ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR METHANOL DETECTION IN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF CLASSICAL, COLORIMETRIC, AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC APPROACHES
Introduction: The detection of methanol in alcoholic beverages represents a critical public health issue, particularly in light of the recent outbreak of poisonings in Brazil, which registered 58 confirmed cases and 15 deaths through October 2025. Methanol's toxicity, with an estimated lethal dose ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 g/kg, requires reliable analytical methods for health surveillance. Brazilian legislation establishes a maximum limit of 20 mg/100 mL of anhydrous alcohol; however, the need for accessible screening methods in field settings remains an important challenge. Objective: To critically compare three analytical methods for methanol determination: classical qualitative methods (Lucas Test and dichromate/Schiff), Brazilian colorimetric method, and gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID), evaluating their performance and applicability in resource-limited contexts. Methods: Theoretical-comparative approach through critical analysis of specialized literature and normative technical documentation. Methods were evaluated according to: operational principle, sensitivity (LOD/LOQ), selectivity, operational complexity, analysis time, and practical applicability. Results: The Lucas Test is not applicable for methanol detection. Colorimetric methods showed moderate sensitivity (LOD ~20-160 mg/100 mL), a 10-30-minute execution time, low operational complexity, and excellent portability. The Brazilian method presented chemical equivalence with international standards, differing only in the type of reading performed. GC-FID has shown superior sensitivity (LOD ≤ 1 mg/100 mL) and high specificity, but it requires extended time (~45-60 minutes), complex laboratory infrastructure, and specialized operators. Sugars interfere with colorimetric methods. Conclusions: The methods are complementary within a hierarchical system. Colorimetric methods enable rapid field screening, while GC-FID serves as the confirmatory method for forensic analyses. We recommend implementing integrated protocols that combine in situ colorimetric screening with GC-FID confirmation in accredited laboratories for effective health surveillance.
Read ArticleREVIEW AND STUDY OF METAL COMPLEXES WITH ANTIFUNGAL POTENTIAL AGAINST Candida albicans STRAINS
Background: Candidiasis, caused mainly by Candida albicans yeast, is a pathology that affects a significant amount of people in the world, mainly women, thus being a public health issue. In addition, clinical practice has found it difficult to treat candidiasis for two reasons: the multidrug resistance associated with the exacerbated use of available drugs and the high number of side effects caused by current antifungal drugs. In this scenario, this work is a literature review on the antifungal activity of metal complexes against C. albicans since they are extensively studied for their varied applications in health sciences, as an object of study in the area of inorganic chemistry, in the subareas of bioinorganic chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry. Aim: The present work consists of a literature review in electronic databases on the potential antifungal action against Candida albicans presented by metal complexes. Methods: Data was collected using the Capes, PubMed, Cochrane Reviews and Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases. Results: The results obtained through bibliographic surveys show the importance of studies of metal complexes against the strain of C. albicans, which have promising inhibitory activities and in some cases, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values lower than 20µg/mL Discussion: The results obtained through bibliographic surveys show the importance of studies of metal complexes against the strain of C. albicans, which have promising inhibitory activities, and in some cases, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values lower than 20µg/mL. Conclusion: Highlighting the activity performed by ruthenium complexes and Schiff bases when coordinated to metallic ions arouses great interest in a future study of a complex of this metal with a Schiff base in its coordination site.
Read ArticleD-DIMER A RISK FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH C-REACTIVE PROTEIN FOR PREDICTING THE SEVERITY OF INFECTION BY COVID-19
Background: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has unresolved mortality risk factors and clinical course, highlighting the need for further research. Aims: The study aimed to asses D-dimer and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) as the risk factors for severity covid-19 and who are less capable of surviving. Methods: A retrospective study conduct of COVID-19 in adult inpatients aged >20 at Al-sadder and Alamal Hospital in Iraq. Demographics, clinical trials, treatments, and viral RNA samples were analyzed. The study involved 100 patients, with 67 discharged and 33 hospitalized died. The majority of the participants 45% were aged < 40, but 55% were aged >40 years. Results: A significant and 57% were male 37(55.2%) Survivor vs. 20 (60.6%) non-survivor, p=0.024), more than 43% were female (30(44.8%) Survivor vs. 13(39.4%) non-survivor, p=0.010. Patients had underlying comorbidities (66%), survivor 37(55%), and non-survivor 29(87%). The most prominent comorbidity in non-survivors more than survivors was diabetic mellitus 85%, asthma 58%, stroke 48%, renal failure 42%, heart strake 33%, and hypertension 18%. The study found significant differences in WBC, lymphocyte count, D-dimer, Ferritin, CRP, and LDH levels in non-survivors compared to survivor patients, with a positive correlation between D- dimer and these parameters. The ROC analysis curve showed CRP with a high AUC of 80.2%, 87.9% sensitivity, and 37.3% specificity, while D-dimer and LDH had AUCs of 0.74.9 and 70%, respectively. Discussion: The study found that older age, higher d-dimer, ferritin, CRP, and LDH are associated with disease severity and higher mortality risk in adult COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: These biomarkers could aid in early detection of disease progression signs and better patient management
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