Organic Content Research Articles

Comparative Study on the Fermentation Characteristics of Selective Lactic Acid Bacteria in Shanxi Aged Vinegar: Pure Culture Versus Co-Culture

The diversity of the microbial community structure plays a crucial role in the flavor and nutritional value of Shanxi aged vinegar in fermentation. Illumina Miseq high-throughput sequencing identified thirteen bacterial genera, with Lactobacillales (44.89%) and Acetobacter (21.04%) being the predominant species. Meanwhile, the fermentation characteristics of selected lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from Shanxi aged vinegar were studied in different media. The results showed that the biomass, and physical and chemical indices, as well as flavor compounds of the four strains of lactic acid bacteria in the simulated vinegar fermented grains medium were superior to those in barley and pea medium and sorghum juice medium. The bacterial interaction was conducted to investigate the effects on growth, the physicochemical indices, and flavor substances in order to determine the optimal combination. Furthermore, the interaction between pure cultures and co-cultures of lactic acid bacteria in a simulated vinegar culture medium was investigated, with a focus on the impact of this interaction on strain growth, fermentation characteristics, and flavor compound production. Compared with the pure culture, when strains L7 and L729 were co-inoculated, the reducing sugar content was 0.31 ± 0.01 g/100 g, total acid content was 3.02 ± 0.06 g/100 g, acetoin content was 2.41 ± 0.07 g/100 g, and total organic acid content was 3.77 ± 0.17 g/100 g. In terms of flavor compounds, the combined culture system exhibited higher levels of esters, aldehydes, and acids compared to pure cultures or other co-culture systems. This study revealed the fermentation characteristics of selected lactic acid strains in Shanxi aged vinegar under different conditions and their interaction in simulated vinegar fermentation media, which could provide theoretical support for the safety and health evaluation of aged vinegar.

Experimental evaluation of acid number effect on interfacial tension between nitrogen and mixtures of petroleum fractions including diesel fuel and gasoline at different pressures

Crude oil is made up of very complex compounds, which are found in polar organic substances especially organic acid compounds in the majority. Although organic acid content in crude oil is low, the presence of organic acids affects the interfacial tension (IFT) in oil reservoirs thereby altering the enhancement of oil recovery using nitrogen gas (N2) injection. Therefore, in this study, the effects of pressure (1 to 35 bar), the percentage of aromatic compounds (0.0 to 100 vol%) in the aliphatic hydrocarbon samples and the organic acid (benzoic acid) content (0.0 to 0.8 g.L− 1) on IFT between a mixture of gasoline/diesel fuel and N2 were investigated at a temperature of 298 K. IFT does not necessarily decrease as pressure increases for the sake of existence of aromatic compounds. IFT alteration for gasoline was more (about 8 dyne.cm− 1) than for diesel fuel (approximately 4 dyne.cm− 1) during pressure increased from 1 to 35 bar due to the replacement of heavy long chain aliphatic compounds instead of light aromatic matters. The effect of IFT alteration between N2 and diesel fuel during increasing the organic acid content was little (approximately 1.5 dyne.cm− 1), in contrast, this effect was more noticeable for N2/gasoline (about 8 dyne.cm− 1). In addition, a reduced cubic model for estimating IFT between N2 and petroleum fractions in terms of pressure, petroleum fraction composition and organic acid content was proposed with an average relative error of less than 2.6%.

Composition and Injection Rate Co-Optimization Method of Supercritical Multicomponent Thermal Fluid Used for Offshore Heavy Oil Thermal Recovery

