Volatile Organic Concentrations Research Articles

Integrating Passive Biomonitoring and Active Monitoring: Spider Web Silk and Portable Instruments for Air Quality in Urban Areas

Urban areas worldwide face significant challenges from increasing air pollution, posing health risks and environmental concerns. Lahore, a major city in Pakistan, is particularly affected by severe air pollution due to rapid industrial growth, high vehicle emissions, and various human activities. Traditional air quality monitoring methods, while effective, are often costly and complex, limiting their widespread use. This study investigates a dual monitoring system combining passive biomonitoring with spider web silk and active measurements using portable instruments to assess airborne pollutants in urban environments. Spider webs, collected from various sites in Lahore, were analyzed for heavy metals, while portable instruments simultaneously measured PM2.5, PM10, total volatile organic contents, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide at the same locations. A spatial distribution analysis using GIS and statistical analysis revealed a pattern with significant changes as per land use in the urban environment related to anthropogenic activities. The Principal Component Analysis revealed three distinct clusters of pollutants origins consisting of: I) effluent drains and landfills, II) construction sites, and III) residential areas. The concentrations of Hg in spider silk (average ~ 2.66 mg/kg) were found to be significantly higher in the northeastern part of Lahore, with a similar trend observed in Cd, Cu, Ni, and As levels (average ~ 15.45, 102.87, 31.72, and 6.64, respectively). Several-fold changes in levels and spatial distribution of Pb (15.12 to 356.41 mg/kg) showed a higher concentration in the northern and northeastern parts of Lahore. The spatial variation pattern of Cr (average~ 57.04 mg/kg) registered a higher concentration in southwestern Lahore. Ambient air levels of measured pollutants followed almost similar patterns in spatial distribution. PM2.5 and PM10 measured higher levels (195 and 226 μg/m3, respectively) in the southwestern and northwestern areas, with a similar pattern of variation observed in TVOC (average ~ 0.14 μg/m3). The concentration of HCHO (average ~ 0.003 μg/m3) was higher in the southwest of Lahore. All measured pollutants registered higher values than air quality standards. Particulate matter is the most dominant pollutant contributing to air pollution (up to 20x higher than WHO guidelines). The findings support the use of a dual monitoring system, integrating passive spider web silk biomonitoring and active portable instruments, as a scalable and sustainable solution for air quality management. This approach holds potential for global application in diverse urban environments, with future research focusing on further validation and integration with advanced remote sensing technologies to enhance air quality monitoring and contribute to improved public health and environmental management worldwide. Hence, this research work points to the potential use of spider silk as a biomonitoring tool in combination with instrumental measurement of ambient air pollutants.

Influence of the Drying Process on the Volatile Profile of Different Capsicum Species.

Chili is a globally significant spice used fresh or dried for culinary, condiment, and medicinal purposes. Growing concerns about food safety have increased the demand for high-quality products and non-invasive tools for quality control like origin tracing and safety assurance. Volatile analysis offers a rapid, comprehensive, and safe method for characterizing various food products. Thus, this study aims to assess the impact of the drying process on the aromatic composition of various Capsicum species and to identify key compounds driving the aromatic complexity of each genetic makeup. To accomplish these objectives, the aroma was examined in fruits collected from 19 different pepper accessions (Capsicum sp.) belonging to four species: one ancestral (C. chacoense) and three domesticated pepper species (C. annuum, C. baccatum and C. chinense). Fresh and dried samples were analyzed using a headspace PTR-TOF-MS platform. Our findings reveal significant changes in the composition and concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from fresh to dried Capsicum. Notably, chili peppers of the species C. chinense consistently exhibited higher emission intensity and a more complex aroma compared to other species (both fresh and dried). Overall, the data clearly demonstrate that the drying process generally leads to a reduction in the intensity and complexity of the aromatic compounds emitted. Specifically, fresh peppers showed higher volatile organic compounds content compared to dried ones, except for the two sweet peppers studied, which exhibited the opposite behavior. Our analysis underscores the variability in the effect of drying on volatile compound composition among different pepper species and even among different cultivars, highlighting key compounds that could facilitate species classification in dried powder. This research serves as a preliminary guide for promoting the utilization of various pepper species and cultivars as powder, enhancing product valorization.

