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11 pages, 1248 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Validation of a Stable Isotope Dilution Headspace–SPME–GC/MS Method for the Determination of Vanillin in Fragrant Vegetable Oils

by Fangyi Mei, Hongling Wang, Yuquan Zhang, Mei Zhang, Shuai Zhou, Haiming Shi and Yuanrong Jiang

Molecules 2023, 28(21), 7288; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28217288 - 26 Oct 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1832

Abstract

It has been reported that vanillin has been intentionally added to enhance the taste and flavor of low-quality vegetable oils. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the accurate concentrations of vanillin in three types of fragrant vegetable oils commonly consumed in China. In [...] Read more.

It has been reported that vanillin has been intentionally added to enhance the taste and flavor of low-quality vegetable oils. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the accurate concentrations of vanillin in three types of fragrant vegetable oils commonly consumed in China. In this study, a method has been developed for the quantification of vanillin in commercial fragrant vegetable oils using the stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) and headspace–solid-phase microextraction (HS–SPME) coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the analyte were determined to be 20 µg kg⁻¹ and 50 µg kg⁻¹, respectively. The validation study demonstrated that the recoveries ranged from 89% to 101%, with intra-day and inter-day precision being less than 7.46%. A survey of 80 commercially available fragrant vegetable oils was performed using the present method. Vanillin was found to be widely present in fragrant vegetable oils, with sesame oils showing the highest average content (842.6 µg kg⁻¹), followed by rapeseed oils (262.1 µg kg⁻¹) and peanut oils (115.0 µg kg⁻¹). The results indicate that the proposed method is a simple, accurate, and eco-friendly approach for determining the presences of vanillin in fragrant vegetable oils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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11 pages, 1142 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Container Types on (1→3)-β-D-glucan Recovery

by Luisa Burgmaier, Bernhard Illes, Michael Leiss, Meltem Avci-Adali and Johannes Reich

Molecules 2023, 28(19), 6931; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28196931 - 4 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1163

Abstract

It has long been known that containers for sample analysis or storage can play a role in endotoxin recovery and have to be taken into account when determining endotoxin concentrations. However, there is little data on the effects of containers regarding (1→3)-β-D-glucan, which [...] Read more.

It has long been known that containers for sample analysis or storage can play a role in endotoxin recovery and have to be taken into account when determining endotoxin concentrations. However, there is little data on the effects of containers regarding (1→3)-β-D-glucan, which plays a role as a contaminant in endotoxin measurements. To determine the effect of the container on (1→3)-β-D-glucan measurements, four different types of containers were investigated at different temperatures and stored for up to 28 days. For short-term storage for 3 h at room temperature, no effect of the container on the (1→3)-β-D-glucan recovery could be observed, but for storage at −20 °C, the results indicate that the storage time and temperature influences (1→3)-β-D-glucan detection. All containers showed a trend of lower recoveries over time, but the polyethylene container showed a significantly lower recovery compared to the other containers. We also showed that freeze/thaw cycles had a strong influence on the recovery of (1→3)-β-D-glucan in polyethylene containers. Our study showed that the container can affect not only the detection of endotoxins but also the detection of (1→3)-β-D-glucans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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17 pages, 3005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between the Change in E/T Ratio and the Cooking Performance of Eucalyptus and Acacia Woods during Kraft Pulping Process

by Jiangdong Yu, Xuewen Xu, Chen Miao, Penghui Li and Guolin Tong

Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4637; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124637 - 8 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1132

Abstract

Lignin structure is an important factor affecting the cooking part of the pulping process. In this study, the effect of lignin side chain spatial configuration on cooking performance was analyzed, and the structural characteristics of eucalyptus and acacia during cooking were compared and [...] Read more.

