Source Of Constituents Research Articles

Measurement report: Investigation of pH- and particle-size-dependent chemical and optical properties of water-soluble organic carbon: implications for its sources and aging processes

Abstract. Knowledge of the chemical structures and optical properties of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) is critical considering its involvement in many key aerosol-associated chemical reactions and its potential impacts on climate radiative forcing. This study investigates the coupled effects of pH and particle size on the chemical structures (functional groups) and optical properties (UV/fluorescence properties) of WSOC and further explores the source and aging of WSOC constituents. The results showed that the specific UV absorbance at a wavelength of 254 nm (SUVA254) and mass absorption efficiency at a wavelength of 365 nm (MAE365) were higher in smaller than larger particles, revealing the relatively higher aromaticity/molecular weight and more freshness of WSOC in smaller particles. A decrease in aromaticity/molecular weight of WSOC in larger particles was caused by the degradation reaction that occurred during the aging process. The carboxylic groups tend to be enriched in larger particles, whereas the contribution of phenolic groups was generally higher in smaller particles. The changes in the fluorescence peak position suggested that hydroxyl groups play a leading role in pH-responsive fluorescence in summer, while carboxylic and nitro groups play a dominant role in winter. Overall, the chromophores in smaller particles showed a more pronounced pH dependence, which might be related to the higher content of aromatic species in WSOC in these particle size ranges. Specifically, the climate impact of WSOC would be enhanced with increasing pH. The pH- and particle-size-dependent chemical and optical properties of WSOC provide insights into the structure, source, and aging of WSOC, which will ultimately improve the accuracy of assessing the climate effects of WSOC.

Antidiabetic Activity of Methanol Extract of Bark of Alstonia scholaris from Papua

One of the biological wealth that grows in Papua is Alstonia scholaris, known by the Maybrat tribe as the swe plant and is used as a traditional medicine for antidiabetic. The Swe tree contains a lot of white sap and tastes very bitter. There is also a bitter taste in the roots, bark, and leaves so it is thought to contain a lot of bioactive compounds of alkaloids which have the potential as antidiabetic. This study aims to extract and determine of antidiabetic activity by the inhibition activity of the α-glucosidase of methanol extract of bark of Alstonia scholaris from Papua as a basis for the development of antidiabetic drugs based on local resources. The method used was extraction by maceration, phytochemical screening test, inhibition activity of the α-glucosidase test and functional group analysis using FTIR. The results of phytochemical screening showed that methanol extract of bark of Alstonia scholaris from Papua was strongly positive containing secondary metabolites of alkaloids and flavonoids. Analysis of functional groups with FTIR showed that the secondary metabolite compound was thought to contain -OH functional group, C=C stretch and C=O group. IC50 value of Alstonia scholaris bark MeOH extract showed 0.97 µg/mL for α-glucosidase inhibition. This study suggest the methanol extract of bark of Alstonia scholaris might be considered as potential source of bio active constituents with excellent antidiabetic activity.

Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Compounds of Piper nigrum L. (Black Pepper): A Review

The present study highlights the Bio activities and Pharmacology of Piper nigrum L. (Black Pepper). Piper nigrum L is commonly known as Kali Mirch, Pippali, Milagu Peppercorn, White pepper, Green pepper, Black pepper, and Madagascar pepper longum plant is a deciduous slender aromatic climber. The major source of bioactive constituents in black pepper is present in the fruits. It contains major pungent alkaloid piperine (1-peperoyl piperidine) which is known to possess pharmacological actions. Antimicrobial activity of black pepper evaluated the antibacterial potential of aqueous decoction of Piper nigrum L. (black pepper), against different bacterial isolates from oral cavity of individual volunteers.

Marine Compounds, Mitochondria, and Malignancy: A Therapeutic Nexus.

