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A magnetic pomegranate peels activated carbon (MG-PPAC) nanocomposite (23.46–26.75 nm) was prepared as an effective adsorbent for Acid Orange 7 (AO7) dye removal from wastewater. The effects of impregnation ratio and activation temperatures (600–900 °C) on the specific surface area and pore morphology were studied. BET, SEM, EDX, FT-IR, XRD and VSM are considered the synthesized composite MG-PPAC. The prepared magnetic composite at 700 °C activation temperature and impregnation ratio 1/2 (peels/ZnCl2) exhibited 513.34 m2/g surface area, 0.4025 cm3/g volume of the total pores, and 3.1364 nm mean diameter of the pores. The magnetization saturation, remanence and coercivity of the MG-PPA composite were 14.116 emu/g, 0.50685 emu/g, and 19.705 G, respectively. Also, the composite MG-PPAC was in a super-paramagnetic state at room temperature and could be gathered within 5 S (less than 5 S) with an external magnetic field. The impact of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration of adsorbate (AO7 dye), and time of contact have been studied to optimize the removal process. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were used to investigate MG-PPAC adsorption behavior for AO7 dye. Applicability of the Langmuir isotherm model demonstrates a monolayer adsorption AO7 dye removal process, and the maximum monolayer capacity (Qm) attained from linear solvation of LIM is 322.58 mg/g. Furthermore, the highest removal was 99.53% at pH 2.25. Also, the adsorption process was tested using like pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, film diffusion, and Elovich models. The pseudo-second-order model is well-fitted to the operational data of AO7 dye removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A magnetic pomegranate peels activated carbon (MG-PPAC) nanocomposite (23.46–26.75 nm) was prepared as an effective adsorbent for Acid Orange 7 (AO7) dye removal from wastewater. The effects of impregnation ratio and activation temperatures (600–900 °C) on the specific surface area and pore morphology were studied. BET, SEM, EDX, FT-IR, XRD and VSM are considered the synthesized composite MG-PPAC. The prepared magnetic composite at 700 °C activation temperature and impregnation ratio 1/2 (peels/ZnCl2) exhibited 513.34 m2/g surface area, 0.4025 cm3/g volume of the total pores, and 3.1364 nm mean diameter of the pores. The magnetization saturation, remanence and coercivity of the MG-PPA composite were 14.116 emu/g, 0.50685 emu/g, and 19.705 G, respectively. Also, the composite MG-PPAC was in a super-paramagnetic state at room temperature and could be gathered within 5 S (less than 5 S) with an external magnetic field. The impact of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration of adsorbate (AO7 dye), and time of contact have been studied to optimize the removal process. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were used to investigate MG-PPAC adsorption behavior for AO7 dye. Applicability of the Langmuir isotherm model demonstrates a monolayer adsorption AO7 dye removal process, and the maximum monolayer capacity (Q m ) attained from linear solvation of LIM is 322.58 mg/g. Furthermore, the highest removal was 99.53% at pH 2.25. Also, the adsorption process was tested using like pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, film diffusion, and Elovich models. The pseudo-second-order model is well-fitted to the operational data of AO7 dye removal.

This study was conducted in the Plant Pathology Laboratory/ College of Agriculture/ University of Anbar to study and test the effectiveness of plant extracts (turmeric, pomegranate peel, banana peel) in inhibiting the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus and test its ability to reduce aflatoxin B1 from liquid media. The plant materials (powders and extracts) were used in three concentrations (10, 15, 20) mg ml-1. The results showed that all plant materials were significantly effective in inhibiting the growth of A. flavus and their ability to reduce aflatoxin B1 from liquid media. Turmeric powder showed its superiority in its inhibitory effect on the growth of fungi on PDA culture medium, as it achieved the highest percentage of inhibition at a concentration of 20 mg ml-1, which amounted to 87.41%. Whereas, banana peel powder gave the lowest inhibition rate at 10mg ml-1 concentration) 64.07% (. While the aqueous extract of turmeric achieved inhibition in the growth of the fungus at a concentration of 20 mg ml-1 by 87.41%, outperformed the aqueous extract of pomegranate and banana, where the rates of inhibition reached 86.66% and 82.96%, respectively at the same concentration. In addition, the alcoholic extract of turmeric showed the highest rate of inhibition of fungi growth at a concentration of 20 mg ml-1, which amounted to 94.07%, followed by the alcoholic extract of banana and pomegranate with a percentage of 93.3% and 88.14%, respectively, at the same concentration.

The pomegranate processing industry generates worldwide enormous amounts of by-products, such as pomegranate peels (PPs), which constitute a rich source of phenolic compounds. In this view, PPs could be exploited as a sustainable source of ellagic acid, which is a compound that possesses various biological actions. The present study aimed at the liberation of ellagic acid from its bound forms via ultrasound-assisted alkaline hydrolysis, which was optimized using response surface methodology. The effects of duration of sonication, solvent:solid ratio, and NaOH concentration on total phenol content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and punicalagin and ellagic acid content were investigated. Using the optimum hydrolysis conditions (i.e., 32 min, 1:48 v/w, 1.5 mol/L NaOH), the experimental responses were found to be TCP: 4230 ± 190 mg GAE/100 g dry PPs; AABTS: 32,398 ± 1817 µmol Trolox/100 g dry PPs; ACUPRAC: 29,816 ± 1955 µmol Trolox/100 g dry PPs; 59 ± 3 mg punicalagin/100 g dry PPs; and 1457 ± 71 mg ellagic acid/100 g dry PPs. LC-QTOF-MS and GC-MS analysis of the obtained PP extract revealed the presence of various phenolic compounds (e.g., ellagic acid), organic acids (e.g., citric acid), sugars (e.g., fructose) and amino acids (e.g., glycine). The proposed methodology could be of use for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics applications, thus reinforcing local economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Kirkuk University for Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ellagic acid, known for its various biological activities, is widely used. Ellagic acid from pomegranate peels is safe for consumption, while that from gallnuts is only suitable for external use. However, there is currently no effective method to confirm the source of ellagic acid. Therefore, this study establishes an analysis method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-HR-MS) to identify the components of crude ellagic acid extracts from pomegranate peels and gallnuts. The analysis revealed that there was a mix of components in the crude extracts, such as ellagic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and 9(10)-EpODE. Furthermore, it could be observed that ellagic acid extracted from gallnuts contained toxic substances such as anacardic acid and ginkgolic acid (15:1). These components could be used to effectively distinguish the origin of ellagic acid from pomegranate peels or gallnuts. Additionally, a rapid quantitative analysis method using UHPLC-ESI-MS with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was developed for the quality control of ellagic acid products, by quantifying anacardic acid and ginkgolic acid (15:1). It was found that one of three ellagic acid health care products contained ginkgolic acid (C15:1) and anacardic acid at more than 1 ppm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) a popular fruit known for its rich nutritional value and diverse bioactive compounds. While the edible seeds and juice of pomegranates have gained significant attention, pomegranate peels, which are often discarded as waste, have emerged as a promising source of bioactive compounds with numerous health benefits. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the biological properties, health benefits, and food applications of bioactive compounds derived from pomegranate peels. Pomegranate peels contain a wide array of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, and organic acids that exhibit various biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and cardioprotective effects. The antioxidant properties of these compounds help protect against oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Furthermore, pomegranate peel extracts have exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by modulating inflammatory pathways. The antimicrobial properties of pomegranate peel extracts make the latter potential candidates for food preservation and as natural alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial agents. In addition to their health benefits, bioactive compounds from pomegranate peel extracts can be used as natural food additives and preservatives due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In conclusion, bioactive compounds derived from pomegranate peels possess diverse biological properties and offer significant health benefits.

