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The growing emergence of multi-drug resistant microbial strains has kept the scientific world searching for novel bioactive compounds with specific chemical characteristics. Accordingly, researchers have started exploring the understudied metabolites from endophytes as a new source of bioactive compounds. In this context, the current study was designed to evaluate the bioactive properties of endophytic fungi from the Mokrzański forest in Wrocław, Poland that have not yet been fully researched. Forty-three endophytic fungi were isolated from twelve distinct plants. Following their cultivation, fungal extracts were separately prepared from biomass and cell-free filtrates, and their antibacterial, antifungal (against human and plant pathogens), and antioxidant properties were examined. Five promising fungi after screening were identified to possess all of these activities. These strains and their respective plant hosts were Trichoderma harzianum BUK-T (Fagus sylvatica), Aspergillus ochraceus ROB-L1 (Robinia pseudoacacia), Chaetomium cochliodes KLON-L1, Fusarium tricinctum KLON-L2 (Acer platanoides), and Penicillium chrysogenum SOS-B2 (Pinus sylvestris). Moreover, gamma irradiation at several doses (Gy) was separately applied to the fungal cultures to study their effects on the recorded activities. Finally, compounds after preparative thin-layer chromatography fractionation of the five fungal strains were identified by GC-MS. These findings suggest that the isolated endophytic fungi could serve as novel sources of bioactive metabolites with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, potentially paving the way for future research and the development of new bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coleus scutellarioides (L.) Benth. is a globally spread species, known for its characteristic spectacularly colorful leaves of decorative value. Thanks to its rich chemical composition, the plant is used in ethnopharmacology, and it is also regarded as having high medicinal potential. The application of in vitro cultures enables the acquisition of homogeneous certified material of high quality. Additionally, excluding the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the plants is a way to fully recognize the influence of phytohormones on the plant morphology and the biosynthetic pathways of compound production. The best way to grow C. scutellarioides "Electric Lime" under in vitro conditions is to use the basic MS medium (Murashige and Skoog medium), enriched with naphthyl-1-acetic acid at a concentration of 0.5 mg dm−3. The analysis of volatile compounds demonstrated that the content of volatile compounds in the plants cultivated under in vivo conditions was expressed at a level of 2848.59 µg g−1, whereas in the plants bred in vitro without supplementation with phytohormones, the level was 8191.47 µg g−1. The highest content was noted for copaene, α-pinene, 1-octene-3-ol, α-selinene, sabinen, γ- and δ-cadinene, 3-octanol, and β-pinene. Aroma profiling revealed a lack of boranyl acetate, 2-hexenal, and 2-hexen-1-ol in the plants cultivated under in vivo conditions. Differences were found in the volatile composition between plants bred in vivo and in vitro, with the most significant recorded for the contents of 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanol. The addition of plant growth regulators into the basic medium under in vitro conditions affected the percentage ratio and contents of specific compounds in plant tissues. The most intense biosynthesis of volatile compounds took place in the plants cultivated on the medium enriched with NAA at 10,579.11 µg g−1, whereas the least intense was noted for plants cultivated on the medium supplemented with BA, where it was recorded at the level of 5610.02 µg g−1. So far, there has been no research published which would pertain to the profiling of volatile compounds performed using the SPME (solid-phase microextraction) technique. Moreover, the very few studies conducted on the chemical composition of these compounds do not mention the specific variety of C. scutellarioides under analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) is an aromatic industrial plant with different applications. Selection of cultivars with high-value metabolites such as flavonoids—with acceptable yields—can lead to elite cultivars for mass propagation in various industries. A field experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) to evaluate metabolites and some yield-related morphological data. In the present investigation, for the first time 13 flavonoid components of nine Iranian damask rose cultivars were compared using LC-MS/MS. As a result, 13 flavonoids were identified, most of which were reported for the first time in rose petals. Phloridzin (72.59–375.92 mg/100 g dw), diosmetin (82.48–153.16 mg/100 g dw) and biochanin A (0–1066.89 mg/100 g dw) were the most abundant, followed by trans-chalcone (0–106.29 mg/100 g dw) and diosmin (41.55–84.57 mg/100 g dw). Levels of naringenin also ranged from 3.77 in B111 to 54.70 mg/100 g dw in C294, while luteolin varied from 4.37 in B111 to 28.87 mg/100 g dw in C294. The SPME Arrow technique also was applied to determine the real aroma of the studied cultivars. Phenethyl alcohol was the most abundant compound, in the range of 69.28 to 77.58%. The highest citronellol/geraniol (C/G) was observed in D234 (4.52%) and D237 (4.30%), while the lowest amount belonged to A104 (1.28%). Rose oxide, as the most crucial factor for odor, ranged from 0.06% in D237 to 0.15% in D211. Based on cluster and principal component analysis (PCA), D234 cultivar can be suggested as a promising cultivar with high yield, high C/G content and high rose oxide, while D234 and C294 were the most valuable cultivars in terms of flavonoids with high yield. Finally, these cultivars can be introduced for further breeding programs and industrial cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a significant global health concern in veterinary medicine. There is increasing interest in utilizing molecular agents to modulate hepatocyte function for potential clinical applications. Recent studies have shown promising results in inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B) to maintain cell function in various models. In this study, we investigated the effects of the inhibitor Trodusquemine (MSI-1436) on equine hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) under lipotoxic conditions. We examined proliferative activity, glucose uptake, and mitochondrial morphogenesis. Our study found that MSI-1436 promotes HPC entry into the cell cycle and protects them from palmitate-induced apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis. MSI-1436 also increases glucose uptake and protects HPCs from palmitate-induced stress by reorganizing the cells' morphological architecture. Furthermore, our findings suggest that MSI-1436 enhances 2-NBDG uptake by increasing the expression of SIRT1, which is associated with liver insulin sensitivity. It also promotes mitochondrial dynamics by modulating mitochondria quantity and morphotype as well as increasing the expression of PINK1, MFN1, and MFN2. Our study provides evidence that MSI-1436 has a positive impact on equine hepatic progenitor cells, indicating its potential therapeutic value in treating EMS and insulin dysregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drying process is used in the food industry to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables without the use of preservatives. As quality, visual, and aroma characteristics are important determinants of consumer interest, they play a key role in the development of new foods. In the present study, vacuum impregnation (VI) was used prior to vacuum drying (VD) and freeze drying (FD) of courgette and broccoli. Organic beet juice was used to produce the novel snacks. The study showed that