Search Results (387)

Erica spiculifolia Salisb. (formerly Bruckenthalia spiculifolia Benth.) (Balkan heath) is renowned for its traditional usage as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. For the first time, acylquinic acids, flavonoids and numerous proanthocyanidin oligomers were annotated/dereplicated by liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry in methanol–aqueous extracts from E. spiculifolia aerial parts harvested at the early and full flowering stage. Chlorogenic acid and proanthocyanidin tetra- and trimer A, B-type together with quercitrin and (+) catechin were the predominant compounds in the semi-quantitative analysis. Neutral triterpenoids, triterpenoid acids and phytosterols were determined in apolar extracts by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Triterpenoid acids accounted for 80% of the total triterpenoid content, dominated by ursolic and oleanolic acid, reaching up to 32.2 and 6.1 mg/g dw, respectively. Ursa/olean-2,12-dien-28-oic acids and 3-keto-derivatives together with α-amyrin acetate as a chemotaxonomic marker, α-amyrenone, α- and β-amyrin were evaluated. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 83.85 ± 0.89 mg gallic acid equivalents/g and 78.91 ± 0.41 mg rutin equivalents/g, respectively. The extract actively scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals (540.01 and 639.11 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/g), possessed high potential to reduce copper and iron ions (660.32 and 869.22 mg TE/g, respectively), and demonstrated high metal chelating capacity (15.57 Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid equivalents/g). It exhibited prominent anti-lipase (18.32 mg orlistat equivalents/g) and anti-tyrosinase (71.90 mg kojic acid equivalents/g) activity. The extract inhibited α-glucoside (1.35 mmol acarbose equivalents/g) and acetylcholinesterase (2.56 mg galanthamin equivalents/g), and had moderate effects on α-amylase, elastase, collagenase and hyaluronidase. Balkan heath could be recommended for raw material production with antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties. Full article

The antioxidant capacity and modulation of oxidative stress by industrially processed açaí pulp extract from the Amazon (APEA) and its major anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside (C3R), were evaluated as potential strategies for preventing cardiovascular diseases. The APEA was chemically characterized using ultrafast liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS), which revealed six main phenolic compounds. Notably, 9-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)-9-oxononanoic acid, acanthoside B, roseoside, cinchonine, and nonanedioate were identified for the first time in açaí extracts. In vitro antioxidant assays demonstrated that APEA exhibited strong DPPH- and ABTS-radical-scavenging activities (up to 80% inhibition and 65 mmol TE/100g DW, respectively) and showed ferrous- and copper-ion-chelating activities comparable to those of EDTA-Na₂ at higher concentrations (up to 95% inhibition). Hydroxyl and superoxide radical scavenging activities reached 80% inhibition, similar to that of ascorbic acid. In H₂O₂-treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes, APEA significantly reduced the intracellular ROS levels by 46.9%, comparable to the effect of N-acetylcysteine. APEA also attenuated menadione-induced oxidative stress in H9c2 cells, as shown by a significant reduction in CellROX fluorescence (p < 0.05). In vivo, APEA (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced CCl-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation (MDA levels), restored glutathione (GSH), and increased the antioxidant enzymes CAT, GPx, and SOD, demonstrating superior effects to C3G and C3R, especially after 21 days of treatment (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that Amazonian açaí pulp (APEA) retains potent antioxidant activity after industrial processing, with protective effects against oxidative damage in cardiomyocytes and hepatic tissue, highlighting its potential as a functional food ingredient with cardioprotective and hepatoprotective properties. Full article

