Pretreatment Time Research Articles

Effects of ultrasonic pretreatment and drying approaches on the drying kinetics and rehydration of sprouted mung beans

AbstractSprouting is one of the most traditional methods used to decrease most of the antinutritional elements in legumes. The assistance of ultrasound appears to enhance the drying step of the sprouted legumes. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of ultrasound pretreatment and drying methods (hot‐air and infrared) on the drying time, mass transfer kinetic, effective moisture diffusivity (Deff), and rehydration ratio of sprouted mung beans. The ultrasound process (40 kHz and 150 W) was performed in an ultrasonic bath for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min. The results showed that the ultrasonic pretreatment increased the moisture diffusion capacity (higher moisture loss) and reduced the drying time of sprouted mung beans. Also, the drying time of samples in the infrared dryer was significantly less than that in the hot‐air dryer (p < .05). The Deff determined by Fick's second law was varied from 1.36 × 10−10 to 1.88 × 10−10 m2 s−1, and from 1.18 × 10−9 to 1.85 × 10−9 m2 s−1, for samples dried in hot‐air and infrared dryers, respectively. Comparing the coefficient of determination (r), sum of squared error (SSE), and root mean squared error (RMSE) values of 10 models, it was concluded that the Midilli model represents the drying characteristics of sprouted mung beans better than the others. The rehydration ratio of dried samples in hot‐air and infrared dryers increased when the ultrasound pretreatment time was increased. In general, the use of ultrasound pretreatment (about 20 min) and an infrared dryer is a promising drying technique for sprouted mung beans with higher mass transfer and a shorter drying time.

Artificial neural network modeling to predict the efficiency of phosphoric acid-hydrogen peroxide pretreatment of wheat straw

Phosphoric acid-hydrogen peroxide (PHP) pretreatment is an effective method to obtain a cellulose-enriched fraction from biomass. In this study, artificial neural network (ANN) was used to predict PHP pretreatment efficiency of cellulose content (C-C), cellulose recovery (C-Ry), hemicellulose removal (H-Rl), and lignin removal (L-Rl) under various conditions of pretreatment time (t), temperature (T), H3PO4 concentration (Cp), and H2O2 concentration (Ch). The final optimized topology structure of the ANN models had 1 hidden layers with 9 neurons for C-C and 10 neurons for C-Ry, 10 neurons for H-Rl, and 12 neurons for L-Rl. The actual testing data fit the predicted data with R2 values ranging from 0.8070 to 0.9989. The relative importance (RI) revealed that Cp and Ch were significant factors influencing the efficiency of PHP pretreatment with total RI values ranging from 12% to 62.6%. However, their weights for the three components of biomass were different. The value of T dominated hemicellulose removal effectiveness with an RI value of 78.6%, while t did not seem to be a main factor dominating PHP pretreatment efficiency. The results of this study provide insights into the convenient development and optimization of biomass pretreatment from ANN modeling perspectives.

Performance of the FACT-GOG-Ntx to assess chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in pediatric high risk Hodgkin lymphoma: report from the Children’s Oncology Group AHOD 1331 study

BackgroundChemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is an under-recognized complication of several chemotherapy agents used as part of curative-intent therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL). In the absence of validated self- or proxy-report measures for children and adolescents, CIPN reporting has relied on clinician rating, with grading scales often restricted to severe manifestations. In a proof-of-concept study, we assessed the feasibility and psychometric performance of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT-GOG-Ntx), a unidimensional CIPN symptom scale widely used adults with CIPN, in pediatric HL at risk for CIPN.MethodsYouth (11+ years) and parents of all children (5–17.9 years) with newly diagnosed high-risk HL enrolled on Children’s Oncology Group AHOD1331 (NCT02166463) were invited to complete the FACT-GOG-Ntx and a health-related quality of life (HRQL) measure at pre-treatment (Time 1), and during cycles 2 (Time 2) and 5 (Time 3) of chemotherapy during the first half of study accrual. Clinical grading of CIPN by providers was also assessed using the Balis Pediatric Neuropathy Scale. We evaluated Cronbach’s alpha, construct validity, and agreement between raters. Change in FACT-GOG-Ntx scores over time was assessed using a repeated measures model.Results306 patients had at least one completed FACT-GOG-Ntx with time-specific completion rates of > 90% for both raters. Cronbach’s alpha was > 0.7 for youth and parent-proxy report at all time points. Correlations between FACT-GOG-Ntx and HRQL scores were moderate (0.41–0.48) for youth and parent-proxy raters across all times. Youth and parent-proxy raters both reported worse FACT-GOG-Ntx scores at Time 3 for those who had clinically-reported CIPN compared to those who did not. Agreement between raters was moderate to high. Compared to baseline scores, those at Time 3 were significantly lower for youth (β = − 2.83, p < 0.001) and parent-proxy raters (β = − 1.99, p < 0.001).ConclusionsHigh completion rates at all time points indicated feasibility of eliciting youth and parent report. Psychometric performance of the FACT-GOG-Ntx revealed acceptable reliability, evidence of validity, and strong inter-rater agreement, supporting the use of this self- or proxy-reported measure of CIPN in youth with high-risk HL exposed to tubulin inhibitors, as part of a Phase 3 clinical trial.Clinical trial information: Clinical Trials Registry, NCT02166463. Registered 18 June 2014, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02166463

Early-stage analysis on developing different oat (Avena sativa L) added value fractions by ultrasound-assisted three-phase partition (UATPP): Effect of variables on yield and environmental impacts

This research explores an oat refinery using an ultrasound-assisted three-phase partition (UATPP) to obtain three value-added fractions (oil, protein, and fiber). Ultrasound-assisted pretreatment (time), salt (weight %), and butanol (volume %) were assessed against the mass extracted (weight %) at the different fractions by response surface methodology (RSM) and environmental impacts critical for the planetary boundaries framework by life cycle assessment (LCA). Experimental results showed an acceptable regression for predicting the different fractions and their environmental effects. The protein-rich phase (wt %) varied from 4.5 to 15.3 %, where the effect of salt (wt %) and butanol (vol %) was significant, while crude protein content (65–78 %) was affected by ultrasound pretreatment (time) and salt (wt %). The oil-rich phase extracted was between 5 and 8.6 % wt, showing a typical oat's fatty acid profile: oleic (38.18–42.81%), linoleic acid (25.51–33.86 %), and palmitic acid (20.25–23.54%). For this phase, the interaction of butanol with salt (wt %) and ultrasound pretreatment (min) was significant. The fiber-rich phase showed significance with salt (wt %) and ultrasound pretreatment ranging from 66.3 to 78.8 wt %. Moreover, their rheological characteristics (G′ and G″) seemed to change by the variation in oil content, like oat flour and starches. The optimization of the process to maximize protein and oil gave the following conditions: 15 min of ultrasound pretreatment, 4.5 salt (wt %), and 50 butanol (vol %). Regarding LCA, butanol manufacture was a hot spot on environmental indicators such as global warming (kg CO2 eq·kg−1), marine eutrophication (kg P·kg−1), freshwater eutrophication (kg N·kg−1), and freshwater consumption (m3·kg−1). Land use (m2·kg−1) impacts were mainly caused by running UATTP at high dilution ratios (typical at the lab scale). Activities such as solvent reduction and recirculation were found critical to minimize environmental impacts. This analysis can aid in foreseeing potential processing and environmental implications at an early stage of development, allowing better holistic decisions.

Effect of Pretreatment Time with Enhancers on Caffeine Skin Permeability in Rats

Background: Caffeine is an edible chemical compound obtained from various plants, such as tea and coffee. Caffeine is an alkaloid that is highly hydrophilic and has limited skin permeability. The lipophilic nature of the stratum corneum is a major barrier to the passage of this substance through the skin. Topical drug delivery systems can effectively transfer caffeine to the skin. Objectives: This study investigated the effect of pretreatment time with chemical enhancers on caffeine's skin permeation. Methods: The skin was subjected to additives such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl ethyl sulfate, tynoline, nanoxinol, and lecithin for 5, 15, and 30 minutes. Then, the parameters of caffeine permeability and structural changes in the skin due to additive adsorption were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry. Results: The enhancers increased the permeation of caffeine through the skin. There are different mechanisms for penetration enhancers, including lipid liquefaction, disruption of lipid bilayers, and irreversible denaturation of intracellular keratin. Conclusions: Sodium lauryl sulfate can affect the skin permeability of caffeine.

