The Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya, DP) is promising for the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its nutritional value and pharmaceutical potential. Its proper cultivation is therefore of interest. An insufficient supply of minerals necessary for plant growth can be manifested by discoloration of the leaves. In our earlier study, magnesium deficiency was excluded as a cause. As a follow-up, this work focused on manganese and molybdenum. To quantify both minerals in leaf extracts of DP, analytical methods based on atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using the graphite furnace sub-technique were devised. The development revealed that the quantification of manganese works best without using any of the investigated modifiers. The optimized pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were 1300 °C and 1800 °C, respectively. For the analysis of molybdenum, calcium proved to be advantageous as a modifier. The optimum temperatures were 1900 °C and 2800 °C, respectively. Both methods showed satisfactory linearity for analysis. Thus, they were applied to quantify extracts from normal and discolored leaves of DP concerning the two minerals. It was found that discolored leaves had higher manganese levels and a lower molybdenum content. With these results, a potential explanation for the discoloration could be found.

The aim of this study was to assess the level of contamination of the common dandelion-Taraxacum officinale-with selected metals (Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) and to demonstrate that this plant can be used in passive biomonitoring of industrial sites. Two sample transects (the first was near a forest, an area potentially uncontaminated by analytes [A], while the second ran near a steel mill, a contaminated area [B]), each about 1.5 km long, located in Ozimek, Opole Province, Poland, were used in this study. Metals in plant and soil samples were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Based on the analysis of the obtained results to determine the concentration of metals, plants at site A were more contaminated with Mn (240 mg/kg d.m.) and those at site B with Fe (635 mg/kg d.m.). Mean Pb values (8.39 mg/kg d.m.) were higher at the industrial site (B) and statistically significant at the forest site (A), together with Mn and Fe at the p < 0.001 level. The BCF values for T. officinale showed that Cu (0.473) and Zn (0.785) accumulated to an average degree on both transects. This shows that dandelion is heavily loaded with these metals. Both dandelion and soil samples showed the highest concentrations of Mn, Fe, and Zn, especially in the polluted area B, which is the result of pollution not only from the smelter (dust from electric arc furnaces in steel smelting, extraction installations in production halls transmitting pollutants into the air from molding sand, or waste from molding and core masses dumped on the heap and blown by the wind from the landfill) but also from the high anthropopressure caused by human activity-for example, heating processes or road transport. Our results confirmed that Taraxacum officinale can be successfully used as a herbal plant in passive biomonitoring to assess the quality of the environment, but it must be collected from uncontaminated areas if we want to use it like a medicinal plant.

The ongoing development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a global challenge. Research in that field is thus necessary. Analytical techniques are required for such a purpose. From this perspective, the focus was on atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Although it is old, AAS often offers unexpected potential. Of course, this should be exploited. The aim was therefore to demonstrate the versatility of the technique in antibacterial research. This is illustrated by various examples of its practical application. AAS can be used, for example, to confirm the identity of antibacterial compounds, for purity controls, or to quantify the antibiotics in pharmaceutical preparations. The latter allowed analysis without laborious sample preparation and without interference from other excipients. In addition, AAS can help elucidate the mode of action or resistance mechanisms. In this context, quantifying the accumulation of the antibiotic drug in the cell of (resistant) bacteria appears to play an important role. The general application of AAS is not limited to metal-containing drugs, but also enables the determination of some organic chemical antibiotics. Altogether, this perspective presents a range of applications for AAS in antibacterial research, intending to raise awareness of the method and may thus contribute to the fight against resistance.

