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Senila M, Cadar O. Modification of natural zeolites and their applications for heavy metal removal from polluted environments: Challenges, recent advances, and perspectives. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25303. [PMID: 38352776 PMCID: PMC10862511 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, environmental pollution has become a significant problem for human health and environmental impact. The high accumulation of heavy metals in waters and soils from different sources was conducted by finding efficient and environmentally friendly treatment methods and materials for their removal. Natural zeolites have found wide-ranging applications in environmental remediation and protection, considering various treatment and modification methods designed to enhance the natural zeolites' adsorptive or ion-exchange capabilities for increased efficiency. This paper briefly consolidates the recent scientific literature related to the main characteristics of natural and modified zeolites, the advantages and limitations of their environmental remediation application, and summarizes the methodologies applied to natural zeolites in order to improve their properties. Their application for removing heavy metals from water systems and soils is also comprehensively discussed. This review highlights the excellent potential of natural zeolites to be used after specific treatment or modification as a sustainable and green material to solve numerous environmental pollution issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marin Senila
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath Street, 400293, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Oana Cadar
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath Street, 400293, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Segneanu AE, Vlase G, Vlase T, Bita A, Bejenaru C, Buema G, Bejenaru LE, Dumitru A, Boia ER. An Innovative Approach to a Potential Neuroprotective Sideritis scardica-Clinoptilolite Phyto-Nanocarrier: In Vitro Investigation and Evaluation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1712. [PMID: 38338989 PMCID: PMC10855864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The cutting-edge field of nanomedicine combines the power of medicinal plants with nanotechnology to create advanced scaffolds that boast improved bioavailability, biodistribution, and controlled release. In an innovative approach to performant herb nanoproducts, Sideritis scardica Griseb and clinoptilolite were used to benefit from the combined action of both components and enhance the phytochemical's bioavailability, controlled intake, and targeted release. A range of analytical methods, such as SEM-EDX, FT-IR, DLS, and XDR, was employed to examine the morpho-structural features of the nanoproducts. Additionally, thermal stability, antioxidant screening, and in vitro release were investigated. Chemical screening of Sideritis scardica Griseb revealed that it contains a total of ninety-one phytoconstituents from ten chemical categories, including terpenoids, flavonoids, amino acids, phenylethanoid glycosides, phenolic acids, fatty acids, iridoids, sterols, nucleosides, and miscellaneous. The study findings suggest the potential applications as a promising aspirant in neurodegenerative strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina-Elena Segneanu
- Institute for Advanced Environmental Research-West University of Timisoara (ICAM-WUT), Oituz nr.4, 300223 Timisoara, Romania; (G.V.); (T.V.)
| | - Gabriela Vlase
- Institute for Advanced Environmental Research-West University of Timisoara (ICAM-WUT), Oituz nr.4, 300223 Timisoara, Romania; (G.V.); (T.V.)
- Research Centre “Thermal Anal Environm Problems”, Institute for Advanced Environmental Research-West University of Timisoara (WUT), Pestalozzi St 16, 300115 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Titus Vlase
- Institute for Advanced Environmental Research-West University of Timisoara (ICAM-WUT), Oituz nr.4, 300223 Timisoara, Romania; (G.V.); (T.V.)
- Research Centre “Thermal Anal Environm Problems”, Institute for Advanced Environmental Research-West University of Timisoara (WUT), Pestalozzi St 16, 300115 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andrei Bita
- Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, St. Petru Rareș 2, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (A.B.)
| | - Cornelia Bejenaru
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, St. Petru Rareș 2, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Gabriela Buema
- National Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics, 47 Mangeron Boulevard, 700050 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Ludovic Everard Bejenaru
- Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, St. Petru Rareș 2, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (A.B.)
| | - Andrei Dumitru
- Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Informatics—Department of Medical Assistance and Physiotherapy, National University for Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, University Center of Pitesti, Targu din Vale 1, 110040 Pitesti, Romania;
| | - Eugen Radu Boia
- Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
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Șenilă M, Neag E, Tănăselia C, Șenilă L. Removal of Cesium and Strontium Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Thermally Treated Natural Zeolite. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2965. [PMID: 37109801 PMCID: PMC10145197 DOI: 10.3390/ma16082965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The radionuclides of cesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) are dangerous products of nuclear fission that can be accidentally released into wastewater. In the present work, the capacity of thermally treated natural zeolite (NZ) from Macicasu (Romania) to remove Cs+ and Sr2+ ions from aqueous solutions in batch mode was investigated by contacting different zeolite quantities (0.5, 1, and 2 g) of 0.5-1.25 mm (NZ1) and 0.1-0.5 mm (NZ2) particle size fractions with 50 mL working solutions of Cs+ and Sr2+ (10, 50, and 100 mg L-1 initial concentrations) for 180 min. The concentration of Cs in the aqueous solutions was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), whereas the Sr concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The removal efficiency of Cs+ varied between 62.8 and 99.3%, whereas Sr2+ ranged between 51.3 and 94.5%, depending on the initial concentrations, the contact time, the amount, and particle size of the adsorbent material. The sorption of Cs+ and Sr2+ was analyzed using the nonlinear form of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models. The results indicated that the sorption kinetics of Cs+ and Sr2+ on thermally treated natural zeolite was described by the PSO kinetic model. Chemisorption dominates the retention of both Cs+ and Sr2+ by strong coordinate bonds with an aluminosilicate zeolite skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marin Șenilă
- Correspondence: (M.Ș.); (E.N.); Tel.: +40-264-420-590 (E.N.)
| | - Emilia Neag
- Correspondence: (M.Ș.); (E.N.); Tel.: +40-264-420-590 (E.N.)
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Cadar O, Vagner I, Miu I, Scurtu D, Senila M. Preparation, Characterization, and Performance of Natural Zeolites as Alternative Materials for Beer Filtration. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:1914. [PMID: 36903029 PMCID: PMC10004079 DOI: 10.3390/ma16051914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The clarity of the beer is essential to its marketability and good consumer approval. Moreover, the beer filtration aims to remove the unwanted constituents that cause beer haze formation. Natural zeolite, an inexpensive and widespread material, was tested as a substitute filter media for diatomaceous earth in removing the haze constituents in beer. The zeolitic tuff samples were collected from two quarries in Northern Romania: Chilioara, in which the zeolitic tuff has a clinoptilolite content of about 65%, and the Valea Pomilor quarry, containing zeolitic tuff with a clinoptilolite content of about 40%. Two-grain sizes, <40 and <100 µm, from each quarry were prepared and thermally treated at 450 °C in order to improve their adsorption properties and remove organic compounds and for physico-chemical characterization. The prepared zeolites were used for beer filtration in different mixtures with commercial filter aids (DIF BO and CBL3) in laboratory-scale experiments, and the filtered beer was characterized in terms of pH, turbidity, color, taste, flavor, and concentrations of the major and trace elements. The results showed that the taste, flavor, and pH of the filtered beer were generally not affected by filtration, while turbidity and color decreased with an increase in the zeolite content used in the filtration. The concentrations of Na and Mg in the beer were not significantly altered by filtration; Ca and K slowly increased, while Cd and Co were below the limits of quantification. Our results show that natural zeolites are promising aids for beer filtration and can be readily substituted for diatomaceous earth without significant changes in brewery industry process equipment and protocols for preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana Cadar
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Irina Vagner
- National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies Romania, 4 Uzinei Street, 240050 Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
| | - Ion Miu
- SC Utchim S.R.L., 12 Buda Street, 240127 Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
| | - Daniela Scurtu
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Marin Senila
- INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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