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Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) represents a premalignant state presumably related to perturbations in circulating levels of trace elements. Employing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), we quantified essential and toxic trace elements in the sera of 60 women diagnosed with CIN and 60 age-matched healthy counterparts. Our investigation revealed a noteworthy higher levels in serum of Mn, Zn, and Pb, as well as lower levels in Ni, Se, Rb, and Mo levels within the CIN cohort. Levels of Mn, Zn, and Pb were higher by approximately 5.5-fold, 3.0-fold, and 7.5-fold, respectively, while Mo levels exhibited an approximate 4.5-fold reduction in CIN sera compared to the control group. While the study provided valuable insights into trace element variations, it's important to note that the adult Serbian population is considered Zn-deficient, so the Zn data should be interpreted with caution. Age stratification (30–40 vs. 40–50 vs. 50–60 years), smoking status (smokers vs. nonsmokers), and CIN severity (CIN 2 vs. CIN 3) yielded no significant disparities in elemental profiles. Among the 10 proposed ratios, 5 demonstrated a significant surge in CIN sera relative to controls: Mn/Se, Mn/Mo, Zn/Se, Zn/Mo, and Se/Mo. Correlation analysis of trace element levels revealed a predominantly consistent pattern between CIN cases and healthy subjects, except for Zn and its negative correlations (antagonistic interactions) with other analyzed trace elements. Our findings underscore differences in serum levels of specific trace elements in CIN cases versus controls, implicating their potential involvement in the underlying pathophysiological cascades culminating in cervical neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic water splitting presents an attractive and environmentally friendly method for generation of "green" hydrogen. However, the most widely used photocatalyst for hydrogen production, Pt-doped TiO 2 , has low stability, thus limiting its application for long term performance. In this study, the deactivation mechanism of Pt-decorated carbon TiO 2 nanocomposite photocatalysts during photocatalytic hydrogen production was thoroughly investigated under solar and visible light irradiation. Solar light irradiation promoted markedly higher H 2 production activity, however with lower catalyst stability. Deactivation studies using fresh catalysts/deactivated solutions and deactivated catalysts/fresh solutions point out the effect of the light used on the catalyst stability through changes on the catalyst surface as well as by the kinetics of intermediate/products formation during the reaction course. The present study revealed the importance of charge transport direction between TiO 2 , carbon and Pt on catalyst activity and stability and highlights the difference in visible and solar light-induced hydrogen production. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disorder intricately linked to perturbations in trace element levels. While previous studies have explored circulating trace elements in a limited sample, understanding the impact of demographic and clinical variables on the elemental profile within a larger cohort remains elusive. This study aimed to evaluate essential trace elements (Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, and Se) in the sera of 215 MS patients compared to a meticulously matched control group of 100 individuals with similar gender and age. Our main objective was to identify potential variations in elemental profiles based on demographic and clinical parameters among MS patients, elucidating the prospective relevance of supplementing specific essential trace elements. Data indicated a significant decrease in serum levels of Mn, Co, Zn, and Se, and an increase in Cr in MS patients compared to controls. These trace elements not only discriminated between MS patients and controls but also exhibited distinctive capabilities among demographic subgroups. Gender, smoking habits, and age strata (20–40 years and 41–60 years) revealed discernible variations in elemental profiles between MS patients and their control counterparts. Se demonstrated the singular ability to stratify cases of extreme MS severity, mild relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and highly severe secondary progressive MS (SPMS). In contrast, Co significantly differentiated RRMS from primary progressive MS (PPMS), while Cu significantly differentiated SPMS from PPMS. Additionally, Cu showed a negative correlation with MSSS, while Mn and Zn showed a positive correlation with EDSS. These findings underscore a substantive deficiency in Mn, Co, Zn, and Se in the MS cohort, supporting targeted supplementation with these trace elements. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between essential trace elements and MS, paving the way for further research into personalized nutritional interventions for this complex neurological disorder. • MS patients had significantly lower serum levels of Mn, Co, Zn, and Se than controls. • Mn, Co, Zn, and Se discriminated MS patients and controls based on demographic parameters. • Se stratified mild RRMS from highly severe SPMS. • Co differentiated RRMS from PPMS, while Cu differentiated SPMS from PPMS. • Deficiency of target essential trace elements should be considered in MS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Toxic and essential trace metals in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) at tissue level were investigated. • Different biological, clinical and pathological parameters on metal's content at tissue level were examined. • The role of cadmium in the etiology of PTC has been proposed. • Altered content of Cd/Se could contribute to pathophysiological changes in PTC. The etiology of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is unknown and some literature data support the hypothesis that heavy metals, as endocrine disrupters, could play a major role in the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer. This study aimed to estimate the content of selected toxic and essential trace metals (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Pb, Th, and U), as well as the selected ratio's (Cu/Zn and Cd/Se) in the malignant thyroid tissues according to sex, age, smoking habits, familial history of any thyroid disease, pathohistological (PH) types of PTC, tumor size, the existence of a thyroid capsular invasion, intrathyroid tumor dissemination, retrosternal thyroid growth, and TNM progress of PTC. The study included 66 patients with PTC (women/men ratio = 46/20, mean age: 54 ± 14 years). A comparative analysis was made by collecting the healthy thyroid tissues (HTTs) of the same patients, making the total number of samples 132. All trace metals were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Metals that significantly separated papillary thyroid tissues (PTTs) from the HTTs were Cd, U and Se (p < 0.05). The obtained negative correlation between Cd and Se in the PTTs could explain extrusion of essential Se caused by increased content of Cd. Only Cd had an influence on the retrosternal thyroid growth, while the essential metals (Mn, Co, and Zn) had an influence on thyroid capsular invasion. It was found that Cd act as the main endocrine disrupter, which could highlight its role in the etiology of PTC. Considering that the Cd/Se ratio significantly separated two studied groups and had an influence on the retrosternal thyroid growth, its altered content could contribute to the better understanding of the molecular basis for pathophysiological changes in the PTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry ((ICP-MS)) was used to determine three toxic (Ni, As, Cd) and six essential trace elements (Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se) in blood serum of patients with hypothyroidism (Hy group) and healthy people (control group), in order to set the experimental conditions for accurate determination of a unique profile of these elements in hypothyroidism. Method validation was performed with standard reference material of the serum by varying the sample treatment with both standard and collision mode for analysis of elements isotopes. Quadratic curvilinear functions with good performances of models and the lowest detection limits were obtained for 52 Cr, 66 Zn, 75 As, 112 Cd in collision mode, and 55 Mn, 59 Co, 60 Ni, 65 Cu, 78 Se in standard mode. Treatment of serum samples with aqueous solution containing nitric acid, Triton X-100 and n-butanol gave the best results. Chemometric tools were applied for discrimination of patients with hypothyroidism. All nine elements discriminated Hy group of samples with almost the same discriminating power as indicated by their higher values for this group of patients. Statistically significant correlation (p < 0.01) was observed for several elements. Results indicated clear differences in element profile between Hy and control group and it could be used as a unique profile of hypothyroid state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a consequence of the progressive decline in human semen quality in recent decades, modern epidemiological investigations have identified several trace elements that could be responsible for this phenomenon. However, their levels in semen have not been clearly elucidated, particularly for elements present in ultra-trace levels. We aimed to determine the levels of 39 (ultra)trace elements and 5 macroelements in human semen samples with confirmed normozoospermia using ICP-based techniques. The research was amplified by analyzing blood samples from the same participants. Among the analyzed (ultra)trace elements in semen samples, Zn is the most and Tm is the least prominent. Zn levels in semen are so high that Zn should be considered as a macroelement in this matrix. The levels of Zn, Rh, Sm, Re, Ir, Tl, Na, and Ca were significantly higher in semen, while the levels of Cu, As, Rb, Gd, Sb, Tb, Tm, Lu, K, and Fe were significantly higher in blood. Correlation analysis of the levels of 44 individual elements in paired semen and blood samples revealed positive correlations between 43 of the elements, particularly for Tl and Pt. An exception was the negative correlation for Cu, which showed that its high level in semen is associated with a