Solvent Extraction Phase Research Articles

Insight into the interaction between zirconium dibutyl phosphate complex and diluents: An experimental and computational study

In solvent extraction processes, there are challenges caused by the formation of the third phase or interfacial precipitation. The branched alkanes have been used as diluents to disrupt the third-phase formation, while there is little study about the effect of diluents on the appearance of precipitation. Here, we report the inhibiting effect of the novel hyperbranched alkane diluent (HAD) on the formation of zirconium-dibutyl phosphate (Zr-DBP) precipitation and investigate the formation mechanism by the density functional theory (DFT) theory. The extraction experiments show that HAD as the diluent has a remarkable inhibiting ability to form Zr-DBP precipitation, compared with n-dodecane and kerosene. The spectra show no noticeable difference in the composition and structures of the precipitations formed in the three diluents. The energetics from the DFT calculations suggest the P-OH and P=O ligands on one HDBP molecule can bridge two Zr-DBP complexes into a dimer and then aggregate into the precipitation. Besides, the interactions between diluent-diluent molecules play a significant role in precipitation formation. The straight-chain n-dodecanes have a strong intermolecular dispersion force and tend to attract each other but not the Zr-DBP complex. However, the branched alkanes with weak intermolecular interactions have a better dispersive capacity for Zr-DBP complexes, due to the much higher dispersion force of diluent-complex interaction than that of the diluent-diluent interaction. This work provides a new insight into the formation of interfacial crud from the interactions between solutes and diluents of the organic phase in solvent extraction.

Extraction of diazinon, haloxyfop-R-methyl, hexaconazole, diniconazole, and triticonazole in cheese samples using a ferrofluid based liquid phase extraction method prior to gas chromatography.

In the present study, a ternary phase solvent extraction combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was developed for the extraction of diazinon, haloxyfop-R-methyl, hexaconazole, diniconazole, and triticonazole from cheese samples. The extracted analytes were determined using gas chromatography. In this work, first, the analytes were extracted into an organic phase and then enriched using a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. Deep eutectic solvent-based ferrofluid was synthesized and used as an extraction solvent in the dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction step, which makes the method fast and green. After optimization of experimental conditions, under the best extraction conditions, limits of detection and quantification were found in the ranges of 0.18-0.39 and 0.6-1.3 ng g-1, respectively. Enrichment factors and extraction recoveries of the analytes ranged from 138-156 and 69-78%, respectively. In the end, the proposed method was successfully applied to assess the studied pesticides in cheese samples.

HPLC fractionation with immunoassay of steroids from nipple aspirate fluid

Fractionation of steroids allows for multiple assays to be run on a single low volume liquid biopsy, whereas performing the same number of assays without fractionation would require increasing the sample volume by dilution, rendering the concentration of steroids below the level of detection for most, if not all, downstream assays. Briefly, steroids are extracted from a biofluid sample using solvent phase extraction to separate the aqueous (conjugated) steroids from the non-aqueous (non-conjugated) steroids in the organic phase. The latter is further separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and collected in an automated fraction collector based on the UV detection of internal standards. Commercially available immunoassays are then used to quantify the < ng/ml concentrations of steroids in each fraction. This protocol was designed for small samples of nipple aspirate fluid (minimum 2 µL), but it can be modified to fractionate steroids from homogenized solid tissue samples or other liquid biopsies. Included in this protocol are precautions to help ensure reproducibility and minimize matrix effects and other errors of measurement, given that samples requiring fractionation are fundamentally precious and, like other quantitative procedures of small samples, can be prone to contamination by solvent residues and other factors.•The method permits quantitative analysis of multiple steroids from very small volumes of biofluid.•Fractionation by HPLC provides a highly purified sample for quantification.•The immunoassay end point provides specificity without expensive equipment.

Dried Destoned Virgin Olive Pomace: A Promising New By-Product from Pomace Extraction Process.

