Neutral Buffer Research Articles

Descriptive embryological insights of the colorectum of quail embryos with concern to its functional morphology

BackgroundQuail is an interesting emerging bird species gaining attention in developmental embryology research due to its small size, quick lifespan, and fast growth rate. These characteristics make quail an ideal model for examining the development of the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, the embryonic development of the colorectum was conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of its functions in digestion, absorption, and immunity.MethodologyThe morphological anatomy and microscopical structure of the colorectal wall of 74 embryos were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Histologically, the embryos were collected and dissected to extract the intestine. The samples were then fixed in 10% neutral buffer formalin for a minimum of 24 h, and in 2.5% glutaraldehyde buffer formalin for semithin processing and scanning electron microscopy.ResultsThe wall of the embryonic colorectum on the hatching day consisted of three layers; mucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa. Mucosa was a simple layer of columnar enterocytes interspersed with goblet cells that appeared as cub-like shaped cells. Additionally, two ganglionic plexuses were also developed in the colorectal wall; Auerbach plexus (among the colorectal tunica muscularis) and Meissner plexus (submucosal plexus).ConclusionThe morphological characteristics of the quail colorectum at different ages were closely related to its functional features.

Engineering a Mesoporous Silicon Nanoparticle Cage to Enhance Performance of a Phosphotriesterase Enzyme for Degradation of VX Nerve Agent.

The organophosphate (OP)-hydrolyzing enzyme phosphotriesterase (PTE, variant L7ep-3a) immobilized within a partially oxidized mesoporous silicon nanoparticle cage is synthesized and the catalytic performance of the enzyme@nanoparticle construct for hydrolysis of a simulant, dimethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP), and the live nerve agent VX is benchmarked against the free enzyme. In a neutral aqueous buffer, the optimized construct shows a ≈2-fold increase in the rate of DMNP turnover relative to the free enzyme. Enzyme@nanoparticles with more hydrophobic surface chemistry in the interior of the pores show lower catalytic activity, suggesting the importance of hydration of the pore interior on performance. The enzyme@nanoparticle construct is readily separated from the neutralized agent; the nanoparticle is found to retain DMNP hydrolysis activity through seven decontamination/recovery cycles. The nanoparticle cage stabilizes the enzyme against thermal denaturing and enzymatic (trypsin) degradation conditions relative to free enzyme. When incorporated into a topical gel formulation, the PTE-loaded nanoparticles show high activity toward the nerve agent VX in an ex vivo rabbit skin model. In vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) assays in human blood show that the enzyme@nanoparticle construct decontaminates VX, preserving the biological function of AChE when exposed to an otherwise incapacitating dose.

Bioresorption and Biomineralization of S53P4 Bioactive Glass in Neutral Tris Buffer and Citric Acid Solution.

In this study, S53P4 (53SiO2-23Na2O-20CaO-4P2O5) bioactive glass (BG) were prepared through a melt-milling process, and their bioresorption and biomineralization behavior was evaluated by in vitro dissolution under different solution conditions (neutral and acidic). The particle size of S53P4 BG was controlled by milling, and the in vitro dissolution evaluation was performed in tris buffer and citric acid solution for 21 days at 37 °C according to ISO 10993-14 (biological evaluation of medical devices). During dissolution, the ion release rate of S53P4 BG was confirmed to be three times faster in citric acid solution than that in tris buffer. Among them, the ion concentration of calcium and phosphorus initially increased and then gradually decreased, which is due to the biomineralization process. This process formed a new layer of particles on the surface of S53P4 BG, which was identified as a calcium-phosphate-based compound by X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, the thickness of the layer was observed to be 273 nm in tris buffer and 34 nm in citric acid solution by focused-ion beam scanning electron microscopy, and the morphology of the particles comprising this layer was observed to be thicker and longer in tris buffer than that in citric acid solution. This difference is due to the citrate present in the citric acid solution interacting with the released calcium ions and inhibiting the formation of a new layer. Thus, the ion release of S53P4 BG was faster in citric acid solution than that in tris buffer, but the biomineralization process to form the calcium phosphate-based compound was more effective in tris buffer.

Schottky Interface Enabled Electrospun Rhodium Oxide Doped Gold for Both pH Sensing and Glucose Measurements in Neutral Buffer and Human Serum.

