Synthesis and characterization of a novel rice bran protein-cerium complex for the removal of organophosphorus pesticide residues from wastewater.

The removal of organophosphorus pesticides residues from wastewater of fruits and vegetables processing as well as other agricultural processes by a low-cost, environment-friendly, and efficient strategy is necessary. In this study, rice bran protein (RBP) was cross-linked with ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN). The results showed that the cross-linking process generated new functional groups and significantly enhanced the chemical reactivity and adsorption capacity of RBP. The RBPC showed rough and porous surface structure compared with smooth surface structure for RBP. In addition, greatest adsorption capacity of 193.0 mg/g and omethoate removal efficiency of 72.1% was achieved, and the results fitted well with Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order models. Moreover, Omethoate (5 mg/L) removal efficiency maintained over 60% after 5 cycles of RBPC usage. Therefore, the obtained RBPC complex can be suggested as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of pesticide residues from wastewater.

Trace determination of sulphide and sulphur dioxide by vapor molecular absorption spectrometry using magnesium and tellurium hollow cathode lamps.

A new method has been developed in this paper for determining sulphide and sulphur dioxide simultaneously. Two emission lines, 202.6 nm and 214.3 nm which are emitted from hollow cathode lamps (HCL) of magnesium and tellurium, respectively, were used as radiation sources for measurement of absorbances of H(2)S at 202.6 nm and SO(2) at 214.3 nm or 202.6 nm. The detection limit for S(2-) was shown to be 0.01 mug/ml and the detection limits for SO(2) with 202.6 nm and 214.3 nm lines were 0.05 and 0.2 mug/ml, respectively. The method has been employed to satisfactorily analyse practical samples.