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The European Physical Journal. E, Soft... Jun 2024In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of polymersomes, protein-blended polymersomes, and polymeric microcapsules using droplet microfluidics. Polymersomes with...
In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of polymersomes, protein-blended polymersomes, and polymeric microcapsules using droplet microfluidics. Polymersomes with uniform, single bilayers and controlled diameters are assembled from water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion droplets. This technique relies on adjusting the interfacial energies of the droplet to completely separate the polymer-stabilized inner core from the oil shell. Protein-blended polymersomes are prepared by dissolving protein in the inner and outer phases of polymer-stabilized droplets. Cell-sized polymeric microcapsules are assembled by size reduction in the inner core through osmosis followed by evaporation of the middle phase. All methods are developed and validated using the same glass-capillary microfluidic apparatus. This integrative approach not only demonstrates the versatility of our setup, but also holds significant promise for standardizing and customizing the production of polymer-based artificial cells.
Topics: Artificial Cells; Polymers; Emulsions; Capsules; Microfluidics; Water; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Proteins
PubMed: 38829453
DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-024-00428-5 -
PeerJ 2024The burgeoning issue of landfill leachate, exacerbated by urbanization, necessitates evaluating its biological impact, traditionally overshadowed by physical and...
The burgeoning issue of landfill leachate, exacerbated by urbanization, necessitates evaluating its biological impact, traditionally overshadowed by physical and chemical assessments. This study harnesses , a model organism, to elucidate the physiological toxicity of landfill leachate subjected to different treatment processes: nanofiltration reverse osmosis tail water (NFRO), membrane bioreactor (MBR), and raw leachate (RAW). Our investigation focuses on the modulation of sugar metabolism, particularly trehalose-a disaccharide serving dual functions as an energy source and an anti-adversity molecule in invertebrates. Upon exposure, showcased a 60-70% reduction in glucose and glycogen levels alongside a significant trehalose increase, highlighting an adaptive response to environmental stress by augmenting trehalose synthesis. Notably, trehalose-related genes in the NFRO group were up-regulated, contrasting with the MBR and RAW groups, where trehalose synthesis genes outpaced decomposition genes by 20-30 times. These findings suggest that predominantly counters landfill leachate-induced stress through trehalose accumulation. This research not only provides insights into the differential impact of leachate treatment methods on but also proposes a molecular framework for assessing the environmental repercussions of landfill leachate, contributing to the development of novel strategies for pollution mitigation and environmental preservation.
Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Trehalose; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 38799059
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17332 -
Chemosphere Aug 2024The present study describes a novel double-modified strategy for developing high-performance thin-film composite reverse osmosis (TFC-RO) membranes by incorporating...
The present study describes a novel double-modified strategy for developing high-performance thin-film composite reverse osmosis (TFC-RO) membranes by incorporating titanium-based metal organic frameworks (NH-MIL-125) and functionalised multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into the support layer and selective layer, respectively. Initially, the support layer was subjected to successive modifications using NH-MIL-125 mixed with polysulfone (PSF) in dimethylformamide DMF solution to investigate their impact on the performance and properties of the support layer and resultant TFC-RO membranes. Results indicated that the new structure of the modified support layer had significant influences on the developed TFC-RO membranes. Notably, the pristine PSF support exhibited a large surface pore size, medium porosity, and strong hydrophobicity, resulting in a low-flux TFC-RO membrane. However, after modification with NH-MIL-125, the optimal blend support demonstrated a small surface pore size, high porosity, and improved hydrophilicity, favouring the formation of a high performance TFC-RO membrane. The incorporation of functionalised MWCNTs nanochannels into the selective layer, using the optimal NH-MIL-125-PSF blended support, resulted in a smoother and more hydrophilic TFC-RO membrane with enhanced negative charge to improve antifouling properties against negative foulants (i.e., nanoplastics (NPs) and bovine serum albumin (BSA)). The double-modified membrane (TFC-RO-DM) exhibited superior performance over the conventional PSF-TFC-RO membrane. Notably, the maximum water flux reached 39 L m.h with 98.4% NaCl rejection. The membrane exhibited a high flux recovery rate of 92% following a 30-min physical cleaning process. Additionally, the TFC-RO-DM membrane displayed reduced fouling against NPs suggesting the great promise of this innovative double-modification approach for the advancement of high-performance TFC-RO membranes.
