Purification Of Acid Research Articles

Self‐Driving Lab for Solid‐Phase Extraction Process Optimization and Application to Nucleic Acid Purification

Sorptive bioprocesses are the basis for numerous biotechnological applications such as enzyme immobilization, biosensors, controlled drug delivery, water treatment, and molecular purification. Yet due to the complexity of these processes, their optimization is still time, labor, and cost‐intensive. This research presents a flexible self‐driving laboratory (SDL) designed for the accelerated development and optimization of solid‐phase extraction processes. As a use case, the SDL was used to optimize a DNA purification process using silica magnetic beads. Through the integration of robotics, machine learning, and data‐driven experimentation, the SDL demonstrates a highly accelerated process optimization with minimal human intervention. In the multistep purification approach, the system is able to optimize buffer compositions for DNA extraction from complex samples, demonstrating effectiveness in both conventional chaotropic salt‐based methods and innovative chaotropic salt‐free buffers. The study highlights the SDL's capability to autonomously refine process parameters, achieving significant enhancements in yield and purity of the product. This blueprint for future self‐driving optimization of bioprocess parameters showcases the potential of autonomous systems to revolutionize biochemical process development, offering insights into scalable, environmentally sustainable, and cost‐effective solutions.

Toward separation and purification of chlorogenic acid from Lonicerae Japonicae Flo (honeysuckle) using melamine–formaldehyde aerogel: A green and efficient approach

The separation and purification of chlorogenic acid (CA) from honeysuckle is a challenging yet significant task in the food industry. Traditional methods, such as precipitation and chromatography methods, often suffer from secondary pollution or low efficiency. This paper proposes a green and efficient adsorption method for separating CA from honeysuckle using melamine–formaldehyde aerogel (MFa) nanomaterial. The synthesis of MFa adsorbent with developed mesoporous material is crucial for achieving high efficiency. The optimal conditions for CA adsorption were determined to be an MFa dose of 0.03 g, a pH value of 3.72, and an adsorption temperature of 18.89 ℃. Under these conditions, a CA adsorption capacity of 151.84 mg/g and an adsorption ratio of 69.58 % were achieved, demonstrating the superior performance of the MFa method. Most notably, the purity of CA improved significantly from 10.50 % to 60.50 %, a marked enhancement improvement over traditional sorption resins. Additionally, the superior antioxidant effect of CA treated with the MFa method was confirmed at both the chemical assay and cytological levels. Affinity analysis and MD simulations revealed that CA adsorption is primarily driven by electrostatic interaction. This study not only addresses current limitations of honeysuckle but also broadens the application pontential of aerogel in food and medicine industries.

Modeling and optimization of adsorption behavior of lactic acid onto zirconium-based metal-organic framework: response surface methodology (RSM)

ABSTRACT Lactic acid is readily generated in bacterial fermentations; however, a significant amount of processing and expenses are required for the purification of lactic acid in the fermentation broth. In this work, the sorption of lactic acid from a simulated broth has been studied by utilizing zirconium-based metal-organic framework (Zr-UiO-66 MOF) that acts as a prominent adsorbent due to its specific geometries and functional groups. The morphological, and structural properties of the prepared MOF are investigated using different characterization techniques such as Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The characterization results demonstrate the accuracy of the synthesis procedure. In order to achieve an efficient lactic acid separation process, it is essential to determine the optimal operational conditions. To address this, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to devise an approach for optimizing five crucial process parameters for achieving the optimal response in lactic acid recovery removal. These parameters include initial LA concentration (ranging from 1 to 36 mg.L−1), pH (3–10), temperature (25 to 55 °C), adsorbent mass (0.25 to 1 g), and contact time (10 to 240 min). The RSM analysis revealed that the quadratic model provided the best fit for the experimental data, with a high coefficient of determination (R2). Three validation trials were carried out to determine the precision of the optimization process, leading to a maximum adsorption efficiency of 97.7% being reached under the optimized conditions (initial concentration = 18.5 mg.L−1, pH = 6.5, adsorbent mass = 0.625 g, contact time = 240 min, and temperature = 40 °C).

