Cancer Influences the Elemental Composition of the Myocardium More Strongly than Conjugated Linoleic Acids-Chemometric Approach to Cardio-Oncological Studies.

The aim of the study was to verify in a cardio-oncological model experiment if conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) fed to rats with mammary tumors affect the content of selected macro- and microelements in their myocardium. The diet of Sprague-Dawley females was supplemented either with CLA isomers or with safflower oil. In hearts of rats suffering from breast cancer, selected elements were analyzed with a quadrupole mass spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma ionization (ICP-MS). In order to better understand the data trends, cluster analysis, principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were applied. Mammary tumors influenced macro- and microelements content in the myocardium to a greater extent than applied diet supplementation. Significant influences of diet (p = 0.0192), mammary tumors (p = 0.0200) and interactions of both factors (p = 0.0151) were documented in terms of Fe content. CLA significantly decreased the contents of Cu and Mn (p = 0.0158 and p = 0.0265, respectively). The level of Ni was significantly higher (p = 0.0073), which was more pronounced in groups supplemented with CLA. The obtained results confirmed antioxidant properties of CLA and the relationship with Se deposition. Chemometric techniques distinctly showed that the coexisting pathological process induced differences to the greater extent than diet supplementation in the elemental content in the myocardium, which may impinge on cardiac tissue's susceptibility to injuries.

From Laboratory towards Industrial Operation: Biomarkers for Acidophilic Metabolic Activity in Bioleaching Systems.

In the actual mining scenario, copper bioleaching, mainly raw mined material known as run-of-mine (ROM) copper bioleaching, is the best alternative for the treatment of marginal resources that are not currently considered part of the profitable reserves because of the cost associated with leading technologies in copper extraction. It is foreseen that bioleaching will play a complementary role in either concentration-as it does in Minera Escondida Ltd. (MEL)-or chloride main leaching plants. In that way, it will be possible to maximize mines with installed solvent-extraction and electrowinning capacities that have not been operative since the depletion of their oxide ores. One of the main obstacles for widening bioleaching technology applications is the lack of knowledge about the key events and the attributes of the technology's critical events at the industrial level and mainly in ROM copper bioleaching industrial operations. It is relevant to assess the bed environment where the bacteria-mineral interaction occurs to learn about the limiting factors determining the leaching rate. Thus, due to inability to accurately determine in-situ key variables, their indirect assessment was evaluated by quantifying microbial metabolic-associated responses. Several candidate marker genes were selected to represent the predominant components of the microbial community inhabiting the industrial heap and the metabolisms involved in microbial responses to changes in the heap environment that affect the process performance. The microbial community's predominant components were Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, At. thiooxidans, Leptospirillum ferriphilum, and Sulfobacillus sp. Oxygen reduction, CO2 and N2 fixation/uptake, iron and sulfur oxidation, and response to osmotic stress were the metabolisms selected regarding research results previously reported in the system. After that, qPCR primers for each candidate gene were designed and validated. The expression profile of the selected genes vs. environmental key variables in pure cultures, column-leaching tests, and the industrial bioleaching heap was defined. We presented the results obtained from the industrial validation of the marker genes selected for assessing CO2 and N2 availability, osmotic stress response, as well as ferrous iron and sulfur oxidation activity in the bioleaching heap process of MEL. We demonstrated that molecular markers are useful for assessing limiting factors like nutrients and air supply, and the impact of the quality of recycled solutions. We also learned about the attributes of variables like CO2, ammonium, and sulfate levels that affect the industrial ROM-scale operation.

Cu(II) Ion Adsorption by Aniline Grafted Chitosan and Its Responsive Fluorescence Properties.

