Dichloromethane Research Articles

Degradation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds in waste gas by catalytic plasma system

Dichloromethane (DCM), one of the main components of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (Cl-VOCs), is recognized as extremely hazardous and severely affects human health and the environment. In this study, a self-designed Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) reactor combined with different catalysts to treat the exhaust DCM gas containing ppm concentration levels. A plasma system can generate high-energy electrons and free radicals (such as hydroxyl radical (OH·), and superoxide radical (O2·)) to degrade DCM in the industrial exhaust gas into most HCl and CO2. The removal efficiency can achieve 98.7% under the conditions, a flow rate of 1042 mLmin−1, the residence time of 76.72 ms, concentration of DCM of about 1650 ppm, and specific input energy of 591 JL−1. Although the plasma was highly reactive, the selectivity of the desired products was low, and there were unwanted toxic byproducts such as CHCl3 (1.7%) and CCl4 (13.8%). Thus catalysts were loaded in the plasma discharging zone to enhance removal efficiency and change product distribution. The catalysts were conducive to producing water-soluble products such as HCl. At the same time, the formation of some unwanted byproducts, CHCl3 and CCl4, were also inhibited. We found that using 11.5 kVpp plasma operating voltage combined with 200 mg Co3O4/HZSM-5 can lower the DCM concentration of the outlet stream from 1650 ppm to 53 ppm. Under this condition, the removal efficiency was about 96.7%, attaining permitted emissions.

Synergy and Antagonism in Antimalarial Crude Extract Combinations

Background Malaria accounts for around 4.8% of all recorded fatalities in Tanzania. Medicinal plants such as Caesalpinia bonducella, Azadirachta indica, and Annickia kummeriae have demonstrated promise in treating many diseases, including malaria. However, their combined activity against malaria has not been documented. Combination therapy using some medicinal plants with antimalarial activities may enhance safety and efficacy and reduce the evolution of parasite resistance. Objectives This study aimed to investigate antiplasmodium activities of different combinations of crude extracts from selected medicinal plants. Azadirachta indica leaves, Annickia kummeriae and Caesalpinia bonducella were extracted using dichloromethane (DCM). Methods An in vivo acute toxicity study of both individual and combined crude extracts was carried out according to Chinedu et al., 2015. The in vivo antiplasmodial activity of individual and combined crude extracts was performed in mice inoculated with Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) using Peters’s 4-day suppressive test. Results Individually, Caesalpinia bonducella crude extracts exhibited the highest in vivo antiplasmodial efficacy (91% parasite suppression) than A. kummeriae (73% parasite suppression) and A. indica (60% parasite suppression) at 800 mg/kg/day. The A. indica and A. summarize combinations and A. indica and C. bonducella demonstrated higher antiplasmodial activity (synergism-combination index 0.29 and 0.97, respectively) than their constituents. However, combining A. kummeriae and C. bonducella produced the lowest antiplasmodial activity (antagonism- combination index 40.67) than its extracts. The high antiplasmodial potencies (ED50) demonstrated by AiAk and AiCb are significant and critical results for traditional, complementary and alternative medicine. Conclusion Therefore, these preliminary findings suggest that AiAk and AiCb are potential antiplasmodium herbal therapies. Further research should be undertaken to investigate the antiplasmodium effect of AiAk and AiCb in humans.

Obliteration of H. pylori infection through the development of a novel thyme oil laden nanoporous gastric floating microsponge

