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Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the sn-2 acyl ester linkage in phospholipid, producing lysophospholipid and fatty acid in the presence of Ca2+. The hydrolysis mediated by PLA2 has attracted much interest in various fields, such as pharmacy and biotechnology. It is recognized that PLA2 cannot hydrolyze phospholipid monolayers at high surface coverage. However, the origin of different PLA2 activities is not fully understood yet. The present study investigated the interaction between DPPC (16:0 PC) monolayer and PLA2 using heterodyne-detected sum frequency generation spectroscopy, which is interface-specific spectroscopy and highly sensitive to molecular symmetry based on a second-order nonlinear optical process. It was revealed that PLA2 adsorbs to the DPPC monolayer on the aqueous solution surface only when the surface coverage is low. The adsorption at the low surface coverage significantly changes the interfacial structures of PLA2 and the hydration, which are stabilized by the presence of Ca2+. Therefore, the restriction of the hydrolysis of phospholipid monolayers at high surface coverage can be rationalized by the inhabitation of the PLA2 adsorption. The present study deepens our molecular-level understanding of the hydrolysis of phospholipids by PLA2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal hexafluorides hydrolyze at ambient temperature to deposit compounds having fluorine-to-oxygen ratios that depend upon the identity of the metal. Uranium-hexafluoride hydrolysis, for example, deposits uranyl fluoride (UO2F2), whereas molybdenum hexafluoride (MoF6) and tungsten hexafluoride deposit trioxides. Here, we pursue general strategies enabling the prediction of depositing compounds resulting from multi-step gas-phase reactions. To compare among the three metal-hexafluoride hydrolyses, we first investigate the mechanism of MoF6 hydrolysis using hybrid density functional theory (DFT). Intermediates are then validated by performing anharmonic vibrational simulations and comparing with infrared spectra [McNamara et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 25, 2990 (2023)]. Conceptual DFT, which is leveraged here to quantitatively evaluate site-specific electrophilicity and nucleophilicity metrics, is found to reliably predict qualitative deposition propensities for each intermediate. In addition to the nucleophilic potential of the oxygen ligands, several other contributing characteristics are discussed, including amphoterism, polyvalency, fluxionality, steric hindrance, dipolar strength, and solubility. To investigate the structure and composition of pre-nucleation clusters, an automated workflow is presented for the simulation of particle growth. The workflow entails a conformer search at the density functional tight-binding level, structural refinement at the hybrid DFT level, and computation of a composite free-energy profile. Such profiles can be used to estimate particle nucleation kinetics. Droplet formation is also considered, which helps to rationalize the different UO2F2 particle morphologies observed under varying levels of humidity. Development of predictive methods for simulating physical and chemical deposition processes is important for the advancement of material manufacturing involving coatings and thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal hexafluorides hydrolyze at ambient temperature to deposit compounds having fluorine-to-oxygen ratios that depend upon the identity of the metal. Uranium-hexafluoride hydrolysis, for example, deposits uranyl fluoride (UO2F2), whereas molybdenum hexafluoride (MoF6) and tungsten hexafluoride deposit trioxides. Here, we pursue general strategies enabling the prediction of depositing compounds resulting from multi-step gas-phase reactions. To compare among the three metal-hexafluoride hydrolyses, we first investigate the mechanism of MoF6 hydrolysis using hybrid density functional theory (DFT). Intermediates are then validated by performing anharmonic vibrational simulations and comparing with infrared spectra [McNamara et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 25, 2990 (2023)]. Conceptual DFT, which is leveraged here to quantitatively evaluate site-specific electrophilicity and nucleophilicity metrics, is found to reliably predict qualitative deposition propensities for each intermediate. In addition to the nucleophilic potential of the oxygen ligands, several other contributing characteristics are discussed, including amphoterism, polyvalency, fluxionality, steric hindrance, dipolar strength, and solubility. To investigate the structure and composition of pre-nucleation clusters, an automated workflow is presented for the simulation of particle growth. The workflow entails a conformer search at the density functional tight-binding level, structural refinement at the hybrid DFT level, and computation of a composite free-energy profile. Such profiles can be used to estimate particle nucleation kinetics. Droplet formation is also considered, which helps to rationalize the different UO2F2 particle morphologies observed under varying levels of humidity. Development of predictive methods for simulating physical and chemical deposition processes is important for the advancement of material manufacturing involving coatings and thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel approach for producing xylitol from xylose‐rich hydrolysate derived from pistachio shells. Initially, xylose‐rich hydrolysate was obtained through microwave‐assisted high‐pressure CO2/H2O hydrolysis, achieving a maximum xylose concentration of 14.58 ± 0.11 g L−1 and yield of 62.01 ± 0.92% (w w−1). Prior to the bioconversion process, the hydrolysate was detoxified using activated charcoal to remove inhibitory compounds such as hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural. Xylitol production from the detoxified hydrolysate was carried out biotechnologically using the yeast Candida tropicalis. A Box–Behnken design was implemented to investigate the effect of temperature, pH, and aeration rate on xylitol yield during bioconversion in bioreactor. The highest xylitol yield of 0.94 g g−1 was recorded at 72 h under optimized conditions of 34.5 °C, pH 4.5, and 1.2 vvm. Recovery and purification of xylitol from the fermentation medium was achieved using ethanol as an antisolvent. Xylitol was recovered with a yield of 68.4% from culture medium by crystallization. Based on the findings of this study, a sustainable and environmentally friendly process can be proposed for recovering and purifying xylitol from pistachio shell hydrolysate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water decreases the brightness of the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence partially due to the hydrolysis of the oxalate reagent. Here, we show that encapsulation of an oxalate ester and the fluorescent activator in microspheres of cellulose esters increases the emission intensity 30 times compared to the same reaction in water without encapsulation, whereas the emission intensity decay rate constants are considerably lower. Emission intensities, rate constants and chemiluminescence quantum yields increase with increasing hydrogen peroxide concentrations. These results expand the potential of application of chemiluminescence, contributing for the development of ultrasensitive analytical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using affordable electrocatalysts to produce hydrogen electrochemically by hydrolysis in an alkaline electrolyte is essential for addressing the energy of world crises and pollution issues. In this study, we have successfully synthesized MoS 2 -Ni 3 S 2 -CNTs/NF electrodes using a simple one-step hydrothermal method. These electrodes feature a multistage layered micro-nanostructure on nickel foam (NF) and exhibit super-hydrophilicity. The multilayered micro-nanostructure enhances the electrode's hydrophilicity, which promotes the exposure of active sites and accelerates electrolyte delivery. Notably, at a current density of 50 mA cm−2, these electrodes demonstrate excellent catalytic performance under alkaline conditions, with overpotentials of just 169 mV (approximately 0.59 times that of MoS 2 -CNTs/NF) for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 255 mV (approximately 0.57 times that of MoS 2 -CNTs/NF) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Furthermore, the electrodes show remarkable stability, maintaining performance over an 8-h continuous operation at a constant overpotential. This work offers a novel approach to enhance electrocatalytic water splitting efficiency by structural and wettability manipulation, hence creating a new avenue for the generation of clean energy. • MoS 2 -Ni 3 S 2 -CNTs electrodes synthesized via a simple one-step hydrothermal method. • MoS 2 -Ni 3 S 2 -CNTs electrodes feature multistage micro- and nanostructured layered architecture. • MoS 2 -Ni 3 S 2 -CNTs exhibit outstanding bifunctional catalytic activity for water electrolysis. • CNTs incorporation creates a super-hydrophilic surface, enhancing catalytic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic investigation into the factors which influence catalytic activity in 50 simple (mostly) quaternary ammonium- and phosphonium halide catalysts for the hydrolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) has