Biosorption of Chromium(III) by Biomass of Seaweed Sargassum sp. in a Fixed-Bed Column

This work aimed at modeling chromium biosorption using the biomass of seaweed Sargassum sp. in a fixed-bed column. The mathematical model used was obtained from the mass balance of the component in the liquid phase and in the biosorbent material. The effects of both axial dispersion in the column and the resistance to mass transfer in the solid were considered for the solution of the partial differential equations of the model, using the Galerkin method on finite elements. To represent the equilibrium data of the batch system the Langmuir isotherm were used. The chromium ion adsorption capacity of the seaweed Sargassum sp., at a temperature of 30°C and pH 3.5, was 2.61 mmol/g. The model performance was evaluated from experimental data obtained at 30°C for flow rates of 2, 6 and 8 mL/min. The parameters of the model, mass transfer and axial dispersion coefficients, were adjusted from these experimental data. The model proved adequate to describe chromium biosorption dynamics in fixed-bed columns.     

1H-NMR and LC-MS Based Metabolomics Analysis of Wild and Cultivated Amaranthus spp.

Amaranthus crops are important for their use as food and nutritional sources, as well as for their medicinal properties. They are mostly harvested from the wild, and cultivation of Amaranthus species is still rare, and therefore, attempts are being made to commercialize and market this important crop. This research investigated the effect of cultivation and environment on the chemical profile of both cultivated and wild A. cruentus and A. hybridus by multivariate statistical analysis of spectral data deduced by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Furthermore, wild samples of A. cruentus and A. hybridus were subjected to Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) for further analysis. Through NMR analysis, it was found that maltose and sucrose increased in both cultivated A. cruentus and A. hybridus. Moreover, the amino acid, proline was present in cultivated A. cruentus in high quantity whereas, proline and leucine were prominent in A. hybridus. Other compounds that were found in both wild and cultivated A. cruentus and A. hybridus are trehalose, trigonelline, lactulose, betaine, valine, alanine, fumarate, formate and kynurenine. LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of rutin, 2-phenylethenamine and amaranthussaponin I in both wild A. cruentus and A. hybridus, while chlorogenic acid was identified only in cultivated A. hybridus. On the contrary, L-tryptophan, kaempferol, phenylalanine and quercetin were detected only in wild A. cruentus. Amaranth is not only rich in macro and micronutrients, but the leaves also contain phytochemicals that vary between species and cultivated plants, and might, therefore, affect the medicinal properties of the material.     

NQR and NMR study of hydrogen bonding interactions in anhydrous and monohydrated guanine cluster model: A computational study

In this paper extensive systematic computational study has been carried out to justify hydrogen bonding interactions and their influence on the oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen NQR and NMR parameters of the anhydrous and monohydrated guanine crystal structures at two different levels, B3LYP and MP2, using 6-311++G** and D95** basis sets. These theoretical data have been compared with experimental NMR and NQR measurements. For further investigation, results of cluster calculation have been compared with that of a single molecule. Our theoretical NQR and NMR parameters of ¹⁷O, ¹⁵N and ²H atoms of anhydrous and monohydrated guanine exhibited extreme sensitivity to electron distribution around mentioned nuclei caused by cooperative influences of various types of hydrogen bonding interactions. Fortunately, our calculated isotropic shielding values and CS tensors for the ¹⁷O and ¹⁵N nuclei as well as obtained ¹⁴N-NQR parameters are in excellent agreement with experimental data. Therefore, we can undoubtedly conclude that for anhydrous and monohydrated guanine tetrameric clusters including intermolecular interactions, our theoretical estimates are in better agreement with observed experimental values than those in which these interactions have been ignored.     

Magnetic normalization of particle size effects in a heavy metal pollution study of intertidal sediments from the Yangzte Estuary

Magnetic, granulometric and geochemical analyses were conducted on an intertidal sediment core from the Yangtze Estuary to evaluate the possibility of normalizing samples for particle size effects in a heavy metal pollution study by means of magnetic proxies. It has been found that the magnetic parameter XARM, indicating fine grained ferrimagnetic minerals, correlates well with the clay content and organic matter concentration of the sediments. XARM also shows significant relationship with heavy metals. Therefore XARM is proposed as a proxy for clay content in the sediments, and can be used to compensate for the particle size effect in sedimentary heavy metal records, where magnetic minerals are not subject to significant post-depositional alteration.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of acetic acid inhibition of rec Zymomonas mobilis ZM4(pZB5)

