Compounds In Oil Research Articles

Comparative Study of the Chemical Composition of Root, Stem and Leaf Essential Oils from Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn

This study aims at investigating the chemical composition of root, stem and leaf essential oils from Ivorian Synedrella nodiflora, with the root oil being described for the first time. Sixty, fifty-one and forty-nine constituents were, respectively identified in the root, stem and leaf oils using a combination of GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C-NMR analyses. They accounted for 95.6–97.3%, 92.6–97.6% and 93.3–98.8% of the total composition, respectively. The main components of the root oil samples were γ-curcumene, (E)-β-caryophyllene, α-curcumene and curcuphenyl acetate. Three stem oil samples (S1, S2a, S3) were dominated by myrcene and limonene, while the most abundant components of sample S2b were thymol, germacrene D and β-elemene. (E)-β-caryophyllene and germacrene D were the major compounds of the leaf oil. Hierarchical cluster and principal component statistical analyses were performed and confirmed that the location does not influence the chemical composition. Group I consisted of the seven leaf oil samples, group II consisted of four stem oil samples and group III consisted of three root oil samples. The root oil composition differed considerably from the stem and leaf oil composition due to the presence of curcumene derivatives as major constituents. The leaf oil showed significant amounts of (E)-β-caryophyllene and germacrene D, while the stem oil stood out for its high myrcene, limonene and thymol contents.

Determination of Bioactive Compounds in Buriti Oil by Prediction Models Through Mid-infrared Spectroscopy

Buriti oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the pulp and seeds of buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.), a palm commonly found in the Amazon region, and is used both in popular medicine and in the cosmetic and food industries. This work aimed to develop a faster and more accessible procedure to quantify the content of carotenoids, polyphenols, and total flavonoids in buriti oils, where predictive models emphasize figures of merit. The study was carried out with 50 buriti oil samples from the state of Pará, Brazil, which were sampled by combining attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy with mid-infrared Fourier transform (FT-MIR) together with partial least squares regression (PLSR). The confidence and validation matrix were obtained from ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The PLSR model regarding the total carotenoid content presented values ​​between 335.33 and 1557.05 μg/g was validated by the concentration demonstration coefficient (R2cal) equal to 0.9556, prediction demonstration coefficient (R2pred) equal to 0.85642, bias = 5.68.10−13, performance deviation ratio value (RDP) of 2.0135, and range error rate (RER) equal to 4.3747. Concentrations of phenolic compounds were predicted between 96.2964 and 121.857 GAE/100 g, where the model presented R2cal = 0.9762, R2pred = 0.8198, bias = 3.38.10−10, RDP = 5.9028, and RER = 5.7578. The flavonoid prediction model contains concentrations between 86.844 and 133.852 mg EC/100 g that circulate R2cal = 0.9445, R2pred = 0.8536, bias = 6.98.10−8, RDP = 6.7085, and RER = 6.7085. Buriti oil showed high levels of b-carotene. Prediction models are overwhelming and can be used for screening and quality control of natural products.

Isolation and characterization of Thymus serpyllum L. essential oil and mass fragmentation analysis of major constituents

ABSTRACT The essential oils were isolated from Thymus serpyllum L. leaves, stem, flowers and whole plant using hydrodistillation technique and % yield was determined. The chemical constituents were studied using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionisation Detection. The analysis revealed the presence of 38 compounds in the essential oils obtained from different plant parts. Identification of compounds was achieved by detailed analysis of mass spectrum and retention indices. The major constituents of essential oil from the whole plant were thymol (35.25%), p-cymene (27.57%), thymol acetate (8.03%) and γ-terpinene (6.92%). In leaves they were thymol (45.59%), p-cymene (24.26%), thymol acetate (6.41%), and β-bisabolene (5.91%); whereas in flowers these were thymol (68.74%) and thymol acetate (7.40%) and in the stem, these were thymol (55.15%) and thymol acetate (8.01%). Specifically, it is the first report wherein essential oil constituents of T. serpyllum L. whole plant, leaves, flowers, and stems have been analyzed separately. Further, fundamental analysis of complex mass fragmentation patterns of terpenes and terpenoids using EI-MS has been achieved and the logical reason for the fragmentation pattern has been elaborated. Detailed elaboration of the mass fragmentation pattern may strengthen the EI-MS-based compound identification of terpenes and terpenoids from essential oils.

