Promotion of stable polymorphs and molecular compound formation in mixtures of a high melting fraction of extra virgin olive oil and cocoa butter

Diversified agricultural systems, associated with greater species diversity (SD), can alter the dynamics of phosphorus (P) in the soil and consequently increase crop productivity. This study evaluated the P forms and yields of soybean and cotton in a sandy loam Ultisol under various levels of species diversity of land use in tropical soil. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with five levels of SD: very low (VL), low (LW), medium (AVG), long-term mean (AVL) and high (ICLS). The increase in the level of species diversity significantly (255 %) influenced the yield of cotton in the ICLS compared with that in the LV and that of soybean in the 2022/23 crop. Treatments with greater species diversity significantly increased P concentrations in the most labile soil fractions. The Melhlich-3 P fraction represented approximately 30 %, and the organic P represented approximately 9 % of the total P in the three evaluated layers, whereas the occluded P fraction represented more than 40 % of the total P in the soil. In the 10–20 cm layer, the ICLS recorded the highest proportion of labile P. Additionally, the determination of available P should be performed in the more superficial layers (0–5 and/or 5–10 cm), especially in the no-tillage system, due to the greater accumulation of P in the upper layers. ICLS increased the availability of P in the subsurface by increasing the amount of labile and moderately labile P forms. • High diversity increased labile and organic phosphorus in sandy loam soils. • High diversity enhanced subsurface P availability and reduced occluded P fractions. • Cotton yield rose 255 % under high compared to low diversity systems. • Available P in 10–20 cm soil layer is strongly correlated with cotton yield. • New P fractionation method linked soil P forms to crop productivity.

Upcycling of palm fronds and expanded polystyrene waste for producing liquid fuels with enhanced octane rating

Rare earth element fractionation in subtropical Fe Mn nodule-rich red soils: Insights into pedogenic processes and redox dynamics

Provenance effects in forest trees are well known for growth and productivity, but their influence on below-ground microbial partners remains underexplored. We investigated fungal communities associated with Scots pine from ten European provenances grown for 40 years in a common garden in Poland. Using high-throughput sequencing, we characterized both bulk-soil fungi and root endophytes and tested whether provenance identity shapes their taxonomic and functional composition. Additionally, to test the proposed provenance effect, we sourced provenance climatic conditions (PCC) data and investigated root traits and soil characteristics. Provenance explained up to 15 % of the variance in fungal community structure, with consistent effects in both soil and root-associated fractions. Fungal lifestyle groups also shifted with provenance. Soil saprotrophs were significantly less abundant in provenances originating from drier climates (spring: η 2 = 0.14, autumn: η 2 = 0.15). Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi showed distinct lineage-level patterns (p < 0.001; spring: /boletus, /inocybe, /russula-lactarius, /tomentella-thelephora; autumn: /boletus, /cenococcum, /hydnotrya, /russula-lactarius, and /tomentella-thelephora). Indicator species analyses identified five ECM taxa associated with specific provenances, suggesting selective filtering by host origin. PCC variables, particularly precipitation, were significant predictors of fungal functional composition, suggesting legacy effects of seed origin environments. These findings demonstrate that tree provenance not only affects host growth performance but also shapes the composition and function of below-ground fungal communities. Considering the pivotal role of fungi in soil processes and forest resilience, provenance selection in reforestation and assisted migration strategies should account for below-ground biodiversity consequences, not solely above-ground growth traits. • Below-ground traits are key in Scots pine adaptation to distinct environments. • The community structure of below-ground fungi varies by the origin of the host tree. • Fungal community taxonomic structure drives variation in potential soil function. • Scots pines of various origins host communities with different ECM:saprotrophs ratios. • Forest management uses of provenance transfer should consider effects on soil ecology.

Pea proteins can act not only as interfacial stabilizers of oil-in-water emulsions but also as gelling agents in the continuous phase. Protein gelation, rather than droplet jamming, may be the main mechanism of emulsion stability, providing a physical explanation for the creaminess of high-protein plant-based emulsions. Spin-echo small angle neutron scattering (SESANS) with D2O/H2O contrast variation was used to study 15% pea protein dispersions and emulsions with 40-60% rapeseed oil, 7.5% protein at pH3 to 6.5. SESANS investigates length scales up to tens of micrometres, enabling simultaneous analysis of protein networks and oil droplets without dilution. Complementary small angle X-ray/neutron scattering were used to validate protein aggregate size, and hydration. Protein dispersions at neutral pH formed mass fractal networks with small individual building blocks (radius∼38Å, hydration ∼70%). Emulsions consisted of oil droplets embedded in these networks, with droplet radii decreasing at higher oil fractions due to an effective higher protein concentration in the continuous phase, creating a denser network. Dispersions and emulsions at lower pH contained aggregated clusters of denatured proteins. These coarse and inhomogeneous networks gave increasing droplet radii at lower pH. Contrast variation enabled the separation of protein and oil droplet scattering, demonstrating that protein gelation rather than droplet jamming is the main mechanism of stability. This gives a physical explanation of the high viscosity of high-protein plant-based emulsions and is promising for these plant materials to be used as gelling agents in food applications.

