Quantification of Sunscreen Ethylhexyl Triazone in Topical Skin-Care Products by Normal-Phase TLC/Densitometry

Ethylhexyl triazone (ET) was separated from other sunscreens such as avobenzone, octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate, and diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate and from parabens by normal-phase HPTLC on silica gel 60 as stationary phase. Two mobile phases were particularly effective: (A) cyclohexane-diethyl ether 1 : 1 (v/v) and (B) cyclohexane-diethyl ether-acetone 15 : 1 : 2 (v/v/v) since apart from ET analysis they facilitated separation and quantification of other sunscreens present in the formulations. Densitometric scanning was performed at 300 nm. Calibration curves for ET were nonlinear (second-degree polynomials), with R > 0.998. For both mobile phases limits of detection (LOD) were 0.03 and limits of quantification (LOQ) 0.1 μg spot−1. Both methods were validated

Chitinase and Antifungal Activity of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig

Chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) is a class of hydrolytic enzyme capable of degrading polymeric chitin, and it has been reported and isolated from many sources. In the present study, we evaluated the ability of endophytic fungi isolated from native Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig in producing chitinase following its characterization and the test of its inhibitory activities against Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. emend. Snyder & Hansen, a pathogenic fungus causing wilt disease among common corps in North Sumatra. Twelve endophytic fungal isolates were tested for their ability to grow on chitin agar medium, resulting in only two isolates, namely isolate JRE 1A and JRE 4B, capable of producing a visible clear zone indicating the secretion of extracellular chitinase. The two isolates were observed for their morphology and identified on the basis of molecular markers (ITS1–ITS4) within the region of ITS-rDNA, resulting in the species designation of Trichoderma afroharzianum JRE 1A and Aspergillus fumigatus JRE 4B. The production was detected highest after 4 days of incubation for A. fumigatus JRE 4B (4.76 U/mL) and 3 days for T. afroharzianum JRE 1A (4.15 U/mL). The crude chitinases showed stable activities within the pH range of 4–7, stimulated by Mn2+ and Zn2+ and slightly inhibited by K+ and Ca2+. Furthermore, the strongest antagonistic activity against F. oxysporum was displayed by T. afroharzianum (CGI > 70%) followed by A. fumigatus (CGI > 30%). The precipitated crude chitinases extracted from the endophytes also inhibited the growth of the tested phytopathogenic fungi

Microbiological Hazards Associated with Archaeological Works, Illustrated with an Example of Fredro Crypt (Przemyśl, Poland)

The human remains and other materials found in crypts can be highly contaminated with microorganisms. Archaeologists are exposed to microorganisms in many ways (e.g by inhaling dust, contaminating scratches or cuts). We aimed at evaluating microbial hazards associated with human remains and bioaerosols formed during archaeological works in burial crypts. The samples of the human remains, bioaerosols and personal protective equipment (dust respirators, disposable coveralls) were collected during archaeological works in the vault of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Przemyśl (Fredro crypt). The microbiological examination involved determining the number of spores of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, the number of mesophilic and hemolytic bacteria, and the number of xerophilic, non- xerophilic and keratinolytic fungi. The air as well as objects and materials found in crypts are highly contaminated with bacteria and fungi. The xerophilic fungi were the most numerous in all samples of human remains 1–230·103 cfu(colony forming units/g). The non-xerophilic fungi were predominant in bioaerosols (>104 cfu/m3 during archaeological works). The majority of bacterial strains (81.3%) belonged to the genus Bacillus. Fungi belonging to the genera Penicillium (65.2%) and Aspergillus (28.6%) dominated among the isolated fungi. Fogging sterilization of the crypt turned out to be ineffective. The high number of microorganisms both in the air and on human remains indicates that there is a need for particular caution during archaeological works which cause dust emission. In order to reduce exposure to harmful biological factors, the use of disposable personal protective equipment seems necessary

Concept to Practice of Geospatial-Information Tools to Assist Forest Management and Planning under Precision Forestry Framework: a review

Precision forestry is a new direction for better forest management. Precision forestry employs information technology and analytical tools to support economic, environmental and sustainable decision; the use of geospatial information tools enables highly repeatable measurements, actions and processes to manage and harvest forest stands, simultaneously allowing information linkages between production and wood supply chain, including resource managers and environmental community. In this report, we reviewed the most recent advances in the use of geospatial information technologies in forestry, and discussed their potential opportunities and challenges towards forest management and planning in the framework of precision forestry