Acid Hydrolysis Research Articles

A Highly Stable, Multifunctional Janus Dressing for Treating Infected Wounds.

The limited and unstable absorption of excess exudate is a major challenge during the healing of infected wounds. In this study, a highly stable, multifunctional Janus dressing with unidirectional exudate transfer capacity is fabricated based on a single poly(lactide caprolactone) (PLCL). The success of this method relies on an acid hydrolysis reaction that transforms PLCL fibers from hydrophobic to hydrophilic in situ. The resulting interfacial affinity between the hydrophilic/phobic PLCL fibers endows the Janus structure with excellent unidirectional liquid transfer and high structural stability against repeated stretching, bending, and twisting. Various other functions, including wound status detection, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, are also integrated into the dressing by incorporating phenol red and epigallocatechin gallate. An in vivo methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-infected wound model confirms that the Janus dressing, with the capability to remove exudate from the infected site, not only facilitates epithelialization and collagen deposition, but also ensures low inflammation and high angiogenesis, thus reaching an ideal closure rate up to 98.4% on day 14. The simple structure, multiple functions, and easy fabrication of the dressing may offer a promising strategy for treating chronic wounds, rooted in the challenges of bacterial infection, excessive exudate, and persistent inflammation.

Photolysis of tolfenamic acid in aqueous and organic solvents: a kinetic study.

Tolfenamic acid (TA) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that was studied for its photodegradation in aqueous (pH 2.0-12.0) and organic solvents (acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol). TA follows first-order kinetics for its photodegradation, and the apparent first-order rate constants (k obs) are in the range of 0.65 (pH 12.0) to 6.94 × 10-2 (pH 3.0) min-1 in aqueous solution and 3.28 (1-butanol) to 7.69 × 10-4 (acetonitrile) min-1 in organic solvents. The rate-pH profile for TA photodegradation is an inverted V (∧) or V-top shape, indicating that the cationic form is more susceptible to acid hydrolysis than the anionic form of TA, which is less susceptible to alkaline hydrolysis. The fluorescence behavior of TA also exhibits a V-top-shaped curve, indicating maximum fluorescence intensity at pH 3.0. TA is highly stable at a pH range of 5.0-7.0, making it suitable for formulation development. In organic solvents, the photodegradation rate of TA increases with the solvent's dielectric constant and solvent acceptor number, indicating solute-solvent interactions. The values of k obs decreased with increased viscosity of the solvents due to diffusion-controlled processes. The correlation between k obs versus ionization potential and solvent density has also been established. A total of 17 photoproducts have been identified through LC-MS, of which nine have been reported for the first time. It has been confirmed through electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry that the excited singlet state of TA is converted into an excited triplet state through intersystem crossing, which results in an increased rate of photodegradation in acetonitrile.

Development and validation of stability-indicating method of etrasimod by HPLC/DAD/MS/MS technique with greenness profiling

Etrasimod, a novel selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator, was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicinal Agency for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults. In this research, the forced degradation study as an integral part of drug product and packaging development, which generates data on degradation mechanisms, is published. The development and validation of the stability-indicating method using a superior high-performance liquid chromatography technique coupled with a diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometer was performed to support the forced degradation study and monitor the formation of degradation products. Etrasimod demonstrated good stability under elevated temperature and basic stress conditions, while acidic hydrolysis, oxidative, and photolytic degradation produced eight degradation products. The knowledge of degradation products will be useful in the long-term stability study for establishing the acceptance criteria of etrasimod as a drug substance and dosage form during quality control and stability assessment. The eco-friendliness of the developed forced degradation procedure was evaluated using various greenness appraisal tools. The green metric tools showed that the forced degradation procedure obeys eco-friendly conditions.

Quaternization of Methyl Picolinate with Some Phenacyl Bromides. Synthesis of DL-Baikiain Alkaloid

By fusing methyl picolinate with phenacyl bromides, the corresponding phenacyl salts were obtained, cyclization of which in acetic anhydride led to previously undescribed 3-aryl-1H-pyrido[2,1-c][1,4]oxazinium bromides. Reduction of the quaternary salts of methyl picolinate followed by acid hydrolysis leads to the alkaloid DL-baikiain.

