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The physico-chemical characteristics of the seeds and seed oils of four citrus species, Mitha (Citrus limetta), Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), Mussami (Citrus sinensis), and Kinnow (Citrus reticulata) were investigated. The hexane-extracted oil content of citrus seeds ranged from 27.0 to 36.5%. The protein, fiber and ash contents were found to be 3.9–9.6%, 5.0–8.5%, and 4.6–5.6%, respectively. The extracted oils exhibited an iodine value of 99.9–110.0; refractive index (40 °C), 1.4639–1.4670; density (24 °C), 0.920–0.941 mg/mL; saponification value, 180.9–198.9; unsaponifiable matter, 0.3–0.5%; acid value (mg KOH/g of oil), 0.5–2.2 and color (1-in. cell) 1.4–3.0R + 15.0–30.0Y. The oils revealed a good oxidative stability as indicated by the determinations of specific extinctions at 232 and 270 nm (2.3–4.4 and 0.6–0.9, respectively), p-anisidine value (2.2–3.2) and peroxide value (1.6–2.4 mequiv/kg of oil). The citrus seed oils mainly consisted of linoleic acid (36.1–39.8%). Other prominent fatty acids were palmitic acid (25.8–32.2%), oleic acid (21.9–24.1%), linolenic acid (3.4–4.4%), and stearic acid (2.8–4.4%). The contents of tocopherols (α, γ, and δ) in the oil were 26.4–557.8, 27.7–84.1, and 9.1–20.0 mg/kg, respectively. The results of the present study demonstrated that the seeds of citrus species investigated are a potential source of valuable oil which might be utilized for edible and other industrial applications.

Summary Owing to increased concern in a number of diseases associated with low-selenium (Se) foods, the estimation of total Se content (TSC) is the focus of research these days. TSC was determined in fruits, vegetables, meat, milk, poultry, fish and cereals. Hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometric method was employed using the wet digestion method. Different certified reference materials were used for the validation of the method. The lowest Se content was found in plant-based foods, whereas the highest was in fish and appreciable in other animal-based foods. The data was compared with TSC data from other countries. TSC in Pakistani foods was comparable with other countries, with few exceptions. This report may serve as a database for TSC in Pakistani foods.

Groundwater samples were collected from various localities of Mithi sub-district of the Thar Desert of Pakistan and analysed for fluoride ion along with other chemical parameters. The area is mainly covered by sand dunes and kaolin/granite at variable depths. Results showed that collected water samples were severely contaminated by the presence of fluoride ion and most of the samples have higher concentration than prescribed WHO standards (1.5 mg/l) for drinking water. Fluoride ion concentrations ranged between 0.09 and 11.63 mg/l with mean and median values of 3.64 and 3.44 mg/l, respectively, in this area whereas, distribution pattern showed high concentrations in the vicinity of Islamkot and Mithi towns. The content of F− has also been correlated with other major ions found in the groundwater of the study area. The positive correlation of F− with Na+ and HCO3 − showed that the water with high Na+ and HCO3 − stabilizes F− ions in the groundwater of the Thar Desert. The pH versus F− plots signifies high fluoride concentration at higher pH values, implying that alkaline environment favours the replacement of exchangeable OH− with F− in the groundwater of Mithi area. The saturation indices (SI) of fluorite (CaF2) and calcite (CaCO3) in the groundwater samples showed that most of the samples are oversaturated with respect to calcite whereas majority of samples have been found under saturated with respect to fluorite. The log TDS and Na/Na+Ca ratio reflected supremacy of weathering of rocks, which promotes the availability of fluoride ions in the groundwater. Piper diagram has been used to classify the hydrofacies. In the cation triangle, all samples are Na-type, while the anion triangle reflects major dominance of Cl-type with a minor influence of HCO3 − and SO4 −.

A very fast, economical and simpler direct spectrophotometric method was investigated for paracetamol (PC) determination in aqueous medium without using any chemical reagents. The method is based on the photo-absorption of the analyte at 243 nm after dissolution in water. The change in structure of PC after addition of water was studied by comparing the corresponding FTIR spectra. Optimization studies were conducted by using a 5 microg ml(-1) standard solution of the analyte. Various parameters studied include, time for stability and measurement of spectra, effect of HCl, NaOH, CH(3)COOH and NH(3) for change in absorbance and shift in spectra, interference by some analgesic drugs and some polar solvents and temperature effect. After optimization, Beer's law was obeyed in the range of 0.3-20 microg ml(-1) PC solution with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999 and detection limit of 0.1 microg ml(-1). The newly developed method was successfully applied for PC determination in some locally available tablets and urine samples. The proposed method is very useful for quick analysis of various types of solid and liquid samples containing PC.

Tannery wastewater collected from a local leather industry in Peshawar, Pakistan was subjected to DC electrolysis in a simple cell having two static sheet electrodes and stirring assembly after proper dilution and adjustment to desired conditions. One percent HNO 3 and 1% NaHCO 3 were used as electrolytes and pH adjusters. The latter salt also worked as sodium source for anodic deposition of Na 2 Cr 2 O 7 . Various combinations of electrodes were tested and conditions optimized for best electrode couple with increased recovery and removal of chromium in the form of Cr(OH) 3 and/or Na 2 Cr 2 O 7 at cathode and anode, respectively. The recovery of 99% chromium was achieved after 2 h electrolysis at a cell potential of 1.0 V, pH 5.0 and stirring rate of 500 rpm using Pb sheet as anode and Cu sheet as cathode. The most interesting and novel finding of this work was the recovery of the mentioned salt(s) alone at Cu cathode or Pb anode or collectively at both electrodes by proper control of pH. Such treatment not only minimizes the environmental water pollution, but results in the formation of useful products employed for recycling purpose in tannery or other related industry to make the process economical.

The present study was accomplished to evaluate the intramuscular fatty acid (FA) composition of different muscles taken from Kundi steers (n = 15), which were approximately 24 months old, fed on a cottonseed cake supplement, and were made to graze on alfalfa pasture for 95 days prior to slaughter. The samples were taken from longissimus dorsi region (loin and ribeye portion) and distal region of semitendinosus muscle for intramuscular FA analysis. Saturated FA, comprising 49.48-52.09% of total FA composition, in all the muscles were studied. Ribeye portion of longissimus dorsi muscle contain relatively higher (P > 0.05) amount of trans FA (3.37%) as compared with loin portion of longissimus dorsi muscle (3.1%) and distal region of semitendinosus muscle (2.84%). The sum of monounsaturated FA in all the muscles studied was estimated in the range of 32.21-34.64%, while polyunsaturated FA contribute 11.39-12.39% of total FA. The mean conjugated linoleic acid was found to be 0.28, 0.35 and 0.41 in ribeye and loin portion of longissimus dorsi muscle and distal region of semitendinosus muscle, respectively.

A simple, rapid, and reproducible method has been developed for the quantitative determination of free fatty acid (FFA) content in lipids extracted from poultry feeds by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with the use of a single-bounce attenuated total reflectance (SB-ATR) accessory. An FTIR calibration curve was prepared by gravimetrically adding oleic acid (15-37%) to pure refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) canola oil and measuring the area of the COOH absorption band at 1710 cm-1. The oil from each of 12 poultry feed formulations was extracted using conventional Soxhlet extraction, and after evaporation of the solvent, the FFA content was determined by the conventional AOCS titrimetric procedure and by the SB-ATR/FTIR method. The SB-ATR/FTIR FFA predictions were related to those determined by the AOCS titrimetric method by linear regression, producing an R value of 0.999 and a SD of +/-0.28% FFA. Time-course spectra collected as lipids extracted into hexane indicated that a 15 min extraction was adequate to obtain a representative sample for FFA determination, with further extraction resulting in little, if any, change in the proportion of FFA in the lipid extract. Only a small volume of the hexane extract ( approximately 20 mL) yielded sufficient material for the SB-ATR/FTIR analysis. Thus, by shortening the extraction time and taking a small sample so as to reduce solvent removal time, the SB-ATR/FTIR procedure provides a very simple and rapid means of determining the FFA content of poultry feed lipids.

