Rotatable Design Research Articles

Supported heterogeneous catalyst of the copper oxide nanoparticles and nanozeolite for binary dyes mixture degradation: Machine learning and experimental design

The present work aims to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of an alternative supported nanocatalyst (nANA@CuO-NPs) for a binary dye mixture (Crystal Violet and Methylene Blue, labeled CV:MB) under visible light and study to propose a model to predict the reaction pathway for the process. An experimental design (Central Composite Rotational Design with 3 factors and 2 levels – CCRD 23) was proposed to evaluate the ideal condition of the CV/MB photodegradation and four machine learning algorithms (Decision Tree, Random Forest, Xtreme Gradient Boosting and Artificial Neural Network-Multilayer Perceptron) were used to predict the main degradation products. The supported nanocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, N2 porosimetry, Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), Field Emission Gun – Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG-SEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), zeta potential (ZP) and zero charge point (pHZCP). XRD diffractogram of the nANA@CuO-NPs showed the tenorite and analcime phases with crystallite size and microstrain ranging from 0.319 to 22.35 nm and 6.48–454 × 10−3. ATR-FTIR spectra indicated the presence of functional groups characteristic of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) and nanozeolite analcime (nANA) on the supported catalyst, confirming the impregnation method. SEM micrographs indicated a heterogeneous surface with clusters (CuO-NPs and nANA@CuO-NPs) and homogenous surface for nANA, while the EDX showed the nANA with Si/Al < 2 (low-silica nanozeolite) and nANA@CuO-NPs with the presence in the elemental composition of the catalytic support (nANA) and the photoactive phase (CuO-NPs). Supported nanocatalyst showed physio-chemical stability due to the electrostatic interactions (ZP = 51.5 ± 0.5 mV) and band gap energy (Eg) of the 1.67 eV allowing its applicability under visible radiation. XGB algorithm resulted in the best predictive model (R2 equals 0.8106 and 0.9880 for training and testing, RMSE < 6.0), confirming the obtention of carbon dioxide (m/z = 44), water (m/z = 18) and low-molar mass compounds at the final of the binary dye mixture degradation reaction. The ideal condition for the by CCRD 23 for the degradation of the dye mixture was [CV:MB] = 135 mg/L, [nANA@CuO-NPs] = 1 g/L and pH = 7 with 82.84 % (k = 0.0089 min−1). Therefore, the synthesized nanocatalyst proved its good photocatalytic activity toward a cationic dye mixture of CV and MB dyes. Furthermore, this work confirms the potentiality of machine learning algorithms to develop predictive models for the elucidation of the degradation reaction pathway of organic dyes.

Introduction of an electrospun nanofibrous membrane incorporated by metal-organic framework-199 (MOF-199) with Lewis acid property for efficient extraction of sulfonamides in on-chip electromembrane extraction

In this study, a new supporting polymeric membrane having Lewis acid nature was introduced for immobilizing organic solvent in on-chip electromembrane extraction (on-chip EME). For this aim, a polymeric nanofibrous membrane incorporated by a copper based metal-organic framework (MOF-199), with coordinatively unsaturated metal sites and Lewis acid property, was prepared by electrospinning a mixture of polycaprolactone (PCL) and MOF-199. Based on the field emission scanning electron microscopy images, the obtained polymeric membrane consisted of intertwined nanofibers having empty space between the fibers which could provide a suitable place for immobilizing the organic solvent. To demonstrate remarkable extractability of the proposed membrane (PCL/MOF-199 nanofibers) via executing Lewis acid-base interactions, three sulfonamide drugs was selected as anionic polar analytes with Lewis base feature. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the method were optimized through the experimental design method using the orthogonal and rotatable central composite design (CCD). Under optimum conditions, the extraction recoveries ranging from 35.5 to 71.2 %, the relative standard deviations (RSD%) less than 6.45 %, and the detection limits in the range of 0.2–0.5 μg L−1 were achieved. The comparison of the extraction efficiency of the on-chip EME method using the electrospun PCL/MOF-199 nanofibers and PCL nanofibers membranes indicated that the proposed membrane was more efficient for extraction of sulfonamides because of the significant Lewis acid-base interactions of sulfonamides with copper uncoordinated open sites in MOF-199. Finally, the performance of the proposed method for extraction and determination of sulfonamides in three real samples was assayed.