Structural elucidation a complex galactosyl andglucosyl-rich pectin from the pericarp of immature fruits of Juglans mandshurica Maxim.

A glucosyl-rich pectin, JMMP-3 (Mw, 2.572 × 104g/mol, O-methyl % = 3.62%), was isolated and purified from the pericarp of the immature fruit of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. (QingLongYi). The structure of JMMP-3 was studied systematically by infrared spectroscopy, monosaccharide compositions, methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis, and 1/2D-NMR. The backbone of JMMP-3 possessed a smooth region (→ 4GalA1 →) and a hairy region (→ 4GalA1 → 2Rha1 →) with a molar ratio of 2: 5. The substitution of four characteristic side chains (R1-R4) occurs at C-4 of → 2,4)-α-Rhap-(1→, where R1 is composed of → 5)-α-Araf-(1→, R2 is composed of → 4)-β-Galp-(1 → and β-Galp-(1→, R3 is composed of α-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-Glcp-(1 → and → 4,6)-α-Glcp-(1→, and R4 is composed of → 5)-α-Araf-(1→, β-Galp-(1→, → 4)-β-Galp-(1→, → 3,4)-β-Galp-(1→, → 4,6)-β-Galp-(1 → and → 2,4)-β-Galp-(1 → . In addition, the antitumor activity of JMMP-3 on HepG2 cells was preliminarily investigated.

Optimizing cultural conditions and pretreatment for high-value single-cell protein from vegetable waste

The study aimed to produce single-cell protein (SCP) from vegetable waste through solid-state fermentation (SSF) using tomato, capsicum, eggplant, and cucumber waste. Three yeast strains, namely Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were selected to optimize cultural conditions without pretreatment of the substrate to obtain a higher yield of SCP. The study identified the best-performing yeast strains and optimized the acid and thermal hydrolysis pretreatment of vegetable waste using central composite design by response surface methodology. The substrate was pretreated with varying concentrations of sulfuric acid (2 %, 4 %, and 6 % w/v) at temperatures of 120°C, 140°C, and 160°C. The study demonstrated that SCP production could be enhanced with the acid and thermal hydrolysis of nutrient-supplemented vegetable waste by using optimized cultural conditions. Without pretreatment of vegetable waste, the yeast combination of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida tropicalis achieved a maximum protein content of 10.8 mg/g of dry biomass (an increment of 63.6 % compared to control). With the same yeast strains, pretreatment of vegetable waste (with 4 % sulfuric acid at 140°C) and supplemented with a nutrient source increased SCP production to 21.9 and 31.7 mg/g (an increment of 231.8 % and 375.8 % compared to control), respectively. The study's findings suggest that SCP production from vegetable waste can be optimized through SSF and acid-thermal hydrolysis pretreatment, which could be a promising approach for efficient waste management.

The promotion and inhibition of proteolysis in silages during ensiling of citrus waste

Although waste generated from the production of citrus fruit juice is a suitable raw material for ensiling, excessive proteolysis greatly reduces the quality of silages and economic benefits. The driving force and factors influencing proteolysis during ensiling remain poorly understood. In this study, the degree of silage proteolysis was systematically evaluated through the analysis of silage composition, proteolysis promotion and inhibition under various ensiling factors were quantified, and the causes of proteolysis were explored through changes of microbiome. A reduction in soluble protein (SP) and in-solution protein (ISP) contents coupled with an increase in NH3-N were found after ensiling. A decrease in free amino acid content was evident in upper and middle sections, whereas there was an increase in the bottom section. The strongest proteolysis of silages was observed in the middle section. The main factor accelerating hydrolysis of protein into amino acid (the first stage of proteolysis) was acid protease activity (APA). The hydrolysis of amino acid into NH3-N (the second stage of proteolysis) was principally inhibited by lactic acids, acetic acids, pH, and soluble carbon, and accelerated by APA, moisture and total carbon. Acid protease was probably constituted mainly microbial protease, able to tolerate a pH range of 3.44–3.77. Bacterial coupled colony (B-CC), Trichocomaoute, and Trichocomaceae-1 presumably promoted the production and activity of acid protease. As inferred, the first stage of proteolysis was promoted by B-CC and fungal coupled colony (F-CC), and inhibited by Trichocomaoute. While the second stage of proteolysis was likely promoted by P. kudriavzevii and F-CC, and inhibited by B-CC and Trichocomaoute. Thus, the use of homofermentative lactic acid bacteria in raw materials is recommended to reduce the degree of proteolysis, particularly in the middle section of the silo.