Moringa oleifera pods Lamarck (Drumstick or Horseradish) is a multipurpose medium or small size tree from sub-Himalayan regions of north-west India and indigenous to many parts of Asia, Africa, South America, and in the Pacific and Caribbean Islands. Its pods (MOP) have been employed as an inexpensive and effective sorbent for the removal of organics, i.e., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and cumene (BTEC) from aqueous solutions using HPLC method. Effect of different parameters, i.e., sorbent dose 0.05-0.8g, 25cm(-3) agitation time 5-120min, pH 1-10, temperature 283-308K and concentration of sorbate (1.3-13)x10(-3), (1.1-11)x10(-3), (0.9-9)x10(-3), (0.8-8)x10(-3)moldm(-3), on the sorption potential of MOP for BTEC have been investigated. The pore area and average pore diameter of the MOP by BET method using nitrogen as a standard are calculated to be 28.06+/-0.8m(2)g(-1) and 86.2+/-1.3nm respectively. Freundlich, Langumir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) sorption isotherms were employed to evaluate the sorption capacity of MOP. Sorption capacities of BTEC onto MOP have been found to be 46+/-10, 84+/-9, 101+/-4, 106+/-32mmolg(-1) by Freundlich, 8+/-0.1, 9+/-0.1, 10+/-0.3, 9+/-0.1mmolg(-1) by Langumir and 15+/-1, 21+/-1, 23+/-2, 22+/-3mmolg(-1) by D-R isotherms respectively, from BTEC solutions at 303K. While the mean energy of sorption process 9.6+/-0.3, 9.2+/-0.2, 9.3+/-0.3, 9.5+/-0.4kJmol(-1) for BTEC is calculated by D-R isotherm only. Rate constant of BTEC onto MOP 0.033+/-0.003, 0.030+/-0.002, 0.029+/-0.002, 0.027+/-0.002min(-1) at solution concentration of 1.3x10(-3), 1.1x10(-3), 0.9x10(-3) and 0.8x10(-3)moldm(-3) and at 303K have been calculated by employing Lagergren equation. Thermodynamic parameters DeltaH -8+/-0.4, -10+/-0.6, -11+/-0.7, -11+/-0.7kJmol(-1), DeltaS -22+/-2, -26+/-2, -27+/-2, -29+/-3Jmol(-1)K(-1) and DeltaG(303K) -0.9+/-0.2, -1.9+/-0.2, -2.3+/-0.1 and -2.6+/-0.2kJmol(-1) were also estimated for BTEC respectively at temperatures 283-308K. The negative values of DeltaH, DeltaS and DeltaG suggest exothermic, stable (with no structural changes at solid-liquid interface) and spontaneous nature of sorption process under optimized conditions. MOP has been used extensively to accrue and then to preconcentrate benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene in wastewater sample.

Antioxidant activity of bran extracts from five wheat varieties indigenous to Pakistan, i.e. Punjab-96, Bhakkar-2002, Uqab-2000, SH-2002, and Pasban-90, has been evaluated. All the bran extracts exhibited appreciable total phenolic content (2.12–3.37 mg gallic acid equivalent/g bran), total flavonoid content (epicatechin equivalent 262–304 μg/g bran), chelating activity (ethylenediaminetetracetate equivalent 597–716 μg/g bran), 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (51–79%), ABTS radical cation scavenging activity (Trolox equivalent 27–36 μmol/g), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (97–123 μmol/g), and total anthocyanin content (30–38 mg/kg bran). Tocopherol (22–26 ppm) and tocotrienol content (59–74 ppm) were determined by RP-HPLC. For confirmation of tocopherol content, polarographic study was conducted, which further authenticated the results (21–25 ppm). All the varieties exhibited appreciable antioxidant potential and significant differences were observed among the varieties in different systems of antioxidant activity evaluation.

Blends (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% w/w) of Moringa oleifera oil (MOO) with sunflower oil (SFO) and soybean oil (SBO) were prepared to evaluate the changes in fatty acid (FA) composition, oxidative and thermal stability of SFO and SBO. The blending of MOO with SFO and SBO in proportions of 0–80% resulted in the reduction of linoleic acid (C18:2) content of SFO and SBO from 67.0% to 17.2% and 56.2% to 14.6% and increase in the contents of oleic acid (C18:1) from 26.2% to 68.3% and 21.4% to 65.9%, factors of 0.72, 0.72 and 1.27, 1.33, respectively. A storage ability test (180 days; ambient conditions) showed an appreciable improvement in the oxidative stability of substrate oils with increase of MOO concentration, as depicted by the least oxidative alterations in PV, IV and highest increase in induction period, IP, of the MOO:SBO (80: 20 w/w) blend. Each 20% addition of MOO resulted in decreases of PV and IV by factors of 0.84, 0.85 and 0.89, 0.88, respectively, and increases in IP by factors of 1.45 and 1.37 of SFO and SBO, respectively. The heating performance test (180 °C for 42 h; 6 h heating cycle per day), as followed by the measurement of polymer contents and total polar contents (TPC), also revealed the MOO:SBO (80:20 w/w) blend to be the most stable. Every 20% addition of MOO in SFO and SBO resulted in reduction of the polymer contents and TPC of SFO and SBO by factors of 0.91, 0.92 and 0.94, 0.94, respectively. On the basis of the present findings, it appears that proper blending of high linoleic oils with MOO can result in oil blends which could meet nutritional needs with improved stability for domestic cooking and deep-frying.

Sorptive potential of selected agricultural waste materials i.e. rice (Oryza sativa) bran (RB), bagasse fly ash (BFA) of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), Moringa oleifera pods (MOP) and rice husk (RH) for the removal of methyl parathion pesticide (MP) from surface and ground waters has been investigated. Optimization of operating parameters of sorption process, i.e. sorbent dose, agitation time, pH, initial concentration of sorbate, and temperature have been studied. The sorption data fitted to Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) sorption isotherms. The maximum capacities of RB, BFA, MOP and RH for MP were calculated to be 3.6+/-0.8, 5.3+/-1.4, 5.2+/-1.5 and 4.7+/-1.0 mmolg(-1) by Freundlich, 0.39+/-0.009, 0.39+/-0.005, 0.36+/-0.004 and 0.35+/-0.008 mmolg(-1) by Langmuir and 0.9+/-0.08, 1.0+/-0.10, 1.0+/-0.10 and 0.9+/-0.07 mmolg(-1) by D-R isotherms respectively, employing 0.1g of each sorbent, at pH 6, 90 min agitation time and at 303 K. Application of first order Lagergren and Morris-Weber equations to the kinetic data yielded correlation coefficients, close to unity. Thermodynamic parameters of sorption process, i.e. DeltaH, DeltaS and DeltaG were computed and their negative values indicated the exothermic and spontaneous nature of sorption process. The pesticide may be stripped by sonication with methanol, making the regeneration and reutilization of sorbents promising. The sorbents investigated exhibited their potential applications in water decontamination, treatment of industrial and agricultural waste waters.

