Ultra-Sensitive Determination of Cadmium in Food and Water by Flame-AAS after a New Polyvinyl Benzyl Xanthate as an Adsorbent Based Vortex Assisted Dispersive Solid-Phase Microextraction: Multivariate Optimization

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a very toxic and carcinogenic heavy metal even at low levels and it is naturally present in water as well as in food. Methods: A new polyvinyl benzyl xanthate (PvbXa) was synthesized and used as a new adsorbent in this work. It contains pendant sulfide groups on the main polystyryl chain. Using this new adsorbent, PvbXa, a vortex-assisted dispersive solid-phase microextraction (VA-dSPµE) procedure was developed for the determination of cadmium from food and water samples via flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). Synthesized PvbXa was characterized by 1H Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The different parameters of pH, sample volume, mixing type and time, sorbent amount, and eluent time were optimized using standard analytical methods. Results: The optimized method for assessment of Cd in food and water samples shows good reliability. The optimum conditions were found to be a 0.20-150 µg L-1 linear range, 0.06 µg L-1 LOD, 0.20 µg L-1 LOQ, 4.3 RSD %, and a preconcentration factor of 160. Conclusions: The statistically experimental variables were utilized using a central composite design (CCD). The present method is a low-cost, simple, sensitive, and very effective tool for the recovery of Cd.

Ultrasound assisted dispersive solid phase microextraction using polystyrene-polyoleic acid graft copolymer for determination of Sb(III) in various bottled beverages by HGAAS

A new polyoleic acid-polystyrene (PoleS) block/graft copolymer was synthesized and applied as adsorbent for ultrasound assisted dispersive solid phase microextraction (UA-DSPME) of Sb(III) in different bottled beverages and analysis using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS). Adsorption capacity of the PoleS was 150 mg g^-1. Several sample preparation parameters such as sorbent amount, solvent type, pH, sample volume and shaking time were optimized (based on central composite design (CCD) approach) and evaluated in respect to the recovery of Sb(III). The method revealed a high tolerance limit of matrix ions presence. Under optimized conditions, linearity range, the limit of detection, the limit of quantitation, extraction recovery, enhancement factor, preconcentration factor were 5-800 ng L^-1, 1.5 ng L^-1, 5.0 ng L^-1, 96%, 82, 90, respectively. Accuracy of the UA-DSPME method was confirmed based on different certified reference materials and standard addition method. Factorial design was utilized to estimate the influences of variables of recovery of Sb(III).

Deep Eutectic Solvents for Extraction and Preconcentration of Organic and Inorganic Species in Water and Food Samples: A Review

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have been developed as green solvents and these are capable as alternatives to conventional solvents used for the extraction of organic and inorganic species from food and water samples. The continuous generation of contaminated waste and increasing concern for the human health and environment have compelled the scientific community to investigate more ecological schemes. In this concern, the use of DESs have developed in one of the chief approach in the field of chemistry. These solvents have appeared as a capable substitute to conventional hazardous solvents and ionic liquids. The DESs has distinctive properties, easy preparation and components availability. It is not only used in scienctific fields but also used in quotidian life. There are many advantages of DESs in analytical chemistry, they are largely used for extraction and determination of inorganic and organic compounds from different samples. In previous a few years, several advanced researches have been focused on the separation and preconcentration of low level of pollutants using DESs as the extractants. This review summarizes the use of DESs in the separation and preconcentration of organic and inorganic species from water and food samples using various microextraction processes.

Nutrition Knowledge, Practices And Challenges Of Food And Nutrition Security In The Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan

Introduction:

Nutrition is a fundamental need of human. World hunger reached a historic high level with more than one billion people living with chronic hunger.

Objective:

The main objective of the proposed study was to identify the challenges of food and nutrition security.

Methods:

The study team conducted interviews in the respective UCs with the support of the field team and once the data was collected and analyzed.

