An increasing trend of anthropogenic activities such as urbanization and industrialization has resulted in induction and accumulation of various kinds of heavy metals in the environment, which ultimately has disturbed the biogeochemical balance. Therefore, the present study was conducted to probe the efficiency of conocarpus (Conocarpus erectus L.) waste-derived biochar and its modified derivatives for the removal of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) from aqueous solutions. Biochar was produced at 600 °C and modified with humic acid (1:10 w/v ratio) and rock phosphate (0.5:1 w/w ratio). Additionally, produced biochar, as well as humic acid and rock phosphate-modified biochars, were subjected to ball milling separately. Equilibrium and kinetics batch experiments were conducted to investigate heavy metals adsorption on synthesized adsorbents. Adsorption isotherms and kinetics models were employed to explore the adsorption efficiency of produced materials for metals adsorption. Among all the applied adsorbents, ball-milled biochars showed comparatively higher adsorption compared to un-milled biochars. Humic acid and rock phosphate-modified milled biochar showed the highest adsorption capacity for Pb (18.85 mg g⁻¹), while rock phosphate-modified milled biochar showed the highest adsorption capacity for Cu and Zn (24.02 mg g⁻¹ and 187.14 mg g⁻¹), and humic acid modified biochar adsorbed maximum Cd (30.89 mg g⁻¹). Adsorption isotherm study confirmed Freundlich as the best-suited model (R² = 0.99), while kinetics adsorption was well described by the pseudo-second-order (R² = 0.99). Hence, it was concluded that ball-milled biochar modified with humic acid and rock phosphate could potentially remove heavy metals from contaminated water

Mining activities provide a pathway for the entry and accumulation of various heavy metals in soil, which ultimately leads to severe environmental pollution. Utilization of various immobilizing agents could restore such contaminated soils. Therefore, in this study, date palm-derived biochars (BCs: produced at 300 °C, 500 °C and 700 °C) and magnetized biochars (MBCs) were employed to stabilize heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in mining polluted soil. Metal polluted soil was amended with BCs and MBCs at w/w ratio of 2% and cultivated with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a greenhouse. After harvesting, dry and fresh biomass of plants were recorded. The soil and plant samples were collected, and the concentrations of heavy metals were measured after extracting with water, DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), and acetic acid. BCs and MBCs resulted in reduced metal availability and uptake, with higher fresh and dry biomass (>36%). MBCs showed maximum decrease (>70%) in uptake and shoot concentration of metals, as these reductions for Cd and Pb reached below the detection limits. Among all single-step extractions, the DTPA-extractable metals showed a significant positive correlation with shoot concentrations of tested metals. Thus, the synthesized BCs and MBCs could effectively be used for stabilizing heavy metals and improve plant productivity in multi-contaminated soils. However, future studies should focus on long term field trials to restore contaminated mining soils using modified biochars.

This study was conducted to study the use of different ratios of Lemongrass (2 & 4%) and Rosemary (1 & 2%) extracts in manufacture of fermented camel milk beverage. The chemical composition and nutritional values of camel milk, Lemongrass and Rosemary extracts were performed. All fermented camel milk beverage samples were analyzed for chemical, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, total volatile free fatty acids (TVFFA), microbiological and sensory properties when fresh and during storage (21 days) at 4±1°C. Our results indicated that, there were increases of total solids, fat, protein, ash and TVFFA contents in the flavoured samples with two plant extracts than that of control samples. Moreover, all the pH values significant decreased with the prolonging the storage period in all treatments. In addition, there were decreases in antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of all treatments during storage period in all treatments. Microbiologically, the counts of Str. thermophilus, Lb. delbrueckii subsp < em>. bulgaricus and total count increased at the 14 days of storage then decreased up to the end of storage period in all treatments. Generally, the data concluded that using of 4% Lemongrass and 1% Rosemary extract were gained higher scores for organoleptic properties than other treatments.

Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is the most devastating insect pest that attacks potato crops in fields or storage. Pesticides are important to reduce population of this pest. The intent of this study was to investigate the sensitivity levels of P. operculella population field comparing with a reference to susceptible strain and biochemical analysis of technique(s) engaged in indoxacarb, sulfoxaflor and emamectin benzoate metabolism to 3 different detoxification enzymes (CPR-DPPH, GST-CDNB, and EST- PNPA). Resistance ratios were 11.9, 1.3 and 3.3 folds for indoxacarb, sulfoxaflor and emamectin benzoate, respectively in P. operculella field population. Biochemical analysis displayed that CYP450-DPPH and GST-CDNB activities show no a considerable (p<0.05) superfast compared with susceptible strain, furthermore, EST- PNPA activity showed a 2.7 fold increase compared to susceptible population. Bioassay analyses displayed moderate resistance to indoxacarb while a little resistance showed in at field population to emamectin benzoa of P. operculella. Esterases have a major role in the increase of resistance to indoxacarb, cytochrome P450 may have an elementary role in resistance against emamectin benzoate, GSTs do not apparently involve in the development of resistance against indoxacarb and emamectin benzoate of P. operculella. These results involved important practical application in managing pesticide resistance in P. operculella populations.

Forensic entomology is considered the science that applies insect biology to criminal investigations, using insects and other arthropods to uncover the circumstances of criminal cases. Herein, we recorded the seasonal abundance of forensic insects encountered on rabbits’ cadavers during four seasons (2021-2022) in Egypt under Assiut conditions. As a result, numerous forensic insects were attracted to cadavers during the four seasons (2021-2022). Plus, ten adult insects were observed belonging to seven families under two orders, Coleoptera and Diptera. Four coleopteran insects belonging to 4 families were monitored, “i.e.” Carabidae (Harpalus rufipes), Histeridae (Saprinus blanchei), Staphylinidiae (Creophillus maxillosus), Dermestidae (Dermestes frischii). Six dipteran insects belonging to 3 families were determined, namely Calliphoridae (Calliphora vicine, Lucilia sericata, Chrysomya refifacies, and Chrysomya albiceps), Muscidae (Musca domestica), and Sarcophagidae (Sarcophaga carnaria).  Also, the taxon of order Diptera emerged early from day one immediately after death on cadavers followed by the taxon of order Coleoptera that popped up lately. This study sheds light on forensic entomology science which is considered very limited in Egypt. In addition, an investigation must be carried out to benefit from this study, which will help us to remove confusion in critical issues in the future.

larias gariepinus is one of the widespread culturable freshwater fish species in Africa, which is prevalent in various natural and human-made aquatic habitats including rice-fish system. This fish species displays predation potential on the aquatic stages of mosquitoes. Bensulfuron-methyl and quinclorac are herbicide active substances that have been extensively applied in rice culture in Egypt and other countries worldwide. This study assessed the adverse effects of sublethal concentration of a commercial herbicide formulation containing quinclorac and bensulfuron-methyl on the predation potential of C. gariepinus female and male predatory fish on Culex pipiens mosquito larvae. Also, stomach and intestine histopathology of the treated fish was investigated. The exposure of C. gariepinus to sublethal concentration of quinclorac and bensulfuron-methyl based herbicide produced detrimental effects on prey consumption and histopathological changes in the stomach and intestine of the fish. The mosquito consumption by the treated female and male fish decreased significantly compared to the untreated fish of both sexes. The histological changes in the intestines were hyperplasia of the intestinal epithelium and goblet cells; edema of lamina propria and broad intestinal villi, and distortion in intestinal villi in comparison to control. The stomach histopathology changes were necrosis and sloughing of mucosal epithelium with severe damage of sub-mucosa. Thus, the tested herbicide at sublethal concentration on C. gariepinus decreased the prey consumption on mosquito larvae and caused histopathological alterations in the fish that may impair its digestive physiology. These findings suggest a threat of the tested herbicide to C. gariepinus survival and potential as a native successful biocontrol agent against Cx. pipiens larvae.