Validity of mutagenic activity as an indicator of river water pollution

Objectives To investigate if mutagenicity could be expressed by known water pollution indicators, we determined the mutagenic activity of blue rayon extracts from sampled river water with the Ames test utilizing new strains of bacteria, and compared the results with those of known indicators of water pollution. Methods Water samples were collected by the blue rayon adsorption method at sixteen sites in six rivers in the North Kyushu district. The Assay of mutagenicity was carried out using the Ames test. The test strains wereSalmonella typhimurium TA100, YG1024, YG1041 and YG1042. B(a)P, Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 were quantified by HPLC. Determinations of SS, BOD, COD, T-N, T-P, DOC, and A₂₆₀/DOC were performed. Results The extracts from five sampling sites showed higher mutagenicity toward strain YG1024 with or without S9mix, and the extracts from two of these five sites showed higher mutagenicity toward strain YG1041 with and without S9mix. However, the water pollution indicators did not show specific trends that were consistent with the mutagenic activity. Conclusions Since the mutagenic activity of river water could not be predicted using known water pollution indicators, we recommend that biological examinations such as mutagenicity tests be added to the indicators that are currently in use.     

Occurrence of brominated disinfection byproducts in the air and water of chlorinated seawater swimming pools

An undesirable consequence of disinfection is the formation of chemical contaminants known as disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Chronic exposure to DBPs has been linked to adverse health effects. The occurrence of DBPs in chlorinated pools filled with seawater (such as thalassotherapy pools and pools in spas) has received little attention so far. The present study evaluated the speciation and levels of disinfection byproducts in indoor swimming pools filled with seawater and treated with chlorine. Water and air samples were collected from three indoor swimming pools located in Southern France. Several classes of DBPs including trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, and trihaloacetaldehydes were analyzed in water. Halogenated volatile organic compounds were analyzed in air. Extractable organic halides (EOX) contents were determined using combustion/micro-coulometry system. The speciation of DBPs identified in the three pools was predominantly brominated. The mean (arithmetic) concentration of bromoform, dibromoacetic acid, tribromoacetic acid, dibromoacetonitrile and bromal hydrate in the three pools was 79.2, 72.9, 59.9, 26.9 and 10.0 μg/L, respectively. By weight, HAAs represented the most abundant chemical class followed by THMs. In air, bromoform was the most abundant THM occurring at a mean concentration of 133.2 μg/m³ in the three pools. The mean EOX level was 706 μgCl^?/L for the three pools. In average, the quantified DBPs accounted for only 14% of EOX, thus 86% of EOX remained unknown. Further research is warranted to identify the unknown DBPs.     

Mutagenicity and disinfection by-products in surface drinking water disinfected with peracetic acid

The aims of this research were to study the influence of peracetic acid (PAA) on the formation of mutagens in surface waters used for human consumption and to assess its potential application for the disinfection of drinking water. The results obtained using PAA were compared to those found with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and chlorine dioxide (ClO2). The Ames test, root anaphase aberration assay, and root/micronuclei assay in Allium cepa and Tradescantia/micronuclei test were used to evaluate the mutagenicity of disinfected samples. Microbiological tests were also performed, and disinfection by-products (DBPs) were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A slight bacterial mutagenicity was found in raw lake and river water, and similar activity was detected in disinfected samples. A plant test revealed genotoxicity in raw river water, and microbiological analysis showed that PAA has bactericidal activity but lower than that of the other disinfectants. The DBPs produced by PAA were mainly carboxylic acids, which are not recognized as mutagenic, whereas the waters treated with the other disinfectants showed the presence of mutagenic/carcinogenic halogenated DBPs. However, additional experiments should be performed with higher concentrations of PAA and using water with higher organic carbon content to better evaluate this disinfectant.     

