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In this study, chromium ion-imprinted (Cr-IAC) and nonimprinted activated carbon (Cr-NIAC) solid phases were synthesised using the surface ion imprinting method and used for the preconcentration of chromium ions. The characterisation processes of solid phases were performed by scanning electron microscopy/energy diffusion X-ray (SEM/EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric (TG) analyses, and optimum preconcentration conditions were determined. For this purpose, the effects of parameters such as pH, type and concentration of the recovery solution, solution volume, flow rate on the chromium ion recovery efficiency were investigated and the capacity and selectivity properties of solid phases were determined. Metal ions were determined by a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The adsorption isotherm was well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum adsorption capacity of the Cr-IAC and Cr-NIAC solid phases were found as 588.2 and 40.0 mg g−1 under the optimal experimental conditions. Preconcentration factor, limit of detection and limit of quantification were found as 10, 0.0340 μg mL−1, 0.102 μg mL−1 and 1.9%, respectively, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was below 5%. In order to check the accuracy of the developed method, certified standard reference material and real sample analyses were performed with water samples and quantitative results were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation aimed to evaluate the severity of heavy metal concentrations in suspended sediments along a 225 km section of the Ganges River in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India. Metal concentrations were measured via Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, with averages recorded as Fe (50230 µg/g), Mn (1283 µg/g), Cr (201 µg/g), Zn (183 µg/g), Pb (55.1 µg/g), Ni (50.9 µg/g), Cu (42.8 µg/g), and Cd (1.01 µg/g). Zn, Fe, Cr and Pb showed anthropogenic contribution at all selected locations, while anthropogenic inputs of Mn and Ni were also observed at few locations. Risk evaluation was conducted using various pollution indicators. The Contamination Factor (CF) revealed moderate contamination (CF between 1 and 3) by Cr. The Geoaccumulation Index (GI) indicated a stage of uncontaminated to moderate contamination (GI between 0 and 1) for Cr at upstream locations. The values of Enrichment Ratios (ER) indicated minor enrichment (ER between 1 and 3) of Cr at all locations. The Pollution Load Index values ranged from 0.72 to 0.86, suggesting that the selected section is overall uncontaminated. The study highlights significant but localized anthropogenic impacts on heavy metal concentrations, particularly for chromium. While the overall assessment suggests that the suspended sediment in the studied stretch are not heavily contaminated, the elevated concentrations of iron, manganese, chromium, and nickel pose significant ecological risks. The study underscores the need for targeted pollution control measures, especially for metals with high anthropogenic contributions, to ensure the long-term health and safety of this vital water resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illicit drug use has become a global issue, posing significant health, socioeconomic, and cultural risks. The study examined essential trace metals: selenium, zinc, and copper in blood concentrations, as well as in serum and scalp hair samples, from 240 male drug-abuse subjects/patients aged 18–45, categorized into three age groups. The study compared 45 healthy subjects of the same age group using an acid digestion method supported by a microwave oven during sample preparation. The technique of atomic absorption spectrometry was employed to identify essential and toxic elements, utilizing certified reference materials for accuracy. According to a recent study, plasma zinc and selenium concentrations in drug abusers are lower than those in referent subjects, potentially increasing vulnerability to infection due to poor nutritional status or other contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the heavy metal concentration in fifteen species of vegetables as well as associated health risk. Atomic absorption spectrometry is used to assess heavy metals. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni and Fe in vegetables were 4.78, 0.713, 9.266, 0.083, 5.06 mg/kg/fw exceeding the reference value of FAO/WHO indicating unsafe to consumption. Based on principal component analysis, the Pb, Cr, Ni and Fe are from same sources. Health risk was estimated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient, hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR). The EDI values of metals except Cr were found to be lower than maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The total THQs of metals were > 1 indicating non-carcinogenic health risk. The individual HI values for vegetables except potato (0.831) and total HI values were found to be > 1 (94.747). The TCR of Pb, Cd and Cr were > 1.0E−04 which indicating carcinogenic risk. Fruit and pod vegetables contribute much in carcinogenic risk for Pb and Cr whereas fruit, root and stems vegetables for Cd. The study revealed potential human health risk associated with the consumption of different types of vegetables in Bangladeshi adult population that might assist the regulatory bodies to develop new strategies to minimize the risk to human.

Snow cover is an important source of data for the study of environmental pollution due to its ability to accumulate atmospheric dust particles. A total reflection x‐ray fluorescence method (TXRF) was applied to assess the concentration levels of potentially toxic elements (As, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, V, Mn, and Sr) in samples of snow cover solid phase collected in suburban areas of the Irkutsk region with industrial activity. Suspension was chosen as an optimal sample preparation procedure for solid phases of snow samples obtained after melting and filtration. Results were compared with those obtained by wavelength‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Precision of TXRF results expressed by repeatability values was not exceeded 15% (n = 3) for most of the elements, and the trueness of the TXRF method expressed by recovery values was in the range of 87%–115% for concentration levels of 5.0–350 μg/g. Forty samples of snow cover solid phase were analyzed by TXRF method and results were compared with the background values. The investigation showed low contamination of the studied area by Pb, Cu, V, Mn, and Sr, medium contamination by Ni, As, and Cr, and high contamination by Zn. TXRF is advantageous in being rapid, cost‐efficient, and simple and can be used as a promising method for an assessment of environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A siddha drug, linga chendhooram was prepared from cinnabar (lingam) and Citrullus colocynthis L. The transition of heavy metals concentration throughout the process were analysed to comprehend the significance of drug preparatory methods. In addition to that the main constituent cinnabar was purified from two different methods to comparatively analyse the significance of purification methods. Atomic absorption spectrometric studies were employed to obtain the concentration of class I heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury) in all five samples – raw cinnabar (R), cinnabar purified (P1 and P2) from purification method 1 and 2, linga chendhooram (D1 and D2) prepared from P1 and P2. Based on the permissible limits given by The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, except cadmium the concentrations of all other three heavy metals were found to be above the limit in P1, P2, D1 and D2. According to the oral Permitted Daily Exposure values for elemental impurities given in ICH Q3D(R1) Guidelines, D1 was within the permissible limits for both single and double oral doses whereas D2 showed a slight increase in the concentration of lead in a single oral dose itself. The drug preparatory method showed a reduction of the heavy metals concentration and comparative analysis of the purification methods revealed a substantial reduction of heavy metals concentration in the end drug D1 when compared with D2 showing that the methods of purification and drug preparation in siddha system plays a vital role in reducing the concentrations of heavy metals accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya, DP) is promising for the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its nutritional value and pharmaceutical potential. Its proper cultivation is therefore of interest. An insufficient supply of minerals necessary for plant growth can be manifested by discoloration of the leaves. In our earlier study, magnesium deficiency was excluded as a cause. As a follow-up, this work focused on manganese and molybdenum. To quantify both minerals in leaf extracts of DP, analytical methods based on atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using the graphite furnace sub-technique were devised. The development revealed that the quantification of manganese works best without using any of the investigated modifiers. The optimized pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were 1300 °C and 1800 °C, respectively. For the analysis of molybdenum, calcium proved to be advantageous as a modifier. The optimum temperatures were 1900 °C and 2800 °C, respectively. Both methods showed satisfactory linearity for analysis. Thus, they were applied to quantify extracts from normal and discolored leaves of DP concerning the two minerals. It was found that discolored leaves had higher manganese levels and a lower molybdenum content. With these results, a potential explanation for the discoloration could be found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selected wild-growing edible fungi (Boletus edulis, Neoboletus luridiformis, Cantharellus cibarius, Macrolepiota procera, Amanita rubescens, Russula virescens, Lycoperdon perlatum, and Flammulina velutipes) along with the poisonous medicinal species Amanita muscaria were collected from five sites in the Bohemian Forest, the Czech Republic and analyzed regarding the contents of 19 elements (Ag, Al, As, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Tl, and Zn) in their fruiting bodies. The contents of the elements as well as bioconcentration factors (ratios of the element content in dry matter of the mushroom to the content in the soil; BCF) were significantly species dependent. In general, the analysis revealed the most intensive accumulation of Cd, Rb, Ag, Cu, Se, and Zn in the studied mushrooms. B. edulis accumulated Ag, Se, Cd, Rb, Cu, and Zn with average BCF of 31, 25, 18, 13, 3.9, and 2.6, respectively. On the other hand, A. rubescens accumulated Cd, Rb, Ag, Cu, Zn, and As (BCF of 41, 27, 4.8, 3.3, 2.1, and 1.4). The data concerning the detrimental elements in sporocarps of edible mushrooms indicate no negative effect on human health if the fungi are consumed occasionally or as a delicacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Population growth and industrial development have caused an alarming increase in the sources of contamination near water supply wells. This situation compromises the quality of groundwater, which is vital for the population, resulting in an increase in the development of chronic diseases in humans. Objective: To evaluate the environmental impact associated with lead concentrations in water from supply wells intended for human consumption in Baba canton, Ecuador. Materials and Methods: Water samples were collected in triplicate from five water supply wells in Baba canton and lead concentrations were quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry, comparing them with parameters established in the Environmental Quality Standard, the European Union Directive and the World Health Organization Guide. The environmental impact was determined using an equation scientifically validated by Arada et al., (2017). Results and Discussion: Lead concentrations in the five supply wells exceeded both national and international parameters (0.793±0.053 mg/L). The quantified environmental impact based on the regulations (Environmental Quality Standard, EU Directive and WHO Guide) was +0.78 and +0.74 evidencing severe damage to the water quality of the supply wells with adverse effects on the health of the population. Conclusions: The presence of lead in the groundwater of Baba canton represents a serious environmental and health risk, being necessary to implement mitigation measures and continuous monitoring to protect the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a global challenge. Research in that field is thus necessary. Analytical techniques are required for such a purpose. From this perspective, the focus was on atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Although it is old, AAS often offers unexpected potential. Of course, this should be exploited. The aim was therefore to demonstrate the versatility of the technique in antibacterial research. This is illustrated by various examples of its practical application. AAS can be used, for example, to confirm the identity of antibacterial compounds, for purity controls, or to quantify the antibiotics in pharmaceutical preparations. The latter allowed analysis without laborious sample preparation and without interference from other excipients. In addition, AAS can help elucidate the mode of action or resistance mechanisms. In this context, quantifying the accumulation of the antibiotic drug in the cell of (resistant) bacteria appears to play an important role. The general application of AAS is not limited to metal-containing drugs, but also enables the determination of some organic chemical antibiotics. Altogether, this perspective presents a range of applications for AAS in antibacterial research, intending to raise awareness of the method and may thus contribute to the fight against resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the level of contamination of the common dandelion—Taraxacum officinale—with selected metals (Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) and to demonstrate that this plant can be used in passive biomonitoring of industrial sites. Two sample transects (the first was near a forest, an area potentially uncontaminated by analytes [A], while the second ran near a steel mill, a contaminated area [B]), each about 1.5 km long, located in Ozimek, Opole Province, Poland, were used in this study. Metals in plant and soil samples were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Based on the analysis of the obtained results to determine the concentration of metals, plants at site A were more contaminated with Mn (240 mg/kg d.m.) and those at site B with Fe (635 mg/kg d.m.). Mean Pb values (8.39 mg/kg d.m.) were higher at the industrial site (B) and statistically significant at the forest site (A), together with Mn and Fe at the p < 0.001 level. The BCF values for T. officinale showed that Cu (0.473) and Zn (0.785) accumulated to an average degree on both transects. This shows that dandelion is heavily loaded with these metals. Both dandelion and soil samples showed the highest concentrations of Mn, Fe, and Zn, especially in the polluted area B, which is the result of pollution not only from the smelter (dust from electric arc furnaces in steel smelting, extraction installations in production halls transmitting pollutants into the air from molding sand, or waste from molding and core masses dumped on the heap and blown by the wind from the landfill) but also from the high anthropopressure caused by human activity—for example, heating processes or road transport. Our results confirmed that Taraxacum officinale can be successfully used as a herbal plant in passive biomonitoring to assess the quality of the environment, but it must be collected from uncontaminated areas if we want to use it like a medicinal plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt • This study focuses on the health risks associated with heavy metal contamination in vegetables irrigated near a metal workshop in Kofar Marusa, Katsina Metropolis. • By quantifying the concentrations of various heavy metals in commonly consumed vegetables, the research shows significant variations in metal uptake among different vegetable types, with cress and spinach posing the highest health risks. • The study uses Health Risk Index (HRI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) calculations to show the potential health hazards, particularly for children, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to mitigate these risks in affected communities. Full Abstract Heavy metal contamination from Metal workshop activities poses health risks by accumulating in crops and entering the food chain. This study quantified heavy metal concentrations and health risks in commonly consumed vegetables irrigated near a metal workshop in Kofar Marusa, Katsina Metropolis. Samples from the cultivation areas of Cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, spinach, and cress were analyzed. After acid digestion, the amounts of heavy metals were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Copper (0.123 mg/kg), manganese (0.431 mg/kg), and nickel (0.539 mg/kg) were greatest in spinach. Manganese (0.374 mg/kg) and cobalt (1.474 mg/kg) levels were higher in cress. Lettuce had the highest iron concentration (6.028 mg/kg) and the lowest metal levels. Lead (11.68 mg/kg) and chromium (2.276 mg/kg) were both high in Cabbage, and nickel (0.526 mg/kg) and lead (4.24 mg/kg) were noteworthy in tomatoes. Among the Health Risk Index (HRI) calculated, cress reached 17.967 for adults. Children's exposure to heavy metals for Cobalt (Co) and Lead (Pb) through cabbage consumption showed the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for Co (0.089) and Pb (0.036), significantly higher than those for adults. The Cumulative Lifetime Cancer Risks showed that Cress posed the highest risk for both adults and children, followed by spinach. The study revealed significant variations in heavy metal concentrations taken up among different types of vegetables, portraying potential health risks associated with its consumption. It also suggested that the consumption of vegetables cultivated through irrigation near the metal artisanal site may contribute to the bioaccumulation of heavy metals burden among the population. The study brought to light the wide range of heavy metal uptake in vegetables as well as the possible health hazards associated with eating produce grown close to the metal workshop.

