Alternative Materials Research Articles

Surface Pinning of Mn by Oxidation State Control for the Synthesis of Cobalt-Free, Ni-Rich, Core/Shell Structured Cathode Materials.

Motivated by the increasing cost, environmental concerns, and limited availability of Co, researchers are actively seeking alternative cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. A promising strategy involves structure-modified materials, such as a NiMn core/shell system. This design leverages the high energy density of a Ni-rich core while employing an Mn-rich shell to enhance interfacial stability by suppressing unwanted reactions with the electrolyte. This approach offers improved cycling stability and reduced reliance on Co. However, the interdiffusion of Mn ions between the core and shell remains a significant challenge during synthesis. This work presents a facile approach to address the issue of Mn interdiffusion in core/shell cathode materials. The study demonstrates that partial oxidation of the precursor during the drying stage effectively enhances the Mn oxidation state. This strategy successfully suppresses Mn interdiffusion during subsequent calcination, leading to the preservation of the core/shell architecture in the final cathode material. This optimized structure mitigates interfacial reactions, enhances chemomechanical properties, and reduces crosstalk, a major contributor to rollover failure. This work presents a novel approach for synthesizing high-performance core/shell cathode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.

Innovative MOS-based fiber cement boards: Effect of kraft pulp mills waste and curing by accelerated carbonation

The increasing global waste generated by industrial activities poses significant environmental challenges. Eco-waste management emerges as an economically viable solution for converting, valorizing, and repurposing these byproducts, aligning with circular economy principles, and aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Construction, known for its unsustainability due to high energy consumption, non-renewable resource utilization, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from cement production, has led to the exploration of alternative materials. Magnesium oxide (MgO)-based cement, an alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), has gained attention, leveraging Brazil's prominence as a major magnesite producer. This study explores the valorization of waste from kraft pulp mills of the paper industry, specifically lime sludge (LS) and lime slaker grits (grits), to produce magnesium oxysulfate (MOS)-based fiber cement boards. The effect of accelerated carbonation on cementitious composites produced with formulations containing grits and LS was investigated. Replacing 25% of the limestone with grits showed no noticeable differences in the properties of the boards, and MOR values close to 11.17 MPa were obtained. However, the physical-mechanical performance showed a decrease with the use of LS and higher concentrations of grits, associated with Na2SO4.XH2O formation in the system and ITZ structure formed around the aggregated particle, respectively. Carbonation in a saturated atmosphere led to the carbonation of the 5–1–7 phase, which was related to the decrease in mechanical strength of the boards after the curing process. The thermal decomposition of the Hydrated Magnesium Carbonates (HMCs) formed during accelerated carbonation corroborated with the changes in the physical properties of the composites, demonstrating that the carbonation products are formed within the voids and pores of the material and contribute to the reduction in water absorption of the boards.

Thermal Cycling Test of Solar Salt in Contact with Sustainable Solid Particles for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Plants

Thermal energy storage (TES) is crucial in bridging the gap between energy demand and supply globally. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants, employing molten salts for thermal storage, stand as an advanced TES technology. However, molten salts have drawbacks like corrosion, solidification at lower temperatures, and high costs. To overcome these limitations, research is focusing on alternative TES materials such as ceramic particles. These solids match molten salts in energy density and can withstand higher temperatures, making them well-suited for CSP systems. This study revolves around subjecting Solar Salt alone and Solar Salt alongside Volcanic Ash (VA) and Electric Arc Furnace Slag (EAFS) to a comprehensive thermal cycling test. This test is designed to assess the compatibility over the thermal cycles of the Solar Salt and the Solar Salt in contact with these solids in a CSP plant with a thermocline configuration. With a final thermal and chemical evaluation, our observations indicate that EAFS and VA demonstrate promising compatibility but an increase in the reduction rate of the Solar Salt due to a catalyst effect from EAFS in contact with the salt. No discernible alterations were detected in the properties of either the solid materials or solar salt when combined.

