Gas Chromatography Coupled To Mass Spectrometry Research Articles

The misuse of opioids and opiates has remained a persistent issue since the 19th century. The recent resurgence of non-fentanyl synthetic opioids, such as U-type opioids and nitazenes, has further exacerbated the ongoing crisis. Identifying these synthetic opioids presents many challenges, including the emergence of new substances, the lack of standards, and the presence of structural isomers. This highlights the need for a robust structural characterisation strategy in forensic laboratories. To address these challenges, we developed a methodology to identify a U-type opioid sample received by Kosmicare from the European Union-funded SCANNER project, which was suspected to be either U-48800 or U-51754. Our innovative approach combined gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and molecular dynamics to characterise the questioned sample unequivocally. While the GC-MS analysis suggested a potential match with the mass spectrum of U-51754 and its structural isomer U-48800, NMR analysis confirmed the presence of U-48800 in the sample, which was further validated through molecular dynamics experiments. These experiments provided additional insights, confirming the structural features underlying the obtained NMR profile. The presented methodology offers a valuable solution for cases involving the identification of isomers, which are currently one of the most significant challenges in identifying new psychoactive substances.

ABSTRACT Vibriosis is one of the major infectious diseases in aquaculture and a new threat to human health. The increasing resistance of Vibrio spp. to existing antibiotics has driven the search for new anti-vibrio compounds from marine natural products. Red seaweeds (Rhodophyta) are one of the potential sources of anti-vibrio bioactives. The objectives of this study were to investigate and identify chemical constituents of Gracilaria edulis and Pterocladiella sp. 4 and to evaluate their potential against Vibrio harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus. Species identification for the red seaweeds was based on DNA barcoding of the COI gene and the cox 2–3 spacer as G. edulis and Pterocladiella sp. 4 in GenBank. The seaweeds were extracted using ethyl acetate and anti-vibrio activity against V. harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus was tested by bioautography and microtitre plate assays. The chemical constituents were identified using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Extracts of both G.edulis and Pterocladiella sp. 4 have potential anti-vibrio activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.625–5 mg ml‒1. GC-MS showed that the fatty acids palmitic acid and its derivatives are the main components. The bioassay of palmitic acid and stearic acid confirmed its activity against Vibrio spp. Dereplication of LC-MS/MS analysis indicated the presence of macrolides and furanyl compounds in the extract of G. edulis.

Objective: In this study, the chemical composition and biological activities of the essential oils extracted from the leaves and fruits of Zanthoxylum mantaro were analyzed. Methods: The essential oils were obtained through hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against four Gram-positive bacteria, three Gram-negative bacteria, and two fungi using the broth microdilution method. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assays. Additionally, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect of the essential oils was measured by a spectrophotometric method. Results and Conclusions: A total of 23 compounds were identified in the essential oil from the fruits, while 47 compounds were found in the essential oil from the leaves. The major constituents of the fruit essential oil were α-thujone (39.85%), β-thujone (25.04%), sabinene (10.71%), and terpinen-4-ol (4.38%), whereas the main compounds in the leaf essential oil were germacrene D (21.75%), nerolidol (E) (12.39%), and pentadecanal (7.14%). The essential oil from the fruits exhibited antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (ATCC 6275), with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1000 μg/mL. Both the fruit and leaf essential oils showed moderate antioxidant activity in the ABTS assay, with SC50 values of 274.14 ± 1.06 μg/mL and 2798.85 ± 15.69 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the fruit essential oil demonstrated considerable acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 65.46 ± 1.01 μg/mL, while the leaf essential oil exhibited an IC50 value of 158.2 ± 1.02 μg/mL.

The use of winemaking waste compost as an alternative fertilization treatment for vines of the Chelva grape variety was researched. Three different organic amendments (1 kg/m, 2 kg/m, and 3 kg/m) of winemaking waste compost were applied, and a no-applied-amendments condition served as the control. The wines were elaborated according to a traditional white winemaking process. The solid phase extraction (SPE) technique and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques were, respectively, used for the isolation of wine volatile compounds and their identification and quantification. A total of 81 aroma compounds were identified and quantified in Chelva wines, independently of the fertilization treatment used. The results bring to light that the application of organic amendments from winemaking waste compost during vine cultivation produced changes in the concentration of wine volatile compounds, especially for the varietal aroma compounds. These results show that the use of wine-distillery compost as a vine fertilization treatment is a viable alternative to traditional fertilization methods, particularly when the fertilization dose is 2 Kg/linear meter.

