Search Results (129)

The Shymkent–Saryagash–Abay (A-15) international highway is a major Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan freight corridor that runs through the irrigated horticultural belt of the Turkestan Region in South Kazakhstan, where adjacent fields supply vegetables and cucurbits to the regional market. Composite soil samples (n = 18) were taken at six distances (2–300 m) from the road edge across three locations during 2022–2023, along with edible fruits of tomato, cucumber, watermelon, and melon (n = 12) from the adjoining fields. Pb, Zn, and Cd were measured via flame atomic absorption spectrometry after HNO₃/H₂O₂ digestion. Soil concentrations decreased sharply with distance (Pb: 26.3 → 5.98 mg kg⁻¹; Zn: 21.29 → 4.16; Cd: 0.47 → 0.01 mg kg⁻¹), exceeding the national soil MPCs by 1.5–3 times within 2–10 m. Pb and Zn exceeded the Kazakhstani food-safety MPCs in all four crops, and Cd in three of four (tomato, cucumber, and melon). Transfer factors followed the order of Cd (2.90–4.40) > Zn (1.99–3.00) > Pb (0.16–0.30), and the Cd geo-accumulation index ranged from 1.05 to 1.65 at 2–5 m. Adult dietary risk was acceptable (HI = 0.029–0.052; CR < 1.7 × 10⁻⁶), yet food-safety exceedances support a precautionary sanitary buffer and combined soil-and-crop monitoring along the corridor. Full article

Horse meat is characterized by high nutritional value, but due to the specific physiology and long lifespan of horses, it represents a significant pathway for the bioaccumulation of toxic elements. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in muscle, liver and kidney samples of horses slaughtered in Serbia during 2023 and 2024. The toxic elements were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mean concentrations of cadmium and lead were 0.19 and 0.51 mg/kg in horse muscle; 2.31 and 0.74 mg/kg in horse liver; and 7.70 and 0.68 mg/kg in horse kidneys. Statistically significant differences in mean concentrations were observed between horse tissues, seasons and different age categories (p < 0.001), but there was no difference between sexes (male and female) (p > 0.05). Cadmium levels were above the maximum permitted limits in 93.2% of liver samples, 97.7% of kidney samples, and 31.1% of muscle samples tested. The data obtained indicate the need for continuous monitoring and strict control of animal traceability, especially those raised near ecological hotspots. Full article

Fortified soybean sprouts have been proposed as a source of ferritin-iron in food for the treatment of anemia in inflammatory bowel disease. Eight products with the addition of the sprouts have been designed, and iron speciation was studied in them by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (total iron content) and spectrophotometry (ionic forms). Non-ionic iron content, considered ferritin-iron content, was calculated as the difference between total and inorganic iron content. The production of crispbread disrupted ferritin and caused the release of ferritin-iron. A loss of ~3% of ferritin-iron was noted in rice wafers containing a coarse fraction of sprouts, and 0–10% in instant products (‘kisiel’, ‘budyn’, and groats). Lost ferritin-iron was converted mostly into ferrous iron, except for crispbread, in which Fe(III) constituted ~30%. The designed products are valuable sources of iron, with a high content of plant ferritin. Full article

Heavy metal pollution poses a serious threat to soil ecosystems worldwide, as long-term exposure can alter microbial community functioning and reduce overall ecosystem resilience. This study investigated the impact of heavy metal contamination in technogenic industrial areas of the East Kazakhstan Region on soil microbial communities. Soil samples were collected for chemical and metagenomic analyses. Concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd were quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Using long-read whole-metagenome nanopore sequencing, we conducted strain-level profiling of soils with different levels of metal contamination. This approach provided high-resolution taxonomic data, enabling detailed characterization of microbial community structure. Heavy metal exposure did not significantly reduce microbial diversity or richness but influences the quality of community composition. Metal-resistant taxa dominated contaminated soils. Overall, the results highlight the value of long-read sequencing for resolving strain-level responses to environmental contamination. Full article

