Volume Of Ethanol Research Articles

Applicability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains for the Production of Fruit Wines Using Cocoa Honey Complemented with Cocoa Pulp.

SUMMARYResearch backgroundCocoa honey and cocoa pulp are both highly appreciated fruit pulp, but until now, cocoa honey has been less processed than cocoa pulp. In this work, we investigate the applicability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to ferment cocoa honey complemented with cocoa pulp to obtain fruit wines and improve cocoa honey commercialization.Experimental approachThe strain, previously isolated from cachaçaria distilleries in Brazil, was selected based on its fermentation performance. The following conditions for fermentation with S. cerevisiae L63 were then studied: volume fraction of cocoa honey (φCH) complemented with cocoa pulp, sucrose addition (γsuc), temperature (t) and inoculum size (No). The best conditions were applied in order to obtain fermentation profiles.Results and conclusionsS. cerevisiae L63 (No=107–108 cell/mL) is capable of fermenting φCH=90 and 80% for 24 or 48 h with γsuc=50 and 100 g/L at t=28–30 °C resulting in wines with ethanol volume fractions from 8 to 14%. Additionally, the wine produced from φCH=90% had lower residual sugar concentration (<35 g/L) than the wine produced from φCH=80% (~79 g/L) which could be classified as a sweet wine. In general, S. cerevisiae L63 resulted in a similar fermentation performance as a commercial strain tested, indicating its potential for fruit pulp fermentation.Novelty and scientific contributionSaccharomyces cerevisiae L63 can ferment cocoa honey complemented with cocoa pulp to produce fruit wines with good commercial potential, which may also benefit small cocoa producers by presenting a product with greater added value.

Low-Temperature Synthesis of Disordered Dolomite and High-Magnesium Calcite in Ethanol–Water Solutions: The Solvation Effect and Implications

How dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2] forms is still underdetermined, despite over a century of efforts. Challenges to synthesizing dolomite at low temperatures have hindered our understanding of sedimentary dolomite formation. Unlike calcium, magnesium’s high affinity toward water results in kinetic barriers from hydration shells that prevent anhydrous Ca–Mg carbonate growth. Previous synthesis studies show that adding low-dielectric-constant materials, such as dioxane, dissolved sulfide, and dissolved silica, can catalyze the formation of disordered dolomite. Also, polar hydrophilic amino acids and polysaccharides, which are very common in biomineralizing organisms, could have a positive role in stimulating Mg-rich carbonate precipitation. Here, we show that disordered dolomite and high-magnesium calcite can be precipitated at room temperature by partially replacing water with ethanol (which has a lower dielectric constant) and bypassing the hydration barrier. Increasing the ethanol volume percentage of ethanol results in higher Mg incorporation into the calcite structure. When the ethanol volume percentage increases to 75 vol %, disordered dolomite (>60 mol % MgCO3) can rapidly precipitate from a solution with [Mg2+] and [Ca2+] mimicking seawater. Thus, our results suggest that the hydration barrier is the critical kinetic inhibitor to primary dolomite precipitation. Ethanol synthesis experiments may provide insights into other materials that share similar properties to promote high-Mg calcite precipitation in sedimentary and biomineral environments.

Antioxidative Role of Synthetic and Natural Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) in Metabolic Pathways of A Biological System

The properties of a substance are determined by the structure of its component molecules. Ascorbic acid occurs abundantly in fresh fruit, especially blackcurrants, citrus fruit and strawberries, and in most fresh vegetables; good sources are broccoli and peppers. It is destroyed by heat and is not well stored in the body3. Ascorbic acid is a good reducing agent and facilitates many metabolic reaction and repair processes. In pharmaceutical preparations and fruit juices, ascorbic acid is readily separated from other compounds by TLC on silica gel and quantitated directly by absorption at 254nm. Serum and plasma may be deproteinized with twice the volume of methanol or ethanol.

