Composition Of Oil Research Articles

Effects of volcanic environment on Setaria viridis rhizospheric soil microbial keystone taxa and ecosystem multifunctionality.

Keystone taxa are significant within ecosystem multifunctionality, as certain species fulfil essential functions such as recycling soil nutrients, promoting plant growth, influencing biogeochemical processes, and contributing to human health maintenance. However, there are still gaps regarding the relationship between microbial communities in volcanic rhizospheric soil and ecosystem multifunctionality. As a result, in this research, we employed Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing to analyse the microbial community composition of rhizospheric soil from volcanic S. viridis. Compared with non-volcanic areas, volcanic soils have higher fungal alpha diversity and the absolute abundance of bacteria (16S gene copies) showed significant variation between the two successions (P < 0.0001). The network analysis further demonstrated that the microbial diversity in non-volcanic regions surpassed that of the volcanic area. The volcanic fungi network has more nodes and edges, is more complex than non-volcanic areas (Nodes: 425 vs. 770; Edges: 21844 vs. 74532), and more rhizosphere growth-promoting bacteria are enriched. Regression analysis and correlation networks showed that fungal communities were more closely associated with ecosystem multifunctionality than bacteria. This study lays the groundwork for examining the microbial keystone taxa in the rhizosphere of volcanic plants and offers valuable insights into the multifaceted functions of plant rhizospheric soil ecosystems.

Radial Differentiation of Chemical Composition of Cryogenic Soils in the Chara River Valley, Northern Transbaikalia

Radial Differentiation of Chemical Composition of Cryogenic Soils in the Chara River Valley, Northern Transbaikalia

Lateral and Radial Differentiation of Geochemical Composition of Cryogenic Soils in the Khanovei Scientific and Educational Field Site, Bolshezemel’skaya Tundra

Lateral and Radial Differentiation of Geochemical Composition of Cryogenic Soils in the Khanovei Scientific and Educational Field Site, Bolshezemel’skaya Tundra

Long‐Term Biochar Application Improved Aggregate K Availability by Affecting Soil Organic Carbon Content and Composition

ABSTRACTStraw biochar is an effective amendment at improving soil aggregate structure and increasing soil carbon and potassium (K) content. However, little information is available on the relationship between soil organic carbon (SOC) and aggregate‐associated K distribution under long‐term biochar application conditions. To address this, a field trial established in 2013 was used to examine the impact of biochar (B0: 0 and B1: 2.625 t ha−1 year−1) and K fertilizer (K0: 0 and K1: 60 kg ha−1 year−1) on the variation in soil aggregate K and reveal the associated influencing factors. A total of four treatments (B0K0, B0K1, B1K0, and B1K1) were included in this study. The soil analysis results obtained in 2021 showed that after 9 years' amendment, B1K1 increased the aggregate exchangeable K (EK) and nonexchangeable K (NEK) pools by 27.40% and 39.55%, respectively, and the increment was primarily because biochar enhanced &gt; 0.25 mm aggregate fractions and strengthened soil K+ adsorption capacity, which benefit from a synergistic increase in SOC and humic acid (HA) content by biochar. 13C NMR analysis showed that long‐term biochar applications altered the chemical composition of SOC, with an outcome of increased aromaticity and hydrophobicity but decreased the lipidation of SOC, indicating that the complexity of SOC molecular structure was enhanced and eventually contributed to strengthening the macroaggregates stability and soil K+ adsorption capacity. The correlation analysis revealed that soil aggregate EK and NEK contents were positively correlated with SOC and HA contents, which further proved that increase of SOC and soil HA is a significant mechanism for biochar ameliorate soil aggregate‐associated K availability.

