Ruth Lorivi Moirana

Bio: Ruth Lorivi Moirana is an academic researcher from Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fluoride & Environmental chemistry. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 2 publications receiving 1 citations. Previous affiliations of Ruth Lorivi Moirana include National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.

Trends towards Effective Analysis of Fluorinated Compounds Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Abstract: Increased demand for monitoring and identification of novel and unknown fluorinated compounds (FCs) has demonstrated the need of sensitive fluorine-specific detectors for unknown FCs in both biological and environmental matrices. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a promising technique for analysis of FCs and has been rated as the most powerful tool in analytical chemistry. However, direct determination of fluorine using this technique is challenged by high ionization potential of fluorine together with spectral and nonspectral interferences which affect the quality of results. To enhance the quality of results, several studies have reported modifications of a conventional ICP-MS analysis procedure on sample preparation, introduction, analysis, and instrument optimization. Therefore, the focus of this study is to discuss different ICP-MS optimizations and future trends towards the effective analysis of FCs using ICP-MS.

Remediation of Soils Contaminated by Fluoride Using a Fermentation Product of Seaweed (Eucheuma cottonii)

Abstract: This study investigated the efficacy of fermented seaweed (Eucheuma cottonii) on the remediation of fluoride-contaminated soil. The soil was amended with either 1.25, 3.0, or 5.0% (w/w) fermented seaweed (FSW), parallel with the controls (0%). The amendment improved the physicochemical properties of the soil particularly pH regulated from strong alkaline (9.3) to neutral (7.0) which is essential for germination, crop growth, and yield. The amount of water soluble-fluoride (Ws-F) dropped from 81.7 ± 3.1 mg/kg to 42.7 ± 2.4, 33.7 ± 1.2, 19.6 ± 0.9, and 12 ± 1.3 mg/kg following 0, 1.25, 3, and 5% amendment dosage, respectively. Most of the Ws-F was converted into exchangeable fluoride (Ex-F) and to fluoride-bound to iron and manganese (Fe/Mn-F). Furthermore, the amendment also enhanced microbial mass and diversity in the soil. The FSW contains organic acids which participate in ionic bonding with the multivalent cations in the soil. The formed compound participates in ion exchange with clay or with anionic adsorption to positively charged clay sites at the edges. This interaction is further essential for enhancing the fluoride holding capacity of the soil. The use of seaweed reduced the bioavailability of fluoride in the agricultural soils and had positive effects on promoting soil fertility. However, further studies to observe its effects on crop performance is of significance.

Bioaccumulation of Fluoride in Plants and Its Microbially Assisted Remediation: A Review of Biological Processes and Technological Performance

Abstract: Fluoride is widely found in soil–water systems due to anthropogenic and geogenic activities that affect millions worldwide. Fluoride ingestion results in chronic and acute toxicity, including skeletal and dental fluorosis, neurological damage, and bone softening in humans. Therefore, this review paper summarizes biological processes for fluoride remediation, i.e., bioaccumulation in plants and microbially assisted systems. Bioremediation approaches for fluoride removal have recently gained prominence in removing fluoride ions. Plants are vulnerable to fluoride accumulation in soil, and their growth and development can be negatively affected, even with low fluoride content in the soil. The microbial bioremediation processes involve bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and biosorption. Bacterial, fungal, and algal biomass are ecologically efficient bioremediators. Most bioremediation techniques are laboratory-scale based on contaminated solutions; however, treatment of fluoride-contaminated wastewater at an industrial scale is yet to be investigated. Therefore, this review recommends the practical applicability and sustainability of microbial bioremediation of fluoride in different environments.

Facets of ICP-MS and their potential in the medical sciences—Part 1: fundamentals, stand-alone and hyphenated techniques

Abstract: Abstract Since its inception in the early 80s, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry has developed to the method of choice for the analysis of elements in complex biological systems. High sensitivity paired with isotopic selectivity and a vast dynamic range endorsed ICP-MS for the inquiry of metals in the context of biomedical questions. In a stand-alone configuration, it has optimal qualities for the biomonitoring of major, trace and toxicologically relevant elements and may further be employed for the characterisation of disrupted metabolic pathways in the context of diverse pathologies. The on-line coupling to laser ablation (LA) and chromatography expanded the scope and application range of ICP-MS and set benchmarks for accurate and quantitative speciation analysis and element bioimaging. Furthermore, isotopic analysis provided new avenues to reveal an altered metabolism, for the application of tracers and for calibration approaches. In the last two decades, the scope of ICP-MS was further expanded and inspired by the introduction of new instrumentation and methodologies including novel and improved hardware as well as immunochemical methods. These additions caused a paradigm shift for the biomedical application of ICP-MS and its impact in the medical sciences and enabled the analysis of individual cells, their microenvironment, nanomaterials considered for medical applications, analysis of biomolecules and the design of novel bioassays. These new facets are gradually recognised in the medical communities and several clinical trials are underway. Altogether, ICP-MS emerged as an extremely versatile technique with a vast potential to provide novel insights and complementary perspectives and to push the limits in the medical disciplines. This review will introduce the different facets of ICP-MS and will be divided into two parts. The first part will cover instrumental basics, technological advances, and fundamental considerations as well as traditional and current applications of ICP-MS and its hyphenated techniques in the context of biomonitoring, bioimaging and elemental speciation. The second part will build on this fundament and describe more recent directions with an emphasis on nanomedicine, immunochemistry, mass cytometry and novel bioassays. Graphical abstract