A combination of by-products was studied in fresh handmade pasta. Pomegranate peels and olive oil by-products were used in the range 0–6% (w/w) and properly combined in a total of nine combinations with an equal amount of broccoli by-products (10% w/w). The broccoli by-products were added to improve the sensory acceptance, which was compromised when the two above by-products were added to the dough. To verify the synergic effects, among these by-products, on tagliatelle shelf life, microbiological quality based on the main spoilage groups, sensory properties, appearance of visible molds, pH and moisture content were monitored in all the packaged samples stored at 4 °C. In addition to fortified pasta samples, control tagliatelle was also investigated. A mathematical approach was used to fit experimental data and calculate pasta shelf life. In addition, a mathematical model was also proposed to describe the dependence of the shelf life from each by-product percentage added to the formulation. Results showed that while the control fresh pasta lasted about 3 days for the undesired proliferation of yeasts and coliforms, all fortified samples maintained acceptable quality for at least one week. Depending on the by-product combination, shelf-life values could reach more than 13 days. The best combination of by-products calculated based on the mathematical model, that reached the highest shelf life (13.30 days), corresponded to 10% broccoli by-products combined with 6% olive oil by-products and 6% pomegranate peels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a crucial material for industries such as rubber production, biomedical applications, and metal surface treatment areas. ZnO exhibits semi-conductivity, antimicrobial activity, and UV absorption capability. This material is regarded as a vulcanization activator. Transforming this material to a nanoparticle is preferred because increasing the particle size of the material decreases the surface area. In the scientific literature, researchers have attempted to increase the features of ZnO nanoparticles to use them as photocatalysts and antimicrobial agents. Besides that, there are also studies aimed at improving the properties of this nanomaterial for use in energy cells and sensors. The synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles in a biological way is accepted as an eco-friendly process. Since hazardous chemicals and high energy are not used, the biological method is called green synthesis. In the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles via the green route, zinc nitrate or zinc acetate is the source of zinc salt added to biological extracts. These extracts can be obtained from algae, plants, and bacteria. The reaction between the salt and extract occurs, and then a thermal treatment is applied to reach the nanoparticle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remediation of arsenic-contaminated soil by the technique of electro-kinetic using various enhanced conditions is the thrust of this study. Many tests were performed with different operating conditions, such as the electrodes solution (tap water) with a variable pH at (2, 5, and 8). Cyclodextrin (10% hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, or HPCD) has been used as an activating agent that helps enhance this process of soil arsenic clean-up. Agricultural wastes (pomegranate peels) were used after treating them as an adsorbent to impede the return of pollutants to the soil as a result of reverse osmosis. The results obtained after the remediation’s completion indicated that the best elimination capacity was 72% at a pH of 2. This indicates that the elimination capacity increases with the decreasing pH of the electrodes solution. Mixing the HPCD solution with soil as an enhanced solution increased the solubility and desorption of arsenic from the soil. Then, arsenic-containing HPCD micelles readily moved to the cathode electrode by electro-osmotic flow, and the elimination capacity increased (84%). It was concluded that pomegranate peels are a good adsorbent for arsenic returning to the soil during the treatment process as a result of reverse osmosis. Hence, the application of this material in this research gave a perfect impression of its use as an inexpensive, environmentally friendly adsorbent and an alternative to commercial absorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pomegranate processing industry generates worldwide enormous amounts of by-products, such as pomegranate peels (PPs), which constitute a rich source of phenolic compounds. In this view, PPs could be exploited as a sustainable source of ellagic acid, which is a compound that possesses various biological actions. The present study aimed at the liberation of ellagic acid from its bound forms via ultrasound-assisted alkaline hydrolysis, which was optimized using response surface methodology. The effects of duration of sonication, solvent:solid ratio, and NaOH concentration on total phenol content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and punicalagin and ellagic acid content were investigated. Using the optimum hydrolysis conditions (i.e., 32 min, 1:48 v/w, 1.5 mol/L NaOH), the experimental responses were found to be TCP: 4230 ± 190 mg GAE/100 g dry PPs; AABTS: 32,398 ± 1817 µmol Trolox/100 g dry PPs; ACUPRAC: 29,816 ± 1955 µmol Trolox/100 g dry PPs; 59 ± 3 mg punicalagin/100 g dry PPs; and 1457 ± 71 mg ellagic acid/100 g dry PPs. LC-QTOF-MS and GC-MS analysis of the obtained PP extract revealed the presence of various phenolic compounds (e.g., ellagic acid), organic acids (e.g., citric acid), sugars (e.g., fructose) and amino acids (e.g., glycine). The proposed methodology could be of use for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics applications, thus reinforcing local economies.

