Synthesis, identification, and acute toxicity of some N-alkyl derivatives of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine

A series of N-alkyl derivatives of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) was prepared in an effort to characterize these potential drugs of abuse. These secondary amines were synthesized via reductive amination of the corresponding ketone with alkylamines. The ultraviolet absorption spectra for these compounds produced almost equally intense absorbance at 234 and 285 nm. The compounds were separated by liquid chromatography using reverse phase (C18) procedures with a ternary mobile phase mixture. Toxicity studies showed all of the compounds to have LD50 values similar to N-methyl MDA (MDMA).     

Integrated Anaerobic-Aerobic Biodegradation of Multiple Contaminants Including Chlorinated Ethylenes,Benzene, Toluene,and Dichloromethane

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - In the present research, the distribution and subcellular localization of cadmium in the roots, shoots, and leaves of Monochoria hastata were evaluated to...     

氯化镉、马拉硫磷和乙草胺对赤子爱胜蚓的复合急性毒性

以赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)为试验动物, 选取氯化镉、马拉硫磷和乙草胺作为污染物, 通过人工土壤法研究了3种污染物在5种比例两种污染物复合条件下对蚯蚓的急性毒性。研究结果表明, 3种污染物在两两复合污染时的作用类型以拮抗为主, 仅在镉浓度19.46 mg·kg^-1和乙草胺175.15 mg·kg^-1 (1︰9)复合类型是相加作用, 说明复合污染生态毒理效应与污染物的化学性质和浓度水平均相关。从蚯蚓活体体重减少情况看, 在复合污染条件下, 污染物对蚯蚓生长的影响与单一污染的结果类似, 马拉硫磷对赤子爱胜蚓的影响最大, 乙草胺次之, 而氯化镉的影响最小。     

Single and joint acute toxicity of isocarbophos enantiomers to Daphnia magna

Although enantioselectivity in the toxicity of chiral pesticides has received considerable attention over recent years, how coexisting enantiomers interact with each other during their toxic action remains unknown. In this study, we attempted to resolve the enantiomers of a chiral organophosphate insecticide, isocarbophos, and investigated the acute toxicity of individual enantiomers and various enantiomer mixtures. Baseline enantiomeric separation of isocarbophos was achieved on a Chiralcel OD column with the mobile phase of n-hexane/isopropanol (90/10, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The resolved enantiomers were differentiated by their responses on a circular dichroism detector. The median lethal concentrations (LC 50) of racemate, (+)-enantiomer, and (-)-enantiomer of isocarbophos toward Daphnia magna were 13.9, 7.08, and 353 microg/L, respectively, after 48 h of static exposure, displaying a 50-fold difference between the enantiomers. Toxic unit (TU) analysis was employed to evaluate the joint toxicity of isocarbophos enantiomer mixtures. The calculated TU mix for the acute toxicity (48 h test) of various binary mixtures ranged from 0.83 to 1.04, suggesting a mode of additive effect. Further evaluation of available literature data for chiral organophosphorus insecticides showed that the joint toxicity of enantiomers may be additive, synergistic, and antagonistic. Therefore, when significant enantioselectivity exists for a chiral pesticide, it is important to also evaluate the interaction of enantiomers in the joint toxicity effect when enantiomers are present in a mixture.     

木薯渣基质化发酵微生物分离及复合菌配制

为缩短木薯渣发酵周期,提升木薯渣基质产品质量,该研究以木薯渣为试验材料,对其自然发酵的4个关键时期微生物进行分离、鉴定,并探讨复合微生物菌对木薯渣的发酵效果。结果表明,从木薯渣发酵初始期、升温期、高温期和腐熟期,分别分离出30株、54株、25株和32株菌株。将分离出的菌株接种到刚果红培养基上,筛选出具有降解木质纤维素功能的菌株54株。采用16S rDNA与内转录间隔区ITS测序比对的方法,鉴定出与木薯渣发酵密切相关的微生物37株,其中细菌类主要以高地芽孢杆菌和地衣芽孢杆菌发酵效果最佳,放线菌类、真菌类分别以灰略红链霉菌、绿色木霉菌的效果较好。将上述菌株按比例复配形成微生物菌,发现3种微生物混合后的发酵效果最好,可使木薯渣纤维素质量分数降低到24.4%,且失重率显著高于商业菌剂。这些结果说明微生物之间通过相互协同作用,进一步促进木薯渣的发酵进程,其中以高地芽孢杆菌、地衣芽孢杆菌、灰略红链霉菌、绿色木霉菌复合发酵效果最好。     

Polycyclic aromatic compounds and microtox® acute toxicity in contaminated sediments in Sweden

Limnic and brackish aquatic sediments from contaminated locations in Sweden were analysed for polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and tested for acute aquatic toxicity. The organic compounds were analysed in solvent-extractable and alkaline-treated fractions to complete the analysis of a set of priority pollutants according to the Swedish EPA. Additionally, the acute toxicity was measured by the solid phase Microtox test. The measured effects were correlated with sedimentological and chemical parameters. Analysis revealed no indication of a contribution of PACs to the acute sediment toxicity in highly contaminated sediments, with concentrations in the range of 11.3-307 μg SPAC_37/39/g dry matter. Despite a high ranking of 3 to 5 within the Swedish EPA list for coastal sediments, the acute toxicity results indicate a very low bioavailability of the analysed PACs from the creosote and combustion-contaminated sediments. A correlation of acute toxicity to elemental sulfur was indicated.     

