Concentrations Of Several Components Research Articles

Nutrients and non-essential metals in darkibor kale grown at urban and rural farms: A pilot study.

Kale is a nutrient-dense leafy vegetable associated with wide-ranging health benefits. It is tolerant of drought and temperature fluctuations, and could thus serve an increasingly important role in providing a safe and nutritious food supply during the climate crisis, while kale's ease of cultivation and ability to be grown in a wide range of soils make it a good fit for urban agriculture. In this pilot study we explored potential differences between kale grown at urban versus rural farms. We planted kale seedlings (Darkibor variety) at three urban and four rural farms in and around Baltimore City, Maryland, instructed farmers to cultivate them using their usual growing practices, harvested the kale from fields and points of distribution, and analyzed it for concentrations of carotenoids, vitamins C and K1, ten nutritional elements, and eight non-essential metals. Although sample sizes for some analyses were in some cases too small to produce statistically significant results, we identified potentially meaningful differences in concentrations of several components between urban and rural kale samples. Compared to urban samples, mean concentrations of carotenoids and vitamins were 22-38% higher in rural field samples. By contrast, mean concentrations for eight nutritional elements were higher in urban field samples by as much as 413% for iron. Compared to rural field samples, mean concentrations of nine non-essential metals were higher in urban samples, although lead and cadmium concentrations for all samples were below public health guidelines. Some urban-rural differences were more pronounced than those identified in prior research. For six elements, variance within urban and rural farms was greater than variance between urban and rural farms, suggesting urbanicity may not be the primary driver of some observed differences. For some nutrients, mean concentrations were higher than upper ranges reported in prior estimates, suggesting kale may have the potential to be more nutrient-dense than previously estimated. The nutritive and metals composition of this important crop, and the factors that influence it, merit continued investigation given its growing popularity.

Gridded distribution of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) and their chemical characterization over Delhi during winter.

In the present study, total suspended particulate matter (TSP) samples were collected at 47 different sites (47 grids of 5 × 5 km2 area) of Delhi during winter (January-February 2019) in campaign mode. To understand the spatial variation of sources, TSP samples were analyzed for chemical compositions including carbonaceous species [organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC)], water-soluble total nitrogen (WSTN), water-soluble inorganic nitrogen (WSIN), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 PAHs), water-soluble inorganic species (WSIS) (F-, Cl-, SO42-, NO2-, NO3-, PO43-, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+), and major and minor trace elements (B, Na, Mg, Al, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Zn, Cr, Mn, Cu, As, Pd, F, and Ag). During the campaign, the maximum concentration of several components of TSP (996 μg/m3) was recorded at the Rana Pratap Bagh area, representing a pollution hotspot of Delhi. The maximum concentrations of PAHs were recorded at Udhyog Nagar, a region close to heavily loaded diesel vehicles, small rubber factories, and waste burning areas. Higher content of Cl- and Cl-/Na+ ratio (>1.7) suggests the presence of nonmarine anthropogenic sources of Cl- over Delhi. Minimum concentrations of OC, EC, WSOC, PAHs, and WSIS in TSP were observed at Kalkaji, representing the least polluted area in Delhi. Enrichment factor <5.0 at several locations and a significant correlation of Al with Mg, Fe, Ti, and Ca and C/N ratio indicated the abundance of mineral/crustal dust in TSP over Delhi. Principal component analysis (PCA) was also performed for the source apportionment of TSP, and extracted soil dust was found to be the major contributor to TSP, followed by biomass burning, open waste burning, secondary aerosol, and vehicular emissions.

Membrane treatment of leached mining waste – A potential process chain for the separation of the strategic elements germanium and rhenium

Microfiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis allow for separating multicomponent solutions. These membrane techniques are applied for the separation and concentration of several components on a scale of a micron down to an atomic range from aqueous solutions. This work showcases a potential process chain for the recovery of germanium and rhenium from an acidic bioleaching solution containing sludge particles. The focused feedstock is an anthropogenic mining waste (Theisen sludge) containing various valuable metals which were mobilized by bioleaching. For particle removal a rotating microfiltration (0.2 and 2.0 µm) system was utilized, showing that >99% of the leached sludge particles are retained. By nanofiltration >99% of the cationic transition metals were removed and the target elements germanium and rhenium are separated in reverse osmosis, which follows suit. Thereby, germanium remains in the retentate and rhenium is separated in the permeate. The filtered streams are intended for further downstream processes such as solvent extraction and adsorption.

