Optimization of extraction methods and detectors for heavy metal analysis in sediment

The optimization analysis, extractions of metals (Zinc, Cadmium, Lead, and Copper) content in Certified Reference Material, BCR ®-667 of estuarine sediment was carried out by different procedures of acid digestion such hydrochloric acid-nitric acid-hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid-perchloric acid, and sulphuric acid-hydrogen peroxide mixtures. These metals concentrations were determined by using Differential Pulse Stripping Voltammetry (DPSV) and Inductive Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The purpose was to determine these metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) concentration in sediment samples simultaneously in good precision and accuracy measurement. The results showed both have small standard deviation indicates good precision of metals determinations in both detectors. The accuracy for DPSV ranged from 18.85-154.38% and ICP-MS ranged from 75.28-90.13%. Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu were simultaneously measured in BCR ®-667. When the optimized method was applied into real sediment samples, both determinations showed a good precision in analysis but ICP-MS was selected as the detector. It measured all the metals of interest (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) in the real sediment sample simultaneously

Herbal-Based Formulation Containing <i>Eurycoma longifolia</i> and <i>Labisia pumila</i> Aqueous Extracts: Safe for Consumption?

A combined polyherbal formulation containing tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) and kacip fatimah (Labisia pumila) aqueous extracts was evaluated for its safety aspect. A repeated dose 28-day toxicity study using Wistar rats was conducted where the polyherbal formulation was administered at doses 125, 500 and 2000 mg/kg body weight to male and female treatment groups daily via oral gavage, with rats receiving only water as the control group. In-life parameters measured include monitoring of food and water consumption and clinical and functional observations. On day 29, blood was collected for haematological and biochemical analysis. The rats were necropsied and the organs were collected for histopathological examination. This study showed that the combined formulation did not induce any significant toxicity effect at any dose level in terms of morbidity, mortality, behaviour, functional observation, body weight, food and water consumption, whole blood haematology and serum biochemistry. However, there were some microscopic changes in the histopathological examinations of some organs given 2000 mg/kg body weight, which may suggest an early response to the polyherbal formulation. From this study, the no observed adverse effect level is estimated to be more than 500 mg/kg body weight but not exceeding 2000 mg/kg body weight. The observed effects at the highest dose indicate the need for further study of longer dosing duration

Herbal-Based Formulation Containing Eurycoma longifolia and Labisia pumila Aqueous Extracts: Safe for Consumption?

A combined polyherbal formulation containing tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) and kacip fatimah (Labisia pumila) aqueous extracts was evaluated for its safety aspect. A repeated dose 28-day toxicity study using Wistar rats was conducted where the polyherbal formulation was administered at doses 125, 500 and 2000 mg/kg body weight to male and female treatment groups daily via oral gavage, with rats receiving only water as the control group. In-life parameters measured include monitoring of food and water consumption and clinical and functional observations. On day 29, blood was collected for haematological and biochemical analysis. The rats were necropsied and the organs were collected for histopathological examination. This study showed that the combined formulation did not induce any significant toxicity effect at any dose level in terms of morbidity, mortality, behaviour, functional observation, body weight, food and water consumption, whole blood haematology and serum biochemistry. However, there were some microscopic changes in the histopathological examinations of some organs given 2000 mg/kg body weight, which may suggest an early response to the polyherbal formulation. From this study, the no observed adverse effect level is estimated to be more than 500 mg/kg body weight but not exceeding 2000 mg/kg body weight. The observed effects at the highest dose indicate the need for further study of longer dosing duration