Ferric Research Articles

Antioxidant Potential and Phytochemical Constituents of a Synergy Based-Combined Extract of Spondias mombin L., Spilanthes filicaulis (Schumach. & Thonn.) C.D.Adams and Piper guineense Thonn

Objective: Recent advancements in scientific understanding of free radicals have stimulated progress in medicine. Antioxidants are known to neutralize free radicals by giving up electrons. The current research was carried out to explore the antioxidant capabilities and phytochemical composition of a synergy-based combined extracts of Spondias mombin, Spilanthes filicaulis, and Piper guineense, with the goal to determine the optimal ratio for the most effective antioxidant activity, suitable for herbal product development.Material and methods: Combined extracts H1 and H2 were obtained through aqueous maceration of S. mombin leaves, S. filicaulis plants, and P. guineense fruits. Antioxidant activity of combined extract was evaluated in 2, 2 - diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric ion reducing power (FRAP) assay. Evaluations included total phenolic and flavonoid content determination. Furthermore, the phytochemical constituents were determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).Results: The combined-extract H1 exhibited better free radical scavenging ability in DPPH (IC50 = 72.87 ± 0.63 µg/mL) than H2 (IC50 = 150.2 ± 1.08 µg/mL). The FRAP assay results revealed its highest reducing power (12.385± 0.002 AAE/mg/g) compared to H2 (11.657±0.002 AAE/mg/g). Additionally, H1 had higher of both total phenolic and flavonoid content. GC-MS profiling revealed 28 compounds within H1 and 17 compounds within H2.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the combined extract H1 has significant antioxidant potential, with consistently positive results across all conducted assays. It contains a variety of phytochemical constituents, mainly phenolic and flavonoids that could be explored in pharmaceutical industries to develop antioxidant agents.

Lactoferrin alleviates gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury in rats by suppressing ferroptosis: Highlight on ACSL4, SLC7A11, NCOA4, FSP1 pathways and miR-378a-3p, LINC00618 expression

The use of gentamicin (GNT) is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). Ferroptosis is a newly recognized iron-dependent, non-apoptotic cell death that can lead to AKI. Lactoferrin (LF), an iron-binding glycoprotein, was previously reported to be renoprotective. Nonetheless, LF's impact on GNT-induced AKI and ferroptosis has not yet been investigated. Accordingly, we assessed the dose-dependent effect of LF on GNT-induced AKI and its influence on ferroptosis. Thirty-six male rats were allocated as control, LF, GNT (100 mg/kg/day, i.p.), and groups given LF (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) for 14 days prior concurrently with GNT (Day 8–14). The high dose of LF (300 mg/kg) showed better histopathological picture, higher creatinine clearance, reduced serum and urine levels of kidney injury markers when compared to the GNT group and the lower two doses. These nephroprotective effects of LF can be attributed to the observed reduction in renal ferrous iron, 4-HNE, and MDA, miR-378a-3p and ALOX15 expression, TFR1, NCOA4, and ACSL4 protein expression and the increased LINC00618 expression, GSH levels, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FSP1 protein expression. In conclusion, LF high dose was the most renoprotective against GNT-induced AKI, in which suppression of ferroptosis pathways was a likely contributor to its protective mechanism.

Antioxidant and Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of the tea (Camellia sinensis) flower

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, reducing power, ferrous ion chelating activity, and xanthine oxidase activity for research of antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities using a variety of extracts of tea (Camellia sinensis) flower. Among the several extracts, when 800 μg/mL of the ethanol extract was used, the maximum DPPH radical scavenging activity was obtained, 79.2%, which was approximately 80.8% compared to L-ascorbic acid, the maximum hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, 71.3%, which was approximately 73.2% compared to BHA, and the maximum super oxide radical scavenging activity, 89.4%, which was, approximately 90.6% compared to BHT, and the maximum reducing power, 1.94 at an OD of 700 nm, which was approximately 49.2% compared to L-ascorbic acid, respectively. On the other hand, when 800 μg/mL of the hot water extract was used, the maximum activity of ferrous ion chelate was obtained, 28.6%, which was approximately 48.4% compared to EDTA and the maximum xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity, 61.4%, approximately 63.8% compared to catechin, respectively. These results indicated the application potential for industries that can produce new biomaterials that can compensate for the shortcomings of existing synthetic antioxidants and use discarded tea flower as food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic materials.

