Chemical Basis Research Articles

Role of Availability on Actual Purchase Behavior of Organic Food Products: An Application of Theory of Planned Behavior

Aim: This paper examines how consumers' purchase intentions and actual purchase behavior for organic food products are related to the moderating effect of availability and its relationship with those two variables. Methods: Using structural equation modeling, a structured survey of 250 participants revealed that the three components of the theory of planned behavior-attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavior control impacted consumers' purchase intentions. Results: Findings revealed a strong correlation between purchase intention and actual purchase behavior of the consumers towards organic products. Furthermore, it identifies a few areas for future work that would benefit wholesalers, retailers, marketers, consumers, and scholars. Conclusion: Food provides indispensable nourishment, which leads to a healthy life. However, it has recently come to light that many food products have become unhealthy due to farmers' excessive use of pesticides and chemical-based fertilizers, resulting in several illnesses. Currently, it has been observed that many consumers are attracted to organic food that is healthy, tasty, and free from chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers. To increase the study's accuracy and utility, further research might be done on additional aspects, such as significant price premiums, a lack of knowledge, confidence in organic certification programs, and quality.

Immunization of male BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice similar modulates chemical signals detected in both chromatographic and behavioral tests

The odor plays a key role in communication between animals and the choice of a mate. The odor of urine of males becomes less attractive to mature females after infection or activation of the immune system. The development of the immune response in the early stages is related with the production of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. To investigate the chemical basis of the observed differences and examine the influence of female interactions with the odor of antigen-treated males, we immunized males of inbred BALB/c (Th1) and C57BL/6 (Th2) mice with hemocyanin (KLH). For females of both tested strains, the attraction of the odor of male urine collected 3 days after immunization was lower compared with the odor of control males. Herewith, BALB/c females sniffed the urine of immunized males less frequently, and C57BL/6 females demonstrated a shorter duration of grooming in olfactory tests with urine of immunized males. The altered response of females to the odor of male urine collected on day 3 after KLH injection matched with antigen-induced modulation of relative levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in urine samples by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). In males of both strains, after KLH injection, an increase in the content of nonanal, benzothiazole, as well as 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole, and [1,4,5]-oxadithiepane was shown. At the same time, no compounds were found, the content of which changes in different directions in the urine of males after immunization, depending on the strain of the animal.

Chemical Composition of Aerosols from the E-Cigarette Vaping of Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids.

Vaping cannabinoids in electronic (e)-cigarette devices is rapidly increasing in popularity, particularly among adolescents, although the chemistry affecting the composition of the vape aerosol is not well understood. This work investigates the formation of aerosol mass, bioactive hydroxyquinones, and harmful or potentially harmful carbonyls from the e-cigarette vaping of natural and synthetic cannabinoids e-liquids in propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin (PG/VG) solvent at a 50 mg/mL concentration in a commercial fourth-generation vaping device. The following cannabinoids were studied: cannabidiol (CBD), 8,9-dihydrocannabidiol (H2CBD), 1,2,8,9-tetrahydrocannabidiol (H4CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). Quantification of analytes was performed using liquid chromatography coupled to accurate mass spectrometry. The addition of cannabinoids significantly increased aerosol and carbonyl formation compared with the PG/VG solvent alone. All cannabinoids in the study formed hydroxyquinones during vaping (up to ∼1% mass conversion) except for CBDA, which primarily decarboxylated to CBD. Hydroxyquinone formation increased and carbonyl formation decreased, with a decreasing number of double bonds among CBD and its synthetic analogues (H2CBD and H4CBD). During the vaping process, ∼3-6% of the cannabinoid mass can be observed as carbonyls under the study conditions. Oxidation of the terpene moiety on the cannabinoids is proposed as a major contributor to carbonyl formation. CBD produced significantly higher concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, diacetyl, and methylglyoxal compared with the other cannabinoid samples. CBG produced significantly higher levels of acetone, methacrolein, and methylglyoxal. Conversion of CBD to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was not observed under the study conditions. The chemical mechanism basis for these observations is discussed. Compared with other modalities of use for CBD and other cannabinoids, vaping has the potential to adversely impact human health by producing harmful products during the heated aerosolization process.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis provides insights into the regulation of root-specific saponin production in Panax japonicus.

