Copper Sulfate Research Articles

ALLEVIATIVE EFFECTS OF CHITOSAN AND NANOSILVER ON Solanum pimpinellifolium UNDER HEAVY METAL STRESS IN VITRO

This study aimed to investigate the potential mitigation of copper stress in tomato plants (Solanum pimpinellifolium L0566) through the addition of chitosan (CH) or nanosilver (nAg) to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium under in vitro conditions. Various growth parameters; the proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), total polyphenol and mineral contents; and CIE L*a*b* colour parameters were evaluated. After the multiplication stage, the explants were transferred to MS medium (control); MS + 20 ppm chitosan with a molecular weight of 3.33 kDa (CH3.33); MS + 6 mg l–1 nAg; MS + 100 μM l–1 copper sulfate (CuSO4); MS+20 ppm CH3.33+100 μM l–1 CuSO4; or MS + 6 mg l–1 nAg + 100 μM l–1 CuSO4. The results indicated that while CuSO4 or CuSO4-nAg solutions inhibited growth traits, CH3.33 stimulated growth, particularly shoot production, and plants treated with CH3.33 exhibited better developed roots and a higher fresh mass. Additionally, CH3.33 alleviated the negative effects of CuSO4 on the proline, MDA and total polyphenol contents in tomato plants. Moreover, tomato explants exhibited greener leaves, while those treated with nAg and CuSO4 showed decreased colour values. CH3.33 or nAg positively influenced the mineral content of tomato leaves under heavy metal stress. This study underscores the complex interactions between growth medium components on tomato plant growth, physiology and the mineral content, highlighting the potential of chitosan in mitigating heavy metal stress in tomato plants.

COPPEREPLACE 1. Copper applications in organic viticulture are a real challenge today. Part 1 - Scientific Activities

In grape and wine production, one of the main relevant and recurrent diseases is downy mildew caused by the fungus (Plamospara viticola). It is frequently present in wine production worldwide, with a significant high annual incidence in some regions. Since the discovery of Bordeaux mixture (copper sulphate and lime) in the 1880’s, many formulations based on copper (Cu) have been developed and used in viticulture production. https://coppereplace.com/.

Forms of occurrence metals and metalloids in products of the Mutnovsky volcano gas-hydrothermal activity

On the basis of concentrate analysis of the Mutnovsky volcano thermal sites substance, new data of the ore elements forms of occurrence were obtained. In the course of large-scale hydrothermal alteration of volcanic rocks, with the participation of magmatic fluids and meteoric waters, metals and metalloids are transported to the surface, which are concentrated in the form of the main or impurity components of new-forming minerals. Sulfides of copper, zinc, mercury, silver and barium sulfate are confidently diagnosed, in which, in addition to mineral-forming Zn, Cu, Hg, Ag and Ba, admixtures of Mn, Cd, Sr, I, Cl, Te, Pb are present. Micron-sized phases were found containing Ru, Os and Ir (laurite), Pb (galena) as the main components, as well as intermetallic compounds (Fe–Ni), (Fe–Ir–Os), (Pb–Bi), (Bi–Te) and native Au. Most of the new-forming mineral individuals are associated with a mineral of the pyrite-marcasite group, which contains admixtures of As, Cu, Ni, and Co. Platinoids Os, Ir, Ru among the new-forming minerals within the East Kamchatka volcanic belt were discovered for the first time.

Determination of the mutual influence of additives for a sulfate copper electrolyte on adsorption by the ellipsometry method

Determination of the mutual influence of additives for a sulfate copper electrolyte on adsorption by the ellipsometry method

A Combined Physical-Mechanical and Hydrometallurgical Approach for Recovering Valuable Metals from Spent Lithium-ion Batteries

