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The present work describes the development of a microwave-assisted extraction procedure for the determination of zinc and copper in cereal samples employing flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). A Doehlert design was carried out in order to determine the optimum conditions for the procedure through response surface study. Three variables (irradiation power, time, and temperature) were regarded as factors in the optimization study. The working conditions were established as a compromise between optimum values found for each analyte. These values were 110.0°C, 176.0 W, and 16.0 min, for temperature, irradiation power, and time, respectively. The accuracy of the optimized procedure was evaluated by analysis of certified reference materials. The procedure proposed was applied for the determination of copper and zinc in cereal samples.

This article describes the development by response surface methodology (RSM) of a procedure for zinc and iron determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) in food samples after extraction by microwave system. A Box-Behnken matrix was used to find optimal conditions for the procedure through response surface study. Three variables "irradiation power and time and temperature" were regarded as factors in the optimization study. The working conditions were established as a compromise between optimum values found for each analyte. These values were 80°C, 105 W, and 9.0 min, for temperature, irradiation power and time, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of iron and zinc in two celery samples.

Curcumin is known to exhibit antioxidant and tissue-healing properties and has recently attracted the attention of the biomedical community for potential use in advanced therapies. This work reports the formulation and characterization of oil-in-water F127 microemulsions to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin Microemulsions showed a high encapsulation efficiency and prolonged release. To investigate the interactions of curcumin with one unit of the polymeric chain of surfactant F127, ethyl butyrate, and sodium octanoate, as well as the interaction between ethyl butyrate and one unit of the F127 polymer chain, the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the M06-2X level of theory, were performed in water solution. The MTT assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of free and encapsulated curcumin on non-malignant and malignant cell lines. Combination effects were calculated according to Chou-Talalay’s principles. Results of in vitro studies indicated that MCF7 and HepG2 cells were more sensitive to curcumin microemulsions. Moreover, a synergistic relationship was observed between curcumin microemulsions and cisplatin in all affected fractions of MCF7 and HepG2 cells (CI < 0.9). For in vivo investigation, thioacetamide-intoxicated rats received thioacetamide (100 mg/kg Sc) followed by curcumin microemulsions (30 mg/kg Ip). Thioacetamide-intoxicated rats showed elevated serum liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels, and a significant reduction in liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities (p < 0.05). Curcumin microemulsions reduced liver enzymes and serum creatinine and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in thioacetamide-treated rats in comparison to the untreated thioacetamide-intoxicated group. Histopathological investigations confirmed the biochemical findings. Overall, the current results showed the desirable hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and anti-cancer effects of curcumin microemulsions.