The inhibitory effects of selenium nanoparticles modified by fructose-enriched polysaccharide from Codonopsis pilosula on HepG2 cells

Ethanol volume fraction of 80% was widely applied for polysaccharides precipitation from Codonopsis pilosula water-leach liquor, while few researches focused on the dissolved components in 80% alcohol solution. Selenium nanoparticles presented strong biological activities with low toxicity, but the poor stability limited the practical applications. This study isolated a C. pilosula polysaccharide from the supernate after 80% ethanol precipitation, which was used as surface decorator for nano-composites preparation, and then the structural performance, storage stability and inhibitory mechanism on HepG2 cells were investigated. Results showed that the C. pilosula polysaccharide was mainly composed of fructose and glucose (molar ratio of 2.68:1.00) with average molecular weight of 3.21 × 103 Da. Additionally, the nano-composites were successfully prepared under Na2SeO3 to polysaccharide (2.0 mg/mL) ratio (w:w) of 1:20, and exhibited homogeneous distribution with an average particle size of ~ 75 nm and superior stability at 4 °C for at least 35 days. Besides, the nano-composites effectively inhibited HepG2 cells proliferation dose-dependently, and induced the mitochondrial dysfunction via improving Bax expressions and descending Bcl-2 expressions, resulting in the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c to cytoplasm and the activation of caspase-9 / − 3, thereby promoting cells apoptosis. These results would effectively improve utilization rate of C. pilosula and provide theoretical foundation for clinical applications of the composite in hepatoma-bearing patients.

Ultrasound-Assisted "Green" Extraction (UAE) of Antioxidant Compounds (Betalains and Phenolics) from Opuntia stricta var. Dilenii's Fruits: Optimization and Biological Activities.

Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii’s prickly pears are an underutilized fruit with a high content of betalains and phenolic compounds that could bring potential health benefits for humans. The aim of this study is the optimization of the “green” extraction of betalains and phenolic compounds from Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii’s whole fruits by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), using a response surface methodology (RSM) by a central composite design (CCD) in order to obtain extracts rich in betalains and phenolic compounds with proven biological activities. For UAE optimization, the extraction temperature (20–50 °C), the amplitude (20–50%) and the ethanol volume in extraction solvent (15–80%, v/v) were selected as independent variables. All combinations were conducted at 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 min to determinate the time effect. The betalain and phenolic compound content in Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii’s whole fruits and UAE extracts were identified by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS and HPLC-DAD-MS/QTOF and the antioxidant (ORAC method) and the anti-inflammatory (hyaluronidase inhibition method) in vitro biological activities also were determined. The most efficient extraction time was 5 min and the best UAE parameter combination was 50% amplitude, 15% ethanol in solvent (ethanol/water, 15/85, v/v) and 20 °C temperature, obtaining 10.06 ± 0.10 mg of total major betalains/g dry weight, 2.32 ± 0.08 mg of piscidic acid/g dry weight and 0.38 ± 0.00 mg of total major flavonoids/g dry weight. All applied UAE combinations significantly improved the in vitro bioactive activities (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) of the Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii’s extracts compared to the bioactivities of the extracts obtained by standard homogenization processes.

Transient modeling of column adsorption–desorption processes for pre-concentration of D-1,2,4-butanetriol

D-1,2,4-Butanetriol (BT) is one of the important platform chemicals mainly used in the pharmaceutical and military fields. However, the content of BT in its fermentation broth is less than 1 wt%. The purification of BT by distillation is a high energy-consumption process. In this paper, a solvent desorption method was used to pre-concentrate BT with ethanol as a desorbent. This work focused on establishing a transient chromatographic column model to explore vividly the pre-concentration behaviors of BT during column adsorption/desorption processes. First, by analysis of the hydrophobicity and molecular size of the solutes and the micropore size of resin, the adsorption mechanisms were proposed as size exclusion and hydrophobic interaction, while desorption equilibrium was supposed to competitive adsorption. Secondly, the effects of the different ethanol concentrations on the enrichment of BT concentration were investigated systematically. The results showed about 1.46 bed volumes of absolute ethanol could desorb BT completely with 1.5 times BT concentration in the fixed bed system. Finally, a general rate model (GRM) was used to predict the dynamic adsorption/desorption processes successfully. The transient process of BT pre-concentration in the presence of desorbent ethanol was vividly displayed by Matlab, which revealed the individual behaviors of BT and ethanol during the adsorption/desorption process. It further proved the competitive adsorption could be the reason for the BT pre-concentration.

