AppliedChem

The aim of this work was to improve the technology for obtaining coating based on plasticized polylactide from its aqueous suspensions. For this purpose, a film formation process with additional heating was developed, and the influence of plasticizers on the film-formation temperature was investigated. It is shown that using only mechanical emulsification, it is possible to obtain a material with an average particle size of 2.4 microns, which is suitable for further research and modification for film materials. The introduction of epoxidized fatty acids (oleic and linolic) was found to reduce the film-formation temperature by 20–30 °C compared to the unplasticized polymer, which puts them on par with the classical plasticizer, polyethylene glycol, reducing the film-formation temperature by 36% at the same concentration. Full article

The Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe addresses the environmental implications at all stages of the life cycle of pharmaceuticals, from design and production through use to disposal. In the last decade, “green chemistry” has transformed pharmaceuticals by promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact. This review discusses the latest developments in green chemistry approaches, which are applied in drug design and production, including the concepts, innovative techniques, and methodologies. This review is notably built on over 80 documents and demonstrates the practical application of green chemistry principles in pharmaceutical synthesis, emphasizing successful implementation and the environmental benefits achieved. Therefore, this review discusses the positive changes brought by green chemistry to pharmaceutical production and highlights the need for further research in designing and manufacturing “greener” substances, as well as in pollution abatement. Full article

The effects of different carrier agents—pea protein (PP), rice protein (RP), bean protein (BP), whey protein (WP), and maltodextrin (MT, as a control)—on pitaya juice encapsulation via spray drying were evaluated. Juice and carrier mixtures (30% w/v) were dried at 150 °C, and the resulting powders were analyzed for water activity (aw), hygroscopicity (Hg), water solubility (WSI), bulk density (BD), glass transition temperature (Tg), water absorption (WAI), antioxidant activity (AA), total polyphenol content (TPC), total betalain (TB) content, and TB stability. Vegetable proteins showed promising results, significantly impacting the protein content, Hg content, WAI, WSI, AA, TPC, and TB content and resulting in high Tg values. PP showed the best results, with high betalain retention (>30%), high TPC and AA, high protein levels, and low Hg, similarly to MT. WP had the highest TB, AA, and TPC but the lowest Tg (47.21 °C), thus reducing stability. Encapsulates obtained with plant protein-based wall materials presented high Tg (>58 °C); low aw, WSI, and Hg; high protein contents >40%; and adequate retention of bioactive compounds, with low degradation rate constants and long half-lives. Overall, plant proteins are promising alternatives to traditional carriers, offering improved stability and functionality in encapsulated products. Full article

The aim of this study was to quantify the total extraction yield (GEY) of polyphenols from pomegranate peels using a solid–liquid extraction process without evaporation but with UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Extraction kinetics models were tested to evaluate the extract yield (GEY), total phenolic compounds (TPCs), total flavonoids (TFCs), and condensed tannins (CTCs). The results showed maximum values of 45% for GEY, 97.560 mg EAG/g db for TPC, 4.416 mg EQ/g db for TFC, and 0.412 mg EC/g db for CTC, obtained with a methanol/water mixture (75/25, v/v) for 24 h. Spectrophotometry proved to be a reliable method for quantifying the total extraction yield, with a correlation of 99.79% compared to the conventional method. The second-order kinetic model accurately described the mass transfer mechanisms of the bioactive compounds studied. This study provides important insights into the mass transfer mechanisms during the extraction of bioactive compounds, facilitating the design, optimization, and control of large-scale processes for the recovery of pomegranate waste. Full article

