RESUMO
The occurrence of drugs in wastewater has been considered an imminent risk to the population, for the treatments used are usually ineffective. The presence of four popular drug residues (metformin, paracetamol, tetracycline, and enalapril) in hospital effluents, by using ultra-fast liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) with electrospray (ESI) ionization, and removal/degradation by membrane bioreactor (MBR) system are investigated in this study. For analysis method, all standard calibration curves showed satisfactory linearity (R (2) ≥ 0.993) within a relatively wide range. The recovery was between 70.4 and 105.0 %, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) values were within the ranges of 8.2 and 13.5 %. The effluent samples were collected at the end of the process treated in a bench-scale MBR treatment system and preconcentrated on solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. Following that procedure, the chemical analysis demonstrated that the MBR system was effective in enalapril 94.3 ± 7.63 %, tetracycline 99.4 ± 0.02 %, and paracetamol 98.8 ± 0.86 % removal. However, the polar metformin was less effectively removed (35.4 ± 12.49 %). Moreover, the degradation products were investigated using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) by quadrupole-time of flight (Q-TOF), which has been indicated a tetracycline metabolite. In order to investigate the environmental impact, the wastewater potential risk was evaluated. The risk quotient (RQ) by measure environmental concentration (MEC) and its predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) ratio (RQ = MEC/PNEC) was between 0.003 (enalapril) to 0.815 (paracetamol). Finally, this work demonstrates that UFLC-MS/MS (ESI-Q) is a sensitive and selective method for drug analysis in wastewater and with ESI-Q-TOF has the accuracy required for determining the degradation products of these compounds. Also, it indicated that membrane bioreactor systems represent a new generation of processes that have proved to outperform conventional treatment showing better effluent quality. The removal capacity studied in this work demonstrates the efficiency of this process.
Assuntos
Hospitais , Preparações Farmacêuticas/análise , Preparações Farmacêuticas/metabolismo , Águas Residuárias/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/metabolismo , Reatores Biológicos , Cromatografia Líquida , Medição de Risco , Extração em Fase Sólida/métodos , Espectrometria de Massas em Tandem , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/métodosRESUMO
There is scientific evidence to suggest that the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill (AbM) has immunomodulatory effects on cytokine synthesis, both in vitro and in vivo. This study was the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to investigate these purported actions in elderly women. The objective of this study was to ascertain the effects of AbM intake on serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in community-living seniors. The sample consisted of 57 elderly females who were carriers or homozygous for the majority allele of functional polymorphisms for the chosen cytokines. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive placebo (n = 29) or AbM dry extract (n = 28), 900 mg/day for 60 days. Body mass index, abdominal girth, body composition, blood pressure and cytokine (IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) levels were measured, and food intake was assessed as a possible confounder. Analysis of these parameters showed the sample was characterized by overweight and excess adiposity. After the study period, no changes from baseline were detectable for any parameter in either group. In this study, AbM extract had no modulating effect on IL-6, IFN-γ or TNF-α levels in elderly females.
Assuntos
Agaricus , Mediadores da Inflamação/sangue , Interferon gama/sangue , Interleucina-6/sangue , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/sangue , Idoso , Pressão Sanguínea/fisiologia , Composição Corporal , Índice de Massa Corporal , Método Duplo-Cego , Ingestão de Alimentos , Feminino , Humanos , Estatísticas não ParamétricasRESUMO
An actual worldwide problem consists of an expressive increase of economic losses and health problems caused by fungi. In order to solve this problem, several studies have been concentrating on the screening of novel plant defence peptides with antifungal activities. These peptides are commonly characterized by having low molecular masses and cationic charges. This present work reports on the purification and characterization of a novel plant peptide of 5.0 kDa, Pe-AFP1, purified from the seeds of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis). Purification was achieved using a Red-Sepharose Cl-6B affinity column followed by reversed-phase chromatography on Vydac C18-TP column. In vitro assays indicated that Pe-AFP1 was able of inhibiting the development of the filamentous fungi Trichoderma harzianum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Aspergillus fumigatus with IC50 values of 32, 34, and 40 microg ml(-1), respectively, but not of Rhyzoctonia solani, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Candida albicans. This protein was also subjected to automated N-terminal amino acid sequence, showing high degree of similarities to storage 2S albumins, adding a new member to this protein-defence family. The discovery of Pe-AFP1 could contribute, in a near future, to the development of biotechnological products as antifungal drugs and transgenic plants with enhanced resistance to pathogenic fungi.