The detection and removal of heavy metal species in aquatic environments is of continued interest to address ongoing efforts in water security. This study was focused on the preparation and characterization of aniline grafted chitosan (CS-Ac-An), and evaluation of its adsorption properties with Cu(II) under variable conditions. Materials characterization provides support for the grafting of aniline onto chitosan, where the kinetic and thermodynamic adsorption properties reveal a notably greater uptake (>20-fold) of Cu(II) relative to chitosan, where the adsorption capacity (Qm) of CS-Ac-An was 106.6 mg/g. Adsorbent regeneration was demonstrated over multiple adsorption-desorption cycles with good uptake efficiency. CS-Ac-An has a strong fluorescence emission that undergoes prominent quenching at part per billion levels in aqueous solution. The quenching process displays a linear response over variable Cu(II) concentration (0.05-5 mM) that affords reliable detection of low level Cu(II) levels by an in situ "turn-off" process. The tweezer-like chelation properties of CS-Ac-An with Cu(II) was characterized by complementary spectroscopic methods: IR, NMR, X-ray photoelectron (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The role of synergistic effects are inferred among two types of active adsorption sites: electron rich arene rings and amine groups of chitosan with Cu(II) species to afford a tweezer-like binding modality.

Removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions imparted by a pectin-based film: Cytocompatibility, antimicrobial, kinetic, and equilibrium studies.

To obtain pectin-based films is challenging due to the aqueous instability of polyelectrolyte mixtures. We overcome this issue by blending chitosan to pectin of high O-methoxylation degree (56%), followed by solvent evaporation. A durable film containing 74 wt% pectin content was produced and used as an adsorbent material toward Cu(II) ions. Kinetic and adsorption equilibrium studies showed that the pseudo-second-order and Sips isotherm models adjusted well to the experimental data, respectively. Langmuir isotherm indicated a maximum adsorption capacity (qm) for Cu(II) removal of 29.20 mg g-1. Differential scanning calorimetry, contact angle measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the adsorption. The chemisorption plays an essential role in the process; thereby, the film reusability is low. After adsorption, the cytocompatible film/Cu(II) pair prevents the proliferation of Escherichia coli.

Influence of phosphorus on copper phytoextraction via modulating cellular organelles in two jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) varieties grown in a copper mining soil of Hubei Province, China.

Soil in mining areas is typically highly contaminated with heavy metals and lack essential nutrients for plants. Phosphorus reduces oxidative stress, improves plant growth, composition, and cellular structure, as well as facilitates the phytoremediation potential of fibrous crop plant species. In this study, we investigated two jute (Corchorus capsularis) varieties HongTieGuXuan and GuBaChangJia cultivated in copper (Cu)-contaminated soil (2221 mg kg-1), under different applications of phosphorus (0, 30, 60, and 120 kg ha-1) at both anatomical and physiological levels. At the same Cu concentration, the tolerance index of HongTieGuXuan was higher than that of GuBaChangJia, indicating that HongTieGuXuan may be more tolerant to Cu stress. Although the normal concentration of P (60 kg ha-1) in the soil improved plant growth, biomass, chlorophyll content, fibre yield and quality, and gaseous exchange attributes. However, high concentration of P (120 kg ha-1) was toxic to both jute varieties affected morphological and physiological attributes of the plants under same level of Cu. Moreover, Cu toxicity increased the oxidative stress in the leaves of both jute varieties was overcome by the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, the high concentration of Cu altered the ultrastructure of chloroplasts, plastoglobuli, mitochondria, and many other cellular organelles in both jute varieties. Thus, phytoextraction of Cu by both jute varieties increased with the increase in P application in the Cu-contaminated soil. This suggests that P application enhanced the phytoremediation potential jute plants and can be cultivated as fibrous crop in Cu-contaminated sites.

Emerging applications of biochar: Improving pig manure composting and attenuation of heavy metal mobility in mature compost.

