Min Of Treatment Research Articles

Molecular dissolved organic matter removal by cotton-based adsorbents and characterization using high-resolution mass spectrometry

This research investigates the characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) removal by synthesized cotton-fiber adsorbents using unknown screening analysis with high resolution and accurate mass spectrometry. Molecular characteristics of DOM removed by adsorbents were investigated semiquantitatively and unknown disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation potentials were also investigated. Adsorbents were modified using ferric nitrate to increase the magnetic property. The XRD pattern showed Fe-containing crystalline structures in the modified adsorbent (M-CF). The M-CF possessed higher mesopore volume, which enhanced the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal efficiency to 74.50% (compared to 32.12% in the unmodified CF adsorbent). The kinetics experiment showed that both adsorbents were better fitted to pseudo-second orders than pseudo-first orders. The initial rate constant was higher in M-CF (1.40 mg/g min) than in CF (0.02 mg/g min) treatments due to the higher mesopore volume in M-CF. M-CF removed almost 700 carbon‑hydrogen‑oxygen based DOMs (CHO features), 300 more CHO features than CF. CF selectively adsorbed only higher-molecular-weight (MW) CHO features (more CH2 groups), while the mesopores in M-CF removed DOM with lower MW (fewer CH2 groups) that were refractory to CF. The low MW DOM removed only by M-CF mesopore exhibited more oxidized (positive carbon oxidation state, Cos) and saturated characters (negative oxygen-subtracted double bond equivalent per carbon, (DBE-O)/C). After chlorination, over 50 unknown DBPs were detected, 33 of which were commonly found in all samples. M-CF decreased unknown formation potential more than CF. However, adsorption of M-CF and CF before chlorination resulted in different remaining precursors to water chlorination and formed unique DBPs from those precursors.

Influence of heat treatment on corrosion behaviors of 316L stainless steel in simulated cathodic environment of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)

The influences of two types of heat-treatments on the corrosion behavior of 316L SS in the simulated cathodic environment of PEMFC, are investigated using potentiodynamic curve, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Mott-Schottky plot and auger electron spectroscopy (AES), respectively. The results show that 316L SS is in the passive state within the potential region from −0.1VSCE to 0.8VSCE in the simulated cathodic environment of PEMFC, and a passive film can be formed on 316L SS. The passivity of 316L SS in the simulated cathodic environment of PEMFC firstly increases and then degrades with the increased solid solution temperature or time, and the best passivity corresponds to the solid solution temperature at 1050 °C for 40 min among other solid solution treatments. While 316L SS heat-treated with the solid solution treatment at 1050 °C for 40 min plus aging treatment at 900 °C for 4 h, also has the best passivity in the same solution among other solid solution plus aging treatments. The best corrosion protection, lowest donor density and the highest thickness of the passive film corresponding to the solid solution temperature at 1050 °C for 40 min among other solid solution or solid solution plus aging heat treatments, and this treatment is mostly suitable for improving the anti-corrosion property of 316L SS in the simulated cathodic environment of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).

Degradation of caffeic acid by dielectric barrier discharge plasma combined with Ce doped CoOOH catalyst

Herein, Ce doped CoOOH was used as the catalyst for caffeic acid (CA) degradation by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. The treatment performance and catalytic mechanism were studied by a series of experiments and density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The results show that the doping amounts of Ce significantly influenced the catalytic performance of CoOOH in DBD plasma, and the catalytic effect reached maximum when the molar ratio of Ce to Co was 1:9. CA was 100 % degraded by Ce1/Co9OOH/DBD with 10 min treatment, while only 75.6 % of CA was degraded by 10 min DBD treatment. Transformation of O3 and H2O2 to ⋅OH was mainly responsible for the catalytic effect. The content of oxygen vacancies and unsaturated Co (Lewis acid sites) of CoOOH was increased by doping Ce according to the results of experiments and simulations, and the change was conducive to the catalytic reactions. DFT simulations also indicated that DBD generated O3 and H2O2 were decomposed to O atoms, OH groups and free OH by Ce/CoOOH. The presence of reductive species in DBD plasma was confirmed, and ⋅H was a kind of important reactive specie for CA degradation. CA degradation pathway was proposed based on the detected degradation products.