Background: Zn is an essential mineral nutrient for human health. Its deficiency may result not only from insufficient intake but also from impaired absorption. Dietary components released from the food matrix during digestion can interact in ways that either enhance or inhibit mineral bioavailability. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the bioaccessibility of Zn from dietary supplements, particularly in the context of diet type, chemical form, and pharmaceutical formulation effects. Methods: The experiment was conducted using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model with cellulose dialysis membranes. Zn content after digestion was determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS). The method employed had been previously developed and validated for use in determining the bioaccessibility of mineral nutrients. Results: The bioaccessibility of Zn from the standard, basic, and high-fiber diets was 19.43, 16.18, and 8.12%, respectively. In the presence of a standard diet, the bioaccessibility of Zn from dietary supplements was within the range 1.77–36.09%, in the presence of a basic diet, 1.05–35.86%; and in the presence of a high-fiber diet, 1.37–35.94%. The highest values were observed for zinc picolinate, whereas the lowest were determined for zinc oxide. Conclusions: A high-fiber diet significantly reduced Zn bioaccessibility. Bioaccessibility is also strongly dependent on the chemical form of zinc. Full article

The objective of this work was to determine and compare a comprehensive set of quality markers, including main physicochemical properties and element profiles, in samples of Bulgarian oak honeydew honey (OHH) and coniferous honeydew honey (CHH). This investigation utilized a total of seventeen honey samples from Bulgaria harvested in 2022. The sample set comprised ten oak honeydew honey samples, sourced from the Burgas region, and seven coniferous honeydew honey samples obtained from the Smolyan region. The parameters of OHH samples varied within the following ranges: color (80–134 mm Pfund), water content (15.20–18.40%), electrical conductivity (0.80–1.33 mS/cm), specific optical rotation (2.25–12.50 ${\left[\alpha \right]}_D^{20}$), pH (3.92–4.50), total acidity (29.80–36.80 meq/kg), diastase activity (18.36–27.58 Gothe units), invertase activity (56–196 U/kg), proline content (155–477 mg/kg), and hydroxymethylfurfural (3.28–8.94 mg/kg). The CHH samples gave the following results: color (40–87 mm Pfund), water content (16.40–19.00%), electrical conductivity (0.80–1.26 mS/cm), specific optical rotation (−17.50–(−11.50 ${\left[\alpha \right]}_D^{20}$)), pH (3.40–3.75), total acidity (25.80–39.40 meq/kg), diastase activity (23.15–26.05 Gothe units), invertase activity (69–138 U/kg), proline content (287–651 mg/kg), and hydroxymethylfurfural (1.50–3.96 mg/kg). The elements Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, and Mn were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS), while Flame Atomic Emission Spectrometry (FAES) was used for K and Na determination. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) analysis was used to assess six elements (Al, Ba, Co, P, Sr, Zn). The elements Cd, Ni, and Pb were determined by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETAAS). Potassium is the most abundant macro element in all investigated samples ranging 2332–2370 µg/g in CHH and 1846–1878 µg/g in OHH. Other examined elements are in the following descending order, Mg > P > Na > Ca > Mn > Al > Fe > Zn > Cu > Ba > Sr, presenting in µg/g levels, while Pb > Ni > Co > Cd are present in µg/kg levels. This work constitutes the first report on the physicochemical parameters and chemical elements of coniferous honeydew honey from Bulgaria. Full article

Yerba mate is a popular infusion originating in South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The leaves and shoots of the Paraguayan holly (Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil.), which are used to prepare the drink, contain numerous macro- and microelements. Their content in the plant depends on a number of factors, such as soil mineral composition, cultivation methods, and climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the elemental composition of yerba mate products with respect to their geographical origin. The dried plant and infusions were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry and UV-Vis spectrophotometry for the content of 14 elements (Ca, Na, K, Mg, Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cr, Pb, and P). The most abundant macroelement in all analysed products was potassium (K) (1350 ± 167 mg/100 g). Yerba mate from Uruguay contained the highest levels of the analysed macroelements. The highest concentration among microelements was determined for Mn (135 ± 18.4 mg/100 g), for which the highest percentage of the daily requirement was also achieved as a result of consuming 200 mL of the infusion Products originating from Brazil and Paraguay exceeded the maximum permissible level of cadmium (Cd, 0.04 mg/100 g) in dried yerba mate, as specified by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA). Multivariate chemometric techniques enabled the differentiation of yerba mate samples according to their geographical origin. Full article

