UV-C Treatment Impact on the Availability of Water-Soluble Carbohydrates, Polyphenols, and Antioxidant Capacity of an Algerian Underutilized Date Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.).

Underutilized dates are considered as a socioeconomically important fruit for local and global communities, such as Degla-Beida, a common date fruit variety. The aim of this research was to elucidate, for the first time, the efficiency of UV-C light treatment (over different irradiation durations 5, 10, 20, and 40 min) in the enhancement of soluble carbohydrates and phenolic compounds, and to evaluate its effect on the antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the content of dietary fiber was analyzed: insoluble dietary fiber (11.89 g/100 g); soluble dietary fiber (5.15 g/100 g); and total dietary fiber (17.06 g/100 g). The techno-functional properties were also determined: swelling capacity (3.94 mL/g); oil holding capacity (7.38 g/g); water holding capacity (9.30 g/g); and bulk density (1.81 g/mL). All were carried out to study the potential of exploiting this underutilized fruit for other applications as for feed or food. The results suggest that UV-C technology changes minimally the total water-soluble carbohydrate content; however, this preservation technology can affect the availability of different soluble carbohydrates depending on the irradiation time (IT), increasing the high molecular weight polysaccharides with IT up to 20 min, and some oligosaccharides with IT up to 5 min. The polyphenolic content determined by HPLC-QTOF was increased when the samples were submitted to UV-C reaching the maximum at 20 min (111.62 mg/100 g) and then to decrease in those submitted to IT of 40 min (12.05 mg/100 g). Regarding antioxidant capacity in the UV-C treated samples, FRAP decreased and EC50 on DPPH increased when IT was increased, while ORAC was hardly maintained. In addition, considering UV-C radiation associated with preservation and the studied date fruit as a rich source of dietary fiber with adequate techno-functional properties, this study presents valuable information for its potential use as a new food ingredient.

Radiation effect on cathodoluminescence and thermoluminescence emission of Ca-rich oxalates from the human body.

The radiation effect of luminescence emission of Ca-rich oxalate biogenic materials (gallbladder and renal calculi) and a commercial standard sample (CaC2 O4 ·H2 O) is reported. The samples were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, display complex cathodoluminescence (CL) and thermoluminescence (TL) glow emissions. CL spectra (in the UV-infrared range) displayed non-well defined peaks, and exhibited emission at: (i) higher energies (300-490 nm) mainly associated with non-bridging oxygen hole centers, oxygen-deficient centers and peroxy intrinsic defects, regardless of the sample; and (ii) higher, narrow and sharp wavebands, in the red region, probably induced by the presence of traces of Sm3+ (4 G5/2 →6 H9/2 transition) and/or Tb3+ (5 D4 →7 F3 transition) only for mineral-like materials in the human body. The UV-blue TL emission showed low-intensity maxima in which it was possible to distinguish at least four groups of components in each sample.

UNCERTAINTY ON RADIATION DOSES ESTIMATED BY BIOLOGICAL AND RETROSPECTIVE PHYSICAL METHODS.

Biological and physical retrospective dosimetry are recognised as key techniques to provide individual estimates of dose following unplanned exposures to ionising radiation. Whilst there has been a relatively large amount of recent development in the biological and physical procedures, development of statistical analysis techniques has failed to keep pace. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of the art in uncertainty analysis techniques across the 'EURADOS Working Group 10-Retrospective dosimetry' members, to give concrete examples of implementation of the techniques recommended in the international standards, and to further promote the use of Monte Carlo techniques to support characterisation of uncertainties. It is concluded that sufficient techniques are available and in use by most laboratories for acute, whole body exposures to highly penetrating radiation, but further work will be required to ensure that statistical analysis is always wholly sufficient for the more complex exposure scenarios.

Composition and spectra of copper-carotenoid sediments from a pyrite mine stream in Spain.

