Oil Weight Research Articles

Enhanced oil/water separation using superhydrophobic nano SiO2-modified porous melamine sponges

Recent advancements in functional sponge materials have garnered significant interest due to their efficacy and cost-effectiveness in oil spill remediation. This study introduces both silane coupling agent (methyltrichlorosilane and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) and nano-SiO₂ particles into the melamine sponge framework via impregnation. Additionally, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) serves a crucial role in curing to fuse the substrate with the coating through robust covalent bonds. The modified sponges (SiMAPs) facilitate the formation of rough surfaces comprising hierarchical structures by the deposition of nano-SiO₂ particles, while the silane coupling agents and PDMS contribute to a reduced surface energy. These SiMAP sponges maintain high stability with a water contact angle of 162.6° and demonstrate an adsorption capacity ranging from 40 to 90 times their weight in oil or organic solvents. Furthermore, they achieve a separation efficiency exceeding 98% and an oil flux of 14.38 L/m2∙s in immiscible oil-water mixtures. Additionally, the sorption of trichloromethane reaches 88.1 g/g, and the separation efficiency for surfactant-stabilized emulsions containing diesel is 62.8%. Remarkably, the oil-water separation efficiency surpasses 99.8% in dynamic continuous oil-water separation cycles, as evidenced by 20 experimental trials. These results underscore the substantial potential of SiMAP-modified sponges for addressing oil pollution by enhancing oil-water separation.

Harnessing microbial synergy: A comprehensive evaluation of consortia-mediated bioremediation strategies for petroleum refinery wastewater treatment

The growing global demand for energy has led to the expansion of oil and gas industries, putting our environment at risk of pollution. The unregulated discharge of petroleum refinery wastewater (PRW), accidental spills, and ineffective policies have led to severe contamination and increased environmental and health consequences making management and mitigation a priority for everyone. This study evaluated the performance of two biological treatment methods - free-cell microbial consortium and immobilized microbial system - in the remediation of PRW using physicochemical, 2,6-dichlorophenollindophenol (DCPIP), Gas chromatography (GC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The effectiveness of the two microbial consortia in reducing concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs) in the wastewater was compared to determine the most efficient method for treating PRW. The physicochemical result revealed cocktails of contaminants while Alcaligenes faecalis strain SLW6 and strain IAM 12369, and Providencia vermicola strain OP1, showed high degradative capacities. The immobilized and free-cell microbial systems significantly reduced the concentrations of PAHs, and HMs pollutants in the wastewater, with the former showing slightly better removal efficiencies for PAHs (92.97 % vs 87.34 %), heavy metals (99.17 %), and oil weight reduction (87.76 % vs 82.25 %) after the 28-day biodegradation period respectively. GC and FTIR analyses confirmed the formation of various degraded products, demonstrating the microbial consortia's effectiveness in degrading complex organic compounds. The findings highlight the potential of microbial consortia-mediated remediation as an eco-friendly and sustainable approach for treating PRW, contributing to protecting water resources and promoting sustainable practices in the petroleum industry.

Water Droplet Equilibration on Silicone Elastomer Substrates Containing Mobile Silicones.

Understanding interfacial behavior at the water/silicone elastomer interface is vital in many applications, including microfluidics, antibiofouling, and self-cleaning surfaces. Silicone elastomers are not always static systems, however. Unreacted silicone molecules within a substrate may change the water-wetting behavior compared to fully reacted substrates. To investigate the impact of free silicone species at the interface, we systematically studied water wettability as a function of contact time with various silicone elastomer substrates. One set of Sylgard 184 substrates was prepared from curing at optimal stoichiometry and included doses of silicone molecules of varying molecular weights. Another set of substrates was made by mixing Sylgard 184 in imbalanced ratios to provide incomplete cross-linking. In the absence of added silicone oils, we observe a linear decrease in contact angle with time due to the evaporation of water. However, within certain molecular weight and loading levels of additional inert oils, nonlinear wetting behavior occurs as oils migrate to the interface and the system stabilizes. Similar nonlinear wetting behavior occurs without including silicone oils by mixing pure Sylgard 184 in very imbalanced mixing ratios, resulting in incomplete cross-linking. Such substrates contain unbound mobile silicone species that diffuse to the water-substrate interface. We show how the water contact angle technique can elucidate the presence of unbound silicone oils in the substrate.