In this work, the chemical composition of electrode materials from two samples of lithium-ion batteries (LiB) is comprehensively investigated. The material balance of the physical and mechanical processing of the LiBs mixture is determined. The developed dry process scheme made it possible to extract the following components (wt.%): 15.6 plastic (ABS), 1.89 electronic materials (PP), 59.1 black mass (three types), 6.43 plastic (PVC), 2.97 Al, 6.31 Cu and 7.1 magnetic fraction (Fe). The thermodynamics of reductive leaching of LiCoO<sub>2</sub> in the H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>-HCOOH system was studied. It was calculated that the Gibbs energy of the leaching reaction at 363 K is -327.4 kJ/mol, the equilibrium constant is 2.02×10<sup>44</sup>. All these factors showed the potential of using formic acid as a reducing agent instead of the commonly used hydrogen peroxide solution. It is known to be unstable, since when the solution is heated from 20 to 50<sup>0</sup> C, the decomposition of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> increases 20 times, and the presence of copper sulfate, which usually accompanies the decomposition of the black mass in a sulfuric acid medium, leads to the destruction of 76% of hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, from a practical point of view, it was of interest to study the kinetics of cobalt dissolution from the cathode material in the H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>-HCOOH system. It was shown that the Crank-Ginstling-Braunstein equation agrees satisfactorily with the experimental data, which indicates intra-diffusion limitation of dissolution. The activation energy was determined. The optimal composition and conditions of the leaching solution for dissolving cobalt, lithium and associated transition metals from the black mass were determined. The thermodynamics and kinetics of dissolution of Ag, Au and Pd from electrode materials in a bromide-bromine solution were also studied.

Identification of neutrophil extracellular trap-related genes in Alzheimer's disease based on comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease. There are currently no effective interventions to slow down or prevent the occurrence and progression of AD. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been proven to be tightly linked to AD. This project attempted to identify hub genes for AD based on NETs. Gene expression profiles of the training set and validation set were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, including non-demented (ND) controls and AD samples. NET-related genes (NETRGs) were collected from the literature. Differential analysis identified 21 AD differentially expressed NETRGs (AD-DE-NETRGs) majorly linked to functions such as defense response to bacterium as well as pathways including IL-17 signaling pathway, as evidenced by enrichment analyses of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Minutia Cylinder-Code (MCC) algorithm, and molecular complex detection (MCODE) algorithm in the CytoHubba plug-in were employed to identify five hub genes (NFKBIA, SOCS3, CCL2, TIMP1, ACTB). Their diagnostic ability was validated in the validation set using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and gene differential expression analysis. A total of 16 miRNAs and 132 lncRNAs were predicted through the mirDIP and ENCORI databases, and a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed using Cytoscape software. Small molecular compounds such as Benzo(a)pyrene and Copper Sulfate were predicted to target hub genes using the CTD database. This project successfully identified five hub genes, which may serve as potential biomarkers for AD, proffering clues for new therapeutic targets.

Hepatotoxic doses of copper sulfate induce metabolic memory in the redox system, which has an age-dependent nature

Abstract. We tested the hypothesis that ageing is a consequence of the formation of metabolic memory and the possible role of the redox system as a basic, evolutionarily ancient system of metabolism regulation in stable metabolic patterns formation or metabolic states chronisation changed during adaptation. Three sequential intraperitoneal administration of copper sulfate to young (3-month-old Wistar rats) and old animals (20 months) at a dose of 1 mg/100 g of body weight (33% of the lethal dose) were used as adaptive inducers of the redox system. The amount of lipid hydroperoxides in mitochondria, cytosol in liver cells and blood serum, the activity of mitochondrial aconitate hydratase as an indicator of oxidative stress and the activity of a number of antioxidant enzymes were determined to assess the initial metabolic states, i. e. before exposure and 1, 30 and 60 days after exposure to copper sulfate on the body. It was shown that the amount of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) in the liver mitochondria and blood serum of old rats before exposure to copper sulfate was more than 30% lower than in young animals, while the aconitase activity (an indicator of oxidative stress) was the same in animals of these ages. A lower amount of LOOHs coincided with an increased glutathione peroxidase activity in old animals. In old rats, the increased amount of LOOHs induced by copper ions was preserved even after eliminating copper from the body 30 days after administration. At the same time, it was restored to the original level in the young animals. The glutathione peroxidase and aconitase activity in mitochondria remained below the control values even after the inducer elimination, and this was age-depending. The obtained results do not contradict the hypothesis of metabolic memory's role in ageing mechanisms. We postulate a relationship between the duration of maintenance of altered metabolic patterns and the polyfunctionality of enzymes and other metabolites. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: ageing; redox system; metabolic memory; lipid hydroperoxides; antioxidant enzymes; chronic states.

