Lysosomal Membrane Stability in Hemocytes and Micronuclei in Gills of Perumytilus purpuratus Lamarck 1819 (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) Exposed to Copper

The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of copper on the bivalve Perumytilus purpuratus. The individuals were exposed to three copper concentrations: 1, 30 and 45 μg L⁻¹ for 24, 48 and 96 h. Lysosomal membrane stability in hemocytes was determined through the neutral red retention time (NRRT) and micronucleus (MN) frequency tests in hemocytes and gills. The results show that the NRRT decreased significantly at 30 μg L⁻¹ after 48 h of exposure. The frequency of MN was significantly greater in gills after 24 h in all concentrations tested. Copper is cytotoxic from 30 μg L⁻¹ and genotoxic from 1 μg L⁻¹. The use of these biomarkers of effects in P. purpuratus is proposed as an early warning tool for monitoring in environmental assessment of coastal ecosystems impacted by mining activities.

     

Determination of the Cadmium Ions from Aqueous Solution Using EDTA Functionalized Prunus Dulcis L. Peels by Solid-Phase Extraction Method

In the present study, Prunus Dulcis L. Peels was modified with ethylenedinitrilo tetraacetic acid and used as the sorbent for the preconcentration of Cd(II) ions from aqueous media. To characterize the sorbent, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis were used. The optimum preconcentration conditions such as pH, eluent type, sample volume, sample flow rate and foreign ions effect were determined. The mean recovery and relative standard deviation values were found to be 100.7?±?1.5 and 4.01% for Cd(II) ions. The capacity of the sorbent was obtained 277.8 mg g^?1 from the Langmuir isotherm model. The limit of detection was calculated as 0.216 µg L^?1 (P.F:40). In order to test the accuracy and applicability of the method, certified reference material and spiked water samples were analyzed. The results demonstrated good agreement with the certified values (relative error?<?10%).

     

Acute Toxicity and Risk Assessment of Florfenicol for Nile Tilapia Larvae

The aim of this study was to determine the median lethal concentration (LC_50−96h), effective concentration (EC_50−96h), risk assessment, and development of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus larvae submitted to florfenicol (FF) exposure. Fish (n = 147; 8.6 ± 0.6 mg; 7 fish/aquarium) were randomly distributed in 21 aquaria (1 L) and exposed to five concentrations of FF 58.73; 131.31; 198.96; 241.88 and 381.81 mg L⁻¹ plus one control and a control with solvent, totalizing seven treatments and three replicates. The estimated median LC_50−96h of FF for Nile tilapia larvae was 349.94 mg L⁻¹. The EC_50−96h of FF was 500 mg L⁻¹ for weight reduction and was 1040 mg L⁻¹ for length reduction. After the exposure period, final weight and length differed (p < 0.05) among treatments, showing the lowest biometric values ​​with the highest concentrations of FF. The pH and dissolved oxygen were altered (p < 0.05) during the experimental period. The FF high doses used to determine the LC 50 after 96 h negatively affected the development of the larvae. On the other hand, through risk assessment analysis this antibiotic can be classified as low toxicity to Nile tilapia larvae and show low environmental risk.

     

Equilibrium and Kinetics Characteristics of Copper (II) Sorption onto Gyttja

The sorption characteristics of gyttja to remove copper (Cu²⁺) ions from aqueous solutions were satisfactorily described with the Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin–Redushckevich (D–R) models. The sorption capacity (q _max) of gyttja was 11.76 mg g⁻¹. The D–R model indicated that the sorption of Cu²⁺ by gyttja was almost taken place by chemisorption. Thermodynamic parameters such as change in free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS) suggested that the adsorption process of Cu²⁺ by gyttja was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Kinetic examination of the equilibrium data showed that the sorption processes of Cu²⁺ ions followed well pseudo-second-order kinetics model.     