This study has focused on adjusting sensing environment from basic to neutral pH and improve sensing performance by doping electrodeposited gold (Au) with metal oxide for nonenzymatic glucose measurements in forming a Schottky interface for superior glucose sensing with detailed analysis for the sensing mechanism. The prepared sensor also holds the ability to measure pH with the identical electrospun metal oxide-electrodeposited Au, which composed a dual sensor (glucose and pH sensor) through applying chronoamperometry and open circuit potential methods. The rhodium oxide nanocoral structure was fabricated with an electrospinning precursor solution, followed by a calcination process, and it was mixed with electrodeposited nanocoral gold to form the Schottky interface by constructing a p-n type heterogeneous junction for improved sensitivity in glucose detection. The prepared materials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), etc. The prepared materials were used for both pH responsive testing and amperometric glucose measurements. The rhodium oxide nanocoral doped gold demonstrated a sensitivity of 3.52 μA mM-1 cm-2 and limit of detection of 20 μM with linear range up to 3 mM glucose concentration compared to solely electrodeposited gold for a sensitivity of 0.46 μA mM-1 cm-2 and a limit of detection of 450 μM. The Mott-Schottky method was used for the analysis of an electron transfer process from noble metal to metal oxide to electrolyte in demonstrating the improved sensitivity at neutral pH for glucose measurements due to the Schottky barrier adjustment mechanism at an applied flat band potential of 0.3 V. This work opens a new venue in illustrating the metal oxide/metal materials in the glucose neutral response mechanism. In the end, human serum samples were tested against current commercial glucose meter to certify the accuracy of the proposed sensor.

Ionized copolyesters with pH-responsive degradability: Accelerated degradation in specific environments

The development of environmentally responsive biodegradable polymers is a promising solution for balancing the stability and degradability of biodegradable plastics. In this study, a commercial biodegradable polyester, poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) (PBAT), was used as the substrate and was synthetically modified with a small amount of anionic sodium 1–3-isophthalate-5-sulfonate (SIPA) to obtain the ionized random poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate-co-butylene 5-sodiosulfoisophthalate) (PBATS). The introduction of the sodium sulfonate ionic group enhanced the mechanical and heat-resistant properties of the material, while significantly improving the hydrophilicity and water absorption of the copolyesters of PBATSs and endowing them with special pH-responsive degradation properties. Compared with PBAT, PBATS copolyesters could accelerate degradation in acidic or alkaline buffer solutions and natural seawater, while degradation was inhibited in neutral buffer solutions at pH 7.2. Degradation experiments in simulated gastric, intestinal, and body fluids revealed that the copolyester showed specific and rapid degradation in acidic gastric fluids. This environmentally-responsive degradable material greatly expands the special applications of biodegradable polyesters in the fields of environmental remediation and medical applications.

Sealing of cerium oxide coating primers on anodized AA2024-T3 alloy by boiling in Lourier buffers

Although their exceptional re-passivation ability, Al-alloys are susceptible to corrosion due to the amphoteric nature of the alumina passivation films. This issue is exacerbated by the disruption of these films by intermetallics on the surfaces of highly doped ones, like AA2024-T3 aircraft alloy. The combination of anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) and cerium conversion coatings (CeCC) shows promise as a coating primer. However, the defective structures of CeO2 and Al2O3 require additional sealing. This research proposes sealing the CeCC/AAO layer by boiling it for 10 minutes in two relatively neutral Lourier buffers, adjusted to pH 7.75, and in a mixture of them. The samples underwent a series of analyses to compare the impact of the sealing procedure on surface topology, properties (e.g., colour and wettability on two samples from each set), and corrosion protective ability. It was assessed after 24 hours of exposure to 3.5 % NaCl model corrosive medium on six samples from each set. The assessments included electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic scanning (PDS) techniques. The results indicate that the borate buffer improves the corrosion protection of the coating primers more effectively than the phosphate and mixed ones.