Antioxidant Compounds and Activities of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Decoction Residues from Cordial and Juice Production

Roselle is a popular plant in Malaysia, especially for its use in food and beverage production. The calyces of the roselle plant are commonly decocted to make roselle juice and cordial, resulting in a significant amount of waste in the form of decocted calyces. Surprisingly, these decocted calyces retain their dark red colour and are still intact although soften. However, to date, there is no research on the antioxidant compounds and activities of roselle decoction residues from cordial and juice production have been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of the roselle decoction residues. The roselle decoction residues were evaluated for colour, Delta E (∆E), pH, total anthocyanin content (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH radical scavenging assay, ferric reducing ability assay (FRAP), and ferrous ion chelating (FIC). All assays were also correlated and show positive effect among themselves. The decocted residues reported were still in acidic conditions ranged of pH 2 to 4. The decocted cordial residue (DCR) showed similar colour with control or fresh roselle calyx (FRC), and a bit duller in decocted juice residue (DJR). The DCR showed similar and slightly lower antioxidant content and activity of TAC, TPC, TFC, DPPH, FRAP and FIC to FRC but much better than DJR. Therefore, the DCR were still rich in anthocyanin contents and had good antioxidant activity without having colour changes. These residues have the capacity to be converted to wealth and could be an alternative source for natural antioxidants. Further research is needed to explore their potential applications in functional foods, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals. By harnessing the potential of roselle decoction residues, we can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to food and beverage production.

Antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and thrombolytic potentials of the leaves of erythrina fusca lour

Erythrina fusca (Family: Fabaceae) is famous for many traditional healing. In the present study, the leaves of E. fusca were collected, dried, powdered and then extracted with methanol. It was further partitioned into n-hexane, dichloromethane and aqueous soluble fractions. All the extracts were subjected to antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and thrombolytic assays. In case of free radical scavenging assay, the aqueous soluble fraction showed highest scavenging activity. In ferric reducing anti-oxidant power assay, the dicholoromethane extract showed highest reduction of ferric ion in a dose dependent manner. In total antioxidant assay, the methanol extract and dichloromethane extract showed stronger capacity as antioxidant. During the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, the methanol extract and dichloromethane soluble fraction showed higher contents of phenolics and flavonoids, respectively. The erythrocyte membrane stabilizing assay revealed the capacities of methanol extract and its aqueous fraction to stabilize the RBC membrane in both hypotonic solution- and heat- induced hemolytic conditions. However, the clot lysis ability of the E. fusca leaf extracts was not so prominent. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(3): 439-445, 2024 (September)

Comparative Analysis of Cystamine and Cysteamine as Radioprotectors and Antioxidants: Insights from Monte Carlo Chemical Modeling under High Linear Energy Transfer Radiation and High Dose Rates.

