Determining the Lithium and Calcium Concentrations in Canned Tuna Fish in Iran

Backgrounds and aims: Nutrition is the main way to receive the trace elements that human body needs. Lithium (Li) and calcium (Ca) are two trace elements, which have important roles in human body. There are a few studies about the amounts of calcium and lithium in canned tuna fish. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of calcium and lithium in canned tuna fishes. Materials and Methods: To this aim, 150 samples of canned tuna fishes from two well-known brands (Majid and Poolak), marketed in Khuzestan province of Iran, were obtained. Li contents of the samples were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with atomization in graphite furnace. Ca contents of the samples were measured by AAS using nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. Results: The mean concentrations of calcium in canned tuna fish of Majid and Poolak brands were 448.47 and 398.22 mg/kg, respectively. Additionally, the mean concentrations of lithium in canned tuna fish of Majid and Poolak brands were 38.42 and 39.67 mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentration of calcium in the investigated canned tuna samples fish was lower than provisional tolerable intake (PTI) per day (1000 ppm) set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, the mean concentration of lithium in the studied canned tuna fish samples was higher than PTI/day (0.650- 3.1 ppm) Set by EPA. Conclusion: The results of current study showed that the marine food industries need a more-precise and serious monitoring by public health organizations. Additionally, protecting the marine environment from pollutions is an obligation that needs the attention of related organizations and authorities. 

Kinetics and Mechanism of Catalyzed Oxidation of L-Cysteine by Salen Schiff Base Complexes of Co(III), Fe (III) and Cr(III)

Kinetics of oxidation of L-cysteine by new series of substituted ONNO-donor salen-type Schiff base complexes of general formula [MIII(L)Cl] (M = Co, Fe, Cr; L = Schiff base ligand) have been studied in aqueous solutions. Measurements were run at constant temperature (25º C), constant ionic strength (0.20 M), and constant pH (7.0) under pseudo-first order conditions, in which the concentration of cysteine is around two orders of magnitude greater than that of metal complex. The observed rate constant was determined by following the change in absorbance of reaction mixture at a predetermined wavelength with time. Results show that the rate of oxidation depends on the type of metal center, with Co(III) complexes were found to have the highest rates due to higher reduction potential of Co(III). The oxidation rate was also found to depend on steric factor and the electron withdrawing / releasing ability of the ligand bound to the metal ion.

Synthesis of Acids and Amino Acids by Selective Oxidation of Primary Hydroxyl Groups to Carboxylic acids in Sugars

Preferential oxidation of primary hydroxyls in unprotected sugars and sugar amino acids is reported using inexpensive and readily available reagents. This method offers a specific oxidation protocol for a variety of carbohydrates. The stereochemical integrity of the starting materials was preserved and a simple workup yielded the products in good yields with high purity. The procedure is compatible with base sensitive groups like Fmoc.  Both mono and disaccharides undergo oxidation regioselectively.

Effect of Microwave Irradiation on the Fries Rearrangement Reactions of Acetyloxy- and Benzoyloxybenzenes

The Fries rearrangement reactions of acetyloxy- and benzoyloxybenzenes were carried out both under microwave irradiation and conventional heating conditions, and the effect of microwave irradiation was examined. Acceleration of the reaction for the acetyloxy derivatives could not be confirmed, but was successfully demonstrated for the benzoyloxy derivatives. On the Fries rearrangement, the Lewis acid coordinates to the ester oxygens, but also coordinates to the aromatic rings. The microwave is efficiently absorbed by such an adduct between the Lewis acid and substrate, resulting in acceleration of the reaction.

A Chemical Reaction Can Save Mankind -A Review of Experiment Research on CO2+C=2CO and Application

There are two contents of this article. The first is briefly to review the experiment research on the catalysis mechanism of Carbon Gasification Reaction-CGR(C+CO2=2CO) from 60s -90s. The results show that the catalytic phenomenon is physical phenomenon rather than chemical, and the catalyst does not participate in the chemical reaction. The catalytic activity and selectivity of catalyst are related to the electronegativity or energy level of the catalyst. The second is to clarify the applications of CGR for save mankind. The lime is first proposed to capture CO2 in flue gas of power plant. The lime can be recycled. The coal is used to convert CO2 from cement steel produce into CO, producing both energy and lime and iron. The capture CO2 is used to treat waste such as firewood and plastic, eliminate white pollution. The author considers that using the CGR which has been used for a long time can solve the three problems which people worry about: energy exhaustion, environmental pollution and climate crisis.

