Powder Form Research Articles

Exploiting the Potential of Powdered Blends of Recovered Sunflower Seed Cake Phenolics and Whey-Development of Sustainable Food Additives.

The management of side streams from the food industry, especially oil and dairy by-products, has become an important issue linked to the European Commission's recommendations for a circular economy. This study aimed to obtain sustainable food additives in the form of soluble-type powders composed of whey and recovered phenolics originating from sunflower seed cake. In order to valorise these di-blend products, the powders were characterised in terms of their physical, chemical, and sensory attributes. Based on the study findings, the addition of sunflower seed cake washouts (SSCWs) to whey (Wh) decreased the dry matter in the feed that affected the viscosity and drying yield. The addition of SSCWs did not have a significant effect on the physical properties of powders, except for colour. By-product management proposed in the study resulted in the production of nutritious and ready-to-use products in powder form with improved functional properties in terms of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. The powders were sensorially appealing with a tangy sourness entwined with a delicate interplay of sweet and salty flavours, which can be easily incorporated into different types of foodstuffs.

Dry powder inhalation containing muco-inert ciprofloxacin and colistin co-loaded liposomes for pulmonary P. Aeruginosa biofilm eradication

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), a predominant pathogen in lung infections, poses significant challenges due to its biofilm formation, which is the primary cause of chronic and recalcitrant pulmonary infections. Bacteria within these biofilms exhibit heightened resistance to antibiotics compared to their planktonic counterparts, and their secreted toxins exacerbate lung infections. Diverging from traditional antibacterial therapy for biofilm eradication, this study introduces a novel dry powder inhalation containing muco-inert ciprofloxacin and colistin co-encapsulated liposomes (Cipro-Col-Lips) prepared using ultrasonic spray freeze drying (USFD) technique. This USFD dry powder is designed to efficiently deliver muco-inert Cipro-Col-Lips to the lungs. Once deposited, the liposomes rapidly diffuse into the airway mucus, reaching the biofilm sites. The muco-inert Cipro-Col-Lips neutralize the biofilm-secreted toxins and simultaneously trigger the release of their therapeutic payload, exerting a synergistic antibiofilm effect. Our results demonstrated that the optimal USFD liposomal dry powder formulation exhibited satisfactory in vitro aerosol performance in terms of fine particle fraction (FPF) of 44.44 ± 0.78 %, mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 4.27 ± 0.21 μm, and emitted dose (ED) of 99.31 ± 3.31 %. The muco-inert Cipro-Col-Lips effectively penetrate the airway mucus and accumulate at the biofilm site, neutralizing toxins and safeguarding lung cells. The triggered release of ciprofloxacin and colistin works synergistically to reduce the biofilm’s antibiotic resistance, impede the development of antibiotic resistance, and eliminate 99.99 % of biofilm-embedded bacteria, including persister bacteria. Using a PA-beads induced biofilm-associated lung infection mouse model, the in vivo efficacy of this liposomal dry powder aerosol was tested, and the results demonstrated that this liposomal dry powder aerosol achieved a 99.7 % reduction in bacterial colonization, and significantly mitigated inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis. The USFD dry powder inhalation containing muco-inert Cipro-Col-Lips emerges as a promising therapeutic strategy for treating PA biofilm-associated lung infections.

Sustainable metal-organic framework based paper sheet as wallpaper for passive indoor moisture control

Passive indoor moisture control is a meaningful way to reduce HVAC operation and improve building energy efficiency. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been considered one of the most promising sorbent materials for passive indoor moisture control. However, the powder form of MOF is challenging to use in the built environment. Typical shaping methods like pellets, beads, and coating can lead to problems like partial pore blocking, insufficient mechanical stability, amorphization, and low material utilization. Here, we report a new sustainable MOF paper sheet comprising 25% cellulosic fibers and 75% MOF MIL-100(Fe) powder. The porous polymer matrix provides good support and fixation for MOF particles, so it’s more applicable in the built environment. The crystalline and pore structure characteristics of the MOF in the membrane are well preserved. Hydro characteristic test results show that MIL-100(Fe) paper sheet has high water vapor uptake, S-shape isotherm, mild regeneration condition, and high MBV. Then, a numerical model was developed to calculate the relation between a material’s MBV and its thickness. MIL-100(Fe) paper sheet with the most efficient thickness was applied as wallpaper in a building energy simulation model. The simulation result shows that the MIL-100(Fe) paper sheet is promising for passive indoor moisture control. It can remove about 45%-55% of the latent cooling load in most European climate types.

