Search Results (338)

This study investigated the concentrations of metals in stormwater runoff collected during two extreme flooding events on the American University of Sharjah (AUS) campus in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Given the increasing frequency of intense rainfall in arid regions, stormwater contamination represents a growing environmental and public health concern. Stormwater samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to quantify metal concentrations. The results showed that iron (0.049–2.080 mg/L), aluminum (0.097–2.020 mg/L), and potassium (0.614–3.860 mg/L) were the most abundant metals detected. Lower concentrations were observed for manganese (0.000–0.058 mg/L), barium (0.000–0.073 mg/L), chromium (0.000–0.013 mg/L), nickel (0.000–0.038 mg/L), and vanadium (0.000–0.004 mg/L). These findings underscore the critical need for effective stormwater management in arid regions, where climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Improved drainage systems and long-term monitoring are essential to mitigate the environmental and public health risks posed by stormwater contamination in rapidly urbanizing areas. Full article

The objective of this study was to characterize austenitic stainless steel 310 produced by Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), addressing a gap in the literature regarding this alloy. Microstructural, chemical, and mechanical analyses were performed. Optical and electron microscopy revealed a predominantly columnar grain structure with characteristic tracks along the deposition direction. Point and mapping EDS analyses indicated a homogeneous distribution of iron, chromium, and nickel; however, point measurements suggested a possible underestimation of nickel, likely due to high relative error. Tensile tests demonstrated anisotropic mechanical behavior, with yield strength meeting standards at 45° and 90°, but lower at 0°. Ultimate tensile strength and elongation were below conventional requirements, with a maximum elongation of 15% at 90°. Additionally, the sample exhibited a total porosity of approximately 0.89%, which contributes to the reduction in mechanical properties, especially in the direction parallel to the deposition tracks. Overall, the WAAM-produced 310 stainless steel presented a microstructure similar to hot-rolled and annealed AISI 310 steel, but with distinctive features related to the additive process, such as mechanical anisotropy and microstructural directionality. These limitations highlight the need for process optimization to improve mechanical performance but reinforce the alloy’s structural potential in additive manufacturing. Full article

Platinum has emerged as an optimal catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes owing to its high hydrogenation activity, selectivity, and stability. In this study, we report the fabrication of platinum nanoparticles stabilized on a composite support consisting of gum acacia polymer (GAP) and TiO₂. It was engineered for the targeted reduction of nitroarenes to arylamines via selective hydrogenation in methanol at ambient temperature. The non-toxic and biocompatible properties of GAP enable it to act as a reducing and stabilizing agent during synthesis. The synthesized nanocatalyst was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Morphological and structural analyses revealed that the fabricated catalyst consisted of minuscule Pt nanoparticles integrated within the GAP framework, accompanied by the corresponding TiO₂ nanoparticles. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was employed to ascertain the Pt content. The mild reaction conditions, decent yields, trouble-free workup, and facile separation of the catalyst make this method a clean and practical alternative to nitroreduction. Selective hydrogenation yielded an average arylamine production of 97.6% over five consecutive cycles, demonstrating the stability of the nanocatalyst without detectable leaching. Full article

A nanoparticle formulation was generated from distiller dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and its effect on the production of anthraquinones (AQs) was evaluated on Rubia tinctorum hairy roots. The DDGS material was washed with water and ethyl acetate to remove mainly the soluble organic/inorganic molecules and reduce the fat content, respectively, followed by an alkaline treatment to remove the polysaccharides. The resulting alkaline solutions were then lyophilized and redispersed in deionized water to generate a monodispersed nanoparticulate formulation (DDGS-NP) with a hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of 227 ± 42 nm and −53 ± 7 mV, respectively. The formulation demonstrated good colloidal stability over time, and sterilized DDGS-NPs maintained comparable physicochemical properties. The nanoparticles were enriched in protein fractions, unsaturated fatty acids, and orthophosphate anion components from DDGS, as determined by solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), organic elemental analysis (OEA), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) techniques. The DDGS-NPs were tested at different concentrations on Rubia tinctorum hairy roots, in comparison to or in combination with methyl jasmonate (MeJ), for their capacity to induce the production of AQs. All DDGS-NP concentrations increased the production of specific AQs to 7.7 (100 mg L⁻¹), 7.8 (200 mg L⁻¹), and 9.3 µmol/gFW (500 mg L⁻¹), with an extracellular AQ accumulation of 18 µM for the highest DDGS-NP concentration, in comparison with the control hairy roots (~2 µM AQ). The plant growth was not affected at any of the tested nanoparticle concentrations. Interestingly, the combination of DDGS-NPs and MeJ resulted in the highest extracellular AQ accumulation in R. tinctorum root cultures. Full article