Weak acid hydrolysis strategy to oxygen vacancy enriched BiOBrnI1-n nanosheet for photodegrading various contaminants

BiOBrnI1-n solid solution enriched with oxygen vacancies (OVs) was obtained using simple hydrolysis method and exhibited excellent ability to remove various contaminants, inclusive of bisphenol A (BPA), rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO), tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) and sulfamethazine (SMT). The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of optimal BiOBrnI1-n catalyst for BPA is 128 and 13.8 times higher than that of BiOBr and BiOI, respectively. The excellent degradation activity benefits from the suitable energy band potential, interior electric field and superior charge separation efficiency. The test of catalytic cycles confirms the high reusability of BiOBrnI1-n. Photoinduced h+, ·O2−, and e− serve as reactive species in the degradation process. This work provides an effective photocatalyst for the photodegradation of various contaminants.

Monocomponent Biosorption of Copper Ions (II) onto Nanocrystalline Cellulose from Coconut Husk Fibers

Introduction: Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) is one of the most suitable cellulose derivatives for the treatment of wastewater. Various agricultural wastes have been used for the extraction of NCC. Coconut wastes have been widely studied as potential adsorbents for the removal of pollutants, including dyes and heavy metals. Methods: In this work, nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was successfully isolated from coconut husk fibers through alkaline pretreatment accompanied by sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Then, the ability of NCC to adsorb Cu2+ from aqueous solution in batch studies was investigated. Results: Results indicated that the optimal hydrolysis parameters were achieved at 50° C for 45 min with 64% sulfuric acid to extract NCC as rod-like particles with diameters between 4-10 nm. The potential of NCC as a biosorbent to remove copper ions (Cu2+) from aqueous solution was investigated in terms of batch mode and maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of 79.491 mg/g of Cu2+. The adsorption efficiency of Cu2+ions increased with an increase in the adsorbent dosage, decreased with an increase in the initial concentration of contaminant, and increased with the contact time. Under optimal conditions, adsorption kinetic followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the adsorption isotherm fitted most closely with the Langmuir model. Conclusion: According to a literature review, NCC from coconut husk fibers has not been used for the adsorption of heavy metals, mainly copper ions. This study shows that NCC from coconut husk fibers can be used as a low-cost and environmentally friendly adsorbent for the removal of Cu2+ from aqueous solutions.

Synthesis, Characterization and Application of New Polymers Imprinted with Zinc (II) Ions

In this work, molecularly imprinted polymers with zinc imprints and their comparison polymers without imprints were synthesized. A comparative characterization of the physical parameters of the synthesized zinc-imprinted (ZnIP) and non-imprinted (NIP) polymers was carried out using the methods of elemental analysis, conductometry, scanning electron microscopy, and IR-Fourier spectroscopy. The ability of the resulting polymers to molecularly recognize zinc was evaluated. Based on experimental data on static adsorption, the adsorption capacity of ZnIP and NIP was determined using an atomic emission spectrometer. It was found that ZnIP is characterized by better physical parameters and a higher ability for molecular recognition of zinc compared to NIP. ZnIP with zinc imprints were found to have better sorption capacity for zinc than their reference polymers. The sorption of zinc by molecular imprinted ZnIP is mainly due to the complex formation and pores of the initial carbon product. The synthesized ZnIP have increased porosity. The presence of pores with a diameter <50 nm in ZnIP is associated with voids formed after acid hydrolysis, which is clearly visible in images recorded by scanning electron microscopy. Thus, the possibility of using ZnIP as a selective sorbent has been established.

