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AbstractIn this study, carbofuran (CF) was eliminated from wastewater using pomegranate peel nano adsorbent (PPNA). Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) before and after adsorption were used to assess the process efficiency. BET demonstrated that the PPNA has a specific surface area of 356.5 m2/g. The PPNA was tested under some environmental factors, such as contact time, concentration, adsorbent dose, temperature, and pH. Experimental work was done within the range of 10–50 mg/l initial concentration and the best biosorption capacities were found at 30 min contact time, 0.7 g adsorbent dose, 25 °C, and pH 2. The Freundlich isotherm was the best-fitting isotherm model. The pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit to the process kinetics and indicated that the intra-particle diffusion stage is the rate-limiting step for the process. The study of thermodynamics showed that carbofuran adsorption on PPNA was physisorption (ΔG = −3.2334 kJ/mol) and spontaneous at high temperatures (ΔH = 22.2058 kJ/mol, ΔS = 85.0355 J/mol K). Design of a single-stage batch adsorber for the adsorption of CF from aqueous liquors using PPNA was also done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this study, to valorize the pomegranate peels, the phytochemical composition of the methanolic extract of Punica granatum L. peel (PPME) was characterized by high-resolution liquid chromatographymass spectrometry (LC/HRMS), while the mineral composition of the extract was determined by ICP AES. In the methanolic pomegranate peel extract, thirty-five different compounds were identified by LC/HRMS, and it was determined that these compounds were mainly terpenoids, lipids and flavonoids. Total polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannins contents of the PPME extract were determined as 211.43 mg GAE/g polyphenol, 20.7 mg QE/g flavonoids and 11.5 mg TEA/g tannins. In order to determine the antioxidant capacity of the extract, we studied its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radicals (DPPH.) and reducing power activity assays. These colorimetric assays showed that PPME has strong reducing power and anti-radical capacity against DPPH with the IC50 values 0.210±0.005 mg/mL and 0.3±0.0045 mg/mL, respectively. Our findings clearly show that the methanolic extract of PPME contains two potent compounds against gastric ulcers compared to the reference drug, esomeprazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of polyphenols is an attractive strategy for recycling pomegranate peel (PP) and feeding the demands of polyphenol-based functional food. However, emerging techniques are desired to elevate extraction efficiency. In this study, we developed a new method termed ultrasound-assisted accelerated penetration extraction (UAAPE), in which the precipitation effects of polyphenols by calcium ions and ultrasound-induced degradation effects of cell walls simultaneously contributed to the dissolution of PP polyphenols to enhance mass transfer. COSMOtherm was used to simplify the solvent selection, suggesting 50% aqueous ethanol as the solvent. The maximum yield of UAAPE was obtained at the condition (0.67 mg/mL of NaOH concentration, 10 mg/mL of CaCl2 concentration, 458.33W, and 30.56 min) by the optimization using the Box-Behnken design. Meanwhile, Fick's law possessed the most accurate prediction of the polyphenol contents. The accelerated extraction kinetics showed that UAAPE could not only mitigate the reduction trends of concentration gradients of polyphenols but also improve the extraction rate coefficient. Scanning electron microscopy results showed the ultrasound-induced degradation of PPs, thus further enhancing the extraction process. Besides, UAAPE had a higher content of main polyphenols in compositions and less energy consumption compared with conventional solvent extraction and accelerated penetration extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate peels (PoP) have recently gained attention for their therapeutic properties. Although several studies reported the therapeutic effect, the side effect of feeding pomegranate peels supplemented ration has not received full attention. This study aimed to investigate the effects of feeding dried PoP supplemented ration on body weight gain and selected blood parameters of male Baluchi lambs. Eighteen lambs were randomly assigned to control and two treatment groups, receiving rations with 5% and 10% PoP, respectively, for 60 days. Lambs' weight and blood samples were collected to assess blood parameters and liver enzymes. Results showed a significant reduction in weight gain in treatment groups (18% and 13%) compared to the control group (26%). Although there were no significant differences in blood biochemistry values except for an increase in GGT levels. The lack of change observed in other liver enzymes indicates that PoP is unlikely to cause liver damage. While it is true that PoP is a rich source of antioxidants that can prevent oxidative stress, excessive consumption of PoP can lead to an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals, resulting in the formation of pro-oxidants and oxidative stress. Therefore, it is important to consume PoP in moderation and balance its intake with other nutrients to maintain a healthy oxidative balance in the body. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended to limit the consumption of PoP to less than 5% of the diet to avoid the potential risks associated with excessive antioxidant intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate peel (PP) constitutes 40–50 % of the total weight of the pomegranate fruit, thereby accounting for the peel waste nine times as compared to the quantity of fruit processed, thus posing the challenge of solid waste management. Sustainable management of PP through circular bioeconomy can be done by applying resource life-extending strategies. The present work uses this concept and reports valorization of PP with zero waste using the biorefinery approach. High-value products like polyphenol and dietary fibers were recovered sequentially from PP using greener deep eutectic solvents (DESs). PPs were initially treated with eleven adaptable DESs for the extraction of polyphenols using choline chloride (ChCl) as a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and ethylene glycol (EG), glycerol (Gly), malic acid (MA), and urea (U) as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs). Furthermore, based on the total phenolic contents (TPCS), four DESs with the best (ChCl:EG (1:2) and ChCl:Gly (1:3)), intermediate (ChCl:MA (1:1)), and the least (ChCl:U (1:2)) efficiency were selected for characterization (FTIR and viscosity) and detailed evaluation for maximum extraction of TPC. The obtained extracts were subjected to qualitative/quantitative test (LC-MS/MS) to assess the presence of phytochemicals/six phenolic acids along with the antioxidant (ferric-reducing antioxidant power/ABTS assay) and antibacterial (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) ability. The PP and its residues were subjected to SEM and CHNS analysis and depicted structural variations proving DES to be an effective solvent for dissolving the cell wall. The residue obtained after extraction was analyzed for the total dietary fibers (51.08–41.92 %) to ensure the complete usage of the PP with zero waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate peels, which are normally considered waste, are used for the synthesis of cellulase in this study. Through submerged state fermentation, Trichoderma reesei filamentous fungus was employed to manufacture cellulase from pomegranate peels. Response Surface Methodology was used to screen the nutritional medium and improve the media composition for cellulase production using statistical experimental methods (RSM). Nine nutrients were screened using the Plackett–Burman Design (PBD) technique and the most impacting nutrient mediums were chosen. Central Composite design (CCD) identified four nutrients as being more critical for cellulase production, and their compositions were optimized as well. The best medium compositions for submerged fermentation of cellulase using pomegranate peel were Avicel—24.812 g/L, KH2PO4—4.626 g/L, soybean cake flour—20.7 g/L, and MnSO4.H2O—1.036 g/L. Cellulase production was determined to be 9.3 IU/mL under optimum medium conditions. Furthermore, Box–Behnken Design improved process parameters such as pH (5.5), temperature (36 °C), initial substrate concentration (3.2%), inoculum concentration (7%), and fermentation length (5 days). Finally, under the optimum medium and process conditions, the maximal cellulase production was 12.3 IU/mL. The Monod model (R2:0.9316), Luedeking–Piret model-substrate consumption (R2:0.9217), Michaelis–Menten kinetics (R2:0.94), Lineweaver–Burk plot (R2:0.9264), Hanes–Woolf plot (R2:0.0642), and Eadie–Hofstee plot (R2:0.0642) were used to model the cellulase production process. Furthermore, pomegranate peels, a cheap waste raw material, would be the best carbon source for a high production of cellulase enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

