Foam Formation Research Articles

White Sparkling Wine Proteins and Glycoproteins and Their Behavior in Foam Expansion and Stability

The volume and stability of wine foams are influenced by many components of the matrix, especially proteins. However, the synergistic or inhibiting effects among these protein fractions, as well as their interactions with other wine components, are still under study. The present research aims to understand the individual and cooperative effects of different wine proteins and glycoproteins on the volume and stability of foams. To address this objective, different protein fractions were purified from a Chardonnay white wine and tested in different model wine conditions (with/without ethanol), along with a commercial yeast-based oenological additive. Different fractions were considered, including total protein fraction (FT), Mannoproteins (MP), and non-mannosylated proteins (NMP), as well as a protein fraction soluble in ammonium sulfate (FSA). These protein fractions were characterized, and their foaming properties were evaluated using a modified Rudin apparatus. The results showed that FT exhibited higher foam expansion (FE%) compared to its subfractions (NMP and MP) that, when tested individually, did not guarantee optimal foam formation. This suggests that foaming properties are enhanced when both glycosylated and non-glycosylated proteins are present in the system. Additionally, the foaming behavior was influenced by the presence of ethanol in the model wine. The FSA fraction demonstrated high foam expansion and stability, with ethanol enhancing foam expansion but reducing stability. A commercial yeast-based oenological additive, mainly containing glycoproteins, was also tested and behaved similarly to MP. This study provides valuable insights for sparkling wine producers to optimize practices for enhancing product quality and confirm previous research regarding the role of the synergy between MP and NMP in wine foam formation and stability.

Lipid-extraction of Tribonema minus avoids foaming facilitating anaerobic co-digestion with molasses vinasse

Tribonema minus, a filamentous microalgae, has great potential as an anaerobic digestion (AD) substrate, owing to its relatively low cultivation and harvesting costs. This is the first study to explore the effect of T. minus as an anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) substrate with molasses vinasse (MV). To analyze the potential effects of the structure and composition of T. minus on the AD process, we conducted batch and semi-continuous AD using simple dehydrated T. minus (Fresh T. minus, FTR) and lipid-extracted and pulverized T. minus (Pretreated-T. minus, PTR). The results showed that the maximum methane production potential of FTR was 158.9 ± 2.9 mL CH4 g−1 VS, which was reduced by 25% after pretreatment. However, the methane production potential increased by 18% in the batch AcoD with MV. Meanwhile, FTR led to the accumulation of fatty acids and lipids, including palmitic acid, in semi-continuous AcoD with MV. Lipid accumulation further increased the polysaccharide and protein content in the extracellular polymeric substances, resulting in a decrease in liquid surface tension and an increase in foam formation, which ultimately led to a decrease in methane production potential and soluble chemical oxygen demand removal rate. Microbial community analysis demonstrated that PTR effectively mitigated the inhibitory effects caused by filamentous microalga (FM). Our results further elucidated the potential mechanism of foam formation during the AD of FTR and revealed that pretreatment can lead to effective recovery of products from T. minus while promoting methane production potential and optimizing the microbial community composition during AcoD. Therefore, our study provides novel insights into the utilization of FM.

Box–Behnken experimental design for optimization of chitosan foam materials reinforced with cellulose and zeolite

AbstractFoam materials produced from biopolymers stand out as a more environmentally friendly insulation material solution. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the development and optimization of chitosan‐based foam materials using a Box–Behnken design. The foams were engineered using varying proportions of chitosan (0.5–3%), cellulose (0.5–3%), and zeolite (0.5–3%), targeting their application as thermal insulators. The physical and thermal properties of the foams that were produced were affected by the type and ratios of components, with density and thermal conductivity ranging from 0.0853 to 0.1915 g cm−3 and 0.0324 to 0.0921 W mK−1, respectively. Higher chitosan content improved insulation properties and mechanical strength whereas zeolite increments increased density and thermal conductivity. Using statistical analysis through the Box–Behnken design, we optimized the foam formulations, achieving minimum thermal conductivity and maximum compression strength at an averaged density, suggesting a strong potential for environmental sustainability applications. The recommended optimal chitosan:cellulose:zeolite composition ratio of 3:3:0.88 provides a valuable insight for tailored foam material formulation. This study shows the relationships between the composition of a composite material and its resultant properties, optimizing its preparation for industrial applicability in an environmentally conscious way within the context of insulation and construction. This investigation contributes to the field of material science by highlighting the versatility and potential of biopolymers but also aligns with the increasing need for green building materials.

