High Concentrations Of Compounds Research Articles

Phytochemical Characterization of Taxus baccata L. Aril with Emphasis on Evaluation of the Antiproliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Activity of Rhodoxanthin.

Taxus baccata L., an evergreen tree, was known until recently due to its high concentration of toxic compounds. The purpose of the present study was to focus on the only non-poisonous part, the red arils, which have recently been described as an important source of various bioactive constituents. To establish total phenolic, flavonoid, and carotenoid content, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxic properties, two types of extracts were obtained. The chemical profile of the ethanolic extract was evaluated using chromatographic (HPLC-DAD-ESI+) and spectral (UV-Vis) methods, and the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays, yielding moderate results. In the second type of extract (methanol: ethyl acetate: petroleum ether (1:1:1, v/v/v)) we identified three carotenoids using open column chromatography and RP–PAD–HPLC, with rhodoxanthin being the most abundant. Considering the above and mainly because of the lack of information in the literature about this pigment and its biological effects, we decided to further investigate the cytotoxic activity of rhodoxanthin, the main carotenoid presented in aril, and its protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress using two cell lines: human HaCaT keratinocytes and B16F10 murine malignant melanoma. The MTT and Annexin-V Apoptosis assays showed a substantial cytotoxic potential expressed in a dose-dependent manner towards the melanoma cell line, however, no obvious cytotoxic effects on human keratinocytes were noticed.

Ginger for Healthy Ageing: A Systematic Review on Current Evidence of Its Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anticancer Properties.

The world's population is ageing at an accelerated pace. Ageing is a natural, physiological but highly complex and multifactorial process that all species in the Tree of Life experience over time. Physical and mental disabilities, and age-related diseases, would increase along with the increasing life expectancy. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, native to Southeast Asia. For hundreds of years, ginger has been consumed in various ways by the natives of Asian countries, both as culinary and medicinal herb for the treatment of many diseases. Mounting evidence suggests that ginger can promote healthy ageing, reduce morbidity, and prolong healthy lifespan. Ginger, a well-known natural product, has been demonstrated to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties, as well as an outstanding antiviral activity due to a high concentration of antiviral compounds. In this review, the current evidence on the potential role of ginger and its active compounds in the prevention of ageing is discussed.

Assessment of the Ecological State of the Katnakhbyur River

The article presents the results of the assessment of the pollution of the Katnakhbyur river. The purpose of this work is to study the ecological state of the river and identify the main pollutants. The article presents an integral assessment of the ecological state of the river based on hydrobiological and hydrochemical indicators. The article uses the method of field research and observations, geographical and descriptive methods. The article compared the results of the analysis of water samples taken from the site of the villages of Armanis and Urasar. For comparison, a section of the Katnakhbyur River in the village of Urasar was adopted as a reference. The results of the analysis of the water sample taken from the site of the village of Armanis show that in comparison with the site of Urasara, there is an increase in a number of metals. The high concentration of heavy metal compounds in this area is due to the impact of the Armanis deposit. The article uses data from the Center for Hydrometeorology and Monitoring of the Ministry of the Environment.

Effect of Acute Intake of Fermented Orange Juice on Fasting and Postprandial Glucose Metabolism, Plasma Lipids and Antioxidant Status in Healthy Human.

Higher postprandial plasma glucose and lipemia, and oxidative and inflammatory responses, are considered important cardiovascular risk factors. Fermentation of fruits has generated products with high concentrations of bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential acute effects that fermented orange juice (FOJ) can exert in healthy humans by modulating postprandial response, and inflammatory/antioxidant status, compared with orange juice (OJ). Nine volunteers were recruited for a randomized, controlled, and crossover study. Participants ingested 500 mL of FOJ. At 4 h post intake, subjects consumed a standardized mixed meal. Blood samples were collected at 0–8 h hours post intake. The subjects repeated the protocol with OJ following a 2-week washout period. Glucose and lipid metabolism, plasma antioxidant capacity (ORAC, FRAP), endogenous antioxidants (albumin, bilirubin, uric acid), C-reactive protein and fibrinogen were measured in plasma samples. There was a trend of a smaller increase in LDL-C after FOJ intake compared with OJ, a significant decrease in apo-B and significant increase in ORAC. The glycemic and triglyceride response of meal was attenuated with FOJ. No differences were obtained in endogenous antioxidants and inflammation status between the treatments. The acute consumption of FOJ could play a protective role against cardiovascular risk factors.

