From the methanol extract of the Cardamine diphylla rhizome, methylethyl-(1), 2-methylbutyl-(2), 3-methylpentyl-(4), 3-indolylmethyl-(5), 1-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl-(6), 4-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl-(7) glucosinolates, and desulfo-2-methylbutylglucosinolate (3) were isolated. The structure elucidation of the compounds was performed by spectroscopic methods. The toxicity on brine shrimp larvae of the methanol extract of the C. diphylla rhizome was evaluated. In addition, the free-radical-scavenging activity of the crude extract was carried out by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

The potential for colloid-facilitated migration in contaminated sites is well known, and remediation techniques such as ultrafiltration are often considered for contaminant removal. Although this approach could be successful, the stability of the contaminant species in groundwater and the removal efficiency need to be investigated to ensure proper decontamination of moving aquifers. In our study, we have sampled contaminated groundwater near a former radioactive liquid disposal area at Chalk River, Ontario, Canada. Samples were taken in 2002 and 2004 to determine the behaviour of radiocontaminants by size fractionation using ultrafiltration, with emphasis on 60 Co and 137 Cs. The contaminant concentrations varied significantly for both contaminants in the two samples (34.5 and 25.5 Bq/l for 60 Co, 25.5 and 97.2 Bq/l for 137 Cs). On the other hand, the size fractionation (5,000 Da a nominal cut-off) remained consistent between the 2002 and 2004 samples, as most of the 60 Co (72%-83%) remained in the filtrate, while almost all of the 137 Cs (>98%) was retained along with the colloidal-sized material. Release of 60 Co and 137 Cs from the colloidal material yielded desorption coefficients (K D-des ) of 7.8 × 10 5 and 1.7 × 10 8 ml/g for 60 Co and 137 Cs, respectively.