Concentrations Of Aromatic Compounds Research Articles

Investigation of the impact of papain on the volatile and non-volatile metabolites of soybean meal yogurt.

Soybean meal yogurt was prepared from soybean meal using papain and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. A non-targeted metabolomics approach was employed to analyze the relevance of papain to the differences in volatile and non-volatile metabolites of soybean meal yogurt. The results showed that the main up-regulated metabolites and metabolic pathways after enzymatic digestion were dominated by amino acids and their derivatives. Conversely, the main down-regulated metabolites and pathways were predominantly associated with flavonoid metabolism. Amino acids and their derivatives, as well as flavonoids, were found to be highly correlated with the formation of sweet, umami, astringent, and bitterness. The addition of papain enriched the content of aromatic compounds in soybean meal yogurt. Aromatic components such as 2-heptanone, naphthalene, and p-xylene increased in concentration. Synthetic peptide of aspartate and serine, gramine, geissospermine, N-desmethyl vinblastine, and 3,7-dihydroxyflavone were the major non-volatile differential metabolites distinguishing the soybean meal yogurt. This study provided a comprehensive analysis of the metabolic traits of products co-fermented by papain and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, offering insights for the application of papain in fermented goods. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pyrolysis characteristics and hydrogen production mechanism of biomass impregnated with transition metals

The application of metal impregnation pretreatment to improve the quality of biomass pyrolysis gas production is considered as a promising upgrading technology. Transition metals have been well developed for the unique structural characteristics. After impregnation pretreatment, the product distribution of biomass pyrolysis was changed, and the transfer path of H atoms and the formation mechanism of H2 can be revealed through analysis. The effects of impregnation pretreatment with three different transition metals (iron, cobalt, and nickel) on the pyrolysis characteristics of corn straw were evaluated in this work. Three transition metal solutions with concentrations of 0.5 M, 1 M, and 2 M were used to explore the influence of impregnation concentration on the yield and composition of the pyrolysis products. The results showed that iron promoted the formation of liquid products, whose proportion increased by 37.29% upon increasing the impregnation solution concentration. The addition of cobalt and nickel led to more pyrolysis gas generation. When the impregnation solution concentration was greater than 0.5 M, the gas production rate exceeded 45 wt%. Nickel simultaneously promoted the generation of H2 and CH4 in pyrolysis gas, whose yields were increased by 63% and 20% respectively compared with raw materials. Py-GC/MS analysis showed that Co-CS had strong decarboxylation characteristics during pyrolysis. Metal impregnation decreased the content of aromatic compounds in tar, which increased the stretching vibrations of C-H bonds in char. Ring-opening rearrangements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were promoted, which formed more -H. Nickel catalyzed the removal of CH3 and H groups and the rearrangement of C-O in volatile products, which formed more H2 and CH4. These findings provide an avenue to optimize the metal impregnation conditions to produce hydrogen via biomass pyrolysis.

Characterization of fused aromatic multirings in lignin via synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and catalytic hydro-depolymerization

The structural analysis of lignin is highly significant in practical terms. We investigated the presence of fused aromatic multirings (FARs) distinct from conventional phenylpropane units in seven lignin types using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) and quantified their relative proportions. Our findings reveal that FARs are present in all lignin samples, primarily composed of 2–6 rings. The relative distribution of FARs in lignin is ranked as follows: 2 rings > 1 ring > 4 rings > 3 rings > 6 rings > 5 rings. The relative contents of these FARs (1–6 rings) exhibit slight variations across all lignin samples. Notably, FARs with 2 rings are the highest at 35 %−53 %, while those with 5 and 6 rings are the lowest, collectively accounting for less than 1.37 %. Moreover, the relative contents of FARs with 1 and 2–6 rings range approximately 24 %−32 % and 68 %−76 %, respectively. Furthermore, the catalytic hydro-depolymerization of lignin was performed and the experimental results demonstrate that the hydro-liquefied oil from lignin contains aromatic compounds with 1–7 rings, and the relative contents of aromatic compounds with 1 ring and 2–7 rings in the oil are 29 % and 71 %, respectively, which is consistent with that of lignin SFS. These findings are also consistent with the existing literature and experimental results. This study offers an explanation for the low yields observed in current depolymerization processes targeting small molecules within lignin and establishes a theoretical foundation for achieving high yields in the preparation of multiring aromatic hydrocarbons.

