-
Toxics Oct 2023Agriculture is an important economic sector for Ecuador, sustained by food crops like maize, potatoes, and vegetables cultivated in the highlands while cash crops such... (Review)
Review
Agriculture is an important economic sector for Ecuador, sustained by food crops like maize, potatoes, and vegetables cultivated in the highlands while cash crops such as coffee, bananas, cacao, and palm oil are grown on the coastal plains. But, Ecuador is also a country under the influence of several natural hazards due to its geographical location, atmospheric dynamics, and geological characteristics. One of the main risks to food security is the presence of a large number of active volcanoes scattered all over the country with the most representative enemy, the falling volcanic ash. The bibliography in general highlights the potential toxicity of volcanic ash from a human health perspective, but it also negatively influences plant development at the seed's germination, as well as low crop pollination, damaged fruits, reduced leaf respiration depending on the type of crop, the developmental stage, the ash layer, and the climate. The mineral composition of the volcanic ash can also be beneficial for the soil by increasing fertility but at the same time with contrasting effects on plants due to the influence on soil characteristics such as pH, soil aeration, and biodiversity, which can detrimentally affect some crops.
PubMed: 37888696
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11100846 -
Open Veterinary Journal Jul 2023Canine generalized demodicosis is an inflammatory skin disease, which usually has time-consuming and frustrating treatments.
BACKGROUND
Canine generalized demodicosis is an inflammatory skin disease, which usually has time-consuming and frustrating treatments.
AIM
The present study aimed to evaluate the acaricidal activity of carvacrol as a green drug and a combination of carvacrol and amitraz on mites and investigate mites' survival lifetime.
METHODS
Mite samples were collected from a dog affected by demodicosis and had been diagnosed with deep skin scrapings. The motility of mites was examined by using optical microscopy. Samples were tested with 5% of carvacrol, the combination of Carvacrol 5% + Amitraz 0.05%, Amitraz 0.05% as a positive control, and mineral oil as a negative control. The interval time between the adding the test solutions and the moment the last mite ceased was defined as the survival time in the samples and the killing times of mites in each group were compared with each other.
RESULTS
It was determined that after administration of a 5% concentration of carvacrol, lethal effects were faster than the combination solution of Carvacrol 5% + Amitraz 0.05%, and the survival times in the control groups were longer than in both treatment groups.
CONCLUSION
Carvacrol, as one of the most important bioactive terpenes, had the most effective miticidal activity, and it seems that carvacrol alone or in combination with amitraz can be suggested as a possible therapy in the treatment of canine demodicosis.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Acaricides; Canidae; Cymenes
PubMed: 37614730
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i7.11 -
Polymers Apr 2024Three-dimensionally printed parts are increasingly used in industry for quick repairs. They are often operated in the presence of grease, oil, and others. This article...
Three-dimensionally printed parts are increasingly used in industry for quick repairs. They are often operated in the presence of grease, oil, and others. This article describes the effect of engine mineral oil on the fatigue life of 3D-printed FDM plastic samples. For this reason, this article aimed to investigate the influence of oil on the fatigue life of materials made using this technology. Samples made of ABA, ASA, PLA, and HIPS materials were printed with 100% fill. Divided into groups, they were stored for 15, 30, and 60 days in an oil bath at a room temperature of 23 °C and an increased temperature of 70 °C. To compare the effect of storage in oil, static tests were performed to determine the tensile strength of the specimens and to determine the load levels for the cyclic tests. Cyclic tests were performed to determine the effect of oil and temperature on the fatigue life. Internal structure studies of the specimens were performed using computed microtomography to determine the changes in the porosity of the specimens under the influence of oil. In the case of ABS, the oil-bathed samples showed a clear increase in the fatigue life, especially at 23 °C. For the ASA specimens, an increase was also evident, especially for the lower stress value. For HIPS and PLA, no clear effect of the oil bath on the fatigue life value of the samples was determined. Porosity studies using computed microtomography showed a clear decrease in the porosity of the samples as a result of the oil bath for all of them.
PubMed: 38675039
DOI: 10.3390/polym16081120 -
Polymers Aug 2023The present work aims to study the effect of glycerol as a replacement for mineral oils in natural rubber (NR) composites to obtain suitable properties via cure...
The present work aims to study the effect of glycerol as a replacement for mineral oils in natural rubber (NR) composites to obtain suitable properties via cure characteristics, mechanical properties, and thermal stability. Glycerol was used at a 5 phr rate in the compound with carbon black as a reinforcing filler and was compared to mineral processing oils such as aromatic oil, treated distillate aromatic extracted oil, and paraffinic oil. Compared to the other oils, glycerol exhibits better maximum torque and torque differences. Also, a shorter scorch time, cure time, and a higher cure rate index of the compounds were observed. However, although the received mechanical properties, including tensile strength, elongation at break, and compression set of the vulcanized rubber using glycerol showed slightly lower values than the others, the 100% and 300% moduli, as well as the hardness of the composites filled with glycerol, exhibit better values relative to the other commercial oils. These findings demonstrate that glycerol overall presents a good balance of properties, making it beneficial to use glycerol as a substitute for mineral oil in tire, shoe sole, and rubber stopper applications.
