Antibiotic ciprofloxacin removal from aqueous solutions by electrochemically activated persulfate process: Optimization, degradation pathways, and toxicology assessment

Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is a commonly used antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone group and is widely used in medical and veterinary medicine disciplines to treat bacterial infections. When CIP is discharged into the sewage system, it cannot be removed by a conventional wastewater treatment plant because of its recalcitrant characteristics. In this study, boron-doped diamond anode and persulfate were used to degrade CIP in an aquatic solution by creating an electrochemically activated persulfate (EAP) process. Iron was added to the system as a coactivator and the process was called EAP+Fe. The effects of independent variables, including pH, Fe2+, persulfate concentration, and electrolysis time on the system were optimized using the response surface methodology. The results showed that the EAP+Fe process removed 94% of CIP under the following optimum conditions: A pH of 3, persulfate/Fe2+ concentration of 0.4 mmol/L, initial CIP concentration 30 mg/L, and electrolysis time of 12.64 min. CIP removal efficiency was increased from 65.10% to 94.35% by adding Fe2+ as a transition metal. CIP degradation products, 7 pathways, and 78 intermediates of CIP were studied, and three of those intermediates (m/z 298, 498, and 505) were reported. The toxicological analysis based on toxicity estimation software results indicated that some degradation products of CIP were toxic to targeted animals, including fathead minnow, Daphnia magna, Tetrahymena pyriformis, and rats. The optimum operation costs were similar in EAP and EAP+Fe processes, approximately 0.54 €/m3.

Optimizing preparation of low-NaCl protein gels from goose meat and understanding synergistic effects of pH/NaCl in improving gel characteristics

This study explored the feasibility of partially substituting NaCl with MgCl2 in preparing gel products from goose meat. Furthermore, the effects of synergistic interaction between different pH levels and NaCl concentrations on the structure and characteristics of the gels were explored by analyzing their secondary structure, microstructure, and water-distribution properties. The results showed that NaCl could be partially substituted by MgCl2, with the optimal preparation conditions: NaCl (0.83 mol/L), pH (7.3), MgCl2 (0.04 mol/L), heating temperature (79 °C), heating time (20 min), and solid-liquid ratio (1:3). Furthermore, the pH had a more significant impact on the gels' structure and characteristics than did NaCl concentration. Thus, our optimized method can reduce the usage of NaCl in the gel products while at the same time improving the characteristics of gel products under low-NaCl conditions by lowering pH, laying a solid theoretical foundation for producing low-NaCl protein gel products from goose meat.

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction and UHPLC determination of ascorbic acid, polyphenols, and half-maximum effective concentration in Citrus medica and Ziziphus spina-christi fruits using multivariate experimental design

This study aimed to determine the concentrations of ascorbic acid and polyphenols in fruits and peels of Citrus medica and Ziziphus spina-christi grown in Ethiopia. Conditions of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) were optimized, using a multivariate experimental design. The optimum conditions of UAE were 15 min extraction time at 35 ℃, with 75 % aqueous methanol as solvent, and a fruit powder-to-solvent ratio (m/v) of 1:15. Among the different drying conditions investigated, freeze-drying was found to be appropriate for analyzing ascorbic acid, polyphenols, and antioxidant potential. The overall ranges, across the fruits and peels, of ascorbic acid, total polyphenols, and antioxidant potentials (EC50) obtained were 8.7 ± 1.4-91.2 ± 2.6 mg/100 g, 253.0 ± 6.3-764.1 ± 25.8 mg GAE/100 g and 2.4 ± 0.1-26.1 ± 2.9 mg/mL, respectively. This indicates that the fruits and peels of the studied plants are advantageous as sources of ascorbic acid and polyphenols.

From waste to bioactive compounds: A response surface methodology approach to extract antioxidants from Pistacia vera shells for postprandial hyperglycaemia management

Pistacia vera shells, an abundant agricultural by-product, are a rich source of undiscovered bioactive compounds. This study employed a response surface methodology (RSM) approach to optimize the microwave-assisted extraction of antioxidants. The highest total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity were achieved under the optimized extraction conditions (20 % ethanol, 1000 W, 135 s, and solvent-to-solid ratio of 27 mL/g). The resulting extract (OPVS-E) included gallic acid derivatives, hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, fatty acids, and anacardic acids. Remarkably, OPVS-E displayed potent inhibitory activity against α-amylase (IC50 = 2.05 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 41.07 μg/mL), by far more powerful than the anti-diabetic drug acarbose, OPVS-E exhibited a strong antiradical capacity against reactive oxygen species (ROS) without causing toxicity in intestinal cells (HT29-MTX and Caco-2). These findings introduce OPVS-E as a potential novel dual-action nutraceutical ingredient, able to mitigate postprandial hyperglycemia and counteract the ROS overproduction occurring in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Application of experimental design as a statistical approach to recover bioactive peptides from different food sources

Bioactive peptides (BAPs) derived from samples of animals and plants have been widely recommended and consumed for their beneficial properties to human health and to control several diseases. This work presents the applications of experimental designs (DoE) used to perform factor screening and/or optimization focused on finding the ideal hydrolysis condition to obtain BAPs with specific biological activities. The collection and discussion of articles revealed that Box Behnken Desing and Central Composite Design were the most used. The main parameters evaluated were pH, time, temperature and enzyme/substrate ratio. Among vegetable protein sources, soy was the most used in the generation of BAPs, and among animal proteins, milk and shrimp stood out as the most explored sources. The degree of hydrolysis and antioxidant activity were the most investigated responses in obtaining BAPs. This review brings new information that helps researchers apply these DoE to obtain high-quality BAPs with the desired biological activities.

Mechanism for leaching of fluoride ions from carbon dross generated in high-temperature and low-lithium aluminum electrolytic systems

Carbon dross, a hazardous solid waste generated during aluminum electrolysis, contains large amounts of soluble fluoride ions for the main components of the electrolyte (such as Na3AlF6 and NaF). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the mechanism for fluoride ion leaching from carbon dross via water leaching, acid leaching and alkali leaching, and the kinetic and thermodynamic principles of the leaching process were revealed. The RSM predicted the optimum conditions of water leaching, alkali leaching and acid leaching, and the conditions are as follows: temperature, 50 °C; shaking speed, 213 r·min-1; particle size, 0.075 mm; shaking speed, 194 r·min-1; liquid-solid ratio, 12.6 mg·L-1; sodium hydroxide concentration, 1.53 mol·L-1; liquid-solid ratio, 25.0 mg·L-1; sulfuric acid concentration, 2.00 mol·L-1; and temperature, 60 °C，and actual results which were almost consistent with the predicted results were gained. The fluoride ions in the alkaline and acid leaching solutions were mainly the dissociation products of fluorides such as Na3AlF6, Na5Al3F14 and CaF2, as indicated by thermodynamics calculations. In particular, the fluoride compounds dissolved in alkali solution were Na3AlF6, Na5Al3F14, AlF3, ZrF4, K3AlF6, while the acid solution could dissolve only Na3AlF6 and CaF2. The leaching kinetics experiments showed that the leaching rate fit the unreacted shrinking core model [1-2/3α-(1-α)2/3 =kt] and that the leaching process was controlled by internal diffusion. This study provides theoretical guidance for the removal of soluble fluoride ions from carbon dross and will also assist in the separation of electrolytes from carbon dross. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Carbon dross, a hazardous waste generated during the aluminum electrolysis production process, contains a large amount of soluble fluoride. Improper storage will lead the fluoride ions pollution in soil, surface water or groundwater under the direct contact between carbon dross and rainfall, snow or surface runoff. The influence of wind will cause carbon dross dust to pollute further areas. With the human body long-term contact with fluoride ion contaminated soil or water, human health will be seriously harmed.

Investigation of natural deep eutectic solvent for the extraction of crude polysaccharide from Polygonatum kingianum and influence of metal elements on its immunomodulatory effects

In this study, natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) was used to extract Polygonatum kingianum crude polysaccharide (PKCP) and response surface methodology (RSM) was designed to optimize the extraction procedure. The immunomodulatory effect of PKCP and the influence of metal elements on its immunomodulatory effect were further discussed. The optimum conditions for PKCP extraction were obtained by RSM optimization: NADES were synthesized with a 1:2 choline chloride-glycerol molar ratio, then extracted at a liquid-solid ratio of 16.6 mL g-1 and water content of 31.2 % for 60 min at 60 °C. This method was used for the extraction of PKCP, and the extraction efficiency was 29.69 %, which was 2.5 times greater than the conventional method of water extraction. In the concentration range of 200-800 μg mL-1, PKCP could activate macrophages, promoting NO secretion and mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a dose-dependent way. NO secretion and cytokine expression were not affected when the metal elements were spiked to the equivalent of the metal elements contained in Polygonatum kingianum. When the content of metal elements was higher, the secretion of NO and the gene expression of iNOS were both decreased, which may affect the immunomodulatory effect of Polygonatum kingianum.

