Search Results (393)

A comprehensive techno-economic assessment was undertaken to determine the viability of bioethanol production from sugarcane bagasse in Thailand through organosolv fractionation, incorporating three distinct catalytic systems: sulfuric acid, formic acid, and sodium methoxide. Rigorous process simulations were executed using Aspen Plus, facilitating the derivation of detailed mass and energy balances, which served as the foundational input for downstream cost modeling. Economic performance metrics, including the total annualized cost and minimum ethanol selling price, were systematically quantified for each scenario. Among the evaluated configurations, the formic acid-catalyzed organosolv system exhibited superior techno-economic attributes, achieving the lowest unit production costs of 1.14 USD/L for ethanol and 1.84 USD/kg for lignin, corresponding to an estimated ethanol selling price of approximately 1.14 USD/L. This favorable outcome was attained with only moderate capital intensity, indicating a well-balanced trade-off between operational efficiency and investment burden. Conversely, the sodium methoxide-based process configuration imposed the highest economic burden, with a TAC of 15.27 million USD/year, culminating in a markedly elevated MESP of 5.49 USD/kg (approximately 4.33 USD/L). The sulfuric acid-driven system demonstrated effective delignification performance. Sensitivity analysis revealed that reagent procurement costs exert the greatest impact on TAC variation, highlighting chemical expenditure as the key economic driver. These findings emphasize the critical role of solvent choice, catalytic performance, and process integration in improving the cost-efficiency of lignocellulosic ethanol production. Among the examined options, the formic acid-based organosolv process stands out as the most economically viable for large-scale implementation within Thailand’s bioeconomy. Full article

Fumonisins, primarily produced by Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus section nigri, are common contaminants in maize, cereal grains, and other processed and derived products, representing a significant risk to food safety and public health. This study presents the development and optimisation of a high-performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) for the quantification of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) in various food matrices. In contrast with conventional protocols employing potassium phosphate buffers as the mobile phase, the proposed method utilises formic acid, offering enhanced compatibility with liquid chromatography systems. An automated online precolumn derivatisation with o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) was optimised through experimental design and response surface methodology, enabling baseline separation of FB1 and FB2 derivatives in less than 20 min. The method demonstrated high sensitivity, with limits of detection of 0.006 µg mL⁻¹ for FB1 and 0.012 µg mL⁻¹ for FB2, and excellent repeatability (intraday RSD values of 0.85% and 0.83%, respectively). Several solid-phase extraction (SPE) strategies were evaluated to enhance sample clean-up using a variety of food samples, including dried figs, raisins, dates, corn, cornmeal, wheat flour, and rice. FumoniStar Inmunoaffinity columns were the only clean-up method that provided optimal recoveries (70–120%) across all tested food matrices. However, the MultiSep™ 211 column yielded good recoveries for both fumonisins in dried figs and raisins. Additionally, the C18 cartridge achieved acceptable recoveries for both fumonisins in dried figs and wheat flour. Full article

Over efficient photocatalysts, CO₂ photoreduction typically converts CO₂ into low-carbon chemicals, which serve as raw materials for downstream synthesis processes. Here, an efficient composite photocatalyst heterojunction (Cu₂O-u/g-C₃N₄) has been fabricated to reduce CO₂. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was synthesized via thermal polymerization of urea at 550 °C, while pre-dispersed Cu₂O derived from urea pyrolysis (Cu₂O-u) was prepared by thermal reduction of urea and CuCl₂·2H₂O at 180 °C. The heterojunction Cu₂O-u/g-C₃N₄ was subsequently constructed through hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C. This heterojunction exhibited a bandgap of 2.10 eV, with dual optical absorption edges at 485 nm and above 800 nm, enabling efficient harvesting of solar light. Under 175 W mercury lamp irradiation, the heterojunction catalyzed liquid-phase CO₂ photoreduction to formic acid, acetic acid, and methanol. Its formic acid production activity surpassed that of pristine g-C₃N₄ by 3.14-fold and TiO₂ by 8.72-fold. Reaction media, hole scavengers, and reaction duration modulated product selectivity. In acetonitrile/isopropanol systems, formic acid and acetic acid production reached 579.4 and 582.8 μmol·h⁻¹·g_cat⁻¹. Conversely, in water/triethanolamine systems, methanol production reached 3061.6 μmol·h⁻¹·g_cat⁻¹, with 94.79% of the initial conversion retained after three cycles. Finally, this work ends with the conclusions of the CO₂ photocatalytic reduction to formic acid, acetic acid, and methanol, and recommends prospects for future research. Full article

