Benzoic Acid Research Articles

Terminalia ivorensis demonstrates antioxidant properties and alters proliferation, genomic instability and migration of human colon cancer cells in vitro.

Colorectal cancer is a global killer that causes approximately 940 thousand deaths annually. Terminalia ivorensis (TI) is a tropical tree, the bark of which is used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes, malaria and ulcer. This study investigated TI as a potential anticancer agent in human colon cells in vitro. TI was extracted sequentially with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH and FRAP, and differential effects on cell viability, growth, DNA damage, DNA repair, and migration were measured in human colon cancer cells (CaCo-2) and/or non-cancerous human colonocytes (NCM460). The TI phytochemicals most strongly associated with these effects were identified by partial least-squares discriminant analysis. DPPH and FRAP activity were highest in TI ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts (p=0.001). All TI extracts significantly inhibited cell viability and growth and induced DNA damage and inhibited DNA repair in both cell models. The majority of TI extracts were significantly (p=0.01) more toxic to cancer cells than non-cancerous colonocytes. DNA repair was significantly (p=0.001) inhibited in CaCo-2 cells by ethyl acetate extract compared with NCM460 cells. Migration was also significantly inhibited (p<0.001) in CaCo-2 by ethyl acetate (80%) and ethanol extracts (75%). Specific benzoic acids, flavonoids and phenols were identified to be strongly associated with these effects. TI displayed strong antioxidant activity and specific anticancer effects by inducing cell death and DNA damage, and by inhibiting DNA repair, cell proliferation and migration.

Experimental evaluation of acid number effect on interfacial tension between nitrogen and mixtures of petroleum fractions including diesel fuel and gasoline at different pressures

Crude oil is made up of very complex compounds, which are found in polar organic substances especially organic acid compounds in the majority. Although organic acid content in crude oil is low, the presence of organic acids affects the interfacial tension (IFT) in oil reservoirs thereby altering the enhancement of oil recovery using nitrogen gas (N2) injection. Therefore, in this study, the effects of pressure (1 to 35 bar), the percentage of aromatic compounds (0.0 to 100 vol%) in the aliphatic hydrocarbon samples and the organic acid (benzoic acid) content (0.0 to 0.8 g.L− 1) on IFT between a mixture of gasoline/diesel fuel and N2 were investigated at a temperature of 298 K. IFT does not necessarily decrease as pressure increases for the sake of existence of aromatic compounds. IFT alteration for gasoline was more (about 8 dyne.cm− 1) than for diesel fuel (approximately 4 dyne.cm− 1) during pressure increased from 1 to 35 bar due to the replacement of heavy long chain aliphatic compounds instead of light aromatic matters. The effect of IFT alteration between N2 and diesel fuel during increasing the organic acid content was little (approximately 1.5 dyne.cm− 1), in contrast, this effect was more noticeable for N2/gasoline (about 8 dyne.cm− 1). In addition, a reduced cubic model for estimating IFT between N2 and petroleum fractions in terms of pressure, petroleum fraction composition and organic acid content was proposed with an average relative error of less than 2.6%.

Discovery of Chemical Constituents with Anti-Atopic Dermatitis Properties from Aster koraiensis.

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory dermatological disease characterized by persistent scratching and recurrent eczema. Due to the influence of environmental variables on the cause of this disease, there remains an ongoing interest in the development of therapeutic interventions. Previous studies have shown that various plants of the genus Aster and its derived phytochemicals possess efficacy in treating inflammatory-mediated diseases, including atopic dermatitis. Therefore, the present study investigated a potential compound with anti-atopic dermatitis properties derived from Aster koraiensis leaves, specifically targeting HaCaT keratinocyte cells. First, we isolated eleven compounds with three unknown compounds, including two polyacetylenes (1 and 3) and a benzoic acid derivative (4). The chemical structures of the isolates were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, specific rotation, acid hydrolysis, and quantum chemical calculations. Next, we treated an A. koraiensis extract and all isolates to HaCaT keratinocyte, followed by stimulation with TNF-α/IFN-γ. Among bioactive compounds, astersaponin J (7) exhibited a significant reduction in the levels of inflammatory cytokines associated with atopic dermatitis at a concentration of 2.5 μM. These findings suggest that chemicals obtained from an A. koraiensis 95% ethanol extract and derived compounds are potential therapeutics to help reduce the immunological response driven by atopic dermatitis.

