Euphorbia Macroclada Research Articles

THE ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF VAN LAKE BASIN PLANTS

Abstract: For centuries, people have used plants in their environment for food and various needs, as well as for treating diseases. The main reason for the increasing demand for herbal resources in recent years is that synthetic drugs cause negative consequences that can damage various organs of the body while treating diseases. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 80% of the world's population primarily uses medicinal plants to prevent and cure diseases. Cancer, a disease with a rapidly increasing incidence and mortality rate, is currently second only to cardiovascular diseases. The toxicity of modern chemotherapy and the resistance of cancer cells to anticancer agents have led the scientific world to search for new treatments and prevention methods for this insidious disease. The therapeutic properties of plants, which generally do not have significant side effects, are associated with biologically active organic compounds, and the geochemical composition of the region where they grow. Van Lake Basin has a rich plant diversity thanks to its climate, geographical features, and soil content. This region is home to many medicinal plant species that are used by the people but have not yet been investigated and their phytochemical structure is not fully understood. Although the plants in this region have been used for centuries by the people, as seen from their ancestors, studies need to prove their therapeutic effects in vivo and in vitro. This study presents the anticancer potentials of some crucial plants (Eryngium billardieri Delar., Cichorium intybus, Bongardia chrysogonum (L.) Spach, Bryonia multiflora Boiss. & Heldr., Euphorbia macroclada Boiss., Scutellaria orientalis L., Plantago major L., and Primula auriculata Lam.) reported to be used in treating various diseases in the Van Lake Basin by analyzing the in vitro and in vivo anticancer studies conducted with the same plants in the literature.

Natural rubber identification and characterization in Euphorbia macroclada.

Natural rubber is one of the most important polymers produced by plants, which contains cis-1,4-polyisoprene, protein and fatty acids. It has unique properties compared to synthetic rubber and has many different uses in industry. Here, natural rubber of Euphorbia macroclada was characterized due to its abundance in arid areas. Isolation of rubber was done using both acetone and hexane solvents. FT-IR and NMR further characterized and confirmed the structure of rubber as cis-1,4 polyisoprene. GPC analyses showed a molecular weight of 8.180E+2 with polydispersity of 1.287. These data is useful for better understanding of latex composition in family of Euphorbiaceae.

Trace Element Analysis in Some Plants Species by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES)

In this study, the whole parts of eight edible and medicinal species (Alcea rosea, Carduus pycnocephalus subsp. albidus, Euphorbia gaillardotii, Euphorbia macroclada, Hypericum triquetrifolium, Kickxia lanigera, Malvella sherardiana and Mentha longifolia subsp. noeana were determined for their trace element (Al, As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Se) contents using ICP-OES. Before the whole plant parts were analyzed by ICP-OES, the porcelain crucibles were ashed and dissolved by adding concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The accuracy of the method was assessed by NCS ZC73014 Tea Leaves. The trace element contents obtained from each samples were compared. Calibration curves had good linearity in the concentration ranges 0.05–1.5 mg L-1 for whole elements worked. Since correlation coefficient (R) values were found above 0.9997, the linear range was considered acceptable. When the studied species are compared in terms of their metal contents; Cd (0.41±0.02 mg kg-1) and Cu (13.9±0.9 mg kg-1) metals in Carduus pycnocephalus subsp. albidus, B (22.4±1.6 mg kg-1) metal in Euphorbia macroclada, Se (0.26±0.01 mg kg-1) metal in Hypericum triquetrifolium Al (1424±109 mg kg-1), Cr (4.8±0.2 mg kg-1), Fe (980±67 mg kg-1) Mn (44.6±2.4 mg kg-1) Ni (7.5±0.3 mg kg-1) and Pb (1.15±0.1 mg kg-1) metals in Malvella sherardiana, As (0.62±0.02 mg kg-1) metals in Mentha longifolia subsp. noeana were determined higher. While the toxic element (As and Pb) content of the studied species is low compared to WHO, Cd and Cr contents in some species are found to be high to WHO.

