Feasibility of Enzymatic Protein Extraction from a Dehydrated Fish Biomass Obtained from Unsorted Canned Yellowfin Tuna Side Streams: Part II.

The enzymatic extraction of proteins from fish biomasses is being widely investigated. However, little or almost no research has paid attention to the exploitation of unsorted fishery biomasses. This work is part of a larger study, Part I of which has already been published, and focuses on an extensive characterization of two collagenous samples, namely gelatin (G) and hydrolyzed gelatin peptides (HGPs), extracted from a dehydrated fish biomass coming from unsorted canned yellowfin tuna side streams. The results indicate crude protein fractions of 90-93%, pH values between 3 and 5, white-yellow colors, collagen-like FTIR spectra, and 17% in terms of total amino acid content. Viscosity and the study of dynamic viscous-elastic behavior were analyzed. Thermo-gravimetric analysis was performed to assess the residual ashes. Both samples were investigated to determine their molecular weight distribution via size-exclusion chromatography, with a higher total average molecular weight for G compared to HGPs, with values of 17,265.5 Da and 2637.5 Da, respectively. G demonstrated technological properties similar to analogous marine gelatins. HGPs demonstrated antioxidant activity as per FRAP assay. All the results open up new perspectives for the potential use of these substances in biodegradable packaging, dietary supplements, and skin care cosmetics.

Feasibility of Enzymatic Protein Extraction from a Dehydrated Fish Biomass Obtained from Unsorted Canned Yellowfin Tuna Side Streams: Part I.

This study presents for the first time a scalable process for the extraction of valuable proteins starting from samples of unsorted mixed tuna scraps which were previously dehydrated by an industrial patented process. The aims of this work were both to avoid the onerous sorting step of tuna leftovers, which generally consists of isolating skin and bones for collagen/gelatin extraction, and to improve the logistic of managing highly perishable biomass thanks to the reduction in its volume and to its microbiological stabilization. In view of a zero-waste economy, all the protein fractions (namely, non-collagenous proteins NCs and ALKs, gelatin, and hydrolyzed gelatin peptides, HGPs) isolated in the proposed single cascade flowchart were stabilized and preliminarily characterized. The extraction flowchart proposed allows one to obtain the following most promising compounds: 1.7 g of gelatin, 3.2 g of HGPs, and 14.6 g of NCs per 100 g of dehydrated starting material. A focus on oven-dried gelatin was reported in terms of proximate analysis, amino acid composition, color parameters, FT-IR spectrum, pH, and viscoelastic properties (5 mPa·s of viscosity and 14.3 °C of gelling temperature). All the obtained extracts are intended to be exploited in food supplements, feed, fertilizers/plant bio-stimulants, packaging, and the cosmetic industry.

Análise dos indicadores de qualidade em uma unidade de terapia intensiva adulto: um estudo descritivo / Analysis of quality indicators in an adult intensive care unit: a descriptive study

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados obtidos pelos indicadores de qualidade em assistência à saúde monitorados em uma unidade de terapia intensiva adulto. MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo com análise retrospectiva dos relatórios de indicadores de uma unidade de terapia intensiva adulto. RESULTADOS: Dos 33 indicadores, nove referem-se ao funcionamento global do setor, destacando-se a baixa taxa de reinternação em 24 horas (0,8%); 14 referem-se aos dispositivos invasivos, com predomínio da utilização de cateteres vesicais de demora (63,2%), venosos periféricos (59,8%) e nasogástricos/nasoentéricos (50,0%); seis referem-se a incidentes não infecciosos, destacando-se a incidência de lesão por pressão (5,2%), obstrução (2,7%) e remoção de cateter nasogástrico/nasoentérico (2,3%); e quatro abordam os incidentes infecciosos, com destaque para a densidade de incidência de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (37,8 por 1000 pacientes-dia). CONCLUSÃO: Foram observados aspectos positivos, como o predomínio de altas hospitalares e baixa taxa de reinternação, e aspectos negativos, como a ocorrência de incidentes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of quality indicators in healthcare assistance monitored in an adult intensive care unit. METHOD: A descriptive study with a retrospective analysis of the indicator reports from an adult intensive care unit. RESULTS: Of the 33 indicators, nine are related to the overall functioning of the unit, with a low readmission rate within 24 hours (0.8%). Fourteen indicators are related to invasive devices, with a predominance of use for indwelling urinary catheters (63.2%), peripheral venous catheters (59.8%), and nasogastric/nasoenteric tubes (50.0%). Six indicators pertain to non-infectious incidents, highlighting pressure ulcer incidence (5.2%), obstruction (2.7%), and removal of nasogastric/nasoenteric tubes (2.3%). Additionally, four indicators address infectious incidents, with a significant incidence density of ventilator-associated pneumonia (37.8 per 1000 patient days). CONCLUSION: Positive aspects were observed, such as a predominance of hospital discharges and low readmission rates, while negative aspects included incidents.

