Characterization of inorganic elements in common consumer plastics using handheld X-ray fluorescence analyzer.

Plastics are increasingly being used in consumer products due to its versatility in many applications. However, these plastics may contain inorganic elements that may be harmful to humans. To determine any potential health risk of plastics, it was important to characterize elemental composition of plastics and assess usage patterns.

Mercury Exposure Associated with Use of Skin Lightening Products in Jamaica.

Background: Skin bleaching is a major health concern among Jamaicans. A common ingredient in skin lightening products is mercury. Mercury is a toxic substance that can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system and kidneys.

Impact of the reaction pathway on the final product in on-surface synthesis.

On-surface synthesis provides a very promising strategy for creating stable functional structures on surfaces. In the past, classical reactions known from solution synthesis have been successfully transferred onto a surface. Due to the presence of the surface, on-surface synthesis provides the potential of directing the reaction pathway in a manner that might not be accessible in classical solution synthesis.

Bolus consumption of a specifically designed fruit juice rich in anthocyanins and ascorbic acid did not influence markers of antioxidative defense in healthy humans.

Exotic fruits such as açai, camu-camu, and blackberries rich in natural antioxidants (ascorbic acid, anthocyanins) are marketed as "functional" foods supporting a pro-/antioxidant balance. Confirming data from human studies are lacking. Within a randomized controlled crossover trial, 12 healthy nonsmokers ingested 400 mL of a blended juice of these fruits or a sugar solution (control).

Chemical characterization and evaluation of antioxidant properties of açaí fruits (Euterpe oleraceae Mart.) during ripening.

Consumption of açaí fruits has been linked to positive health effects due to its phenolic content and nutritive value. The objective of this study was to characterize açaí fruits chemically and to determine the antioxidant capacity at three different maturity stages. With the exception of fat, amounts of macronutrients, minerals and titratable acids decreased during the ripening process.

Phenolic constituents and antioxidant capacity of four underutilized fruits from the Amazon region.

The Amazon region comprises a plethora of fruit-bearing species of which a large number are still agriculturally unimportant. Because fruit consumption has been attributed to an enhanced physical well-being, interest in the knowledge of the chemical composition of underexplored exotic fruits has increased during recent years. This paper provides a comprehensive identification of the polyphenolic constituents of four underutilized fruits from the Amazon region by HPLC/DAD-ESI-MS(n).

Bacteriological conditions of a Jamaican chicken hatchery.

The bacteriological profile of a chicken hatchery in Jamaica was examined. The bacterial numbers in each room of the hatchery and the effect of washing with disinfectant on the bacterial population were determined. A representative number of the bacterial isolates before and after washing the hatchery was identified.