Comparison of Copper (II) Sulphate to Hemocue Analyser in the Estimation of Haemoglobin among Voluntary and Replacement Blood Donors at Bugando Medical Centre

Background Pre-donation haemoglobin (Hb) screening is among the foremost test done on blood donors to determine whether an individual is fit to donate with the intention of preventing inadvertent donation from an anaemic donor. The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in Tanzania uses the Copper II Sulphate (CuSO4) gravimetric method to estimate haemoglobin (Hb) in blood donors. The accuracy of the copper II sulphate method for the rapid screening of prospective blood donors has been questioned because this rapid screening method may lead to false deferral of truly eligible prospective blood donors. However, this and other point-of-care method may provide false results. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 236 eligible blood donors attending BMC transfusion centre at Mwanza, Tanzania. The blood donors were asked for their consent to participate in this study from 1st May to 1st August 2024. Capillary blood samples were obtained for Hb estimation by CuSO4 and HemoCue methods, and 3mls of venous blood were also collected for Hb quantification by AHA (gold standard). Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the demographic details of the donor. Kappa statistics were used to determine the level of agreement between the two methods of Hb estimation. Results The median age of the study participants was 30 years (IQR: 25-36). The proportion of false eligible donors was 5.5%, and false deferral donors were 2.3% using the CuSO4 gravimetric method. The specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values, and Kappa agreement for CuSO4 were 53.8%, 94.7%, 93.8%, 58.3%, and 0.51, respectively. In contrast, the specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values, and Kappa agreement for HemoCue were 63.6%, 97.9%, 96%, 77.7%, and 0.67, respectively. Conclusion. The current study revealed that, the performance of the CuSO4 gravimetric method is relatively poor, with a high proportion of false eligible donors than the HemoCue method. These findings warrant further studies to evaluate the quality control measures for CuSO4 gravimetric method and explore alternative point-of-care methods for Hb estimation among blood donors in similar resource limited-settings.

Research of coloristic properties of textile materials dyed with natural dyestuff

The development of an environmentally friendly technology for dyeing textile materials for various purposes implies the modification of technological processes by using less harmful consumables, namely, dyes of plant origin. Dyes of plant origin have biological decomposability and the most friendly to human nature, and many of them also have a complex of antibacterial and medicinal properties. The purpose of this work is to study the colorimetric properties and develop mathematical models of the obtained dyes based on natural herbs. Extracts of dyes for dyeing textile materials are obtained from the peel of onions, walnut shell, tansy and hypericum with the addition of the following modifying components: aluminum-potassium alum or copper sulfate. The study of the coloristic properties of the obtained dyes was carried out using the Konica Minolta CM-3600d device in the color coordinates 360-700 nm. The results of the study showed the high efficiency of the use of modifying additives in the composition of dyes on the quality of coloring of textile materials. Based on the results of coloristic studies, regression equations and mathematical models describing the effects of staining depth and color reflection on the intensity of tissue coloring are constructed. Due to the active extraction of natural dyes and expanded color shades, the introduction of natural dyes into the textile industry is an urgent task. The introduction of developed natural dyes with modifying additives will improve the hygienic properties of products and increase the environmental friendliness of the finishing process.