This study conducts a comparative analysis of cystamine (RSSR), a disulfide, and cysteamine (RSH), its thiol monomer, to evaluate their efficacy as radioprotectors and antioxidants under high linear energy transfer (LET) and high-dose-rate irradiation conditions. It examines their interactions with reactive primary species produced during the radiolysis of the aqueous ferrous sulfate (Fricke) dosimeter, offering insights into the mechanisms of radioprotection and highlighting their potential to enhance the therapeutic index of radiation therapy, particularly in advanced techniques like FLASH radiotherapy. Using Monte Carlo multi-track chemical modeling to simulate the radiolytic oxidation of ferrous to ferric ions in Fricke-cystamine and Fricke-cysteamine solutions, this study assesses the radioprotective and antioxidant properties of these compounds across a variety of irradiation conditions. Concentrations were varied in both aerated (oxygen-rich) and deaerated (hypoxic) environments, simulating conditions akin to healthy tissue and tumors. Both cystamine and cysteamine demonstrate radioprotective and strong antioxidant properties. However, their effectiveness varies significantly depending on the concentration employed, the conditions of irradiation, and whether or not environmental oxygen is present. Specifically, excluding potential in vivo toxicity, cysteamine substantially reduces the adverse effects of ionizing radiation under aerated, low-LET conditions at concentrations above ~1 mM. However, its efficacy is minimal in hypoxic environments, irrespective of the concentration used. Conversely, cystamine consistently offers robust protective effects in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor conditions. The distinct protective capacities of cysteamine and cystamine underscore cysteamine's enhanced potential in radiotherapeutic settings aimed at safeguarding healthy tissues from radiation-induced damage while effectively targeting tumor tissues. This differential effectiveness emphasizes the need for personalized radioprotective strategies, tailored to the specific environmental conditions of the tissue involved. Implementing such approaches is crucial for optimizing therapeutic outcomes and minimizing collateral damage in cancer treatment.

Selenomethionine alleviates Aeromonas hydrophila-induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis via the Nrf2/HO1/GPX4 pathway in grass carp

Aeromonas hydrophila infection is a severe, acute, and life-threatening disease affecting grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in aquaculture. Ferroptosis is a novel form of cell death characterized by the accumulation of free iron and harmful lipid peroxides within cells. While selenomethionine (Se-Met) is known to effectively inhibit ferroptosis and alleviate cell damage, its ability to counteract oxidative stress and ferroptosis induced by A. hydrophila remains unclear. The objective of this study is to reveal the possible mechanism behind the ferroptosis phenomenon during A. hydrophila infection. We established a macrophage model of A. hydrophila invasion to monitor the dynamic changes in iron metabolism markers to evaluate the correlation between ferroptotic stress and A. hydrophila infection. A. hydrophila infection induces cytotoxicity and mitochondrial membrane damage via ferroptosis. This damage is attributed to the accumulation of lipid peroxides due to intracellular ferrous ion overload and glutathione depletion. Supplementation of Se-Met reduced mitochondrial damage, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/HO1/GPX4 axis. These findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of A. hydrophila-induced ferroptosis in teleosts and suggest that targeted inhibition of ferroptosis may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for managing A. hydrophila infections.

Antioxidant activity and identification by HPLC-DAD-MS of 3-deoxyanthocyanins in the husks of Sorghum caudatum (L.) Moench grains from Burkina Faso

As indicated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the resurgence of chronic diseases is projected to account for 70 % of deaths and 56 % of illnesses globally by 2030. In response, authorities are allocating resources towards prevention through the use of substances with natural or synthetic antioxidant properties. However, the safety of synthetic antioxidants is constrained by the limited number of molecules they can be derived from and the necessity for intricate and costly testing to substantiate their safety. In light of this, the scientific community has set itself the objective of identifying new potential sources of natural antioxidants with the more effective capacity in prevetion of these chronic diseases. Anthocyanins, particularly 3-deoxyanthocyanins are cited as one antioxidant molecules with preventive efficacy. The objective of this study is to contribute to the discovery of new sources of 3-deoxyanthocyanins. In order to achieve this objective, a concentrated extract of 3-deoxyanthocyanins was first prepared by maceration of the husks of Sorghum caudatum grains in acidified ethanol, followed by precipitation in acidified distilled water.The Folin-Ciocalteu and differential pH methods were then employed to determine the total phenolic compound content and the total 3-deoxyanthocyanin content of the extract, respectively. The antioxidant potential of the extract was evaluated by determining its free radical scavenging activity using the ABTS method, its reducing power of ferric ions using the FRAP method, and the percentage of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging. Using physico-chemical and physical methods (PC, HPLC, UV–vis and MS), the 3-deoxyanthocyanins present in the extract from the husks of Sorghum caudatum grains were identified. The results of these analyses demonstrated that the total phenolic compound content was 237.73 ± 2.12 mg GAE/g extract, while the 3-deoxyanthocyanin content was 99.33 ± 4.16 mg EApi/g extract and 110.05 ± 4.33 mg ELt/g extract. The extract demonstrated notable antioxidant activity, with an CI50 of 62.59 µg/mL as determined by the ABTS method, a content of 77.35 ± 0.17 mg TE /g extract as quantified by the FRAP method, and an H2O2 scavenging percentage of approximately 72.29 %. The extract was found to contain five distinct compounds, namely luteolinidin, 7-O-methylluteolinidin, 5-O-methylluteolinidin, apigeninidin and 7-O-methylapigeninidin. The grain husks of Sorghum caudatum represent a novel source of 3-deoxyanthocyanins. Consequently, they offer a promising avenue for the extraction of natural antioxidants, natural colouring agents and nutraceuticals for the food industry, thereby enhancing the economic value of agricultural waste and augmenting the profitability of Sorghum cultivation.

