Purification Agent Research Articles

Eco-Friendly Facile Conversion of Waste Eggshells into CaO Nanoparticles for Environmental Applications.

Amongst the many types of food waste, eggshells contain various minerals and bioactive materials, and they can become hazardous if not properly disposed of. However, they can be made useful for the environment and people by being converted to environmentally friendly catalytic materials or environmental purification agents. Simple calcination can enhance their properties and thereby render them suitable for catalytic and environmental applications. This work aimed to prepare CaO from waste eggshells and examine its effectiveness in photocatalytic pollution remediation, electrocatalytic activity, optical sensing, and antibacterial activities. As opposed to other techniques, this calcination process does not require any chemical reagents due to the high purity of CaCO3 in eggshells. Calcium oxide nanoparticles were prepared by subjecting waste eggshells (ES) to high-temperature calcination, and the synthesized CaO nanoparticles were characterized for their structural, morphological, chemical, optical, and other properties. Furthermore, their photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye and antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. It was found that the green-converted CaO can be efficiently used in environmental applications, showing good catalytic properties.

Gas-phase and liquid-phase purification of plastic waste derived carbon nanotubes: Effect of purification agent and operational parameters

The preparation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics is one of the most promising technologies to realize the harmless and high-value recycling of waste plastics. However, there are limited studies on the purification of waste-derived carbons, which is of significance for downstream applications. In this paper, the effects of different gas-phase purification conditions (temperature, gas type), liquid-phase purification (hydrochloric and nitric acid reflux), and combined gas-liquid purification on the properties of CNTs prepared from waste plastics were investigated. The as-obtained and purified CNTs were characterized using SEM, TEM, TPO, XRD, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy. Results showed that operational temperatures have distinct impacts on the properties of CNTs during gas-phase purification. An appropriate temperature range for gas-phase purification was determined, with temperatures around 450 °C for air, 650 °C for CO2, and 700 °C for steam respectively, so that the amorphous carbon could be removed and the graphitization of CNTs was retained. Approximately 93 wt% of the metal catalyst particles could be removed with acid treatment for 4 h. In addition, carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups were introduced to CNTs after acidic treatment. Furthermore, it was found that the approach combining CO2 treatment and nitric acid washing yielded CNTs with relatively higher quantities and lower defect levels. Results showed the properties of CNTs varied from the purification methods, which could meet different needs based on the downstream specific application requirements.

Reducing Free Fatty Acids in Crude Palm Oil Using Diethylene Glycol and Zinc(II) Chloride Based Deep Eutectic Solvent

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) were prepared by precise combinations of mol fractions of chemical compounds, resulting in a lowered melting point due to hydrogen bonding. This research aimed to elucidate the physicochemical attributes of DES and its effectiveness in mitigating free fatty acid (FFA) levels in crude palm oil (CPO). Zinc(II) chloride (ZnCl2) served as the hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) while diethylene glycol (DEG) as the hydrogen bond donor (HBD). Characterization included freezing point, density, viscosity, conductivity, and pH determination. At a ZnCl2 mol fraction of 0.30, the resulting DES exhibited homogeneity with transparent liquid properties, featuring a freezing point below −10 °C, density of 1.42 g/mL, viscosity of 1933.40 cP, conductivity of 66.13 µS/cm, and pH 3.42. FTIR spectra confirmed hydrogen bond interactions between HBA and HBD. Applied to CPO at a 1:1 volumetric ratio (DES:CPO), with 2 h of stirring time at 50 °C, FFA content decreased from 4.11 to 0.86%. This research highlights DES as an environmentally sustainable purification agent, significantly reducing FFA levels in unrefined palm oil.

