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ABSTRACT This study aims to comparatively analyze butter, ghee, and margarine fatty acid profiles and their implications for healthier fat and oil group choices. In this cross‐sectional study, 60 samples from best‐selling brands of butter, ghee, and margarine were randomly selected from five food chain stores in Tehran, Iran. Then, all the samples were coded, packed in cool conditions, and sent to the laboratory to determine the fatty acid profiles by using gas chromatography (GC). Based on the authors' experiences and the available literature, a policy dialogue session was held with stakeholders about oil and fat challenges, followed by a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. The mean ± SE of total fatty acids in butter, ghee, and margarine was 94.07 ± 0.17, 94.49 ± 0.61, and 99.00 ± 0.18; total saturated fatty acid (TSFA) 66.69 ± 0.39, 64.26 ± 0.63, and 40.36 ± 0.87; trans fatty acid (TFA) 2.43 ± 0.09, 3.60 ± 0.29, and 0.83 ± 0.15 g/100 gfat, respectively. The predominant TFAs in butter and ghee were vaccenic acid (animal source) (2.06 ± 0.07 and 2.41 ± 0.17), while in margarine, it was elaidic acid (plant‐based source) (0.32 ± 0.12 g/100 gfat), respectively. Also, the SWOT findings showed being TFAs in the acceptable range (as the main strength), mismanagement (Weakness), reducing taxes based on lower TFA content (Opportunity), and sanctions (as the main Threat) were the most important criteria affecting fat choices in the Iranian food basket. The results of the study found that butter, ghee, and margarine contain relatively low levels of TFAs; however, butter and ghee were rich in beneficial fatty acids, which have been shown to have health‐protective properties. Policymakers can implicate the proposed strategies and opportunities from the SWOT analysis for healthier fat and oil choices to promote public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a devastating invasive pest recently introduced in India in 2018. The fall armyworm infestation has significantly impacted maize cultivation in the country. Identifying the host plant volatiles (kairomones) that are attractive to S. frugiperda from its highly preferred host plant, i.e. maize will help developing eco-friendly management strategies against this nefarious pest. Gas chromatography electroantennogram detector (GC-EAD) analysis revealed that a total of 18 compounds in maize headspace volatiles and 17 in maize leaf extract elicited an antennal response in female moths of S. frugiperda. Olfactometer bioassays of GC-EAD active plant volatile compounds revealed that heptanoic acid, 2,5-ditert butyl-1,4-benzoquinone and n-hexadecane were the most preferred plant volatile compounds and 50: 50 ratio blend of heptanoic acid and 2,5-ditert butyl-1,4-benzoquinone was found to be the most attractive kairomone blend for S. frugiperda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the geographical variation in the content and chemical composition of Cupressus torulosa needles essential oil across different locations in the Himalayan region of India. The methodology involved the collection of needles from 14 distinct locations, followed by hydro‐distillation using a Clevenger‐type apparatus. Qualitative analysis was conducted using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), while gas chromatography with flame ionisation detector (GC‐FID) was employed for quantitative analysis. The GC–MS analysis identified a total of 57 compounds, with oxygenated monoterpenes and monoterpene hydrocarbons being the dominant chemical constituents, ranging from 22.5% to 63.01% and from 10.39% to 63.95%, respectively. Terpinen‐4‐ol emerged as the major compound, with concentrations ranging from 101.2 ± 45.7 μg/mg to 393.8 ± 12.5 μg/mg across different locations, with the highest concentration observed in the Dehradun location. The application of t‐distributed stochastic neighbour embedding (t‐SNE) analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed the presence of five distinct chemotypes within the essential oil, characterised by different combinations of chemical constituents. These chemotypes were identified as terpinen‐4‐ol/limonene, terpinen‐4‐ol/sabinene, terpinen‐4‐ol, terpinen‐4‐ol/umbellulone, and terpinen‐4‐ol/totarol chemotypes. This research serves as a foundational framework for future investigations aimed at harnessing the unique properties of different chemotypes for specific purposes, potentially facilitating the successful commercialization and utilisation of C. torulosa needles essential oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rumen microbiota--a symbiont to its host and consists of critical functional substances--plays a vital role in the animal body and represents a new perspective in the study of adaptive evolution in animals. This study used Slide Viewer slicing analysis system, gas chromatography, RT-qPCR and other technologies, as well as 16S and metabolomics determination methods, to measure and analyze the microstructure of rumen epithelium, rumen fermentation parameters, rumen transport genes, rumen microbiota and metabolites in Tibetan sheep and Hu sheep. The results indicate that the rumen nipple height and cuticle thickness of Tibetan sheep are significantly greater than those of Hu sheep (p < 0.01) and that the digestion and absorption of forage are greater. The levels of carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and protein turnover were increased in Tibetan sheep, which enabled them to ferment efficiently, utilize forage, and absorb metabolic volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Tibetan sheep rumen metabolites are related to immune function and energy metabolism, which regulate rumen growth and development and gastrointestinal homeostasis. Thus, compared with Hu sheep, Tibetan sheep have more rumen papilla and cuticle corneum, and the synergistic effect of the microbiota and its metabolites is a characteristic and strategy for adapting to high-altitude environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Solid tumors often develop hypoxic regions, leading to aggressive behavior and increased drug resistance. Methods: The chemical composition of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (EO) was analyzed using GC-MS. Alginate nanoparticles containing the EO and its primary component, citral, were synthesized via the ionic gelation method. Encapsulation was confirmed using ATR-FTIR analysis. The anticancer efficacy of C. citratus EO, citral, and their respective alginate nanoparticles was evaluated under normoxic (21% oxygen) and hypoxic (1% oxygen) conditions on breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and melanoma (A-375) cell lines. Additionally, qPCR and flow cytometry were used to assess apoptosis gene expression ratios (Bax/Bcl-2) and levels of apoptosis. Results: Citral (80.98%) was identified as the major component of the EO. Alginate nanoparticles containing C. citratus EO and citral (C. citratus-AlgNPs and citral-AlgNPs) were synthesized with particle sizes of 195 ± 4 nm and 222 ± 9 nm, and zeta potentials of -22 ± 3 mV and − 17 ± 1 mV, respectively. Both samples demonstrated significantly greater efficacy under hypoxic conditions. Citral and C. citratus-AlgNPs had IC50 values of 27 (19–39) µg/mL and 25 (4-147) µg/mL, respectively, against MDA-MB-231 and A-375 cells. Flow cytometry showed increased apoptosis under hypoxic conditions, with the highest rates observed for citral-AlgNPs and C. citratus-AlgNPs (84 ± 5 and 92 ± 5% in MDA-MB-231 and A-375 cells, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that alginate nanoparticles enhance the anticancer activity of C. citratus-AlgNPs and citral, particularly under hypoxic conditions, highlighting their potential for hypoxia-targeted cancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief overview of chromatographic methods for determining free bisphenol A (BPA) in technical and food products is presented. Bisphenol A is used as a monomer in the production of some plastics and epoxy resins. The concentration of free BPA may exceed the permissible level in food plastic containers and in food products packaged in these containers. The maximum permissible concentration of BPA in water, in water bodies of domestic and drinking water and in cultural and household water use is 0.1 mg/dm3. In European countries, the migration value of BPA for plastics in contact with food products is 0.6 mg/kg. Gas chromatography with preliminary derivatization by the silylation or acylation of the analyte is most often used to determine BPA in plastics, food products, and biological fluids. Direct determination methods have been developed using gas-liquid chromatography on heat-resistant columns. Flame ionization, fluorometric, and mass-selective detectors are used as detection devices. HPLC with optical and mass-selective detectors is used to determine BPA. Thin-layer chromatography has also been used for determining BPA. Solid-phase extraction, liquid−liquid extraction, dispersive liquid−liquid microextraction, and a combined extraction method with separation in acetonitrile (QuEChERS) are used in BPA sample preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Many insect-borne pathogens appear to manipulate the odors of their hosts in ways that influence vector behaviors. In our prior work, we identified characteristic changes in volatile emissions of cultured Plasmodium falciparum parasites in vitro and during natural human falciparum malaria. In the current study, we prospectively evaluate the reproducibility of these findings in an independent cohort of children in Blantyre, Malawi. Methods We enrolled febrile children under evaluation for malaria and collected breath from children with and without malaria, as well as healthy controls. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we characterized breath volatiles associated with malaria. By repeated sampling of children with malaria before and after antimalarial use, we determined how breath profiles respond to treatment. In addition, we investigated the stage-specificity of biomarkers through correlation with asexual and sexual-stage parasitemia. Results Our data provide robust evidence that P. falciparum infection leads to specific, reproducible changes in breath compounds. While no individual compound served as an adequate classifier in isolation, selected volatiles together yielded high sensitivity for diagnosis of malaria. Overall, the results of our predictive models suggest the presence of volatile signatures that reproducibly predict malaria infection status and determine response to therapy, even in cases of low parasitemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the diameter of a capillary porous-layer column with a silica gel sorbent on the loading properties was studied. Three columns with diameters of 0.25, 0.32, and 0.53 mm with a regularly porous silica gel sorbent were prepared. The loading capacity of the column with a regularly porous sorbent with a diameter of 0.32 mm was 7.3 times higher than for a commercial GS-GasPro column of the same diameter. The influence of the amount of the injected sample on the resolution of chromatographic peaks was shown using the separation of C4 aliphatic hydrocarbons as an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractA metal–organic framework (MOF-199) nanocomposite was coated on magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) as a sorbent (MGO/MOF-199) and used for the isolation of aromatic amines by magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE). The analytes subsequently determined using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The sorbent mass, desorption solvent, extraction time, desorption time, and pH were optimized. The calibration plots demonstrate linear ranges from 0.1 to 500 ng mL−1 with correlation coefficients from 0.9908 to 0.9939. The limits of detection (LOD) were between 0.03 and 0.1 ng mL−1. To evaluate the repeatability, relative standard deviations (RSD) were evaluated for 0.1, 10, and 100 ng mL−1 of the aromatic amines, yielding values from 3.2% to 4.5%. The developed method was employed to extract aromatic amines from tap water, seawater, and spring water. The relative recoveries were from 97.2% to 99.9%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical reactivity of the superheavy elements nihonium (Nh, element 113) and moscovium (Mc, element 115) has been studied by the gas-solid chromatography method using a new combined chromatography and detection setup. The Mc isotope 288 Mc, was produced in the nuclear fusion reaction of 48Ca ions with 243Am targets at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum Darmstadt, Germany. After isolating 288Mc ions in the gas-filled separator TASCA, adsorption of 288Mc and its decay product 284Nh on silicon oxide and gold surfaces was investigated. As a result of this work, the values of the adsorption enthalpy of Nh and Mc on the silicon oxide surface were determined for the first time,(Mc) = 54+51 kJ/mol and -AHSdO2 (Nh) = 58+8 kJ/mol (68% c.i.). The obtained ^Hads values are in good agreement with results of advanced relativistic calculations. Both elements, Nh and Mc, were shown to interact more weakly with the silicon oxide surface than their lighter homologues Tl and Bi, respectively. However, Nh and Mc turned out to be more reactive than the neighbouring closed-shell and quasi-closed-shell elements copernicium (Cn, element 112) and flerovium (Fl, element 114), respectively. The established trend is explained by the influence of strong relativistic effects on the valence atomic orbitals of these elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Giant clams are invertebrates that form mutualistic associations with Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates. Despite their ecological significance, gaps persist regarding our understanding of their trophic ecology. Specifically, it is unknown whether Symbiodiniaceae‐derived photosynthates are metabolized differently according to species and organ. Therefore, we maintained Tridacna derasa and T. noae for 3 months in a well‐lit recirculated system without food supply. Samples were taken from eight organs and underwent lipid extraction and fatty acid esterification before analysis of three symbiont‐derived fatty acids (stearidonic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid—SDA, DPA, and DHA, respectively) using gas chromatography. Results show considerable variation in fatty acids concentration among species and organs. SDA was found in higher concentrations in T. noae, especially in the adductor muscle. DPA was detected in low concentrations across T. noae organs and absent for T. derasa. DHA did not vary significantly among species and organs. Our findings indicate that Symbiodiniaceae supply clams with fatty acids, which are stored differentially according to species and organs. This demonstrates that these compounds are translocated to multiple organs throughout the complex giant clam anatomical system, in contrast to simpler hosts like corals. These results advance our understanding of the physiological dynamics of the mollusk‐algae association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A growing interest in using Nigella sativa oil (NSO) in the prevention or treatment of several cardiovascular diseases has prompted this study. The research aims to investigate the effect of NSO on cardiac damage prevention after long-term administration in induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Methods: NSO was analyzed for its fatty acids composition using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and administered in rats before and after isoproterenol (45 mg/kg body weight) induced myocardial infarction. The following parameters were assessed: electrocardiograms, histopathological examination, serum biochemical aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), serum and heart inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b), and interleukin 6 (IL-6)), and tissue oxidative stress (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative stress (TOS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the total thiols (THIOL)). Results: Linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) and oleic acid (C18:1n-9) were approximately 89% of total fatty acids while palmitic acid (C16:0) was 6.10%. Administration of NSO for 28 days helped in preventing QT and QTc interval prolongation and reduced heart rate (HR), after MI induction. The histological assessment showed improvement in myofibrillary degeneration and necrosis and also better reduced inflammatory process in the groups treated with NSO. In serum, pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1b and IL-6 were downregulated in chronic conditions (for IL-1b, NSO vs. control was 86.09vs 150.39 pg/mL, and for IL-6 NSO vs. control was 78.00 vs. 184.98 pg/ml). In the heart tissue, the downregulation was observed only for TNF in both acute and chronic conditions (acute NSO vs. control was 132.37 vs. 207.63 pg/mL, and chronic NSO vs. control was 135.83 vs. 183.29 pg/ml). The pro-oxidant parameters TOS, NO, MDA, and OSI, were reduced in the groups treated with NSO only after 14 days of treatment, suggesting that the NSO antioxidant effect is time-dependent. Conclusions: NSO administration might have a favourable impact on the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation processes after MI induction in rats, and it is worth considering its administration as an adjuvant treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies the chemical compounds present in the essential oils of five species of frailejones and evaluates their biological activity against various microorganisms. The essential oils from the fresh leaves of Espeletia argentea, Espeletia barclayana, Espeletia killipii, Espeletia summapacis, and Espeletiopsis corymbosa were extracted through hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of the essential oils was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oils of some species were tested against fungi (Fusarium sp., Chaetomium sp., Botrytis sp., Penicillium sp., Alternaria sp.) and the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, as well as the yeast Candida sp., using the agar diffusion method. The major compounds identified in the essential oils were α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, p-cymene, limonene, and α- and β-phellandrene. Additionally, the essential oils of four Espeletia species exhibited activity against Fusarium sp. and Chaetomium sp. when compared to a commercial control. Furthermore, the oils of E. argentea and E. corymbosa were subsequently tested against strains of Botrytis sp., Penicillium sp., and Alternaria sp. It was found that