Synthesis of the Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEE) from Krabok (Irvingia malayana) Seed Oil for Use as the Main Ingredient in the Production of Herbal Massage Oil

This study focused on synthesizing fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) from Krabok (Irvingia malayana) seed oil via transesterification for use as the primary ingredient in herbal massage oil production. Optimal conditions included 5 wt.% of KOH catalyst compared to the oil weight, 15:1 molar ratio of ethanol to Krabok seed oil, 60 min for reaction time and reaction temperature of 78 ± 3 °C, resulting in FAEE yields as high as 99.83 ± 0.17 %. Analysis using FT-IR, 1H and 13C-NMR, and GC techniques revealed FAEE as ester-type compounds, primarily comprising lauric acid (C12:0) and myristic acid (C14:0), constituting 97 wt.% saturated fatty acids and 3 wt.% unsaturated fatty acids. Physicochemical properties indicated clear yellow liquids with viscosity of 1.73 ± 0.03 cSt/s, density of 0.8199 ± 0.0049 g/cm3, cloud point of +4 °C, and pour point of –1 °C. Acid value, free fatty acid content, iodine value, water content and oxidation stability were measured at 0.703 ± 0.001 mg KOH/g of oil, 0.354 ± 0.001 wt.%, 0.59 ± 0.04 g I2/100 g of oil, 1482.3 ± 6.15 ppm, and greater than 12 h, respectively. When the synthesized FAEE was used to produce herbal massage oil products, the results showed that the herbal massage oil products were characterized as a clear yellow liquid with no sediment, low viscosity, and pH in the range of 5 - 6, meeting standard criteria. Thus, FAEE derived from Krabok seed oil is suitable as a primary ingredient for herbal massage oil production, enhancing the value of local resources within the community. HIGHLIGHTS Under optimal conditions of 5 wt.% KOH catalyst, 15:1 ethanol to oil ratio, 60 min at 78 ± 3 °C, FAEE was synthesized from Krabok seed oil for herbal massage oil, yielding 99.83 ± 0.17 %. FAEE, identified via FT-IR, 1H and 13C-NMR, and GC, comprises 97 wt.% saturated fatty acids (lauric acid and myristic acid) and 3 wt.% unsaturated. The herbal massage oil derived from FAEE as the primary ingredient meets clarity, low viscosity, and pH 5 - 6 standards. FAEE from Krabok seed oil enhances the value of local resources. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Performance, Meat Quality and Gene Expression of Grazing Lambs Supplemented with Macadamia Oil and Vitamin E

Macadamia oil has high concentrations of oleic and palmitoleic fatty acids, which can increase tissue sensitivity to insulin, improving glucose absorption efficiency, and reducing lipogenesis through gene modulation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of macadamia oil associated with vitamin E supplementation on performance, blood parameters, meat quality and sensory characteristics, meat fatty acid profile, and expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism in grazing lambs. The experimental treatments were control diet (Control), Control + 0.1% of body weight of macadamia oil (MO), MO + 745 IU of vitamin E/dry matter (MOVE). Macadamia oil improved feed efficiency, reflecting a lower dry matter intake, as the average daily weight gain did not differ from Control. Meat quality parameters were not affected by macadamia oil or vitamin E supplementation. Supplementation with macadamia oil improved meat appearance, flavor, and overall liking. Supplementation with macadamia oil provided a higher proportion of C18:3 n3 and a lower proportion of CLA. The expression of SREBP-1c, PPAR-α, SCD1, and ELOVL6 genes were not modified with the supplementation of macadamia oil and vitamin E. In conclusion, supplementation with macadamia oil improves feed efficiency and meat quality; and the inclusion of 745 IU of vitamin E/kg of dry matter for grazing lambs reduces 36% of lipid oxidation of the meat.

