Easy Extraction Research Articles

Quantification of Trimethylamine-N-Oxide and Trimethylamine in Fish Oils for Human Consumption.

Supplementing fish oil is one of the strategies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death around the world. Contradictorily, fish oil may also contain trimethylamine-N-oxide, a recently emerged risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as well as one of its precursors, trimethylamine. A method suitable for routine quantification of trimethylamine-N-oxide and trimethylamine in fish oil with a quick and easy liquid extraction without derivatization has been developed. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection was employed along with a zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column and a gradient elution with eluents containing 50 mmol/L of ammonium formate. An internal standard (triethylamine) was used for quantification by mass spectrometry with an external calibration. The assay proved high linearity in the ranges of 10 to 100 ng/mL and 100 to 1000 ng/mL for trimethylamine-N-oxide and trimethylamine, respectively. The lowest limit of quantification was determined to be 100 µg/kg for trimethylamine and 10 µg/kg for trimethylamine-N-oxide, with the limit of detection at 5 µg/kg and 0.25 µg/kg, respectively. Accuracy ranged from 106-119%. Precision was below 7% the relative standard deviation for both analytes. The method was successfully applied for the determination of trimethylamine-N-oxide and trimethylamine contents in nine commercially available liquid fish oils and three commercially available fish oil capsules, showing that trimethylamine and trimethylamine-N-oxide are not present in highly refined fish oils.

Dissipation kinetics, residue level, and risk assessment of chlorantraniliprole in Rosa roxburghii and its residue removal using household decontamination technique

Rosa roxburghii (R. roxburghii) is edible and medicinal fruit rich in vitamin C. Residues and potentially ecological risks of chlorantraniliprole (CAP) in the R. roxburghii orchard have aroused concern considering its extensive use for controlling oriental fruit moth, aphid, and whitefly of R. roxburghii. In this study, an effective UPLC–MS/MS method was developed for quantitation of CAP in R. roxburghii and soil using modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) dispersive solid-phase extraction with average recoveries of 73.89–96.63% and a relative standard deviation of <15%. Dissipation dynamics and terminal residue trials under the field conditions in 2021 and 2022 showed that half-lives of CAP in R. roxburghii (2.64–2.70 days) were shorter than those in soil (3.58–3.80 days), and its terminal residues in R. roxburghii and soil were 0.034–0.818 mg kg-1 and 0.003–0.015 mg kg-1, respectively. Long-term dietary and soil ecological risk assessments indicated that the risk quotient was significantly less than 100%, meaning that the use of CAP on R. roxburghii at the recommended dosage was safe to consumers and soil ecology system, and that maximum residue limits (MRLs) and safe pre-harvest intervals of CAP in R. roxburghii were recommended as 0.7 mg kg-1 and 14 days, respectively. Removal experiments of CAP residues from R. roxburghii using simple household processing approaches exhibit that 2% baking soda water had the highest removal efficiency (56.04–60.33%). This study provides the basic data for establishing MRL, the safe and rational use of CAP in R. roxburghii production as well as the household decontamination prior to consumption of R. roxburghii fruits.

Pesticide residues in fresh Mazafati date fruit, soil, and water, and assessment of potential health risks to consumers.

A quantitative method based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe technique (QuEChERS) sample extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was evolved for the determination of 47 pesticide residues in fresh Mazafati date fruits from Bam City of Kerman Province, Iran. The recoveries for selected pesticides ranged from 88 to 110% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 20% at concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 mg kg-1. The proposed method had a linear range from the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 1.00 mg kg-1, and the LOQ of the 47 pesticides was ≤ 0.005 mg kg-1. The coefficients of determination (R2) were more than 0.99. This technique was used on 12 fresh date fruits samples, three water samples, and three soil samples with three replications per sample. Forty-seven pesticide were detected collectively, but only diazinon was detected in the date fruit samples. The mean value of diazinon residues was 0.037 mg kg-1, and the concentration of diazinon in most samples was below the national maximum residue limit (MRL) for date fruit (0.05 mg kg-1). Among the pesticides measured, diazinon residues were also detected in the water samples, but not in the soil samples. The dietary intake assessment showed no health risk to humans from the consumption of fresh date fruit concerning the pesticides investigated.