PubMed: 37688225
DOI: 10.3390/polym15173599 -
ACS Omega Jan 2024The synchronous production of high-quality unburned carbon concentrate and cleaned ash from high LOI (loss on ignition) fly ash without yielding secondary solid waste is...
The synchronous production of high-quality unburned carbon concentrate and cleaned ash from high LOI (loss on ignition) fly ash without yielding secondary solid waste is a dilemma issue. In this study, a viable flotation process with one rougher and two cleaners is developed for simultaneously obtaining carbon concentrate with a yield of 18.00% and an ash content of 17.49% and cleaned ash with a yield of 82.00% and a LOI of 4.63% from fly ash, reaching 84.72% of combustible substance recovery and 80.66% of flotation perfection index. The characteristic analyses of the stage by stage releasing products using laser particle size analysis, XRF, XRD, and SEM-EDS demonstrate that the inevitable factors that lead to a remaining higher ash content in the one-step flotation carbon concentrate are the random entrainment of mineral particles in the size range of 0-20 μm, especially the quasi-colloidal parts within 0-12.5 μm and the weak selective collection of fine-grained conjoined granules in the size range of 0-40 μm. Consequently, at least two cleaning steps are required for the effective separation of unburned carbon and ash. Furthermore, batch flotation test results show that diesel is superior to kerosene in the collection of unburned carbon, with an optimum dosage of 800 g/t; no. 2 oil acts more positively than MIBC for the separation of unburned carbon and ash, with an optimal dosing amount of 600 g/t; the optimum pulp concentration and flotation time are as follows: 100 g/L and 3.5 min for the rougher, 45 g/L and 2 min for the first cleaning, and 30 g/L and 3 min for the second cleaning. This study provides an economically feasible technological solution for the full-scale recovery of high-LOI fly ash in one step and avoids the problem of secondary solid waste that would have been generated in previous studies.
PubMed: 38313492
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08272 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2023L. seeds are a substantial source of minor oil with high unsaturation levels and potent antioxidant properties. The study aims to evaluate the mineral composition,...
INTRODUCTION
L. seeds are a substantial source of minor oil with high unsaturation levels and potent antioxidant properties. The study aims to evaluate the mineral composition, lipodomic profile, and vibrational fingerprints of 22 fig genotypes utilizing FTIR-ATR techniques and chemometrics.
METHODS
FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and chemometric techniques were employed to examine the phenotypic diversity of fig seeds. The investigation was performed in detail. The research analyzed twenty-two fig genotypes to assess their nutritional properties, genetic relationships, and potential applications.
RESULTS
The results demonstrate substantial nutritional benefits related to fig seeds, which could serve as genetic resources for selection programs for extracting vegetable oil and functional ingredients. Additionally, a detailed lipodomic profile analysis led to the categorization of the genotypes into four unique clusters. The study uncovered new insights regarding the nutritional composition of the samples, while also highlighting significant similarities and differences. The findings showcased the phenotypic diversity within the studied fig germplasm, which is likely attributed to underlying genetic factors. These accessions offer a valuable gene pool for future breeding programs and diverse applications involving fig seeds.
DISCUSSION
This work contributes to the selection of potential genotypes for scientific and industrial purposes. Furthermore, the application of FTIR and chemometrics revealed a noteworthy diversity of patterns, emphasizing the previously underestimated significance of this aspect in evaluating the chemodiversity of the species.
PubMed: 38023854
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1229994 -
ACS Omega May 2024Shale reservoirs have diverse mineral types, and analyzing the sensitivity of the mineral composition to shale pores is of great scientific and engineering significance....
Shale reservoirs have diverse mineral types, and analyzing the sensitivity of the mineral composition to shale pores is of great scientific and engineering significance. In this paper, first, X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments on shale mineral compositions are carried out, and the characteristics of pore structure changes after shale mineral compositions interacted with external fluids (slick water and backflow fluid) are elucidated. Then, the effects of quartz, kaolinite, and pyrite on the pore structure and permeability of shale on the susceptibility to slick water are studied. The results show that (a) quartz and clay minerals are the dominant constituents of each core, with some cores containing minor amounts of plagioclase feldspar and rhodochrosite. (b) The composition of the shale changed significantly following the action of external fluids. The average quartz content of pure shale decreased from 31.62% to 29.1%. The average content of quartz in siliceous shale decreased from 36.53% to 33.5%. The average content of quartz in carbonaceous shale decreased from 9.15% to 8.05%. (c) Factors affecting the sensitivity of shale pore structure and permeability to slick water are mainly quartz, kaolinite, and pyrite. The contents of quartz, kaolinite, and pyrite decreased by an average of 5.1%, 4.6%, and 0.9%, respectively, after slick water action.
