Acid Yield Research Articles

The Study on Growth and Yield Attributing Characteristics of Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) Using Foliar Spray of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA)

Chilli (Capsicum annum L.), is one of the most important spice crops in India. It is widely used in many cuisines as a spice to add hot flavour to dishes and sauces. The production of chilli is affected by several factors governed not only by the inherent genetic factors but also by several environmental factors and management practices. Therefore, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Maulasar, Nagaur-II, Rajasthan (Agriculture University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India) initiated to conduct On Farm Testing (OFT) forassess the effect of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) ongrowth and yield Attributing characteristics of chilli. The present OFT was carried out at 20 farmers fields of Nagaur district of Rajasthan under supervision of KVK, Nagaur-II, Rajasthan during Zaid season of two consecutive years i.e., 2020-21 and 2021-22. The pooled data of both the years indicated that the foliar spray of naphthalene acetic acid @ 20 PPM increased plant height (70.45 cm), number of branches/plant (14.15), fruit set (49.42%), fruit length (8.40 cm), fruit weight (3.65 g), number of fruits/plant (133.55), fruit yield (292.50 q/ha), net return (₹ 345100) and benefit cost ratio (4.68) as compared to farmers practices (no use of PGR).It isalso observed that days taken to first harvest was almost two weeks earlier with the spray ofNAA. It was 84.50 days after transplanting in treatment (NAA @ 20 PPM) whereas; it was maximum (97.35 days) in control.

Effect of biostimulants on root yield and quality of carrots across different growing seasons

ABSTRACT Abiotic stresses are causes of losses in crop yield and quality. New technologies, including growth-enhancing products, have been tested to mitigate this impact. The application of biostimulants has shown promise in managing biotic and abiotic stress-related damage. This study evaluates the effect of a phytohormone-based biostimulant on root yield and quality of two carrot cultivars across two contrasting growing seasons. Randomised block trials were arranged in a split-plot scheme with four replicates. The carrot cultivars Nantes and Brasília were assigned to plots, and five Stimulate® doses (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mL L−1) to subplots. Traits assessed included root length and diameter, fresh and dry mass, root volume, β-carotene, soluble sugar, pH, titratable acidity and total root yield. A combined analysis of both trials was conducted to investigate the effect of planting time on yield and quality. Biostimulant dosage influenced root length, with 12.91 mL L−1, obtained by the regression curve, resulting in the longest roots during summer. Biostimulants had no impact on other traits, except for soluble solids, which decreased with increasing dosage. Brasília outperformed Nantes in all traits except titratable acidity. Midseason planting was advantageous for traits such as root fresh mass, total yield, root volume and diameter, especially for Brasília.

N-glycosylation-modifications-driven conformational dynamics attenuate substrate inhibition of d-lactonohydrolase.

Achieving enzyme catalysis at high substrate concentrations is a substantial challenge in industrial biocatalysis, and the role of glycosylation in post-translational modifications that modulate enzyme substrate inhibition remains poorly understood. This study provides insights into the role of N-glycosylation in substrate inhibition by comparing the catalytic properties of d-lactonohydrolase (d-Lac) derived from Fusarium moniliforme expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts. Experimental evidence indicates that recombinant d-Lac expressed in Pichia pastoris (PpLac-WT) exhibits higher hydrolysis rates at a substrate concentration of 400g/L, with reduced substrate inhibition and enhanced stability compared to the recombinant d-Lac expressed in Escherichia coli (EcLac-WT). Mutant PpLac-M1 achieves a conversion rate of 40% at a substrate concentration of 400g/L, with a space-time yield of d-pantoic acid reaching 91.1g/L/h. Proteomics analysis reveals that residues N29 and N278, located approximately 10-20Å from the active site undergo N-glycosylation in PpLac-WT. Using microsecond-scale molecular dynamics simulations and Markov state models, we elucidate the effects of glycosylation on the conformational flexibility of two key loops at the entrance of the binding pocket. Specifically, the loops in PpLac-WT can transition between open and closed states, whereas those in EcLac-WT tend to remain open. In high substrate concentration conditions, the open state causes congestion, leading to substrate inhibition. Shortest-path map analysis confirms that substrate entry is dynamically controlled by residue N29 on the loops surrounding the active site. Our findings enhance the understanding of the effects of glycosylation on enzyme conformational dynamics and provide insights into mitigating inhibition at high substrate concentrations.