A sensitive and interference-free method based on hydride generation high-resolution continuum source quartz tube atomic absorption spectrometry in dilute HCl was developed for total and inorganic As (tAs, iAs) determination in soil, sediments, and sludge. Sample preparation involved microwave-assisted digestion in aqua regia for tAs and extraction in 10 mol L−1 HCl for iAs. In both cases, the prereduction of As(V) to As(III) was carried out with L-cysteine, while derivatization to arsine with 0.6% NaBH4 was performed in the presence of 0.2% L-cysteine in 0.01 mol L−1 HCl (pH 2.00 ± 0.01). Inorganic arsenic determination was validated with 87 ± 7% extraction efficiency. The recovery of tAs in certified reference materials was 98 ± 23%, while the value for iAs in spiked samples was 95 ± 10%. The method was selective for iAs determination and did not require separation of iAs by liquid-liquid extraction in an organic solvent. The results were verified using the Tukeyʼs multiple comparison test for p > 0.05 (experimental values 0.063 to 0.999). The method is greatly simplified due to no requirement for the separation of iAs species, absence of spectral interference, similar derivatization conditions for tAs/iAs, and possibility of using external calibration. The limits of detection for tAs and iAs were 0.006 mg kg−1. Concentrations of 0.37–545 mg kg−1 tAs and 0.33–280 mg kg−1 iAs in real samples were determined with precisions from 3.7 to 12.2% and 6.8 to 15.0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium concentrate is a natural mineral grade a high grade of lithium, as well as abundant rubidium and cesium. Accurate determination of the content of these 3 elements is of great practical significance. Tetra-acid sample dissolution was used to dissolve lithium concentrate, and the content of lithium, rubidium, and cesium in lithium concentrate was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in a dilute nitric acid medium. This method has high accuracy and good precision, with a spike recovery rate of 98.67%-99.67%. The relative standard deviations of the measurement results were all less than 5%, and they were consistent with the results obtained by the national standard method, making it suitable for industry promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the concentrations of uranium and heavy metals in drinking water samples from Garhwal Himalaya, India determined using LED Fluorimeter and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), respectively. The radiological (carcinogenic) and chemical (non-carcinogenic) risks associated with the consumption of uranium in water were estimated for the public. The concentrations of natural uranium in the analyzed drinking water samples vary from 0 to 21.57 ppb with a mean value of 1.54 ppb. The average concentrations of heavy metals in the analyzed drinking water samples were found to be in the order of iron (3.99 ppm) > zinc (0.32 ppm) > copper (0.04 ppm) > nickel (0.01 ppm) > chromium and lead (Below Detection Level). The estimated risk quantities were found to be lower than World Health Organization (WHO) and United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guideline values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heavy metal burden on natural freshwater ecosystems is uninterruptedly increasing, which could affect their biodiversity, particularly regarding avian species. Three river barrages were selected for the sampling of water birds from autumn 2021 to spring 2022. Seven heavy metals—nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and manganese (Mn)—were estimated in the hearts and livers of Fulica atra (Common Coot), Anas strepera (Gad-wall), and Anas crecca (Eurasian Teal) (Linnaeus, 1758) by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean concentrations of metals were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) different among the sam-pling sites, species, and tissues. In the livers of F. atra and A. strepera, respectively, the highest mean concentration among the metals belonged to Zn (521 µg/g), and the lowest belonged to Cd (0.17 µg/g). The concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Co were highest in A. strepera heart samples. However, the concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd, and Mn were found to be highest in the livers of F. atra. A comparison between both tissues indicated that the concentration of Ni is significantly (p < 0.05) higher (except for F. atra from Trimmu barrage) in the livers of water birds and that the concentration of Cd is significantly higher in the hearts of water birds. The mean metal concentrations were higher than the background limits reported in various studies, suggesting that the wintering water birds of Pakistan are under a significant load of heavy metal pollution. Histopathological analysis suggested that the observed heavy metals altered the normal histologies of hearts and livers of Fulica atra (Common Coot), Anas strepera (Gadwall), and Anas crecca (Eurasian Teal) sampled from three wetlands of Punjab Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization, industrialization, and intensification of agriculture have led to considerable heavy metal pollution across the globe, harming our ecosystems. Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) have been analysed in 249 eggshells collected between 2006 and 2021 from 83 female Common Cranes (Grus grus) nesting within north-eastern Germany. Information on the presence of trace elements in cranes from Europe and their potential adverse effects on the reproduction are largely missing. Only Cu and Pb were found to be present in eggshell samples. Levels of both metals did not exceed concentrations considered potentially toxic in birds and unhatched eggs did not contain higher metal concentrations compared to eggshell residues from hatched eggs. Statistical analysis revealed that trace element concentrations decreased significantly over the course of the study period. The ban of leaded gasoline in the early twenty-first century and strict limitations of heavy metal-based biocontrol products are likely responsible for this decrease over the years. However, as Cu levels gradually increase with increasing proportions of agricultural areas within the cranes' home ranges, we suggest that considerable amounts of Cu originating from agricultural practises are still being released into the environment. We found no increase in metal concentrations in eggshells with increasing female age, suggesting that heavy metals do not accumulate in the circulatory systems of the adults over time. This study is the first to assess heavy metal contamination in Common Cranes and indicates the suitability of crane's eggshells as bioindicator for monitoring environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal pollution is a big problem not only for humans but also for captive animals. The current study was conducted to monitor the heavy metal pollution in a non-invasive way and to investigate the DNA damage, particularly due to heavy metals contamination in the environment of captive Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) kept at different geographical regions of Punjab (Jallo Wildlife Park Lahore, Wildlife Park Bahawalnagar and Wildlife Park Murree). For that purpose, Surface soil, deep soil, water, fecal and feed samples were collected as indicators to estimate the heavy metals pollution in the environment of captive P. cristatus. Cr. Pb, Ni, Co and Mn were identified through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The highest accumulation of heavy metals was found in feed samples followed by fecal matter as compared to water and soil samples in all the sites. Cr was found highly abundant in all sites than other metals. The highest heavy metal pollution was observed in Wildlife Park Murree followed by Jallo Wildlife Park Lahore and least in Wildlife Park Bahawalnagar. Blood samples of P. cristatus were collected from all sites to assess the DNA damage by single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. P. cristatus kept at Wildlife Park Murree and Jallo Wildlife Park Lahore had almost same and greater DNA damage than the birds kept at Wildlife Park Bahawalnagar. Heavy metal concentrations and variation in DNA damage were correlated. Only Cr and Mn concentrations were directly associated with the LHead and LComet variations. This study concluded that heavy metals contamination exposure could be detected by a noinvasive way and Wildlife Park Bahawalnagar is most suitable for captivity with the least heavy metal contamination and genotoxicants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Triton X-100 surface-active substance on the value of the analytical signal during the atomic absorption determination of copper and zinc was studied. It was shown that the maximum value of the analytical signal in the determination of analytes is achieved when Triton X-100 is used at a mass fraction of 5%. The sensitivity of the atomic absorption determination of copper increases by 1.74 times and that of zinc by 1.58 times. Sample preparation of pharmaceutical substances was carried out using ultrasound treatment. The most complete extraction of metals was achieved when the samples were treated with ultrasound for 25 minutes, and homogeneous solutions were obtained. The use of acetylacetonates of metals as standard samples of the composition increased the accuracy of copper and zinc determination due to the similarity of the calibration and analyzed solutions. The correctness of the result of the atomic absorption analysis was checked by the «injected-found out» method and by varying the weight of the sample. It was established that the systematic error is not significant. The limits of detection of copper (Cmin=0.002 mg/ml, Ctheor=0.004 mg/ml) and zinc (Cmin=0.003 mg/ml, Ctheor=0.004 mg/ml) were determined by the atomic absorption method, they are lower than those given in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is an important experiment in instrumental analysis laboratory teaching for undergraduates. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is used to quantitatively determine a specific element in real samples, which has the advantages of high accuracy, precision, and selectivity. Zinc gluconate oral solution is a common over-the-counter zinc supplement in daily life. Through independent experiments of undergraduates, a simple and easy-to-operate FAAS method is established to determine the zinc content in zinc gluconate oral solution. This experiment aims to cultivate students' ability to apply theoretical knowledge learned in class to solve practical problems, and achieve the educational goal of "learning for application, and application to promote learning". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya, DP) is known for the nutritional value of its tuber. Nevertheless, DP also has promising pharmacological properties. Compared with the tuber, the leaves of DP are still very little studied. However, it may be possible to draw conclusions about the plant quality based on the coloration of the leaves. Magnesium, as a component of chlorophyll, seems to play a role. Therefore, the aim of this research work was to develop an atomic absorption spectrometry-based method for the analysis of magnesium (285.2125 nm) in leaf extracts of DP following the graphite furnace sub-technique. The optimization of the pyrolysis and atomization temperatures resulted in 1500 °C and 1800 °C, respectively. The general presence of flavonoids in the extracts was detected and could explain the high pyrolysis temperature due to the potential complexation of magnesium. The elaborated method had linearity in a range of 1–10 µg L−1 (R2 = 0.9975). The limits of detection and quantification amounted to 0.23 µg L−1 and 2.00 µg L−1, respectively. The characteristic mass was 0.027 pg, and the recovery was 96.7–102.0%. Finally, the method was applied to extracts prepared from differently colored leaves of DP. Similar magnesium contents were obtained for extracts made of dried and fresh leaves. It is often assumed that the yellowing of the leaves is associated with reduced magnesium content. However, the results indicated that yellow leaves are not due to lower magnesium levels. This stimulates the future analysis of DP leaves considering other essential minerals such as molybdenum or manganese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury is the most dangerous pollutant prone to the formation of the toxic forms. Therefore, the problem of cleaning mercury contaminated areas seems to be very relevant. Numerous works have been published on the study of mercury uptake depending on the type of plants and natural conditions, but less attention was paid to studying the influence of element's speciation on their accumulation ability. In the present work, the results of laboratory experiments on the assessment of accumulation efficiency of white mustard growing in medium with artificially introduced mercury species such as HgCl2, CH3Hg Cl and HgS are discussed and bioconcentration factors were evaluated while maintaining plant viability. It was shown that methylmercury is the most intensively accumulated specie while mercury sulphide is more imbibed than HgCl2 during 3 months experiment in spite of its negligible solubility in water. Based on the assumption that the cause of such a phenomenon is associated with the transformation of mercury species in the process of the plants growth, mercury speciation in the growing environment has been studied in dynamics and the results obtained confirmed this suppose. It appeared that HgCl2 and HgS are transformed into other chemical forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green tea infusions are a source of many bioactive compounds as well as elements, both nutrients and toxic ones. In this study, we assessed the content of elements in green tea infusions depending on the brewing time and their pH values. In instrumental analysis we used atomic absorption spectrometry. Elements such as Ca (calcium), Cu (copper), K (potassium), Mg (magnesium), Na (sodium), Fe (iron), Mn (manganese), Zn (zinc), and toxic Al (aluminium) were quantified in green tea infusions with pH = 6 and pH = 2, and after infusion times of 5, 10, and 20 min. The mean value of the elements in 250 mL of beverage was the following: (mg) K—114.68 ± 33.27, Ca—18.48 ± 334.24, Na—4.00 ± 0.92, Mg—2.71 ± 0.65, and (µg) Al 1266.53 ± 0.56, Mn—488.19 ± 320.46, Zn—46.65 ± 5.18, Fe—34.30 ± 10.96, Cu—5.00 ± 0.01. From 1 g of raw material, the following amounts of elements were leaching, µg/g: Al—ND-1479.89, Ca—190.42–7650.09, Fe—9.52–42.30, K—42108.07–108337.90, Mg—661.14–1760.73, Mn—58.82–931.19, Na—ND-1959.09, Zn—2.50–16.83. Cu content was at the LOD of the method. Based on the statistical analyses, significant differences between the sample series were found. Al and Mn significantly positively correlated with most of the elements studied. Both pH and brewing times affected the amount of extracted elements, especially in the case of Al, Ca, and Mn. The amount of K did not change much during the preparation of the brews. The acidic environment allows a large amount of leaching of Al and Mn into the infusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Eating highly processed foods and lack of important nutrients in the diet may increase the need for dietary supplements. Their use allows consumers to supplement deficiencies of vitamins and other minerals necessary for the proper functioning of the body. However, in addition to valuable vitamins and minerals, often contain various types of plant components and they may be contaminated with heavy metals such as: cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg). Preparations with a high content of toxic elements may constitute an additional source of their uptake by the body and, apart from the desired nutritional effect, cause intoxication of the organism. Aim of the study. Comparative study on the level of cadmium, lead and mercury in herbal and vitamin-mineral preparations available on the Polish market. Material and methods. 93 samples, belonging to vitamin and vitamin-mineral preparations (50 contained plant components, while free from plant ingredients were in number of 43) were evaluated for selected heavy metals content using the flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for cadmium and lead and using atomic absorption spectrometry with amalgamation technique for mercury. Results. Analysed samples of herbal and vitamin-mineral dietary supplements contained a low contamination of cadmium and lead and did not pose a risk to public health. The content of cadmium ranged from 0.010-0.710 mg/kg, while the lead ranged from 0.02 to 1.55 mg/kg. The average cadmium and lead contamination in preparations containing plant raw materials was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the average content of this elements in preparations containing only synthetic ingredients. The level of cadmium and lead in all specimens did not exceed admissible value (1.0 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg respectively). The mercury concentration in the tested dietary supplements varied and ranged from 0.0005 to 0.1470 mg/kg. The average mercury content was almost 10 times higher in supplements containing plant raw materials, compared to the average content of this element in preparations containing only synthetic ingredients, but differences were not statistically significant (p < 0.088). Four preparations containing raw materials of plant origin exceeded the permissible mercury content (0.1 mg/kg). The tested dietary supplements were not a significant source of cadmium and mercury, but supply of lead from supplements was much bigger. Conclusion. Heavy metals were detected in all tested preparations. However, the supplements with plant raw materials contained significantly higher concentration of cadmium, lead and mercury compared to supplements that did not contain components of plant origin. Our research showed that the permissible amounts of mercury in the herbal supplements may be exceeded, moreover supplements with plant material may be a significant source of lead. Therefore further studies covering larger number of samples are needed to estimate the heavy metals contamination risk of dietary supplements. Keywords: heavy metals, atomic absorption spectrometry, contaminations, dietary supplements.

