Search Results (4,947)

Pine wilt disease, caused by the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Bührer) Nickle, poses a major threat to pine forests worldwide. While avermectin-based pesticides are currently used for pine wilt disease management, alternative approaches are needed to mitigate the risk of resistance. This study evaluated the nematicidal activity of 24 synthetic alkyloxyalkanols (ROR′OH) against B. xylophilus. The compounds were synthesized by the etherification of diols with 1-bromoalkanes and tested in a microplate bioassay. Mortality was measured after 24 h, and LD₅₀ values were calculated. Several compounds, including 2-(1-decyloxyl)-1-ethanol (C10OC2OH) and 8-(1-hexyloxy)-1-octanol (C6OC8OH), showed potent nematicidal effects, with LD₅₀ values of less than 50 ppm. Structure–activity relationship analysis revealed that compounds with chains containing an even number of carbons in both the alkyl and alkyloxy groups tended to exhibit increased activity. Clustering analysis confirmed that carbon parity significantly affected efficacy (Mann–Whitney U = 15, p < 0.001). Compared with previously reported plant-derived compounds, several of these alkyloxyalkanols demonstrated superior potency. The results suggest that odd–even carbon chain parity, a known physicochemical phenomenon of n-alkanes, may underlie variations in nematicidal activity. These findings provide insight into the design of novel nematicides targeting B. xylophilus. Full article

Imperial chrysanthemum teas ‘Wuyuan Huangju’ (WYHJ) and ‘Jinsi Huangju’ (JSHJ), dried from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Huangju, are traditional and popular herbal teas in China. However, their metabolite profiles and bioactivities remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively elucidate the non-volatile and volatile metabolites of these two imperial chrysanthemum teas and assess their antioxidant activities and inhibitory effects on hyperglycemia and inflammation enzymes. Thus, we employed a widely targeted metabolomics approach based on UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS to characterize metabolite profiles of the two teas. In total, 1971 non-volatile and 1039 volatile metabolites were explored, and among these, 744 differential non-volatiles (classified into 11 categories) and 517 differential volatiles (classified into 12 categories) were identified. Further, 474 differential non-volatiles were upregulated in WYHJ, particularly flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. In contrast, JSHJ exhibited a greater number of upregulated differential volatiles compared to WYHJ, contributing primarily to its sweet, fruity, and floral aroma. The results of scavenging activities towards DPPH·, ABTS·⁺, OH·⁻, and reducing power demonstrated that both imperial chrysanthemum teas, especially WYHJ, displayed high antioxidant capacity. We also noted that WYHJ exhibited stronger α-amylase, α-glucosidase, xanthine oxidase, and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects owing to its high active substance content. Therefore, this study provides insights into the metabolites of Chinese traditional medicinal herbal teas and highlights strategies for the comprehensive development and utilization of these traditional plant resources. Full article

The sustainable development of our society faces significant challenges, including the need for environmentally friendly energy storage devices. Our work is concerned with the conversion of Mo-based recycled industrial waste into active nanocatalysts for energy storage applications. To reach this goal, we employed hydrothermal synthesis, a low-cost and temperature-scalable method. The proposed synthesis produces MoO₃ nanobelts (50–200 nm in width and 2–5 µm in length) with a high yield, about 74%. The synthesized nanostructures were characterized in 1 M KOH and 1 M NH₄OH, as alkaline environments are a promising choice for the development of eco-friendly devices. To investigate the material’s behaviour cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were carried out. From CV curves, it was possible to evaluate the specific capacitance values of 290 and 100 Fg⁻¹ at 5 mVs⁻¹ in 1 M KOH and 1 M NH₄OH, respectively. Also, GCD was employed to evaluate the specific capacitance of the material, resulting in 75 and 60 Fg⁻¹ in 1 M KOH and 1 M NH₄OH, respectively. CV and GCD analyses revealed that MoO₃ nanobelts act as two different types of energy storage devices: supercapacitors and pseudocapacitors. Additionally, EIS allowed us to distinguish between the resistive and capacitive behaviour contributions depending on the electrolyte. Furthermore, it provided a comprehensive electrochemical characterization in different alkaline electrolytes, with the intention of conjugating waste management and sustainable energy storage device production. Full article

