Herbs used in medicine should be grown under controlled and standardized conditions. Agricultural practices often induce changes to soil pH, which may affect migration of heavy metals in the ...environment, their accumulation in plant tissues and the concentration of medicinal ingredients. The aim of this work was to assess the influence of various soil pH on the biological parameters and uptake of manganese, copper and zinc by basil, dandelion and lemon balm. The soil analysis covered pH, organic matter content, bioavailable and total forms of investigated metals in soil. In plants cultivated in soil at pH covering the range 4.7–8.5 the concentrations of Mn, Cu and Zn were analyzed. Their mobility and availability were assessed by bioaccumulation factors, translocation factors and transfer coefficients. The seed germination and subsequent herbs growth were strongly dependent on soil pH for all investigated plant species. Photosynthetic efficiency at different pHs was positively correlated with uptake of Cu and Mn while Zn behaved in a more random way.
Huge amounts of sewage sludge produced globally is a substantial environmental threat and require rational handling. Application in agriculture is an economical and relatively simple method of sludge ...management, however, it is associated with restrictions regarding metals content. According to EU regulations, the total amounts of Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn have to be analyzed by the AAS technique requiring effective destruction of the organic matrix. Currently used methods of sewage sludge digestion may be biased when applied without optimization. The aim of the presented work was to evaluate the efficiency of the organic substances destruction in either raw or stabilized sludge. Three mineralization procedures were evaluated, namely: (A)—drying and microwave digestion; (B)—ignition and microwave digestion; (C)—drying and conventional digestion. For matrix destruction, a mixture of concentrated HNO3 and HCl (3:1 v/v) was used. Metals were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). No limits of metal concentration were overdrawn. Generally, the method (B) was the most effective. Results obtained for Cu, Cd, and Zn after digestion by method (A) and (B) were comparable. Methods (B) and (C) yield complete decomposition of the matrix. As result, the precision of measurement substantially increases.
This work is aimed at relationships which govern zinc and copper uptake by four popular medicinal herbs: basil (
L.), borage (Borago officinalis L.), common nettle (
L.) and peppermint (
L.). They ...are often grown in soils with significant copper or zinc levels. Herbs were cultivated by a pot method in controlled conditions. Manganese, iron, copper and zinc concentrations were determined by High-Resolution Continuum Source Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The efficiency of photosynthesis was estimated by measuring the chlorophyll content, water use efficiency, net photosynthesis, intercellular CO
, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate. Phenolic compounds were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Analysis of variance showed that herbs grown in soil treated with copper exhibited a lower iron content in roots, while manganese behaved in the opposite way. The only exception was borage, where a decrease in the manganese content in roots was observed. Both copper and zinc supplementations increased the total content of phenolics, while the highest increases were observed for common nettle and basil. Peppermint and borage responded less to supplementation. In the majority of samples, zinc and copper did not significantly affect the photosynthesis. Herbal extracts from common nettle and basil had unique antioxidant properties and may be good free radical scavengers.
Peptides are fragments of proteins that carry out biological functions. They act as signaling entities via all domains of life and interfere with protein-protein interactions, which are indispensable ...in bio-processes. Short peptides include fundamental molecular information for a prelude to the symphony of life. They have aroused considerable interest due to their unique features and great promise in innovative bio-therapies. This work focusing on the current state-of-the-art short peptide-based therapeutical developments is the first global review written by researchers from all continents, as a celebration of 100 years of peptide therapeutics since the commencement of insulin therapy in the 1920s. Peptide "drugs" initially played only the role of hormone analogs to balance disorders. Nowadays, they achieve numerous biomedical tasks, can cross membranes, or reach intracellular targets. The role of peptides in bio-processes can hardly be mimicked by other chemical substances. The article is divided into independent sections, which are related to either the progress in short peptide-based theranostics or the problems posing challenge to bio-medicine. In particular, the SWOT analysis of short peptides, their relevance in therapies of diverse diseases, improvements in (bio)synthesis platforms, advanced nano-supramolecular technologies, aptamers, altered peptide ligands and in silico methodologies to overcome peptide limitations, modern smart bio-functional materials, vaccines, and drug/gene-targeted delivery systems are discussed.
