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The problem that this study addresses is to understand how microwave radiation is able to degrade genomic DNA of E. coli. In addition, a comparative study was made to evaluate the suitability of a high-throughput automated electrophoresis platform for quantifying the DNA degradation under microwave radiation. Overall, this study investigated the genomic DNA degradation of E. coli under microwave radiation using automated gel electrophoresis. To examine the viable organisms and degradation of genomic DNA under microwave exposure, we used three methods: (1) post-microwave exposure, where E. coli was enumerated using modified mTEC agar method using membrane filtration technique; (2) extracted genomic DNA of microwaved sample was quantified using the Qubit method; and (3) automated gel electrophoresis, the TapeStation 4200, was used to examine the bands of extracted DNA of microwaved samples. In addition, to examine the impacts of microwaves, E. coli colonies were isolated from a fecal sample (dairy cow manure), these colonies were grown overnight to prepare fresh E. coli culture, and this culture was exposed to microwave radiation for three durations: (1) 2 min; (2) 5 min; and (3) 8 min. In general, Qubit values (ng/µL) were proportional to the results of automated gel electrophoresis, TapeStation 4200, DNA integrity numbers (DINs). Samples from exposure studies (2 min, 5 min, and 8 min) showed no viable E. coli. Initial E. coli levels (at 0 min microwave exposure) were 5 × 108 CFU/mL, and the E. coli level was reduced to a non-detectable level within 2 min of microwave exposure. The relationships between Qubit and TapeStation measurements was linear, except for when the DNA level was lower than 2 ng/µL. In 8 min of microwave exposure, E. coli DNA integrity was reduced by 61.7%, and DNA concentration was reduced by 81.6%. The overall conclusion of this study is that microwave radiation had a significant impact on the genomic DNA of E. coli, and prolonged exposure of E. coli to microwaves can thus lead to a loss of genomic DNA integrity and DNA concentrations.

In the present study, a combined process of microwave-assisted chlorination roasting-water leaching was developed to efficiently extract metal ions from spent ternary lithium-ion batteries. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was used as chlorine source to generate HCl for chlorination reaction. Activated carbon was first selected as the optimal absorbing medium material. Subsequently, spent anode graphite was used to induce carbonisation reduction reaction with spent LiNixCoyMnzO2 (NCM) to promote recovery of valuable metals. The characterisations of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermodynamic analysis indicated that HCl derived from PVC pyrolysis could spontaneously react with carbonisation reduction products from spent NCM to form the corresponding water-soluble metal chloride for the effective recovery of valuable metals. Under the optimal conditions with reaction temperature at 450°C, material mass ratio PVC:NCM of 4:1, reaction time at 60 min and microwave power at 500 W, 96.43% of Li, 95.51% of Ni, 95.27% of Co and 95.43% of Mn can be recovered, respectively. The leaching kinetics can be described by the Avrami equation with surface chemical reaction controlled, and the leaching activation energies of Li, Ni, Co and Mn were 36.32, 42.31, 38.84 and 41.96 kJ∙mol−1, respectively. This microwave-assisted method might provide a new route for the effective recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries by chlorinated metallurgical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave radiation is an effective method to weaken the strength of hard rock, but this weakening effect is not obvious enough for weak microwave-absorbing rocks. This work focuses on the role of water in amplifying the effect of microwaves on weak microwave-absorbing rocks, by examining the bursting characteristics of the rocks as well as their physical and mechanical properties before blasting. The experimental results show that when subjected to microwave irradiation, and the time taken for this bursting decreases with higher microwave power. In addition, the surface temperature of saturated sandstone gradually rises with increased irradiation power and duration. Under high microwave power, the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of heated saturated sandstone notably decreases within the same irradiation duration. When the microwave power is low, the UCS of saturated sandstone remains relatively unchanged over time. The UCS of dry sandstone exhibits no significant alteration under identical irradiation power and duration. In conclusion, sandstone shows no significant change in its physical and mechanical properties during brief exposure to low-power microwave irradiation in its dry state. As water within the sandstone undergoes a phase transition from liquid to gas due to microwave irradiation, the resulting steam pressure causes the sandstone to rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the combination of ultrasound pretreatment with microwave drying in food production, focusing on its impact on longan seeds. The study explored how ultrasound pretreatment and different microwave power levels affect drying kinetics, thermodynamic characteristics, and phytochemical properties during extraction. The results indicated that ultrasound pretreatment significantly boosts the drying rate by an average of 25% and reduces drying time by an average of 41.3%, while enhancing the phytochemical content of longan seeds, with increases of up to 35% for total phenolic content (TPC), 47% for total flavonoid content (TFC), and 42% for DPPH radical scavenging activity. Mathematical models accurately described the drying process and extraction kinetics, with the modified Henderson and Pabis model and the two-term exponential model being particularly effective. Furthermore, the study observed changes in entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs' energy with varying microwave power levels and ultrasound treatment. This research demonstrated the potential of ultrasound pretreatment combined with microwave drying to improve the efficiency and phytochemical quality of longan seeds in food processing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ginger was dried using the microwave infrared cooperative vibrating drying (MICVD) technique. Drying kinetics, moisture evolution, cell morphology and sample structure change, mechanical properties, and physicochemical properties of the sample during drying were investigated. The ginger dried at the microwave power of 0.4 W/g and infrared temperature of 50 °C (M0.4I50) exhibited the highest water diffusion rate. Significant moisture evolution in the sample was observed during the drying. The free water in the sample was removed rapidly, the immobilized water increased in the early drying stage and then decreased, and the bound water increased slowly throughout the drying. Removing moisture caused cell collapse in the ginger and the formation of moisture microchannels and pores. These structural changes resulted in increased fractal dimension, porosity, and volume shrinkage in the final dried product. Moisture evolution also significantly affected the rheological behavior of the ginger and its color profile. The correlation analysis result suggested that the key quality attributes of ginger, such as fractal dimension, porosity, color, volume shrinkage ratio, and rheological characteristic, were significantly correlated with moisture content and evolution. Moreover, backpropagation in the artificial neural network (BP-ANN) model was proved effective in predicting these key quality attributes based on its moisture content parameters. This study aimed to interpret the moisture evolution of ginger during MICVD drying and provide insight to future researchers on the development and application of this novel drying technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The preparation of malic acid starch ester (MSE) is mostly carried out using a high temperature method, but there are problems such as high energy consumption, long preparation time, and uneven heating. Microwave technology can be used to overcome these limitations. The semi‐crystalline structure of starch granules hinders the modifier's access to the matrix, thus limiting the esterification reaction. Physical techniques can act on the interior of the starch to create a number of active sites, thereby facilitating the reaction of the starch with esterification reagents. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of starch pretreatment by microwave, heat‐moisture, and ultrasonic techniques on the degree of substitution (DS), structure, and physicochemical properties of MSE synthesized by the microwave method. RESULTS: The DS of MSE was increased after pretreatments. The modified starch obtained by different pretreatment methods did not show new characteristic peaks, while the MSE synthesized showed new absorption peaks near 1735 cm−1. The granular structure and morphology of the modified starch obtained by microwave and heat‐moisture pretreatment were gelatinized and aggregated, while some of the starch particles of the modified starch obtained by ultrasonic pretreatment appeared pore‐sized. The relative crystallinity and gelatinization enthalpy of the MSE were reduced, but the crystallization pattern remained as A‐type. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results suggest that various pretreatment methods can enhance the DS of MSE by disrupting the structure of starch. The findings of this study provide theoretical support for improving the DS of esterified starch. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidics made of dimethylpolysiloxane were developed for chemical synthesis using microwave heating at 24.125 GHz, and microwave efficiency was enhanced by the microwave resonance effect. In addition, the device was fabricated using a mold created using a 3D printer to reduce production costs. The microchip structure comprised a post‐wall waveguide and a microchannel that passed through the waveguide. This post‐wall waveguide also comprises metal columns (post‐wall) instead of a conductor side wall, and easily introduces microchannels through the gaps between the metal columns. The waveguide length was adjusted to achieve a resonance frequency of 24 GHz using an electromagnetic wave simulation, assuming that the microchannel was filled with pure water. Microwaves with an input power of 4 W caused a maximum temperature increase of 93 °C; this result is ~10 °C higher than that of a microchip with non‐resonant structure. In this study, Ag nanoparticles were synthesized using a chemical reaction induced by microwave irradiation of a chip flow system. Owing to irradiating the mixing reagent with microwaves of an input power of 4 W while controlling the flow rate at 0.7 μl/min, the formation of Ag nanoparticles with an average particle size of ~19.2 ± 2.4 nm was demonstrated by absorbance measurements and dynamic light scattering. It is expected that microwave microfluidics enhanced by the resonance effect will substantialize nanoparticle synthesis and high‐efficiency automated chemical synthesis combined with multichemical unit operations. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study demonstrates the creation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in an environmentally benign manner from Cymbopogon citratus leaves extracts by employing microwave-assisted synthesis at a low power of 400 W for a short period of 180 s. The produced Ag NPs are thoroughly characterized using methods like X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). These Ag NPs form clusters and have unique plate-like shapes with average particle size of ~ 165 nm. To evaluate their antibacterial activity, the produced Ag NPs are tested against both gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) and gram-negative bacteria (E. Coli, S. typhi, and Pseudomonas) at varied concentrations (1–5 mg/L). The results show strong antibacterial activity, against both gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) and gram-negative bacteria (E. Coli, S. typhi, and Pseudomonas); and show the largest zone of inhibition diameters at 23 mm (~ 3 mg/L) and 26 mm (~ 5 mg/L) for S. aureus and Pseudomonas, respectively. The ecological potential of Cymbopogon citratus extracts as sources for the environmentally friendly synthesis of Ag NPs is highlighted in this work and the produced Ag NPs are a viable option for antibacterial treatments against pathogenic microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, carbon fibre composites were manufactured using vacuum-assisted resin infusion microwave curing and vacuum-assisted resin infusion thermal curing processes. The microwave curing as well as thermal curing heat generation mechanisms were studied along with the thickness of the carbon fibre composites. Microwave power levels of 180 W, 360 W, 540 W and 720 W and thermal power levels of 1000 W and 2000 W were used. The K-type thermocouples were placed between the layers of the carbon fibres to record temperature profile during the curing process. The role of power levels was studied on thermal gradient along with the thickness of composites, which influences the curing kinetics. The composites were evaluated for their degree of cure, density and void percentage. Mechanical performance of the composites was assessed in terms of uniaxial tensile test, three-point bend test and interlaminar shear strength test. It was observed that microwave-cured composites were manufactured with less time and energy compared to thermal curing. The mechanical performance of microwave-cured composites was also better than thermally cured composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focused on the examination of hole quality in microwave drilling of microwave cured natural flax and polypropylene composites. The effect of two input parameters, i.e. microwave power and feed rate of the concentrator were investigated to evaluate HAZ, circularity error, and overcut of the hole. Stereomicroscopic images were used for examination of the response parameters. The full factorial design of the experiments was carried out with two factors and four levels. It was found that flax/PP composite drilled at 180 W of microwave power and 130 mm/min of feed rate resulted in a minimum overcut and circularity error of 9 µm and 138.5 µm, respectively. Also, 360 W of microwave power and 130 mm/min of feed rate showed a reduced HAZ of 67.5 mm2. There was no fiber delamination observed during hole formation. Regression analysis was done in order to establish a relationship among responses and process parameters. Additionally, an ANOVA was undertaken to determine the significance of the model. Over 95% of the correlation between the experimental data and the projected model outcomes was observed. Combined interaction of both the input parameters was shown through surface and contour plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This research set out to provide a faster, easier, and more efficient process for nanoparticle (NP) synthesis of aluminum oxide NPs preparation by microwave irradiation, using plant extracts separately and in the same way (tea, coffee, rosemary), which is an easy-to-use and inexpensive method. The structural properties were investigated by X-ray diffractometer analysis technique (XRD). The X-ray analysis shows the structure has a polycrystalline nature with a hexagonal phase. The optical properties were studied using ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectrometer, where the energy gap was determined. The surface morphology properties of the prepared aluminum NPs were examined