A stable and regenerative TiO2/Bi2MoO6 photocatalyst for highly effective degradation of Rhodamine B and Congo Red

ABSTRACT This research unravels a facile method for synthesising TiO2/Bi2MoO6 photocatalysts and their effective applications in degrading industrial dyes. Initially, Bi2MoO6 was prepared as the substrate, followed by the addition of TiO2 to form the TiO2/Bi2MoO6 composite. The photocatalyst was characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), photoluminescence (PL), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). Its photocatalytic properties were evaluated by dye degradation under various conditions, including different dopant loading amounts, the reaction time, the initial concentration of the dye, and pH values. The results indicated that 50 mg of 15% TiO2/Bi2MoO6 achieved the highest photodegradation efficiency: 98.51% for 50 mL 10 mg L−1 Rhodamine B (RhB) within 100 min in a neutral buffer solution and 90.71% for 50 mL 10 mg L−1 Congo Red (CR) within 80 min in an aqueous solution. This material exerted effectiveness across a wide pH range, with removal rates of RhB exceeding 95.41% in both acidic and alkaline conditions. The degradation process conformed to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Radical trapping experiments revealed that the dye degradation mechanism involved ∙ O 2 − and h+. Notably, the synthesised TiO2/Bi2MoO6 photocatalyst demonstrated high stability and reusability, maintaining performance even after four degradation cycles. The TiO2/Bi2MoO6 photocatalyst, with TiO2 as the dopant and Bi2MoO6 as the substrate, demonstrated significant versatility and potential for practical dye degradation applications.

Inhibition of metal corrosion in neutral aqueous solutions by succinic acid salts

The adsorption, protective and passivating effect of sodium succinate and a blend of sodium alkenylsuccinates SKAP-25 on the oxidized surface of copper, copper-nickel alloy MNZh5-1 and low-carbon steel St3 in a neutral chloride solution were studied. The free adsorption energy (–ΔG0a,max) values for all studied metals suggest chemisorption interaction of these organic anion with oxidized metals surfaces: (–ΔG0a,max) for St3 60.2 kJ/mol, for copper 77.4 kJ/mol and for copper alloy 89.3 kJ/mol. Sodium succinate is able to stabilize the passive state of the MNZh5-1 alloy in a neutral chloride buffer solution. On copper, copper alloy and St3, protection against local depassivation is observed up to a certain concentration, above which the protective properties of sodium succinate decrease. Polarization measurements on the air-oxidized surface of low-carbon steel St3 showed that sodium succinate and SKAP-25, as well as their compositions with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT), are able to reduce anodic dissolution currents and increase the local depassivation potential. Corrosion tests of St3 in a 0.01 M NaCl solution proved the advantage of using the composition of SKAP-25 with 2-MBT (7.1:1) in comparison with the individual compound: the degree of protection of St3 at Cinh=7 mmol/L is 99%, and sodium succinate+SKAP-25 (1:1) at Cinh=7 mmol/L is Z=93%.

Electrochemiluminescence Immunosensor for Alpha-Fetoprotein Based on Polypyrrole-Luminol Nanoparticles

The study of luminol electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is commonly conducted in alkaline solutions. However, many substances, especially biomolecules, are only stable in neutral or weakly acidic media. In this study, a sensitive ECL immunosensor was developed using polypyrrole-luminol (PPY-Lu) nanoparticles for the determination of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in a neutral buffer. Polypyrrole (PPY) nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical oxidation. Subsequently, luminol was attached to the PPY nanoparticles via electrostatic interaction, resulting in the formation of the desired nanoparticles which exhibited strong and stable electrochemiluminescence in neutral solution. Furthermore, the PPY-Lu nanoparticles have abundant amino groups suitable for immobilizing biomolecules. An ECL immunosensor for AFP was fabricated by immobilizing anti-AFP on the PPY-Lu-modified electrode surface. The electrochemiluminescence decreased when AFP was captured. The immunosensor exhibited a linear range from 1.0 × 10−11 to 1.0 × 10−6 mg/mL with a low detection limit of 8.5 × 10−12 mg/mL and excellent specificity, reproducibility, and long-term stability. This designed immunosensor provides a new method for the determination of biomarkers in clinical analysis.

Interrupting marine fouling with active buffered coatings

Biofouling on marine surfaces causes immense material and financial harm for maritime vessels and related marine industries. Previous reports have shown the effectiveness of amphiphilic coating systems based on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) against such marine foulers. Recent studies on biofouling mechanisms have also demonstrated acidic microenvironments in biofilms and stronger adhesion at low-pH conditions. This report presents the design and utilization of amphiphilic polymer coatings with buffer functionalities as an active disruptor against four different marine foulers. Specifically, this study explores both neutral and zwitterionic buffer systems for marine coatings, offering insights into coating design. Overall, these buffer systems were found to improve foulant removal, and unexpectedly were the most effective against the diatom Navicula incerta.

