Generation of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) from sodium chloride solution using C/PbO_2 and Pb/PbO_2 electrodes

Two modified electrodes （Pb/PbO2 and C/PbO2） were prepared by electrodepositing a lead oxide layer on lead and carbon sub- strates. These modified electrodes were used as anodes for the generation of sodium hypochlorite （NaOC1） from sodium chloride solution. Different operating conditions and factors affecting the treatment process of NaOC1 generation, including current density, pH values, con- ductive electrolytes, and electrolysis time, were studied and optimized. By comparison the C/PbO2 electrode shows a higher efficiency than the Pb/PbO2 electrode for the generation of NaOC1.

Bioremediation of Diuron in Soil Environment: Influence of Cyanobacterial Mat

Diuron is a herbicide widely used in the Middle East;its field application creates many environmental problems. This study investigated the bioremediation of Diuron in soil environment by Cyanobacterial mats collected from Gaza Wadi. Various concentrations of Diuron were injected in water saturated soil samples pre-treated with Cyanobacterial mat for several periods. Percent growth of Jews mallow as a test plant was taken as indicator of biodegradation of Diuron. Results showed that Diuron was degraded in soil and degradation was more pronounced when Diuron was incubated with Cyanobacterial in the irrigation water. Larger applied rate of Cyanobacterial mat did not affect the biodegradation of Diuron. These encouraging results suggest that application of Cyanobacterial mat could be a suitable method to remediate soil pollution.

Methyl gallate isolated from Mangifera pajang kernel induces proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells via oxidative stress

Objective:To determine the lead bioactive compound in kernel extract of Mangifera pajang and its anti-cancer activity against human breast cancer cell lines with positive estrogen receptor(MCF-7).Methods:The methanolic extract of dried powder kernel of Mangifera pajang was exposed to column chromatography for isolation.The structural elucidation of the isolated compound was characterized using infrared,nuclear magnetic resonance,mass spectrometry.Furthermore,cytotoxicity,morphological changes,flow cytometry and cell cycle arrest analyses were performed to examine the mechanism of anti-proliferation and apoptosis induced by methyl gallate against MCF-7.Results:One compound was isolated from the methanolic extract of Mangifera pajang kernel and identified as methyl gallate.The flow cytometric results demonstrated induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by three concentrations of methyl gallate.The cell cycle arrest showed a significant(P<0.05)decrease in cell progression at G2/M phase of MCF-7 after treatment with 100μM of methyl gallate.The cell percentage of early and late apoptosis was significant at 10 and 100μM of methyl gallate.Also,methyl gallate treatment induced up-regulation of reactive oxygen species levels in MCF-7 cells with a reduction in superoxide dismutase levels.Conclusions:These findings indicate that isolated methyl gallate from Mangifera pajang kernel extracts induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells via up-regulating oxidative stress pathway.