Evaluation of ultrasound-assisted tomato sour soup marination on beef: Insights into physicochemical, sensory, microstructural, and flavour characteristics

This study evaluated the quality attributes of tomato sour soup marinade and investigated the effects of ultrasound-assisted marination on the physicochemical properties, microstructure, texture, sensory quality, and flavour profile of beef. The results showed that tomato sour soup significantly increased the marinade absorption rate and improved beef tenderloin’s physicochemical properties, texture, and flavour attributes compared to static brine (P < 0.05), with organic acids playing an essential role in the marinade tenderisation process. Compared to static sour soup marination, ultrasound treatment significantly accelerated the marination process, reducing beef’s shear force, hardness, and chewiness while increasing its tenderness. Microstructural observations revealed that sour soup marination induced a fragmented and irregular muscle fibre structure. Furthermore, sour soup marination significantly increased the relative concentrations of volatile flavour compounds, including alkanes, organic sulphides, alcohols, aldehydes, and aromatic compounds. Appropriate ultrasound treatment positively affects the texture and flavour characteristics of beef marinated with tomato sour soup, and the optimal approach was 320 W ultrasound treatment for 60 min. Overall, tomato sour soup improved beef’s textural and flavour attributes, while ultrasound-assisted marination is an effective processing method to improve the quality of meat products.

Pyrolytic Decomposition of Polyethylene in the Presence of Aluminosilicate Materials Containing Nickel Oxide

The work is devoted to the study of the pyrolysis of high-density polyethylene (PE) in the presence of aluminosilicate materials containing nickel oxide. The process of catalytic pyrolysis of plastics makes it possible to convert polymers into chemical compounds, which can later be used as an additional source of fuels, raw materials for the chemical industry or polymer production. The physicochemical parameters of materials containing nickel oxide have been established using the following methods: IR-Fourier spectroscopy; x-ray diffraction analysis; N2 physical adsorption method; thermogravimetric analysis; pyrolytic gas chromatography. The dependences of the chemical composition of PE pyrolysis products on the type of support used and the presence of nickel oxide. The presence of nickel oxide in the studied aluminosilicates increases the Lewis acidity, which increases the content of aromatic compounds in the pyrolysis products. The activation energy of the PE pyrolysis process in the presence of MCM-41 containing nickel oxide was calculated from experimental data.

Spectro-photometry of Phobos simulants: I. Detectability of hydrated minerals and organic bands

Previous Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Express observations of Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars, have improved our understanding of these small bodies. However, their formation and composition remain poorly constrained. Physical and spectral properties suggest that Phobos may be a weakly thermal-altered captured asteroid but the dynamical properties of the martian system suggest a formation by giant collision similar to the Earth moon. In 2027, the JAXA’s MMX mission aims to address these outstanding questions.We undertook measurements with a new simulant called OPPS (Observatory of Paris Phobos Simulant) which closely matches Phobos reflectance spectra from the visible to the mid-infrared wavelength range. The simulant was synthesized using a mixture of olivine, saponite, anthracite, and coal.Since observation geometry strongly influences the photometry and spectra of the light reflected from planetary surfaces, we evaluated the parameters obtained by modeling the phase curves – obtained through laboratory measurements – of two different Phobos simulants (UTPS-TB and OPPS) using Hapke IMSA model. Our results show that the photometric properties of Phobos simulants are not fully consistent with those of carbonaceous chondrites and martian meteorites. We also investigated the detection of volatiles/organic compounds and hydrated minerals, as the presence of such components is expected on Phobos in the hypothesis of a captured primitive asteroid. To investigate their detectability, we examined the variability of the 3.28μm and 3.42μm absorption bands related to aliphatic/aromatic carbon (as a proxy of organic material), as well as the 2.7μm O–H feature in a Phobos laboratory spectroscopic simulant. The results indicate that a significant amount of organic compounds is required for the detection of C–H bands at 3.4μm. The bands at 3.28 and 3.42μm are faint (less than 2%) when ∼3 wt% of organic compounds are present in the simulant and are likely undetectable by the MIRS spectrometer onboard the MMX mission. When the concentration of aliphatic and aromatic compounds is increased to 6 wt%, a positive detection starts to become more plausible using remote sensing infrared spectroscopy. In contrast, the 2.7μm absorption band, due to hydrated minerals, is much deeper and easier to detect than C–H organic features at the same concentration levels. The feature is still clearly detectable even when the simulant contains only 3 vol.% of phyllosilicates, corresponding to 0.7 wt% OH groups.Posing limits on detectability of some possible key components of Phobos surface will be pivotal to prepare and interpret future observations of the MIRS spectrometer as well as TENGOO and OROCHI cameras onboard MMX mission.