Spectral-fluorescent study of substituted trimethine cyanine dyes in solutions and in complexes with DNA. Effects of aggregation, moderate heating, and decreasing pH

Trimethine cyanine dyes are widely used as probes for the detection, study and quantification of biomolecules. In particular, cationic trimethine cyanines noncovalently interact with DNA with growing fluorescence. However, their use is often limited by the tendency to self-association – to the formation of aggregates. Disubstituted trimethine cyanines with hydrophobic substituents are especially prone to aggregation. In this work, we studied the interaction of a number of substituted trimethine cyanines with DNA (in aqueous buffer solutions) and showed that their aggregation strongly interfered with their use as fluorescent probes for DNA. To eliminate this drawback, preliminary heating of dye solutions with DNA to 60–70 °C was used, followed by cooling to room temperature. Compared to the experiments without heating, an increase in the dye fluorescence intensity was observed due to the partial thermal decomposition of the aggregates and the interaction of the resulting monomers with DNA. To decompose aggregates, another method was also used – protonation of the dyes with amino substituents in buffer solutions with pH 5.0, which also led to growing the dye fluorescence intensity in the presence of DNA. Complexes of the dyes with DNA were modeled using molecular docking. Effective binding constants of the dyes to DNA and detection limits when using the dyes as probes for DNA (LOD and LOQ) were determined. It is shown that dye 3 with heating in neutral buffer and dye 1 in acidic buffer may be recommended as sensitive probes for DNA. It is concluded that the method of preliminary heating may be applied to dyes prone to aggregation, for improving their properties as biomolecular probes. Another possible means to reduce the interfering effects of dye aggregates is to use easily protonated dyes (with amino substituents) in slightly acidic media.

Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Detection of Urine Creatinine Using Cobalt-Gold Bimetallic Nanoparticles

This work presents the development of a non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for creatinine in a neutral medium using a cobalt-gold bimetallic nanoparticles modified platinum electrode. The voltammetric detection of creatinine in a neutral phosphate buffer was based on the formation of a soluble cobalt-creatinine complex. The sensor exhibited good selectivity and a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 2.25 mM with two linear ranges from 6.4 to 83.2 mM. The sensitivity of the sensor was 0.621 and 1.135 μA mM−1 cm−2 at lower (6.4–51.2 mM) and higher (51.2–83.2 mM) detection ranges, respectively. The sensor performance was validated using urine samples and creatinine spiked urine samples.

Analyses of the bioluminescence mechanism in the land snail, Quantula weinkauffiana

AbstractThe mechanism of bioluminescence in the luminous land snails remains largely unknown. Here, we analyzed basic biochemical properties of the luminous land snail, Quantula weinkauffiana. The luminescence activity was extracted from the light organ located near the mouth using a neutral buffer containing detergent. The reaction of the crude buffer extract was triggered by the addition of only hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). These results are inconsistent with the single precedent report on the bioluminescence in the Quantula striata by Shimomura and Haneda in 1986, in which the luminescence of the buffer extract (without detergent) from the light organ was induced by the coaddition of three indispensable components H2O2, ferrous ion, and 2‐mercaptoethanol. Based on the present findings, we suggested that an insoluble photoprotein is involved in the bioluminescence of the luminous land snails and the luminescence reaction is simply triggered by H2O2.

CeO2·ZnO@biomass-derived carbon nanocomposite-based electrochemical sensor for efficient detection of ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid (AA), a prominent antioxidant commonly found in human blood serum, serves as a biomarker for assessing oxidative stress levels. Therefore, precise detection of AA is crucial for swiftly diagnosing conditions arising from abnormal AA levels. Consequently, the primary aim of this research is to develop a sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor for accurate AA determination. To accomplish this aim, we used a novel nanocomposite comprised of CeO2-doped ZnO adorned on biomass-derived carbon (CeO2·ZnO@BC) as the active nanomaterial, effectively fabricating a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Various analytical techniques were employed to scrutinize the structure and morphology features of the CeO2·ZnO@BC nanocomposite, ensuring its suitability as the sensing nanomaterial. This innovative sensor is capable of quantifying a wide range of AA concentrations, spanning from 0.5 to 1925 μM in a neutral phosphate buffer solution. It exhibits a remarkable sensitivity of 0.2267 μA μM−1cm−2 and a practical detection limit of 0.022 μM. Thanks to its exceptional sensitivity and selectivity, this sensor enables highly accurate determination of AA concentrations in real samples. Moreover, its superior reproducibility, repeatability, and stability underscore its reliability and robustness for AA quantification.

