Journal of the Chilean Chemical Society

GLYPHOSATE DETERMINATION IN NATURAL WATERS BY FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY AND SECOND-ORDER MULTIVARIATE CALIBRATION

Manuel Bravo, Veronica Escobar, Sonnia Parra V., Luis F. Aguilar — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this work, 9-Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride (FMOC-Cl) and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazane (NBD-Cl) were evaluated for glyphosate (Gly) determination by fluorescence and second-order multivariate calibration. Additionally, the analytical performance of the UPLS-RBL and MCR-ALS algorithms was compared based on figures of merit and prediction errors. The best results were obtained using NBD-Cl and UPLS-RBL, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3-4.4 µg L^-1 and a prediction error (REP) of less than 2%. The FMOC-Cl showed similar figures of merit but inadequate fit in the presence of unexpected interferences. The proposed method was applied to analyze fortified well water, lagoon water, river water, and tap water. Because the matrix effect was significant, the analysis was performed with calibration in the matrix, yielding similar figures of merit and prediction errors to those of the validation set. These results evidenced the analytical potential of the proposed method for monitoring glyphosate in the hydrological cycle.

BIOCHEMICAL DIVERSITY AND COMPOSITION OF THE UNSTUDIED PATAGONIAN ENDEMIC PLANT Benthamiella azorella (skottsb). Soriano: ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIBACTERIAL AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY ON VARIOUS HUMAN CELL LINES

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Benthamiella (Solanaceae) is an unstudied endemic genus of the Chilean-Argentinean Patagonia that thrives in harsh climatic and geographic conditions. This study provides a biochemical description of the aerial parts, roots, and polysaccharides of B. azorella, and evaluates their antioxidant, antiproliferative and antibacterial activity. GC-MSanalysis of B. azorella roots polysaccharides identified significant amounts of arabinose, glucose and galacturonic acid. The FT-IR spectrum revealed a diverse range of functional groups. Both analyses suggest a complex polysaccharide structure that may enhance the sample’s functional properties. Elemental analysis showed low nitrogenand sulfur content, while proximate analysis showed significant differences in carbohydrates, lipids, fiber, and ash content between the plant parts. Polyphenols quantification determined a higher concentration in the roots (6.66 ± 0.62 mg GAE g^-1 DW) compared to the aerial parts. Likewise, the highest antioxidant capacity was observed in theroots using the DPPH (89.43 ± 0.74 µmol AAE g^-1 DW at 1818 µg mL^-1) method. The aqueous root extract exhibited higher activity against colon cancer HCT-116 followedby aerial parts. Polysaccharides showed slight activity against hepatocytes cancer HepG2. The extracts behaved variably on the healthy keratinocytes HACAT cell line, tending to promote cell proliferation. Both, aqueous and ethanolic B. azorella solutions were non-toxic, did not show quorum quenching and antibacterial activity against human and fish bacterial strains at the tested concentrations. Finally, 21 metabolites, principally hydroxycoumarins, sapogenins and steroids derivatives were tentatively identified in themost active extract using LC-MS analysis. Further assays of B. azorella roots with cancer and healthy cells lines and new bacterial analysis at higher concentrations are recommended.

ACCUMULATION OF TRACE METAL ELEMENTS IN SOIL AND IN A VEGETABLE BY FERTILIZER ADDITION

Sylvia Violeta Copaja, Fallon Nacaratte — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The practice of fertilization is necessary to reincorporate and provide the soil with additional sources of nutrients in forms that can be assimilated by plants. Fertilizers often contain very small amounts of trace metals as impurities. These can be incorporated into the human diet through the ingestion of food contaminated with these elements.

The soil samples studied came from agricultural soil in the V region, Chile. The characterization carried out indicated a pH and EC expected for a soil with this use, while low values for CEC and MO % were found. The samples were classified as medium P and extremely N-rich soils, and significant increases in these nutrients were found in the SPT and urea treatments, respectively.

The soil was incubated according to three different treatments: with 0.1% of urea, superphosphate (SPT) (5.0 g per pot). After 8 weeks of incubation, wheat seed were planted and harvested after three weeks of growth. Trace metals were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).

Trace metal concentrations followed the trend: Cu < Cr < Zn < Ni for urea treatment; while: Ni < Cu < Zn < Cr for treatment with SPT. The maximum percentage contributed by fertilization was for Cr (59 %). The concentration of metals in the root, stem and leaf of the crop were found to be below the detection limit, except for Zn and Cu in the root. The bioaccumulation factor for Cu and Zn was less than 1 for all treatments, while the translocation index for Zn was also less than 1.

The use of SPT is consistent with a greater contribution of trace metals to the soil compared to urea; consequently, the use of chemical fertilizers could increase the concentration of trace metals in the soil and incorporate them into the vegetables grown in the soil. For this, the use of organic fertilizers such as compost and humus obtained from organic waste raw materials is an increasingly popular alternative in various crops, for which it is necessary to evaluate the trace metal content, as these can accumulate in both the soil and the substrates.