NaOH-urea pretreatment enhanced H2 and CH4 yields via optimizing mixed alkali ratio, pretreatment time, and organic loading rate during anaerobic digestion of corn stover

This work studied the impact of NaOH-urea pretreatment on corn stover for H2 and CH4 production through two-stage anaerobic digestion. Results showed that the NaOH-urea pretreatment process improved CH4 production more significantly compared to H2. Optimized by Box-Behnken design (BBD) experiments, the CH4 cumulative yield was increased by 34.2 % at NaOH: urea = 3.2: 26.8, time = 15.7 min, and organic loading rate (OLR) = 23.4 w/v. Microbial community diversity analysis showed that the hydrogen and methane production stages formed communities dominated by Bacteroidales and Methanobacteriales, respectively. In addition, NaOH-urea pretreatment enhanced the metabolite energy recovery efficiency by 28.5–40.9 %. Finally, the return on investment (ROI) of the NaOH-urea pretreatment process reached 26.1 % with significant economic benefits. This research proposed a chemical pretreatment process for anaerobic digestion of corn stover by optimizing the pretreatment conditions of NaOH- urea.

347 Effects of Inoculation Period on the Nutritive Value of Pleurotus Ostreatus Treated Corn Stover

Abstract The objective of the study was to optimize and improve the feeding value of corn stover. Despite the documented ability of Pleurotus ostreatus to selectively delignify crop residues, it is not widely used for ruminant fiber digestion partly due to extended pretreatment time. Optimization of crop residues is influenced by enzymatic activities of fiber degrading enzymes and dependent on the stage of P. ostreatus growth. Thus, optimizing the inoculation period for lignin removal by P. ostreatus is important to improve and increase success on lignocellulose feed resources utilization. Therefore, we hypothesized a difference in nutritive value for different inoculation periods for P. ostreatus spent substrates. Two ruminally cannulated dairy cows were used in an in vitro study arranged in a 3 x 5 factorial design with 4 replicates to evaluate the effects of inoculation period [0 (control), 2, 4, 6 and 8 wk] on P. ostreatus spent substrates at 6, 24 and 48 h of fermentation on chemical composition, dry matter disappearance (DMd) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. Significant (P &amp;lt; 0.001) non-linear treatment effect across the inoculation period was observed in the treated samples (Table 1). An increase of 44.4 to 59.1% and 20.6 to 78.6% was noted for the crude protein and ash contents, respectively. Also, significant (P &amp;lt; 0.001) incubation time effect across the inoculation period resulted in a wide variation (22.6 - 755%) in the microbial mass with greater values for 2- and 4-wk treatments. Neutral detergent fiber and hemicellulose were significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.001) reduced with a range between 7.29 to 18.7% and 26.6 to 40.8%, respectively (Table 3). Inconsistent positive and negative outcomes across the periods in acid detergent fiber, lignin and cellulose resulted in significant (P &amp;lt; 0.001) 116 and 121% increment in non-fiber carbohydrates for 2 and 4-wk treatments, respectively. Consequently, both DMd and total VFA were significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.001) greater, ranging between 238 to 242% and 13.9 to 15.1% respectively for these treatments (Table 2). Additionally, the rumen fermentation pathway favored production of propionate with significant (P &amp;lt; 0.001) treatment and time effect that resulted in 7.46 and 8.30% increment in propionate production after 2 and 4 wk, respectively. Consequently, significant (P &amp;lt; 0.001) reduction was observed in acetate with 4.44 and 3.58%, and 11.7 and 11.1% in A:P ratio for 2 and 4 wk, respectively. High butyrate production was observed for 2 wk in comparison with 4 wk resulting in 18.3 and 9.86% increment, respectively, when compared with control (Table 4). The study showed that 2 wk of inoculation is sufficient to provide bio-transformed cow-calf feed resource from P. ostreatus treated corn stover, which is contrary to 30 days (4 wk) previously recommended.