Stabilization and strengthening effects of filamentous nanocellulose in the foam forming of quartz paper

Compared with traditional papermaking, foam forming is a new papermaking technology that uses foam instead of water to disperse fibres, which can effectively solve the problem of poor evenness of ceramic paper, but the instability of foam itself affects the application of foam forming technology. Herein, a highly stable foaming agent for foam forming technology was prepared via physical reaction of lauryl dimethyl amine oxide (OB-2) with filamentous nanocellulose (cellulose nanofiber (CNF-C) and bacterial cellulose (BC)). Then, the quartz paper was prepared by foam forming technology. Firstly, hydrogen bond interactions between hydroxyl groups of the filamentous nanocellulose and hydrophilic moieties on OB-2 enabled the formation of a 3D nanonetwork layer on the surface of the bubble, which extended the half-life of the bubble and effectively prevented the bubble from bursting or coalescing. Then, the foam was extruded and cracked, and the filamentous nanocellulose was retained on the quartz fibres to prepare filamentous nanocellulose/quartz fibre paper by foam forming technology. The quartz paper exhibited excellent evenness and mechanical properties. In conclusion, the research of foam forming technology is of great significance to the application and development of special paper.

EFFECT OF EGG WHITE PROTEIN AND WATER CONTENT ON THE STABILIZATION MECHANISMS OF NATURAL RUBBER LATEX FOAMS OBTAINED FROM MICROWAVE RADIATION

The global plastic consumption, as one of the paramount concerns of our society, open new paths of investigation in green materials. This study presents our contribution to the field with the obtention of natural rubber latex foams using egg white powder as bio stabilizing agent. The route followed to develop these samples is based on a two‐step process, a previous aeration, followed by microwave dehydration. This synthesis route is greener and eco‐friendlier than conventional ones due to the use of biobased bulk materials, the utilisation of microwave radiation which reduces the energy consumption in comparison with conventional heating methods and the elimination of the vulcanization process typically used when producing latex foams. In this work a deep study of the effect of egg white protein on natural rubber latex foams obtained at three water content levels (i.e. 40, 70, 90 phr) is carried out. The density and cellular structure parameters are measured for the formulations of liquid and solid foams which led to stable final samples in order to comprehend the stabilization mechanisms due to the presence of the egg white and the effect of water content in these systems. With the route developed in this research it has been possible to produce open cell natural rubber latex foams with densities as low as 53 kg/m3 and cell sizes as low as 114 µm.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Improvements in Plaque Psoriasis Associated with Calcipotriol/Betamethasone Aerosol Foam Treatment: A Post Hoc Analysis of Non-interventional Studies and Clinical Experience.

Plaque psoriasis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease that is associated with extensive disease burden that often requires long-term therapy. Treatment of psoriasis with 4weeks of the aerosol foam formulation of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD; Enstilar®, LEO Pharma) has been demonstrated to be effective, well tolerated, and associated with high patient satisfaction. Cal/BD foam is approved as a first-line treatment in multiple countries, where several non-interventional studies (NIS) have corroborated the beneficial efficacy and safety profiles determined in the randomized clinical trials. Heterogenicity in these NIS, however, prevents the use of a data pooling strategy for comparisons of effectiveness outcomes across different patient populations. Therefore, here, we report on a post hoc analysis of effectiveness data consolidated from six prospective NIS to discern any differences in improvement in signs and symptoms of psoriasis attributable to Cal/BD foam treatment across the countries. In addition, we provide real-world experience of clinicians with Cal/BD foam treatment, factoring in changes in usage since these NIS were performed in their local markets. This post hoc analysis of Cal/BD foam NIS brings together data outside of randomized clinical trials from six countries to provide real-world evidence in 1388 patients showing that 4weeks of Cal/BD foam is an effective and safe treatment option with quick onset of action for patients with psoriasis. These results show that regardless of NIS location, Cal/BD foam remains a well-tolerated, efficacious option for patient care that could be used as a first-line topical therapy for mild-to-severe psoriasis.