low level in blood and contrariwise. The reported data can be used as baseline levels/reference values for 44 elements in human semen. Furthermore, the findings of this study could be relevant for further consideration of male infertility. • Baseline intervals for 44 elements in human semen were established. • Zn is the most and Tm is the least prominent in the analyzed semen samples. • Differences in elemental levels were found between semen and blood samples. • Pt and Tl showed synergistic effects between semen and blood samples. • Cu showed antagonistic effects between semen and blood samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although essential trace elements (ETEs) play pivotal roles in life-supporting biochemical processes, their function in innate and adaptive immunity has not been fully elucidated, particularly during immunization. Furthermore, the association between anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies and ETE levels with vaccine responsiveness has not been investigated. The present study explored the status of ETEs (Mn, Cu, Zn, and Se) in sera of healthy women before and after vaccination with the anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in a follow-up period of six months. The main aim was to explore links between ETE levels and IgG antibodies produced against Spike glycoprotein's Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD). A recombinant protein of SARS-CoV-2 comprising the receptor binding domain was successfully expressed in HEK-293 T cells. The purified protein was suitable for producing a sensitive antibody detection assay for human serum and monitored seropositivity, indicating a transient response with peak anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels 2 months after vaccination. In parallel to increasing antibody titers, serum concentrations of Cu, Mn, and Se were not affected by vaccination, and concentrations remained relatively constant at the different sampling times during the 6-month observation period. Total serum Zn concentrations were slightly elevated when compared between the first and last sampling dates. Overall, no consistent effects of vaccination on any of the three trace elements analyzed in our study were observed. Vaccination of adult healthy female volunteers with an mRNA vaccine was not associated with consistent changes in serum trace element concentrations over a six-month observation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Solutions of 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol and 2,6-dichlorophenol in bidistilled and water from the river Danube were treated in plasma reactor. In this reactor, based on coaxial dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure, plasma is formed over a thin layer of treated water. After one pass through the reactor, starting chlorophenols concentration of 20mg/l was diminished up to 95%. Kinetics of the chlorophenols degradation was monitored by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography method (HPLC). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Arsenic, well known of its toxicity, is present in potable water in many areas in the world, as well as in underground water used for water supply in Vojvodina, a region in Serbia. Its removal from raw water is necessary before distribution. In this work two methods of arsenic removal from water are compared. First method is water ozonation by introducing ozone in water and then filtration. Second method is treatment of water in plasma reactor and then filtration. High efficiency of the second method was confirmed by low concentration of arsenic in filtrate (below detection limit). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Internal hernias represent the penetration of intestinal loops through congenital or acquired openings within the mesentery or peritoneum. One such hernia is the paraduodenal hernia, which is the most common type of internal hernia (53%) (Yun et al., 2010) [1]. Due to the variable and non-specific clinical presentation, it is difficult to make a correct diagnosis. Preoperative computed tomography of the abdomen facilitates diagnosis and timely surgical intervention, which can be performed openly or laparoscopically (Coakley et al., 2012) [2]. In this paper, the case of a 39-year-old patient with left paraduodenal hernia will be presented. He arrived in the emergency department with sudden onset of abdominal pain. The diagnosis was established using computed tomography and an open surgical procedure was successfully performed. Clinical presentation of paraduodenal hernia ranges from asymptomatic to manifest. The greatest difficulty regarding management of paraduodenal hernias lies in their diagnosis. Many studies have shown that the best option for diagnosis is computed tomography (CT). Open and laparoscopic techniques are used in treatment of paraduodenal hernias with similar results. The case of a 39-year-old male patient with LPDH with non-specific symptomatology was presented. CT scan is the best diagnostic option for this condition. Open surgical approach was used with great success. • Internal hernias represent the penetration of intestinal