Stability in Aqueous Solution of a New Spray-Dried Hydrocolloid of High Andean Algae Nostoc sphaericum.

There is a growing emphasis on seeking stabilizing agents with minimal transformation, prioritizing environmentally friendly alternatives, and actively contributing to the principles of the circular economy. This research aimed to assess the stability of a novel spray-dried hydrocolloid from high Andean algae when introduced into an aqueous solution. Nostoc sphaericum freshwater algae were subject to atomization, resulting in the production of spray-dried hydrocolloid (SDH). Subsequently, suspension solutions of SDH were meticulously prepared at varying pH levels and gelling temperatures. These solutions were then stored for 20 days to facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of their stability in suspension. The assessment involved a multifaceted approach, encompassing rheological analysis, scrutiny of turbidity, sedimentation assessment, ζ-potential, and measurement of particle size. The findings from these observations revealed that SDH exhibits a dilatant behavior when in solution, signifying an increase in with higher shear rate. Furthermore, it demonstrates commendable stability when stored under ambient conditions. SDH is emerging as a potential alternative stabilizer for use in aqueous solutions due to its easy extraction and application.

Coated Blade Spray Ion Mobility Spectrometry.

Coated blade spray (CBS) is a microextraction technology with blades that serve as both the extraction device and the electrospray ionization (ESI) emitter. CBS is designed for easy and rapid extraction of analytes in complex matrices as well as ESI directly from the blade. The technology selectively enriches the components of interest on a coated metal blade. The coating consists of a selective polymer. So far, CBS has only been coupled with mass spectrometry but never with ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), where ions are separated and detected based on their ion mobility in a drift gas under the influence of an electric field, while instrumentation is compact and easy to operate so that the advantages of CBS can be particularly well exploited. Therefore, this work focuses on coupling CBS with our previously described ESI-IMS. The ion mobility spectrometer has a drift length of only 75 mm and provides a high resolving power of RP = 100. In this work, preliminary measurements of CBS-IMS are presented. In particular, the detection of benzodiazepines and ketamine in drinks and the pesticide isoproturon in water samples is shown to demonstrate the feasibility of CBS-IMS.

WarenstromInfo: a tool for the easy extraction and visualisation of trade flow data

Epidemiological outbreak investigations often prove to be lengthy and inconclusive due to the time-consuming nature of the currently-used approaches. An alternative approach to address these challenges could involve the application of algorithms to support authorities and food business operators by providing timely, relevant and reliable information. Algorithms, such as gravity models, could be applied as commodity trade models, but they require a large amount of reliable and consistent data on trade for generating projections at international, national or even regional level. Several trade databases, such as UN COMTRADE, EUROSTAT, BACI, CHELEM and GTAP, provide information on trace, albeit with variations in the provided information and in the structure. However, it is worth noting that not all of these databases are freely accessible and data management can pose challenges, hampering the access to the trade data. WarenstromInfo (WI) was created as a software solution that allows easy trade data extraction and visualisation for application in different areas, such as outbreak investigations. WarenstromInfo (WI) is an application tool that automatically extracts, decodes and visually displays trade flow data from EUROSTAT "EU trade since 2002 by statistical procedure, by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-059322)" (hereinafter referred to EUROSTAT) and the BACI databases, based on user input. WI was developed by using the open-source desktop software KNIME Analytics Platform. WI offers the flexibility to be executed either as a web service on a KNIME Web Server infrastructure or as a local resource. To integrate the BACI database into WI, the database is annually downloaded as csv files, rebuilt as a SQLite database and hosted locally into the KNIME Web Server Infrastructure. In order to optimise storage space on the KNIME server, this SQLite database specifically includes only agrifood data, reflecting the tool´s focus. However, if new objectives are established, this database can be expanded. Further, data of the SQLite database can be customised by executing the WI workflow locally, enabling the user to expand the database at any time. In contrast to BACI, trade data extraction from the EUROSTAT database is performed via the EUROSTAT’s API (Application Programming Interface) applying GET requests and XML data management. WI displays four User-friendly Interfaces (UIs) designed with interactive KNIME nodes that facilitate the input of variables. The extracted trade flow data are shown through interactive tables directly within the UIs. This feature enables users to easily explore the data in a structured and user-friendly manner. Additionally, WI incorporates the extracted trade flow data into maps. These maps provide a visual representation of the data, allowing users to gain insights and identify patterns and trends geographically. Both, the data table and the maps, can be downloaded as a single Excel file (containing multiple preformatted tables) and as png files, respectively.

