High Concentrations Of Phenol Research Articles

Ce-doped LaMnO3-δ perovskite as an efficient ozonation catalyst for the degradation of high-concentration phenol wastewater

In this study, a series of La1−xCexMnO3-δ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.0) perovskites with different Ce doping ratios were synthesized by the citrate sol-gel method for catalytic ozonation degradation of phenol at high concentration. Among them, the La0.9Ce0.1MnO3-δ catalyst showed the best catalytic performance, increasing COD removal nearly three times compared with ozonation alone. The COD removal of the catalysts was 0.1 > 0.3 > 0 > 0.5 > 0.7 > 0.9 > 1.0, which corresponded to COD removal of 67.56%, 58.12%, 57.94%, 53.68%, 52.18%, 49.19%, and 39.24%, respectively. SEM, BET, and XRD characterized the structural performance of the catalysts. The two critical parameters of catalyst dosage and pH were also optimized. Simultaneous reproducibility experiments demonstrated the good reusability of the catalyst. In addition, the catalytic degradation mechanism was investigated by the qualitative and quantitative detection of free radicals, EPR, fluorescence detection, XPS and TPD/TPR tests, which indicated that the surface hydroxyl groups, oxygen vacancies, and Mn(Ⅲ)/Mn(Ⅳ) and Ce(Ⅲ)/Ce(Ⅳ) redox pairs on the surface of the catalysts were the potential active sites for the decomposition of ozone to ROSs. The doping of Ce can effectively increase the number of active sites and promote the electron cycling process, thus generating large amounts of •OH and O2-•, effectively mineralizing phenol.

Blend of Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) By-Products as Nutritive and Healthy Food Ingredients: Chemical Composition, Functional Properties and Application in Plant-Based Burger.

The chemical composition, antioxidant capacity and functional properties of mixtures of baru by-products, named baru food ingredients (BFI), were investigated and applied in a plant-based burger formulation. BFI were prepared from wasted baru by-products - partially defatted baru nut cake and baru pulp plus peel. A plant-based burger was developed and its chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, cooking and texture parameters were determined. BFI1 (50% partially defatted baru nut cake + 50% baru pulp plus peel) had the highest content of carbohydrate (31.9%), and dietary fibre (28.3%). BFI2 (75% partially defatted baru nut cake + 25% baru pulp plus peel) and BFI3 (90% partially defatted baru nut cake + 10% baru pulp plus peel) showed high concentration of protein and dietary fibre, and BFI3 had the highest protein content (29.5%). All BFI showed high concentration of total phenolics (402-443mg GAE/100g). Replacing textured pea protein of control burger (PPB) with 35% of BFI3 in the formulation of baru protein burger (BPB) resulted in a low-fat product (2.9%), with protein content (19.2%) comparable to the PPB (15.9%) and the commercial burger (mixed plant proteins - 16.3%). The BPB also showed a higher concentration of dietary fibre (4.9%) and phenolic compounds (128mg GAE/100g) than the control burger. BPB's cooking yield was the highest among the tested burgers. BPB had a softer texture when compared to other burgers. Baru food ingredients can be used as nutritive ingredients of health-promoting foods, especially in plant-based products, such as burger and meat analogues, or in hybrid meat products. BPB showed a healthy and nutritious profile.

The Effects of Pigeage, Délestage, Remontage and Oxygenation Treatments Applied during Maceration on Phenolic Content, Aroma Composition and Sensory Properties of Red Teran (Vitis vinifera L.) Wine

