Transfer of some selected radionuclides (Cs, Sr, Mn, Co, Zn and Ce) from soil to root vegetables

Transfer of radionuclides from soil to root vegetables (radish, carrot and turnip) has been studied by radiotracer experiments using Andosol, a typical soil type in Japan. The averages of the transfer factors of¹³⁷Cs,⁸⁵Sr,⁶⁰Co,⁵⁴Mn and⁶⁵Zn for edible parts of the three vegetables were 0.02, 0.14, 0.004, 0.09 and 0.13, respectively. The transfer factor of¹⁴¹Ce for the edible part of carrot was 0.0002. The transfer factors obtained for the edible part of root vegetables were markedly lower than those for leaf vegetables.     

Enhancing Bioactive Saponin Content of Raphanus sativus Extract by Thermal Processing at Various Conditions

Pickled radish (Raphanus sativus) is a traditional Asian ingredient, but the traditional method takes decades to make this product. To optimize such a process, this study compared the saponin content of pickled radishes with different thermal processing and traditional processes (production time of 7 days, 10 years, and 20 years) and evaluated the effects of different thermal processes on the formation of radish saponin through kinetics study and mass spectrometry. The results showed that increasing the pickling time enhanced the formation of saponin in commercial pickled radishes (25 °C, 7 days, 6.50 ± 1.46 mg g⁻¹; 3650 days, 23.11 ± 1.22 mg g⁻¹), but these increases were lower than those induced by thermal processing (70 °C 30 days 24.24 ± 1.01 mg g⁻¹). However, it was found that the pickling time of more than 10 years and the processing temperature of more than 80 °C reduce the saponin content. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis showed that the major saponin in untreated radish was Tupistroside G, whereas treated samples contained Asparagoside A and Timosaponin A1. Moreover, this study elucidated the chemical structure of saponins in TPR. The findings indicated that thermal treatment could induce functional saponin conversion in plants, and such a mechanism can also be used to improve the health efficacy of plant-based crops.     

Contamination of wheat, rye, and potatoes by foliar application of134Cs

The aim of the study reported in this paper was to derive factors describing the translocation of radiocesium from the green plant parts to the crop. Wheat, rye and potatoes were contaminated and harvested at different growth stages to allow the assessment of the contamination of the crop with known date of the radioactive deposition. At harvest, the cesium concentrations in the crop, the green plant parts (i.e., straw without ears) and the roots were measured. The results show that the contamination of the crop depends strongly on the date of¹³⁴Cs application and on the type of plants. The highest translocation was observed when cesium was applied during flowering.     

Translocation and depuration of137Cs in tea plants

Translocation and percent distribution of¹³⁷Cs in different parts of the tea plant have been investigated from the foliar aborption and root uptake in Chemobyl contaiminated soil during 1987–1994. The results showed that the transfer of the radionuclide from soil to the plant occurred only in the roots during this long period. On the other hand, the present data confirmed that the new leaves of the plant directly accumulated¹³⁷Cs from the stem in growing seasons after translocation into the stem from leaves during the Chemobyl accident. The natural depuration rate of¹³⁷Cs in the stem part of tea plant is estimated as on effective half-life 1750 days.     

Sorption of cesium from water solutions on potassium nickel hexacyanoferrate-modified <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agaricus bisporus</Emphasis> mushroom biomass

In order to gain biosorbent that would have the ability to bind cesium ions from water solution effectively, potassium nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) (KNiFC) was incorporated into the mushroom biomass of Agaricus bisporus. Cesium sorption by KNIFC-modified A. bisporus biosorbent was observed in batch system, using radiotracer technique using ¹³⁷Cs radioisotope. Kinetic study showed that the cesium sorption was quite rapid and sorption equilibrium was attained within 1 h. Sorption kinetics of cesium was well described by pseudo-second order kinetics. Sorption equilibrium was the best described by Freundlich isotherm and the distribution coefficient was at interval 7,662–159 cm³ g⁻¹. Cesium sorption depended on initial pH of solution. Cesium sorption was very low at pH₀ 1.0–3.0. At initial pH 11.0, maximum sorption of cesium was found. Negative effect of monovalent (K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺) and divalent (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) cations on cesium sorption was observed. Desorption experiments showed that 0.1 M potassium chloride is the most suitable desorption agent but the complete desorption of cesium ions from KNiFC-modifed biosorbent was not achieved.     