Microalgae derived honeycomb structured mesoporous diatom biosilica for adsorption of malachite green: Process optimization and modeling

The present study investigated the removal of malachite green dye from aquifers by means of microalgae-derived mesoporous diatom biosilica. The various process variables (dye concentration, pH, and adsorbent dose) influencing the removal of the dye were optimized and their interactive effects on the removal efficiency were explored by response surface methodology. The pH of the solution (pH = 5.26) was found to be the most dominating among other tested variables. The Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.995) best fitted the equilibrium adsorption data with an adsorption capacity of 40.7 mg/g at 323 K and pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.983) best elucidated the rate of dye removal (10.6 mg/g). The underlying mechanism of adsorption was investigated by Weber-Morris and Boyd models and results revealed that the film diffusion governed the overall adsorption process. The theoretical investigations on the dye structure using DFT-based chemical reactivity descriptors indicated that malachite green cations are electrophilic, reactive and possess the ability to accept electrons, and are strongly adsorbed on the surface of diatom biosilica. Also, the Fukui function analysis proposed the favorable adsorption sites available on the adsorbent surface.

Insights into levofloxacin adsorption with machine learning models using nano-composite hydrochars

Hydrothermal carbonization was applied to taro peel wastes to produce hydrochars using a facile and environmentally friendly process. Four different entities were prepared: hydrochar (TPh), phosphoric-activated hydrochar (P-TPh), and silver@hydrochars (Ag@TPh, Ag@P-TPh). The elemental compositions of the single and composite hydrochars were confirmed by EDX. Among the produced hydrochars, the morphology of the Ag@hydrochar composites demonstrated more wrinkled structure, and Ag nanoparticles decorated the surface. The optimal experimental conditions for levofloxacin adsorption were determined to be a contact time of 45 min, hydrochar dose of 0.15 g L-1, and pH of 7. The best adsorption performances were assigned to Ag@hydrochars. Two machine learning models were applied to predict the levofloxacin adsorption efficiency of the Ag@hydrochars. A central composite design (CCD) and a 3-10-1 artificial neural network (ANN) model were developed to estimate the removal performance of levofloxacin using Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagation algorithm based on correlation and error analysis of the adopted training functions. Furthermore, the ANN sensitivity analysis revealed the order of the relative importance variable as initial concentration> hydrochar dose> pH. The predicted values of the CCD and ANN models fitted the experimental results with R2> 0.989. Therefore, the applied models were effective in predicting levofloxacin removal under different operating conditions. This work provides an open option for the sustainable management of food industry wastes and the possibility of waste valorization to effective hydrochar composites to be applied in water treatment processes.

Unveiling antioxidant capacity of standardized chitosan-tripolyphosphate microcapsules containing polyphenol-rich extract of Portulaca oleraceae

The medicinal plant Portulaca oleraceae has a long history of usage in traditional medicine. Plant extracts have several interesting pharmacological effects but have some drawbacks that can be addressed via capsulation with chitosan. This work set out to do just that tally up the antioxidant effects of a polyphenol-rich P. olerace extract and see how capsulation affected them. The reflux extraction and response surface methodology (RSM) were carried out to optimize the phenolic and flavonoid content of P. oleraceae extract. Additionally, high-resolution mass spectrometry was employed to determine the secondary metabolite present in the extract. The microcapsules of extract-loaded chitosan were prepared using the ionic gelation method and characterized in terms of size, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and morphology of microcapsules. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was used to observe the successful production of microcapsules with a principal component analysis (PCA) approach. The antioxidant activity of microcapsules was established using the radical scavenging method. According to RSM, the highest amounts of TPC and TFC were obtained at 72.894 % ethanol, 2.031 h, and 57.384 °C. The compounds were employed from the optimized extract of P. oleraceae including phenolics and flavonoids. The microcapsules were secured with a %EE of 43.56 ± 2.31 %. The characteristics of microcapsules were approved for the obtained product's successful synthesis according to the PCA. The microcapsules have antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.0001). The findings of this study underscored the benefits of employing chitosan as a nanocarrier for extract, offering a promising approach to enhance plant-derived therapies.

Optimizing heat source distribution in sintering molds: Integrating response surface model with sequential quadratic programming

The sintering mold imposes strict requirements for temperature uniformity. The mold geometric parameters and the power configuration of heating elements exert substantial influence. In this paper, we introduce an optimization approach that combines response surface models with the sequential quadratic programming algorithm to optimize the geometric parameters and heating power configuration of a heating system for sintering mold. The response surface models of the maximum temperature difference, maximum temperature, and minimum temperature of the sintering area are constructed utilizing the central composite design method. The model's reliability is rigorously confirmed through variance analysis, residual analysis, and generalization capability validation. The models demonstrate remarkable predictive accuracy within the design space. A nonlinear constrained optimization model is established based on the response surface models, and the optimal parameters are obtained after 9 iterations using the sequential quadratic programming algorithm. Under the optimal parameters, the maximum temperature difference is maintained at less than 5 °C, confirming exceptional temperature uniformity. We conduct parameter analysis based on standardized effects to determine the main influencing factors of temperature uniformity, revealing that the distance between adjacent heating rods and the power density of the inner heating rods exert significant influence. Enhanced temperature uniformity can be achieved by adopting a larger distance between heating rods and configuring the power density of the heating rods to a relatively modest level. This work introduces a practical approach to optimize the heating systems for sintering molds, with potential applications in various industrial mold optimization.

Enhancing biodiesel yield and purification with a recently developed centrifuge machine: A response surface methodology approach

Biodiesel production processes, such as gravity settling, have limitations in terms of biodiesel yield, purification efficiency, operating time in the separation process, and more extensive equipment. Therefore, this study has focused on using a recently developed centrifuge machine for biodiesel separation to address these challenges due to its compact design, high efficiency, and simplicity. Additionally, this study aimed to optimize the separation efficiency of glycerol from biodiesel using a centrifuge machine, employing response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). The optimum conditions for separating glycerol from biodiesel via centrifuge machine are a rotation speed of 1800 rpm, a mixture flow rate of 192.25 ml/min, and a temperature of 55 °C, respectively. In optimum conditions, 94.52% separation efficiency was achieved. Biodiesel production can be improved, leading to higher yields and greater purity. The utilization of RSM proved valuable in determining the optimum conditions for separation. Furthermore, the machine successfully separated the biodiesel to meet ASTM D6751 and EN 14,214 standards. The results highlight the potential of the centrifuge machine for efficient and reliable biodiesel production, contributing to the advancement of the biodiesel industry.

Prediction of textural properties of 3D-printed food using response surface methodology

3D printing has enabled modifying internal structures of the food affecting textural properties, but predicting desired texture remains challenging. To overcome this challenge, the use of response surface methodology (RSM) was demonstrated to develop empirical models relating 3D printing parameters to textural properties using aqueous inks containing cricket powders as a model system. Regression models were established for our key textural properties (i.e., hardness (H), adhesiveness (A), cohesiveness (C), and springiness (S)) in response to three 3D printing parameters: infill percentage (i), layer height (h), and print speed (s). Our developed model successfully predicted the 3D printing parameters to achieve the intended textural properties using a multi-objective optimization framework. The predicted limits for H, A, C, and S were 0.66-5.39 N, 0.01-12.43 mJ, 0.01-1.05, and 0-19.20 mm, respectively. To validate our models, we simulated the texture of other food using our model ink and achieved high accuracy for H (99%), C (82%), and S (87%). This work highlights a simple way to 3D-print foods with spatially different textures and materials, unlocking the full potential of 3D printing technology for manufacturing a range of customized foods.

Separation and determination of phenolic compounds using novel deep eutectic solvent-in-water microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography

BACKGROUND

Microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) is a mode of capillary electrophoresis with a wide range of applications in which microemulsion is utilized as background electrolyte to achieve the separation of analytes. Microemulsions are composed of oil droplets, aqueous buffer, surfactant, and co-surfactant. Currently, conventional organic reagents act as the most commonly used oil phase in microemulsions, which are unfriendly to the environment. Recently, deep eutectic solvent (DES) has become a new type of eco-friendly solvent due to its non-toxicity. Therefore, it is of great value to establish a new MEEKC method by replacing conventional organic reagents as the oil phase with DES.