Oil uptake via marine snow: Effects on blue mussels (Mytilus sp.)

Accidental oil spills into the ocean can lead to downward transport and settling of oil onto the seafloor as part of marine snow, as seen during the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. The arctic and subarctic regions may favor conditions leading to this benthic oil deposition, prompting questions about the potential impacts on benthic communities. This study investigated the effects of oil-contaminated marine snow uptake on the blue mussel (Mytilus sp.). We exposed mussels for four days to 1) oil-contaminated marine snow (MOS treatment), or to 2) chemically-enhanced water-accommodated fraction (CEWAF) of oil plus unaggregated food particles (CEWAF treatment). Both oil treatments received the same nominal concentration of oil and food. Two controls were included: 1) Clean seawater plus unaggregated food (agg-free control) and 2) clean seawater plus marine snow (marine snow control). After the exposure, mussels were allowed to recover for ten days under clean, running seawater. Samples were taken right before and after the exposure period, and after the recovery phase for the following endpoints: distribution (partitioning) of oil compounds between seawater and MOS, and between seawater and mussel tissue; DNA damage (assessed via the comet assay); clearance rate; and condition index [tissue dry weight (g) divided by shell length (mm)]. Some discernable patterns were found in the partitioning of oil compounds between seawater and MOS. However, these patterns did not translate to any significant differences in the partitioning of oil compounds into mussel tissue between the two oil treatments. DNA damage did not exceed background levels (10% tail DNA or less; to be expected in healthy, viable cells) at any sampling time point, but significantly higher DNA damage was observed in CEWAF-T compared to MOS-T mussels after the recovery phase. After the exposure, a significant difference emerged in the clearance rate between the CEWAF treatment and the agg-free control, but not between the MOS treatment and the marine snow control. All mussels except those from the CEWAF treatment exhibited an increased condition index after the exposure time. Together, these results suggest that aggregates could moderate the effects of oil exposure on blue mussels, possibly by providing better, more concentrated nutrition than unaggregated food particles.

Identification of characteristic compounds of sweet orange oil and their sweetening effects on the sucrose solution with sweetness meter, sensory analysis, electronic tongue, and molecular dynamics simulation

The characteristic aroma compounds of five-fold sweet orange oil were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with the odor aroma value (OAV) method. The results indicated that limonene, linalool, dodecanol, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E)-citral, linalool, (E)-2-decenal, and geraniol are important contributors. The sweetening effects of key compounds on sucrose solutions were experimentally investigated. The results showed that the sweetness effects of five compounds (limonene, citronellal, geraniol, β-sinensal and β-caryophyllene) were better than those of (E)-citral, linalool and octanal. Molecular dynamics implied that the hydrogen bonding residues of the T1R2/T1R3-sucrose system were converted from LYS65, GLU302, ASP278, and SER144 to ASP278, SER144, ASP142, and ASP213 after the addition of limonene. Meanwhile, the hydrophobic interaction forces of the system are significantly enhanced. The total energy of the T1R2/T1R3-sucrose system decreased from −32.08 kcal/mol to −63.57 kcal/mol. The synergistic sweetening mechanism of characteristic aroma compounds of sweet orange oil on sucrose was revealed.

