Acetic Research Articles

Preparation and evaluation of Diclofenac & Aceclofenac pain relieving gel

It is phenyl acetic acid derivative developed as anti-inflammatory agent. It has analgesic anti-inflammatory antipyretic like actions like other NSAIDS. . It is recommended in long term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and enclosing spondylitis. It is also useful acute miscue skeletal disorder post operative pain and dysmenorrhoea Diclofenac sodium gel were developed in seven different formulations) by employing different grades of polymers such as Hpmck4m and Crbopol940. There the various Diclofenac gels are available in market. But the propose gel is formulated with two key ingredients oleoresin, and l linseed oil contribute to anti-inflammatory effect. The formulations were evaluated for various physical parameters, pH spredability, drug release excludability studies drug released mechanisms. Formulation showed maximum drug release of 8 hours and maximum drug. Finally the gel formulations found to be economical and may overcome the draw backs associated with the drug during its absorption. The purpose of the study is to prepare the combination of diclofenac and aceclofenac pain relieving gel. This gel combined form of gel is multifunctional and getting rapid onset of action. And that is to get instant relieve from pain as comparison of plain aceclofenac tablet and plain Diclofenac gel. This formulation is also beneficial for diabetic patient to get cure fast of skin injury and buildup of skin irritation and growth or new epidermis layer of skin in the body.

Evaluation of anti- inflammatory and analgesic activity of Bhasmas in experimental animal models

Acute toxicity studies of both the bhasmas showed no mortality at 2000 mg/kg.The Scanning electron microscopy of both Tamra and Lauha bhasma indicated the nanomaterial characteristics which justifies claim of Ayurvedic bhasmas as ancient nanomaterials. Tamra and Lauha bhasma were found to be effective as anti-inflammatory agent in acute models of inflammation. It inhibits all phases of inflammation induced by carrageenan. Tamra and Lauha bhasma were found to be effective as anti-inflammatory agent in chronic model of inflammation. It significantly inhibits wet as well as dry weight of cotton pellet granuloma at highest doses only. Analgesic activity of both Tamra and Lauha bhasma in hot plate and tail immersion models were found to be significant at 120-240 mins. Analgesic activity of both Tamra and Lauha bhasma in acetic acid models were found to be non-significant in nature, while found to be significant at late phase in formalin induced model. Tamra and Lauha bhasma also were found to have significant anti-arthritic activity in animal study.The whole pharmacological investigations were indicated that activity was only significant at therapeutic and more than therapeutic dose but nonsignificant at dose lower than therapeutic doses. The obtained results indicates the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of both these bhasmas probably by inhibiting inflammatory mediators.

Aspergillus awamori: potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic colonic inflammation with a significant health hazard. Aspergillus awamori (A. awamori) is a microorganism with various bioactive compounds with natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present work aimed to elucidate the protective and therapeutic effects of varying concentrations of A. awamori against acetic acid (AA)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats. Nine groups of albino male rats were established: a control negative group (G1), a control positive group (G2,AA), and preventive protocol groups (including G3A, G4A, and G5A) that received 100mg, 50mg, and 25mg/kg b.w, respectively, of A. awamori orally and daily from the 1st day of the experiment and for 7 consecutive days. Then, they were subjected to one dose of AA intrarectally on day 8th. G3B, G4B, and G5B were termed as curative protocol groups that received one dose of AA on day 8th and then administered 100mg, 50mg, and 25mg/kg b.w. of A. awamori, respectively, on day 9th and continued receiving these doses daily until day 16th. Rats in the AA group exhibited marked histopathological alterations of the distal colon, with an exaggeration of the DAI. In addition, a remarkable increase in oxidative stress was represented by the elevation of MDA and NO levels with a decline in SOD and GPx activities. In addition, upregulation of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β mRNA expressions and downregulation of Muc2 and Nrf2 levels were detected. Unambiguously, a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect was noticed either in A. awamori prevented or treated groups expounded by reducing and regulating TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β with improved pathological lesion scoring. The Muc2, Nrf2, and bcl-2 gene levels were upregulated and restored also. In summary, the findings in this work reveal that A. awamori supplementation successfully alleviated the UC induced by AA, which had a better effect when administered before colitis induction.

