High Concentrations Of Zinc Research Articles

Yielding and Bioaccumulation of Zinc by Cocksfoot under Conditions of Different Doses of This Metal and Organic Fertilization

Zinc is essential for the growth and development of plants, but in excessive amounts in the soil it can be toxic for them. Its mobility depends in part on the organic matter content of the soil. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of application of increasing amounts of zinc (200, 400 and 600 mg Zn·kg−1 of soil) together with various forms of organic fertilizer (cattle manure, chicken manure and spent mushroom substrate) on the yield of cocksfoot and the content and uptake of this metal, and to determine its bioaccumulation factor and tolerance indices. A minor effect of zinc on cocksfoot, expressed as a decrease in yield, was observed following the application of 400 mg Zn·kg−1 of soil. Increasing application to 600 mg Zn·kg−1 caused a significant decrease in yield. Application of 400 and 600 mg Zn·kg−1 of soil significantly reduced the value of the Zn/Org tolerance index. Increasing levels of zinc application increased its content and uptake by cocksfoot and reduced the bioaccumulation factor in the plants. All of the organic materials applied increased the yield of cocksfoot and its uptake of zinc. Spent mushroom substrate increased the Zn/Org tolerance index, while cattle manure and chicken manure increased the Org/Zn tolerance index, which confirms their protective action against high zinc content in the soil.

The migration of elements from the processing waste of copper smelting slags into the ombrotrophic peat and plants

Research subject. The processing waste of the slag from the Sredneuralsk copper smelter (“SUMZ technical sand”) is a finely dispersed (particle size less than 0.05 mm) material, mechanically activated by crushing cast slag and containing high concentrations of copper, zinc and other chalcophilic elements. Fayalite and ferrous glass predominate in its phase composition.Materials and methods. An outdoor experiment to study the elemental migration from waste into the soilplant system was conducted on the territory of the Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, Ural Branch of RAS (southwestern part of the Ekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk region). The soil substrate was prepared from lime-neutralised ombrotrophic peat (pH 6.6) with the addition of “technical sand” of 5, 10 and 20% by weight. Lawn grass mixture was grown on trial plots (1 m2). The samples of lawn grass (without separation by species), together with the root part and peat, were collected after the growing season by the “envelope” method, dried at room temperature until constant weight, and powdered. The chemical analysis of the samples was performed at the “Geoanalitik” shared research facilities of the Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, Ural Branch of RAS. The analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma massspectrometry using the NexION-300S ICP mass-spectrometer.Results. The mobilisation of elements from the “SUMZ technical sand” into ombrotrophic peat during the summer was investigated, the distribution of elements in the underground and aboveground parts of lawn grasses was demonstrated, and accumulation coefficients were calculated. The content of most elements in all soil substrates containing waste decreased by autumn, for example, 2–3 times for Zn, Cu, Co, S, As, Pb, and Mo. The aboveground part of lawn grass had a lower concentration of the elements considered as compared to the roots, the greatest difference was observed for Co, Cd, Cu, and W. The lawn grasses grown on soil substrates with the different ratios of “SUMZ technical sand” had lower coefficients of accumulation of heavy metals compared to plants grown on the peat. The coefficients of Na, Ba, Mo, As, Cd, and Pb decreased with an increase in the proportion of waste, and for Li and Rb increased.Conclusion. The results of the research contribute to the study of the migration of elements from non-ferrous metallurgical waste into soil and plant systems.

Assessment of Fish Quality Based on the Content of Heavy Metals.

The aim of this study was to estimate the fish quality in terms of the Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn contents. The research material was the muscle tissue of the fish crucian carp (Carassius carassius Linnaeus, 1758), flounder (Platichthys flesus Linnaeus, 1758), Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758), mackerel (Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758), Blue grenadier (Macruronus novaezelandiae Hector, 1871), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792), tench (Tinca tinca Linnaeus, 1758), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758), Walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus Pallas, 1814) and perch (Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758.). Heavy metals were determined with the atomic absorption spectrometry method (AAS). Significantly high concentrations of zinc (19.52 mg/kg wet weight), copper (0.77 mg/kg) and iron (6.95 mg/kg) were found in the muscles of crucian carp (p < 0.05) compared to the other fish studied, whereas Walleye pollock had a higher content of manganese (0.266 mg/kg) (p < 0.05). All studied fish species do not pose a threat to humans from these four metals. This was indicated by quality indexes (THQ and HI) whose values were below one. The values of these metals also did not exceed the maximum allowable concentrations established by the FAO (1983), but monitoring both the aquatic environment and the fish living there is necessary, for example, for the time-changing abiotic and biotic factors that can cause an increase in metals in the organs of fish.

