Search Results (954)

The development of alternative fat systems for confectionery glazes requires precise control of melting behavior, solid fat content, and rheological performance. In this study, binary fat systems based on fully hydrogenated rapeseed oil (FHRSO) and refined sea buckthorn oil (RSBO) were developed and modified by chemical interesterification for application in non-tempered confectionery glazes. Interesterified blends with FHRSO/RSBO ratios of 10/90, 20/80, and 30/70 were characterized in terms of fatty acid composition, trans fatty acid isomers, melting behavior, solid fat content (SFC), and rheological properties. The investigated systems were distinguished by a high content of palmitoleic acid (C16:1) derived from RSBO, while increasing FHRSO content led to higher saturated fatty acid levels, higher melting temperatures, and increased SFC values. Among the tested formulations, the FHRSO/RSBO 20/80 blend exhibited the most balanced functional profile, showing moderate melting characteristics, an SFC value of approximately 15% at 30 °C, and favorable Casson viscosity for glaze processing. A confectionery glaze prepared with this fat system showed good flow behavior during application, rapid setting at ambient temperature, and stable surface appearance during 30 days of storage. The results demonstrate that chemically interesterified FHRSO/RSBO systems, particularly the 20/80 formulation, represent a promising alternative lipid base for non-tempered confectionery glazes. Full article

This study investigates the effects of a novel marine byproduct oil extracted from the cephalopod Nototodarus sloani (Arrow squid) on human platelets and red blood cells (RBCs). The oil was produced using enzyme-assisted extraction under varying pH conditions without further refining. The level of oxidation of the different oils was determined. Hemocompatibility and oxidative effects were evaluated after 24 h of incubation at physiological and fever-like conditions. Hemolysis levels varied with extraction conditions and with the amount of oil in contact with the cells. Oils extracted using 0.5% Alcalase^® and 1% Protamex^{TM ®} at pH 5.9 demonstrated superior hemocompatibility. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels presented a dose-dependent increase, with higher levels observed in oils extracted at a higher pH. Although there was no direct correlation between hemolysis rate, ROS levels and oxidation, the less oxidized oils presented lower ROS formation and better hemocompatibility. Additionally, the oils exhibited a strong anticoagulant effect and low IC₅₀ values against TRAP-6-induced platelet aggregation. These findings highlight the potential of Nototodarus sloani as a source of bioactive compounds, providing initial evidence of potential cardiovascular benefits and resource valorization, underlining the importance of extraction conditions in determining the biological properties of marine byproduct oils. Full article

The strength degradation of silica-enriched oil well cement under high-temperature curing conditions poses a challenge to wellbore integrity. Using the single-peak Scherrer equation, this study evaluated xonotlite crystallite size evolution in cements cured at different setting temperatures. Low-temperature setting (80 °C) maintained stable crystallite size (≈35–36 nm), accompanied by strength gain and pore refinement. High-temperature setting (240 °C) induced crystallite coarsening (up to 40 nm), concurrent with strength degradation and pore coarsening. Similar crystallite sizes led to divergent mechanical performance depending on crystal morphology, highlighting the need for combined size-morphology assessment. These findings identify xonotlite crystallite coarsening as a key indicator of high-temperature cement retrogression. Full article

This study presents a risk assessment of asphaltene–resin–paraffin deposition (ARPD) in the producing formations of the XIII reservoir unit of the Uzen oil field at a late stage of development. The crude oil is characterized by an extremely high paraffin (wax) content of up to 29 wt.%. Long-term operation of the reservoir pressure maintenance (RPM) system with cold water injection has resulted in significant reservoir cooling, with temperatures declining from the initial 60–65 °C to 20–30 °C in zones of intensive waterflooding. To refine the critical phase transition temperatures of paraffin components, a dynamic laboratory approach was applied using a Wax Flow Loop system, which simulates wax deposition processes under flowing conditions. The results indicate that the wax appearance temperature (WAT) ranges from 41.0 to 44.0 °C, significantly exceeding the current bottomhole temperatures in the cooled zones of the reservoir. Intensive bulk crystallization of paraffins occurs within the temperature interval of 33.5–35.0 °C, while loss of oil flowability is observed at 25–34 °C, corresponding to the gelation and structural network formation of wax crystals under reduced thermal conditions. The obtained results confirm the inevitability of bulk oil structuring and solid wax phase precipitation directly within the reservoir porous medium. This process leads to blockage of low-permeability interlayers, deterioration of filtration properties, and a reduction in the displacement efficiency factor by 20–35%. Under the current thermal regime, ARPD should therefore be considered not merely as an operational flow assurance issue, but as a systemic factor limiting reservoir development efficiency. The research results substantiate the need to transition from reactive ARPD removal methods to proactive management of the thermal regime of the reservoir and wells, as well as to the differentiated application of thermal and chemical treatment methods. Full article