Finishing of additively manufactured stainless steel features by the eco-friendly electrolyte: Plasma and surface interaction science

Many industries, including the chemical, food, medical, and aerospace sectors, use complex-shaped components fabricated by additive manufacturing. The usage of additively manufactured components in end-user applications is challenging due to their higher surface roughness. Finishing processes are necessary to reduce the surface roughness. Electrolytic hot plasma polishing is a newly developed finishing process. For this process, an eco-friendly electrolytic solution is prepared and used to finish any shape of the component that is to be conductive. Salts and distilled water are used while preparing the eco-friendly electrolytic solution, which is used to finish stainless steel. Initially, the prepared solution was used to finish cast stainless steel components, and subsequently, it was employed for finishing additively manufactured stainless steel components. Voltage–current characteristics of the cast and additively manufactured components resulted in a similar pattern. As a result, the range of the input process parameters for cast components was chosen for the input of central composite rotatable design to finish the additively manufactured stainless steel components. The surface roughness of additively manufactured stainless steel features was reduced to 95.6 % of the original surface roughness of 12.45 μm. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine surface morphology and material removal mechanisms.

Optimization of Power Tiller Operated Pneumatic Planter under Laboratory Conditions for Enhancing Cotton Planting Efficiency

Aim: The study aimed to optimize the operational parameters viz. orifice diameter, suction pressure and forward speed of operation of a power tiller operated pneumatic planter specifically for cotton crops in laboratory condition, focusing on improving planting operation. Study Design: A Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was employed to optimize the operational parameters. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in a Soil test bin (sand bed test) in the Tillage and Traction Laboratory in the year 2023 to evaluate the effect of various operational parameters on seed uniformity. Methodology: Based on the study of engineering properties of cotton seed, the size of the orifice on the seed drum was determined. The effect of operational parameters was examined by evaluating mean seed spacing, precision in spacing (coefficient of variation), miss index, multiple index, and quality of feed index. Results: The study found that for achieving singulation of seeds, optimal parameters included a metering drum with an orifice size of 3 mm, a suction pressure of 2.78 kPa, and a forward speed of 1.36 km/h. Corresponding actual values of miss index, multiple index, quality feed index, and precision index were found 7.6±2.5, 6.8±1.6, 82.4±2.5 and 4.1±1.2 against predicted values of 4.40, 4.56, 90.1, and 3.90, respectively. Conclusion: The findings suggest that optimizing operational parameters such as orifice size, suction pressure, and forward speed can significantly improve the performance of power tiller operated pneumatic planters for cotton seed planting. These results contribute to enhancing planting accuracy and efficiency in cotton sown areas.

Optimization of conditions for production of pectinase in solid-state fermentation with Aspergillus flavus using dried Assam lemon peel powder as substrate

The culture conditions for pectinase production with Aspergillus flavus by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using dried Assam lemon peel were optimized and the pectinase was used for clarification of grape juice. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used for optimization experiments with moisture content (50–90 %), incubation temperature (20–60 ℃), incubation time (96 h–192 h), and urea concentration (0–1 %) as independent variables, and pectinase activity as dependent variable. The optimum conditions for pectinase production obtained were moisture content of 60 %, incubation temperature of 50 ℃, incubation time of 96 h, and urea concentration of 0.30 % with a pectinase activity of 3.68 ± 0.20 U/mL where one unit of pectinase activity corresponds to number of µmole of galacturonic acid released in one minute in 1 % pectin solution at 37 °C and 4.8 pH. The crude pectinase was found to have maximum activity at a temperature of 40 ℃ and pH 4 and had an apparent Vmax and Km of 6.10 U/mL and 6.62 mg/mL respectively. The grape juice clarified using the crude pectinase showed decreased optical density (1.45 ± 0.06 to 1.17 ± 0.07) and viscosity (1.76 ± 0.10 to 1.46 ± 0.07 mPa.s) and increased reducing sugar content (13.90 ± 0.10 to 16.96 ± 0.06 g/100 mL juice), and total soluble solids (17.77 ± 0.16 to 18.50 ± 0.30 °Brix).