Major trace elements and their binding proteins in the early phase of Covid-19 infection.

Metal ions seem to play important roles in the pathogenesis of the novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (Covid-19) and are under investigation as potential prognostic markers and supplements in therapeutic procedures. The present study was aimed at assessing the relationship between the most abundant essential microelements (iron, zinc and copper) and their major binding proteins in the circulation in the early stage of infection. The concentration of zinc ions was measured to be higher in infected than in healthy persons, as well as ratios zinc/albumin and zinc/alpha-2-macroglobulin. Increased zinc levels could be attributed to cellular redistribution of zinc ions or to a use of zinc supplementation (zinc concentration was above the upper reference limit in one-third of infected individuals). Immunoblot analysis of protein molecular forms revealed that infected persons had greater amounts of proteinase-bound alpha-2-macroglobulin tetramer and albumin monomer than healthy individuals. The quantities of these forms were correlated with the concentration of zinc ions (r = 0.42 and 0.55, respectively) in healthy persons, but correlations were lost in infected individuals, most likely due to very high zinc concentrations in some participants which were not proportionally followed by changes in the distribution of protein species. Although we still have to wait for a firm confirmation of the involvement of zinc in beneficial defense mechanisms in patients with Covid-19, it seems that this ion may contribute to the existence of circulating protein forms which are the most optimal.Graphical abstract

Zinc Accumulation Aggravates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through Inducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Zinc is highly enriched in the central nervous system. Numerous evidences suggest that high concentration of zinc acts as a critical mediator of neuronal death in the ischemic brain, however, the possible mechanisms of neurotoxicity of zinc during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) remain elusive. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a storage location of intracellular zinc. ER stress related genes were up-regulated during zinc-induced neuronal death in vascular-type senile dementia. In the present study, we investigated whether intracellular accumulated zinc aggravates I/R injury through ER stress and ER stress-associated apoptosis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 90min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and received either vehicle or zinc chelator TPEN 15mg/kg. The expression of ER stress related factors glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (p-eIF2α), ER stress related apoptotic proteins CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and caspase-12, as well as anti-apoptotic factor B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) were assessed 24h after reperfusion. Our results showed that the levels of GRP78 and p-eIF2α, as well as CHOP and caspase-12, were increased in ischemic brain, indicating that cerebral I/R triggers ER stress. Furthermore, GRP78, CHOP and caspase-12 were all colocalized with the zinc-specific dyes NG, suggesting that there is certain relationship between cytosolic labile zinc and ER stress following cerebral ischemia. Chelating zinc with TPEN reversed the expression of GRP78, p-eIF2α in ischemic rats. Moreover, CHOP and NeuN double staining positive cells, as well as caspase-12 and TUNEL double staining positive cells were also decreased after TPEN treatment, indicating that chelating zinc might inhibit ER stress and decreased ER stress associated neuronal apoptosis. In addition, TPEN treatment reversed the downregulated level of Bcl-2, which localized in the ER membrane and involved in the dysfunction of ER, confirming that the anti-apoptosis effects of chelating zinc following I/R are exerted via inhibition of the ER stress. Taken together, this study demonstrated that excessive zinc activates ER stress and zinc induced neuronal cell death is at least partially due to ER stress specific neuronal apoptosis in ischemic penumbra, which may provide an important mechanism of cerebral I/R injury.

Ionic mitigation of CD4+ T cell metabolic fitness, Th1 central nervous system autoimmunity and Th2 asthmatic airway inflammation by therapeutic zinc