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of mechanical (pigeage, délestage and remontage) and oxygenation treatments on the phenolic and aromatic compounds and sensory characteristics of Teran wines. The experiment included a 20-day maceration period, during which the above-mentioned treatments were applied, as well as the post-fermentation processes of pressing and first rack. The analysis of phenolic, chromatic and aroma compounds and the sensory characterization of the wines were used to describe the effects of the treatments investigated. After the observed maceration period, remontage resulted in wines with the highest total phenols (2682.0 ± 14.8 mg GAE/L). In contrast, délestage resulted in the lowest total phenols (2499.1 ± 17.6 mg GAE/L) and total anthocyanins (530.1 ± 2.8 mg/L) and had the strongest effects on chromatic characteristics. The post-fermentation processes (pressing, racking) showed similar trends and resulted in higher phenolic concentrations in the remontage wine, while the délestage was again characterized by lower total phenol and anthocyanin concentrations. In addition, the délestage wine contained a higher concentration of almost all analyzed esters and two higher alcohols (2-methylpropan-1-ol and 1-hexanol), while the remontage wine had the highest concentration of 2-phenylethanol and 3-methylbutyl acetate. Finally, maceration proved to be a key factor in defining the wines’ sensory characteristics, with the remontage-treated wine showing the best overall quality.

Integrated Membrane Process in Organic Media: Combining Organic Solvent Ultrafiltration, Nanofiltration, and Reverse Osmosis to Purify and Concentrate the Phenolic Compounds from Wet Olive Pomace.

Phenolic compounds from a hydroalcoholic extract of wet olive pomace were purified and concentrated by an integrated membrane process in organic media. First, UF010104 (Solsep BV) and UP005 (Microdyn Nadir) membranes were tested to be implemented in the ultrafiltration stage, with the aim of purifying the extract and obtaining a permeate enriched in phenolic compounds. Despite the high flux observed with the UF010104 membrane (20.4 ± 0.7 L·h-1·m-2, at 2 bar), the UP005 membrane was selected because of a more suitable selectivity. Even though some secoiridoids were rejected, the permeate stream obtained with this membrane contained high concentrations of valuable simple phenols and phenolic acids, whereas sugars and macromolecules were retained. Then, the ultrafiltration permeate was subjected to a nanofiltration step employing an NF270 membrane (DuPont) for a further purification and fractionation of the phenolic compounds. The permeate flux was 50.2 ± 0.2 L·h-1·m-2, working at 15 bar. Hydroxytyrosol and some phenolic acids (such as vanillic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid) were recovered in the permeate, which was later concentrated by reverse osmosis employing an NF90 membrane. The permeate flux obtained with this membrane was 15.3 ± 0.3 L·h-1·m-2. The concentrated phenolic mixture that was obtained may have important applications as a powerful antioxidant and for the prevention of diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.

Insights into bacterial diversity in industrial post-processing water from underground coal gasification (UCG) process

This study represents the first culture-independent profiling of microbial diversity in post-processing wastewater from underground coal gasification (UCG) processes. Three types of post-processing wastewater, named W1, W2 and W3, were obtained from three UCG processes involving two types of coal and two gasification agents, namely oxygen-enriched air and oxygen. Very high concentrations of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and phenol were detected in the wastewater, classifying it into the fifth toxicity class, indicating very high acute toxicity. The values for the Shannon (H), Ace and Chao1 indices in W2 were the lowest compared to their values in W1 and W3. The dominate phyla were Proteobacteria, contributing 84.64% and 77.92% in W1 and W3, respectively, while Firmicutes dominated in W2 with a contribution of 66.85%. At the class level, Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria were predominant in W1 and W3, while Bacilli and Actinobacteria were predominant in W2. Among Bacilli, the Paenibacillus and Bacillus genera were the most numerous. Our results suggest that the main differentiating factor of the bacterial structure and diversity in the wastewater could be the gasification agent. These findings provide new insights into the shifting patterns of dominant bacteria in post-processing wastewater and illustrate the spread of bacteria in industrial contaminated wastewater.

An effective strategy for biodegradation of high concentration phenol in soil via biochar-immobilized Rhodococcus pyridinivorans B403.

