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Aromatic amines are important commercial chemicals, but their carcinogenicity poses a threat to humans and other organisms, making their rapid quantitative detection increasingly urgent. Here, amorphous MoO3 (a‐MoO3) monolayers with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect in the visible region are designed for the trace detection of carcinogenic aromatic amine molecules. The hot‐electron fast decay component of a‐MoO3 decreases from 301 fs to 150 fs after absorption with methyl orange (MO) molecules, indicating the plasmon‐induced hot‐electron transfer (PIHET) process from a‐MoO3 to MO. Therefore, a‐MoO3 monolayers present high SERS performance due to the synergistic effect of electromagnetic enhancement (EM) and PIHET, proposing the EM‐PIHET synergistic mechanism in a‐MoO3. In addition, a‐MoO3 possesses higher electron delocalization and electronic state density than crystal MoO3 (c‐MoO3), which is conducive to the PIHET. The limit of detection (LOD) for o‐aminoazotoluene (o‐AAT) is 10−9 M with good uniformity, acid resistance, and thermal stability. In this work, trace detection and identification of various carcinogenic aromatic amines based on a‐MoO3 monolayers is realized, which is of great significance for reducing cancer infection rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of hazardous substances, heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) and two representative advanced glycation end products (AGEs), Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) and Nε-carboxyethyl-lysine (CEL) in five kinds of fish with different fat contents during thermal processing was investigated. The results indicated that HAAs, AGEs produced is related to the lipids in varying degrees. The variation of key precursors were examined to explain the relationship between fat oxidation and molecular pathway of HAAs and AGEs formation. The current research may help us better understand the overall generation of hazardous substances in food systems, and provide new ideas for formulating prevention in future production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred and twenty samples of meat products represented by grilled kofta, grilled meat, charcoal grilled kofta, and charcoal grilled meat (30 pieces each) were randomly collected from different markets in Kalyobia Governorate, Egypt. Each sample was individually packed in a plastic bag and taken directly to the laboratory. Collected samples were analyzed for heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HAAs). This study aimed to reduce the amount of carbonization and fat pyrolysis by reducing the amount of meat droplets using antioxidants such as butylhydroxytoluene (0.02%) and carvacrol (1%). The observed findings showed that the average levels of HAAs (pg/kg) in charcoal-grilled meat samples, left untreated (n = 30), were as follows: BhIP, MelQx, 4,8-DiMelQx and Norharman were Norharman while IQ was beyond the undetected limit (UDL). Meanwhile, the treated samples with (BHT 0.0% and carvacrol 1%) showed that individuals; BhIP, MelQx, 4,8-DiMelQx, and Norharman were 3.8±0.3, 0.5±0.1, 1.2±0.1 and 1.8±0.1 with reduction percentage 41.5%, 28.6%, 36.8% and 47.1%, respectively for BHT concentration 0.02%. While for carvacrol concentration 1% individuals; BhIP, MelQx, 4,8-DiMelQx, and Norharman were 3.1±0.2, 0.4±0.2, 1.0±0.1 and 1.5±0.1 with reduction percentages 52.3%, 42.9%, 47.4%, and 55.9%, respectively. In conclusion, this study recommends the treatment of charcoal grilled meat with antioxidants, such as BHT 0.0% and carvacrol 1%, to reduce HAAS concentrations in the examined samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the global production of polymers exceeded 400 million tons in 2022, it is imperative that recycling rates are increased to prevent the predominant end-of-life handling through landfilling and incineration processes. With an increasing reliance on polyurethane (PU), the 2022 global production of PU reached almost 26 million tons. As PU is mainly utilised as a thermoset material, the extensive cross-linked networks render melting and remolding processes