This research investigates the feasibility of using dry crushed pomegranate peel waste as thermal insulator to produce light clay bricks. Pomegranate peel waste (PW) is used with different substitution levels of 0%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 15% of clay weight. The clay bricks were heated at temperatures of 700, 800, and 900 °C, that resulted in the formation of internal pores due to the combustion of PW. The bulk density, water absorption, porosity, shrinkage, and compressive strength are examined to evaluate the effect of using PW on the physical and mechanical properties of thermal insulation bricks. Also, the investigation of the effect of photocatalytic activity of bricks under sunlight irradiation is carried out. The use of PW increased the thermal conductivity up to 21% at 900 °C, water absorption from 22.6% in cold water to 29.1% in boiling water, density from 2.5% at 800 °C to 7.6% at 900 °C, and shrinkage from 4.3% in linear drying shrinkage to 5.4% in linear firing shrinkage. The heated brick samples at 700 °C showed greater photodegradation efficiency than firing clay at 800 °C and 900 °C. Moreover, the compressive strength decreased with the increase in replacement rate, reaching up to 74% for 15 wt% PW. This study confirms that lightweight heated bricks with low thermal conductivity and a reasonable compressive strength can be made using PW as a pore-forming agent.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is well known for its high content of bioactives, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, which have been shown to exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. It is worth noting that the majority of these molecules are found in the peels, which are usually disposed of after processing, causing a significant amount of waste, amounting to more than 3.6 million t/y. This work investigates microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) in water for the recovery of antioxidants from pomegranate peels (PP), including the optimisation of temperature and extraction times. The total phenolic, anthocyanin, flavonoid, and tannin contents of the recovered extracts were determined, as well as their antioxidant activities, which were found to be 356.35 mgGAE/gExtr, 303.97 µgCy3G/gExtr, 37.28 mgQE/gExtr, 56.48 mgGAE/gExtr, and 5.72 mmolTE/gExtr, respectively (according to the adopted reference). All results were compared with those obtained using a conventional protocol. In addition, the potential for water recycling by means of downstream nanofiltration in optimised MAE was investigated, leading to overall water reuse of approx. 75%. Power consumption (20.92 W/mgGAE) and common green metrics, Reaction Mass Efficiency (RME), E-Factor, and the Process Mass Intensiti/efficiency (PMI, PME), were considered in evaluating the proposed PP valorisation strategy. Finally, the biological activities of the main products were assessed. The antimicrobial properties of the PP extracts against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria and their antiproliferative activity towards human cancer cells were tested. S. aureus bacteria was the most susceptible to the PP extracts. All tested products displayed antiproliferative activity against HeLa cells when higher concentrations were tested, with D-PP/NF (obtained from dried PP and sequential nanofiltration) being the most effective. This result was also confirmed via clonogenic analysis, which generally indicated the possible anti-cancer activity of pomegranate peel extracts obtained using this green approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate peel (PP), a by-product of agro-food consumption, has a low adsorption capacity for nitrate and phosphate ions in aqueous media, but its surface is very rich in alcohol functional groups. In this work, the surface of pomegranate peels was functionalized by chemo-grafting 3-(2-Aminoethylamino) propyl] trimethoxy silane (AEAPTES) using the availability of alcohol groups to increase the adsorption capacity of the resulting adsorbent (PP/AEAPTES) towards nitrate and phosphate ions. The prepared PP/AEAPTES adsorbent was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Zeta potential, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS). Under experimental conditions, the adsorption capacity of PP/AEAPTES has been found to be 124.57 mg/g and 94.65 mg/g for NO3− and PO43−, respectively, at pH 6 over a wide temperature range, and adsorption is exothermic for NO3− and endothermic for PO43−, as well as spontaneous and physical in nature. The adsorptions of NO3− and PO43− were also correctly described by the Langmuir isotherm and followed the pseudo-second-order model. The ability of PP/AEAPTES to adsorb NO3− and PO43− ions under real conditions was evaluated, and efficient regeneration and repetitive use of PP/AEAPTES was successfully achieved up to 5 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cross-linked microspheres were prepared and loaded with Favipiravir SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drug, by copolymerization of chitosan (CS) with a polysaccharide extracted from fresh pomegranate peels. Moreover, glutaraldehyde (Glu) has been used as a chemical cross-linker and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) as a physical cross-linker. The extracted polysaccharide was analyzed, and different techniques have been used. The analyses lead to the conclusion that it is pectin. The surface morphology of the prepared microspheres was studied using a scanning electron microscope, where the size and shape factor (S) of the Glu microspheres showed high values (74.27 μm) and (0.852), respectively, meaning their surfaces tend to be rough, whereas the SHMP microspheres showed a smaller size particle (20.47 μm) and a smaller shape factor (0.748), which gives an indication that the SHMP microspheres have smooth surfaces. The swelling studies have shown that Glu microspheres have a higher degree of swelling, which means SHMP microspheres are more compact. The prepared microspheres have shown a higher loading percentage of Favipiravir antiviral drug in SHMP microspheres (37% w/w) in comparison with Glu microspheres (35% w/w), where the electrostatic interaction between the Favipiravir ions and SHMP anions helps for more loading. The microspheres prepared under different types of cross-linking have shown initial burst release of Favipiravir, followed by a step of controlled release for a certain period of time, whose period depends on the pH of the release medium. Both Glu and SHMP cross-linked microspheres have shown high controlled release times in buffered release solutions at pH = 7.4 and for shorter periods at pH = 1.3 and pH = 9.4, which may be related to the type of electrostatic interactions between drug and polymer systems and their reactions with release solution ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, nanotechnology has been considered one of most frontiers in scientific sector, which increasingly attracts researchers’ interest due to its variable and valuable applications in all areas. The synthesis of nanoparticles represents a promising era in therapeutic research that may lead to the development of new approaches in pharmaceutical studies. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) share a status of high repute owing to their remarkable therapeutic potential. Biological synthesis of environment-friendly SeNPs using plant extracts has emerged as a beneficial alternative approach to chemical synthesis. In this regard, we have synthesized biogenic PG-SeNPs using pomegranate peels aqueous extract (PPAE) as a stabilizing and reducing agent. The PG-SeNPs were evaluated for their anti-Helicobacter pylori and anti-stomach cancer potential. The PG-SeNPs were efficacious against H. pylori. The PG-SeNPs showed dose-dependent restriction of the growth of H. pylori. The anti-stomach cancer ability of the PG-SeNPs was evaluated against SNU-16 stomach cancer. As evident from the MTT results, PG-SeNPs reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Briefly, the PG-SeNPs evolved with synergistically emerging attributes that were effective against H. pylori; Moreover, the PG-SeNPs and SeNPs@CuO embody intriguing anticancer potential against stomach cancer cells.

Pharmaceutical products found in wastewater and various water systems have become an environmental concern. Various processes were developed to remove various pharmaceuticals, including adsorption processes utilizing activated carbon adsorbents derived from agricultural wastes. The present study investigates the removal of carbamazepine (CBZ) from aqueous solutions by activated carbon (AC) derived from pomegranate peels (PGPs). The prepared AC was characterized by FTIR. The adsorption kinetics of CBZ on AC-PGPs was well represented by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Moreover, the data were well explained by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The effect of various parameters (including pH, temperature, CBZ concentration, the adsorbent dosage, and contact time) on the efficiency of CBZ removal by AC-PGPs was studied. The CBZ removal efficiency was not affected by changes in pH values but was slightly enhanced at the outset of the adsorption experiment with increasing temperature. The highest percentage removal efficiency was 98.0% at 23 °C when the optimum adsorbent dose was determined as 400.0 mg and the CBZ initial concentration was 20.0 mg L−1. The general and potential applicability of this method is presented by using available agricultural wastes as a low-cost source of AC and as an efficient removal method of pharmaceuticals from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxicity of dyes has a long-lasting negative impact on aquatic life. Adsorption is an inexpensive, simple, and straightforward technique for eliminating pollutants. One of the challenges facing adsorption is that it is hard to collect the adsorbents after the adsorption. Adding a magnetic property to the adsorbents makes it easier to collect the adsorbents. The current work reports the synthesis of an iron oxide-hydrochar composite (FHC) and an iron oxide-activated hydrochar composite (FAC) through the microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization (MHC) technique, which is known as a timesaving and energy-efficient method. The synthesized composites were characterized using various techniques, such as FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and N2 isotherm. The prepared composites were applied in the adsorption of cationic methylene blue dye (MB). The composites were formed of crystalline iron oxide and amorphous hydrochar, with a porous structure for the hydrochar and a rod-like structure for the iron oxide. The pH of the point of zero charge (pHpzc) of the iron oxide-hydrochar composite and the iron oxide-activated hydrochar composite were 5.3 and 5.6, respectively. Approximately 556 mg and 50 mg of MB dye was adsorbed on the surface of 1 g of the FHC and FAC, respectively, according to the maximum adsorption capacity calculated using the Langmuir model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the pyrolysis procedure was used to extract oil from pomegranate peels (PP) utilizing biomass-derived sulfonated tea waste as a catalyst. FTIR, SAA, SEM, and XRD were used to characterize the catalyst. Thermo-catalytic decomposition was carried out in a salt bath reactor and the bio-oil composition was determined through GC-MS. The oil obtained from virgin PP was observed to contain compounds in the range of C5–C13, whereas from the catalyzed reaction it was found to be rich in C5–C23. For the calculation of kinetic parameters, TG analysis was performed of virgin PP and with the catalyst at different heating rates. TG/DTG indicated weight loss in four steps. The first weight loss below 100 °C is due to the physically adsorbed water molecule evaporation. The second weight loss is attributed to hemicellulose decomposition and the third one to cellulose degradation. The fourth weight loss is due to lignin degradation. Kissinger model was used for measuring the activation energy (Ea) of the decomposition reaction. The activation energy of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin for non-catalytic reactions was observed as 199, 249, and 299 kJmol−1, while in the case of the loaded tea waste catalyst, the Ea was reduced to 122, 163, and 207 kJmol−1, respectively, confirming the effectiveness of the catalyst. From these findings, it can be concluded that sulfonated tea waste catalyst has not only lowered the pyrolysis temperature and Ea but also brought a change in oil quality by enhancing value-added compounds in the bio-oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ellagic acid, known for its various biological activities, is widely used. Ellagic acid from pomegranate peels is safe for consumption, while that from gallnuts is only suitable for external use. However, there is currently no effective method to confirm the source of ellagic acid. Therefore, this study establishes an analysis method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-HR-MS) to identify the components of crude ellagic acid extracts from pomegranate peels and gallnuts. The analysis revealed that there was a mix of components in the crude extracts, such as ellagic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and 9(10)-EpODE. Furthermore, it could be observed that ellagic acid extracted from gallnuts contained toxic substances such as anacardic acid and ginkgolic acid (15:1). These components could be used to effectively distinguish the origin of ellagic acid from pomegranate peels or gallnuts. Additionally, a rapid quantitative analysis method using UHPLC-ESI-MS with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was developed for the quality control of ellagic acid products, by quantifying anacardic acid and ginkgolic acid (15:1). It was found that one of three ellagic acid health care products contained ginkgolic acid (C15:1) and anacardic acid at more than 1 ppm.