High concentration of phenol residues in soil are harmful to human health and ecological safety. However, limited information is available on the in-situ bioremediation of phenol-contaminated soil using biochar as a carrier for bacteria. In this study, bamboo -derived biochar was screened as a carrier to assemble microorganism-immobilized composite with Rhodococcus pyridinivorans B403. Then, SEM used to observe the micromorphology of composite and its bioactivity was detected in solution and soil. Finally, we investigated the effects of free B403 and biochar-immobilized B403 (BCJ) on phenol biodegradation in two types of soils and different initial phenol concentrations. Findings showed that bacterial cells were intensively distributed in/onto the carriers, showing high survival. Immobilisation increased the phenol degradation rate of strain B403 by 1.45 times (37.7mg/(L·h)). The phenol removed by BCJ in soil was 81% higher than free B403 on the first day. Moreover, the removal of BCJ remained above 51% even at phenol concentration of 1,500mg/kg, while it was only 15% for free B403. Compared with the other treatment groups, BCJ showed the best phenol removal effect in both tested soils. Our results indicate that the biochar-B403 composite has great potential in the remediation of high phenol-contaminated soil.

Phenol biodegradation using bio-filter tower packed column with immobilized bacterial consortium: a batch test study.

The effluents from pulp and paper manufacturing industries contain high concentrations of phenol, which when discharged directly into surface water streams, increases the biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). In this study, two dominant bacteria SP-4 and SP-8 were isolated from the effluent emanating with a pulp and paper industry. The selected phenol-degrading isolates were identified as Staphylococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sciuri respectively by using nucleotide sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA regions of the genome. The two isolates used for the biodegradation process effectively degraded phenol concentration of pulp and paper industry effluent upto 1600 and 1800mg/L resepctively. The individual isolates and consortium were immobilized using activated carbon, wood dust, and coal ash. Additionally, the effluent was treated using a bio-filter tower packed column immobilized with bacterial cells at a constant flow rate of 5 mL/min. The present study showed that the developed immobilized microbial consortium can effectively degrade 99% of the phenol present in pulp and paper industry effluents, resulting in a significant reduction in BOD and COD of the system. This study can be well implemented on real-scale systems as the bio-filter towers packed with immobilized bacterial consortium can effectively treat phenol concentrations up to 1800mg/L. The study can be implemented for bioremediation processes in phenolic wastewater-contaminated sites.

Can xenobiotics support the growth of Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria (MnOB)? A case of phenol-utilizing bacteria Pseudomonas sp. AN-1

Biogenic manganese oxides (BioMnOx) produced by Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria (MnOB) have garnered considerable attention for their exceptional adsorption and oxidation capabilities. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on the role of BioMnOx, neglecting substantial investigation into MnOB themselves. Meanwhile, whether the xenobiotics could support the growth of MnOB as the sole carbon source remains uncertain. In this study, we isolated a strain termed Pseudomonas sp. AN-1, capable of utilizing phenol as the sole carbon source. The degradation of phenol took precedence over the accumulation of BioMnOx. In the presence of 100 mg L−1 phenol and 100 µM Mn(II), phenol was entirely degraded within 20 h, while Mn(II) was completely oxidized within 30 h. However, at the higher phenol concentration (500 mg L−1), phenol degradation reduced to 32% and Mn(II) oxidation did not appear to occur. TOC determination confirmed the ability of strain AN-1 to mineralize phenol. Based on the genomic and proteomics studies, the Mn(II) oxidation and phenol mineralization mechanism of strain AN-1 was further confirmed. Proteome analysis revealed down-regulation of proteins associated with Mn(II) oxidation, including MnxG and McoA, with increasing phenol concentration. Notably, this study observed for the first time that the expression of Mn(II) oxidation proteins is modulated by the concentration of carbon sources. This work provides new insight into the interaction between xenobiotics and MnOB, thus revealing the complexity of biogeochemical cycles of Mn and C.