Designer benzodiazepines are a commonly misused class of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) that present challenges for forensic toxicology laboratories and public health. Due to the difficulty in detection by routine toxicology methods, it is important to enhance the analytical methods for the identification and quantitation of designer benzodiazepines. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify designer benzodiazepines using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in postmortem blood specimens. A method originally validated to identify and quantitate alprazolam was modified to quantitate flualprazolam, etizolam, and bromazolam, as well as identify adinazolam and 4'-chloro-deschloroalprazolam. The method was subsequently used to analyze postmortem specimens (n = 35) from Medical Examiner Districts (n = 4) in Florida that screened positive for one or more designer benzodiazepines from February 2022 to December 2023. Among the screened samples, 21 tested positive for one or more designer benzodiazepines in the postmortem blood; 1 was positive for etizolam (90 ng/mL) and flualprazolam (<5.0 ng/mL), while 20 were positive for bromazolam. Bromazolam was the most frequently detected designer benzodiazepine, with a concentration range of 5.9-352 ng/mL (mean: 59.1 ng/mL; median: 28.5 ng/mL) for 18 decedents and <5.0 ng/mL for two decedents. Polydrug use was confirmed in all decedents. The most prevalent drugs found with bromazolam in the blood were fentanyl, methamphetamine and/or amphetamine, and cocaine. The optimized GC-MS method provides a way to identify and quantitate designer benzodiazepines in postmortem blood and to also qualitatively monitor two newer designer benzodiazepines: 4'-chloro-deschloroalprazolam and adinazolam.

Lippia multiflora is an aromatic plant used in traditional medicine for its extracts (volatile and non-volatile) rich in bioactive molecules. In Africa, the infusion or decoction of the leaves is used orally to treat bronchial conditions. The objective of this study is to identify the phytochemical compounds present in the leaves of L. multiflora. The dichloromethane fraction, resulting from the hydroalcoholic extract, was obtained by maceration of the crushed dried leaves in an ethanol/water mixture (70/30: v/v) followed by liquid-liquid fractionations. After the phytochemical screening, the level of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and tannins were evaluated by colorimetric assay. Structural elucidation was carried out by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The phytochemical screening results showed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and terpenoids then the dosage provided the level of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and total tannins. Linalool, linalool oxide, palmitic acid and N-(2-mehtylphenyl)-3-hydroxybut-2-en amide were identified as abundant compounds with respective proportions of 42.1 %, 22.1 %, 10.9 % and 10.6 %. The results could justify the traditional use of the plant in the treatment of various diseases.

Western flower thrips (WFTs) are significant pests affecting various crops globally. Developing sustainable strategies for managing WFTs is essential for improving thrips management. Ethological control methods, particularly those employing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants to influence insect behavior, have emerged as a promising avenue for pest management. Natural hosts such as Alstroemeria provide an intriguing yet underexplored opportunity for developing attractants tailored to WFT management. This study examined the behavioral preferences of WFTs towards flowers of four commercial Alstroemeria cultivars, focusing on variations in VOC profiles. Using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), VOCs were captured in vivo from cultivars with contrasting levels of WFT infestation. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to analyze the VOCs, with linear retention indices aiding compound identification. An untargeted volatile profiling-based comparative analysis revealed key VOCs that differed among cultivars, shedding light on their potential correlation with WFT behavior. Behavioral assays identified three specific VOCs-butyl butyrate, 1-methylnaphthalene, and citronellyl acetate-as influential in attracting WFTs. Attraction responses were concentration-dependent, with two tested concentrations eliciting significant behavioral effects. These findings highlight the potential of these active VOCs as components of novel attractants for WFT management. The results direct future research and the development of tools to integrate ethological strategies into sustainable pest management practices for crops.