Control of Erwinia amylovora Growth by Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts: In Vitro and in Planta Effects.

Erwinia amylovora (EA) is a phytopathogenic bacterium, the causative agent of bacterial fire blight, a disease that affects Rosaceaes. In order to replace antibiotics and copper, the antimicrobial activity of three extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam., methanolic (MeOH-MOE), hydroalcoholic (HA-MOE) and hydroalcoholic with maltodextrins (HAMD-MOE), was tested on eleven strains of EA isolated from apple trees by the Emilia-Romagna Phytosanitary Department. MIC and MBC have been evaluated; biofilm formation, swarming motility and amylovoran production were performed with the crystalviolet, soft-agar assay and the amylovoran method. All extracts demonstrated bacteriostatic activity at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, resulting in a 80% reduction in biofilm formation. HAMD-MOE, MeOH-MOE and HA-MOE caused an inhibition of motility of 60%, 65% and 30% after 6 days and a decrease in amylovoran synthesis of 84%, 63% and 93%, respectively. In planta results showed how the compounds were able to inhibit EA virulence on apple trees, mainly if they were applied as a preventive treatment, although the treatment showed a significant reduction in fire blight symptoms progression. The antibacterial activity of the extracts is mainly due to the high concentration of polyphenolic compounds detected in the extracts that was able to alter the permeability of bacterial membrane, resulting in slowing the synthesis of ATP and consequently of all ATP-dependent functions, such as motility and less selectivity towards harmful compounds, which can, thus, enter the cytoplasm and inhibit enzymes involved in replication and quorum sensing. The efficacy, eco-compatibility and low cost make such extracts a potential tool for the control of bacterial fire blight.

Preparation of hypercrosslinked polymers with cashew nut shell liquid for removal of volatile organic compounds

AbstractHypercrosslinked polymers (HCPs) have aroused considerable attention due to their high chemical stability and potential applications in adsorption. A series of HCPs were prepared via one‐step solvent knitting method using the cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) as bio‐based building block. Characterization of the prepared samples was performed by N2 adsorption, Fourier transform infrared, Raman spectra, solid‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy images. Depending on the N2 adsorption, the as‐prepared CNSL‐HCP4 exhibits the highest specific surface area of 93 m2·g−1 and displays a uniform pore‐size distribution. TGA results show that the decomposition temperature of the polymers exceeds 350°C. More significantly, the dynamic adsorption of high concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was investigated with CNSL‐HCP4 under dry and humid conditions. The results show that the maximum adsorption capacity of o‐xylene under dry conditions is 217 mg·g−1 and its corresponding adsorption amount (208 mg·g−1) decreases slightly under 30% relative humidity condition, indicating that CNSL‐HCP4 had a hydrophobic surface. A little decrease in adsorption capacity of o‐xylene on CNSL‐HCP4 after five recycles confirms the reusability of the CNSL‐HCPs. Therefore, CNSL‐HCP4 is considered to be a promising candidate for potential adsorbent in recycling the VOCs from the exhaust.