Silver, a critical element in various technological and industrial sectors, is increasingly being targeted for recovery from secondary sources due to the depletion of primary reserves and the environmental impacts of traditional mining. This study presents the development and application of a novel, environmentally friendly analytical method for the preconcentration and determination of silver in mining waste using deep eutectic solvents (DES) in combination with solidified floating organic drop microextraction (SFODME) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Analytical performance was evaluated in terms of linearity (7.5–200 µg/L, R² > 0.995), enhancement factor (27.9), limit of detection (2.1 µg/L), and precision (RSD ± 2.32%, n = 8). The method’s validity was further validated through interference studies, analysis of certified reference materials (recovery rates: 80–93%), and application to real mining waste and tailings collected from gold-silver mining operations in Turkey’s Aegean region. Results confirm the method’s applicability for trace-level silver analysis in complex matrices, offering significant advantages in terms of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and analytical reliability, aligned with the principles of green chemistry and resource recovery. Full article

Some correlations between serum Cu, Zn and Se and cytokines have been reported in humans. Especially, the Cu:Zn ratio corresponded with inflammation. To date, relationships between microelements and proinflammatory proteins are poorly understood in horses. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether Cu, Zn and Se may influence turnover of IL-6, IL-8 and tissue factor (TF) in breeding and working horses. Blood samples obtained from 66 horses were analysed. There were 37 pregnant broodmares of different breeds, 13 barren broodmares and 16 race Thoroughbred horses. Serum Cu, Zn and Se concentration was determined using the gas flame atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) method. Plasma IL-6, IL-8 and TF concentration was determined by the ELISA method. A coefficient correlation was carried out to compare the values of microelements studied with IL-6, IL-8 and TF using Pearson’s test. The values of IL-6 correlated significantly positively with Se and Cu:Zn ratio, IL-8 correlated positively with Cu and Cu:Zn ratio and negatively with Zn, and TF correlated positively with Cu, Cu:Zn ratio and Se. The Cu:Zn ratio varies significantly between horses, with high values occurring in horses with high levels of proinflammatory proteins, which may indicate the presence of a subclinical inflammatory process. The high variability of TF in the studied groups gives hope for the use of its determination in laboratory diagnostics of horses. Full article

The contamination of food and beverages with heavy metals, such as Cd, presents significant health risks, underscoring the need for reliable and sensitive analytical methods. This study introduces the development of a rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method for Cd determination in cachaça, a traditional Brazilian sugarcane spirit. Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) functionalized with tetraethyl orthosilicate are synthesized and employed as adsorbents in a dispersive magnetic solid-phase extraction procedure. The extracted Cd is quantified using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A full factorial experimental design is used to optimize key parameters, including the sorbent mass, adsorption time, desorption time, and acid concentration. The method demonstrates excellent analytical performance, with a linear calibration range (R² = 0.99), detection limit of 0.0046 mg L⁻¹, and quantification limit of 0.0200 mg L⁻¹. Moreover, validation results show high precision (coefficient of variation < 9.10%) and accuracy (recovery rates between 92.00% and 120.00%). When analyzing commercial cachaça samples, cadmium was detected in all five specimens. Notably, in one sample the cadmium concentration exceeded Brazil’s maximum permissible limit of 0.0200 mg kg⁻¹, underscoring the importance of this work for ensuring food safety. The proposed method offers a sensitive, reproducible, and sustainable approach for analysis of potentially toxic trace metals in alcoholic beverages, reinforcing its potential for routine monitoring and regulatory compliance. Full article

This study investigates the concentrations of essential and trace elements (Ni, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Al) in packaged ice cream samples collected from markets in Kırşehir province, located in Central Anatolia, Turkey, aiming to assess potential health risks associated with their consumption. Among the detected trace elements, Al (3.21–16.6 mg/kg) and Fe (2.03–24.0 mg/kg) had the highest concentrations, followed by Zn (0.56–3.00 mg/kg), Ni (0.84–4.84 mg/kg), Cu (1.15–3.46 mg/kg), and Mn (0.18–1.56 mg/kg). To explore the relationships between trace elements and identify possible contamination sources, chemometric approaches including principal component analysis, correlation matrices, and hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward’s method) were applied. Human health risk assessment was conducted by calculating Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Carcinogenic Risk (CR), with uncertainty evaluated through Monte Carlo Simulation (10,000 iterations). HI values above 1 in children and adults indicate that trace element exposure through ice cream consumption may pose a health risk. High Al-THQ and Ni-CR values in children may require stricter monitoring and regulatory measures in case of long-term and regular consumption. Full article

