Ion Beam Analysis of Proton-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) Techniques for Elemental Investigation of Young Stage Neem Leaf of Southern India, Tamil Nadu

Estimation and Quantification of Toxic Metals in Hugely Consumed Chicken Livers by Advanced Diagnostic Approaches

Contamination of toxins in chicken's liver is a serious concern for human health owing to related threats of cytotoxicity and general pathologies after their digestion. The quantitative investigations were accomplished by calibration curves plotted for all the detected toxins via typical samples arranged in the known concentrations in the chicken liver's matrix. The chicken liver samples were collected from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan and found to contain heavy metals like Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The analytical estimations were performed under the suppositions of local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) in terms of optical thin plasma. The maximum concentrations (parts per million) of Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were as 2.87 ± 0.02 ppm, 7.80 ± 0.13 ppm, 2.84 ± 0.02 ppm, 4.00 ± 0.08, and 83.5 ± 2.10 ppm respectively. Abundance of Cu, and Pb was found considerably beyond the maximum accepted boundary of WHO. Likewise, the level of Ni exceeded the permitted bounds of WHO in samples 01 and 02. To validate our laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy investigation, we approximated the abundance of identical (duplicate) chicken livers through digesting the specimens in suitable solvents by a typical technique such as inductively coupled plasma/optical emission spectrometry (ICP/OES) and the results acquired were in outstanding harmony. Furthermore, the existence of detected toxins was also checked using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). It is worth stating that larger amounts of Cu, Ni, and Pb in poultry may cause a severe hazard to customers which required security actions and precautions. Our findings are extremely important to make an awareness among the people due to associated health hazards after the digestion of toxins through chicken liver and to protect numerous human lives.

Trace Element Quantification in Two Algerian Thymes (Thymus algeriensis Boiss & Reut. and Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffm. & Link) Using EDXRF Spectrometry

In an attempt to know the elemental composition of two endemic Algerian thyme species, we analyzed eleven mineral and trace elements (Br, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Rb, Sr, V, and Zn) in Thymus algeriensis Boiss & Reut. and Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffm. & Link. These species are commonly used in Algeria as aromatic and medicinal shrubs. The total concentrations of chemical elements were determined by EDXRF spectrometry. The instrument calibration was assessed through the analysis of certified reference material CRM-336 (Lichen) from the IAEA, Vienna, Austria. The results show that the highest concentrations of the micronutrients (Br, Cr, Cu, Mn, Sr, V, and Zn) were registered in T. algeriensis, while the maximum concentrations of Ca, Fe, and the non-essential element, Rb, were found in T. capitatus. Potassium contents were similar in the two species. The concentrations of essential chemical elements in T. algeriensis leaves were found in the following order: K > Ca > Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr. However, the order of these elements in T. capitatus was Ca > K > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that T. algeriensis was highly associated with Br, Cr, Cu, Mn, Sr, V, and Zn, while T. capitatus was correlated with Ca, Fe, K, and Rb. Dietary element intakes through ingestion of 1 teaspoon of dry powder (~ 10 g) were estimated and compared to recommended daily intakes and permissible limits under FAO/WHO guidelines. In all cases, these estimates were below those levels. These findings can enhance the dissemination of these medicinal plants, which have medicinal and organoleptic properties, and provide an experiment-based guidance to the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Seasonal Assessment of some Potentially Toxic Elements with Possible Animal Health Risks in Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt

In the present investigation Br (Bromine), Cr (Chromium) and Pb (Lead) concentrations were assessed employing X-ray florescence spectrometry to evaluate seasonal variation of these elements in the xero-halophyte Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt., a shrub with high pastoral value. The results showed that A. canescens and its surrounding soil have similar accumulation patterns for Br and Pb across seasons, but Cr concentrations in shrubs are higher in spring than other seasons. The seasonal mean contents of trace elements in A. canescens descend in the following order: Cr (8.33 µg g^- 1) > Br (5.34 µg g^- 1) > Pb (0.24 µg g^- 1). The maximum element transfer factor (ETF) of Cr and Pb was recorded in summer and autumn. However, no significant difference between seasons was found for Br. Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that Br, Cr and Pb were associated negatively with soil during all seasons. In contrast, A. canescens was only associated to Cr contents in the spring. Results provide evidence also that the levels of Br, Cr and Pb were within the safety-limits recommended by the National Research Council (NRC) guidelines for animal nutrition.

