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Polymers Dec 2022One of the key factors of supporting the rapidly expanding seafood product industry in terms of quality control is the utilization of active packaging materials....
One of the key factors of supporting the rapidly expanding seafood product industry in terms of quality control is the utilization of active packaging materials. Microorganisms are primarily responsible for the perishability and rapid disintegration of seafood. The incorporation of an inorganic compound, such as silica-based diatomaceous earth (DE), and a metal oxide, such as zinc oxide (ZnO), is proposed to develop active packaging materials with excellent antibacterial activity, minimized fishy odor, and brittleness at subzero temperatures. The mechanical, morphological, and physicochemical properties of these materials were investigated. The results show that the addition of DE/ZnO improved the antibacterial activity of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) samples by up to approximately 95% against both gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Additionally, it enhanced the Izod strength and stability at subzero temperatures of the samples. The odor evaporation test revealed that trimethylamine can be minimized in proportion to increasing DE/ZnO composite concentration. As a result, the development of active packaging materials from DE/ZnO composites is an emerging polymeric packaging technology for seafood products, wherein packaging and seafood quality are linked.
PubMed: 36501622
DOI: 10.3390/polym14235228 -
The Science of the Total Environment Mar 2021Polymer injection is used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) when an oil field ages and the pressure in the reservoir decreases, or for oil fields with heavy oil. By polymer...
Polymer injection is used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) when an oil field ages and the pressure in the reservoir decreases, or for oil fields with heavy oil. By polymer injection, the viscosity of the water injected for pressure support is increased by mixing with a high concentration of a polymer solution. Polymers used in EOR operations are often high molecular weight polyacrylamides, including anionic polyacrylamide (APAM), which may subsequently enter the marine environment with produced water releases. Since seawater (SW) contains mineral particles (MPs) in low concentrations, and polymers like APAM are known to flocculate MPs, we investigated if APAM at different concentrations (0.5-10 mg/L) would attach and flocculate MPs, when these occurred in concentrations relevant for oceanic SW (1 mg/L). Two types of MPs, diatomaceous earth and kaolin, were exposed to fluorescence-tagged APAM (APAM-TAG). A low-energy carousel system with natural seawater (SW) was used for incubation of MPs and APAM-TAG at a temperature relevant for the Norwegian Continental Shelf (13 °C). Attachment to MPs and aggregates of these were analysed by fluorometry and fluorescence microscopy. Particle analyses showed that only minor fractions of the MPs aggregated. When samples were separated in steel filter with a mesh size of 20 μm, APAM-TAG was mainly measured in the flow-through fraction (<20 μm), and the results therefore showed that the polymer mainly remained in the water-phase, or was attached to small particles (<20 μm). For the small fraction of APAM attaching to aggregated MPs, attraction to kaolin was higher than to diatomaceous earth, and fluorescence microscopy analyses confirmed the presence of fluorescent particles at the higher APAM concentrations. MPs at concentrations relevant for oceanic SW are therefore not expected to significantly contribute to sedimentation of APAM dissolved in the water column.
PubMed: 33333302
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143888 -
Insects Jul 2022Cases of Lyme disease in humans are on the rise in the United States and Canada. The vector of the bacteria that causes this disease is the blacklegged tick, . Current...
Cases of Lyme disease in humans are on the rise in the United States and Canada. The vector of the bacteria that causes this disease is the blacklegged tick, . Current control methods for mainly involve chemical acaricides. Unfortunately, ticks are developing resistance to these chemicals, and more and more, the public prefers non-toxic alternatives to chemical pesticides. We discovered that volcanic glass, Imergard WP, and other industrial minerals such as Celite 610 were efficacious mechanical insecticides against mosquitoes, filth flies, and agricultural pests. In this report, when 6-10- and 50-70-day old unfed nymphs were dipped for 1-2 s into Celite, the time to 50% mortality (LT) was 66.8 and 81.7 min, respectively, at 30 °C and 50% relative humidity (RH). The LT was actually shorter at a higher 70% RH, 43.8 min. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the ticks were coated over most of their body surface, including partial to almost total coverage of the opening to their respiratory system. The other mechanical insecticide, Imergard, had similar efficacy against blacklegged unfed nymphs with an LT at 30 °C and 50% RH of 70.4 min. Although more research is needed, this study suggests that industrial minerals could be used as an alternative to chemical pesticides to control ticks and Lyme disease.