by atomic force microscope (AFM). The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy verified the presence of Al-O, C–O, and C–H bonds, this study confirms the high reducing and capping capacity of aluminum NPs via biomolecules found in the plant extract. The inhibitory activity of these Al2O3-NPs was observed, along with their potential to enter the bacterial cell wall and hinder its activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first study to assess the impact of substitution of shortening (50%) with sunflower‐beeswax oleogel in cake formulations on the inactivation kinetics of Salmonella spp. and the quality attributes of cakes baked in conventional (CO) and microwave (MWO) ovens. Four distinct cake samples were examined in the study: Cake samples containing oleogel prepared in two different ovens (Oleo‐Cake‐CO and Oleo‐Cake‐MWO) and control cake samples baked in two different ovens (Cont‐Cake‐CO and Cont‐Cake‐MWO). The control‐batter and oleogel‐batter demonstrated shear thinning behavior (pseudoplastic, n < 1), with a good fit to the Power Law model, but viscosity and viscoelastic moduli decreased when the oleogel was used in place of shortening in cake recipes. In addition, the Cont‐Cake‐MWO had the greatest special volume value (2.31 ± 0.04 mL/g), whereas the Oleo‐Cake‐CO had the lowest (1.65 ± 0.02 mL/g) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, compared to the samples baked with CO, lower water activity and moisture values (p < 0.05) were observed in the samples baked in MWO due to their higher cooking loss values (p < 0.05). In all baking techniques, the addition of oleogel to the cake formula, used as a fat substitute, resulted in higher values for cohesiveness, hardness, springiness, and chewiness (p < 0.05). As a result, the inactivation of Salmonella in cakes slightly reduced with using oleogel as a fat substitute (p > 0.05), whereas it affected some quality properties of cakes baked with both heat treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orbital hybridization is a promising approach to modulating the electronic structure of the designed electrocatalysts to boost reaction kinetics. In contrast to d‐d hybridization, p‐d orbital hybridization between p‐block elements and d‐block metals can provide new opportunities to modulate the electronic properties and thus promote the catalytic performance. Herein, a phosphorus‐doped osmium (P‐Os) catalyst is designed through ultrafast (20 s) microwave plasma engineering. Theoretical calculations verify the d‐p orbital hybridization between P and Os, leading to the modulation of the d‐band center of the Os active site. Specifically, P neighboring Os exhibit the highest catalytic activity, facilitating crucial processes such as H2O/H* adsorption and dissociation. The overpotential of P‐Os in alkaline seawater is only 152 mV at 1 A cm−2, which is superior to the reported seawater electrocatalysts. Moreover, the synthesized P‐Os catalysts are integrated into an anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer, demonstrating remarkable performance. The AEM electrolyzer requires 1.86/2.02 V to achieve 500/1000 mA cm−2 current densities. Then, the achieved P‐Os have great potential for practical electrocatalytic water‐splitting applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenol Schiff bases can conveniently be prepared in high yield by the reaction of the appropriate aminophenols and aldehydes in solventless condition. The final target compounds were characterized by FT‐IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and Mass spectroscopy. Microwave assistance reduced the reaction time and solvent, increased the yield, purity, and eased the work up. The compounds were found to possess moderate to good antibacterial activity implying that the synthesized compounds may make excellent candidates for further studies aimed at discovering novel antibacterial agents. In vitro antioxidant qualities of the synthesized Schiff bases are also evaluated. In the tests for reducing power and radical scavenging, all the compounds demonstrated strong antioxidant activity even surpassing that of the positive control, Trolox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanned exploration and extended stay on the Moon are the hottest challenges today. We report highly robust materials by microwave heating under high-vacuum conditions (10− 3 Pa) from a basaltic regolith simulant (FJS-1) to ensure the feasibility of lunar infrastructure construction. The violent degassing dynamics were revealed by monitoring vacuum pressure during heating and analyzing the compounds evolved from basaltic silicate compounds: thermal pyrolysis of silicate compounds became more pronounced above 1000 oC, leading to a catastrophic deformation accompanied by forming countless pores of several hundred µm sizes. The preferential formation of the magnetite phase in vacuum heating dominantly caused the radical change in microwave absorption capacity compared with conventional heating routes using an electrical furnace in atmospheric conditions. Besides, the in-situ measurement of dielectric properties during microwave vacuum heating clarified the increase in one order of magnitude from 100 to 1000 oC. Based on the presumed phenomena during microwave-vacuum heating for basaltic regolith, we propose a new thermal design concept to overcome the practical limitations of microwave technology. The multi-step temperature profile successfully fabricated a highly robust product that demonstrated world-class mechanical performance, equivalent to the compressive strength of 65 MPa without any vigorous hydrostatic cold press as a pre-treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeolite honeycomb monoliths (ZHMs) as key adsorbents or catalysts are widely applied in industries, for which, however, the popularization is limited by its low production efficiency due to the long and careful drying process of the fragile ZHMs green body. Here we address this challenge by developing a microwave drying strategy coupled with convective air and steam. The individual microwave, microwave-air, and microwave-air-steam drying characteristics on the honeycomb and slab monoliths of 13X zeolite were systematically studied, and the drying quality-microwave power/air temperature/humidity relationship was correlated. The results showed that microwave achieves rapid dehydration of ZHMs, eliminating 29.94 % relative mass of water within only 660 s. However, the uncontrollable microwave adsorbing inhomogeneity and thermal accumulation over the hydrophilic ZHM resulted in overburning, cracking and deformation issues. Introducing convective air at room temperature eliminates overburning and cracking phenomena, and after coupled with 110 g/m3 steam, the irregular deformation of ZHMs was further mitigated (shrinkage rate reduced from 2.10 % to 1.11 %) with even increased drying efficiency by 4.47 %. The advantageous mechanism of microwave-air-steam coupling drying was revealed as the combined effect of the heat and mass transfer through the honeycomb hole enhanced by convective air and the heating and dehydration homogeneity improved by uniform microwave absorbing on surface-condensable steam. The efficacy of the optimized drying strategy was demonstrated by significantly shortened time for scale-up production of 1 m3 ZHMs from nearly 1 month to 2 days. This work affords new insights for improving production efficiency of high-quality ZHMs and presents microwave-air-steam drying process as a platform to advancing structured material preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite filaments are of considerable interest in research due to their exceptional performance characteristics and broad applicability. In this study, highly electrically conductive composite filaments comprising cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) are carefully prepared, accompanied by the