Study on influencing factors of Coal Microbial Flotation Desulfurization

This study systematically investigates the influence of various factors on microbial flotation desulfurization of coal, with a particular focus on removing organic sulfur. The parameters examined encompass particle size, pretreatment time, bacteria species, bacterial concentration, forms of sulfur occurrence, ash yield, and coal rank. The study aims to develop a thorough understanding of the desulfurization process and establish a theoretical framework for advancing clean coal technology and efficient coal utilization. Stringent control was maintained over parameters such as particle size, pretreatment time, bacterial species, and bacterial concentration. Various forms of sulfur and coal rank were considered to evaluate their impact on desulfurization. Correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between ash yield reduction and the extent of desulfurization. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa were employed in the experimental setup to assess their efficacy in microbial flotation desulfurization. The results demonstrate that microbial flotation desulfurization achieved the highest removal efficiency for organic sulfur, reaching 79.65%. Notably, the desulfurization of organic sulfur exhibited an increasing trend with decreasing coal rank. Correlation analysis reveals a positive correlation between ash yield and desulfurization, suggesting that high mineral matter content in coal facilitates microbial flotation desulfurization and enhances biological oxidation. Comparative analysis of single strain and mixed strain experiments revealed varying degrees of improvement in desulfurization extent, with the mixed-bacteria system exhibiting the most effective removal of organic sulfur, which suggests that Rhodotorula mucilaginosa can significantly enhance microbial flotation desulfurization. Overall, this research provides systematic insights into the influence of process conditions and geological factors on coal desulfurization. The study establishes a theoretical foundation for the development of clean coal technology and the efficient utilization of coal resources, contributing to the advancement of environmentally friendly practices in the coal industry.

Role of Circulating Tumor DNA As a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Introduction: Nearly 50-60% of the patients withDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be cured by front line chemoimmunotherapy. Current risk stratification modalities include cell-of-origin (germinal center (GCB) or non-GCB (activated B-cell [ABC])) subtyping, use of the revised International Prognostic Index (R-IPI), Ki-67 proliferation index assessment, and cytogenetic aberration detection. However, a novel approach for molecular residual disease (MRD) detection and treatment monitoring is needed to improve patient outcomes. Methods: A personalized and tumor-informed multiplex PCR assay (Signatera™ bespoke mPCR NGS assay) was used for the detection and quantification of ctDNA in a prospective clinical cohort of patients with DLBCL. Serial ctDNA testing was performed at various time points collected at the treating physician's discretion, including pretreatment (baseline), during first-line therapy, during and post-salvage therapy, at the end of treatment, and during surveillance, up to the last clinical follow-up. ctDNA clearance was defined as change in ctDNA status (positive to negative) from the pre-treatment time point to the subsequent time point. Event-free survival (EFS) was defined as the time elapsed since the initial ctDNA clearance or PET imaging, for those without ctDNA clearance, during which the patient did not experience progression, death or treatment with salvage therapy. EFS was censored at the last date of followup if the patient was alive and without an event. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the elapsed time after primary treatment until death from any cause. Univariate and multivariable models were analyzed using Cox proportional models. Results: In this retrospective evaluation of commercial ctDNA testing in patients with stage I-IV DLBCL, a total of 50 patients (I:3, II:12, III: 4, and IV: 29;median age: 59 years) were analyzed. Patients were followed up for a median of 12.68 months (inter quartile range: 7.9-17.7 months). Of the 50 patients, 41 had pre-treatment (baseline) time points available and ctDNA was detected in 95% (39/41) of patients. Since the majority of the patients had stage IV disease, median ctDNA detection levels were observed to be high (overall median: 534 MTM/ml, range: 0-5957 MTM/ml; I median: 9.6 MTM/mL [range: 0.2-2822 MTM/mL], II median: 53 MTM/mL [range: 0.8-862 MTM/mL], III median: 368 [range: 2-940 MTM/mL], IV median: 1011 MTM/mL [range: 74-5958 MTM/mL]). Clearance of ctDNA at any point during first-line therapy was associated with improved outcomes (EFS, HR: 8.3, 95% CI: 2.56-27.0, p&amp;lt;0.0001 and OS, HR: 15.2, 95% CI: 1.53-149, p=0.0021), compared to patients who remained ctDNA-positive. Furthermore, 48% (13/27) of patients were found to clear their ctDNA upon the completion of the first cycle of treatment. On comparing baseline ctDNA levels with other clinicopathological risk factors, high ctDNA levels were observed to be strongly correlated with higher R-IPI scores (0-2 vs. 3-5; p=0.0008) and higher stage (I-II vs. III-IV; p=0.0007). Additionally, multivariate analysis determined that ctDNA clearance significantly outperformed all other clinicopathologic risk factors associated with EFS (HR: 48.8, 95% CI:1.2-2005, p=0.04). Finally, ctDNA clearance predicted complete response (CR)/no evidence of disease (NED) on average 95 days (range: 0-14.7 months) ahead of PET imaging or biopsy. Conclusions: In this study utilizing a real-world cohort of patients with stage I-IV DLBCL, ctDNA clearance during first-line therapy was prognostic for EFS and OS and preceded clinical response. ctDNA testing in patients with DLBCL may enable personalized surveillance, intervention, and/or trial options, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Clime: CLL Immune Micro-Environment and Risk of Infections Pre- and Post-Diagnosis: A Population-Based Study

