Sequential Extraction Approach Research Articles

Dynamics of sediment phosphorus in the middle and lower stretch of River Ganga, India: insight into concentration, fractionation, and environmental risk assessment of phosphorus.

Despite continuous efforts, eutrophication is still occurring in freshwater and phosphorus (P) is the most important nutrients that drive the eutrophication in rivers and streams. However, little information is availableabout the distribution of P fractions in river sediment. Here, the sequential extraction approach was used to evaluate the sediment P fractionation and its content in the anthropogenically damaged river Ganga, India. Different sedimentary P fractionsviz. exchangeable (Ex-P), aluminum bound (Al-P), iron bound (Fe-P), calcium bound (Ca-P), and organically bound phosphorus (Org-P), were quantified. Significantly higher level of total P was recorded inpre-monsoonseason (438.5 ± 95.8mg/kg), than other [winter (345.7 ± 110.6mg/kg),post-monsoon(319.2 ± 136.3mg/kg), andmonsoon(288.6 ± 77.3mg/kg)] seasons. Different P fractionssuch as Ex-P, Al-P, Fe-P, Ca-P and Org-P varied from 2.88-12.8mg/kg, 7.64-98.8mg/kg, 32.2-179.2mg/kg, 51.97-286.1mg/kg and 9.3-143.7mg/kg, respectively, which correspondingly represented 0.5-10.54%, 3.41-20.18%, 17.27-37.82%, 37.35-60.2%, 4.15-25.88% of the Total P with a rank order of P-fractions was Ca-P > Fe-P > Org-P > Al-P > Ex-P. Bio-available P contributes a considerable portion (37.9-46.0%) of total P which may increase the eutrophication to overlying water. Results demonstrate that inorganic P species control the P bio-availability in both time and space. However, an estimated phosphorus pollution index based on sediment total P content showed no ecological risk of phosphorus to Ganga River sediment.

Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of pectin fractions extracted from lemon (Citrus Eureka) peels

Pectin, a natural polysaccharide, holds versatile applications in food and pharmaceuticals. However, there is a need for further exploration into extracting novel functional fractions and characterizing them thoroughly. In this study, a sequential extraction approach was used to obtain three distinct lemon pectin (LP) fractions from lemon peels (Citrus Eureka): LP extracted with sodium acetate (LP-SA), LP extracted with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (LP-EDTA), and LP extracted with sodium carbonate and sodium borohydride (LP-SS). Comprehensive analysis revealed low methyl-esterification in all fractions. LP-SA and LP-SS displayed characteristics of rhamnogalacturonan-I type pectin, while LP-EDTA mainly consisted of homogalacturonan pectin. Notably, LP-SA formed self-aggregated particles with rough surfaces, LP-EDTA showed interlocking linear structures with smooth planes, and LP-SS exhibited branch chain structures with smooth surfaces. Bioactivity analysis indicated that LP-SA had significant apparent viscosity and ABTS radical scavenging activity, while both LP-EDTA and LP-SS showed excellent thermal stability according to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, LP-SS exhibited remarkable gel-forming ability and significant hydroxyl free radicals scavenging activity. In conclusion, this study presents a novel method for extracting various lemon pectin fractions with unique structural and bioactive properties, contributing insights for advanced applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

Fucus vesiculosus-Rich Extracts as Potential Functional Food Ingredients: A Holistic Extraction Approach.

Brown macroalgae are rich sources of nutrients and health-promoting compounds. Nevertheless, their consumption is still limited by their strong organoleptic characteristics, thus requiring the development of extraction strategies to profit from their nutritional value. To fulfil this, two sequential extraction approaches were developed, differing in the solvent used in the first extraction step, water in approach 1 or food-grade ethanol in approach 2, to obtain economic and affordable extracts rich in specific compounds from Fucus vesiculosus. The use of water in the first step of extraction allowed us to recover water-soluble phlorotannins, laminarans and mannuronic-rich alginates, making the subsequent 70% ethanol extract richest in fucoxanthin (0.07% algae DW), and the hot water fractions purest in fucoidans and alginates with a lower mannuronic-to-guluronic (M/G) ratio (2.91). Conversely, when beginning extraction procedures with 96% ethanol, the recovered yields of phlorotannins increased (0.43 g PGE/100 g algae DW), but there was a concomitant seven-fold decrease in the recovery of fucoxanthin in the subsequent 70% ethanol extract. This approach also led to less pure hot water fractions containing fucoidans, laminarans and alginates with a higher M/G ratio (5.50). Overall, this work unveiled the potential of the first extraction steps in sustainable and holistic cascade strategies to modulate the composition of food-grade extracts, creating prospects of their application as tailored functional ingredients in food products.

