Surface orange patinas on the limestone of the Batalha Monastery (Portugal): characterization and decay patterns

Samples of orange patinas found on a limestone window tracery and an ornament of the Batalha Monastery have been investigated by X-ray micro-diffractometry (μ-XRD) and low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry (LV-SEM + EDS). The aim of the study was to determine the composition of the layered patinas, assess whether they have been intentionally applied or naturally formed, and study their degradation patterns. Preliminary results revealed that the orange patinas on the window tracery and the ornament showed different compositions and appearance, suggesting distinct formation pathways. Orange patinas on the ornament, which are now showing decay and delamination patterns, mainly consisted of gypsum with hematite as a minor component, implying the possibility of an intentional application of a mixture of ochre and lime as tint plaster. Orange patinas on the window tracery show, instead, the presence of Ca-oxalates, abundant weddellite, and minor whewellite, with minor hematite suggesting the yellowish/orange color as being due to Ca-oxalate patinas imbedding soil dust airborne particles. Such patina was possibly formed naturally either by the chemical attack due to atmospheric air pollutants from traffic exhausts emissions or by bacterial activity. No delamination was observed on the window tracery sample with granular decohesion as the major decay phenomenon. A comparison was made between this patina and the so-called scialbatura, a surface yellowish coating often found by conservators on limestone and marble in ancient monuments in the Mediterranean region.

Orange Layered Patinas on Limestone Surface in the Batalha Monastery (Portugal): Characterization and Decay Patterns

Samples of orange patinas found on a limestone balustrade and an ornament of the Batalha Monastery have been investigated by X-ray micro-diffractometry (µ-XRD) and Low-Vacuum Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (LV-SEM + EDS). Aim of the study was to determine the composition of the layered patinas, assess whether they were been intentionally applied or naturally formed, and study their degradation patterns. Preliminary results revealed that the orange patinas on the balustrade and the ornament showed different compositions and appearance, suggesting distinct formation pathways. Orange layers on the ornament which suffers salt decay and delamination nowadays, mainly consisted of gypsum with hematite as a minor component, implying the possibility of an intentional application of a mixture of ochre and lime as tint plaster. Orange patinas on the balustrade show the presence of Ca-oxalates, abundant weddellite and minor whewellite, with minor hematite suggesting the yellowish/orange color to be due to Ca-oxalate patinas imbedding soil dust airborne particles. Such patina was possibly formed naturally either by the chemical attack due to atmospheric air pollutants from traffic exhausts emissions or by bacterial activity. No delamination was observed, abrasion is the major decay phenomenon on the balustrade sample. A comparison was made between this patina and the so called “scialbatura”, a surface yellowish coating often found by conservators on limestone and marble in ancient monuments in the Mediterranean region.

Growth, Oxalate and Vitamin C Content of Red Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) Treated with Salicylic Acid

Red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) contains phytochemicals that are important for human health, however it also contains oxalate that may cause uric acid problem in human health. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) on growth, oxalate, chlorophyll, and vitamin C contents in red amaranth. Red amaranth seeds were germinated in a plastic pot containing a mixture of top soil and organic fertilizer. Three week-old seedlings were applied with SA of 0 M (control), 10-8, 10-6, 10-4 or 10-2 M. Five replicates were prepared for each treatment. Growth parameters observed were plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight of plant. The Ca-oxalate crystals density was determined by observing stem section under the microscope. Chlorophyll and oxalic acid content were determined by spectrophotometer method, whereas vitamin C content was determined by titration method. The results showed that plant height and root length were tend to decline by SA application, however SA of 10-6 M significantly increased chlorophyll, carotenoid and vitamin C content. All concentrations of SA applied were able to reduce oxalic acid content and Ca-oxalate crystal’s density in stem. It can be inferred that application of SA generally enhances nutrient quality of red amaranth.

Anatomy and Biochemical Study of Collar Rot Resistance in Eggplant

Disease reaction of three eggplant varieties (BAUBegun-1, BAUBegun-2 and Dohazari G) to collar rot (Sclerotium rolfsii) at early flowering stage, as well as the anatomy and biochemical effects of the infection on the collar region of the plant was studied. The plants were inoculated following soil inoculation technique, using barley culture of the pathogen. All the varieties were infected, with percentage infection ranging from 62.50 to 100%. Varieties varied in percent mortality (0.00 - 100). Plants of the eggplant variety BAUBegun-2, although infected, all regenerated and were graded resistant. The varieties Dohazari G and BAUBegun-1 were graded as susceptible. Anatomy and biochemical constituents, namely total phenols, ascorbic acid, total sugar, reducing sugar and Ca-oxalate contents of the collar region were investigated. BAUBegun-2 was characterized with thick cuticle, thick epidermal cells, many trichomes and smaller intercellular spaces in the cortex which could have restricted the entry of S. rolfsii into the cell. A higher level of biochemical activities was observed in eggplant var. BAUBegun-2. There was a clear correlation between anatomical features and biochemical constituents, and collar rot incidence. Anatomical features and biochemical constituents, as detected to be responsible for the resistance, could be used for the development of superior variety with resistance to collar rot.

