(Science and Education Publishing, 2014-12-06) Al-Rimawi, Fuad; Odeh, Imad; Bisher, Abdallah; Abbadi, Jehad; Qabbajeh, Mohammad
The effect of geographical region and harvesting date (seasonal change) on antioxidant activities (AA), total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of olive leaves obtained from different geographical regions of Palestine (north, middle, and south) at different maturation stages (June 2013, October 2013, and January 2014) was investigated in this study. Results revealed that both geographical region and maturation stage affect AA, TPC, and TFC of the olive leaves. Highest AA, TPC, and TFC were obtained for samples collected in June. TPC was found to be highest in north and lowest in south, while the highest AA, and TFC contents were alternating between north, middle, and south. During different maturation stages, TPC, TFC, and AA varied between 21.56 - 47.52 mg (GAE), 19.3 - 32.6 mg catechin equivalents, 318.53 – 1106.43 μmol FRAP equivalents per gram of dry olive leaves, respectively.
The reverse osmosis (RO) brine generated from the Al-Quds University
wastewater treatment plant was treated using an epuvalisation system. The advanced
integrated wastewater treatment plant included an activated sludge unit, two consecutive
ultrafiltration (UF) membrane filters (20 kD and 100 kD cutoffs) followed by an activated
carbon filter and a reverse osmosis membrane. The epuvalisation system consisted of salt
tolerant plants grown in hydroponic channels under continuous water flowing in a closed loop
system, and placed in a greenhouse at Al-Quds University. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum)
plants were selected, and underwent two consecutive hydroponic flowing stages using
different brine-concentrations: an adaptation stage, in which a 1:1 mixture of brine and fresh water was used; followed by a functioning stage, with 100% brine. A control
treatment using fresh water was included as well. The experiment started in April and
ended in June (2012). At the end of the experiment, analysis of the effluent brine showed a
remarkable decrease of electroconductivity (EC), PO4
3−, chemical oxygen demand (COD)
and K+ with a reduction of 60%, 74%, 70%, and 60%, respectively, as compared to the
influent. The effluent of the control treatment showed 50%, 63%, 46%, and 90% reduction
for the same parameters as compared to the influent. Plant growth parameters (plant height,
fresh and dry weight) showed no significant difference between fresh water and brine
treatments. Obtained results suggest that the epuvalisation system is a promising technique
for inland brine treatment with added benefits. The increasing of channel number or closed
loop time is estimated for enhancing the treatment process and increasing the nutrient
uptake. Nevertheless, the epuvalisation technique is considered to be simple, efficient and
low cost for inland RO brine treatment.