Search Results (6,211)

Soapstock (SS), a by-product of vegetable oil refining, is a promising source of a mixture of mono-, di-, triglycerides, and free fatty acids (MDTG-FFA), a valuable feedstock for biodiesel production. In this study, the selective extraction of MDTG-FFA from SS using green solvents (ethyl acetate, ethyl formate, methyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, and isobutanol) was investigated. Ethyl acetate showed the highest efficiency, allowing the elimination of the phosphatide (PL) precipitation step with acetone. The process optimization was carried out by response surface methodology with central composite design. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of the obtained models: F-values were 4.55 (p = 0.013) for MDTG-FFA and 9.62 (p = 0.00074) for PL. Regression analysis revealed a good fit of the experimental data with quadratic models for MDTG-FFA and PL, with coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.804 and 0.897, respectively. The optimum extraction parameters were a solvent-to-dry-matter-of-SS ratio 5:1, time 10.2 min, and initial extraction temperature 21.7 °C. Under these conditions, maximum MDTG-FFA yields of 12.6% and 13.4% were achieved for the two batches of SS, respectively, with minimum PL yields of 0.02% and 0.1%. The obtained MDTG-FFA extracts rich in free fatty acids represent a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. The proposed method provides a rational, resource-efficient, and environmentally preferable extraction of valuable components from SS. Full article

Green technologies are actively being used to produce nanosized zinc oxide, which is in demand for water purification processes to remove pollutants. Despite the success of the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, no scientific approach exists for selecting plant extracts to produce nanoparticles with the desired properties. This study shows that the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts used is a key parameter influencing the properties of the resulting ZnO nanoparticles. This conclusion is based on the results of nanoparticle synthesis with the use of various plant extracts. The antioxidant activity of the extracts increases in the following order: plum–gooseberry–black currant–strawberry–sea buckthorn. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The catalytic properties of ZnO nanoparticles were tested under the degradation of a synthetic methylene blue dye after exposure to UV light. We found that with an increase in the AOA of plant extracts, the size of the nanoparticles decreases, while their photocatalytic activity increases. The smallest (d = 13 nm), most uniform in size (polydispersity index 0.1), and most catalytically active ZnO nanoparticles with a small band gap (2.85 eV) were obtained using the sea buckthorn extract with the highest AOA, pH 10 of the reaction mixture and 0.1 M Zn(СH₃COO)₂∙2H₂O as a precursor salt. ZnO nanoparticles synthesized in the sea buckthorn extract demonstrated the highest dye photodegradation efficiency (96.4%) compared with other nanoparticles. The established patterns demonstrate the “antioxidant activity–size–catalytic activity” triad can be considered as a practical guide for obtaining ZnO nanoparticles of a given size and with given properties for environmental remediation applications. Full article

As a key sustainable green-mining technology, ultra-high-water backfill mining is widely used to control surface subsidence and sustain extraction of constrained coal seams. Focusing on the Hengjian coal mine in the Handan mining area, this study uses physical modeling and industrial tests to clarify surface subsidence under different filling rates and identify the rock layers that hydraulic supports must control at various equivalent mining heights. A method is proposed to improve the filling rate by optimizing the thickness of the hydraulic support canopy through topological analysis. Results show that, compared with a filling rate of 85%, a 90% filling rate reduces subsidence of the basic roof, key layer, and surface by 51%, 57%, and 63%, respectively, while the industrial practice results have verified that the filling rate can significantly control surface subsidence. The equivalent mining height thresholds for instability of the immediate roof and high basic roof at the 2515 working face are 0.44 m and 1.26 m. Reducing the trailing beam thickness by 10 cm can theoretically raise the filling rate of the 2515 working face by about 2%, offering guidance for similar mines. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable protein sources has increased interest in algae and aquatic plants as alternatives to animal-derived proteins. These resources are rich in protein, amino acids, and umami compounds but require suitable extraction methods to maximize yield and quality. This study compared three green extraction techniques—maceration (MAE, 80 °C, 2 h), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE, 750 W, 20 kHz, 50% amplitude, 35 °C, pH 12, 1 h), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE, 5% β-glucanase/flavourzyme, 55 °C, pH 6.5, 1 h)—on five raw materials: wakame (commercial seaweed), hair seaweed, sea lettuce, water silk algae, and Wolffia. The result revealed that both raw materials and extraction methods significantly (p < 0.05) affected protein yield, amino acid, physicochemical properties, and taste detection with e-tongue. Wolffia extracted by MAE yielded the highest protein overall, followed by UAE and EAE methods, when compared with commercial seaweed. The relationship between amino acid profiles and taste detection was investigated by principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA); the samples with higher glutamic and aspartic acids were linked with umami taste, while histidine contributed to bitter taste. Overall, the findings highlighted that extraction efficiency was influenced more by the extraction method–material compatibility than the raw material alone. Full article