A combination of by-products was studied in fresh handmade pasta. Pomegranate peels and olive oil by-products were used in the range 0–6% (w/w) and properly combined in a total of nine combinations with an equal amount of broccoli by-products (10% w/w). The broccoli by-products were added to improve the sensory acceptance, which was compromised when the two above by-products were added to the dough. To verify the synergic effects, among these by-products, on tagliatelle shelf life, microbiological quality based on the main spoilage groups, sensory properties, appearance of visible molds, pH and moisture content were monitored in all the packaged samples stored at 4 °C. In addition to fortified pasta samples, control tagliatelle was also investigated. A mathematical approach was used to fit experimental data and calculate pasta shelf life. In addition, a mathematical model was also proposed to describe the dependence of the shelf life from each by-product percentage added to the formulation. Results showed that while the control fresh pasta lasted about 3 days for the undesired proliferation of yeasts and coliforms, all fortified samples maintained acceptable quality for at least one week. Depending on the by-product combination, shelf-life values could reach more than 13 days. The best combination of by-products calculated based on the mathematical model, that reached the highest shelf life (13.30 days), corresponded to 10% broccoli by-products combined with 6% olive oil by-products and 6% pomegranate peels.

This paper studies the dyeing properties of wool fabrics dyed with aqueous extracts of madder roots, chamomiles, pomegranate peels, and apple tree branches (obtained after pruning) barks. We have thoroughly investigated the effects of dye bath pH and mordants on the color properties of the aforementioned fabrics. Even without mordanting, the wool fabrics dyed with the pomegranate peel have the highest value of color strength (K/S = 14). Mordanting permits to produce different colors and improve the fastness of a dye, especially for madder roots, chamomile, and apple tree branches bark. UV protection of wool fabrics increased after natural dyeing, and it was more improved after mordanting especially with ferrous sulfate. Experimental results show that the fastness properties of dyed wool fabrics range from average to excellent even without mordanting.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a crucial material for industries such as rubber production, biomedical applications, and metal surface treatment areas. ZnO exhibits semi-conductivity, antimicrobial activity, and UV absorption capability. This material is regarded as a vulcanization activator. Transforming this material to a nanoparticle is preferred because increasing the particle size of the material decreases the surface area. In the scientific literature, researchers have attempted to increase the features of ZnO nanoparticles to use them as photocatalysts and antimicrobial agents. Besides that, there are also studies aimed at improving the properties of this nanomaterial for use in energy cells and sensors. The synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles in a biological way is accepted as an eco-friendly process. Since hazardous chemicals and high energy are not used, the biological method is called green synthesis. In the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles via the green route, zinc nitrate or zinc acetate is the source of zinc salt added to biological extracts. These extracts can be obtained from algae, plants, and bacteria. The reaction between the salt and extract occurs, and then a thermal treatment is applied to reach the nanoparticle.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is well known for its high content of bioactives, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, which have been shown to exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. It is worth noting that the majority of these molecules are found in the peels, which are usually disposed of after processing, causing a significant amount of waste, amounting to more than 3.6 million t/y. This work investigates microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) in water for the recovery of antioxidants from pomegranate peels (PP), including the optimisation of temperature and extraction times. The total phenolic, anthocyanin, flavonoid, and tannin contents of the recovered extracts were determined, as well as their antioxidant activities, which were found to be 356.35 mgGAE/gExtr, 303.97 µgCy3G/gExtr, 37.28 mgQE/gExtr, 56.48 mgGAE/gExtr, and 5.72 mmolTE/gExtr, respectively (according to the adopted reference). All results were compared with those obtained using a conventional protocol. In addition, the potential for water recycling by means of downstream nanofiltration in optimised MAE was investigated, leading to overall water reuse of approx. 75%. Power consumption (20.92 W/mgGAE) and common green metrics, Reaction Mass Efficiency (RME), E-Factor, and the Process Mass Intensiti/efficiency (PMI, PME), were considered in evaluating the proposed PP valorisation strategy. Finally, the biological activities of the main products were assessed. The antimicrobial properties of the PP extracts against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria and their antiproliferative activity towards human cancer cells were tested. S. aureus bacteria was the most susceptible to the PP extracts. All tested products displayed antiproliferative activity against HeLa cells when higher concentrations were tested, with D-PP/NF (obtained from dried PP and sequential nanofiltration) being the most effective. This result was also confirmed via clonogenic analysis, which generally indicated the possible anti-cancer activity of pomegranate peel extracts obtained using this green approach.

Pomegranate peels (PGPs) are known to have the potential as antibacterial not only from their nutrient content but also the microflora. The activities might be caused by the existence of indigenous yeast that can be utilized to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. This study aims to identify antibacterial and antioxidant activity of indigenous yeast isolated from PGP. The research was conducted by experimental methods and followed by descriptive analysis. The study was done by the isolation of indigenous yeast from PGPs, which was identified using the rRNA sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region with the primers of ITS1 (5′-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3′) and ITS4 (5′-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3′) and then compared with Basic Local Alignment Search Tools (BLAST) algorithm toward the GenBank. Antibacterial activities of indigenous yeast were tested with agar plug diffusion and time kill test toward Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The yeast identification obtained two isolates similar to Hanseniaspora uvarum CBS 314 and two isolates of Pichia kudriavzevii ATCC 6258 which have antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. P. kudriavzevii PGP D4 have best antimicrobial activities with a strong activity against E. coli (±9 mm) and medium activity against S. aureus (±3.1 mm).

The ZnO composite photocatalyst has been proven to be a successful technique for removing organic contaminants from water. Fabricating a cost-effective ZnO composite with excellent photocatalytic efficacy, however, remains a major issue. This research shows how to make biochar-supported ZnO nanoparticles by altering the pomegranate peels biochar/ZnO molar ratio. The 3D flower-shaped ZnO nanoparticles supported by biochar were characterized by ultraviolet (UV), IR (Infrared) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction method (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The elemental mapping was done by Electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Band gaps were calculated using Tauc's equation, the value was found to be lowest (2.8 eV) for ZnO-Pomegranate biochar (1:10) whereas for ZnO nanoflowers, it was calculated as 3.2 eV. When the molar ratio of ZnO-Pomegranate biochar (Z-P) was 1:10, with dose of 50 mg per 50 ml, it showed excellent degradation efficiency under UV visible light. This particular molar ratio was found to effective in removing 91% phenol, 94% methylene blue and 90% Rhodamine B from water. The decreased band gap of biochar ZnO composite could be the possible reason for its outstanding removal efficiency in visible region. This study sheds light on the design and preparation of ZnO photocatalysts used in the purification and remediation of the aqueous environment.

