Search Results (1,026)

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) contamination in water bodies poses severe risks to ecosystems and human health due to its high solubility, mobility, toxicity, and carcinogenicity. Conventional treatment methods are often limited by high costs, secondary pollution, and inefficiency at scale. This review critically evaluates biochar (BC) as a sustainable solution for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous environments, with a specific focus on comparing the efficiency of pristine BC with that of modified BCs, including non-noble metal/BC, heteroatom/BC, and non-noble metal–heteroatom/BC. It summarizes the fundamental chemistry of Cr(VI) in aqueous environments, particularly pH- and redox-dependent speciation, bioavailability, and toxicity. Pristine BC removes Cr(VI) through electrostatic attraction, reduction to trivalent chromium (Cr(III)), surface complexation, and physisorption; however, it suffers from limited efficiency, poor surface functionality, and weak redox activity. Modification strategies overcome these limitations; for instance, iron-modified BC (Fe/BC) introduces magnetic properties, abundant reactive sites, and efficient Cr(VI) reduction, while nitrogen-doped BC (N/BC) enriches surface functional groups and improves electron transfer; Fe and N co-doped BC (Fe-N/BC) synergistically combines both advantages, achieving higher Cr(VI) removal capacities, far exceeding those of pristine BC. Characterization (SEM, FTIR, and XPS) and modelling (adsorption isotherms and kinetics and density functional theory calculations) techniques confirm the dominant chemisorption and reduction mechanisms of modified BCs. Despite promising laboratory-scale results, challenges remain in field-scale validation, long-term stability of immobilized Cr(III), nanoparticle leaching, and competitive adsorption, which are added in this review as future research directions via integration with machine learning and modelling approaches. Full article

Background: Blood-accessible biomarkers may support future personalization of prostate cancer radiotherapy, but their interpretation depends on sampling timing relative to radiotherapy, androgen deprivation therapy, and post-treatment recovery. We mapped clinical evidence for selected biomarker domains beyond prostate-specific antigen: γ-H2AX/DNA damage response, IL-6/inflammatory mediators, testosterone/endocrine recovery and a prespecified galectin-1/3 immune–stromal domain evaluated as a potential evidence gap. Methods: We conducted a PRISMA-ScR scoping review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science searched on 7 January 2026. Eligible original human studies evaluated soluble serum/plasma analytes or peripheral blood cell-based assays in prostate RT pathways. Data were charted by biomarker domain, treatment context, RT modality/fractionation, assay reporting, sampling schedule, and endpoint linkage. Results: Of 3499 records, 45 studies were included. No eligible study reported repeated circulating galectin-1/3 kinetics anchored to prostate radiotherapy, identifying a distinct clinical evidence gap. The remaining evidence was dominated by testosterone studies (n = 28), followed by IL-6/inflammatory mediators (n = 12) and γ-H2AX/DDR (n = 5). Testosterone studies were mapped as separate RT-only endocrine kinetics and ADT-anchored recovery streams. IL-6 studies mainly used during-RT or early post-RT sampling and linked trajectories to acute toxicity, fatigue, symptoms or inflammatory phenotypes; no included study directly validated serial IL-6/inflammatory trajectories against biochemical control, metastasis-free survival, or overall survival. γ-H2AX studies were characterized by ultra-acute, fraction-anchored sampling. Across domains, baseline definition and sampling timing limited interpretability more than assay platform alone. Conclusions: Evidence maturity was unequal across the selected domains. Testosterone provided the comparatively more developed longitudinal clinical literature, whereas IL-6/inflammatory mediators remained exploratory and were linked mainly to acute toxicity, fatigue, symptoms, and inflammatory phenotypes. γ-H2AX remained predominantly a translational and biodosimetry-oriented marker, while galectin-1/3 represented a hypothesis-generating clinical evidence gap. None of these biomarkers currently supports routine biomarker-guided prostate RT personalization. Future biomarker-embedded studies may benefit from domain-specific sampling considerations, explicit RT/systemic-therapy context stratification, standardized assay reporting, and clinically relevant endpoints. Full article

