Ozonation,Ozone/UV and UV/H2O2 Degradation of Chlorophenols

The performance of the O₃, O₃/UV and UV/H₂O₂ processes for degradation of six chlorophenols (4-chlorophenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol) were studied in laboratory reactors. Comparative study showed that chlorophenols can be degraded successfully by all of the methods studied, whilst traditional ozonation at high pH was determined to be the most effective method to treat chlorophenols. Even though the molar absorptivity of chlorophenols is known to be relatively high in the UV-region, the combination of UV-radiation with ozone did not accelerate the degradation of chlorophenols further. The toxicity of degradation products formed during ozonation of chlorophenols has been compared with the toxicity of pure chlorophenols utilizing Daphnia magna 24 hours test. Ozonation of chlorophenols yielded less toxic or even nontoxic products for Daphnia magna compared with parent compounds.     

Experimental and theoretical studies on the photoinduced acute toxicity of a series of anthraquinone derivatives towards the water flea (Daphnia magna)

The photoinduced acute toxicity of fourteen anthraquinone derivatives to Daphnia magna was investigated. Whilst in the dark, all of dyes exhibited no observable toxicity at the maximum test concentration used, in the presence of visible light, all of the colorants, with the exception of three nitroanthraquinones, were acutely toxic towards the water flea over a wide range of medium effective concentrations (4.3–4186.7 nmol L⁻¹). Generally, the acute toxicity of the dyes was higher in the presence of full-spectrum simulated solar radiation compared with visible light; in addition, the photoinduced toxicity of the dyes increased with increase in their hydrophobicity. The energy gap between the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and the highest occupied molecular orbital was found to indicate the relative photoinduced toxicity of the dyes. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations revealed that singlet oxygen and the superoxide anion could be generated through direct energy transfer or autoionization of the excited state of the dyes.     

Novel Zinc(II) Complexes [Zn(atc-Et)2] and [Zn(atc-Ph)2]: In Vitro and in Vivo Antiproliferative Studies

Cisplatin and its derivatives are the main metallodrugs used in cancer therapy. However, low selectivity, toxicity and drug resistance are associated with their use. The zinc(II) (Zn^II) thiosemicarbazone complexes [Zn(atc-Et)₂] (1) and [Zn(atc-Ph)₂] (2) (atc-R: monovalent anion of 2-acetylpyridine N4-R-thiosemicarbazone) were synthesized and fully characterized in the solid state and in solution via elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy, conductometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cytotoxicity of these complexes was evaluated in the HepG2, HeLa, MDA-MB-231, K-562, DU 145 and MRC-5 cancer cell lines. The strongest antiproliferative results were observed in MDA-MB-231 and HepG2 cells, in which these complexes displayed significant selective toxicity (3.1 and 3.6, respectively) compared with their effects on normal MRC-5 cells. In vivo studies were performed using an alternative model (Artemia salina L.) to assure the safety of these complexes, and the results were confirmed using a conventional model (BALB/c mice). Finally, tests of oral bioavailability showed maximum plasma concentrations of 3029.50 µg/L and 1191.95 µg/L for complexes 1 and 2, respectively. According to all obtained results, both compounds could be considered as prospective antiproliferative agents that warrant further research.     

Toxicity identification of effluent from a semiconductor lead frame manufacturing factory

The acute toxicity of lead frame effluent to Daphnia magna was found to be 22.62 TU, which far exceeded the toxicity discharge limit in Korea (<1 TU). TIE phases I and II result suggest that the mixture of Ag, Cu and CN were likely responsible for the observed toxicity, and this was confirmed by mass balance approach (TIE phase III). In addition, the Visual MINTEQ simulation suggested the presence of [Ag(CN)₂]⁻ and [Cu(CN)₃]²⁻ complexes in the effluent. Therefore, TIE procedures with chemical speciation modeling were effective for identifying the cause of acute toxicity in industrial effluents.     

