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The interaction between metal oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the ambient atmosphere plays an important role in environmental and catalytic applications. Previous scanning probe microscopy and x-ray spectroscopy studies revealed surprisingly that the TiO2 [rutile (110)] surface selectively adsorbed atmospheric carboxylic acids, which typically exist in only parts-per-billion concentrations. In this work, we used in situ sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy to study the interaction between rutile (110) and typical VOC molecules, including formic acid, acetic acid, and formaldehyde. Spectra from all three adsorbed molecules on rutile (110) were similar to the rutile surface spectrum in the ambient atmosphere, showing a broad resonance near 2950 cm−1 that can be attributed to the bridging bidentate adsorption of corresponding compounds. In contrast, on a fused silica surface, a molecular monodentate adsorption configuration was observed for all the molecules, with aliphatic carbons appearing to be the dominant adventitious species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is an investigation of the impact of volatile phenols (VPs) released from burning wood during wildfires on grape composition and the resulting wines. Baseline levels of VPs in grapes and sensory differences between smoke-impacted wines and non-smoke-impacted wines were determined. The differences were related to different levels of smoke taint marker compounds in different wine matrices, using modified descriptive analysis (DA), multivariate statistics, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ-MS) of the free and total VPs, and individual bound glycosides, respectively. Across two DA panels, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, and Zinfandel wines made from grape originating from different areas in California were evaluated. The results show sensory differences between highly smoke-impacted and non-impacted wines with wines made from highly smoke-impacted grapes characterized as smoky, barbeque, medicinal, and having a retro-nasal ashtray character. Low smoke-impact wines based on free and total VP concentrations were not significantly different from the non-impacted wines when rated through descriptive analysis. The amount of smoke exposure was the largest contributor to smoke impact determined by sensory evaluation, but the different wine matrices from different locations and varietals also played an important role in determining the level of perceived smoke impact. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of smoke impact and how it influences wine characteristics by relating smoke marker indicator compounds to wine sensory attributes.

Electronic cigarette smoking (or vaping) is on the rise, presenting questions about the effects of secondhand exposure. The chemical composition of vape emissions was examined in the exhaled breath of eight human volunteers with the high chemical specificity of complementary online and offline techniques. Our study is the first to take multiple exhaled puff measurements from human participants and compare volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations between two commonly used methods, proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) and gas chromatography (GC). Five flavor profile groups were selected for this study, but flavor compounds were not observed as the main contributors to the PTR-ToF-MS signal. Instead, the PTR-ToF-MS mass spectra were overwhelmed by e-liquid thermal decomposition and fragmentation products, which masked other observations regarding flavorings and other potentially toxic species associated with secondhand vape exposure. Compared to the PTR-ToF-MS, GC measurements reported significantly different VOC concentrations, usually below those from PTR-ToF-MS. Consequently, PTR-ToF-MS mass spectra should be interpreted with caution when reporting quantitative results in vaping studies, such as doses of inhaled VOCs. Nevertheless, the online PTR-ToF-MS analysis can provide valuable qualitative information by comparing relative VOCs in back-to-back trials. For example, by comparing the mass spectra of exhaled air with those of direct puffs, we can conclude that harmful VOCs present in the vape emissions are largely absorbed by the participants, including large fractions of nicotine.

Motor vehicles are among the major sources of pollutants and greenhouse gases in urban areas and a transition to "zero emission vehicles" is underway worldwide. However, emissions associated with brake and tire wear will remain. We show here that previously unrecognized volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, which have a similarity to biomass burning emissions are emitted during braking. These include greenhouse gases or, these classified as Hazardous Air Pollutants, as well as nitrogen-containing organics, nitrogen oxides and ammonia. The distribution and reactivity of these gaseous emissions are such that they can react in air to form ozone and other secondary pollutants with adverse health and climate consequences. Some of the compounds may prove to be unique markers of brake emissions. At higher temperatures, nucleation and growth of nanoparticles is also observed. Regions with high traffic, which are often disadvantaged communities, as well as commuters can be impacted by these emissions even after combustion-powered vehicles are phased out.

Because humans spend about one-third of their time asleep in their bedrooms and are themselves emission sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), it is important to specifically characterize the composition of the bedroom air that they experience during sleep. This work uses real-time indoor and outdoor measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to examine concentration enhancements in bedroom air during sleep and to calculate VOC emission rates associated with sleeping occupants. Gaseous VOCs were measured with proton-transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry during a multiweek residential monitoring campaign under normal occupancy conditions. Results indicate high emissions of nearly 100 VOCs and other species in the bedroom during sleeping periods as compared to the levels in other rooms of the same residence. Air change rates for the bedroom and, correspondingly, emission rates of sleeping-associated VOCs were determined for two bounding conditions: (1) air exchange between the bedroom and outdoors only and (2) air exchange between the bedroom and other indoor spaces only (as represented by measurements in the kitchen). VOCs from skin oil oxidation and personal care products were present, revealing that many emission pathways can be important occupant-associated emission factors affecting bedroom air composition in addition to direct emissions from building materials and furnishings.

Smoke taint in wine has become a critical issue in the wine industry due to its significant negative impact on wine quality. Data-driven approaches including univariate analysis and predictive modeling are applied to a data set containing concentrations of 20 VOCs in 48 grape samples and 56 corresponding wine samples with a taster-evaluated smoke taint index. The resulting models for predicting the smoke taint index of wines are highly predictive when using as inputs VOC concentrations after log conversion in both grapes and wines (Pearson Correlation Coefficient PCC = 0.82; R2 = 0.68) and less so when only grape VOCs are used (Pearson Correlation Coefficient PCC = 0.76; R2 = 0.56), and the classification models also show the capacity for detecting smoke-tainted wines using both wine and grape VOC concentrations (Recall = 0.76; Precision = 0.92; F1 = 0.82) or using only grape VOC concentrations (Recall = 0.74; Precision = 0.92; F1 = 0.80). The performance of the predictive model shows the possibility of predicting the smoke taint index of the wine and grape samples before fermentation. The corresponding code of data analysis and predictive modeling of smoke taint in wine is available in the Github repository (https://github.com/IBPA/smoke_taint_prediction).

Indoor sources of air pollution worsen indoor and outdoor air quality. Thus, identifying and reducing indoor pollutant sources would decrease both indoor and outdoor air pollution, benefit public health, and help address the climate crisis. As outdoor sources come under regulatory control, unregulated indoor sources become a rising percentage of the problem. This American Thoracic Society workshop was convened in 2022 to evaluate this increasing proportion of indoor contributions to outdoor air quality. The workshop was conducted by physicians and scientists, including atmospheric and aerosol scientists, environmental engineers, toxicologists, epidemiologists, regulatory policy experts, and pediatric and adult pulmonologists. Presentations and discussion sessions were centered on 1) the generation and migration of pollutants from indoors to outdoors, 2) the sources and circumstances representing the greatest threat, and 3) effective remedies to reduce the health burden of indoor sources of air pollution. The scope of the workshop was residential and commercial sources of indoor air pollution in the United States. Topics included wood burning, natural gas, cooking, evaporative volatile organic compounds, source apportionment, and regulatory policy. The workshop concluded that indoor sources of air pollution are significant contributors to outdoor air quality and that source control and filtration are the most effective measures to reduce indoor contributions to outdoor air. Interventions should prioritize environmental justice: Households of lower socioeconomic status have higher concentrations of indoor air pollutants from both indoor and outdoor sources. We identify research priorities, potential health benefits, and mitigation actions to consider (e.g., switching from natural gas to electric stoves and transitioning to scent-free consumer products). The workshop committee emphasizes the benefits of combustion-free homes and businesses and recommends economic, legislative, and education strategies aimed at achieving this goal.

