Evaluation of new direct dyes for mutagenicity using the salmonella mammalian mutagenicity assay

A series of new direct dyes based on benzidine congeners, 2,2′-dimethyl-5,5′-dipropoxybenzidine and 5,5′-dipropoxybenzidine, were evaluated for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. All of the dyes examined were judged to be non-mutagenic with and without metabolic activation while toxicity was seen in some dyes at high doses. The study also suggested that the standard Salmonella mutagenicity plate-incorporated assay was an excellent method for evaluation of direct dyes for mutagenicity.     

Evaluation of new metallized direct dyes for mutagenicity using the Salmonella mammalian mutagenicity assay

A series of new metallized direct dyes based on benzidine congeners, 2,2′-dimethyl-5,5′-dipropoxybenzidine and 5,5′-dipropoxybenzidine, were evaluated for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. All of the dyes examined were judged to be non-mutagenic with and without metabolic activation while toxicity was seen in some dyes at high doses. The study also suggested that the standard Salmonella mutagenicity plate-incorporated assay was an excellent method for evaluation of dyes for mutagenicity.     

Synthesis of temporarily solubilized reactive disperse dyes and their application to the polyester/cotton blend fabric

Five temporarily solubilized reactive disperse dyes were synthesized and characterized. They were applied to polyester/cotton blend fabric using one-bath dyeing method without dispersing agent. The dye that has azonaphthalene chromophore seemed to not only be exhausted on polyester but also react with cotton. But other dyes were selectively dyed on polyester and showed limited uptake on cotton. Good levelling as well as moderate to good colour fastness was obtained with the dyes on P/C blend fabric.     

Efficacy and environmental fate of copper sulphate applied to Australian rice fields for control of the aquatic snail Isidorella newcombi

Copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) is widely used for controlling Isidorella newcombi, an aquatic snail that causes substantial damage to rice crops in southeastern Australia. We conducted field trials on a Birganbigil clay loam soil that demonstrate high levels of efficacy against adult I. newcombi (95% mortality at 6.38 kg ha⁻¹ CuSO₄·5H₂O (1.14 mg Cu L⁻¹)). Dissolved copper fell below the detection limit (0.02 mg Cu L⁻¹) between 7 and 20 d after spraying at application rates up to 2.16 mg Cu L⁻¹ (12 kg ha⁻¹ CuSO₄·5H₂O). Total copper concentrations in the water column fell below the detection limit (0.007 mg Cu L⁻¹) 7–12 d after spraying at initially applied concentrations of 0.52–1.12 mg Cu L⁻¹, but remained detectable (0.01–0.02 mg Cu L⁻¹) until 30 days after spraying (the conclusion of monitoring) when applied at higher initial concentrations (1.18–2.16 mg Cu L⁻¹). There was a strong positive correlation (r² = 0.90, P < 0.001) between copper application rate and copper concentrations in surface sediments 30 d after spraying. Bioassays with immature snails using three different test soils beneath irrigation water showed that underlying soil type strongly influenced the response of snails to applied copper, with significant (P < 0.05) differences between LC₉₀ values which ranged from 0.41 to 1.04 mg applied Cu L⁻¹. Laboratory studies showed that dissolved copper concentrations remained significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the water column above the soil that had the most deleterious effect on copper toxicity. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in both this soil and in the overlying water in the corresponding bioassay system, and correlated more closely with LC₉₀ values than other water chemistry parameters such as total hardness. Our results support the ongoing use of a variable copper application rate of 6–12 kg ha⁻¹ CuSO₄·5H₂O to allow for site-specific variations in efficacy, and suggest that variations in the release of dissolved organic carbon compounds from flooded soils may be a key factor moderating copper toxicity to I. newcombi in rice fields.