Organic Oxygen Research Articles

Diversity in storage age enables discrepancy in quality attributes and metabolic profile of Citrus grandis "Tomentosa" in China.

The folk proverb "the older, the better" is usually used to describe the quality of Citrus grandis "Tomentosa" (CGT) in China. In this study, CGT aged for 6-, 12-, 16-, and 19-years were collected for the investigation of infusion color, main bioactive components, antioxidant activity, metabolic composition, and pathway. The results found that infusion color, the total phenolic and flavonoid, and antioxidant activity of CGT were obviously changed by aging process. Through untargeted metabolomics, 55 critical metabolites were identified to in discrimination of CGT with different storage ages, mainly including phenylpropanoids, lipids, and organic oxygen compounds. Twenty compounds that showed good linear relationships with storage ages could be used for year prediction of CGT. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment pathway analysis uncovered important metabolic pathways related to the accumulation of naringin, kaempferol, and choline as well as the degradation of benzenoids, thus supporting that aged CGT might be more beneficial to health. Correlation analysis provided that some key metabolites with bitter taste and biological activity were involved in the darkening and reddening of CGT infusion during aging, and total phenolic and flavonoid were more strongly associated with the antioxidant activity of CGT. This study systematically revealed the quality changes and key metabolic pathways during CGT aging at first time. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study reveals the differences in quality attributes and metabolic profile between CGT with different storage ages, providing guidance for consumers' consumption, and also providing more scientific basis for the quality evaluation and improvement of CGT.

Stability Constants of Tetravalent Germanium Complexes in Aqueous Solution: Small Organic Oxygen and Nitrogen Donor Ligands.

The formation constants of about 100 different complexes of Ge(IV) with some 50 organic, low-molecular-weight ligands, principally bidentate oxygen and/or nitrogen donors, are determined by potentiometric titrations at 25 °C and an ionic strength of 0.1 mol L-1 (KNO3). In the few cases for which literature data are available, these older data are critically discussed and completed in light of our new experimental data. The overall picture emerging from our work is that such complexes are comparatively weak, except when a chelate effect comes into play, as is observed with aminopolyols, α-hydroxocarboxylic acids, and carbohydrate derivatives, where even quantitative chelation of Ge is possible. No binding to amino acids or peptides is detected. An important finding is our evidence for the existence of a bridged dinuclear germanium(IV) tartrate complex in the aqueous phase, whose occurrence in solids was confirmed by X-ray diffraction beforehand. Our work has implications for the general understanding of the aqueous coordination chemistry of Ge, its geochemical cycling, and its behavior in environmental and biological systems. Potentiometric raw data for use by other researchers are publicly accessible in the repository Zenodo at CERN.

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and Bacillus subtilis on growth, immunity and intestinal flora of largemouth bass(Micropterus salmoides)

Probiotics play a crucial role in largemouth bass aquaculture, primarily in enhancing water quality, preventing fish diseases, promoting largemouth bass growth, and boosting immunity in high-density culture conditions. The experiment was actualized by adding Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis and a mixture of probiotic (L. plantarum and B. subtilis 1:1) in the culture water of largemouth bass for 42 days, respectively, to explore the effect of the above two probiotics on the growth performance and immunity ability of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).Results: At the level of phylum, the relative abundance of enteric flora in Tenericutes of largemouth bass in L. plantarum added group was significantly higher than that in control group (p < 0.05). Conversely, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly lower than that of control group (p < 0.05). Similarly, at the genus level, the relative abundance of Mycoplasma and Leifsonia was significantly higher than that of control group (p < 0.05), while the relative abundance of Aeromonas was significantly lower in the L. plantarum added group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, there were no significant differences in phylum level in the B. subtilis added group (p < 0.05), and the relative abundance of Plesiomonas was significantly increased (p < 0.05), the relative abundance of Aeromonas was significantly decreased at genus level (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Plesiomonas and Parabacteroides in the mixed probiotic treatment group was significantly increased (p < 0.05), the relative abundance of Aeromonas was significantly decreased at the level of genus (p < 0.05). The metabolites of carboxylic acid and its derivatives, organic oxygen compound, glycerophospholipid, lip acyl and other categories in enteric tissues of all treatment groups had significant changes (p < 0.05), enteric bacterial secondary metabolites such as SCFAs and 1-Phosphatidyl-D-myo-inositol were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The results showed that the addition of L. plantarum and B. subtilis in water could promote the growth of largemouth bass and increase its nonspecific immunity by enhancing the stability of enteric flora, increasing efficiency of enteric digestion and absorption and promoting the anti-inflammatory and immune ability of the body through secondary metabolites of enteric microbe.