Experimental investigation on dye wastewater treatment with reverse electrodialysis reactor powered by salinity gradient energy

A novel advanced oxidation process technology for organic wastewater treatment was proposed in this paper. The working principle is that a low-grade heat (LGH) is first converted into a salinity gradient energy (SGE), and then the SGE is converted into the degradation energy of organic pollutions by a reverse electrodialysis (RED) reactor. To verify the feasibility of converting a SGE into a degradation energy by a RED reactor, an experimental investigation of dye wastewater treatment with a RED reactor powered by SGE had been done. The results showed that the output current of RED reactor, operating parameters of electrode rinse solution (ERS) and degradation circulation modes have effects on the decolorization of acid orange 7 (AO7) dye wastewater. Under the present experimental conditions, after 20 min treatment, the decolorization efficiencies of AO7 dye wastewater for the independent degradation circulation mode reached 99.93% and 96.52% in the anodic and cathodic loops respectively, while that for the synergetic degradation circulation mode reached 82.85%.

Paracetamol Degradation by Catalyst Enhanced Non-Thermal Plasma Process for a Drastic Increase in the Mineralization Rate

In order to remediate the very poor mineralization of paracetamol in water, even when well degraded by using a Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) process at a very low dissipated power, a plasma-catalyst coupling process was tested and investigated. A homemade glass fiber supported Fe3+ catalyst was immersed in the liquid to be treated in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge plasma reactor. The plasma-catalysis process, at the same low dissipated power, achieved a mineralization rate of 54% with a full conversion rate of paracetamol at 25 mg L−1 in initial concentration after 60 min treatment, thanks to Fenton-like effects. The synergetic effects of the plasma-catalysis coupling process also improved the Energy Yield by a factor of two. The catalyst before and after use for treatment was characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Thermogravimetric analysis. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography was used to measure the concentration of treated solution and to investigate the intermediates. Two of them, namely 1,4-hydroquinone and 1,4-benzoquinone, were formally identified. Some intermediates are presented in this paper as a function of treatment time and their UV absorbance spectra. NTP processes with and without catalyst coupling were compared in terms of acidity, conductivity, and nitrate concentrations in the treated solution.

Study on Standardization of Technology for Development of Preserve from Ripe Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)

Two methods namely, slow and one period method was used to prepare preserve from four different treatments (P1-Control, P2- steam Blanching for 6 minutes, P3- Steam blanching for 6 min + dip in 1.0 per cent citric acid for 10 min, and P4- Steam blanching for 6 min + dip in 1.0 per cent calcium hydroxide for 60 min). The preserve prepared by slow method showed the higher values for chemical constituents’ viz. TSS, total sugars, reducing sugars, ascorbic acid and β-carotene as compared to one period method during storage. The preserve from cubes of treatment P3 showed more retention of chemical components in both the preparation methods. However, higher sensory scores for texture, flavour and overall acceptability were awarded to P4 (steam blanching for 6 min + dip in 1.0 per cent calcium hydroxide for 60 min) except for colour score which was higher in P3 but the differences were found to be non-significant. A mean decrease in moisture, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and β-carotene was recorded during six months of storage while an increase was found in TSS, total sugars and reducing sugars. The retention of ascorbic acid and β-carotene was found to be more in preserve of P3 (steam blanching for 6 min + dip in 1.0 per cent citric acid for 10 min) treatment of slow cooking method than P3 of one period method. Sensory evaluation of the preserve also reflected a mean decrease in score for colour, texture, flavour and overall acceptability during a period of six months which was higher in one period method as compared to slow method. The cost of production of unpacked ripe pumpkin preserve was found to be INR 132/kg while INR 76.84/250 g when packed in glass jars.

Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of 17α-ethinylestradiol and estrone under UV and visible light using nanotubular oxide arrays grown on Ti-0.5wt%W