This study evaluated the effect of integrated bacterial culture and biochar on heavy metal (HM) stabilization and microbial activity during pig manure composting. High-throughput sequencing was carried out on six treatments, namely T1-T6, where T2 was single application of bacteria culture (C), T3 and T5 were supplemented with 12 % wood (WB) and wheat-straw biochar (WSB), respectively, and T4 and T6 had a combination of bacterial consortium mixed with biochar (12 % WB and 12 % WSB, respectively). T1 was used as control for the comparison. The results show that the populations of bacterial phyla were significantly greater in T6 and T4. The predominate phylum were Proteobacteria (56.22 %), Bacteroidetes (35.40 %), and Firmicutes (8.38 %), and the dominant genera were Marinimicrobium (53.14 %), Moheibacter (35.22 %), and Erysipelothrix (5.02 %). Additionally, the correlation analysis revealed the significance of T6, as the interaction of biochar and bacterial culture influenced the HM adsorption efficiency and microbial dynamics during composting. Overall, the integrated bacterial culture and biochar application promoted the immobilization of HMs (Cu and Zn) owing to improved adsorption, and enhanced the abundance and selectivity of the bacterial community to promote degradation and improving the safety and quality of the final compost product.

Magnetite nanoparticle embedded Pectin-graft-poly(N-hydroxyethylacrylamide) hydrogel: Evaluation as adsorbent for dyes and heavy metal ions from waste water.

A pectin (Pec) based gel has been made by grafting N-hydroxyethylacrylamide (HEAA) on pectin using potassium peroxodisulphate as initiator and N,N-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker under microwave irradiation. The magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were incorporated within this gel via in situ diffusion of Fe2+ and Fe3+ followed by reaction with ammonia solution. The synthesized gel, pectin-graft-poly(N-hydroxyethylacrylamide) (Pec-g-PHEAA); and the magnetite containing composite (Pec-g-PHEAA/Fe3O4) were characterized by FTIR, TGA, XRD, BET and SEM techniques. The magnetic property measurement indicated ferromagnetic nature of the nanocomposite. The Pec-g-PHEAA and Pec-g-PHEAA/Fe3O4 systems were evaluated for removal of dye and metal ions from aqueous solution using Rhodamine 6G (R6G), a cationic dye; Cu(II) and Hg(II) ions. Both adsorbents showed significant adsorption capacity towards these species, with greater adsorption capacity in case of Pec-g-PHEAA/Fe3O4. Adsorption process is observed to follow both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models for R6G dye and Freundlich isotherm model for Cu(II) and Hg(II) ions. The adsorption was found to be a pseudo first order process for R6G and pseudo second order process for Cu(II) and Hg(II) ions. The positive values of ∆H0 and the negative values of ∆G0 indicated the adsorption process to be endothermic and spontaneous.

Etlingera elatior-Mediated Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles and Their Application as Electrochemical Current Enhancer.

This work presents a simple green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by using an aqueous extract of Etlingera elatior (torch ginger). The metabolites present in E. elatior, including sugars, proteins, polyphenols, and flavonoids, were known to play important roles in reducing metal ions and supporting the subsequent stability of nanoparticles. The present work aimed to investigate the ability of the E. elatior extract to synthesise AuNPs via the reduction of gold (III) chloride hydrate and characterise the properties of the nanoparticles produced. The antioxidant properties of the E. elatior extract were evaluated by analysing the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. To ascertain the formation of AuNPs, the synthesised particles were characterised using the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement. The properties of the green synthesised AuNPs were shown to be comparable to the AuNPs produced using a conventional reducing agent, sodium citrate. The UV-Vis measured the surface plasmon resonance of the AuNPs, and a band centered at 529 nm was obtained. The FTIR results proved that the extract contained the O-H functional group that is responsible for capping the nanoparticles. The HRTEM images showed that the green synthesized AuNPs were of various shapes and the average of the nanoparticles' hydrodynamic diameter was 31.5 ± 0.5 nm. Meanwhile, the zeta potential of -32.0 ± 0.4 mV indicates the high stability and negative charge of the AuNPs. We further successfully demonstrated that using the green synthesised AuNPs as the nanocomposite to modify the working surface of screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE/Cs/AuNPs) enhanced the rate of electron transfer and provided a sensitive platform for the detection of Cu(II) ions.