Sequential extraction approach for sustainable recovery of various hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) bioactive compounds

Cannabis sativa L. known as industrial hemp manifests high capability in the manufacturing of valuable nutraceuticals with health benefits. This study was focused on investigation of chemical profile and bioactive potential of extracts isolated from three hemp varieties (Helena, Marina and Fedora 17). In addition, great attention was directed towards the use of green extraction techniques and maximum utilization of raw material. In that regard conventional (hydrodistillation – HD) and novel extraction techniques (microwave-assisted hydrodistillation – MWHD, supercritical fluid extraction – SFE and microwave-assisted extraction – MAE) were applied for isolating various fractions (essential oil, lipid extracts and liquid extract) with promising bioactive potential. Essential oils and lipid extracts were characterized regarding yield, terpenoid profile determined by GC-MS and in vitro antioxidant activity towards DPPH and ABTS + radicals. Furthermore, the content of two major cannabinoids was determined in plant material and in extract obtained by SFE. Sequential SFE technique allows obtaining lipid extracts in the first step of process as well as raffinates after SFE in the second step. MAE was applied for isolation of polyphenolic fraction from raw materials and SFE raffinates. Polyphenolic content was determined by spectrophotometric assays and UHPLC-Triple-quadrupole-MS. The results suggested that hemp is an excellent source of valuable terpenoid, cannabinoid and polyphenolic antioxidant agents, and further research should be focused on their utilization in dietary supplements and functional foods.

A novel passive sampling and sequential extraction approach to investigate desorption kinetics of emerging organic contaminants at the sediment−water interface

Forms of organic contaminants is an important driver of bioavailable fraction and desorption kinetics of pollutants binding to sediments. To determine fluxes and resupply of nine environmentally-relevant antipsychotic drugs, which are emerging pollutants that can have adverse effects on aquatic organisms, interface passive samplers of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) were deployed for 21 days, in situ at the sediment-water interface in submerged sandy riverbank sediments. At each deployment time, samples of sediment were collected and subjected to consecutive extraction of pore water, as well as rapidly-desorbing (labile), stable-desorbing, and bound residue fractions. Concentrations of antipsychotic drugs decreased with sediment depth with the greatest concentrations observed in the top 2 cm. Positive fluxes of antipsychotic drugs were observed from sediment to surface water. The dynamic fraction transfer model indicated that the labile fraction can be resupplied with a lag time (> 21 d). When results were further interpreted using the DGT-induced fluxes in soils and sediments (DIFS) model, partial resupply of antipsychotic drugs from sediment particles to porewater was demonstrated. Desorption occurred within the entirety of the observed 15 cm depth of sediment. Fastest rates of resupply were found for carbamazepine and lamotrigine. Size of the labile pool estimated by the DIFS model did not fully explain the observed resupply, while a first-order three-compartment kinetic model for the fast-desorbing fraction can be used to supplement DIFS predictions with estimations of labile pool size.

Assessment of the contribution of chiral odorants to aroma property of baked green teas using an efficient sequential stir bar sorptive extraction approach

Chiral volatile compounds are known to be distributed in teas at various enantiomeric ratios. However, the performance of each enantiomer, including aroma characteristics, aroma intensities, and contribution to the overall flavor of tea, is still unclear. In this study, aroma characteristics and intensities of 38 volatile enantiomers in standards and baked green teas with chestnut-like aroma and clean aroma were evaluated by an efficient sequential headspace-stir bar sorptive extraction (seq-HS-SBSE) approach combined with the enantioselective gas chromatography-olfactometry/mass spectrometry (Es-GC-O/MS) technique. Moreover, aroma recombination results for the two types of baked green teas using 14 chiral odorants and four achiral odorants indicated that the combinations of the detected odorants mainly contributed to the “floral”, “sweet”, and “chestnut-like” aromas. R-Linalool simultaneously enhanced the “floral”, “sweet”, and “chestnut-like” aromas; R-limonene mainly contributed to the “sweet” and “clean” aromas; and S-α-terpineol promoted the “sweet” and “floral” aromas of baked green tea.