Copper sensitivity of wild ornamental fish of the Amazon

The copper sensitivity of 10 wild ornamental fish from Rio Negro, an ion-poor river in the Amazon, was analyzed in the absence of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). No mortality was observed at concentrations up to 700 μg Cu l^?1 for two species exposed to CuCl₂·2H₂O dissolved in standard EPA-USA water. Copper sensitivity of fish was also tested in INPA groundwater, which is similar to that of the Rio Negro, but lacking typical DOC of Rio Negro water. In these experiments, all four characid fish species were more sensitive to copper than the catfish and the cichlids. LC₅₀ values ranged from 12.8 μg Cu l^?1 for the characid Hemigrammus rhodostomus to 74.1 μg Cu l^?1 for the callichtyid Dianema urostriatum. Copper sensitivity of Hyphessobrycon socolofi was 52-fold lower in EPA (1405.5 μg Cu l^?1) than in INPA water (26.8 μg Cu l^?1). The differences in values of LC₅₀ may be related to species-specific physiological abilities to ion-regulate under the original conditions of the habitat of the analyzed species.     

What’s in the Pool? A Comprehensive Identification of Disinfection By-products and Assessment of Mutagenicity of Chlorinated and Brominated Swimming Pool Water

Background

Swimming pool disinfectants and disinfection by-products (DBPs) have been linked to human health effects, including asthma and bladder cancer, but no studies have provided a comprehensive identification of DBPs in the water and related that to mutagenicity.

Objectives

We performed a comprehensive identification of DBPs and disinfectant species in waters from public swimming pools in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, that disinfect with either chlorine or bromine and we determined the mutagenicity of the waters to compare with the analytical results.

Methods

We used gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to measure trihalomethanes in water, GC with electron capture detection for air, low- and high-resolution GC/MS to comprehensively identify DBPs, photometry to measure disinfectant species (free chlorine, monochloroamine, dichloramine, and trichloramine) in the waters, and an ion chromatography method to measure trichloramine in air. We assessed mutagenicity with the Salmonella mutagenicity assay.

Results

We identified > 100 DBPs, including many nitrogen-containing DBPs that were likely formed from nitrogen-containing precursors from human inputs, such as urine, sweat, and skin cells. Many DBPs were new and have not been reported previously in either swimming pool or drinking waters. Bromoform levels were greater in brominated than in chlorinated pool waters, but we also identified many brominated DBPs in the chlorinated waters. The pool waters were mutagenic at levels similar to that of drinking water (~ 1,200 revertants/L-equivalents in strain TA100–S9 mix).

Conclusions

This study identified many new DBPs not identified previously in swimming pool or drinking water and found that swimming pool waters are as mutagenic as typical drinking waters.     

Evaluation of the mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of extracts from oat,buckwheat and wheat bran in the Salmonella/microsome assay

This study examined the mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of the DMSO extracts from the oat, buckwheat and wheat bran, which are good sources of polyphenols with antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Extracts from buckwheat and wheat bran showed no mutagenic activity. Oat extract showed slight mutagenic effect in Salmonella typhimurium TA102. The antimutagenic activities against direct-acting (3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylic acid, 2-nitrofluorene, hydrogen peroxide) and indirect-acting (aflatoxin B1) mutagens were also investigated using Ames test with S. typhimurium TA98, TA100 and TA102. Cereal extracts exhibit concentration-dependent protective antigenotoxic activity against all used mutagens. The total phenolic content in studied cereal extracts expressed as gallic acid equivalent increases in the order: buckwheat < wheat bran < oat. Total flavonoid content expressed as rutin equivalent increases in the order: oat < wheat bran < buckwheat.     