Hierarchical Au@Pt nanoparticle/amino benzoic acid polymer-based hybrid material for labeled and label-free detection of interleukin-6: a comparative assessment.

Interleukin-6 (IL6) is a cytokine mainly involved in inflammatory processes associated with various diseases, from rheumatoid arthritis and pathogen-caused infections to cancer, where malignant cells exhibit high proliferation and overexpression of cytokines, including IL6. Furthermore, IL6 plays a fundamental role in detecting and differentiating tumor cells, including colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Therefore, given its range of biological activities and pathological role, IL6 determination has been claimed for the diagnosis/prognosis of immune-mediated diseases. Herein, a comparative study is presentedof labeled and label-free electrochemical immunosensors involving a hierarchical Au@Pt nanoparticle/polymer hybrid material for detecting IL6. The electrochemical immunosensors were independently coupled to the surface of screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) previously modified with polymeric layers. While in the label-free immunosensor, an anti-IL6 antibody (IL6-Ab) was covalently bound to the modified SPCE surface, in the sandwich-like amperometric immunosensor, an anti-biotinylated-IL6 antibody (B-IL6-Ab) was attached to the electrode through biotin-avidin affinity interactions. The label-free format employed a straightforward detection of IL6 by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The resulting electrochemical immunosensors exhibited a linear dynamic range from 50 to 750pg/mL IL6, with detection limits (LOD) of 14.4 and 6.0pg/mL for label-free and sandwich-like immunosensors, respectively. This outstanding performance makes them versatile platforms for clinical analysis of a panel of biomarkers for early diagnosis/prognosis of inflammatory processes associated with oncological diseases, among other pathologies.

Investigation on taxonomy, secondary metabolites and antibacterial activity of Streptomyces sediminicola sp. nov., a novel marine sediment-derived Actinobacteria.

Marine actinomycetes, especially Streptomyces, are recognized as excellent producers of diverse and bioactive secondary metabolites on account of the multiplicity of marine habitations and unique ecological conditions, which are yet to be explored in terms of taxonomy, ecology, and functional activity. Isolation, culture and genome analysis of novel species of Streptomyces to explore their potential for discovering bioactive compounds is an important approach in natural product research. A marine actinobacteria, designated strain SCSIO 75703T, was isolated, and the potential for bioactive natural product discovery was evaluated based on genome mining, compound detection, and antimicrobial activity assays. The phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses indicate that strain SCSIO 75703T represents a novel species in genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces sediminicola sp. nov. is proposed. Genome analysis revealed the presence of 25 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. The screening for antibacterial activity reveals the potential to produce bioactive metabolites, highlighting its value for in-depth exploration of chemical constituents. Seven compounds (1-7) were separated from the fractions guided by antibacterial activities, including three indole alkaloids (1-3), three polyketide derivatives (4-6), and 4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid (7). These primarily antibacterial components were identified as anthracimycin (4), 2-epi-anthracimycin (5) and β-rubromycin (6), presenting strong antibacterial activities against Gram-positive bacteria with the MIC value ranged from 0.125 to 16μg/mL. Additionally,, monaprenylindole A (1) and 3-cyanomethyl-6-prenylindole (2) displayed moderate inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase with the IC50 values of 83.27 and 86.21μg/mL, respectively. Strain SCSIO 75703T was isolated from marine sediment and identified as a novel species within the genus Streptomyces. Based on genomic analysis, compounds isolation and bioactivity studies, seven compounds were identified, with anthracimycin and β-rubromycin showing significant biological activity and promising potential for further applications.