At present the olive oil industry produces large amounts of secondary products once considered waste or by-products. In this paper, we present, for the first time, a new interesting olive by-product named “dried destoned virgin olive pomace” (DDVOP), produced by the pomace oil industry. The production of DDVOP is possible thanks to the use of a new system that differs from the traditional ones by having the dryer set at a lower temperature value, 350 °C instead of 550 °C, and by avoiding the solvent extraction phase. In order to evaluate if DDVOP may be suitable as a new innovative feeding integrator for animal feed, its chemical characteristics were investigated. Results demonstrated that DDVOP is a good source of raw protein and precious fiber; that it is consistent in total phenols (6156 mg/kg); rich in oleic (72.29%), linoleic (8.37%) acids and tocopherols (8.80 mg/kg). A feeding trial was, therefore, carried out on sheep with the scope of investigating the influence of the diet on the quality of milk obtained from sheep fed with DDVOP-enriched feed. The resulting milk was enriched in polyunsaturated (0.21%) and unsaturated (2.42%) fatty acids; and had increased levels of phenols (10.35 mg/kg) and tocopherols (1.03 mg/kg).

Photophysics of faecal pigments stercobilin and urobilin in aliphatic alcohols: introduction of a sensitive method for their detection using solvent phase extraction and fluorometry.

Faecal pigments (FPs) are ubiquitous in the environment and are a primary contaminant in groundwater and surface water. This article presents a new analytical paradigm by a fluorescence coupled extraction-based method involving FP fluorescence enhancement and minimization of background fluorescence for high sensitivity detection. FPs show higher fluorescence intensity in aliphatic alcohols due to the breaking down of higher-order H-aggregates into lower-order H-aggregates (dimers). DFT studies using the B3LYP functional and LANL2DZ basis set show π-π stacking and hydrogen-bonding contributions towards forming H-aggregated dimers of FPs in the implicit and explicit solvent environments of 1-hexanol. This study is the first report on the extractability of FPs using 1-hexanol as an efficient extraction medium in comparison to higher-order aliphatic alcohols (1-butanol, 1-hexanol and 1-octanol). Furthermore, FP-Zn(II) complexes in 1-hexanol medium significantly enhance the fluorescence emission intensity (∼14-17 times), and the emission intensity remains stable over time. This further helps to increase the detection limit of FPs in the picomolar to sub-picomolar concentration range. This study proposes a protocol involving extraction of FPs by 1-hexanol followed by the complexation of FPs with Zn(II) in the alcohol media and subsequent fluorimetric detection of the FP-Zn(II) complex with a high level of sensitivity, enabled by reduced interference from the background fluorescence of humic acid. The complexation behaviour of FPs with various metal salts was also examined, which provided an understanding of the fluorescence behaviour of FPs with various other metal ions commonly present in natural environmental water. The proposed analytical method has been further validated using real water samples.

Large-Scale Synthesis of Uniform PbI2(DMSO) Complex Powder by Solvent Extraction Method for Efficient Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

PbI2(DMSO) complex powder, which is essential to fabricate efficient metal halide perovskite solar cells (MHP SCs), was synthesized by liquid phase solvent extraction process irrespective of reaction volume scale. The isopropanol (IPA) solvent could selectively extract the DMSO from PbI2(DMSO)2 powder during extraction process so that compositionally uniform PbI2(DMSO) powder could be obtained in a large scale process, whereas the vacuum drying process could not produce uniform PbI2(DMSO) powder. Due to the compositional uniformity of PbI2(DMSO) powders prepared by solvent extraction process, the MHP SCs could be fabricated very reproducibly.

Separation of iron(iii), zinc(ii) and lead(ii) from a choline chloride-ethylene glycol deep eutectic solvent by solvent extraction.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were used as alternatives to the aqueous phase in solvent extraction of iron(iii), zinc(ii) and lead(ii). The selective extraction of iron(iii) and zinc(ii) was studied from a feed of ethaline (1 : 2 molar ratio of choline chloride : ethylene glycol) and lactiline (1 : 2 molar ratio of choline chloride : lactic acid), with the former DES being more selective. A commercial mixture of trialkylphosphine oxides (Cyanex 923, C923) diluted in an aliphatic diluent selectively extracted iron(iii) from a feed containing also zinc(ii) and lead(ii). The subsequent separation of zinc(ii) from lead(ii) was carried out using the basic extractant Aliquat 336 (A336). The equilibration time and the extractant concentration were optimized for both systems. Iron(iii) and zinc(ii) were stripped using 1.2 mol L−1 oxalic acid and 0.5 mol L−1 aqueous ammonia, respectively. An efficient solvometallurgical flowsheet is proposed for the separation and recovery of iron(iii), lead(ii) and zinc(ii) from ethaline using commercial extractants. Moreover, the process was upscaled in a countercurrent mixer-settler set-up resulting in successful separation and purification.

