The presence of heavy metals such as chromium in waterways can lead to various health problems in humans and animals. Due to its negative effects, chromium-rich wastewater needs to be treated before being discharged into waterways. In this study, the possibility of using bentonite as an adsorbent for the removal of Cr (III) from galvanic wastewater was investigated. First, the physicochemical characterization of the used bentonite was performed, followed by the examination of process parameters such as pH value, concentration, mass, and time. Based on the obtained data, adsorption isotherms, kinetic models, and thermodynamic parameters were determined. All experiments were carried out in both batch and column systems. The results showed that bentonite can be used as a low-cost adsorbent for the efficient removal of chromium ions from galvanic industry wastewater, achieving the highest removal efficiency (99.97%) at pH 5 and a mass of 1 g. The Langmuir and Temkin adsorption isotherm models showed good agreement with the experimental data (R2 > 0.9), while the best fit for the kinetic study was observed with the pseudo-first-order model.
One of the greatest challenges of today is environmental pollution, which leads to serious threats to human health and the entire ecosystem. Due to their high persistence and low biodegradability, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs), as the main categories of environmental pollutants of anthropogenic origin, remain present in the environment for a long period of time, continuously circulating between air, water and soil, posing a permanent risk to public health. Bosnia and Herzegovina has not previously conducted studies on the presence of environmental pollutants in breast milk, the results of which could contribute to more effective public health protection and serve as a basis for strategic planning aimed at reducing exposure to environmental pollutants. For this reason, the aim of this study was to determine the levels of selected persistent organic pollutants (PCBs and OCPs) in breast milk of lactating women (N=67) from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska and Brčko District). The results presented here are the first of their kind for the territory of our country. The average values of quantified concentrations of PCB (17 congeners) and OCP (8 compounds) ranged from 1.03-162.29 ng/g l.w. and from 0.27 to 14.64 ng/g l.w., respectively. PCB congeners 52, 77, 126, and 169 were detected at higher levels compared to those reported in some of the European and Asian countries. In Brčko District and Republika Srpska, higher values were found compared to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.The measured concentrations of selected persistent pollutants in breast milk samples collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina mostly correspond to the literature data from similar studies conducted in the countries of the region and Europe.
Composite micro- and nanocapsules made from natural proteins are increasingly used for various bioactive compound delivery applications due to their versatile nature and ability to carry a wide variety of therapeutic drug molecules. Capsules, both, core-shell and matrix types, have gained prominence in diverse sectors, from pharmaceuticals to food technology. Their widespread use is due to their encapsulation efficiency and controlled release properties. This study provides a physical-morphological characterization and a presentation of the preparation of particles derived from the corn protein-zein, with emphasis on core-shell and matrix configurations. Due to its strong antimicrobial effect against many different strains of bacteria and fungi, carvacrol was considered in this work. It was found that Pickering emulsions prepared as 10% O/W emulsion with 15% GA with the ratio Z:O=1:1.5 and the ratio Z:OSA starch=1:1 and 20 % of carvacrol on dry matter were the most suitable for the preparation of dry capsules. Analysis of matrix-type nanocapsules with 10% encapsulated carvacrol showed that the particles spherical in shape with a smooth surface and could be successfully dried and prepared in this formulation.
This study investigates the influence of surface contamination on the final morphology generated by a seed-mediated growth model on a two-dimensional triangular lattice. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we examine the interplay between growth rules (specifically rigid k-mer extension and flexible self-avoiding random walk (SARW) chains) and the geometric properties of pre-adsorbed impurities. Contrary to the initial hypothesis of a geometric matching between the growing species and the surface impurities, our results show that the final morphology in the jamming state is remarkably insensitive to the local symmetry or compactness of the impurities. For rigid k-mers, growth arrest is primarily driven by the impurity number density, which overrides any potential advantages of linear alignment with specific defect shapes. For SARW chains, the available void space and its topological connectivity limit the length, overshadowing the advantages of impurity compactness. Our findings reveal structural robustness in surface growth processes, where intrinsic growth rules dictate length scales, but the overall impurity coverage governs the overall feature distribution. This suggests that morphological outcomes are predictable based on total contamination levels, offering a simplified framework for controlling the growth of nanostructures in realistic, inhomogeneous environments.