The fermentation characteristics and effects of lignocelulosic toxic compounds on recombinant Zymomonas mobilis ZM4(pZB5), which is capable of converting both glucose and xylose to ethanol, and its parental strain, ZM4, were characterized using ¹³C and ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in vivo. From the ³¹P NMR data, the levels of nucleoside triphosphates (NTP) of ZM(pZB5) using xylose were lower than those of glucose. This can be related to the intrinsically slower assimilation and/or metabolism of xylose compared to glucose and is evidence of a less energized state of ZM4(pZB5) cells during xylose fermentation. Acetic acid was shown to be strongly inhibitory to ZM4(pZB5) on xylose medium, with xylose utilization being completely inhibited at pH 5.0 or lower in the presence of 10.9 g/L of sodium acetate. From the ³¹P NMR results, the addition of sodium acetate caused decreased NTP and sugar phosphates, together with acidification of the cytoplasm. Intracellular deenergization and acidification appear to be the major mechanisms by which acetic acid exerts its toxic effects on this recombinant strain.     

Triterpene glycosides from Kalopanax septemlobum. VI. Glycosides from leaves of Kalopanax septemlobum var. typicum introduced to crimea

Thirteen known glycosides of hederagenin and oleanolic acid and the three new triterpene glycosides of oleanolic acid-28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→ 3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside of oleanolic acid and the 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→ 6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl esters 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside of oleanolic acid and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-Dxylopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→ 2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside of oleanolic acid were isolated from leaves of Kalopanax septemlobum var. typicum introduced to Crimea. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 40–43, January–February, 2006.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of some transition metal complexes of a novel Schiff base ligands derived from 5-phenylazo-salicyladehyde and o-amino benzoic acid

Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) metal complexes with novel heterocyclic Schiff base derived from 5-phenyl azo-salicyladehyde and o-amino benzoic acid have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, electronic, IR, and (1)H NMR spectra, and also by aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction, molar ratio measurements, molar conductivity measurements, and thermogravimetric analyses. It has been found that the Schiff base behaves as neutral tridentate (ONO) ligand forming chelates with 1:1 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry.     

Phytochemical Investigation of Biologically Active Substances in Certain Kazakhstan Rumex Species. 1.

The qualitative and quantitative compositions of the main groups of biologically active substances from roots of several Kazakhstan Rumex species were compared. The amino-acid compositions of all species were studied for the first time.     

On the interaction of metal extractant reagents. Investigation of the aggregation ofdi(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid anddi(n-octyl)phosphinic acid in toluene by vapour-pressure osmometry

Summary The aggregation equilibria ofdi(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (HDTMPP) anddi(n-octyl)phosphinic acid (HDOP) dissolved in toluene have been investigated by vapour-pressure osmometry (VPO) at different temperatures. The experimental data have been treated both graphically and numerically, and the average aggregation numberñ as well as the aggregation constant have been determined. The results suggest that dimers are formed and that the dimerization constant decreases with temperature. Finally, the enthalpies for the aggregation ofdi(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid anddi(n-octyl)phosphinic acid in toluene have been estimated using thevan't Hoff equation.

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Über die Wechselwirkung metallextrahierender Reagentien. Untersuchung der Aggregation vondi-(2,2,4-Trimethylpentyl)-phosphinsäure unddi-(n-Octyl)-phosphinsäure in Toluol mittels Dampfdruckosmometrie

Zusammenfassung Die Aggregationsgleichgewichte von in Toluol gelösterdi-(2,4,4-Trimethylphentyl)-phosphinsäure (HDTMPP) unddi-(n-Octyl)-phosphinsäure (HDOP) wurden mittels Dampfdruckosmometrie (VPO) bei verschiedenen Temperaturen untersucht. Die experimentellen Daten wurden sowohl graphisch als auch numerisch ausgewertet; es wurden sowohl die mittlere Aggregationszahlñ als auch die Aggregationskonstante bestimmt. Die Resultate lassen vermuten, daß Dimere gebildet werden und die Dimerisationskonstante mit der Temperatur abnimmt. Mit Hilfe dervan't Hoffschen Gleichung wurden die Enthalpien der Aggregation vondi-(2,4,4-Trimethylpentyl)-phosphinsäure unddi-(n-Octyl)-phosphinsäure in Toluol abgeschätzt.