Electrochemical detection of hydroquinone as an environmental contaminant using Ga2O3 incorporated ZnO nanomaterial

The primary objective of this research endeavor is to develop a highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor for the accurate detection of hydroquinone (HQ), a prevalent environmental contaminant. To achieve this, we employed a novel nanocomposite consisting of Ga2O3-doped ZnO (Ga2O3.ZnO) as the active nanomaterial for fabricating a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The structure and morphology of the Ga2O3.ZnO nanocomposite were rigorously analyzed using a diverse range of techniques to ensure its suitability as the sensing nanomaterial. This innovative sensor exhibits remarkable capabilities, enabling the detection of HQ across a broad concentration range, spanning from 1 to 11070 µM, in a neutral phosphate buffer solution. It boasts an exceptionally high sensitivity of 1.0229 µA µM−1 cm−2 and an impressive detection limit of 0.063 µM. Thanks to its exceptional sensitivity and specificity, this sensor can precisely quantify HQ levels in real-world samples. Moreover, its outstanding reproducibility, repeatability, and stability establish it as a dependable and resilient choice for HQ determination.

Dual Functional Microcapsule based on Monodisperse Short PEG Amphiphile for Drug Encapsulation and Protein Affinity Controlled Release.

A short monodisperse poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and a neutral organic rotamer conjugate TEG-BTA-2 amphiphile was designed for the construction of a stimuli-responsive switchable self-assembled structure for drug encapsulation by noncovalent interaction and targeted controlled delivery. A short PEG, tetraethylene glycol (TEG) was covalently attached with a neutral organic rotamer benzothiazole dye (BTA-2) affording the neutral TEG-BTA-2 (<500 D). The TEG-BTA-2 is self-assembled into a microsphere in an aqueous medium, but remarkably undergoes morphology change switching to a rice-like microcapsule for curcumin encapsulation. Curcumin-loaded microcapsules were stable in an aqueous solution, however, were noticed disintegrating upon the addition of BSA protein. This is possibly due to an interaction with BSA protein leading to a protein affinity-controlled curcumin release in a neutral PBS buffer. Moreover, cell internalization of the neutral amphiphile TEG-BTA-2 into A549 cells was observed by fluorescence microscopy, providing an opportunity for application as a molecular vehicle for targeted drug delivery and monitoring.

Dental pulp stones and their correlation with metabolic diseases.

Dental pulp calcifications or pulp stones are calcified structures found in dental pulp, mostly around or enclosing a blood vessel. The formation of these calcifications begins with concentric layers of calcified tissue within which remnants of necrotic and calcified cells may be present. The calcifications of thrombi in blood vessels, called phleboliths, may also serve as nidi for denticles. In metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or poor periodontal health, there are obvious changes in blood vessels and vascularization. In our study, we observed histopathological sections of dental pulp and correlated systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension with poor periodontal health and dental pulp stones. The aim of our study was to evaluate the histopathology of dental pulp stones, their distribution among various age groups and sexes and to identify any correlations between pulp stone formation and systemic diseases such as type II diabetes and hypertension. Samples from 100 patients with metabolic diseases such as type II diabetes and hypertension were collected. The pulp was extirpated from the teeth that were undergoing root canal treatment, and the teeth were extracted. The collected pulp sample was fixed in 10% formaline neutral buffer, subjected to routine histopathological procedures and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The pulp of teeth extracted for orthodontic treatment was considered a control for patients with no metabolic disease. There was a definite relationship between increased pulp stones and metabolic diseases such as type II diabetes and hypertension; likewise, poor periodontal health was significantly related to pulp stones.

Mass spectrometry imaging protocol for spatial mapping of lipids, N-glycans and peptides in murine lung tissue.