proposition of an integrated microwave‐microfluidic synthesis method for AgNWs. The proposed reaction system exhibits a remarkable capability for swift AgNW synthesis, with a space‐time yield of 1.2 × 104 g (h·m3)−1, approximately five times superior to that achievable through conventional batch reactor methodologies. The microwave‐assisted microfluidic synthesis of AgNWs introduces a novel aspect to the extensive research on 1D nanomaterials. The design of experiments and multi‐objective Bayesian optimization are integrated iteratively to converge toward the global optimum, aiming to enhance screening efficiency and achieve a balanced outcome by maximizing aspect ratio and minimizing size for AgNWs. The AgNWs synthesized under optimal conditions has a diameter of ≈50.4 nm and an aspect ratio of ≈555. Subsequently, they are integrated into composite filaments with CNF, resulting in electrical conductivity and tensile strength of the composite filaments at values of 8.35 × 105 S m−1 and 186 MPa, respectively, surpassing those reported in existing literature for other analogous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequential ultrasound‐ and microwave‐assisted natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were used for the extraction of pectin from mango peels in this study. The two different NADES composed of proline: malonic acid (Pro: MA) and choline chloride: tartaric acid (ChCl: TA) which resulted in higher pectin yield were selected for further optimization studies. The processing conditions such as sonication duration, microwave intensity, microwave processing duration, and liquid–solid ratio were optimized using Box–Behnken design. The optimized conditions are sonication duration (7.5 min), microwave intensity (40 W/g), microwave processing duration (5 min), and liquid–solid ratio (65%). The physicochemical and technofunctional properties of pectin extracted using NADES were compared with conventional acid–extracted pectin. The moisture and ash content of NADES‐extracted pectin were within the specified limit provided by the International Pectin Producers Association. The NADES‐based extracted pectin contains galacturonic acid content higher than 65%, as mentioned by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and the European Commission. The higher anhydrouronic acid content of pectin (88.8 ± 0.21%–90.82 ± 0.11%) represents the superior purity of pectin. The higher degree of esterification (> 50%) indicates the extracted pectin is a high ester pectin. The similarity of FT‐IR spectra at 800–1300 cm−1 with the "fingerprint zone" of carbohydrates indicates that extracted pectin is functional pectin. The results showed that ultrasound‐ and microwave‐assisted NADES are efficient systems for extracting pectin with a high degree of esterification from mango peels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of consuming traditionally and non-traditionally processed blue corn tortillas on the dentate gyrus of rat pups during gestation was evaluated. Blue corn tortillas were made from grains steeped or not steeped in a solution of gallic acid and processed by traditional or microwave nixtamalization. Total polyphenol and total anthocyanin contents were analyzed. At day 20 of gestation, the pups were analyzed according to the diet administered to the pregnant rats, as follows: the control group fed with standard diet; the TN group = standard diet + blue corn tortilla by traditional nixtamalization; the TNGA group = standard diet + blue corn tortilla by traditional nixtamalization + gallic acid; the MN group = standard diet + blue corn tortilla by microwave nixtamalization; and the MNGA group = standard diet + blue corn tortilla by microwave nixtamalization + gallic acid. The cell density and soma size of the dentate gyrus in pups, along with the number of pups per litter and the litter weight, were recorded. The highest polyphenol and anthocyanin content were found in blue corn tortillas made from grains steeped in gallic acid and processed by microwave nixtamalization. The MNGA group showed larger litters as well as higher cell density (33%) and soma size (50% in the range of 30–50 μm2) in the dentate gyrus of pups as compared to the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Releasing wastewater containing organic dyes into water bodies generates a variety of hazards for humans and marine life. Thus, developing effective adsorbents to remove organic dyes from wastewater is critical. Herein, a mixture of the orange peel (OP) and watermelon rind (WR) wastes was converted into a mesoporous activated carbon (OPWRAC) via microwave-induced ZnCl2. Several analytical techniques such as XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, FTIR, pHpzc, and SEM–EDX were applied to characterize the physicochemical properties of OPWRAC. Subsequently, the adsorptive efficiency of OPWRAC was comprehensively explored towards the removal of two structurally different organic dyes, namely, crystal violet (CV) and methylene blue (MB). The operational adsorption conditions such as OPWRAC dose (0.04–0.1 g) coded as (A), solution pH (4–10) coded as (B), and contact time (10–60 min) coded as (C) were statistically optimized using the response surface methodology-Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD). The adsorption isotherm data for CV and MB dyes agree with the Freundlich model, and the kinetic data can be explained by the pseudo-second-order model. Thus, OPWRAC displays remarkable adsorption capacity for capturing CV (137.8 mg/g) and MB (200.7 mg/g). The tailored adsorption mechanism of CV and MB by the OPWRAC indicates the involvement of several types of electrostatic forces, π-π stacking, pore filling, and H-bonding. The output of this research shows the feasibility of converting the mixture of OP and WR into promising activated carbon with potential application for capturing two structurally cationic dyes from an aqueous environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to convert oily sludge (OS) into oily sludge char (OSC) by pyrolysis and microwave-induced pyrolysis. The operating parameters affecting the production of chars from OS by pyrolysis (temperature (200–800 °C) and residence time (30–150 min)) and microwave-induced pyrolysis (microwave power (200–800 W) and irradiation time (5–25 min)) were investigated. The tools used to identify the physiochemical properties of the best products were Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-DTG). Energy characteristics including higher heating values (HHV), proximate analysis, element composition, and H/C and O/C atomic ratios were explored. The OSC produced by pyrolysis at a temperature of 600 °C and residence time of 90 min (labeled as OSC-Py@600–90) achieved the highest HHV (22.95 MJ/kg), while the OSC produced by microwave at a microwave power of 800 W and irradiation time of 10 min (labeled as OSC-MW@800–10) achieved the highest HHV (28.33 MJ/kg). The BET surface area of OS, OSC-Py@600–90, and OSC-MW@800–10 are OS 29.56 m2/g, 81.33 m2/g, and 238.52 m2/g, respectively. The data of the current study clarified that the OSCs produced from OS by pyrolysis and microwave processes could be used for energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Here, Er/Yb Co-doped CaMoO4 materials (ErxYbyCa1−x−yMoO4 NPs where x = 0, 0.01 and y = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) were prepared by microwave-assisted method and its pure-tetragonal structure were confirmed by X-ray diffraction spectra (XRD), Rietveld-refinement and Raman-vibrational spectra. The transmission-electron microscopy (TEM) study indicates the formation of nearly spherical shaped nanomaterial with average size of ~ 15 nm. Additionally, absorption and emission properties were studied by UV–Visible–NIR and photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer. The UV–Visible–NIR spectra attribute absorption of Er3+ ion in visible