[Assessment of Groundwater Contamination Risk in the Plain Area of Southern Turpan Basin]

Groundwater contamination risk assessment is an effective tool for groundwater pollution prevention and control. The evaluation system mainly includes three parts:groundwater contamination source load assessment, groundwater vulnerability assessment, and groundwater function value evaluation. Taking the plain area of southern Turpan Basin as an example, based on the survey data and land use data, point source pollution and non-point source pollution were divided to evaluate the load of groundwater pollution sources, the classical DRASTIC model was selected to evaluate the vulnerability of groundwater, and the functional value of groundwater was evaluated from the point of view of water quality and quantity. The three factors were weighted and superimposed via GIS platform to generate the risk zoning map of groundwater contamination. The results showed that the overall risk of groundwater contamination in the study area was low. The area of high-risk and relatively high-risk areas accounted for 15.5% of the total study area, which were mainly distributed in L1, L2, and L3 of the study area. L1 was mainly affected by high pollution source load and high groundwater vulnerability. L2 was mainly the result of the joint action of high groundwater function value and domestic non-point source pollution. Non-point source pollution dominated by agricultural activities and high functional value of groundwater were the main reasons for the high risk of groundwater pollution in the L3 area. The results of the groundwater contamination risk assessment serve as an important reference for decision-makers to delineate the prevention and control area of groundwater pollution.

Carotenoid Content and Profiles of Pumpkin Products and By-Products

The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the current findings on the major carotenoids and their content in pumpkin products and by-products. The content of total carotenoids and the composition of carotenoids in pumpkins depend mainly on the species and cultivar, pedoclimatic conditions, the part of the plant (pulp, peel or seed), extraction procedures and the type of solvent used for extraction. The major carotenoids identified in pumpkins were β-carotene, α-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. β-Carotene is the major carotenoid in most pumpkin species. The number and content of total carotenoids are higher when minor carotenoids and ester forms are considered. The use of carotenoids in the development of functional foods has been the topic of many versatile studies in recent years, as they add significant value to foods associated with numerous health benefits. In view of this, pumpkin and pumpkin by-products can serve as a valuable source of carotenoids.

A commercial blend of macroalgae and microalgae promotes digestibility, growth performance, and muscle nutritional value of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) juveniles

Algae can leverage aquaculture sustainability and improve the nutritional and functional value of fish for human consumption, but may pose challenges to carnivorous fish. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of a commercial blend of macroalgae (Ulva sp. and Gracilaria gracilis) and microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oceanica) in a plant-based diet up to 6% (dry matter basis) on digestibility, gut integrity, nutrient utilization, growth performance, and muscle nutritional value of European seabass juveniles. Fish (11.3 ± 2.70 g) were fed with isoproteic, isolipidic, and isoenergetic diets: (i) a commercial-type plant-based diet with moderate fishmeal (125 g kg^-1 DM basis) and without algae blend (control diet; Algae0), (ii) the control diet with 2% algae blend (Algae2), (iii) the control diet with 4% algae blend (Algae4), and (iv) the control diet with 6% algae blend (Algae6) for 12 weeks. The digestibility of experimental diets was assessed in a parallel study after 20 days. Results showed that most nutrients and energy apparent digestibility coefficients were promoted by algae blend supplementation, with a concomitant increase in lipid and energy retention efficiencies. Growth performance was significantly promoted by the algae blend, the final body weight of fish fed Algae6 being 70% higher than that of fish fed Algae0 after 12 weeks, reflecting up to 20% higher feed intake of algae-fed fish and the enhanced anterior intestinal absorption area (up to 45%). Whole-body and muscle lipid contents were increased with dietary algae supplementation levels by up to 1.79 and 1.74 folds in Algae 6 compared to Algae0, respectively. Even though the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids was reduced, the content of EPA and DHA in the muscle of algae-fed fish increased by nearly 43% compared to Algae0. The skin and filet color of juvenile European seabass were significantly affected by the dietary inclusion of the algae blend, but changes were small in the case of muscle, meeting the preference of consumers. Overall results highlight the beneficial effects of the commercial algae blend (Algaessence^®) supplementation in plant-based diets for European seabass juveniles, but feeding trials up to commercial-size fish are needed to fully assess its potential.