Eco-friendly and high-performance extraction of flavonoids from lemon peel wastes by applying ultrasound-assisted extraction and eutectic solvents

This work aimed to develop an optimized extraction process to achieve an environmentally friendly proposal to recover flavonoids from lemon peel wastes using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and eutectic mixtures as solvents. The eutectic mixture choline chloride:acetic acid (ChCL:AA; 1:2 mol/mol) displayed the best extraction performance of the target compounds, here represented by hesperidin and narirutin. In Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) approach, we identified the ideal conditions for flavonoid recovery: a solvent-to-feed ratio (R(S/F)) of 30 (v/m), 40% water content (m/m), and a static time of 40 min. Combined with a dynamic extraction time of 6 min (under cavitation), those parameters yielded optimal results in flavonoid recovery. The 320 W ultrasound power achieved the maximum yield of the target compounds (5.25 mghesperidin/gbiomass and 0.21 mgnarirutin/gbiomass). Besides, our results showed that the ChCL:AA solvent enhanced the thermal stability of flavonoids, showcasing remarkable potential as a stabilizing agent for various applications. Ultrasound-assisted extractions were superior in extraction performance compared to conventional techniques, namely maceration and magnetic stirring.

Diversified grain rotations can be highly and reliably productive in unstable climates

The crop rotation is a farm-scale management choice that dictates agronomic output, ecological impacts, and farm viability. Rotations have become less diverse recently. Re-diversifying may help agricultural systems meet the growing, dynamic demands from society and challenges from climate change. Using a long-term experiment, we tested whether diversified rotations could a) match the productivity (grain yield) of simplified rotations while b) stabilizing productivity against variable weather in the western U.S. Corn Belt. We identified rotation design choices that drive these productivity-stability dynamics. Although more productive rotations were more susceptible to weather (r = 0.63; p < 0.001), this tradeoff was surmountable (p < 0.001): the corn-oat-winter wheat-soybean (Zea mays L., Avena sativa L., Triticum aestivum L., Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation was a) no less productive than the highly unstable, corn-soybean rotation (p = 0.11); and b) only marginally less stable than the most stable rotation (p = 0.06). Crop selection and sequencing were critical to this outcome. High productivity was due to a) overyielding of individual crops in diversified rotations that increased with time; b) sequencing to allow higher-yielding winter crops; and c) beneficial crop legacy effects. Stability was highest in rotations that included crops belonging to more weather-niches (r2 = 0.67; p < 0.001). Surprisingly, these weather-niches groups did not correspond to traditional categories like cool- vs warm-season crops. These results suggest four principles for the design, study, and implementation of diversified grain rotations that are stable under erratic weather and are as productive as current standard practices.

Legume Fortified Instant Noodles: Optimization of Product Formulation and Processing Parameters using Response Surface Methodology

Cereal-pulses-based fortification has been attempted to improve the protein and dietary fibre content of instant noodles without altering the overall acceptability. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the process parameters and level of ingredients for manufacturing instant noodles. The effect of maize flour and split yellow pea flour fortification (6-18% each), the addition of vital wheat gluten (0.4-2.0%), and steaming time (1.5-7.5 min) on cooking loss, water uptake, volume expansion, cooking time, overall acceptability, L*, a* and b* values were investigated using the central composite rotatable design (CCRD). Results showed that maize flour and split yellow pea flour significantly (p≤0.05) affected cooking loss, water uptake, volume expansion, cooking time, overall acceptability, L*, a*, and b* values at linear levels. Vital wheat gluten had a significant effect on cooking loss, overall acceptability, L*, and a* value. Steaming time had a significant interactive effect with split yellow pea flour and vital wheat gluten on the responses. Incorporation of 18.0% maize flour, 11.25% split yellow pea flour, and 0.4% vital wheat gluten in formulation with 5.87 minutes of steaming time resulted in optimum quality instant noodles. A 20% increase in protein and a 50% increase in fiber content was observed in optimized instant noodles.

