Search Results (793)

To enhance the effectiveness of sustainable preservation of modified corn wet distillers’ grains plus solubles (mcWDGS), various additives were tested under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In Experiment I, the mcWDGS was stored under aerobic conditions for 5 days at 25 °C. Treatments included different organic acids applied at 0.3% or 0.6% of fresh matter (FM). In Experiment II, the mcWDGS was ensiled anaerobically for 8 weeks at 25 °C using organic acids, a commercial acid mixture, or a microbial inoculant at 0.2% FM. In aerobic conditions, the best preservability was achieved with propionic and formic acids at 0.6% FM, as indicated by the lowest temperature, pH, and microbial counts on days 3 and 5 (p ≤ 0.01). Under anaerobic storage, the highest lactic acid concentrations were recorded in the control, citric acid, and commercial acid mixture variants (p ≤ 0.01). Acetic acid levels were highest in the control (p ≤ 0.01). The highest NH3-N content was found in the formic acid variant and the lowest in the inoculant variant (p ≤ 0.01). Aerobic stability after ensiling was greatest in the control and propionic acid groups (p ≤ 0.01). Nutritional analysis showed that the citric acid group had the highest dry matter content (p ≤ 0.01), while the control group contained the most crude protein (p ≤ 0.01) and saturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.05). The propionic acid and commercial acid mixture variants had the highest unsaturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.05). Antioxidant capacity was also greatest in the control (p ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, mcWDGS can be effectively preserved aerobically with 0.6% FM of propionic or formic acid, and anaerobically via ensiling, even without additives. These findings support its potential as a stable and nutritious feed ingredient. Full article

With rising global temperatures and increasing sustainability demands, the need for advanced pavement solutions has never been greater. This study breaks new ground by integrating phase change materials (PCMs), including paraffin-based wax (Rubitherm RT55), hydrated salt (Climator Salt S10), and fatty acid (lauric acid), as binder modifiers within warm mix asphalt (WMA) mixtures. Moving beyond the traditional focus on binder-only modifications, this research utilizes recycled cigarette filters (CFs) as a dual-purpose fiber additive, directly reinforcing the asphalt mixture while simultaneously transforming a major urban waste stream into valuable infrastructure. The performance of the developed WMA mixture has been evaluated in terms of stiffness behavior using an Indirect Tensile Strength Modulus (ITSM) test, permanent deformation using a static creep strain test, and rutting resistance using the Hamburg wheel-track test. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the incorporation of PCMs and recycled CFs into WMA mixtures led to remarkable improvements in stiffness, deformation resistance, and rutting performance. Modified mixes consistently outperformed the control, achieving up to 15% higher stiffness after 7 days of curing, 36% lower creep strain after 4000 s, and 64% reduction in rut depth at 20,000 passes. Cost–benefit analysis and service life prediction show that, despite costing USD 0.71 more per square meter with 5 cm thickness, the modified WMA mixture delivers much greater durability and rutting resistance, extending service life to 19–29 years compared to 10–15 years for the control. This highlights the value of these modifications for durable, sustainable pavements. Full article

Maximizing the efficient utilization of critical apatite resources through flotation necessitates the exploration of effective and innovative collectors. This study investigates the potential of a fatty acid mixture (FAM) synthesized from saturated palmitic and stearic acids, monounsaturated oleic and palmitoleic acids, and polyunsaturated linoleic acid. The saponified collector FAM and the depressant sodium alginate (NaAl) achieved a direct flotation of apatite from calcite and quartz (97% apatite, 10% calcite, and 7% quartz). The flotation performance with the tested combination exhibited a highly effective enrichment of apatite, mainly from calcite, which aligns with the surface chemistry assessments. Adsorption tests and zeta potential measurements confirmed the micro-flotation results. They provided compelling evidence of a chemisorption interaction between Ca²⁺ sites on calcite and the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of NaAl. FTIR analyses suggested a reaction between the apatite surface and the carboxyl groups of saturated and unsaturated acid groups in FAM, even those conditioned with NaAl before, facilitating the complex formation. Remarkably, the synergistic effect of the functional groups demonstrates dual functionality, serving as both a hydrophilic entity for calcite and a hydrophobic entity for apatite flotation. The universal mechanism unveils substantial potential for the extensive application of FAM within apatite flotation. Full article