Optimization of Synthesis of Cassava Starch Phosphates by Response Surface Methodology and Characterization of the Modified Starches

AbstractCassava starch has not been widely exploited in modified starch sector, despite its beneficial and peculiar properties including bland taste and flavor, easy extractability, and good paste clarity. In this study, cassava starch is phosphorylated using sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) at different pH levels according to a central composite design and optimized reaction conditions for maximum phosphorus content. The granule morphology, crystalline pattern, pasting properties, physicochemical properties, and in vitro starch digestibility of the modified starches are determined. The reaction conditions have significant effects on the P content. The highest P content (0.160%) is obtained for the sample synthesized using 8% of STMP and 4% of STPP (based on starch dry weight) at a pH of 9.0. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed no noticeable change in crystalline properties of the modified starches in comparison to native starch. Samples with lower %P have similar granule morphology as the native starch, whereas at higher levels of P, granule rupture and agglomeration are noticed. Wide differences in the pasting and swelling properties are observed among the modified starches. Crosslinked starches formed at higher levels of pH show highly reduced paste viscosity and restricted in vitro starch digestibility.

FTA-LAMP based biosensor for a rapid in-field detection of Globodera pallida-the pale potato cyst nematode.

The combination of a sensitive and specific magnetoresistive sensing device with an easy DNA extraction method and a rapid isothermal amplification is presented here targeting the on-site detection of Globodera pallida, a potato endoparasitic nematode. FTA-cards were used for DNA extraction, LAMP was the method developed for DNA amplification and a nanoparticle functionalized magnetic-biosensor was used for the detection. The combinatorial effect of these three emerging technologies has the capacity to detect G. pallida with a detection limit of one juvenile, even when mixed with other related species. This combined system is far more interesting than what a single technology can provide. Magnetic biosensors can be combined with any DNA extraction protocol and LAMP forming a new solution to target G. pallida. The probe designed in this study consistently distinguished G. pallida (∆Vac binding/Vac sensor above 1%) from other cyst nematodes (∆Vac binding/Vac sensor below 1%). It was confirmed that DNA either extracted with FTA-cards or Lab extraction Kit was of enough quantity and quality to detect G. pallida whenever present (alone or in mixed samples), ensuring probe specificity and sensitivity. This work provides insights for a new strategy to construct advanced devices for pathogens in-field diagnostics. LAMP runs separately but can be easily integrated into a single device.

Residue estimation and dietary risk assessment of fenvalerate, novaluron, and profenofos in bell pepper grown under protected and open field conditions.