T helper (Th) cells provide immunity to pathogens but also contribute to detrimental immune responses during allergy and autoimmunity. Th2 cells mediate asthmatic airway inflammation and Th1 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. T cell activation involves complex transcriptional networks and metabolic reprogramming, which enable proliferation and differentiation into Th1 and Th2 cells. The essential trace element zinc has reported immunomodulatory capacity and high zinc concentrations interfere with T cell function. However, how high doses of zinc affect T cell gene networks and metabolism remained so far elusive. Herein, we demonstrate by means of transcriptomic analysis that zinc aspartate (UNIZINK), a registered pharmaceutical infusion solution with high bioavailability, negatively regulates gene networks controlling DNA replication and the energy metabolism of murine CD3/CD28-activated CD4+ T cells. Specifically, in the presence of zinc, CD4+ T cells show impaired expression of cell cycle, glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle genes, which functionally cumulates in reduced glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, metabolic fitness and viability. Moreover, high zinc concentrations impaired nuclear expression of the metabolic transcription factor MYC, prevented Th1 and Th2 differentiation in vitro and reduced Th1 autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and Th2 asthmatic airway inflammation induced by house dust mites in vivo. Together, we find that higher zinc doses impair the metabolic fitness of CD4+ T cells and prevent Th1 CNS autoimmunity and Th2 allergy.

Kinetics of Nano-zinc Oxide in Desert Calcareous Soils

A laboratory experiment was carried out to study the kinetics reaction of zinc added to calcareous soils from different fertilizer sources and extracted by DTPA solution. Where two types of fertilizers were added, the first, nano-zinc fertilizers in the form of nano-metallic zinc oxide (ZnnO), nano-chelated zinc (ZnnDTPA), and nano-zinc humate (ZnnHA), while the second type was the same fertilizer sources, but in their regular form (ZnO, ZnDTPA and ZnHA). All of them were added at a concentration of 100 mg kg-1 and the nano and regular zinc sources were incubated after they were added to the soil to know their physical and chemical behavior during different incubation periods of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120 and 160 days, with two replications for each incubation period. After the end of each period, zinc was extracted by DTPA, and the data of extracted zinc were subjected to five kinetic equations to reach the best equation describing the behavior of zinc release. The results showed a rapid decrease in the concentration of zinc extracted at the incubation period of 0 days for all fertilizer sources and the continuation of the decrease in concentration with the length of the incubation period gradually until the end of the period after 160 days. The percentage of decrease in nano-zinc fertilizer was less than that of regular fertilizers. The ZnnDTPA chelated zinc source was superior among the regular and nano fertilizer in giving the highest concentration of zinc throughout the incubation period. The second-order equation was the most efficient in describing the behavior and reaction of zinc kinetics in soil from its different sources. The behavior and kinetics reaction of zinc in soil from its different sources.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATION OF BMI, TLC, ALBUMIN AND CD4 AFTER PROVISION OF SNAKEHEAD NUGGET AND COLORED FRUIT JUICE TO PEOPLE WITH HIV

Snakehead fish has high content of zinc and albumin, it can be given to people with immune disorder. Snakehead fish can be made into various kind of food product that are high in nutrients, have aestetic value, and taste like nugget. The effectiveness of zinc and albumin function can work optimally when the consumption is combined with food ingredient that are high in bioactive substances such as lycopene, anthocyanin, flavonoid, karetonoid, bromelain, papain and quercetin. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectof snakehead nugget administration and colored fruit juices simultaneously on clinical manifestation, BMI, TLC, albumin and CD4 value in PLHIV at HIV/AIDS Rehabilitation Center in Medan. The design of research was quasy experimental with pre and post test design. The subjects was 40 people who lived at HIV/AIDS Rehabilitation Center in Medan and given snackhead fish nugget and colored fruit juice for 24 days. The data analysis used dependent T-test, after data normality test had previously been carried out. There was effect before and after administration of snakehead fish nuggets and colored fruit juice on clinical manifestation, BMI, TLC and CD4 levels with p value &lt;0.05. It is necessary to provide treatment in longer term as preventive measure for the emergence of various clinical manifestations as well as to increase BMI, TLC, albumin and CD4 in PLHIV at HIV/AIDS Rehabilitation Center in Medan.