Comparison of willow and sunflower for uranium phytoextraction induced by citric acid

This study deals with an efficiency of a low dose of citric acid soil application on phytoextraction of uranium. Willow (Salix spp.) and sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) were tested in this experiment with contaminated soil. The enhancing of uranium bioaccumulation was confirmed, but in contrast to previous studies, the highest quantity of uranium was accumulated in leaves. After 5 weeks of citric acid treatment, willow was more efficient in the uptake and translocation of uranium than sunflower. The transfer coefficient calculated for leaves increased from 0.033 (control) to 0.74, or 0.56 after five doses of 5 mmol of citric acid per 1 kg of soil for willow or sunflower, respectively. The uptake characterized by the total U content achieved 88 and 108 mg kg⁻¹ in relation to the above ground parts of sunflower and willow, respectively. Even though both plants accumulated U in their above ground parts in significant rate, they employed diverse ways to achieve it. At the end of the treatment, the physiological condition of the plants enabled us to continue this method.     

Determination of trace elements in a medicinal plant by neutron activation analysis

The concentration of inorganic elements in medicinal plants may be related to the concentration of active constituents. Instrumental neutron activation analysis has been employed to determine the elements antimony, cesium, chlorine, cobalt, iron, manganese, nickel, potassium, rubidium, selenium, sodium and zinc in different parts of Helleborus cyclophyllus BOISS. and in the soil in which the plant was grown. It has been found that antimony has a selective accumulation in the rhizome of this plant where the active constituents are located, as well as chlorine in petioles and leaves.     

Ion exchange separation of different oxidation states of sulphur formed by35Cl(n,p)35S reaction in alkali halides

Cesium and potassium were determined in muscle-tissues of squid, dover sole, albacore, and bocaccio by NAA. Potassium was measured instrumentally, while cesium was radio-chemically separated. For the separation of cesium, hydrated antimony pentoxide (HAP) was used to retain²⁴Na, and ammonium molybdophosphate (AMP) was used to absorb quantitatively the radiocesium,^134mCs. The cesium and potassium contents were based on measuring the short-lived radionuclide of cesium, 2.90 h-^134mCs, and 12.4 h-⁴²K. The mean concentrations of cesium found, based on 3–4 replicate measurements for each fish, were: 4.18±0.32 ng/g squid, 11.51±0.30 ng/g dover sole, 43.64±1.03 ng/g albacore, and 56.85±3.61 ng/g bocaccio. The mean concentrations of potassium found were: 1.28±0.10 mg/g squid, 2.78±0.29 mg/g dover sole, 3.69±0.06 mg/g albacore, and 4.18±0.10 mg/g bocaccio.     

Evaluation of some new 14- and 15-crown-formazans as carriers in cesium ion selective electrodes

A number of new crown-formazans with 14 and 15 membered rings have been investigated as selective neutral carriers in cesium ion selective electrodes. Two plasticizers (NPOE and NPBnE) were studied. The new 14-crown-formazan 4a containing the 4-pyridyl N-oxide at the formazyl carbon exhibited the highest selectivity in cesium ion selective electrodes, especially towards the two low selectivity monovalent ions K⁺ and NH4⁺. Also, membranes containing the plasticizer NPBnE showed better cesium selectivity relative to most ions than those containing NPOE. Membranes containing 4a and variable compositions of plasticizers, potassium tetrakis-(p-chlorophenyl)borate (KTpClPB), and trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) were studied in order to prepare an electrode with the optimum cesium selectivity. The highest selectivity for cesium was achieved with the two electrodes designated d and e with membranes containing the ionophore 4a, NPBnE and KTpClPB with and without TOPO. Selectivities are reported relative to sodium, potassium, barium, calcium, ammonium, lithium, cobalt, and magnesium.     