Soil pollution with heavy metals has become a serious global threat, largely due to anthropogenic activities, and cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic known heavy metals. This study aimed to assess cadmium levels in several agricultural soils in several Syrian regions. Soil samples were taken from six agricultural lands, prepared, and processed to determine the total content of cadmium using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that the values of cadmium concentration ranged between 0.60 and 1.48 ppm in the studied soil samples, exceeding the permissible limit in some areas. Cadmium values were higher in farmland soils near industrial facilities than those far from them. This study indicates the spread of Cd contamination throughout the study area, significantly near the industrial activities; thus, it may impact local agricultural production safety and human health.

The Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya, DP) is promising for the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its nutritional value and pharmaceutical potential. Its proper cultivation is therefore of interest. An insufficient supply of minerals necessary for plant growth can be manifested by discoloration of the leaves. In our earlier study, magnesium deficiency was excluded as a cause. As a follow-up, this work focused on manganese and molybdenum. To quantify both minerals in leaf extracts of DP, analytical methods based on atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using the graphite furnace sub-technique were devised. The development revealed that the quantification of manganese works best without using any of the investigated modifiers. The optimized pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were 1300 °C and 1800 °C, respectively. For the analysis of molybdenum, calcium proved to be advantageous as a modifier. The optimum temperatures were 1900 °C and 2800 °C, respectively. Both methods showed satisfactory linearity for analysis. Thus, they were applied to quantify extracts from normal and discolored leaves of DP concerning the two minerals. It was found that discolored leaves had higher manganese levels and a lower molybdenum content. With these results, a potential explanation for the discoloration could be found.

Scientific relevance. Zinc quantification in insulin active substances and preparations by atomic absorption spectrometry requires a sample preparation procedure using hydrochloric acid, a narcotic and psychotropic precursor. The exclusion of precursors from laboratory practice significantly reduces labour costs during analysis.Aim. This study aimed to modify the pharmacopoeial method for quantifying zinc in insulins with a view to eliminating drug precursors and to evaluate the applicability of the modified method across different insulin preparations.Materials and methods. The study considered insulin active substances and preparations of various types, dosage forms, and strengths. Zinc content determination involved using an Agilent 240FS atomic absorption spectrometer at a characteristic wavelength of 213.86 nm.Results. The authors selected the conditions for elemental analysis (nitric acid concentration, monochromator slit width, and flame stabilisation time) corresponding to the pharmacopoeial requirements for quantifying zinc in insulins (RSD ≤1.4%, standard zinc solution with a concentration of 0.8 mg/dm3, and calibration curve correlation coefficient ≥0.99). The study compared zinc content measurements in the studied insulin samples with hydrochloric acid or nitric acid as a solvent; it did not reveal any significant differences between the results obtained by the pharmacopoeial method and the modified method.Conclusions. The modified method enables analysts to quantify zinc in insulin preparations in various dosage forms without drug precursors.