A sensitive method was developed for detecting diazepam residues in aquatic products using magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Samples extracted with 1% ammonia–acetonitrile were purified using synthesized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-PSA nanoparticles via MDSPE before UPLC-MS/MS analysis. Separation was performed on a C₁₈ column with gradient elution using 0.1% formic acid–2 mM ammonium acetate/methanol. Detection employed positive electrospray ionization (ESI⁺) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Characterization confirmed Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-PSA’s mesoporous structure with excellent adsorption capacity and magnetic properties. The method showed good linearity (0.1–10 μg/L, r > 0.99) with an LOD and LOQ of 0.20 μg/kg and 0.50 μg/kg, respectively. Recoveries at 0.5–15.0 µg/kg spiking levels were 74.9–109% (RSDs 1.24–11.6%). This approach provides rapid, accurate, and high-precision analysis of diazepam in aquatic products, meeting regulatory requirements. Full article

This study presents the results of an investigation of carbonate-containing sorbents for CO₂ capture with natural support materials—kaolin and calcium carbonate—at various loadings of the active phase of Na₂CO₃. The effects of the support type on the distribution of the active component, phase composition, and pore structure of the sorbents were studied. It was found that a Na₂CO₃ loading of 25 wt.% provides the best balance between sorption capacity and technological feasibility. The thermal stability and regeneration capacity of the sorbents were evaluated under high-temperature conditions, revealing high thermal stability of the Na₂CO₃/CaCO₃ system up to 1000 °C, along with its durability over multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. Kinetic studies on the Na₂CO₃/CaCO₃ sorbent using the shrinking core model demonstrated that the overall CO₂ chemisorption process is controlled by surface chemical reaction at temperatures below 50 °C. The obtained results demonstrate the high potential of CaCO₃-based sorbents for practical applications in low-temperature CO₂ capture technologies. A promising direction for the use of such sorbents within CCUS is the development of integrated systems, where CO₂ capture is combined with its conversion into valuable products (e.g., methane, methanol, formic acid) through catalytic processes. Full article

The presence of various inhibitory compounds in lignocellulosic hydrolysates poses a significant challenge for bioethanol production, requiring yeasts with exceptional multistress tolerance. This study introduces the novel application and demonstrates the robust performance of the nonconventional yeast Saccharomycodes ludwigii APRE2 for efficient bioethanol production directly from undetoxified sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate (SBH) at 37 °C. This approach critically eliminates the need for the costly detoxification pretreatments often required in industrial processes. Initial experiments confirmed S. ludwigii APRE2’s capability to ferment undetoxified SBH. To optimize fermentation efficiency, a central composite design (CCD) approach was implemented. This statistical method identified the following precise optimal parameters: sugar concentration (143.95 g/L), diammonium phosphate (4.99 g/L), pH (4.98), yeast extract (8.94 g/L), and magnesium sulfate (2.22 g/L). Under these optimized conditions, impressive results were achieved: a maximum ethanol concentration of 38.11 g/L, productivity of 1.59 g/L·h, and yield of 0.45 g/g. Notably, the ethanol productivity and theoretical yield achieved by S. ludwigii APRE2 using this inhibitor-rich, undetoxified SBH (containing acetic acid, formic acid, furfural, and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural) were superior to those previously reported for other ethanologenic yeasts under similar challenging conditions. This research establishes S. ludwigii APRE2 as a highly promising and industrially viable candidate for sustainable bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass, with its key novelty being its superior performance on undetoxified feedstocks, potentially reducing overall production costs. Full article