PubMed: 35893027
DOI: 10.3390/insects13080672 -
Waste Management & Research : the... Apr 2023The treatment of used vegetable oil (UVO) with seven different adsorbents and through two different procedures (stirring and gravity filtration) was explored. Important...
The treatment of used vegetable oil (UVO) with seven different adsorbents and through two different procedures (stirring and gravity filtration) was explored. Important differences in terms of density, turbidity, electrical resistance, free fatty acids (FFAs) content and relative fatty acid distribution were observed. Different outcomes were shown depending both on the adsorbent and on the procedure. Lower values of density and FFAs were registered for oils treated by gravity filtration with portland (respectively 0.6% and 0.81 g/ml) and celite (respectively 0.7% and 0.72 g/ml). Considering the undesired leaching from the powder to the oil, related to the turbidity, the celite resulted more suitable for the oil recycling (241 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) for portland vs 184 NTU for celite). In addition, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis allowed to determine a chemical fingerprint relative characteristic of vegetable oils recycled by gravity or by adsorption by stirring.
Topics: Plant Oils; Powders; Adsorption; Diatomaceous Earth; Fatty Acids; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
PubMed: 36382767
DOI: 10.1177/0734242X221135336 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2020The early diagnosis and monitoring of cancers are key factors in effective cancer treatment. Particularly, the separation of biomolecules is an essential step for both...
The early diagnosis and monitoring of cancers are key factors in effective cancer treatment. Particularly, the separation of biomolecules is an essential step for both diagnostic and analytical purposes. However, the current techniques used to isolate biomolecules are intensive, laborious, and require multiple instruments as well as repeated sample preparations to separate each biomolecule. Thus, an efficient separation system that can simultaneously separate biomolecules from scarce samples is highly desirable. Hence, in this study, we developed a biosilica-based syringe filtration system for the efficient separation of biomolecules from cancer samples using amine-modified diatomaceous earth (AD) with dimethyl 3,3'-dithiobispropionimidate (DTBP). The syringe filter can be an efficient and rapid tool for use in various procedures without complex instruments. The DTBP-based AD system was combined with the syringe filter system for nucleic acid and protein separation from various cancer cells. We demonstrated the efficacy of the DTBP-based AD in a single-filter system for the efficient separation of DNA and proteins within 40 min. This DTBP-based AD syringe filter system showed good rapidity, efficiency, and affordability in the separation of biomolecules from single samples for the early diagnosis and clinical analysis of cancers.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; DNA, Neoplasm; Diatomaceous Earth; Humans; Imidoesters; Neoplasm Proteins; Neoplasms; Tumor Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 32973156
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72913-8 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023This study determined the efficacy of (Bals. -Criv.) Vuill., (Metchnikoff) Sorokin, and diatomaceous earth mixed with abamectin (DEA) alone and in their combinations...
The Potential of Two Entomopathogenic Fungi and Enhanced Diatomaceous Earth Mixed with Abamectin: A Comprehensive Study on Mortality, Progeny Production, Application Method, and Surface Application against .
This study determined the efficacy of (Bals. -Criv.) Vuill., (Metchnikoff) Sorokin, and diatomaceous earth mixed with abamectin (DEA) alone and in their combinations for the integrated management of larvae and adults of (Herbst) from three field populations of Pakistan (Multan, Rawalpindi, and Rahim Yar Khan) and one laboratory population (Faisalabad). Treatments were applied on three surfaces, namely, viz. steel, concrete, and jute bags, implementing two application methods, dusting and spraying. The combined treatments were more effective in comparison with single treatments for both larvae and adults. Overall, the highest mortality rates were recorded in the Faisalabad population, followed by the Rehaim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi, and Multan populations. Progeny production was suspended 21 days after exposure to the combined treatment of DEA and both fungi in all populations except Rawalpindi. Larvae were found to be more susceptible than adults in all treatments and intervals. Dusting was more efficient than spraying for both larvae and adults and for all the populations studied. The present study provides a wholistic understanding of the impact of different factors on the success of the combined treatments using DEA and entomopathogenic fungi, supporting their use as surface treatments.
PubMed: 37375463
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060773 -
Scientific Reports May 2022Novel metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been fabricated with Ti6Al4V matrix and a biogenic ceramic filler in the form of diatomaceous earth (DE). Mixtures of DE and...
Novel metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been fabricated with Ti6Al4V matrix and a biogenic ceramic filler in the form of diatomaceous earth (DE). Mixtures of DE and Ti6Al4V powders were consolidated by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. Microstructure of the consolidated samples has been investigated with microscopic techniques and XRD. Thermomechanical characteristics have been obtained using small-sample techniques. The results obtained indicate that the fabricated composites show outstanding mechanical and thermal properties due to synergic effects between the filler and the matrix (beyond the rule of mixtures).
