by functional compounds, stable isotope ratios, and multielement combined with machine learning methods

The dry roots of Pleuropterus multiflorus Thunb. (PM) have been traditionally utilized as functional foods and medicines China and various Asian countries. They are extensively cultivated in multiple provinces in China, with variations in prices and qualities. This study aims to investigate the regional characteristics of PM by 4 stable isotope ratios, 40 multielement and 16 functional compounds contents, using a total of 357 samples from 8 different geographical origins. Machine learning methods were developed to authenticating the geographical origins of PM, yielding the accuracy range from 94.44 % to 100 % in the test set. Notably, the protected designation of origin, Deqing PM, exhibited a high accuracy of 100 % in most models, A total of 30 significant prediction variables, encompassing 16 functional compounds, δ2H, 12 rare earth elements, and Cu, were identified. Additionally, the study identified altitude, high temperature, and dry or moisture index as the primary influenced environmental factors.

Authentication of apples from the Loess Plateau in China based on interannual element fingerprints and multidimensional modelling

Apple is an important fruit, and fruit authentication is significant for quality and safety control. The Loess Plateau (LP) in China is an important apple-producing region. However, the geographic authentication of LP apples has not been well studied. In this study, we discriminated LP apples based on multielement analysis. We analysed the differences in 29 elements of 522 samples collected from LP and others in 2018-2020 and constructed discriminant models for LP apple authentication. Linear discriminant analysis, partial least square-discriminant analysis, back-propagation artificial neural networks, and random forest (RF) showed different rates in training and validation accuracy. RF showed better tolerance to the removal of the less-important elements in model optimization. The final RF was optimized on 11 elements, which obtained 95.30% training accuracy for the 2018-2019 samples and 97.29% validation accuracy for the 2020 samples. The multielement-based authentication of LP apples could aid further studies of geographical origins.

Essential role of multi-element data in interpreting elevated element concentrations in areas impacted by both natural and anthropogenic influences

Background

This article presents a detailed analysis of a dataset consisting of 27 elements found in soils, soil eluates, and vegetables from private gardens in a region with a long history of coal mining and burning. With coal being one of the world's most significant energy sources, and previous studies highlighting elevated element levels in vegetables from this region, the objective of this study was to identify the factors that impact soil geochemistry and metal(loid) uptake in plants.

Methods

Total major and trace element concentrations were analyzed in soils, soil eluates and vegetables by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The vegetable samples included six species: fennel, garlic, lettuce, parsley, onion, and radicchio. Each plant was divided into roots, stems, leaves, and/or bulbs and analyzed separately. In addition, the soil pollution status, bioavailable fractions and transfer factors from soil and soil eluates to different plant parts were determined.

Results

The comprehensive dataset revealed that, apart from the substrate enriched with various elements (Al, As, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Ti, U, V, and Zn), other anthropogenic factors such as the legacy of coal mining and combustion activities, associated industries in the area, transport, and agricultural practices, also influence the elevated element concentrations (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Se) in locally grown vegetables. The transfer factors based on element concentrations in aqueous soil eluates and element bioavailable fractions confirmed to be an effective tool for evaluating metal uptake in plants, emphazising to some extent the effects of plant species and revealing unique patterns for each pollution source within its environmental context (e.g., Cd, Mo, S, and Se in this case). The study highlights the crucial importance of utilizing comprehensive datasets that encompass a multitude of factors when interpreting the impacts of element uptake in edible plants.

Multielement analysis coupled with chemometrics modelling for geographical origin classification of teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter] grains from Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter] is an indigenous crop in Ethiopia, and Amhara region is the predominant teff producing region in the country. This study was aimed at developing an analytical methodology useful to determine the geographical origin of teff produced in the Amhara Region, based on multielement analysis combined with multivariate statistical techniques. For this, a total of 72 teff grain samples were collected from three zones (West Gojjam, East Gojjam, and Awi) and analysed for K, Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Cu, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, and Cd contents using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The digestion and ICP-OES analysis method were accurate, with percentage recovery ranging 85.5 to 109% across the different metals analysed. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were applied to discriminate samples based on their production regions. Magnesium, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn were the most discriminating elements among the samples. The LDA model provided 96% correct classification of samples into production regions and varietal types, with an average prediction ability of 92%. Hence, the multielement analysis combined with statistical modeling can be used in the authentication of the geographical origin and varietal type of teff from Amhara region.