Increased market demand for plant herbs has prompted growers to ensure a continuous and assured supply of superior nutritional quality over the years. Apart from the nutritional value, culinary herbs contain phytochemical benefits that can improve human health. However, a significant amount of research has focused on enhancing yield, frequently overlooking the impact of production practices on the antioxidant and phytonutritional content of the produce. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the yield, phytonutrients, and essential mineral profiling in selected aromatic herbs and their intricate role in nutritional quality when grown under different production systems. Five selected aromatic herbs (coriander, rocket, fennel, basil, and moss-curled parsley) were evaluated at harvest when grown under three production systems: in a gravel-film technique (GFT) hydroponic system and in soil, both under the 40% white shade-net structure, as well as in a soilless medium using sawdust under a non-temperature-controlled plastic tunnel (NTC). The phytonutritional quality properties (total phenolic, flavonoids, β-carotene-linoleic acid, and condensed tannins contents) as well as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were assessed using spectrophotometry, while vitamin C and β-carotene were analyzed using HPLC-PDA, and leaf mineral content was evaluated using ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry). The results show that the health benefits vary greatly owing to the particular culinary herb. The fresh leaf mass (yield) of coriander, parsley, and rocket was not significantly affected by the production system, whereas basil was high in soil cultivation, followed by GFT. Fennel had a high yield in the GFT system compared to in-soil and in-soilless cultivation. The highest levels of vitamin C were found in basil leaves grown in GFT and in soil compared to the soilless medium. The amount of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, β-carotene, β-carotene-linoleic acid, and DPPH, were considerably high in soil cultivation, except on condensed tannins compared to the GFT and soilless medium, which could be a result of Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) values (683 μmol/m²/s) and not favoring the accumulation of tannins. Overall, the mineral content was greatly influenced by the production system. Leaf calcium and magnesium contents were highly accumulated in rockets grown in the soilless medium and the GFT hydroponic system. The results have highlighted that growing environmental conditions significantly impact the accumulation of health-promoting phytonutrients in aromatic herbs. Some have positive ramifications, while others have negative ramifications. As a result, growers should prioritize in-soil production systems over GFT (under the shade-net) and soilless cultivation (under NTC) to produce aromatic herbs to improve the functional benefits and customer health. Full article

Milk powder is a key nutritional alternative to breastfeeding, but its thermal properties, which vary with temperature, can affect its quality and shelf life. However, there is little information about the physical and chemical properties of powdered milk in several countries. This dataset contains the result of an analysis of the aflatoxins, macroelement and microelement concentrations, oxidative stability, and fatty acid profile of infant formula milk powder. The concentrations of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn in digested powdered milk samples were quantified through inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to estimate the oxidative stability of infant formula milk powder, while the methyl esters of the fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. Most milk samples showed significant concentrations of As (0.5583–1.3101 mg/kg) and Pb (0.2588–0.0847 mg/kg). The concentrations of aflatoxins G2 and B2 are below the limits established by Brazilian regulatory agencies. The thermal degradation behavior of the samples is not the same due to their fatty acid compositions. The data presented may be useful in identifying compounds present in infant milk powder used as a substitute for breast milk and understanding the mechanism of thermal stability and degradation, ensuring food safety for those who consume them. Full article

Edible mushrooms are macroscopic fungi that have been recognized as the “new superfoods” due to their high nutritional and medicinal values. The aim of this study was to develop and optimize a method for the wet digestion of edible mushrooms using a closed digestion block for the determination of macro- and micronutrients (Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, and Zn) using microwave-induced plasma emission spectrometry (MIP OES). For the digestion of the samples, a 2³ factorial design was used to evaluate the amount of HNO₃ 65% (m m⁻¹), H₂O₂ 30% (m m⁻¹) and the digestion time, in 500 mg of the sample (dry and crushed) at 200° C. The method was applied to eleven species of edible or medicinal mushrooms (edible cultivated from wild strains, wild edible, and commercials medicinal). The average concentrations (in mg kg⁻¹) showed higher levels of K (1442.85–17,534.97), Mg (1295.40–13,550.72), Fe (11.33–27.38), Zn (28.86–36.09), and Mn (10.22–10.97). This study contributed to the determination of the multi-element composition and nutritional potential of edible mushrooms from Brazil. Full article