Facile nanofabrication and simultaneous color-and-Raman hybrid mechanism of economic SERS substrate with tunable structure color for high enhancement factor

The conventional SERS technique utilizing metal nanoparticles (MNPs) is a powerful optical sensing method, relying on the inelastic collision between incident light and the analyte. However, the development of traditional color-tunable MNP-SERS substrates remains limited to two separate components of the color supporter for generating structure color and followed by the MNPs coating to generate the localized surface plasmonic resonance for SERS sensing. Here, a novel color-tunable SERS substrate without MNPs based on the economic one-step anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) coated with nanoporous Pt films was proposed to generate the color-and-Raman hybrid effect for high enhancement factor. This novel SERS substrate employs an economic method, that is a facile and low-cost one-step anodization process to fabricate the AAO with tunable structure color, enabling adaptation to excitation of laser sources. The substrate with the lowest reflectance to laser light exhibits the highest enhancement factor due to the coupling between the laser and the substrate. The resultant SERS substrate demonstrates a high enhancement factor (EF) of 5.27x105 to methylene blue with a good uniformity of the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 6.35 %. In a practical application, one of preservative, benzoic acid, was detected with a low concentration of 1 ppm in the extraction solution of tapioca balls. This innovative approach promotes limitations associated with traditional color-tunable SERS substrates and offers a promising path for sensitive and versatile trace substance detection.

Bacillus australimaris protect Gloriosa superba L. against Alternaria alternata infestation.

Gloriosa superba L., a medicinally important plant, is often affected by leaf blight disease caused by Alternaria alternata, which compromises its productivity. This study explores the protective effects of Bacillus australimaris endophyte (NBRI GS34), demonstrating that its inoculation not only inhibits the disease but also promotes plant growth and increases the concentrations of bioactive metabolites. Co-culturing NBRI GS34 with A. alternata significantly boosts protease (30-50%) and chitinase (6-28%) activities, evidencing a synergistic interaction. Scanning electron microscopy and GC-MS analysis confirm NBRI GS34's antagonistic action and reveal antifungal compounds like undecanoic acid and benzene carboxylic acid in treatments. Greenhouse experiments show a 78% reduction in disease incidence with NBRI GS34 treatment, enhancing vegetative growth and upregulating defense-related genes. Additionally, HPLC analysis reveals increased gloriosine and colchicine concentrations by 52% and 33%, respectively. These findings suggest NBRI GS34 could serve as a sustainable fungicide alternative, enhancing the production of medically valuable compounds and highlighting its potential pharmaceutical applications.

Surface-Enhanced, Low-Frequency Raman Spectroscopy: A Sensitive Screening Tool for Structural Characterization of Pharmaceuticals.

Surface-enhanced, low-frequency Raman spectroscopy (SELFRS) was explored for its potential as a structural screening tool within pharmaceutical applications, including facile small-scale multicomponent analysis. Paracetamol was used as the model drug, and its crystallization behavior with or without the presence of a templating agent (benzoic acid) was investigated using commercial silver-based SERS substrates. The Raman imaging was carried out using two different LFR-enabled instruments employing 532 and 785 nm incident lasers, where each of the setups showed certain affinity for differentiating lattice vibrations of the polymorphic forms of interest: form I and form II. A comparison of SELFRS, SERS, and their combination using chemometrics showed the potential for the LFR spectral range to improve surface-enhanced measurements either individually or in combination with the typically-used fingerprint region without the need to alter the experimental configuration. Additionally, the use of crystallization additives that helped to drive the formation of metastable form II was shown using SELFRS to provide additional mechanistic understanding of the template-assisted crystallization processes.

