Nuclear and related analytical techniques for bio-nano- technology

Some results from applying nuclear and related analytical techniques in medical, environmental and industrial biotechnologies are presented. In the biomedical experiments biomass from the blue-green alga Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) has been used as a matrix for the development of pharmaceutical substances containing such essential trace elements as selenium, chromium and iodine. The feasibility of target-oriented introduction of these elements into S. platensis biocomplexes retaining its protein composition and natural beneficial properties was shown. The negative influence of mercury on growth dynamics of S. platensis was observed. Detoxification of Cr and Hg by Arthrobacter globiformis 151B was demonstrated. Microbial synthesis of technologically important silver nanoparticles by the novel actinomycete strain Streptomyces glaucus 71 MD and S. platensis was characterized by a combined use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA). When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/2068

Phytoextraction of toxic elements by Amaranthus Tricolor grown on technogenically polluted soils in open ground conditions

Using the INAA method, the ability of Amaranthus tricolor L. variety “Valentina” growing on soils with different degree of pollution to extract heavy metals was evaluated in the field experiments. It was found that amaranth of the studied variety characterized by the content of betacianin pigment, amaranthine, in the shoots and generative organ, is able to accumulate elements such as Mn, Fe and Ni from soils. The content of most of the studied elements decreases in the following order: leaves inflorescences stems. Under conditions of soil pollution with emissions from metallurgical plant, the phytoextraction of such elements as Mn, Fe, Co, Sb increases. The content of Fe and Mn in the leaves of A. tricolor var. “Valentina” exceeds the average data for vegetation from 7 to 17 times; the Co content exceeds the average data for vegetable from 4 to 7 times; the Sb content in the leaves exceeds the average data for vegetable from 10 to 23 times. Due to the fact that amaranth forms a sufficient biomass for the growing season, it can be recommended for phytoextraction of heavy metals from soils in case of polymetallic pollution

Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles by Blue-Green Algae Spirulina Platensis

The synthesis of gold nanoparticles by one of the many popular microorganisms – blue-green algae Spirulina platensis was studied. The complex of optical and analytical methods was applied for investigation of experimental samples after exposure to chloroaurate (HAuCl4) solution at different doses and for different time intervals. To characterize formed gold nanoparticles UV-vis Spectrometry, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) were used. It was shown that after 1.5 – 2 days of exposure the extracellular formation of nanoparticles of spherical form and the distribution peak within the interval of 20-30 nm took place. To determine gold concentrations in the Spirulina platensis biomass neutron activation analysis (NAA) was applied. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3496

The effect of sampling scheme in the survey of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in Albania by using moss biomonitoring

The atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in Albania was investigated by using a carpet-forming moss species (Hypnum cupressiforme) as bioindicator. Sampling was done in the dry seasons of autumn 2010 and summer 2011. Two different sampling schemes are discussed in this paper: a random sampling scheme with 62 sampling sites distributed over the whole territory of Albania and systematic sampling scheme with 44 sampling sites distributed over the same territory. Unwashed, dried samples were totally digested by using microwave digestion, and the concentrations of metal elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and AAS (Cd and As). Twelve elements, such as conservative and trace elements (Al and Fe and As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Pb, V, Zn, and Li), were measured in moss samples. Li as typical lithogenic element is also included. The results reflect local emission points. The median concentrations and statistical parameters of elements were discussed by comparing two sampling schemes. The results of both sampling schemes are compared with the results of other European countries. Different levels of the contamination valuated by the respective contamination factor (CF) of each element are obtained for both sampling schemes, while the local emitters identified like ironchromium metallurgy and cement industry, oil refinery, mining industry, and transport have been the same for both sampling schemes. In addition, the natural sources, from the accumulation of these metals in mosses caused by metalenriched soil, associated withwind blowing soils were pointed as another possibility of local emitting factors

Elemental composition of moss and lichen species in eastern Serbia

Instrumental neutron activation analysis is used to determine a content of 47 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, I, Ba, Cs, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Hg, Th, and U) in mosses (Homolothecium sp., Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw., and Brachythecium mildeanum (Schimp.) Schimp.) and lichen (Cladonia fimbriata (L.) Fr.) collected in three locations in Eastern Serbia over years 2006-2010. Concentrations of six elements (Zr, Nd, Gd, Tm, Yb, and Lu) in mosses in Serbia are measured for the first time. For other elements, the obtained concentrations fall within the ranges reported for mosses and lichens in Europe, but no declining trend in concentrations of V, Cd, Cr, Zn, Ni, Fe, and Cu, that has been described in the literature, can be inferred from our results. Factor analysis shows that terrigenous and industrial components are the highest contributing factors to the elemental composition and that the most polluted measurement site is in the vicinity of a copper mining and smelting complex