Pomegranate use is increasing worldwide, as it is considered a tasteful healthy food. It is mainly used as fruit, juice, and jam. The pomegranate peel represents about 40–50% of the total fruit weight and contains numerous and diverse bioactive substances. The aim of this research was to analyze the pomegranate peel chemical composition of Wonderful cultivated in Southern Italy and treated with an innovative physic dry concentration procedure in comparison with the peel composition of freeze-dried Wonderful cultivated in Southern Italy, freeze-dried Wonderful cultivated in South Africa, and freeze-dried pomegranate cultivated in India. The specific aim was to verify how much the growth area, cultivar type, and dry procedure influenced the chemical composition of the peels in terms of valuable bioactive compounds. Spectrophotometric and HPLC identification methods were used to detect antioxidants, antioxidant activities, and phenolic and flavonoid components. Results evidenced that in pomegranate peels of Wonderful cultivated in Calabria and dried with the innovative process, total phenolic substances, total flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, and antioxidant activities were the highest. Great amounts of single phenolic acids and flavonoids were found in Calabrian Wonderful peels dried with the innovative process. Overall, it emerged that a great amount of bioactive and diverse compounds found in Calabrian Wonderful pomegranate peel comes from the niche pedoclimatic conditions, and the physic drying innovative methodology turned out to be an advantageous procedure to concentrate and conserve biocompounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cross-linked microspheres were prepared and loaded with Favipiravir SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drug, by copolymerization of chitosan (CS) with a polysaccharide extracted from fresh pomegranate peels. Moreover, glutaraldehyde (Glu) has been used as a chemical cross-linker and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) as a physical cross-linker. The extracted polysaccharide was analyzed, and different techniques have been used. The analyses lead to the conclusion that it is pectin. The surface morphology of the prepared microspheres was studied using a scanning electron microscope, where the size and shape factor (S) of the Glu microspheres showed high values (74.27 μm) and (0.852), respectively, meaning their surfaces tend to be rough, whereas the SHMP microspheres showed a smaller size particle (20.47 μm) and a smaller shape factor (0.748), which gives an indication that the SHMP microspheres have smooth surfaces. The swelling studies have shown that Glu microspheres have a higher degree of swelling, which means SHMP microspheres are more compact. The prepared microspheres have shown a higher loading percentage of Favipiravir antiviral drug in SHMP microspheres (37% w/w) in comparison with Glu microspheres (35% w/w), where the electrostatic interaction between the Favipiravir ions and SHMP anions helps for more loading. The microspheres prepared under different types of cross-linking have shown initial burst release of Favipiravir, followed by a step of controlled release for a certain period of time, whose period depends on the pH of the release medium. Both Glu and SHMP cross-linked microspheres have shown high controlled release times in buffered release solutions at pH = 7.4 and for shorter periods at pH = 1.3 and pH = 9.4, which may be related to the type of electrostatic interactions between drug and polymer systems and their reactions with release solution ions.

The toxicity of dyes has a long-lasting negative impact on aquatic life. Adsorption is an inexpensive, simple, and straightforward technique for eliminating pollutants. One of the challenges facing adsorption is that it is hard to collect the adsorbents after the adsorption. Adding a magnetic property to the adsorbents makes it easier to collect the adsorbents. The current work reports the synthesis of an iron oxide-hydrochar composite (FHC) and an iron oxide-activated hydrochar composite (FAC) through the microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization (MHC) technique, which is known as a timesaving and energy-efficient method. The synthesized composites were characterized using various techniques, such as FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and N2 isotherm. The prepared composites were applied in the adsorption of cationic methylene blue dye (MB). The composites were formed of crystalline iron oxide and amorphous hydrochar, with a porous structure for the hydrochar and a rod-like structure for the iron oxide. The pH of the point of zero charge (pHpzc) of the iron oxide-hydrochar composite and the iron oxide-activated hydrochar composite were 5.3 and 5.6, respectively. Approximately 556 mg and 50 mg of MB dye was adsorbed on the surface of 1 g of the FHC and FAC, respectively, according to the maximum adsorption capacity calculated using the Langmuir model.

Several studies have reported that the hydrothermal carbonization method (HTC) of agricultural waste is able to produce a solid residue with interesting properties for the adsorption of organic pollutants from contaminated water. This work represents a facile method to prepare hydrochar (HC) from pomegranate peels' waste using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization method (MHTC) at 200 °C for 1 h with a mass ratio of peel to water = 1:10. Activated hydrochar (AHC) was prepared by in situ chemical activation using ZnCl2 and MHTC. Several techniques have been applied to characterize the prepared samples as FTIR, XRD, TEM and SEM. The samples were investigated for their possible use as adsorbents of methylene blue (MB) dye. The results confirm the formation of amorphous hydrochar with a porous structure. The pH of zero point charge (pHzpc) is 4.3 and 4.6 for HC and AHC samples, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of HC and AHC samples are 194.9 and 12.55 mg/g (i.e., mg of adsorbate/g of adsorbent), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of caffeine (CFN) and acetaminophen (ACT) from water using low-cost activated carbons prepared from artichoke leaves (AAC) and pomegranate peels (PAC) was reported in this paper. These activated carbons were characterized using various analytical techniques. The results showed that AAC and PAC had surface areas of 1203 and 1095 m2 g−1, respectively. The prepared adsorbents were tested for the adsorption of these pharmaceuticals in single and binary solutions. These experiments were performed under different operating conditions to evaluate the adsorption properties of these adsorbents to remove CFN and ACT. AAC and PAC showed maximum adsorption capacities of 290.86 and 258.98 mg g−1 for CFN removal, 281.18 and 154.99 mg g−1 for the ACT removal over a wide pH range. The experimental equilibrium adsorption data fitted to the Langmuir model and the kinetic data were correlated with the pseudo-second order model. AAC showed the best adsorption capacities for the removal of these pharmaceuticals in single systems and, consequently, it was tested for the simultaneous removal of these pollutants in binary solutions. The simultaneous adsorption of these compounds on AAC was improved using the central composite design and response surface methodology. The results indicated an antagonistic effect of CFN on the ACT adsorption. AAC regeneration was also analyzed and discussed. A statistical physics model was applied to describe the adsorption orientation of the tested pollutants on both activated carbon samples. It was concluded that AAC is a promising adsorbent for the removal of emerging pollutants due to its low cost and reusability properties. [Display omitted] • Biomass waste-derived activated carbons were prepared for the removal of caffeine and paracetamol. • Adsorption mechanisms can be explained by pore filling, H-bonding, and π-π and n-π electron donor-acceptor interactions.. • High adsorption capacities for both pharmaceuticals (290 and 258 mgg−1 for CFN and ACT, respectively). • The CCD of RSM was used to optimize the simultaneous removal of CFN and ACT using AAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Pomegranate Peel Bioactives: ACE2/TMPRSS2 Modulation Against SARS-CoV with Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticancer, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties" [Display omitted] • Integration of pomegranate peels in food items enhances the nutritional content with functional advantages in diverse food applications. • The biological properties report an abundance of polyphenols and flavonoids with potential health improvements. • Structure and function relationship investigates link between chemical structures and biological activities. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) a popular fruit known for its rich nutritional value and diverse bioactive compounds. While the edible seeds and juice of pomegranates have gained significant attention, pomegranate peels, which are often discarded as waste, have emerged as a promising source of bioactive compounds with numerous health benefits. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the biological properties, health benefits, and food applications of bioactive compounds derived from pomegranate peels. Pomegranate peels contain a wide array of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, and organic acids that exhibit various biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and cardioprotective effects. The antioxidant properties of these compounds help protect against oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Furthermore, pomegranate peel extracts have exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by modulating inflammatory pathways. The antimicrobial properties of pomegranate peel extracts make the latter potential candidates for food preservation and as natural alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial agents. In addition to their health benefits, bioactive compounds from pomegranate peel extracts can be used as natural food additives and preservatives due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In conclusion, bioactive compounds derived from pomegranate peels possess diverse biological properties and offer significant health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the pyrolysis procedure was used to extract oil from pomegranate peels (PP) utilizing biomass-derived sulfonated tea waste as a catalyst. FTIR, SAA, SEM, and XRD were used to characterize the catalyst. Thermo-catalytic decomposition was carried out in a salt bath reactor and the bio-oil composition was determined through GC-MS. The oil obtained from virgin PP was observed to contain compounds in the range of C5–C13, whereas from the catalyzed reaction it was found to be rich in C5–C23. For the calculation of kinetic parameters, TG analysis was performed of virgin PP and with the catalyst at different heating rates. TG/DTG indicated weight loss in four steps. The first weight loss below 100 °C is due to the physically adsorbed water molecule evaporation. The second weight loss is attributed to hemicellulose decomposition and the third one to cellulose degradation. The fourth weight loss is due to lignin degradation. Kissinger model was used for measuring the activation energy (Ea) of the decomposition reaction. The activation energy of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin for non-catalytic reactions was observed as 199, 249, and 299 kJmol−1, while in the case of the loaded tea waste catalyst, the Ea was reduced to 122, 163, and 207 kJmol−1, respectively, confirming the effectiveness of the catalyst. From these findings, it can be concluded that sulfonated tea waste catalyst has not only lowered the pyrolysis temperature and Ea but also brought a change in oil quality by enhancing value-added compounds in the bio-oil.