The photochemical production of tropospheric ozone (O₃) is very closely linked to seasonal cycles and peaks in solar radiation occurring during warm seasons. In the Mediterranean Basin, which is a hotspot for climate and air mass transport mechanisms, boreal warm seasons cause a notable increase in tropospheric O₃, which unlike stratospheric O₃ is not beneficial for the environment. At the Lamezia Terme (code: LMT) World Meteorological Organization—Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) station located in Calabria, Southern Italy, peaks of tropospheric O₃ were observed during boreal summer and spring seasons, and were consequently linked to specific wind patterns compatible with increased photochemical activity in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The finding resulted in the introduction of a correction factor for O₃ in the O₃/NO_x (ozone to nitrogen oxides) ratio “Proximity” methodology for the assessment of air mass aging. However, some of the mechanisms driving O₃ patterns and their correlation with other parameters at the LMT site remain unknown, despite the environmental and health hazards posed by tropospheric O₃ in the area. In general, the issue of ozone photochemical pollution in the region of Calabria, Italy, is understudied. In this study, the behavior of O₃ at the site is assessed with remarkable detail using nine years (2015–2023) of data and correlations with surface temperature and solar radiation. The evaluations demonstrate non-negligible correlations between environmental factors, such as temperature and solar radiation, and O₃ concentrations, driven by peculiar patterns in local wind circulation. The northeastern sector of LMT, partly neglected in previous works, yielded higher statistical correlations with O₃ than expected. The findings of this study also indicate, for central Calabria, the possibility of heterogeneities in O₃ exposure due to local geomorphology and wind patterns. A case study of very high O₃ concentrations reported during the 2015 summer season is also reported by analyzing the tendencies observed during the period with additional methodologies and highlighting drivers of photochemical pollution on larger scales, also demonstrating that near-surface concentrations result from specific combinations of multiple factors. Full article

In this study, copper ferrite nanoparticles, a type of ferrimagnetic spinel ferrite, were synthesized using the sol-gel auto-combustion method with three different fuels: citric acid, urea, and ethylene glycol. The crystal structures of the synthesized samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the growth of secondary phases like Fe₂O₃ and CuO for samples prepared with urea and ethylene glycol indicated the presence of impurities. Additionally, we observed that the particle size varied significantly with the type of fuel, being the smallest for citric acid and the largest for urea. The electrical and magnetic properties showed strong correlations with the particle size and the presence of impurities. In particular, the optical band gap values, derived from UV-Vis spectroscopy, varied significantly with the choice of fuel, ranging from 2.06 to 3.75 eV. The highest band gap of 3.75 eV was observed in samples synthesized with citric acid. Magnetic properties were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and it was found that the copper ferrite synthesized with citric acid exhibited the highest values of magnetic saturation and coercivity. These findings demonstrate that the choice of fuel during the synthesis process has substantial impacts on the structural, optical, and magnetic properties of CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. Full article

This study investigated the effectiveness of a ligand known as (2-Mercapyo-phenylimino)-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one-based ligand, in removing stable/radioactive cesium and cobalt from contaminated wastewater. Several parameters, such as contact duration, temperature, adsorbent quantity, pH of the medium, and concentration of adsorbate, have been investigated as primary active parameters impacting the adsorption process. Regarding the stable isotopes, the concentrations of Co²⁺ and Cs⁺ were measured before and after the treatment processes using the Optical Emissions Spectroscopy with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES) technique. Additionally, kinetic and equilibrium isotherm models were applied to understand the equilibrium data. Both Cs⁺ and Co²⁺ were ideally eliminated after 120 and 60 min, respectively. The optimal pH for Cs⁺ was 6.3, while that for Co²⁺ was 5. The results indicate that the adsorption process is endothermic for Co²⁺ and exothermic for Cs⁺. Three thermodynamic parameters (∆G°, ∆H°, and ∆S°) were calculated. The reported R² values for the Freundlich and Langmuir models showed that the adsorption process for Cs⁺ and Co²⁺ always followed these isotherms, regardless of the temperature used. For Cs⁺, the maximum single-layer capacity (q_max) was 15.10 mg g⁻¹, while for Co²⁺, it was 62.11 mg g⁻¹. When the aqueous medium was spiked with both radioisotopes individually, the elimination of ⁶⁰Co and ¹³⁴Cs achieved maximum values of 99 and 86%, respectively, within 120 min. It can be concluded that the ligand effectively removed cobalt and cesium from wastewater, with higher adsorption for cobalt. Full article