Lignin structure is an important factor affecting the cooking part of the pulping process. In this study, the effect of lignin side chain spatial configuration on cooking performance was analyzed, and the structural characteristics of eucalyptus and acacia during cooking were compared and studied by combining ozonation, GC-MS, NBO, and 2D NMR (¹H-¹³C HSQC). In addition, the changes in the lignin content of four different raw materials during the cooking process were studied via ball milling and UV spectrum analysis. The results showed that the content of lignin in the raw material decreased continuously during the cooking process. Only in the late cooking stage, when the lignin removal reached its limit, did the lignin content tend to be stable due to the polycondensation reaction of lignin. At the same time, the E/T ratio and S/G ratio of the reaction residual lignin also followed a similar rule. At the beginning of cooking, the values of E/T and S/G decreased rapidly and then gradually rose when they reached a low point. The different initial E/T and S/G values of different raw materials lead to the disunity of cooking efficiency and the different transformation rules of different raw materials in the cooking process. Therefore, the pulping efficiency of different raw materials can be improved using different technological means. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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11 pages, 2657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantification of Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone Preservatives by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

by Samyah Alanazi, Hajera Tabassum, Manal Abudawood, Reem Alrashoudi, May Alrashed, Yazeed A. Alsheikh, Salma Alkaff, Manal Alghamdi and Naif Alenzi

Molecules 2023, 28(4), 1760; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041760 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2835

Abstract

Isothiazolinone preservatives (methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) are commonly used in cosmetics, industrial and household products. However, these isothiazolinone derivatives are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Hence, a sensitive, accurate, and reliable method for the detection of these compounds is thus warranted. [...] Read more.

Isothiazolinone preservatives (methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) are commonly used in cosmetics, industrial and household products. However, these isothiazolinone derivatives are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Hence, a sensitive, accurate, and reliable method for the detection of these compounds is thus warranted. The study aims to analyze concentrations of MIT and CMIT by high performance liquid chromatography. The analytical method used for quantification of MIT and CMIT in cosmetic products (leave-on-baby wet wipes) complies with the validation acceptance criteria (international standards ISO 5725, EU25 European Union for cosmetic regulations). MIT and CMIT were extracted and analyzed in leave-on baby wet-wipes collected from different stores in Riyadh city. Extraction was performed by ultrasonication of the samples, solid-phase extraction, and liquid-liquid extraction. Ten (10) µL of the sample was injected into the HPLC system and samples were analyzed with a mixture of acetic acid and methanol (80:20 v/v) in an isocratic mode. The flow rate was maintained at 1 mL/min. UV detection was performed at 274 nm. The results demonstrated recoveries between 90 and 106%, measurement uncertainty of C +/− 0.4% for methylisothiazolinone and C +/− 0.03% for methylchloroisothiazolinone, repeatability limit (r = 0.2%) and intermediate precision limit; R = 2% and R² of 0.9996. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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11 pages, 836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wastewater-Irrigated Vegetables Are a Significant Source of Heavy Metal Contaminants: Toxicity and Health Risks

by Kiran Aftab, Sarosh Iqbal, Mohammad Rizwan Khan, Rosa Busquets, Razia Noreen, Naushad Ahmad, Syed Gohar Taqi Kazimi, Abdulnasser Mahmoud Karami, Nouf Mohammad Saad Al Suliman and Mohamed Ouladsmane

Molecules 2023, 28(3), 1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031371 - 1 Feb 2023

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3492

Abstract

Water contaminated with heavy metals constitutes an important threat. This threat is a real problem with a negative impact in some developing countries where untreated industrial effluents are used for irrigation. The present study examines heavy metals in wastewater-irrigated vegetables (apple gourd, spinach, [...] Read more.

Water contaminated with heavy metals constitutes an important threat. This threat is a real problem with a negative impact in some developing countries where untreated industrial effluents are used for irrigation. The present study examines heavy metals in wastewater-irrigated vegetables (apple gourd, spinach, cauliflower, sponge gourd, and coriander) water, and soil from Chenab Nagar, Chiniot, Pakistan. In particular, the metals quantified were cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and manganese (Mn). Among them, Cr and Co in crops irrigated -wastewater exceeded the levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In contrast, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Mn concentrations were in line with WHO standards. Compared with the limits established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), all the study vegetables presented higher (thus unsafe) concentrations of Cd (0.38 to 1.205 mg/Kg). There were also unsafe concentrations of Cr in coriander, sponge gourd, and cauliflower. Pb was found at an unsafe concentration (0.59 mg/Kg) in cauliflower. Conversely, Ni and Mn concentrations were below the maximum permissible limits by WHO, and FAO in all of the analyzed samples. The contamination load index (CLI) in soil, bioconcentration factor (BCF) in plants, daily intake of metals (DIM), and health risk index (HRI) have also been evaluated to estimate the potential risk to human health in that area. We have found an important risk of transitions of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Co from water/soil to the edible part of the plant. The highest HRI value associated with Cd (6.10–13.85) followed by Cr (1.25–7.67) for all vegetable samples presented them as high health risk metal contaminants. If the issue is not addressed, consumption of wastewater-irrigated vegetables will continue posing a health risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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14 pages, 2896 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Validation for Quantification of Cephapirin and Ceftiofur by Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography with Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

by Hari Naga Prasada Reddy Chittireddy, J. V. Shanmukha Kumar, Anuradha Bhimireddy, Mohammed Rafi Shaik, Althaf Hussain Shaik, Abdulrahman Alwarthan and Baji Shaik

Molecules 2022, 27(22), 7920; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27227920 - 16 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1990

Abstract

Cross contamination of β-lactams is one of the highest risks for patients using pharmaceutical products. Penicillin and some non-penicillin β-lactams may cause potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. The trace detection of β-lactam antibiotics in cleaning rinse solutions of common reactors and manufacturing aids in [...] Read more.

Cross contamination of β-lactams is one of the highest risks for patients using pharmaceutical products. Penicillin and some non-penicillin β-lactams may cause potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. The trace detection of β-lactam antibiotics in cleaning rinse solutions of common reactors and manufacturing aids in pharmaceutical facilities is very crucial. Therefore, the common facilities adopt sophisticated cleaning procedures and develop analytical methods to assess traces of these compounds in rinsed solutions. For this, a highly sensitive and reproducible ultra-performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the analysis of Cephapirin and Ceftiofur. As per the FDA guidelines described in FDA-2011-D-0104, the contamination of these β-lactam antibiotics must be regulated. The analysis was performed on an XBridge C₁₈ column with 100 mm length, 4.6 mm diameter, and 3.5 µm particle size at an oven temperature of about 40 °C. The mobile phase was composed of 0.15% formic acid in water and acetonitrile as mobile phases A and B, and a flow rate was set to 0.6 mL/min. The method was validated for Cephapirin and Ceftiofur. The quantification precision and accuracy were determined to be the lowest limit of detection 0.15 parts per billion (ppb) and the lowest limit of quantification 0.4 ppb. This method was linear in the range of 0.4 to 1.5 ppb with the determination of coefficient (R² > 0.99). This sensitive and fast method was fit-for-purpose for detecting and quantifying trace amounts of β-lactam contamination, monitoring cross contamination in facility surface cleaning, and determining the acceptable level of limits for regulatory purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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18 pages, 4098 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Surface-Area-Activated Carbon Derived from Mango Peels and Seeds Wastes via Microwave-Induced ZnCl₂ Activation for Adsorption of Methylene Blue Dye Molecules: Statistical Optimization and Mechanism

by Nur Shakinah Razali, Ahmed Saud Abdulhameed, Ali H. Jawad, Zeid A. ALOthman, Tarek A. Yousef, Omar K. Al-Duaij and Norah Salem Alsaiari

Molecules 2022, 27(20), 6947; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27206947 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 3056

Abstract

In this study, Mango (Mangifera indica) seeds (MS) and peels (MP) seeds mixed fruit wastes were employed as a renewable precursor to synthesize high-surface-area-activated carbon (MSMPAC) by using microwave-induced ZnCl₂ activation. Thus, the applicability of MSMPAC was evaluated towards the [...] Read more.