Pomegranate by-products can be an asset to the food industry due to the richness in bioactive and antimicrobial compounds. This work studied the influence of conventional solvent and sonication-assisted extraction methods on the bioactive profile, antimicrobial properties, and phytotoxicity effect of the peels and seeds extracts from Acco, Big Full, and Wonderful pomegranate cultivars. The bioactive composition of the extracts was evaluated for the content of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (expressed as the half-maximal inhibitory concentration—IC50) by spectrophotometric methods, while the tannins were determined by titration and the anthocyanins were estimated by the pH-differential method. For the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity, the disk diffusion method of Kirby-Bauer was adapted through inhibition halos against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Yarrowia lipolytica. The extracts' phytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro on garden-cress seeds. Extracts from conventional extraction were richer in total phenolics, expressed as gallic acid equivalents (0.16–0.73 mg GAE/mg extract), while those from sonication-assisted extraction had higher contents of total flavonoids, expressed as catechin equivalents (0.019–0.068 mg CATE/mg extract); anthocyanins, expressed as cyanidin-3-glucoside (0.06–0.60 µg C3G/mg, dry basis); and antioxidant activity (IC50, 0.01–0.20 mg/mL). All extracts were more effective against Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts than Gram-negative bacteria. In general, the sonication-assisted extracts led to higher inhibition halos (8.7 to 11.4 mm). All extracts presented phytotoxicity against garden-cress seeds in the tested concentrations. Only the lowest concentration (0.003 mg/mL) enabled the germination of seeds and root growth, and the sonication-assisted extracts showed the highest Munoo-Liisa vitality index (51.3%). Overall, sonication-assisted extraction obtained extracts with greater bioactive and antimicrobial potential and less phytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the pomegranate peel powder (PPP) on the liver enzymes, blood bilirubin, kidney functions, antioxidant activity, leptin and bone density of overweight rats. The experiment had two phases, the first one namely the increase body weight (8 weeks), the second was the cure phase (decrease the body weight, 6 weeks). There were 5 groups, negative control fed the standard diet during the 14 weeks, and overweight group fed high fat diet. The overweight group divided into 4 groups, a positive control and 3 experimental groups fed 7.5%, 15%, and 22.5% of the PPP, respectively. The results indicated that the PPP decreased the levels of the liver enzymes (ALT,AST, and ALP) and the blood bilirubin in comparison to the positive group. The kidney function improved (decrease the levels of blood urea and creatinine), and decrease in the oxidative stress (decrease in LDH and MDA, and increase in the enzyme GPX). Increasing the concentration of the PPP caused a decrease in the leptin and improve the bone density, as well as the liver tissues. Adding the PPP to the overweight rats' meal improved all of the studied biological parameters in the blood, liver, kidney, and bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanillin is a secondary metabolite of plants and the major organoleptic aroma component of natural vanilla. Nowadays, the chemical synthesis method used for vanillin production has been rejected by the United States and European legislation, while plant-derived vanillin is expensive. The current study demonstrates vanillin production via solid-state fermentation (SSF) by Enterobacter hormaechei using different ferulic acid-rich fruit peels as substrates. From different ferulic acid-rich fruit peels (pomegranate, banana, and orange) screened Punica granatum (pomegranate) peels yielded maximum biovanillin (0.09 mg/g) after 24 h. Different bioprocess parameters, including moisture content, inoculum size, pH, and temperature, were optimized using central composite design (CCD) of the response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum biovanillin yield (0.462 mg/g) from Punica granatum peels was achieved at 60% moisture content, 2 mL inoculum size, 6.5 pH, and 32 °C temperature. An F-value of 12.94 and a p-value of 0.00 were recorded by the variance analysis indicated the proposed model's significance. The coefficient of determination (R2) confirmed the model's goodness of fit, having a value of 91.89%, which indicated the model's accuracy. The optimally produced biovanillin was extracted and confirmed using FTIR. Further purity analysis was done by HPLC and the biovanillin was reported to be 99.2% pure. The results demonstrated that microbial conversion of ferulic acid-rich fruit peels to biovanillin offers a cost-effective approach for the industrial production of biovanillin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate peels (PGPs) are known to have the potential as antibacterial not only from their nutrient content but also the microflora. The activities might be caused by the existence of indigenous yeast that can be utilized to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. This study aims to identify antibacterial and antioxidant activity of indigenous yeast isolated from PGP. The research was conducted by experimental methods and followed by descriptive analysis. The study was done by the isolation of indigenous yeast from PGPs, which was identified using the rRNA sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region with the primers of ITS1 (5′-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3′) and ITS4 (5′-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3′) and then compared with Basic Local Alignment Search Tools (BLAST) algorithm toward the GenBank. Antibacterial activities of indigenous yeast were tested with agar plug diffusion and time kill test toward Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The yeast identification obtained two isolates similar to Hanseniaspora uvarum CBS 314 and two isolates of Pichia kudriavzevii ATCC 6258 which have antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. P. kudriavzevii PGP D4 have best antimicrobial activities with a strong activity against E. coli (±9 mm) and medium activity against S. aureus (±3.1 mm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the interaction between polyphenols with different cereal sources and their effects on performance, serum biochemistry, corticosterone levels and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens reared under hot-humid environment. Newly hatched coloured broiler chicks (n = 240) were randomly divided into six groups with five replicates of two different cereal sources, namely corn and broken rice-sorghum combined, and three levels of pomegranate peel polyphenol extracts (PPP) 0, 50 and 100 mg/kg in each cereal groups. Birds were maintained under standard management conditions for six weeks during hot-humid environment (Temperature: 29–36 °C; Relative Humidity: 69–80%). Fortnight body weight and feed consumption were recorded and serum biochemical constituents were estimated at 28 and 42 days of age. The body weight gain was significantly (p