The marine environment is important yet generally underexplored. It contains new sources of functional constituents that can affect various pathways in food processing, storage, and fortification. Bioactive secondary metabolites produced by marine microorganisms may have significant potential applications for humans. Various components isolated from disparate marine microorganisms, including fungi, microalgae, bacteria, and myxomycetes, showed considerable biological effects, such as anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and neuroprotective activities. Growing studies are revealing that potential anticancer effects of marine agents could be achieved through the modulation of several organelles. Mitochondria are known organelles that influence growth, differentiation, and death of cells via influencing the biosynthetic, bioenergetic, and various signaling pathways related to oxidative stress and cellular metabolism. Consequently, mitochondria play an essential role in tumorigenesis and cancer treatments by adapting to alterations in environmental and cellular conditions. The growing interest in marine-derived anticancer agents, combined with the development and progression of novel technology in the extraction and cultures of marine life, led to revelations of new compounds with meaningful pharmacological applications. This is the first critical review on marine-derived anticancer agents that have the potential for targeting mitochondrial function during tumorigenesis. This study aims to provide promising strategies in cancer prevention and treatment.

Total Active Compounds and Mineral Contents in Wolffia globosa

Wolffia globosa, or watermeal, is an aquatic plant belonging to the Lemnaceae family that is consumed as food and sold in local markets of Thailand. The aim of this study was to quantify selected active compounds and minerals in W. globosa ethanolic extract and evaluate its antioxidant activity. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents were analyzed. High-performance liquid chromatography was used for the determination of beta-carotene, ferulic acid, luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and kaempferol. Mineral contents (iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and sodium) were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Antioxidative activity was evaluated by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radical scavenging assays. The beta-carotene, ferulic acid, luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and kaempferol contents of the extract were 2.52 ± 0.10, 1.40 ± 0.10, 2.42 ± 0.50, and 1.57 ± 0.14 mg/g extract, respectively. The highest mineral content in the W. globosa extract was magnesium. The wet extract of W. globosa showed higher amounts of all minerals than the dry extract. Freshly prepared and boiled W. globosa extracts showed radical scavenging activity at 1000 µg/milliliter with 75.77 ± 0.93% and 67.10 ± 0.20% inhibition of DPPH and 70.40 ± 7.20% and 59.78 ± 3.16% inhibition of ABTS, respectively. This plant is a promising novel source of natural phytochemical constituents and antioxidants and has potential for development as a plant-based nutraceutical product for the treatment of diseases caused by free radicals.

Using Biological Responses to Monitor Freshwater Post-Spill Conditions over 3years in Blacktail Creek, North Dakota, USA.

A pipeline carrying unconventional oil and gas (OG) wastewater spilled approximately 11 million liters of wastewater into Blacktail Creek, North Dakota, USA. Flow of the mix of stream water and wastewater down the channel resulted in storage of contaminants in the hyporheic zone and along the banks, providing a long-term source of wastewater constituents to the stream. A multi-levelinvestigation was used toassessthe potential effectsofoilandbrine spillson aquatic life. In this study, we used a combination of experiments using a native fishspecies, Fathead Minnow (Pimephalespromelas), field sampling of the microbial community structure, and measures of estrogenicity. The fish investigation included in situ experiments and experiments with collected site water. Estrogenicity was measured in collected site water samples, and microbial community analyses were conducted on collected sediments. Duringthe initial post-spill investigation, February 2015, performingin situ fish bioassays was impossible because of ice conditions. However, microbial community(e.g., the presence ofmembers of theHalomonadaceae, a family that is indicativeofelevated salinity) andestrogenicitydifferences were compared to reference sitesand point toearlybiological effects of the spill. We noted water column effects on in situ fish survival 6months post-spill during June 2015. At that time, total dissolved ammonium (sum of ammonium and ammonia, TAN) was 4.41mgNH4/L with an associated NH3of 1.09mg/L, a concentration greater than the water quality criteria established to protect aquatic life. Biological measurements in the sediment defined early and long-lasting effects ofthe spill on aquatic resources. The microbial community structure wasaffected during all sampling events. Therefore, sediment may act as a sink for constituents spilled and as such provide an indication of continuedand cumulativeeffects post-spill. However, lack of later water column effects may reflect pulse hyporheic flow of ammonia from shallow ground water. Combining fish toxicological, microbial community structureandestrogenicity informationprovides a completeecologicalinvestigation that defines potential influencesof contaminantsatorganismal, population, and community levels. In general, in situ bioassays have implications for the individualsurvivalandchanges at thepopulation level, microbial community structure defines potential changes at the community level, andestrogenicitymeasurements define changes at theindividual andmolecularlevel. By understanding effects at these various levels of biological organization, natural resource managers can interpret how a course of action, especially for remediation/restoration, might affect a larger group of organisms in the system. The current work also reviews potential effects of additional constituents defined during chemistry investigations on aquatic resources.