Topics: Nanotubes, Carbon; Osmosis; Membranes, Artificial; Water Purification; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Porosity; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Polymers; Titanium
PubMed: 38795918
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142401 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024Cellulite, or edemato-fibro-sclerotic panniculopathy (EFP), is characterized by dermal and hypodermal changes leading to adipose tissue accumulation and compromised... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinical and Ultrasound Efficacy of Topical Hypertonic Cream (Jovita Osmocell) in the Treatment of Cellulite: A Prospective, Monocentric, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
Cellulite, or edemato-fibro-sclerotic panniculopathy (EFP), is characterized by dermal and hypodermal changes leading to adipose tissue accumulation and compromised venous circulation. This study investigates the efficacy of a hypertonic cream containing concentrated sodium chloride (Jovita Osmocell) in addressing water retention and structural alterations in adipose tissue, aiming to interrupt the cellulite formation process. A 12-week, prospective, monocentric, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 30 female subjects with grade II or III cellulite. Patients were randomized to receive hypertonic cream or a placebo. Thigh circumference, ultrasound evaluations, and standardized photographs were collected at baseline, intermediate, and endpoint visits. Adverse events were monitored. After 84 days, the hypertonic cream group exhibited a significant reduction in thigh circumference compared to the placebo group ( = 0.0037). B-mode ultrasound examinations revealed significant changes in the parameters studied, such as the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue. No statistically significant changes were noticed in the placebo group. Volunteers reported the investigational product's pleasantness and good anti-cellulite activity, with no reported adverse events. The hypertonic cream demonstrated efficacy in reducing thigh circumference, addressing water retention and structural alterations in adipose tissue. The proposed mechanism involves osmosis, releasing accumulated fluids between fat cells, supporting drainage, and reducing inflammation. This study supports the efficacy and safety of hypertonic sodium chloride emulsions in cellulite treatment and confirms safety and user satisfaction.
Topics: Humans; Female; Double-Blind Method; Prospective Studies; Cellulite; Adult; Middle Aged; Ultrasonography; Thigh; Treatment Outcome; Skin Cream; Administration, Topical
PubMed: 38792964
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050781 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Two-stage reverse osmosis (RO) processes with intermediate concentrate demineralization (ICD) provide an efficient strategy to treat brines with high CaSO contents and...
Two-stage reverse osmosis (RO) processes with intermediate concentrate demineralization (ICD) provide an efficient strategy to treat brines with high CaSO contents and reduce concentrate discharge. In this paper, an SRO concentrate is treated using ICD to remove CaSO and then mixed with a PRO concentrate for further desalination in SRO, thereby reducing the discharge of the concentrate. We investigate the selection and degradation of scale inhibitors, as well as seeded precipitation in the two-stage RO process with ICD, to achieve a high water recovery rate. A scale inhibitor is added to restrain CaSO crystallization on the membrane surface, and the optimized scale inhibitor, RO-400, is found to inhibit calcium sulfate scaling effectively across a wide range of the saturation index of gypsum (SIg) from 2.3 to 6. Under the optimized parameters of 40 W UV light and 70 mg/L HO, UV/HO can degrade RO-400 completely in 15 min to destroy the scale inhibitor in the SRO concentrate. After scale inhibitor degradation, the SRO concentrate is desaturated by seeded precipitation, and the reaction degree of CaSO reaches 97.12%, leading to a concentrate with a low SIg (1.07) for cyclic desalination. Three UVD-GSP cycle tests show that the reused gypsum seeds can also ensure the effect of the CaSO precipitation process. This paper provides a combined UVD-GSP strategy in two-stage RO processes to improve the water recovery rate for CaSO-contained concentrate.
PubMed: 38792025
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102163 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Phenolic compounds from a hydroalcoholic extract of wet olive pomace were purified and concentrated by an integrated membrane process in organic media. First, UF010104...
Integrated Membrane Process in Organic Media: Combining Organic Solvent Ultrafiltration, Nanofiltration, and Reverse Osmosis to Purify and Concentrate the Phenolic Compounds from Wet Olive Pomace.