Understanding the long-term biological consequences of crude oil exposure on marine fish is essential for the sustainability of ecologically and economically important species such as Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). While the direct effects of crude oil on early life stages are well documented, adult reproductive vulnerability and intergenerational consequences remain poorly understood, despite their pivotal role in spawning stock viability. Paternal contributions to next-generation outcomes are particularly underexplored. This study examined how parental exposure to a water-soluble fraction of crude oil affects transcriptomic profiles and survival outcomes in Atlantic cod offspring. Adult fish were exposed for 20days prior to spawning, and offspring were produced by in vitro cross-fertilization to generate four groups: control (unexposed parents), maternally exposed, paternally exposed and biparentally exposed. Embryos were reared under control conditions, and transcriptome profiles were analyzed from fertilization to hatching, alongside assessments of cardiac function and morphology post-hatch. Offspring from exposed females failed to survive to hatching. Eggs were smaller, and transcriptomic data revealed severe downregulation of genes involved in early developmental processes. Chemical analyses confirmed maternal transfer of a diverse range of petroleum aromatic hydrocarbons to oocytes. Our findings point to disrupted oocyte provisioning, likely linked to endocrine and epigenetic disturbances during oocyte maturation. Paternal exposure had minimal effect on RNA expression, and morphology at hatching. However, reduced survival in early larval stages suggests sublethal effects emerging later, possibly through epigenetic mechanisms, a hypothesis requiring further investigation.

Recent studies have shown that essential oils (EOs) from spices are effective in reducing high blood glucose levels, with β-caryophyllene (BCP) emerging as one of the most promising bioactive compounds. Despite the increasing interest in this field, few studies in the literature have elucidated the link between sample components and their resulting biological activities. In this paper, a detailed investigation was carried out, using a black pepper EO as a case study, and α-glucosidase as biological target. Initial biological assays showed very similar activities between the entire EO and the corresponding amount of BCP in the EO on α-glucosidase. These outcomes confirmed the manifest role of BCP, and further suggested that EO's fractionation could help to unravel the complex interactions among terpene families, BCP, and the biological target. As a first step, a suitable preparative GC method was developed to enable the effective and rapid isolation of the separated monoterpene and sesquiterpene families for subsequent biological assays. The biological outcomes bio-guided consequent fractionation procedures, which were aimed at understanding the role of BCP in the overall sesquiterpene family. Consequently, the use of multidimensional preparative GC guaranteed the effective isolation of the sesquiterpene family without BCP, underscoring its relevant role in this fraction. In a complementary approach, the sesquiterpene family was further fractionated to understand potential enhancing/inhibitory effects with BCP. To the best of authors' knowledge, this paper represents the first instance in the literature where preparative gas chromatography has been employed as an analytical approach to carry out a bio-guided fractionation of EOs.

Influence of management practices on soil organic matter composition evaluated by complementary analytical techniques: XANES and mass spectrometry.

• Direct recycling of HCO, LCO, and HN to RFCC feed was evaluated using ACE microreactor testing. • Mono-aromatics enhance gasoline formation, while di-aromatics preferentially generate LCO. • ATR + HN achieved the highest conversion and gasoline yield among all blended feeds. • Increasing catalyst-to-oil ratio raised gasoline and olefin yields while reducing LCO and MCB. • Recycling RFCC side streams enables operational control of refinery product value and flexibility. This study examines the recycling of heavy cycle oil (HCO), light cycle oil (LCO), and heavy naphtha (HN) into the feed of a residue fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) reactor to evaluate their effects on product yield distribution. The objective is to develop strategies for steering RFCC operations toward higher-value products. The recycled streams, rich in aromatic compounds, were tested in a fixed fluidized bed microreactor (ACE test) using a commercial RFCC equilibrium catalyst. The NOFs (neat oil fractions), namely HCO, LCO and HN, and blended feeds with atmospheric residue (ATR) were cracked at 520 °C under varying catalyst-to-oil (C/O) ratios. Conversion of the NOFs followed the order HN (99 wt%) > LCO (87.5 wt%) > HCO (42 wt%), with corresponding gasoline yields of 69, 51, and 14 wt%. For blended feeds, ATR + HN achieved the highest conversion (79.1 wt%) and gasoline yield (51 wt%), while ATR + LCO generated the most olefins. Results demonstrate that mono-aromatics act as gasoline precursors, whereas di-aromatics favor LCO formation. Increasing C/O ratio enhanced gasoline and olefin yields while reducing LCO and main cycle oil. These findings highlight the potential of recycling side streams to optimize RFCC performance and improve refinery fuel flexibility.