Role of Fe- and Mn-(oxy)hydroxides on carbon and nutrient dynamics in agricultural soils: A chemical sequential extraction approach

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key component of maintaining favorable soil physical, biological and chemical health and ensures the sustainability of agricultural practices. Fe- and Mn-(oxy)hydroxide minerals play an important role in SOC stabilization and sequestration, as well as nutrient adsorption. To better understand the mineral phases responsible for the stabilization and sequestration of SOC, as well as PO4−3 and NO3−; a four-step chemical sequential extraction (SE) was applied to soils from eight agricultural fields. Our SE scheme targeted operationally defined mineral phases namely, water extractable (Step 1), reductive dissolution of Mn-(oxy)hydroxide (Step 2), reductive dissolution of amorphous Fe-(oxy)hydroxide (Step 3), reductive dissolution of crystalline Fe-(oxy)hydroxide (Step 4) and residual minerals. Results showed that SOC was stabilized in the following order: crystalline Fe-(oxy)hydroxide > amorphous Fe-(oxy)hydroxide > Mn-(oxy)hydroxide. Fe- and Mn-(oxy)hydroxide minerals can promote the stabilization and long-term sequestration of SOC via the formation of inner sphere complexes (e.g., ligand-exchange) within the mineral surfaces contact zone. Fe- and Mn-(oxy)hydroxide minerals adsorbed PO4−3 species to a large extent; however, NO3− was adsorbed marginally. Results indicated that PO4−3 adsorption is largely mediated by Fe- and Mn-(oxy)hydroxide minerals, and NO3− by bulk soil organic matter. The coupling interaction between SOC, nutrients, and mineral phases in agricultural soils can better inform the application of conservation management practices to fully understand their effect on soil chemistry and health.

Comparison of two non-specific flow-through sequential extraction approaches to identify the physico-chemical partitioning of potentially harmful elements in a certified reference material

Two non-specific sequential extraction methods utilising chemometric data processing (chemometric identification of substrates and element distribution, CISED) have been developed and used to determine the physico-chemical partitioning of potentially harmful elements (PHE) in certified reference material BCR CRM 701 (lake sediment). A miniaturized centrifugation method in which the sample was extracted on a filter insert in a polypropylene centrifuging tube, and a quasi-flow through method in which the sample was supported on a TX40 filter in a 47 mm in-line polycarbonate filter holder, gave similar results. The CISED data processing identified nine components. Seven of these were of geochemical origin – two carbonate components, an Al/Fe oxide/hydroxide component, three Fe-dominated components and one Si-dominated component – while the others represented the TX40 filter blank. The overall extraction capabilities of the methods were similar to that of the well-established BCR sequential extraction (Σsteps 1–3). However, whilst the BCR extraction is operationally defined, the CISED provides information on associations between PHE and the geochemical components identified. The flow through CISED procedure has potential applications in investigating the chemical speciation of PHE associated with urban airborne particular matter.

Species of iron in the sediments of the Yellow River and its effects on release of phosphorus.

Species of Fe in the sediments from 21 sections of the Yellow River have been analyzed utilizing the so-called sequential extraction approach. The correlation between iron and phosphorus was analyzed, and the risk of release phosphorus was predicted. The results show that the content of residual iron (Feresidual) in the sediments is the highest, accounting for more than 92.55% of total iron (∑Fe) (the sum of the iron contents in each form is the total iron). Ca-bound phosphorous (PCa) is equal to the sum of authigenic calcium and phosphorus (Paut) and detritus calcium phosphorus (PDe), accounting for more than 73.01% of ∑P, in which PDe accounts for more than 90.91% of PCa, which is the main component of PCa and the main component of ∑P; Fewater in sediments is closely related to Porg, and Feex is closely related to Pex and PAl, which is an important factor to control the release of endogenous phosphorus. The extremely significant positive correlation between Feresidual and Paut and PDe in sediments is that they are affected by complex geological conditions in the Yellow River Basin. Judging by the ratio of ∑Fe/∑P combined with the influence of human factors, the release of phosphorus in sediments of most reaches of the Yellow River is controlled by iron, while the release of phosphorus is inhibited. Sediments in Xigu section H4, Zhongwei section H5, Haibowan section H7, three Sanshenggong section H8, Liulin section H13, and Tongguan section H16 of the Yellow River have certain phosphorus release risks, because phosphorus release is not only controlled by iron but also influenced by human factors, such as industrial and agricultural production level and artificial dam construction.