With increasing energy demands, fuel cells are a popular avenue for portability and low waste emissions. Hydrogen fuel cells are popular due to their potential output power and clean waste. However, due to storage and transport concerns, hydrogen peroxide fuel cells are a promising alternative. Although they have a lower output potential compared to hydrogen fuel cells, peroxide can act as both the oxidizing and reducing agent, simplifying the structure of the cell. In addition to reducing the complexity, hydrogen peroxide is stable in liquid form and can be stored in less demanding methods. This paper investigates chelated metals as electrode material for hydrogen peroxide fuel cells. Chelated metal complexes are ring-like structures that form from binding organic or inorganic compounds with metal ions. They are used in medical imaging, water treatment, and as catalysts for reactions. Copper(II) phthalocyanine, phthalocyanine green, poly(copper phthalocyanine), bis(ethylenediamine)copper(II) hydroxide, iron(III) ferrocyanine, graphene oxide decorated with Fe₃O₄, zinc phthalocyanine, magnesium phthalocyanine, manganese(II) phthalocyanine, cobalt(II) phthalocyanine are investigated as electrode materials for peroxide fuel cells. In this study, the performance of these materials is evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. The voltammograms are compared, as well as observations are made during the materials’ use to measure their effectiveness as electrode material. There has been limited research comparing the use of these chelated metals in the context of hydrogen peroxide fuel cells. Through this research, the goal is to further the viability of hydrogen peroxide fuel cells. Poly(copper phthalocyanine) and graphene oxide doped with iron oxides had strong redox catalytic activity for use in acidic peroxide single-compartment fuel cells, where the poly(copper phthalocyanine) electrode compound generated the highest peak power density of 7.92 mW/cm² and cell output potential of 0.634 V. Full article

Copper removal from wastewater is a major challenge in the treatment of both hydrometallurgical copper recycling effluents and mining wastewater. The use of sorbents is considered the most efficient and environmentally friendly method for this purpose. Zirconium aminotris(methylenephosphonates) exhibit excellent sorption properties towards many metal ions. Therefore, the goal of this research was to synthesize amorphous zirconium phosphonate materials with a wide range of P:Zr molar ratios (0.5–100) in the reaction mixture and under mild conditions. The obtained sorbents were characterized using ATR-FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS, CHN analysis, and pH titration. The sorption properties of the zirconium aminotris(methylenephosphonates) were studied in pure copper solutions and in the complex acidic solutions (pH 1.6–3.2). The results were compared with those for the commercially available resins designed to capture copper containing iminodiacetic acid and bispicolylamine as surface groups. Zirconium aminotris(methylenephosphonate) synthesized at a P:Zr molar ratio of 50:1 shows fast sorption kinetics and the best sorption properties. The maximum sorption capacity in pure copper solutions is 62.3 mg/g, and its affinity for copper ions is comparable to that of reference resins (log K_d = 2.7–3.9). Moreover, this sorbent can be easily regenerated with 1 M solutions of HCl, HNO₃, or H₂SO₄ (Cu²⁺ recovery up to 95%). Full article

Croton cajucara Benth and Copaifera reticulata Ducke are prominent species in the traditional medicine of the Amazon region of Brazil. Copaifera species produce oil resin rich in bioactive diterpenes, and C. cajucara is a prolific producer of the diterpene 19-nor-clerodane trans-dehydrocrotonin (t-DCTN). This research aimed to develop a self-nanoemulsion drug delivery system (SNEDDS) by using copaiba oil resin (C. reticulata) as a carrier for t-DCTN. A stable SNEDDS single-phase nanoemulsion comprising Tween 80 (7%, w/w) and copaiba oil (0.5%, w/w) afforded a fine oil-in-water carrier system (SNEDDS-CO). The dropwise solubilization of t-DCTN (1 mg) into SNEDDS-CO resulted in the nanoformulation called SNEDDS-CO-DCTN. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed spherical nanodevices, while particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential measurements indicated small nanodroplets (about 10 nm), uniformly distributed (between 0.1 and 0.2) and negatively charged for both systems. The in vitro kinetic of t-DCTN-loaded (SNEDDS-CO-DCTN) analyzed by using simulated conditions of the gastrointestinal microenvironment, as perspective for oral drug delivery, showed a controlled release profile, and corresponded to the Fickian diffusion model. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the samples (t-DCTN, SNEDDS-CO, and SNEDDS-CO-DCTN) was confirmed through total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reducing power, copper ion chelation, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. The antioxidant activity of SNEDDS-CO-DCTN which contained 1 mg of t-DCTN per mL⁻¹ of the carrier SNEDDS-CO was similar or even better when compared to the unload t-DCTN solubilized in DMSO (10 mg mL⁻¹). The SNEDDS formulations herein described were successfully obtained under moderated and controlled conditions, exhibiting effective physicochemical data and release characteristics with huge bioaccessibility for co-loading copaiba oil and t-DCTN. The novel colloidal system SNEDDS-CO-DCTN is a potential antioxidant nanoproduct and, from now on, is available for further pharmacological investigations. Full article