Impact of different NaOH treatments on biocellulose properties from coconut water fermented by Lentilactobacillus parafarraginis

Background: Biocellulose is a natural polymer produced by bacteria with distinct physicochemical properties, although it has a chemical composition identical to plant cellulose. Before use, biocellulose was purified by chemical treatment to increase its properties. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate biocellulose properties using NaOH solution as a purification agent. Method: After harvesting, all samples were purified using NaOH of 0.25 M (BC0.25), 0.5 M (BC0.5), and 1 M (BC1) and determined for their properties, such as mechanical strength, swelling degree, water vapour transmission, and moisture content. Analysis of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra were also performed for characterisation. Result: BC0.5 exhibited the highest tensile strength of 15.38±0.45 MPa and elongation at a break of 38.40±0.58%. BC1 had the highest swelling degree of 131.24±0.70%, water vapour transmission of 400.00±0.36 g/m2, and moisture content of 6.44±0.14%. Nevertheless, there were slight alterations in morphological structure and spectral peaks because of the high concentration of NaOH. Conclusion: The use of NaOH treatment of 0.5 M in biocellulose purification removed more contaminants and resulted in better properties than other concentrations.

Determination of 222 pesticide residues in olive oil by fully automatic QuEChERS pre-treatment instrument coupled with gas chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Pesticide residues may be present in olive oil because pesticides are applied to olive trees during their cultivation and growth for pest prevention and some of these pesticides are not easily degraded. Studies on pesticide residues in olive oil have mainly focused on the detection of single types of pesticide residues, and reports on the simultaneous detection of multiple pesticide residues are limited. At present, hundreds of pesticides with different polarities and chemical properties are used in practice. In this study, an analytical method based on fully automatic QuEChERS pretreatment instrument coupled with gas chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS) was established for the rapid determination of 222 pesticide residues in olive oil. The effects of acetonitrile acidification concentration, n-hexane volume, oscillation time, centrifugation temperature, and purification agent on the determination of the 222 pesticide residues were investigated. First, ions with good responses and no obvious interference were selected for quantification and characterization. The purification process was then developed by setting the parameters of the fully automatic QuEChERS pretreatment instrument to optimal values. The sample was extracted with acetonitrile containing 2% formic acid, and the supernatant was purified by centrifugation in a centrifuge tube containing 400 mg N-propylethylenediamine (PSA), 400 mg octadecylsilane-bonded silica gel (C18), and 1200 mg anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The purified solution was blown dry with nitrogen and then fixed with ethyl acetate for instrumental analysis. Finally, a matrix standard solution was used for quantification. The method was validated in terms of matrix effects, linear ranges, limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs), accuracies, and precisions. The results showed that 86.04% of the 222 pesticides had linear ranges of 0.02-2.00 μg/mL, 10.81% had linear ranges of 0.10-2.00 μg/mL, and 3.15% had linear ranges of 0.20-2.00 μg/mL. The pesticide residues showed good relationships within their respective linear ranges, and the correlation coefficients (R2) were greater than 0.99. The LODs of all tested pesticides ranged from 0.002 to 0.050 mg/kg, and their LOQs ranged from 0.007 to 0.167 mg/kg. Among the 222 pesticides determined, 170 pesticides had LOQs of 0.007 mg/kg while 21 pesticides had LOQs of 0.017 mg/kg. At the three spiked levels of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 mg/kg, 79.58% of all tested pesticides had average recoveries of 70%-120% while 65.92% had average recoveries of 80%-110%. In addition, 93.54% of all tested pesticides had relative standard deviations (RSDs, n=6)<10% while 98.35% had RSDs (n=6)<20%. The method was applied to 14 commercially available olive oil samples, and seven pesticides were detected in the range of 0.0044-0.0490 mg/kg. The residues of fenbuconazole, chlorpyrifos, and methoprene did not exceed the maximum limits stated in GB 2763-2021. The maximum residual limits of molinate, monolinuron, benalaxyl, and thiobencarb have not been established. The method utilizes the high mass resolution capability of TOF-MS, which can improve the detection throughput while ensuring good sensitivity. In addition, high-resolution and accurate mass measurements render the screening results more reliable, which is necessary for the high-throughput detection of pesticide residues. The use of a fully automatic QuEChERS instrument in the pretreatment step reduces personnel errors and labor costs, especially when a large number of samples must be processed, thereby offering significant advantages over other approaches. Moreover, the method is simple, rapid, sensitive, highly automatable, accurate, and precise. Thus, it meets requirements for the high-throughput detection of pesticide residues in olive oil and provides a reference for the development of detection methods for pesticide residues in other types of oils as well as the automatic pretreatment of complex matrices.