Thyme oil (TO) is a valuable essential oil believed to possess a variety of bioactivities, including antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. These attributes grant TO the excellent capability to treat a wide range of diseases, particularly the effective eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach. However, its practical use is limited by its low stability under atmospheric conditions. Our current research aims to encapsulate TO in eudragit (EGT) microsponges to enhance its stability and improve its effectiveness against H. pylori. The TO microsponges were prepared using EGT as a polymer, polysorbate 80 as a stabilizer, and dichloromethane (DCM) as a solvent via the quasi-emulsion solvent evaporation method. The product yield, particle size, surface morphology, entrapment efficiency, drug-polymer interaction, in-vitro floating, and in-vitro drug release of the microsponges were evaluated. The most promising microsponge was tested against H. pylori ATCC 43504 strains. The results showed that the microsponges exhibited a high product yield (ranging from 41 % ± 0.75–81.27 % ± 1.13), excellent entrapment efficiency (ranging from 63.01 % ± 0.79–88.64 % ± 0.98), prolonged in-vitro floating time (more than 12 h) and sustained in-vitro drug release for 18 h (81.53 %). Scanning electron microscopy results indicated that the microsponges were spherical in shape with a spongy surface. The average particle size of the selected microsponges was determined to be 49.79 ± 1.4 μm, and their average pore size was measured to be 0.81 ± 0.14 μm. DSC study results revealed that TO was physically entrapped in the microsponges. In-vitro anti-H. pylori activity studies demonstrated that TO in microsponge was more effective against H. pylori than pure TO. In conclusion, the developed microsponges containing thyme oil provide a promising alternative for the efficient targeting and eradication of H. Pylori infection.

Bovine serum albumin uptake and polypeptide disaggregation studies of hypoglycemic ruthenium(II) uracil Schiff-base complexes

Our prior studies have illustrated that the uracil ruthenium(II) diimino complex, [Ru(H3ucp)Cl(PPh3)] (1) (H4ucp = 2,6-bis-((6-amino-1,3-dimethyluracilimino)methylene)pyridine) displayed high hypoglycemic effects in diet-induced diabetic rats. To rationalize the anti-diabetic effects of 1, three new derivatives have been prepared, cis-[Ru(bpy)2(urdp)]Cl2 (2) (urdp = 2,6-bis-((uracilimino)methylene)pyridine), trans-[RuCl2(PPh3)(urdp)] (3), and cis-[Ru(bpy)2(H4ucp)](PF6)2 (4). Various physicochemical techniques were utilized to characterize the structures of the novel ruthenium compounds. Prior to biomolecular interactions or in vitro studies, the stabilities of 1–4 were monitored in anhydrous DMSO, aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO, and dichloromethane (DCM) via UV–Vis spectrophotometry. Time-dependent stability studies showed ligand exchange between DMSO nucleophiles and chloride co-ligands of 1 and 3, which was suppressed in the presence of an excess amount of chloride ions. In addition, the metal complexes 1 and 3 are stable in both DCM and an aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO. In the case of compounds 2 and 4 with no chloride co-ligands within their coordination spheres, high stability in aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO was observed. Fluorescence emission titrations of the individual ruthenium compounds with bovine serum albumin (BSA) showed that the metal compounds interact non-discriminately within the protein's hydrophobic cavities as moderate to strong binders. The metal complexes were capable of disintegrating mature amylin amyloid fibrils. In vivo glucose metabolism studies in liver (Chang) cell lines confirmed enhanced glucose metabolism as evidenced by the increased glucose utilization and glycogen synthesis in liver cell lines in the presence of complexes 2–4.

Shapeshifting Nucleophiles HO-(NH3)n React with Methyl Chloride.

The microsolvated anions HO-(NH3)n were found to induce new nucleophile NH2-(H2O)(NH3)n-1 via intramolecular proton transfer. Hence, the ion-molecule nucleophilic substitution (SN2) reaction between CH3Cl and these shapeshifting nucleophiles lead to both the HO- path and NH2- path, meaning that the respective attacking nucleophile is HO- or NH2-. The CCSD(T) level of calculation was performed to characterize the potential energy surfaces. Calculations indicate that the HO- species are lower in energy than the NH2- species, and the SN2 reaction barriers are lower for the HO- path than the NH2--path. Incremental solvation increases the barrier for both paths. Comparison between HO-(NH3)n and HOO-(NH3)n confirmed the existence of an α-effect under microsolvated conditions. Comparison between HO-(NH3)n and HO-(H2O)n indicated that the more polarized H2O stabilizes the nucleophiles more than NH3, and thus, the hydrated systems have higher SN2 reaction barriers. The aforementioned barrier changes can be explained by the differential stabilization of the nucleophile and HOMO levels upon solvation, thus affecting the HOMO-LUMO interaction between the nucleophile and substrate. For the same kind of nucleophilic attacking atom, O or N, the reaction barrier has a good linear correlation with the HOMO level of the nucleophiles. Hence, the HOMO level or the binding energy of microsolvated nucleophiles is a good indicator to evaluate the order of barrier heights. This work expands our understanding of the microsolvation effect on prototype SN2 reactions beyond the water solvent.

