Behavior of Multiclass Pesticide Residue Concentrations during the Transformation from Rose Petals to Rose Absolute

Pesticide and mycotoxin residues in Astragalus: Transfer patterns, processing factors and risk assessment during Astragalus processing

This study systematically investigated the transfer patterns of pesticides and mycotoxins during Astragalus processing. A total of 13 pesticides and 9 mycotoxins were detected, phosphamidon and fenamiphos-sulfoxide had the highest detection rates and levels, while deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin were the most abundant mycotoxins. Water extraction and alcohol precipitation reduced pesticide residues (processing factors 0.01-2.17), but drying increased most pesticide residues (e.g., phorate-sulfoxide with a maximum processing factor of 22.41). Pesticide processing factors correlated positively with melting point, water solubility, and vapor pressure, and negatively with molecular weight and octanol-water partition coefficient. Mycotoxin processing factors had different correlations. Chronic risk assessment indicates that demeton and fenamiphos-sulfoxide may cause long harm during the drying process. This study provides important data for the control of pesticide and mycotoxin residues in processed products, which is of theoretical and practical value for guaranteeing the quality and safety of Astragalus.

Pharmaceutical Potential Evaluation of Damask Rose By-Products from Volatile Oil Extraction

Despite its well-known fragrance in cosmetics and medicine, a complete understanding of the phytochemical properties within by-products generated during commercial extraction of Damask rose remains elusive. Cultivated in Thailand for their essential oil, Damask rose varieties, including Mon Dang Prasert, Mon Klai Kangwon, and Bishop's Castle, share phenylethyl alcohol (57.62-61.11%) as the dominant component, which is responsible for their characteristic floral, sweet, rosy, and bready aroma. Through a circular hydro-distillation process, three different by-product fractions, including distilled water (D), hydrosol (H), and rose dreg (R), were recovered. Subsequently, we assessed their pharmaceutical potential, including the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenesis properties of these residual substances. The H fraction displayed the highest total phenolics (10.56 mgGAE/g) and flavonoids (6.93 mgCE/g) and significant antioxidant activity (IC50, 0.67-0.97 µg/mL). While the H fraction inhibited melanin formation at 50 μg/mL, the R fraction of MK (100 μg/mL) surprisingly promoted melanin production in B16-F10 cells. Nevertheless, the antimicrobial assay against Staphylococcus aureus, Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans revealed no antimicrobial activity in any fraction. Murine macrophage stimulation (J774A.1) with lipopolysaccharide revealed no anti-inflammatory effects from the by-products, as measured by IL-1β production. In summary, the H fraction exhibited the highest level of phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant and anti-melanogenesis activities. Therefore, this by-product is a desirable choice for the development of value-added products such as functional food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products.

Transfer Behaviors of 30 Pesticide Residues during the Common Processing of Ginseng

To reduce safety issues of ginseng products caused by excessive pesticide levels, this paper systematically elucidates the transfer rules of pesticides during processing by calculating the transfer rates and processing factors (PFs). The common methods of ginseng processing (water extraction, alcohol extraction, concentration, water extraction and alcohol precipitation, vacuum drying, freeze drying, spray drying) and 30 pesticides frequently occurring in ginseng were used as research objects. The results indicate that the pesticide residues in alcohol extract are much higher than those in water extract. During water extraction and alcohol precipitation, 93.2% of pesticides are transferred to the upper ethanol solution. Besides, drying could reduce the total amount but increase the concentration of pesticide residues. Water extraction-concentration-spray drying (PF ranges from 0.01 to 0.36) and alcohol extraction-concentration-vacuum drying (PF ranges from 1.10 to 3.70) are the processing methods with the lowest and highest pesticide processing factors, respectively.

Durable and transparent super anti-wetting coatings with excellent liquid repellency and anti-fouling performance based on fluorinated polysiloxane

Super anti-fouling coatings are of great interest because of their good liquid repellency and anti-fouling performance. However, it is challenging to prepare durable and transparent super anti-fouling coatings, especially via...