Composition Of Products Research Articles

Investigation and evaluation of the efficiency of palm kernel oil extract for corrosion inhibition of brass artifacts

Brass (Cu–Zn alloy) used in the crescent of the Al-Maradani Mosque pulpit is subjected to corrosion under certain conditions, such as exposure to polluted air, oxidizing acids, and compounds containing sulphur or ammonia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of palm kernel oil extract (PKO) as a green corrosion inhibitor for protecting brass artifacts. The crescent was analyzed using metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to identify its alloy composition, microstructure and corrosion products. The analyses confirmed the crescent was made of a brass alloy (Cu–Zn) and formed by hammering, with corrosion layers composed primarily of cuprite and clinoatacamite, covered by dust containing calcite and quartz. The corrosion protection efficiency of the PKO was evaluated using brass coupons, simulating the artifact of the alloy. Electrochemical methods, including the open circuit potential (OCP), Tafel, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), were used to assess the performance of palm kernel oil on brass coupons at different concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7%). Electrochemical tests showed that corrosion inhibition efficiency increased with higher palm kernel oil concentrations, with the 7% concentration exhibiting the highest corrosion protection, up to 99.7%.

Proteomic methods for separation and identification of milk proteins

The review presents the most common proteomics methods based on separation and identification of proteins, with examples of their use for studying the protein system of milk and dairy products. The essence of electrophoretic and chromatographic methods for separating proteins and peptides and their identification using Western blotting and mass spectrometry is described. The main types of electrophoresis methods (native, two-dimensional, in polyacrylamide gel with urea, immunoelectrophoresis, capillary) and chromatography methods (gas, liquid, ion exchange, gel filtration, affinity) are given. It is noted that the main direction of research using these methods, which has both scientific and applied significance, is the detection of falsifications in the composition of milk and dairy products. Such falsifications are associated with the deliberate addition of dry milk and cheese whey, as well as with the replacement of raw milk by milk from other animals, which is unacceptable in the production of cheeses with a protected designation of origin (PDO) or a protected geographical indication (PGI). Another area is research into the proteolytic processes that occur during the maturation of cheeses, on the basis of which their degree of maturity and species can be determined depending on the manufacturing technology. Given the wide range of cheeses from different countries, such research is clearly insufficient.

Overview of instrumental methods used in the field of food analysis

The emergence of new technologies for food production and current trends in the use of alternative sources of raw materials require improved approaches to the analysis of the chemical composition of food products. In the course of planning work to carry out analytical research, a number of challenges arise: identification of the research objects themselves; selection of research methods and tools; ensuring the representativeness and validity of the results obtained. When choosing and justifying research methods, it is necessary to rely on a large number of factors, which include both confirmation of the actual composition of food products, including the determination of unintentionally present substances, and the reliability of the data obtained, taking into account the selected instrumental methods. The purpose of this work is to generalize and systematize the essence and characteristics of the main methods of food analysis and evaluate existing approaches to the justification and application of instrumental methods of analysis in relation to new types of food products. This paper reviews the literature on instrumental research methods used to obtain values in the most representative international databases on the composition of food products (FAO/INFOODS Food Composition Databases, USDA NDL, Fineli, Frida), as well as databases of the chemical composition of food products in Russia, Japan and Australia. To search for descriptions and features of the use of analytical equipment and analytical methods, electronic library systems Web of Science, Scopus, Elibrary, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, Science Direct were used. This review highlights the role of various research methods: photometric and electrophoretic, titrimetric, extraction, chromatographic, spectroscopic, immunoenzymatic, as well as those based on the polymerase chain reaction and the use of nuclear magnetic resonance, lateral flow and electropheresis.

Predicting composition of a functional food product using computer simulation

One of the frontiers of science is the development of a digital twin for a food product to predict composition and properties of a future product. Today, however, computer simulation (modeling) is used for predicting the composition of a food product. The aim of our research is to compare the levels of the nutritional value parameters from a digital model and a real food product and to assess adequacy of the obtained data. The objects of the research were the emulsified meat-and-plant product based on the traditional meal “Mukhamar” and a digital model (computer simulator) of the recipe of the emulsified meat-andplant product. By the example of the development of the emulsified meat-and-plant product based on the traditional meal “Mukhamar”, stages of the development of a digital twin of a food product are shown. It was demonstrated that it is incorrect to use a digital model without supporting it with data (numerical values) obtained from apparatus, sensors. The calculated parameters were compared with the data obtained empirically (as a result of the laboratory experiment) in three blocks: physicochemical indicators, vitamins and minerals. Simulation and calculation of the absolute and relative errors were performed in the program environment R Studio. Differences between the calculated and empirical data can be explained, firstly, by the average values of parameters in food product databases. As for now, databases contain averaged data, which do not take into account individual characteristics of animal and plant raw materials. Secondly, it is necessary to take into consideration the coefficient of losses (or coefficient of preservation) of food nutrients during thermal treatment of food. It has been established that only the development of the precise digital twin with regard to all parameters will help to trace quality parameters at each stage of the production, which will allow reacting timely to deviations and improving quality of the final product.

