Dry Ashing Research Articles

SEASONAL INVESTIGATION OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN VEGETABLES FROM OLUKU DUMPSITE AND A FARM LAND IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Without a doubt, plants take up toxic substances such as heavy metals which are transferred along the food chain. These constrain should not be overlooked due to the importance of vegetables in the human diet, hence this study was aimed to determine the heavy metal concentrations in green leafy vegetables from Oluku dumpsite and a nearby farm during the dry season (2020) and the rainy season (2021). In this study, samples (green leaves, water leaves, bitter leaves and fluted pumpkin leaves) were randomly collected and analyzed using the dry ashing method and atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Results obtained showed that chromium and manganese concentrations were above the permissible limits set by FAO/WHO guideline values in all the samples, except bitter leaves which were within the FAO/WHO safe limit. The other heavy metals (mercury, lead, cobalt, cadmium and copper) analyzed were below the detectable limit of the atomic absorption spectrophotometer used. This study revealed that dumpsites and lands close to the dumpsite should not be used in the cultivation of vegetables because green leaves, water leaves and pumpkin leaves bioaccumulated chromium and manganese above the FAO/WHO safe limit for consumption.

EFFECTS OF GUANO MANURE ON HEIGHT GROWTH AND FOLIAR NUTRIENT CONCENTRATIONS OF SELASIH (OCIMUM TENUIFLORUM L.)

The herbal industry in Malaysia is facing problem of scarcity of the natural herbs due to excessive exploitation of natural forest. It is therefore necessary to cultivate these herbs and research is urgently needed on its agronomic aspects. A pot trial study was therefore carried with the following objectives: (i) to determine the effects of different organic fertilizer rates on height growth, and (ii) to measure selected foliar and soil nutrient concentrations. Treatments evaluated were: (i) 10% of guano manure mixed with 90% of soil (T1), (ii) 20% of guano manure mixed with 80% of soil (T2), (iii) 30% of guano manure mixed with 70% of soil (T3), (iv) 40% of guano manure mixed with 60% of soil (T4), (v) 50% of guano manure mixed with 50% of soil (T5), (vi) 60% of guano manure mixed with 40% of soil (T6), (vii) 70% of guano manure mixed with 30% of soil (T7), (viii) 80% of guano manure mixed with 20% of soil (T8), (ix) 90% of guano manure mixed with 10% of soil (T9), and (x) Soil without guano manure (control) (T10). The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomize Design (CRD) with five replications. Plant height for each treatment was recorded on monthly basis for four months duration. Selected nutrient concentrations in the plant leaves after harvest and in the soil before planting and after harvest along with the soil pH were analysed. Soil total N was determined using Kjeldahl method while total P was determined using Aqua regia method. The exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Na were extracted using double acid method and their concentrations determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Dry ashing method was used for the determination of P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Na concentrations in plant leaves while total N concentrations was determined using Kjeldahl method. Guano manure showed significant effects on plant height, and concentrations of total N, total P, Ca, Mg and Zn in the leaves. The T3 recorded significantly higher plant height at 76.50 cm while the lowest was in T9 at 50.60 cm. The concentrations of K, Cu and Na on the other hand recorded no significant effects. Nutrient concentrations in the soil after harvest decreased compared to before planting while soil pH increased as level of manure increased in the soil before planting and after harvest. It is advisable to conduct field trial experiment for further study.