Investigation into the Fuel Characteristics of Biodiesel Synthesized through the Transesterification of Palm Oil Using a TiO2/CH3ONa Nanocatalyst

Biodiesel is a renewable and sustainable alternative fuel to petrol-derived diesel. Decreasing the operating costs by improving the catalyst’s characteristics is an effective way to increase the competitiveness of biodiesel in the fuel market. An aqueous solution of sodium methoxide (CH3ONa), which is a traditional alkaline catalyst, was immersed in nanometer-sized particles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) powder to prepare the strong alkaline catalyst TiO2/CH3ONa. The immersion method was used to enhance the transesterification reaction. The mixture of TiO2 and CH3ONa was calcined in a high-temperature furnace in a range between 150 and 450 °C continuously for 4 h. The heterogeneous alkaline catalyst TiO2/CH3ONa was then used to catalyze the strong alkaline transesterification reaction of palm oil with methanol. The highest content of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), which amounted to 95.9%, was produced when the molar ratio of methanol to palm oil was equal to 6, and 3 wt.% TiO2/CH3ONa was used, based on the weight of the palm oil. The FAMEs produced from the above conditions were also found to have the lowest kinematic viscosity of 4.17 mm2/s, an acid value of 0.32 mg KOH/g oil, and a water content of 0.031 wt.%, as well as the highest heating value of 40.02 MJ/kg and cetane index of 50.05. The lower catalyst amount of 1 wt.%, in contrast, resulted in the lowest cetane index of 49.31. The highest distillation temperature of 355 °C was found when 3 wt.% of the catalyst was added to the reactant mixture with a methanol/palm oil molar ratio of 6. The prepared catalyst is considered effective for improving the fuel characteristics of biodiesel.

Endosperm-specific expressed transcription factor protein WRINKLED1-mediated oil accumulative mechanism in woody oil peony Paeonia ostii var. lishizhenii

Paeonia ostii var. lishizhenii exhibits superiority of high α-linolenic acid in seed oils, yet, the low yield highlights the importance of enhancing oil accumulation in seeds for edible oil production. The transcription factor protein WRINKLED1 (WRI1) plays crucial roles in modulating oil content in higher plants; however, its functional characterization remains elusive in P. ostii var. lishizhenii. Herein, based on a correlation analysis of transcription factor transcript levels, FA accumulation rates, and interaction assay of FA biosynthesis associated proteins, a WRI1 homologous gene (PoWRI1) that potentially regulated oil content in P. ostii var. lishizhenii seeds was screened. The PoWRI1 exhibited an endosperm-specific and development-depended expression pattern, encoding a nuclear-localized protein with transcriptional activation capability. Notably, overexpressing PoWRI1 upregulated certain key genes relevant to glycolysis, FA biosynthesis and desaturation, and improved seed development, oil body formation and oil accumulation in Arabidopsis seeds, resulting an enhancement of total seed oil weight by 9.47–18.77 %. The defective impacts on seed phenotypes were rescued through ectopic induction of PoWRI1 in wri1 mutants. Our findings highlight the pivotal role of PoWRI1 in controlling oil accumulation in P. ostii var. lishizhenii, offering bioengineering strategies to increase seed oil accumulation and enhance its potential for edible oil production.

Efficiency of Thyme and Oregano Essential Oils in Counteracting the Hazardous Effects of Malathion in Rats.