Efficacy of garlic extract in stabilizing sunflower oil during accelerated storage has been studied. Extracts of garlic were prepared in different solvents; extract yield was in the range of 6.24-23.2% and antioxidant activity range in the linoleic acid system was 14.1-93.2%. Being highest in yield and antioxidant potential, methanolic extract was thermally evaluated by heating the extract at 185 °C for different intervals, i.e. 0-80 min and evaluating antioxidant activity of the heated extract in the linoleic acid system (71.6% inhibition). Methanolic extract of garlic at three different concentrations, i.e. 250 (SFO-250), 500 (SFO-500) and 1000 ppm (SFO-1000) were added to preheated RBD sunflower oil. BHA (SFO-BHA) and BHT (SFO-BHT) at 200 ppm served as standards besides the control. Weight gain (WG), antioxidant activity index (AAI), free fatty acid (FFA) content, peroxide value (PV), conjugated dienes (CD), conjugated trienes (CT) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were taken as parameters for evaluation of effectiveness of garlic in stabilization of sunflower oil. Results from different parameters were in agreement with each other, suggesting the highest efficiency of SFO-1000, followed by SFO-BHT, SFO-BHA, SFO-500, SFO-250 and Ctrl. Results reveal garlic to be a potent antioxidant for stabilization of sunflower oil.

The ability of sawdust (treated and untreated) waste, a waste material derived from the commercial processing of cedrus deodar wood for furniture production, to remove/preconcentrate Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution was determined. Sorption was found to be rapid (approximately 97% within 8 min). The binding of metal ions was found to be pH dependent, optimal sorption accruing at around pH 4-8. Potentiometric titrations of sawdust revealed two distinct pK(a) values, the first having the value similar to carboxylic groups (3.3-4.8) and second comparable with that of amines (8.53-10.2) with the densities 1.99 x 10(-4) and 7.94 x 10(-5), respectively. Retained Cd(II) ions were eluted with 5 ml of 0.1 mol l(-1) HCl. Detection limit of 0.016 microg ml(-1) was achieved with enrichment factors of 120. Recovery was quantitative using sample volume of 600 ml. The Langmuir and D-R isotherm equations were used to describe partitioning behavior for the system at different temperatures. Kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of sawdust for Cd(II) ions removal was also studied.

Four indigenous Desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars grown in the Punjab Province of Pakistan have been analyzed to determine and compare their nutritional and compositional properties and to assess their role in human nutrition. Variability was observed among investigated cultivars in terms of physical characteristics of seeds, such as seed size, seed volume, seed density, hydration capacity, hydration index, swelling capacity and swelling index. Mineral composition showed that sufficient amounts of Ca, P, K, Cu, Zn and Mg were present to meet the macronutrient and micronutrient demand in human diets. Despite variations, potassium and manganese were noted as being present in highest and lowest concentrations, respectively, in all cultivars. The distribution patterns of various amino acids in these cultivars suggested sulfur-containing amino acids as limiting amino acids. Fatty acid profile indicated unsaturated fatty acids as major fatty acids in all cultivars. The levels of some of the anti-nutritional factors were also determined. The analysis showed almost similar proportions of biochemical constituents among all cultivars. The data show that, in terms of both quality and quantity, the Desi chickpea cultivars can serve as a significant source of essential amino acids, essential fatty acids and trace minerals to meet the demand of populations living in Punjab Province of Pakistan.

Plant bioresources are relied upon as natural, inexpensive, and sustainable remedies for the management of several chronic diseases worldwide. Plants have historically been consumed for medicinal purposes based on traditional belief, but this trend is currently changing. The growing interest in the medicinal properties of plant bioresources stems from concerns of side effects and other adverse effects caused by synthetic drugs. This interest has yielded a better understanding of the roles of plant bioactive compounds in health promotion and disease prevention, including the underlying mechanisms involved in such functional effects. The desire to maximize the potential of phytochemicals has led to the development of "rich fractions," in which extracts contain bioactive compounds in addition to elevated levels of the primary compound. Although a rich fraction effectively increases the bioactivity of the extract, the standardization and quality assurance process can be challenging. However, the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) system is a promising green technology in this regard. Future clinical and pharmacological studies are needed to fully elucidate the implications of these preparations in the management of human diseases, thereby fostering a move toward evidence-based medicine.

Molecularly imprinted particles embedded composite cryogel discs specific for alpha-cypermethrin and beta-cypermethrin were prepared. Two different types of imprinted particles were embedded into cryogel to prepare composite cryogels specific for two isomers of cypermethrin simultaneously. Adsorption studies revealed that MIP is extremely selective for alpha-cypermethrin and beta-cypermethrin with outstanding adsorption capacity. A sensitive analytical method comprising MISPE coupled with GC-MS has been developed to quantify trace levels of alpha-cypermethrin and beta-cypermethrin in real water matrices. The polymer showed fast kinetics and follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic model very well (R-2 = 0.9999). It shows excellent capacity towards alpha-cypermethrin and beta-cypermethrin with a higher total number of binding sites (N-t - 96 mu mol g(-1) for alpha-cypermethrin and 95 mu mol g(-1) for beta-cypermethrin). The MIP showed selectivity over the homologues of alpha-cypermethrin and beta-cypermethrin with imprinting factor (IF) 11.2, 10.0, 1.04 and 1.20 for alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cypermethrin, deltamethrin and permethrin, respectively. The developed MISPE method followed by GC-MS enhanced the sensitivity and selectivity of the assay. This method was successfully applied to samples of lake water for the determination of alpha-cypermethrin and beta-cypermethrin simultaneously. Moreover, the synthesized MIP can be easily regenerated and repeatedly used without loss of efficiency.

Bisphenol A (BPA) imprinted poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-N-methacryloyl-L-phenylalanine-vinyl imidazole) [poly(EGDMA-MAPA-VI)] film deposition on a SPR sensor with improved efficiency is described in this paper. The molecularly imprinted SPR sensor was characterized by FTIR-ATR, atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry. A water-compatible molecularly imprinted film has been developed for rapid, sensitive, and label-free detection of BPA in aqueous solutions prepared in Milli Q water, tap water and synthetic wastewater. The real-time response allows the detection of BPA with concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 10 mu g L-1 with LOD and LOQ values of 0.02 and 0.08 mu g L-1 in Milli Q water, 0.06 and 0.2 mu g L-1 in tap water and 0.08 and 0.3 mu g L-1 in synthetic wastewater, respectively. A significant increase in sensitivity was therefore expected due to the use of the imprinted poly(EGDMA-MAPA- VI) thin film. The method showed good recoveries and precision for the samples spiked with BPA. The results suggest that the imprinted SPR sensing method can be used as a promising alternative for the detection of BPA. The sensor data fitted well with the Langmuir adsorption model. The selectivity studies showed that the imprinted cavities formed in the polymeric nanofilm recognize BPA preferentially rather than 4-nitrophenol, hydroquinone, phenol and 8-hydroxy quinoline with a relative selectivity coefficient of 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 and 2.5, respectively. The prepared BPA imprinted SPR sensor enables high sensitivity, label-free detection, real-time monitoring, low volume sample consumption, quantitative evaluation, and determination of kinetic rate constants very well. In addition, the SPR based BPA sensor is easy to use and can be a cost effective solution due to the reusability of the prepared sensor. Furthermore, the storage stability will be higher than antibody-based detection methods.

