Dye Adsorbent by Activated Carbon

Dyes are used extensively in many industries making the research on color production more important. Despite that, dyes are important class of pollutant in which it is disposed in water resources and causes major environmental problems due to toxicity and carcinogenic property of dye. However, the disposed dye into the environment can be treated by several alternatives. In this study, activated carbon derived from pineapple crown, core and peel were prepared by chemical activation using phosphoric acid (H3PO4). Laboratory prepared activated carbons were used to identify the suitability of its application to adsord methylene blue and malachite green. The results indicated that the activated carbon derived from pineapple crown shows maximum adsorption of methylene blue (38.6%) and malachite green. This study shows a benefit of transforming agriculture waste to value added product and also helps to solve over abundance pineapple waste problem.

Qiwam: A Potential Carcinogenic Smokeless Tobacco Product Consumed With Paan

Background: Qiwam (Kimam) is a liquid tobacco preparation consumed with paan. It is mostly consumed in southeast Asian region. Evidences suggest that it causes potentially malignant disorders (PMD), oral cancer (OC) and decreases sperm count. Qiwam was mentioned in earlier research publications, however details are not known. It is produced for self-consumption as well as for commercial purpose. Aim: To study in detail the ingredients and processing steps involved in the production of Qiwam. In addition, also study the adverse health implication of this smokeless tobacco product on humans. Methods: The information on qiwam was collected via literature search study, study tour to different geographical areas of India, where group discussions with the people involved in the production of qiwam, paan vendors and with community members of different age group were done. Results: Qiwam is prepared by the user for his/her own consumption or by industry for sale. Tobacco leaves and tobacco roots are boiled for several hours then soaked in water flavored with varied spices and additives. The resultant mixture is mashed, strained, and finally dried into a thick paste. It is consumed mostly with paan. Conclusion: Processing of qiwam is a complex and time taking process which involves various steps and components that may influence the carcinogenic property of the product. The different processing steps gives different taste and texture to the product. Qiwam increases the risk of cancer and hence needs to be banned or better avoided.

Biochemical Profiling of Smokeless Tobacco Product Kiwam at Different Processing Steps

Introduction: Kiwam (qiwam) is a partially fermented tobacco product consumed with betel quid (paan). The major constituents of this product are tobacco, saffron (zaffrani) and some other additives. It contains tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) which is considered as a cancer causing agent. To elucidate the carcinogenic property of kiwam, biochemical profiling of its constituents at different stages of processing is needed. The major processing steps involved in the formation of kiwam and biochemical profiling/changes at each processing step is still unknown. Aim: To describe the major processing steps and biochemical changes that occur at each processing step during the preparation of kiwam. Methods: Tobacco leaves and stems were washed with Millipore water so as to remove the dirt particles from the leaves and stems. It is then boiled in water followed by filtering of the constituents to remove the leaves and stem residues. The filtrate was again boiled to form a thick paste residue. The resultant paste was partially fermented through sun curing, and lastly, saffron along with specific additives was added. The samples from each step were analyzed for biochemical profiling through Continuous Flow Autoanalyzer using Flow View Solution 3700 Analyzer (version 1.2.2) software. Results: The biochemical changes at TSNA levels were observed at each processing steps. The detailed chemical profiling will be presented during the meeting. Conclusion: Kiwam is rich in TSNA and hence its use should be avoided.

Application of Flocculation Process in Dressing Wastewater from Antimony Mine

Antimony (Sb) has received increasing environmental concerns due to its potential toxicity and carcinogenic property. In the present work, the flocculation process had used to treat dressing wastewater (DW) from some antimony mine, and the mechanism of removing Sb was investigated. The study focused on the effect of experimental parameters on the Sb removal efficiency, such as dosage of flocculant, pH value and the settling time. Several flocculants were evaluated and the results suggested that ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO4•7H2O) was the optimal choice. When the dosage of ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO4•7H2O) was 0.075:100, pH value was 7 and the settling time was 180 min, removal efficiency of Sb in the DW reached 99.86% and concentration of Sb in the treated wastewater was below 0.04mg/L, which meets the emission standards established by State Department of Environmental Protection and State Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine.

Aflatoxin B1Contamination of Some Edible Grains Marketed in Nigeria

This paper presents an assessment of the aflatoxin B1contamination of some food grains (wheat, millet, Guinea corn, breadfruit and groundnut) from major markets in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The concentrations of aflatoxin B1obtained in the ranges from 17.01-20.53 µg kg–1for wheat, 34.00– 40.30 µg kg–1for millet, 27.22-36.13 µg kg–1for guinea corn, 40.06-48.59 µg kg–1for breadfruit and 74.03-82.12 µg kg–1for groundnut. Aflatoxin B1was detected in all the samples. There were significant differences (p<0.01) in the levels of aflatoxin B1determined in all the samples and the toxin contamination was not restricted to any particular section of the region. The presence of aflatoxins in grains constitutes a serious health hazard to both human beings and animals because of their toxic and carcinogenic property.