Separations, Volume 11, Issue 5 (May 2024) – 12 articles

The wine’s volatilome, most of the time, defines not only its aroma, but also, its major attributes. In the case of wines, the authentication process has become imperative, in light of increased production of alcoholic beverages; consequently, reliable analytical methods have served for it. Therefore, the goal of this research was to establish the global volatile profile of traditional Romanian white wines from Fetească varieties (Fetească albă, Fetească regală) in order to identify its unique characteristics by means of a headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography analysis (HS-SPME/GC-MS) and e-Nose devoted techniques. Statistics was also employed aimed at differentiating the analyzed wine by varietal groups. Consequently, 23 volatile compounds were detected and quantified in 39 Fetească white wine samples originating from various production areas (Muntenia, Oltenia, Transylvania, Banat and Dobrogea), then further classified according to their odor thresholds in five aromatic classes (floral, fruity, sweet, lactic (cheesy) and other). In addition, statistics (Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Hieratical Clustering Analysis (HCA)) were used aiming to differentiate the analyzed varietal groups. The outcomes have pointed out the existence of distinct clusters connected with ethyl esters or alcohol composition and production year, depending on each examined variety. Full article

Background: LC-MS is an ever-increasingly used methodology for clinical applications. Due to the superior selectivity and sensitivity, in certain situations, it can offer an advantage or be the only option for diagnostics and biomonitoring applications. Methods: A high selectivity sensitive LC-MS/MS method was developed for direct quantification of free plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as conjugated membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids, using isocratic reverse phase elution. A quick and simple sample purification method was used in order to ensure high-throughput analysis of biological samples. The method was validated with regard to selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, carryover, and recovery, as well as other relevant parameters. Results and Conclusions: The method was developed and validated with respect to all relevant parameters and was successfully used in a number of clinical diagnostics and biomonitoring applications. The simple sample purification process allowed for an easy learning curve for analysts and other users, while ensuring a low chance of systematic or random errors and thus reliable results usable in a clinical setting. Full article

In order to obtain more data concerning the influence of fertilizers (organic and mineral) on different forage plants in the northeastern Romanian grassland, the mass fractions of 14 essential, enzymatic, or toxic elements were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis together with the amount of crude proteins, ash, fibers, as well as fat ether extract. The final results showed a significant variance in the content of analyzed elements on organic as well as on mineral fertilized experimental plots. At the same time, increased content of crude protein and fat ether extract was evident in fertilized grasses for all applied fertilizers, while other global indicators such as neutral and acid fibers of sulfuric lignin content decreased, suggesting significantly higher nutritional values for fertilized forage plants. Full article

Low P-containing wastewaters (LPWs) exhibit huge P recovery potential, considering their larger volume. P recovery via CaP crystallization using apatite as seed is documented as being potentially well suited for LPWs. However, its responsible mechanisms remain a subject for debate. Taking hydroxyapatite (HAP) as the seed of LPWs, this paper conducted HAP adsorption/dissolution experiments, titration experiments, and P recovery experiments to distinguish the primary responsible mechanism. Results showed that it was HAP dissolution, not P adsorption, that occurred when the initial P concentration was no higher than 5 mg/L, ruling out adsorption mechanism of P recovery from LPWs using HAP as the seed. Significant OH⁻ consumption and rapid P recovery occurred simultaneously within the first 60 s in titration experiments, suggesting CaP crystallization should be responsible for P recovery. Moreover, the continuous increase in P recovery efficiency with seed dosages observed in P recovery experiments seemed to follow well the mechanism of pre-nucleation ion clusters (PNCs) aggregation. During PNCs aggregation, P aggregates with Ca²⁺ quickly, generating CaP PNCs; then, CaP PNCs aggregate with seed particles, followed by CaP PNCs fusion, and ultimately transform into fines attached to the seed surface. PNCs’ aggregation mechanism was further supported by a comparison of seed SEM images before and after P recovery, since denser and smaller rod-shaped fines were observed on the seed surface after P recovery. This study suggests that PNCs’ aggregation is the dominant mechanism responsible for the recovery of P from LPWs via CaP crystallization using HAP as the seed. Full article