Conditioned Medium from Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Towards the Clinical Translation.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) remain a promising tool for regenerative medicine as the efficacy of MSC-based cell therapy has been demonstrated for a broad spectrum of indications. Their therapeutic potency is mainly associated with their ability to secrete multiple factors critical for tissue regeneration. Due to comparable effects along with superior safety MSC conditioned medium (MSC-CM) containing a complex of MSC-secreted products is considered a reasonable alternative to cell therapy. However, the lack of standards regulating bioprocessing, use of proper auxiliary materials, and quality control complicates the development of MSC secretome-based therapeutics. In this study, we suggested several approaches addressing these issues. We manufactured 36 MSC-CM samples based on different xeno-free serum-free chemically defined media (DMEM-LG or MSC NutriStem® XF) using original protocols and considered total concentrations of regeneration-associated paracrine factors secreted by human adipose-derived MSC at each time-point of conditioning. Using regression analysis, we retrospectively predicted associations between concentrations of several components of MSC-CM and its biological activity to stimulate human dermal fibroblast and endothelial cell migration in vitro as routine examples of potency assays for cell-based products. We also demonstrated that the cell culture medium might affect MSC-CM biological activity to varying degrees depending on the potency assay type. Furthermore, we showed that regression analysis might help to overcome donor variability. The suggested approaches might be successfully applied for other cell types if their secretome was shown to be promising for application in regenerative medicine.

Testing the purity of spectral profiles: Finger-print resolution of complex matrices and extraction of absorbance signals

The application of spectrophotometric techniques has shown a tremendous development over the past few years, where it is possible to determine the concentrations of several components in complex matrix. A new feature will be introduced in this work where the application of spectrophotometric techniques will be enhanced to resolution and checking the purity of signals. The finger-print resolution “ratio subtraction method” (RSM) was coupled with the novel complementary method “unified constant subtraction” (UCS); in addition to the methods: extended ratio subtraction method (EXRSM), constant multiplication (CM) or “spectrum subtraction” (SS). These techniques were applied for the determination of the complex matrix of the binary mixture of chloramphenicol and dexamethasone. By applying official spectrophotometric methods, direct determination of the components was allowed with no need for validation procedures. The spectrophotometric techniques were successfully applied to the laboratory prepared mixtures and the combined dosage form where the purity of the extracted signals were tested by calculating the spectral contrast angle (θ) and the spectral ratio factor (SRF) where the results were compared to show the capability to recover pure spectral profiles and detect the presence of impurities. The proposed methods proved that spectrophotometric techniques can be used for identification and separation of signals, similar to chromatographic techniques.

Variation of the chemical composition of sediments under middle- and low-temperature hydrothermal conditions in the southern trough of Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California: Communication 2. Results of the study of grain size fractions of sediments

The chemical composition of grain size fractions of the Upper Pleistocene sediments in the southern trough of Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California) is studied based on materials from DSDP Hole 477 (191 m). The sediments are located in the upper part of the main long-lived hydrothermal system. Therefore, they were subjected to long-term reworking by the middle- and low-temperature solutions (100‒300°C) and short-term hydrothermal impact during the intrusion of basalt sills. The upper part of the main hydrothermal system is divided into three middle- to low-temperature hydrothermal alteration zones: lower (III), middle (II), and upper (I). In zone III (250‒300°C), hydrothermal alterations of sediments are most significant. The coarsegrained fractions are enriched in Fe, S, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Co, Se, Cd, Bi, Pb, and Ag due to the formation of sulfides and precipitation of native metals. The silt fractions are enriched in Be, Sc, Nb, Ta, W, Th, U, Y, and REE. In contrast, the pelite fractions are depleted in most of these elements. The fine-dispersed (<0.001 mm) pelite fractions are appreciably enriched in Mg (due to the formation of the authigenic Mg-chlorite), as well as MnO, Cr, V, Ga, Pb, and Zr. Virtually all grain size fractions are depleted in K2O, Li, Rb, Cs, and Tl due to the dissolution of the K-bearing terrigenous minerals. In zones II (146‒170 m) and I (110‒146 m), where the temperature of hydrothermal solutions dropped successively from 250 to 180‒195 and 100°C, the sedimentary environment was unfavorable for the concentration of Fe, S, and a large group of ore elements that are typical for sediments in zone III. Intrusion of basalt sills and a short-term hydrothermal impact changed concentrations of several components in the sediments overlying the sill complex: CaO, K2O, Li, Rb, Cs, and Tl acquired a trend typical of the high-temperature lower zone III, whereas Fe, MgO, P2O5, TiO2, V, Sc, and Y distribution pattern became typical of the low-temperature upper zone I. Significant compositional variations in the grain size fractions of sediments are lacking beneath the sill base.