Electricity Production and Phenol Removal of Winery Wastewater by Constructed Wetland – Microbial Fuel Cell Integrated With Ethanol Tolerant Yeast

Winery wastewater is one of the most concerning wastewater because it contains a high concentration of ethanol and phenolic compound that can inhibit the wastewater treatment potential of microorganisms. In this study, the ethanol tolerant yeast with laccase activity was integrated with constructed wetland -microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) to remove ethanol contamination wastewater treatment limitation and simultaneously generate electrical energy. For the experiment, ethanol tolerant yeast with laccase activity was selected and grown in the CW-MFC filled with winery wastewater. The wastewater treatment (chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenol removal) potential and electrochemical properties were monitored. The results indicated that the maximal laccase activity of 158.12±0.52 U/mL was gained from the yeast strain ET-KK. The maximal current density and power density of 139.17±1.44 mA/m2 and 38.74±0.80 mW/m2 were generated where the maximal COD and phenol removal of 79.14±0.92% and 85.04±0.07% were obtained. This study used the CW-MFC integrated with laccase-producing ethanol tolerant yeast for winery wastewater treatment and electricity generation.

Wet oxidation of thermochemical aqueous effluent utilizing char catalysts in microreactors

Production of bio-oil or biocrude from thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) respectively, is considered a promising path for the production of alternative fuels and chemicals. However, these technologies create an aqueous phase byproduct contaminated with high concentrations of organic compounds. Traditional wastewater technologies rely on biological processing which is not resistant to the toxic levels of organic compounds present. Wet oxidation of aqueous phase byproducts is a promising processing alternative for such a dilute stream and a potential production pathway for value-added products such as acetic acid. Wet oxidation was carried out at near ambient temperature (75–90 °C) and atmospheric pressure in the presence of a hydrogen peroxide oxidant and a char catalyst activator on three individual aqueous phases. The three aqueous phases were thoroughly analyzed by total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), Total Phenol, Total Acid Number, and individual constituents via gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy (GCMS). HTL aqueous phases were quite similar in every regard as can be seen by their COD of 44.8 and 41.5 g O2/L respectively. The pyrolysis aqueous phase was much more complex in nature with a 10X higher COD of 364.5 g O2/L. This was validated by ICRMS analysis which revealed the more complex molecules not visible by regular mass spectrometry. All the tests were conducted with a cellulose-based char catalyst doped with Nitrogen and Iron Oxide. The experiments were carried out in a microscale-based continuous reactor due to its superior continuous performance and reduction of transport limitations. Oxidation to small molecular weight compounds such as acetic acid was achieved with final products containing between 0.555 and 5.04 mg acetic acid/g liquid effluents. Our results confirm that wet oxidation is a promising process for the processing of aqueous effluents from biomass thermochemical conversion processes.

Rosa centifolia petal extract induces endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation in rat aorta and prevents accumulation of inflammatory factors in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

This study aims to investigate the vasorelaxation effects of a Rosa centifolia petal extract (ROSE CRYSTA®-70: ROSE-70) on the isolated aorta and the protective effect of ROSE-70 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) dysfunction. ROSE-70 inhibited phenylephrine (PE) -induced contraction in an endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent manner; however, this relaxation was lower in the endothelium-denuded aorta. ROSE-70-induced relaxation was attenuated by L-NG -nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in the endothelium-intact aorta. Moreover, the relaxation in the endothelium-denuded aorta in response to increases in cAMP was inhibited by SQ22536, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, and this relaxation was also attenuated by 4-aminopyridine, a voltage-activated K+ channel inhibitor. ROSE-70 contains high concentrations of quercetin, rutin, and other compounds. Pure quercetin and rutin also inhibited PE-induced contraction in an endothelium-dependent manner, although rutin-induced relaxation was milder in the endothelium-denuded aorta. ROSE-70 significantly increased the phosphorylation (at Ser1177) of eNOS in HUVECs. Moreover, ROSE-70 potently suppressed high glucose- and H2 O2 -induced accumulation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In this study, we defined the mechanism of ROSE-70-induced vasorelaxation in rat aorta and demonstrated that ROSE-70 has anti-inflammatory effects in endothelial cells. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Endothelial cells play a role in vascular homeostasis. Endothelial dysfunction is caused by a variety of risk factors such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress. ROSE-70 is a food ingredient and the powdered form of an extract from the rose petal with >70% of the content corresponding to rose petal polyphenols such as rutin, quercetin, and protocatechuic acid. This study revealed that vasorelaxation effects of ROSE-70 and the protective role of ROSE-70 on the dysfunction of endothelial cells by high glucose and superoxides were investigated for the first time. We showed the mechanisms of ROSE-70- induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and the protective effects of endothelial cells from high glucose and superoxide. ROSE-70 has been shown to have antiaging, skin elasticity-enhancing, skin-lightening, anti-allergic, sugar-absorbing, and lipolytic effects (URL: https://www.toyohakko-healthcare. com/en/rose_crysta70/). Therefore, the authors believe that ROSE-70 is an excellent food ingredient that has preventive and antiaging effects on lifestyle-related diseases.

