Optimal Conditions Research Articles

Artificial Cascade Transformation Biosystem for One-Pot Biomanufacturing of Odd-Numbered Neoagarooligosaccharides and d-Tagatose through Wiser Agarose Utilization.

The application of agarose oligosaccharides has garnered great attention, with their biological activities varying among different structures. However, it still meets a great bottleneck for the targeted production of odd-numbered neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOSs), such as neoagarotriose (NA3), due to the lack of one-step hydrolases. In this work, the α-agarase AgaA33 and β-galactosidase BgaD were synergistically used to prepare NA3 with agarose as a substrate. Additionally, an l-arabinose isomerase CaLAI from Clostridium acetobutylicum was characterized to valorize low-value byproducts (d-galactose) by forming d-tagatose, which exhibited good thermal stability without the need for additional metal ions. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the production of NA3 and d-galactose catalyzed by these three enzymes was 0.40 and 0.15 g/L, respectively. The artificial three-enzyme-based cascade transformation system not only achieved the highest production of NA3 until now but also allowed for the valorization of d-galactose, providing a wiser application route for agarose utilization.

Exploring the Mechanism for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Oxytetracycline in Water using TiO2 and Supplementary Oxidants

The persistent presence of antibiotics in wastewater, exemplified by oxytetracycline (OTC), poses environmental risks, necessitating robust removal strategies. This study investigates the effectiveness of photocatalysis utilizing TiO2 (P25) treated at various temperatures, combined with different oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), potassium peroxydisulfate (PDS), potassium peroxomonosulfate (PMS) under diverse experimental conditions. The research systematically explores the impact of temperature, pH, and oxidant concentration on the efficiency of OTC degradation. Our findings reveal that the combination of P25/500, PDS, UV irradiation, and stirring demonstrates superior OTC degradation, surpassing 99% efficiency after 180 min. Optimal pH conditions are identified, emphasizing the importance of balancing acidity for enhanced performance. The study also provides insights into the optimal PDS concentration, indicating a threshold beyond which further increases yield diminishing returns. Mechanistic understanding is enhanced through scavenger experiments, elucidating the pivotal role of reactive oxygen species, particularly O2•−, in the photocatalytic process. This research offers a practical framework for TiO2-based photocatalysis in wastewater treatment, emphasizing tailored conditions for efficient antibiotic removal. The outcomes contribute valuable insights to the development of sustainable wastewater treatment protocols targeting antibiotic pollutants.

A review of hydroxyapatite synthesis for heavy metal adsorption assisted by machine learning.

Heavy metals (HMs) represent a persistent and significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) has emerged as a utilized material in the remediation of environmental HMs, owing to its exceptionally high porosity, expansive surface area, and the presence of three-dimensional ordered channels. An in-depth study of the synthesis strategy of HAp and its adsorption properties can help reduce the cost of remediating HMs in aquatic environments and alleviate the water shortage. In this paper, we reviewed 466 works of literature on the adsorption of heavy metals by HAp based on the Web of Science database between 2013 and 2023 that focused on the adsorption of heavy metals by HAp. We meticulously synthesized the findings related to the synthesis conditions-namely precipitation, hydrothermal, and calcination-as well as the characterization parameters and the adsorption capacity of HAp for heavy metals such as Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+. Synthesizing advanced materials by reducing the number of experiments is essential to accelerate material development. Machine learning (ML) holds significant promise in material discovery and performance enhancement. We have consolidated the qualitative and quantitative relationships between HAp synthesis conditions, characterization parameters, and heavy metal adsorption capacity across previous studies, utilizing both the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and ML techniques. Building on the most recognized heavy metal adsorption mechanisms, we have evaluated the influence of characterization parameters on adsorption performance. We have outlined the optimal synthetic conditions for enhancing the adsorption of Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ through precipitation, hydrothermal, and calcination methods, offering a practical guide for the targeted synthesis of HAp tailored to specific heavy metal adsorption capacities.

