Rapid Chemical Tests Research Articles

Rapid Chemical Tests in the Autopsy Room

From its beginning, the autopsy represented a useful instrument for the progression of medicine and continues to be a valuable tool in postmortem diagnosis of various diseases or traumatic injuries. Modern laboratory technology is an important aid in achieving autopsy goals but it is either not available or not permanently available in all the departments of Forensic Medicine and do not offer every time quick results, which might be necessary to guide the next steps of the forensic investigation. In this paper the authors present a set of rapid, sensitive and effective chemical reactions, described in the literature over the time and meant to support the forensic experts, as they can be easily performed in the autopsy room. Moreover, the application of these reactions may reduce the costs of laboratory analyzes in cases where the use of expensive laboratory technologies is no longer required or limited by the results of these reactions. Also, a brief description of the collection method for biological samples to be used is provided. At the end of the paper the authors suggest a minimum kit of chemical substances which are necessary in the autopsy room, in order for these analyses to be performed.

Delineation of Inheritance Pattern of Aleurone Layer Colour Through Chemical Tests in Rice

BackgroundRice aleurone layer develops different colours with various chemical tests that may help to develop some rapid tests for identification/grouping of rice varieties. Understanding the colour inheritance pattern could enable to develop chemical clues that may help for genetic purity analysis along with grow-out-test.ResultsIn this study, inheritance pattern of aleurone layer colour was studied in parents, F1 and F2 progenies derived from the crosses IR 36 × Acc. No. 2693 and IR 64 × Acc. No. 2693. The parent IR 36 showed light yellow (NaOH/KOH) and brown (phenol/modified phenol test) colour; whereas, Acc. No. 2693 revealed wine red/dark wine red (NaOH/KOH) and light brown colour/no reaction (phenol/modified phenol test). In contrary, another parent IR 64 exhibited light yellow (KOH/NaOH) and dark brown (phenol, modified phenol) colour. Both the F1 showed an intermediate light wine red colour (NaOH/KOH) and dark brown (phenol and modified phenol) colour, which is dominant over their one of the parents. The colour pattern with standard phenol/modified phenol, NaOH and KOH tests in F2 progenies of both the crosses showed 9:7 (complementary gene interaction) and 11:5 ratios (reciprocal dominance modification of recessive alleles), respectively.ConclusionsOur findings clearly elucidate the colour inheritance pattern in rice that may facilitate to develop rapid chemical tests to identify/ group the varieties for genetic purity analysis.

Durability Properties of Coconut Shell Aggregate Concrete

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the durability properties of Coconut Shell (CS) aggregate concrete. Effect of mineral admixtures such as fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as partial replacement of cement on durability properties of CS aggregate concrete was also verified. Specimens were cast and tested for durability characteristics such as water absorption, volume of pore voids, sorptivity, bulk diffusion, rapid chloride penetration, abrasion resistance and chemical attack tests. Four concrete mixes were considered for the study. Control mix, mix with18.5% coarse aggregate replaced by CS by weight, mix with 18.5% CS and 30% cement replaced by fly ash, and mix with 18.5% CS and 15% cement replaced by GGBFS. Test results showed that durability properties of all the mixes were comparable to normal concrete and some durability properties were enhanced by the addition of mineral admixtures.

Soil tests for predicting nitrogen supply for grassland under controlled environmental conditions