     

A solid-phase extraction procedure coupled to 1H NMR, with chemometric analysis, to seek reliable markers of the botanical origin of honey

The aim of this work was to establish an analytical method for identifying the botanical origin of honey, as an alternative to conventional melissopalynological, organoleptic and instrumental methods (gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS), high-performance liquid chromatography HPLC). The procedure is based on the ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) profile coupled, when necessary, with electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and two-dimensional NMR analyses of solid-phase extraction (SPE)-purified honey samples, followed by chemometric analyses. Extracts of 44 commercial Italian honeys from 20 different botanical sources were analyzed.Honeydew, chestnut and linden honeys showed constant, specific, well-resolved resonances, suitable for use as markers of origin. Honeydew honey contained the typical resonances of an aliphatic component, very likely deriving from the plant phloem sap or excreted into it by sap-sucking aphids. Chestnut honey contained the typical signals of kynurenic acid and some structurally related metabolite.In linden honey the ¹H NMR profile gave strong signals attributable to the mono-terpene derivative cyclohexa-1,3-diene-1-carboxylic acid (CDCA) and to its 1-O-β-gentiobiosyl ester (CDCA-GBE). These markers were not detectable in the other honeys, except for the less common nectar honey from rosa mosqueta. We compared and analyzed the data by multivariate techniques. Principal component analysis found different clusters of honeys based on the presence of these specific markers.The results, although obviously only preliminary, suggest that the ¹H NMR profile (with HPLC–MS analysis when necessary) can be used as a reference framework for identifying the botanical origin of honey.     

A nuclear magnetic resonance study of dynamics in toluene-polyisobutylene solutions: 1. Penetrant diffusion and Fujita theory

The self-diffusion coefficients of toluene in polyisobutylene (PIB) solutions were determined using the pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance technique. The volume fraction of toluene in the polymer was varied from 0.045 up to 0.712 and the temperature was varied from 225 K up to 368 K. The concentration dependence of the data was interpreted using the Fujita free volume theory and the temperature dependence was interpreted with the WLF equation. These models describe separately the concentration and temperature dependencies of the toluene self-diffusion coefficients very well and the resulting free volume parameters are in good agreement with the ones extracted from the analysis of viscosity data on the same system. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Comparative study of heavy metal and trace element accumulation in edible tissues of farmed and wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using ICP-OES technique

The objective of this research was to determine the differences between farmed and wild rainbow trout in terms of heavy metal and trace element accumulation in edible tissues. The samples were analyzed for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr and Zn by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES); and for Hg by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). The results were expressed as μg/g of dry weight. With the exception of Ba and Sr, liver had significantly higher heavy metal and trace element concentrations compared to the muscle in farmed or wild fish. Higher levels of Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn and Zn, as well as lower levels of Cu and Sr were found in tissues of wild rainbow trout compared to its farmed relative. Levels of Cd in 41.6% of farmed fish samples and 45.8% of wild fish samples exceeded the European Commission regulation. Regarding the Pb, concentrations in 50% of farmed fish samples and 62.5% of wild ones were above the European Commission limit. However, levels of Hg and As in all of the examined samples were lower than the legislated limits. The differences in heavy metal and trace element accumulation observed between farmed and wild fish were probably related to the differences in their environmental conditions and dietary element concentrations.     

Production of polyhydroxybutyrate by Bacillus species isolated from municipal activated sludge

Plastic wastes are considered to be severe environmental contaminants causing waste disposal problems. Widespread use of biodegradable plastics is one of the solutions, but it is limited by high production cost. Biologic wastewater treatment generates large quantities of biomass as activated sludge. Only a few reports focus on the potential of utilizing resident Bacillus species from activated sludge in polyhydroxbutyrate (PHB) production as well as the production of PHB from food wastes. They have attractive properties such as short generation time, absence of endotoxins, and secretion of both amylases and proteinases that can well utilize food wastes for nutrients, which can further reduce the cost of production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Two PHA-producing strains, HF-1 and HF-2, were isolated from activated sludge. HF-1 outperfomed HF-2 in terms of growth and PHB production in hydrolyzed soy and malt wastes. The isolated bacteria was characterized by DNA sequence alignment. Cell extracts of HF-1 were also compared to Bacillus megaterium cell extracts on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The biopolymers accumulated were analyzed by gas chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared methods.     

ChemInform Abstract: Endohedrally Filled [Ni@Sn9]4‐and [Co@Sn9]5‐Clusters in the Neat Solids Na12Ni1‐xSn17 and K13‐xCo1‐xSn17: Crystal Structure and 119Sn Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy.

The title Zintl phases are prepared by reactions of the corresponding elemental alkali metals with pre‐prepared M‐Sn alloys (M: Ni, Co) at 550—880 °C for 48 h.     

