Influence of long-term consumption of bitter apricot seeds on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases

The present study was designed to reveal whether long-term consumption of bitter apricot seeds causes changes in lipid profile and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The study group consisted of 12 healthy adult volunteers (5 females and 7 males). The average age of women was 41.60 ± 11.28 years and the average age of men was 36.71 ± 13.70 years. Volunteers consumed 60 mg kg^?1 of body weight of bitter apricot seeds divided into 8–12 doses daily for 12 weeks. Volunteers were recruited from the general population of Slovak Republic. After 12 weeks, mean body weight of the participants increased from 77.34 to 78.22 kg (P > 0.05). The average total cholesterol levels decreased from 4.86 mmol L^?1 at the beginning of the study to 4.44 mmol L^?1 at the end of the study (P < 0.05). We did not observe any significant increase in high-density cholesterol (from 1.55 to 1.60 mmol L^?1). The average low-density cholesterol levels decreased from 2.93 mmol L^?1 at the beginning of the study to 2.31 mmol L^?1 at the end of the study (P < 0.001). Concentration of triglycerides increased significantly over the 12-week intervention period from 0.84 to 1.17 mmol L^?1. After the intervention, the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level decreased from 1.92 to 1.23 mg L^?1, but results were non-significant (P > 0.05). Creatine kinase serum levels increased from 2.31 to 2.77 mg L^?1 (P > 0.05) over the 12-week intervention period. The results suggest that regular intake of bitter apricot seeds may be considered potentially useful for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.     

Lead accumulation and elimination in tissues of Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782), after long-term dietary exposure, and depuration periods

We studied the bioaccumulation of lead in selected tissues of Prussian carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) during 12 and 24 months exposure to different doses of this metal in feed and the elimination of lead from tissues during the following 12-month depuration period. Lead concentration was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry method. The highest lead concentrations were observed at 2.0?±?0.54 to 7.4?±?1.1 mg?kg^?1 in the kidney, 3.0?±?0.13 to 5.2?±?0.17 mg?kg^?1 in the bone, and 4.5 (±0.4)?mg?kg^?1 in the hepatopancreas of fish from groups exposed to lead dietary concentration from 8 to 49 mg?kg^?1 for 24 months. The rate of accumulation were generally the highest at the beginning of exposure as evidenced by the highest monthly increments of bioaccumulation observed after 3 months of contamination for muscles, hepatopancreatic gland, intestine, and gills. Also analysis of the monthly increments of lead bioaccumulation in bone tissue and the highly significant coefficients of correlation indicate that the dynamics of accumulation are clearly dependent on dose of exposure. Depuration of accumulated lead from the organs depended mainly on tissue and duration of elimination period. Very rapid depuration was observed in soft tissues such as the intestine or muscles. Very low elimination was observed for scales and bones where until the end of the experiment highly significant lead concentration differences were observed in all groups in relation to the control group. Chronic dietary exposure in the range of 8–49 mg Pb?kg^?1 resulted in no significant effects on the growth and survival of Prussian carp females.     

Mercury in the Grisette,Amanita vaginata Fr. and soil below the fruiting bodies

This study examined the mercury concentration in the Grisette Amanita vaginata Fr. and soil below the fruiting bodies collected between 2000 and 2008 from the wild at seven distant sites across Poland. The Hg content in samples was determined by cold atomic absorption method (CV-AAS) at a wavelength of 253.7 nm. Mean Hg contents varied from 0.096 ± 0.052 to 0.48 ± 0.13 mg kg^?1 dry matter (dm) in caps (range, 0.043–0.73 mg kg^?1), from 0.047 ± 0.02 to 0.23 ± 0.07 mg kg^?1 dm (range, 0.028–0.47 mg kg^?1) in stipes, and in underlying soil were from 0.035 ± 0.018 to 0.096 ± 0.036 mg kg^?1 dm (range, 0.017 to 0.16 mg kg^?1). The median Qc/s values ranged from 1.2 to 2.2 (mean 1.2 ± 0.4 to 2.1 ± 0.5) indicating that Hg content in stipes was generally lower than in caps. This mushroom species has some potential to bioconcentrate Hg in the fruiting bodies, as the values of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) varied for the sites between 1.2 ± 0.6 to 11 ± 5 for caps and 0.61 ± 0.26 to 7.4 ± 3.9 for stipes. Also available literature data on Hg in A. vaginata are reviewed and discussed.     

