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National Science Review Sep 2023The successful development and application in industry of methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process brought about an innovative and efficient route for olefin production via... (Review)
Review
The successful development and application in industry of methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process brought about an innovative and efficient route for olefin production via non-petrochemical resources and also attracted attention of C1 chemistry and zeolite catalysis. Molecular sieve catalysts with diversified microenvironments embedding unique channel/cavity structure and acid properties, exhibit demonstrable features and advantages in the shape-selective catalysis of MTO. Especially, shape-selective catalysis over 8-MR and cavity-type zeolites with acidic supercage environment and narrow pore opening manifested special host-guest interaction between the zeolite catalyst and guest reactants, intermediates and products. This caused great differences in product distribution, catalyst deactivation and molecular diffusion, revealing the cavity-controlled methanol conversion over 8-MR and cavity-type zeolite catalyst. Furthermore, the dynamic and complicated cross-talk behaviors of catalyst material (coke)-reaction-diffusion over these types of zeolites determines the catalytic performance of the methanol conversion. In this review, we shed light on the cavity-controlled principle in the MTO reaction including cavity-controlled active intermediates formation, cavity-controlled reaction routes with the involvement of these intermediates in the complex reaction network, cavity-controlled catalyst deactivation and cavity-controlled diffusion. All these were exhibited by the MTO reaction performances and product selectivity over 8-MR and cavity-type zeolite catalysts. Advanced strategies inspired by the cavity-controlled principle were developed, providing great promise for the optimization and precise control of MTO process.
PubMed: 37565191
DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad120 -
Biotechnology Advances Dec 2023Microbial fermentation processes are expected to play an important role in reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials for the production of everyday chemicals. In... (Review)
Review
Microbial fermentation processes are expected to play an important role in reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials for the production of everyday chemicals. In order to meet the growing demand for biotechnological products in the future, alternative carbon sources that do not compete with human nutrition must be exploited. The chemical conversion of the industrially emitted greenhouse gas CO into microbially utilizable platform chemicals such as methanol represents a sustainable strategy for the utilization of an abundant carbon source and has attracted enormous scientific interest in recent years. A relatively new approach is the microbial synthesis of products from the C-compound ethylene glycol, which can also be synthesized from CO and non-edible biomass and, in addition, can be recovered from plastic waste. Here we summarize the main chemical routes for the synthesis of methanol and ethylene glycol from sustainable resources and give an overview of recent metabolic engineering work for establishing natural and synthetic microbial assimilation pathways. The different metabolic routes for C and C alcohol-dependent bioconversions were compared in terms of their theoretical maximum yields and their oxygen requirements for a wide range of value-added products. Assessment of the process engineering challenges for methanol and ethylene glycol-based fermentations underscores the theoretical advantages of new synthetic metabolic routes and advocates greater consideration of ethylene glycol, a C substrate that has received comparatively little attention to date.
Topics: Humans; Methanol; Carbon Dioxide; Ethylene Glycol; Biotechnology; Carbon; Metabolic Engineering
PubMed: 37918546
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108276 -
Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology Sep 2023Methanol has recently gained significant attention as a potential carbon substrate for the production of fuels and chemicals, owing to its high degree of reduction,...
Methanol has recently gained significant attention as a potential carbon substrate for the production of fuels and chemicals, owing to its high degree of reduction, abundance, and low price. Native methylotrophic yeasts and bacteria have been investigated for the production of fuels and chemicals. Alternatively, synthetic methylotrophic strains are also being developed by reconstructing methanol utilization pathways in model microorganisms, such as Owing to the complex metabolic pathways, limited availability of genetic tools, and methanol/formaldehyde toxicity, the high-level production of target products for industrial applications are still under development to satisfy commercial feasibility. This article reviews the production of biofuels and chemicals by native and synthetic methylotrophic microorganisms. It also highlights the advantages and limitations of both types of methylotrophs and provides an overview of ways to improve their efficiency for the production of fuels and chemicals from methanol.