Electrocoalescence of emulsions in raffinate from the solvent extraction phase under AC electrical fields

Raffinate is an aqueous acid phase with low copper content obtained in the solvent extraction phase (SX). This solution, which drags a significant amount of the organic phase that forms an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, is recycled back to the leaching phase as an irrigation solution. In addition, the formation of emulsions can cause operational problems in the leaching phase. To solve these problems, this work is aimed to employ electrocoalescence under AC electrical fields to enhance demulsification of the emulsions that formed. The main objectives of this work were to select the most appropriate electrode and conduct laboratory tests based on a 23 factorial design to determine the variables that have the most significant effect on electrocoalescence. The variables considered were distance, frequency and voltage, while TOC removal and actual power were the response variables. The distance between electrodes is the most important parameter affecting TOC removal. In relation to actual power, the voltage applied was more significant than the distance between electrodes, the frequency and the interactions among variables. The tests to determine the optimal type of electrode identified rectangular steel plate electrodes as providing the best results. The operational parameters: a voltage of 30V, a frequency of 400Hz and an electrode distance of 14cm showed the greatest efficiency. Considering these results, it is demonstrated that electrocoalescence enhances demulsification of O/W emulsions in raffinate from solvent extraction in copper processing.

Novel protocol optimized for microalgae lutein used as food additives

Lutein available in the current market is derived from marigold petals. However, extensive studies showed that microalgae are rich in lutein content and potentially exploitable for its dietary and other industrial applications. In this study, microwave assisted binary phase solvent extraction method (MABS) was the novel protocol being developed and optimized to achieve maximum lutein recovery from microalgae Scenedesmus sp. biomass. Results showed that 60% potassium hydroxide solution with acetone in the ratio of 0.1 (ml/ml) was the ideal binary phase solvent composition. Empirical model developed using response surface methodology revealed highest lutein content can be recovered through MABS extraction method at 55 °C treatment temperature, 36 min in extraction time, 0.7 (mg/ml) for biomass to solvent ratio, 250 Watt microwave power and 250 rpm stirring speed. This optimized novel protocol had increased the amount of lutein recovered by 130% and shorten the overall extraction time by 3-folds.

Shear assisted two phase solvent extraction for high dispersion, filler wetting and fracture resistance in quasi-isotropic epoxy nano-composites

In this work, a novel, simple and scalable methodology, based on in-situ shear assisted solvent exchange in two phases, is used to disperse functionalized carbon nanofibres (CNF) within epoxy. Critical stress intensity factor, KIC, of composites prepared using this method was more than 2.2 times higher than that of neat epoxy at just 0.5-1 wt% filler content. This ranks amongst some of the highest increases observed for such class of nano-composite systems. In comparison to conventional surfactant assisted processing, results from this method showed significantly higher dispersion, adhesion, and fracture resistance. The high dispersion and matrix-filler interactions is further is also indicated by calorimetric and spectroscopic analysis, and evidenced by an increase in the glass transition temperature by almost 10 °C with respect to control through the addition of 1 wt% CNF. The method presented herein is expected to be applicable to a wide array of quasi-isotropic nanocomposite epoxy systems.

Abstract 3482: Cachexia has profound metabolic consequences in the heart and skeletal muscle

