DEMS

The removal of heavy metals from drinking water, lake and waste water is crucial issue concern to health. The brake fern, Pteris vittata, is claimed to be the first found to function as an arsenic hyper accumulator. Phytoremediation by water hyacinth presents a potential solution to the arsenic problem. In the present study three plants (Calotropis procera, Eichhoenia crassipes and Pteris vittata) biomasses are selected and there arial parts and roots (dry biomasses) are compared for the first time. Also these plants are checked for the presence of other metals. After the removal of metal the treated water is then checked for the drinking water parameters. It was found that roots of Calotropis procera are best of biomasses selected for the phytoremediation of arsenic. The capacity of removal of Calotropis roots was also determined. After treatment water samples meet all EPA standards for drinking water.

Bisphenol A is constantly discharged at trace levels in food packed in metal cans with PVC lining. This represents a cause for concern because of potential effects of bisphenol A to human health. In this paper, the authors compiled data on the methods used for analysis of bisphenol A in canned food published in the last ten years.

Chromium is present in different types of industrial effluents, being responsible for environmental pollution. Traditionally, the chromium removal is made by chemical precipitation. However, this method is not completely feasible to reduce the chromium concentration to levels as low as required by environmental legislation. Biosorption is a process in which solids of natural origin are employed for binding heavy metals. It is a promising alternative method to treat industrial effluents, mainly because of its low cost and high metal binding capacity. The aim of the present study is to utilize the locally available wild plant material for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater. The wastewater containing trivalent chromium was treated with biomass prepared from roots of Calotropis procera. These studies were carried out in order to determine some operational parameters of chromium sorption such as the time required for the metal-biosorbent equilibrium, the effects of change in biomass quantity and pH. It was found that a time of 50 min is sufficient enough to attain equilibrium. The optimum pH was found to be 4 for chromium. The biosorption data was well fitted to Langmuir and freundlich adsorption model. It is concluded that adsorbent prepared from Calotropis procera roots can be used for treatment of heavy metals in waste waters.

Chromium is present in different types of industrial effluents, being responsible for environmental pollution. Traditionally, the chromium removal is made by chemical precipitation. However, this method is not completely feasible to reduce the chromium concentration to levels as low as required by environmental legislation. Biosorption is a process in which solids of natural origin are employed for binding heavy metals. It is a promising alternative method to treat industrial effluents, mainly because of its low cost and high metal binding capacity. The aim of the present study is to utilize the locally available wild plant material for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater. The wastewater containing trivalent chromium was treated with biomass prepared from roots of Calotropis procera. These studies were carried out in order to determine some operational parameters of chromium sorption such as the time required for the metal-biosorbent equilibrium, the effects of change in biomass quantity and pH. It was found that a time of 50 min is sufficient enough to attain equilibrium. The optimum pH was found to be 4 for chromium. The biosorption data was well fitted to Langmuir and freundlich adsorption model. It is concluded that adsorbent prepared from Calotropis procera roots can be used for treatment of heavy metals in waste waters.

Potatoes are rich in antioxidants including flavonoids but different types of processing may lead to the loss of flavonoid content. Study provides data on the effect of various cooking methods on the contents of major flavonoids in potato. Different potato samples selected for the study were collected from the local markets on 21-7-10. Six flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin myricetin, kaempferol, rhamnetin and isorhamnetin) were used as standards. Analysis was carried out on HPLC in acidified 50% Water: Acetonotrile system at 30 0 c and 254 nm. Flavonoids were analyzed in fresh samples (41.6-47.2 mg\kg) and their products in market (11.1-11.4 mg\kg). These potato samples were then processed under different conditions and their flavonoid content were analyzed. Conventional and deep frying led to (24.2-34.6%) and (73-74%) loss of flavonoids respectively. Microwaving led to the maximum loss of flavonoids (89-92.3%). We should avoid microwave and deep frying of potatoes so as to retain their flavonoid value.

Flavonoids are compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and certain beverages that have diverse beneficial biochemical and antioxidant effects. Six fruits were selected for the study. These fruits were purchased from the local market in Jan 2009. Flavonol contents were analyzed using reversed-phase HPLC using acidified acetonitrile (50%) as mobile phase. A comparative study of amounts of flavonols present in different fruit peels was carried out. The purpose of this study was to analyze the better extraction condition for the utilization of fruit peels as new source of flavonols. The overall comparison was also made between three types of extractive solvents. The best solvent for the extraction of flvonols from the fruit peels under study was aqueous methanol (80:20).

Arsenic is a carcinogen and a potential health hazard known to produce skin, bladder, and lung cancers. A very large segment of the population living in and around Lahore and other cities of the Punjab in Pakistan is facing a threat from contaminated ground water having dangerously high levels of arsenic. The present research has shown the biomass of Calotropis procera roots and aerial parts to bring the level of arsenic in arsenic contaminated water to the EPA standard within very short time and more effectively then biomass of roots and aerial parts of Pteris vitata and Eichhornia crassipes. The rate of removal of arsenic from contaminated water by roots of Calotropis procera was determined as a first step towards developing a safe, easy, indigenous and practical method of arsenic removal.

Objective: It has been recently reported that Bisphenol A (BPA) may leach out into food, beverages and water samples from the plastic ware in which it is stored. Serious health hazards have been reported from BPA. The purpose of this study is to assess the BPA contents in blood and to assess the risk of cancer. Method: A total of 100 individuals were selected for study according to the following five age groups: 5−10, 11−20, 21−30, 31−40 and 41−50 years. They were then further divided into normal and diseased. Age, gender, education, source of drinking water, type of food, smoking habit, any exposure to chemicals and history of cancer were elicited during interview. Blood samples were collected and processed for analysis using reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (rp-HPLC) in isocratic mode. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water (1:1) at a flow-rate of 1 ml min -1 . Results: Bisphenol A contents found in blood samples of all age groups ranged from 1.53−3.98 (mean = 2.94, SD = 0.9). P-values, for the exposed people and those having a history of cancer, were < 0.05 showing a significant relationship between BPA and cancer. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has established a reference dose of 50 µg/L. Odd ratios and relative risk for smoking habit were < 1 while for all others they were > 1. Conclusion: It was concluded from the study that people using bottled water, packaged food, having a history of cancer and who had been exposed to any type of chemicals are at higher risk of disease.