Supercritical multicomponent thermal fluid injection is a new technology with great potential for offshore heavy oil thermal recovery. In the process of thermal fluid generation, the reaction conditions including temperature, pressure, and the organic mass concentration in the reaction material will significantly affect its composition and injection rate and will further affect the thermal recovery and development quality of heavy oil. However, there is a lack of relevant research on the variation rules and control methods of the composition and injection rate of supercritical multicomponent thermal fluids, resulting in a lack of technical mechanisms for effective optimization. To fill this gap, a reaction molecular dynamics simulation method was used to simulate thermal fluid generation under different temperatures, pressures, and organic mass concentrations. The changes in thermal fluid composition and yield with reaction conditions were studied, and a control model of thermal fluid composition and yield was established. The proportional relationship between the thermal fluid generation scale of an offshore heavy oil platform and the simulated thermal fluid generation scale is analyzed, and a collaborative optimization method of thermal fluid composition and injection rate in field applications is proposed. The results show the following: (1) The higher the mass concentration of organic matter, the higher the content of supercritical carbon dioxide and supercritical nitrogen in thermal fluids, and the lower the content of supercritical water. (2) The higher the temperature and pressure, the higher the thermal fluid yield, and the higher the organic mass concentration, the lower the thermal fluid yield. (3) The component fitting model conforms to the power function relationship, and the coefficient of determination R2 is greater than 0.9; the yield fitting model conforms to the modified inverse linear logarithmic function relationship, the determination coefficient R2 is greater than 0.8, and the fitting degree is high. (4) The ratio between the actual injection rate of thermal fluids in the mine field and the molecular simulated thermal fluid yield is the ratio of organic matter mass in the platform thermal fluid generator and organic matter mass in the simulated box. (5) Based on the composition and yield control model, combined with the simulation of the ratio relationship between yield and injection rate in the field, a collaborative optimization method of thermal fluid composition and injection rate was established. The research results can provide an effective technical method for predicting, controlling, and optimizing the composition and injection rate of supercritical multicomponent thermal fluids.

Maize-Straw Biochar Enhances Soil Properties and Grain Yield of Foxtail Millet in a Newly Reclaimed Land

Large-scale land reclamation has become common in northwestern China; however, low soil fertility and poor soil water-holding capacity limit agricultural production on these reclaimed lands, requiring increased fertilizer and irrigation inputs. Biochar, produced from agricultural waste, has shown potential in improving soil quality and water-holding capacity. In this two-year field study (2021 and 2022), we investigated the effects of biochar produced from maize straw on soil properties and grain yield of foxtail millet grown on newly reclaimed land. Three biochar treatments (3000, 4500, and 6000 kg ha−1) were compared to a control (CK) with no biochar application. Biochar application resulted in increased soil organic matter, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, soil enzyme activity, and soil organic acid content. It also significantly decreased soil pH and bulk density. Compared with the CK, biochar increased available nitrogen from 29.7% to 108% in 2021 and 37.0% to 88.4% in 2022. Similarly, biochar increased available phosphorus from 64.7% to 143% in 2021 and 41.9% to 96.5% in 2022. Grain yields ranged from 3092 to 4753 kg ha−1. Biochar treatments increased grain yield compared to the CK, ranging from 12.2% to 24.6% in 2021 and 27.1% to 53.7% in 2022. Correlation analysis revealed that soil pH was negatively related to soil oxalic acid content, phosphorus content, and sucrase activity. Available nitrogen and phosphorus contents were negatively related to soil bulk density and positively related to catalase activity. Soil water content was negatively correlated with soil bulk density and positively correlated with organic matter. In conclusion, biochar improved the rhizosphere soil pH and the effectiveness of soil fertility in the newly reclaimed soil, resulting in an enhanced grain yield of foxtail millet.

Indoor Environmental Quality in Portuguese Office Buildings: Influencing Factors and Impact of an Intervention Study

Office workers spend a considerable part of their day at the workplace, making it vital to ensure proper indoor environmental quality (IEQ) conditions in office buildings. This work aimed to identify significant factors influencing IEQ and assess the effectiveness of an environmental intervention program, which included the introduction of indoor plants, carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors, ventilation, and printer relocation (source control), in six modern office buildings in improving IEQ. Thirty office spaces in Porto, Portugal, were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Indoor air quality, thermal comfort, illuminance, and noise were monitored before and after a 14-day intervention implementation. Occupancy, natural ventilation, floor type, and cleaning time significantly influenced IEQ levels. Biophilic interventions appeared to decrease volatile organic compound concentrations by 30%. Installing CO2 sensors and optimizing ventilation strategies in an office that mainly relies on natural ventilation effectively improved air renewal and resulted in a 28% decrease in CO2 levels. The implementation of a source control intervention led to a decrease in ultrafine particle and ozone concentrations by 14% and 85%, respectively. However, an unexpected increase in airborne particle levels was detected. Overall, for a sample of offices that presented acceptable IEQ levels, the intervention program had only minor or inconsistent impacts. Offices with declared IEQ problems are prime candidates for further research to fully understand the potential of environmental interventions.