Research on EOR for ultralow interfacial tension foam in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoirs: flooding simulation and application in Shengli Oilfield

For high temperature and high salinity reservoirs, the foam formulation system is required to have better foaming capacity and foam stability under formation conditions in tertiary EOR. In order to obtain a new foam agent suitable for this type of oil reservoir, through the compounding and testing of 7 common oilfield foam chemical agents, 15 formulated foam agents are tested and screened. Then the foam displacement experiment of the dual sand packs model was established to simulate the new foam flooding process. The production dynamic of the high-permeability sand pack and the low-permeability sand pack was captured and analyzed, and EOR mechanism of the foam system in the heterogeneous reservoir was clarified. The experimental results show that the formulation of B4(anionic & nonionic combined surfactant) & FSN100(fluorinated surfactant) with a mass proportion of 2:3 (BF23) has the best performance in terms of foaming properties, low interfacial tension reduction, and oil washing efficiency. Furthermore, BF23 foam injection greatly increased the recovery factor from 36.7% to 61.6%, clearly displacing the remaining oil in the low-permeability pack. Finally, the new foam agent solution used in Shenger block of Shengli Oilfield shows its good value for enhanced oil recovery.

Matching-adjusted Indirect Comparison of Dermatology Life Quality Index 0/1 Response in Trials of Calcipotriol Plus Betamethasone Dipropionate Foam and Cream Formulations in Patients with Psoriasis.

Abstract is missing (Short communication)

504 - Investigator- and patient-rated local tolerability in phase 3 trials of topical roflumilast in patients with psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis

Abstract Introduction Formulating a topical medication that does not irritate the skin is an important factor contributing to patient treatment adherence and satisfaction. Many topical prescription products use penetration enhancers (including propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and ethanol) to overcome barrier properties of the skin. However, these excipients may irritate the skin causing tolerability reactions such as burning and stinging, which can reduce patient treatment adherence. Topical roflumilast is a highly potent (Kd∼0.7 nM) phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor formulated as a water-based cream or foam that does not contain penetration enhancers or fragrances. Objectives We present prospectively assessed investigator- and patient-rated local tolerability from Phase 3 trials of topical roflumilast for patients with psoriasis (DERMIS-1, DERMIS-2, ARRECTOR) seborrheic dermatitis (SD; STRATUM), and atopic dermatitis (AD; INTEGUMENT-1, INTEGUMENT-2). Methods Patients were randomized to apply topical roflumilast (DERMIS: 0.3% cream; ARRECTOR and STRATUM: 0.3% foam; INTEGUMENT: 0.15% cream) or vehicle once daily for 8 weeks (DERMIS, ARRECTOR, and STRATUM) or 4 weeks (INTEGUMENT). Investigators assessed local tolerability on an 8-point scale (0 [no evidence of irritation] to 7 [strong reaction spreading beyond application site]) in the clinic before investigational product (IP) application. Patients reported local tolerability on a 4-point scale (0 [none: no sensation] to 3 [severe: hot, tingling/stinging sensation that has caused definite discomfort]) in the clinic 10-15 minutes after IP application. Tolerability was also assessed by reviewing documented adverse events. Results As assessed by investigators, ≥96.5% of patients in the roflumilast-treated groups had no evidence of irritation at the application site across all trials at all timepoints. Patient-rated local tolerability was favorable and improved with treatment: across all trials, 1% of roflumilast-treated patients reported a score of 3 (severe; defined as a “hot tingling/stinging sensation that has caused definite discomfort”) after the first application (day 1) and <1% at each subsequent assessment. Rates of adverse events, including those at the application site, were low for all trials. Conclusions Roflumilast cream and foam formulations demonstrated favorable local tolerability based on investigator- and patient-rated assessments in patients with psoriasis, SD, and AD, including application to sensitive areas such as the face and intertriginous areas. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: DERMIS-1: NCT04211363; DERMIS-2: NCT04211389; ARRECTOR: NCT05028582; STRATUM: NCT04973228; INTEGUMENT-1: NCT047​73587; INTEGUMENT-2: NCT04773600.