Determination of Erucamide Slip Additive in Polypropylene Masterbatch: Comparison of Soxhlet and Dissolution-Precipitation Method

Erucamide is a long-chain carboxylic acid amide used as a slip agent in plastic films. In this research, the slip additive in polypropylene masterbatch with 6% erucamide content was extracted by comparing two methods which are dissolution-precipitation and the Soxhlet method. The variant of sonication times in the dissolution-precipitation method and extractor-solvents in the Soxhlet method were done to determine the optimum parameter in each method. The examination of slip additive content in each extraction method used the KBr Disk-FTIR and the weight loss of sample analysis. The form of the sample, which was in the granule and powder form was also studied. Based on the result, the dissolution-precipitation method with 3 minutes of sonication times and the use of ethyl acetate as extractor solvent in the Soxhlet method gave a closer result for additive content in the masterbatch. The powder form of the sample also gave better results than the granule form for the extraction of erucamide. The Soxhlet method in the powder form showed comparable results with the dissolution-precipitation method by KBr Disk-FTIR analysis and higher results by weight loss analysis. By comparing the two methods of extraction, the Soxhlet method showed more robustness and efficiency for extraction of erucamide additive in polypropylene masterbatch than the dissolution-precipitation method.

Quantifying response of azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria liquid inoculants seed treatment on productivity and profitability of kharif grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

A field study was carried out during 2017–19 at Sorghum Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra to assess the effect of liquid bio-fertilizers inoculation over existing powder form inoculants on kharif grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The experiment comprised of 6 treatments, viz. no bio-fertilizer control i.e. with RDF alone (T1 ); RDF + Azo. (Azospirillum) + PSB @50 g each/kg seed (T2 ); RDF + Azo. + PSB @2 ml each/kg seed (T3 ); RDF + Azo. @2 ml and PSB @4 ml/kg seed (T4 ); RDF + Azo. @4 ml + PSB @2 ml/kg seed (T5 ); and RDF + Azo. + PSB @4 ml each/kg seed (T6) conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with 4 replications. Pooled data revealed that seed inoculation with Azo. + PSB @2 ml each/kg seed (T3 ) has improved the sorghum biological, grain yield and net returns 21.13, 19.83 and 17.92% over their powder form of inoculants i.e. T2 (14.71 t/ha, 3.56 t/ha and 73,116). These enhancements in biomass, grain yields and net income was owing to liquid bio-fertilizer seed treatment. Liquid-based inoculants were found to boost growth and yield parameters, which was ascribed to the concomitant increase in plant height and number of grains/panicle, respectively. Increase in quantity of liquid bio-fertilizers beyond 2 ml/kg seed proved not-rewarding from both productivity and profitability point of view. Sorghum seed inoculation with liquid bio-fertilizers @2 ml each/kg seed proved to be a potential substitute for existing powder form without any additional cost.

183 Evaluation of phytogenic formulations on intestinal health and the performance of nursery pigs challenged with F18+Escherichia coli.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate phytogenic formulations on intestinal health and growth performance of nursery pigs challenged with F18+Escherichia coli. Weaned pigs [n = 40; initial body weight (BW) = 6.4 ± 0.1 kg] at 21 d of age were individually housed and assigned to 4 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design, with initial BW and sex as blocking factors. Basal diets were formulated following NRC (2012) and fed to pigs for 28 d in 3 phases (P1:11 d, P2:10 d and P3:7 d). Treatments were NC: basal diet, non-challenge; PC: basal diet, challenged with F18+E. coli; AV1: basal diet supplemented with 1% phytobiotic containing herbal extracts and essential oils in powder form, challenged with F18+E. coli; AV2: basal diet + 1% phytobiotic containing herbal extracts and essential oils in liquid form, challenged with F18+E. coli. Growth performance and fecal score (FS) were measured weekly. On d 7, the challenged groups were orally inoculated with F18+E. coli (2.0 × 1010), whereas unchallenged pigs received a sterile saline solution. On d 28, all pigs were euthanized to collect jejunal samples to evaluate inflammatory status, oxidative stress, and diversity and relative abundance of mucosa-associated microbiota. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure on SAS 9.4. During the post-challenge period, PC decrease (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) when compared with NC. The PC increased (P < 0.05) FS during d 7 to 11 when compared with NC, whereas AV1 and AV2 decreased (P < 0.05) FS during d 7 to 11 when compared with PC. The AV1 decreased (P < 0.05) Chao1 and Shannon indexes when compared with PC. The PC increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae compared with NC. The AV1 reduced (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Veillonellaceae, Prevotellaceae, Lachnospiraceae and tended to reduce (P = 0.062) the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae when compared with PC. The AV2 tended to reduce the relative abundance of Streptococcaceae (P = 0.073) and Ruminococcaceae (P = 0.074) when compared with PC. The PC increased (P < 0.05) occludin and tended to increase (P = 0.096) TLR4 when compared with NC. The AV1 tended to increase (P = 0.053) protein carbonyl when compared with PC. In conclusion, F18+E. coli challenge increased FS, disrupted the mucosa-associated microbiota, increased TLR4 expression, consequently reduced growth performance of pigs. The AV1 showed promise in reducing oxidative stress during F18+E. coli challenge, seen through decreased protein carbonyl levels possibly due to alterations on mucosa-associated microbiota, although without affecting growth performance. The AV2 had a moderate impact on reducing FS and altering mucosa-associated microbiota, without effect on growth performance.