An eco-friendly green synthesis of mesoporous iron oxide (hematite) using pomegranate peels through a low-cost and massive product method was investigated. The mass of pomegranate peels was varied to control the morphology of the produced hematite (Fe2O3). The structures, textures and optical properties of the products were investigated by FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Three different Fe2O3 morphologies were obtained; Fe2O3(I) nanorod like shape, Fe2O3(II) nanoparticles, and Fe2O3(III) nanoporous structured layer. The bandgap values for Fe2O3 (I), (II) and (III) were 2.71, 2.95, and 2.29 eV, respectively. The newly hematite samples were used as promising photoelectrodes supported on graphite substrate for the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting toward the efficient production of solar hydrogen. The number of generated hydrogen moles was calculated per active area to be 50 μmol h−1 cm−2 for electrode III, which decreased to 15.3 μmol h−1 cm−2 for electrode II. The effects of temperature (30–70 °C) on the PEC behavior of the three electrodes were addressed. Different thermodynamic parameters were calculated for the three electrodes, which showed activation energies of 13.4, 16.8, and 15.2 kJ mol−1, respectively. The electrode stability was addressed as a function of the number of runs and exposure time in addition to electrochemical impedance study. Finally, the conversion efficiency of the incident photon-to-current (IPCE) was estimated under the monochromatic illumination. The optimum value was ∼11% @ 390 nm for Fe2O3(III) electrode.

Abstract Background By 2050, the world will need to feed an additional 2 billion people and require 70% more meat and milk. The increasing future demand for livestock products, driven by increases in income, population, and urbanization will impose a huge demand on feed resources. A huge quantity of fruit and vegetable wastes and by-products from the fruit and vegetable processing industry are available throughout the world that encourages to using it as a new source feeds in animal ration formulation. Methods Twenty-eight male growing Ossimi lambs used to study the impact of inclusion dried pomegranate peels (DPP) on productive performance and economic efficiency. In nutritional and chemical evaluation conducted, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, polyphenolic, and fatty acid compositions were determined. Experimental lambs were allocated to one of four complete feed mixture (CFM) containing 0, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00% DPP for (CFM1, CFM2, CFM3, and CFM4), respectively throughout the feeding period that continuous for 119 days. Twenty-eight lambs with aged 5–6 months with initial weight of 22.875 ± 0.38 kg were divided into four equal groups, each of 7 lambs and fed one of the four iso-nitrogenous that contains 17.1% CP and iso-energetic that contained 2.76% of ether extract (EE) and gross energy (GE) ranged from 4212 to 4214 kcal/kg DM. Results Dried pomegranate peel superior in their contents of crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE), ash, and lignin in comparison with yellow corn. Meanwhile, yellow corn was superior in CP, nitrogen-free extract (NFE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose, cellulose, and GE contents in comparison with dried pomegranate peel. Total essential amino acid value was recorded at 51.30 g/100 g CP; meanwhile, value of non-essential amino acids was recorded at 48.37 g/100 g CP. The DPP contained 342, 120, 150, 68, and 56 mg/100 g of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), and magnesium (Mg), respectively. Meanwhile, it contains 1.08, 0.86, 0.65, 6.11, and 1.07 mg/100 g of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cobber (Cu), iron (Fe), and selenium (Se), respectively. Moreover, vitamins were determined by 0.141, 0.09, 13.26, 4.13, and 0.181 mg/100 g for vit. B1; vit. B2; vit. C; vit. E; and vit. A, respectively. Dried pomegranate peel contains high percentages of unsaturated fatty acids that evaluated by 76.96%, while saturated fatty acids (SFA) recorded 23.04%. DPP contained 1.4404% of total polyphenols. Final weight, total body weight gain, and average daily gain were improved. Dry matter intake was significantly (P 0.05) improved. Dietary treatment improved relative economical efficiency by 117.1, 130.3, and 109% compared with control one with considered control ration equals 100%. Feed cost (LE/kg gain) was decreased. Conclusion From this study, it could be mentioned that dried pomegranate peels can be used safely in animal feeding at level of 1% because this level realized the best growth performance and depressed the price of ration cost and recorded the best relative economical efficiency.

Water is the most crucial thing to mankind and so its contamination by various agencies is posing a threat to the natural balance. So, in the present work, the efficiency of various adsorbents derived from plant waste, to remove different dyes from aqueous solution was evaluated. Parameters for study were contact time, concentration and pH. Various combinations of plant ashes were used for the study. It was found that adsorbent prepared from the combination of orange peels, pomegranate and banana peels ashes, exhibited good adsorption capacity for methylene blue, congo red and crystal violet. All these dyes were completely removed from the aqueous solution while methyl orange was not removed. Congo red was removed completely within 40 min of contact with the adsorbent while methyl orange took 3 hrs to be removed to the extent of 48% only. The adsorption coefficient of congo red was found to be 2.33 while value for methylene blue and crystal violet was 1 and 1.66 respectively. The characterization of adsorbent was done by Scanning Electron Microscopy and IR spectroscopy. SEM image revealed the surface of adsorbent to be made of differential pores. From the results it became evident that the low-cost adsorbent could be used as a replacement for costly traditional methods of removing colorants from water.

Fruit extracts of Sambucus nigra L. (elderberry) and Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) have several applications in nutraceutical, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries thanks to their richness in antioxidant polyphenols, whose composition changes with the extraction method applied. We aimed to compare the efficiency of the fermentation extraction, recently applied by industries, with the ultrasound-assisted extraction–UAE, a well-known and efficient technique, on the yield of antioxidant polyphenols from elderberry fruits and pomegranate fruit-peels. Extracts were obtained by both methods, analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the antioxidant capacities were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging (HRS) assays. The main compounds detected in elderberry were caffeoyl and quercetin derivatives, present in higher amounts in UAE extracts. In pomegranate, punicalagin were the main constituents, also detected in higher contents in the UAE extracts compared to fermented ones. The UAE was more suitable for extracting anthocyanins from pomegranate. In addition, higher antioxidant capacities were observed in UAE extracts, possibly due to their richness in polyphenols. Therefore, despite the recent wide applicability and the good performance of the fermentation process, the UAE may be considered more efficient for the extraction of polyphenols from S. nigra and P. granatum fruits and may be used to obtain polyphenolic antioxidant extracts to be applied by several industries.t [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate use is increasing worldwide, as it is considered a tasteful healthy food. It is mainly used as fruit, juice, and jam. The pomegranate peel represents about 40–50% of the total fruit weight and contains numerous and diverse bioactive substances. The aim of this research was to analyze the pomegranate peel chemical composition of Wonderful cultivated in Southern Italy and treated with an innovative physic dry concentration procedure in comparison with the peel composition of freeze-dried Wonderful cultivated in Southern Italy, freeze-dried Wonderful cultivated in South Africa, and freeze-dried pomegranate cultivated in India. The specific aim was to verify how much the growth area, cultivar type, and dry procedure influenced the chemical composition of the peels in terms of valuable bioactive compounds. Spectrophotometric and HPLC identification methods were used to detect antioxidants, antioxidant activities, and phenolic and flavonoid components. Results evidenced that in pomegranate peels of Wonderful cultivated in Calabria and dried with the innovative process, total phenolic substances, total flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, and antioxidant activities were the highest. Great amounts of single phenolic acids and flavonoids were found in Calabrian Wonderful peels dried with the innovative process. Overall, it emerged that a great amount of bioactive and diverse compounds found in Calabrian Wonderful pomegranate peel comes from the niche pedoclimatic conditions, and the physic drying innovative methodology turned out to be an advantageous procedure to concentrate and conserve biocompounds.

