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ACS Omega Apr 2024Although cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs) have a high economic value, research regarding the flavor characteristics of CTLs is currently limited. A comprehensive study of the...
Characterization of Flavor Profiles of Cigar Tobacco Leaves Grown in China via Headspace-Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry Coupled with Multivariate Analysis and Sensory Evaluation.
Although cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs) have a high economic value, research regarding the flavor characteristics of CTLs is currently limited. A comprehensive study of the flavor characteristics of CTLs from different regions of China was conducted by identifying their volatile-flavor-containing compounds (VFCs) and flavors. The samples were analyzed via gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) and sensory evaluation. Results revealed considerable differences in the VFC contents of CTLs from different regions of China, suggesting that the VFLs of CTLs could be influenced by geographical origin. Mainly, phenols, pyrazines, and aldehydes were present in the CTLs from Sichuan. High contents of esters and pyrazines were present in the CTLs from Hubei, while esters were the major components of the CTLs from Hainan. Multivariate analysis results showed the effective differentiation of samples from different geographical origins based on the GC-IMS results. Sensory evaluation revealed that the flavors of CTLs from different geographical origins were different. 1,8-Pinene, 3-methyl-3-butene-1-ol, 2,3-dimethyl-5-ethylpyrazine, 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one, and ()-2-pentenal might serve as geographical marker compounds, indicating the geographical origin of CTLs based on the results of GC-IMS and sensory evaluation. This study may be beneficial for the trade of CTLs and the development of cigar products.
PubMed: 38617669
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09499 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024is an EFSA-approved novel food and dietary supplement with increasing use in nutraceutical production worldwide. This study investigated the neuroprotective potential...
is an EFSA-approved novel food and dietary supplement with increasing use in nutraceutical production worldwide. This study investigated the neuroprotective potential of bioactive compounds extracted from using green biobased solvents (ethyl acetate, AcOEt, and cyclopentyl methyl ether, CPME) under pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) conditions and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Response surface optimization was used to study the effect of temperature and solvent composition on the neuroprotective properties of the PLE extracts, including anticholinergic activity, reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) scavenging capacity, and anti-inflammatory activity. Optimized extraction conditions of 40 °C and 34.9% AcOEt in CPME resulted in extracts with high anticholinergic and ROS/RNS scavenging capacity, while operation at 180 °C and 54.1% AcOEt in CPME yielded extracts with potent anti-inflammatory properties using only 20 min. Chemical characterization revealed the presence of carotenoids (neoxanthin, violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, α- and β-carotene) known for their anti-cholinesterase, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential. The extracts also exhibited high levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with a favorable ω-3/ω-6 ratio (>7), contributing to their neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, the extracts were found to be safe to use, as cytotoxicity assays showed no observed toxicity in HK-2 and THP-1 cell lines at or below a concentration of 40 μg mL. These results highlight the neuroprotective potential of extracts, making them valuable in the field of nutraceutical production and emphasize the interest of studying new green solvents as alternatives to conventional toxic solvents.
Topics: Microalgae; Reactive Oxygen Species; Chlorophyta; Cholinergic Antagonists; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Solvents
PubMed: 38612712
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073897 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024In this study, pyrazole tartrate (Pya·DL) and tartaric acid (DL) complexed with cobalt-iron bimetallic modified hydrogen-type mordenite (HMOR) were prepared using the...