DIURETIC AND LAXATIVE ACTIVITIES OF MORINGA OLEIFERA SEEDS AND PODS IN MICE

Moringa oleifera (Family- Moringaceae) is a well-known vegetable for its health benefits for thousands of years having diverse nutritional bioactive constituents. Phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract of this plant indicated the presence of carbohydrate, reducing sugar, combined reducing sugar, glycosides, tannins (absent in seeds), alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and steroids. In diuretic activity test, the extract showed a significant (p<0.001) effect at the dose of 200 & 400 mg/kg body weight in production of total urine volume in comparison with standard drug furosemide (5 mg/kg). Upon electrolyte analysis of excreted urine, the extract was found to increase Na+, K+, Clexcretion and may act as loop diuretics. The pods and seeds extract showed significant (p<0.01) laxative effects in mice in terms of stool production with soft consistency at the dose of 200 & 400 mg/kg in comparison with standard drug bisacodyl (10 mg/kg). The most edible part of this plant is pods which showed better diuretic and laxative effects than seeds. So, the pods may be a good source of bioactive constituents which may be used as parent compound(s) for discovering better diuretic or laxative drugs.

Exploring the potential of endophytes and their metabolites for bio-control activity.

In the current scenario, extensive use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture is creating notable problems such as disease and pest resistance, residues, yield loss, and soil unproductiveness. These harmful chemicals are eventually reaching our food plate through bioaccumulation and biomagnification in a crop. As a result, beneficial microorganisms are regularly being explored as a safer option in the agriculture sector for their ability to produce valuable bioactive secondary metabolites, particularly for crop protection. Such natural (bio) products are harmless to plants, humans, and the environment. In our quest for the search of the sources of bioactive constituents from the microorganisms, endophytes are the front-runner. They mutually reside inside the plant providing support against phytopathogens by releasing an array of bioactive secondary metabolites building climate reliance of the host plant. The purpose of this review is to examine the biocontrol potential of endophytes against bacterial and fungal pathogens in sustainable agriculture. We also attempt to explain the structure and activity of the secondary metabolites produced by bacterial and fungal endophytes in conjunction with their biocontrol function. Additionally, we address potential future research directions for endophytes as biopesticides.

Determination of Trace Elements in Rumex nepalensis, Inula discoidea, Tripleurospermum callosum, and Thymus migricus Plants Using ICP-MS Application

The form and distribution of trace elements in tissues and fluids of the body have become key details in life sciences and medicine, and they may be used to discover disease biomarkers. In the current study, concentrations of twelve elements in Rumex nepalensis, Inula Discoidea, Tripleurospermum callosum, and Thymus migricus plants samples were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). All elements the range of correlation coefficient (R) obtained from 0.993 to 1. For R. nepalensis plant extract Zn (45.457 µg ml-1), Mn (41.357 µg ml-1), and Cu (13.628 µg ml-1); for I. Discoidea plant extract Zn (62.175 µg ml-1), Mn (53.288 µg ml-1), and Cr (16.904 µg ml-1); for T. callosum plant extract Mn (50. 594 µg ml-1), Cu (12.712 µg ml-1), and Cr (2.662 µg ml-1); for T. migricus plant extract Mn (53.893 µg ml-1), Zn (23.768 µg ml-1), and Cu (9.568 µg ml-1) were identified as the most intensive elements. These plants extracts could be a novel source of mineral constituents in various industries and pharmaceutical industries.