This study evaluates the milk fatty acid (FA) composition and cholesterol content in two main dairy breeds of Pakistani cows, i.e., Red Sindhi and White Thari ( n = 2 4 for each breed). The cows were housed together and received the same diet. The results show a significant variation ( P 0.0 5 ) in the various FA content of the two breeds. The White Thari cows produce a higher amount ( P 0.0 5 ) of saturated fatty acids (SFA) content (60.58 g/100 g) than the Red Sindhi cows (55.53 g/100). The sum of the mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was lower in Thari breed as compared to Sindhi breed cows (26.81 vs. 30.06 g/100 g and 4.85 vs. 4.96 g/100 g). Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content was found to be higher ( P 0.0 5 ) in Sindhi breed (1.30 g/100 g) than in Thari breed cows (1.09 g/100 g). The difference of the mean cholesterol content between the two breeds was not significant ( P > 0.0 5 ), and was found to be in the range of 10.20–19.68 mg/dl. The present study indicates that the breed of the cow has a pronounced effect on FA composition of milk, and breeding programs could be used to alter the FA composition to a profile, which would be more beneficial for human health.

Antioxidant activity (AA) of methanolic extracts from Moringa oleifera leaves, as function of seasons and agroclimatic locations, was investigated. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ascorbic acid (AAcid) content , reducing power, AA in linoleic acid system and scavenging power of superoxide anion radical were taken as parameters for evaluation of AA. Significant differences were observed in the AA of the extracts from different locations and seasons. Generally, samples from Mardaan exhibited highest AA followed by Balakot, Chakwal, Jamshoro, and Nawabshah. Overall antioxidant efficacy was greater in December or March depending upon location, and least in June. Antioxidant potential of M. oleifera leaves from Pakistan was quite comparable or higher than literature values for M. oleifera from other countries and some other potent antioxidants. This work shows that season and agroclimatic locations have profound effect on the AA of M. oleifera leaves.

Because of increased safety concerns about synthetic antioxidants, exploitation of cheaper and safer sources of antioxidants based on natural origin is the focus of research nowadays. Rhazya stricta is a medicinally important plant native to South Asia. Extraction of antioxidants was carried out in different solvent systems, i.e., water, 80% methanol, 70% ethanol, and diethyl ether. The methanolic extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content among the extracts; therefore for further studies the methanolic extract was employed. Antioxidant activity measurement in the linoleic acid system, metal chelating activity, reducing power, scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical, and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity were taken as the parameters for assessment of antioxidant potential of methanolic extracts. Results were compared with alpha-tocopherol and the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole. The antioxidant potential of methanolic extracts of R. stricta leaves was comparable with previously exploited potent antioxidants and is strongly concentration dependent.

A simple and reliable method has been developed using packing waste material (Styrofoam) containing dithizone as a chelating agent, to concentrate ultratrace amounts of cadmium ions in aqueous solutions. After characterization, the static sorption behavior of Cd(II) ions onto modified sorbent has been investigated. The sorption has been optimized with respect to the pH, shaking speed and contact time between the two phases. Maximum sorption has been achieved from solution of pH 6–8 after 8 min of shaking time. Sorbed metal ions are desorbed with 5 ml of 0.2 M EDTA solution with the preconcentration factor of 40. The kinetics and thermodynamics of sorption are studied in detail. The kinetics follows the first order rate equation with the rate constant k , equal to (3.46 ± 0.17 min −1 ). The variation of equilibrium constant, K c , with temperature between 15 and 40 °C yields values of Δ H = 80.94 ± 4.95 kJmol −1 , Δ S = 290 ± 15.3 JmolK −1 and Δ G is between −3.96 and −10.88 kJmol −1 . The sorption data studied in the concentration range of 8.88 × 10 −7 mol l −1 to 4.44 × 10 −4 mol l −1 Cd(II) ions follows Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms at all temperatures investigated. The monitoring of the influence of diverse ions on the sorption of Cd(II) ions has revealed that only Pb(II) ions suppress the sorption to some extent. The possible sorption mechanism of cadmium(II) ions onto impregnated sorbent is also discussed. The sorption procedure is utilized to preconcentrate cadmium ions prior to their determination in human blood and pipe tobacco samples by atomic absorption spectrometry using direct and standard addition methods.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) based methods for the determination of two anti-diabetic drugs, i.e., metformin HCl and glimepiride in tablet formulation are described. The methods involve the use of carefully prepared KBr discs with standards and samples of metformin HCl and glimepiride. FTIR spectra were acquired in the mid IR region. Extraction and pre concentration procedures were totally avoided. For quantification of metformin HCl, a prominent IR band appearing at fixed location height 3173 cm-1 with two point baseline between 3550-2850 cm-1 and for glimepiride IR band at fixed location height 1708 cm-1 with two point baseline between 1800-1600 cm-1 were selected for Beer's law calibrations. For metformin HCl, calibrations were developed using standards in the range between 0.300 mg to 3.100 mg whereas for glimepiride, calibrations were developed using standards in the range between 0.400 mg to 2.450 mg. Accuracy and reproducibility of proposed methods were evaluated and found to be satisfactory with excellent regression coefficients, acceptable recoveries and low standard deviations. The FTIR methods were successfully applied for the quantification of pharmaceutical tablets formulation containing metformin HCl and glimepiride as active substances and the results were found to be comparable with the quoted values. Métodos baseados em espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR) para a determinação de duas drogas anti-diabetes, i.e., metformina HCl e glimepirida em formulações de comprimidos, são descritos. Os métodos envolvem o uso de discos de KBr, cautelosamente preparados, com padrões e amostras de metformina HCl e glimepirida. Espectros de FTIR foram adquiridos na região de infravermelho média. A extração e pré-concentração foram evitadas. Para a quantificação da metformina HCl, uma banda de IR proeminente, com localização fixa em 3173 cm-1 com dois pontos na linha base, entre 3550-2850 cm-1 e para a glimepirida, uma banda com localização fixa em 1708 cm-1, com dois pontos na linha base, entre 1800-1600 cm-1 foram selecionados para a calibração usando a lei de Beer. Para a metformina HCl, desenvolveu-se calibrações usando padrões na faixa entre 0,300 mg a 3,100 mg, enquanto que para a glimepirida, as calibrações foram desenvolvidas usando padrões na faixa entre 0,400 a 2,450 mg. Precisão e reprodutibilidade dos métodos propostos foram avaliadas e classificadas como satisfatórias com coeficientes de regressão excelentes, recuperação aceitável e baixos desvios do padrão. Os métodos de FTIR foram aplicados com sucesso na quantificação de formulações de fármacos contendo metformina HCl e glimepirida como substâncias ativas e os resultados comparáveis aos valores citados.