The widespread use of MLT may pose numerous hazards to animal breeding, health, and resilience due to the presence of MLT residues in animal feedstuffs, pastures, hay, and cereals. Many medicinal plants provide what is called a generalized anti-toxic remedy. The current study examined hazardous biochemical and histological reactions to MLT and the efficiency of ThEO and OEO essential oils as anti-toxic therapies to return to a natural state after MLT exposure. A total of 75 male albino rats were randomly assigned to two groups: (i) C - MLT, comprising 25 rats, served as the control group; and (ii) C + MLT, with 50 rats that were exposed to 5 mg/kg/BW. After exposure to MLT for 21 days, a return to normal status was determined by subdividing the C + MLT group into two equal groups: ThEO and OEO were used as treatments, with 100 mg/kg body weight of thyme and oregano essential oils, respectively, being administered for 21 days. The results showed a significant decrease in body weight gain (BWG) and final weight (FW) compared to C - MLT, while the therapeutic effects of ThEO and OEO enhanced FW and BWG. Our results indicated that MLT exposure resulted in deficient serum liver function, but that OEO and ThEO therapy brought about a significant improvement in liver enzyme function. Although there was no significant difference in serum aspartate transaminase (AST) or alkaline phosphatase (ALK-Ph) and a significant drop in alanine transaminase (ALT) and acetyl choline-esterase (AChE) levels, the C + MLT group showed hepatic fibrosis in the third stage. Furthermore, histological sections of the OEO and ThEO groups showed reduced hepatocellular damage, inflammation, and hepatic fibrosis. However, there was a significant increase in serum creatinine between the C + MLT and C - MLT groups following exposure to MLT. Histological sections of renal tissue from rats treated with OEO and ThEO showed reduced tubular damage, reduced interstitial inflammation, and preserved renal tissue architecture. In conclusion, OEO and ThEO are potential compounds for use as anti-toxic therapies to return to a natural state after MLT exposure. These compounds could serve as an experimental therapeutic approach against natural toxins, providing a solution to the problems of raising livestock that are exposed to nutritional toxicity.

Enhanced photothermal conversion properties of graphene aerogel surface and its application in oil spill treatment

As an environmentally friendly material, graphene aerogel has been widely studied. The photothermal conversion performance is an important property of graphene aerogel. Graphene aerogels were prepared by hydrothermal reduction method. The factors affecting its surface photothermal conversion properties were explored and graphene aerogels with ideal photothermal conversion properties were obtained. In addition, COMSOL Multiphysics simulation was carried out to further analyze the intrinsic factors affecting the photothermal properties of the materials. The prepared materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectrometry (Raman) to obtain their physicochemical properties. UV–visible-near infrared spectrophotometer and microcomputer-controlled electronic universal testing machine were used to evaluate the light-absorbing capacity and mechanical properties of the materials. The obtained graphene aerogel can be rapidly heated up to higher than 110 °C in 8 s on its surface under simulated sunlight (1000 W·m−2) irradiation. When used for the treatment of oil spill at sea, the prepared graphene aerogel with good photothermal conversion ability can adsorb 105.61 times of its own weight of crude oil and the adsorption rate is as high as 10.56 g·g−1·min−1, which shows a broad application prospect.

Simulation of the process of cryogenic freezing of coriander seeds

In the technology for extracting the required components from plant raw materials, in most cases, the grinding process is used as a preparatory operation before the main process, followed by the separation of the extracted material into target components.In most cases, as a result of such a process, we can talk about the effective extraction of only a single target component, while others inevitably lose their qualitative and quantitative indicators, which is due to the morphology of the plant raw material.One of the promising directions in the processes of destruction of plant material for further operations is selective disintegration. For this purpose optimal process conditions have been selected, such as heating, freezing and others. Raw materials obtained as a result of selective destruction can be effectively fractionated according to morphological and physicochemical characteristics, and only after that can be sent to subsequent operations with the greatest efficiency.Under modern conditions, the loss of essential oil in coriander associated with splitting the fruit reaches 23.4% of the oil weight in whole fruits. At the same time, the essential oil from split fruits is enriched with valuable components – linalool, geraniol, geranyl acetate and, in addition, contains less hydrocarbons and camphor. As shown in [1], oil from split fruits can be used to adjust the composition of batches of coriander essential oil in order to increase the content of linalool while simultaneously reducing the content of undesirable components – hydrocarbons and camphor, and can also be used primarily to isolate valuable components – linalool, geraniol. To reduce losses associated with splitting coriander fruits, it has been proposed to carry out mathematical modeling of the process of cryogenic freezing with subsequent grinding of the frozen mass, which will significantly reduce losses of essential oil. Considering that essential oils extracted from coriander show high antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal activity [2], increasing the yield of high-quality coriander essential oil will allow its wider use in flavoring and food preservation, as well as for medicinal purposes, which is important and actual task.