Biochemical and antioxidant activities, organic acid contents, fatty acid compositions, mineral element contents, and carbohydrate contents of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) accessions found in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Türkiye

The genus Rhus, belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, encompasses over 250 species. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and antioxidant activities, organic acid contents, fatty acid compositions, mineral element contents, and carbohydrate contents of 100 sumac accessions from Hatay province. Total phenolics varied from 89.46 to 316.33 mg GAE/g DW, total flavonoids ranged from 1.99 to 9.79 mg QE/g DW, and total antioxidant activity was between 24.33 % and 87.66 %. The dominant components identified were malic acid (1255.59–2659.47 mg kg–1), oleic acid (27.33–59.12 %), phosphorus (5869.69–7122.58 mg kg–1), and xylan (17.98–27.24 %). In the principal component analysis, the first nineteen components explained 70.16 % of the total variance. According to Ward's method and Euclidean distance, the UPGMA dendrogram revealed four subgroups (A1, A2, B1, and B2) with 24, 28, 14, and 34 accessions, respectively. Significant correlations were found between fatty acid compositions and nutrient minerals. The identified high-quality sumac accessions (‘S47’, ‘S66’, ‘S100’, ‘S14’, ‘S97’, ‘S82’, ‘S93’, ‘S94’, ‘S43’, ‘S88’, ‘S2’, ‘S50’, ‘S20’, ‘S71’, ‘S78’, ‘S58’, ‘S48’, ‘S90’, ‘S23’, ‘S95’, ‘S91’, ‘S13’, ‘S74’, ‘S72’, and ‘S28’, respectively) are poised to contribute significantly to breeding studies aimed at developing more nutritious sumac cultivars. These accessions may also serve as antioxidant-rich products in the food and health sectors, enhancing agricultural production and economic benefits.

Enhancing physico-chemical water quality in recycled dairy effluent through microbial consortium treatment

The dairy industry, notorious by generating wastewater rich in organic and nitrogenous content, necessitates sustainable recycling solutions. Biological treatment emerges as a cost-effective and chemical-free alternative. This study delves into the potential of microbial consortium, a microbial consortium, for recycling dairy effluent, aiming at water reclamation and environmental sustainability. Effluent samples from Madurai's Dairy Industry underwent microbial consortium treatment in a recycling prototype, with treatment efficacy assessed through physicochemical parameters and contaminant removal efficiency.Guided by a biodegradability index of 4.51, the study showcased EM's impact, revealing a notable decrease in pH levels, fostering an alkaline environment (2.35 ± 0.06 ppt). Dissolved oxygen increased significantly to 4.50 ppm, indicating improved aerobic conditions. EM treatment led to substantial reductions in calcium (53 %), magnesium (95 %), nitrogen (22 %), sulfate (79 %), phosphate (86 %), BOD (78 %), and COD (82 %). In contrast, dairy effluent treated without microbial consortium during the sludge activation process exhibited negligible water quality improvement.These findings underscore microbial consortium efficacy in advancing biological treatment of dairy effluent, demonstrating a significant reduction in contaminants and showcasing its potential for sustainable water reclamation. Improved alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient content further signify positive impacts on ecosystem health. Microbial consortium emerges as a promising avenue for recycling dairy effluent, offering an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution. The study emphasizes the crucial role of microbial treatments in achieving efficient water reclamation, contributing to a cleaner and sustainable environment. Future research and broader implementation of microbial consortium in dairy industry wastewater management are recommended for enhanced environmental benefits.

Behaviour, biochemical and histological responses of the freshwater mussels Unio ravoisieri exposed to wastewater from Wadi Guenniche (Northeastern Tunisia)