Synthetic textile wastewater was simulated by using Cibacron reactive red dye FN-R. Pomegranate peels were used as adsorbents to remove the red dye by applying a continuous fixed bed column reactor system having a filter with a diameter of 30mm and a length of 110mm. The effect of different parameters on the removal efficiency was studied; pH levels (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12), flow rate (27, 45, and 60 ml/min), initial dye concentration (10, 15, 20, and 25 mg/l), and the contact time (30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min). It was found that the optimum pH level was within the range of 6 to 6.5. In addition, the removal efficiency was found to increase with decreasing the flow rate and the initial concentration of dye and increasing the contact time. The maximum percentage removal of dye obtained was 90% at pH, flow rate, initial concentration of dye ,and the contact time equal to 6, 27 ml/min, 10 mg/l, and 180 min respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied. The following equations were found for Langmuir and Freundlich respectively; Y=0.017X + 1.110 and Y=0.810X + 0.083. The corresponding correlation coefficients were 0.961 and 0.994, respectively, indicating that the Freundlich isotherm model being more representing to the data obtained in this study.

Several studies have reported that the hydrothermal carbonization method (HTC) of agricultural waste is able to produce a solid residue with interesting properties for the adsorption of organic pollutants from contaminated water. This work represents a facile method to prepare hydrochar (HC) from pomegranate peels’ waste using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization method (MHTC) at 200 °C for 1 h with a mass ratio of peel to water = 1:10. Activated hydrochar (AHC) was prepared by in situ chemical activation using ZnCl2 and MHTC. Several techniques have been applied to characterize the prepared samples as FTIR, XRD, TEM and SEM. The samples were investigated for their possible use as adsorbents of methylene blue (MB) dye. The results confirm the formation of amorphous hydrochar with a porous structure. The pH of zero point charge (pHzpc) is 4.3 and 4.6 for HC and AHC samples, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of HC and AHC samples are 194.9 and 12.55 mg/g (i.e., mg of adsorbate/g of adsorbent), respectively.

Plant extracts are rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, sesquiterpenes, and triterpenes, which potentially have antiviral activities. As a consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, thousands of scientists have been working tirelessly trying to understand the biology of this new virus and the disease pathophysiology, with the main goal of discovering effective preventive treatments and therapeutic agents. Plant-derived secondary metabolites may play key roles in preventing and counteracting the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections by inhibiting the activity of several viral proteins, in particular those involved in the virus entry into the host cells and its replication. Using in vitro approaches, we investigated the role of a pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in attenuating the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, and on the activity of the virus 3CL protease. Although further studies will be determinant to assess the efficacy of this extract in vivo, our results opened new promising opportunities to employ natural extracts for the development of effective and innovative therapies in the fight against SARS-CoV-2.

The insecticidal efficacy of agricultural waste pomegranate peel extract was determined according to the world health organization (WHO) against the Culex pipiens 3rrd instar larvae. The mortality percentage of the treated larvae was the first indicator to evaluate the inhibition effect of the pomegranate peel extract. The median lethal concentrations (LC0) were (95.63, 62.55, 54.47 and 44.35) ppm at different times post-treatment (24, 48, 72, 96 hours), respectively. The tested extract showed repellent against Culex pipiens females. Phytochemical screening was carried out to detect the effective chemical groups in the tested extract then the extract was analyzed by GC-MS and HPLC. The used extract caused a reduction in some biological aspects of Culex pipiens. Several forms of morphological malformations were detected and many aberrations have been induced. The activities of enzymes, as well as total proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids of Culex pipiens larvae, were significantly reduced compared to the untreated. Electrophoretic analysis of protein revealed inhibitory action of the tested extract on the protein contents and fraction patterns. Ultrastructure studies showed a drastic effect on some larval tissues in response to the pomegranate peel petroleum ether extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate by-products can be an asset to the food industry due to the richness in bioactive and antimicrobial compounds. This work studied the influence of conventional solvent and sonication-assisted extraction methods on the bioactive profile, antimicrobial properties, and phytotoxicity effect of the peels and seeds extracts from Acco, Big Full, and Wonderful pomegranate cultivars. The bioactive composition of the extracts was evaluated for the content of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (expressed as the half-maximal inhibitory concentration—IC50) by spectrophotometric methods, while the tannins were determined by titration and the anthocyanins were estimated by the pH-differential method. For the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity, the disk diffusion method of Kirby-Bauer was adapted through inhibition halos against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Yarrowia lipolytica. The extracts’ phytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro on garden-cress seeds. Extracts from conventional extraction were richer in total phenolics, expressed as gallic acid equivalents (0.16–0.73 mg GAE/mg extract), while those from sonication-assisted extraction had higher contents of total flavonoids, expressed as catechin equivalents (0.019–0.068 mg CATE/mg extract); anthocyanins, expressed as cyanidin-3-glucoside (0.06–0.60 µg C3G/mg, dry basis); and antioxidant activity (IC50, 0.01–0.20 mg/mL). All extracts were more effective against Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts than Gram-negative bacteria. In general, the sonication-assisted extracts led to higher inhibition halos (8.7 to 11.4 mm). All extracts presented phytotoxicity against garden-cress seeds in the tested concentrations. Only the lowest concentration (0.003 mg/mL) enabled the germination of seeds and root growth, and the sonication-assisted extracts showed the highest Munoo-Liisa vitality index (51.3%). Overall, sonication-assisted extraction obtained extracts with greater bioactive and antimicrobial potential and less phytotoxicity.

A new formulation of a pomegranate-peel extract (PEm) obtained by PUAE (Pulsed Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction) and titrated in both ellagic acid (EA) and punicalagin is proposed, characterized and then analyzed for potential health properties in mice suffering from the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). PEm effects were compared to those elicited by a formulation containing EA (EAm). Control and EAE mice were chronically administered EAm and Pem dissolved in the drinking water, starting from the day 10 post-immunization (d.p.i.), with a “therapeutic” protocol to deliver daily 50 mg/kg of EA. Treated EAE mice did not limit their daily access to the beverage, nor did they show changes in body weight, but they displayed a significant amelioration of “in vivo” clinical symptoms. “Ex vivo” histochemical analysis showed that spinal-cord demyelination and inflammation in PEm and EAm-treated EAE mice at 23 ± 1 d.p.i. were comparable to those in the untreated EAE animals, while microglia activation (measured as Ionized Calcium Binding Adaptor 1, Iba1 staining) and astrocytosis (quantified as glial fibrillar acid protein, GFAP immunopositivity) significantly recovered, particularly in the gray matter. EAm and PEm displayed comparable efficiencies in controlling the spinal pathological cellular hallmarks in EAE mice, and this would support their delivery as dietary supplementation in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS).