Search Results (44)

The oxidative degradation of anthocyanins in red wine was investigated under controlled conditions using hydroxyl radicals generated in the presence of Cu (II) as a catalyst. A full factorial experimental design with 23 replicates was used to evaluate the effects of hydrogen peroxide concentration, catalyst dosage, and reaction temperature on anthocyanin degradation over a fixed time. Statistical analysis (ANOVA and multiple regression) showed that all three variables and the main interactions significantly affected anthocyanin loss, with temperature identified as the most influential factor. The combined effects were described by a first-order polynomial model. The activation energies for degradation ranged from 56.62 kJ/mol (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside) to 40.58 kJ/mol (peonidin-3-O-glucoside acetate). Increasing the temperature from 30 °C to 40 °C accelerated the degradation kinetics, almost doubled the rate constants and shortened the half-life of the pigments. At 40 °C, the half-lives ranged from 62.3 min to 154.0 min, depending on the anthocyanin structure. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the stability of anthocyanins in red wine under oxidative stress and provide insights into the chemical behavior of derived pigments. The results are of practical importance for both oenology and viticulture and support efforts to improve the color stability of wine and extend the shelf life of grape-based products. Full article

The catalytic performance of copper in Fenton-like processes was investigated under conditions of elevated chloride concentrations. Model solutions were prepared containing four target pollutants (50 mg/L each), Cu (II) at 50 mg/L, and a stoichiometric dose of hydrogen peroxide sufficient for complete oxidation of the organic matter. Chloride levels ranged from low concentrations to those representative of both synthetic and natural seawater (36 g/L NaCl). An increase in chloride concentration consistently led to greater pollutant removal efficiency. The influence of pH on process performance was also assessed in saline and real seawater matrices. An optimal pH range between 6 and 7 was identified in both cases, where the reactivity of copper–chloride complexes was maximized while the formation of insoluble, catalytically inactive copper species was suppressed. Monitoring of pH, soluble copper concentration, and hydrogen peroxide consumption supported the conclusion that real seawater provides the most favorable conditions for copper–chloride catalyzed Fenton-like reactions. These results demonstrate the high potential of copper-based advanced oxidation processes in saline environments, particularly in applications where traditional methods exhibit limited efficiency. Full article

The present study reports the application of three copper(II) coordination polymers, namely ¹_∞[Cu₃L₂(N₃)] CH₃COO (CP1), ¹_∞[Cu₃L₂(NO₃)]NO₃·2CH₃OH·2H₂O (CP2), and ¹_∞[Cu₃L₂(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (CP3), where H₂L stands for N,N′-bis[(2-hydroxybenzilideneamino)propyl]-piperazine) as catalysts for photocatalytic degradation of Acid Orange 7 and Methyl Orange dyes from single and binary aqueous solutions. The influence of the photocatalyst nature, hydrogen peroxide presence, reaction time, dye concentration, and catalyst dose on the photodegradation efficiency was studied. Under visible light irradiation, complex CP1 demonstrated the highest photodegradation efficiency of 92.40% and 80.50% towards Acid Orange 7 and Methyl Orange, respectively. The kinetic studies indicated that the photodegradation process followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics. The highest rate of the degradation process was obtained when CP1 is used, and the necessary time for the degradation of the dyes increases with increasing concentration of the dye solutions. The degradation efficiency of more than 75% after five recycling/reuse cycles of CP1 and the yields higher than 72% obtained for the degradation of dyes from the binary system demonstrate the photocatalytic capacity of CP1. A photocatalytic oxidation mechanism was proposed and the stability of the CP1 complex before and after the photodegradation process of dyes, both from simple and binary solutions, was investigated and confirmed. Full article