PubMed: 38737071
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00498 -
ACS Omega Oct 2023Acidizing operation is normally applied in low permeability reservoirs, but if the acid system is not utilized properly, it will cause sensitive damage to the reservoir....
Acidizing operation is normally applied in low permeability reservoirs, but if the acid system is not utilized properly, it will cause sensitive damage to the reservoir. As for the Sanjianfang Formation of the sandstone reservoir in the Shanshan oilfield, the problems existing in acidizing are especially serious. For these problems, the basic characteristics, sensitivity characteristics, and damage mechanisms were obtained by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Meanwhile, gas porosity and permeability were measured, and reservoir sensitivity characteristics were evaluated. The results showed that the reservoir rocks are mainly feldspar lithic sandstone and the clay minerals are mainly kaolinite and montmorillonite, which belong to the high clay mineral reservoir. It is an unsaturated reservoir with normal formation pressure that has low porosity and ultra-low permeability, heavy crude oil, and low porosity. The reservoir is highly stress sensitive, moderately weak velocity sensitive, alkali sensitive, water sensitive, salt sensitive, and weak acid sensitive. Based on these results, a multinanoscale stimulating liquid system was developed in the laboratory, and field application of this fluid system combined with mud acid was carried out. The combination system of multinanoscale highly efficient stimulation fluid and mud acid can meet the optimal dissolution rate of rock during the acidizing process and can increase the permeability of the targeted reservoir by 2.68 times, with a remarkable field application effect. The research results can provide a scientific basis for acidizing and stimulation of ultralow permeability sandstone reservoir.
PubMed: 37841149
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04767 -
Heliyon Aug 2023The risk of CO leakage from carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) wells and geological storage sites must be properly assessed before the implementation of CO...
The risk of CO leakage from carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) wells and geological storage sites must be properly assessed before the implementation of CO injection. According to ISO 27914 and ISO/FDIS 27916, the design and construction of an injection well needs to guarantee safety and ability to contain the stored CO over a long-term period. However, these standards alone were inadequate to evaluate the well integrity due to the need to specify criteria, duration of measurement, and range of measurement parameters of the available tools according to industries' best practices. The methodology used in the study adapted applicable and readily-available international standards, field experiences, and lessons learned that could be used to support the construction of new and/or the conversion of existing oil and gas wells into CO injection wells. This study focused on Jepon-1 in Gundih field, Indonesia, an abandoned oil and gas well. Its actual conditions, well integrity, capabilities of the equipment used in the workover and logging operations, and its limitations in checking the conditions of various crucial aspects of integrity, were evaluated. The results showed that the application of the international standards could not fulfill all the detailed requirements of integrity evaluation of the JPN-1 well due to its particular condition and situation. Other field experiences needed to be adapted, improved, and incorporated in the integrity evaluation of this well. Additionally, longer duration of measurement and more accurate and sensitive logging evaluation tools, combined with temperature logging tools, are required to detect leakage that could not be identified by the commercial tools used in this well. The result of this well integrity study will be used as a fundamental basis for constructing CCUS well regulations by the Government and stakeholders.
PubMed: 37560649
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18505 -
Journal of Oleo Science 2024Skincare industries are growing rapidly around the globe but most products are formulated using synthetic chemicals and organic solvent extracted plant extracts, thus...
Skincare industries are growing rapidly around the globe but most products are formulated using synthetic chemicals and organic solvent extracted plant extracts, thus may be hazardous to the users and incur higher cost for purification that eventually leads to phytonutrient degradation. Therefore, this study aimed to formulate a stable natural formulation with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities by using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO ) extracted palm-pressed fiber oil (PPFO) as an active ingredient with virgin coconut oil (VCO) as a formulation base. PPFO was extracted from fresh palm-pressed fiber (PPF) while VCO was from dried grated coconut copra using SC-CO before being subjected to the analyses of physicochemical properties, phytonutrient content and biological activities including antioxidant and antimicrobial. The nanoemulgel formulations were then developed and examined for their stability through accelerated stability study for 3 months by measuring their pH, particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. The results showed that PPFO contained a high amount of phytonutrients, especially total carotenoid (1497 ppm) and total tocopherol and tocotrienol (2269 ppm) contents. The newly developed nanoemulgels maintained their particles in nano size and showed good stability with high negative zeta potentials. Sample nanoemulgel formulated with 3% PPFO diluted in VCO as effective concentration showed significantly stronger antioxidant activity than the control which was formulated from 3% tocopheryl acetate diluted in mineral oil, towards DPPH and ABTS radicals, with IC values of 67.41 and 44.28 µL/mL, respectively. For the antibacterial activities, the sample nanoemulgel was found to inhibit Gram positive bacteria S. aureus and S. epidermidis growth but not the Gram negative strain E. coli. Overall, this study revealed the potential of SF-extracted PPFO as an active ingredient in the antioxidant topical formulations thus future study on in vitro skin cell models is highly recommended for validation.
Topics: Antioxidants; Palm Oil; Coconut Oil; Hydrogels; Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Emulsions; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 38556283
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess23197