Validation of the infrared spectroscopy method for analysis of the composition of urine concretes

The aim of this study was to validate the method for analyzing the composition of calculus using infrared (IR) spectroscopy by studying model mixtures of salts. Study was made with an ALPHA-P IR Fourier spectrometer with OPUS software (Bruker, Germany). The samples of pure chemical salts manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich USA were used to validate the method. Salt mixtures were prepared in ratios of 10/90, 50/50 and 90/10. To assess the effect of the fraction size on the calculus component results, were used calculi of patients with urolithiasis. For each mixture were used 10 repeated measurements. Analysis of the composition of model salts showed that in the study of pure cystine salt CV(%) was 0,79%, calcium carbonate - 0,92%, sodium urate - 0,97%, calcium oxalate monohydrate - 4,94%, magnesium ammonium phosphate - 5,59%. And the most common components were analyzed in the composition of complex mixtures, including 90%, 50% and 10% of the investigated component. Calcium oxalate monohydrate has CV(%) 5.70% in mixture 9 part of it to one part of impurities, in mixture 50/50 - 21.57% and in 10/90 - 5.70%. For uric acid in 90/10 - 2.20%, in 50/50 - 10.09%, in 10/90 - 31.94%. For calcium carbonate in 90/10 - 9.02%, in 50/50 - 11.98%, in 10/90 - 24.70%. The dispersion analysis showed that the weighed portions of salts with a particle diameter of more than 0.8 mm provide reproducibility with a CV - 11.48%, with a diameter of 0.2-0.8 mm - 5.35%, and finally less than 0.1 mm - 2.28%. The accuracy of the method is high, but the reproducibility of the IR-spectroscopy method is relatively low in the analysis of stones of mixed composition, due to the greater error in the determination of impurities. Laboratories should pay special attention to optimizing sample preparation to ensure particle fineness less than 0.1 mm.

Influence of phosphorus fertilizers of various composition on the yield of tomato crops and control of their consumption by plants

Phosphate fertilizers are widely used for growing crops. To obtain phosphoric fertilizers, phosphoric acid purified using organic solvents, one of which is 100% tributyl phosphate, is used. The authors of the paper have chosen this solvent to obtain purified phosphoric acid. Purification from impurities included the stages of extraction and reextraction. On the basis of the re-extract and chemically pure phosphoric acid, a phosphoric fertilizer magnesium-ammonium phosphate (MgNH4PO4) was synthesized and used in the greenhouse experiment. The greenhouse experiment consisted in growing a tomato crop included three options for fertilization. A comparative analysis of the stimulating effect of magnesium-ammonium phosphate, synthesized with the use of phosphoric acid of varying degrees of purification, on the yield of tomato culture has been carried out.The paper proposes a blister-colorimetric version of the determination of phosphate ions in a blister cell containing a mixture of dry reagents in the form of a bulk. The optimal conditions for carrying out colorimetry have been selected. The proposed method makes it possible to semi-quantitatively determine phosphorus in various objects without preparing reagent solutions, using a bulk packed in an ampoule or blister, and can be used to control phosphorus consumption by plants, which, in turn, allows regulating the introduction of nutrients in the form of dressings.