Comparison of Face Masks by Arduino Sensors


 
 
 The COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 has created a health crisis around the world. There have been many precautions taken against the virus, such as social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment. Face masks are an essential part of personal protective equipment, especially for essential workers. Although the pandemic has caused a high demand for facemasks, there is limited scientific knowledge available on the various types of masks. Knowledge about the air quality inside the different facemasks could be beneficial for both the COVID-19 pandemic and future disease outbreaks, which will seemingly increase in the future. There are different types of masks, ranging from tight-fitting N95 respirator masks to looser surgical masks to homemade cloth masks. Herein, N95 respirator masks, surgical masks, cloth face masks, and surgical masks on top of N95 respirator masks were compared in terms of CO2 levels, Volatile Organic Compound levels (VOCs), temperature, humidity, and O2 concentrations. To record these measurements, Arduino-based sensors were constructed and utilized for the measurements. It was found that the N95 mask and the surgical mask on top of the N95 mask trapped the highest concentration of carbon dioxide, VOCs, temperature, humidity, and the lowest oxygen levels compared to the surgical mask and cloth mask.
 
 

Volatile organic compounds produced by some synthetic essential oils as biological fumigants against Botrytis cinerea on apples

BackgroundGray mold, attributed to Botrytis cinerea, poses a substantial threat to food security in fruit-growing regions impacted by global climate change. Addressing this disease requires the utilization of either resilient plant varieties or advanced technological interventions. In this study, the research focused on examining the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by synthetic essential oils, namely thymol, eugenol, 1,8-cineol, and their combination, as potential biological fumigants against B. cinerea on Golden Delicious apples.ResultsIn this study, a total of 53 compounds were identified and categorized into six distinct classes, which included (1) terpenes, (2) esters, (3) C6 compounds, (4) alcohols, (5) acids, and (6) aldehydes. The results we obtained revealed significant variations in the volatile compounds present in apples after harvest when treated with different essential oils to combat B. cinerea. Among the VOCs found in the fruits, the most abundant ones were pentanal, nerol, and ethyl octanoate. The essential oil combination of thymol, eugenol, and 1,8-cineol (Thy + Eug + Fun) had the most significant impact on the volatile compound content in the fruits. Conversely, both B. cinerea and the essential oils were observed to increase the volatile organic compound content in the fruits after harvest.ConclusionThe findings from this study underscore the significance of essential oils as effective biological fumigants for countering Botrytis cinerea on apples. Furthermore, the study suggests that these essential oils have the potential to influence the composition of volatile organic compounds in postharvest apples. This research offers valuable insights into the intricate interplay between volatile organic compounds and essential oils in apples, emphasizing the critical role of essential oils in preserving fruit quality during the post-harvest period.Graphical abstract

Effects of biochar and compost addition in potting substrates on growth and volatile compounds profile of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.).

Despite the optimal characteristics of peat, more environmental-friendly materials are needed in the nursery sector, although these must guarantee specific quantitative and qualitative commercial standards. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of biochar and compost as peat surrogates on yield and essential oil profile of two different varieties of basil (Ocimum basilicum var. Italiano and Ocimum basilicum var. minimum). In two 50-day pot experiments, we checked the performances of biochar from pruning of urban trees and composted kitchen scraps, both mixed in different proportions with commercial peat (first experiment), and under different nitrogen (N) fertilization regimes (second experiment), in terms of plant growth and volatile compounds profile of basil. Total or high substitution of peat with biochar (100% and 50% v.v.) or compost (100%) resulted in seedling death a few days from transplantation, probably because the pH and electrical conductivity of the growing media were too high. Substrates with lower substitution rates (10-20%) were underperforming in terms of plant growth and color compared to pure commercial peat during the first experiment, whereas better performances were obtained by the nitrogen-fertilized mixed substrates in the second experiment, at least for one variety. We identified a total of 12 and 16 aroma compounds of basil (mainly terpenes) in the two experiments. Partial replacement of peat did not affect basil volatile organic compounds content and composition, whereas N fertilization overall decreased the concentration of these compounds. Our results support a moderate use of charred or composted materials as peat surrogates. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Chemometric Classification of Apple Cultivars Based on Physicochemical Properties: Raw Material Selection for Processing Applications.

