---

Background and purpose: Âccumulation of toxic agents in food, water, soil and air is an important concern of human health and environmental safety. Ïn this study, residual content of Diazinon at different days after spraying pesticide was measured and reducing factors were analyzed.
Materials and methods: Ïn this study cultivated cucumbers were exposed to specific concentrations of Diazinon. The cucumbers were harvested and the concentrations of Diazinon residues were quantitatively analyzed for a period of 10 days. Âlso, some effective factors including water- and detergent-rinsing, peeling and refrigeration at 4°Ç, on Diazinon content in the cucumbers were studied. Following primary preparation, the concentrations of Diazinon were determined using Gas Çhromatography (GÇ)-ËÇD.
Results: The results showed that residual concentrations of Diazinon in the samples decreased during the experimental period, based on half life and cleavage of pesticides in biological environment. Rinsing by drinking water, water and detergent, and peeling resulted in 19%, 35% and 46% decrease in Diazinon concentration, respectively. Âccording to the results, 2 and 10 days refrigeration caused a 6% and 69% reduction in Diazinon concentration.
Çonclusion: The residual content of pesticides in vegetables and fruits can be reduced, by rinsing, refrigerating and peeling procedures.

---

Background and purpose: In this study, we investigated the ethion insecticide residues in greenhouse cucumber and the effects of some procedures in reducing its amount before consumption in Hamadan, 2015.

Materials and methods: Five greenhouses were randomly selected and in spring a total of 90 samples was analyzed for the effects of treatments including washing for 2 min and different storage times on ethion residuals. HPLC method was used to measure the residual concentrations.

Results: The results showed that the maximum and minimum ethion residuals after one hour spraying were 1.63 and 1.31 mg/kg, respectively which were higher than the maximum permissible limit of 0.5 mg/kg (MRL). Storage for 24 hours and washing (2 mins) reduced the initial amount of pesticide residues by 43.2% and 52.7 %, respectively.

Conclusion: In case of inappropriate management programs in using pesticides, not considering the preharvest interval (PHI), and lack of proper washing, the remaining amount of pesticides can exceed the permissible limits which would pose a serious threat to the health of consumers in long time.

---

Background and purpose: Biological studies on marine fauna, especially invertebrates, has significantly increased in recent years which led to the identification of many different bioactive compounds. The sea cucumber are echinoderms with a very muscular body wall that contains 70% collagen and is considered a rich source of protein. Based on recent researches on bioactive compounds extracted from sea cucumber, it was found to have cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-coagulation properties.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, enzymatic hydrolysis method was used to study the anticoagulant properties of hydrolysates protein in muscles of sea cucumber. Finally, the anticoagulant properties of  hydrolysates protein on the human blood plasma was examined by the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time anticoagulant test (APTT) in two concentrations (90 and 130 µg/ml), and Prothrombin Time (PT) in different concentrations (220, 440, 670, and 900 µg/ml).

Results: The total amount of hydrolysates protein was found to be 55.8 mg/g in wet tissue. The results of anti-coagulation assays showed that the hydrolysates protein of the sea cucumber muscle contains anticoagulant properties on human blood plasma and could prolong the clotting time.

Conclusion: Peptides from the hydrolysis in sea cucumber muscle have anticoagulant properties as already reported for heparin-like compounds.

---

 
Background and purpose: Pesticides can accumulate in the body due to chronic toxicity. This accumulation is caused by direct exposure to the chemicals or indirect exposure, i.e. foods, breathing, and skin. This study was performed to assess the levels of diazinon and malathion residues in cucumber produced in Mazandaran province, Iran.
Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 132 samples of cucumber were collected from different cities in Mazandaran province during summer 2015. Malathion and diazinon were extracted from the samples using n-hexan and their residual levels were analyzed by QUECHERS and GC-MS. ppb sensitivity was also considered.
Results: The mean residual contents of diazinon in all samples were lower than that of Iran standard levels. But the residual level of malathion was higher in some samples. The highest and lowest contents of malathion and diazinon were detected in samples obtained from Babol and Amol, and Babol and Kiakola, respectively.
Conclusion: Wide application of pesticides in samples studied caused unacceptable levels of residuals, particularly malathion, therefore, permanent control of pesticide residues in vegetable products such as cucumber, is necessary.