A simple and reliable method has been developed using polymeric material containing phthalic acid as a chelating agent to concentrate ultratrace amounts of lead ions in aqueous solutions. After characterization by CHN, IR, and thermal studies, the static and dynamic sorption behavior of Pb(II) ions onto new synthetic resin has been investigated. The sorption has been optimized with respect to pH, shaking speed, and contact time between the two phases. Maximum sorption is achieved from solution of pH 5–8 after 10 min agitation time. The lowest concentration for quantitative recovery is 5.8 ng cm−3 with a preconcentration factor of ∼850. The kinetics of sorption follows the first-order rate equation with the rate constant k = 0.58 ± 0.04 min −1 . The variation of the equilibrium constant K c with temperature between 10 and 50 °C yields values of ΔH, 52.4 ± 1.65 kJ mol −1 , ΔS, 186 ± 5.21 J mol −1 K −1 , and Δ G 303 K , − 4.15 ± 0.002 kJ mol −1 . The sorption data of Pb(II) ions in the concentration range from 2.41 × 10 −6 to 1.44 × 10 −4 mol L −1 follows the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherms at all temperatures investigated. The sorption of Pb(II) ions onto synthesized resin in the presence of common anions and cations has also been measured. The possible sorption mechanism of Pb(II) ions onto phthalic acid modified XAD-16 is also discussed. The sorption procedure is utilized to preconcentrate Pb(II) ions prior to their determination in automobile exhaust particulates by atomic absorption spectrometry using direct and standard addition methods.

The antioxidant activity of five indigenous rice bran varieties, i.e. Rice bran-Super kernel (RB-kr), Rice bran-Super 2000 (RB-s2), Rice bran-Super Basmati (RB-bm), Rice bran-Super-386 (RB-86) and Rice bran-Super fine (RB-sf), collected from the same agricultural plots, was evaluated. The order of antioxidant activity was evaluated by measurement of total phenolic content, antioxidant activity in linoleic acid system, reducing power, metal chelating ability, scavenging capacity by DPPH radical and ABTS cation radical and conjugated dienes. Determination of major antioxidant components reported in rice bran, i.e. tocopherols, tocotrienols and γ-oryzanol, was made using reverse phase HPLC. However, for comparison of tocopherol content, quantification was also done by voltammetry. The overall order of antioxidant activity was RB-kr > RB-s2 > RB-bm > RB-86 > RB-sf. However, according to the chelating activity and conjugated dienes assays the antioxidant efficacy of RB-sf was higher than RB-bm and RB-86. Antioxidant power was correlated with growth period and irrigation water demand by a particular variety. A strong correlation of these two parameters with antioxidant activity was observed. RB-kr has the longest growth period and takes the least amount of water out of the series and exhibits highest antioxidant activity. Strongly reverse behavior was observed in case of RB-sf.

A simple, inexpensive method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) on sawdust from Cedrus deodera has been developed for speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental water samples. Because different exchange capacities were observed for the two forms of chromium at different pH-Cr(III) was selectively retained at pH 3 to 4 whereas Cr(VI) was retained at pH 1-complete separation of the two forms of chromium is possible. Retained species were eluted with 2.5 mL 0.1 mol L(-1) HCl and 0.1 mol L(-1) NaOH. Detection limits of 0.05 and 0.04 microg mL(-1) were achieved for Cr(III) and Cr(VI), respectively, with enrichment factors of 100 and 80. Recovery was quantitative using 250 mL sample volume for Cr(III) and 200 mL for Cr(VI). Different kinetic and thermodynamic properties that affect sorption of the chromium species on the sawdust were also determined. Metal ion concentration was measured as the Cr(VI)-diphenylcarbazide complex by UV-visible spectroscopy. The method was successfully applied for speciation of chromium in environmental and industrial water samples.

Interprovenance variation was examined in the composition of Moringa oleifera oilseeds from Pakistan. The hexane-extracted oil content of M. oleifera seeds harvested in the vicinity of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Punjab, Pakistan), Bahauddin Zakariya University (Multan, Pakistan), and the University of Sindh, Jamshoro (Sindh, Pakistan), ranged from 33.23 to 40.90%. Protein, fiber, moisture, and ash contents were found to be 28.52–34.00, 6.52–7.50, 5.90–7.00, and 6.52–7.50%, respectively. The physical and chemical parameters of the extracted M. oleifera oils were as follows: iodine value, 67.20–71.00; refractive index (40°C), 1.4570–1.4637; density (24°C), 0.9012–0.9052 mg/mL; saponification value, 177.29–184.10; unsaponifiable matter, 0.60–0.83%; color (1-in. cell), 1.00–1.50 R+20.00–30.00Y; smoke point, 198–202°C; and acidity (% as oleic acid), 0.50–0.74. Tocopherols (α, γ, and δ) accounted for 114.50–140.42, 58.05–86.70, and 54.20–75.16 mg/kg, respectively, of the oils. The induction periods (Rancimat, 20 L/h, 120°C) of the crude oils were 9.64–10.66 h and were reduced to 8.29–9.10 h after degumming. Specific extinctions at 232 and 270 nm were 1.80–2.50 and 0.54–1.00, respectively. The major sterol fractions of the oils were campesterol (14.13–17.00%), stigmasterol (15.88–19.00%), β-sitosterol (45.30–53.20%), and 5-avenasterol (8.84, 11.05%). The Moringa oils were found to contain high levels of oleic acid (up to 76.00%), followed by palmitic, stearic, behenic, and arachidic acids up to levels of 6.54, 6.00, 7.00, and 4.00%, respectively. Most of the parameters of M. oleifera oils indigenous to different agroclimatic regions of Pakistan were comparable to those of typical Moringa seed oils reported in the literature. The results of the present analytical study, compared with those for different vegetable oils, showed M. oleifera to be a potentially valuable oilseed crop.

A simple and reliable method has been developed using styrene-divinylbenzene-based polymeric material containing 1-nitroso-2-naphthol as chelating agent, to concentrate ultratrace amounts of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions in aqueous samples. Sorption of both the ions on the new synthetic resin under static and dynamic conditions has been investigated. The sorption has been optimized with respect to pH, shaking and contact time of two phases. Maximum sorption has been achieved from solution of pH 5-8 after 8 min of agitation. Total saturation capacities were 516 ± 2 and 316 ± 2.5 μmol g-1 for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. The lowest concentration for quantitative recovery (98 ± 1%) is 1.33 and 5 ppb with the preconcentration factor of 750 and 200 for Ni(II) and Cu(II), respectively. Monitoring of the influence of diverse ions on the sorption of metal ions has revealed that phosphate, hydrogencarbonate and citrate reduce the sorption to some extent. Under optimum conditions the sorption data followed Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. The kinetics and thermodynamics of sorption are studied in detail. The sorption procedure is utilized to preconcentrate these ions prior to their determination in tea, human hair, and tap water samples by atomic absorption spectrometry using direct and standard addition methods.

The chemical composition of Calligonum polygonoides essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from its fruit and stem was analyzed by GC–MS and reported for first time. Among 48 chemical constituents, 23 and 25 are identified in fruit and stem essential oil of C. polygonoides comprising 97.3% and 92.2% respectively. The major chemical constituents of the fruit oil are (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (40.7%), hexadecanoic acid (38.5%), nonacosane (3.5%), tetradecanoic acid (2.0%), heptacosane (1.7%), hentriacontane (1.7%), dodecanoic acid (1.3%) and pentacosane (1.2%) are the major components in fruit. While the major components of the stem oil are hexadecanoic acid (42.9%), (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (26.9%), dodecanoic acid (5.6%), tetradecanoic acid (3.8%), (R)-massoia lactone (1.7%), nonanoic acid (1.6%) and pentadecanoic acid (1.3%). Thus, the fatty acids are the predominant portions of the oils. Fourteen chemical constituents are common in the essential oil of both fruit and stem of C. polygonoides.

