14 research outputs found
Synthesis and characterization of a dehydrogenation product arising from the oxidation of aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer
No full textWhile investigating the antioxidant properties of aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer (1) (a natural substance occurring in biological fluids such as human urine and plasma and in bovine cerebellum), a previously unreported oxidation product was obtained. This compound was identified and characterized through comparison with an authentic sample prepared via Pd-catalyzed dehydrogenation of 1. This molecule is an example of an alternative oxidation pathway involving 1. © 2007 American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy
Multianalytical investigation reveals psychotropic substances in a ptolemaic Egyptian vase
No full textThis study presents a comprehensive multimodal analytical study of an Egyptian ritual Bes-vase, of the 2nd century BCE employing cutting-edge proteomics, metabolomics, genetics techniques, and synchrotron radiation-based Fourier Transformed Infrared microSpectroscopy (SR μ-FTIR) to characterize organic residues of its content. We successfully identified the presence of various functional, bioactive, psychotropic, and medicinal substances, shedding light on the diverse components of a liquid concoction used for ritual practices in Ptolemaic Egypt. Using LC-MS/MS with a new methodological approach, we identified key proteins and metabolites, enabling the identification of botanical sources, confirmed by genetic sequences. Our analyses revealed traces of Peganum harmala, Nimphaea nouchali var. caerulea, and a plant of the Cleome genus, all of which are traditionally proven to have psychotropic and medicinal properties. Additionally, the identification of human fluids suggests their direct involvement in these rituals. Furthermore, metabolomics and SR μ-FTIR analyses also revealed the presence of fermented fruit-based liquid and other ingredients such as honey or royal jelly. The identification of specific chemical compounds, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, provides insight into the psychoactive and therapeutic uses of these in ancient ritual practices. This multidisciplinary study highlights the complexity of ancient cultures and their interactions with psychoactive, medicinal, and bioactive substances. These findings contribute to our understanding of ancient belief systems, cultural practices, and the utilization of natural resources, ultimately enhancing our knowledge of past societies and their connection to the natural world
Persistent toxic substances in Mediterranean aquatic species
No full textFish and fishery productsmay represent one of themain sources of dietary exposure to persistent toxic substances
(PTSs) such as polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls; polybromodiphenyl ethers; organochlorine
pesticides; perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate; and inorganic mercury and methyl
mercury. In this study, PTS contamination of Mediterranean fish and crustaceans caught in Italian coastal waters
was investigated in order to increase the representativeness of the occurrence database for wild species. The objectives
were to verify the suitability of regulatory limits for PTSs, identify background concentrations values, if
any, and examine the possible sources of variability when assessing the chemical body burdens of aquatic species.
Twelve wild species of commercial interest and two farmed fish species were chosen. Excluding methyl mercury,
chemical concentrations found in wild species fell generally towards the low ends of the concentration ranges
found in Europe according to EFSA database and were quite lower than the tolerablemaximum levels established
in the European Union; farmed fish always showed contamination levels quite lower than those detected in wild
species. The data obtained for wild species seemed to confirmthe absence of local sources of contamination in the
chosen sampling areas; however, species contamination could exceed regulatory levels even in the absence of specific
local sources of contamination as a result of the position in the foodweb and natural variability in species' lifestyle.