Municipal wastewater treatment generates significant amounts of waste sludge that needs to be stabilized before disposal or reuse due to environmental and health risks. This study evaluated the effectiveness of microbiological, biological, and physical sludge treatment methods using physicochemical, microbiological, and ecotoxicological analyses. Microbiological treatment with a mixed microbial culture resulted in odor reduction and partial changes in organic matter content. Biological treatment with Eisenia fetida led to gradual structural transformation of the sludge and a reduction in pathogenic indicators, although a longer treatment time was required. Physical stabilization using pyrophyllite schist significantly increased total solids (from 17.75% to 48.32%), reduced volatile solids (to 2.26 %) due to combined stabilization and dilution effects, immobilized selected heavy metals, and eliminated fecal bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms. Ecotoxicological assessment showed an increase in LC₅₀ values from 27% in raw sludge to 58% after physical treatment, indicating reduced toxicity. The results show that pyrophyllite schist is an effective natural material for improving the physicochemical stability and hygienic safety of wastewater sludge and highlight the potential of combining biological agents and natural mineral materials for sustainable sludge management.
In this study, the essential oil of commercial clove (Syzygium aromaticum L. Merr. & L. M. Perry) was isolated. The chemical composition of the clove essential oil (CEO) was analyzed by GC-FID/MS. The reducing ability was analyzed by Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay, while the free radical neutralization efficiency was tested by DPPH Radical Scavenging Assay. Antibacterial screening was analyzed on reference bacterial strains by diffusion test. The potential impact of CEO as a copper corrosion inhibitor was investigated by electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM), taking into account that compounds that have antibacterial and antioxidant effects also affect metal corrosion. GC-FID/MS analysis confirmed the high presence of eugenol (74.41%), (Z)-isoeugenol acetate (13.18%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (10.60%) in CEO. The content of polyphenols is extremely high and correlates with the results of antioxidant activity. The essential oil was found to be highly effective in inhibiting the growth of the tested bacterial strains, at test concentrations of 40 and 80 mg/mL The inhibition zones of CEO were generally larger than those of the control antibiotics. The EFM results show that CEO acts as an effective inhibitor of copper corrosion in NaCl solution with a concentration of 0.5 mol/L, where it is adsorbed on the surface by physisorption according to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
Large surface enriched with oxygen-containing groups, enabling interactions with various molecules, makes graphene oxide (GO) valuable in sensing, imaging, and therapy but complicates cytotoxicity assessment using standard colorimetric assays. In this study we examined adsorption of tetrazolium (MTT) ion, used as a dye in colorimetric assay, on GO. Using a cell-free system, adsorption behavior was modelled with Freundlich, Langmuir, and Langmuir– Freundlich (Sips) isotherms. Satisfactory fits were obtained by all models. However, the Sips model provided the best nonlinear regression performance, while Langmuir fit best under linear regression. π–π interactions between MTT and the GO aromatic rings were discussed as the most probable driving force for the adsorption. Interactions between GO and components of the culture medium (DMEM) and serum (FBS) were indirectly observed by comparing MTT monolayer capacity values with the values obtained in aqueous MTT solutions. The results confirm that GO interactions with MTT, responsible for the interferences, can be described quantitatively in the presence of cell supporting medium and that corrective adjustments of the colorimetric assay results may be required, yet the question remains whether such corrections can be applied in practice. The present study provides an initial foundation for assessing their feasibility.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are compounds that are recognized as significant health and environmental hazards, and their use and emission have been restricted or limited by the Stockholm Convention. Despite the control measures foreseen by the international treaties, the presence in the environment is still evident. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a party to the Stockholm Convention, but regular integrative monitoring of POPs occurrence in the environment has not been established. Data on POPs concentrations reported by various research groups and institutions are scattered in the available publications, making a general assessment difficult. This paper aims to summarize data on the presence and levels of selected POPs in environmental and biological samples from Bosnia and Herzegovina, which can aid in planning further monitoring actions, the assessment of effects of already implemented control measures, and policy decision making. The main findings indicate the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in most of the matrices (soil, air, water, sediment, and certain food). Potential ecological or health risks cannot be excluded in respect to heptachlor (Bosna river basin), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (in free-range hen eggs), PCBs (in free-range hen eggs and in Modrac Lake sediment), and PAHs (in agricultural soil in Spreča valley and in sediments from Bosna and Spreča rivers).
This study investigated the use of Artemisia annua L. aqueous extract as a corrosion inhibitor for aluminum in artificial seawater using cyclic voltammetry (CV), potentiodynamic polarization (PP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The surface film formed on the Al in the presence of A. annua was analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Electrochemical results showed that A. annua is a mixed type inhibitor of Al corrosion with predominantly anodic action and is changing the electrochemical behavior of Al in artificial seawater by inhibiting dissolution processes. The inhibition efficiency of similar to 91% was attributed to the formation of a homogenous multilayer composed of phenolic acids. According to the results of FTIR analysis, the adsorption was established through the carboxyl group of phenolic acids, where stabilization of the adsorption layer was achieved through interactions between aromatic rings and the aliphatic chains. The adsorption mechanism obeyed the Freundlich isotherm model and El-Awady kinetic-thermodynamic models and referred to physical adsorption (Delta Gads = 18.83 +/- 2.34 kJ mol-1).