Technical parameters affecting the physicochemical, phenolic, antioxidant and sensory properties of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris L.) kefir

Watermelon contains a rich source of valuable constituents that could be utilized as substrate for lactic and alcoholic fermentation. Fruit kefir beverages are really appreciated due to its unique acidic taste, refreshing, low carbonated, adequate alcoholic and acceptable acetic content. It’s necessary to process watermelon fruit into value-added product to resolve the unmarketable congestion at harvesting season. This research was conducted at STNanotech Laboratory in 2021 to demonstrate different technical parameters such as fermentation temperature (28-31oC), fermentation time (12-60 hrs), kefir grain ratio (3-5% w/v) to the physicochemical, phenolic, antioxidant and sensory attributes of watermelon kefir. Results showed that fermentation resulted on a significant degradation of total soluble solid, total phenolic content and DPPH free radical scavenging, a great improvement of total titratable acidity and ethanol. Meanwhile, there was no clear difference on viscosity during fermentation. Watermelon juice fermented at 30oC for 36 hrs with 4% kefir grain showed the best overall acceptance (8.86±0.01 score) with adequate ethanol content (4.28±0.02 % v/v) and total titratable acidity (2.56±0.01 g/L citric acid). Watermelon kefir with a pleasant alcoholic flavor would be one favorite beverage in daily consumption.

Technical parameters affecting the physicochemical, phenolic, antioxidant and sensory properties of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris L.) kefir

Watermelon contains a rich source of valuable constituents that could be utilized as substrate for lactic and alcoholic fermentation. Fruit kefir beverages are really appreciated due to its unique acidic taste, refreshing, low carbonated, adequate alcoholic and acceptable acetic content. It’s necessary to process watermelon fruit into value-added product to resolve the unmarketable congestion at harvesting season. This research was conducted at STNanotech Laboratory in 2021 to demonstrate different technical parameters such as fermentation temperature (28-31oC), fermentation time (12-60 hrs), kefir grain ratio (3-5% w/v) to the physicochemical, phenolic, antioxidant and sensory attributes of watermelon kefir. Results showed that fermentation resulted on a significant degradation of total soluble solid, total phenolic content and DPPH free radical scavenging, a great improvement of total titratable acidity and ethanol. Meanwhile, there was no clear difference on viscosity during fermentation. Watermelon juice fermented at 30oC for 36 hrs with 4% kefir grain showed the best overall acceptance (8.86±0.01 score) with adequate ethanol content (4.28±0.02 % v/v) and total titratable acidity (2.56±0.01 g/L citric acid). Watermelon kefir with a pleasant alcoholic flavor would be one favorite beverage in daily consumption.

Assessment of Antidiabetic Potential and Phytochemical Profiling of Viscum album, a Traditional Antidiabetic Plant

The traditional antidiabetic plant Viscum album (V. album) was collected from the oak plant in the wild at Maidan, Khyber District, of Pakistan, for assessment of its antidiabetic potential and phytochemical profile. Lowering of blood glucose level, antioxidant effect, lipids profile, liver function marker enzymes, and kidney function markers were evaluated in extract and glibenclamide treated groups, in normal as well as in diabetic control groups. An elevated level of blood glucose level, lipids (Cholesterol, TG, LDL), liver function marker enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), and kidney function markers (bilirubin, creatinine, urea) were observed in alloxan-induced diabetic rats; however, a HDL level was decreased. Administration of V. album hydroalcoholic extract for 28 days renovated significantly ( p < 0.05 ) all the above biochemical parameters. The antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, and GPX were also considerably restored. In vitro, antioxidant assay indicated that the extract of 2,000 µg/mL scavenges free radicals of DPPH 68.4%, ABTS 69.5%, and H2O2 50.6%. The extracts revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpene, tannins, phenols, protein, amino acids, sterols, and glycosides. The extract has shown phenolic contents 421 ± 4.8 mg GAE/100 g d. w and flavonoids content 127 ± 1.4 mg equiv. Rut/100 g d. w. The findings of this research recommend V. album could be a potent source of natural antidiabetic constituents.