Preliminary assessment of &lt;i&gt;Moringa oleifera&lt;/i&gt; seed as a flocculation agent for purification of drinking water

Sachet and borehole water are the major sources of drinking water for many in Nigeria. However, there are still concerns about drinking water purity in Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the parasites associated with sachet and borehole drinking water and to determine the efficacy of Moringa oleifera seed in the flocculation treatment of sachet and borehole water. A total of 75 sachet water from 15 brands, and 10 different borehole water samples were collected from the study area. Moringa seed was processed and maceration was done to extract the active ingredients. Of the 75 sachet water samples from 15 brands examined, none had any parasites. However, all the brands contained varying degrees of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Brand N had the highest (147.1mg/L), while Brand G had the least (4.62mg/L). After treatment, the TDS values of all the water samples were reduced by more than 50% in each of the brands. There was no significant association in the particle load among the sachet water brands (P&gt;0.05, P=0.141). All 10 borehole water samples examined also contained varying degrees of TDS. The highest level of TDS in the study (635.4mg/L) and Ova of Ascaris lumbricoides was observed in sample E. After treatment, the TDS values of all the water samples were reduced. Also, ova of A. lumbricoides was no longer observed in the sample E. In this study, M. oleifera seed has demonstrated a high level of efficacy as a flocculation agent for the purification of drinking water. Therefore, we recommend further studies to determine how the seed could be used safely as a household and industrial water flocculant.

Enhancement of magnetization and optical properties of CuFe2O4/ZnFe2O4 core/shell nanostructure

In this work, core/shell of CuFe2O4/ZnFe2O4 nanostructure composite was prepared by hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscope imaging, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared techniques were used to prove the phase formation, morphology, elemental analysis, and cation distribution of core/shell structure, respectively. Furthermore, measurement of the optical properties proved the decrease of photoluminescence (PL) efficiency. The magnetic measurements showed an enhancement of the magnetization by about 63% relative to pure Cu ferrite, and the magnetization curve exhibited superparamagnetic behavior. These results were explained in terms of the depression of the magnetic dead layer thickness in the core/shell structure. The results unleash the promising applications of the prepared samples as transformer cores in the high frequency range and as a photocatalytic agent for water purification and hydrogen production.

Global advances and smart innovations in supramolecular polymers

Supramolecular polymer represents a transformative frontier in materials science, reshaping polymer technology through unique assembly principles and dynamic properties. This manuscripts delves into the rapid advancements and future potential within this field, examining the theoretical foundations of supramolecular interactions and self-assembly that constitute these polymers. It progresses to explore state-of-the-art synthesis and design strategies that enhance the functionality of these complex materials. Particularly notable is the integration of supramolecular polymers with nanotechnology, fostering advancements that deepen our understanding and application in significant ways. The reported work showcases the adaptability of supramolecular polymers across various domains, including groundbreaking roles in drug delivery and tissue engineering within biomedical engineering, and as innovative agents for environmental purification and sensor development. The discussion also addresses current challenges such as stability, scalability, and reproducibility, central to transitioning from research to real-world applications. This state-of synthetic knowledge not only provides a comprehensive examination of the current status of supramolecular polymer research but also encourages further investigation and innovation, with the anticipation that these materials will revolutionize multiple industries with their inherent versatility and capacity for sustainability.

Silver and carbon nitride-doped nickel selenide for effective dye decolorization and bactericidal activity: in silico docking study.

In this study, nickel selenide (NiSe), Ag/C3N4-NiSe, and C3N4/Ag-NiSe nanowires (NWs) were synthesized via coprecipitation. The prepared NWs were employed for the degradation of the rhodamine B (RhB) dye in the absence of light using sodium borohydride (NaBH4), bactericidal activity against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and in silico docking study to investigate the d-alanine ligase (DDl) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) gyrase of S. aureus. NWs demonstrate a catalytic degradation efficiency of 69.58% toward RhB in a basic medium. The percentage efficacy of the synthesized materials was evaluated as 19.12-42.62% at low and 36.61-49.72% at high concentrations against pathogenic S. aureus. Molecular docking results suggest that both C3N4/Ag-doped NiSe and Ag/C3N4-doped NiSe possess inhibitory activities toward DDl and DNA gyrase of S. aureus, which coincides with the in vitro bactericidal activity. Based on the research outcomes, the synthesized NWs show potential as an effective agent for water purification and resistance to microbial contaminants.

