Introduction of a spectrophotometric method for salivary iodine determination on microplate based on Sandell-Kolthoff reaction.

Background: Iodine is an essential element for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Therefore, a reliable marker of iodine supply is important. Iodine is predominantly excreted via kidneys, but also via salivary glands.

Effect of Location, Disinfection, and Building Materials on the Presence and Richness of Culturable Mycobiota through Oligotrophic Drinking Water Systems.

Safe drinking water is a constant challenge due to global environmental changes and the rise of emerging pathogens-lately, these also include fungi. The fungal presence in water greatly varies between sampling locations. Little is known about fungi from water in combination with a selection of materials used in water distribution systems.

Honey Origin Authentication via Mineral Profiling Combined with Chemometric Approaches.

In the present study, the potential of elemental analysis combined with statistical tools to identify honey origin was evaluated by mineral characterization of 173 honeys of 13 floral types (acacia, fir, spruce, linden, chestnut, lavender, coriander, thistle, honeydew, rosemary, sage, euphorbia and ziziphus plant species) collected from five geographical regions (Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Morocco). The objective of the study was to accurately and reliably differentiate the mineral composition among honey varieties. The aim was to establish traceability, to ensure product authenticity and to improve quality control measures within the honey industry.

A study of the adsorption of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on polyethylene microplastics and their desorption in aquatic media.

In this study, we investigated the interactions between titanium dioxide (nTiO) and zinc oxide (nZnO) nanoparticles and polyethylene microplastics (MPs) with respect to their adsorption and subsequent desorption in aquatic media. Adsorption kinetic models revealed rapid adsorption of nZnO compared to nTiO, while nTiO was adsorbed to a greater extent - four times more nTiO (67%) was adsorbed on MPs than nZnO (16%). The low adsorption of nZnO can be explained by the partial dissolution of zinc from nZnO in the form of Zn(II) and/or Zn(II) aqua-hydroxo complexes (e.

Interactions between titanium dioxide nanoparticles and polyethylene microplastics: Adsorption kinetics, photocatalytic properties, and ecotoxicity.

The present study investigated the adsorption mechanism of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO) on polyethylene microplastics (MPs) and the resulting photocatalytic properties. This effort was supported by ecotoxicological assessments of MPs with adsorbed nTiO on the immobility and behaviour of Daphnia magna in presence and absence of UV irradiation. The results showed that nTiO were rapidly adsorbed on the surface of MPs (72% of nTiO in 9 h).

Laser-based techniques: Novel tools for the identification and characterization of aged microplastics with developed biofilm.

Microplastics found in the environment are often covered with a biofilm, which makes their analysis difficult. Therefore, the biofilm is usually removed before analysis, which may affect the microplastic particles or lead to their loss during the procedure. In this work, we used laser-based analytical techniques and evaluated their performance in detecting, characterizing, and classifying pristine and aged microplastics with a developed biofilm.

Effects of microplastics from disposable medical masks on terrestrial invertebrates.

This study investigated impacts of microplastics from disposable polypropylene medical masks on woodlice Porcellio scaber, mealworm larvae Tenebrio molitor and enchytraeids Enchytraeus crypticus. Effects of microplastics on survival, reproduction, immune parameters and energy-related traits were assessed after 21 days exposure in soil. Microplastics obtained from each medical mask layer separately differed in size and shape (inner frontal layer: 45.

Analytical Methods for Determination of Phytic Acid and Other Inositol Phosphates: A Review.

From the early precipitation-based techniques, introduced more than a century ago, to the latest development of enzymatic bio- and nano-sensor applications, the analysis of phytic acid and/or other inositol phosphates has never been a straightforward analytical task. Due to the biomedical importance, such as antinutritional, antioxidant and anticancer effects, several types of methodologies were investigated over the years to develop a reliable determination of these intriguing analytes in many types of biological samples; from various foodstuffs to living cell organisms. The main aim of the present work was to critically overview the development of the most relevant analytical principles, separation and detection methods that have been applied in order to overcome the difficulties with specific chemical properties of inositol phosphates, their interferences, absence of characteristic signal (e.

Complex Formation of Phytic Acid With Selected Monovalent and Divalent Metals.

The formation of metal complexes with phytic acid is a complex process that depends strongly on the metal-to-ligand molar ratio, pH value and consequent protonation level of the phytate ligand as well as accompanying side reactions, in particular metal hydrolysis and precipitation of the formed coordination compounds. In the present work, the potentiometric titration technique was used in combination with a detailed analysis of the equivalent point dependencies for selected biologically relevant monovalent and divalent cations from the groups of alkaline earths and transition metals, namely: Mg(II), Zn(II), Fe(II), Cu(I), and Cu(II) ions. The investigation of complex formation mechanism, the evaluation of the species formed, and the identification of other side reactions was based on the examination of three distinct equivalent points, which were detectable by alkalimetric titrations of phytic acid in the presence of selected metal ions.

An environmental concentration of aged microplastics with adsorbed silver significantly affects aquatic organisms.

Microplastics are very complex pollutants; they can be made of many polymer types and exist in various shapes and sizes. When they enter the environment they are affected by biotic and abiotic factors that cause their properties to change. In this context, the aim of our study was to evaluate the extent to which biofouling affects the properties and toxicity of microplastics.

The use of multiwell culture plates in the duckweed toxicity test-A case study on Zn nanoparticles.

Extensive production of nanomaterials of various properties needs to be coupled with rapid toxicity testing in order to provide information about their potential risks to the environment and human health. Miniaturization of toxicity tests may accelerate economical testing of nanomaterials, but is not a common practice. We describe a case study to miniaturize a commonly used toxicity test with plant duckweed Lemna minor.

Utilizing Iron's Attractive Chemical and Magnetic Properties in Microrocket Design, Extended Motion, and Unique Performance.

All-in-one material for microrocket propulsion featuring acid-based bubble generation and magnetic guidance is presented. Electrochemically deposited iron serves as both a propellant, toward highly efficient self-propulsion in acidic environments, and as a magnetic component enabling complete motion control. The new microrockets display longer lifetime and higher propulsion efficiency compared to previously reported active metal zinc-based microrockets due to the chemical properties of iron and the unique structure of the microrockets.

Potentiometric Determination of Phytic Acid and Investigations of Phytate Interactions with Some Metal Ions.

Determination of correct amount (concentration) of phytic acid is of vital importance when dealing with protonation and/or metal complexation equilibria. A novel approach for precise and reliable assay of phytic acid, based on the difference between end points by potentiometric titration, has been presented. Twelve phytic acid protons are classified into three groups of acidity, which enables detection of 2 to 3 distinct equivalent points (EPs) depending on experimental conditions, e.