Design of rotation inducing rocket fins and their analysis for aerodynamic stability

Design of rotation inducing rocket fins and their analysis for aerodynamic stability

Polyphenols from Tropical Almond Leaves (Terminalia catappa L.): Optimized Extraction Conditions and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity

The purpose of this study was to find the optimal conditions for extracting polyphenols from Vietnamese tropical almond leaves (Terminalia catappa L.) and to assess the anti-diabetic activities of the resulting extract. The polyphenol extraction from Vietnamese tropical almond leaves was optimized using the response surface methodology. A rotatable central composite design (RCCD) with three variables (ethanol concentration, temperature, and extraction time), consisting of 21 experimental runs with three replicates at the center, minimal, and maximal factorial points was applied to describe the experimental data. The experimental results properly confirmed the constructed model (R2 = 0.8337). The optimized conditions were as follows: ethanol concentration of 62.76%, a temperature of 62.2°C, and an extraction time of 70 minutes. Five extractions were performed in parallel at the optimized conditions to validate the model. The experimental values highly agreed with the predicted value. The extract powder has powerful effects against the α-glucosidase activity and can develop as a novel natural anti-diabetic agent.

Investigation of drying with ultrasonic pretreatment on the chemical composition of the essential oil from Cyperus rotundus L. tubers

Drying is an important step, as it extends plant durability and delays the development of undesirable microorganisms. However, depending on the drying method, conditions involved and plant species, changes can occur in the plants, which can improve or reduce their medicinal properties. Ultrasonic pretreatment has the advantage of facilitating water migration into the cells, improving the drying rate. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different drying temperatures associated with ultrasonic pretreatment, on the chemical composition of the essential oil from Cyperus rotundus L. tubers. The assays were conducted according to a Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD), considering two factors with the following ranges: duration of the ultrasonic bath from 0 to 40 minutes, drying air temperature from 40 to 70 ºC. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and its constituents were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Twenty-four compounds were identified in C. rotundus essential oil, corresponding to more than 70% of the total peak areas resulting from the chromatographic reading. In the twelve drying treatments evaluated, the compounds 3,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1-carboxaldehyde, caryophyllene oxide and α-cyperone were found at higher concentrations (between 17.85-25.38%; 17.27-25.26%; 4.95-11.34%, respectively) in eleven; in treatment 11, the major compounds were caryophyllene oxide (23.40%), 3,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1-carboxaldehyde (21.5%) and humulene (8.41%). At high temperatures and long ultrasonic times, a lower quality of C. rotundus essential oil was observed. The best results were obtained at intermediate ultrasonic bath temperatures and times, where there was an improvement in quality compared to fresh tubers (control).

The impact of animal protein partial substitution on the technological functionality of hybrid yoghurt

Following the new standard of using plant‐based ingredients, this study evaluated the effect of partially replacing milk proteins with plant proteins (almond and pumpkin seed) on yoghurt properties. Protein mixtures were prepared using rotational central composite design, investigating the percentage of animal protein replacement and the proportion between plant proteins. Milk protein substitution increased fermentation time, defined as the time needed to reach pH 4.6, and negatively impacted viscosity, firmness and syneresis of yoghurt. Nevertheless, replacing 25% of dairy proteins with an optimised plant protein blend (25% almond and 75% pumpkin seed) yielded yoghurt with typical composition and good sensory acceptance.

Investigation on Surface Integrity in Milling of Inconel X750: A Comprehensive analysis of Cutting Edges and Machining Parameters