DNA data (genome skims and metabarcodes) paired with chemical data demonstrate utility for retrospective analysis of forage linked to fatal poisoning of cattle.

Prepared and stored feeds, fodder, silage, and hay may be contaminated by toxic plants resulting in the loss of livestock. Several poisonous plants have played significant roles in livestock deaths from forage consumption in recent years in the Western United States including Salvia reflexa. Metagenomic data, genome skims and metabarcodes, have been used for identification and characterization of plants in complex botanical matrices including diet composition of animals, mixed forages, and herbal products. Here, chemistry, genome skims, and metabarcoding were used to retrospectively describe the composition of contaminated alfalfa hay from a case of Salvia reflexa (lanceleaf sage) poisoning that killed 165 cattle. Genome skims and metabarcoding provided similar estimates of the relative abundance of the Salvia in the hay samples when compared to chemical methods. Additionally, genome skims and metabarcoding provided similar estimates of species composition in the contaminated hay and rumen contents of poisoned animals. The data demonstrate that genome skims and DNA metabarcoding may provide useful tools for plant poisoning investigations.

Sustainable stabilization/solidification of electroplating sludge using a low-carbon ternary cementitious binder

Electroplating sludge (ES), due to its high dosages of heavy metals (HMs), is classified as hazardous waste, presenting risks to both health and environment. Stabilization/solidification (S/S) technology is extensively applied in ES treatment. This study designs a low-carbon ternary cementitious binder, limestone calcined clay cement (LC3), for S/S treatment of ES and investigates the immobilization mechanism of HMs in the crystalline products and calcium alumino-silicate hydrate (C-A-S-H) within LC3. Results show that CrO42- and Cd2+ are primarily stabilized in aluminate crystalline products by replacing SO42- and Ca2+ in the double-layered plate structure, respectively. The remaining CrO42- is captured by the (SiOOH)2AlCa⁺ groups in C-A-S-H generated from substitution of aluminum tetrahedra to bridging silicon tetrahedra. For positively charged Cd2+, it is mainly stabilized through ion exchange with Ca2+ on the C-A-S-H chains. The pozzolanic reaction of calcined clay increases the Al/Ca and Si/Ca atomic ratios in C-A-S-H, enhancing the immobilization efficiency of C-A-S-H to CrO42- and Cd2+. The synergistic effect of calcined clay and limestone, along with the dissolution of aluminosilicates in calcined clay, changes the structure and composition of hydration products, facilitating the chemical binding of CrO42- and Cd2+ by aluminate products. Moreover, the extra hydration products generated by the pozzolanic reaction and the formation of numerous carboaluminate phases strengthen the physical encapsulation performance to HMs. Regarding actual S/S performance, multi-scale evaluation results show that the designed LC3 binder achieves sustainable S/S of ES with high strength, low carbon emission, low cost, and low energy consumption.

The Heat and Irradiation Driven Degradation of the Diagnostic Pigments in Marine Phytoplankton and the Compositions of Special Degradation Products