the essential oil of E. argentea exhibited inhibition rates ranging from 30% to 80% against the tested strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Plants generate a wide array of signals such as olfactory cues to attract and manipulate the response of pollinators. The present study addresses the temporal patterns of scent emission as an additional dimension to the scent composition. The expectation is that divergent floral function is reflected in divergent qualitative and temporal emission patterns. Methods: We used GC‐ion mobility spectrometry with an integrated pre‐concentration for automated acquisition of the temporal trends in floral volatile emissions for N. viridiflorus, N. papyraceus, and N. cantabricus subsp. foliosus. Results: We found a considerable increase in scent emissions and changes in scent composition for N. viridiflorus at night. This increase was particularly pronounced for aromatic substances such as benzyl acetate and p‐cresol. We found no diurnal patterns in N. papyraceus, despite a similar qualitative composition of floral volatiles. Narcissus cantabricus subsp. foliosus showed no diurnal patterns either and differed considerably in floral scent composition. Conclusions: Scent composition, circadian emission patterns, and floral morphology indicate divergent, but partially overlapping pollinator communities. However, the limited pollinator data from the field only permits a tentative correlation between emission patterns and flower visitors. Narcissus papyraceus and N. cantabricus show no clear diurnal patterns and thus no adjustment to the activity patterns of their diurnal pollinators. In N. viridiflorus, timing of scent emission indicates an adaptation to nocturnal flower visitors, contradicting Macroglossum as the only reported pollinator. We propose that the legitimate pollinators of N. viridiflorus are nocturnal and are still unidentified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are the cyclical vectors of human and animal trypanosomes. This viviparous insect develops and produces a single larva at 10-day intervals deposited in specific sites. In some species aggregation of larvae has been shown and seems to be mediated by both physical factors and volatile semiochemicals of larval origin. In this context, this study aims to identify chemicals emitted during the pupariation process in Glossina palpalis gambiensis. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted by larvae were identified using static headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Electrophysiology and behavioural assays were performed on gravid females to confirm VOCs behavioural activity and attractiveness. GC–MS results revealed ten chemicals emitted during the pupariation process of G. p. gambiensis larvae. Among these chemicals, gravid females were shown to detect nine of them during coupled gas chromatography - electroantennographic detection tests. Behavioural assays highlighted two compounds were as attractive as pupae and one compound and a blend of four compounds were more attractive than pupae. Although the larval origin of some of them needs to be confirmed as they may also likely produced by micro-organisms, these compounds induced significant behavioural responses in the laboratory. Further experiments have to explore the biological activity and competitiveness of these compounds in the field. This work opens interesting opportunities for behavioural manipulation and control of tsetse flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our study aimed to explore the efficacy of Bifidobacterium breve 207-1 on specific neurotransmitters and hormones and the ability to regulate lifestyle behaviors in healthy adults. Methods: In total, 120 healthy adults with high mental stress, overweight, insomnia, and constipation were randomly assigned to receive low-dose B. breve 207-1 (LD, n = 40), high-dose B. breve 207-1 (HD, n = 40), or placebo (n = 40) for 28 days. Fecal and blood samples were collected and questionnaires were answered before and after the trial. Neurotransmitters and serum hormones were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The gut microbiota composition was assessed using 16 S rRNA sequencing. Short–chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations were determined via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Results: The primary outcome of our study was changes in mental wellness, including neurotransmitters, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrena (HPA) axis hormones, and the psychological scales. The results showed that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) increased significantly and the HPA axis hormones were suppressed overall in the probiotic groups while 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) did not change significantly. However, there was no significant change in mood scale scores. The secondary outcome focused on the ability of 207-1 to regulate the body and lifestyle of healthy adults (e.g., sleep, diet, exercise, etc.). The PSQI scores in the probiotics groups significantly decreased, indicating improved sleep quality. Meanwhile, the probiotic groups had a slight increase in exercise consumption while dietary intake stabilized. By physical examination, the participants showed weight loss although no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups. Then, validated by gut microbiota, changes in the gut microbiota were observed under the effective intervention of 207-1 while short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) increased in the LD group, particularly acetic and propionic acids. There was a slight decrease in alpha–diversity in the HD group. Conclusion: Bifidobacterium breve 207-1 entered the organism and affected neurotransmitter and the HPA axis hormone levels via the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Meanwhile, 207-1 supplementation improved daily lifestyle behaviors in healthy adults, which may in turn lead to changes in their bodies (e.g. weight and lipid metabolism). However, this study did not find significant mood-modulating efficacy. The mechanism of the overall study is unclear, but we hypothesize that SCFAs may be the key pathway, and more experiments are needed for validation in the future. Trial registration: This trial was retrospectively registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry under the accession number ChiCTR2300069453 on March 16, 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipids constitute one of the most abundant components within cells and play a fundamental role as an energy source during embryonic development, as well as in many physiological processes. Understanding their composition is crucial to understand the sequence of events required for successful embryogenesis. This study aimed to assess the variation in the content and composition of lipids and their role during the embryonic developmental stages of the coral Galaxea fascicularis. The major lipid classes, including sterol ester (SE), wax ester (WE), triacylglycerol (TAG), cholesterol (CHO), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine, and fatty acids, were evaluated. The gametes and embryos were homogenized using a combination of chloroform and methanol, resulting in a two-phase system where the lipids were found in the chloroform layer. The lipid and fatty acid content was determined using thin layer chromatography, transesterification to fatty acid methyl ester, and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The findings indicated that the content of SE, WE, and TAG changed across several stages of development. CHO and PC were the most prevalent lipids in all stages, while the levels of TAG, PE, and SE were considerably lower compared to the aforementioned lipid classes. Unlike the lipid profile of the oocyte, the sperm had a significantly smaller amount of WE and did not include any SE. However, there were no significant differences in the quantity of the other lipid classes. Regarding the fatty acid composition, there was a notable increase in concentration throughout the early stages of embryonic development, primarily consisting of saturated fatty acids. Conversely, the amount of fatty acids in sperm was relatively low. The study demonstrated that the lipid content and composition can vary during different phases of embryonic development. This discovery will surely contribute to future lipid studies in other species of coral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In food authentication, it is important to compare different analytical procedures and select the best method. The aim of this study was to determine the fingerprints of Zweigelt and Rondo wines through headspace analysis using ultra-fast gas chromatography (ultra-fast GC) and to compare the effectiveness of this approach at classifying wines based on grape variety and type of malolactic fermentation (MLF) as well as its greenness and practicality with three other chromatographic methods such as headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with carboxen-polydimethylosiloxane fiber (SPME/GC-MS with CAR/PDMS fiber), headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with polyacrylate fiber (SPME/GC-MS with PA fiber), and ultra performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detector-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-MS/MS). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that fingerprints obtained using all four chromatographic methods were suitable for classification using machine learning (ML). Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) yielded accuracies of at least 99% in the varietal classification of Zweigelt and Rondo wines and therefore proved suitable for robust fingerprinting-based Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures. In the case of wine classification by the type of MLF, the classifiers performed slightly worse, with the poorest accuracy of 91% for SVM and SPME/GC-MS with CAR/PDMS fiber, and no less than 93% for the other methods. Ultra-fast GC is the greenest and UPLC-PDA-MS/MS is the most practical of the four chromatographic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding exercise metabolism and the relationship with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) holds potential in both health care and sports performance. Exercise metabolism can be investigated using whole body exercise testing (in vivo) or through the culture and subsequent electrical pulse stimulation (EPS) of myotubes (in vitro). This research investigates the novel headspace (HS) analysis of EPS skeletal muscle myotubes. An in vitro system was built to investigate the effect of EPS on the volatile constituents in the HS above EPS skeletal muscle. The C2C12 immortalised cell line was chosen. EPS was applied to the system to induce myotube contraction. The in vitro system was applied to the analysis of VOCs using thermal desorption (TD) sampling. Samples were collected under four conditions: environmental samples (enviro), acellular media HS samples (blank), skeletal muscle myotubes without stimulation HS samples (baseline) and EPS of skeletal muscle myotube HS samples (stim). TD sampling combined with gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detected two compounds that, after multivariate and univariate statistical analysis, were identified as changing due to EPS (p < 0.05). These compounds were tentatively assigned as 1,4-Dioxane-2,5-dione, 3,6-dimethyl- and 1-pentene. The former is a known lactide and the latter has been reported as a marker of oxidative stress. Further research should focus on improvements to the EPS system, including the use of more relevant cell lines, quantification of myotube contractions, and the application of targeted analysis, metabolic assays and media analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) is often used in the analysis of linear saturated hydrocarbons (LSHs) as this ionization technique commonly produces [M − H]+ ions in high abundance. However, APCI (along with other atmospheric pressure sources) is often impacted by in‐source oxidation, leading to a variety of ionic products. Identifying these products and understanding their mechanisms of formation is crucial for characterizing complex mixtures with substantial hydrocarbon content, such as those found in the petrochemical industry. In this study, in‐source oxidation of LSHs was observed in gas chromatography (GC) coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) via a custom‐built APCI interface. Studies showed that the abundance of these oxidized ions correlated positively with atmospheric water, yet occurred without the inclusion of water‐based oxygen as judged by experiments with stable isotope‐labeled water. The oxidation of LSHs was further influenced by the reactive species in the ionization atmosphere. Fragmentation data using stable isotope‐labeled LSH standards unveiled multiple structurally unique ions with one or more oxidation sites on both primary and secondary carbons. These ionic products bear resemblance to combustion byproducts, suggesting the instrumental configuration fosters plasma‐assisted combustion‐like processes that encourage the radical‐mediated oxidation of LSHs rather than generate [M − H]+. Through these investigative efforts, a mechanism analogous to combustion was proposed for the formation of LSH oxidation products in GC‐APCI‐HRMS. Data demonstrate that these ions are robustly generated in petrochemical products, allowing for proper characterization of these complex mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a mental illness that affects patients' behavior, and it impacts approximately 264 million people globally. Tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs) are one class of medication that is available for the treatment of depression. These medications work by modifying hormones such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. TeCAs, such as setiptiline, amoxapine, mianserin, maprotiline, and mirtazapine, are four ring‐based compounds that assist in preventing the brain from reabsorbing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin. Each of these medications interacts with adrenergic (α1 and α2) and serotonin (5HT1 and 5HT2) receptors independently. Using biological samples (plasma, blood, and urine) and pharmaceutical formulations, this review focuses on providing a complete overview of the various analytical conditions maintained for the medications in the above class and their metabolites. Major analytical methods such as mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, and high‐performance liquid chromatography are used to quantify and determine the drugs. This review provides a thorough understanding of impurity identification, pharmacokinetic and stability evaluations, and structural degradation quantification. It provides valuable and reliable information for research, enhancing their understanding of the subject matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A recent increase in the demand for pineapple necessitates the development of new varieties with superior flavour quality. In this study, we characterised the volatile profiles of three new Okinawan pineapple breeding lines using gas chromatography (GC)–mass spectrometry (MS)‐based electronic nose (e‐nose), glycosylated volatiles, and alcohol‐acyltransferase (AAT) activity measurements. The volatile profiles of the fruits were selected using the GC–MS‐e‐nose and visualised using multivariate statistical plots. The glycosidically bound compounds were collected by solid‐phase extraction and hydrolysed by β‐glucosidase. In total, 12 hydroxyl‐group substances, including chavicol (medicinal‐herbal aroma), geraniol (floral‐sweet), and linalool (floral‐citrus), were released from these glycosides. Crude enzymes containing AAT were extracted, and their in vitro activities in 2‐methylbutyl acetate production were highly related to their contents. These results provide information regarding volatile profiles and bounded‐aroma resources, as well as the esterification potential of new Okinawan pineapple breeding lines for use in the agro‐food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of semi-packed columns in gas chromatography has garnered significant interest in recent years. This review investigates various aspects of semi-packed columns, encompassing their fundamental concept, fabrication process, coating techniques, and exploration of various designs employed in gas chromatography. Diverse applications of semi-packed columns in gas chromatography are presented to showcase their practical significance and potential. By examining the current state of research and advancements in semi-packed column technology, this review aims to provide valuable insights for researchers seeking to enhance the capabilities of gas chromatography systems using innovative column designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health problem primarily caused by the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Therefore, the inadequacy of antibiotics in treating infections has led to exploring effective alternative treatment options, such as natural sources like essential oils. Mentha longifolia subsp. typhoides (Lamiaceae) is an economically important medicinal and aromatic plant used in traditional medicine as a spice and herbal tea. This study aimed to characterize the essential oil composition of this species (MLT-EO) and its biological activities. The chemical composition of the MLT-EO was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Piperitenone (25.7%), carvone (22.7%), piperitone (22.8%), pulegone (6.8%), and isomenthone (6.6%) were characterized as the main components. The MLT-EO exhibits antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. The MLT-EO exhibited the best MIC value against the test fungi, with <0.625 mg/mL values against Candida parapsilosis strains. The percentage of biofilm inhibition value of the MLT-EO (10 mg/mL) was 59.53%, and the percentage of violacein inhibition values calculated for sub-MICs concentrations of the MLT-EO (1 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL) were 63.68% and 38.08%, respectively. The results show that the high level of piperitenone, carvone, and piperitone detected in the MLT-EO may be responsible for these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methanolic extract of Indigofera dosua leaves was subjected to GC-MS analysis, its antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Sixteen compounds were identified having resorcinol TMS derivatives, propanoic acid, dimethyl(ethenyl)silyl ester, 4-O-methylmannose, hexadecanoic acid, trimethylsilyl ester, 9,12,15-octadecatriene-1-ol, and phytol as major components. FRAP content was 40.24 ± 0.54AAE/g, and the IC50 values