Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of Sargassum polycystum for antitumor activity: Multi-objective optimization and mechanistic insights.

Integrated omics-based analysis reveals the role of ferulic acid activating a co-production of 4-vinyl guaiacol and fumaric acid by Rhizopus oryzae.

The pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass generates inhibitory compounds that severely limit the efficiency of subsequent enzymatic biocatalytic conversions during fermentation. Biochar can be used for inhibitor removal by adsorption, but its efficiency depends on tailored process conditions. In this study, the cow manure biochar (CMB) was applied in the detoxification of prehydrolysate generated from dilute acid pretreatment of corn stover, and the detoxification process was optimized by the response surface method (RSM). At the optimal detoxification condition (53 °C, 118 min, and the biochar loading of 4.5% w/v), the detoxified prehydrolysate achieved a lactic acid (LA) production of 42.89 g/L with an 85.67% yield, while a removal efficiency of 46.47% was obtained for the major inhibitors in the prehydrolysate. The reusability of CMB was investigated by water-washing, thermal, and NaOH regenerations. All methods obtained over 80% regeneration performance, and the lactic acid yield remained above 35 g/L after two regeneration cycles. CMB regenerated by water washing maintained 81.86% of its initial adsorption capacity after two cycles, achieving a lactic acid concentration of 36.83 g/L. These results suggested that water washing could serve as a simple and potentially sustainable regeneration approach for maintaining biochar performance in biocatalytic systems.

The extent of genetic variability in fatty acids in bovine milk has, to date, generally focused on its concentration in either milk or milk fat. Selection for ratio traits, such as fatty acid concentration, is statistically and biologically problematic because it can distort relationships between component traits and lead to unintended genetic responses. The objective of this study was to explore the degree of genetic variability in the total yield of individual fatty acids, including when adjusted to a common fat yield. Animal linear mixed models were used to estimate variance and covariance components for a series of fatty acid phenotypes in part-day milk samples predicted using milk infrared spectroscopy; predictions for a total of 16 individual fatty acids and 13 groups of fatty acids were available for 68,353 test-day samples across 47,904 lactations from 27,023 cows. When expressed as a concentration in fat, the coefficient of genetic variation for the individual fatty acids varied from 2% to 11% with a mean of 5%; when expressed as a concentration in milk, the coefficient of genetic variation for the individual fatty acids varied from 7% to 13% with a mean of 10%. The yield of individual fatty acids per milking had a coefficient of genetic variation varying from 7% to 14% with a mean of 9%; the respective values when phenotypically adjusted to a common fat yield were 2% to 11% with a mean of 5%. The genetic correlation between a given fatty acid expressed as a concentration in fat versus as a concentration in milk varied from -0.03 to 0.82. The genetic correlation between the total yield of a given fatty acid for a milking and that expressed as a concentration in fat varied from 0.19 to 0.74, whereas the genetic correlation varied from 0.35 to 0.75 when expressed as a concentration in milk. The genetic correlations between the total yield of individual fatty acids in a milking and the associated fat yield in that milking varied from 0.48 to 0.96, with the genetic correlations varying from 0.18 to 0.65 between the total yield of individual fatty acids in a milking and the associated milk yield in that milking. Irrespective of definition, exploitable genetic variability was detected for most of the (groups of) fatty acids; the choice of which definition of fatty acid to use is a function of how it will be deployed in a breeding scheme but also its end use.

Simultaneous production of xylooligosaccharides and acetic acid from xylan-rich biomass by an acetylxylan esterase with two synergistic catalytic domains.

Enhanced biodegradation of sticky deposits through cutinase-lipase synergy in designer cellulosomes.