Marine phytoplankton stands as one of the most crucial components of marine ecosystems, so tracking it using appropriate biomarkers holds significant meaning. Chlorins are a sort of degradation products derived from the diagnostic pigment of marine phytoplankton and serve as valuable biomarkers for describing the temporal and spatial distribution of phytoplankton. However, previous research has not qualitatively or quantitatively studied multiple Chlorins, nor has it clearly revealed the conditions of their formation. Thus, this study investigated the chemical structure and formation mechanism of Chlorins in Chlorophytes, Prochlorococcus, and Chrysophytes communities by experiencing specific heat and irradiation conditions. According to the standardized redundancy analysis results, Phytin-a and its analogues with shorter phytyl chain are sensitive to irradiation intensity, and different Phytin-a analogues represent different degradation pathway of Chl-a. The composition and concentration of Phide-a and its further degradation products emerged as the primary thermosensitive components, capable of indicating and reversing temperature fluctuations within the environment. During the degradation processes of Chl-a, the carotenoids of each phytoplankton can also affect the degradation direction of Chl-a. Phycourobilin can cause Chl-a in the Prochlorococcus group to transform into special Phide-a analogues relying on low irradiation intensity. Zeaxanthin and Diatoxanthin dominate the conversion of Chl-a in Chrysophytes, and tend to cause heat-driven degradation of pigments. Zeaxanthin and Prasinoxanthin can also mediate the degradation of Chl-a in Chlorophytes. Thus, Chlorophyll and the composition of its Chlorins briefly reveal the rates of degradation and light intensity, and the carotenoids and their Chlorins can represent the temperature condition in the environment. These results imply that Chlorins can be utilized as biomarkers to infer the distribution and abundance of phytoplankton communities, reflecting the environmental factors in which phytoplankton live.

Catalytic pyrolysis of duckweed with phosphoric acid: Products yield and composition

Catalytic pyrolysis of duckweed with phosphoric acid: Products yield and composition

The relationship of some indicators of composition and quality of meat of the Angus bulls

The study of the formation of the composition and quality of livestock products is of scientific and practical importance. In this regard, the aim of the research was to determine the biological markers characterizing the quality indicators of muscle tissue of the Angus cattle. The object of the study was muscle samples of the rib eye of the Angus bulls (n = 157). The indicators of chemical, mineral, amino acid composition, quality indicators of meat were determined and correlations between them were calculated. pH 24 positively correlated with the content of chromium in meat. Positive correlations of water-holding capacity of meat (WHC) with the content of moisture, protein, ash, calcium, phosphorus, chromium, phenylalanine and negative ones with the content of fat and arginine were noted. Total amount of water-soluble antioxidants (TAWSA) positively correlates with the content of moisture, ash, macro- and microelements, cysteine, proline and negatively with the content of fat and some amino acids. The obtained results allow us to draw a conclusion about the formation of quality indicators of raw materials, which will help in developing methods for regulating and intravital formation of high-quality products of domestic cattle breeding.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА БЕЛКОВЫХ ПРОДУКТОВ, ПОЛУЧЕННЫХ ИЗ СЕМЕННИКОВ УБОЙНЫХ ЖИВОТНЫХ

The paper gives a comparative description of protein products obtained from the testes of a bull and a stallion to determine the possibility of using these drugs as a food supplement. The preparations were obtained by the method of sublimation and low-temperature (50–55 °C) drying from endocrine-enzymatic raw materials obtained during slaughter of cattle (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia). The chemical, amino acid and miner-al composition of preparations was studied. Both products are characterized by a high protein content - from 69.6 to 74.1 %. In the preparation from the testes of the stallion, the protein content and the level of moisture exceeded those of the product from the testes of the bull by 6.5–6.7 %. The bovine testicle prod-uct contains 38 % more fat than the stallion testicle preparation. The study of the amino acid composition of the preparations showed the presence of all types of essential amino acids. Both products are dominat-ed by glutamine with glutamic acid, asparagine, lysine, leucine and arginine. The content of tryptophan, cysteine and cysteine, methionine and histidine is minimal. In the product from the organs of the bull, the content of tryptophan is 3.3 times higher than in the preparation from the testes of the stallion. The mineral composition of protein products includes macronutrients (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium) and microelements (iron, zinc, manganese and copper). The maximum content of potassium and sodium was established, the level of sodium is 2.25 times less than that of potassium. The amount of calcium in the product from the testes of a bull is 3 times more than in the preparation from the testes of a stallion. The content of manganese and copper in both products is minimal. The research results show that preparations obtained from the testes of slaughtered animals are complete protein products containing all the essential amino acids and the most important macro- and microelements, and can be recommended as dietary supplements that can compensate for nutritional deficiencies.

Novel Nonaqueous PD/PZ/NMP Absorbent for Energy-Efficient CO2 Capture: Insights into the Crystal-Phase Regulation Mechanism of the Powdery Product.

