Temperature-controlled ionic liquid-based ultrasound-assisted microextraction for preconcentration of trace quantity of cadmium and nickel by using organic ligand in artificial saliva extract of smokeless tobacco products

Microencapsulation of glutathione through water/oil emulsification and complex coacervation: Improved encapsulation efficiency, physicochemical stability, and sustained release effect

The feasibility of preparing microcapsules of water-soluble ingredient via complex coacervation was explored. Gelatin and gum arabic were used as wall materials to encapsulate glutathione (GSH) through water in oil (W/O) emulsion. Soy lecithin at a concentration of 3 % (w/w) was used as an emulsifier, and the aqueous phase containing 15 % GSH (w/w) was emulsified with soybean oil at a ratio of 5:5 (w/w), which resulted in a stable W/O emulsion. Furthermore, GSH microcapsules produced under optimal conditions, core/wall ratio 1:1, wall material content 1 % (gelatin: gum arabic = 1:1), stirring rate 400 r/min, added 0.25 g glutamine transaminase (TGases) per gram of gelatin, exhibited good morphology, high encapsulation efficiency and yield, which being 92.88 % and 92.10 %, respectively. After comparing the effects of four different oil emulsions on the microencapsulation of GSH, it was found that all had excellent encapsulation efficiency, indicating that no specific oil phase was required for emulsions preparation. GSH microencapsulation by complex coacervation significantly enhanced its stability, reduced the loss ratio of GSH by 23.5 % when capsules were heated at 150 °C for 2 h. Moreover, GSH microencapsulation increased its retention by 23.25 % and 43.88 % during capsules storage at 40 °C and under light exposure, respectively. In addition, GSH microcapsules effectively prevented its degradation during simulated gastrointestinal digestion induced by salivary amylase, pepsin and acidic environments, while rapidly released GSH under trypsin and alkaline environments. This study provided new insights into water-soluble ingredients microencapsulation and its efficient application in the food and nutraceutical industries.

The relationship between oral cancer and cadmium: a review

Cadmium (Cd) has been classified as a type I carcinogen. Since it is ingested orally through food and tobacco use, Cd is likely to be closely related to oral cancers. The relationship between cadmium and oral cancer was investigated using papers on Pubmed and Web of Science. Thus a total of 11 studies from these databases were included in the review. Cd concentrations were significantly higher in both the blood and hair of oral cancer patients than in controls. Additionally, it has been reported that Cd increases the activity of reactive oxygen species. Tobacco plants contain varying levels of Cd. The presence of high Cd concentrations in patients who use tobacco products and develop oral cancer is strong evidence that Cd is directly related to oral cancer. While planning a study to determine the Cd concentrations in biological samples, it is advisable to examine the methodologies of previous studies and to avoid technical deficiencies. New cell line studies are required to explain the relationship between Cd and autophagy-apoptosis.

Determination of trace cadmium in saliva samples using spray assisted droplet formation-liquid phase microextraction prior to the measurement by slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry

BACKGROUND

An effective, green and rapid analytical strategy namely the simultaneous spray assisted droplet formation-liquid phase microextraction (S-SADF-LPME) method was developed for the determination of trace quantity of cadmium in saliva samples by using the slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (SQT-FAAS). By the developed method, external dispersive solvent usage for droplet formation was reduced to obtain a more environmental-friendly method.

METHODS

Method consists of a simultaneous complexing and extraction step, which was based on spraying an extraction solvent containing a solid ligand into the aqueous sample solution, forming fine droplets without the use of dispersive solvent. The procedure was implemented using a customized, cost effective and portable spray apparatus to minimize the consumption of reagent, analysis time and operation steps. Thus, this methodology ensures better repeatability and accuracy while minimizing the relative errors caused by the experimental steps. Parameters including the buffer amount, extractant/ligand concentration, extraction solvent type, extraction/ligand solution volume, spraying number and vortex period were systemically optimized to lower the detection limit.

RESULTS

Under the optimal extraction conditions, 96.9-folds enhancement in the detection power of the traditional FAAS was achieved. The limit of detection and limit of quantification values of presented method were calculated to be 0.65 and 2.17 ng mL^-1, respectively. Accuracy and applicability of the optimized method was investigated by collecting saliva samples from smokers. Satisfactory percent recovery values wereachieved for cadmium with a low standard deviation in the acceptable range of 84.9-109.6 %.