An in vitro Study of Cytotoxic Activity of Euphorbia macroclada boiss on Mcf–7 Cells

Abstract: Objective: The study was aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of acetone extract of leaves, flower and body of Euphorbia macroclada Boiss on human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Material: The cells were plated at a cell density of 1x105 cells in 96-well plates and grown with DMEM medium containing supplemented with 10% FBS and 1% penicillin. The cells were treated by different concentrations of acetone extract of Euphorbia macroclada Boiss (10–1000 μg/mL) during 24, 48 and 72 h. The cytotoxic activities of the tested compounds were determined by cell proliferation analysis using standard (3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: After the evaluation of cytotoxicity assay results, it is determined that flower and body parts have a significant cytotoxic effect on MCF–7 breast cancer cell line. The values that obtained reading at 570 nm spectrophotometrically, were analyzed with GraphPad Prism7 and IC50 growth inhibition values was determined. Conclusion: The results of MTT assay showed that leaves, flower and body significantly reduced % cell viability comparative to the control. It was also shown that body had more growth inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cell compared to the leaves part. Key words: Euphorbia macroclada boiss, Cytotoxic activity, MCF-7, Breast cancer.

Antimicrobial activity of some plant species used for the medical purpose in Turkey

İn this study, the antimicrobial activities of eight species plants, used for treatment of various diseases, were investigated. The extracts of Rhus coriaria L., Pistacia terebinthus L. subsp. palestina, Centaurea virgata Lav., Euphorbia macroclada Boiss., Ceterach officinarum DC., Echinophora tenuifolia L. subsp. sibthorpianal (Guss) Tutin, Equisetum romasissimum Desf., Umbilicus erectus DC. have been prepared with methanol and the antimicrobial activities of these extracts have been examined on test microorganisms as follows: Staphylococcus aureus COWAN 1, Bacillus megaterium DSM 32, Klebsiella pneumoniae FMC 5, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Candida albicans FMC 17, Candida glabrata ATCC 66032, C. tropicalis ATCC 13803, Trichophyton sp. and Epidermophyton sp. by disc diffusion methods. The MIC values of plant extracts were determined acording to the microdilutions assays. Results from obtained experimental studies showed that the extracts of R. coriaria, P. terebinthus sub. sp. palestina, U. erectus and C. virgata have been inhibited the growth of all over the microorganisms used in the test at different ratio. But the extracts of E. macroclada, C. officinarum, E. tenuifolia, L. sibthorpianal, E. romasissimum had no effect against some bacteria, yeasts and dermatophyta used in study. Also, The MIC values of real extracts have been determined as 20 - 0.3125 mg/ml.

In vitro antifungal activities of Euphorbia macroclada and fluconazole against pathogenic Candida species.

Background and Purpose: Candida species constitute an important group of opportunistic fungi, which cause various clinical diseases. Considering the resistance of some Candida species to conventional antifungal agents, treatment of such cases may be challenging and complicated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the antifungal activities of Euphorbia macroclada latex and fluconazole against different Candida species.Materials and Methods:A total of 150 Candida isolates including C. albicans (n=77), C. glabrata (n=28), C. parapsilosis (n=23), C. tropicalis (n=15), C. krusei (n=4), C. famata (n=1), C. kefyr (n=1) and C. inconspicua (n=1) were included in this study. In vitro antifungal activities of Euphorbia macroclada latex and fluconazole against these Candida species were evaluated, according to M27-A2 protocol on broth macrodilution method by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Results:Among 150 Candida isolates, 98 isolates (65.33%), i.e., C. albicans (n=41), C. glabrata (n=23), C. tropicalis (n=12) and C. parapsilosis (n=22) with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤ 8 μg/ml were susceptible to fluconazole. Resistance to fluconazole was noted in 15 isolates, i.e., C. albicans (n=10), C. glabrata (n=2), C. krusei (n=1), C. kefyr (n=1), and C. inconspicua (n=1), with MICs of 64 µg/ml. The remaining isolates (n=37) including C. albicans (n=26), C. glabrata (n=3), C. tropicalis (n=3), C. parapsilosis (n=1), C. krusei (n=3) and C. famata (n=1) with MIC= 16-32 µg/ml showed dose-dependent susceptibility. The latex of Euphorbia macroclada was able to inhibit the growth of 30 out of 150 tested Candida isolates with MIC range of 128-512 µg/ml. These isolates were as follows: C. albicans (n=2), C. glabrata (n=4), C. parapsilosis (n=19), C. krusei (n=2) and C. tropicalis (n=3). Compared to other isolates, higher MIC values were noted for C. albicans and C. glabrata (512 µg/ml), respectively.Conclusion:The latex of Euphorbia macroclada showed notable antifungal activities against some pathogenic Candida species. Therefore, it can be potentially used as an alternative antifungal agent in future. However, further research is required to identify its active components.