Mineral Content of Various Portuguese Breads: Characterization, Dietary Intake, and Discriminant Analysis.

The chemical composition and daily mineral intake (DMI) of six macro (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorous, and chloride) and four microminerals (copper, iron, manganese, and zinc) were determined in four types of Portuguese breads (white wheat, maize, wheat/maize, and maize/rye breads). Samples were processed with microwave assisted digestion and mineral composition was determined with a high-resolution continuum-source atomic absorption spectrometer with flame and graphite furnace. Bread contributes to an equilibrated diet since it is rich in several minerals (0.21 mg/100 g of copper in wheat bread to 537 mg/100 g of sodium in maize/rye bread). Maize/rye bread presented the highest content of all minerals (except phosphorous and chloride), while the lowest levels were mainly found in wheat bread. Median sodium concentrations (422-537 mg/100 g) represented more than 28% of the recommended daily allowance, being in close range of the maximum Portuguese limit (550 mg/100 g). Maize/rye bread exhibited the highest DMI of manganese (181%), sodium (36%), magnesium (32%), copper (32%), zinc (24%), iron (22%), potassium (20%), and calcium (3.0%). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) model based on the mineral content allowed the differentiation among white wheat, maize, and maize/rye bread. Zinc, magnesium, manganese, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and calcium proved to be good chemical markers to differentiate bread compositions.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn from edible oils with tetramethylammonium hydroxide and EDTA followed by determination using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer.

A new method for extraction and determination of trace and ultratrace impurities from edible oils via an ultrasound-assisted extraction using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) has been described. Method is simple and sensitive. Extraction variables like pH, concentrations of TMAH and EDTA, ultrasonication and centrifugation times were all optimised for analytes using engine-oil. Under optimised conditions, extraction of spiked analytes from all the edible oils into aqueous-medium were investigated and found to be quantitative (89-101%). Using this method, concentrations of impurities in edible-oils were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GFAAS) using standard-addition calibration method and validated with microwave-digestion method. The method was successfully applied to edible oils extracted from various seeds such as mustard oil, sun flower oil, sesame oil, ground nut oil, coconut oil, rice bran oil and corn oil containing ultratrace impurities. Accuracy of developed method for edible-oils was checked with corresponding results obtained by microwave digestion method.

A new approach for modelling and optimization of Cu(II) biosorption from aqueous solutions using sugar beet shreds in a fixed-bed column.

The potential use of sugar beet shreds for copper ions removal from aqueous solution in a fixed-bed column was investigated. Experiments were performed using Box-Behnken experimental design on three levels and three variables: concentration of the inlet solution (50-150 mg L-1), adsorbent dosage (8-12 g) and pH of the inlet solution (4.0-5.0). The obtained breakthrough curves were fitted with two common empirical models, Bohart-Adams and dose-response. Observing the asymmetric shape of the breakthrough curves, the new mathematical model was proposed. The new model proposes the breakthrough curve composed of two parts, sum of which gives the asymmetrical S-shaped curve, accurately matching experimental data. Regarding the lowest SSer (7.8·10-4) and highest R2 (0.9998), new model exhibited the best fit comparing to the commonly used models. RSM and ANN modelling were employed for process variables evaluation and optimization. The most influential parameter exhibiting negative influence on target response (critical time) was concentration of the inlet solution, while the adsorbent dosage exhibited positive influence. Optimization procedure revealed that the highest critical time (341.4 min) was achieved at following conditions: C0 = 50 mg·L-1, ma = 12 g and pH 4.53 by ANN, while RSM considered pH as insignificant factor and obtained 314.8 min as the highest response.

Adsorption characteristics of Cu(II) and Zn(II) by nano-alumina material synthesized by the sol-gel method in batch mode.