3-Monochloropropanediol esters (3-MCPDEs) and glycidyl esters (GEs) are food processing contaminants that raise significant food safety concerns due to their established potential for carcinogenicity. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of 3-MCPDEs and GEs in common Malaysian food items and to evaluate the associated health risks through dietary exposure assessment. A total of 251 samples, consisting of retail products and cooked/prepared meals, were analysed using GC-MS. The food consumption data were obtained from published national food surveys. Risk was characterised using health-based guidance values (HBGVs) and margin of exposure (MOE), lifetime cancer risk (LCR), and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) estimates. 3-MCPDE was detected in 94.8% of samples (range: ND to 7.77 mg/kg), while GE was found in 83.3% of samples (range: ND to 9.41 mg/kg). The highest levels were consistently observed in refined vegetable fats and oil products, specifically shortening (3-MCPDE: 3.53 [IQR 2.76–5.16] mg/kg; GE: 4.78 [IQR 3.52–6.14] mg/kg) and margarine (3-MCPDE: 2.50 [IQR 1.11–3.59] mg/kg; GE: 3.60 [IQR 1.18–5.26] mg/kg). Exposure assessment identified fried rice as the largest contributor to total daily intake (3-MCPDE: 3.16 μg/kg BW/day; GE: 1.36 μg/kg BW/day). Total exposure to 3-MCPDE exceeded the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) established by JECFA by 39.5%, indicating a potential health concern. Low MOE estimates (<10,000) for 3-MCPDE and GE were determined for several food categories, including snacks, kuih-muih, and fried cooked dishes. Chronic GE exposure was estimated to cause up to 6.9 (for mean consumers) and 24.9 (for high consumers) cancer cases per year, with total the DALYs quantified at 124.2 years lost per 100,000 of the population. These data represent a worst-case scenario; however, risks could be minimised through continued surveillance, mitigation strategies by relevant authorities regarding food processing, and informed dietary choices. Full article

Sulfide-alkaline wastewater (SAW) from petrochemical plants, particularly from pyrolysis and hydrotreating units, presents a significant environmental challenge due to its high toxicity, extreme alkalinity (pH > 12), and high concentrations of sulfides and organic pollutants. Traditional treatment methods like acid neutralization or air oxidation are often inefficient, generate secondary waste, or fail to recover valuable components. This study investigates the effectiveness of a novel electrochemical system for the simultaneous treatment of SAW and recovery of valuable products. A lab-scale four-chamber electrodialyzer, equipped with cation-exchange membranes and nickel bipolar electrodes, was designed and tested using real industrial wastewater. The wastewater was characterized by a pH of 13.06, chemical oxygen demand of 12,600 mg/L, and a sulfide content of approximately 5000 mg/L. The process leverages anodic oxidation to convert sulfide ions into elemental sulfur, while sodium cations migrate through cation-exchange membranes to the cathodic compartments. There, water reduction generates high-purity hydrogen (≥99.9%) and a concentrated, purified sodium hydroxide solution. The results demonstrate the ineffectiveness of electrodialysis with anion-exchange membranes due to rapid membrane degradation. In contrast, the proposed electrodialyzer with bipolar electrodes achieved excellent performance: a caustic soda solution with a concentration of 2.3–2.5% was recovered with a current efficiency of 83–85%, containing only trace amounts of sulfides (0.0052%) and organic impurities (0.053%). The process completely removed the original sulfide alkalinity. The study confirms the chemical and mechanical stability of the cation-exchange membranes under harsh SAW conditions. The proposed technology offers a path towards a closed-loop system in refineries by enabling the reuse of recovered caustic, utilization of hydrogen, and potential recovery of sulfur, aligning with the principles of green chemistry and circular economy. Full article