Caproic acid production is linked to biomass activity during xylose fermentation

This study aims at addressing inconsistencies in literature regarding the organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) effect on caproic acid production, using biomass activity as an indicator. Xylose was fully consumed in the reference CSTR and SBR (HRT = 1-day; OLR = 12 gCOD/(L·d)), but different caproic acid yields (0.02 vs 0.11 Cmol/Cmol-s) were observed, which was linked to differences in biomass activity (12 vs 3.5 g/(g VSS·d)). At HRT 0.5 days, xylose conversion was incomplete and lactic acid and ethanol appeared, reducing caproic acid production. However, increasing xylose concentration in the feeding to 24 g COD/L did not change the caproic acid yield (0.12 Cmol/Cmol-s), which was explained by similar biomass activity as in the reference SBR (4.8 g/(g VSS·d)). These findings indicate that the SBR is the optimal configuration, since it allows maintaining a low biomass activity and therefore a high caproic acid yield.

Targeted volatile fatty acid production based on lactate platform in mixed culture fermentation: Insights into carbon conversion and microbial metabolic traits.

In this study, the effects of fermentation pH and redox potential on the performance of the lactate platform were comprehensively evaluated. The results indicated that the type of acidogenic fermentation was influenced by redox potential, while pH was correlated with volatile fatty acid yield. The highest propionate yield was achieved under anaerobic conditions at a pH of9, with the dominant genus Serpentinicella producing propionate through the acrylate pathway. The highest acetate yield was produced under facultative conditions at a pH of 6. This production was primarily facilitated by the dominant genera unclassified_f__Enterobacteriaceae and Desulfovibrio, which exhibited significant upregulation of the expression of related genes. Furthermore, ecological processes were employed to establish the relationship between environmental factors and microbial communities. This study emphasized the process of converting lactate into volatile fatty acid, providing a theoretical basis for future strategies aimed at regulating targeted acid production.

Advances in L-Lactic Acid Production from Lignocellulose Using Genetically Modified Microbial Systems

Lactic acid is a vital organic acid with a wide range of industrial applications, particularly in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biomedical sectors. The conventional production of lactic acid from refined sugars poses high costs and significant environmental impacts, leading to the exploration of alternative raw materials and more sustainable processes. Lignocellulosic biomass, particularly agro-industrial residues such as agave bagasse, represents a promising substrate for lactic acid production. Agave bagasse, a by-product of the tequila and mezcal industries, is rich in fermentable carbohydrates, making it an ideal raw material for biotechnological processes. The use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), particularly genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs), has been shown to enhance fermentation efficiency and lactic acid yield. This review explores the potential of lignocellulosic biomass as a substrate for microbial fermentation to produce lactic acid and other high-value products. It covers the composition and pretreatment of some agricultural residues, the selection of suitable microorganisms, and the optimization of fermentation conditions. The paper highlights the promising future of agro-industrial residue valorization through biotechnological processes and the sustainable production of lactic acid as an alternative to conventional methods.

Tuning metal-support interactions in MOF-derived CoNi@NC supported Pd catalysts for efficient hydrogenation of bicarbonate using glycerol as a hydrogen donor.

The hydrogenation of bicarbonate, a byproduct of CO2 captured in alkaline solutions, into formic acid (FA) using glycerol (GLY) as a hydrogen source offers a promising carbon-negative strategy for reducing CO2 emissions. While Pd-based catalysts are effective in this reaction, they often require high temperatures, leading to low FA yield due to strong hydrogen adsorption on Pd surfaces. In this work, metal-organic framework derived N-doped carbon encapsulated CoNi alloy nanoparticles (CoNi@NC) were prepared, acid-leached, and employed as a support to modulate the electronic structure of Pd-based catalysts. The electron transfer driven by the Mott-Schottky effect increases the electron density of Pd, lowers its d-band center, and thereby weakens hydrogen adsorption on Pd. Consequently, Pd/CoNi@NC achieved a full conversion of GLY with 87.2% yield of lactic acid and 57.3% yield of FA, outperforming Pd/NC and Pd/C. Additionally, Pd/CoNi@NC demonstrated high catalytic stability and was magnetically separable for ease of use.

Regulating Intermediate Adsorption and Promoting Charge Transfer of CoCr-LDHs by Ce Doping for Enhancing Electrooxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural.

Electrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMFOR) to generate high-value chemicals under mild conditions acts as an energy-saving and sustainable strategy. However, it is still challenging to develop electrocatalysts with high efficiency and good durability. Here, nickel foam (NF) supported CoCrCe(7.5%)-LDH (layered double hydroxides) by doping Ce into CoCr-LDH show high 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)conversion (99%), 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) yield (99%), and Faraday efficiency (100%) at 1.4 VRHE. The CoCrCe(7.5%)-LDH also exhibits remarkable stability with 97% conversion of HMF after 10 cycles. The X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and theoretical calculation show that Ce doping into CoCr-LDH is beneficial to the formation of high-valance Co and significantly facilitates the electron transfer, regulates the adsorption behavior of intermediates, reduces the Gibbs free energy barrier and accelerates the reaction rate. This work promotes the use of rare earth elements as electrocatalysts to promote the oxidation of HMF.