Assuntos
Albuminas/química , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Peptídeos Catiônicos Antimicrobianos/química , Peptídeos/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Bioensaio , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Passiflora , Proteínas de Plantas/química , Sementes/metabolismo , Análise de Sequência de Proteína , Homologia de Sequência de AminoácidosRESUMO
The present bacteriological report is part of an institutional multidisciplinary research project designed to study the factibility of using a tidal channel, located in the southern part of the Canal Principal in Bahía Blanca Estuary for aquaculture. Three sampling stations were located. Samples were taken in six opportunities from both water and sediments. Bacteriological studies from water included quantification of heterotrophic marine bacteria, heterotrophic terrestrial bacteria, total coliforms, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Escherichia coli and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were quantified from sediments. It is important to include the latter physiological group since their size reflects the presence and fluctuations of this type of pollutant in the environment. The evaluation of faecal indicator values leads to the conclusion that the organic matter present in the studied area, does not come directly from the domestic sewage. The bacteriological data suggest that the studied area would be suitable for aquaculture. Nevertheless, further monitorings contributing to detected modifications in the present bacteriological conditions are recommended.
Assuntos
Aquicultura/métodos , Microbiologia da Água/normas , Abastecimento de Água/normas , Argentina , Salmonella typhimurium/isolamento & purificação , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
El presente estudio bacteriológico forma parte de un proyecto de investigación institucional multidisciplinario. Tiene por objetivo estudiar la factibilidad de utilizar para acuicultura, un canal de marea, localizado al sur del Canal Principal del Estuario de Bahía Blanca. Se establecieron tres estaciones de muestreo a las que se accedió en seis oportunidades. De cada una de ellas se extrajeron muestras de agua subsuperficial y sedimentos superficiales. En las aguas se cuantificaron bacterias heterótrofas marinas, bacterias heterótrofas terrestres, coliformes totales, Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, y en los sedimentos Escherichia coli y bacterias degradadoras de hidrocarburos. Se considera importante la inclusión de este último grupo fisiológico debido a que refleja la presencia y fluctuaciones de este tipo de contaminante en el ambiente. La evaluación de los resultados de los indicadores fecales lleva a concluir que la materia orgánica, presente en la zona, no llega directamente de los desagües cloacales que afectan otras áreas del estuario. A partir de los resultados bacteriológicos se considera factible el empleo de la zona estudiada, si bien se deberían continuar los monitoreos a fin de detectar cualquier modificación en las condiciones bacteriológicas actuales
Assuntos
Aquicultura , Técnicas Bacteriológicas , Poluição de Estuários , Controle da Qualidade da Água , ArgentinaRESUMO
El presente estudio bacteriológico forma parte de un proyecto de investigación institucional multidisciplinario. Tiene por objetivo estudiar la factibilidad de utilizar para acuicultura, un canal de marea, localizado al sur del Canal Principal del Estuario de Bahía Blanca. Se establecieron tres estaciones de muestreo a las que se accedió en seis oportunidades. De cada una de ellas se extrajeron muestras de agua subsuperficial y sedimentos superficiales. En las aguas se cuantificaron bacterias heterótrofas marinas, bacterias heterótrofas terrestres, coliformes totales, Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, y en los sedimentos Escherichia coli y bacterias degradadoras de hidrocarburos. Se considera importante la inclusión de este último grupo fisiológico debido a que refleja la presencia y fluctuaciones de este tipo de contaminante en el ambiente. La evaluación de los resultados de los indicadores fecales lleva a concluir que la materia orgánica, presente en la zona, no llega directamente de los desag³es cloacales que afectan otras áreas del estuario. A partir de los resultados bacteriológicos se considera factible el empleo de la zona estudiada, si bien se deberían continuar los monitoreos a fin de detectar cualquier modificación en las condiciones bacteriológicas actuales(AU)
Assuntos
Aquicultura , Controle da Qualidade da Água , Técnicas Bacteriológicas , Poluição de Estuários , ArgentinaRESUMO
The present bacteriological report is part of an institutional multidisciplinary research project designed to study the factibility of using a tidal channel, located in the southern part of the Canal Principal in Bahía Blanca Estuary for aquaculture. Three sampling stations were located. Samples were taken in six opportunities from both water and sediments. Bacteriological studies from water included quantification of heterotrophic marine bacteria, heterotrophic terrestrial bacteria, total coliforms, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Escherichia coli and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were quantified from sediments. It is important to include the latter physiological group since their size reflects the presence and fluctuations of this type of pollutant in the environment. The evaluation of faecal indicator values leads to the conclusion that the organic matter present in the studied area, does not come directly from the domestic sewage. The bacteriological data suggest that the studied area would be suitable for aquaculture. Nevertheless, further monitorings contributing to detected modifications in the present bacteriological conditions are recommended.
