Recycling of manganese ore desulfurization slag for preparation of low-temperature NH3-SCR catalyst with good scale-up production performance

Considering the synergistic carbon/pollution reduction and resource utilization, this study proposes recycling of manganese desulfurization slag to prepare low-temperature NH3 -SCR catalyst based on solid-state ion-exchange. The desulfurization slag was hydrothermally treated to be support under mild conditions, with the parent manganese oxide ore serving as active component. Hydrothermal treatment with a desulfurization slag to NaOH mass ratio of 1.0, at 100 °C for 10 h were actually cost-effective conditions for DS recycling. The catalyst with 13.6 wt% of Mn and activated at 450 °C for 2 h in air (MO3/DSH-450 -2) performed the best, with a NO conversion of 86.9% at 150 °C and 10000 h-1, and up to 92.6% at 175 °C. Hydrothermal treatment of DS, SSIE and calcination activation resulting in a rich surface acidity and lattice oxygen of MO3/DSH, coupled with better chemical state distribution of active metal sites, promoting the NH3 -SCR activity. The scale-up produced MO3/DSH-G maintained 90.4% NOx conversion at 175 °C, showing good robustness, flexibility, and better sulfur/water resistance. The development of MO3/DSH catalyst may make full use of natural manganese ore, is a typical coupling strategy for carbon-pollutant synergistic emission reduction and resource fully utilize.

Development and Evaluation of Polymeric Mixed Micelles Prepared using Hot-Melt Extrusion for Extended Delivery of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs

The poor aqueous solubility is a well-recognized restriction for the clinical application of many drug molecules. Micelles delivery system provides a promising strategy for the solubility enhancement of hydrophobic drugs. This study developed and evaluated different polymeric mixed micelles prepared using hot-melt extrusion coupled hydration method to improve the solubility and extend the release of the model drug ibuprofen (IBP). The physicochemical properties of the prepared formulations were characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, surface morphology, crystallinity, encapsulation efficiency, drug content, in vitro drug release, dilution stability, and storage stability. Soluplus®/poloxamer 407, Soluplus®/poloxamer 188, and Soluplus®/TPGS mixed micelles had average particle sizes of 86.2 ± 2.8, 89.6 ± 4.2, and 102.5 ± 3.13 nm, respectively with adequate encapsulation efficiencies of 80% to 92%. Differential scanning calorimetry studies confirmed that the IBP molecules were dissolved in the polymers in an amorphous state. The in vitro release results revealed that the IBP-loaded mixed micelles presented extended-release behavior compared to the free drug. In addition, the developed polymeric mixed micelles remained stable upon dilution and one-month storage. These results demonstrated that the hot-melt extrusion coupling hydration method could be a promising, effective, and environment-friendly manufacturing technique for the scale-up production of polymeric mixed micelles to deliver insoluble drugs.

Recent progress of eco-friendly manufacturing process of efficient perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have the potential to produce solar energy at a low cost, with flexibility, and high power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, there are still challenges to be addressed before mass production of PSCs, such as prevention from degradation under external stresses and the uniform, large-area formation of all layers. Among them, the most challenging aspect of mass production of PSCs is creating a high-quality perovskite layer using environmentally sustainable processes that are compatible with industry standards. In this review, we briefly introduce the recent progresses upon eco-friendly perovskite solutions/antisolvents and film formation processes. The eco-friendly production methods are categorized into two: (1) employing environmentally friendly solvents for perovskite precursor ink/solution, and (2) replacing harmful, volatile antisolvents or even limiting their use during the perovskite film formation process. General considerations and criteria for each category are provided, and detailed examples are presented, specifically focused on the works have done since 2021. In addition, the importance of controlling the crystallization behavior of the perovskite layer is highlighted to develop antisolvent-free perovskite formation methods.

A Facile Total Synthesis of Kilogram-Scale Production of SKLB1039: A Novel and Selective Hexahydroisoquinolin-Containing EZH2 Inhibitor

BACKGROUND

SKLB1039 is a potent, highly selective, and orally bioavailable EZH2 inhibitor, which significantly inhibited breast tumor growth and metastasis, in pre-clinical studies. In a previously reported synthesis of SKLB1039, the yields of several steps were low which led to an overall yield of less than 10%. In addition, flash chromatography was required for the purification of several intermediates using this route.

OBJECTIVE

To optimize the synthesis and establish an efficient commercial-scale method for the production of SKLB1039.

METHODS

The reaction time, solvent, reactant ratio, temperature, and mode of addition of reactants in the reductive amination, hydrolysis, hexahydroisoquinoline formation, hydrogenolysis, condensation and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions were optimized.

RESULTS

A chromatography-free seven-step process starting from a commercially available material was developed that afforded SKLB1039 in 36% overall yield with > 99% purity.

CONCLUSION

A cost-effective, high-yielding, and convergent kilo-scale synthesis for the EZH2 inhibitor SKLB1039 was developed. The operation was simple, and the pure product was easily obtained without column chromatography. This method will be economical and convenient for the subsequent industrial scale-up production of SKLB1039, which will be conducive for this promising EZH2 inhibitor to enter clinical studies of its anti-tumor effects.