The use of thioxopyrimidine derivatives for the regulation of vegetative growth of wheat

The work is devoted to the screening of new effective wheat plant growth regulators based on synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives. The wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety Oksamit Mironivskyi was used as the object of the study. Morphometric parameters (average length of shoots and roots (mm), and average biomass of 10 plants (g)) of 4-week-old wheat plants were measured. Treatment of wheat plants with thioxopyrimidine derivatives at a concentration of 10-6 M contributed to the growth and development of shoots and roots compared to control wheat plants treated with distilled water. The regulatory effect of thioxopyrimidine derivatives on the vegetative growth of wheat plants was similar to the regulatory effect of auxin IAA (1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acid) or synthetic compounds, derivatives of sodium and potassium salts of 6-methyl-2-mercapto-4-hydroxypyrimidine (Methyur, Kamethur) and N-oxide-2,6-dimethylpyridine (Ivin) used in the same concentration of 10-6 M. The correlation between the growth regulatory effect and the chemical structure of synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives was established. The selected most active synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives, are proposed to be used to improve the vegetative growth of wheat (T. aestivum L.) variety Oksamit Mironivskyi.

Bifidobacterium longum S3 alleviates loperamide-induced constipation by modulating intestinal acetic acid and stearic acid levels in mice.

Constipation is a major gastrointestinal (GI) symptom worldwide, with diverse causes of formation, and requires effective and safe therapeutic measures. In the present study, we used loperamide hydrochloride to establish a constipation model and assessed the effect of Bifidobacterium on constipation and its possible mechanism of relief. The results showed that B. longum S3 exerted a constipation-relieving effect primarily by improving the gut microbiota, enriching genera including Lactobacillus, Alistipes, and Ruminococcaceae UCG-007, and decreasing the bacteria Lachnospiraceae NK4B4 group. These changes may thereby increase acetic acid and stearic acid (C18:0) levels, which significantly increase the expression levels of ZO-1 and MUC-2, repair intestinal barrier damage and reduce inflammation (IL-6). Furthermore, it also inhibited oxidative stress levels (SOD and CAT), decreased the expression of water channel proteins (AQP4 and AQP8), significantly elevated the Gas, 5-HT, PGE2, and Ach levels, and reduced nNOS and VIP levels to improve the intestinal luminal transit time and fecal water content. Collectively, these changes resulted in the alleviation of constipation.

Identification of volatile and non-volatile migrants released during sous vide cooking by UPLC-IMS-QTOF and DI-SPME-GC-MS using a design of experiments approach

The rise of new culinary advances combined with science has made it possible to find new optimum methods of cooking, such as vacuum cooking (Sous Vide), that allow achieving pleasant textures, preserving the genuine nature of the food and also its original flavour. Sous Vide involves the direct contact of plastic materials with food during cooking, causing the possible release of chemical compounds that may alter the properties of the food and pose a risk to human health. In this work, the migration kinetics that takes place during this cooking process have been estimated thanks to a design of experiments (DoE). DoE has been applied to 4 samples of vacuum cooking bags containing 3 food simulants (ethanol 10%, acetic acid 3% and isooctane) under typical cooking conditions of the culinary technique. The study also allowed the identification of the main volatile and non-volatile migrants that can be transferred from this particular packaging. Twenty-nine non-volatile species were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole-time-of-flight ion-mobility separation mass spectrometer (UPLC-IMS-QTOF) and sixty-four volatile species were identified by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). Furthermore, a comprehensive literature analysis was conducted to explore the applications, origins, and potential toxicity of these compounds.

Oral Administration Properties Evaluation of Three Milk-derived Extracellular Vesicles Based on Ultracentrifugation Extraction Methods.

Milk-derived extracellular vesicles (M-EVs) are low-cost, can be prepared in large quantities, and can cross the gastrointestinal barrier for oral administration. However, the composition of milk is complex, and M-EVs obtained by different extraction methods may affect their oral delivery. Based on this, we propose a new method for extracting M-EVs based on cryogenic freezing treatment (Cryo-M-EVs) and compare this method with the previously reported acetic acid treatment (Acid-M-EVs) method and the conventional ultracentrifugation method (Ulltr-M-EVs). The new method simplifies the pretreatment step and achieves 25-fold and 2-fold higher yields than Acid-M-EVs and Ulltr-M-EVs. And it was interesting to note that Cryo-M-EVs and Acid-M-EVs had higher cellular uptake efficiency, and Cryo-M-EVs presented the best transepithelial transport effect. After oral administration of the three M-EVs extracted by three methods in mice, Cryo-M-EVs effectively successfully crossed the gastrointestinal barrier and achieved hepatic accumulation, whereas Acid-M-EVs and Ultr-M-EVs mostly resided in the intestine. The M-EVs obtained by the three extraction methods showed a favorable safety profile at the cellular as well as animal level. Therefore, when M-EVs obtained by different extraction methods are used for oral drug delivery, we can utilize their accumulation properties at different sites to better deal with different diseases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Fluorescein@NH2-UiO-66 Probe for Ratiometric Fluorescence Sensing of Trace Phosphate in Water