Microwave Pyrolysis of Automotive Polypropylene Based on a Microwave Atmosphere Tube Furnace

Plastics have light weight and excellent performance, which are widely used in all kinds of automobiles. Polypropylene (PP) and its reinforcing materials are used in automotive components, where the surfaces of bumpers and fenders are coated with paint. Traditional recycling can frequently generate various pollutants, such as paint sludge. Microwave pyrolysis is a more environmentally friendly pyrolysis method with a higher heating coefficient than traditional electric pyrolysis. This study first explores the elemental composition of two types of automotive PP plastics and uses thermo-gravimetric analysis and the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose method to preliminarily calculate the activation energy of automotive PP. The calculation results show that the activation energy of PP containing paint ranges from 189.145 kJ/mol- 199.513 kJ/mol, with an average value of 193.903 kJ/mol. The activation energy of PP without paint is between 215.506 kJ/mol-265.794 kJ/mol, with an average value of 242.425kJ/mol. Then, pyrolysis experiments on PP for vehicles without paint are conducted using a microwave atmosphere tube furnace at different temperatures and microwave powers. The experimental results showed that, when the pyrolysis temperature increased from 500oC to 620 oC, the total proportion of gas products rose from 0.75 wt.% to 4.81 wt.%, and the content of alkanes in the liquid products improved from 26.21 wt.% to 34.37 wt.%; when the microwave power increased from 900 W to 1100 W, the gas product rose to 20.77 wt.%, and the content of aromatic compounds in the liquid product improved to 17.78 wt.%. In addition, the pyrolysis experiment of automotive PP containing paint showed that paint had a relatively minor effect on the pyrolysis products of automotive PP. This study shows that using microwave pyrolysis to treat automotive PP and PP with paint is feasible, which provides a reference for the clean treatment of automotive polymers.

Sequential Fermentation in Red Wine cv. Babić Production: The Influence of Torulaspora delbrueckii and Lachancea thermotolerans Yeasts on the Aromatic and Sensory Profile.

This research aimed to analyze the impact of two different non-Saccharomyces yeast species on the aromatic profile of red wines made from the cv. Babić (Vitis vinifera L.) red grape variety. The grapes were obtained from two positions in the Middle and South of Dalmatia. This study compared a control treatment with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) strain as a type of sequential inoculation treatment with Lachancea thermotolerans (Lt x Sc) and Torulaspora delbrueckii (Td x Sc). The focus was on the basic wine parameters and volatile aromatic compound concentrations determined using the SPME-Arrow-GC/MS method. The results revealed significant differences in cis-linalool oxide, geraniol, neric acid, and nerol, which contribute to the sensory profile with floral and rose-like aromas; some ethyl esters, such as ethyl furoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl lactate, ethyl 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoate, ethyl 3-hydroxy butanoate, diethyl glutarate, and diethyl succinate, contribute to the aromatic profile with fruity, buttery, overripe, or aging aromas. A sensory evaluation of wines confirmed that Td x Sc treatments exhibited particularly positive aromatic properties together with a more intense fullness, harmony, aftertaste, and overall impression.

Comparison of Emission Properties of Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Conventional Aviation Fuels: A Review