region (380–700 nm) and absorption of Yb3+ ion in near-infrared region (700–1400 nm). Moreover, PL up-conversion spectra of the sample recorded under excitation wavelength 980 nm. The PL peaks were observed at 530, 544–552, and 656–670 nm. Prominent PL-intensity was observed for Er0.01Yb0.15Ca0.84MoO4 phosphor. Temperature dependent PL study reveals that present phosphor is robust phosphor for temperature sensor. In addition, Er3+/Yb3+ doped CaMoO4 nanomaterials exhibited excellent activity and selectivity in the aerial oxidation of benzoin over benzyl under oxidant-free reaction conditions. The synergistic effect Er3+/Yb3+ co-doing in CaMoO4 matrix was observed, where only CaMoO4 material found to be inactive towards above oxidation reaction. Moreover, the oxidation of primary benzyl-alcohols was furnished in presence of tertiary butyl hydroperoxideas oxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION The powderization of salted egg yolks can circumvent the gelatinization issues that occur during frozen storage. In this study, salted egg yolk powder (SEYP) was prepared using microwave‐assisted foam drying (MFD) technology.The results show that, compared to traditional microwave drying and hot‐air drying, the SEYP prepared by MFD exhibits a bright color and a loose structure, and shows significant improvements in emulsifying properties, lecithin retention rate and antioxidant activity (P < 0.05). The optimal microwave power for MFD of SEYP, established through principal component analysis, is 350 W, with no requirement for a cooking treatment of the salted egg yolks. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry identified n‐butanol, hexanal, nonanal, ethyl acetate, d‐limonene and isopentanal as the primary volatile compounds in SEYP, contributing to its unique flavor profile. Furthermore, the SEYP prepared using MFD at 350 W also shows a reduction of 18.88% in the content of bitter‐tasting amino acids compared with microwave drying.In summary, MFD technology is a green and efficient drying method suitable for the preparation of flavor‐type SEYP. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the abundant hydrogen bond networks, high crystallinity, and high molecular weight of chitin, it is difficult to dissolve chitin in most solvents. Meanwhile, most of the existing solvent systems have the disadvantages of high toxicity, low solubility, and high cost. Therefore, the efficient and rapid dissolution of chitin using green solvents is urgently needed. In this work, ternary DES with amino acids, urea, and 1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) is prepared at first. Then chitin can be dissolved fastly with the assistance of a microwave. Compared with the conventional heating process (110 °C, 6–8 h), the microwave process can be shortened to only 3–10 min. The successful dissolution of chitin is verified by means of fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), rheology studies, and optical light microscope, and the dissolution mechanism contributed to the synergistic destroying of the hydrogen bond networks of chitin by amino acids and DBU. The DES solvent can be well recovered with the remaining of its dissolving ability to chitin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical energy storage devices with high specific capacity are of utmost important for the next-generation electronic devices. Supercapatteries (SCs) are highly demanded energy storage devices nowadays as these bridge the low energy supercapacitors and low power batteries. Herein, we report a rapid synthesis of cobalt manganese phosphate (COMAP) by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method and facile fabrication of SCs using electrodes comprising of COMAP as positrode material. The effect of precursor concentration on the microstructure and surface morphology of the COMAP samples are examined initially. Further, the electrochemical performance of COMAP electrodes is studied systematically in 3 M KOH (aqueous) electrolyte. COMAP exhibits excellent charge storage capabilities where type of charge storage mechanism is found to be battery-type based on the calculation obtained from Dunn's method. The SC electrode fabricated with COMAP synthesized using cobalt: manganese precursor ratio as 80:20 exhibits a highest specific capacity of 191.4 C/g at a scan rate of 1 mV/s. An asymmetric SC (ASC) cell fabricated with COMAP as positrode and activated carbon (AC) as negatrode exhibits a specific capacity of 165.5 C/g at a current density of 1.8 A/g. The COMAP//AC ASC cell exhibits an energy density of 34.1 Wh/kg at a corresponding power density of 1875 W/kg at a current density of 1.8 A/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report a simple and an economical method to synthesize C‐substituted bis‐benzimidazole and C‐substituted benzobisimidazole derivatives in moderate to excellent yields using sodium metabisulfite, under microwave irradiation conditions. The most attractive feature of the methodology is the three‐step yet one‐pot condensation of nitroarenes with various benzaldehyde derivatives to synthesize useful benzimidazoles, and an easy product isolation method by simple solvent trituration techniques. The methodology can be fine‐tuned to synthesize selectively the mono C‐substituted benzimidazoles, leaving a nitroaniline functionality intact for preparing a variety of unsymmetrical C‐substituted bis‐benzimidazoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study proposes the utilization of microwave-assisted methods for converting neutralization slag (NS) into hydroxyapatite (HAP), offering an alternative to the conventional hydrothermal method. The microwave-assisted approach addresses the challenges encountered in hydrothermal reactions, such as particle agglomeration, reduced specific surface area, prolonged reaction time, high temperature requirements, and inadequate saturation adsorption capacity. By employing the response surface methodology with a Box-Behnken design, the study found that the microwave-assisted method significantly reduced the synthesis time from 90 to 25 min and the temperature from 120 °C to 56 °C. Furthermore, the microwave method consumed only 1/43 of the energy utilized in hydrothermal synthesis. To assess the performance of the synthesized HAP, various detection methods were utilized, including XRD, SEM-EDS, FTIR, Zeta potential, and ICP, which analyzed the crystal structure, crystallinity, morphology, chemical composition, and surface charge of HAP. The BET method was used to measure the specific surface area, further confirming the successful synthesis of HAP. The HAP synthesized through this microwave-assisted method exhibited a saturation adsorption capacity of up to 98.4 mg/g of fluoride ions from vanadium industrial raffinate. This study demonstrates that the microwave-assisted method provides a viable solution for reducing energy consumption and enhancing HAP synthesis efficiency for wastewater treatment in the vanadium industry. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A convenient and effective synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives has been developed under microwave irradiations using Al2O3 as a catalyst in solvent-free conditions. The functionalized imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives are useful in biochemistry and medical science. In our investigation, the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated against 13 microorganisms, including 6 Gram-positive bacteria, 4 Gram-negative bacteria, and 3 pathogenic fungi. Bioactivity tests revealed that the majority of the compounds exhibited good antimicrobial activity. Finally, molecular docking simulations and ADME-T predictions were performed, showing that the most active compounds have good binding modes with microbial targets and promising pharmacokinetic safety profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imidazole moiety when fused with other heterocyclic system form numerous compounds with different types of pharmacological and biological activities. In this review, we discussed a comprehensive analysis of the synthetic methodologies and reaction mechanisms for imidazo‐fused heterocyclic molecules. These molecules represent a crucial class of compounds due to their significant applications and versatile chemical reactivity. This article meticulously examined various synthetic routes for the construction of imidazo‐fused heterocycles, ranging from traditional methods to modern approaches such as microwave‐assisted reactions, NPs‐catalyzed reactions, light‐mediated synthesis, electrochemical reactions, and transition metal‐free synthesis routes. By consolidating the current knowledge and highlighting future directions, this review aims to serve as a treasure for research community in the fields of organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and material science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports new findings on the preparation of hydrochar from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seeds through the application of the microwave hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) method. Optimization investigations involving temperatures and reaction times were conducted to establish the highest yield, achieving a maximum yield of 60.87%. The prepared material was then impregnated in phosphoric acid and carbonized in the tube furnace at 550 °C for 1.5 h with a nitrogen flow of 50 CCM. The samples were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The samples showed remarkable BET surface areas following activation, reaching up to 992 m2·g−1. The substance was subsequently used to absorb methylene blue with good fitting to the Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson isotherm and achieved a peak adsorption capacity of 196.6 ± 3.9 mg·g−1. NOVELTY STATEMENT: This study involves the preparation of hydrochar through microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of date palm seeds. It explores the impact of different process parameters, such as power, reaction temperatures, and timing on the mass yield and BET surface area of the hydrochars. Additionally, the prepared material undergoes chemical activation with phosphoric acid, and its efficacy in extracting methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution is assessed. This research is particularly novel as it represents the first comprehensive investigation into the use of microwave-derived and phosphoric acid-activated hydrochar for MB extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia borane (AB, NH3BH3) is a promising candidate for a hydrogen-storage material because of its high stability as a solid state at room temperature under atmospheric pressure. This study demonstrated a novel catalyst design for highly efficient hydrolysis of AB by hybridizing Pt catalyst with hydroxyapatite (HAp, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) as an "active support", possessing Lewis-acidic Ca2+ sites in the a-plane and Lewis-basic PO43- sites in the c-plane. Facet-engineered HAp particles were synthesized via the microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction using Ca-EDTA chelates. Varying the Ca/P ratio of HAp precursor (from 1.5 to 1.8) affected the particle morphology, exposed facet ratio of {300} to {002}, and the percentage of phosphate anion species (PO43- and HPO42-). The rod-like HAp sole catalysts performed approximately 2-fold higher activity for the hydrolysis of AB, compared with spherical HAp with low crystallinity. Moreover, the Pt/rod-like HAp co-catalyst demonstrated superior catalytic performance with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 623 molH2 molPt-1 min-1 than the Pt/spherical HAp (<232 molH2 molPt-1 min-1). We proposed a possible mechanism of a synergistic effect in the significant enhancement of the hydrogen release rate from AB. Lewis basic PO43- and Lewis acidic Ca2+ sites on HAp would affect preferential adsorption of electron-deficient BH3 and electron-rich NH3 groups in AB, catalyzing cleavage of B-N bonds. Besides, PO43- sites play a critical role in anchoring Pt particles towards electron transfer from Pt to PO43-, resulting in considerable enhancement of catalytic performance in dissociative adsorption of water molecules, which is a rate-determining step in the hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth ferrite, whose formula is BiFeO3 (BFO), is widely studied for its photovoltaic and photocatalytic properties. In this study, samples of this material were synthesized using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method with the aim of measuring its ability to discolor contaminants present in water in previously formulated concentrations through photocatalysis. Photocatalysis is a process with great potential for applicability in the decontamination of effluents. The analysis process used a 1:1 molar ratio of bismuth nitrate to iron nitrate, with the addition of potassium hydroxide to the aqueous solution. Two samples were synthesized at different temperatures, specifically 140 °C and 160 °C. An X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the synthesized samples were in an amorphous state. Photocatalytic tests were carried out to evaluate the ability of these materials to decolorize rhodamine B present in water in a previously known proportion. A sample synthesized at 140 °C successfully decolorized the solution within 60 min, providing its potential application in photocatalytic processes for decolorization of organic substances from wastewater. In turn, a sample synthesized at 160 °C discolored or contaminated in a slightly longer time. The samples were also subjected to a temperature of 750 ºC until crystallinity was reached. However, photocatalytic tests with crystalline samples performed less well than amorphous samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study compared the furan levels and physicochemical properties of various 70 samples of five nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, and sacha inchi) roasted using an air fryer (AF) and microwave oven (MO). In the five nuts, furan levels ranged from 1.11 to 2.39 ng g−1 before roasting. As the AF‐based and MO‐based roasting progressed, the furan levels increased to 6.39–165.52 ng g−1 and 11.47–183.87 ng g−1, respectively. The contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid and linolenic acid) decreased significantly after roasting but the content of monounsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid) showed only slightly significant differences between the control and roasted nuts. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity increased by up to 337% and 218% as roasting progressed but decreased slightly when roasting was performed at 180 °C for 20 min in an AF or at 700 or 1000 W for 5 min in an MO. This study provides useful information on furan production and the changes in physicochemical properties such as fatty acid composition, colour, BI, TPC, and antioxidant activity of nuts roasted using an AF or MO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Cereals and pseudo cereals (CPC) constitute the main staple diet of the global population. These are great source of carbohydrate, however, ignored as a potential source of protein. Cereals and Pseudo cereals can provide adequate amount of protein if taken in right quantity. Concerns over foods security, nutritional deficiencies, chronic hunger, and sustainability have brought attention to sustainable and alternative sources of protein derived from food and its byproducts. This review explains the extraction of protein from different cereals and pseudo cereals sources, novel extraction techniques, e.g., microwave assisted, ultrasound, pulsed electric field or high‐pressure processing etc., as well as pre‐treatment efficiencies