Abstract Phosphate pollution leads to deterioration in water quality, posing a serious threat to human health. Therefore, it is important to develop a highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe for phosphate detection. Here, we report a novel ratiometric fluorescent probe, Fluorescein@NH2-UiO-66 (denoted as Flu@NH2-UiO-66), for the trace detection of phosphate in water. Specifically, during the in-situ solvothermal synthesis of Flu@NH2-UiO-66, fluorescein molecules were encapsulated into the cavities of the metal-organic framework. Furthermore, the encapsulation amount of fluorescein was controlled by adjusting the acidity of the system. The Flu@NH2-UiO-66 (60 H+) sample, prepared with a 60:1 molar ratio of acetic acid to the metal center exhibited distinct dual fluorescence signal peaks. The probe showed a highly selective fluorescence response to phosphate. Within a range of 0-20 μM phosphate concentration, the probe demonstrated excellent linear detection capability with a detection limit of 0.37 μM. Moreover, the mechanism of fluorescence enhancement can be attributed to the addition of phosphate, which greatly increases the UV absorbance of the probe. This study developed a novel ratiometric fluorescent probe capable of rapid, sensitive, and stable detection of trace phosphate, which is of great significance for environmental management.

In Vivo and In Silico Molecular Modeling Studies of Newly Synthesized Pyrazoles for Their Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Properties

Background: Pyrazole derivatives have gained attention as potential leads for developing anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. Chemical modifications of pyrazole structures offer a strategy to enhance their therapeutic properties, while minimizing undesirable effects. Objective: This study aimed to synthesize novel pyrazole derivatives through chemical modifications and assess their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Methods: A series of pyrazole variants were synthesized by reacting various acetophenone derivatives and diethyl oxalate in basic conditions, followed by treatment with glacial acetic acid and hydrazine hydrate. The resulting compounds were further methylated and acetylated. The synthesized compounds were characterized using elemental analysis, 1H NMR, IR, and MASS spectroscopy. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the rat paw edema technique induced by carrageenan, while the analgesic activity was assessed using the writhing reflux method. Results: Among the newly synthesized pyrazole derivatives, compounds 3b, 3e and 3g′ demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity with reduced ulcerogenic potential. Compounds 3d, 3b′ and 3d′ exhibited notable analgesic activity compared to the standard drug. The chemical modifications introduced in these derivatives were confirmed through spectroscopic analyses. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the potential of pyrazole derivatives as promising candidates for anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug development. The structural modifications performed in this research improved the therapeutic activities of the compounds, while addressing safety concerns. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and optimize the pharmacological profiles of these novel pyrazole derivatives.

Effect of Recycled Concrete Aggregate Addition on the Asphalt Mixtures Performance: ITZ Area, Microstructure, and Chemical Analysis Perspectives

The importance of environmental consciousness and sustainability is increasing among transportation governing bodies worldwide. Many government bodies are concerned with maximizing the usage of recycled substances in road construction. Therefore, assessing the effect of recycled materials consumption is essential, mainly when designing new ‘green’ pavement types. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of different treatments on improving the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) of coarse recycled concrete aggregate (CRCA) and its application in asphalt mixes. Such an aim is accomplished by enhancing its physical and mechanical characteristics, as well as its microstructure. The surface morphology, chemical composition, and intermix phases of the ITZ area and calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) compounds for CRCA were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDAX), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The performance of asphalt mixtures that included treated and untreated CRCA was also examined using different tests. It was found that heat treatment is an effective technique for enhancing the ITZ. However, cracks were seen in the mortar of CRCA when exposed to high temperatures (500 °C), which adversely affects the characteristics of the mortar. Acid treatment appeared to be an effective approach for improving the ITZ area. Nevertheless, the treatment that used acetic acid, a weak acid, was more effective than HCl acid, a strong acid. The outcomes revealed that the ITZ microstructure is significantly enhanced under different treatment types; however, microstructure improvements mainly included increased surface homogeneity and CSH compounds and a reduced Ca/Si ratio. It was also found that the asphalt mixtures with different proportions of untreated CRCA exhibited enhanced resistance to rutting. Furthermore, their tensile strength ratio (TSR) values were above the minimal level requirements. Moreover, the asphalt mixture with 30% CRCA, which was treated with various treatment methods, demonstrated a significant improvement in the mixtures’ mechanical properties; therefore, its application is highly successful and an environmentally friendly solution.