Análise dos indicadores de qualidade em uma unidade de terapia intensiva adulto: um estudo descritivo / Analysis of quality indicators in an adult intensive care unit: a descriptive study

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados obtidos pelos indicadores de qualidade em assistência à saúde monitorados em uma unidade de terapia intensiva adulto. MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo com análise retrospectiva dos relatórios de indicadores de uma unidade de terapia intensiva adulto. RESULTADOS: Dos 33 indicadores, nove referem-se ao funcionamento global do setor, destacando-se a baixa taxa de reinternação em 24 horas (0,8%); 14 referem-se aos dispositivos invasivos, com predomínio da utilização de cateteres vesicais de demora (63,2%), venosos periféricos (59,8%) e nasogástricos/nasoentéricos (50,0%); seis referem-se a incidentes não infecciosos, destacando-se a incidência de lesão por pressão (5,2%), obstrução (2,7%) e remoção de cateter nasogástrico/nasoentérico (2,3%); e quatro abordam os incidentes infecciosos, com destaque para a densidade de incidência de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (37,8 por 1000 pacientes-dia). CONCLUSÃO: Foram observados aspectos positivos, como o predomínio de altas hospitalares e baixa taxa de reinternação, e aspectos negativos, como a ocorrência de incidentes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of quality indicators in healthcare assistance monitored in an adult intensive care unit. METHOD: A descriptive study with a retrospective analysis of the indicator reports from an adult intensive care unit. RESULTS: Of the 33 indicators, nine are related to the overall functioning of the unit, with a low readmission rate within 24 hours (0.8%). Fourteen indicators are related to invasive devices, with a predominance of use for indwelling urinary catheters (63.2%), peripheral venous catheters (59.8%), and nasogastric/nasoenteric tubes (50.0%). Six indicators pertain to non-infectious incidents, highlighting pressure ulcer incidence (5.2%), obstruction (2.7%), and removal of nasogastric/nasoenteric tubes (2.3%). Additionally, four indicators address infectious incidents, with a significant incidence density of ventilator-associated pneumonia (37.8 per 1000 patient days). CONCLUSION: Positive aspects were observed, such as a predominance of hospital discharges and low readmission rates, while negative aspects included incidents.

Análise dos óbitos entre pacientes críticos: comparação da mortalidade estimada pelo saps-3 e mortalidade observada / Análisis de las muertes entre pacientes críticos: comparación de la mortalidad estimada por el saps-3 y mortalidad observada / Analysis of deaths among critical patients: comparison of estimated mortality by saps-3 and observed mortality

Objetivo:comparar a mortalidade estimada pelo SAPS-3 com a mortalidade observada entre os pacientes críticos admitidos em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e identificar os fatores associados ao óbito. Métodos: estudo longitudinal realizado com dados secundários de 400 pacientes críticos. Realizou-se a comparação damortalidade estimada e observada, e os fatores associados ao óbito. Resultados:houve predomínio de pacientes idosos (média de 65,5 anos)do sexo masculino (50,5%), com internação financiada peloSistema Único de Saúde (78,0%).Os pacientes que apresentaram maior pontuação no escore de gravidade e maior mortalidade estimada foram os que evoluíram a óbito (p<0,001). O óbito esteve associado às internações por doenças infecciosas e parasitárias (p<0,001), enquanto a maior parte dos pacientes internados por causas externas receberam alta (p<0,001). Conclusão:os pacientes com maior gravidade pelo SAPS-3 foram os que evoluíram a óbito, predominando o desfecho negativo entre os internados por doenças infecciosas e parasitárias.