One‐Step Laser Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles and Laser‐Induced Graphene in a Paper Substrate for Non‐Enzymatic Glucose Sensing

AbstractThe synergy resulting from the high conductivity of graphene and catalytic properties of metal nanoparticle has been a resource to improve the activity and functionality of electrochemical sensors. This work focuses on the simultaneous synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and laser‐induced graphene (LIG) derived from paper, through a one‐step laser processing approach. A chromatography paper substrate with drop‐casted copper sulfate is used for the fabrication of this hybrid material, characterized in terms of its morphological, chemical, and conductive properties. Appealing conductive properties are achieved, with sheet resistance of 170 Ω sq−1 being reached, while chemical characterization confirms the simultaneous synthesis of the conductive carbon electrode material and metallic copper nanostructures. Using optimized laser synthesis and patterning conditions, LIG/CuNPs‐based working electrodes are fabricated within a three‐electrode planar cell, and their electrochemical performance is assessed against pristine LIG electrodes, demonstrating good electron transfer kinetics appropriate for electrochemical sensing. The sensor's ability to detect glucose through a non‐enzymatic route is optimized, to assure good sensing performance in standard samples and in artificial sweat complex matrix.

Whole Blood Donor Iron Management Across Europe: Experiences and Challenges in Four Blood Establishments

Whole blood donors lose iron while donating and frequent blood donation is therefore known to induce a risk of iron deficiency and/or anemia. In this review we present, compare and discuss the pros and cons of 4 distinctive donor iron management strategies in England, Finland, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Donor iron management policies in the countries concerned are described for the year 2021, and data on donor and donation numbers, low hemoglobin (Hb) deferral rates and Hb levels are presented. In England Hb levels were only measured in donors failing a copper sulphate test, while in the other 3 countries Hb is measured at every donation. In Finland, donors considered at risk of iron deficiency receive iron supplements, while in the Netherlands, ferritin-guided donation intervals without iron supplementation are in place. In Denmark, iron supplementation is provided to donors with low ferritin levels. Low-Hb deferral rates and average Hb levels are quite similar across the included countries, with the exception of higher deferral rates in England. To conclude, despite significant diversity in donor iron management approaches, low Hb deferral rates and average Hb levels are similar among the included countries except for England, where higher deferral rates were observed that are likely attributed to the absence of iron supplementation or ferritin-guided deferral. Achieving an optimal, more tailored iron management strategy requires further research and a nuanced understanding of both donor demographics and physiological responses to optimize the effectiveness and safety of blood donation practices.

Green synthesis and antimicrobial activity of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPS) by Piper longum fruit extract

Many applications of green synthesis in the field of environment and biomedicine aiming at decreasing the use of toxic chemicals through utilizing of plants which are safe. In this study, at 0.1 M concentration of copper sulfate (CuSO4.5H2O), CuNPs were prepared and identified by changing the blue color into green color (ethanolic extract) and from blue color to black color (water extract) and the spectrophotometric detection of ultraviolet and infrared spectra. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) pattern was utilized to confirm the crystal structure of CuNPs. The morphology and size of the CuNPs was measured by a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM). Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) was used for identification of the elemental composition of CuNPs involving copper and oxygen. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was utilized to confirm the shape of prepared copper nanoparticles. In vitro antibacterial activity was tested using two methods including desk diffusion assay considering zones of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against six types of certain bacterial types (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis). The results showed potent inhibitory activity of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and water extract (Ext. 2) against all bacterial strains. KEY WORDS: Copper nanoparticles, Piper Longum, Extract, Synthesis, Antibacterial Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(6), 1653-1666. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i6.12

Copper (II) increases anti-Proliferative activity of thymoquinone in colon cancer cells by increasing genotoxic, apoptotic, and reactive oxygen species generating effects

Thymoquinone is the main active compound derived from the essential oil of the Nigella sativa plant seed. While thymoquinone is an antioxidant, it has been reported in several studies that thymoquinone has dose-dependent pro-oxidant activity with the Fenton reaction in the presence of transition elements such as iron and copper. This study aimed to investigate cytotoxic, apoptotic, genotoxic, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating effects of thymoquinone treated with copper in colon cancer cells. HT-29 cells were treated with pro-oxidant-acting doses of thymoquinone alone and together with the non-toxic dose of Copper (II) Sulfate for 24 h. Cytotoxic, apoptotic, genotoxic, and ROS production activities were analyzed by MTT viability test, Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) staining, alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis and H2DCF-DA assay, respectively. Viability results showed that thymoquinone and copper synergistically affect cancer cells, and DNA damage was increased with the synergic effect. The intracellular ROS was increased when thymoquinone and copper were applied together. Applying redox-active copper (II) with thymoquinone increases DNA damage, apoptosis, and cell death by increasing the amount of intracellular ROS through pro-oxidant activity. Treatments targeting copper-related pathways may open new therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment.