Effects of biochar pyrolysis temperature on uranium immobilization in soil remediation: Revealed by 16S rDNA and metabolomic analyses

Uranium-stressed soil caused by nuclear industry development and energy acquisition have attracted extensive attentions for a long time. This study investigated the effects of biochar application with different pyrolysis temperatures (300 ℃, 500 ℃ and 700 ℃) on remediation of uranium-stressed soil. The results showed that higher pyrolysis temperature (700 ℃) was benefit for ryegrass growing and caused a lower uranium accumulation in plants. At the same time, uranium immobilization was more effective at higher biochar pyrolysis temperature. Careful investigations indicated that activities of soil urease and sucrase were promoted, and bacterial diversity was strengthened in C700 group, which may contribute to uranium immobilization. The biochar application could activate metabolic of lipids and amino acids, organic acids and derivatives, and organic oxygen compounds. Nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and Benzoxazinoid biosynthesis were unique metabolic pathways in the C700 group, which could enhance the uranium tolerance from different perspectives. Based on these results, we recommend to use biochar with 700 °C pyrolysis temperature when processing remediation of uranium-stressed soil. This study will facilitate the implementation of biochar screening and provide theoretical helps for remediation of uranium-stressed soil.

Effect of feeding a dried distillers' grains with solubles diet on the metabolism of the intestinal wall in Guanling crossbred cattle: a preliminary assessment.

Dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS)-based diets are nutritious and can improve the inflammations and intestinal immunity in livestock. However, there is limited research examining the effect of feeding DDGS-based diets on changes in intestinal metabolites and related pathways in livestock. In this study, six Guanling crossbred cattle (Guizhou Guanling Yellow cattle × Simmental cattle) were selected and divided into a basal diet (BD) group and an experimental group fed with DDGS replacing 25% of the daily ration concentrates (DDGS) (n=3), respectively. Fresh jejunum (J), ileum (I) and cecum (C) tissues were collected for metabolomic analysis. Differential metabolites and metabolic pathways were explored by means of univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. In comparison to the J-BD group, 123 differential metabolites (VIP > 1, p < 0.05) were identified in the J-DDGS group, which (top 20) were mainly divided into superclasses, including lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic acids and derivatives, and organoheterocyclic compounds. Compared with the I-BD group, 47 differential metabolites were obtained in the I-DDGS group, which were mainly divided into superclasses, including lipids and lipid-like molecules and organic acids and derivatives. The C-DDGS vs. C-BD comparison revealed 88 differential metabolites, which were mainly divided into superclasses, including lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic oxygen compounds, and nucleosides. A total of 34 significant metabolic pathways were found (p < 0.05, -log(p) > 1.3). Among them, 3 significant pathways were significantly enriched in the J-DDGS group, 11 significant pathways were significantly enriched in the I-DDGS group, and 20 significant pathways were significantly enriched in the C-DDGS group. Importantly, primary bile acid biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism correlated with intestinal inflammation and immunity by regulating gut microbiota, prostaglandin synthesis, and cell signaling. The data suggest that DDGS-fed cattle unregulated three metabolic pathways mentioned above and that a DDGS-based diet was able to maintain a balance of these three metabolic pathways, thus resulting in improvement of intestinal inflammation and enhanced immunity in cattle. In conclusion, the DDGS diet has the potential to improve intestinal inflammation and enhance the immunity of Guanling crossbred cattle by regulating the metabolic patterns of lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic acids and derivatives, and related metabolic pathways. These results allude to potential metabolic regulatory mechanisms of DDGS diets and also provide a theoretical basis for the application of DDGS in livestock feed.