Material extrusion (MEX) 3D printing, valued for its simplicity and precision, often relies on toxic, non-renewable, and non-biodegradable materials. To address this limitation, this study explores renewable high-melting plant fats as non-toxic, solvent-free, and sustainable alternative inks. Specifically, palm mid fraction (PMF) and palm super stearin (SS), both underutilized by-products of palm oil fractionation, were blended across a range of SS:PMF ratios to systematically modulate the saturated-to-unsaturated fatty acid (SFA:UFA) balance, which governs structure-property-function relationships. Due to their contrasting SFA:UFA ratios, the two fats exhibited distinct thermal behaviors: high-melting triacylglycerols (TAGs) in SS facilitated rapid solidification during deposition, while low-melting TAGs in PMF enabled smooth extrusion. All binary blends exhibited shear-thinning and viscoelastic behavior, supporting their suitability for MEX printing. The optimal blend, comprising 69wt% SFA and 31wt% UFA, produced constructs with superior shape fidelity and dimensional accuracy. These constructs retained structural integrity up to 44°C, indicating suitability for handling at body temperature. Additionally, the constructs maintained oxidative stability over 30 days of ambient storage. Preliminary reuse potential was demonstrated based on reprintability, attributed to the thermoreversible melting-crystallization behavior of the ink. Future work may explore the extended reusability and long-term property retention over multiple reuse cycles. Overall, this study establishes the feasibility of valorizing high-melting palm fat by-products as sustainable and non-toxic inks for MEX 3D printing.

Abstract The temperature sensitivity of the decomposition of organic carbon pools is of key importance for modelling carbon turnover in soils. Therefore, examining the factors that determine and influence temperature sensitivity is extremely important. The decomposition of organic matter taken from three soil fractions in four land use areas (grass, spruce, oak and arable) was investigated in a 1-year incubation at 15, 25 and 35 °C. The particulate organic matter (POM) fraction corresponds to the labile C stock, the sand + aggregate fraction (S + A) to aggregate-stabilized OM, and the silt + clay fraction (s + c) to mineral-associated OM. The rate of organic matter decomposition (k) in the labile fraction significantly exceeded that of the stabilised fractions (S + A and s + c) by 23–167%. However, no significant differences were found in the decomposition temperature sensitivity (Q 10 ) values, which ranged from 2.96 to 3.71. In the cultivated soil, very high Q 10 values were detected in the aggregate fraction: 5.38. In contradiction to the kinetic theory, there were no significant differences in Q 10 between the labile and stabilised pools. The chemical composition of the organic matter was found to regulate the temperature sensitivity of OM decay: the aryl C, methoxy C and carbonyl C content was positively correlated with Q 10 , while the C/N ratio and O-alkyl C content proved to be negatively correlated with Q 10 . The results highlight the vulnerability of the aggregate fraction of cultivated soils, a significant increase in the rate of organic matter decomposition and its temperature sensitivity.

Recovery of hydrocarbons using the reservoir’s natural energy concludes once only a minimal fraction of oil has been extracted. At this stage, secondary and tertiary recovery techniques become necessary to increase the overall oil recovery factor. Secondary methods, such as waterflooding, are commonly applied to maximize extraction. In reservoirs exhibiting significant macroscopic heterogeneity, the main challenge lies in improving volumetric sweep efficiency. Strategies for enhancing sweep efficiency by volume include the following approaches: when interlayer communication is absent, problematic layers near the wellbore can be isolated chemically using gels or resins; when cross-flow exists between layers, effective results require introducing a blocking agent into distant reservoir sections. Sweep efficiency is enhanced via two main mechanisms: either by isolating certain layers mechanically or chemically, or by using chemical reagents that selectively reduce water relative permeability. Improving sweep efficiency must account for the reservoir type—porous, fractured-porous, fractured, homogeneous, or heterogeneous in area or thickness. Reservoir characterization can be effectively performed through interpretation of Gringarten pressure build-up curves and Bourdet pressure derivatives. In reservoirs with layers of varying permeability, conformance control methods are recommended to equalize well intake and production profiles. Foundational studies by A.Kh. Mirzajan-zade, G.I. Barenblatt, and V.M. Entov introduced theories on filtration of viscous water-based fluids, including polymer solutions. Polyacrylamide polymers, with various modifications, are suggested as chemical diverters tailored to specific geological and reservoir conditions. A selection matrix for appropriate diverters guides application. Mechanical diverters in production and injection wells for layered or fractured reservoirs are considered. Mathematical models of enhanced displacement in three-layer areal systems support the use of crosslinked polymer treatments via traditional or remote gelation methods. Pilot-industrial trials at the “Binagadi-North” field in the Republic of Azerbaijan demonstrated the use of a sodium bicarbonate–clay mixture to plug high-permeability layers and normalize injection profiles. Keywords: hydrocarbon recovery, sweep efficiency, conformance control, polymer solutions, waterflooding, fractured reservoirs, reservoir heterogeneity.