In order to achieve the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) goal of achieving net-zero emissions in the aviation industry by 2050, there has been a growing emphasis globally on the technological development and practical application of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). Discrepancies in feedstock and production processes result in differences in composition between SAFs and traditional aviation fuels, ultimately affecting the emission performance of the two types of fuel. This paper discusses the impact of CO2/NOx/SO2/CO/PM/UHC emissions from the aviation industry on the natural environment and human health by comparing the two types of fuel under the same conditions. Fuel combustion is a complex process in the combustor of an engine, which transfers chemical energy into heat energy. The completeness of combustion is related to the fuel properties, including spray, evaporation, and flammability. Therefore, engine performance is not only affected by fuel performance, but also interacts with engine structure and control laws. The CO2 emissions of SAFs differ significantly from traditional aviation fuels from a lifecycle analysis perspective, and most SAFs can reduce CO2 emissions by 41–89%. Compared with traditional aviation fuels, SAFs and blended fuels can significantly reduce SO2 and PM emissions. Pure Fischer–Tropsch hydroprocessed synthesized paraffinic kerosine (FT-SPK) can reduce SO2 and PM emissions by 92% and 70–95% respectively, owing to its extremely low sulfur and aromatic compound content. In contrast, the differences in NOx emissions between the two types of fuel are not significant, as their generation mechanisms largely stem from thermal drive and turbulent flow in the combustor, with emissions performance being correlated to power output and flame temperature profile in engine testing. CO and UHC emissions are related to engine operating conditions and the physical/chemical properties of the SAFs, with no significant upward or downward trend. Therefore, SAFs have significant advantages over conventional aviation fuels in terms of CO2, SO2, and PM emissions, and can effectively reduce the hazards of aviation to the environment and human health.

CONVERSİON OF n-HEXANE OVER CATALYSTS BASED ON SULFATED ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE

The isomerization process is becoming increasingly important in the modern petroleum refining context due to the limitations on the content of benzene, aromatic compounds, and olefins in gasoline. Isomerization is an effective and profitable process for octane enhancement of gasoline unlike other octane increasing processes. Due to the low sulfur and benzene content, the isomerate can be used as an ideal blending gasoline component. Therefore, the isomerization process has a great importance in petroleum refineries to increase the fuel octane number. This article aimed to study the conversion process of normal hexane over palladium and platinum containing catalysts on the base of sulfated zirconium dioxide. It has been determined that due to their high-performance characteristics, catalytic systems based on sulfated zirconium dioxide can be considered the most promising for isomerization of normal alkanes. Moreover, comparison of palladium-containing catalysts based on sulfated zirconium dioxide with platinum-containing catalysts based on sulfated zirconium dioxide showed that palladium sulfated zirconia catalysts have high catalytic performance in the isomerization of normal hexane. Keywords: alkanes, catalyst, platinum, palladium, isomerization, temperature, sulfated zirconium dioxide. .

Ultra-high pressure treatment improve the content of characteristic aromatic components of melon juice from the view of physical changes.

The effectiveness of ultra-high pressure (UHP) technology in retaining the flavor of fresh fruit and vegetable juices has been acknowledged in recent years. Along with previously hypothesized conclusions, the improvement in melon juice flavor may be linked to the reduction of its surface tension through UHP. In this paper, the particle size, free-water percentage, and related thermodynamic parameters of melon juice were evaluated in a physical point for a deeper insight. The results showed that the UHP treatment of P2-2 (200 MPa for 20 min) raised the free water percentage by 7,000 times than the other treatments and both the melting enthalpy, binding constant and Gibbs free energy of P2-2 were minimized. This significantly increased the volatility of characteristic aromatic compounds in melon juice, resulting in a 1.2-5 times increase in the content of aromatic compounds in the gas phase of the P2-2 group compared to fresh melon juice.

Catalytic Conversion of Oil Shale over Fe or Ni Catalysts under Sub-Critical Water

Sub-critical water is an environment-friendly solvent. It is widely used for the extraction of various organic compounds. It can be used to dissolve and transport organic matter in oil shale. In this study, the conversion of oil shale was synergistically catalyzed by the addition of Fe or Ni to the Fe inherent in samples under sub-critical water conditions. Oil shale can be converted to gas, oil and residues of oil. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis results presented that the weight loss of raw oil shale was up to 15.85%. After sub-critical water extraction, the weight loss rate of the residues was reduced to 8.41%. With the application of a metal catalyst, Fe or Ni, the weight loss of residues was further reduced to 7.43% and 6.57%, respectively. According to DTG curves, it was found that there were two weight-loss rate peaks. The decomposition process of kerogen in oil shale could be divided into two cracking processes. One is decomposed at a high velocity at around 420 °C, and another is decomposed at a low velocity at around 515 °C. Gas chromatography (GC) results of gas products indicated that Fe or Ni could contribute to producing normal alkanes, such as methane, ethane, propane, etc., which are produced by the hydrogenation of alkenes via hydrogen transfer during the conversion process of kerogen. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was conducted to analyze the components of the liquid products. The results showed that n-alkanes, iso-alkane, oxygenated hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds were the major components of the kerogen cracking products. When Ni was introduced as a catalyst, the contents of aromatic compounds and oxygenated hydrocarbons in the liquid products were increased from 19.55% and 6.87% to 22.38% and 13.77%, respectively. This is due to the synergistic effect of the addition of Ni with the inherent Fe in oil shale under sub-critical water which ensures kerogen is more easily cracked to produce aromatic compounds and oxygenated hydrocarbons.

