated by the programme are openly available to the scientific community. Methods Eye morphology is routinely assessed using the Slit Lamp and Ophthalmoscope and images are collected when abnormalities are identified. Expression profiling via the lacZ reporter gene is performed for each mutant line in adults and at E14.5. Results To date, the eye screen has been performed on over 180 mutant lines. Here we report examples of novel eye-related abnormalities identified by the eye morphology, embryonic lethality and/or expression screens performed by the Sanger MGP. We will present how to identify a potentially interesting mouse mutant on our database and discuss the impact our knock-out mouse models might have on your research. [source] | |||||||||||||