Evaluating acute toxicity of amino acid ionic liquids towards Poecilia reticulata fish for designing sustainable chemical processes

An acute toxicity study assessed the LC50 values for eight different amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs), featuring two cations, tetrabutylphosphonium [P4444] and tetrabutylammonium [N4444], coupled with four anions [PHE], [ASP], [SER], and [GLY]. According to the OECD 203 standard for acute fish toxicity tests with guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata, all the AAILs exhibited low toxicity levels, and were practically nontoxic and harmless. The LC50 values surpassed 100 mg/L and 1000 mg/L. This study provides valuable insights for industrial professionals in utilizing tetrabutylphosphonium-based amino acid ionic liquids [P4444] [AA] and tetrabutylammonium-based amino acid ionic liquids [N4444][AA] in chemical processes, indicating their safety in aquatic environments. These promising results highlight the potential of incorporating these AAILs into diverse chemical processes while ensuring minimal ecological impact.

A review on vegetable oil-based non isocyanate polyurethane: towards a greener and sustainable production route

The transition from conventional polyurethane (PU) to non isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) is driven mainly by safety concerns, environmental considerations, and sustainability issues associated with the current PU technology. NIPU has emerged as a promising alternative, addressing limitations related to traditional PU production. There has been increasing interest in bio-based NIPU aligning with the aspiration for green materials and processes. One important biomass resource for the development of bio-based NIPU is vegetable oil, an abundant, renewable, and relatively low cost feedstock. As such, this review aims to provide insight into the progression of NIPU derived from vegetable oils. This article highlights the synthetic and green approach to NIPU production, emphasizing the method involving the polyaddition reaction of cyclic carbonates and amines. The review includes case studies on vegetable oil-based NIPU and perspectives on their properties. Further, discussions on the potential applications and commercial importance of PU and NIPU are included. Finally, we offer perspectives on possible research directions and the future prospects of NIPU, contributing to the ongoing evolution of PU technology.

Synthesis and characterization of ammonium-based protic ionic liquids for carbon dioxide absorption

A series of ammonium-based protic ionic liquids (APILs) namely ethanolammonium pentanoate [ETOHA][C5], ethanolammonium heptanoate [ETOHA][C7], triethanolammonium pentanoate [TRIETOHA][C5], triethanolammonium heptanoate [TRIETOHA][C7], tributylammonium pentanoate [TBA][C5] and tributylammonium heptanoate [TBA][C7] was synthesized via proton transfer. Their structural confirmation and physiochemical properties namely thermal stability, phase transition, density, heat capacity (Cp) and refractive index (RI) have been determined. Specifically, [TRIETOHA] APILs have crystallization peaks ranging from -31.67 to -1.00 °C, owing to their large density values. A comparison study revealed the low Cp values of APILs in comparison to monoethanolamine (MEA) which could be advantageous for APILs to be used in CO2 separation during recyclability processes. Additionally, the performance of APILs toward CO2 absorption was investigated by using a pressure drop technique under a pressure range of 1-20 bar at 298.15 K. It was observed that [TBA][C7] recorded the highest CO2 absorption capacity with the value of 0.74 mole fraction at 20 bar. Additionally, the regeneration of [TBA][C7] for CO2 absorption was studied. Analysis of the measured CO2 absorption data showed marginal reduction in the mole fraction of CO2 absorbed between fresh and recycled [TBA][C7] thus proving the promising potential of APILs as good liquid absorbents for CO2 removal.

CO2 Adsorption Performance on Surface-Functionalized Activated Carbon Impregnated with Pyrrolidinium-Based Ionic Liquid

The serious environmental issues associated with CO2 emissions have triggered the search for energy efficient processes and CO2 capture technologies to control the amount of gas released into the atmosphere. One of the suitable techniques is CO2 adsorption using functionalized sorbents. In this study, a functionalized activated carbon (AC) material was developed via the wet impregnation technique. The AC was synthesized from a rubber seed shell (RSS) precursor using chemical activation and was later impregnated with different ratios of [bmpy][Tf2N] ionic liquid (IL). The AC was successfully functionalized with IL as confirmed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy analyses. Incorporation of IL resulted in a reduction in the surface area and total pore volume of the parent adsorbent. Bare AC showed the largest SBET value of 683 m2/g, while AC functionalized with the maximum amount of IL showed 14 m2/g. A comparative analysis of CO2 adsorption data revealed that CO2 adsorption performance of AC is majorly affected by surface area and a pore-clogging effect. Temperature has a positive impact on the CO2 adsorption capacity of functionalized AC due to better dispersion of IL at higher temperatures. The CO2 adsorption capacity of AC (30) increased from 1.124 mmol/g at 25 °C to 1.714 mmol/g at 40 °C.