Method development for rare earth elements analysis in soil, leaf and latex by ICP-MS

Vietnam is one of the world's leading rubber growers and exporters, with more than 930.000 hectares of arable land and an export output of over 800.000 tons per year, so increasing rubber production and quality is a top concern in this industry. For a long time, trace elements of rare earth elements have been used in fertilizers to improve the yield and quality of many industrial crops. This study was carried out to develop a reliable analytical procedure for rare earth elements in soil, leaf and latex samples collected in the industrial croplands of Vietnam to evaluate their effects on latex yield and quality. The ICP-MS is used to determine the concentration of rare earth elements. This study successfully tested the sample decomposition by combining HCl + HNO3 + HF acids with a microwave oven for soil samples, treatment of dry ashing for leaf samples and a mixture of H2O2:HNO3 for latex samples serving to analyze the total content of rare earth elements. The ICP-MS method has a low detection limit (7-70 ppt), and high precision (RSD < 10%) for soil, leaf, and latex samples. Moreover, the study also developed a method to extract bio-available forms of REEs in soil through correlation assessment with rubber latex yield, achieving good correlation coefficient R from 0.57-0.61 for 0.05 M KCl and 0.52-0.55 for 0.10 M HCl.

Proximate Analysis of Gluten-Free Milk Boosting Cookies Containing Banana Flowers

The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that mothers should exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first two years after birth. Musa paradisiaca flowers, also known as banana flowers, have traditionally been consumed by mothers in Malaysia for its milk-boosting effect (the galactagogue effect). In this study, banana flower-based lactation cookies were formulated using three gluten-free flours, namely tapioca flour, rice flour and potato starch. Proximate analysis of these cookies were evaluated for their ash, moisture, protein, fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate and caloric content. Analysis was performed according to AOAC standard methods (dry ashing, hot air-oven drying, Kjeldahl nitrogen digestion, and Soxhlet-extraction). The results showed that the cookies made from rice flour had the highest nutritional content in terms of protein, fat and calories (12.29%, 54.14% and 54.03 kcal, respectively). The nutritional content of all three types of cookies showed significant differences (p<0.05) except in the case of ash content. A comparison with commercially available lactating cookies (fenugreek-based) showed that the Musa paradisiaca flower cookies contained higher levels of fibre, fat, and carbohydrate (p<0.05). However, the commercialized cookies had a higher calorie content (180 kcal) compared to our cookies (54.03 kcal).  In conclusion, cookies made with Musa paradisiaca and rice flour were found to have a higher nutritional content than commercially available cookies and should be further researched for its effects on milk production in lactating mothers.

Comparative analysis of phytolith spectra of steppe and forest phytocoenoses 

The primary research goal is to identify differences and diagnostic features of the phytolith spectra of the steppe and forest phytocoenoses. The paper presents the research results of recent soils from various communities. The authors employ the phytolith analysis method. The isolation of phytoliths from recent soils has been carried out with the help of the maceration method and from plants – the dry ashing method. The authors counted the phytoliths using the Olympus BX-51 light microscope. Additionally, the authors have compiled the spectra using the 2C software. The paper compares the phytolith spectra of plain and mountain steppe phytocoenoses. The comparison reveals that the considered plain communities are more similar in phytolith composition than the mountain ones. The following morphotypes are common for all spectra: low conical rondel particles and psilate ribbed particles. These are the forms that characterize steppe communities. Analysis of phytolith spectra of the mountain forest communities demonstrates that the presence of ribbed particles of psilate is common for all spectra. The common feature of all forest spectra is the presence of psilate symmetrical particles, polylobate trapeziforms, lanceolates (trichomes) with a massive base, and trapeziform bilobate (“Stipa-type”) particles. In the spectra of all pine forests, there is a low content or complete absence of needle phytoliths. Diagnostic features of individual phytocoenoses have not been found. The most significant is the ratio of individual phytolith forms in the phytolith spectrum. The comparative analysis of phytolith spectra of the phytocoenoses in the south of western Siberia is carried out for the first time.

The Dry Ashing and Etching Technology for Advanced Packaging

Advanced packaging demands higher performance, smaller size, and lower energy consumption. Thus, a wide variety of materials have been used and the writing layer has become denser. Against this background, the performance of plasma technology is required for advanced packaging in order to support miniaturization, a wide variety of materials, and various substrate shapes. This paper introduces a dry ashing process in redistribution layer production and a ULVAC dry-ashing system, called "NA-series". Ashing treatment has applications such as descum, controlling the surface shape, and surface modification. In the near future, plasma technology will be attracting increased attention due to the complexity and miniaturization of advanced packaging products.