Abstract Cachexia is an underexplored and yet devastating consequence of cancer that is the cause of 20% of all cancer related deaths [1]. Cachexia is associated with poor treatment outcome [3], fatigue, and extremely poor quality of life [2, 3]. Tissue wasting is one of the characteristics associated with cachexia syndrome. Here we have used 1H MRS to characterize the metabolic profile of skeletal muscle and heart muscle obtained from normal mice and noncachexia (Panc1) and cachexia inducing (Pa04C) human pancreatic cancer xenograft bearing mice to further understand this syndrome. Male severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were inoculated in the right flank with cancer cells (2 × 106) and in the right hind leg muscle with cachexia reporter myoblasts (2×106) [4]. Mice were sacrificed once tumors were ~400 mm3, and the heart and skeletal muscle were harvested for dual phase solvent extraction. 1H magnetic resonance (MR) spectra of the water phase were acquired with a 750 MHz MR spectrometer. Quantitative changes in metabolite levels were obtained from 1H MR spectra. Leucine, creatine, lactate and glucose were significantly lower, and acetate and formate were significantly higher, in the muscle of cachectic mice compared to non-cachetic mice. Cachectic mice had significantly lower alanine, succinate, glycine, lipid and PUFA (poly unsaturated fatty acids), and significantly higher acetate, pyruvate, and formate compared to normal mice. Non-cachectic mice had significantly lower alanine, succinate, phosphocreatine, and glycine, and significantly higher leucine, isoleucine, valine, pyruvate, creatine, taurine and glucose compared to normal mice. In the heart, leucine, isoleucine, valine, aspartate, glucose, lipid and PUFA were significantly lower, and glutamine was significantly higher, in cachectic mice compared to non-cachetic mice. Cachectic mice had significantly lower leucine, isoleucine, valine, lactate, alanine, glutamate, and PUFA, and significantly higher glutamine and glucose compared to normal mice. Non-cachectic mice had significantly lower alanine, and significantly higher glucose and lipid compared to normal mice. These data highlight, for the first time, the profound metabolic changes that occur in skeletal muscle and the heart with cachexia, identifying potential in vivo 1H MRS indices to detect the onset of cachexia from changes in branched chain amino acids, glucose, and PUFAs. Our data also provide new insights into the effects of cachexia as well as noncachexia inducing tumors on skeletal muscle and heart metabolism that may lead to metabolic interventions in ‘metabolotheranostic' strategies to reduce the morbidity associated with cancer and cachexia. Supported by NIH R01CA193365, R35CA209960, and P30CA06973. Ref. 1. Argiles et al: Nat. Rev. Can 2014, 14(11):754 2. Fearon et al: HPB (Oxford) 2010, 12(5):323 3. Ozola et al: Pancreatology 2015, 15(1):19 4. Winnard et al: Can Res. 2016, 76(6):1441 Citation Format: Santosh Kumar Bharti, Paul Winnard, Yelena Mironchik, Marie-France Penet, Zaver M. Bhujwalla. Cachexia has profound metabolic consequences in the heart and skeletal muscle [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3482.

Abstract 1571: Benign lipomatous lesions and liposarcomas have metabolic differences as identified in a high-resolution 1H and 31P MRS pilot study

Abstract Adipocytic tumors present a spectrum of neoplastic disease including benign lipomas, atypical lipomatous tumors (ALTs), and malignant liposarcomas. Liposarcomas are the most common soft tissue sarcoma, accounting for approximately 20% of all adult soft tissue sarcomas [1]. Some liposarcomas are suspected to arise through dedifferentiation of ALTs, a process that is not well understood. Pleomorphic liposarcomas are high-grade, aggressive tumors with high metastatic potential and overall 5-year survival rate of 20-30% [3]. Distinguishing high-grade liposarcomas from benign and atypical lipomatous tumors can be a diagnostic challenge with implications for surgical and clinical management. The rate of misdiagnosis is approximately 30–40% following radiological detection [4], and 7–17% on histological evaluation [5]. De-identified human surgical samples were collected from the Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, JHU, School of Medicine Baltimore, MD. One tissue specimen from a benign pleomorphic lipoma and two tissue specimens from a pleomorphic liposarcoma were examined using 1H and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) on 750 MHz MR spectrometer. Dual phase solvent extraction was performed to obtain aqueous and lipid phase spectra. Metabolites were quantified and changes were reported in terms of percentage change compared to levels in pleomorphic lipoma set to 100%. Depletion in branched chain amino acids (-10%), tyrosine (-15%), phenylalanine (-25%), lactate (-45%), pyruvate (-35-50%), acetate (-5-25%), and elevation in alanine (40%), succinate (35-60%), glycine (400-500%), histidine (15-25%), glucose (100%), glutamine (50%), glutamate (75%), and myo-inositol (300%) were observed in pleomorphic liposarcoma. 31P MRS of the aqueous phase revealed high levels of phosphocholine in the pleomorphic liposarcoma as compared to the lipoma (not detected). MRS analysis of the lipid phase identified depletion in lipid (-65%, CH3 peak at 0.9 ppm was quantified) and an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine (75%) and phosphatidylcholine (30%). Visible variations in TAG glycerol backbone (4.2-4.3ppm) and -CH=CH- peaks from polyunsaturated fatty acids at 2.8ppm and 5.3ppm were also observed. We are currently analyzing additional samples from several types of sarcomas to expand this study. Our preliminary data support investigating the use of 1H and 31P MRS of liposarcomas for differentiation between subtypes.