were 8.25 ± 0.04 µg mL−1 and 19.05 ± 0.15 µg mL−1 when employing DPPH and ABTS, respectively. Total phenolics (50.2 ± 0.48 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (5.33 ± 0.40 mg QE/g) were estimated. Antibacterial activity was observed, showing significant inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis with MIC values 12.5 and 25 mg mL−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary aim of this investigation is to shed light on potential targets within the main protease Mpro, spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, and Angiotensine converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for the exploration of novel inhibitors derived from therapeutic natural compounds originating from Atriplex halimus (AH). Many constituents were discerned within AH extracts through comprehensive gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Notably, compounds, such as oleocanthal and methyl stearate, exhibited promising attributes across various biological activities, including inhibition of key proteins associated with SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) settings were evaluated to explore the potential safety and viability of these compounds for pharmaceutical application, affirming their non-interference with human physiology and thus suggesting their suitability for pharmaceutical use. Catechin, epigallocatechin, and methyl stearate were discovered to be the compounds with the highest affinity to the studied protein showing a great potential to be inhibitors to COVID-19. Consequently, this discovery highlights Atriplex halimus as a promising candidate for utilization in combating the virus. In our study, several compounds from Atriplex halimus showed a significant inhibition activity against SARS-COV-2 Mpro and Spike protein, which promotes Atriplex halimus as a potential agent that can be used in the treatment of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on boiling point (BP) is a crucial metric for defining petroleum streams. Understanding the BP distribution range of hydrocarbon products is crucial for selecting an appropriate way to process feedstocks, controlling the process, identifying impurities, and developing new tests. To evaluate BP range rapidly, the refinery employs simulated distillation (SimDis) by gas chromatography (GC) paired with a flame ionization detector (FID) and a capillary column. This method is used to examine the level of contamination in petroleum products. Jet A-1 fuel is an essential product whose specifications can be altered by diesel contamination. Some producers utilize the same distribution line for both products, contaminating the Jet fuel that is shipped. We conducted research to determine the lowest level of diesel contamination in jet A-1 fuel. The study consists of varying proportions of diesel (0.5%, 2%, and 5% mass) blended with jet A-1 to determine the impact on standard specifications DEF STAN 91-91/12 and ASTM D1655. Among those methods, SimDis by GC-FID was the most successful method for identifying a little level of diesel contamination. Properties of jet fuel, such as thermal stability, water separation, and electrical conductivity, are particularly sensitive to trace contamination and can be altered by it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee is one of the most highly valued, consumed and comercialized foods in the world. Due to its considerable importance, it has become the target of numerous adulterations. Detecting a possible adulteration and the presence of additional adulterants in coffee has become an issue of great concern mainly because the compounds used as adulterants exhibit physical features very similar to ground roasted coffee. Aiming to overcome these difficulties, this work reports the development and application of a relatively faster, highly effective and reliable method for the detection and identification of adulterations in roasted coffee through the analysis of the composition of the volatile fraction in the presence of adulterants such as rice, corn, soybeans and barley. The proposed method was based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and chemometric tools. The application of the method led to the exclusive identification of many compounds in the volatile fraction of the adulterants investigated. The adulterants, despite having compounds similar to coffee, differed in terms of their volatile profiles, and consisted mainly of hydrocarbons, aldehydes, esters and carboxylic acids. Among all the compounds identified, five compounds were found to be the main determinants of adulteration: 2-furanmethanol-acetate, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, 5-methyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde, 2-furanmethanol and glycerol-1,2-diacetate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forestry residues (FR) and medicinal-aromatic plant waste (MAPW) are considered potential resources for energy recovery. In this context, we explore the bioethanol production potential of three microbial strains Aspergillus niger, Zymomonas mobilis, and Trichoderma longibrachiatum using this lignocellulosic hydrolysate as a substrate. The blend of FR and MAPW was pretreated by different methods like acid sulfuric (AS), steam explosion (SE), and enzymatic (E). The ethanol yield was measured by gas chromatography (GC). Zymomonas mobilis demonstrated the highest ethanol yield of 5.95% on untreated substrate. Conversely, Aspergillus niger exhibited peak performance with an ethanol yield of 10.78% following AS, SE and E combined pretreatment. Trichoderma longibrachiatum, yielded ethanol ranging from 1.27% to 2.47%. Furthermore, the use of immobilized d' Aspergillus niger strains revealed a small decrease in ethanol yield from 11.34% in the first cycle to only 5.02% in the sixth cycle. In conclusion, Aspergillus niger emerges as a promising candidate due to its dual functionality in pretreatment and ethanol fermentation, offering pathways for advancing sustainable biofuel technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile components in red orange essential oil extracted by two cold pressing processes (cup pressing and lime method) were analyzed by gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-Q/TOF). A total of 93 components were identified, 89 and 84 compounds were identified for the two types of red orange essential oils, respectively. Among the 93 components, there were 29 terpenes, 20 alcohols, 20 aldehydes, 5 esters, 2 ketones, 12 hydrocarbons, and 5 other compounds. There were 80 compounds shared by the two essential oils. The total volatile component content of red orange essential oil by cup pressing method was significantly higher than that by lime method. The highest content of these compounds was terpenes which total content was over 80%. In addition, the compounds with higher content were D-limonene, γ-terpinene, β-myrcene, linalool and α-pinene. According to principal component analysis (PCA), there was a significant difference in the volatile components of the two types of red orange essential oils. The relative odor activity value (ROAV) method indicated that linalool was the most important aroma component of the two red orange essential oils. And the citrus aroma properties of red orange essential oil extracted by cup pressing method was significantly stronger than that extracted by lime method. Linalool, thymol, β-myrcene, D-limonene, citronellal, and γ- terpinene were confirmed to the key aroma components of the red orange essential oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Tramadol is a pain killing drug highly used worldwide. There is a knowledge gap for fertility consequences of analgesic addiction in men. In this observational study, we investigated the hazards of tramadol abuse on human male reproductive function. A total of 30 tramadol addicts and 30 healthy controls have participated in the study. History and clinical examination of the included subjects were performed. Biochemical and molecular assays were measured in all participants include serum reproductive hormones (calculated free testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin and estradiol) using ELISA techniques, semen analysis, seminal plasma zinc and selenium assays using colorimetric kits, seminal plasma tramadol concentrations using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), and seminal plasma 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG) using high performance liquid chromatography were measured. Tramadol abuse significantly decreased semen parameters quality. Additionally, tramadol abuse significantly decreased testosterone (P = 0.001) and increased prolactin serum levels (P = 0.000). Tramadol abusers showed significantly higher levels of 8-OHG (P < 0.0001) with significantly lower levels of zinc and selenium in their seminal plasma compared with the controls (P < 0.0001, and 0.0002 respectively). Also, tramadol addicts displayed positive correlations between seminal plasma levels of 8-OHG (r = 0.905, P = 0.00) and sperm abnormal forms (r = 0.610, P = 0.000) with seminal plasma tramadol levels. Seminal plasma levels of zinc (r = − 0.815, P = 0.00), sperm motility (r = − 0.484, P = 0.007), and vitality (r = − 0.430, P = 0.018) were negatively correlated with seminal plasma levels of tramadol. Our data suggest that tramadol abuse may impair male fertility by increasing