Uptake,Translocation, and Bioaccumulation of Elements in Forest Nettle (Laportea alatipes)

Elements found in the edible parts of plants are considered to be the main source of nutrients for humans and animals. However, there is insufficient information on the relationship between heavy metal pollution in the growing soil of most edible plants. In this study, the distribution of elements in the edible forest nettle (Laportea alatipes) was evaluated as a function of geographical location. Forest land soils had higher concentrations of minor elements (Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn) compared to soils from rural and suburban areas. Translocation factors for Cd and Pb showed effective translocation from the roots to the leaves; however, these heavy metals in leaves were still above South African maximum permissible levels for vegetables. Atmospheric depositions may play a significant role in higher Cd and Pb concentrations in the leaves. Bioaccumulation factors showed the plant to accumulate Cu, Mn, and Zn to meet physiological requirement levels. Geoaccumulation indices and enrichment factors showed no soil contamination or minimal enrichment by trace metals. Principal component analysis showed Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soil to originate from a common source which may be soil silicates and other minerals.     

Quality and Metabolomics Analysis of Houttuynia cordata Based on HS-SPME/GC-MS

Houttuynia cordata is a medicinal and edible plant with a wide biological interest. Many parts were discarded due to various modes of consumption, resulting in resource waste. In this study, a comprehensive study was conducted on various edible indicators and medicinal components of Houttuynia cordata to understand its edible and medicinal value. The edible indexes of each root, stem, and leaf were determined, and the metabolites of different parts were investigated using the headspace solid-phase micro-extraction technique (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The differential metabolites were screened by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and clustering analysis. The results of the study showed that the parts of Houttuynia cordata with high edibility values as a vegetable were mainly the roots and leaves, with the highest vitamin C content in the roots and the highest total flavonoids, soluble sugars, and total protein in the leaves. The nutrient content of all the stems of Houttuynia cordata was lower and significantly different from the roots and leaves (p < 0.05). In addition, 209 metabolites were isolated from Houttuynia cordata, 135 in the roots, 146 in the stems, 158 in the leaves, and 91 shared metabolites. The clustering analysis and OPLS-DA found that the parts of Houttuynia cordata can be mainly divided into above-ground parts (leaves and stems) and underground parts (roots). When comparing the differential metabolites between the above-ground parts and underground parts, it was found that the most important medicinal component of Houttuynia cordata, 2-undecanone, was mainly concentrated in the underground parts. The cluster analysis resulted in 28 metabolites with up-regulation and 17 metabolites with down-regulation in the underground parts. Most of the main components of the underground part have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antiviral, which are more suitable for drug development. Furthermore, the above-ground part has more spice components and good antioxidant capacity, which is suitable for the extraction of edible flavors. Therefore, by comparing and analyzing the differences between the edible and medicinal uses of different parts of Houttuynia cordata as a medicinal and food plant, good insights can be obtained into food development, pharmaceutical applications, agricultural development, and the hygiene and cosmetic industries. This paper provides a scientific basis for quality control and clinical use.     

Evaluation of some new 14- and 15-crown-formazans as carriers in cesium ion selective electrodes

A number of new crown-formazans with 14 and 15 membered rings have been investigated as selective neutral carriers in cesium ion selective electrodes. Two plasticizers (NPOE and NPBnE) were studied. The new 14-crown-formazan 4a containing the 4-pyridyl N-oxide at the formazyl carbon exhibited the highest selectivity in cesium ion selective electrodes, especially towards the two low selectivity monovalent ions K(+) and NH4(+). Also, membranes containing the plasticizer NPBnE showed better cesium selectivity relative to most ions than those containing NPOE. Membranes containing 4a and variable compositions of plasticizers, potassium tetrakis-(p-chlorophenyl)borate (KTpClPB), and trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) were studied in order to prepare an electrode with the optimum cesium selectivity. The highest selectivity for cesium was achieved with the two electrodes designated d and e with membranes containing the ionophore 4a, NPBnE and KTpClPB with and without TOPO. Selectivities are reported relative to sodium, potassium, barium, calcium, ammonium, lithium, cobalt, and magnesium.     

