China 
Africa 
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Minerals of radioactive metals
Published in Francis P. Gudyanga, Minerals in Africa, 2020
Bismuth (Bi) is often found in its elemental state in nature. However, its sulphide, bismuthite (bismuthinite) Bi2S3, and its oxide, bismite (bismutite) (BiO)2CO3, are the most important ores from which bismuth can be extracted [751]. The extraction of other metals such as antimony, copper, lead, molybdenum, silver, tin, tungsten and zinc often yields bismuth as a by-product. Recycling from bismuth-containing fusible alloys in the form of larger objects and larger soldered objects is another commercial source of bismuth. Recycling is also feasible from sizeable catalysts with bismuth content, perhaps as bismuth phosphomolybdate, and also from bismuth used in galvanising. Production of bismuth is largely in the form of its compounds which are used in cosmetics, pigments and pharmaceuticals, notably Pepto-Bismol, for the treatment of diarrhoea.
Pharmaceuticals
Published in James G. Speight, Handbook of Petrochemical Processes, 2019
Bismuth subsalicylate is also the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol and displays anti-inflammatory action (due to salicylic acid) and is used to relieve the discomfort that arises from an upset stomach due to overindulgence in food and drink, including heartburn, indigestion, nausea, gas, and fullness.
Structural manifestations and biological screening for newly synthesized heteroleptic bismuth(V) bis-carboxylates
Published in Journal of Coordination Chemistry, 2022
Sohaila Andleeb, Muhammad Khawar Rauf, Ihsan- Ul-Haq, Desmond Schipper
Bismuth compounds are unique in the biological research domain owing to their remarkably low toxicity [1–3]. For quite a long time, compounds of bismuth have been utilized for treatment of syphilis, gastritis, diarrhea and colitis [4]. They are also known for their antibacterial and antiparasitic properties [5–8]. Bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) has been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and is sold under the trademark names Pepto-bismol and Bismatrol [7,9]. Most of these formulations are based on bismuth carboxylates and derived from salicylic acid, citric acid and gallic acid, and this provides the basic motivation for growing interest in synthetic and biological chemistry of bismuth carboxylates. Owing to the recent development of organobismuth chemistry, less has been explored so far and much of its potential, including the mechanism of action of bismuth-based drugs, is still under investigation [10–14]. In addition to bismuth complexes as effective antimicrobial agents, especially against Helicobacter pylori, they are also considered as better alternatives to antimony compounds in terms of toxicity, especially for the treatment of leishmaniasis [1]. Sodium stibogluconate as well as meglumine antimonate are frontline available drugs for treatment of leishmaniasis as these drugs are not only cost effective but also provide a very good cure rate [15]. Besides various advantages, a serious drawback associated with these drugs is the toxicity load exerted on the body by these drugs due to intracellular conversion of Sb(V) to Sb(III) and its biodistribution. The higher solubility of such compounds in water causes them to be ineffective when taken orally so intramuscular injection is the only option available for getting them into the human body, which usually leads to poor compliance. The bismuth complexes not only have the advantage of reduced toxicity but also retain high activity against these parasites [1,2,16]. The biological actions of bismuth containing compounds are mostly dependent on the ligand used as well as the coordination geometry of the complexes [7,17–20].