Increased soil bacteria-fungus interactions promote soil nutrient availability, plant growth, and coexistence

Tree species and interkingdom relationships in the belowground metacommunity are key factors in determining soil microbial diversity and community composition. However, how bacterial-fungal interactions mediate soil nutrient and plant growth remains largely unexplored in the coniferous forests. Here, we selected three types of naturally growing coniferous forests on the Loess Plateau—pure stands of Platycladus orientalis, mixed stands of Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabuliformis, and pure stands of Pinus tabuliformis—to compare the differences in soil properties, microbial diversity and community composition, soil enzymatic activity, and plant growth conditions across these stand types. We found that tree species mixing significantly alters soil microbial community diversity and composition, increasing the positive associations between bacteria and fungi. Compared to pure stands, mixed stands exhibit significantly higher bacterial diversity, whereas fungal diversity shows no significant difference. Additionally, available soil nutrients (ammonium nitrogen and available phosphorus) are significantly increased in mixed stands, along with their associated soil enzymatic activities. The partial least squares path model suggests that higher bacterial diversity enhances bacterial-fungal positive interactions, increasing the relative abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi and the decomposition rate of organic matter in mixed stands, thereby boosting soil nutrient availability and plant growth. These results highlight the importance of positive bacterial-fungal associations for soil nutrient availability and plant growth, deepen the understanding of the role of soil microbial interactions in mediating plant species coexistence. Most importantly, our results implied a stable coexistence of the pioneer P. orientalis and the late successional species P. tabuliformis in the Loess Plateau region and provided a microbiological interpretation.

Different responses of soil bacterial community to plant-plant interactions under organic-inorganic fertilizers affect seedling establishment during subalpine forest succession.

Rhizosphere bacterial community as a valuable indicator of soil quality and function, has been widespread studied. However, little knowledge is about the response of bacterial communities to plant-plant interaction and different fertilizers during secondary forest succession. We conducted a field pot experiment applying organic and inorganic fertilizers to monocultures and mixed cultures of dominant plant species from mid- to late-successional stages (Salix oritrepha, Betula albosinensis, and Picea asperata), and investigated the responses of plant growth and rhizosphere bacterial communities. Results indicated that growth rate of plant height varied among plant species, but no significant differences were observed in soil bacterial diversity and composition among plant species or inter-specific interactions under control. Compared to control, inorganic fertilizer resulted in increases in plant growth and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Patescibacteria, Bacteroidetes and Gemmatimonadetes, while simultaneously leading to decrease in the relative abundance of Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Rokubacteria and Planctomycetes. When grown with other species, the bacterial communities in the mixture resembled those of S. oritrepha in singular monoculture under inorganic fertilizer treatment, but plant growth was not affected by interspecific interaction. Unlike inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer significantly affected bacterial communities and increased bacterial diversity, but did not alter the effects of plant-plant interactions on bacterial communities. It was also observed that organic fertilizer facilitated later successional species' growth (P. asperata and B. albosinensis) by the mid-successional species (S. oritrepha), ultimately facilitating secondary forest succession. In addition, plants at different successional stages harbor specific bacterial communities to affect their growth, and the bacterial communities contributed more than soil properties to the variations in the plant growth of S. oritrepha and P. asperata though the bacterial communities were regulated by soil factors. This finding highlights the significance of the rhizosphere bacteria on plant growth and plant community succession. It also emphasize the importance of considering both plant-plant interactions and diverse fertilizer types in forest restoration efforts and provide valuable insights into optimizing agronomic practices for secondary forest succession.

The Pb capture mechanism of soil prophylactic agents prepared from phosphorus tailings and the influence of phosphorus speciation on its slow-release mechanism

