SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

The article reviews the chemical composition of borehole and surface waters in three villages of one of the regions of Georgia - Kakheti, Gurjaani Municipality. The study was specifically focused on iodine content in waters. It turned out that certain amount of iodine really existed in borehole waters, which means that by everyday drinking of water, the human body gets maybe not the complete required amount of iodine, but at least some part of it. It was also discovered, that according to certain parameters, waters are clean, do not contain heavy metals and can be freely used for drinking and cooking. The chemical composition of the Alazani River was also examined according to all four seasons. This river is interesting because of being used for irrigation of vineyards and fruit gardens.

Background: The Second Southern Science Conference (SSCON 2024) represents a significant milestone in international scientific collaboration, bringing together researchers from twelve nations across multiple continents. The conference, held in Mendoza, Argentina, and co-hosted by the University of Vassouras in Brazil, marked both the 64th anniversary of Universidad de Mendoza and the 20th anniversary of Periódico Tchê Química, demonstrating the growing importance of cross-border academic partnerships. Aim: This study aimed to document and analyze the outcomes and impact of the Second Southern Science Conference, focusing on participation metrics, collaborative patterns, and institutional contributions while highlighting the significance of the hybrid format in facilitating global scientific dialogue. Methods: The analysis involved quantitative assessment of conference participation metrics, including the number of approved papers, author distributions, and institutional representation. The study examined participation patterns across countries and institutions, analyzing collaboration trends through statistical data visualization and comparative analysis of submission rates. Results: The conference achieved significant participation metrics with 65 approved papers and 242 contributing authors, averaging 4 authors per paper. The Universidad Nacional de Córdoba emerged as the leading institution, showcasing its 4 centuries legacy of academic excellence. The analysis revealed strong representation from Latin American institutions, with Brazil and Argentina leading in submissions. Most papers involved 2-5 collaborators, indicating effective research collaboration patterns. Over 500 people participated in the event through both in-person and virtual attendance options. Discussion: The hybrid format successfully facilitated broader international participation and knowledge exchange, which is particularly beneficial for addressing contemporary global challenges. The strong showing from Latin American institutions highlights the region's growing influence in international scientific discourse. The conference's interdisciplinary nature fostered new collaborative initiatives and research partnerships. Conclusions: The conference demonstrated the effectiveness of hybrid international scientific events in fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange. Areas for improvement were identified, including extended submission timelines and establishment of a permanent management committee. The success of this edition supports the planning of future iterations, with the next edition scheduled to be held in Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro.

Background: A crucial aspect of electrochemical enzymatic biosensor development is the immobilization of the enzymes, as it directly influences the sensitivity of the bioelectrode. Among the different methods used to incorporate enzymes on the surface of the transducers, layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly based on electrostatic interaction with polyelectrolytes of opposite charge stands out due to its simplicity and reproducibility. Aims: The aim of the work was to develop an electrochemical glucose biosensor by LbL assembly of a new functionalized chitosan polycation and the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx). Methods: Chitosan was chemically functionalized with glucose by the Maillard reaction. The resulting polycation, named G-Chit, is soluble in the medium compatible with the enzyme. The bioelectrode was obtained by alternating adsorption of G-Chit and GOx onto carbon paste electrodes. By selecting the number of bilayer of G-Chit/GOX, the enzyme concentration, and the pH, the electroanalytical performance of the biosensor was optimized. The electrochemical responses were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Results: Under optimized experimental conditions, the biosensor exhibited a sensitivity of (0.81 ± 0.03) µA mM-1 in a glucose concentration range of (0.18 to 1.75) mM. Discussion: Results indicated that catalytic response increases both with the number of G-Chit/GOx bilayers and the enzyme concentration, obtaining the best responses for 3 bilayers and 2 mg mL-1, respectively, while the optimum working pH value was 7.0. Conclusions: The analytical response of the biosensor was tested in milk samples with negligible matrix effects, suggesting a potential application in other dairy products. Results show that G-Chit appears promising for the immobilization of enzymes.