Chemical profile by LC–MS/MS, GC/MS and antioxidant activities of the essential oils and crude extracts of two Euphorbia species

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of two Euphorbia species. The major component of the fatty acid compositions obtained from the petroleum ether extracts was identified as palmitic acid for Euphorbia gaillardotii and Euphorbia macroclada. The main constituents of the essential oils were identified as arachidic acid for E. gaillardotii and tetratetracontane for E. macroclada. Among the 27 studied compounds, hesperidin, rutin, hyperoside and quinic, malic, gallic and tannic acids were found to be the most abundant compounds in the two Euphorbia species. The methanol extracts of E. gaillardotii and E. macroclada showed strong antioxidant activity in all tested methods. Particularly, IC50 values of E. macroclada methanol extract that was the richest in terms of total phenolic-flavonoid contents were found to be lower than α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene in β-carotene bleaching, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free and ABTS cation radical scavenging methods.

Antimicrobial activities of some <i>Euphorbia</i> species

In this study, the antimicrobial activities of methanolic extracts and latex of some Euphorbia species used for medical purposes in Turkey were investigated. The extracts of Euphorbia aleppica L., Euphorbia szovitsii Fisch.&Mey. var. harputensis Aznav. ex M. S. Khan, Euphorbia falcata L. sub. falcata var. falcata, Euphorbia denticulata Lam., Euphorbia macroclada Boiss., Euphorbia cheiradenia Boiss.&Hohen, Euphorbia virgata Waldst.&Kit., Euphorbia petiolata Banks&Sol. were prepared with methanol. The antimicrobial activities of these extracts were examined on test microorganisms as follows: Staphylococcus aureus COWAN 1, Bacillus megaterium DSM 32, Proteus vulgaris FMC 1, Klebsiella pneumonia FMC 5, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 50071, Candida albicans FMC 17, Candida glabrata ATCC 66032, Epidermophyton sp. and Trichophyton sp. by the disc diffusion methods and well agar method. The MIC values of extracts were determined according to the broth microdulitions method. Results indicated that extracts of Euphorbia species inhibited the growth of tested microorganisms in the different ratio. Also, the MIC values of extracts were determined as 31,2-1000 µg.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of a Lebanese plant Euphorbia macroclada schyzoceras

ObjectiveTo determine the chemical composition, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the crude extracts from leaves and stems of a Lebanese plant Euphorbia macroclada schyzoceras (E. macroclada), and to evaluate their antioxidant potential using DPPH, H2O2, and chelating of ferrous ions tests. MethodsQuantification of the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the crude extracts from leaves and stems and the antioxidant activities were evaluated using spectrophotometric analyses. The chemical composition has been estimated using different techniques such as IR, LC/MS and NMR. ResultsEthanolic extract from leaves of E. macroclada was better than aqueous extract and showed higher content in total phenolic and total flavonoid than found in the stems. On the other hand, using DPPH and H2O2 tests, this extract from leaves showed higher antioxidant capacity than aqueous extract. However, using the chelating of ferrous ions test, the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of both stems and leaves was stronger than that of ethanolic once. The chemical composition of the whole plant showed the presence of some aromatic compounds and fatty acids. ConclusionsBoth ethanolic and water extracts from both parts of this plant are effective and have good antioxidant power. So, this plant can be used in the prevention of a number of diseases related to oxidative stress.