Industrial wastewater treatment is essential to mitigate pollution and address global water scarcity. In this study, an activated carbon/copper (II) complex (AC/CuL) composite was obtained for enhanced removal of organic compounds by coupling adsorption and oxidation. Tests were performed using Drimaren Red X-6BN (DRX-6BN) and oily effluent at pH~6.0. Tests to obtain the adsorption kinetics of DRX-6BN (20 mg/L) were performed at 25 °C and using an amount of 0.42 g/200 mL of solution. The data were well fitted by several models, suggesting a complex adsorption process; however, the best fit was achieved by the pseudo-second-order (PSO) model (R² = 0.9996). The adsorption data best fit the Freundlich model. The addition of hydrogen peroxide to the system reduced the need for adsorbent, removing approximately 100% of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) from the emulsion in 120 min using only 0.04 g of AC/CuL. The material exhibited high storage stability and maintained its effectiveness in removing oil and grease (O&G) content and COD for at least 12 months. These results indicate that AC/CuL is promising for the removal of complex organic compounds, such as that from the textile and petroleum industries. These findings offer a sustainable, economical, and safe approach for wastewater treatment. Full article

A series of edaravone derivatives and the corresponding Cu(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and analytical techniques such as IR, UV, NMR and elemental analysis. Antioxidant activities of all compounds were examined using free radical scavenging methods such as hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity (HPSA), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2-2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) assays. All of the tested compounds exhibited good antioxidant activity. Further, the frontier orbital energy levels, as well as various chemical properties, were determined using the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The MEP maps of all of the derivatives were plotted to identify the nucleophilic and electrophilic reactive sites. Further, binding energies of all of the organic compounds with the protein tyrosinase was investigated to determine their potential anti-melanogenic applications. The selected ligand, L6 was subjected to molecular dynamics simulation analysis to determine the stability of the ligand–protein complex. The MD simulation was performed (150 ns) to estimate the stability of the tyrosinase–L6 complex. Other key parameters, such as, RMSD, RMSF, Rg, hydrogen bonds, SASA and MMPBSA were also analyzed to understand the interaction of L6 with the tyrosinase protein. Full article

Produced waters are often treated in open lagoons where hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) can off gas, posing a risk to human health and the environment. The aim of this study was to optimize a treatment process using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to oxidize H₂S while minimizing off gassing. Samples of produced water from West Texas and laboratory-prepared waters utilizing sodium sulfide (Na₂S) or biogenic polysulfides were oxidized with H₂O₂ alone or in combination with copper or iron catalysts, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or a commercial sulfide oxidizer, HydroPower Green™. Sulfur speciation was measured using Hach test kits for sulfide/sulfate/sulfite and Dräger tubes for headspace H₂S. HydroPower Green™ (HPG) helped to reduce H₂S in the headspace of water samples; some of this was pH related as NaOH also worked, but not as well as HPG. The dose of peroxide necessary to oxidize sulfides to sulfate is a function of the oxidation-reduction potential (Eh) of the water and total sulfide concentration as well as pH; approximately a 1–4:1 ratio of peroxide to sulfide concentration was needed to oxidize sulfidic waters of pH 7–10 with half-lives under 30 min. Both copper and iron catalysts reduce H₂O₂ demand and the half-life of H₂S. Peracetic acid (PAA) and copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO₄, 5H₂O) were explored as biocides for controlling sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRBs) that produce H₂S. An AquaSnap (Hygenia) test kit was employed to monitor relative microbial activity in a wetland porewater containing H₂S. Microbial regrowth occurred after a few days using the highest dose of PAA; these results showed that PAA was being used by bacteria as a carbon source even after the initial substantial reduction in the microbial activity. CuSO₄, 5H₂O at a dose of 1 ppm prevented microbial regrowth. The recommended treatment process from this research is determined by jar testing with H₂O₂, a base for pH control, a biocide, and possibly a metal catalyst or other co-oxidants in order to achieve oxidation of sulfides without H₂S release or the precipitation of metal carbonates or oxides. Full article

Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) infections can induce the process of host cellular autophagy but have rarely been identified within the molecular autophagy signaling pathway. In the present study, we demonstrated that ISKNV induces ROS-mediated oxidative stress signals for the induction of 5′AMP-activated protein kinase/mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (AMPK/mTOR)-mediated autophagy and upregulation of host antioxidant enzymes in fish GF-1 cells. We also examined ISKNV-induced oxidative stress, finding that reactive oxidative species (ROS) increased by 1.5-fold and 2.5-fold from day 2 to day 3, respectively, as assessed by the H₂DCFDA assay for tracing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which was blocked by NAC treatment in fish GF-1 cells. Furthermore, ISKNV infection was shown to trigger oxidative stress/Nrf2 signaling from day 1 to day 3; this event was then correlated with the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes such as Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD and was blocked by the antioxidant NAC. Using an MDC assay, TEM analysis and autophagy marker LC3-II/I ratio, we found that ROS stress can regulate autophagosome formation within the induction of autophagy, which was inhibited by NAC treatment in GF-1 cells. Through signal analysis, we found that AMPK/mTOR flux was modulated through inhibition of mTOR and activation of AMPK, indicating phosphorylation levels of mTOR Ser 2448 and AMPK Thr 172 from day 1 to day 3; however, this process was reversed by NAC treatment, which also caused a reduction in virus titer (TCID_50%) of up to 1000 times by day 3 in GF-1 cells. Thus, ISKNV-induced oxidative stress signaling is blocked by antioxidant NAC, which can also either suppress mTOR/AMPK autophagic signals or reduce viral replication. These findings may provide the basis for the creation of DNA control and treatment strategies. Full article

The recycling of metals from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) has been presented as a solid–liquid extraction process using two deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and four ionic liquids (ILs). The extraction and separation of Cu(II), Ag(I), and other metals, such as Al(III), Fe(II), and Zn(II), from the solid WPCBs (after the physical, mechanical, and thermal pre-treatments) with different solvents are demonstrated. Two popular DESs were used to recover valuable metal ions: (1) choline chloride + malonic acid, 1:1, and (2) choline chloride + ethylene glycol, 1:2. The extraction efficiencies of DES 1 after two extraction and two stripping stages were only 15.7 wt% for Cu(II) and 17.6 wt% for Ag(I). The obtained results were compared with those obtained with four newly synthetized ILs as follows: didecyldimethylammonium propionate ([N_10,10,1,1][C₂H₅COO]), didecylmethylammonium hydrogen sulphate ([N_10,10,1,H][HSO₄]), didecyldimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate ([N_10,10,1,1][H₂PO₄]), and tetrabutylphosphonium dihydrogen phosphate ([P_4,4,4,4][H₂PO₄]). Various additives, such as didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride surfactant, DDACl; hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂; trichloroisocyanuric acid, TCCA; and glycine or pentapotassium bis(peroxymonosulphate) bis(sulphate), PHM, were used with ILs during the extraction process. The solvent concentration, quantity of additivities, extraction temperature, pH, and solid/liquid, as well as organic/water ratios, and the selectivity and distribution ratios were described for all of the systems. The utilization of DESs and the new ILs with different additives presented in this work can serve as potential alternative extractants. This will help to compare these extractants, additives, extraction efficiency, temperature, and time of extraction with those of others with different formulas and procedures. The metal ion content in aqueous and stripped organic solutions was determined by the ICP-MS or ICP-OES methods. The obtained results all show that solvent extraction can successfully replace traditional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods in new technologies for the extraction of metal ions from a secondary electronic waste, WPCBs. Full article

The aim of this work was to explore the possibility of using a Cu-exchanged zeolitic volcanic tuff (which is natural and easy to prepare and apply) for the preparation of a new low-cost carbon paste amperometric sensor for H₂O₂ detection. The properties of the zeolitic volcanic tuff were determined using chemical analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, the specific surface area, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The sensor was successfully built and operates at pH 7, at an applied potential of −150 mV Ag/AgCl/KCl_sat, presenting a sensitivity of 0.87 mA M⁻¹, a detection limit of 10 µM and a linear domain up to 30 mM H₂O₂. These good electroanalytic parameters for H₂O₂ detection (a low detection limit and high sensitivity) support the possibility of using these sensors for the detection of many analytes in environmental, food and medical applications. Full article