Abstract 3483: 1H MRS characterization of the cachetic brain metabolome induced by human pancreatic pancer xenografts

Abstract The uncontrollable extreme weight loss due to cachexia results in a particularly poor quality of life causing profound weakness, listlessness, and an inability to function. A major characteristic of cachexia is accelerated skeletal muscle and fat storage wasting causing nutrient mobilization both directly as lipid and amino acids, and indirectly as ketone bodies and glucose derived from liver keto- and gluconeogenesis with systemic distribution including to the tumor through the bloodstream. Previously, we have reported the initial characterization of a myoblast optical imaging reporter that allowed real-time longitudinal monitoring of the early onset of cancer induced wasting and measured plasma metabolic changes associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-induced cachexia. Here, for the first time, we have performed high-resolution quantitative 1H MR spectroscopy (MRS) of brain tissue to characterize the brain metabolome of normal mice and mice with human PDAC xenografts that induce cachexia (Pa04C cells) or are noncachectic (Panc1 cells). Male severe combined immunodeficient mice were inoculated in the right flank with cancer cells (2×106) and in the right hind leg muscle with reporter myoblasts (2×106). Once the mice were sacrificed, brains were harvested, freeze clamped and stored in -80°C until 1H MRS analysis. Dual phase solvent extraction was performed on brain tissues and MR spectra were acquired on 750 MHz (17.6T) spectrometer. As anticipated, mice with cachexia-inducing Pa04C tumors showed significant weight loss with time. For the first time, we found that brains from Pa04C tumor bearing mice exhibited a profound reduction in water soluble metabolites as compared to Panc1 and nontumor bearing normal mice. Significant decreases in neurotransmitters: γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), and taurine as well as lactate, myo-inositol, phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine, creatine, formate, and essential amino acids: Leu, ILe, Val, and Phe were observed in brains from cachectic mice compared to noncachectic and healthy mice. Non-cachexia inducing Panc1 tumors also induced a significant decrease of brain GABA, glutamate, aspartate, total choline and tyrosine compared to normal brains. These results provide new insights into profound changes in brain metabolism during cachexia that are likely indicative of compromised CNS function and may be a major contributing factor to the systemic control of cachectic wasting. These data provide strong evidence to support investigating new metabolic interventions to reverse CNS injury and cachexia. and provide new CNS targets for early detection using in vivo MRS techniques. Acknowledgement: This work was supported by NIH R01CA193365, R35CA209960, and P30CA06973. Citation Format: Santosh Kumar Bharti, Paul T. Winnard, Yelena Mironchik, Marie-France Penet, Anirban Maitra, Zaver M. Bhujwalla. 1H MRS characterization of the cachetic brain metabolome induced by human pancreatic pancer xenografts [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3483.

Two phase solvent extraction method for analysis of methadon in immature human milk, a breast feeding recommendation in early postpartum period

Two phase solvent extraction method for analysis of methadon in immature human milk, a breast feeding recommendation in early postpartum period

Abstract 2510: Interrogating liver metabolic stress due to cancer-induced cachexia