A species-specific approach to themanagement of contamination in aquatic organisms is therefore suggested
as an alternative to a general approach based only on contaminant body burden. A chemical-specific analysis
performed according to organism position in the food chain strengthened the need to develop this approach
Metals in Mediterranean aquatic species
No full textMetals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium
(V), have been determined in species of Mediterranean marine organisms collected from areas supposed
to be at background contamination levels. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
approach was adopted for the determination of all the metals. Arsenic, Cd and Pb determined in the 42
samples, do not exceed the pertinent maximum level except a sample of hake. In wild fish, the concentration
range for Cr, Ni, V and Cu was, respectively: 0.07–0.09, 87.6–124, 0.022–0.075 and 0.79–1.74 lg/g
fresh weight (fw). The farmed fish samples show concentration levels below the wild fish ones, except for
Cr which range at the same levels. Cadmium and Pb show a high sample number under the quantification limit. The elements do not bio-magnify among the species considered and appear to show low variations in relation to organisms’ position in the food chain and at sampling sites
Identification of 24 Unknown Substances (NIAS/IAS) from Food Contact Polycarbonate by LC-Orbitrap Tribrid HRMS-DDMS3: Safety Assessment
No full textTwenty-four substances, mainly NIAS, have been tentatively identified in food contact polycarbonate through the application a new, fast, and automated analytical strategy for the investigation of unknowns in food contact materials. Most of the identified compounds were plasticizers, slip agents, antioxidants, and ultraviolet stabilizers and fragrances, and the majority of them have not been previously identified in PC food contact materials. The workflow setup includes an intelligent data acquisition applied using LC-Orbitrap Tribrid-HRMS (MS3), with an automated data processing using Compound DiscovererTM. To obtain a high confidence identification of unknown substances, a very strict criterion has been established, which comprises exact mass, isotopic profile, MS2 match, retention time, and MS3 match. To check for the safety of the migration from the food contact polycarbonate, a risk assessment was achieved using the threshold of the toxicological concern (TTC) approach. Except for the slip agent hexadecanamide, the compounds tentatively identified do not represent a risk
Analysis of unknowns in recycled LDPE plastic by LC-Orbitrap Tribrid HRMS using MS3 with intelligent data acquistion mode
No full textA new automated approach has been developed for the fast investigation of unknown substances (NIAS/IAS) in recycled LDPE plastic that could be used for food contact material (FCM). The pipeline setup includes an in- telligent data acquisition with AcquireXTM linked to LC-Orbitrap Tribrid-HRMS (MS3) and coupled to Compound Discoverer data processing. Twenty-eight unknown compounds were tentatively identified using very restrictive criteria that includes exact mass, isotopic profile, MS2 match, retention time and MS3 match. Most of the identified compounds were additives, mainly plasticizers, used in different plastic applications. To check for the safety of the migration of these compounds for food contact material applications of the LDPE recycled plastic, a risk assessment was performed using mainly the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) approach. The mi- gration of the identified compounds does not represent a risk
Identification of 24 unknown substances (NIAS/IAS) fro Food Contact Polycarbonate by LC-Orbitrap Tribrid HRMS-DDMS3 Safety Assessment
No full textTwenty-four substances, mainly NIAS, have been tentatively identified in food contact polycarbonate through the application a new, fast, and automated analytical strategy for the investigation of unknowns in food contact materials. Most of the identified compounds were plasticizers, slip agents, antioxidants, and ultraviolet stabilizers and fragrances, and the majority of them have not been previously identified in PC food contact materials. The workflow setup includes an intelligent data acquisition applied 3 TM using LC-Orbitrap Tribrid-HRMS (MS ), with an automated data processing using Compound Discoverer . To obtain a high confidence identification of unknown substances, a very strict criterion has been established, which comprises exact mass, isotopic profile, MS2 match, retention time, and MS3 match. To check for the safety of the migration from the food contact polycarbonate, a risk assessment was achieved using the threshold of the toxicological concern (TTC) approach. Except for the slip agent hexadecanamide, the compounds tentatively identified do not represent a risk
Synthesis and Characterization of a Dehydrogenation Product Arising from the Oxidation of Aminoethylcysteine Ketimine Decarboxylated Dimer
No full textWhile investigating the antioxidant properties of aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer (1) (a natural substance
occurring in biological fluids such as human urine and plasma and in bovine cerebellum), a previously unreported
oxidation product was obtained. This compound was identified and characterized through comparison with an authentic
sample prepared via Pd-catalyzed dehydrogenation of 1. This molecule is an example of an alternative oxidation pathway
involving 1