The paper presents the possibility of recovering metals from printed circuit boards (PCBs) of spent mobile phones using the hydrometallurgical method. Two-stage leaching of Cu(II), Fe(III), Sn(IV), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) with H₂SO₄ (2 and 5 M) and HNO₃ (2 M) with the addition of H₂O₂ (10 and 30%) and O₃ (9 or 15 g/h) was conducted at various process conditions (temperature—313, 333 and 353 K, time—60, 120, 240, 300 min, type and concentration of leaching agent, type and concentration of oxidant, solid–liquid ratio (S/L)), allowing for a high or total metals leaching rate. The use of two leaching stages allows for the preservation of selectivity, separation and recovery of metals: in the first stage of Fe(III), Sn(IV) and in the second stage of the remaining tested metal ions, i.e., Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II). Removing Fe from the tested PCBs’ material at the beginning of the process eliminates the need to use magnetic methods, the purpose of which is to separate magnetic metal particles (ferrous) from non-magnetic (non-ferrous) particles; these procedures involve high operating costs. Since the leaching of Cu(II) ions with sulfuric(VI) acid practically does not occur (less than 1%), this allows for almost complete transfer of these ions into the solution in the second stage of leaching. Moreover, to speed up the process and not generate too many waste solutions, oxidants in the form of hydrogen peroxide and ozone were used. The best degree of leaching of all tested metal ions was obtained when 2 M sulfuric(VI) acid at 353 K was used in the 1st research stage, and 2 M nitric(V) acid and 9 g/h O₃ at 298 K in the 2nd stage of leaching, which allowed it to be totally leached 100% of Fe(III), Cu(II), Sn(IV), Zn(II), Ni(II) and 90% Pb(II). Full article

Two copper(II) complexes (Cu-L1, Cu-L2) derived from 2,3-substituted quinazolinone Schiff base ligands (L1, L2) were prepared to examine their anticancer activity. Compounds were characterized using various spectroscopic methods (FTIR, NMR, UV-vis) and quantum-chemical calculations. The biological effects of Cu(II) complexes bearing quinazolinone scaffolds were evaluated on two cancers’ cell lines (breast—MCF-7 and lung—A549), as well as on untransformed cells (keratinocytes—HaCaT). Copper complexes were highly cytotoxic, with IC₅₀ in the low micromolar range, while the quinazoline ligands L1 and L2 remained inactive in inhibiting cell proliferation. Antioxidant activity was investigated in the model systems using DPPH and FRAP assays. The Cu-L1 and Cu-L2 complexes exhibited enhanced DPPH free radical scavenging efficiency compared to the L1 and L2 ligands, but their reducing ability was comparable to that of the free ligands. Evaluation of oxidative stress in vitro carried out by staining cells with various ROS-specific indicators showed reduced production of superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide after treatment of cells with copper complexes. Such a negative impact on ROS formation in cells can lead to cellular redox imbalance and consequent cell death, among others, by inducing apoptosis and/or necrosis, depending on the copper complex used. We hypothesize that the high cytotoxic activity of the investigated copper complexes is apparently the result of multiple mechanisms of action, and the imbalance in the cellular antioxidant system partly contributes to the overall cytotoxic effect. Full article

