Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ilker Simsek, Ozgur Kuzukiran, Begum Yurdakok-Dikmen, Ufuk Tansel Sireli, Mehmet Beykaya, Ayhan Filazi
Summary: Honeybees are exposed to various anthropogenic environmental pollutants which can be transferred to their products. This study investigated residues of pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, and PAHs in honey and propolis, finding that a significant percentage of samples were not suitable for human consumption due to contamination, with propolis more contaminated than honey samples.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
V Boutet, M. Dominique, K. M. Eccles, M. Branigan, M. Dyck, P. van Coeverden de Groot, S. C. Lougheed, A. Rutter, V. S. Langlois
Summary: Since the industrial era, chemicals have become prevalent in ecosystems worldwide, resulting in the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Canadian Arctic. These contaminants are a major concern due to their toxicity and ability to accumulate in the food chain, particularly affecting top predators like polar bears. A study investigating the levels of various contaminants in polar bears from the Canadian Arctic confirmed previous findings and emphasized the need for continued monitoring of polar bear health and potential impacts on future generations.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Angeliki C. Charalampous, Chris I. Anagnostopoulos, Michael A. Koupparis
Summary: A new method using GC-SQ-MS system was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of PAHs and NDL-PCBs in fish and fish products. Different solvents and sorbents were studied for efficient extraction and clean up of samples. The method was statistically validated and used for analyzing fish products from the Greek retail market, with none of the samples exceeding the maximum limits set by EU regulations.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Artur Ciemniak, Agata Witczak, Kamila Pokorska-Niewiada
Summary: This study aimed to compare methods for determining PAHs and PCBs in order to simultaneously analyze these compounds from one solvent extract. Dried fruits were used to analyze the content of 15 PCB congeners and 16 PAHs, using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Specific extraction and cleanup procedures were used for separate determination of PAHs and PCBs in each fruit sample. Two methods allowing simultaneous analysis of PAHs and PCBs in one solvent extract were also tested. However, the integrated methods did not provide sufficient extract cleanup, resulting in significantly different results compared to proven determination methods for PAHs and PCBs.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Snezana Strbac, Milica Kasanin-Grubin, Natasa Stojic, Lato Pezo, Biljana Loncar, Roberto Tognetti, Mira Pucarevic
Summary: This study investigated the level and distribution of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in mountain beech forests. The results provide important information for the formulation of environmental protection measures for beech forests.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiangtao Jiang, Niki Conner, Kaijun Lu, Jace W. Tunnell, Zhanfei Liu
Summary: Nurdles, also known as plastic resin pellets, are a major source of plastic pollution on beaches globally. This study collected nurdles from 24 sites in the coastal bend region of south Texas and investigated their morphologies and associated pollutants. The results showed variations in color, shape, polymer composition, and oxidation degree of the nurdles. PAHs and mercury were detected on nurdles at some sampling sites, indicating potential risks of pollutant exposure to marine organisms in ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
David Quiralte, Inmaculada Zarzo, Maria-Angeles Fernandez-Zamudio, Hector Barco, Jose M. Soriano
Summary: Humans' use of land for agriculture and housing has led to loss of natural habitat and a decline in species, including wild bees. The decrease in wild bees has negative consequences for agriculture and ecosystems, although farming sometimes reduces land abandonment. Meanwhile, urban beekeeping has become a trend and the consumption of honey from urban environments is increasing.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiangtao Jiang, Kaijun Lu, Jace W. Tunnell, Zhanfei Liu
Summary: Nurdles, pre-production plastic pellets, are a significant source of plastic pollution in marine environments, primarily made of polyethylene and polypropylene with sorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Heavily weathered nurdles tend to have higher concentrations of organic pollutants, and the bioaccessibility of PAHs is higher in lightly weathered nurdles compared to heavily weathered ones. This study provides valuable insights for toxicity assessment and resource management of plastic debris in coastal environments.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Luana Schmidt, Osmar Damian Prestes, Paula Rossini Augusti, Jose Claudio Fonseca Moreira
Summary: Olive oil and olive pomace, as main components of the Mediterranean diet, contain phenolic compounds that contribute to various health benefits. These compounds, such as oleuropein, tyrosol, and hydroxytyrosol, are believed to prevent and control diseases like cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, olives and their products can be contaminated by mycotoxins, pesticide residues, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Phenolic compounds in olive oil and pomace can reduce the toxicity of these contaminants, but the pollutants may also affect the beneficial properties of these products. Further studies are needed to understand the interactions between bioactive and toxic compounds in olive oil and pomace for a better understanding of their health benefits.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Robert Ramo, Stefano Bonaglia, Inna Nybom, Anne Kreutzer, Gesine Witt, Anna Sobek, Jonas S. Gunnarsson
