Addition Of Glycerol Research Articles

Optimization of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches Cellulose-based Bioplastic Formulation with Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Bioplastics are one of the alternatives to replace synthetic plastics. Bioplastics are plastics made from natural materials readily decomposed by microorganisms so that they are environmentally friendly. Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) have cellulose content that can be utilized as raw material in the manufacture of bioplastics. This research aims to determine the best formulation of OPEFB cellulose-based bioplastics as environmentally friendly packaging. The method used in this research is the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) optimization method in the Mixture (Optimal Custom Design) section found in the Design Expert version 13 application. The factors analyzed in making bioplastics are glycerol, starch, CMC, and chitosan. Bioplastic observations include tensile strength, elongation, elasticity, thickness, water resistance, and biodegradation. The result of OPEFB cellulose obtained in this study is 71.88%, where the cellulose produces strong bioplastic properties. The optimum solution of bioplastic formulation produced is the addition of glycerol of 0.89 g, starch of 2.99 g, CMC of 2.11 g, and chitosan of 3 g Laboratory verification responses produced are tensile strength of 12 MPa, elongation of 31.34%, elasticity of 890.67 MPa, thickness of 0.25 mm, water resistance of 88.95%, and biodegradation of 4.34%/day. Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionSDG 13: Climate ActionSDG 14: Life Below WaterSDG 15: Life on LandSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Optimising Conditions for the Preservation of Extremely Oxygen Sensitive Obligate Anaerobes of the Gut Microbiota as Candidates for Probiotic Strains

Obligate anaerobic difficult culture bacteria, which make up the bulk of the microbiota of the large intestine, are potential candidates for the development of highly effective new generation probiotics, since they are capable of synthesizing a variety of metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, which have a stimulating effect on both commensal bacteria and host cells. However, for their long-term preservation, it is necessary to carefully select the preservation method and protective components. To evaluate the efficacy of using different cryoprotectants to increase the viability of obligate anaerobic difficult culture bacteria when preserved by lyophilisation and cryopreservation methods. The studies showed that freeze-drying contributed most to the preservation of the viability of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Anaerostipes hadrus, Eubacterium hallii, provided that they were used as a stabilizing medium, which included inulin, cysteine and riboflavin, ensuring the preservation of the initial bacterial titer for 30 days. Among the studied bacteria, the effectiveness of cryopreservation was shown for A. hadrus, since it ensured the survival of bacteria at the initial level for 14 days of storage, regardless of the cryopreservative used, but by the 30th day their viability decreased significantly (by 100 times when using liquid as a cryopreservant). nutrient medium 110 with minced meat and carbohydrates with the addition of glycerin, 10 000 with the commercial cryopreservative CRYOINSTANT). The results obtained allow us to recommend lyophilization as the most optimal method for long-term storage of probiotic strains of bacteria using highly effective stabilizers.

Insights on the role of cryoprotectants in enhancing the properties of bioinks required for cryobioprinting of biological constructs

Preservation and long-term storage of readily available cell-laden tissue-engineered products are major challenges in expanding their applications in healthcare. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the development of off-the-shelf tissue-engineered products using the cryobioprinting approach. Here, bioinks are incorporated with cryoprotective agents (CPAs) to allow the fabrication of cryopreservable tissue constructs. Although this method has shown potential in the fabrication of cryopreservable tissue-engineered products, the impact of the CPAs on the viscoelastic behavior and printability of the bioinks at cryo conditions remains unexplored. In this study, we have evaluated the influence of CPAs such as glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the rheological properties of pre-crosslinked alginate bioinks for cryoprinting applications. DMSO-incorporated bioinks showed a reduction in viscosity and yield stress, while the addition of glycerol improved both the properties due to interactions with the calcium chloride used for pre-crosslinking. Further, tube inversion and printability experiments were performed to identify suitable concentrations and cryobioprinting conditions for bioinks containing CPAs & pre-crosslinked with CaCl2. Finally, based on the printability analysis & cell recovery results, 10% glycerol was used for cryobioprinting and preservation of cell-laden constructs at −80 °C and the viability of cells within the printed structures were evaluated after recovery. Cell viability results indicate that the addition of 10% glycerol to the pre-crosslinked bioink significantly improved cell viability compared to bioinks without CPAs, confirming the suitability of the developed bioink combination to fabricate tissue constructs for on-demand applications.Graphical abstractEffect of cryoprotectants on the viscoelastic behavior of bioinks and cell recovery in cryobioprinted tissue constructs.