Environmental concern with emerging contaminants has increased in recent years, especially with regard to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), among them hormones. Conventional water treatment processes have been shown to be ineffective in removing these compounds from water and sewage, while heterogeneous photocatalysis has been demonstrated to be a promising technique. However, the catalytic efficiency is strongly related to the choice of the photocatalyst material. In order to obtain a fast and efficient degradation of these endocrine disruptors, nanotubes grown on Ti-0.5wt%W alloy (NT/Ti-0.5W) were used in photocatalytic (PC) and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) processes for the degradation of estrone (E1) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) under irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) and visible light. The NT/Ti-0.5W catalysts were synthesized by an anodization process, followed by thermal treatment at 450 °C. Raman, X-ray diffraction and diffuse reflectance spectroscopic analyses indicated that the tungsten doping process had modified the nanotubular TiO2. The doped samples exhibited superior photoactivity compared to un-doped samples and other semiconductors under UV and visible irradiation due to a reduction in the rate of recombination of photogenerated charges and the displacement of the flat-band potential to more negative values. Higher values of the degradation rate constant were found for both hormones in the PEC process using NT/Ti-0.5W under UV radiation; the percentage removals of EE2 and E1 were 66% and 53.4%, respectively, after only 2 min of treatment. With visible light, 1.8 min and 4.6 h were required for the removal of 50% of E1 and EE2, respectively. The degradation of E1 could be fit with a zero-order kinetic model, while a first-order kinetic model was required for EE2 degradation. Degradation routes were suggested for E1 and EE2. The results demonstrate that the combined use of NT/Ti-0.5W and the PEC process provides excellent performance for the degradation of emerging contaminants in wastewater when compared to a NT/TiO2 electrode.

Evaluation and detoxification of aflatoxins in ground and tree nuts using food grade organic acids

Abstract The contamination of foodstuffs especially nuts with aflatoxins (AFs) affected by some of the fungal genera species is a major threat to the economy, safe food supply and serious health concerns to any country in recent days. Recently different techniques including heat, ozone and microbes are used for the decontamination of aflatoxin but all these are limited to achieve the desirable results. The present study objectives to decontaminate AFs in nuts by using three food-grade organic acids. The aqueous solutions of three food-grade organic acids namely citric, lactic and propionic acid are used at five different concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9%) to detoxify aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and total aflatoxins (TAFs) that includes ;AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 in selected nuts including almond, peanut, pistachio and walnut at two different moisture levels (10 ± 3 and 16 ± 3%). The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with fluorescence detection method was applied for the qualitative and quantitative determination of AFs. The results showed that the decontamination of AFB1 and TAFs significantly increased in infected nuts by increasing the concentration of acids. The experimental results after 15 min treatment of walnut (10 ± 3 and 16 ± 3% moisture level), pistachio (10 ± 3% moisture content) and peanuts (10 ± 3% moisture content) with citric, lactic and propionic acids at 9% concentration significantly reduced AFs about 99, 99.90 and 96.07% respectively. Furthermore, treatment with citric and lactic acids resulted in the conversion of AFB1 into less toxic products identified as AFD1 via hydrolysis of the lactone ring. Furthermore, citric acid was found as the most efficient acid in degrading the TAFs among all three organic acids. The present study showed better AFs detoxification results than conventional methods. Hence, it is concluded that citric, lactic, and propionic acids can be applied as a useful and safe decontamination method for AFB1 and TAFs in aflatoxin-affected nuts.

Effect of constant high-voltage electric field on wheat seed germination

In this work an effect of the 10-min pre-sowing treatment by the constant electric field with the 3 kV cm−1 electric field strength on the soft spring wheat seed germination is studied at various positions of the seeds in a plane-parallel electrode system. The effects of the electric field direction and contact conditions of the seeds with a plane aluminum electrode (no contact, when the seeds lie on the isolating plate; contact with the positive or negative high-voltage or grounded electrode) are compared. The treatment response is estimated by the morphological characteristics of 3-day seedlings—germination, the shoot length and the length of individual roots. At all modes, the treatment does not change seed germination. At each considered variant of seed location, the electric field effect did not reduce the average length of the root system and the shoot length below the ones at the control variant. The significant increase of morphological characteristics is achieved at the seed contact with the high voltage electrode.

Non-thermal plasma combined with zeolites to remove ammonia nitrogen from wastewater

In this work, non-thermal plasma combined with zeolites was used to remove inorganic pollutant ammonia nitrogen from wastewater. Ammonia nitrogen elimination performances at various operating parameters were investigated. Roles of active species in the removal of ammonia nitrogen were also discussed. The experimental results showed that 69.97% ammonia nitrogen can be removed from the plasma/zeolites synergistic system after 30 min treatment. The removal efficiency was 16.23% and 61.55% higher than that in sole zeolites adsorption system and that in sole discharge plasma system, respectively. Higher applied voltage, lower initial ammonia nitrogen concentration and weak acidic conditions were favorable for ammonia nitrogen removal. After the addition of zeolites, part of O3 and H2O2 generated in the plasma/zeolites system were decomposed into other oxygen species (•OH and 1O2), which improved the oxidation degree of ammonia nitrogen. In addition, the reaction mechanism of ammonia nitrogen in water by plasma/zeolites process was discussed. After repeated use three times, the effect of the zeolites in the plasma/zeolites system remained stable. Characterization of the zeolites after reaction was analyzed through BET, SEM, XRD and FT-IR. The experiments have confirmed the applicability of the plasma/zeolites system for the further treatment of low-concentration ammonia nitrogen wastewater.