The Nutritive and Immunoprotective Quality of Human Milk beyond 1 Year Postpartum

Donor human milk is critical for the fragile preterm infant who does not have access to his or her mother's milk, improving survival rates and quality of survival and decreasing hospital stay. Despite the opening of donor milk banks around the world, shortages continue as demand for donor milk exceeds supply. One potential means of increasing supply is by reducing exclusion criteria that prohibit mothers from donating milk based on duration of lactation. Minimal research has been done on the composition of human milk during the second year of lactation, with most research focusing on the nutritive compounds and not the immunoprotective compounds. Several immunoprotective compounds, including lysozyme, lactoferrin, secretory immunoglobulin A, and oligosaccharides, are abundant in human milk compared to bovine-based infant formula and are partially or fully retained during Holder pasteurization, making them an important differentiating feature of donor milk. A PubMed search was conducted to review studies in human milk composition during the second year of lactation. Limitations of existing research include sample collection protocols, small study sizes, and use of populations that may have been at risk for nutritional deficiencies. Stable concentrations of several components were reported including protein, lactose, iron, copper, lactoferrin, and secretory immunoglobulin A. Lysozyme concentration increased during extended lactation, while zinc and calcium concentrations declined into the second year. Conflicting findings were reported on fat content, and no information was available regarding oligosaccharide content. More research is needed to create evidence-based guidelines regarding the nutritive and immunoprotective value of donor milk throughout the course of lactation.

The percentage of spermatozoa lost during the centrifugation of brown bear (Ursus arctos) ejaculates is associated with some spermatozoa quality and seminal plasma characteristics

Cryopreservation of brown bear (Ursus arctos) semen requires centrifugation to increase concentration and/or remove urine contamination. However, a percentage of the spermatozoa are lost in the process. This percentage varies considerably between males and ejaculates, and we have studied the effect of sperm quality and seminal plasma characteristics on the spermatozoa recovery rate after centrifugation. One hundred and thirty one sperm samples obtained from fifteen brown bear males by electroejaculation under general anaesthesia were used. The ejaculates were centrifuged 600×g for 6min. Motility was assessed by CASA, and acrosomal status (PNA-FITC) and viability (SYBR-14/propidium iodide) were determined by flow cytometry. Seminal plasma characteristics (albumin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, cholesterol, creatine, glucose, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), lactate, lipase, magnesium, phosphate and total protein) were determined by a biochemical and gas analysis. Total motility (r=0.26; P=0.005) and cell viability (r=0.20; P=0.033) were positively correlated with the percentage of recovered spermatozoa. Sperm recovery was correlated with the concentration of several components of seminal plasma: negatively with glucose concentration (r=−0.47; P=0.005) and positively with the enzymes GOT (r=0.36; P=0.040) and lactate dehydrogenase (r=0.36; P=0.041). After sorting the data into classes according to sperm recovery (Low: 0–39, Medium: 40–69, High: 70–100), we observed that the samples with a lower recovery rate derived from ejaculates with lower values for TM, VAP and viability (P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis rendered two models to define the post-centrifugation spermatozoa recovery which included total motility and damaged acrosome or glucose, GOT and lactate dehydrogenase. We discuss these relationships and their implications in the electroejaculation procedure and the handling of the sample during centrifugation.

