Chlorinated organic compounds are persistent environmental pollutants that are resistant to conventional degradation methods. Gamma radiation induces water radiolysis, generating reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals and hydrated electrons, which enable both oxidative and reductive degradation pathways. This review summarizes the fundamental principles of radiation chemistry, the mechanisms of C–Cl bond cleavage, and the key factors influencing dechlorination efficiency, highlighting the potential of radiation-based technologies for environmental remediation.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of disinfection procedures, specifically butan-1-ol vapors and spraying with ethanol and isopropanol, on selected types of leather, namely alum-tanned leather, vegetable-tanned leather, and aniline-dyed vegetable-tanned leather. During the testing of the prepared samples, changes in tensile properties, shrinkage temperature, color, and pH values were monitored before and after treatment with disinfectants at various time intervals. The results of this research will contribute to a better understanding of the effects of disinfection methods on collagen-based materials and may provide a basis for developing optimal conservation procedures.
The article is devoted to the rare Ili barberry plant, a Kazakh endemic with interesting biological activity. It presents a brief history, use, and main constituents, along with their pharmacological effects. Full text English translation is available in the on-line version.
The paper presents ten principles of research excellence derived from the shared characteristics of outstanding scientists and Nobel Prize laureates. Drawing on examples from the history of science, it demonstrates that exceptional achievements result not only from intellectual abilities but also from the cultivation of personal qualities and values such as curiosity, originality, integrity, humility, courage, emotional engagement, clear communication, respect, interdisciplinary thinking, and continuous self-improvement. A key integrating element of these qualities is the development of self-efficacy as a belief in one's own ability to overcome obstacles. The individual principles are illustrated through prominent scientists whose achievements demonstrate their importance for both education and scientific research. The presented concept of excellence emphasizes the crucial role of the teacher–student relationship as a partnership based on inspiration, trust, and a shared pursuit of knowledge. Excellence is understood not as a final destination but as a lifelong process of personal and professional growth that can lead to significant discoveries and innovations.
This review examines the important interaction between the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface. It explains the process of atmospheric deposition and outlines its individual components: (i) episodic wet vertical deposition associated with falling precipitation such as rain and snow, (ii) dry deposition associated with the transfer of gases and aerosols from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, occurring continuously, and (iii) the least understood form of horizontal deposition occurring via fog and rime ice pathways. Special attention is paid to the quantification of deposition fluxes of environmentally important substances in the Czech Republic, the preparation and use of deposition maps, and the neglected but highly significant pathways of horizontal deposition, which play an important role in sensitive mountain ecosystems.
Bioactive components in fermented foods are the subject of numerous experimental studies. Kombucha is a traditional beverage typically obtained through the fermentation of black or green tea by a symbiotic microbial culture, offering potential health benefits. Associations with bioactive peptides, polyphenols, flavanols, flavonoids, isoflavanones, procyanidins, epicatechins, nattokinase, acetic acid, and lactoferrin have been studied. The aim of this work was to monitor the effect of the probiotic tea Kombucha on selected indicators in a group of individuals without serious health issues. Probiotic Kombucha tea is known for its ability to restore the gut microbiome, support digestion and immunity, while providing essential antioxidants. The study lasted 100 days and was divided into two parts: (a) a questionnaire survey; (b) monitoring of physical indicators (weight, blood pressure) and biochemical indicators (serum levels of glucose, AST, ALT, GGT, lipase, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol). Individual indicators were monitored at 0, 30, and 100 days. No significant changes were observed in the monitored physical and chemical parameters. Differences were identified between the male and female groups. However, a beneficial effect was observed in the subjective evaluation. The pilot study indicated that long-term monitoring is necessary.
The article provides basic data on (common) wormwood, its constituents, biological efficacy and toxicity. Full text English translation is available in the on-line version.