355 Determining the bioavailability of copper carbonate (Emerald-C) and tribasic copper chloride relative to copper sulfate in feedlot steers under moderate antagonistic pressure

Abstract Copper (Cu) from Cu sulfate (CuSO4) may be more susceptible to antagonism when fed in cattle diets high in sulfur and molybdenum, but other Cu supplements may be better able to avoid this. The objective of this study was to determine the bioavailability of Cu carbonate (CuCO3; Emerald-C, Old Bridge Minerals, Old Bridge, NJ) and tribasic Cu chloride (TBCC; Intellibond-C, Selko, Indianapolis, IN) relative to CuSO4 when fed to steers supplemented with 2 mg Mo/kg DM and 0.1% S. Angus crossbred steers [n = 84; body weight (BW) = 282 ± 19.3 kg] were enrolled (n = 12 per treatment) in a 96-d study and fed a corn-silage based diet with one of seven Cu supplementation strategies: no supplemental Cu (CON), 5 or 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM from CuSO4, 5 or 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM from TBCC, or 5 or 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM from CuCO3. Steers were housed in pens equipped with GrowSafe feed bunks (GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Airdire, AB, Canada) with six steers per pen. The GLM procedure of SAS 9.4 was used to determine the bioavailability of CuCO3 and TBCC relative to CuSO4 using both liver and plasma Cu. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to analyze liver Cu, plasma Cu, and growth performance data. Contrasts compared CON vs. 5 mg/kg, CON vs. 10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg vs. 10 mg/kg, CuCO3 vs. CuSO4, TBCC vs. CuSO4, and CuCO3 vs. TBCC. The bioavailability of CuCO3 relative to CuSO4 based on liver and plasma Cu was 89 (P < 0.01) and 133% (P = 0.21), respectively. The bioavailability of TBCC relative to CuSO4 based on liver and plasma Cu was 88 (P < 0.01) and 100% (P = 0.82), respectively. Over the 96-d trial, liver Cu decreased 66% in CON, from 74 to 21 mg Cu/kg DM. Steers receiving CuCO3 had greater plasma Cu concentrations than those receiving TBCC on d 56 (P = 0.05) but were similar by d 96 (P = 0.39). Copper supplemented steers had greater dry matter intake (DMI) than CON (P = 0.01). Steers supplemented with CuCO3 had greater DMI than those receiving TBCC (P = 0.05). Steers receiving TBCC tended to have greater gain:feed than those receiving CuSO4 (P = 0.08), but gain:feed did not differ between CON and supplemented treatments (P ≥ 0.6). In conclusion, CuCO3 and TBCC may be less available to steers under moderate antagonistic pressure based on liver Cu, but Emerald-C CuCO3 may result in greater Cu in circulation. More research is needed to evaluate the impact of feeding CuCO3 on systemic Cu metabolism and how factors such as initial Cu status impact relative bioavailability results.