Optimization of preconcentration procedure using magnetic nanoparticles for the determination of manganese in cereal samples

In the present study, we developed a magnetic nanoparticle adsorbent that uses iron oxide nanoparticles as the core and 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as manganese ion exchange groups in cereal samples. This adsorbent was shown to be quick and efficient for the adsorption of manganese due to higher specific surface area, lower mass removal resistance and the absence of internal diffusion resistance. This method is simple and rapid for the preconcentration and determination of manganese in food samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The technical feasibility of magnetic nanoparticles for the removal of manganese was investigated under batch studies. It was based on (PAN)-modified magnetic nanoparticles. Four variables (pH of solution, amount of extractant (E), amount of nanoparticles (N) and time) were regarded as factors in the optimization. Results of the two-level fractional factorial design (2^4?1) based on an analysis of variance demonstrated that only the pH, amount of extractant (E) and amount of nanoparticles (N) were statistically significant. Optimal conditions for the extraction of manganese were obtained using Box–Behnken design. For optimum recovery of manganese, the variables pH of solution, amount of nanoparticles and amount of extractant values were 9.44, 3.46 mg and 3.91 mg, respectively. In the optimum experimental conditions, the limit of detection and enrichment factor of the proposed method were 0.1 μg L^?1 and 28, respectively. The precision as RSD was 3.6% for concentration of 50 μg L^?1. The accuracy of the proposed procedure was evaluated by analysis of certified reference material. The method was applied to the determination of manganese in barley, wheat and rice flour samples. The manganese content in the samples analyzed varied from 7.8 to 19.9 μg g^?1.     

Genetic diversity of nutritionally important carotenoids in 94 pea and 121 chickpea accessions

Biofortification of staple crops via breeding is an attractive strategy for reducing human micronutrient deficiencies. The objective of this research was to examine the concentration of carotenoids in diverse pea and chickpea accessions grown in Saskatchewan (Canada) using high performance liquid chromatography. In pea accessions mean concentration of lutein was highest (11.2 μg g⁻¹) followed by β-carotene (0.5 μg g⁻¹), zeaxanthin (0.3 μg g⁻¹), and violaxanthin (0.3 μg g⁻¹). Green cotyledon pea accessions were richer in β-carotene and total carotenoids compared to yellow cotyledon accessions. In chickpea accessions mean concentration of lutein (8.2 μg g⁻¹) was highest followed by zeaxanthin (6.2 μg g⁻¹), β-carotene (0.5 μg g⁻¹), β-cryptoxanthin (0.1 μg g⁻¹), and violaxanthin (0.1 μg g⁻¹). Desi chickpea accessions had higher carotenoid concentration than kabuli accessions. This research identified pea and chickpea accessions that can be utilized in breeding for the improvement of carotenoid concentration through biofortification.     

Toxicological Assessment of Ammonia Exposure on Carassius auratus red var. Living in Landscape Waters

To understand the toxic mechanism of ammonia and identify effective biomarkers on the oxidative stress for the fish Carassius auratus red var., acute and chronic toxicity tests were conducted. The 96-h LC₅₀ of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) for C. auratus was 135.4 mg L⁻¹, the corresponding unionized ammonia (NH₃) concentration was 1.5 mg L⁻¹. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH) showed an increase with a subsequent falling, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) increased during the chronic test. The SOD, MDA, and GSH could be effective biomarkers to evaluate the TAN oxidative stress, the maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) was 11.3 mg L⁻¹ for TAN. To our knowledge, this is the first study to propose biomarkers to evaluate potential environmental risk and establish a risk threshold for TAN in C. auratus.