Phyllanthus emblica L. is a fruit with high medicinal and edible value. Its main bioactive component, gallic acid (GA), is significantly increased by hot air drying, yet the underlying chemical mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the temperature-dependent transformation of phenolics during drying (80-130 °C) using UHPLC-MS/MS and Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS). High-temperature drying (110 to 130 °C) increases the GA content by 13.4-26.9 fold. Integrated metabolomic analysis suggests this accumulation results primarily from two nonenzymatic pathways: the thermal hydrolysis of glucose galloyl derivatives (e.g., glucogallin, digalloylglucose, and trigalloylglucose), and the degradation of glucuronic acid galloyl derivatives (e.g., 2-O-galloylgalactaric acid and monogalloylgalactonolactone). While temperatures >110 °C maximize gallic acid yield, the Maillard reaction products (e.g., 5-HMF) were also promoted. These findings elucidate the chemical mechanism of GA accumulation via ester bond cleavage, providing a scientific basis for optimizing drying protocols to balance medicinal quality and safety.

The catalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid is a key step in the production of bio-based plastics but remains limited by sluggish multi-electron transfer kinetics across multiple reaction intermediates. In this study, we address this long-standing challenge by introducing a Mn-O-Co electron bridge within spinel CoMn2O4 to mediate and accelerate electron transfer. Through precise valence state regulation, we engineer a heterogeneous electron bridge dominated by Mn4+-O2--Co3+ linkages, enabling more efficient electron flow. Experimental characterization and theoretical calculations reveal that the incorporation of Mn4+ significantly enhances electron delocalization across the bridge. The empty eg orbitals of Mn4+ (t2g3eg0) serve as efficient electron acceptors, creating an energy-level gradient with Co3+ (t2g4eg2) that favors directional electron transfer. Simultaneously, Mn4+ strengthens metal-oxygen covalency, further improving electron mobility. This engineered electron bridge structure enables highly efficient cooperation across the full six-electron transfer pathway in 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation, driven by a dynamic electron compensation mechanism. As a result, an 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid yield of 98.1% is achieved. This work offers a valuable theoretical foundation for understanding cooperative electron transfer in heterogeneous catalysis and provides a rational strategy for designing efficient electron bridge structures.

Levulinic acid is a platform chemical with significant potential for conversion into a wide range of biobased chemicals and fuels. A common process for producing levulinic acid from lignocellulosic feedstocks involves acid hydrolysis and dehydration (AHDH), where hexose polymers are hydrolyzed into monomeric sugars and subsequently dehydrated to levulinic acid and formic acid in the presence of dilute sulfuric acid. However, scaling the AHDH process is challenging because of the formation of byproducts such as sticky biochar, which accumulates in continuous-flow reactors, reducing effective reaction volume and increasing process downtime. This study investigates the effect of a chemical preconditioning step on mitigating sticky biochar formation. Woody biomass was preconditioned at 170 °C with 0.26 wt % sulfuric acid for 30 min, resulting in substantial removal of hemicellulose and acid-soluble lignin. AHDH of these preconditioned solids produced biochar that did not adhere to reactor surfaces. TGA analysis confirmed that the chemical preconditioning step minimized interactions between hemicellulose-derived degradation products and lignin side chains, reducing sticky char formation. Additionally, the study observed a 6% higher yield of organic acids from softwood species compared to hardwoods, with bark content shown to negatively impact yield. These findings suggest that targeted preconditioning of lignocellulosic biomass can enhance reactor operability and improve organic acid production efficiency in AHDH processes.

