A survey and measurement of residues of lindane (organochlorine pesticides) in four species of the most consumed fish in the Caspian Sea (Iran)

In this study, samples of four species of the most consumed fish (sefid, koli, kilca and kafal fish) were analysed for concentrations of lindane (organochlorine pesticides). Fish were caught using electric fishing at four sites (Chalous and Babolsar cities, Khazar Abad and Miankaleh regions) in the Mazandaran provinces of Iran. Quantitative determination of the lindane was performed by gas chromatography electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). Samples contained detectable concentrations of lindane, but at concentrations below the maximum residue limit (MRL). No differences were found in the lindane concentrations between the types of fish at each site, but there were two groups of sites that were significantly different from one another in terms of lindane concentrations: sites II-IVB/site I (PB/0.05). However, the concentrations of lindane residues in the muscle were found to be less than the FAO/WHO (1993) recommended permissible intake and should not be of public concern in Mazandaran province.

Cadmium concentration in muscle, liver and kidney of sheep slaughtered in Falavarjan abattoir, Iran

The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of cadmium in sheep's muscle, liver and kidney from Isfahan and also to compare them with the levels reported in several other countries and with the maximum tolerance levels for the human consumption. The samples of muscle, liver and kidney of 60 animals around 1 to 6 years old were collected from the carcasses slaughtered in Flavarjan abattoir, Isfahan. Samples (acid digested and cadmium concentrations) were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS). The mean fresh weight concentrations in muscle, liver and kidney were about 0.0017 mg/kg, 0.0743 mg/kg and 0.02290 mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentration of cadmium in tissue samples was generally lower than the maximum acceptable concentration in European Commission (EC). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in cadmium concentration of liver and kidney between various age groups (p < 0.05).

Study of two main approaches-electrophoresis and chromatography as varietal identification methods in rice

Rice is a major worldwide crop that cultivated in the most areas of the north of Iran (Mazandaran and Gillan Province). An increase in the assortment of rice varieties is making it progressively more difficult to distinguish between the many cultivars by traditional visual identification methods. The more advanced identification techniques of electrophoresis and chromatography offer an effective solution to this emerging identification dilemma. This paper reviews the application of these two evaluation techniques. An Electrophoresis analysis includes gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis and compares them with a popular chromatography technique, namely reversed-phase, size exclusion anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This paper will also include an interpretation of the results.