Study of the inhibition of certain trophic levels by the presence of metal cations in water

Bioassays and biological tools have been developed for the evaluation of the toxicity of water. A protocol of short-term tests allowed the examination of the influence of temperature, salinity, hardness and effect of complexation on the toxicity of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ by means of a test daphnia (Daphnia magna). The development of an experimental installation functioning continuously, where the trophic level is represented by the daphnia, led to the development of a system of bio-indication. The survival of the daphnia is examined under conditions of disturbances produced by Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The application of the chronic test (21 d) allowed the folow-up of the inhibition of the survival and the reproduction of D. magna by Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺. A methodology with the help of the phototactic effect of D. magna was proposed. This one aims at developing a phototactic biosensor subjected to the toxicity of cadmium. Bioassays, using the purifying activity of the activated sludge, were considered and enabled understanding of the phenomena of inhibition and adaptation of these muds in the presence of trivalent chromium. In addition, two watery freshwater plants, Lemna minor and Salvinia natans, were exposed to Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in order to test their sensitivity. We consequently carried out a histological study on leaves of S. natans contaminated by metal toxicity independently of the test.     

Effect of ent-labdane diterpenes from Potamogetonaceae on Selenastrum capricornutum and other aquatic organisms

Twenty ent-labdane diterpenes, isolated from the aquatic plants Ruppia maritima and Potamogeton natans, were tested to detect their effects on aquatic organisms from different trophic levels. Toxicity tests were performed on aquatic producers (the alga Selenastrum capricornutum), and consumers including a rotifer (Brachionus calyciflorus), a cladoceran crustacean (Daphnia magna), and two anostracan crustaceans (Thamnocephalus platyurus and Artemia salina). Furano-ent-labdanes exhibited high toxicity toward all of these organisms. 15,16-Epoxy-12(S)-hydroxy-8(17),13(16),14-ent-labdatrien-20,19-olide had a high toxicity only toward the algae and the rotifers. It was inactive for the crustaceans.     

Thresholds for Sterol-Limited Growth of Daphnia magna: A Comparative Approach Using 10 Different Sterols

Arthropods are incapable of synthesizing sterols de novo and thus require a dietary source to cover their physiological demands. The most prominent sterol in animal tissues is cholesterol, which is an indispensable structural component of cell membranes and serves as precursor for steroid hormones. Instead of cholesterol, plants and algae contain a variety of different phytosterols. Consequently, herbivorous arthropods have to metabolize dietary phytosterols to cholesterol to meet their requirements for growth and reproduction. Here, we investigated sterol-limited growth responses of the freshwater herbivore Daphnia magna by supplementing a sterol-free diet with increasing amounts of 10 different phytosterols and comparing thresholds for sterol-limited growth. In addition, we analyzed the sterol composition of D. magna to explore sterol metabolic constraints and bioconversion capacities. We show that dietary phytosterols strongly differ in their potential to support somatic growth of D. magna. The dietary threshold concentrations obtained by supplementing the different sterols cover a wide range (3.5–34.4 μg mg C^?1) and encompass the one for cholesterol (8.9 μg mg C^?1), indicating that certain phytosterols are more efficient in supporting somatic growth than cholesterol (e.g., fucosterol, brassicasterol) while others are less efficient (e.g., dihydrocholesterol, lathosterol). The dietary sterol concentration gradients revealed that the poor quality of particular sterols can be alleviated partially by increasing dietary concentrations, and that qualitative differences among sterols are most pronounced at low to moderate dietary concentrations. We infer that the dietary sterol composition has to be considered in zooplankton nutritional ecology to accurately assess potential sterol limitations under field conditions.     

Retroconversion of Docosapentaenoic Acid (n-6): an Alternative Pathway for Biosynthesis of Arachidonic Acid in Daphnia magna