Point-of-care test of blood Plasmodium RNA within a Pasteur pipette using a novel isothermal amplification without nucleic acid purification

BackgroundResource-limited regions face a greater burden of infectious diseases due to limited access to molecular tests, complicating timely diagnosis and management. Current molecular point-of-care tests (POCTs) either come with high costs or lack adequate sensitivity and specificity. To facilitate better prevention and control of infectious diseases in underserved areas, we seek to address the need for molecular POCTs that better align with the World Health Organization (WHO)’s ASSURED criteria—Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free, and Deliverable to end users.MethodsA novel molecular POCT, Pasteur Pipette-assisted isothermal probe amplification (pp-IPA), was developed for malaria detection. Without any microfluidics, this method captures Plasmodium 18S rRNA in a modified Pasteur pipette using tailed genus-specific probes. After washing, the bound tailed probes are ligated to form a template for subsequent novel isothermal probe amplification using a pair of generic primers, bypassing nucleic acid extraction and reverse transcription. The method was assessed using cultured Plasmodium and compared with real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) or reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) in clinical blood samples.ResultsThe entire assay is completed in 60–80 min with minimal hands-on time, using only a Pasteur pipette and a water bath. The pp-IPA’s analytical sensitivity is 1.28 × 10–4 parasites/μl, with 100% specificity against various blood-borne pathogens causing malaria-like symptoms. Additionally, pp-IPA needs only liquid-transfer skill for operation and the cost is around USD 0.25 per test, making it at least 300 times lower than mainstream POCT platforms.ConclusionsDesigned to improve the accessibility of molecular detection in resource-limited settings, pp-IPA’s simplicity, affordability, high sensitivity/specificity, and minimal equipment requirements make it a promising point-of-care pathogen identification tool in resource-constrained regions.Graphical

Optimization of the DNA isolation procedure for assessing the genetic diversity of essential oil roses (Rosa L.)

Background. High content of organic compounds that worsen nucleic acid purification in aromatic plants, as well as the use of such toxic substances as phenol and mercaptoethanol in many protocols for plant DNA isolation, make it advisable to take the above disadvantages into account when optimizing the DNA extraction technique for the work with essential oil rose plants. Material and methods. Rose accessions from the Crimean Federal University’s Botanical Garden, and those from the collection held by the Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea were included in the study. DNA extraction was done according to a modified CTAB protocol. Effectiveness of the technique was assessed using spectrophotometry, horizontal electrophoresis, and ISSR-PCR. Results. DNA preparations extracted with the modified technique were well visualized on the electropherogram and demonstrated high spectrophotometric values. DNA content was twice as high in preparations isolated with an extraction buffer with PVP, compared to a PVP-free buffer. The concentration was also higher in DNA extracts from stems than that from leaves. Purity parameters expressed by the absorption ratios at wavelengths A260/280 and A260/230 were again higher for DNA extracts from stems isolated with an enriched buffer, the A260/230 ratio falling within the normal range only in DNA extracted from stems in the presence of PVP. Besides, DNA extracts were effectively purified from proteins without phenol or mercaptoethanol, due to double rinsing with a chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (24 : 1) mixture. Conclusion. Using rose stem tissues as the research material, adding 2% PVP to the extraction buffer, and twofold rinsing with a chloroform/isoamyl alcohol mixture made it possible to obtain DNA extracts with high concentrations and purity indices within normal ranges suitable for the ISSR analysis of essential oil rose genetic diversity.

Field-Applicable Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for the Detection of Seven Common Human Papillomavirus Subtypes.

Persistent HPV infection is a major risk factor for the subsequent development of cervical cancer. LAMP is simple and suitable for field detection in the resource-limited settings. In this study, hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB)-based visual LAMP and evagreen-based fluorescent LAMP coupled with a microfluidic chip (LAMP-chip) were established for the field detection of seven subtypes of HPV. The analytical sensitivity was 19-233 copies/reaction. The overall clinical sensitivity was 97.35% for visual LAMP and 98.23% for LAMP-chip. Both LAMP assays exhibited 100% specificity and were completed in less than 50 min. Additionally, both assays did not require complicated nucleic acid extraction and purification steps. A complete quality control monitoring system (including internal control, positive quality control and negative control) in the LAMP assays further ensured the credibility of the results. Our findings demonstrated that the proposed LAMP assays have the potential to be applied in the testing of common HPV DNA in field investigations (visual LAMP) or within communities and primary health centers (LAMP-chip).