Liquid chromatography (LC) is widely considered as one of the most commonly used instrumental analytical techniques, second only to the most fundamental techniques, such as weighing and pH measurement. The development, current challenges, and future of LC have already been discussed more extensively elsewhere, including in this journal. This article focuses on two protagonists, Mikhail Semyonovich Tsvet and Csaba Horv & aacute;th, whose groundbreaking works have substantially advanced the field of LC. This year, we are celebrating the significant anniversaries of their publications. Their pioneering research was a "giant leap for mankind" because it demonstrated the power of chromatography as an indispensable tool in analytical chemistry.
This article briefly describes the long history of cooperation between Czech and Chinese electroanalytical chemists from the perspective of the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, as reflected at the 20th International Symposium on Electroanalytical Chemistry in Changchun. This cooperation began after Jaroslav Heyrovský's first paper on polarography had been published (in Czech language) in this Journal, which is one of the oldest continuously existing chemistry journals on the European continent. Trends in modern electroanalytical chemistry, which are logically reflected in this cooperation, are also discussed, and a brief description is provided of the State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry (SKLEAC) at the world-renowned CIAC (Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry) in Changchun, China, which is a long-standing partner of ULEEC (UNESCO Laboratory of Environmental Electrochemistry) at the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague. Full text English translation is available in the on-line version.
Cannabinoids, both phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids, represent significant potential in the treatment of various diseases. The problematic bioavailability of phytocannabinoids could be improved by developing their prodrugs, which is discussed in the first part of this review. The second part is devoted to the so-called semi-synthetic cannabinoids, a rapidly growing group of substances developed mainly to circumvent the legislative restrictions on some phytocannabinoids, especially Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The final part highlights the frequent errors on websites related to the recreational use of cannabinoids.
The article provides basic information about devil's dung, its ingredients, biological efficacy, and toxicity. Full text English translation is available in the on-line version.
The work describes the most important historical moments of the 160 years of the Society of Chemists in Bohemia, Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic.
The rapid increase in illicit drug trafficking via shipping containers poses a significant security risk. This work presents a fast and reliable method for detecting narcotics and new psychoactive substances (NPS) in container air using a combination of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and artificial neural networks (ANN). A SERS-active filtration device was developed to enable sample collection without opening the containers, and experimental measurements were performed under both laboratory and field conditions. The acquired SERS spectra were pre-processed and analysed using a convolutional neural network optimized for NPS identification, achieving high F1-scores (0.92) and low limits of detection (similar to 0.9 ng m(-3) for amphetamine-type substances and 10(-3) ng m(-3) for cocaine). The proposed approach also enabled the detection of previously unknown NPS based on molecular similarity to known substances, with a detection accuracy exceeding 93%, without requiring their spectra in the training database. These results demonstrate the practical applicability of the proposed system for rapid, safe, and reliable monitoring of shipping containers, providing a promising tool for the early detection of both established and emerging narcotics and psychotropic substances.
Our text analyses how the concepts atom, molecule, element, and compound are initially introduced in nineteen Czech chemistry textbooks for lower secondary schools. We examine textbooks published between 1954 and 2022. The analysis focuses primarily on the demands these introductions place on students’ abstract thinking. The results show a gradual shift from older, less precise, and simpler definitions to more abstract, more recent definitions based on the particle model and proton number. This development is discussed in the context of science education research, which highlights students’ difficulties in working with the submicroscopic level and with models of atomic structure. The study points to a tension between the scientific accuracy of modern definitions and students’ current cognitive capacities. In addition, it draws attention to a partial discrepancy between official definitions and the terminology used in contemporary pedagogical and scientific literature.
On the occasion of the appointment of the analytical chemist Professor Jiří Zima as Rector of Charles University, this article provides an overview of chemists and personalities with a strong interest in chemistry who have held this highest university office. It demonstrates that education in analytical chemistry constitutes an excellent foundation and qualification for senior managerial and leadership positions. Full text English translation is available in the on-line version.