Microbial removal of zinc by a zinc resistant bacterium: potential in industrial waste remediation

Bioremediation, the use of living or dead microorganism to degrade or remove the waste, has been practised since humans first populated the world and had to dispose of their trash. Heavy metals can be extremely toxic as they damage organs and block functional groups of vital enzymes. Zinc is one of the most important heavy metals often found in effluents discharged and travels via bioaccumulation. The study was aimed in screening of zinc resistant/accumulator bacterial strains isolated from metal contaminated sites and determining the Zn (II) resistance/accumulation performance of selected bacterial strain as a new biosorbent. The maximum removal of Zn (II) at pH 7.0 was found to be 607 nmol/mg proteins at initial Zn (II) ion concentration of 1.0 mM and the Km value was 0.76mM. Competitive uptake experiments were performed with zinc in the presence of copper, cadmium, chromium, cobalt and nickel ions simultaneously and the zinc uptake was not much affected by these ions. Sensitivity of Zn (II) towards sodium azide, zinc cyanide 0.5% glucose and heat suggested that the process was metabolically inactive. The nature of the possible cell–metal ions interactions was evaluated by chemical and instrumental analysis including X-Ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy and revealed the involvement of cellular phosphate and carboxyl groups in zinc binding by the bacterial biomass. Almost 61% of biomass-bound Zn could be recovered using H2SO4 as the desorbing agent. In natural environment some bacterial strains develop resistance mechanisms that lead to the selection of metal resistant strains tolerating high zinc concentration.

Stage-specific differential expression of zinc transporter SLC30A and SLC39A family proteins during prostate tumorigenesis.

Prostate cancer (PCa) initiation and progression uniquely modify the prostate milieu to aid unrestrained cell proliferation. One salient modification is the loss of the ability of prostate epithelial cells to accumulate high concentrations of zinc; however, molecular alterations associated with loss of zinc accumulating capability in malignant prostate cells remain poorly understood. Herein, we assessed the stage-specific expression of zinc transporters (ZNTs) belonging to the ZNT(SLC30A) and Zrt- and Irt-like protein (ZIP) (SLC39A) solute-carrier family in the prostate tissues of different genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) of PCa (TMPRSS2-ERG.Ptenflox/flox , Hi-Myc+/- , and transgenic adenocarcinoma ofmouseprostate), their age-matched wild-type controls, and 104 prostate core biopsies from human patients with different pathological lesions. Employing immunohistochemistry, differences in the levels of protein expression and spatial distribution of ZNT were evaluated as a function of the tumor stage. Results indicated that the expression of zinc importers (ZIP1, ZIP2, and ZIP3), which function to sequester zinc from circulation and prostatic fluid, was low to negligible in the membranes of the malignant prostate cells in both GEMM and human prostate tissues. Regarding zinc exporters (ZNT1, ZNT2, ZNT9, and ZNT10) that export excess zinc into the extracellular spaces or intracellular organelles, their expression was low in normal prostate glands of mice and humans; however, it was significantly upregulated in prostate adenocarcinoma lesions in GEMM and PCa patients. Together, our findings provide new insights into altered expression of ZNTs during the progression of PCa and indicate that changes in zinc homeostasis could possibly be an early-initiation event during prostate tumorigenesis and a likely prevention/intervention target.

Study of the Effect of Selective Media with High Doses of Zinc on Regeneration Ability and Rutin Accumulation in Common Buckwheat In Vitro

Biotechnological methods are widely used in modern common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) studies, constitute an effective tool to create the best agronomic traits of the crop, and can also be used to breed forms, resistant to heavy metal ion toxicity, which is important in the environment of constantly growing anthropogenic pressure on ecosystems. The studied high concentrations of zinc salts (808–1313 mg L−1) in the nutrient medium in vitro had an inhibitory effect on buckwheat, which was manifested by a decrease in values of its morphological indicators. Ion stress had an adverse effect on 7–9% of plants from their total number, indicating high plasticity and resistance of F. esculentum to highly toxic doses of zinc. The stress state of F. esculentum significantly increases the production of flavonoid compounds, including rutin, in plant cells, which is used in biotechnology to assess and obtain buckwheat forms of high flavonoid induction capacity. The processes of rutin biosynthesis were most intense in test-tube plants of the Izumrud × Inzerskaya hybrid obtained after exposure to high doses of zinc 1010–1212 mg L−1. F. esculentum genotypes obtained using selective backgrounds with high zinc concentrations are promising biosystems for synthesis of rutin, valuable for pharmacology and medicine.