Greenhouses have positively impacted plant production by allowing the cultivation of different crops per year. However, the accumulation of agricultural plastics, potentially contaminated with agrochemicals, raises environmental concerns. This work evaluates the combined effect of Bordeaux mixture and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics (<5 mm) on the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and soil microbial communities. Different levels of Bordeaux mixture (0, 100 and 500 mg kg⁻¹), equivalent to Cu(II) concentrations (0, 17 and 83 mg kg⁻¹), LDPE microplastics (0, 1% and 5%) and their combination were selected. After 28 days of growth, biometric and photosynthetic parameters, Cu uptake, and soil microbial responses were evaluated. Plant germination and growth were not significantly affected by the combination of Cu and plastics. However, individual Cu treatments influenced root and shoot length and biomass. Chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations increased with Cu addition, although the differences were not statistically significant. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis revealed a reduction in microbial biomass at the highest Cu dose, whereas LDPE alone showed limited effects and may reduce Cu bioavailability. These results suggest that even at the highest concentration added, Cu can act as a plant nutrient, while the combination of Cu–plastics showed varying effects on plant growth and soil microbial communities. Full article

Background: Environmental exposures, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in conjunction with social and behavioral factors, can significantly impact liver health. This research investigates the combined effects of PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), alcohol consumption, smoking, income, and education on liver function among the U.S. population, utilizing data from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods: PFAS concentrations in blood samples were analyzed using online solid-phase extraction combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), a highly sensitive and specific method for detecting levels of PFAS. Liver function was evaluated using biomarkers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin, and the fatty liver index (FLI). Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression analyses were employed to assess the associations between exposures and liver outcomes. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) was utilized to explore the nonlinear and interactive effects of these exposures. To determine the relative influence of each factor on liver health, Posterior Inclusion Probabilities (PIPs) were calculated. Results: Linear regression analyses indicated that income and education were inversely associated with several liver injury biomarkers, while alcohol use and smoking demonstrated stronger and more consistent associations. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) further highlighted alcohol and smoking as the most influential predictors, particularly for GGT and total bilirubin, with posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) close to 1.0. In contrast, PFAS showed weaker associations. Regression coefficients were small and largely non-significant, and PIPs were comparatively lower across most liver outcomes. Notably, education had a higher PIP for ALT and GGT than PFAS, suggesting a more protective role in liver health. People with higher education levels tend to live healthier lifestyles, have better access to healthcare, and are generally more aware of health risks. These factors can all help reduce the risk of liver problems. Overall mixture effects demonstrated nonlinear trends, including U-shaped relationships for ALT and GGT, and inverse associations for AST, FLI, and ALP. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of considering both environmental and social–behavioral determinants in liver health. While PFAS exposures remain a long-term concern, modifiable lifestyle and structural factors, particularly alcohol, smoking, income, and education, exert more immediate and pronounced effects on hepatic biomarkers in the general population. Full article

This study presents data from Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) spiral-wound polyamide modules tested in a semi-pilot plant with multicomponent mixtures of Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) comprising acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and hexanoic acids. A robust method combining film theory and dissociation equilibria was developed to estimate interfacial concentrations, enabling accurate analysis of concentration polarization, real rejection, and effective transmembrane driving force. Concentration polarization strongly affects NF membranes, resulting in real rejections up to 20% higher than apparent values, while its effect is negligible for RO membranes. NF rejections show marked sensitivity to pH and VFA feed concentration: at 20 g/L and highest flux, acetic acid real rejection increases from 80% to 91% as pH rises from 6 to 9. At pH 7, rejections decline with feed concentration, with acetic acid dropping from 55% at 20 g/L to 32% at 63 g/L, at the same flux. These changes correlate with the molecular weight of the acids. Conversely, RO rejections are marginally affected by pH and not influenced by concentration due to dominant steric exclusion. Membrane permeabilities remain unaffected by VFAs and align with pure water values. The data analysis framework is effective and applicable across a wide range of conditions and membranes. Full article