of the recovery of protein, effects of process parameters on the amount of protein extractions, its isolations and possible utilisation in diversified fields. Commercial attempts have been made to extract and use the protein from CPC, but they remain largely underutilised and generally applicable to a small‐scale level. According to the current investigation, protein extraction from CPC is not only an extensive integration of extraction perspectives, process parameters, yield potential and quality, but also should focus on the nutritional aspects, functionality and bioavailability of the separated protein as a desirable dietary component is in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method to prepare high-quality enstatite-spinel based glass-ceramics by co-utilization of ferronickel slag (FNS) and iron ore tailings (IOT) via microwave-assisted one-step crystallization was proposed with an emphasis on the effect of IOT content on the preparation process. The thermodynamic analysis demonstrated that incorporating appropriate amounts of IOT into FNS can effectively transform olivine in FNS into enstatite. The experimental exploration revealed that the crystallization activation energy of the parent glass decreased from 564.6 kJ/mol to 351.93 kJ/mol when the IOT content increased from 30 wt% to 45 wt%. Meanwhile, the Avrami index of the parent glass increased from 3.88 to 4.81, indicating less depolymerization. In the subsequent crystallization process, with increasing content of IOT, the main phase was enstatite, accompanied by small amounts of spinel which acted as nucleation sites promoting the enstatite formation. Due to the decreased depolymerization degree that resulted in fewer nucleation sites, the average grain size of enstatite increased from 123 nm to 196 nm. By controlling crystallization of the melted mixture of 65 wt% FNS and 35 wt% IOT at 863 °C for 20 min, the resulting enstatite-spinel based glass-ceramics had excellent comprehensive properties, namely density of 3.13 g/cm3, bending strength of 153.53 MPa, Vickers microhardness of 9.22 GPa, acid resistance of 99.89%, and alkali resistance of 99.72%. With a much shorter crystallization time (1/6 of conventional one), the product obtained by microwave-assisted one-step crystallization had properties comparable to those derived from similar wastes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, bran is considered a functional compound in the food industry. The aim study was to investigate different processing methods of rice bran to improve its physicochemical characteristics. Treatments were prepared in 12 groups, control (C0), 4 samples hydrothermal treated H1 and H2 (1 and 2 h at 30 °C, respectively), H3 and H4 (1 and 2 h at 80 °C, respectively), 4 samples microwave treated M1 and M2 (4 and 7 min at a 600 w, respectively), M3 and M4 ((4 and 7 min at a 600 w, respectively), 4 samples hydrothermal -microwave treated HM1 and HM2 (First, 1 and 2 h at 50 °C, respectively, then 4 min at 750 w), HM3 and HM4 (First, 1 and 2 h at 50 °C, respectively, then 7 min at 750 w). The results showed that the hydrothermal - microwave method was more effective in reducing phytic acid than the other two methods (p<0.05) so the HM4 treatment had the lowest amount of phytic acid (p<0.05). The color value test showed the lowest ΔE change was related to rice bran hydrothermal treated (H1 with ΔE equal to 6.36) (p<0.05). The hydrothermal -microwave process showed the highest retention of iron, zinc, and calcium (p<0.05). Most minerals were shown in HM1 (6.68, 1.56, and 106.43 ppm, respectively). The heavy metals test indicated that in all treatments, the number of heavy metals significantly decreased compared to the control (p<0.05). However, the microwave method was more effective than others (p<0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that using the hydrothermal -microwave method provides better quality rice bran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Black rice is limited due to factors such as low solubility, difficulty to disperse, and high viscosity. The aim of the study is to overcome these shortcomings and improve their practicability in various industrial applications. The effects of germination and microwave on the physicochemical properties, functional properties, and solubility of black rice powder were compared. Findings: The effect of germination improved the GABA contents, increased the solubility and starch digestibility, which was consistent with the decrease in relative crystallinity and porous surface structure, and the increase in the gelatinization enthalpy. Microwave increased the solubility and starch digestibility of black rice powder. Total polyphenol content was increased by microwave compared to untreated and germinated black rice. The type of starch showed no significant effect in single and dual treatment. The combined treatment enhanced the GABA content, reduced the loss of polyphenols, anthocyanins and improved its solubility, physicochemical properties characteristics. Conclusion: The results might help understand the mechanism of germination and microwave treatments influencing the structural properties of starches and contribute to better‐developing products based on black rice flour. Significance and Novelty: The association treatment increased GABA content, the solubility, and nutrition of black rice flour, but reduced the digestibility of black rice flour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the impact of microwave pretreatment on the grinding efficiency of bastnaesite ore using a stirred mill. Bastnaesite ore was prepared using a staged crushing and sieving process, followed by microwave pretreatment in a specially designed microwave furnace system. Representative samples of the crushed ore underwent stirred mill grinding, with power draw measurements recorded and adjusted to reflect only the specific energy input required for grinding. Particle size distribution was analyzed periodically using laser particle size analysis. In addition, a Box–Behnken design was used to statistically assess the effects of various parameters on the results, ensuring a robust analysis of the factors influencing energy consumption and particle size reduction. The findings reveal that microwave pretreatment significantly influenced specific energy and product P80, with SEM analyses showing increased microcracking and porosity and XRD analyses suggesting possible mineralogical alterations. This enhancement was also proved via statistical tools and analyses such as Design Expert software Ver. 13 and ANOVA. In summary, the research concludes with the following critical points: (1) Microwave pretreatment was found to reduce the energy consumption required for bastnaesite grinding by 27%. (2) Following pretreatment, bastnaesite achieved a 25% finer product size under identical grinding conditions. (3) Structural and compositional changes in bastnaesite after grinding were confirmed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. (4) Based on these analyses, potential mechanisms for the observed energy savings and product size reductions have been suggested. Additionally, we have enhanced the Abstract to better highlight the methods used in the study. This investigation not only advances our understanding of microwave-assisted comminution but also opens avenues for future research on optimizing and implementing this technique in large-scale mining operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The microwave-treated banana peel (BPC) was used as an adsorbent to remove benzoic acid (BA) and salicylic acid (SA) from the aqueous solution in this study. The physicochemical characteristics of banana peel char were carried out using elemental, FTIR, SEM, and BET analysis techniques. The effects of the initial concentration of BA and SA, BPC dosages, contact time, solution pH, and temperature are studied in batch adsorption. The