In this study, pyrazole tartrate (Pya·DL) and tartaric acid (DL) complexed with cobalt-iron bimetallic modified hydrogen-type mordenite (HMOR) were prepared using the ion exchange method. The results demonstrate that the stability of the dimethyl ether (DME) carbonylation reaction to methyl acetate (MA) was significantly improved after the introduction of Pya·DL to HMOR. The Co∙Fe∙DL-Pya·DL-HMOR (0.8) sample exhibited sustainable stability within 400 h DME carbonylation, exhibiting a DME conversion rate of about 70% and MA selectivity of above 99%. Through modification with the DL-complexed cobalt-iron bimetal, the dispersion of cobalt-iron was greatly enhanced, leading to the formation of new metal Lewis acidic sites (LAS) and thus a significant improvement in catalysis activity. Pya·DL effectively eliminated non-framework aluminum in HMOR, enlarged its pore size, and created channels for carbon deposition diffusion, thereby preventing carbon accumulation and pore blockage. Additionally, Pya·DL shielded the Bronsted acid sites (BAS) in the 12 MR channel, effectively suppressing the side reactions of carbon deposition and reducing the formation of hard carbon deposits. These improvements collectively contribute to the enhanced stability of the DME carbonylation reaction.
PubMed: 38611790
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071510 -
Nature Communications Apr 2024Hydrotreating renewable oils over sulfided metal catalysts is commercially applied to produce green diesel, but it requires a continuous sulfur replenishment to maintain...
Hydrotreating renewable oils over sulfided metal catalysts is commercially applied to produce green diesel, but it requires a continuous sulfur replenishment to maintain catalyst activity, which inevitably results in sulfur contamination and increases production costs. We report a robust P-doped NiAl-oxide catalyst with frustrated Lewis pairs (i.e., P atom bonded with the O atom acts as an electron donor, while the spatially separated Ni atom acts as an electron acceptor) that allows efficient green diesel production without sulfur replenishment. The catalyst runs more than 500 h at a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 28.3 h without deactivation (methyl laurate as a model compound), and is able to completely convert a real feedstock of soybean oil to diesel-range hydrocarbons with selectivity >90% during 500 h of operation. This work is expected to open up a new avenue for designing non-sulfur catalysts that can make the green diesel production greener.
PubMed: 38609373
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47591-z -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024High-quality perovskite thin films are typically produced via solvent engineering, which results in efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Nevertheless, the use of...
High-quality perovskite thin films are typically produced via solvent engineering, which results in efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Nevertheless, the use of hazardous solvents like precursor solvents (N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL)) and antisolvents (chlorobenzene (CB), dibutyl ether (DEE), diethyl ether (EtO), etc.) is crucial to the preparation of perovskite solutions and the control of perovskite thin film crystallization. The consumption of hazardous solvents poses an imminent threat to both the health of manufacturers and the environment. Consequently, before PSCs are commercialized, the current concerns about the toxicity of solvents must be addressed. In this study, we fabricated highly efficient planar PSCs using a novel, environmentally friendly method. Initially, we employed a greener solvent engineering approach that substituted the hazardous precursor solvents with an environmentally friendly solvent called triethyl phosphate (TEP). In the following stage, we fabricated perovskite thin films without the use of an antisolvent by employing a two-step procedure. Of all the greener techniques used to fabricate PSCs, the FTO/SnO/MAFAPbI/spiro-OMeTAD planar device configuration yielded the highest PCE of 20.98%. Therefore, this work addresses the toxicity of the solvents used in the perovskite film fabrication procedure and provides a promising universal method for producing PSCs with high efficiency. The aforementioned environmentally friendly approach might allow for PSC fabrication on an industrial scale in the future under sustainable conditions.
PubMed: 38607128
DOI: 10.3390/nano14070594 -
World Journal of Experimental Medicine Mar 2024The investigation of plant-based therapeutic agents in medicinal plants has revealed their presence in the extracts and provides the vision to formulate novel techniques...
BACKGROUND
The investigation of plant-based therapeutic agents in medicinal plants has revealed their presence in the extracts and provides the vision to formulate novel techniques for drug therapy. (), a perennial herb belonging to the family is extensively used in conventional medication.
AIM
To determine the existence of therapeutic components in leaf and callus extracts from wild plants using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
METHODS
In this study, we conducted GC-MS on wild plant leaf extracts and correlated the presence of constituents with those in callus extracts. Various growth regulators such as 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), α-naphthylacetic acid (NAA), and di-phenylurea (DPU) were added to plant leaves and callus and grown on MS medium.