Experience in the treatment of lymphatic malformations in children

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of lymphatic malformations, the problem of radical removal and a high risk of recurrence remains.
 AIM: Improving the efficiency of treatment of children with lymphatic malformations by introducing new surgical methods and optimizing sclerotherapy.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of treatment of 150 patients with lymphangiomas and an experimental study of the effects of sclerosing drugs on the lining of lymphangioma are presented. The study included 67 (44.7%) girls and 83 (55.3%) boys. The patients were divided into three groups. The first group (72 children) consisted of patients with radical removal of lymphangioma. The second group included 70 patients with partial resection of lymphangioma and sclerosis of residual cavities. The third group (8 children) consisted of patients operated on by video endoscopic method. A histological study of micropreparations of lymphangioma after sclerosis with ethanol and sodium tetradecyl sulfate with an exposure of 5 minutes was carried out. Statistical analysis was carried out using the StatTech v. 2.2.0 using methods of parametric and non-parametric analysis. Results were considered statistically significant at p 0.05.
 RESULTS: In the first group of patients, 9 (11.1%) relapses occurred, in the second — 12 (12.3%), in the third group — 0 relapses. Treatment combined with sclerotherapy did not lead to a significant increase in the recurrence rate (p=0.541). Types of lymphatic malformations and their location did not significantly affect the risk of recurrence (p=0.232 and p=0.552, respectively). Sclerosis of the lymphangioma lining with 70% ethanol and a liquid form of sodium tetradecyl sulfate caused total desquamation of the endothelium. Sclerosing with the foam form of sodium tetradecyl sulfate led to total desquamation of the endothelium during a 3-minute exposure.
 CONCLUSION: The introduction of minimally invasive methods of treatment and the improvement of sclerosis will make the results of treatment of children with lymphangiomas better.

TECHNO-FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF FLOUR, STARCH, AND PROTEINS OF PEA SEED (Pisum sativum L.) CULTIVATED IN THE MIXTECA REGION OF OAXACA

Currently, the food industry is interested in using plant-based ingredients because they can improve the nutritional and technological properties of products while also providing health benefits. The application of these ingredients in food formulations is dependent on their techno-functional properties, so determining them is critical. Pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.) are a good source of nutrients such as starch, protein, and fiber, which could also be used as functional food ingredients. It has been reported that differences in nutritional content and functional properties of pea seeds are caused by environmental conditions, cultivation methods, and processing. In Mexico, in the Mixteca Alta region of Oaxaca, creole peas are cultivated using rainfed agriculture, and the seeds are harvested when the plant is completely dry. There are currently no studies that evaluate the composition and properties of the main components of pea seeds grown under the environmental conditions of this region. The objective of this work was to determine the proximal composition and techno-functional properties of flour (PF), starch (PS), and protein (PPI) isolated from dry creole seeds cultivated in the Mixteca Alta region of Oaxaca. Results were compared using ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05). Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found in the proximal composition and the color of PF, PS, and PPI. The extracted starch contains 19.6 ± 1.3 % amylose. The granules were ellipsoidal in shape and measured 57.2 ± 11.0 mm in diameter. The FTIR spectra showed structural differences between the samples. Functional properties such as water absorption capacity, foam formation, and emulsifying capacity were significantly higher in PPI than in PF and PS (p ≤ 0.05). The results demonstrate that pea seeds grown in the Mixteca Alta region of Oaxaca can be an unconventional source of functional ingredients for the food industry.

Terrestrial Isopods Generate Microplastics from Low-Density Polyethylene Without Effects on Survival.

With concern growing regarding the impact of microplastics (MPs) on terrestrial ecosystems, it is important to assess the role invertebrates may play in the fate of MPs within these ecosystems. Commonly, MPs enter these environments through improperly discarded waste or the application of treated biosolids and/or wastewater on agricultural soils. The present study investigated whether three species of terrestrial isopod (Porcellio scaber, Porcellio laevis, and Porcellionides pruinosus) ingest plastic debris and generate MPs during exposures varying from 24 h to 14 days and whether this may have an adverse effect on their health. Test vessels were designed to expose isopods to plastic fragments in the form of polyethylene plastic foam. Isopods were exposed to plastic that was either (1) pristine, or (2) weathered in a soil and water solution prior to incorporation in test vessels. When exposed to weathered polyethylene, all three species generated MPs (minimum-maximum size values for all durations inclusive: P. laevis = 114-1673 µm, P. scaber = 99-1635 µm, P. pruinosus = 85-1113 µm) through the consumption of macroplastic fragments with no observed impact on their health. In the shorter-duration exposures, the number of MPs generated by the isopod species in the present study was highly variable between experimental vessels (minimum-maximum generated MPs for 14-day exposure: P. laevis = 25-420, P. scaber = 50-583, P. pruinosus = 48-311). However, as the exposure durations increased, there was a clear trend of increasing MP generation, indicating that the isopods continued to consume the plastic fragments as long as the surface was weathered. A significant difference in the size of generated MPs was observed as well, with smaller isopod species generating smaller MP fragments on average. The results of the present study confirm that certain species of isopod can contribute to the generation of MPs, which constitutes an additional pathway of MP exposure to soil ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:784-792. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Investigator- and Patient-Rated Local Tolerability in Phase 3 Trials of Topical Roflumilast in Patients With Psoriasis, Seborrheic Dermatitis, and Atopic Dermatitis