     

Occurence and Variability of Domoic Acid in Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) Samples from the Golden Horn Estuary,Sea of Marmara (Turkey)

The occurrence and variability of domoic acid (DA) levels in wild Mytilus galloprovincialis samples, compared with the Pseudo-nitzschia spp. abundance and particulate DA (pDA) concentrations in relation to the environmental changes in the Golden Horn Estuary, Turkey from October 2018 to September 2019. Biotoxin analysis were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD). DA concentrations in particulate matter (pDA) and mussel samples were found between 0.090–0.685 µg L⁻¹ and 0.905–2.413 µg g⁻¹, respectively. Accumulation of DA in wild mussel samples could be the result of the increasing tendency of P.nitzschia spp. abundances between April and May. Maximum DA levels were detected in particulate matter when the salinity was measured as the lowest in May. Thus, it can be said that the DA production was driven by the significant salinity decrease in the GHE. This is the first attempt regarding the presence of DA in M. galloprovincialis samples collected from Turkish coasts.

     

Determination of folic acid in fortified wheat flours

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with ultraviolet detection to determine folic acid (FA) in fortified wheat flour is described. The method includes FA extraction with tetraborate and trichloroacetic acid buffer solution and purification by solid-phase extraction with strong anion-exchange cartridges. Good results were obtained with respect to repeatability (relative standard deviation ⩽8.8) and recovery (⩾97%). Detection and quantification limits were 0.06 and 0.19 μg g⁻¹, respectively. The comparison between the HPLC method and both microbiological and immunoenzymatic assays revealed similar results. FA determination results on 33 wheat flours samples revealed that 51% of these samples had below 1.50 μg g⁻¹ FA concentration added, the enrichment level established by Brazilian Regulation.     

Essential and non-essential elements in Brazilian infant food and other rice-based products frequently consumed by children and celiac population

Rice and its derivatives are important source of essential and non-essential elements. Essential elements as cobalt (Co) and selenium (Se) are vital for human homeostasis. However, non-essential elements such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) may be present in rice-based food and consequently, people can be exposed—especially children and the celiac population. This study aimed to determine essentials and non-essentials elements in rice-based products and baby food and also to evaluate nutritional risk by estimating the daily intake of non-essential elements. Regarding essential elements, Co and Se presented the highest concentrations in rice flour (56 μg kg⁻¹) and porridge (254 μg kg⁻¹), respectively. For non-essential elements, the highest concentrations of As, Cd and Pb were 104 μg kg⁻¹ (porridge), 16 μg kg⁻¹ (flour), and 188 μg kg⁻¹ (bread), respectively. Total As concentration in Brazilian rice-based baby food was <29 μg kg⁻¹. However, As-speciation revealed inorganic-As (i-As) as the main specie. The highest estimated daily intake of Cd, Pb and i-As were 1.37 (rice-based baby food); 10.39 (pasta); and 3.34 (pasta) μg d⁻¹, respectively. Therefore, continuous food monitoring for nutritional and toxicological purpose is necessary, especially concerning these particular populations and discussions for maximum levels of non-essential elements.     

Biochar Modified by Nano-manganese Dioxide as Adsorbent and Oxidant for Oxytetracycline

Biochar has limited capacity to adsorb oxytetracycline (OTC). Here we have used bamboo willow biochar (BC) as a carrier to produce nMnO₂-loaded biochars (MBC) by a co-precipitation method. Their chemical compositions, morphological features, specific surface area, and surface functional groups were observed or determined. Batch experiments were conducted to assess the effects of reaction time, initial OTC concentrations, pH, salt concentrations, and natural organic matter (NOM) on OTC removal. Kinetics and isotherms indicated that OTC was mainly adsorbed via chemical interactions, and mono- and multi-layer adsorption occurred on the surface. MBC removed 19–25 times more OTC than BC, and the removal was highest at near-neutral pH, not influenced by NaCl (2, 10 mM), slighted reduced by NOM (0–20 mg L⁻¹), and enhanced by NaHCO₃ (2, 10 mM). Besides being an adsorbent, MBC acted as an oxidant and degraded 58.5% of OTC at 24 h.