Solid-liquid biphasic absorbents are a promising solution for overcoming the high-energy consumption challenge faced by liquid amine-based CO2 capture technologies. However, their practical applications are often hindered by difficulties in separating viscous solid-phase products. This study introduces a novel nonaqueous absorbent system (PD/PZ/NMP) composed of 4-amino-1-methylpiperidine (PD), piperazine (PZ), and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), engineered to produce easily separable powdery products. The PD/PZ/NMP absorbent achieves a CO2 loading of 0.86 mol-CO2/mol-amine, with 91% of CO2 concentrated in the solid phase. It demonstrates excellent cyclic stability, maintaining a regeneration efficiency of 91% after five regeneration cycles, and reduces energy consumption by 52% compared with the conventional monoethanolamine absorbent. Remarkably, PZ plays a crucial role in regulating the crystal composition of solid-phase products, transforming them from a viscous state to a crystalline powder. Characterization and density functional theory analysis explain the crystal-phase regulation mechanism: PD absorbs CO2 to form zwitterions (PDH+COO-), affording viscous products, and PZ forms protonated amines (PZH+) and monocarbamates (PZCOO-), which interact with PDH+COO- via hydrogen bonding to form a crystalline powder. These findings demonstrate the CO2 capture efficacy of the PD/PZ/NMP absorbent and provide a robust theoretical framework for fabricating solid-liquid biphasic absorbents tailored for practical applications.

Изучение химического СОСТАВа и свойств икры, молок и отходов от переработки БАЙКАЛЬСКОГО ОМУЛЯ

The purpose of the study is to determine the chemical composition and properties of secondary products of processing of Baikal omul (Coregonus migratorius (Georgi, 1775)). Objectives: study of the chemical composition of caviar, milt, heads and entrails of the Baikal omul; mineral composition of fish raw materials; determination of safety indicators of secondary fish raw materials. The objects of the study were secondary products of processing of Baikal omul. The chemical composition of the research objects was determined according to GOST 7636-85 in the research laboratory of the Department of Standardization, Metrology and Quality Management of the East Siberian State University of Technology and Management (East Siberian State University of Technology and Management), the mineral composition was determined in the ANO Center for Biotic Medicine (Moscow). Statistical analysis of the results was carried out using standard statistical methods using MS Excel 2013. The results of experimental studies showed that the fishing season affects the chemical composition of the insides of the Baikal omul, but does not affect the chemical composition of the heads. Thus, the work shows that the entrails of the summer fish are characterized by a lower fat content compared to the omul of the winter fish. Baikal omul caviar is characterized by a high protein and fat content (24.74 and 10.82 %, respectively). Milt contains less protein (10.10 %), but more ash (5.65 %) and moisture (71.90 %) compared to caviar. The main macroelements in the secondary products of the Baikal omul are phosphorus, calcium and potassium, and the microelements are iron, manganese and copper. It has been established that the entrails and caviar of the Baikal omul contain more calcium compared to milt, but the milt is superior to the entrails and caviar in terms of phosphorus and potassium content. Caviar is characterized by a higher content of magnesium, and the entrails have a higher content of zinc, copper and iron. In terms of the content of toxic elements, the milt, caviar and entrails of the Baikal omul met the requirements established by the TR CU 021/2011.

Effect of Metakaolin and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag on the Performance of Hybrid Fibre-Reinforced Magnesium Oxychloride Cement-Based Composites

Abstract This study investigates the effect of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and metakaolin (MK) on the strength and ductility of magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) based hybrid basalt and polyethylene fibre reinforced cementitious composite (FRMOC). MOC was chosen as the matrix due to its unique properties and environment friendliness as a green cement. MK and GGBFS were selected as primary additives to reinforce the MOC matrix owing to their outstanding performance in cementitious composites, coupled with their widespread availability and sustainable characteristics. The influence of GGBFS and MK on physical and mechanical properties of FRMOC was studied in this paper through extensive physical and mechanical testing and microscopic analysis. It was found that the hardened density of FRMOC was not significantly affected by these additives, and it ranged from 1909.3 to 1976.0 kg/m3, retaining its lightweight characteristics. Compressive strength of specimens cured for one day reached approximately 69.1–84.0% of that for specimens cured for 28 days, indicating the high early strength characteristics of the material. All FRMOC specimens exhibited tensile strain hardening properties, with tensile strength and strain capacity ranging from 6.74 to 8.58 MPa and 1.14 to 2.22%, respectively. The mix containing 30% GGBFS, 0.75% basalt fibre, and 1.25% polyethylene fibre was identified as the optimum MOC mix with enhanced compressive strength (73.9 MPa), tensile strength (8.52 MPa), and strain capacity (2.22%). Microscopic analysis further revealed that the addition of GGBFS-MK blends did not alter the primary phase composition of hydration products but essentially promoted the formation of phase 5, demonstrating their effectiveness in enhancing the performance of FRMOC.

