Chloroform

The antimicrobial activities of Circium arvense extracts were evaluated against two human gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus) and four gram negative pathogen (Escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter, Klebsiella pneumoniae). The Methanol extracts of Circium arvense were used to obtain various fractions (X1) n-hexane, (X2) chloroform, (X3) ethyl acetate and (X4) n-butanol. The agar well diffusion assay and agar dilution susceptibility testing were carried out to determine the zone of inhibitions and the minimum inhibitory concentration respectively. Antifungal activity was employed by agar well diffusion method. The Ampicilline, Ofloxacine and Itraconazole were used as standard agents. Almost all fractions exhibited more or less antimicrobial activity. The X2 (Chloroform) fraction was reported as highly active fraction with good antimicrobial activity MIC 0.312 mg/ml against staphylococcus areous. The MBC values of fraction X2 (chloroform) was 2 ti...

Xylitol was produced by Candida guilliermondii by fermentation of sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate. Undesirable impurities were extracted from the broth using either ethyl acetate, chloroform or dichloromethane. The best results on clarification of the broth without xylitol loss were obtained with ethyl acetate. When ethanol, acetone or tetrahydrofuran were used for precipitation of impurities, only tetrahydrofuran clarified the fermented broth, but a high xylitol loss (~30%) was observed.

Certain biological and physiological properties of MPV are reported. Host range was found to include primary monkey, bovine, and rabbit kidney and human amnion and continuous lines of these and several other cells. In continuous monkey kidney cell line kappa (more susceptible than other cells tested) approximately 85% of the virus was adsorbed to the cells in two hours. In these cells CAV was demonstrated 12 hours p.i. and maximal yield obtained in 48 hours. The maximal titer of free virus (obtained 96 hours p.i.) was roughly 1% of that of CAV. MPV was shown to be inactivated following subjection to (a) acidic conditions (pH 2) but not by basic pH 10, (b) temperatures of 56° C but not by 40° C, (c) storage at −20° C but not at 4° C. MPV was completely inactivated by SDS, chloroform, methanol, and phenol.

Acanthaster planci, the crown-of-thorns starfish, naturally endowed with the numerous toxic spines around the dorsal area of its body. Scientific investigations demonstrated several toxico-pharmacological efficacies of A. planci such as, myonecrotic activity, hemorrhagic activity, hemolytic activity, mouse lethality, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity, capillary permeability-increasing activity, edema-forming activity, anticoagulant activity and histamine-releasing activity from mast cells. The present study was performed to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of A. planci extracts obtained by different methods of extraction on MCF-7 and HCT-116, human breast and colon cancer cell lines, respectively. Results of the cell proliferation assay showed that PBS extract exhibited very potent cytotoxic activity against both MCF-7 and HCT-116 cell lines with IC(50) of 13.48 μg/mL and 28.78 μg/mL, respectively, while the extracts prepared by Bligh and Dyer method showed moderate cytotoxicity effec...

The reactions of chlorine atoms and activated carbon have been studied over the temperature range of 200–400 °C using an isothermal flow reactor in conjunction with 337 nm laser photolysis of Cl2. These studies have shown that carbon tetrachloride is the major product, with chloroform, methylene chloride, and methyl chloride being formed in progressively decreasing yields. Trace quantities of methane, ethane, and dichloroethylenes were also observed. Mechanisms of carbon fragmentation by successive addition of chlorine atoms are proposed. The formation of small chlorinated hydrocarbons by the direct reaction of chlorine with carbon may be a key link in both the de novo and precursor pathways of formation of PCDD/F.

The last decades of the xix century were years of resurgence and progress in the field of Naval Health, which was in the vanguard of European health structures at that time. In this era, the navy physicians produced some documents known as "Memorias Clínicas" (Clinical Reports), previously established as obligatory in their rules and regulations. Valuable documents on medical science and the art of healing are deposited in the Archivo General de la Marina (Viso del Marqués, Ciudad Real). Although the information recorded in these Reports varies considerably, we have centred our interest on those that focus on the discovery and development of anaesthesia. The introduction of these discoveries was surrounded by immense controversy, with its defenders and critics. The exclusiveness of the documents presented here is an original testimony to the medical-surgical knowledge of the era and places Naval Health in the vanguard of European health structures at that time.