RESULTS
The results clearly indicated that the addition of BAP (2.0 mg/L), 2,4-D (0.2 mg/mL), DPU (2.0 mg/L) and 2,4-D (0.2 mg/mL) in MS medium resulted in rapid callus development. The plant profile of extracts by GC-MS analysis showed that 24, 10, and 14 bioactive constituents were detected in the methanolic extract of leaf, green callus and the methanolic extract of white loose callus, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Octadecadienoic acid, hexadecanoic acid and methyl ester were the major constituents in the leaf and callus methanolic extract. Octadecadienoic acid was the most common constituent in all samples. The maximum concentration of octadecadienoic acid in leaves, green callus and white loose callus was 21.93%, 47.79% and 40.38%, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the concentration of octadecadienoic acid doubles compared to . In addition to octadecadienoic acid; butyric acid, benzene, 1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl), dospan, tridecanedialdehyde, methylcyclohexenylbutanol, chlorpyrifos, n-secondary terpene diester, anflunine and other important active compounds were also detected. All these components were only available in callus formed . This study showed that the callus contained additional botanical characteristics compared with wild plants. Due to the presence of numerous bioactive compounds, the medical use of for various diseases has been accepted and the plant is considered an important source of therapeutics for research and development.
PubMed: 38590309
DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v14.i1.88064 -
ACS Omega Apr 2024This study presents an environmentally friendly synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using the methanolic extract of . Initial phytochemical analysis of the...
This study presents an environmentally friendly synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using the methanolic extract of . Initial phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and tannins. Further characterization through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses identified a diverse array of bioactive compounds, including hydroquinone, stearic acid, neophytadiene, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (,), methyl ester, and others. The addition of methanolic extract to an AgNO solution resulted in a color change, confirming the green synthesis of Ag-NPs through the reduction of AgNO, as made evident by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis provided valuable insights into the crystal structure, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis visualized the predominantly spherical shape of the Ag-NPs. However, the zeta (ζ)-potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses confirmed the stability and nanoscale dimensions of the synthesized Ag-NPs. Meanwhile, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra exhibited peaks indicative of various functional groups, including carboxylic acids, phenols, alkanes, and isocyanates. These functional groups played a crucial role in both the reduction and capping processes of the Ag-NPs. The study further explored the antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and α-amylase inhibition activities of the Ag-NPs of the extract, demonstrating their potential for biomedical and therapeutic applications. In conclusion, this environmentally sustainable synthesis of Ag-NPs from the extract, enriched with bioactive secondary metabolites detected through HPLC and GC-MS analysis, holds promise for diverse applications in the burgeoning field of green nanotechnology.
PubMed: 38585127
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c10119 -
Journal of Environmental Management Apr 2024Greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions due to increasing energy demand have raised the need to identify effective solutions to produce clean and renewable energy....
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions due to increasing energy demand have raised the need to identify effective solutions to produce clean and renewable energy. Biotechnologies are an effective platform to attain green transition objectives, especially when synergically integrated to promote health and environmental protection. In this context, microalgae-based biotechnologies are considered among the most effective tools for treating gaseous effluents and simultaneously capturing carbon sources for further biomass valorisation. The production of biodiesel is regarded as a promising avenue for harnessing value from residual algal biomass. Nonetheless, the existing techniques for extracting lipids still face certain limitations, primarily centred around the cost-effectiveness of the process.This study is dedicated to developing and optimising an innovative and cost-efficient technique for extracting lipids from algal biomass produced during gaseous emissions treatment based on algal-bacterial biotechnology. This integrated treatment technology combines a bio-scrubber for degrading gaseous contaminants and a photobioreactor for capturing the produced CO within valuable algal biomass. The cultivated biomass is then processed with the process newly designed to extract lipids simultaneously transesterificated in fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) via In Situ Transesterification (IST) with a Kumagawa-type extractor. The results of this study demonstrated the potential application of the optimised method to overcome the gap to green transition. Energy production was obtained from residuals produced during the necessary treatment of gaseous emissions. Using hexane-methanol (v/v = 19:1) mixture in the presence KOH in Kumagawa extractor lipids were extracted with extraction yield higher than 12% and converted in fatty acid methyl esters. The process showed the enhanced extraction of lipids converted in bio-sourced fuels with circular economy approach, broadening the applicability of biotechnologies as sustainable tools for energy source diversification.