SUMMARYMineralized soil nitrogen (N) is an important source of N for grassland production. Some soils can supply large quantities of plant-available N through mineralization of soil organic matter. Grass grown on such soils require less fertilizer N applications per unit yield. A reliable, accurate and user-friendly method to account for soil N supply potential across a large diversity of soils and growing conditions is needed to improve N management and N recommendations over time. In the current study, the effectiveness of chemical N tests and soil properties to predict soil N supply for grass uptake across 30 Irish soil types varying in N supply potential was investigated under controlled environmental conditions. The Illinois soil N test (ISNT) combined with soil C : N ratio provided a good estimate of soil N supply in soils with low residual mineral N. Total oxidized N (TON) had the largest impact on grass dry matter (DM) yield and N uptake across the 30 soil types, declining in its influence in later growth periods. This reflected the high initial mineral N levels in these soils, which declined over time. In the current study, a model with ISNT-N, C : N and TON (log TON) best explained variability in grass DM yield and N uptake. All three rapid chemical soil tests could be performed routinely on field samples to provide an estimate of soil N supply prior to making N fertilizer application decisions. It can be concluded that these soil tests, through their assessment of soil N supply potential, can be effective tools for N management on grassland; however, field studies are needed to evaluate this under more diverse growing conditions.

Identification of rice hybrids and their parental lines based on seed, seedling characters, chemical tests and gel electrophoresis of total soluble seed proteins

Summary Identification of rice genotypes is of prime importance to ensure quality seed, which is required for achieving global food demand. Three rice hybrids and their parental lines were identified on the basis of seed colour, seed size and 1000 seed weight, response to different chemicals (Phenol, Modified phenol with Copper sulphate or Ferrous sulphate, NaOH, GA3 and 2,4-D) and electrophoresis of soluble seed proteins (SDS-PAGE). All the genotypes were identified by using key based on seed colour, 1000 seed weight and seed size except for the female lines and their maintainers. No individual chemical test was able to distinguish all the genotypes. However, the combinations of different rapid chemical tests were useful in identification of individual genotypes. While all the cultivars were identified successfully by using electrophoresis of seed protein (SDS-PAGE) and hence it could be used as a powerful tool to identify every genotype in a short period of time.

Rapid chemical ageing test of lager beers made principally from sorghum

Catechin in gliadin solution was used in a chemical ageing test in the quest to establish a rapid (same day) ageing test for use in predicting the haze-life of two beers; one made from sorghum and the other made with a mixture of barley malt, sorghum and maize. A significant correlation ( r = 91) was observed for the two beers between the rapid and chemically aged beer turbidities and the 7-day ageing test with ‘warm days’ maintained at 50 °C. The speed, reliability and economy of the method make its adoption in routine quality control worth exploring.

Alkali–silica reactivity of some frequently used lightweight aggregates

Lightweight aggregates (LWAs) are frequently used in concrete as well as in thermally insulating mortars and grouts, so that information on their alkali–silica reactivity (ASR) is very important. Four LWAs—expanded vermiculite, expanded clay, expanded glass and perlite—were studied regarding their ASR, using the following test methods: the accelerated mortar bar test (ASTM C 1260), the rapid chemical test (ASTM C 289) and the combined scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray technique (SEM–EDX). According to these methods, neither the expanded vermiculite nor the expanded clay exhibited any potential ASR. On the other hand, in the case of the aggregates containing a glassy phase (expanded glass and perlite), the results of SEM–EDX analysis showed serious decomposition of aggregate texture due to ASR, although no deleterious expansion was observed in the accelerated mortar bar test. Therefore, suitable test criteria for ASR need to be defined for LWAs of this type when the AMBT method is used, as has already been suggested for slowly reactive aggregates in Australia.

The relationship between ions, vigour and salinity tolerance of Acacia seeds.