Synthetic biology meets Aspergillus: engineering strategies for next-generation organic acid production.

Organic acids constitute a vital category of chemical raw materials. They have extensive applications in industries such as polymers, food, and pharmaceuticals. Currently, industrial production predominantly relies on microbial fermentation. Aspergillus, due to its unique metabolic capabilities, has become an important microbial resource for organic acid production. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on genetic engineering of Aspergillus to increase its yield of organic acids. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current advancement and future directions in the application of genetic engineering techniques to enhance organic production in Aspergillus, specifically highlighting achievement in reconstructing metabolic pathways for desired products, eliminating by-products, modifying regulatory pathways, and engineering mycelial morphology. Furthermore, this review also focuses on the strategies and genetic tools applied in Aspergillus, with particular emphasis on the potential applications and challenges of CRISPR-based biosensors in organic acid fermentation. By providing insights into these developments, we aim to offer theoretical guidance and innovative approaches for enhancing the efficiency of Aspergillus strains in industrial organic acid production.

Development of Homogeneous Carboxylation of Phenolates via Kolbe-Schmitt Reaction.

In this study, the homogeneous carboxylation of potassium, sodium, and lithium phenolates in DMSO solution at 100 °C by the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction was investigated. The impact of water, phenolate concentration, and cation nature on the yield of products and reaction selectivity was demonstrated. Based on the patterns observed, it was concluded that a complex cluster mechanism governs the carboxylation reaction in the solution. The use of a homogeneous reaction medium allowed for convenient testing of various additives to assess their impact on the reaction. Basic additives such as sodium salts of mesitol, tert-butylcalix[4]arene, sodium isopropyl, and tert-butyl cabonates were found to enhance the reaction, increasing the yield of hydroxybenzoic acids by 20% (to 61.6%). The main product in the DMSO solution was identified as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, in contrast to the classical Kolbe-Schmitt method which typically yields 2-hydroxybenzoic (salicylic) acid. The use of 13C NMR spectroscopy enabled the observation of a "carbonate complex" in the solution for the first time, with the carbonate carbon displaying a chemical shift value of 142 ppm, an unusual finding for stable carbonates, and located between the signals of free dissolved CO2 and carboxylate derivatives.

Key enzymatic activities and metabolic pathway dynamics in acidogenic fermentation of food waste: Impact of pH and organic loading rate.

Acidogenic fermentation was an effective technology to recover volatile fatty acids (VFAs) ethanol and lactic acid from food wastes (FW) as bioresources. However, the impact of process controls on key functional enzymes and metabolic pathways has been inadequately understood. In this study, the metabolite distribution, key functional enzymes and metabolic pathways were completely elucidated using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing combined with PICRUSt2. Results demonstrated pH significantly affected fermentation types by influencing key enzyme activities, while organic loading rate (OLR) primarily affected the yield without altering metabolic pathway. The maximum VFAs production was achieved at pH 6.0 and OLR of 15.0g-VS/L/d as a result of Glycolysis and Pyruvate Metabolism were enhanced. Meanwhile, butyric acid was always dominant product, attributed to the enhanced activity of butyryl-CoA dehydrogenasedue. Furthermore, Lactobacillus enrichment and lactate dehydrogenase upregulation promoted lactate-type fermentation under without pH control (3.8), resulting in an average yield of lactic acid was 7.84g/L. When the pH was raised from 3.8 to 5.0,downregulation of lactate dehydrogenase and upregulation of acetate kinase shifted the fermentation to acetate-type. This study provides a deeper understanding of how does process controls influence the metabolic pathways and key functional enzymes.

Utilization of acid whey and oat pomace in succinic acid fermentation.

of this study was to investigate the by-products acid whey and oat pomace as nutrient sources for succinic acid production by Actinobacillus succinogenes. Both by-products provide carbon sources in form of glucose and/or lactose without any pre-treatment. Yields of succinic acid per g total sugars consumed after 24hours were between 0.6 and 0.7 in control medium, acid whey, and in acid whey/oat pomace mixtures. A yield of more than 0.8g per g was found in oat pomace after 24hours, which further increased to 1.0g per g after 48hours. For the fermentation carried out with acid whey and oat pomace mixed at a ratio of 1:1 a productivity of 0.52gL-1 h-1 was obtained. The productivities in control medium, acid whey, oat pomace, acid whey/oat pomace (2:1), and acid whey/oat pomace (3:1) were 16%, 75%, 48%, 46%, and 48% less, respectively, indicating the necessity of finding the right balance of nutrients. The results of this study contribute to the decentralized utilization of food residues and even, despite the high value of succinic acid as platform chemical, to a recirculation into new food products.