Background/Objectives: Niclosamide, an anthelmintic drug included in the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines, has recently attracted attention for drug repurposing applications. Its strong tendency to form solvates and hydrates also makes it an attractive candidate for solid-state investigations. This study aimed to evaluate mechanochemical screening as a tool for solvate discovery and to characterize the resulting solid forms. Methods: Mechanochemical screening was performed using twelve selected solvents commonly employed in pharmaceutical research and solid-state investigations and compared with slurry experiments. The obtained phases were characterized by PXRD, DSC, TGA, FTIR, HSM, and SEM. The crystal structure of the new phase was solved from PXRD data and validated by DFT calculations. Stability and kinetic solubility studies were conducted to assess the properties of the identified solid forms. Results: The screening demonstrated the effectiveness of mechanochemistry as a rapid and resource-efficient approach for identifying solvate-forming solvents. Comprehensive characterization clarified the influence of the selected solvents on the solid-state landscape of niclosamide and their relationship with previously reported phases. A new 2-pyrrolidone solvate was discovered and structurally characterized as a triclinic P-1 phase with a 1:1 niclosamide:2-pyrrolidone stoichiometry. The new solvate exhibited distinctive thermal behavior, remained stable for at least 18 months, and showed mechanical robustness under compression. Furthermore, it displayed delayed conversion to niclosamide H_A monohydrate in water and enhanced resistance to solid-state transformation under humid conditions. Conclusions: Mechanochemical screening represents an efficient strategy for exploring the solvate landscape of niclosamide. The newly discovered 2-pyrrolidone solvate combines structural stability and favorable solid-state performance, highlighting its potential relevance for future pharmaceutical development. Full article

N-acetylornithine aminotransferase (AcOAT) is a pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes a key transamination step in arginine biosynthesis. In cyanobacteria, arginine metabolism is closely associated with nitrogen assimilation and storage, yet biochemical information on cyanobacterial AcOATs remains limited. In this study, the AcOAT encoded by the cce_3094 gene from Crocosphaera subtropica ATCC 51142 (CsAcOAT) was cloned, heterologously expressed, purified, and systematically characterized. Recombinant CsAcOAT was obtained as a soluble protein with an apparent molecular mass of approximately 43 kDa. Steady-state kinetic analysis showed that CsAcOAT catalyzed transamination between N-acetylornithine (AcOrn) and α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), with apparent K_M values of 0.17 ± 0.03 mM for AcOrn and 0.020 ± 0.003 mM for α-KG, indicating a higher affinity for α-KG. The enzyme exhibited optimal activity at pH 8.5 and 30 °C, retained relatively high activity over a broad temperature range of 0–50 °C, and was activated by Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺ but inhibited by Ni²⁺. Structural analysis based on homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations suggested a conserved PLP-dependent aminotransferase fold and a stable binding mode for the PLP-AcOrn complex in the active-site pocket. Site-directed mutagenesis further demonstrated that Gly114, Asp239, Lys268, and Thr296 are indispensable for catalytic activity, whereas Ser113, Ala115, and Gln242 make important contributions to catalytic turnover and cofactor-assisted catalysis. These results provide biochemical and structural characterization of CsAcOAT, expand current knowledge of cyanobacterial AcOATs, and offer a useful basis for future studies on arginine metabolism and nitrogen storage in diazotrophic cyanobacteria. Full article

Accurate shelf-life prediction of perishable products remains challenging because quality deterioration involves multiple physicochemical changes that are not adequately captured by conventional univariate approaches. This study proposes a multivariate shelf-life prediction framework for sweet corn based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares (MCR-ALS). NIR spectra were collected from sweet corn samples and analyzed using MCR-ALS to extract chemically interpretable concentration and spectral profiles. A total of 100 and 85 corn samples were used for model training and validation, respectively. The dominant MCR-ALS component showed strong correlations with total soluble solids, dry matter, and individual sugar contents (sucrose, glucose, and fructose), effectively describing the overall quality degradation process. Based on the zero-order kinetic model, the predicted shelf lives were 41.3, 11.0, and 8.9 days at 4, 13, and 25 °C, respectively. Arrhenius analysis of the MCR-ALS concentration profile yielded a temperature-dependent degradation rate with an activation energy of 54.05 kJ mol⁻¹ (R² = 0.8387). The practical applicability of the proposed framework was further examined using a separate harvest batch of sweet corn that underwent repeated non-destructive NIR measurements throughout storage. Overall, the proposed NIR–MCR-ALS framework provides a rapid, non-destructive, and chemically interpretable approach for shelf-life prediction and postharvest quality monitoring of perishable produce. Full article

