Preparation and characterization of new reference material for inorganic analysis of pumpkin seed flour - An interlaboratory program.

This work describes preparing a certified reference material for pumpkin seed flour for use in inorganic analyses of vegetable foods. The elements studied were potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, and calcium. The ISO Guides were employed in the homogeneity and stability tests, interlaboratory program, and assignment of uncertainty value.

Seaweeds and Corals from the Brazilian Coast: Review on Biotechnological Potential and Environmental Aspects.

Brazil has a megadiversity that includes marine species that are distributed along 800 km of shoreline. This biodiversity status holds promising biotechnological potential. Marine organisms are important sources of novel chemical species, with applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical, and nutraceutical fields.

Multielement determination (essential and potentially toxic elements) in eye shadows exposed to consumption in Brazil using ICP OES.

Worldwide, cosmetics (especially eye shadows) are widely consumed and have a great impact on the economy. The aim of this study was to determine the multielement composition, focusing on essential and potentially toxic elements, in cosmetics (eye shadow) exposed to consumption in Brazil. Concentrations of 17 elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) were determined in samples (produced in China and Brazil) using a sequential optical emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES) after acid digestion, assisted by a closed digester block (6 mL of HNO + 2 mL of HO + 1 mL of Triton ×-100 + 1 mL of ultrapure water).

Essential and Potentially Toxic Elements from Brazilian Geopropolis Produced by the Stingless Bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Using ICP OES.

Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides is a species of stingless bee popularly known in Brazil as "mandaçaia". Products derived from bees for food and therapeutic uses, have stimulated the evaluation of the chemical composition of geopropolis. Concentrations of 24 essential and potentially toxic elements were determined in geopropolis samples, using a sequential optical emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES) after microwave-assisted acid digestion.

Multielement Determination in Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines Containing Cynara scolymus L., Harpagophytum procumbens D.C., and Maytenus ilifolia (Mart.) ex Reiss from Brazil Using ICP OES.

Worldwide, medicinal plants and herbal medicines are widely consumed. The aim of this study was to determine macro- (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P) and microelements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, V, and Zn) in medicinal plants and herbal medicines: "globe artichoke" - Cynara scolymus L., "devil's claw" - Harpagophytum procumbens D.