Structural and Thermal Investigations of L-CuC4H4O6·3H2O and DL-CuC4H4O6·2H2O Single Crystals

Copper(II) L-tartrate trihydrate, L-CuC4H4O6·3H2O, and copper(II) DL-tartrate dihydrate, DL-CuC4H4O6·2H2O, crystals were grown at room temperature by the gel method using silica gels as the growth medium. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction measurements were performed on both crystals. The space group symmetries (monoclinic P21 and P21/c) and structural parameters of the crystals were determined at room temperature and at 114 K. Both structures consisted of slightly distorted CuO6 octahedra, C4H4O6 and H2O molecules, C4H4O6–Cu–C4H4O6 chains linked by Cu–O bonds, and O–H–O hydrogen-bonding frameworks between adjacent molecules. Weight losses due to thermal decomposition of the crystals were found to occur in the temperature range of 300–1250 K. We inferred that the weight losses were caused by the evaporation of bound water molecules and the evolution of H2CO, CO, and O2 gases from C4H4O6 molecules, and that the residual reddish-brown substance left in the vessels after decomposition was copper(I) oxide (Cu2O).

Structure and Morphology Properties of Nanoparticle Hematite Pigment from Lathe Waste

Hematite coated PEG was synthesized by the sonication-calcination method. A variation of Na2CO3 is investigated to know the effect on structure and morphology. Characterization of samples are using X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, and color reader techniques. XRF data showed that iron is the highest element in the precursor. The X-ray diffraction data confirm that Fe(OH)3, α-FeOOH, and Fe3O4 established at the sonication stage are then transformed into the α-Fe2O3 phase after calcination. The X-ray diffraction data also was found that α-Fe2O3 at 0.5 M formed with the highest crystallinity degree. The scanning electron microscopy showed that the particle's shape is spherical, bar-shaped, and aggregate. However, the distribution of particles is not uniform and still displays agglomeration. The Color reader shows the highest degree of lightness obtained is at 1 M variation.

Pomade Production from the Metallic Soaps of Telfairia occidentalis Seed Oil

Mature fruits of Telfairia occidentalis were purchased from a local market in Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The seeds were separated from the fleshy mesocarp, washed with water and sundried. The cotyledons were separated from the seed coat and then oven-dried at 105 – 110 °C for 24 hours. The dry seeds were blended into powder and the oil cold-extracted with n-hexane. The oil extracted was used to prepare copper, nickel and zinc soaps. The soaps were characterised using standard methods and then applied as additives in the production of body pomades. Several tests were performed on the control and the metallic soap pomades to establish the effectiveness of the metallic soaps in pomade production. All the prepared metallic soaps were sparingly soluble in kerosene and methanol and exhibited no foaming characteristics. The properties of the pomades imply that the metallic soaps of T. occidentalis have good potential in the cosmetics industry.

Evaluation of the Effects of Hypo-Magnetic Fields on Mouse Macrophage RAW264 Cells

Hypo-magnetic fields (HMFs) are static magnetic fields that are significantly weaker than the geomagnetic field and are found in interplanetary space, on Mars, and the Moon. Understanding the mechanism of the biological effects of HMFs is an important topic in magnetobiology. Human physiology studies have shown that HMFs cause various adverse health effects such as increased blood pressure and blood flow rate. Previous studies on the effects of HMFs on cells revealed a variety of effects, such as a change in growth rate, a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, and an increase in reactive oxygen species. A decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (DFm) may seriously impair cellular activity by interfering with the production of ATP. Thus, a deeper investigation of the effects of HMFs on mitochondrial function could provide clues to understanding the adverse effects of HMFs. In the present study, we used mouse macrophage RAW264 cells to investigate the effects of an HMF on mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2-) production, and cell proliferation.

Optimization of Nitric Acid Leaching of Rare Earth Elements From Moroccan Natural Phosphate

Phosphate is a very important natural resource in Morocco and one of the secondary resources of rare earth elements. Our study is particularly interested in Youssoufia phosphate, which contains 228.77 ppm of rare earth elements (ΣREEs). The purpose of our work is to study the influence of different parameters (acid concentration, solid/liquid ratio and temperature) in order to determine the optimal conditions for the leaching of rare earths. An experimental design (Doehlert matrix) has been drawn up to optimize the experimental conditions of the leaching. All tests were made with nitric acid at different concentrations varying between 1.5M and 4.5M with a solid/liquid ratio of 1/12 to 1/6; reaction temperature and duration are respectively 20°C to 80 °C and 60 min. The optimal conditions are obtained when using 69 °C as temperature, 4.1 M as acid concentration and 1/9 as solid/liquid ratio.