oxidative damage of sperms and reducing testosterone and the antioxidants trace elements in testicular tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free fatty acids (FFAs) serve as crucial analytical markers in oils, fats, and food, reflecting food safety through their content variations. However, the analysis of FFAs in food samples is constrained by potential interferences from other acidic components in the sample matrix during sample processing, resulting in distorted analytical outcomes and introducing positive bias. The established method was also validated in terms of linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), and matrix effect. It was proved to be linear (R2 > 0.99), with lower LODs of 0.108–0.564 μg/mL, and lower LOQs of 0.258–1.541 μg/mL for all FFAs. Overall, the simple, rapid, and cost-effective method developed in this study provides a potential application for the extraction and enrichment of FFAs in complex sample matrices, including edible oils, fatty foods, and high-content biological samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most popular products made from fruit is juice, which is consumed as a snack by people of all ages due to its high content of polyphenols and vitamins. Therefore, the prevalence of adulteration in juices is very high, and ensuring the authenticity and quality of juices is a major concern for those responsible for monitoring food safety for the public. The most common frauds in fruit juices include adding water, sugar, organic acids, and other juices clouding agents and exceeding the permitted amount of sulfites. Having knowledge of the types of fraud in fruit juices and their detection methods is essential for developing more efficient detection methods. Chromatographic techniques, such as high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC), are commonly used to determine the purity of fruit juices. Among the new methods for detecting counterfeit fruit juice, the development of bio‐nanosensors is particularly notable. These sensors reduce sample volume, analytical time, costs, and solvent consumption and will be discussed further in this study. Therefore, this review will explain the basic analytical approaches and chemometric tools used to assess the authenticity of fruit juice and identify any adulteration in the juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION The present study focuses on the aroma and secondary metabolites profiling of three Pelargonium graveolens cultivars, baladi (GRB), sondos (GRS) and shish (GRSH), grown in Egypt. Utilizing a multiplex approach combining high resolution‐ultraperformance liquid chromatography (HR‐UPLC)/tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and gas chromatography (GC)‐MS coupled with chemometrics, the study aims to identify and profile various secondary metabolites and aroma compounds in these cultivars.HR‐UPLC/MS/MS analysis led to the annotation of 111 secondary metabolites, including phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes and fatty acids, with several compounds being reported for the first time in geranium. Multivariate data analysis identified vinylanisole, dimethoxy‐flavonol, and eicosadienoic acid as discriminatory metabolites among the cultivars, particularly distinguishing the GRS cultivar in its phenolics profile. In total, 34 aroma compounds were detected using headspace solid‐phase microextraction coupled with GC‐MS, including alcohols, esters, ketones, ethers and monoterpene hydrocarbons. The major metabolites contributing to aroma discrimination among the cultivars were β‐citronellol in GRB, α‐farnesene in GRS and isomenthone in GRSH.The study provides a comprehensive profiling of the secondary metabolites and aroma compounds in the three Pelargonium graveolens cultivars. The GRS cultivar was identified as particularly distinct in both its phenolics and aroma profiles, suggesting its potential as a premium variety for cultivation and use. Future studies should focus on isolating and investigating the newly detected metabolites and exploring the biological effects of these compounds in food applications and other uses. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current prostate cancer treatments are associated with life-threatening side effects, prompting the search for effective and safer alternatives. Aspilia pluriseta Schweinf. ex Engl. has previously shown anticancer activity in lung and liver cancer cell lines. This study investigated its potential for prostate cancer. Methods: A crude extract of A. pluriseta root was prepared using dichloromethane/methanol (1:1 v/v) and partitioned into hexane, ethyl acetate, and water fractions. The MTT assay was used to assess the antiproliferative activity of the fractions. The active fractions were tested at 6.25–200 µg/ml on human prostate cancer DU-145 cells and non-cancerous Vero E6 cells. Qualitative phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were conducted to identify chemical compounds. Network pharmacology was employed to predict molecular targets and modes of action of the identified chemical compounds, with subsequent validation through molecular docking and real-time PCR. Results: Active extracts included crude dichloromethane/methanol, hexane, and ethyl acetate fractions, inhibiting DU-145 cell proliferation with IC50 values of 16.94, 20.06, and 24.14 µg/ml, respectively. Selectivity indices were determined to be 6.04 (crude), 3.62 (hexane), and 6.68 (ethyl acetate). Identified phytochemicals comprised phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, sterols, and saponins. GC-MS analysis revealed seventy-nine (79) compounds, with seven (7) meeting ideal drug candidate parameters; their hub gene targets included MAPK3, MAPK1, IL6, TP53, ESR1, PTGS2, MMP9, MDM2, AR, and MAP2K1, implicating regulation of PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and p53 signaling pathways as potential modes of action. Core compounds such as 1-heneicosanol, lanosterol, andrographolide, and retinoic acid exhibited strong binding activities, particularly lanosterol with MAPK21 (-9.7 kcal/mol), ESR1 (-8.9 kcal/mol), and MAPK3 (-8.8 kcal/mol). Treatment with A. pluriseta downregulated AR expression and upregulated p53, while also downregulating CDK1 and BCL-2 and upregulating caspase-3. Conclusions: A. pluriseta extracts inhibited DU-145 cell growth without causing cellular toxicity, suggesting great potential for development as an anti-prostate cancer agent. However, further in vitro and in vivo experiments are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and essential oils of conifers are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. This work aimed to analyze the VOCs of 30 conifer species representing the Pinaceae and Cupressaceae families. Samples were collected from arboreta in Hungary, and their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography (SPME-GC/MS); then, chemometric analyses were performed using multivariate methods to identify characteristic VOCs of conifers. Here, we present results for monoterpene and sesquiterpene profiles of the examined conifer samples. The most abundant compounds detected were α-pinene, bornyl acetate, limonene, β-pinene, β-caryophyllene, β-myrcene, δ-3-carene, and β-phellandrene. The results showed that the following volatiles were characteristic of the conifer groups: sabinene (RRT=6.0) for the cupressoid group (which includes the Cupressaceae species), longifolene (RRT=15.0) and β-pinene (RRT=6.1) were characteristic of the pinoid group (including Picea, Pinus, and Pseudotsuga species), and camphene (RRT=5.5) and bornyl acetate (RRT=12.6) were characteristic of the abietoid group (including Abies, Cedrus, and Tsuga species). Our results on VOCs in the Pinaceae and Cupressaceae families contribute to the elucidation of biodiversity patterns of conifer species and, in addition, may support the industrial application of terpenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A protocol is proposed that combines the use of the known properties of a surrogate containing various functional groups together with n-alkanes as standards to evaluate the properties of much larger related substances using correlation gas chromatography. An objective of this work is to develop options that circumvent the lack of appropriate vaporization enthalpy standards that can be used for evaluation of various thermodynamic properties of larger complex molecules using gas chromatography. The surrogate in this case is 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-ol (PMC) and is used to evaluate the vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of α-tocopherol (α-TOC) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). The results are compared to the available literature data and to estimated properties. Vaporization enthalpies are also evaluated by a proposed method that involves the use of synthetic and retrosynthetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpenes are plant secondary metabolites known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. According to ethnobotanical knowledge, Rhododendron luteum Sweet was used in traditional medicine against inflammation. The present study was conducted to determine the triterpene profile and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extracts of Rhododendron luteum Sweet flower (RLF). An LC-APCI-MS/MS analysis showed the presence of