Seeds of A. bivenosa DC. Prod., A. coriacea DC., A. elata A. Cunn. Ex Benth., A. farnesiana (L.) Willd., A. nilotica Willd. ex Del., A. salicina Lindl., A. saligna (Labill.) H. Wendle., A. senegal (L.) Willd., A. tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne and A. tumida F. Muell. ex Benth. were tested for their final germination percentage (FG) in distilled water (DW) and in 25–400 mol m-3 NaCl, germination rate (1/t50, where t50 is the time to 50% of final germination in DW), Ca and K concentration (Caunt, Kunt), the leakage of these ions when soaked for 24 h in DW (CaDW, KDW) and the leakage (additional to that in DW) when soaked in 250 mol m-3 NaCl (CaNaCl, KNaCl). Linear regression revealed significant positive relationships between salinity tolerance (I50, the concentration of NaCl required to reduce final germination to 50% of the control value in DW) and FG, Rate, Caunt/Kunt and CaNaCl/KNaCl. There was also a significant negative relationship between I50 and Kunt. Multiple regression equations were developed to predict I50 from the above parameters. Equations based on (1) FG and Rate, (2) Caunt and Kunt, and (3) any of these four factors, accounted for 61, 60 and 79%, respectively, of the variation in I50. Further equations, introducing the leakage of ions into DW and NaCl and the ratios of ion concentrations monitored, improved the predictive value of the equation. The best equation, accounting for 93% of the variation was: I50 = 108 + 422 Rate − 1.32 Kunt + 16.3 CaDW − 5.4 KDW + 71.6 K/CaDW. These equations provide a screening test for salt tolerance of Acaciaseed germination based on simple and rapid laboratory chemical analyses and germination tests.

Accelerated tests for assessing the potential exhibited by concrete aggregates for alkali-aggregate reaction

A number of tests are available for assessing the potential of aggregates for alkali-aggregate reaction. These are listed, for example, in ASTM C33-93. The majority of these test procedures have been widely used in researching aggregates, but there are serious reservations concerning the application of some of these tests to the selection of materials for structures. In recent years, many papers have been published detailing investigations of the tests. An examination of the literature shows that most of the tests are of little value for making engineering decisions. This paper reviews the literature relating to three commonly used tests, the ASTM C-289 Rapid Chemical Test, the ASTM C-227 Mortar Bar Test and what has become ASTM C-1260-94 Accelerated Mortar Bar Expansion Test. Attention has been given to a detailed practical study of the accelerated mortar bar tests since these are becoming very widely used. The experimental work, in essence, represents a determination of the errors to be expected from application of the test to a single aggregate and the factors that influence these errors. The repeatability of the tests suggests an upper bound standard deviation of 0.0365% expansion. This figure is used to establish discriminant criteria for the recognition of potentially damaging materials. It is evident that diagnosis of potentially highly reactive materials can be made with confidence, but that a large number of tests are required to assess marginal types. Petrographic evaluation of the mortar following the test is essential, particularly where the results are borderline, though the presence of traces of gel has to be interpreted with caution. Much of the uncertainty in the test results derives from inherent aggregate variability. A test schedule can be designed that has small contributions to the error from the experimental steps, but the error due to aggregate variability remains. This can lead to the requirement for the manufacture of multiple batches of mortar for establishing acceptance criteria for even a single aggregate batch, and further consideration is needed as to the procedures necessary for the assessment of aggregate sources.

Comparison of legume-based cropping systems at Warra, Queensland. 1. Soil nitrogen and organic carbon accretion and potentially mineralisable nitrogen

Effects on soil nitrogen accretion and potentially mineralisable nitrogen were studied as part of a long-term field experiment established in 1986 to test alternative legume-based systems for restoring fertility in a Vertisol. Organic C accretion was also measured to ascertain the changes in organic matter content. The systems, which were studied only during 1989 and 1990, were a grass+legume ley (purple pigeon grass, Rhodes grass, lucerne, annual medics) of 4 years duration followed by wheat; a 2-year rotation of wheat (lucerne undersown) and lucerne; a 2-year rotation of wheat (medic undersown) and medic; a 2-year rotation of chickpea and wheat; and continuous wheat as control. Soil total N and organic C significantly increased in the 0–10 cm soil layer only under the grass+legume ley. There was no significant change in the soil C/N ratio. Plant residues contained from 52 to 104 kg N/ha in 1990 at the end of the legume phase, with high values for root N in the grass+legume ley. A comparison of N accretion versus fixation at the end of the legume-based systems in 1990 showed that net accumulation of N exceeded fixation in soil under lucerne and grass+legume leys; in the latter, net accumulation of 779 kg N/ha over 3.75 years was measured compared with 384 kg N/ha for N2 fixation. Part of the accumulation of N may have been due to uptake of NH4-N from the deep subsoil. Although values for soil mineral N (0–120 cm) were low at the end of all the legume-based systems, a deep subsoil (120–300 cm) accumulation of NH4-N was found in all treatments. The nitrogen mineralisation potentials (No) for 0–10 cm depth samples taken at the end of the legume phase in 1989 were higher in all the legume-based systems (105–182 mg N/kg) than the wheat control (57 mg N/kg). The rapid biological tests of N availability, both waterlogged and aerobic incubation, were more sensitive to treatment differences than No, in the surface and subsoil (range 12–78 mg N/kg for 0–10 cm soil for the waterlogged procedure). The rapid chemical tests, hot KCl extraction and the autoclave index, showed small treatment effects and did not appear to be useful availability indices. The pasture management (graced v. mown and removed) had no significant effect on total N, organic C and N availability indices in this alkaline Vertisol during the study period.