the use of vacuum impregnation significantly affected the VOCs profile (volatile organic compounds profile), in which the following compounds were found: viz: 2-(E)-hexen-1-ol, 2-(Z)-hexen-1-ol and aceto-phenone. VI caused a decrease in volumetric gel index (VGI), drying shrinkage (S), water activity (AW), decreased color saturation (∆C), and increased dry matter content (DM). All these properties testify to the positive effect of the pretreatment used. The drying methods used had a significant effect on the properties of the dried vegetables. The dries obtained by the FD method showed higher density and water activity, as well as better preserved color (lower ∆E) and higher VOCs, so it is considered that freeze drying is a suitable method for obtaining novel courgette and broccoli snacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is expected that due to the new European Union regulation focus on waste management, managing kitchen waste will become more important in the future, especially in households. Therefore, it is crucial to develop user-friendly and odour-free containers to store kitchen waste. The study aimed to test the effectiveness of composts' biochar in reducing noxious odours and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during kitchen waste storage. Various amounts of compost biochar (0%, 1%, 5%, and 10%) were added to food waste samples and incubated for seven days at 20 °C. The released VOCs were analysed on days 1, 3, and 7 of the storage simulation process. The results indicated that adding 5–10% of composts' biochar to kitchen waste significantly reduced the emissions in 70% of the detected VOCs compounds. Furthermore, composts' biochar can be used to eliminate potential odour components and specific dangerous VOCs such as ethylbenzene, o-xylene, acetic acid, and naphthalene. A new composts' biochar with a unique composition was particularly effective in reducing VOCs and could be an excellent solution for eliminating odours in kitchen waste containers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. is a species of Apiaceae endemic to the Zagros Mountains in Iran. In the present investigation, for the first time, the polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids of its leaves were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). As a result, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, acetyl phloroglucinol, vanillic acid, m-coumaric acid, and 4-methylsiringol were determined as the main phenolic compounds, while 3-hydroxyflavone, flavone, quercetin, rutin, neohesperidin, polydatin, and diosmin were the main flavonoid components, of which chlorogenic acid (303.08 µL/gDW), neohesperidin (38.37 µL/gDw), and diosmin (28.62 µL/gDW) were the most abundant. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was also used to determine the chemical compounds. Based on SPME, (Z)-undec-6-en-2-one (17.48%) and (Z)-butylidenephthalide (4.348%) were the major components. Based on GC-MS analyses, (Z)-ligustilide was the main compound; however, some new compounds were also determined, including 3-ethylisobenzofuran-1 (3H)-one, (E)-ligugustilide, and E-n-butylidene phthalide. Also, for the first time, we have identified EOs ethyl and isobutyl phthalides on the basis of the obtained EI-MS spectra. Finally, the fragmentation of phthalides is also discussed in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the WHO, the number of overweight people (BMI ≥ 25) and obese people (BMI ≥ 30) is constantly growing. On the other hand, the number of elderly people (≥60 years old) in 2020 reached 1.4 billion worldwide. Both mentioned groups demonstrate their individual and characteristic appetite disorders. In light of the side effects of appetite stimulating drugs, which interfere with diabetics, hypertension and thrombosis medicines or diet supplements with doubtful effectiveness in reducing appetite, new and natural alternatives are highly demanded. Therefore, the present study focusses on the search for natural food aromas, which may have potential for appetite regulation. A survey was carried out among consumers with excess body weight (BMI ≥ 25) and the elderly (≥60 years old). Food products and meals pointed out by the survey participants were subjected to volatile analysis by HS-SPME Arrow followed by GC-MS. As a result, a group of volatiles and their odor characteristic were determined for appetite stimulation or reduction, which may suggest that the actual composition of food aroma is more significant than the character of the aroma. Those results may be a basis for designing appetite regulating agents, in which the mechanism of action will be based only on olfaction activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of food, considering increasing consumer demands and competition among producers, is a highly important issue. Quality concerns are also applicable to the odor quality of herbs and spices (HSs). Meanwhile, HSs commonly are graded based on their essential oils (EOs) content and analysis; but does the instrumental analysis really provide general information about the HSs sensory quality? Three chemotypes of Mentha spp. were used in the present study. From samples diversified by convective drying at different temperatures, EOs were hydrodistillated and analyzed by enantioselective GC-MS; moreover, the source plant material's volatile profile was analyzed by the HS-SPME technique. The instrumental analysis was confronted with the results of the sensory panel. Changes in enantiomeric composition were observed during the drying process, although no clear correlations or trends could be found for individual chiral components. Furthermore, even with significant differences in particular volatiles' contribution to plants' EOs and their volatile profiles, judges were not able to match the sample EOs and plant samples with sufficient effectiveness (~40%). Based on those results, we suggest that volatile enantiomeric distribution does not have an actual influence on odor quality and that the sensory analysis should not be replaced with instrumental analysis, which cannot predict general sensory quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pitaya (dragon fruit) Hylocereus is a genus which belongs to the Cactaceae family. It is native to Mexico, occurring also in other regions of Central and South America. Pitaya fruit is mainly intended for consumption and for this reason the species is grown commercially. The fruit is a rich source of vitamins, biologically active compounds, and dietary fibre. Using in vitro culture can accelerate the process of reproduction and growth of pitaya plants. Profiling of volatile compounds contained in the stem of Hylocereus undatus was carried out using the SPME-GC-MS technique. The main compounds present were hexanal, 2-hexenal and 1-hexanol. The results showed differences in the occurrence of volatile compounds between plants grown in media with an addition of BA (6-benzylaminopurine) and IAA (indole-3-acetic acid), which have been used as plant growth regulators. Statistically significant differences between the contents of volatile compounds were observed in the case of 2-hexenal and 1-hexanol. The effect of BA on reducing the amount of volatile compounds was observed. However, introduction of IAA to the in vitro medium resulted in more compounds being synthesized. This study is the first to describe the volatile compounds in the pitaya stem. The results indicate that plant hormones are able to modify the profile of volatile compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various techniques are implemented to reduce odor emission due to their potential multi-source nature. One modern approach is the use of thermochemically processed biomass to eliminate odors. Compared with raw biomass, processed biomass is characterized by greater porosity and an expanded specific surface. In these laboratory experiments, adsorption tests for a