Uptake of Pharmaceutical Pollutants and Their Metabolites from Soil Fertilized with Manure to Parsley Tissues

Manure is a major source of soil and plant contamination with veterinary drugs residues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the uptake of 14 veterinary pharmaceuticals by parsley from soil fertilized with manure. Pharmaceutical content was determined in roots and leaves. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used for targeted analysis. Screening analysis was performed to identify transformation products in the parsley tissues. A solid-liquid extraction procedure was developed combined with solid-phase extraction, providing recoveries of 61.9–97.1% for leaves and 51.7–95.6% for roots. Four analytes were detected in parsley: enrofloxacin, tylosin, sulfamethoxazole, and doxycycline. Enrofloxacin was detected at the highest concentrations (13.4–26.3 ng g⁻¹). Doxycycline accumulated mainly in the roots, tylosin in the leaves, and sulfamethoxazole was found in both tissues. 14 transformation products were identified and their distribution were determined. This study provides important data on the uptake and transformation of pharmaceuticals in plant tissues.     

Physico-chemical properties and possible photocatalytic applications of titanate nanotubes synthesized via hydrothermal method

Titanate nanotubes (TNTs) were prepared from TiO₂ P25 via hydrothermal method. The reaction temperature was 130 or 140 °C and the reaction time was 24 or 48 h. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and N₂ adsorption as well as Raman, FTIR-DRS and UV-vis/DR spectroscopy. The obtained samples exhibited similar properties, regardless of the preparation temperature and time. The most notable difference between properties of TNTs prepared under different conditions was observed in case of BET surface area, which was increasing from 386 to 478 m²/g along with increasing the reaction time and temperature. Based on TEM, XRD and TG measurements we have suggested that the structure of TNTs was H₂Ti₂O₄(OH)₂. The TEM and Raman spectroscopy measurements showed that the obtained products contained also low amount of anatase phase. The TNTs exhibited no photoactivity towards degradation of model azo dye Acid Red 18. However, TNTs were successfully applied for photocatalytic generation of CH₄ and H₂ in a solution of acetic acid. The amount of methane produced with application of TNTs synthesized at 140 °C was about 2.5 times higher than that generated with use of TiO₂ P25. To the best of our knowledge this is a first report on the photocatalytic generation of hydrocarbons using TNTs in the current state of the art.     

A novel method for the detection of plasma jet boundaries by exploring DNA damage

The coupled-channel optical method (CCOM) is implemented in this work to study the scattering of electron on rubidium atom at 20 eV. In order to provide a realistic calculation, the continuum effect of the scattering system is accounted by incorporate an ab initio optical potential into the CCOM calculation. The differential cross sections (DCS), as well as the reduced Stokes parameters of 5p excitation are reported and compared to the available experimental and theoretical data.     

Retention Mechanism Studies of Selected Amino Acids and Vitamin B6 on HILIC Columns with Evaporative Light Scattering Detection

The goal of the study was to investigate separation mechanism of selected “essential” amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, threonine, tryptophan, proline, and glycine) and vitamin B6 in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) with the evaporative light scattering detection. Chromatographic measurements were made on three different HILIC columns: amide-silica (TSK-gel Amide-80), amino-silica (TSK-gel NH₂-100), and cross-linked diol (Luna HILIC). The retention behaviour of the analytes was investigated as a function of different binary hydro-organic mobile phases containing 10–90 % (v/v) acetonitrile. The compounds studied were separated under isocratic and gradient conditions. The best results of tested biologically active compounds separation were obtained on the TSK-gel NH₂-100 column. TSK-gel NH₂ column showed mixed HILIC–ion-exchange mechanism, the highest separation efficiency and better selectivity and resolution for tested analytes than the other studied column, especially at concentration of water in mobile phase lower than 30 % (v/v). Special attention was dedicated to the study of interactions among the stationary phase, mobile phase and the analytes.

     

Flow of Emulsions Stabilized by Polymers Through Packed Bed

Transport in Porous Media - In this study, we present the results of measurements of pressure drops during the flow of emulsions stabilized by carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt (NaCMC), xanthan...     