Topics: Lipids; Biofuels; Microalgae; Health Promotion; Fatty Acids; Gases; Biomass; Esters
PubMed: 38583383
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120830 -
ACS Omega Mar 2024The study aims to synthesize two green pyrazole compounds, -((1-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-4-nitroaniline (L4) and ethyl...
Adsorption and Inhibition Mechanisms of New Pyrazole Derivatives for Carbon Steel Corrosion in Hydrochloric Acid Solutions Based on Experimental, Computational, and Theoretical Calculations.
The study aims to synthesize two green pyrazole compounds, -((1-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-4-nitroaniline (L4) and ethyl 5-methyl-1-(((4-nitrophenyl)amino)methyl)-1-pyrazole-3-carboxylate (L6), and test their action as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel (CS) in a 1 M HCl solution. Both chemical and electrochemical methods, namely, gravimetric measurements (WL), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), were used to assess the efficiency of the investigated molecules. DFT calculations at B3LYP/6-31++G (d, p) and molecular dynamics simulation were used to carry out quantum chemical calculations in order to link their electronic characteristics with the findings of experiments. The organic products exhibited good anticorrosion ability, with maximum inhibition efficiencies (IE %) of 91.8 and 90.8% for 10 M L6 and L4, respectively. In accordance with PDP outcomes, L6 and L4 inhibitors act as mixed-type inhibitors. Assessment of the temperature influence evinces that both L4 and L6 are chemisorbed on CS. The adsorption of L4 and L6 on CS appears to follow the Langmuir isotherm. Scanning electron microscopy and UV-visible disclose the constitution of a barrier layer, limiting the accessibility of corrosive species to the CS surface. Theoretical studies were performed to support the results derived from experimental techniques (WL, PDP, and EIS).
PubMed: 38560005
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08282 -
Journal of Computer-aided Molecular... Apr 2024The kinesin spindle protein (Eg5) is a mitotic protein that plays an essential role in the formation of the bipolar spindles during the mitotic phase. Eg5 protein...
Identifying and characterising promising small molecule inhibitors of kinesin spindle protein using ligand-based virtual screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics and MM‑GBSA calculations.
The kinesin spindle protein (Eg5) is a mitotic protein that plays an essential role in the formation of the bipolar spindles during the mitotic phase. Eg5 protein controls the segregation of the chromosomes in mitosis which renders it a vital target for cancer treatment. In this study our approach to identifying novel scaffold for Eg5 inhibitors is based on targeting the novel allosteric pocket (α4/α6/L11). Extensive computational techniques were applied using ligand-based virtual screening and molecular docking by two approaches, MOE and AutoDock, to screen a library of commercial compounds. We identified compound 8-(3-(1H-imidazol-1-ylpropylamino)-3-methyl-7-((naphthalen-3-yl)methyl)-1H-purine-2, 6 (3H,7H)-dione (compound 5) as a novel scaffold for Eg5 inhibitors. This compound inhibited cancer cell Eg5 ATPase at 2.37 ± 0.15 µM. The molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the identified compound formed stable interactions in the allosteric pocket (α4/α6/L11) of the receptor, indicating its potential as a novel Eg5 inhibitor.
Topics: Molecular Docking Simulation; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Kinesins; Ligands; Mitosis
PubMed: 38556596
DOI: 10.1007/s10822-024-00553-5