Bioavailability of mango (poly)phenols: An evaluation of the impact of the colon, and phenylalanine and tyrosine on the production of phenolic catabolites

A mango pulp purée was ingested by ileostomists, whose colon had been removed surgically, and subjects with a full gastrointestinal (GI) tract, after which ileal fluid, urine and feces were collected over a 24 h period and analysed by UHPLC-HR-MS. The main (poly)phenols in the purée were gallotannins (356 μmol) and two hydroxy-methoxy-cinnamoyl glucose esters (43 μmol) together with the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine (22 μmol) and tyrosine (209 μmol). Analysis of ileal fluid revealed almost all the ingested gallotannins appeared to have broken down in the upper GI tract with the released benzoic acids being rapidly absorbed into the circulatory system prior to urinary excretion mainly as phase-2 metabolites. Likewise, the glucose moiety of the cinnamic acid conjugates was cleaved and the released cinnamic acids absorbed efficiently from the proximal GI tract and subjected to phase II metabolism prior to excretion. Among the main phenolics excreted after mango intake were phenylacetic and benzoic acids and hydroxybenzene catabolites which were present in lower, but none-the-less, substantial amounts, in the urine of ileostomists. This indicates that a portion of these phenolics, including the hydroxybenzene derivatives, originate from substrates absorbed in the upper GI tract and are principally products of endogenous metabolism rather than being derived from colonic microbiota-mediated catabolism. 1,2,3-Trihydroxybenzene (aka pyrogallol) was the dominant urinary catabolite in both groups. Hippuric acid excretion exceeded (poly)phenol intake indicating a significant contribution from phenylalanine and tyrosine. The aromatic amino acids, while present in the ingested pulp, can also originate from several sources including breakdown of dietary proteins in the GI tract, and endogenous breakdown of surplus mammalian proteins independent of the GI tract. The trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT06182540.

Effect of Dietary Benzoic Acid and Oregano Essential Oil as a Substitute for an Anti-Coccidial Agent on Growth Performance and Physiological and Immunological Responses in Broiler Chickens Challenged with Eimeria Species.

To overcome the antimicrobial residues in food, benzoic acid (BA) and oregano essential oil (OEO) are used in the broiler chicken industry. Independently, both exerted anticoccidial and antimicrobial actions and improved growth performance in broiler chickens. Their effect may be multiplied when they are used in combination. This present study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of dietary BA and OEO alone or in combination as a substitute for a commercial coccidiostatic drug on growth performance and physiological and immunological responses in broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria species. A total of 252 unsexed 1-day-old broiler chicks were equally allotted to 36 pens, each pen containing seven chicks. The pens were randomly assigned to six treatments with six pens (replicates) for each treatment (n = 6)-(i) negative control, (ii) positive control, coccidia-challenged and non-treated, (iii) supplemented with salinomycin (an anti-coccidial drug) at 60 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged, (iv) supplemented with BA at 500 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged, (v) supplemented with OEOat 500 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged (OEO), and (vi) supplemented with BA at 500 mg/kg of feed and OEO at 500 mg/kg of feed and coccidia-challenged (B&O). The liver enzymes and thyroxine and creatinine levels were not affected (p > 0.05) both in coccidia-challenged and supplemented chickens. The BA and OEO applied separately or in combination (B&O) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced gut pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella and Escherichia coli) and Eimeria spp., and concurrently enhanced (p > 0.05) the Lactobacillus population with better body weight gain, improved feed utilization, and superior hematological values. It also up-regulated (p > 0.05) the interferon-γ gene expression and down-regulated (p < 0.05) the interleukin-10 and Toll-like receptor-4 gene expression to protect the chickens from inflammatory reactions, which were not demonstrated in salinomycin-treated birds. The B&O supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the immune system by enhancing Eimeria-specific immunoglobulin Y titer and lymphocyte proliferation response. This study suggests that the combined application of OEO and BA can substitute for a commercial anti-coccidial agent (salinomycin) in controlling coccidiosis as well as improving growth performance, gut health, and immune responses in broiler chickens with a means of antimicrobial-resistant free food products.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity of New 4`-Functionalized Bis-Terpyridine Ruthenium(II) Complexes: Anti-inflammatory Activity Advances.