Aflatoxin contamination poses a significant food safety risk, particularly during the storage of dried chili peppers. This study evaluated the efficacy of formic acid treatment, ultraviolet (UV) treatment, and combined UV-formic acid treatment in both preventing and controlling Aspergillus flavus in dried red chili powder. Efficacy was assessed by measuring the growth diameter of A. flavus colonies on un-colonized and already colonized dried red chili powder. The optimal treatment conditions for the UV-formic acid combination were determined through single-factor experiments, orthogonal experiments, and quality assessment. Finally, the effects of the UV-formic acid combination on the cell membrane, antioxidant system, and energy metabolism of A. flavus were investigated. The results revealed that fumigation of un-colonized dried red chili powder with 5% formic acid for 24 h inhibited A. flavus growth by 93.29% and toxin synthesis by 99.41%. In contrast, treatment of already colonized chili powder with 10% formic acid inhibited A. flavus colony growth by 50%. Through a three-factor, three-level orthogonal experiment followed by quality testing, the optimal conditions were determined to be 8% formic acid concentration, a UV irradiation distance of 15 cm, and a treatment time of 75 min. This optimized combined treatment reduced the required fumigation time from 24 h to 1.25 h. This technique achieved complete suppression of aflatoxin B₁ synthesis on un-colonized dried red chili powder. On already colonized chili powder, the mycelial growth inhibition rate was 48.05 ± 6.68%, and aflatoxin B₁ synthesis was inhibited by 91.32 ± 3.15%. Quality assessment revealed that the UV-formic acid co-treatment parameters did not significantly affect key quality indicators including color, capsaicin content, total phenolic content (p > 0.05). Furthermore, UV-formic acid treatment disrupt the cell membrane structure of A. flavus, impairs its antioxidant and energy metabolism systems, and induces mitochondrial dysfunction. The study confirmed the synergistic antifungal effect of formic acid and UV, providing a potential industrialized solution for enhancing the safety and storage stability of dried chili products. Full article

This study presents a methodology for developing a cyclodextrin-based delivery system for ceftobiprole, a poorly water-soluble and amphoteric drug, chemically stable in acidic conditions. Ceftobiprole is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic administered clinically as its water-soluble prodrug, ceftobiprole medocaril, due to limited aqueous solubility of the parent compound. Solubility enhancement was achieved through complexation with anionic sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD). At a pH below 3, ceftobiprole is protonated and cationic, which facilitates electrostatic interactions with the anionic cyclodextrin. An optimised high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to assess solubility, the impurity profile, and long-term chemical stability. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) confirmed the amorphous nature of the system and the absence of recrystallization. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy supported the formation of a host–guest complex. The freeze-dried system prepared from 0.1 M formic acid solution contained negligible residual acid due to nearly complete sublimation. The most promising formulation was a ternary system of ceftobiprole, maleic acid, and SBE-β-CD (1:25:4 molar ratio), showing ~300-fold solubility improvement, low levels of degradation products, and stability after eight months at −20 °C. After pH adjustment to a parenterally acceptable level, the formulation demonstrated solubility and a pH comparable to the marketed drug product. Full article

Occupational exposure to commercial formic and acetic acids through dermal contact and inhalation during rubber sheet processing poses significant health risks to workers. Additionally, the use of these acids contributes to environmental pollution by contaminating water sources and soil. This study investigates the potential of three types of wood vinegar—derived from para-rubber wood, bamboo, and eucalyptus—obtained through biomass pyrolysis under anaerobic conditions, as sustainable alternatives to formic and acetic acids in the production of ribbed smoked sheets (RSSs). The organic constituents of each wood vinegar were characterized using gas chromatography and subsequently mixed with fresh natural latex to produce coagulated rubber sheets. The physical and chemical properties, equilibrium moisture content, and drying kinetics of the resulting sheets were then evaluated. The results indicated that wood vinegar derived from para-rubber wood contained a higher concentration of acetic acid compared to that obtained from bamboo and eucalyptus. As a result, rubber sheets coagulated with para-rubber wood and bamboo vinegars exhibited moisture sorption isotherms comparable to those of sheets coagulated with acetic acid, best described by the modified Henderson model. In contrast, sheets coagulated with eucalyptus-derived vinegar and formic acid followed the Oswin model. In terms of physical and chemical properties, extended drying times led to improved tensile strength in all samples. No statistically significant differences in tensile strength were observed between the experimental and reference samples. The concentration of acid was found to influence Mooney viscosity, the plasticity retention index (PRI), the thermogravimetric curve, and the overall coagulation process more significantly than the acid type. The drying kinetics of all five rubber sheet samples displayed similar trends, with the drying time decreasing in response to increases in drying temperature and airflow velocity. Full article