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric method has been devised for the rapid determination of trace metals, found in several vegetable oils and fats. Samples were prepared using an ultrasonically assisted acid-extractive technique. The parameters of the analysis were optimized to improve the recovery of metals from the oil matrixes at an ultra trace level within the least possible time. The use of ultrasonic intensification, followed by centrifugation for phase separation reduced the conventional acid extraction time from 180 to only 10 minutes. The respective range of recovery of iron, copper, nickel and zinc was found to be 94.6-98.0 %, 93.6-100.4 %, 95.0-97.3 % and 96.0-101.2 % in a soybean oil which was fortified with 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 μg/gm of each of the metals using the standard addition method. The ranges of recovery of these metals as investigated by the proposed method were also found in close agreement with those of the wet digestion method. Most of the samples of commercial oils and fats were found to be contaminated with notable amounts of iron and nickel ranging from 0.13-2.48 and 0.027-2.38 ppm respectively. The contents of copper and zinc were also high in many brands, ranging from 0.01-0.15 ppm and zinc 0.03- 0.21 ppm respectively, which poses a threat to oil quality and to human health.Se ha establecido un método analítico rápido mediante espectroscopia de absorción atómica para determinar con rapidez trazas metálicos en algunos aceites y grasas. Las muestras se preparan mediante una técnica extractiva que utiliza ultrasonidos. Los parámetros del análisis han sido optimizados para mejorar la recuperación de metales a niveles de ultra-traza en el menor tiempo posible. El uso de ultrasonidos, seguido por centrifugación para la separación de fases, redujo el tiempo convencional de extracción de 180 a 10 min. Los rangos de recuperación de hierro, cobre, níquel y zinc fueron 94.6-98.0 %, 93.6-100.4 %, 95.0-97.3 % y 96.0-101.2 %, respectivamente, cuando se utilizó un aceite de soja fortificado con 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 μg/gm de cada metal utilizando el método estándar de adición. Los rangos de recuperación de los metales fueron muy similares a los obtenidos mediante el método de digestión húmeda. En la mayor parte de las muestras de aceites y grasas analizadas se encontraron cantidades significativas de hierro y níquel que oscilaron entre 0.13-2.48 ppm y 0.027-2.38 ppm, respectivamente, mientras que los contenidos de cobre y zinc oscilaron entre 0.01-0.15 ppm y 0.03- 0.21 ppm, respectivamente.

This study presents the FA composition and trans FA (TFA) contents of different hydrogenated vegetable oils and blended fats marketed in Pakistan. Thirty-four vanaspati (vegetable ghee), 11 shortenings, and 11 margarines were analyzed. The contents of saturated FA, cis monounsaturated FA, and cis PUFA were in the following ranges: vanaspati 27.8–49.5, 22.2–27.5, 9.3–13.1%; vegetable shortenings 37.1–55.5, 15.8–36.0, 2.7–7.0%; and margarines 44.2–55.8, 21.7–39.9, 2.9–20.5%, respectively. Results showed significantly higher amounts of TFA in vanaspati samples, from 14.2 to 34.3%. Shortenings contained TFA proportions of 7.3–31.7%. The contents of TFA in hard-type margarines were in the range of 1.6–23.1%, whereas soft margarines contained less than 4.1% TFA.

Determination of oxidative stability of different edible oils, fats, and typical fat products was made using the Rancimat method and the active oxygen method. Induction periods (IP) were recorded under controlled conditions at 110, 120, and 130 ± 0.1°C for all products and over a range of 100–160°C for selected fats. A general oil stability evaluation industrial shortenings and vanaspati to be the most stable fats, with IP ranging from 10.00 to 15.47 h. Margarine and butter samples (IP, 4.98–6.04 h) were also found to show fair oxidative stability. Among the extracted and open-market salad-grade cooking oils, rapeseed oil (IP, 4.10 h) and soybean oil (IP, 4.00 h) showed the highest oxidative stability, whereas Salicornia bigelovii oil (IP, 1.40 h) was the least stable. The induction periods of typical fat products ranged from 2.59 to 9.20 h. CV for four determinations were

Capillary GC and HPLC of metal chelates of pentamethylene dithiocarbamate were examined. Copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(III), iron(III), manganese(II) and chromium(III) chelates formed in slightly acidic media (pH 5) were extracted in methyl isobutyl ketone or chloroform. Capillary GC elution and separation was carried out on methylsilicone DB-1 column (25 m x 0.2 mm I.D.) with film thickness 0.25 microm. Electron-capture detection was used. Elution was carried at initial column temperature 200 degrees C with an increment at a rate of 5 degrees C/min up to 250 degrees C and maximum temperature was maintained for 10 min. Symmetrical peaks with baseline separation were obtained with the metal chelates investigated with linear calibration range between 5 and 25 microg/ml for each metal ion and detection limits in the range of 0.5-6.0 microg/ml corresponding to 27-333 pg of metal ion reaching to the detector. HPLC separation was carried out from LiChrosorb ODS, 5 microm column and complexes eluted with methanol-water-1 mM sodium acetate (70:28:2, v/v) with a flow-rate of 1.2 ml/ml. UV detection was at 260 nm. The detection limits obtained were in the range 2-6 microg/ml. The methods were applied to the determination of metal ions in canal water and coal samples with RSD values within 4.15%. The results when compared with a standard flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method and revealed no significant difference.

Capillary GC of metal chelates of diethyl dithiocarbamate (DDTC) was examined on a methylsilicone DB-1 column, (25 meter, 0.2 mm. i.d) with a film thickness of 0.25 μm. Elution was carried out at the initial column temperature of 180°C and programmed at 5°C min−1 to 260°C. Detection was by FID or ECD. Symmetrical peaks with base line separation were obtained with the metal chelates of copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(III), manganese(II) and chromium(III). The ECD gave better sensitivity than the FID with a linear calibration range of 5–50 μg mL−1 and detection limits 2.0–6.0 μg mL−1, corresponding to 111–333 pg of metal ion reaching the detector. The method was applied to the determination of metal ions in water and pharmaceutical preparations with a coefficient of variation (CV) within 4.0%. When compared with a standard flame AAS method the results revealed no significant difference.

A study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in complete poultry feeds (n = 80) and poultry feed ingredients (n = 286) from Pakistan. All samples were first analyzed by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), samples with OTA concentrations above the European Union maximum regulatory limit (MRL, 100 μg/kg) were further confirmed by HPLC-FLD. Contamination frequency and mean OTA levels were 31 % and 51 μg/kg in feed ingredients, and the corresponding values for complete feeds were 38 % and 75 μg/kg. Ten samples of complete poultry feed and 19 samples of feed ingredients contained OTA at levels higher than the MRL. The results of the present study indicate that there is a strong need for a more intense monitoring programs for OTA in poultry feed.

Two hundred and fifteen broiler poultry feed samples were analysed over the time period of one year for the co-occurrence of aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol (DON). These were determined by GC–MS and ELISA, respectively. LOD values for aflatoxins and DON were 0.5 and 5 µg/kg, respectively. From all investigated 215 poultry feed samples, aflatoxins and DON co-occurred in 100 samples (46%). DON was detected in 114 samples while 100 samples also were positive for aflatoxins. Mean concentrations of positive samples for aflatoxins and DON were 18 and 807 µg/kg, respectively. Twenty-one DON-positive and 42 aflatoxin positive samples were contaminated above the EU maximum legal limits of 1000 µg/kg and 20 µg/kg, respectively. The present study provided useful data on aflatoxin and DON contamination, which may be helpful for future strategies to control contamination and to formulate standards in poultry feeds.