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of co-ensiling Caragana korshinskii with different proportions of oat grass on silage fermentation quality, chemical composition, in situ rumen degradability and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics. C. korshinskii and oat grass were mixed at different ratios of 100:00, 90:1, 80:2, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50. Each ratio of mixture was ensiled for 7, 14, 30, 45 and 60 days at room temperature (25 °C), with 30 bags per ratio, for a total of 180 bags. We further investigated the dynamic profiles of the bacterial community during ensiling and in vitro rumen fermentation. The results showed that co-ensiling C. korshinskii and oat grass decreased the pH values and increased the content of lactic acid and acetic acid compared with ensiling C. korshinskii alone. C. korshinskii ensiled with oat grass at a ratio of 70:30 (70% C. korshinskii) showed the best fermentation quality, which was related to higher relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Weissella. The silage with the ratio of 70:30 (70% C. korshinskii) showed higher dry matter digestibility and the more production of gas and total volatile fatty acids, compared with fresh C. korshinskii. In conclusion, C. korshinskii co-ensiled with oat grass at a ratio of 70:30 could enhance the fermentation quality and digestibility of C. korshinskii. Full article

Sewage sludge, characterized by its high organic matter and nutrient content, as well as the presence of microbial pathogens and other contaminants, requires proper management due to its significant generation rate. The table olive sector, which is highly significant in Spain as a global leader in production and export, generates various waste streams such the Organic Solid By-Products from Table Olive Processing (OSBTOP), which are mainly derived from the olive pit after the pitting process. The main aim of this study was to enhance the methane production performance of sewage sludge through co-digestion with OSBTOP as a co-substrate. Batch assays demonstrated that employing OSBTOP as a co-substrate increased methane content by 35–41% across all tested mixtures. While the highest methane yield was produced at a 40:60 (sludge:OSBTOP) ratio, a 60:40 mixture proved to be a more advantageous option for scale-up and practical application. This is attributed to factors such as the higher availability of sludge and its inherent buffering capacity, which counteracts the accumulation of volatile fatty acids and promotes process stability, thereby contributing to the study’s objective of significantly enhancing methane production from sewage sludge through co-digestion. In semi-continuous operation, methane yields in the co-digestion scenario exceeded those of mixed sludge digestion, showing a yield of 180 versus 120 LCH₄⁻¹ · kgVS_added⁻¹, representing a 50% improvement. This study highlights the potential of anaerobic digestion as a strategy for valorizing OSBTOP, a by-product with no prior studies, while demonstrating that its co-digestion with sewage sludge enhances methane generation, offering a sustainable approach to organic waste treatment. Full article

Canola oil (rapeseed oil, RO), despite being a potential source of biofuel, needs some modifications of its properties to be effectively used as a fuel. The reason RO needs to be altered lies above all in its viscosity, fatty acid composition, and other chemical properties, which affect its efficiency as a fuel. These properties of RO can be changed by mixing it with various bioadditives, among other methods. For this reason, studies of the physicochemical properties of mixtures including RO, n-hexane (Hex), and ethyl oleate (EO) were carried out. These mixtures were prepared at a constant EO concentration and a ratio of n-hexane in the mixture with RO in the range from 0 to 1. For these mixtures, the surface tension, density and viscosity were measured. The obtained results were considered to determine the chemical properties of particular components of the mixtures. From these considerations, it results that based on the properties of these components, the surface tension and density of the studied mixtures can be described, and their viscosity can be predicted. These facts and results of the measurements suggest that based on the properties of the mixture components, we can determine the composition of a mixture whose surface tension, density, and viscosity are close to those of diesel fuel. The results obtained from the measurements also suggest that the addition of 10% n-hexane to RO causes a considerable reduction in the surface tension, viscosity, and density of RO. The addition of 10% of EO to this mixture results in a further reduction in RO + Hex viscosity and increases its density and surface tension slightly. As such, a mixture of RO with Hex and EO may be appropriate as a biofuel. Full article

