Standardization and Simultaneous quantification of Flavonoids and Phenolic contents in Cassia occidentalis using liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Kumar Narinder, Singh Gurdarshan, Singh Surjeet, Singh Amarinder, Gupta Ajai Parkash and Singh Sumer

Cassia occidentalis (Leguminosae) is predominantly in use from ancient time due to its therapeutic importance. It has been found to be used as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, also provides protection against various types of carcinomas. Although, its standardisation has not been done till now, an attempt has been made to identify and quantify the phyto-constituents present in the plant by utilizing LC-MS/MS approach. A simple method for the analysis of three flavonoids and five phenolic acids in Cassia occidentalis by liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization has been developed. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Chromolith speed ROD RP-18e column with gradient elution using methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water. The quantification of the target compounds was performed in multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Method successfully quantifies the amounts of rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, catechin, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid and coumaric acid. Calibration curves of all eight analytes showed good linearity (R2 > 0.9898). The validated developed method helps in the simultaneous separation and quantification of the three flavonoids and five phenols in Cassia occidentalis. This method will potentially serve in the screening of herbal preparations containing Cassia occidentalis for quality control.

Full Text

Accumulation of biogenic metals in the plants of urbanised ecosystems in the city of Kaliningrad

Chupakhina G.N., Maslennikov P.V., Mosina L.V., Skrypnik L.N., Dedkov V.P., Chupakhina N.Yu. and Feduraev P.V.

Iron is an essential heavy metal for plants. In hemoproteins (all cytochromes, catalase, peroxidase) and non-heme proteins (iron-sulphur clusters), iron is crucial to the functioning of redox systems of photosynthesis and respiration. This paper studies the accumulation of iron in the soil/plant system of urban phytocoenoses in the city of Kaliningrad. We analysed iron content in the accumulation horizon of urban soils (in agricultural/residential, residential and industrial landscapes) and in tree, shrub and herb species most common in urban landscapes (22 species). The maximum iron content in soils was observed in industrial and residential landscapes and high-rise residential areas with heavy traffic (2.1-2.8%). Iron content in the leaves of urban plants was proven to depend on both iron concentration in the soil (r=0.92-1,0; p<0,05) and the stage of vegetation. Background iron levels in plants were studied. Plant species actively accumulating iron were identified, namely: the silver birch (Betula pendula), the small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) (545,1-647,5 mg/kg), the sweet mock-orange (Philadelphus coronaries) (542.1 mg/kg), the white clover (Trifolium repens) (740.6 mg/kg), the cock’s foot (Dactylis glomerata) (379.4 mg/kg) and the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) (290.8 mg/kg). These species can be used in the phytoremediation. Most plants tested showed a low rate of Fe accumulation from the soil (a biological accumulation coefficient of 0.1-0.4). The BAC significantly decreased in most species as iron content in the soil increased. Plant species capable of limiting the uptake of iron from the environment were identified. The Mn/Fe, Ni/Fe and Co/Fe ratios in soils from different functional areas were proven comparable. A low Fe/Mn ratio in the leaves of the Norway maple (Acer platanoides) was found indicative of irregular iron uptake. Plants showing Fe/Mn ratios below control levels (Philadelphus coronarius, Achillea millefolium, Trifolium repens) may be affected by iron toxicity.

Full Text

Synthesis, Characterization and Adsorption behaviour of N-dodecyl pyridinium chloride based Tin (IV) phosphate: A New Surfactant based Hybrid Ion Exchanger

Somya Amita and Upadhyay Vibha

N-dodecyl pyridinium chloride based tin (IV) phosphate (DPC-SnP) was synthesized and its cationic exchange properties were studied. The physico-chemical studies on the synthesized ion exchange material were performed using the techniques namely X-ray diffraction analysis, IR, thermo gravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis and elemental analysis. The ion exchange capacity, elution behaviour and the thermal stability were determined by the usual chemical method. The prepared material possessed good ion exchange capacity (2.39 meq/dry g) and thermal stability upto 3000C. DPC-SnP retained 94.14% of its ion exchange capacity on heating up to 200 0C and 92.05 % up to 300 0C. The adsorption studies, for some alkaline earths and heavy metal ions in different acidic media have shown marked selectivity towards Cd (II). Subsequently, the studies performed for the binary separations of Cd (II) from other metal ions have shown the promising results for Cd(II) separations on the cation exchange column.