Apple cultivars exhibit significant diversity in fruit quality traits, creating distinct consumption scenarios. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical parameters and sensory attributes differences among fifteen apple cultivars and identify characteristic qualities suitable for various processed apple products using chemometric analysis. Relatively large differences were registered between cultivars for deflection, peel color, titratable acidity (TA), the ratio of total soluble solid to titratable acidity (TSS/TA), hardness, soluble sugar, and volatile organic compound contents. Sensory results showed significant differences existed among the preferences for different processed products. Based on the above results, all cultivars could be distinguished into three main clusters. Cluster I (i.e., Aziteke, Bakeai, Magic Flute, Royal Gala, Red General, Red Delicious, and Zhongqiuwang) demonstrated favorable appearance, high sensory scores, and rich aroma volatile compounds, making them suitable for direct consumption. Cluster II (i.e., Fuburuisi, Sinike, Honglu, and Huashuo) exhibited a higher sugar and acid content, making them suitable for apple juice production. Cluster III (i.e., Miqila, Honey Crisp, Shandong Fuji, and Yanfu 3) were more suitable for fresh-cut apples due to their good flavor and undesirable appearance. Several chemometric analyses effectively assessed differences among apple cultivars.

The Screening and Isolation of Ethyl-Carbamate-Degrading Strains from Fermented Grains and Their Application in the Degradation of Ethyl Carbamate in Chinese Baijiu.

Ethyl carbamate (EC), a 2A carcinogen produced during the fermentation of foods and beverages, primarily occurs in distilled spirits. Currently, most studies focus on strategies for EC mitigation. In the present research, we aimed to screen strains that can degrade EC directly. Here, we report two Candida ethanolica strains (J1 and J116), isolated from fermented grains, which can reduce EC concentrations directly. These two yeasts were grown using EC as the sole carbon source, and they grew well on different carbon sources. Notably, after immobilization with chitosan, the two strains degraded EC in Chinese Baijiu by 42.27% and 27.91% in 24 h (from 253.03 ± 9.89 to 146.07 ± 1.67 and 182.42 ± 5.05 μg/L, respectively), which was better than the performance of the non-immobilized strains. Furthermore, the volatile organic compound content, investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, did not affect the main flavor substances in Chinese Baijiu. Thus, the yeasts J1 and J116 may be potentially used for the treatment and commercialization of Chinese Baijiu.

Drought Stress Modulation by Biochar and Effects on Soil and Performance of Seedlings of Urban Forest Tree Species

Aims: This study was designed to examine the effects of watering regime and biochar on soil properties and performance of seedlings of urban forest tree species (UFTS) in the nursery. Study Design: The experiment was a 5 by 3 by 2 factorial scheme involving urban forest tree species, watering regimes and biochar amendment or not. Place and Duration of Study: seedlings of five UFTS were raised in the Nursery and Screenhouse of Wesley University, Ondo, a rainforest zone of Nigeria. Methodology: Seedlings of five Urban Forest Tree Species (UFTS) were subjected to watering at 80, 60 and 35% field capacity (FC) with or without biochar amendment. UFTS evaluated are: Bauhinia monandra, Delonix regia, Terminalia catappa, Dypsis lutescens and Veitchia merrillii. Results: Watering regime and biochar amendment exerted significant effects on soil physical and chemical properties, physiological attributes and biochemical constituents and performance o the UFTS evaluated. Watering at 60 and 35% FC increased bulk and particle densities but reduced significantly (P<.05) soil moisture content at field capacity compare with watering at 80% FC. Further, the 60 and 35% FC watering exhibited low N, available K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. Addition of biochar to the variously watered soil considerably reduced bulk density but remarkably increased porosity, field capacity moisture and plant available moisture. Biochar amendment increased soil pH, total and volatile organic matter contents, available K+ and Ca2+, extractable Mg2+ and dissolved phosphate (PO43+). The responses of growth traits and biochemical constituents of UFTS to watering regimes was species specific. Relative to 80 % FC watering, seedling growth attributes reduced significantly under deficit water application (60 and 35% FC) in addition to remarkable accumulation of osmolytes (osmoprotectants) and enzymatic activities. Biochar amendment enhanced accumulation of osmolytes and activities of superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase and catalase enzymes of UFTS seedlings. Conclusion: Differential watering and biochar amendment affected soil physical and chemical properties and growth of UFTS seedlings evaluated. Biochar amendment of the variously watered soil enhanced seedling growth, and appear as effective strategy for improving soil properties and UFTS performance, and for mitigation of adverse effects of suboptimal watering.