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF YOGURT ENRICHED WITH EXTRACTS OF RED HAWTHORN (CRATAEGUS MONOGYNA JACQ.) AND BLACK HAWTHORN (CRATAEGUS NIGRA WALDST & KIT.)

The aim of this study was to determine some physicochemical parameters and antioxidant activity of fermented milks enriched with extracts of red hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) and black hawthorn (Crataegus nigra Waldst & Kit.) Antioxidant activity and the content of total phenols of water extracts of both species of hawthorn - red and black - were analyzed. The effect of the inclusion of the extracts in amounts of 5, 10 and 15 % of both species of hawthorn on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the obtained yogurts was monitored. Yogurts with the addition of red hawthorn extract (15 %) showed the highest phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant properties determined by DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power) methods. Milk with extracts has better physicochemical properties (dry matter, syneresis and retention capacity). The use of hawthorn extracts in the production of yogurts is a new method for the development of dairy foods with functional properties.

PTEN Deficiency Induced by Extracellular Vesicle miRNAs from Clonorchis sinensis Potentiates Cholangiocarcinoma Development by Inhibiting Ferroptosis.

The human phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor. A slight deficiency in PTEN might cause cancer susceptibility and progression. Infection by the liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis could lead to persistent loss of PTEN in cholangiocarcinoma. However, the mechanism of PTEN loss and its malignant effect on cholangiocarcinoma have not yet been elucidated. Extracellular vesicles secreted by Clonorchis sinensis (CS-EVs) are rich in microRNAs (miRNAs) and can mediate communication between hosts and parasites. Herein, we delved into the miRNAs present in CS-EVs, specifically those that potentially target PTEN and modulate the progression of cholangiocarcinoma via ferroptosis mechanisms. CS-EVs were extracted by differential ultra-centrifugation for high-throughput sequencing of miRNA. Lentiviral vectors were used to construct stably transfected cell lines. Erastin was used to construct ferroptosis induction models. Finally, 36 miRNAs were identified from CS-EVs. Among them, csi-miR-96-5p inhibited PTEN expression according to the predictions and dual luciferase assay. The CCK-8 assay, xenograft tumor assays and transwell assay showed that csi-miR-96-5p overexpression and PTEN knockout significantly increased the proliferation and migration of cholangiocarcinoma cells and co-transfection of PTEN significantly reversed the effect. In the presence of erastin, the cell proliferation and migration ability of the negative transfection control group were significantly impaired, although they did not significantly change with transfection of csi-miR-96-5p and PTEN knockout, indicating that they obtained ferroptosis resistance. Mechanistically, csi-miR-96-5p and PTEN knockout significantly inhibited ferroptosis through a decrease in ferrous ion (Fe2+) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and an increase in glutathione reductase (GSH), Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). In conclusion, loss of PTEN promoted the progression of cholangiocarcinoma via the ferroptosis pathway and csi-miR-96-5p delivered by CS-EVs may mediate this process.