Phenolic compounds from a hydroalcoholic extract of wet olive pomace were purified and concentrated by an integrated membrane process in organic media. First, UF010104 (Solsep BV) and UP005 (Microdyn Nadir) membranes were tested to be implemented in the ultrafiltration stage, with the aim of purifying the extract and obtaining a permeate enriched in phenolic compounds. Despite the high flux observed with the UF010104 membrane (20.4 ± 0.7 L·h·m, at 2 bar), the UP005 membrane was selected because of a more suitable selectivity. Even though some secoiridoids were rejected, the permeate stream obtained with this membrane contained high concentrations of valuable simple phenols and phenolic acids, whereas sugars and macromolecules were retained. Then, the ultrafiltration permeate was subjected to a nanofiltration step employing an NF270 membrane (DuPont) for a further purification and fractionation of the phenolic compounds. The permeate flux was 50.2 ± 0.2 L·h·m, working at 15 bar. Hydroxytyrosol and some phenolic acids (such as vanillic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid) were recovered in the permeate, which was later concentrated by reverse osmosis employing an NF90 membrane. The permeate flux obtained with this membrane was 15.3 ± 0.3 L·h·m. The concentrated phenolic mixture that was obtained may have important applications as a powerful antioxidant and for the prevention of diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.
Topics: Olea; Ultrafiltration; Phenols; Membranes, Artificial; Osmosis; Solvents; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38791271
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105233 -
Journal of Dairy Science May 2024Residual lipids (RL) in whey protein isolate (WPI) are detrimental to optimal functional applications (like foaming and low turbidity) and contribute to off-flavor...
Residual lipids (RL) in whey protein isolate (WPI) are detrimental to optimal functional applications (like foaming and low turbidity) and contribute to off-flavor development during powder storage. The objective of this research was to prepare an experimental WPI by removing RL without using the traditional microfiltration (MF) process and compare its properties with commercially available WPIs made using MF and some other whey powders. We hypothesize that by adjusting the pH of whey to < 5.0, we would be close to the isoelectric point of any remaining denatured proteins (DP) and phospholipoproteins (PLP), and therefore reduce electrostatic repulsion between these molecules. Further, demineralization of the acidified whey protein solution by ultrafiltration (UF) combined with diafiltration (DF) should reduce ionic hindrance to aggregation and thereby help with the aggregation of these denatured proteins as well as most RL; centrifugation or clarification could be used to remove these materials. Calcium should also be more extensively removed by this approach, which should improve the heat stability of the experimental WPI. Demineralization was achieved on a pilot scale by acidifying liquid (cheese) whey protein concentrate (WPC-34) to pH 4.5 using HCl, and UF the whey protein solution along with extensive DF using acidified (pH∼3.5) reverse osmosis filtered (RO) water. Demineralized whey protein solution was adjusted to various combinations of pH (4.1 to 4.9), conductivities (500 to 2000 μS.cm), and protein concentrations (1 to 7%) and then centrifuged at 10,000 × g for 10 min. The effective sedimentation (precipitation) of RL in these treatments was estimated by measuring the turbidity of the supernatants. Maximum precipitation was observed at pH 4.5-4.7. Reducing conductivity via UF/DF increased the precipitation of RL due to reduced ionic hindrance to aggregation Maximum sedimentation of RL was observed at protein concentrations ≤3% because of a higher density difference between the precipitate and serum phase. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the sedimentation of PLPs, caseins, and DPs upon isoelectric precipitation at pH ∼4.5, while native whey proteins or undenatured whey proteins remained soluble in the supernatant, unaffected by the pretreatment. To scale up the process, 750 L of fluid WPC34 was acidified and demineralized by UF (volume concentration factor = 1.35) and DF until the permeate solids reached 0.1% (when desired demineralization was achieved), clarified using a pilot-scale desludging clarifier to remove RL, neutralized, ultrafiltered to concentrate the protein, and then spray-dried to produce an experimental WPI (91% protein and 1.8% fat db). In another trial, demineralized UF concentrate was clarified by gravity sedimentation and the supernatant was neutralized, ultrafiltered, and spray-dried to produce a second experimental WPI (91% protein and < 1% fat db). These experimental WPI powders were compared with several commercially available WPI powders to assess functional properties like solubility, heat stability, foamability and foam strength, gelation, and sensory attributes over accelerated storage. Experimental WPI had excellent functional properties, had low turbidity, were highly heat stable and only developed very slight to slight off-flavors upon accelerated storage, their properties were comparable to the WPI manufactured commercially using MF even after accelerated storage.