An evaluation of morphometrical trends in a population of Woodringina hornerstownensis Olsson, 1960 (Foraminifera) reveals the role of intraspecific variations for paleoceanographical studies

The foraminiferal species Woodringina hornerstownensis is stratigraphically limited between the stages Danian and Selandian and was adapted to inhabit the mixed layer water column. We present a case study based on morphometry of W. hornerstownensis recovered in upper Danian strata (biozone P2) in the Pernambuco-Paraiba Basin at the Poty quarry. The morphometric data, associated with abundance and geochemical indicators, point to (i) an increase in size towards the top of the studied interval, associated with the shallowing-upward trend of the Maria Farinha Formation, and (ii) an increase in size directly related to the increase in abundance. By integrating and incorporating a specific variation of W. hornerstownensis into abundance parameters, we conclude that the shell increase appears to be consistent. Our results suggest that the increase in size responds to environmental optimum conditions for the species W. hornerstownensis. In a broader context, our work demonstrates the usefulness of morphometric indicators and the significance of intraspecific variation when interpreting macroecological patterns. Keywords: planktic foraminifera, paleoceanography, intraspecific variation, upper Danian, South Atlantic Ocean.

Therapeutic deep eutectic solvent with saponin, optimized through response surface methodology, exert potent in vivo antimicrobial effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (THEDES) are a type of deep eutectics that can be used as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by enhancing the drug bioavailability, by increasing the solubility of APIs in aqueous solutions or by increasing their permeability through biological barriers. In this study, we demonstrate the utility of designer THEDES, based on Quillaja Saponin (SAP), a triterpene natural product to unravel the antimicrobial potential of such THEDES. THEDES were prepared by gently mixing and heating five different α- hydroxy acids- malic, citric, tartaric, glycolic, lactic acids and SAP with water as a third component in the THEDES. The antimicrobial assays were performed with the as-prepared SAP-THEDES and among the panel of bacterial strains, saponin-malic acid THEDES [SMA-THEDES] displayed potent activity in disassembling PA biofilms, demonstrating that the SMA-THEDES can serve as therapeutic antibacterial biomaterials. To further optimize, a Box-Behnken- response surface methodology (RSM) experimental design was done and at the optimum conditions of SAP (1.014m.mol), Malic acid (1.003m.mol), Water (0.117m.mol), SMA-THEDES exhibited maximum MIC of P. aeruginosa with the minimum absorbance at 590nm of 0.105. The effectiveness of SMA-THEDES as antibiofilm agents on P. aeruginosa with the mechanism studies have been explored. The colony count from the in vivo infection zebrafish model in the treatment group showed a decline of > 2 fold for SMA-THEDES. Toxicity studies did not reveal any abnormality in liver and brain enzyme levels. Liver morphology images show no severe cytological alterations when treated with SMA-THEDES and were almost similar to the normal liver.

Mycoplasma bovis Invades Non-Phagocytic Cells by Clathrin-Dependent Endocytic Pathways and Escapes from Phagocytic Vesicles

