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Chemosphere Nov 2023Bio-alcohols have been proven promising alternatives to fossil fuels. Machine learning (ML), as an analytical tool for uncovering intrinsic correlations and mining data... (Review)
Review
Bio-alcohols have been proven promising alternatives to fossil fuels. Machine learning (ML), as an analytical tool for uncovering intrinsic correlations and mining data connotations, is also becoming widely used in the field of bio-alcohols. This article reviews the mechanisms, methods, and applications of ML in the bio-alcohols field. In terms of mechanisms, we describe the workflow of ML applications, emphasizing the importance of a well-defined research problem and complete feature engineering for a robust model. Prediction and optimization are the main application scenarios. In terms of methods, we illustrate the characteristics of different ML models and analyze their applicability in the bio-alcohol field. The role of ML in the production of bio-methanol by pyrolysis and gasification, as well as in the three stages of fermentation for bioethanol production are highlighted. In terms of utilization, ML is used to optimize engine performance and reduce emissions. This review provides guidance on how to use novel ML methods in the bio-alcohol field, showing the potential of ML to streamline work in the whole biofuel field.
Topics: Ethanol; Methanol; Fermentation; Fossil Fuels; Machine Learning; Biofuels
PubMed: 37716556
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140191 -
Water Research Sep 2023The limited information on microbial interactions and metabolic patterns in denitrification systems, especially those fed with different carbon sources, has hindered the...
The limited information on microbial interactions and metabolic patterns in denitrification systems, especially those fed with different carbon sources, has hindered the establishment of ecological linkages between microscale connections and macroscopic reactor performance. In this work, denitrification performance, metabolic patterns, and ecological structure were investigated in parallel well-controlled bioreactors with four representative carbon sources, i.e., methanol, glycerol, acetate, and glucose. After long-term acclimation, significant differences were observed among the four bioreactors in terms of denitrification rates, organic utilization, and heterotrophic bacterial yields. Different carbon sources induced the succession of denitrifying microbiota toward different ecological structures and exhibited distinct metabolic patterns. Methanol-fed reactors showed distinctive microbial carbon utilization pathways and a more intricate microbial interaction network, leading to significant variations in organic utilization and metabolite production compared to other carbon sources. Three keystone taxa belonging to the Verrucomicrobiota phylum, SJA-15 order and the Kineosphaera genus appeared as network hubs in the methanol, glycerol, and acetate-fed systems, playing essential roles in their ecological functions. Several highly connected species were also identified within the glucose-fed system. The close relationship between microbial metabolites, ecological structures, and system performances suggests that this complex network relationship may greatly contribute to the efficient operation of bioreactors.
Topics: Carbon; Denitrification; Methanol; Glycerol; Bioreactors; Acetates; Glucose; Nitrogen; Nitrates
PubMed: 37482010
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120330 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Mar 2024Mixed carbon sources have been developed for denitrification to eliminate the "carbon dependency" problem of single carbon. The metabolic correlation between different...
Mixed carbon sources have been developed for denitrification to eliminate the "carbon dependency" problem of single carbon. The metabolic correlation between different carbon sources is significant as guidance for the development of novel mixed carbon sources. In this study, to explore the metabolic similarity of denitrifying carbon sources, we selected alcohols (methanol, ethanol, and glycerol) and saccharide carbon sources (glucose, sucrose, and starch). Batch denitrification experiments revealed that methanol-acclimated sludge improved the denitrification rate of both methanol (14.42 mg-N/gMLVSS*h) and ethanol (9.65 mg-N/gMLVSS*h), whereas ethanol-acclimated sludge improved the denitrification rate of both methanol (7.80 mg-N/gMLVSS*h) and ethanol (22.23 mg-N/gMLVSS*h). In addition, the glucose-acclimated sludge and sucrose-acclimated sludge possibly improved the denitrification rate of glucose and sucrose, and the glycerol-acclimated sludge improved the denitrification rate of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), alcohols, and saccharide carbon sources. Functional gene analysis revealed that methanol, ethanol, and glycerol exhibited active alcohol oxidation and glyoxylate metabolism, and glycerol, glucose, and sucrose exhibited active glycolysis metabolism. This indicated that the similarity in the denitrification metabolism of these carbon sources was based on functional gene similarity, and glycerol-acclimated sludge exhibited the most diverse metabolism, which ensured its good denitrification effect with other carbon sources.