Levels of Expression of Hsp70 and iNOS and Effect of Artemisia Sieberi (A. herba-alba) on Activity of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid (HPT) Axis in Diabetic Rats

This work was carried out to evaluate levels of expression of the Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) biomarkers in extracts of Artemisia sieberi (A. herba-alba) and their impacts on the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in diabetic rats. 50 rats were separated into five experimental groups: a normal control group, a positive control group treated with dilute A. herba alba (AHE) oil extract, a diabetic non-treated group, a diabetic group treated with AHA extract, and a diabetic group treated with Metformin. Results: Orally administered 8.1 mg/kg body weight (BW) of dilute AHA oil and 14.2 mg/kg BW of Metformin were administered for 6 weeks. Serum triiodothyronine (T3) levels decreased significantly in diabetic rats and increased significantly in the rats treated with the dilute AHA oil. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in thyroid gland Hsp70 expression between the diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Metformin and dilute AHA oil treatments significantly increased the expression of Hsp70 in the thyroid gland. The results also demonstrated that diabetes significantly increased the rate of iNOS expression in the thyroid gland. Treatment with Metformin and dilute AHA oil significantly reduced the expression of iNOS in the thyroid gland. These results suggest that dilute AHA oil plays a role in the peripheral regulation of thyroid function and provide empirical evidence that it contributes to the stimulation or improvement of thyroid function.

Novel Janus polyurethane sponges with asymmetric wettability enabling all-weather stable and efficient remediation of crude oil spills in harsh environments

Developing high-performance adsorbent materials featuring with all-weather service and high sorption efficiency to recover viscous crude oil spills in harsh environments is urgently required, yet it still remains an onerous challenge. Herein, a prominent Janus polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) & Ti3C2TX MXene @ polyurethane sponge (JPMPU) was exploited via a convenient anisotropic successive depositing technology. Thanks to controllable asymmetric decoration of Ti3C2Tx MXene/PDMS and hydrophilic components on two antithetic sides, the resulting sponges exhibited a fascinating asymmetric superwettability, rendering JPMPUs superb interfacial floating stability and overturning-resistance property. Moreover, Janus sponges displayed outstanding photothermal and Joule-heating effects. Particularly, ultrahigh temperatures of 99.5 °C and 102.1 °C were acquired for JPMPU under the sunlight intensity of 1.5 kW m−2 and the applied voltage of 10 V, respectively. On the basis of these favorable features, JPMPUs exhibited a remarkable in situ sorption capability for high-viscous crude oil spills, which can absorb >16.1 and 19.0 times its own weight of crude oil driven by the solar heat and Joule heat, respectively. Consequently, together with robust recyclability, this 3D porous Janus thermal management sponge with superior self-heating integration functionality and robust self-floating stability shows great potential for fast all-weather crude oil recovery in harsh environments.

Optimal conditions for nano-emulsified vegetable oil synthesis for the biostimulation of 1,1,2-trichloroethane and vinyl chloride contaminated groundwater in bioreactors