RESULTS

The novel DES/W MEEKC method was established for phenolic compounds in Senecio scandens samples. Single-factor experiments and response surface methodology were performed to systematically optimize the crucial parameters for the method, including the type and content of the oil phase, surfactant content, concentration of borax buffer, and pH of the background solution. Under the optimized conditions, satisfactory regression curves were established for all standard analytes with correlation coefficients ≥0.9990. The method featured high sensitivity and favorable accuracy, with the instrumental detection limit in the range of 0.22-1.04 μg/mL, and intraday and interday precision for migration time expressed as relative standard deviations of 0.18-0.82% and 1.25-2.50%, respectively. The DES/W MEEKC method was successfully applied to Senecio scandens with good recoveries of 87.72-106.99%. In conclusion, the newly established DES/W MEEKC method is highly efficient, green and environmentally friendly.

SIGNIFICANCE

DES is considered a green and efficient solvent. The DES/W MEEKC method is highly efficient and environmentally friendly. Actually, the method provides a novel and effective analytical tool for the simultaneous separation and determination of multiple phenolic compounds, especially in complex plant matrices. In the future, the DES/W MEEKC method still has the prospect of being widely used in the separation of other complex phytochemicals.

Optimization of preparation conditions for Salsola laricifolia protoplasts using response surface methodology and artificial neural network modeling

BACKGROUND

Salsola laricifolia is a typical C3-C4 typical desert plant, belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. An efficient single-cell system is crucial to study the gene function of this plant. In this study, we optimized the experimental conditions by using Box-Behnken experimental design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM)-Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model based on the previous studies.

RESULTS

Among the 17 experiment groups designed by Box-Behnken experimental design, the maximum yield (1.566 × 106/100 mg) and the maximum number of viable cells (1.367 × 106/100 mg) were obtained in group 12, and the maximum viability (90.81%) was obtained in group 5. Based on these results, both the RSM and ANN models were employed for evaluating the impact of experimental factors. By RSM model, cellulase R-10 content was the most influential factor on protoplast yield, followed by macerozyme R-10 content and mannitol concentration. For protoplast viability, the macerozyme R-10 content had the highest influence, followed by cellulase R-10 content and mannitol concentration. The RSM model performed better than the ANN model in predicting yield and viability. However, the ANN model showed significant improvement in predicting the number of viable cells. After comprehensive evaluation of the protoplast yield, the viability and number of viable cells, the optimal results was predicted by ANN yield model and tested. The amount of protoplast yield was 1.550 × 106/100 mg, with viability of 90.65% and the number of viable cells of 1.405 × 106/100 mg. The corresponding conditions were 1.98% cellulase R-10, 1.00% macerozyme R-10, and 0.50 mol L-1 mannitol. Using the obtained protoplasts, the reference genes (18SrRNA, β-actin and EF1-α) were screened for expression, and transformed with PEG-mediated pBI121-SaNADP-ME2-GFP plasmid vector. There was no significant difference in the expression of β-actin and EF1-α before and after treatment, suggesting that they can be used as internal reference genes in protoplast experiments. And SaNADP-ME2 localized in chloroplasts.

CONCLUSION

The current study validated and evaluated the effectiveness and results of RSM and ANN in optimizing the conditions for protoplast preparation using S. laricifolia as materials. These two methods can be used independently of experimental materials, making them suitable for isolating protoplasts from other plant materials. The selection of the number of viable cells as an evaluation index for protoplast experiments is based on its ability to consider both protoplast yield and viability. The findings of this study provide an efficient single-cell system for future genetic experiments in S. laricifolia and can serve as a reference method for preparing protoplasts from other materials.

Efficient reduction of vanadium (V) with biochar and experimental parameters optimized by response surface methodology

Water pollution deteriorates ecosystems and has a great threaten to the environment. The environmental benefits of wastewater treatment are extremely important to minimize pollutants. Here, the biochar purchased from the related industry was used to treat the wastewater which contained high concentration of vanadium (V). The concentration of vanadium was measured by the IC-OES and the results showed that 96.1% vanadium (V) was reduced at selected reaction conditions: the mass ratio of biochar to vanadium of 5.4, reaction temperature of 90 °C, reaction time at 60 min and concentration of H2SO4 of 10 g/L, respectively. Response surface methodology confirmed that all the experimental parameters had positive effect on the reduction of vanadium (V), which could improve the reduction efficiency of vanadium (V) as increased. The influence of each parameter on the reduction process followed the order: A (Concentration of H2SO4) > C (mass ratio of biochar to vanadium) > B (mass ratio of biochar to vanadium). Especially, the mass ratio of biochar to vanadium and concentration of H2SO4 had the greatest influence on the reduction process. This paper provides a versatile strategy for the treatment of wastewater containing vanadium (V) and shows a bright tomorrow for wastewater treatment.

Optimization of fermentation conditions and medium components for chrysomycin a production by Streptomyces sp. 891-B6

BACKGROUND

Chrysomycin A (CA) is a promising antibiotic for treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections and cancers. In order to enhance CA yield, optimization of fermentation conditions and medium components was carried out on strain Streptomyces sp. 891-B6, an UV-induced mutant with improved CA titer compared with its wide-type marine strain 891.

RESULTS

Using one-way experiment, the optimal fermentation conditions for CA production in 1-L shake flask were obtained as follows: 12 days of fermentation time, 5 days of seed age, 5% of inoculum volume ratio, 200 mL of loading volume and 6.5 of initial pH. By response surface methodology, the optimal medium components determined as glucose (39.283 g/L), corn starch (20.662 g/L), soybean meal (15.480 g/L) and CaCO3 (2.000 g/L).

CONCLUSION

Validation tests showed that the maximum yield of CA reached 1601.9 ± 56.7 mg/L, which was a 60% increase compared to the initial yield (952.3 ± 53.2 mg/L). These results provided an important basis for scale-up production of CA by strain 891-B6.

Optimization of cassava peel ash concrete using central composite design method

Cassava peel ash (CPA) is an abundant agricultural byproduct that has shown promise as an additional cementitious material in concrete manufacturing. This research study aims to optimize the incorporation of CPA in concrete blends using the central composite design (CCD) methodology to determine the most effective combination of ingredients for maximizing concrete performance. The investigation involves a physicochemical analysis of CPA to assess its pozzolanic characteristics. Laboratory experiments are then conducted to assess the compressive and flexural strengths of concrete mixtures formulated with varying proportions of CPA, cement, and aggregates. The results show that a mix ratio of 0.2:0.0875:0.3625:0.4625 for cement, CPA, fine, and coarse aggregates, respectively, yields a maximum compressive strength of 28.51 MPa. Additionally, a maximum flexural strength of 10.36 MPa is achieved with a mix ratio of 0.2:0.0875:0.3625:0.525. The experimental data were used to develop quadratic predictive models, followed by statistical analyses. The culmination of the research resulted in the identification of an optimal concrete blend that significantly enhances both compressive and flexural strength. To ensure the reliability of the model, rigorous validation was conducted using student's t-test, revealing a strong correlation between laboratory findings and simulated values, with computed p-values of 0.9987 and 0.9912 for compressive and flexural strength responses, respectively. This study underscores the potential for enhancing concrete properties and reducing waste through the effective utilization of CPA in the construction sector.

Enhancement of oleanolic acid concentration through acid hydrolysis of saponin-rich extracts from Chenopodium berlandieri

The study investigated Chenopodium berlandieri to analyze its oleanolic acid (OA) content. Response surface methodology with central composite design was used to improve saponin extraction, varying temperature, ethanol, and sample-to-solvent ratio. Best conditions (65 °C, 50% ethanol, 1:10 ratio) yielded 53.45 ± 0.63 mg/g of extract from Huauzontle seeds. Temperature linearly impacted extract yield, while temperature and ethanol influenced total saponin content. Hydrolyzing saponin-rich extracts produced OA-rich extracts. Characterization via HPLC-ELSD and LC-MS identified OA4 as the most concentrated OA saponin (5.54 ± 0.16 mg/g). OA alone reached 2.02 ± 0.12 mg/g. Acid hydrolysis increased OA content by up to 3.27×, highlighting the potential of hydrolyzed Huauzontle extracts as a natural ingredient for various industries due to enhanced OA content.

