Direct analysis in atomic spectroscopy offers an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional digestion-based methods for trace element detection and quantification in food matrices. This review explores applications of direct sample analysis across liquid, semi-liquid and solid food types, including fruit juice, milk and dairy products, alcoholic beverages, honey, fats and oils, seeds and nuts, milk powders, seafood, vegetables, powdered plant-based beverages, and cereals. Elements such as Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, and Pb have been successfully quantified using direct sampling approaches. Analytical techniques such as AAS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, GD-OES, XRF are critically evaluated, besides hydride generation, MIP-OES, HPLC coupling, laser ionization, and thermospray-assisted approaches. The review emphasizes key aspects influencing analytical performance parameters, matrix effects, reagent usage and measurement conditions. It identifies methodological gaps and suggests future directions to enhance applicability and reliability of direct food analysis using diverse atomic spectrometry techniques.

High-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFAAS) methods with solid and solution sampling were developed for the determination of the Bi dopant in high-purity lithium niobate (LiNbO3) crystals. Samples were cut from the cylindrical crystal bulks, cleaned, and pulverized. A HF-HNO3 mixture was applied for microwave digestion of LiNbO3 (≈0.07 g per sample). Atomization transients, pyrolysis, and atomization curves were studied with various media and chemical modifiers, e.g., triammonium citrate (TAC), Pd-Mg-(NO3)2. For solid samples, the optimal pyrolysis and atomization temperatures of Bi were found at 1000 and 1800 °C, respectively, whereas, for solution samples, much lower values of 500 and 1300 °C were obtained. TAC slightly, but Pd-Mg considerably increased the optimal pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, i.e., up to 1300 and 2100 °C, respectively. The dissolved LiNbO3 matrix acted as an internal modifier, exhibiting optimal pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for Bi. For solid sample analysis, 0.05-0.4 mg (average: 0.1 mg) of LiNbO3 powder was dosed into graphite boats, while conventional standard addition and three-point estimation were used for calibration. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.4 and 0.3 μg/g for solid and solution analysis, respectively, using Bi I 227.6580 nm and Bi I 223.0608 nm lines, respectively. Utilizing the latter for solid sampling, an LOD of 0.03 μg/g can be attained. The analytical results for all methods were in good agreement (mean bias: <12%). The precision of the solid and solution sample methods was at 6-16% (average: 12%) and 1-13% (average: 4.4%), respectively. The Bi content of the crystals ranged from 56 to 311 μg/g. The characteristic mass for solid and solution sampling was 220 and 17 pg, respectively. The accuracy of the method was checked against the GBW07407 (laterite soil) certified reference material.

Trace elements are crucial for human nutrition, requiring their precise analysis in fruit juices to ensure product quality and assess contamination risks. Atomic spectroscopy techniques including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), and glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES) are sensitive, selective and versatile tools for trace element analysis of various solid and solution samples. Matrix modifiers, sample introduction and sample preparation methods are pivotal for improving the accuracy and mitigating matrix interferences. Further advancements in instrumentation are essential. This review provides a comprehensive overview of these techniques, highlighting their principles, advantages, limitations and future research directions in fruit juice analysis. Its global applications, focusing on As, Cd, Co, and Pb, along with sample preparation methods, element concentrations, detection limits, and recovery values, have been explored.

Low-cost sensors (LCSs) of Geekcreit PM1/PM2.5/PM10 (based on a PMS5003 sampler) and BOHU BH-1 models A3 and B3 (based on a Pando G7 sampler) were compared for different aerosol size ranges using a research-grade instrument (Grimm 1.109) under controlled laboratory conditions. An aerosol generator was utilized to produce various sizes of monodispersed particulate matter (PM), which was introduced into a laboratory smoke chamber under resistance heating/cooling and/or varying RH conditions. In addition, the accuracy of the air temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) sensors of the LCSs were assessed against calibrated, laboratory-grade instruments. The study LCSs showed generally accurate readings for PM2.5, irrespectively of the slow T and/or RH changes, which provided apt conditions for accurate calibration slopes (S) and low intercepts/bias (b) of the linear fits. On the other hand, PM1 and PM10 readings slightly deviated from those observed with the reference monitor, likely due to the lower detection efficacy of the LCSs towards fine and coarse PM. Varying RH influenced the S and b values, showing its impact on the detection efficacy of LCSs. Under low/medium RH, homoscedastic calibration curves of PMx were found, whereas rather heteroscedastic calibration plots were observed at high RH. For T calibration, low RH in the smoke chamber provided more reproducible conditions in terms of lower measurement bias for LCSs as recorded against a calibrated, reference-grade thermometer.