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Insights into the Formation of Metallic Rhenium via Solution Combustion Synthesis

This study investigates the formation of metallic rhenium through Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS), focusing on the thermodynamics, kinetics, and phase composition of the process. The impact of the fuel-to-oxidizer ratio (φ) on the synthesis of rhenium was evaluated, demonstrating that the stoichiometric ratio (φ = 1) leads to the highest combustion temperature and the formation of pure metallic rhenium, as confirmed by XRD. Deviation from this stoichiometric condition, either by fuel excess (φ > 1) or oxidizer excess (φ < 1), resulted in incomplete reduction and the formation of rhenium oxides (ReO2 and ReO3). Thermodynamic calculations revealed that under reducing conditions, metallic rhenium is the primary product while oxidizing conditions favor the formation of rhenium dioxide. Kinetic analysis of the thermal decomposition of ammonium perrhenate suggested that the process involves a multi-stage reaction, with the reduction of rhenium occurring in a stepwise manner. The findings provide new insights into the role of rhenium as both a metal and an oxidizer in SCS and emphasize the critical influence of the fuel/oxidizer ratio in controlling the phase composition and crystallinity of the final product.

The Influence of Triterpenoids in the Composition of Fat-Containing Products on the State of the Liver of Laboratory Animals with Acute Toxic Hepatitis.

The composition of mayonnaise (67% fat) was developed with the addition of 0.2% betulin solution in vegetable oil in an amount of 6%. The hepatoprotective activity of betulin in mayonnaise samples was studied on a model of toxic hepatitis initiated by carbon tetrachloride in male Wistar rats. Disturbance of metabolic and oxidative processes in the liver cells of animals was assessed by biochemical parameters of blood plasma and the enzyme activity of the liver sample. The effect of experimental samples of mayonnaise with betulin on the morphological structure of the liver of rats with toxic hepatitis was evaluated by microscopy of prepared sections of liver tissue. The preventive efficacy of betulin in mayonnaise was confirmed in an in vivo experiment: its administration weakens the hepatotoxic effect of carbon tetrachloride, as indicated by a significant decrease in the activity of ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes in the blood plasma of animals MG-1 compared with the blood of rats CG-2-ALT by 22.1%, AST by 21.9%, and alkaline phosphatase by 42.5%. A 13.9% decrease in GGT activity in MG-1 animals indicates a more intensive nitrogen metabolism with a decrease in the level of hepatocyte cytolysis compared to animals of the experimental MG-2 group. It was shown that the introduction of mayonnaise with betulin in a dose of 1 ml into the diet of animals, which corresponds to 35 mg of betulin, prevented the development of cytolytic syndrome and suppressed peroxidation by direct neutralization of free radicals. The experiment showed a significant decrease in cholesterol, glucose, and enzyme activity of the liver sample and normalization of albumin and triglyceride concentrations in animals of the experimental group in comparison with similar indices in the control group. Betulin in mayonnaise contributed to the antioxidant protection of the body, expressed in the effect on the activity of antioxidant enzymes that are involved in the destruction of organic peroxides, especially lipid peroxides, disturbing the integrity of cell membranes.

Tropical Floristics Extinction, Causes and Diversity Composition of Non-Timber Forest Products in Kazaure Emirate, Jigawa State Nigeria

The study looked into the extinction of tropical tree species and the composition of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the emirate of Kazaure. Because of the rapid growth of the human population, trees and their products are vulnerable to human encroachment, which can lead to the destruction of natural habitats. An oral interview was also conducted, and the results indicated that 81.2% of the respondent were males, with farming occupations of 55.8% and age ranging from (46-60) recorded with 62.3%. A total of forty species (40) belonging to twenty-three (23) families and thirty-two (32) genera were recorded extinct, and the major causes of their extinction were farming expansion with 33.1%, fuel wood collection with 31.8%, medicine with 22.7%, urbanization with 7.8%, and climate variability with 4.5%. Data on the composition of NTFPs were analyzed using the Simpson index and descriptive statistics. Eighteen (18) products were found, with Gwiwa having the highest Simpson diversity index (D- 0.955), followed by Roni (D- 0.948), Yankwashi (D- 0.942), and Kazaure (D- 0.905). Environmental education and competent law enforcement are the primary approaches for restoring diversity and preventing the extinction of tropical trees and NTFPs in the emirate

High-throughput precision assessment of pea-derived protein products using near infrared hyperspectral imaging.