     

An efficient,rapid and microwave-accelerated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method for extraction and pre-concentration of some organophosphorus pesticide residues from aqueous samples

In this paper, microwave-accelerated dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction has been developed for the extraction/preconcentration of some organophosphorus pesticides from aqueous samples prior to their analysis by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection. In this method, temperature of a high volume of aqueous sample is elevated by a microwave oven and then a mixture of extraction and disperser solvents is rapidly injected into the aqueous phase. After cooling to room temperature, the phase separation is accelerated by centrifuging. The main experimental factors affecting performance of the method including type and volume of the extraction and disperser solvents, temperature, pH, and salt addition were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum extraction conditions, the method resulted in low limits of detection and quantification within the ranges of 0.65–1.3 and 2.2–4.5 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Relative standard deviations were in the range of 2–7% (C = 40 or 100 μg L⁻¹) for intra-day (n = 6) and inter-day (n = 4) precisions. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to analysis of the target analytes in surface water and well water and fruit juice samples; diazinon was determined at μg L⁻¹ level in apple juice.     

Development of a new method for determination of aluminum (Al) in Jordanian foods and drinks: Solid phase extraction and adsorption of Al3+-d-mannitol on carbon nanotubes

In this work, a new method was developed for determination of aluminum (Al) in traditional Jordanian foods (Mansaf, Kofta, Tabboola, Hummous, bread), tea, Arabian coffee and water samples. The method involved solid phase extraction (SPE) of Al³⁺ from the digested samples after complexation with d-mannitol using carbon nanotubes (CNT) as the extractive sorbent. Formation of the Al³⁺-d-mannitol complex was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Optimization of the SPE method involved sample pH, d-mannitol-to-Al mole ratio, sample loading and elution flow rates, adsorbent mass, eluent concentration and volume. Based on spiked water samples, the characteristics of the method were as follows: the limit of quantification: 23 μg l⁻¹; sensitivity: 0.0036 (mg l⁻¹)⁻¹; %RSD range: 0.4–1.9%; recovery range: 76.0–93.0%. The equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic adsorption studies of Al³⁺-d-mannitol on CNT revealed that adsorption was spontaneous, exothermic, preferred, of physical nature; followed second-order rate kinetics; pore diffusion was not the only rate-controlling step; both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms represented the data satisfactorily.     

Magnetization of Bauxite Residue to Enhance the Removal Efficiency Towards Heavy Metals

Bauxite residues are a mass of industrial wastes derived from aluminum metallurgy. This work provided a simple pyrolysis method to magnetize the bauxite residue to serve as a magnetic adsorbent towards heavy metals removal. The X-ray diffraction patterns and Mossbauer spectrum results confirmed the partial reduction of iron species with an obvious enhancement in magnetization. The magnetized bauxite residue exhibited excellent removal efficiencies for Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ with maximum adsorption capacities of 219.0 mg g^?1, 275.4 mg g^?1, and 100.4 mg g^?1, which could be quickly separated through a magnet. The adsorption equilibrium data were fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model, while the adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-first-order model. According to the characterization results, chemical precipitation and sorption was the major mechanism for the removal of Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cd²⁺. Thus, the magnetized bauxite residue exhibited promising applications for heavy metals removal in wastewater.

     

Metal Concentrations in Two Bioindicator Fish Species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Merlangius merlangus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mullus Barbatus</Emphasis>, Captured from the West Black Sea Coasts (Bartin) of Turkey

The Black Sea is very vulnerable to originating from land based human activities and its health is equally dependent on the coastal and non-coastal states of its basin. Total concentrations of cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, aluminum, iron, manganese, boron and chromium concentrations were determined in Merlangius merlangus (whiting) and Mullus barbatus found in Amasra in the West Coast of the Black Sea (Turkey). The metal contents that were measured in head and muscle was expressed in μg g⁻¹ wet weight. On average, while the highest Fe (344.25 μg g⁻¹), Mn (10.35 μg g⁻¹), Cr (0.96 μg g⁻¹) and Al (76.77 μg g⁻¹) concentrations were measured in the heads of M. merlangus and the highest Zn (77.99 μg g⁻¹), Cu(8.53 μg g⁻¹), B (44.83 μg g⁻¹), Ni (1.96 μg g⁻¹), Cd (0.40 μg g⁻¹) and Pb (6.80 μg g⁻¹) concentrations were detected in the muscles of M. merlangus. There were significant differences between metal levels of muscles in these two species. In terms of permissible levels reported by WHO FAO and TSE, there is not any risk for human consumption for both M. merlangus and M. barbatus, for Pb.     

