First Report of Black Spot Caused by Penicillium citreosulfuratum on Saffron in Chongming Island
- Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a world-famous source of dye and spices and an important medicinal plant, which is cultivated on a large scale on Chongming Island (31.62° N, 121.39° E) in Shanghai, China. In August 2020, a survey of saffron was conducted in this area, and black spots were observed on about 10% of plants.
- Characteristics of the disease were: The bottom of the corm was darkened in the groove and scattered black spots could be observed after peeling off the membranous scale leaves. The junction of lesions and healthy parts was light brown. As the lesions expanded, approximately 80% of the surface of the corm became dark brown to bluish gray.
- The inside of the corm was also necrotic. In order to isolate the pathogen, ten diseased corms with typical symptoms were selected. All corms were first treated with 75% ethanol for 30 s, 0.1% HgCl2 for 5 min, and then rinsed with sterile water 5 times. Next, tissue pieces (5 mm × 5 mm) at the margin of lesions were cut out and placed on the potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. After incubating at 28°C for 5 days, fungi were separated and purified by using the hyphal-tip technique.
- A total of six pure cultures with different colony morphologies were obtained, of which only the isolate MF3 was present in ten diseased corms. The isolate MF3 was inoculated on the PDA and cultured at 28°C for 10 days and characteristics of the fungus colonies were: colonies sub-circular, reaching 28 to 30 mm diam, from above rough, dense, fluffy, blue-gray, with some white spots and central point raised, and outer margin form an irregular, narrow, white ring; from below, yellow with light-green. The hyphae were slender, with many septa.
- The conidiophores were typically smooth walled, short, and slender and either monoverticillate with very short stipes or as irregularly biverticillate. Phialides were ampulliform, 5 to 10 per metula, 5 to 8 × 2 to 3 µm. Conidia were smooth and globose, and ranged in diameter from 1.4 to 1.7 µm (n=50).
- Molecular identification of the fungus was made by PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA and β-tubulin gene using primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), TUB2Fd/TUB4Rd (Aveskamp et al. 2009) respectively.
- The ITS (MW881446) and β-tubulin (MW911464) sequences of the fungus were similar to the ITS (MN592912) and β-tubulin (KY469126) sequences of the epitype of Penicillium citreosulfuratum with 99.81% and 99.56% identity, respectively.
- According to the morphological and molecular characterization, the isolate MF3 was identified as P. citreosulfuratum (Visagie et al. 2016). For pathogenicity testing, the fungus was grown on PDA and incubated at 28°C for 5 days.
- Then mycelial plugs (5 mm diam.) were inoculated on the scalpel incision square wounds of surface-disinfected corms and mock-inoculated corms received only PDA plugs. Corms were placed in sterile plastic bottles and observed after culturing at 28°C for 21 days. Each treatment had three replicates and the experiment was repeated twice.
- The results showed that corms inoculated with P. citreosulfuratum developed diseased with similar symptoms as in the field. No disease symptoms were observed on control corms. Re-isolations were performed from inoculated corms, and all re-isolated fungi were confirmed as P. citreosulfuratum, verifying the fungus as the pathogen based on Koch’s postulates.
- To our knowledge, this is the first report of the pathogen causing black spot disease of saffron. Although the disease is not fatal to saffron, to a certain extent it will cause a reduction in the production of the crop. In addition, Empty Bottles Plastic this pathogen has not been reported to be pathogentic to other plant species.
First Report of Spot Blotch Caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana on Winter Rye in Kentucky.

The Kentucky distilling industry ranks as one of the state’s largest industries and continues to expand. In 2017, the Kentucky distilling industry was responsible for approximately $235 million in state and local tax revenues (Coomes and Kornstein, 2019). Rye (Secale cereale L.) grains are a vital component for production of some distilled spirits.
- Although winter rye is produced on relatively few hectares in Kentucky currently, a recent initiative has supported expanding production to help meet the growing demand of local distilleries.
- University of Kentucky winter rye research field trials were visited in Caldwell and Logan Counties, KY in May 2018, and in Fayette County, KY in May 2019. Leaves were collected that had dark brown, oval to irregular-shaped lesions with definite margins and yellow halos. Symptoms were present on approximately 50% to 80% of the flag leaves, with severity ranging from 5% to 30% of the flag leaf area affected.
- Leaves were surface-disinfested by soaking in a 2% NaOCl solution for 1 min and rinsed twice in sterilized water and then placed in a humidity chamber (plastic bag with moist paper towels) at room temperature (approximately 24°C) to induce fungal sporulation.
- Seventeen single-spore isolates were obtained and stored at -80°C in 15% glycerol solution. Isolates were grown on potato dextrose agar under 12 h cycles of white light/darkness for 5 days. Colonies were gray to black. Conidia that formed were mostly straight or slightly curved, dark olivaceous brown, 3-7 septate, and 41.0-90.4 × 15.2-29.3 µm.