Export of adenoviral late mRNA from the nucleus requires the Nxf1/Tap export receptor.

One important function of the human adenovirus E1B 55-kDa protein is induction of selective nuclear export of viral late mRNAs. This protein interacts with the viral E4 Orf6 and four cellular proteins to form an infected-cell-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase. The assembly of this enzyme is required for efficient viral late mRNA export, but neither the relevant substrates nor the cellular pathway that exports viral late mRNAs has been identified. We therefore examined the effects on viral late gene expression of inhibition of the synthesis or activity of the mRNA export receptor Nxf1, which was observed to colocalize with the E1B 55-kDa protein in infected cells. When production of Nxf1 was impaired by using RNA interference, the efficiency of viral late mRNA export was reduced to a corresponding degree. Furthermore, synthesis of a dominant-negative derivative of Nxf1 during the late phase of infection interfered with production of a late structural protein. These observations indicate that the Nxf1 pathway is responsible for export of viral late mRNAs. As the infected-cell-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase targets its known substrates for proteasomal degradation, we compared the concentrations of several components of this pathway (Nxf1, Thox1, and Thoc4) in infected cells that did or did not contain this enzyme. Although the concentration of a well-established substrate, Mre11, decreased significantly in cells infected by adenovirus type 5 (Ad5), but not in those infected by the E1B 55-kDa protein-null mutant Hr6, no E1B 55-kDa protein-dependent degradation of the Nxf1 pathway proteins was observed.

Classification and characterization of materials – from archaeometry to comets

Materials of various origins and produced for various applications have a complex composition and can be sufficiently characterized only by a multitude of data – often spectroscopic data or the concentrations of several components in the material. Typically, the relationships between measured data and interesting properties or class memberships of the materials cannot be described by theory but require empirical models, that have to be derived from data originating from materials with known measurements and properties.

PATJ connects and stabilizes apical and lateral components of tight junctions in human intestinal cells

The Crumbs complex that also contains the cortical proteins Stardust and DPATJ (a homologue of PATJ), is crucial for the building of epithelial monolayers in Drosophila. Although loss of function of the Crumbs or Stardust genes prevents the stabilization of a belt of adherens junctions at the apico-lateral border of the cells, no phenotype has been described for the Dpatj gene and its role in epithelial morphogenesis and polarity remains unknown. We have produced downregulated PATJ stable lines of Caco2 to clarify its role in epithelial morphogenesis. In PATJ knockdown cells, Pals1 (a Stardust homologue) is no longer associated with tight junctions whereas Crumbs3 (Crb3) is accumulated into a compartment spatially close to the apical membrane and related to early endosomes. Furthermore, occludin and ZO-3, two proteins of tight junctions are mislocalized on the lateral membrane indicating that PATJ plays a novel role in the building of tight junctions by providing a link between their lateral and apical components. Thus, PATJ stabilizes the Crb3 complex and regulates the spatial concentration of several components at the border between the apical and lateral domains.

Quality Evaluation of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris) by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The legal method (polarimetric measurement) for the determination of sucrose content and the wet chemical analysis for the quality control of sugar beet uses lead acetate. Because heavy metals are pollutants, the law could forbid their use in the future. Therefore, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was evaluated as a procedure to replace these methods. However, there are alternatives to lead clarification, such as the use of aluminum salts, which have been applied at many sugar companies. The real advantage of NIRS is in speed and ease of analysis. The aim of this study was to determine simultaneously the concentration of several components which define the industrial quality of beets. The first objective was the determination of sucrose content, which determines the sugar beet price. The standard error of prediction (SEP) was low: 0.11 g of sucrose/100 g of fresh beet. NIRS was also able to determine other beet quality parameters: brix, marc, glucose, nitrogen, sodium, potassium, sugar in molasses (i.e. sucrose in molasses), and juice purity. The results concerning brix, marc, sugar in molasses, and juice purity were satisfactory. NIRS accuracy was lower for the other parameters. Nevertheless, RPD (ratio standard deviation of concentration/SEP) and RER (ratio concentration range/SEP ratio) show that NIRS might be used for the sample screening on nitrogen, potassium, sodium, and glucose content.