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is capable of causing pneumonia, arthritis, mastitis, and various other ailments in cattle of all age groups, posing a significant threat to the healthy progression of the worldwide cattle industry. The invasion of non-phagocytic host cells serves as a pivotal mechanism enabling M. bovis to evade the immune system and penetrate mucosal barriers, thereby promoting its spread. To investigate the differences in M. bovis invasion into four types of non-phagocytic cells (Madin–Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells, embryonic bovine lung (EBL) cells, bovine embryo tracheal (EBTr) cells and bovine turbinate (BT) cells) and further elucidate its invasion mechanism, this study first optimized the experimental methods for M. bovis invasion into cells. Utilizing laser scanning confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and high-content live-cell imaging systems, the invasion process of M. bovis into four types of non-phagocytic cells was observed. The invasion rates of three different strains of M. bovis (PG45, 07801, 08M) were quantified through the plate counting method. In order to clarify the specific pathway of M. bovis invasion into cells, chlorpromazine (CPZ), amiloride (AMI), and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD) were used to inhibit CLR-mediated clathrin-dependent endocytosis (CDE) pathway, macropinocytosis, and lipid raft pathway, respectively. Subsequently, the invasion rates of PG45 into these four types of cells were measured. Using siRNA technology, the expression of clathrin (CLR) in EBL cells was knocked down to further verify the role of CLR in the invasion process of M. bovis. The results showed that the optimal conditions for M. bovis to invade non-phagocytic cells were a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1000 and an optimal invasion time of 4 h. All three strains of M. bovis have the ability to invade the four types of non-phagocytic cells, yet their invasion abilities vary significantly. Observations from transmission electron microscopy further confirmed that at 120 min post-infection, PG45 had successfully invaded EBL cells and was present within endocytic vesicles. It is noteworthy that almost all PG45 successfully escaped from the endocytic vesicles after 240 min of infection had passed. Through chemical inhibition experiments and CLR protein knockdown experiments, it was found that when the CDE and lipid raft pathways were blocked or CLR protein expression was reduced, the invasion rates of PG45, 07801, and 08M in MDBK, EBL, EBTr, and BT cells were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The above results indicate that M. bovis can invade all types of non-phagocytic cells through endocytic pathways involving CDE (clathrin-dependent endocytosis) or lipid raft-mediated endocytosis, and possesses the ability to escape from phagosomes.

Machine learning-enhanced modeling and characterization for optimizing dietary Fiber production from Highland barley bran.

This study investigated the modification of highland barley bran through co-fermentation of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Kluyveromyces marxianus, and developed a dynamic prediction model for DF content under these co-fermentation conditions using machine learning algorithms. The results showed that the XGBoost algorithm could predict changes in the DF component content (R2 = 0.9553(SDF/IDF), RMSE = 0.0464.) and identify optimal fermentation conditions. Under the optimal conditions, both strains exhibited synergistic effects, where the lactic acid produced by Lactobacillus bulgaricus and β-glucosidase produced by Kluyveromyces marxianus might facilitate IDF decomposition and conversion, resulting in a maximum SDF/IDF ratio of 0.6911. This led to a 27.65 % reduction in IDF content and a 19.11 % increase in SDF content. Moreover, the physicochemical and functional properties of DF were enhanced after co-fermentation. The structure of DF became more loose and porous, its thermal stability improved, and its water-holding, oil-holding, and swelling capacities increased by 53.54 %, 16.11 %, and 44.96 %, respectively, compared with the unfermented counterpart; In terms of adsorption characteristics, its glucose, cholesterol and nitrite adsorption capacities were also significantly improved. According to in vitro gastrointestinal simulated digestion, digestion would have a great impact on the fermented DF, which showed good antioxidant properties during the intestinal digestion stage.

Optimization of hydrogen production via electrocatalysis using NiCoMo-modified electrodes: An RSM approach

ABSTRACT The depletion of fossil fuels and the environmental impact of their combustion have increased the demand for sustainable energy alternatives, with hydrogen appearing as an appropriate option due to its clean energy potential. This study focuses on developing a laboratory-scale alkaline electrolysis system for hydrogen production. Platinum, known for its high catalytic activity and durability, was employed as the anode, while graphite was selected as the cathode for its cost-effectiveness. To enhance catalytic performance, the graphite electrodes were modified with nickel-cobalt-molybdenum (NiCoMo) using a galvanostatic method. The electrode voltage and molarity were chosen as independent variables to evaluate their effect on hydrogen production. Using the Design-Expert software, the optimal conditions were identified at 3 V and 1.5 mol/l, yielding 10.67 ml of hydrogen. The coefficient of determination (R2) values 98.81% for R2, 97.96% for adjusted R2, and 91.63% for predicted R2 indicate suitable model accuracy. The error margin between experimental and optimized results was only 1.7%, confirming the reliability of the method. This study highlights the potential of NiCoMo-modified electrodes to enhance hydrogen production efficiency. Future research could explore scaling up the system and integrating it with renewable energy sources, positioning this method as a viable pathway toward sustainable hydrogen production.