This study mainly focuses on the preparation, characterization, and sorption performance for Cu(II) and Zn(II) by using nano-alumina material (NA) synthesized through the sol-gel method. The SEM, EDS, FT-IR, and XRD analysis methods were implemented to identify the micromorphology and crystal structure of the synthesized NA absorbent and its structure after the adsorbing procedure. The effect of effective variables including various absorbent dose, contact time, initial ion concentration, and temperature on the removal of Cu(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solution by using NA was investigated through a single factor experiment. Kinetic studies indicated that adsorption of copper and zinc ions by NA was chemical adsorption. The adsorption isotherm data were fitted by Langmuir (R2: 0.919, 0.914), Freundlich (R2: 0.983, 0.993), and Temkin (R2: 0.876, 0.863) isotherms, indicating that copper and zinc ions were easily adsorbed by NA with maximum adsorption capacities of 87.7 and 77.5 mg/g for Cu2+ and Zn2+, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption of Cu2+ was spontaneous(G<0) and the adsorption of Zn2+ might not be spontaneous (G > 0) by NA. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Nanoparticle Characterisation of Traditional Homeopathically Manufactured Cuprum metallicum and Gelsemium sempervirens Medicines and Controls.

BACKGROUND: Homeopathy is controversial due to its use of very highly diluted medicines (high potencies/dynamisations). METHODS: We used a multi-technology approach to examine dilutions of two commonly used homeopathic medicines: an insoluble metal, Cuprum metallicum, and a soluble plant tincture, Gelsemium sempervirens, for the presence of nanoparticles (NPs) of original substance. The homeopathic medicines tested were specially prepared, according to the European pharmacopoeia standards. We compared the homeopathic dilutions/dynamisations with simple dilutions and controls. RESULTS: Using Mass Spectrometry (Single Particle-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) we could not find the expected copper in the 4cH potentisation and could not confirm the results previously obtained by Chikramane et al (2010). For Gelsemium medicines, using sensitive chromatography (HPLC-UV) up to a dilution level of 6 dH (3cH = dilution 10e-6), there was no significant difference in alkaloid content between a simple dilution and a homeopathic potency.For higher potentisations, however, NP tracking analysis findings revealed the presence of particles in all samples (except for pure water). The measurements showed large differences in particle quantities, mean particle sizes and standard deviations of the mean sizes between manufacturing lines of different starting material.There was always more material in potentised medicines than in potentised pure water. Gelsemium yielded the largest quantity of material (36 times more than that from copper at the same potentisation, 30 cH). The shapes and the chemical composition of the material are differentiable between different medicines and controls. CONCLUSION: Potentisation influences specifically the nature of NPs detected. This material demonstrates that the step-by-step process (dynamised or not) does not match with the theoretical expectations in a dilution process. The Avogadro/Loschmidt limit is not relevant at all. It was not possible to reproduce the findings of Chikramane et al (2010) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry with copper. Copper NPs could not be detected at 4cH and above.

Lead and copper removal from groundwater by spherical agglomeration using a biosurfactant extracted from Yucca decipiens Trel.

The spherical agglomeration technique (SAT) has emerged as an innovative alternative for the removal of heavy metals from water at optimum levels of surfactant addition. This technique has achieved high removal efficiencies. In the present study, Yucca decipiens extracts were applied as the biosurfactant for the removal of heavy metals from groundwater of a mining community using SAT. Aqueous models were generated to explain the removal of copper and lead in solutions. It was possible to remove 99.96% and 99.62% respectively. The highest concentrations of copper and lead 209.5 and 2 mg L-1, respectively, were observed at a waterhole in the mining community. This sample was used to test the efficiency of SAT, using optimal conditions of the models. It was possible to remove 99.22% of copper and 91.50% of lead present in the groundwater. High concentrations of sodium and calcium were found. To reduce the residual sodium concentration, the pH was decreased from 11 to 9.5. 99.84% of copper and only 93.49% of lead were removed; the remaining concentrations did not exceed the limit of Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, 1996). It was demonstrated that the Yucca extracts are effective or the treatment of water with high concentrations of heavy metals under the conditions of SAT.

Graphene oxide encapsulated polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate hydrogel microspheres for Cu (II) and U (VI) removal.