Competitive mechanism of salt-tolerance/degradation-performance of organic pollutant in bacteria: Na+/H+ antiporters contribute to salt-stress resistance but impact phenol degradation

Phenolic-laden wastewater is typically characterized by its high toxicity and high salinity, imposing serious limits on the application of bioremediation. Although a few halotolerant microorganisms have been reported to degrade phenol, their removal efficiency on high concentrations of phenol remains unsatisfactory. What's more, the deep interaction molecular mechanism of salt-tolerance/phenol-degradation performance has not been clearly revealed. Here, a halotolerant strain Aeribacillus pallidus W-12 employed a meta-pathway to efficiently degrade high concentration of phenol even under high salinity conditions. Investigation of salt-tolerance strategy indicated that four Na+/H+ antiporters, which are widely distributed in bacteria, synergistically endowed the strain with excellent salt adaptability. All these antiporters differentially but positively responded to salinity changes and induction of phenol, forming a synergistic transport effect on salt ions and phenol. In-depth analysis revealed a competitive relationship between salt tolerance and degradation performance, which significantly impaired the degradation efficiency at relatively high salinity. The efficient degradation performance of W-12 under different phenol concentrations and salinity conditions indicated its bioremediation potential for multiple types of phenolic wastewater. Collectively, the competitive mechanism of salt tolerance and degradation performance enlightens a new strategy of introducing or re-constructing Na+/H+ antiporters to further improve bioremediation efficiency of hypersaline organic wastewater.

Nitrate-induced hydroxyl radical releases deep soil organic carbon by opening the ‘enzyme latch’ under micro-aerobic conditions

Deep soils (defined here as soil layers >1 m beneath the ground) contain a significant amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) with a relatively slow turnover rate. In oxygen (O2) limit conditions, terms here as “micro-aerobic environment”, a high concentration of phenol usually suppresses SOC decomposition by inhibiting hydrolase activities, a mechanism known as the ‘enzyme latch’. Here, we showed that the addition of nitrate (NO3−) into deep soil significantly decreased the soil phenol content. This reduction alleviated the inhibitory effect of phenol on hydrolase activities, resulting in an increased rate of deep soil SOC decomposition. NO3− addition enhanced deep soil SOC decomposition by opening the ‘enzyme latch’ under micro-aerobic conditions. Under micro-aerobic conditions, NO3− addition increased the concentration of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), with the extent of increase negatively correlated with the soil phenol content. Quenching •OH using terephthalic acid removed the suppressing effect of NO3− on phenol content, indicating that NO3− addition opened the ‘enzyme latch’ by promoting •OH generation, which oxidized phenol. Additionally, the addition of NO3− promoted the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in deep soil. The H2O2 was significantly positively correlated with •OH, suggesting that the enhanced •OH generation under NO3− addition was caused by the Fenton reaction. Overall, our results shed light on a new pathway through which NO3− leaching affected SOC stability in micro-aerobic deep soils. Reducing nitrate leaching is beneficial for the conservation of deep soil SOC.

Electric field coupled with Fe3O4 modified biochar to enhance anaerobic degradation of phenolic compounds in coal gasification wastewater (CGW)

Anaerobic treatment of coal gasification wastewater is usually limited by the inhibition of high concentration of phenolics. In this study, the Fe3O4 loaded biochar (FeBC) coupled with electric field (E-FB) was used to enhance anaerobic phenolics degradation. E-FB significantly accelerated anaerobic removal of phenol, p-cresol and 3,5-xylenol with methane production improved by 84.2 % compared to the control, where FeBC contributed most. E-FB improved anodic oxidation capacity, adsorption-biodegradation and Fe (III) reduction process, which resulted from the synergistic effects between electric field and FeBC. E-FB significantly enhanced the microbial activity and extracellular electron transfer (EET) in the suspended sludge with the maximum electron transfer system activity (132.9 %), cytochrome C (7.2 nmol/g MLSS) and adenosine triphosphate contents (87.8 nmol/ g MLSS) obtained. Compared with FB, E-FB stimulated the secretion of proteins and humic acid-like substances in extracellular polymeric substance, which could contribute to higher EET efficiency. More abundant phenol degrading bacteria, dissimilatory iron reducing bacteria, electroactive bacteria and potential direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) partners (e.g., Geobacter and Methanobacterium) were enriched in E-FB especially on the anode. The benzoyl-CoA pathway on the anode and CO2-reduction methanogenesis (possibly via DIET) in the suspended sludge and anode were improved in E-FB.

