Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Health Risk Associated with Cultivated Vegetables along Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, Bangladesh.

The purpose of this research work is to evaluate the degree of eight heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni) contamination and health risks of three regularly consumed vegetables (papaya, bottle gourd, and esculent) near one of Bangladesh's busiest roadways, the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. The heavy metal concentrations in 45 vegetable samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). These samples were collected from five different sampling sites based on various land use patterns adjacent to the highway. The average concentrations (mg/kg) of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, and Ni were found to be 9.86, 246.8, 16.9, 28.0, 9.02, and 2.02, respectively, for papaya; 14.9, 281.2, 387.6, 49.0, 10.1, and 2.92, respectively, for bottle gourd; and 17.6, 183.4, 107.2, 80.7, 7.98, and 2.34, respectively, for esculent. The mean concentrations of Cr, Zn, and Mn in papaya, bottle gourd, and esculent were higher than the acceptable limit. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between Fe-Cu, Zn-Fe, Cu-Fe, and Fe-Zn in papaya; Cu-Zn, Fe-Cr, Zn-Ni, and Cr-Fe in bottle gourd; and Mn-Cr, Mn-Ni, Mn-Fe, and Cr-Ni in esculent, thereby indicating their common anthropogenic sources like agricultural activities, waste from the commercial area, filling station, and vehicular emissions. Health risk assessment through target hazard quotient (THQ) revealed the highest THQ of 9.52 for Cr in bottle gourd, which poses a high non-carcinogenic health risk to the localities upon the intake of these contaminated vegetables. Target cancer risk (TCR) was found to be highest for Cr in papaya (0.013) and bottle gourd (0.014). TCR trends were found for Cr in the following order: bottle gourd > esculent > papaya. This study contributed the greatest concern for both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health impacts through ingesting contaminated vegetables.

Identification and evaluation of antimicrobial and anti-arthritis activities of hydroethanolic extract of Rubus ellipticus leaves.

Rubus ellipticus is a native plant to India's tropical and subtropical regions and has been used as a traditional medicinal. The aim of study was to identify and evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-arthritis activities of hydroethanolic extract of R. ellipticus leaves (HEERE). The leaves were collected from the Narkanda Valley, India and were shade-dried and finely ground to produce the powder. The hydroethanolic extract was utilized for phytochemical analysis to determine the existence of carbohydrate, phenolic, terpenoid, flavonoid, saponin, glycoside, tannin, protein, and alkaloid. The HEERE was futher analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the characterization of the phytoconstituents. The antimicrobial activity was tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus as well as Aspergillus niger. To assess its anti-arthritic activities, different doses of HEERE were given orally to complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced albino Wistar rats for twenty-one days. The GC-MS analysis of hydroethanolic extracts from leaves detected and identified the presence of 33 phytochemical compounds. HEERE showed significant effects against E. coli, S. aureus, and A. niger strains at 600 ppm. Our data indicated that HEERE 200 mg/kg was more effective than 50 mg/kg as anti-arthritis. Paw volume, ankle-joint diameter, the number leucocytes, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were all significantly reduced in experimental rats. Furthermore, when compared to respective standard drugs, the body weight, erythrocyte, hemoglobin, and synobium healing effect have all improved. These data demonstrated the potential of R. ellipticus for the long-term investigation of antimicrobial and anti-arthritic properties.

Encapsulation of halocadmate anion via hydrogen bonding: synthesis and characterization of bis(diethylenetriamine)cobalt(III) complex containing hexabromocadmate anion.

In this work, the encapsulation of [CdBr6]4- by six cations, [Co(dien)2]3+ has been described with the help of single crystal X-ray structural study in the complex, mer-[Co(dien)2]2[CdBr6]Br2. The complex anion, [CdBr6]4- has been obtained through solution method while attempting to synthesize complex dianion, [CdBr4]2-. This newly synthesized complex has been initially characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic studies (IR, NMR and UV-Visible). IR and NMR studies have been used for the isomeric identification of [Co(dien)2]3+. Single crystal X-ray structure determination has revealed the presence of two complex cations, [Co(dien)2]3+, one complex anion, [CdBr6]4-, and two Br- anions. The complex has crystallized in monoclinic crystal system with space group, P21/n. The study of intermolecular interactions has confirmed the stability of crystal structure through N-H type H-bonding interactions besides electrostatic forces of attraction.