Health impact assessment of active transportation: A systematic review

ObjectiveWalking and cycling for transportation (i.e. active transportation, AT), provide substantial health benefits from increased physical activity (PA). However, risks of injury from exposure to motorized traffic and their emissions (i.e. air pollution) exist. The objective was to systematically review studies conducting health impact assessment (HIA) of a mode shift to AT on grounds of associated health benefits and risks.MethodsSystematic database searches of MEDLINE, Web of Science and Transportation Research International Documentation were performed by two independent researchers, augmented by bibliographic review, internet searches and expert consultation to identify peer-reviewed studies from inception to December 2014.ResultsThirty studies were included, originating predominantly from Europe, but also the United States, Australia and New Zealand. They compromised of mostly HIA approaches of comparative risk assessment and cost–benefit analysis. Estimated health benefit–risk or benefit–cost ratios of a mode shift to AT ranged between − 2 and 360 (median = 9). Effects of increased PA contributed the most to estimated health benefits, which strongly outweighed detrimental effects of traffic incidents and air pollution exposure on health.ConclusionDespite different HIA methodologies being applied with distinctive assumptions on key parameters, AT can provide substantial net health benefits, irrespective of geographical context.     

Fate of effluent organic matter during soil aquifer treatment: biodegradability, chlorine reactivity and genotoxicity

Hydrophobic acid (HPO-A) and transphilic acid (TPI-A) fractions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were isolated from a domestic secondary wastewater effluent that was polished via soil aquifer treatment (SAT). Fractions were isolated using XAD resin adsorption chromatography from samples obtained along the vadose zone flowpath at a full-scale basin recharge facility in Tucson, Arizona. Changes in isolate character during SAT were established via biodegradability (batch test), specific ultraviolet light absorbance (SUVA), trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP), and Ames mutagenicity assays. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration decreased by >90% during SAT. A significant fraction (up to 20%) of isolated post-SAT HPO-A was biodegradable. The (apparent) refractory nature of DOM that survives SAT may be a consequence of low DOC concentration in groundwater as well as the nature of the compounds themselves. Specific THMFP (microg THM per mg DOC) of HPO-A and TPI-A varied little as a consequence of SAT, averaging 52 and 49 microg THM per mg DOC, respectively. The nonbiodegradable fractions of HPO-A and TPI-A exhibited higher reactivities: 89 and 95 microg THM per mg DOC, respectively. Genotoxicity of HPO-A (on a per mass basis) increased after SAT, suggesting that responsible compounds are removed less efficiently than bulk organics during vadose zone transport.     

汉江流域X市供水水体有机提取物致突变性研究

目的明确2019年不同水文期X市汉江水源水及其自来水中有机提取物的致突变性强度水平现状、变化趋势以及常规水处理工艺与管网输送对此趋势的影响。方法应用XAD-2大孔树脂富集汉江流域X城市水源水、出厂水、末梢水中的有机物,经洗脱、浓缩、干燥制得非挥发性有机物(NOCs)干品,运用Ames试验检测并比较各水样中NOCs的致突变性。结果在0.5~4.0 L/皿的测试浓度范围内,枯水期出厂水、末梢水的NOCs对TA98(±S9)的致突变性检测结果为阳性(MR值>2),在加S9后致突变性降低(MR值降低);其余水样的检测结果均为阴性。平水期出厂水、末梢水的NOCs仅对TA98(-S9)的检测结果为阳性,在加S9后致突变性降低;其余水样的检测结果均为阴性。丰水期时,除汉江出厂水外,其他水样对TA98(±S9)的检测结果均为阴性。但各水文期各水样NOCs对TA100(±S9)的检测结果均为阴性。出现阳性结果时的最低水样量为1.0 L/皿。结论2019年X市的汉江供水水体(水源水及其自来水)中的有机提取物具有一定的致突变性。Ames试验呈阳性时的水质属于中度污染。致突变性强度依次为枯水期>平水期>丰水期。水源水经自来水厂消毒处理后,水中有机物致突变性增强,但经过管网后有所降低。水样中非挥发性有机致突变物的作用类型主要为移码突变型。     

Pregnant women in Timis County,Romania are exposed primarily to low-level (<10 μg/l) arsenic through residential drinking water consumption