Full Text

Transfer 0f Heavy Metal in Soil to Plant from Pesticide Contaminated Area (Mango Orchards) of Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra, India

Tari V.S. and Patil P.Y.

Pest in the mango orchard is the well-known problem in the agriculture field at the Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra and to avoid pest in the field, use of chemical pesticide is becoming a predominant factor for mango production. Present study is an attempt to analyse heavy metals generated from pesticides from soils and plant materials. Samples were collected from four categories of farmers such as category ‘A’ 100% Chemical pesticide users, category ‘B’ 50+50% Chemical + Bio pesticide user, Category ‘C’ 25+75% chemical + Bio pesticide user and category ‘D’ 100% Bio pesticide users (as control) etc. Samples of soil and plant materials were analysed for 6 heavy metals viz. Aluminium (Al), Arsenics (As), Barium (Ba), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Zinc (Zn) etc. The chronological order for the heavy metals for above mentioned categories from soil are as follows: Category ‘A’: Al > Hg > Ba > Zn > As > Pb, Category ‘B’: Al > Zn > Ba > Hg > Pb, Category ‘C’: Al > Ba > Zn > Hg > Pb > As and Category ‘D’: Al > Hg > Ba > Zn and for plant material Category ‘A’ Al > Zn > Ba > Hg > Pb, Category ‘B’:Al > Hg > Zn > Ba > As > Pb, Category ‘C’: Al > Zn > Ba > As > Hg > Pb, and Category ‘D’: Al > Ba > Zn > Hg > Pb. The mean values of heavy metals (in ppm) found in soil are 6962.01, 16.49, 36.28, 13.65, 0.99 and 71.69 for Al, Ba, Pb, Zn, As, Hg respectively whereas for plant material mean values obtained are 661.61, 2.66, 0.63, 15.70, 1.65 and 5.54 for Al, Ba, Pb, Zn, As, Hg respectively. Transfer factor of heavy metal from soil to plant was also estimated showing contamination of heavy metals which may accumulate in the plant material. It is suggested to adapt organic farming to avoid transfer of heavy metals from soil to plant material. This will prevents heavy metal contaminating in the mango orchards at Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra.

Full Text

Studies on chemically deposited copper tin sulphide thin films: EDX and SEM investigations

Soonmin Ho

Chemical bath deposited copper tin sulphide thin films on indium doped tin oxide glass substrate from copper sulfate, tin chloride and sodium thiosulfate have been studied in this work. The obtained films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis X-ray technique. The scanning electron microscopy studies indicate that larger grains could be observed for the films prepared by using higher concentration of tin chloride.

Full Text

Standardization and Simultaneous quantification of Flavonoids and Phenolic contents in Cassia occidentalis using liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Kumar Narinder, Singh Gurdarshan, Singh Surjeet, Singh Amarinder, Gupta Ajai Parkashand Singh Sumer

Cassia occidentalis (Leguminosae) is predominantly in use from ancient time due to its therapeutic importance. It has been found to be used as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and also provides protection against various types of carcinomas. Although, its standardisation has not been done till now. An attempt has been made to identify and quantify the phyto-constituents present in the plant by utilizing LC-MS/MS approach. A simple method for the analysis of three flavonoids and five phenolic acids in Cassia occidentalis by liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization has been developed. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Chromolith speed ROD RP-18e column with gradient elution using methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water. The quantification of the target compounds was performed in multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Method successfully quantifies the amounts of rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, catechin, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid and coumaric acid. Calibration curves of all eight analytes showed good linearity (R2 > 0.9898). The validated developed method helps in the simultaneous separation and quantification of the three flavonoids and five phenols in Cassia occidentalis. This method will potentially serve in the screening of herbal preparations containing Cassia occidentalis for quality control.

Full Text