Energy drinks produce various health effects. Adjusting the composition and content of the natural nutrients in drinks can enable them to meet the nutritional needs of special groups of people. The quality of ingredients in beverages is directly related to the health of the people that consume them, and it is also an important part of the national food quality monitoring work. Based on the instrumental analysis experimental course of the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Shandong University, students independently designed experimental plans while teachers reviewed, guided, and supervised them. Their plans, which were closely associated with practical problems related to health, aimed to strengthen and expand the significance and application value of experimental learning. With the help of atomic absorption spectroscopy, they determined the zinc/sodium/potassium ion contents in commercially available energy drinks. The determined contents were tested and compared with the reference content marked on the package to determine whether there was any food quality problem with the drinks. The experiment conducted by the students completely supported their subjective initiative, enabling them to strengthen their theoretical knowledge learning, improve their practical ability, and deepen their understanding and application of atomic absorption spectroscopy in practice. This experiment fully reflected that theory and practice informed each other and allowed students to flexibly exploit the knowledge they gained in the course to solve practical problems, enabling them to intimately experience the close connection between life and chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, there is an increased consumption of plant-based protein beverages like soy beverages (SBs) as substitutes for cow milk (CM). Both accumulate toxic metals like lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and manganese (Mn), which, although essential, are neurotoxic at high levels. Metals can also perturb the normal development of children. This work aimed to evaluate these metal concentrations in CM and SB purchased on the Portuguese market. After validation of the method, linearity of calibration curves, work range, detection and quantification limits, and selectivity, metals were determined in 14 CM and 14 SB brands using atomic absorption spectrometry. The values were compared between CM and SB and with permissible limit values. Soy beverages had significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentrations of Cd (5.6 ± 4.2 µg/L) and Mn (117.4 ± 30.3) µg/L) than CM (2.15 ± 1.84 µg/L and 5.93 ± 1.21 µg/L, respectively); the Pb concentrations in CM (19.3 ± 12.1 µg/L) were not significantly (p > 0.05) higher than in SB (13.4 ± 9.6 µg/L). These values were similar to other studies and close to but under permissible limit values. Nevertheless, due to the toxicity and bioaccumulation of metals, the fact that these foods are routinely ingested by all ages, mainly children, and represent key ingredients in many processed foods, including baby foods, we suggest strict surveying of metal levels in CM and SBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug abuse has a high prevalence worldwide and causes many health-related disorders. There are limited human exposure studies on establishing lead exposure levels and their propensity for drug addiction. In the present study, blood samples were tested for lead (Pb) concentrations in illicit drug users together with the related symptoms in comparison with control group of non-drug users. The study was performed on 250 volunteers divided equally in four drug groups, namely, opioids, hashish, methadone, and methamphetamine, and one control group of non-drug users. Participants were recruited from drug addiction clinics and camps in Kashan city, Iran, who were using drugs continuously for more than 1 year. Control group was recruited from companions of the patients with no drug use history. In the investigated groups of drug users, the highest blood-lead level (BLL) concentrations were observed in the opioid group (mean 37.57 µg/dL) with almost 3.7 times higher than in the control group (mean 3.39 µg/dL). In the methamphetamine group, type of occupation had the significant association with BLL concentrations. The positive correlation was revealed in the opioid and methadone groups for BLL concentrations and the duration of drug usage. In the opioid group, the highest BLL concentrations were observed among users who used both methods of drug use: smoking and eating. Also, several behavioral and life-style factors were identified which influence the blood-lead concentration in the drug users. The results of our study revealed that the BLL concentrations in investigated drug users' groups were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.001). That can be related with the Pb contents in illicitly used drugs. Apart other adverse health effects, long-term illicit drug use might cause to lead poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present review summarizes the research progress related to some green approaches in atomic absorption spectrometry in the period from 2012 to 2021. The main points of the present review include green sample introduction and microextraction techniques and their use in different atomic absorption spectrometry techniques. The review is focused on the application of the presented green approaches for the determination of metals in various samples. Some advantages or disadvantages of these approaches are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are various types of bottled water available, including: spring water and high-, medium- or low-mineralized mineral water. Water with the highest content of mineral salts (>1000 ppm), i.e. medicinal water, has been the most widely used in medicine. One of the most commonly used forms of application of the described water types are e.g. inhalations. It is worth mentioning, however, that the use of these types of water, due to the high content of minerals (barium, chloride, sulphate ions), has the influence on human health. Although a little is known about the limitations of using the external method, and particularly the recently popular aerosol therapy. The popularity of this method of treatment is due to the fact that it can be used at different age groups of patients and in contrary to oral drug dosage, aerosol therapy has faster onset of action and a much greater safety profile of the therapy. It is worth noting that not all producers of medicinal water provide information about the total mineral content of their products. Moreover, producers do not declare if mineral water can be applied in children. The aim of the study was the quantitative analysis of selected metals: sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc in 7 selected medicinal and mineral waters. The newly constructed Mini-Graduation Tower 2018 device was used to generate the aerosol. In most of the tested waters (except for the zinc content in the Słotwinka water), statistically significant changes in the content of the tested ions were demonstrated in relation to the control sample which were mineralizates obtained from catontrol (the filter subject to the 4-time distilled water aerosol). The highest content of divalent and trivalent ions was found in the mineralizate obtained from Zabłocka Mgiełka Solankowa, while the highest content of monovalent cations was found in Franciszek and Helena water. In all samples, the ion content obtained indicates the possibility of using the tested water in aerosol therapy. The obtained results show that the "Minitężnia-2018" device can be used to study aerosols.

The ongoing development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a global challenge. Research in that field is thus necessary. Analytical techniques are required for such a purpose. From this perspective, the focus was on atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Although it is old, AAS often offers unexpected potential. Of course, this should be exploited. The aim was therefore to demonstrate the versatility of the technique in antibacterial research. This is illustrated by various examples of its practical application. AAS can be used, for example, to confirm the identity of antibacterial compounds, for purity controls, or to quantify the antibiotics in pharmaceutical preparations. The latter allowed analysis without laborious sample preparation and without interference from other excipients. In addition, AAS can help elucidate the mode of action or resistance mechanisms. In this context, quantifying the accumulation of the antibiotic drug in the cell of (resistant) bacteria appears to play an important role. The general application of AAS is not limited to metal-containing drugs, but also enables the determination of some organic chemical antibiotics. Altogether, this perspective presents a range of applications for AAS in antibacterial research, intending to raise awareness of the method and may thus contribute to the fight against resistance.

This study evaluates essential and toxic element contents in three widely used medicinal plants (Acanthus ilicifolius, Avicennia officinalis, and Xylocarpus mekongensis) of the Sundarban mangrove ecosystem and the possible health risks through the consumption of these plants. Total concentrations of 20 chemical elements (Al, As, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Fe, K, La, Mn, Na, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Th, V, and Zn) were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) techniques. The determined concentrations of the elements were compared with available WHO permissible limits which indicate that the average concentration of Zn in A. ilicifolius (41.2 ± 10.1 mg/kg) was higher than that of the permissible WHO limit (27 mg/kg). The average concentrations of Cr in A. ilicifolius (3.35 ± 0.37 mg/kg) and X. mekongensis (4.02 ± 2.30 mg/kg) were also higher than that of the WHO permissible limit (2 mg/kg). However, the average daily intake of the toxic elements was below the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI) values. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values were also within the permissible limit (THQ < 1). The elemental transfer factors and pollution index for the medicinal plants were determined and statistical analyses were used to clarify the elemental correlations in the studied plants. Therefore, this study will give valuable information to the public about the elemental contents and health risks due to consumption of the medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous adverse effects on human health have been reported in epidemiological studies of oleoresin capsicum (OC) and other riot control agents (RCAs). Importantly, the daunting risk of such RCAs can be neutralized by optimizing the desired concentration of such agents for mob dispersal. Hence, a nonlethal riot control combinational formulation (NCF) was prepared for dispersing rioters without imparting fatal outcomes. However, for desired utilization of NCF, it is essential to recognize its extent of potential toxicity. Therefore, the current investigation evaluated the dermal toxicity of NCF using experimental animals in compliance with the OECD guidelines. Additionally, few essential metal ions were analyzed and found non -significantly different in the test rats as compared to control rats. Moreover, abnormal dermal morphology and lesions ultrastructural tissue defects were not noticed as evinced by different studies like ultrasonography, histology, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. Further, Doppler ultrasonography exhibited non-significantly different blood flow velocity in both groups, whereas miles test demonstrated a significantly increased Evans blue concentration in test rats compared to the control rats, which might be due to an initial increase in blood flow via an instant action of the NCF at the cutaneous sensory nerve endings. However, our results demonstrated NCF can produce initial skin irritating and sensitizing effects in guinea pigs and rabbits without the antecedence of acute toxicity (≤2000 mg/kg) in Wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND It is of great significance for evaluation, early warning and remediation of antimony contaminated soil to study the sorption factors affecting Sb(Ⅲ) adsorption in soil. OBJECTIVES To investigate the forms of Fe and Mn oxides and controlling factors of Sb(Ⅲ) adsorption in soil. METHODS The physicochemical properties, mechanical composition, and main chemical composition of soils from 10 different areas were determined by chemical method, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The contents of different forms of iron and manganese and the saturated adsorption capacity of soils to Sb(Ⅲ) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The correlation analysis, principal component analysis and factor analysis of soil saturated adsorption capacity to Sb(Ⅲ), soil physicochemical properties, mechanical composition, iron and manganese oxides and their forms were carried out by SPSS 21.0. RESULTS On the basis of studying the influencing factors of soil adsorption of Sb(Ⅲ), the main controlling factors were further studied. The saturated adsorption capacity of soil to Sb(Ⅲ) was between 0.63mg/g and 3.98mg/g, and was related to soil type with the order of red soil>brown soil>yellow soil>cinnamon soil>sandy soil. According to the correlation analysis results, the saturated adsorption capacity of soil to Sb(Ⅲ) was significantly positively correlated with cation exchange capacity, total iron oxide, amorphous iron content, and was positively correlated with free iron content, amorphous manganese content and free manganese content. The principal component analysis and factor analysis showed that these six factors were the main controlling factors affecting the adsorption of Sb(Ⅲ) in soil, and the influence degree was: total iron oxide>cation exchange capacity>amorphous iron content>free iron content>amorphous manganese content>free manganese content. CONCLUSIONS The adsorption capacity of soil to Sb(Ⅲ) is significantly affected by the total amount of iron and manganese oxides and their forms.