- Based on the symptoms observed on the collected leaves and these morphological characteristics similar to those described by Chang and Hwang (2000) and Manamgoda et al. (2014), the fungus was tentatively identified as Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sorokin) Shoemaker. The sequence of internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were used to identify three isolates (18Bs004, 18Bs111 and 19Bs064) using primer ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990) and GPD1/GPD2 (Berbee et al. 1999), respectively.
- The sequences were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers MT457817, MT457818 and MZ066635 for ITS sequences and MZ073644 to MZ073646 for GAPDH sequences. BLAST searches with ITS and GAPDH sequences matched 100% identity (344/344 bp and 515/515 bp for ITS and GAPDH sequences, respectively) to B. sorokiniana (GenBank accession No. MT254731 and MH844813, respectively).
- To prove pathogenicity, a conidial suspension (1 × 105 conidia/ml) was used to inoculate 15-day-old cultivar ‘Serafino’ winter rye plants in the greenhouse. Leaves of 8 plants were inoculated with 50 ml of the conidial suspension using a spray bottle. Plants were covered with a transparent plastic bag for 48 h, and symptoms were observed 10 days after inoculation.
- Leaf lesions, similar to those described above, were present on all inoculated plants, but no symptoms were observed on non-inoculated control plants. Bipolaris sorokiniana was reisolated from symptomatic leaves and the identity of the pathogen was confirmed based on the morphology previously described.
- To our knowledge, this is the first report of spot blotch caused by B. sorokiniana on winter rye in Kentucky, but B. sorokiniana has been reported on rye in the neighboring state of Virginia (Roane 2009).
- Kentucky produces approximately 150,000 and 4,000 ha of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and winter barley (Hordeum vulgare) annually, respectively, which are both known hosts of B. sorokiniana (Kumar et al. 2002).
- An isolate of B. sorokiniana from rye was reported by Ghazvini and Tekauz (2007) to be less virulent on barley differential lines.
Further research is needed to better understand spot blotch distribution, susceptibility in winter rye cultivars, and potential yield and quality loss implications in winter rye production and end use. It is unknown how susceptible various winter rye cultivars grown in Kentucky are to spot blotch.
Nanoengineering of eco-friendly silver nanoparticles using five different plant extracts and development of cost-effective phenol nanosensor
The production of environmentally friendly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has aroused the interest of the scientific community due to their wide applications mainly in the field of environmental pollution detection and water quality monitoring. Here, for the first time, five plant leaf extracts were used for the synthesis of AgNPs such as Basil, Geranium, Eucalyptus, Melia, and Ruta by a simple and eco-friendly method.
- Stable AgNPs were obtained by adding a silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution with the leaves extract as reducers, stabilizers and cappers. Only, within ten minutes of reaction, the yellow mixture changed to brown due to the reduction of Ag+ ions to Ag atoms. The optical, structural, and morphology characteristics of synthesized AgNPs were determined using a full technique like UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectrum, XRD, EDX spectroscopy, and the SEM. Thus, Melia azedarach was found to exhibit smaller nanoparticles (AgNPs-M), which would be interesting for electrochemical application.
- So, a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor based on AgNPs-M modified GCE for phenol determination in water samples was developed, indicating that the AgNPs-M displayed good electrocatalytic activity. The developed sensor showed good sensing performances: a high sensitivity, a low LOD of 0.42 µM and good stability with a lifetime of about one month, as well as a good selectivity towards BPA and CC (with a deviation less than 10%) especially for nanoplastics analysis in the water contained in plastics bottles.