IGF-I, IGF-II, 'free' IGF-I and IGF-binding proteins-2 to -6 during high-dose oestrogen treatment in constitutionally tall girls

To investigate the effect of high-dose oestrogen treatment on IGF-I, IGF-II, free-dissociable IGF-I and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP)-2 to -6 in girls with constitutional tall stature. In patient cohort 1, blood samples were drawn before and after 3 months of daily oral treatment with 0.1 mg ethinyloestradiol. In cohort 2, samples were collected at the end of the treatment period and 3 to 6 months afterwards. IGFs and IGFBPs were analysed by specific immunoassays and by Western ligand blot. Total IGF-I decreased significantly on oestrogen treatment and increased again after oestrogen withdrawal. Ligand blot analysis showed a clear reduction in a 34 kDa band, corresponding to IGFBP-2, and a strong induction of a 24 kDa band, corresponding to the non-glycosylated form of IGFBP-4. These changes were confirmed by specific immunological methods. The serum levels of IGFBP-3, IGFBP-5 and IGFBP-6 remained unchanged during the first 3 months of treatment. In cohort 2, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-6 increased after oestrogen withdrawal. Free-dissociable IGF-I fell to 35+/-4% during oestrogen therapy and rose again when the treatment was stopped. Oestrogens modulate the serum concentrations of several components of the IGF system. The fall in total IGF-I is not explained by a decrease in IGFBPs but probably results from a decreased synthesis.

Mild autoxidation of low density lipoproteins

The autoxidation of low density lipoproteins was investigated in a closed system, with limited amount of oxygen. The concentrations of several components were monitored: oxygen, aldehydic oxidation products and a-tocopherol. The concentration of lipid radicals generated in the processes of lipid peroxidation was monitored by the EPR spin trapping method. It was observed that the consumption of oxygen starts quickly after the onset of incubation at physiological temperature. After prolonged incubation, several types of trapped radicals were formed. At the same time, no consumption of a-tocopherol and no formation of aldehydic products of oxidation took place, indicating that the oxidation process is rather mild. The dynamics of oxidation processes were simulated by a mathematical model in which the oxidation is initiated by the degradation products of the pre-existing lipid peroxides. The best agreement between the theoretical predictions and experimental results was obtained with the rate constants which are several orders of magnitude smaller than the corresponding rate constants in ‘neat’ lipids. The possible reasons for the behaviour observed are discussed.

Moisturizing substances entrapped in W/O/W emulsions: analytical methodology for formulation, stability and release studies

The purpose of this paper was to prove the efficiency of suitable tracer incorporation in the aqueous inner phase for multiple emulsion studies. The use of dihydralazine as tracer allowed the evaluation of both the yield of preparation and the stability of eight multiple emulsions. In these, concentrations of several components were optimized i.e. oil, lipophilic and hydrophilic emulsifiers, coemulsifier and viscosity increasing agent. From entrapment data and droplet breakdown curves, calculated from the dihydralazine chromatographic data, one emulsion was selected to study the release of some encapsulated moisturizing solutes such as urea, chitosan and polyethylene glycol. Dihydralazine proved of value to discriminate between the two mechanisms responsible for the solute release i.e. the breakdown of the multiple droplets and the diffusion of the solute through the oil layer. Diffusion curves were obtained from the levels of moisturizing substance in the outer aqueous phase, corrected by the amounts liberated by the droplet breakdown calculated through dihydralazine levels. The lipophilicity of the solutes measured under conditions similar to those partitionning in the emulsions correlated with the diffusional route of solute transfer. Thus, the partition coefficient was an efficient parameter to predict the importance and the rate of the diffusion.

Physiological sources of variation in chemical defense ofOreina gloriosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The defensive secretion of the alpine chrysomelidOreina gloriosa is a complex mixture of mainly cardenolides and tyrosine betaine. Individually sampled secretions of adult laboratory-reared and field-collected beetles were analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC; 16 secretion components were quantified. Quantities and concentrations of different components were significantly affected by the age, sex, and reproductive status of individual beetles. Aging was correlated with marked increases (up to 4.4-fold) and decreases (up to 2.7-fold) of quantities and concentrations of several components. Differences between the sexes were smaller, but quantities of all components and concentrations of several components were larger in laboratory-reared females than in males. There was less of one component of the secretion in mated than unmated females, but the concentrations of four secretion components were higher (up to 1.6-fold) in mated females.