PubMed: 37384124
DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2023.06.001 -
General and Comparative Endocrinology Aug 2024Fecal samples are a non-invasive and relatively accessible matrix for investigating physiological processes in resident killer whale (Orcinus orca) populations. The high... (Review)
Review
Fecal samples are a non-invasive and relatively accessible matrix for investigating physiological processes in resident killer whale (Orcinus orca) populations. The high lipid content of the diet (primarily salmonids) leads to lower density fecal material and slower dispersion, facilitating sample collection. As fecal discharge is relatively infrequent and the volume of sample is variable, maximizing analytical options is an important consideration. Here we present an extraction methodology to measure hormones and lipid content from the same fecal aliquot. Lipid extractions are commonly conducted using chloroform and methanol from Folch or Bligh and Dyer (B&D), while alcohol is the primary solvent for hormone extraction. We evaluated the possibility of using the methanol layer from lipid extractions to assess fecal steroid hormone levels. Folch and B&D methanol residues were assayed form metabolites of progesterone (PMs) and corticosterone (GCs), and results were compared to aliquots extracted in 70 % ethanol. Hormone concentrations measured in the methanol layer from Folch and B&D extractions were 55 % to 79 % lower than concentrations in 70 % ethanol. We developed mathematical corrections, using linear regression models fitted to Folch or B&D methanol vs 70 % ethanol hormone concentrations (p < 0.01). Fecal concentrations of PMs and GCs from methanol extractions were biologically validated and are significantly higher in confirmed pregnant females compared to non-pregnant individuals (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that lipid extraction protocols may be used for the analysis of multiple biomarkers, maximizing the use of small-volume samples.
Topics: Animals; Feces; Whale, Killer; Corticosterone; Progesterone; Female; Lipids
PubMed: 38705419
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114544 -
TheScientificWorldJournal 2023The medicinal plant is traditionally used by people living in different communities of Nepal and the globe against diabetes, soft tissue wounds, skin infections,...
The medicinal plant is traditionally used by people living in different communities of Nepal and the globe against diabetes, soft tissue wounds, skin infections, diarrhea, malaria, and several other infectious diseases. The present study focuses on the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses and antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and toxicity of the plant for assessing its pharmacological potential. The extracts of flowers, leaves, and stems were prepared using methanol and distilled water as the extracting solvents. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were estimated by using the Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent method and the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. Antioxidant and antidiabetic activities were assessed using the DPPH assay and -glucosidase inhibition assay. A brine shrimp assay was performed to study the toxicity, and the antibacterial activity test was performed by the agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, quinones, terpenoids, and coumarins as secondary metabolites. The methanol extract of leaves and flowers displayed the highest phenolic and flavonoid content with 182.26 ± 1.99 mg GAE/g, 128.57 ± 7.62 mg QE/g and 172.65 ± 0.48 mg GAE/g, 121.74 ± 7.06 mg QE/g, respectively. The crude extracts showed the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of 32.81 ± 5.26 g/mL and 41.00 ± 1.10 g/mL, respectively. The methanol extract of the leaves was found to be effective against bacterial strains such as (ZOI = 9.67 ± 0.32 mm), (ZOI = 15.00 ± 0 mm), and (7.3 ± 0.32 mm). The methanol extract of the flowers showed the most -glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC 227.63 ± 11.38 g/mL), followed by the methanol extract of leaves (IC 249.50 ± 0.97 g/mL). The aqueous extract of the flowers showed the toxic effect with LC 107.31 ± 49.04 g/mL against the brine shrimp nauplii. In conclusion, was found to be a rich source of plant secondary metabolites such as phenolics and flavonoids with potential effects against bacterial infection, diabetes, and oxidative stress in humans. The toxicity study showed that the aqueous extract of flowers possesses pharmacological activities. This study supports the traditional use of the plant against infectious diseases and diabetes and provides some scientific validation.