Capsaicinoids obtained from lyophilized serrano chili by sorbitan monooleate solutions were investigated. Sorbitan monooleate was as effective as methanol in extracting capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin (DHC). Subsequently, a Box–Behnken design was used to optimize capsaicin, DHC, and polyphenol extraction, as well as to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of dehydrated serrano chili. Particle size (PS) (20–60 mesh), processing temperature (55–75 °C), and sorbitan concentration (1.5–2.5%) were selected as independent variables. The statistical analysis showed that the quadratic models adequately describe the response of the concentration of capsaicin and DHC, but not with polyphenols and antioxidant capacity. The highest extraction of capsaicin (~620 mg/100 g dw) and DHC (~520 mg/100 g dw) was achieved with the combination of sorbitan at 2%, temperature at 65 °C, and PS from 40 mesh. Experimental and predicted values were closely consistent. Meanwhile, extracts with the highest antioxidant potential (~7510 and ~5820 µM of Trolox Eq/100 g dw for ABTS and FRAP, respectively) were those extracted in sorbitan and PS from 40 mesh. In contrast, the highest values of polyphenols (~171 mg gallic acid Eq/100 g dw) were found in the extracts prepared at 75 °C. These results suggest that sorbitan monooleate solutions can be an effective, non-toxic, and environmentally responsible way to obtain capsaicinoids and bioactive compounds from dehydrated serrano chili. Full article

Ionic liquids based on imidazolium cations have attracted attention due to their high safety and exceptional ionic conductivity. However, imidazole-based ionic liquids exhibit poor electrochemical stability due to the strong reactivity of hydrogen atoms at the C-2 position of imidazole cations. In this work, an ionic liquid 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C₄C₁mim][TFSA]), characterized by a methyl-substituted C-2 position and a butyl chain, was investigated in various Li⁺ environments created by different lithium salt concentrations and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additives. Both optimal Li⁺ concentrations and the addition of reasonable FEC enable the improvement of ionic conductivity to 3.32 mS cm⁻¹ at 25 °C and a maximum electrochemical window of 5.21 V. The ionic liquid electrolyte Li[TFSA]-[C₄C₁mim][TFSA] at a molar ratio of 2:8 with 5 wt% FEC addition demonstrates excellent thermal stability. The corresponding Li/LiFePO₄ cell exhibits a mitigated polarization growth (increasing from 0.12 V to 0.25 V over 10 cycles) with a high initial discharge capacity of 169.3 mAh g⁻¹. Full article

The modification of the layered silicate with a structural type 2:1 montmorillonite by the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide was carried out. The obtained organomontmorillonite was milled for 2–25 min in a high-energy planetary ball mill. The structural and physicochemical characteristics of the modified montmorillonite and the mechanochemically activated montmorillonite were investigated using various methods such as X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and determination of the specific surface area as well as the parameters of the porous structure by the low-temperature adsorption–desorption of nitrogen. The modification of montmorillonite with the quaternary ammonium salt led to a slowdown of deformation and subsequent amorphization of the montmorillonite structure during the high-energy milling. Mechanochemical activation of the modified montmorillonite increased its sorption capacity nine times, with the maximum uranium sorption achieved after mechanochemical treatment for 10 min. Full article

The presence of bioactives in prickly pear has been documented, including flavonoids and betalains, which are compounds highly unstable to thermal processing. An alternative to the thermal processing of foods is the use of cryoconcentration. The objective of this work was to use cryoconcentration assisted by centrifugation to obtain prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill) concentrate from two ecotypes (green and red) and evaluate their impact on the polyphenol profile and betalains. Prickly pear juice was obtained and cryoconcentrated. The process parameters of cryoconcentration were obtained. The highest solute yield (Y) was observed for red prickly pear juice (0.42 ± 0.03 kg solute × kg initial solute⁻¹), but the efficiency (η) did not show differences between ecotypes (green 51.0 ± 7.0 vs. red 55.0 ± 7.0%), physicochemical parameters (pH, titratable acididty, °Bx), reducing sugars, or color. The highest total phenolic content (TPC) (1843 ± 153), total flavonoid content (TFC) (759 ± 17), betanin (801.6 ± 19), and indicaxanthin (453.7 ± 19) were observed in cryoconcentrated red prickly pear juice, while the antioxidant activity (ABTS, FRAP, and ORAC) was higher in cryoconcentrated green prickly pear juice (except ABTS). Betalains showed a high correlation with the ABTS antioxidant results, and the TPC showed a high correlation with the ORAC results. Cryoconcentration technology has a high potential to process prickly pear juice, preserving its bioactives. Full article