Red wines are rich in antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory activity and beneficial effect on human health. The aim of this research was to determine the content of bioactive compounds, i.e. total phenols, anthocyanins and tannins, as well as antioxidant activity in red wines from the Herzegovina region. Four wines from two different harvest years, i.e. 2019 and 2021, were analysed. Phenolic compounds are important wine quality parameters that affect color, taste and aroma. The content of total phenols varied from 1733.87 f 10.22 to 2382.09 f 21.42 mg GAE/L. The content of total anthocyanins, which directly affect the color of red wines, was determined by the pH differential method and the results obtained ranged from 13.64 f 0.19 to 21.76 f 0.35 mg CGE/L. Total tannins were determined using spectrometric method, and values ranged from 9.00 f 0.09 to 11.42 f 0.21 g/L. The antioxidant activity was assessed using two different methods, FRAP and ABTS. The total phenolic content of the tested wines was positively correlated with their antioxidant activity. The content of total phenols, anthocyanins, tannins and antioxidant activity were influenced by the year of harvest as well as the aging methods used.
School experiments, as a teaching method, represent one of the visual ways of explaining relevant natural phenomena to pupils. The application of experiments in chemistry teaching is often interpreted as an excellent way to achieve good learning outcomes. The impact of conducted school experiments on pupils was examined using psychological instruments, administered before and after performing the selected school experiments in front of the pupils. Feedback from 143 respondents, pupils from primary and secondary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was collected. Adequate statistical analysis was performed. Two key measures were identified: Affinity towards Chemistry and positive experiment experience. A slight but significant increase in the affinity scores was noted after demonstrating school experiments, showing a mildly positive impact on students' attitudes toward chemistry. Positive Experiment Experience scores were high, indicating a favorable perception of the demonstrations. The data suggest that students' initial affinity towards chemistry is the best predictor of their attitudes after the experiment, suggesting that pre-existing attitudes are key. No evidence was found for a "magic" intervention that significantly changes students' affinity. These findings highlight the importance of continuous engagement over isolated demonstrations, which alone cannot replace the impact of ongoing work with students.
Clays are fine-particle-size materials (less than 2 mu m) comprised mainly of clay minerals, which are hydrated aluminum silicates with associated alkali and alkaline earth elements. The small particle size and complex porous structure result in a high specific surface area, which allows strong physical and chemical interactions with dissolved species. Metals can also be incorporated within the clay structure, which can be made of octahedral and/or tetrahedral sheets. Depending on the composition of the tetrahedral and octahedral sheets, the layer will have no charge or will have a net negative charge. If the layers are charged, this charge is balanced by interlayer cations. The recent research of metals in clays mainly focused on heavy metals, while investigations of light metals are rather rare. For the investigation of the behavior of alkali and alkaline earth metals in clay samples, 110 subsamples of cored samples were taken. The total contents of potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba) were determined using inductively coupled plasmaoptical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Descriptive statistics were conducted using maximum, minimum, average, and median values. Correlation and PCA analysis with and without Al-normalization were calculated to determine the different behavior of metals, The contents of metals lie in the following sequence: K>Mg>Ca>Na>Ba>Sr. The highest correlation between metals was found between Mg and K (r=0.87) and Ba and Sr (r=0.65). PCA analysis revealed two subgroups: 1) K, Mg, Na. 2) Ba, Sr. After the Al normalization was applied, Ba and Sr showed the highest correlation (r=0.81). Ca did not significantly contribute to any of the PCA subgroups, suggesting a possible different source and behavior.
The use of transdermal patches with nicotine is a better way to quit smoking because it ensures a similar concentration of nicotine in the blood as when smoking and reduces the morning desire for a cigarette. The aim of this work was to analyze the behavior of the matrix with the active substance under conditions that are close to skin conditions. A total of 3 samples were collected from local market. The analysis was performed after 0.5, 1, 4, 10, 16 and 24 hours for each sample. The concentration of released nicotine for samples at 50 RPM ranged in the following range: sample 1 43.87 %-115.23 %; sample 2 40.56 %-114.70 %; sample 3 43.53 %-117.13 %. The concentration of released nicotine for the samples at 100 RPM ranged in the following range: sample 1 45.14 %-120.82 %; sample 2 49.05 %-120.79 %; sample 3 44.73 %- 118.51 %. It was determined that most of the nicotine is released already after 4 hours. The samples also show very similar concentration results after 10 hours, and for all three samples the result was 0.096 mg/ml.