The aim of this study was to assess metabolic pathways for arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) biosynthesis in Daphnia magna. Neonates of D. magna were maintained on [¹³C] enriched Scenedesmus obliquus and supplemented with liposomes that contained separate treatments of unlabeled docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-6), 20:4n-6, linoleic acid (18:2n-6) or oleic acid (18:1n-9). Daphnia in the control treatment, without any supplementary fatty acids (FA) containing only trace amounts of 20:4n-6 (~0.3 % of all FA). As expected, the highest proportion of 20:4n-6 (~6.3 %) was detected in Daphnia that received liposomes supplemented with this FA. Higher availability of 18:2n-6 in the diet increased the proportion of 18:2n-6 in Daphnia, but the proportion of 20:4n-6 was not affected. Daphnia supplemented with 22:5n-6 contained ~3.5 % 20:4n-6 in the lipids and FA specific stable isotope analyses validated that the increase in the proportion of 20:4n-6 was due to retroconversion of unlabeled 22:5n-6. These results suggest that chain shortening of 22:5n-6 is a more efficient pathway to synthesize 20:4n-6 in D. magna than elongation and desaturation of 18:2n-6. These results may at least partially explain the discrepancies noticed between phytoplankton FA composition and the expected FA composition in freshwater cladocerans. Finally, retroconversion of dietary 22:5n-6 to 20:4n-6 indicates Daphnia efficiently retain long chain n-6 FA in lake food webs, which might be important for the nutritional ecology of fish.     

Treatment of wastewaters from the olive mill industry by sonication

BACKGROUND: In this study, the effects of additives (manganese (III) oxide (Mn₃O₄), Cu⁺², Fe⁰ and potassium iodate (KIO₃)) and radical scavengers (sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), perfluorohexane (C₆F₁₄) and t‐buthyl alcohol (C₄H₁₀O)) on the dephenolization, decolorization, dearomatization and detoxification of olive mill wastewater (OMW) by sonication were investigated because wastewaters from this industry are not removed effectively. RESULTS: The maximum COD, color, total phenol and total aromatic amines (TAAs) removal efficiencies were 63, 82, 78 and 71%, respectively, at 60 °C with sonication only. The TAAs and phenol yields were increased to 96 and 97% with 6 mg L^?1 KIO₃ and 3 mg L^?1 Fe⁰ while color removal reached 97% with 6 mg L^?1 C₆F_14. The total annual cost with sonication only was 665 € m^?3 year^?1 while the cost slightly increased (666€ m³ year^?1) with C₆F₁₄. The maximum acute toxicity removals were 97‐98% in Daphnia magna and Vibrio fischeri The Microtox acute toxicity test was more sensitive than the Daphnia magna to the OMW samples. CONCLUSION: COD, color, total phenol, TAAs and toxicity in an OMW were removed efficiently and cost‐effectively by sonication. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Experimental and theoretical studies on the photoinduced acute toxicity of a series of anthraquinone derivatives towards the water flea (Daphnia magna)

The photoinduced acute toxicity of fourteen anthraquinone derivatives to Daphnia magna was investigated. Whilst in the dark, all of dyes exhibited no observable toxicity at the maximum test concentration used, in the presence of visible light, all of the colorants, with the exception of three nitroanthraquinones, were acutely toxic towards the water flea over a wide range of medium effective concentrations (4.3–4186.7 nmol L⁻¹). Generally, the acute toxicity of the dyes was higher in the presence of full-spectrum simulated solar radiation compared with visible light; in addition, the photoinduced toxicity of the dyes increased with increase in their hydrophobicity. The energy gap between the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and the highest occupied molecular orbital was found to indicate the relative photoinduced toxicity of the dyes. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations revealed that singlet oxygen and the superoxide anion could be generated through direct energy transfer or autoionization of the excited state of the dyes.     

Combined effects of pH,hardness and dissolved organic carbon on acute metal toxicity to Daphnia magna

Effects of pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and hardness on toxicities of copper and chromium to Daphnia magna were investigated using a three-factor and five-level central composite design (CCD). There were no interactive effects on Cu(II) and Cr(VI) toxicities between water quality parameters. For Cu(II) toxicity, both pH and DOC showed significant effects, and DOC was the most important parameter, representing 89.3% of variation of 48-h EC₅₀ values. In contrast with Cu(II) toxicity, hardness was the most significant parameter to Cr(VI) toxicity, explaining 78.8% of variation of 48-h EC₅₀ values. In addition, pH explained 17.3% of variation of Cr(VI) toxicity. On the basis of toxicity data, empirical models were developed to predict Cu(II) or Cr(VI) toxicity under different physicochemical conditions studied in this work using a backward regression analysis.     