This study determined the extent of heavy metal contamination of local fruit in Rayong, Thailand, an area where an industrial base is adjacent to agricultural areas. Dietary exposure to agricultural products grown in contaminated areas can cause multiple adverse effects to the human body. In order to avoid such undesirable effects, concentrations of heavy metals [arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)] were investigated in popular tropical fruits from three districts of Rayong, namely Wang Chan, Klang and Mueang. The levels of heavy metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and cold vapor-atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS). Levels of the six heavy metals in sampled fruits (durian, jackfruit, pineapple, rambutan, long kong, and mangosteen) were in the range of 0.0004-6.7095 mg/kg; 16.7% of fruit samples exceeded maximum permissible limits of Pb. Based on health risk assessments, values of estimated daily intake (EDI) were less than those of maximum tolerable daily intake. However, for non-carcinogenic risks, high hazard index (HI) values were found in some markets while for carcinogenic risks (CRs), CR values of three fruits (durian, jackfruit, and mangosteen) exceeded acceptable levels. Therefore, long-term fruit consumption could impact health of local consumers. These results provided insight into the need for regular monitoring of heavy metal concentrations in potentially contaminated fruits and for prevention of its potential effects.

To ensure the quality of immunobiologicals, it is required to quantify the thiomersal preservative present in a number of them. The authors have previously developed an analytical procedure for thiomersal quantification in non-adsorbed immunobiological medicinal products, which is based on cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV AAS). The aim of the study was to analyse the possibility of using the CV AAS procedure for thiomersal content determination in adsorbed immunobiologicals and evaluate the comparability of thiomersal quantification results obtained by colourimetry and CV AAS. Materials and methods: the study used the national reference standard of mercury ions content and the pharmacopoeial reference standard of thiomersal content in adsorbed medicinal products (PhRS 3.1.00427), as well as samples of immunobiologicals by different manufacturers: a DTP vaccine, anatoxins, hepatitis B and influenza vaccines, and combined vaccines. The study involved CV AAS and the colourimetric reaction between mercury and dithizone. Results: the specificity of the CV AAS procedure is demonstrated by the coefficient of variation (3.95%) and the coefficient of correlation between the test sample volume and thiomersal content (0.9956). The regression analysis and the Fisher’s test value of 0.16 indicate the absence of bias. The trueness of the method is satisfactory, as the percent recovery differs from the total spiked amount by less than 10%. For the sensitivity of the CV AAS procedure, its quantification and detection limits are 6.9×10-3 μg/ mL and 2.3×10-3 μg/ mL, respectively. The Fisher’s test value obtained in the comparability assessment of the results of thiomersal quantification by colourimetry and CV AAS (1.29) is lower than the conventional tabulated one (3.96). Conclusions: according to the study, it is possible to use the CV AAS procedure for thiomersal quantification in adsorbed immunobiologicals. The established detection limit allows evaluating residual amounts of thiomersal in in-process intermediates during the production of preservative-free immunobilogical dosage forms. The comparability assessment of the results of thiomersal quantification by colourimetry and CV AAS, carried out using oneway ANOVA and Fisher’s test, showed the possibility of using PhRS 3.1.00427 to control the consistency of operation when reproducing the CV AAS procedure.