The composition and flavor change mechanism of membrane-filtered sugarcane syrup during the acid hydrolysis process based on 1H NMR and GC–IMS

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) were employed to comprehensively characterize both non-volatile and volatile components present in membrane-filtrated sugarcane syrup (MS). A total of 19 non-volatile compounds and 65 volatile compounds were successfully identified within the MS sample. Among the volatile compounds, 12 were determined to be key aroma contributors based on their Relative Odor Activity Values (ROAV). Our investigation elucidated that hydrolysis and Maillard reactions serve as the primary pathways during acid hydrolysis, with reaction kinetics strengthened by increasing heating temperature and citric acid concentration, thereby enhancing the caramel and roasted aromas of MS. These findings not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the composition of sugarcane syrup but also offer valuable insights into flavor characterization and quality control within the sugarcane industry. Furthermore, this research lays a foundation for future studies aimed at optimizing processing techniques to enhance syrup flavor and overall product quality.

Synthesis of cellulose nano fiber from palmyrah fruit fiber and its applicability as a reinforcement agent on starch based biodegradable film

The global trend in packaging is shifting towards environmentally friendly, natural materials that decompose easily. Among the bio-based packaging materials, starch is a renewable, biodegradable, bio-compatible, and easily accessible source. However, starch-based biodegradable films depict weak mechanical properties compared with synthetic polymers. This problem can be solved by incorporating reinforcement fillers into the starch matrix. Palmyrah fruit (Borassus flabellifer L.) waste can be a good source to obtain fillers due to its high cellulose content. The aim of the study was to investigate the reinforcement of starch-based biodegradable films with the incorporation of pure cellulose nanofiber (CNF) obtained from palmyrah fruit fiber (PFF). Chemical treatments such as alkaline treatment (4% NaOH), bleaching [1% Ca(OCl)2], and acid hydrolysis (10 moldm-3 H2SO4) were done successively to obtain pure CNF from PFF. CNF was characterized using FTIR and particle size distribution (PSD) was analyzed by granulometry. The yield of CNF from PFF was 37.890±0.008 %. The results of FTIR depicted CNF was synthesized successfully. Five different biodegradable films were prepared by varying the amount of palmyrah tuber starch (4.5-2.5 w/w %) and CNF (0.0-2.0 w/w %) while the amount of glycerin (1.5 w/w %) and gelatin (1 w/w %) were kept constant. PSD results revealed that nano-sized CNF (10-100 nm) was synthesized successfully. The optimized film was selected based on the tensile strength and low water vapor transmission rate. Optimized film formulation, with palmyra tuber starch (3 w/w %) and CNF (1.5 w/w %) showed desirable physical, mechanical and optical properties, including the thickness, moisture content, water vapor transmission rate, water uptake, transparency at 600 nm, water activity, water solubility and tensile strength of 0.192±0.004 mm, 11.07±0.04 %, 3.870±0.005 g/m2.day, 22.34±0.05 %, 3.97±0.01 %, 0.440±0.001, 51.68±0.140 % and 9.55 MPa respectively. All films showed excellent soil biodegradability within two weeks. In conclusion, palmyra fruit CNF can be effectively used to reinforce starch-based biodegradable packaging films.

Isolation and Characterization of Spherical Cellulose Nanocrystals Extracted from the Higher Cellulose Yield of the Jenfokie Plant: Morphological, Structural, and Thermal Properties.

Scholars are looking for solutions to substitute hazardous substances in manufacturing nanocellulose from bio-sources to preserve the world's growing environmental consciousness. During the past decade, there has been a notable increase in the use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in modern science and nanotechnology advancements because of their abundance, biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewability, and superior mechanical properties. Spherical cellulose nanocrystals (J-CNCs) were successfully synthesized from Jenfokie micro-cellulose (J-MC) via sulfuric acid hydrolysis in this study. The yield (up to 58.6%) and specific surface area (up to 99.64 m2/g) of J-CNCs were measured. A field emission gun-scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM) was used to assess the morphology of the J-MC and J-CNC samples. The spherical shape nanoparticles with a mean nano-size of 34 nm for J-CNCs were characterized using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to determine the crystallinity index and crystallinity size of J-CNCs, up to 98.4% and 6.13 nm, respectively. The chemical composition was determined using a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscope. Thermal characterization of thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), and differential thermal analysis (DTA) was conducted to identify the thermal stability and cellulose pyrolysis behavior of both J-MC and J-CNC samples. The thermal analysis of J-CNC indicated lower thermal stability than J-MC. It was noted that J-CNC showed higher levels of crystallinity and larger crystallite sizes than J-MC, indicating a successful digestion and an improvement of the main crystalline structure of cellulose. The X-ray diffraction spectra and TEM images were utilized to establish that the nanocrystals' size was suitable. The novelty of this work is the synthesis of spherical nanocellulose with better properties, chosen with a rich source of cellulose from an affordable new plant (studied for the first time) by stepwise water-retted extraction, continuing from our previous study.