revealed the most efficacious constitutional isomer class and the optimum properties these catalysts should possess. General guidelines for catalyst design are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin can affect the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of lignocellulose. In this study, the lignin isolated from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) pretreated with p-toluenesulfonic acid (PL) was firstly aminated, and then the effects of PL and aminated PL (APL) on the bagasse enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency (EHE) were investigated. The results showed that the addition of PL and APL promoted the EHE, and EHE with APL (73.82 %) was higher than PL (51.39 %). To explore the reason, the data were further analyzed including cellulase adsorption capacity, enzyme activity, cellulase-lignin interaction, and molecular docking. It was found that APL adsorbed more cellulase (27.83 mg protein/g lignin) than PL (4.96 mg protein/g lignin), resulting from the greater interaction force and lower binding free energy between APL and cellulase. The addition of APL more remarkably enhanced the cellobiohydrolase and endoglucanase activities than PL due to more effectively inducing cellulase conformation optimization. [Display omitted] • Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic substrate was enhanced from 45.83 % to 73.82 % by aminated lignin. • Aminated lignin adsorbed more cellulase molecules. • Activities of cellobiohydrolase (CBH) and endoglucosidase (EG) were promoted by aminated lignin. • Aminated lignin owned lower binding energy with cellulase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Glucosidase (α-Glu) is implicated in the progression and pathogenesis of type II diabetes (T2D). In this study, we developed a rapid colorimetric technique using platinum nanoparticles stabilized by chitosan (Ch-PtNPs) to detect α-Glu activity and its inhibitor. The Ch-PtNPs facilitate the conversion of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into oxidized TMB (oxTMB) in the presence of dissolved O2. The catalytic hydrolysis of 2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) by α-Glu produces ascorbic acid (AA), which reduces oxTMB to TMB, leading to the fading of the blue color. However, the presence of α-Glu inhibitors (AGIs) hinders the generation of AA, allowing Ch-PtNPs to re-oxidize colorless TMB back to blue oxTMB. This unique phenomenon enables the colorimetric detection of α-Glu activity and AGIs. The linear range for α-Glu was found to be 0.1–1.0 U mL−1 and the detection limit was 0.026 U mL−1. Additionally, the half-maximal inhibition value (IC50) for acarbose, an α-Glu inhibitor, was calculated to be 0.4769 mM. Excitingly, this sensing platform successfully detected α-Glu activity in human serum samples and effectively screened AGIs. These promising findings highlight the potential application of the proposed strategy in clinical diabetes diagnosis and drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates the sustainable advancement of fermentation media by blending the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) with organosolv beechwood cellulose. Investigations examined the effects of enzyme dosages and OFMSW integration into organosolv beechwood cellulose on sugar yield. The findings indicate that OFMSW inclusion and Cellic® CTec3 dosage significantly influence hydrolysis across two different batches of beechwood cellulose. Experimental data showed that OFMSW inclusion levels of 35% and 45% (w/w) produced sugar levels comparable to pure beechwood cellulose, achieving 58% to 68% (w/w) saccharification with sugar concentrations of 44 to 46 g/L. This highlights OFMSW's potential as a buffer substitute during the enzymatic conversion of organosolv cellulose. The resulting sugar-rich hydrolysates, derived from OFMSW-cellulose blends and pure cellulose, were evaluated for ethanol and cell biomass production using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Mucor indicus, yielding 30 g of ethanol/L hydrolysate. Furthermore, OFMSW inclusion in beechwood cellulose proved to be an excellent alternative to synthetic nitrogen agents for S. cerevisiae cell production, reaching 12.2 g of biomass/L and surpassing the biomass concentration from cultivation on cellulose hydrolysate with nitrogen supplementation by threefold. However, M. indicus did not grow in the OFMSW-cellulose blend, suggesting that the inhibitory compounds of OFMSW may be a bottleneck in the proposed process. The present study demonstrates the benefits of incorporating OFMSW into cellulose material, as it enhances both cost-effectiveness and sustainability. This is attributed to the natural buffering properties and nitrogen content of OFMSW, which reduces the need for synthetic agents in fermentation-based lignocellulose biorefineries. Key points: • OFMSW inclusion significantly influences beechwood cellulose saccharification. • OFMSW could be an excellent alternative for synthetic agents in biorefinery. • S. cerevisiae achieved higher biomass growth on OFMSW/cellulose mix compared to YPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in plant-based proteins is driven by sustainability concerns and potential adverse reactions to animal protein consumption. Plant proteins, while promising, are known for their inferior digestibility compared to animal counterparts. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) offers an ancient, cost-effective approach to address this limitation. SSF enhances plant-based foods by augmenting protein content through microbial hydrolysis, thereby improving overall nutritional quality. This method not only boosts protein digestibility but also reduces larger polypeptides, generates bioactive peptides, refines amino acid profiles, and eliminates anti-nutritional factors such as trypsin inhibitors and tannins. Further investigation is essential to optimize the purification of protein isolates and examine their behaviour during digestion and absorption using in vitro, cellular, and in vivo models. In conclusion, SSF represents a promising, cost-effective, and high-yield processing method to produce nutritionally enhanced plant proteins, aligning with the demands of both the industry and consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humic acid (HA) is widely used in agriculture as a biostimulant to enhance plant growth and nutrient uptake. Studies on the early growth promotion of agarwood seedlings using plant biostimulants have not been explored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to extract and characterize peat-derived HA and to determine the optimum rate that would exert biostimulant action on the early growth of agarwood seedlings at the nursery stage. HA was extracted from peat soil using a modified rapid alkaline hydrolysis method. Produced peat humic acid (PHA) was compared with commercial humic acid (CHA) for its chemical and spectroscopic characteristics. One-month-old agarwood seedlings were treated with PHA at different rates (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 mg kg−1) before the commencement of the experiment. The study was conducted for four months. The C/N ratio of both PHA and CHA were 25.85 and 26.93, respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra observation reveals that PHA and CHA have similar surface morphology and functional groups respectively. Results revealed that agarwood seedlings treated with 80 mg kg−1 of PHA significantly increased the plant height, stem diameter, the number of leaves, leaf area, dry matter weight, N and P concentrations in plant tissues, and N, P and K uptakes. Based on the findings, incorporation of PHA at the rate of 80 mg kg−1 with planting medium could be used as an optimum rate to enhance the growth of agarwood seedlings in the nursery stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An effective recovery of antioxidants was obtained from breweŕs spent grain. • A comparison among chemical, enzymatic and hydrothermal hydrolysis was conducted. • The highest ferulic acid yield was 7.2 g FA/kg BSG for the hydrothermal treatment. • Alkaline hydrolysis showed the lowest operating costs: €34.5/kg FA at 100 kgBSG/m3. Brewers' spent grain (BSG) is the main byproduct from the brewing industry, which accounts for 85 % of the total waste generated during beer production. This lignocellulosic material is traditionally used as livestock feed and sold at a low price. However, BSG can be used as a low-cost feedstock for the production of bioactive molecules and chemicals precursors, upgrading the value of this byproduct. In this context, BSG is a promising feedstock for the extraction of antioxidants like ferulic acid (FA) and p-coumaric acid (p -Cu). The effectiveness of three hydrolysis treatments were evaluated for the extraction of FA and p -Cu from BSG, namely enzymatic (based on the synergistic cooperation between a feruloyl esterase and an endo -1,4-β-xylanase), alkaline and hydrothermal. The hydrothermal treatment produced the highest extraction yields (7.2 g/kgBSG and 1.4 g/kgBSG for FA and p -Cu, respectively) in a short extraction time (an hour). On the other hand, enzymatic hydrolysis extracted 4.3 g/kgBSG for FA and negligible yields for p -Cu in 4 h of incubation at 25 °C. Yields of 5.5 g/kgBSG for FA and 0.6 g/kgBSG for