Chemical composition of coastal stratus clouds: Dependence on droplet size and distance from the coast

The aerosol at elevated sites in the South Coast Air Basin in California is a mixture of sea salt and pollution-derived secondary aerosol. The influence of sea salt declines with increasing distance from the coast. Nitric acid appears to react with the NaCl in sea salt aerosol to release HCl (g) and form NaNO 3 in the aerosol. At inland sites, aerosol concentrations differ during periods of onshore and offshore flow. The highest concentrations were observed during the day when the onshore flow transported pollutants to the sites, while lower concentrations were observed at night when drainage flows from nearby mountains influenced the sites. Variations, in liquid water content are a major influence on cloudwater ion concentrations. Comparisons of the ionic concentrations in two size-segregated fractions of cloudwater collected during several sampling intervals suggest that there is a large difference between the average composition of the smaller droplets and that of the larger droplets. The concentrations of Na +, Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in the large-droplet fraction were observed to be higher than in the small-droplet fraction, while the concentrations of SO 4 2−, NO 3 −, NH 4 + and H + were higher in the small-droplet fraction. Chloride concentrations were nearly equal in both fractions. Differences in the composition of size-fractionated cloudwater samples suggest that large droplets are formed on sea salt and soil dust, which are large aerosol, and small droplets are formed on small secondary aerosol composed primarily of (NH 4) 2SO 4 and NH 4NO 3. The concentrations of several components that exist partly in the gas phase (e.g. Cl −, HCOOH and CH 3COOH) appear to be independent of droplet size.

Relationship of high density lipoprotein composition to plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase concentration in men

The epidemiological associations between the plasma concentrations of several components of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) concentration have been studied in 101 men aged 52–67 years. Subjects were apparently healthy, and had been selected to provide a wide range of HDL-cholesterol levels. A weak positive correlation was observed between plasma total HDL-cholesterol concentration and LCAT concentration ( r = 0.24, P < 0.02). This reflected an association between HDL 3-cholesterol (measured by precipitation) and enzyme concentration ( r = 0.21, P < 0.05). Apoprotein (apo) A-II concentration was also positively correlated with LCAT ( r = 0.27, P < 0.01). HDL 2-cholesterol and apo A-I concentration were unrelated to LCAT concentration, as also were the HDL 2/HDL 3 and HDL-cholesterol/apo A-I ratios. The associations of HDL 3 cholesterol and apo A-II with LCAT were strengthened when allowance was made by multiple regression for the effect of log plasma triglyceride; under these circumstances variation in LCAT explained statistically 8% of the variance in HDL 3-cholesterol, and 10% of that in apo A-II.

Analysis of the aqueous phase of human cervical mucus by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary isotachophoresis

The aqueous phase of human cervical mucus was analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary isotachophoresis (ITP). With HPLC, seventeen ultraviolet-absorbing and eight fluorescent components and with ITP five anionic and four cationic components could be determined. The sample pre-treatment consisted of a simple ultrafiltration. Ten samples from fertile women and eleven samples from infertile women were anslysed. In six samples from the infertile group higher median concentrations of several components were found. This may be an indication of disturbances in the biochemical processes of the cervical mucus of woman with fertility problems.

Remote Sensing Fiber Optic Probe NIR Spectroscopy Coupled with Chemometric Data Treatment

A near-infrared fiber optic probe remote sensing spectroscopic system has been developed for online multicomponent composition analysis. The Guided Wave Model 200 UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer has been evaluated as the base of this system. Multiple linear regression (MLR) software has been combined with data transfer, graphics, and online monitoring programs. The system has been evaluated in plant trials to monitor the composition of mixed alcohol purification streams, mixed solvent distillate, and a fatty acid derivative. The combined use of derivative spectroscopy and MLR data treatment provided good prediction equations for the real-time (20 s) monitoring of the concentrations of several components in moving streams.