Influence of Sorbitol and Glycerol on Physical and Tensile Properties of Biodegradable–Edible Film From Snakehead Gelatin and κ‐Carrageenan

Two plasticizers with distinct properties are carefully studied in this research for their suitability in creating biocomposite edible film products. The study uncovers films’ physical, tensile, and biodegradability attributes, using snakehead gelatin and ĸ‐carrageenan in different concentrations, with sorbitol or glycerol as plasticizers. The biomaterials of the edible film consist of snakehead gelatin (Channa striata) 2% (w/v); ĸ‐carrageenan at concentrations of 1%, 1.5%, and 2% (w/v); and sorbitol/glycerol 15% (v/v). The addition of ĸ‐carrageenan up to 2% in the formulation increased the film thickness to 0.046 ± 0.005 mm, tensile strength to 2.05 ± 0.56 MPa, and elongation at break to 35.00% ± 2.92% while decreasing the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) to 0.17 ± 0.00 g/mm2/h (p < 0.05). The effect of glycerol in the composite did not affect thickness and luminosity (L∗) (p > 0.05), but the tensile strength increased from 0.18 ± 0.17 to 1.03 ± 0.40 MPa (p > 0.05). Sorbitol increased the value of color difference, elongation at break, and WVTR, namely, 19.77 ± 1.02, 25.20% ± 1.79%, and 0.28 ± 0.02 g/mm2/h, respectively (p < 0.05). The swelling index of the films increased with ĸ‐carrageenan concentration, whereas the water content decreased (p < 0.05). The addition of sorbitol reduced the solubility of the film from 71.43% ± 12.39% to 42.67% ± 15.44% (p < 0.05), while glycerol did not affect changes in film solubility (p > 0.05). The presence of sorbitol had no significant effect on the contact angle (p > 0.05) and was more affected by the addition of glycerol at higher ĸ‐carrageenan concentrations (p < 0.05). The ability to decompose after 28 days was more remarkable for films containing glycerol than sorbitol. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the functional group structures of all samples, indicating that no new compounds were formed in them. The surface structure of the sorbitol‐plasticized film was predicted to be rougher and easily cracked, but more compact and dense, while the glycerol‐plasticized film tended to be smoother with fainter cracks due to its hygroscopic properties.

Effect of a single rectal fecal microbiota transplantation on clinical severity and fecal microbial communities in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been advocated as a treatment for chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs. However, so far only short-term clinical effects have been reported whereas the effect on the microbiota remains unexplored. Assess if a single FMT enema can lead to clinical improvement in dogs with CE when accompanied by presumed favorable microbiota changes. The effect of glycerol as a cryopreservative when storing FMT preparations also was assessed. Seven dogs with CE that received FMTs from 2 healthy donor dogs. Six dogs received a single FMT, 1 dog received 3 consecutive FMTs. Canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI) and fecal samples were obtained before (Day 0), and 7, 30 and 90 days after FMT. Samples were stored with and without 10% glycerol. Sequencing of microbiota (16S rRNA, Illumina) was performed and compared by accepted analysis pipelines. Median CCECAI before FMT was 8 (range, 5-14), decreased to a median of 3 (range, 1-12) within 1 week and a median of 1 (range, 0-12) by Day 30 (P < .01), with an average duration of response of approximately 10 weeks. Significant variation in the donors' microbiota composition was observed across different donations. Recipient microbiota composition or diversity did not change over time. Glycerol addition was associated with a difference in microbiota composition (P ≤ .001). A single FMT can be consideredan appropriate treatment in dogs with CE, but consistent microbiota changes were not observed.

