Benzophenone (BP) type UV filters are common environmental contaminants that are posing a growing health concern due to their increasing presence in water. Different studies have evidenced the presence of benzophenones (BP, BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, BP-4, BP-9, HPB) in several environmental matrices, indicating that conventional technologies of water treatment are not able to remove them. It has also been reported that these compounds could be associated with endocrine-disrupting activities, genotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. This review focuses on the degradation kinetics and mechanisms of benzophenone-type UV filters and their degradation products (DPs) under UV and solar irradiation and in UV-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as UV/H₂O₂, UV/persulfate, and the Fenton process. The effects of various operating parameters, such as UV irradiation including initial concentrations of H₂O₂, persulfate, and Fe²⁺, on the degradation of tested benzophenones from aqueous matrices, and conditions that allow higher degradation rates to be achieved are presented. Application of nanoparticles such as TiO₂, PbO/TiO₂, and Sb₂O₃/TiO₂ for the photocatalytic degradation of benzophenone-type UV filters was included in this review.

Anti-aging cosmetics are often sought after in order to slow down the aging process. Free radicals are one of the main causes of skin aging, and therefore antioxidants are used in anti-aging cosmetics. The aim of this study was to investigate which method is the most suitable for determining the antioxidant capacity of these products. Having samples extracted, the antioxidant capacity of the extracts obtained was determined by the following spectrophotometric methods: DPPH, Folin-Ciocalteu, FRAP, the ABTS method and the ferroion chelation method with ferrosine. The antioxidant capacity of the samples varied depending on the extract type and the method used. DPPH and ferroion chelation measurements with ferrosine were carried out in the part of the spectrum where plant pigments absorb. These pigments are often found in anti-aging products affecting these methods measurement results. The Folin-Ciocalteu method is suitable for researching the antioxidant capacity of hydrophilic extracts, but not lipophilic ones, where turbidity and the formation of a gelled ring occur. The FRAP method revealed similar results for all the samples and proved to be less sensitive than the others. The ABTS method for both types of extracts has proven to be the most suitable and sensitive method for determining the antioxidant capacity of anti-aging products.

This paper shows the use of membrane filters in adsorption of solution of tetracycline hydrochloride on graphene materials. The adsorption process was monitored at different wavelengths, different pH values ​​at certain time intervals. The absorbances of the solutions were measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometry at two wavelengths (275 nm and 356 nm), and three pH values (pH 4, pH 7 and pH 10) every 90 minutes for 6 hours of monitoring, with constant stirring in an ultrasonic bath. The results showed decrease in absorbance at both wavelength and in all three pH values which proved the adsorption of tetracycline hydrochloride on GO and rGO. The largest decrease in absorbance was 98.1%. The most suitable pH value for adsorption was pH 4. This paper used a unique approach to filtration through membrane filters, which in the future could lead to the development of membrane filters based on graphene materials.

Objectives: Food supplements and medicines which are not on the list of prohibited substances of the World Anti-Doping Agency are included in the group of permitted pharmacological agents for athlete’s recovery. The aim of this study was to describe qualitatively and quantitatively food supplements (FS) and over-the-counter drugs use among athletes in the last six month. Methods: This was a cross sectional study. Data on food supplements and the over-the-counter drugs, usage were collected during 2018 by self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. Results: A total of 112 athletes completed the survey. A total of 51.8% (n = 58) athletes reported the use of food supplements. The use of medical supplements was reported by 50.0% (n = 56) of athletes, 26.8% (n = 30) reported using ergogenic supplements, 1.8% (n = 2) using of sports food and 4.5% (n = 5) using other supplements. The use of over-the-counter drugs was reported by 35.7% (n = 40) of athletes. The over-the-counter analgesic drugs were used by 95% (n = 38) of over-the-counter drug users. Concomitant administration two or more over-the-counter drugs was reported by 40% (n = 16) athletes. Doctors and coaches had no advisory role in the use of food supplements or over-the-counter drugs.

Triterpenes are very important secondary metabolites with wide structural diversity and significant role in pharmacy and medicine.In the present research, a comparative study of pharamacological activities of the triterpene fractions obtained from several plant species belonging to Lamiaceae family, was carried out. In-vitro anti-proliferative activity was performed using a standardproliferation assay based on tetrazolium salts. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of triterpene fractions was determined by an assay of inhibition of albumin denaturation. In general, the triterpene fractions obtained from plant species belonging to Lamiaceae family showed a strong anti-proliferative activity and anti-inflammatory activity.The triterpene fraction of Rosmarini folium showed the strongest anti-proliferative activity (GI50range from 4 to 37 μg/ml) and the strongest anti-inflammatory activity in the range from 57.27% to 80.69%. This comparative study provides scientific evidence to support the traditional use of Lamiacae plant species for medical purposes as anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative medicines.