Enhanced removal of nanoplastics from freshwater using in-situ synthesized and anchored nano-Fe3O4 via two-step ferrous oxidation

Magnetic separation is a promising strategy for removing nanoplastics (NPs) from water; however, it often requires complex processeses, such as synthesizing nano-Fe3O4 magnets and attaching them to specific carriers. This study presents an innovative and efficient strategy to in-situ synthesize and anchor nano-Fe3O4 onto polystyrene (PS) NPs through a two-step oxidation of ferrous ions, which significantly enhances NPs removal via magnetic separation. The two-step process involves initial alkalization of a ferrous aqueous solution under anoxic conditions, followed by oxidation in air. In the presence of PS spheres, nano-Fe3O4 forms in-situ on the PS surfaces, promoting sedimentation under a magnetic field. Results demonstrate that two-step ferrous oxidation achieves superior removal rates, with 99.32 % for 500 nm PS spheres (PS-500) and 93.16 % for 100 nm PS spheres (PS-100) using a low Fe2+ dosage of 0.1 mM. In contrast, the conventional one-step method, which simultaneously alkalizes and oxidizes ferrous sulfate in aerobic conditions, fails to form nano-Fe3O4 and results in low removal rates of only 56.49 % for PS-500 and 8.89 % for PS-100, respectively. Furthermore, the turbidity and residual Fe can be reduced to below 1 NTU and 0.1 mg/L by using two-step process, respectively, meeting drinking water safety and hygiene standards. This approach not only simplifies the magnetic nanomaterial preparation process but also substantially improves the NP removal efficiency, offering a promising solution for enhanced water treatment technologies and safer drinking water.

The Impacts of Carbon Policy and “Dual Carbon” Targets on the Industrial Resilience of Ferrous Metal Melting and Rolling Manufacturing in China

The Impacts of Carbon Policy and “Dual Carbon” Targets on the Industrial Resilience of Ferrous Metal Melting and Rolling Manufacturing in China

Synthesis and properties of the natural ultraviolet absorber gadusol in Komagataella phaffii

Gadusol, an efficient natural ultraviolet (UV) absorbing substance with antioxidant capacity, is ubiquitous in aquatic organisms such as microorganisms, algae, and fish eggs. In order to address issues such as its low natural extraction yield and environmental unfriendliness, we introduced the gadusol synthesis pathway from zebrafish into Komagataella phaffii and successfully constructed the recombinant strain capable of synthesizing gadusol. The xylose assimilation genes derived from Scheffersomyces stipitis were further introduced into the recombinant strain to increase the content of the key substrate sedoheptulose 7-phosphate (S7P). The results showed that the utilization of xylose was an effective strategy to increase the yield of gadusol. In the medium with only xylose as the substrate, the yield of gadusol reached 141.8 mg/L (32.3 mg/g dry cell weight, DCW), which was about 46 times of that in the medium with only glucose as the substrate. The product showed obvious absorption in the range of 275-305 nm, with the maximum absorption at 290 nm. Moreover, the product demonstrated antioxidant capacity. After reaction for 5 h, the ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2, 2'-azino- bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging rates changed by 90.83%, 25.50%, and 131.80%, respectively, which suggested that the product may be used as a long-acting antioxidant. This study demonstrated the great potential of K. phaffii as a chassis for the biosynthesis of natural UV absorbers. The biosynthesized gadusol has good UV absorption and antioxidant properties, which provides a theoretical basis for the industrial production and application of gadusol.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure induces ferroptosis by regulating the Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway in mouse ovaries

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), an endocrine-disrupting chemical present in plasticized products, exerts strong modulation on the anatomy and function of the female reproductive system. However, the potential mechanisms underlying DEHP-induced regulation of prepubertal female reproductive toxicity have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, this study was designed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of ovarian injury induced by DEHP exposure in mice. Elevated serum mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) concentrations, decreased levels of ovarian hormones (E2 and P4), and observed ovarian injury were found after DEHP exposure. Ovarian transcriptome analysis revealed significant alterations in ferroptosis-associated gene expression, with potential regulation by Nrf2. Subsequent analysis of ferrous iron, malondialdehyde (MDA), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence of the ovaries confirmed the RNA-seq findings. Transcriptome analysis of granulosa cells revealed a direct or indirect regulatory relationship between Nrf2 and downstream ferroptosis-related proteins following MEHP exposure. Further experiments demonstrated that ferrostatin-1 attenuated MEHP-induced ferroptosis in granulosa cells. Additionally, Nrf2 stabilization and accumulation in the nucleus of granulosa cells were observed following MEHP treatment. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Nrf2 exacerbated MEHP-induced ferroptosis in granulosa cells. This evidence indicates that DEHP exposure induces ferroptosis through regulation of the Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway in mouse ovaries, laying the groundwork for future studies aiming to develop therapeutic strategies against DEHP toxicity.