Objective:to compare the mortality estimated by the SAPS-3 with the observed mortality among critically ill patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit and to identify the factors associated with death. Methods:longitudinal study carried out with secondary data from 400 critically ill patients. Estimated and observed mortality and the factors associated with death were compared. Results:there was a predominance of elderly patients (mean age 65.5 years) male (50.5%), with hospitalization financed by the Unified Health System (78.0%). The patients with the highest severity score and the highest estimated mortality were those who died (p<0.001). Death was associated with hospitalizations for infectious and parasitic diseases (p<0.001), while most patients hospitalizedfor external causes were discharged (p<0.001). Conclusion:the patients with the highest severity by SAPS-3 were those who died, with a predominant negative outcome among those hospitalized for infectious and parasitic diseases

Objetivo:comparar la mortalidad estimada por el SAPS-3 con la mortalidad observada en pacientes críticos ingresados en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos e identificar los factores asociados a la muerte. Métodos:estudio longitudinal realizado con datos secundarios de 400 pacientes críticos. Se comparó la mortalidad estimada y observada y los factores asociados a la muerte. Resultados:hubo predominio de pacientes adultos mayores (edad media 65,5 años) del sexo masculino (50,5%), con hospitalización financiada porel Sistema Único de Salud (78,0%). Los pacientes con mayor puntuación de gravedad y mayor mortalidad estimada fueron los que fallecieron (p<0,001). La muerte se asoció con las hospitalizaciones por enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias (p<0,001), mientras que la mayoría de los pacientes hospitalizados por causas externas fueron dados de alta (p<0,001). Conclusión:los pacientes con mayor gravedad por SAPS-3 fueron los que fallecieron, con desenlace negativo predominante entre los hospitalizados por enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias.

Habitat percolation transition undermines sustainability in social-ecological agricultural systems.

Steady increases in human population size and resource consumption are driving rampant agricultural expansion and intensification. Habitat loss caused by agriculture puts the integrity of ecosystems at risk and threatens the persistence of human societies that rely on ecosystem services. We develop a spatially explicit model describing the coupled dynamics of an agricultural landscape and human population size to assess the effect of different land-use management strategies, defined by agricultural clustering and intensification, on the sustainability of the social-ecological system. We show how agricultural expansion can cause natural habitats to undergo a percolation transition leading to abrupt habitat fragmentation that feedbacks on human's decision making, aggravating landscape degradation. We found that agricultural intensification to spare land from conversion is a successful strategy only in highly natural landscapes, and that clustering agricultural land is the most effective measure to preserve large connected natural fragments, prevent severe fragmentation and thus, enhance sustainability.

Agricultural land use and the sustainability of social-ecological systems.

Agricultural land expansion and intensification, driven by human consumption of agricultural goods, are among the major threats to environmental degradation and biodiversity conservation. Land degradation can ultimately hamper agricultural production through a decrease in ecosystem services. Thus, designing viable land use policies is a key sustainability challenge. We develop a model describing the coupled dynamics of human demography and landscape composition, while imposing a trade-off between agricultural expansion and in-tensification. We model land use strategies spanning from low-intensity agriculture and high land conversion rates per person to high-intensity agriculture and low land conversion rates per person; and explore their consequences on the long-term dynamics of the coupled human-land system. We seek to characterise the strategies' viability in the long run; and understand the mechanisms that potentially lead to large-scale land degradation and population collapse due to resource scarcity. We show that the viability of land use strategies strongly depends on the land's intrinsic recovery rate. We also find that socio-ecological collapses occur when agricultural intensification is not accompanied by a sufficient decrease in land conversion. Based on these findings we stress the dangers of uninformed land use planning and the importance of precautionary behaviour for land use management and land use policy design.

