[en] Uranium content in dicalcium phosphate (DCP), prepared from the Syrian phosphoric acid (SPA) and the products utilizing it directly in yeast and alcohol factories, has been followed. It has been found experimentally and by calculations that the amount of uranium transferred from the SPA to both DCP and baker's yeast was negligible and of no practical significance for the materials that may be added to, such as poultry diets, flour, paste and others. It may be concluded from these results that uranium would not be the primary obstacle for using the crude SPA (or uranium-free) or its products as a direct alternative. (author). 22 refs., 2 tabs., 1 fig

[en] Ionizing radiation has been used for food preservation in many ways, among them sprout inhibition in onion and potato. Experiments showed that irradiation of these crops using doses between 50 - 150 Gy prevented sprouting for up to 6 months during storage. Priliminary experiments in Syria proved the effectiveness of such treatment in these two crops. In addition to the technical, social, and political feasibility, this study includes, general description of the suggested plant (⁶⁰Co 3.7 PBq), estimated cost, location, and the tentative operation schedual. The study showed that the cost of irradiation will be about $ 8.7 per ton, this will save the country about $ 3.760.000 per year. The study showed the possitive effect of establishing this plant. (author). 74 refs., 44 tabs., 15 figs

[en] The purpose of this study was to examine the economic and financial feasibility of a food irradiation project proposed by the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission. The prime purpose of the project was to irradiate two important agricultural products, namely, onion and potato. The irradiation process has the effect of reducing sprouting significantly. In Syria onions are usually stored in well ventilated warehouses at ambient temperature. Our investigation showed that sprouting started after 1.5 months of storage. It is estimated that the sprouting rate reaches 100% after five months of storage. This implies a waste factor of 50%. (author). 7 refs, 4 tabs

[en] The growing demand for food pushes frames farmers to grow plants in less productive soils, such as salt affected-gypsiferous soils, which cover about 21% of the arable lands in Syria. Information on plant growth in this type of soil is rare in the literature. Therefore, a saline soil (ECe=180 ds m ^-1) was mixed in different portions with the same soil from a site reclaimed by installing drainage tiles and subsequent washing with irrigation water (ECe=4.7 ds m ^-1) to produce four levels of salinity namely 4.7, 17. 2, 28.4 and 47.6 ds/m. The chemical properties of the produced soils were planted in pots filed with these four soils in four replicated after 7 days of irradiation with 5, 10, and 15 Gy irradiation and control. Germination %, fresh weight, dry weight, and plant g eight of the seedling were measured after 45 days of planting. The results showed a significant negative effect of increasing the salinity of the soil on all measured growth parameters. Presowing seeds irradiation by gamma radiation did not have a significant effect on the measured growth parameters. Seeds planted in the highest salinity level (ECe=47.6 ds m ^-1) did not germinate at all (author). 16 refs., 6 tabs.,

[en] Results revealed that the necessary dose of gamma rays that leads to 10% of survived cellular population (D10 value) was about 256 Gy. This irradiation dose was used then in all irradiation experiments on culture of S. Cerevisiae cells in which different concentrations of Deltiazem (55, 110, 165 mg/Kg medium) were added before and after irradiation. Results showed that Deltiazem enhances survival percentage of irradiated S. Cerevisiae cultures in a concentration dependent manner. (author)

[en] Helminths eggs viability was determined by aid of methods and techniques which depend on the morphological parameters, studying the motility incubation and applying the vital staining. The protozoa viability was studied by using many vital staining, but applying culture techniques on specific composed media did not give any results. The disinfection results showed that for ascaris eggs, protozoa and amoeba oocysts irradiated by 6 KGy of gamma (Co⁶0) which was sufficient to kill all types of such parasites. On the contrary, conflict the UV radiation was able to motivate the ascaris eggs embryonations. Also, the viability of the Giardia and Entamoeba oocysts were not affected. In the light of the current experiments, it is possible to conclude that using the UV technique instead of the ionizing radiation for killing the helminths eggs and protozoa is not usable. (Authors)

[en] To study the possibility of growing wheat in salt affected gypsiferous soils, a saline soil was mixed in different portions with the same soil from a reclaimed site to produce four levels of salinity namely 4.7, 17.2, 28.4 and 47.6 Ds/m. the chemical properties of the produced soils were determined using common methods of analysis. Wheat seeds were planted in pots filled with these four soils in four replicates after 7 days of irradiation with 5, 10 and 15 Gy irradiation and control. the results showed a significant negative effect if increasing the salinity of the soil on all measured growth parameters. Seeds planted in the highest salinity level (ECe=47.6 ds m ^-1) did not germinate at all (author)

[en] The efficacy of Adra wastewater treatment plant for removing of parasitic eggs and other pathogens was various as the results of this work showed many eggs detected on and numeration referenced methods were applied for liquid and dried sledges. Helminths eggs viability was determined by aid of methods and techniques which depend on the morphological parameters, studying the motility incubation and applying the vital staining. The protozoa viability was studied by using vital staining, but applying culture techniques on specific composed media did not give any results. The disinfection results for ascaris eggs, protozoa and amoeba oocysts irradiated by 6 KGy of gamma (Co⁶0) which was sufficient to kill all types of such parasites. In conflict the UV radiation was able to motivate the division of the ascaris eggs embryo nations. Also, the viability of the Giardia and Entamoeba oocysts not affected. Therefor the UV technique couldn't be the alternative technology of ionizing radiation. (author)

[en] Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were used to test the radioprotective effect of added spermidine [H₃N(CH₂)₃NH₂(CH₂)₄NH₃]³⁺. Spermidine plays an important role in suppressing radiation damages at certain concentration (10^-5 mol.l^-1), either via scavenging free radicals or via the frequency of radiation-induced mutations. Spermidine increased noticeably the D₁₀ value at concentration of 10^-5 mol.l^-1 Applying spermidine prior to irradiation was more effective than applying it post irradiation. (author)

[en] Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are considered to be the most useful microorganisms. They are beneficial in flavoring foods, inhibiting pathogenic as well as spoilage bacteria in food products. The isolates of LAB were obtained from traditional Syrian dairy products (white cheese and curdled yogurt) obtained from different regions in Syria. The isolates were subjected to phenotypic characterization analyses. The PCR technique of bacterial DNA was evaluated as an advanced tool for the identification of LAB. It was found that strains: E. faecium, E. faecalis and S. thermophilus dominate in white cheese and in yogurt. Our results demonstrated that we could identify LAB using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) patterns. (Authors)