Monitoring and analytics of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in indoor air

This paper reviews literature information on the behaviour of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in the indoor environment, as well as the most likely emission sources. The consecutive stages of analytical procedures used for monitoring SVOCs in indoor environments are described. The most common approaches used for collecting samples from the gas and particulate phases are mentioned. The paper discusses and compares various types of sorbents and filters applied in dynamic, passive and denudational techniques, as well as the techniques used to liberate the SVOCs, including Soxhlet, sonication and microwave extraction. The main advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed, together with possible future trends. The approaches commonly used during the final determination step, such as gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, are presented together with their possible drawbacks, and ways of eliminating them are suggested. The review makes brief reference to the effects of human exposure to SVOCs in house dust and discusses the main aspects of the analytical procedures used to monitor the presence of SVOCs in this medium.     

Analytical Performance of Clay Paste Electrode and Graphene Paste Electrode-Comparative Study

The analytical performance of the clay paste electrode and graphene paste electrode was compared using square wave voltammetry (SWV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The comparison was made on the basis of a paracetamol (PA) determination on both working electrodes. The influence of pH and SWV parameters was investigated. The linear concentration ranges were found to be 6.0 × 10⁻⁷–3.0 × 10⁻⁵ and 2.0 × 10⁻⁶–8.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ for clay paste electrode (ClPE) and graphene paste electrode (GrPE), respectively. The detection and quantification limits were calculated as 1.4 × 10⁻⁷ and 4.7 ×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ for ClPE and 3.7 × 10⁻⁷ and 1.2 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ for GrPE, respectively. Developed methods were successfully applied to pharmaceutical formulations analyses. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize ClPE and GrPE surfaces. Clay composition was examined with wavelength dispersive X-ray (WDXRF).     

Physicochemical,Antioxidant, Microstructural Properties and Bioaccessibility of Dark Chocolate with Plant Extracts

In this study, dark chocolates (DCh) containing zinc lactate (ZnL) were enriched with extracts from elderberries (EFrE), elderflowers (EFlE), and chokeberries (ChFrE) to improve their functional properties. Both dried plant extracts and chocolates were analyzed for antioxidant capacity (AC) using four different analytical methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), cupric ion-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), while total phenolic content (TPC) was determined by Folin–Ciocalteu (F–C) assay. An increase in antioxidant properties of fortified chocolates was found, and the bioaccessibility of their antioxidants was evaluated. The highest AC and TPC were found in ChFrE and chocolate with chokeberries (DCh + ChFrE) before and after simulated in vitro digestion. Bioaccessibility studies indicated that during the simulated digestion the AC of all chocolates reduced significantly, whereas insignificant differences in TPC results were observed between chemical and physiological extracts. Moreover, the influence of plant extracts on physicochemical parameters such as moisture content (MC), fat content (FC), and viscosity of chocolates was estimated. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy with dispersive energy spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was used to analyze surface properties and differences in the chemical composition of chocolates without and with additives.     

Kinetic studies on H<Superscript>+</Superscript>-catalysed aquation of chromium(III)-oxalato-asparaginato and chromium(III)-oxalato-histidinato complexes

Three chromium(III) complexes with asparagine (Asn) and histidine (His) of the [Cr(ox)₂(Aa)]²⁻ type, where Aa = N,O–Asn, N,O–His or N,N′–His, were obtained and characterized in solution. The complexes with N,O–Aa undergo acid-catalysed aquation to give a free amino acid and cis-[Cr(ox)₂(H₂O)₂]⁻, whereas the complex with N,N′–His undergoes parallel reaction paths: (1) isomerization to the N,O–His complex and (2) liberation of an oxalate ligand. Kinetics of the N,O–Aa complexes in HClO₄ media were studied spectrophotometrically under pseudo-first-order conditions. The absorbance changes were attributed to the chelate ring opening at the Cr–N bond. The linear dependence of rate constants on [H⁺] was established, and a mechanism for the chelate ring cleavage was postulated. The existence of a metastable intermediate with O-monodentate Aa ligand was proved experimentally. Effect of [Cr(ox)₂(Aa)]²⁻ on 3T3 fibroblasts proliferation was studied. The tests revealed low cytotoxicity of the complexes. Complexes with Ala, His and Cys are good candidates for biochromium sources.     

Determination of formaldehyde and cyanide ion in human nasal discharge by using simple spectrophotometric methods

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) contains many toxic compounds which include substances classified as aldehydes (e.g. formaldehyde) and inorganic substances such as cyanide ions. The information on the determination of these compounds in water is available, but the monitoring data on the level of these substances in human body fluids are still lacking. In this work the procedure for determining cyanide ions and formaldehyde in samples of human nasal discharge by simple spectrophotometric technique is presented.