The anti-angiogenic effect of polyphenols from the roots of Daphne mucronata Royle subsp. linearifolia (Hart) Halda (Thymelaeaceae)

The genus Daphne is an important source of anticancer constituents. In the present study, the Middle-Eastern medicinal plant, Daphne mucronata subsp. Linearifolia, was selected to evaluate its anti-angiogenic and antioxidant activities. Root extracts (n-hexane, chloroform "CHCl 3 ", chloroform/methanol "CHCl 3 /MeOH", and methanol "MeOH") and isolated pure compounds were used to assess the effects on angiogenesis by using an in vivo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography "RP-HPLC" analyses were performed on the most active extract to isolate potential anti-angiogenic compounds. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay and by measuring the reducing power with a Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. In the CAM model, the CHCl 3 /MeOH extract (100 μg/egg) exhibited a good anti-angiogenic response (37.4% of inhibition) compared with the control group ( p < 0.01). Chromatographic separation of the bioactive extract provided four lignans, the phenylpropanoid glycoside syringin, and two biflavonoids. Syringin and daphnodorin B showed the best anti-angiogenic response on the CAM, inducing a marked reduction of the microvasculature (55.75% and 46.77% of inhibition at 20 μM) and a decrease of haemoglobin content. Additionally, syringin, pinoresinol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, daphnodorin B, lariciresinol 4,4′-bis-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and genkwanol A revealed a strong antioxidant activity against DPPH radical (IC 50 0.11–0.55 mM) and a good reducing power (2.08–5.32 GAEs). The bio-guided isolation of D. mucronata root CHCl 3 /MeOH extract afforded anti-angiogenic and antioxidant compounds with a potential beneficial role against dangerous and reactive species that were involved in many oxidative stress-related diseases.

Formulation of Herbal Face Pack and Face Scrub of Musa Paradisiaca

Abstract: Skin is largest organ of body whose main function is protection. There are a lot of marketed preparations available for the protection of skin from various factors. Bananaleaves are the source of various active constituents which are useful for the skin. Theyare allantoin, flavonoids, polyphenols, lignin, hemicellulose, tannins, rutin, anthocyanin, etc. The aim of this research is to study the medicinal properties and benefits of leaves of Musa paradisiaca on various diseases and especially on skin. The banana leaf extract was used in preparation of face pack and face scrub. As the face pack and face scrub used to cle

Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents, Metabolic Profiling, and In Vitro and In Silico Antioxidant Studies of the Leaf and Stem Extracts of Acalypha fimbriata Schum. &amp; Thonn. (Euphorbiaceae)

In this study, phenolic and flavonoid contents of various extracts of Acalypha fimbriata Schum. &amp; Thonn. leaf and stem were determined. The metabolic profile of one extract was studied using GC-MS analysis. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated using in vitro and in silico studies. Four extracts each of leaf and stem of A. fimbriata have phenolic contents of 0.17 - 0.29 and 0.15 - 0.29 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, respectively. The leaf extracts have flavonoid content of 0.13 - 0.40 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g extract, which was slightly higher than that of the stem (0.18 - 0.33 mg QE/g extract). Extracts of the stem (IC50 range 50.82 - 62.94 μg/ml) showed greater DPPH radical scavenging activity than those of the leaves (IC50 range 61.03 - 82.24 μg/ml). All the extracts (except the ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts of the leaf) demonstrated significant NO• radical scavenging activities, which were comparable (p &gt; 0.05) to that of ascorbic acid. The extracts of the leaf and stem displayed lower reducing powers (0.07 - 0.56 and 0.09 - 0.50, respectively) compared to ascorbic acid (0.16 - 0.63) and showed considerable total antioxidant capacity values of 0.27 - 0.55 and 0.36 - 0.54 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g extract, respectively. Some metabolites, including preg-4-en-3-one-17α-hydroxyl-17β-cyano, salirepin hexaacetate, eugenol and squalene were identified in one of the extracts. These metabolites gave good binding affinities against cytochrome P450, lipoxygenase, myeloperoxidase, NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase, indicating good antioxidant potentials. This study reveals that extracts of A. fimbriata possess broad spectrum of antioxidant activity and could be exploited as sources of antioxidant constituents to manage oxidative stress.