Reduction of leaf tip burns of Ornithogalum dubium by controlling the temperature during bulb storage and greenhouse forcing to produce quality plants

Production of quality potted Ornithogalum dubium Houtt. plants were investigated under multiple conditions: pre-planting treatment at 10, 16, and 22°C for 40 days from Sept. 21 (stage A; ST-A) during bulb storage and then bulbs were potted. After potting, post-planting treatment at 15/12, 18/15, and 21/18°C (day/night) during stage B for 35 days from Nov. 2 (stage B; ST-B), and at 15/12 and 21/18°C during stage C for 30 days from Dec. 7 (stage C; ST-C) during greenhouse forcing was applied. Leaf tissue analyses for macro- and micro-nutrients were performed to investigate the cause of leaf tip burn symptom (LTB). Three criteria for quality of the plants at flowering were established: (1) LTB occurs on less than 1.5 leaves per plant. (2) the number of days to flower is less than 115 days, the length of the third leaf counted from the crown (the junction of the shoot and roots) is shorter than 11.5 cm, and the width is narrower than 2.5 cm; the scape length is shorter than 15 cm, and there are more than 45 flowers. (3) the leaf spread and morphology (leaf spread) and the pattern of the scape curvature (scape growth) have a score of less than 1.5. The following conditions are optimal to produce quality plants based on these three criteria: (1) Pre-planting bulbs treatment was applied at 10 or 16°C during ST-A, and forcing was performed at 15/12°C during ST-B and 21/18°C during ST-C. These conditions accelerated flowering, produced straight scape growth and upward (erect) growing leaves, and yielded acceptable leaf length and width. (2) The incidence of LTB was minimal at 10°C or possibly 16°C during ST-A, and at 15/12°C in ST-B and at 21/18°C in ST-C during greenhouse forcing. Leaf tip burn symptom was observed in both young and old leaves and was caused by a high boron (B) concentration (218-230 ppm) and possibly a high zinc (Zn) concentration (155-159 ppm) in O. dubium. A low calcium (Ca) concentration was not the cause of LTB. Although LTB cannot be avoided, it can be minimized by temperature manipulation during pre- and post-planting phase to produce high quality potted plants.

Stage specific comparative transcriptomic analysis to reveal gene networks regulating iron and zinc content in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Pearl millet is an important staple food crop of poor people and excels all other cereals due to its unique features of resilience to adverse climatic conditions. It is rich in micronutrients like iron and zinc and amenable for focused breeding for these micronutrients along with high yield. Hence, this is a key to alleviate malnutrition and ensure nutritional security. This study was conducted to identify and validate candidate genes governing grain iron and zinc content enabling the desired modifications in the genotypes. Transcriptome sequencing using ION S5 Next Generation Sequencer generated 43.5 million sequence reads resulting in 83,721 transcripts with N50 of 597 bp and 84.35% of transcripts matched with the pearl millet genome assembly. The genotypes having high iron and zinc showed differential gene expression during different stages. Of which, 155 were up-regulated and 251 were down-regulated while during flowering stage and milking stage 349 and 378 transcripts were differentially expressed, respectively. Gene annotation and GO term showed the presence of transcripts involved in metabolic activities associated with uptake and transport of iron and zinc. Information generated will help in gaining insights into iron and zinc metabolism and develop genotypes with high yield, grain iron and zinc content.

Medieval Slag from Gornji Potočari (Srebrenica municipality, B&amp;H): a relationship between initial Ore and metallurgical Processes

In this paper, chemical analysis of slag from abandoned medieval mine in Gornji Potočari, Srebrenica municipality was described. Total of 10 metals were analyzed: chromium, copper, cadmium, nickel, cobalt, zinc, silver, manganese, iron and lead. Traces of chromium, nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese and cadmium in the samples point to the fact that the starting ore also contained these elements. Results showed high content of iron (25.11–33.12%), lead (5.90–10.77%) and zinc (1.16–6.79%). The content of silver had a positive correlation with the content of lead, which is in favor of the initial hypothesis that the starting ore was galena (PbS). High zinc content indicates that the sphalerite (Zn,Fe)S was also used in the process, whereas iron most likely emanates from pyrite (FeS2). Galena and sphalerite can be found in Srebrenica area in large quantities. The results of the analysis show that the site was used for the production of lead and silver (from primary ores), intensive mining activity during the Middle Ages, and the latest date that we can account for slag origin is the end of the 16th century.