Investigator- and patient-rated local tolerability in phase 3 trials of topical roflumilast in patients with psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis
 
 Christopher G. Bunick1 on behalf of the authors
 
 INTRODUCTION: Formulating a topical medication that does not irritate the skin is an important factor contributing to patient treatment adherence and satisfaction. Many topical prescription products use penetration enhancers (including propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and ethanol) to overcome barrier properties of the skin. However, these excipients may irritate the skin causing tolerability reactions such as burning and stinging, which can reduce patient treatment adherence. Topical roflumilast is a highly potent (Kd~0.7 nM) phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor formulated as a water-based cream or foam that does not contain penetration enhancers or fragrances. We present prospectively assessed investigator- and patient-rated local tolerability from Phase 3 trials of topical roflumilast for patients with psoriasis (DERMIS-1, DERMIS-2, ARRECTOR) seborrheic dermatitis (SD; STRATUM), and atopic dermatitis (AD; INTEGUMENT-1, INTEGUMENT-2).
 METHODS: Patients were randomized to apply topical roflumilast (DERMIS: 0.3% cream; ARRECTOR and STRATUM: 0.3% foam; INTEGUMENT: 0.15% cream) or vehicle once daily for 8 weeks (DERMIS, ARRECTOR, and STRATUM) or 4 weeks (INTEGUMENT). Investigators assessed local tolerability on an 8-point scale (0 [no evidence of irritation] to 7 [strong reaction spreading beyond application site]) in the clinic before investigational product (IP) application. Patients reported local tolerability on a 4-point scale (0 [none: no sensation] to 3 [severe: hot, tingling/stinging sensation that has caused definite discomfort]) in the clinic 10-15 minutes after IP application. Tolerability was also assessed by reviewing documented adverse events.
 RESULTS: As assessed by investigators, ≥96.5% of patients in the roflumilast-treated groups had no evidence of irritation at the application site across all trials at all timepoints. Patient-rated local tolerability was favorable and improved with treatment: across all trials, 1% of roflumilast-treated patients reported a score of 3 (severe; defined as a “hot tingling/stinging sensation that has caused definite discomfort”) after the first application (day 1) and <1% at each subsequent assessment. Rates of adverse events, including those at the application site, were low for all trials and <0.5% of roflumilast-treated patients discontinued due to adverse events at the application site across all trials.
 CONCLUSION: Roflumilast cream and foam formulations demonstrated favorable local tolerability based on investigator- and patient-rated assessments in patients with psoriasis, SD, and AD, including application to sensitive areas such as the face and intertriginous areas.
 Sponsored by Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: DERMIS-1: NCT04211363; DERMIS-2: NCT04211389; ARRECTOR: NCT05028582; STRATUM: NCT04973228; INTEGUMENT-1: NCT04773587; INTEGUMENT-2: NCT04773600

Pyrolytic lignin fractionation for rigid polyurethane foams: Relationship between the Pyrolysate's chemical structure and foam properties

Pyrolytic lignin (PL) has emerged as a promising renewable material for the production of polyurethanes (PU) due to the high concentration of hydroxyl groups in its structure, being a potential substitute for petroleum-based polyols. On one hand, the high functionality and liquid form of PL favor its application as a polyol in PU formulations. On the other hand, the inherent heterogeneity of PL still imposes a challenge for the development of new materials with reproducible properties. In this work, aiming to overcome these limitations, an acetone-water fractionation process was successfully used to fractionate PL. The resulting fractions were analytically characterized by HSQC NMR, 31P NMR and rheological analysis, revealing significant structural and compositional differences. Afterwards, these fractions partially replaced an industrial polyether polyol in the formulation of rigid PU foams. Finally, microstructure and mechanical properties of these foams were evaluated by SEM and uniaxial compressive tests. The lignin-based foams exhibited reduced cell size and improved mechanical properties compared to the reference foam (based on a polyether polyol). Thus, the mechanical properties of PU foams can be enhanced through the selection of specific PL fractions. These results highlight the potential of PL fractions as a sustainable and viable alternative to industrial polyols for PU foams with improved properties.