Metal Ion-Induced Acid Hydrolysis Strategy for the One-Step Synthesis of Tough and Highly Transparent Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide Hydrogels.

Polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogel is hard to enhance through coordination bonds because amide groups rarely coordinate with metal ions strongly in an aqueous solution. It is known that the aqueous solution of ZrOCl2.8H2O can be strongly acidic depending on its concentration. Consequently, through a facile one-step metal ion-induced acid hydrolysis strategy (MIAHS), tough and highly transparent hydrolyzed PAM physical hydrogels are prepared by using ZrOCl2.8H2O in this work. The formation of the partially hydrolyzed PAM physical hydrogels elucidates that the side reaction of imidization during common acid hydrolysis of PAM can be perfectly overcome because the structure of the Zr(IV) ion and its interaction with amide groups promote selective acidic hydrolysis from amide to carboxyl groups. Compared to most coordination cross-linked hydrogels, which need at least two-step fabrication, the hydrolyzed PAM hydrogel via MIAHS can be obtained by one-step synthesis due to the weak interaction between amide groups and Zr(IV). The obtained PAM hydrogel cross-linked by hydrogen bonds and coordination bond between Zr(IV) and carboxyl is a multibond network (MBN) and can achieve hierarchical energy dissipation, which exhibits excellent mechanical properties (tensile strength of 3.15 MPa, elongation at break of 890%, and toughness of 17.0 MJ m-3), high transparence (transmittance of 95%), and outstanding conductivity (5.6 S m-1) at water content of 80 wt %. The high gauge factor (from 2.24 to 12.8 as the strain increases from 0 to 400%) endows the hydrolyzed PAM hydrogels with promising application as strain sensors. Furthermore, in addition to ZrOCl2.8H2O, the fact that various hydrolyzable compounds of Ti(IV), Zr(IV) Hf(IV), and Sn(IV) can also fabricate tough hydrolyzed PAM hydrogels verifies the universality of MIAHS. Therefore, the simple, efficient, and universal MIAHS will shed new light on preparing functional PAM-based hydrogels.

Characterization and isolation method of Gigantochloa scortechinii (Buluh Semantan) cellulose nanocrystals

This study explored the impact of sodium hydroxide and benzoylation treatment on the production of cellulose nanocrystals from Semantan bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii). Bamboo cellulose nanocrystals (BCNs) were obtained via acid hydrolysis, with the effectiveness of an isolation method and chemical treatments demonstrated in removing non-cellulosic constituents. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a crystalline cellulose II structure for benzoylated BCN (B) and a crystalline cellulose I structure for NaOH-treated BCN (S), with BCN (S) exhibiting a higher crystallinity index (80.55 %) compared to BCN (B) (67.87 %). The yield of BCN (B) (23.68 ± 1.10 %) was higher than BCN (S) (20.65 ± 2.21 %). Transmission electron microscopy images showed a mean diameter of 7.95 ± 2.79 nm for BCN (S) and 9.22 ± 3.38 nm for BCN (B). Thermogravimetric analysis indicated lower thermal stability for BCN (B) compared to BCN (S), with charcoal residues at 600 °C of 31.06 % and 22 %, respectively. Zeta potential values were −41.60 ± 1.97 mV for BCN (S) and −21.80 ± 2.54 mV for BCN (B). Gigantochloa scortechinii holds significant potential for sustainable and eco-friendly applications in the construction, furniture, and renewable energy industries. These findings highlight the versatility and potential of BCNs derived from Gigantochloa scortechinii for various applications.