Contamination of groundwater with chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) has become increasingly widespread. Enhanced reductive dechlorination (ERD) by emulsified vegetable oil (EVO) is an environmentally friendly, low-carbon and sustainable technology that effectively eliminates the threat from CAHs. To improve the permeability and bioavailability of EVO in the low-permeability substratum, nano-emulsified vegetable oil (nanoEVO) can be synthesized using a modified phase inversion composition method (MPIC) by increasing the emulsification temperature that reduces the shear force required for the formation of nanodroplets and the interfacial tension between the mixed phase and water. The emulsification temperature of 60 °C, the water content of 40–70%, the droplet diameter (DD) of nanoEVO prepared by MPIC is ∼200 nm, and had good monodispersion (≤0.2). The high molecular weight and low solubility of vegetable oil, and similar size of droplet make nanoEVO remains homogeneous after storage for > one year. NanoEVO can effectively biostimulate indigenous bacteria in CAHs-contaminated groundwater to dechlorinate 1,1,2-trichloroethane (1,1,2-TCA) to ethene via vinyl chloride (VC). The maximum dihaloelimination rate of 1,1,2-TCA was ∼66.06 μM·Cl−·day−1 and the maximum hydrogenolysis rate of VC was ∼35.67 μM·Cl−·day−1. NanoEVO effectively increased the relative abundance of Dehalococcoides from <0.10 to 9.61%. The abundances of Dhc 16S rRNA gene and dehalogenase gene vcrA increased by 102 and 103, respectively. Biostimulation shaped the structure of microbial communities and promoted hydrolytic acidification and anaerobic fermentation. Moreover, the syntrophic VFA-oxidizing bacteria participated in secondary fermentation and were closely correlated with H2 consumption metabolism. By providing carbon sources and maintaining an anaerobic environment with stable pH and ORP, nanoEVO biostimulated the hydrolytic acidification led by fermentative bacteria, secondary fermentation with syntrophic VFA-oxidizing bacteria and reductive dechlorination carried out by dechlorinator, thus greatly increasing the CAH-dechlorinating ability of indigenous microbial communities.

Optimization of Enzymatic Transesterification of Acid Oil for Biodiesel Production Using a Low-Cost Lipase: The Effect of Transesterification Conditions and the Synergy of Lipases with Different Regioselectivity.

This study describes the enzymatic production of second-generation biodiesel using low-quality acid oil as a substrate. Biolipasa-R, a commercially available and low-cost lipase, was employed for enzymatic transesterification. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the enzymatic transesterification process. The optimal conditions for biodiesel production, which comprised 42% lipase concentration (per weight of oil), 32% water content (per weight of oil), a methanol to oil molar ratio of 3:1, pH 7.0 and reaction temperature 30°C, resulted in the highest fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content (71.3%). Subsequently, the synergistic effect of two lipases with different regioselectivities under the optimum transesterification conditions was studied, aiming at the enhancement of process efficiency. The transesterification efficiency of immobilized Biolipasa-R was determined and compared to that of Biolipasa-R in its free form. The results revealed a good performance on FAME content (66.5%), while the recycling of immobilized lipase resulted in a decrease in transesterification efficiency after three consecutive uses.

Evaluating the effect of diethyl ether and moringa oleifera antioxidant additives on the performance and emission characteristics of jatropha biodiesel-diesel blended fuel on CI engine – An experimental investigation

Alternative fuels can be produced from both non-edible feedstocks and edible crops. The higher production costs and contaminating nature of vegetable biofuels, which cause engine component failure, make it conceivable to encourage the synthesis of biodiesel from non-edible sources. One of the most widely utilized alternative fuels is Jatropha biofuel, which has performance levels comparable to diesel fuels and can be used with CI (Compression Ignition) engines without any modifications. However when it comes to oxidative stability properties that impact shelf life and commercialization, the majority of biodiesels—including Jatropha—are lacking. Therefore, the objective of this study was to enhance the oxidative stability and other physicochemical parameters, such performance and emission characteristics, of Jatropha biodiesel with diesel blends by adding additives like DEE (diethyl ether) and MA (moringa oleifera antioxidant). The seeds of jatropha and moringa were harvested by hand and then mechanically extracted with a screw press. A conical flask containing the precisely weighed amount of oil is filled with 50 mL of neutral alcohol. The combination is then heated for an hour using a water condenser over a bath. Using phenolphthalein indicator, the contents are titrated with KOH solution after cooling. Weight of oil taken (w)/volume of KOH used (mL) × normality of KOH is the formula used to determine the acidity value of jatropha oil. It is therefore below the minimum level set by ASTM D 675, which is 2.5 mg KOH/g. Methanol was used in the transesterification process to produce biodiesel, and potassium hydroxide (KOH) was used as a catalyst. Then, using 5 % DEE and 10 % MA additives, the physicochemical properties of jatropha biodiesel—such as density, kinematics viscosity, calorific value, and oxidative stability—were characterized. The percentage of improvement of the biodiesel's mentioned properties with these additives was 0.68 %, 2.8 %, 0.73 %, and 33.8 %, respectively. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of B40MA10DEE05D45 increased by 8.52 % whereas the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of B50MA10DEE05D35, which is Made up of 44 % diesel, 50 % jatropha biodiesel, 5 % DEE, and 10 % MA fuels, declined by 5.14 %. As a result of these additions, the blended fuel's CO, HC, and NOx emissions were reduced by 3.51 %, 2.25 %, and 8.64 %, respectively. Therefore, a 20 % blend of Jatropha biodiesel and diesel containing antioxidants from Moringa can be used in compression ignition engines without the need for engine modifications and with high oxidation stability.