Metalloenzymes play an important role in the regulation of many biological functions. An effective way to prevent deficiencies of essential minerals in human diets is the biofortification of plant materials. The process of enriching crop sprouts under hydroponic conditions is the easiest and cheapest to conduct and control. In this study, the sprouts of the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties Arkadia and Tonacja underwent biofortification with Fe, Zn, Mg, and Cr solutions in hydroponic media at four concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 200 µg g−1) over four and seven days. Moreover, this study is the first to combine sprout biofortification with UV-C (λ = 254 nm) radiation treatment for seed surface sterilization. The results showed that UV-C radiation was effective in suppressing seed germination contamination by microorganisms. The seed germination energy was slightly affected by UV-C radiation but remained at a high level (79–95%). The influence of this non-chemical sterilization process on seeds was tested in an innovative manner using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and EXAKT thin-section cutting. The applied sterilization process reduced neither the growth and development of sprouts nor nutrient bioassimilation. In general, wheat sprouts easily accumulate Fe, Zn, Mg, and Cr during the applied growth period. A very strong correlation between the ion concentration in the media and microelement assimilation in the plant tissues (R2 > 0.9) was detected. The results of the quantitative ion assays performed with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using the flame atomization method were correlated with the morphological evaluation of sprouts in order to determine the optimum concentration of individual elements in the hydroponic solution. The best conditions were indicated for 7-day cultivation in 100 µg g−1 of solutions with Fe (218% and 322% better nutrient accumulation in comparison to the control condition) and Zn (19 and 29 times richer in zinc concentration compared to the sprouts without supplementation). The maximum plant product biofortification with magnesium did not exceed 40% in intensity compared to the control sample. The best-developed sprouts were grown in the solution with 50 µg g−1 of Cr. In contrast, the concentration of 200 µg g−1 was clearly toxic to the wheat sprouts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead and cadmium were determined in non-mineralized raw milk samples employing dispersive solid-phase extraction with magnetic restricted access carbon nanotubes (M-RACNTs), followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry analysis. M-RACNTs were obtained by modifying carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with magnetite nanoparticles and then covering with a chemically crosslinked bovine serum albumin (BSA) external layer. The M-RACNT particles were very efficient to capture the metals and exclude proteins from the milk, being easily separated from the sample using a neodymium magnet. The extraction parameters were appraised by multivariate optimization (factorial design and Doehlert matrix). The method was validated and proved to be robust for small variations, simple, fast, sensitive, and selective. The determination coefficient was 0.998 for both Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions. The limit of quantification was 10 µg L−1, for both ions. The developed method was able to determine the metals in concentrations below the maximum residue limits (20 and 50 µg L−1 for Pb2+ and Cd+, respectively, in Brazil), demonstrating that M-RACNTs are promising materials for metal extraction in protein-rich samples, without the need for mineralization procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt–chromium alloys (Co-Cr) are widely used in dentistry due to their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Since prosthetic materials must be permanently stable in the oral cavity, it is very important to determine the release of ions from alloys in the oral cavity. In dentistry today, metals and alloys are mainly joined by laser and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. Therefore, in this work, the release of metal ions from six different Co-Cr alloys joined by these two welding methods was quantified to determine the effects of the welding method on an ion release. Static immersion tests, atomic absorption spectrometry and statistical analysis were performed for this purpose. The results showed that laser-welded alloys release a lower amount of metal ions compared to TIG-welded alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of different human activities in different industrial and agricultural fields, heavy metal toxicity increases day by day. Some of these metals pose a severe threat to the human body, even if these are present in low quantities. These metals are therefore, referred as human carcinogens according to the United States of Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) because they damage the organs in the human body as a result of their non-degradable nature, ability to accumulate, and having prolonged biological half-lives. There are many routes through which toxic heavy metals can enter the human body, including polluted water and soil and dietary intake. New food products have been widely spread out such as instant soup noodle products which are manufactured from different types of vegetables and spices and subjected to industrial processes. As a result, contaminations by some heavy metals is possible. The objective of this study was to assess the content of Manganese (Mn), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in different branded chicken stock powder from Jordanian market. The analytical method was based on the digestion of different types of chicken stock samples prior to their Atomic Absorption Spectrometry analysis. The selected heavy metal concentrations ranged from 0.0407 to 1.08, 0.0211 to 0.592, 0.0134 to 0.0923 and 0.227 to 0.645 mg/kg for Mn, Cr, Cd and Pb, respectively. The maximum levels of Pb and Cd were detected in different brands of powdered soup products. The results found were within the accepted levels compared to food samples from reported research. In order to assess the health effects of the selected heavy metals, a scientific survey was performed on a group of people to assess the daily intake of the studied soup products. As a result, Health Risk Assessment (HRA) was evaluated from the estimated daily intake (EDI) of metals from the selected food samples. The obtained results showed that the selected food samples are quite safe and healthy according to the maximum recommended metal levels taken by humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The River Ganga basin is home to over 520 million people and 2500 species of flora and fauna, including several fish species. This study determines the bioaccumulation factors of fish for five trace metals, namely Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cr, in a stretch of the River Ganga in the upper Gangetic alluvial plain with limited industrial activities. The abundance of different trace metals in the water follows the order Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr. The concentrations in fish show a slightly different pattern and follow the relative quantitative order as Zn >≈ Fe >Mn > Cu >Cr. The trace metal levels in fish are well below the permissible limits set by various regulatory agencies. The bioaccumulation factor values are in order Zn>Cr>Mn>Cu>Fe. This stretch of the Ganga has not been extensively investigated for bioaccumulation by aquatic organisms. These values, therefore, represent site-specific baseline data for future anthropogenic activities that may affect the trace metal profile in this part of the Gangetic aquatic system. The study is also significant due to the presence of the Narora nuclear power plants, as the bioaccumulation factors of stable elements help predict the behavior of their radioactive counterparts and homologous elements in the environment.

Background: From decades, spices and medicinal plants gained an important role in pharmacy as a raw material for the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical preparations. They are a component of supplements and medicaments due to the presence of biologically active compounds in their composition. However, in view of the progressive pollution of the environment, various toxic substances enter to this raw material, including heavy metals. Aim of the study: Comparative study on the levels of cadmium and lead in organically and conventionally produced herbs and spices marketed in Poland. Material and methods: One hundred and one of samples, belonging to 14 kinds of organic and conventional herbs and spices were evaluated for cadmium and lead content using the flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) technique according to PN-EN 14082: 2004. Results: Analysed samples of dried herbs and spices contained a low contamination of cadmium and lead and did not pose a risk to public health. The highest cadmium and lead contaminations were found in spices in the form of leaves. Products purchased in hypermarkets were characterized by a significantly higher average heavy metal content compared to products from organic stores (p < 0.05), with the exception of nutmeg samples, where the amount of lead was at a similar level. Additionally in turmeric, sweet paprika, hot paprika and nutmeg samples, contamination with cadmium was also at a similar level. Moreover, in dried garlic samples, a significantly higher cadmium content was in the organic product. Conclusion: Most of the published data show the results of the heavy metals content in herbs and spices collected from retail sale, local stores or directly from farmers. The authors do not provide information about cultivation methods. Our study compared differences between organic and conventional spices and herbs available on European market taking into account the level of cadmium and lead. The presence of heavy metals in dried herbs and spices is an unavoidable problem, due to soil contamination with these elements is a process that is difficult to reverse. Therefore, it is impossible to completely eliminate them from plant materials. Moreover, dried herbs and spices available on the Polish market come from various regions of the world. However tested in our study samples of dried herbs and spices did not pose a risk to public health, further studies covering larger number of samples are needed to estimate the heavy metals contamination risk of conventional and organic herbs and spices.

Sol-gel graphene oxide-coated polyester fabric platforms were synthesized and used for the on-line sequential injection fabric disk sorptive extraction (SI-FDSE) of toxic (i.e., Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II)) metals in different distilled spirit drinks prior to their determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The main parameters that could potentially influence the extraction efficiency of the automatic on-line column preconcentration system were optimized and the SI-FDSE-ETAAS method was validated. Under optimum conditions, enhancement factors of 38, 120 and 85 were achieved for Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II), respectively. Method precision (in terms of relative standard deviation) was lower than 2.9% for all analytes. The limits of detection for Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) were 1.9, 7.1 and 17.3 ng L−1, respectively. As a proof of concept, the proposed protocol was employed for the monitoring of Cd(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) in distilled spirit drinks of different types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]