Effect of organic acids on fermentation quality and microbiota of horseshoe residue and corn protein powder

This experiment aimed to investigate the impact of malic acid (MA) and citric acid (CA) on the nutritional composition, fermentation quality, rumen degradation rate, and microbial diversity of a mixture of apple pomace and corn protein powder during ensiling. The experiment used apple pomace and corn protein powder as raw materials, with four groups: control group (CON), malic acid treatment group (MA, 10 g/kg), citric acid treatment group (CA, 10 g/kg), and citric acid + malic acid treatment group (MA, 10 g/kg + CA, 10 g/kg). Each group has 3 replicates, with 2 repetitions in parallel, subjected to mixed ensiling for 60 days. The results indicated: (1) Compared to the CON group, the crude protein content significantly increased in the MA, CA, and MA + CA groups (p < 0.05), with the highest content observed in the MA + CA group. The addition of MA and CA effectively reduced the water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, the CA group showed a decreasing trend in NDFom and hemicellulose content (p = 0.08; p = 0.09). (2) Compared to the CON group, the pH significantly decreased in the MA, CA, and MA + CA groups (p < 0.01), and the three treatment groups exhibited a significant increase in lactic acid and acetic acid content (p < 0.01). The quantity of lactic acid bacteria increased significantly (p < 0.01), with the MA + CA group showing a more significant increase than the MA and CA groups (p < 0.05). (3) Compared to the CON group, the in situ dry matter disappearance (ISDMD) significantly increased in the MA, CA, and MA + CA groups (p < 0.05). All three treatment groups showed highly significant differences in in situ crude protein disappearance (ISCPD) compared to the CON group (p < 0.01). (4) Good’s Coverage for all experimental groups was greater than 0.99, meeting the conditions for subsequent sequencing. Compared to the CON group, the Shannon index significantly increased in the CA group (p < 0.01), and the Simpson index increased significantly in the MA group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the Chao index among the three treatment groups and the CON group (p > 0.05). At the genus level, the abundance of Lentilactobacillus in the MA, CA, and MA + CA groups was significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). PICRUSt prediction results indicated that the metabolic functional microbial groups in the CA and MA treatment groups were significantly higher than in the CON group (p < 0.05), suggesting that the addition of MA or CA could reduce the loss of nutritional components such as protein and carbohydrates in mixed ensilage. In conclusion, the addition of malic acid and citric acid to a mixture of apple pomace and corn protein powder during ensiling reduces nutritional losses, improves fermentation quality and rumen degradation rate, enhances the diversity of the microbial community in ensiled feed, and improves microbial structure. The combined addition of malic acid and citric acid demonstrates a superior effect.

Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Micropropagation of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) in Commercial-Scales

Aim: Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is renowned as a popular spice used to flavor dishes around the world and is also an agricultural export commodity that brings high economic value to many countries. However, traditional propagation methods by seed, cuttings, layering, and grafting reveal many limitations such as the low multiplication coefficient, the low survival rate of seedlings, and especially when there is an outbreak of disease, the ability to control the disease source is exceedingly difficult, leading to the spread of disease. Therefore, an alternative method through apical meristem micropropagation has been applied to contribute to sustainable and disease free pepper cultivars. Propagation by apical shoot meristem gives high propagation efficiency, good and uniform seedling quality, and can be propagated in large numbers in a brief period. Methodology: This study is conducted to contribute to optimizing the process of micropropagation of pepper plants to meet the needs of producing excellent quality seedlings, serving the Vietnamese pepper industry. The two steps in the micropropagation sequence studied in this project are shoot formation and bud cluster multiplication. In this study, we investigate the effects of BA (6-Benzylaminopurine) and NAA (α-Naphthalene acetic acid) in shoot formation. Regenerated shoots were then cultured in MS media supplemented with different combinations of Kinetin (6-Furfurylaminopurine) and NAA in bud cluster multiplication experiment. Results: The results showed that the apical shoot meristem cultured on MS medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) supplemented with 0.5 mg L-1 NAA and 2.0 mg L-1 BA was the optimal medium for shoot formation rate (100%). Besides, MS culture medium supplemented with Kinetin 1.5 mg L-1 + NAA 0.5 mg L-1 produced superior results in bud cluster multiplication compared with other treatments (8, 20 buds) after 8 weeks (about 2 months). Conclusion: BA, Kinetin and NAA give important rules on micropropagation of black pepper in commercial-scale.