loops within the mesentery. • Most common internal hernias are paraduodenal hernias. • Best diagnostic tool for internal hernias is computed tomography. • Surgical options for internal hernias include open and laparoscopic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Healthy adrenal tissues (HATs) and adenomatous adrenal tissues (AATs) were analyzed. • AATs had higher contents of Cu, Mn, Se, Zn, and Pb compared to HATs. • The size of the benign tumor was influenced by the content of Mn, Ni, Pb and U. • The role of trace elements in the pathophysiology of adrenal adenomas is emphasized. The baseline status of trace metals in adrenal tissue is unresolved, while the elemental profile for any adrenal pathology has not been examined so far. This study aimed to determine the baseline status of important toxic (Ni, As, Cd, Pb, Th, U) and essential trace elements (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se) in healthy adrenal tissues (HATs) as well as to examine whether there are alterations in the elemental composition of adenomatous adrenal tissues (AATs). Furthermore, this study aimed to find potential trace metals that could play a role in the pathogenesis of adrenal adenoma (AA). The study included 45 patients diagnosed with AA. Impacts of relevant parameters such as gender, age, smoking habits and nodular sizes were considered. All samples were subjected to microwave digestion and the trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This is the first study that provided an insight into the elemental status of HATs. It was also shown that AATs had altered trace metal contents. Compared to HATs, the most significant findings were related to the high content of essential (Cu, Mn, Se, Zn) and Pb as a non-essential metal. Although gender, age and smoking habits had a modest effect on metal profiles, the most significant alterations were related to the nodular diameter above 4 cm, indicating that the growth of benign tumor could influence changes in elemental composition. For the first time the baseline contents of essential and toxic trace metals in HATs were determined. The results of this study may highlight the role of toxic and essential trace metals in AAs and could provide new insights into the molecular basis of pathophysiological changes caused by the hazardous effects of trace metals on adrenal structure and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electrochemical bromination of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal (1) has been investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) by cyclic voltammetry and preparative-scale electrolyses. In this solvent, the bromination involves a bromine–DMSO complex of the type [DMSO–Br]+Br− whose reactivity towards 1 was clearly evidenced by cyclic voltammetry. Importantly, only the monobrominated glucose and mannose derivatives were obtained from electrolyses. This specific behavior was attributed to the nucleophilicity of DMSO that may react with the oxocarbenium intermediate preventing thus a possible second bromination of the transient species. The gluco/manno ratio, roughly equal to 30/70, indicated an electrophilic attack by [DMSO–Br]+Br− preferentially from the β side of the starting glycal for steric reasons. The treatment of the crude product obtained after the end of the electrolyses with acetic anhydride allowed the preparation of derivatives in which the anomeric carbon bears an acetoxy group. Based on both the cyclic voltammetry experiments and preparative-scale electrolyses, a mechanism is proposed for the bromination of peracetylated d-glucal in DMSO. These new and original results are of high interest in carbohydrate chemistry and especially for the preparation of new valuable oligosaccharides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work hydrogen production activity of a series of the nickel-loaded, nitrogen-doped titanate-based photocatalysts was tested by water splitting reaction in isopropanol-water mixture. The utilization of ammonium ions during catalyst synthesis and subsequent calcination led to successful formation of nitrogen-doped nanotubular titanates with lower sodium content, favored titanate-to-anatase transformation and enhanced textural, morphological and interface properties. The photocatalytic tests revealed that hydrogen production activity of nitrogen-doped titanates is ten times higher compared to nitrogen-free titanates. The presence of highly photoactive anatase phase, improved anatase crystallinity and lower amount of sodium ions are found to be decisive factors for increased hydrogen production activity. The optimal nickel loading was determined and the variation in photocatalytic activity with reduction temperature was explained. Stability tests gave quantitative analysis of the effects of reaction products accumulation and photocorrosion on the catalyst deactivation. [Display omitted] • Alkaline hydrothermal method was used for synthesis of nanotube catalysts support. • Solar light driven hydrogen evolution over Ni loaded N doped titanate catalyst. • Ion exchange of Na + ions by NH 4 + ions favor titanate to anatase phase transition. • Preservation of textural