Evaluation of the Potential for Expansion and Cracking of Concrete Caused by the Alkali-Carbonate Reaction

AbstractAlkali-carbonate reactive rock was inadvertently used in the Cornwall and Ottawa areas of Ontario between 1978 and 1982. The excessive expansion and cracking caused by this reaction resulted in the need to replace concrete within three years of construction. This reaction of dolomitic limestone with the alkalies from cement is well known in the Midland-Kingston areas of Ontario. It had not been expected in the Cornwall and Ottawa areas. In an effort to prevent further occurrences of this reaction, 17 quarries in the Gull River Formation were studied. Aggregate durability tests, chemical analysis, and concrete prism expansion tests were conducted on 26 bulk aggregate samples. Concrete prism expansion tests were conducted at alkali contents of 1.25 and 3.0% sodium oxide (Na2O) equivalent. Results showed that the current Canadian Standards Association specifications are inadequate for recognizing some alkali-carbonate reactive aggregates. This was due to the occurrence of delayed expansive aggregate. It is recommended that the concrete prism expansion test be conducted using cement with an alkali content of 1.25% Na2O. Those aggregates that exceed 0.025% expansion at one year should not be used in highway structures exposed to deicing salt. A rapid chemical screening test is proposed. The determination of the calcium oxide to magnesium oxide (CaO:MgO) ratio and alumina content or insoluble residue can be used to screen potentially alkali-carbonate expansive rocks from those that are nonexpansive.

Firefly luciferase ATP assay as a screening method for bacteriuria

A rapid (15 min) test for bacteriuria based on firefly luciferase analysis of bacterial ATP has been evaluated in 2,018 clinical urine specimens. The test procedure involves removal of nonbacterial ATP by treatment of urine with Triton X-100 and apyrase, extraction of bacterial ATP by boiling, and bioluminescent analysis of bacterial ATP by firefly luciferase, using a luminometer. For comparison, the widely used nitrite test was included in the study as an example of an alternative rapid chemical test. The test was set up to distinguish between specimens yielding greater than 10(5) CFU/ml and specimens yielding less than 10(5) CFU/ml. A level of 13.5 nM ATP was chosen to define the limit between negative and positive results. At this discriminatory level, 92% of specimens yielding greater than 10(5) CFU/ml and 88% of specimens yielding less than 10(5) CFU/ml were correctly classified with the luciferase method, whereas corresponding figures for the nitrite test were 55 and 99%, respectively. Of the 12% false luciferase positives, 20% were shown to contain greater than 10(5) CFU/ml on prolonged incubation, thus reducing the false-positive rate to 10%. Of the 8% false luciferase negatives, 65% had low levels of CFU in the range of 10(5) to 10(6).

Some observations on the rapid chemical test for potentially reactive aggregate

The chemistry of the ‘rapid chemical test’ is discussed. The choice of phenolphthalein as indicator is a poor one, and the difference in the end-point to phenolphthalein and methyl orange is a function of dissolved silica, as well as of any CO 2 content. Suggestions for possible improvements are made.