Both High-Intensity Interval and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training Decrease Fetuin-A Levels in High Fat Diet Fed Male Rats

Background: Fetuin-A is a hepatokine that increases in obesity, and a high-fat diet (HFD) contributes to this condition. Obesity is characterized by increased body mass index (BMI) and is correlated to insulin resistance. This study aims to analyze the difference between High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on fetuin-A, insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, and BMI in HFD-fed rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: CD (standard diet), HFD (HFD only), HFD-IT (HFD and HIIT), and HFD-CT (HFD and MICT). HFD consisted of a standard diet with an additional 2 mL/200-gram body weight of lard oil daily. In the HFD-IT group, swimming was performed with a 9% body weight load with short duration and intermittent rest periods, while the HFD-CT group was given a 6% body weight load and continuous swimming. Swimming was conducted five days a week for four weeks. Fetuin-A and insulin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, and FBG levels were measured using a glucometer. Results: Fetuin-A levels were significantly lower in the HFD-IT and HFD-CT groups compared to the HFD group (p&lt;0.05). The HFD-CT group had a significant decrease in FBG levels (p&lt;0.05), but the HFD-IT group did not. There were no differences in BMI and insulin levels between groups after four weeks of treatment (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: HIIT and MICT have similar effectiveness in reducing fetuin-A levels. In addition, MICT also managed to reduce FBG levels. Keywords: interval training, continuous training, high-fat diet, fetuin-A, insulin, healthy lifestyle.

Formulation and Characterization of Soybean Oil-in-Water Emulsions Stabilized Using Gelatinized Starch Dispersions from Plant Sources.

Consumers are concerned about employing green processing technologies and natural ingredients in different manufacturing sectors to achieve a "clean label" standard for products and minimize the hazardous impact of chemical ingredients on human health and the environment. In this study, we investigated the effects of gelatinized starch dispersions (GSDs) prepared from six plant sources (indica and japonica rice, wheat, corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes) on the formulation and stability of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. The effect of gelatinization temperature and time conditions of 85-90 °C for 20 min on the interfacial tension of the two phases was observed. Emulsification was performed using a primary homogenization condition of 10,000 rpm for 5 min, followed by high-pressure homogenization at 100 MPa for five cycles. The effects of higher oil weight fractions (15-25% w/w) and storage stability at different temperatures for four weeks were also evaluated. The interfacial tension of all starch GSDs with soybean oil decreased compared with the interfacial tension between soybean oil and water as a control. The largest interfacial tension reduction was observed for the GSD from indica rice. Microstructural analysis indicated that the GSDs stabilized the O/W emulsion by coating oil droplets. Emulsions formulated using a GSD from indica rice were stable during four weeks of storage with a volume mean diameter (d4,3) of ~1 µm, minimal viscosity change, and a negative ζ-potential.