Development and Characterization of Bioplastics from Straw and Rice Husk for: Effect of Addition of Glycerin, CMC, and TiO2

The development of environmentally friendly materials is crucial to mitigate the environmental impact of conventional plastics. This study focuses on developing bioplastics using rice straw and rice husks, combined with glycerine, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂). Glycerine acts as a plasticizer to enhance flexibility, CMC functions as a matrix binder, and TiO₂ serves as a reinforcing agent to improve mechanical strength. Bioplastics were produced using the casting method with specific proportions of these materials. Characterization tests included scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphology, biodegradability tests, water absorption analysis, and tensile strength measurements. Results revealed that the combination of rice straw and rice husks produced bioplastics with varied morphologies. TiO₂ enhanced mechanical strength and material homogeneity, though its distribution requires further optimization. Glycerine significantly increased flexibility, while CMC improved matrix cohesion. The novelty of this research lies in the integration of agro-industrial waste—rice straw and rice husks—with TiO₂, glycerine, and CMC, creating bioplastics that balance biodegradability, mechanical properties, and flexibility. This innovative approach demonstrates the potential of utilizing agricultural byproducts to produce sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics, offering customizable properties for diverse applications.

Anodization of Aluminum in a Sodium Hydroxide Solution: Effect of pH on Chemical Dissolution

The chemical dissolution of anodic alumina film was investigated using the re-anodization technique. The formation of thick oxide films in an alkaline electrolyte is thought to be difficult to achieve due to the high pH value and high solubility of anodic alumina. The dissolution rate of anodic film was found to be strongly affected by the pH of the solution used for chemical dissolution; the film dissolved significantly faster in a sodium hydroxide solution having a high pH of 13.11 than in acidic solutions commonly used for anodization, such as sulfuric acid (pH 0.98) and phosphoric acid (pH 1.54). Nevertheless, the addition of glycerol to the sodium hydroxide solution effectively suppressed the chemical dissolution of the anodic film. The change in solubility of the anodic alumina film in solution was greatly affected by the change in the dissociation of the solute in solution. The results demonstrated that oxide films more than 10 μm thick were produced in an alkaline electrolyte by adding glycerol to the solution. The suppression of the chemical dissolution of alumina by the addition of alcohol has thus been shown to occur not only in acid solutions but also in alkaline solutions.

Spontaneous nanosized liposome formation from crude dried lecithin upon addition of glycerol

Nanosized liposomal vesicles (NLV) were successfully prepared using natural sunflower lecithin without the use of high-pressure homogenization or filtration. Upon glycerol addition to dispersions of lecithin multilamellar vesicles (MLVs), these broke down spontaneously to liposomes with diameters in the range of 100–200 nm. Static light scattering demonstrated that glycerol addition above 30% (w/w) induced the complete transformation of MLVs into NLVs. Langmuir trough compression experiments showed a two-region compressional behavior. Upon 62% (w/w) glycerol addition, the compressional modulus of the liposomes decreased from 18.5 to 8.13 mN/m. Water activity and pulse NMR measurements also showed a divergence in behavior above 30% (w/w) glycerol. Liposomes were not birefringent in water but became strongly birefringent at and above 30% (w/w) glycerol, as determined by polarized light microscopy, and lost all birefringence above 80% (w/w). This was interpreted as the induction of stress-birefringence in the phospholipid bilayers above 30% (w/w) glycerol, and a relaxation of such stress above 80% (w/w) glycerol. We hypothesize that the mixture of phospholipids in the lecithin results in an effective non-zero intrinsic curvature for the molecular mixture, which lowers the bending energy of the bilayer, allowing for an easier break-up upon mixing. Secondly, glycerol addition decreases attractive van der Waals’ interaction between lamellae in an MLV, thus weakening the multilamellar liposome walls. Glycerol also affects bilayer stability by strengthening the hydrogen bond network of water, which will affect phospholipid headgroup hydration. All these factors result in the spontaneous breakdown of MLVs into NLVs.