Topics: Ceramics; Materials Testing; Titanium
PubMed: 35610349
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12855-5 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2021The authors of this paper use an original method of diatomaceous earth fractionation, which allows for obtaining a filler with a specific particle size distribution. The...
The authors of this paper use an original method of diatomaceous earth fractionation, which allows for obtaining a filler with a specific particle size distribution. The method makes it possible to separate small, disintegrated and broken diatom frustules from those which maintained their original form in diatomaceous earth. The study covers a range of tests conducted to prove that such a separated diatomic fraction (3-30 µm) shows features different from the base diatomite (from 1 to above 40 µm) used as an epoxy resin filler. We have examined the mechanical properties of a series of diatomite/resin composites, considering the weight fraction of diatoms and the parameters of the composite production process. The studied composites of Epidian 601 epoxy resin cross-linked with amine-based curing agent Z-1 contained 0 to 70% vol. of diatoms or diatomaceous earth. Samples were produced by being casted into silicone molds in vacuum degassing conditions and, alternatively, without degassing. The results have shown that the size and morphology of the filler based on diatomaceous earth affects mechanical and rheological properties of systems based on epoxy resin. Elongation at rupture and flexural stress at rupture were both raised by up to 35%, and impact strength by up to 25%.
PubMed: 33800695
DOI: 10.3390/ma14071663 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2022This study achieved maximum removal of ochratoxin A (OTA) during the grape juice clarification process with minimal reduction in antioxidant compounds (phenolic acid,...
This study achieved maximum removal of ochratoxin A (OTA) during the grape juice clarification process with minimal reduction in antioxidant compounds (phenolic acid, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity by FRAP) by the RSM method. Independent variables included three types of clarifiers-gelatin, bentonite, and diatomite (diatomaceous earth)-at a concentration level of 0.25-0.75% and clarification time of 1-3 h. OTA was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Clarifying agent concentration and clarification time affected the reduction amount of OTA and antioxidant compounds in grape juice. There was a direct linear correlation between the reduction amounts of OTA and antioxidant compounds and capacity with the concentration of bentonite, gelatin, and diatomite, and the clarification time. The reduction amount of OTA and antioxidant capacity followed the linear mode. However, the decreased phenolic acid and flavonoid values followed the quadratic model. The study results showed that if the concentrations of bentonite, gelatin, and diatomite and clarification time were 0.45, 0.62, 0.25%, and 1 h, respectively, the maximum amount of OTA reduction (41.67%) occurred. Furthermore, the phenolic acid, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity decrease amounts were at their lowest levels, i.e., 23.86, 7.20, and 17.27%, respectively.
PubMed: 35627005
DOI: 10.3390/foods11101432 -
Toxins Dec 2022Polydopamine (PDA) is a synthetic eumelanin polymer mimicking the biopolymer secreted by mussels to attach to surfaces with a high binding strength. It exhibits unique...
Improving the In Vitro Removal of Indoxyl Sulfate and p-Cresyl Sulfate by Coating Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and Poly-vinyl-pyrrolidone-co-styrene (PVP-co-S) with Polydopamine.
Polydopamine (PDA) is a synthetic eumelanin polymer mimicking the biopolymer secreted by mussels to attach to surfaces with a high binding strength. It exhibits unique adhesive properties and has recently attracted considerable interest as a multifunctional thin film coating. In this study, we demonstrate that a PDA coating on silica- and polymer-based materials improves the entrapment and retention of uremic toxins produced in specific diseases. The low-cost natural nanotextured fossil diatomaceous earth (DE), an abundant source of mesoporous silica, and polyvinylpyrrolidone-co-Styrene (PVP-co-S), a commercial absorbent comprising polymeric particles, were easily coated with a PDA layer by oxidative polymerization of dopamine at mild basic aqueous conditions. An in-depth chemical-physical investigation of both the resulting PDA-coated materials was performed by SEM, AFM, UV-visible, Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Finally, the obtained hybrid systems were successfully tested for the removal of two uremic toxins (indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate) directly from patients' sera.
Topics: Humans; Indican; Povidone; Diatomaceous Earth; Sulfates; Uremic Toxins; Polymers; Silicon Dioxide; Polyvinyl Chloride; Styrenes
PubMed: 36548761
DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120864