Ruthenium complexes incorporating 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine ligands have emerged as promising candidates due to their versatile biological activities including DNA-binding, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. In this study, three novel 4'-functionalized bis(terpyridine) ruthenium (II) complexes were synthesized. These complexes feature one ligand as 4-(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-4'-yl) benzoic acid and the second ligand as either 4'-(2-thienyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, 4'-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, or 4'-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine. Besides the chemical characterization by 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectrometry, and absorption and emission spectroscopy, the complexes were tested for their biological activity as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial agents. Moreover, the toxicity of the Ru(II) complexes was assessed and benchmarked against diclofenac potassium and ibuprofen using a haemolysis assay. Biological evaluations demonstrate that these ruthenium complexes exhibit promising therapeutic potential with reduced haemolytic activity compared to standard drugs. They demonstrate substantial anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of albumin denaturation along with moderate cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. These findings highlight the multifaceted biomedical applications of 4'-functionalized bis(terpyridine) ruthenium (II) complexes, suggesting their potential for further development as effective and safe therapeutic agents.

New Phytol Derivatives with Increased Cosmeceutical Potential.

Natural compounds are widely incorporated into cosmetic products for many purposes. Diterpenes often function as fragrances, enhancing the sensory experience of these formulations. However, current trends in cosmetic science aim to develop multifunctional products, where compounds traditionally used for texture or fragrance also possess biological activities that contribute to the product's efficacy. In this context, this study focuses on synthesizing derivatives of phytol-a compound already presents in cosmetic formulations-to enhance its anti-aging properties. The derivatives were synthesized through esterification with substituted benzoic and cinnamic acids, known for their antioxidant and enzyme inhibition properties. Reaction yields ranged from 91.0% to 5.2%, depending on the substituents in acid derivatives. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed through NMR and MS techniques. Both the natural and newly synthesized derivatives were evaluated for their cosmeceutical potential using antioxidant assays and inhibition assays for tyrosinase, elastase, collagenase, and hyaluronidase. This work presents the first report of the synthesis and cosmetic evaluation of several of these derivatives. Comparing with phytol (1), which presented an IC50 of 77.47 µM, four of the derivatives presented improved tyrosinase inhibitory activity, with phytyl 4-methoxybenzoate being the most active (IC50 = 27.9 µM), followed by phytyl benzoate with an IC50 of 34.73 µM. Substitutions at other positions on the aromatic ring were less effective. Molecular docking studies confirmed that the modifications potentiated a stronger interaction between the synthesized compounds and tyrosinase.

Photoinitiated Degradation Kinetics of the Organic UV Filter Oxybenzone in Solutions and Aerosols: Impacts of Salt, Photosensitizers, and the Medium.

Organic UV filters like oxybenzone (BP3) in sunscreens are seawater pollutants suspected to transfer to the atmosphere via sea spray aerosol (SSA). This study examines the photoinitiated degradation of BP3 in artificial and real seawater compared to SSA mimics containing NaCl and 4-benzoylbenzoic acid (4-BBA). We investigated pure, binary, and ternary mixtures of BP3, NaCl, and 4-BBA using solar-simulated light to isolate the effects of salt and photosensitization on BP3 degradation. Results showed significantly faster degradation in the aerosol phase (J eff,env ≈ 10-3-10-2 s-1 or t 1/2 < 10 min) compared to bulk solutions (J eff,env ≈ 10-6 s-1 or t 1/2 > 1 day). The photosensitizer enhanced BP3 photodegradation in both phases more than when mixed with salt or all three components in solutions. BP3 photodegradation was most enhanced by salt in the aerosol phase. High-resolution molecular analysis via Orbitrap LC-MS/MS revealed more acutely toxic compounds (benzophenone, benzoic acid, and benzaldehyde) in irradiated aerosols than in solution, supported by electronic structure and toxicity modeling. These findings highlight that seawater may serve as a reservoir for BP3 and other organic UV filters and that upon transfer into SSA, BP3 rapidly transforms, increasing aerosol toxicity.

