Speciation of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) in Industrial Waste Water using Biphasic Extraction and Determination by LIBS

An aqueous, biphasic one step separation method for Cr (III) and Cr (VI) is presented in this paper. Optimization of different parameters like pH, volume of solvent etc. in the extraction experiments are carried out using standard solutions of Cr (VI) and Cr (III). Extraction efficiency for chromium species using biphasic technique is calculated by performing quantitative analysis of chromium using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). After biphasic extraction, LIBS spectra of (NH4)2SO4 containing Cr are recorded by depositing and drying 20 µL of this solution on Whatman filter paper (No. 542). Quantitative analysis of LIBS spectra are performed using Cr emission line at 425.4 nm. Optimum extraction (about 90 %) of Cr (VI) is found at pH 4 and solvent volume 4mL. The optimized methodology is then used for determination of total Cr and Cr (VI) in waste water collected from leather tanning industries of Kanpur City, India

Investigation of Hazardous Materials in Firecrackers using LIBS Coupled with a Chemometric Method and FTIR Spectroscopy

This article reports the detection and quantification of toxic constituents in firecrackers using LIBS coupled with PCA and FTIR. Spectral signatures of lethal elements along with other elements and electronic bands of Cyanide, AlO, BaO, and CaO are seen in their LIBS spectra which confirms the presence of inorganic and organic compound in the fireworks. The concentration of each constituent/element is determined using the CF-LIBS method and results are compared with ICP-OES results. The concentration of Al is in adequate amount except S4 (b). Li and Ba are present in all samples with maximum amount in S4 (b) and S3 respectively. Molecular stretching of SO4-, C4 H8 - , CuCl- , CO3 - , and NO3 - are observed in the FTIR spectra of the samples. The combined results of LIBS and FTIR recommends the presence of BaNO3 , LiCO3 , SrCO3 , Al-chip, and charcoal in the firecrackers. To discriminate various firecrackers, PCA of the LIBS data is performed. The results show that S3 and S4 (b) are more harmful as they contain higher concentration the compounds of Al, Ba, Li, Sr i.e BaNO3 , LiCO3 , SrCO3 , (Cu3 As2 O3 Cu(C2 H3 O2 )2 )

FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING INDEX OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA SEEDS AND THEIR LIBS BASED ANTIOXIDANT ELEMENTAL PROFILE

Objective: To assess the free radical scavenging index and antioxidant capacity of C. maxima (Cucurbita maxima) seed extract in vitro and its correlation with the phytoelemental profile, quantitatively assessed by LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy).Methods: A number of in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging assays were performed along with standard as a reference. Reduction capacity and scavenging potential of C. maxima seeds were analyzed in addition to their IC50 values and were compared with respective standards. Quantitative measurements of phytoelements present which is responsible for antioxidant activity is carried out by LIBS.Results: Significant Antioxidant power of the extract was validated by high values of Total Phenolics (18.42 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent) and Total Flavonoids (5.53 mg/g of quercetin equivalent). A result of Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (163.4 μM Fe+2/g) clearly reflects its reduction capacity. Percentage inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (69.25), Nitric Oxide (63.63) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (62.09) radicals proves its antioxidant potential undoubtedly, which was further confirmed by their IC50 values. Reducing power was found to increase significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Extent lipid peroxidation was also measured by comparing the results of Ferric thiocyanate assay with the Thiobarbituric acid method. LIBS analysis showed the presence of certain phytoelements viz. Mg, Ca and Na in the extract, which could be responsible for its antioxidant capacity.Conclusion: Thus, the seeds of C. maxima having a combination of antioxidant phytochemicals and phytoelements could be explored for developing as a complementary and alternative medicine for managing oxidative stress including diabetes as well as aging.Keywords: Reactive oxygen species, Cucurbita maxima, Elemental analysis, Laser spectroscop

Study of laser produced plasma of limiter of the aditya tokomak for detection of molecular bands