Effect of UV Exposure on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane-Coated Fabrics

Polyurethane materials can be used industrially in different ways, some of which can be used as textile materials or as auxiliary materials applied to textile materials. Polyurethane stands out as a widely used polymer for coating textile products used in outdoor applications, because of high stability at low temperature, flexibility, no or very little volatile organic component content, high water resistance, pH stability, excellent solvent resistance, weather resistance, and many other chemical and mechanical properties. In the study, cotton, polyester, and viscose fabrics were coated with polyurethane and aged under UV light to investigate the causes and behaviors of the mechanical degradation effects of UV on the coating material and fiber. The results indicate that the PU coating process improves the mechanical properties of textile materials while being exposed to UV rays deteriorates the fabric structure. The deterioration in the structure of raw and coated fabrics with the effect of UV increased the air permeability. According to the results of DSC analysis, the increase in the time of UV exposure did not create significant differences in terms of thermal degradation temperatures in both cotton and viscose fabrics. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) increase with more exposure to UV rays, and the UV exposure time had a negative effect on the melting temperature (Tm) and enthalpy (ΔH) of coated polyester fabrics.

Facile synthesis of 4,4′-diaminodiphenysulfone cured oleo-epoxy/PPy-PSCeO2 blend nanocomposites for anticorrosive application by in-situ and solvent-less approach

Epoxidized vegetable oil binary nanocomposite coatings are essential in various applications like space industry, rockets, satellites, automobile industry, paint industry, ceramic coatings, stealth fighter jets, solar energy harvesting etc. From the research perspective oleo-based coatings are promising materials due to biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic nature with no release of volatile organic content into the atmosphere. Herein, we present the synthesis of promising organic-inorganic ceria doped polypyrrole modified hybrid epoxy nanocomposite coatings through in-situ and solventless approach which exhibited higher performance in acidic and saline environments (0.5 M H2SO4,0.5 M NaCl) over a long immersion period than pristine unloaded epoxy coatings. Further, the protective effect of hybrid nanoparticles i.e. PPy-PSCeO2 using DDS as a suitable hardener within the epoxy matrix was investigated. The trans-hydroxylation followed by SN2 nucleophilic substitution lead to the formation of extensive and highly dense network cross-linked 3D network with PPy-PSCeO2 hybrid nanofiller uniformly-dispersed within the matrix. The incorporation of PPy-PSCeO2 has a major contribution in the mechanistic formation of passive protective layer consisting of iron-cerium complex which thereby exhibits mechanical interlocking and barrier formation on the CS surface. Potentiodynamic polarisation, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and salt spray tests were carried out on coated and uncoated specimens with coated samples exhibiting enhanced mechanical properties, hydrophobic and strong acid-resistant behaviour, higher thermal stability (safely used up to 200 °C), negligible water absorption, strong adhesion and hence improvement in protection behaviour.