This study aims to evaluate the heavy metal concentration in fifteen species of vegetables as well as associated health risk. Atomic absorption spectrometry is used to assess heavy metals. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni and Fe in vegetables were 4.78, 0.713, 9.266, 0.083, 5.06 mg/kg/fw exceeding the reference value of FAO/WHO indicating unsafe to consumption. Based on principal component analysis, the Pb, Cr, Ni and Fe are from same sources. Health risk was estimated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient, hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR). The EDI values of metals except Cr were found to be lower than maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The total THQs of metals were > 1 indicating non-carcinogenic health risk. The individual HI values for vegetables except potato (0.831) and total HI values were found to be > 1 (94.747). The TCR of Pb, Cd and Cr were > 1.0E-04 which indicating carcinogenic risk. Fruit and pod vegetables contribute much in carcinogenic risk for Pb and Cr whereas fruit, root and stems vegetables for Cd. The study revealed potential human health risk associated with the consumption of different types of vegetables in Bangladeshi adult population that might assist the regulatory bodies to develop new strategies to minimize the risk to human.

Sensitive and precise methods for the estimation of zinc (Zn) in biological fluids and foods are important tools in understanding the various aspects related to Zn nutrition. Estimation of serum/plasma Zn was suggested for assessing the population Zn status while assessing the bioaccessible Zn following simulated gastrointestinal digestion of crop varieties such as rice helps in ranking the crops. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are widely used for Zn estimation. Zinquin, a Zn fluorophore, has been used for the localization of cellular Zn and labile Zn pools in biological fluids with extremely high sensitivity. However, it was not tested for its use in Zn estimation in serum/plasma or in assessing the Zn bioaccessibility from foods. In the current study, we demonstrate a sensitive method for Zn estimation in human plasma and validate it against the reference method (AAS) by comparing the paired measurements on the same samples. The method-related bias between zinquin with AAS was negligible (0.48 µg/dL), and the precision (CV) of the assay was < 5% across different Zn concentrations. In addition, we also demonstrated the utility of zinquin assay in estimating the bioaccessibility of Zn from rice varieties and showed that the method is again comparable to AAS. The zinquin method is capable of discriminating the differences in zinc bioaccessibility between polished and unpolished rice varieties. In the context of required low plasma volume (100 µL Vs 400 µL), excellent comparability of the results with the reference method and analytical simplicity could be particularly useful.

Selected wild-growing edible fungi (Boletus edulis, Neoboletus luridiformis, Cantharellus cibarius, Macrolepiota procera, Amanita rubescens, Russula virescens, Lycoperdon perlatum, and Flammulina velutipes) along with the poisonous medicinal species Amanita muscaria were collected from five sites in the Bohemian Forest, the Czech Republic and analyzed regarding the contents of 19 elements (Ag, Al, As, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Tl, and Zn) in their fruiting bodies. The contents of the elements as well as bioconcentration factors (ratios of the element content in dry matter of the mushroom to the content in the soil; BCF) were significantly species dependent. In general, the analysis revealed the most intensive accumulation of Cd, Rb, Ag, Cu, Se, and Zn in the studied mushrooms. B. edulis accumulated Ag, Se, Cd, Rb, Cu, and Zn with average BCF of 31, 25, 18, 13, 3.9, and 2.6, respectively. On the other hand, A. rubescens accumulated Cd, Rb, Ag, Cu, Zn, and As (BCF of 41, 27, 4.8, 3.3, 2.1, and 1.4). The data concerning the detrimental elements in sporocarps of edible mushrooms indicate no negative effect on human health if the fungi are consumed occasionally or as a delicacy.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are widely used for gas adsorption, separation, and sensing materials. In most cases, MOFs are not used in their crystal form but as impregnated materials because the fine crystals result in high-pressure drops. One key characteristic of MOF-impregnated materials is the amount of MOF in the material. This is evaluated using the wet digestion method; however, it is limited to determining only the metal content. Moreover, some metal, denoted as free metal, will not react with ligands to form MOFs. Additionally, it is crucial to determine the ligand amount, which cannot be determined using wet digestion. In the present study, a two-step extraction method for copper (II) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC MOF) impregnated materials was developed to determine the MOF formed and free metals and ligands. Various solvents were applied to evaluate the extraction efficiencies. The results led to the selection of ethanol (EtOH) for extracting free Cu2+ and BTC, while 0.3 M HNO3 was chosen to extract MOF-formed Cu2+ and BTC. The MOF-impregnated sample material was first extracted using EtOH and then 0.3 M HNO3. The Cu2+ and BTC in the obtained extract solutions, as well as EtOH and HNO3, were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. In standard addition tests, free and MOF-formed Cu2+ and BTC were quantitatively extracted from MOF-impregnated materials. The developed two-step analysis method was successfully applied to Cu-BTC-impregnated materials used in gas sensing.