Results:

The present finding indicated that the majority of the households were cleaning the water container/bottle and storage tank on a daily basis, twice in a week, and weekly while the majority washed their hands after defecation, similarly, after child cleaning, before preparing food, and before feeding. The significant 32% household that they gave children food/fluids within one month followed breastfeeding strictly. About 81% breast-feeding practice is strictly followed at the household level. 23% gave one meal to a child between the age group of 6-23 months, 22% two meals, 27% three meals, and 28% four meals. Data suggest that about 11% children faced issues during feeding practices, while a big number of 89% children did not face any feeding issues. About 95% PLWs who did not practice fasting habits and food restrictions. End line study, about 2 to 3% pregnant and lactating women eat additional food.

Conclusion:

There is a need to spread the message through media at the district and province levels and a need to engage multistakeholders, so the efforts are synergized to have a sustainable and long-term impact.

GC Determination of Fluorouracil in Serum by Using Hexafluroroacetylacetone as Derivatizing Reagent

A gas chromatographic (GC) procedure has been developed for the determination of fluorouracil (5-FU) after pre-column derivatization with hexafluoroacetylacetone. GC separation was from column DB-1 (30 m × 0.32 mm id) and the determination was by flame-ionization detection. The derivatization conditions were optimized at pH 4, heating at 90°C for 40 min and extraction of the derivative was in chloroform. Using the conditions nucleobases cytosine, uracil, thymine, adenine and guanine separated completely from fluorouracil. The linear calibration range and LOD for 5-fluorouracil were 0.5-40.0 and 0.2 μg/mL, respectively. The derivatization, elution and separation were repeatable in terms of retention time and peak height/peak area (n = 5) and relative standard deviations (RSD) were within 3.5%. The method was applied for the analysis of serum spiked with 5-FU with recovery of 95.5-97.5% with RSD 1.5-3.1%.

Minerals content in different types of local and branded honey in Sindh, Pakistan

The 15 honey samples were collected from diferent areas of Sindh, 8 samples were collected from local honey and 7 samples were purchase from local market Hyderabad Sindh. The 13 minerals were analyzed like potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co). The results of the major and trace elements in honey samples were found in the range from Na 77.5-200 mg/kg, K 225-439 mg/kg, Ca 46.1-98.1 mg/kg, Mg 31.3-73.8 mg/kg and trace elements Fe 2.98-16-2 mg/kg, Zn 1.11-4.1 mg/kg, Co 0.01-0.23 mg/kg, Cu 0.08-0.33 mg/kg, Mn 0.12-0.95 mg/kg, Cr 0.012-0.10 mg/kg, Ni 0.06-0.33 mg/kg, Pb 0.01-0.14 mg/kg, Cd 0.01-0.38 mg/kg. The results of K was found higher while the chromium was found lowest value in Sindh honeys. The statistical analysis correlation determination, principal components analysis and cluster analysis determined to evaluate the data.

Water quality assessment of Ramser site, Indus Delta, Sindh, Pakistan

Seven representative sampling stations were selected from Indus Delta comprising of (1) Keti Bander, (2) Darya Peer, (3) Kharo Chanr, (4) Jati, (5) Shah Bander, (6) Nariri Dhand and (7) Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) near Rupa Mari. The sampling scheme was repeated seven times during 2014-2015 for 1 year. The samples were analysed for temperature, conductivity, pH, hardness, chloride, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, sulphate, orthophosphate-P, nitrite-N, nitrate-N, Na, K, Fe, Ni, Cr, Co, Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb and As. The analysis was carried out using standard analytical procedures. A number of parameters crossed the WHO permissible limits and water quality guidelines for aquatic life and indicated pollution within coastal region. Coefficient of correlation (r) among physicochemical parameters and metal ions were examined and a number of parameters did not correlate positively and did not indicate natural origin and may indicate their presence due to human activity. The samples were examined for cluster analysis, and principal component analysis. The samples also indicated the presence of Presumptive Coliform, Faecal coliform and E. coli.