Exploring the fate of heavy metals from mining and smelting activities in soil-crop system in Baiyin, NW China

The activity and fate of heavy metals (HMs) from mining and smelting activities in farmland soil is of great significance to effectively prevent the excessive enrichment of HMs in crops. This study focuses on Baiyin area, a typical mining city in northwest China. In this example, the sources, speciation, and fate of HMs in the farmland soil, and the migration and enrichment characteristics of HMs in the different parts of crops planted in different areas were studied in detail combining the chemical sequential extraction and Pb isotope approaches. Results showed that the mean anthropogenic contributions of HMs in farmland soils were approximately 85%, 88%, 76%, and 41% for the ore district (OD), Xidagou sewage irrigation area (XSIA), Dongdagou sewage irrigation area, and the Yellow River irrigation area, respectively, and the risk that HMs were excessively accumulated in crops in OD and XSIA was high. Compared with soil residual fractions, the isotope ratios 206Pb/207Pb in non-residual fractions (1.1304–1.1669) were closer to the values of local ores, suggesting that anthropogenic HMs from mining and smelting activities were mainly enriched in the non-residual fractions. The isotope ratios 206Pb/207Pb in crops (1.1398–1.1686) further confirmed that those anthropogenic HMs were more easily absorbed and concentrated by crops. HMs contents in leaves from OD and XSIA were generally higher than that in roots, suggesting that atmospheric deposition in OD and XSIA had a greater impact on the HMs concentration of crop leaves，while the excess rate of HMs in grain/fruit was the lowest in all parts of crops. The division and classification of crop planting in mining area can effectively help minimize the risk that HMs from anthropogenic source enter the human body through the food chain.

Solidification and multi-cytotoxicity evaluation of thermally treated MSWI fly ash

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash produced in waste-to-energy plants possesses a serious threat to human health. Although the traditional methods including toxicity characteristic leaching procedure and sequential extraction approach can partially evaluate the reduction of heavy metals leaching from thermally treated MSWI fly ash, the potential threat towards organisms is frequently ignored in previous literature. Considering this, herein we systematically assess the cytotoxicity of heat-treated samples using multiple cells from different biological tissues/organs for the first time. The results indicate that the leachability and transferability of heavy metals are declined after treatment. The biological assays demonstrate that the leachates from the treated residues induce lower phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity compared with the original samples. Moreover, according to the cellular responses of multiple cells to the leachates, normal cells (MC3T3-E1, HUVEC, and L929) are more tolerant to the leachates than cancerous cells (4T1, MG63), and the skin fibroblasts (L929), which often interact with the external circumstance, have the best cellular tolerance. This work provides a novel platform to determine the potential biosecurity of MSWI fly ash-derived products towards organisms, when they are served as secondary building materials in the constructional industry that may be contact with animals and human beings.

Simultaneous organosolv pretreatment and detoxification of agro-biomass for efficient lignin extraction and characterization

A sequential acid extraction approach using organic acid followed by peroxy acid to enhance the recovery of lignin from Bambusa bambos was investigated. The conventional organic acid process was utilized in the pulping step to recover lignin. The residual organic acid-treated pulp was subjected to additional delignification step with peroxy acid to recover additional lignin. A five-level central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize this sequential organic acid followed by peroxy acid extraction process. Three factors, organic acid and peroxy acid concentration, biomass concentration, and duration of extraction, were optimized to maximize OAT–lignin (organic acid-treated lignin) and PAT–lignin (peroxy acid-treated lignin) recovery. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to statistically analyze the significance of these variables on lignin recovery. The optimization process (83.45% v/v organic acid, 8.65% w/v biomass, and 3.35 h duration of extraction) resulted in the maximization of OAT–lignin recovery (123.6 mg/g of biomass) in the organic acid treatment step. The peroxy acid treatment was optimized (83.81% v/v peroxy acid, 6.41% w/v OAT pulp, and 3.23 h duration of extraction) to show that additional 47.2 mg/g of PAT–lignin can be recovered in the delignification step. The physicochemical characteristics of the lignin recovered with the sequential strategy were determined by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA), and 1H Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). The results show that the sequential treatment strategy significantly enhances the lignin extracted from Bambusa bambos.