This study evaluated the productivity, nutritional composition, amino acid profile, fatty acid profile and presence of Salmonella spp. of housefly larva meal reared on domestic animal manure. A study was conducted to produce larva on three types of manure in a controlled environment located at 3200 mASL. Adult flies used as brood stock were reared in advance to avoid contamination with pathogenic germs and were fed sugar syrup and pasteurized milk to promote oviposition. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, the Kruskal–Wallis test and descriptive statistics, using confidence intervals. The results indicate that the type of organic substrate had an effect on the time of development, weight, size and percentage mortality of larva, being higher in a mixture of swine manure and poultry manure. Regarding nutritional composition, it was determined that larva meals contain 56.5% crude protein, 13.07% fat, 12.03% carbohydrates, 10.93% ash and 6.77% crude fiber. The most abundant fatty acids are palmitic acid with 29.34%, palmitoleic acid with 21.65% and oleic acid with 26.53%. An adequate balance of amino acids was determined, highlighting among them the content of arginine and threonine within the essential amino acids. House fly larva meals contain an adequate balance of nutrients and can be used as an ingredient for animal feed formulation. However, their use in animals should be further evaluated in future studies to assess their viability, absorption, bioavailability, and potential allergic reactions. Full article

Bioactive compounds have shown significant potential in the management of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study investigates the effects of antioxidant lipids (ALω-3), synthetized through enzymatic acidolysis using non-specific lipase B from Candida antarctica under supercritical CO₂ conditions. These lipids were derived from a concentrate of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) belly oil, rich in long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (LCPUFAn-3), and cold-pressed maqui seed oil (MO, Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz). Their effects were then evaluated in a murine high-fat diet (HFD) model. The fatty acid profile, tocopherol and tocotrienol content, and thin-layer chromatography of ALω-3 were analyzed. After 8 weeks on an HFD, male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups and switched to a control diet (CD) with the following supplements for 3 weeks: Glycerol (G), commercial marine Omega-3 (CMω-3), a mixture of LCPUFAn-3 concentrate + MO (Mω-3), or ALω-3. The total body and organ weights, serum markers, and liver and visceral fat pro-inflammatory marker expression levels were assessed. ALω-3 contained 13.4% oleic, 33.9% linoleic, 6.3% α-linolenic, 10.7% eicosapentaenoic, and 16.2% docosahexaenoic fatty acids. The β, γ, δ-tocopherol, and β, γ-tocotrienol values were 22.9 ± 1.4, 24.9 ± 0.2, 6.8 ± 0.7, 22.9 ± 1.7, and 22.4 ± 4.7 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively, with α-tocopherol detected in traces. ALω-3 supplementation increased serum Trolox equivalent capacity, significantly reduced serum GPT levels (p < 0.01), and enhanced postprandial glucose tolerance (p < 0.001), although it did not alter insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). These findings indicate ALω-3′s potential for mitigating the glucose intolerance, liver damage, and oxidative stress associated with obesity and MetS, highlighting the need for additional research to explore its potential health benefits. Full article

In this study, Malatya cheeses were produced using cow’s milk, sheep’s milk, and a cow–sheep milk mixture (1:1), were stored in brine solutions, and samples from both the cheeses and their brines were collected and analyzed at 0, 30, 90, and 180 days of storage to investigate the impact of the milk type and storage time on the cheese characteristics. Cheese made from cow’s milk exhibited a lower fat content (14.5%), whereas cheese made from sheep’s milk had a lower protein content (17.5%). During storage, salt and ash contents increased. Water-soluble nitrogen (WSN) and trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen (TCASN) levels decreased during the first 90 days of storage, followed by a subsequent increase. Cow’s milk cheese demonstrated higher ripening extension index (REI) values, indicating early-stage proteolysis, whereas sheep milk cheese showed higher ripening depth index (RDI) values, reflecting more advanced ripening. The total concentration of volatile compounds in the headspace increased over time, rising from 576.7–1060.2 to 5795.1–7360.1 µg/kg dry matter by day 180 of storage, with acids being the dominant volatile group in both quantity and diversity. Free fatty acids (FFAs) were the predominant volatiles and branched-chain acids and alcohols associated with proteolysis were particularly notable in cow’s milk cheeses. Additionally, the transfer of proteins and volatile compounds into the brine increased throughout the storage period. Overall, storage time significantly influenced the cheese characteristics, while milk type also played a role, albeit to a lesser extent. Full article

