scholarly journals Activated Carbon Impregnated with Elementary Iodine: Applications against Virus- and Bacteria-Related Issues

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Yuri Natori ◽  
Yoshiaki Kinase ◽  
Norihiro Ikemoto ◽  
Fabio Spaziani ◽  
Tsutomu Kojima ◽  
...  

An iodine-doped activated carbon (named IodAC) was developed by adsorbing molecular iodine (I2) on commercially available activated carbon (AC). Iodine was selected with the purpose to add its well-known antibacterial and antiviral properties to the AC and in order to produce an innovative material for environmental pathogens control and for healthcare-related applications. The impregnation method achieved the goal of strongly adsorbing iodine on the AC surface, since both volatility and water solubility resulted to be negligible, and therefore it did not affect the stability of the material. An antibacterial test (on Escherichia coli) and an antiviral test (on an avian influenza strain) were conducted, showing the effectiveness of IodAC against the pathogens. In addition, IodAC was also compared to slaked lime (a material widely used for disinfection of outdoor spaces and livestock farming areas). The data proved the performance of IodAC against virus and bacteria and also evidenced a more stable and long-lasting disinfecting power of IodAC compared to slaked lime, the later reacting with carbon dioxide and suffering a gradually decrease of its disinfectant power; such drawback does not affect IodAC. Overall, the presented results show that IodAC can be used for a wide range of applications, including as a granular disinfectant for public spaces, for water disinfection, zoonotic diseases countermeasures (e.g., as an animal feed additive for avian influenza control), post-harvest food storage, and sanitization. Its characteristics also indicate its potential to be used for medical treatments, such as for blood, intestinal (for HIV, sepsis, irritable syndrome, ulcerative colitis therapy), and medical supplies (antibacterial bandages, gauze, cotton, etc.) sterilization.

Author(s):  
David Vogel

This book examines the politics of consumer and environmental risk regulation in the United States and Europe over the last five decades, explaining why America and Europe have often regulated a wide range of similar risks differently. It finds that between 1960 and 1990, American health, safety, and environmental regulations were more stringent, risk averse, comprehensive, and innovative than those adopted in Europe. But since around 1990 global regulatory leadership has shifted to Europe. What explains this striking reversal? This book takes an in-depth, comparative look at European and American policies toward a range of consumer and environmental risks, including vehicle air pollution, ozone depletion, climate change, beef and milk hormones, genetically modified agriculture, antibiotics in animal feed, pesticides, cosmetic safety, and hazardous substances in electronic products. The book traces how concerns over such risks—and pressure on political leaders to do something about them—have risen among the European public but declined among Americans. The book explores how policymakers in Europe have grown supportive of more stringent regulations while those in the United States have become sharply polarized along partisan lines. And as European policymakers have grown more willing to regulate risks on precautionary grounds, increasingly skeptical American policymakers have called for higher levels of scientific certainty before imposing additional regulatory controls on business.


Author(s):  
M.T. SABITOV ◽  
A.R. FARKHUTDINOVA ◽  
M.G. MALIKOVA ◽  
N.G. FENCHENKO ◽  
N.I. KHAIRULLINA ◽  
...  