Radiologic-pathologic analysis of increased ethanol localization and ablative extent achieved by ethyl cellulose

Ethanol provides a rapid, low-cost ablative solution for liver tumors with a small technological footprint but suffers from uncontrolled diffusion in target tissue, limiting treatment precision and accuracy. Incorporating the gel-forming polymer ethyl cellulose to ethanol localizes the distribution. The purpose of this study was to establish a non-invasive methodology based on CT imaging to quantitatively determine the relationship between the delivery parameters of the EC-ethanol formulation, its distribution, and the corresponding necrotic volume. The relationship of radiodensity to ethanol concentration was characterized with water–ethanol surrogates. Ex vivo EC-ethanol ablations were performed to optimize the formulation (n = 6). In vivo ablations were performed to compare the optimal EC-ethanol formulation to pure ethanol (n = 6). Ablations were monitored with CT and ethanol distribution volume was quantified. Livers were removed, sectioned and stained with NADH-diaphorase to determine the ablative extent, and a detailed time-course histological study was performed to assess the wound healing process. CT imaging of ethanol–water surrogates demonstrated the ethanol concentration-radiodensity relationship is approximately linear. A concentration of 12% EC in ethanol created the largest distribution volume, more than eight-fold that of pure ethanol, ex vivo. In vivo, 12% EC-ethanol was superior to pure ethanol, yielding a distribution volume three-fold greater and an ablation zone six-fold greater than pure ethanol. Finally, a time course histological evaluation of the liver post-ablation with 12% EC-ethanol and pure ethanol revealed that while both induce coagulative necrosis and similar tissue responses at 1–4 weeks post-ablation, 12% EC-ethanol yielded a larger ablation zone. The current study demonstrates the suitability of CT imaging to determine distribution volume and concentration of ethanol in tissue. The distribution volume of EC-ethanol is nearly equivalent to the resultant necrotic volume and increases distribution and necrosis compared to pure ethanol.

Fabrication of magnetic cobalt-nickel ferrite nanoparticles for the adsorption of methyl blue in aqueous solutions

An innovative method of combustion–calcination of a nitrate–ethanol solution to produce magnetic Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles was developed. The calcination temperature and the volume of ethanol were two pivotal elements that determine the properties of the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles in this study. When the volume of ethanol used was increased from 20 ml to 40 ml, the crystallinity of the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles increased; further increase of the volume of ethanol decreased the crystallinity. The smallest nanoparticle was obtained using 20 ml ethanol. As the calcination temperature increased from 400 °C to 700 °C, the saturation magnetization of the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles increased from 12.8 emu g−1 to 30.8 emu g−1. Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles fabricated using 20 ml ethanol at 400 °C were used to study the removal of methyl blue (MB) by adsorption. Experimental data revealed that the adsorption was best described by pseudo-second kinetics. The adsorption isotherm applied the Temkin model, which indicated the presence of a single and multilayer associative mechanism in the adsorption of MB on the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles. The effect of pH and recycling on the adsorption was measured. At pH values ≥5, the adsorption was high. After eight cycles of use and recycling, the relative removal rate of MB by the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles was 75% of the initial adsorption value.