Characterization of a Food‐Safe Colorimetric Indicator Based on Black Rice Anthocyanin/PET Films for Visual Analysis of Fish Spoilage

ABSTRACTThe safety of food products is of prime importance for consumers and manufacturers. Many means can be used to validate a food product's safety before it is consumed. This study is about the preparation, characterization and evaluation of a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) sensitive colorimetric sensor that detects volatile gases (TVB‐N) resulting from fish spoilage, thus indicating the pH variation of packaged fish products. This is performed by coating a thin layer of ink sensors on the surface of the supporting matrix (corona‐treated PET). Various visual pH indicators were prepared based on black rice anthocyanin as an FDA‐approved dye. Black rice, which contains more than 80% cyanidin‐3‐glucoside, is the most prevalent anthocyanin component. Because of its low toxicity and high concentration, it can be utilized as a natural food colourant. pH indicators based on black rice can show distinct colours in various pH: from red (low pH) to violet (4–6) and deep purple/blue (6–7), blue (7–9) to yellowish/light brown (9–13) throughout the acid–base reaction by the analyte. The ink formulation was prepared by incorporating a binder system (PVOH‐PEG) for higher surface wettability, a crosslinking agent (citric acid) for higher adhesion, an antifoaming agent (natural vanillin) and acetic acid as a pH fixing agent. Corona treatments affected substrate surface chemistry in this study. The samples with thermal treatment passed the ASTM D3330 tape test, the 8000 passages for dry sponge and the 25 passages for wet sponge through the abrasion method. Anthocyanin concentration in formulated ink based on calculation by UV–vis spectra is 0.240 mg/100 g. Sensitivity tests towards TVB‐N gases were carried out at a temperature of 4°C to evaluate the performance of colorimetric films with formulated ink along with thermal treatment (temperature: 165°C, time: 5 min) using the volatile gases emitted by the fish sample inside the package.

Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties of Inhomogeneous Clay Nano-Particles Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch

This research investigated the development of biodegradable bioplastic as a possible replacement for petroleum-based plastics, which constitute a serious environmental hazard. These hazards include but are not limited to flooding resulting from blocked sewage and danger to aquatic life in marine environments. The solution casting method was used to blend inhomogeneous kaolinite clay nano-particles with distilled water, starch, dilute acetic and nitric acids to produce different compositions of thermoplastic starch (TPS)/Clay composites with clay reinforcements ranging from 2.5 to 10 wt.%. The composites were characterized using an X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the mechanical and water absorption properties were determined. The result revealed a 9-fold improvement in the tensile strength (0.72 MPa), flexural strength increased 5-fold (3.34 MPa), and hardness increased 2-fold (23.56 HVN) as well as a reduction in water absorption by 3-fold (6.63%) when compared to the control. Furthermore, the 10 wt.% clay content composite showed the highest mechanical properties. The significant improvement in the listed properties was attributed to a reduction in crystallinity and the formation of new chemical bonds between the thermoplastic starch and the nano-clay. It was observed that the properties of the composites can be further enhanced if a synchronized machine blender (such as an extruder) is employed.

Enhancing probiotic impact: engineering Saccharomyces boulardii for optimal acetic acid production and gastric passage tolerance.