An environmentally friendly extraction strategy based on an MSAT (Medium Scale Ambient Temperature) system was applied to Quercus ilex and Quercus robur acorns with the aim of maximizing polyphenolic yield and antioxidant activity while minimizing solvent consumption. Operational parameters were first optimized for Quercus ilex using a BBD-RSM (Box–Behnken response surface methodology), where the optimum working zone corresponds to the values of 200 g of acorn, 100 mL of extracting solvent, and 0.5 dispersant/acorn ratio. Subsequently, these conditions were applied to Quercus robur to enable an interspecific comparison. Extracts were evaluated in terms of total polyphenolic content, antioxidant activity, reducing sugars, proteins, targeted polyphenols quantified by UHPLC-QToF, and antimicrobial activity. Optimal extractions from Quercus ilex reached 25,072 mgGAE L⁻¹ and 162 mmolTE L⁻¹, while Quercus robur extracts showed markedly superior values of 35,822 mgGAE L⁻¹ and 234 mmolTE L⁻¹. Polyphenol quantification revealed higher concentrations of gallotannins in Quercus robur and procyanidins and catechin in Quercus ilex. The extracts showed strong antibacterial activity, especially Quercus ilex against S. aureus with a MIC ≤ 0.63%. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated for the first time that acorn extracts can inhibit the growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi in vitro, with Quercus robur extracts having a MIC ≤ 0.1% and Quercus ilex extracts ≤ 1%. Full article

Natural zeolites—clinoptilolite from Golobradovo and mordenite from Lyaskovets deposits, Bulgaria—were used for the preparation of zeolite-supported CeO₂@Polybenzimidazole (PBI) hybrid materials, incorporating green-synthesized ceria using Veronica officinalis L extract. In order to prepare the hybrid composites, the zeolites/CeO₂ were surface-impregnated with an ethanolic KOH solution of meta-PBI, which served as a dispersant medium. The composites were investigated by WDXRF, PXRD, FTIR, POM, and TG. The materials were tested in the photocatalytic degradation of 5 ppm Reactive Black 5 dye under UV light. The higher degree of degradation (98%) was achieved using mordenite/CeO₂@PBI as the photocatalyst compared to the clinoptilolite/CeO₂@PBI (14%). Full article

This study demonstrates a sustainable, integrated pathway for valorizing carrot processing by-products through solvent-free lycopene recovery. The approach combines optimized infrared dehydration with ultrasound-assisted extraction using edible oils. Drying kinetics were modeled at multiple temperatures, with the Midilli model providing the best fit (R² > 0.99), enabling accurate prediction of moisture content removal while preserving bioactive compounds. Optimization via Box–Behnken design identified efficient extraction conditions (49.7–60 °C, 10 mL/g, 60 min), achieving lycopene equivalent (LE) yields of 3.07 to 5.00 mg/kg oil. Sunflower and blended oils showed comparable performance under maximum sonication power (240 W), with strong agreement between predicted and experimental yields. The process generated two valuable outputs: a functional lycopene-enriched oil and an exhausted carrot powder co-product, the latter retaining its crude fiber content despite other compositional changes. This research presents a scalable, green methodology that aligns with circular economy principles, transforming agro-industrial waste into functional food ingredients without organic solvents. Thus, the developed approach establishes a transferable model for the sustainable valorization of carotenoid-rich residues, contributing directly to greener food production systems. By providing a practical technological framework to convert waste into wealth, this work supports the fundamental transition toward a circular bioeconomy. Full article

