Investigation of Mineral Components and Antioxidant Properties of a Healthy Red Fruit: Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.)

The mineral components of the foodstuff consumed by an individual are important in the growth and development of a human being. In recent years red fruits, because of their potential beneficial health effects, are getting attention of both consumers and manufacturers. One of the red fruits, Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.), was investigated in terms of both mineral components and antioxidant properties. The mineral components include calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn) in this fruit were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The antioxidant activity tests were applied to the extracts obtained using different solvents to examine the antioxidant properties of this fruit. Statistical analysis indicated that while the best results were obtained from acetone extracts, the lowest results were obtained from water extracts for all antioxidant activity tests (p<0.05). The best average values for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacity, reducing power, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content in acetone extracts were found to be 1053.72±38.12 mg TEAC/100 g FW and 2907.34±152.05 mg TEAC/100 g FW, 5894.99±251.05 mg TEAC/100 g FW, 2979.25±69.40 mg GAE/100 g FW and 255.75±14.92 mg QE/100 g FW, respectively

Lead and cadmium removal by a low-cost adsorbent-banana peel

Water pollution because of inorganic contaminants is a serious problem due to the acute toxicities and carcinogenic nature of pollutants. Recently, much attention has been focused on using natural and low-cost adsorbents, especially food residues, for removing toxic metal ions. Batch removal of nickel (Ni(II)), lead (Pb(II)), and cadmium (Cd(II)) from aqueous solution using a natural adsorbent is described in this study. Effects of various parameters on adsorption capacities such as pH, adsorbent dose, and stirring time were investigated by batch experiments. The maximum adsorption capacities for Ni(II), Pb(II), and Cd(II) ions were 1.6 mg g-1, 125 mg g-1, and 84 mg g-1, respectively. Characterization of the surface modification was performed with FTIR measurements. FTIR spectra showed that chemisorption takes place at the surface of the adsorbent. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms were used to evaluate the equilibrium data. The characteristic parameters for each isotherm were determined. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm provided the best correlation for Ni(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) using banana peel

Determination of Elements in Thermal Springs for Monitoring Pre-Earthquake Activites by ICP-MS

This study presents the results of hydrogeochemical studies carried out at the Kos thermal springs in Bingol, located in East Anatolia, Turkey. More than 250 thermal water samples were collected on a regular basis from November 2006 to January 2009 to measure element concentrations as a monitor of earthquake precursors. Water samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The B, Ba, Br, and Ge concentrations were monitored for three years and ranged from 6822-7666, 64-101, 271-406, and 4.1-6.0 mu g L-1, respectively. The chloride concentrations for this period were in the 89-127 mg L-1 range. The data identify some element anomalies at least two hours prior to a major earthquake and for some time afterwards. These anomalies are characterized by decreases up to 20% in B, Ba, Cl, and Ge concentrations and can be attributed to stress-/strain-induced pressure changes in the subsurface water systems. From this study, it can be suggested that thermal springs in a fault line area are ideal sites for monitoring precursors to earthquakes.Scientific and Technical Research Council of TurkeyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [TUBITAK-106Y051]This work was financially supported by The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (Project number: TUBITAK-106Y051).WOS:0002961189000022-s2.0-8175518277

Synthesis of New Polymeric Resin and Its Application in Solid Phase Extraction of Copper in Water Samples Using STAT-FAAS

In this study, thiol-containing sulfonamide resin was synthesized, characterized, and applied as a new sorption material for the determination of copper in water samples. The method, solid phase extraction, is based on the sorption of Cu ions on the synthesized resin without using any complexing reagent. The optimization of experimental conditions was performed by changing parameters including pH, contact time, initial sample volume, and volume of eluent. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was used for the determinations. The optimized method includes advantages such as a rapid and simple preconcentration step compared to other similar methods because there is no need for a complexing reagent, and the optimum pH of the solution is found in acidic media (pH=3). In brief, 120-fold improvements in the sensitivity of FAAS were achieved by combining slotted tube atom trap-atomic absorption spectrometry (STAT-FAAS) and the optimized preconcentration method. To examine the reliability, the method was checked by using both standard reference materials and ICP-MS measurements. The Cu concentrations in the water samples were found to be in the range of 0.9-13.0 ng m L-1WOS:0002809721000022-s2.0-7574912578

Optimization of Cadmium Removal From Water by Hydroxyapatite Using Experimental Design Methodology

The presence of cadmium in water is a serious threat to the environment. The removal of cadmium using hydroxyapatite as an adsorbent was studied in an aqueous system. Hydroxyapatite was prepared to process the adsorption of cadmium from aqueous solution. Experimental design methodology and response surface methodology (RSM) with a quadratic model associated with central composite design was used to optimize the pH, initial heavy metal concentration, final volume, and adsorbent dosage for the removal of cadmium. Analysis of variance identified significant factors on each parameter. RSM indicated that a pH of 8.5, a sample volume of 166 mL, an adsorbent of dosage 0.57 g, and a contact time of 82 min were optimal for the adsorption of Cd(II). Under these conditions, the removal of Cd(II) was 895 mg g−1

Determination of Antioxidant Capacity using Different Acidified Solvents and Element Contents of Allium Tuncelianum: A Regional and Varietal Study on Endemic Edible Garlic

Allium tuncelianum (Tunceli garlic), an endemic and threatened plant species in the Tunceli province of Eastern Turkey, is an important native source for local people. The antioxidant activities of the acidified extracts of water, acetonitrile, methanol, and ethanol of Allium tuncelianum were investigated using five antioxidant capacity tests. The results indicated that methanol extract efficiencies of garlic samples using the ABTS, CUPRAC, and reducing power capacities were higher than the other extracts. Water extract and acetonitrile extract values were highest for total phenolic content and metal chelating activities, respectively. Moreover, the element contents such as calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), and zinc (Zn) of Allium tuncelianum samples digested by microwave and ashing ovens were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the results were compared statistically. The Ca, Cu, K, Mg, and Zn concentrations using the microwave method were found to be higher than the ashing procedure. However, the Fe, Mn, and Na concentrations using the ashing method were found to be higher than those using the the microwave protocol