Evaluation of a sanitizing washing step with different chemical disinfectants for the strawberry processing industry

Strawberries are often consumed fresh or only receive minimal processing, inducing a significant health risk to the consumer if contamination occurs anywhere from farm to fork. Outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with strawberries often involve a broad range of microbiological agents, from viruses (human norovirus) to bacteria (Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes). The addition of sanitizers to water washes is one of the most commonly studied strategies to remove or inactivate pathogens on berries as well as avoid cross contamination due to reuse of process wash water. The risk posed with the safety issues of by-products from chlorine disinfection in the fruit industry has led to a search for alternative sanitizers. We evaluated the applicability of different chemical sanitizers (peracetic acid (PA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), citric acid (CA), lactic acid (LA) and acetic acid (AA)) for the inactivation of S. enterica, L. monocytogenes and murine norovirus (MNV-1) on strawberries. A control treatment with chlorine (NaClO) (100 ppm) was included. For each sanitizer, different doses (40, 80 and 120 ppm for PA and 1, 2.5 and 5% for H2O2, LA, AA and CA) and time (2 and 5 min) were studied in order to optimize the decontamination washing step. The best concentrations were 80 ppm for PA, 5% for H2O2 and 2.5% for organic acids (LA, AA and CA) after 2 min treatment. Results indicate that the sanitizers selected may be a feasible alternative to chlorine (100 ppm) for removing selected pathogenic microorganisms (P > 0.05), with reductions about ≥2 log for bacterial strains and ≥ 1.7 log for MNV-1. As the washing water may also increase the microbial counts by cross-contamination, we observed that no pathogenic bacteria were found in wash water after 5% H2O2 and 80 ppm PA after 2 min treatment. On the other hand, we also reported reductions about total aerobic mesophyll (TAM) (0.0–1.4 log CFU/g) and molds and yeasts (M&Y) (0.3–1.8 log CFU/g) with all alternative sanitizers tested. Strawberries treated did not shown significant differences about physio-chemical parameters compared to the untreated samples (initial). For this study, the optimal sanitizer selected was PA, due to the low concentration and cost needed and its microbiocidal effect in wash water and fruit. Notwithstanding the results obtained, the effect of PA in combination with other non-thermal technologies such as water-assisted ultraviolet (UV-C) light should be studied in future research to improve the disinfection of strawberries.

Preparation of highly flexible and sustainable lignin-rich nanocellulose film containing xylonic acid (XA), and its application as an antibacterial agent

For high value utilization of depectinized celery, in this work. Sulfuric acid (1%, 160 °C, 60 min) treatments, followed by high pressure homogenization, were used to isolate lignin-rich nanocellulose (LRNC) from depectinized celery. LRNC yield from celery was 43.9%. LRNC solutions containing up to 20% xylonic acid (XA) were cast into films, which exhibited significantly improved flexibility, transparency, and hydrophilic properties. Moreover, the antibacterial property of the hybrid films was determined by the content of XA, and better antibacterial property were gained with higher amounts of XA. In total, > 61.6% depectinized celery was used as the storage of food yield. This study provided a value-added utilization technology for celery and other vegetables.

Standardizing therapeutic parameters of acupuncture in vascular dementia rats.

IntroductionDespite acupuncture having been successfully used for the clinical treatment for vascular dementia in Asian countries for centuries, scientifically rigorous evidence is lacking for standardizing therapeutic parameters. To address this problem, it is necessary to examine the parameters of acupuncture using scientific methodology. The goal of this study is to investigate various therapeutic parameters, including manipulation, retention, and frequency of acupuncture, and their contribution to the efficacy of acupuncture in VD.MethodsWe selected needle retention, treatment frequency, and needle rotation as the parameters. Acupuncture was performed on acupoints ST36 and GV20. Morris Water Maze was selected to assess the effect of acupuncture on cognitive function and Nissl staining indicated the hippocampal neuronal damage in VD rats.ResultsAcupuncture stimulation resulted in a significant improvement in the spatial learning and memory deficit and reversed neuronal damage in the hippocampus. The approach of needle retention with 10 min, rotation for 30s every 5 min or daily treatment with acupuncture was more effective than nonretention, nonrotation, or alternative day treatment group.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that needle retention, treatment frequency, and needle manipulation are important factors in improving the learning and memory as well as reducing the neuronal damage of the hippocampus in a rat VD model. These findings strongly suggest that the appropriate therapeutic parameters could significant influence the efficiency in animal experiments.