Effects of sucrose concentration and membrane filter number on the growth and volatile compounds of micropropagated Lippia rotundifolia Cham. plantlets

Lippia rotundifolia Cham. is a medicinal species, native to Brazilian mountainous regions, with leaves rich in monoterpenes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of sucrose in MS medium with a natural ventilation system using porous membranes on the growth and contents of volatile compounds in L. rotundifolia plantlets. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 12 treatments, consisting of a factorial system of four ventilation systems and three sucrose concentrations. The treatments were a system with no porous membrane (NMS) and three natural ventilation systems (AMS) containing one, two, and four porous membranes. The sucrose concentrations were 0, 15, and 30 g L −1 . The natural ventilation systems were superior to NMS. The natural ventilation system with two and four porous membranes and 15 g L −1 sucrose in MS medium led to higher in vitro growth rates in L. rotundifolia . AMS using manufactured porous membranes was found to be a more efficient in vitro cultivation method than NMS. The ventilation system with four porous membranes and a sucrose concentration of 15 g L −1 was the most efficient, since an increase in the photosynthetic rate and less evaporative water loss were observed in this ventilation system. Volatile organic content was influenced by ventilation systems and sucrose concentrations. Major compounds myrcene, limonene, myrcenone and ocimenone were identified. AMS4 and presence of sucrose (15 and 30 g L −1 ) increased the myrcene and ocimenone content. The myrcenone content was favored by NMS without sucrose. Overall, the alternative membrane system with 15 g L −1 of sacarose can be recommended in the in vitro culture method of L. rotundifolia. • Alternative membrane systems enhancement dry weight of plantlets. • Four membrane filters without sucrose and 15 g L −1 promote an increase in leaf area. • Myrcene and ocimenone content increase using four membrane filters and sucrose. • Nonporous membrane system without sucrose have a higher myrcenone content.

Potential regulation of linoleic acid and volatile organic compound contents in meat of chickens by PLCD1

Omega-3 (linolenic acid (ALA), docosapentaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid) polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for health and normal physiological functioning in humans. Here we report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on LA content in chicken meat. The 19 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified by the GWAS approach were annotated in VILL, PLCD1 and OXSR1 genes with highly polymorphic linkage blocks, and explained 4.5% of the phenotypic variation in the LA content. Specifically, the PLCD1 mRNA expression level was negatively correlated with the LA content, and significantly higher in chickens with low LA content than in those with high LA content. In addition, PLCD1 was found to be involved in metabolic pathways, etc. Furthermore, the LA content was correlated with volatile organic compounds (e.g., octanal, etc.), but no relationship was found with intramuscular fat and triglycerides in chicken meat. The results indicated that there are key SNPs in PLCD1 that regulate the content of LA, and it has no significant effect on fat deposition, but may affect the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Preparation and characterization of water-based wood adhesive using tamarind seed powder

Adhesives are used all over the world to combine the materials together. Due to its extended usage environment conservation authorities emphasize the importance of reducing the volatile organic content in adhesive manufacturing processes. As a solution, researchers are focusing on water-based adhesives instead of adhesives based on organic solvents. The binders that can be dissolved in water are needed to develop such water-based adhesives. In this study the possibility of using tamarind seed powder as a binder was analyzed. Tamarind seed powder can be used to develop an effective water-based wood adhesive with characteristics compatible with commercial glues. By comparing viscosity, fixture time and bond strength, the minimum initial seed powder concentration for an effective glue was identified as 6.25 %(w/v). In terms of the cost, minimal usage of raw material gives an additional advantage. Therefore 6.25% was selected, as it was the glue with minimum seed powder concentration which showed the above parameters compatible with commercial glues. This will be a green light to adhesive industries to reduce human health hazards and environmental hazards. On the other hand, it will be one of the value addition processes for the tamarind seed waste.<strong></strong>

Simultaneous monitoring of volatile organic contaminant concentration and controlling factors for vapor intrusion risk evaluations—Two select cases