Investigation of physicochemical and antibacterial properties of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) microencapsulated essential oil using fluidized bed method

The present study delves into the encapsulation of dill essential oil utilizing the fluidized bed coating methodology. The investigation focused on the impact of essential oil concentration and the application of maltodextrin and arabic gum as the primary and secondary coating agents. The dominant compounds in the dill essential oil were identified as limonene (32.32%), carvone (35.43%), and cis-dihydrocarvone (5.43%). The antimicrobial potency of the dill essential oil was evaluated, demonstrating notable inhibition against Streptococcus mutans with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 5.4 mm to 16 mm for concentrations between 250 μg/mL and 2000 μg/mL. For Streptococcus sobrinus, the inhibition zones measured from 6.6 mm to 18 mm across the same concentration gradient. An increase in maltodextrin concentration was associated with a decrease in moisture content, bulk density, and tapped density, while it improved microencapsulation efficiency and loading capacity. In contrast, a higher concentration of arabic gum increased moisture content, loading capacity, and encapsulation efficiency, but reduced bulk density and tapped density. Elevating the essential oil concentration increased all physicochemical properties of the microcapsules, except for tapped density. The optimal conditions for microencapsulation involve using a 2000 ppm concentration of dill essential oil with 75% maltodextrin and 0.1% arabic gum as carrier agents. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that the microcapsule particles were nearly spherical with a smooth, intact surface. The release rate of phenolic compounds in a simulated saliva environment reached its maximum at 98.32% after 20 min, showcasing an efficient release profile.

Chemical characterization of bitumen-derived pyrolysis oil

The objective of this study is to characterize the elemental and functional group analysis of oils obtained from the pyrolysis of oil sand bitumen with the aim of determining oil quality. For this purpose, the present study extracted bitumen from oil sand using toluene, thermally cracked the bitumen using a fixed bed reactor, chromatographically separated the derived oil into saturate and aromatic fractions, and employed Energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy to characterize them. The results of the elemental analysis indicated that potassium had the highest mean concentration of about 531 mg/L and 552 mg/L in the saturate and aromatic fractions respectively. The mean elemental concentrations of the aromatic fraction were relatively higher than the saturate fraction. The functional group analysis showed the predominant presence of C-H (CH3) and C-H (CH2) groups, indicating the presence of aliphatic compounds in the pyrolytic oils, in addition to the presence of sulfur reflected by the sulphoxide index. The findings of the study provide valuable information on the feedstock potential of the pyrolysis oil in the petrochemical industry. This study provides baseline information required for exploitation of the heavy oil resource which is yet to be commercially mined in Nigeria.

Starch Recovery Process from the Tiger Nut Horchata Processing Waste

AbstractTiger nut horchata solid residue (HSR) has high starch content (about 23%, dry basis) that can be recovered to valorise this waste, together with other valuable components, such as oil, fibres, or phenolic compounds. In this study, a chemical-free, sustainable process was proposed to obtain starch with good yield and purity. This consists of a high-speed homogenisation step with distilled water, followed by filtration and phase separation by density in the slurry to obtain a starch-rich sediment that can be isolated by decantation. Five minutes of homogenisation at 10,200 rpm allows for obtaining 14.5 g of starch powder per 100 g of dried HSR, with a purity of about 85% and WI of 94.97. Applying 1 washing cycle to the filtering residue increased the starch powder yield up to 17 g/100 dried HSR, without notable losses in starch purity, whereas centrifugation at 15,000 g for 1 h in the phase separation step highly reduced separation time, increasing starch purity up to 92%. Thus, it was possible to recover up to 70% of the starch present in the HSR. The obtained starch had similar morphological characteristics, crystallinity degree, and gelatinisation behaviour to that present in the tiger nut tubers, exhibiting similar thermal stability to that reported for other native starches. Therefore, HSR can be used as a starch source for different uses.