Multiplexed colorimetry collaborated with smartphone-based image analysis for simultaneous and fast visualization of dyes in both environmental and food samples

In this work, a multiplexed colorimetric strategy was initiated for simultaneous and fast visualization of dyes using low-cost and easy-to-prepare indicator papers as sorbents. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to model statistically and optimize the process variables for dyes extraction and colorimetric assays. Multiplexed colorimetry was realized by virtue of synchronous color alignments from different dimensions of multiple dyes co-stained colorimetric cards under RSM-optimized conditions, and smartphone-based image analysis was subsequently performed from different modes to double-check the credibility of colorimetric assays. As concept-to-proof trials, simultaneous visualization of dyes in both beverages and simulated dye effluents was experimentally proved with results highly matched to HPLC or spiked amounts at RSM-predicted staining time as short as 50 s ∼3 min, giving LODs as low as 0.97 ± 0.22/0.18 ± 0.08 μg/mL (tartrazine/brilliant blue) for multiplexed colorimetry, which much lower than those obtained by single colorimetry. Since this is the first case to propose such a RSM-guided multiplexed colorimetric concept, it will provide a reference for engineering of other all-in-one devices which can realize synchronous visualization applications within limited experimental steps.

Influence of intensity ultrasound on rheological properties and bioactive compounds of araticum (Annona crassiflora) juice

The use of extracts rich in bioactive compounds is becoming increasingly common in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries for the production of functional products. Araticum is a potential fruit to be analyzed due to its content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and vitamins, with antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound on total phenolic compounds, total carotenoids, ascorbic acid, color, turbidity and rheology in araticum juice. Response surface methodology based on a central composite design was applied. Araticum juice was subjected to sonication at amplitude levels ranging from 20 to 100 % of the total power (400 W) at a constant frequency of 20 kHz for different durations (2 to 10 min). Morphological analysis was conducted to observe microscopic particles, and viscosity and suitability to rheological models (Newtonian, Power Law, and Herschel-Bulkley) were assessed. The ultrasonic probe extraction method was compared to the control juice. According to the responses, using the desirability function, the optimal conditions for extraction were determined to be low power (low amplitude) applied in a short period of time or low power applied in a prolonged time. These conditions allowed an ultrasonic probe to act on releasing bioactive compounds without degrading them. All three rheological models were suitable, with the Power Law model being the most appropriate, exhibiting non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior.

Optimization of photocatalytic ceramic membrane filtration by response surface methodology: Effects of hydrodynamic conditions on organic fouling and removal efficiency

The effects of the operating conditions, including the applied pressure, feed organic concentration, and recirculation flowrate along the TiO2-coated ceramic membrane, on the normalized membrane permeability and organic removal efficiency were systematically investigated by operating a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR). Response surface methodology (RSM) was conducted to better understand the interactive effect of operational conditions as well as their individual and combined effects to control membrane performance. Our results showed that the applied pressure and feed organic concentration, as single parameter, affected the normalized membrane permeability and organic removal efficiency more dominantly than the recirculation flowrate. The polynomial performance equations generated by RSM successfully predicted the membrane performance of the PMR. The responses to the normalized membrane permeability and organic removal efficiency with respect to the operational conditions were less sensitive to any combination of operational conditions than to their individual impacts. The combined effects of the operating conditions were less pronounced in promoting the catalytic performance of organic contaminants on the TiO2 surface. Our RSM analysis based on experimental observations designed by Box-Behnken Design (BBD) suggested that 1.3 bar of applied pressure, 44 mg/L of feed organic dye concentration and 0.8 L/min as recirculation flowrate as optimum conditions achieved more than 98% of organic removal efficiency and less than 5% of decline in normalized membrane permeability. This research shows that the RSM provides effective tool to optimize operational conditions to determine fouling rate and organic removal in PMR.

Energizing tomorrow: unleashing spirulina's potential in engine performance optimization and emission reduction

Dwindling of fossil fuels and the global climate change has prompted civilization to look into alternate energy sources. This has led to explore inexhaustible and sustainable resources in the domain of renewable energy. Among all sources renewable energy, biofuel produced from biomass has great prospect for energy security as well as environmental safety over fossil fuels. The present work tries to explore the performance attributes and emission characteristics of a CI engine utilizing spirulina microalgae biodiesel blend comprising of 20% algae biodiesel blended with 80% diesel. This blend is tested in a diesel engine at varying engine load conditions of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% at variable injection timing of 20°, 23°, 25°, and 28° bTDC, respectively at compression ratio of 18. Based on experimental results, the peak brake thermal efficiency for injection timing of 20°, 23°, 25°, and 28° bTDC at 100% engine load were observed to be 26.79%, 23.77%, 24.77%, and 25.09%, respectively for the biodiesel blend in comparison to 27.76% of diesel mode whereas the emissions levels were found to minimum at 20° bTDC. On the part of emission, the average drop in CO emissions for injection timing of 20°, 23°, 25°, and 28° bTDC were found to be 53.46%, 43.71%, 44.34%, and 50.31%, respectively for biodiesel blend as compared to diesel mode. For the same setting, in comparison diesel mode, the average fall in HC emissions were found to be 42.32%, 34.13%, 30.37%, and 37.54%, respectively, and the rise of NOx emissions were found to be 8.06%, 5.55%, 3.51%, and 3.04%, respectively. Response surface methodology was applied for optimization of operating parameters of the algae biodiesel blend run diesel engine. The desirability based study revealed that at 85.19% engine load and injection timing of 20° bTDC were optimal operation settings which resulted in engine performance of 25.44% brake thermal efficiency. The emission level at this setting was observed to be reduced to 27.68 ppm CO, 1.60% CO2, 24.65 ppm HC, and 182.15 ppm NOx.

Optimization and characterization of laccase (LccH) produced by Hexagonia hirta MSF2 in solid-state fermentation using coir pith wastes (CPW)

The accumulation of coir pith waste, a byproduct of coconut husk processing, poses environmental and logistical challenges. An innovative and sustainable solution involves using coir pith as a substrate for solid-state fermentation (SSF). In SSF, coir pith can be converted into valuable products, such as enzymes, organic acids, and bioactive compounds. The present study aimed to evaluate laccase production by Hexagonia hirta MSF2 through SSF using the coir pith waste as substrate. Physico-chemical parameters like moisture, pH, temperature, C source, N source, and CuSO4 concentrations were pre-optimized, and optimized through RSM. Laccase activity of 1585.24 U g-1 of dry substrate was recorded by H. hirta MSF2 on coir pith containing 1 % C source, 0.5 % N source, 0.25 mM of CuSO4 concentration, moisture content of 75 % at pH 4.6 and temperature 28 °C. Subsequently, the enzyme extraction parameters including, extraction buffer, mode of extraction, and temperature were optimized. The molecular weight of laccase was 66 kDa as observed by SDS-PAGE and native-PAGE. The optimum activity of partially purified laccase was achieved at 40 °C, and pH 4.0. Increasing salt concentration and use of different inhibitors affected the laccase activity. Organic solvents like dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and methanol, and metal ions like BaCl2, CaCl2, CuSO4, and MnCl2 stimulated the laccase activity. Hence, coir pith used in SSF offers a dual benefit of waste management and enzyme synthesis through an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach.

Optimization of syngas production from co-gasification of palm oil decanter cake and alum sludge: An RSM approach with char characterization

The study explores co-gasification of palm oil decanter cake and alum sludge, investigating the correlation between input variables and syngas production. Operating variables, including temperature (700-900 °C), air flow rate (10-30 mL/min), and particle size (0.25-2 mm), were optimized to maximize syngas production using air as the gasification agent in a fixed bed horizontal tube furnace reactor. Response Surface Methodology with the Box-Behnken design was used employed for optimization. Fourier Transformed Infra-Red (FTIR) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic (FESEM) analyses were used to analyze the char residue. The results showed that temperature and particle size have positive effects, while air flow rate has a negative effect on the syngas yield. The optimal CO + H2 composition of 39.48 vol% was achieved at 900 °C, 10 mL/min air flow rate, and 2 mm particle size. FTIR analysis confirmed the absence of C─Cl bonds and the emergence of Si─O bonds in the optimized char residue, distinguishing it from the raw sample. FESEM analysis revealed a rich porous structure in the optimized char residue, with the presence of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and aluminosilicates. These findings provide valuable insights for sustainable energy production from biomass wastes.