Topics: Carbon; Methanol; Sewage; Glycerol; Bioreactors; Ethanol; Glucose; Sucrose; Denitrification; Nitrogen
PubMed: 38368299
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32487-8 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023is a widely distributed crust fungus reported from all continents except Antarctica, although considered a rare species in several European countries. Profound...
is a widely distributed crust fungus reported from all continents except Antarctica, although considered a rare species in several European countries. Profound mycochemical analysis of the methanol extract of resulted in the isolation of seven compounds (-). Among them, (3β,22E)-3-methoxy-ergosta-4,6,8,22-tetraene () is a new natural product, while the NMR assignment of its already known epimer () has been revised. In addition to a benzohydrofuran derivative fomannoxin (), four ergostane-type triterpenes - were identified. The structure elucidation of the isolated metabolites was performed by one- and two-dimensional NMR and MS analysis. Compounds - as well as the chloroform, -hexane, and methanol extracts of were evaluated for their tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory properties. Among the examined compounds, only fomannoxin () displayed the antityrosinase property with 51% of inhibition, and the fungal steroids proved to be inactive. Regarding the potential acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of the fungal extracts and metabolites, it was demonstrated that the chloroform extract and compounds - exerted noteworthy inhibitory activity, with 83.86 and 32.99%, respectively. The butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory assay revealed that methanol and chloroform extracts, as well as compounds and exerted notable activity, while the rest of the compounds proved to be only weak enzyme inhibitors. Our study represents the first report on the chemical profile of basidiome of the wild-growing , offering a thorough study on the isolation and structure determination of the most characteristic biologically active constituents of this species.
Topics: Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Acetylcholinesterase; Butyrylcholinesterase; Chloroform; Methanol; Basidiomycota; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38202796
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010213 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2023Plants are widely used in traditional medicine because they contain a high concentration of antimicrobial agents, serving as the foundation for medicines. The aim of...
INTRODUCTION
Plants are widely used in traditional medicine because they contain a high concentration of antimicrobial agents, serving as the foundation for medicines. The aim of this study was preliminary identification of phytochemicals and assesses the antimicrobial activity of extracts of Ferula communis root bark.
METHODS
Plant was collected, and standard qualitative procedures were conducted. The plant samples were extracted with 99.9% methanol and 80% ethanol. To identify phytochemicals found in plants, a preliminary phytochemical analysis was performed. Agar diffusion tests, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were performed to evaluate antibacterial activity.
RESULT
The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the ethanol and methanol extract revealed positive results for flavonoids, coumarins and tannins. Terpenoids and anthraquinones were detected only in the methanol extract. The extract of Ferula communis showed an antibacterial effect on both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria in a concentration-dependent manner. The average zone of inhibition for gram-positive bacteria was 11 mm, whereas for gram-negative bacteria, it was 9 mm. The MIC and MBC values also varied with the type of bacteria. In all bacterial species tested, the mean MBC value was similar to the MIC.
CONCLUSION
Different phytochemicals were detected in extracts of the root bark of F. communis and extracts showed antibacterial effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Therefore, further purification and evaluation of the extracts and antioxidant activity of the plant should be investigated.