Summary: A study compared the remediation efficiency of powdered activated carbon (PAC) and granular activated carbon (GAC) in thin-layer capping for organic contaminants. It was found that PAC performed better, although the use of PAC may have adverse effects on benthic community and non-target areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mozhdeh Alipour, Hossein Asadi, Chengrong Chen, Ali Asghar Besalatpour
Summary: The use of biochar and hydrochar as organic soil fertilizers is increasing in popularity, but little research has been done on the removal of organic pollutants. This study found that pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization are promising methods for removing organic pollutants from sludges, particularly with pyrolysis at high temperatures leading to complete removal of the pollutants.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xixi Cai, Xiaoshan Luo, Yong Yuan, Jibing Li, Zhen Yu, Shungui Zhou
Summary: This study constructed a BES system with biochar amendment to enhance the degradation of organic pollutants by extending the electron transfer distance in soils. The results demonstrated that biochar enhanced the degradation efficiency of PHE and BP in the SBES, indicating the potential of biochar in promoting long-distance electron transfer and forming conductive networks in soils.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jaroslav Mosko, Michael Pohorely, Tomas Cajthaml, Michal Jeremias, Ana A. Robles-Aguilar, Siarhei Skoblia, Zdenek Beno, Petra Innemanova, Lucie Linhartova, Klara Michalikova, Erik Meers
Summary: The study focused on using slow pyrolysis to treat organic pollutants in stabilized sewage sludge, finding that temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius effectively removed the majority of organic pollutants. It was proposed that high temperature (>600 degrees Celsius) slow pyrolysis can satisfactorily remove organic pollutants from resulting sludge-char, making it a safe soil improver.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mengke Cui, Shiliang Xu, Wenqing Song, Huibin Ye, Jialiang Huang, Binhan Liu, Bin Dong, Zuxin Xu
Summary: This study investigated the pollution status and potential ecological risk of trace metals, PAHs, and PCBs in surface sediments of Sanya River in China. The results showed that the sediments had minimal pollution and low ecological risk for trace metals. The detected pollution of PAHs and PCBs may not have significant adverse effects on the ecological environment in the foreseeable future. The overall quality of surface sediments in Sanya River does not appear to pose a serious pollution and ecological risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guilherme R. Lotufo, Mandy M. Michalsen, Danny D. Reible, Philip M. Gschwend, Upal Ghosh, Alan J. Kennedy, Kristen M. Kerns, Magdalena Rakowska, Adesewa Odetayo, John K. MacFarlane, Songjing Yan, Mandar Bokare
Summary: The study evaluated the precision and accuracy of multilaboratory measurements for determining freely dissolved concentrations of PAHs and PCBs in sediment porewater, using polymeric samplers. The results showed high precision and low variability between laboratories, indicating the method's reliability and potential for increased regulatory acceptance.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Radzimierska-Kazmierczak, Krzysztof Smigielski, Magdalena Sikora, Adriana Nowak, Aleksandra Plucinska, Alina Kunicka-Styczynska, Karolina H. Czarnecka-Chrebelska
Summary: Ozonation of olive oil can enhance its properties for cosmetic applications, showing improved biological activity and longer shelf life for emulsions. The ozonated olive oil displays interesting aroma, enhanced antimicrobial activity, and lack of cytotoxicity, making it a promising raw material for cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malgorzata Zaklos-Szyda, Nina Pietrzyk, Agnieszka Kowalska-Baron, Adriana Nowak, Katarzyna Chalaskiewicz, Marcin Ratajewski, Grazyna Budryn, Maria Koziolkiewicz
Summary: The chronic consumption of large amounts of fructose in food has been linked to hypertension and disturbances in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, leading to obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. The absorption of fructose by small intestine cells and hepatocytes is mediated by proteins such as GLUT5. Extracts from plants like B. juncea and M. chamomilla have been shown to reduce fructose uptake and downregulate GLUT5 expression, potentially through the inhibition of transcription factors TXNIP and ChREBP.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Justyna Szulc, Malgorzata Okrasa, Katarzyna Majchrzycka, Michael Sulyok, Adriana Nowak, Bogumila Szponar, Anna Gorczynska, Malgorzata Ryngajllo, Beata Gutarowska
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of microbiological and toxicological hazards at workstations in a waste sorting plant and developed guidelines for selecting filtering respiratory protective devices. The research revealed high microbial contamination in the facility, with potentially hazardous microorganisms and metabolites present. A flowchart for selecting respiratory protective devices based on completed tests was proposed to help determine the appropriate equipment for workers in such environments.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Malgorzata Okrasa, Milena Leszczynska, Kamila Salasinska, Leonard Szczepkowski, Pawel Kozikowski, Adriana Nowak, Justyna Szulc, Agnieszka Adamus-Wlodarczyk, Michal Gloc, Katarzyna Majchrzycka, Joanna Ryszkowska