Studies in the tetraarylborates: Part II. The preparation and reagent properties of sodium tetrakis(p-fluorophenyl)borate,a selective reagent for cesium

Sodium tetrakis(p-fluorophenyl)borate has been synthesized and found to be a very selective gravimetric reagent for the determination of cesium. It formed precipitates with cesium, silver, thallium(I) and rubidium but not with potassium and ammonium ions. The cesium tetrakis(p-fluorophenyl)borate separated as a white crystalline compound, which was easily filterable. It achieved constant weight rapidly at 110° and showed no signs of decomposition after 18 h of drying.     

Simultaneous detection of monovalent anions and cations using all solid-state contact PVC membrane anion and cation-selective electrodes as detectors in single column ion chromatography

The overall efficiency of ion chromatographic procedures allows the possibility of routine separation and detection of common inorganic and organic anions and cations at low levels in a simultaneous system. A simple and rapid independent separation, and sensitive simultaneous detection of monovalent common anions and cations were achieved using 2 mM copper sulfate, (at pH: 5.40), as eluent with low cell-volume potentiometric detectors. This was established using all-solid state contact, tubular, PVC-matrix membrane anion and cation-selective electrodes in series as detectors with mixed-bed ion-exchange column in ion chromatography. The developed method is reproducible and highly selective to monovalent anions and cations, and takes less than 8 min. Under all operation conditions, the detection limits of the developed method, for potassium, rubidium, cesium, thallium(I), nitrite, nitrate, benzoate and bromide, were of the order of tens of ppb, for sodium, ammonium, chloroacetate, cyanate and chloride ions, values were of the order of hundreds of ppb for an injected volume of 20 mul. The method was flexible since most of anions do not interfere the detection of cations and most of cations do not affect the detection of anions, so that the method can be applied to many sample types e.g. environmental. The application of the method for river, sea and tap water samples were illustrated.     

Tracer experiments on the behavior of radioiodine in the soil-plant-atmosphere system

In order to obtain information on the behavior of long-lived¹²⁹I in the soil-plant-atmosphere system, two different experiments, transfer factors and volatilization of iodine, have been conducted by radiotracer techniques using¹²⁵I. Soil-to-plant transfer factors varied very widely. Low values were found in tomato (0.0003) and rice (0.0019). The highest value for an edible part was seen in komatsuna,Brassica rapa L. (0.016), which is comparable to the IAEA recommended value of iodine for common crops (0.02). There was a tendency for older leaves to show higher concentrations than younger ones. The values for fruit, grain and beans were significantly lower than those for their leaves. Thus translocation of iodine with photosynthate from leaves into these plant organs was very small. Iodine in soil was found to be volatilized from the soil-rice plant system into the atmosphere as an organic iodine. Volatilization markedly decreased in the late cultivation period of rice plants.     

Factors affecting interaction of radiocesium with freshwater solids

The paper aims at the analysis of principal factors affecting the interaction of radiocesium with freshwater solids, important for the migration of radiocesium in rivers. Uptake of radiocesium by bottom sediments and suspended solids from small streams was studied as a function of pH and composition of aqueous phase, of the concentration of cesium in water and of the composition of freshwater solids, using laboratory model experiments. pH had negligible effect on the uptake in the pH range 5–9, the uptake decreased at pH values less than 3–5 depending on the nature and concentration of the solids. Addition of cations suppressed the uptake in the order K⁺>Na⁺>Ca²⁺, the suppression began at 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 mol.dm^?3 concentration, respectively. Increase in cesium concentration in water caused a decrease of radiocesium uptake, but at very low concentrations of cesium combined with higher concentration of sediment (2g·dm^?3) the uptake was independent of cesium concentration. Removal of carbonates, oxidic coatings and organic matter from a sediment did not affect the sorption properties of the sediment. The nature of the effects found confirms that cesium is sorbed mainly by clay components of freshwater solids. Results obtained are compared with literature data and conclusions are drawn on the importance of the factors studied for modelling of radiocesium migration in rivers.     

