Phytochemical assessment, elemental composition, and biological kinetics of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. stalks

Introduction The essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) has been extensively studied for phytochemical and elemental compositions, biochemical significance, and biological activities. However, the literature has a dearth of information on the Fennel stalk as a potential source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical and elemental composition of Fennel stalks and also, to investigate the kinetic DPPH scavenging property and antibacterial activity of Fennel stalk extracts. Methods Fennel aqueous extract (FVAE) was prepared by mixing of powdered fennel stalks with sterile distilled water, followed by heating and filtration. Methanol (FVME) and ethanol (FVEE) extracts of F. vulgare were prepared by macerating the stalk with respective solvents, followed by filtration. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), determination of total phenols, and X-ray fluorescence were conducted to analyze the chemical composition of the extracts. Biological activities, including DPPH scavenging and antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli, were evaluated through spectrophotometric methods and well diffusion assay, respectively. Results The GCMS analysis revealed 15 compounds including anozol, myristyl iodine, flexiricin, dutadrupine, cycloheptaciloxane, neophytadiene, phthalic acid, and ribitol. Some of these compounds have not been reported from this plant before. FTIR analysis suggested hydroxyl (OH), alkane (CH), carbonyl (C = O), aromatic (C = C), and ether (CO) functional groups in the Fennel extracts. X-ray fluorescence identified elements including titanium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, rubidium, and strontium. The ethanol extract had higher total phenolic content (72.45±0.01 mg GAE/g) than the aqueous (54.3 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g) and methanol (51.3 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g) extracts. In addition, a high% DPPH scavenging activity was observed in the ethanol extract (85.1 %) compared to that of ascorbic acid (96.2 %). Fennel's stalks methanol extract showed significant inhibition against the growth of E. coli 0157 and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus B-4420, having zones of inhibition diameters of 16 mm and 13 mm, respectively. This is similar to what was observed for chloramphenicol and azithromycin. Conclusion The current study has demonstrated that Fennel stalks contain potentially useful antioxidant and antibacterial properties, in addition to the well-studied essential oil of its fruits and seeds

Phytochemical assessment, elemental composition, and biological kinetics of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. stalks

IntroductionThe essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) has been extensively studied for phytochemical and elemental compositions, biochemical significance, and biological activities. However, the literature has a dearth of information on the Fennel stalk as a potential source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical and elemental composition of Fennel stalks and also, to investigate the kinetic DPPH scavenging property and antibacterial activity of Fennel stalk extracts.MethodsFennel aqueous extract (FVAE) was prepared by mixing of powdered fennel stalks with sterile distilled water, followed by heating and filtration. Methanol (FVME) and ethanol (FVEE) extracts of F. vulgare were prepared by macerating the stalk with respective solvents, followed by filtration. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), determination of total phenols, and X-ray fluorescence were conducted to analyze the chemical composition of the extracts. Biological activities, including DPPH scavenging and antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli, were evaluated through spectrophotometric methods and well diffusion assay, respectively.ResultsThe GCMS analysis revealed 15 compounds including anozol, myristyl iodine, flexiricin, dutadrupine, cycloheptaciloxane, neophytadiene, phthalic acid, and ribitol. Some of these compounds have not been reported from this plant before. FTIR analysis suggested hydroxyl (OH), alkane (CH), carbonyl (C = O), aromatic (C = C), and ether (CO) functional groups in the Fennel extracts. X-ray fluorescence identified elements including titanium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, rubidium, and strontium. The ethanol extract had higher total phenolic content (72.45±0.01 mg GAE/g) than the aqueous (54.3 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g) and methanol (51.3 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g) extracts. In addition, a high% DPPH scavenging activity was observed in the ethanol extract (85.1 %) compared to that of ascorbic acid (96.2 %). Fennel's stalks methanol extract showed significant inhibition against the growth of E. coli 0157 and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus B-4420, having zones of inhibition diameters of 16 mm and 13 mm, respectively. This is similar to what was observed for chloramphenicol and azithromycin.ConclusionThe current study has demonstrated that Fennel stalks contain potentially useful antioxidant and antibacterial properties, in addition to the well-studied essential oil of its fruits and seeds

Mechanical properties, elastic moduli, and gamma ray attenuation competencies of some TeO2-WO3-GdF3glasses: Tailoring WO3-GdF3substitution toward optimum behavioral state range

We report the mechanical properties, elastic moduli, and gamma ray attenuation properties of some TeO2-WO3-GdF3 glasses. Using the chemical composition of the selected glasses, the dissociation energy per unit volume (G t ) and the packing density (V t ) were calculated. Using the G t and V t values, Young's, Shear, Bulk, Longitudinal Modulus, and Poisson's ratio of the glasses are calculated. Next several fundamental gamma ray attenuation properties such as linear and mass attenuation coefficients, half value layer, mean free path, effective atomic number, effective electron density, effective conductivity, exposure, and energy absorption buildup factors are calculated in 0.015-15 MeV energy range. As a consequence of WO3-GdF3 substitution, the glass densities are observed in different values. The overall gamma ray attenuation properties are found to be enhanced through WO3 addition. Moreover, the increasing WO3 incorporation into glass configuration decreases the overall elastic moduli of glasses. It can be concluded that increasing WO3 may be a useful tool for enhancing the gamma ray attenuation qualities and decreasing the elastic moduli of TeO2-WO3-GdF3 in situations where a material with versatile mechanical properties is required. © 2023 the author(s), published by De Gruyter

