Diffuse Water Pollution by Anthraquinone and Azo Dyes in Environment Importantly Alters Foliage Volatiles,Carotenoids and Physiology in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The use of aqueous suspension of nanoparticles of titanium dioxide for photocatalytic removal of pollutants is not suitable for industrial applications due to the inconvenient and expensive separation of nanoparticles of titanium dioxide for reuse. The nanosized titanium dioxide needs to be immobilized on the support for improving the efficiency and economics of the photocatalytic process. In the present paper, nanoparticles of titanium dioxide have been immobilized on the surface of the support using three different techniques. The immobilized films of titanium dioxide have been characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to notice any change in the phase composition and photocatalytic properties of the titanium dioxide after immobilization on the support. A photocatalytic test has been performed under similar reaction conditions to compare the photocatalytic performance of the films of immobilized titanium dioxide prepared using different techniques.     

A Novel Liquid Multi-Phytonutrient Supplement Demonstrates DNA-Protective Effects

This study explored the DNA protective (anti-mutagenic) effects of an oral, liquid, multi-phytonutrient dietary supplement containing a proprietary blend of fruits, vegetables and aloe vera concentrated components in addition to a proprietary catechin complex from green tea (VIBE Cardiac & Life, Eniva Nutraceuticals, Anoka, MN; herein described as “VIBE”). This study tested the hypothesis that VIBE would reduce DNA damage in skin cells exposed to UVR. Human epidermal cells, from the cell line A431NS, were treated with 0% (control), 0.125%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% VIBE, and then exposed to 240 J/m² UVR. The amount of DNA damage was assessed using the COMET assay. At each concentration tested, a significantly smaller amount of DNA damage was measured by the COMET assay for the VIBE treated cells compared to the control cells exposed to UVR without VIBE. The dose response curves showed a maximal response at 0.5% VIBE with a threefold reduction in COMET tail density compared to the control samples without VIBE (p < 0.001). Additional research is warranted in human clinical trials to further explore the results of this study which demonstrated the DNA protective and anti-mutagenic effects of VIBE for human skin cells exposed to UVR-induced DNA damage.