Lignin, a renewable and widely available biopolymer, has been explored as an additive in polyolefins to develop high value-added materials. However, its low compatibility with polymers like polypropylene (PP) often causes poor particle dispersion and compromised mechanical properties. Esterification has proven effective in enhancing lignin-polyolefin interactions. This study evaluated the incorporation of kraft lignin (KL) and maleic anhydride-modified kraft lignin (MAKL) into PP, focusing on lignin dispersion and the blends’ thermal, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties. Thermal analyses showed that MAKL reduced PP crystallinity, indicating improved compatibility, supported by micrographs showing more uniform particle dispersion. Mechanically, low MAKL concentrations maintained yield strength similar to neat PP, while 5 wt% MAKL increased impact strength by up to 148%. This improvement was attributed to enhanced interfacial interaction, reduced crystallinity, and better energy dissipation. The findings demonstrate that esterification of lignin with maleic anhydride effectively overcomes compatibility limitations with PP, leading to significant gains in mechanical and viscoelastic properties. This work advances lignin’s sustainable use in polymer blends, emphasizing its potential as a renewable alternative in material development. Full article

The annually wasted amount of food has surpassed 1 billion metric tons. Food waste is considered as an important source for the recovery of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids. There is a demand for antioxidants, nutraceuticals and natural colorants in various industries and carotenoids are one of the commonly used compounds that fit this description. Pumpkin and spinach waste, whose combined amount is over 2 million metric tons, contains bioactive compounds and these wasted foods could be utilized for the recovery of carotenoids. Carotenoids are hydrophobic molecules; therefore, commercial extraction processes often use highly non-polar solvents, and these are rarely environmentally friendly. The aim of this research was to develop effective extraction processes for carotenoids from pumpkin and spinach using environmentally friendly green chemicals. A series of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) composed with L-menthol and carboxylic aliphatic acids were made for the extraction of carotenoids from pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) via mechanical mixing–assisted extraction (MMAE) and homogenization-assisted extraction (HAE). Response surface methodology (RSM) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data and optimization. The DESs composed from L-menthol and propionic acid had the best effect on the extraction of total carotenoid content (TCC) (represented as β-carotene) from pumpkin and spinach via solutions with 1:2 and 1:4 molar ratios, respectively. The yield of carotenoid extraction is expressed in μg-β-carotene/g of pumpkin or spinach. Under the calculated optimum conditions, the yields are estimated to be 11.528 μg-β-carotene/g-pumpkin for the MMAE method, 8.966 μg-β-carotene/g-pumpkin for the HAE method, 16.924 μg-β-carotene/g-spinach for the MMAE method and 18.870 μg-β-carotene/g-spinach for the HAE method. Full article

As the demand for environmentally friendly materials continues to rise, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional plastics. The present review offers a comprehensive analysis of the biodegradation behavior of PLA in diverse environmental settings, with a specific focus on soil, compost, water, and wastewater environments. The review presents an in-depth comparison of the degradation pathways and kinetics of PLA from 1990 to 2024. As the presence of different microorganisms in diverse environments can affect the mechanism and rate of biodegradation, it should be considered with comprehensive comparisons. It is shown that the mechanism of PLA biodegradation in soil and compost is that of enzymatic degradation, while the dominant mechanisms of degradation in water and wastewater are hydrolysis and biofilm formation, respectively. PLA reveals a sequence of biodegradation rates, with compost showing the fastest degradation, followed by soil, wastewater, accelerated landfill environments, and water environments, in descending order. In addition, mathematical models of PLA degradation were reviewed here. Ultimately, the review contributes to a broader understanding of the ecological impact of PLA, facilitating informed decision-making toward a more sustainable future. Full article

Metal corrosion poses a significant challenge for industries by decreasing the lifespan of materials and escalating maintenance and replacement costs. This study is critically important, as it assesses the corrosion resistance properties of annealed steel wire electrodes coated with manganese, employing chronoamperometry and linear voltammetry techniques. The electrodes were immersed in an electrolyte solution and subjected to chronoamperometry at various voltages (−0.55 V, −0.60 V, and −0.70 V) and durations (60 s and 1800 s). Subsequently, linear voltammetry was performed over a potential range from −0.8 V to 0.8 V to generate Tafel plots. The Butler–Volmer equation was applied to the data obtained to determine the corrosion current density. The results indicate that the optimal conditions for forming a highly effective protective manganese layer occur at a potential of −0.70 V for 1800 s. Under these conditions, the electrodes exhibited superior corrosion resistance. This study also revealed that shorter durations and less negative potentials led to less-effective manganese coatings, with higher corrosion rates and reduced stability. These findings are significant for developing efficient corrosion protection methods in industrial and research applications, providing clear parameters for optimizing the manganese electrodeposition process on annealed steel. Full article