Rapid qualitative chemical test for the detection of gamma2-phase in dental amalgams.

Rapid qualitative chemical test for the detection of gamma2-phase in dental amalgams.

Rapid chemical test for potential reactivity of concrete aggregates

The reported results of chemical tests for potential reactivity of concrete aggregates from some of the largest hydraulic structures showed that the virtur of the chemical method lies in its practicality and adequate reliability. An evaluation of the chemical test results for potentially reactive aggregates must take into account both the amount of dissolved silica SC, and the extent of reduced alkalinity RC. This is corroborated by comparative experiments on test bars and by a sufficiently close correlation function between SC and RC values. When carbonaceous rocks, clays, magnesium silicates (serpentines), and gypsum are present in aggregates, distorting the chemical test results, additional bar test of aggregates are necessary.

A Rapid Chemical Field Test for Archaeological Site Surveying

AbstractA simple and inexpensive qualitative chemical field method, or spot test, is described for ascertaining the presence of enriched soil phosphate. The spot test is an efficient technique for rapid archaeological site surveying, for elimination of guesswork in establishing trench lines, and for creating phosphate maps depicting type, extent, and relative duration of abandoned settlement features.

Cell-free Hydrogenase from Chlamydomonas

10. LATIES, G. G. 1959. The development and control of coexisting respiratory systems in slices of chicory root. Archiv. Biochem. Biophys. 79: 378-91. 11. LATIES, G. G. 1962. Controlling influence of thickness on development and type of respiratory activity in potato slices. Plant Physiol. 37: 679-90. 12. MAcDONALD, I. R. AND P. C. DEKOCK. 1958. Temperature control and metabolic drifts in aging disks of storage tissue. Ann. Botany NS 22: 429-48. 13. MAcDONALD, I. R., P. C. DEKOCK, AND A. H. KNIGHT. 1960. Variations in the mineral content of storage tissue disks maintained in tap water. Physiol. Plantarum 13: 77-89. 14. SPLITTSTOESSER, W. E. 1963. Some aspects of dark CO2 fixation in storage tissues. Ph.D. thesis. Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana. 15. ULRICH, A. 1941. Metabolism of non-volatile organic acids in excised barley roots as related to cation-anion balance during salt accumulation. Am. J. Botany. 28: 526-37. 16. WOLF, B. AND V. ICHESAKA. 1947. Rapid chemical soil and plant tests. Soil Sci. 64: 227-44.

Assessment of the ‘Melloene’ treatment of biscuit flours

AbstractA rapid chemical test for the degree of treatment of biscuit flours with ‘Melloene’ was sought. the reduction of the optical density of a solution of Astrazone Pink FG (Bayer) under‐specified conditions has been effective.

Identification of Pesticide Residues in Extracts of Fruit, Vegetables, and Animal Fats II. Rapid Qualitative Chemical Tests for Captan and Methoxychlor

Journal Article Identification of Pesticide Residues in Extracts of Fruit, Vegetables, and Animal Fats II. Rapid Qualitative Chemical Tests for Captan and Methoxychlor Get access W P Mckinley, W P Mckinley Food and Drug Laboratories, Canada Department of National Health and Welfare, Ottawa, Canada Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Sheila I Graham Sheila I Graham Food and Drug Laboratories, Canada Department of National Health and Welfare, Ottawa, Canada Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, Volume 43, Issue 1, 1 February 1960, Pages 89–91, https://doi.org/10.1093/jaoac/43.1.89 Published: 04 February 2020

The Application of Rapid Chemical Tests to The Diagnosis of Mineral Deficiencies in Horticultural Crops: IV. A Comparison Between The Total Nutrients and Those Extracted By Buffer Solutions From Potato Leaves

The Application of Rapid Chemical Tests to The Diagnosis of Mineral Deficiencies in Horticultural Crops: IV. A Comparison Between The Total Nutrients and Those Extracted By Buffer Solutions From Potato Leaves