A transmission FTIR spectroscopic method was developed for direct, inexpensive and fast quantification of paracetamol content in solid pharmaceutical formulations. In this method paracetamol content is directly analyzed without solvent extraction. KBr pellets were formulated for the acquisition of FTIR spectra in transmission mode. Two chemometric models: simple Beer's law and partial least squares employed over the spectral region of 1800-1000 cm(-1) for quantification of paracetamol content had a regression coefficient of (R(2)) of 0.999. The limits of detection and quantification using FTIR spectroscopy were 0.005 mg g(-(1) and 0.018 mg g(-1), respectively. Study for interference was also done to check effect of the excipients. There was no significant interference from the sample matrix. The results obviously showed the sensitivity of transmission FTIR spectroscopic method for pharmaceutical analysis. This method is green in the sense that it does not require large volumes of hazardous solvents or long run times and avoids prior sample preparation.

The genus Abies family Pinaceae consists of 51 species ranged mainly in temperate and boreal regions of the northern hemisphere, chiefly in mountainous regions [1]. The literature data on phytochemical and biological investigations of the genus of Abies revealed that up to now, 277 compounds were isolated from 19 plants of Abies species. The chemical constituents are mostly terpenoids, flavonoids, and lignans, together with minor constituents of phenols, steroids, and others. The crude extracts and metabolites have been found to possess various bioactivities, including insect juvenile hormone, antitumor, antimicrobial, antiulcerogenic, antiinflammatory, antihypertensive, antitussive, and CNS (central nervous system) activities [2]. Abies pindrow Royle, commonly known as west Himalayan fir, is a large evergreen tree growing up to 40–60 m tall with a trunk diameter of up to 2–2.5 m. It has a conical crown with level branches. In Pakistan, Abies pindrow Royle, known as partal or palundar, is widely distributed at elevations between 2000 and 3000 m throughout the western Himalayas from Afghanistan to Nepal [3]. Pindrow species of Abies is regarded as carminative, stomachic, astringent, expectorant, tonic, antispasmodic, and antiperiodic [4]. Phytochemical studies of the species resulted in the isolation of glucopyranoside, hydroxyflavanone, chalcone glycoside, bioflavonoids, flavonoids and pindrolactone [5], and pentacyclic triterpenoids [6]. Different extracts from the leaves of Abies pindrow Royle exhibited anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hypnotic activities in rats, attenuated swim stress in mice, and produced hypotension in dogs. Abies pindrow Royle leaves also have an antiulcerogenic effect on the cold-restrained gastric ulcer model in rats [5]. A review of the literature revealed that no hydrocarbons have yet been reported from Abies pindrow Royle. We have previously reported the fatty acid composition of the ethanol extract of the leaves of Abies pindrow Royle. A total of 11 fatty acids, including eight saturated and three unsaturated, was characterized [4]. The present investigation of aerial part (leaves) of Abies pindrow Royle describes the occurrence of long chain hydrocarbons. The presence of these hydrocarbons is detected by GC-MS and supported by FTIR. A careful look at the fragmentation pattern in the mass spectral data reveals the presence of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons have been reported for the first time from Abies pindrow Royle. The GC-MS of the hexane fraction revealed the presence of tricosane, eicosane, heneicosane, docosane, tetracosane, nonadecane, octadecane, 1-docosene, 1-octadecene, heptadecane, and 2,6,10,14-tetramethylhexadecane. The identity of these common hydrocarbons was made by comparison of these peaks with the standards by gas chromatography and confirmed by comparison of the fragmentation pattern with those of standard mass spectrum. FTIR analysis supported the structures of these hydrocarbons. The FTIR spectrum exhibits the diagnostic peaks relating to C-H stretching at 2956 cm–1, 2923 cm–1, and 2852 cm–1, C-H bending (scissoring) at 1465 cm–1, C-H methyl rocking at 1378 cm–1, and long-chain methyl rocking at 722.9 cm–1. These peaks verify the required data regarding the hydrocarbons. The GC-MS study of major peaks revealed the presence of straight-chain saturated hydrocarbons. It showed the presence of 11 compounds. The GC-MS pattern showed 11 major peaks along with small peaks. All major peaks were detected as hydrocarbons by GC-MS at different retention times.

In this study, core-shell molecularly imprinted polymer selective for endosulfan I and II was prepared by copolymerization of Fe3O4@SiO2-methacrylamide composites and N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide. The synthesized polymer was thoroughly characterized by FT-IR, TGA, and SEM. The adsorption properties of the MIP and NIP were demonstrated by equilibrium rebinding experiments, pseudo-second-order kinetic model, LF-isotherm and Scatchard analysis. The competitive recognition studies were performed with endosulfan I and II and structurally similar compounds: aldrin, dieldrin and heptachlor. The imprinting factors (IF) of endosulfan I and II were found to be 10.1 and 9.1, respectively, which were much higher than the imprinting factors (IF) of other cyclodienes. The imprinted polymer was then coated on stainless steel wire to develop an easy and simple laboratory made solid phase microextraction device for selective extraction of endosulfan I and II from water samples of environmental importance. Also the main parameters influencing coating of fiber and microextraction procedure were investigated and optimized using Plackett-Burman and Central Composite designs. The developed method was thoroughly validated for its linearity, selectivity, precision and accuracy. The developed MISPME method's linearity ranged from 7 to 5×10(3)ngl(-1) (R(2)=0.999) and from 10 to 5×10(3)ngl(-1) (R(2)=0.999) for endosulfan I and II, respectively. The limits of detection for endosulfan I and II were found to be 2ngl(-1) and 3ngl(-1), respectively. However, the limits of quantification for endosulfan I and II were 7ngl(-1) and 10ngl(-1), respectively.

The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and oxidative stability index (OSI) techniques were applied for evaluating the oxidative stability of Bauhinia purpurea, rice bran and cotton seed oil. The DSC cell temperature was adjusted at four isothermal temperatures (110, 120, 130, and 140 °C) and oxidative DSC curves were obtained under oxygen flow rate of 50 ml/min. During the oxidation reaction the increase of heat was observed with sharp exothermic curve. T0 was the oxidative induction time determined by the downward extrapolated DSC oxidative curve to time axis. The oxidation times (T0) acquired from each oil demonstrated a good correlation, r > 0.99, with the oxidative stability measured by Rancimat method. DSC method is concluded to be useful by consuming shorter time with lesser amount of sample.

A capillary gas chromatographic method is described for the determination of cisplatin based on the complexation of platinum(II) with bis(isovalerylacetone) ethylenediimine (H2IVA2en) and extraction in chloroform. The chromatography was carried out on a BP1 or a BP5 column with an FID. Copper(II), nickel (II) and palladium(II) separated completely and did not affect the determination of platinum(II). The method was applied of the determination of cisplatin in a pharmaceutical preparation and blood samples of cancer patients after infusion of cisplatin. The amounts of cisplatin in blood were found to be within 246–283 ng mL−1 with a C.V. of 2.35–4.26%.