Investigation of photon interaction parameters of alloys used in orthodontic treatments for dental radiology applications

In the present study, it was aimed to examine the photon interaction parameters of some alloys used in orthodontic treatments in dental and medical radiology energies. First of all, a transmission geometry consisting of 241Am (100 mCi) radioactive source and Ultra Ge detector was established to experimentally obtain the mass attenuation coefficients (mu rho, cm2/g) of Beta Titanium (BT), Copper NiTi, NiTi (Nitinol) and stainless steel (SS) alloys, which are frequently used as orthodontic wires. The experimental mu rho values in the energy range of 13.9-59.54 keV with the data obtained from the spectra were compared with the theoretical results generated with the EpiXS program. The mu rho values at 59.54 keV were 0.760, 0.933, 0.924 and 1.315 cm2/g for BT, NiTi, Copper NiTi and SS, respectively. Based on mu rho values, HVL and Zeff values were also obtained. The HVL values for BT, NiTi, Copper NiTi and SS at 59.54 keV were calculated as 0.203, 0.135, 0.138, 0.066 cm, respectively. Then, the buildup factor values of the alloys in the energy range of 0.015-15 MeV were calculated at penetration depths of 1-15 mfp. When all the results are evaluated together, SS is more effective in absorbing photons, while BT is the alloy with the highest photon buildup among the alloys studied. Besides, it is noteworthy that the alloys cause secondary scatterings. The data obtained from this study will provide information about the photon interaction parameters of orthodontic wires in dental and medical radiology applications

Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Albizia lebbeck stem bark, and evaluation of its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities on human breast cancer cell lines

Huzaifa Umar,1–3 Doga Kavaz,1–3 Nahit Rizaner1–3 1Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Cyprus International University, Mersin, Turkey; 2Biotechnology Research Center, Cyprus International University, Mersin, Turkey; 3Bioengineering Department, Cyprus International University, Mersin, Turkey Background: Biocompatibility and stability of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized using plants is an interesting research area of study in nanotechnology, due to its wide applications in biomedical, industrial, cell imaging, and biosensor fields. The present study reports the novel green synthesis of stable ZnO NPs using various concentrations of zinc nitrate (0.01M, 0.05M, 0.1M) and Albizia lebbeck stem bark extracts as an efficient chelating agent. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antiproliferative activities of the synthesized NPs on human breast cancer cell lines were evaluated using different assays. Methods: Characterization of the synthesized ZnO NPs were carried out using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Antimicrobial activity evaluation using disc diffusion method, antioxidant activity using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) free radical scavenging assay and cytotoxic activity on MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 using tryphan blue dye exclusion and MTT assay. Results: The UV–vis spectroscopy result revealed an absorption peak in the range of 370 nm. The involvements of A. lebbeck bioactive compounds in the stabilization of the ZnO NPs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis. Zeta sizer studies showed an average size of 66.25 nm with a polydisparity index of 0.262. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses results revealed irregular spherical morphology and the presence of primarily Zn, C, O, Na, P, and K, respectively. The biosynthesized ZnO NPs revealed strong antimicrobial potentials against various gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial pathogens. Antioxidant activities carried out using H2O2 free radical scavenging assay revealed higher IC50 values of 48.5, 48.7, and 60.2 µg/mL for 0.1M, 0.05M, and 0.01M ZnO NPs, respectively. Moreover, the biosynthesized ZnO NPs showed significant cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines (P< 0.001, n≥3) in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: Overall, various concentrations of ZnO NPs were synthesized through a stable, simple, and eco-friendly green route via the use of A. lebbeck stem bark extract. The biosynthesized ZnO NPs showed strong antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity against strongly and weakly metastatic breast cancer cell lines. Keywords: biosynthesis, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, biocompatibilit

Indoor radon measurements in Erzurum province of Turkey

Indoor radon measurements were carried out in dwellings in Erzurum province during the winter months of February 2012 to early April 2012 and the summer months of July 2012 to early September 2012. Nuclear track detector LR-115 was used for the measurements. According to the results of investigations, it was understood that the indoor radon concentration averages in dwellings are in the range of 11 +/- 6 Bq m(-3) - 380 +/- 91 Bq m(-3) in winter season and 8 +/- 3 Bq m(-3) - 356 +/- 64 Bq m(-3) in summer season. We found that the Rn-222 effective dose values in the studied dwellings in winter season range from 0.278 to 9.59 mSv y(-1). Also, the Rn-222 effective dose values in the studied dwellings in summer season range from 0.202 to 8.98 mSv y(-1). These values are within the ICPR recommended values. The radon activity has not been found to vary with seasonal changes, but also with the age, the construction mode of houses, the ventilation conditions and with specific sites and geological materials