Binding of permanganate anion to pentaammineazidocobalt(III) cation in solution and solid phases: synthesis, characterization, X-ray structure, and genotoxic effects of [Co(NH3)5N3](MnO4)2⋠H2O.

A pentaammineazidocobalt(III) complex, [Co(NH3)5N3](MnO4)2XH2O has been synthesized by an one-pot synthesis method. It was characterized by studies such as infrared (IR) and UV-visible spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray structure analysis revealed that the title complex crystallizes in space group Cc. The cobalt center is six coordinated with slightly octahedral geometry. The supramolecular architecture is also formed by intermolecular N-H…O (anion and H2O) and Mn-O…O-H hydrogen bonds. The binding property of the cation, [Co(NH3)5N3]2+ with the anion, MnO4 - has also been determined (in solution phase) with the help of UV-visible spectroscopic titrations. Further, the genotoxic effects of KMnO4, [Co(NH3)5N3]Cl2 and [Co(NH3)5N3](MnO4)2XH2O were studied using Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay and it revealed that the genotoxicity of the newly synthesized complex is 1.97-1.76 fold, which is less compared to KMnO4. The order of genotoxic potential has been observed to be KMnO4 > [Co(NH3)5N3](MnO4)2XH2O > [Co(NH3)5N3]Cl2.

Green Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activities of Copper Nanoparticles from the Rhizomes Extract of Picrorhiza kurroa.

BACKGROUND: Green synthesized nanoparticles from the solvent extract of various plant parts show better biological activities as compared to parent solvent plant extract. Traditionally rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa are used to cure various diseases like diarrhea, fever, jaundice, eye infection, skin problems, asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems. OBJECTIVE: The present study describes the synthesis of copper nanoparticles from a hydroethanolic extract of P. kurroa rhizomes (CuNPs-Pk) and their evaluation for antimicrobial activities against gram-negative, gram-positive bacterial, and fungal strains. METHODS: The solution of copper sulfate and hydroethanolic extract of rhizomes of P. kurroa was mixed with help of a magnetic stirrer at 60°C temperature for 1 h. The blue color of CuSO4.5H2O changed to brownish-black colored copper nanoparticles within 10 minutes. These nanoparticles were centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 20 min, washed with ethanol, followed by deionized water, dried, and were characterized by Ultra violet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Different concentrations of hydroethanolic extract of Picrorhiza kurroa rhizomes (HEEPk), CuNPs-Pk and copper oxide nanoparticles (bare CuO) ranging from 100-400 ppm had been studied against selected bacterial and fungal strains by using the well plate diffusion method. Ciprofloxin and fluconazole were used as standard and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a control for selected strains. RESULTS: The UV-Vis spectral studies confirmed the surface plasmon resonance of green-synthesized CuNPs-Pk. The particle size was found to be 275-285 nm. FTIR analysis of biosynthesis nanoparticles conformed the presence of various functional groups (flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, phenols). SEM and TEM of biosynthesized nanoparticles have predicted their spherical shape and their size (20-40 nm) and these particles have shown effective antimicrobial activities against selected pathogenic organisms viz. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger than that of HEEPk and bare CuO. CONCLUSION: The CuNPs-Pk shows effective antimicrobial activities against bacterial and fungal pathogens as compared to HEEPk and bare CuO.

Sonochemical synthesis, characterization, thermal and semiconducting behavior of nano-sized azidopentaamminecobalt(III) complexes containing anion, CrO42- or Cr2O72.