This research activated phosphorus tailings to prepare a high‑phosphorus core (HPC) for multi-species composite slow-release heavy metal soil prophylactic agents (MCP), aiming to extend the slow-release period of MCP and enhance the efficiency of Pb stabilization. During the preparation of HPC, the proportion of non-apatitic inorganic phosphorus (NAIP) and apatite phosphorus (AP) continuously decreased with increasing polymerization temperature. At 400 °C, polyphosphates (PP) began to form, reaching 74.26 % at 600 °C. Initially, the rapidly soluble NAIP remained the major component of HPC, but the proportion of AP increased with higher polymerization temperatures, reaching 40.8 % at 600 °C. After 120 days of cultivation with four MCPs (MCP 300-21, MCP 400-12, MCP 500-14, MCP 600-14), the total soil phosphorus (TSP), soil organic matter (SOM), and Pb stabilization capacity of the cultivated soil showed significant improvements, reaching maximum values of 2.39 mg/g, 38.16 mg/g, and 45.4 mg/g, respectively, which are 9.9, 4.4, and 5.9 times higher than those of the CK soil. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) functional prediction analysis indicated that MCPs contribute directly or indirectly to the forms and chemical stability of Pb by stimulating soil physiological and biochemical processes. This research proposes a novel approach for using phosphates in soil heavy metal management strategies and provides new insights into the mechanisms of heavy metal stabilization in soil using environmental functional materials.

An emulsion extraction system composed of hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent and water for synchronous extraction of oil and phenolic compounds from U.S. pecans [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch]

U.S. pecans nuts are rich in oils and phenolic compounds with important biological functions. At present, the reports about simultaneous extraction of oil and phenolic compounds are limited, and the traditional procedure is complicated and the yield is low. In this study, a new emulsion formed by hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES) and water was used as extractant for synchronous extraction of oil and phenolic components from U.S. pecans, and subsequently the two were recovered from the upper and lower phases based on the incompatibility of DES and water, respectively. The oil and phenolic compounds obtained by the optimization of extraction conditions were 615.29 mg/g and 82.11 mg/g, respectively, which were higher than those obtained by conventional methods. At the same time, the extraction mechanism is discussed through the extraction kinetics and thermodynamics. The extraction process conformed to the Fick’s second law, and it was an endothermic process. After directional recovery by macroporous resin and back-extraction, the effectiveness of the method was proved by the analysis of fatty acid composition of oil, spectral characterization of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities.

Biochemical characterization of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties grown in Togo

Food and nutrition insecurity are a major problem in low-income countries. However, some crops like sesame are still underused and can be used to improve the food and nutritional security in rural areas. Grains of seven varieties of sesame comprising four (4) local and three (3) introduced varieties were studied for their nutrient content and oil composition to provide information on their nutritional value and oil quality for a holistic development and valorisation of the crop in Togo. Results revealed that water, ash, lipid, protein, total sugar, fiber, vitamin C, energy, total phenol and tannin contents ranged from 5.08 to 6.30%; 3.94 to 5.40%; 36.69 to 45.62%; 19.52 to 25.37; 11.10 to 19.16; 3.84 to 7.01%; 1.10 to 1.94%; 660 to 953.3 Kcal/ 100g; 0.0020-7 to 0.006% and 0.005 to 0.017%. The oils extracted from these different varieties had saponification and acid indices that ranged respectively from 179.95 to 190.54 and from 4.47 to 8.96. In terms of fatty acid composition, oleic acid and linoleic acid ranged from 37.92 to 42.24% and 36.1 to 39.8% respectively, while palmitic acid ranged from 6.82 to 12.41% and stearic acid from 5.51 to 7.83%. The results enabled us to identify the sesame grains of local varieties G3 and G3B as being suitable for enriching infant flours or for remedying the problems of protein and energy deficiency in Togo. Further, the oils extracted from these varieties are of good quality and can therefore be used in industry and for food purposes.