Rotary kiln has been widely used in hazardous waste treatment because of its strong adaptability to raw materials, high productivity, and simple processing technology. However, the formation of deposits reduces its performance period and profitability. This study characterized the deposit mineralogy and thermodynamically and experimentally investigated its formation mechanism. The results show that the main phases of the deposit are magnetite, monolithic iron, olivine, and yellow feldspar. They indicate that the deposit formation process was accompanied by the participation of alkaline and iron oxides. The intermediate product Ca₂SiO₄ can promote the generation of low melting point phases, such as CaFeSiO₄ and Ca₂Al₂SiO₇, which are the main phases of deposit materials. Additionally, the reduction intermediate product FeO facilitated the generation of a liquid ferrous mixture (Fe₃O₄-FeO and Fe₃O₄-FeO-Fe mixture), which in turn further promoted the growth of the initial deposit phase. The solid deposit formed and attached to the kiln inner wall, along with a decrease in temperature. These results are expected to provide an idea or approach for fundamentally solving the problem of deposits in the rotary kiln. Full article

Food poisoning caused by Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) is prevalent globally, making efficient detection of these toxins very important. Traditionally, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry required immunosorbent enrichment by magnetic bead-coupled antibodies obtained by animal-specific immunization. However, this method is time-consuming and costly. In this study, two recombinant protein capture molecules were designed based on the principle of toxins binding to Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHCII) and T cell receptor (TCR) molecules. The two capture molecules are called MHCII and MHCII-D10. The design of the MHCII and TCR-D10 was achieved through searching for the binding site protein sequence of Staphylococcal enterotoxins in the relevant literature, and MHCII-D10 was to link MHCII sequence with TCR-D10 sequence using linker (G4S)3 linking peptide. These capture molecules were shown to effectively bind to seven types of toxins and to capture SEs in various matrices. The digestion time, ratio, and temperature were further optimized, reducing the overall digestion time to just 2 h. The specificity, linearity, sensitivity, precision (RSD%), and recovery of the two methods were verified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. When the MHCII and MHCII-D10 captured the toxins, the limit of quantification (LOD) in the 1 × PBS, plasma, and milk matrices ranged from 1.5625 to 100 fmol/µL, with the recovery rate ranging from 18.4% to 96%. The design of these capture molecules eliminates the need for animal-specific immunization, simplifying the pre-detection process and avoiding ethical concerns. This development holds significant promise for clinical diagnosis and reference. Full article

Cucumis melo L. (C. melo), commonly known as the melon, is a widely cultivated tropical fruit associated with nutritional benefits and bioactive properties. With global production reaching 40 million tons annually, the fruit processing industry generates significant waste, primarily peels, totaling 8 to 20 million tons yearly. These organic by-products are rich in bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, offering health benefits such as a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as well as of diabetes and neurogenerative diseases, offering an opportunity for sustainable utilization. C. melo by-products have demonstrated various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties, attributed mainly to polyphenols. Recognizing the potential of melon waste, this study systematically explored different extraction methods, including stirring (ST), ultrasound (US), and pulsed electric field (PEF) methods, while considering factors such as extraction time, temperature, and solvent composition. The primary goal was to identify the most effective extraction procedures and optimal conditions for maximizing the yield of total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity (using the FRAP and DPPH methods) from C. melo peel by-products. According to the results, the optimum conditions include ST as the extraction method, an ethanolic solvent with a strength of 50%, a 150 min extraction duration, and an 80 °C extraction temperature. The maximum values of total polyphenols that can be observed are 3.75 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of dry weight (dw) and 25.77 μmol ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE)/g dw and 34.44 μmol AAE/g dw from FRAP and DPPH antioxidant assays, respectively. The polyphenols identified were the following: gallic acid, neochlorogenic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, and kaempferol. By securing the maximum isolation of bioactive content and antioxidant activity, the research will contribute to sustainable waste management by reducing waste and developing value-added products. Full article

Fruit consumption guarantees the supply of most of the necessary nutrients for a complete and balanced diet, as it is a relevant source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In particular, pomegranate has very interesting medicinal properties, such as an anti-inflammatory effect and the protection of the cardiovascular system, among others. During pomegranate juice production, it appears cloudy and must be clarified to remove suspended solids such as colloids and high-molecular weight tannins. The membrane clarification process is a cost-effective alternative to the conventional methods, resulting in a high-quality product. In this work, the clarification of pomegranate juice using the Triple System Model F1 membrane module was carried out for the Mollar and Wonderful varieties with early and late maturity. Three ultrafiltration membranes with different molecular weight cut-off and different chemical compositions were used. The rejection coefficient and permeate flux (which represent the selectivity of the membranes and the process efficiency, respectively) were measured. GR-40PP showed the best results in terms of membrane selectivity and process efficiency, achieving adequate physicochemical juice parameters. Regarding the comparison of the maturity degree, in general terms, the Mollar variety showed better results. Ripe pomegranates showed greater selectivity, while the process efficiency was higher for the early samples. Full article