Continuous-flow synthesis of carboxylic acids from alcohols via platinum and silicon dioxide-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide oxidation.

A continuous-flow method for the direct oxidation of alcohols to carboxylic acids is reported, employing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a platinum (Pt) catalyst within a flow reactor system. This approach allows for precise control over the contact time between the reactants and the catalyst, enabling optimization of reaction conditions. By analyzing the yields of both aldehydes and carboxylic acids as a function of weight hourly space velocity (WHSV), selective synthesis of carboxylic acids was achieved without the formation of corresponding aldehydes. The Pt catalyst exhibited excellent stability, producing 25.2 g of octanoic acid from 1-octanol with a yield exceeding 96% over 210 h at a WHSV of 1.3 h-1 using a 5 mm inner diameter × 100 mm column. This Pt-catalyzed continuous-flow H2O2 oxidation method demonstrates good reactivity for a variety of alcohols, including aliphatic, aromatic, allylic, and heteroaromatic, affording the corresponding carboxylic acids in 19-98% isolated yields with water as the sole byproduct. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the preservation of metallic zero-valent Pt (Pt(0)) throughout the reaction.

A rapid turnaround time workflow for a cytological liquid biopsy assay using FNA supernatant specimens.

Genomic profiling is essential in the management of non-small cell lung cancer. However, this may often be challenging because of limited cytological tissue and extended turnaround time (TAT) for next-generation sequencing (NGS). This study aims to describe a rapid TAT workflow for molecular profiling using fine-needle aspiration (FNA) supernatants. A fully automated total nucleic acid extraction using the Genexus Integrated System was compared to a manual extraction using FNA supernatants from 50 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Molecular profiling using the 50 gene Oncomine Precision Assay GX panel was performed and NGS results were compared with those of paired tissue samples. The FNA samples processed using the automated Genexus purification system (n=42) and the manual extraction method (n=8) showed comparable quality control metrics with a median total nucleic acid yield of 1230 ng (18-17720 ng) and 1068 ng (777-1740 ng), respectively. The Genexus purification system reduced the hands-on time from 120 to 30 minutes, enhancing workflow efficiency and decreasing the overall TAT. Of the 50 samples extracted, NGS was performed on 26 samples: seven via manual extraction and 19 using automated extraction. NGS quality control metrics were also comparable between both extraction methods. The overall TAT of the automated NGS workflow from specimen received to test result was 24 hours, providing rapid and reliable molecular results for timely clinical decision-making and improved patient outcomes.

Selective photocatalytic glucaric acid production from TEMPO-mediated glucose oxidation on alkalized carbon nitride

Biomass photorefining is a promising approach for sustainable clean energy and high-value chemical production. However, selectively converting glucose into glucaric acid, the most valuable derivative, still poses a significant challenge due to the difficulty in transforming the terminal hydroxyl group into a carboxy group. Here, we demonstrate that highly selective glucose photorefining into glucaric acid can be achieved by synergistically coupling alkalizing modification of polymeric carbon nitride (CN) with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) mediation, which promotes the oxidation of the primary alcohol group attached to the C6 site of gluconic acid. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations affirm the enhanced performance of modified CN in glucaric acid production. When medicated with TEMPO, the optimized photocatalysis achieves ~100% glucose conversion and >30% glucaric acid yield, setting a record for photocatalytic glucaric acid production. This work showcases the significance of combining photocatalyst modification and redox mediation for inspiring high-efficiency photocatalysis systems for biomass photorefining.

Improving eicosapentaenoic acid yield by constructing an enzyme-constrained model of Schizochytrium

Improving eicosapentaenoic acid yield by constructing an enzyme-constrained model of Schizochytrium

Optimising medium chain carboxylate production in xylan mixed-culture monofermentation.

This work investigates the optimization of medium-chain carboxylate (MCC) production through xylan mixed-culture monofermentation. The pH screening in batch assays showed that the hydrolysis stage and selectivity towards MCC precursors were optimised at pH 6. Subsequently, a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) were operated at different Hydraulic Retention Times (HRT), revealing that the SBR at HRT 2 days yielded the highest caproic acid since lactic acid availability and chain elongation process were balanced. An enriched medium with yeast extract and vitamins favoured the growth of chain elongators, and therefore, the MCC production. Moreover, cross-feeding interaction between bacteria in xylan fermentation was observed, and Pseudoramibacter was present in the highest caproic acid yields. This work highlights the impact of selecting the proper operational window to optimise one-stage MCC production.