Study of a gel dosimeter based on Ag nanoparticles for applications in radiation therapy with synchrotron X-rays at ultrahigh dose rate compared to 60Co γ-rays

A silver nitrate (AgNO3) gel was developed and evaluated as a dosimeter for synchrotron X-ray-based studies in microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) and FLASH radiation therapy. The gel was irradiated at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ID17 Biomedical beamline) with a continuous X-ray spectrum in the 50–600 keV range and a dose rate of 11.6 kGy/s. The spectrophotometric response after irradiation at this beamline was compared with the response at a conventional 60Co γ-ray source providing a dose rate of 0.27 Gy/s. Ag + ions in the gel dosimeter undergo reduction to Ago nanoparticles, as detected at 450 nm, which is a surface plasmon resonance band. The intensity of this band increased linearly with increasing absorbed dose up to 100 Gy, and improved with the addition of glycerol. The gel dosimeter exhibited the lowest detectable dose (LDD) of 75.9% lower and a dose deposition of 76% higher for ID17 beamline irradiation than for 60Co irradiation. The theoretical relative response HQ,Qo for the gel irradiated at the synchrotron was 1.70, which is in close agreement with the experimental relative response FQ,Qo = 1.76. These results confirm the dose enhancement in the gel irradiated with orthovoltage X-rays. The good properties of the silver nitrate gel, together with its increased sensitivity to orthovoltage X-ray irradiation and modest overall uncertainty of 5.8% (2σ), confirm that the gel is a valid dosimeter for measurements at ultrahigh dose rates for synchrotron radiotherapy. The dosimeter is also a promising candidate for dose enhancement factor measurements in nanoparticle-based radiotherapy techniques.

Synthesis and Comprehensive Characterization of PVA/Chitosan/Cu Nanowires Wound Dressing Hydrogel for Effective In Vitro Wound Healing

This work features the synthesis of a wound dressing hydrogel, with the facile synthesis of the non-oxide copper nanowires (aspect ratio: 5000, length > 100 μm), and the synthesis of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/Chitosan matrix, crosslinked by TEOS, with enhanced flexibility by addition of Glycerol. The synthesized wound dressing showed high mechanical performance under the influence of nanowires, exhibiting 58.76 MPa tensile strength and 124.78 % elongation, also affecting the swelling behavior reaching 290 % swelling capacity. Biodegradation showed high structural stability and consistent biodegradation, losing only 9.6–21.5 % for nanocomposites in 7 days and 21–27.6 % after 14 days. Biological assessment by MTT assay showed 95–103 % cell viability on the human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) cells. The assessment on the MCF-7 cancer cells was also carried out where 90 % survival showed slight anticancer activity from the nanocomposites. Wound healing scratch assay showed high cell migration, wound closure, and wound healing in 72 h on HDF cells, while inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 cancer cells. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity was measured using a 96-well microdilution test exhibiting good antibacterial activity ranging around 50–97 % against both gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria, suggesting that the designed nanocomposite hydrogel wound dressing has great potential for wound healing and treatment.

Enrichment of acid-tolerant sulfide-producing microbes from an acidic pit lake.

High concentrations of harmful metal(loid)s and extreme acidity are persistent environmental concerns in acidic pit lakes. In this study, we examine Cueva de la Mora (CM), a meromictic pit lake in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, Spain, as a model system. Our research aims to explore potential bioremediation strategies to mitigate the impacts of metal(loid)s and acidity in such environments. The major strategy applied in this research is to biologically stimulate sulfate reduction (i.e., biosulfidogenesis) in the deep layer of the lake to promote the formation of low-solubility sulfide minerals. Previous omics-based studies of CM have shown that several sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) taxa are present in the deep layer. However, their activities are likely limited by the availability of electron donors for sulfide production. Therefore, different amendments (glycerol, elemental sulfur, and glycerol + elemental sulfur) were tested to promote sulfide production and enrich acid-tolerant sulfide-producing microbes. Our results showed that glycerol stimulated dissimilatory sulfate reduction much faster than elemental sulfur alone, suggesting that electron donor limitations control sulfide production. Furthermore, the combined addition of glycerol and elemental sulfur (S(0)) resulted in the highest level of sulfide production. This indicates that S(0) can play a significant role as an electron acceptor in further promoting sulfide production when a suitable electron donor is present. Microbial community analysis revealed that Desulfosporosinus acididurans, a previously discovered acid-tolerant SRB, was enriched and became the dominant species in incubations with glycerol only (~76-96% abundance) or the combination of glycerol and S(0) (~93-99% abundance).

