Free radical generation in uncooked carrot (Daucus carota) root tissue after cell disruption – A model for chemical reactions during mastication

Identification and application of Phyto-Fenton reactions

The formation of hydroxyl radicals (•OHs) by aquatic plants was investigated using electron-spin-resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. ESR observations, using 5- (diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-pyrroline N-oxide as a trapping agent, indicated that the signals produced by aquatic plants ground with ferrous iron ions are almost identical to those produced by Fenton's reagent. In addition, fluorescence was observed in the oxidized form of aminophenyl fluorescein in the presence of ferrous ions as well as any particles of colloidal ferrihydrite, magnetite, and ferric-ion-exchanged zeolite, while no fluorescence appeared in the absence of these iron compounds. Moreover, fluorescence-microscopy observations demonstrated that fluorescence mainly occurs on the surface of aquatic plants at neutral pH in the presence of the latter three solid iron compounds, implying the occurrence of heterogeneous phyto-Fenton reactions utilizing endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the aquatic plants. Furthermore, batch treatments of the pollutant 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), using colloidal ferrihydrite iron, indicated the feasible removal of EE2 with enhanced performance, lower-or apparently no-consumption of endogenous H2O2, and no significant stress to the aquatic plants. We concluded that the treatment of environmental pollutants through •OH formations via heterogeneous phyto-Fenton reactions should be a feasible alternative to conventional wastewater and water-treatment processes.

EPR study of gamma irradiated N-methyl taurine (C3H9NO3S) and sodium hydrogen sulphate monohydrate (NaHSO3·H2O) single crystals

EPR study of gamma irradiated C(3)H(9)NO(3)S and NaHSO(3).H(2)O single crystals have been carried out at room temperature. There is one site for the radicals in C(3)H(9)NO(3)S and two magnetically distinct sites for the radicals in NaHSO(3). The observed lines in the EPR spectra have been attributed to the species of SO(3)(-) and RH radicals for N-methyl taurine, and to the SO(3)(-) and OH radicals for sodium hydrogen sulfate monohydrate single crystals. The principal values of the g for SO(3)(-), the hyperfine values of RH and OH proton splitting have been calculated and discussed.

Aluminum stress increases carbon-centered radicals in soybean roots

The formation of radical species was examined in roots of soybean seedlings exposed to aluminum (Al). Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of root homogenates with the spin-trapping reagent 5-diethoxyphosphoryl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DEPMPO) indicated the presence of carbon-centered radicals in plants not exposed to Al. Plants exposed to 50 microM Al showed a similar spectrum, with increased signal intensity. These radicals were likely produced through a H-atom abstraction reaction by hydroxyl (*OH) radicals, the synthesis of which was initiated by the formation of superoxide (O2*-) anions. The increased production of the carbon-centered radicals may be responsible for the lipid peroxidation in Al-treated roots.