In this study, Mango (Mangifera indica) seeds (MS) and peels (MP) seeds mixed fruit wastes were employed as a renewable precursor to synthesize high-surface-area-activated carbon (MSMPAC) by using microwave-induced ZnCl₂ activation. Thus, the applicability of MSMPAC was evaluated towards the removal of cationic dye (methylene blue, MB) from an aqueous environment. The key adsorption factors, namely A: MSMPAC dose (0.02–0.1 g), B: pH (4–10), and C: time (5–15 min), were inspected using the desirability function of the Box-Behnken design (BBD). Thus, the adsorption isotherm data were found to correspond well with the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of (232.8 mg/g). Moreover, the adsorption kinetics were consistent with both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The spontaneous and endothermic nature of MB adsorption on the MSMPAC surface could be inferred from the negative ∆G° values and positive value of ∆H°, respectively. Various mechanisms namely electrostatic forces, pore filling, π-π stacking, and H-bonding govern MB adsorption by the MSMPAC. This study demonstrates the utility of MS and MP as renewable precursors to produce high-surface area MSMPAC with a potential application towards the removal of cationic organic dyes such as MB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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13 pages, 1597 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Element Analysis and Origin Discrimination of Panax notoginseng Based on Inductively Coupled Plasma Tandem Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)

by Chao Ji, Jinyu Liu, Qin Zhang, Juan Li, Zhiqiang Wu, Xingyu Wang, Yuxin Xie, Jiangchao Zhao, Rui Shi, Xing Ma, Mohammad Rizwan Khan, Rosa Busquets, Xiahong He, Youyong Zhu, Shusheng Zhu and Wenjie Zheng

Molecules 2022, 27(9), 2982; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27092982 - 6 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2381

Abstract

Panax notoginseng is an important functional health product, and has been used worldwide because of a wide range of pharmacological activities, of which the taproot is the main edible or medicinal part. However, the technologies for origin discrimination still need to be further [...] Read more.

Panax notoginseng is an important functional health product, and has been used worldwide because of a wide range of pharmacological activities, of which the taproot is the main edible or medicinal part. However, the technologies for origin discrimination still need to be further studied. In this study, an ICP-MS/MS method for the accurate determination of 49 elements was established, whereby the instrumental detection limits (LODs) were between 0.0003 and 7.716 mg/kg, whereas the quantification limits (LOQs) were between 0.0011 and 25.7202 mg/kg, recovery of the method was in the range of 85.82% to 104.98%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were lower than 10%. Based on the content of multi-element in P. notoginseng (total of 89 mixed samples), the discriminant models of origins and cultivation models were accurately determined by the neural networks (prediction accuracy was 0.9259 and area under ROC curve was 0.9750) and the support vector machine algorithm (both 1.0000), respectively. The discriminant models established in this study could be used to support transparency and traceability of supply chains of P. notoginseng and thus avoid the fraud of geographic identification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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13 pages, 4098 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose Triacetate Obtained from Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Trunk Mesh-Derived Cellulose

by Hamid M. Shaikh, Arfat Anis, Anesh Manjaly Poulose, Saeed M. Al-Zahrani, Niyaz Ahamad Madhar, Abdullah Alhamidi, Saleh Husam Aldeligan and Faisal S. Alsubaie

Molecules 2022, 27(4), 1434; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041434 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4683

Abstract

Cellulosic polysaccharides have increasingly been recognized as a viable substitute for the depleting petro-based feedstock due to numerous modification options for obtaining a plethora of bio-based materials. In this study, cellulose triacetate was synthesized from pure cellulose obtained from the waste lignocellulosic part [...] Read more.