A Review Paper on Low Cost Housing

This study delves into cost-efficient construction materials and methods within civil engineering, aiming to address the pressing challenge of housing affordability. Traditional materials such as fired bricks and cement concrete, while prevalent, pose environmental concerns due to their high energy consumption during production and soil depletion. By scrutinizing existing research and practical applications, this research evaluates the potential of alternative materials such as Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks and fly ash concrete in building design. The research conducts a comparative analysis of construction costs for a duplex employing both conventional and alternative materials, quantifying potential cost savings achievable through adopting these alternatives. Through assessing the economic viability of these options, this study contributes to the discourse on sustainable construction practices. The findings provide valuable insights into mitigating the environmental and financial burdens associated with traditional building materials

Application of autogenous dentinal block to increase alveolar bone volume: a clinical case

Introduction. Materials based on extracted teeth in various studies have been radiographically and histologically proven to be effective in osteoplastic operations. These materials can be used in the form of crushed dentin matrix, a fragment of the tooth’s root and an autogenous dentin block. The purpose of this clinical case was to evaluate the effectiveness of using an autogenous dentin block to increase the alveolar process of the jaws in the preimplantation period.Description of a clinical case. Patient F., 30 years old, applied to the clinic of the Clinical Center of Maxillofacial, Plastic Surgery and Dentistry Russian University of Medicine with a complaint of a missing tooth in the frontal region of the lower jaw. At the time of treatment, the patient was already undergoing orthodontic treatment in another medical institution in Moscow. The patient underwent a clinical and radiological examination together with a prosthodontst. A diagnosis of «partial secondary adentia», «atrophy of the alveolar ridge in the frontal part of the lower jaw» and «dystopia of teeth 1.8, 2.8, 3.8, 4.8» was established. A comprehensive treatment plan has been drawn up. At the first stage, the patient underwent extraction of teeth 1.8, 2.8, 3.8, 4.8 for orthodontic indications with simultaneous bone grafting of the alveolar ridge in the area of the missing tooth 3.1. At the second stage, the patient underwent a trephine biopsy in the area of augmentation and installation of a dental implant in the area of missing tooth 3.1. The third stage was rational prosthodontic treatment on a dental implant in the department of prosthodontics.Results. The present study showed that autogenous dentinal block can serve as an alternative material for alveolar ridge augmentation.

A Review Paper on Study of Low Cost Housing

This study investigates cost-efficient construction materials and methods in civil engineering to tackle the growing challenge of housing affordability. While widely used, traditional materials like fired bricks and cement concrete raise environmental concerns due to high energy consumption during production and soil depletion. By analysing existing research and practical applications, this project assesses the potential of alternative materials like Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks and fly ash concrete for building design. We compare construction costs for a 2BHKhouse using both conventional and alternative materials to quantify potential cost savings from adopting these alternatives. By evaluating the economic viability of these options, this research contributes to the ongoing discussion on sustainable construction practices. Our findings offer valuable insights into reducing the environmental and financial burdens associated with traditional building materials

Exposing Uganda’s Cultural Mosaic: An examination of the Endingidi’s origins, educational and aesthetic dimensions

The field of music analysis has experienced significant growth, encompassing diverse aspects such as corporal movements in instrumental performance, dance studies, and cognition-centric methodologies. This paper provides a historical overview of the endingidi, a traditional tube-fiddle, within a broader context. It examines the materials used in constructing the endingidi as well as the challenges encountered in this process. Additionally, the paper explores the performative expressive elements of the endingidi, including accompanying gestures. Despite the enduring presence of the endingidi as a timeless traditional instrument, there remains a notable gap in comprehensive studies that unravel its intricate cultural significance, an oversight this investigation conscientiously seeks to address. The study identifies challenges in material sourcing for the endingidi due to scarcity and environmental degradation. Proposed interventions include afforestation, alternative materials, government support, and community engagement. Emphasizing sustainable practices and responsible harvesting, it urges government leadership, documentation of techniques, and community support for artisans. Linking to broader music education challenges, it advocates for government resource allocation. Providing a nuanced understanding of the endingidi, it underscores multidimensional approaches to safeguarding it as part of Ugandan cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of sustainability, research, government, and community involvement in preservation efforts.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Property of Green Okra Fruit Extract Against Enterococcus Faecalis Bacteria Tooth Root Canals