Topics: Animals; Plant Extracts; Ferula; Apiaceae; Methanol; Plant Bark; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Phytochemicals; Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Ethanol
PubMed: 37392454
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1170 -
Chemical Reviews Feb 2024Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change and is primarily regulated in Nature by methanotrophic bacteria, which consume... (Review)
Review
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change and is primarily regulated in Nature by methanotrophic bacteria, which consume methane gas as their source of energy and carbon, first by oxidizing it to methanol. The direct oxidation of methane to methanol is a chemically difficult transformation, accomplished in methanotrophs by complex methane monooxygenase (MMO) enzyme systems. These enzymes use iron or copper metallocofactors and have been the subject of detailed investigation. While the structure, function, and active site architecture of the copper-dependent particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) have been investigated extensively, its putative quaternary interactions, regulation, requisite cofactors, and mechanism remain enigmatic. The iron-dependent soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) has been characterized biochemically, structurally, spectroscopically, and, for the most part, mechanistically. Here, we review the history of MMO research, focusing on recent developments and providing an outlook for future directions of the field. Engineered biological catalysis systems and bioinspired synthetic catalysts may continue to emerge along with a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of biological methane oxidation. Harnessing the power of these enzymes will necessitate combined efforts in biochemistry, structural biology, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, computational biology, and engineering.
Topics: Copper; Methane; Iron; Methanol; Oxygenases; Oxidation-Reduction; Mixed Function Oxygenases
PubMed: 38305159
DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00727 -
Plant Science : An International... Aug 2023Methanol is noxious to insect pests, but most plants do not make enough of it to shield themselves from encroaching insects. Methanol emission is known to increase in...
Methanol is noxious to insect pests, but most plants do not make enough of it to shield themselves from encroaching insects. Methanol emission is known to increase in the instance of herbivory. In the current study, we showed that Aspergillus niger pectin methylesterase over-expression increases methanol emission and confers resistance to polyphagous insect pests on transgenic cotton plants by impeding the possible methanol detoxification pathways. Transgenic plants emitted ∼11 fold higher methanol displaying insect mortality of 96% and 93% in Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura, respectively. The larvae were unable to survive and finish their life cycle and the surviving larvae exhibited severe growth retardation. Insects try to detoxify methanol via catalase, carboxylesterase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase enzymes, amongst which cytochrome P450 plays a major role in oxidizing methanol to formaldehyde and formaldehyde to formic acid, which is broken down into carbon dioxide and water. In our study, catalase and esterase enzymes were found to be upregulated, but cytochrome P450 monooxygenase levels were not much affected. Leaf disc assays and In-planta bioassays also showed 50-60% population reduction in the sap sucking pests, such as Bemisia tabaci and Phenacoccus solenopsis. These findings imply that elevated methanol emissions confer resistance in plants against chewing and sap-sucking pests by tampering the methanol detoxification pathways. Such mechanism will be useful in imparting expansive resistance against pests in plants.
Topics: Animals; Methanol; Catalase; Gossypium; Insecta; Moths; Plants, Genetically Modified; Larva; Hemiptera; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
PubMed: 37217034
DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111737 -
Medical and Veterinary Entomology Jun 2024The human head lice Pediculus humanus capitis (De Geer) (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) are strict, obligate human ectoparasites that spends their entire life cycle in the...
The human head lice Pediculus humanus capitis (De Geer) (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) are strict, obligate human ectoparasites that spends their entire life cycle in the host and cause skin irritation and derived infections. Despite the health-related importance, few studies have evaluated the chemical communication among these insects. Here, we evaluate the response of lice of both sexes to cuticular extracts using two solvents of different polarity (hexane and methanol). Cuticular extracts that elicited an attraction response towards head lice were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the cuticular lipid profile. Both lice sexes were attracted to the hexane extracts but not the methanol extracts, suggesting the non-polarity of the compounds present in the cuticle. Chemical analyses of hexane extracts from males and females showed high similarity in major compounds. This study provides the first evidence that lice respond to cuticle extracts, which may be important to understand aggregation behaviour.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Pediculus; Hexanes; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Methanol; Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 38429866
DOI: 10.1111/mve.12711 -
Journal of Bacteriology Apr 2024is a facultative methylotroph that can grow on methanol and methylamine as sole sources of carbon and energy. Both are oxidized to formaldehyde and then to formate, so...