Development of an enhanced electrical injera baking pan (Ethiopian Traditional mitad) using steel powder additives and gypsum insulation

Electric Injera baking Pan are prevalent in Ethiopia but are highly inefficient, resulting in significant heat loss, high energy consumption, and increased energy bills. This research investigates improving these devices using steel powder as an additive and gypsum as an insulator. The study examines thermal conductivity, baking time, energy consumption, heat loss, and insulation effectiveness. The objectives of this research are to improve the thermal conductivity of the baking surface while ensuring even heat distribution, enhance the insulation properties of the pan to reduce heat loss, improve the safety of the user by reducing the risk of excessive heat exposure to the outer surfaces, and reduce the overall energy consumption of the Injera baking process. Temperatures were measured using an infrared thermometer, digital thermometer, and thermocouple. Four samples (A0, A1, A2, & A3) with different steel powder compositions (0 %, 15 %, 25 %, and 35 %) and a constant 75 % clay soil composition were tested. The analysis showed an average baking energy of 0.45 kWh per kg of injera (0.198 kWh per injera) and a thermal efficiency of 86.4 % when baking 4.395 kg of injera. The total heat energy loss was 1402.78 KJ (14.08 % of 10300 KJ input energy). The losses were distributed among the retained (92.17 %), the baking plate (3.95 %), the bottom enclosure (2.08 %), the side enclosure (1.04 %), and the cover lid (0.76 %).

Evaluation of the effects of EPS composite soil replacement on the dynamic performance of caisson structure using shaking table tests

Evaluation of the effects of EPS composite soil replacement on the dynamic performance of caisson structure using shaking table tests

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Inula crithmoides L. growing in Egypt

The study aimed to determine the chemical composition and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil of Inula crithmoides L. growing in Egypt. The essential oil was obtained from the flowers of Inula crithmoides L. with a yield of 0.18% v/w through hydro distillation. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis was used to identify the chemical composition of the essential oil. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was tested against selected species of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida species using the disc diffusion method, and MICs were determined using the broth micro-dilution method. Twenty-two compounds were identified in the essential oil of Inula crithmoides, with the major components being thymol acetate (32.4%), p-cymene (15.3%), and thymol (14.3%). The essential oil exhibited significant antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with an MIC of 25 µg/mL for E. coli and 50 µg/mL for other sensitive bacteria. The oil exhibited significant antifungal activity against all the tested Candida species with MIC 50 µg/mL. This study is the first to explore the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Inula crithmoides growing in Egypt, demonstrating its potential as a natural antiseptic agent.

The Effect of Harvest Time of Sapu-Sapu Leaves (Baeckea frutescens L.) the Yield, Characteristics and Composition of Essential Oils Extached Using Steam-Hydro Distillation Method

The sapu-sapu plant (Baeckea frutescens L.) is widespread in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, thriving in sandy areas such as beaches and highlands with less fertile soil. This study aimed to determine the optimal harvest time for sapu-sapu leaves to obtain essential oils' highest yield and most desirable characteristics. The research focused on the duck-type sapu-sapu leaves, using five variations of harvest time (coded as A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, representing leaves harvested at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 months of growth, respectively). Essential oil extraction was performed using the steam distillation method. The resulting oils were then analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine their chemical composition. The results showed that sample A1 (1-month growth) produced the highest essential oil yield at 0.74% (w/w). This sample also exhibited the most optimal essential oil characteristics: clear yellow color, characteristic sapu-sapu odor, warm bitter taste, solubility in 96% ethanol at 1:13, specific gravity of 0.8863 g/mL, optical rotation of (+) 10.28°, and refractive index of 1.474. GC-MS analysis revealed that the main compounds in the A1 sample were α-pinene (43.84%), β-pinene (13.56%), and 1,8-cineol (24.26%). The study concluded that while the variation in harvest time of sapu-sapu leaves did not significantly affect the yield, characteristics, or composition of the essential oils, there were slight differences in yield and color. Sample A1, representing the youngest leaves, produced the most optimal results.

