A routine method which is simple, quick and precise has been set up and validated for phthalate analysis in environmental samples (tomato plants and sewage sludges). Six phthalates have been studied simultaneously: dimethylphthalate, diethylphthalate, di-n-butylphthalate, n-butylbenzylphthalate, di-2-ethyl-hexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-octylphthalate. Optimization of sample, solvent extractio...

Most fungi possess several hydrogen peroxide-generating enzymes, glucose oxidase and pyranose oxidase. Pyranose oxidase can use glucose as its substrate to generate hydrogen peroxide. White rot fungi, which degrade diverse recalcitrant compounds, contain lignin-degrading enzymes, and lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase require hydrogen peroxide for their enzymatic reactions. In this stud...

Urine samples from 14 mares, belonging to five breeds, were collected at estrus and diestrus to search for estrous specific volatile compounds which could be used to determine ovulation time. Around 150 volatiles were collected from urine head-space samples by solid phase micro extraction technique, and analyses were conducted by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. Comparison of chrom...

Abstract Female mammals, including women, are exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on a daily basis. This is of concern because many EDCs inhibit ovarian follicle growth and steroidogenesis, processes that critical for maintaining female fertility. Our research focuses the effects known as phthalates Phthalates interest they ubiquitous synthetic used plasticizers stabilizers in myri...

As one of the first semi-synthetic plastics produced industrially, cellulose acetate (CA)-based artefacts represent valued items in museum collections and archives which, however, present stability issues. High temperature relative humidity conditions have long been known to promote changes CA properties, for instance, due deacetylation polymer chains loss plasticiser from matrix. However, ther...

A screening exercise targeting ortho-phthalates in 22 plastic baby bibs collected the European market was performed. GC–MS method used with a limit of detection ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 mg kg−1 bib. The most frequently detected phthalates were di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl (DIBP) nearly all samples. DIBP at concentrations suggesting its intended use. Overall, highest levels for benzy...