Bulk nanobubbles are nanoscale gas cavities dispersed in the liquid phase, and their experimental persistence contrasts with the classical predictions of rapid dissolution associated with Laplace pressure and diffusive transport. This discrepancy has given rise to a stability paradox between classical thermodynamic/diffusive predictions and experimentally observed kinetic persistence, which is exacerbated by the broad use of the term “stability” to describe distinct phenomena such as initial formation, colloidal stability, diffusive persistence, population persistence, and operational performance. This review analyzes the physicochemical mechanisms governing the formation and persistence of bulk nanobubbles in aqueous media, emphasizing the role of ionic composition. It discusses the limitations of classical models, nonlinear effects of ionic strength, ion specificity, preparation pathways, collective dynamics, and limitations associated with experimental characterization metrics. The analysis shows that the ionic strength does not act unidirectionally: it can favor initial formation by reducing gas solubility and promoting local supersaturation, but it can also accelerate the loss of colloidal stability through compression of the electric double layer. Furthermore, ionic identity, the timing of electrolyte incorporation, and bubble–bubble interactions condition the temporal evolution of the population. Based on this interpretation, bulk nanobubble stability cannot be evaluated as a single property or solely based on the initial concentration, average size, or zeta potential. It must be interpreted according to the stage of the system, the aqueous matrix, the generation pathway, and the desired operational function. Full article

The increasing discharge of pharmaceutical contaminants, particularly antibiotics like metronidazole (MNZ), into water systems poses significant ecological and public health risks due to their high solubility and low biodegradability. This study developed and characterized a highly porous activated carbon derived from maize cob (MC-AC). The synthesized material was characterized using FTIR, FESEM, PXRD, HRTEM, and BET analysis. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted, and the removal efficiency of MC-AC for MNZ was 98.6%. Optimization and modeling of the process variables of pH (3–11), contact time (0–75 min), concentration (0–70 mg/L), temperature (25–35 °C), and adsorbent dosage (0.5–1.5 g/L) were investigated using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology, and 29 runs were obtained. The BBD model determined an optimal removal efficiency of 94.6 for metronidazole. Furthermore, non-linearized kinetic and isotherm models were used to determine the adsorption mechanism and mode of metronidazole from water. From the investigation, it was observed that both the Freundlich and pseudo-second-order models exhibited high correlation coefficients. The models with the best performance and low error metrics were determined by R², MSE, RMSE, SAE, and SSE. Therefore, the adsorption mode was multilayer heterogeneous, and the mechanism was chemisorption. Therefore, this study provides a unique alternative for using the Box–Behnken design, kinetic, and isotherm models to understand the removal of metronidazole from water using maize cob-activated carbon. Full article

The replacement of n-hexane in vegetable oil extraction remains a significant challenge due to environmental and health concerns. This study integrates thermodynamic modeling and kinetic analysis to evaluate green solvents for soybean oil extraction. Solvent–triglyceride interactions were predicted using Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS), employing σ-surfaces, σ-profiles, σ-potentials, activity coefficients at infinite dilution (γ∞), and relative solubility descriptors ($x_{RS}$ and $w_{RS}$). Representative triglycerides were modeled using DFT-optimized structures. Based on these predictions and sustainability criteria, cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF), tert-butyl methyl ether (TBME), and ethyl acetate were experimentally evaluated against n-hexane using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) at 100 °C. CPME and 2-MeTHF achieved the highest extraction yields, exceeding n-hexane, while TBME showed comparable performance and ethyl acetate underperformed. Kinetic analysis using the hot-ball diffusion model revealed a two-stage mechanism: an initial solvation-controlled stage followed by a diffusion-controlled regime. COSMO-RS predictions correlated strongly with early-stage extraction behavior, whereas diffusion coefficients highlighted the influence of mass transfer properties at later stages. The proposed COSMO-RS, experimental extraction, and kinetic modeling framework, validated here for soybean oil, offers a transferable and resource-efficient platform for designing sustainable solvent-based extraction processes across diverse oilseed and natural product matrices. Full article

Avocado seeds represent an underutilized agro-industrial by-product rich in dietary fiber and bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the impact of convective drying (45–75 °C, 3–9 mm thickness, 0.5–2.5 m s⁻¹ air velocity) on the mass transfer kinetics, techno-functional properties, and phytochemical stability of the seed matrix. The Midilli model accurately described dehydration kinetics, with effective diffusivities around 10⁻⁹ m² s⁻¹. Principal Component Analysis of the evaluated parameters revealed trade-offs between drying efficiency and phytochemical preservation. While the lignocellulosic fiber matrix remained relatively stable, preserving its hydration and oil retention capacities independently of thermal severity, prolonged processing times resulted in lower phenolic acid content and promoted non-enzymatic browning. Crucially, high air velocities were associated with higher retention of thermolabile bioactives, potentially due to accelerated moisture removal and shorter cumulative thermal exposure. A multi-response desirability approach established three optimized processing scenarios, yielding a phytochemical-rich concentrate (45 °C, 3 mm, 2.5 m s⁻¹), a highly soluble ingredient (75 °C, 8.7 mm, 0.5 m s⁻¹), and a water-retaining bulking matrix (75 °C, 7.4 mm, 0.5 m s⁻¹). These findings demonstrate that convective drying thermodynamics can be strategically modulated to tailor avocado seed waste into specialized functional ingredients for the circular bioeconomy. Full article