Preparation and optimization of an eggshell membrane-based biomaterial for GTR applications

OBJECTIVES

Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) is a popular clinical procedure for periodontal tissue regeneration. However, its key component, the barrier membrane, is largely collagen-based and is still quite expensive, posing a financial burden to the patients as well as healthcare systems and negatively impacting the patient's decision-making. Thus, our aim is to prepare a novel biomimetic GTR membrane utilizing a natural biomaterial, soluble eggshell membrane protein (SEP), which is economical as it comes from an abundant industrial waste from food and poultry industries, unlike collagen. Additive polymer, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and a bioceramic, nano-hydroxyapatite (HAp), were added to improve its mechanical and biological properties.

METHODS

For this barrier membrane preparation, we initially screened the significant factors affecting its mechanical properties using Taguchi orthogonal array design and further optimized the significant factors using response surface methodology. Furthermore, this membrane was characterized using SEM, EDAX, and ATR-FTIR, and tested for proliferation activity of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLFs).

RESULTS

Optimization using response surface methodology predicted that the maximal tensile strength of 3.1 MPa and modulus of 39.9 MPa could be obtained at membrane composition of 8.9 wt% PLGA, 7.2 wt% of SEP, and 2 wt% HAp. Optimized PLGA/SEP/HAp membrane specimens that were electrospun on a static collector showed higher proliferation activity of HPLFs compared to tissue culture polystyrene and a commercial collagen membrane.

SIGNIFICANCE

From the results observed, we can conclude that SEP-based nanofibrous GTR membrane could be a promising, environment-friendly, and cost-effective alternative for commercial collagen-based GTR membrane products.

Statistical optimization of cellulase production from Bacillus sp. YE16 isolated from yak dung of the Sikkim Himalayas for its application in bioethanol production using pretreated sugarcane bagasse

Cellulolytic bacteria were isolated from yak dung samples collected from different habitats of Sikkim, India. Isolate YE16 from the Yumthang Valley sample showed highest enzyme activity of 7.68 U/mL and was identified as Bacillus sp., which has a sequence similarity of 96.15% with B. velezensis. One factor at a time (OFAT) analysis revealed that an acidic pH of 5 with 37 °C temperature was optimum for maximum enzyme production after 36 hrs of incubation (13.88 U/mL), which was further increased after statistical optimization (34.70 U/mL). Media optimization based on response surface methodology predicted that Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and MgSO4 at concentrations of 30 g/L and 0.525 g/L, respectively, at pH 5.5 to show CMCase activity of 30.612 U/mL, which was consistent with the observed value of 30.25 U/mL and confirmed the model. The crude enzyme also efficiently hydrolyzed alkaline pretreated sugarcane bagasse, releasing 7.09 g/L of glucose equivalent with an ethanol production of 3.05 g.

Combining pretreatments and co-fermentation as successful approach to improve biohydrogen production from dairy cow manure

The present paper is focused on enhancing the production of biohydrogen (bioH2) from dairy cow manure (DCM) through dark fermentation (DF). Two enhancement production strategies have been tested: i) the combination of H2O2 with sonification as pretreatment and ii) the co-fermentation with cheese whey as co-substrate. Concerning the pretreatment, the best combination was investigated according to the response surface methodology (RSM) by varying H2O2 dosage between 0.0015 and 0.06 g/gTS and ultrasonic specific energy input (USEI) between 35.48 and 1419.36 J/gTS. The increase of carbohydrates concentration was used as target parameter. Results showed that the combination of 0.06 g/gTS of H2O2 with 1419.36 J/gTS of USEI maximized the concentration of carbohydrates. The optimized conditions were used to pretreat the substrate prior conducting DF tests. The use of pretreatment resulted in obtaining a cumulative bioH2 volume of 51.25 mL/L and enhanced the bioH2 production by 125% compared to the control test conducted using raw DCM. Moreover, the second strategy, i.e. co-fermentation with cheese whey (20% v/v) as co-substrate ended up to enhancing the DF performance as the bioH2 production reached a value of 334.90 mL/L with an increase of 1372% compared to the control DF test. To further improve the process, dark fermentation effluents (DFEs) were valorized via photo fermentation (PF), obtaining an additional hydrogen production aliquot.

essential oil nanoencapsulation in chitosan nanocomplex by response surface methodology

Nano-encapsulation of essential oils, a specific area of interest, can help overcome challenges associated with their commercial use. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of chitosan, Ziziphora clinopodioides L. essential oil (ZcEO), and Sodium-Tri Polyphosphate (TPP), both individually and in interaction, on several properties of EO-loaded chitosan nanoparticles. These properties include particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), and encapsulation efficiency (EE) using a two-stage emulsion-ionic gelation approach. The optimization of the parameters was done by response surface methodology using Box-Behnken design. The chemical composition of ZcEO was analyzed as well. The primary compounds in ZcEO were found to be pulegone (29.24 %), 1,3-dimethyl-2-(2-methylpropylidene) imidazolidine (9.05 %), piperitenone (6.65 %), thymol (5.38 %), and carvacrol (5.27 %). The PS ranged from 117.33 to 4934.1 nm, the ZP varied from -1.1 to -30.83 mV, and the EE spanned from 31.74 to 87.04 %. The results showed that an increase in the initial EO content led to a decrease in PS and ZP, but an increase in EE. Moreover, increasing the TPP concentration resulted in an enhancement in PS, ZP, and EE, whereas increasing the Chs concentration led to a slight increase in PS, ZP, and EE. Furthermore, the results of this study proved the interaction effect of different parameters on the responses investigated. Under optimized conditions, the optimal concentrations of chitosan, ZcEO and TPP were attained at 6.768, 6.078, and 7.595 mg/mL respectively. This resulted in a PS of 117.331 nm, a ZP of -20.949 mV, and an EE of 75.385 %. In conclusion, the results suggest that adjusting the concentrations of Chs, EO, and TPP is an effective approach to controlling the properties of NPs and optimizing their performance.

Optimized carbonization of coffee shell via response surface methodology: A circular economy approach for environmental remediation

The disposal of coffee shell waste on farmland, is a common practice that can causing the environmental and waste valuable resources. Carbonization has been identified as an effective method for transforming coffee shells into useful products that mitigate environmental pollution. Through the response surface methodology, the carbonization conditions of the coffee shells were optimized and its potential as a biochar-based slow-release urea fertilizer was explored. Experiments were conducted on coffee shell performance under varying carbonization conditions such as temperature (600-1000 °C), time (1-5 h), and heating rate (5-20 °C/min). The results indicated that the ideal urea adsorption was 56.3 mg/g, achieved under carbonization conditions of 2.83 h, 809 °C, and 15.3 °C/min. The optimal nutrient release rate within seven days was 45.4% under carbonization conditions of 3.19 h, 813 °C, and 15.0 °C/min. The infrared spectroscopy analysis indicates that carbonization conditions influenced the absorption peak intensity of coffee shell biochar, while the functional group types remain unchanged. The biochar exhibits diverse functional groups and abundant pores, making it a promising candidate for use as a biochar-based fertilizer material. Overall, the findings demonstrate an effective waste management approach that significantly reduces environmental pollutants while remediating pollution.

Optimizing the Production of Probiotic Yogurt as a New Functional Food for Diabetics with Favorable Sensory Properties Using the Response Surface Methodology

This study aimed to optimize the processing of probiotic yogurt supplemented with cumin essential oil (CEO), vitamin C, D3 (Vit D), and reduction of fermentation time using response surface methodology as a new functional food for diabetics with desirable sensory properties. The central composite design (CCD) was used to analyze the effect of these independent variables on the growth of the Lactobacillus plantarum A7 (LA7), starter culture, and overall acceptability. Differences between treatments were analyzed. The data were evaluated by analysis of variance at the significance level of 0.05. The effective concentration of CEO and fermentation time had the significant effect on the Lactobacillus plantarum A7 (LA7) number. Variance analysis and three-dimensional graphs show that almost the only effective factor on the overall acceptability of probiotic yogurt containing essential oil and vitamin D3 was CEO. According to the obtained data from the analysis, the optimal amount of independent variables for probiotic yogurt formulation such as CEO, D3, and fermentation time was 0.02% (v/v), 400 IU, and 9 h, respectively. This functional product can be considered an efficient food to reduce or eliminate the complications of diabetes.