Exploring Cellulose Triacetate Nanofibers as Sustainable Structuring Agent for Castor Oil: Formulation Design and Rheological Insights.

Developing gelled environmentally friendly dispersions in oil media is a hot topic for many applications. This study aimed to investigate the production of electrospun cellulose triacetate (CTA) nanofibers and to explore their potential application as a thickening agent for castor oil. The key factors in the electrospinning process, including the intrinsic properties of CTA solutions in methylene chloride (DCM)/ethanol (EtOH), such us the shear viscosity, surface tension, and electrical conductivity, were systematically studied. The impact of the CTA fiber concentration and the ratio of DCM/EtOH on the rheological properties of the gel-like dispersions in castor oil was then investigated. It was found that dispersions with a non-Newtonian response and above a critical concentration (5 wt.%), corresponding to approximately 2-2.5 times the entanglement concentration, are required to produce defect-free nanofibers. The average fiber diameter increased with CTA concentration. Further, the morphology and texture of the electrospun nanofibers are influenced by the ratio of solvents used. The rheological properties of dispersions are strongly influenced by the concentration and surface properties of nanofibers, such as their smooth or porous textures, which allow their modulation. Compared to other commonly used thickeners, such as synthetic polymers and metal soaps, CTA electrospun nanofibers have a much higher oil structuring capacity. This work illustrated the potential of using CTA nanofibers as the foundation for fabricating gel-like dispersions in oil media, and thus exerting hierarchical control of rheological properties through the use of a nanoscale fabrication technique.

LC/MS/MS and GC/MS/MS metabolic profiling of Leontodon hispidulus, in vitro and in silico anticancer activity evaluation targeting hexokinase 2 enzyme

Leontodon hispidulus Boiss is a wild annual plant growing in Egypt. The present study aims for the first time, to evaluate the phytochemical profile of the main secondary metabolites of the optimized ethanolic extract of the plant using Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It also aims to assess the anticancer activity of its different fractions against the prostate carcinoma cell line. Moreover, an in-silico docking study was performed using the Hexokinase-two enzyme. LC-qToF-MS analysis revealed the tentative identification of 36 phenolic compounds including the glycosides of (luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, isorhamnetin, and daidzein), coumarines (esculin, esculetin, and daphnetin), and phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, quinic, P-coumaric, and rosmarinic). GC–MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of 18 compounds where palmitic acid, myristic acid, alpha-amyrin, and beta-amyrin were the major ones. The cytotoxic activity results revealed that methylene chloride and ethyl acetate fractions showed the highest cytotoxic activity against the PC3 cell line, with IC50 values of 19, and 19.6 μg/ml, respectively. Interestingly, the docking study demonstrated that apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide, quercetin-4′-O-glucoside, esculin, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and α-amyrin exhibited high affinity to the selected target, HEK-2 enzyme.

Early detection of occupational cholangiocarcinoma in a high-risk patient under intensive surveillance: a case study

BackgroundOccupational cholangiocarcinoma is associated with exposure to organic solvents, such as dichloromethane (DCM) and 1,2-dichloropropane (DCP). This report describes a case of occupational cholangiocarcinoma detected through regularly imaging following the discovery of elevated serum γ-glutamyl trans peptidase (γ-GTP) levels revealed during regular checkup.Case presentationA 43-year-old man who had been working in a printing company with 15 years of exposure to organic solvents presented to our hospital owing to abnormalities found during a routine checkup. Ultrasound (US) imaging revealed thickening of the gallbladder wall accompanied by gallstones, although in the blood tests, γ-GTP levels were within normal range. Given the high risk of cholangiocarcinoma development, the patient underwent regular monitoring with abdominal US and blood tests at a local doctor's office. At the age of 48, his serum γ-GTP level mildly elevated for the first time, prompting the initiation of semi-annual magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). By the age of 50 years, dilation in B8 was detected, and one and a half years later, a tumor on the central side of the B8 dilation appeared. The patient was diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, which was treated with anterior sectionectomy. Pathological examination revealed an adenocarcinoma with a papillary glandular ductal structure at the root of the B8. In addition, biliary intraepithelial neoplasia (BilIN) and dysplasia have been identified around the tumor and periphery bile ducts and in noncancerous bile ducts. Postoperatively, the patient received 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1monotherapy. Eight months after surgery, the patient remained under observation with no signs of recurrence.ConclusionsWe report a case of occupational cholangiocarcinoma detected during a prolonged period of regular follow-up after exposure to DCM and DCP. Given the delayed carcinogenesis process, occupational cholangiocarcinomas manifest long after exposure to organic solvents, therefore, ongoing screening is extremely important. Vigilance is essential to avoid underdiagnosis, particularly for individuals who are at an increased risk of developing this form of cancer. Continuous monitoring is key to the early detection and effective management of occupational cholangiocarcinoma.