An efficient approach for simultaneously obtaining oil and epigoitrin from Orychophragmus violaceus seeds by microwave-mediated immiscible binary solvent extraction

Microwave-mediated immiscible binary solvent extraction (MIBSE) was applied to simultaneously extract oil and epigoitrin from Orychophragmus violaceus seeds. The upper phase of n-hexane was used to obtain oil, and the lower phase of ethanol solution was used to obtain epigoitrin. Factors potentially affecting the yields of oil and epigoitrin were systematically investigated. The optimum conditions were an ethanol volume fraction of 65%, liquid–solid ratio of lower-phase of 20 mL/g, liquid–solid ratio of upper-phase of 12 mL/g, microwave irradiation power of 393 W, and microwave irradiation time of 29 min. The actual yields of oil and epigoitrin were 34.08% ± 1.38% and 11.86 ± 0.47 mg/g, respectively. GC–MS analysis illustrated that the seed oils obtained by MIBSE and Soxhlet extraction exhibited similar fatty acid compositions. The separated epigoitrin was determined by HPLC analyses, which obtained a purity of 91.25% ± 3.83%, follwed by NMR determinations.

Why Brazil imports so much corn-based ethanol: The role of Brazilian and American ethanol blending mandates

Despite the decades of productive tradition and the energetic efficiency of the sugarcane-based ethanol, Brazil has been importing large volumes of American corn-based ethanol and presenting increasing occurrences of deficit in its ethanol trade balance since the 2010s decade begun. Despite not being able to meet the domestic and international sugarcane ethanol demands, Brazil keeps raising its ethanol blending mandate. To better understand that, the present work examines the literature in search for possible explanations of the phenomenon, and estimates three ARDL models in which the Brazilian ethanol trade balance is explained by the Brazilian and American ethanol mandates. Brazilian mandate has both long run and short run effects, and American mandate, for its nature of being an annual mandate, differently from the Brazilian one, only has a positive long run effect. As recently the USA government started directing the ethanol mandate raises towards cellulosic biofuels mainly (being sugarcane-based ethanol one of the main representatives of this category), and the estimates showed that this kind of mandate specifically has a bigger impact, the study suggests that Brazil could take advantage of this new rising demand by not raising its mandate, which is currently the highest blend rate in the world.

Bioethanol Production from Cassava Peels Inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis

Aim: This study was designed to determine the bioethanol production from fermented cassava peel using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis.&#x0D; Methodology: Cassava peels were collected from cassava processing sites, washed, surface sterilized, dried, milled into flour, pretreated, and fermented. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Z. mobilis suspensions were aseptically inoculated into the fermenting medium and allowed to stand for seven days. The pH, total reducing sugar, chemical composition, and bioethanol composition of the fermenting substrates were determined.&#x0D; Results: A pH decrease from 5.2 to 4.1 was recorded in the sample fermented with S. cerevisiae while the least pH value of 3.8 was obtained from the sample fermented with Z. mobilis, respectively. The total reducing sugar (glucose) of fermented samples decreased from 3.4% to 1.5% (Z. mobilis) and 3.4% to 1.88% (S. cerevisiae) compared with the control sample. The chemical composition showed high protein and fat contents in the fermented samples. High percentage yield of 30% with ethanol volume of 45 mL was recovered from cassava peel inoculated with S. cerevisiae while flash point, i.e. the lowest temperature at which fuel produces enough vapor to cause ignition leading to flame generation of 24oC, was recorded for both fermented samples inoculated with S. cerevisiae and Z. mobilis.&#x0D; Conclusion: The ability of the bacterium and the yeast isolates exhibiting high potential for bioethanol production could be promising in various industrial processes as an alternative to fossil transportation fuel.