The tokamak wall protection is one of the prime concerns, and for this purpose, limiters are used. Graphite is commonly used as a limiter material and first wall material for complete coverage of the internal vacuum vessel surfaces of the tokamak. From the past few years, we are working to identify and quantify the impurities deposited on the different part of Aditya Tokamak in collaboration with the Scientists at Institute of Plasma Research, Ahmedabad, India using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) [1-3]. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) spectra of limiter of Aditya Tokamak have been recorded in the spectral range of 200-900 nm in open atmosphere. Along with atomic and ionic spectral lines of the constituent elements of the limiter (1-3), LIBS spectra also give the molecular bands. When a high power laser beam is focused on the sample, laser induced plasma is produced on its surface. In early stage of the plasma Back ground continuum is dominated due to free-free or free-bound emission. Just after few nanoseconds the light from the plasma is dominated by ionic emission. Atomic emission spectra is dominated from the laser induced plasma during the first few microsecond after an ablation pulse where as molecular spectra is generated later when the plasma further cools down. For this purpose the LIBS spectra has been recorded with varying gate delay and gate width. The spectra of the limiter show the presence of molecular bands of CN and C2. To get better signal to background ratios of the molecular bands, different experimental parameters like gate delay, gate width, collection angle and collection point (spatial analysis off the plasama) of the plasma have been optimized. Thus the present paper deals with the variation of spectral intensity of the molecular bands with different experimental parameters. Keywords: Limiter, Molecular bands, C2, CN. References: 1.Proof-of-concept experiment for On-line LIBS Analysis of Impurity Layer Deposited on ptical Window and Other Plasma Facing Components of Aditya Tokamak G. S. Maurya, R. Kumar, A. Kumar and A. K. Rai, Review of Scientific Instruments (In Press) 2.Analysis of deposited impurity material on the surface of optical window of the Tokamak using LIBS, (2014) G. S. Maurya, A. Jyotsana, R. Kumar, A. Kumar and A. K. Rai, Physica Scripta 89, 075601 3.Spatial analysis of impurities on the surface of flange and optical window of the Tokamak using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, G. S. Maurya, A. Jyotsana, A. Kumar and A. K. Rai,(2014), Optics and Lasers in Engineering, 56, 13–1

Evaluation of the nutrients in milk supplements suitable for children using LIBS and PAS technique

The presence of macro and micro nutrients essential for human health in four milk supplements is quickly identified using Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS). In addition to the minerals reported by the manufacturers, some additional spectral signatures of the elements like Na and K are also observed in the LIBS spectra which are not listed by some manufacturers. The ratio of various minerals like Ca/Mg, Na/Mg, etc. has been evaluated, and found a good correlation with the nutritional value listed on the product packaging. The organic elements C, H, N, and O together with the CN molecular band observed in the LIBS spectra of milk supplement indicate the presence of organic molecules. PAS is used for the identification of organic compounds such as Vitamins, Proteins, Fat, Taurine, and Sucrose in milk supplements. The results of the present study help in selecting milk supplements suitable for children suffering from chronic kidney diseases and diabetes. Based on the presence of minerals and their relative concentration, milk supplements are classified into three groups by applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Therefore, the results from the present work extend the application of LIBS and PAS together with PCA for the identification of the nutrients in milk supplements

Domainal Investigation of a Quartz-Fluorite Composite Using Spectroscopic Techniques

The analysis of geological samples that have several chemically diffused zones which formed under certain physico-chemical condition is difficult to achieve. The quantitative estimations of the minerals in such samples are tedious. The present work demonstrates the application of LIBS for qualitative and quantitative analyses of a quartz-fluorite composite which was procured from an amygdaloidal basalt from Deccan Traps, India. The presence of weak emission lines of F in the spectral range of 200–900 nm makes it challenging to quantify the fluorine. This study has addressed a promising alternative to quantify the fluorine using electronic bands of CaF molecules observed in the Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) spectrum. In addition to this spectroscopic technique, the authors also have used Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS) and UV-VIS spectroscopy technique to obtain molecular information from the geological sample. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to a truncated spectral region of the CaF molecule, and it showed 99% variance. Further, the obtained results with these spectroscopic techniques were compared with the results that were obtained from X-ray diffraction and Electron Probe Micro Analyzer, and they show good agreement. Thus, the LIBS technique can be promising for in situ profile section (varies from few microns to centimeters size) studies without the sample’s destruction using the point detection capability of LIBS

INCIDENCE OF LEAF CURL DISEASE ON CAPSICUM

Not AvailableThree hundred and twenty one genotypes of pepper (Capsicum spp) were screened against pepper leaf curl disease during three consecutive seasons (2005–06, 2006– 07, and 2007–08) under field conditions. Based on mean coefficient of infection, all genotypes were assigned to symptomless (7), highly resistant (27), resistant (14), moderately resistant (53), moderately susceptible (125), susceptible (76) and highly susceptible (19) categories. The information generated on specific reaction of each genotype will be useful to select appropriate genotype for developing integrated pest management package. Five genotypes were also assigned to derivatives of natural inter-specific cross between domesticated Capsicum spp.Not Availabl