Shifting Mountain Tree Line Increases Soil Organic Carbon Stability Regardless of Land Use.

Climate and land use changes are causing trees line to shift up into mountain meadows. The effect of this vegetation change on the partitioning of soil carbon (C) between the labile particulate organic matter (POM-C) and stable mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM-C) pools is poorly understood. Therefore, we assessed these C pools in a 10 cm topsoil layer along forest-meadow ecotones with different land uses (reserve and pasture) in the Northwest Caucasus of Russia using the size fractionation technique (POM 0.053-2.00 mm, MAOM < 0.053 mm). Potential drivers included the amount of C input from aboveground grass biomass (AGB) and forest litter (litter quantity) and their C/N ratios, aromatic compound content (litter quality), and soil texture. For both land uses, the POM-C pool showed no clear patterns of change along forest-meadow ecotones, while the MAOM-C pool increased steadily from meadow to forest. Regardless of land use, the POM-C/MAOM-C ratio decreased threefold from meadow to forest in line with decreasing grass AGB (R2 = 0.75 and 0.29 for reserve and pasture) and increasing clay content (R2 = 0.63 and 0.36 for reserve and pasture). In pastures, an additional negative relationship was found with respect to plant litter aromaticity (R2 = 0.48). Therefore, shifting the mountain tree line in temperate climates could have a positive effect on conserving soil C stocks by increasing the proportion of stable C pools.

In-situ optical water quality monitoring sensors—applications, challenges, and future opportunities

Water quality issues remain a major cause of global water insecurity, and real-time low-cost monitoring solutions are central to the remediation and management of water pollution. Optical sensors, based on fluorescence, absorbance, scattering and reflectance-based principles, provide effective water quality monitoring (WQM) solutions. However, substantial challenges remain to their wider adoption across scales and environments amid cost and calibration-related concerns. This review discusses the current and future challenges in optical water quality monitoring based on multi-peak fluorescence, full-spectrum absorbance, light-scattering and remotely sensed surface reflectance. We highlight that fluorescence-based sensors can detect relatively low concentrations of aromatic compounds (e.g., proteins and humic acids) and quantify and trace organic pollution (e.g., sewage or industrial effluents). Conversely, absorbance-based sensors (Ultraviolet-Visible-Infra-red, UV-VIS-IR) are suitable for monitoring a wider range of physiochemical variables (e.g., nitrate, dissolved organic carbon and turbidity). Despite being accurate under optimal conditions, measuring fluorescence and absorbance can be demanding in dynamic environments due to ambient temperature and turbidity effects. Scattering-based turbidity sensors provide a detailed understanding of sediment transport and, in conjunction, improve the accuracy of fluorescence and absorbance measurements. Recent advances in micro-sensing components such as mini-spectrometers and light emitting diodes (LEDs), and deep computing provide exciting prospects of in-situ full-spectrum analysis of fluorescence (excitation-emission matrices) and absorbance for improved understanding of interferants to reduce the signal-to-noise ratio, improve detection accuracies of existing pollutants, and enable detection of newer contaminants. We examine the applications combining in-situ spectroscopy and remotely sensed reflectance for scaling Optical WQM in large rivers, lakes and marine bodies to scale from point observations to large water bodies and monitor algal blooms, sediment load, water temperature and oil spills. Lastly, we provide an overview of future applications of optical techniques in detecting emerging contaminants in treated and natural waters. We advocate for greater synergy between industry, academia and public policy for effective pollution control and water management.