Advancements in Adsorption Techniques for Sustainable Water Purification: A Focus on Lead Removal

The long-term sustainability of the global water supply, with a paramount emphasis on cleanliness and safety, stands as a formidable challenge in our modern era. In response to this pressing issue, adsorption techniques have emerged as pivotal and widely recognized solutions for the removal of hazardous pollutants, with a particular emphasis on lead adsorption from wastewater. This comprehensive review explores the relentless advancements made in the adsorption domain, highlighting innovations using separation and purification techniques that surpass traditional metal oxide-based adsorbents. Of particular note is the growing exploration of alternative materials, such as starch, chitosan, nanoscale structures like zeolites and metal-organic frameworks, magnetic materials, and carbon-based substances for the development of inorganic adsorbents. These materials, with their remarkable capacity for nanoscale structural adjustment, possess extraordinary capabilities for effective contaminant removal, facilitating swift water purification. The literature survey for this review was conducted using the Google Scholar engine, with “adsorbents for lead remediation” as the starting keywords, resulting in approximately 6000 papers. The search was refined to focus on the last three years and specifically targeted review papers which are most relevant to lead remediation. More than 100 papers were analysed to investigate various techniques, surface modifications, and adsorbent materials for managing inorganic pollutants in water. This review also illuminates research limitations, with a specific focus on starch-based adsorbents in lead remediation. As we progress towards practical commercial applications, this review identifies challenges associated with the development of inorganic adsorbents and provides invaluable insights into future prospects. Surface modification emerges as a promising path, with the potential to substantially enhance adsorption capacity, potentially doubling or even quadrupling it. Moreover, the adsorbents demonstrate impressive regenerative capabilities, maintaining up to 90% regeneration efficiency after multiple cycles. In conclusion, starch-based adsorbents show considerable potential as effective agents for lead purification from aquatic environments. Nevertheless, the need for further research persists, emphasizing the optimization of the adsorption process and exploring the long-term stability of starch-based adsorbents in real-world scenarios.

Valorization of waste gypsum board as a green adsorbent for efficient fluoride removal in groundwater and wastewater treatment

The escalating generation of construction waste during building reconstruction and remodeling underscores the significance of recycling for environmental preservation and resource conservation. In this context, we propose the valorization of waste gypsum board (WGB), a common construction waste material, as a value-added environmental purification agent. WGB, composed primarily of CaSO4, displays the potential to react with fluoride to form CaF2, making it a promising adsorbent for fluoride removal. Through density functional theory analysis, we determined that WGB possesses mesoporous characteristics, with pore sizes ranging from 1 to 20 nm. While thermal treatment has been effective in enhancing fluoride adsorption on other adsorbents, our investigations revealed that the crystalline structure (CaSO4) of WGB remained unchanged under thermal treatment, limiting its impact on the fluoride adsorption capacity. Nevertheless, WGB exhibited a remarkably high fluoride adsorption capacity (285.90 mg/g), surpassing those of other reported adsorbents. Furthermore, the WGB demonstrated excellent fluoride removal performance, even at higher solution pH levels. In artificial wastewater, a dose of 3.33 g/L WGB achieved a remarkable removal efficiency (> 95%). The applicability of WGB was validated by successful fluoride removal in real wastewater and groundwater, with 94% of fluoride in groundwater removed using 0.33 g/L of WGB and 97% of the fluoride in the wastewater removed with 1.67 g/L WGB. This study opens a promising pathway, demonstrating the potential of WGB as a green adsorbent for the effective treatment of fluorine-contaminated wastewater and groundwater, transcending its traditional role in waste recycling.