The in-vial microextraction technique is emerging as an alternative sample treatment, as it integrates sorbent preparation, adsorption, and desorption of analytes in a single device before instrumental analysis. In this work, the applicability of polycaprolactone polymeric film, recently used for the in-vial microextraction of sex hormones from environmental waters, is studied in a low-capacity format for unconjugated sex hormones determination in biological samples by HPLC-MS/MS. Its performance was evaluated in urine and serum, achieving extraction in a short time (10 and 30 min, in turn) and satisfactory elution with ethanol, with recovery in the range of 65–111% in urine, 55–122% in bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution, and 66–121% in fetal bovine serum (FBS). In the case of protein matrices, a dilution to 20 g L⁻¹ protein content and washing step (3 × 1 mL ultrapure water) afore the elution are required to achieve clean extract, as verified by a Bradford assay. Matrix-matched calibration was used for quantification, obtaining correlation coefficients greater than 0.9929; limits of detection and quantification were in the range of 0.01–0.65 and 0.03–1.96 ng mL⁻¹ in urine, 0.02–0.8 and 0.05–2.5 ng mL⁻¹ in BSA, and 0.02–1.0 and 0.06–3.0 g mL⁻¹ in FBS, respectively. The in-vial polycaprolactone film proved to be reusable for several cycles (up to ten), and the greenness assessment revealed a good adhesion to green sample preparation principles. All these achievements further strengthen its feasibility for efficient extraction/clean-up of trace sex hormones in complex biological samples. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rapid cellular proliferation, a hallmark of malignancy, requires sustained and elevated protein synthesis, which in turn requires efficient ribosome biogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of TP53, C-MYC, FBL, and NCL in pre-B ALL and neuroblastoma tissues compared to healthy bone marrow samples—factors that may carry prognostic significance in pediatric malignancies. Materials and methods: The cohort included 45 pre-B ALL patients, 19 neuroblastoma patients, and 12 healthy bone marrow donors as controls. Total RNA was extracted from bone marrow or tumor samples and cDNA synthesis was performed with the Bio-Rad iScript kit. Quantitative PCR was conducted using SYBR Green chemistry, with GAPDH as the reference gene. Primers targeted TP53, C-MYC, FBL, and NCL, and gene expression was calculated using the 2^−ΔCt method. Results: The expression of C-MYC and FBL was found to be significantly decreased in patients with pre-B ALL in comparison to the healthy control group. NCL expression was highest in healthy donors, intermediate in pre-B ALL, and lowest in neuroblastoma. In addition to intergroup comparisons, correlations between gene expression levels were assessed within each diagnostic group. In the pre-B ALL group, a positive correlation was observed between TP53 and C-MYC expression, as well as between TP53 and both FBL and NCL. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between FBL and NCL. In the neuroblastoma group, a statistically significant positive correlation was identified between C-MYC and FBL expression. In the control group, TP53 expression was positively correlated with NCL, and FBL expression showed a significant positive correlation with NCL. Conclusions: This study suggests the altered expression of ribosome biogenesis-related genes in pediatric pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia and neuroblastoma. The reported dysregulation suggests a disease-associated disruption in nucleolar function and translational regulation and may contribute to oncogenesis through altered ribosomal assembly, protein synthesis, or proliferative signaling. Full article