The separation of oxovanadium(IV) complexes of four tetradentate ligands, bis(trifluoroacetylacetone)ethylenediimine (H 2 F 3 AA 2 en), bis(trifluoroacetylacetone)propylenediimine (H 2 F 3 AA 2 S), bis(trifluoroacetylacetone)- dl -stilbenediimine ( dl -H 2 F 3 AA 2 S) and bis(trifluoroacetylacetone)- meso -stilbenediimine ( meso -H 2 F 3 AA 2 S) from their copper(II), nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes was obtained on a BP-1 column (12 m×0.22 mm I.D.) with a film thickness of 0.25 μm. Each of the complexes gave a single peak, except oxovanadium complexes of H 2 F 3 AA 2 Pn and meso -H 2 F 3 AA 2 S, which gave two peaks, due to the separation of their diastereoisomers. Solvent extraction procedures have been developed for the determination of vanadium. The reagent dl -H 2 F 3 AA 2 S was used to determine vanadium in crude petroleum oils from lower Indus basin oil fields.

Cellulose acetate (CA) is well known glassy polymer used in the fabrication of gas-separation membranes. In this study, 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(N-morpholinomethyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (CL) was blended with CA to study the gas-permeation behavior for CO2, N2, and CH4 gases. We prepared the pure CA and CA/CL blended membranes by following a diffusion-induced phase-separation method. Three different concentrations of CL (3, 10, and 30 wt %) were selected for membrane preparation. The CA/CL blended membranes were then characterized via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction analysis. The homogeneous blending of CL and CA was confirmed in the CA/CL blended membranes by both SEM and AFM analysis. In addition to this, the surface roughness of the CA/CL blended membranes also increased with increasing CL concentration. FTIR analysis described the structural modification in the CA polymer after it was blended with CL too. Furthermore, CL improved the tensile strength of the CA membrane appreciably from 0.160 to 1.28 MPa, but this trend was not linear with the increase in the CL concentration. CO2, CH4, and N2 gases were used for gas-permeation experiments at 4 bars. With the permeation experiments, we concluded that permeability of N2 was higher in comparison to those of CO2 and CH4 through the CA/CL blended membranes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 39985.

The role of seawater dilution, along with other water-quality components, has been studied to determine the causes of spatial distribution of high fluoride concentrations in the groundwater of the Diplo sub-district, Thar Desert, Pakistan. Fluoride ion concentration ranges of up to 7.60 mg/L were discovered, with mean and median values of 1.66 and 1.34 mg/L, respectively. Estimates based on the total dissolved solid (TDS) ratio show the impact of seawater intrusion at a percentage of around 8.05% in the groundwater. The major ion chemistry of water in the central diamond shape of the Piper diagram precisely demarcates the phenomenon of the intrusion of seawater into the study area. The plots of Na+K vs. Ca+Mg (meq/L) and log C1 (mg/L) vs. log Ca+Mg/Na+K (meq/L) indicate a mixing of freshwater with seawater. The molar Na/Na+Cl and Ca/Ca+SO4 ratios of the groundwater, and correlation matrices of major ion chemistry, also show a blending of groundwater with seawater. Mutual relationships among Li+, Sr2+, and C1- ions further substantiate the marked influence of the marine environment on the groundwater in the study area.

Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult. seed essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) and dry steam distillation (SD) extracting methods and analyzed by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). Twenty and eighteen components representing 90.5% and 95.6% of the seed essential oil were identified, using hydrodistillation and dry steam distillation, respectively. The major constituent identified from seed essential oil obtained by HD were heptacosane (25.4%), 3-allyl-6-methoxyphenol (14.1%), pentacosane (12.1%), 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentade-canone (7.9%), nonacosane (7.1%), tricosane (3.6%), α-farnesene (3.5%), dodecanal (2.7%) and octacosane (2.1%). Whereas the major constituent identified from seed essential oil obtained by SD were heptacosane (41.4%), pentacosane (21.2%), nonacosane (14.8%), tricosane (6.3%), octacosane (4.2%) and tetracosane (3.0%).

Nickel(II) chelates of four tetradentate Schiff bases, bis(acetylacetone)ethylenediimine (H2AA2en), bis-(acetylacetone)propylenediimine (H2AA2pn), bis(acetylacetone)-dl-stilbenediimine (dl-H2AA2S) and bis(acetylacetone)-meso-stilbenediimine (meso-H2AA2S), were examined as stationary phases for gas chromatography. The complexes were coated with 3% OV-101 in the range 3–5%. The phases were packed in stainless-steel columns (3 m × 3 mm I.D.) and were examined for the separation of saturated aromatic hydrocarbons, heteroaromatic aldehydes, ketones, amines and alcohols. Kovats retention indices of alsohols, aldehydes and ketones increased with improvement in the separation when using mixed stationary phases, particularly 3% OV-101-5% dl-AA2SNi compared with 3% OV-101.

Diet is an important variable in the course of type 2 diabetes, which has generated interest in dietary options like germinated brown rice (GBR) for effective management of the disease among rice-consuming populations.In vitrodata and animal experiments show that GBR has potentials as a functional diet for managing this disease, and short-term clinical studies indicate encouraging results. Mechanisms for antidiabetic effects of GBR due to bioactive compounds likeγ-aminobutyric acid (GABA),γ-oryzanol, dietary fibre, phenolics, vitamins, acylated sterylβ-glucoside, and minerals include antihyperglycemia, low insulin index, antioxidative effect, antithrombosis, antihypertensive effect, hypocholesterolemia, and neuroprotective effects. The evidence so far suggests that there may be enormous benefits for diabetics in rice-consuming populations if white rice is replaced with GBR. However, long-term clinical studies are still needed to verify these findings on antidiabetic effects of GBR. Thus, we present a review on the antidiabetic properties of GBR from relevant preclinical and clinical studies, in order to provide detailed information on this subject for researchers to review the potential of GBR in combating this disease.

The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) selective for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) an environmental endocrine disruptor was prepared by suspension polymerization using methacrylamide as functional monomer and N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide as cross-linker. The imprinted polymer was employed for solid-phase extraction of DEHP from water samples of environmental importance and characterized by FT-IR and SEM. The adsorption properties of the imprinted polymer were demonstrated by equilibrium rebinding experiments, Pseudo-second-order kinetic model, Sips isotherm and Scatchard analysis. The reusability of MIP was checked for at least six repeated batch adsorption cycles and the results showed almost no deterioration in the adsorption capacity. The competitive recognition studies were performed with DEHP and structurally similar compounds; dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). The imprinting factor (IF) of DEHP was found to be 12.86 which was much higher than the imprinting factors (IF) of other phthalates. A method constituted by molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) with GC-FID was developed for DEHP analysis in water samples under very simple conditions. Sample loading and desorption conditions were also optimized. The MISPE method's linearity ranged from 0.035 to 3.0 μg ml⁻¹ with r² = 0.9998. Intra-assay, interassay precision and accuracy ranged from 0.0168% to 1.017%, 1.130% to 4.799% and 94.98% to 99.35%, respectively. The LOD and LOQ were found to be 0.011 and 0.035 μg ml⁻¹, respectively. Synthesized MIP was employed in MISPE for cleaning up the spiked river water samples prior to gas chromatographic analysis. The river samples were found to contain DEHP in the range of 1.4 × 10⁻³ to 0.349 μg ml⁻¹.

The purpose of this study was to develop a rapid, simple and sensitive quantitation method for pseudoephedrine (PSE), paracetamol (PAR) and loratadine (LOR) in plasma and pharmaceuticals using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with a monolithic column. Separation was achieved using a gradient composition of methanol-0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1. Mass spectral transitions were recorded in SRM mode. System validation was evaluated for precision, specificity and linearity. Limit of detection for pseudoephedrine, paracetamol, and loratadine were determined to be 3.14, 1.86 and 1.44 ng mL-1, respectively, allowing easy determination in plasma with % recovery of 93.12 to 101.56%.