Residue studies were conducted in bell pepper crops (green and yellow bell pepper) to ensure the safe use of fenvalerate, profenofos, and novaluron (under open field and protected conditions) in randomized block design (RBD) following three applications at a 10-day interval over two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022. A robust analytical method was developed using quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for the determination of pesticide residues in bell pepper samples. The half-lives for fenvalerate were 2.47-2.87 and 2.50-3.03days on bell pepper under open field conditions, whereas the corresponding values for bell pepper under protected conditions were 3.84-4.58 and 4.17-4.71days, during 2021 and 2022, respectively. Profenofos displayed half-lives of 2.03-2.65 and 2.15-2.77days in open field conditions and 3.05-3.89 and 3.16-3.78days in protected conditions during 2021 and 2022, respectively. Similarly, novaluron had half-lives of 2.87-3.49 and 3.24-3.75days under protected conditions in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The maximum residue limits (MRLs) were calculated to be 0.6mg/kg for fenvalerate, while for profenofos it was 0.7mg/kg on bell pepper under open field conditions at double doses, at the proposed pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 3days. Likewise, for bell peppers grown under protected conditions, MRLs at the PHI of 3days were determined to be 0.8mg/kg for fenvalerate, 0.3mg/kg for novaluron, and 1.5mg/kg for profenofos. A dietary risk assessment study indicated that the percentage of acute hazard index (% aHI) was significantly lower than 100, and hazard quotient (HQ) values were below 1, signifying no acute or chronic risk to consumers. These findings underscore the safety of consuming bell peppers treated with fenvalerate, profenofos, and novaluron under the protected and open field conditions.

Comprehensive Determination of 28 PFAS Compounds in Oyster Tissue: A QuEChERS Sample Preparation Coupled with UPLC-MS/MS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms, such as shellfish, and have been linked to adverse human health outcomes. Increasing attention has been focused on method development for the detection of PFAS in various media; however, these methods are typically tedious, require high solvent volumes, and are time consuming. The present method used a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction approach and analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to detect 28 PFAS in Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) tissue. This method was validated using limit of detection, limit of quantitation, and precision and accuracy studies. Limits of detection ranged from 0.2 to 5.8 ng g−1, limits of quantitation ranged from 0.66 to 19.2 ng g−1, and recoveries spanned 52.1–105.9% at the 100 ng mL−1 analyte level. Analysis of 12 unknown oyster composite samples revealed the detection of PFHxA, PFPeS, PFOA, PFHpA and PFOS and at least two compounds were detected in each oyster sample. This validated method proved to be an efficient and environmentally friendly sample preparation method for PFAS analysis in complex tissue media, such as oysters.

Development of functionalized polymeric nanomaterial by organosiliconic reagent for boronate affinity-based dopamine recognition

The dopamine neurotransmitter is mainly responsible for endocrine functions in our body. The increase in the level of dopamine in the human body leads to many disorders such as schizophrenia, uncontrollable tics, addiction, increased tension, desire to act excessively, and carelessness. Decreased levels of dopamine cause problems such as malnutrition, stress, insomnia, and the use of antidepressants. Recognition of dopamine is crucial for clinical experiments. Therefore, the development of recognition surfaces of dopamine is essential for isolation, purification, and determination processes. This study, it was aimed to produce a polymeric nanomaterial that can recognize dopamine. For this purpose, p(HEMA) polymer was synthesized with surfactant-free emulsion polymerization method and silanized by organosilicon reagent (3-aminopropyl) triethoxylsilane (APTES) and modified with phenylboronic acid (PBA). Characterization of the p(HEMA)-APTES-PBA nanopolymeric system for dopamine recognition was performed with Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta-size/zeta-potential analysis, surface area calculations. Dopamine affinity of the p(HEMA)-APTES-PBA was optimized in terms of pH, time, concentration, buffer concentration, and buffer type parameters. Dopamine adsorption of p(HEMA)-APTES-PBA nanopolymers was 4,8 times more than epinephrine in specificity analysis. After the 7 adsorption–desorption cycles, the desorption rate was found to be 74.8 %. The developed nanopolymeric system is a convenient method with high adsorption capacity which allows easy and rapid extraction, isolation, and purification of dopamine.