p -Cu were obtained in more than 5 h of alkaline treatment at 120 °C. The mass and energy balances revealed the high dependence of the operating costs on the concentration of BSG used during the extraction process, with costs of 34.5 €, 6607 € and 205.5 € per kg of FA for the chemical, enzymatic and hydrothermal extraction methods at 100 kg BSG/m3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal hydrides, which play a role both in hydrogen storage and in the production of hydrogen as a result of its reaction with water, have become materials intensively researched by scientists since also hydrogen has become a hot topic as a clean and renewable energy carrier. In this study, carbon sphere-supported Co catalyst was synthesized by the impregnation-chemical reduction method for the production of hydrogen by the hydrolysis of KBH 4 , which is a good alternative to NaBH 4 but has not been studied much. Characterization of the synthesized catalyst was performed by XRD, BET, SEM (SE and EDX), TEM & DLS. The effects of parameters such as metal/support ratio, KBH 4 concentration, KOH concentration, catalyst amount and temperature on the hydrolysis reaction were investigated. The optimum metal/support ratio was determined as 10%Co/90%CS and the hydrogen production rate as a result of the hydrolysis of 1 wt% KBH 4 with 7 wt% KOH at 30 °C was calculated as 7149.2 mL min−1.gcat−1. According to the nth order kinetic model and the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model, the activation energies were calculated as 56.13 and 57.86 kJ/mol, respectively. Thus, it was found that the two models were consistent with each other and the degree of reaction was n = 0.26. [Display omitted] • Novel Co catalyst on carbon spheres enhances hydrogen production from KBH 4. • 7149.2 mL min−1.gcat−1 hydrogen achieved with 10% Co/90% CS at 30 °C. • Unactivated carbon spheres are cost-effective and scalable for hydrogen production. • Consistent activation energies indicate a reaction order of n = 0.26. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, graphene oxide supported platin, nickel and cobalt trimetallic nanoparticles (PtNiCo@GO) were prepared by the impregnation/reduction method. The catalytic performances of PtNiCo@GO catalysts prepared with different atomic ratios were investigated for hydrogen production and electro-oxidation of ammonia-borane (AB). For hydrolysis of ammonia-borane, Pt 0.8 Ni 0.1 Co 0.1 @GO catalyst exhibited higher catalytic activity than Pt 0.6 Ni 0.2 Co 0.2 @GO, Pt 0.4 Ni 0.3 Co 0.3 @GO, and Pt 0.2 Ni 0.4 Co 0.4 @GO. The hydrogen generation rate and turnover frequency values were found to be 540 mL min−1g−1 and 42.8 min−1, respectively, in the experiment conducted at 35 °C, 0.5 mmol AB, and 50 mg Pt 0.8 Ni 0.1 Co 0.1 @GO catalyst. The activation parameters (E a , ΔH # , and ΔS # ) in the catalytic hydrolysis of AB were obtained at 42.22 kJ/mol, 31.95 kJ/mol and −114.82 J/(mol × K), respectively. The effects of the PtNiCo@GO catalyst on AB electro-oxidation were made at a scanning rate of 100 mV/s in the potential range of - 1V/+1V against Ag/AgCl, and chronoamperometry measurements were made at constant potentials of - 0.2V, 0.1V and 0.4V. For cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements, 5 mM [Fe(CN) 6 ]3/4 (1 M KCl) redox probe and 1 M NaOH + 50 mM AB solution were used. • GO-supported PtNiCo trimetallic NPs were prepared by easy and reproducible way. • PtNiCo NPs in the catalyst system have a mean size of 3.16 ± 0.24 nm. • TOF value of the catalyst is 38.57 min−1 for NH 3 BH 3 hydrolysis at 298 K. • GO-supported PtNiCo trimetallic NPs could be recycled for at least seven runs. • The Pt 0.8 Ni 0.1 Co 0.1 @GO catalyst has the best AB electro-oxidation activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we have designed a cost-effective cobalt-boron-fluoride decorated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 @Co–B–F) catalyst with a facile reduction method, which exhibits high catalytic activity and reusability in hydrogen (H 2) production via sodium borohydride (NaBH 4) hydrolysis process. The textural, structural and morphological characteristics of the fabricated catalysts were confirmed by XRD, FTIR, BET, SEM, EDX, TEM, and XPS characterization methods. Among the catalysts studied, the most efficient g-C 3 N 4 @Co–B–F catalyst exhibited remarkable catalytic activity with H 2 production rate (H 2 PR) of 12813 mL H2 min−1 g cat −1 and turnover frequency (TOF) of 1439 h−1 at 30 °C. The kinetics of H 2 production via NaBH 4 hydrolysis was elucidated employing the nth-order and Langmuir-Hinshelwood models. The activation energy (Ea) values calculated by fitting the nth-order and Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic models were found to be 26.32 kJ mol−1 and 27.29 kJ mol−1, respectively. The g-C 3 N 4 @Co–B–F catalyst continued to exhibit catalytic activity after five consecutive cycles, the H 2 PR value decreased from 12813 to 4394 mL H2 min−1 g cat −1 and the TOF value decreased from 1439 to 482 h−1, indicating structural and regenerative ability. Characterization analyses including SEM images, TEM images, EDX analysis and FTIR spectra of the g-C 3 N 4 @Co–B–F catalyst after five reuse cycles provided significant findings for the decrease in H 2 PR and TOF values. Th results position the g-C 3 N4@Co–B–F catalyst as a promising candidate for the further development of H 2 production technologies. The study also highlights the potential of the g-C 3 N 4 @Co–B–F catalyst for H 2 production, demonstrating its ability to provide sustainable solutions for various industrial and energy applications. • A novel g-C 3 N 4 @Co–B–F catalyst was fabricated and employed for H 2 production via NaBH 4 hydrolysis process. • g-C 3 N 4 @Co–B–F exhibited remarkable catalytic activity with H 2 PR of 12813 mL H2 min−1 g cat −1 and TOF of 1439 h−1 at 30 °C. • A detailed kinetic study was performed for the H 2 production via NaBH 4 hydrolysis catalyzed by g-C 3 N 4 @Co–B–F. • Ea values of 26.32 kJ mol−1 and 27.29 kJ mol−1 were found for nth-order and Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic models. • 100% H 2 conversion was achieved after each consecutive cycles with g-C 3 N 4 @Co–B–F. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn the current work, cellulase from Aspergillus niger was successfully immobilized on a novel epoxy-affixed chromium metal-organic framework/chitosan (Cr@-MIL-101/CS) support via covalent method using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker. The bare and cellulase-bound support was characterized by using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Immobilized cellulase exhibited a high immobilization yield of 0.7 ± 0.01 mg/cm2, retaining 87.5 ± 0.04% of its specific activity and displaying enhanced catalytic performance. The immobilized enzyme was maximally active at pH 5.0, temperature 65 °C and 0.9 × 10–2 mg/ml saturating substrate concentration and the half-lives of free and immobilized cellulases were approximately 9 and 19 days, respectively. The decrease in activation energy, enthalpy change, and Gibbs free energy change, coupled with an increase in entropy change upon immobilization, indicated that the enzyme’s efficiency, stability, and spontaneity in catalyzing the reaction were enhanced by immobilization. Additionally, the immobilized cellulase efficiently converted rice husk cellulose to glucose, with a quantification limit of 0.05%, linear measurement ranging from 0.1 to 0.9%, and 8.5% conversion efficiency. The present method exhibited a strong correlation (R2 = 0.998) with the DNS method, validating its reliability. Notably, the epoxy/Cr@-MIL-101/CS-bound cellulase demonstrated impressive thermal and pH stabilities, retaining 50% of its activity at 75 °C and over 96% at pH levels of 4.5 and 5.0 after 12 h. Furthermore, it showed excellent reusability, preserving 80% of its activity after 15 cycles and maintaining 50% of its activity even after 20 days of storage. These results suggest that epoxy/Cr@-MIL-101/CS/cellulase composites could be very effective for large-scale cellulose hydrolysis applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Agronomic uses of biochar have been intensely explored in the last 15 years. Recently, a new generation of biochar‐based fertilizers has been developed. Raw biochar (BCH), nitrogen‐enriched biochar (N + BCH) or urea were added to a coir fiber‐based substrate for tomato cultivation, to assess seed germination, growth and fruiting of two cultivars (Cuarenteno and Moneymaker).BCH stimulated seed germination and early radicle growth, possibly because of the presence of karrikins detected in both BCH and N‐BCH (0.039 and 0.044 mg kg−1, respectively). However, BCH reduced growth in adult plants in both cultivars, probably because of ammonium retention, causing low‐N‐stress‐related symptoms such as accumulation of flavonoids in the leaf. Urea was toxic for seed germination because of the fast release of ammonium, but caused a positive effect on adult plant growth and yield, increasing chlorophyll in both cultivars, quantum yield and ascorbic acid in cv. Cuarenteno, and decreasing flavonoids and peroxide in leaves of both cultivars. Unlike urea, N + BCH showed a positive impact on plant growth and yield, but without releasing high amounts of ammonium or negatively affecting seed germination. Nitrogen‐rich amendments reduced phosphorus and increased iron leaf content in both cultivars.BCH can be effectively used as a growth medium constituent in nurseries for seedling production, whereas N + BCH offers a promising alternative to urea or other nitrogen mineral fertilizers for crop cultivation. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shells of tree important food nuts and the relevance of valorizing nutshells are growing. The potential value of argan nutshells (ANS), which are one of the primary byproducts of the argan oil industry and are wasted to the tune of approximately 60,000 tons each year, has received attention in research related to the same industry. This paper suggests using argan nutshells particles rich in nematic ordered cellulose for producing cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-II) with a rectangular shape via the chains self-assembly in acid hydrolysis that is useful in many fields of applications. In the experimental results, the chemical composition of ANS was described; moreover, the morphologies of ANS after each chemical treatment were studied. Furthermore, the morphological properties investigated via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the structural properties determined via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR), and the thermal properties via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirm the successful regeneration of nanostructured cellulose (II) with a high crystallinity index (84%) where the XRD was attributed to the CNC type II. Furthermore, the AFM and STEM show a rectangular shape with an average size of 286 nm diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The value of olive pomace, a waste obtained from olive oil processing, would be greatly increased if its constituents, cellulose, and hemicellulose fractions could be easily converted into fermentable sugars. To achieve this goal, several approaches have been proposed by combining physico-chemical and biological treatments with enzymatic hydrolysis. However, studies on enzymatic hydrolysis, an important step in the conversion process, have been carried out with a fairly well-known range of enzymes. Thus, proposing another enzyme will broaden the range of enzymes intended for lignocellulosic biomass conversion. In the context of such an objective, this work deals with the performance of the Filtrase NLC, an enzyme usually used in the beer brewing process on the hydrolysis of acid and alkaline pretreated olive pomace. Results obtained show that both acid and alkaline treatments allowed a decrease in hemicelluloses and lignin content, but alkali treatment was more efficient. 15.40 g of glucose was released in the enzymatic hydrolysis of the alkali-treated solid when using enzyme at 125 filter paper unit (FPU) per gram of substrate and 15 % (w/v) solid concentration. This conversion has been demonstrated by the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) test, where 11 % (v/v) of ethanol concentration was obtained. Based on these results, Filtrase NLC could be used successfully for the production of fermentable sugars from olive pomace and potentially from other lignocellulosic biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulosic biomass is considered the feedstock of the future to produce bioactive oligosaccharides, due to its low cost and increased availability. In this study, the valorization of the hemicellulose from olive solid residue through structural characterization, oligosaccharide production, and antiproliferative activity was investigated. Three hemicellulose fractions (A, B1, and B2) were isolated by alkaline extraction (NaOH, 10–17.5%). It was observed that the extraction yield of hemicelluloses varied between 0.9 and 32.5% on the basis of the raw materials. The results of FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR, and MALDI-TOF analyses on the hemicellulose HEM A17.5 supported a structure based on a linear polymer of xylopyranose units linked β-(1 → 4) bonds substituted at C2 by glucuronic acid units. The hydrolysis conditions performed by an acid kaolin catalyst (0.05 N HCl) at 80 °C gave access to ketooligosaccharide (OS1). OS1 and HEM A17.5 were more potent on human breast cancer cells MDA-MB 231 (IC50 ≈ 175 µg, IC50 = 125 µg) and MDA-MB435 (IC50 ≈ 375, IC50 = 500) than neridronate, which was more cytotoxic against epidermoid carcinoma cells A 431. Overall, the findings suggested that olive solid residue presents a promising natural source of bioactive polysaccharides and anticancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid hydrolysis, which uses concentrated mineral acids to produce cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), is expensive, overdegrades the cellulose material, and is hazardous to human and the environment. Thus recently, research has concentrated on using organic acids to produce CNC for economic and environmental concerns. This study used citric acid anhydrous (85–100 wt%) with a smaller amount of sulfuric acid (0–15wt%) as a catalyst to prepare carboxylated nanocrystals from Oxytenanthera abyssinica cellulose. The highest yield (89.7%) was obtained with a reaction condition of a 9:1wt% ratio of citric acid anhydrous to sulfuric acid, temperature (80 °C), and reaction time (5 h). The carboxyl functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals was affirmed through the conductometric titrimetric method and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The conductometric titration showed a maximum carboxylate concentration of 0.75 ± 0.08 mmol/g; this gave the CNC stable dispersibility. Based on scanning electron microscopy characterization, mostly spherical-like shapes of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals were obtained. The dynamic light scattering analysis showed that the particle possesses a particle size of 68.06 ± 1.05 nm with a maximum absolute value zeta potential of -33 mV. The x-ray diffraction analysis found cellulose crystallinity in the 60.37 to 81.3% range. The thermal gravimetric analysis showed that rapid mass loss occurred between 245 and 400 °C, with a maximum weight loss of 95%. Introducing the carboxylic group from citric acid anhydrous to cellulose can enhance the application of cellulose. Since the carboxylic groups are simultaneously introduced to the surface of cellulose during the hydrolysis process, it has the advantage of reducing the amount and chemical prices that cost for series and long-step surface functionalizing reactions. Citric acid could be easily recovered through a rotary evaporator, and since it is obtained from fruits, the carboxylic CNC formed has lower toxic risks. These environmentally friendly, sustainable, and nontoxic properties gave the produced carboxylic CNC high potential application for the production of biofilms, food packaging material, UV protection, drug delivery, and new bio-based nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aloe vera (AV) leaf rind, a potent second-generation lignocellulosic biomass, was employed for fermentative co-production of lactic acid (LA) and acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) using Bacillus coagulans MTCC 492 and Clostridium acetobutylicum MTCC 11274, respectively. A systematic sequential biomass treatment using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) (Glyc, choline chloride:glycerol, and Reln, choline chloride:urea), mild sulfuric acid (1%, v/v) (MSA), and cellulase was adopted for lignin fractionation, pentose (C5), and hexose (C6) hydrolysates preparation. It has been observed that adoption of DES pretreatment tends to reduce the fermentative inhibitors (predominantly lignin derived) by 2.36-fold after MSA saccharification as compared to the conventional acid (2%, v/v) (CA) pretreatment. Additionally, DES exerted a significant structural disintegration of biomass as evident from SEM, FTIR, NMR, and XRD that favored subsequent saccharification. Maximum delignification of 76.87% (w/w) was obtained when biomass was treated with Glyc-MSA that in turn yielded 70.71 g/L of total sugar. Bacillus coagulans MTCC 492, an efficient LA producer through pentose sugar utilization, resulted in 35.87 g of LA/L of the hydrolysate. Subsequently, the cellulose-rich residual biomass (after Glyc-MSA) when hydrolyzed enzymatically using cellulase yielded a hydrolysate containing 34.44 g/L of total sugar. Clostridium acetobutylicum MTCC 11274 was employed for fermentation of this C6 sugar-rich hydrolysate that resulted in 4.83 g/L of total ABE. Through this study, a multi-product development strategy was formulated for systematic utilization of AV leaf rind cell wall components (lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose) towards its segregated bio-based utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil palm industries produce large quantity of wastes, and their limited usage causes major disposal problem in the mills and environmental pollution. Nevertheless, the oil palm leaves (OPL) contain numerous nutritional components especially protein that is applicable to food as a functional ingredient. Thus, this study aimed to extract protein hydrolysate from OPL using Flavourzyme, which is an endo and exopeptidase enzyme derived from Aspergillus oryzae and determine their physicochemical and functional properties including thermal stability, solubility, and emulsifying