Pterocarpus angolensis: Botanical, Chemical and Pharmacological Review of an Endangered Medicinal Plant of India

Herbal products for primary health care are gaining huge interests of the people and the various healthcare professionals. This is mainly because of the local availability and cost-effectiveness of plant remedies over expensive modern treatments. Pterocarpus angolensis, a deciduous plant belonging to the family of Fabaceae is mainly found in the tropical regions of Africa. This tree is rich in medicinal properties which are immensely used by the locals in Africa for the treatment of ringworm infections, ulcers, urinary schistosomiasis, skin injury, etc. The extracts of P. angolensis are treasured in Africa for their effectiveness against many diseases like gonorrhea, mouth diseases, diarrhea, etc. It is reported to have inhibitory activity against various pathogens like Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium because of the high concentration of bioactive compounds like flavonoids, tannins, and other phenolic compounds in the bark and leaves of the tree. Various research papers demonstrated the polar and nonpolar constituents of this plant showing antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial activities against Streptococcus agalactiae, Candida krusei, etc. In India, very few of these plants have been reported to be alive in the Darjeeling district, West Bengal. But, lack of proper documentation or research paper led to negligence related to the importance of this species and it has already been listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened species. The main objective of this review is to spread awareness about the conservation of the plant possessing such remarkable properties. Secondly, to provide an overview of the phytochemical screening of various important medicinal constituents that this plant possesses and this might lead to change in the field of modern medicine.

Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Composition of Ethanol Extracts of Momordica charantia and Datura stramonium

Medicinal plants in the world are natural antioxidant sources as they contain some secondary metabolites such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. Therefore, they are used to prevent or treat many diseases in many parts of the world. However, the use of antioxidants in cancer treatment is still controversial. Accordingly, the phenolic composition and antioxidant potential of the ethanol extracts of Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) and Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae), which are used traditionally in Turkey and have cytotoxic potential on human cancer cells, were investigated. The antioxidant assays (DPPH, metal chelating, phosphomolybdenum, and ferric reducing power) were applied to the ethanol extracts of the fruits of M. charantia and the leaves of D. stramonium. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. The phenolic compounds contained in ethanolic extracts were identified using HPLC method. Fifteen phenolic compounds were identified in the extracts. Caffeic acid was the major constituent in both extracts. The amount of caffeic acid was detected to be 6282.51 and 15183.36 µg g-1 extract in M. charantia extract and the D. stramonium extracts, respectively. D. stramonium leaf extract showed higher antioxidant activity than M. charantia fruit extract and this activity may be associated with high phenolic compound concentrations. Hence, further studies about screening of bioactive compounds from various part of these plants will be a great importance for obtaining of source of novel natural antioxidants.

Disinfection of Therapeutic Spa Waters: Applicability of Sodium Hypochlorite and Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Disinfectants