Composition and Activities of Carpesium macrocephalum Franch. &amp; Sav. Essential Oils

Carpesium macrocephalum, a species native to China, Korea, Japan, and Russia, has been used medicinally in the countries of its origin. Though mono- and sesquiterpenoids are known constituents of C. macrocephalum, the complete analysis of essential oils produced by the roots and aerial parts of the plant has not been published until now. The present study discloses considerable differences in the composition and cytotoxic activity of essential oils distilled from roots and shoots of C. macrocephalum. The GC-MS-FID analyses have led to the identification of 131 compounds in all, of which 114 were found in aerial parts and 110 in the roots of the plants. The essential oil distilled from shoots contained a mixture of nerol and thymol methyl ether (c. 26%), neryl isobutyrate (c. 12%) and linalool (c. 9%) as major constituents, whereas alantolactone (c. 29%), thymol methyl ether (c. 7%) and 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene (thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether, c. 7%) predominated in the essential oil obtained from the roots. The oils demonstrated weak antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and, at concentrations up to 2.08 mg/mL (oil from the aerial parts) and up to 3.38 mg/mL (oil from roots), were inactive against Gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil from the roots of the plant demonstrated strong but not selective cytotoxic activity.

Phytochemical profiling, molecular docking, and ADMET evaluation of essential oils from Anaphalis busua and Anaphalis margaritacea in Uttarakhand's Himalayan Terrain

BackgroundThe study focuses on a comparative analysis of essential oils derived from two species of the Anaphalis genus, namely Anaphalis busua and Anaphalis margaritacea, collected at varying elevations in the hilly terrain of Uttarakhand. The investigation aims to explore the phytochemical composition, conduct in silico molecular docking studies, and evaluate ADMET properties of the essential oils to understand their potential bioactivity. MethodsEssential oils were extracted from the whole plants using the hydrodistillation method, and GC–MS was employed for compound identification. A total of 31 compounds were identified in A. busua and 32 in A. margaritacea, constituting 87.86 % and 87.83 % of the total composition, respectively. Major compounds included isocaryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, geranyl-α-terpinene, α-pinene, γ-muurolene, δ-cadinene, humulene, and copaene. ResultsMolecular docking studies were conducted using PyRx software on ten notable compounds as ligands, targeting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and human peroxiredoxin 5 to assess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Isocaryophyllene, with concentrations of 14.07 % (A. busua) and 17.82 % (A. margaritacea), exhibited significant binding affinities of -5.7 and -7.2 kcal/mol against 1HD2 and 4COX, respectively. ConclusionThe research provides valuable insights into the chemical composition of essential oils from Anaphalis plants and validates their bioactive potential through in silico analysis. Isocaryophyllene emerges as a key compound with noteworthy binding affinities, emphasizing its importance in the medicinal and pharmacological applications of essential oils derived from A. busua and A. margaritacea. The results enhance our understanding of the therapeutic potential of Anaphalis essential oils, opening avenues for future research in natural products and drug discovery.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil Extracted from waste of Juniperus communis L. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Industry in Albania

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil Extracted from waste of Juniperus communis L. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Industry in Albania

Active Polysaccharide-Based Films Incorporated with Essential Oils for Extending the Shelf Life of Sliced Soft Bread.

Active, fully biobased film-forming dispersions (FFDs) with highly promising results for sliced soft bread preservation were successfully elaborated from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and chitosan (CH) using a simple method based on pH adjustments. They consisted of the association of polysaccharides and oleic acid (OL) added with cinnamon (CEO) or ginger (GEO) essential oils. The chemical compositions of the commercial essential oils were first determined via GC/MS, with less than 3% of compounds unidentified. The films obtained from FFDs were characterized by SEM, FTIR and DSC, indicating specific microstructures and some interactions between essential oils and the polymer matrix. CEO-based films exhibited higher antioxidant properties and a lower minimal inhibitory concentration in terms of antifungal properties. From experiments on sliced soft bread, the ginger-based films could increase the shelf life up to 20 days longer than that of the control. Even more promising, cinnamon-based films led to complete fungal inhibition in bread slices that was maintained beyond 60 days. Enumeration of the yeasts and molds for the FFD-coated breads revealed complete inhibition even after 15 days of storage with the FFDs containing the highest concentration of CEO.