Delayed or non-healing of bone defects in an aging, multi-morbid population is still a medical challenge. Current replacement materials, like autografts, are limited. Thus, artificial substitutes from biodegradable polymers and bioactive glasses (BGs) are promising alternatives. Here, novel cerium-doped mesoporous BG microparticles (Ce-MBGs) with different cerium content were included in photocrosslinkable, methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) for promoting cellular functions of human mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). The composites were studied for intrinsic morphology and Ce-MBGs distribution by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). They were gravimetrically analyzed for swelling and stability, compressive modulus via Microsquisher^® and bioactivity by Fluitest^® calcium assay and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), also determining silicon and cerium ion release. Finally, seeding, proliferation, and differentiation of hBMSCs was investigated. Ce-MBGs were evenly distributed within composites. The latter displayed a concentration-dependent but cerium-independent decrease in swelling, while mechanical properties were comparable. A MBG type-dependent bioactivity was shown, while an enhanced osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs was achieved for Ce-MBG-composites and related to different ion release profiles. These findings show their strong potential in promoting bone regeneration. Still, future work is required, e.g., analyzing the expression of osteogenic genes, providing further evidence for the composites’ osteogenic effect. Full article

Trace elements are widely distributed in the environment and are considered essential when their deficiency leads to impaired biological function. This study aimed to quantify concentrations of two essential trace elements—copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)—in the tissues of three toothed whale (Odontoceti) species: bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus), striped (Stenella coeruleoalba), and Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) found deceased along the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea between 1995 and 2013. A total of 190 individuals were analyzed, comprising 159 bottlenose, 25 striped, and 6 Risso’s dolphins. Concentrations of Cu and Zn were determined in liver, muscle, kidney, skin, lung, spleen, and fat tissues using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The highest Cu concentrations were observed in the liver and kidneys of bottlenose dolphins, followed by striped and Risso’s dolphins. Zn concentrations were the highest in the skin of bottlenose and striped dolphins, whereas the liver exhibited the highest levels in Risso’s dolphins. In 14 bottlenose and 2 striped dolphins, Cu and Zn concentrations in liver tissue exceeded critical thresholds typically regulated by homeostatic mechanisms. Regression analysis indicated significant relationships between element concentrations, and both body length and body mass. In addition, trace element concentrations were positively correlated across individuals within the same tissue type, as well as among different tissues within the same individual. Overall, Cu and Zn concentrations exhibited a declining trend over the studied period across all tissue types. These findings provide important baseline data for future ecotoxicological investigations and contribute to conservation strategies for cetacean populations inhabiting the Adriatic Sea. Full article

Background/Objectives: The consumption of microwave ready meals has increased significantly in recent years due to a noticeable reduction in the available time to spend cooking. However, one of the issues about this type of diet is its nutrient intake. The main objective of this study was to determine the content of macroelements (Na, K, Ca, and Mg) in samples of animal origin (omelette, chicken curry, meatballs, shredded meat, and prawns), vegetable origin (vegetable garnish, round rice, pesto pasta, cream of vegetable soup, and chickpeas with spinach), and mixed origin (pizza, lasagna, seafood paella, cannelloni, and spaghetti Bolognese). Methods: The macroelement content was determined by ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma—Optical Emission Spectrometry) in 288 samples of different microwave foods. Results: Likewise, the possible difference in the content of macroelements after the microwave heating process was studied, and significant differences in the Ca content were observed in the three analyzed food groups, indicating that there may have been migration from the container to the food. The concentrations of Na and Ca in the tails of garlic prawns (9381 ± 3102 mg Na/kg fw and 845 ± 134 mg Ca/kg fw) stood out. The vegetable side dish stood out for its higher concentration of K (3424 ± 1319 mg/kg fw). Pizza registered the highest concentrations of the four macrolements within the group of foods of mixed origin. The study of the dietary intake indicated that the consumption of some animal-based products offered a contribution to the safe and adequate intake of Na of almost 50%, which could pose a risk of dietary overdose as Na is an element found in many foods. Conclusions: It is recommended to moderate the consumption of some of the dishes analyzed mainly because of the risk of the high intake of Na. Full article

In this study, Californian-style black table olives were enriched with fresh and lyophilized “Carao” (Cassia grandis L.) to enhance their mineral composition, antioxidant activity, phenolic compound content, and to evaluate their potential for reducing acrylamide levels. Mineral concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The addition of both fresh and lyophilized “Carao” significantly increased the iron concentration in the olives. Additionally, levels of calcium, magnesium, and potassium were elevated in both “Carao” treatments. Among the treatments, the addition of fresh “Carao” resulted in the highest increase in antioxidant activity, followed by the lyophilized “Carao”, with increases of 62.3% and 68.3%, respectively. The effect of fresh and lyophilized “Carao” on acrylamide reduction in oxidized olives is also discussed. Full article