AbstractThe US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommends basing vapor intrusion risk‐related decisions on reasonable maximum exposure (RME). The RME can occur during conditions and factors that control advective vapor transport. The most common vapor intrusion assessment approaches consist of randomly timed sample collection efforts without regard to vapor transport controlling factors. As such, they often do not accurately yield RME estimates and are, therefore, inconsistent with USEPA recommended risk decision criteria. To address these challenges, continuous high‐frequency monitoring platforms have been deployed to concurrently track indoor concentrations of key volatile constituents, climatic conditions, and nominal pressure differential conditions that can result in toxic vapor transport and entry into buildings. The objective of this article is to demonstrate how vapor intrusion RME‐based risks can be successfully and efficiently characterized by documenting concentrations during advective chemical transport into the building. Time series analyses of data from selected sites and time increments were performed and compared to results expected from the most commonly employed sampling methods. These analyses indicate that time‐weighted analyses and resulting conclusions and risk‐based decisions can vary depending upon the sample timing. More specifically, these findings demonstrate that RME estimates will only be representative with a sufficient level of confidence when samples are collected at appropriate times. High‐frequency monitoring of dynamic concentration and controlling factors, and determination of a time‐weighted concentration average over a selected duration concurrent with advective flux conditions allows for the derivation of a representative RME‐based risk estimate. Furthermore, these variable temporal data patterns can prove insightful regarding cause‐and‐effect relationships.

Equilibrium and Dynamic Surface Tension Behavior in Colloidal Unimolecular Polymers (CUP).

Studies of the interfacial behavior of pure aqueous nanoparticles have been limited due tothe difficulty of making contaminant-free nanoparticles while also providing narrow size distribution. Colloidal unimolecular polymers (CUPs) are a new type of single-chain nanoparticle with a particle size ranging from 3 to 9 nm, which can be produced free of surfactants and volatile organic contents (VOCs). CUP particles of different sizes and surface charges were made. The surface tension behavior of these CUP particles in water was studied using a maximum bubble pressure tensiometer. The equilibrium surface tension decreased with increasing concentration and the number of charges present on the surface of the CUP particles influences the magnitude of the interfacial behavior. The effect of electrostatic repulsion between the particles on the surface tension was related. At higher concentrations, surface charge condensation started to dominate the surface tension behavior. The dynamic surface tension of CUP particles shows the influence of the diffusion of the particles to the interface on the relaxation time. The relaxation time of the CUP polymer was 0.401 s, which is closer to the diffusion-based relaxation time of 0.133s for SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate).

The Comprehensive Utilization of Bean Dregs in High-Fiber Tofu.

A large quantity of bean dregs is produced by the production of tofu and treated as animal feed or plant fertilizer, which could cause environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was to use commercially available lactone tofu to compare the effects of innovative preparation methods of high-fiber tofu, where the innovative methods used partial de-slagging followed by the addition of soybean residue cellulose to prepare high-fiber tofu. The results showed that there were no significant differences among lactone tofu samples made with 5% cellulose, 10% cellulose, or 15% cellulose and the commercially available lactone tofu during the water-holding capacity and chroma analysis. Texture indices showed that lactone tofu with 10% cellulose was similar to the commercially available lactone tofu in chewiness and hardness, and lactone tofu with 15% cellulose was similar to the commercially available lactone tofu in adhesiveness and chewiness. Magnetic resonance imaging displayed that lactone tofu with 10% cellulose had better water retention and higher moisture content. Gel electron microscopy showed that lactone tofu with 10% cellulose achieved a better gel network, and the bean dreg cellulose had less influence to a certain extent. Volatile organic compound testing by GC-IMS method indicated that the lactone tofu with 10% cellulose had more volatile organic compound content. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that lactone tofu with 10% cellulose had the best market competitiveness in ensuring the quality of high-fiber tofu.

Comparison of Melting Processes for WPC and the Resulting Differences in Thermal Damage, Emissions and Mechanics.