A couple of air quality (AQ) parameters were monitored with two types of low-cost sensors (LCSs) before, during and after the garden fence rebuilding of a dwelling house, located at the junction of a main road and a side street in a suburban area of Budapest, Hungary. The AQ variables, recorded concurrently indoors and outdoors, were particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) and some gaseous trace pollutants, such as CO2, formaldehyde (HCHO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Medium-size aerosol (PM2.5-1), coarse particulate (PM10-2.5) and indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios were calculated. The I/O ratios showed that indoor fine and medium-size PM was mostly of outdoor origin; its increased levels were observed during the renovation. The related pollution events were characterized by peaks as high as 100, 95 and 37 µg/m3 for PM1, PM2.5-1 and PM10-2.5, respectively. Besides the renovation, some indoor sources (e.g., gas-stove cooking) also contributed to the in-house PM1, PM2.5-1 and PM10-2.5 levels, which peaked as high as 160, 255 and 220 µg/m3, respectively. In addition, these sources enhanced the indoor levels of CO2, HCHO and, rarely, VOCs. Increased and highly fluctuating VOC levels were observed in the outdoor air (average: 0.012 mg/m3), mainly due to the use of paints and thinners during the reconstruction, though the use of a nearby wood stove for heating was an occasional contributing factor. The acquired results show the influence of the fence renovation-related activities on the indoor air quality in terms of aerosols and gaseous components, though to a low extent. The utilization of high-resolution LCS-assisted monitoring of gases and PMx helped to reveal the changes in several AQ parameters and to assign some dominant emission sources.

The work investigates the role of metals on the formation and stability of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in liquids treated with a surface-wave microwave discharge. It is demonstrated that the high reduction potential metals can quasi-neutralize the acidification induced by the plasma treatment, and thus reduce the rate of the NO2-+H2O2+H+-> products reaction. As a consequence, while in the acidified plasma-activated water the NO2- production vanishes with increase in the treatment time, the addition of metals enhances the NO2- production. The RONS concentrations are quasi-stable for several weeks when pH is higher than 5.5, which can be achieved in a wide range of treatment conditions with the use of Mg powder, and at relatively shorter treatments with the usage of Zn.

Official air quality (AQ) stations are sporadically located in cities to monitor the anthropogenic pollutant levels. Consequently, their data cannot be used for further locations to estimate hidden changes in AQ and local emissions. Low-cost sensors (LCSs) of particulate matter (PM) in a network can help in solving this problem. However, the applicability of LCSs in terms of analytical performance requires careful evaluation. In this study, two types of pocket-size LCSs were tested at urban, suburban and background sites in Budapest, Hungary, to monitor PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and microclimatic parameters at high resolutions (1 s to 5 min). These devices utilize the method of laser irradiation and multi-angle light scattering on air-suspended particulates. A research-grade AQ monitor was applied as a reference. The LCSs showed acceptable accuracy for PM species in indoor/outdoor air even without calibration. Low PM readings (<10 μg/m3) were generally handicapped by higher bias, even between sensors of the same type. The relative humidity (RH) slightly affected the PM readings of LCSs at RHs higher than 85%, necessitating field calibration. The air quality index was calculated to classify the extent of air pollution and to make predictions for human health effects. The LCSs were useful for detecting peaks stemming from emissions of motor vehicular traffic and residential cooking/heating activities.

Congruent lithium niobate (LiNbO3) prepared by sintering was ground under wet conditions in a planetary mill in order to produce nanocrystals. By using gradually lower sizes of the balls in the mill, the final particle size of the crystals could be reduced to about 12-15 nm. The particle size achieved as well as the lithium oxide (Li2O) loss of the lithium niobate particles were followed as a function of the grinding time. Lithium oxide was found to be released throughout the entire milling procedure, even in the case when the particle size no longer changed upon the grinding with a particular ball size. About 12% and 20% Li2O loss was detected upon grinding with 3 mm and 0.5 mm balls, respectively. X-ray diffractometry revealed the formation of a lithium-deficient phase, LiNb3O8, the presence of which was confirmed by means of Raman spectroscopy. The LiNb3O8:LiNbO3 volume ratio achieved for 70 nm particle size as calculated from both the diffractograms and the lithium oxide loss determined by coulometric titration was assessed to be 0.39 (+/- 0.03). Correlation was revealed between the composition change of the nanopowder and the total surface area of the particle assembly calculated from dynamic light scattering measurements.