Proximate analysis on animal feed granules composed of raw material from fish innards wastes

Introduction: Fish innards contain 14.01% protein, 20% lipid, 4.75% ash, and 60.62% water. Fish innards are formulated into granules for practicality in their application as animal feed. 
 Aim: This research on the proximate analysis of animal feed granules composed of raw material from fish innards wastes used a descriptive quantitative method. 
 Results: The result indicated that the water content measured using the thermogravimetric method was 6.62%, the ash content observed using the dry ashing method was 10.25%, the protein content checked using the biuret method was 37.03%, fat content using the soxhlet method was 6.13%, and carbohydrate content measured using phenol sulfate method was 26.14%. 
 Conclusion: These findings show that nutrient contents in the composition of animal feed granules of raw material from fish innards wastes fulfill the regulation of animal feed content based on SNI-8509-2018.

DETERMINATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN SOME BRANDS OF GREEN TEA USING WET DIGESTION, INFUSION AND DRY ASHING METHODS

The concentrations of trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Ni) in some commercially available brands of green tea sold within Katsina metropolis coded (SGT, HGT, LGT, AGT and GGT) were determined using wet acid digestion, water infusion, and Dry Ashing methods by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Among the trace elements analyzed Nickel and Manganese recorded the highest value ranged 1.0 – 3.5 mg kg-1 and1.0 – 5.5 mg kg-1 in dry ashing and wet digestion respectively. Fortunately, almost all the elements analyzed were within the standard permissible limit of WHO. The content of trace elements was found highest in the Dry Ashing method and lowest values recorded in tea infusion. The contributory factors responsible for the differences found in tea samples could be from a varying concentration of metals in the soil, conditions of cultivation and preparations, and these vary between both countries of origin and for the type of tea. Further work is recommended on these brands to study other important parameters

Effects of rice-straw derived phytoliths on the surface charge properties of paddy soils

Straw of rice (Oryza sativa), a high Si-accumulating plant, is typically composed of amorphous silica bodies (namely phytoliths) that are deposited within the plant tissues. Recycling of rice straw is a traditional agricultural practice that introduces phytoliths into soil in many paddy regions. While the role of phytoliths as a carrier for nutrients, e.g., K, P, or terminal sink of Si, has been reported, it remains unclear to what extent phytolith can carry charges and act as a charge-interchange constituent in soils. Therefore, it was hypothesized that soil phytoliths can be involved in charge-related interactions e.g., pH buffering, multivalent cation exchange, polymerization, colloid stability or reactive transports. Based on a polyelectrolyte titration technique, our study evaluated surface charge (SC) dynamics of straw-derived phytoliths and paddy soils in the Mekong river and Red river deltas to characterize the possible contribution of phytoliths to soil SC properties. Phytoliths were extracted by both dry and wet ashing techniques and the SC of the obtained phytoliths were measured in the pH range from 3.5 to 8.0. The SC was detected to vary from slightly positive at low pH to –78.5 mmolc kg−1 at slightly alkaline pH, suggesting that these materials carry variable charges and could be a significant source of charge when they are returned to soil in relatively large quantities. Multiple regressions indicated that phytoliths, to some extents, can together with other soil constituents such as clay minerals, organic matter and iron oxides, regulate the SC of paddy soils. Despite phytoliths being more or less soluble, their SC properties suggest that the annual recycling of rice straw to paddy soils, particularly after burning, can contribute to the negative SC system. The phytolith-derived charge in turn might affect soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), dispersibility of clay particles and transport of solutes.