Summary: This study aims to develop viscoelastic polyurethane foams for better fit and comfort in respiratory protective devices (RPDs). Various tests and analyses were conducted to determine the direction for improving foam properties.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Justyna Szulc, Malgorzata Okrasa, Adriana Nowak, Joanna Niziol, Tomasz Ruman, Slawomir Kuberski
Summary: This study assessed the hazards at an illegal landfill in central Poland, finding high levels of bacteria and fungi, some of which pose potential risks to human health. Additionally, various harmful compounds were detected in the soil and leachate samples, indicating the emission of particulate matter, microorganisms, and cyto/genotoxic compounds from the landfill.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Adriana Nowak, Malgorzata Zaklos-Szyda, Justyna Rosicka-Kaczmarek, Ilona Motyl
Summary: Probiotics and their metabolites have inhibitory effects on intestinal cancer cells, which are important for human health. This study identified two strains that can inhibit cancer cell proliferation through oxidative stress induction and programmed cell death.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Przemyslaw Liczbinski, Sebastian Borowski, Adriana Nowak
Summary: In this study, a bacterium (Coprothermobacter sp.) was isolated from the anaerobic digestion product of grass after hyperthermophilic pretreatment. The isolated bacterium was then used for digestion experiments on fresh grass and pretreated grass. The results showed that the addition of pretreated grass resulted in the highest methane yield at 55 degrees C, while fresh grass subjected to thermophilic digestion had a lower methane yield. The addition of bacteria improved the efficiency of hydrogen and methane production in both fresh grass and grass after pretreatment.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lili Fu, Adriana Nowak, Hongfei Zhao, Bolin Zhang
Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the microbial communities of sourdoughs from Xinjiang and Gansu regions in China and the quality of steamed bread. The study found that sourdough-based steamed bread was superior to yeast-based steamed bread in terms of its hardness, adhesiveness, flexibility, and chewiness. Significant differences in volatile flavor substances were observed between the two sourdoughs. The microbial communities and dominant strains in the sourdoughs varied between the Gansu and Xinjiang regions, leading to differences in the quality of the sourdoughs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agnieszka Maher, Adriana Nowak
Summary: This paper discusses the factors influencing common contaminants in bread and provides a detailed characterization of the most frequently occurring contaminants in each group. The safe ranges of human exposure to bread contaminants have also been analyzed.
Article
Agronomy
Aleksandra Leska, Adriana Nowak, Ilona Motyl
Summary: This study aimed to isolate and characterize LAB for the potential construction of a protective preparation for honeybees. The analysis of the isolated bacterial strains revealed some strains that may contribute to improving honeybee health.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Sykula, Adriana Nowak, Eugenio Garribba, Aliaksandr Dzeikala, Magdalena Rowinska-Zyrek, Justyna Czerwinska, Waldemar Maniukiewicz, Elzbieta Lodyga-Chruscinska
Summary: The three Schiff base ligands derived from hesperetin and their copper complexes were studied and characterized by various spectroscopic methods. The genotoxic activity of the compounds was tested on cancer cell lines and normal cell lines. The results showed that the ligands acted as neutral tridentate ligands in the acetate complexes, and the copper complexes displayed lower genotoxicity compared to the ligands in HeLa cells. In Caco-2 cells, HHSB and HTSC induced the most DNA damage, while CuHHSB and CuHTSC induced the highest DNA damage in LLC-PK1 cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dominik Grzeda, Grzegorz Wegrzyk, Adriana Nowak, Gabriela Komorowska, Leonard Szczepkowski, Joanna Ryszkowska
Summary: Components used in manufacturing polyurethane foams can be harmful to the human body, especially with prolonged contact. Studies on the effects of the product are often overlooked when the foam is not placed directly into the body. The increasing prevalence of skin atopy calls for more attention to be given to the effects on human skin. This paper examines the influence of different catalytic systems on the cytotoxic and thermomechanical properties of polyurethane foams. The results of biocompatibility tests with skin cells varied, with VAB 2 using a catalytic system of commercial Diethanolamine and Addocat((R))105 performing the best, but with worsened mechanical properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Dominik Grzeda, Grzegorz Wegrzyk, Adriana Nowak, Joanna Idaszek, Leonard Szczepkowski, Joanna Ryszkowska
Summary: In this study, the cytotoxic properties of a group of open-cell polyurethane foams were investigated as a function of the isocyanate index. The results showed that the isocyanate index significantly influenced the chemical structure and cytotoxicity of the foams. These findings have important implications for the design and use of polyurethane foams in biomedical applications, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the isocyanate index to ensure biocompatibility.