Mechanical and Thermal Characteristics of Films from Glycerol Mixed Emulsified Carnauba Wax/Polyvinyl Alcohol.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based films have drawn significant attention owing to their potential applications in various industries. The application of wax to PVA films enhanced their resistance to dissolution and water infiltration. Nevertheless, waxed PVA films often exhibit inadequate mechanical properties owing to crack formation. In this study, we evaluated the impact of glycerol as a plasticizer in varying concentrations of Carnauba wax (CW). The addition of glycerol to the PVA/CW blend led to enhanced mechanical properties compared to the blend without glycerol. The functional group and morphology of the blends confirm glycerol compatibility with PVA/CW films. Glycerol was fully dispersed to form a consistent polymer matrix and equally improved the film's contact angle. Furthermore, the thermal property from differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis highlights the plasticizing effect of glycerol in PVA/CW films, potentially broadening their use in food packaging and wrapping applications.

Effect of glycerin on the physical properties of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate blend

Because of the abundance of sodium resources, sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) offer a promising alternative electrochemical energy storage solution. One of the current roadblocks to the development of NIBs technology is a lack of electrode materials capable of reversibly storing/releasing sodium ions for a sufficiently long time. Thus, this work aims to study, theoretically, the effect of glycerin incorporation on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/sodium alginate (Na Alg) blend as electrode materials for NIBs. The electronic, thermal, and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) descriptors of polymer electrolytes based on a blend of PVA and Na Alg and glycerin are the main topics of this work. These properties are examined here using semi-empirical methods and the density functional theory (DFT). Bandgap energy (Eg) is examined because the structural analysis reveals details regarding the interactions between PVA/Na Alg and glycerin. The findings indicate that the addition of glycerin caused the Eg value to drop to 0.2814 eV. The molecular electrostatic potential surface, or MESP, shows the electron-rich and deficit regions throughout the electrolyte system as well as the distribution of molecular charges. Thermal parameters that are studied include enthalpy (H), entropy (ΔS), heat capacity (Cp), Gibbs’ free energy (G), and heat of formation. Additionally, the study examines several QSAR descriptors, such as total dipole moment (TDM), total energy (E), ionization potential (IP), Log P, and Polarizability. The results show that H, ΔS, Cp, G, and TDM increased with increasing temperature and glycerin content. Meanwhile, heat of formation, IP, and E decreased, improving reactivity and polarizability. Additionally, the cell voltage increased to 2.488 V due to glycerin addition. The overall DFT and PM6 calculations of cost-effective PVA/Na Alg based glycerin electrolytes indicate that they can partially replace lithium-ion batteries due to their multifunctionality, but requires further improvement and investigations.

Production of bioplastic films from wild cocoyam (Caladium bicolor) starch

This study tackles the pressing environmental challenges resulting from the rapid and ongoing use of conventional plastics by investigating biodegradable alternatives derived from wild cocoyam starch. The bioplastics developed from various formulations, incorporating gelatin, glycerine, vegetable oil, and vinegar, were systematically evaluated for their mechanical, chemical, microstructural and biodegradability properties. The addition of glycerine and gelatin enhanced the moisture content and flexibility of the films while vegetable oil improved water resistance, reducing water absorption. Th sample that contains 3 g of gelatin and 3 ml of glycerine exhibited the best overall performance with a tensile strength of 6.5 MPa and an elongation at break of 77 %. This sample also achieved an impressive biodegradation rate of 70 % within 7 days. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed a uniform and smooth morphology, while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of key functional groups responsible for the material's performance. These results establish wild cocoyam starch as a promising resource for producing biodegradable bioplastics with considerable potential in various industries, particularly in packaging and agricultural applications. The excellent mechanical properties and biodegradability of the materials along with its natural abundance, offer an eco-friendly solution to the plastic waste problem. The study also opens new avenues for optimizing bioplastic formulations to enhance specific properties like thermal stability and moisture resistance, further broadening their practical applications. This research contributes to the sustainable materials landscape and represents a step toward reducing reliance on fossil-based plastics, advancing the global effort to mitigate environmental pollution.

Exploring Deep Eutectic Solvents as Pharmaceutical Excipients: Enhancing the Solubility of Ibuprofen and Mefenamic Acid.