Background: Root canal treatment aims to eliminate bacteria that cause pulp abnormalities. Enterococcus faecalis is a bacteria in the infected tooth pulp, even those that have been treated. Irrigation was carried out together with biomechanical preparation using a combination of NaOCl and EDTA. The material is antibacterial, dissolves the organic and inorganic tissue of the root canal dentin, lacks odor and irritates the soft tissue. An alternative irrigation material from Jember cultivation is green okra. The fruit contains flavonoids, tannins, steroids, terpenoids. This study aims to analyze the phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of green okra fruit extract on the growth of E. Faecalis bacteria. Method: Phytochemical analysis to see the content of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids and terpenoids. Antimicrobial analysis included the inhibition test using disc diffusion, MIC and MBC tests using the dilution method. Samples were green okra fruit extract 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.125%, 1.563%, 2.5% NaOCl, 17% EDTA. The MIC and MBC tests were examined for Optical Density values ​​with a spectrophotometer and then subcultured to see whether there was growth of bacterial colonies. Analysis of the research data used ANOVA and LSD parametric statistical tests Result: Phytochemical content sequentially is Polyphenols, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Tannins, Steroids, Terpenoids. Antimicrobial properties Green okra fruit extract concentration of 6.25% had the smallest inhibition zone, the largest OD value and the highest colony count. The concentration of 100% has the largest inhibition zone, the lowest OD, there are no bacterial colonies. Antimicrobial power The concentration of 100% is close to that of 17% EDTA and 2.5% NaOCl. In the Kruskal Wallis test, there were differences in the Mann-Whitney test study group, there were significant differences between all groups Conclusion: The phytochemical content of green okra fruit extract has antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis approaching 2.5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA at 100% concentration, 6.25% MIC concentration and 12.5% ​​MBC concentration. Keywords: Phytochemical, Antibacterial, Green okra fruit extract, Enterococcus faecalis

Evolutionary Algorithms for Strength Prediction of Geopolymer Concrete

Geopolymer concrete (GPC) serves as a sustainable substitute for conventional concrete by employing alternative cementitious materials such as fly ash (FA) instead of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), contributing to environmental and durability benefits. To increase the rate of utilization of FA in the construction industry, distinctive characteristics of two machine learning (ML) methods, namely, gene expression programming (GEP) and multi-expression programming (MEP), were utilized in this study to propose precise prediction models for the compressive strength and split tensile strength of GPC comprising FA as a binder. A comprehensive database was collated, which comprised 301 compressive strength and 96 split tensile strength results. Seven distinct input variables were employed for the modeling purpose, i.e., FA, sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate, water, superplasticizer, and fine and coarse aggregates contents. The performance of the developed models was assessed via numerous statistical metrics and absolute error plots. In addition, a parametric analysis of the finalized models was performed to validate the prediction ability and accuracy of the finalized models. The GEP-based prediction models exhibited better performance, accuracy, and generalization capability compared with the MEP-based models in this study. The GEP-based models demonstrated higher correlation coefficients (R) for predicting the compressive and split tensile strengths, with the values of 0.89 and 0.87, respectively, compared with the MEP-based models, which yielded the R values of 0.76 and 0.73, respectively. The mean absolute errors for the GEP- and MEP-based models for predicting the compressive strength were 5.09 MPa and 6.78 MPa, respectively, while those for the split tensile strengths were 0.42 MPa and 0.51 MPa, respectively. The finalized models offered simple mathematical formulations using the GEP and Python code-based formulations from MEP for predicting the compressive and tensile strengths of GPC. The developed models indicated practical application potential in optimizing geopolymer mix designs. This research work contributes to the ongoing efforts in advancing ML applications in the construction industry, highlighting the importance of sustainable materials for the future.

Panji Asmorobangun Mask Dance as Local Culture and Its Relevance to Character Educational Values

Instilling cultural values can be done early on through learning that utilizes teaching materials available in the surrounding environment. It is considered that the learning process can run effectively and efficiently and in accordance with the potential of local wisdom. One of the alternative teaching materials can be taken by utilizing the circumstances surrounding the students’ environment which are used as additional teaching materials. In addition, the teaching materials contain local wisdom so that the given knowledge is wider. The introduction of the wealth of local wisdom in the form of traditions in East Java, especially Malang, has an orientation towards developing the national character based on local wisdom and unique culture in Indonesia. This research aimed to describe and analyze character educational values that could be found in the Panji Asmorobangun mask dance as a local culture of Malang. The research method used was descriptive qualitative research method, with data collection techniques of observation, interviews, and documentation. The research result found that character educational values in dance material are based on local wisdom obtained through the learning process of the Panji Asmorobangun mask dance. Character education values that emerged include religious, nationalist, loving the environment, mutual help, independence, excellence, empathy, mutual cooperation, responsibility, and integrity. This value was reflected in the idea of the dance work, and the structure of the work which consists of movements, musical accompaniment, costumes, and mask properties in dance. This research was a form of preserving local culture by introducing traditional dance at schools, by instilling educational values embedded in a curriculum filled with local cultural values so that the next generations kept interest and sustained their national identity. Keywords: local wisdom, character, mask dance

Advancing Detectivity and Stability of Near-Infrared Organic Photodetectors via a Facile and Efficient Cathode Interlayer.