The growing demand for clean and efficient fuels, along with the need to reduce environmental impacts and operational risks, has driven the development of sustainability strategies in refining processes such as gas oil hydrocracking. This paper evaluates the sustainability of an industrial gas oil hydrocracking process with mass and energy integration, using the Safety and Sustainability Weighted Return on Investment (SWROIM) metric. This metric integrates economic, energy, environmental, technical, and safety criteria into a single quantitative indicator. The process was modeled and simulated considering heat exchange networks and direct water recycle to improve the overall system efficiency. The main objective was to calculate the SWROIM of the integrated process and analyze the relative influence of each sustainability indicator through a sensitivity study based on varying weighting factors. The results show that the process achieves an SWROIM value of 127.39%, significantly higher than the return on investment (ROI), demonstrating favorable sustainable performance. This behavior is attributed to high exergy efficiency, a reduction in potential environmental impact, improvements in water management, and a decrease in the inherent risk of the process. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that the energy indicator has the greatest influence on SWROIM, while the technical criterion has a relatively minor impact. Overall, the results demonstrate that mass and energy integration, evaluated using advanced metrics such as SWROIM, is a robust tool to support decision-making in the sustainable design and optimization of hydrocracking processes, opening opportunities for future applications in other complex systems within the refining industry. Full article

Oxidative catalytic fractionation (OCF) under the lignin-first strategy has emerged as a critical technological approach for biomass refining. To address the inevitable carbohydrate degradation and lignin condensation in conventional OCF, this study designed a cobalt-doped layered double hydroxide oxide (Co-LDO) catalyst compatible with non-alkaline (without Brønsted bases) organic systems, which exhibits excellent performance in poplar biomass OCF. With a straightforward preparation process, the Co-LDO catalyst yields high-content oxidized lignin oligomers while efficiently retaining carbohydrates, providing feedstock rich in carbohydrates (cellulose and hemicellulose) for the subsequent production of bioenergy and biomass-based chemicals. Under optimized conditions screened via systematic reaction condition investigation and metal-doped LDO catalyst evaluation, the process achieved a 94.01 wt% delignification rate, with 72.19 wt% of lignin converted into lignin oligomer oil, supported by detailed product composition and structural characterization. Meanwhile, 74.14 wt% hemicellulose and 98.23 wt% cellulose were recovered in solid residues, with structurally intact hemicellulose retention being 2.3 times higher than in traditional OCF. Mass balance calculation confirmed a total poplar refining yield of 81.58 wt%. In summary, this Co-LDO-catalyzed OCF strategy provides a high-activity non-precious metal system, effectively suppressing lignin condensation while preserving high-yield carbohydrates, realizing the efficient full-component refining of poplar biomass. Full article

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH), comprising saturated (MOSH) and aromatic (MOAH) compounds, are ubiquitous lipophilic contaminants. This review critically examines their occurrence, toxicology, analysis, contamination sources, and mitigation strategies in the olive oil sector. Emphasis is placed on analytical evolution, highlighting online LC-GC-FID and the EN ISO 20122:2024 standard, including advances in saponification and epoxidation to minimize biogenic interferences. Monitoring data reveal that virgin olive oils from the market can sometimes exceed the 2.0 mg/kg limit for the MOAH. Ten times higher levels are usually found in olive pomace oils (OPOs). In OPO, solvent extraction causes a significant reconcentration of hydrocarbons remaining on the solid matter after physical extraction and accumulating during the open-air storage of pomace. Conversely, for virgin oils, contamination can occur at multiple points along the supply chain, but harvesting emerged as the most important critical step, often due to accidental contact with lubricants, greases, or hydraulic fluids. Post-milling operations may also contribute to contamination. Mitigation strategies rely on Good Agricultural and Manufacturing Practices, focusing on the systematic replacement of technical-grade lubricants with food-grade alternatives. Additionally, olive washing can reduce initial MOSH content, while refining further lowers levels, particularly in lighter fractions. Full article