Panax japonicus, a traditional medicinal plant from the Araliaceae family, produces bioactive triterpenes with health benefits. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, its roots have been used, but the chemical basis of its medicinal use is unclear, particularly regarding the metabolism and regulation of triterpene saponin biosynthesis. This study employed an integrative approach using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) and transcriptome analysis. Our UPLC analysis showed that ginsenoside Ro and chikusetsusaponin IVa were mainly detected in P. japonicus root. Subsequently, a comparative transcriptome analysis of four P. japonicus tissues (roots, leaves, flowers and fruits) was conducted using Illumina sequencing. As a result, 90,985 unigenes were functionally annotated from a total of 211,650 assembled non-redundant transcripts. Among these, 42,829 unigenes were annotated in NR database. Tissue-specific gene analysis revealed that roots had the highest number of specifically expressed unigenes (11,832). The majority of these unigenes were associated with metabolic processes. Additionally, tissue expression patterns analysis for three common transcription factor families indicated that WRKY family genes showed a significantly root-specific expression pattern, potentially playing a role in triterpene saponin biosynthesis. Notably, we investigated the expression profiles of genes related to the biosynthesis of triterpene saponins and found that four genes, ACCT, HMGS, HMGR and SS, encoding key enzymes in triterpene saponins biosynthesis pathway, were primarily expressed in the root. Overall, our study provides a set of P. japonicus tissue transcriptome data, which will aid in the discovery of triterpene saponin biosynthetic genes and offers valuable genetic information for this medical plant.

Exploring Chemistry Confusions and Misconceptions in Nepalese Secondary Education

This study investigates the confusions and misconceptions in chemistry of ninth and tenth graders in Nepal. The primary objectives were to identify misconceptions in various areas of chemistry, determine their sources, and understand teachers' perceptions of these misconceptions. A concurrent mixed-method research design was employed, utilizing questionnaires and interviews for data collection. A random sample of 120 students from Grades 9 and 10 participated in the study. The findings revealed significant misconceptions in areas such as chemical reactions and stability, chemical equations, acids, bases and salts, and the periodic table. The main sources of these misconceptions were identified as common sense, textbooks, and teachers. The study highlights the importance of addressing these misconceptions to improve chemistry education. It provides valuable insights for future research, aiding in the planning and development of theoretical and conceptual frameworks to better understand and mitigate misconceptions in chemistry education.

Cs3LiGe4, One Compound with Two Complementary Structural Descriptions: Isolated [Ge4]4- Tetrahedral Clusters Coordinated by Li+ and Cs+ Cations or One-Dimensional [LiGe4]3- Polyanions Packed within a Matrix of Cs+ Cations?

Reported are the synthesis and structural characterization of Cs3LiGe4, the first structurally characterized lithium-containing cesium germanide. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data indicate that Cs3LiGe4 crystallizes in an orthorhombic crystal system with the space group Cmcm (no. 63, Person symbol oS32) with unit cell parameters a = 6.950(2) Å, b = 15.503(3) Å, and c = 9.919(2) Å and V = 1068.65(4) Å3. The structure consists of [Ge]44- tetrahedral clusters with the Li atoms positioned in such a way that polyanionic [LiGe]43- chains could be considered as well. Electronic structure calculations indicate an intrinsic semiconductor with a band gap of 0.76 eV. To understand the nuances of the chemical bonding, position-space techniques based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, the electron localizability indicator, and their basin intersections were employed confirming the covalent character of the Ge-Ge bonding. The strong polarity of the interactions between [Ge]44- and the surrounding lithium and cesium cations suggests to interpret these as mainly ionic, further supporting the most basic structure rationalization [Cs+]3[Li+][Ge]44-, following the Zintl-Klemm concept. The electron localizability indicator topology affirms the striking similarities between [Ge]44- and molecular As4 tetrahedra in yellow arsenic, further supporting Klemm's pseudoatom concept on a quantum chemical basis.

Chemical Screening, Identification, and Comparison of Tripterygium Hypoglaucum Hutch Preparations by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Combined With Multivariate Statistical Analysis.