Cadmium recovery from acid leachates of Tunisian phosphoric acid purification residues.

The management of cadmium-rich sludges, which are pollutant residues from the phosphorus industry, including the valorization of these sludges through the selective recovery of heavy metals, is a promising prospect. However, there is still a need to develop recovery methods that are both optimized for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmentally friendly. This study aims to enhance cadmium extraction from the polymetallic sludge by optimizing the processes of sulfuric acid (SA) leaching and sodiumsulfide precipitation. Key parameters including SA concentration, temperature, solid/liquid ratio, and stirring velocity were optimized to maximize the heavy metals extraction. Over 90% of the Cd and Zn present in the sludge were successfully extracted. Subsequently, investigates the selective precipitation of metal sulfide from acidic leachates (pH < 2), focusing particularly on cadmium. Through the optimization of chemical precipitation parameters (Na2S concentration, temperature, and reaction time), more than 99% of the cadmium was selectively recovered as CdS. The precipitates underwent analysis for mineralogy, chemistry, purity, and particle size. XRD analyses indicated CdS formation in "Greenockite" and "Hawleyite" forms, confirmed by SEM-EDS data, revealing fine powder consisting of micro and nanoparticles (< 0.5 µm) with varied spherical shapes.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction and HPLC Quantification of Carnosic Acid from the leaves of Rosemary Officinalis: A Green Approach to Bioactive Compound Purification

This study explores the extraction and purification of carnosic acid, a potent antioxidant found in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), using a green and sustainable method involving supercritical CO₂. The extraction was conducted at 45°C and 350 bar, with three cycles lasting 45 minutes each. The process resulted in the collection of 75 grams of oleoresin from 1 kg of dried rosemary leaves which is an optimal yield. The oleoresin underwent further purification via hexane precipitation, yielding a carnosic acid powder with a purity of 40% as determined by Gradient elution of Mobile phase A: Methanol: Water + Phosphoric acid solution, Mobile phase B: Methanol: Acetonitrile + Phosphoric acid solution by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Comparisons with a 60% purity standard highlight the potential of supercritical CO₂ extraction in obtaining bioactive compounds, though additional optimization is necessary to achieve higher purity.

B-216 Ethanol/isopropanol-free and enzyme-free universal nucleic acid extraction and purification system for fast molecular detection from swab samples

Abstract Background Efficient nucleic acid (NA) extraction has been made technology advancement in molecular science. However, there are several challenges yet to address. Firstly, ethanol or isopropanol are important components of the buffers for the most commercially available NA extraction kits. When put on cartridge for POC applications, they can react with plastic materials, undermining their mechanical/physiochemical properties. They can also be problematic due to their volatility, flammability and potential to leak. Secondly, turn-around time for most commercial kits is long and procedure is rather tedious. Thirdly, most of the extraction buffers can only be used to extract either DNA or RNA from either viruses or bacteria. A universal buffer system is lacking. Lastly, special components in some extraction buffers require -20°C or 4°C storage for desired performance, especially for those kits containing proteinase for cell lysis and nuclease denaturation and carrier NA for low quantity of template, causing inconvenience in shipping and storage. Delta developed buffers and associated protocol to address the challenges listed above. This study is to evaluate the performance of the Delta TNA buffer system in NA extraction and purification from various target pathogens in swab samples when compared to that of the leading commercial products. Methods The stock strains of staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa and H-coronavirus OC43 were diluted in Delta Molecular Transport Media containing swab sample matrix to the testing concentrations before performing NA extraction. Vircell SARS-CoV-2 RNA was spiked directly into PCR reactions to generate a standard curve with 10x serial dilutions for the recovery rate test using Delta TNA kit. 300ul of samples were used for the NA extraction and purification with 80 ul eluate generated. The manufacturers’ instructions were followed. The extracted RNA or DNA was amplified on BioRAD CFX96. Results The extraction efficiency on RNA from H-coronavirus OC43, DNA from pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus in swab samples, was compared with Katsura Respi and MN Pathogen kits, Qiagen DNA and viral RNA kits respectively. Delta TNA kit outperformed in either earlier Cq value or higher detection rate for different concentrations of analytes in &amp;lt;10 min comparing to up to 95 min for the commercial kits tested. The RNA recovery rate of Delta TNA kit was comparable to that of the Qiagen Viral Kit with 37.54% vs 29.84% at 10 copies/rxn, 146.84% vs 140.76% at 100 cpies/rxn and 118.29% vs 111.76% at 1000 copies/rxn. Meanwhile, Delta Swab TNA buffer was compatible with large spectrum of magnetic beads possessing various coating groups and particle sizes. Conclusions We provided a stable, user- and environment-friendly total nucleic acid extraction and purification system which is ethanol/isopropanol-free and enzyme-free. There is no pre-treatment or drying steps in the protocol and no centrifugation required. Delta’s protocol has the least total number of steps and least amount of total time taken amongst the kits compared. It serves as a universal recipe for both DNA and RNA from pathogens in swab samples including viruses and bacteria in less than 10 min, with competitive performance in both PCR and LAMP.