is a facultative methylotroph that can grow on methanol and methylamine as sole sources of carbon and energy. Both are oxidized to formaldehyde and then to formate, so growth on C1 substrates induces the expression of genes encoding enzymes required for the oxidation of formaldehyde and formate. This induction involves a histidine kinase response regulator pair (FlhSR) that is likely triggered by formaldehyde. Catabolism of some complex organic substrates (e.g., choline and L-proline betaine) also generates formaldehyde. Thus, and mutants that fail to induce expression of the formaldehyde catabolic enzymes cannot grow on methanol, methylamine, and choline. Choline is oxidized to glycine via glycine betaine, dimethylglycine, and sarcosine. By exploring growth phenotypes and the activities of a promoter and enzyme known to be upregulated by formaldehyde, we identify the oxidative demethylations of glycine betaine, dimethylglycine, and sarcosine as sources of formaldehyde. Growth on glycine betaine, dimethylglycine, and sarcosine is accompanied by the production of up to three, two, and one equivalents of formaldehyde, respectively. Genetic evidence implicates two orthologous monooxygenases in the oxidation of glycine betaine. Interestingly, one of these appears to be a bifunctional enzyme that also oxidizes L-proline betaine (stachydrine). We present preliminary evidence to suggest that growth on L-proline betaine induces expression of a formaldehyde dehydrogenase distinct from the enzyme induced during growth on other formaldehyde-generating substrates.IMPORTANCEThe bacterial degradation of one-carbon compounds (methanol and methylamine) and some complex multi-carbon compounds (e.g., choline) generates formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is toxic and must be removed, which can be done by oxidation to formate and then to carbon dioxide. These oxidations provide a source of energy; in some species, the CO thus generated can be assimilated into biomass. Using the Gram-negative bacterium as the experimental model, we infer that oxidation of choline to glycine generates up to three equivalents of formaldehyde, and we identify the three steps in the catabolic pathway that are responsible. Our work sheds further light on metabolic pathways that are likely important in a variety of environmental contexts.
Topics: Betaine; Sarcosine; Paracoccus denitrificans; Methanol; Choline; Glycine; Formaldehyde; Formates; Methylamines
PubMed: 38501746
DOI: 10.1128/jb.00081-24 -
Analytical Methods : Advancing Methods... Jun 2024Methanol is a toxic alcohol contained in alcoholic beverages as a natural byproduct of fermentation or added intentionally to counterfeits to increase profit. To ensure...
Methanol is a toxic alcohol contained in alcoholic beverages as a natural byproduct of fermentation or added intentionally to counterfeits to increase profit. To ensure consumer safety, many countries and the EU have established strict legislation limits for methanol content. Methanol concentration is mostly detected by laboratory instrumentation since mobile devices for routine on-site testing of beverages in distilleries, at border stations or even at home are not available. Here, we validated a handheld methanol detector for beverage analysis in an ISO 5725 interlaboratory trial: a total of 119 measurements were performed by 17 independent participants (distilleries, universities, authorities, and competence centers) from six countries on samples with relevant methanol concentrations (0.1, 1.5 vol%). The detector was based on a microporous separation filter and a nanostructured gas sensor allowing on-site measurement of methanol down to 0.01 vol% (in the liquid) within only 2 min by laymen. The detector showed excellent repeatability (<5.4%), reproducibility (<9.5%) and small bias (<0.012 vol%). Additional measurements on various methanol-spiked alcoholic beverages (whisky, rum, gin, vodka, tequila, port, sherry, liqueur) indicated that the detector is not interfered by environmental temperature and spirit composition, featuring excellent linearity ( > 0.99) down to methanol concentrations of 0.01 vol%. This device has been recently commercialized (Alivion Spark M-20) with comparable accuracy to the gold-standard gas chromatography and can be readily applied for final product inspection, intake control of raw materials or to identify toxic counterfeit products.
Topics: Methanol; Alcoholic Beverages; Reproducibility of Results; Food Analysis; Laboratories
PubMed: 38847307
DOI: 10.1039/d4ay00919c