Near-infrared (NIR) organic photodetectors (OPDs) are pivotal in numerous technological applications due to their excellent responsivity within the NIR region. Polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE) has conventionally been employed as an electron transport layer (hole-blocking layer) to suppress dark current (JD) and enhance charge transport. However, the limitations of PEIE in chemical stability, processing conditions, environmental impact, and absorption range have spurred the development of alternative materials. In this study, we introduced a novel solution: a hybrid of sol-gel zinc oxide (ZnO) and N,N'-bis(N,N-dimethylpropan-1-amine oxide)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PDINO) as the electron transport layer for NIR-OPDs. Our fabricated OPD exhibited significantly improved responsivity, reduced internal traps, and enhanced charge transfer efficiency. The detectivity, spanning from 400 to 1100 nm, surpassed ∼5 × 1012 Jones, reaching ∼1.1 × 1012 Jones at 1000 nm, accompanied by an increased responsivity of 0.47 A/W. Also, the unpackaged OPD remarkedly demonstrated stable JD and external quantum efficiency (EQE) over 1000 h under dark storage conditions. This innovative approach not only addresses the drawbacks of conventional PEIE-based OPDs but also offers promising avenues for the development of high-performance OPDs in the future.

Advancements in Solid-State Hydrogen Storage: A Review on the Glass Microspheres.

Glass microspheres, with their unique internal structure and chemical stability, offer a promising solution for the challenges of hydrogen storage and transmission, potentially advancing the utility of hydrogen as a safe and efficient energy source. In this review, we systematically evaluate various treatment and modification strategies, including fusion, sol-gel, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and compare the performance of different types of glass microspheres. Our synthesis of current research findings reveals that specific low-cost and environmentally friendly modification techniques can significantly enhance the hydrogen storage efficiency of glass microspheres, with some methods increasing storage capacity by up to 32% under certain conditions. Through a detailed life-cycle and cost-benefit assessment, our study highlights the economic and sustainability advantages of using modified glass microspheres. For example, selected alternative materials used in lightweight vehicles have been shown to reduce density by approximately 10% while reducing costs. This review not only underscores the contributions of modified glass microspheres to overcoming the limitations of current hydrogen storage technologies but also provides a systematic framework for improving their performance in hydrogen storage applications. Our research suggests that modified glass microspheres could help to make hydrogen energy more commercially viable and environmentally friendly.

Eco-friendly building materials: full-scale replacement of mineral aggregates with rice husk

In a context where sustainable construction and ecology are increasingly central, the construction industry is constantly seeking alternative materials that are both economical and eco-friendly. Concurrently, global rice production generates significant amounts of rice husks, often considered as low-value waste. This study deviates from traditional approaches that favor the use of rice husk ash (RHA) as a mineral additive, to explore the potential of rice husks themselves as a complete substitute for sand in concrete formulations. After meticulous characterization of the physicochemical properties of rice husks, several concrete formulations were designed and subjected to a battery of tests. The results are promising. They show that concrete based on rice husks exhibits satisfactory mechanical properties for a wide range of applications, from slabs to load-bearing walls. The compressive strength varies between 0.56 MPa and 5.41 MPa depending on the composition, while the thermal conductivity falls within a range of 0.070 W m−1 K−1 to 0.129 W m−1 K−1, which is comparable to other agro-concretes. This research highlights the promising potential of rice husks as a sand substitute material in concrete. It thus paves the way for more ecologically responsible and economically viable construction alternatives, while proposing a value-added solution for a widely available agricultural byproduct.

