Extraction of Copper, Lead and Nickel from Hydrochloric Acid Solutions by N-Methyl-N,N,N-Trioctyloctan-1-Ammonium Chloride in Methyl Isobutyl Ketone

Amines as organic molecules are able to form complexes with metals ions and this is the reason why we can use them to extract metals ions from hydrometallurgical solutions. Based on that, we have investigated the extraction of copper, lead and nickel with N-methyl-N,N,N-trioctyloctan-1-ammonium chloride from the mixture of elements prepared in artificial manner. We investigated the influence of HCl concentration and salts (NaCl, NaI and CH3COONa) concentration in extraction of three elements (copper, lead and nickel) from water solutions. All extractions were done from HCl water solutions with c = 2, 4 and 6 mol dm-3 and in presence of NaCl, NaI and CH3COONa salts, which we prepared in different concentrations. Extraction of copper from NaCl solution move from 12.5-76.8%, from NaI solution 100% and from CH3COONa solution 5.1-88.2%. Extraction of lead from NaCl solution move from 0-48.5%, from NaI solution 100% and from CH3COONa solution 32.6-82.1%. In solutions of NaCl, NaI and CH3COONa we cannot extraction the nickel

Estimation of the groundwater quality in the western part of Lipjan (Kosovo)

The study of the effect of anthropogenic activity on the water quality was carried out in the western part of Lipjan (Kosovo). The software “Statistica 6.0” was used for calculations of basic statistical parameters and anomalies (extremes and outliers). The levels of some physicochemical parameters of groundwater are compared with the World Health Organization standards for drinking water. Our results show significant pollution (high values of electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and consumption of KMnO4) of groundwaters as a result of anthropogenic activity coming from settlements, pollution of small rivers (Vodavoda and Grika) and wastewaters in the surrounding area

Underground houses - systematic approach toward underground construction of living space

The urgent need for energy consumption reduction and trends of global warming leads toward exploring possibilities to “hide” living space from explosion to climate changes as a result of global warming. This paper aims to present benefits of underground houses, underground living space. Housing is elementary process of mankind life that was performed from the existence of life in different forms, shapes, levels and social developments. House, as one used to get protected by phenomena of the nature, historically used in different shapes, levels and materials, created mentality that one percept as protective, and isolated space, for life activities. This paper treat possibilities, and priorities, of underground housing and construction of underground house in current development of technology, climate development impact, current development of mentality of society and approach of society toward energy efficiency, as underground house is one of the contribution. Paper as well analyze applicable standards and current legislation in Kosova for underground construction and housing

Underground houses - systematic approach toward underground construction of living space

The urgent need for energy consumption reduction and trends of global warming leads toward exploring possibilities to “hide” living space from explosion to climate changes as a result of global warming. This paper aims to present benefits of underground houses, underground living space. Housing is elementary process of mankind life that was performed from the existence of life in different forms, shapes, levels and social developments. House, as one used to get protected by phenomena of the nature, historically used in different shapes, levels and materials, created mentality that one percept as protective, and isolated space, for life activities. This paper treat possibilities, and priorities, of underground housing and construction of underground house in current development of technology, climate development impact, current development of mentality of society and approach of society toward energy efficiency, as underground house is one of the contribution. Paper as well analyze applicable standards and current legislation in Kosova for underground construction and housing

Water Quality Assessment of Sitnica River (Kosovo): A Statistical Evolution

Degradation of water quality is very important issue in Kosovo. Discharge of untreated or partially treated industrial and domestic wastewater, leaching of pesticides and residues of fertilizers; and navigation are often factors that affect the quality of water. The aim of this study was to analyze the river water quality of Sitnica. Exact geographic coordinates were measured by GPS and locations were well described. Water samples were collected in 10 sampling points and the following physico-chemical parameters were analyzed

Pojavnost citrinina u zrnju pšenice uzgojenoj na Kosovu i u Albaniji tijekom 2021. godine