The Effect of Different Factors on Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticle Properties and Drug Release Behaviors When Co-Loaded with Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Drugs.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) are versatile drug nanocarriers with a wide spectrum of applications owing to their extensive advantages, including biodegradability, non-toxic side effects, and low immunogenicity. Among the numerous nanoparticle preparation methods available for PLGA NPs (the hydrophobic polymer), one of the most extensively utilized preparations is the sonicated-emulsified solvent evaporation method, owing to its simplicity, speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, several factors can influence the outcomes, such as the types of concentration of the surfactants and organic solvents, as well as the volume of the aqueous phase. The objective of this article is to explore the influence of these factors on the properties of PLGA NPs and their drug release behavior following encapsulation. Herein, PLGA NPs were fabricated using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a surfactant to investigate the impact of influencing factors, including different water-soluble organic solvents such as propylene carbonate (PC), ethyl acetate (PA), and dichloromethane (DCM). Notably, the size of PLGA NPs was smaller in the EA group compared to that in the DCM group. Moreover, PLGA NPs showed excellent stability, ascribed to the presence of the BSA surfactant. Furthermore, PLGA NPs were co-loaded with varying concentrations of hydrophilic drugs (doxorubicin hydrochloride) and hydrophobic drugs (celecoxib), and exhibited pH-sensitive drug release behavior in PBS with pH 7.4 and pH 5.5.

Halogen-modulated mechanical force-induced luminescence enhancement and chromism of AIE-active tetraphenylethylene-based chalcone derivatives

In this paper, four new tetraphenylethylene-based chalcone derivatives (E)-1-phenyl-3-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (PLPE), (E)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (PLPE-F),(E)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (PLPE-Cl), (E)-1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (PLPE-Br) with different halogen substitutions were reported, and the effects of halogens on their photophysical properties, aggregation-induced emission behaviors and mechano-responsive luminescent properties were systematically investigated. Interestingly, aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) behaviors were observed for PLPE, PLPE-F, PLPE-Cl, and PLPE-Br. Moreover, upon grinding, all of the four compounds displayed mechanical force-induced luminescence enhancement and red-shifted behaviors, which was found to be reversible in the case of fuming with dichloromethane (DCM) vapors or heat treatment. In particular, upon grinding, PLPE-F showed the highest contrast fluorescence response behaviors (red-shifted 49 nm and solid fluorescence quantum yield increased 20-fold). Furthermore, the results of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) measurements indicated that reversible phase transitions between the ordered crystalline state and the disordered amorphous form was crucial to their interesting mechanical force-induced luminescence enhancement and chromism. And the obvious red shifts of fluorescence emission are ascribed to the increased molecular conjugations via the planarization of molecular conformations. Moreover, halogen-substituted PLPE-F, PLPE-Cl, PLPE-Br have more twisted conformations than PLPE, which are responsible for their higher contrast mechanical force-induced luminescence chromism. Hence, the present study provides a new strategy to construct new advanced high-contrast mechanical force-induced luminescence enhancement and chromism luminescent materials with the introduction of halogen atoms.