Study of Ionanofluids Behavior in PVT Solar Collectors: Determination of Thermal Fields and Characteristic Length by Means of HEATT® Platform

Solar electric and solar thermal energies are often considered as part of the solution to the current energy emergency. The pipes of flat plate solar devices are normally heated by their upper surfaces giving rise to an asymmetric temperature field in the bulk of the fluid, which influences the heat transfer process. In the present work, a study of the characteristic length of tubes, or most efficient distance at which heat transfer occurs, in flat photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) hybrid solar devices has been carried out using three heat transfer fluids: water, [Emim]Ac ionic liquid and ionanofluid of graphene nanoparticles suspended in the former ionic liquid. The mean objective of the study was to know whether the heat transfer occurs in optimal conditions. Experimental measurements have been made on a commercial PVT device, and numerical simulations have been performed using the HEATT® platform to determine the characteristic length of the process. The tests conducted showed a clear improvement in the temperature jump of the fluid inside the collector when INF is used compared to water and ionic liquid and even a higher overall energy efficiency. Electricity generation is not greatly affected by the fluid used, although it is slightly higher when water is used. Slower fluid velocities are recommended if high fluid outlet temperatures are the goal of the application, but this penalizes the overall thermal energy production. The characteristic process length is not typically achieved in parallel tube PVT collectors with ordinary flow rates, which would require a speed, and consequently, a flow rate, about 10 times lower, which penalizes the performance (up to four times), although it increases the fluid outlet temperature by 234%, which can be very interesting in certain applications. Ionanofluids may in the medium term become an alternative to water in flat plates or vacuum solar collectors for applications with temperatures close to or above 100 °C, when their costs will hopefully fall. The results and methodology developed in this work are applicable to solar thermal collectors other than PVT collectors.

Spatiotemporal analysis of Zika virus transmission dynamics incorporating human mobility and seasonal variations using modified homotopy perturbation method

AbstractThis study employed a mathematical model to evaluate how seasonal variations, vector dispersal, and mobility of people affect the spread of the Zika virus. The model's positive solutions, invariant zones, and solution existence and uniqueness were validated through proved theorems. The equilibria points were identified, and the basic reproduction number was calculated. The model was semi-analytically solved using a modified homotopy perturbation approach, and an applied convergence test proved that the solution converges. The simulation results indicated that under optimal breeding conditions, the density of healthy mosquitoes peaked in the fourth month. Two months later, increased mosquito dispersal and human carriers facilitated by favorable weather led to a rise in mosquito infectiousness, peaking between the fourth and eighth months due to significant seasonal effects, resulting in high Zika transmission. To effectively control mosquito populations and reduce Zika transmission, it is recommended that public health interventions focus on the critical periods spanning the third to eighth months.

The fabrication of phosphotungstate@UIO-Au/reduced graphene oxidation for electrochemical ultrasensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein.

As an early multi-purpose tumor marker of hepatocellular carcinoma, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) plays a vital role in early diagnosis and treatment. To achieve the early and accurate determination of AFP, the POMOF was fabricated by embedding H3PW12O40 (PW12) into UIO-66-NH2, further immobilized on reduced GO (rGO) and fabricated an innovative POMOF nanocomposite (PW@UIO-Au/rGO) as an electrochemical immunosensor (ECI-sensor). The PW@UIO-Au/rGO achieved 17-fold signal enhancement owing to their synergistic effect, enabling PW@UIO-Au/rGO exhibit high oxidase-like catalytic activity, facilitating their sensing performance. Under optimal experimental conditions, the proposed PW@UIO-Au/rGO ECI-sensor presented excellent sensing performance over a wide range from 0.01 ng mL-1 to 500 ng mL-1 with ultra-low detection of 4.0 pg mL-1. Notably, sensing results in real serum samples were verified by the clinical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECL) methods with excellent accuracy and consistency, indicating the excellent environmental tolerance of the proposed ECI-sensor. This work provided a promising strategy for designing feasible ultra-sensitive probe for sensing AFP in clinical test.