The rheological behavior of chitosan–vanillin crosslinked olive oil-in-water emulsions (Φ = 0.52) was investigated to identify formulation and processing conditions suitable for designing oleogel precursors. The effects of homogenization conditions, reaction temperature, chitosan concentration, vanillin-to-chitosan molar ratio, and non-ionic surfactants were systematically evaluated. Surfactant-free emulsions exhibited a structured, gel-like response and non-thixotropic shear-thinning flow, which was well described by the Herschel–Bulkley model within the investigated shear-rate range. Optimal homogenization (4 min, ≥9500 rpm) refined the microstructure without compromising stability. Increasing the reaction temperature to 55 °C, the chitosan concentration to ~0.9% (w/w), and the vanillin-to-chitosan molar ratio to 0.7 maximized yield stress, consistency, and thermal robustness, consistent with enhanced network formation. In contrast, Tween^® surfactants produced divergent responses, increasing small-amplitude oscillatory stiffness while markedly reducing resistance under steady shear, likely due to surfactant-driven interfacial displacement. Among the tested surfactants, Tween^® 20 provided the highest thermal stability. Overall, these results define processing and formulation windows to obtain surfactant-free, structured emulsions with improved structuring performance, supporting their use as effective templates for olive oil oleogel development. Full article

Understanding how different pre-slaughter and slaughter procedures modulate physiological and neurochemical pathways in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) remains essential for welfare-oriented aquaculture. This study comparatively evaluated six procedures: clove oil and 2-phenoxyethanol anaesthesia, percussive stunning, asphyxiation in ice slurry or on solid ice, and clove oil anaesthesia followed by ice slurry, using plasma glucose and whole-brain monoaminergic indices as integrative physiological response indicators. Ninety-six fish were analysed. Ice-based asphyxiation and 2-phenoxyethanol exposure were associated with the highest plasma glucose concentrations, whereas clove oil and percussive stunning showed comparatively lower values. Dopaminergic and serotonergic turnover ratios (DOPAC/DA; 5-HIAA/5-HT) increased sharply under ice and 2-phenoxyethanol treatments, indicating increased monoaminergic activity under these procedures. Multivariate analyses (MANOVA, PCA) distinguished anaesthetic-based treatments from ice-based methods according to their combined neurochemical profiles. Although correlations between glucose and monoaminergic indices were modest, they were statistically significant and consistent with coordinated metabolic–neurochemical adjustments. Overall, DOPAC/DA and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios emerged as sensitive and mechanistic biomarkers capable of differentiating slaughter procedures according to their relative physiological impact. These findings support the integration of metabolic and neurochemical indicators in welfare assessment and may contribute to evidence-based refinement of humane slaughter protocols in Mediterranean aquaculture systems. Full article

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD) represents a nutritionally balanced eating pattern characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and extra-virgin olive oil as the principal fat source and limited intake of red meat and refined sugars. Emerging evidence indicates that the MD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties extend beyond systemic health, potentially reducing the risk and severity of periodontitis. This narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between adherence to the MD and periodontal health outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed without restrictions on publication date. Fourteen studies, ranging from 2019 to 2025, were included, encompassing human, clinical, experimental, and review designs that examined MD adherence and its effects on periodontal parameters. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, cohort, randomized controlled trials; systematic reviews; and animal models assessing clinical periodontal indices, inflammatory biomarkers, or microbial composition. Extracted data included study design, population characteristics, dietary assessment methods, and primary periodontal findings. Results: Most studies demonstrated that greater adherence to the MD was associated with improved periodontal parameters, including reduced probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. Interventional trials showed significant reductions in systemic inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and CRP, along with decreased counts of periodontopathogenic bacteria. Experimental studies further revealed the protective role of oleic acid and polyphenols in regulating macrophage activity, suppressing osteoclastogenesis, and enhancing IL-10 expression via epigenetic modulation. However, heterogeneity in dietary scoring systems, sample characteristics, and follow-up duration limited direct comparison, and not all associations reached statistical significance. Conclusions: Current evidence supports a beneficial association between MD adherence and periodontal health, mediated through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and microbiome-stabilizing mechanisms. Further standardized longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to confirm causality and refine nutritional strategies for periodontal disease prevention and management. Full article