Cellulosic polysaccharides have increasingly been recognized as a viable substitute for the depleting petro-based feedstock due to numerous modification options for obtaining a plethora of bio-based materials. In this study, cellulose triacetate was synthesized from pure cellulose obtained from the waste lignocellulosic part of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). To achieve a degree of substitution (DS) of the hydroxyl group of 2.9, a heterogeneous acetylation reaction was carried out with acetic anhydride as an acetyl donor. The obtained cellulose ester was compared with a commercially available derivative and characterized using various analytical methods. This cellulose triacetate contains approximately 43.9% acetyl and has a molecular weight of 205,102 g·mol⁻¹. The maximum thermal decomposition temperature of acetate was found to be 380 °C, similar to that of a reference sample. Thus, the synthesized ester derivate can be suitable for fabricating biodegradable and “all cellulose” biocomposite systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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16 pages, 25663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determination of Thymol in Commercial Formulation, Essential Oils, Traditional, and Ultrasound-Based Extracts of Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare Using a Greener HPTLC Approach

by Ahmed I. Foudah, Faiyaz Shakeel, Mohammed H. Alqarni, Abuzer Ali, Sultan Alshehri, Mohammed M. Ghoneim and Prawez Alam

Molecules 2022, 27(4), 1164; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041164 - 9 Feb 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4387

Abstract

In the literature, greener analytical approaches for determining thymol in its commercial formulations, plant-based phytopharmaceuticals, and biological fluids are scarce. As a result, the goal of this study is to develop and validate a normal-phase “high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)” method for determining thymol [...] Read more.

In the literature, greener analytical approaches for determining thymol in its commercial formulations, plant-based phytopharmaceuticals, and biological fluids are scarce. As a result, the goal of this study is to develop and validate a normal-phase “high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)” method for determining thymol in commercial formulations, essential oils, traditional extracts (TE), and ultrasound-based extracts (UBE) of Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare obtained from various geographical regions. The greener mobile phase for thymol analysis was a binary combination of cyclohexane and ethyl acetate (85:15, v/v). The derivatized densitometric analysis of thymol was carried out under visible mode at 530 nm utilizing anisaldehyde-sulfuric acid as a derivatizing/visualizing agent. In the 10–2000 ng/band range, the greener normal-phase HPTLC method was linear. Furthermore, for thymol analysis, the proposed analytical approach was simple, quick, inexpensive, accurate, precise, robust, sensitive, and greener. The thymol contents in commercial formulation were computed as 7.61% w/w. In general, the thymol contents were maximum in essential oils of T. vulgaris and O. vulgare compared to the other sample matrices studied. The thymol contents of TE of T. vulgaris and O. vulgare of different geographical regions were significantly low compared to their UBE extract. Using 12 distinct components of green analytical chemistry, the overall “analytical GREEnness (AGREE)” scale for the proposed analytical approach was computed 0.79, showing the good greener nature of the proposed analytical approach. Overall, the greener normal-phase HPTLC technique was found to be reliable for determining thymol in commercial formulations and plant-based phytopharmaceuticals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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24 pages, 2507 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) and Acacia (Acacia seyal) Gums on the Pasting, Thermal, Textural, and Rheological Properties of Corn, Sweet Potato, and Turkish Bean Starches

by Shahzad Hussain, Abdellatif A. Mohamed, Mohamed S. Alamri, Mohamed A. Ibraheem, Akram A. Abdo Qasem, Tawfiq Alsulami and Ibrahim A. Ababtain

Molecules 2022, 27(3), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27030701 - 21 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2428

Abstract

This study was planned to explore the locally available natural sources of gum hydrocolloids as a natural modifier of different starch properties. Corn (CS), sweet potato (SPS), and Turkish bean (TBS) starches were mixed with locally extracted native or acetylated cactus (CG) and [...] Read more.