Pushing the limits of sensitivity and resolution for natural abundance 43Ca NMR using ultra-high magnetic field (35.2 T)

Natural abundance 43Ca solid state NMR experiments are reported for the first time at ultra-high magnetic field (35.2 T) on a series of Ca-(pyro)phosphate and Ca-oxalate materials, which are of biological relevance in relation to biomineralization processes and the formation of pathological calcifications.

In Vitro Inhibition Capacity in Ca Oxalate Formation by Lemon (Citrus Lemon) Juice

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; background: white; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; color: black;">This research aims to determine the inhibition capacity of lemon juice (<em>Citrus lemon</em>) in the formation of calcium oxalate in a variety of concentrations of 5%, 7.5%, 10% which is then compared to pure citric acid. Lemon juice contains citric acid that can inhibit calcium oxalate’s formation. Inhibitory activity found in lemon juice is examined by observing its inhibition capacity towards the formation of calcium oxalate crystal. At the end of the treatment process the turbidity level is compared to citric acid acting as an inhibitor in the formation of calcium oxalate and then the percentage of the inhibition capacity is calculated. Result of the study shows that the optimum concentration of the lemon juice (<em>Citrus lemon</em>) and citric acid is 10%. The inhibition capacities in calcium oxalate formation by lemon juice with concentration variations of 5%, 7.5%, 10% are 47.06%, 73.68%, 94.19% and by citric acid with concentration variations of 5%, 7.5 %, 10% are 29.90%, 30.85%, 42.30%. It can be concluded that the higher the concentration of lemon juice and citric acid used the higher the inhibition capacity of calcium oxalate. Based on the inhibition capacity percentage, lemon juice is more effective in inhibiting the formation of calcium oxalate compared to citric acid and it can function as an alternative to prevent the formation of kidney stone.</span> <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; color: black;">© 2015 JNSMR UIN Walisongo. All rights reserved.</span></p>

In Vitro Inhibition Capacity in Ca Oxalate Formation by Lemon (Citrus Lemon) Juice

<p style="text-align: justify;">This research aims to determine the inhibition capacity of lemon juice (Citrus lemon) in the formation of calcium oxalate in a variety of concentrations of 5%, 7.5%, 10% which is then compared to pure citric acid. Lemon juice contains citric acid that can inhibit calcium oxalate’s formation. Inhibitory activity found in lemon juice is examined by observing its inhibition capacity towards the formation of calcium oxalate crystal. At the end of the treatment process the turbidity level is compared to citric acid acting as an inhibitor in the formation of calcium oxalate and then the percentage of the inhibition capacity is calculated. Result of the study shows that the optimum concentration of the lemon juice (Citrus lemon) and citric acid is 10%. The inhibition capacities in calcium oxalate formation by lemon juice with concentration variations of 5%, 7.5%, 10% are 47.06%, 73.68%, 94.19% and by citric acid with concentration variations of 5%, 7.5 %, 10% are 29.90%, 30.85%, 42.30%. It can be concluded that the higher the concentration of lemon juice and citric acid used the higher the inhibition capacity of calcium oxalate. Based on the inhibition capacity percentage, lemon juice is more effective in inhibiting the formation of calcium oxalate compared to citric acid and it can function as an alternative to prevent the formation of kidney stone. © 2015 JNSMR UIN Walisongo. All rights reserved</p>

A Case of Recurrent Renal Aluminum Hydroxide Stone

Renal stone disease is characterized by the differences depending on the age, gender, and the geographic location of the patients. Seventy-five percent of the renal stone components is the calcium (Ca). The most common type of the stones is the Ca oxalate stones, while Ca phosphate, uric acid, struvite, and sistine stones are more rarely reported. Other than these types, triamterene, adenosine, silica, indinavir, and ephedrine stones are also reported in the literature as case reports. However, to the best of our knowledge, aluminum hydroxide stones was not reported reported before. Herein we will report a 38-years-old woman with the history of recurrent renal colic disease whose renal stone was determined as aluminum hydroxide stone in type. Aluminum mineral may be considered in the formation of kidney stones as it is widely used in the field of healthcare and cosmetics.

New Pathophysiological Aspects of Growth and Prevention of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones probably grow during crystalluria by crystal sedimentation and aggregation (AGN) on stone surfaces. This process has to occur within urinary transit time (UT) through the kidney before crystals are washed out by diuresis. To get more information, we studied by spectrophotometry the formation and AGN of Ca oxalate (Ca Ox) crystals which were directly produced in urine of 30 stone patients and 30 controls by an oxalate (Ox) titration. Some tests were also performed after removing urinary macromolecules (UMs) by ultrafiltration. To induce rapid crystallization, high Ox additions (0.5–0.8 mM) were necessary. The most important finding was retardation of crystal AGN by UM. In urine of 63% of controls but only 33% of patients, no AGN was observed during an observation of 60 minutes (P<0.05). Also growth and sedimentation rate of crystals were significantly reduced by UM. For stone metaphylaxis, especially for posttreatment residuals, avoiding dietary Ox excesses to prevent crystal formation in the kidney and increasing diuresis to wash out crystals before they aggregate are recommended.