The Versatility of the Dicyanamide Anion (Dca) as a Bridging Ligand: Synthesis, Structure and Theory of a Unique Ladder Chain Consisting of 2 µ1,5-dca Bridged Dinuclear Cu2(dca)2 Units with Additional µ1,3-dca Bridges Along the Chain

AbstractThe synthesis and structural details of a mixed-ligand Cu(II) coordination compound, specifically catena-poly[bis(dicyanamido)(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)copper(II)] 1, are reported. The title compound was synthesized utilizing a solvothermal method by employing dicyanamide, 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) and copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4•5H2O) as the starting materials. The title compound was characterized by standard analytical and spectroscopic methods. The 3D structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Examination of the supramolecular interaction patterns indicates that the stability of the ladder structure is achieved by the bridging dca anions and the presence of weak hydrogen-bonding contacts, specifically C-H···O and C-H···N bonds, as well as C-O/N···π interactions. These interactions together contribute to the formation of a ladder-type infinite chain structure. The generated structure has been theoretically investigated with Hirshfeld surface analysis, QTAIM and NCI analysis to reveal the interaction energies and bonds present inside and between molecules. The non-covalent interactions present in the crystal structure were further investigated theoretically, with particular attention to the cooperative C ≡ N···π(py) and N···π(hole) interactions involving the dicyanamide ligand and nitrile moieties in the compound. The solid-state stability of compound 1 appears to be strongly influenced by the cooperative effect of H-bonding interactions as well as the C ≡ N···π(py) and N···π(hole) contacts, as confirmed by theoretical calculations. Graphical Abstract Synthesis, Structure and Theoretical Calculations of a Unique Ladder Chain Containing the Dicyanamido Ligand (dca), Consisting of 2 µ1,5-dca Bridged Dinuclear Cu2(dca)2Units and Having µ1,3-dca Bridges along the Chain. One sentence essence: catena-poly[bis(dicyanamido)(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)copper(II)] is a unique ribbon ladder, infinite chain structure with two differently bridged dicyanamide anions

Development of novel plasma process for modification of solid and liquid interfaces for high-energy-density Cu-MnOx supercapacitor electrodes

Supercapacitors are known for their fast-charging capabilities and high-power density, though their energy density is lower compared to common batteries. Modifying the interface of manganese oxide (MnOx) electrodes by incorporating copper (Cu) is a promising method to enhance the energy density of supercapacitors, though it is not yet fully implemented due to the high electrical resistance inherent to MnOx. This work addresses this challenge by incorporating copper oxide into MnOx. A custom-designed atmospheric-pressure plasma device is used to induce super-hydrophilicity in the carbon cloth substrate, thereby improving MnOx electrodeposition. The copper sulfate precursor solution is also treated with direct plasma discharge to increase the copper doping rate in MnOx. The resulting Cu-MnOx supercapacitor electrodes, with copper oxide incorporated into the material, exhibit significantly lower charge transfer resistance and impedance, indicating an improved electrolyte/electrode interface. The assembled asymmetric supercapacitor, featuring Cu-MnOx as the cathode and activated carbon as the anode, demonstrates a specific capacitance of 92.3 F/g at 1 A g-1, a power density of 700 W/kg, and an energy density of 25.13 Wh/kg. This approach is promising for developing next-generation plasma processing technologies and energy storage materials and devices, as well as easy-to-implement surface modifications for improved wettability.

Effects of Micronutrients on the Growth and Phytochemical Composition of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in the Field and Greenhouse (Hydroponics and Soil Culture).

The current research was conducted to compare the growth, yield, and phytochemical composition of basil (Ocimum basilicum) in the open field and the soil and hydroponic cultivation in a greenhouse. Furthermore, the effect of foliar spraying of micronutrients on this crop was also evaluated. In each of the cultivation systems, foliar spraying of one micronutrient, either iron sulfate (Fe), zinc sulfate (Zn), copper sulfate (Cu), manganese sulfate (Mn), or boric acid (B), at a concentration of 0.1% was applied in a randomized complete block design. Plants grown in the hydroponic system had higher yield and biomass. The concentration of the elements K, Ca, Mg, N, P, Mn, Fe, B, and Zn in the leaves of hydroponic plants was higher. Contrarily, plants cultivated in the field showed higher stem dry weight, essential oil content, phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. The level of methyl chavicol was higher in the hydroponic culture, but the level of 1,8-cineole was much lower in this cropping system. Foliar spraying of Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, or B significantly increased leaf dry weight and anthocyanin content. In field conditions, the highest levels of phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity were observed with Zn or Mn application. In the hydroponic system, foliar spraying of Zn or B led to the highest antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Overall, the basil plants cultivated in the field showed higher bioactive ingredients. However, the essential oil of plants cultivated in the hydroponic system had a higher economic value due to its higher percentage of methyl chavicol.