Fabrication of a Co-Mo-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Growth of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

Double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) make up a unique class of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that are particularly intriguing for scientific research and are promising candidates for technological applications. A more precise level of control and greater yields can be achieved via catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD), which involves the breakdown of a carbonaceous gas over nanoparticles. The addition of molybdenum to the system can increase the selectivity with regard to the number of walls that exist in the obtained CNTs. As reported herein, we have designed and synthesized a novel Co-Mo-MOF, [Co(3-bpta)1.5(MoO4)]·H2O (where 3-bpta = N,N'-bis(3-pyridyl)terephthalamide), and employed the Co-Mo-MOF as a bimetallic catalyst precursor for the CCVD approach to prepare high-quality DWCNTs. The Co-Mo-MOF was employed after being calcined in N2 and H2 at 1100 °C and decomposing into CoO, CoMoO4, and MoO3. Existing CoMoO4 is unaltered after reduction in H2 at 1100 °C, while CoO and MoO3 are converted into Co0 and MoO2, and more CoMoO4 is created at the expense of Co0 and MoO2 without clearly defining agglomeration. Finally, the interaction between metallic Co particles and C2H4 is what initiates the formation of DWCNTs. In-depth discussion is provided in this paper regarding the mechanism underlying the high selectivity and activity of Co-Mo catalysts in regulating the development and structure of DWCNTs. The DWCNTs also offer excellence performance when they are used as water purification agents and as selective sorbents. This work opens a feasible way to use MOFs as a way to produce MWCNTs, thus blazing a new trail in the field of MOF-derived carbon-based materials.

Penggunaan Adsorben Bentonit pada Proses Pencucian Kering dalam Pemurnian Biodiesel Minyak Jelantah

Biodiesel can be made by utilizing used cooking oil through a chemical process, namely through a transesterification reaction, namely changing the oil (triglycerides) into fatty acid methyl esters. Washing must be done to remove the remaining impurities in biodiesel. The dry washing method is purification by utilizing the adsorption process to remove impurities in crude biodiesel. Bentonite is an alternative adsorbent that can be used as dry washing in the biodiesel refining process because it is cheaper, abundant in nature and has a layered structure with the ability to swell. The purpose of the study was to determine the ability of bentonite activated with acid as a dry washing agent in biodiesel purification. The research method used is the dry washing process method using bentonite adsorbents. The application of bentonite adsorbent as much as 6 grams with a contact time of 3 hours is the best operating condition to produce biodiesel with a pH of 6 and a clarity value of 96.7.

Green tea extract mediated biosynthesis of lead oxide nanoparticles: characterization, and catalytical activity

This study presents a green method for synthesizing lead oxide nanoparticles (PbO NPs) using green tea leaf extract and explores their potential as an eco-friendly agent for water purification. The PbO NPs were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, and XRD, revealing their purity, stability, crystalline structure and composition. This process is entirely green, cost-effective and free from toxic solvents. The green synthesized PbO NPs were found to be active catalysts for the degradation of toxic organic dyes such as methyl orange (MO) in contaminated water. This study showed that the green synthesized PbO NPs are stable and reusable for reducing MO to its leuco-form in a short time in an aqueous medium without catalytic agent. This method is much cheaper than other methods. The catalytic activity of PbO NPs can be explained by its small size, which produces numerous active sites due to its wide surface area per unit volume.

Silver substituted cobalt zinc ferrites as magnetic antimicrobials

Silver-substituted cobalt zinc ferrite series, CoxAg0.5-xZn0.5Fe2O4 (x = 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1), is synthesized using the citrate gel method, wherein ferrite formation is achieved at 600 °C. The low-temperature crystallization results in agglomerated and porous ferrites. In this sample preparation methodology, as the silver content in the series increases, metallic silver deposits at the grain boundaries, and vacancies are created at the octahedral sites. With a further increase in silver content, the magnitude of magnetic properties decreases. Antimicrobial activity increases and further decreases with an increase in silver content. The composition Co0.4Ag0.1Zn0.5Fe2O4 exhibits both magnetic and antimicrobial behaviour. These materials can potentially be beneficial in the manufacture of removable antimicrobial agents for water purification and drug delivery systems.

