Search Results (21)

During large-scale pavement construction, the preparation of SBS-modified asphalt typically produces large amounts of harmful fumes. The emergence of deodorants can effectively alleviate the problem of smoke emissions during the asphalt manufacturing process. On the basis of ensuring the original road performance, exploring more suitable dosages and types of deodorant is urgently needed. Five commercial deodorants were evaluated using an asphalt smoke collection system, and UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV) was employed to screen the deodorants based on smoke concentration. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to quantitatively analyze changes in harmful smoke components before and after adding two deodorants. Subsequently, the mechanisms of action of the two different types of deodorants were analyzed microscopically using fluorescence microscopy. Finally, the performance of bitumen and asphalt mixtures after adding deodorants was evaluated. The results showed that deodorant A (reactive type) and D (adsorption type) exhibited the best smoke suppression effects, with optimal addition rates of 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Deodorant A reduced benzene homologues by nearly 50% and esters by approximately 40%, while deodorant D reduced benzene homologues by approximately 70% and esters by approximately 60%, without producing new toxic gases. Both deodorants had a minimal impact on the basic properties of bitumen and the road performance of asphalt mixtures, with all indicators meeting technical specifications. This research provides a theoretical basis for the effective application of deodorants in the future, truly enabling a transition from laboratory research to large-scale engineering applications in the construction of environmentally friendly roads. Full article

This study is an effort to optimize the thermal properties of refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) oil by incorporating bionanoparticles. This study investigates the impact on thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity by incorporating chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) at different temperatures with varying weight fractions of NPs. To the best of our knowledge, these synthesized CS-NPs from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) and commercial marine-sourced CS-NPs are used for the first time to prepare nanofluids. These nanofluids offer high potential for industrial applications due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and nontoxicity. Fungal-sourced chitosan is a vegan-friendly alternative and does not contain allergic compounds, such as marine-sourced chitosan. The CS-NPs were synthesized using a chemical and mechanical treatment process at three different amplitudes, and CS-NPs at amplitude 80 were selected to prepare the nanofluid. Chitin, chitosan, and CS-NPs were characterized by the FTIR-ATR method, while the size and morphology of the CNs were analyzed by SEM. Thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of nanofluids and base fluid were measured using a multifunctional thermal conductivity meter (Flucon LAMBDA thermal conductivity meter) by ASTM D7896-19 within the temperature range 40–160 °C with step size 20. The thermal conductivity values were compared between commercial CS-NPs and synthesized CS-NPs treated with RBD palm olein with different weight percentages (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 wt.%). It was confirmed that the thermal properties were enhanced in both kinds of nanoparticles added to RBD palm olein, and higher enhancement was observed in fungal-sourced CS-NPs treated with RBD palm olein. Maximum enhancement of thermal conductivity of commercial and synthesized CS-NPs treated with RBD palm olein were 4.28% and 7.33%, respectively, at 0.05 wt.%. Enhanced thermal conductivity of RBD palm olein by the addition of CS-NPs facilitates more effective heat transfer, resulting in quicker and more consistent cooking and other potential heat transfer applications. Full article

This study investigated the ability of bacterial strains to neutralize odorous substances from cattle slurry (CS). The research was performed to develop a microbial preparation for the deodorization of CS. Among the strains of bacteria (Bacillus and Pseudomonas) isolated from natural environments, those with the highest ammonia and hydrogen sulfide reduction were selected, and the bacterial consortium was prepared. The biopreparation reduced ammonia by 98% in the unshaken culture and 100% in the aeration culture, after 10 days of incubation (compared to the initial sample). Complete elimination of hydrogen sulfide was noted on day 6 of the deodorization process for both cultures. The microbiological supplementation also had a positive effect on the chemical composition of the slurry, increasing its fertilizer value. The addition of biopreparation to the slurry resulted in a reduced loss of ammonium ions and increased nitrogen concentration by 29%. It was found that the use of the microbial consortium also increased the availability of potassium and phosphorus, which can be used in agricultural production. Nitrogen retention by microorganisms in the slurry increases its organic value and leads to a reduction in the use of mineral fertilizers. Full article