ABSTRACT Wastewater effluents increase contaminant levels in the aquatic environment, leading to various disruptive effects. In this study, responses of Unio ravoisieri transplanted into wastewater from Wadi Guenniche were monitored using filtration rate, oxidative stress, lipo-peroxidation, neurotoxicity and histopathological markers. The filtration rate was significantly increased by exposure to diluted wastewater, rising from 35.13 mg indiv−1 h−1 in the control to 63.49 mg indiv−1 h−1 in the mussels after 96 h of exposure. In contrast, this exposure significantly reduces catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and acetylcholinesterase activities in both organs. This decrease is dependent on the effluent concentration and time exposure. The malondihaldehyde content showed an increasing profile in both organs. It is only in the gills that this increase is significant for mussels transplanted in situ for 48 h. Contamination by wastewater causes histopathological changes in both organs, marked by infiltration, vacuolisation, secretion of lipofuscins and cell necrosis. The intensity of these lesions depends on the duration of exposure and the degree of pollution. The mean incidence of lesions increases depending on effluent concentration and exposure time in both organs. Our study contributes to the database on behavioural, biochemical and histopathological effects in mussels following the discharge of wastewater effluent into a freshwater ecosystem.

Nanoscale pore structure and fractal characteristics of lacustrine shale: A case study of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou shales, Southern Songliao Basin, China.

The Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation's lacustrine shales in the Songliao Basin are among China's most promising shale oil reservoirs. To elucidate their pore and fractal characteristics, a comprehensive set of analyses encompassing total organic carbon (TOC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and low-temperature N2 adsorption (LTNA), Rock-Eval pyrolysis experiments and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) were conducted. Using the Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) method, fractal dimensions (D) were calculated, and their relationship with pore metrics and shale compositions were explored. Two distinct fractal dimensions, D1 (0 < P/P0 < 0.5) and D2 (0.5 <P/P0 <1.0), were derived from LTNA isotherms via the FHH approach. D1 values fluctuated between 2.5715 and 2.7551 (mean 2.6564), while D2 spanned from 2.3247 to 2.4209 (mean 2.3653). Notably, D1 consistently surpassed D2, signifying that smaller pores exhibit greater homogeneity compared to their larger counterparts. D1 gradually increases with the increase of clay content. A direct correlation was observed between pore volume (PV), specific surface area (SSA), and D (both D1 and D2), whereas the association between average pore diameter (APD) and D was inverse. Both D1 and D2 escalated with diminishing TOC, 2D-NMR solid organic matter (OM), S1 content and 2D-NMR light oil. Intriguingly, D1 showed a stronger association with key pore and "sweet spot" parameters, highlighting its utility in assessing pore structural complexity and shale oil potential. This study illustrates how fractal theory enhances our understanding of pore structures and the shale oil enrichment process for the lacustrine shale.

Physiologically based toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic (PBTK-TD) modelling of cis-bifenthrin in Carassius auratus and Xenopus laevis accounting for reproductive toxicity

Pyrethroid insecticides are a class of endocrine disruptors and are believed to exhibit reproductive toxicity to aquatic organisms. Pyrethroids are widely detected in aquatic environments and can accumulate in aquatic organisms, but studies on their accumulation and the associated reproductive toxicity in aquatic organisms are still limited. We utilized Carassius auratus and Xenopus laevis as models for fish and amphibians, respectively, and developed and validated a physiologically based toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic (PBTK-TD) model for adult fish and frogs exposed to typical pyrethroid pesticides cis-bifenthrin (cis-BF). The model includes the brain, kidney, liver, gonads, gills/lungs, well-perfused tissue, and poorly-perfused tissue, which are interconnected by blood circulation in the PBTK process. There are also dynamic relationships between target organ concentrations and reproductive-related endpoints in the TD process. Results showed that the PBTK sub-model accurately described and predicted the uptake, distribution, and disposition kinetics in fish and frogs. In fish, the kidney exhibited the fastest accumulation rate, while in frogs, the skin showed the fastest accumulation rate, followed by the kidney. Sensitivity analysis indicated that parameters such as blood flow and blood distribution coefficients had significant effects on chemical concentrations. A sigmoid Emax model was employed to describe the relationship between the reproductive toxicity effects of cis-BF and its dose-concentration variations. We found that testosterone (T) exhibited the highest correlation coefficient, suggesting that T could serve as an effective biomarker for cis-BF reproductive toxicity. The PBTK-TD model established in this study is beneficial for predicting the toxicological effects of pyrethroids in fish and amphibians.

Recovery of Selenium-Enriched Polysaccharides from Cardamine violifolia Residues: Comparison on Structure and Antioxidant Activity by Different Extraction Methods.