Wheat bran (WB) is an abundant agro-industrial residue rich in starch and structural polysaccharides, representing an attractive feedstock for sustainable biorefinery applications. In this work, an integrated strategy combining mild hydrothermal extraction and catalytic hydrothermal conversion was proposed to promote sugar recovery from unmilled WB and its subsequent transformation into organic acids. Conventional (HE-CH) and microwave-assisted hydrothermal extraction (HE-MW) were compared at 80–100 °C and 5–30 min. Under these soft conditions, total sugar recoveries of up to 6.45 g/100 g WB (5 min) and 8.71 g/100 g WB (30 min) were achieved, with a clear predominance of bound sugars and preferential extraction of hemicellulosic (C5) fractions, without formation of degradation products. Microwave-assisted extraction enhanced sugar recovery and selectivity by improving access to the wheat bran cell wall through volumetric heating and enhanced mass transfer. The resulting liquid extracts were subsequently converted at 180 °C and 40 bar (N2) using a mesoporous hydrated ZrO2 catalyst. In the absence of a catalyst, the system exhibited autothermal behavior but low efficiency (X < 20%). In contrast, catalytic conversion led to total sugar conversions above 75% at 90 min, with high lactic acid yields and LA/GA ratios consistently above unity, particularly for HE-MW-derived extracts. Overall, this work demonstrates that coupling microwave-assisted extraction under mild conditions with heterogeneous catalysis enables efficient access to WB cell-wall carbohydrates and their selective upgrading into value-added organic acids, offering a low-severity and sustainable route for wheat bran valorization.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, belongs to the Asteraceae family is a perennial shrub and widely recognised as a natural sweetener. This plant contains steviol glycosides and antioxidant-rich phytoconstituents. However, optimisation of extraction parameters of antioxidants from this plant are not fully explored yet. The present study aimed to optimise heat-reflux extraction (HRE) using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The extraction efficiency was evaluated in terms of antioxidant activity and the yield of gallic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. Plackett–Burman design (PBD) modelling was used significant parameters followed by Box–Behnken Design (BBD). Quantification of gallic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid was performed using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) with optimised mobile phases—hexane:ethyl acetate:acetone (16.4:3.6:0.2 v/v), ethyl acetate:glacial acetic acid:formic acid:water (20:2.2:2.2:5.2 v/v), and toluene:ethyl acetate:formic acid (13.5:9:0.6 v/v), respectively. Optimal extraction conditions were established and ANFIS predictions exhibited strong concordance with experimental and RSM outcomes.

Iron-containing catalysts based on mesostructured silicate SBA-15 were synthesized via the co-condensation method in an acidic medium (1.6 M HCl) with initial gel Fe/Si molar ratios of 5, 15, and 20%. Powder X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption, and electron microscopy confirmed that the synthesized catalysts retain the ordered hexagonal mesostructure characteristic of SBA-15. X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed that the iron content in the final samples does not exceed 0.06 mol%. For pure SBA-15, fiber length is ~2 μm with a thickness of ~0.2 μm. Introducing an iron precursor into the synthetic solution elongated the particles of iron-containing catalysts to 10–30 μm, while thickness remained virtually unchanged. The catalysts were tested in the hydrolysis and oxidation with atmospheric oxygen of soluble hemicellulose sugars from aspen wood, isolated via hydrolytic treatment. The maximum formic acid yield reached 25.8 wt% (150°C, 5 h).

This work reports the synthesis and catalytic evaluation of mono- and bimetallic Zr/Sn/Al-SBA-15 catalysts for the chemo-catalytic conversion of glucose to lactic acid. SBA-15 was modified via alumination to enhance Brønsted acidity and subsequently impregnated with varying loadings of zirconium and tin to introduce Lewis acid sites. Comprehensive characterization using BET, XRD, and NH3-TPD confirmed that metal loading significantly influenced the textural and acidic properties of the catalysts. Among the monometallic variants, 2% Sn/Al-SBA-15 exhibited the highest lactic acid yield (4.1%) and glucose conversion (47.5%) under the screening conditions (200 °C, 5 bar N2, and 3 h). Bimetallic catalysts achieved higher glucose conversions (up to 72.5%) but slightly lower lactic acid yields, likely due to side reactions and catalyst deactivation. Optimization studies identified 210 °C and 50 bar N2 as the optimal conditions, achieving a lactic acid yield of 25.2% with 99.6% glucose conversion. The results highlight the synergistic role of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites in enhancing catalytic performance and demonstrate the potential of Zr/Sn/Al-SBA-15 catalysts for sustainable lactic acid production from biomass-derived glucose.