Copper and zinc sulfides bioleaching by an extremely thermophilic archaeon in high NaCl concentration

Chloride bioleaching has received attention of several mineral processing industries, particularly in countries where there is scarcity of freshwater and only chloride-containing waters can be used. Therefore, the present work investigated the effect of NaCl (1.0 mol L−1) on the bioleaching of three sulfide minerals: chalcopyrite, bornite, and sphalerite by the thermophilic archaea Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Chalcopyrite dissolution was only 25 % in the biotic experiment in the absence of chloride, but reached 90 % in the presence of both microorganisms and chloride, while less than 60 % extraction was observed in the abiotic experiment with chloride. In the experiments of bornite bioleaching, 86 % and 77 % of copper were extracted in the biotic and abiotic tests with chloride, respectively. In the absence of NaCl, the biotic and abiotic experiments presented similar copper dissolution (∼35 %). Finally, bioleaching experiments carried out with sphalerite showed zinc extractions below 35 % in all conditions tested. The main contribution from the archaea was its ability to produce low concentrations of ferric ion, which was partially precipitated as jarosite, resulting in low redox potential values (< 450 mV vs. Ag/AgCl), and efficiently bioleached bornite and chalcopyrite. Furthermore, XRD and SEM-EDS analyses demonstrated that sphalerite was practically not leached while bornite was transformed into new copper sulfide phases (CuS and Cu3FeS4). Jarosite and elemental sulfur were products of chalcopyrite and bornite bioleaching in the presence of chloride.

Facile Molecular-Level Refinements for Carbon Quantum Dots via Hydrogen-Bonding-Assisted Selective Isolation.

A novel method for synthesizing and refining high-purity carbon quantum dots (CQDs) using citric acid and diethylenetriamine as precursors is presented, achieved through molecular-level control by exploiting the differences in hydrogen-bonding strength. This process involves precipitation using melamine, extraction into ethanol, and encapsulation with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). The resulting APTES-encapsulated CQDs exhibited an enhanced color purity, higher photoluminescence quantum yield, and improved fluorescence stability over a broad pH range. Utilizing these well-defined high-purity CQDs with uniform surface states, it has been revealed that ferric ions are photochemically sensed through the inner filter effect (IFE) mechanism, while mercury ions are detected through the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. The versatility of CQDs, coupled with our advanced refinement technology, is expected to contribute significantly to the development of advanced research applications, particularly in displays and sensors.

Monitoring of suspended matter in the Dnipro River within Zaporizhzhia city, the main trends of 2022

The article presents the results of monitoring observations on the temporal distribution of the qualitative and quantitative components of the Dnipro River suspended matter within Zaporizhzhia city. The research on the territory of this powerful industrial center of Ukraine with a developed metallurgical complex was carried out from 2015 up to 2019 and from the end of 2021 to the present time. The main task of the research was determining the distribution of iron and a group of heavy metals of anthropogenic origin in the composition of the river suspension, and identifying the connections of their concentrations and forms with the natural conditions of the region. Sedimentary matter from the water flows of Dnipro River within research area was sampled once per month using sedimentary traps developed by authors. The methods of electron microscopy (with microprobe analysis) and laser diffraction analysis were used to study the suspension granulometric and chemical composition in the Center for Shared Use of Scientific Equipment of the IGS NASU. SEM studies were carried using scanning electron microscope SEM JEOL-6490 LV (Jeol Ltd., Japan) with an energy dispersive spectrometer of the X-ray microanalysis system INCA Energy+ (Oxford Instruments plc., Great Britain). Particle size analysis was determined using the laser particle size analyzer Mastersizer 2000 with a Hydro 2000S wet dispersion module (Malvern Ins. Ltd, UK).The study results of the samples taken in the first year of hostilities in Ukraine revealed a number of features which were not observed in the previous series of studies. Those peculiarities are the following ones: reduction in the intensity of sedimentary matter accumulation; decrease of technogenic components in the suspension content (in particular, the amount of ferrous metals, changes in the ratio of condensed and dispersed iron particles of silt size, as well as the component composition of fragments of alloys of non-ferrous and ferrous metals). The obtained results may indicate the sensitivity of the component composition of the suspension to changes in the external environment in general, as well as the significant impact of the anthropogenic component on the distribution of iron in suspended matter.

Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Aronia melanocarpa and Their Biological Evaluation.

In the present study, two A. melanocarpa berry extracts were used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). After the optimization of synthesis, the AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR, EDX, DLS, and STEM analyses. The stability in different media, phytotoxicity, as well as antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were also evaluated. The ideal synthesis conditions were represented by a 3 mM AgNO3 concentration, 1:9 extract:AgNO3 volume ratio, alkaline medium, and stirring at 40 °C for 120 min. The synthesis was confirmed by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 403 nm, and the strong signal at 3 keV from the EDX spectra. FTIR analysis indicated that polyphenols, polysaccharides, and amino acids could be the compounds responsible for synthesis. Stability tests and the negative zeta potential values showed that phytocompounds also play a role in the stabilization and capping of AgNPs. The preliminary phytotoxicity studies on T. aestivum showed that both the extracts and their corresponding AgNPs had an impact on the growth of roots and shoots as well as on the microscopic structure of leaves. The synthesized AgNPs presented antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. Moreover, considering the results obtained in the lipoxygenase inhibition, the DPPH and hydroxyl scavenging activities, and the ferrous ion chelating assay, AgNPs exhibit promising antioxidant activity.

Synthesis of Zeolite-A From Oil Palm Shell Ash for Ferrous Metal Adsorption in Borehole Water

Synthesis of Zeolite-A From Oil Palm Shell Ash for Ferrous Metal Adsorption in Borehole Water

Valence fixable ferrozine gel rod combined with smartphone for facile determination of redox-active Fe2+ in environmental water

Ferrous ion (Fe2+) can indicate the redox situation of water and also plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of water bodies. However, due to the redox-active property of Fe2+, it is still a huge challenge to sensitively and accurately determine Fe2+ especially in interstitial water. Herein, we prepared a ferrozine gel rod for valence fixation during sampling and subsequent smartphone-based detection of Fe2+. The electrode potential of the redox pair can be varied through the formation of Fe2+-ligand complexes, and when Ecomplex was higher than EO2/OH−, the oxidation of Fe2+ by O2 was hindered, thus achieving the valence fixation of Fe2+. Six ligands were screened, and it was found that ferrozine could effectively increase the redox potential after complexing with Fe2+, and also exhibits an obvious color change while fixing the valence of Fe2+. To facilitate Fe2+ detection, a cross-linked porous polymer gel rod prepared by acrylamide and sodium alginate was used to encapsulate the ferrozine molecules. The ferrozine gel rod enabled fixation the valence of Fe2+ longer than 30 days, and the resulted purple-red color was pictured and analyzed by a smartphone. Ultimately, the developed ferrozine gel rod sensing system was able to achieve sensitive and linear detection of Fe2+ in the range of 1–200 μM with the limit of detection as low as 0.33 μM, and it also exhibited excellent selectivity and anti-interference ability. The accuracy and reliability of the method was verified by the determination of Fe2+ in spiked water samples and certified standard reference water samples. Finally, the ferrozine gel rod sensing system was successfully applied to in-situ detection of Fe2+ in interstitial water, overlying water and upper water of lake and river. This facile system that enabled valence fixation and fast detection is promising for detection of Fe2+ in environmental waters.