Natural amino acids as potential chelators for soil remediation.

The soils contaminated by toxic metals are often remediated using EDTA and similar non-biodegradable chelators. Most chelators are in fact synthetic amino acid derivatives, whereas natural proteinogenic amino acids (PAAs) have not been systematically explored as remediation agents, despite their well-known metal chelating abilities and environmental benefits. Our study represents a comprehensive research exploring 16 structurally and functionally different PAAs as potential remediating agents, applied to 3 different heavy metal-contaminated samples.

New insights into chelator recycling by a chelating resin: From molecular mechanisms to applicability.

As part of the project of developing a "green" and highly feasible soil remediation process, recycling an eco-friendly chelating agent, glycine, using Chelex-100 chelating resin, was studied. Two model complexes, copper and nickel glycinates, were tested under various conditions, including equivalent viscosity but different temperature conditions. Two similar complexes demonstrated very different reactivity towards Chelex-100.

Garlic allicin as a potential agent for controlling oral pathogens.

Garlic has been used medicinally throughout human history. Allicin is considered the most therapeutic constituent of garlic. This study tested the antimicrobial activity of garlic allicin on oral pathogens associated with dental caries and periodontitis.

Allicin purified from fresh garlic cloves induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells via Nrf2.

Allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate) is the best-known biologically active component in freshly crushed garlic extract. We developed a novel, simple method to isolate active allicin, which yielded a stable compound in aqueous solution amenable for use in in vitro and in vivo studies. We focused on the in vitro effects of allicin on cell proliferation of colon cancer cell lines HCT-116, LS174T, HT-29, and Caco-2 and assessed the underlying mechanisms.