Inhibitory Effects of Euphorbia tirucalli Lineu (Euphorbiaceae) Diluted Latex on Human and Canine Melanoma Cells.

Euphorbia tirucalli Lineu (Euphorbiaceae) is a tropical and subtropical ornamental and toxic plant. E. tirucalli produces a latex that is commonly used to treat neoplasms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of diluted E. tirucalli latex (DETL) on human (SK-MEL-28) and canine (CBMY) melanoma cells. SK-MEL-28 (3 × 103 cells/well) and CBMY (6 × 103 cells/well) were cultivated in 96-well plates. The cells were treated with 50 µl/well of dilutions (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128, 1/256, and 1/512) of a standard solution containing 1 mg/mL of the E. tirucalli latex (ETL) in DMEM. Control group cells received 50 µl/well of DMEM. After 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment, cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay. There was a significant decrease in viability at 48 and 72 hours after treatment for human melanoma cells and at 24, 48, and 72 hours for canine cells, mainly in higher dilutions of ETL. Human melanoma cells presented a typical U shape curve, characteristic of hormesis. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing inhibitory effects of DETL on canine melanoma cells. Therefore, DETL is a potentially new antineoplastic drug.

Revisão da Literatura Sobre Homofobia: Escolhas, Argumentos e Exercício Reflexivo em Pesquisa / Literature Review on Homophobia: Choices, Arguments and Reflexive Exercise in Research / Revisión de la Literatura Sobre Homofobia: Elecciones, Argumentos y Ejercicio Reflexivo en Investigación

Este artigo objetivou analisar o processo que orientou as escolhas e procedimentos de uma revisão extensiva da literatura científica sobre o tema da violência motivada por preconceito e discriminação baseada na orientação sexual e/ou identidade de gênero. Priorizaram-se artigos acadêmicos publicados em duas bases de dados, disponíveis online: SciELO e BVS-PSI. Foram analisados 98 trabalhos. Foi observado que, apesar de toda a controvérsia que envolve o termo homofobia, este foi o descritor mais eficaz. A maior parte dos trabalhos foi publicada no eixo Sul do Brasil, todavia, muitos deles foram produzidos nas regiões Norte e Nordeste. Os trabalhos concentram-se nas ciências humanas e sociais, bem como na psicologia social, sendo ainda parca a discussão sobre esse tema na psicologia clínica. Porém, no âmbito em que as psicologias dialogam com outros campos do saber, numa perspectiva multidisciplinar ou ainda da psicologia social, o tema tem alcançado espaço. A disseminação desse debate no âmbito dessa disciplina se justifica também quando observamos certas práticas que tomam o saber-poder da psicologia, e consequentemente a prática de psicólogas e psicólogos, como ferramentas em disputas políticas no campo dos direitos sexuais nos últimos anos....(AU)

This article aimed to analyze the process involving the choices and procedures of an extensive review of the scientific literature about the violence based on gender identity and sexual orientation. This research was made using two databases: SciELO and BVS-PSI, which 98 papers were analyzed. It was observed that although the whole controversy surrounding the homophobia term, this was the most effective descriptor. The majority of the studies were published in the South of Brazil, however, many of these were produced in the North and Northeast. These papers were concentrated in the humanities and social sciences, as well as in social Psychology, but there is a lack of this discussion in Clinical Psychology. However, in the context where the psychologies dialogue with other fields of knowledge, in a multidisciplinary perspective, or even of Social Psychology, this theme has reached space. The dissemination of this debate within the scope of this discipline is also justified when we observe certain practices that take the knowledge-power of Psychology, and consequently, the practice of psychologists, as a tool in political disputes in the field of sexual rights in recent years....(AU)