Impacts of climate change and deforestation on fire risk in the Amazon basin

Fires in the Amazon rainforest are a result of anthropogenic activity in the region. As the Amazon rainforest becomes vulnerable to fire through deforestation and climate change, it is imperative to understand how the fire risk will change in future years—not only for the potential of the forest to become a source of carbon to the atmosphere if burned but also for the potential loss of unique biodiversity and its critical role in regional and global climate. Therefore, we used the Eta regional climate model driven by 3 global climate models to simulate 2 distinct scenarios: one with a high CO2 emission (RCP8.5-DEF15) path and another with a high CO2 emission path and the total deforestation of the Amazon rainforest (RCP8.5-DEFTOT). Combining the multi-model ensemble of temperature and precipitation, we calculated the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) and analyzed the results for the dry and wet seasons. In both scenarios, precipitation is reduced and maximum temperature increased. The greatest changes occur during the dry season and with the RCP8.5-DEFTOT scenario. In RCP8.5-DEF15, the KBDI is greatly affected, showing positive anomalies in both seasons. With the addition of deforestation, the fire risk is further exacerbated, thus highlighting the role of the forest in suppressing optimal conditions for fire. Additionally, more than half of the basin area is predicted to experience a high risk of fire in extreme years. Our results emphasize the importance of reducing global emissions and deforestation of the Amazon, given that fire activity could threaten the future of the Amazon rainforest.

Kinetic modeling of the removal of phenolic compounds from olive mill wastewater by hierarchical zeolite/carbon nanotubes: Isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic

ABSTRACT In this study, plain zeolite (ZSM5) and hierarchical zeolite (H-ZSM5) were synthesized as efficient adsorbents for the removal of polyphenolic/antioxidant compounds from olive mill wastewater (OMW). The XRD and FTIR results confirmed the successful synthesis of ZSM5 zeolites. SEM images and BET demonstrated that H-ZSM5 possessed a markedly greater surface area of 337.99 m2/g in contrast to ZSM5 (162.84 m2/g). For H-ZSM5, the values determined for pore volume, total volume, and pore diameters are 77.655 cm3 g−1, 0.1844 cm3 g−1, and 2.1826 nm. The absolute zeta potential values varied between 5.36 ± 1.21 and − 46.41 ± 1.32 mV, with the peak absolute value of − 46.41 ± 1.32 mV occurring at pH 4. The optimal conditions for the removal of phenolic compounds, achieving an efficiency exceeding 90%, were identified as a pH of 4, an adsorbent dosage of 50 mg, and a contact duration of 90 minutes. The adsorption isotherm was found to align with the Langmuir model rather than the Freundlich model, indicating a monolayer adsorption capacity of 48.7 mg/g. Kinetic studies were consistent with a pseudo-first-order model (R2 >0.99). Ultimately, the thermodynamic analysis suggested that the adsorption of OMW onto ZSM5 is both spontaneous and governed by a physisorption mechanism.

Business Ecosystems in Terms of Creating Interactions and Communications

The article is devoted to the creation and evolution of ecosystems, the peculiarities of their functioning, the control and communications management. The main characteristics of ecosystems are considered as: modularity, network structure, different types of partnership and competition, complementarity, interdependence, self-regulation, joint value creation, coevolution, etc. Integrated communications create the most optimal conditions for ecosystems’ functioning, ensure the consistency of participants’ interactions, introduce a common culture, rules, basic values, ethics and communication style, which increases motivation and favourably affects the overall image. According to the authors, in the context of decentralised management, the role of compliance control for assessing and preventing compliance risks, as well as the requirements for the organisation of monitoring, is increasing.The relevance of the study is related to the rapid evolution of ecosystems and their importance for the economy, as well as difficulties in understanding the process of their creation and functioning on the background of the lack of scientific research on the organisation of integrated communications.The purpose of the article is to study the modern ecosystem management using the analysis of scientific papers, comparison, generalization, analogies, systematic and logical analysis.The scientific novelty is in the author’s interpretation of the peculiarities of ecosystem functioning.The practical significance of the work is in the possibility of its use in the creation and improvement of ecosystems within the framework of sustainable innovative development.