Evaluation of Proximate and Mineral Composition of Biscuit Formulated Using Chayote (Sechium edule) and Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Flours

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of biscuits formulated using chayote and mung bean flours to be used as health food products. METHODS: The thermogravimetric method was used to analyses proximate evaluation for moisture content, the dry ashing method was used to analyses ash content, and the Soxhlet method was used to analyses fat content. Crude protein was measured using the spectrophotometric method, while mineral content was measured using the atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: Proximate analysis obtained the highest water content value in F3 (5.298%) and the lowest in F5 (2.118%). The highest value of ash content was in F1 (2.87%) and the lowest was in F5 (1.42%). The highest value of carbohydrate content was in F5 (59.88%) and the lowest was in F2 (53.68). The highest value of fat content was in F1 (32.64%), and the lowest was in F5 (24.33%). The highest amount of protein content was in F5 (12.25%) and the lowest was in F1 (5.65%). Mineral analysis obtained the highest value of potassium content in F5 (429.12%) and the lowest in F1 (142.22%). The highest value of calcium levels was in F5 (69%) and the lowest was in F2 (26.8%). The highest amount of sodium levels was in F5 (417.39%). The highest iron content value was in F5 (14.06). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the biscuit products made from chayote flour, green bean flour, and both formulations are in the good category with indicators that are acceptable for human consumption because they have high macronutrients and minerals.

Determination of arsenic and cadmium as toxic metals in human blood samples collected from targeted people of Sana’a governorate

This study was amid to assess Arsenic and Cadmium in whole blood in participate with occupational and environmental exposure to toxic metals. Metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry ICP-OES after digested by dry ashing in the microwave muffle for 99 samples collected at different stations and occupations in Sana’a, Yemen and applying biomonitoring human model BHM on the evaluation of metallic toxicity among a human population. From the results, it is noted that the range and average concentrations measured in ppb were 0.41-2.43 for Cadmium, 0.59-1.22 for Arsenic. It can be concluded that Cadmium contaminating blood samples. However, the possibility of Arsenic poisoning cases might be encountered in the future unless it would be avoided. The concentrations of Arsenic in some many categories lying within the normal ranges and slightly approaching the hazard limits. Interestingly, the hazard trend of metallic toxicity was increased in the order: Arsenic > Cadmium and that younger and junior workers of unsafe harder occupations.

Response of Coffee Husk Biochar on Growth of Faba Bean on Nitisol and Soil Nutrients

Soil fertility depletion and the associated soil acidity has become a serious problem to crop production in most highlands of Ethiopia Fortunately, such problems can be reclaimed by the application of biochar as soil amendments which can be sequestered in the soil for several years.A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of biochar on soil properties, growth response and nutrient uptake of faba bean. The design employed was a randomized complete block with four replications. The parameters analyzed includes: Trace Metals using DTPA extraction, macronutrient using 1 N ammonium acetate (pH =7) extraction. Dry ashing method was used to determine nutrient uptake of plant samples. The studied soil and plant data were collected and subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means were compared at the 0.05 probability level using list significant difference test. The results revealed that application of biochar significantly improved growth of faba bean and soil nutrient content. The highest values for soil chemical parameters such as available phosphorus and exchangeable cations were obtained from the application of 20 t/ha CHB. Similarly, the highest growth performance of faba bean including plant height, leaf number, chlorophyll content, nodulation number, root and shoot biomass, uptake of N, P and K were recorded from biochar-amended soil. From this study, it can be suggested that the application of biochar could be an alternative promising amendment to lime for acid soil management and sustainable crop production. But, further investigations need to be continued under field conditions across different soil and crop types. Keywords: Amelioration, coffee husk biochar, faba bean, Nitisols DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-10-02 Publication date: May 31 st 2021

Adaptive physiological water conservation explains hypertension and muscle catabolism in experimental chronic renal failure