CO Cofeeding Affects Product Distribution in CH3Cl Coupling over ZSM‐5 Zeolite: Pressure Twists the Plot

AbstractC1 coupling reactions over zeolite catalysts are central to sustainable chemical production strategies. However, questions persist regarding the involvement of CO in ketene formation, and the impact of this elusive oxygenate intermediate on reactivity patterns. Using operando photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy (PEPICO), we investigate the role of CO in methyl chloride conversion to hydrocarbons (MCTH), a prospective process for methane valorization with a reaction network akin to methanol to hydrocarbons (MTH) but without oxygenate intermediates. Our findings reveal the transformative role of CO in MCTH at the low pressures, inducing ketene formation in MCTH and boosting olefin production, confirming the Koch carbonylation step in the initial stages of C1 coupling. We uncover pressure‐dependent product distributions driven by CO‐induced ketene formation, and its subsequent desorption from the zeolite surface, which is enhanced at low pressure. Inspired by the above results, extension of the co‐feeding approach to CH3OH as another simple oxygenate showcases the additional potential for improved catalyst stability in MCTH at ambient pressure.

CO Cofeeding Affects Product Distribution in CH3Cl Coupling over ZSM-5 Zeolite: Pressure Twists the Plot.

C1 coupling reactions over zeolite catalysts are central to sustainable chemical production strategies. However, questions persist regarding the involvement of CO in ketene formation, and the impact of this elusive oxygenate intermediate on reactivity patterns. Using operando photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy (PEPICO), we investigate the role of CO in methyl chloride conversion to hydrocarbons (MCTH), a prospective process for methane valorization with a reaction network akin to methanol to hydrocarbons (MTH) but without oxygenate intermediates. Our findings reveal the transformative role of CO in MCTH at the low pressures, inducing ketene formation in MCTH and boosting olefin production, confirming the Koch carbonylation step in the initial stages of C1 coupling. We uncover pressure-dependent product distributions driven by CO-induced ketene formation, and its subsequent desorption from the zeolite surface, which is enhanced at low pressure. Inspired by the above results, extension of the co-feeding approach to CH3OH as another simple oxygenate showcases the additional potential for improved catalyst stability in MCTH at ambient pressure.

Analysis of the chemical constituents of Myrcia glomerata G.Burton & E.Lucas leaves and assessment of their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antibiofilm potential against pathogenic microorganisms

The Myrtaceae family plays a significant role in the Angiosperm landscape in Brazil, standing out as one of the most relevant. Within this context, the genus Myrcia ranks as the fourth largest, and its plant extracts and essential oils from these species are recognized as a valuable source of plant bioactives. In this context, Myrcia glomerata, popularly known as guamirim, stands out. Despite belonging to the Myrtaceae family, there is a lack of detailed research on its biological activities and chemical composition. The phytochemical investigation of the different plant extracts: ethanolic (EE), methanolic (ME), hexane (HE), acetone (AE), ethyl acetate (EAE) and dichloromethane (DE) revealed the presence of saponins, free steroids, alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, flavones, flavonols, xanthones, chalcones, aurones, flavononols and tannins, leading to the quantification of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids). The essential oil of the leaves, identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 29 compounds, corresponding to 97.54% of the total area of the essential oil of M. glomerata. The main compounds found were sesquiterpenes, Elemicin (76.85%), Elixene (3.99%), E-caryophyllene (2.25%). EE showed the best antimicrobial potential, with concentrations ranging from 0.39 to 25 mg.mL-1, with Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis strains being more susceptible in EE, ME and AE, showing 98.72%, 96.23% and 88.60% antioxidant activity, respectively. As for the antibiofilm potential, ME showed the greatest biomass reduction (90.53%) for Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, with cell viability of 9.02%. These results demonstrate the potential of EE and ME extracts from M. glomerata, representing a possible source of natural bioactives to be used in pharmaceuticals for the control of resistant microorganisms.

