Assessment of cadmium levels in human breast milk and the affecting factors: A systematic review, 1971–2014

Background: This is a first systematic review summarizing 43 years of research from 36 countries for the assessment of cadmium in breast milk, a suitable matrix in human biomonitoring. Objectives: To report from the published literature the levels of cadmium in breast milk, and the affecting factors causing increase in cadmium concentrations. In addition, to gather several quantitative data that might be useful to evaluate the international degrees of maternal and infant exposure. Methods: We reviewed the literature published between 1971 and 2014, available on Pubmed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, reporting quantitative data about cadmium levels in human breast milk. Information about the aim of the study, name of the country, period of collection of samples, size of samples, sampling method, time of lactation, mother's age, area of residence, cadmium concentration, and other data were extracted. Results: Sixty-seven studies were selected and included in this systematic review. Some concentrations greatly exceed the limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO); however, about 50% of the studies had less than 1 µg/L cadmium concentration (recommended by the WHO); as well as many factors have shown their implication in breast milk contamination. Conclusions: Breast milk is a pathway of maternal excretion of cadmium. It is also a biological indicator of the degree of environmental pollution and cadmium exposure of the lactating woman and the nourished infant. Therefore, preventive measures and continuous monitoring are necessary.     

Nutritional characteristics,biochemical composition and antioxidant activities of Moroccan Oat varieties

Oat has been recognized as a healthy food for a long time. In this study, physicochemical analysis including, moisture, pH, ash, fibres, proteins, starch, carbohydrates, some minerals, sugars, fatty acids, sterols, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents of four Moroccan Oat varieties (Amlal, Tissir, Zahri and Ghali) were investigated. Additionally, starch morphology has been described according to scanning electron microscopy, and viscosity as measured on a rotary rheometer, increased with stabilization time. Furthermore, Oat extracts were analyzed with regard to their antioxidant activities using DPPH radicals’ cation, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing/antioxidant power. Results from this investigation demonstrated that Moroccan Oat varieties constitute an interesting supplement of natural antioxidants, especially phenolic compounds. Moreover, potassium was the main mineral in Oat seeds (1628.17–2541.52 mg/Kg); also, the oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids were the dominant fatty acids. While the major sterols were, β-sitosterol, Δ-5-avenasterol and campesterol. Finally, sugar analysis by HPLC-RI indicate that sucrose content was higher than glucose and fructose respectively, and that Ghali and Amlal varieties exhibit an important total sugars levels. Those results highlight the possible contributions of Oat seeds to nutritional therapy.     

Classification of Honey According to Geographical and Botanical Origins and Detection of Its Adulteration Using Voltammetric Electronic Tongue

Main possible honey fraud is the addition of various sugar syrups. But, there are also other types of fraud, such as deception on the geographical and/or botanical origin product. Providing a product of the hive with full authenticity is therefore crucial for the preservation of beekeeping. In this pursuit, voltammetric electronic tongue (VE-tongue) was employed to classify honey samples from different geographical and botanical origins. Furthermore, VE-tongue was used to detect adulterants such as glucose syrup (GS) and saccharose syrup (SS) in honey. The data obtained were analyzed by three-pattern recognition techniques: principal component analysis (PCA), support vector machines (SVMs), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). These methods enabled the classification of 18 honeys of different geographical origins and 7 honeys of different botanical origins. Excellent results were obtained also in the detection of adulterated honey. Therefore, this simple method based on VE-tongue could be useful in the honey packaging and commercialization industry.     

Remediation of hexavalent chromium by consortia of indigenous bacteria from tannery waste-contaminated biotopes in Fez,Morocco

Bioremediation is a promising, safe and economical technology widely used to clean up both soils and wastewaters containing Cr(VI). Most work uses pure microbial cultures. Little research has been done with mixed microbial cultures. In this study, consortia of indigenous bacteria isolated from a polluted site have been used to study the effect of different conditions such as Cr(VI) concentration, metal ions, electron donors and pH on Cr(VI) reduction by the consortia. We also evaluate the microbial ability to detoxify repeatedly and continuously in a non-modified medium. Results show that consortia of indigenous bacteria are resistant to greater than 200 mg/L Cr(VI). However, mixed cultures exhibited decreasing diversity with increasing levels of chromate. The consortia show high Cr(VI) removal capacity under various conditions and exhibit an ability for continuous reduction of Cr(VI) up to three consecutive inputs. The consortia may be appropriate for environmental applications for Cr(VI) remediation.     

Particle distribution analysis along the collection electrode of a ‘wire-to-cylinder’ electrostatic precipitator

This study determined the value distribution of the ‘charge/mass’ ratio of the particles charged by corona along a ‘wire-cylinder’ electrostatic precipitator (ESP). These particles are absorbed by suction from the openings on the collection electrode. The results enabled the analysis of the particle movement in the ESP. For moderate voltage values (8–12 kV), the constant ratio along the ESP suggests that the product is uniformly collected when the particles acquire a sufficient electric charge during their progression. Conversely, for higher voltages (14–16 kV), massive deposition occurs at the inlet as soon as the particles are sufficiently charged.