Este artículo busca analizar el proceso que orientó la selección y los procedimientos de una revisión extensa de la literatura científica sobre el tema de la violencia motivada por discriminaciones, entre las cuales aquellas basadas en la orientación sexual e/o identidad de género. Se eligieron a artículos académicos publicados en dos bases de datos disponibles en línea: SciELO y BVS-PSI. Se analizaron 98 trabajos. Se observó que, a pesar de la controversia en torno al término "homofobia", este fue el descriptor más eficaz. La mayor parte de los trabajos fueron publicados en la región Sur de Brasil, aunque muchos de estos fueron producidos en las regiones Norte y Nordeste. Los trabajos se concentran en las áreas de ciencias humanas y sociales, con escasa discusión del tema en la psicología clínica. Sin embargo, en los ámbitos donde las psicologías dialogan con otras áreas del saber, bajo una perspectiva multidisciplinaria, o aún en el de la Psicología Social, el tema ha sido discutido. La diseminación de ese debate en el ámbito de esta disciplina se justifica también cuando observamos ciertas prácticas que usan el saber-poder de la psicología y, consecuentemente, la práctica de psicólogas y psicólogos como herramientas en disputas políticas en el campo de los derechos sexuales en los últimos años....(AU) u

Repertórios linguísticos na literatura científica brasileira sobre "homofobia" / Linguistic repertories in the Brazilian scientific literature about "homophobia" / Repertorios lingüísticos en la literatura científica brasileña sobre "homofobia"

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar criticamente a produção científica brasileira sobre homofobia, termo utilizado recentemente para nomear a violência fundamentada no preconceito e na discriminação em relação à orientação sexual e/ou identidade de gênero. Para este exercício, tomamos como operador analítico o conceito de repertórios linguísticos, situado nas produções teórico-metodológicos construcionistas em Psicologia social. A análise explora os resultados da pesquisa em dois eixos analíticos centrais: 1) os territórios, contextos e microlugares em que emergem; e 2) as estratégias de enfrentamento, sejam as governamentais ou aquelas empregadas na vida cotidiana pelos sujeitos vítimas dessa violência.

The aim of this study was to perform a critical analysis of the Brazilian scientific studies on homophobia, a term widely used to describe the violence based on prejudice and discrimination related to the sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The theoretical-methodological approach used was the constructionism in social psychology, taking the linguistic repertoires concept as analytical operator. The evaluation explores the results of the research in two analytical axes which were illustrated by different linguistic repertoires: 1) the territories, contexts and micro-places in which the violence emerges; 2) the governmental coping strategies or the strategies used in daily life by the victims of this violence.

Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar críticamente la producción científica brasileña sobre la homofobia, término utilizado recientemente para nombrar la violencia fundamentada en el prejuicio y la discriminación en relación a la orientación sexual y/o la identidad de género. Para este ejercicio, tomamos como operador analítico el concepto de repertorios lingüísticos, situado en las producciones teórico-metodológicas construccionistas en Psicología social. El análisis explora los resultados de la investigación en dos ejes analíticos principales: 1) los territorios, contextos y micro-lugares en los que emergen y; 2) las estrategias de enfrentamiento sean gubernamentales o aquellas empleadas en la vida cotidiana por las personas víctimas de esa violencia.

Inhibitory effects of Euphorbia tirucalli latex on murine B16/F10 melanoma cells and lung metastasis.

Euphorbia tirucalli (E. tirucalli) is a tropical and subtropical plant that produces a latex which is used for several purposes. The components of E. tirucalli latex include triterpenes, diterpenes and steroids. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of diluted E. tirucalli latex on murine B16/F10 melanoma cells and lung metastasis. For this purpose, an in vitro study was first performed, in which B16/F10 cells were treated with diluted (1/2 to 1/11,192) E. tirucalli latex. In a second study, B16/F10 melanoma cells were inoculated into the tail vein of mice to generate lung metastases; the mice then received 0.467 µg of latex diluted in 200 ml saline by gavage for 14 days. A significant decrease in B16/F10 cell viability was observed using the MTT assay at 24 and 48 h after treatment with E. tirucalli latex. In addition, a significant decrease in the volume fraction occupied by B16/F10 metastatic colonies in the lungs was observed in mice treated with E. tirucalli latex. These results confirm the antineoplastic effects of diluted E. tirucalli latex.