The microbial water quality of therapeutic pools operating without disinfection is recurrently compromised, posing a risk to bathers’ health. The complex composition of such waters and the sensitivity of their therapeutic components hinder the use of traditional chlorine-based disinfectants. The present study aimed to investigate the applicability of a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant in therapeutic water in comparison with hypochlorite. Disinfection efficacy, byproduct formation, and the fate of therapeutic components were tested for both disinfectants under laboratory conditions, applying different doses and contact times. Disinfection efficacy was found to be matrix-dependent, especially that of hydrogen peroxide against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a 10- to 1000-fold difference). Hypochlorite treatment presented a significant chemical risk through the generation of byproducts, mainly brominated and iodinated compounds and combined chlorine. Of the alleged therapeutic components, sulfide ions were eliminated (≥86% loss) by both disinfectants, and hypochlorite reacted with iodide ions as well (≥70% removal). Based on their composition, only 2% of Hungarian therapeutic waters can be treated by chlorination due to high concentrations of ammonia and/or organic compounds. Hydrogen peroxide is applicable to 82% of the waters, as the presence of sulfide ions is the only limiting factor. Due to the matrix effect, close control of residual disinfectant concentration is necessary to ensure microbial safety.

First characterisation of thiol precursors in Colombard and Gros Manseng: comparison of two cultivation practices

Background and Aims The thiol aromatic potential of the grape cultivars, Colombard and Gros Manseng, from Côtes de Gascogne was characterised for the first time. Methods and Results We demonstrated that both cultivars contained a concentration of glutathionylated and cysteinylated precursors of 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol up to 454 and 21 μg/kg, respectively, which makes them good cultivars for the production of wines rich in thiols. No precursors, however, of the 4-methyl-4-sulfanylpentan-2-one were detected. We then studied the impact of cultivation practices by comparing conventional and organic training systems on the biosynthesis of thiol precursors in grapes. We showed that the concentration of glutathionylated precursors of 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol in Gros Manseng varied significantly according to the type of cultivation, whereas they remained unaffected in Colombard grapes. Organic Gros Manseng grapes (copper concentration of 466 ± 275 μg/kg) exhibited up to 30% loss of thiol precursors compared to that found in conventional grapes (copper concentration 199 ± 91 μg/kg). Conclusions The free copper concentration at harvest does not correlate with the decrease in thiol precursor concentration, leading to the conclusion that differences found between the management of the two vineyard practices are not simply related to copper but are a multifactorial phenomenon. Significance of the Study Colombard and Gros Manseng contain a high concentration of thiol-type aromatic compounds, the concentration of which can be modulated by agronomic practices.

Reliability of Biodegradation Measurements for Inhibitive Industrial Wastewaters

Industrial wastewaters may contain toxic or highly inhibitive compounds, which makes the measurement of biological oxygen demand (BOD) challenging. Due to the high concentration of organic compounds within them, industrial wastewater samples must be diluted to perform BOD measurements. This study focused on determining the reliability of wastewater BOD measurement using two different types of industrial wastewater, namely pharmaceutical wastewater containing a total organic carbon (TOC) value of 34,000 mg(C)/L and industrial paper manufacturing wastewater containing a corresponding TOC value of 30 mg(C)/L. Both manometric respirometry and the closed-bottle method were used in the study, and the results were compared. It was found that the dilution wastewaters containing inhibitive compounds affected BOD values, which increased due to the decreased inhibiting effect of wastewater pollutants. Therefore, the correct BOD for effluents should be measured from undiluted samples, while the diluted value is appropriate for determining the maximum value for biodegradable organic material in the effluent. The accuracy of the results from the blank samples was also examined, and it was found that the readings of these were different to those from the samples. Therefore, the blank value that must be subtracted may differ depending on the sample.

Organic Chemical Contaminants in Water System Infrastructure Following Wildfire.

Wildfires have destroyed multiple residential communities in California in recent years. After fires in 2017 and 2018, high concentrations of benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were found in public drinking water systems in fire-affected areas. The sources of the contamination and appropriate remediation have been urgent matters for investigation. This study characterizes target and non-target VOCs and semi volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in water from a highly contaminated service line after the 2018 Camp Fire (Paradise, CA). Ninety-five organic compounds were identified or tentatively identified in the service line. Laboratory combustion experiments with drinking water pipes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and a review of the literature were used to evaluate potential sources of the detected chemicals. Among the service line contaminants were thirty-two compounds associated with PVC pyrolysis and twenty-eight organic compounds also associated with the pyrolysis of polyethylene. The service line sample also contained fifty-five compounds associated with uncontrolled burning of biomass and waste materials. The findings support hypotheses that wildfires can contaminate drinking water systems both by thermal damage to plastic pipes and intrusion of smoke. Residual chlorine disinfectant in the water system modifies the contaminant distribution observed.