SCREENING OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM Megacarpaea polyandra BENTH ROOT: A TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANT OF THE HIMALAYAS

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Megacarpaea polyandra Benth belonging to the Brassicaceae family is a medicinal plant found in alpine meadows and open forests between 3000-4300 meters in E. Asia-Himalayas. Traditionally, the plant has been used to treat various illnesses, including fever, diarrhea, asthma, and gastrointestinal problems. The root is used for relieving stomach aches, pneumonia, and fever. This study aimed to apply gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis (GC-MS) to analyze the phytochemical components present in M. polyandra root. In the current study, this plant has been worked for the first time in terms of chemicals. The ethanolic root extract of the plant derived 207 phytochemicals. Of them, 47 were recorded as highly bioactive, among the recorded bioactive chemicals some compounds, viz furaneol; catechol; 2H-Imidazole-2-thione, 1,3-dihydro-1-methyl; undecanoic acid; n-Hexadecanoic acid; heptadecanoic acid; oleic Acid; Pyridine-4-carboxylic acid, 2-amino-3-cyano-5,6-dimethyl-, ethyl; .beta.-Sitosterol and pilocarpine have several biological properties. This includes antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, cure nervous system disorders, blood pressure regulators, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory qualities. The chemicals were identified by interpreting the mass spectra and comparing their peak area and retention time with those in the literature. According to the current study's findings and conclusions, plant roots may be a useful resource for the development of herbal drugs due to the presence of various bioactive molecules responsible for curing the above-mentioned illnesses. The use of plant roots to treat a variety of illnesses with fewer adverse effects is justified by the existence of bioactive chemicals, which also suggests that the plant is of medicinal relevance. However, further research is required to fully understand its toxicity profile and bioactivity and clarify its vast potential for pharmacological application.

“COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN TRADITIONAL AND ELECTROCHEMICAL METHODS FOR THE MULTIELEMENT DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METALS: ADVANCES AND PERSPECTIVES”

Juan C. M. Gamboa, Carolina Medalla Alcayaga , Jorge Bernal Peralta — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 22:23:13 +0000

This article presents a comparative analysis between traditional and electrochemical methods for the multielemental determination of heavy metals in environmental and biological samples. Recent advances in the application of electrochemical techniques—such as voltammetry—are discussed, highlighting improvements in analytical sensitivity, selectivity, and speed. The advantages and limitations of each approach are examined, and future perspectives are provided for the development of more efficient and sustainable electrochemical methods for heavy metal detection.

CARRAGEENANS AS A MULTIFACETED BIOMATERIAL IN THE ERA OF BIOMEDICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION

Martina Zuñiga D, Diana Montoya-Rodriguez, Bernabe L Rivas — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 23:43:41 +0000

Carrageenans are biomaterials of great interest due to their structural variability and physicochemical properties. This article provides a detailed review of the structural classification of carrageenans and its correlation with physical properties and specific applications, focusing on the various materials that can be obtained from them. Processing and modification methods are discussed to obtain gels, nanoparticles, films, and coatings, which possess unique properties that make them suitable for a wide range of applications. In the biomedical realm, carrageenans excel as scaffolds for tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and wound healing materials, taking advantage of their biocompatibility and ability to form gels. In agriculture, they are used for the controlled release of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as biostimulants and soil improvers. In the food industry they act as thickening, stabilizing, and gelling agents in a wide range of products, from dairy to meat products, conferring texturising properties and improving stability. In addition, their role in environmental remediation is addressed, where in addition to their uses in agriculture to reduce the impact of different compounds, and water consumption, they are used for the removal of pollutants and water purification, thanks to their ability to form complexes with heavy metals and other pollutants.

This review highlights the potential of carrageenans to inspire future innovations in the design of materials and technologies, underlining the importance of exploring and fully exploiting their potential and that of their derivatives to address current and future challenges in various sectors.

AN EXPOSITION ON SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF PLATINUM GROUP METALS

Tanu Arora, Nivedita Agnihotri, Mohammad Azam — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 23:45:49 +0000

In the realm of analytical chemistry, transition metal complexes especially the platinum group metals (PGMs) are often used compounds. Strong chromophores, inflexible luminous structures, biological potential and electrochemical activity are characteristics of the platinum metal complexes. These features have prompted the creation and study of analytical techniques based on these metal complexes for the identification of different analytes in a variety of analytical applications. Even if there are a few broad recommendations accessible to forecast a reagent's potentialities for the given goal, these studies show that sensitivity and selectivity imparted by the reagent to the metal in respective complex must be established. The quest for novel reagents is an ongoing effort to the wide and varied need for new ways to identify and analyze the metal ions under the peculiar conditions. In light of the frightening and complicated issue of environmental contamination, the endeavor of developing new and innovative reagents as well as techniques for inorganic analysis of PGMs have particular relevance. Of the numerous methodologies, the UV/VIS spectrophotometric determination technique of the PGM complexes is of interest being reliable, easy to handle, quick, cost effective, selective and sensitive. The technique relies on the process of interaction between an analyte and the metal, which are then determined analytically. In light of the enrichment of platinum group metals, the purpose of this article is to outline current research in the methods of spectrophotometric determination of PGMs. The review will assist researchers in formulating and refining PGMs as workable candidates for applications in medicine, pharmacology, analysis and catalysis.