Degradation of pyrene by Xanthobacteraceae bacterium strain S3 isolated from the rhizosphere sediment of Vallisneria natans: active conditions, metabolite identification, and proposed pathways

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were typical environmental contaminants that accumulated continuously in sediment. Microbial degradation is the main way of PAH degradation in the natural environment. Therefore, expanding the available pool of microbial resources and investigating the molecular degrading mechanisms of PAHs are critical to the efficient control of PAH-polluted sites. Here, a strain (identified as Xanthobacteraceae bacterium) with the ability to degrade pyrene was screened from the rhizosphere sediment of Vallisneria natans. Response surface analysis showed that the strain could degrade pyrene at pH 5-7, NaCl addition 0-1.5%, and temperature 25-40 °C, and the maximum pyrene degradation (~ 95.4%) was obtained under the optimum conditions (pH 7.0, temperature 28.5 °C, and NaCl-free addition) after 72 h. Also, it was observed that the effect of temperature on the degradation ratio was the most significant. Furthermore, eighteen metabolites were identified by mass spectrometry, among which (2Z)-2-hydroxy-3-(4-oxo-4H-phenalen-3-yl) prop-2-enoic acid, 7-(carboxymethyl)-8-formyl-1-naphthyl acetic acid, phthalic acid, naphthalene-1,2-diol, and phenol were the main metabolites. And the degradation pathway of pyrene was proposed, suggesting that pyrene undergoes initial ortho-cleavage under the catalysis of metapyrocatechase to form (2Z)-2-hydroxy-3-(4-oxo-4H-phenalen-3-yl) prop-2-enoic acid. Subsequently, this intermediate was progressively oxidized and degraded to phthalic acid or phenol, which could enter the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Furthermore, the pyrene biodegradation by the strain followed the first-order kinetic model and the degradation rate changed from fast to slow, with the rate remaining mostly slow in the later stages. The slow biodegradation rate was probably caused by a significant amount of phenol accumulation in the initial stage of degradation, which resulted in a decrease in bacterial activity or death.

Development and techno-economic analysis of Grewia biopolymer-based dual coagulant system for wastewater treatment at pilot scale

Use of Grewia biopolymer as a natural coagulant aid was explored in a dual-coagulant system (conventional coagulant + biopolymer) for wastewater treatment. Such use not only improved turbidity removal efficiency over a wide pH range (5-9) but also helped reducing the concentration demand of inorganic coagulants by 25-50 %. Response surface methodology was employed for investigating the interaction between factors (initial pH, coagulant, and biopolymer concentration) affecting coagulation/flocculation of aqueous laterite suspension, and process optimization for more than 80 % turbidity removal in the desired final pH range (6-7). Mechanisms potentially involved in coagulation/flocculation using biopolymer was elucidated. Techno-economic assessment indicated the feasibility of pilot-scale production of the biopolymer and its use in wastewater treatment. This study demonstrates that Grewia biopolymer has the potential to be used as a coagulant aid and will help researchers select appropriate markets for further cost reduction and successful implementation of biopolymer-based wastewater treatment.

Production of Antioxidant, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory and Osteogenic Gelatin Hydrolysate from Labeo rohita Swim Bladder

Optimization of antioxidants and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory potential gelatin hydrolysate production from Labeo rohita (rohu) swim bladder (SBGH) by alcalase using central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was investigated. The maximum degree of hydrolysis (DH), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), total antioxidants (TAO), and ACE inhibitory activity were achieved at 0.1:1.0 (w/w) enzyme to substrate ratio, 61 °C hydrolysis temperature, and 94-min hydrolysis time. The resulting SBGH obtained at 19.92% DH exhibited the DPPH (24.28 µM TE/mg protein), ABTS (34.47 µM TE/mg protein), TAO (12.01 µg AAE/mg protein), and ACE inhibitory (4.91 µg/mg protein) activity. Furthermore, SBGH at 100 µg/ml displayed osteogenic property without any toxic effects on MC3T3-E1 cells. Besides, the protein content of rohu swim bladder gelatin (SBG) and SBGH was 93.68% and 94.98%, respectively. Both SBG and SBGH were rich in glycine, proline, glutamic acid, alanine, arginine, and hydroxyproline amino acids. Therefore, SBGH could be an effective nutraceutical in functional food development.

Formation and control of disinfection by-products during the trichloroisocyanuric acid disinfection in swimming pool water

The increasing demand for trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) in swimming pool disinfection highlights the need to evaluate its applicability in terms of disinfection by-product (DBP) formation. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding of DBP formation and control during TCCA disinfection, particularly concerning the effects of various management parameters. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by comprehensively investigating DBP formation during TCCA chlorination, with a particular focus on assessing the contribution and interaction of influencing factors using Box-Behnken Design and response surface methodology. Results indicated that the concentrations of trichloroacetaldehyde, chloroform, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and dichloroacetonitrile produced by TCCA disinfectant were 42.5%, 74.0%, 48.1%, 94.7% and 42.6% of those by the conventional sodium hypochlorite disinfectant, respectively. Temperature exhibited the most significant impact on chloroform formation (49%), while pH played a major role in trichloroacetaldehyde formation (44%). pH2 emerged as the primary contributor to dichloroacetic acid (90%) and trichloroacetic acid (93%) formation. The optimum water quality conditions were determined based on the minimum total DBPs (pH = 7.32, Temperature = 23.7 °C, [Cl-] = 437 mg/L). Chlorine dosage and contact time exhibited greater influence than precursor concentration on chloroform, dichloroacetonitrile, trichloroacetaldehyde, trichloroacetic acid, and total DBPs. Although the interaction between water quality parameters was weak, the interaction between disinfection operating parameters demonstrated substantial effects on DBP formation (8.56-19.06%). Furthermore, the DBP predictive models during TCCA disinfection were provided for the first time, which provides valuable insights for DBP control and early warning programs.

A vertical-flow constructed wetland-microalgal membrane photobioreactor integrated system for treating high-pollution-load marine aquaculture wastewater: A lab-scale study

Individual biological water treatment techniques often prove ineffective in removing accumulated high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the late stages of biofloc aquaculture. To address this issue, we integrated a previously developed autotrophic denitrification and nitrification integrated constructed wetland (ADNI-CW) with a microalgal membrane photobioreactor (MPBR). Under high nitrogen and phosphorus pollution loads in the influent, the standalone ADNI-CW system achieved removal rates of only 24.17 % ± 2.82 % for total nitrogen (TN) and 25.30 % ± 2.59 % for total phosphorus (TP). The optimal conditions for TN and TP degradation and microalgal biomass production in the Chlorella MPBR, determined using response surface methodology, were an inoculum OD680 of 0.394, light intensity of 161.583 μmol/m2/s, and photoperiod of 16.302 h light:7.698 h dark. Under the optimal operating conditions, the integrated ADNI-CW-MPBR system achieved remarkable TN and TP removal rates of 92.63 % ± 2.8 % and 77.46 % ± 8.41 %, respectively, and a substantial microalgal biomass yield of 54.58 ± 6.8 mg/L/day. This accomplishment signifies the successful achievement of efficient nitrogen and phosphorus removal from high-pollution-load marine aquaculture wastewater along with the acquisition of valuable microalgal biomass. A preliminary investigation of the microbial community composition and algal-bacterial interactions in different operational stages of the MPBR system revealed that unclassified_d__Bacteria, Chlorophyta, and Planctomycetes were predominant phyla. The collaborative relationships between bacteria and Chlorella surpassed competition, ensuring highly efficient nitrogen and phosphorus removal in the MPBR system. This study laid the foundation for the green and sustainable development of the aquaculture industry.

Transesterification of Jatropha curcas oil to biodiesel using highly porous sulfonated biochar catalyst: Optimization and characterization dataset

The study involves a collection of data from the published article titled "Active sites engineered biomass-carbon as a catalyst for biodiesel production: Process optimization using RSM and life cycle assessment "Energy Conversion Management" journal. Here, the activated biochar was functionalized using 4-diazoniobenzenesulfonate to obtain sulfonic acid functionalized activated biochar. The catalyst was comprehensively characterized using XRD, FTIR, TGA, NH3-TPD, SEM-EDS, TEM, BET, and XPS analysis. Further, the obtained catalyst was applied for the transesterification of Jatropha curcas oil (JCO) to produce biodiesel. An experimental matrix was conducted using the RSM-CCD approach and the resulting data were analyzed using multiple regressions to fit a quadratic equation, where the maximum biodiesel yield achieved was 97.1 ± 0.4%, under specific reaction conditions: a reaction time of 50.3 min, a molar ratio of 22.9:1, a reaction temperature of 96.2 °C, and a catalyst loading of 7.7 wt.%. The obtained product biodiesel was analyzed using NMR and GC-MS analyzed and is reported in the above-mentioned article.