FTIR traced modification of defect-engineered UiO-66 for enhanced accessibility of zirconium sites

This research focuses on identifying the accessibility of active sites within the defect-engineered UiO-66 framework. The task is particularly challenging due to reversible changes in the framework during dehydroxylation: the loss of μ3-OH groups with simultaneous reduction of the Zr coordination number and the possible creation of Zr4+ Lewis acid sites in defect MOFs. We used in-situ FTIR and XANES analyses, as well as interaction with probe molecules, to monitor the changes in Zr coordination and the host-guest interaction. The defects were introduced using benzoic acid as a modulator, which coordinated to Zr4+ in defective pores. Our results showed that the UiO-66 sample synthesized with benzoic acid contained defects, but these were concealed under benzoate residues and thus inaccessible. Standard washing and heating did not remove benzoate anions. Dehydroxylation of the sample leads to the development of “hidden” Lewis acidity: some Zr4+ sites were not able to form complexes with the weak base CO, but they interact with the stronger bases acetonitrile. Additionally, in-situ XANES analysis revealed that the effect of acetonitrile adsorption is similar to that of water rehydration. Treatment of the sample with HCl and DMF led to the replacement of benzoates with formate ions, exposing the bare Zr4+ sites within the defective pores. These cationic sites acted as true Lewis acids and were able to coordinate both CO and acetonitrile. Our findings emphasize that the active sites in UiO-66 highly depend on synthesis conditions and post-synthetic treatments. Comprehensive site-specific methods are crucial for accurately predicting and identifying these active sites.

Photooxidation of Toluene Derivatives under HAT and ROS Synergy.

The valorization of toluene offers a dual solution by addressing its environmental impact while also facilitating the synthesis of a diverse array of valuable fine chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates, thus ensuring both ecological sustainability and economic viability. We report herein a synergistic approach that harmonizes hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under mild condition and low catalyst loading, which enables the efficient synthesis of a broad spectrum of esteemed benzoic acid derivatives and aryl ketones through the photocatalytic oxidation of toluene derivatives. Mechanistic elucidation reveals that the HAT reagent anthraquinone has both the capabilities to abstract hydrogen atoms and the ability to generate singlet oxygen 1O2 during energy transfer with triplet oxygen 3O2, and the combination of these two potencies significantly improves the catalytic efficiency of the reaction. This study not only introduces the amalgamation of HAT with ROS generation but also delineates a systematic approach for the selection of HAT reagents with energy transfer proficiency for ROS generation in catalytic oxidation reactions.

Bioprospecting of novel and biologically active compounds and enzymes from a new fungal biobank for industrial biotechnology