The core challenge of integrated carbon capture and utilization (ICCU) technology lies in developing electrolytes that combine efficient carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture with electrocatalytic conversion capabilities. This review analyzes the structure–performance relationship between electrolyte properties and CO₂ electrochemical reduction (eCO₂RR), revealing the key regulatory mechanisms. Research shows that the performance of bicarbonate electrolytes heavily depends on the cation type, where Cs⁺ can achieve over 90% CO selectivity by suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and stabilizing reaction intermediates, though its strong corrosiveness limits practical applications. Although amine absorbents excel in carbon capture (efficiency > 90%), they tend to undergo competitive adsorption during electrocatalysis, making formic acid the primary product (FE = 15%); modifying electrodes with ionomers can enhance their activity by 1.15 times. Ionic liquids (ILs) demonstrate unique advantages due to their tunability: imidazolium-based ILs improve formate selectivity to 85% via carboxylate intermediate formation, while amino-functionalized task-specific ILs (TSILs) achieve a 1:1 stoichiometric CO₂ absorption ratio. Recent breakthroughs reveal that ternary IL hybrid electrolytes can achieve nearly 100% CO Faradaic efficiency (FE) through microenvironment modulation, while L-histidine additives boost CH₄ selectivity by 23% via interface modification. Notably, constructing a “bulk acidic–interfacial neutral” pH gradient system addresses carbonate deposition issues in traditional alkaline conditions, increasing C₂₊ product efficiency to 50%. Studies also highlight that cation–anion synergy (e.g., K⁺/I⁻) significantly enhances C-C coupling through electrostatic interactions, achieving 97% C₂₊ selectivity on Ag electrodes. These findings provide new insights for ICCU electrolyte design, with future research focusing on machine learning-assisted material optimization and reactor engineering to advance industrial applications. Full article

Structural characterization of natural products in complex herbal extracts remains a major challenge in phytochemical analysis. In this study, we present a novel post-acquisition data-processing strategy—key ion diagnostics–neutral loss filtering (KID-NLF)—combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) for systematic profiling of the medicinal plant Terminalia chebula. The strategy consists of four main steps. First, untargeted data are acquired in negative electrospray ionization (ESI⁻) mode. Second, a genus-specific diagnostic ion database is constructed by leveraging characteristic fragment ions (e.g., gallic acid, chebuloyl, and HHDP groups) and conserved substructures. Third, MS/MS data are high-resolution filtered using key ion diagnostics and neutral loss patterns (302 Da for HHDP; 320 Da for chebuloyl). Finally, structures are elucidated via detailed spectral analysis. The methanol extract of T. chebula was separated on a C18 column using a gradient of acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid within 33 min. This separation enabled detection of 164 compounds, of which 47 were reported for the first time. Based on fragmentation pathways and diagnostic ions (e.g., m/z 169 for gallic acid, m/z 301 for ellagic acid, and neutral losses of 152, 302, and 320 Da), the compounds were classified into three major groups: gallic acid derivatives, ellagitannins (containing HHDP, chebuloyl, or neochebuloyl moieties), and triterpenoid glycosides. KID-NLF overcomes key limitations of conventional workflows—namely, isomer discrimination and detection of low-abundance compounds—by exploiting genus-specific structural signatures. This strategy demonstrates high efficiency in resolving complex polyphenolic and triterpenoid profiles and enables rapid annotation of both known and novel metabolites. This study highlights KID-NLF as a robust framework for phytochemical analysis in species with high chemical complexity. It also paves the way for applications in quality control, drug discovery, and mechanistic studies of medicinal plants. Full article