The effect of nitrogen plasma treatment on adhesive properties of PEEK

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of nitrogen plasma treatment on the shear bonding strength (SBS) of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) to resin cements. A total of 240 PEEK specimens were subjected to different duration of nitrogen plasma treatment for 0 min, 15 min, 25 min, 35 min respectively. The surface topography was observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was applied to study the surface element content changes before and after treatment. The adhesive specimens were bonded with Variolink in all groups. Afterwards, each group was divided into three subgroups (n = 20/group), (a) water storage for 56 h at 37 °C, (b) thermal cycling for 5000 times, (c) thermal cycling for 10000 times. Following storage shear bond strength (SBS) was tested in a universal testing machine and the failure modes were observed by stereoscopic microscope. After plasma treatment, the bonding strength between PEEK and Variolink was significantly increased. Among them, the 25 min group achieved the highest bonding strength. After thermal cycling, the SBS values were significantly decreased, compared with the group in water storage. Nitrogen low temperature plasma treatment improves SBS between PEEK and resin, and a duration of 25 min treatment group seems to be the best.

Removal of tetracyclines from aqueous solutions by electrocoagulation/pecan nutshell coupling processes: synergistic effect and mechanism.

The present work compared electrocoagulation (EC)/pecan shell (PS) coupling process with a simple electrocoagulation (EC) process for the removal of tetracyclines (TCs). The results indicated that the addition of appropriate PS could lead to the enhancement of the removal efficiency and decrease of operating time via synergistic influence, including conventional EC process, biomass materials adsorption, charge neutralization and coordination adsorption. The ideal condition for the coupling process was 2.5 mA/cm2 for current density and 3 cm for plate spacing. Based on the optimum condition, when the dosage of PS was 5 g/L, the initial concentration of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) and chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CTC) was 250 mg/L, the removal rate of PS was 55.90%, 45.10% and 14.98% higher than those of EC process after 40 min treatment. In addition, compared to conventional EC process, the unit energy demand (UED) decreased by 49.62%, 53.2 4% and 26.35% and the unit electrode material demand (UEMD) decreased by 49.80%, 85.65% and 44.37%, respectively, which means more energy conservation and environmental protection.

Production of high-value drug precursors by the whole-cell catalyst based on the transformation of ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase to aromatic compounds

Monohydroxy heterocyclic aromatic compounds are the widely-used precursors for pharmaceutical synthesis. In this work a whole-cell catalyst was constructed to generate hydroxylated aromatics efficiently using the ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase (RHD) from Sphingobium yanoikuyae SJTF8. With the whole-cell catalyst and 10-min hydrochloric acid treatment, dibenzofuran was transformed into 2-hydroxydibenzofuran with the yield of 90.7% in 6 h and the chemical value was enhanced 74 times. Various monohydroxy aromatics or dihydroxy aromatics were also generated from the typical and heterocyclic aromatics waste by the whole-cell catalyst. This whole-cell catalyst provides a simple, economic, green and efficient strategy to produce the value-added aromatic drug precursors and presents a great supplement of chemical synthesis.

Comparing Acid Red B Dye Decolorization by Glow and Spark Discharge Plasma in Atmospheric Pressure Air

We examined the decolorization of Acid Red B (ARB) in glow/spark discharge plasma (GDP/SDP). It is found that the decolorization of ARB was observably higher in GDP than in SDP. After 16 min treatment, ARB decolorization rate reached 97.16% with the energy efficiency of 7.16 kg/kW-h in GDP, and 92.76% with 0.84 kg/kW-h energy efficiency in SDP. The average yield of plasma oxidants were 1.73 kg/kW-h in GDP, and 0.14 kg/kW-h in SDP. Some factors, which probably affect the decolorization of ARB aqueous solution, such as hydroxyl radical and ultraviolet radiation etc. were investigated. The results showed that plasma oxidation, especially hydroxyl radical might be main factors accounting for ARB decolorization.