Quality attributes of nance (Byrsonima crassifolia) fruits as affected by storage temperature and maturity at harvest

Nance (Byrsonima crassifolia) fruit is harvested when natural abscission from the plant occurs. At this stage, the shelf life is less than 5 d in ambient conditions. The aim of the present work was thus to determine how quality attributes of nance fruits are modified as a function of ripening on the tree, physiological condition at harvest, and storage temperature. Fruits at three maturity stages (green, transient, and yellow) were harvested and stored at 15 and 25°C. As fruits ripened, the hue angle turned to yellow, and lightness and chroma increased, but carotenoid content decreased. The contents of total soluble solids, total sugars, and reducing sugars increased; however, the total soluble phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity decreased. It was possible to harvest at a physiological stage previous to abscission maturity even though a non-climacteric pattern was identified. Handling of transient nance fruits at 15°C extended shelf life for more than 15 d, with adequate physical and compositional attributes including high concentration of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. Content of total soluble solids was identified as an attribute suitable for developing a harvest index for nance fruits.

Natural Restoration of Biota According to Earth Remote Sensing Data

Studies of the problem of natural recovery of biota are carried out within the boundaries of the influence of the closed mining enterprise “Kerbinsky mine of the Far Eastern Federal District from 2001 to 2011 Intensive development of gold and suprem deposits in the study area in the last century led to a huge accumulation of highly toxic mining waste. For their placement, the lands of the forest fund were seized. Large areas are disturbed here, where there is a weak natural renewal of vegetation. In this regard, the purpose of the study was to study the process of natural recovery of biota according to remote sensing data to ensure the environmental safety of gold mining. Based on the goal, the following tasks are defined: 1. Analyze and summarize the literary data on the named problem; 2. To study hyperspectral images, their decryption process, to analyze the relationship of the granulometric composition of soils with spectral reflectivity; 3. To calculate the areas of land disturbed by placer gold mining; 4. Develop proposals to reduce the negative impact of a mining facility on biota. Spectral analysis established high concentrations of compounds of copper, lead, zinc, mercury not only in waste, but also in environmental components. Experimental studies were conducted using methods of remote sensing of the Earth. The NDVI index was calculated, according to the formula NDVI = NIR - R / NIR + R, where NIR - the reflection coefficient in the near infrared region of the spectrum; RED - reflection coefficient in the red region of the spectrum. With the help of this index, the contours of the disturbed lands were also highlighted. The analyzed data indicate that in recent years (2011-2021) the area of disturbed land is increasing. The results of the NDVI calculation showed that in the summer months along the river valleys of the Kerbisky mining region, it is 0.15-0.25, which indicates the absence of vegetation or a low degree of development of the green mass. The root vegetation is completely destroyed. These guidelines, written in the style of a submission to J. Phys.: Conf. Ser., show the best layout for your paper using Microsoft Word. If you don’t wish to use the Word template provided, please use the following page setup measurements.