Statistical optimization for comparative hydrolysis and fermentation for hemicellulosic ethanolgenesis

The concept of ‘Energy from waste’ is one of the most focused areas of work to find a solution for controlling trash and combat energy crises. In Pakistan and other agricultural countries, because of their substantial use during the summer, watermelon peels as fruit waste are usually thrown out as a trash. This study supported the management of huge quantities of waste to value-added products at a commercial scale. The current study aims to select and subject xylanolytic and ethanologenic Bacillus cereus XG2 for watermelon peels valorization appropriately with comparison of three hydrolysis techniques. The study will be helpful for selection of economical and environmentally beneficial valorization strategies. For ethanalogenesis, separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) protocols with Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7 and Metchnikowia cibodasensis Y34 were used. For hydrolysis, three different saccharification approaches, viz. dilute sulfuric acid, enzymatic hydrolysis (using Bacillus cereus XG2 xylanases), and combined acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis, were adopted. Two statistical models, Placket-Burman (hydrolysis) and Central composite design (ethanologenesis) were used. In untreated watermelon waste (WW), reducing sugar, total lipids, total carbohydrates, and protein contents were calculated as 16.70±0.05 g/L, 3.20±0.02 g/L, 28.7±0.04 g/L, and 3.70±0.03 g/L, respectively. Similarly, the lignin (15.51±0.22%), hemicellulose (17.20±2.30%). and cellulose (52.26±0.33%) contents were also analyzed. Based on the significance of the Plackett–Burman model for enzymatic saccharification, the released reducing sugars as well as total sugars were 21.62±0.01 g/L and 43.30±1.55 g/L, respectively, and enzymatic hydrolyzate was adopted for further fermentation experiments. By CCD model, the highest ethanol yield calculated for yeast Metchnikowia cibodasensis Y34 was 0.4±0.04 g/g of fermentable sugars at 32.5oC with 50% enzymatic hydrolysate of WW by incubating for 8 days. It was suggested that SHF could be a beneficial approach to increase the conversion of hemicellulose to fermentable sugars to produce bioethanol on a large scale.

DBU‐Catalyzed Glutamation of Phenols, Thiophenols, Secondary Amines and Imides

Abstract1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) catalyzed Michael addition reactions between α,β‐unsaturated esters and benzophenone‐imines of glycine esters have been realized in THF at room temperature by using LiBr as an additive, effectively enabling the glutamation of phenols, thiophenols, secondary amines and imides. 3‐Substituted glutamic acid esters were obtained in excellent yields and diastereoselectivities (up to quantitative yield and >20 : 1 dr). These glutamic acid esters were readily converted into their corresponding pyroglutamic acid esters in high yields through acidic hydrolysis followed by lactamization.

Comprehensive characterization of microcrystalline cellulose from lemon grass (Cymbopogan citratus) oil extraction agro-industrial waste for cementitious composites applications

Presently, the construction industry demands components that are exceptionally strong and long-lasting. The initial important construction material is concrete, which contains between 1 % and 2 % of air voids. The structural damage caused by water that enters through the air spaces are improved with filler material. Chemical filler materials are environmentally harmful; therefore, eco-friendly materials are selected for this study. The environmentally benign character of agro-waste byproduct usage is a driving factor in the field of research. Numerous uses can be found for waste materials, especially after they have been repurposed. We used a byproduct of an essential oil extraction company, an extract made from the leaves of lemon grass (Cymbopogan citrus), in our research. Alkalization, slow pyrolysis, acid hydrolysis, and bleaching are only some of the chemical treatments that could be used to easily extract microcrystalline cellulose from the discarded waste material. In our study the chemicals used are mild harmful to the environment and a surface reactant (linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid) is utilised to bleach and purify the microcrystalline cellulose. Thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform spectroscopy were all used to learn more about the cellulose that had been extracted. The extracted cellulose powder comprises a high crystallinity index (68.14 %) and low crystallite size (5.13 nm) found using X-ray diffraction analysis. The smooth and porous surface is observable in scanning electron microscope analysis. The Differential scanning calorimeter curve shows the highest degradation temperature at 218.16 °C. The micro sized particles mostly range between 100 and 120 μm and are found using ImageJ. The surface roughness and permissible skewness of cellulose particles were examined using atomic force microscopy. The density of extracted cellulose is 1.092 g/cm3. The microcrystalline cellulose yield % was notably maximum (40.45 %). This cellulose was introduced in a M30 grade cement concrete as fillers up to 5 % by the weight of cement. The fresh and mechanical properties of the concrete was found to get improved with the addition of cellulose up to 3 %. As a result, the characteristics of cellulose boost its utility within the construction sector.