Plants growing in a mining area: screening for metal accumulator plants possibly useful for bioremediation

A field study was conducted in an iron mine in Hamedan (Iran) to find native accumulator plants and to evaluate the extent of metal bioaccumulation in the naturally growing vegetation. The concentrations of total As, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Si, and Zn were found to be higher in the mine than in soil. These plants accumulated the highest amounts of the following metals in their roots: Euphorbia cheiradenia As, Stipa barbata Cd, Pb and Cr, Euphorbia macroclada Cu, Centaurea iberica Fe, Reseda lutea Mo, Salvia spinosa Ni and Zn, and Xanthium strumarium Se. In the aerial parts, the highest metal accumulation was found in Epilobium fragilis As, Carthamus oxyacantha Cd, Fe, Mn, and Pb, Verbascum speciosum Cu, Centaurea iberica Mo, Salvia spinosa Ni and Cr, Glaucium grandiflorum Se, and Malva neglecta Zn. Enrichment factors and bioconcentration factors were also determined; C. oxyacantha, S. spinosa, M. neglecta, C. iberica, V. speciosum, G. grandiflorum, and E. fragilis are the most effective accumulators and are proposed for phytoremediation of polluted soils.

The Potential of Phytoremediation Using Hyperaccumulator Plants: A Case Study at a Lead-Zinc Mine Site

Contamination with heavy metals is one of the most pressing threats to water and soil resources, as well as human health. Phytoremediation might potentially be used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. A major advance in the development of phytoremediation for heavy metal affected soils was the discovery of heavy metal hyperaccumulation in plants. This study applied several established criteria to identify hyperaccumulator plants. A case study was conducted at a mining area in the Hamedan province in the west central region of Iran. The results indicated that plant metal accumulation differed among species and plant parts. Plant species grown in substrata with elevated metal levels contained significantly higher metal levels. Using the most common criteria, Euphorbia macroclada and Centaurea virgata can be classified as hyperaccumulators of specific heavy metals measured in this study and they might potentially be used for the phytoremediation of contaminated soils.

Biogeochemical interrelations between the Çayırhan oil shales and some plants growing on them (Turkey)

Oil shales are exposed in wide areas around the town of Çayırhan (Beypazarı-Ankara). It is known that some elements are enriched in oil shales and similar organic-material rich rocks. The purpose of this study was to understand the possible relations between the element abundances found at the Çayırhan oil shales (ÇOS) and those of some plant types growing on these rocks. The results of chemical analysis of selected plants (8 species) were compared with each other and with element abundances from the ÇOS. The plant types examined were divided into 2 groups with respect to enrichment factors. The first group contained 6 plant species: Eryngium campestre L. var. virens Link, Echinophora tournefortii Jaub. & Spach, Sideritis gulendamiae H.Duman & Karavel., Euphorbia macroclada Boiss., Reichardia glauca V.A.Matthews, and Centaurea virgata Lam. In this group of plant types, almost all of the same elements (Na, Si, V, Cr, Rb, Y, Zr, Mo, Sn, Sb, Tl, Bi, Th, and U) were found to be enriched. The second group was represented by Echinops pungens Trautv. var. pungens and Reseda lutea L. var. lutea. In these plants, only 6 elements (U, Zr, Si, V, Cr, and As) were enriched. Some elements (e.g., Si, V, Rb, Y, Cr, Zr, Mo, Sb, Bi, and U) were enriched in both groups. Among these 10 elements, Si, Cr, Zr, and U showed enrichment in all plant species. Considering the enrichments of world oil shale averages, all of the major elements and the trace elements of Co, Ni, Cu, As, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Cd, Ba, Pb, and U were found to be enriched in the ÇOS to varying extents. The data indicate that element enrichments in the plants are not related to the enrichments in rocks. Out of several elements enriched in the ÇOS, only 6 of them (Si, V, Cr, Zr, U, and Mo) showed enrichment in all of the studied plants. Although major elements Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Fe, and Mn and trace elements Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, and Pb were enriched in the ÇOS, they were not seen to be enriched in any of the plants. The elements Tl, Sb, Rb, and Na, not enriched in world oil shale averages, were determined to be enriched in the first group of plants. Results reveal that, in addition to rock geochemistry, biologic factors are still more dominant behind the observed element accumulations in plants.

New premyrsinane-type diterpene polyesters from Euphorbia falcata

Four new premyrsinane-type diterpenes ( 1– 4) were isolated from the methanol extract of the whole, undried plant of Euphorbia falcata. Their structures were determined by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, HMBC, HSQC and NOESY) techniques and mass spectral data as di-, tetra-, penta- and hexaesters of diterpene polyols, esterified with acetic, benzoic, propanoic, isobutanoic and n-hexanoic acids. One of the compounds contains a rare hemiacetal moiety. This type of diterpenes was previously detected only in four Euphorbia species ( Euphorbia aleppica, Euphorbia decipiens, Euphorbia macroclada and Euphorbia pithyusa subsp. cupani).