mixture of indole, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, and 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine are carried out using torreficates produced from biomass from the agri-food industry (walnut shells, orange peels, peach stones, and apple wood chips). This research is focused on the determination of the correlation between the physical-hydraulic properties of the torreficates and their ability to reduce the odors simulated by the selected compounds. The results indicate that 2,3-dimethylpyrazine and 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine are not detected in any of the investigated low-temperature biochars. However, indole is detected in most materials, and its most significant quantities are adsorbed on torreficates made of orange peels (45.64 µg·mL−1 ± 40.02 µg·mL−1) and peach stones (61.26 µg·mL−1 ± 49.55 µg·mL−1). The performed analysis reveals that the highest correlation with the ability to adsorb indole is found for the average pore size (r = 0.66) and specific density (r = −0.63) as well as the content of fixed carbon (r = 0.66), which may prove the importance of physical-hydraulic properties in odor sorption by low-temperature torreficates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumex confertus is a rhizomatous, invasive, and difficult to control plant. Nevertheless, for sustainable agriculture, studies to biologically control R. confertus continue. Towards this, considerable attention has been devoted to investigating the emission of a wide array of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from herbivore-damaged plants, which are known to induce protection measures in neighboring, undamaged plants. The goals of this study are to (1) determine if the profile of green leaf volatiles (GLVs), which are organic compounds naturally produced by undamaged plants, is similar to that provoked by the chemical stimulants Z-jasmone (ZJA) and dihydrojasmone (DJA), (2) establish if the Apion miniatum beetle's reproductive choices are influenced by their sex and mating status, and (3) assess if chemically stimulated GLV emissions can be used as signals to attract pests to R. confertus for biological control purposes. Synthetic forms of naturally produced Z-jasmone (ZJA) and dihydrojasmone (DJA), which can act as either an attractant or a repellent of various species of insects, were used to treat R. confertus. In olfactory analysis, the behavioral responses of individual insects to mated and unmated insects and to two GLV blends were evaluated. It was found that unmated male insects were fairly equally divided between going for food (Y-tube olfactometer arm with a GLV blend) and opportunities for reproduction (Y-tube olfactometer arm with unmated females). However, an increase in the GLV blend concentration attracted the insects. Meanwhile, unmated females were definitely indifferent to food and, independent of the GLV blend dose, were more interested in reproduction. Mated males, even with weak feed stimuli, increased their reproduction activity, in opposition to mated females. We provide evidence that synthetic GLV blends can be used to attract predators, making their use an effective means to biologically control R. confertus. The idea of applying synthetic GLVs as a biological control is based on the insects' mutual relationships, which work as follows: (i) mated males fully invade the weed, (ii) reproduction-driven females follow the mated males to R. confertus, and (iii) the unmated males follow the females with the purpose to reproduce. Therefore, all insect groups (mated and unmated males and females) can be induced to invade the weed. Upon feeding, the insects will damage the generative organs of R. confertus. We propose that the use of chemical stimulants to increase GLV emissions can be effectively used for weed (here R. confertus) control by attracting a plant pest (here A. miniatum). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the effects of three drying techniques on Citrus hystrix leaves: convective hot air drying (CAD), microwave vacuum drying (MVD), and convective hot air pre‐drying followed by microwave vacuum finishing drying (CPD‐MVFD). As a control, freeze‐drying (FD) was employed. As a result, the modified Page model best described the drying kinetics of C. hystrix leaves. Furthermore, CPD‐MVFD significantly lowered the specific energy consumption by 51.6%. Meanwhile, MVD, at density of 12 W/g, retained the greatest antioxidant capacity, TPC content, and volatile compounds. In physical terms, CPD‐MVFD and MVD performed best in retaining the color characteristics of C. hystrix leaves under all circumstances. Finally, all samples were microbiologically stable. In conclusion, it is suggested that MVD with a power density of 12 W/g be used for drying C. hystrix leaves, due to its low specific energy consumption, strong antioxidant and TPC capacity, and good recovery of volatile organic compounds. Practical applications: Citrus hystrix, also known as kaffir lime, is a popular medicinal plant that is high in essential oils and possesses potent antibacterial, anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, the essential oils of C. hystrix are prone to degradation during post‐harvesting activities such as drying. Drying is an important procedure because the drying temperature may impact the retention of essential oils. Furthermore, drying is reported to consume the most energy compared with other post‐harvesting procedures such as extraction. The investigation of microwave‐vacuum drying demonstrated the considerable potential of this method to retain essential oils while consuming very little energy throughout the drying process. Further investigation and application of this drying procedure in the food industry might increase the quality of essential oils obtained from C. hystrix or other medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need to establish new agro-technical practices that require the delivery of effective, natural, ecological, and verified solutions. The evaluation of possible applications in the field of cropping and farming in recent years has resulted in numerous products and approaches, which may potentially reduce our dependence on artificial pesticides. A major requirement to help establish these new agro-technical practices is to determine their efficiency. Here we present a study that investigates the relationship between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by Triticum sp. plants under two artificial stress conditions. We discuss their effectiveness in natural pest management and for use in monitoring crop health. Two varieties of spring wheat, "Kandela" and "Serenada", were exposed to either mechanical (deliberate) wounding, to imitate the stress caused by insect attack, or exposure to methyl jasmonate, a defence volatile used by plants. Both stress factors caused an increased release of green leaf volatiles (C6 aldehydes and alcohols) and other volatile compounds, such as (E)-β-ocimene, linalool, β-caryophyllene, and (E)-β-farnesene. VOC emission rates are reported at three time points (24, 48, and 72 h) following a stress factor. Correlation coefficients between the emitted plant's VOCs indicate the potential of monitoring just one single compound from the combination of volatiles emitted by plants to predict the overall condition of a crop. This has major implications for the development of a chemically specific and fieldable analytical sensor that could be used to provide an array of volatile monitoring stations delivering information continuously and in real-time. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the volatiles released by damaged spring wheat for pest management by exposing a shield bug (Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata L.), Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer and antioxidant activities of methanolic leaf and root extracts from Solanum nigrum L. and determined its chemical composition. The chemical profile of S. nigrum L. extract was tested using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Disc diffusion and microdilution assays were used for the antibacterial activities. Antifungal activity was measured using the poisoned food technique. In vitro activity on the cell culture model was assessed by MTT assay, viability measurement and by determination of cellular ROS by DCFDA assay. The minimal inhibitory concentrations for extracts from aerial parts ranged from 125 to 500 μg/mL for gram-positive cocci and Pectobacterium strains. The growth inhibition coefficient ranged from 17–56%, depending on the dosage. The antifungal effect of S. nigrum extracts on the tested filamentous fungi depended on the dose. An inhibitory effect of 50–56% on fungi was observed against Alternaria alternata and Chaetomium globosum. The study showed a reduction in cellular vitality of THP1, A549, MCF7 and HeLa cancer lines using both extracts. In addition, there was a decrease in the number of viable cells in cultures incubated with the extract of aerial parts and a reduction in oxygen radicals in the cells. The obtained results indicate the possibility of using S. nigrum extracts from the aerial part as antimicrobial factors. Both extracts show chemopreventive properties by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and reducing the level of free radicals. Both extracts show chemopreventive properties by inhibiting cancer cell growth and lowering free radical levels. The broad biological activity of the studied extracts can be used in agriculture, veterinary usages and medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming more common in both bacteria and pathogenic protozoa. Therefore, new solutions are being sought as alternatives to currently used agents. There are many new ideas and solutions, especially compounds of natural origin, including essential oils. In the present study, the antiprotozoal activity of a mixture of essential oils (eucalyptus, lavender, cedar and tea tree), organic acids (acetic acid, propionic acid and lactic acid) and metal ions (Cu, Zn, Mn) were tested. As a model, protozoans were selected: Euglena gracilis, Gregarina blattarum, Amoeba proteus, Paramecium caudatum, Pentatrichomonas hominis. The tested concentrations of mixtures were in the range of 0.001–1.5%. The analyses show unexpected, very strong protozoicidal activity of combinations, presenting the synergy of compounds via determination of LD50 and LD100 values. Obtained mixtures showed significantly higher activity against protozoans, compared to chloramphenicol and metronidazole. Most of the analyzed samples show high antiprotozoal activity at very low concentration, in the range of 0.001–0.009%. The most effective combinations for all analyzed protozoans were the cedar essential oil and tea tree essential oil with a mixture of acids and manganese or zinc ions. Innovative combinations of essential oils, organic acids and metal ions are characterized by very high antiprotozoal activity at low doses, which, after further investigation, can be applicable for control of protozoan pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the study is to assess the effect of filtration of osmotic solution on the selective penetration during osmotic dehydration and on the retention of volatile compounds, obtained from mint extracts, in apple cylinders cv. Champion after drying using different methods. For this purpose, osmotic dehydration in filtrated and nonfiltrated concentrated chokeberry juice with the addition of mint extract was performed. Then, the process was followed by convective drying, vacuum‐microwave drying, or combined drying methods. Physical properties were determined such as open, closed, total porosity, shrinkage, and water activity. SPME and GC/MS analyses were performed to assess the changes in carvone contribution in the osmotic solutions as well as apple cylinders. Statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was also presented. It was found that even though, filtration did not influence osmotic dehydration kinetics, it led to significantly (p <.05) higher carvone contribution in dried material than in the case of nonfiltrated solutions. Convective drying was significantly (p <.05) better in preserving carvone than other drying methods such as vacuum‐microwave drying and combined drying consisting of convective predrying and vacuum‐microwave finishing drying. Drying methods also affected physical parameters like open and closed porosities. Filtration did not influence drying kinetics but resulted in better retention of carvone in dried apples, especially when convective drying was applied. Practical Applications: The study might be of special interest to food processing industry, as it presents new developments (filtration of osmotic solution) in osmotic dehydration that allow to achieve higher contents of volatile compounds (carvone) in dehydrated material after drying compared to conventional osmotic dehydration. The study shows how to work with complex osmotic solutions and obtain high quality dried materials. Obtained results demonstrate that filtration of concentrated juice used as osmotic solution can be applied to affect the selective penetration during osmotic dehydration. Addition of herbal extracts to the osmotic solution can further improve the chemical composition of the dried material and lead to higher contribution of volatile compounds. Osmotic dehydration followed by convective drying results in higher retention of carvone in comparison to other drying methods. The methods presented in the manuscript might be used to create other new compositions with high volatile concentration in the biological material after drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HydroSOStainable almonds are harvested from trees cultivated under controlled water stress by using a regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategy. The aim of this study was to investigate consumers' perception to select the best roasting temperature for the hydroSOStainable almonds and its correlation with volatile compounds, descriptive sensory attributes, instrumental color, and texture. Thirty‐five volatile compounds were identified and the key compounds for the roasting process were 2,5‐dimethylpyrazine, furfural, and trimethyl pyrazine. Pyrazines, furans and, in general, volatiles were higher in hydroSOStainable almonds than in control. Instrumental color and trained panel showed that almonds roasted at 190 °C presented intense color and burnt notes in both irrigation treatments, while almonds roasted at 150 °C were under‐roasted. Principal component analysis (PCA) grouped together the samples of the same irrigation treatment, but separated samples roasted at different temperatures. Partial least square regression (PLS) results indicated that consumers overall liking was positively linked to specific volatiles (alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, and furans) and sensory attributes (sweetness, roasted, almond ID, nutty, hardness, and crispiness), but, negatively correlated with pyrazines, bitterness, astringency, woody, and burnt flavor notes. Penalty analysis showed that almonds roasted at 150 and 190 °C were penalized due to low roasted aroma and soft almonds, and over‐roasted samples with too intense color and burn notes, respectively. While no penalization being found for almonds roasted at 170 °C. Overall, roasting at 170 °C for 10 min in a convective oven were the optimum conditions for roasting Vairo almonds. Practical Application: This research describes the link between physicochemical and sensory analysis of roasted almonds giving evidence about possible sensory quality markers. Besides, it provides valuable information for the food industry to produce roasted almonds that meet consumer demands and for the agricultural sector by encouraging