Cloud Point Extraction as a Method for Preconcentration of Metal Ions

Cloud point extraction (CPE) is an attractive technique that reduces solvent consumption and exposure, disposal costs, and process time. This method has an important practical application and is used to separate and concentrate the analyte as a step before its determination, and after the formation of a poorly water-soluble complex. Use of nonionic surfactants as ”green solvents” which represent an effective alternative to toxic organic solvents (in classical extraction), along with other advantages, such as low cost and low flammability, makes this method attractive and worth further research and optimization. This paper presents a detailed description of the principles, procedure, advantages, disadvantages and application of CPE

Monitoring of Pollutants Emissions in the City of Tuzla

Onečišćenje zraka se sve više smatra značajnim rizikom po zdravlje stanovništva. Uslijed rada industrije, velike koncentracije prometa i individualnih ložišta, na području grada Tuzle već je dulje vrijeme prisutan problem onečišćenja zraka. Tvari koje onečišćuju okoliš predstavljaju rizik za zdravlje ljudi i drugih živih bića, a onečišćenje zbog sagorijevanja fosilnih goriva je na vodećem mjestu crne ljestvice prijetnji za zdravlje. Onečišćenost okoliša može uzrokovati niz bolesti, poput astme, alergija, raznih oblika raka, bolesti srca i krvožilnog sustava, problema s plodnošću, neuroloških problema i slično. U ovom radu prikazani su rezultati monitoringa emisije polutanata u razdoblju od 1. 1. 2019. do 31. 12. 2019. godine. Proveden je monitoring zraka za polutante: sumporov dioksid (SO2), dušikov dioksid (NO2), ugljikov monoksid (CO), ozon (O3) i lebdeće čestice PM2,5, na tri lokacije u Tuzli. Rezultati ukazuju na to da je tijekom sezone grijanja, odnosno zimskih mjeseci kvaliteta zraka u urbanom području grada Tuzle vrlo loša. Najveća koncentracija sumporova dioksida zabilježena je u prosincu na mjernoj stanici Bukinje i iznosila je 271,7 µg m–3, također u istom mjesecu, na mjernoj stanici Skver zabilježena je koncentracija lebdećih čestica PM2,5 od 153,2 µg m–3. Ovo djelo je dano na korištenje pod licencom Creative Commons Imenovanje 4.0 međunarodna.Air pollution is increasingly considered a significant risk to human health. Due to industrial activity, individual fireboxes, and the high traffic concentration, the problem of air pollution has long been present in the Tuzla area. Environmental pollutants cause serious harm to humans and all living things, and pollution from fossil fuel combustion is at the forefront of the black scale of health threats. Environmental pollution can cause a number of diseases such as asthma, allergies, various cancers, heart and circulatory system diseases, fertility problems, neurological problems. This paper presents the results of monitoring pollutant emissions in the period from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2019, and the harmful effects of polluted air on the human body. Monitoring at three locations in Tuzla was carried out for the following air pollutants: sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3) and PM2.5. The results showed that, during the heating season (winter months), the air in the urban area of Tuzla was heavily polluted; the highest concentration of sulphur dioxide was recorded in December at the measuring station Bukinje, which amounted to 271.7 µg m–3. In the same month, the measuring station Skver recorded a concentration of particulate matter PM2.5 of 153.2 µg m–3. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don. essential oil from Bosnia and Herzegovina

In this study, the chemical profiles, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Helivhrysum italicum essential oils from three plantation fields in Herzegovina were analysed. GC/MS analysis showed that all samples were rich in sesquiterpenes (45.19%-50.07%) and monoterpenes (21.15%-23.21%), followed by oxygenated monoterpenes (9.92%-14.03%). Diketones in the essential oil were detected in quantities ranging 5.72% to 6.67%. The main components in essential oils were γ-curcumene, α-pinene, β-selinene and neril-acetate. All tested essential oils exhibited relatively weak DPPH.-scavenging capacity. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was assayed by using the disk diffusion method. E. coli was most resistant against all three tested H. italicum essential oils, while moderate inhibitory activity against S. aureus and C. albicans was detected. The L. monocytogenes was the most sensitive where all three tested samples showed inhibitory activity

Effect of extraction technique on the content of bioactive components and antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts of fresh and dried nettle (Urtica dioica L.)

The samples of stinging nettle were collected during June in the Tuzla region. Aqueous extracts were prepared from fresh and dried leaves in order to determinate and compare content of bioactive components and antioxidant potential. Conventional soxhlet, ultrasound assisted extraction and traditional maceration extraction were used as extraction methods. Quantitative determination of phenols and flavonoids was carried out using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activity of nettle aqueous extracts was determined using ferric reducing antioxidant power and DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Extracts obtained by Soxhlet extraction showed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content and expected the highest antioxidant campacity, while extracts obtained by maceration gave the lowest results

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro biological evaluation of the Schiff base derived from Benzidine and 1,3-Diphenyl-1,3-propanedione

Schiff bases are organic compounds formed by the reaction of the primary amine with carbonyl compounds (aldehydes or ketones). These are mainly bi- or tridentate ligands capable of forming very stable complexes with transitional metals. They are used as catalysts in oxygenation, hydrolysis, electro-reduction and decomposition reactions. Many Shiff bases show significant anti-tumor and antimicrobial activity, which is why they are the subject of research by many scientists in the world. In this paper Schiff's base from benzidine and 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione was synthesized. To characterize the product, FTIR spectroscopy and stereo-microscopy were used. In order to determine biological activity, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity of the product was tested. The results showed that the interaction of benzidine and 1,3-diphenylpropandione results in a Schiff base showing antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity. Keywords: Schiff base, benzidine, FTIR, UV/Vis, antimicrobial activity