Tea tree essential oil (TTO), extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia, is a terpene-rich botanical antimicrobial with demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. Its bioactivity is principally attributed to oxygenated monoterpenes, most notably including terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, and α-terpinene, whose structure–activity relationships govern interactions with microbial membranes and intracellular targets. This review provides a comprehensive, mechanistically grounded analysis of TTO as a sustainable antimicrobial platform for food preservation applications. The physicochemical determinants of TTO performance are critically assessed, encompassing chemotype-dependent compositional variability, hydrophobicity, limited aqueous solubility, and oxidative instability, with emphasis on how these properties constrain efficacy in complex food matrices. Antimicrobial mechanisms are systematically examined, including membrane permeabilization, disruption of cellular homeostasis, oxidative stress induction, and quorum-sensing interference. Focus is placed on nanostructured delivery systems, including nanoemulsions, biopolymer-based encapsulants, and hybrid nanocomposites, that improve physicochemical stability, modulate release kinetics, and potentiate antimicrobial activity. The integration of these engineered formulations into edible coatings, active packaging, and sanitation protocols across fresh produce, meat, and dairy systems is evaluated in the context of practical food safety applications. Translational limitations are addressed, including volatility, sensory incompatibility, regulatory constraints, and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity considerations. Collectively, this review positions TTO-based nanoformulations as a scientifically promising and technologically scalable approach to next-generation food preservation, while identifying critical gaps that must be resolved to support regulatory acceptance and commercial implementation. Full article

Geological carbon sequestration is a critical strategy for reducing atmospheric CO₂ emissions and mitigating climate change; however, its long-term effectiveness depends on a robust understanding of subsurface trapping mechanisms. This review synthesizes recent advances in evidence-based CO₂ trapping by systematically examining four primary mechanisms—structural/stratigraphic, residual (capillary), solubility, and mineral trapping—using insights from experimental studies, field observations, and numerical modeling. The analysis highlights that structural trapping provides immediate containment controlled by caprock integrity and reservoir geometry, while residual trapping immobilizes CO₂ at the pore scale through capillary forces and multiphase flow dynamics. Over longer timescales, solubility trapping enhances storage security via dissolution and density-driven convection, whereas mineral trapping offers the most permanent form of sequestration through geochemical conversion to stable carbonates, albeit with slower kinetics. Recent findings emphasize the strong coupling among trapping mechanisms, the influence of wettability, heterogeneity, and flow regimes, and the growing role of engineered injection strategies and enhanced mineralization approaches. Overall, the review demonstrates that secure and scalable CO₂ storage requires an integrated, multiscale understanding of these interacting processes, supported by improved monitoring, modeling, and experimental validation to reduce uncertainty and optimize storage performance. Full article

Multi-sulfonated anionic azo dyes are difficult to remove from water because their high solubility and ionized sulfonate groups reduce their affinity toward many oxide adsorbents. In this study, magnesium oxide-modified alumina composites were prepared by loading magnesium oxide onto mesoporous alumina to increase the density of surface hydroxyl groups. Sunset Yellow and Amaranth were selected as model dyes containing two and three sulfonate groups, respectively. Compared with pristine alumina, the modified adsorbents exhibited higher isoelectric points, stronger hydroxyl-related infrared signals, and significantly enhanced adsorption capacities. At pH 4.0, the maximum adsorption capacities reached 787 mg/g for Sunset Yellow and 709 mg/g for Amaranth. Notably, MgA-2 exhibited the highest utilization efficiency of MgO active sites. Adsorption kinetics were well described by the pseudo-second-order model, while equilibrium data followed the Langmuir model. Mechanistic analysis indicated that adsorption process mainly proceeded through ion exchange between surface hydroxyl groups and dye sulfonate groups. The higher adsorption capacity of Sunset Yellow was attributed to its lower number of sulfonate groups and lower demand for hydroxyl binding sites. These results demonstrate that magnesium oxide modification is an effective strategy for enhancing alumina-based adsorbents for the removal of multi-sulfonated anionic dyes from water. Full article