properties (EP). The FTIR spectral portrayed that the functional groups of OPL were altered after the enzymatic hydrolysis with the presence of a secondary amine. The protein hydrolysate (769–1167 J/g) showed lower enthalpy heat than OPL (7854 J/g). The protein hydrolysate extracted using 0 and 2% Flavourzyme resulted in a high degree of hydrolysis (74–96%) and absolute zeta potential. The hydrolysate also exhibited good solubility (77–97%) and EP in pH 7 and 10 resuspension solutions, showing that it has wide application in food systems. The results signified that the hydrolysis at pH 7 is optimum for the endogenous enzymes present in OPL to hydrolyze peptides with good functional properties, comparable to other plant protein hydrolysate. In summary, the protein hydrolysate extracted from OPL without using enzyme at pH 7 for 2 h of hydrolysis has high protein content, good solubility, and EP, which serves as a potential functional food to improve nutritional value and food properties. Further study on its biological activities recommended for wider application as a functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of bioethanol production has several economic drawbacks such as the cost of enzymes, i.e., cellulase, which hydrolyze cellulose to produce fermentable sugars. In this study, to reduce the production cost of cellulase, agricultural wastes such as wheat straw (WS) and rice straw (RS) were used as carbon sources for cellulase production through solid-state fermentation. First, the standard cellulase production conditions were optimized, the initial moisture content of the solid medium was 60%, the biomass particle size was 100 µm to 4 mm size mixed, and the optimal carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio in the medium of WS and RS was 59.0 and 41.2, respectively. Subsequently, to simplify process handling, eliminating trace elements such as MgSO4, CaCl2, FeSO4, MnSO4, ZnSO4, CoCl2, and phosphorous compounds such as KH2PO4 in the general Mandel's medium was used for cellulase production medium and compared with the standard medium. Maximum 5.4 filter paper unit (FPU)/g-substrate (WS) and 5.3 FPU/g-substrate (RS) were attained under trace element eliminating medium; these were similar to that from the standard medium of WS (4.8 FPU/g-substrate) and RS (5.7 FPU/g-substrate). Moreover, the produced crude cellulases from RS were evaluated for their potential in hydrolysis of alkaline-treated RS. The performances of the crude cellulases were similar to those of commercial cellulases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF), a biomass waste generated during the production of palm oil is rich in polysaccharides that can be converted to value-added product. The potential of cellulose from OPMF as a prebiotic represents an innovative exploration of biomass waste, which has never been undertaken. This study aims to investigate the effect of supplementation of OPMF in the medium on the growth of probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus casei and enteropathogenic E. coli, and to ascertain the potential OPMF as prebiotic by quantifying prebiotic activity score (PAS). The research was designed using a Randomized Complete Block Design with a single factor and three replications. The factor was the concentration of OPMF extract added to the growth medium, with seven treatment levels: P0 as control (no addition), P1 (1% glucose), P2 (2% prebiotic inulin), P3 (2% OPMF extract), P4 (4% OPMF extract), P5 (6% OPMF extract), P6 (8% OPMF extract), and P7 (10% OPMF extract) (w/v). The results showed that supplementation of OPMF extract significantly supported the growth of both of probiotics used in this study (p < 0.05) similar to on the prebiotic inulin. The growth of S. cerevisiae was the highest on the 8% OPMF extract, with the PAS value of 1.90. In addition, the growth of L. casei on OPMF extract at the minimal concentration of 6% and on inulin were higher significantly than on glucose, with the PAS in the range of 1.98–2.47. In contrast, the growth of E. coli on the OPMF extract and on inulin were lower than on glucose (p < 0.05). Conclusion, the growth of L. casei on OPMF extract was higher than S. cerevisiae, at a minimal concentration of 6%. Therefore, OPMF extract was potential as prebiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nitrate, commonly known as nitrocellulose (NC), is an energetic polymer with a broad function in industrial and military applications. The use of biomass waste for nitrocellulose production offers a promising solution to the growing demand for renewable and sustainable raw materials, addressing one of the most critical issues of recent decades. However, the product quality remains suboptimal, presenting one of the biggest challenges in developing NC production from biomass. Enhancing NC performance through the modification of cellulose crystal structures and allomorph is considered an excellent approach. Herein, the transformation of cellulose-I into cellulose-II was explored during the hydrolysis step to produce high-performance NC. The present study demonstrated that cellulose-II precursors effectively produced the highest-performance NC from the solid byproducts of avocado seed extraction (EAS), highlighting its promising potential for high-energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the preparation (80 min) of rice husk (RH)-derived cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) via microwave-irradiation. The unique features of RH-CNWs and the intermediate products were validated with respect to the alteration of morphological structure, particle dimension, crystalline pattern, chemical compositions, functionalities, thermal stability and surface charge. With the integration of microwave heating (MW), the isolation of nano-sized fragments from the matrix of amorphous and non-cellulosic materials has been successfully accomplished, recorded a high conversion yield at 61.5%. The average length and diameter of RH-CNWs were 264.35 nm and 25.26 nm, respectively, recording an average aspect ratio at 10.47. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a crystallinity index of 65.9%, and the diffraction pattern was identical to type-Iβ crystalline cellulose. Further clarifications with respect to the surface functionality, thermal stability and composition analyses have verified the successive esterification of sulfate functional groups over the surface of RH-CNWs, leading to a higher thermal stability and zeta-potential (ζ = − 44.50 mV). Given the explicit characteristics of MW, the synergistic interactions of microwave-chemical actions have offered the additional impact force and dipolar rotation, accelerating the cleavage of hydrogen bonds and complete removal of amorphous domains from the RH surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the potential of hydrolyzed bacterial cellulose (hBC) for UV radiation protection. BC membranes are produced under static conditions by Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans, purified, mechanically shredded, and hydrolyzed. As a result, hBC exhibits colloidal properties at various concentrations (0.34 – 11 mg ml−1). With a water-holding capacity of 89.1% ± 0.341, hBC forms a 3.65 μm thick transparent film with an approximate density of 7 μg per mm2. In Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis, the lengths of filamentous BC particles were between 50 and 300 nm, while the lengths of rod-like nanocrystalline cellulose were between 400 and 1500 µm. According to dynamic light scattering (DLS) result, 88% of the particles were approximately 1 µm long. The zeta potential was −25.13 ± 0.65 mV, hBC showed thixotropic behaviour, and its crystallinity was 92. hBC and its films exhibited barrier properties to UV radiation (190–400 nm). The highest UV absorbance (almost 100%) for all UV regions (UV-A, UV-B and UV-C) of hBC in colloidal form is at a concentration of 11 mg ml−1. At most, the UV transmittance of all UV regions of the hBC films was 16%. Sun protective factor (SPF) values of colloidal and film forms of the hBC at a concentration of 11 mg ml−1 and 212 µg/mm2 were 29 and 12, respectively. hBC was not cytotoxic on mouse fibroblast L929 and human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. In conclusion, hBC can be an alternative UV radiation protector and thickening agent. This study represents the first report on the UV barrier property of hBC for aqueous formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Size exclusion chromatography with UV detection (SEC‐UV) is a precise method for quantifying polyacrylamides in water. However, its accuracy can be compromised in complex matrices due to chemical degradation of the polymer. This study focuses on the impact of hydrolysis on quantifying sulfonated polyacrylamide copolymers (PAM‐AMPS) via SEC‐UV, analyzing key influencing factors. Using controlled hydrolysis, hydrolyzed copolymer (HPAM‐AMPS) standards with varying hydrolysis degree (HD) (HD = 7%–33%) were prepared without significant changes in polymer chain size. SEC‐UV analysis revealed that quantification accuracy is highly dependent on hydrolysis extent. Errors are minimal for HD up to 10%, but significantly higher for HDs of 22%–33%. Furthermore, this effect is modulated by polymer concentration. Our findings indicate that there are two compensating factors for the