Since ancient times, Royal Jelly (RJ) has been known for its remarkable properties in traditional medicine, and it is still widely recommended for mental and physical well-being. RJ consists of a unique and complex mixture of multiple constituents in different concentrations, and some of its biological activities are directly associated with specific components not found elsewhere in nature, such as (E)-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) and its precursor 10-hydroxydecanoic acid (10-HDAA), two medium-chain fatty acids. Together, 10-HAD and 10-HDAA represent the major constituents of the total lipid fraction in RJ, but despite their structural similarity, the former has been extensively investigated over the years, while the latter has been only marginally reported. This review focuses on the promising effects of 10-HDAA that have emerged in a series of recent in vitro, in vivo, and docking simulation studies. Important bioactivities were observed for 10-HDAA, tested both as an individual compound, especially for immunoregulatory, estrogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities, and in synergic combination with other molecules. Specific anti-infective effects against endemic diseases, as well as the structural modification to synthesize biocompatible and biodegradable 10-HDAA-based amphiphiles, are also reported. Full article

Wheat bran forms the outermost part of the kernel, which is typically discarded as a by-product. Depending on the milling process, bran can be separated into four fractions: coarse bran (CB), coarse weatings (CW), fine weatings (FW), and low-grade flour (LGF). This study aimed to analyze the macronutrient and bioactive compound profiles of these four by-products across five cultivars and two wheat mixtures. Dietary fibers, free and bound phenolics, phytic acid, fatty acids, and aleurone layer markers were examined in all samples. The results indicate that insoluble fibers, phenolic compounds, and phytic acid decreased from CB to LGF, whereas soluble fiber content exhibited a greater variability among fractions. In all samples, coarse bran was the richest fraction in the protein 7S globulin. The same fraction from the two commercial mixtures and Manitoba cultivar exhibited significantly higher levels of bound ferulic acid compared to the other cultivars (+34%). Manitoba CB also had the highest oleic acid content (18.04% of total lipid content) among all samples, followed by the Rumeno cultivar (17.75%), which also had the highest linolenic acid content (6.35%). Given their health-promoting and technological potential, these by-products could be selectively used to enrich food products and dietary supplements with functional nutrients. Full article

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a plant with a long tradition of use and numerous remarkable properties. It is especially appreciated for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. The therapeutic potential of the subject in the management of allergies has received comparatively less attention, despite its composition being rich in bioactive substances. The purpose of this research was to enhance the recovery of bioactive compounds from horseradish by applying an optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction process modelled through Design-Expert software (version 11). Spectrophotometric and chromatographic analyses revealed higher concentrations of polyphenols in extracts obtained with a methanol–water mixture (1:1, v/v) compared to ultrapure water, confirming the efficiency of solvents with lower polarity. The antioxidant activity was found to be significant, with the hydroalcoholic extract achieving 96.93% and the aqueous extract reaching 89.34%. The vitamin C content was determined to be 105.32 mg/100 g and 90.35 mg/100 g, respectively. The polyphenolic profile and fatty acid analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds previously reported as antiallergenic, including protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, caffeic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, rosmarinic acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids, alongside the vitamin C content. The results of the present study confirm that horseradish is a rich natural source of bioactive compounds, particularly antioxidants, which may be of interest for further studies related to functional applications. Full article