A Comprehensive exploration of jatropha curcas biodiesel production as a viable alternative feedstock in the fuel industry – Performance evaluation and feasibility analysis

Jatropha Curcas stands out as a promising plant-based feedstock, offering a non-edible oil that holds great potential as an alternative fuel to traditional diesel. Notably, Jatropha oil boasts favourable fuel properties, including a higher oil content compared to other alternatives. This attribute makes it an attractive candidate for biodiesel production. Importantly, as a non-edible oilseed feedstock, Jatropha Curcas helps mitigate concerns related to food prices and the ongoing food versus fuel debate, offering a sustainable solution to the growing energy demands. Furthermore, the plant exhibits impressive yields, with the potential to produce up to 40% oil weight per seed. This high yield not only enhances the economic viability of Jatropha-based biodiesel but also underscores its efficiency as a feedstock. The discussion extends beyond mere fuel properties, encompassing a comprehensive comparative review that delves into engine performance and emission characteristics associated with Jatropha Curcas. The novelty of this paper lies in its exploration of the crude oil aspects of Jatropha curcas, shedding light on an essential facet often overlooked. By presenting a thorough analysis of fuel properties, engine performance, and emission characteristics, the paper contributes valuable insights to the discourse on sustainable energy solutions. Moreover, it goes beyond technical aspects and provides perspectives on the current economic status, offering a holistic view of the potential impact of Jatropha Curcas in the broader context of renewable energy and economic development.

Multifunctional polypyrrole/MXene-wrapped sponge with synergistic solar and joule-heating effect for efficient adsorption and all-weather recovery of crude oil

Offshore oil leakage can cause huge economic losses and seriously disrupt the ecological balance. A novel approach to all-weather recovery of crude oil with high viscosity is achieved through day and night workto ensurefaster recovery. Herein, polypyrole (Ppy) covalently integrated with MXene nanosheet was connected to the melamine sponge (MS) by physico-chemical cross-linking method, exhibiting a crude oil absorbent with outstanding photothermal and electrothermal conversion performance (78.9 ℃ under 1.0 kW/m2, 62.3 ℃ in 5 V). The stable superhydrophobic surface (WCA≈153.4°), combined with the dual-energy conversion properties of absorbent provides the synergistic effect for efficient crude oil recovery performance. This is demonstrated by the fact that the maximum surface temperature can be heated to 87.0 ℃ in 3 min, and the absorption weight of crude oil to be improved to 14.26 g in 10 min. Additionally, the Ppy/MXene-wrapped sponge has high thermal stability and flame-retardant properties. Therefore, this functional absorbent has promising way for the disposal of offshore crude oil.

Karakteristik fisik dan komposisi kimia minyak kayu putih (Melaleuca cajuputi) asal Maluku dan Nusa Tenggara Barat [Physical characteristics and chemical composition of eucalyptus oil (Melaleuca cajuputi) from Maluku and West Nusa Tenggara

Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil popular in Indonesia due to its ability to treat flatulence, induce a sense of warmth, and serve as an antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and aromatherapy agent. Melaleuca cajuputi is a species of eucalyptus plant that yields eucalyptus oil. This plant is commonly found in Central Maluku and West Nusa Tenggara. The distilling process of eucalyptus oil took four hours and involved using steam distillation. Several physical parameters, including cineole content, oil weight, specific gravity, optical rotation, and ethanol solubility, were utilized to evaluate the grade of the produced eucalyptus oil. The analysis of physical properties was conducted using SNI 06-3954-2006-compliant methodologies. The volatile compounds of eucalyptus oil were analyzed using the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. The test results indicated that the purity of eucalyptus oil from Maluku and NTB specifically met the requirements of SNI 06-3954-2006. GC-MS measurement revealed that eucalyptus oil from Maluku, with a yield of 1.42%, contained 26 chemical components, with 1.8-cineole comprising the highest percentage at 67.38%. In contrast, the yield of NTB eucalyptus oil was 1.84%, and it contained 21 volatile compounds of which the compound of 1.8 cineole made up 66.58% of the component composition