decrease in molar absorptivity due to amide‐to‐carboxylate substitution: the sulfonate group acting as an additional chromophore, and a redshift in absorption spectra due to hydrogen bonding at higher concentrations. This interplay between HD and concentration in this type of sulfonated polyacrylamide can help reduce quantification errors in complex aqueous samples prone to chemical degradation, like those found in environmental and subsurface applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFluorotelomer-based acrylate polymers and surfactants used to grease-proof food contact paper (FCP) are potential sources of dietary exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Food contact substances (FCS) containing polyfluorinated long-chains (≥C8) were voluntarily removed by their manufacturers from the U.S. market in 2011 due to health concerns and largely replaced with FCSs containing short-chain (≤C7) PFAS. In 2020, FDA findings of potential biopersistence of 6:2 FTOH (CF3(CF2)5CH2CH2OH) similarly prompted an additional voluntarily phase-out of FCSs containing 6:2 FTOH by their manufacturers that was completed by the end of 2023. To monitor the phase-out process, a screening method was developed to detect FCPs containing ester-linked polyfluorinated pendant chains. Direct Analysis in Real Time-Isotope Dilution-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (DART-ID-HRMS) enabled rapid semi-quantitative detection of 6:2 FTOH in FCP saponification reaction headspace without requiring sample concentration or chromatography. 19F-NMR analysis confirmed 6:2 FTOH pendant chain identity and detection dependence on saponification. The speed and specificity of this approach arise from ester saponification in the presence of stable isotopically labeled 6:2 FTOH; high FTOH differential volatility relative to nonfluorinated matrix, and the facile production of FTOH gas-phase anions (e.g., [M + O2]·−, [M-H + CO2]−) under ambient ionization conditions. The efficiency of this simple workflow makes it well-suited for monitoring the phase-out of FCS containing ester-linked polyfluorinated chains from the U.S. marketplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discarded Human hairs are considered as waste material in most parts of the world and its accumulation causing several environmental problems. However as a potential material resource, human hair has the advantage that it is completely biodegradable, renewable and available in every locality. Thus reutilizing human hair cut discards with a target of extracting a particular major nutrient supply, namely nitrogen, carbon, sulfur and so forth, can create a positive impact on solving soil's infertility problems and less productivity issues of concerned agrarian communities. This study has tried to develop waste human hair based bio-fertilizer by primarily identify the better performing hydrolyzing mixture rang of formulation (H5), ratio of human hair waste mass to aqueous hydrolyzer mixture usages (1:5), favorable reacting time (90 min) and temperature (70 oC) values progressively. Then the physicochemical characteristics were analyzed to reveal the resulted final product's viscosity (~ 76.0 cp.), density (~ 1.17 gm/l), pH (~ pH 9), organic nutrients availability concerning primary Macronutrients (~ 18:0.03:1 N-P-K ratio), Secondary Macronutrients (~ 0.13:0:7 Ca-Mg-S ratio) and other trace micronutrient constituents; which are considered as requirements for the soil nutrient enrichments and plant growths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degummed wastewater from silk processing contains a huge amount of amino acids and polypeptides from sericin. The silk degumming water is far from being exploited fully. Sericin in the degumming water is generally wasted and causes environmental pollution. In this study, simulated silk degumming water was hydrolyzed by alkaline protease to produce abundant amino acids and polypeptides. After enzymatic hydrolysis, the maximum free amino groups concentration in the silk degumming water was approximately 54 mM. It facilitated the recycling of silk degumming water for the production of melanin-like amino acid surfactants as raw materials. 4-Tert-butylcatechol was used as the starting material to generate o-quinone via oxidation by ceric ammonium nitrate. o-Quinone was coupled with free amino groups in enzymatic hydrolysates of silk degumming water to synthesize a sericin-based amino acid surfactant as hydrophobic and hydrophilic group, respectively. Through the green and simple synthesis route, the product was characterized to have a novel melanin-like structure. The product exhibited superior surface-active properties by lowering the surface tension to 32.39 mN m−1. Furthermore, it demonstrated good foaming ability and foam stability, with the initial foam volume of 37 mL and the foam half-life time of more than 25 min. The product owned a good emulsification ability in the oil-water emulsion with delamination time of 297 s and 291 s for emulsion formed by soybean oil and liquid paraffin, respectively. The wetting time of the canvas sheet was only 134 s. Consequently, the product showed low surface tension, good foaming, emulsifying, and wetting properties. • Utilization of silk degumming water as renewable source for amino acid surfactants. • Novel structure similar with melanin by coupling amino acid to o-quinone. • Simultaneous treatment of silk degumming water. • Green route composed of only easy oxidation and spontaneous coupling reaction. • Production of surfactants with superior foaming, emulsifying, and wetting capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiochemical pretreatment was performed using different concentrations of oxalic acid (OA) as a simultaneous pretreatment and saccharification (SPS) process on rice straw to obtain reducing sugar from two‐phasic SPS process using enzymatic and acidic hydrolysis to subsequently ferment to bioethanol in order to maximize the yield of bioethanol. The optimal condition for pretreating rice straw using 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.5 M OA at 120°C for 1 h was evaluated. The morphological and structural changes after simultaneous pretreatment and SPS process were evaluated using Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis. It was evaluated that optimum pretreatment conditions using a lesser concentration of OA had resulted in 30.37% of xylan removal from pretreated rice straw obtained after simultaneous pretreatment and SPS process. The ethanol production yield ranged from 0.42 to 0.37 g/g with fermentation efficiency of up to 57.18% and an overall ethanol production yield of 42.84% from the obtained hydrolysate of the two‐phasic SPS process. The highest ethanol concentration from the obtained hydrolysate was produced at 120°C for 1 h with 0.75 M OA; under this condition, maximum degradation of utilized lignocellulosic biomass takes place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3,4-Dihydroquinolones are fundamental motifs widely found in a variety of natural products and drug molecules. Conventional methods for their synthesis suffer from the disadvantages of harsh reaction conditions and inefficiency, as well as selectivity issues. Herein, we develop a practical and efficient platform for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydroquinolones through successive hydrolysis and transfer hydrogenation processes. A wide range of 2-chloroquinolines and other substrates were compatible with this catalytic system and were converted into the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields. The scale-up experiment and late-stage functionalization performance verified the practical use of this protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This review provides an overview on the fate and behavior of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, in agricultural environments. The study focuses on four key aspects: adsorption and leaching of imidacloprid in soil, degradation and hydrolysis of imidacloprid in soil and water, uptake and persistence of imidacloprid in plants, and volatilization of imidacloprid to the atmosphere. The review presents the latest findings from research on each of these topics. While imidacloprid is highly effective at controlling pests, it is also known to persist in the environment, posing risks to non-target organisms such as bees, birds, and aquatic life. Moreover, there is increasing concern about its potential to accumulate in the soil and water systems, which may have long-term effects on the ecosystem. The review suggests that better understanding of the behavior and fate of imidacloprid in agricultural environments is essential for developing effective strategies to minimize its environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzoate substituted with a cationic quaternary ammonium group at the para‐position, [4‐(CH3)3N(C6H4)CO2], forms mononuclear alkali metal ion complexes, [4‐(CH3)3N(C6H4)CO2M]+ (M=Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs), which are observed by electrospray‐ionisation mass spectrometry. When mass selected and subjected to collision‐induced dissociation each of these complexes undergoes decarboxylation to produce the mononuclear arylalkali complex cations, [4‐(CH3)3N(C6H4)M]+, which subsequently react with water via hydrolysis to yield the quaternary ammonium