Optimizing Echinodorus macrophyllus extracts: Assessing extraction conditions for chemical marker enrichment and evaluating inhibitory effects on cytokines release by THP-1 cells

This study investigated various extractive methods and solvents with the goal of producing standardized extracts of Echinodorus macrophyllus for future industrial applications. Extracts were prepared through percolation, dynamic maceration, and static maceration, utilizing 96°GL ethanol (EtOH) and hydroethanolic solutions (90% EtOH, 70% EtOH, and 50% EtOH) as solvents. The highest extraction yields were achieved with 70% EtOH and 50% EtOH across all extractive methods. Both percolation and static maceration produced 50% and 70% EtOH extracts with elevated concentrations of chemical markers (cis- and trans-aconitic acids, homoorientin, chicoric acid, swertisin, caffeoyl-feruloyl-tartaric acid, and di-feruloyl-tartaric acid) and demonstrated superior inhibition rates of TNF and IL-1β release by LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. Notably, these extracts were obtained in the form of fine powders, distinguishing them from extracts derived from 96°GL EtOH and 90% EtOH solutions. While the 50% EtOH and 70% EtOH extracts prepared by percolation or static maceration exhibited similar chemical composition and biological effects, percolation emerged as the preferred technique due to its ability to generate larger extract volumes. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed robust correlations between these extracts and the contents of chemical markers but did not unveil significant correlations between higher marker contents and the inhibition of TNF and IL-1β release by THP-1 cells. These findings provide a basis for the future production of high-quality herbal preparations, emphasizing the critical role of extraction methods and solvent selection in pharmaceutical applications.

A formulation platform for incorporating live probiotics into different food matrices

Drying technologies are often utilized to maximize microbial shelf-life stability of probiotics-based foods. However, these processes inadvertently induce stress on microorganisms and reduce probiotic viability. This work sought to develop suitable protection strategies to maintain viability of powdered probiotics in different foods. A formulation platform (set of pre-existing/initial formulation templates for application/adaptation to various products) consisting of six powder formulations was evaluated. Each template combination comprised a probiotic, at least one prebiotic and at least one coating material. The powder particles were small (d50: 4.92 ± 0.09 μm to 9.30 ± 1.09 μm) to ensure optimal incorporation in foods for desirable mouthfeel, while all powders were favorably moisture-stable (aw: 0.34–0.53) and less susceptible to moisture uptake than their unencapsulated counterpart. At least one species from the platform was able to satisfy the viability and/or functional requirements on various food matrices which thus demonstrated its utility in formulation development.