The residues from selenium-enriched Cardamine violifolia after the extraction of protein were still rich in polysaccharides. Thus, the recovery of selenium polysaccharides (SePSs) was compared using hot water extraction and ultrasonic-assisted extraction techniques. The yield, extraction rate, purity, specific energy consumption, and content of total and organic selenium from different SePS extracts were determined. The results indicated that at conditions of 250 W (ultrasonic power), 30 °C, and a liquid-to-material ratio of 30:1 extracted for 60 min, the yield of SePSs was 3.97 ± 0.07%, the extraction rate was 22.76 ± 0.40%, and the purity was 65.56 ± 0.35%, while the total and organic selenium content was 749.16 ± 6.91 mg/kg and 628.37 ± 5.93 mg/kg, respectively. Compared to traditional hot water extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction significantly improves efficiency, reduces energy use, and boosts both total and organic selenium content in the extract. Measurements of particle size, molecular weight, and monosaccharide composition, along with infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, revealed that ultrasonic-assisted extraction breaks down long-chain structures, decreases particle size, and changes monosaccharide composition in SePSs, leading to lower molecular weight and reduced dispersity. The unique structure of SePSs, which integrates selenium with polysaccharide groups, results in markedly improved antioxidant activity and reducing power, even at low concentrations, due to the synergistic effects of selenium and polysaccharides. This study establishes a basis for using SePSs in functional foods.

Characterization of three-dimensional printed hydroxyapatite/collagen composite slurry

Nowadays, biomaterial composites for bone tissue engineering are developing rapidly. Many research studies have been done on hydroxyapatite (HA) and collagen because these materials are biomimetic and can be used in human bones. This study aimed to characterize a three-dimensional (3D) printed hydroxyapatite/collagen composite slurry material with a ratio of 99.84 % (w/v) and 0.16 % (w/v). The composite material was printed using 3D printing with a print speed of 10 mm/min and a layer height of 0.5 mm. Characterization layers were investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). SEM showed the occurrence of overlapping between layers, which was investigated by the reduction in layer dimensions after printing (layer size 432 μm). Moreover, there were no boundaries between layers; the connection between layers occurred, and porosity and the rough surface were presented. FTIR analyses showed spectrum peaks at 559.36, 628.79, 1022.27, 1562.34, and 1639.49 cm−1 which was confirmed as hydroxyapatite and amide (indicates the presence of spectrum collagen). The XRD pattern peaks show the crystallinity of HA/collagen composite (41 %) and HA (42 %). The Ca/P ratio of the material composite was 1.77. The ratio was osteoconductive, and this characteristic was the main requirement for bone grafts. From TGA, the weight loss occurred between temperatures of 25 °C and 1000 °C with three stages: water absorption (1.844 %), removal of organic content (2.854 %), and decomposition of inorganic compounds (3.517 %).

Insights into potential of banana leaf powder as a mud soil stabilizer

This study proposes a novel method for managing surplus soil in urban construction projects by investigating the use of banana leaf powder (BLP) as an eco-friendly and efficient mud-soil stabilizer. This study is pioneering in its focus on the use of an agricultural waste product, BLP, as an alternative to conventional methods that frequently rely on cement or lime, which pose environmental concerns owing to their high alkalinity and carbon emissions. BLP, derived from dried and pulverized banana leaves, traditionally used in various industries, was evaluated for its suitability as a stabilizer against orange peel biopolymer (OBP) and fly ash (FA). The findings of this study are groundbreaking. BLP's water absorption capacity, Wab, although lower than that of OBP, was significantly higher than that of FA, demonstrating its potential as a mud soil stabilizer. BLP increased the compaction and strength of the treated clay, whereas OBP made it more challenging to compact the clay owing to gelatinization. The ease of compaction with BLP is attributed to the absorption of free water into the pores of the particles. These results suggest that differences in the stabilizer's water absorption mechanism affect the effectiveness of the post-treatment compaction process on the treated soil. An analysis of the impact of water absorption capacity on the cone index, qc, revealed a material-independent relationship between the parameter β (=Wab × A, where A denotes stabilizer addition content) and qc for BLP and FA. This is because, in contrast to OBP, BLP and FA did not gelatinize the free water that was not absorbed by the stabilizer and remained in the same form within the treated clay. This indicates that understanding the water absorption capacity and mechanism of organic- or inorganic-based stabilizers is important for predicting the strength of treated soil. The same relationship between β and qc holds true for the hybrid-treated clay using both BLP and FA, with β considered to be the sum of β for both BLP and FA. Furthermore, this study innovatively addresses the concern of BLP decay in treated soil by creating a hybrid stabilizer with FA and conducting experiments to accelerate BLP decay using fungal mycelia. These experiments revealed that the hybrid-treated clay exhibited a more gradual decrease in carbon content and stabilized pH levels, implying that FA could inhibit decay by fungal mycelia, improving the BLP-treated soil's long-term durability. These findings suggest that agricultural wastes with high organic content can be effectively used for soil stabilization and ground improvement in civil engineering construction and maintenance projects by combining inorganic materials and taking advantage of their properties, such as high water absorbency. This can address the issues (such as high alkalinity and high carbon dioxide emissions) associated with cement- and lime-based stabilizers, which were previously widely used.