Excessive arsenic content in drinking water poses health risks to millions of people worldwide. Inorganic arsenic (iAs) in groundwater exceeding the 10 μg/l maximum contaminant level (MCL) set by the World Health Organization (WHO) is characteristic for intermediate-depth aquifers over large areas of the Pannonian Basin in Central Europe. In western Romania, near the border with Hungary, Arad, Bihor, and Timis counties use drinking water coming partially or entirely from iAs contaminated aquifers. In nearby Arad and Bihor counties, more than 45,000 people are exposed to iAs over 10 μg/l via public drinking water sources. However, comparable data are unavailable for Timis County. To begin to address this data gap, we determined iAs in 124 public and private Timis County drinking water sources, including wells and taps, used by pregnant women participating in a case–control study of spontaneous loss. Levels in water sources were low overall (median = 3.0; range = <0.5–175 μg/l), although higher in wells (median = 3.1, range = <0.5–1.75) than in community taps (median = 2.7, range = <0.5–36.4). In a subsample of 20 control women we measured urine biomarkers of iAs exposure, including iAs (arsenite and arsenate), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and methylarsonic acid (MMA). Median values were higher among 10 women using iAs contaminated drinking water sources compared to 10 women using uncontaminated sources for urine total iAs (6.6 vs. 5.0 μg/l, P = 0.24) and DMA (5.5 vs. 4.2 μg/l, P = 0.31). The results suggested that the origin of urine total iAs (r = 0.35, P = 0.13) and DMA (r = 0.31, P = 0.18) must have been not only iAs in drinking-water but also some other source. Exposure of pregnant women to arsenic via drinking water in Timis County appears to be lower than for surrounding counties; however, it deserves a more definitive investigation as to its origin and the regional distribution of its risk potential.     

Antioxidant activity of Potentilla fulgens: An alpine plant of western Himalaya

Antioxidant activities of the methanol extract, fractions and isolated compounds from the roots of Potentilla fulgens Lodd. were evaluated by three in vitro experiments, namely, ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. PF-2 was characterized as a new biflavanoid and designated as Potifulgene on the basis of NMR and mass spectrum, whereas PF-1 was identified as epicatechin. The activities of aqueous methanolic extract and fractions could be correlated with their respective total phenolic content and compared with standard natural antioxidants such as quercetin, vitamin C and pyrogallol. The root powder of the plant was extracted with methanol/water (80:20) by cold extraction and its extract was further partitioned with ethyl acetate, butanol and water fractions. Among the three fractions (ethyl acetate, butanol and water fraction) and the total aqueous methanolic extract, the butanol fraction exhibited good scavenging response measured in terms of TEAC (mM Trolox equivalent/mg extract). The butanol fraction was found to possess strong antioxidant activity (2.54 ± 0.69, 2.41 ± 0.53, 3.57 ± 0.05 mM Trolox equivalent/mg extract) with ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays, respectively. The chemical composition of extracts, studied in terms of total polyphenol content (TPC), was found in the range of 20.61 ± 0.38 to 33.28 ± 0.11 mg/g gallic acid equivalent. A significant correlation was observed between total polyphenolics and antioxidant activity, indicating participation of phenolics in antioxidant activities of extract and fractions. The antioxidant activity of new biflavanoid (Potifulgene) was found to be higher, i.e. 6.85 ± 0.38, 4.24 ± 0.41, 5.35 ± 0.53 than that of epicatechin, 2.13 ± 0.05, 1.50 ± 0.02, 1.57 ± 0.03 with ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays.     