The agro-industrial valorization of citrus waste represents a promising avenue to employ underutilized bioresources. This research investigated the potential of the peels of BARI malta 1 (sweet orange), a widely grown variety in Bangladesh, as a viable and new source for pectin extraction. Pectin is a polysaccharide, having extensive applications in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food business as a thickening, texturizer, emulsifier, gelling agent, and stabilizer. This study investigated the optimum extraction conditions for maximum yield, characterization, and physicochemical properties of the obtained pectin and compared the results with the pectin obtained from other sources. Comprehensive characterization through Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) confirmed the structural identity, crystallinity, thermal stability, and morphological features of the extracted pectin. Physicochemical properties, including moisture content, ash content, equivalent weight, methoxyl content, and degree of esterification, indicate the suitability and superiority of the extracted pectin for industrial applications. This research approach not only supports eco-friendly processing of citrus waste but also opens avenue for circular economy initiatives in Bangladesh. Full article

Oxidative stress represents a critical threat to aquatic animal health and aquaculture productivity. Allicin, a natural plant extract, has not been systematically investigated for its antioxidant mechanisms in aquatic crustaceans. This study established in vitro and in vivo models of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (T-BHP)-induced oxidative stress in Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of allicin. Integrating biochemical, transcriptomic, and ultrastructural analyses, we found that allicin significantly alleviated T-BHP-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in vitro. Mechanistically, allicin up-regulated antioxidant genes including glutathione peroxidase (gpx) and thioredoxin reductase 1 (trxr1), and down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (il-1β), suggesting the concomitant activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of the p38-MAPK/NF-κB pathway. Transcriptomics further indicated its role in restoring proteostasis and mitochondrial function. A 35-day feeding trial validated these findings in vivo; dietary supplementation with 300 mg·kg⁻¹ allicin effectively reversed T-BHP-induced disturbances in antioxidant enzyme activities and immune-related gene expression. These consistent findings demonstrate that allicin alleviates hepatopancreatic oxidative damage through multi-pathway synergism, supporting its potential as a green and effective antioxidant feed additive in aquaculture. Full article

The quality of different coffee varieties varies, and the corresponding bioactive value of coffee processing byproducts is often overlooked. For that, we employed HPLC, GC-MS, and electronic sensory analyses to evaluate the key bioactive components, antioxidant potential, and flavor traits of green coffee bean and coffee processing byproducts of seven coffee varieties. The results showed that green coffee beans (Oe+Ie) and exocarp (Ep) possessed strong antioxidant activity and high total phenolic content (TPC), caffeine and trigonelline content. Among the varieties, DR390 contained higher levels of total phenols, caffeine, and trigonelline, whereas DR402 was rich in caffeine and chlorogenic acid. In addition, RY3 exhibited higher TPC, total flavonoid content (TFC), caffeine, and chlorogenic acid. The parchment (Pc) layer was rich in soluble sugars (1.83–5.43%), while the silverskin (Sk) contained relatively high levels of chlorogenic acid (3.58–4.69 mg/g). Flavor analysis identified eleven classes of volatile compounds in green coffee bean (Oe+Ie) and byproducts (Ep, Pc, Sk), with esters, ketones, alcohols, and aldehydes being the most prevalent. Seven key aroma compounds, including methyl salicylate, phenethyl alcohol, nonanal, and benzaldehyde, were identified across the various structural tissues of coffee fruit. Distinct flavor profiles were observed among the coffee fruit parts: green coffee bean (Oe+Ie) was nutty; the Ep showed fruity and cocoa-like aromas; the Pc and Sk exhibited papery and nutty aromas, respectively. Varieties DR397, DR402, and RY3 exhibited pronounced aroma profiles. Comprehensive analysis showed that DR402 and RY3 had higher overall scores for bioactive and flavor components than other varieties in their groups. In summary, green coffee bean (Oe+Ie) exhibited strong antioxidant activity and high levels of bioactive compounds. Coffee byproducts, such as the Ep, hold potential for extracting natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds to develop specialty products or for other high-value utilization. Full article