Mineralogy, solid-phase fractionation and chemical extraction to assess the mobility and availability of arsenic in an urban environment

A multi-disciplinary approach, using chemical extraction and analytical structural techniques, has been used to assess the mobility and availability of arsenic in urban soil samples from two current housing sites. Arsenic concentrations in each site varied between 126 and 1660 mg/kg (Site A) and 40–24,900 mg/kg (Site B). Using a non-specific sequential extraction approach, it was possible to identify two distinct, site specific, As-containing fractions i.e. Fe-As-Ca (Site A) and As-Fe (Site B), in the soils. Further investigation using a sequential extraction approach identified the main As component in the reducible fraction, linking As with Fe-oxides in the soils. Further investigation of the crystalline mineral phases, by X-ray diffraction, within the most As-contaminated soils (up to 24,000 mg/kg) identified no As-bearing minerals but identified the major component as quartz (SiO2) with an array of minor and trace minerals. Further mineralogical investigation, using micro-Raman in the major As-contaminated soils (from Site B) as well as re-confirming the presence of the major mineral (quartz) additionally identified the As-bearing minerals pharmacosiderite (KFe4[(H2O)4(AsO4)3].6H2O) and mimetite (Pb5(AsO4)3Cl) in the trace mineral component, alongside amorphous carbon, chromite (FeCr2O4), goethite (α-FeO(OH)), gypsum (CaSO4.H2O), muscovite (KAl2(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2), magnetite (Fe3O4), martite (α-Fe2O3), psilomelane (Ba,H2O)2Mn5O10), pyrrhotite (Fe7S8) and rutile (TiO2). The identification and presence of several Fe-rich minerals could be considered as the major hosts of As in the soil matrix. It is concluded that while the soil contains elevated levels of As, it's lack of mobility in the soil, means that minimal remedial action is required provided the sites are left undisturbed and free of human endeavour and activity.

Vertical Geochemical Variations and Speciation Studies of As, Fe, Mn Zn, and Cu in the Sediments of the Central Gangetic Basin: Sequential Extraction and Statistical Approach.

A geochemical and speciation study of As, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu was performed using sequential extraction and statistical approaches in the core sediments taken at two locations—Rigni Chhapra and Chaube Chhapra—of the central Gangetic basin (India). A gradual increase in the grain size (varying from clay to coarse sands) was observed in both the core profiles up to 30.5 m depth. The concentrations of analyzed elements ranged as follows: 6.9–14.2 mg/kg for As, 13,849–31,088 mg/kg for Fe, 267–711 mg/kg for Mn, 45–164 mg/kg for Cu for Rigni Chhapra while for Chaube Chhapra the range was 7.5–13.2 mg/kg for As, 10,936–37,052 mg/kg for Fe, 267–1052 mg/kg for Mn, 60–198 mg/kg for Zn and 60–108 mg/kg for Cu. Significant amounts (53–95%) of all the fractionated elemental concentrations were bound within the crystal structure of the minerals as a residual fraction. The reducible fraction was the second most dominant fraction for As (7% and 8%), Fe (3%), Mn (20% and 26%), and Cu (7% and 6%) respectively for both the cores. It may be released when aquifers subjected to changing redox conditions. The acid soluble fraction was of most interest because it could quickly mobilize into the water system which formed the third most dominating among all three fractions. Four color code of sediments showed an association with total As concentration and did not show a relation with any fraction of all elements analyzed. The core sediment was observed enriched with As and other elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn). However, it fell under uncontaminated to moderately contaminate which might exhibit a low risk in prevailing natural conditions. X-ray diffraction analyses indicated the availability of siderite and magnetite minerals in the core sediments in a section of dark grey with micaceous medium sand with organic matter (black).