Vanillin is the secondary metabolite in vanilla plants that acts as an aroma and flavoring agent. Natural vanillin, extracted from cured beans of vanilla, contributes only 0.2% to industrial demand. The remaining part is fulfilled by vanillin produced through chemical synthesis and microbial fermentation. The main substrate for vanillin biosynthesis, i.e., ferulic acid, is expensive. So, the present experimental study was intended to assess the potential of pomegranate peels as a source of ferulic acid for biotransformation into biovanillin using Enterobacter hormaechei via submerged fermentation. Different process parameters (e.g., ferulic acid concentration, incubation period, pH, temperature, and agitation speed) were optimized and their effect on biovanillin production was examined using central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Approximately, 162.5 ± 0.35 mg of ferulic acid was obtained from 100 g of pomegranate peels. The highest biovanillin production (4.2 g/L) was attained at 0.9% ferulic acid concentration, 8 h of incubation time, pH 7, temperature 30°C, and agitation speed of 100 rpm. The F-value of 7.70 and p-value of 0.001 were calculated using a statistical tool that verified the utmost significance of the model. The 93.34% coefficient of determination (R2) confirmed the precision of the designed model stating the effect of incubation time, temperature, pH, and agitation speed as significant on production yield. Identification of produced vanillin was determined by FTIR while HPLC indicates that produced biovanillin was 98.6% pure compared to the standard of Sigma-Aldrich. So, pomegranate peels served as an economical substrate for biotransformation into biovanillin. The optimized fermentation conditions could be further utilized for larger-scale production and value addition to market the product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

Environmental requirements include sustainable materials with low investment costs and high performance for water treatment applications. The process of hydrothermal carbonization, on the other hand, offers a quick, economical, and green way to transform waste from natural resources into sustainable products. This study aims to produce a novel hydrochar-based material from pomegranate peel using NaOH cold-alkali activation. Extensive physicochemical characterization of the obtained material (NaOH-HCPP) was conducted. To assess the ability of NaOH-HCPP to remove acebutolol (ACE) drug from an aqueous solution, batch adsorption tests were performed, reaching (97.25 mg g−1) under optimal parameters. The isotherm fit best with the Freundlich model, whereas the kinetics were well described by both the PSO and Elovich models, indicating that the process was physicochemical. Moreover, thermodynamic studies stated that acebutolol uptake was distinguished by spontaneity (ΔG° < 0) and exothermicity ΔH° (− 31.91 kJ mol−1). Furthermore, a discussion of the empirical results and further analysis revealed that ACE adsorption onto NaOH-HCPP is controlled by pore filling, van der Waals forces, electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, π–π, and n–π interactions. Thus, NaOH-HCPP has demonstrated high promise for removing acebutolol and possibly other pharmaceuticals from aqueous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

The current study aims to investigate the elimination behavior of hexavalent chromium from aquatic media by using dry Pomegranate peel powders (PGPs). The pomegranate peels powder used was well prepared and then characterized using various techniques including FTIR, pH pzc , BET, XRD, and SEM–EDX microscopy. A Box–Behnken design was employed to study the influences of four operating factors including solution pH (1–7), PGPs quantity (20 mg–200 mg), Cr(VI) starting concentration (10 mg L−1–100 mg L−1) and media temperature (20 °C–50 °C) on the adsorption process, which allows satisfactory removal of Cr(VI) from water media. The highest elimination efficiency (100%) was achieved with an adsorbent amount of 152.08 mg in medium highly acid (pH 1) at a temperature of 50 °C and a Cr(VI) initial dose of 100 mg L−1, with a maximum adsorbent loading of 25.74 mg g−1. The non-linear kinetic modelling study showed that the adsorption kinetics of Cr(VI) obey a pseudo-second order model. The thermodynamic investigation shows that the removal process is exothermic, spontaneous and of a stable configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pomegranate peel-based activated carbon was prepared using phosphoric acid impregnation for removing copper ions from aqueous solutions. The activated carbon sample was characterized using N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, SEM, FTIR, and Boehm titration. Batch adsorption experiments were performed as a function of initial pH, contact time, initial ion concentration and temperature. The metal adsorption was found pH dependent, with maximum adsorption occurring at an initial pH of 5.4. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms were used to analyze the equilibrium data at different temperatures. The Freundlich isotherm was considered to be the best model for representing Cu(II) adsorption data. The kinetic studies were analyzed using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion models, with good fitting to the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption behavior of the binary solution system Cu(II)-Cd(II) showed that the adsorbent has higher selectivity towards copper ions than cadmium ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