A study on the applicability of one-step vortex extraction and purification combined with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of four skin penetration enhancers in cosmetics

Based on one-step vortex extraction and purification combined with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS), we established a simple, rapid, and efficient method for the simultaneous determination of four skin penetration enhancers in cosmetics, including isosorbide dimethyl ether, isopropyl myristate, N-butylsaccharin and Azone. The extraction procedure was performed in a centrifuge tube, allowing extraction and purification in a single step. The cosmetic sample was extracted by n-hexane-ethyl acetate (1:1, V/V), purified by silica gel and anhydrous magnesium sulfate as the solid phase purification agent, separated on a TG-5 ms column (30.0 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μ m), confirmed and detected by GC–MS/MS in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, and quantified by the internal standard method with Di-n‑butyl phthalate-D4(DBP-D4) as the internal standard. The selections of a column, extraction solvent, and solid phase purification agent were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the four skin penetration enhancers showed good linearities in the range of 0.02∼0.50 mg L − 1. The correlation coefficients (r) were 0.992 ∼ 0.997, exceeding the specifications requirements (r ≥ 0.990); The detection (LODs, S/N = 3) and quantification limits (LOQs, S/N = 10) of the method were 0.08 ∼ 0.12 mg kg−1 and 0.25 ∼ 0.40 mg kg−1, respectively. According to the cosmetic matrix in different formulation systems, the spiked recovery tests were carried out at three levels, i.e., low, medium, and high. The average recoveries of the analytes were 85.3% ∼ 95.6%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 6) were 2.1% ∼ 7.8%. The established method was also employed to analyze cosmetics in the market. Azone, isosorbide dimethyl ether, and isopropyl myristate resulted as the most widely used skin penetration enhancers in cosmetics. The method established in this study has the advantages of operational simplicity, high sensitivity, good reproducibility, and low consumption of samples and solvents. Moreover, it can be used to determine skin penetration enhancers in cosmetics.

Enhanced ferrate(VI) oxidation of organic pollutants through direct electron transfer

Fe(VI) is a versatile agent for water purification, and various strategies have been developed to improve its pollutant removal efficiency. Herein, it was found that in addition to intermediate iron species [Fe(IV)/Fe(V)], direct electron transfer (DET) played a significant role in the abatement of organic pollutants in Fe(VI)/carbon quantum dots (CQDs) system. Around 86, 83, 73, 64, 52, 45 and 17% of BPA, DCF, SMX, 4-CP, phenol, p-HBA, and IBP (6 μM) could be oxidized by 30 μM of Fe(VI), whereas with the addition of CQDs (4 mg/L), the oxidation ratio of these pollutants increased to 98, 99, 80, 88, 87, 66 and 57%, respectively. The negative impact induced by solution pH and background constituents on Fe(VI) abatement of pollutants could be alleviated by CQDs, and CQDs acted as catalysts for mediating DET from organic pollutants to Fe(VI). Theoretical calculation revealed that iron species [Fe(VI)/Fe(V)/Fe(IV)] was responsible for the oxidation of 36% of phenol, while DET contributed to the oxidation of 64% of phenol in the Fe(VI)/CQDs system. Compared with iron species oxidation, the CQDs mediated DET from pollutants to Fe(VI) was more efficient for utilizing the oxidation capacity of Fe(VI). The DET mechanism presented in the study provides a prospective strategy for improving the pollution control potential of Fe(VI).

Analyzing the effect of tannic acid as a bio-additive and water purification agent in cement pastes

Non-toxic and bio-based additives create opportunities for cementitious composites, such as reducing carbon emissions. This study aims to analyze the functionality and availability of tannic acid as a purifying agent in cement pastes. Tannic acid created a porous structure in cement pastes and decreased the compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity due to excessive hydroxyl groups. However, tannic acid showed a crucial improvement ratio of 97% in the inhibition of total viable micro-organisms at the end of the fourth day. Moreover, micro-organisms growth was inhibited after 4 days with the use of 1% tannic acid and 0.1% graphene oxide instead of cement in the paste. It is envisaged that tannic acid can be used in the production of permeable concrete with its water treatment performance, and can be used in filter design in sewage and city infrastructures.

Development of Simultaneous Determination Method of Pesticide High Toxic Metabolite 3,4-Dichloroaniline and 3,5 Dichloroaniline in Chives Using HPLC-MS/MS.