The growing demand for natural and sustainable food preservatives has drawn interest in carbon dots (CDs) derived from plant sources. This study aimed to synthesize CDs from dried German chamomile flowers (DF) and residual biomass (RB) obtained after essential oil extraction using a hydrothermal process. Their characteristics, bioactivities and cytotoxicity were examined. Both DF-CDs and RB-CDs were spherical (7–10 nm), exhibited strong UV blocking properties and tunable fluorescence and were rich in polyphenolic functional groups, especially the –OH group. DF-CDs generally showed higher antioxidant capacity than RB-CDs as assayed by DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activities, FRAP and metal chelation activity. Both CDs showed antibacterial effects toward pathogenic bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes) and spoilage bacteria (Shewanella putrefaciens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in a dose-dependent manner. Cytotoxicity was assessed in BJ human fibroblasts, and both CDs exhibited high biocompatibility (>88% viability at 1000 µg/mL). When both CDs at 300 and 600 ppm were applied in a precooked baby clam edible portion (PBC-EP) stored at 4 °C, microbial growth, TVB and TMA contents were lower than those of the control. The total viable count was still under the limit (5.8 log CFU/mL) for the sample treated with CDs at 600 ppm up to 9 days, while the control was kept for only 3 days. Furthermore, the lipid oxidation level (PV and TBARS value) of PBC-EP decreased with CD treatment, especially at higher concentrations (600 ppm). Therefore, chamomile-derived CDs could serve as a promising alternative for perishable seafood preservation. Full article

In this study, MnO₂-CNTs composite support was prepared by citric acid reduction method, and then, Pt nanoparticles were loaded on the surface by ethylene glycol reduction method to obtain a series of Pt/xMnO₂-CNTs catalysts. Structural characterization (TEM, XRD, HRTEM) showed that Pt nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the surface of the catalyst with an average particle size of 3.6 nm. Electrochemical tests show that when the content of MnO₂ is 20 wt.%, the Pt/_20wt.%MnO₂-CNTs catalyst has the best methanol oxidation performance, and its mass activity and long-term stability are 4.0 times and 5.41 times that of commercial Pt/C, respectively. The in situ FTIR results showed that MnO₂ promoted the dissociation of water through synergistic effect, generated abundant OH species, accelerated the oxidation of CO intermediates, and inhibited the poisoning of Pt sites. In this study, it is clear that the excellent performance of Pt/xMnO₂-CNTs is due to multiple synergistic effects. Modified carbon nanotubes facilitate proton conduction, Pt nanoparticles effectively activate methanol, and MnO₂ modulates reaction intermediates via its bifunctional mechanism. This comprehensive mechanism understanding provides a theoretical basis for the design of high-performance catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells. Full article

This study examines the effects and mechanisms of different Enzyme-Induced Carbonate Precipitation (EICP) treatments on loess structure improvement. The study focuses on ordinary EICP and three modified methods using MgCl₂, NH₄Cl, and CaCl₂. A series of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and elemental mapping were used to assess both macroscopic performance and microscopic characteristics. The results indicate that ordinary EICP significantly enhances loess particle bonding by promoting calcite precipitation. MgCl₂-modified EICP achieves the highest UCS (820 kPa) due to delayed urea hydrolysis and the formation of aragonite alongside calcite, which results in stronger and more continuous cementation. In contrast, NH₄Cl reduces urease activity and reverses the reaction, which limits carbonate precipitation and weakens structural cohesion. Excessive CaCl₂ leads to a “hijacking mechanism” where hydroxide ions form Ca(OH)₂, restricting carbonate formation and diminishing the overall enhancement. This study highlights the mechanisms behind enhancement, degradation, and diversion in the EICP process. It also provides theoretical support for optimizing loess subgrade reinforcement. However, challenges such as uneven permeability, environmental variability, and long-term durability must be addressed before field-scale applications can be realized, necessitating further research. Full article

Improving the efficiency of photocatalysts for hydrogen production while minimizing the amount of noble metals used is a pressing issue in modern green energy. This study examines the effect of ultra-small Pt additives on increasing the efficiency of the CuO_x-dark TiO₂ photocatalyst used in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Initially, Pt was photoreduced from the hydroxonitrate complex (Me₄N)₂[Pt₂(OH)₂(NO₃)₈] onto the surface of nanodispersed CuO_x powder obtained by pulsed laser ablation. Then, the obtained Pt-CuO_x particles were dispersed on the surface of highly defective dark TiO₂, so that the mass content of Pt in the samples varied in the range from 1.25 × 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁴. The prepared samples were examined using HRTEM, XRD, XPS, and UV-Vis DRS methods. It has been established that in the Pt-CuO_x particles, platinum is mainly present in the form of single atoms (SAs), both as Pt²⁺ (predominantly) and Pt⁴⁺ species, which should facilitate electron transfer and contribute to the manifestation of the strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) effect between SA Ptⁿ⁺ and CuO_x. In turn, in the Pt-CuO_x-dark TiO₂ samples, surface defects (O_v) and surface OH groups on dark TiO₂ particles act as “anchors”, promoting the spontaneous dispersion of CuO_x in the form of sub-nanometer clusters with the reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu¹⁺ when localized near such O_v defects. During photocatalytic HER in aqueous glycerol solutions, irradiation was found to initiate a large number of catalytically active Pt⁰-CuO_x-O_v-dark TiO₂ centers, where the SMSI effect causes electron transfer from titania to SA Pt, thus promoting better separation of photogenerated charges. As a result, ultra-small additives of Pt led to up to a 1.34-fold increase in the amount of released hydrogen, while the maximum apparent quantum yield (AQY) reached 65%. Full article

Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth., a perennial aromatic plant widespread in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan region, is known for its essential oil composition, rich in aromatic and non-aromatic sesquiterpenes. To the best of our knowledge, limited information exists on the composition of its non-volatile extracts. Herein, the phytochemical investigation of the EtOH extract of P. atriplicifolia aerial parts was performed, guided by an analytical approach based on LC-(-)ESI/QExactive/MS/MS. This led to the identification of phenolics, flavonoids, diterpenes (mainly carnosic acid derivatives), and triterpenes. Structural elucidation was performed via NMR and HRMSMS analysis. Furthermore, considering the occurrence of diterpenes closely related to carnosic acid and carnosol, known for their antioxidant properties, the antioxidant activity of the extract (0.5–5.0 μg/mL) and selected pure compounds (0.5–25 μM; compounds 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 16) was evaluated in Caco-2 intestinal cells, showing significant reduction in free radical levels. The quantitative results highlighted that the above cited compounds occurred in concentrations ranging from 1.73 to 520.21 mg/100 g aerial parts, with carnosol (12) exhibiting the highest concentration (520.21 mg/100 g aerial parts), followed by 1α-hydroxydemethylsalvicanol (9) (91.73 mg/100 g aerial parts) and carnosic acid (16) (88.16 mg/100 g aerial parts). Full article

Soil contamination with heavy metals often resulting from industrial activities and wastewater discharge is a major ecological problem. Bone meal, a by-product of the agri-food industry, is a promising material for remediating soils affected by heavy metal pollution. Bone meal, rich in phosphorus, calcium, and other essential minerals, provides advantages both in immobilizing inorganic pollutants and in improving soil fertility. This study explores the potential of bone meal as an ecological and sustainable solution for the retention of zinc from soils polluted with wastewater. This study analyzes the physicochemical properties of bone meal, the mechanisms of its interaction with metal ions through adsorption processes as revealed by equilibrium and kinetic studies, and its effects on plant germination. The results indicate a maximum adsorption capacity of 2375.33 mg/kg at pH = 6, according to the Langmuir model, while the pseudo-second-order kinetic model showed a coefficient of R² > 0.99, confirming the chemical nature of the adsorption. At pH 12, the retention capacity increased to 2937.53 mg/kg; however, parameter instability suggests interference from precipitation phenomena. At pH 12, zinc retention is dominated by precipitation (Zn(OH)₂ and Zn–phosphates), which invalidates the Langmuir assumptions; accordingly, the Freundlich isotherm provides a more adequate description. Germination tests revealed species-specific responses to Zn contamination and bone meal amendment. In untreated contaminated soil, germination rates were 84% for cress, 42% for wheat, and 50% for mustard. Relative to the soil + bone meal treatment (100% performance), the extent of inhibition reached 19–21% in cress, 24–29% in wheat, and 12% in mustard. Bone meal mitigated Zn-induced inhibition most effectively in wheat (+31% vs. soil; +40% vs. control), followed by cress (+23–27%) and mustard (+14%), highlighting its species-dependent ameliorative potential. Thus, the experimental results confirm bone meal’s capacity to reduce the mobility of zinc ions and improve the quality of the agricultural substrate. By transforming an animal waste product into a material with agronomic value, this study supports the integration of bone meal into modern soil remediation strategies, aligned with the principles of bioeconomy and sustainable development. Full article

Tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) is widely used in the prevention and treatment of human/animal bacterial infection due to its good antibacterial activity. However, because of its high hydrophilicity and low volatility, TC-HCl can enter the natural water body through various ways and exist in it statically for a long time, which then causes environmental toxicity and even threatens human health. Photocatalysis, which can use free, clean and sustainable solar energy to provide power, achieves the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy and is a promising green technology for solving global environmental and energy challenges. BiOCl has suitable valence/conduction potential and good stability and hierarchical structure, which contributes to smooth transfer of surface charge. BiOCl photocatalyst materials with deionized water, anhydrous ethanol (EtOH), and ethylene glycol (EG) as solvents were prepared by using different viscosity solutions as reaction media. The characterization results showed that the type of solvent is what mainly affected the morphology and absorption intensity of the photocatalyst. BiOCl prepared with EG as solvent has the best photocatalytic degradation performance of TC-HCl, and the removal rate can reach 76% after 60 min of visible light irradiation. Its strong light response intensity and unique spherical structure contribute to the enhancement of photocatalytic activity. Full article

Gallic acid (GA), a polyphenol extensively used in the food, wine, and pharmaceutical industries, is known for its inhibitory effects on soil microbial activity. Photocatalytic degradation offers an environmentally friendly solution for GA removal from water. In this work, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) photocatalysts were synthesized by two methods: thermal exfoliation (CN-E) and supramolecular assembly via hydrothermal processing (HCN-II). Structural analyses by XRD, FTIR, and XPS confirmed the formation of the g-C₃N₄ framework, while SEM revealed that CN-E consisted of folded and curled nanosheets, whereas HCN-II displayed a polyhedral–nanosheet hybrid architecture with internal channels. Both materials achieved approximately 80% GA degradation within 180 min under visible-light irradiation, yet HCN-II exhibited a superior apparent rate constant (k = 0.01156 min⁻¹) compared with CN-E. Radical trapping experiments demonstrated that O₂•⁻ and h⁺ were the primary reactive oxygen species involved, with OH• making a minor contribution. The enhanced performance of HCN-II is attributed to its higher surface area, improved light harvesting, and efficient charge separation derived from supramolecular assembly. These findings highlight the potential of engineered g-C₃N₄ nanostructures as efficient, metal-free photocatalysts for the degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants in water treatment applications. Full article

This study employed the hydrothermal coprecipitation method to grow CoAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH) onto bacterial cellulose (BC) in situ, successfully preparing the CoAl-LDH@BC composite. This composite was then used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for tetracycline (TC) degradation. According to the results, the CoAl-LDH@BC/PMS system demonstrated a remarkable removal efficiency of 99.9% for TC within 15 min. Moreover, the influencing factors of catalyst dosage, PMS dosage, TC concentration, reaction temperature, initial pH, and inorganic ions were evaluated. Notably, the system demonstrated broad-spectrum contaminant removal capabilities, which could simultaneously eliminate more than 99.7% of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) and 87.9% of ciprofloxacin (CFX) within 20 min. Additionally, the removal rates for several dyes reached more than 95.7% in 20 min. Phytotoxicity assessment (using mung bean seeds) confirmed a significant reduction in the biotoxicity of post-treatment TC solutions. The identification of TC degradation intermediates was enabled, alongside the subsequent proposal of plausible degradation pathways. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations based on radical quenching experiments revealed the coexistence of dual radical (•OH and${ \mathrm{SO}}_4^{-}•$) and non-radical (¹O₂) oxidation pathways in the reaction of the CoAl-LDH@BC/PMS system. Overall, this research broadens the potential applications of bacterial cellulose-based porous materials and provides an innovative insight into antibiotic wastewater treatment. Full article

Aeolian sand is the primary geological material for construction in desert regions, and its stabilization with industrial solid wastes-based geopolymer (ISWG) provides an eco-friendly treatment replacing cement. This study comparatively investigated the enhancement effects of chemical activators and expansive agents on compressive strength of aeolian sand stabilized by ISWG (ASIG). Three chemical activators—NaOH, Ca(OH)₂, and CaCl₂—along with two expansive agents—desulfurized gypsum and bentonite—were considered. Through X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry and pH values tests, the enhancement mechanisms of the additives on ASIG were elucidated. Results demonstrate that the expansive agent exhibits significantly superior strengthening effects on ASIG compared to the widely applied chemical activators. Chemical activators promoted ISWs dissolution and hydration product synthesis, thereby densifying the hydration product matrix but concurrently enlarged interparticle pores. Desulfurized gypsum incorporation induced morphological changes in ettringite, and excessive desulfurized gypsum generated substantial ettringite that disrupted gel matrix. In contrast, bentonite demonstrated superior pore-filling efficacy while densifying gel matrix through a compaction effect. These findings highlight bentonite superior compatibility with the unique microstructure of aeolian sand compared to conventional alkaline activators or expansive agents, and better effectiveness in enhancing the strength of ASIG. Full article

Derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione exhibit a variety of biological activities, including antimicrobial (e.g., compounds 31d–k, 32d, 36f), antitumor (e.g., 71, 77a–c, 82g, 94h), anti-inflammatory, analgesic (100a, 102, 105), antidiabetic, and antioxidant (104, 138) activity. These compounds can be efficiently synthesized by classical methods (e.g., cyclization of thiosemicarbazides) and/or modern “green” approaches, which allow for obtaining target compounds in high yields (up to 96%). The presence of electron-donating groups (e.g., -OH, -OCH₃) enhances antimicrobial and antitumor activity. Substituents in the aromatic ring (e.g., NO₂, Cl) affect the ability to bind to biological targets such as DNA or enzymes. 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones can also be used as fungicides and herbicides (e.g., 131), demonstrating high efficiency against phytopathogens. Thus, 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivatives are multifunctional compounds with high potential for the development of new drugs and agrochemicals. Their further study and modification can lead to the creation of more effective and safer drugs. Full article

This study prepared alkali-activated cementitious composites using high-whiteness kaolin, sodium water glass, and NaOH as the main raw materials. Multiple methods, including FE-SEM, XRD, whiteness/light transmittance tests, shrinkage rate measurements, DSC-TG, flexural strength testing, and hydrolysis resistance testing, were used to investigate the effects of curing temperature and time on material properties. The optimal parameters were determined as kaolin calcined at 1100 °C, activator modulus 1.25, calcined kaolin-to-activator ratio 1:1, and 2.5% deionized water added for molding. The optimal sample achieved a flexural strength of 23.81 MPa, with the bonding strength to porcelain 60.17 times that of gypsum and 1.90 times that of kaolin-bonded materials. Curing below 100 °C slowed polymerization, while temperatures exceeding 100 °C accelerated it, with violent reaction at 120 °C. Curing beyond 10 h reduced flexural strength. A large number of cage-like, ‘zeolite-like’ structures formed, closely relating to material properties. This study provides references for ceramic restoration materials. Full article