Influence of ethanol blending ratios on in-cylinder soot processes and particulate matter emissions in an optical direct injection spark ignition engine

Soot volume fraction distribution of ethanol blended fuels (ethanol volume fraction 0%, 20%, 40% and 60%, named as E0, E20, E40 and E60) were measured in an optical direct injection spark ignition (DISI) engine by combined laser induced incandescence (LII) and two-color (2C) method. Exhaust particulate matter (PM) emissions were measured by a Combustion DMS500 Fast Particulate Analyzer. For DISI engines, pool fire and the resulting diffusion flame are the main sources of soot in the cylinder. Choosing a suitable measurement plane and detection time, laser induced incandescent can be used to quantitatively measure the soot concentration produced by the pool fire. This research explores the effect of ethanol blending on engine particulate matter by comprehensively analyzing the soot process in the cylinder and exhaust particulate emissions. According to the two-dimensional quantitative soot volume fraction results, the maximum average soot volume fraction of the same fuel on the 10 mm plane is greater than the 5 mm plane; on the same plane, E20 shows the highest soot concentration compared to the other fuel blends which could be the physical properties of the ethanol become apparent. For exhaust particle emissions, ethanol can significantly reduce the total particle number and accumulation mode particle number. E0, E40 and E60 show fairly similar behavior between the exhaust particle emissions and the soot-LII imaging measurements. For E20, however, this is in poor agreement when comparing the soot-LII imaging results to the results of exhaust particle emission measurements.

Optimization of Extraction or Purification Process of Multiple Components from Natural Products: Entropy Weight Method Combined with Plackett-Burman Design and Central Composite Design.

In this paper, the optimization of the extraction/purification process of multiple components was performed by the entropy weight method (EWM) combined with Plackett–Burman design (PBD) and central composite design (CCD). We took the macroporous resin purification of Astragalus saponins as an example to discuss the practicability of this method. Firstly, the weight of each component was given by EWM and the sum of the product between the componential content and its weight was defined as the comprehensive score, which was taken as the evaluation index. Then, the single factor method was adopted for determining the value range of each factor. PBD was applied for screening the significant factors. Important variables were further optimized by CCD to determine the optimal process parameters. After the combination of EWM, PBD and CCD, the resulting optimal purification conditions were as follows: pH value of 6.0, the extraction solvent concentration of 0.15 g/mL, and the ethanol volume fraction of 75%. Under the optimal conditions, the practical comprehensive score of recoveries of saponins was close to the predicted value (n = 3). Therefore, the present study provided a convenient and efficient method for extraction and purification optimization technology of multiple components from natural products.

Covalent triazine framework nanoribbons via polar Solvent-induced fragmentation for ultrafast and Solar-cleaning membrane separation

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are drawing substantial interest as porous crystalline two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) nanomaterials. Fabrication of CTFs nanoribbon is challenging but appealing to separation and photocatalysis. Here we for the first time report the synthesis of crystalline CTF-1 nanoribbons (CTF-1-NR) comprising 2–3 covalent triazine framework units in width through a polar solvent-induced fragmentation strategy. The width of 1D nanoribbons can be facilely tuned by varying the solvent (e.g. ethanol) volume in trifluoromethanesulfonic acid layer after trimerization of aromatic nitriles. The CTF-1-NR are intercalated with Graphene oxide (GO) membranes to extend 1H NMR transverse relaxation time (T2) and enlarge the confined interspacing (∼8.8 Å), providing ultrafast water transport (∼60 L m-2h−1 bar−1) and high dye molecules rejection (98%). More significantly, the bridging CTF-1-NR enhances charge-carrier separation and gains superior solar-cleaning recoverable permeability (∼7 folds higher than GO). This study provides novel insight into the synthesis of crystalline COF nanoribbons and membrane separation.

Cononsolvency of Poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine] in Ethanol-Water Mixtures: A Neutron Reflectivity Study.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the cononsolvency, a re-entrant coil-to-globule-to-coil conformational transition of polymer chains in mixtures of two good solvents, of poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine] (PMPC) in ethanol-water binary mixtures were complementarily investigated. This was accomplished by following a statistical mechanical model for competitive hydrogen bonding combined with the cooperative solvation concept as well as neutron reflectivity (NR) experiments employing contrast variation in the cononsolvents. The experimental re-entrant aggregation of the PMPC chains in ethanol-water mixed solvents, obtained on the basis of turbidity was accurately reproduced by theoretical calculations. The calculation proved the relatively strong cooperativity of ethanol and the preferential interaction of water, while the total coverage of solvents was the lowest at an ethanol volume fraction (fethanol) of 0.90. At this level, the cononsolvency was the most significant, and the collapsed PMPC chains were solvated with more water than the bulk mixed solvent. The ethanol-water cononsolvency for the PMPC brushes on a planar silicon wafer was investigated by NR experiments, and the solvent composition involved in the collapsed PMPC brush was addressed according to the contrast variation study with mixed solvents of water, deuterium oxide, ethanol-d5, and ethanol-d6. The collapsed PMPC brushes at fethanol = 0.90 contained more water than the bulk solvent. The preferential distribution of water in the collapsed PMPC brush was consistent with the simulation results. Therefore, the molecular mechanism for the cononsolvency of PMPC in ethanol-water mixed solvents based on competitive hydrogen bonding coupled with cooperative solvation was experimentally rationalized.

Enhancement of bioethanol production from palm sap (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr) through optimization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an inoculum

Availability of fossil fuels is increasingly limited, so the search for alternative fuels is important. In accordance with the current scenario, bioenergy research emphasizes the bioethanol production from plants that are abundant and available throughout the year, such as palm sap. The palm sap is a type of palm tree that grows in tropical forests, particularly in South Asia and Southeast Asia. More than 3000 species of palm exist, and they are categorised as multipurpose trees because they can be used as raw materials for various products, such as sugar, fermented drinks, syrup, palm wine, vinegar, alcohol and bioethanol. This study was aimed to examine bioethanol production from palm sap through optimization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an inoculum. The research sample was obtained from local farmers in Pusuk, Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, and Indonesia. The research parameters included the pH change, colour, and ethanol content. The results showed that the pH change of the palm sap during storage was caused by the growth of microorganisms to produce organic acids by releasing hydrogen ions. As pH decreased, L∗ and b∗ values also decreased significantly, but not significantly change in a∗ values was observed. Glucose changed to ethanol during fermentation. The higher the percentage of inoculum used, the higher the volume of ethanol obtained. The bioethanol content of palm sap prior to fermentation was 32.3%, and it increased to 75.6% after 24 hours of incubation.

Identification of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts from traditional sourdoughs and sourdough production by enrichment

The subject of this study was to investigate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts microbiota of traditional sourdough (n = 36) and to indicate characteristics of enriched sourdough that is produced from combinations of isolates. A total of 60 LAB and 40 yeasts were identified from sourdough by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. The dominant LAB microflora was Lactobacillus brevis (43.33%), Pediococcus acidilactici (21.67%) and Lactobacillus plantarum (18.33%). The dominant yeasts microflora was Saccharomyces cerevisiae (27.5%), Pichia kudriavzevii (25.0%) and Kluyveromyces marxianus (12.5%). The sourdough prepared with the combination of L. brevis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, P. acidilactici and S. cerevisiae, K. marxianus showed the best physicochemical and microbiological properties while that with L. plantarum, L. brevis and P. kudriavzevii, Wickerhamomyces anumalus was the poorest. LAB and yeasts in the sourdoughs were ranged from 6.58 log CFU g&lt;sup&gt;–1 &lt;/sup&gt;to 9.12 log CFU g&lt;sup&gt;–1&lt;/sup&gt; and from 6.12 log CFU g&lt;sup&gt;–1&lt;/sup&gt; to 7.88 log CFU g&lt;sup&gt;–1&lt;/sup&gt;, respectively. Various chemical parameters such as pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), ethanol, and sourdough volume were differ depending on the type of microbial species. TTA was more pronounced in the sourdoughs produced with homofermentative LAB. Yeasts and LAB were dominated during continuous enriching of sourdough, supporting an important role during fermentation.