In this work, a novel sodium alginate (SA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/graphene oxide (GO) hydrogel microspheres were prepared by a simple method. Sodium alginate was physically crosslinked by Ca2+; GO was encapsulated into the composite to strengthen the hydrogels; PVA played a significant role in well dispersing of GO in SA. The SA/PVA/GO (SPG) hydrogels were employed as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Cu (II) and U (VI) from aqueous solution. Batch experiments with the subject of the pH, initial metal ion concentration, competing ions and contact time were investigated. Structure characterization was successfully conducted by FTIR, SEM, EDX, BET and XPS. Furthermore, the sorption kinetics of Cu2+ and UO22+ followed pseudo-second order model and exhibited 3-stage intraparticle diffusion model. Equilibrium data were best described by Langmuir model and the obtained maximum adsorption capacities of SPG hydrogel microspheres for Cu2+ and UO22+ were 247.16 and 403.78 mg/g, respectively. The difference in adsorption capacity can be confirmed by the percentage of elements in EDX spectra and the intension of peak of elements in XPS spectra. The SPG sorbent exhibited excellent reusability after 5 adsorption-desorption cycles. All results suggested that the prepared adsorbents could be considered as effective and promising materials for removal of Cu (II) and U (VI) in wastewater.

Detoxification of polluted marine sediments using water treatment sludge.

The purpose of this study was development of the optimal conditions for the inertization of the polluted marine sediments using groundwater treatment sludge highly enriched in iron and aluminum. For that purpose fine-grained sediment (>85% clay and silt fraction) highly enriched in copper and zinc was amended with the waste sludge (from 10% to 50%). The sample with the optimum percentage of the waste sludge was further subjected the thermal treatment at 200-800°C. The efficiency of the treatment was determined by the leaching tests and toxicity testing using Hordeum vulgare L. as biosystem. The percentage of the seed germination, the root elongation, and the germination index before and following the treatment were determined. Untreated sediment leachate caused significant arrest in the percentage of the seed germination (6.7 ± 6.7%), the root elongation (1.9 ± 2.2%), and the germination index (0.2 ± 0.3%) with EC50 of 24.9%, suggesting a significant toxic potential of the sediments. After amendment with 30% of the waste sludge the concentrations of the considered micropollutants decreased below regulated values while all three toxicological parameters showed no significant difference compared to the negative control. The toxicity of the sediment was completely removed following the thermal treatment at 400°C.

Design of Carrageenan-Based Heparin-Mimetic Gel Beads as Self-Anticoagulant Hemoperfusion Adsorbents.

The currently used hemoperfusion adsorbents such as activated carbon and ion-exchange resin show dissatisfactory hemocompatibility, and a large dose of injected heparin leads to the increasing cost and the risk of systematic bleeding. Natural polysaccharide adsorbents commonly have good biocompatibility, but their application is restricted by the poor mechanical strength and low content of functional groups. Herein, we developed an efficient, self-anticoagulant and blood compatible hemoperfusion adsorbent by imitating the structure and functional groups of heparin. Carrageenan and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) cross-linked networks were built up by the combination of phase inversion of carrageenan and post-cross-linking of AA, and the formed dual-network structure endowed the beads with improved mechanical properties and controlled swelling ratios. The beads exhibited low protein adsorption amounts, low hemolysis ratios, low cytotoxicity, and suppressed complement activation and contact activation levels. Especially, the activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and thrombin time of the gel beads were prolonged over 13, 18, and 4 times than those of the control. The self-anticoagulant and biocompatible beads showed good adsorption capacities toward exogenous toxins (560.34 mg/g for heavy metal ions) and endogenous toxins (14.83 mg/g for creatinine, 228.16 mg/g for bilirubin, and 18.15 mg/g for low density lipoprotein (LDL)), thus, highlighting their potential usage for safe and efficient blood purification.

Reduction of heavy metal (Pb2+) biosorption in zebrafish model using alginic acid purified from Ecklonia cava and two of its synthetic derivatives.