Biochemical composition and volatile profile analysis of three varieties of Coffea arabica and their correlation with the microclimate of Mount Tangkuban Perahu, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Firnabillah RA, Mustari E, Marwani E. 2024. Biochemical composition and volatile profile analysis of three varieties of Coffea arabica and their correlation with the microclimate of Mount Tangkuban Perahu, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 3264-3276. The quality of coffee is determined by various biochemical compounds, including chlorogenic acid, caffeine, trigonelline, sucrose, and oil, as well as the volatile metabolite profile in coffee beans. Genetic factors and environmental conditions at the coffee cultivation site influence the composition of these compounds. This study aimed to analyze the biochemical composition and volatile profile of various coffee samples, including Ateng, Tim-Tim, and Sigarar Utang, and investigate their correlation with microclimate factors. Different analytical methods were used to examine the green beans, including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) for caffeine, chlorogenic acids, sucrose, and trigonelline, Soxhlet methods for oil content determination, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for volatile compound analysis. The results showed distinct biochemical components and metabolite profiles among the three arabica coffee varieties. The Ateng variety had the highest concentrations of chlorogenic acid, while the Tim-Tim variety had the lowest content of these compounds. Trigonelline and caffeine content was similar across all varieties. Sucrose content was highest in the Sigarar Utang variety, while oil content was higher in the Ateng and Tim-Tim varieties compared to Sigarar Utang. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed significant metabolite variation among the three varieties, with PC1 and PC2 accounting for 69.2% of the variance. Furthermore, Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) successfully distinguished the three varieties and identified potential biomarker compounds for classification. Additionally, the study discovered that the environmental factor, specifically light intensity affected the sucrose and oil compounds in arabica green beans coffee. The study concluded that the three varieties' biochemical composition and volatile metabolites differed. Certain compounds were found to correlate with measured microclimatic factor.

In Vitro Anticancer Potential of Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) Essential Oil Against TNBC, Glioma and Kidney Cancer

Background: Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton), a member of the Zingiberaceae family, is widely recognized for its use as a spice and traditional medicine. It is commonly used for treating gastric, cardiac, and kidney disorders, as well as infections and inflammatory conditions. Cardamom essential oil, known for its high content of bioactive compounds such as 1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate, has been studied for its diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. However, little is known about its anticancer potential against MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative breast cancer), U87 (glioblastoma), and HEK 293 (kidney) cell lines, especially in the context of cardamom oil sourced from Iraq. Methods: Cardamom essential oil was extracted via hydro-distillation from cardamom fruits collected in Erbil, Iraq, and its chemical composition was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil’s anticancer activity was evaluated using the MTT assay against MDA-MB-231, U87, and HEK 293 cell lines. The cells were treated with various concentrations of cardamom essential oil, and cell viability was measured after 24 hours. The IC50 values were calculated to determine the oil’s efficacy. Results: GC-MS analysis revealed 33 compounds in the essential oil, with 1,8-cineole (42.37%) and α-terpinyl acetate (22.14%) being the predominant constituents. The MTT assay demonstrated that cardamom essential oil significantly reduced cell viability in MDA-MB-231 and HEK 293 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 96.95 µl/ml and 157.44 µl/ml, respectively. However, the oil was less effective against U87 cells, showing only 40.67% inhibition at the highest concentration (500 µl/ml). Conclusion: Cardamom essential oil, rich in 1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate, exhibited strong anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 and HEK 293 cell lines, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for triple-negative breast cancer. Further studies are needed to explore its full potential and mechanisms of action against different cancer types.

Statistical analysis for chemical compound based on several species of aquilaria essential oil

The paper examines the characterization of Aquilaria essential oils from different species, namely Aquilaria malaccensis, Aquilaria beccariana, Aquilaria crassna, and Aquilaria subintegra, renowned for agarwood production in Malaysia. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) were employed for extracting essential oil data, facilitating compound identification. Subsequently, a preliminary analysis focused on classifying significant chemical compounds in the samples. The study then utilized boxplot pre-processing for visualizing and interpreting data distribution. The statistical analyses were performed using MATLAB software version R2021b, considering two key parameters which are the peak area (%) of significant chemical compounds and the classification of Aquilaria species (A. beccariana, A. malaccensis, A. crassna, and A. subintegra) based on their chemical composition. The results, presented through boxplot analyses, demonstrated a clear representation of the parameters and their distribution in the data. This method not only confirmed the potential of boxplot analysis in statistical evaluation of significant compounds in Aquilaria essential oil but also suggested its applicability for further classification work.