known from thermoplastic materials incompatible. As such, the majority of PU that is recycled is processed through mechanical shredding and gluing processes or chemical recycling via glycolysis and acidolysis processes for polyol recovery, all providing a secondary material with properties different from the parent material. Here, we show that the well-established acidolysis process can be used to both depolymerise PU and separate the polyol and dianiline adducts with a specific focus on analysing and valorising the dianiline component arising from the hard segment of PU. By evaluation of the reaction outcome from acidolysis of flexible PU foam with succinic acid, adipic acid or phthalic acid under neat conditions, succinic acid was found to form the corresponding succinimide of toluene diamines that is readily separable from the polyol. The toluene diamine could in turn be reformed through ruthenium-catalysed hydrogenation or simple hydrolysis. Ultimately, the combined acidolysis/hydrolysis of a flexible PU foam yields the polyol and dianiline in a combined 83 wt% recovery. A similar recovery rate was achieved for a commercial rebonded flexible foam. As current PU recycling methods only target the polyol fraction often obtained in a low quality, this advancement shows that current industrially applied acidolysis could be altered so that both the diamines and polyol can be obtained from flexible PU foam. Preliminary results show that the process is applicable to rigid PU foams, a PU fraction that is difficult to recycle due to its molecular complexity. Finally, a mechanistic pathway is suggested to account for the observed product distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundMelamine, melamine derivatives, and aromatic amines are nitrogen-containing compounds with known toxicity and widespread commercial uses. Nevertheless, biomonitoring of these chemicals is lacking, particularly during pregnancy, a period of increased susceptibility to adverse health effects.ObjectivesWe aimed to measure melamine, melamine derivatives, and aromatic amine exposure in pregnant women across the United States (U.S.) and evaluate associations with participant and urine sample collection characteristics.MethodsWe measured 43 analytes, representing 45 chemicals (i.e., melamine, three melamine derivatives, and 41 aromatic amines), in urine from pregnant women in nine diverse ECHO cohorts during 2008-2020 (N = 171). To assess relations with participant and urine sample collection characteristics, we used generalized estimating equations to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) for analytes dichotomized at the detection limit, % differences (%Δ) for continuous analytes, and 95% confidence intervals. Multivariable models included age, race/ethnicity, marital status, urinary cotinine, and year of sample collection.ResultsTwelve chemicals were detected in >60% of samples, with near ubiquitous detection of cyanuric acid, melamine, aniline, 4,4'-methylenedianiline, and a composite of o-toluidine and m-toluidine (99-100%). In multivariable adjusted models, most chemicals were associated with higher exposures among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black participants. For example, concentrations of 3,4-dichloroaniline were higher among Hispanic (%Δ: +149, 95% CI: +17, +431) and non-Hispanic Black (%Δ: +136, 95% CI: +35, +311) women compared with non-Hispanic White women. We observed similar results for ammelide, o-/m-toluidine, 4,4'-methylenedianiline, and 4-chloroaniline. Most chemicals were positively associated with urinary cotinine, with strongest associations observed for o-/m-toluidine (%Δ: +23; 95% CI: +16, +31) and 3,4-dichloroaniline (%Δ: +25; 95% CI: +17, +33). Some chemicals exhibited annual trends (e.g., %Δ in melamine per year: -11; 95% CI: -19, -1) or time of day, seasonal, and geographic variability.DiscussionExposure to melamine, cyanuric acid, and some aromatic amines was ubiquitous in this first investigation of these analytes in pregnant women. Future research should expand biomonitoring, identify sources of exposure disparities by race/ethnicity, and evaluate potential adverse health effects.