New insights into toxicity reduction and pollutants removal during typical treatment of papermaking wastewater

Papermaking wastewater contained various of toxic and hazardous pollutants that pose significant threats to both the ecosystem and human health. Despite these risks, limited research has addressed the detoxification efficiency and mechanism involved in the typical process treatment of papermaking wastewater. In this study, the acute toxicity of papermaking wastewater after different treatment processes was assessed using luminousbacteria, zebrafish and Daphnia magna (D. magna). Meanwhile, the pollution parament of the corresponding wastewater were measured, and the transformation of organic pollutant in the wastewater was identified by three-dimensional fluorescence and other techniques. Finally, the possible mechanism of toxicity variation in different treatment processes were explored in combination with correlation analyses. The results showed that raw papermaking wastewater displayed high acute toxicity to luminousbacteria, and exhibited slight acute toxicity and acute toxicity effect to zebrafish and D. magna, respectively. After physical and biochemical processes, not only the toxicity of the wastewater to zebrafish and D. magna was completely eliminated, but also the inhibitory effect on luminousbacteria was significantly reduced (TU value decreased from 11.07 to 1.66). Among them, the order of detoxification efficiency on luminousbacteria was air flotation > hydrolysis acidification > IC > aerobic process. Correlation analyses revealed a direct link between the reduced of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and the detoxification efficiency of the different processes on the wastewater. In particular, the removal of benzene-containing aromatic pollutant correlated positively with decreased toxicity. However, the Fenton process, despite lowering TOC and COD, increased of the acute toxicity of the luminousbacteria (TU value increased from 1.66 to 2.33). This may result from the transformation generation of organic pollutant and oxidant residues during the Fenton process. Hence, oxidation technologies such as the Fenton process, as a deep treatment process, should be more concerned about the ecological risks that may be caused while focusing on their effectiveness in removing pollutant.

Biological characteristics of pregnancy in captive Yangtze finless porpoises revealed by urinary metabolomics†.

The Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis a.) are an endemic and critically endangered species in China. Intensive captive breeding is essential for understanding the biology of critically endangered species, especially their pregnancy characteristics, knowledge of which is crucial for effective breeding management. Urine metabolomics can reveal metabolic differences, arising from physiological changes across pregnancy stages. Therefore, we used the urinary metabolomic technology, to explore urinary metabolite changes in pregnant Yangtze finless porpoises. A total of 2281 metabolites were identified in all samples, which including organic acids and derivatives (24.45%), organoheterocyclic compounds (20.23%), benzenoids (18.05%), organic oxygen compounds (7.73%), and phenylpropanoids and polyketides (6.48%). There were 164, 387, and 522 metabolites demonstrating differential abundance during early pregnancy, mid pregnancy, and late pregnancy, respectively, from the levels observed in nonpregnancy. The levels of pregnenolone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and tetrahydrocortisone were significantly higher during all pregnancy stages, indicating their important roles in fetal development. The differential metabolites between nonpregnancy and pregnancy were mainly associated with amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, metabolic activity varied across pregnancy stages; steroid hormone biosynthesis was predominant in early pregnancy, and amino acid biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism were predominant in mid pregnancy and late pregnancy, respectively. Our results provide new insights into metabolic characteristics in the Yangtze finless porpoises' urine during pregnancy, and indicate that the differential levels of urine metabolites can determine pregnancy in Yangtze finless porpoises, providing valuable information for the husbandry and management of pregnant Yangtze finless porpoises in captivity.

Effect of sugar content on characteristic flavour formation of tomato sour soup fermented by Lacticaseibacillus casei H1 based on non-targeted metabolomics analysis

To reveal the formation mechanism of the characteristic flavour of tomato sour soup (TSS), metabolomics based on UHPLC–Q–TOF/MS was used to investigate the effect of sugar addition on TSS metabolomics during fermentation with Lacticaseibacillus casei H1. A total of 254 differentially abundant metabolites were identified in the 10% added-sugar group, which mainly belonged to organic acids and derivatives, fatty acyls, and organic oxygen compounds. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that alanine aspartate and glutamate metabolism, valine leucine and isoleucine metabolism and butanoate metabolism were the potential pathways for the flavour of TSS formation. Lactic acid, acetic acid, Ala, Glu and Asp significantly contributed to the acidity and umami formation of TSS. This study showed that sugar regulation played an important role in the formation of the characteristic TSS flavour during fermentation, providing important support for understanding the formation mechanism of organic acids as the main characteristic flavour of TSS.