Major and trace elements levels in multifloral and unifloral honeys in Croatia

Different honey types were collected in Croatia during 2010 and 2011: 7 multifloral orchard honeys, 7 multifloral meadow honeys, 19 black locust, 9 chestnut, 11 lime and 6 sage honeys. Elements were measured using graphite (As, Cu, Cd, Pb, Se) and flame atomic absorption spectrometer (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Zn) and by mercury analyser (Hg). Significant differences in Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Zn, As and Hg levels were observed between honey types. In chestnut honey were determined (K, Ca, Mg: mg kg⁻¹; Hg, Ad, Cd: μg kg⁻¹): the highest concentrations of K 2824.4, Ca 486.7, Mg 59.1 and Hg 2.52; the lowest of As 24.1 and Cd 2.52. Lime honey has been shown the highest content of Cu (20.6 mg kg⁻¹), Zn (6.78 mg kg⁻¹), Cd (2.14 μg kg⁻¹) and Pb (810.3 μg kg⁻¹). The lowest levels of following elements were determined in black locust honey (Fe, K, Mg: mg kg⁻¹; Hg: μg kg⁻¹): Fe 2.77, K 304.7, Mg 8.02 and Hg 0.82. Sage honey had the lowest Ca and Na content (173.9 and 31.8 mg kg⁻¹). Among the multifloral honeys, the following was determined (Fe, Na, Cu: mg kg⁻¹; As, Pb: μg kg⁻¹): orchard honey – highest of Fe 5.17 and As 276.1, lowest Pb 301; meadow honey – highest Na 36.1, lowest Cu 4.38. The average Ca, Cu and Pb levels found in multifloral honey types were much higher than those reported in other European countries. Calcium levels in lime, chestnut and black locust were higher than those from other countries.     

Removal of Pb (II) by Immobilized and Free Filaments of Marine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oscillatoria</Emphasis> sp. NTMS01 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phormidium</Emphasis> sp. NTMS02

Pb²⁺ removal ability of the immobilized and free filaments of marine cyanobacteria Oscillatoria sp. NTMS01 and Phormidium sp. NTMS02 was studied using batch experiments. Biosorption of lead by immobilized filaments was studied as a function of pH (2, 4, 6, 8, 10), contact time (5–180 min) and initial lead concentration (1, 3, 5, 7 mg/L) and the removal efficiency of free filaments was studied by culturing in the marine medium with the initial concentration (1, 3, 5, 7 mg/L) at pH 7 and incubated for 10 days. The maximum percentage removal was observed at 25 min for immobilized Oscillatoria sp. NTMS01 and 30 min for immobilized Phormidium sp. NTMS02. At 4th and 6th day of incubation, 89% and 77% removal was observed at 1 mg/L of initial lead concentration by free filaments of Oscillatoria sp. NTMS01 and Phormidium sp. NTMS02 respectively and further the removal was decreased with increasing concentration. Chlorophyll-a content was decreased in a dose dependent manner. About 40 and 50% reduction of chlorophyll-a was observed at higher concentration in Oscillatoria sp. NTMS01 and Phormidium sp. NTMS02 respectively. The adsorption capacity of immobilized Oscillatoria sp. NTMS01 was found to be (Q_max) 217.39 which is comparatively higher than other sorbents. The Pb²⁺ removal efficiency was performed as described in terms of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. These organisms is found to fit better by the Langmuir isotherms.     