The aim of this study was to assess influence of cadmium and zinc treatments on antioxidant activity combined with the photosynthesis efficiency in a popular herb lemon balm (
L.). Plants were grown ...under greenhouse conditions by the pot method. The Mn, Cu, Cd, and Zn contents in soil and plants were measured by HR-CS FAAS. The activity of net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, intercellular CO
, and index of chlorophyll in leaves were determined for all investigated species. Reduction of the net photosynthesis was observed for cultivations subjected to either Zn or Cd treatments. Phenolic contents were determined by the chemical Folin-Ciocalteu method, while enhanced voltammetric analysis was applied to assess the antioxidant properties of plant extracts. Both of these approaches yielded similar results. Herbal extracts had exceptional antioxidant capacities and were good scavengers of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Structural similarity of cadmium and zinc facilitated their mutual structural exchange and prompted substantial expansion of phenolics under the mixed Zn and Cd treatments.
With the pronounced increase in nanotechnology, it is likely that biological systems will be exposed to excess nanoparticles (NPs). Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO
NPs) are among the most abundantly ...produced nanomaterials in the world. Their widespread use raises fundamental questions related to the accumulation in the environment and further interactions with living organisms, especially plants. NPs present in either soil or soilless environments are absorbed by the plant root systems and further transported to the aboveground parts. After entering the cytoplasm, NPs interact with chloroplast, nucleus, and other structures responsible for metabolic processes at the cellular level. In recent years, several studies have shown the impact of nanoceria on plant growth and metabolic processes. Research performed on different plants has shown a dual role for CeO
NPs. The observed effects can be positive or negative and strongly depend on the plant species, characterization, and concentrations of NPs. This review describes the impact of root-applied CeO
NPs on plant growth, photosynthesis, metal homeostasis, and parameters of induced oxidative stress.
The success of innovative drugs depends on an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to their design and development. The supramolecular architecture of living systems is controlled by non-covalent ...interactions to a very large extent. The latter are prone to extensive cooperation and like a virtuoso play a symphony of life
Thus, the design of effective ligands should be based on thorough knowledge on the interactions at either a molecular or high topological level. In this work, we emphasize the importance of supramolecular structure and ligand-based design keeping the potential of supramolecular H-bonding synthons in focus. In this respect, the relevance of supramolecular chemistry for advanced therapies is appreciated and undisputable. It has developed tools, such as Hirshfeld surface analysis, using a huge data on supramolecular interactions in over one million structures which are deposited in the Cambridge Structure Database (CSD). In particular, molecular interaction surfaces are useful for identification of macromolecular active sites followed by
docking experiments. Ornithine-derived compounds are a new, promising class of multi-targeting ligands for innovative therapeutics and cosmeceuticals. In this work, we present the synthesis together with the molecular and supramolecular structure of a novel ornithine derivative, namely
-α,
-δ)-dibenzoyl-(α)-hydroxymethylornithine,
. It was investigated by modern experimental and
methods in detail. The incorporation of an aromatic system into the ornithine core induces stacking interactions, which are vital in biological processes. In particular, rare C=O
π intercontacts have been identified in
. Supramolecular interactions were analyzed in all structures of ornithine derivatives deposited in the CSD. The influence of substituent was assessed by the Hirshfeld surface analysis. It revealed that the crystal packing is stabilized mainly by H
O, O
H, C
H, Cl (Br, F)
H and O
O interactions. Additionally, π
π, C-H
π and N-O
π interactions were also observed. All relevant H-bond energies were calculated using the Lippincott and Schroeder H-bond model. A library of synthons is provided. In addition, the large synthons (
) were considered. The DFT optimization either
or
yields very similar molecular species. The major difference with the relevant crystal structure was related to the conformation of terminal benzoyl C15-C20 ring. Furthermore,
prediction of the extensive physicochemical ADME profile (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) related to the drug-likeness and medicinal chemistry friendliness revealed that a novel ornithine derivative
has the potential to be a new drug candidate. It has shown good
absorption and very low toxicity.