A low-cost nano-particle material was successfully prepared using waste pomegranate peels. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of different operating conditions on the removal of brilliant green (BG) dye from an aqueous solution. SEM images of pomegranate peels nano-particles (PPNP) declared roughness of the surfaces and TEM images indicated a spheroid shape with an average particle size of 37 nm. The specific surface area of the PPNP was 354.46 m2/g and the particle size had a mean diameter of 613.4 nm. The active nano-particle suspension showed a net negative charge (−29 mV) at natural pH. The XRD pattern of PPNP displayed an average crystallite size of 13.50 nm and EDS analysis shows that the PPNP consists of 83% carbon. The experimental work showed that the removal of BG had optimum removal efficiency at 20 min, 0.3 g adsorbent mass, 25 °C, and pH 8. The kinetic data can be described well with the pseudo-second-order model and the isotherm data was found to fit the Dubinin model. The thermodynamic study proved that BG adsorption on PPNP was physisorption (ΔG = −5.949 kJ/mol) and spontaneous at low temperature (ΔH = −17.193 kJ/mol, ΔS = −0.0382 kJ/mol. k) This study used an agriculture waste (pomegranate peels) to prepare an environmentally friendly and low-cost adsorbent within the nano-scale by thermal activation. The nano-particles prepared were shown to be a promising adsorbent, demonstrating high surface area and well-developed porosity. The prepared adsorbent will have a great impact on wastewater treatment technology and possible applications at a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here, the carbon nanodots were successfully synthesized from pomegranate peels (PPCD). This obtained PPCD was treated by a hydrothermal process with phosphoric acid for P doping (P doped PPCD) and used as a metal-free catalyst to obtain hydrogen(H 2) from sodium borohydride (NaBH 4) methanolysis for the first time. The characteristics of the samples obtained by ultraviolet, fluorescence, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses were examined. NaBH 4 concentration effect, temperature effect and catalyst reusability experiments were carried out. Using 10 mg of the catalyst with 2.5% NaBH 4 , an HGR value of 13000 mL min−1g−1 was obtained. The activation energy (Ea) for the P-doped PPCD catalyst was 30.96 kJ mol−1. [Display omitted] • The carbon nanodots were successfully synthesized from pomegranate peels. • The obtained PPCD was treated by a hydrothermal process with phosphoric acid for P doping. • P doped PPCD was used for the first time as a metal-free catalyst to obtain H 2 from NaBH 4 methanolysis. • HGR value of 13000 mL min−1g−1 was obtained. using 10 mg of the catalyst with 2.5% NaBH 4. • The activation energy (Ea) for the P-doped PPCD catalyst was 30.96 kJ mol−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

The removal of an emerging pharmaceutical pollutant, sulfasalazine, which frequently detected in pharmaceutical industry wastewater as well as in drinking water, has been investigated by adsorption on a biosorbent, prepared from pomegranate peels in order to valorize food processing waste. After characterizing and determining the surface functions, morphology and textural properties of the biosorbent pomegranate peels, the effect of pollutant concentration, pH and adsorbent amount on the adsorption activity were evaluated by varying one parameter at a time. Results showed a quasi-total removal of sulfasalazine for a pH higher than 4.8, an initial pollutant concentration of 50 mg L−1 and an adsorbent mass of 0.5 g. The isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for sulfasalazine adsorption on the biosorbent have been estimated. Results revealed that the adsorption of sulfasalazine on pomegranate peels is a homogenous monolayer, spontaneous and endothermic process following a pseudo-second-order kinetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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