reduction of irrigation water consumption by almond trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The colour and profile of the aromatic compounds of potato juice (PJ) protein preparations were investigated following various process modifications. Several antioxidants (sodium bisulphate, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid), acidulants (tartaric, ascorbic and hydrochloric acids) and chelating agents (chloride, lactate and calcium hydrogen phosphate salts) used for pectin removal during the coagulation of the PJ proteins were evaluated. The combination of sodium bisulphate or ascorbic acid as antioxidants, with calcium chloride or lactate, and ascorbic acid as the protein coagulant, increased the brightness of the protein preparations. Forty‐one aromatic compounds, including aldehydes, alcohols and alkanes, were identified. The total concentration of volatiles ranged 59–105 μg g−1. The ascorbate variant contained the lowest n‐hexanal concentration. Different treatments did not impact significantly on the 2‐methyl‐propanal and 2‐methyl‐butanal concentrations. Interestingly, 2‐pentylfuran production was dramatically reduced (16.48 μg g−1) in the lactic variant in comparison to 40.52 μg g−1 with CaHPO4 addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the use of lactonization in the asymmetric synthesis of 6,6-dimethyl-4-isopropyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one were described. An asymmetrically induced lactonization reaction was performed on 3,3,6-trimethyl-4(E)-heptenoic acid esters (1) and enantiomerically pure alcohols such as (−)-menthol (a), (+)-menthol (b), (−)-borneol (c), (+)-isomenthol (d), (−)-isopinocampheol (e), and (S)-(−)-1-(2-bornylphenyl)-1-ethanol (f). The enantiomerically pure alcohols that were used as ancillary chiral substances were characterized by markedly different values of induction power; menthol (a, b), borneol (c), and phenetyl alcohol (f) performed better in asymmetric δ-lactonization, whereas isomenthol (d) and isopinocampheol (e) tended to favor asymmetric γ-lactonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Presence of plant matrix has a significant influence on volatiles emission. • EOs composition does not directly translate to volatiles emission pattern. • EOs analysis is unreliable for sensory quality of herbs and spices. • Headspace-GC/MS techniques should be used in a combination with sensory analysis. The common protocols for the quality determination of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), including herbs and spices (HSs), are the yield and composition of essential oils (EOs). Meanwhile, studies on the sensory quality of HSs showed that EOs composition does not translate to the profile of volatiles emitted from plants; therefore, they do not provide a background for sensory quality assessment. Thus, in this study, the differences in the composition of the EOs and the patterns of emission of unlimited (pure EOs) or limited (presence of a plant matrix) volatiles by headspace were measured for three chemotypes of mint, namely menthol, carvone, and linalool ones. The results have demonstrated that the presence of a plant matrix may change the contribution of main volatiles even up to 47 percentage points, what allows suggesting that EOs chemical analysis is not a reliable method for the determination of sensory quality of HSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The period of heat is a time of naturally increased interest of the male in the female. Males recognizing specific chemical signals are able to find the female in estrus and try to mate with her. According to current knowledge, there is a specific hormonal play accompanying this process, with the rise of estrogens and progesterone in the female thought to be responsible for stimulating sexual arousal in males. In this paper we describe the cases of atypically increased attractiveness in a male, that clearly influenced the behavior of adult, intact males, which made mating attempts during contact with him, even though he had no detectable signs of clinical estrogenization. The "case" animal had a basal level of the hormones considered to be involved in the stimulation of sexual arousal. The case animal was a castrated male with confirmed genetic sex and confirmed lack of gonads, and a urinary chemical profile similar to that of a female in estrus. Even though similar cases are noted in breeding and veterinary practice, to our knowledge this is the first report of cases that include clinical and laboratory examination. As a hypothesis, we propose the involvement of other hormones in the creation of incidental attractiveness, or an increased production of compounds responsible for attractiveness (sex pheromones) resulting from metabolic events unrelated to reproductive processes. Further studies are needed to determine the cause of this phenomenon, which would expand our knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the creation of semiochemical communication and the production of the compounds responsible for the modification of behavior in the signal recipients. During the ovarian cycle in domestic dogs, females do not accept males during the first days of estrus but become attractive to males from the beginning of proestrus, with this attractiveness persisting until the end of the estrus phase. It is believed that increased estradiol is responsible for the female attractiveness to the males. In this paper we describe the case of strong, but atypical attractiveness of a castrated male to various, adult, intact males, influenced by the emitted semiochemical signals. Any significant changes in the level of hormones typically involved in the process connected with estrus and responsible for sexual arousal in the males were assessed. The case animal was a 4 year old castrated male Border Collie that was extremely attractive to various males, which presented high levels of sexual arousal, with intensive sniffing and licking of the preputial area, specific vocalization, increased salivation and, finally, mating attempts. Clinical examination of the castrated male revealed a lack of testes in the scrotum and abdominal cavity confirmed by USG. Laboratory tests indicated basal levels of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone (15.23 pg/mL, <0.05 ng/mL, 0.25 ng/mL), and sex was confirmed via cytogenetic and molecular analysis. Chemical analysis (HS-SPME) of the urine indicated a huge similarity to the profile obtained from a bitch in estrus, with an elevated level of acetophenone, which has been previously postulated in the literature as being a characteristic of the estrus phase in female domestic dogs. This case presented very atypical sexual attractiveness, particularly when taking into account the basal levels of hormones which, according to current knowledge, are responsible for the creation of attractiveness. As a hypothesis requiring verification, we propose the idea of involvement of other hormones in the creation of incidental attractiveness or increased production of compounds responsible for attractiveness (sex pheromones) resulting from metabolic events unrelated to reproductive processes. To our knowledge it is the first described case presenting this phenomenon, which, with more detailed study, could shed new light on the process of creation of sexual attraction in the domestic dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One solution for sewage sludge (SS) management is thermochemical treatment due to torrefaction and pyrolysis with biochar production. SS biochar may contain toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study aimed to determine the process temperature's influence on the qualitative PAHs emission from SS-biochar and the transformation of PAHs contained in SS. SS was torrefied/pyrolyzed under temperatures 200–600 °C with 1 h residence time. The headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) analytical