This study aims to develop rapid and non-invasive methods based on near-infrared hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics for quantitative prediction of chemical compositions of pea-derived products. Hyperspectral imaging was used to acquire images from pea processing streams, namely pea flour, pea protein concentrate, and pea protein isolate. The PLS algorithm was used to develop quantitative prediction models based on the relationship between the hyperspectral image data and the chemical compositions of the pea products, including moisture, protein, ash, insoluble fiber, and total starch. Prediction results in terms of coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square errors in the prediction (RMSEP) datasets show accurate results for moisture (R2=0.844, RMSEP = 0.407%), protein (R2=0.99, RMSEP = 2.074%), ash (R2=0.778, RMSEP = 0.474%), and total starch (R2=0.991, RMSEP = 2.316%) contents. Low prediction accuracy was obtained for insoluble fiber (R2=0.597, RMSEP 2.474%) content. The accurate prediction achieved by hyperspectral imaging highlights its suitability for high throughput multi-parameter assessment of pea-derived products, which is particularly important given their increasing market demand.

Corrosion Mechanism of Press-Hardened Steel with Aluminum-Silicon Coating in Controlled Atmospheric Conditions

The effect of various atmospheric parameters on the corrosion mechanism of press-hardened steel (PHS) coated with Al-Si (AS) was studied. Quantitative models of the composition of soluble and stable corrosion products were developed. A high chloride concentration led to a localized corrosion due to the presence of cracks in the coating. Increased corrosion resistance of silicon-rich Al8Fe2Si and AlFe at the expense of the Al5Fe2 phase with low silicon content was shown. Under low-chloride-deposition conditions, the coating exhibited good corrosion resistance and provided sufficient protection to the underlying steel. The formation of more local anodes and cathodes under conditions of lower relative humidity led to a reduction in the depth of corrosion pits in the steel substrate. Constant high relative humidity and sulphate deposits on the surface were critical for the acceleration of steel corrosion in coating cracks.

Efficacy of Household and Commercial Washing Agents in Removing the Pesticide Thiabendazole Residues from Fruits.

Pesticide residues on fruits pose a global food safety concern, emphasizing the need for effective and practical removal strategies to ensure safe consumption. This study investigates the efficacy of household ingredients (corn starch, all-purpose flour, rice flour and baking soda) and four commercial fresh produce wash products in eliminating a model pesticide thiabendazole with and without a model non-ionic surfactant Alligare 90® from postharvest fruits. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was employed for the rapid, in situ quantification of residue removal on apple surfaces. Soaking in 2% corn starch followed by soaking in 5% baking was the most effective homemade strategy, removing 94.13% and 91.78% of thiabendazole with and without the surfactant. Among commercial washing agents, soaking in 2% Product 4 demonstrated the highest efficiency, removing 95.3% and 95.99% of thiabendazole with and without surfactant. These results suggested that the non-ionic surfactant did not affect removal efficiency. Both protocols were effective across various fruits (apples, grapes, lemons, strawberries), validated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. However, safety concerns regarding the composition of Product 4 highlighted the benefits of homemade strategies. Overall, this work offers practical guidelines for reducing pesticide residues on fruits and enhancing food.

Characterization of Ultraviolet-Degraded Polyethylene Terephthalate Film Using a Complementary Approach: Reactive Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is widely used across various industries owing to its versatility and favorable properties, including application in beverage bottles, food containers, textile fibers, engineering resins, films, and sheets. However, polymer materials are susceptible to degradation from factors such as light, oxygen, and heat. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the structural changes that occur during degradation and the extent of these changes. This report investigates the structural alterations in PET films resulting from ultraviolet (UV) irradiation utilizing pyrolysis-gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Py-GC-TOFMS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). Using the reactive Py-GC-TOFMS, we estimated the composition of the pyrolysis products resulting from UV degradation through electron ionization, soft ionization, and exact mass measurements. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI)-based structure analysis was performed to evaluate these compounds' structures. Notably, most degradation products were not found in the National Institute of Standards and Technology database, underscoring the effectiveness of our approach. Using MALDI-TOFMS analysis, we determine the changes in the end groups before and after UV irradiation. This analysis confirmed the generation of a series of carboxylic acid end groups as a result of degradation, a polymer series not detected by reactive pyrolysis GC-MS. We also explored degradation in the depth direction, demonstrating that degradation progresses gradually to depths of several micrometers. Our findings highlight the importance of employing mass spectrometry techniques for a comprehensive analysis of polymer degradation.