Modeling and simulation of Khat waste fast pyrolysis for energy recovery

Bioenergy is now recognized to be capable of providing the vast majority of predicted future renewable energy supply. Biomass is currently considered a common and commonly used renewable energy source. This study depends upon the investigation of khat waste using Aspen Plus software, which is required for creating environmentally friendly energy sources capable of improving our access to energy and economic sustainability. The outcome of the study is to understand the characteristics of the pyrolysis process without conducting a time-consuming, expensive, and complex procedure. The results of the investigation will be useful in determining the best feedstock for the formation of biofuel. Aspen Plus software simulates several ash-free organic components, including carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sulfur, with results like 45.72 % for carbon, 5.84 % for hydrogen, 0.43 % for nitrogen, and 38.56 % for oxygen. The production of biofuel is affected by processing parameters such as temperature and total mass flow rate. During reactions with the same mass but different temperatures, the bio-oil declined from 600 °C to 800 °C, while the maximum gas emission climbed quickly and the biochar reduced. In addition, it was recovered from Khat waste and proved to have an energy efficiency of 80.75 % and a net energy capacity of 134.25 kW. In addition, the High heating value (HHV) can be obtained from Khat waste is 19.38 MJ/kg, and low heating (LHV) can be 18.12 MJ/kg. We have been able to realize it using the Institute of Gas Technology formula based on ultimate analysis. The results show that Khat produces more oil than other wastes. As a result, all Khat waste is naturally occurring and Khat waste usually contains less nitrogen and no sulfur when used as fuel, which is an air pollutant reducing and protecting the environment.

High-entropy-based nano-materials for sustainable environmental applications.

High entropy materials (HEMs), epitomized by high entropy alloys (HEAs), have sparked immense interest for a range of clean energy and environmental applications due to their remarkable structural versatility and adjustable characteristics. In the face of environmental challenges, HEMs have emerged as valuable tools for addressing issues ranging from wastewater remediation to energy conversion and storage. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of HEMs, spotlighting their catalytic capabilities in diverse redox reactions, such as carbon dioxide reduction to value-added products, degradation of organic pollutants, oxygen reduction, hydrogen evolution, and ammonia decomposition using electrocatalytic and photocatalytic pathways. Additionally, the review highlights HEMs as novel electrode nanomaterials, with the potential to enhance the performance of batteries and supercapacitors. Their unique features, including high capacitance, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability, make them valuable components for meeting crucial energy demands. Furthermore, the review examines challenges and opportunities in advancing HEMs, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms governing their catalytic and electrochemical behaviors. Essential considerations for optimizing the HEM performance in catalysis and energy storage are outlined to guide future research. Moreover, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current research landscape, a meticulous bibliometric analysis is presented, offering insights into the trends, focal points, and emerging directions within the realm of HEMs, particularly in addressing environmental concerns.

Cathode materials for non-aqueous calcium rechargeable batteries.

Calcium rechargeable batteries based on divalent charge carriers have the potential to meet the future demands for large-scale energy storage applications, due to the crustal abundance of Ca element and the high capacity and high safety of Ca metal anodes. The discernible progress in electrolyte and anode materials has put calcium battery technology a step closer to practice. However, the pursuit of high-voltage, high-capacity and stable cathode materials had been formidable because of the sluggish ion migration kinetics and the instability of host lattices during Ca2+ insertion and extraction. Unlocking the potential of Ca rechargeable batteries particularly hinges on the strategic identification of high-performance cathode materials. Herein, this review summarizes the representative strategies to develop novel cathode materials that allow reversible accommodation of Ca2+ ions for high energy output. The cathode materials can be classified into intercalation-type (layered structure, polyanionic compounds, and Prussian blue analogues) and conversion-type (organic materials, sulfur, and oxygen). The scrutinization of their performances and drawbacks sheds light on the current stage of cathode material advancement and provides informative suggestions for future studies to develop advanced calcium rechargeable batteries with competitive performance.

On depositional processes governing along‐strike facies variations of fine‐grained deposits: Unlocking the Little Ice Age subaqueous clinothems on the Adriatic shelf