PubMed: 38788845
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24671 -
Membranes May 2024The production of pure water plays a pivotal role in enabling sustainable green hydrogen production through electrolysis. The current industrial approach for generating...
The production of pure water plays a pivotal role in enabling sustainable green hydrogen production through electrolysis. The current industrial approach for generating pure water relies on energy-intensive techniques such as reverse osmosis. This study unveils a straightforward method to produce pure water, employing real-world units derived from previously simulated and developed laboratory devices. This demonstrated system is cost-effective and boasts low energy consumption, utilizing membrane distillation (MD) driven by the waste heat harnessed from photovoltaic (PV) panels. In a previous study, modeling simulations were conducted to optimize the multi-layered MD system, serving as a blueprint for the construction of prototype devices with a suitable selection of materials, enabling the construction of field-testable units. The most efficient PV-MD device, featuring evaporation and condensation zones constructed from steel sheets and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes, is capable of yielding high-purity water with conductivity levels below 145 μS with high flux rates.
PubMed: 38786944
DOI: 10.3390/membranes14050110 -
Membranes May 2024This study assesses the technical feasibility of a forward-osmosis-based system for concentrating produced water and extracting freshwater. Forward osmosis was combined...
This study assesses the technical feasibility of a forward-osmosis-based system for concentrating produced water and extracting freshwater. Forward osmosis was combined with nanofiltration, the latter system used to restore the initial osmotic pressure of the diluted draw solutions while concurrently obtaining the final freshwater product. Three draw solutions, namely, MgCl, NaCl, and CHNaO, were initially tested against a synthetic water mimicking a pretreated produced water effluent having an osmotic pressure equal to 16.3 bar. MgCl was thus selected for high-recovery experiments. Different combinations of draw solution osmotic pressure (30, 40, 60, 80, and 120) and draw-to-feed initial volume ratios (1, 1.6, and 2.2) were tested at the laboratory scale, achieving recovery rates between roughly 35% and 70% and water fluxes between 4 and 8 L mh. One-dimensional, system-wide simulations deploying the analytical FO water flux equation were utilized to validate the experiments, investigate co-current and counter-current configurations, and understand the system potential. The diluted draw solutions were then transferred to nanofiltration to regenerate their original osmotic pressure. There, the highest observed rejection was 96.6% with an average flux of 21 L mh, when running the system to achieve 100% relative recovery.
PubMed: 38786941
DOI: 10.3390/membranes14050107 -
Membranes May 2024China is the world's largest producer and exporter of concentrated apple juice (CAJ). However, traditional concentration methods such as vacuum evaporation (VE) and...
China is the world's largest producer and exporter of concentrated apple juice (CAJ). However, traditional concentration methods such as vacuum evaporation (VE) and freeze concentration cause the loss of essential nutrients and heat-sensitive components with high energy consumption. A green and effective technique is thus desired for juice concentration to improve product quality and sustainability. In this study, a hybrid forward osmosis-membrane distillation (FO-MD) process was explored for the concentration of apple juice using sodium lactate (L-NaLa) as a renewable draw solute. As a result, commercial apple juice could be concentrated up to 65 °Brix by the FO process with an average flux of 2.5 L·m·h. Most of the nutritional and volatile compounds were well retained in this process, while a significant deterioration in product quality was observed in products obtained by VE concentration. It was also found that membrane fouling in the FO concentration process was reversible, and a periodical UP water flush could remove most of the contaminants on the membrane surface to achieve a flux restoration of more than 95%. In addition, the L-NaLa draw solution could be regenerated by a vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) process with an average flux of around 7.87 L∙m∙h for multiple reuse, which further enhanced the long-term sustainability of the hybrid process.
PubMed: 38786940
DOI: 10.3390/membranes14050106