Persistence of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole in banana tissues and soil under the semi-arid climatic conditions of Karnataka,India

Trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole are used for control of Sigatoka leaf spot disease of banana. This study was conducted to evaluate residue persistence of the fungicides in/on banana fruit, other edible parts and soil after spray application of the combination formulation, Nativo 75 WG, at the standard dose, 87.5 + 175 and double dose, 175 + 350 g a.i. ha^?1. The fungicides were extracted from banana and soil with acetone, partitioned into dichloromethane and cleaned-up using activated charcoal for trifloxystrobin and primary/secondary amine (PSA) for tebuconazole samples. The limit of quantification of the method was 0.05 mg kg^?1 for both fungicides. Initial residues of trifloxystrobin were 0.444 and 0.552 mg kg^?1 in/on banana with peel (whole fruit), which reached <0.05 and 0.065 mg kg^?1 after 30 days from treatment at the standard and double doses, respectively. Tebuconazole residues were 0.636 and 960 mg kg^?1 initially and reduced to 0.066 and 0.101 mg kg^?1 after 30 days. Trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole degraded with the half-life of about 11 days. Trifloxystrobin or its metabolite was not detected in the fruit pulp. Tebuconazole being systemic in nature moved to the fruit pulp which was highest on the 3rd day (0.103 and 0.147 mg kg^?1) and remained for 15 days. Matured banana fruit, flower, pseudostem and field soil were free from fungicide residues. For consumption of raw banana 43 days pre-harvest interval (PHI) is required after treatment of the combination formulation. Therefore application of the fungicides towards maturity stage of the fruits may be avoided.     

The synthesis and characterization of poly(methylene terephthalate)

Poly(methylene terephthalate) (1GT) has been synthesized via the reaction of cesium or potassium terephthalates with dibromomethane or bromochloromethane in N-methylpyrrolidone at temperatures of 80–125°C. The polymerization was relatively slower with the latter substrate, though the potassium salt was found to be equally as efficient as its cesium counterpart with dibromomethane. The polymer is insoluble in all common polyester solvents, and its high molecular weight nature (DP _n ≥ 25) was inferred from elemental analyses and its fiber forming capacity. Thermal analyses indicated that 1GT possesses poor thermal stability and decomposes rapidly during melting, the initial process being thought to be the splitting out of formaldehyde. 1GT polymers were shown to contain a homologous series of cyclic oligomers (from dimer to decamer); the two most predominant were tentatively identified as the cyclic trimer and tetramer. No change in the cyclization efficiency was observed when the potassium counterion was substituted for cesium with Br CH₂ Br whereas a drastic reduction in the cyclic content was obtained using Br CH₂ Cl (with Cs⁺). The two most important features of the polymerization are the insensitivity of the reaction to the stoichiometric equivalence of the reactants and the production of reasonably high molecular weights at low conversions. It is suspected that the polymerization might be occurring through an interfacial mechanism.     

Pretreatment of plant samples for the determination of Re by ICP-MS

In order to determine trace levels of rhenium in plant samples by ICP-MS, a pretreatment method was developed. Ten radish samples (Raphanus sativus L.) grown in solution culture containing ¹⁸⁴ReO₄ ^- were used. The samples were separated into three parts (leaves, fleshy root and fine roots), then each sample was oven-dried at 60 °C. The Re loss ratios in the samples after incineration at 450 °C for 3 hours and acid leaching at 90 °C for 3 hours were compared. There was no difference of recoveries among the sample parts, and throughout the procedure, almost 100% Re was recovered from the samples.     

Synthesis of new silica gel adsorbent anchored with macrocyclic receptors for specific recognition of cesium cation

In this article, a new class of silica gel adsorbent functionalized with macrocyclic receptors was developed for cesium recognition. A calixcrown molecule, with strong affinity to cesium cation, was decorated precisely at the 1,3-alternate benzene rings with reactive amino substituents, followed by the anchoring to the silica matrix to obtain a high functionalization degree. Structural characterization of the monomers and the organosilicas was carried out by ¹H/¹³C NMR, ²⁹Si/¹³C solid-state NMR, and FT-IR spectra. Besides, XPS survey, BET, TGA and ESEM were employed to investigate the surface property, thermal stability and micro-morphology of the organosilicas. Due to the host–guest interaction between the calixcrown receptor and cesium cation, efficient separation of cesium in the presence of competing alkali metals including sodium and potassium was realized. Mechanism regarding the recognition effect was discussed. The calixcrown-grafted organosilica material possesses the potential to be applied for the separation of cesium in radioactive liquid waste.