Population dynamics of Aphis tirucallis Hille Ris Lambers, 1954 and Aphis vallei Hille Ris Lambers & Stroyan, 1959 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Euphorbia spp. (Euphorbiaceae) in Van, Turkey.

2 Summary This study was conducted in Van Province in 2006-2007 years. Samplings were performed in three different locations and aphids were directly counted of those collected from branches of Euphorbia spp. Aphis tirucallis Hille Ris Lambers, 1954 were found on Euphorbia heteradena Jaub. et Spach and Euphorbia seguieriana Necker subsp. seguieriana Necker while Aphis vallei Hille Ris Lambers & Stroyan, 1959 was found on Euphorbia macroclada Boiss. These are the first reports for the aphids and their host plants in this area. Population changes of the aphids were observed during two years. It was determined that both of aphids created higher population in the year 2007, which had more proper climate conditions.

Pre-myrsinanes and deoxygenated phorboids from the Iranian spurge Euphorbia macroclada Boiss.

VEGFR antagonism was recently reported for some myrsinane polyesters [1], a very surprising observation since kinase inhibitors are generally flat molecules that act as an ATP-mimics, while myrsinanes diterpenoids are exuberant in terms of tridimensional chirality and structural complexity. This report prompted us to systematically investigate a series of spurges for the presence of myrsinane-type polyesters, and we report that Euphorbia macroclada Boiss, a spurge endemic to the Iranian plateau, is a good source of this type of compounds. It had previously been reported to contain cytotoxic [2] principles; besides the new pre-myrsinane polyesters 1a, 1b and 2, a series of deoxygenated phorboids of general formula 3 (R1=H, Ac, 4H=-β or -α; R2=short alkyl chain) were obtained.

Diterpenoid (poly)esters and a ring A- seco-phorboid from the aerial parts of Euphorbia macroclada Boiss

Euphorbia macroclada Boiss., a spurge endemic to the Iranian plateau, afforded four pre-myrsinane polyesters, three α-phorboids and one A- seco-phorboid, a type of compound so far unreported within natural products. All new compounds were structurally elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and especially 2D NMR measurements.

Effect of ethnomedicinal plants used in folklore medicine in Jordan as antibiotic resistant inhibitors on Escherichia coli

BackgroundEscherichia coli occurs naturally in the human gut; however, certain strains that can cause infections, are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant E. coli that produce extended-spectrum β lactamases (ESBLs), such as the CTX-M enzymes, have emerged within the community setting as an important cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bloodstream infections may be associated with these community-onsets. This is the first report testing the antibiotic resistance-modifying activity of nineteen Jordanian plants against multidrug-resistant E. coli.MethodsThe susceptibility of bacterial isolates to antibiotics was tested by determining their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using a broth microdilution method. Nineteen Jordanian plant extracts (Capparis spinosa L., Artemisia herba-alba Asso, Echinops polyceras Boiss., Gundelia tournefortii L, Varthemia iphionoides Boiss. & Blanche, Eruca sativa Mill., Euphorbia macroclada L., Hypericum trequetrifolium Turra, Achillea santolina L., Mentha longifolia Host, Origanum syriacum L., Phlomis brachydo(Boiss.) Zohary, Teucrium polium L., Anagyris foetida L., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Thea sinensis L., Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Lepidium sativum L., Pimpinella anisum L.) were combined with antibiotics, from different classes, and the inhibitory effect of the combinations was estimated.ResultsMethanolic extracts of the plant materials enhanced the inhibitory effects of chloramphenicol, neomycin, doxycycline, cephalexin and nalidixic acid against both the standard strain and to a lesser extent the resistant strain of E. coli. Two edible plant extracts (Gundelia tournefortii L. and Pimpinella anisum L.) generally enhanced activity against resistant strain. Some of the plant extracts like Origanum syriacum L.(Labiateae), Trigonella foenum- graecum L.(Leguminosae), Euphorbia macroclada (Euphorbiaceae) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae) did not enhance the activity of amoxicillin against both standard and resistant E. coli. On the other hand combinations of amoxicillin with other plant extracts used showed variable effect between standard and resistant strains. Plant extracts like Anagyris foetida (Leguminosae) and Lepidium sativum (Umbelliferae) reduced the activity of amoxicillin against the standard strain but enhanced the activity against resistant strains. Three edible plants; Gundelia tournefortii L. (Compositae) Eruca sativa Mill. (Cruciferae), and Origanum syriacum L. (Labiateae), enhanced activity of clarithromycin against the resistant E. coli strain.ConclusionThis study probably suggests possibility of concurrent use of these antibiotics and plant extracts in treating infections caused by E. coli or at least the concomitant administration may not impair the antimicrobial activity of these antibiotics.