Kinerja Karbon Aktif Dari Kulit Singkong Dalam Menurunkan Konsentrasi Fosfat Pada Air Limbah Laundry

Cassava peel has high carbon content. It becomes potential as an adsorbent in adsorbing laundry phosphate compounds. Utilization of cassava peel into activated charcoal is an effort to reduce waste from the cassava processing industries. This study used two types of activated carbon from cassava peel, i.e. acid activated charcoal using HCl 0.4 M and alkaline activated charcoal using KOH 0.4 M. The objectives of this research were to determine: (1) the optimum contact time of adsorption at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min treatment time; (2) the optimum pH value of adsorption at pH 4, 6, 8, and 10; and (3) the adsorption capacity using adsorbent concentration treatment  of 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% (w/v). The experimental design used was a Single Factor Randomized Block Trial Design, ANOVA-DNMRT statistical analysis, and linear graphic for descriptive analysis. The analysis of the activated charcoal showed that water contents of the acid activated charcoal and the alkaline activated charcoal were 3.49% and 2.89%, respectively; the ash contents were 6.78% and 9.03%, respectively. The water content and ash content meet the standard of SNI 06-3730-1995. The performance test showed that the optimum contact time and pH of acid activated charcoal were 30 min and pH 4, while the alkaline activated charcoal was 90 min and pH 6. The adsorption capacity of acid active charcoal was 0.26 mg/g and the adsorption capacity of alkaline active charcoal was 0.49 mg/g. Activated carbon from the cassava skin can be used as an adsorbent to reduce phosphate concentrations in laundry waste. Keywords: activated charcoal, adsorption, cassava peel, laundry waste, phosphate

The Efficiency of Atmospheric Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus on Dried Laver (Porphyra tenera).

This study investigated the effects of atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma (1.1 kV, 43 kHz, 5–30 min, N2: 1.5 L/m) on the reduction of Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus on dried laver. The reductions of E. coli and B. cereus by 5, 10, 20, and 30 min of DBD plasma were 0.56 and 0.24, 0.61 and 0.66, 0.76 and 1.24, and 1.02 and 1.38 log CFU/g, respectively. The D-value of E. coli and B. cereus was predicted as 29.80 and 20.53 min, respectively, using the Weibull model for E. coli (R2 = 0.95) and first-order kinetics for B. cereus (R2 = 0.94). After DBD plasma 5–30 min treatment, there was no change in pH (6.20–6.21) and this value was higher than the untreated dried laver (6.08). All sensory scores in DBD plasma-treated laver were determined as >6 points. The 30 min of DBD plasma is regarded as a novel intervention for the control of potential hazardous bacteria in dried laver.

Complications of accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking: review of 2025 eyes.

To evaluate the early- and late-stage complications of accelerated cross-linking (A-CXL) in a large case series and investigate the relationship of A-CXL complications with ocular and systemic conditions accompanying keratoconus. Retrospectively, records of 2025 eyes of 1184 patients diagnosed with keratoconus between March 2013 and 2020 who underwent A-CXL (18mW/cm2 for 5min) treatment were reviewed. Comorbid ocular and systemic diseases other than keratoconus were recorded. In the postoperative follow-up, early and late complications and their association with accompanying diseases were examined. The mean age of patients was 26.16 ± 6.05 (range 18-42), and the mean follow-up time was 3.40 ± 1.63years (range 1-8years). Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (3.7%) was the most common disease accompanying keratoconus. Less frequently, systemic allergic diseases (2.9%) and Down syndrome (2.3%) were observed. The most common complication in the early postoperative period was haze formation (9.1%), while failure of the treatment (4.2%) occurred in the late period. Other common complications were loss of two or more Snellen lines (2.4%) and delayed epithelial healing (1.8%). There was a significant relationship between vernal keratoconjunctivitis and delayed epithelial healing (p = 0.011). Statistically significant relationships were found between Down syndrome and haze formation (p < 0.001) and sterile infiltrate formation (p = 0.041). Although A-CXL complication rates are low, vernal keratoconjunctivitis following A-CXL might increase the risk of delayed epithelial healing, and similarly corneal haze and sterile infiltrates might be observed more frequently in patients with Down syndrome.