Scalable membrane-assisted ion exchange (MEM-IE) strategy for organic acid purification in biorefinery process

The transition towards a carbon-neutral society necessitates radical approaches in the bio-refinery pipeline, particularly in the production of organic acids. The current downstream process from a dilute fermentation broth is limited by the extensive use of acids and bases, along with heavy reliance on energy-intensive distillation. In this work, we propose an entirely membrane-based process to purify organic acids (e.g., gluconic acid) from a crude solution of catalytic dehydrogenation of glucose. To facilitate downstream purification, we introduce an innovative membrane-assisted ion exchange (MEM-IE) strategy, which is a scalable process that can protonate ionic compounds entirely in the solution phase. Instead of a solid ion exchange resin, a bulky yet soluble acidification agent is used to protonate the target compound, which can be easily separated via a size exclusion membrane. We selected non-toxic poly (4-styrene sulfonic acid) (H-PSS, 75 kDa) as the acidification agent to selectively protonate gluconate ions and to enable facile fractionation. The proposed MEM-IE strategy can overcome the scale-up limitation of traditional solid ion exchange resins and can be applied to many types of ionic compounds. The versatility of the proposed process was also demonstrated on formate and lactate compounds. A techno-economic evaluation using the Verberne cost model showed that the proposed process achieves an 80 % reduction in energy consumption compared to the fermentation-based process, and the return on investment (ROI) of a 330 ton-per-day plant was less than a year. The proposed membrane-based process for the purification of organic acids, particularly the MEM-IE strategy, offers a sustainable and energy-efficient downstream separation platform.

The Late Middle and Early Upper Palaeolithic in Crimea (Ukraine)—A Review of the Neanderthal Refugium Hypothesis

The Crimean Peninsula contains numerous important Palaeolithic sites. It has been considered a potential Neanderthal refugium in Eurasia prior to their disappearance or assimilation, and subsequent replacement by Homo sapiens. This understanding is primarily drawn from lithic technological analysis and radiocarbon dating. However, recent developments in the latter suggest that many of the previously obtained radiocarbon dates from Crimean sites may be too young. The chronological sequence from the site of Kabazi II is a case in point, where differences between dates of bulk collagen and those of single amino acids range up to 10,000 radiocarbon years. These discrepancies are argued to arise from sample contamination and its lack of removal in bulk collagen dating. In this paper, we undertake a critical re-evaluation of results from seven Palaeolithic archaeological sites in the Crimean Peninsula: Kabazi II, Siuren I, Buran-Kaya III, Zaskalnaya V and Zaskalnaya VI, Kabazi V and Starosel’e. Our analysis of radiocarbon results from various sites supports the view that radiocarbon dates obtained so far tend to be too young, which has been indicated in the stratigraphy and lithic assemblages. By harnessing robust radiocarbon protocols in future chronometric work, such as the extraction of hydroxyproline, ninhydrin derivatisation or the purification of amino acids using XAD-2 resin, there is potential for constructing accurate chronologies. Furthermore, improved dating accuracy holds the promise of significant additional insights into the prehistoric sequence of the Crimean Peninsula and its potential role as a refugium for Neanderthals prior to their disappearance.