Thyroid hormones are associated with exposure to persistent organic pollutants in aging residents of upper Hudson River communities

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and thyroid hormones in an aging population. Forty-eight women and 66 men, aged 55–74 years and living in upper Hudson River communities completed a questionnaire and provided blood specimens. Serum was analyzed for thyrotropin (thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH), free (fT₄) and total thyroxine (T₄), total triiodothyronine (T₃), and for POPs. POPs included 39 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC–ECD), and nine polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) determined by high-resolution gas chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry detection (HRGC–HRMS). Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between thyroid hormones and sums of POPs, adjusted for covariates and stratified by sex. Effects were expressed as differences in thyroid hormone levels associated with a doubling in the level of exposure. Among women, DDT + DDE increased T₄ by 0.34 μg/dL (P = 0.04) and T₃ by 2.78 ng/dL (P = 0.05). Also in women, sums of PCBs in conjunction with PBDEs elicited increases of 24.39–80.85 ng/dL T₃ (P < 0.05), and sums of PCBs in conjunction with DDT + DDE elicited increases of 0.18–0.31 μg/dL T₄ (P < 0.05). For men estrogenic PCBs were associated with a 19.82 ng/dL T₃ decrease (P = 0.003), and the sum of estrogenic PCBs in conjunction with DDT + DDE elicited an 18.02 ng/dL T₃ decrease (P = 0.04). Given age-related declines in physiologic reserve, the influence of POPs on thyroid hormones in aging populations may have clinical implications and merits further investigation.     

Carence en vitamine A chez un groupe d’enfants sains âgés de 1 à 23 mois de la région de Blida,Algérie

The vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is considered as a major public health problem in the world. This phenomenon is still not well known in Algeria. The prevalence of this deficiency is calculated on a group of children in good health, not supplemented with vitamin A, from rural, semi-rural and urban environments in the Blida region (Algeria), aged 1 to 23 months and recruited in the pediatric services of Blida area, during the period of November 2007–April 2008. The sample is composed of 150 children (87 boys and 63 girls) who present a concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) < 10 mg/L. The mean concentrations of serum retinol are 1.049 ± 0.422 μmol/L. The dosages of the serum retinol-binding protein (RBP) and prealbumin revealed the mean values of 0.024 ± 0.009 g/L and of 0.152 ± 0.039 g/L, respectively for RBP and prealbumin. The prevalence of serum retinol deficiency is 19%; this indicates the presence of a moderate VAD. The prevalence of carrier protein deficiency is 76% for the RBP and 10% for the prealbumin. To remedy the problem of vitamin A deficiency, it is advisable to implement a policy of nutritional education. The supplementation can be interesting only for the children whose nutritional status is defective or living in areas where the food products rich in vitamin A are rare.     

Water quality,compliance, and health outcomes among utilities implementing Water Safety Plans in France and Spain

Water Safety Plans (WSPs), recommended by the World Health Organization since 2004, seek to proactively identify potential risks to drinking water supplies and implement preventive barriers that improve safety. To evaluate the outcomes of WSP application in large drinking water systems in France and Spain, we undertook analysis of water quality and compliance indicators between 2003 and 2015, in conjunction with an observational retrospective cohort study of acute gastroenteritis incidence, before and after WSPs were implemented at five locations. Measured water quality indicators included bacteria (E. coli, fecal streptococci, total coliform, heterotrophic plate count), disinfectants (residual free and total chlorine), disinfection by-products (trihalomethanes, bromate), aluminum, pH, turbidity, and total organic carbon, comprising about 240 K manual samples and 1.2 M automated sensor readings. We used multiple, Poisson, or Tobit regression models to evaluate water quality before and after the WSP intervention. The compliance assessment analyzed exceedances of regulated, recommended, or operational water quality thresholds using chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests. Poisson regression was used to examine acute gastroenteritis incidence rates in WSP-affected drinking water service areas relative to a comparison area. Implementation of a WSP generally resulted in unchanged or improved water quality, while compliance improved at most locations. Evidence for reduced acute gastroenteritis incidence following WSP implementation was found at only one of the three locations examined. Outcomes of WSPs should be expected to vary across large water utilities in developed nations, as the intervention itself is adapted to the needs of each location. The approach may translate to diverse water quality, compliance, and health outcomes.     