Revised equations allowing the estimation of the uncertainty associated with the Total Body Water version of the Widmark equation.

Widmark calculations are the most commonly used alcohol calculations to estimate a) the amount of alcohol consumed based on blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and b) BACs at a set time after consumption of a known amount of alcohol. These calculations are vital in forensic casework. Previous work has demonstrated that using general error propagation-based equations the variability associated with alcohol calculations can be estimated, but these equations have only been determined for the volume of distribution version of the Widmark equation. However, recent investigations have shown that the total body water (TBW) version of the Widmark equation is more reliable than the version that utilizes the apparent volume of distribution of ethanol. To date, there is no general error propagation equation to determine the variability associated the TBW version of the Widmark equation. Using previously published studies of 185 individuals in which alcohol elimination rate (β) and ethanol's volume of distribution were determined, we have shown that there is a negative correlation (-0.247) between the alcohol elimination rate (β) and TBW. Using these data, we were able to produce equations allowing the estimation of the variability of the results calculated using the TBW version of the Widmark equation. This will allow forensic practitioners to give the best determination of the variability associated with Widmark calculations currently possible.

Optimization of Ultrasonic-assisted Extraction Process of Flavonoids from Damiana by Response Surface Methodology and Its Antioxidant Activity

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal extraction process conditions for flavonoids from damiana. Taking the extraction rate of flavonoids as an indicator, the effects of factors such as ultrasonic time, temperature, ultrasonic power, and material-to-liquid ratio on the extraction rate of damiana flavonoids were investigated through experiments. Through response surface tests, a regression mathematical model was established and variance analysis was performed to determine the best conditions for extracting turner grass flavonoids. At the same time, the scavenging rate of DPPH free radicals and ABTS free radicals and reducing power were used as indicators to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the crude extract of damiana flavonoids. The results showed that the optimal extraction process conditions were ultrasound time 42 min, temperature 70 ℃, ultrasound power 320 W, and ethanol volume fraction 82%. Under these conditions, the extraction rate of damiana flavonoids reached 94.4%. Tests showed that the IC50 values of flavonoids of damiana in scavenging DPPH free radicals and ABTS free radicals were 0.0283 and 0.0272 mg/mL, respectively. The reducing force were stronger than VC. This optimized process is feasible, and flavonoids from damiana have good antioxidant properties.

Biofuel Resources Plan: Theoretical Case Assessment of Automotive Industries

Crude oil exhaustion and greenhouse emissions have remained a global concern till date. Domestic production of biofuel blends and micro-emulsion as substitutes for conventional fuel in tackling greenhouse gas emission has challenges like feedstock inadequacy, fuel-energy content, compatibility, oxidation stability and other automotive fuel property issues. Strategies to address these issues are discussed in this study. Case study of Nigeria shows that an annual conversion rate of 6.9/3.3% (2.1: 1) of cassava wastes will meet its E10/E5 blend from local production capacity. An effort has been made to correlate existing ethanol and biodiesel yields, ƐѱE and ƐѱB with expected oil yield as a function of gasoline and diesel shares, αE and αB per hectare of cultivation, to generate total oil yield per desired short and medium term biofuel targets utilizing selected feedstock at applicable yield bounds. A typical E10 gasohol from cassava will need 16,133 and 28,543 hectares from cassava plantation to meet its annual short and medium term biofuel targets. The r2-square value of 0.6402 for CF/SPeel and 0.9044 for CF/SPulp is an indication that more litre/tonne volume of ethanol could be produced from CF/SPeel except for in consistency when ammonia extract and urea are used as nitrogen source. Specific energy for direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) from daily production capacity equivalence of E10 per annum is estimated at 2.34GWh/Kg. Biofuel and fuel cells are good alternatives to explore as replacement of fossil fuel in automotive application.