3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) and 3,5-dichloroaniline (3,5-DCA) are, respectively, the primary metabolites deriving from the breakdown of phenylurea herbicides and dicarboximide fungicides in both soils and plants, whose residues in vegetable products have a heightened concern considering their higher health risks to humans and greater toxicity than the parent compounds in the environment. In this study, a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 3,4-DCA and 3,5-DCA residues in chive products based on the optimization of HPLC-MS/MS chromatographic and mass-spectrometric conditions using the standard substances and the modified QuEChERS preparation technique. The preparation efficiency of 3,4-DCA and 3,5-DCA from chive samples showed that acetonitrile was the best extractant. The combination of the purification agent graphite carbon black + primary secondary amine and the eluting agent acetonitrile + toluene (4:1, v/v) had a satisfactory purification effect. The linear correlation coefficients (R2) were more than 0.996 with the six concentration range of 0.001-1.000 mg/L for 3,4-DCA and 3,5-DCA. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation of this method was 0.6 and 2.0 µg/kg for 3,4-DCA, as well as 1.0 and 3.0 µg/kg for 3,5-DCA, respectively. The matrix effect range of 3,4-DCA and 3,5-DCA in chive tissues was from -9.0% to -2.6% and from -4.4% to 2.3%, respectively. The fortified recovery of 3,4-DCA and 3,5-DCA in chive samples at four spiked levels of 0.001-1.000 mg/kg was 75.3-86.0% and 78.2-98.1%, with the relative standard deviation of 2.1-8.5% and 1.4-11.9%, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method were 0.6, 2.0, and 1.0, 3.03 for 4-DCA and 3,5-DCA, respectively. This study highlights that the analytical method established here can efficiently and sensitively detect residues of 3,4-DCA and 3,5-DCA residues for monitoring chive products. The method was successfully applied to 60 batches of actual vegetable samples from different regions.

High-throughput screening of multi-pesticide residues in animal-derived foods by QuEChERS-online gel permeation chromatography-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Improvements in living standards have led to an increase in the consumption of animal-derived foods. Pesticides may be used illegally during animal breeding as well as meat production and processing for pest control and preservation. Pesticides applied to crops may also be enriched in animal tissues through the food chain, thereby increasing the risk of pesticide residue accumulation in muscles and visceral tissues and endangering human health. China has stipulated maximum residue limits for pesticide residues in livestock and poultry meat and their viscera. Many other major developed countries and organizations, including the European Union, Codex Alimentarius Commission, and Japan, have also set maximum residue limits for these residues (0.005-10, 0.004-10, and 0.001-10 mg/kg, respectively). Research on pretreatment technologies for pesticide residue detection in plant-derived foods is widely available, but insufficient attention has been paid to animal-derived foods. Thus, high-throughput detection technologies for pesticide residues in animal-derived foods are limited. The impurities that can interfere with the detection process for plant-derived foods mainly include organic acids, polar pigments, and other small molecular compounds; by contrast, the matrix of animal-derived foods is much more complex. Macromolecular proteins, fats, small molecular amino acids, organic acids, and phospholipids can interfere with the detection of pesticide residues in animal-derived foods. Thus, selecting the appropriate pretreatment and purification technology is of great importance. In this study, the QuEChERS technique was combined with online gel permeation chromatography-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GPC-GC-MS/MS) to determine 196 pesticide residues in animal-derived foods. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile, purified using the QuEChERS technique coupled with online GPC, detected by GC-MS/MS, determined in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM), and quantified using the external standard method. The effects of the extraction solvent and purification agent type on the extraction efficiency and matrix removal of the method were optimized. The purification effect of online GPC on the sample solution was investigated. The optimal distillate receiving time was obtained by studying the recoveries of the target substances and matrix effects over different distillate receiving periods to achieve the effective introduction of target substances and efficient matrix removal. Further, the advantages of the QuEChERS technique combined with online GPC were evaluated. The matrix effects of 196 pesticides were assessed; ten pesticide residues showed moderate matrix effects, while four pesticide residues showed strong matrix effects. A matrix-matched standard solution was used for quantification. The 196 pesticides showed good linearity in the range of 0.005-0.2 mg/L, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.996. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.002 and 0.005 mg/kg, respectively. The recoveries of 196 pesticides at spiked levels of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.20 mg/kg were 65.3%-126.2%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.7%-5.7%. The proposed method is rapid, accurate, and sensitive; thus, it is suitable for the high-throughput screening and detection of multiple pesticide residues in animal-derived foods.