Anti-melanoma cancer activity and chemical profile of the essential oil of Seseli yunnanense Franch

Abstract Seseli yunnanense appertains to the Apiaceae family. S. yunnanense is known as an herbal remedy to treat several illnesses in Chinese traditional medicine. In this research, the essential oil (EO) of the aerial part of S. yunnanense (SYEO) was isolated by hydro-distillation apparatus. The chemical composition of the volatile oil was recognized using Gas chromatography (GC)/flame ionization detector and GC-Mass spectrometry methods. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and MTT assays were carried out to investigate the antioxidant and anti-melanoma cancer activity of the oil. The chromatography results showed SYEO was dominated by sesquiterpenes of α-bisabolol 40.19%, β-eudesmol 13.12%, and the phenolic compound eugenol 12.06%. SYEO scavenged the free radical of DPPH by IC50 of 454.66 ± 7.25 μg/mL. In the MTT assay, SYEO showed a dose depending on the viability of the melanoma cell lines of HMV-II, SK-ML-2, G-361, and HT144. The highest activity was obtained against the HMV-II cell line with IC50 of 116.82 ± 2.34 μg/mL. The cytotoxicity of SYEO was examined against HUVEC cell lines. The results exhibited the safety of EO for the human normal cells. The results showed the EO of S. yunnanense is a potent agent for treating melanoma cancer.

Comparative Biochemical and Pharmacodynamic Analyses of Asarum heterotropoides Fr. Schmidt var. Mandshuricum (Maxim) Kitag and Asarum sieboldii Miq var. Seoulense Nakai Roots

Background:Asarum heterotropoides and Asarum sieboldii are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. However, little is known about how they differ in terms of essential oil (EO) and ethanol extract (EE) content and composition. Moreover, the effect of various geographical locations on the essential oil (EO), ethanol extract (EE), and asarinin content of different Asarum samples remains unknown. We tested four root-drying methods, i.e., soil removal and shade drying (P1), water washing and shade drying (P2), and water washing and drying at 30 °C (P3) and 40 °C (P4). We used LC-MS and GC-MS to investigate these differences. We also investigated the pharmacodynamic effects of EO and EE. Results: Overall, the EO, EE and asarinin contents of the analysed samples were 19.21–51.53 μL.g−1, 20.00–45.00 μL.g−1, and 1.268–2.591 mg.g−1, respectively. P1 treatment yielded the lowest volatile oil content compared to the other three treatments. GC-MS analysis revealed 78 EO components. Among the six major EO components, eucarvone, 3,5-dimethoxytoluene, and methyl eugenol were higher in A. heterotropoides than in A. sieboldii. However, the latter had a higher myristicin content. LC-MS analysis identified 888 EE components in roots and leaves of A. heterotropoides and A. sieboldii; 317 differentially accumulated metabolites were identified. EO and EE showed a dose-dependent reduction in the degree of swelling and an increase in the inhibition rate of drug concentration on acetic acid writhing in mice. Asarum EO proved to be more effective than EE in the pharmacodynamic study. Conclusions: We conclude that Asarum species show inter- and intra-specific differences in EO and EE content and composition, which may influence the pharmacodynamics of Asarum root extracts.

Diversification of income sources in the United Arab Emirates for the period 1975-2022 (An economic analytical study)

The research aims to benefit from the experience of the United Arab Emirates in diversifying its sources of income, by following up on the legislative base it has prepared for this change which it had planned for in its economic structure, the results that were reflected in the developments of the gross domestic product and the relative importance of the sectors that make up its oil and non-oil composition, the basket of oil and non-oil exports, and the reflection of this in the growth of the average per capita income. The researchers followed the inductive approach and the descriptive analytical method. Perhaps the most important thing they reached was that this country had built its development strategy within the framework of the outward orientation in transferring the country from the local framework to the global horizon, achieving a diversity in the components of its GDP and in its export basket. This was reflected in a noticeable increase in the average per capita income, and this could not have been achieved without the cohesion and harmony between the citizens of the country and the government.