Environmental & Analytical Toxicology

Detection of N-(1-deoxy-D-fructos-1-yl) fumonisin C1, C2 and C3 (NDfrc-FCs) in a reference material of corn powder were performed with LC-Orbitrap MS. The peaks of NDfrc-FCs were eluted 0.1 ~ 0.3 min earlier than those of fumonisin C1, C2 and C3 (FCs), from the C18 column, probably due to their hydrophilic structures having the carbohydrate residues. At negative ionization mode scan with LC-MS analysis, the fragment ions of the tricarballylic acid (TCA) and characteristic fumonisin ions lacking TCA were detected at the identical retention times with those of respective parent NDfrc-FCs. Mass fragmentation patterns of NDfrc-FCs were confirmed to be almost in consistent with those of FCs. This study is the first report of natural occurrence of NDfrc-FC1, FC2, and FC3 in corn powder.

Background: Kohl has been known and used traditionally as eye cosmetic for women and babies. Kohl is a gray or black eye cosmetic used in middle east, India, Pakistan, and some parts of Africa. There are different forms of commercially available preparation: stone powder finger rods, or pencils. Black hair dye is widely used in Upper Egypt, traditionally know as "stone hair dye". Many cases of toxicity and mortality either due to accidental or deliberate ingestion of hair dyes were reported in Egypt and other countries.

Objective: To determination the elements in Kohl and Hair Dye from market and comparison these elements in liver and kidney of two women reported in Upper Egypt. Toxicity of Kohl due to Lead, Aluminum, Zinc, and some other metals. While black stone is a traditional hair dye popularly used in the third world as a deep black coloration substance and cheap. Unfortunately, many persons use it as a criminal tool for homicide or suicide. (P-Phenylenediamine PPD) may cause severe dermatitis, gastritis, renal failure, convulsions, and coma in humans. So that (PPD) and other nitro aromatic compounds the main toxic ingredient of hair dye so that it's very dangerous transdermal and the concentration of Lead, Aluminum, Zinc, and some other metals is lower than in Black hair dye. This research was studied that in two cases (human) has died.

A study on the biochemical impact of sludge obtained from wastewater treatment plant on soil properties within Port- Harcourt environment were investigated. Parameters such as; pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), total organic matter (TOM), total organic carbon (TOC), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were assessed in the different soil samples using standard methods, to know the impact of the applied sludge on the biochemical properties of soil. The result showed a significant increase in N, P, K and TOM levels for the test soil (2.37 mg/kg, 32.89 mg/kg, 32.15 mg/kg, and 3.12 mg/kg) respectively over the control (0.93 mg/kg, 11.09 mg/kg, 36.35 mg/kg, and 2.14 mg/kg) respectively. Zn, Pb, Ni and TOC which are essential to plants and animals were also found to be significantly higher in the test soil (19.26 mg/kg, 5.71 mg/kg, 1.60 mg/kg, and 1.81 mg/kg) respectively over the control (8.62 mg/kg, 2.58 mg/kg, 0.52 mg/kg, and 1.24 mg/kg) respectively. The physicochemical, nutrient, and heavy metal parameters of the test soil samples were all significantly different (p<0.05) when compared to their controls. These results revealed that the natural organic fertilizer (sludge) obtained from wastewater treatment plant in Port-Harcourt with its low toxicity level enriched the impacted soil with essential biochemical nutrients such as N, P, K, and can be used in place of the very expensive artificial inorganic fertilizer with little cost and side effects for the enrichment of soil nutrient qualities.