Assessment of corrosivity of emulsions from a petroleum sample on X80 steel

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the corrosion process by examining the deterioration of X80 steel exposed to a real petroleum sample containing condensed hydrocarbon plus oilfield-produced water, which were subjected to stimulated emulsions in flowing media at 50°C.Design/methodology/approachThe impedance and polarization spectra were used to assess the aggressiveness of the petroleum sample and tried to find a washing process using condensed hydrocarbon with deionized water. Mössbauer technique was used to identify the phases in precipitated ions obtained during an oven-drying procedure of the oilfield produced water.FindingsThe emulsion, chloride, sulphur compounds, heavy metals and the use of a double hydrodynamic system were the most important factors affecting the corrosion of X80 steel. The corrosion rate of this steel increased when oilfield-produced water was stimulated by a double hydrodynamic system (4.56 mm/year). It was determined to be 7.66 mm/year and 4.01 mm/year when steel was exposed to a stimulated emulsion using the petroleum sample and condensed hydrocarbon with deionized water at 24 h, respectively, suggesting that a significant process of hydrocarbon washing could occur and a more corrosive solution was highlighted. Mössbauer results showed that the ions precipitates included the following phases at Wt.%: magnetite (20.0), greigeite (22.8), siderite (3.2), pyrite (2.9), marcasite (26.7) and mackinawite (24.4).Originality/valueA stimulated hydrocarbon/water emulsions with a more homogeneous solution containing high concentrations of saline compounds and heavy metals were used to simulate the susceptibility to corrosion on the internal pipeline steels exposed to any type of immiscible liquids such as condensed hydrocarbon, or crude oil, containing water. A practical application of the presented research could provide a novel framework for understanding the internal corrosion in pipelines from the simulation of washed hydrocarbons after the stimulated emulsions that can be found in the field. Because more susceptibility to corrosion for pipeline steels would be expected at the end of the transportation of the fluid. It is possible to investigate the possible corrosion mechanisms by using a dried oilfield-produced water sample interacting with the pipeline steels.

Kinetic and statistical perspectives on the interactive effects of recalcitrant polyaromatic and sulfur heterocyclic compounds and in-vitro nanobioremediation of oily marine sediment at microcosm level

A halotolerant biosurfactant producer Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain NSH3 (NCBI Gene Bank Accession No. MN149622) was isolated to degrade high concentrations of recalcitrant polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polyaromatic heterocyclic sulfur compounds (PASHs). In biphasic batch bioreactors, the biodegradation and biosurfactant-production activities of NSH3 have been significantly enhanced (p < 0.0001) by its decoration with eco-friendly prepared magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs). On an artificially contaminated sediment microcosm level, regression modeling and statistical analysis based on a 23 full factorial design of experiments were trendily applied to provide insights into the interactive impacts of such pollutants. MNPs-coated NSH3 were also innovatively applied for nanobioremediation (NBR) of in-vitro diesel oil-polluted sediment microcosms. Gravimetric, chromatographic, and microbial respiratory analyses proved the significantly enhanced biodegradation capabilities of MNPs-coated NSH3 (p < 0.001) and the complete mineralization of various recalcitrant diesel oil components. Kinetic analyses showed that the biodegradation of iso- and n-alkanes was best fitted with a second-order kinetic model equation. Nevertheless, PAHs and PASHs in biphasic batch bioreactors and sediment microcosms followed the first-order kinetic model equation. Sustainable NBR overcome the toxicity of low molecular weight hydrocarbons, mass transfer limitation, and steric hindrance of hydrophobic recalcitrant high molecular weight hydrocarbons and alkylated polyaromatic compounds.

Selective monitoring of breath isoprene by a portable detector during exercise and at rest

Isoprene has received widespread attention in breath research because of its potential to serve as a sensitive and non-invasive biomarker for the detection and monitoring of several metabolic effects. To date, research activity on breath isoprene focused on mass spectrometry-based measurement techniques, which are not portable and require skilled operators. Here, we show, for the first time to our knowledge, selective isoprene monitoring in exhaled breath (148 breath samples, 60–1250 parts-per-billion, ppb) with an inexpensive, user-friendly and compact filter–sensor device. This detector is based on a previously developed concept comprising a sorption filter of activated alumina that removes hydrophilic volatiles ahead of a micro gas sensor consisting of chemoresistive Si-doped WO3 nanoparticles to quantify the isoprene down to few ppb concentrations. When tested on humans during exercise and at rest, the detector accurately followed breath isoprene dynamics in linear (Pearson’s coefficient 0.89) correlation to proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry measurements. Most importantly, the output from the device is not interfered by high and variable concentrations of other breath volatile compounds, specifically acetone, ethanol and methanol. This isoprene detector can be readily applied for online monitoring of physical activity.