Journal of Human, Environment, and Health Promotion

53-59

Authors: Amir Hossein Baghaie , Amir Ghafar Jabari , Roya Sattari

Background: This research was done to evaluate the effect of corn and white clover intercropping on bio-degradation of diesel oil in arsenic (As) contaminated soil in the presence of Piriformospora indica (P.indica). Methods: Treatments included corn planting with three plant density of white clover (0, 20 and 30 seeds per pots) as an intercropping system, As polluted soil (0, 12 and 24 mg/kg soil) and diesel oil (0, 4 and 8 % (W/W) in the presence and absence of P.indica . After 10 weeks, plants were harvested and the soil and plant as concentration was measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy. In addition, the soil microbial activity and the percentage of diesel oil degradation were measured. Results: The results of this study showed that cultivation of corn in intercropping system with white clover (1:20 seeds corn to white clover) relative to monoculture significantly (P < 0.05) increased the diesel oil degradation in soil by 14.6%. In addition, the soil microbial activity was increased by 13.4%. Plant inoculation with P.indica had additive effect on degradation of diesel oil in the soil. Conclusion: Plant inoculation and intercropping system can effect on increasing the percentage of diesel oil degradation in As contaminated soil that is an important role in environmental studies.

69-76

Authors: Rana Roshani Neshat , Mandana Bimakr , Ali Ganjloo

Background: Verbascoside is the major biophenolic compound of Lemon verbena leaf. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the binary solvent system on the free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) and verbascoside recovery from L. verbena leaves, as well as the kinetic mass transfer of verbascoside. Methods: Classic extraction was performed using various ratios of ethanol (EtOH) and water (H2O) (50:50-90:10% v/v). The FRSA was analyzed using spectrophotometric methods (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] and hydroxyl radical [HO˙] assays). Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography was used for the qualification and quantification of verbascoside, and the Peleg model described the kinetic mass transfer of verbascoside. Results: The hydroethanolic solvent was composed of EtOH:H2O (80:20% v/v) as the optimal medium for the maximum recovery of verbascoside (19.20 ± 0.12 mg/g) and FRSA of the extracts (45.25 ± 0.95% DPPHsc% and 31.17 ± 1.20% HOsc%). The Peleg model had a proper fit for the observed data with the highest coefficient of determination (R2 =0.999), the lowest root mean square error (RMSE = 0.093), and the mean relative percentage deviation modulus (E = 0.968). Conclusion: The valuable bioactive compounds of L. verbena could be successfully extracted using the binary solvent system. The Peleg model is also an efficient non-linear model to describe the verbascoside release rate during extraction.

83-90

Authors: Seyyedeh Maryam Seyed Mohammadi Fard , Peymaneh Ghasemi Afshar , Morteza Adeli Milani

Background: Olive oil is one of the healthiest oils in the world with a high nutritional value. Zanjan province has the highest acreage under olive cultivation in Iran. Given the importance of olive oil purity, this study aimed to investigate the quality and authenticity of the olive oils produced in Tarom region, Iran during January-March 2019. Methods: Bulk samples consisting of five virgin olive oils and brand samples consisting of two virgin and three refined olive oils were collected. The fatty acid profile, sterol and squalene contents, and iodine and Cox values of the samples were determined. Results: In terms of fatty acid composition, 30% of the samples were adulterated with other vegetable oils and contained more than 1% linolenic acid. The total sterol in the samples conformed to the standards (>1,000 mg/kg). However, the concentrations of campesterol and delta-7-stigmastenol in two bulk samples were above the national standard limits. The high content of squalene (55.37%) in a bulk sample was attributed to the soybean oil presence. Conclusion: The quality properties of the brand samples complied with the national and Codex standards. Due to possible adulteration with other vegetable oils, the continuous monitoring of bulk olive oil supplies is recommended.

97-100

Authors: Joyal Alias Saji , Abel K Samuel Johnson , Koshy M. Cherian

Background: Wells are the main source of water supply in rural areas. Bleaching powder is the most effective and inexpensive method for well water disinfection. In the great floods of 2018 in South India, community volunteers (ASHA) were trained on promoting preventive measures (e.g., well water chlorination) and use of boiling water. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 101 households in the field practice area of the Rural Health Training Center of a teaching institution in Central Kerala affected by flood to assess the extent of the correct method of well water disinfection during September 2-12, 2018. Results: All the wells were disinfected by chlorination using bleaching powder, and most of the wells (86%) were super-chlorinated. To determine the amount of the required bleaching powder, the well water volume was calculated by guesswork in 91 households (89%). All the households used a bleaching powder solution rather than directly sprinkling the powder. Conclusion: According to the results, effective health awareness campaigns, community participation, and the use of appropriate technologies could change the behavior of the community. All the households practiced well water disinfection with some minor lacunas.