In silico investigation of inhalation condition impacts on hygroscopic growth and deposition of salbutamol sulphate in human airways

The objective of this study is to explore the transport, size growth, and deposition of Salbutamol Sulphate (SS) using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). A CT-based realistic model of human airways from the oral cavity to the 5th generation of the lung was utilized as the computational domain. Four Test Cases (TC) with varying temperature and relative humidity (RH) under two inspiratory waveforms were considered to completely evaluate the impact of inhalation conditions on particle growth. Salbutamol Sulphate (SS) is a β2-adrenergic agonist and has been extensively used for asthma treatment. A monodispersed distribution of SS particles with an initial diameter of 167 nm was considered at the mouth inlet based on pharmaceutical data. Results indicated that inhalation of saturated/supersaturated air (RH>100%) leads to significant hygroscopic growth of SS particles with a factor of 10. In addition, the deposition efficiency of SS particles under the Quick and Deep (QD) inhalation profile was enhanced as the flow temperature and humidity increased. However, the implementation of Slow and Deep (SD) inspiratory waveform revealed that the same particle size growth is achieved in the respiratory system with lower deposition efficiency in the mouth-throat (less than 3%) and tracheobronchial airway (less than 2.18%). For the escaped particles form the right lung, in the SD waveform under TC 3, the maximum particle size distribution was for 600 nm particles with 25% probability. In the left lung, 30% of the particles were increased up to 950 nm in size. For the QD waveform in TC 3 and TC4, the most frequent particles were 800 nm with 36% probability. This holds practical significance in the context of deep lung delivery for asthmatic patients with enhanced deposition efficiency and large particle size. The findings of the present study can contribute to the development of targeted drug delivery strategies for the treatment of pulmonary diseases using hygroscopic dry powder formulations.

Novel high-pressure/high-temperature reactor cell for in situ and operando x-ray absorption spectroscopy studies of heterogeneous catalysts at synchrotron facilities.

This paper presents the development of a novel high-pressure/high-temperature reactor cell dedicated to the characterization of catalysts using synchrotron x-ray absorption spectroscopy under operando conditions. The design of the vitreous carbon reactor allows its use as a plug-flow reactor, monitoring catalyst samples in a powder form with a continuous gas flow at high-temperature (up to 1000 °C) and under high pressure (up to 1000bar) conditions, depending on the gas environment. The high-pressure/high-temperature reactor cell incorporates an automated gas distribution system and offers the capability to operate in both transmission and fluorescence detection modes. The operando x-ray absorption spectroscopy results obtained on a bimetallic InCo catalyst during CO2 hydrogenation reaction at 300 °C and 50bar are presented, replicating the conditions of a conventional microreactor. The complete setup is available for users and permanently installed on the Collaborating Research Groups French Absorption spectroscopy beamline in Material and Environmental (CRG-FAME) sciences and French Absorption spectroscopy beamline in Material and Environmental sciences at ultra-high dilution (FAME-UHD) beamlines (BM30 and BM16) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France.

An interlaboratory study for assessing repeatability and reproducibility of the data generated by rotating drum powder rheometers (Part 1: Granudrum)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) organized an interlaboratory study to assess the repeatability and reproducibility of the data generated by two commercially available rotating drum powder rheometers namely, Granudrum and Revolution Powder Analyzer. Part 1 of this interlaboratory study focuses on the Granudrum rheometer. In total, thirteen laboratories comprised of industry, academia, and a national laboratory participated in this study. A nickel-based alloy, a titanium alloy, and a stainless-steel alloy in powder forms were tested, and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used to rank the contributions of the study factors to the observed variability in the data. First, a maximum of five study factors were considered: material, sample, rotation speed, test, and participant (lab), which provides the ability to assess interactions, such as between lab and rotation speed and lab and material. The ANOVA results indicate that the ‘Flow Angle’ data showed 6% of its variation attributable to repeatability and 5% to reproducibility, whereas the ‘Cohesive Index’ data showed 21% of its variation attributable to repeatability and 17% to reproducibility. Next, because using the different rotation speeds and materials can add significant variability to the overall data, we also present separate ANOVA results for each combination of rotation speed and material. These results provide further insight into the repeatability and reproducibility of the Granudrum-generated data.

Characterization of direct-ammonia solid oxide fuel cells (DA-SOFCs) at 650–750 °C in a single-repeating unit stack: Effects of metallic components and residual ammonia

Ammonia can be directly utilized in solid oxide fuel cells, known as direct-ammonia solid oxide fuel cells (DA-SOFCs), which are among the most efficient technologies for ammonia utilization. Current research efforts are directed towards lowering the operating temperatures of DA-SOFCs by incorporating additional catalysts. However, critical analyses regarding the extent of ammonia decomposition on metallic interconnects and Ni current collectors, as well as the negative effect of residual ammonia on performance, are lacking. In this study, we examine DA-SOFCs with a single-repeating unit stack on a small scale, addressing the effects of metallic interconnects and the Ni-current collector on DA-SOFC operation within the temperature range of 650 °C–750 °C. The anode components, including the metallic interconnect, Ni-current collector, and the SOFC cell, are investigated in powder form and in DA-SOFC operation to determine each component's influence under actual DA-SOFC operating conditions. Both Fe-rich and Ni-rich high-temperature alloys demonstrate high catalytic activity for the ammonia decomposition reaction, playing a significant role in actual cell operations. Furthermore, extensive impedance analysis of DA-SOFC operation under various fuel conditions reveals that residual ammonia significantly increases polarization resistance at lower temperatures, which is the primary factor contributing to negative effect on performance at these temperatures.