The role of soil amendments in limiting the leaching of agrochemicals: Laboratory assessment for copper sulphate and dicamba

Agriculture is among the major contributors to soil and groundwater pollution, primarily through the widespread leaching of pesticides and fertilizers from crops, as well as accidental releases from point sources. Therefore, alongside restrictions on the use of highly soluble agrochemicals and enhanced application guidelines, there is a significant demand for low-impact and cost-effective solutions aimed at reducing the mobility of agrochemicals in the soils. This study evaluates the potential of soil amendments—commonly used to enhance soil structural properties, water holding capacity, and fertility—to also absorb highly soluble pesticides, thereby controlling their leaching into the subsoil. Specifically, zeolite, biochar, and milled corncob were examined in laboratory tests under static (batch tests) and dynamic (column leaching tests) conditions to assess their effectiveness in adsorbing two widely used pesticides, copper sulphate and dicamba. Batch adsorption tests were performed using the amendments as pure materials and in mixtures with sand at various application rates (1–20% by weight). The highest affinity to copper sulphate was recorded for biochar, while dicamba exhibited a higher affinity to corncob, thanks to its higher content of organic carbon. Column leaching tests, performed at an amendment application rate of 5%, confirmed the different affinity observed in batch tests among pesticides and amended soil. Less than 2% of copper sulphate leached out from biochar- and zeolite-sand columns, while a recovery of 10% and 56% was observed for the corncob-sand mixture and for pure sand, respectively. Dicamba leaching from biochar- and corncob-sand columns was halved compared to pure sand. In conclusion, the tested soil amendments resulted highly effective in reducing pesticide leaching, opening the way for their possible applications in agriculture to reduce or prevent both diffuse and punctual contamination.

Copper and Temperature Interaction Induced Gill and Liver Lesions and Behaviour Alterations in Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Climate changes linked to extreme events pose a threat to freshwater biodiversity, impacting organs, behaviour, and reproduction. Moreover, these changes can be amplified by pollution. Copper sulphate (CuSO4) is used in agriculture and aquaculture, so the copper can reach streams, rivers, and lakes impacting fish. This study evaluated the combined effects of temperature and copper on gills and liver histology biomarkers and in the behaviour of Mozambique tilapia over 28 days. Tilapias were exposed to different water temperatures (25 °C and 32 °C) and CuSO4 concentrations (1.1 and 3.6 mg/L). Fish from the control group were exposed to water without copper sulphate and at 25 °C (within their optimum range). Histopathological analysis revealed significant tissue lesions, namely aneurysms and bending of gill lamellae, and hyalinization and vacuolization in the liver at the higher temperature and CuSO4 level. Moreover, behavioural observations revealed increased stress changes under the same conditions. These findings highlight the effects of fast climate change, and rising temperatures on copper toxicity, underlining the necessity for strict monitoring and regulation of copper use due to future climate change scenarios to protect aquatic ecosystems, ichthyofauna population and trophic web dynamics. This data also alerts for similar problems with other toxic metals or chemicals, at short term, in streams and rivers, under rapid climate changes and more frequent extreme events.

Catalytic alcoholysis of fiberglass reinforced epoxy resin composites

The article presents the results of a study of alcoholysis of fiberglass reinforced epoxy resin composites obtained by vacuum infusion. To intensify alcoholysis, chlorides, nitrates and sulfates of cobalt (II) and copper (II) were introduced into the reaction medium in an amount of 5% of the mass of ethyl alcohol for each system. The efficiency of the system was assessed based on data from the analysis of mass change of composite samples during alcoholysis, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the presence of metal chlorides contributes to 5 times increase of the alcoholysis velocity. The residual strength of the recovered fiber samples obtained is at least 95%.