For over a century, machining has been a crucial manufacturing method, with milling standing out as a versatile and effective process for various engineering materials. Ni-based superalloys, renowned for their exceptional properties, present challenges in machining, causing excessive tool wear and surface quality issues. Techniques such as heat treatments, environmental adjustments, and tool geometry alterations are employed to mitigate tool wear and affect surface integrity, crucial for determining the quality of machined work materials, especially in high-strength superalloys where shear deformation induces grain misorientation. In this research article, an experimental study was carried out to find the impact of the different cutting edges on surface integrity while milling Inconel X750. Response Surface Methodology was employed using a central composite rotatable design of experiments to investigate the surface roughness of the machined sample under various cutting conditions. A thorough analysis was undertaken to explore the surface integrity of Inconel X750, involving variations in milling machining parameters (i.e., low, mid, and high) and the utilization of diverse cutting tool inserts. The investigation centred on analysing the sub-surface microstructure, texture, and residual stresses of the machined surface, aiming to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the material's surface characteristics. The double-coated cutting tool T2, with a diameter of 0.8 mm, exhibited superior performance in surface quality and grain distribution, particularly at low cutting parameters (feed rate: 0.15 mm/rev, cutting speed: 35 mm/min, depth of cut: 0.1 mm), showing fine equiaxed and lognormal grain distribution alongside low residual stresses (−36.8 MPa compressive, maximum shear residual stresses: 7.2 MPa) and a surface roughness of 0.17 μm.

Simple one-step treatment for saccharification of mango peels using an optimized enzyme cocktail of Aspergillus niger ATCC 9642.

Developing efficient microbiological methods to convert polysaccharide-rich materials into fermentable sugars, particularly monosaccharides, is vital for advancing the bioeconomy and producing renewable chemicals and energysources. This study focused on optimizing the production conditions of an enzyme cocktail from Aspergillus niger ATCC 9642 using solid-state fermentation (SSF) and assessing its effectiveness in saccharifying mango peels through a simple, rapid, and efficient one-step process. A rotatable central composite design was employed to determine optimal conditions of moisture, time, and pH for enzyme production in SSF medium. The optimized enzyme cocktail exhibited cellulase activity (CMCase) at 6.28 U/g, filter paper activity (FPase) at 3.29 U/g, and pectinase activity at 117.02 U/g. These optimal activities were achieved with an SSF duration of 81 h, pH of 4.66, and a moisture content of 59%. The optimized enzyme cocktail effectively saccharified the mango peels without the need for chemical agents. The maximum saccharification yield reached approximately 81%, indicating efficient conversion of mango peels into sugars. The enzyme cocktail displayed consistent thermal stability within the tested temperature range of 30-60°C. Notably, the highest sugar release occurred within 36 h, with glucose, arabinose, galactose, and xylose being the primary monosaccharides released during saccharification. This study highlights the potential application of Aspergillus niger ATCC 9642 and SSF for enzymatic production, offering a simple and high-performance process for monosaccharide production. The optimized enzyme cocktail obtained through solid-state fermentation demonstrated efficient saccharification of mango peels, suggesting its suitability for industrial-scale applications.

Unveiling the Broad Substrate Specificity of Deoxynivalenol Oxidation Enzyme DepA and Its Role in Detoxifying Trichothecene Mycotoxins.

DepA, a pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent enzyme isolated from Devosia mutans 17-2-E-8, exhibits versatility in oxidizing deoxynivalenol (DON) and its derivatives. This study explored DepA's substrate specificity and enzyme kinetics, focusing on DON and 15-acetyl-DON. Besides efficiently oxidizing DON, DepA also transforms 15-acetyl-DON into 15-acetyl-3-keto-DON, as identified via LC-MS/MS and NMR analysis. The kinetic parameters, including the maximum reaction rate, turnover number, and catalytic efficiency, were thoroughly evaluated. DepA-PQQ complex docking was deployed to rationalize the substrate specificity of DepA. This study further delves into the reduced toxicity of the transformation products, as demonstrated via enzyme homology modeling and in silico docking analysis with yeast 80S ribosomes, indicating a potential decrease in toxicity due to lower binding affinity. Utilizing the response surface methodology and central composite rotational design, mathematical models were developed to elucidate the relationship between the enzyme and cofactor concentrations, guiding the future development of detoxification systems for liquid feeds and grain processing. This comprehensive analysis underscores DepA's potential for use in mycotoxin detoxification, offering insights for future applications.