AimWe have reported earlier that a high salt intake triggered an aestivation‐like natriuretic‐ureotelic body water conservation response that lowered muscle mass and increased blood pressure. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a similar adaptive water conservation response occurs in experimental chronic renal failure.MethodsIn four subsequent experiments in Sprague Dawley rats, we used surgical 5/6 renal mass reduction (5/6 Nx) to induce chronic renal failure. We studied solute and water excretion in 24‐hour metabolic cage experiments, chronic blood pressure by radiotelemetry, chronic metabolic adjustment in liver and skeletal muscle by metabolomics and selected enzyme activity measurements, body Na+, K+ and water by dry ashing, and acute transepidermal water loss in conjunction with skin blood flow and intra‐arterial blood pressure.Results5/6 Nx rats were polyuric, because their kidneys could not sufficiently concentrate the urine. Physiological adaptation to this renal water loss included mobilization of nitrogen and energy from muscle for organic osmolyte production, elevated norepinephrine and copeptin levels with reduced skin blood flow, which by means of compensation reduced their transepidermal water loss. This complex physiologic‐metabolic adjustment across multiple organs allowed the rats to stabilize their body water content despite persisting renal water loss, albeit at the expense of hypertension and catabolic mobilization of muscle protein.ConclusionPhysiological adaptation to body water loss, termed aestivation, is an evolutionary conserved survival strategy and an under‐studied research area in medical physiology, which besides hypertension and muscle mass loss in chronic renal failure may explain many otherwise unexplainable phenomena in medicine.

Effect of Frying on The Nutritional Composition of Catfish Nuggets (Clarias gariepinus) Substituted by Modified Cassava Flour (Mocaf)

Catfish is a freshwater fish that contains high protein. The cooking process affects the nutritional composition of food products including nugget. This study aimed to determine the nutritional content of catfish nuggets substituted by Mocaf before and after frying. Nuggets made from a combination of 90% catfish and Mocaf 10% of the total weight of the raw material. The nutrient content analysis method used was the water content by the oven method, the ash content by the dry ashing method, the protein content by the micro-Kjehdahl method, the fat content by the Soxhlet method, and the carbohydrate content by the by difference method. The results showed the catfish nuggets before being fried contained water 67,05%; ash 1,63%, fat 3,02%; protein 9,62%, carbohydrate 18,69; fiber 1,26%. The catfish nugget after frying contained water 55,11%; ash 2,04; fat 11,43%; protein 11,02%; carbohydrate 20,41% and fiber 2,64%.

Comparative Mineral Profiles and Yields of Food Grade Ash from Cow, Goat and Pig Femur Bones

Bones are by-products of abattoir and home consumption of carcases which constitute environmental pollution that attracts houseflies and birds especially vultures in large numbers. Bone dumping is of public health concern because of the health implications but can be harnessed into food grade ash for food fortification because of their high mineral content. This work quantified and compared the mineral content of food grade ash from cow, goat and pig femur bones for uses. The bone samples were procured, sun-dried cleaned, incinerated, dry ashed and analysed for their micro and macro mineral contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) method. The results showed that the femur bones of cow yielded 38.02% raw ash and 10.60% dry ash, goat yielded 40.57% raw ash and 5.86% dry ash while pig yielded 35.60% raw ash and 8.99% dry ash. Results of macro minerals revealed that calcium content range of 610.63-723.16 mg/100g, sodium 2.15-4.07mg/100g, magnesium 7.18-11.23mg/100g, phosphorus 93.11-280.62 mg/100g, while potassium ranged from 2.26 to 3.47 mg/100g. Micro mineral composition showed that copper ranged from 0.001-0.004 mg/kg, iron from 0.022 -1.93 mg/kg, zinc from 0.016-0.144 mg/kg, manganese from 0.007-0.108 mg/kg and sulphur from0.078-0.311 mg/kg. All the none essential heavy metals (toxic minerals) content of the femur bone samples were lower than and recommended safe limit for human consumption and therefore safe. Cow femur bone had the best mineral composition followed by goat and pig femur bones.

