Assessment of resistance and biosorption ability of Lactobacillus paracasei to remove lead and cadmium from aqueous solution.

Since heavy metals have been regarded as ubiquitous environmental pollutants, the exploitation of bacterial biosorption has been suggested as an applicable method for being employed for heavy metal depletion. The present study aimed to characterize the function of Lactobacillus paracasei in the presence of Pb (II) and Cd (II). The simultaneous effect of pH, initial metal concentration, and inoculum size demonstrated the Pb (II) removal of 85.

Lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury in canned tuna fish marketed in Tehran, Iran.

Fifty-four canned tuna fish samples corresponding to 10 widely used different brands were purchased from local markets in Tehran, Iran during 2012-2013 and analysed on heavy metals. Mercury was determined by a direct mercury analyser without any sample preparation. For analysis of other elements samples were digested using a microwave apparatus.

Trace elements and heavy metals in mineral and bottled drinking waters on the Iranian market.

A survey of Iranian waters, sampled from 2010 to 2013, is presented. A total of 128 water samples from 42 different brands of bottled mineral and drinking water were collected and analysed for contamination levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg). Determinations were performed using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer for Pb, Cd and Cu, a hydride vapour generation as well as an Arsenator digital kit (Wagtech WTD, Tyne and Wear, UK) for As and a direct mercury analyser for Hg.

Evaluation of heavy metals contamination in Iranian foodstuffs: canned tomato paste and tomato sauce (ketchup).

One hundred and thirty-five samples of canned tomato paste and 30 tomato sauces (ketchup) samples (23 and 10 brands, respectively) purchased from wholesale markets in the Tehran, Iran, during the period 2010-2013 were analysed. Levels of lead and cadmium were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GF-AAS) and arsenic by hydride vapour generation (HG-AAS or VGA). Average concentration of arsenic found in the tomato paste and ketchup samples was 62 ± 14 and 48 ± 12 ng g(-1), respectively.