Abstract Cancer-induced cachexia accounts for approximately 20% of all cancer deaths 1. In pancreatic cancer, the syndrome affects nearly 80% of patients 2,3. Cachectic patients experience a wide range of symptoms affecting the function of several organs such as muscle, liver, brain, and heart, that decrease quality of life and worsen prognosis. A major characteristic of cachexia is the accelerated skeletal muscle and fat storage wasting causing nutrient mobilization both directly as lipid and amino acids, and indirectly as glucose derived from the exploitation of liver gluconeogenesis that reaches the tumor through the bloodstream4. Patients with cachexia develop a wide range of metabolic stress from increased proteins and fat tissue burning resulting in increased energy expenditure. Here, for the first time, we have performed high-resolution quantitative 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of liver tissue obtained from normal, noncachectic and cachectic mice bearing PDAC that are cachectic (Pa04C) and noncachectic (Panc1). A significant reduction in liver weight and significant changes in 1H MRS derived metabolite profiles were detected with cachexia. Human pancreatic cancer cell lines, Panc1 and Pa04C, were used for the study. Six to 8 week old male severe combined immunodeficient mice were inoculated in the right flank with cancer cells (5×106) and in the right hind leg muscle with reporter myoblasts (2×106) to monitor the development of cachexia in mice5. Live animal optical imaging was done using a Xenogen IVIS® Spectrum (PerkinElmer) optical scanner. Dual phase solvent extraction was performed on liver tissue to extract water soluble metabolites. All 1H MR spectra were acquired on an Avance 750 MHz Bruker NMR spectrometer. We found, for the first time, that the liver in Pa04C tumor bearing mice underwent a profound weight loss; although Panc1 tumor bearing mice showed some liver weight loss this was not as profound as observed with Pa04C tumors. Significant decreases in lactate, glucose and glutathione were observed in cachectic mouse liver compared to noncachectic mouse liver, and the liver from healthy control mice. The significant decrease of these metabolites in cachectic livers may reflect increased utilization of glucose, lactate and glutathione by the tumor or other organs during the cachexia cascade4. These results provide new insights into changes in liver metabolism during cachexia, and support investigating metabolic strategies such as supplementing glutathione or glucose to reduce cachexia associated morbidity.

Abstract 2495: The metabolic secretome of cachexia inducing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract Cachexia is an underexplored and yet devastating consequence of cancer that is the cause of 20% of all cancer related deaths1. Cachexia inducing tumors cause a ‘wasting away’ of the body. The condition is associated with poor treatment outcome2, fatigue, and extremely poor quality of life2,3. Because of the multi-factorial characteristics of this condition, it has been difficult to understand the mechanisms driving the impact of the tumor on body organs and the sequence of events that leads to this lethal condition. Here we have used 1H MRS to characterize the metabolic profile of tumor interstitial fluid (TIF) obtained from noncachexia (Panc1) and cachexia inducing (Pa04C) tumors to further understand the impact of the deranged metabolism of cachexia-inducing tumors on the tumor metabolic secretome. The human pancreatic cancer cell line, Panc1, was obtained from ATCC. The human pancreatic cancer cell line, Pa04C, was provided by Dr. Maitra4. Six to 8 week old male SCID mice were inoculated in both the right and left flank with cancer cells (5×106, Panc1 N=2, Pa04C N=2). We created a collection chamber to collect TIF. The chamber was implanted together with small tumor pieces harvested from the subcutaneous flank tumors, into the subcutaneous flank space of SCID mice (Panc1 N=8 and Pa04C N=6) until the tumor encompassed the chamber (4-5 weeks). The tumor was then removed and the tumor tissue and TIF were collected. To obtain control TIF, an empty chamber was implanted in the subcutaneous flank space of healthy mice. Dual phase solvent extraction was performed on tumor tissue. The water phase was separated, freeze dried, reconstituted in D2O PBS for spectral acquisition. All 1H MR spectra were acquired on an Avance III 750 MHz (17.6T) Bruker NMR spectrometer equipped with a 5 mm broad band inverse (BBI) probe. Spectral acquisition, processing and quantification were performed using TOPSPIN 2.1 software. Notable differences between Pa04C compared to Panc1 TIF or normal interstitial fluid were a significant decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lipids, and formate, pyruvate, glutamine, and glucose. Lactate, glutamate, succinate, glycine and acetone significantly increased in Pa04C TIF compared to Panc1 TIF or normal interstitial fluid. These differences in TIF cannot be explained solely by the differences in the tumor metabolic profile. Our data provide new insights into changes in the metabolic secretome with induction of cachexia that may shed new light on the cachexia cascade, and identify metabolic strategies to reverse the syndrome.