EVALUATING THE REINFORCING POTENTIAL OF ENZYMATIC CELLULOSE NANOCRYSTALS IN POLYPROPYLENE NANOCOMPOSITE

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) produced through enzymatic hydrolysis exhibit physicochemical properties that make them attractive as eco-friendly reinforcing agents in polymer composites. However, the extent of their efficacy within a polymeric matrix is yet to be fully established. This study investigated the reinforcing capabilities of enzymatic CNC (approximately 3 nm in diameter) isolated from bleached eucalyptus Kraft pulp (BEKP), focusing on its application in polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites produced by injection molding. The study compared the performance of this enzymatic CNC (1 – 5% wt) with PP composites reinforced with micro-sized cellulose fibers (BEKP at 10 – 30% wt, approximately 13 μm) and additionally with commercial CNC produced by sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Despite enzymatic CNC experiencing agglomeration during spray-drying, leading to an average diameter increase to 3 μm, it still significantly increased the crystallization and glass transition temperature of the PP matrix. However, this agglomeration likely hindered the improvement of the mechanical properties within the nanocomposites. The results also showed that enzymatic CNC provided higher thermal stability at lower reinforcement levels compared to BEKP, but this came with a reduction in stiffness, posing a significant consideration in composite design. The addition of a coupling agent greatly enhanced the dispersion of reinforcements and the interfacial adhesion within the matrix, contributing to the enhanced performance of the composite properties. Additionally, enzymatic CNC demonstrated potential for superior reinforcement efficacy compared to commercially available CNC produced by sulfuric acid hydrolysis. In conclusion, enzymatic CNC exhibited a promising role as nano-reinforcement for thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites, exhibiting higher thermal properties at lower reinforcing loads than traditional micro-sized fiber reinforcements. The absence of sulfur, coupled with its higher thermal stability and sustainable potential, positions enzymatic CNC as a particularly favorable choice for applications involving direct contact with food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical materials.

Hyaluronic acid production by Streptococcus zooepidemicus MW26985 using potato peel waste hydrolyzate.

In this research, we examined the production of hyaluronic acid (HA) by Streptococcus zooepidemicus strain MW26985 using different substrates and potato peel waste (PPW) as an affordable substrate. First, culture medium components, including carbon and nitrogen sources, were optimized for bacterial HA production. Five different carbon sources (glucose, sucrose, lactose, sago starch, and potato starch, at a concentration of 30g/L) and three distinct nitrogen sources (peptone, yeast extract, and ammonium sulfate, at a concentration of 10g/L) were investigated. Glucose, among the carbon sources, and yeast extract, among nitrogen sources, produced the most HA which was determined as 1.41g/L. Afterward, potato peel sugars were extracted by dilute acid and enzymatic hydrolysis and then employed as a cost-effective carbon source for the growth of S. zooepidemicus. Based on the results, the fermentation process yielded 0.59g/L HA from potato peel sugars through acid hydrolysis and 0.92g/L HA from those released by enzymatic hydrolysis. The supplementation of both hydrolyzates with glucose as an additional carbon source enhanced HA production to 0.95g/L and 1.18g/L using acidic and enzymatic hydrolyzates, respectively. The cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) turbidimetric method was used to evaluate the concentration of HA in the fermentation broth using the colorimetric method. Also, the peaks observed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that the exopolysaccharide (EPS) was composed of HA. These observations demonstrate that potato peel residues can be a novel alternative as a carbon source for the economical production of HA by S. zooepidemicus.