Water adsorption on microporous chabazites as thermal energy storage materials

Thermochemical energy storage can reduce fossil fuel consumption, which is still dominant in heating of buildings. The efficiency of the sorption technology is determined by the performance of the adsorbent, which should have a high water adsorption capacity and, consequently, a high energy storage density, stability under humid conditions, and fast kinetics of adsorption and desorption. In this study we investigated the effect of different elemental compositions of the commercial and laboratory prepared microporous aluminophosphates, natural and synthetic zeolites with chabazite structure and their modifications in powder and granular form on water adsorption capacity. The highest water uptake among the aluminophosphates was found for APO-34-IL, which was prepared by green synthesis with the low cost ionic liquid, while the highest water uptake of all the samples analysed was found for the composites of the natural zeolite with CaCl2.

Comparative Analysis of Natural and Artificial Coagulants

Abstract: Turbidity is the measure of relative clarity of a liquid. It is an optical characteristic of water and is a measurement of the amount of light that is scattered by material in the water when a lightis shined through the water sample. The higher the intensity of scattered light, the higher the turbidity Turbidity in the water creates both aesthetic and health issues. Surface water treatment plants remove particles because they can cause objectionable appearances, tastes, and odour and can interfere with disinfection. A wide range of natural coagulants, such as moringa seeds, banana peel, jatropha curcas, cassava peel starch, watermelon, pawpaw, beans, nirmali seeds, papaya seeds, organic dry hibiscus and okra have been studied previously. Natural coagulants in powder forms are usually added directly to wastewater. The most commonly used inorganic chemical coagulants in water treatment. Aluminium sulfate Al2(SO4)3 is the most commonly used chemical for coagulation in wastewater treatment. Additional commonly used coagulants include sodium aluminate NaAIO₂, ferric sulphate Fe2(SO4)3 and ferric chloride FeCl3.

Low-Hydrophilic HKUST-1/Polymer Extrudates for the PSA Separation of CO2/CH4.

HKUST-1 is an MOF adsorbent industrially produced in powder form and thus requires a post-shaping process for use as an adsorbent in fixed-bed separation processes. HKUST-1 is also sensitive to moisture, which degrades its crystalline structure. In this work, HKUST-1, in the form of crystalline powder, was extruded into pellets using a hydrophobic polymeric binder to improve its moisture stability. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was used for that purpose. The subsequent HKUST-1/TPU extrudate was then compared to HKUST-1/PLA extrudates synthesized with more hydrophilic polymer: polylactic acid (PLA), as the binder. The characterization of the composites was determined via XRD, TGA, SEM-EDS, and an N2 adsorption isotherm analysis. Meanwhile, the gas-separation performances of HKUST-1/TPU were investigated and compared with HKUST-1/PLA from measurements of CO2 and CH4 isotherms at three different temperatures, up to 10 bars. Lastly, the moisture stability of the composite materials was investigated via an aging analysis during storage under humid conditions. It is shown that HKUST-1's crystalline structure was preserved in the HKUST-1/TPU extrudates. The composites also exhibited good thermal stability under 523 K, whilst their textural properties were not significantly modified compared with the pristine HKUST-1. Furthermore, both extrudates exhibited larger CO2 and CH4 adsorption capacities in comparison to the pristine HKUST-1. After three months of storage under atmospheric humid conditions, CO2 adsorption capacities were reduced to only 10% for HKUST-1/TPU, whereas reductions of about 25% and 54% were observed for HKUST-1/PLA and the pristine HKUST-1, respectively. This study demonstrates the interest in shaping MOF powders by extrusion using a hydrophobic thermoplastic binder to operate adsorbents with enhanced moisture stability in gas-separation columns.