[Display omitted] • The WO 3 decorated with Cu was developed to efficiently regulate O 2 active species. • Under irradiation of wavelength < 475 nm, O 2 tends to produce 1O 2 and •O. • Under irradiation with a long wavelength source (>475 nm), 1O 2 is mainly ROS. • Cu@CuO x /WO 3 with photo-regulated ROS generation exhibits excellent performance. Photocatalysts can absorb light and activate molecular O 2 under mild conditions, but the generation of unsuitable reactive oxygen species often limits their use in synthesizing fine chemicals. To address this issue, we disperse 1 wt% copper on tungsten trioxide (WO 3) support to create an efficient catalyst for selective oxidative coupling of aromatic amines to imines under sunlight irradiation at room temperature. Copper consists of a metallic copper core and an oxide shell. Experimental and density functional theory calculations have confirmed that Cu 2 O is the primary activation site. Under λ < 475 nm, the light excites electrons of the valence bands in Cu 2 O and WO 3 , which activate O 2 to superoxide radical •O 2 −. Then rapidly transforms into oxygen adatoms (•O) and oxygen anion radicals (•O−) species on the surface of Cu 2 O. Simultaneously, it is captured by holes in the WO 3 valence band to generate singlet oxygen (1O 2). •O bind to 1O 2 promoting the coupling reaction of amines. When λ > 475 nm, intense light absorption due to the localized surface plasmon resonance excites numerous electrons in Cu to promote the oxidative coupling with the adsorbed O 2. This study presents a promising approach towards the design of high-performance photocatalysts for solar energy conversion and environmentally-friendly oxidative organic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) constitute a group of highly toxic organic compounds strongly associated with the onset of various types of cancer. This paper aims to serve as a valuable resource for food scientists working towards a better understanding of these compounds including formation, minimizing strategies, analysis, and toxicity as well as addressing existing gaps in the literature. Despite extensive research conducted on these compounds since their discovery, several aspects remain inadequately understood, necessitating further investigation. These include their formation pathways, toxic mechanisms, effective mitigation strategies, and specific health effects on humans. Nonetheless, recent research has yielded promising results, contributing significantly to our understanding of HAAs by proposing new potential formation pathways and innovative strategies for their reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental and theoretical study of the regioselectivity and mechanism of polycyclic aromatic amine (PAA) electrochemical oxidation is important for designing nitrogen doped large π‐conjugated functional molecules. Herein, we used binary‐, ternary‐, and quaternary‐fused PAAs as electro‐oxidative reaction substrates to investigate the yield changes of carbazole and phenazine based aza‐helicene other than oligomers, which were obtained through pyrrole and pyrazine annulation pathways. Combined with the restrained electrostatic potential (RESP) and steric hindrance factor analysis of the substrate, the electron spin density distribution of free radical resonance hybrid and the spin population analysis of the atoms in the structure of each free radical tautomer indicate that the degree of delocalized dispersion of N free radical and the resulting change in the spin density distribution of C free radical tautomers determine the reaction regioselectivity. The potential charge of the K‐region, Bay‐region, and L‐region adjacent to the C(α)−C(β1) bond is higher than that of other regions within the molecule, and the charge in these high RESP regions tends to delocalize more strongly toward electron‐deficient N free radicals. Thus, the activity of N−C(α)−C(β1) region is increased, which supports the proposed free radical addition and free radical coupling mechanism for the electro‐oxidative reaction of PAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In recent years, due to the global shortage of helium gas, the development of gas chromatography (GC) analytical methods using alternatives to helium carrier gases is necessary. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the applicability of hydrogen and nitrogen as alternative carrier gases using the test method for azo compounds in the Act on Control of Household Products Containing Harmful Substances of Japan. Method The gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analytical method using hydrogen and nitrogen as alternative carrier gases was compared with a method using helium for 26 primary aromatic amines (PAAs) originated from azo dyes. Results When hydrogen and nitrogen were used as carrier gases under the same conditions used during analysis using helium (same column, gas flow rate, oven temperature conditions, etc.), sufficient peak separation of 26 PAAs was obtained. The sensitivities of the methods using helium and hydrogen were comparable, whereas the sensitivity was lower when nitrogen was used, with the detection limits ranging from 1/220 to 1/25. However, all carrier gases achieved quantification at concentrations below the standard value (30 μg/g) of the Act on Control of Household Products Containing Harmful Substances, and the results were in agreement with the standard value for the target product. Conclusions Our results indicated that hydrogen or nitrogen can be used as alternative carrier gases to helium for GC-MS analysis of azo compounds producing specific aromatic amines. Highlights Using hydrogen or nitrogen as an alternative carrier gas to helium, azo compounds could be quantified with excellent accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in roasted peanuts, six phenolic acids (caffeic acid, ferulic acid, 4-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, gallic acid and chlorogenic acid) were employed to impregnate raw peanuts before roasting, and the effects of the type and concentration of impregnation solutions on AGEs and HAAs formation during peanut roasting were studied in this work. The results showed that gallic acid and chlorogenic acid could significantly inhibit the formation of Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML) and Nε-(carboxyethyl) lysine (CEL) with an inhibition rate in the range of 14.7%–24.4% and 13.0%–22.7%, respectively. However, the other four phenolic acids had no inhibitory effect (P > 0.05). What’s more, the inhibitory effects of gallic acid and chlorogenic acid were concentration dependent. Three HAAs including 2-amino-1,6-dimethylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (DMIP), 1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (Harman) and 9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (Norharman) were detected in roasted peanuts. All six phenolic acids could inhibit the formation of DMIP significantly (P 0.05). Ferulic acid and chlorogenic acid had a strong inhibition effect on the formation of 3 HAAs, but there was no obvious concentration dependence.