Objectives: The study explores the potential of various deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to serve as drug delivery systems and pharmaceutical excipients. The research focuses on two primary objectives: evaluating the ability of the selected DES systems to enhance the solubility of two poorly water-soluble model drugs (IBU and MFA), and evaluating their physicochemical properties, including density, viscosity, flow behavior, surface tension, thermal stability, and water dilution effects, to determine their suitability for pharmaceutical applications. Methods: A range of DES systems containing pharmaceutically acceptable constituents was explored, encompassing organic acid-based, sugar- and sugar alcohol-based, and hydrophobic systems, as well as menthol (MNT)-based DES systems with common pharmaceutical excipients. MNT-based DESs exhibited the most significant solubility enhancements. Results: IBU solubility reached 379.69 mg/g in MNT: PEG 400 (1:1) and 356.3 mg/g in MNT:oleic acid (1:1), while MFA solubility peaked at 17.07 mg/g in MNT:Miglyol 812®N (1:1). In contrast, solubility in hydrophilic DES systems was significantly lower, with choline chloride: glycerol (1:2) and arginine: glycolic acid (1:8) showing the best results. While demonstrating lower solubility compared to the MNT-based systems, sugar-based DESs exhibited increased tunability via water and glycerol addition both in terms of solubility and physicochemical properties, such as viscosity and surface tension. Conclusions: Our study introduces novel DES systems, expanding the repertoire of pharmaceutically acceptable DES formulations and opening new avenues for the rational design of tailored solvent systems to overcome solubility challenges and enhance drug delivery.

Production of Defragmentable Bioplastic using Starch Extracted from Annona Muricata (Soursoup) Seed Reinforced with Bentonite Nanoclay

Abstract Seeds of Annona Muricata, often called soursop or guyabano were used as a source of starch for the production of defragmentable bioplastic. The researchers used mixture of water and starch content of 10 and 20 grams respectively from Annona Muricata (soursop) seeds with various concentration (20%, 25%, 30%) of glycerol (plasticizer) and reinforced with three different concentrations (0%, 3%, 6%) of bentonite nanoclay (filler). The characterization of the bioplastic was carried out by determining the effect of variation of the ratio between the quantity of starch from soursop seeds, bentonite nanoclay, and glycerol. The starch-based defragmentable bioplastic was evaluated with its water retention, degradation, and mechanical properties. The result showed that the tensile strength improved significantly with the addition of bentonite nanoclay and the elongation at break with the addition of glycerol. Same way in water retention test, where the presence of the bentonite nanoclay increased the strength of the bioplastic with its water solubility. In soil burial test, a higher level of glycerol concentration increased the rate of the bioplastic degradation. By adding the bentonite nanoclay as a filler, the rate of bioplastic degradation decreased compared to the bioplastic without filler. In shelf-life test, adding glycerol as plasticizer improved the shelf life of bioplastics. A high concentration of glycerol served as an anti-fungal for bioplastics.

Highly efficient coke dust suppressant with anti-freezing capabilities

Stockpiled coke is prone to wind-blowing emissions, leading to economic losses and environmental pollution which imposes severe threats to human health. While various polysaccharide-based dust suppressants have been explored to resolve this issue, they often suffer from ineffective control of wettability, poor coverage, and suppression effect in extreme weather conditions, and require additional use of cross-linking agents and surfactants due to their weak interaction with coke. Herein, we present coke dust suppressants comprising polyethyleneimine (PEI), starch, and glycerol to address these shortcomings. Our detailed investigations show that the low toxicity, cationic polymer (PEI) electrostatically interacts with the coke, increasing the wettability and promoting aggregation. Moreover, PEI hydrogen-bonds with starch to form a stable film and enhances the water-retention capability. Furthermore, the addition of glycerol lowers the freezing point to −13 °C, preventing coke loss caused by freezing during transportation and energy loss associated with dismantling the frozen coke. Wind erosion tests and bomb calorimeter results reveal that the coke dust suppressant exhibits superior wind resistance and does not interfere with the coke combustion.