Enhancing lymphatic uptake of Darunavir Ethanolate through TPGS-enriched lipid nanocarriers for oral delivery

Darunavir ethanolate (DRVE) is a promising molecule against wild-type protease inhibitors in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It has a 37% oral bioavailability. In this study, the d-alpha-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate (TPGS)-decorated DRVE-loaded lipid nanocarriers (DRVE-TPGS-LNCs) were optimized via central composite rotatable design using a modified solvent emulsification method. Various characteristic features of DRVE-TPGS-LNCs, such as globule size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, % entrapment efficiency, and % drug loading, were determined and found to be 116.5 ± 2.52 nm, 0.269 ± 0.0221, −10.8 ± 0.265 mV, 94.31% ± 10.75%, and 8.79% ± 0.937%, respectively. The spherical shape was evaluated by cryo-transmission electron microscopy. In-vitro study demonstrated % cumulative drug release of 81.70% ± 7.35% at pH 1.2 and 73.03% ± 7.17% at pH 6.8 after 12 h of drug release study. Moreover, the intestinal permeation and confocal microscope studies revealed approximately two-fold increased permeation in optimized nanoformulation across the gut sac compared to a drug suspension, and the inhibition of p-glycoprotein efflux was also confirmed by obtaining a minimum efflux ratio (0.253) of the optimized formulation compared to a drug suspension. The pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that the relative bioavailability of TPGS-DRVE-LNCs and drug suspension were found to be 19.85 ± 1.75 and 8.72 ± 0.753 μg.h/mL, respectively, which is approximately 2.25-fold more than the drug suspension which means approximately threefold increase in oral bioavailability compared to the drug suspension. The increased bioavailability in optimized DRVE-TPGS-LNCs was due to improved lymphatic uptake and p-glycoprotein efflux inhibition. Thus, the improved bioavailability of DRVE can meet the need to reduce the high dose of antiretroviral drugs to minimize the peripheral adverse reactions associated with the dose-related burden.

Optimized reamer geometry for controlled reaming of the proximal femur

Preparation of the femoral proximal medullary cavity by reaming is essential for intramedullary nail osteosynthesis and hip revision arthroplasty. The use of reamers sometimes exerts high torsional forces on the bone. Design and direction of rotation of the reamer are potential influencing factors. The aim of this biomechanical study is to evaluate the best combination of a right- or left-cutting reamer with a clockwise- or counterclockwise-rotating insert in terms of preparation and safety. Right- and left-cutting reamers with conical design were each introduced into five synthetic femurs in both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation with constant feed force. A specially constructed test system was used for this series of tests, with which the respective intramedullary channel were reamed step by step. This was then used to determine the required torque. In addition, the feed rate measurement was analyzed using a modified digital caliper. The feed rates of the reamers with rotation in the same direction as the cutting direction were significantly increased compared to rotation in the opposite cutting direction (CCRLC vs. CCRRC 76.8 ± 9.0 mm/s vs. 25.2 ± 8.3 mm/s and CRRC vs. CRLC 54.3 ± 12.3 mm/s vs. 19.3 ± 0.6 mm/s; p < 0.01). In contrast, the mean torque during the reaming process was identical in all four groups. When preparing the proximal femoral medullary cavity, especially in cases with fragile bone structure, the available reamers should be introduced in opposite rotation to the cutting direction to achieve a more controllable feed of the reamer. Left-cutting reamers represent an alternative, using them in the usual clockwise-rotating technique to reduce the risk of complications during reaming.

Simulation Analysis and Optimization Design of Paddy Field Mud Spreader Blades for Uniform Dispersion

To improve the distribution of mud particles collected in the tray during the operation of paddy field mud spreader blades, the optimal combination of parameters for the blades that results in the best uniformity of mud dispersion needs to be identified. In this study, a thorough force analysis was conducted on the spreading process, and computational equations were formulated to describe the motion of mud particles. By utilizing the discrete element simulation technique, a simulation model was developed to accurately represent the intricate interaction between the blades and mud particles. Through the single-factor simulation experiments, the ranges of key parameters such as the rotation radius, bending angle, sub-blade tilt angle, forward velocity, and rotational speed of the blade were determined. A secondary orthogonal rotational combination design was employed to establish a regression prediction model between the non-uniformity of mud dispersion and the key blade parameters. Subsequently, a multivariate single-objective optimization method was used to develop an optimization model for the non-uniformity of mud dispersion. The results indicate that the hierarchical order of factors influencing the non-uniformity of mud dispersion is as follows: rotation radius &gt; rotation speed &gt; bending angle &gt; forward velocity &gt; sub-blade tilt angle. To achieve a minimum spreading non-uniformity of 29.63%, a specific configuration is required, which includes a blade rotation radius of 188 mm, a bending angle of 121°, a sub-blade tilt angle of 30°, a forward velocity of 400 mm/s, and a rotation speed of 191 r/min. Finally, the accuracy of the optimization results was verified by means of bench tests. The research results provide a crucial reference for enhancing the uniformity of mud dispersion in paddy field mud spreader blades.