Triumvirate to treat mucormycosis: Interplay of pH, metal ions and antifungal drugs

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection mainly affecting immunocompromised patients. Recently, an alarming rise in cases of mucormycosis was observed in patients undergoing COVID-19 treatment. Commonly, this fungal infection is caused by Rhizopus spp., Mucor spp., and Lichtheimia spp., although the genera of other Mucorales such as Saksenaea, Rhizomucor, Cunninghamella, and Apophysomyces may also be involved. A number of factors such as high concentration of zinc, iron and hypoxia induced acidosis promote the growth of fungi, thereby increasing the risk of mucormycosis multiple folds. Iron chelators (deferasirox and deferiprone) and zinc chelators (clioquinol, phenanthroline and N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine) have been reported to inhibit the growth of fungi in a number of in vitro and animal studies. Correction of metabolic acidosis by administration of bicarbonate or glycine reduces the susceptibility of patients to the invasion by fungal species. However, these factors have largely been ignored while deciding the treatment strategy for mucormycosis and first line treatment for the management of mucormycosis continues to be the expensive lipid based formulation of amphotericin B. Treatment with isavuconazole which is proposed as the second choice is reported to be more cost effective. Therefore, it is proposed that a combination of antifungal agent (isavuconazole) with zinc and iron chelators (deferasirox and clioquinol respectively) along with alkalizer (glycine buffer) could be an effective and multi-target approach for the treatment of mucormycosis while being cost effective also.

КОМПЛЕКСНАЯ ПЕРЕРАБОТКА КИСЛЫХ РУДНИЧНЫХ ВОД ГОРНО-РУДНЫХ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЙ

The topical aspects of the stage-by-stage cation-selective processing of technogenic acid effluents formed on the territory of mining enterprises engaged in the development of ores of the copper pyrite complex are discussed in the article. The characteristic of the studied object of research is presented - acid mine waters of mining enterprises of the copper-pyrite complex. The analysis of the existing methods of sedation of technogenic wastewater from metal cations (copper, manganese, iron and zinc) has been carried out. The results of acid-base precipitation of polycationic solutions are presented. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the technologies used for the processing and purification of technogenic formations of mining enterprises is given. The possibility of selective processing of the studied acidic mine waters with the purpose of their deep purification and obtaining conditioned metal-containing products is analyzed. A set of methods for stage-by-stage effective and selective purification of acid mine waters is proposed. The results of experimental studies of cementation of copper ions are presented. The influence of the main parameters of the cementation process on the quality of purification of polycomponent solutions is considered. The results of factorial analysis of acid-base precipitation of iron cations are presented. The results of experimental studies are presented, substantiating the technological feasibility of the complete conversion of iron into a trivalent form, using the method of redox precipitation. The results of the analysis of the effectiveness of the redox process for the selective precipitation of Mn2+ ions by active chlorine solutions are presented. Conclusions are drawn about the ecological and technological efficiency of the application of the considered set of methods for cation-selective purification of acidic technogenic mine waters. The relevance of the research lies in the urgent need to develop innovative technologies for the complex selective processing of technogenic hydromineral formations of mining enterprises, which, along with preventing the discharge of toxic effluents into natural water bodies, provides a significant increase in the efficiency of using natural mineral resources. The purpose of the study is to consider effective methods for the selective purification of technogenic waters, characterized by a high content of zinc, copper, iron and manganese ions, with the aim of their complex processing and the possibility of obtaining high-quality metal-containing products. The object of study is the acidic mine waters of the mining enterprises of the copper-pyrite complex of the Southern Urals. The subject is the technological possibility of cation-selective processing of acid mine waters of mining enterprises of the copper-pyrite complex with a high content of copper, iron and manganese ions. Material and research methods. Experimental studies have been carried out using a complex of physicochemical methods of analysis. To determine the content of heavy metal ions, adapted methods of photometric analysis were used: for copper (II) - with picramin epsilon, for total iron - with o-phenanthroline, for manganese (II) ions - oxidation with ammonium persulfate in a nitric acid medium to permanganate -ions; for zinc (II) ions - with dithizone

DETERMINATION CADMIUM, LEAD AND ZINC IN HUMAN HAIR BY USING FLAME ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY (FAAS)