Direct utilization of unprocessed food waste for black soldier fly larvae rearing.

This paper examines the effect of gas oil fraction extraction depth from fuel oil on the physicochemical and performance properties of road bitumen. The study's novelty lies in establishing the relationship between the seven-component chemical group composition of heavy residues and their oxidation kinetics. It has been experimentally demonstrated that using feedstock with a nominal viscosity (VU80) in the range of 20-80 s (corresponding to fractions of 480-525 °C) enables the production of bitumen that simultaneously meets the requirements of ASTM D946, EN 12591, and ST RK 1373. The paper substantiates an optimal "viscosity range" for processing non-standard feedstock, ensuring increased resistance of the finished product to thermal-oxidative aging.

Abstract Previous research indicates that the effects of tree species on carbon (C) storage differ with soil age. It has been hypothesized that in young soils, trees with low carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) litter promote C accumulation in mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) and mineral soil layer, while in mature soils, trees with high C:N litter support C storage in the particulate organic matter (POM) and organic soil layer. To test this, we studied adjacent forest stands of alder (low C:N litter) and spruce (high C:N litter) planted on a 50-year-old post-mining spoil heap (young soil) and in the surrounding landscape (&gt; 1,000 years, mature soil). Spruce stored more C in the organic soil layer across both soil ages. In young soil, alder stored more C in the mineral soil layer and MAOM-containing fractions (silt and clay, microaggregates), while no differences between tree species were observed in mature soil. Contrary to our expectations, no significant differences were found for C storage in POM fraction. Our results indicate that low C:N litter of alder promoted high C stocks in MAOM-containing fractions in young soil, but differences between tree species disappeared as the capacity for further C stabilization declined in mature soil. In contrast, high C:N litter of spruce enhanced C accumulation in the organic layer, contributing to greater C storage in mature soil. These findings show the necessity of considering both tree species and soil age when selecting appropriate C storage strategies and highlight the need for context-specific afforestation and reforestation approaches.

Machine learning methods have gained significant attention in forecasting waterflooding performance in recent years, but their accuracy often remains insufficient for practical field applications. This study proposes a hybrid framework that integrates a linear dynamical system (LDS) with a neural network (NN). The framework improves oil-rate prediction by decomposing the injection–production relationship into linear and nonlinear components. Specifically, the aggregate injection rate is approximately linearly related to total liquid production, which is effectively captured by the LDS model, based on reservoir material balance principles. In contrast, the oil fraction of the produced liquid, defined as the ratio of oil rate to liquid rate, is bounded between 0 and 1 and typically decreases over time. This nonlinear trend is accurately modeled using a neural network (NN). The parameters of the LDS–NN framework are learned from historical injection and production data via a supervised training process. Furthermore, key hyperparameters within the model can be adjusted to optimize the performance for different reservoir characteristics. The proposed hybrid method is evaluated using both simulated reservoir cases and real field data, and compared against the performance of LDS-only and NN-only models. The results demonstrate that the LDS–NN framework consistently provides more accurate oil-rate predictions than either standalone LDS or NN approaches, across both synthetic and real-world waterflooding scenarios.

Passiflora edulis (passion fruit) seed waste, an abundant by-product of the juice industry, is a promising source of piceatannol (PIC), a hydroxystilbene with superior antioxidant activity compared to resveratrol. However, its translation into a skin-targeted ingredient remains hindered by a lack of standardization and clinical validation. This review synthesizes current evidence on the dermatological potential of PIC and proposes a translational roadmap within a circular bioeconomy framework. Preclinical studies demonstrate that PIC exerts multi-target effects relevant to skin aging and acne, including ROS scavenging, anti-inflammatory activity via NF-κB/MAPK inhibition, suppression of melanogenesis, enhancement of hyaluronic acid and collagen synthesis, and antibacterial action against Cutibacterium acnes. However, clinical data are limited and methodologically inconsistent. To bridge this translational gap, we propose a development strategy focused on: (i) extract standardization with a proposed minimum PIC content (e.g., ≥0.3% w/w); (ii) an integrated biorefinery approach for the co-production of seed oil and phenolic fractions; and (iii) a phase-gate pipeline encompassing dermal safety assessment, advanced delivery optimization, and biomarker-correlated clinical trials.

Emerging Bacterial Resistance and Genotoxicity of Water-Soluble Fractions of Agricultural Soils from the Semiarid Region of Brazil Affected by the Continuous Use of Glyphosate.

Evaluating the Accuracy of Partial Least Square Regression for Distillation Fractions from ATR-IR Spectra of Crude Oils, with a Focus on Selected Crudes and Fractions.