eight pentacyclic triterpenes and one phytosterol in the extracts obtained with pure CO2 as well as CO2 with the addition of aqueous ethanol as a co-solvent. Among the compounds detected, oleanolic/ursolic acid, β-sitosterol and 3β-taraxerol were the most abundant. The extract obtained with pure SC-CO2 was additionally subjected to HS-SPME-GC-FID-MS, which revealed more than 100 volatiles, mainly eugenol, β-phenylethanol, dodecane, β-caryophyllene, estragole and (Z)- and (E)-cinnamyl alcohol, followed by δ-cadinene. The extracts demonstrated significant hyaluronidase inhibition and exhibited varying modes of lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. The studies of RLF have shown that their SC-CO2 extracts can be a rich source of triterpenes with anti-inflammatory potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermo‐assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) based on dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection was developed for the analysis of five phthalate esters in different water samples. In the procedure involved, a DES composed of lidocaine, an amphiphilic amine, and oleic acid, was mixed with the sample assisted by ultrasound, and phase separation was achieved with increasing temperature. The heating of the extraction system induced the change of acid‐base properties of the DES components. Thus, the formation of microdroplets of DES in the sample was provided, and two phases were separated. The structure of the upper hydrophobic layer was characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. Also, the amount of water in the DES phase was analyzed by mass spectrometer and Karl Fischer titration. Some critical variables on the extraction yield were assessed. The proposed method achieved 1.2–1.3 and 4.1–4.3 µg/L for limits of detection and limits of quantification, respectively. The intra‐day and inter‐day percentage relative standard deviations (n = 5) were determined to be in the range of 4.2–6.2% and 5.1–7.2%, respectively. Ultimately, this method analyzed the five phthalate esters in different water samples with high recoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aohan millet has been cultivated for 8000 years and has rich nutritional value, such as high‐quality fatty acids and amino acids. Thermal processing is a conventional approach to food preparation. However, the effect of thermal processing on the formation of flavor substances in millet has not been clarified. Therefore, in this study, the effects of three different thermal processing techniques, namely, steaming, stir‐frying, and puffing, on the amino acids, fatty acids, and volatile flavor substances of Aohan millet were investigated using high‐speed automatic amino acid analyzer, headspace solid‐phase microextraction method, combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME/GC–MS) and gas chromatography (GC) with Aohan millet from Inner Mongolia as the raw material. All three thermal processing methods notably reduced the levels of protein, starch, polyphenols, and flavonoids in Aohan millet when compared to the raw millet (p < .05). Amino acid and fatty acid contents demonstrated an increase in fried and puffed millet relative to steamed millet, with notable distinctions in amino acid and fatty acid contents between these two groups. Following the steaming process, there was a significant increase in the flavor compounds of Aohan millet, rising from 53 to 80, while this increase was not observed in the other two groups. The correlation analysis suggested that the formation of flavor compounds was predominantly influenced by the types and levels of amino acids. The study suggested that different heat treatments affected the amino acid, fatty acid, and more significantly flavor material content and composition of Aohan millet. In conclusion, steaming treatment could retain more nutrients and richer flavor substances; while puffing treatment would enhance amino acid and fatty acid content, which provides a fundamental basis for scientifically guided processing and rational culinary application of Aohan millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging processes occurring in electrical double layer capacitors greatly influence the lifetime of these energy storage devices and an increasing attention has been directed toward their understanding. While most studies approach this topic based on the overall electrochemical performance of the cell (such as enhanced resistance) or the materials degradation, addressing its failure causes at the electrolyte level is of great importance. Doing so, more precise strategies to improve the lifetime and performance can be developed for a wide range of applications. This article provides an overview of the current state of separation tools regarding gas chromatography and detection tools in various combinations with mass spectrometry. The aim of this work is to present the present state of the current knowledge on aging processes, with a focus on gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Then, an outlook onto the challenges as well as ideas of combining methods is given. Here, the work offers a judgement into future challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reservoirs are an important source of methane (CH4) emissions, but the relative contribution of CH4 ebullition and diffusion fluxes to total fluxes has received little attention in the past. In this study, we systematically monitored the CH4 fluxes of nine cascade reservoirs (Dahejia, Jishixia, Huangfeng, Suzhi, Kangyang, Zhiganglaka, Lijiaxia, Nina, and Longyangxia) in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in the dry (May 2023) and wet seasons (August 2023) using the static chamber gas chromatography and headspace equilibrium methods. We also simultaneously measured environmental physicochemical properties as well as the abundance of methanogens and methanotrophs in sediments. The results showed the following: (1) All reservoirs were sources of CH4 emissions, with an average diffusion flux of 0.08 ± 0.05 mg m−2 h−1 and ebullition flux of 0.38 ± 0.41 mg m−2 h−1. Ebullition flux accounted for 78.01 ± 7.85% of total flux. (2) Spatially, both CH4 diffusion and ebullition fluxes increased from upstream to downstream. Temporally, CH4 diffusion flux in the wet season (0.09 ± 0.06 mg m−2 h−1) was slightly higher than that in the dry season (0.08 ± 0.04 mg m−2 h−1), but CH4 ebullition flux in the dry season (0.38 ± 0.48 mg m−2 h−1) was higher than that in the wet season (0.32 ± 0.2 mg m−2 h−1). (3) qPCR showed that methanogens (mcrA gene) were more abundant in the wet season (5.43 ± 3.94 × 105 copies g−1) than that in the dry season (3.74 ± 1.34 × 105 copies g−1). Methanotrophs (pmoA gene) also showed a similar trend with more abundance found in the wet season (7 ± 2.61 × 105 copies g−1) than in the dry season (1.47 ± 0.92 × 105 copies g−1. (4) Structural equation modeling revealed that the ratio of mcrA/pmoA genes, water N/P, and reservoir age were key factors affecting CH4 ebullition flux. Variation partitioning further indicated that the ratio of mcrA/pmoA genes was the main factor causing the spatial variation in CH4 ebullition flux, explaining 35.69% of its variation. This study not only reveals the characteristics and influencing factors of CH4 emissions from cascade reservoirs on the Qinghai Plateau but also provides a scientific basis for calculating fluxes and developing global CH4 reduction strategies for reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic alcohol users often exhibit an increased minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane, yet the specific mechanism remains unclear. It has been reported that ethanol exposure can upregulate the protein expression and enzyme activity of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). CYP2E1 is a key enzyme that converts 2–5% of sevoflurane into equimolar amounts of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) and F−. This study aims to explore whether ethanol exposure could alter sevoflurane metabolism through CYP2E1 modulation, potentially explaining the increased MAC observed in alcohol users. Methods: Eighty adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups and received either 50% ethanol (dose: 3 g/kg) or 0.9% saline twice daily by gavage. After 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of gavage, ten rats were randomly selected from each group to undergo 1-hour anesthesia with 2.3% sevoflurane. Blood samples were collected after anesthesia to measure the concentration of free HFIP using gas chromatography. Additionally, the left lobe tissue of the liver was collected for the analysis of CYP2E1 protein expression by Western blot and CYP2E1 enzyme activity by colorimetric assay. Correlations between these parameters were analyzed using Pearson's correlation. Results: In the ethanol group, CYP2E1 expression, activity, and the concentration of free HFIP were significantly higher at all time points compared to the control group (P < 0.05), except for protein expression in the first week (P > 0.05). Within-group comparisons indicated no significant changes in any of the parameters for the control group (P > 0.05). In the ethanol group, there was no difference in free HFIP concentration between the first and second weeks (P > 0.05), but a significant increase was observed in the third and fourth weeks (P < 0.01); protein