Mercury in certain boletus mushrooms from Poland and Belarus

This paper reports the results of the study of Hg contents of four species of Boletus mushroom (Boletus reticulatus Schaeff. 1763, B. pinophilus Pilát & Dermek 1973, B. impolitus Fr. 1838 and B. luridus Schaeff. 1774) and the surface soils (0–10 cm layer, ～100 g) samples beneath the mushrooms from ten forested areas in Poland and Belarus by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy. The ability of the species to bioconcentrate Hg was calculated (as the BCF) while Hg intakes from consumption of these mushroom species were also estimated. The median Hg content of the caps of the species varied between 0.38 and 4.7 mg kg^?1 dm; in stipes between 0.13 and 2.5 mg kg^?1 dm and in the mean Hg contents of soils varied from 0.020 ± 0.01 mg kg^?1 dm to 0.17 ± 0.10 mg kg^?1 dm which is considered as “background” Hg level. The median Hg content of caps of B. reticulatus and B. pinophilus were up to 4.7 and 3.6 mg kg^?1 dm, respectively, and they very efficiently bioaccumulate Hg with median BCF values of up to 130 for caps and 58 for stipes. The caps and stipes of these mushrooms if eaten will expose consumer to elevated dose of total Hg estimated at 1.4 mg for caps of Boletus reticulatus from the Kacze ??gi site, which is a nature reserve area. Nevertheless, the occasional consumption of the valued B. reticulatus and B. pinophilus mushrooms maybe safe.     

Elemental analysis of the edible fruit of Carpobrotus dimidiatus (from Kwazulu-Natal,South Africa) and the influence of soil quality on its elemental uptake

Abstract

Carpobrotus dimidiatus is an indigenous South African medicinal plant species from the Aizoaceae family that bears edible fruit that is consumed for nutritional value. In this study, the elemental distribution in C. dimidiatus fruit and growth soil from fifteen sites in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) was determined along with soil pH, soil organic matter and cation exchange capacity, to assess for nutritional value and the effect of soil quality on elemental uptake. The results showed elemental concentrations in fruit to be in decreasing order of Ca (6235–32755?mg kg^?1) > Mg (2250–5262?mg kg^?1) > Fe?>?Mn?>?Zn (20.9–50.6?mg kg^?1) > Cu (3.83–20.6?mg kg^?1) > Pb?>?Cr?>?Cd?>?As?～?Co?～?Ni?～?Se and no potential health risk due to metal toxicity from average consumption. For sites that had high levels of Cd and Pb, bioaccumulation occurred from atmospheric deposition. Concentrations of elements in soil were found to be in decreasing order of Fe (1059–63747?mg kg^?1) > Ca (1048–41475?mg kg^?1) > Mg?>?Mn (9.76–174?mg kg^?1) > Cr (1.55–135?mg kg^?1) > Zn (0.76–58.2?mg kg^?1) > Se?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?Pb?>?Co?>?As?～?Cd with no evidence of heavy metal contamination. This study revealed that the plant inherently controlled uptake of essential elements according to physiological needs and that the concentrations of essential elements in the fruit could contribute positively to the diet.     

Mineral constituents in Leccinum scabrum from lowland locations in the central Europe and their relation to concentration in forest topsoil