RESUMO
A fin de decidir la habilitación de una pileta de agua de mar destinada a uso recreacional, la Municipalidad de Bahía Blanca solicitó determinar la calidad bacteriológica de sus aguas. Esto se debió a que la pileta se abastece con agua de la bahía Blanca, que en ese sector del Canal Principal no es apta para baño, como se pudo comprobar en estudios anteriores. Durante tres temporadas estivales se efectuó un estudio integral de las aguas que alimentan la pileta y un monitoreo de la misma. La caracterización se hizo mediante la cuantificación de los grupos bacterianos de heterótrofas aerobias viables, de origen marino y terrestre, coliformes totales, Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas productoras de fluorescencia. Se registraron: temperatura, salinidad, pH del agua y parámetros meteorológicos. En todos los casos los recuentos de indicadores de contaminación fecal, tanto del agua ingresante como de los controles realizados en piletas, estuvieron por debajo de los estándares más rigurosos que existen a nivel mundial para aguas de baño. El trabajo pone en evidencia que en este sistema de planicies de marea no es válida la extrapolación de resultados, y que las condiciones actuales se mantendrán mientras no se produzcan alteraciones en la zona que tiene influencia sobre las planicies de marea adyacentes al balneario
Assuntos
Aqua Marina/análise , Contagem de Colônia Microbiana , Poluição da Água/análise , Indicadores de Contaminação , Água para Recreação , ArgentinaRESUMO
A fin de decidir la habilitación de una pileta de agua de mar destinada a uso recreacional, la Municipalidad de Bahía Blanca solicitó determinar la calidad bacteriológica de sus aguas. Esto se debió a que la pileta se abastece con agua de la bahía Blanca, que en ese sector del Canal Principal no es apta para baño, como se pudo comprobar en estudios anteriores. Durante tres temporadas estivales se efectuó un estudio integral de las aguas que alimentan la pileta y un monitoreo de la misma. La caracterización se hizo mediante la cuantificación de los grupos bacterianos de heterótrofas aerobias viables, de origen marino y terrestre, coliformes totales, Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas productoras de fluorescencia. Se registraron: temperatura, salinidad, pH del agua y parámetros meteorológicos. En todos los casos los recuentos de indicadores de contaminación fecal, tanto del agua ingresante como de los controles realizados en piletas, estuvieron por debajo de los estándares más rigurosos que existen a nivel mundial para aguas de baño. El trabajo pone en evidencia que en este sistema de planicies de marea no es válida la extrapolación de resultados, y que las condiciones actuales se mantendrán mientras no se produzcan alteraciones en la zona que tiene influencia sobre las planicies de marea adyacentes al balneario (AU)
Assuntos
Aqua Marina/análise , Água para Recreação , Contagem de Colônia Microbiana , Poluição da Água/análise , Indicadores de Contaminação , ArgentinaRESUMO
A study was conducted at the request of the authorities of the Municipality of Bahía Blanca city, in order to decide whether the sea-water of a swimming pool was suitable for recreational purposes. The characterization of the water was performed through bacteriological indicators and the following groups of bacteria were studied: marine and terrestrial viable aerobic heterotrophic bacteria; total coliforms; Escherichia coli and fluorescent Pseudomonads. Salinity, temperature and pH were registered together with meteorological parameters. In every case, the bacteriological values obtained were lower than those of the most strict international standards used worldwide for bathing waters. In this way, the particular dynamic processing of the water entering the swimming pool from Blanca Bay becomes important, since previous studies conducted on the water of its Principal Channel had yielded high bacteriological values which rendered it unsuitable for bathing. This work shows that in this tidal-flats system, extrapolation of results is not valid. These conditions will remain the same if other factors do not change in the tidal-flats that surround the swimming pool.
Assuntos
Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Água do Mar/microbiologia , Piscinas , Microbiologia da Água , Brasil , Estações do Ano , Piscinas/normasRESUMO
A study was conducted at the request of the authorities of the Municipality of Bahía Blanca city, in order to decide whether the sea-water of a swimming pool was suitable for recreational purposes. The characterization of the water was performed through bacteriological indicators and the following groups of bacteria were studied: marine and terrestrial viable aerobic heterotrophic bacteria; total coliforms; Escherichia coli and fluorescent Pseudomonads. Salinity, temperature and pH were registered together with meteorological parameters. In every case, the bacteriological values obtained were lower than those of the most strict international standards used worldwide for bathing waters. In this way, the particular dynamic processing of the water entering the swimming pool from Blanca Bay becomes important, since previous studies conducted on the water of its Principal Channel had yielded high bacteriological values which rendered it unsuitable for bathing. This work shows that in this tidal-flats system, extrapolation of results is not valid. These conditions will remain the same if other factors do not change in the tidal-flats that surround the swimming pool.