Sewage sludge as soil amendment in arid soils - A trace metal, nutrient and trace organics perspective

Sewage sludge management has emerged as a critical environmental challenge due to the large volumes generated globally. Valorization techniques, including energy production and agricultural applications, offer sustainable solutions, particularly in regions with low soil fertility. The sewage sludge utilization in the Middle East region is low. This paper presents a pragmatic risk-based assessment using the risk-based corrective action approach to evaluate sludge application in desert soils. This methodology focuses on the source-pathway-receptor interaction and assesses the likelihood of contaminants posing a real threat. In arid desert regions like Kuwait, where soil organic content and moisture are extremely low, the application of sewage sludge presents a feasible option to enhance soil quality and valorize unutilized sludge dumps which pose significant environmental concerns but are left to desiccate in the absence of any environmental regulation towards its utilization and due to religious apprehensions. Since the sludge characterization is not well detailed a brief review of the available data was included to establish the bounds of various organic, metal and nutrients that were used for generating the model. This study examines the changes in the physico-chemical properties of desert soils following sludge application, focusing on the likely fate of trace metals and organic contaminants. The alkaline desert soils of Kuwait, with a pH range of 7.7–8.9, are particularly suitable for sludge application due to the low mobility of metals in alkaline conditions. Additionally, sludge application lowers soil pH, improving conditions for plant growth. The region's deeper water table and scant annual precipitation (<0.15 m) further reduce the risk of groundwater contamination and deeper soil profile contamination. The presence of organic content, nitrates, Zn, and Cu in sludge can promote native vegetation growth. However, trace organic contaminants, including PAHs, PCBs, and pharmaceuticals, pose a potential risk to soil contamination, but since the geological section shows intervening impervious layers the contamination is going to be localized, even if there is sufficient leachable fraction. Given the minimal risk of contamination under the unique conditions of arid regions, this approach highlights the potential for eco-friendly sludge valorization, that will improve vegetation cover and arrest the suspended particulate suspension. However, before the large-scale implementation of this modelled concept, a detailed experimental study on the pilot scale or lysimeters is recommended to assess the long-term impacts of sludge application and to obtain data that can inform policy guidelines for sustainable sludge management in desert environments.

AQbD-guided stability indicating HPLC method for azelnidipine and chlorthalidone fixed-dose combination tablet: a green approach

This study developed a stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for quantifying azelnidipine and chlorthalidone in fixed-dose formulations using Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) principles. A Plackett-Burman design was used for factor screening, followed by risk assessment and optimization using a central composite design to evaluate the effects of the organic phase percentage, flow rate, and modifier concentration. Acetonitrile percentage was identified as the most critical factor. The optimized method employed a Reliant™ C18 Waters column with a mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile (62:38% v/v), with chlorthalidone and azelnidipine eluting at 4.1 and 13.7 minutes, respectively. Validation showed the method's robustness, accuracy, and precision. Forced degradation studies confirmed its reliability for tablet formulation analysis, and an Analytical Greenness score of 0.55 highlighted its environmental sustainability. This method is efficient, simple, and well-suited for routine quality control in the pharmaceutical industry.