This study was planned to explore the locally available natural sources of gum hydrocolloids as a natural modifier of different starch properties. Corn (CS), sweet potato (SPS), and Turkish bean (TBS) starches were mixed with locally extracted native or acetylated cactus (CG) and acacia (AG) gums at 2 and 5% replacement levels. The binary mixtures (starch–gums) were prepared in water, freeze dried, ground to powder, and stored airtight. A rapid viscoanalyzer (RVA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), texture analyzer, and dynamic rheometer were used to explore their pasting, thermal, textural, and rheological properties. The presence of acetylated AG or CG increased the final viscosity (FV) in all three starches when compared to starch pastes containing native gums. Plain SPS dispersion had a higher pasting temperature (PT) than CS and TBS. The addition of AG or CG increased the PT of CS, SPS, and TBS. The thermograms revealed the overall enthalpy change of the starch and gum blends: TBS > SPS > CS. The peak temperature (T_p) of starches increased with increasing gum concentration from 2 to 5% for both AG and CG native and modified gums. When compared to the control gels, the addition of 2% CG, either native or modified, reduced the syneresis of starch gels. However, further addition (5% CG) increased the gels’ syneresis. Furthermore, the syneresis for the first cycle on the fourth day was higher than the second cycle on the eighth day for all starches. The addition of native and acetylated CG reduced the hardness of starch gels at all concentrations tested. All of the starch dispersions had higher G′ than G″ values, indicating that they were more elastic and less viscous with or without the gums. The apparent viscosity of all starch gels decreased as shear was increased, with profiles indicating time-dependent thixotropic behavior. All of the starch gels, with or without gums, showed a non-Newtonian shear thinning trend in the shear stress vs. shear rate graphs. The addition of acetylated CG gum to CS resulted in a higher activation energy (Ea) than the native counterparts and the control. More specifically, starch gels with a higher gum concentration (5%) provided greater Ea than their native counterparts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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14 pages, 24118 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Strontium in CeNiO₃ Nano-Crystalline Perovskites for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation to Produce Syngas

by Naushad Ahmad, Rizwan Wahab, Salim Manoharadas, Basel F. Alrayes, Manawwer Alam and Fahad A. Alharthi

Molecules 2022, 27(2), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27020356 - 6 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2659

Abstract

The transition metal-based catalysts for the elimination of greenhouse gases via methane reforming using carbon dioxide are directly or indirectly associated with their distinguishing characteristics such as well-dispersed metal nanoparticles, a higher number of reducible species, suitable metal–support interaction, and high specific surface [...] Read more.

The transition metal-based catalysts for the elimination of greenhouse gases via methane reforming using carbon dioxide are directly or indirectly associated with their distinguishing characteristics such as well-dispersed metal nanoparticles, a higher number of reducible species, suitable metal–support interaction, and high specific surface area. This work presents the insight into catalytic performance as well as catalyst stability of Ce_xSr_1−xNiO₃ (x = 0.6–1) nanocrystalline perovskites for the production of hydrogen via methane reforming using carbon dioxide. Strontium incorporation enhances specific surface area, the number of reducible species, and nickel dispersion. The catalytic performance results show that CeNiO₃ demonstrated higher initial CH₄ (54.3%) and CO₂ (64.8%) conversions, which dropped down to 13.1 and 19.2% (CH₄ conversions) and 26.3 and 32.5% (CO₂ conversions) for Ce_0.8Sr_0.2NiO₃ and Ce_0.6Sr_0.4NiO₃, respectively. This drop in catalytic conversions post strontium addition is concomitant with strontium carbonate covering nickel active sites. Moreover, from the durability results, it is obvious that CeNiO₃ exhibited deactivation, whereas no deactivation was observed for Ce_0.8Sr_0.2NiO₃ and Ce_0.6Sr_0.4NiO₃. Carbon deposition during the reaction is mainly responsible for catalyst deactivation, and this is further established by characterizing spent catalysts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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14 pages, 2352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scientifically Formulated Avocado Fruit Juice: Phytochemical Analysis, Assessment of Its Antioxidant Potential and Consumer Perception

by Arackal Jose Jobil, Sakthivelan Parameshwari, Fohad Mabood Husain, Suliman Yousef Alomar, Naushad Ahmad, Fadwa Albalawi and Pravej Alam

Molecules 2021, 26(24), 7424; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26247424 - 7 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3522

Abstract

The study’s purpose was to find and create a nourishing fruit juice made from avocado to suit nutritional and health demands. In this regard, the avocado juice was formulated using a statistical technique, and its biochemical and phytochemical characteristics were evaluated. Statistically formulated [...] Read more.