Human Health Risk Assessment of Organophosphorus Pesticides in Tea Leaves Harvested from Farm Regions of Gilan Province, Iran

Tea holds a special place in Iranian culture, ranking as the most widely consumed beverage after water. A significant portion of Iran’s domestic tea production (approximately 70%) originates from the lush landscapes of Gilan province. The Iranian Tea Research Center (ITRC) claims that Iranian tea is pesticide-free. However, there is a concern that tea farms in the foothills may be exposed to pesticide spraying from nearby citrus gardens. This study aimed to investigate the presence of the 17 organophosphorus pesticides in tea leaf samples collected from tea plantation areas in Gilan province. Sample preparation was carried out using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method, followed by the determination of pesticide concentrations using the gas chromatography (GC) method. To assess the non-carcinogenic risk associated with the consumption of black tea due to pesticide residues, we followed the guidelines provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The results were striking, revealing the presence of pesticide residues in all tested samples, raising concerns about the purity of Iranian tea. Notably, the hazard quotient (HQ) for children (<15 years old) exceeded that for adults (>15 years old). Furthermore, spring-harvested tea samples demonstrated higher HQs compared to their autumn counterparts.

Investigation of pesticide residues level on commonly consumed leafy vegetables picked from the central market in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

This study aimed to investigate the presence of pesticide residues in a variety of commonly consumed leafy vegetables, including Grape leaves, Lettuce, Arugula, Spinach, Purslane, Ocimum, Parsley, Jew's mallow, Celery, Coriander, and Mint. A total of 100 samples were collected from the Central Market of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our methodology involved employing the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction method in combination with Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to analyze a comprehensive database of 237 distinct pesticides. The range for limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method were 0.0001 to 0.0014 mg. Kg-1 and 0.0010 to 0.0064 mg. Kg-1 for tested pesticides, respectively. The recoveries were in the range of 70-172.9%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 19.0% for all tested pesticides. The results revealed that 60% of the analyzed samples were free from pesticide residues, while 40% exhibited contamination with 17 different pesticide residues. Notably, the most prevalent pesticide detected was Triallate in the Ocimum samples, followed by Metalaxyl in Grape leaves, Mint, and Spinach, and Methomyl in Celery. Approximately 45% of the samples contained pesticide residues that fell below or were equal to the European Union Maximum Residue Levels (EU MRLs), while the remaining 55% exceeded these MRLs. Remarkably, high pesticide concentrations were observed in all Ocimum samples (Triallate, Pyridaben, Hexythiazox, Imidacloprid), 67% of Grape leaves (Metalaxyl, Azoxystrobin, Difenoconazole Isomer), and 40% of Celery (Azoxystrobin, Methomyl). In conclusion, this study sheds light on the contamination levels of commonly consumed domestically produced and purchased leafy vegetables in the Central Market of Jeddah. To ensure food safety and the well-being of consumers, we strongly recommend enhanced scientific assessments and continued monitoring of pesticide usage in agricultural practices.

Monolith-coated microcentrifuge tubes for the easy extraction of psychoactive substances from urine samples and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination

BackgroundSample extraction is one of the most critical steps in most of the analytical processes. Nowadays, there is a demand for simple approaches that can effectively extract and concentrate target analytes from complex matrices, like biofluids, with accurate and reliable results. ResultsA porous monolith of poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) has been immobilized on the inner wall of a 2 mL commercial polypropylene microcentrifuge tube through radical photopolymerization, using bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phenylphosphine oxide as radical initiator and 405 nm laser pointer activation. Photopolymerization parameters were adjusted to obtain a continuous and homogeneous polymer layer (0.16 mm wet polymer thickness and 31 mg dry polymer weight) in the inner tube surface. Extraction efficiency of twelve psychoactive substances was assessed by the evaluation of the effect of sample pH, extraction and desorption times, and desorption solvent volume. Moreover, matrix effect, reusability and stability of monolith-coated microcentrifuge tubes were studied. Sample extracts were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, providing limits of quantification (LOQ) from 0.2 to 2.7 μg L−1, recoveries from 80 to 118 %, relative standard deviations lower than 17 %, and a linear range from LOQ to 500 μg L−1. SignificanceThe proposed device is suitable for the easy and simple extraction of psychoactive substances from urine samples with a high portability, reduced solvent consumption, low cost, and low environmental impact.