Comparison of modeling, optimization, and prediction of important parameters in the adsorption of cefixime onto sol-gel derived carbon aerogel and modified with nickel using ANN, RSM, GA, and SOLVER methods

Today, the main goal of many researchers is the use of high-performance, economically and industrially justified materials, as well as recyclable materials in removing organic and dangerous pollutants. For this purpose, sol-gel derived carbon aerogel modified with nickel (SGCAN) was used to remove Cefixime from aqueous solutions. The influence of important parameters in the cefixime adsorption onto SGCAN was modeled and optimized using artificial neural network (ANN), response surface methodology (RSM), genetic algorithm (GA), and SOLVER methods. R software was applied for this purpose. The design range of the runs for a time was in the range of 5 min-70 min, concentration in the range of 5 mg L-1 to 40 mg L-1, amount of adsorbent in the range of 0.05 g L-1 to 0.15 g L-1, and pH in the range of 2.0-11. The results showed that the ANN model due to lower Mean Squared Error (MSE), Sum of Squared Errors (SSE), and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values and also higher R2 is a superior model than RSM. Also, due to the superiority of ANN over the RSM model, the optimum results were calculated based on GA. Based on GA, the highest Cefixime adsorption onto SGCAN was obtained in pH, 5.98; reaction time, 58.15 min; initial Cefixime concentration, 15.26 mg L-1; and adsorbent dosage, 0.11 g L-1. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cefixime onto SGCAN was determined to be 52 mg g-1. It was found the pseudo-second-order model has a better fit with the presented data.

Mechanistic insight into human androgen receptor-mediated endocrine disrupting potential of cyclic depsipeptide mycotoxin, beauvericin, and influencing environmental factors for its biosynthesis in Fusarium oxysporum KFCC 11363P on rice cereal

In current study, Fusarium mycotoxin, beauvericin (BEA), has endocrine disrupting potential through suppressing the exogenous androgen receptor (AR)-mediated transcriptional activation. BEA was classified as an AR antagonist, with IC30 and IC50 values indicating that it suppressed AR dimerization in the cytosol. BEA suppress the translocation of cytosolic activated ARs to the nucleus via exogenous androgens. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of environmental conditions for BEA production on rice cereal using response surface methodology. The environmental factors affecting the production of BEA, namely temperature, initial moisture content, and growth time were optimized at 20.28 °C, 42.79 % (w/w), and 17.31 days, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing that BEA has endocrine disrupting potential through suppressing translocation of cytosolic ARs to nucleus, and temperature, initial moisture content, and growth time are important influencing environmental factors for its biosynthesis in Fusarium strains on cereal.

Intensification of extraction process through IVDV pretreatment from Eryngium creticum leaves and stems: Maximizing yields and assessing biological activities

"Intensification of Vaporization by Decompression to the Vacuum" (IVDV) has initially emerged as a technology primarily employed for expanding and enhancing the texture of biological products. However, its recent applications have showcased significant promise in the realm of extracting bioactive molecules from various plant materials. In this context, optimization using response surface methodology was conducted to investigate the impact of IVDV pretreatment on the extractability of phenolic compounds from Eryngium creticum leaves and stems, as well as their biological activities. Using IVDV preceding the extraction led to higher total phenolic content (TPC) and enhanced antiradical activities in treated materials compared to untreated ones. The optimal processing conditions in terms of water content, steam pressure and treatment time were determined in order to maximize TPC (89.07 and 20.06 mg GAE/g DM in leaves and stems, respectively) and antiradical (DPPH) inhibition percentage (93.51% and 27.54% in leaves and stems, respectively). IVDV-treated extracts showed superior antioxidant, antibacterial and antibiofilm capacities compared to raw extracts. Using RP-UHPLC-PDA-MS, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid were identified in IVDV-treated leaves. IVDV can be implemented as an innovative treatment applied prior to extraction to boost the recovery of biomolecules from plant matrices.

Isolation of detoxified cassava (Manihot esculenta L.) leaf protein by alkaline extraction-isoelectric precipitation: Optimization and its characterization

The cassava leaves protein isolate extraction and optimization were investigated using response surface methodology, where the maximum protein content (21.83 ± 0.41 g/100 g dm), extraction yield (18.31 ± 0.53%), and protein recovery yield (69 ± 1.31%) were obtained at optimal conditions: 114 min extraction time, 46 °C extraction temperature, 23.5 mL/g solvent/solute ratio and pH 11.0 value. The presence of toxicant (Cyanide) and anti-nutrient (tannin) in cassava leaves reduced the bio-accessibility of its protein isolate, strictly prohibiting its consumption. Therefore, detoxification was applied to diminish cyanide and tannin to 85% and 69% in leaves, respectively, where the protein content was reduced to 9.7%. However, detoxified cassava leaf protein isolate exhibited changes in the compositional, structural, morphological, molecular, and thermal characteristics compared to the controlled one. Moreover, the functional properties in protein isolate improved after detoxification at different pH conditions, which can be used as an active ingredient in various foods.

Optimized combination of zero-valent iron and oxygen-releasing biochar as cathodes of microbial fuel cells to enhance copper migration in sediment

Membrane-less single-medium sediment microbial fuel cells (single-SMFC) can remove Cu2+ from sediment through electromigration. However, the high mass transfer resistance of the sediment and amount of oxygen at the cathode of the SMFC limit its Cu2+ removal ability. Therefore, this study used an oxygen-releasing bead (ORB) for slow oxygen release to increase oxygen at the SMFC cathode and improve the mass transfer property of the sediment. Resultantly, the copper removal efficiency of SMFC increased significantly. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the nano zero-valent iron (nZVI)-modified biochar as the catalyst to enhance the ability of the modified ORB (ORBm) to remove Cu2+ and slow release of O2. The maximum Cu2+ removal (95 %) and the slowest O2 release rate (0.41 mg O2/d·g ORBm) were obtained when the CaO2 content and ratio of nZVI-modified biochar to unmodified biochar were 0.99 g and 4.95, respectively. When the optimized ORBm was placed at the single-SMFC cathode, the voltage output and copper removal increased by 4.6 and 2.1 times, respectively, compared with the system without ORBm. This shows that the ORBm can improve the migration of Cu2+ in the sediment, providing a promising remediation method for Cu-contaminated sediments.

Optimization of simultaneous adsorption of nickel, copper, cadmium and zinc from sulfuric solutions using weakly acidic resins

In this research, the adsorption of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) from real sulfuric leaching solution with weakly acidic resins has been studied using response surface methodology (RSM). The adsorption process on two weakly acidic resins has been investigated as a function of pH, time, temperature, and resin dosage. The experimental results indicate that the amino phosphoric acid resin removed Ni, Cu, Cd, and Zn from an acidic solution very efficiently. Based on the central composite design (CCD) on the RSM, the statistical criteria of correlation coefficient (R2) values of Ni, Cu, Cd, and Zn are 0.9418, 0.9753, 0.9657, and 0.9189, respectively. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the thermodynamic calculations indicated the chemical interaction between the resin surface and the metal ions. Enthalpy values greater than zero indicate that the adsorption reaction of the metals is endothermic. The optimal adsorption process was carried out at time of 20 min, temperature of 30 0C, pH of 5, and resin dosage of 4 g/L. In these conditions, the adsorption capacity of nickel, copper, cadmium, and zinc were obtained 13.408, 7.087, 4.357, and 15.040 mg/g, respectively.

A fast and efficient method for screening and evaluation of hypoglycemic ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine acting on PTP1B by capillary electrophoresis

As a pivotal enzyme that regulates dephosphorylation in cell activities and participates in the insulin signaling pathway, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is considered to be an important target for the therapy of diabetes. In this work, a rapid and efficient inhibitor screening method of PTP1B was established based on capillary electrophoresis (CE), and used for screening and evaluating the inhibition effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on PTP1B. Response Surface Methodology was used for optimizing the conditions of analysis. After method validation, the enzyme kinetic study and inhibition test were performed. As a result, the IC50 of PTP1B inhibitors Ⅳ and ⅩⅧ were consistent with reported values measured by a conventional method. It was found that the extracts of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bunge and Morus alba L. showed prominent inhibition on the activity of PTP1B, which were stronger than the positive controls. Meanwhile, on top of the excellent advantages of CE, the whole analysis time is less than 2 min. Thus, the results demonstrated that a fast and efficient screening method was successfully developed. This method could be a powerful tool for screening inhibitors from complex systems. It can also provide an effective basis for lead compound development in drug discovery.