This study develops and evaluates three complementary predictive modeling frameworks for gearbox oil temperature forecasting: Stochastic Differential Equation (SDE) modeling with iterative Markov correction, multi-objective genetic algorithm-enhanced grey modeling (MOGA-GM(1,N)), and multi-output Gaussian Process Regression (MO-GPR). The study used supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data from a 1.5 MW wind turbine gearbox, comprising 14 temperature measurements spanning 789 operational hours. The SDE framework partitions temperature evolution into deterministic aging effects and stochastic environmental perturbations, achieving a fitting accuracy of 2.5% and testing accuracy of 8.0% after thirty iterative corrections. The MOGA-GM(1,N) approach optimizes weight coefficients through the dual objective of minimizing the posterior difference ratio and maximizing small error probability, attaining first-class accuracy classification ($C=0.06$; $P=0.99$) while identifying mechanical loads and rotational speeds as dominant thermal drivers. MO-GPR demonstrates competitive performance with uncertainty quantification capabilities, achieving RMSE values of 2.51–7.48 depending on training SCADA data proportions. Comparative analysis shows that the iteratively refined SDE methodachieves the best prediction accuracy in this case study for continuous thermal trajectory forecasting, while MOGA-GM(1,N) excels at wear source diagnostics and operational factor analysis. The proposed framework addresses persistent challenges in wind turbine condition monitoring, including extreme nonlinearity, discontinuous data, and unpredictable thermal spikes. The results suggest potential for implementation in preventive maintenance systems, enabling timely intervention before critical thermal thresholds that precipitate component failure. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of low- and high-temperature bleaching processes on the quality parameters of pumpkin seed oil. The research focused on optimizing the process to improve the oil’s physicochemical properties while reducing losses of valuable bioactive components. The bleaching process was carried out using 12 adsorbents in four technological variants, differing in temperature and adsorbent amount (30 °C/2% w/w, 30 °C/5%, 90 °C/2%, and 90 °C/5%). The scope of the analyses included, among others, the determination of acid (AV), peroxide (POV), and anisidine values (AnV), as well as the characterization of the fatty acid profile and the content of phytosterols and tocopherols. The data obtained were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to correlate the type of adsorbent with the process effects. It was shown that bleaching partially improves the oil’s quality parameters, though it is associated with a reduction in tocopherol and carotenoid content. Aluminum oxides are very poor adsorbents of vegetable oil components. Finely divided activated carbons exhibit the broadest spectrum of adsorbed components. Furthermore, bleaching earths have different effects on oil components depending on their composition and process temperature. Full article

Modern oil refining is faced with the need to maximize raw material processing in the face of fierce competition and environmental requirements. Therefore, the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process, key to the production of high-octane gasoline, requires special attention to automation efficiency. Maintaining optimal reactor temperature is a complex scientific and technical challenge, the solution to which directly impacts the yield of target products and the service life of the catalyst. Existing automatic control systems often fail to cope with process transients, nonlinearities, and time delays, making the search for new control approaches highly relevant. The scientific significance of this study lies in the system analysis and quantitative comparison of the effectiveness of classical control laws (P, PI, PID) applied to a plant with a delay. For the first time, a rigorous comparative analysis of tuning methods—analytical (based on phase margin specifications) and automated (using the PID Tuner tool in MATLAB Simulink R2024b)—is performed for a plant characterized as a second-order system with time delay, formed by the series connection of two first-order lag elements with transport delay. The results contribute to automatic control theory by clearly demonstrating the limitations of the proportional controller and the insufficient speed of the integral controller, as well as confirming the hypothesis that a PID law is necessary to achieve a balance between accuracy and response speed under inertia conditions. The practical significance of the work is confirmed by the development of an optimized automatic temperature control system. Using the PID Tuner tool, we achieved critical industrial performance indicators: zero static error, minimal control time (44 s), and acceptable overshoot (9.6%). The system’s robustness (maintaining stability with changes in plant parameters by 30–40%) and its invariance to the main disturbance (catalyst temperature fluctuations), confirmed during simulation, guarantee the viability of the proposed solution under real-world production conditions. Implementation of such a controller will minimize deviations from the process conditions, leading to increased yield of light petroleum products and an extended service life of the expensive catalyst, providing direct economic benefits. Full article