ABSTRACTDepositional processes recorded by shelf deposits may vary widely along‐strike, depending largely on the mode of delivery and deposition of sediments to the basin. In fine‐grained systems in particular, depositional processes are difficult to reconstruct with standard facies analysis of sediment cores due to the ostensibly featureless and homogenous appearance of muds. In this study, sedimentological, palaeontological, geochemical, and oceanographic data were combined in a detailed characterization of depositional conditions via sedimentary structures, type of organic matter, trace‐metal geochemistry, and benthic fauna assemblages (foraminifera and ostracods) along the 600 km long shelf delta clinothems of the West Adriatic shelf (Italy). Processes inferred from sedimentary facies and micro‐structures were then considered in the context of the modern Adriatic oceanographic regime. Specific attention was given to the Little Ice Age stratigraphic unit (1500–1850 ce), which contains a continuum of genetically related fine‐grained strata. The Little Ice Age deposit offers the opportunity to examine a source‐to‐sink system with the high resolution typical of modern analogues, at a time interval when Apennine rivers were not yet hydraulically engineered with man‐made sediment traps along their trunks. Individual beds within the Little Ice Age muddy prodelta form hectometre to kilometre‐wide bedsets that reflect the interplay between energetic meteo‐ocean conditions (storm‐dominated beds), flood supply (river‐dominated beds or hyperpycnites) and along‐shelf bottom‐current dispersion (drift‐dominated beds). The multidisciplinary approach applied at different scales of observations helped in understanding sediment provenance and the relative timing of sediment transport before final burial that strongly promoted organic matter oxygen exposure and the loss of carbon by microbial degradation. Overall, the distinctive depositional processes that acted in concert along the prodelta slope produced a subtle lateral heterogeneity of preserved sedimentary structures, faunal associations, and organic matter composition in a laterally‐continuous lithostratigraphic unit deposited at centennial scale. These findings have implications on the forcing conditions that ultimately control the location and nature of fine‐grained beds in both modern and ancient, mud‐dominated depositional systems.

Chemiluminescence of a Firefly Luciferin Analogue Reveals that Formation of the Key Intermediate Responsible for Excited State Generation Occurs on a Fully Concerted Step.

The chemiluminescence (CL) reaction of eight different 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydrothiazole-4-carboxylate esters with an organic superbase and oxygen was investigated through a kinetic and computational study. These esters are all analogues to the luciferin substrate involved in efficient firefly bioluminescence. The kinetic data obtained from CL emission and light absorption assays were used in the context of linear free energy relationships (LFER); we obtained the Hammett reaction constant ρ = +1.62 ± 0.09 and the Brønsted constant βlg = -0.39 ± 0.04. These observations from LFER, together with activation parameters obtained from Arrhenius plots, suggest that the formation of the high-energy intermediate (HEI) 1,2-dioxetanone occurs via a concerted mechanism during the rate-determining step of the reaction. Calculations performed using density functional theory support a late transition state for HEI formation within the reaction mechanism pathway, which was described considering geometric parameters, Wiberg bond indices from natural bond order analysis, and the atomic charges derived from the electrostatic potential.

Probing and controlling oxygen impurity diffusion in h-BN semi-bulk crystals

Combining its unique features of ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) and two-dimensional nature, h-BN has been explored for emerging applications such as deep ultraviolet optoelectronic devices and single photon emitters. One of the unusual applications of h-BN is for solid-state neutron detectors by utilizing the property of high thermal neutron capture cross section of B-10 as well as its UWBG properties. Although a record high detection efficiency of 59% has been attained by h-BN detectors, the understanding/minimization of defects and impurities is still needed to further advance the h-BN material and detector technologies. We report metal organic chemical vapor deposition growth and oxygen (O) impurity diffusion in thick h-BN. The diffusion coefficient (D) of O impurities has been measured via the evolution of an oxygen related emission with the etching depth, providing a value of D of ∼ 2 × 10−13 cm2/s at 1450 °C and supporting the interpretation that oxygen in h-BN is a substitutional donor. A multiple-buffer-layer approach was employed to mitigate to a certain degree the issue of oxygen diffusion from sapphire substrate during growth. It was demonstrated that the performance of h-BN neutron detectors fabricated from the wafer incorporating multiple buffer layers was significantly improved, as manifested by the enhanced thermal neutron detection efficiency. The advancement of the crystal growth technology of h-BN semi-bulk crystals creates applications in optoelectronic and power electronic devices utilizing the UWBG semiconductor properties of h-BN, while high efficiency h-BN neutron detectors have the potential to supplant the traditional He-3 gas detectors in various application areas by offering the obvious advantages of UWBG semiconductor technologies.