Synthesis of trisubstituted C18 pyrrole fatty ester derivatives

Reaction of methyl 10(11)-dicarbethoxymethyl-9,12-dioxooctadecanoate (1a,1b) with ammonium acetate furnished a mixture of positional isomers of a pyrrole derivative, methyl 9,12-imino-10(11)-dicarbethoxymethyl-9,11-octadecadienoate (2a,2b). Decarboxylation of the mixture of compounds 2a,2b with sodium carbonate in aqueous methanol yielded a mixture of compounds 3a,3b containing a CH₂COOCH₃ group at the 3- or 4-position of the pyrrole ring after esterification. Heating of the hydrolyzed mixture of compounds 3a,3b at 180°C for 1 h gave the desired trisubstituted pyrrole derivatives, methyl 9,12-imino-10(11)-methyl-9,11-octadecadienoate (4a,4b), containing a methyl group at the 3- or 4-position of the pyrrole nucleus. The structures of the products and intermediates were confirmed by infrared, and by¹H and¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.     

Computer-Aided and AILDE Approaches to Design Novel 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase Inhibitors

4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) is a pivotal enzyme in tocopherol and plastoquinone synthesis and a potential target for novel herbicides. Thirty-five pyridine derivatives were selected to establish a Topomer comparative molecular field analysis (Topomer CoMFA) model to obtain correlation information between HPPD inhibitory activity and the molecular structure. A credible and predictive Topomer CoMFA model was established by “split in two R-groups” cutting methods and fragment combinations (q² = 0.703, r² = 0.957, ONC = 6). The established model was used to screen out more active compounds and was optimized through the auto in silico ligand directing evolution (AILDE) platform to obtain potential HPPD inhibitors. Twenty-two new compounds with theoretically good HPPD inhibition were obtained by combining the high-activity contribution substituents in the existing molecules with the R-group search via Topomer search. Molecular docking results revealed that most of the 22 fresh compounds could form stable π-π interactions. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) prediction and drug-like properties made 9 compounds potential HPPD inhibitors. Molecular dynamics simulation indicated that Compounds Y12 and Y14 showed good root mean square deviation (RMSD) and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) values and stability. According to the AILDE online verification, 5 new compounds with potential HPPD inhibition were discovered as HPPD inhibitor candidates. This study provides beneficial insights for subsequent HPPD inhibitor design.     

Steroid-Functionalized Imidazolium Salts with an Extended Spectrum of Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity

It is established that high rates of morbidity and mortality caused by fungal infections are related to the current limited number of antifungal drugs and the toxicity of these agents. Imidazolium salts as azole derivatives can be successfully used in the treatment of fungal infections in humans. Steroid-functionalized imidazolium salts were synthesized using a new, more efficient method. As a result, 20 salts were obtained with high yields, 12 of which were synthesized and characterized for the first time. They were derivatives of lithocholic acid and 3-oxo-23,24-dinorchol-4-ene-22-al and were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Due to the excellent activity against bacteria and Candida albicans, new research was extended to include tests on five species of pathogenic fungi and molds: Aspergillus niger ATCC 16888, Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 204305, Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 9533, Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 14116, and Microsporum canis ATCC 11621. The results showed that the new salts are almost universal antifungal agents and have a broad spectrum of activity against other human pathogens. To initially assess the safety of the synthesized salts, hemocompatibility with host cells and cytotoxicity were also examined. No toxicity was observed at the concentration at which the compounds were active against pathogens.     

Synthesis,Cytotoxicity, DNA Binding and Apoptosis of Rhein-Phosphonate Derivatives as Antitumor Agents

Several rhein-phosphonate derivatives (5a–c) were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against HepG-2, CNE, Spca-2, Hela and Hct-116 cell lines. Some compounds showed relatively high cytotoxicity. Especially compounds 5b exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity against HepG-2 and Spca-2 cells (IC₅₀ was 8.82 and 9.01 μM), respectively. All the synthesized compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity against HUVEC cells. Further experiments proved that 5b could disturb the cell cycle in HepG-2 cells and induce apoptosis. In addition, the binding properties of a model conjugate 5b to DNA were investigated by methods (UV-Vis, fluorescence, CD spectroscopy). Results indicated that 5b showed moderate ability to interact ct-DNA.     

