Novel An Efficient Fluorescent Probe Based on Calix[4]triazacrown-5 With Naphthalimide Group for Co2+, Cd2+ and Dopamine Detection.

A novel naphthalimide-substituted calix[4]triazacrown-5 (Nap-Calix) at cone conformation was designed and synthesized to employ as a fluorescent probe, which enables the simultaneously detection of Co2+ and Cd2+ metal ions as well as dopamine (DA). 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, ESI-MS and elemental analysis techniques were carried out to characterize its structure. Cation binding property of Nap-Calix against various metal ions such as Ba2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ exhibited that the sensor selectively binds to Co2+ and Cd2+ metal ions with a remarkable affinity. Introduction of Co2+ and Cd2+ metal ions to a solution of Nap-Calix in DMF/water (1:1, v/v) resulted with a new emission band at 370 nm when excited at 283 nm. In addition, the fluorescence sensing affinity of the probe Nap-Calix against a catecholamine neurotransmitter (dopamine) was investigated in a wide range of concentration of DA (0-0.1 mmol L-1) in 50% DMF/PBS (pH = 5.0). The fluorescence intensity of Nap-Calix, with excitation/emission peaks at 283/327 nm, is highly enhanced by DA. It was also observed that Nap-Calix exhibits excellent fluorescence behavior towards DA with a very low detection limit as 0.21 µmol L-1.

Assessment of tea saponin and citric acid-assisted phytoextraction of Pb-contaminated soil by Salvia virgata Jacq.

The present study, investigated the influence of the natural tea saponin (TS) obtained by microwave-assisted extraction and citric acid (CA) by commercially enhancing lead ion (Pb(II)) uptake by Salvia virgata Jacq. The Pb(II) tolerance was compared, and the growth of plants and Pb(II) accumulation characteristics of S. virgata with chemical agents TS and CA were studied for their phytoextraction potential of Pb(II) from artificially contaminated soil of 0-100 mg kg-1 different concentrations under pot conditions. The different morphophysiological parameters of S. virgata such as growth, biomass, chlorophylls, and carotenoids were significantly changed under different Pb(II) stress and TS and CA concentrations. To evaluate the removal efficiency of the studied plant, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) or enrichment coefficient (EC), translocation factor (TF), and tolerance index (TI) values were also calculated and compared with the control. Phytotoxic effects were observed at 100 mg kg-1; added Pb(II) treatments caused significant decreases of 33.05% in the biomass of S. virgata compared to the control. All the obtained results showed that the concentrations of Pb(II) being compared revealed a highest uptake (286 ± 5.2 mg kg-1) of 100 mg kg-1. The concentration of available Pb(II)-assisted TS and CA increased by 9.1-28.4% compared to the control. Based on these findings, S. virgata might be cultivated and used as a hyperaccumulator in the removal of Pb(II) from the contaminated soils, and appropriate application of TS and CA can enhance phytoremediation of Pb(II)-contaminated soil by other hyperaccumulator plants.

Investigation of Competitive and Noncompetitive Adsorption of Some Heavy Metals Ions on Leucodon sciuroides (Hedw.) Schwägr.

Heavy metals are an important pollutant group. Adsorption is one of the methods used to remove heavy metals from the environment. Mosses were preferred as bio-indicators because they have the capacity to accumulate many elements by their high surface-to-volume ratio. Leucodon sciuroides (Hedw.) Schwägr. (LS) are mosses that play an important part of the ecosystem and are collected from the Ida Mountain (Kazdag) region of Çanakkale (Turkey). For the purpose of determining the adsorption capacity of heavy metal ion (Pb2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+) analysis conditions, pH, contact time, and adsorbent amounts were determined and the maximum adsorption capacity was calculated with the help of the relevant isotherms. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. It was determined that the optimum adsorption for mosses was 30 min at pH = 6.0 (the pH at which maximum adsorption occurs). The adsorption event shows that some divalent cations fit the Freundlich isotherm and some fit the Langmuir isotherm model. A pseudo-second-order reaction best fits the kinetic data for metal ions. Among the six metal ions studied, the highest adsorption was observed in Pb2+ and Cu2+ cations. According to the competitive adsorption results, the moss has a great advantage in determining the Pb2+ and Cu2+ cations industrially as well as other metals and in removing other metal impurities from the environment. Also, LS is exploited as a biosorbent to remove metal ions from aqueous solutions and can be used as a biomarker.

Enhancement of cadmium uptake by Amaranthus caudatus, an ornamental plant, using tea saponin.

In this study, tea saponin (TS) was extracted from tea camellia seed by microwave-assisted extraction. The potential of TS was compared with ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA), which is used as a common chemical agent to enhance uptake of cadmium (Cd) by Amaranthus caudatus, an ornamental plant in the natural vegetation of Turkey under pot conditions. The enrichment coefficient (EC) and translocation factor (TF) values were calculated to evaluate the removal efficiency of the TS and EDTA. The results showed that an increase in both TS and EDTA concentration significantly increased Cd uptake by A. caudatus, accumulating Cd in different parts of the plant. Higher EC and TF values obtained from stems, leaves, and inflorescences of A. caudatus showed that this plant might be cultivated and used as a hyperaccumulator in the uptake of Cd from the Cd contaminated soils. Thus, the present technique can efficiently reduce the metal load in the food chain; hence, it could be applied in catchment areas of urban cities where Cd contamination has become an unavoidable factor.

Effect of EDTA and Tannic Acid on the Removal of Cd, Ni, Pb and Cu from Artificially Contaminated Soil by Althaea rosea Cavan.

In this study an ornamental plant of Althaea rosea Cavan was investigated for its potential use in the removal of Cd, Ni, Pb and Cu from an artificially contaminated soil. Effect of two different chelating agents on the removal has also been studied by using EDTA (ethylenediaminetetracetic acid) and TA (tannic acid). Both EDTA and TA have led to higher heavy metal concentration in shoots and leaves compared to control plants. However EDTA is generally known as an effective agent in metal solubilisation of soil, in this study, TA was found more effective to induce metal accumulation in Althaea rosea Cavan under the studied conditions. In addition to this, EDTA is toxic to some species and restraining the growth of the plants. The higher BCF (Bio Concentration Factor) and TF (Translocation Factor) values obtained from stems and leaves by the effects of the chemical enhancers (EDTA and TA) show that Althaea rosea Cavan is a hyper accumulator for the studied metals and may be cultivated to clean the contaminated soils.