Chemical Characterization for the Detection of Impurities in Tainted and Natural <i>Curcuma longa</i> from India Using LIBS Coupled with PCA

The present manuscript explores a spectroscopic technique to select turmeric powder, free from impurities, and has compounds of medicinal importance among the tainted and natural turmeric. Six Curcuma longa (turmeric powder) samples, named S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6, were analyzed to discriminate between tainted and natural turmeric using the LIBS and multivariate technique. Other techniques such as UV–Vis, FTIR, and EDX are also used to ascertain the elements/compounds showing the medicinal properties of C. longa. Spectral lines of carbon, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, strontium, barium, and electronic bands of CN molecules were observed in the LIBS spectra of turmeric samples. Spectral signatures of toxic elements such as lead and chromium are also observed in the LIBS spectra of all samples except S6. Adulteration of metanil yellow, a toxic azo dye, is used to increase the appearance of curcumin when the actual curcumin content is low. The presence of spectral lines of lead and chromium in the LIBS spectra of S1 to S5 suggested that it may be adulterated with lead chromate which is used for coloring turmeric. Further, the presence of sulfur in EDX analysis of sample S5 indicates that it may also have been adulterated with metanil (C18H14N3NaO3S). The concentration of samples’ constituents was evaluated using CF-LIBS, and EDX was used to verify the results obtained by CF-LIBS. The principal component analysis applied to the LIBS data of the turmeric samples has been used for instant discrimination between the sample based on their constituents. We also analyzed antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid content of different turmeric samples and found a negative Pearson correlation with heavy metals. The presence of curcumin in turmeric is confirmed using LIBS and UV–Vis, which have medicinal properties

Chemical Characterization for the Detection of Impurities in Tainted and Natural Curcuma longa from India Using LIBS Coupled with PCA

The present manuscript explores a spectroscopic technique to select turmeric powder, free from impurities, and has compounds of medicinal importance among the tainted and natural turmeric. Six Curcuma longa (turmeric powder) samples, named S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6, were analyzed to discriminate between tainted and natural turmeric using the LIBS and multivariate technique. Other techniques such as UV&ndash;Vis, FTIR, and EDX are also used to ascertain the elements/compounds showing the medicinal properties of C. longa. Spectral lines of carbon, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, strontium, barium, and electronic bands of CN molecules were observed in the LIBS spectra of turmeric samples. Spectral signatures of toxic elements such as lead and chromium are also observed in the LIBS spectra of all samples except S6. Adulteration of metanil yellow, a toxic azo dye, is used to increase the appearance of curcumin when the actual curcumin content is low. The presence of spectral lines of lead and chromium in the LIBS spectra of S1 to S5 suggested that it may be adulterated with lead chromate which is used for coloring turmeric. Further, the presence of sulfur in EDX analysis of sample S5 indicates that it may also have been adulterated with metanil (C18H14N3NaO3S). The concentration of samples&rsquo; constituents was evaluated using CF-LIBS, and EDX was used to verify the results obtained by CF-LIBS. The principal component analysis applied to the LIBS data of the turmeric samples has been used for instant discrimination between the sample based on their constituents. We also analyzed antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid content of different turmeric samples and found a negative Pearson correlation with heavy metals. The presence of curcumin in turmeric is confirmed using LIBS and UV&ndash;Vis, which have medicinal properties

Not Available

Not AvailableGenetic diversity in 143 Indian bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet] accessions from India was assessed using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A total of 134 SSR markers developed from common bean, cowpea, mung bean, moth bean and Faba bean were used to assess their transferability to Indian bean. Quantitative traits as well as SSR marker data was used to analyse the genetic diversity analysis in 143 Indian bean accessions from different agroecological zones of India. Of the 134 SSR primers, 55 (41.0%) were found to be transferable since they showed reproducible polymorphic amplification products in Indian bean. The SSR primers derived from common bean fail to amplify any product in Indian bean. The results indicated that there is a potential for transferring SSR markers within legumes. The identification of a set of transferable SSR markers would enable the application of the SSR technology in Indian bean molecular research. To our knowledge, this is the first ever attempt to evaluate cross-species microsatellite (SSR) markers for a possible dissection of genetic diversity in Indian bean.Not Availabl