Sharp Phylogeographic Breaks and Patterns of Genealogical Concordance in the Brine Shrimp Artemia franciscana

Genealogical concordance is a critical overlay of all phylogenetic analyses, irrespective of taxonomic level. To assess such patterns of congruence we have compiled and derived sequence data for two mitochondrial (16S rRNA, COI) and two nuclear (ITS1, p26) markers in 14 American populations of the hypersaline branchiopod Artemia franciscana. Cladistic analysis revealed three reciprocally monophyletic mitochondrial clades. For nuclear DNA, incomplete lineage sorting was evident presumably as a result of slower coalescence or male-mediated dispersal. Our findings capture the genealogical interval between gene splitting and population divergence. In this sense, strong indications are provided in favour of a superspecies status and ongoing speciation in A. franciscana.     

Influence of Exposure Conditions on the Bioavailability of Fluoranthene to Daphnia Magna (Cladocera)

A study of the bioavailability of fluoranthene to Daphnia magna (Cladocera) was carried out. Acute toxicity of fluoranthene to Daphnia magna was assessed in various conditions: co-solvent, darkness, classical laboratory lighting, UV exposure, presence or absence of microalgae. Bioaccumulation of fluoranthene in daphnids was also determined. In the dark, the toxicity of fluoranthene was low. Following a 2-h exposure under UV light (254 nm), toxicity increased to a great extent. Under fluorescent light, phototoxicity was also observed. The bioaccumulation of fluoranthene in the dark was maximal after 24 h exposure and related to the aqueous fluoranthene content. No differences were found between both co-solvents. In the presence of microalgae, fluoranthene was far less toxic, whereas bioaccumulation was unchanged. Adsorption of fluoranthene on algae could not explain this lower toxicity which might be due to either absorption of light by algae or a protective effect of algal carotenoid pigments against phototoxicity.     

Ecotoxicological Assessment of Mixtures of Ether Carboxylic Derivative and Amine-Oxide-Based Non-ionic Surfactants on the Aquatic Environment

The purpose of this study was to discuss the effect of the chemical structure of anionic and non-ionic surfactants and surface activity on toxicity. Single and binary mixtures of three ether carboxylic derivative surfactants and three amine-oxide-based non-ionic surfactants were used. Toxicity was determined using three test organisms: freshwater crustaceans (Daphnia magna), luminescent bacteria (Vibrio fischeri), and microalgae (Selenastrum capricornutum). The toxicity of surfactants is related to the hydrophobic alkyl chain, the degree of ethoxylation, and the critical micelle concentration of surfactants. Relationships found agreed with the fact that the lower toxicity is shown by the shorter alkyl chain. There is a strong relation between surface activity and toxicity: the toxicity increased as the CMC of the surfactant or mixtures of surfactants decreased. Commercial products are formulated using surfactants mixtures, so it is important to know their behavior using an easily measured property: the least toxic mixtures were formed by the surfactants having lower individual toxicity. Around the CMC, our data show a synergism for the binary mixtures. The results have given rise to a classification of the different surfactants and their mixtures according to the organism test, as safe, harmful or toxic. V. fischeri was in general the most sensitive microorganism to the toxic effect of the surfactants, followed by Daphnia magna, while Selenastrum capricornutum was more tolerant. These results can be useful for selecting technically efficient surfactants and their mixtures with a lower ecotoxicity on the aquatic environment.     

Foam fractionation of spent sulphite liquor: Part II: Separation of toxic components

Foam fractionation was used as a unit operation for the reduction of toxicity in spent sulphite liquor. Toxicity was measured quantitatively using a Daphnia magna bioassay. The optimum pH for the operation was 10 and no toxicity removal was possible at pH values less than 8. The maximum decrease in the toxicant concentration was 40%. The collapsed foam was very toxic to D. magna indicating that toxicants were concentrated in the foam which contained 20% of the original liquid charged to the column. A relationship between surfactant and toxicant concentration was shown to exist.