Citrinin (CIT) is a mycotoxin responsible for the contamination of many agricultural products, like wheat, barley, corn, rice and their products, as also other foodstuffs and feedstuffs used in human and animal nutrition. It is essentially produced by Penicillium citrinum, although it can also be biosynthesised from Penicillium expansum and Penicillium verrucosum and some species of Aspergillus and Monascus. However, several studies have shown that CIT is known for its genotoxic, hepatotoxic, fetotoxic and teratogenic properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence of CIT in wheat grain cultivated in Kosovo and Albania. Given the fact that wheat flour is the most consumed product in Kosovo and Albania, it is necessary to analyse the CIT in wheat in these two countries. In total, 60 wheat samples were tested from Fusha e Kosovës (Kosovo), Myzeqeja (Albania) and Fusha e Maliqit (Albania), as places with the highest wheat production. The enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to determine CIT concentrations. To identify moulds representing potential producers of CIT, traditional macroscopic and microscopic methods and the molecular PCR method of identification were implemented. CIT was detected in 96.6% and 86.6% of wheat grain samples collected in Kosovo and Albania, respectively. The maximum amount of CIT detected in wheat grain was 53.12 μg/ kg in Kosovo, and 45.74 μg/kg in Albania. The amount of CIT found in wheat grain is not comparable with the maximal limits (MLs), as the European legislation does not provide limits for this mycotoxin. However, since there is generally a lack of data about CIT in cereals in Kosovo and Albania, the results can serve as an indicator of wheat grain contamination in this part of the Balkan Peninsula.itrinin (CIT) predstavlja mikotoksin za koji je utvrđeno da je odgovoran za kontaminaciju mnogih poljoprivrednih proizvoda poput: pšenice, ječma, kukuruza, riže i njihovih proizvoda, kao i drugih namirnica i hrane za životinje, osim onih na bazi žitarica, koje se koriste za prehranu ljudi i hranidbu životinja. Najviše ga proizvodi Penicillium citrinum, iako se može biosintetizirati i iz Penicillium expansum i Penicillium verrucosum te nekih vrsta Aspergillus i Monascus. Međutim, istraživanja pokazuju da su za CIT utvrđena genotoksična, hepatotoksična, fetotoksična i teratogena svojstva. Cilj ovoga istraživanja je bio utvrditi pojavnost CIT u zrnju pšenice koje se uzgaja na Kosovu i u Albaniji. S obzirom na činjenicu da je pšenično brašno najviše konzumirani proizvod na Kosovu i u Albaniji, analize CIT u zrnju pšenice u ove dvije zemlje od velikog su značenja. Ukupno je uzorkovano 60 uzoraka zrna pšenice na području poznatom kao Fusha e Kosovës (Kosovo), Myzeqeja (Albanija) i Fusha e Maliqit (Albanija), koja predstavljaju lokalitete na kojima se proizvodi najveća količina pšenice. Za određivanje koncentracije CIT korištena je imunoenzimna metoda ELISA. Za identifikaciju plijesni koje predstavljaju potencijalne producente CIT primijenjena je tradicionalna makroskopska i mikroskopska metoda te molekularna PCR metoda identifikacije. CIT je određen u 96,6 % i 86,6 % uzoraka zrnja pšenice prikupljenih na Kosovu i u Albaniji. Najveća količina CIT-a u zrnju pšenice proizvedenom na Kosovu bila je 53,12 μg/kg, a u Albaniji 45,74 μg/kg. Količina CIT utvrđena u pšenici ne može se usporediti s najvećom dopuštenom količinom (NDK), jer njegova razina u europskom zakonodavstvu nije definirana. No budući da podatci o količinama CIT u žitaricama uzgojenim na Kosovu i u Albaniji nisu dostupni, dobiveni rezultati mogu poslužiti kao pokazatelj kontaminacije zrnja pšenice na ovom dijelu Balkanskog poluotoka

Antibacterial activity of different extracts of Centaurea cyanus (L.) growing wild in Kosovo

publishedVersio

Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations with Fractionation Method in Sediments and Waters of the Badovci Lake (Kosovo)

The concentrations of thirteen metals (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) were analyzed in waters and sediments of the Badovci Lake. The total metal concentrations in the water followed the descending order: Fe > Al > Mn > Cu > Ba > Zn > As > Ni > Pb > V > Co > Cd > Cr, and the total metal content in the sediments also followed the descending order: Fe > Al > Mn > Ni > Cr > Pb > Ba > Zn > V > Cu > As > Co > Cd. According to EC 98/83, Al, Fe, and Mn at some sampling sites exceeded safety limits for drinking water, whereas other elements were at acceptable levels. The total content of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and V in the sediments exceeded the target values of the New Dutch List. Using pollution indicators such as the contamination factor (CF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo), most of the samples were unpolluted to moderately polluted by Cu, Cr, Pb, V, and Ni. The values of the pollution load index (PLI) were more than one (>1), indicating progressive deterioration of the sediment quality. The enrichment factor (EF) for all the studied metals suggests their enrichments in sediments of the Badovci Lake. Most of the elements were found in the residual fraction strongly bonded to the crystalline component. Pb, Mn, and Cu were bound in the organic and exchangeable components. The extent of pollution by heavy metals in sediments of the Badovci Lake implies that the environmental condition is relatively stable, and attention should be paid to metals bonded in the extractable and organic phases. It is recommended to periodically monitor water and sediment quality

Antibacterial Activity of Ethanol Extract from Salvia Officinalis (L.) Plant Growing Wild in Kosovo

In this study the antibacterial efficiency of ethanol extract from Salvia officinalis (L.) growing wild in Kosovo were examined. Ethanol extract was tested against two gram positive bacteria Staphylococus aureus (clinical isolate), Listeria monocytogenes (clinical isolate) and one gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli (clinical isolate). The antibacterial activity was determined by using agar disc diffusion method. The inhibition zone of extract was compared to that of penicillin G. The ethanol extract showed activity in all of the concentrations 1, 3 and 5 mg/mL towards E. coli, S. aureus and L. Monocytogenes. Ethanol extract of the plant with concentration 5 mg/mL showed a stronger antibacterial activity towards bacteria S. aureus with inhibition zone of 9 mm. The antibacterial activity of the S. officinalis (L.)was due to the presence of various secondary metabolites such as phenols and flavonoids. Hence, this plant can be used to discover bioactive natural products that may serve as leads in the development of new pharmaceuticals