and morphological properties at higher contact temperature. • Identifying different catalytic sites for dye degradation and hydrogen evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A coaxial dielectric-barrier-discharge (DBD) as an ozonized water reactor system has been developed and described. It operates in the air at an atmospheric pressure. In the reactor one of the dielectric layers is flowing water. Ozone and ozonized water are generated in the same volume of the discharge. The ozone production and its dissolution in the water simultaneously occur leading to increases of the reactor efficiency. Filamentary 50 Hz DBD has been performed using up to 20 kV applied voltage. The obtained ozone concentrations correspond to the values typically suggested for the treatment of potable and wastewater. The efficiency can be further increased by addition of small amount of the oxygen in the DBD device. The periodical time dependence of the dissolved ozone concentration in Danube water is found and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Excessive pesticide use can harm human health, making it essential to develop new techniques to monitor hazardous pesticides in food. Our study focuses on detecting mesotrione (MST) using an unmodified boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. This was the first application of cathodically pretreated BDD electrode for the detection of MST, based on its oxidation at a high potential value of +1.4 V. We theoretically examined the oxidation mechanism of MST trough the utilization of density functional theory (DFT) methodology. The utilized DPV method achieved a detection limit of 0.45 μM and showed satisfactory selectivity. The practical application of this method was demonstrated by examining corn-based food products. To ensure practical application of the method, MST was deliberately added to the samples to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed method. The effectiveness of the method was confirmed by using HPLC method. This environmentally-friendly approach can establish a solid foundation for future use in food analysis. [Display omitted] • A rapid and environmentally friendly detection method for MST was developed. • The boron-doped diamond electrode was used for the first time to detect MST. • The proposed sensor demonstrated a wide linear response and a low limit of detection (0.45 μM). • The proposed method was used for the quantification of MST in real food samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple organic-phase synthesis process was used to produce bare NiFe 2 O 4 and ZnFe 2 O 4 and core-shell ZnFe 2 O 4 @NiFe 2 O 4 ferrite nanoparticles. X-ray powder diffractograms for all investigated powders show characteristic peaks of a spinel cubic structure without a secondary phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated the presence of nanoparticles that are smaller than 20 nm. The release of divalent ions (Ni2+ and Zn2+) from synthesized nanoparticles that were dispersed in saline solution, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and human serum, as determined by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method, was lower than 2 wt %. These results demonstrate the stability of the investigated nanoparticles in biologically relevant media and exclude the toxicity of Ni2+ and Zn2+ due to metal ion release, thereby opening a broad range of (bio)medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work present a new approach for the detection of relatively new herbicide pethoxamid (POA), a first electrochemical behavior and determination based on its oxidation on boron-doped diamond electrode in Britton-Robinson buffer solution at pH 4. Square wave voltammetric technique was used for quantification of POA at anodic potential of 1.35 V vs reference Ag/AgCl electrode. The proposed electroanalytical method is operational in the linear working range from 3 to 100 μM of POA with a limit of detection of 1.37 μM. The developed analytical procedure was successfully tested for determination of this herbicide in standard/spiked river water samples and commercial herbicide Successor T SE/spiked river water samples, offering a simple, fast and inexpensive alternative way of pesticide determining to chromatographic methods employed for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cyclic voltammetry and ultramicroelectrodes were used to investigate the kinetic aspects of the electrochemical bromination of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal (1) in acetonitrile (AN), dichloromethane (DCM), and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Qualitative and quantitative results, determined notably from the kinetic parameter [glucal]/v representing the competition between glucal concentration and time, clearly showed that glucal bromination depended on the nature of both the solvent and the in situ electrogenerated reactive brominated species (Br2 or Br3 −) obtained from the oxidation of a bromide salt. It was especially shown that Br2 reacted more rapidly than Br3 − towards (1). On the other hand, the reactivity of both brominated species appeared to follow the solvent polarity