The main harmful insect that infest stored freshwater smoked fishes is Dermestes maculatus (De Geer, 1774) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). To fight against this harmful insect, people used chemical pesticides. To contribute to the protection of these foodstuffs against attacks of harmful insects during storage, some essential oils of aromatic plants with insecticidal properties are considered as alternatives nowadays. The purpose of the present work was to determine the chemical composition, insecticidal and repellent effects of the essential oils of three aromatic plants of Lamiaceae: Ocimum canum, Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum gratissimum on D. maculatus. After extraction by hydrodistillation of these plants, the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Insecticidal and insect repellent tests were carried out by contact inhalation of crude essential oils on D. maculatus isolated from stored smoked freshwater fishes. The yields of extraction revealed that O. canum (0.35%) produced more essential oils than O. gratissimum (0.30%) and O. basilicum (0.15%). The GC/MS analyzes showed 47, 46 and 41 chemical compounds in O. basilicum, O. canum and O. gratissimuum essential oil respectively with o-thymol as major active ingredient. These essential oils are rich in monoterpenes (˃75 %). The oxygenated monoterpenes are more represented in O. basilicum (80.30%) followed by O. gratissimum (66.67 %) and O. canum (60.81 %). The essential oil of O. gratissimum is the most effective with a smaller lethal dose 100 (LD100) of 16 µL on larvae VII and 100 µL on adults, with a repellent power of 61.25% (Class IV) on larvae VII. According to the results, the lower lethal time 100 (LT100) is from 18 h for O. gratissimum and from 22 h for O. basilicum and O. canum on the larvae VII. These results suggest a sustainable strategy for the control of insect pests in stored products.

The increasing reliance on pesticide use in agricultural practices, particularly in developing regions such as Tanzania, poses significant risks to food safety and public health. This study investigated the prevalence and concentration of organophosphate-based pesticide residues in commonly consumed vegetables, specifically Amaranth (Amaranthus), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa Pekinensis) and Sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea Batatas) cultivated in Ilala district of Dar Es Salaam City. Data on vegetable consumption were collected from 138 vegetable farmers using the 24-hour dietary recall method. The analytical methodology employed gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Vegetable samples were prepared through a series of extraction and purification steps. The results revealed significant variation (P &lt; 0.05) in organophosphate residue concentrations across the different vegetable types and sampling sites. The potential health risks associated with dietary exposure to these pesticide residues were evaluated by employing deterministic approaches. The average residual concentration of profenofos in chinese cabbage was found to be 0.044 ± 0.014mg/kg, while in amaranth exhibited a higher concentration of 0.182 ± 0.056mg/kg. Notably, the concentration of diazinon in amaranth reached 0.272 ± 0.156mg/kg, indicating a significant presence of this pesticide. From this study, chlorpyrifos and marathion emerged as the predominant pesticides, significantly surpassing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) established by international food safety standards. The Estimated dietary intake (EDI) for chlorpyrifos was determined to be 0.004mg/kg body weight per day, with an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.01mg/kg body weight per day, the resulting hazard index (HI) values for chlorpyrifos in both chinese cabbage and amaranth was &gt;1, indicating a significant risk of adverse health effects from chronic exposure. The findings underscore a critical public health concern as consumption of these vegetables may expose consumers to harmful pesticide levels, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and agricultural workers.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the variability of essential oils (EOs) extracted from the culinary plant Plectranthus amboinicus in different locations, in order to determine their optimal utilization. The EO was extracted from fresh leaves by steam distillation at three locations in the south of Ecuador: Paccha (PAC), El Guabo (GUA), and Arenillas (ARE). Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and flame ionization detection (GC-FID). A total of 41 compounds were identified in Paccha (97.37%), 38 compounds in Arenillas (97.43%), and 41 compounds in El Guabo (98.31%). The most abundant compounds identified were germacrene D (17.60%, 14.59%, and 12.85%), alfa humulene (10.88%, 4.65%, and 5.08%), alfa-terpinene (10.66%, 13.85%, and 6.79%), and carvacrol (5.11%, 5.97%, and 9.13%), in PAC, ARE, and GUA, respectively. In addition, the antioxidant activity was evaluated by ABTS and DPPH assays, as well as the total phenol content of the EOs. Finally, a principal compound analysis (PCA) was performed in order to evaluate the variation in compounds using the geographical location of the samples as a variable.