Study of factors influencing pressurised solvent extraction of polar steroids from plant material. Application to the recovery of withanolides

Summary Pressurised solvent extraction was applied to the extraction of three withanolides from the leaves oflochroma gesnerioides. A study was carried out of the influence of various parameters on the extraction efficiency and kinetic parameters; these included the nature of the extracting solvent, its flow rate, the pressure and temperature, as well as the particle size of the plant material. The pressurised solvent extraction method compared to a conventional Soxhlet extraction showed similar recoveries and extraction selectivity but the total handling time and solvent volume were dramatically reduced.     

Lithium Ion Association with Sodium Phytate and the Effects on the Conformational Equilibria. Implications in the Physiological Effects of Lithium

Abstract

³¹P NMR was employed to examine the solution interactions of lithium and potassium ions with sodium phytate. The phytate molecular conformation was found to be pH and concentration dependent. The conformational equilibria of sodium phytate in aqueous solution was not affected by the addition of potassium ions, however, it was influenced by added lithium ions and was dependent on lithium ion concentration. Furthesmore, the phytate molecule showed some selectivity for lithium ion association over potassium and sodium ions. Possible implications in the physiological effects of lithium are discussed.     

In situ complexation of rhodium(II) tetracarboxylates with some derivatives of cysteine and related ligands studied by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The complexation of N-phthaloyl, N-formyl, and N,N-dimethyl derivatives of S-methylcysteine methyl ester (both racemic and optically pure) with three dimeric rhodium(II) salts, acetate Rh₂AcO₄, trifluoroacetate Rh₂TFA₄, and (R)-(+)-α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetate Rh₂Mosh₄ was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) at room and lower temperatures. The complexation was carried out in situ, in CDCl₃ solution using titration procedure; the results were examined by the analysis of ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shift change (Δδ). The complexation of free S-methyl cysteine and hydrochloride salt of its methyl ester was performed in D₂O solution. For comparison, complexation of some derivatives of leucine, phenylalanine, and proline was examined.

N-phthaloyl and N-formyl derivatives of cysteine formed 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 axial complexes with all dirhodium salts. Rhodium substrates were bonded via sulfur. In one case, the complexation of Rh₂TFA₄ by both sulfur and N-formyl oxygen was noted. Similar complexation of Rh₂TFA₄, via CHO group, was found for N-formyl derivatives of leucine, phenylalanine, and proline. For N,N-dimethyl derivative of cysteine, both N and S atoms were involved in bonding. At room temperature, in all cases, ligand exchange was fast on the NMR timescale.     

Triterpene Glycosides from Kalopanax septemlobum. III. Glycosides D2, I1, and K1 from Leaves of Kalopanax septemlobum var. maximowiczii Introduced in Crimea

The new caffeylated triterpene glycosides hederagenin 3-O-(6-O-caffeyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-L-arabinopyranoside and its 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl and 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl esters were isolated from leaves of Kalopanax septemlobum var. maximowiczii introduced in Crimea. The structures of these compounds were established using chemical methods and NMR spectroscopy.__________Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 263–267, May–June, 2005.     

Co-Localization of Copper, Zinc and Lead with Calcium in Their Accumulation Sites in the Housefly’s Abdomen by Micro-PIXE

Our previous study showed that treatment of Musca domestica larvae with semi-lethal doses of Cu, Zn or Pb leads to their accumulation in the adult fly’s abdomen. Now we report that the distribution pattern of heavy metals is similar to that of Ca. The housefly’s larvae were reared on media contaminated with semi-lethal doses of Cu (800 ppm), Zn (2000 ppm) or Pb (10,000 ppm) and on control medium. Ten days after eclosion, adult houseflies were prepared for X-ray microanalysis. Analyses were performed on the whole freeze-dried abdomen specimens using a nuclear microprobe (PIXE and RBS) at iThemba LABS, South Africa. GeoPIXE II software was used to obtain quantitative elemental maps by the Dynamic Analysis method. On the basis of Cu, Zn and Pb accumulation sites, the concentrations of these elements were correlated with the concentration of Ca. There was a clear relationship between Ca and all heavy metals examined, indicating Ca co-localization in their deposition sites. In the control animals, Zn and Ca deposition sites were significantly correlated. Association of heavy metals with Ca in their accretion sites suggests the presence of metal-accumulating granules, the so-called “concretions” probably in the Malpighian tubules, midgut epithelium or in the fat body.