In the search of sustainable energy solutions, proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) have emerged as a promising alternative for sustainable clean hydrogen production. This study focuses on synthesis and characterization of Ruthenium (Ru)-modified iridium oxide (IrO₂) catalysts. The anode is the principal reason for the high overpotential of PEMWEs and it also greatly increases the cost of the electrolyzers. IrO₂ is highly stable and corrosion-resistant, particularly in acidic environments, making it a durable catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in PEMWEs, though it suffers from a relatively high overpotential. Ruthenium oxide (RuO₂), on the other hand, is more catalytically active with a lower overpotential, but is less stable under the same conditions. In this study, the goal was to improve the catalytic activity and stability of the anode catalyst, IrO₂, through the controlled incorporation of Ru and to reduce overall catalyst cost due to the reduced iridium content. This synergistic combination allows for better performance in terms of conductivity, efficiency, and durability, making Ru-modified IrO₂ an ideal catalyst for OER in PEMWE applications. The Adams fusion method was adapted and used to synthesize the catalysts. The modified catalysts were characterized using analytical instruments. These analyses provided insights into the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the Ru-modified IrO₂ catalysts. Full article

In this paper we provide the reader with a ready to use Group Contribution (GC) method for the heat of formation (gaseous state) of organics in the form of an Excel spreadsheet with all data, enabling further predictions, and an accompanying manual on how to use the GC model for predicting the heat of formation for organics. In addition, in order to widen the applicability of the method whilst retaining chemical accuracy compared to our previous publications on this topic, we include further chemical groups including acetals, benzyl ethers, bicyclic hydrocarbons, alkanediols and glycerol, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic fluoro compounds, and finally several species which we include to illustrate how the GC model can be successfully applied to species we did not consider during the parameterization of the GC model parameters. Full article

Malaria remains one of the great killers in tropical regions of the world due to the transmission of the Plasmodium parasite by the bites of the female mosquito Anopheles. The resistance of this species to synthetic insecticides contributes to an increase in the incidence of malaria and therefore necessitates the development of new potent and eco-friendly insecticides. In this study, twelve previously reported limonoids from four Entandrophragma species collected in Cameroon have been computationally evaluated for their Anopheles gambiae AChE inhibitory activity. The docking procedure was carried out through Molecular Operating Environment 2019.01 (MOE), while the UCSF Chimera program was used to model the docking results based on interactions between proteins and ligands, and molecular dynamics trajectories were analyzed using the GROMACS 2021.1 tool. Entandrophragmin and encandollens B and C with docking scores ranging from −6.45 to −7.28 kcal/mol were the most promising hits compared to the reference azadirachtin (−6.22 kcal/mol) and were further evaluated for their mechanism of action. Subsequent evaluation classified encandollen C as the best candidate for the development of new potent eco-friendly insecticides based on its lower average RMSD and RMSF and its compactness over a 150 ns duration with acetylcholinesterase. Full article

Recycling olive waste, a major by-product of the olive oil industry, presents significant environmental and economic benefits. This study explores the potential of olive waste (OW) by-products, specifically their individual components such as olive stones (OS), olive oily pomace (OS) and olive oil-free pomace (OF), as sustainable alternatives to wood in eco-friendly composite materials, alongside other residues such as miscanthus, spent mushroom substrate and recycled textile waste. Composite panels were produced with densities ranging from 685 to 907 kg/m³ through thermocompression. The manuscript details the production methodology and assesses the panel’s thermal performance, water absorption, and mechanical strength. The aim is to assess the viability of these alternative materials in producing composites that could serve as environmentally friendly substitutes for traditional wood-based products. Oil-free pomace is a promising and effective alternative to wood, suitable for dry environments. Composite panels composed of miscanthus or spent mushroom substrate and oil-free pomace met the EN 312 standards for general-purpose products in dry conditions, highlighting their potential for use in sustainable applications. Full article