Background: Immune dysfunction precedes a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in some patients. More information is needed about which patients experience immune dysfunction and how it impacts disease progression, as well as the development of post-diagnosis infections and second malignancies. The objectives of this study were to 1) examine the rate of pre-diagnosis infection for individuals diagnosed with CLL compared to population controls, 2) evaluate the impact of pre-diagnosis infection on time to first treatment, 3) compare the rate of immune dysfunction before the start of treatment by stage, and 4) compare the rate of immune dysfunction before the start of treatment for each year post-treatment. Methods: We used a retrospective matched cohort study design that included all individuals in Manitoba diagnosed with CLL from 2006 to 2019. Individuals were identified from the Manitoba CLL database and the Manitoba Cancer Registry (MCR). Individuals with CLL were matched by age, sex, and area of residence (urban versus rural) to population controls identified from the Manitoba Health Population Registry. Provincial pharmacy, hospital admissions, medical claims, and MCR data were used to determine infection, second malignancies, and IgR therapy. Immune dysfunction was defined as two or more infections, a diagnosis with a secondary malignancy, or receipt of IgR therapy. The pre-diagnosis time period was defined as three to 15 months prior to diagnosis. The pre-treatment time period was defined as 12 months prior to treatment. The following analyses were used: conditional logistic regression for objective 1, competing risk for objective 2, logistic regression for objective 3, and logistic GEE models for objective 4. Results: A total of 1,776 CLL patients were matched to 17,760 non-CLL controls. Sixty-two percent were male, the mean age at diagnosis was 71 years, and 62% lived in an urban area. Fifty-one percent of CLL patients had a pre-diagnosis infection compared to 46% of controls. Compared to individuals with no prior infection, those who had a prior infection were more likely to be diagnosed with CLL (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.17, 95% confidence Interval (CI) 1.03, 1.33 for one infection, OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.15, 1.45 for two or more infections). After adjusting for the number of outpatient visits and comorbidity, individuals with two or more infections were 14% more likely to be diagnosed with CLL (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.00-1.30). Conclusions: We found that infections that occurred in the three to 15 months before diagnosis increased the odds of being diagnosed with CLL. Work is ongoing examining time to treatment, immune dysfunction by stage, as well comparing immune dysfunction before and after treatment.