Incorporating plastic waste fibres for sustainable sandy soil

The increase in urbanization has led governments to build on sites with certain geotechnical ‎hazards, such as liquefaction, ‎low bearing capacity, etc. In recent decades, as governments ‎have focused their efforts on the environmental and ‎economic aspects, researchers have ‎emphasized the need to use suitable alternative materials for the best design features, also the issue of plastic pollution is a significant global problem that requires urgent attention, current initiatives focus on the use of technical solutions to integrate non-biodegradable plastics into ‎the construction of buildings and road pavement.‎ ‎In this ‎paper, a series of direct shear tests were performed to evaluate the benefits of plastic wastes, ‎such as polypropylene ‎‎(PP) pots, and the engineering properties of sand reinforced with such ‎materials. To highlight the contribution of the ‎reinforcement to the shear strength, the ‎tests were carried out on sand reinforced with variable fibre contents (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, ‎and 0.8%) ‎for loose-density sand and medium-density sand. ‎ The experimental results showed that the increase in shear ‎strength is relatively more significant for specimens prepared with dry deposition mode as compared to those prepared ‎with wet deposition mode and it is increased with the fibre content. The inclusion of randomly distributed fibres has a significant effect on the shear strength and dilatation of sandy soils. Furthermore, the recycling fibre used in this study ‎shows a better performance in terms of shear strength. In conclusion, the use of plastic waste as ‎reinforcement would lead ‎to at least two solutions: soil reinforcement and reducing the ‎environmental impact of waste.

From cement to geopolymers: Performances and sustainability advantages of ambient curing

The production of Portland cement results in substantial carbon emissions. Geopolymers are regarded as highly promising alternative binder materials to cement due to their low energy consumption and excellent mechanical properties. However, it should be noted that the thermal curing process of geopolymers diminishes their low-carbon advantage. In this study, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) was used to replace metakaolin (MK) by the ratio of 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, and 50 % to produce geopolymers. The aim was to examine the impact of GGBS content on the thermal curing performance of MK-based geopolymers. The microstructure of the specimens was analyzed using SEM and XRD analysis techniques. Lastly, a comprehensive assessment of their sustainability potential was carried out. As a result, slag may increase flow spread, decrease the setting time, and effectively improve the mechanical properties which curing on ambient temperature. The group with 50 % slag content had the highest compressive and flexural strengths, reaching 55.9 MPa and 8.45 MPa at 28 d, respectively. The drying shrinkage of geopolymers increases as the GGBS content goes up. Notably, owing to the evolution of chemical transformation and gel structure, MK exhibits a significant mitigation on shrinkage. Ultimately, with a 50 % slag content, the carbon dioxide emissions of geopolymer can be reduced to 265.36 kg CO2-eq, which is a 43.6 % decrease compared to that of OPC. With a comprehensive consideration of the performance and sustainability potential of geopolymers, it is recommended to introduce GGBS content in the range of 30 %–40 %.

The Effect of Providing Sugarcane Bagasse Compost (Saccharum Sp.) on the Growth of Tomato Plants (Solanum Lycopersicum) in Polybags

This research aims to make bagasse compost an alternative organic material to improve soil properties, making it ideal for the growth of tomato plants. The nutrient content in bagasse compost is N 1.18%, P 1.23%, K 1.90%, C 30.92%, and the C/N ratio is 26.2. The results of the descriptive analysis showed that after four weeks of watering and fertilizing with bagasse compost, the average height of the tomato plants was 45.5 cm, the length of the longest leaf was 5.7 cm, the width of the widest leaf was 3.3 cm, and the number of leaves was 80 pieces. on the plant, the root length was 23 cm, and the wet and dry weight of the plant was 38.35 and 22.81 grams respectively. Based on statistical data analysis, it can be seen that the growth of tomato plants is not affected by the use of bagasse compost. It can be seen that of the seven variables observed, only one variable, namely the widest leaf width, has an influence.

Characterization and biological prospects of various calcined temperature-V2O5 nanoparticles synthesized by Citrus hystrix fruit extract

In this study, a simple green synthesis of vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles (VNPs) was prepared by the extract of Kaffir lime fruit (Citrus hystrix) as a green reducing and stabilizing agent, along with the investigation of calcination temperature was carried out at 450 and 550 °C. It was affirmed that, at higher temperature (550 °C), the VNPs possessed a high degree crystalline following the construction of (001) lattice diffraction within an increase in crystalline size from 47.12 to 53.51 nm, although the band gap of the materials at 450 °C was lower than that of the VNPs-550 (2.53 versus 2.66 eV, respectively). Besides, the materials were assessed for the potential bioactivities toward antibacterial, antifungal, DNA cleavage, anti-inflammatory, and hemolytic performances. As a result, the antibacterial activity, with minimal inhalation concentration (MIC) < 6.25 μg/mL for both strains, and fungicidal one of the materials depicted the dose-dependent effects. Once, both VNPs exhibited the noticeable efficacy of the DNA microbial damage, meanwhile, the outstanding anti-inflammatory agent was involved with the IC50 of 123.636 and 227.706 μg/mL, accounting for VNPs-450 and VNPs-550, respectively. Furthermore, this study also demonstrated the hemolytic potential of the VNPs materials. These consequences declare the prospects of the VNPs as the smart and alternative material from the green procedure in biomedicine.