Pembentukan Pupuk Struvite dari Limbah Cair Industri Tempe dengan Proses Aerasi

ABSTRACT Struvite, also known as magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate, is a white crystal with a chemical formula magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate (MgNH4PO4.6H2O). Because of its phosphate content, struvite can be utilized as a fertilizer. Tempeh industrial effluent contains a high concentration of PO4, making it a possible struvite fertilizer producing material. The formation of struvite fertilizer is carried out by the aeration process. This process is able to increase the pH and homogeneity of the solution. The solution of Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate (MAP) is prepared by reacting tempeh industrial wasterwater, Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2), and Ammonium Hydroxide (NH4OH). The MAP ratios used are 1:1:1 and 3:1:1. The temperature was set at 30 °C and pH 9, the airflow rate was carried out at a rate of 0.25 - 1.25 liters per minute. Struvite crystals were analyzed using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The best struvite fertilizer content is magnesium by 40.3% and phosphorus by 43.9% at an air flow rate of 1.25 liters per minute and a ratio of 3:1:1. Further development can be done by applying struvite fertilizers to plants. Keywords: aeration, crystallization, tempeh industrial wastewater, struvite ABSTRAK Struvite adalah kristal putih yang secara kimiawi dikenal sebagai magnesium amonium fosfat heksahidrat (MgNH4PO4.6H2O). Struvite dapat dimanfaatkan menjadi pupuk karena kandungan fosfat (PO4) di dalamnya. Limbah cair industri tempe memiliki kandungan PO4 yang cukup tinggi, menjadikan limbah cair industri tempe adalah bahan pembentuk pupuk struvite yang potensial. Pembentukan pupuk struvite dilakukan dengan proses aerasi. Proses ini mampu meningkatkan pH dan homogenitas dari larutan. Larutan MAP (Magnesium Amonium Fosfat) dibuat dengan cara mereaksikan limbah cair industri tempe, Magnesium Klorida (MgCl2), dan Amonium Hidroksida (NH4OH). Rasio MAP yang digunakan adalah 1:1:1 dan 3:1:1. Temperatur ditetapkan sebesar 30°C dan pH 9, laju alir udara dilakukan dengan laju 0,25 - 1,25 liter per menit. Kristal struvite dianalisis menggunakan Floresensi sinar-X (XRF) dan Mikroskop Pemindai Elektron (SEM). Kandungan pupuk struvite terbaik adalah magnesium sebesar 40,3% dan fosfor sebesar 43,9% pada konsentrasi 3:1:1 dan laju alir udara 1,25 liter per menit. Pengembangan lebih lanjut dapat dilakukan dengan mengaplikasikan pupuk struvite ke tanaman. Kata Kunci: aerasi, kristalisasi, limbah cair industri tempe, struvite

Vaginal Calculi in the Eastern North Atlantic Common Dolphins Delphinus Delphis, Induction Mechanisms and Possible Effects on Fecundity

The proper management of cetacean populations requires life history and demographic parameters to be estimated at population level. In this study we focus on a reproductive pathology that has the potential to alter reproductive rate: the vaginal calculi or stones. The present work documents vaginal calculi prevalence and structure in the eastern North Atlantic common dolphin Delphinus delphis in order to infer their likely mechanisms of induction and possible effects on fecundity. The work is based on routine examinations and necropsies of stranded marine mammals reported by the French stranding scheme from 1972 to 2012. Vaginal calculi were described and measured, and their composition was analyzed by Fourrier-Transformed Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy. Necropsies and reproductive tract examinations were performed on 435 female common dolphins since 1972 along the French coasts, of which 14 showed vaginal calculi, representing 3.2% of the examined females. All females with calculi were older than 7, and there was no relationship of calculus size with age. Histopathology revealed lesions due to an inflammatory response to the presence of the calculi: chronicle vaginitis, variable endometritis and cystitis. Calculus size varied from 1 to 21 cm in maximum dimension and 4–1,460 g in mass. Their internal structure was homogeneous, particularly due to the absence of core material, hence corresponding to the definition of primary calculi. All calculus spectra showed almost identical compositions, with struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate) representing on average 87% of calculus mass. Dysfunction of the uro-genital tract, such as vesico-vaginal fistulae, would be the likely initial pathological condition that led to the formation of these stones. Both the initial chemical condition in the vagina and the resulting formation of a calculi are obstacles to successful reproduction.

Enterolithiasis in a 15 Year Old Dongola Breed Stallion

Equine enteroliths are mineral accumulations of magnesium-ammonium-phosphate (struvite) around a foreign object that form round, triangular, or flat stones inside the bowel usually over the course of multiple years. They form in the large colon of horses where they can remain for some time until they move and cause an obstruction in the large or small colon, resulting in colic. A 15year old Dongola stallion was presented with a bout of colic, history revealed that the horse repeatedly had been having recurrent bouts of colic. The animal was not responding to treatment rather it was getting worse. The horse died before surgical intervention could be carried out. At post mortem twenty enteroliths were discovered in the colon.