Meat products are an important part in our daily diet, providing valuable nutrients for the human body. However, heating processes cause the meat to become more appetizing with changes in texture, appearance, flavor, and chemical properties by the altering of protein structure and other ingredients. As one kind of cooking-induced contaminants, heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are widely present in protein aceous food products with strong carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. In order to promote the safety of traditional meat products, this review focused on the formation, metabolism, biological monitoring and inhibitory mechanism of HAA. An overview of the formation pathways, hazards, and control methods of HAAs during food processing in recent years was studied, aiming to provide some valuable information for exploring effective methods to inhibit the production of associated hazards during food processing. Systematic selection of different types of flavonoids to explore their effects on the formation of HAAs in an actual barbecue system can provide theoretical reference for effectively controlling the formation of HAAs and reducing their harm to human health.

Photoelectrochemistry is becoming an innovative approach to organic synthesis. Generally, the current photoelectrocatalytic organic transformations suffer from limited reaction type, low conversion efficiency and poor stability. Herein, we develop efficient and stable photoelectrode materials using metal oxide protective layer, with a focus on achieving regioselective activation of amine compounds. Notably, our photoelectrochemistry process is implemented under mild reaction conditions and does not involve any directing groups, transition metals or oxidants. The results demonstrate that beyond photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis exhibits high efficiency, remarkable repeatability and good functional group tolerance, highlighting its great potential for applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive review focuses on heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), a class of chemicals that commonly form during the cooking or processing of protein-rich foods. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has categorized certain HAAs as probable human carcinogens, highlighting the significance of studying their formation and control in food safety research. The main objective of this review is to address the knowledge gaps regarding HAAs formation and propose approaches to reduce their potential toxicity during thermal processing. By summarizing the mechanisms involved in HAAs formation and inhibition, the review encompasses both conventional and recent detection methods. Furthermore, it explores the distribution of HAAs in thermally processed meats prepared through various cooking techniques and examines their relative toxicity. Additionally, considering that the Maillard reaction, responsible for HAAs formation, also contributes to the unique flavors and aromas of cooked meat products, this review investigates the potential effects of inhibiting HAAs formation on flavor substances. A thorough understanding of these complex interactions provides a foundation for developing targeted interventions to minimize the formation of HAAs and other harmful compounds during food processing.

In order to determine optimum and ecologically acceptable conditions for aromatic amines (benzidine was chosen as an example) elimination by chara algae Nitella sp. a multi-factor experiment has been undertaken. The benzidine elimination process by chara algae was studied by variation of four factors, such as benzidine initial concentration in water solution, algae biomass, temperature, time and at the interaction of these factors as well. A mathematical model adequately describing the benzidine elimination process by chara algae at the optimal conditions has been obtained by means of design of experiments method. Suggested model might be useful for obtaining the data important for hydro botanical treatment facilities design and self-cleaning processes understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]