Use of an inexpensive carbon source for the production of a cellulase enzyme complex from Penicillium ucsense S1M29 and enzymatic hydrolysis optimization

AbstractThe high cost of cellulolytic enzyme complexes (CECs) has been a significant impediment to the commercial production of bioproducts from lignocellulose biomass. This study aimed to develop a cost‐effective CEC derived from Penicillium ucsense (former Penicillium echinulatum), utilizing diverse forms of pretreated sugarcane bagasse as the primary carbon/inductor source. Among the different pretreatments used, the hydrothermal pretreatment followed by NaOH delignification (BHD) produced higher FPase and xylanase activities (4.5 FPU mL–1 and 120 IU mL–1) in bioreactor experiments at 20 g BHD L–1 initial concentration. A batch‐mode assay conducted across a range of initial carbon source (5 to 60 g L–1) confirmed the highest FPase activity (4.0 to 5.0 FPU mL–1 at 120 h), in the range of 20–40 g BHD L–1. During these assays the agitation rate, controlled by dissolved O2, tended to stabilize at lower levels, indicating substrate limitation. Conversely, higher initial carbon source concentrations led to an excess of glucose, likely triggering carbon catabolite repression and inhibiting cellulase production. This insight prompted the development of a controlled pulsed fed‐batch strategy, resulting in FPase activity of 11 FPU mL–1 at 220 h using 90 g L–1 BHD controlled fed into the bioreactor. An enzymatic hydrolysis procedure using the generated CEC was also optimized using a central composite rotational design (CCRD). The optimized enzyme hydrolysis conditions achieved a reducing sugar concentration of 80.9 g L–1 in 48 h using 170 g L–1 of BHD as the substrate at a ratio of 15 FPU of enzyme substrate per g of BHD. A preliminary economic assessment demonstrated that, for a first‐ and second‐generation (1G + 2G) ethanol biorefinery, the cost contribution of enzymes would be about US$0.2/L of biofuel. In conclusion, an efficient and highly productive procedure was developed successfully for the production of a CEC. It was particularly effective for the enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated sugarcane bagasse.

Optimization and synthesis process of biodiesel production from coconut oil using central composite rotatable design of response surface methodology

In the transportation and power production industries, the use of renewable and environmentally friendly fuels has grown in importance. Biodiesel derived from coconut oil contains over 90% saturated fatty acids. Biodiesel was made using alkaline transesterification since coconut oil has a free fatty acid content of less than 2.5%. Enzymatic or chemical transesterification are both possible. For the synthesis of coconut biodiesel, the optimal processing conditions are 60 °C for 1 h, a 6:1 ratio, 1% potassium hydroxide and a 95% yield. According to the experiment, 55 °C was the ideal reaction temperature for using coconut oil to produce biodiesel. Sixty minutes was the ideal amount of time to extract biodiesel from coconut oil. The methanol-to-oil molar ratio raised yield from 6:1 to 8:1, a 95% increase. Significant amounts of an alkaline catalyst, which allows soap to develop under the influence of fatty acids, are responsible for the high yield response; it is concluded that 1 wt% would be an appropriate catalyst concentration for the present investigation. The central composite rotatable design (CCRD) of the response surface methodology method is used to optimize several process parameters, including temperature, reaction duration, methanol-to-oil ratio and catalyst concentration. The CCRD optimization approach produced better results. The following are the final, optimized results: coconut oil methyl ester ratio: 96.69%, temperature: 55 °C; duration: 59.2 min; catalyst concentration: 0.7; molar ratio: 6.4.