order since the highest reactivity was obtained in DMSO whereas the lowest one was found in DCM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Polyaniline (PANI) micro/nanostructures were synthesized by the external-template-free oxidative polymerization of aniline in aqueous solution of 12-tungstophosphoric acid (WPA), using ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS) as an oxidant and starting the oxidation of aniline from slightly acidic media (pH 5.4–5.9). The effect of the initial weight ratio of WPA to aniline on molecular structure, morphology, and physicochemical properties of polyaniline 12-tungstophosphate (PANI-WPA) was investigated by FTIR, Raman and inductively coupled plasma optical emission (ICP-OES) spectroscopies, elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and conductivity measurements. The morphological change of polymerization products during a single polymerization process, from non-conducting submicro-/microspherical oligoaniline intermediates to semiconducting PANI-WPA consisted of self-assembled nanotubes and/or nanorods co-existing with submicro-/microspheres, has been revealed by SEM and TEM. The average diameter of nanorods in PANI-WPA samples decreased with increasing the initial WPA/aniline weight ratio. The incorporation of 12-tungstophosphate counter-ions into PANI matrix has been proved by FTIR, Raman and ICP-OES spectroscopies, TGA and DTA analysis. Electrical conductivity of PANI-WPA increased in the range (2.5–5.3)×10−3 Scm−1 with the increase of the initial WPA/aniline weight ratio. The presence of branched structures and phenazine units besides the ordinary paramagnetic and diamagnetic emeraldine salt structural features in PANI-WPA was proved by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Exposure to certain metals has been recognized as a risk factor for numerous complications in vulnerable population groups, particularly pregnant women. This investigation evaluated the levels of essential (Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo) and nonessential trace metals with recognized toxicity (Be, Al, Ti, V, Ni, Ga, As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Hg, Pb, Bi, Th, U), together with rare earth elements (Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu), and noble metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Ag) in the placental tissues of healthy pregnant women (n = 105). The selection of participants was undertaken with special reference to specific confounding factors that could influence the trace element profiles. Among trace elements, Zn was the most abundant and Lu was the least abundant. Cd and Os placental levels show a tendency to increase with women's age. Compared with literature data, high levels of Ni were found. This is the first study that provides the composition levels of essential and toxic trace elements, rare earth elements, and noble metals in human placental tissues. Also, for the first time, normal (reference) ranges for 50 (ultra)trace elements in placental tissues are proposed. Reference ranges are especially important in biomonitoring studies, which nowadays give increasing importance to the analysis of solid tissues instead of body fluids. Overall, the information provided in this study can serve as a starting point for further clinical trials and/or prediction of potential risks to pregnancy. [Display omitted] • Placental levels of 50 (ultra)trace elements were resolved. • Reference values for essential, toxic, rare earth and noble metals were created. • Zn was the most abundant and Lu was the least abundant. • Placental levels of Cd and Os appear to be age-dependent. • Compared with literature data, high placental Ni levels were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fast and reliable method for the discrimination of the wood species was proposed. • A long-term study confirms practical applicability of the proposed method. • Aging time of spirits is not correlated with the content of antioxidant compounds. • In general, apple brandy was the extraction agent with the lowest extraction power. • Black locust, myrobalan plum and mulberry showed the highest antioxidant capacity. Type of the wood used for the aging highly influences the quality of alcoholic beverages. In this research we explored the potential of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to establish fingerprints characteristic for each wood and to enable determining the type of the wood used in the aging process. Eleven different wood samples were used to prepare three different types of spirits during 15 months. The highest extraction rate was obtained during the first month, while further aging was followed with almost constant amount of extracted polyphenols. Black locust, myrobalan plum, and mulberry extracts were discriminated from the spirits aged in oak and wild cherry wood when statistical analysis was applied. Although clear classification of all samples was not achieved, this long term study demonstrated a potential of both CV and DPV for differentiating wood species used in the aging, hence in the quality control of spirits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]