Balancing Competitive Adsorption on Co3O4@P, N‐Doped Porous Carbon to Enhance the Electrocatalytic Upgrading of Biomass Derivatives

AbstractThe electrocatalytic oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) represents an environmentally friendly approach to generate high‐value‐added chemicals from biomass. The successful electrochemical transformation of HMF during the oxidation reaction (HMFOR) necessitates an ideal adsorption interaction between HMF and OH− on the electrode surface. Yet, catalysts with a singular active site offer limited flexibility in managing the competitive adsorption of HMF and OH−. To this end, different active sites are customized in this work to construct a P and N co‐doped porous carbon that wrapped Co3O4 (Co3O4@PNC). Co‐doping with these two heteroatoms generates C3P = O and pyrrolic N as adsorption sites to better balance the adsorption of HMF and OH−, respectively, rather than promoting competition between the HMF and OH− on a single active site. With this design strategy, Co3O4@PNC demonstrates significant HMFOR activity, the conversion rate of HMF surpassed 99% with a 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) yield exceeding 95% after 2 h of electrolysis. Furthermore, it shows universal applicability in the electrooxidation of other alcohol/aldehyde substrates, yielding efficiencies of 90–99%. This work not only provides guidance for advanced electrocatalysts design toward alcohol/aldehyde oxidation but also offers insights into the utilization of biomass‐derived platform chemicals.

Simultaneous Coproduction of Xylonic Acid and Xylitol: Leveraging In Situ Hydrogen Generation and Utilization from Xylose.

Pentose oxidation and reduction, processes yielding value-added sugar-derived acids and alcohols, typically involve separate procedures necessitating distinct reaction conditions. In this study, a novel one-pot reaction for the concurrent production of xylonic acid and xylitol from xylose is proposed. This reaction was executed at ambient temperature in the presence of a base, eliminating the need for external gases, by leveraging Pt-supported catalysts. Initial experiments using commercially available metal-supported carbon catalysts validated the superior activity of Pt. However, a notable decline in recycling performance was observed in Pt/C, which is attributed to the sintering of Pt nanoparticles. In contrast, the synthesized Pt-supported ZrO2 catalysts exhibited enhanced recycling performance because of the strong metal-support interaction between Pt and the ZrO2 support. Furthermore, mechanistic insights and density functional theory calculations show that product desorption involves a significantly higher energy barrier compared to substrate adsorption and hydrogenation, highlighting an efficient transfer hydrogenation mechanism leading to equivalent yields of both xylonic acid and xylitol. This study introduces a promising approach for the simultaneous production of sugar-derived acids and alcohols, with implications for sustainable catalysis and process optimization.

Physiological evaluation of nano DAP on growth and yield of tomato

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a solanaceous crop, is widely cultivated worldwide. This study evaluates the impact of Nano DAP (diammonium phosphate) on morpho-physiological traits, biochemical properties, yield, and quality parameters. Eight treatments comprising varying proportions of DAP and Nano DAP were evaluated for traits including plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll index, total dry matter production, gas exchange parameters, leaf soluble protein, total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, firmness and fruit yield. The hybrid tomato variety 'Shivam' was cultivated in pot culture under a glasshouse at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, using a completely randomized design with five replications. Foliar sprays with different proportions of nano DAP and DAP were applied 30 and 45 days after transplanting. Among the treatments, 75% RDNP (recommended nitrogen and phosphorus dose) combined with two foliar sprays of nano DAP @ 0.7% (T5) significantly increased plant height (48.90 cm and 54.31 cm), chlorophyll index (40.05 and 42.15), dry matter production (55.45 g plant?¹), TSS (5.52 Brix), fruit production, and ascorbic acid content. This treatment also improved gas exchange parameters, fruit firmness, and overall `growth and productivity compared to other treatments. Conversely, the absolute control group demonstrated the lowest performance across all parameters. The study highlights that combining both conventional fertilizers with Nano DAP considerably improves tomato growth by enhancing nutrient absorption, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for cell division, photosynthesis, and energy transfer. Nano DAP, due to its small particle size and large surface area, effectively penetrates plant tissues, increasing nutrient availability, chlorophyll content, and plant height. These findings underscore the potential of Nano DAP to substantially enhance tomato yield and quality, thereby contributing to sustainable crop production.