Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Micro- and Macroelements in Fruit Peel Powder Mineral Supplement for Osteoporosis Patients and Their Determination by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Osteoporosis is a worldwide disease depicted by the reduced bone mass, an adequate supply of minerals is needed to support bone remodeling, and their deficiency causes bone-related diseases, osteoporosis in particular, and has osteoprotective effects. The aim of this recent research was to quantify the micro- (Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn) and macroelements (Mg, K, and Ca) in the peel powder of some common fruits (pomegranate, orange, lemon, mango, and grapefruit) by flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). The extraction of micro- and macroelements in peel powder was done by using dilute acids in an ultrasonic bath. Apple leaves were used as standard reference material (SRM, NIST 1515) to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method at varied operating parameters. Maximum response was obtained for extracting of minerals in 500 mg SRM at 60°C temperature, setting a vortexing time of 5 min while using 5.0 mL extracting agent HNO3 (0.5 M)-H2O2 (10%) at 90% sonication amplitude of ultrasound bath for 6 min. While analyzing the SRM, the percentage recovery was obtained in a range between 96.8 and 102.7% to assure the accuracy whereas repeatability (n = 10) study in terms of % RSD yielding ≤2.29 supports well the precision of the proposed method, and limits of quantitation (μg/g) were 0.034, 0.061, 0.065, 0.057, 0.017, 0.175, and 0.053 for Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg, K, and Ca, respectively. The proposed UAE method was reliable, efficient, and advantageous over the conventionally employed acid digestion method with regard to less consumption of reagents and short analysis time for the determination of micro- and macroelements in fruit peel powder.

Is Your Moss Alive during Active Biomonitoring Study?

Biomonitoring was proposed to assess the condition of living organisms or entire ecosystems with the use of bioindicators—species sensitive to specific pollutants. It is important that the bioindicator species remains alive for as long as possible while retaining the ability to react to the negative effects of pollution (elimination/neutralization of hazardous contaminants). The purpose of the study was to assess the survival of Pleurozium schreberi moss during exposure (moss-bag technique) based on the measurement of the concentration of elements (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb), chlorophyll content, and its fluorescence. The study was carried out using a CCM-300 portable chlorophyll content meter, portable fluorometer, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. As a result of the laboratory tests, no significant differences were found in the chlorophyll content in the gametophytes of mosses tested immediately after collection from the forest, compared to those drying at room temperature in the laboratory (p = 0.175 for Student’s t-test results). Mosses exposed using the moss-bag technique of active biomonitoring were characterized by a drop in the chlorophyll content over 12 weeks (more than 50% and 60% for chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, respectively). Chlorophyll content in mosses during exposure was correlated with actual photochemical efficiency (yield) of photosystem II (calculated value of Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient was 0.94—there was a significant correlation between chlorophyll a and yield p = 0.02). The highest metal increases in mosses (RAF values) were observed for zinc, lead, and copper after the second and third month of exposure. The article demonstrates that the moss exposed in an urbanized area for a period of three months maintains the properties of good bioindicator of environmental quality.

Ultrasound Assisted Extraction of Micro and Macroelements in Fruit Peels Powder Mineral Supplement for Osteoporosis Patients and their Determination by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Osteoporosis is a worldwide disease depicted by the reduced bone mass, an adequate supply of minerals are needed to support bone remodelingand their deficiency causes bone-related diseases, osteoporosis in particular, and have osteo-protective effects. The aim of recent researchwas to quantify the micro (Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn) and macroelements (Mg, K, and Ca) in the peels powder of some common fruits (pomegranate, orange, lemon, mango, and grapefruit) by flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). The extraction of micro and macroelements in peels powder was done by using dilute acids in ultrasonic bath. Apple leaves were used as standard reference material (SRM, NIST 1515) to optimize the ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) method at varied operating parameters. Maximum response was obtained for extracting of minerals in 500 mg SRM at 60 °C temperature, setting a vortexing time of 5 min.while using 5.0 mL extracting agent HNO3 (0.5 M)-H2O2 (10 %) at90 % sonication amplitude of ultrasound bath for 6 min.While analyzing the SRM, the percentage recovery wasobtained in ranged between 96.8-102.7 % to assure the accuracy whereasrepeatability (n = 10) study in terms of % RSDyielding≤ 2.29well support the precision of proposed method and limits of quantitation (µg/g) were 0.034, 0.061, 0.065, 0.057, 0.017, 0.175 and 0.053 for Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg, K and Ca respectively. The proposed UAE method was reliable,efficient, and advantageous over the conventionally employed acid digestion method with regards to less consumption of reagents and short analysis time for the determination of micro and macroelements in fruit peels powder.

Association of whole blood copper and preeclampsia: A Cohort study in China

Background Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The associations between whole blood copper and pre-eclampsia were controversial. Our study was aimed to investigate the association between whole blood copper concentration and preeclampsia in pregnant woman in China. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted between August 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 in a comprehensive tertiary hospital in Foshan city Guangdong Province, China. We measured copper concentration in maternal whole blood in 12–27 (+ 6) week of pregnancy, using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. We ascertained preeclampsia diagnosis from electronic medical records system. Covariates included demographic, offspring characteristics, serum biomarkers. Logistic regression was applied to explore the association between the concentration of trace element and preeclampsia. Results A total of 2134 participants were included, 57 (2.67%) women developed preeclampsia. In the multivariate regression models, per1 SD increment in copper was associated with 28% lower risk of preeclampsia (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54–0.95). After Propensity-Score Matching with similar age at delivery and prepregnancy BMI,per1 SD increment in copper was associated with 28% lower risk of preeclampsia (OR = 0.70,95% CI:0.51–0.97). We observed some extent evidence of a dose–response trend for Cu (P for trend = 0.0321) quintiles. And the result was sustained in mild and severe preeclampsia. Conclusions women with higher blood concentration of copper may associated with lower preeclampsia. More well designed studies are needed for the interpretation of these findings.

Association of Whole Blood Copper and Preeclampsia: A Cohort Study in China

Background Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The associations between whole blood copper and pre-eclampsia were controversial. Our study was aimed to investigate the association between whole blood copper concentration and preeclampsia in pregnant woman in China.Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted between August 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 in a comprehensive tertiary hospital in Foshan city Guangdong Province, China. We measured copper concentration in maternal whole blood in 12-27 (+6) week of pregnancy, using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. We ascertained preeclampsia diagnosis from electronic medical records system. Covariates included demographic, offspring characteristics, serum biomarkers. Logistic regression was applied to explore the association between the concentration of trace element and preeclampsia.Results A total of 2134 participants were included, 57 (2.67%) women developed preeclampsia. In the multivariate regression models, per1 SD increment in copper was associated with 28% lower risk of preeclampsia (OR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.54-0.95). After Propensity-Score Matching with similar age at delivery and prepregnancy BMI,per1 SD increment in copper was associated with 28% lower risk of preeclampsia (OR=0.70,95% CI:0.51-0.97). We observed some extent evidence of a dose–response trend for Cu (P for trend=0.0321) quintiles. And the result was sustained in mild and severe preeclampsia. Conclusions women with higher blood concentration of copper may associated with lower preeclampsia. More well designed studies are needed for the interpretation of these findings.