Ambient smoke exposure and indoor air quality in eastern Massachusetts during the 2023 wildfire season

ABSTRACT Widespread North American wildfires in 2023 led to exposure to ambient wildfire smoke outside of traditionally wildfire-prone regions. The objective was to evaluate levels of indoor air pollutants in relation to ambient wildfire smoke exposure in eastern Massachusetts. Using a real-time multipollutant sensor system in five Boston area households, this study assessed indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and total volatile organic compound concentrations (TVOC) two days before and during days of hazardous wildfire smoke exposure (smoke days). The relationship between ambient PM2.5 from regulatory monitors and indoor PM2.5 before and during smoke days was investigated by mixed effects linear regression. During smoke days and the preceding non-smoke days, median indoor PM2.5 was 9.9 µg/m3 and 3.5 µg/m3 (p < 0.001), respectively; median NO2 was 20.5 ppb and 18.4 ppb (p = 0.11); median TVOC was 6,715 µg/m3 and 5,361 µg/m3 (p = 0.35). A 1% increase in ambient PM2.5 was associated with a 0.93% increase in indoor PM2.5 on smoke days (95% CI, 0.54%–1.32%) and a 0.34% increase on non-smoke days (95% CI, 0.17%–0.66%), though interaction testing of smoke day status was not statistically significant (p = 0.14). In Northeastern US homes, indoor PM2.5 increased significantly during ambient wildfire smoke exposure, which may reflect increased infiltration and increased indoor particle-generating activities during smoke days. Implications: This study reports on household exposure to wildfire smoke in eastern Massachusetts, finding that indoor PM2.5 more than doubled compared to preceding non-smoke days, while indoor NO2 and TVOC did not significantly rise. Though the generalizability of this study is limited by the small number of homes studied, the findings suggest that more investigation is needed to understand indoor air pollution during future wildfire smoke exposure in regions not traditionally wildfire-prone and to inform mitigation efforts.

Lifetime minimally invasive assessment of iron in the pig liver

Microelements are an integral part of the mammalian body, and their content in organs and tissues is associated with other components of a complex biological system. Based on this, it is feasible to evaluate the concentration of specific chemical elements within the structures of the body in non-invasive or minimally invasive methods. The meat and by-products of farm animals serve as a readily assimilateable source of iron, which is one of the reasons for potentially defining the quality of agricultural products in conditions of widespread iron deficiency. Landrace pigs were raised in standard conditions at an industrial complex located in the Altai Territory in order to fatten up to a live weight of 100 kg. Venous blood was collected using the acute method from the jugular vein in accordance with the principles of asepsis and pre-analytical guidelines. The hematologic and biochemical examination of the blood and serum of animals was performed by apparatus. After slaughter, liver samples were collected, and the method of atomic emission spectral analysis using inductively coupled plasma on iCAP-PRO equipment (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was used to estimate the iron level in them. To manipulate the data, Microsoft Office Excel software and RStudio data analysis environment version 2023.03.1 (RStudio, PBC) were employed. For regression analysis, the least squares approach was used. The model was fitted using a stepwise selection of predictors in both directions using the Akaike information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, and adjusted coefficient of determination. The linear regression assumptions were evaluated. The final regression model used for determining iron levels in pig liver contains mean hemoglobin content in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and serum inorganic phosphorus as predictors. There is no evidence that there is multicollinearity between the predictors of the final model. The proposed model satisfies the requirements for a normal distribution of residuals, the absence of their correlation, and influential observations. The proposed multiple regression model has the capability to estimate iron levels in pig liver in vivo for various purposes.

Identification of key gene networks controlling organic acid and sugar metabolism during star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) development

The sugar and organic acid content significantly impacts the flavor quality of star fruit, and it undergoes dynamic changes during development. However, the metabolic network and molecular mechanisms governing the formation of sugar and organic acid in star fruit remain unclear. In this study, 23 of 743 components were detected by metabonomic analysis. The highest metabolites contents were organic acids and derivatives. The highest sugar content in the fruit was fructose and glucose, followed by sucrose, which proved that A. carambola is a hexose accumulation type fruit. Genome identification preliminarily screened 141 genes related to glucose metabolism and 67 genes related to acid metabolism. A total of 7,881 unigenes were found in transcriptome data, 6,124 differentially expressed genes were screened, with more up-regulated than down-regulated genes. Transcriptome and metabolome association analysis screened seven core candidate genes related to glucose metabolism and 17 core genes highly related to organic acid pathway, and eight differentially expressed sugar and acid genes were selected for qRT-PCR verification. In addition, 29 bHLHs and eight bZIPs transcription factors were predicted in the glucose metabolism pathway, and 23 MYBs, nine C2H2s transcription factors and one GRAS transcription factor was predicted in the acid metabolism pathway, and transcription factors have both positive and negative regulatory effects on sugar and acid structure genes. This study increased our understanding of A. carambola fruit flavor and provided basic information for further exploring the ornamental and edible values of star fruit.