Preparation of nylon 6/PLA blend nanofibers by needleless electrospinning

The nylon 6/PLA blend nanofibers have been prepared for the first time by needleless electrospinning. The formic acid (FA) was found to be the co-solvent with dichloromethane (DCM) at a ratio of 3:1 for dissolving nylon 6/PLA blend. The nylon 6/PLA blend solutions in various ratios of PLA (8, 10, and 12 wt%) were studied to prepare nanofiber at the applied voltage range of 25 kV to 30 kV. The morphology images of the fibers were shown by scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the average diameter of the nylon 6/PLA blend fibers became smaller as the applied voltage increased from 25 kV to 30 kV and as the PLA content increased from 8 to 12 wt%. The morphology of the fibers became finer with increasing the PLA content. The morphology of the nylon 6:PLA (20:10) nanofibers presented a smooth surface without the formation of beads with an average diameter of 157 nm at the applied voltage of 25 kV. The high PLA content (12 wt%) at a low applied voltage (25 kV) exhibited the bead formation. In contrast, the bead was formed at the medium PLA concentration (10 wt%) at the applied voltage of 30 kV. Therefore, the high PLA content (12 wt%) at a high applied voltage (30 kV) presented a ribbon-like nanofiber of nylon 6/PLA without bead formation. The particle size distribution obtained from SEM images of the nylon 6/PLA nanofiber was narrow at low PLA contents and became broader at higher PLA concentrations.

Maximizing Chlorine Gas Conversion in Methyl Chloride Production by the Integration of Methane Chlorination and Methanol Hydrochlorination

Maximizing Chlorine Gas Conversion in Methyl Chloride Production by the Integration of Methane Chlorination and Methanol Hydrochlorination

Association between Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds Exposome and Emergency Hospital Admissions for Cardiovascular Disease.

The limited research on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has not taken into account the interactions between constituents. We used the weighted quantile sum (WQS) model and generalized linear model (GLM) to quantify the joint effects of ambient VOCs exposome and identify the substances that play key roles. For a 0 day lag, a quartile increase of WQS index for n-alkanes, iso/anti-alkanes, aromatic, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated saturated chain hydrocarbons, and halogenated unsaturated chain hydrocarbons were associated with 1.09% (95% CI: 0.13, 2.06%), 0.98% (95% CI: 0.22, 1.74%), 0.92% (95% CI: 0.14, 1.69%), 1.03% (95% CI: 0.14, 1.93%), 1.69% (95% CI: 0.48, 2.91%), and 1.85% (95% CI: 0.93, 2.79%) increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) emergency hospital admissions, respectively. Independent effects of key substances on CVD-related emergency hospital admissions were also reported. In particular, an interquartile range increase in 1,1,1-trichloroethane, methylene chloride, styrene, and methylcyclohexane is associated with a greater risk of CVD-associated emergency hospital admissions [3.30% (95% CI: 1.93, 4.69%), 3.84% (95% CI: 1.21, 6.53%), 5.62% (95% CI: 1.35, 10.06%), 8.68% (95% CI: 3.74, 13.86%), respectively]. We found that even if ambient VOCs are present at a considerably low concentration, they can cause cardiovascular damage. This should prompt governments to establish and improve concentration standards for VOCs and their sources. At the same time, policies should be introduced to limit VOCs emission to protect public health.

Copaifera mildbraedii Desf.: Phytochemical Composition of Extracts, Essential Oil, and In Vitro Biological Activities of Bark

Copaifera mildbraedii Desf. is an evergreen tree with an umbrella-like crown. It is distributed from south-eastern Nigeria eastward to the Central African Republic (CAR). The aim of this study was to assess the chemical composition and biological activities of C. mildbraedii bark, as well as the chemical composition of the essential oil. Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanol (MeOH) extracts showed a high total phenolic content (TPC) (149.9 and 148.8 mg GAE/g dry residue (dr), respectively), which was related to good antioxidant activity (DPPH) with an IC50 of 21.2 and 12.9 µg/mL, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis revealed seven phenolic compounds with myricitrin (13.3 mg/g dr) and 2,4-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (30.7 mg/g dr) as major compounds, while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis enabled detection of 13 volatile compounds (3 before and 10 after derivatization). Thirty compounds were identified in the essential oil, which corresponds to 65% of all identified compounds. Among the latter, E,E-farnesylacetone and γ-gurjunene were considered as major compounds (8.08 and 10.43%, respectively). The EtOAc extract showed a potent potential, simultaneously, against anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE), anti-15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX), anti-xanthine oxidase (XOD), and cytotoxic (OVCAR) activities, whereas cyclohexane (CYHA) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts showed a cytotoxic effect with high percentages of inhibition (95.2%).

Application of 32 factorial design for loratadine-loaded nanosponge in topical gel formulation: comprehensive in-vitro and ex vivo evaluations.

Loratadine (LoR) is a highly lipophilic and practically insoluble in water, hence having a low oral bioavailability. As it is formulated as topical gel, it competitively binds with the receptors, thus reducing the side-effects. The objective of this study was to prepare LoR loaded nanosponge (LoR-NS) in gel for topical delivery. Nine different formulations of emulsion were prepared by solvent evaporation method with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethyl cellulose (EC), and dichloromethane (DCM). Based on 32 Full Factorial Design (FFD), optimization was carried out by varying the concentration of LOR:EC ratio and stirring rate. The preparations were subjected for the evaluation of particle size (PS), in vitro release, zeta potential (ZP) and entrapment efficiency (EE). The results revealed that the NS dispersion was nanosized with sustained release profiles and significant PS. The optimised formulation was formulated and incorporated into carbopol 934P hydrogel. The formulation was then examined to surface morphological characterizations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which depicted spherical NS. Stability studies, undertaken for 2months at 40 ± 2°C/75 ± 5% RH, concluded to the stability of the formulation. The formulation did not cause skin irritation. Therefore, the prepared NS hydrogel proved to be a promising applicant for LoR as a novel drug delivery system (NDDS) for safe, sustained and controlled topical application.

Nitrogen Minimization in Hydrothermal Liquefaction Biocrude from Sewage Sludge with Green Extraction Solvents.

This study explored the effectiveness of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) in converting sewage sludge (SS) into high-quality biocrude. It scrutinized the influence of various solvents, including conventional choices like dichloromethane (DCM) and hexane, alongside environmentally friendly alternatives, such as ethyl butyrate (EB) and ethyl acetate (EA). HTL experiments, conducted at 350 °C for 60 min in a 20 mL batch reactor, include solvent-based biocrude extraction. Notably, EB showed the highest extraction yield (50.1 wt %), the lowest nitrogen distribution (5.4% with 0.32 wt %), and a remarkable 74% energy recovery (ER), setting a noteworthy benchmark in nitrogen reduction. GCMS analysis reveals EB-derived biocrude's superiority in having the least heteroatoms and nitrogenous compounds compared to hexane, EA, and DCM. Solid residues from hexane, EB, and EA displayed the highest nitrogen distribution range (62-68%), hinting at potential applications in further processes. These findings significantly inform solvent selection for efficient and sustainable waste-to-energy conversion. While promising, the study emphasizes the need to explore solvent-solute interactions further to optimize biocrude quality, highlighting the pivotal role of solvent choice in advancing clean, cost-effective waste-to-energy technologies.

Ajania fastigiata in Zhetysu Alatau: Distribution, morphological characterization, phytochemical profiles, and optimization of extraction of bioactive constituents

Despite the wide medicinal use of Ajania fastigiata (C. Winkl.) Poljakov. in folk medicine, most Ajania species from Central Asia have not been explored comprehensively. Resource data revealed that A. fastigiata growing in the Zhetysu Alatau of Kazakhstan in three gorges among the Terekty river valley, Maliy Baskan, Sarkan, and the Karasyryk gorge at altitudes of 1183–1510 m. Anatomical and morphological studies were carried out on the vegetative organs of plants and results can be noted that A. fastigiata is typical for xerophytic plants growing in conditions of lack of moisture. Phytochemical investigation of the main bioactive constituents, together with the plant quality standardization were determined by the methods of State Pharmacopeia. Eleven macro-, and microelements of the A. fastigiata were identified with analysis of multi-element atomic emission spectral. Moreover, A. fastigiata demonstrated notable effectiveness against enzymes related diabetes and bacterial infections (α-glucosidase, PTP1B, BNA) and encouraging antioxidant properties. It is concluded that A. fastigiata is widely distributed and has potential ethnobotanical use with strong phytochemical composition which pharmacological active composition extraction method was determined by optimization model. The ideal parameters were identified as follows: a temperature of 50 °C, a time of 120 minutes, and a sonication power of 30 kHz for both dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts of A. fastigiata. Under these optimized conditions, the DPPH-RSA values for the DCM and EtOAc extracts were determined to be 41.84% and 83.08%, respectively, and matched the anticipated results.