X-ray-activated near-infrared luminescent nanoparticles are considered as new alternative optical probes due to being free of autofluorescence, while both their excitation and emission possess a high penetration efficacy in vivo. Herein, we report silicon carbide quantum dot sensitization of trivalent chromium-doped zinc gallate nanoparticles with enhanced near-infrared emission upon X-ray and UV-vis light excitation. We have found that a ZnGa2O4 shell is formed around the SiC nanoparticles during seeded hydrothermal growth, and SiC increases the emission efficiency up to 1 order of magnitude due to band alignment that channels the excited electrons to the chromium ion.

Polycrystalline, cerium-doped yttrium oxyorthosilicate (Y2SiO5:Ce, YSO:Ce) and lutetium yttrium oxyorthosilicare (Lu2-xYxSiO5:Ce, LYSO:Ce) scintillator materials have been synthesized and characterized. Samples have been prepared at 1400 degrees C with the aid of LiF flux. The initial concentration of the flux and the cerium content has strongly affected the particle size and photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the host crystal. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements have proven that the sizes of particles are in the range of 200 - 500 nm for powdered samples prepared with 18 mol% LiF concentration. The highest PL yield for the X2-YSO phase has been observed for host crystals with 1 mol% Ce3+. Increasing the Ce content in YSO and LYSO, as well as the Y content in LYSO samples resulted in a redshift in their PL emission spectra.

Tropospheric aerosols (total suspended particulate, TSP) were sampled at four sampling sites of various anthropogenic impact (industrial, commercial, heavy trafficked, and mixed urban influence), located in Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital of Tanzania. Air concentrations of minor and trace elements (Al, As, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, S, Si, Sb, and Zn) in TSP were determined by means of wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). From these data, the main ionic composition of particulate matter was inferred by means of a species correlation/ratio-derived approach, based on former studies of the region. Enrichment factors, bivariate correlations, diagnostic ratios, and chemical mass closures were calculated utilizing the concentration data of TSP constituents for each site in order to reveal the emission sources. A couple of diagnostic ratios (Ni/Cd, Zn/Cd, Br/Ni, Ni/Sb) were useful for source identification, e.g., motor vehicle exhaust and non-exhaust emissions. Significant increases in concentrations of As, Br, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were observed, as compared to results for the city before 2010. Moreover, first-time air levels are reported for Cd and Sb, which are important markers of non-exhaust emissions. Air quality indices and calculations with the AIRQ + model have foreseen increases in the negative health effects of the sensitive groups of the local population at the study areas, especially those with heavy traffic, industrial, and/or mixed urban influence.

The seasonal changes of a large set of atmospheric pollutants (i.e., gases, water-soluble aerosols, metallic/elemental components and black carbon (BC) content) have been studied over the southern bight of the North Sea (the Belgian Continental Shelf) and the English Channel during several marine sampling campaigns, carried out in 2010–2011. A coastal research station at De Haan, Belgium was concurrently used as a background air monitoring site. Size-segregated aerosols (PM1, PM2.5-1, PM10-2.5) were analyzed for particulate mass, elemental content and water-soluble (ionic) compounds, while the equivalent BC content in PM10 was monitored with an Aethalometer. The results clearly demonstrated that the aerosols originating from ship exhaust emissions contributed mostly to fine fraction (PM1), and to a lesser extent to medium-sized fraction (PM2.5-1), whereas components of sea spray and of mineral/soil origin were dominating in the medium-size and coarse aerosol fractions. Looking at seasonal differences, more ship emission related components occurred in the fine and medium-sized PM during winter. Mineral aerosol components were more apparent in coarse PM and especially during the cold season, increased levels were noted. Similarly, higher concentrations of marine fine PM were found during winter, likely due to more extensive ship emissions and/or calm weather conditions. Gaseous pollutants (e.g., HNO2, HNO3, HCl, SO2, NH3) originating from exhaust fumes of ocean-going ships mostly reached the maximum levels in the cold season as well, thus supporting the more intense formation of secondary aerosols. The seasonal trends of total (inorganic) ionic species sampled on the open sea and at the coastal station were usually similar to those of the corresponding PM masses, peaking in the cold season. Sea salt bound fine sulfate and nitrate peaked in spring or the cold season for marine areas, whereas for the coastal site they clearly reached the maximum in the cold season. Ammonium-bound nitrates and sulfates in each PM fraction reached their peak air levels in the cold season over marine sites. Similar seasonal trends could be observed for the coastal station. The general tendency of aerosol distribution over the study areas was independent of the sampling site: the higher the aerosol mass on the open sea with ship traffic, the higher the suspended particulate mass sampled at the coast.