Determining worker exposure to hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air at levels exceeding the Permissible Exposure Limits and Recommended Exposure Limits established by the U.S. federal agencies of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), respectively, will continue to be an important part of environmental and occupational health risk assessments. The purpose of this work was to develop a reliable analytical method for rapid and on-site assessments of occupational VOC exposures using field-capable thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) instrumentation (i.e. the HAPSITE® ER). The experiments involved in this study included determining TD-GC-MS parameters suitable for efficient analyte separation and quantitation on the HAPSITE® ER, determinations of analyte mass loadings that cause mass spectrometer detector saturations, generation of calibration curves, estimations of the limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs), as well as desorption efficiency and relative response factor repeatability. The LODs using Carbopack™ B and Tenax® TA sampling media were estimated and ranged from 0.2–1.9 ng and 0.045–0.3 ng, respectively. The LOQs using Carbopack™ B and Tenax TA sampling media were estimated and ranged from 1.0–6.3 ng and 0.2–1.1 ng, respectively. We have developed a reliable analytical method for chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, and heptane using field-portable HAPSITE® ER instrumentation and Tenax® TA sorbent media. Reliable and accurate methods were developed for chloroform and trichloroethylene using Carbopack™ B sorbent media, however, this particular sorbent hadlow desorption efficiency and insufficient repeatability in relative response factors for many analytes. Our current and ongoing work in determining the uptake rates for analytes on Tenax® TA sorbent media will make the methods described herein applicable for on-site occupational VOC exposure assessments of chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, and heptane using either passive or active air sampling techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-content rubber modified asphalt would let out lots of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bio-oil was used to reduce the VOCs emission and mixing temperature of high-content rubber modified asphalt. The molecular model of high-content rubber modified bio-asphalt (HRMBA) was built to calculate the solubility parameter, free volume, molecular orientation, and radial distribution function. The effects of bio-oil on the physicochemical properties of HRMBA during VOCs emission process were studied deeply using molecular dynamic simulations and first principles. The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), Fourier infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), and gel chromatography (GPC) were used to test the glass transition temperature, functional groups, and molecular aggregate and verify the simulated results. The results show that the optimum contents of waste tire in HRMBA is 35%, and bio-oil can promote the compatibility between rubber and asphalt. Free volume of HRMBA shows a strong correlation with the probe Connolly radius, and Connolly radius increases the molecular movements and dissolution of HRMBA. Moreover, the compatibility between bio-oil and rubber are good. Bio-oil can improve the dissolution of rubber into asphalt and inhibit the VOCs emissions of HRMBA. The compatibility between rubber and asphalt are damaged after VOCs emission. A new calculation method was used to evaluate the physicochemical properties of HRMBA, and experiment methods were also used to verify these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the energy transition and in order to fully manage the integration of renewable and/or low-carbon gases into the gas mix, these new renewable gases need to be characterized, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at trace levels that may have an impact on different stages of the gas chain event at low concentrations. This study focuses on sampling because it is the first step in any method for analyzing trace VOCs and its careful execution is essential to ensure reliable results even if the on-site conditions can be variable, such as the external temperature. The stabilization time, the effect of external temperature, and the impact of using an intermediate sample cylinder prior to transfer to tubes were hence studied in the laboratory using a standard gas mixture representative of renewable gases. The latter was also studied using a real sample. To perform this study, VOCs were sampled in Tenax® TA tubes and then analyzed by thermal desorption hyphenated to comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The results showed that 45 min were required to stabilize the sampling system and that external temperature had little influence, limited to the heaviest compounds. Finally, the use of a cylinder to temporarily collect gas prior to transfer to tubes led to a loss of compounds, particularly when the cylinder was stored before the transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. The efficacy of low gaseous ozone concentrations—300 and 400 ppb (0.642 mg/m3 and 0.856 mg/m3, respectively)—in controlling spoilage microflora and preserving the quality of the aged Toma Piemontese Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese was explored. The research integrates consumer tests, GC–MS with solid phase microextraction fiber and electronic nose (e-nose) analysis to conduct a detailed assessment of the cheese's aromatic composition. Results indicate that low ozone concentrations significantly affected spoilage microflora, preserving the overall quality. Through GC–flame ionization detection analysis, 22 of all identified compounds by GC–MS were quantified, including ethyl acetate (sweet), diacetyl, and acetoin (buttery). Compared with the untreated sample, ozone treatments maintained the distinctive characteristics of Toma Piemontese PDO cheese, reducing the formation of off-flavors-related compounds (i.e., ethanol). Moreover, ozone-treated samples correlated with positive aroma scores given by consumers. However, sensory perception involves complex interactions among aroma compounds, highlighting the importance of advanced approaches. The utilization of a 12-sensor quartz microbalance e-nose played a crucial role in identifying subtle differences in aroma, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of ozone treatments on the cheese's sensory profile. In conclusion, this research demonstrates the potential of ozone technology as a viable and effective method for improving the quality of aged Toma Piemontese PDO cheese. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Infant formulas (IF), the sole adequate substitute to human milk, undergo several thermal treatments during production that can damage milk proteins and promote the formation of Maillard reaction products, modifying nutritional and sensory properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a minimal processing route based on membrane filtration associated with different levels of heat treatment, on the odor, taste, texture, and color attributes of IF, then to compare with those of commercial milks. Three experimental IF (produced with membrane filtration associated with low [T−], medium [T+], or high thermal treatments [T+++]) were evaluated. Triangular tests conducted with a panel of 50 adults highlighted clear disparities between all the IF. The same panel applied the check-all-that-apply (CATA) method to evaluate the IF: the range of variability between T− and T+++ was similar to that between the 2 commercial IF, and the sensory characteristics of the experimental IF were not far from the commercial brands for flavor and texture attributes. Analysis performed on the citation frequencies for each descriptor differentiated T−/T+ from T+++, but all the experimental IF were described with positive sensory characteristics, unlike one commercial IF. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) content of IF with low and high thermal treatments were analyzed. Forty VOC were identified by GC-MS. T− contained a higher quantity of VOC than T+++, except for benzaldehyde (Maillard reaction product), and aldehydes (oxidation-related products) were the most represented compounds. In conclusion, the processing was associated with sensory differences among IF, but no marked difference in flavors was found according to CATA and physicochemical analysis. Additionally, no unpleasant sensory descriptors were noted. This shows that the minimally processed route leads to IF that could fit well within the market from a sensory point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) poses a significant health challenge, yet the contribution of air pollutants to T2D epidemics remains under-studied. Several studies demonstrated a correlation between exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor/outdoor environments and T2D. Here, we conducted the first meta-analysis, establishing a robust association between exposure to benzene, a prevalent airborne VOC, and insulin resistance in humans across all ages. We used a controlled benzene exposure system, continuous glucose monitoring approach, and indirect calorimetry in mice, to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Following exposure, disruptions in energy homeostasis, accompanied by modifications in the hypothalamic transcriptome and alterations in insulin and immune signaling, were observed exclusively in males, leading to a surge in blood glucose levels. In agreement, RNA sequencing of microglia revealed increased expression of genes associated with immune response and NF-κB signaling. Selective ablation of IKKβ in immune cells (Cx3cr1GFPΔIKK) or exclusively in microglia (Tmem119ERΔIKK) in adult mice alleviated benzene-induced gliosis, restored energy homeostasis and hypothalamic gene expression, and protected against hyperglycemia. We conclude that the microglial NF-κB pathway plays a critical role in chemical-induced metabolic disturbances, revealing a vital pathophysiological mechanism linking exposure to airborne toxicants and the onset of metabolic diseases. Article Highlights: The first meta-analysis, establishing a robust association between exposure to benzene, a prevalent airborne volatile organic compound, and insulin resistance in humans across all ages. Short-term benzene exposure in male mice results in hyperglycemia and disruptions in energy balance. Acute benzene exposure triggers hypothalamic insulin resistance and provokes an inflammatory shift in the microglial transcriptome. The microglial NF-κB pathway is critical in mediating hyperglycemia and metabolic dysregulation induced by benzene exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the air pollutants emitted from the petrochemical industry known to pose adverse health effects on workers. The database based on the third phase of The Environmental Health Study in the Korean National Industrial Complexes (EHSNIC) in Ulsan conducted from 2018 to 2021 was used. Subjects were divided into the exposed and control group according to the estimated pollution level and distances from the industrial complexes. Ambient benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were significantly higher in the exposed group compared to the controls, as well as their metabolites. Risk of chronic disease and atopic dermatitis was higher in the exposed group which was supported by higher serum inflammatory markers and high hazard index of the exposed region. These results can draw attention to people engaged with environmental plans and used as primary data when making policies to reduce pollutant levels around industrial complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogenic volatile organic compounds are emitted by plants and influence human and environmental health. They contribute to the formation of pollutants such as ozone and secondary organic aerosols, thereby influencing air quality and climate. Here we review biogenic volatile organic compounds with focus on biosynthesis, release to the atmosphere, distribution at various scales, tropospheric chemical processes, and secondary organic aerosols. Biogenic volatile organic compounds are emitted primarily through enzymatic pathways in response to environmental factors, varying across plant species and ecosystems. These emissions exhibit heterogeneity at multiple scales, influenced by meteorological conditions and plant structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipids and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are essential contributors to meat flavor. However, no studies to date have comprehensively explored the lipids and VOCs in raw pork from Ningxiang (NX) pigs and their hybrid breed Berkshire × Ningxiang (BN) pigs. This study aimed to identify the lipids and VOCs and reveal the crucial lipids for characteristic flavor formation. Samples were collected from the longissimus dorsi muscle of six NX and BN 8-month-old pigs each. The intramuscular fat (IMF) content of NX pork was 5.43%, almost twice that of BN pork (p <.01). Total 187 significantly different lipids were identified between NX and BN pork (variable importance in projection scores > 1, p <.05). Further analysis suggested 38 lipids were potential markers. Out of 66 identified VOCs, 16 key VOCs were screened both in NX and BN pork. Furtherly, hexanal-D, 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, 1-penten-3-one, 1-octen-3-ol, and ethyl acetate-D were found to be key differential VOCs. Comparing with NX pork, BN pork significantly improved pungent odor. Correlation between the lipid markers and key VOCs demonstrated that phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and triglyceride (TG) were identified as key differentiating compounds for characteristic flavor. Our findings provided a novel understanding of pork identification and a basis for improving the flavor quality of NX and BN pork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CuO nanorods were in-situ grown on sensing electrodes by a chemical bath method for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The synthesized material was characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The CuO nanorods, with lengths of 100–150 nm and diameters of 35–55 nm, were uniformly formed into a thin film on the electrode surface, with a thickness of approximately 1 μm. The gas test results demonstrated that the sensor achieved a peak response of 1.32 for formaldehyde at 200 °C, and a response of 1.92 for ethanol at 175 °C. At a concentration of 50 ppm, ethanol and formaldehyde at an operating temperature of 200 °C exhibit short response/recovery times of 28 s/48 s for ethanol and 45 s/62 s for methanol, respectively, coupled with good reproducibility. Moreover, the sensor exhibited a power-law response to varying gas concentrations and showcased superior selectivity in the VOCs gas detection. This in-situ growing CuO of our work provides a facial gas sensing material fabricated method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors are known to influence infection by cereal rusts, including environmental variables such at light, humidity and temperature, the topography of the leaf surface, as well as plant volatiles. However, few studies have aimed to link these factors. Previously, the quantity of light received by wheat seedlings prior to inoculation with Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) urediniospores was shown to influence yellow rust infection efficiency. In this study we show that germination and the ability of germlings (germinated urediniospores) to enter stomata is enhanced on wheat seedlings subjected to high quantities of light pre‐inoculation with Pst urediniospores, while on seedlings exposed to a long dark period germination and infection were compromised. Using headspace collections and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis thereof, we link this effect of high light quantity to quantitative changes in the profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We show that the VOCs within headspace collections from wheat seedlings exposed to high quantities of light were able to support greater levels of Pst urediniospore germination than the headspace collections from wheat seedlings exposed to a period of dark. In vitro analysis of individual VOCs identified compounds that enhanced Pst urediniospore germination. These VOCs included the sesquiterpene caryophyllene, the monoterpene α‐pinene, the fatty acid α‐linolenic acid, the organic alcohols 1‐hexanol, 3‐hexen‐1‐ol and 5‐hexen‐1‐ol, the aldehyde cis‐3‐hexenal and the ester hexyl acetate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is the most important horticultural crop, and India is its second largest producer; however, the plant‐pathogenic nematode Meloidogyne incognita is a serious pest of tomato, causing detrimental losses in its production. This study is focused on the use of multistress‐tolerant Pseudomonas aeruginosa SSVP3 to control this devastating nematode and attempts to decipher the roles of its metabolites and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during this interaction. The supernatant of P. aeruginosa SSVP3 caused 58% mortality in M. incognita J2 juveniles. The major nematicidal metabolites, identified using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry, were pyocyanin, pyoluteorin, pyochelin, benthocyanin and phenazines. The VOCs secreted by P. aeruginosa SSVP3, which were identified via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC–MS) in a mixture, caused 98% mortality in M. incognita J2 juveniles. In a pot experiment, seedling root treatment with P. aeruginosa SSVP3 activated the induced systemic response in tomato plants to M. incognita by increasing the activity of defence and antioxidant enzymes as well as the proline and phenolic contents. The malondialdehyde content in P. aeruginosa SSVP3‐treated plants decreased as compared to those in the other treatment groups. The number of galls formed and the number of endoparasitic stages of M. incognita in the untreated nematode control plants were much greater (19 and 35) than those in the P. aeruginosa SSVP3‐treated (0.33 and 1) and chemically treated groups (0.67 and 1.33). These results indicate that P. aeruginosa and its secreted metabolites and VOCs have a high potential for controlling nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphids and mites, which cause severe yield reductions, are commonly controlled by commercial insecticides, which has led to serious environmental problems. Research is currently being performed on developing safe and low-toxicity botanical pesticides, which are an effective