Elemental Analysis of Basella alba, Spinacia oleracea, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.), Ipomoea aquatica, Colocasia esculenta, Amaranthus dubius, and Raphanus sativus Vegetables Using the PIXE Technique in a Saline Region of Bangladesh, Rampal Area

Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method was used in this present research to identify the elements present in selected vegetable samples to show the possible influence in the metal absorption by the vegetables grown in a saline region of Rampal area of Munshiganj District, Bangladesh. The data acquisition setup is calibrated using a 2.5-MeV proton beam in the current ranges of 5nA to 15nA. The detector was used to measure the X-rays emitted during the irradiation. Data acquisition system MAESTRO-32 was used to measure the spectrum picks, and concentration calculation has been done by GUPIX/DAN-32 software. The purpose of this study is to determine the concentration of heavy and trace elements in these samples and to give current information on their safety for consumption. The result shows that K, Ca, and Fe have the highest concentrations, while lead exhibits the lowest but alarming rates compared to reference materials. The findings were likened to IAEA-V-10, IAEA-359, SRM 1515 (apple leaf), and SRM 1573a (tomato leaf). The outcomes of the present investigation demonstrate that these samples are not devoid of health risks in intake.

Serum Elemental Analysis of Type 2 Diabetes Patients Using SRXRF

A total of 158 serum samples of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients and control subjects were analyzed using Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Fluorescence (SRXRF) technique. The microprobe XRF beam line-16 of Indus-2 synchrotron radiation facility at Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore, India, was used to identify and quantify the elements K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, and Pb. A significant decrease in the mean concentrations of K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Ni, Zn, and As and an increase in the concentrations of V, Fe, Co, Cu, Se, and Pb were observed in the serum samples of the patient group when compared to the control group. It is hypothesized that the observed alterations in the elemental concentrations might have led to ineffective uptake of insulin and have interfered with glucose homeostasis by either directly or indirectly causing oxidative stress.

Seasonal Variability of Elemental Composition and Phytochemical Analysis of Moringa oleifera Leaves Using Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence and Other Related Methods

The elemental contents and the phytochemical components of Moringa oleifera are crucial for nutrition and medical purposes. Therefore, the monthly and seasonal variations of the elemental composition and phytochemical analysis of Moringa oleifera leaves collected from the same ecological area have been investigated. For this purpose, Moringa oleifera leaves were collected monthly from the same tree's branches during the whole year from January 2019 to December 2019. A non-destructive elemental analysis technique was used, namely energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The seasonal variations are different from one season to another. The highest concentrations of Mo, Cr, Fe, Ti, and Si were found during winter, whereas the highest concentrations of Br, Cl, and Cu were found during the summer seasons. Based on Pearson's correlation analysis, a strong correlation between Ca and Sr was found, whereas Sr has a negative correlation with other detected elements. Similarly, Cu and Zn as well as Br and Cl have a strong correlation. Remarkable different concentrations were found during May which has the lowest positive correlation. The phytochemical analysis revealed that Moringa oleifera leaves collected during the spring season resulted in the highest chlorophyll content, phenol content, and the greatest scavenging activity. Therefore, the mineral contents and phytochemical compounds are affected by the changing of the seasons of the year. Collectively, the current results are useful for optimizing the harvest time of Moringa oleifera leaves with respect to the quality.

Determination of Some Major and Trace Elements in Cladodes of Barbary fig (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) by X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Barbary fig (Opuntia ficus-indica) has attracted great attention in extensive rural agriculture for its potential agronomic, medicinal, and environmental benefits. However, there is only incomplete information about its chemical profile. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry was applied to determine the concentrations of 11 major and trace elements (Br, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, P, Rb, Sr, Yb, and Zn) in cladodes of O. ficus-indica and the adjacent soil. For analytical accuracy, the standard reference materials CRM-IAEA 336 (Lichen) and CRM-NIST 1646a (Estuarine Sediment) were used. The relationships between the chemical elements were established by Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and principal component analysis (PCA). The results show that K, P, Fe, and Mn were the dominant essential elements in O. ficus-indica cladodes; however, Br, Cr, Cu, Rb, Yb, and Zn were present at low concentrations. The cladodes showed high enrichment with K, Sr, and Br (BEF > 1), but the values of this coefficient were below 1 for the remaining elements. The PCA showed that in the O. ficus-indica cladodes, the higher concentrations of Br, K, and Sr were correlated; conversely, the highest contents of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, P, Rb, Yb, and Zn were retained in the soil. The present findings enabled us to determine that O. ficus-indica has a high ability to accumulate K, P, Fe, and Mn in its cladodes. Therefore, the data obtained from the analysis of this cactus will be useful for nutritional and medicinal purposes.