Lignocellulosic hydrolysate is rich in various fermentable sugars, such as glucose, xylose, and cellobiose. Utilizing these sugars for L-lactic acid fermentation represents a promising strategy for the high-value utilization of biomass. However, when mixed sugars serve as carbon sources, microorganisms typically undergo carbon catabolite repression (CCR) at the initial fermentation stage, which significantly compromises both the yield and productivity of L-lactic acid. To clarify CCR mechanisms and explore effective mitigation strategies, Bacillus coagulans DSM 2314 was used as the fermentative strain, the effects of pH and temperature on fermentation with single and mixed carbon sources were examined, and L-lactic acid yields, productivities, and key enzymatic activities across different fermentation systems were systematically compared. The results showed that in glucose-containing mixed-sugar systems, glucose imposed strong CCR effects on both cellobiose and xylose. Under optimal conditions (initial total sugar concentration of 50 g/L, pH 7.0, and 45 °C), L-lactic acid yields increased in the following order: glucose/xylose (15.58 g/L) < glucose/cellobiose (29.65 g/L) < glucose (31.87 g/L). In contrast, in the glucose-free cellobiose/xylose system, both sugars were nearly co-consumed by B. coagulans DSM 2314, and L-lactic acid production was not significantly diminished by the mixing of carbon sources (xylose (27.45 g/L) < cellobiose/xylose (28.64 g/L) < cellobiose (29.60 g/L)). Under replicated optimal condition experiments, analyses of sugar consumption rates and enzyme activities further confirmed that the CCR between cellobiose and xylose was significantly weaker than in other mixed-sugar systems, with the L-lactic acid yield in the cellobiose/xylose system 1.61-fold higher than in the glucose/xylose system. These findings demonstrate that substituting glucose with cellobiose in mixed-sugar fermentation is an effective approach to mitigating CCR, providing a theoretical basis for efficient L-lactic acid production from lignocellulosic hydrolysates.

Noncatalytic polyolefin upcycling offers distinct advantages in eliminating catalyst costs and enhancing operational stability, yet it remains highly challenging under mild conditions. Herein, we develop an aqua-oxidation strategy that converts polyethylene into carboxylic acids at 160°C without using any catalysts or organic solvents. The mass yield of carboxylic acid is up to 97.8wt%, of which 72.1% is comprised by C4-C10 dicarboxylic acids. The roles of H2O and O2 play in aqua-oxidation were further investigated in an in situ liquid-phase spectroscopic reactor filled with isotope-labeled D2O. It reveals that O2 governs the effective initiation and oxidation of polyethylene. WhereasH2O serves as a key medium to intensify oxygen-polyethylene interaction uniformly and inhibit localized oxidation, promoting selective upcycling to narrow-distributed acids. Moreover, this strategy allows for upcycling diverse commercial polyolefins with additives. This study presents a breakthrough in the noncatalytic upcycling of polyolefins under mild conditions and demonstrates the potential of this eco-friendly and streamlined strategy for advancing plastic circularity.

Synchronous sulfidogenesis and acidogenesis (SSA) are critical for pollutant removal and resource recovery. However, inefficient electron transfer and metabolic imbalance between acidogenic bacteria and sulfidogens limit SSA performance, especially from mariculture solid wastes (MSW) containing high-strength sulfate. This work unveiled the neglected role and mechanism of rhamnolipid (RL) in modulating microbial interspecies electron transfer for SSA during MSW anaerobic fermentation. RL, at environmentally relevant levels of 20-200 mg/g suspended solids, simultaneously improved sulfide (40.1-87.9%) and short-chain fatty acids (8.0-19.3-fold) yield. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) exhibited higher capacitance and electroactivity to store or transfer electrons in the presence of RL. Proper RL facilitated pili-like filament formation and redox mediator secretion. The flavins and cytochrome c combination was promoted by RL to mediate one-electron transfer with a higher transfer rate via the flavin semiquinone intermediate. RL increased the dipole moment of the α-helix peptide and spontaneously interacted with the C═O of amide groups, enabling efficient electron hopping in EPSs. RL also activated key components in the intracellular electron transfer system, delivering more electron flow to sulfate reductase. Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses verified the differential enrichment of microorganisms and key gene upregulation related to SSA, EPS secretion, quorum sensing, ATP, type IV pili, and electron shuttle synthesis. These findings provide new insight into the roles and interactive mechanisms of biosurfactants in modulating microbial electron transfer.