Hepatic artery stenosis after liver transplant: Donation after cardiac death donor vs donation after brain death donor grafts.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) after liver transplant (LT) is a source of significant morbidity. Some reports have suggested higher arterial complications in patients who receive donation after cardiac death (DCD) livers. METHODS: A total of 2860 consecutive LT were reviewed from a prospectively collected database. All angiograms performed in LT recipients were reviewed and primary patency rates determined by need for further intervention or graft loss due to HAT. RESULTS: Hepatic artery stenosis was seen in 4.6% of DCD and donation after brain death (DBD) recipients. Recipient male gender, age at transplant, complex donor hepatic artery anatomy, and prolonged operative time were all associated with HAS, but not DCD status. While HAS in recipients of DCD grafts required more stents (1.7% vs 0.6%, P = 0.04) and had worse primary patency rates (logrank, P = 0.02), outcomes as defined by HAT, patient and graft survival were not significantly different between the recipients of DCD or DBD grafts. CONCLUSION: We observed no significant difference in the incidence of hepatic artery complications, patient survival, or graft survival in recipients of DCD or DBD grafts. However, HAS in DCD recipients had worse primary patency and a higher need for stent placement.

Activated carbon prepared from yerba mate used as a novel adsorbent for removal of tannery dye from aqueous solution.

Activated carbon prepared from yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) was used as adsorbent for the removal of tannery dye from aqueous solution. The activated carbon was characterized, and it showed a mesoporous texture, with surface area of 537.4 m2 g(-1). The initial dye concentration, contact time and pH influenced the adsorption capacity. The equilibrium data were in good agreement with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption kinetics of the tannery dye on activated carbon prepared from yerba mate followed a pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption process was found to be controlled by both external mass-transfer and intraparticle diffusion, but the external diffusion was the dominating process. This work highlights the potential application of activated carbon produced from yerba mate in the field of adsorption.

CuO/ZnO coupled oxide films obtained by the electrodeposition technique and their photocatalytic activity in phenol degradation under solar irradiation.

CuO/ZnO coupled oxide films were electrodeposited onto an aluminum substrate and tested as photocatalysts in degradation of phenol molecules in aqueous solution under sunlight. The obtained films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of films was significant, especially to coupled oxide film with a CuO/ZnO ratio equal to 0.697, which presented about 70% degradation of the aromatic molecules and 42% of total organic carbon (TOC) removal at 300 min under solar irradiation. Therefore, this work highlights the potential application of CuO/ZnO coupled oxide films obtained by electrodeposition onto aluminum substrate in the field of photocatalysis.

Use of papaya seeds as a biosorbent of methylene blue from aqueous solution.

In this study papaya seeds were used to remove methylene blue dye from aqueous solution. Papaya seeds were characterized as possessing a macro/mesoporous texture and large pore size. Studies were carried out in batches to evaluate the effect of contact time and pH (2-12) on the removal of dye. It was observed that the adsorption of dye was better in the basic region (pH 12). The equilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Raduschkevich, Tempkin, Jovanovich, Redlich-Peterson, Sips, Toth and Radke-Prausnitz isotherms. The equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity of 637.29 mg g(-1). Adsorption kinetic data were fitted using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption kinetic is very fast and was best described by the pseudo-second-order model.

Adsorption of leather dye onto activated carbon prepared from bottle gourd: equilibrium, kinetic and mechanism studies.

Activated carbon prepared from bottle gourd has been used as adsorbent for removal of leather dye (Direct Black 38) from aqueous solution. The activated carbon obtained showed a mesoporous texture, with surface area of 556.16 m(2) g(-1), and a surface free of organic functional groups. The initial dye concentration, contact time and pH significantly influenced the adsorption capacity. In the acid region (pH 2.5) the adsorption of dye was more favorable. The adsorption equilibrium was attained after 60 min. Equilibrium data were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Temkin isotherm models. The equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm, with maximum adsorption capacity of 94.9 mg g(-1). Adsorption kinetic data were fitted using the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models. The adsorption kinetic was best described by the second-order kinetic equation. The adsorption process was controlled by both external mass transfer and intraparticle diffusion. Activated carbon prepared from bottle gourd was shown to be a promising material for adsorption of Direct Black 38 from aqueous solution.