The impact of cerium oxide nanoparticles, bulk cerium oxide and ionic cerium nitrate on the plant development as well as the uptake and further translocation of Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe by sugar pea (
Pisum ...sativum
L.) was investigated. Plants were cultivated in the laboratory pot experiments using the modified Hoagland solutions supplemented with cerium compounds at the 200 mg L
−1
Ce level. Analysis of variance proved that cerium oxide nanoparticles significantly decreased Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe concentrations in roots and above ground parts of the pea plants. The latter ions are presumably transported via symplastic pathways and may compete with nanoparticles for similar carriers. The lowest impact on the plant growth and the metal uptake was observed under the bulk CeO
2
treatment. On the contrary, strongest interactions were observed for supplementation with ionic cerium nitrate. The highly beneficial effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles on the plant growth was not supported by this study. The latter conclusion is of particular relevance when environmental impact of cerium compounds on the waste management, municipal urban low emissions and food production is to be concerned.
The surface water pollution can cause serious ecological disasters. An example is large-scale fish deaths due to excessive salinity, which is global problem. In order to prevent such situations, it ...is necessary to carry out regular monitoring of both main rivers and their tributaries. The current monitoring system is neither adapted to the variability associated with the diversified use of catchments nor to changing climatic conditions. The Bzura River is one of the most anthropogenically transformed Polish rivers. So far, no comprehensive assessment of the chemical status of its catchment has been carried out. The presented research is a continuation of the study of the spatio-temporal variability of the Bzura chemistry. It covered 19 tributaries within the boundaries of the Łódź Voivodeship. Samples were collected once a month for one hydrological year. In total, 228 samples were obtained, in which 21 parameters were measured. Spatio-temporal variability of water quality on the basis of coefficients of variation (CVs) and water quality indices (WQIs) was evaluated. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were also performed. In addition, the datasets were visualized using geochemical maps. Combined monitoring with geospatial analysis brings benefits in terms of efficient control and management of water resources. The tributaries were divided according to the degree of their pollution. It was found that the electrical conductivity and concentrations of dissolved oxygen, nitrates, calcium and magnesium differentiated the tributaries in terms of pollution the most. The strong salinity from agricultural and geogenic sources was found. The WQIs were higher for the tributaries than for the Bzura. It suggests that the Bzura may be polluted by the tributaries under “favorable” climatic and hydrological conditions. Therefore, smaller watercourses should be included in monitoring and become more important in terms of an effective solution to global problem of surface water pollution.
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•We comprehensively assessed the impact of tributaries pollution on the main river.•High diversity of EC, DO, NO3, Ca, Mg was observed in all investigated tributaries.•WQI values ranged from 5 to 1264 (the tributaries) and from 2 to 408 (the Bzura).•Research of small watercourses is crucial for global reduction of water pollution.•The current monitoring system needs to be modified and unified.
The pollution of urban soils by metals is a global problem. Prolonged exposure of habitants who are in contact with metals retained in soil poses a health risk. This particularly applies to ...industrialized cities with developed transport networks. The aim of the study was to determine the content and spatial distribution of mobile metal fractions in soils of the city of Łódź and to identify their load and sources. Multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA)), combined with GIS, were used to make a comprehensive evaluation of the soil contamination. Hot-spots and differences between urban and suburban areas were also investigated. Metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after soil extraction with 1 mol L
HCl. In most sites, the metal content changes in the following order: Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd. About one-third of the samples are considerably (or very highly) contaminated, (contamination factor, CF > 3) with Cu, Pb, or Zn. In almost 40% of the samples, contaminated soils were found (pollution load index, PLI > 1). All metals have a strong influence on the first principal component (PC1), whereas second principal component (PC2) is related to pH. Polluted soils are located in the downtown, in the south and east part of the city. The distribution of contamination coincides with the urban layout, low emission sources and former industrial areas of Łódź.
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