Multivariate statistical analysis and geospatial approach for evaluating hydro-geochemical characteristics of meltwater from Shaune Garang glacier, Himachal Pradesh, India

The study focuses on the hydro-geochemistry of Shaune Garang glacier’s meltwater concerning glacial geomorphology. Seventy-nine water samples (53 in 2016 and 26 in 2017) of ablation season were analysed. The cations were dominant in the order Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ > K+, and the anions in the order HCO3− > SO42− > Cl− > NO3−. The result demonstrated that HCO3− were the abundant ions, accounting for 41.03 and 34.84% of the total ionic budget (TZ). The high ionic proportions of (Ca2+ + Mg2+) versus TZ+ and (Ca2+ + Mg2+) versus (Na+ + K+) were identified as the primary factors influencing dissolved ion chemistry in meltwater. Piper diagram shows that Ca2+–HCO3– type water is the most common, followed by Mg2+–HCO3–. In addition, a remote sensing approach has been used to find the possible source of the chemical constituents in the meltwater. The catchment geology has been mapped on various scales, including diverse rocks and unconsolidated surface materials containing “quartz and carbonate minerals”. Layered silicates (LS) and “hydroxyl-bearing minerals” are not as common as they used to be, but their availability varies greatly in the area where they are found. The distribution of LS minerals within the catchment are majorly found at lower altitudes, which implies the weathering mechanism due to the interaction of meltwater and parental rock. Multivariate analysis revealed that CO3 and SiO2 weathering, sulphate dissolution, and pyrite oxidation dominate dissolved ion concentrations. Chemometric analysis of meltwater hydro-geochemistry through principal component analysis explains 72.1% of the total variance of four PCs. PCs 1, 2, 3, and 4 explain 39.21%, 12.91%, 10.24%, and 9.74% of variance, respectively, in 2016. Similarly, in 2017, four PCs explain 69.91% of the total variance. PC 1, 2, 3, and 4 can explain 26.62%, 20.12%, 12.64%, and 10.52% of variance.

Soursop (Annona muricata L.) Fruit Peels as Source of Phenolic Constituents and Annonacin with Biological Activities

Aims: In this study, chemical constituents and biological activities of the Annona muricata L. fruit peels were evaluated using methanol extract (MEAM) and hexane (HFAM), dichloromethane (DFAM), ethyl acetate (EFAM), and butanol (BFAM) fractions.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: All the experiments were done in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, 36026-900, Brazil, between January 2012 and July 2016.&#x0D; Methodology: Phytochemical screening (specific chemical reactions), total phenolic and flavonoid contents (Spectrophotometric methods) and chemical compounds were assessed (High performance liquid chromatography analysis). The antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), beta-carotene, and thiobarbituric acid assays. The inhibitory effect against digestive enzymes (lipase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase) was measured by spectrophotometric assays and and toxicity by the brine shrimp lethality bioassay.&#x0D; Results: Tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, terpenes and steroids, saponins, and alkaloids were detected. EFAM had the highest values of total phenolic and flavonoids, while a similar compound to annonacin was found in MEAM by HPLC. EFAM was also more active in DPPH and FRAP assays, and HFAM was effective in inhibiting the linoleic acid oxidation and the malondialdehyde. MEAM and fractions blocked lipase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase, while HFAM and DFAM were toxic against Artemia salina.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results showed that the A. muricata fruit peels have important biological effects, which can bring great benefits to human and animal health.