Enhanced methane hydrate formation using a newly synthesized biosurfactant: Application to solidified gas storage

Surfactants are considered the most influential promoters for accelerating the formation of gas hydrates in gas storage applications. However, their promotion mechanism remains unclear, and the formation of foam during the hydrate dissociation step severely limits hydrate-based gas storage technology. Oleic acid was used as a renewable biomass source in this study to develop a novel biosurfactant capable of enhancing methane hydrate formation. Oleic acid-based promoter (OAP) significantly improved kinetics of methane hydrate formation, and enhanced growth of hydrate crystals. A maximum conversion of 81 % and storage capacity of ∼151 v/v were achieved in a solution containing 1000 ppm OAP at 9 MPa. Additionally, OAP showed good promotion activity at a lower driving force (7 MPa), resulting in conversion and storage capacity 4.2 times greater than pure water. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the primary mechanism action of OAP is to increase the solubility of methane in an aqueous solution by forming promoter micelles. A gas release simulation for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution generated significant foam, whereas no foam formed when OAP was present. The obtained findings are useful for developing efficient biosurfactants based on vegetable oils and can shed light on the promotion mechanism of promoters.

Novel core–shell and recyclable gas hydrate promoter for efficient solidified natural gas storage

The storage and transportation of gases, including hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide in the form of gas hydrates, have recently garnered considerable attention. The practical implementation of gas hydrates crucially depends on the development of efficient and reusable promoters. In this study, novel core–shell magnetic nanoparticles (CSNs) developed as recyclable promoter to enhance gas uptake. Hydrate formation experiments indicated that the storage capacity can reach up to 132.7 ± 1.4 v/v and 160.6 ± 2.5 v/v in CSNs and CSNs + SDS solutions, respectively. Compared to pure water and SDS solution, the initial methane consumption rate (0.5972 mol/h) of CSNs increased by 12.2 times and 1.08 times at 3000 ppm, respectively. CSNs exhibited favorable characteristics in terms of cycling ability and preventing foam formation during repeated methane hydrate formation and dissociation experiments. Furthermore, the combination of CSNs and SDS resulted in a 72 % reduction in hydrate nucleation induction time and a 58.3 % decrease in foam formation ability compared to the sole use of SDS. In comparison to pure water, the addition of CSNs increased the onset temperature of hydrate formation by 4 °C and reduced the driving force required for methane hydrate formation. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that CSNs effectively improved the amount of the ordered water structure, hydrate cage formation, and the growth state of methane hydrates. These properties make CSNs promising for potential use in the storage and transportation of gas, considering the economic and environmental advantages associated with the use of promoters.

Stability and Biotransformation of 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid, Sulfonamide Amine Oxide, and Sulfonamide Alkylbetaine in Aerobic Sludge.

The 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide (6:2 FTSAm)-based compounds signify a prominent group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) widely used in contemporary aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) formulations. Despite their widespread presence, the biotransformation behavior of these compounds in wastewater treatment plants remains uncertain. This study investigated the biotransformation of 6:2 FTSAm-based amine oxide (6:2 FTNO), alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA) in aerobic sludge over a 100-day incubation period. The biotransformation of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylamine (6:2 FTAA), a primary intermediate product of 6:2 FTNO, was indirectly assessed. Their stability was ranked based on the estimated half-lives (t1/2): 6:2 FTAB (no obvious products were detected) ≫ 6:2 FTSA (t1/2 ≈28.8 days) > 6:2 FTAA (t1/2 ≈11.5 days) > 6:2 FTNO (t1/2 ≈1.2 days). Seven transformation products of 6:2 FTSA and 15 products of 6:2 FTNO were identified through nontarget and suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The transformation pathways of 6:2 FTNO and 6:2 FTSA in aerobic sludge were proposed. Interestingly, 6:2 FTSAm was hardly hydrolyzed to 6:2 FTSA and further biotransformed to perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). Furthermore, the novel pathways for the generation of perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) from 6:2 FTSA were revealed.