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are a group of chemicals used to improve the flexibility and durability of plastics. The chemical properties and the resistance to high temperatures promote their degradation and release into the environment. Food and beverages can be contaminated by PAEs through the migration from packaging material because they are not covalently bound to plastic and also via different kinds of environmental sources or during processing. For instance, alcoholic drinks in plastic containers are a particular risk, since the ethanol contained provides a good solubility for PAEs. According to its role as an endocrine disruptor compound and its adverse effects on the liver, kidney, and reproductive and respiratory systems, the International Agency on Research Cancer (IARC) classified di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) as a possible human carcinogen. For this reason, to control human exposure to PAEs, many countries prohibited their use in food as non-food substances. For example, in Europe, the Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/2005 restricts the use of DEHP, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) to a concentration equal to or below 0.1 by weight in plasticizers in articles used by consumers or in indoor areas. There are reports from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that some beverages (and food as well), particularly fruit juices, contain high levels of phthalates. In some cases, the deliberate adulteration of soft drinks with phthalate esters has been reported. This paper would like to show the difficulties of performing PAE analysis in beverage matrices, in particular alcoholic beverages, as well as the main solutions provided for quality control in the industrial branches. Full article

Combretum micranthum, a plant native to Africa, has a well-documented traditional use in the treatment of various ailments such as fever, diabetes, and malaria. Its pharmaceutical benefits include nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which were proven. In addition, its potential for cosmetic applications is being explored due to its depigmenting, anti-inflammatory, and UV-damage-repairing properties. This article investigates the molecular composition and new cosmetically relevant biological activity of C. micranthum and enriched fractions to begin the establishment of the structure–activity relationship. Firstly, an extract of C. micranthum was prepared and selected for its overall biological response and then fractionated to obtain simplified molecular fractions. One fraction was particularly enriched in kinkeloids, a specific family of compounds to this species. All the fractions and the crude extract were then tested on biological targets to evaluate and compare their cosmetic activities. Molecular networks were constructed from the UHPLC-MS/HRMS data to better characterize the extract and fractions and to highlight structure–activity relationships. This study highlights the metabolic profiling of a butylene glycol extract of C. micranthum, showing its main chemical families and revealing that the kinkeloids, identified by HRMS and NMR, promote an increase in collagen I synthesis, an interesting cosmetic activity neither previously described for these compounds and neither for C. micranthum extract. Full article

This research delves deeply into the intricate degradation kinetics of triclosan, employing two distinct methodologies: UV and simulated solar irradiation. Through a comprehensive comparative analysis, the study endeavors to elucidate the efficacy of these techniques, aiming to shed light on their respective methodological strengths and limitations. The study compares the efficacy of UV and simulated solar irradiation techniques for triclosan degradation, revealing that both methods exhibit effectiveness in degrading triclosan, with variations observed in degradation rates and byproduct formation. Through a detailed examination of the kinetics of triclosan degradation, the study reveals the intricate pathways and mechanisms involved in the photodegradation process. Results highlight the influence of irradiance levels and residence times on degradation efficiency. The research identifies optimal conditions for triclosan degradation, emphasizing the importance of residence time and irradiance levels. Results show that a residence time of 4 h and an irradiance level of 450 W m⁻² maximize degradation efficiency. Analysis of degradation byproducts provides insights into the transformation pathways of triclosan under UV and simulated solar irradiation, indicating the formation of 2,4-dichlorophenol, quinone, and hydroquinone as primary byproducts. Full article

Magnetic separation technology is a physical separation method that uses the differences in magnetism between matter to separate them from each other by different motion behaviors in a non-uniform magnetic field. It is highly efficient, green, and environmentally friendly, with little change in the physical and chemical properties of raw materials. Magnetic separation technology is commonly used in the field of mineral processing engineering for magnetite, hematite, titanite, and other magnetic ferrous metal oxide minerals. This paper summarizes the application of magnetic separation technology for resource utilization and environmental treatment in different fields, such as non-metal decomposition, valuable metal recovery, use of magnetic carrier chemical separation, biomedical targeted magnetic separation, and use of magnetic species separation in water and wastewater treatment. We seek to review the application and potential of magnetic separation technology in various fields, emphasize their key role, and explore possible directions for their future development. Full article