Here, we present methods for screening any newly isolated microbial biobank for enzymes, antioxidants, and additional secondary metabolites. Bioactive compounds and enzymes produced by fungi have many applications in industry as valuable leads for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and potential strains for industrial biotechnology. In this study, fungi collected from Irish habitats were purified and identified by sequencing Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA regions. Reducing sugars released because of enzyme hydrolysis was used to estimate the relative enzyme activity for carboxymethyl cellulase, pectinase, β-xylanase, arabinoxylanase, mannanase, and galacto-mannanase in the fungal extracts and was normalized against the crude protein content to express relative enzyme activity/milligram. The best enzyme producers were as follows: F1 Clonostachys rosea demonstrated 351.63 U/mg β-xylanase and 645.50 U/mg arabinoxylanase activity; F2 Penicillium expansum had 25 U/mg cellulase and 112.5 U/mg pectinase activity; F3 Fusarium avenaceum had 139.36 U/mg arabinoxylanase, 52.33 U/mg galacto-mannanase, and 45 U/mg mannanase activity; and F9 Trichoderma koningii had 372.15 U/mg β-xylanase and 655.18 U/mg arabinoxylanase activity. In addition to enzyme activity, these strains also exhibited antioxidant activity when tested in Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, with activity expressed as μmol Trolox equivalents (TE) per gram of dried fungal extract. In results from the ORAC assay, F1 C. rosea reported 655,669 µmol TE/g; F2 P. expansum had 636,889 µmol TE/g; and F3 F. avenaceum had 4,488,035 µmol TE/g. High DPPH activity was observed for F1 C. rosea at 12,572 µmol TE/g, F3 F. avenaceum at 22,646 µmol TE/g, and F9 T. koningii at 22,558 µmol TE/g. F1 C. rosea, F3: F. avenaceum, and F9 T. koningii also reported high FRAP activity at 36,019 µmol TE/g, 69,325 µmol TE/g, and 25,812 µmol TE/g, respectively. In terms of secondary metabolites, the main compounds detected for the isolates were F1 C. rosea produced benzoic acid, 3-pyridinepropionic acid, and cyclo(-Gly-Phe); F2 P. expansum produced Cyclo(-Gly-Phe) and prenitremone A; F3 F. avenaceum produced cyclo(-Leu-Leu) and p-anisaldehyde; and F9 T. koningii produced cyclo(-Gly-Phe), canescin, citreoviridin X, and cyclopaldic acid. These selected isolates indicate that Irish fungi are a potential source of enzymes and novel biologically active compounds useful in industrial biotechnology and bioproduction supporting sustainability and responsible environmental management.

Reaction of aroylpyruvic acids methyl esters with 4-aminobenzoic acid. Antioxidant activity of the obtained compounds

4-{[(2Z)-4-Aryl-2-hydroxy-4-oxobut-2-enoyl]amino}benzoic acids were synthesized by reacting methyl esters of aroylpyruvic acids with 4-aminobenzoic (p-aminobenzoic) acid in glacial acetic acid in the presence of anhydrous sodium acetate. 4-{[(2Z)-4-Aryl-1-methoxy-1,4-dioxobut-2-en-2-yl)]amino}benzoic acids were synthesized by reacting the above reagents in a mixture of glacial acetic acid–ethanol (1:1) without adding anhydrous sodium acetate. Structure of the obtained compounds was confirmed by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds was studied.

Allelochemicals Released from Rice Straw Inhibit Wheat Seed Germination and Seedling Growth

Recently, returning rice straw to soil has become a common problem in wheat production because it causes decreased wheat seedling emergence. Allelopathy is an important factor affecting seed germination. However, the effects of rice straw extracts on wheat seed germination and seedling growth remain unclear. Wheat seeds and seedlings were treated with 30 g L−1 of rice leaf extracts (L1), 60 g L−1 of rice leaf extracts (L2), 30 g L−1 of rice stem extracts (S1), 60 g L−1 of rice stem extracts (S2) and sterile water (CK) to study the allelopathic effects of rice straw extracts on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. The α-amylase and antioxidant enzyme activities in wheat seeds; the agronomic traits, photosynthetic indicators, and nutrient contents of wheat seedlings; and the phenolic acids in rice stem extracts were determined. Common allelochemicals, including 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, hydrocinnamic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, vanillic acid, benzoic acid, protocatechualdehyde, caffeic acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid, and salicylic acid, were detected in rice stem extracts. Low-concentration rice leaf and stem extracts (30 g L−1) had no effect on the germination rate of wheat seeds. High-concentration (60 g L−1) rice stem and leaf extracts decreased the seed germination rate by 11.00% and 12.02%. Rice stem extract (60 g L−1) decreased the α-amylase activity, and gibberellin content of wheat seeds but increased superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities and malondialdehyde content in wheat seeds. Allelochemicals entered the internal tissues of wheat seeds, where they decreased the gibberellin content and α-amylase activity and increased the antioxidant enzyme activity, ultimately leading to an inhibitory effect on seed germination. Rice stem and leaf extracts decreased the SPAD value and photosynthetic indicators of wheat seedlings. Rice stem extract (60 g L−1) decreased the fresh weight and root length of wheat seedlings by 31.37% and 45.46%. Low-concentration rice leaf and stem extract (30 g L−1) had no effect on the nutrient contents of wheat seedlings. Rice leaf and stem extracts (60 g L−1) decreased the nitrogen and potassium contents of wheat seedlings. These results indicated that low-concentration rice leaf and stem extract (30 g L−1) had no effect on wheat seed germination and the high-concentration rice stem extract (60 g L−1) released allelochemicals and inhibited wheat seed germination and seedling growth. These findings provide a basis for the improvement of straw return techniques.