New nano-sized cobalt(III) coordination complexes, [Co(NH3)5N3]CrO4 (1N) and [Co(NH3)5N3]Cr2O7 (2N) were synthesized using an innovative sonochemical methodology based on reaction between [Co(NH3)5N3]Cl2 and potassium salt of CrO42- or Cr2O72- in aqueous medium. These complexes were also compared with their respective bulks which were synthesized under identical conditions in the absence of sonicaion. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques (UV-visible and IR). Morphology and particle size of nano-sized complexes was determined by SEM and Zeta-sizer respectively. TGA was used for comparative thermal stability and XRD to identify the phase difference between nano structures and bulk complexes. Furthermore, the electrical property was investigated and all complexes were found to be electrical semiconducting materials and 2N shows better result than others. The single crystals X-ray structure study of new [Co(NH3)5N3]Cr2O7 revealed the presence of discrete ions, [Co(NH3)5N3]2+ and Cr2O72-, crystallizes in monoclinic, space group Pc, with R=0.0636 in the solid state.

Sonochemical synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial activity and textile dyeing behavior of nano-sized cobalt(III) complexes.

Using ultrasonic irradiations, nano-sized cobalt(III) coordination complexes, [Co(NH3)6]Cl3·2H2O (A), [Co(en)3]Cl3·3H2O (B) (en-ethylenediamine) and [Co(dien)2]Cl3·3.5H2O (C) (dien-diethylenetriamine) were synthesized. These complexes were characterized by spectroscopic studies like IR, UV/Visible and NMR. Morphology of these complexes was determined by SEM and particle size with the help of TEM & Zeta-sizer. The comparative thermal stability along with phase difference between nano structures and their respective bulk complexes has been studied by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) study respectively. The dyeing behavior of nano-sized Co(III) complexes and their respective bulks has also been studied (using both exhaust and pad dyeing methods) on cotton and wool fabrics and results shown rationalized dyeing behavior. All these complexes were further tested for antimicrobial activity (against B. subtilis, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, F. oxysporum and A. alternate) and it was observed that nano sized complexes enhanced the activity further.

Effect of combustion variables on PAHs emission from incineration of cellulose waste filters from acrylic industry.

Incineration of cellulose waste filter from acrylic industry showed the presence of 13-16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the list of 16 priority pollutants with an airflow rate of 1, 2, 3, and 4 L min(-1) in laboratory scale quartz tube vertical incinerator at 700-1,000 degrees C at an interval of 100 degrees C. The amount of total 16 PAHs increases with the increase in temperature with airflow rate of 1 L min(-1) and was found to be 9.4 times at 1,000 degrees C than at 700 degrees C. Studies at 800-1,000 degrees C showed the decrease in total 16 PAHs with increase in airflow rate from 1 to 2 L min(-1). The amount of total 16 PAHs increases at 700, 800, and 1,000 degrees C with increase in airflow rate from 2-4 L min(-1). At 900 degrees C, amount of 16 PAHs decreases with increase in flow rate from 1 to 3 and increases at 4 L min(-1). The lesser amount of 2A PAHs was found at 700-900 degrees C with airflow rates of 1-3 L min(-1), while less amount of 2B PAHs was found at 700 degrees C and 800 degrees C (with airflow rate of 1-2 L min(-1)), at 900 degrees C (with airflow rate of 1-3 L min(-1)) and at 1,000 degrees C (with airflow rate of 3 L min(-1)). However, the sum total of 2A and 2B PAHs were found to be less at 700-900 degrees C with airflow rate of 1-2 L min(-1).

Toxic environmental releases from medical waste incineration: a review.

Toxic releases from medical waste incineration comprising organic emissions such as polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxin/furan (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), inorganic emissions and ashes containing toxic metals have been reviewed. Attempts made by various investigators to reduce/eliminate emissions have also been included. Legislations concerning emission standards for medical waste incinerators have been discussed.

The effect of temperature on PAHs emission from incineration of acrylic waste.

Incineration of acrylic waste solution in a lab scale quartz tube vertical incinerator showed the presence of 12-15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from a list of 16 priority pollutants at 700-1100 degrees C after an interval of 50 degrees C. The amount of total 16 PAHs at 900 and 1100 degrees C was about 8.5 and 1.25 times higher than those at 700 degrees C (739.48 microg g(-1)) respectively. The amount of total probable (2A) and possible (2B) human carcinogenic PAHs was minimum at 700 degrees C.