Uranium isotopes in public drinking water and dose assessment for man in Poland

238U, 234U and 235U were determined in tap water from municipal water pipes that drew their supply from surface water or ground water in various locations in Poland. Average activity concentrations of 238U, 234U and 235U in tap water from surface water were 9.6 +/- 7.1, 12.8 +/- 9.7 and 0.41 +/- 0.31 Bq m(-3), respectively, whereas from ground water they were 4.5 +/- 6.0, 5.7 +/- 6.9 and 0.19 +/- 0.27 Bq m(-3), respectively. Activity concentrations of 234U were higher than 238U. Ratios of 234U/238U ranged from 1.07 to 2.60, indicating the lack of equilibrium between these isotopes. The average 235U/238U ratio was 0.043 +/- 0.008, being close to 0.046 for natural uranium. Average annual intake with water and food was 7.6 +/- 5.1 Bq for 238U and 9.5 +/- 6.6 Bq for 234U. Annual committed effective doses calculated from these intakes for adults were 0.34 +/- 0.23 and 0.47 +/- 0.32 microSv, respectively; 235U contributed to the total dose from the uranium isotopes by about 2%.     

Wheat endosperm hardness. Part I. Relationships to colour of kernel cross-section

The aim of this study was to determine to what extent the measurement of wheat endosperm colour can be used to predict its hardness. The results indicate that there is no general (for all varieties) relationship between the colour of wheat endosperm and its hardness. Nevertheless, endosperm hardness tends to increase along with increasing values of b*, H and S attributes and decreasing values of a*. More promising results were obtained when the colour–hardness relationship was examined within a variety. In all cases, the results were statistically significant, but the endosperm hardnesses of Zyta, Rysa, Banti, Sakwa, and Mewa varieties were found to be more closely linked with the colour of the central part of the endosperm (r ranging from 0.53 to 0.76), whereas that of durum and Elena wheats were found to be more closely linked with the colour of the whole endosperm (r=0.70 and 0.57 respectively). It was observed that the varieties examined can be divided into three groups differing in the range of changes in hardness as a function of the b* attribute of endosperm colour. For group I (durum and Zyta), the rate of hardness increase was higher than that of group II (Rysa, Banti and Sakwa). The third group (Elena and Mewa) was characterised by the highest slope of hardness versus b*; however, it was well differentiated from group I by its low values for yellow.     

Silicon compounds as additives improving coating performance: fixation of silicon compounds with cellulose

In this study the reactivity of cellulose with new solvent born preparations containing organosilanes, alkyd resin and natural oil was analysed. Structural analysis of cellulose after reaction with organosilanes and after extraction was performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In IR spectra the analyzed bands included 1250 cm⁻¹ responsible for vibrations of the SiC group and 800 cm⁻¹ responsible for vibrations of SiC and/or SiO groups. These bands are characteristic of silicon bonds with atoms of carbon and oxygen originating from the methoxy groups found in organosilanes. The presence of these bands in the spectra proves the occurrence of a reaction between cellulose and organosilanes. The concentration of silicon was determined by AAS in cellulose after reaction with preparations and after extraction.     

Influence of apple purée preparation and storage on polyphenol contents and antioxidant activity

The polyphenolic components of Idared and Shampion apple purées were determined by HPLC; chlorogenic acid was the most abundant acid (20.0 mg/100 g in microwaved Idared); other polyphenols identified in high concentrations included (−)-epicatechin, procyanidin B1 and B2; quercetin and cyanidin glycosides were found in minor concentrations. The Shampion purées had higher total phenolics (142 mg/100 g) and procyanidin B2 concentrations (17.3 mg/100 g) than the Idared ones, and polymeric procyanidins represented 41% of all polyphenols. Antioxidant capacities of the samples, determined by spectrophotometric methods and EPR spectroscopy, correlated well with the concentration of polyphenols. The antioxidant properties could be better represented by EPR than by UV–vis measurements. The latter require transparent (clear) samples whereas EPR can be a method of choice in the assessment of radical-scavenging activity of dense and cloudy apple purées. Our results support the putative high antioxidant value of apple purées and define their capacity in terms of the major constituents. Apple purées are a rich source of natural antioxidants, especially of chlorogenic acid and procyanidins.     