way to reduce environmental pollution and pesticide residue in food. Trifolium pratense L. is a globally important forage and vulnerable to aphids and mites. The differences in secondary metabolites between infested leaves (ILs) and pest-free leaves (PFLs) of T. pratense were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the chemical defense mechanism. The results revealed significant differences in the contents of fatty acids and isoflavones. The contents of neophytadiene, methyl linoleate, daidzein, genistein, formononetin, and biochanin A in ILs were significantly increased compared with PFLs. The insecticidal compounds were further separated by bioassay-directed fractionation against Myzus persicae Sulzer, Brevicoryne brassicae Linnaeus and Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract had greater insecticidal activity than the petroleum ether (PE) extract. Notably, there was no significant difference between the EtOAc extract and avermectin at 1.00 mg/mL against T. cinnabarinus after 48 h. The following ten compounds were obtained from the PE and EtOAc extracts: prunetin (1), genistein (2), formononetin (3), biochanin A (4), 8-hydroxy-4',7-dimethoxyisoflavane (5), L-maackiain (6), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-(6aR,11aR)-8,9-methylenedioxypterocarpan (7), β-sitosterol (8), linoleic acid (9) and linoleic acid monoglyceride (10). Compound 7 exhibited the highest level of insecticidal activity, which was close to that of avermectin. The results indicated that isoflavones were the main active insecticidal components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylobacterium sp. 2A, a plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) able to produce indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), significantly promoted the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana plants in vitro. We aimed to understand the determinants of Methylobacterium sp. 2A–A. thaliana interaction, the factors underlying plant growth‐promotion and the host range. Methylobacterium sp. 2A displayed chemotaxis to methanol and formaldehyde and was able to utilise 1‐aminocyclopropane carboxylate as a nitrogen source. Confocal microscopy confirmed that fluorescent protein‐labelled Methylobacterium sp. 2A colonises the apoplast of A. thaliana primary root cells and its inoculation increased jasmonic and salicylic acid in A. thaliana, while IAA levels remained constant. However, inoculation increased DR5 promoter activity in root tips of A. thaliana and tomato plants. Inoculation of this PGPR partially restored the agravitropic response in yucQ mutants and lateral root density was enhanced in iaa19, arf7, and arf19 mutant seedlings. Furthermore, Methylobacterium sp. 2A volatile organic compounds (VOCs) had a dose‐dependent effect on the growth of A. thaliana. This PGPR is also able to interact with monocots eliciting positive responses upon inoculation. Methylobacterium sp. 2A plant growth‐promoting effects can be achieved through the regulation of plant hormone levels and the emission of VOCs that act either locally or at a distance. Summary statement: Arabidopsis thaliana–Methylobacterium sp. 2A interaction and communication involve the modulation of plant hormones, root colonisation, and the production of volatile organic compounds. Methylobacterium sp. 2A promotes plant growth via auxin‐mediated regulation of the root architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grains are the primary source of food for most people worldwide and constitute a major source of carbohydrates. Many novel technologies are being employed to ensure the safety and reliability of grain supply and production. Gas chromatography‐ion mobility spectrometry (GC‐IMS) can effectively separate and sensitively detect volatile organic compounds. It possesses advantages such as speed, convenience, high sensitivity, no pretreatment, and wide applicability. In recent years, many studies have shown that the application of GC‐IMS technology for grain flavor analysis can play a crucial role in grains. This article elucidates the working principle of GC‐IMS technology, reviews the application of GC‐IMS in grains in the past 5 years. GC‐IMS technology is mainly applied in four aspects in grains. In grain classification, it distinguishes varieties, quality, origin, production year, and processing methods based on the trace differences in volatile organic compounds, thereby fulfilling various grain classification requirements such as origin tracing, geographical indication product recognition, variety identification, production year identification, and detection of counterfeit and inferior grain samples. In optimizing the processing technology of grains and their products, it can improve food flavor, reduce undesirable flavors, and identify better processing parameters. In grain storage, it can determine the storage time, detect spoilage phenomena such as mold and discoloration during storage, eliminate pests affecting storage, and predict the vitality of seeds after storage. In aroma evaluation of grains and their processed products, it can assess the impact of new raw materials, new technologies, fermentation processes, and even oral processing on the quality of grain products. This article also summarizes the characteristics of GC‐IMS technology, compiles typical grain flavor compounds, and provides prospects for the future application of GC‐IMS. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive analysis of the microbiome and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the moromi of soy sauce during fermentation and aging was conducted under industrial production. Microbiome analysis using next-generation sequencing revealed the presence and dynamics of microorganisms other than Aspergillus , Tetragenococcus , Zygosaccharomyces , and Wickerhamiella , which were used as starters. The bacterial community of the moromi on the first day of this process was rich in diversity. Staphylococcus , Bacillus , Kurthia , Acinetobacter , Enterococcus , and Macrococcus that grew during koji making were relatively dominant. However, as the fermentation progressed, only Tetragenococcus became dominant in the bacterial communities. In contrast, the fungal community was simple at the beginning of fermentation and aging, with Aspergillus present almost exclusively. After adding Zygosaccharomyces rouxii on day 42, the fungal community changed significantly. At the end of fermentation and aging, the fungal community diversified, with Millerozyma , Wickerhamiella , Yamadazyma , and Saccharomycopsis becoming dominant. The analysis of VOC showed that the VOC profile changed during fermentation and aging, and that the VOC profile changed significantly after adding Z. rouxii. The correlation analysis between the microbiome and VOC showed that Wickerhamiella , Millerozyma , Debaryomyces , Yamadazyma , and Candida had a significant positive correlation with alcohols, esters, and phenols produced in the later stage of fermentation and aging, indicating that not only Z. rouxii but also various fungi may contribute to the formation of the complex aroma profile of soy sauce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is one of the modes of actions of Trichoderma spp. They inhibit pathogenic fungi/bacteria, promote plant growth, and also affect interactions of plants with pathogens. However, the study of VOCs emitted by Trichoderma species associated with olive roots and its benefits are still limited. In the present study, two strains of Trichoderma collected from olive grove soil were evaluated for their antagonistic activity against five strains of Verticillium dahliae named (Vd1 to Vd5) by indirect confrontation assay. In addition, identification and quantification of volatile compounds produced by each strain were assessed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The extraction of metabolites was performed from filtrates using liquid–liquid extraction. Extracts obtained were taken for analysis through GC–MS. Results of indirect confrontation assay showed a high inhibitory activity against V.dahliae. Trichoderma asperellum (T4) and Trichoderma harzianum (T12) exhibited an average inhibition rate of 64.49% and 61.59% respectively. Besides, 98 volatile compounds were detected through GC–MS analysis, including important volatile compounds with antifungal activities, such as D-limonene, octadecanoic acid methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid, toluene, phenylethyl alcohol, benzene derivatives, several phenolic isomers, citral, eicosane and 13-docosenamide. Other volatile compounds revealed antibacterial activity, providing growth promotion, or antioxidant activity, such as oleic acid. Importantly, 7-epi-nemorosone was detected for the first time as new molecule produced by Trichoderma harzianum (T12). This molecule provides anticancer and antioxidant activity. Overall, these strains with various activities are considered as excellent source for discovery of bioactive molecules with eventual application in different biological fields. However, they could be beneficial mainly for suppressing plant pathogens and stimulation of plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: The microbial terpene synthase-like of the moss Sanionia uncinata displays the convergent evolution of a rare plant metabolite amorpha-4,11-diene synthesis. Despite increasing demand for the