Aerial parts essential oil of Nepeta betonicifolia and N. saccharata were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Thirty-three and eighteen components represented 97.9% and 98.2% of the total oils identified, respectively. Main compounds of the oil of N. betonicifolia were 4aα,7β,7aα-nepetalactone (42.0%), germacrene D (6.0%), triplal (5.2%), 1-nor-bourbonanone (4.0%) and 1,8-cineole (3.2%). The principal constituents of the essential oil of N. saccharata were found to be 4aβ,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone (66.9%), germacrene D (12.9%), sabinene (6.5%) and trans-caryophyllene (3.3%). The radical scavenging capacity (RSC) of methanol extracts and chloroform, butanol and water subfractions of aerial parts of N. betonicifolia and N. saccharata were evaluated by using DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays. TPC of each extract was measured using Folin–Ciocalteau. The antioxidant activity of the butanolic subfractions of both plants was higher than other extracts examined.

The use of chlorine to disinfect water produces a series of byproducts, particularly trihalomethanes (THMs). This is important given that there is a recognized association with different types of cancer after prolonged exposure, as well as with probable adverse effects on reproduction, especially in relation to offspring.  The concentrations of these organic compounds vary greatly depending on the season and the conditions involved in providing water for consumption. This study was aimed at determining the geographic distribution pattern of chloroform in the city of Montevideo, and correlating that with the characteristics of the water distribution network. A total of 400 samples were taken from a sampling network between 2009 and 2015. Chloroform was identified by analyzing these samples using the headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. Data regarding piping length, diameter, and type of material were obtained. A geographic information system was constructed and hot spots were analyzed using the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic. A neighborhood piping density index was also proposed. The analysis found two zones in the city: hot and cold spots. The proposed index showed an increase in the Gi* statistic as the neighborhoods’ piping density increased, with a strong correlation. In addition, the highest Gi* statistic values corresponded to larger amounts of iron piping in neighborhoods. This work was able to determine that the hot spots were associated with the piping density in the neighborhoods as well as with the type of piping material, particularly iron.
Keywords: Trihalomethanes, Chloroform, Desinfection byproducts, Geostatistic, Water Distribution Network.

Leaves and inflorescences of Stachys sylvatica L. (Lamiaceae) were collected from three different wild populations in Kosovo to study the natural variation of the chemical composition of essential oils, total flavonoids, total phenolics and the antioxidant activity. Essential oils were obtained by steam distillation and analysed by GC-FID and GC–MS, whereas total flavonoids, total phenolics and antioxidant activities were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Yields of essential oils ranged from 0.001% to 0.007% (v per dry weight). Twenty-eight volatile constituents were identified. The main constituents were α-pinene, β-pinene and germacrene-D. Total phenolics ranged from 39.3 to 70.8 mg g−1 dry mass, whereas total flavonoid content ranged from 30.44 to 70.63 mg g−1 dm. The antioxidant activity, as measured by the DPPH method, exhibited a rather high degree of activity ranging from 25.5% to 57.2%, whereas the FRAP antioxidant activity showed a lower variability and ranged from 93 to 133.4 mg g−1 dm.

This study was aimed to evaluate both post- and pre-treatment anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of fresh leaves of Coccinia indica in rats using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema method at various dose levels. Analgesic and antipyretic properties were evaluated using tail flick model and yeast-induced hyperpyrexia, respectively. Ceiling effect of the extract was observed at 50 mg/kg in pre-treatment carrageenan test. In post-treatment studies, a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect was observed in the dose range of 25–300 mg/kg. The effect was equivalent to diclofenac (20 mg/kg) at 50 mg/kg but it was significantly pronounced at higher doses. Effectiveness of extract in the early phase of inflammation suggests the inhibition of histamine and serotonin release. The extract produced marked analgesic activity comparable to morphine at 300 mg/kg, which suggests the involvement of central mechanisms. A significant reduction in hyperpyrexia in rats was also produced by all doses of extract with maximum effect at 300 mg/kg comparable to paracetamol. In conclusion, this study has established the anti-inflammatory activity, analgesic and antipyretic activity of C. indica and, thus, justifies the ethnic uses of the plant.