Leccinum scabrum is an edible mushroom common in European regions in the northern hemisphere. Macro and trace mineral constituents such as Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, P, Rb, Sr and Zn were studied in L. scabrum and in the top soil collected from the same location underneath soil substratum. The “pseudo-total” and labile (extractable fraction of minerals) were measured to get insight into the levels, distribution between the morphological parts of fruiting bodies, potential for their bioconcentration by mushroom and evaluated for human exposure via consumption of the mushroom. The sampling sites include the Dar?lubska Wilderness, Trójmiejski Landscape Park, Sobieszewo Island, Wdzydze Landscape Park and outskirts of the K?trzyn town in Mazury from the norther part of Poland. Median values of K, Rb and P concentrations in dehydrated L. scabrum were for caps in range 27,000–44,000 mg kg^?1, 90–320 mg kg^?1 and 6,200–9,100 mg kg^?1, and followed by Mg at 880–1,000 mg kg^?1, Ca at 48–210 mg kg^?1 and Al at 15–120 mg kg^?1. The median concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in caps were in range 15–27 mg kg^?1 db 38–140 mg kg^?1, 5.3–27 mg kg^?1 and 130–270 mg kg^?1. For Ba and Sr, concentrations on the average were at ～1 mg kg^?1, and almost equally distributed between the caps and stipes of the fruiting bodies. L. scabrum mushrooms were low in toxic Ag, Cd, Hg and Pb, for which the median values in dried caps from five locations were, respectively, in range 0.48–0.98 mg kg^?1 (cap to stipe index, Q_C/S, was 2.5–4.1), 1.0–5.8 mg kg^?1 (Q_C/S 2.9–3.8), 0.36–0.59 mg kg^?1 (Q_C/S 1.6–2.7) and 0.20–0.91 mg kg^?1 (Q_C/S 1.2–1.9). Substantial variations in the concentrations of the “pseudo-total” fraction (extracted by aqua regia) or labile fraction (extracted by 20% solution of nitric acid) of the elements determined in forest topsoils were noted between some of the locations examined. The elements K, P, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Na, Rb and Zn can be considered as those which were bioconcentrated by L. scabrum in fruiting bodies, while the rates of accumulation varied with the sampling location.     

Differences in Cu content in selected mushroom species growing in the same unpolluted areas in Poland

The aim of the study was to estimate copper (Cu) accumulation efficiency in whole-fruiting bodies of 18 edible and non-edible wild growing mushrooms collected from 27 places in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship. Mushrooms were collected each time from the same places to estimate the diversity in Cu accumulation between tested mushroom species within 3 consecutive years of study (2011–2013). The study results revealed various accumulation of Cu in the whole-tested mushroom fruiting bodies. The highest mean accumulation of Cu was observed in Macrolepiota procera (119.4 ± 20.0 mg kg^?1 dm), while the lowest was in Suillus luteus and Russula fellea fruiting bodies (16.1 ± 3.0 and 18.8 ± 4.6 mg kg^?1 dm, respectively). Significant differences in Cu accumulation between mushroom species collected in 2011 and in the two following years (2012 and 2013) were observed. The results indicated that sporadic consumption of these mushrooms was not related to excessive intake of Cu for the human body (no toxic influence on health).     

Potential risk assessment of heavy metals by consuming shellfish collected from Xiamen, China

Concentrations of Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cr in 240 shellfish including oyster, short-necked clam, razor clam, and mud clam collected from six administrative regions in Xiamen of China were measured. The daily intakes of heavy metals through the consumption of shellfish were estimated based on both of the metal concentrations in shellfish and the consuming amounts of shellfish. In addition, the target hazard quotients (THQ) were used to evaluate the potential risk of heavy metals in shellfish on human body. Results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in shellfish ranged at the following sequence: Cr > Cd > Pb > Hg. The concentrations of Hg and Pb in most samples were below the limits (0.3 mg?kg^?1 for Hg and 0.5 mg?kg^?1 for Pb) of national standard (GB 18406.4-2001) set in China. About 57 % of samples were found to contain more than 0.1 mg?kg^?1 of Cd, in which the highest level was found in oyster from Xiangan with a value of 1.21 mg?kg^?1. The average concentrations of Cd in oyster and mud clam samples were 0.338 and 0.369 mg?kg^?1, respectively, which were significantly higher (p?<?0.05) than those in the samples of short-necked clam and razor clam. The highest concentration of Cr was found to present in short-necked clam from Jimei with a value of 10.4 mg?kg^?1, but a mean value of 1.95 mg?kg^?1 in all the shellfish was observed, and no significant difference was found among the different sampling regions. The calculated daily intakes of Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cr through consuming the shellfish were 0.005, 0.122, 0.137, and 1.20 μg?kg^?1 day^?1, respectively, which accounted for 2.19, 3.42, 13.7, and 40.1 % of the corresponding tolerable limits suggested by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. The THQ values of the four metals were far below 1 for most samples, except for those of Cd and Cr in the four shellfish species with the mean values of 0.132 and 0.385, respectively. The highest THQ values of Cd were observed in the species of oyster (0.719) and mud clam (0.568). But the high THQ values of Cr observed in all the four species were derived from the applied reference dose (RfD) data of Cr(VI) due to the unavailable RfD value of total Cr. The results indicate that the intakes of heavy metals by consuming shellfish collected from Xiamen of China do not present an appreciable hazard risk on human health, but attention should be paid to consuming those with relatively high THQ values, such as oyster, mud clam, and short-necked clam.     