The growing global demand for food is limited by low seed germination rates, a key constraint in crop production. Priestia megaterium W101, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium with high indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) yield, was found to significantly promote the germination of wheat seeds and the growth of the root system. For the first time, we characterized in Priestia megaterium a complete indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPyA) pathway, encoded by ipdC, patB, feaB, and gene1566, together with a yedL-encoded alternative pathway, through integrated multiomics analyses and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated heterologous expression. In addition, we reconstructed the complete IPyA pathway in Bacillus subtilis 168, which increased IAA production by approximately 98% compared to that in the wild-type strain. Overall, this study elucidates the IAA biosynthetic network in W101 and highlights its potential as a core strain for sustainable microbial inoculant development in green agriculture.

Marine macroalga are frequently exposed to environmental stresses impairing their overall physiology and growth potential. Among these, Gracilaria cornea (Rhodophyta) is a valuable red seaweed rich in protein and polysaccharides. To investigate its physiological responses under controlled conditions, we cultivated Gracilaria cornea in an indoor culture system at three different salinity levels (30, 40 and 50 ppt), employing continuous aeration, blue and white LED illumination (12:12 light: dark cycle), and exogenous addition of nitrogen and phosphorus. Physiological changes associated with protein content accumulation and amino acid composition were determined using in-situ reflectance spectroscopy (VIS-NIR range 560-674nm), AI algorithm and GC-MS analysis. We developed novel tools to accurately predict amino acid composition and total protein yield, identified the environmental factors inducing trait accumulation and determined the optimal harvesting day. Hypersaline stress and cultivation day significantly influenced protein content with optimal protein content (> 35% dry weight) achieved on day 14. This peak was not correlated with the specific growth rate (SGR), indicating SGR may not reliably indicate protein yield in this context. The dry weight to fresh weight ratio (DW: FW) was higher under hypersaline conditions, leading to a greater dried biomass and higher protein content, despite a reduced overall growth rate. Protein content was maximal under high ambient pH and high salinity. Day 14 was optimal for the highest yield of essential amino acids (EAA), exceeding 40% of the total amino acids. The algorithmic model accurately predicted specific amino acid proportions.

Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) is a potent antifungal metabolite from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but its application is limited by low production yields and stability issues. This study aimed to enhance PCA production and evaluate its efficacy using a nano-delivery system. We employed a two-stage statistical optimization strategy. First, a Plackett-Burman (PB) design identified pH, temperature, and glycerol concentration as critical factors. Subsequently, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on a Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to fine-tune these parameters. The optimal conditions of pH 7.2, 30°C, 2% glycerol, and 200rpm agitation resulted in a significant 2.5-fold increase in PCA yield. The antifungal activity of the optimized PCA was then evaluated against major plant pathogens, including Alternaria solani and Fusarium oxysporum. Both free PCA and a novel PCA-loaded mesoporous silica carrier exhibited potent antifungal effects. Mechanistic studies revealed this activity stems from disrupting fungal electron transport chains and compromising cell membrane integrity. These results demonstrate a robust, dual-pronged framework that improves both the production efficiency and functional performance of PCA. This integrated bioprocess-nanotechnology approach offers a promising and sustainable platform for developing PCA as an effective agricultural biocontrol agent and contributes toward broader efforts to combat plant diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

Catalytic pyrolysis of waste biomass via coal fly ash for synergistic production of cost-effective artificial humic acid.