Saccharomyces boulardii has been a subject of growing interest due to its potential as a probiotic microorganism with applications in gastrointestinal health, but the molecular cause for its probiotic potency has remained elusive. The recent discovery that S. boulardii contains unique mutations causing high acetic acid accumulation and inhibition of bacterial growth provides a possible clue. The natural S. boulardii isolates Sb.P and Sb.A are homozygous for the recessive mutation whi2S270* and accumulate unusually high amounts of acetic acid, which strongly inhibit bacterial growth. However, the homozygous whi2S270* mutation also leads to acetic acid sensitivity and acid sensitivity in general. In the present study, we have constructed a new S. boulardii strain, derived from the widely therapeutically used CMCN I-745 strain (isolated from the pharmaceutical product Enterol), producing even higher levels of acetic acid while keeping the same tolerance toward low pH as the parent Enterol (ENT) strain. This newly engineered strain, named ENT3, has a homozygous deletion of ACH1 and strong overexpression of ALD4. It is also able to accumulate much higher acetic acid concentrations when growing on low glucose levels, in contrast to the ENT wild-type and Sb.P strains. Moreover, we show the antimicrobial capacity of ENT3 against gut pathogens in vitro and observed that higher acetic acid production might correlate with better persistence in the gut in healthy mice. These findings underscore the possible role of the unique acetic acid production and its potential for improvement of the probiotic action of S. boulardii.IMPORTANCESuperior variants of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii produce high levels of acetic acid, which inhibit the growth of bacterial pathogens. However, these strains also show increased acid sensitivity, which can compromise the viability of the cells during their passage through the stomach. In this work, we have developed by genetic engineering a variant of Saccharomyces boulardii that produces even higher levels of acetic acid and does not show enhanced acid sensitivity. We also show that the S. boulardii yeasts with higher acetic acid production persist longer in the gut, in agreement with a previous work indicating competition between probiotic yeast and bacteria for residence in the gut.

Influence of pH on Room-Temperature Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Flexible Gas Sensor Applications

This research contributes to work on synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) at room temperature (RT) and their utilization in flexible gas sensors. RT ZnO NP synthesis with a basicity solution (pH ≈ 13) demonstrates an efficient method for synthesizing well-crystalline ZnO NPs (RT.pH13) comparable to those synthesized by the hydrothermal method (hyd.C). The RT.pH13 achieved a high thermal stability with minimal organic reside impurities (~4.2 wt%), 30–80 nm particle size distribution, and a specific surface area (14 m2 g−1). The synthesized pre- and post-calcinated RT.pH13 NPs were then incorporated into flexible sensors for gas sensing applications at ambient conditions (RT and relative humidity of 30–50%). The pre-calcinated ZnO-based sensor (RT.pH13) demonstrated superior sensitivity to styrene and acetic acid and lower sensitivity to dimethyl-6-octenal. The calcinated ZnO-based sensor (RT.pH13.C) exhibited lower sensitivity to styrene and acetic acid, but heightened sensitivity to benzene, acetone, and ethanol. This suggests a correlation between sensitivity and structural transformations following calcination. The investigation of the sensing mechanisms highlighted the role of surface properties in the sensors’ affinity for specific gas molecules and temperature and humidity variations. The study further explored the sensors’ mechanical flexibility, which is crucial for flexible Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Temporal and Spatial Variation Study on Corrosion of High-Strength Steel Wires in the Suspender of CFST Arch Bridge

The corrosion and degradation behavior of high-strength steel wires during service directly affect the safety and usability of suspenders in steel pipe concrete arch bridges. In this study, three different types of specimens were fabricated using steel wires extracted from the suspenders of an 11-year-old in-service arch bridge and subjected to accelerated corrosion tests with acetic acid. Considering the differential diffusion processes of corrosion factors caused by varying degrees of damage to the suspender sheath, the spatial corrosion variability of steel wires at different positions within the suspender cross-section was investigated. Experimental results indicated a two-stage characteristic in the corrosion process of individual galvanized steel wire samples. In the first corrosion stage, the microstructure on the corroded steel wire surface evolved from a dense crystalline structure to a porous one. In the second corrosion stage, corrosion products accumulate on the steel wire substrate, subsequently further aggregating into sheet-like structures. The maximum pitting factor of individual steel wire samples from a specific area could be described by a Type I extreme value distribution. In the time-dependent model that was established, the location parameter and scale parameter exhibited an exponential decrease during the first corrosion stage and a linear decrease during the second corrosion stage. In the absence of sheath protection, the coefficient of variation in corrosion among adjacent steel wires in the suspender followed a normal distribution. The spatial corrosion variability of the wires inside the suspender is significantly influenced by the shape of the suspender sheath damage. As the corrosion time increased, the overall discrepancy in corrosion levels among different layers of wires diminished.