Colquhounia root tablets (CRT) and Tripterygium hypoglaucum hutch tablets (THHT), two major Tripterygium hypoglaucum hutch (THH) commercial preparations, have been used to treat chronic kidney diseases or rheumatic diseases. However, there have been no reports on the chemical comparison between CRT and THHT, greatly hindering the understanding of their pharmacological difference as well as their rational application in clinical practice. In the present study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry combined with automated data analysis by MS-DIAL software and MS-FLO website was employed to systematically screen and characterize the components in CRT and THHT. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to compare the differences between these two preparations. As a result, up to 92 components were tentatively identified, and 17 of them were characterized for the first time in THH preparations. According to the criteria of variable importance in projection (VIP) >1, p < 0.05, and fold change (FC) > 1.2, 46 components could be screened as major differential chemical components. Among them, phenolic acids, organic acids, amino acids, and diterpenoids were higher in CRT, while the sesquiterpene alkaloids were relatively higher in THHT. This study clarified the chemical material basis and the difference between CRT and THHT, providing a valuable reference for quality control and clinical rational use of THH preparations.

A molecular mechanism for bright color variation in parrots.

Parrots produce stunning plumage colors through unique pigments called psittacofulvins. However, the mechanism underlying their ability to generate a spectrum of vibrant yellows, reds, and greens remains enigmatic. We uncover a unifying chemical basis for a wide range of parrot plumage colors, which result from the selective deposition of red aldehyde- and yellow carboxyl-containing psittacofulvin molecules in developing feathers. Through genetic mapping, biochemical assays, and single-cell genomics, we identified a critical player in this process, the aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH3A2, which oxidizes aldehyde psittacofulvins into carboxyl forms in late-differentiating keratinocytes during feather development. The simplicity of the underlying molecular mechanism, in which a single enzyme influences the balance of red and yellow pigments, offers an explanation for the exceptional evolutionary lability of parrot coloration.

An image-based RNAi screen identifies the EGF.R signaling pathway as a regulator of Imp/ IGF2BP RNP granules.

Biomolecular condensates have recently retained much attention since they provide a fundamental mechanism of cellular organization. Among those, cytoplasmic RNP granules selectively and reversibly concentrate RNA molecules and regulatory proteins, thus contributing to the spatio-temporal regulation of associated RNAs. Extensive in vitro work has unraveled the molecular and chemical bases of RNP granule assembly. The signaling pathways controlling this process in a cellular context are however still largely unknown. Here, we aimed at identifying regulators of cytoplasmic RNP granules characterized by the presence of the evolutionarily conserved IGF2BP/Imp/ZBP1 RNA binding protein. We performed a high-content image-based RNAi screen targeting all Drosophila genes encoding RNA binding proteins, phosphatases and kinases. This led to the identification of dozens of genes regulating the number of Imp+ RNP granules in S2R+ cells, among which components of the MAPK pathway. Combining functional approaches, phospho-mapping and generation of phospho-variants, we further showed that the EGF.R signaling inhibits Imp+ RNP granule assembly through activation of MAPK/Rolled and Imp S15 phosphosite. This work illustrates how signaling pathways can regulate cellular condensate assembly by post-translational modifications of specific components.

A systematic UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS-based strategy for analysis of chemical constituents and related in vivo metabolites of Buyang Huanwu decoction

Ethnopharmacological relevanceBuyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD), a traditional Chinese medicine, is one of the classic prescriptions for the treatment of ischemic stroke in clinical practice. It has the effects of tonifying qi, activating blood circulation, and promoting meridian circulation. However, its chemical analysis has not been clarified, which greatly hinders its further clinical application. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the chemical constituents and metabolites profile of BYHWD in vivo. Aim of the studyCharacterizing the chemical basis of BYHWD in vitro, and combing studies of related metabolism in vivo to screen out the potential active components of BYHWD with pharmacological effects in vivo. Materials and methodsTwelve male rats weighed 200 ± 20 each were selected for the experiments. According to the fragmentation of different structural types of components and diagnostic ions, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to classify and clarify the unknown components of BYHWD and identify the material basis of BYHWD in vitro. Then, rat plasma, tissues, feces, and urine were collected for analysis. Based on the similarity of MS responses (accurate molecular weight and secondary fragmentation) and chromatographic behavior (retention time), the in vivo prototype and metabolites were analyzed. Through the phase I and phase II metabolism law, a metabolite library was established to analyze the prototype-matched metabolites. ResultsA total of 121 in vitro compounds and 55 in vivo prototypes of BYHWD were identified, corresponding to 123 matched prototypes. It was mainly composed of flavonoids, triterpene saponins, nucleosides and lactones both in vitro and in vivo. Quercetin, ligustilide, astragaloside IV, calycosin, paeoniflorin and ferulic acid were the main prototypes and metabolites in plasma and urine. ConclusionQuercetin, ligustilide, astragaloside IV, calycosin, paeoniflorin and ferulic acid were the main active ingredients of BYHWD.