exploration of biological resources, the diversity of natural compounds synthesized by organisms inhabiting various climates remains largely unexplored. This study focuses on the moss Sanionia uncinata, known as a predominant species within the polar climates of the Antarctic Peninsula, to systematically explore its metabolic profile both in-field and in controlled environments. We here report a diverse array of moss-derived terpene volatiles, including the identification of amorpha-4,11-diene, a rare sesquiterpene compound that is a precursor for antimalarial drugs. Phylogenetic reconstruction and functional validation in planta and in vitro identified a moss terpene synthase, S. uncinata microbial terpene synthase-like 2 (SuMTPSL2), which is associated with amorpha-4,11-diene production. We demonstrate that expressing SuMTPSL2 in various heterologous systems is sufficient to produce amorpha-4,11-diene. These results highlight the metabolic diversity in Antarctica, but also provide insights into the convergent evolution leading to the synthesis of a rare plant metabolite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the activated carbon fiber filter design and VOC adsorption and desorption performance were evaluated based on the development of a filter regeneration device to treat VOCs in high efficiency and low cost. Activated carbon fiber (ACF) has the advantage of fast adsorption speed and high adsorption capacity because micropores are formed on the surface and a large specific surface area. However, the specific gravity is about 25 times lower than that of activated carbon (AC), so the amount of adsorbent that can fill the same volume is small. In order to solve this problem, the regeneration device is implemented by repeating adsorption and regeneration for a short time, and a cylindrical adsorption filter made of activated carbon fiber is designed according to the operating conditions of the regeneration device. At this time, the pollutant gas and regenerated air are uniformly distributed over the entire adsorbent, and the flow characteristics according to the supply of the pollutant gas and the regeneration gas are analyzed. When the size of the lower part of the cylindrical adsorption filter is smaller than the size of the upper part under the condition that the pollutant gas flows downward, a uniform distribution of the pollutant gas is possible. In addition, as the space velocity decreases, the adsorption capacity decreases, and the differential pressure increases rapidly. Through the regeneration experiment, it was confirmed that the desorption concentration of MEK was higher and the desorption concentration was higher. In addition, the regenerated air is uniformly dispersed throughout the adsorption filter, toluene, o-xylene, and methyl ethyl ketone, which are representative substances of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are injected with 400 ppm, and then regenerated air is supplied at 150 °C to analyze adsorption characteristics and regeneration concentrations. As a result of the experiment, the adsorption capacity ratio to 1 g of regeneration air according to the type of VOCs was 0.48, 0.36, and 0.25 g in the order of o-xylene, toluene, and methyl ethyl ketone. In addition, as the space velocity decreases, the adsorption capacity decreases, and the differential pressure increases rapidly. Through the regeneration experiment, it was confirmed that the desorption concentration of MEK was higher and the desorption concentration of o-xylene was discharged at a relatively low concentration. Moreover, even if the adsorption concentration changes, there was no difference in the regeneration concentration change. Therefore, the filter was designed based on the spatial speed of the regeneration device of 51,000 -h or less, and the adsorption capacity ratio to 1 g of the regeneration air amount was 0.1 g, thereby enhancing the filter's recycling performance and VOCs emission effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we develop a mobile VOCs gas removal system that can remove volatile organic compound (VOCs) emissions from petrochemical facilities, metal painting factories, and surroundings of life, and can efficiently cope with situations occurring in the field. Regular repairs to petrochemical plants and semiconductor plants are carried out for a month every four to five years, and work such as replacing old pipes and repairing aging facilities, cleaning, removing residual gas, checking pipe connections and valves, and improving processes are carried out while the plant is shut down. During regular maintenance, a large-scale accident occurs in which gas remaining in the facility leaks or explodes due to rising pressure, and even after internal gas discharge and purge work is performed, it is scattered by the characteristics of raw materials remaining inside the pipe and reactor and discharged into the atmosphere. Therefore, there is always a possibility of causing safety accidents, and such accidents have a great socioeconomic impact as they are directly connected to the safety of workers as well as the safety of local residents. This system is designed to be adaptable according to the size of a number of outlets, and it is proposed to minimize the impact of VOCs harmful gases on the surroundings by developing it as a mobile type. The efficiency of collecting scattered VOCs gas is more than 90%, and the integrated operating system is demonstrated for 50 CMM class movable VOCs adsorption device, 5 CMM class treatment gas recirculation type non-flame waste heat recovery adsorbent regeneration treatment device, and two or more business sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Laser‐based analyzers are widely used in ecohydrology to analyze plant water isotopic compositions (δ18O and δ2H). The suitability of three different water extraction and isotope equilibration techniques was compared. We examined whether co‐extracted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) affect laser‐based isotope measurements and used the instrument's spectral parameters to post‐correct for interfering VOCs. Methods: Cryogenic vacuum extraction, vapor headspace equilibration in bags, and vapor equilibration in situ probes were used to extract liquid water or water vapor for laser‐based isotope analysis (cavity ring‐down spectrometry, CRDS). Isotope data were calibrated by standards for each method separately. Spectral parameters of the instrument, appropriate to identify spectral interferences with MeOH and CH4, were identified and used for post‐correction. Differences between the three methods and between the origins of the vegetables were identified by statistical tests. Results: VOCs were found in various amounts for the three different methods. They were co‐extracted or co‐equilibrated during the different extraction or equilibration methods. Correlation coefficients of isotope data and "CH4" (spectral parameter) were 0.99 or better; however, slopes for δ18O were similar on different instrument types but different for δ2H. Our correction approach improved results and inter‐comparability of the methods considerably without knowing the chemical composition of the plant sap. Conclusions: All three methods were sensitive enough to distinguish and resolve differences in natural abundance. Data quality was improved by the "CH4 correction" approach but could probably be optimized by a plant species–specific correction. Standardized tools for contaminant removal or post‐correction applications from manufacturers, in particular for vapor‐mode analysis, are still needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into driving forces behind the formation of a hetero ternary cluster consisting of volatile organic compounds from industrial or combustion sources, specifically cyclopentene, alongside greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, and water vapor. While substantial progress has been made in understanding binary complexes, the structural intricacies of hetero ternary clusters remain largely uncharted. Our research characterized the cyclopentene−CO2−H2O hetero ternary cluster utilizing Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The observed isomer in the pulsed jet has CO2 and H2O aligning above the cyclopentene ring, with water undergoing an internal rotation approximately about its C2 symmetry axis. Theoretical analyses support these observations, identifying an O−H⋅⋅⋅π hydrogen bond and a secondary C⋅⋅⋅O tetrel bond within this cluster. This study marks a critical step towards comprehending the molecular dynamics and interactions of VOCs, greenhouse gases, and water in the atmosphere, paving the way for further investigations into their roles in climate dynamics and air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new set of metal-organic frameworks was designed by functionalizing g-C3N4 with benzoic acid and using them as structure-directing ligands during the metal-organic framework (MOF) formation. One such MOF exhibited dual emissions, both metal- and ligand-centered, enabling ratiometric sensing of the carcinogenic industrial solvent dioxane. The fabricated MOFs possessed a unique fluffy spherical morphology that enabled atomic level resolution in transmission electron microscopy--a rarity in MOFs due to the 'Knock-on' effect. Sensor experiments showed a rapid response within 5 s of analyte introduction and achieved a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.026 ppm, well below the FDA-approved level of 10 ppm. In addition, the sensor exhibited exceptional selectivity, discriminating 1,4-dioxane from a pool of 16 solvents. This increased sensing capability was attributed to the formation of complexes and precise alignment of energy levels between the host and analyte, facilitating photoinduced electron transfer (PET). This material is equally efficient for colorimetric detection of the same solvent under excitation of UV light as well as gas phase detection of this volatile organic compound through I-V characteristics. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis supported the crucial role of Eu and the ligand system in efficiently detecting 1,4-dioxane by fluorescence spectroscopy, as shown in the energy level diagram. Future research could focus on optimizing these metal-organic frameworks for enhanced industrial applications in the detection of dioxane and exploring their potential applications in real-world environmental monitoring and public health safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, star-shaped heterostructures of Ag 2 O/BaTiO 3 /ZnO were proposed as resistive-type gas sensors. Through combined analyzes of XRD, SEM, and EDS, the structure, surface morphology, and the elemental composition of the synthesized materials were confirmed. The star-shaped morphology of BaTiO 3 /ZnO was found to be intact even after loading with different quantities of Ag 2 O, as revealed by the SEM analysis. The impact of loading different amounts of Ag 2 O (ranging from 1 % to 3 %) on the sensors' ability to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide (CO 2) was concretely gauged by their response, response/recovery times, selectivity, and long-term stability. For the detection of ethanol/acetone, CO 2 , and methanol, a 1:2 M ratio of BaTiO 3 /ZnO with 1 % and 2 % Ag 2 O, and a 1:3 M ratio of BaTiO 3 /ZnO with 1 % Ag 2 O were determined as the optimum content, respectively. From the gas sensing analysis, Ag 2 O/BaTiO 3 /ZnO sensors with different amounts of Ag 2 O additive gave different optimal temperatures for different target gases. Lower operating temperatures, i.e. 180 °C, and 260 °C for CO 2 and VOCs, respectively, rapid responsivity with a response time of <1 s for VOCs, and fast recovery times (as low as 10, 13, and 6 s for ethanol, acetone, and methanol vapors, respectively) were observed. More importantly, the sensor exhibited good selectivity for several possible interferences. The underlying reasons for the acceleration of the gas molecules adsorption, hence the fast sensor response, are the high specific surface area established by the star-shaped morphology, and compatible energy band alignment at the p/n interface coupled with the catalytic effect induced by Ag 2 O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PM2.5 samples were collected in Suncheon during the summer (June 2–11, 2023) and winter (January 15–21, 2024). The chemical composition analysis included carbonaceous components (OC, EC), secondary ionic components (NH4+, NO3−, SO42−), dithiothreitol - oxidative potential (QDTT-OP), and volatile organic compounds. Results showed higher summer PM2.5 concentrations due to photochemical reactions and higher winter concentrations from heating and stable atmospheric conditions. The OC/EC ratio indicated greater secondary organic aerosol formation in summer. Oxidative potential (QDTT-OPv) was higher in summer (0.12 µM/m³) than winter (0.09 µM/m³), correlating strongly with OC in summer. Health risk assessment of BTEX revealed higher concentrations in winter, with benzene as the primary contributor to lifetime cancer risk (LTCR). The cumulative hazard quotient (HQ) was higher in winter, indicating increased non-carcinogenic risk. The study highlighted that oxidative potential is more influenced by chemical composition than physical characteristics, suggesting that regulating PM2.5 concentration alone may be insufficient. VOCs, as precursors of SOA, showed a positive correlation with QDTT-OPv, with benzene exhibiting the strongest correlation in winter. These findings emphasize the need for targeted management of specific PM2.5 components to mitigate health risks effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature is the principal driver of global atmospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) and its primary oxidation precursor biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). We revisit such a temperature (T‐) dependency globally, leveraging TROPOMI HCHO column data. We find substantial variations in the T‐dependency of biogenic HCHO across plant functional types (PFTs), with the highest over Broadleaf Evergreen Tropical Trees (doubling every 6.0 K ± 4.1 K) and lowest over Arctic C3 Grass (doubling every 30.8 K ± 9.6 K). The GEOS‐Chem model interprets HCHO columns' T‐dependency at the PFT level (r = 0.87), with a 16% discrepancy on average. The discrepancy can be explained by BVOC emissions T‐dependency for Broadleaf Evergreen Tropical Trees and Warm C4 Grass and can be attributed to the insensitivity of HCHO columns to BVOC emissions for other PFTs. Our findings underscore a potentially magnified variation of BVOC emissions by GEOS‐Chem and MEGAN therein, particularly in regions experiencing greater temperature variations. Plain Language Summary: We use remote sensing data from an up‐to‐date monitor to examine the temperature (T‐) dependency of biogenic formaldehyde (HCHO), a proxy of a series of volatile organic gases released by plants, in a global manner. We find that the effect of temperature on HCHO varies significantly between different types of plants, with tropical evergreen trees showing the most sensitivity to temperature and Arctic grasses showing the least. The GEOS‐Chem, a state‐of‐the‐art chemical transport model, interprets such temperature sensitivity among plants with nonnegligible discrepancies. The sensitivity of volatile organic gases released by plants to temperature explains the sensitivity of HCHO to temperature for some plants, such as tropical evergreen trees and warm‐season grasses. Key Points: Temperature (T‐) dependency of biogenic HCHO columns varies substantially across plant functional types (PFTs)The GEOS‐Chem model with the MEGAN module implemented primarily interprets the T‐dependency of HCHO columns at the PFT levelThe T‐dependency of biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions mainly accounts for that of HCHO columns in Broadleaf Evergreen Tropical Trees and Warm C4 Grass regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) is a valuable plant resource which has been used for centuries as both food and traditional Chinese medicine. It is popular in health research and markets globally. Fresh ginseng has a high moisture content and is prone to mold and rot, reducing its nutritional value without proper preservation. Drying treatments are effective for maintaining the beneficial properties of ginseng post-harvest. In this study, we investigated the effects of natural air drying (ND), hot-air drying (HAD), vacuum drying (VD), microwave vacuum drying (MVD), and vacuum freeze drying (VFD) on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ginseng. The results showed that the MVD time was the shortest, followed by the VFD, VD, and HAD times, whereas the ND time was the longest, but the VFD is the most beneficial to the appearance and color retention of ginseng. A total of 72 VOCs were obtained and 68 VOCs were identified using the five drying methods based on gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) technology, including 23 aldehydes, 19 alkenes, 10 alcohols, 10 ketones, 4 esters, 1 furan, and 1 pyrazine, and the ND method was the best for retaining VOCs. GC-IMS fingerprints, principal component analysis (PCA), Euclidean distance analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and cluster analysis (CA) can distinguish ginseng from different drying methods. A total of 29 VOCs can be used as the main characteristic markers of different drying methods in ginseng. Overall, our findings provide scientific theoretical guidance for optimizing ginseng's drying methods, aromatic health effects, and flavor quality research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asphalt releases a large number of irritating fumes during construction and use, which is a serious emission pollution that not only damages the atmospheric environment but also produces highly toxic and carcinogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), posing a health risk to human beings. In this study, a compound-doped modified bitumen for reducing VOC emission was prepared by using zeolite as the main adsorbent material, modified by hydrochloric acid, and LDHs as a synergistic adsorbent material. By determining its basic and rheological properties, the results show that the compounding of LDHs and HCL-modified zeolite added to asphalt can improve the high-temperature performance of asphalt binder, but at the same time, the anti-fatigue property will be decreased. By GC-MS experimental analysis, a total of 72.2% fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were released by the compound modified asphalt compound than by virgin asphalt, which resulted in a significant reduction in asphalt fume emissions. It shows that the asphalt VOC molecules are well adsorbed by the porous adsorption of LDHs and zeolite materials, and it is also found experimentally that they inhibit the emission of VOCs through the blocking and adsorption effects. This study provides a scientific basis for inhibiting the emission of VOCs during asphalt pavement construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, silver was loaded onto ZnO using the photoreduction method to enhance the photocatalytic activity of ZnO in the visible region. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO and Ag/ZnO was investigated for the gas‐phase degradation of volatile organic compounds such as ethyl acetate, ethanol, and toluene under visible light irradiation. The Ag/ZnO effectively decomposed ethyl acetate, toluene, and ethanol separately and in a mixed state. The characteristics of Ag/ZnO and ZnO were studied using XRD, SEM, EDAX, XPS, BET, UV–vis DRS, and PL analyses. The XRD pattern confirmed the formation of metallic silver in the Ag/ZnO photocatalyst. The PL results showed that the loading of Ag on the ZnO significantly reduces the photoelectron‐hole pairs recombination in Ag/ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specificity and sensitivity of a simple non-invasive multi-cancer screening method in detecting breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer in breath samples were evaluated in a double-blind study. Breath samples of 1386 participants (59.7% males, median age 56.0 years) who underwent screening for cancer using gold-standard screening methods, or a biopsy for a suspected malignancy were collected. The samples were analyzed using a bio-hybrid platform comprising trained detection canines and artificial intelligence tools. According to cancer screening/biopsy results, 1048 (75.6%) were negative for cancer and 338 (24.4%) were positive. Among the 338 positive samples, 261 (77.2%) were positive for one of the four cancer types that the bio-hybrid platform was trained to detect, with an overall sensitivity and specificity of 93.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 90.3-96.2%) and 94.3% (95% CI 92.7%-95.5%), respectively. The sensitivity of each cancer type was similar; breast: 95.0% (95% CI 87.8-98.0%), lung: 95.0% (95% CI 87.8-98.0%), colorectal: 90.0% (95% CI 74.4-96.5%), prostate: 93.0% (95% CI 84.6-97.0%). The sensitivity of 14 other malignant tumors that the bio-hybrid platform was not trained to detect, but identified, was 81.8% (95% CI 71.8%-88.8%). Early cancer (0–2) detection sensitivity was 94.8% (95% CI 91.0%-97.1%). This bio-hybrid multi-cancer screening platform demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity and enables early-stage cancer detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary As one of the famous traditional Chinese herbal medicines, Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus (FCB) is widely used in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases and has the best curative effect among the known fritillarias medicines. Due to the variety, complex sources, similar appearance and shape, it is difficult to distinguish FCB with high curative effect (h‐FCB) from other common fritillarias (c‐FCB) in the market. In this paper, a very simple chemiresistor is used to identify FCB from three commonly used fritillarias drugs. The sensors are fabricated by anisotropic electrically conductive metal‐organic framework (cMOF) thin film Cu3(HHTP)2 (Cu‐HHTP[001] and Cu‐HHTP[100]) as active materials owing to their ability to detect specific groups of volatile organic compounds (volatolomics) as the functional motifs of chemiresistor. As a result, the sensors show orientation‐dependence identification ability to FCB. Cu‐HHTP[001]‐ based sensor shows the highest response (344.17%) to 0.5 g h‐FCB powder volatiles among its three other c‐FCB which is much higher than Cu‐HHTP[100] (135.50%). Ultimately, Cu‐HHTP[001] can realize the identification of FCB with an accuracy of 97.2% in a simple and real‐time manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes the synthesis of SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x composites on porous graphene electrodes (PGEs) for high-performance humidity sensors. In the heterojunction structure of SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x composites, SnO 2 nanoparticles prevented the layered structure of Ti 3 C 2 T x to collapse and restack. Moreover, the high specific surface area of the SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x composites provided more adsorption sites that improved their response. Porous graphene was fabricated by a fiber laser-induced process on the polyimide film as an electrode layer for flexible humidity sensors. The characteristics of the SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x composites and PGEs were examined and investigated. SnO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x composites were drop-cast on PGEs to fabricate the humidity sensor. Furthermore, the response of humidity sensors was tested in various RHs. The performance of the proposed humidity sensor demonstrated a wide detection range of 11–97 % RH, low hysteresis of 2.8 % RH, low response/recovery times of 14/49 s, high sensitivity of 862.19 kΩ/%RH, excellent long-time stability and repeatability, and good flexibility. In the future, the proposed sensor can be widely applied in human respiration monitoring, non-contact switch, and detection of volatile organic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-butanol, a volatile organic compound prevalent in numerous industrial processes, poses significant risks to human health and the environment if not properly monitored. Consequently, the development of high-sensitivity n-butanol sensors is imperative. For this reason, NdFeO 3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method and used for the detection of n-butanol. They were fully analyzed using characterization techniques such as XRD, BET, EDX, SEM, TEM and XPS. The test results revealed that the prepared samples exhibited a granular structure with an average diameter of approximately 65 nm. The specific surface area measured 15.415 m2/g, and the pore size was determined to be 16.638 nm. The NdFeO 3 sensor responds up to 441 for 100 ppm n-butanol at 260 °C, response and recovery times were 33 s and 7 s respectively. The response value of the NdFeO 3 sensor is still 4.3 for 1 ppm n-butanol with a minimum detection limit of 0.024 ppm. Simultaneously, the NdFeO 3 sensor has excellent selectivity, stability and moisture resistance. These good sensing properties indicate that this work provides a possible strategy for developing an economical and repeatable high performance gas sensor for the detection of n-butanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemesia tridentata is a foundational plant taxon in western North America and an important medicinal plant threatened by climate change. Low-cost fabrication of sensors is critical for developing large-area sensor networks for understanding and monitoring a range of environmental conditions. However, the availability of materials and manufacturing processes is still in the early stages, limiting the capacity to develop cost-effective sensors at a large scale. In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of low-cost flexible sensors using laser-induced graphene (LIG); a graphitic material synthesized using a 450-nm wavelength bench top laser patterned onto polyimide substrates. We demonstrate the effect of the intensity and focus of the incident beam on the morphology and electrical properties of the synthesized material. Raman analyses of the synthesized LIG show a defect-rich graphene with a crystallite size in the tens of nanometers. This shows that the high level of disorder within the LIG structure, along with the porous nature of the material provide a good surface for gas adsorption. The initial characterization of the material has shown an analyte response represented by a change in resistance of up to 5% in the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted and detected by Artemisia species. Bend testing up to 100 cycles provides evidence that these sensors will remain resilient when deployed across the landscapes to assess VOC signaling in plant communities. The versatile low-cost laser writing technique highlights the promise of low-cost and scalable fabrication of LIG sensors for gas sensor monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "storage‐oxidation" cycle is an energy‐efficient process for removing low‐concentration volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, due to the weak interaction between BTX compounds (benzene, toluene, and xylene) and commonly used adsorbent materials, how to prevent the BTX escape prior to oxidation remains a challenge. In this work, a comprehensive study on the critical factors influencing on the "storage‐oxidation" cycling removal of BTX are investigated. The study elucidated the relationship between different zeolites and their capacity for storing BTX. It was found that the adsorption of BTX onto various zeolites is greatly impacted by the pore size of the zeolite and the volatility of BTX. Particularly, toluene and/or m‐xylene could be preferential adsorbed by Cu2+ located on the ion‐exchange sites, forming strong bonding interactions that facilitating the in‐situ thermal regeneration. Furthermore, the experimental results suggest