Assessment of organic contamination along the coast of Laizhou Bay,China: chemical analysis and integrated biomarker responses in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum

An investigative biomonitoring study was conducted along the coastal area of Laizhou Bay (China) to evaluate the impact of organic pollution on the clam Ruditapes philippinarum using bioaccumulation and multi-biomarker measurements. In addition, the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and nonylphenol (NP) content in surface sediment at the study sites were also analyzed. Concentrations of PCBs, TPHs and NP in the sediments of the study area were 1.90 ± 0.10 μg kg^?1, 39.55 ± 2.42 mg kg^?1, 9.23 ± 0.41 μg kg^?1 dry weight, respectively, while the organic contaminants in the soft tissues of R. philippinarum were 14.81 ± 0.96 μg kg^?1 for PCBs, 165.87 ± 5.03 mg kg^?1 for TPHs and 86.16 ± 5.29 μg kg^?1 for NP. Linear regression analysis on the levels of organic pollutants accumulated in R. philippinarum and in sediments showed no significant correlation. Multi-biomarkers including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, total glutathione and lipid peroxidation were assayed in gills and digestive glands of R. philippinarum. Finally, the biomarkers in gills were selected to calculate the Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR) index and to evaluate the impact of the three organic contaminants on R. philippinarum collected from different sites. According to IBR results, the western coast and eastern coast exhibited higher environmental stress than the sampling sites along the southern coast of Laizhou Bay. Significant correlation was found between the level of organic contaminants in the sediments and IBR whereas no dependence was found between pollutants’ concentrations in sediments and separate biomarker responses. The results showed that PCBs and NP were the main organic pollutants among the three studied which have caused pollution pressure on R. philippinarum in Laizhou Bay coastal area.

     

Assessment of the ecological security of immobilized enzyme remediation process with biological indicators of soil health

This study used the enzymes extracted from an atrazine-degrading strain, Arthrobacter sp. DNS10, which had been immobilized by sodium alginate to rehabilitate atrazine-polluted soil. Meanwhile, a range of biological indices were selected to assess the ecological health of contaminated soils and the ecological security of this bioremediation method. The results showed that there was no atrazine detected in soil samples after 28 days in EN?+?AT (the soil containing atrazine and immobilized enzyme) treatment. However, the residual atrazine concentration of the sample in AT (the soil containing atrazine only) treatment was about 5.02?±?0.93 mg?kg^?1. These results suggest that the immobilized enzyme exhibits an excellent ability in atrazine degradation. Furthermore, the immobilized enzyme could relieve soil microbial biomass carbon and soil microbial respiration intensity to 772.33?±?34.93 mg?C?kg^?1 and 5.01?±?0.17 mg?CO₂?g^?1?soil?h^?1, respectively. The results of the polymerase chain reaction–degeneration gradient gel electrophoresis experiment indicated that the immobilized enzyme also could make the Shannon–Wiener index and evenness index of the soil sample increase from 1.02 and 0.74 to 1.51 and 0.84, respectively. These results indicated that the immobilized enzymes not only could relieve the impact from atrazine on the soil, but also revealed that the immobilized enzymes did no significant harm on the soil ecological health.     

Assessing the enrichment of heavy metals in surface soil and plant (Digitaria eriantha) around coal-fired power plants in South Africa

Nine metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, and Zn) were determined in soil and Digitaria eriantha plants within the vicinity of three coal power plants (Matla, Lethabo, and Rooiwal), using ICP-OES and GFAAS. The total metal concentration in soil ranged from 0.05?±?0.02 to 1836?±?70 μg g^?1, 0.08?±?0.05 to 1744?±?29 μg g^?1, and 0.07?±?0.04 to 1735?±?91 μg g^?1 in Matla, Lethabo, and Rooiwal, respectively. Total metal concentration in the plant (D. eriantha) ranged from 0.005?±?0.003 to 535?±?43 μg g^?1 in Matla, 0.002?±?0.001 to 400?±?269 μg g^?1 in Lethabo, and 0.002?±?0.001 to 4277?±?201 μg g^?1 in Rooiwal. Accumulation factors (A) of less than 1 (i.e., 0.003 to 0.37) at all power plants indicate a low transfer of metal from soil to plant (excluder). Enrichment factor values obtained (2.4–5.0) indicate that the soils are moderately enriched with the exception of Pb that had significant enrichment of 20. Geo-accumulation index (I-geo) values of metals indicate that the soils are moderately polluted (0.005–0.65), except for Pb that showed moderate to strong pollution (1.74–2.53).     