Plant extracts and plant-derived bioactive compounds are considered important natural agents in cancer research due to their antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic effects. However, the low solubility, limited bioavailability, instability, and challenges in their standardization directly limit their therapeutic use. Therefore, the development of new delivery systems has become necessary. In this context, hydrogels are among the biomaterial platforms gaining attention in cancer treatment. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the potential of hydrogel systems containing plant extracts and plant-derived bioactive compounds in cancer treatment. The article discusses cancer types, the limitations of current treatments, mechanisms of action of plant-derived bioactive compounds against cancer, stimulus-responsive hydrogel systems, and the design criteria for extract-loaded hydrogels. In addition, hydrogel systems containing plant-derived components and combination approaches that use these components alongside anticancer drugs have been investigated. According to the literature, these compounds may increase anticancer activity through local, prolonged release, reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents in some cases, and exhibit complementary or synergistic antitumor effects with chemotherapeutic drugs. They also point out the potential of treatment strategies targeting the tumor microenvironment. However, researchers need to conduct more comprehensive studies on extraction standardization, biosafety, release kinetics, in vivo efficacy, and clinical scalability. In conclusion, hydrogel systems containing plant extracts and plant-derived bioactive compounds should be considered not as direct alternatives to cancer treatments but as rational biomaterial platforms that enable controlled release, local application, and combination therapies. Full article

The development of fully biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)-based materials with improved mechanical performance remains a major challenge due to the limited ductility and processability of this highly crystalline polymer. Blending and plasticisation are viable strategies to enhance PHB toughness; however, the interactions governing polymer–plasticiser compatibility and their impact on structure–property relationships remain not fully understood. In this work, the compatibility and plasticisation mechanisms of two citrate-based plasticisers, tributyl citrate (TBC) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), were systematically investigated in biodegradable blends based on PHB, polylactic acid (PLA), and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Polymer–plasticiser affinity was evaluated through Hansen Solubility Parameters and interaction radius, which indicated good compatibility of PHB with both plasticisers and a stronger affinity for ATBC. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that citrate plasticisers reduced the glass transition temperature, modified crystallisation kinetics, and altered the crystalline morphology of the blends. Dynamic mechanical analysis confirmed the reduction in the glass transition temperature of PHB–PLA systems, which is in agreement with the DSC results. Migration experiments showed equilibrium after approximately 72 h, with PHB–PLA blends exhibiting better plasticiser retention than PHB–PBAT systems. TBC consistently showed higher migration than ATBC, in line with its lower molecular weight and higher volatility. Mechanical testing demonstrated that plasticisation efficiency strongly depended on blend composition: TBC was more effective in enhancing ductility in PHB–PLA blends, whereas ATBC performed better in PHB–PBAT systems. It was also highlighted that the plasticisers had a remarkable ability to substantially increase the ductility of the blends compared with their unplasticised counterparts, as reflected by the pronounced decrease in stiffness and the marked increase in elongation at break. SEM analysis of tensile fracture surfaces evidenced a brittle failure mode for PHB–PLA blends, whereas PHB–PBAT systems exhibited a ductile fracture mode with fibrillar features and clear signs of phase separation. Finally, thermogravimetric analysis showed no appreciable thermal degradation within the processing temperature window used for mixing and hot pressing, confirming the thermal stability of the materials under the selected conditions. These findings establish clear correlations between thermodynamic compatibility, migration behaviour, thermal properties, fracture mechanisms, and mechanical performance, providing useful guidelines for the design of citrate-plasticised PHB-based biodegradable materials. Full article

The development of oral drug delivery systems has become a major priority for pharmaceutical technology, driven by the growing demand for medicinal products that improve compliance, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and minimise drug-related adverse effects. Therefore, the ability to modulate drug release kinetics through systems capable of controlled and targeted delivery is crucial. In this context, Eudragit-based nanoparticles have demonstrated great potential in enhancing drug stability, controlling release profiles, and improving site-specific targeting in the gastrointestinal tract. Polymethacrylate copolymers (Eudragit^®) exhibit pH-dependent solubility, mucoadhesive properties, and tunable drug-loading capacities, making them highly suitable for advanced oral formulations. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of Eudragit^® in the design of nanoparticulate systems for oral drug delivery: inorganic nanoparticles, nanocrystals, lipid-based carriers, and polymeric nanoparticles. A special focus is given to the formulation’s composition, preparation method, physicochemical properties and the mechanisms of controlled drug release, but also to in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo characterisation. Emphasis is placed on controlled-release strategies, targeted delivery, and the impact of polymeric materials in optimising therapeutic outcomes. By exploring these aspects, this review aims to highlight current research advances on Eudragit-based nanoparticles, their potential applications, and the challenges that must be addressed before these nanosystems can be considered robust platforms for improving oral drug bioavailability and efficacy. Full article