OBJECTIVE: A siddha drug, linga chendhooram was prepared from cinnabar (lingam) and Citrullus colocynthis L. The transition of heavy metals concentration throughout the process were analysed to comprehend the significance of drug preparatory methods. In addition to that the main constituent cinnabar was purified from two different methods to comparatively analyse the significance of purification methods.
METHODS: Atomic absorption spectrometric studies were employed to obtain the concentration of class I heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury) in all five samples - raw cinnabar (R), cinnabar purified (P1 and P2) from purification method 1 and 2, linga chendhooram (D1 and D2) prepared from P1 and P2.
RESULTS: Based on the permissible limits given by The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, except cadmium the concentrations of all other three heavy metals were found to be above the limit in P1, P2, D1 and D2. According to the oral Permitted Daily Exposure values for elemental impurities given in ICH Q3D(R1) Guidelines, D1 was within the permissible limits for both single and double oral doses whereas D2 showed a slight increase in the concentration of lead in a single oral dose itself.
CONCLUSIONS: The drug preparatory method showed a reduction of the heavy metals concentration and comparative analysis of the purification methods revealed a substantial reduction of heavy metals concentration in the end drug D1 when compared with D2 showing that the methods of purification and drug preparation in siddha system plays a vital role in reducing the concentrations of heavy metals accordingly.

In this study, concentrations of 9 heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in water and sediments of the Kaptai Lake were determined by neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry techniques to study their distribution and contamination in the lake. Average concentrations of Cr and Co in sediments, and Fe and Pb in water were higher than those of some international guideline values. Different environmental pollution indexes (individual and synergistic) suggested that the sediments of Kaptai Lake are minorly enriched by As and Zn, and have low severity of contamination at most of the sampling sites. For residential receptors exposed to the heavy metals in lake water, both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic hazards were assessed which indicated that there is no carcinogenic risk for As while Cr shows a slightly carcinogenic risk. Moreover, estimated potential ecological risks and different SQGs suggested low ecotoxicological risks in the sediments of Kaptai Lake. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed the correlation among the studied heavy metals and indicated that the origin of most of the metals is mainly lithogenic and a small number of metals (Cu and Pb) from anthropogenic sources. The results of this study will be helpful in developing a pollution control strategy for the lake.

The aim of the current study was to separate and determine arsenic in water and fish samples using a novel and green solidified floating organic drop microextraction (SFODME), which is based on switchable hydrophilicity solvent (SHS)-assisted procedure followed by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). The 4-((2-hydroxyquinoline-7-yl)diazenyl)-N-(4-methylisoxazol-3-yl)benzene sulfonamide (HDNMBA) and tertiary amine (4-(2-aminoethyl)-N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (AADMBA) were used as ligand and SHS, respectively. The use of SHS promotes quantitative extraction of arsenic complexes into an extraction solvent (1-undecanol). Some factors that impact extraction recovery were studied. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.005 μg L-1 and 0.015 μg L-1, respectively. The calibration graph was linear up to 900.0 μg L-1 arsenic, with the enrichment factor is 267. The proposed SHS-SFODME methodology for arsenic quantification in water and fish samples was successfully implemented. The environmental friendliness and safety of proposed method were approved by the Analytical Greenness Calculator (AGREE) and the Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI) tools.