The application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to murine lungs is challenging due to the spongy nature of the tissue. Lungs consist of interconnected air sacs (alveoli) lined by a single layer of flattened epithelial cells, which requires inflation to maintain its natural structure. Therefore, a protocol that is compatible with both lung instillation and high spatial resolution is essential to enable multi-omic studies on murine lung disease models using MALDI-MSI. To maintain the structural integrity of the tissue, murine lungs were inflated with 8% (w/v) gelatin for lipid MSI of fresh frozen tissues or 4% (v/v) paraformaldehyde neutral buffer for N-glycan and peptide MSI of FFPE tissues. Tissues were sectioned and prepared for enzymatic digestion and/or matrix deposition. Glycerol-free PNGase F was applied for N-glycan MSI, while Trypsin Gold was applied for peptide MSI using the iMatrixSpray and ImagePrep Station, respectively. For lipid, N-glycan and peptide MSI, α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid matrix was deposited using the iMatrixSpray. MS data were acquired with 20 μm spatial resolution using a timsTOF fleX MS instrument followed by MS fragmentation of lipids, N-glycans and peptides. For lipid MSI, trapped ion mobility spectrometry was used to separate isomeric/isobaric lipid species. SCiLS™ Lab was used to visualize all MSI data. For analyte identification, MetaboScape®, GlycoMod and Mascot were used to annotate MS fragmentation spectra of lipids, N-glycans and tryptic peptides, respectively. Our protocol provides instructions on sample preparation for high spatial resolution MALDI-MSI, MS/MS data acquisition and lipid, N-glycan and peptide annotation and identification from murine lungs. This protocol will allow non-biased analyses of diseased lungs from preclinical murine models and provide further insight into disease models.

The effect of pressure on degradation kinetics of polyphenols: Impact of polyphenol structure at hyperbaric storage conditions

Understanding reaction kinetics at elevated pressures is essential for developing efficient pressure-based technologies. It is especially vital for hyperbaric storage (HS), where pressure is applied for long durations. In single and multi-component models, the influence of pressure on the degradation kinetics of different catechins and anthocyanins was studied at accelerated conditions using neutral pH at pressures up to 200 MPa (HS levels) for several hours. In the neutral baroresistant buffer, pressure enhanced the degradation of all tested flavonoids with a negative activation volume. Despite the significant structural variety and major differences in the degradation rates within each tested subgroup, no significant structure-dependent effect of pressure on the activation volume was observed, which is suggestive of a similar mechanism by which pressure accelerates the degradation. The antioxidant capacity of catechins was not affected by pressure compared to control samples when the concentration of the original catechin was similar. Industrial relevanceA better understanding of pressure effects on the degradation reaction kinetics of food components can contribute to the general understanding of mechanisms related to food component degradation under high-pressure treatments. Plant-based foods are rich in polyphenolic compounds and responsible for sensory characteristics and their related health-promoting properties. In conditions similar to HS, that are known to inhibit and even, in some cases, inactivate microorganisms, when food is exposed to high pressures for a long time, it is imperative to investigate the effect of pressure on polyphenol degradation kinetics, which can lead to differences in the polyphenol compositions during the pressurized storage. However, the impact of pressure on polyphenol degradation kinetics is often overlooked. This study provides fundamental information regarding the polyphenol structure-dependent degradation kinetics of catechins and anthocyanins under pressure while taking into account the often overlooked pressure-induced pH shifts. The presented work can promote the development of novel storage and processing technologies based on high pressure that will better preserve oxidation-liable compounds with lower energetic costs.

Facile synthesis of CeO2·CuO-decorated biomass-derived carbon nanocomposite for sensitive detection of catechol by electrochemical technique

Catechol (CC) is renowned for its ability to interact with a wide range of biomolecules, a trait that raises potential health concerns. Consequently, herein we achieved a significant milestone by developing an electrochemical CC sensor with improved performance such as exceptional sensitivity and selectivity. In this CC sensor we used Cerium (IV) oxide-doped Copper (II) oxide decorated biomass-derived carbon (BC) nanocomposite, known as CeO2·CuO@BC as the sensing material. This material has been artfully integrated into the modification of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), showcasing the synergy of advanced materials and electrode design. The efficacy of the CeO2·CuO@BC nanocomposite as a sensing material underwent rigorous evaluation through comprehensive characterization techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrum, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). As a result, we developed a sensor that can quantify CC concentrations across an extensive dynamic range, spanning from 0.5 μM to a remarkable 8470 μM in a neutral phosphate buffer solution. This sensor, boasting a sensitivity of 0.4171 μAμM−1cm−2, coupled with an impressive detection limit of a mere 0.035 μM, stands as a testament to its superior performance. Its exceptional sensitivity and selectivity allow precise catechol level detection in real-world samples, making it invaluable for analytical applications. Beyond its analytical prowess, the sensor demonstrates remarkable durability through excellent reproducibility, repeatability, and stability. This robustness underscores its reliability, establishing it as an indispensable and highly efficient electrode for accurate CC determination across various practical scenarios.