The role of the tartrate ion in the extraction of copper from oxidized ore in aqueous alkaline medium is first reported. This was demonstrated by a sequential evaluation of the following: (i) The formation of an ionic complex resulting from the interaction of copper salts (CuSO₄, Cu(NO₃)₂) with an alkaline aqueous solution of tartrate ions. (ii) The treatment of metallic copper with hydrogen peroxide. (iii) Spectrophotometric and potentiometric studies of malaquite. These studies demonstrated that the Cu(II)–tartrate interaction is only possible due to the chelating activity of tartrate ion leading to the formation of the [Cu(OH)₂C₄H₄O₆]²⁻ anion complex and the lixiviation of the oxidized mineral is controlled by the chelating agent. The advantage of this approach relative to previous ones is discussed. Final conclusions are given. Full article

New series of Cu(II) and Mn(II) complexes with Schiff base ligands derived from 2-furylmethylketone (Met), 2-furaldehyde (Fur), and 2-hydroxyacetopheneone (Hyd) have been synthesized in situ on SBA-15-NH₂, MCM-48-NH₂, and MCM-41-NH₂ functionalized supports. The hybrid materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, SEM and TEM microscopy, TG analysis, and AAS, FTIR, EPR, and XPS spectroscopies. Catalytic performances were tested in oxidation with the hydrogen peroxide of cyclohexene and of different aromatic and aliphatic alcohols (benzyl alcohol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, and 1-buten-3-ol). The catalytic activity was correlated with the type of mesoporous silica support, ligand, and metal–ligand interactions. The best catalytic activity of all tested hybrid materials was obtained in the oxidation of cyclohexene on SBA-15-NH₂-MetMn as a heterogeneous catalyst. No leaching was evidenced for Cu and Mn complexes, and the Cu catalysts were more stable due to a more covalent interaction of the metallic ions with the immobilized ligands. Full article

Copper(II) (Cu²⁺) is essential for plant growth and development. However, high concentrations are extremely toxic to plants. We investigated the tolerance mechanism of cotton under Cu²⁺ stress in a hybrid cotton variety (Zhongmian 63) and two parent lines with different Cu²⁺ concentrations (0, 0.2, 50, and 100 μM). The stem height, root length, and leaf area of cotton seedlings had decreased growth rates in response to increasing Cu²⁺ concentrations. Increasing Cu²⁺ concentration promoted Cu²⁺ accumulation in all three cotton genotypes’ roots, stems, and leaves. However, compared with the parent lines, the roots of Zhongmian 63 were richer in Cu²⁺ and had the least amount of Cu²⁺ transported to the shoots. Moreover, excess Cu²⁺ also induced changes in cellular redox homeostasis, causing accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Conversely, antioxidant enzyme activity increased, while photosynthetic pigment content decreased. Our findings indicated that the hybrid cotton variety fared well under Cu²⁺ stress. This creates a theoretical foundation for the further analysis of the molecular mechanism of cotton resistance to copper and suggests the potential of the large-scale planting of Zhongmian 63 in copper-contaminated soils. Full article

The aim of this study is the preparation of nanostructured copper(II) oxide-based materials (CuONPs) through a facile additive-free polyol procedure that consists of the hydrolysis of copper(II) acetate in 1,4-butane diol and its application in hydrogen peroxide sensing. The nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide determination was constructed by drop casting the CuONP sensing material on top of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified by a layer of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) conducting polymer (PEDOT). The PEDOT layer was prepared on GCE using the sinusoidal voltage method. The XRD pattern of the CuONPs reveals the formation of the monoclinic tenorite phase, CuO, with average crystallite sizes of 8.7 nm, while the estimated band gap from UV–vis spectroscopy is of 1.2 eV. The SEM, STEM, and BET analyses show the formation of quasi-prismatic microaggregates of nanoparticles, with dimensions ranging from 1 µm up to ca. 200 µm, with a mesoporous structure. The developed electrochemical sensor exhibited a linear response toward H₂O₂ in the concentration range from 0.04 to 10 mM, with a low detection limit of 8.5 μM of H₂O₂. Furthermore, the obtained sensor possessed an excellent anti-interference capability in H₂O₂ determination in the presence of interfering compounds such as KNO₃ and KNO₂. Full article