Antibiotic uptake by plants from manure-amended soils

Antibiotics are extensively given to livestock to promote growth and reduce diseases. Therefore, animal manure often contains antibiotics. Once manure is applied to agricultural land to improve soil productivity, crops would be exposed to antibiotics which may persist in soils from a few to several hundred days. The objective of this study was to evaluate the uptake of gentamicin and streptomycin by carrot (Daucus carota), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and radish (Rhaphanus sativus) from manure-amended soil. The treatments were 0, 0.5 and 1 mg of antibiotic kg^?1 of soil. Two pot experiments were carried out in the greenhouse. The first was conducted on the three crops and the second exclusively on radish. In radish, the increase in the concentrations of gentamicin was significant between the 0 and both of 0.5 and 1.0 mg kg^?1 treatments, but not significant between the 0.5 and 1.0 mg kg^?1. The average values were 35.5, 60.0 and 57.4 μg kg^?1 for the 0, 0.5 and 1 mg kg^?1 rates, respectively. However, the increase in streptomycin concentration in radish was not significant between the three treatments, and the average values were, 12.1, 15.2 and 17.4 μg kg^?1 for the 0, 0.5 and 1 mg kg^?1 rates, respectively. In carrot roots and lettuce leaves no significant increase in the concentrations of gentamicin or streptomycin was observed between the treatments. The three crops absorbed relatively higher amounts of gentamicin (small molecule) than streptomycin (large molecule). Generally the levels of antibiotics in plant tissue increased with increasing the antibiotic concentration in the manure (1 mg kg^?1 > 0.5 mg kg^?1).     

Variations of arsenic species content in edible Boletus badius growing at polluted sites over four years

The content of arsenic (As) in mushrooms can vary depending on the concentration level of this metalloid in the soil/substrate. The present study evaluated the content of arsenic in Boletus badius fruiting bodies collected from polluted and non-polluted sites in relation to the content of this element in overgrown substrate. It was found that mushrooms from the arsenic-polluted sites contained mean concentrations from 49 to 450 mg As kg^?1 dry matter (d.m.), with the greatest content found for specimens growing in close proximity of sludge deposits (490±20 mg As kg^?1d.m.). The mean content of total arsenic in mushrooms from clean sites ranged from 0.03 to 0.37 mg kg^?1 It was found that B. badius could tolerate arsenic in soil substrate at concentrations of up to 2500 mg kg^?1, at least. In different years of investigation, shifts in particular arsenic forms, as well as a general increase in the accumulation of organic arsenic content, were observed. The results of this study clearly indicate that B. badius should not be collected for culinary purposes from any sites that may be affected by pollution.     

Selenium,total mercury and methylmercury in sardine: Study of molar ratio and protective effect on the diet

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the risk-benefit associated with canned sardine consumption, considering the selenium, the mercury and the methylmercury contents and the Se:Hg molar ratio and the Se-health benefit value (HBV) index. In this study, 63 canned sardine samples were purchased worldwide and for the determination of selenium and mercury species, the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and thermal decomposition and amalgamation atomic absorption spectrometry were employed. The mean results obtained for the Brazilian samples varied between 12.6 and 65.5?μg kg^?1 for Hg; <3.7 and 45.4?μg kg^?1 for methylmercury; 310 and 1370?μg kg^?1 for Se. The MeHg/Hg ratio showed that the most toxic forms of Hg (MeHg) is predominant in 52 and 39% of the Brazilian samples conserved in tomato sauce and in oil, respectively. Nevertheless, the Se-HBV index and the Hg:Se and Se:Hg molar ratios indicated that the selenium content in canned sardine samples is enough to provide a protective effect on the Hg species.     