Filamentous fungal pellets as versatile platforms for cell immobilization: developments to date and future perspectives

Filamentous fungi are well-known for their efficiency in producing valuable molecules of industrial significance, but applications of fungal biomass remain relatively less explored despite its abundant and diverse opportunities in biotechnology. One promising application of mycelial biomass is as a platform to immobilize different cell types such as animal, plant, and microbial cells. Filamentous fungal biomass with little to no treatment is a sustainable biomaterial which can also be food safe compared to other immobilization supports which may otherwise be synthetic or heavily processed. Because of these features, the fungal-cell combination can be tailored towards the targeted application and be applied in a variety of fields from bioremediation to biomedicine. Optimization efforts to improve cell loading on the mycelium has led to advancements both in the applied and basic sciences to understand the inter- and intra-kingdom interactions. This comprehensive review compiles for the first time the current state of the art of the immobilization of animal, yeast, microalgae, bacteria, and plant cells in filamentous fungal supports and presents outlook of applications in intensified fermentations, food and biofuel production, and wastewater treatment. Opportunities for further research and development were identified to include elucidation of the physical, chemical, and biological bases of the immobilization mechanisms and co-culture dynamics; expansion of the cell-fungus combinations investigated; exploration of previously unconsidered applications; and demonstration of scaled-up operations. It is concluded that the potential exists to leverage the unique qualities of filamentous fungus as a cellular support in the creation of novel materials and products in support of the circular bioeconomy.

Flowering in aged white tea: Recovering umami taste and amplifying of stale aroma

Throughout the natural aging process from new to aged white tea, the flavor evolves into a ‘stale flavor’, despite the initial umami diminishes. The flowering process, inoculation of Eurotium cristatum to white tea, improves the flavor. The impact on sensory qualities and underlying chemical basis of flowering in aged white tea warrant investigation. Sensory analysis, non-targeted metabolomics and volatilomics together deciphered flavor modifications of flowering in aged white tea from different aging years (FAWTs). Findings indicate the flowering process can recover the umami of aged white tea, enhancing the ‘stale flavor’. These changes primarily stem from oxidations of catechins and free amino acids, enrichments of flavonols and soluble sugars, and 16 pivotal aroma compounds from degradations of lipids and glycosides. Additionally, 15 volatile and 39 non-volatile compounds were identified as potential biomarkers for FAWTs. These findings offer a viable strategy to improving the quality of aged white tea.

Chemical Synthesis, Herbicidal Activity, Crop Safety, and Molecular Basis of ortho-Fluoroalkoxy Substituted Sulfonylureas as Novel Acetohydroxyacid Synthase Inhibitors.

In the face of increasing resistance to the currently used commercial herbicides and the lack of success in identifying new herbicide targets, alternative herbicides need to be developed to control unwanted monocotyledon grasses in food crops. Here, a panel of 29 novel sulfonylurea-based compounds with ortho-fluoroalkoxy substitutions at the phenyl ring were designed and synthesized. Pot assays demonstrated that two of these compounds, 6d and 6u, have strong herbicidal activities against Echinochloa crus-galli, Eleusine indica, Alopecurus aequalis, and Alopecurus japonicus Steudel at a dosage of 15 g ha-1. Furthermore, these two compounds exhibited <5% inhibition against wheat at a dosage of 30 g ha-1 under post-emergence conditions. 6u also exhibited <5% inhibition against rice at a dosage of 30 g ha-1 under both post-emergence and pre-emergence conditions. A kinetics study demonstrated that 6d and 6u are potent inhibitors of Arabidopsis thaliana acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS; EC 2.2.1.6) with potent Ki values of 18 ± 1.1 and 11.9 ± 4.0 nM, respectively. The crystal structure of 6u in complex with A. thaliana (At)AHAS has also been determined at 2.7 Å resolution. These new compounds represent new alternative herbicide choices to protect wheat or rice from invading grasses.

Study on surface chemical composition of argon atomized superalloy powder based on TOF-SIMS

Nickel-based powder metallurgy superalloys have been extensively employed in aerospace industry because of their superior performance. However, severe defects can be formed in primary particle boundaries (PPB) during manufacturing process of superalloys, significantly deteriorating their practical performance. This study comprehensively investigates the surface structure, elemental distribution, and chemical state of FGH96 superalloy powder via several advanced surface characterization techniques. The results indicate that the strong binding affinity between metal elements (e.g., Al, Cr, Ti) and O/H elements contributes to the formation of an oxide layer in both surface and interval areas, providing an essential chemical basis for the development of PPB. Furthermore, Ti and Al exhibit the highest binding strength with O, which may form stable oxides. Hopefully, these findings will facilitate the emergence of PPB-free superalloys with improved performance.