cation, (CH3)3NC6H5+. The unexpected product ions, [M((CH3)2NC6H5)]+, [M(CH3OH)]+, and M+, which are associated with the hydrolysis pathway, suggest an unusual reaction occurring within the exit channel ion‐molecule complex, [(CH3)3NC6H5+MOH]+. DFT calculations were used to examine the: decarboxylation reaction of [4‐(CH3)3N(C6H4)CO2M]+, which readily proceeds via a four‐centred transition state; the hydrolysis and SN2 reactions accounting for formation of products in the exit channel, which are connected via a roaming mechanism in which the metal hydroxide moiety migrates from the para‐hydrogen of (CH3)3NC6H5+ to one of the methyl groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iodide precursor oxidation has persistently plagued solution grown iodine‐based perovskite single crystals (IPSCs) that inevitably introduce undesirable triiodide ion (I3−) defects and severely hindering crystal quality, despite IPSCs having garnered remarkable progress in multifarious photoelectronic applications. In this work, the spontaneously inhibited iodide oxidation is discovered in an eco‐friendly solvent, γ‐Valerolactone (GVL), and demonstrates a universal solution approach for fabricating high‐quality IPSCs. Compared to the routine γ‐Butyrolactone (GBL) system, GVL provides a lowered growth temperature and a significantly broadened inverse temperature operation window, thereby improving the theoretical utilization rate of perovskite precursors up to 88.6%. More importantly, due to its higher open‐ring hydrolysis energy, GVL can spontaneously inhibit the iodide precursors oxidation without any additional reductant and therefore effectively prevent the forming I3− defects. Typically, the as‐fabricated MAPbI3 single crystal possesses an extremely low trap density of 3.57 × 108 cm−3 and a high carrier mobility‐lifetime (µτ) product of 2.74 × 10−3 cm2 V−1, which enables its photodetection capabilities to be on a par with the state‐of‐art MAPbI3 single crystal photodetectors. This work paves an efficacious and green pathway for high‐quality IPSC fabrication toward advanced optoelectronic utilizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate) (PDMAEA) is a promising charge‐shifting polycation with the capacity to form a range of morphologically distinct polyelectrolyte assemblies. Nevertheless, the basic character of the monomer and its hydrolytic instability impedes its controlled synthesis to higher molecular weight (MW). Herein, the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of DMAEA is reported using a tert‐butanol/V70 initiator/trithiocarbonate‐based chain transfer agent (CTA) polymerization setup. The CTA instability is demonstrated in the presence of the unprotonated tertiary amino group of the DMAEA monomer, which limits the control over the conversion and MW of the polymer. In contrast, the shielding of the amino groups by their protonation leads to polymerization with high conversions and excellent control over MWs of polymer up to 100 000 g mol−1. Hydrolytic degradation study at pH values ranging from 5 to 9 reveals that both basic and protonated PDMAEA undergo a pH‐dependent hydrolysis. The proposed polymerization conditions provide a means of synthesizing PDMAEA with well‐controlled characteristics, which are beneficial for controlling the complexation processes during the formation of various polyelectrolyte assemblies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical Application Silver carp steak is a rarely utilized silver carp processing byproduct. This study aimed to optimize a dual enzymatic method to extract antioxidant peptide components from silver carp steak and characterize their structure and in vitro antioxidant activity through ultrafiltration purification, response surface methodology, molecular docking, and radical scavenging activity analysis. The optimal extraction conditions for silver carp steak antioxidant peptides (SCSAP) were determined as 1:6 solid–liquid ratio, 1500 U/g alkaline protease addition, 4 h alkaline protease hydrolysis time, 1946 U/g flavor enzyme addition, and 2.5 h flavor enzyme hydrolysis time. The <3 kDa SCSAP component (SCSAP‐3kDa) showed the strongest antioxidant activity, with its 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐trinitrophenyl hydrazine (DPPH) radical scavenging rate, ABTS radical scavenging rate, hydroxyl radical scavenging rate, metal ion chelating rate, and reducing capacity reaching 88.75%, 91.21%, 67.02%, 69.07%, and 0.985, respectively. Moreover, the three peptides (PF‐7, GP‐8, and YF‐10) of 100 µg/mL could protect HepG2 cells from oxidative stress damage by reducing the oxidative damage level and activating Keap1‐Nrf2‐ARE pathways, enabling an increase of superoxide dismutases (SOD) activity, and a decrease of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. The integrated results indicate the enormous potential of SCSAP‐3kDa as a functional food ingredient in the food industry.This study selected the antioxidant capacity of silver carp steak peptides as the index and developed a facile dual enzymatic hydrolysis method to obtain three antioxidant peptides (PF‐7, GP‐8, and YF‐10) with biological activity, providing a theoretical basis for bioavailability of antioxidant peptides from silver carp steak and contributing to their application in new functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Phosphodiester bonds, which form the backbone of DNA, are highly stable in the absence of catalysts. This stability is crucial for maintaining the integrity of genetic information. However, when exposed to catalytic agents, these bonds become susceptible to cleavage. In this study, we investigated the role of different metal dications (Ca2⁺, Mg2⁺, Zn2⁺, Mn2⁺, and Cu2⁺) in promoting the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds. A minimal DNA model was constructed using two pyrimidine nucleobases (cytosine and thymine), two deoxyribose units, one phosphate group, and one metallic dication coordinated by six water molecules. The results highlight that Cu2⁺ is the most efficient in lowering the energy barrier for bond cleavage, with an energy barrier of 183 kJ/mol, compared to higher barriers for metals like Zn2⁺ (202 kJ/mol), Mn2⁺ (202 kJ/mol), Mg2⁺ (210 kJ/mol), and Ca2⁺ (223 kJ/mol). Understanding the interaction between these metal ions and phosphodiester bonds offers insight into DNA stability and organic data storage systems. Methods: DFT calculations were employed using Gaussian 16 software, applying the B3LYP hybrid functional with def2-SVP basis sets and GD3BJ dispersion corrections. Full geometry optimizations were performed for the initial and transition states, followed by identifying energy barriers associated with phosphodiester bond cleavage. The optimization criteria included maximum force, root-mean-square force, displacement, and energy convergence thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the effect of colloidal platinum nanoparticles (CPN) on the durability of resin-dentin bonding performance with contemporary adhesives. Sixty non-carious human maxillary premolars were subjected to microtensile bond strength (µTBS) testing and divided into two main groups: CPN-treated and untreated. Within each group, specimens were randomly allocated to Clearfil Megabond 2 (MB2), Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive with self-etch mode (SE-SUP), and etch-and-rinse mode (ER-SUP) subgroups (n = 10/group). CPN was applied to dentin in the MB2 and SE-SUP groups for 20 s, followed by rinsing before adhesive application. In the ER-SUP group, CPN was applied after etch-and-rinse. The µTBS was tested after 24 h, 6 months, and 1 year, and the fracture modes were observed using SEM. The µTBS data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey HSD test (α = 0.05). An additional twelve premolars underwent TEM/STEM/EDX for ultra-morphological observations. The application of CPN significantly prevented a decline in the µTBS of both the MB2 and SE-SUP groups. No significant decrease was observed in the ER-SUP group, either with aging or CPN application. Ultra-morphological images revealed platinum nanoparticles attaching to the collagen fibrils of the hybrid layer regardless of aging. It was highlighted that the nanoparticles attached to the banded collagen in the aging groups were observed. CPN exhibits the potential in enhancing the longevity of resin-dentin bonding in SE mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textile production has doubled in the last 20 years, but only 1% is recycled into new fibers. It is the third largest contributor to water pollution and land use, accounting for 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of clean water pollution. A key challenge in textile recycling is blended yarns, such as polycotton blends, which consist of polyester and cotton. Chemical recycling offers a solution, in particular, alkali treatment, which hydrolyzes polyester (PET) into its components while preserving cotton fibers. However, conventional methods require high temperatures, long durations, or catalysts. Our study presents, for the first time, the heated high-ethanol alkaline aqueous (HHeAA) process that efficiently hydrolyzes PET from polycotton at lower temperatures and without a catalyst. A near-complete PET hydrolysis was achieved in 20 min at 90 °C, while similar results were obtained at 70 °C and 80 °C with longer reaction times. The process was successfully scaled at 90 °C for 20 min, and complete PET hydrolysis was achieved, with a significantly reduced liquid-to-solid ratio, from 40 to 7 (L per kg), signifying its potential to be implemented in an industrial context. Additionally, the cotton maintained most of its properties after the treatment. This method provides a more sustainable and efficient approach to polycotton recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charge variants are one of the most important quality attributes for protein therapeutics, including antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). ADCs are conjugation products between monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and highly potent payloads. After attaching a payload, the charge profile of a mAb can be modified due to the change in net charge or surface charge. In this study, we present a unique challenge of charge assay development that arises from a desirable engineering of ADCs that incorporates the hydrolysis-prone succinimide-thioether conjugation chemistry. This engineered hydrolysis at conjugation sites is usually not complete during conjugation process and continuously progressing during mild stress. This hydrolysis also creates a carboxylic functional group, which manifests as acidic peaks in the ADC charge profiles. As a result, ion exchange chromatograms become sensitive measurements of this hydrolysis, which often masks the charge profile change due to other important post-translational modifications. In this study, two approaches were explored to address this unique challenge: to remove the hydrolysis heterogeneity by incubating ADCs under high pH conditions to drive complete hydrolysis; and to analyze charge variants at the subunit level after IdeS digestion. Acceptable charge profiles and quantitative integration results were successfully obtained by both approaches. [Display omitted] • Succinimide-thioether linkage can hydrolyze in ADCs and complicates charge assay. • Hydrolysis kinetics studied; using high pH incubation to induce complete hydrolysis. • An affinity-IEC tandem column separation for ADC charge analysis at subunit level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of silage using fish viscera can be carried out with straightforward methods and permits the exploitation of nutrients that are usually discarded. This process fosters the concept of circular aquaculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of increasing levels of fish viscera silage (VS) on the physical quality of the feed pellets and their effects on their growth performance, health parameters and on economic indices when the experimental extruded feed was offered to tambaqui. A fermented fish VS produced in‐house was included in increasing levels on a wet‐basis in the formulation of five experimental diets (VS 0%, VS 5%; VS 10%; VS 15% and VS 20%). Juvenile tambaqui (~22.6 g) were stocked in fibreglass tanks of 700 L (n = 4; 21 fish per tank) with a recirculation system and the five experimental diets were attributed in a completely randomized design. The fish were fed with the experimental diets (to apparent satiation) for 13 weeks. At the end of the trial, no significant differences were observed for production performance. Fish fed with the highest inclusion level of VS presented the highest concentration of plasma cholesterol, but this was still within acceptable values for this species. The inclusion of fish VS in diets for juvenile tambaqui reduced the activity of the plasma ALT enzyme, confirming normal liver function. Extruded feed containing fish VS had a production cost of US$ 0.95 per kg, which does not significantly impact the economic indices. Up to 20% of fish VS can be included in the extruded feed formulation for juvenile tambaqui without impairing growth performance or affecting health parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing global environmental challenges and meeting the escalating energy demands stand as two pivotal issues in the current landscape. Lignocellulosic biomass emerges as a promising renewable bio-energy source capable of fulfilling the world’s energy requirements on a large scale. One of the most important steps in lowering reliance on fossil fuel and lessening environmental effect is turning lignocellulosic biomass into biofuel. As carbon–neutral substitutes for traditional fuel, biofuel offer a solution to environmental concerns compared to conventional fuel. Effective utilization of lignocellulosic biomass is imperative for sustainable development. Ongoing research focuses on exploring the potential of various microorganisms and their co-interactions to synthesize diverse biofuels from different starting materials, including lignocellulosic biomass. Co-culture techniques demonstrate resilience to nutrient scarcity and environmental fluctuations. By utilising a variety of carbon sources, microbes can enhance their adaptability to environmental stressors and potentially increase productivity through their symbiotic interactions. Furthermore, compared to single organism involvement, co-interactions allow faster execution of multistep processes. Lignocellulosic biomass serves as a primary substrate for pre-treatment, fermentation, and enzymatic hydrolysis processes. This review primarily delves into the pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis process and the biochemical pathways involved in converting lignocellulosic biomass into bioenergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of utilizing sweet potato waste for distilled beverage production in two process scenarios: (i) acid hydrolysis and (ii) enzymatic hydrolysis. Laboratory experiments were conducted using in natura sweet potato waste and the data obtained were used to design a production system capable of producing 1000 L of distillate per day. Net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and discounted payback indicators were used for economic analysis, with a minimum attractiveness rate (MARR) of 15%. The initial investment for the projects was BRL 1 139 610.86 (USD 223 146.80) for enzymatic hydrolysis and BRL 1 314 824.54 (USD 257 455.36) for acid hydrolysis. Packaging costs were identified as the greatest expenses in the process. Assuming a selling price of BRL 14.50 (USD 2.84), the enzymatic hydrolysis process demonstrated an NPV of BRL 4 792 520.77 (USD 938 421.92) and IRR of 83.39%, and the acid hydrolysis process showed an NPV of BRL 2 191 636.78 (USD 429 143.68) and IRR of 42.49%. Consequently, establishing a production plant for distilled beverages proved to be more economically attractive when employing the enzymatic hydrolysis process and fermentation simultaneously, resulting in a return on investment within 1.46 years of operation. Upon scrutinizing the gain matrix, it became apparent that critical factors with the potential to affect the project's feasibility detrimentally, if increased, included the cost of acquiring packaging, the final volumetric fraction of the distilled beverage, and the tax rate. Nevertheless, an upturn in the selling price of the beverage and a process improvement yield both have the potential to underpin the project effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is known that the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis in a number of ATPases is reversible. Radioactive methods are standard in measuring ATPase reversibility. We used myosin as a well-studied model enzyme to develop a luciferase-based assay to quantify the reversibility of ATP hydrolysis. In myosin, ATP bound to the active site is hydrolyzed into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) and recombined back into ATP multiple times before products of hydrolysis are released. The reversibility of ATP hydrolysis by skeletal myosin was previously confirmed using radioactively labeled isotopes. Transient kinetics studies indicated that the ATP hydrolysis step is temperature-sensitive, with a dissociation equilibrium constant of 1.6 at 3 °C. Consequently, the association equilibrium constant at this temperature is 0.63. The goal of our work was two-fold, (a) to develop a luciferase-based assay to measure the equilibrium constant of enzymatic ATP hydrolysis, eliminating the need for radioactively labeled Pi, and (b) refine the value of the association equilibrium constant of the myosin ATPase hydrolysis step. Methods: In this assay, a reaction mixture containing myosin and saturating levels of ADP and Pi was incubated to reach equilibrium, then the reaction was terminated, and the amount of ATP produced by myosin was quantified using the luciferase assay. The equilibrium constant of ATP hydrolysis was defined as the ratio of ATP to ADP bound to myosin. Results: We obtained a value of 0.78 ± 0.14 for the association equilibrium constant of ATP hydrolysis at 0 °C. 50 μM ADP bound to myosin is turned into 21.9 ± 3.0 μM ATP. Our result is in excellent agreement with the literature data, supporting the viability of the new methodology. Discussion: This methodology allows a more accessible and safe option to measure ATP production and reversibility of ATPase enzymes. Standard laboratory equipment is utilized in the assay, and the number of steps in the developed assay is reduced significantly compared to the radioactive method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]