Molecular Genotyping and Antimicrobial Activities of Secondary Metabolites from Streptomyces sp: Taxonomy, Extraction and Purification

A total of 57 native actinomycetes cultures with distinct characteristics were isolated from a field soil sample collected from Gulbarga region, Karnataka state, India. Out of these isolates, 4 potent isolates showed antibacterial activity against clinical pathogens in primary screening process by cross streak technique. The secondary metabolites produced by one of the strain Streptomyces sp. GUT 21 was selected further having broad range of antibacterial activity and was subjected for bulk production. The active metabolite was extracted using ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v) at pH 7.0 by phase-solvent extraction method. This extracted compound is active in vitro against multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms like Escherichia coli (MTCC 9537), Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC 109), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC1688) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96). The purified compound was additionally characterised by series of chromatography techniques and spectroscopic methods like FTIR and mass spectra. Based on the results of FT-IR and mass spectrometry, the active molecule (fraction 10) was provisionally predicted as 2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl) phenol with molecular formula of C14H22O.According to the morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the potential strain GUT 21 was identified as Streptomyces sp. (GenBank Accession number KU500633).

Reaction extraction of furfural from pentose solutions in a modified Scheibel column

Furfural, which is one of the most promising platform chemicals derived from biomass, has the potential for the production of biofuels and biochemicals. However, the current industrial furfural production process relies on relatively old and inefficient technology, which has some problems such as low production yields, environmental pollutions, and lack of biomass comprehensive utilization. The main contribution of this paper is the use of a modified Scheibel column to improve the furfural recovery. Integration of pentose dehydration to furfural and the solvent phase extraction of furfural occurred simultaneously in this column. Compared with the prevailing batch biphasic reactor, the use of this modified column intensified the extraction efficiency as well as the furfural recovery. Process parameters including organic feed flow rate, reaction temperature, and stirring speed were evaluated and turned out to be significant. In order to achieve the optimal operating conditions, the CCD design was used to optimize the process parameters, and the maximum furfural yield of 80.5% was obtained.

Ultrasonic density measurement of uranium loaded organic phase in solvent extraction process

The application of ultrasound technique in density determination of uranium loaded organic phase in solvent extraction can provide a unique solution for online density monitoring of process streams. Earlier various authors have investigated the density measurement of liquid by single ultrasound frequency. In general standard reference liquid (having low viscosity and density) is used for estimating the acoustic impedance of the liquid under measurement. But ultrasonic probes and associated instruments add up error due to non-repeatability, and sensor instability. To counteract the spurious effects of non-repeatability and instability dual frequency based ultrasound density measurement is used. This method produces very stable and repeatable measurement data and is applied for the density measurement of uranium loaded organic samples in solvent extraction process of uranium extraction. This method can be used for critical density determination at extraction and reprocessing in the fuel cycle.

A new ionic liquid–water–organic solvent three phase microextraction for simultaneous preconcentration flavonoids and anthraquinones from traditional Chinese prescription

A novel technique, ionic liquid–water–organic solvent three phase microextraction (ILWOS-3p-ME) was developed and introduced for simultaneous preconcentration and determination of flavonoids and anthraquinones in Chinese herbal formula and its preparations. This technique was performed in one step by using a syringe. High performance liquid chromatography with an UV-detector (HPLC/UV) was subsequently conducted. Two solvents with different densities (organic solvent and ionic liquid with densities less than and higher than water, respectively) were separately placed in a syringe, which was used as an extraction device. A cloudy emulsion was formed by manually shaking the syringe. The mixture was allowed to stand for several minutes; afterward, the emulsion readily separated into three phases: an upper organic solvent extraction phase; a middle aqueous sample phase; and a lower ionic liquid extraction phase. Both the upper and lower layers were transferred to a small Eppendorf (EP) tube. Conducting ILWOS-3P-ME with HPLC/UV, we simultaneously determined the bioactive components of flavonoids and anthraquinones in traditional Chinese medicine. ILWOS-3P-ME is a simple, rapid, practical, and effective method to extract and preconcentrate of different types of trace bioactive components from traditional Chinese medicine simultaneously.