Shugan Jiangzhi Decoction Alleviates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) via Regulating AMPK/PPAR Signaling Pathway

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common liver disease. Shugan Jiangzhi Decoction (SJD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula which consists of six Chinese herbs, has been used for treating hyperlipidemia, obesity, and fatty liver in Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine for over twenty years. Objective: This study aims to elucidate the chemical basis and the molecular mechanism of SJD against NAFLD. Methods: The main components of SJD were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Then the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD rat model was established. After treatment with different doses of SJD, the body weight of rats was measured weekly. On the last day of the experiments, the hepatic morphology, histopathology changes, and the serum lipid levels were detected. Then techniques of network pharmacology were employed to predict the anti-NAFLD mechanism of SJD. At last, the expression levels of proteins were measured by western blot to verify the mechanism. Results: Nine chemical constituents of SJD were identified from HPLC fingerprint spectrum. For the in vivo experiment, NAFLD rat model was constructed successfully by feeding high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. The following treatment with SJD for 6 weeks decreased the fatty droplet accumulation in the liver obviously. Meanwhile, the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was increased, while the levels of lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were decreased after SJD treatment (p &lt; 0.05). The results of network pharmacology indicated that SJD might improve NAFLD via regulating the AMPK/PPAR signaling pathway. Then, the western blot assay confirmed that SJD activated the AMPK/PPAR signaling pathway in the liver of rats. Conclusion: SJD improves HFD-induced NAFLD in rats via AMPK/PPAR signaling pathway. Thus, our study suggests that SJD can serve as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Exploratory research on the effective chemical basis of tanreqing injection for treating acute lung injury: In vivo, in vitro and in silico

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) presents with significant morbidity and mortality in clinical settings. Tanreqing Injection (TRQI) has been clinically recommended for the treatment of ALI; however, the specific active chemical constituents remain unidentified. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to elucidate the potential pharmacologically active components and the underlying mechanisms of TRQI in the treatment of sepsis-induced ALI. Materials and methodsHigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) techniques were employed to identify the effective chemical constituents of TRQI. Additionally, an in vitro study was conducted using Raw264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the inhibitory effects of TRQI. An acute lung injury model produced by LPS was intraperitoneal injection in mice to assess the ALI-inhibitory effect of TRQI. The lung's pathological characteristics were examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and QPCR were performed to confirm the pharmaceutical effect. Network pharmacology was employed for mechanistic exploration, incorporating GO, and PPI analyses of targets. Src inhibitor and JNK agonist used to investigate the dependence of associated signaling pathways. ResultsCombining pharmacokinetic characteristics, lung first-pass effect and anti-inflammatory effects, the main components of TRQI for treating sepsis induced ALI were narrowed down to seven compounds: chlorogenic acid, scutellarin, wogonoside, oroxyloside, oroxylin A and baicalein. Network pharmacology indicated that Src/JNK signaling pathway, may be the main regulatory pathway for treatment of actue lung injury. Next by using Src inhibitor, Src inhibition partly diminished the protective effects of TRQI in LPS-injected mice. Pretreatment with JNK agonist anisomycin abolished the protective effects of lung injury in vivo. ConclusionsTRQI is injected, the seven compounds could be presented in vivo, which can improve ALI by inhibiting Src-JNK signaling.

Olfactory Response of Sitophilus zeamais Adults to Odours of Semolina Pasta and Semolina Pasta Enriched with Different Amounts of Acheta domesticus Powder.