The bioeconomy encompasses the whole economy's reliance on biological and renewable resources, appears as a response to the global challenges confronting the present civilization. This paper explains the genesis of this concept, focusing particularly on its fundamental components, i.e. the sustainable utilization of biomass and the production of biofuels. It offers an overview of global policies and strategies in this domain, alongside the potential applications of biomass. A large number of studies highlight the great potential of biomass, surpassing the current human needs. However, its application has to be examined through three aspects: supply, demand and sustainability. The increase in biofuel production also imposes challenges such as the competitive use of land for biomass and food production, which is a particular problem, and in this regard, various technologies have been developed that use inedible biomass in the production of biofuels and valuable chemicals. Recognizing the importance of the bioeconomy, as an inevitable element in achieving sustainable development, the European Union adopted a strategy and action plan for the bioeconomy in 2012. Also, many countries that are important players in the global economy, such as the United States, Germany, Canada, Japan, etc. have adopted their national strategies that promote the bioeconomy. It is clear that there is a global interest in research and investment in supply chains for biomass and biofuels, which gives an optimistic picture of the future use of biomass as the basis of a future global bioeconomy.
This paper presents the study of total phenolics (TPs), total flavonoids (TFs), vitamin C and antioxidant activity (AA) of fruits and juices of raspberry varieties from the area of the municipality of Cazin. Five raspberry varieties (Fertodi, Meeker, Polka, Tulameen, and Willamette) grown according to the integral concept, as well as one sample of the Willamette variety grown as a hobby within the homestead-semi-intensive concept (W-sc) were analyzed. The TPs (before and after precipitation with formaldehyde) were quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu method with gallic acid (GA) as a standard. The TFs were calculated from the difference between the TPs before and after precipitation. To determine the content of vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid (AsA) was utilized as a standard. In addition, the AA of the raspberry samples was tested using the ABTS radical scavenging method, wuth trolox (T) as a standard. The highest TPs content in fresh raspberry fruits (f.f.) was shown by the Tulameen variety (1608.77 mg GAE/100 g), while the W-sc sample showed the highest TPs content (1417.65 mg GAE/100 mL) among fresh raspberry juices (f.j.). The Tulameen variety had the highest TFs in f.f. (1513.81 mg GAE/100 g) and the Willamette variety in f.j. (789.99 mg GAE/100 mL). The highest content of vitamin C was shown by the variety Meeker in both tested raspberry fractions (45.87 mg AsAE/100 g in f.f., and 37.42 mg AsAE/100 mL in f.j.). All samples exhibited AA, whereby the best AA was shown by the Fertodi variety (7.60 mM TE/g) for f.f. samples, while the Meeker variety had the highest value of AA (6.26 mM TE/mL) among f.j. samples.
Alien plant species pose significant threats to natural ecosystems due to their adaptability and invasive potential. In this study, the antioxidant activity of 13 alien and invasive plant species was investigated, regarding their total phenolic content, flavonoid content, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity. Plant tissues were macerated, evaporated to dryness, and the extracts were dissolved in water. Total phenolic content ranged from 6.55 mg GAE/g extract to 30.82 mg GAE/g extract. Flavonoid content spanned from 3.04 mg Quercetin/g extract to 40.81 mg Quercetin/g extract. The total antioxidant capacity ranged between 662 CEAC mu M and 1540 CEAC mu M. Total oxidative capacity can be correlated to the abiotic stress. Rhus typhina L. and Impatiens balfourii Hooker f., exhibited positive total oxidant capacity values of 122.56 f 7.85 mu M H2O2 Equiv./L and 141.38 f 4.33 mu M H2O2 Equiv./L, respectively. These two species also showed the highest total antioxidant capacity that were 1190,06 f 137,36 CEAC mu M for Rhus typhina L and 1540,34 f 270,84 for CEAC Impatiens balfourii Hooker f. The results suggest that the extraction solvent significantly affects the antioxidant capacity, with ethanol generally providing higher extraction efficiency for many species. The antimicrobial activity was determined against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Rhus typhina L was active againstE. coli and P. mirabilis. This data indicates that plants increased antioxidant defense systems against abiotic stresses. Clearly, the correlation between total oxidant capacity and total antioxidant capacity values in plants is a valuable factor indicating the mechanism of the plant defense.