Theoretical calculations of pyridine adsorption on the surfaces of Ti, Zr, N doped graphene

In this paper, the adsorption behavior of pyridine, a typical basic nitrogen compound in diesel oil, on Ti-doped, Zr-doped, N-doped and intrinsic graphene has been investigated by density functional methods. The corresponding adsorption energy, adsorption configurations, Mulliken charge transfer, differential charge density and density of states were discussed. The results show that doping graphene with metal atoms such as Ti or Zr can significantly obviously enhance the adsorption energy between pyridine and graphene surfaces, while non-metal N doping has a relatively minor effect. The magnitude of the adsorption energy of pyridine on the surfaces of graphene modified with different atoms follows the order: Ti-doped>Zr-doped>N-doped>intrinsic graphene. Pyridine interacts with Ti- or Zr-doped graphene through N−Ti, N−Zr and π−π interactions, while with N-doped and intrinsic graphene, it interacts via N−N, C−N and π−π interactions. There are significantelectron transfer and chemical bond formation between pyridine and metal-doped (Ti, Zr) graphene surfaces, indicating chemical adsorption. However, there is no chemical bond formation with non-metal N-doped graphene and intrinsic graphene, suggesting physical adsorption in these cases. Overall, pyridine exhibits more stable adsorption on the surfaces of Ti, Zr-doped graphene.

In silico molecular screening of bioactive natural compounds of rosemary essential oil and extracts for pharmacological potentials against rhinoviruses

Rhinoviruses (RVs) cause upper respiratory tract infections and pneumonia in children and adults. These non-enveloped viruses contain viral coats of four capsid proteins: VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4. The canyon on VP1 used cell surface receptor ICAM-1 as the site of attachment and for the internalization of viruses. To date, there has been no drug or vaccine available against RVs. In this study, bioactive natural compounds of rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus L.), which are known for their pharmacological potential, were considered to target the VP1 protein. A total of 30 bioactive natural compounds of rosemary were taken as ligands to target viral proteins. The PkCSM tool was used to detect their adherence to Lipinski’s rule of five and the ADMET properties of the selected ligands. Further, the CB-Dock tool was used for molecular docking studies between the VP1 protein and ligands. Based on the molecular docking and ADMET profiling results, phenethyl amine (4 methoxy benzyl) was selected as the lead compound. A comparative study was performed between the lead compound and two antiviral drugs, Placonaril and Nitazoxanide, to investigate the higher potential of natural compounds over synthetic drugs. Placonaril also targets VP1 but failed in clinical trials while Nitazoxanide was examined in clinical trials against rhinoviruses. It was discovered from this study that the (4 methoxy benzyl) phenethyl amine exhibited less toxicity in comparison to other tested drugs against RVs. More research is needed to determine its potential and make it a good medication against RVs.

Estimation of Active Compounds in the Essential Oils of Selected Medicinal Plants (Ginger, Arugula, Mustard, and Rosemary)

Estimation of Active Compounds in the Essential Oils of Selected Medicinal Plants (Ginger, Arugula, Mustard, and Rosemary)

Linalool and Geraniol Defend Neurons from Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Iron Accumulation in In Vitro Parkinson's Models.

Parkinson's disease is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders affecting millions of people worldwide. There is a growing demand for novel and natural substances as complementary therapies. Essential oils and their various compounds are highly investigated natural plant-based products as potential treatment options for common human diseases, such as microbial infections, chronic diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. The present study focuses on the beneficial effects of linalool and geraniol, the major compounds of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.) and geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér. in Aiton) essential oils, on oxidative stress, inflammation, and iron metabolism of the rotenone and 6-hydroxydopamine-induced in vitro Parkinson's models. The experiments were carried out on all-trans retinoic acid differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. The effects of linalool and geraniol were compared to rasagiline, an MAO-B inhibitor. The results revealed that both essential oil compounds reduce the level of reactive oxygen species and alter the antioxidant capacity of the cells. They lower the secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, linalool and geraniol change the expression of iron-related genes, such as the iron importer transferrin receptor 1, heme-oxygenase-1, and ferroportin iron exporter, and influence the intracellular iron contents. In addition, it has been unveiled that iron availability is concatenated with the actions of the essential oil compounds. Based on the results, linalool and geraniol are vigorous candidates as an alternative therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Biodegradation of Crude Oil by Nitrate-Reducing, Sulfate-Reducing, and Methanogenic Microbial Communities under High-Pressure Conditions.