Modification of nickel ferrite nanoparticles by sodium docusate surfactant for superior crystal violet dye removal from aqueous solutions.

In this study, nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized using the Pechini sol-gel method and modified with sodium docusate surfactant. The modified nanoparticles showed an enhanced adsorption capacity of 384.62mg/g for crystal violet dye, compared to 237.53mg/g for unmodified NiFe2O4. Characterization was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The adsorption process was spontaneous, exothermic, and followed the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Optimal conditions for maximum dye removal were achieved at pH 10, 50min, and 298K. Additionally, the synthesized adsorbents demonstrated excellent regeneration and reusability over five adsorption-desorption cycles with minimal efficiency loss.

Enhanced Cell Growth and Astaxanthin Production in Haematococcus lacustris by Mechanostimulation of Seed Cysts

The slow growth and complex life cycle of Haematococcus lacustris pose significant challenges for cost-effective astaxanthin production. This study explores the use of microfluidic collision treatment to stimulate the germination of dormant seed cysts, thereby improving photosynthetic cell growth and astaxanthin productivity in H. lacustris cultivated in well plate and flask cultures. The flow rate (1.0–3.0 mL/min) and the number of T-junction loops (3–30) were optimized in the microfluidic device. Under optimal conditions (a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min with 10 loops), the total cell number density in well plate cultures increased by 44.5% compared to untreated controls, reaching 28.9 ± 2.0 × 104 cells/mL after 72 h. In flask cultures, treated cysts showed a 21% increase in astaxanthin productivity after 30 d, reaching 0.95 mg/L/d, due to higher biomass concentrations, while the astaxanthin content per cell remained constant. However, excessive physical collision stress at higher flow rates and loop numbers resulted in reduced cell viability and cell damage. These findings suggest that carefully controlled cyst mechanostimulation can be an effective and environmentally friendly strategy for Haematococcus biorefining, enabling the production of multiple bioactive products.

Strategy for Accurate Detection of Six Tropane Alkaloids in Honey Using Lateral Flow Immunosensors

Honey, a widely consumed food, is susceptible to contamination by various toxic substances during production. Tropane alkaloids, with their potent neurotoxicity, are frequently found in honey. Hence, there is an acute need for rapid and effective detection methods to monitor these alkaloids. Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), known for its simple operation, low cost, and reliable results, holds great promise. In this study, we developed an efficient and user-friendly analytical method for the simultaneous detection of six tropane alkaloids (atropine, L-hyoscyamine, scopolamine, anisodamine, homatropine, and apoatropine) in honey based on an AuNPs lateral flow immunoassay (AuNPs-LFIA) with broad-spectrum antibodies. Under optimal conditions, the calculated detection limits were 0.22, 0.29, 0.51, 6.34, 0.30, and 0.94 ng/mL, respectively. By diluting the honey sample five times, the contaminants can be readily detected using LFIA. Semi-quantitative and quantitative analyses can be completed within 17 min. This innovative method fills the void in LFIA for detecting tropane alkaloids and serves as a valuable reference for LFIA detection of honey samples, providing a crucial strategy for the accurate detection of these important compounds.