Can the world's favorite fruit, tomato, provide an effective biosynthetic chassis for high-value metabolites?

Tomato has a relatively short growth cycle (fruit ready to pick within 65-85 days from planting) and a relatively high yield (the average for globe tomatoes is 3-9 kg fruit per plant rising to as much as 40 kg fruit per plant). Tomatoes also produce large amounts of important primary and secondary metabolites which can serve as intermediates or substrates for producing valuable new compounds. As a model crop, tomato already has a broad range of tools and resources available for biotechnological applications, either increased nutrients for health-promoting biofortified foods or as a production system for high-value compounds. These advantages make tomato an excellent chassis for the production of important metabolites. We summarize recent achievements in metabolic engineering of tomato and suggest new candidate metabolites which could be targets for metabolic engineering. We offer a scheme for how to establish tomato as a chassis for industrial-scale production of high-value metabolites.

A comparative assessment of continuous production techniques to generate sub-micron size PLGA particles

The clinical and commercial development of polymeric sub-micron size formulations based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles is hampered by the challenges related to their good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant, scale-up production without affecting the formulation specifications. Continuous process technologies enable large-scale production without changing the process or formulation parameters by increasing the operation time. Here, we explore three well-established process technologies regarding continuity for the large-scale production of sub-micron size PLGA particles developed at the lab scale using a batch method. We demonstrate optimization of critical process and formulation parameters for high-shear mixing, high-pressure homogenization and microfluidics technologies to obtain PLGA particles with a mean diameter of 150-250 nm and a small polydispersity index (PDI, ≤0.2). The most influential parameters on the particle size distribution are discussed for each technique with a critical evaluation of their suitability for GMP production. Although each technique can provide particles in the desired size range, high-shear mixing is found to be particularly promising due to the availability of GMP-ready equipment and large throughput of production. Overall, our results will be of great guidance for establishing continuous process technologies for the GMP-compliant, large-scale production of sub-micron size PLGA particles, facilitating their commercial and clinical development.

Egg Protein-Derived Bioactive Peptides: Preparation, Efficacy, and Absorption

The hen's egg is an important protein source of human diet. On average one large egg contains ~6g protein, which contributes to ~11% of daily protein intake. As a high-quality protein, egg proteins are well recognized as excellent sources of bioactive peptides. The objectives of this chapter are to introduce generation, bioactivities, and absorption of egg protein-derived bioactive peptides. Research on egg protein-derived bioactive peptides has been progressed during the past decades. Enzymatic hydrolysis is the major technique to prepare bioactive peptides from egg protein. Quantitative structure-activity relationships-aided in silico prediction is increasingly applied as a promising tool for efficient prediction of novel bioactive peptides. A number of bioactive peptides from egg proteins have been characterized for antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. Egg protein-derived peptides that can improve bone health have been reported as well. However, molecular mechanisms of many peptides are not fully understood. The stability and absorption routes, bioavailability, safety, and production of bioactive peptides await further investigation.

High-level extracellular protein production in Bacillus subtilis using an optimized dual-promoter expression system

BACKGROUND

We recently constructed a Bacillus subtilis strain (CCTCC M 2016536) from which we had deleted the srfC, spoIIAC, nprE, aprE and amyE genes. This strain is capable of robust recombinant protein production and amenable to high-cell-density fermentation. Because the promoter is among the factors that influence the production of target proteins, optimization of the initial promoter, P_amyQ from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, should improve protein expression using this strain. This study was undertaken to develop a new, high-level expression system in B. subtilis CCTCC M 2016536.

RESULTS

Using the enzyme β-cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (β-CGTase) as a reporter protein and B. subtilis CCTCC M 2016536 as the host, nine plasmids equipped with single promoters were screened using shake-flask cultivation. The plasmid containing the P_amyQ' promoter produced the greatest extracellular β-CGTase activity; 24.1 U/mL. Subsequently, six plasmids equipped with dual promoters were constructed and evaluated using this same method. The plasmid containing the dual promoter P_HpaII-P_amyQ' produced the highest extracellular β-CGTase activity (30.5 U/mL) and was relatively glucose repressed. The dual promoter P_HpaII-P_amyQ' also mediated substantial extracellular pullulanase (90.7 U/mL) and α-CGTase expression (9.5 U/mL) during shake-flask cultivation, demonstrating the general applicability of this system. Finally, the production of β-CGTase using the dual-promoter P_HpaII-P_amyQ' system was investigated in a 3-L fermenter. Extracellular expression of β-CGTase reached 571.2 U/mL (2.5 mg/mL), demonstrating the potential of this system for use in industrial applications.

CONCLUSIONS

The dual-promoter P_HpaII-P_amyQ' system was found to support superior expression of extracellular proteins in B. subtilis CCTCC M 2016536. This system appears generally applicable and is amenable to scale-up.