Biochar inoculated with Rhodococcus biphenylivorans altered microecological regulation by promoting quorum sensing and electron transfer: Up-regulation of related genes and enhancement of phenol and ammonia degradation

Bioaugmentation is an efficient method for improving the efficiency of coking wastewater removal. Nevertheless, how different immobilization approaches affect the efficiency of bioaugmentation remains unclear, as does the corresponding mechanism. With the assistance of immobilized bioaugmentation strain Rhodococcus biphenylivorans B403, the removal of synthetic coking wastewater was investigated (drying agent, alginate agent, and absorption agent). The reactor containing the absorption agent exhibited the highest average removal efficiency of phenol (99.74 %), chemical oxygen demand (93.09 %), and NH4+–N (98.18 %). Compared to other agents, the covered extracellular polymeric substance on the absorption agent surface enhanced electron transfer and quorum sensing, and the promoted quorum sensing benefited the activated sludge stability and microbial regulation. The phytotoxicity test revealed that the wastewater's toxicity was greatly decreased in the reactor with the absorption agent, especially under high phenol concentrations. These findings showed that the absorption agent was the most suitable for wastewater treatment bioaugmentation.

Production and Characterization of Bio-Oil from Cassava Peel

Agroindustrial residues are biomass of interest as they are energy sources and bioproducts with lower environmental impacts than traditional fossil fuels. Pyrolysis has been used to convert residual biomass into higher value-added products such as bio-oil. This work aimed to pyrolyze cassava peels to produce bio-oil and characterization using chromatographic techniques to obtain essential compounds for the chemical industry, adding value to this residue. The pyrolytic process generated 17.5% of bio-oil, with a high concentration of phenols and alcohols. Thus, this residual biomass has potential for industrial use, reducing the environmental impact of its deposit in landfills and offering industrial and economic benefits.

Mini cakes prepared with press-cake flour obtained from the oil extraction from araticum seeds (Annona crassiflora mart.)

This study aimed to reuse the residue of oil extraction from araticum seeds (AS) (press-cake) applied in mini-cake formulation, partially replacing wheat flour. AS and formulations with different proportions of press-cake flour from araticum seeds (PCFAS) were investigated. The proportions were 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% of PCFAS in partial replacement of wheat flour. AS, PCFAS, and mini cakes were evaluated for chemical composition, total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity using the FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS methods. The partial wheat flour substitution effects were evaluated by texture, shear, and color parameters. The PCFAS incorporation significantly influenced the mini cakes, providing greater firmness, shear strength, browning of the core, and increased antioxidant capacity. According to the results, AS and PCFAS have high antioxidant capacity and phenolic concentration. The mini cake with 20% PCFAS was considered the best formulation due to an increase in protein, lipid, and antioxidant capacity.

Antioxidant Activity Analysis of Native Actinidia arguta Cultivars.

Kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta) is a perennial fruit tree belonging to the family Actinidiaceae. Kiwiberries are known to have an extremely high concentration of sugars, phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, and possess delicious taste and health-promoting properties. Numerous studies have focused on kiwiberry fruits, demonstrating that they possess a higher phytochemical content and greater antioxidant activities than other berry fruits. The purpose of this study was to compare the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of leaf, stem, root, and fruit extracts from twelve kiwiberry cultivars grown in Wonju, Korea, characterized by a Dwa climate (Köppen climate classification). In most kiwiberry cultivars, the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) phytochemical content was significantly higher in leaf and stem tissues, while the roots exhibited higher antioxidant activity. In fruit tissues, the TPC and TFC were higher in unripe and ripe kiwiberry fruits, respectively, and antioxidant activity was generally higher in unripe than ripe fruit across most of the cultivars. Based on our results, among the 12 kiwiberry cultivars, cv. Daebo and cv. Saehan have a significantly higher phytochemical content and antioxidant activity in all of the tissue types, thus having potential as a functional food and natural antioxidant.