Characterization of cross-continental PM2.5: Insights into emissions and chemical composition

Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a critical indicator of air quality, with substantial implications for human health. Understanding the emission sources and chemical composition of PM2.5 is crucial for mitigating possible adverse health effects. This study spans five diverse cities on three continents from north and south hemisphere: Stockholm (Sweden), Kyoto (Japan), Limeira, Ribeirão Preto, and Cáceres (Brazil). Our objective was to assess PM2.5 chemical composition and regional and long-range transport influences to identify the main sources of particulate air pollution at these cities during the winter/dry seasons. All studied cities but Kyoto exhibited PM2.5 levels above World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, with the Brazilian cities experiencing the highest fine particle pollution levels, implying increased adverse health risks. We observed significant variations in concentrations of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), monosaccharide anhydrides (MAs), and inorganic elements. Limeira exhibited the highest levels of total PACs (median level of 12.4 ng m−3), while Cáceres displayed high variability of PACs, most likely due to episodic regional wildfire events. MA concentrations were significantly higher in Limeira and Ribeirão Preto and together with elevated levels of retene and potassium (K) they suggested a substantial influence of biomass burning. Backward air mass trajectory analysis suggested widespread Amazon and Savanna wildfires along with local fires as main contributors for these sites. All source identification approaches highlighted differences among the cities, with Stockholm and Kyoto showing influence of sources related to traffic emissions, waste burning, and long-range transport, and Brazilian cities traffic, industrial, biogenic, and more evident biomass burning. This cross-continental study provides valuable insights into PM2.5 composition and emission sources, emphasizing the impact of different emissions on air quality. Our findings underscore the importance of local strategies to mitigate air pollution and protect public health, especially in regions where PM2.5 levels consistently exceed recommended guidelines.

STUDY OF CATALYSTS BASED ON MESOPOROUS ALUMINOSILICATE IN THE DEAROMATIZATION PROCESS OF A MODEL MIXTURE: PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY

The limitation on the content of aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur is associated with environmental requirements according to Euro-5 standards. Upon combustion, these substances release highly toxic compounds into the atmosphere, adversely affecting human health and the surrounding environment. Additionally, a high concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons in diesel fuel significantly degrades its quality, leading to soot formation and reducing its cetane number. According to Euro-5 standards, the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds should not exceed 8% and 10 mg/kg, respectively. To address the challenge of producing high-quality diesel fuels, the hydrotreatment process is employed in the presence of heterogeneous catalysts.The article presents the synthesis of mesoporous aluminosilicates and bifunctional catalysts based on them to study the activity of the hydrotreatment process for a model mixture. The obtained samples were investigated using various physico-chemical methods such as SEM, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption, XRD, and FT-IR. It was established that the Ni/MAS-H-bentonite and Mo/MAS-H-bentonite catalysts exhibit high activity and selectivity in the hydrotreatment process under optimal conditions (240°C, 3 MPa, and 0.5 h-1).

Identification of Characteristic Bioactive Compounds in Silkie Chickens, Their Effects on Meat Quality, and Their Gene Regulatory Network.

Silkie chicken, an important chicken breed with high medicinal and nutritional value, has a long history of being used as a dietary supplement in China. However, the compounds with health-promoting effects in Silkie chickens remain unclear. In the present study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of metabolic and lipidomic profiles to identify the characteristic bioactive compounds in Silkie chickens, using a common chicken breed as control. The results showed that the levels of 13 metabolites including estradiol, four lipid subclasses including cardiolipin (CL), eight lipid molecules, and three fatty acids including docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6) were significantly increased in Silkie chickens, which have physiological activities such as resisting chronic diseases and improving cognition. These characteristic bioactive compounds have effects on meat quality characteristics, including improving its water-holding capacity and umami taste and increasing the content of aromatic compounds and phenols. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two chicken breeds revealed the regulatory network for these characteristic bioactive compounds. Fifteen DEGs, including HSD17B1, are involved in the synthesis of characteristic metabolites. Eleven DEGs, including ELOVL2, were involved in the synthesis and transport of characteristic lipids and fatty acids. In summary, we identified characteristic bioactive compounds in Silkie chickens, and analyzed their effects on meat quality characteristics. This study provided important insight into Silkie chicken meat as a functional food.