Sugarcane bagasse (SCB), an organic waste generated during sugar and ethanol production, is a potential biomass source with a high cellulose content. In this study, cellulose was extracted from SCB using a hydrothermal method with various types of solvents, following which the extracted materials were used for food container production. An alkali solvent—sodium hydroxide (NaOH)—and organic acids—citric acid and formic acid—were included as extractive solvents at two different concentrations (0.25 M and 2.0 M). Hydrothermal extraction with the alkali solvent demonstrated higher cellulose extraction abilities (67.7–74.0%) than those with the acids (52.5–57.3%). Using a low alkali concentration in the hydrothermal extraction (H-NaOH_low) demonstrated a cellulose extraction ability near that when using a high alkali concentration in the conventional boiling method (B-NaOH_high): 67.7% and 70.5%, respectively. Moreover, cellulose extracted with H-NaOH_low had better mechanical properties than that from B-NaOH_high, likely due to fewer defective fibers in the former. A high alkali concentration led to vigorous reactions that damaged the cellulose fibers. Thus, hydrothermal extraction has the benefit of using fewer chemicals, leading to a lower environmental impact. In addition, H-NaOH_low fibers were employed for food container production, and it was found that the obtained product has excellent properties, comparable to those of commercial containers. Full article

The lactic acid (LA) production from corn stover using Lewis acid catalysts was optimized. Initially, an equimolar mixture of Al(III)/Sn(II) was used as a catalytic system at 190 °C with 5 wt% biomass. Increasing the catalyst concentration led to higher LA production, showing the optimal results at 16 mM. A low catalyst concentration mainly produced furfural and HMF, dehydration products from the corn stover sugars. Higher catalyst concentration increased LA yield but also produced the degradation of the glucose dehydration products into levulinic and formic acids, reducing LA selectivity. Al(III) was essential for LA formation, while Sn(II) was less effective due to its lower solubility, shown by the presence of Sn(II) in the solid residue after treatments. A total of 16 mM Al(III) yielded the highest LA levels at 190 °C, 7.4 g/L, and 20.7% yield. Increasing the temperature to 210 °C accelerated the LA production while also achieving the lowest energy consumption, which was 0.47 kWh/g LA at the highest LA production point. However, longer treatments at this temperature caused LA degradation. AlCl₃ has been identified as an ideal catalyst for biomass conversion to LA, being inexpensive and low in toxicity. Full article

Oral administration of dipyridamole (DIP) with acetylsalicylic acid (ACA) is recommended in thromboembolic conditions or for the treatment of myocardial infarction and stroke. The present study presents an alternative dosage form of these two active ingredients, consisting of a honey core and a dark chocolate coating. The composition masks the bitter taste, is palatable and ensures compliance of a wide range of patients, mainly pediatric. For the simultaneous quantitative determination of the analytes, a Diode Array Detector/Fluorescence Detector (HPLC-DAD/FLD) method was used with a C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) and an isocratic two-phase system (A: H₂O 0.2% formic acid—B: Acetonitrile-H₂O 90:10 v/v) 65:35 v/v. The method was validated according to ICH guidelines (r² > 0.999, RSD < 2.3%, % Recovery > 95.4%), and a stability study of the two active ingredients as well as salicylic acid (SAL), which is a hydrolysis product of ACA, was followed. Finally, a digestion protocol (oral cavity–stomach–intestine) for edible materials was applied to determine the release rate of ACA, DIP and SAL in the gastrointestinal tract, while an in vitro permeability study (P_app) was subsequently performed in Franz cells. The results show satisfactory behavior of ACA and DIP and provide a trigger for further studies of the formulation. Full article

The rational development of single-atom catalysts (SACs) for selective formic acid dehydrogenation (FAD) requires an atomic-scale understanding of metal–support interactions and electronic modulation. In this study, spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to systematically examine platinum-group SACs anchored on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄). The findings reveal that Pd and Au SACs exhibit superior selectivity toward the dehydrogenation pathway, lowering the free energy barrier by 1.42 eV and 1.39 eV, respectively, compared to the competing dehydration route. Conversely, Rh SACs demonstrate limited selectivity due to nearly equivalent energy barriers for both reaction pathways. Stability assessments indicate robust metal–support interactions driven by d–p orbital hybridization, while a linear correlation is established between the d-band center position relative to the Fermi level and catalytic selectivity. Additionally, charge transfer (ranging from 0.029 to 0.467 e) substantially modulates the electronic structure of the active sites. These insights define a key electronic descriptor for SAC design and offer a mechanistic framework for optimizing selective hydrogen production. Full article