Mine drainages of La Poderosa (El Campillo, Huelva, Spain), located in the Rio Tinto Basin (Iberian Pyrite Belt) generate carotenoid complexes mixed with copper sulfates presenting good natural models for the production of carotenoids from microorganisms. The environmental conditions of Rio Tinto Basin include important environmental stresses to force the microorganisms to accumulate carotenoids. Here we show as carotenoid compounds in sediments can be analyzed directly in the solid state by Raman and Luminescence spectroscopy techniques to identify solid carotenoid, avoiding dissolution and pre-concentration treatments, since the hydrous copper-salted paragenesis do not mask the Raman emission of carotenoids. Raman spectra recorded from one of these specimens' exhibit major features at approximately 1006, 1154, and 1520 cm(-1). The bands at 1520 cm(-1) and 1154 cm(-1) can be assigned to in-phase C=C (γ(-1)) and C-C stretching (γ(-2)) vibrations of the polyene chain in carotenoids. The in-plane rocking deformations of CH3 groups linked to this chain coupled with C-C bonds are observed in the 1006 cm(-1) region. X-irradiation pretreatments enhance the cathodoluminescence spectra emission of carotenoids enough to distinguish organic compounds including hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. Carotenoids in copper-sulfates could be used as biomarkers and useful proxies for understanding remote mineral formations as well as for terrestrial environmental investigations related to mine drainage contamination including biological activity and photo-oxidation processes.

Ossification vesicles with calcium phosphate in the eyes of the insect Copium teucrii (Hemiptera: Tingidae).

Arthropod eyes are built of repeating units named ommatidia. Each single ommatidium unit contains a cluster of photoreceptor cells surrounded by support cells and pigment cells. The insect Copium eye ommatidia include additional calcium-phosphate deposits, not described in insects to date, which can be examined today using a combined set of modern microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. Teucrium gnaphalodes L'Her plants, growing in central Spain, develop galls induced by Copium insects. A survey of C. teucrii adult specimens resulted in surprising environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images, showing that their bright red eyes contain a calcium-phosphate mineralization. A complete survey of Copium eye specimens was performed by ESEM using energy-dispersive spectroscopy, backscattered electron detector and cathodoluminescence (CL) probes, field emission scanning electron microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy in order to learn ommatidia features, such as chemical composition, molecular structure, cell membrane, and internal ommatidium eye fluids and calcium-phosphate distribution deposits. The CL panchromatic images distinguish between the calcium-phosphate ommatidium and calcium-phosphate setae, which are more apatite rich. They show Raman bands attributable to bone tissue apatite biomaterials, such as bone, collagen, lipids, and blood, i.e., peptides, amide-S, amide-II, amide-III, and cytochrome P-450 scc. The chemical composition of both galls and leaves of T. gnaphalodes was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of their extracts. The spectrometric and microscopic images reveal that the calcium-phosphate mineralization is formed and constrained to Copium ommatidia, which are both matrix vesicles generating mixtures of apatite collagen and operational compound eyes of the insect.

Influence of accumulation of heaps of steel slag on the environment: determination of heavy metals content in the soils.

The presence of high level of heavy metals involves a human healthy risk that could induce chronic diseases. This work reports on the metal contamination due to heaps of steel-slag accumulated during more than 40 years in allotments and industrial areas in the southern part of Madrid (Spain). Several slag and soil samples were collected in an area of 10 km(2) and characterized by different conventional (XRD and XRF) and no so common methods (ESEM, thermoluminescence and EDS-WDS). The analysis reveal the presence of: (i) important amounts of Fe (43%), Mg (26%), Cr (1.1%), Mn (4.6%), S (6.5%) in the form of Fe-rich slag phases (wustite, magnetite...), Si and Ca-rich phases (larnite, ghelenite...), Cr (chromite), Mn (bustamite) and graphite, (ii) traces of some other contaminants such as Cr (7700 ppm), Zn (3500 ppm), Ba (3000 ppm), Pb (700 ppm) or Cu (500 ppm) on pathway soil samples that come from the steel slag, and (iii) Co (13 ppm), Pb (78 ppm) and V (54 ppm) in farmland soil samples. Although the existing heavy metals content is not appropriate for the current use, the extremely high metal contamination of the surrounding areas is more worrying. The properties of the soil farmlands (pH circa 7, 13% of clay, mainly illite, and 1-4% of organic matter content) show suitable conditions for the retention of cationic metals, but further studies on the movilization of these elements have to be performed to determine the possibility of severe human health risks. This sort of study can provide useful information for the politicians regarding the appropriate use of the territory to prevent possible health hazard for the population.