Gouda-type cheese originated in the Netherlands, but is now produced all over the world. Analogue cheeses are cheese-like products with a lower price level that are based on non-dairy fats and proteins. The market demand for analogue cheese is currently also growing due to customers’ preference for low-fat foods. In this report, samples of Gouda-type cheese and its analogues produced by a dairy cooperative (Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland) were used as the subject of analysis; their volatile profiles were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, measurements were carried out using a low-cost electronic nose based on MOX sensors. The results showed a richer chemical composition of the cheese volatiles compared to the analogue product. The measurements with the electronic nose made it possible to differentiate between the sample categories but also revealed similarities between them. The research demonstrated that both methods could be used for the assessment of the volatile profiles of the products.

Wireworms, the larval stage of elaterid beetles, are among the most serious soil-borne insect pests in the world. Wireworms feed on a variety of key crops, including small grains, maize, vegetables, fruits, sugar cane, sugar beets, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Management of these pests is becoming increasingly problematic, in part due to knowledge gaps in their basic biology, which hinders development of effective crop protection strategies. In particular, little is known about the semiochemicals that mediate the reproductive behavior of these pests. Research over the past two decades has begun to fill this need, with: (1) the discovery of sex attractants for several key pest species, and (2) subsequent studies toward development of semiochemically-based pest management approaches. We used chemical and behavioral studies to identify, synthesize, and field test the sex attractant pheromone of adult Melanotus verberans, the larvae of which are important crop pests. In coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of extracts of ovipositors of females, five possible pheromone components were identified. Subsequent coupled gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection analyses indicated that male antennae were responsive to only two of these compounds, 13-tetradecenyl acetate and 13-tetradecenyl hexanoate. In field trials, neither compound alone was attractive, but a blend of the two was strongly attractive to conspecific male beetles, and did not attract other species. A two-year field study showed that most male beetle flight activity occurred from April through May. Because the sex pheromone of M. verberans consists of two compounds that can be readily synthesized, its development for integrated pest management should be economically feasible.

Bitumen is the viscoelastic fluid binding the crushed stones and mineral aggregates in the asphalt material used to pave roads around the world. During the paving procedure, the volatile compounds are lost and oxidization occurs with variation of the mechanical characteristics (aging); thus, the material becomes rigid and brittle over time and may need replacement. Instead of being landfilled, aged asphalts can be reused in new pavements after pretreatment with specific additives to restore their original properties. By considering conscious utilization of natural resources, we propose using the condensable fraction (oil) obtained from the pyrolysis of waste tires (WTs) as the agent to rejuvenate aged bitumen. The pyrolysis oil from WTs was produced and characterized using elemental analysis, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GCMS), and thermogravimetry. Bitumen was aged by the rolling thin-film oven test procedure and blended with the WT pyrolysis oil at three different concentrations (1%, 3%, and 6% w/w) to evaluate the rheological behaviors. The blends were also investigated using atomic force microscopy, and the asphaltenic fraction was assessed via optical microscopy. All the data consistently indicate that oil addition not only reduces the viscosity of bitumen and restores it to values close to the original unaged bitumen but also changes the intermolecular structure to recover the self-assembly pattern typical of the unaged sample. The physicochemical mechanisms of this phenomenon are proposed in light of the oil characteristics. Hence, it is concluded that the pyrolysis oil from WTs can be used to rejuvenate asphalts, which can then be used in reclaimed asphalt pavement technology. The impacts of our findings are expected to be extensive because bitumens are globally used for paving roads. In addition, since the proposed method couples/fuses urban waste treatment with asphalt maintenance processes, two types of wastes (oil from pyrolysis of WTs and aged bitumens) can be simultaneously recovered and reused to produce new and performing asphalts.

