Effect of nickel exposure on serum amylase activity in nickel-plating workers

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nickel (Ni) exposure on serum amylase activity in nickel-plating workers in Bangalore (India). Sixty-nine subjects using Ni during the electroplating process formed the exposed group. An equal number of age- and sex-matched subjects working in the administration section formed the control group. Urine Ni levels were determined using a flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum amylase activity was determined using spectrophotometric method with 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl-α-D-maltotrioside as substrate. A significant increase in urine Ni and serum amylase activity was noted in nickel platers as compared with the control group. The level of serum amylase activity was positively and significantly associated with Ni content in urine of nickel platers. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to assess the effects of Ni exposure, life style confounding factors and presence of gastrointestinal problems on serum amylase activity. The analysis showed that the subjects who had urine Ni levels beyond 10?µg?g^?1 of creatinine, nickel platers category, smoking and body mass index variables were significantly associated with serum amylase activity. The results of this study suggest that the increased serum amylase activity observed in nickel-exposed subjects could be used as a biomarker for investigating pancreatic function in Ni exposure.     

Accessibility of starch to enzymatic degradation in injection-molded starch-plastic composites

Most of the starch in starch-polyethylene-co-acrylic acid (EAA)-polyethylene (PE) composites prepared by injection molding was not accessible to starch-hydrolyzing enzymes. Even when these composites were treated with enzyme in the presence of Triton X-100 for 96 h, little starch hydrolysis was observed. However, when the starch-plastic material was pulverized, both the extent and the rate of starch hydrolysis increased dramatically, with about 70% hydrolysis of the starch within 18 h. Reactions carried out for up to 96 h showed that, while the enzyme was active, the reaction reached a plateau, achieving a total of 80% starch hydrolysis. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that only starch, and not EAA or PE, was affected by enzyme in pulverized samples. Results indicated that while 80% of the starch in these composites was transiently inaccessible, perhaps due to EAA and PE forming an impermeable barrier to the enzyme, the other 20% remained inaccessible to enzymes. Also, the rate of starch digestion as determined by solubilized reducing sugar correlated with the particle size of the pulverized material, suggesting that a large available surface area is critical for rapid starch degradation in such composites.The mention of firms names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over the firms or similar products not mentioned. All programs and services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, or handicap.