Effect of passivator on Cu form transformation in pig manure aerobic composting and application in soil.

A sequential extraction approach was used to evaluate the effects of various combinations of passivators (sepiolite, phosphate rock, and coal fly ash) on the concentration and speciation of Cu in swine manure aerobic compost along with soil to which the compost had been applied. The results indicate that the various passivators altered the bound forms of Cu in pig manure and soil; the concentrations of exchangeable and Fe-Mn-bound Cu decreased, whereas the residual Cu concentration increased, indicating that Cu transformed to low-availability forms after the passivator treatments. The concentrations of the carbonate-bound and organic-bound Cu varied widely. Among all treatments, the treatment of the control + straw + sepiolite + coal fly ash (2.5 %) + phosphate rock (5.0 %) resulted in the most efficient passivation of Cu; the percentage of residual Cu reached 3.91-21.14 %, obviously surpassing the percentage for the control without passivation. The treatment of the control + straw + sepiolite + phosphate rock (2.5 %) resulted in the lowest residual Cu fraction (0.85 %) among passivator treatments. These results show that the addition of suitable combinations of passivators to the composting process reduced the availability of Cu and the risk of Cu pollution during the application of composted pig manure to soil. Passivation also decreased the Cu content of Apium graveolens.

Roots induce stronger soil water repellency than leaf waxes

Hydrophobic organic compounds in soils, mainly derived from plants, cause soil water repellency (SWR). The relation between such hydrophobic compounds, which we call SWR-markers, and SWR has been rarely known. We aim to understand these relations and trace the possible origin of SWR-markers. Sandy soils were collected from the field under various vegetation at different depths. Of the bulk soil characteristics, total organic carbon (TOC) strongly correlated to SWR. A new sequential extraction and hydrolysis approach was applied to our sandy soils to obtain three individual organic fractions that were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry: the D fraction was extracted from soils by DCM/MeOH, which was used to eliminate free lipids; the residual soils were extracted by IPA/NH3 and were separated into a DCM/MeOH soluble fraction (AS) and an insoluble fraction (AI) which was depolymerised by trans-methylation. SWR increased after DCM/MeOH extraction and disappeared almost after IPA/NH3 extraction. According to the chemical composition of each fraction, the D fractions and the AS fractions mainly originated from plant leaf waxes. Suberin-derived compounds were most abundant in the AI fractions. Based on the composition of the extracted fractions and the behaviour of SWR upon these extractions, we speculate that high molecular weight suberins were stronger SWR-markers than the low molecular weight (free) lipids. As suberin is an aliphatic biopolyester typically existing in plant roots, the influence of roots on SWR may be more important than previously thought. The results suggest that our approach is useful to extract the essential SWR-markers and enable the identification of their main sources: plant leaf waxes and roots. In particular roots may have a strong influence on SWR to affect water infiltration and, therefore, plant growth.

On a search of biologically active compounds in bryophytes: Chemical composition and major secondary metabolites

Bryophytes can be found in any location around the world. They are the second largest group in Plant kingdom, and they are divided in 3 groups- Musci, Marchantiophyta and Anthocerotophyta. It is assumed that bryophyte extracts have antimicrobial, antifungal and antitumor activity. Although there have been some studies in this area, it is important to take in account that bryophyte chemical composition may differ between species, growth environment and geographical localization. Based on this assumption bryophytes common for Northern Europe were analyzed. Twenty bryophyte species found in Latvia were analyzed. We have studied bryophyte basic chemical composition using elemental composition analysis, FTIR, 13C NMR spectra and Py/GC/MS. Basic chemical composition analysis reveal nearly total absence of lignin and lignin like structures. To study secondary metabolites sequential extraction approach was used and the extraction efficiency was studied, including microwave extraction and others. In the extracts total characteristics such as dry residue, total phenolics, sugars, antioxidant activity and other were determined. Lipophilic extracts (obtained after extraction with chloroform) were analyzed using GC/MS. There have been found more than 60 different compounds. Bryophyte sample analysis using Py/GC/MS showed that the dominant compounds in lipophilic fraction of bryophytes were: phenol and 4-ethenylphenol. Results have shown that studied bryophytes contain some substances with aromatic ring, but none of the found bryophytes showed any prove of lignin content. The studied extracts of bryophytes demonstrate antimicrobial activity as demonstrated on example of E. coli, B. cereus, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, M. luteus, B. subtilis as well as cytotoxic activity in respect to rat glioma, human epiderm carcinoma, human lung carcinoma and mouse melanoma cell line.