Many of today’s innovative materials used to carry trace elements (TEs) are derived from chelates. Most of the materials used for this purpose have been produced on the basis of EDTA, which is not considered to be environmentally friendly due to its high persistence. Research is therefore being carried out to produce materials that do not pose an environmental risk. Therefore, a study was carried out to determine the effects of newly developed innovative materials with embedded biodegradable and environmentally safe chelates (IDHA—iminodisuccinic acid—and N-butyl-D-gluconamide ligands) containing copper, molybdenum and iron on the yield, biometric characteristics and chemical composition of soybean and selected soil properties. It is difficult to find publications on their effects in soybean cultivation. The greatest increase in soybean leaf greenness index (SPAD) was found after the addition of pure Salmag^® (Sal.^®). The effect of the chelates on the SPAD index was lower, with Sal.^® + Fe chelate having the greatest effect during the vegetative development stage and Cu chelate having the greatest effect during the flowering stage. Sal.^® + Cu, especially with Fe, accelerated pod and seed ripening in the last vegetative stage of soybean. Sal.^® + Cu had the most favourable impact on plant height, pure Sal.^® on the pod number per plant, Sal.^® + Fe on the seed number per pod, Sal.^® with Mo and Fe chelates on soybean seed yield, and pure Sal.^® on fresh weight remaining above-ground part yield, while pure Sal.^® and Sal.^® + Fe had the most favourable impact on dry weight aerial yield. The fertiliser materials (especially Sal.^® + Cu) generally increased the N content of the tested soybean organs and the Cu content of the other above-ground soybean parts (especially those containing chelates) and had an antagonistic effect on the Mg content of the soybean above-ground parts. Sal.^® + Cu also had a negative effect on the Fe content of other above-ground soybean parts. Sal.^® + Fe had a positive impact on the iron content, and Sal.^® + Mo had a positive impact on the molybdenum content of soybean. The applied fertilisers had little effect on the contents of Cu, Mo and Fe in the soil. There was only a significant increase in the Cu content of the soil after the addition of Sal.^® + Cu and a significantly smaller increase under the influence of Sal.^® without chelates, as well as an increase in the Mo content of the soil with Sal.^®. The present study confirms the beneficial impact of the novel materials with chelates. It has been demonstrated that the presence of materials containing Mo and, in particular, Cu has a considerable effect on the yield and quality characteristics of soybeans. Full article

Yak (Bos grunniens) is the main economic animal growing in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Because of its poor growing environment, copper deficiency is common. Studies have shown that appropriate copper supplementation can improve the reproductive performance of heifers. In this study, the primary granulosa cells of yak were isolated, and different copper levels were established by adding copper chelator and copper sulfate. Biochemical, Western blot and transcriptome methods were used to reveal the mechanism of copper on the hormone secretion function of granulosa cells. The results showed that copper promoted hormone secretion by regulating the expression of steroid synthase such as StAR, CYP19A1 and CYP11A1. Transcriptome analysis showed that copper ion levels significantly affected the function of cells, and changes in copper ion level affected genes related to protein phosphorylation, lipid metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, steroid hormone synthesis and the MAPK pathway. In conclusion, copper can promote steroid hormone synthesis in the granulosa cells of yak follicles, and the MAPK signaling pathway may be involved. Full article

In this study, copper ferrite nanoparticles, a type of ferrimagnetic spinel ferrite, were synthesized using the sol-gel auto-combustion method with three different fuels: citric acid, urea, and ethylene glycol. The crystal structures of the synthesized samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the growth of secondary phases like Fe₂O₃ and CuO for samples prepared with urea and ethylene glycol indicated the presence of impurities. Additionally, we observed that the particle size varied significantly with the type of fuel, being the smallest for citric acid and the largest for urea. The electrical and magnetic properties showed strong correlations with the particle size and the presence of impurities. In particular, the optical band gap values, derived from UV-Vis spectroscopy, varied significantly with the choice of fuel, ranging from 2.06 to 3.75 eV. The highest band gap of 3.75 eV was observed in samples synthesized with citric acid. Magnetic properties were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and it was found that the copper ferrite synthesized with citric acid exhibited the highest values of magnetic saturation and coercivity. These findings demonstrate that the choice of fuel during the synthesis process has substantial impacts on the structural, optical, and magnetic properties of CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. Full article

Recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries is important due to the increasing demand for electric vehicles and efforts to realize a circular economy. There is a need to develop environmentally friendly processes for the refining of nickel, cobalt, and other metals contained in the batteries. Electrodialysis is an appealing method for recycling of battery metals with selective separation and low chemical input. In this study, sodium sulfate was used in an electrodialysis metathesis procedure to sequentially separate EDTA-chelated nickel and cobalt. Replacing hitherto used sulfuric acid with sodium sulfate mitigates membrane fouling caused by precipitation of EDTA. It was possible to separate up to 97.9% of nickel and 96.6% of cobalt at 0.10 M, a 30-times higher concentration than previously reported for electrodialysis of similar solutions. Through the thermally activated persulfate method, new to this application, 99.7% of nickel and 87.0% of cobalt could be precipitated from their EDTA chelates. Impurity behavior during electrodialysis of battery leachates has not previously been described in the literature. It is paramount to remove copper, iron, and phosphorous prior to electrodialysis since they contaminate the nickel product. Aluminum was difficult to remove in the solution purification step and ended up in all electrodialysis products. Full article

Chalcopyrite and molybdenite are vital strategic metal resources. Due to their close association in ores, flotation methods are commonly used for separation. The flotation separation method primarily employs the “copper depression and molybdenum flotation” process, enhancing the wettability difference between chalcopyrite and molybdenite through a chalcopyrite depressant. Traditional depressants often face challenges, including low selectivity, high dosage requirements, poor stability, and significant environmental pollution, highlighting the need for new, highly selective green reagents. This study introduces the novel chalcopyrite depressant 2-mercapto-6-methylpyrimidin-4-ol (MMO) for flotation separation. The influence of MMO on chalcopyrite and molybdenite flotation recovery was examined through microflotation experiments. Additionally, the effects of MMO and ethyl xanthate on surface wettability were assessed via contact angle measurements. The adsorption microstructure and interaction mechanism of MMO on chalcopyrite were elucidated using FT-IR, TOF-SIMS, and XPS analyses and DFT simulations. Results indicate that MMO enhances chalcopyrite hydrophilicity and exhibits a strong depressing effect on its flotation, while minimally impacting molybdenite recovery. Thus, it serves as an effective depressant. During adsorption, N and S atoms in MMO donate electrons to Fe and Cu ions, leading to triple bond adsorption and a stable chelate structure. These findings are crucial for achieving a greener and more efficient flotation separation of copper and molybdenum. Full article

Chitosan was hydro-thermally extracted from grey shrimp carapaces and characterized using various techniques (degree of deacetylation (DD), viscosity, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and surface area analysis (BET)). It was then used for Cu(II) removal in a batch system, achieving a maximum capacity of 89 mg/g under standard conditions. Both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order nonlinear kinetic models described the adsorption of Cu(II) ions on chitosan well, with a better fit of the pseudo-first-order model at low concentrations, while the equilibrium data suggested that the Langmuir model was suitable for describing the adsorption system, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 123 mg/g. A response surface methodology and central composite design were used to optimise and evaluate the effects of six independent parameters: initial Cu(II) concentration, pH, chitosan concentration (S/L), temperature (T), contact time (t), and NaCl concentration on the adsorption efficiency of Cu(II) by the synthesised chitosan. The proposed model was confirmed to accurately describe the phenomenon within the experimental range, achieving an R² value of 1. ANOVA indicated that the initial concentrations of Cu(II) and chitosan concentration (S/L) were the most significant factors, while the other variables had no significant effect on the process. The adsorption capacity of Cu(II) onto the prepared chitosan was also optimised and modelled using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The maximum amount, qmax = 468 mg·g⁻¹, shows that chitosan is a highly effective adsorbent, chelating and complexing for copper ions. Full article

Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), as well as selenium (Se) are vital trace minerals supplemented for pigs and broilers that support their biological activities. In animals, trace minerals demonstrate a variety of effects that promote growth and improve health, depending on the form of supplementation (such as inorganic, organic, or nano forms) and the supplementation levels. Inorganic minerals with low bioavailability are excreted into the environment through feces, causing pollution. In contrast, organic minerals, which have higher bioavailability, can reduce mineral excretion into the environment. However, their high cost and the complexity of chelate analysis limit the complete replacement of inorganic minerals. Nano minerals, with their high biological surface area, exhibit enhanced bioavailability. Nonetheless, their effects are inconsistent, and their optimal usage levels have not been clearly established. Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) technology serves as an innovative mineral processing technology tailored to pigs and broilers. Minerals processed through HME achieve nanoscale size, providing a larger surface area and improved bioavailability. Additionally, heat and pressure reduce toxicity, allowing for a lower usage level of minerals compared to inorganic, organic, or nano minerals, while offering various advantages. This review aims to explore forms and inclusion levels of trace minerals in pigs and broilers, as well as to discuss HME-minerals generated through HME technology. Full article

Wilson’s disease (WD) is an inherited disorder characterized by abnormal copper metabolism with complex pathological features. Currently, the mechanism of copper overload-induced hepatic injury is unclear. Green tea is a natural chelator, and its main ingredients, green tea polyphenol (GTP) and L-theanine (L-TA) are good at binding to heavy metals like iron and copper. There have been no reports on green tea extracts (GTE) for the treatment of Wilson’s disease. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of GTE on WD model mice. Initially, we examined the impact of green tea extract on copper metabolism, excretion, and hepatoprotective effects in WD model toxic milk mice. Then, Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-DAD) was established to analyze GTP and L-TA in green tea extract. Further screening of eight active components and copper complex active components in green tea extract was carried out by ion analyzer. Finally, we verified the pharmacodynamic effects of these active ingredients at the animal level. The results showed that GTE improves liver function and attenuates liver injury in TX mice by promoting tissue copper excretion and inhibiting oxidative stress, which provides a theoretical basis for green tea’s potential to improve the clinical symptoms of WD. Full article

Copper contamination in coastal water environments poses a significant health risk, and traditional treatments for copper intoxication include gastric lavage, chelation, and hemodialysis. Recent research suggests that probiotics may help mitigate heavy metal toxicity by promoting biosorption in the intestinal tract. To explore this potential, we investigated the protective effects of Heyndrickxia coagulans (H. coagulans) against copper-induced toxicity in rats. After eight weeks of exposure, rats receiving both copper and H. coagulans exhibited significant improvements in renal function, lipid profiles, antioxidant enzyme activity, and histological markers compared to the copper-only group. However, liver function remained largely unchanged, suggesting a more pronounced protective effect on renal health. These findings highlight the potential of H. coagulans as a supportive intervention for mitigating the adverse effects of copper intoxication. Full article

Nowadays, PSMA ligands are widely used for radiotheragnostic purposes in prostate cancer. The synthesis of a PSMA-Bisp conjugate was developed and realized with good yield (overall yield ~58% for the last two steps). All newly synthesized compounds were characterized by physicochemical methods: ¹H and ¹³C NMR, HRMS, and LCMS (for biologically tested samples). Subsequently, Bisp1 (diacetate bispidine ligand), Bisp-alkyne (bifunctional derivative of Bisp1), and its conjugate PSMA-Bisp were labeled by ⁶⁴Cu in mild conditions. In vitro studies of the labeled conjugate [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-PSMA-Bisp have shown great stability in model solutions. Finally, [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-PSMA-Bisp was compared to the well-known PSMA-617 conjugate labeled with ⁶⁴Cu and they showed similar stability in excess bovine serum (BVS), and at the same time, labeling PSMA-Bisp with ⁶⁴Cu is characterized by extremely high kinetics in mild conditions, while labeling PSMA-617 with ⁶⁴Cu requires heating (90 °C). Thus, this conjugate can be incredibly promising for nuclear medicine. Full article