Polyethylene (PE) is a widely used material for packaging food. However, certain additives and their degradation products, which may be generated during transformation processes, may pose risks to consumers health if they migrate into food at levels exceeding safety thresholds. Therefore, identifying and quantifying these potential migrant compounds is crucial to ensuring consumer safety. In the present work, PE films and the raw materials used in their production were kindly provided by the industry to evaluate undesired compounds throughout the PE transformation chain. For that purpose, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds were evaluated using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Alkanes were identified as the most abundant compounds, along with antioxidants, lubricants, or Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS), like 7,9-di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro(4,5)deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione in the films. For the unidentified compounds, evaluations were conducted at various stages of the transformation chain, and migration assays were performed to assess their behavior.

Plants respond to attacks by insects by releasing herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), which are known to influence the behavior of natural enemies, conspecific and heterospecific insects. However, little is known about how HIPVs induced by one insect species influence the behavior of an allospecific insect species, particularly if these insects belong to different feeding guilds. Here, using the interaction of two co-occurring insects with different feeding guilds - Bemisia tabaci (a sap sucking insect) and Tuta absoluta (a leaf mining insect) - on potato plants, we report that T. absoluta significantly preferred potato plants infested by B. tabaci. This preference is attributed to the B. tabaci-induced potato plant volatiles. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis further revealed notable alterations in volatile composition between B. tabaci-infested and uninfested plants. Additionally, gas chromatography coupled with electroantennogram detector (GC-EAD) analysis identified four compounds - undecane, β-caryophyllene, β-farnesene and germacrene D - in B. tabaci-induced potato plant volatiles that elicited responses from T. absoluta antennae. Our findings emphasize how B. tabaci infestation alters potato plant volatile composition, making them attractive to T. absoluta. Understanding the chemical ecology interactions between allospecific insects with different feeding guilds is crucial for understanding how different insect groups affect the host location of one another through HIPVs. This knowledge can contribute to the development of more effective pest management strategies against these economically important pests.

Tuta absoluta is one of the most destructive pests of tomatoes. Chemical insecticides used to control this leafminer harm all organisms, increasing the risk to public health and the environment. Developing natural alternatives, such as bioinsecticides formulated from essential plant oils, is a key strategy to address this problem. These volatile compounds, derived from the secondary metabolic pathways of plants, exhibit targeted activity against specific pest species. Their use is consistent with an environmentally responsible framework that reduces adverse impacts on ecosystems, protects non-target organisms, safeguards human health, and enhances the efficacy of integrated crop management systems. This study aims to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of from round leaf mint (Mentha rotundifolia) and crown chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium) and to evaluate their toxicity to T. absoluta larvae in-vitro. The chemical composition of EOs obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of the plants was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Indeed, 77 volatile compounds representing 98.19% of the total oil of M. rotundifolia, including cyclobutane acetonitrile, 1-methyl-2-(1-methyl ethenyl)-, terpinene-4-ol, p-menthane, germacrene D, caryophyllene and myrcene, were the main compounds. However, farnesene, myrcene, eugenol, germacrene D, phytol, and pinene were significant components among 69 compounds representing 95.39% of the total oil of C. coronarium. Results showed that the EOs were toxic to the different larval stages. According to the Finney method, concentrations 2.88 and 1.07% are the LC50 of M. rotundifolia and C. coronarium oils, which induce 50% mortality of T. absoluta within 7 days of exposure. Statistical analysis of in-vitro tests showed that both EOs had a similar level of insecticidal efficacy by contact. The overall results showed that the oils used have been shown to have an important insecticidal effect and can be used as a source of biological and natural treatment against tomato leafminer (TLM).

The extraction of three essential oils from medicinal and aromatic plants was carried out using steam distillation. Phytochemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds: camphor, identified as the chemotype of the essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba (AhaEO); pulegone, the predominant compound in the essential oil of Mentha pulegium (MpEO); and β-himachalene, the chemotype of the essential oil of Cedrus atlantica (CaEO). The antifungal activity of these essential oils (EOs) was evaluated against Fusarium oxysporum albedinis (Foa) using the direct contact method on PDA medium and in soil. The essential oils exhibited significant antifungal effects. Furthermore, genotoxic effects were assessed, and the results showed that the application of essential oils at concentrations of 2 and 4 µg/mL did not induce DNA damage. Computational simulations and molecular interaction analyses were also performed to validate the experimental findings.