Protein fractions,amino acid composition and antinutritional constituents of high-yielding cowpea cultivars

High-yielding cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivars were analysed for major changes in seed protein types, amino acid profiles and antinutritional factors content. As usual, the globulins constitute the major seed proteins (493.2–573.3 g kg^?1 total seed protein), followed by albumins (201.0–248.0 g kg^?1), basic glutelins (119.1–154.3 g kg^?1), acid glutelins (82.4–92.3 g kg^?1) and prolamins (13.2–20.2 g kg^?1). The electrophoretic patterns of seeds and protein fractions for all cowpea cultivars resembled to each other both qualitatively and quantitatively. However, they showed slight differences in the amino acid composition with common prevalence of glutamine/glutamic acid, asparagine/aspartic acid and phenylalanine + tyrosine. The methionine + cysteine contents were low for all cultivars and their protein fractions. Trypsin inhibitory activity varied among the cultivars and was much higher in the albumins (198.67–393.43 g kg^?1 protein). Haemagglutinating activity was also higher in the albumin fraction and varied from 30,900 to 444,400 HU kg^?1 flour. In conclusion, all cultivars showed the usual compositional characteristics of V. unguiculata, but the content of antinutritional factors differed among the cultivars although they remained concentrated in albumin and globulin fractions.     

Furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran in coffee on the Canadian market

Forty samples of commercially brewed coffee samples from 3 national chains and 48 samples of non-brewed coffee samples were collected from retail outlets located in a single Canadian city and analyzed for furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran by headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Non-brewed samples were analyzed “as is” and some were also analyzed after brewing in the laboratory using several preparation techniques. The three analytes were detected in all samples. The rank order of concentrations for all samples was 2-methylfuran >furan > 3-methylfuran. Ground coffee types sampled included regular ground, decaffeinated and cartridge type coffee; mean furan concentrations for these coffee types were 2200, 2450 and 2360 ng/g; 9470, 10400 and 10700 ng/g for 2-methylfuran; and 447, 463 and 508 ng/g for 3-methylfuran respectively. Mean levels for both regular and decaffeinated instant coffee powders were lower with mean furan concentrations of 233 and 327 ng/g; 1600 and 1800 ng/g for 2-methylfuran and 72.9 and 75.2 ng/g for 3-methylfuran respectively. Commercially brewed coffee types sampled included regular ground, decaffeinated and espresso coffee; mean furan concentrations for these coffee types were 38.7, 53.1 and 157 ng/g; 172, 184 and 583 ng/g for 2-methylfuran; and 6.4, 6.7 and 19 ng/g for 3-methylfuran respectively. Brewing coffee samples in laboratory as per manufacturers’ instructions resulted in 27–85% loss of furans—as compared to not brewed samples, loss of methyl furans exceeded that of furan by 10–15%. Brewed coffee stored/standing for up to 30 min resulted in further losses of furans, from 3 to 47%. Degree of loss was not analyte dependent but was highly influenced by storage conditions.     

Giemsa versus acridine orange staining in the fish micronucleus assay and validation for use in water quality monitoring

This study concerns a comparative analysis of the acridine orange and Giemsa staining procedures for the fish erythrocyte micronucleus assay. The goal was to optimize the assay in the context of field water monitoring. Fish (Carassius carassius) were exposed to a reference genotoxic agent, cyclophosphamide monohydrate 5 mg l^?1 for 2, 4, and 6 days before testing. Slides from each individual were scored using the two procedures. The results show that the assay was more sensitive when acridine orange was used. When slides were Giemsa stained, the presence of ambiguous artefacts, leading to false positives and increasing random variance, reduced the contrast between exposed and control samples. Acridine Orange staining was then applied in the context of water quality monitoring. Fish were exposed for 4 days to water sampled in two hydrological contexts: basal flow and spring flood. The results show that exposure to spring flood water in an agricultural stream can induce mutagenicity.     

