Research Publications (Food Safety)

Heavy metal pollution in river sediments is one of the most serious problems in the aquatic environment. In this study, thirty-two surface sediment and overlying water samples were collected to evaluate the nutrient levels and heavy metal contents (Mo, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb, and Cr) in the Hai River and its tributaries, which is the largest river flowing into Bohai Bay.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals ketoprofen, meloxicam, and tenoxicam were degraded by photo-assisted peroxidation (hv/H2O2) and photo-Fenton processes under simulated solar radiation (sunlight) and UV-C. Preliminary studies showed that the processes under UV-C and sun-photo-Fenton radiation showed similar degradation results. The sun-photo-Fenton was less sensitive to the concentration variation of the H2O2 oxidant.

The potential of using iron-oxidizing and sulfur-oxidizing bioleaching process for removal of heavy metals (HMs) was investigated at initial unadjusted pH of pig manure (PM). The indigenous iron-oxidizing and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms enriched from PM were primarily Alicyclobacillus and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, respectively.

The presence of phosphorus in water is a major cause behind the eutrophication of the aquatic environment. The growing trend focuses on the use of agriculture waste to fabricate biosorbents with higher removal capabilities for phosphate present in wastewater. Herein, a novel adsorbent named multifunctional biochar (MFBC) was applied for the decontamination of both phosphate and cadmium through two-stage adsorption.

Repeated application of organic fertiliser has unintentionally let to the introduction into surface water and soils of many phytotoxic substances that compromise agricultural production and threaten environmental quality. Recent studies using hydroponic systems have reported that bisphenol A (BPA) affects essential mineral elements contents and root absorptive function, thereby impacting nutrient content in plant.

The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is considered an important strategy to bioremediate contaminated soil by heavy metals. However, the mechanisms used by AMF to attenuate plant toxicity, caused by the higher manganese (Mn) concentrations in the soil, remain poorly understood.

We report on the concentration of heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, and lead) in the water and sediment of Lake Greenwood and the streams and creeks that flow into the lake. Our results show heavy metal concentrations well below levels that were reported in 2012.

The MeHg content in the reed wetland soil of Liaohe was studied by the indoor-simulated constant temperature culture method. Under different aerobic and anaerobic conditions, the flooding salinity (CK, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%) changes relationship whether SRB plays a leading role in the formation of MeHg.

Due to its low cost and high reactivity, nanoiron has been widely used for remediating contaminated soils. However, accumulation of large amounts of iron in the soil may be toxic for plants. This research aims at investigating the possible phytotoxic effects of the presence of nanoparticles of iron in the soil, with emphasis on seedling emergence and initial plant growth of soybean and corn. Nanoiron concentrations of 0, 15, and 30 g/kg of soil were examined.

Cross-linking of polymer hydrogels can be achieved by exposing the polymer to gamma radiation that induces production of polymer chain radicals resulting in cross-linking of chains. The present study was focused on fabrication of hydrogel by gamma irradiation for immobilization of bacterial cells. Hydrogels were prepared using 30 and 40% acrylamide at gamma irradiation dose of 5 kGy.

With increasing concern related to sustainable chemistry, we investigated the biosorption of Pb2+ ions from aqueous medium using an environmental friendly and economic biosorbent Bougainvillea spectabilis (BS). The BS was modified effectively using citric acid by hydrothermal method.

Periclase/calcite nanocomposites (PCN) were synthesized via calcination and carbonation treatment of dolomite. The surface and structural properties of PCN were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, thermogravimetry (TG), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The potential of PCN to remove Pb(II) from aqueous solutions was examined by batch experiments.

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) on activated carbon derived from coconut shell (CSAC) for the preconcentration of four varying polarity pesticides (imidacloprid, acetamiprid, simazine, and linuron) prior to their determination using high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) was investigated.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) upset the basic biological parameters of the soil, such as enzymatic activity, which can be used to identify the direction and intensity of organic and mineral substance transformation in the soil environment.

In the study, we have analysed the impact of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu) on fine root biomass and the associated level of bioacumulation heavy metals in fine roots under alder plantings (Alnus incana, A. glutinosa and A. viridis) growing on technosols developed from combustion wastes and extremely poor quaternary sands excavated by sand mining.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are persistent organic compounds of major concern that accumulate in the environment, especially soils, and require remediation. Researches to develop bioremediation and phytoremediation (alternative eco-friendly technologies) are being conducted. First, a bioaccessibility measurement protocol was adapted to a brownfield soil using Tenax® beads in order to compare PAHs bioaccessibility in soil samples.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration in the bottom sediments of the selected dam reservoirs is related to the catchment area size and length of the watercourse that supplies the reservoir. The anthropopressure increases the ratio of the PAH concentration sum G4 group to the G1 group. For the urban-industrial catchment area, the ratio is 1; for the agricultural and agricultural-forestral catchment area, the ratio is between 4 and 9.

Specific and sensitive detection of fecal microbes in potable water is essential for ensuring the safety of water supplies. To this end, because conventional culture-based methods typically require at least 24 h to detect fecal bacteria, rapid and simple microbiological detection methods are considered necessary.

The calix[4]resorcinarene macrocycles are excellent oligomers for the design of amphiphilic derivatives; they can form self-assemblies and stable sensing networks. Owing to their favorable properties, they are the focus of many exploitations and studies ranging from biological controls to heavy metal ion sensing.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in water resources has become a potentially serious threat to public health and environment across the globe. In this experiment, we investigated the capacity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) for selective removal of Cd from wastewater. The TiO2 NPs were prepared using newly developed sol-gel method and sorption attributes were investigated as a function of contact time, sorbent dosage, pH, and initial Cd concentration.

The issues of heavy metal contamination in water sources have been increasing substantially along with the rapid pace of industrial revolution. Lead, particularly, is one of the heavy metals that received considerable attention lately due to its frequent detection in the environment and hazardous effects. Although conventional water treatment processes had been utilized for ages, it is still a challenge to remove lead in the treatment plant effectively.

Experiments were conducted under lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) exposure to observe germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L), pea (Pisum sativum), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Metals were applied in five concentrations (20, 65, 110, 175, and 220 ppm) and Hoagland solution was used to feed the seedlings.

This study investigated the soil pollution level and evaluated the phytoremediation potential of 25 native plant species on a former gold mine-tailing site in Ghana. Plant shoots and associated soil samples were collected from a tailing deposition site and analyzed for total element concentration of As, Hg, Pb, and Cu.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of incorporating Walnut leaves (WL) and their biochars produced at three temperatures (200, 400, and 600 °C) on fractionation, availability and maize indices in a naturally calcareous highly contaminated soil of Central Iran. A pot experiment was conducted considering soils treated with 0, 0.5, 1, and 2% (w/w) of WL and their derived biochars.

Sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca) was grown in pots with and without inoculation with two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, viz., Glomus macrocarpum and Glomus monosporum singly and in combination. Seven-day-old plants were treated with 18.9 μg Cd g−1 soil and 155.4 μg Ni g−1 soil alone and in combination.