Pelatihan Pembuatan Deterjen Cair Untuk Pakaian Bagi Warga Wonosalam, Ngaglik, Yogyakarta

Detergent is a cleaning material widely used in households. It comes in liquid, cream, and powder forms. Despite having the same function, they differ in their forms. Previously, liquid soap was only used for cleaning kitchen utensils, but now it is also used for laundry purposes because it is practical and removes oil stains effectively. The examination turns out that making liquid detergent is easy and people can make this themselves at a low cost. In order to expand the knowledge of PKK Mother’s Association in RT05 RW09, Wonosalam, Sukoharjo, Ngaglik, Sleman, Yogyakarta, the head of the RT05 proposed the Head of LPPM to grant permission for instructors from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering at IST AKPRIND to provide training on making liquid detergent for laundry on Sunday, October 9, 2022. The community service activity conducted to provide knowledge on how to economically produce liquid detergent compared to products sold in the market, and ensure that this knowledge can serve as a foundation for entrepreneurship. The activity is carried out through the stages of licensing, training, and mentoring that provide information on economical side of liquid detergent, the materials that can be used, and the steps of production. Participants in this community service activity practicing making liquid detergent under the guidance of expert from IST AKPRIND. The training process runs smoothly, with many mom enthusiastically participating.

Effect of Maltodextrin Concentrations and Drying Temperature on the Physico-chemical Characteristics and Color Measurements of Butterfly Pea Flowers (Clitoria ternatea L) Powder

Butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) is a tropical plant that is rich in bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanins which are useful as natural dyes and antioxidant compounds. The bioactive compounds of butterfly pea flowers are unstable due to environmental influences, especially temperature, oxygen, light and acidity. In order to improve the stability of bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanin compounds in powder form, it is necessary to utilize encapsulation technology using coating materials. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of maltodextrin concentration and drying temperature on the physico-chemical characteristics and color measurements of encapsulated butterfly pea flower extract. The research method used was a factorial design prepared using a randomized block design consisting of 2 factors. Factor I (maltodextrin concentration) consisted of 3 levels, namely (10%, 20%, and 30%) while factor II (drying temperature) consisted of 3 levels (70ºC, 80ºC, and 90ºC), with 3 repetitions. The observation variables are: a) antioxidant activity, b) anthocyanin content, c) water content, d) dissolution time, e) color properties (L*, a*, and b*). Based on general research results, a maltodextrin concentration of 10% and a drying temperature of 70ºC showed the best results based on antioxidant activity rate and the highest anthocyanin content (51.47% and 47.36mg/g), as well as color measurements with the lowest L* value = 52, highest a* value = +2.6, and highest b* = -11.16. Except for powder solubility, a maltodextrin concentration of 30% and a drying temperature of 90ºC resulted in the fastest solubility time (16.67 seconds). For water content, all treatments were still in accordance with spice standards in Indonesia and standards issued by the USDA.

A Triazine Membrane for Sustainable Acquisition of Au(III) from Wastewater.

The recovery of Au(III) from solution using adsorbents in the form of granules or powders is challenging due to issues such as instability during the recovery process or mass loss caused by small particle size. This study introduces a PEI-TCT/PVDF composite membrane designed to intercept and capture Au(III) in wastewater. Experimental results demonstrated that the PEI-TCT/PVDF membrane exhibits a broad pH range (1-8) and a high retention efficiency for Au(III) of 97.8%, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 294.5 mg/g. The mechanism of Au(III) adsorption on the PEI-TCT/PVDF membrane was mainly through electrostatic adsorption, which caused AuCl4- to aggregate on the surface of the membrane and gradually reduced to Au0 and Au+. Furthermore, the membrane can be entirely regenerated within 20 min and maintains its performance in subsequent adsorption cycles. This study highlights the potential of PEI-TCT/PVDF membranes for the recovery of precious Au(III).

Milling amorphous FeSiB ribbons with vibratory ball and disc mills

Fe, Si and B powders, mixed with atomic composition Fe78Si9B13, are subjected after arc melting to a melt spinning process, which is optimized to obtain the greatest amount of amorphous ribbon. The amorphous ribbons are milled to powder form in a vibratory ball mill and a vibratory disc mill, taking care of maintaining the amorphous character. Ribbons and powders have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser diffraction, SEM and TEM microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The amorphous character and particle size of the powders are characterized as a function of the mill charge and the milling time. It is shown that the use of the ball mill is appropriate for obtaining small quantities of amorphous or nanocrystalline powder, while the disc mill can process larger quantities of powder in a shorter time. The particle sizes obtained for milling times between 10 and 150 min range between 26 and 412 μm, ready for use in powder metallurgy processes.