The necessity for resource-efficient manufacturing technologies requires new developments within the field of plastic processing. Lightweight design using wood fibers as sustainable reinforcement for thermoplastics might be one solution. The processing of wood fibers requires special attention to the applied thermal load. Even at low processing temperatures, the influence of the dwell time, temperature and shear force is critical to ensure the structural integrity of fibers. Therefore, this article compares different compounding rates for polypropylene with wood fibers and highlights their effects on the olfactory, visual and mechanical properties of the injection-molded part. The study compares one-step processing, using an injection-molding compounder (IMC), with two-step processing, using a twin-scew-extruder (TSE), a heating/cooling mixer (HCM) and an internal mixer (IM) with subsequent injection molding. Although the highest fiber length was achieved by using the IMC, the best mechanical properties were achieved by the HCM and IM. The measured oxidation induction time and volatile organic compound content indicate that the lowest amount of thermal damage occurred when using the HCM and IM. The advantage of one-time melting was evened out by the dwell time. The reinforcement of thermoplastics by wood fibers depends more strongly on the structural integrity of the fibers compared to their length and homogeneity.

Enhanced near-infrared reflectance and functional characteristics of nano metal oxide embedded alkyd coatings

The main idea of the research is to formulate alkyd based smart coatings with high NIR-reflectance to decrease the cooling load in order to maintain cool comfort in buildings. In addition to the NIR reflectance studies, the physical characteristics of the coating such as glossiness, hiding power, spreading area, volatile organic contents are evaluated. Heat reflective coatings are prepared by ball milling technique utilizing white metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) titanium oxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO) and zirconium oxide (ZrO2) as pigments. The x-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) results reveal the prepared metal oxide pigments are of high purity. Bonding interaction between the alkyd resin and the NPs are studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).The spectral reflectance of the prepared coatings are measured using spectrophotometer in the solar spectrum range, wherein ZnO based nanocoatings shows better results. The cool comfort is measured for ZnO nanocoatings in an enclosed glass cabinet and the differences in temperature with respect to exposure to sunlight are highlighted. Finally, a prototype coated with ZnO NPs maintains lower indoor temperature than the commercially available white paint coated model in the order of 2.7 °C.

Health and Environmental Risks of Incense Smoke: Mechanistic Insights and Cumulative Evidence.

Incense burning is practiced alongside many sacred rituals across different regions of the world. Invariable constituents of incense brands are 21% (by weight) herbal and wood powder, 33% bamboo stick, 35% fragrance material, and 11% adhesive powder. Major incense-combustion outputs include particulate matter (PM), volatile organic content, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The relative toxicity of these products is an implicit function of particle size and incomplete combustion, which in turn vary for a specific incense brand. Lately, the attention given to the Air Quality Index by international regulatory bodies has created concern about mounting PM toxicity. The uncharacteristically small physical dimensions of these entities complicates their detection, and with no effect of gravity PM fractions rapidly contribute to oxidative stress, enhancing random biochemical reactions upon being inhaled. Incense burning generates four times the PM extent (45 mg•g−1) of cigarettes (~10 mg•g−1). Several poisonous gases, such as CO, CO2, NO2, and SO2, and the unavoidable challenge of disposing of the burnt incense ash further add to the toxicity. Taken together, these issues demonstrate that incense burning warrants prompt attention. The aim of this article is to highlight the toxicity of incense-combustion materials on the environment and human health. This discussion could be significant in framing future policy regarding ecofriendly incense manufacture and reduced usage.

Cooperation With Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Increases Plant Nutrient Uptake and Improves Defenses Against Insects

Plants have evolved various defense mechanisms to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses. Cooperation with microorganisms, especially arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), strengthens the defense capabilities of host plants. To explore the effect of AMF on the growth of Elymus and the defenses against locust feeding, we designed a two-compartment device to connect or cut the mycelia and roots. We used this to investigate communication cues and pathways between donor and receiver plants. We found that AMF significantly increased the nitrogen content and decreased the carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of donor plants and receiver plants and the carbon content of both. After the establishment of the common mycorrhizal network (CMN) with AMF between the two chambers, inoculations of donor plants challenged by locusts caused enhancement in four defense-related enzymes, namely, lipoxygenase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, and β-1,3-glucanase, in the receiver plants. The main components of volatile organic compounds emitted by receiver plants were terpenoids. The findings indicated that AMF could not only improve plant growth but also activate the defense response of plants to insect feeding. Four defense enzymes, volatile organic compounds, and carbon and nitrogen content were involved in the defense response, and the mycelial network could act as a conduit to deliver communication signals.