Using ICP-OES and SEM-EDX in biosorption studies

We have compared the analytical results obtained by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and by scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive X-ray analytical system (SEM-EDX) in order to explore the mechanism of metal ions biosorption by biomass using two independent methods. The marine macroalga Enteromorpha sp. was enriched with Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions via biosorption, and the biosorption capacity of alga determined from the solution and biomass composition before and after biosorption process was compared. The first technique was used to analyze the composition of the natural and metal-loaded biomass, and additionally the composition of the solution before and after biosorption. The second technique was used to obtain a picture of the surface of natural and metal ion-loaded macroalgae, to map the elements on the cell wall of dry biomass, and to determine their concentration before and after biosorption. ICP-OES showed a better precision and lower detection limit than EDX, but SEM-EDX gave more information regarding the sample composition of Enteromorpha sp. Both techniques confirmed that biosorption is a surface phenomenon, in which alkali and alkaline earth metal ions were exchanged by metal ions from aqueous solution

Removal of cationic pollutants from water by xanthated corn cob: optimization, kinetics, thermodynamics, and prediction of purification process

The removal of Cr(III) ions and methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions by xanthated corn cob (xCC) in batch conditions was investigated. The sorption capacity of xCC strongly depended of the pH, and increase when the pH rises. The kinetics was well fitted by pseudo-second order and Chrastil’s model. Sorption of Cr(III) ions and MB on xCC was rapid during the first 20 min of contact time and, thereafter, the biosorption rate decrease gradually until reaching equilibrium. The maximum sorption capacity of 17.13 and 83.89 mg g-1 for Cr(III) ions and MB, respectively was obtained at 40 °C, pH 5 and sorbent dose 4 g dm-3 for removal of Cr(III) ions and 1 g dm-3 for removal of MB. The prediction of purification process was successfully carried out and the verification of theoretically calculated amounts of sorbent was confirmed by using packed-bed column laboratory system with recirculation of the aqueous phase. The wastewater from chrome plating industry was successfully purified, i.e. after 40 min concentration of Cr(III) ions was decreased lower than 0.1 mg dm-3. Also, removal of MB from the river water was successfully carried out and after 40 min removal efficiency was about 94 %

Potencjalna przydatność nowej generacji agroproduktów wytwarzanych na bazie surowców pochodzenia biologicznego

The article discusses the possibility of the use of algal products, obtained by different methods – extraction (traditional solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, extraction assisted by microwave) and homogenization, in the cultivation of plants. Algal extracts were discussed for their use as potential plant growth biostimulants and the homogenates as formulations for seed treatment. The work is focused on the possibility of using primarily macroalgae from the Baltic Sea basin (in many seaside resorts constitute a waste due to eutrophication) as raw material for the extraction/homogenization. Examples of the research (laboratory – germination tests and field trials) on the impact of algal preparations on the plant growth were presented. Literature data indicate that the algae based products increase the content of micro-, macroelements, chlorophyll in the cultivated plants, as well as their length and weight. Therefore, in the future, they may complement the range of products available on the market.W artykule podjęto temat możliwości wykorzystania produktów z alg wytworzonych na drodze ekstrakcji (tradycyjna ekstrakcja rozpuszczalnikowa, ekstrakcja nadkrytyczna, ekstrakcja wspomagana mikrofalami) oraz homogenizacji w uprawie roślin. Ekstrakty algowe omówiono pod kątem ich zastosowania jako potencjalnych biostymulatorów wzrostu roślin, zaś homogenaty jako preparaty do zaprawiania nasion. W pracy przedyskutowano możliwość wykorzystania przede wszystkim makroalg pochodzących z akwenu Morza Bałtyckiego (w wielu kurortach nadmorskich stanowią kłopotliwy odpad) jako surowca do procesu ekstrakcji/homogenizacji. Przedstawiono przykładowe badania laboratoryjne (testy kiełkowania oraz polowe) dotyczące wpływu preparatów algowych na wzrost roślin. Dane literaturowe wskazują, że produkty wytworzone na bazie alg zwiększają zawartość mikro-, makroelementów i chlorofilu w uprawianych roślinach, a także ich długość i masę. W przyszłości mogą więc stanowić uzupełnienie asortymentu produktów dostępnych na rynku

Algae and human health

Marine algae are rich in a variety of biologically and pharmacologically active substances. They are considered as a resource that has been used by humans to some extent [6]. Nowadays, algal biomass is a renewable source of many valuable bioactive substances, having a wide array of applications in many industries, such as food, chemical, agricultural, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medical. The present work focuses on the impact of algae on the human body. The potential use of algae and algal extracts in medicine and cosmetic industry is discussed. Due to the antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory properties, algae can be used in the curing of many types of diseases [7, 8]. These properties result from the biologically active compounds present in the biomass of algae. The components of the algae that may help in the treatment tumor diseases are: polyphenols [37], polysaccharides [38], carrageenan [33–35], fucoidan [24, 30–32], fucoxanthin [25], diterpenes [27–29] or monoterpenes [36]. Substances extracted from algae with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic include: fucosterol [48], porphyrins [52], lactones, phenols, carbohydrates [40], polysaccharides [51, 53, 54], fucoidan [46], galactan [49], fucan [45]. Fucoxanthin [64–68], fucoidan [58], triacyloglycerols [69], polyphenols [71] or phlorotannin [63] can be used as anti-obesity agents. Overreaction of the immune system to harmless environmental substances can be minimized by the use of antiallergic substances, which include mainly phlorotannins [73, 77, 78] and fatty acids [79, 80]. The components of algae, such as polysaccharides [99–101], diterpenes [91], bromophenol [90], carbohydrates [102], fucans [96, 97], galactans [98], carrageenan [94], fucoidan [92] or galactofucan [93] could be successfully utilized against various types of viruses. It has been proved that algae show dermatological and cosmetic properties: anti-inflammatory and bactericidal action (due to the presence of zinc) [8, 9, 19, 113], increase of the flexibility of the skin (peptides and vitamins) [13, 104, 105], improve blood circulation of the skin and thanks to the alginic acid they treat erythema [13, 103]. They influence on of inhibition of sebum secretion and on other problems of oily skin. Algae are used in many cosmetics to tone up the skin, lighten stretch marks [104, 111, 112]. Compresses made of algae slenderize and eliminate cellulite. A field of skin cosmetics called Thalassotherapy is a form of therapy that uses marine climate, sea water, mud, algae, sand and other substances derived from the sea as a therapeutic agents [13, 103]