Study on the composition of gasoline fractions obtained as a result of waste tires pyrolysis and production bitumen modifiers from it

Waste tires pose a significant threat to the environment. On the other hand, they are a potential raw material for energy production. Pyrolysis is one of the most promising methods for utilizing waste tires in a circular economy. The aim of the research was to study in detail the composition of gasoline fractions obtained during waste tires pyrolysis, and to search for effective methods of their application/processing without the use of catalysts and scarce hydrogen. Pyrolysis of waste tires was carried out on a pilot-scale industrial unit with a productivity of up to 15 tons/day of raw material. The liquid pyrolysis products were separated into several fractions: boiling below 140 0C, boiling at the range of 140–200 0C and fraction boiling above 200 0C. The residual fraction, based on its performance indicators, can be used as a component in fuel oils. The gasoline fractions (<140 0C and 140–200 0C) cannot be used as components in commercial fuels due to their high content of unsaturated and aromatic compounds. The obtained components of the gasoline fractions were analyzed with the usage of infrared spectroscopy and/or chromatography. Modifiers were synthesized from the gasoline fractions to improve the adhesive properties of bitumen. It was found that the resulting products (residue after obtaining bitumen modifiers) contain lower amounts of aromatic and unsaturated compounds compared to the initial gasoline fractions. This will allow reducing the content of these harmful components in the further use of gasoline fractions. Addition of the received modifiers to road bitumen brand BND 70/100 in the amount of 1% wt. Makes it possible to obtain bitumen with improved adhesive properties of the BNDA 60/90 brand.

Association between blood volatile organic aromatic compound concentrations and hearing loss in US adults.

Benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene, collectively referred to as benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BEX), constitute the main components of volatile organic aromatic compounds (VOACs) and can have adverse effects on human health. The relationship between exposure to BEX and hearing loss (HL) in the adult U.S. population was aimed to be assessed. Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2003-2004, 2011-2012, and 2015-2016 were analyzed. This dataset included complete demographic characteristics, pure-tone audiometry measurements, and volatile organic compound detection data from the NHANES database. A weighted multivariate logistic regression model was employed to investigate the associations between blood BEX concentrations HL, low-frequency hearing loss (SFHL), and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). 2174 participants were included, with weighted prevalence rates of HL, SFHL, and HFHL being 46.81%, 25.23%, and 45.86%, respectively. Exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene, and cumulative BEX concentrations increased the risk of hearing loss (odds ratios [ORs] were 1.36, 1.22, 1.42, 1.23, and 1.31, respectively; all P < 0.05). In the analysis with SFHL as the outcome, ethylbenzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, benzene, and overall BEX increased the risk (OR 1.26, 1.21, 1.28, 1.20, and 1.25, respectively; all P < 0.05). For HFHL, exposure to ethylbenzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, benzene, and overall BEX increased the risk (OR 1.36, 1.22, 1.42, 1.22, and 1.31, respectively; all P < 0.05). Our study indicated that a positive correlation between individual or cumulative exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene and the risk of HL, SFHL, and HFHL. Further research is imperative to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which organic compounds, notably BEX, in causing hearing loss and to validate these findings in longitudinal environmental studies.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) fructus essential oil hydrodistillation fractions

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hydrodistillation time on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of collected essential oils’ (EOs’) fractions from black pepper fructus for five hydrodistillation periods: I (0-15 min), II (15-30 min), III (30-60 min), IV(60-90 min) and V (90-120 min). In this way, an essential oil with the desired chemical composition and antioxidant activity can be selected. The essential oil was obtained by Clevenger-type hydrodistillation (CHD). The qualitative and quantitative composition of the collected EOs’ fractions was determined by GC-MS and GC-FID analysis. The efficiency of EOs’ fractions to scavenge DPPH radicals was evaluated spectrophotometrically. Essential oil yield was 3.0 ± 0.050 ml/100 g of plant material after 120 min of CHD. The content of monoterpene hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds decreased, while the content of oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated sesquiterpenes increased with the time of CHD. The most abundant compound of EOs’ fractions was (E)-caryophyllene, whose content increased with the time of CHD (I-V: 24.9-36.6%). Results indicated that all collected EOs’ fractions exhibited antioxidant activity (EC50 values were in the range I-V: 81.27±0.327–8.02±0.044 mg/ml), where fraction V showed the highest activity. This study proved that CHD time and fractionation affect the composition and antioxidant activity of black pepper essential oil. Future research may be extended to examine other biological activities of black pepper EOs’ fractions, as well as synergistic effects of other identified active components of the essential oil, in addition to (E)-caryophyllene, that would affect biological activities.