Humans are being exposed to a variety of potentially toxic metal compounds through the diet and/or the intravenous administration of metal-containing medicinal drugs. The organomercurial thimerosal (THI) is a bactericidal that is present in vaccines, but its potential degradation by biomolecules in vivo is incompletely understood. To probe its interaction with low-molecular-weight thiols that are highly abundant within cells, we have employed an LC-based analytical approach in conjunction with a mercury-specific detector. The injection of THI into a C₁₈-HPLC column equilibrated with mobile phases that contained increasing concentrations of up to 15 mM of glutathione (GSH) and 30% acetonitrile revealed the elution of a GS-EtHg adduct in conjunction with THI, as evidenced by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. These results were confirmed by ¹⁹⁹Hg-NMR spectroscopy. While these results imply a rapid degradation of THI by GSH at physiological pH, it is important to point out that our results were obtained in aqueous solutions containing 30% (v:v) acetonitrile. Further studies need to confirm if the GS-EtHg adduct is also formed in biological fluids. Our results nevertheless demonstrate that GSH and L-cysteine (Cys) are potential targets of THI at physiological pH, which is relevant to better understand its side effects, including previously reported effects on Ca²⁺ channels. Full article

Considering the need to identify areas contaminated by anthropogenic activities to include them in remediation programs, the main objective of the present study was to investigate the heavy metals content in several soil samples from the proximity of a potentially contaminated site. The total metal concentrations for Cu, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cd were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS-F) along with the general physico-chemical parameters (pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and salinity). The results showed that some of the soils classified for sensitive use had high contents of Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn, exceeding the alert and even intervention threshold. With exception of Zn, the content of heavy metals in the soils with less sensitive usage was relatively low, being within the limits imposed by national legislation. Various fluctuations in the metal content were observed between the soils sampled from 5 cm depth and those from 30 cm depth. The overall results should present interest for the local authorities and be correlated with environmental concerns for the human population living in the area. Full article

A simple and fast analytical method was developed and applied to assess the effect of two forms of zinc fertilization on a pecan tree cultivar in Uruguay: fertigation and foliar application with a specially formulated fertilizer. Zinc content was determined in 36 leaf samples from two crop cycles: 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. Fresh samples were dried, ground, and sieved. Analytical determinations were performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS, considered a standard method) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDXRF, the proposed method). In the first case, sample preparation was carried out by microwave-assisted digestion using 4.5 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃. In the second case, pellets (Φ 13 mm, 2–3 mm thick) were prepared by direct mechanical pressing. Figures of merit of both methodologies were adequate for the purpose of zinc monitoring. The results obtained from both methodologies were statistically compared and found to be equivalent (95% confidence level). Based on the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry, both procedures were evaluated using the Analytical Greenness Metric Approach (AGREE and AGREEprep) tools. It was concluded that EDXRF was notably greener than FAAS and can be postulated as an alternative to the standard method. The information emerging from the analyses aided decision-making at the agronomic level. Full article

The mineral composition of table salt can be indicative of its origin. This work evaluated the possibility of identifying the origin of salt from four countries: Brazil, Spain, France, and Portugal. Eight metals were quantified through flame atomic absorption/emission spectroscopy (FAAS). The possibility of using portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) as a faster and lower-cost alternative for identifying salt provenance was also evaluated. The content of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Cu was identified as possible markers to differentiate the salt origin. One-class classifiers using FAAS data and DD-SIMCA could discriminate the salt origin with few misclassifications. For NIR spectroscopy, it was possible to highlight the importance of controlling the humidity and granulometry before the spectra acquisition. After drying and milling the samples, it was possible to discriminate between samples based on the interaction between the water of hydration and the presence of the cations in the sample. The Mg, Mn, and Cu are important in identifying the origin of salt using NIR spectra. The DD-SIMCA model using NIR spectra could classify the origin with the same performance as observed in FAAS. However, it is important to emphasize that NIR spectroscopy requires less sample preparation, is faster, and has low-cost instrumentation. Full article