The heavy metals mean serious hazard in environmental pollution. Some of them are vital for many organisms in a low concentration, however the others ought to be poisonous at low concentrations, too. This paper gives an example for the correlation of the attention in human hair and in the environment of different heavy metals. Human hair (n=50) Volunteers (35 males and 15 females) of different age groups between 1 to 57 years samples were collected in Al – Ajailat, Libya. Hair samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Zn) by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric technique (FAAS). The results showed that the samples concentrations ranged between 0.0001 and 0.3840 mg.kg−1 for cadmium, followed by zinc between 68.99 mg kg−1 and 225mg. kg−1while lead was between 0.632 mg kg−1 and 7.708mg. Kg−1. The results indicated that metal concentrations in male samples varied based on age, such that age group 33-43 years had the highest zinc concentration (206.2±11.6 mg/kg), and age group 1-10 years had the highest Cd (0.384±0.01 mg/kg) and Pb (1.929±0.05 mg/kg) concentrations. while, the cadmium and lead contents in children’s hair samples of both sexes was higher than compared to the values available in some countries. The difference between male and female concentration could be due to individual differences in exposure to heavy metal load as a result of habitual or environmental factors.

Integralno brašno od kukuruza različite boje zrna kao izvor makro-i mikro-nutrijenata

Four commercial wholegrain flours made from differently colored kernels of maize genotypes produced in Maize Research Institute "Zemun Polje" were used as the subject of this study. Values of major chemical components as well as mineral nutrients, antioxidants and some vitamins of wholegrain flours obtained from white dent hybrid, yellow popping maize hybrid, red dent variety and blue popping maize landrace are presented. All flours had high fiber content (6.9-10.4%), while total protein ranged from 8.5% to 12.2%. A high level of anthocyanins was determined in blue popping maize wholegrain flour (910.0 mg CGE/kg), whereas yellow popping maize flour had a high content of total carotenoids (26.5 mg bCE/kg). Total antioxidant capacity was the lowest in white (15.50 mmol Trolox Eq/kg) and the highest in blue popping maize flour (37.6 mmol Trolox Eq/kg). All investigated wholegrain flours contained high levels of potassium and magnesium, as well as high content of trace elements, namely iron, zinc, copper and manganese. The maize flour is naturally gluten-free, which makes it highly suitable for persons susceptible to a gluten allergy and those with celiac disease. These results indicate that the wholegrain ZP maize flours can be used as functional food ingredients.

Analysis and assessment of surface water quality in the Ilek river basin

The article is devoted to the study of hydrochemical indicators of surface waters of the Ilek River and large tributaries. The study was conducted based on the results of expeditionary observations in 2020-2021. Surface water samples were taken at key sites for chemical analysis of constituents. The scientific article describes natural and technogenic factors influencing the geosystems of the Ilek river basin. The paper reveals the dependence of surface water pollution on the impact of external technogenic factors. The study showed a direct dependence of surface water on the industry. In the upper part of the Ilek River basin, high concentrations of copper and zinc are observed in surface waters. In the middle reaches of the river Ilek exceeding the MPC by a factor of ten for chromium, iron, and boron is obviously associated with intense pollution of the production of the Aktuinsk chromium plant and the Aktobe ferroalloy plant. The work also describes the pollution of the tributaries of the Ilek River of the first and second order, associated with the mining industry in the regions.

Association between bone trace elements and osteoporosis in older adults: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives:Metal micronutrients deficiency may be one of the risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. This study aimed to measure the trace element contents in human bone tissue to analyze the relationship between micronutrients and osteoporosis.Design:A cross-sectional survey was performed on data from 51 elderly patients with proximal femoral fracture.Methods:The concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc in bone tissue samples from 51 elderly patients with proximal femoral fracture were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDX). Subjects were divided into osteoporosis and non-osteoporosis groups according to their bone mineral density (BMD) T-score values. The difference in metal elements concentrations in bone tissue between the two groups was compared, and the role of metal elements in osteoporosis was discussed.Results:There was no statistical difference in age, sex, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, biochemical blood indices, and bone turnover markers between the two groups. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the difference in metal elements concentrations in bone tissue samples between the two groups. The results showed that manganese, copper, and zinc concentrations in the cancellous bone were significantly higher in the non-osteoporosis group than in the osteoporosis group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that high bone zinc concentration [odds ratio = 0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.075–0.928, p = 0.038] was negatively correlated with osteoporosis.Conclusion:Manganese, copper, and zinc play an essential role in bone mineralization and metabolism. Among them, zinc may be most closely related to osteoporosis and play a key role in bone development and maintenance of bone mass. Therefore, we believe that the design of zinc-rich compounds or nutrients as a new complementary factor to increase the intake of zinc for the elderly could be able to prevent and intervene in the occurrence of osteoporosis in the early stage.