procedure of VOCs and PAHs emission was applied. The highest abundance of numerous VOCs was found for torrefaction ranges of temperature. The increase of temperatures to the pyrolytic range decreased the presence of VOCs and PAHs in biochar. The most common VOCs emitted from thermally processed SS were acetone, 2-methylfuran, 2-butanone, 3-metylbutanal, benzene, decalin, and acetic acid. The naphthalene present in SS converted to decalin (and other decalin derivatives), which may lead to SS biochar being considered hazardous material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study was conducted on the effect of vacuum impregnation and drying methods on the production of dried sweet potatoes with high bioactivity. The present study determined the quality and physicochemical properties of dried sweet potato depending on the used impregnating solutions. Sweet potatoes were pretreated in freshly squeezed onion (O) and kale (K) juice, onion and kale (OK) mixture (1:1), and sodium chloride solution. Vacuum impregnation (VI) was carried out under reduced pressure (6 kPa) for 2 min, after which the impregnating solution was dispensed and maintained under vacuum for 4 min. Sweet potato slices were dried using vacuum drying (VD) and freeze drying (FD) methods. Higher content of polyphenols, carotenoids, and chlorophyll, as well as increased antioxidant capacity and higher VOC profile, were recorded for the dried products obtained using the sublimation method. The use of vacuum impregnation reduced the hardness of the products and other textural characteristics, such as cohesiveness, springiness, and gumminess. Furthermore, we found that vacuum impregnation pretreatment was a beneficial method for improving the characteristics of dried vegetables. The highest content of phenolics, carotenoids, and chlorophylls in dried sweet potatoes were recorded when samples were impregnated with onion and kale juice. For the fresh sweet potato, the highest contribution in VOC composition had phenylacetaldehyde (44.90%), (E)-2-octen-1-al (9.43%), and benzaldehyde (8.18%), respectively. The interesting content of VOC profile compounds in dried sweet potatoes was recorded when samples were impregnated with kale juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Filtration of osmotic solution affects selective penetration during osmotic dehydration (OD), and after drying is finished, this can influence the chemical composition of the material, which is also modified by OD. Methods: Osmotic dehydration was carried out in filtrated and non-filtrated concentrated chokeberry juice with the addition of mint infusion. Then, this underwent convective drying, vacuum-microwave drying and combined convective pre-drying, followed by vacuum-microwave finishing drying. Drying kinetics were presented and mathematical models were selected. The specific energy consumption for each drying method was calculated and the energy efficiency was determined. Results and Discussion: The study revealed that filtration of osmotic solution did not have significant effect on drying kinetics; however, it affected selective penetration during OD. The highest specific energy consumption was obtained for the samples treated by convective drying (CD) (around 170 kJ·g−1 fresh weight (fw)) and the lowest for the samples treated by vacuum-microwave drying (VMD) (around 30 kJ·g−1 fw), which is due to the differences in the time of drying and when these methods are applied. Conclusions: Filtration of the osmotic solution can be used to obtain the desired material after drying and the VMD method is the most appropriate considering both phenolic acid content and the energy aspect of drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare carnivorous plants representing the genus Sarracenia are perceived as very interesting to scientists involved in various fields of botany, ethnobotany, entomology, phytochemistry and others. Such high interest is caused mainly by the unique capacity of Sarracenia spp. to attract insects. Therefore, an attempt to develop a protocol for micropropagation of the Sarracenia alata (Alph.Wood) Alph.Wood, commonly named yellow trumpets, and to identify the specific chemical composition of volatile compounds of this plant in vitro and ex vivo was undertaken. Thus, the chemical volatile compounds excreted by the studied plant to attract insects were recognized with the application of the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with the GC-MS technique. As the major volatile compounds (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol (16.48% ± 0.31), (E)-3-hexen-1-ol acetate (19.99% ± 0.01) and β-caryophyllene (11.30% ± 0.27) were identified. Further, both the chemical assumed to be responsible for attracting insects, i.e., pyridine (3.10% ± 0.07), and whole plants were used in in vivo bioassays with two insect species, namely Drosophila hydei and Acyrthosiphon pisum. The obtained results bring a new perspective on the possibilities of cultivating rare carnivorous plants in vitro since they are regarded as a valuable source of bioactive volatile compounds, as including ones with repellent or attractant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coriandrum sativum L. is a medicinal and aromatic plant spread around the world, with beneficial properties that are well recognized. Both coriander seeds and leaves are used for pharmaceutical and flavoring purposes. Even though coriander seeds tend to be more popular, the leaves are receiving a consistently growing interest, especially because of popularization of Mexican, Northern African, and Indian cuisines. This increased attention brings about the necessity for providing the product with guaranteed quality, which will retain its valuable characteristics, even after post-harvest treatment. For this reason, it is highly necessary to determine reliable protocols for cilantro preservation, which usually include drying procedures; in order to identify the optimal drying treatments, a spectrum of drying techniques—convective, vacuum-microwave, and a combination of convective and vacuum-microwave—were evaluated. Cilantro-based dried products were examined from the perspectives of volatile organic constituent composition and sensory quality. After headspace solid-phase microextraction-GC/MS analysis and sensory tests, the results demonstrate that convective drying at 70 °C for 120 min followed by vacuum-microwave drying at 360 W and convective drying at 70 °C were the optimal drying methods for preserving cilantro aroma quality, while convective drying at 70 °C for 120 min followed by convective finishing drying at 50 °C decreased cilantro aroma quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and biotransformation of five flavones containing methoxy substituents in the B ring: 2′-, 3′-, 4′-methoxyflavones, 2′,5′-dimethoxyflavone and 3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavone are described. Strains of entomopathogenic filamentous fungi were used as biocatalysts. Five strains of the species Beauveria bassiana (KCh J1.5, J2.1, J3.2, J1, BBT), two of the species Beauveria caledonica (KCh J3.3, J3.4), one of Isaria fumosorosea (KCh J2) and one of Isaria farinosa (KCh KW 1.1) were investigated. Both the number and the place of attachment of the methoxy groups in the flavonoid structure influenced the biotransformation rate and the amount of nascent products. Based on the structures of products and semi-products, it can be concluded that their formation is the result of a cascading process. As a result of enzymes produced in the cells of the tested strains, the test compounds undergo progressive demethylation and/or hydroxylation and 4-O-methylglucosylation. Thirteen novel flavonoid 4-O-methylglucosides and five hydroxy flavones were isolated and identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the industrial use of Mentha piperita L. (peppermint), it is important to develop