Hélen C. Rezende

Characterization and use of Moringa oleifera seeds as biosorbent for removing metal ions from aqueous effluents

Moringa oleifera seeds were investigated as a biosorbent for removing metal ions from aqueous effluents. The morphological characteristics as well as the chemical composition of M. oleifera seeds were evaluated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The FT-IR spectra showed the presence of lipids and protein components. Scanning electron micrographs showed that Moringa seeds have an adequate morphological profile for the retention of metal ions. The results suggest that M. oleifera seeds have potential application in Cd(II), Pb(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Ag(I) decontamination from aqueous effluents.

Bioremediation of Waters Contaminated with Heavy Metals Using Moringa oleifera Seeds as Biosorbent

Water is not only a resource, it is a life source. It is well established that water is important for life. Water is useful for several purposes including agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. Despite its extensive use, in most parts of the world water is a scarce resource. Ninety percent of the water on earth is seawater in the oceans, only three percent is fresh water and just over two thirds of this is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. The remaining unfrozen freshwater is found mainly as groundwater, with only a small fraction present above ground or in the air. Thus, almost all of the fresh water that is available for human use is either contained in soils and rocks below the surface, called groundwater, or in rivers and lakes.

Bioremediation of Polluted Waters Using Microorganisms

Water pollution is an issue of great concern worldwide, and it can be broadly divided into three main categories, that is, contamination by organic compounds, inorganic compounds (e.g., heavy metals), and microorganisms. In recent years, the number of research studies concerning the use of efficient processes to clean up and minimize the pollution of water bodies has been increasing. In this context, the use of bioreme‐ diation processes for the removal of toxic metals from aqueous solutions is gaining considerable attention. Bioremediation can be defined as the ability of certain biomolecules or types of biomass to bind and concentrate selected ions or other molecules present in aqueous solutions. Bioremediation using microorganisms shows great potential for future development due to its environmental compatibility and possible cost-effectiveness. A wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and algae, can act as biologically active methylators, which are able to at least modify toxic species. Many microbial detoxification processes involve the efflux or exclusion of metal ions from the cell, which in some cases can result in high local concentrations of metals at the cell surface, where they can react with biogenic ligands and precipitate. Although microorganisms cannot destroy metals, they can alter their chemical properties via a surprising array of mechanisms. The main purpose of this chapter is to provide an update on the recent literature concerning the strategies available for the remediation of metal-contaminated water bodies using microorganisms and to critically discuss their main advantages and weaknesses. The focus is on the heavy metals associated with environmental contamination, for

Non-chromatographic methods focused on speciation of arsenic and selenium in food and environmental samples

Abstract Speciation is a promising and essential tool in the evaluation of the contamination of metals in food and environmental samples. In this context, information about the species of these elements is important considering that toxic effects are directly related to their chemical forms. The enormous progress in combining separation and detection techniques has enabled the effective chemical speciation. However, a possible source of error in studies of speciation occurs during sample preparation. Appropriate treatment of samples is necessary in order to ensure that interconversion between the species does not occur during the experimental procedure prior to the final analysis. In this review, methods of sample preparation for the determination of arsenic and selenium in food and environmental samples are discussed. We decided to focus on these elements since they account for around 50% of all speciation studies. Procedures including conventional extraction, microwave-assisted extraction and sonolysis are discussed as simple ways to ensure species selectivity. The main purpose of this review is to provide an update on the recent literature concerning the strategies for arsenic and selenium speciation and to critically discuss their advantages and weaknesses compared with the commonly accepted approach of combining non-chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The problems focused on involve sampling, sample preparation and storage, as well as changes in ‘species information’ that occur during the use of various separation technologies. These difficulties are described along with recent developments aimed at overcoming these potential issues.

A new analytical strategy for single extraction of metals in phosphate fertilizers

A simple method using an ultrasound-assisted single extraction procedure for the determination of Cd, Pb and Cr in phosphate fertilizers by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was developed. Multivariate optimization through a factorial design and desirability functions was applied to establish a single extraction procedure for the metals. Quantitative extraction was carried out with 20 mL of a mixture of 1 mol L−1 HNO3 and 1 mol L−1 HCl applying sonication for 7.5 min. Under the optimal conditions the characteristic mass and limits of quantification were 0.54, 8.22 and 2.54 pg and 0.11, 0.90 and 0.63 μg L−1 for Cd, Pb and Cr, respectively. The relative standard deviation was less than 5%. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by comparison with the results obtained from the analysis of a multi-nutrient fertilizer (certified material NIST SRM 695) and no significant difference at the 95% confidence level was observed. The method was applied to the extraction and determination of Cd, Pb and Cr in phosphate fertilizer samples produced in Brazil and the levels found were below the maximum values established by Brazilian legislation.

A Biosensor Using Poly(4-Aminophenol)/acetylcholinesterase modified graphite electrode for the detection of dichlorvos

The properties of poly(4-aminophenol) modified graphite electrode as material for the immobilization of acetylcholinesterase were investigated by the Cyclic Voltammetry, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. The polymer was deposited on graphite electrode surface by the oxidation of 4-aminophenol and then acetylcholinesterase was immobilized on the surface of the electrode. The biosensor coupled in the continuous flow system was employed for the detection of dichlorvos. The detection and quantification limits were 0.8 and 2.4 μmol L-1 dichlorvos, respectively. Graphite electrodes modified with the poly(4-aminophenol) showed to be an efficient and promising material for immobilization of acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The proposed method requires simple parts which are easy to build, involves only one biosensor and the potentiometric detection is simple.

Analytical Strategies for the Determination of Arsenic in Rice

Arsenic is an element of concern given its toxicological significance, even at low concentrations. Food is a potential route of exposure to inorganic arsenic and in this regard arsenic in rice is associated with soil contamination, fertilizer application, and the use of arsenic-containing irrigation water. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the regional rice crops with a view to future discussions on the need for possible regulatory measures. Several studies have reported high concentrations of arsenic in rice grown in soils irrigated with contaminated water; however, procedures used, including sample pretreatment and preconcentration steps, have to be followed to ensure sensitivity, accuracy, and reproducibility. Arsenic is a difficult element to measure in complex matrices, such as foods, because the matrix must be destroyed at an elevated temperature without the loss of the analyte or contamination. This review summarizes the major methods for the determination of arsenic in rice samples. The main purpose of this review is to provide an update on the recent literature concerning the strategies for the determination of arsenic and to critically discuss their advantages and weaknesses. These difficulties are described along with recent developments aimed at overcoming these potential issues.