Assessing emerging and priority micropollutants in sewage sludge: environmental insights and analytical approaches

The application of sewage sludge (SS) in agriculture, as an alternative to manufactured fertilizers, is current practice worldwide. However, as wastewater is collected from households, industries, and hospitals, the resulting sludge could contaminate land with creeping levels of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and microplastics, among others. Thus, the sustainable management of SS requires the development of selective methods for the identification and quantification of pollutants, preventing ecological and/or health risks. This study presents a thorough evaluation of emerging and priority micropollutants in SS, through the lens of environmental insights, by developing and implementing an integrated analytical approach. A quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method, coupled with gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, was optimized for the determination of 42 organic compounds. These include organophosphorus pesticides, organochlorine pesticides, pyrethroid pesticides, organophosphate ester flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The optimization of the dispersive-solid phase for clean-up, combined with the optimization of chromatographic parameters, ensured improved sensitivity. Method validation included assessments for recovery, reproducibility, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). Recoveries ranged from 59.5 to 117%, while LODs ranged from 0.00700 to 0.271 µg g-1. Application of the method to seven SS samples from Portuguese wastewater treatment plants revealed the presence of sixteen compounds, including persistent organic pollutants. The quantification of α-endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, was consistently observed in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.110 to 0.571 µg g-1. Furthermore, the study encompasses the analysis of agronomic parameters, as well as the mineral and metal content in SS samples. The study demonstrates that the levels of heavy metals comply with legal limits. By conducting a comprehensive investigation into the presence of micropollutants in SS, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the environmental and sustainable implications associated with SS management.Graphical

Kakapo: easy extraction and annotation of genes from raw RNA-seq reads.

kakapo (kākāpō) is a Python-based pipeline that allows users to extract and assemble one or more specified genes or gene families. It flexibly uses original RNA-seq read or GenBank SRA accession inputs without performing global assembly of entire transcriptomes or metatranscriptomes. The pipeline identifies open reading frames in the assembled gene transcripts and annotates them. It optionally filters raw reads for ribosomal, plastid, and mitochondrial reads, or reads belonging to non-target organisms (e.g., viral, bacterial, human). kakapo can be employed for targeted assembly, to extract arbitrary loci, such as those commonly used for phylogenetic inference in systematics or candidate genes and gene families in phylogenomic and metagenomic studies. We provide example applications and discuss how its use can offset the declining value of GenBank's single-gene databases and help assemble datasets for a variety of phylogenetic analyses.

Citric acid-cross linked with magnetic metal-organic framework composite sponge for superior adsorption of indigo carmine blue dye from aqueous solutions: Characterization and adsorption optimization via Box–Behnken design

A novel sponge composite (Fe3O4@Pd-MOF/CSC) capable of effectively eliminating indigo carmine blue (ICB) dye from water, was synthesized using an effective single-step hydrothermal method under acidic conditions, employing citrate crosslinking chitosan. The adsorbent was thoroughly characterized using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area (BET) analysis. Our research indicated that the Fe3O4@Pd-MOF/CSC composite sponge possesses an impressive surface area of 1076.8 m2/g and the highest adsorption capacity (qmax) of 778.8 mg/g. The study delved into various factors influencing the adsorption process, including pH levels, indigo carmine blue concentration, adsorbent dosage, and temperature. Both the adsorption isotherm and kinetics were aligned with the Langmuir equation and the pseudo-second-order equation, respectively, for comprehensive analysis. The adsorption energy was determined to be 18.22 kJ/mol, indicating a chemisorption adsorption mechanism. According to adsorption thermodynamics, the process was observed to be both endothermic and spontaneous. Additionally, the material absorption increased with rising temperatures. Moreover, the Fe3O4@Pd-MOF/CSC composite sponge demonstrated magnetic properties, allowing for easy extraction from the solution after the adsorption process. The adsorbent displayed satisfactory efficiency even after being reused six times, demonstrating no alteration in chemical composition. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed consistent results before and after the reuse process. Electrostatic contact, π-π interaction, hydrogen bonding, and pore filling were identified as the primary mechanisms through which the Fe3O4@Pd-MOF/CSC composite sponge interacted with ICB. The adsorption outcomes were optimized using Box–Behnken-design (BBD).