Monotonic trends of soil microbiomes, metagenomic and metabolomic functioning across ecosystems along water gradients in the Altai region, northwestern China

To investigate microbial communities and their contributions to carbon and nutrient cycling along water gradients can enhance our comprehension of climate change impacts on ecosystem services. Thus, we conducted an assessment of microbial communities, metagenomic functions, and metabolomic profiles within four ecosystems, i.e., desert grassland (DG), shrub-steppe (SS), forest (FO), and marsh (MA) in the Altai region of Xinjiang, China. Our results showed that soil total carbon (TC), total nitrogen, NH4+, and NO3− increased, but pH decreased with soil water gradients. Microbial abundances and richness also increased with soil moisture except the abundances of fungi and protists being lowest in MA. A shift in microbial community composition is evident along the soil moisture gradient, with Proteobacteria, Basidiomycota, and Evosea proliferating but a decline in Actinobacteria and Cercozoa. The β-diversity of microbiomes, metagenomic, and metabolomic functioning were correlated with soil moisture gradients and have significant associations with specific soil factors of TC, NH4+, and pH. Metagenomic functions associated with carbohydrate and DNA metabolisms, as well as phages, prophages, TE, plasmids functions diminished with moisture, whereas the genes involved in nitrogen and potassium metabolism, along with certain biological interactions and environmental information processing functions, demonstrated an augmentation. Additionally, MA harbored the most abundant metabolomics dominated by lipids and lipid-like molecules and organic oxygen compounds, except certain metabolites showing decline trends along water gradients, such as N′-Hydroxymethylnorcotinine and 5-Hydroxyenterolactone. Thus, our study suggests that future ecosystem succession facilitated by changes in rainfall patterns will significantly alter soil microbial taxa, functional potential, and metabolite fractions.

Analysis of the Potential Level of Threat of Invasive Alien Species Regenerating Tree Poles in Laweyan Village

Plants play an important role in producing organic substances and oxygen needed by other living things, but plants can potentially threaten and disrupt the diversity of other plants, causing the quality of biodiversity to decline. Plants that develop in Indonesia can come from various parts of the world, and then these foreign plants can become invasive and have a negative impact on the ecosystem. The aim of this research is to determine the potential level of threat from invasive alien species to tree regeneration in Laweyan Village and the impact of invasive alien species on the environment. The method used is sampling using satellite imagery to determine observation points and methods purposive sampling by making a 10×10 m plot. The results obtained were four plant species that were classified as invasive foreign plants in Laweyan Village, namely Leucaena leucocephala, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Sandoricum koetjape, Bougainvillea glabra with different levels of risk. The highest risk category is Leucaena leucocephala with a risk index of 115.2, and the second highest is Bougainvillea glabra with a risk index of 112.8. The risk level is medium, namely Cnidoscolus aconitifolius with a risk index of 100.8 and Sandoricum koetjape with a risk index of 56.28.

Untargeted metabolomics to expand the chemical space of the marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi.

Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) are aquatic photosynthetic microalgae with an ecological role as primary producers in the aquatic food web. They account substantially for global carbon, nitrogen, and silicon cycling. Elucidating the chemical space of diatoms is crucial to understanding their physiology and ecology. To expand the known chemical space of a cosmopolitan marine diatom, Skeletonema marinoi, we performed High-Resolution Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS2) for untargeted metabolomics data acquisition. The spectral data from LC-MS2 was used as input for the Metabolome Annotation Workflow (MAW) to obtain putative annotations for all measured features. A suspect list of metabolites previously identified in the Skeletonema spp. was generated to verify the results. These known metabolites were then added to the putative candidate list from LC-MS2 data to represent an expanded catalog of 1970 metabolites estimated to be produced by S. marinoi. The most prevalent chemical superclasses, based on the ChemONT ontology in this expanded dataset, were organic acids and derivatives, organoheterocyclic compounds, lipids and lipid-like molecules, and organic oxygen compounds. The metabolic profile from this study can aid the bioprospecting of marine microalgae for medicine, biofuel production, agriculture, and environmental conservation. The proposed analysis can be applicable for assessing the chemical space of other microalgae, which can also provide molecular insights into the interaction between marine organisms and their role in the functioning of ecosystems.