Optimization of Ultrasonication Probe-Assisted Extraction Parameters for Bioactive Compounds from Opuntia macrorhiza Using Taguchi Design and Assessment of Antioxidant Properties

Opuntia macrorhiza, commonly referred to as red prickly pear, is a type of cactus fruit. The Opuntia macrorhiza (OM) fruit is rich in polyphenols and contains a high amount of ascorbic acid and betalains. The fruit peels have demonstrated many biological abilities, including antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial activities. Ultrasound probe-assisted extraction (UPAE) is a highly promising method for efficiently extracting valuable molecules from natural sources. The objective of this study is to optimize the parameters of UPAE, including the appropriate solvent, liquid-to-solid ratio, extraction duration, and pulsation level. The aim is to maximize the yield of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, betalains, and ascorbic acid) from OM fruits (pulps and peels) and assess their antioxidant activities using Taguchi design. The optimal extraction conditions through the partial least squares method for OM pulp were determined to be aqueous extraction for 12 min with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 60 mL/g and 48 pulses/min, while for OM peels they were determined to be aqueous extraction for 20 min with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 60 mL/g and a pulsation of 48 pulses/min. The optimum UPAE conditions were compared with the values obtained from the optimum extraction under stirring extraction (STE). Overall, UPAE exhibited higher yields than STE. The obtained total polyphenol content ranged from 10.27 to 13.07 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight, while the betalain content ranged from 974 to 1099 μg/g dry weight. Overall, these fruits demonstrated potential as new components for food and medicinal uses due to their good health effects and lack of toxicity.

Droplet Digital PCR: A New Molecular Method to Detect G1105S/V Mutations in Plasmopara viticola CesA3 Gene

Plasmopara viticola is the causal agent of Grapevine Downy Mildew (GDM), which is a devastating disease of grapevines in humid temperate regions. The most employed method for protecting grapevines against GDM is the application of chemical fungicides. In Spain, Carboxylic Acid Amides (CAAs) are a fungicide group currently utilized in GDM control. In P. viticola, resistance to CAAs is conferred by G1105S and G1105V mutations in the CesA3 gene. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) is an innovative technique that combines PCR and droplet microfluidics to disperse the sample into thousands of water-in-oil droplets in which an amplification reaction is individually performed. In this study, we set up a ddPCR protocol to quantify S1105 and V1105 mutations conferring resistance to CAAs in P. viticola. The optimal PCR conditions were established, and the sensitivity and precision of the protocol were assessed. Four P. viticola populations coming from commercial vineyards in northern Spain were analyzed, and different allele frequencies were found in the analyzed samples corresponding to the different fungicide management strategies, ranging from 7.72% to 100%. Knowing the level of mutated alleles allows for designing resistance management strategies suited for each location. This suggests that similar ddPCR assays could be developed for studying mutations implicated in fungicide resistance in other fungicide groups and plant pathogens.

Feedstock recycling of polycarbonate waste via thermochemical conversion supported by municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash.

The rising demand for plastics has driven up its production, causing severe environmental challenges like CO2 emissions and microplastic pollution. Furthermore, improper disposal of incinerator bottom ash (IBA), a byproduct of municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment, poses additional environmental risks. This study explores a method for recovering non-petroleum-based monomers from plastic products. A smartphone case waste (SCW) is used as feedstock in this study and it is made of polycarbonate (PC), confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The MSW incinerator bottom ash (MSW-IBA) is used as a catalyst for thermochemical conversion of SCW. To determine the optimal pyrolysis conditions for BPA recovery, experiments were conducted under different atmosphere (N₂ and CO₂) and catalyst configurations (in situ and ex situ). The MSW-IBA leads to 127% higher yield of bisphenol A (BPA), the monomer of PC, at 600 °C under a N2 atmosphere, compared to non-catalytic conversion. In situ configuration of the catalyst loading leads to up to 147% higher BPA yield than ex situ configuration. The increased BPA production from SCW is most likely because metal oxides (e.g., CaO) present on the MSW-IBA catalyst promotes the cleavage of and C-O bonds, dissociation of CO (or CO2) and hydrogen extraction from C1-C3 hydrocarbon and H2. For the catalytic conversion of SCW under a CO2 atmosphere, CO2 adsorbs onto CaO in the MSW-IBA, decreasing the number of active sites. It deactivates the catalyst, resulting in a lower BPA yield (22.96 wt%) than the BPA yield obtained under the N2 atmosphere (25.86 wt%).