[en] A new magnetic bio-based composite was designed by the magnetic modification of passively immobilized fungal cells. It was utilized for biosorptive decolorization of reactive dye-contaminated aquatic media. As a greener option, waste tea leaf tissues were used for the first time as an immobilization matrix for microbial cells. Immobilized magnetic cells (biomagsorbent) could be effectively used in both batch and dynamic flow mode treatment processes and real environmental application. Rapid equilibrium and high decolorization yields were observed for the target dye (reactive violet 1). The temperature did not significantly affect the process. Langmuir and the pseudo-second-order models could be better used to fit the process equilibrium and kinetics, respectively. Maximum monolayer sorption capacity was 152.88 mg g⁻¹. High biosorption and desorption yields for 50 consecutive dynamic flow decolorization cycles were recorded as striking results. The breakthrough time was 3420 min. Simulated and industrial water treatment performance of biomagsorbent was found to be more than 90%. The mechanism was evaluated by IR and zeta potential analysis. The magnetic character of the sorbent provided good mechanical durability, easy separation, and excellent regeneration ability. Consequently, this work provides new insight into scalar enhancement of water treatment.

[en] Food is the principal media for intake of elements from environment to human body. Thus, it is felt important to determine the daily dietary intake of such elements in the field of toxicity and nutrition, the deficiency or sufficiency of which may lead to various diseases, disorders and allergies in human health. In this study, the elements present in commonly used cereals, pulses, noodles, some condiments/spices, tobacco products, some common leaves used in herbal medicine and tea leaves have been analyzed using EDXRF spectrometry technique. Elemental concentrations of K, Ca, Fe, Sr, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, As and Se are detected and quantified in all the samples using this method. The results are discussed in relation to cancer. (author)

[en] The content of fifteen elements i.e. Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pd, Cd, Ba and Al were determined for 30 sample from three types of green tea samples using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The samples were purchased from authentic tea dealer in Peshawar imported from India, China and Kenya. However, some samples were taken which were locally produced in Pakistan with branded packing and without package. The NBS tea leaves. The wet digestion and infusion procedure reference material was also analyzed simultaneously with tea samples. The wet digestion and infusion procedures were employed for determination of total elements and aqueous extracted elements respectively. It was found that, considerable amount of essential and trace elements are present in total in tea infusion. The levels of toxic metals are low but level of aluminum is high in both forms. The results obtained from this analysis have shown good accuracy and reproducibility. The relative error and relative standard deviation were less than 10% for most of the elements analyzed. (author)

[en] Preparation and characterization of two new reference materials of biological origin, namely: Tea Leaves (INCT-TL-1) and Mixed Polish Herbs (INCT-MPH-2) is described. The raw materials were ground in an agate ball mill, sieved through a nylon sieve, collecting fraction of particle size: diameter ≤67 μm, and carefully homogenized. Preliminary homogeneity testing by XRF method and final checking of homogeneity by NAA after distribution of the materials into containers revealed that they are sufficiently homogeneous at least for sample size ≥100 mg. Both materials were prepared in amounts exceeding 40 kg and certified on the basis of a worldwide interlaboratory comparison, in which 109 laboratories from 19 countries participated. The method of data evaluation leading to assignment of certified values was essentially the same as that used previously in this Laboratory, but supplemented by additional data from the analysis of a CRM which was sent to the participants and analyzed by them along with the candidate reference materials. In addition the results for a few elements by very accurate developed methods in this Laboratory were obtained and used to support the certification process. Analytical uncertainties and stability uncertainties were quantified to arrive at combined uncertainties of the certified values. So far 18 elements in INCT-TL-1 and 21 in INCT-MPH-2 could be certified. (author)

[en] Japanese Tea Leaves, prepared by pulverizing with an agate ball mill and sieving with a Saran fiber sieve (50 mesh) were assessed as a possible biological standard reference material for elemental analysis. The metal content of the tea leaves was determined independently at two laboratories using atomic absorption and flame emission spectrometry. Neutron activation analysis was also performed to determine the content (21 elements) of Tea Leaves. For some elements the result from the various methods were compared. The characteristics of Tea Leaves are discussed and the elemental composition is compared to that of Orchard Leaves (NBS SRM, 1571). The most significant characteristic of Tea Leaves was the high manganese content. (auth.)

[en] The number of bacteria adhering to Japanese tea is 10E7-10E8 cfu/g in picked fresh tea leaves (almost radiation irresistance), decreasing every heat-treatment in manufacturing process to 10E3-10E4 cfu/g in tea on the market (only radiation resistance). Still more, its decreasing one figures after half a year by effect of anti-bacterium component contained Japanese tea. The number of fungi adhering to almost samples is below 50cfu/g, but that adhering to some powdered tea is 10E2 cfu/g. At heat treatment (80degC, 15min), the number of bacteria decrease very little. The other side, by EB-irradiated treatment (2kGy), its below 10E2 cfu/g (D sub(10-)value; 1.4 ~ 3.8kGy). The needed dose to decrease 10E2 cfu/g is 0.9 ~ 2.5kGy

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