Heavy metal contamination has become a major problem that causes severe environmental and health issues due to their biosorption, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. This study was designed to evaluate heavy metal chelating abilities of alginic acid (AA) extracted from the brown seaweed Ecklonia cava and two of its derivatives prepared by the partial oxidation of the 2° OH groups (OAA) and partial carboxylation of the monomeric units (CAA) upon reducing the heavy metal biosorption in zebrafish (Danio rerio) modal. Metal ions were quantified using ICP-OES and biopolymers were characterized by FTIR and XRD analysis. All investigated biopolymers indicated potential ability for chelating Pb2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, As3+, and Ag+. The sorption capacities were in the order of CAA>OAA>AA. All biopolymers indicated a comparatively higher chelation towards Pb2+. AA, OAA, and CAA could effectively reduce Pb2+ induced toxicity and Pb2+ stress-induced ROS production in zebrafish embryos. Besides, they could reduce the biosorption of Pb2+ in adult zebrafish which could lead to bioaccumulation. Since alginic acid purified from E. cava and its derivatives could be utilized as seaweed derived biopolymers to purify heavy metals contaminated water and as a dietary supplement to reduce heavy metal biosorption in organisms.

Sequential Extraction as Novel Approach to Compare 12 Medicinal Plants From Kenya Regarding Their Potential to Release Chromium, Manganese, Copper, and Zinc.

This study is focusing on a novel approach to screen a large number of medicinal plants from Kenya regarding their contents and availability of selected metals potentially relevant for treatment of diabetes patients. For this purpose, total levels of zinc, chromium, manganese, and copper were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry as well as BCR sequential extraction to fractionate the elemental species in anti-diabetic medicinal plants collected from five natural locations in two sub counties in Nyamira County, Kenya. Solanum mauense had the highest zinc level of 123.0 ± 3.1 mg/kg while Warburgia ugandensis had the lowest level of 13.9 ± 0.4 mg/kg. The highest level of copper was in Bidens pilosa (29.0 ± 0.6 mg/kg) while the lowest was in Aloe vera (3.0 ± 0.1 mg/kg). Croton macrostachyus had the highest manganese level of 1630 ± 40 mg/kg while Clerodendrum myricoides had the lowest (80.2 ± 1.2 mg/kg). The highest level of chromium was in Solanum mauense (3.20 ± 0.06 mg/kg) while the lowest (0.04 ± 0.01 mg/kg) were in Clerodendrum myricoides and Warburgia ugandesis among the medicinal plants from Nyamira and Borabu, respectively. The levels of the elements were statistically different from that of other elements while the level of a given element was not statistically different in the medicinal plants from the different sub counties. Sequential extraction was performed to determine the solubility and thus estimate the bioavailability of the four investigated essential and potentially therapeutically relevant metals. The results showed that the easily bioavailable fraction (EBF) of chromium, manganese, zinc, and copper ranged from 6.7 to 13.8%, 4.1 to 10%, 2.4 to 10.2%, and 3.2 to 12.0% while the potentially bioavailable fraction (PBF) ranged from 50.1 to 67.6%, 32.2 to 48.7%, 23.0 to 41.1%, and 34.6 to 53.1%, respectively. Bidens pilosa, Croton macrostachyus, Ultrica dioica, and Solanum mauense medicinal plants used to treat diabetes by 80 % of the herbalists in Nyamira County were found to be rich in chromium, manganese, copper, and zinc. The EBF of zinc, manganese, and chromium constitutes adequate amounts recommended for daily intake not exceeding the ADI and delivered a low percentage of RDA when estimating daily intake during therapy from typically applied doses. The plants did not show any significant differences at p < 0.05 in terms of concentrations of the elements between the two study areas though the levels of the different elements were statistically significant. Another major observation was that high total levels of the metals in a given plant did not necessarily translate to high bioavailable levels, and hence the need to determine bioavailable form as it is the one accessible to the patient.