Topics: Humans; Antioxidants; Methanol; Chromolaena; Escherichia coli; alpha-Glucosidases; Plant Extracts; Phenols; Flavonoids; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Phytochemicals; Water; Hypoglycemic Agents; Diabetes Mellitus; Communicable Diseases
PubMed: 37849963
DOI: 10.1155/2023/6689271 -
Microbial Cell Factories Jul 2023Ablynx NV, a subsidiary of Sanofi, has a long-standing focus on the development of Nanobody® molecules as biopharmaceuticals (Nanobody® is a registered trademark of...
BACKGROUND
Ablynx NV, a subsidiary of Sanofi, has a long-standing focus on the development of Nanobody® molecules as biopharmaceuticals (Nanobody® is a registered trademark of Ablynx NV). Nanobody molecules are single variable domains, and they have been met with great success part due to their favorable expression properties in several microbial systems. Nevertheless, the search for the host of the future is an ongoing and challenging process. Komagataella phaffi (Pichia pastoris) is one of the most suitable organisms to produce Nanobody molecules. In addition, genetic engineering of Pichia is easy and an effective approach to improve titers.
RESULTS
Here we report that P. pastoris engineered to co-express genes encoding four auxiliary proteins (HAC1, KAR2, PDI and RPP0), leads to a marked improvement in the expression of Nanobody molecules using the AOX1 methanol induction system. Titer improvement is mainly attributed to HAC1, and its beneficial effect was also observed in a methanol-free expression system.
CONCLUSION
Our findings are based on over a thousand fed-batch fermentations and offer a valuable guide to produce Nanobody molecules in P. pastoris. The presented differences in expressability between types of Nanobody molecules will be helpful for researchers to select both the type of Nanobody molecule and Pichia strain and may stimulate further the development of a more ecological methanol-free expression platform.
Topics: Saccharomycetales; Pichia; Biological Products; Fermentation; Methanol
PubMed: 37481525
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02132-z -
Annali Dell'Istituto Superiore Di Sanita 2023Chemicals in foods enter the human body from early life likely posing chronic toxic health risks in the future. This study aimed to estimate the exposure to ethanol and...
INTRODUCTION
Chemicals in foods enter the human body from early life likely posing chronic toxic health risks in the future. This study aimed to estimate the exposure to ethanol and methanol in children consuming an acceptable daily amount of fruit purees.
METHODS
Different fruit purees were purchased and measured for methanol and ethanol by using HS-GC. The exposure dose of these alcohols was calculated based on a consumption of 125-250 g of fruit purees in children weighing 7, 12 and 16 kg.
RESULTS
The highest methanol was found in carrot-apple puree (29.07 mg/dL) and ethanol in peach-banana puree (42.07 mg/dL). Daily methanol exposure was estimated between 4.54 and 6.06, and ethanol between 6.57 and 8.76 mg/kg bw.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results show higher exposure doses of methanol and ethanol than allowable ones (methanol 2 and ethanol 6 mg/kg/day) in children consuming fruit purees. This should be handled as a public health risk and further comprehensive studies should be enrolled on the chronic toxic effects of food-derived alcohols. Besides, food-derived exposure to toxic chemicals from early life should be more questioned by physicians (in assessing chronic diseases), and related authorities should establish a sustainable, safe, and healthy food production policy.