CONCLUSION

The developed dispersive solvent-free S-SADF-LPME technique presents a fast, simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly microextraction method based on the use of an easily accessible and functional spray apparatus.

Miniaturized sample preparation methods for saliva analysis

Saliva, as the first body fluid encountering with the exogenous materials, has good correlation with blood and plays an important role in bioanalysis. However, saliva has not been studied as much as the other biological fluids mainly due to restricted access to its large volumes. In recent years, there is a growing interest for saliva analysis owing to the emergence of miniaturized sample preparation methods. The purpose of this paper is to review all microextraction methods and their principles of operation. In the following, we examine the methods used to analyze saliva up to now and discuss the potential of the other microextraction methods for saliva analysis to encourage research groups for more focus on this important subject area.

Methods of liquid phase microextraction for the determination of cadmium in environmental samples

Liquid phase microextraction (LPME) has been widely used in extraction and preconcentration systems as an excellent alternative to conventional liquid phase extraction. In this work, a critical review is presented on liquid phase microextraction techniques used in the determination of cadmium in environmental samples. LPME techniques are classified into three main groups: single-drop liquid phase microextraction (SDME), hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME), and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME). Methods involving these liquid phase microextraction techniques are described, addressing advantages and disadvantages, samples, figures of merit, and trends.

Simultaneous determination of ultra-low traces of lead and cadmium in food and environmental samples using dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) combined with ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction based on the solidification of floating organic drop (UAEME-SFO) followed by GFAAS

Dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) combined with ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (UAEME) for determination of lead and cadmium in food and environmental samples prior to GFAAS.

Estimation of lead in biological samples of oral cancer patients chewing smokeless tobacco products by ionic liquid-based microextraction in a single syringe system

Several studies have reported that the chewing habit of smokeless tobacco (SLT) has been associated with oral cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the trace levels of lead (Pb) in biological samples (blood, scalp hair) of oral cancer patients and referents of the same age group (range 30-60 years). As the concentrations of Pb are very low in biological samples, so a simple and efficient ionic liquid-based microextraction in a single syringe system has been developed, as a prior step to determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. In this procedure, the hydrophobic chelates of Pb with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) were extracted into fine droplets of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C4MIM][PF6] within a syringe while using Triton X-114 as a dispersant. Factors influencing the microextraction efficiency and determination, such as pH of the sample, volume of [C4MIM][PF6] and Triton X-114, ligand concentration, and incubation time, were studied. To validate the proposed method, certified reference materials were analyzed and the results of Pb(2+) were in good agreement with certified values. At optimum experimental values of significant variables, detection limit and enhancement factor were found to be 0.412 μg/L and 80, respectively. The coexisting ions showed no obvious negative outcome on Pb preconcentration. The proposed method was applied satisfactorily for the preconcentration of Pb(2+) in acid-digested SLT and biological samples of the study population. It was observed that oral cancer patients who consumed different SLT products have 2-3-fold higher levels of Pb in scalp hair and blood samples as compared to healthy referents (p < 0.001). While 31.4-50.8% higher levels of Pb were observed in referents chewing different SLT products as compared to nonconsumers (p < 0.01).

Preconcentration and determination of lead and cadmium levels in blood samples of adolescent workers consuming smokeless tobacco products in Pakistan

The present study was aimed to evaluate the cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels in the blood samples of adolescent boys, chewing different smokeless tobacco (SLT) products in Pakistan. For comparative purpose, boys of the same age group (12-15 years), not consumed any SLT products were selected as referents. To determine trace levels of Cd and Pb in blood samples, a preconcentration method, vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (VLLME) has been developed, prior to analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The hydrophobic chelates of Cd and Pb with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate were extracted into the fine droplets of ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, while nonionic surfactant, Triton X-114 was used as a dispersing medium. The main factors affecting the recoveries of Cd and Pb, such as concentration of APDC, centrifugation time, volume of IL and TX-114, were investigated in detail. It was also observed that adolescent boys who consumed different SLT products have 2- to 3-fold higher levels of Cd and Pb in their blood samples as compared to referent boys (p < 0.001).