maximum (Langmuir) adsorption capacity of char was found to be 26.56 (mg/g) for benzoic acid and 36.39 (mg/g) for salicylic acid for the BPC dose of 16 g/L and equilibrium time of 9 h at 30 °C. The maximum adsorption achieved was 86.67% for BA and 78.67% for SA at equilibrium for an initial 100 mg/L concentration. Applying the Temkin isotherm showed both acids' physisorption on the char's surface. Based on predicted and experimental values of equilibrium capacity, kinetic modeling demonstrated the suitability of the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Additionally, the Weber–Morris plot showed that there is more than one step in controlling the adsorption rate. The enthalpy change (29.78 kJ/mol for BA adsorption and 24.36 kJ/mol for SA adsorption) informed the temperature-favored adsorption of both acids. Based on the comparison of the adsorption capacity of BPC onto BA and SA with previously reported adsorbents, it can be concluded that BPC has good potential to remove BA and SA from an aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the impact of powder metallurgical factors on the corrosion rate (CR) of biodegradable zinc (Zn)-hydroxyapatite (HAP) materials. Factors such as HAP weight percentage (wt%), compaction pressure (CP), heating rate (HR), sintering temperature (ST), and dwell time (DT) were examined. Static immersion test was performed to determine the CR of the samples. The results showed an increase in CR with increased HAP wt%, while factors like CP, HR, and ST led to lower CR. The CR decreased with an increase in DT upto 18 min and thereafter increased. HAP wt% was found to be the most significant factor, contributing 57.95% on CR. A genetic algorithm-based optimization was conducted to minimize CR of Zn-HAP materials. The experimental CR value obtained at optimized levels, i.e., 3 wt% HAP, 34 MPa CP, 25 °C/min HR, 480 °C ST, and 30 min DT, were found to be 0.121 mm/yr, which was within the range of the predicted value 0.08 ± 0.044 mm/yr. This work presents a statistical modeling approach for predicting the CR of Zn-HAP composite for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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AbstractPyrazole is among many synthetic compounds’ most privileged five-membered nitrogenous structural nuclei. Among a diverse range of heterocyclic analogs, pyrazole derivatives presented remarkable therapeutic significances, including antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antitubercular anti-leishmanial, antidiabetic, antihypertensive and anticancer effects, etc. Pyrazole motif is also available as a structural part of many marketed drugs and clinical trial candidates bearing therapeutic importance. In traditional synthetic methodologies, synthesizing pyrazole derivatives requires several harsh reaction environments, such as introducing organic solvent, longer duration of time, elevated temperature, and energy consumption. By considering the pyrazoles’ utility and several drawbacks associated with their traditional synthetic approach, researchers have developed more economical reaction conditions to obtain them. In this regard, microwave irradiation, reaction at room temperature, and solvent and catalyst-free circumstances are ecologically favorable and cost-effective. Microwave-assisted organic synthesis (MAOS) of pyrazole derivatives has exhibited environment-friendly reaction conditions with the minor consumption of hazardous chemicals/solvents and significantly reduced reaction duration. Therefore, this review highlights the microwave-associated synthesis of pyrazole derivatives, likely an excellent alternative to eco-friendly synthetic methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is a field of science that deals with manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular level, on a scale of one billionth of a meter. This review paper highlights using a microwave-assisted green approach to synthesize metallic nanostructures in a smaller, finer and cost-effective manner using metallic salt and plant-based extract solutions. The metallic salt solution acts as a reaction precursor, while the plant-based extract is a capping, reducing and stabilizing agent. This process can synthesize various metallic nanostructures and metal oxide nanocomposites, including silver, nickel, copper, sulphur, iron, etc. Synthetic nanostructures have numerous applications due to their small size and large surface area-to-volume ratio. They act as catalysts, anticancer, antibacterial, electro-catalytic, phytochemical, physiochemical and antimicrobial agents. These synthesized nanostructures are characterized using various microscopic instruments such as SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, XPS, DLS and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Measuring the germination index of corn, and gelatinization index, thermodynamic properties, long‐range structure, short‐range structure and particle morphology of corn starch, the study aimed to investigate the effects of different microwave (MW) treatment on the structural and functional properties of germinated corn starch.The results indicated that after appropriate MW treatment, the germination indices (germination rate, germination potential, sprout length and sprout weight) of germinated corn starch were improved after 7 days of germination. In addition, MW treatment also affected the structure of germinated corn starch. MW treatment could reduce the relative crystallinity of starch, but did not change the crystal type and the peak position of each absorption peak in Fourier transform infrared spectra. In addition, rapid visco‐analysis and differential scanning calorimetry results showed, respectively, that MW treatment decreased the peak viscosity of germinated corn starch and increased the gelatinization temperature. Finally, MW treatment made the starch surface become rough, destroyed the starch particle structure and produced random cracks and voids.Overall, the present study proves that appropriate MW treatment is an effective measure for the modification of germinated corn starch, and provides a theoretical basis for the application of MW technology in germinated corn products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable oils are extracted from oilseeds, fruits and other parts of plants. The method used in oil extraction is of great importance, as it affects both the quality of the final product and the environment. It is desirable that the extraction method be minimally costly, fast, environmentally friendly, and produce oil of high quality and quantity. Common oil extraction methods are mechanical pressing and solvent extraction, and these methods have advantages and disadvantages over each other. Mechanical extraction and solvent extraction are controversial due to poor product quality and high environmental impacts. This review presents applications where conventional oil extraction processes are assisted by microwave or ultrasound. It is necessary to evaluate the impact of ultrasound and microwave-assisted extraction on the quality of the extracted oil and also to compare the results with those of conventional extraction methods. For this purpose, this review discusses the effects of microwave and ultrasound-assisted extraction on the physicochemical, oxidation indices, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant properties of oil extracted from oil seeds and fruits. Furthermore, this review provides readers with in-depth information on the mechanisms involved, their use, and the impact of operating conditions. The yield and quality of the oil obtained by these processes can vary depending on parameters such as microwave power, ultrasound power, processing time, and temperature. Finally, the review also discusses the challenges and advantages of the industrial application of these technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]