Изучена целесообразность использования в рационах телят черно-пестрой породы комплексной минерально-витаминной кормовой добавки (КМВКД). Установлено пониженное содержание в кормах таких элементов, как кальций, фосфор, магний, сера, марганец, медь, цинк и кобальт. Соотношение питательных и минеральных веществ, степень их доступности для усвоения организмом не обеспечивают их потребность. Использование КМВКД способствовало улучшению всех гематологических показателей. Все испытываемые рецепты, имеющие в своем составе разные варианты макро-, микроэлементов и витаминов положительно влияют на обменные про- цессы в организме животных. У молодняка опытной группы, получавшей подкормку по рецепту 1, количество эритроцитов в сравнении с животными контрольной группы увеличилось на 6,6, гемоглобина на 6,93 соответственно, по рецепту 2 11,05 и 11,39 по рецепту 3 16,75 и 15,27, то есть соотношение макро- и микроэлементов, имеющихся в составе КМВКД и взаимодействие между собой меди, железа и кобальта сыграли особую роль на концентрацию форменных элементов. У молодняка, получавшего подкормку по рецепту 1 количество общего белка в сравнении с животными контрольной группы увеличилось на 1,99, кальция на 16,02, каротина на 10,92 соответственно, по рецепту 2 4,91, 25,96 и 19,12 по рецепту 3 на 3,58, 27,07 и 20,21. Значительное повышение содержания белка, кальция, фосфора и каротина по сравнению с животными контрольной группы объясняется тем, что недостаток их в рационах восполнялся за счет используемой подкормки, в результате их содержание увеличилось в сыворотке, но не выходило за пределы нормативных данных и соответствовало физиологическим нормам.Practicability of using a complex mineral and vitamin feed additive (CMVFA) in the ration of black-and-white calf breed was studied. Decreased content of such elements as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, manganese, copper, zinc, and cobalt was registered. The correlation of nutritive and mineral substances, and the level of their availability for digestion did not provide for their need. CMVFA use facilitated the increase of all hematologic parameters. Tested recipes which had different content of sapropel and zeolite, as well as various types of macronutrients, microelements, and vitamins, positively influenced the digestive processes in animal bodies. Young stock from the test group that was receiving food additives according to recipe No. 1 showed 6.6 increase in the quantity of red blood cells compared to control group animals, and 6.93 increase in hemoglobin quantity the ones who were fed according to recipe No. 2 demonstrated the increase by 11.05 and 11.39 recipe No. 3 showed 16.75 and 15.27 increase, which means that the ratio of macronutrients and microelements present in CMVFA and the mutual interaction of copper, iron, and cobalt played a special role in the concentration of formed elements due to the fact that they are integral elements of blood. Total protein of young stock that was receiving food additives according to recipe No. 1 was 1.99 higher than in test group animals calcium 16.02 higher carotene 10.92 as for recipe No. 2 the values were increased by 4.91, 25.96, and 19.12 recipe No. 3 3.58, 27.07, and 20.21. Substantial increase in the content of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and carotene compared to control group animals can be explained by the fact that their insufficiency in animal feed was replenished due to the use of feed additives, and as a result their content increased in the serum but did not go beyond the norm and corresponded to physiological norms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogo L. R. Novo ◽  
Priscila T. Scaglioni ◽  
Rodrigo M. Pereira ◽  
Filipe S. Rondan ◽  
Gilberto S. Coelho Junior ◽  
...  

Background: Conventional analytical methods for phosphorus and sulfur determination in several matrices present normally analytical challenges regarding inaccuracy, detectability and waste generation. Objective: The main objective is proposing a green and feasible analytical method for phosphorus and sulfur determination in animal feed. Methods: Synergic effect between microwave and ultraviolet radiations during sample preparation was evaluated for the first time for the animal feed digestion associated with further phosphorus and sulfur determination by ion chromatography with conductivity detection. Dissolved carbon and residual acidity in final digests were used for the proposed method assessment. Phosphorus and sulfur values were compared with those obtained using conventional microwave-assisted wet digestion in closed vessels associated with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and with those obtained using Association of Official Analytical Chemists International official method. Recovery tests and certified reference material analysis were performed. Animal feeds were analyzed using the proposed method. Results: Sample masses of 500 mg were efficiently digested using only 2 mol L -1 HNO3. The results obtained by the proposed method was not differing significantly (p > 0.05) from those obtained by the conventional and official methods. Suitable recoveries (from 94 to 99%), agreement with certified values (101 and 104%) and relative standard deviations (< 8%) were achieved. Phosphorus and sulfur content in commercial products varied in a wide range (P: 5,873 to 28,387 mg kg-1 and S: 2,165 to 4,501 mg kg-1 ). Conclusion: The proposed method is a green, safe, accurate, precise and sensitive alternative for animal feed quality control.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 849-859
Author(s):  
Radwa A. El-Salamony ◽  
Abeer A. Emam ◽  
Nagwa A. Badawy ◽  
Sara F. El-Morsi