Changes in chemical properties and microbial communities' composition of a forest litter-based biofertilizer produced through aerated solid-state culture under different oxygen conditions.

Fermented forest litter (FFL) is a bioproduct used as biofertilizer for several decades in Eastern Asia and Latin America. It is locally handcrafted by farmers in anaerobic conditions by fermenting forest litter added with agricultural by-products such as whey, cereal bran, and molasses. The aim of this study was to characterize the FFL process and product through gas and liquid chromatography analyses. It also provides some highlights on the influence of O2 on this solid-state culture. Under anoxic condition, a maximum CO2 production rate (CDPR) of 0.41mL/h∙g dry matter (dm) was reached after 8days. The main volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were ethanol and ethyl acetate, with a production rate profile similar to CDPR. After 21days of culture, no residual sucrose nor lactose was detected. Lactic and acetic acids reached 58.8mg/g dm and 10.2mg/g dm, respectively, ensuring the acidification of the matrix to a final pH of 4.72. A metabarcoding analysis revealed that heterolactic acid bacteria (Lentilactobacillus, Leuconostoc), homolactic acid bacteria (Lactococcus), and yeasts (Saccharomyces, Clavispora) were predominant. Predicted genes in the microbiome confirmed the potential link between detected bacteria and acids and VOCs produced. When O2 was fed to the cultures, final pH reached values up to 8.5. No significant amounts of lactic nor acetic acid were found. In addition, a strong shift in microbial communities was observed, with a predominance of Proteobacteria and molds, among which are potential pathogens like Fusarium species. This suggests that particular care must be brought to maintain anoxic conditions throughout the process.

Development and validation of stability indicating ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatographic method for assay and impurities of mexiletine hydrochloride and mexiletine hydrochloride capsules

AbstractMexiletine (MEX) is an antiarrhythmic drug used to treat acute and chronic ventricular arrhythmias. A simple isocratic, rapid, specific, stability‐indicating, and sensitive reverse‐phase ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method was developed and successfully validated to quantify the assay and impurities of MEX hydrochloride. The new UHPLC method showed the optimum separation of MEX and its seven impurities in 20 min by using sodium acetate buffer (0.14 mM) with 0.3% of glacial acetic acid (pH 4.8) and methanol in the ratio of 40:60 (v/v) as mobile phase. The method used an Acquity HSS T3 (100 × 3.0 mm, 1.8 µm) chromatographic column at a 0.2 mL/min flow rate. The injection volume is 2 µL, and 254 nm is the detection wavelength. Note that, 25°C is the column oven temperature. The method is linear over the concentration range of the quantification limit (0.03%) to 150% (0.3%) of the specification level (0.2%) for the impurities and 50%–150% for the assay method. The quality control lab of bulk drugs and finished dosage form successfully applied the new UHPLC method for quantification of assay and impurities of MEX hydrochloride.

Genetic engineering of a thermophilic acetogen, Moorella thermoacetica Y72, to enable acetoin production

Acetogens are among the key microorganisms involved in the bioproduction of commodity chemicals from diverse carbon resources, such as biomass and waste gas. Thermophilic acetogens are particularly attractive because fermentation at higher temperatures offers multiple advantages. However, the main target product is acetic acid. Therefore, it is necessary to reshape metabolism using genetic engineering to produce the desired chemicals with varied carbon lengths. Although such metabolic engineering has been hampered by the difficulty involved in genetic modification, a model thermophilic acetogen, M. thermoacetica ATCC 39073, is the case with a few successful cases of C2 and C3 compound production, other than acetate. This brief report attempts to expand the product spectrum to include C4 compounds by using strain Y72 of Moorella thermoacetica. Strain Y72 is a strain related to the type strain ATCC 39073 and has been reported to have a less stringent restriction-modification system, which could alleviate the cumbersome transformation process. A simplified procedure successfully introduced a key enzyme for acetoin (a C4 chemical) production, and the resulting strains produced acetoin from sugars and gaseous substrates. The culture profile revealed varied acetoin yields depending on the type of substrate and culture conditions, implying the need for further engineering in the future. Thus, the use of a user-friendly chassis could benefit the genetic engineering of M. thermoacetica.