Amputation of Remazol brilliant blue dye on crosslinked chitosan hydrogel: Statistical treatment and experimental evaluation

The primary aim of this research is to comprehensively assess the applicability of chitosan biopolymer towards water treatment application and to enhance its adsorption capacity towards Remazol brilliant blue R-19 dye. This has been achieved through physical modification to obtain the material in hydrogel form and chemical modification by crosslinking it with barbituric acid. The characterization of the resulting Chitosan-barbituric acid hydrogel (CBH) was carried out using various analytical techniques such as SEM-EDX, FT-IR, TGA-DTA, XRD, and BET. CBH was employed as the adsorbent to eliminate R-19 dye from aqueous media. Utilizing response surface methodology (RSM), the parameters were fine-tuned, leading to the achievement of more than a 95% removal for R-19 dye. The adsorption behavior closely adhered to the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. An interesting observation indicated that the rise in temperature leads to rise in adsorption capacity of CBH. The maximum adsorption capacities evaluated at 301.15 K, 313.15 K, 318.15 K, and 323.15 K were 566.6 mg g-1, 624.7 mg g-1, 671.3 mg g-1, and 713.5 mg g-1 respectively, in accordance with the Langmuir isotherm model. Examining the thermodynamics of the adsorption process revealed its spontaneous nature (ΔG = -21.14 to -27.09 kJ mol-1) across the entire temperature range. Furthermore, the assessment of the isosteric heat of adsorption (ΔHads) was conducted using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, with results indicating an increase in ΔHads from 1.85 to 2.16 kJ mol-1 with temperature rise from 301.15 K to 323.15 K due to augmented surface loading. This suggested the existence of lateral interactions between the adsorbed dye molecules. The potential of adsorbent for regeneration was investigated, demonstrating the ability to reuse the material. Sustainability parameter calculated for synthesis process reflected a notably low E-factor value of 0.32 demonstrated the synthesis is environment friendly.

Optimization by Box-Behnken design for environmental contaminants removal using magnetic nanocomposite

In this study, a CoO-Fe2O3/SiO2/TiO2 (CIST) nanocomposite was synthesized and utilized as an adsorbent to remove methylene blue (MB), malachite green (MG), and copper (Cu) from aqueous environments. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Input parameters included pH (3-10), contact time (10-30 min), adsorbent amount (0.01-0.03 g), and pollutant concentration (20-60 mg L-1). The effects of these parameters on the removal process efficiency were modeled and optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) based on the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The RSM-BBD method demonstrated the capability to develop a second-degree polynomial model with high validity (R2 ˃ 0.99) for the removal process. The optimization results using the RSM-BBD method revealed a removal efficiency of 98.01%, 93.06%, and 88.26% for MB, MG, and Cu, respectively, under optimal conditions. These conditions were a pH of 6, contact time of 10 min, adsorbent amount of 0.025 g, and concentration of 20 mg L-1. The synthesized adsorbent was recovered through five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles using hydrochloric acid. The results showed an approximately 12% reduction from the first to the seventh cycle. Also, MB, MG, and Cu removal from real water samples in optimal conditions was achieved in the range of 81.69-98.18%. This study demonstrates the potential use of CIST nanocomposite as an accessible and reusable option for removing MB, MG, and Cu pollutants from aquatic environments.

Bioleaching of Cd from contaminated Helianthus annuus L. stalk and the safe utilization of its byproducts by Aspergillus niger

Disposal and recycling of heavy metal-enriched biomass is the key to measure the success of phytoremediation. This study employed innovative approach to use Aspergillus niger (A. niger) for the treatment of Cd-contaminated Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower) stalk after phytoremediation. Single-factor results showed that the removal of Cd at an initial pH of 3 was superior to sucrose and inoculation amount. 67.67% of Cd was removed by A. niger leaching system after 11 days based on response surface methodology optimum conditions (sucrose: 76.266 g L-1; inoculation amount: 10%; initial pH: 3), while the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P and K) of sunflower stalk were unaffected. While physicochemical pretreatment effectively enhanced the bioleaching efficiency, it also resulted in significant loss of P and K elements, thereby reducing the value of biomass for recycling and utilization. Therefore, the direct A. niger leaching method without pretreatment is more advantageous for the safe treatment and recycling of Cd-contaminated sunflower stalks.

Application of Response Surface Methodology Using Face-centered Central Composite Design for Studying Long-Term Stability of Gliclazide-Loaded Multiparticulate Systems

The appropriate design of experiments (DoE) could support post-approval lean-stability approaches. A three-factor three-level face-centered design was constructed to evaluate the long-term stability of gliclazide (GLZ) alginate-gelatin beads. The formulation variables were GLZ%(X1), alginate:gelatin ratio(X2), and glutaraldehyde%(X3). The studied responses included GLZ release at predefined intervals in 0.1 N HCl (2 h) followed by phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). Model-dependent and independent approaches were utilized for comparison. DoE-model validation and reduction were implemented. All the studied formulations showed non-significant changes in the particle size (p > 0.05) and most of them showed similar release profiles before and after storage. The directions of the relationships between the factors' main effects and the responses (Y1:Q0.5h, Y2:Q2h, and Y3:Q4h) remained unchanged after storage. The optimal factor settings based on the proposed optimization criteria were defined. The optimized formulations (OP-1 and OP-2) showed non-significant changes in the particle size after storage. The release profiles and kinetics of OP-1 and OP-2 remained unchanged after storage. No chemical change was indicated (FT-IR). DSC-thermograms of OP-1 indicated GLZ conversion to a more stable polymorph after storage. While OP-2 showed a change in GLZ crystallinity. The stored and fresh beads' surfaces after GLZ release were almost similar. DoE could be utilized to evaluate, optimize, and predict the effects of different formulation variables on the long-term stability of GLZ alginate-gelatin beads.

Optimization of voltammetric parameters for sensitive and simultaneous determination of ferulic acid and vanillin using a glassy carbon electrode based on 2-aminonicotinic acid in the presence of surfactant media

The electrochemical sensor for simultaneous determination of ferulic acid (FA) and vanillin (VA) was prepared by electrochemical deposition of 2-aminonicotinic acid (2-ANA) on the glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The voltammetric determination of FA and VA was performed in the BR buffer solution in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant with SWV. The parameters of the SWV technique were optimized by response surface methodology experimental design. Under optimized conditions, the 2-ANA/GC modified electrode presented a linear working range of 2.8 × 10-8 M to 7.50 × 10-6 M and 7.50 × 10-6 M to 2.45 × 10-5 M for FA, 3.06 × 10-8 M to 1.27 × 10-5M for VA. The detection limit (LOD) values for FA and VA were 6.87 nM and 9.23 nM, respectively. Using the 2-ANA/GC sensor, concentrations of FA and VA in instant coffee and milk samples were determined with %recovery values between 103.40 and 97.07 and %RSD values between 0.76 and 4.40.

Heavy metal (Cu2+) removal from wastewater by metal-organic framework composite adsorbent: Simulation-based- artificial neural network and response surface methodology

Metal-organic framework (MOF)--based composites have received significant attention in a variety of applications, including pollutant adsorption processes. The current investigation was designed to model, forecast, and optimize heavy metal (Cu2+) removal from wastewater using a MOF nanocomposite. This work has been modeled by response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) algorithms. In addition, the optimization of the mentioned factors has been performed through the RSM method to find the optimal conditions. The findings show that RSM and ANN can accurately forecast the adsorption process's the Cu2+ removal efficiency (RE). The maximum values of RE are achieved at the highest value of time (150 min), the highest value of adsorbent dosage (0.008 g), and the highest value of pH (=6). The R2 values obtained were 0.9995, 0.9992, and 0.9996 for ANN modeling of adsorption capacity based on different adsorbent dosages, Cu2+ solution pHs, and different ion concentrations, respectively. The ANN demonstrated a high level of accuracy in predicting the local minima of the graph. In addition, the RSM optimization results showed that the optimum mode for RE occurred at an adsorbent dosage value of 0.007 g and a time value of 144.229 min.