Dahuang zhechong pill ameliorates hepatic fibrosis by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDHZCP is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula in “The Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber” that has been often used in the treatment of hepatic disorders, gynecopathy and atherosclerosis. However, its underlying mechanisms in preventing hepatic fibrosis remain incompletely understood. Aim of the studyThis study aims to explore the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism of DHZCP in a CCL4-induced experimental hepatic fibrosis rat model. Materials and methodsDHZCP was orally administered at doses of 0.168, 0.084 and 0.042 g⋅kg-1⋅d-1 in a CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis model using SD rats. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry and biochemical analysis, ELISA, Flow cytometry, WB, RT-PCR, 16 S rRNA, and untargeted metabolomic analysis were used to determine the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of DHZCP in the treatment of CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis. ResultsPharmacodynamically, DHZCP inhibited ALT and AST, improved liver function, decreased NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 in liver tissue, indicating its role in inhibiting CCL4-induced liver inflammation. Most importantly, it reduces the level of fibrosis in serum and liver tissue. Histological analysis also showed that DHZCP could effectively inhibit inflammatory cytokine infiltration and excessive collagen deposition. Mechanistically, DHZCP regulates gut microbiota, improves the proportion of firmicutes and bacteroidota at the phylum level, and increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria at the genus level, such as muribagulaceae unclassified, prevotella, alloprevotella, closteriales unclassified, lachnospiraceae unclassified and phascolarctobacterium. Instead, it reduced the abundance of two harmful bacteria, desulfovibrio and colidextribacter. Four types of metabolites such as hydrocarbons, organic nitrogen compounds, organic oxygen compounds, and organosulfur compounds were added. Furthermore, DHZCP was found to reduce the damage of intestinal barrier caused by changes in gut microbiota and metabolites. ConclusionDHZCP is an effective inhibitor of hepatic fibrosis by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites, improving the integrity of the intestinal barrier.

The Effects of Potassium Fertilizer on the Active Constituents and Metabolites of Bulbs from Lilium davidii var. unicolor

Lilium davidii var. unicolor (Lanzhou lily) is rich in nutrients, making it an important economic plant widely used in the fields of food and medicine. In this study, potted lily bulbs were treated with nutrient solutions containing K+ and nutrient solutions without K+ (CK and KT). The contents of nutrients in lily bulbs at different stages after treatment were compared. It was found that the application of potassium fertilizers increased the content of total phenols, flavonoids, and flavanols in lily bulbs and the antioxidant activity in the bulbs. Simultaneously, the study observed that potassium fertilizers could impact the accumulation of polysaccharides and saponins. Furthermore, employing non-targeted metabolomics, the secondary metabolites of mature Lanzhou lily bulbs were scrutinized both with and without potassium fertilization (KT and CK). A total of 607 metabolites were identified, including 573 in positive ion mode and 34 in negative ion mode. These metabolites were classified into 13 categories at the superclass level, with lipids and lipid molecules (37.93%), organic acids and their derivatives (16.52%), organic oxygen compounds (14.88%), and phenylpropanoids and polyketides (13.61%) being the most prominent. Differential metabolite enrichment analysis between the experimental and control groups showed that the differential metabolites were mainly concentrated in metabolic pathways related to amino acid biosynthesis, such as arginine and proline metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. Additionally, it was found that the application of potassium fertilizer increased the accumulation of amino acids in Lanzhou lily bulbs. Overall, this study provides a theoretical reference for the development of nutrients and efficient cultivation techniques for L. davidii var. unicolor bulbs.

Comprehensive functionality analysis of spent coffee grounds activated using a microwave-assisted method

Despite the immense number of research on the activated carbon (AC) preparation for wastewater treatment, fewer fractions have been devoted to the microwave-assisted activation route, which is unfortunate considering its advantageous features. In regards, this study explores the feasibility of a simple and rapid microwave-assisted activation method to generate AC from the spent coffee ground (SCG) under various microwave powers (100-450 W). The physicochemical properties of the generated ACs were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and X-ray diffraction analysis. As attained, lower microwave powers generated ACs with higher surface areas, pore volumes, and pore size as well as dominant OH and C=O spectral bands, which can correspond to higher adsorption sites for a more effective methylene blue (MB) removal process. In parallel, the adsorption tests demonstrated that the lowest microwave power sample (SCG-100) exhibited the highest MB adsorption at equilibrium (35 ± 1.75 mg g−1) in the optimum conditions of 25 mg L−1 MB solution, pH 8, 6 hour duration, and 0.025 g adsorbent. The kinetic and isotherm studies revealed the MB adsorption onto SCG-100 was defined by the pseudo-first-order (R2 =0.9462) and Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9617) models respectively. Thermodynamically, the adsorption process occurred in an exothermic, and spontaneous manner. The water quality analysis data further found that the total organic compound, biological, and chemical oxygen demand were successfully decreased in a 6-hour period. Therefore, it can be concluded that the microwave activation method was capable of generating highly functional absorbent material for pollutant adsorption application.