Assessment of natural sepiolite on cadmium stabilization, microbial communities, and enzyme activities in acidic soil

A pot trial was conducted to assess the efficiency of sepiolite-induced cadmium (Cd) immobilization in ultisoils. Under Cd concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg?kg^?1, the available Cd in the soil after the application of 1–10 % sepiolite decreased by a maximum of 44.4, 23.0, and 17.0 %, respectively, compared with no sepiolite treatments. The increase in the values of soil enzyme activities and microbial number proved that a certain metabolic recovery occurred after sepiolite treatment. The dry biomass of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) increased with increasing sepiolite concentration in the soil. However, the concentration (dry weight) of Cd in the spinach shoots decreased with the increase in sepiolite dose, with maximum reduction of 92.2, 90.0, and 84.9 %, respectively, compared with that of unamended soils. Under a Cd level of 1.25 mg?kg^?1, the Cd concentration in the edible parts of spinach at 1 % sepiolite amendment was lower than 0.2 mg?kg^?1 fresh weight, the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of Cd in vegetable. Even at higher Cd concentrations (2.5 and 5 mg?kg^?1), safe spinach was produced when the sepiolite treatment was up to 5 %. The results showed that sepiolite-assisted remediation could potentially succeed on a field scale by decreasing Cd entry into the food chain.     

Distribution,sources and pollution status of Pb in indoor and outdoor dusts of Kerman City,SE Iran

The aims of this study were to explore the status of pollution and the temporal/spatial distribution of indoor and outdoor dust-Pb in the city of Kerman (SE Iran), located in a dry playa and arid climatic zone. Flat panes were laid at appropriate locations, in the indoor and the outdoor spaces of selected one-story houses in different areas of the city, to collect dust samples. Forty-two samples were taken and analyzed using the ICP-MS method. The measurements have shown that the outdoor dust-Pb concentrations varied from 23.7 to 275.2?mg kg^?1, with a mean value of 71.8?mg kg^?1, and indoor dust-Pb concentrations ranged from 47.6 to 150.2?mg kg^?1, with a mean value of 89.6?mg kg^?1. Based on these measurements, Pb was enriched in the outdoor and the indoor dust samples up to 48.8 and 29.4 times, respectively. Dilution, as a result of prevalence of geogenic dust in the outdoor space, is expected to be the main cause of the temporal differences. This study has shown that the eastern part of the city is more polluted compared to the other parts, and, because of the stable air conditions, the concentration of Pb in the summer dust is higher than the other seasons.     

Screening of human health risk to infants associated with the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in human milk from Punjab Province,Pakistan

This study assessed the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in human milk and its associated health risk to infants from rural and urban settings of five districts of Punjab Province, Pakistan. The ∑₃₄PCB concentrations ranged from 30.9 to 68.3 ng g^?1 on lipid weight (l.w.) basis. The ∑₈DL-PCB concentrations were ranged from 0.29 to 1.35 ng g^?1 l.w., (mean 6.2 ± 8.7 ng g^?1 l.w.), with toxicity equivalent to polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) ranging from 8.58 × 10^?6 to 0.05 ng TEQ g^?1 l.w. The spatial trend of PCB levels in human milk revealed higher bioaccumulative levels for urban mothers as compared with rural counterparts. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of DL-PCBs to infants through trans-mammary transfer were considerably higher than tolerable daily intake limits established by WHO (i.e., 1–4 pg TEQ kg^?1 bw) and other globally recognized organizations. Similarly, the hazard quotient values for TEQ ∑₈DL-PCBs (range 1.21 to 79.87) were far above the benchmark value of 1 at all the sampling sites, indicating the high levels of adverse health risks to infants in the region through breast milk consumption. The ∑₃₄PCB levels were found to be negatively correlated with mother’ age (r = ?0.31; p = 0.02), parity (r = ? 0.85; p = 0.001), and infant’ birth weight (r = ? 0.73; p = 0.01). The present study suggests undertaking comprehensive public health risk assessment studies and firm regulatory measures to safeguard human health risks.

     

Persistence and dissipation kinetics of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole in onion and soil

The persistence and dissipation kinetics of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole on onion were studied after application of their combination formulation at a standard and double dose of 75 + 150 and 150 + 300 g a.i. ha^?1. The fungicides were extracted with acetone, cleaned-up using activated charcoal (trifloxystrobin) and neutral alumina (tebuconazole). Analysis was carried out by gas chromatograph (GC) and confirmed by gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The recovery was above 80% and limit of quantification (LOQ) 0.05 mg kg^?1 for both fungicides. Initial residue deposits of trifloxystrobin were 0.68 and 1.01 mg kg^?1 and tebuconazole 0.673 and 1.95 mg kg^?1 from standard and double dose treatments, respectively. Dissipation of the fungicides followed first-order kinetics and the half life of degradation was 6–6.6 days. Matured onion bulb (and field soil) harvested after 30 days was free from fungicide residues. These findings suggest recommended safe pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 14 and 25 days for spring onion consumption after treatment of Nativo 75 WG at the standard and double doses, respectively. Matured onion bulbs at harvest were free from fungicide residues.     