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is an important component in many national net-zero strategies, and ensuring that CO2 can be safely and economically stored in geological systems is critical. Recent discoveries have shown that microbial processes (e.g., methanogenesis) can modify fluid composition and fluid dynamics within the storage reservoir. Oil reservoirs are under high pressure, but the influence of pressure on the petroleum microbial community has been previously overlooked. To better understand microbial community dynamics in deep oil reservoirs, we designed an experiment to examine the effect of high pressure (12 megapascals [MPa], 60 °C) on nitrate-reducing, sulfate-reducing, and methanogenic enrichment cultures. Cultures were exposed to these conditions for 90 d and compared with a control exposed to atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa, 60 °C). The degradation characteristic oil compounds were confirmed by thin-layer analysis of oil SARA (saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes) family component rods. We found that the asphaltene component in crude oil was biodegraded under high pressure, but the concentration of asphaltenes increased under atmospheric pressure. Gas chromatography analyses of saturates showed that short-chain saturates (C8-C12) were biodegraded under high and atmospheric pressure, especially in the methanogenic enrichment culture under high pressure (the ratio of change was -81%), resulting in an increased relative abundance of medium- and long-chain saturates. In the nitrate-reducing and sulfate-reducing enrichment cultures, long-chain saturates (C22-C32) were biodegraded in cultures exposed to high-pressure and anaerobic conditions, with a ratio of change of -8.0% and -2.3%, respectively. However, the relative proportion of long-chain saturates (C22-C32) increased under atmospheric pressure. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analyses of aromatics showed that several naphthalene series compounds (naphthalene, C1-naphthalene, and C2-naphthalene) were biodegraded in the sulfate-reducing enrichment under both atmospheric pressure and high pressure. Our study has discerned the linkages between the biodegradation characteristics of crude oil and pressures, which is important for the future application of bioenergy with CCUS (bio-CCUS).

Ibuprofen as an adjuvant to conventional antimicrobials and essential oil compounds against skin pathogens.

Antimicrobial resistance continues to be a growing concern, resulting in increased use of drug combinations. Antibiotic adjuvants are an emerging strategy that may potentiate an antibiotics efficacy. Ibuprofen's polypharmacological properties have been investigated for their antimicrobial and host-modulating potential. This study aimed to investigate the potential of a novel multidrug combination involving ibuprofen, essential oil compounds (EOCs), and conventional antimicrobials against skin pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of ibuprofen, conventional antimicrobials, and EOCs were determined and then combined and tested against 14 (reference and clinical) skin pathogens. The cytotoxicity was analysed using the MTT assay, whilst the anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide activated RAW264.7 murine macrophages. Four pairwise (Ibuprofen and antibiotic) (ΣFIC 0.33-0.50) and three triple (Ibuprofen and antibiotic with EOC) (ΣFIC 0.44-0.47) synergistic antimicrobial interactions were identified. These combinations demonstrated cell viability of 77.59%-100%. No combination significantly reduced nitric oxide production. The results from this study provide insight into the potential of a multidrug combination involving ibuprofen with conventional antimicrobials and EOCs against common skin pathogens.

Effect of Pulsed Electric Field Pretreatment on the Concentration of Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Compounds in Cold-Pressed Grape Seed Oil Produced from Wine Waste.