Response of Coffee Husk Biochar on Growth of Faba Bean on Nitisol and Soil Nutrients

Soil fertility depletion and the associated soil acidity has a serious problem to crop production in most highland part of Ethiopia Fortunately, this problems can be reclaimed using biochar as soil improvements which can be sequestered in the soil for several years. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of biochar on soil properties, growth response and nutrient uptake of faba bean. The design employed was a randomized complete block with four replications. The parameters analyzed includes: Trace Metals using DTPA extraction, macronutrient using 1 N ammonium acetate (pH=7) extraction. Dry ashing method was used to determine nutrient uptake of plant samples. The studied soil and plant data were collected, using analysis of variance and treatment means were compared at p value 0.05 probability level using list significant difference test. The results showed that application of biochar significantly improved growth of faba bean and soil nutrient content. The highest values for soil chemical parameters such as available phosphorus and exchangeable cations were obtained from the application of 20 t/h CHB. Similarly, the highest growth performance of faba bean including plant height, leaf number, chlorophyll content, nodulation number, root and shoot biomass, uptake of N, P and K were recorded from biochar-amended soil. From this study, it can be suggested that the application of biochar could be an alternative promising amendment to lime for acid soil management and sustainable crop production. But, further investigations need to be continued under field conditions across different soil and crop types.

Using microwave-accelerated digestion instead of dry ashing during sodium analysis of low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella

Mineral analysis of cheese products is a labor- and time-intensive process. Pretreatment using dry or atmospheric wet ashing to decompose organic matter before measurement on a spectrometer can take more than 24 h to complete. Samples of low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella (LMPS) cheese were digested using microwave-accelerated digestion (MAD) and conventional dry ashing. A comparison of 23 samples, in duplicate, was performed to determine equivalency. A two one-sided test (TOST) analysis showed that the confidence intervals were within acceptable differences for standard method variation (less than 70 mg/100 g per International Dairy Federation method 119:2007). Bias was observed for the quantification of sodium in microwave-digested samples, averaging 14 mg/100 g higher. Based on the TOST criteria, we concluded that the methods are equivalent.

Investigating the contents of Heavy Metals in Edible Portion of Leafy Vegetables Grown Within Lagos State University, Ojo Campus

Introduction: Edible plants are the major source of diet, and their contamination with toxic metals mayresult in catastrophic health hazards. This study was conducted to analyse the heavy metal levels in Amanranthus viridis, Celosia argentea, and Ocimum gratissimum grown in selected farmlands around Lagos State University using Atomic Absorption Spectrometers (AAS). Methods: Dry ashing method was used to destroy the organic matter to determine the content of the heavy metals. The level of the following heavy metals (Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and Chromium (Cr).) were determined in the soil and edible portion of the vegetables. Results: The results showed that the mean concentration of heavy metals dry weight are: Cu(0.072± 0.014 mg/kg), Fe (0.761± 0.140 mg/kg) Pb(0.006± 0.001mg/kg) and Cr(0.008± 0.002 mg/kg) for Amaranthus viridis,0.004± 0.002mg/kg- Pb, 0.113± 0.158mg/kg- Fe, 0.032± 0.003mg/kg- Cu in Celocia argentea, 0.025± 0.004 mg/kg- Pb, 0.111±0.002 mg/kg Fe in Ocimum gratissimum were recorded in Sport center (site A). The value of heavy metal contamination obtained from School gate (site B) ranged from 0.072± 0.006 mg/kg- Pb to 0.742± 0.066 mg/kg- Fe in Amaranthus viridis, 0.007± 0.0 mg/kg- Pb to 0.450± 0.111 mg/kg- Fe in Celosia argentea, 0.030± 0.005mg/kg- Fe to 0.051± 0.044 mg/kg- Pb in Ocimum gratissimum. The value of heavy metal contamination obtained from PPL (site C) ranged from 0.037± 0.004 mg/kg -Cu to 0.559± 0.080 mg/kg- Fe in Amaranthus viridis, 0.011± 0.001 mg/kg Cr to 0.474± 0.151 mg/kg Fe in Celosia argentea, 0.007± 0.008 mg/kg Pb to 0.048± 0.017mg/kg Fe in Ocimum gratissimum. Conclusion:The levels of heavy metals determined in the analyzed Vegetable samples were found to be below the permissible limits set by WHO; hence they are safe for human consumption.