Assessing the ecological functioning and biodiversity of remnant native flat oyster (Ostrea angasi) reefs in temperate southeast Australia

Oyster reefs are critically endangered coastal habitats which provide valuable ecosystems services. Despite their importance, there remains a significant knowledge gap in our understanding of how oyster and sediment characteristics influence the ecological functioning and biodiversity of remnant Australian flat oyster (Ostrea angasi) reefs. To inform restoration efforts, we assessed relationships between community respiration rates (CR), inorganic nitrogen fluxes, filtration rates, biodiversity, and oyster morphometrics as well as sediment conditions for three remanent flat oyster reefs (Oyster Cove, Ralphs Bay, and Quarantine Bay) in southeast Tasmania. Additionally, we explored relationships between net denitrification, and flat oyster morphometrics and sediment conditions at one of the sites (Ralphs Bay) in southeast Tasmania. We observed positive relationships between CR, inorganic nitrogen fluxes, filtration rates, and live flat oyster biomass, as well as between the richness and biomass of associated taxa and total flat oyster biomass (both tissue and shell including dead shell), across all three locations. We also found an increase in net denitrification associated with live oyster biomass at one of the oyster reefs (Ralphs Bay). The CR, inorganic nitrogen fluxes, filtration rates, diversity of taxa and biomass of bivalves and flat oyster biomass was higher at Ralphs Bay, which has the most intact reef, compared to the other two locations. In contrast to other studies, the organic and silt content of the sediment showed limited influence on CR, inorganic nitrogen fluxes, filtration rates and net denitrification. CR, and inorganic nitrogen fluxes in these flat oyster reefs were like other restored and natural oyster reefs globally, but net denitrification, filtration rate and taxonomic richness exceeded those previously observed globally. These results highlight the important role of oyster biomass in enhancing water quality and biodiversity. Burgeoning flat oyster reef restoration initiatives should prioritise the enhancement of both live oyster populations and dead shells to recover their associated ecological functions and biological diversity.

Enhanced remediation of real agricultural runoff in surface-flow constructed wetlands by coupling composite substrate-packed bio-balls, submerged plants and functional bacteria: Performance and mechanisms

Import of agricultural runoff containing nutrients considerably contributes to eutrophication of receiving water bodies. Surface-flow constructed wetlands (SFCWs) are commonly applied for agricultural runoff purification, but the performance is usually unsatisfactory. In this study, suspended bio-balls filled with zeolite and iron-carbon (Fe-C) composite substrates, submerged macrophyte (Ceratophyllum demersum) and functional denitrifying bacteria were collectively added into SFCW microcosms to enhance the remediation efficiency for real agricultural runoff with high nutrient concentrations and low content of bioavailable organic matter. The bio-ball added SFCWs achieved notably higher pollutant removal efficiencies (21.1%, 80.2% and 47.5% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), respectively) than the control (COD: 6.9%, TN: 64.4%, TP: 27.9%), because of the versatile functions of filling materials for pollutant removal. C. demersum plantation (COD: 44.2%, TN: 82.8% and TP: 53.7%) and functional bacteria inoculation (COD: 51.8%, TN: 85.8% and TP: 55.1%) further enhanced the efficiency of the SFCWs for agricultural runoff remediation. Bio-ball addition and C. demersum plantation significantly increased the humification degree and reduced the molecular weight of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the agricultural runoff. Moreover, the two intensification measures also notably reduced organic and nitrogen contents in the wetland sediment. Remarkable distinction in bacterial community distribution patterns was observed in the SFCW sediment and filling substrates in bio-balls. Keystone genera including Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Bacillus in the zeolite, Sphingomonas and Exiguobacterium in the Fe-C substrates and Sediminibacterium in the sediment might be critical for agricultural runoff remediation in the SFCW microcosms. The study highlights a high potential of the intensified SFCWs by these coupling measures for agricultural runoff remediation.