Determination of amphetamine by Schiff base formation and quantitative gas-liquid chromatography.

A procedure was developed to determine amphetamine salts in solid dosage forms. Amphetamine was extracted from the solid matrix with dilute hydrochloric acid and reacted with cyclohexanone in a strongly basic aqueous methanolic solution. The Schiff base reaction product was extracted with hexane for gas chromatographic determination. Reaction time and optimum conditions were studied. Phenethylamine, similarly treated, was used as an internal standard. Results compared favorably with those obtained by using USP methods.     

Aluminum toxicity in tomato. Part 2. leaf gas exchange,chlorophyll content,and invertase activity

The effect of aluminum (Al) toxicity on leaf gas exchange, leaf chlorophyll content, and sucrose metabolizing enzyme activity of two tomato cultivars (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Mountain Pride’ and ‘Floramerica') was studied to determine the mechanism of growth reduction observed in a related study (Simon et al., 1994, Part 1). Plants were grown in diluted nutrient solution (pH 4.0) with 0, 10, 25, or 50 μM. Al for 16 days. Leaf gas exchange was reduced 2–3 fold in both cultivars as Al concentration increased. Gas exchange of ‘Mountain Pride’ was more sensitive to Al toxicity than ‘Floramerica’, agreeing with growth responses observed. Reductions in carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation rate appeared to be due to nonstomatal factors in ‘Floramerica’, but stomatal and non‐stomatal limitations in ‘Mountain Pride’. Chlorophyll content of leaves was not affected by Al. Acid invertase (AI) and neutral invertase (NI) activity of roots responded consistently to Al concentration in both cultivars. Root AI and NI activity decreased to a greater extent for ‘Mountain Pride’ than for ‘Floramerica’.     

Evaluation of acute toxicity of phenol and its chloro- and nitro-derivatives to certain teleosts

Acute toxicity bioassays were conducted to evaluate the comparative toxicity of phenol (an aromatic hydrocarbon) pentachlorophenol (chloro-derivative of phenol) and dinitrophenol (nitro-derivative of phenol) for determining the LC50 and acute toxicity range for 24, 48, 72 and 96h, against the test fishes Notopterus notopterus, Colisa fasciatus and Saccobranchus fossilis. Relative susceptibility of fish, safe concentrations, heterogeneity factors and fiducial limits (95 %) were calculated using 96 h LC₅₀ values. Regression equations and slope functions (s) were calculated for each time interval. On the basis of relative susceptibility for phenol, Notopterus notopterus was found to be more susceptible as compared to Saccobranchus fossilis and the susceptibility of Colisa fasciatus lies in between the two. In case of pentachlorophenol and dinitrophenol, susceptibility lies in the increasing order from Colisa fasciatus, Saccobranchus fossilis to Notopterus notopterus.     

Accumulation and Fate of Contaminants (Zn,Pb, Fe and S) in Substrates of Wetlands Constructed for Treating Mine Wastewater

Substrates of treatment wetlands, which were constructed at an operational lead-zinc mining facility (Tara Mines) in Ireland, were analysed over a 5-year period for metal content. Lead, zinc, iron and sulphate were removed from wastewater passing though the treatment systems and were significantly retained in the substrates. The degree to which these contaminants are bio-available depends on the biogeochemical conditions of the substrates, namely the pH, redox potential, amount of organic carbon present and the contaminant loading. Various sediment fractions (water-soluble, exchangeable, carbonate-bound, organic matter-bound and residual) were also analysed in these treatment wetlands, in order to estimate the fate of metals and sulphur over time. Results showed that the majority of metals and sulphur were retained in immobile residual forms, principally as metal-sulphides. Furthermore, the neutral-alkaline pH and reducing biogeochemistry of the treatment systems suggest that metals are not toxic under these conditions.     