Optimal pretreatment of plantain peel waste valorization for biogas production: Insights into neural network modeling and kinetic analysis

This work proposed a model for the substrate treatment stage of biogas production process in an anaerobic digestion system. Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), response surface method (RSM), and artificial neural network (ANN) were comparatively used in the simulation and modeling of the treatment process for improved biogas yield. Waste plantain peels were pretreated and used as substrate. FTIR and SEM results revealed that the pretreatment improved the substrate's desirable qualities. The amount of biogas yield was controlled by time, NaOH concentration, and temperature of the substrate pretreatment. Optimum pretreatment conditions obtained were a temperature of 102.7 °C, time of 31.7 min and NaOH concentration of 0.125 N. RSM, ANN, and ANFIS modeling techniques were proficient in simulating the biogas production, as evidenced by high R2values of 0.9281, 0.9850, and 0.9852, respectively. Furthermore, the values of the calculated error terms such as RMSE (RSM = 0.04799, ANN = 0.00969, and ANFIS = 0.00587) and HYBRID (RSM = 18.556, ANN = 0.803, and ANFIS = 0.0447) were low, indicating a satisfactory correlation between experimental and predicted values. Scrubbing of the biogas with caustic soda and activated charcoal increased the methane content to 94 %. The kinetics of the cumulative biogas yield were best fit with the Logistics and Modified Logistics models. The low C/N ratio in addition to the presence of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus suggested that the spent plantain peel slurry can be utilized as an agricultural fertilizer in crop production. The observations of this study therefore recommends the pre-treatment of biodigestion substrates as a key means to enhance beneficiation of methane production.

Random forest and Shapley additive explanation for compressive strength prediction of NaOH-pretreated crumb rubber concrete

The compressive strength (CS) of crumb rubber concrete (CRC) can be improved through a chemical pretreatment involving immersion of the crumb rubber particles in a NaOH solution. Despite the potential benefits of this treatment, accurately estimating the CS value of NaOH-pretreated CRC remains challenging. To address this issue, a comprehensive database encompassing 118 entries on the fundamental mixtures of CRC along with NaOH concentration and pretreatment duration has been meticulously compiled for machine learning analysis. The random forest (RF) algorithm is employed to predict the 28-day CS value of NaOH-pretreated CRC. The model hyperparameters are optimized using a random search technique with 10-fold cross-validation. The findings reveal that the optimized RF attains acceptable predictive performance, yielding RMSE, MAE, and R2 values of 3.83 MPa, 2.84 MPa, and 0.85, respectively, on the testing dataset. Additionally, the model is interpreted using multiple techniques, including permutation importance, RF model-based feature importance, and Shapley additive explanation from global or local perspectives. The feature importance analyses consistently highlight the crucial role of crumb rubber content in determining the 28-day CS value of NaOH-pretreated CRC, and the influence of NaOH concentration and pretreatment time appear relatively inconsequential compared to features associated with the CRC mixture. This research contributes to a deeper understanding and better mixture design of CS for NaOH-pretreated CRC.

Fabrication of high permeability and antifouling composite membrane loaded with Fe3O4 nanoparticles via a magnetic field induced phase separation

Membrane fouling increases operational expenses and limits the application of ultrafiltration technology in water treatment. To mitigate the membrane fouling, this study incorporated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) into the polyethersulfone (PES) membrane casting solution, and developed a non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method assisted by a magnetic field (MGF) to fabricate the Fe3O4 NPs composite ultrafiltration membrane. The combination of MGF and Fe3O4 NPs synergistically enhanced the permeability and separation performance of the composite membrane. The performance of the membrane was determined by its structure. With the involvement of MGF, Fe3O4 NPs were enriched on the surface layer of the membrane, resulting in enhanced hydrophilicity of the composite membrane. The membrane permeability increased to 913.39 LMH·bar−1, and the rejection performance rose to 93 % due to the formation of tiny pores on the membrane surface that facilitated solvent diffusion during phase separation, thereby counteracting the adverse effects of heightened viscosity in the casting solution. Moreover, the Fe3O4 NPs composite membrane fabricated with MGF induction exhibited significantly enhanced antifouling capability in multi-cycle fouling tests, resulting in a 27.5 % increase in specific flux compared to the pure PES membrane. Additionally, the preparation procedures for the matrix membrane were optimized to include 15 wt% PES, 3 wt% PVP, and a pre-treatment time of 30 s. These findings have significant implications for advancing the widespread application of membrane technology.

