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International Journal of Biological... Mar 2024The study explores the synergy of biobased polymers and hydrogels for water purification. Polymer nanomaterial's, synthesized by combining acrylamide copolymer with...
The study explores the synergy of biobased polymers and hydrogels for water purification. Polymer nanomaterial's, synthesized by combining acrylamide copolymer with maleic anhydride, were integrated into sodium alginate biopolymer using an eco-friendly approach. Crosslinking agents, calcium chloride and glutaraladehyde, facilitated seamless integration, ensuring non-toxicity, high adsorption performance, and controlled capacity. This innovative combination presents a promising solution for clean and healthy water supplies, addressing the critical need for sustainable environmental practices in water purification. In addition, the polymer sodium alginate hydrogel (MAH@AA-P/SA/H) underwent characterization via the use of several analytical procedures, such as FTIR, XPS, SEM, EDX and XRD. Adsorption studies were conducted on metals and dyes in water, and pollutant removal methods were explored. We investigated several variables (such as pH, starting concentration, duration, and absorbent quantity) affect a material's capacity to be adsorbed. Moreover, the maximum adsorption towards Cu is 754 mg/g while for Cr metal ions are 738 mg/g, while the adsorption towards Congo Red and Methylene Blue dye are 685 mg/g and 653 mg/g correspondingly, within 240 min. Adsorption results were further analyzed using kinetic and isothermal models, which showed that MAH@AA-P/SA/H adsorption is governed by a chemisorption process. Hence, the polymer prepared from sodium alginate hydrogel (MAH@AA-P/SA/H) has remarkable properties as a versatile material for the significantly elimination of harmful contaminants from dirty water.
Topics: Hydrogels; Maleic Anhydrides; Coloring Agents; Alginates; Acrylamide; Metals; Ions; Polymers; Adsorption; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics
PubMed: 38176489
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.129146 -
Chemical Senses Jan 2024Although studies have shown that olfaction may contribute to the perception of tastant, literature is scarce or circumstantial, especially in humans. This study aims to...
Although studies have shown that olfaction may contribute to the perception of tastant, literature is scarce or circumstantial, especially in humans. This study aims to (i) explore whether humans can perceive solutions of basic prototypical tastants through orthonasal and retronasal olfaction and (ii) to examine what volatile odor compounds (VOCs) underlie this ability. Solutions of 5 basic tastants (sucrose, sodium chloride, citric acid, monosodium glutamate [MSG], quinine) dissolved in water, and 2 fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acid) dissolved in mineral oil were prepared. Triangle discrimination tests were performed (n = 41 in duplicate) to assess whether the tastant solutions can be distinguished from blanks (solvents) through ortho- and retronasal olfaction. Participants were able to distinguish all tastant solutions from blank through orthonasal olfaction. Only sucrose, sodium chloride, oleic acid, and linoleic acid were distinguished from blank by retronasal olfaction. Ethyl dichloroacetate, methylene chloride, and/or acetone were identified in the headspace of sucrose, MSG, and quinine solutions but not in the headspace of water, sodium chloride, and citric acid solutions. Fat oxidation compounds such as alcohols and aldehydes were detected in the headspace of the oleic and linoleic acid solutions but not the mineral oil. We conclude that prototypical tastant solutions can be discriminated from water and fatty acid solutions from mineral oil through orthonasal olfaction. Differences in the volatile headspace composition between blanks and tastant solutions may have facilitated the olfactory discrimination. These findings can have methodological implications for future studies assessing gustatory perception using these prototypical taste compounds.
Topics: Humans; Smell; Sodium Chloride; Sodium Glutamate; Quinine; Mineral Oil; Taste; Water; Sucrose; Citric Acid; Linoleic Acids
PubMed: 38175732
DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjad054 -
Enzyme and Microbial Technology Mar 2024Organohalides are recalcitrant, toxic environmental pollutants. Reductive dehalogenase enzymes (RDases) found in organohalide respiring bacteria (OHRB) utilise...