an optimal method to obtain standardized plant material with specific quality parameters. In vitro cultures may allow the production of desirable odor-active compounds (OACs) and improve their share in the plant aroma profile. There are two types of explants that are commonly used, apical meristems and nodal segments. In this study, the best overall effects were shown to be produced by the combination of MS medium with the addition of 0.5 mg·dm−3 indolyl-3-butyric acid. In this case, a very high degree of rooting was found (97% for apical meristems, 100% for nodal meristems), lateral shoots were induced in 83% of both types of explant, and the content of OACs in the plant aroma profile increased significantly, especially menthofurolactone and cis-carvone oxide, responsible in this case for a characteristic mint-like aroma. The comparison of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) obtained from plants of different origin by GC-MS showed no significant differences in their qualitative composition. Moreover, in-vitro-cultivated peppermint on a medium containing 0.5 mg·dm−3 2-isopentinloadenine and 0.1 mg·dm−3 indolyl-3-acetic acid showed significant amounts of menthofurolactone in its VOC composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered a well-known pathology that is determined without using alcohol and has emerged as a growing public health problem. Lipotoxicity is known to promote hepatocyte death, which, in the context of NAFLD, is termed lipoapoptosis. The severity of NAFLD correlates with the degree of hepatocyte lipoapoptosis. Protein–tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) including PTP1B and Low molecular weight PTP (LMPTP), are negative regulators of the insulin signaling pathway and are considered a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of diabetes. In this study, we hypothesized that the inhibition of PTP1B and LMPTP may potentially prevent hepatocyte apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress onset, following lipotoxicity induced using a free fatty acid (FFA) mixture. Methods: HepG2 cells were cultured in the presence or absence of two PTP inhibitors, namely MSI-1436 and Compound 23, prior to palmitate/oleate overloading. Apoptosis, ER stress, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dynamics were then evaluated by either MUSE or RT-qPCR analysis. Results: The obtained data demonstrate that the inhibition of PTP1B and LMPTP prevents apoptosis induced by palmitate and oleate in the HepG2 cell line. Moreover, mitochondrial dynamics were positively improved following inhibition of the enzyme, with concomitant oxidative stress reduction and ER stress abrogation. Conclusion: In conclusion, PTP's inhibitory properties may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of FFA-induced lipotoxicity in the liver and ultimately in the management of the NAFLD condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to reduce the amount of specific energy consumed during the drying of fresh Murraya koenigii leaves by comparing four drying methods: (1) convective hot-air drying (CD; 40, 50 and 60 °C); (2) single-stage microwave-vacuum drying (MVD; 6, 9 and 12 W/g); (3) two-stage convective hot-air pre-drying followed by microwave-vacuum finishing–drying (CPD-MVFD; 50 °C, 9 W/g); and (4) freeze-drying as a control in the analysis sections. The drying kinetics were also modelled using thin-layer models. The quality parameters of dried M. koenigii leaves were measured including total polyphenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (ABTS and FRAP), profiling of volatile compounds, colour analysis and water activity analysis. Results showed that CPD-MVFD effectively reduced the specific energy consumption of CD at 50 °C by 67.3% in terms of kilojoules per gram of fresh weight and 48.9% in terms of kilojoules per gram of water. The modified Page model demonstrated excellent fitting to the empirical data obtained. FD showed promising antioxidant activity. The major contributor of antioxidant capacity was TPC. The volatile compounds profiled by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, namely, β-phellandrene (31%), α-pinene (19.9%), and sabinene (16%) were identified as the major compounds of dried M. koenigii leaves. Colour analysis showed MVD's high performance in preserving the colour parameters of M. koenigii leaves under all conditions. The colour parameters were correlated to the antioxidant capacity and TPC. Water activity analysis showed that the water activity of M. koenigii leaves for all drying methods indicating that the conditions were microbiologically and shelf-stable. Pearson correlation showed the colour parameters of the leaves had a strong correlation to TPC. Overall, MVD showed promising energy consumption reduction and recovery in TPC and volatile compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

True lavender flowers (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is a critical source of essential oils and a flavouring agent used in numerous industries like foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Its main volatile constituents are linalool and linalyl acetate, which are commonly considered as main odour-active constituents (OACs). Nevertheless, the quality of true lavender flowers is highly dependent on its post-harvest treatment, mainly the preservation method. Recognising that drying is the most frequently used preservation method, the influence of various drying methods, including convective drying (CD) at 50, 60 and 70 °C, vacuum-microwave drying (VMD) with powers 240, 360 and 480 W and combined convective pre-drying at 60 °C followed by vacuum-microwave finish-drying with power 480 W (CPD-VMFD), on the quality of true lavender flowers was verified. The evaluation of influence was carried out by HS-SPME(HS, solid-phase microextraction), GC-MS, GC-MS-O (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry–olfactometry) techniques. Moreover, the sensory panel has assessed the sample odour quality. As a result, the optimal drying methods regarding the requirements for products were established. Overall, for total essential oil recovery, CD at 50 °C is the optimal drying method, while for odour quality concerning the sensory panel evaluation, VMD with power 360 W combined CPD-VMFD and CD at 50 °C is the optimal drying method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbs and the essential oils derived from them have been used from the beginning of human history for different purposes. Their beneficial properties have been applied to mask unpleasant odors, attract the attention of other people, add flavor and aroma properties to prepared dishes, perfumes, and cosmetics, etc. Herbs and essential oils (EOs) have also been used in medicine because of their biological properties, such as larvicidal action, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant, fungicide, and antitumor activities, and many more. Many EOs exhibit antimicrobial properties, which is extremely important in fields of science and industry, such as medicine, agriculture, or cosmetology. Among the 250 EOs which are commercially available, about a dozen possess high antimicrobial potential. According to available papers and patents, EOs seem to be a potential alternative to synthetic compounds, especially because of the resistance that has been increasingly developed by pathogenic microorganisms. In this review we summarize the latest research studies about the most-active EOs that are known and used because of their antimicrobial properties. Finally, it is noteworthy that the antimicrobial activities of EOs are not preeminent for all strains. Further investigations should, thus, focus on targeting EOs and microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste can be effectively reused through the production of carbonized refuse-derived fuel (CRDF) that enables further energy recovery. Developing cleaner