Novel reusable and switchable deep eutectic solvent for extraction and determination of curcumin in water and food samples

For the first time, a fast and easy extraction method based on a unique reusable and switchable deep eutectic solvent (made of octylamine, succinic acid, and water as precursors) was presented and utilized for the microextraction and determination of curcumin as a model analyte. The main factors used to induce a phase transition in the as-prepared deep eutectic solvent were solutions of NaOH and HCl. Among the standout characteristics of the suggested deep eutectic solvent are the removal of toxic organic solvents like THF, the lack of a need for centrifugation, and the ability to be reused in subsequent extractions. The influence of effective parameters (i.e., proportions of deep eutectic solvent structure components, volume of prepared deep eutectic solvent, volume and concertation of NaOH, volume of HCl, and salt effect) on the extraction procedure were investigated. The calibration curve also was linear in the range of 35–500 μg L−1 with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.9976. Limit of detection (S/N = 3) 10.0 μg L−1, the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 35.0 μg L−1, the relative standard deviations (RSDs %) composed of intra-day RSD (4.7) and inter-day RSD (6.4), preconcentration factor of 40.0, enrichment factor of 38.68, and relative recovery of 92.6%–100.3 % were achieved. The reusable and switchable deep eutectic solvent based-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction technique was proficiently employed to expedite easy and fast extraction of curcumin from water and food samples.

Myricetin suppresses TGF-β-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in ovarian cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the second most common gynecological malignancy and has a high mortality rate. The current chemotherapeutic drugs have the disadvantages of drug resistance and side effects. Myricetin, a kind of natural compound, has the advantages of easy extraction, low price, and fewer side effects. Multiple studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer properties of myricetin. However, its impact on OC is still unknown and needs further investigation. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which myricetin suppresses transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) -induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OC through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Methods: In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of myricetin on cell proliferation and apoptosis using CCK8 assay, plate clonal formation assay, and flow cytometry. Western blot was employed to evaluate the expression levels of caspase-3, PARP, and the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Wound healing, transwell, western blot and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect TGF-β-induced cell migration, invasion, EMT and the levels of Smad3, MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Additionally, a mouse xenograft model was established to verify the effects of myricetin on OC in vivo. Results: Myricetin inhibited OC proliferation through MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Flow cytometry and western blot analyses demonstrated that myricetin promoted apoptosis by increasing the expression of cleaved-PARP and cleaved-caspase-3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in OC. Furthermore, myricetin suppressed the TGF-β-induced migration and invasion by transwell and wound healing assays. Mechanistically, western blot indicated that myricetin reversed TGF-β-induced metastasis through Smad3, MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In vivo, myricetin significantly repressed OC progression and liver and lung metastasis. Conclusion: Myricetin exhibited inhibitory effects on OC progression and metastasis both in vivo and in vitro. And it also reversed TGF-β-induced EMT through the classical and non-classical Smad signaling pathways.

Oggmap: a Python package to extract gene ages per orthogroup and link them with single-cell RNA data.

For model species, single-cell RNA-based cell atlases are available. A good cell atlas includes all major stages in a species' ontogeny, and soon, they will be standard even for nonmodel species. Here, we propose a Python package called oggmap, which allows for the easy extraction of an orthomap (gene ages per orthogroup) for any given query species from OrthoFinder and other gene family data resources, like homologous groups from eggNOG or PLAZA. oggmap provides extracted gene ages for more than thousand eukaryotic species which can be further used to calculate gene age-weighted expression data from scRNA sequencing objects using the Python Scanpy toolkit. Not limited to one transcriptome evolutionary index, oggmap can visualize the individual gene category (e.g. age class, nucleotide diversity bin) and their corresponding expression profiles to investigate scRNA-based cell type assignments in an evolutionary context. oggmap source code is available at https://github.com/kullrich/oggmap, documentation is available at https://oggmap.readthedocs.io/en/latest/. oggmap can be installed via PyPi or directly used via a docker container.