Aluminum toxicity in tomato. Part 1. growth and mineral nutrition

Aluminum (Al) toxicity was studied in two tomato cultivars (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Mountain Pride’ and Floramerica') grown in diluted nutrient solution (pH 4.0) at 0, 10, 25, and 50 μM Al levels. In the presence of 25 and 50 μM Al, significant reduction was found in leaf area, dry weight, stem length, and longest root length of both cultivars. Growth of ‘Floramerica’ was less sensitive to Al toxicity than growth of ‘Mountain Pride’. Elemental composition of the nutrient solutions were compared immediately after the first Al addition and four days later. The uptake of micronutrients copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), boron (B), and iron (Fe) from the nutrient solution was reduced in both cultivars with increasing Al levels. Nutrient solution Al gradually decreased in time for every treatment; less in cultures of ‘Floramerica’ than in ‘Mountain Pride’. Aluminum treatments decreased the calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), Mn, Fe, and Zn content in the roots, stems, and leaves. Aluminum treatment promoted the accumulation of P, Mo, and Cu in the roots, and inhibited the transport of these nutrients into stems and leaves. At 25 and 50 μM levels of Al, lower Al content was found in the roots of cv. “Floramerica’ than in the roots of cv. ‘Mountain Pride’.     

Synthesis and analysis of thio-, thiono-, and dithio-derivatives of whiskey lactone.

Cis- and trans-3-methyl-4-octanolide (1, whiskey lactones) were converted into their thio- (2), thiono- (3), and dithio- (4) derivatives by reaction with phosphorus pentasulfide. The reaction products were characterized by GC-mass spectrometry, (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and GC-olfactometry. Two-dimensional NOESY spectra showed that sulfur is incorporated into the ring with reversal of the absolute configuration at C-4, whereas substitution of the keto-oxygen atom by sulfur occurs with retention of ring configuration. The cis- and trans-pairs of 2, 3, and 4 were separated into enantiomers by GC on heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-cyclodextrin and heptakis(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-cyclodextrin as chiral stationary phases. GC-olfactometry revealed a sweet coconut-like odor for the cis-thio- and pleasant mushroom-like flavors for the cis-thiono- and trans-dithio-derivatives of whiskey lactone.     

Zinc and copper toxicity in peanut,soybean, rice,and corn in soil mixtures

Abstract

Applications of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) at excessive rates may result in phytotoxicity. Experiments were conducted with mixtures of soils that were similar except for their Zn and Cu levels. The critical toxicity levels (CTL) in the soils and plants for these elements were determined. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], corn (Zea mays L.), and rice (Oryza sativa L.) were the crops grown. One soil mixture had Mehlich 3‐extractable Zn concentrations up to 300 mg dm^‐3 with no corresponding increase in soil Cu; two soil mixtures had soil Zn concentrations up to 400 and 800 mg dm^‐3 with a corresponding increase in soil Cu up to 20 and 25 mg dm^‐3, respectively; and four soil mixtures had no increase in soil Zn, but had Mehlich 1‐extractable Cu concentrations from 6 to 286 mg kg^‐1. Under a given set of greenhouse conditions, the estimated Mehlich 3‐extractable Zn CTL was 36 mg dm^‐3 for peanut, 70 mg dm^‐3 for soybean, between 160 and 320 mg dm^‐3 for rice, and >300 mg dm^‐3 for corn. No soil Cu CTL was apparent for peanut or soybean, but for corn it was 17 mg dm^‐3 and for rice 13 mg dm^‐3. With different greenhouse procedures and the Mehlich 1 extractant, the soil CTL for rice was only 4.4 mg kg^‐1. Therefore, peanut and soybean were more sensitive to Zn toxicity, whereas corn and rice were more sensitive to Cu toxicity. Plant Zn CTL for peanut was 230 mg kg^‐1, while that for soybean was 140 mg kg^‐1. Copper appeared to be toxic to corn and rice at plant concentrations exceeding 20 mg kg^‐1.     

Production of 7-epi-pectenotoxin-2 seco acid and assessment of its acute toxicity to mice

Pectenotoxins (PTXs) accumulate in shellfish feeding on dinoflagellates of the genus Dinophysis, so that humans can be exposed to these toxins through shellfish consumption. Some PTXs are toxic to experimental animals, whereas others are of much lower toxicity. Pectenotoxin-2, the most abundant PTX from most Dinophysis spp., is rapidly metabolized by most shellfish to a mixture of pectenotoxin-2 seco acid (2) and 7-epi-pectenotoxin-2 seco acid (1). A mixture of 1 and 2 was produced during purification of an extract from in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis of pectenotoxin-2. These were separated by preparative HPLC, and the structure of 1 was confirmed by one- and two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS3 analyses. No toxic changes were recorded in mice injected intraperitoneally with 1 or 2 at a dose of 5000 microg/kg. PTX seco acids are therefore unlikely to be of consequence to human consumers at the concentrations found in contaminated shellfish.     

Uptake,retention and toxicity of heavy metals in L ichens

Literature on metals, particularly heavy metals, in lichens is reviewed including mechanisms of metal uptake, retention, toxicity and tolerance. Interspecies differences in sensitivity are discussed as well as the development and nature of extreme tolerance encountered in certain taxa.