Content of toxic metals and As in marine and freshwater fish species available for sale in EU supermarkets and health risk associated with its consumption.

The present study investigated Pb, Cd and As concentrations in canned tuna, tuna steak, rainbow trout, smoked mackerel, and Baltic and Atlantic cod, as well as Atlantic salmon. The aim was to spot check the quality of the most commonly purchased types of fish that are available for sale in most common supermarket chains throughout the Poland, as well as to determine potentially less contaminated sources of fish available for retail. A dry ashing digestion protocol followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis was employed to achieve a better recover of heavy metals and As from fish muscle tissues. The cumulative concentration of metals and As in fish muscle tissue decreases in order: farmed Atlantic salmon > mackerel > Baltic cod > rainbow trout > canned tuna fish > Atlantic cod > yellowfin tuna steak. It was found that canned tuna from Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean were more contaminated than tuna from East and West Indian Ocean, Baltic cod was significantly more contaminated than cod from North-East Atlantic. Smoked mackerel from North-East Pacific Ocean is three times more contaminated than mackerel from Northern North Sea. All fish, except for yellowfin tuna steak, should not be intended for retail because they exceed maximum levels for Cd and Pb. Consuming only one serving (140 g) of Baltic cod exposes one to 51% of the daily acceptable Cd intake, while the same portion of canned tuna and smoked mackerel from the Pacific Ocean deliver 69% and 72% of this element respectively. The most cadmium is consumed with smoked mackerel from the North Sea, comprising as much as 162% of the daily acceptable dosage . © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

CHEMICAL ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF HYPERICUM PERFORATUM – STANDARDIZED CHEMICAL ELE-MENTS (As, Cd, Hg, Pb)

Revealing the specificity of the accumulation of ChEs, which are among the most toxic, is of not only theoretical, but also practical importance – for the development and confirmation of safety standards for medicinal plant raw materials. This is especially true for plants exhibiting the ability to accumulate elements, for example, Hypericum perforatum L., one of the specific features of which is the ability to accumulate Cd. The aim of the work is to study the content of standardized chemical elements (As, Cd, Hg, Pb) in Hypericum perforatum plants in the south of Western Siberia and to assess the quality of Herba Hyperici medicinal plant raw materials; on the basis of the obtained data and literature data, to reveal the features of the accumulation of these elements in H. perforatum plants of the Eurasian region. 100 samples of the aboveground and 60 samples of the underground part of H. perforatum from Western Siberia (Novosibirsk region, Kemerovo region, Republic of Altai) were studied: Pb and Cd were determined after dry ashing by atomic emission spectrometry, As – according to GOST R 51766-2001, Hg – according to GOST R 53183-2008. Statistically significant differences in the total ChE content in different samples are not manifested, the maximum levels of Cd and Pb are noted both in samples from disturbed ecotopes and in control variants, the As and Hg content is below the detection limit. The amount of Pb in H. perforatum plants and Cd in underground organs does not exceed the MPC for medicinal plant raw materials and dietary supplements, the concentration of Cd in the aerial part of H. perforatum grass can be both higher and significantly lower than the MPC. The minimum degree of the transition of ChE into extracts is observed in plants with a high content of total ash and a residue insoluble in 10% HCl. The extractability of Cd into dosage forms is low, which indicates the need to develop MPCs for available (biologically active) forms of ChE in medicinal plant raw materials.