Transition metal ion (TM = Fe3+, Cr3+, Ti4+) doped stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals have been grown by the high temperature top-seeded solution growth and Czochralski methods. Vibrational bands of hydroxyl ions (OH) have been observed for dopants above a threshold concentration at wavenumbers of 3502 cm(-1) for Fe3+ and Cr3+, and 3486 cm(-1) for Ti4+. The absorption bands have been attributed to the stretching vibration of OH- ions in M-Nb(n+) - OH- type complexes, where the dopant M occupies a Nb site. The observed vibrational frequencies of the OH- ions and their polarization dependences agree well with the model established for LiNbO3 doped with optical damage resistant (Mg2+, Zn2+, In3+, Sc3+, Hf4+, Zr4+, Sn4+) and rare-earth ions (Nd3+, Er3+, Yb3+), confirming its general validity. (C) 2019 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

The spatial distribution and temporal concentration variation of a set of gaseous air components (e.g., CO2, CO, H2CO, H2O) have been monitored with a multi-channel photoacoustic gas-analyzer in an urban church ( Saint Catherine's, Cracow) and a mountain church ( Saint Michaels Archangel, Szalowa) of Poland, in order to assess the likely effects of air pollution indoors under the influence of provisory electrical infrared (IR) heaters and without heating. Likewise, the ventilation characteristic and the leakage of these buildings with different constructions (i.e., plastered stone and wooden structures) with the assistance of decay curves of SF6 tracer gas was evaluated and compared. The wooden building in Szalowa, due to its more open structure, developed about one order higher ventilation rates (e.g., 0.9-1.3 h(-1)) than the stone church in Cracow (e.g., 0.1 h(-1)). The IR-heating affected only modestly the ventilation rate of the wooden church (e.g., 1.2-1.6 h(-1)), but it increased significantly that of the plastered stone church (e.g., 0.27 h(-1)). The ventilation rates were also assessed with the use of the CO2 curve decay method, and satisfactory agreement was found with those observed by the use of SF6 tracer. The spatial distribution of the studied gaseous pollutants (CO2, H2O) was found to be in some occasions nonhomogeneous in both buildings, due to the active usage of the IR-heating, especially, during a couple of consecutive liturgical services. Besides the pollution events due to ingress of gaseous air pollutants, present at enhanced levels outdoors, increased CO, CO2 and H2CO peaks were observed indoors too, which, in most cases, could be associated with incense burning. (C) 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

ABCB6 belongs to the family of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which transport various molecules across extra- and intra-cellular membranes, bearing significant impact on human disease and pharmacology. Although mutations in the ABCB6 gene have been linked to a variety of pathophysiological conditions ranging from transfusion incompatibility to pigmentation defects, its precise cellular localization and function is not understood. In particular, the intracellular localization of ABCB6 has been a matter of debate, with conflicting reports suggesting mitochondrial or endolysosomal expression. ABCB6 shows significant sequence identity to HMT-1 (heavy metal tolerance factor 1) proteins, whose evolutionarily conserved role is to confer tolerance to heavy metals through the intracellular sequestration of metal complexes. Here, we show that the cadmium-sensitive phenotype of Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Caenorhabditis elegans strains defective for HMT-1 is rescued by the human ABCB6 protein. Overexpression of ABCB6 conferred tolerance to cadmium and As(III) (As 2 O 3 ), but not to As(V) (Na 2 HAsO 4 ), Sb(V), Hg(II), or Zn(II). Inactivating mutations of ABCB6 abolished vacuolar sequestration of cadmium, effectively suppressing the cadmium tolerance phenotype. Modulation of ABCB6 expression levels in human glioblastoma cells resulted in a concomitant change in cadmium sensitivity. Our findings reveal ABCB6 as a functional homologue of the HMT-1 proteins, linking endolysosomal ABCB6 to the highly conserved mechanism of intracellular cadmium detoxification.