Organohalides are recalcitrant, toxic environmental pollutants. Reductive dehalogenase enzymes (RDases) found in organohalide respiring bacteria (OHRB) utilise organohalides as electron acceptors for cellular energy and growth, producing lesser-halogenated compounds. Consequently, microbial reductive dehalogenation via organohalide respiration represents a promising solution for clean-up of organohalide pollutants. Dehalobacter sp. UNSWDHB is an OHRB capable of respiring highly toxic chloroform (CF) and converting it to dichloromethane (DCM). TmrA has been identified as an RDase responsible for this conversion and different strategies for generation of functional recombinant TmrA is the focus of this article. In this study, TmrA was recovered from inclusion bodies expressed in E. coli and refolded in the presence of FeCl, NaS and cobalamin to yield functional enzyme. TmrA has been previously expressed in a soluble and functional form in the corrinoid-producing Bacillus megaterium. Using a fractional experimental design for cultivation and induction combined with purification under anaerobic conditions resulted in substantially higher activity of recombinant and native TmrA than previously reported. TmrA was then expressed in a soluble and active form in Shimwellia blattae. Co-expression with two different putative chaperone proteins from the original host did not increase the level of soluble expression in S. blattae, however activity assays showed that removing the TAT signal from TmrA increases the dechlorination activity compared to when the TAT signal is present. Finally, TmrA was successfully expressed in a soluble and active form in the H-oxidizing C. necator H16, a novel host for the expression of RDases.
Topics: Escherichia coli; Bacteria; Methylene Chloride; Ascorbic Acid; Biodegradation, Environmental
PubMed: 38147780
DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2023.110390 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Lily is one of the most important cut flowers in the world, with a rich floral fragrance. To further explore the fragrance emission mechanisms of lily cultivars,...
Lily is one of the most important cut flowers in the world, with a rich floral fragrance. To further explore the fragrance emission mechanisms of lily cultivars, headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and organic solvent extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (OSE-GC-MS) were used to unveil the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and endogenous extracts of seven lily cultivars. Furthermore, real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to determine the expression levels of two key genes ( and ) related to the biosynthesis of monoterpenoids and methyl benzoate. The results show that forty-five VOCs were detected in the petals of seven lily cultivars, and the main compounds were monoterpenoids and phenylpropanoids/benzenoids. Dichloromethane was the best solvent for extracting the endogenous extracts of 'Viviana' petals and eighteen endogenous extracts were detected using dichloromethane to extract the petals of seven lily cultivars. Each compound's emission ratio (natural logarithm of the ratio of VOC content to endogenous extract content) was calculated, and linear regression analyses between emission ratios and boiling points were conducted. Significant linear negative correlations existed between the emission ratios and boiling points of compounds, and the regression equations' coefficients of determination () were all greater than 0.7. was expressed highly in 'Viviana', 'Pink News', and 'Palazzo', and was expressed highly in 'Pink News' and 'Palazzo'. Correlation analyses between the gene expression levels and the monoterpenoids and methyl benzoate contents found that the expression levels have strong positive correlations with monoterpenoids content, while no correlations were found between the expression levels of and the contents of methyl benzoate. This study lays the foundation for research on the release patterns of VOCs in the flowers of , and the breeding of lilies for their floral fragrance.
Topics: Lilium; Volatile Organic Compounds; Methylene Chloride; Plant Breeding; Flowers; Solid Phase Microextraction; Solvents; Monoterpenes
PubMed: 38138428
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28247938 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Mar 2024Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae) is a species from the Brazilian Cerrado, exhibiting several medicinal properties, being used by the population in the...
Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential, and chemical characterization of the dichloromethane fraction of Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae) ripe fruits by LC-DAD-MS.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae) is a species from the Brazilian Cerrado, exhibiting several medicinal properties, being used by the population in the treatment of ulcers, bronchitis, asthma and hepatitis, which involve inflammatory processes.
AIM OF THIS STUDY
This study aimed to chemically characterize the dichloromethane fraction (DCM), as well as verify its antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The DCM fraction was obtained by partitioning the ethanol extract. The chemical constituents of the DCM fraction were characterized by LC-DAD-MS. The DPPH and FRAP assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant potential. The carrageenan-induced paw edema model was used to assess the anti-inflammatory effects, and the inflammatory infiltrate was evaluated by qualitative and quantitative histological analyses. The antinociceptive action of the DCM fraction was evaluated by acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test, formalin-induced nociception and hot-plate test.
RESULTS
Steroidal alkaloids solasonine, solasodine and solamargine, as well as the alkaloid peiminine/imperialine and caffeoylquinic acids, were annotated in DCM fraction by LC-DAD-MS. The DCM fraction showed antioxidative action in the in vitro DPPH and FRAP tests, as well as an anti-inflammatory effect for the three evaluated doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg in the fourth and sixth hours after the administration of carrageenan. The histological analyses evidenced considerably reduction in leukocyte migration and the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The study also demonstrated antinociceptive activity for the DCM fraction, which reduced abdominal writhing at three concentrations evaluated, as well as a decrease in paw licking in the formalin-induced nociception test both in the neurogenic phase and the inflammatory phase, with greater effectiveness compared to the anti-inflammatory indomethacin. The DCM fraction also increased the latency time of the animals in the hot plate test 60 min after treatment, although it did not seem to involve the opioidergic system.
