Paraffin and other petroleum waxes in the southern North Sea.

Petroleum waxes (PWs) are recognized as ubiquitously emerging marine pollutants. However, knowledge on their occurrence, particularly as persistent floaters of small size (<5 mm) in marine surface water, is scarce. For this study, 24 samples were collected in the North Sea by net-sampling (100 µm-mesh). Particles of wax-like appearance were detected at 14 stations. Similar appearing PWs from six stations with highest abundances were pooled per station and analyzed by ATR-FTIR (Attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) and gas chromatography. Samples contained paraffin particles, being partly accompanied by substances like fatty acids and fatty alcohols. Using both analytical techniques provided a reliable detection of PWs and more details on their chemical composition. Furthermore, exemplarily the presence of PWs of 20-500 µm size was proven by µFTIR imaging. This study gives valuable insights into PW pollution in the North Sea, emphasizing the need for harmonized detection methods, ideally accompanying microplastics monitoring.

Functional constituents of wild and cultivated Goji (L. barbarum L.) leaves: phytochemical characterization, biological profile, and computational studies.

Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) leaves are emphasized as a functional tea or as dietary supplements. The phenolic compound profile, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, antimicrobial, and antimutagenic activities of leaf extracts from two selected cultivars in comparison with wild-growing plants have been evaluated. HPLC-DAD/ESI-ToF-MS analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids with chlorogenic acid and rutin being the dominant compounds in the cultivated plants, whereas rutin and kaempeferol-3-O-rutinoside for wild growing ones. In particular, cv. Erma contained the highest amount of chlorogenic acid and showed a strong tyrosinase-inhibitory effect. Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Penicillium funiculosum were the most sensitive strains when exposed to extracts from cultivated plants. Antimutagenic activity was evaluated by Ames' test. The tested extracts provided high protection against mutagenicity induced by 2-anthramine (2-AA) to Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 and TA 100 (max. inhibition (%) 88% and 74.2%, respectively). Overall, Goji leaves are a rich source of bioactive compounds with functional properties that need further risk/benefit evaluation when used in foods or health-promoting formulations.