Human exposure to chloroform in indoor swimming pools has been recognized as a potential health concern. Although environmental monitoring is a useful technique to investigate chloroform concentrations in indoor swimming-pool air, in practice, the interpretations of measured data would inevitably run into difficulties due to the complex interactions among the numerous variables, including environmental conditions and occupant activities. Considering of the relevant variables of environmental conditions and occupant activities, a mathematical model was first proposed to predict the chloroform concentration in indoor swimming-pool air. The developed model provides a straightforward, conceptually simple way to predict the indoor air chloroform concentration by calculating the mass flux, J, and the Péclet number, Pe, and by using a heuristic value of the indoor airflow recycle ratio, R. The good agreement between model simulation and measured data demonstrates the feasibility of using the presented model for indoor air quality management, operational guidelines and health-related risk assessment.

Aerial parts essential oil of Nepeta betonicifolia and N. saccharata were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Thirty-three and eighteen components represented 97.9% and 98.2% of the total oils identified, respectively. Main compounds of the oil of N. betonicifolia were 4aα,7β,7aα-nepetalactone (42.0%), germacrene D (6.0%), triplal (5.2%), 1-nor-bourbonanone (4.0%) and 1,8-cineole (3.2%). The principal constituents of the essential oil of N. saccharata were found to be 4aβ,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone (66.9%), germacrene D (12.9%), sabinene (6.5%) and trans-caryophyllene (3.3%). The radical scavenging capacity (RSC) of methanol extracts and chloroform, butanol and water subfractions of aerial parts of N. betonicifolia and N. saccharata were evaluated by using DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays. TPC of each extract was measured using Folin–Ciocalteau. The antioxidant activity of the butanolic subfractions of both plants was higher than other extracts examined.

In this era of urbanization and environmental pollution, antioxidants and antimutagens derived from plants are promising safeguards for human health. In the current investigation, we analyzed the antioxidant and antimutagenic effects of the hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions of Sm. leaves and determined their chemical composition. The different fractions inhibited lipid peroxidation, repressed the production of nitric oxide radicals, and prevented deoxyribose degradation. The antimutagenic activity of the leaf fractions was analyzed against 4-nitro--phenylenediamine, sodium azide and 2-aminofluorene mutagens in two test strains (TA-98 and TA-100) of The experiment was conducted using pre- and co-incubation modes. The best results were obtained in the pre-incubation mode, and against indirect acting mutagen. The presence of a number of bioactive constituents was confirmed in the different fractions by GC-MS analysis. The study reveals the strong antioxidant and antimutag...

The aim of this study is to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions isolated from ethanolic extracts of Coccinia cordifolia and Catharanthus roseus on normal control and orally glucose-induced hyperglycemic rats. Single doses (150 mg/kg) of different fractions of C. cordifolia and C. roseus extracts were intraperitonelly administered. The serum blood glucose level was obtained by pricking the tail vein using glucometer at time 0, 30, 60, 90, 150 and 270 minutes. In the orally glucose induced hyperglycemic rats, chloroform-coccinia (CHCl3-CC) fraction showed maximum reduction of blood glucose level by 21.94% on 60 minute of the experiment. On the other hand maximum reduction (p<0.05) of 17.92% was observed for petroleum ether-catharanthus (PET-CR) on 30 minute of the experiment. Metformin HCl was used as standard drug. Our results indicate that the CHCl3-CC fraction is relatively more potent than other fractions of C. cordifo...

Plants are very useful, self-generating machines, producing a variety of useful bioactive products. Keeping in view this idea, the crude methanolic extract and various fractions of Zizyphus jujuba were screened for antifungal, cytotoxic, antitermite and insecticidal activities. Low activity was shown by the crude methanolic extract (12%), n-hexane (9%), chloroform (20%) and ethyl acetate (14%) fraction against Penicillium notatum. Low activity was shown by the n-hexane fraction against Aspergillus niger (10%) and Trichoderma harzianum (13%) and inactive against Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizopus stolonifer. The CHCl(3) fraction exhibited low activity of 10% against F. oxysporum while showing no activity against the rest of the test fungi. All the test samples were inactive against Rhizopus stolonifer. The crude methanolic extract was highly cytotoxic (73.33%) at the concentration of 1000 (µg/ml) while the rest of the test samples were low in toxicity at the same con...

Besides trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), chloral hydrate (CH) is the next most prevalent disinfection by-product (DBP) in drinking water, formed as a result of the reaction between chlorine and natural organic matter (NOM). Chloral hydrate (trichloroacetaldehyde) should be limited in drinking water because of its adverse health effect. The controversies concerning the appearance of CH in disinfected water