CONCLUSION
This work evidenced that the dichloromethane fraction of S. lycocarpum fruit possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential, which supports its use in folk medicine for management inflammatory conditions.
Topics: Animals; Analgesics; Carrageenan; Methylene Chloride; Plant Extracts; Solanum; Fruit; Antioxidants; Pain; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Alkaloids; Edema
PubMed: 38135235
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117640 -
Chemistry & Biodiversity Feb 2024Immortelle, a revered Mediterranean medicinal plant, is celebrated for its potent essential oil renowned in the cosmetic industry for its skin-enhancing properties. Yet,...
Immortelle, a revered Mediterranean medicinal plant, is celebrated for its potent essential oil renowned in the cosmetic industry for its skin-enhancing properties. Yet, immortelle hydrosol, an often-overlooked byproduct, holds promise in cosmetics due to its compatibility with polar active ingredients. This study investigates the chemical composition of immortelle hydrosol by employing liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) to transfer volatile organic components into nonpolar solvents. Four solvents - chloroform, dichloromethane, hexane, and benzene - were assessed through ten consecutive extractions from industrially produced immortelle hydrosol. Quantification was achieved using GC analysis with tetradecane as an internal standard. Chloroform emerged as the most efficient solvent, yielding 2447.0 mg/L of volatile compounds, surpassing dichloromethane, hexane, and benzene. Key compounds in immortelle hydrosol included 3-pentanone, 2-methyl-1-butanol, and γ-terpineol. Importantly, the study revealed that a portion of essential oil compounds persists in the hydrosol even after ten LLE cycles, with optimal results achievable in five extractions (~92 % in most cases).
Topics: Solvents; Hexanes; Benzene; Chloroform; Methylene Chloride; Liquid-Liquid Extraction; Oils, Volatile
PubMed: 38116850
DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202301528 -
Journal of Microbiology and... Feb 2024Fifteen cyclic dipeptides (CDPs) containing proline, one cyclo(Phe-Ala) without proline, and a non-peptidyl DL-3-phenyllactic acid were previously identified in the...
Fifteen cyclic dipeptides (CDPs) containing proline, one cyclo(Phe-Ala) without proline, and a non-peptidyl DL-3-phenyllactic acid were previously identified in the culture filtrates of LBP-K10, an isolate from kimchi. In this study, we used Japanese quail () eggs to examine the effects of probiotic supplementation on the antimicrobial CDPs extracted from quail eggs (QE). Eggshell-free QE were obtained from two distinct groups of quails. The first group (K10N) comprised eggs from unsupplemented quails. The second group (K10S) comprised eggs from quails supplemented with LBP-K10. The QE samples were extracted using methylene chloride through a liquid-liquid extraction process. The resulting extract was fractionated into 16 parts using semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Two fractions, Q6 and Q9, were isolated from K10S and identified as -cyclo(L-Ser-L-Pro) and -cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro). The Q9 fraction, containing -cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro), has shown significant inhibitory properties against the proliferation of highly pathogenic multidrug-resistant bacteria, as well as human-specific and phytopathogenic fungi. Some of the ten combinations between the remaining fourteen unidentified fractions and two fractions, Q6 and Q9, containing -cyclo(L-Ser-L-Pro) and -cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro) respectively, demonstrated a significant increase in activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria only when combined with Q9. The activity was 7.17 times higher compared to a single -cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro). This study presents new findings on the efficacy of proline-containing CDPs in avian eggs. These CDPs provide antimicrobial properties when specific probiotics are supplemented.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Coturnix; Lactobacillus plantarum; Anti-Infective Agents; Proline; Dietary Supplements; Probiotics; Dipeptides; Peptides, Cyclic; Quail
PubMed: 38111307
DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2311.11006 -
Environmental Toxicology Apr 2024Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch (PS), a perennial herb belonging to the genus Pinus in the family Pinnacle Sauce, has been previously known for its analgesic,...
Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch (PS), a perennial herb belonging to the genus Pinus in the family Pinnacle Sauce, has been previously known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor properties. However, the specific mechanism behind its antileukemic effect remains unknown. This study focused on the cytotoxicity and potential modes of action of the dichloromethane extract from PS (DEPS) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Our results demonstrated that DEPS reduced cell viability, arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and upregulated the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 and Cleaved caspase-3. However, the impact of DEPS on cell viability and the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins was reversed upon pretreatment with the caspase-3 inhibitor (Z-DEVD-FMK) in HL-60 cells, which demonstrated that DEPS could induce apoptosis through the mitochondria-associated apoptotic pathway. Interestingly, DEPS also influenced autophagy by upregulating the expression of LC3II/I, P62, and Beclin-1 proteins, and the autophagy inhibition chloroquine(CQ) could attenuate the apoptotic effects of DEPS in HL-60 cells. Furthermore, SMART 2.0 analysis predicted that the main components present in DEPS were likely terpenoids. In conclusion, DEPS possibly exerts antileukemic effects by downregulating the PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways, thereby promoting intracellular ROS production, activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and affecting autophagy, providing valuable insights for the potential future application of PS in the treatment of AML.
Topics: Humans; Caspase 3; Cell Line, Tumor; Patrinia; Methylene Chloride; Reactive Oxygen Species; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Apoptosis; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Autophagy
PubMed: 38108539
DOI: 10.1002/tox.24090 -
Journal of Environmental Sciences... May 2024Dichloromethane (DCM) has been listed as a toxic and harmful water pollutant, and its removal needs attention. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are viewed as a...
Dichloromethane (DCM) has been listed as a toxic and harmful water pollutant, and its removal needs attention. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are viewed as a promising alternative for pollutant removal, which can be strengthened from two aspects: microbial inoculation and acclimation. In this study, the MEC for DCM degradation was inoculated with the active sludge enhanced by Methylobacterium rhodesianum H13 (strain H13) and then acclimated in the form of a microbial fuel cell (MFC). Both the introduction of strain H13 and the initiation in MFC form significantly promoted DCM degradation. The degradation kinetics were fitted by the Haldane model, with V, K, K and v values of 103.2 mg/L/hr, 97.8 mg/L, 268.3 mg/L and 44.7 mg/L/hr/cm, respectively. The cyclic voltammogram implies that DCM redox reactions became easier with the setup of MEC, and the electrochemical impedance spectrogram shows that the acclimated and enriched microbes reduced the charge transfer resistance from the electrode to the electrolyte. In the biofilm, the dominant genera shifted from Geobacter to Hyphomicrobium in acclimation stages. Moreover, Methylobacterium played an increasingly important role. DCM metabolism mainly occurred through the hydrolytic glutathione S-transferase pathway, given that the gene dcmA was identified rather than the dhlA and P450/MO. The exogenous electrons facilitated the reduction of GSSG, directly or indirectly accelerating the GSH-catalyzed dehalogenation. This study provides support for the construction of an efficient and stable MEC for DCM removal in water environment.
Topics: Methylene Chloride; Electrolysis; Kinetics; Bioelectric Energy Sources; Microbiota; Electrodes
PubMed: 38105043
DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2023.05.029 -
International Journal of Biological... Feb 2024In this study, a lignin-based hydrogel for wastewater treatment was prepared by incorporating kraft lignin (KL) into a poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. The underwater...
In this study, a lignin-based hydrogel for wastewater treatment was prepared by incorporating kraft lignin (KL) into a poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. The underwater structural stability of the KL-PVA hydrogel was guaranteed through physicochemical crosslinking, involving freeze-thaw process and chemical crosslinking reaction. The KL-PVA hydrogel displayed superior compressive characteristics compared to the original PVA hydrogel. This improvement was attributed to the chemical crosslinking and the reinforcing effect of the incorporated KL microparticles. The incorporation of anionic KL microparticles into the PVA three-dimensional network structure enhanced the cationic methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) adsorption efficiency of the prepared KL-PVA hydrogel. The MB adsorption results were well explained by pseudo-2nd order kinetics model and Langmuir isotherm model. Electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions were the main adsorption mechanisms between cationic dyes and KL surfaces, indicating the potential of KL-PVA hydrogel as an effective adsorption material. Moreover, regulating the molecular weight of PVA not only prevented lignin leakage from the KL-PVA hydrogel but also elevated the KL content within the hydrogel, consequently improving its dye removal performance. For KL-PVA hydrogel with high molecular weight PVA, the MB and CV adsorption capacities were 193.8 mg/g and 190.0 mg/g, respectively.
Topics: Hydrogels; Lignin; Coloring Agents; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Polyvinyl Chloride; Adsorption; Kinetics; Methylene Blue; Cations; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 38101680
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128810