Corrosion and stability study of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki starch industry wastewater-derived biopesticide formulation

Biopesticides are usually sprayed on forests by using planes made up of aluminum alloy. Bioval derived from starch industry wastewater (SIW) in suspension form was developed as stable anticorrosive biopesticide formulation. In this context, various anticorrosion agents such as activated charcoal, glycerin, ethylene glycol, phytic acid, castor oil and potassium silicate were tested as anticorrosive agents. There was no corrosion found in Bioval formulation where potassium silicate (0.5% w/v) was added and compared with Foray 76 B, as an industrial standard, when stored over 6 months. In relation to other parameters, the anticorrosion formulation of Bioval+buffer+KSi reported excellent zeta potential (?33.19 ± 4 mV) and the viscosity (319.13 ± 32 mPa.s) proving it's stability over 6 months, compared to the standard biopesticide Foray 76 B (?36.62 ± 4 mV potential zeta, pH 4.14 ± 0.1 and 206 ± 21 mPa.s viscosity). Metal analysis of the different biopesticides showed that Bioval+buffer+KSi has no corrosion (5.11 ± 0.5 mg kg^?1 of Al and 13.53 ± 1.5 mg kg^?1 of Fe) on the aluminum alloy due to the contribution of sodium acetate buffer at pH 5. The bioassays reported excellent results for Bioval+Buffer+KSi (2.95 ± 0.3 × 10⁹ CFU mL^?1 spores and 26.6 ± 2.7 × 10⁹ IU L^?1 Tx) compared with initial Bioval (2.46 ± 0.3 × 10⁹ CFU mL^?1 spores and 23.09 ± 3 × 10⁹ IU L^?1 Tx) and Foray 76 B (2.3 ± 0.2 × 10⁹ CFU mL^?1 spores and 19.950 ± 2.1 UI L^?1 Tx) which was due to the break-up of the external chitinous membrane due to abrasive action of potassium silicate after ingestion by insects. The contribution of sodium acetate buffer and potassium silicate (0.5% and at pH = 5) as anticorrosion agent in the Bioval allowed production of an efficient biopesticide with a reduced viscosity and favorable pH as compared to Foray 76 B which enhanced the entomotoxic potential against spruce budworm (SB) larvae (Lepidoptera: Choristoneura fumiferana).     

Excretion stereoselectivity of triticonazole in rat urine and faeces

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to study the excretion stereoselectivity of triticonazole enantiomers in rat urine and faeces. Six male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were administrated 50?mg/kg rac-triticonazole. Rats urine and faeces were separately and quantitatively collected at the following intervals: 0–3, 3–6, 6–9, 9–12, 12–24, 24–36 and 36–48?h. The faeces samples were homogenized in an aqueous solution containing 0.2% DMSO at the ratio of 1?g: 40?mL. An aliquot of 100?μL rats urine or faeces homogenate was spiked and mixed with 6.0?μL of 1.00?μg/mL flusilazole as an internal standard. The triticonazole enantiomers in urine and faeces were determined by using an HPLC/MS–MS after samples preparation. The excreted amounts of enantiomers in the urine showed a significant difference (P?<?0.05) except for 3–6?h. The cumulative excretion rate (Xu_0→24) in urine was 26.43?±?0.08% and 37.58?±?0.11% for R-(?)- and S-(+)-triticonazole, respectively, indicating high enantioselectivity (P?<?0.001). The cumulative excretion rate (Xu_0→72) in faeces was 6.93?±?0.03% and 6.77?±?0.03% for R-(?)- and S-(+)-triticonazole, respectively, without a difference. The results showed that the total cumulative percentage of triticonazole enantiomers accounted for in urine and faeces was 64.00?±?0.13% and 13.70?±?0.32%, the urinary excretion of R-(?)- and S-(+)-triticonazole were significantly different and S-(+)-triticonazole was preferentially excreted. However, the faecal excretion of the enantiomers showed no difference.