The study’s purpose was to find and create a nourishing fruit juice made from avocado to suit nutritional and health demands. In this regard, the avocado juice was formulated using a statistical technique, and its biochemical and phytochemical characteristics were evaluated. Statistically formulated fruit juice was evaluated for its sensory characteristics, proximate composition, nutrients and vitamins, total phenols and flavonoids, and for its antioxidant ability, in addition to a shelf-life test. The optimal amount of all ingredients included in the mathematical model for the preparation of the juice was 150 g of Persea americana (Avocado) fruit pulp, 12.5 g of honey and 100 mL of water. In fact, the composition of avocado juice was found to have higher phenolic (910.36 ± 0.215 mg EAG g⁻¹/mL) and flavonoid (56.32 ± 1.26 mg QE g⁻¹/ mL) amounts. DPPH, ABTS and FRAP antioxidant assays tended to be high compared with a standard. The shelf-life analysis indicated that the processed avocado juice (V7) had a long shelf life. In view of all these merits, a statistically formulated recipe for avocado fruit juice was recommended for the formulation of the most preferred health drink. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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21 pages, 6729 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of High-Performance Aqueous Fluorescent Nanodispersions for Textile Printing—A Study of Influence of Moles Ratio on Fastness Properties

by Shruthi Manjunath Shenava, J. V. Shanmukha Kumar, Rajkumar Ganugula, Mohammed Rafi Shaik, Rosa Busquets and Mohammad Rizwan Khan

Molecules 2021, 26(23), 7075; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237075 - 23 Nov 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2018

Abstract

Aqueous fluorescent dispersions containing dyed acrylic-based copolymer nanoparticles possess significant credentials concerning green technology as compared to those prepared with the conventional vinyl-based monomers in textile and garment sectors; however, their essential textile fastness properties are yet to achieve. In the present work, [...] Read more.

Aqueous fluorescent dispersions containing dyed acrylic-based copolymer nanoparticles possess significant credentials concerning green technology as compared to those prepared with the conventional vinyl-based monomers in textile and garment sectors; however, their essential textile fastness properties are yet to achieve. In the present work, a series of acrylic nanodispersions were synthesized by varying the moles ratio of benzyl methacrylate (BZMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) monomers. This was done to study their effect on dye aggregation and dyed polymer particles agglomeration. FT-IR spectral analysis showed the formation of polymer structures, while Malvern Analyzer, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis suggested that the particles are spherical in shape and their size is less than 200 nm. The obtained nanodispersions were later applied on cotton fabrics for the evaluation of wash fastness and colour migration. Premier color scan spectrophotometer and zeta potential measurement studies suggested that colour migration of printed cotton fabrics increased with an increasing agglomeration of particles and it was also observed to increase with the moles ratio of MMA and zeta potentials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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Review

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 762 KiB

Open AccessReview

Relationship between the Chemical Composition and the Biological Functions of Coffee

by Shah Saud and Ahmad Mohammad Salamatullah

Molecules 2021, 26(24), 7634; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26247634 - 16 Dec 2021

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 8484

Abstract

Coffee is a Rubiaceae coffee plant ranked as the first of the three most important beverages in the world, with effects including lowering blood sugar, protecting the liver, and protecting the nerves. Coffee contains many chemical components, including alkaloids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, [...] Read more.

Coffee is a Rubiaceae coffee plant ranked as the first of the three most important beverages in the world, with effects including lowering blood sugar, protecting the liver, and protecting the nerves. Coffee contains many chemical components, including alkaloids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and so on. Chemical components in coffee are the basis of its biological function and taste. The chemical components are the basis of biological activities and form the characteristic aroma of coffee. The main chemical components and biological activities of coffee have been extensively studied, which would provide a relevant basis and theoretical support for the further development of the coffee industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Analysis and Testing in Foods, Materials, Environment and Pharmacy)

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