Disposable Meat Sample Plastic tubes with caps (5 ml) (1000/pk) |
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MST5-1000 | Alpha Diagnostics | 1 pk |
LCP EZ-Cut films (50 pieces, with liners) |
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MLCP-EZCTF-50 | MiTeGen | 50 FILMS |
SCREW CAPS WITH "O" RINGS. BROWN |
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SCO-BR | CORNING | 500/pk |
Kinesis DigiTuBEs 50 mL with RackLock (incl. blue caps) |
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CHR1190 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK750 |
Disposable Meat Sample Plastic tubes with caps (5 ml) (250/pk) |
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MST5-250 | Alpha Diagnostics | 1 pk |
Duran Bottles 100Ml Plastic coat |
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F94003 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 |
Plastic bottles 250ml supply/waste |
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WAT4842 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK2 |
Corning 150mL Square Polycarbonate Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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431430 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 |
Corning 250mL Square Polycarbonate Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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431431 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 |
Corning 500mL Square Polycarbonate Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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431432 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 |
Corning 1L Square Polycarbonate Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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431433 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 |
Nalgene Jar 1000 mL transparent PC |
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2116-1000 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK16 |
LV CryoOil 50 ml |
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LVCO-50 | MiTeGen | 50 ml |
Polyethyleneglycol 1000, 50 % w/v, 100 ML |
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M-CSS-242 | MiTeGen | 100 ml |
Costar 125mL Traditional Style Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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8388 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 |
Costar 1L Traditional Style Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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8396 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK12 |
Corning 250mL Easy Grip Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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430281 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 |
Corning 500mL Easy Grip Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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430282 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 |
Corning 1L Easy Grip Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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430518 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 |
Corning 150mL Easy Grip Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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431175 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 |
ERLENMEYER FLASK, 50 ML, PP |
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4985P-50 | CORNING | 6/pk |
ERLENMEYER FLASK, 50 ML, PMP |
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4990P-50 | CORNING | 6/pk |
Bottles Nalgene 500 Ml |
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2107-0016 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK16 |
0.2mL PCR tubes, individual, with flat caps, 1000/pk |
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P3030 | MTC Bio | 1000/pack |
0.2mL PCR tubes, individual, with domed caps, 1000/pk |
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P3040 | MTC Bio | 1000/pack |
1000 ug/mL Dodine in Acetonitirile:Methanol (50:50)Volume: 1mL Ampule |
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S-1807-ACN | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | 1ML |
Caps Nalge |
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712150-1000 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK12 |
White Mob Caps in Plastic Bags |
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SAF9580 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 |
Syringe Injekt 2 pieces volume 2 mL |
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DD921001 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 |
Tubes (empty) pack of 1000 with caps and sealing ring |
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D1031-T20 | Benchmark Scientific | 1 PC |
50 ml Stripette individually paper/plastic wrapped serological pipettes sterile |
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GR238023 | Genorise Scientific | Case of 100 |
Spray bottle with air spray - 50 mL |
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DD670885 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
TruStrip Sample Transfer Strips, 50-ul, 50/Pk (with sample tracking dye) |
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STSD-50-50 | Alpha Diagnostics | 1 Pk |
Bottles Cent Pc 500 Ml |
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3140-0500 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK4 |
Media bottles 500 ml petg |
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Z377058-1CS | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK70 |
Plastic Columns |
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C-50 | ABTBeads | 50/pk |
0.2 ml Individual PCR Tubes with attached Flat Caps |
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GP101 | GenDepot | 1,000 tubes |
0.2 ml Individual PCR Tubes with attached Domed Caps |
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GP102 | GenDepot | 1,000 tubes |
0.5 ml Individual PCR Tubes with attached Flat Caps |
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GP103 | GenDepot | 1,000 tubes |
0.5 ml Individual PCR Tubes with attached Domed Caps |
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GP104 | GenDepot | 1,000 tubes |
BROWN LOOPED SCREW CAPS WITH "O" RINGS. FITS 0.5ML, 1.5ML AND 2.0ML TUBES |
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SCO-LP-BR | CORNING | 500/pk |
Tubes (empty) pack of 50 with caps and sealing ring |
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D1031-T21 | Benchmark Scientific | 1 PC |
Human Calcyphosine (CAPS) ELISA Kit |
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DLR-CAPS-Hu-48T | DL Develop | 48T |
Human Calcyphosine (CAPS) ELISA Kit |
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DLR-CAPS-Hu-96T | DL Develop | 96T |
Human Calcyphosine (CAPS) ELISA Kit |
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RD-CAPS-Hu-48Tests | Reddot Biotech | 48 Tests |
Human Calcyphosine (CAPS) ELISA Kit |
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RD-CAPS-Hu-96Tests | Reddot Biotech | 96 Tests |
Human Calcyphosine (CAPS) ELISA Kit |
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RDR-CAPS-Hu-48Tests | Reddot Biotech | 48 Tests |
Human Calcyphosine (CAPS) ELISA Kit |
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RDR-CAPS-Hu-96Tests | Reddot Biotech | 96 Tests |
Flex 1000 50-1000ul Blue 1000 NS |
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PIP3630 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK1000 |
50 Bulk Beads, Stainless Steel, 5mm, alcohol washed, 1000/pk |