Preparation of Hematite Nano Particles from Galvanizing Effluents for the Applications in Heavy Metal Removal

Due to climate change on earth, governments are pursuing the policy of gradually reducing Greenhouse Effects. For example, country like Germany has The demand for safe drinking water grows day by day together with the increasing world population. Meanwhile water resources become increasingly scarce, and quality of natural water decreases due to a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. Industry and agriculture have become a premiere source of hazardous constituents, along with natural processes such as rock weathering and volcanic eruptions. The ability to remove hazardous components, particularly heavy metals from water depends on the selected technology and nature of pollutant. Water purification technologies, mostly involved with sorption and ion-exchange processes, often uses natural iron oxides as ion-exchangers for removal of harmful contaminants from water. These technologies are based on the unique cation-exchange behavior of iron oxides, thus making this sorbent limited to cation removal. Arsenic, copper and nickel are commonly found in water supplies and, therefore, are selected for this study to represent heavy metals in water systems. In this work, hematite nanomaterials were synthesized from the galvanizing effluent collected from the LTL Galvanizers at Makola, Sri Lanka. The industry generates approximately 50 m3 of galvanizing effluent per month and it composes both iron and zinc chlorides. To synthesize pure iron oxide materials, we used the effluents from none re-galvanized chemical baths, which does not contain any zinc chlorides. The synthesized materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sorption behaviors of As(III), Cu(II) and Ni(II) were examined batch-wise as a function of pH, temperature, contact time, adsorbent dosage and initial metal ion concentration. Residual concentrations of As(III), Cu(II) and Ni(II) in the solution were determined by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The adsorption studies were performed by changing one of the conditions while keeping all others fixed. According to the results, maximum percent removals (%) for all metal ions tested were reached within a short period of 30 minutes. For a given parameter the maximum percent removal (%) of both Cu(II) and As(III) reached more than 95%, while the Ni(II) had percent removal between 35% and 65%.

The Cause of Drop of the Water Level of Underground Quaternary Aquifer of a Mine under Mining Influence

Water outburst on the coal mining face will result in the shutdown of the working face, tense mine connection, a sharp increase in mine drainage fee, and serious impact on normal production. In severe cases, it will give rise to mine flooding and endanger state property and life safety. Hydrogeochemical evolution characteristics of groundwater in different aquifers of the test mine were studied using the hydrogeochemical method, especially the source of chemical constituents of groundwater in different aquifers (type of water-rock interaction). Meanwhile, the GMS model was built, and change law of the stratigraphic texture of the gob overlying rock was studied based on site geological conditions. Specific to a sharp drop in Quaternary aquifer of the second west mining area of the test mine, the cause was analyzed based on site geological conditions and using hydrogeochemistry and geologic modeling method to ensure high yield and high efficiency of mine and provide references for production safety of mines of the same kind.

In vitro anti-HIV and cytotoxic effects of pure compounds isolated from Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Delile

Croton macrostachyus is an important plant in traditional African medicine, widely utilized to treat a variety of diseases. In Kenya, HIV-infected patients use leaf and root decoctions of the plant as a cure for cough, back pain, bleeding, skin diseases, warts, pneumonia, and wounds. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-HIV activities and cytotoxic effects of extracts and chemical constituents isolated from C. macrostachyus. In our previous study we demonstrated that the hexane, CH2Cl2, ethyl acetate and methanol soluble fractions of a 1:1 v/v/ CH2Cl2/MeOH crude extracts of the leaves and stem bark of C. macrostachyus exhibited potent anti-HIV activities against HIV-1 with IC50 values ranging from 0.02–8.1 μg/mL and cytotoxicity effects against MT-4 cells ranging from IC50 = 0.58–174 μg/mL. Hence, hexane soluble extract of 1:1 v/v/ CH2Cl2/MeOH crude extract of the leaves of C. macrostachyus, that was more potent against HIV-1 at IC50 = 0.02 μg/mL was subjected to column chromatography leading to the isolation of 2-methoxy benzyl benzoate (1), lupenone (2), lupeol acetate (3), betulin (4), lupeol (5), sitosterol (6) and stigmasterol (7). Lupenone (2), lupeol acetate (3) and betulin (4) exhibited anti-HIV-1 inhibition at IC50 = 4.7 nM, 4.3 and 4.5 μg/mL respectively. The results obtained from this study support the potential of C. macrostachyus, as a source of anti-HIV constituents.