Antioxidant capacity,total phenolics,glucosinolates and colour parameters of rapeseed cultivars

The antioxidant capacity of twenty nine rapeseed varieties was determined by using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods. Mean FRAP (3190–6326 μmol Trolox/100 g) and DPPH (3194–6346 μmol Trolox/100 g) values for methanolic extracts of rapeseed cultivars did not differ significantly. Moreover, the total content of phenolics (756–1324 mg sinapic acid/100 g), glucosinolates (4.2–87.5 μmol/g, respectively), erucic acid (0.0–56.1%) and colour parameters of the studied rapeseed cultivars were analysed. Antioxidant capacity determined by FRAP and DPPH methods correlated significantly with total phenolic content (TPC) in rapeseed cultivars (r = 0.9332, 0.9339, p < 0.001). Also, significant, inverse correlations were found between antioxidant capacity, total phenolics and luminosity (L^∗) or red colour intensity (a^∗) of rapeseed cultivars. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed the rapeseed varieties to be differentiated based on their antioxidant capacities, total amounts of phenolics, glucosinolates, erucic acid and colour parameters.     

Bulk nanocomposite made of ZnO lamellae embedded in the ZnWO4 matrix: growth from the melt

Journal of Materials Science - Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures exhibiting high exciton binding energy and efficient radiative recombination, even at the room temperature, are of increasing interest...     

Oxidative and microbial stability of poultry meatballs added with coriander extracts and packed in cold modified atmosphere

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of adding of coriander extracts to turkey meatballs. Meat samples were stored in modified atmosphere at 4°C ± 1°C for 9 days. The addition of coriander extract at 500 ppm level delayed the process of lipid oxidation for the period of 6 days of storage and growth inhibition of aerobic microorganisms for the period of 9 days of storage. The usage of a dose of 500 ppm as well as a dose of 200 ppm had no significant effect on the sensory features, but had an impact on colour parameters of the meatballs. In the groups with coriander extract, volatile terpenes were identified.     

Anchoring of Chiral Manganese(III) Salen Complex onto Organo Clay and Porous Clay Heterostructure and Catalytic Activity in Alkene Epoxidation

The chiral Mn(III) salen complex (C1) was immobilised onto a natural clay (BEN) and a porous clay heterostructure (PCH) functionalised with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). FTIR, XPS and Mn chemical analysis confirm the C1 anchorage in both materials, but with higher efficiency in BEN_APTES clay. The catalytic activity of C1@BEN_APTES and C1@PCH_APTES, was assessed in the epoxidation of styrene (sty) and ∝-methylstyrene (∝-Mesty) using NaOCl and m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA)/N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO). Both materials behave as moderate catalysts, show high epoxide selectivity but low enantiomeric excesses. In the case of sty epoxidation with m-CBPA/NMO the C1@PCH_APTES catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity, whereas in ∝-Mesty epoxidation, the C1@PCH_APTES catalyst, although leading to lower substrate conversion than the BEN analogue, presented the lowest complex leaching. In all cases, the oxidant NaOCl had some destructive effect in the hybrid catalysts, highlighting the importance of a careful choice of catalyst and oxidant system.     

Corroles as receptors in liquid membrane electrodes and their potentiometric response towards salicylic acid

Here, we report on the application of corroles as analytically active compounds in liquid membrane electrodes (ISE) that are sensitive towards salicylic acid and salicylate.The potentiometric signals generated by corrole-incorporated ISEs strongly depend on the pH of the aqueous sample solution and the membrane composition, such as the presence of lipophilic sites. Corrole incorporating ISEs are characterised by a low detection limit (4.0 × 10⁻⁵ M) and a wide linear range (4.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 5.3 × 10⁻³ M). Also, they are free from interference versus other organic anions.The mechanism of the generation of the potentiometric signals of corrole incorporating ISEs in the presence of salicylate anion, as well salicylic acid, will be discussed.     

Therapeutic Potential of Jasmonic Acid and Its Derivatives

A modern method of therapeutic use of natural compounds that would protect the body are jasmonates. The main representatives of jasmonate compounds include jasmonic acid and its derivatives, mainly methyl jasmonate. Extracts from plants rich in jasmonic compounds show a broad spectrum of activity, i.e., anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and cosmetic. Studies of the biological activity of jasmonic acid and its derivatives in mammals are based on their structural similarity to prostaglandins and the compounds can be used as natural therapeutics for inflammation. Jasmonates also constitute a potential group of anti-cancer drugs that can be used alone or in combination with other known chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, due to their ability to stimulate exfoliation of the epidermis, remove discoloration, regulate the function of the sebaceous glands and reduce the visible signs of aging, they are considered for possible use in cosmetics and dermatology. The paper presents a review of literature data on the biological activity of jasmonates that may be helpful in treatment and prevention.