Book Reviews

ION‐SELECTIVE ELECTRODES IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, Vol. 2 by H. Freiser (ed.), Plenum Press, New York, 1980.

CARCINOGENESIS AND MUTAGENESIS by Myron A. Mehlman, Morris F. Cranmer and Raymond E. Shapiro, from the Journal of Environmental Pathology and Toxicology (Official Organ of the American College of Toxicology), 388 pages and 135 tables and figures, 1977, linen, format 261 × 178 mm, ISBN 0–930376–02–1, printed by Pathotox Publishers, Inc., Park Forest South, Illinois 60466, $23.00.     

Transport of metanil yellow in the rat plasma and interaction of its metabolite,p‐aminodiphenylamine with serum proteins

Binding affinity of metanil yellow and its breakdown product p‐aminodiphenylamine to serum proteins has been studied employing chromatographic separation on Sephadex G‐200 and by paper and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Metanil yellow has more affinity towards albumin than to globulins. The complexing is presumably through electrostatic forces. p‐Aminodiphenylamine on the other hand, preferably binds to globulin fractions of serum protein. However, a stable binding with BSA alone was also observed. The binding was quite stable and was accompanied by a shift in absorbance from 430 nm to 500 nm. Aspartic acid moiety of protein was found to be one of the units involved in the binding of p‐ADPA to proteins.     

Voltammetric studies of damages in DNA by mutagenic and carcinogenic alkylating chemicals

Voltammetry provides new insights into the effects exerted in vitro by methylation of native DNA. Applying single sweep voltammetry at a stationary mercury electrode the successive steps of the destabilization of alkylated DNA are investigated. The methylation of the nucleic acids is manifested by a specific electrochemical response, due to the 7‐methylguanine, a major product of the methylation of DNA. Short time effects of the methylation include the labilization of 4 to 5 base pairs per methylated guanine base. Furthermore, uncommon protonation properties of the base 7‐methylguanine‐cytosine have been detected. Long term effects of the methylation are ultimately spontaneous hydrolytic strand breaks induced by the prior depurination connected with the release of the 7‐methylguanine from the methylated DNA. A half time t_1/2 of 102 h for the depurination at 37°C has been determined. The depurination and the subsequent strand breaks alter the hydrodynamic properties of the damaged DNA, an effect which can be sensitively followed with voltammetry via the resulting changes in the diffusion coefficient of the damaged biopolymer.     

Bioconcentration of butyltin compounds by round crucian carp

Bioconcentration factors (BCF) by round crucian carp and partition coefficients between n‐octanol and water (Pow) were measured for dibutyltin, tributyltin and triphenyltin compounds. Pow was 0.97–3.66 for 7 organotin compounds. BCF of tributyltin and triphenyltin compounds was 1.70–2.77 for muscle, 1.70–2.66 for vertebra, 2.05–3.70 for liver and 1.49–3.50 for kidney.     

Photoreduction of parathion ethyl †

Photodegradation of parathion ethyl in presence of unsaturated biomolecules takes place by sufficient reduction of the phenyl nitro group. Main products are N,0‐dialkenyl hydroxylamino, cis/trans azo, and azoxy derivatives of parathion.     

Measurement of the leaching behaviour of granular solid wastes

Leaching of granular solids can be described in terms of specific mass transfer functions of a simple mathematical form.

The parameters can be determined by column leaching experiments under well known flow conditions.

Initially available concentrations are obtained from batch experiments at high dilution. Total concentrations in the solids are determined independently to calculate the available fractions.

The determination of the flow pattern is done by radiotracer measurements. Leachates are analyzed by various analytical methods including AAS and INAA. Total concentrations in the solids are determined by INAA preferably.     

Hazardous halogenated substances formed during combustion processes

The results of the emissions from combustion processes and/or from fire accidents show the risk to man and his environment and thus the need for strict legislation and critical analysis of unwanted compounds. These substances or their thermolysis products are often due to incomplete combustion or may result from the interaction of various substances.

In the following we report the formation of octachlorostyrene (OCS) and of high‐toxic substances such as polybrominated dioxins (PBrDD's), dibenzofurans (PBrDF's) by the combustion.

In order to determine a possible source of the non‐manufactured compound OCS, we conducted several model experiments in a combustion chamber at various temperatures from 400 °C to 800 °C. The thermolysis of chlorinated solvents like chloroform or of chlorinated aromatice like pentachlorobenzene produced—among other chlorinated substances—OCS as one of the major products.

Analogous combustion experiments with polyester plastics containing decabromodiphenylether as flame retardant and antimony trioxide as Synergist led to PBrDD's and PBrDF's. Here antimony trioxide seems to play an important role because in absence of this oxide, PBrDD's and PBrDF's were not found in our experimental conditions.     

Polarographic investigations on the complexation of cadmium and zinc by thiol peptides

Complex formation of Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ with thiol derivatives has been investigated by differential pulse polarography. The binding of Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ with cysteine (CySH), glutathione (GSH) and the model peptide N‐acetyl‐cysteine‐methylamide (ASH) reveals different stoichiometry. Thus, Cd²⁺ forms 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with CySH while 1:2 and 1:4 complexes have been observed with GSH and ASH, respectively. Overall formation constants of Cd²⁺ with CySH (Iogβ ₂ 15.3) and with GSH (Iogβ5₂ 14.4) have been estimated using competitive complexation with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). Investigation of competition between Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ for the thiol complexation has underlined the role played by the amino group in CySH for the stabilization of Zn complexes in contrary to Cd complexes.     

Biotransformation rates of xenobiotic compounds in relation to enzymes activities: A critical review

Many biotransformation reactions and many activities of enzymes involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics in fish have been described. Therefore, the prediction of biotransformation of (other) xenobiotics through literature data seems to be possible. However, very few data allow correlation of in vitro enzyme activities with in vivo biotransformation rates. This is mainly due to a lack of quantitative data. Suggestions are made for future research, which may help to relate enzyme activities and biotransformation in fish.     

Indoor air pollution: A review∗

Relationships between toxicities of substituted aromatic hydrocarbons to Daphnia magna and to Fathead minnows or Photobacterium phosphoreum were studied based on structure‐activity equations we established. Good relationships between toxicities of chemicals to Daphnia magna and to Fathead minnows, Photobacterium phosphoreum were found for a wide range of chemicals. The toxicity data of fish can be predicted by the toxicity data of Daphnia magna or Photobacterium phosphoreum. It is probable that the toxicities of chemicals to the three organisms are similar.