Microbial synthesis of silver nanoparticles by streptomyces glaucus and spirulina platensis

Microbial synthesis of nanoparticles has a potential to develop simple, costeffective and eco-friendly methods for production of technologically important materials. In this study, for the first time a novelactinomycete strain Streptomyces glaucus71 MD isolated from a soy rhizosphere in Georgiais for the first time extensively characterized and utilized for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) allowed observing extracellular synthesis of nanoparticles, which has many advantages from the point of view of applications. Production of silver nanoparticles proceeded extracellularlywith the participation of another microorganism, bluegreen microalgae Spirulinaplatensis (S. platensis). In this study it is shown that the production rate of the nanoparticles depends not only on the initial concentration of AgNO3 but also varies with time in a nonmonotonic way. SEM study of silver nanoparticles remaining on the surface of microalgae revealed that after 1 day of exposure to 1 mM AgNO3 nanoparticles were arranged as long aggregates along S. platensiscells strongly damaged by silver ions. However, after 5 days of exposure to silver S. platensiscells looked completely recovered and the nanoparticles were distributed more uniformly on the surface of the cells. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/2067

Soybean Seedlings Enriched with Iron and Magnesium - Impact on Germination, Growth and Antioxidant Properties

Abstract Iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg) deficiency in human diets is a widespread problem observed in various regions of the world. Insufficient Fe uptake results in the development of iron dependent anaemia and depressed physical and intellectual performance. In turn Mg deficiency is associated with alterations in neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems. An emerging alternative to traditional supplementation of these elements in the form of pills, liquids or effervescent tablets, is introduction of fortified food products. In present study we show that preincubation of soybean seeds in Fe and Mg solutions leads to elevated content of these elements in the seedlings. Importantly the pretreatment did not affect germination rate, seedlings growth or, with an exception of Fe supplementation at highest concentration, antioxidant capacity. The obtained results indicate that preincubation of seeds in Fe and Mg solutions may be a promising method of obtaining enriched soybean sprouts

Tough Sprouting – Impact of Cadmium on Physiological State and Germination Rate of Soybean Seeds

Seed germination is the earliest process in plant development and is crucial for further plant growth and fitness. The process is regulated by various internal and external factors, including soil pollutants such as nonessential metals. In the present study, we examined in detail the impact of short-term imbibition in Cd solutions at several concentrations (5, 10, and 25 mg/L) on germination rate and physiological state of soybean seeds. The results showed that although Cd was readily absorbed by the seeds, the metal had no effect on seeds cell viability, oxidative stress intensity, or germination percentage. In contrast, imbibition in Cd solution led to slight reduction in antioxidant capacity of seeds. Seedlings grown from seeds pretreated with metal showed no differences in growth in relation to the control. Taken together, the results indicate that soybean seeds are relatively tolerant even to high Cd concentration (up to 25 mg/L)

Peatland microbial communities as indicators of the extreme atmospheric dust deposition

We investigated a peat profile from the Izery Mountains, located within the so-called Black Triangle, the border area of Poland, Czech Republic, and Germany. This peatland suffered from an extreme atmospheric pollution during the last 50 years, which created an exceptional natural experiment to examine the impact of pollution on peatland microbes. Testate amoebae (TA), Centropyxis aerophila and Phryganella acropodia, were distinguished as a proxy of atmospheric pollution caused by extensive brown coal combustion. We recorded a decline of mixotrophic TA and development of agglutinated taxa as a response for the extreme concentration of Al (30 g kg−1) and Cu (96 mg kg−1) as well as the extreme amount of fly ash particles determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, which were used by TA for shell construction. Titanium (5.9 %), aluminum (4.7 %), and chromium (4.2 %) significantly explained the highest percentage of the variance in TA data. Elements such as Al, Ti, Cr, Ni, and Cu were highly correlated (r>0.7, p<0.01) with pseudostome position/body size ratio and pseudostome position. Changes in the community structure, functional diversity, and mechanisms of shell construction were recognized as the indicators of dust pollution. We strengthen the importance of the TA as the bioindicators of the recent atmospheric pollution