Biosurfactants: Promising Biomolecules for Agricultural Applications

Population growth and the need for increased agricultural productivity pose a global problem. Therefore, the development of green compounds to ensure agricultural sustainability is an urgent necessity. Surfactant compounds hold significant commercial importance due to their diverse industrial uses. However, the synthetic origin of these agents limits their commercial application due to their toxicity. As a result, extensive research has focused on the production of microbial-originated green surfactants, known as biosurfactants, over the past fifteen years. These biomolecules not only offer a green alternative for agriculture but also exhibit reduced toxicity and excellent stability under specific environmental conditions. Biosurfactants can lower surface tension more effectively than synthetic surfactants. With properties such as detergency and foam formation, biosurfactants are suitable for various agricultural applications, particularly in pesticide and agrochemical formulations. They can function as biopesticides to manage pests, pathogens, phytopathogenic fungi, and weeds due to their antimicrobial activity. Moreover, plants can benefit from biosurfactant molecules and microorganisms as nutrients. They can also aid efficiently in the distribution of micronutrients and metals in the soil. They also stimulate plant immunity and are utilized for soil hydrophilization to ensure proper moisture levels and uniform fertilizer distribution. This review aims to provide valuable insights into the role and properties of biosurfactants as agricultural adjuvants, fostering the development of sustainable formulations to replace the chemical surfactants used in pesticides. For this purpose, the general aspects of global agricultural activity are initially described, followed by a discussion of pesticides, including herbicides, fungicides, and insecticide products. Next, the properties of chemical surfactants are discussed and the use of green surfactants, with emphasis on microbial biosurfactants, is demonstrated. The application of biosurfactants in the agricultural industry and trends are addressed and prospects for the application of these agents are discussed.

Tunable and hierarchically porous self-powered sensor with high sensitivity

The remarkable potential applications of flexible and wearable devices in the fields of motion monitoring and preventative healthcare have garnered considerable attention in recent years. However, it is still an everlasting challenge to construct flexible sensors with high sensitivity over the detection range for smart wearable devices. Herein, a hierarchically porous sensor using self-foaming silicone rubber is designed and fabricated for motion monitoring and disease diagnosis. By adjusting the foaming formulations, the pore size and pore density could be controlled within a single sensor. This hierarchically porous sensor possesses a gradient compression characteristic, resulting in a remarkable sensitivity of 0.2988 kPa−1 in the low-pressure range and a maximum detection pressure of 63.75 kPa. Consequently, it can effectively identify signals from different pressing modes and compression distances. Furthermore, a smart insole is fabricated with a sensor array to provide precise information for motion monitoring and foot disease diagnosis. This work might provide a promising strategy to control foam morphology of pressure sensor, enabling precise pressure perception in the fields of sporting posture assessment, medical diagnosis, and healthcare monitoring.

Uncovering the Benefits of Povidone Iodine Compared to Other Therapeutic Agents in Wound Infection Prevention and Healing Outcomes: A Scoping Review.

The selection of an appropriate chemical solution in wound care reduces the severity of wounds and accelerates the healing process. Povidone-iodine (PV-I), a chemical solution popularly known as an antiseptic, is frequently used in studies of wound care to prevent wound infection and accelerate woud the process of wound healing. To identify the latest evidence on the benefits of PV-I in wound infection prevention and healing in all areas. This review is a scoping review by Arskey and O'Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) is used for reporting. The literature search used databases including PubMed, CINAHL, and search engines such as Scopus. This study was conducted using thematic analysis. This review yielded 19 out of 2109 studies that were identified in the initial search. Four outcomes comprised 20 sub-outcomes have been identified. Although strong evidence is lacking, PV-I in the form of foam is effective in improving wound healing, shortening healing time, and producing fewer adverse events than hydrocelluers. Moreover, saline and PV-I are effective as skin disinfectants when compared to saline alone in reducing surgical site infection (SSI), and they are also more effective than hypochlorous acid in improving wound healing. Nevertheless, there was no difference between PV-I and hypochlorous acid in the prevention of SSI and bacterial growth. In terms of healing time, silver foam and hyaluronic acid were more favorable than PV-I. Moreover, the use of chlorhexidine to improve SSI and silver dressing to improve hospital stay is more favorable than that of PV-I. There is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of wound care outcomes, and the efficacy of PV-I as a surface disinfectant for wound infectionprevention remains controversial. Consequently, PV-I is not highly recommended for wound care, and further investigation into the effectiveness of PV-I as a surface disinfectant is required for various types of surgeries.