Use of biokaolinite clay for the microbial removal of phenol from real industrial wastewater samples by Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis and Kocuria rosea

AbstractPhenol bioremediation was investigated using two bacteria (primarily cocci) Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis, Kocuria rosea strains and the one actinomycetes Nocardiopsis lucentensis which were isolated from samples of activated sludge from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Beni‐Suef, Egypt as sole carbon and energy sources. This was applied on real industrial wastewater sample taken from Ul HAWA textile plant, Middle Egypt. Degradation of phenol by microbes adsorbed on natural kaolin clay was studied compared with free microbes. In case of 50 mg/L as starting phenol concentration, the percentage removal using free microbes was 68%, corresponding to 98% in case of microbes adsorbed on kaolin clay after the passage of 48 h under incubation at 30°C and neutral pH at 150 rpm. Also, 300 mg/L of phenol achieved degradation frequency of 80% compared to 38% after ≈48 h without clay addition. High concentrations of an organic pollutant are usually inhibitory for the microorganisms. Kaolin clay has a pronounced effect in accelerating phenol degradation through biofilm formation resulting in decreasing the degradation time, increasing the percentage of removing efficiency under high phenol concentration conditions due to its buffering effects on pH fluctuations of the degradation system. Kaolin clay protects microorganisms against unfavorable environment, resists the adverse effects of substrate inhibition and accelerates the degradation process. The adsorption process was demonstrated by the pseudo‐first‐order, pseudo‐second‐order, Weber–Morris adsorption kinetic models, and four isotherm models namely, Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich have been applied to express the adsorption process. The SEM images of microbes adsorbed on kaolin clay explain their adsorption mode on the clay surface as biofilm (Bio kaolinite).

Biomass characterization and solvent extraction as tools to promote phenol production from urban pruning

Nowadays, leaves, bark, and branches are generated from the tree-pruning process in urban places, where their management is a problem because of the necessity of disposal. These wastes are lignocellulosic biomasses with poor properties for use in biofuel production, but with interesting projections for building block products such as phenol compounds. Therefore, extensive biomass characterization of urban pruning from Liquidambar styraciflua L. was developed to evaluate its composition as a tool for phenol production through thermal processing, in which solvent extraction is a complementary tool for selectivity improvement. The results showed high lignin content in bark and leaves at 45 and 28 %, respectively, compared with that in branches (14 %). Additionally, high extractives in leaves (14 %) could be an additional source of phenols. The lignin units were analyzed by Raman dispersion, revealing p–hydroxyphenyl (H) units in the bark, guaiacyl (G) units in the bark and leaves, and syringyl (S) units only in the branches. Furthermore, the micropyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry assay realized at 600 °C showed high presence of phenolic compounds in the three biomass investigated, where a high phenol concentration was identified in leaves, probably due to the S unit degradation during pyrolysis. With these results, an assay for bio-oil production was performed in a low-temperature pyrolysis reactor using leaves as feedstock, reaching a low bio-oil yield with high water content favored for the high inorganic content of leaves (13 %). The produced bio-oil was used for liquid–liquid extraction evaluation, where 1-octanol and methyl isobutyl ketone were identified as interesting solvents for catechol and phenol extraction, respectively. This article presents the challenge of characterizing each part of urban trees, which could be a tool to promote the use of urban pruning by studying the thermal degradation mechanism to implement processes for high-value products, such as phenols produced from L. styraciflua L.

Exploring the Potential of Wood Vinegar: Chemical Composition and Biological Effects on Crops and Pests