expression and enzyme activity significantly varied over time, especially showing a notable increase from the first to the third and fourth weeks (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed strong positive correlations between free HFIP concentration and CYP2E1 activity (r = 0.7898), free HFIP concentration and CYP2E1 expression (r = 0.8418), and CYP2E1 activity and expression (r = 0.8740), all with P < 0.001. Conclusions: Ethanol exposure increased both the expression and enzymatic activity of CYP2E1, consequently enhancing the metabolism of sevoflurane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ozone serves as a potent oxidizing agent and a universal antiseptic, extensively employed in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics due to its ability to dissolve in water and decompose into oxygen. This study aimed to treat virgin olive oil (VOO) with the ozonation process prior to its incorporation into a sunscreen product, and to discover any new potentially useful properties by comparing it with a sunscreen containing non-ozonated olive oil. The comparison was based on physicochemical properties, physical appearance, and sun protection factor (SPF) value. VOO treated with 0.017 mole/L ozone was tested for various physicochemical properties such as color, viscosity, refractive index, acid value, iodine value, peroxide value, saponification value, and oxidative stability. The composition was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The properties of ozonated olive oil (OOO) differed from VOO in terms of viscosity and flow behavior. An increase in shear rate significantly reduced the viscosity of OOO, while VOO maintained a constant viscosity and exhibited Newtonian flow behavior. When OOO was incorporated into sunscreen products, it enhanced the spreadability of the product on the skin, resulting in a significantly higher SPF value. The ability of a sunscreen to spread evenly on the skin and form a continuous thin film is crucial for effective protection against the sun’s rays. These findings highlight the potential of OOO in enhancing the photoprotection efficacy of sunscreen products by providing valuable data for its incorporation into formulations aiming to improve sun protection. Future research could focus on long-term stability and potential side effects of OOO in cosmetic formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Methods Results Conclusions In the United Kingdom and internationally, synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a common adulterant in illicitly sourced vaping products. Recently, their use is increasingly being linked to severe health effects, particularly among children. Here, we aimed to conduct the first detection and quantification of SCs in illicit disposable vaping products.A cross‐section of seven illicitly sourced disposable vape samples that were initially sold as cannabis products was submitted for analysis by a single individual presenting to a drug and alcohol service in the United Kingdom. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of these samples were conducted using nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography/electron ionization‐mass spectrometry.Qualitative analysis identified the SC 5F‐MDMB‐PICA in all seven samples, in the absence of any other pharmacologically active compounds. Quantitative analysis revealed that the median concentration of 5F‐MDMB‐PICA was 0.85 mg/ml (range = 0.59–1.63). The external appearance of these vape samples closely resembled regulated vaping products, and the presence of SCs was not identifiable by any labelling or packaging.The SC 5F‐MDMB‐PICA was detected at a median concentration of 0.85 mg/ml in seven disposable vapes which were illegally sourced in the United Kingdom, were mis‐sold as cannabis products and closely resembled legal, regulated products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accumulating evidence shows that free fatty acids (FFA) are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, most of the studies focus on a few specific types of FFA, such as α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3) and Arachidonic acid (C20:4n6) or a total level of FFA. Objective: This study aimed to test the association between a variety of FFAs during the first trimester and the risk of GDM. Methods: The participants came from the Zhoushan Pregnant Women Cohort (ZWPC). A 1:2 nested case-control study was conducted: fifty mothers with GDM were matched with 100 mothers without GDM by age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), month of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and parity. Thirty-seven FFAs (including 17 saturated fatty acids (SFA), 8 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), 10 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and 2 trans fatty acids (TFA)) in maternal plasma during the first trimester were tested by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Conditional logistic regression models were performed to assess the associations of FFA with the risk of GDM. Results: Nine FFAs were respectively associated with an increased risk of GDM (P < 0.05), and four FFAs were respectively associated with a decreased risk of GDM (P < 0.05). SFA risk score was associated with a greater risk of GDM (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.12–1.60), as well as UFA risk score (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11–1.44), MUFA risk score (OR = 1.70, 95%CI: 1.27–2.26), PUFA risk score (OR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.09–1.59) and TFA risk score (OR = 2.51, 95%CI: 1.23–5.13). Moreover, joint effects between different types of FFA risk scores on GDM were detected. For instance, compared with those with low risk scores of SFA and UFA, women with high risk scores of SFA and UFA had the highest risk of GDM (OR = 8.53, 95%CI: 2.41–30.24), while the Odds ratio in those with a low risk score of SFA and high risk score of UFA and those with a high risk score of SFA and low risk score of UFA was 6.37 (95%CI:1.33– 30.53) and 4.25 (95%CI: 0.97–18.70), respectively. Conclusion: Maternal FFAs during the first trimester were positively associated with the risk of GDM. Additionally, there were joint effects between FFAs on GDM risk. Condensation: Elevated FFA levels in the first trimester increased the risk of GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste entering the environment through landfilling or improper disposal poses substantial risks to ecosystems and human health. Photoreforming is emerging as a clean photocatalytic technology that degrades plastic waste to organic compounds while simultaneously producing hydrogen fuel. This study introduces high-pressure torsion (HPT), a severe plastic deformation (SPD) method, as an innovative technique to enhance the photoreforming of polypropylene (PP) plastic mixed with a brookite TiO 2 photocatalyst. Hydrogen production systematically increases with the number of HPT turns, accompanied by the formation of valuable small organic molecules. The enhancement in photocatalytic activity is attributed to strain-induced defect formation in both catalysts and plastics, as well as the creation of catalyst/plastic interphases that enhance charge carrier transport between inorganic and organic phases. These findings reveal a new functional application for SPD in energy conversion and sustainability. • High-pressure torsion (HPT) is used for the photodegradation of polypropylene plastic wastes. • Brookite TiO 2 is employed as a photocatalyst for the photodegradation. • Hydrogen production from plastic degradation increased with HPT processing. • This increase is due to strain-induced defects and catalyst/plastic interphase formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is intended to assess the type and content of 16 specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bottled drinking water available in Iraqi local markets (The study included eight local brands, one tap water sample, and three imported brands). The evaluation is conducted using gas chromatography, and the results are compared against the standards set by US Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization. The results indicate that most of the samples of bottled drinking water in Iraqi local markets contained polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds, sample 1 contained ∑PAHs High (2.21 μg/L) and highest content of Acenaphthylene and Anthracene of concentrations 0.445 and 0.325 μg/L respectively, sample 5 contained ∑PAHs Low (0.99 μg/L), the presence of the naphthalene compound (2 rings) was observed in most of the study samples, and sample 1 contained the highest concentration (0.275 μg/L), the content of tricyclic compounds (3 rings) prevailing in most samples 31.25%, quaternary compounds (4 rings) 18.75%, five-cyclic compounds (5 rings) 12.5%, hexacyclic (6.25%). The absence of compounds such as Dibenzo (A, H) anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo (A) Pyrene, Benzo (G, H) Perylene and Benzo (K) Fluoranthenen in all the samples is a positive finding. While the compounds Anthracene, Phenanthrene (3 rings), and Benzo (A) Anthracene (5 rings), were present and did not conform to the standard specifications of US Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization in more than 50% of studied samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]