that a synergy between Cu2+ and CuO could accelerate the catalytic oxidation of BTX. These findings offer valuable insights for designing bifunctional catalysts for the "storage‐oxidation" cycling removal of BTX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing preference for photothermal catalysis stems from its minimal energy consumption and heightened catalytic efficacy. Nonetheless, material photon utilization efficiency is frequently hindered by catalyst structural design constraints and bandgap limitations. Herein, we present a Co3O4‐based inverse opal featuring a three‐dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM‐Co3O4) architecture tailored for photothermal VOCs oxidation. The 3DOM‐Co3O4 exhibits superior catalytic performance in carbon monoxide oxidation, methane oxidation, and toluene oxidation, with a photothermal enhancement of more than 100 %. Further experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that the three‐dimensional periodic array of pores facilitates the slow photon effect, augmenting the light absorption capabilities of the catalyst. Thus, it generates more photoexcited electrons, promoting VOCs molecular activation. Additionally, the well‐ordered porous structure facilitates the diffusion of reactants and products, further accelerating the catalytic reaction. This work highlights promising prospects for leveraging inverse opals as an innovative strategy towards enhancing photothermal catalytic VOCs oxidization efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This review delves into the efficacy of utilizing bubbles to extract analytes into the gas phase, offering a faster and greener alternative to traditional sample preparation methods for mass spectrometry. Generating numerous bubbles in liquids rapidly transfers volatile and surface‐active species to the gas phase. Recently, effervescence has found application in chemical laboratories for swiftly extracting volatile organic compounds, facilitating instantaneous analysis. In the so‐called fizzy extraction, liquid matrices are pressurized with gas and then subjected to sudden decompression to induce effervescence. Alternatively, specifically designed effervescent tablets are introduced into the liquid samples. In situ bubble generation has also enhanced dispersion of extractant in microextraction techniques. Furthermore, droplets from bursting bubbles are collected to analyze non‐volatile species. Various methods exist to induce bubbling for sample preparation. The polydispersity of generated bubbles and the limited control of bubble size pose critical challenges in the stability of the bubble–liquid interface and the ability to quantify analytes using bubble‐based sample preparation techniques. This review covers different bubble‐assisted sample preparation methods and gives practical guidance on their implementation in mass spectrometry workflows. Traditional, offline, and online approaches for sample preparation relying on bubbles are discussed. Unconventional bubbling techniques for sample preparation are also covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroponic barley forage in the diets of lactating Italian Mediterranean buffaloes on Mozzarella cheese chemical and sensory properties. Thirty‐six buffaloes were evenly assigned to three groups: control (C) with standard maize silage‐based ration, and low hydroponic (LH) and high hydroponic (HH) barley forage substitution for 50% and 100% of maize silage, respectively. HH Mozzarella had lower hardness, reduced saturated fatty acids, increased oleic and α‐linolenic fatty acids. Hydroponic forage could be an innovative system for sustainable livestock production with a positive impact on the Mozzarella cheese improving its nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentha spp. are commonly used for the production of tea and for the extraction of essential oils (EOs). The key factor of mint quality is the content and composition of the EO. Health-promoting compounds such as menthol are desirable, whereas the presence of potentially health-damaging compounds such as menthofuran should be avoided. This study examines the effect of shading on the EO content and composition of three Mentha genotypes (Mentha × piperita 'Multimentha', Mentha × piperita 'Fränkische Blaue' and Mentha rotundifolia 'Apfelminze'). The Mentha genotypes were cultivated in field trials for two years (2022–2023). Each genotype was shaded with a shading net (50% photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) reduction), and a control without shading was prepared. EO content was determined by steam distillation and EO composition was characterized by GC-MS analysis. Furthermore, biomass, vegetation indices (VIs) and the electron transport rate (ETR) were analyzed. While shading led to higher plant heights, higher EO content and a slightly reduced amount of undesired EO compounds, the unshaded control yielded a higher biomass accumulation. Significant genotypic differences were determined. In conclusion, the benefits of shading depend on the intended use and genotype selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) are mixtures of volatile organic compounds that mediate plant interactions and are also appreciated for their biological properties in aromatic plants. However, the study of EOs in wild plants with biological activity has been neglected. Ipomoea murucoides is a wild species with allelopathic and insecticide activities; however, the climate factors associated with EOs and their role in intra- and interspecific interactions are still unknown. We investigated the effects of temperature, rain, and solar irradiance for two years on the EOs of I. murucoides and documented the effect of herbivory (without, <20%, >20%, and mechanical damage) on their composition. We evaluated the receptivity to possible infochemicals in conspecific and congeneric neighbors to I. murucoides plants exposed to methyl jasmonate (MeJA), herbivory by Ogdoecosta biannularis and without an elicitor. We measured the stomatal density and aperture in the second leaf generation of the neighbor plants. The year and herbivory >20% affected the composition of EOs. Nerolidol could be a biological marker for herbivory. We concluded that herbivory and rain irregularity contribute to EOs changing. The response in the stomatal density in plants not consumed by I. pauciflora but near I. murucoides under MeJA or herbivory gives evidence of interspecific plant–plant communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), particularly including the pericarp of Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' (GCP), has been widely used as a food, a dietary supplement, and traditional Chinese medicine. Despite the widespread use of traditional foods, there is limited evidence regarding the precise relationships between storage conditions, aging duration, and the digestive performance of CRP. In this study, the aim was to investigate the impact of the storage conditions on the quality of aged GCP during shelf life and to evaluate the subsequent digestive performance of corresponding GCP decoctions. Respiration in GCP was monitored by measuring oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) gases throughout the storage simulation, with O2 and CO2 validated as prospective safety measures. Five flavonoids (hesperidin, didymin, nobiletin, tangeretin, and 3,5,6,7,8,3′,4′-heptamethoxyflavone) were determined as quality indicators, and their contents were significantly affected by the duration of the storage simulation and the aging periods of GCP. Our study also found that temperature and humidity significantly affected the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission from GCP. Eighteen compounds were proposed to show potential as descriptive measures of aging periods while eight compounds were proposed as potential indicators to discriminate among the spoilage level. Furthermore, the bioaccessibility of hesperidin ranged from ~30% to ~50% and was not significantly affected by the GCP's aging time nor the consumer's sex (p < 0.05). This study presents evidence for the future control of the quality of GCP and its digestive performance in males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in the consumer demand and the availability of gluten-free products has led to several brewers investigating brewing with grains other than barley. The primary grain of choice has been sorghum. These new gluten-free beers have a unique flavor and aroma, which previous research has shown is the result of differences in concentration for key chemical compounds, including ethyl butyrate, butyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl caproate, hexyl acetate, 1-octanol, nonanal, ethyl octanoate, and ethyl decanoate. This study focused looked at the influence different strains of yeast had on the concentration of these key compounds. Beer was brewed using either barley or sorghum malt extract. The concentrations of these key volatile compounds were determined using Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) with Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectral (GC-MS) detection. Overall, it was found that the concentrations of these compounds were statistically different in the beers brewed from these two grain types. However, the yeast strain had no significant impact on the concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]