The monitoring of contaminants in imitation jewelry has become important nowadays due to the high amount of products sold worldwide. Due to the complexity of the sample matrix (composed mainly of metals in high concentration), sample analysis can be very challenging. One interesting alternative for this purpose is the use of photochemical vapor generation coupled to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (PVG-ICP-OES) due to the ability of separating the analytes from the sample solution prior to analysis; additionally, it is considered an eco-friendly approach if compared to other vapor generation techniques. Thus, this work presents the development and application of a PVG-ICP-OES system for the determination of Hg and Pb in imitation jewelry after sample dissolution in hydrochloric acid. The PVG system was built with two UV lamps (254 nm), a quartz capillary reactor, and a glass gas-liquid separator. Acetic acid concentration and UV exposure time were optimized using a central composite design, as well as the carrier gas flow rate and the radiofrequency (RF) power for the ICP-OES. The optimum conditions were achieved at 30% v/v acetic acid, 60 s reaction time, 0.035 L min⁻¹ carrier gas flow rate, and 1310 W for RF power. The influence of the sample matrix and chemical modifiers were studied, where it was found that the presence of the sample matrix may cause suppression of the analytical signal. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by recovery tests, which ranged from 88 to 102%. The detection limits ranged from 1 to 3 mg g⁻¹, allowing the monitoring of Hg and Pb in imitation jewelry. Full article

Direct current (DC) reactive magnetron discharge in Ar + O₂ mixtures with an aluminum (Al) target was investigated. Electrical measurements of the discharge voltage and current along with the deposition rate trends observed with varying the oxygen flow rate indicated the presence of hysteresis, typical to when using a DC power supply. The transition between metallic and oxide (compound) modes was analyzed in more detail by measuring the mass-resolved fluxes of positively and negatively charged ions together with the optical emission spectra of plasma. The dependence of constituent ion fluxes (Ar⁺, Ar²⁺, Al⁺, O⁺, O₂⁺, O⁻, and O₂⁻) on the reactive oxygen gas flow rate was revealed, indicating the transition (in 1.2–1.8 sccm O₂ flow range) from a metallic regime to a poisoned regime. The optical diagnostics indicated a nonlinear hysteresis loop pattern of dependence for various constituents (ions and neutrals) of the magnetron discharge plasma. The comparison between the particle and optical measurements, though exhibiting a pronounced correlation, demonstrated individual features of both methods, which need to be taken into account when interpreting the results. The hysteresis patterns were further discussed by comparing the experimental data with the calculation results from the Berg model. An approach of adapting the model results to the case of a power-regulated magnetron power supply is expressed. Full article

Rock dust (RD) is a by-product of the precious metal mining industry. Some mining operations produce close to 2,000,000 Mg of RD/year, posing disposal issues. This study evaluated the physicochemical and microbial properties of RD from gold mining and its potential use in RD-based growing media. Ten media formulations were tested: Promix (Control), 100% (RD), 100% topsoil (TS), 50% RD + 50% topsoil (RDT), 25% RD + 75% topsoil (RT), 50% RD + 50% Promix (RP), 50% RD + 25% biochar + 25% Promix (RBP), 50% RD + 25% compost + 25% Promix (RCP), 50% RD + 50% biochar (RB), and Huplaso (negative control). RD particle size ranged from 0.1 to 2 mm with a bulk density of 1.5 g cm⁻³, while RD-based media ranged from 0.8 to 1.1 g cm⁻³ showing increased porosity. Nutrient content was analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), and the active microbial community assessed using PLFA biomarkers via GC-MS/FID, n = 4 and p = 0.05. Microbial analysis identified five classes (protozoa, eukaryotes, Gram-positive (G+), Gram-negative (G−), and fungi (F)), with a significant increase in G−, G+, and F in RD-based amendment RBP (28%) compared to control P (9%). G+, G−, and F showed a strong negative correlation (r = −0.98) with pH, while calcium correlated positively (r = 0.85) with eukaryotes and a strong positive correlation (r = 0.95) of cation exchange capacity with G+. This study suggests blending RD with organic amendments improves physicochemical quality and microbial activity, supporting its use in crop production over disposal. Full article

Increasing pollution of aquatic ecosystems due to anthropogenic activities underscores the urgent need for effective water quality monitoring. This study evaluates the use of fish scales from chub (Squalius cephalus) and nase (Chondrostoma nasus) as non-invasive bioindicators of trace and macroelement pollution in the Maros/Mureș River. We conducted qualitative and quantitative elemental analyses using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed distinct scale structures among the species studied. Concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Al, Ba, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Sr, and Zn were measured by ICP-OES. Our findings indicate significant variability in elemental accumulation in fish scales, supporting their potential use as bioindicators of environmental pollution, with variability depending on the ecological characteristics of the species. This methodology offers promising applications for modern interdisciplinary monitoring programs. Full article