Elemental distribution in urban sediments of small waterbodies and its implications: a case study from Kolkata, India

The impacts of elemental pollution in sediments of freshwater bodies are of particular concern in rapidly urbanizing cities of the developing world and have been extensively studied in rivers and lakes. The current study is an attempt to highlight the importance of smaller waterbodies, which happen to form a natural network in cities, for assessing the contamination status of sediments. The distribution of elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, S, Si, Ti, Ba, Mn, Sr, V, As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in sediments of 15 ponds and 6 canals was studied to understand the overall pollution status and the associated ecological risk to aquatic organisms. Geochemical indices revealed Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn to be the principal elements of concern. The mean concentration of Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn was 308, 174, 76.9 and 446 mg kg^-1, respectively. Ecological risk assessment revealed that Cr in 86% sites, Ni in 52% sites, Cu and Zn in 28% sites and Pb in 10% sites were associated with possible ecological toxicity. The findings suggest that multielemental concentration in sediments of ponds and canals could effectively distinguish between pristine and polluted sites and suitably identify the main elements of concern to support cost-efficient waste management solutions customized to both the sites and elements of concern.

Possibilities and drawbacks of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry as a fast, simple and cost-effective technique for multielement analyses of cosmetics

This paper shows a simple, rapid and cost-effective method for multielement analyses of cosmetics. Total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) is used to determine the composition, particularly the presence of potentially toxic elements, of cosmetics. Three sample preparation methods based on suspension preparation were developed for different types of cosmetic samples, e.g. lipsticks, eye shadows and body creams. Limits of detection within the low mg kg^-1 range were obtained and enabled cosmetic screening for compliance with the legal thresholds for some major toxic elements. A good accuracy of the results on a wide range of concentration levels (>10000 mg kg^-1) was found without the need of sample dilution. Results obtained for most elements in the lipstick and cream samples agreed with those obtained by the reference method recommended by the Food and Drug Administration, based on using inductively coupled plasma techniques after microwave digestion. However, for eyeshadow analysis, a more sophisticate approach is needed to improve the analytical results.

Mineral and Trace Metal Concentrations in Seaweeds by Microwave-Assisted Digestion Method Followed by Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

This study reports the total concentrations of mineral and trace metals sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese in the seaweeds Padina tetrastromatica, Turbinaria ornate, Sargassum wightii, Sargassum swartzii, Gracilaria edulis, Ulva lactuca, Chaetomorpha antennina, and Halimeda opuntia collected from mandapam coastal regions, Southeast coast of India. Microwave-assisted digestion was used for sample preparation prior to mineral and trace metal analysis. Mineral and trace metal analyses were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The ranges of concentrations of mineral and trace metals in algae were 27.04 ± 2.54-194.08 ± 2.36 mg/kg for manganese, 1.88 ± 0.10-121.5 ± 0.70 mg/kg for sodium, 6.5 ± 0.56-90.5 ± 2.12 mg/kg for magnesium, 59.07 ± 0.34-672 ± 2.82 mg/kg for potassium, 13.15 ± 2.08-135.13 ± 1.59 for sulfur, 0.003 ± 0.001-3.44 ± 0.13 mg/kg for cobalt, 0.39 ± 0.19-8.95 ± 0.38 mg/kg for copper, 0.72 ± 0.28-25.72 ± 0.39 mg/kg for zinc, and 6.01 ± 0.27-188.47 ± 1.92 mg/kg for iron.The results were evaluated statistically, and the significant difference was observed in the mean concentrations of all mineral and trace elements, except Co, Cu, and Zn, among the type of seaweeds.

Photoluminescent coral-like carbon-branched polymers as nanoprobe for fluorometric determination of captopril

The authors describe the synthesis of fluorescent coral-like carbon nano-branched polymers (PCNBPs) co-doped with nitrogen and phosphorus. Uric acid and phosphoric acid act as nitrogen and phosphorus sources, respectively. The PCNBPs have a coral-like branched structure, are cross-connected, and < 20 nm in skeleton diameter. Their blue fluorescence, best measured at excitation/emission wavelengths of 330/425 nm, is quenched by mercury (II) ions due to the specifically restricted rigid conformation caused by the interaction of phosphorus, nitrogen, and oxygen groups on the surface of the PCNBPs. Fluorescence is selectivity quenched by Hg(II) but restored in addition of the hypertension drug captopril (CAP) in the range 50 nM to 40 μM concentration range. Fluorescence recovery is attributed to the effectively specific interactions between the thiol group of CAP and Hg(II). The method was applied to the determination of the concentration of Cap in pharmaceutical samples, and recoveries were between 97.6 and 105.1%. Graphical abstract Fluorescent coral-like carbon nano-branched polymers (PCNBPs) co-doped with nitrogen and phosphorus are described. Their fluorescence is selectivity quenched by Hg(II) but restored in addition of the hypertension drug captopril (Cap) in the range 50 nM to 40 μM concentration range.