GeneSIS: A GA-based fuzzy segmentation algorithm for remote sensing images

This paper proposes an object-based classification scheme for handling remotely sensed images. The method combines the results of a supervised pixel-based classifier with spatial information extracted from image segmentation. First, pixel-wise classification is implemented by a fuzzy output SVM classifier using spectral and textural features of pixels. This classification results to a set of fuzzy membership maps. Operating on this transformed space, a Genetic Sequential Image Segmentation (GeneSIS) algorithm is next developed to partition the image into homogeneous regions. GeneSIS follows a sequential object extraction approach, whereby at each iteration a single object is extracted by invoking a GA-based object extraction algorithm. This module evaluates the fuzzy content of candidate regions, and through an effective fitness function design provides objects with optimal balance between three fuzzy components: coverage, consistency and smoothness. The final classification map is obtained automatically via segmentation, since each segment is extracted with its own class label. The validity of the proposed method is shown on the land cover classification of three different remote sensing images, with varying number of spectral bands (multispectral/hyperspectral), different spatial resolutions and ground truth cover types. The accuracy results of our approach are favorably compared with the ones obtained by other segmentation-based classification techniques.

Concentration-dependent effects of the soy phytoestrogen genistein on the proteome of cultured cardiomyocytes

The soy-derived phytoestrogen genistein (GEN) has received attention for its potential benefits on the cardiovascular system by providing direct protection to cardiomyocytes against pathophysiological stresses. Here, we employed a proteomic approach to study the concentration-dependent effects of GEN treatments on cardiomyocytes. Cultured HL-1 cardiomyocytes were treated with low (1μM) and high (50μM) concentrations of GEN. Proteins were pre-fractionated by sequential hydrophilic/hydrophobic extraction and both protein fractions from each treatment group were separated by 2D gel electrophoresis (2DE). Overall, approximately 2,700 spots were visualized on the 2D gels. Thirty-nine and 99 spots changed in volume relative to controls (p<0.05) following the low- and high-concentration GEN treatments, respectively. From these spots, 25 and 62 protein species were identified by ESI-MS/MS and Mascot database searching, respectively. Identified proteins were further categorized according to their functions and possible links to cardioprotection were discussed. MetaCore gene ontology analysis suggested that 1μM GEN significantly impacted the anti-apoptosis process, and that both the low and high concentrations of GEN influenced the glucose catabolic process and regulation of ATPase activity. This proteomics study provides the first global insight into the molecular events triggered by GEN treatment in cardiomyocytes.

Speciation Distributions and Availability of Zn, Pb, Cu and Ni in a Mine Drainage Contaminated Paddy Soils

Various depths paddy soils, which collected from nearby one of the abandoned Pb-Zn mines in Lanping County of China, were analyzed, determining the total metal concentration by acid digestion and the chemical speciation of Zn, Pb, Cu and Ni by a somewhat modified Tessier’s sequential extraction method. High concentrations of Zn and Pb were found in surface soils indicating that the paddy soils seriously suffered from Zn and Pb contamination. The extraction percentage of Zn, Pb, Cu and Ni with modified Tessier’s sequential extraction procedures were at the ranges of 93.15-96.41%, 93.26-96.25%, 91.51-94.75% and 91.28-94.25%, respectively. Extraction efficiencies demonstrated that this sequential extraction approach is suitable to evaluate these metals potential risk among this contaminated site. Extraction results showed that the residual fraction was the predominant fraction for Zn, Pb, Cu and Ni among all tested soils. However, the exchangeable fraction was the lowest among all fractions. Meanwhile, the metals mobility and bioavailability in tested soils were compared and predicted using mobility coefficients and bioavailability coefficients. The mobility coefficients of metals decreased in the order of Cu&gt; Ni&gt; Zn&gt; Pb, and the bioavailability coefficients of metals decreased in the order of Pb&gt;Cu&gt;Zn/Ni.