Acridine derivatives (PANHs,azaarenes) in raw,fried or grilled pork from different origins,and PANH formation during pork thermal processing

The aim of this work was to determine level of azaarenes (PANHs) in raw pork and to investigate their formation during meat frying or grilling, in particular to verify a suggestion that endogenous vitamin E might inhibit production of azaarenes. Azaarene concentration in raw pork samples from various origins ranged from 2.75 ng g⁻¹ to 3.69 ng g⁻¹ (2.75–2.93 ng g⁻¹ in meat of Polish Landrace pigs, 3.00–3.69 ng g^–1 in meat of hybrid Duroc × Polish Landrance pigs). PANH formation during frying of pork meat was not confirmed. On the other hand, PANHs were indeed formed during grilling; their levels ranged from 6.21 ng g⁻¹ to 8.08 ng g^–1. No inhibition influence of vitamin E on formation of PANHs on was found either in fried or grilled pork meat.     

PCBs,PCDD/Fs,and PBDEs in blood samples of a rural population in South Germany

The body burden of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like (dl-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like (ndl-PCBs) polychlorinated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) was determined in blood samples from 70 subjects between 4 and 76 years old. The participants of the study were recruited in the neighborhood of a reclamation plant located in a rural area in Southern Germany.The median concentrations (95th percentiles in parentheses), expressed as WHO₂₀₀₅-TEQ (toxic equivalents), for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were 4.5 (17.9) pg g⁻¹ l.w. and 2.6 (13.2) pg g⁻¹ l.w., respectively. The dl-PCBs contributed 40% of the total TEQ (median values), and the most abundant congener was PCB 156. Combined, the sum of the 6 non-dioxin-like PCBs had a median of 0.773 μg L⁻¹ and a 95th percentile of 4.895 μg L⁻¹. For the six tetra to hepta PBDE congeners, the median was 1.8 ng g⁻¹ l.w. (95th percentile: 16.2 ng g⁻¹ l.w.). None of our study subjects had a body burden that exceeded the biomonitoring equivalents for dioxins or PBDE congener 99 or the human biomonitoring values for ndl-PCBs. Likewise the study group did not exceed German reference values or values obtained in similar investigations.Overall, our study did not exhibit elevated internal exposures. The results also hint further decreasing tendencies for PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PBDEs in Germany and demonstrates that people in the vicinity of a reclamation plant with no indication of an environmental contamination did not exhibit elevated internal exposures.     

Single-run analysis of vitamin D photoproducts in oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) after UV-B treatment

A single-run high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detector (DAD) based method was developed for the separation, identification and comprehensive quantification of degradation products of ergosterol formed in oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) after UV-B exposure. After 60 min, 10 substances involved in the photoprocess were separated, identified by their characteristic DAD spectrum and distinguished by their molecular weight, in cases where spectra were identical: vitamin D₂, previtamin D₂, tachysterol₂, lumisterol₂ and ergosterol, and, in minor quantity, their structural analogues of the 22,23-dihydroergocalciferol (vitamin D₄) series. Sample preparation protocol affected the total yields and the ratios of previtamin and vitamin D₂/D₄. Hot alkaline hydrolysis resulted in the best digestion of the mushroom matrix and accordingly gave the highest vitamin D yield (D₂: 141.32 μg g⁻¹ dry matter, DM; D₄: 22.72 μg g⁻¹ DM). Limit of detection for vitamin D_2/4 was 0.02 μg g⁻¹ dry matter (DM) and was estimated for previtamin D_2/4 (0.06 μg g⁻¹ DM), tachysterol_2/4 (0.02 μg g⁻¹ DM) and lumisterol_2/4 (0.06 μg g⁻¹ DM). Recovery of spiked vitamin D₂ was 97 ± 0.7%. The study provides an analytical tool to assess the process of vitamin D generation after UV-B treatment for the production of oyster mushrooms with a balanced nutritional profile of vitamin D compounds.