production of CRDF requires consideration of practical issues of storage and handling. Thus, it needs to be ensured that CRDF does not pose an excessive risk to humans and the ecosystem. Very few studies indicate a wide variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in CRDF, some of which are toxic. During handling, storage, transportation, and use of VOC-rich CRDF, workers and end-users could be exposed to emissions that could pose a health and safety hazard. Our recent study shows that CRDF densification via pelletization can increase the efficiency of storage and transportation. Thus, the following research question was identified: can pelletization mitigate VOCs emissions from CRDF during storage? Preliminary research aiming at the determination of the influence of CRDF pelletization on VOCs emission during storage was completed to address this question. The VOCs emissions from two types of CRDF: ground (loose, torrefied refuse-derived fuel (RDF)) and pelletized, were measured. Pelletization reduced the VOCs emissions potential during the four-day storage by ~86%, in comparison with ground CRDF. Mitigation of VOCs emissions from densified CRDF is feasible, and research is warranted to understand the influence of structural modification on VOCs emission kinetics, and possibilities of scaling up this solution into the practice of cleaner storage and transportation of CRDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drying is an important process in the preservation of antioxidants in medicinal plants. In this study, leaves of Phyla nodiflora, or commonly known as frog fruit, were dried using convective drying (CD) at 40, 50, and 60 °C; vacuum-microwave drying (VMD) at 6, 9, and 12 W/g; and convective pre-drying followed by vacuum-microwave finish drying (CPD–VMFD) at 50 °C and 9 W/g. Drying kinetics of P. nodiflora leaves was modelled, and the influences of drying methods on the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, volatile and phytosterol contents, energy consumption, water activity, and color properties were determined. Results showed that drying kinetics was best described by modified Page model. VMD achieved highest drying rate, whereas VMFD considerably reduced the drying time of CD from 240 min to 105 min. CPD–VMFD was the best option to dry P. nodiflora in terms of retaining volatiles and phytosterols, with lower energy consumption than CD. Meanwhile, VMD at 6 W/g produced samples with the highest antioxidant activity with 2,2′-Azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value of 11.00 and 15.99 µM Trolox/100 g dw, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is a widely used flavoring and medicinal plant, which strong aroma is mainly composed of linalool and linalyl acetate. The most valuable parts of the plant are the flowers, however leaves are also abundant in volatile constituents. One of the main factors responsible for its quality is the preservation procedure, which usually comes down to a drying process. For this reason an attempt to verify the influence of various drying methods (convective drying, vacuum-microwave drying and combined convection pre-drying with vacuum-microwave finishing drying) on the quality of true lavender leaves was carried out by determination of the volatile constituents profile by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with GC-MS technique. Total essential oil (EO) content was also verified. The study has revealed that the optimal drying method is strongly dependent on the purpose of the product. For flavoring properties convective drying at 60 °C is the most optimal method, while the best for preserving the highest amount of EO is vacuum-microwave drying at 480 W. Furthermore, SPME analysis had shown that drying may increase the value of true lavender leaves by significantly affecting the linalool to linalyl acetate to camphor ratio in the volatile profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The torrefaction of municipal solid waste is one of the solutions related to the Waste to Carbon concept, where high-quality fuel—carbonized refuse-derived fuel (CRDF)—is produced. An identified potential problem is the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during CRDF storage. Kinetic emission parameters have not yet been determined. It was also shown that CRDF can be pelletized for energy densification and reduced volume during storage and transportation. Thus, our working hypothesis was that structural modification (via pelletization) might mitigate VOC emissions and influence emission kinetics during CRDF storage. Two scenarios of CRDF structural modification on VOC emission kinetics were tested, (i) pelletization and (ii) pelletization with 10% binder addition and compared to ground (loose) CRDF (control). VOC emissions from simulated sealed CRDF storage were measured with headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. It was found that total VOC emissions from stored CRDF follow the first-order kinetic model for both ground and pelletized material, while individual VOC emissions may deviate from this model. Pelletization significantly decreased (63%~86%) the maximum total VOC emission potential from stored CDRF. Research on improved sustainable CRDF storage is warranted. This could involve VOC emission mechanisms and environmental-risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, for the first time, the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from carbonized refuse-derived fuel (CRDF) were quantified on a laboratory scale. The analyzed CRDF was generated from the torrefaction of municipal waste. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify 84 VOCs, including many that are toxic, e.g., derivatives of benzene or toluene. The highest emissions were measured for nonanal, octanal, and heptanal. The top 10 most emitted VOCs contributed to almost 65% of the total emissions. The VOC mixture emitted from torrefied CRDF differed from that emitted by other types of pyrolyzed biochars, produced from different types of feedstock, and under different pyrolysis conditions. SPME was a useful technology for surveying VOC emissions. Results provide an initial database of the types and relative quantities of VOCs emitted from CRDF. This data is needed for further development of CRDF technology and comprehensive assessment of environmental impact and practical storage, transport, and potential adoption of CRDF as means of energy and resource recovery from municipal waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• No drying method will preserve all valuable sage phytochemicals optimally. • Vacuum-microwave drying with power 360 W strongly reduces thujones content. • Amongst sage phytochemicals higher terpenoids are relatively robust during drying. • The most of sage bioactive constituents is preserved by 40 °C convective drying. In light of large scale production of Salvia officinalis L. and its complex storage and delivery chain, the efficient preservation process is required. At this moment, the most popular preservation method is drying, therefore a comprehensive experiment to evaluate the influence of multiple drying techniques on sage was conducted. Convective drying at 40, 50 and 60 °C, vacuum-microwave drying with powers 240, 360 and 480 W and combined drying consisting of convective pre-drying at 50 °C followed by vacuum-microwave finish-drying with power 360 W were applied. To evaluate the effect of particular procedures chemical analyses were performed, namely evaluation of changes in bioactive volatile constituents, odour-active compounds and various groups of non-volatile bioactive constituents of sage. The obtained results shown, that to receive the product with expected quality, it is necessary to identify the designation of the product before treatment, since particular groups of phytochemicals react differently during drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]