Thermal Kinetics of Monocationic and Dicationic Pyrrolidinium-Based Ionic Liquids

This work presents an in-depth kinetic thermal degradation comparison between traditional monocationic and the newly developed dicationic ionic liquid (IL), both coupled with a bromide (Br⁻) anion by using non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis. Thermal analyses of 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bromide [C₄MPyr][Br] and 1,4-bis(1-methylpyrrolidinium-1-yl)butane dibromide [BisC₄MPyr][Br₂] were conducted at a temperature range of 50–650 °C and subjected to various heating rates, which are 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 °C/min. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that dicationic IL, [BisC₄MPyr][Br₂] is less thermally stable compared to monocationic [C₄MPyr][Br]. A detailed analysis of kinetic parameters, which are the activation energy (E_a) and pre-exponential factor (log A), was calculated by using Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Starink. This study revealed that the average E_a and log A of [BisC₄MPyr][Br₂] are lower than [C₄MPyr][Br], which may be contributed to by its low thermal stability. Conclusively, it proved that the E_a and log A of ILs are strongly related to the thermal stability of ILs.

Unexpected acceleration of Ultrasonic-Assisted iodide dosimetry in the catalytic presence of ionic liquids

This study investigates the potential of using small amounts of ionic liquids (IL) to enhance ultrasound-assisted extraction of lipids content from green microalgae. Three imidazolium-based ILs (butyl, octyl and dodecyl), each of them with two anions (bromide and acetate) were tested as additives. Viscosity and surface tension of the ILs aqueous mixtures were analyzed to determine the influence of ILs' anions and alkyl chain length, whereas KI dosimetry experiments were used as an indicator of radicals formation. A key finding suggests that the small addition of ILs improves the ultrasonication either by enhancing the viscosity and reducing the water surface tension, leading to a more powerful acoustic cavitation process or by increasing HO° production likely to oxidize the microalgae cells membranes, and consequently disrupting them on a more efficient manner. KI dosimetry also revealed that long ILs alkyl chain is detrimental. This experimental observation is confirmed thus strengthened as the yield of extracted lipids from green microalgae has shown an incremental trend when the IL concentration also increased. These hypotheses are currently under investigation to spot detailed impact of ILs on cavitation process.

Palatability of black soldier fly larvae in valorizing mixed waste coconut endosperm and soybean curd residue into larval lipid and protein sources

The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) have been widely extolled for the application in managing various solid organic wastes. Owing to the saprophagous nature of BSFL, a rapid valorization of solid organic wastes can be accomplished with the simultaneous production of valuable biochemical compounds derived from larval biomass. In the present works, the mixed waste coconut endosperm (w-CE) and soybean curd residue (SC-r) substrates with increasing protein nutritional constituent were administered to BSFL. The correlations between protein from larval feed substrates and nutritional profiles of BSFL biomasses were ultimately unveiled. The protein from larval feed substrates could be increased by increasing of SC-r portion against w-CE. At the w-CE:SC-r ratio of 3:2, the highest larval total weight gained and growth rate were attained; indicating an optimum protein nutritional constituent in mixed organics (12.4%) that could enhance the BSFL palatability. Further increment of protein nutritional constituent in mixed organics was found acidifying the residual larval feed substrate progressively, undermining the growth of BSFL. By feeding the BSFL with optimum mixed organics, the maximum accumulations of larval lipid and protein could be achieved. Transesterification of extracted lipid had demonstrated high in monounsaturated fatty acids (73%) which was suitable for biodiesel. The BSFL palatability was finally confirmed from the bioconversion viewpoint of mixed organic wastes. Again, achieving the highest bioconversion efficiency of 14% into larval biomass after accounting the metabolic loss of 54%. Therefore, a total of 68% of mixed w-CE and SC-r could be successfully bioconverted.

A preliminary study of the bioavailability of iron- and zinc-glycine chelates

Groups of rats were fed diets containing marginal levels of Fe and Zn as glycine chelates (tradename 'Chelazome', Albion Laboratories, Verona, New Jersey, USA), or the same level of mineral as ferrous sulphate or zinc carbonate. The Fe diets were fed to weanling rats for 4 weeks and the Zn diets to young adult rats for 5 weeks. Blood Hb concentrations were significantly higher in the group fed Fe-chelazome than ferrous sulphate, 149 and 128 g/l respectively (P less than 0.001), but PCV and liver Fe concentrations were similar between the two groups. No difference in plasma Zn, pancreas, testes or femur Zn concentrations were observed between the two Zn groups, indicating that Zn-chelazome has no advantage over zinc carbonate. The results of this preliminary study indicate that Fe-chelazome has a higher bioavailability than ferrous sulphate and merits further study.

Khat-chewing during pregnancy-effect upon the off-spring and some characteristics of the chewers

In a study of 1,141 consecutive deliveries at delivery centres in the Yemen Arab Republic, the effects of khat (catha edulis) upon the offspring have been studied. The leaves of the shrub khat contain euphorizing compounds and are chewed often, even daily, by many inhabitants. Non-users of khat (n = 427) had significantly fewer low birth-weight babies (less than 2,500 gram) compared to occasional users (n = 223) and regular users (n = 391). The khat-chewing mother was older, of greater parity and had more surviving children than the non-chewers. Significantly more khat-chewers had concomitant diseases. There was no difference in rates of stillbirth or congenital malformations.