The behavioural response of adult maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, to different types of semolina pasta enriched or not enriched with increasing proportions (5%, 10%, and 15%) of house cricket (Acheta domesticus) powder was investigated in olfactometer arena bioassays by using trap devices. In the five-choice behavioural bioassays, the number of S. zeamais adults attracted to 100% durum wheat semolina pasta was significantly higher than those attracted to the other pasta types enriched with A. domesticus powder. In the two-choice behavioural bioassays, the Response Index for each pasta type was positive and significant. However, although not significant, there was a progressive reduction in the Response Index as the cricket powder content increased. In similar experiments, there were no significant differences between cricket powder alone and the control in the number of attracted S. zeamais, indicating a neutral effect towards insects. These observations suggest that the lower attractiveness of pasta enriched with house cricket powder is mainly due to the masking of host food odours. Solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy identified a total of 18 compounds in the head-space samples of the different types of pasta, highlighting differences in volatile composition. Some volatile compounds were only present in the pasta produced with cricket powder. In particular, 1-octen-3-ol and phenol were present in the samples containing 5%, 10%, or 15% cricket powder; pentanal, benzaldehyde, and dimethyl disulphide were present in samples containing 10% or 15% cricket powder; and 2,5-dimethyl-pyrazine was present in the sample containing 15% cricket powder. Further investigation with individual compounds and mixtures is needed to define the chemical basis of the differences in the insect olfactory preference observed in this study.

Grafting of pyrrole onto cellulosic lyocell fibres via (3-chloropropyl)triethoxysilane anchor

The high number of reactive groups present in the cellulose structure form the chemical basis for chemical derivatisation through many different chemical pathways. Silane anchors are available with a variety of moieties that offer many functionalisation options of cellulose fibres. It is therefore important to investigate the deposition and grafting of silanes on such substrates. In this paper, the grafting of (1-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl))-1H-pyrrole (PySi) onto a cellulosic lyocell fibre based textile was investigated. Depending on the amount of silane applied, a maximum amount of 0.09 mmol PySi/g cellulose was observed to form covalent bonds with the cellulose lyocell fibres. A maximum of 0.36 mmol PySi/g cellulose was deposited on the fibre substrate, of which 0.27 mmol could be removed by solvent extraction. The results can be explained by a limited number of binding sites available on the cellulose surface suited for covalent bond formation with PySi. In addition, a simple method for quantifying the amount of silane on cellulose fibres using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is presented. The results found for the behaviour of PySi on cellulose material contribute to a better understanding of the heterogeneous modification of cellulose.

Multi-omics analysis unravels chemical roadmap and genetic basis for peach fruit aroma improvement

Selection of fruits with enhanced health benefits and superior flavor is an important aspect of peach breeding. Understanding the genetic interplay between appearance and flavor chemicals remains a major challenge. We identify the most important volatiles contributing to consumer preferences for peach, thus establishing priorities for improving flavor quality. We quantify volatiles of a peach population consisting of 184 accessions and demonstrate major reductions in the important flavor volatiles linalool and Z-3-hexenyl acetate in red-fleshed accessions. We identify 474 functional gene regulatory networks (GRNs), among which GRN05 plays a crucial role in controlling both red flesh and volatile content through the NAM/ATAF1/2/CUC (NAC) transcription factor PpBL. Overexpressing PpBL results in reduced expression of PpNAC1, a positive regulator for Z-3-hexenyl acetate and linalool synthesis. Additionally, we identify haplotypes for three tandem PpAATs that are significantly correlated with reduced gene expression and ester content. We develop genetic resources for improvement of fruit quality.

Investigation of the properties of Mg(OH)2 extracted from magnesium-rich brine via the use of an industrial by-product

Compared with magnesium oxide (MgO) produced through the dry route, the wet route production can lead to MgO with a high purity and reactivity. During this process, the use of chemical alkalis to precipitate the precursor, magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), is the highest contributor to cost and energy consumption. This study proposes a low-cost and sustainable way to recover Mg(OH)2 from simulated reject brine using concrete wash water (CWW). Mg(OH)2, with a purity of 94 % and a recovery degree of 98 % was synthesized at room temperature. Higher stirring speed and use of low pH CWW increased the impurity (CaCO3) content. The synthesized Mg(OH)2 showed a similar reactivity to MgO synthesized from reject brine with chemical bases due to its high specific surface area (102.8 m2/g). The calcination of the synthesized Mg(OH)2, led to MgO with a higher reactivity than similar ones obtained through the wet-route. Furthermore, the textural properties of Mg(OH)2 synthesized under different conditions were evaluated to establish a correlation between the reaction conditions and reactivity of Mg(OH)2. Increase in reaction temperature led to a small crystalline size, whereas the aging process resulted in the agglomeration of the synthesized Mg(OH)2, influencing its reactivity. The findings presented in this study can pave the way for the sustainable recovery of Mg(OH)2 and its direct use as a binder or as a precursor for the production of reactive MgO.