Purification and Kinetics of Chlorogenic Acid from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver Leaves by Macroporous Resins Combined with First-Principles Calculation

Background: A simple and effective method to separate chlorogenic acid from Eucommia ulmoides leaves with macroporous resin was studied in this paper. Methods: In order to optimize the separation process of chlorogenic acid from Eucommia ulmoides leaves, dynamic adsorption and desorption experiments were carried out on a glass column filled with XDA-8 resin. Based on the First-principles calculation, the possible adsorption models were simulated. Results: Among the six macroporous resins, XDA-8 showed good adsorption/desorption capacity and a high adsorption/desorption ratio for chlorogenic acid. After being treated with XDA-8 resin once, the content of chlorogenic acid from the extraction increased by 525%, and the recovery of chlorogenic acid reached 85.36%. Conclusion: At 25°C, the adsorption behavior of chlorogenic acid on XDA-8 resin was consistent with the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Furthermore, by calculating the charge changes of the O atom at each position in the chlorogenic acid molecule and the H atom at the adsorption site in polystyrene molecule with resin skeleton, and combining with the electron cloud density distribution diagram of chlorogenic acid and resin skeleton, the adsorption of chlorogenic acid by XDA-8 resin is mainly due to the charge transfer, which causes the electron cloud to overlap.

Validation of a direct multiplex real-time reverse transcription PCR assay for rapid detection of African swine fever virus using swine field samples in Vietnam

ObjectiveThis study validates a direct multiplex real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay which was previously established for enabling rapid and simultaneous detection of African swine fever (ASF) virus (ASFV) and classical swine fever virus. The assay eliminates the need for viral nucleic acid purification using a buffer system for crude extraction and an impurity-tolerant enzyme. However, the assay had not yet been validated using field samples of ASFV-infected pigs. Therefore, to address this gap, we tested 101 samples collected from pigs in Vietnam during 2018 and 2021 for validation.ResultsThe rRT-PCR assay demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 98.8% and a specificity of 100%. Remarkably, crude samples yielded results comparable to those of purified samples, indicating the feasibility of using crude samples without compromising accuracy in ASFV detection. Our findings emphasize the effectiveness of the rRT-PCR assay for the prompt and accurate diagnosis of both swine fever viruses, which is essential for effective disease prevention and control in swine populations.

Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium of System Comprising Green Solvents: A Holistic Review

Abstract: The design and operation of distillation columns is based on vapor-liquid equilibrium data, which is a necessity for the chemical industry. In recent years, chemical industry has embraced green chemistry and sustainable development. Furthermore, green solvents are more environmentfriendly and cleaner than conventional solvents and thus offer a good alternative. Very limited work has been reported in the literature that focuses on the generation of isobaric/isothermal vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data of systems comprising green solvents. In this paper, reported VLE data are explored for three emerging green solvents, such as cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), γ- valerolactone (GVL), and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF). Emerging green solvents have favorable environmental, health, and safety characteristics, making them attractive alternatives for a wide range of applications. The study focuses on two critical separations; the extraction of formic acid from Power-to-X chemical processes and purification of acetic acid from chemical synthesis or fermentation processes. Both processes are integral parts of the chemical industry's sustainable development. To facilitate these separations, accurate VLE data for these green solvents with acetic acid/formic acid systems are essential. The paper reviews literature related to VLE data for systems involving these green solvents. It provides insights into the experimental conditions, equipment, analysis methods, thermodynamic models, and error-minimizing functions used in the previous studies. The researchers can refer to this information as a useful reference prior to the VLE experimentation and modeling of systems comprising these three green solvents. Moreover, the paper presents an overview of recent research on green solvents and their applications, illustrating their versatility and potential for various industrial processes. Research efforts are needed to generate VLE data for green solvent systems and support the chemical industry in transitions towards more sustainable practices.