Insights into the poplar cell wall deconstruction following deep eutectic solvent pretreatment for enhanced enzymatic saccharification and lignin valorization

In this study, a combination of microcosmic and chemical analysis methods was used to investigate deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment effects on cell wall's micromorphology and lignin's dissolution regular, in order to achieve high-performance biorefinery. The atomic force microscope observed that DES pretreatment peeled off non-cellulose components to reduced “anti-degradation barrier”, resulting to improve the enzymatic saccharification from 12.36 % to 90.56 %. In addition, DES pretreatment can break the β-O-4 bond between the lignin units resulting in a decline in molecular weight from 3187 g/mol to 1112 g/mol (0–6 h). However, long pretreatment time resulted regenerated lignin samples repolymerization. Finally, DES has good recoverability which showed saccharification still can reach 51.51 % at 6 h following four recycling rounds and regenerated lignin also had a typical and well-preserved structure. In general, this work offers important information for industrial biorefinery technologies and lignin valorization.

Effective cellulose isolation from torch ginger stem by alkaline hydrogen peroxide – Peracetic acid system

Efficient and eco-friendly isolation of cellulose from non-woody plants is paramount. This study aimed to isolate cellulose from torch ginger stem (Etlingera elatior) (TGS) waste efficiently by alkaline hydrogen peroxide pre-treatment and subsequently by peracetic acid treatment (AHP-PAA) under autoclave conditions (121 °C/0.1 MPa). A complete randomized design with three factors—AHP concentration (0, 16, and 33 % (v/v) H2O2 in 5 % (w/v) NaOH), PAA concentration (PAA to water ratio of 0.36, 1.14, and 4.00 (v/v)), and pre-treatment time (30, 60, and 90 min)—was used to investigate changes in yield and fiber’s chemical components. The results showed that TGS is a potential non-wood cellulose source with a high S/G ratio (3.016) and low SiO2 (4.2 %). Analysis of variance exhibited that the AHP and PAA concentration affected lignin-related parameters, but pre-treatment time influenced only carbohydrate-related parameters. The optimum isolation condition resulted in 47.78 % pulp yield with 64.78 % α-cellulose, 34.06 % hemicellulose, 0.15 % lignin, and 71.8 % crystallinity in 90 min of reaction time. Massive liberation of individual fibers from bundles, single peak on thermal degradation, removal of lignin-related functional groups and some metal oxide also supported the effectiveness of the AHP-PAA method to isolate TGS cellulose through prehydrolysis, chromophore group deactivation, and delignification reactions.

Microwave-assisted ternary deep eutectic solvent pretreatment for improved rice straw saccharification under mild pretreatment conditions

The development of a green and cost-effective pretreatment method to overcome biomass recalcitrance is a challenging assignment for the efficient valorization of lignocellulosic compounds. In this study, a ternary deep eutectic solvent (DES) consisting of choline chloride (ChCl), p-toluene sulfonic acid (pTSA) and ethylene glycol (EG) was applied in rice straw (RS) pretreatment under microwave (MW) irradiation for the further conversion of the polysaccharide fraction. The effect of the pretreatment temperature, time and pTSA content in the DES on lignin extraction and polysaccharide hydrolysis was assessed by a central composite design (CCD). Under the selected pretreatment conditions (80 ºC, 22.5 min, ChCl:pTSA:EG 1:1:9), 61.6% delignification was achieved, as well as nearly complete conversion of the initial glucan in RS (93.4% glucose yield) and a good xylan conversion rate (48.3% xylose yield), representing a total polysaccharide exploitation of 78.3%. Energetical requirement was remarkably lower compared to conventional conductive heating. Importantly, the ternary DES showed good recyclability pattern after two reuses. Overall, this study demonstrated the potential of MW-assisted ternary DES pretreatment for improved valorization of biomass polysaccharides under mild pretreatment conditions, representing an efficient and energetical-saving alternative pathway within the biorefinery framework.

