Adnan Odeh

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in medicinal plants from Syria

The levels of 16 US Environmental Protection Agency polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (EPA PAHs) in 10 medicinal plants in different used parts of plant (leaves and flowers) have been determined. The analytical method consists of sample preparation by ultrasonic extraction with dichloromethane followed by silica gel clean-up. Subsequently, the analysis was carried out by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to both ultraviolet and fluorescence detections in series to insure the detection of all 16 EPA PAHs. It was observed that the sum of the 16 PAHs (ΣPAHs) in the investigated medicinal plants ranged from 47 to 890 μg kg–1 where the highest ΣPAHs was found in Sage plant sample. Light PAHs were dominants in all studied medicinal plants. The sum of eight genotoxic PAHs (ΣPAH8) have shown a better indicator of the degree of contamination with carcinogenic PAHs compared to benzo[a]pyrene in these products.

Carbonyl compound leaching from polyethylene terephthalate into bottled water under sunlight exposure

Polyethylene terephthalate bottles containing natural spring water were used to study the leaching effect of carbonyl compounds after one year storage under real conditions of exposure. Ultraviolet-B and ultraviolet-A spectra of direct sunlight were acquired during the experiment. Leaching of acetone, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde reached steady state after 210 days of outdoor storage, with the following concentrations: 434 ± 22, 345 ± 18, and 94 ± 5 µg/L, respectively. The increase due to sunlight exposure in comparison with laboratory storage in the dark was around 10%, 16%, and 36%. The leaching process of all three carbonyl compounds was found to follow the first-order kinetics. Photo-degradation of Polyethylene terephthalate bottles and the appearance of carboxyl end-groups were followed by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectra. After 313 days of storage under direct sunlight, new peaks appeared in the regions of 1770–1920 cm−1 and 1685–1490 cm−1. Cations, anions, total dissolved solids, pH, and conductivity were also measured during the storage period. Additionally, microbiological measurements as well as statistical analyses were also carefully discussed.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Syrian olive oils and their likely daily intakes

The levels of 16 US Environmental Protection Agency polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 EPA PAHs) in Syrian olive oils have been determined. Forty-two samples including commercial extra virgin and virgin olive oils, and virgin olive oils from olive mills were analyzed. Only naphthalene (NAP) was detected in all olive oil samples under investigation. Among the studied 16 EPA PAHs, the highest maximum concentration was also observed for NAP (120 μg kg−1). Moreover, three samples exceeded the European Union (EU) maximum level of 2 μg kg−1 for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in oils and fats, and only one sample exceeded the EU maximum level of 10 μg kg−1 for the sum of benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, BaP, and benzo[b]fluoranthene (PAH4). The likely daily intakes of the total sum of 16 EPA PAHs, the sum of eight genotoxic PAHs, the sum of PAH4, the BaP, and the BaP equivalent through consumption of Syrian olive oils were estimated.

Isolation, Structural characterization, and antiproliferative activity of phycocolloids from the red seaweed Laurencia papillosa on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Hydrocolloids from seaweeds (phycocolloids) have interesting functional properties like antiproliferative activity. Marine algae consumptions are linked to law cancer incidences in countries that traditionally consume marine products. In this study, we have investigated water-soluble sulfated polysaccharides isolated from the red seaweed Laurencia papillosa and determined their chemical characteristics and biological activities on the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Total polysaccharides were extracted and fractionated from L. papillosa and characterized using FTIR-ATR and NMR spectrometry. In addition, their approximate molar mass was determined by GPC method. The chemical characterization of purified polysaccharides reveals the presence of sulfated polysaccharides differentially dispersed in the algal cell wall. They are the three types of carrageenan, kappa, iota and lambda carrageenans, named LP-W1, -W2 and -W3 respectively. Biological effects and cytotoxicity of the identified of the three sulfated polysaccharide fractions were evaluated in MCF-7 cell line. Our results showed a significant inhibition of MCF-7 cell viability by dose-dependent manner for cells exposed to LP-W2 and LP-W3 polysaccharides for 24h. The mechanistic of LP fractions-mediated apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was demonstrated. The biological effects of L. papillosa SPs indicate that it may be a promising candidate for breast cancer prevention and therapy.

Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Some Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Wheat Grains

Gamma irradiation effects on seven carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated. 0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 kGy of gamma irradiation doses were used in wheat grain treatments. PAHs were extracted and their concentrations at each doses were determined using HPLC equipped with fluorescence analysis. Results demonstrate a reverse relationship between PAHs concentrations and gamma irradiation doses. PAHs concentrations decreased when the gamma irradiation dose increased. The total of PAHs concentration decreased by 35% at 1 kGy while the reduction exceeded 70% for doses higher than 5 kGy. PAHs reduction in irradiated grain samples versus irradiation dose was linear/exponential depending on the structure of PAHs compounds. Results could be of great importance when gamma irradiation is used for the elimination of PAHs from wheat grains.