Influence of accumulation of heaps of steel slag on the environment: determination of heavy metals content in the soils

The presence of high level of heavy metals involves a human healthy risk that could induce chronic diseases. This work reports on the metal contamination due to heaps of steel-slag accumulated during more than 40 years in allotments and industrial areas in the southern part of Madrid (Spain). Several slag and soil samples were collected in an area of 10 km² and characterized by different conventional (XRD and XRF) and no so common methods (ESEM, thermoluminescence and EDS-WDS). The analysis reveal the presence of: (i) important amounts of Fe (43 percent), Mg (26 percent), Cr (1.1 percent), Mn (4.6 percent), S (6.5 percent) in the form of Fe-rich slag phases (wustite, magnetite...), Si and Ca-rich phases (larnite, ghelenite...), Cr (chromite), Mn (bustamite) and graphite, (ii) traces of some other contaminants such as Cr (7700 ppm), Zn (3500 ppm), Ba (3000 ppm), Pb (700 ppm) or Cu (500 ppm) on pathway soil samples that come from the steel slag, and (iii) Co (13 ppm), Pb (78 ppm) and V (54 ppm) in farmland soil samples. Although the existing heavy metals content is not appropriate for the current use, the extremely high metal contamination of the surrounding areas is more worrying. The properties of the soil farmlands (pH circa 7, 13 percent of clay, mainly illite, and 1-4 percent of organic matter content) show suitable conditions for the retention of cationic metals, but further studies on the movilization of these elements have to be performed to determine the possibility of severe human health risks. This sort of study can provide useful information for the politicians regarding the appropriate use of the territory to prevent possible health hazard for the population.

A presença de altos niveis de metais pesados envolve riscos à saúde humana e pode induzir doenças crônicas. Este trabalho relata a contaminação metálica causada por pilhas de escória siderúrgica acumulada durante mais de 40 anos em áreas industriais na parte sul de Madrid (Espanha). Amostras de escória e solo foram coletadas em uma área de 10 km² e caracteri-zada por diferentes métodos, convencionais (XRD, XRF) ou não (ESEM, termoluminescência e EDS-WDS). A análise revela a presença de: i) quantidades importantes de Fe (43 por cento), Mg (26 por cento), Cr (1,1 por cento), Mn (4,6 por cento), S (6,5 por cento) formando várias fases ricas em Fe (wüstita, magnetita), Si e Ca (larnita, guelenita), Cr (cromita), Mn (bustamita) e grafite; (ii) tiajos de outros contaminantes, como Cr (7700 ppm), Zn (3500 ppm), Ba (3000 ppm), Pb (700 ppm) e Cu (500 ppm), no solo dos caminhos para as pilhas de resíduos e (iii) Co (13 ppm), Pb (78 ppm) e V (54 ppm) em amostras de solo agrícola. Embora os teores de metais pesados não sejam apropriados para uso corrente, a elevada contaminação de areas adjacentes é mais preocupante. Os solos adjacentes (pH ca. 7, 13 por cento de argila - principalmente ilita) e 1-4 por cento de matéria orgânica mostram condições adequadas para a retenção de cátions, mas outros estudos deverão ser realizados para determinar a possibilidade de riscos à saúde humana. Este tipo de trabalho pode fornecer informaçãoo útil para gestores públicos, com relação ao uso do território e prevenção de riscos à saúde da população.

Low-magnesium uranium-calcite with high degree of crystallinity and gigantic luminescence emission.

Cabrera (Madrid) low-Mg calcites exhibit: (i) an unusual twofold elevation in X-ray diffraction pattern intensity; (ii) a 60-fold elevation of luminescence emission, compared to six common natural calcites selected for comparison purposes; (iii) a natural relatively high radiation level of circa 200 nSvh(-1) not detected in 1300 other calcites from the Natural History Museum of Madrid. Calcites were analysed by the X-ray diffraction powder method (XRD), cathodo-luminescence spectroscopy in scanning electron microscopy (CL-SEM), thermoluminescence (TL), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and particle size distribution (PSD). The Cabrera calcite study shows: (i) helicoidally distributed steps along the (0001) orientation; (ii) protuberance defects onto the (0001) surface, observed by SEM; (iii) XRF chemical contents of 0.03% MgO, 0.013% of Y(2)O(3), and 0.022% of U(3)O(8), with accessory amounts of rare earth elements (REE); (iv) DTA dissociation temperature of 879 degrees C; (v) TL maxima peaks at 233 and 297 degrees C whose areas are 60 times compared to other calcites; (vi) spectra CL-SEM bands at 2.0 and 3.4 eV in the classic structure of Mn(2+) activators; (vii) a twofold XRD pattern explained given that sample is a low-Mg calcite. The huge TL and CL emissions of the Cabrera calcite sample must be linked with the uranyl group presence. This intense XRD pattern in low-Mg calcites could bring into being analytical errors.