Red Mud as a Potential Catalyst for Petrochemicals Production from Oxygenated Aromatic Plastic Wastes via Fast Pyrolysis

The increased rate of post‐use accumulation of the heteroatom‐containing plastic wastes like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC) and polyurethane (PU) in the environment propels the research for effective and sustainable valorization. In this study, PET from bottle waste, PC from compact discs and PU from waste wind turbine blade were characterized and employed for fast pyrolysis experiments. Importantly, red mud (RM), a mixed oxide, rich in Fe, Al, Si, Na and Ca, was used as a catalyst for fast pyrolysis. The effects of temperature and feed‐to‐catalyst ratio on product yields were studied to elucidate the product formation mechanism. Benzoic acid and its derivatives, bisphenol‐A and oxygenated aromatics, and 4,4’‐methylenebisbenzamine were the major products obtained from the non‐catalytic fast pyrolysis of PET, PC and PU, respectively. The use of RM improved the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons from PET to 27.8 wt.% at 550°C, phenolics from PC to 46.6 wt.% at 550°C, and 4,4’‐methylenebisbenzamine to 34.9 wt.% at 650oC. The catalytic activity of RM is ascribed to the presence of active basic sites. The present study paves the path for the catalytic upcycling of challenging plastic wastes using industrial waste like RM as a sustainable catalyst from a circular economy viewpoint.

Research on the Mechanism of Growth of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. Root Responding to Phenolic Stress Induced by Benzoic Acid.

Soil autotoxic chemosensory substances have emerged as the predominant environmental factors constraining the growth, quality, and yield of Codonopsis pilosula in recent years. Among a vast array of chemosensory substances, benzoic acid constitutes the principal chemosensory substance in the successive cultivation of C. pilosula. However, the exploration regarding the stress exerted by benzoic acid on the growth and development of C. pilosula remains indistinct, and there is a scarcity of research on the mechanism of lobetyolin synthesis in C. pilosula. In the current research, it was discovered that exposure to benzoic acid at a concentration of 200 mmol/L conspicuously attenuated the plant height, root length, total length, fresh weight, root weight, root thickness, chlorophyll content, electrolyte osmolality, leaf intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), net photosynthesis rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and leaf stomatal conductance (Gs) of C. pilosula. Benzoic acid (200 mmol/L) significantly enhanced the activity of root enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and peroxidase (POD), as well as the accumulation of polysaccharides and lobetyolins (polyacetylene glycosides) in the roots of C. pilosula. In this study, 58,563 genes were assembled, and 7946 differentially expressed genes were discovered, including 4068 upregulated genes and 3878 downregulated genes. The outcomes of the histological examination demonstrated that benzoic acid stress augmented the upregulation of genes encoding key enzymes implicated in the citric acid cycle, fatty acid metabolism, as well as starch and sucrose metabolic pathways. The results of this investigation indicated that a moderate amount of benzoic acid could enhance the content of lobetyolin in C. pilosula and upregulate the expression of key coding genes within the signaling cascade to improve the resilience of C. pilosula lobetyolin against benzoic acid stress; this furnished a novel perspective for the study of C. pilosula lobetyolin as a potential substance for alleviating benzoic acid-induced stress.