Introducing a new metal accumulator plant and the evaluation of its ability in removing heavy metals

A field study was conducted in a dried waste pool of a lead (Pb) mine in Arak (Iran) to find the accumulator plant(s) and to evaluate the amount of metal bioaccumulation in the root and shoot portion of the naturally growing vegetation. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined both in the soil and the plants that were grown in the dried waste pool. The concentrations of total Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni in the waste pool were found to be higher than the natural soil and the toxic levels. The results showed that six dominant vegetations, namely, Centaurea virgata, Eleagnum angustifolia, Euphorbia macroclada, Gundelia tournefortii, Reseda lutea, and Scariola orientalis accumulated heavy metals. Based on the results, it was concluded that E. macroclada belonging to Euphorbiaceae is the best Pb accumulator and also a good accumulator for Zn, Cu, and Ni. The bioaccumulation ability of E. macroclada was evaluated in experimental pots. The study showed that the amount of heavy metals in polluted soils decreased several times during two years of phytoremediation. The accumulation of metal in the root, leaves, and shoot portions of E. macroclada varied significantly, but all the concentrations were within the toxic limits. Based on the obtained data, E. macroclada is an effective accumulator plant for soil detoxification and phytoremediation in critical conditions.

The phytoremediation potential for strontium of indigenous plants growing in a mining area

This study investigated the distribution and accumulation of strontium (Sr) in the shoots and roots of Euphorbia macroclada (EU), Verbascum cheiranthifolium (VR), and Astragalus gummifer (AS), with respect to their potential use in phytoremediation. Plant samples and their associated soils were collected from the arid and semi-arid Keban mining area and were analyzed inductively by ICP-MS for Sr. Mean Sr values in the shoots, roots and soil were, respectively, 453, 243 and 398 mg kg −1 for E. macroclada; 149, 106 and 398 mg kg −1 for V. cheiranthifolium; and 278, 223 and 469 mg kg −1 for A. gummifer. The enrichment factors for root (ECR) and shoot (ECS) of these plants were lower than 1 or close to 1, except for the shoot of E. macroclada. The mean translocation factors (TLF) of these plants were higher than 1 and 2.08 for E. macroclada, 1.47 for V. cheiranthifolium, 1.18 for A. gummifer. It thus appeared that the shoots of these plants can be an efficient bioaccumulator plant for Sr and it can be used in cleaning or rehabilitating of the contaminated soil and areas by Sr because of their high translocation factors.

Removal of Acid Dyes from Aqueous Solutions using Chemically Activated Carbon

Textile dyes (Acid Yellow 17 and Acid Orange 7) were removed from its aqueous solution in batch and continuous packed bed adsorption systems by using thermally activated Euphorbia macroclada carbon with respect to contact time, initial dye concentration, and temperature. The activated carbon was prepared using a cheap plant-based material called Euphorbia macroclada, which was chemically modified with K2CO3. Lagergren-first-order and second-order kinetic models were used to fit the experimental data. Equilibrium isotherms were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Equilibrium data fitted well the Langmuir model in the studied temperature (25–55°C) ranges. The maximum adsorption capacity of AY17 and AO7 onto activated carbon was found to be 161.29 and 455 mgg−1, respectively by Langmuir isotherm at 55°C. Breakthrough curves for column adsorption have also been studied. The desorption of dyes has been experimentally investigated using NaOH solution of pH 11.