Audio Recognition of the Percussion Sounds Generated by a 3D Auto-Drum Machine System via Machine Learning

A novel 3D auto-drum machine system for the generation and recording of percussion sounds is developed and presented. The capabilities of the machine, along with a calibration, sound production, and collection protocol are demonstrated. The sounds are generated by a drumstick at pre-defined positions and by known impact forces from the programmable 3D auto-drum machine. The generated percussion sounds are accompanied by the spatial excitation coordinates and the correspondent impact forces, allowing for large databases to be built, which are required by machine learning models. The recordings of the radiated sound by a microphone are analyzed using a pre-trained deep learning model, evaluating the consistency of the physical sample generation method. The results demonstrate the ability to perform regression and classification tasks when fine tuning the deep learning model with the gathered data. The produced databases can properly train machine learning models, aiding in the investigation of alternative and cost-effective materials and geometries with relevant sound characteristics and in the development of accurate vibroacoustic numerical models for studying percussion instruments sound synthesis.

ADSORPTION OF CATION DYE USING ACTIVATED CARBON DERIVED FROM GOLDEN SHOWERSEED POD ( C ASSIA FISTULA)

This study investigated the use of Golden shower seed pod (cassia fistula) as an adsorbent for the removal of cationic dye in a batch system. The raw material was Carbonized at 600 oC for one hour to obtain a purely carbonized material; then impregnated with NaOH of 0.1M and allowed to stay for 24 hours to obtain the desired GS-AC activated carbon. The adsorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) elemental composition analysis. The effects of adsorbent dosage and contact time on the adsorption process were studied in a batch system. The results revealed that, there was good enhancements in pores of the adsorbent GS-AC due to the chemical impregnation. The FTIR spectra showed the presence C-H, NH 2, C-O, and S=O functional groups indicating a favourable surface for adsorption. Batch studies indicated that, the methylene blue uptake decreased with increase in the GS-AC dosage. The amount of Methylene blue adsorbed onto GS-AC increased with time and subsequently remained constant at some point in time with maximum uptake at 500 mg/l. Thus, adsorption capacity of methylene blue increased with longer contact time, indicating a stronger interaction between the adsorbent and the dye. Based on the findings, Golden shower seed pod (cassia fistula) impregnated with NaOH can be used as an alternative and suitable material for cationic dye removal from liquid phase.

Utilization of Blackmouth Catshark (Galeus melastomus) Skins as an Alternative Source of Gelatin: Extraction and Physicochemical Characterization in Comparison to Porcine Skin Gelatin

The present study investigated the potential use of blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) skins for gelatin production by employing a combined alkaline and acidic process. The yield of dry gelatin was relatively high (13.95%), showing a high protein content (87.80%), but low moisture (10.64%), ash (1.34%) and lipid (0.03%) contents, on a wet weight basis. Fish skin gelatin showed better color properties (&gt;L*, &lt;+b* values) than porcine skin gelatin and exhibited similar gel strength (315.4 g) and higher viscosity (5.90 cP) than the latter (p &lt; 0.05). Although the electrophoretic study revealed that fish skin gelatin was degraded to a lesser extent than its mammalian counterpart, the resulting fish skin gelatin gels melted at a significantly lower temperature (Tm = 21.5 °C), whereas the reverse process (i.e., gelling) also occurred at a lower temperature (Ts = 10.6 °C) and required more time (ts = 29.5 min) compared to porcine skin gelatin gels (Tm = 30.4 °C, Ts = 19.4 °C and ts = 20.7 min). These differences were attributed to the different imino acid content, which was greater in mammalian gelatin (p &lt; 0.05). The results suggested that the skins from blackmouth catshark can be potentially used as an alternative raw material for gelatin production, which will fill the needs of more diverse cultures that do not consume pork- or cow-related products.