ANTI-INFECTIVE AND ANTI-TUMOR ACTIVITY OF SOME METAL COMPLEXES (MII-MIV) WITH SCHIFF BASES

Research and application of metal complexes of ruthenium, platinum, palladium and other d-block elements has been popular in recent time because the complexes of said metals with a wide range of organic ligands shown to be extremely efficient in the treatment of infectious and malignant diseases. In addition to platinum used long time as Cisplatin, Carboplatin and oxaplatin, new generation of anticancer complexes in their structure containe mainly Ru(II) and Ru(III). In the synthesis of anti-infective and anti-tumor drugs, emphasis is indicated on their cytotoxicity. Specifically, the aim is that the new anti-infective and anti-tumor agent does not damage healthy cells and affects only malignant cells or infectious agents. In this paper we make reference on some recent and significant researches in the field of inorganic synthesis of metal complexes with strong anti-tumor and anti-infective properties. Special emphasis is placed on the Schiff bases as organic ligands which are specially used in the synthesis of such agents

Synthesis, spectral characterization, antibacterial and antifungal activity of copper(II)-pABA Complex

pABA (p-aminobenzoic acid or 4-aminobenzoic acid) is a chemical component of the folate molecule produced by plants and bacteria, and found in many foods. It is best known as a UV-blocking sunscreen applied to the skin, and is sometimes taken orally for certain medical conditions. Today it is known that many organic molecules in the human body can react with biometals such as copper, cobalt, manganese, iron and others. This study was performed to investigate the interaction of Cu(II) ions with p-aminobenzoic acid. Spectroscopic methods (FTIR and UV/Vis spectroscopy) were used to characterize the product obtained. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized complex was tested by diffusion techniques. The results of spectroscopic analysis indicate the interaction of Cu(II) ions with pABA. Interaction is realized through oxygen donor atom of ligand. It was found that the Cu(II) complex has significant antimicrobial activity compared to the pABA ligand

Antimicrobial activity of liposomal and non-liposomal vaginal suppositories with Origanum compactum essential oil

Origanum compactum (Lamiaceae) is an endemic species of oregano from Morocco, and the main components are carvacol and thymol, which are considered to have antimicrobial activity. Essential oils can be unstable, poorly soluble in water and poorly delivered to target cells. The incorporation of essential oils into liposomes can reduce their irritant effect, while at the same time prolonging the action of the preparation itself as well as increasing its effectiveness. The aim of our study was to investigate antimicrobial activity of liposomal and non-liposomal vaginal suppositories, and see if there are any differences in antimicrobial activity.&nbsp; Examination of the antimicrobial activity of vaginal suppositories was examined in the same way as the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil, by the disk diffusion method. There were used standard bacterial strains from ATCC collection: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) ATCC 51299, Escherichia coli (E. coli) ATCC 25922, Candida albicans (C. albicans) ATCC 10231. Liposomal vaginal suppositories had a smaller inhibition zones probably due to the slower release of active components, but still have an advantage over non-liposomal vaginal suppositories because they reduce the irritating potential of the essential oil.</p

Biodegradable polymers: production, properties and application in medicine

Biodegradable polymers (biopolymers) represent materials of new generation with application in different areas of human activity. Their production has recently reached a commercial level. They can be divided according to the origin (natural and synthetic), according to the chemical composition, methods of obtaining, application etc. The use of biopolymers in medicine depends on their biocompatibility, mechanical resistance, and sorptive char-acteristics. Today, they are the most commonly used as implants in vascular and orthopedic surgery, for the production of materials such as catheters, products for gynaecology and haemodialysis, tooth reconstruction, etc. In pharmacy, they are used as a medicine matrix-carrier to allow controlled release of drug within the body. Within this review paper, the properties and methods of production of certain biopolymers such as polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactide acid (PLA), poly-ε-coprolactone (PCL) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) will be described in detail, as well as their application in medicine and pharmacy

A comparative study of antimicrobial activity of Melaleuca alternifolia, Achillea millefolium and Cinnnamomum camphora vaginal suppositories

Vaginal inflammations represent a heterogeneous group of disorders caused by infection, inflammation or disruption of the vaginal microflora. The most common causes of vaginal infections are: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans. Antibiotic resistance is a major global problem, and this problem can be reduced by using natural antimicrobial substances such as essential oils. Each essential oil has an extremely complex composition (some essential oils have over 200 components), which prevents microorganisms from creating resistance - therefore, essential oils always retain their effect against them. &nbsp; The aim of our study was to investigate antibacterial activity Melaleuca alternifolia, Achillea millefolium and Cinnamomum camphora vaginal suppositories, and see which essential oil has the strongest potential to be used as active ingridient for vaginal infections. Examination of the antimicrobial activity of vaginal suppositories was examined by the disk diffusion method. There were used standard bacterial strains from ATCC collection: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) ATCC 51299, Escherichia coli (E. coli) ATCC 25922, Candida albicans (C. albicans) ATCC 10231. The results showed that Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil has an antimicrobial effect on all tested strains, and the strongest on Candida albicans (ZI 22.7 mm). Achillea millefolium essential oil has no effect on Enterococcus faecalis, while Cinnamomum camphora essential oil did not show zones of inhibition on Candida albican