Comparative analysis of high-throughput RNA extraction kits in Naïve Non-Human Primate (NHP) tissues for downstream applications utilizing Xeno Internal Positive Control (IPC)

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction and purification play pivotal roles in molecular biology and cell and gene therapy, where the quality and integrity of RNA are critical for downstream applications. Automated high-throughput systems have gained interest due to their potential for scalability and reduced labor requirements compared to manual methods. However, ensuring high-throughput capabilities, reproducibility, and reliability while maintaining RNA yield and purity remains challenging.This study evaluated and compared the performance of four commercially available high-throughput magnetic bead-based RNA extraction kits across six types of naïve non-human primate (NHP) tissue matrices: brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, and spleen. The assessment focused on RNA purity, yield, and extraction efficiency (EE) using Xeno Internal Positive Control (IPC) spiking.Samples (∼50 mg) were homogenized via bead-beating and processed according to the manufacturer's protocol on the KingFisher Flex platform in eight replicates. RNA purity and yield were measured using a NanoDrop® spectrophotometer, while EE was evaluated via real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).The findings indicate consistent high RNA purity across all tested extraction kits, yet substantial variation in RNA yield. Extraction efficiency exhibited variations across tissue types, with decreasing trends observed from brain to lung tissues. These results underscore the importance of careful kit selection and method optimization for achieving reliable downstream applications. The MagMAX™ mirVana™ Total RNA Isolation Kit stands out as the most accurate and reproducible, making it the preferred choice for applications requiring high RNA quality and consistency. Other kits, such as the Maxwell® HT simplyRNA Kit, offer a good balance between cost and performance, though with some trade-offs in precision. These findings highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate RNA isolation method based on the specific needs of the research, underscoring the critical role of accurate nucleic acid extraction in gene and cell therapy research.In conclusion, this study highlights the critical factors influencing RNA extraction performance, emphasizing the need for researchers and practitioners to consider both kit performance and tissue characteristics when designing experimental protocols. These insights contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance the reproducibility and reliability of RNA extraction methods in molecular biology and cell/gene therapy applications.

Nucleic acid purification through nanoarchitectonics: magnetic bead integration with microfluidic chip technology

Abstract Purified DNA and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) are crucial parts of molecular biology techniques in various fields such as genomics, forensics, and diagnostics. The proposed microfluidic device is used to perform several steps like the adsorption of DNA present in processed PCR onto bare magnetic beads, cleaning of contaminants with ethanol-diluted buffer reagent, and eluting the adsorbed DNA in an elution buffer, which is further used for downstream application. The entire sample purification is accomplished in about 25 minutes. A comparative analysis is conducted using a commercially available DNA purification kit. By employing the suggested microfluidic chip alongside the commercial kit, a commercial spectrophotometer is utilized to measure the purity. This is done by obtaining the A260/A280 ratio, which allows for the assessment of both the quantity and purity of the extracted DNA. The A260/A280 ratios for the spin column-based, magnetic stand-based, and microfluidic chip-based tests were 1.86, 1.98, and 1.74, respectively. The analysis of the eluted DNA findings indicated that the quality was suitable for future PCR amplification. Additionally, this microchip-based device has the potential to be utilized as a bedside device for DNA purification in point of care applications, with a purification time of 25 minutes.&amp;#xD;

Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Respiratory Pathogens Using an Integrated Microfluidic Chip.

Respiratory pathogens pose significant challenges to public health, demanding efficient diagnostic methods. This study presents an integrated microfluidic chip for the simultaneous detection of multiple respiratory pathogens. The chip integrates magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction and purification, acoustic streaming-driven mixing, liquid equalization, and multiplex PCR amplification with in situ fluorescence detection. Nucleic acid extraction takes only 12 min, yielding results comparable to commercial kits. Efficient mixing of magnetic beads is achieved through a combination of designed micropillars and bubble-trapping array structures. The micropillars maintain the aqueous phase in the mixing chamber, while the bubble-trapping arrays enable stable formation of bubbles, serving as a micromixer under the acoustic field. To prevent cross-contamination, an oil-encapsulated water droplet system is incorporated throughout nucleic acid extraction and PCR amplification. This assay displays remarkable multiplex analysis capability on a single chip, enabling the simultaneous detection of 12 common respiratory pathogens with a low detection limit of 10 copies/μL. Moreover, this method demonstrates excellent practical applicability in clinical nasal samples. Compared to many microfluidic chip-based molecular biology methods, the assay exhibits comparable or superior multipathogen analysis capability, sensitivity, and speed, completing the sample-to-answer process in approximately 70 min. This integrated microfluidic device offers a promising multiplex molecular diagnosis platform for on-site simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens.