Wood vinegar is a by-product of the pyrolysis of organic raw materials. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition and biological activity of industrial wood vinegar derived from the pyrolysis of wood pruning waste. The composition of wood vinegar was characterized using liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Wood vinegar bioactivity was tested against Bactrocera oleae under field conditions in an olive grove for two years. Furthermore, wood vinegar was applied in a greenhouse experiment with strawberry plants and in a strawberry field infested with the nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Finally, a seed root length bioassay was performed to evaluate the phytotoxicity or biostimulation of wood vinegar on Eruca sativa, Lactuca sativa, Lens culinaryis, Lolium multiflorum, and Solanum lycopersicum. Our results showed that wood vinegar had a pH of 3.2, with high concentrations of acetic acid (27,840.16 mg L−1) and phenols (54.00 mg L−1). No repellent effect against B. oleae was observed when wood vinegar was applied as an aerosol in olive groves. On strawberry plants in greenhouse conditions, wood vinegar showed phytotoxic effects at high concentrations, resulting in a decrease in the total yield of the plants. In the field, at a 1% concentration, wood vinegar led to a significant 15% reduction in the infection caused by M. incognita in strawberry plants. Finally, in the in vitro crop bioassay, wood vinegar demonstrated remarkable phytotoxicity effects at high concentrations while promoting root growth when diluted. The efficacy of wood vinegar displayed considerable variability based on concentration and delivery system, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation when considering its application, particularly in diverse crops and production systems.

Nutrient, non-nutrient, antioxidant activity, and Fourier Transform Infrared analysis of Kenyan indigenous edible leafy vegetables from Launaea cornuta (Hochst Ex Oliv and Hiern)

Background: Launaea cornuta is a vegetable with therapeutic advantage for human diseases.Objective: Evaluate nutritive and non-nutritive components, antioxidant activity, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopyprofile of L. cornuta leaves.Methods: Proximate, nutri, non-nutrient, percentage phenolic, flavonoid, alkaloid, and saponin contents were investigated usingstandard procedures. Total phenolic and flavonoids of the extracts were determined spectroscopically. Antioxidant activity andfunctional groups in the extracts were characterised by 2.2- diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively.Results: Carbohydrates were the most abundant (57.61±0.61 %), and crude lipids were the least abundant (4.26±0.20 %) in L.cornuta. Essential amino acids were present in varying concentrations, and histidine was the most abundant (251.20±2.00 mg/100g dw). Calcium was the most abundant mineral element (820.49±1.05 μg/g dw). High concentrations of phenols (13.07±0.60%) and low amounts of saponins (2.19±0.10 %) were recorded. Methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts revealed total phenols of 83.10±4.32 and 57.77 ±1.65 mgGAE/g dw, respectively, while total flavonoids were 8.00±0.01 and 7.99±0.03 mgCE/g of dryweight, respectively. Aqueous extract had significant DPPH radical scavenging efficacy (IC50 =72.96± 0.32 μg/ml) compared to681.57± 2.21 μg/ml for methanol extract.Conclusions: L. cornuta contain phytochemicals with health benefits for averting oxidative stress related diseases.

How Biological Activity in Sea Cucumbers Changes as a Function of Species and Tissue.

Biological activity and bioactive compound content in sea cucumbers was assessed, considering Parastichopus regalis, Holothuria mammata, Holothuria forskali, and Holothuria arguinensis as species and intestine, muscle band, respiratory tree, body wall, and gonads as tissues. P. regalis had the lowest content in phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in contrast to Holothuria species. In the respiratory tree, the highest phenolic concentration was recorded in H. arguinensis, 76.4 ± 1.2 mg GAE/100 g dw vs. 21.0-49.0 mg GAE/100 g dw in the other species. H. arguinensis had the highest DPPH and FRAP results in the gonads, 13.6 ± 0.7 mg AAE/100 g dw vs. 2.6-3.5 mg AAE/100 g dw and 27.1 ± 0.3 μmol Fe2+/g dw vs. 8.0-15.9 μmol Fe2+/g dw, respectively. Overall, P. regalis biomass presented the highest anti-inflammatory activity levels and H. arguinensis the lowest anti-inflammatory levels. The respiratory tree was the most anti-inflammatory (measured by the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2, COX-2) tissue in H. mammata and H. forskali (also the muscle band in this case), 76.3 ± 6.3% and 59.5 ± 3.6% COX-2 inhibition in 1 mg/mL aqueous extracts, respectively. The results demonstrated a variable bioactive potential and advantage in targeting antioxidant properties in the muscle band and anti-inflammatory activity in the respiratory tree, which may constitute a starting point for a biorefinery approach envisaging multiple applications.