Effects of ultrasound pretreatment on the enzymolysis of hybrid sturgeon (Huso dauricus × Acipenser schrenckii) protein and the structural, functional, and antioxidant properties of hydrolysates

In the current study, hybrid sturgeon hydrolysates were prepared using ultrasound (US) pretreatments for different periods (0, 15, 30, and 45 min) followed by an enzymolysis process using compound proteinase, and their structural, functional, and antioxidant properties were examined. The application of US pretreatments significantly increased the hydrolysis process. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that as sonication time was increased, peptides with lower molecular weights were obtained. Based on US pretreatment time, hydrolysates demonstrated significant changes in free amino acids, solubility, emulsifying properties, surface hydrophobicity, and water-oil holding ability. Furthermore, US pretreatments had a significant impact on the antiradical activity (DPPH• and ABTS•+) at different hydrolysate concentrations. Partial least-squares regression (PLSR) analysis revealed a positive relationship between most hydrolysate properties and the degree of hydrolysis. These findings indicated that using US pretreatments would be a promising procedure for improving the functional, structural, and antioxidant properties of hybrid sturgeon hydrolysates, thereby expanding their application in the field of food processing.

Optimization of the process of decreasing the filtration resistance of sewage sludge by thermal pretreatment: a case study for the Lviv WWTP.

The article presents the results of an experimental study of the effect of high-temperature thermal pretreatment on the specific resistance to filtration (SRF) of the sewage sludge (SS) from the Lviv wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), which is a combination of primary sludge and excess-activated sludge collected in primary sedimentation tanks. The kinetics of SRF reduction over time at temperatures of 140 - 150 °С are described by simple exponents, while at temperatures of 160 - 170 °С, they are described by modified two-parameter exponents. The study analyzed the dimensionless optimization function, which is the product of the final relative SRF of the sludge and the dimensionless time of thermal pretreatment. An optimal dimensionless thermal pretreatment time of 4.1 tr.0/2 was determined, and an empirical exponential equation for the time of SRF reduction by twice tr.0/2 was derived. Based on the analysis, it was found that the highest efficiency in reducing the SRF of Lviv WWTP SS occurs at a temperature of 170 °C and an optimal duration of thermal pretreatment of 55 min.

Control of Fluoride Pollution in Cemented Phosphogypsum Backfill by Citric Acid Pretreatment.

Using phosphogypsum (PG) as the aggregate of cemented backfill is an economical and effective method of PG utilization. However, the stability and performance of cemented backfill are challenged by the rich fluoride content in PG. In this study, the effects of citric acid pretreatment on PG defluorination, backfill performance and environmental behavior were investigated by washing PG with different concentrations of citric acid and washing times. The results showed that the citric acid pretreatment could significantly reduce the fluoride content in PG and promote the hydration reaction with the binder, thus greatly reducing the usage and cost of the binder in actual production. Considering the efficiency of defluorination, the optimal citric acid concentration and washing times were determined to be 4% and 7-8 times, respectively. In addition, after citric acid pretreatment, the viscosity and setting time of the backfill slurry and the porosity of the backfill reduced, and the strength of the backfill improved, which was conducive to slurry pipeline transportation and underground mine stability. Finally, a further analysis of environmental behavior was conducted and it was found that the citric acid washing greatly reduced the content of fluoride in the bleeding water of slurry and the backfill leachate, which met the integrated wastewater discharge standard in China. The results of this study can provide important guidance for the large-scale recycling and environmental management of PG.

Ekstraksi Minyak Atsiri Kulit Jeruk Lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.) dengan Pretreatment Microwave dan Distilasi Air-Uap

Lemon peel is a waste containing essential oils which can be used as an aroma enhancer in food and drinks as well as aromatherapy. This study aims to determine the effect of microwave pretreatment power and time on the extraction of lemon peel essential oil. The research phase began with microwave pretreatment, namely lemon peel was put into the microwave with pretreatment times of 2 minutes, 4 minutes, 6 minutes, 8 minutes, and 10 minutes with microwave power of 100 W, 200 W, and 300 W followed by water-steam distillation 150 g of lemon peel. Furthermore, the distillate is put in a separatory funnel for ± 12 hours to separate the essential oil and water. The top layer is essential oil added ± 5 g of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) to adsorb water. The best conditions for the extraction process of lemon peel essential oil was at 300 W microwave power and 2 minutes of pretreatment which produces clear yellowish lemon peel essential oil with a distinctive lemon smell with a yield of 4.88%, limonene content of 27.501%, and refractive index of 1.48.