Three-phase crystallization for purification of acrylic acid from acrylic/propionic acid mixture

A new separation technology, three-phase crystallization (TPC), was utilized to purify acrylic acid (AA) from a binary liquid mixture comprising AA and propionic acid (PA). The solid–liquid equilibrium data of AA/PA mixture reported in the literature were adopted to recover the activity coefficients of the liquid mixture; and, subsequently, the vapor–liquid equilibrium conditions of AA/PA mixture were predicted using Raoult’s law and the Wilson equations for the recovered activity coefficients. The reported solid–liquid equilibrium data and the predicted vapor–liquid equilibrium conditions were coupled to determine the three-phase transformation conditions of AA/PA mixture, which were employed to conduct the batch TPC experiments. Upon conclusion of the TPC, the yield and purity were measured to estimate the amount of the AA crystals and volume of the liquid mixture retained in the overall final product, respectively.

(Invited) Pilot Power Platform for Integrated Coupled Electrolysis of Furfural to Maleic Acid and Levulinic Acid to Valeric Acid

In recent years it has become evident that electrification of the chemical industry is essential to shift from a fossil based society to a renewable and sustainable one. In this talk, we will address development of a pilot scale setup to upconvert bioderived feedstocks to relevant building blocks for the chemical industry. Specifically, we focused our attention to the concept of paired electrolysis: oxidation of furfural to maleic acid coupled with reduction of levulinic acid to valeric acid within the same electrochemical cell. Within the framework of this mentioned reaction, we will show different steps of the reactions optimization, scale up, process intensification that eventually led to the construction and testing of pilot power platform installation with electrochemical surface area of 1m2 (10 cell stack 1000cm2) andproductivities of about 6kg/day (Figure 1). We will also focus on downstream process needed to go from crude electrolyte to pure maleic acid and pure valeric acid. Finally, we will present insights from technoeconomic analysis.Biography:PERFORM: Highly selective electrochemical conversions (performproject.eu)Figure 1. Developed infrastructure for electrochemical conversion of bioderived feedstocks to maleic acid and valeric acid. Left: upstream electrochemical Power Platform. Right: electrodialysis pilot, first downstream process of maleic acid purification Figure 1

Mix-and-Read Digital MicroRNA Analysis Based on Flow Cytometric Counting of Target-Clicked Nanobead Dimer.

A one-step, enzyme-free, and highly sensitive digital microRNA (miRNA) assay is rationally devised based on flow cytometric counting of target miRNA-clicked nanobead dimers via a facile mix-and-read manner. In this strategy, highly efficient miRNA-sandwiched click chemical ligation of two DNA probes may remarkably stabilize and boost the dimer formation between two kinds of fluorescence-coded nanobeads, and the number of as-produced bead dimers will be target dose-responsive, particularly when the trace number of miRNA is much less than that of employed nanobeads. Finally, each fluorescence-coded bead dimer can be easily identified and digitally counted by a powerful flow cytometer (FCM) and accordingly, the amount of target miRNA can be accurately quantified in a digital way. This new digital miRNA assay can be accomplished with a facile mix-and-read operation just by simply mixing the target miRNA with two kinds of preprepared DNA probe-functionalized nanobeads, which do not require any nucleic acid amplification, purification, and complex operation procedures. In spite of the extremely simple one-step operation, benefiting from the low-background but high target-mediated click ligation efficiency, and the powerfully digital statistical capability of FCM, this strategy achieves high sensitivity with a quite low detection limit of 5.2 fM target miRNA as well as high specificity and good generality for miRNA analysis, pioneering a new direction for fabricating digital bioassays.