Topics: Child; Humans; Fruit; Methanol; Ethanol
PubMed: 38088392
DOI: 10.4415/ANN_23_04_04 -
Philosophical Transactions. Series A,... Oct 2023Zeolite ZSM-5 is a key catalyst in commercially relevant processes including the widely studied methanol to hydrocarbon reaction, and molecular diffusion in zeolite... (Review)
Review
Zeolite ZSM-5 is a key catalyst in commercially relevant processes including the widely studied methanol to hydrocarbon reaction, and molecular diffusion in zeolite pores is known to be a crucial factor in controlling catalytic reactions. Here, we present critical analyses of recent quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) data and complementary molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The QENS experiments show that the nature of methanol diffusion dynamics in ZSM-5 pores is dependent both on the Si/Al ratio (11, 25, 36, 40 and 140), which determines the acid site density of the zeolite, and that the nature of the type of motion observed may vary qualitatively over a relatively small temperature range. At 373 K, on increasing the ratio from 11 to 140, the observed mobile methanol fraction increases and the nature of methanol dynamics changes from rotational (in ZSM-5 with Si/Al of 11) to translational diffusion. The latter is either confined localized diffusion within a pore in zeolites with ratios up to 40 or non-localized, longer-range diffusion in zeolite samples with the ratio of 140. The complementary MD simulations conducted over long time scales (1 ns), which are longer than those measured in the present study by QENS (≈1-440 ps), at 373 K predict the occurrence of long-range translational diffusion of methanol in ZSM-5, independent of the Si/Al ratios (15, 47, 95, 191 and siliceous MFI). The rate of diffusion increases slightly by increasing the ratio from 15 to 95 and thereafter does not depend on zeolite composition. Discrepancies in the observed mobile methanol fraction between the MD simulations (100% methanol mobility in ZSM-5 pores across all Si/Al ratios) and QENS experiments (for example, ≈80% immobile methanol in ZSM-5 with Si/Al of 11) are attributed to the differences in time resolutions of the techniques. This perspective provides comprehensive information on the effect of acid site density on methanol dynamics in ZSM-5 pores and highlights the complementarity of QENS and MD, and their advantages and limitations. This article is part of the theme issue 'Exploring the length scales, timescales and chemistry of challenging materials (Part 2)'.
PubMed: 37691467
DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2022.0335 -
Open Veterinary Journal Sep 2023Malaria is still one of the most severe public health problems worldwide. The development of treatment, prevention, and control of malaria is one of the substantial...
BACKGROUND
Malaria is still one of the most severe public health problems worldwide. The development of treatment, prevention, and control of malaria is one of the substantial problems in the world.
AIMS
To investigate the antimalarial activity of methanol fruit fraction.
METHODS
L fruit powder was macerated with methanol (PA) and the extract obtained was fractionated using the liquid-liquid partition method with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, chloroform, methanol, and water solvents. antimalarial assay was conducted using the culture of 3D7 strain culture that had reached >5% growth and was examined for IC values using a 24-well microplate in duplicate. Each treatment and control well contained 1,080 μl of complete media. Well, number 1 was added with 120 μl fraction, and then the solution was diluted until it reached 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg/ml the final concentration in the microtiter well. The control only contained complete media and infected erythrocytes without the addition of anti-malarial drugs. The microplate was incubated for 48 hours. After 48 hours, a thin blood smear was made fixed with methanol and stained with 20% Giemsa for 20 minutes to determine the IC value by plotting sample concentrations and percentage of parasitemia in Excel.
RESULTS
The IC values of ethyl acetate fraction, n.hexane fraction, butanol fraction, and water fraction were 1.189, 76.996, 1,769, and 15.058 μg/ml, respectively. Whereases the IC values of C1 fraction (mix fraction from chloroform: methanol 100:0 and 90:10) and C4 fraction (mix fraction from chloroform: methanol 20:80, 10:90, and 0:100) were 100.126 and 1.015 μg/ml, respectively. The results showed that the IC value of ethyl acetate, butanol, and C4 fraction were lower than 10μg/ml and were considered as good activity (strong antimalarial activity).
CONCLUSION
The ethyl acetate, butanol and C4 subfraction from fruit have the potential to be developed as an antimalarial agent.
Topics: Animals; Antimalarials; Syzygium; Fruit; Methanol; Chloroform; Plant Extracts; Malaria; Water; Butanols
PubMed: 37842099
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i9.7