Objective: ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using wet impregnation method, and activated carbon from rice straw (RS) prepared through chemical route. Methods: The nano-composites ZnO-AC series were prepared with different ZnO:AC ratio of 10, 20, 50, and 70% to optimize the zinc oxide nanoparticles used. The obtained composites were characterized by FE-SEM, XRD, SBET, and optical techniques then used for the photo-degradation of Malachite green dye (MG) under visible light. Results: It was found that 10ZnO-AC exhibited excellent visible light photo-catalytic performance. The ·OH radicals’ formation is matching with photo-activity of the prepared composites. The photo-degradation efficiency of MG increased from 63% to 93%, when the 10ZnO-AC photocatalyst amount was increased from 0.5 to 6 g/L. Conclusion: The GC-MS technique was used to analyze the intermediates formed; up to 15 kinds of chemicals were identified as the degradation products.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1807
Author(s):  
Estefanía Álvarez-Castillo ◽  
José Manuel Aguilar ◽  
Carlos Bengoechea ◽  
María Luisa López-Castejón ◽  
Antonio Guerrero

Composite materials based on proteins and carbohydrates normally offer improved water solubility, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, which make them attractive for a wide range of applications. Soy protein isolate (SPI) has shown superabsorbent properties that are useful in fields such as agriculture. Alginate salts (ALG) are linear anionic polysaccharides obtained at a low cost from brown algae, displaying a good enough biocompatibility to be considered for medical applications. As alginates are quite hydrophilic, the exchange of ions from guluronic acid present in its molecular structure with divalent cations, particularly Ca2+, may induce its gelation, which would inhibit its solubilization in water. Both biopolymers SPI and ALG were used to produce composites through injection moulding using glycerol (Gly) as a plasticizer. Different biopolymer/plasticizer ratios were employed, and the SPI/ALG ratio within the biopolymer fraction was also varied. Furthermore, composites were immersed in different CaCl2 solutions to inhibit the amount of soluble matter loss and to enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting porous matrices. The main goal of the present work was the development and characterization of green porous matrices with inhibited solubility thanks to the gelation of alginate.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 343
Author(s):  
Veronica Folliero ◽  
Carla Zannella ◽  
Annalisa Chianese ◽  
Debora Stelitano ◽  
Annalisa Ambrosino ◽  
...  

Despite advances in medical knowledge, parasitic diseases remain a significant global health burden and their pharmacological treatment is often hampered by drug toxicity. Therefore, drug delivery systems may provide useful advantages when used in combination with conventional therapeutic compounds. Dendrimers are three-dimensional polymeric structures, characterized by a central core, branches and terminal functional groups. These nanostructures are known for their defined structure, great water solubility, biocompatibility and high encapsulation ability against a wide range of molecules. Furthermore, the high ratio between terminal groups and molecular volume render them a hopeful vector for drug delivery. These nanostructures offer several advantages compared to conventional drugs for the treatment of parasitic infection. Dendrimers deliver drugs to target sites with reduced dosage, solving side effects that occur with accepted marketed drugs. In recent years, extensive progress has been made towards the use of dendrimers for therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic purposes for the management of parasitic infections. The present review highlights the potential of several dendrimers in the management of parasitic diseases.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1131
Author(s):  
Kerry Richards ◽  
Danish J. Malik

Increasing antibiotic resistance in bacteria that cause zoonotic infections is a major problem for farmers rearing animals for food as well as for consumers who eat the contaminated meat resulting in food-borne infections. Bacteriophages incorporated in animal feed may help reduce carriage and infections in animals including chickens and pigs. There are, however, unmet challenges in protecting phages from processing stresses e.g., during animal feed pelleting operations and during transit of phages through the acidic gastric environment. Core-shell capsules were produced using a concentric nozzle and commercially available encapsulation equipment to fabricate capsules with phages formulated in an oil-in-water microemulsion in the core. pH-responsive capsules released the encapsulated phage cargo within 10–30 min triggered by changes in local environmental pH typically found in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract of animals. Acid stability of phages exposed to pH values as low as pH 1 was demonstrated. Encapsulated phages were able to withstand exposure to 95 °C wet heat thermal stress for up to 120 s, conditions typically encountered during feed pellet extrusion processing. Free phages were inactivated within 15 s under these conditions. The present study demonstrates that encapsulation of bacteriophages in core-shell pH-responsive capsules with water-in-oil emulsified phages in the core significantly improves phage viability upon exposure to processing and environmental stresses that require consideration during production of animal feed and application in animals for biocontrol. The results from this study should help guide future development of phage formulations suitable for use in animal feed for animal biocontrol applications.


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