Total arsenic (As) as well as As(III) and As(V) species were monitored in drinking water with elevated As content sampled at waterworks of four settlements located in Hungary by means of on-site, solid phase extraction with a strong anion exchanger followed by As determination by either high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFAAS) or total-reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF). Total As concentrations in well water samples varied between 40μg/L and 120μg/L. Additionally, the occurrence of As(III) in each studied well water exceeded 80% of the total As content. On the other hand, As(V) was found to be the predominant species (≈90%) in water samples with reduced As concentrations (i.e., after treatments at waterworks) below the health limit value of 10μg/L prescribed by the 98/83/EC Council Directive. Moreover, As could not be detected in the As(III)-associated fractions of several samples. Generally, a reasonable agreement was found between the results obtained with HR-CS-GFAAS and TXRF. Nevertheless, As concentrations in the As(III)-associated fractions collected after the flocculation and coagulation steps were below the detection limit of the TXRF method at a higher extent. Preliminary application of this simple As speciation approach enables a proper choice of reagents and their dosage for similar water treatment technologies and hence, a reduction in the water treatment costs. The current SPE method coupled off-line to cost-effective atomic spectrometric detection for monitoring inorganic As species in waters represents an alternative approach to conventional As speciation methods, thus it could be extensively exploited for routine analysis in water quality control laboratories.

The distribution of mass, water-soluble inorganic salts and mineral elements of size-segregated aerosols (PM1, PM2.5-1 and PM10-2.5), precursor gaseous pollutants, black carbon, and nanoparticles (10-300 nm size range) at the Southern Bight of the North Sea has been studied. The concentrations of air pollutants peaked over shipping lanes, open-water anchorage areas and frequently navigated waters, due to the presence of mobile emission sources. A considerable decrease in air pollutant levels was seen when diverting from these marine areas towards remote or coastal banks. These findings showed the rapid dispersion of pollutants in the marine air. The nano-aerosol count, originating from ocean-going ships, peaked at lower average aerodynamic diameters (e.g., approximate to 28 nm) than those, observed from low displacement vessels (45-50 nm, e.g., for fishing boats). The average diameter of nano-PM depended also on weather conditions, e.g., it was higher (approximate to 50 nm) in air of higher humidity. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A method of high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFAAS), combined with on-site separation/solid phase extraction (SPE) has been developed for the speciation of inorganic As (iAs) in geothermal and drinking water samples. The HR-CS-GFAAS calibration curves were linear up to 200μg/L As, but using second order polynomial fitting, accurate calibration could be performed up to 500μg/L. It has been demonstrated that sample pH should not be higher than 8 for an accurate speciation of As(V) with a recovery of ≈95%. Geothermal water had fairly high salt content (≈2200mg/L) due to the presence of chlorides and sulfates at mg/L levels. Therefore, a two-fold dilution of these types of samples before SPE is recommended, especially, for total As determinations, when the As concentration is as high as 400μg/L. For drinking water, sampled from public wells with records of As concentrations higher than the 10μg/L in the past, the reduction of As contamination below the WHO's health limit value could be observed. However, the electrical conductivity was close to 2500μS/cm, i.e., the guideline limit for drinking water, which was due to their higher chloride content. The proposed fit-for-purpose SPE-HR-CS-GFAAS method could be a candidate for screening drinking water quality.

Serpentine and amphibole asbestos occur naturally in certain geologic settings worldwide, most commonly in association with ultramafic rocks, along associated faults. Ultramafic rocks have been used in Piên County, Southern Brazil for decades for the purpose of road paving in rural and urban areas, but without the awareness of their adverse environmental and health impact. The aim of this study was the chemical characterization of aerosols re-suspended in two rural roads of Piên, paved with ultramafic rocks and to estimate the pulmonary deposition of asbestos aerosols. Bulk aerosol samples were analyzed by means of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis, in order to characterize elemental composition and crystallinity. Single-particle compositions of aerosols were analyzed by computer-controlled electron-probe microanalysis, indicating the presence of a few percentages of serpentine and amphibole. Given the chemical composition and size distribution of aerosol particles, the deposition efficiency of chrysotile, a sub-group of serpentine, in two principal segments of the human respiratory system was estimated using a lung deposition model. As an important finding, almost half of the inhaled particles were calculated to be deposited in the respiratory system. Asbestos depositions were significant (∼25 %) in the lower airways, even though the selected breathing conditions (rest situation, nose breathing) implied the lowest rate of respiratory deposition. Considering the fraction of inhalable suspended chrysotile near local roads, and the long-term exposure of humans to these aerosols, chrysotile may represent a hazard, regarding more frequent development of lung cancer in the population of the exposed region.