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D1134-50 | Benchmark Scientific | 1 each |
Platform With 30 X 50 Ml Flask Clamps |
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480166 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
Tubes (empty) with caps |
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SLS1426 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK1000 |
Tubes (empty) with caps |
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SLS1428 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK50 |
Bottles Cf 250 Ml Pc +Cap |
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3140-0250 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK4 |
Bottles Amber Hdpe 125 Ml Nn |
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2004-0004 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK12 |
Adapter 250 mL bottles high-cap |
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E5920717006 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
0.2 ml 8-Strip PCR Tube with Individually Attached Caps |
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GP900 | GenDepot | 120 strips |
Plastic XL Columns |
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CXL-50 | ABTBeads | 50/pk |
Plastic XXL Columns |
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CXXL-50 | ABTBeads | 50/pk |
Plastic Columns Frits |
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FC-50 | ABTBeads | 50/pk |
Flystuff (59-194P) Droso-Plugs Cap for Plastic Bottles |
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FLY1094 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK2560 |
PBS Tablets (1000 ml) |
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2129-10 | Biovision | each |
PBS Tablets (1000 ml) |
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2129-100 | Biovision | each |
Antigen Retrieval Solution, Citrate pH 6.0 (50 ml, 100X) |
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ARS6-50 | Alpha Diagnostics | 5 L |
Antigen Retrieval Solution, EDTA pH 8.0 (50 ml, 100X) |
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ARS8-50 | Alpha Diagnostics | 5 L |
Bottles 2L Nalgene with Quick Connect |
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BTLN52 | Next Advance | 2pack |
Pump Sampler Set with Glass Bottles |
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SAM1517 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
ELISA PLATE READER : MICRO READ 1000 |
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1000 | Global Diagnostics B | 1 unit |
Heat Extractor with Plastic Knob |
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IMS006 | ScyTek Laboratories | 1 ea. |
Tube Culture With Svl Plastic |
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B99485 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK40 |
Staining Dish with Cover Plastic |
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X24085 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
Autoseq G-50 1000 Columns |
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27534003 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
Costar 1mL Stripette Serological Pipets Individually Paper/Plastic Wrapped Sterile 50/Bag 1000/Case |
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4485 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK1000 |
1000 mL white conical polypropylene container sterile with assembled lid |
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DD30364 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK80 |
AXYPREP MAG DYECLEAN KIT- 50 ML - 5000 PREPS |
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MAG-DYECL-50 | CORNING | 1/pk |
RESERVOIR, POLYPROPYLENE, 50 ML, V-BOTTOM, NONSTERILE, BULK |
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RES-V-50 | CORNING | 100/pk |
Plastic XL Columns Frits |
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FCXL-50 | ABTBeads | 50/pk |
Plastic XXL Columns Frits |
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FCXXL-50 | ABTBeads | 50/pk |
Bottles N/M Amber 30 Ml Nalgene |
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2004-0001 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK72 |
Bottles Wash W/M Ldpe 500 Ml |
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2402-0500 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK4 |
SCREW CAPS WITH "O" RINGS |
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SCO-R | CORNING | 500/pk |
SCREW CAPS WITH "O" RINGS |
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SCO-W | CORNING | 500/pk |
SCREW CAPS WITH "O" RINGS |
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SCO-Y | CORNING | 500/pk |
Antigen Retrieval Solution, Tris-EDTA pH 9.0 (50 ml, 100X) |
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ARS9-50 | Alpha Diagnostics | 5 L |
AlbuVoid Buffer Kit - 1000 |
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AVBK-1000 | Biotech Support Group | 1000 mL |
HemoVoid Buffer Kit - 1000 |
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HVBK-1000 | Biotech Support Group | 1000 mL |
UPCK Buffer Kit - 1000 |
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UPBK-1000 | Biotech Support Group | 1000 mL |
Costar 1mL Stripette Serological Pipets Paper/Plastic Triple Bagged Style Sterile 50/Bag 1000/Case |
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7041 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK1000 |
Costar 2mL Stripette Serological Paper/Plastic Wrapped Triple Bagged Style Sterile 50/Bag 1000/Case |
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7042 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK1000 |
Disposable Plastic Pestles, Conical, 210mm, 50/Bag |
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MGR113 | Bio Basic | 1PK, 50UNIT |
Disposable Plastic Pestles, Round, 205mm, 50/Bag |
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MGR114 | Bio Basic | 1PK, 50UNIT |
Disposable Plastic Pestles, Conical, 70mm, 50/Bag |
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MGR115 | Bio Basic | 1PK, 50UNIT |
50 ml Reagent Reservoir |
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GR238016 | Genorise Scientific | Pack of 200 |
TALON Superflow 50 ml |
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28957502 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
SOURCE 30S 50 mL |
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17127301 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
SOURCE 30Q 50 mL |
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17127501 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
SOURCE 15S 50 mL |
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17094401 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
SOURCE 15Q 50 mL |
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17094701 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
Reagent reservoir 50 mL |
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DD53482 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 |
TALON SUPERFLOW 50 ML |
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GE28-9575-02 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH |
The obtained results are repeatable and reproducible with RSDs of 5.49% and 3.18% respectively. Besides, our developed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of phenol in tap and mineral water samples. The proposed new approach is highly recommended to develop a simple, cost effective, ecofriendly, and highly sensitive sensor for the electrochemical detection of phenol which can further broaden the applications of green silver NPs.