Microbial landscape of periodontal pockets against local antibacterial therapy of chronic generalized periodontitis: a multicenter clinical trial

Background. A microbial nature of periodontitis requires an accurate analysis of the pathogenic potential of the periodontal pocket microflora thereby enabling correct diagnosis to be made and the most effective pharmacological agent to be selected for treating chronic periodontitis. Metronidazole demonstrates excellent results for anaerobic microorganisms in the periodontal pocket, whereas minocycline hydrochloride, moxifloxacin and amoxicillin/clavulanate are efficient for aerobic microorganisms. However, specialists find considerably relevant to analyze the correlations between specific bacterial associations in the periodontal pocket against local antibacterial therapy, as well as to track the contents of periodontal pockets long after antibacterial therapy. Therefore, a microbiological analysis of periodontal pocket contents is considered necessary in order to select and monitor the effectiveness of local antibacterial therapy.Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of local antibacterial therapy for chronic generalized periodontitis by means of analysis of changes in the microbiological composition of periodontal pockets.Methods. The clinical trial involved 144 patients with chronic generalized periodontitis. The study included examination of patients and analysis of clinical data bases of the Department for General Practice Dentistry, Kuban State Medical University and the Dentistry Department, Stavropol State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. The trial included patients aged 30 to 60 with a diagnosis of chronic generalized periodontitis of different severity. All periodontitis patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the therapy: main and control groups. Each group had three subgroups depending on the severity of the pathologic process. The first subgroup of the control group (chronic generalized periodontitis of mild degree) consisted of 16 people (11.1%), the second subgroup (chronic generalized periodontitis of moderate degree) — 31 people (21.5%), the third subgroup (chronic generalized periodontitis of severe degree) — 7 people (4.9%). The first, second and third subgroups of the main group consisted of 28 (19.4%), 48 (33.3%) and 14 persons (9.7%) respectively. The severity of periodontitis was determined by the depth of the periodontal pocket, degree of bone resorption (according to x-ray examination), and pathologic tooth mobility. A local anti-inflammatory therapy for the patients of the control group included oral baths with propolis (15–20 drops of 10% propolis tincture diluted in 100 ml of warm water) 3 times a day for 7 days starting from the first visit. At the final stage of treatment after preliminary scaling and rootplaning, patients of the control group received antiseptic gel with 10% metronidazole and 2% chlorhexidine bigluconate to be injected into periodontal pockets with over 4 mm depth. Additionally, applications of adhesive dental films Diplene Denta L (with lincomycin) and Diplene Denta M (with metronidazole) were prescribed to be done in the home. In addition to the above-mentioned comprehensive therapy, patients of the main group received a single insufflation of minocycline hydrochloride microspheres into each periodontal pocket. The tools for the patients of the main group included plastic cannulas with minocycline hydrochloride microspheres in the form of powder in the tip of the cartridge, and a special syringe-insufflator. The technique of antibiotic insufflation into the periodontal pocket was preliminary trained on the model of jaws with the studied pathology. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using variance analysis in the Excel Microsoft Office 2016 (Microsoft, USA).Results. According to the systematic observation of the patients from the control group, periodic fluctuations in microbial population in the majority of pathologic pockets obtained a specific regularity: a decrease in the number of microorganisms on day 21 was followed by its increase in the subsequent period of observation after 30 and especially 60 days. According to the ongoing follow-up of the patients of the main group, fluctuations of microbial population in the majority of pathologic pockets obtained a certain regularity: a significant reduction in the number of microorganisms on day 21 was followed by its slight rise in the subsequent period of observation after 30 and a slight increase again in 60 days. Fluctuations in the number of microorganisms of periodontal pockets in the main group reveal their specific character: their number remained invariably lower than that of the control group throughout the observation period, while the total number of detected periodontopathogens decreased.Conclusion. The established correlations between the main indicators of microbiological status of periodontal pockets and the severity of chronic generalized periodontitis within different periods after the local therapy confirm the positive dynamics of treatment in the main group, where patients were insufflated with minocycline hydrochloride microspheres, proved by a change in the typology of microbial status of periodontal pockets and a number of periodontopathogenic microorganisms.