Pretreatment of grape pomace seeds with a pulsed electric field (PEF) was applied to improve the extraction yield of cold-pressed grape seed oil. The effects of different PEF conditions, electric field intensities (12.5, 14.0 and 15.6 kV/cm), and durations (15 and 30 min) on the oil chemical composition were also studied. All PEF pretreatments significantly increased the oil yield, flow rate and concentration of total sterols (p < 0.05). In addition, similar trends were observed for total tocochromanols and phenolic compounds, except for PEF pretreatment under the mildest conditions (12.5 kV/cm, 15 min) (p < 0.05). Notably, the application of 15.6 kV/cm for 30 min resulted in the highest relative increase in oil yield and flow rate (29.6% and 56.5%, respectively) and in the concentrations of total tocochromanols, nonflavonoids, and flavonoids (22.1%, 60.2% and 81.5%, respectively). In addition, the highest relative increase in the concentration of total sterols (25.4%) was achieved by applying 12.5 kV/cm for 30 min. The fatty acid composition of the grape seed oil remained largely unaffected by the PEF pretreatments. These results show that PEF pretreatment effectively improves both the yield and the bioactive properties of cold-pressed grape seed oil.

Toxicities of Desert Dates and Moringa Seeds Essential Oils on Helicoverpa armigera Hub (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae under Laboratory conditions

Production of tomato, Solanum lycopersicum worldwide is being threatened by Helicoverpa armigera Hub., and farmers rely heavily on the use of costly hazardous synthetic insecticides for its management. The prime concern in increasing production of tomato is the obstacles posed by H. armigera and lack of sufficient understanding of available environmentally friendly control materials which are essential for the development of reliable integrated pest management strategies. The present study was conducted with the objectives of determining the toxicities of desert dates and moringa seed essential oils (EO) on the larvae of H. armigera. The two (2) EOs were obtained by distillation and evaporation techniques. Toxicity studies were conducted at the Entomology laboratory of the Department of Crop Protection, Bayero University Kano. Fruits and leaves of tomato plant were sprayed with different concentrations of 2%, 4% and 6% of the essential oil extracted from the plant and acetone was used as control, cypermethrin (synthetic insecticide) was used as a standard check. The treated plants parts were allowed to dry for 15 to 20 minutes under laboratory condition. Ten 3rd instar larvae of H. armigera were introduced into the container covered with muslin cloth and allowed to feed. Observation on larval mortality was made at 24, 48 and 72h post introduction. EOs composition was analysed using GC-MS for qualitative and quantitative determination of the biomolecules present. Results of the toxicity of the essential oils show both oils caused mortality of the larvae. The GC-MS analysis shows 1-Methylpentyl cyclopropane (Monoterpene) as the dominant compound in both essential oils. Two percent (2%) EO of balanites is recommended for application on both the fruits and leaves of the tomato plant to control H. amigera

Ionic liquid mediated one-step perpendicular assembly in block copolymer thin films for ultrafiltration membrane applications

The rapid rise of oil and gas, petrochemical, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries has added a complex mixture of contaminants like oil, particulates, metals, and other organic compounds to wastewater. Multipurpose membranes with precise pore structure can offer a solution to this problem and block copolymers (BCP) can be used to achieve such structures. Achieving vertical assembly of BCP domains provides a perfect template for developing uniform through film channels for separation and transport of material, besides being useful for the rectification of defects in photolithography patterns. Producing such morphologies may require extensive film/substrate processing and is not always feasible for scale-up. With this article, we demonstrate a facile solution casting method to induce vertical domain assembly in as-cast diblock copolymer thin films in the presence of an ionic liquid (IL) additive that preferentially segregates to one block and neutralizes interfacial interactions. We also show the tunability of domain sizes by controlling the additive concentration. These vertically aligned morphologies are important for the development of next-generation lithographic techniques and form excellent templates for ultrafiltration membranes with uniform pore sizes. This article demonstrates how IL additives can be used to obtain stable non-equilibrium morphologies in as-cast BCP films and the effect of BCP molecular mass, block volume fractions, and IL content on self-assembly.