The evaluation for alterations of DOM components from upstream to downstream flow of rivers in Toyama (Japan) using three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy

The dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one of the important factors for controlling water quality. The behavior and constitutions of DOM is related to the risk of human health because it is able to directly or indirectly affect the behavior, speciation and toxicity of various environmental pollutants. However, it is not easy to know the contents of DOM components without using various complicated and time consuming analytical methods because DOM is a complex mixture and usually exists at low concentration. Here, we describe the fluorescence properties of DOM components in water samples collected from four rivers in Toyama, Japan by means of the three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3DEEM) fluorescence spectroscopy. In order to evaluate the alterations of DOM components in each of the river during the flow from upstream to downstream, the patterns of relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) at six peaks which are originated from fluorophores including humic-like and protein-like components were investigated. The changes in the patterns of RFI values at each of the peak and the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) for each river water sample were discussed in connection with the differences of land use managements and basic water quality parameters, such as pH, EC, turbidity, Fe(3+), T-N, NO(3)-N, T-P, PO(4)-P, chlorophyll a, DOC and N/P ratio. The DOC concentrations in the water samples collected from these rivers were relatively low (0.63-1.16 mg/L). Two main peaks which have a strong RFI value expressed a positive correlation with the DOC concentration (r = 0.557, 0.535). However, the correlations between the RFI values for other four peaks and the DOC concentration were below 0.287. The alterations of DOM components during the flow of a river from upstream to downstream were investigated from the changes in the patterns of RFI values for six fluorescent peaks. It was clarified that the great increase of RFI values in peak A and peak T from river water located in urban area showed high concentration of PO(4)-P and Fe(3+), and low N/P ratio due to the high biological activities. The values of fluorescence index (FIX) and biological index (BIX) were as high as 1.60 and 0.72, respectively.     

Water-soluble Cu,Fe, Mn and Zn species in nuts and seeds

An approach was developed to estimate molecular weight distribution of water-soluble Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn species in Brazil nut, cupuassu seed and coconut pulp by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled on-line to ultra-violet (UV) and off-line to graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) detectors and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). SEC-UV analytical signals showed the prevalence of high molecular weight (HMW) species (79–1.7 kDa for Brazil nut, 50–1.7 kDa for coconut pulp, and 34–1.7 kDa for cupuassu seeds). The Brazil nut SEC-UV, GF-AAS and MALDI-TOF mass spectra gave confirmation of the association of the elements with water-soluble compounds. The elemental profiles were associated with fractions of compounds of molecular weight 1.2–16 kDa for Brazil nut, 1.7–13 kDa for coconut pulp, and 1.2–7.6 kDa for cupuassu seeds.     

Generating fatty acid and vitamin D composition data of Indonesian foods

The Indonesian food composition table lacks data on individual fatty acids; data on vitamin D is incomplete. The primary aim of this study was to generate data on individual fatty acid content of Indonesian foods. Secondary objective was to analyze vitamin D content. Based on intake data of 4–12 year old children from a nationally representative Indonesian survey, 120 foods contributing 95% to children’s total polyunsaturated fatty acid intake were selected for chemical analysis of fat and fatty acid content. Vitamin D3 was analyzed in a subset of 60 foods. Food samples were collected throughout Indonesia; per food one representative composite sample was chemically analyzed. Of the analyzed foods, sardines (0.97 g/100 g), tempeh (0.62 g/100 g) and tofu (0.56 g/100 g) had the highest n-3 fatty acids content, peanuts (15.9 g/100 g) and palm oil (11.4 g/100 g) were richest in n-6 fatty acids. Vitamin D3 content in foods was limited. This paper significantly contributes to the current knowledge on the fatty acid and vitamin D content of a broad range of commonly consumed Indonesian foods, which can be used in future research to monitor dietary intake and guide policy makers and the food industry to steer nutrient intake in the Indonesian population.