Cloning of Three Aflatoxin B1 Oxidases of the Dipeptidyl Peptidase III Family and Evaluation of Their Potential for Practical Applications as Decontamination Enzymes.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) produced by some Aspergillus species belongs to the most dangerous contaminants of animal feeds. Development of safe and cost efficient decontamination methods saving feed quality and nutritional value are of paramount importance. The use of recombinant AFB1-detoxifying microbial enzymes represents a promising biotechnological approach meeting the aforementioned requirements. In this study, three AFB1-degrading oxidases (AFOs) from edible basidiomycetes Cantharellus cibarius, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus eryngii as well as AFO from Armillaria tabescens were expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3) and purified by immobilized metal-chelate chromatography. The stabilizing effect of the addition of glycerol and β-mercaptoethanol during protein extraction is shown. The catalytic constants of the recombinant AFOs (rAFOs) and other characteristics, which might be important for their practical application (and optimal temperature and pH, thermolability, regulation of the activity by metal ions and chelating agents, storage stability) were investigated. Among the obtained enzymes, rAFO from P. eryngii (Pe-AFO), which was characterized by the highest specific activity, thermostability and pH stability (especially at acidic pH range), the lowest Km, and relative resistance to the inhibition by phytate, showed the best AFB1-degrading efficacy. However, Pe-AFO and all other rAFOs significantly decreased the target activity during heating above 45 °C, storage frozen or lyophilization.

Crystallinity Reconstruction of Squid-Pen Chitosan into Mechanically Robust and Multifunctional Bionanocomposite Food Packaging Film.

First, we explore the effect of bioacids on the film processing of preprocessed, i.e., deacetylated, chitosan (d-chitosan with molecular weight of 1,000,000 kDa), using monocarboxylic acid (acetic acid), dicarboxylic acid (malic acid), and tricarboxylic acid (citric acid) as model weak acidic solvents to destabilize the hydrogen bonding and transform crystal structures into film. Second, we investigate the chemical and physical toughening effect in the bionanocomposite film composed of cross-linkable multicarboxilic acid, i.e., succinic acid (SA). In doing so, the addition of glycerol as a plasticizer can increase polymer chain mobility, making the biocomposite film more ductile and flexible. The addition of CNC also enhances the tensile strength (41.6%), swelling (43.47%), and oxygen barrier properties (38.81%), as well as significantly improves UV light barrier. The excellent antibacterial properties (99.9% efficiency against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae) of the prepared biocomposite films are found to be independent of the presence of glycerol or CNC. Third, the development of film processability under an industrially relevant process is also demonstrated by doctor blade method. It is found that film processability of the squid-pen's chitosan bionanocomposite can straightforwardly be compatible with and improvable in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) employed as a model biodegradable processing aid.

A Study on Two-Phase Flow with High Viscosity and Low Surface Tension Liquid in a 40-Degree Inclined Mini Channel

There are numerous applications of two-phase flow in mini pipes, including electronics cooling systems, microreactors in the chemical industry, and material development and manufacturing. This application requires a thorough understanding and is supported by complete data and information. However, the data and information are currently limited. Experimental research has been carried out on flow patterns, void fractions, and two-phase flow pressure gradients in small pipes. This study aims to obtain primary data on the subject. Dry air and a mixture of 67% distilled water, 30% glycerin, and 3% butanol represent the gas and liquid phases, respectively. The addition of butanol and glycerin each aims to reduce surface tension and improve the viscosity of the liquid phase, respectively. The density, kinematic viscosity, and surface tension of the liquid were 1,080.4 kg/m3, 2,368 mm2/s, and 38.6 mN/m, respectively. The test section was a 1.6 mm diameter glass pipe equipped with an optical correction box. The gas superficial velocity (JG) ranged from 0.025 to 66.3 m/s, whereas liquid superficial velocity (JL) varied from 0.033 to 4.935 m/s. The experiment was conducted under adiabatic conditions. Plug, slug-annular, annular, disperse bubbly, and churn flow patterns emerged, while separated flow was not discovered. For plug, slug-annular, and dispersed bubbly flows, the increase of JG proportionally affected the void fraction. However, for churn and annular flows, no particular relationship existed between JG and void fraction due to the slip between the real velocities of the gas and the liquid. The pressure gradient rose as JG and JL increased.