Growing interests in replacing conventional preservatives and antibiotics in food and pharmaceutical industries have driven the exploration of bacterial metabolites, especially those from strains with generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In this study, a supernatant cocktail derived from multiple LAB strains was prepared and its bioactivities-antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and stability-were thoroughly investigated. The cocktail's main components were identified using thermal and protease treatments, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The results demonstrated that the supernatant cocktail had a broad inhibition spectrum and was effective against food-related bacterial indicators with the highest activity observed on Bacillus cereus ATCC9634 (inhibition zone sizes 12.33mm) and the lowest on Enterococcus faecium DSM 13590 (3.31mm). It showed dose- and time-dependent delaying effects on the growth of tested fungi. Regarding the antibiofilm activity, it was more effective in preventing biofilm formation (40% biofilm mass reduction) than in degrading preformed biofilm (20% reduction). Additionally, the cocktail showed antioxidant capacity of 10.1 ± 0.3g Trolox equivalent (TE)/kg and dose-dependent cytotoxicity on HEK-293 and HT-29 cell lines. The main bioactive compounds in this cocktail are organic acids (particularly acetic acid), volatiles, and bacteriocin-like compounds. The antimicrobial capacity of this supernatant cocktail was highly reproducible across different fermentation batches, and it remained highly stable at 4°C. Overall, these findings provided novel insights into the functional potentials of LAB metabolites, broadening their application as customizable biopreservatives for food and pharmaceutical industry.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from medicinal plants and infusions prepared using them, as well as assess the transfer of these contaminants from plants to infusions. The separation of compounds was achieved using microwave extraction for dried plants and liquid–liquid extraction in the case of infusions. The extracts were cleaned using solid-phase extraction, and the compounds were analysed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Exposure to PAHs through tea infusion consumption was evaluated by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI, ng/kg.bw/day) and Margin of Exposure (MOE). The average total content of PAHs varied from 277.22 ± 12.78 to 2466.46 ± 203.45 µg/kg in dry plants, and the compounds benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were present in all samples. In the herbal tea infusions, the average total PAH content varied between 612.55 ± 46.12 ng/L and 2292.2 ± 140.24 ng/L. The observation was statistically checked using a two-sample paired test. The analysis revealed that PAHs could be split into those for which the content in the medicinal plants is significantly larger than in the infusions and those for which the difference is not significant. The average transfer rates of ∑16PAHs from plants to infusions varied from 7.25 to 32.86%. The MOE values confirmed that consumer exposure to PAHs via tea infusions is very low and safe for health.

This study investigates the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of fractions from the stem extract of Bauhinia pulchella Benth. The ethanolic extract was fractionated using column adsorption chromatography, resulting in a hexane fraction (J1) and a dichloromethane fraction (J2), both rich in terpenes and steroids. Characterization was performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activity was assessed through minimal lethal concentrations (MLC) and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC), and the checkerboard method was employed to evaluate the synergistic effect. For anti-inflammatory activity, an in vitro model using murine macrophage cell culture (RAW 264.7) was employed to measure the levels of nitric oxide (NO), TGF-β, and TNF-α. The results demonstrated antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa ATCC 10226, S. cholerasuis ATCC 14028, the genus Candida, S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, and S. aureus ATCC 25923. Synergism was observed between the fractions and cephalexin, norfloxacin, gentamicin, and polymyxin. The use of fractions J1 (125, 62.5, and 31.25µg/mL) and J2 (62.5µg/mL) resulted in a significant reduction in TNF-α levels. For NO and TGF-β, both J1 (125, 62.5, and 31.25µg/mL) and J2 (62.5, 31.25, and 15.625µg/mL) fractions showed significant reductions in these inflammatory markers.