The widespread use of antibiotics in human medicine, veterinary care, and livestock production has resulted in their frequent detection in diverse environmental and food matrices, making continuous surveillance of antibiotic residues in food products essential for consumer protection. In this study, a sustainable analytical method based on dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with UHPLC–MS/MS was developed for the trace determination of sulfamethoxazole, sulfadimethoxine, and enrofloxacin in commercial cow milk and chicken eggs. A natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) composed of anisaldehyde and octanoic acid (2:1, molar ratio) was employed as a biodegradable extraction solvent, and key extraction parameters were systematically optimized. Under optimized conditions, the method demonstrated excellent linearity (R² ≥ 0.9982), recoveries of 89.5–98.7%, and RSDs ≤ 6.04%. Application to 44 commercial samples from the Saudi market revealed sulfamethoxazole as the most frequently detected antibiotic, occurring in 90% of egg samples (2.17–13.76 µg kg⁻¹) and 70.8% of milk samples (0.26–26.67 µg L⁻¹). A comprehensive evaluation using ten metrics confirmed the method’s greenness, practicality, analytical performance, and innovation. Overall, the proposed NADES–DLLME–UHPLC–MS/MS approach offers a rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative for routine monitoring of antibiotic residues in food matrices. Full article

This work presents a green chemistry route to obtain titanium dioxide TiO₂ nanoparticles with an average size of about 13.25 nm using lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) extract. For these assessments, TiO₂ nanoparticles were added to the coating at concentrations of 1% and 5% w/w on fiber-cement sheets. Self-cleaning evaluation was analyzed by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye at concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 mg/L applied to the coated sheet, and then exposed to simulated sunlight. The coating containing 5 wt% TiO₂ nanoparticles showed the highest photodegradation, reaching 93.3% after 4 h under simulated sunlight exposure at the lowest MB concentration (5 mg/L). Additionally, average contact angles of 80.4°, 92.03°, and 104.25° were determined for coatings containing 0%, 1%, and 5 wt% TiO₂, respectively. Moreover, the modified 5 wt% TiO₂ exhibited up to 30.9% greater hydrophobicity than the control. Antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus niger and Penicillium was evaluated using the Poisoned Food method with nanoparticles at concentrations of 1 and 3 mg/mL showing a moderate growth inhibition. In conclusion, the versatility demonstrated suggests potential applications such as a nano-additive for aqueous acrylic coatings, improving hydrophobicity, self-cleaning and antifungal properties, which could be attractive to the construction industry. Full article

NMR spectroscopy enables the study of complex mixtures, including plant extracts. The interpretation of specific ranges of ¹H NMR spectra allows for the determination of polyphenolic compound, sugar, amino acid, and fatty acid profiles. The main goal of ¹H NMR analyses of plant extracts is to identify the unique “fingerprint” of the material being studied. The aim of this study was to determine the metabolomic profile and antioxidant activity of various Lavandula angustifolia (Betty’s Blue, Elizabeth, Hidcote, and Blue Mountain White) and Lavandula × intermedia cultivars (Alba, Grosso, and Gros Bleu) grown in Poland. Modern green chemistry extraction methods (supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)) were used to prepare the lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts, respectively. The secondary metabolite profiles were determined using the diagnostic signals from ¹H NMR and HPLC-DAD analyses. These metabolomic profiles were used to illustrate the differences between the different lavender and lavandin cultivars. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed that both lavender species have similar polyphenolic profiles but different levels of individual compounds. The extracts from L. angustifolia were characterized by higher phenolic acid and flavonoid contents, while the extracts from L. × intermedia had a higher coumarin content. Diagnostic ¹H NMR signals can be used to verify the authenticity and origin of plant extracts, and identify directions for further research, providing a basis for applications such as in cosmetics. Full article