SBS-modified asphalt produces a large number of hazardous fumes in the preparation process, which severely endangers health and causes environmental pollution. This paper details the design of a fume generation and collection device for asphalt and proposed a comprehensive method for analyzing fume composition. Two deodorants were incorporated into SBS-modified asphalt to mitigate the hazards of the original hazardous emissions. Then, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were combined to analyze the main component differences between asphalt fumes before and after adding deodorant, and to specify the mechanism of action of deodorants on hazardous fumes and SBS-modified asphalt. Finally, the road performance, including the physical and rheological properties of SBS-modified asphalt blended with deodorant, was evaluated. The results indicated that both deodorizers were effective in reducing the emission of hazardous substances in the fumes of SBS-modified asphalt, and no new hazardous substances were generated. Under hot mixing conditions, the addition of 0.3% of deodorant A (high boiling point ester) was effective in reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by up to 41.7%, while the reduction in benzene congeners reached at least 50%. On the other hand, 1% of deodorant B (silica–magnesium compounds) reduced the emissions of VOCs and benzene congeners by 36% and 20–42%, respectively, under the same conditions. Furthermore, the addition of deodorant did not affect the original road performance, and even improved the rheological properties to a certain extent, which was conducive to the application of deodorant in pavement engineering. Full article

Poultry farming involves the production of poultry manures (PMs), which, if properly managed, are excellent organic soil amendments. Poultry farms generally do not have adequate arable land, and therefore, valuable fertilizer becomes a problematic waste. During the production and storage of PMs, odorous VOCs, NH₄, H₂S, and potent greenhouse gases such as CH₄, CO₂ are emitted. It influences the productivity of poultry and negatively affects the working conditions of working staff. In the present study, mineral–microbial deodorizing preparations (MMDP) based on perlite and bentonite as well as the following microorganism strains Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Bacillus megaterium, B. subtilis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens were added to the litter of turkey broilers (TB) and egg-laying hens (LH). PMs were compared with treatments without the addition of MMDP, and maize, sunflower, and rapeseed forage crops were tested. The influence on soil parameters such as pH, EC, HAC, SBC, CEC, BS, N_tot, C_tot, and plant yield and parameter of photosynthesis, i.e., SPAD index, was tested. Soil amending with manure resulted in an increase in pH and a decrease in HAC; in addition, an increase in EC, which was counteracted by the addition of MMDP, was noted. MMDP positively affected parameters such as SBC, CEC, and BS. It was shown that PMs, with the addition of MMDP, improved crops’ yield in the first year of the study, whereas this effect was not seen for the after-crop plants (lupine). The main ‘added value’ related to the usage of MMDP in poultry production is the improvement in the properties of PMs, which mainly had a positive effect on soil indicators. Full article

Interest in developing selective and sensitive metal sensors for environmental, biological, and industrial applications is mounting. The goal of this work was to develop a sensitive and selective sensor for certain metal ions in solution. The goal was achieved via (i) preparing the sensor ((E)-2-((pyridine-3-ylimino)methyl)phenol) (3APS) using microwave radiation in a short time and high yield and (ii) performing spectrophotometric titrations for 3APS with several metal ions. 3APS, a Schiff base, was prepared in 5 min and in a high yield (95%) using microwave-assisted synthesis. The compound was characterized by FTIR, XRD, NMR, and elemental analysis. Spectrophotometric titration of 3APS was performed with Al(III), Ba(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II). 3APS showed good abilities to detect Al(III) and Fe(III) ions fluorescently and Cu(II) ion colorimetrically. The L/M stoichiometric ratio was 2:1 for Cu(II) and 1:1 for Al(III) and Fe(III). Low detection limits (μg/L) of 324, 20, and 45 were achieved for Cu(II), Al(III), and Fe(III), respectively. The detection of aluminum was also demonstrated in antiperspirant deodorants, test strips, and applications in secret writing. 3APS showed high fluorescent selectivity for Al(III) and Fe(III) and colorimetric selectivity towards Cu(II) with detection limits lower than corresponding safe drinking water guidelines. Full article

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of laboratory-scale biotrickling filters (BTFs) packed with composite filler and pine bark filler under different operating conditions in purifying mixed gas containing H₂S and NH₃. The composite filler was prepared with modified activated carbon and loaded with functional microbes, using the microbial immobilization technology combined with a nutrient sustained-release composite filler. The results showed that the composite filler could better adapt to low empty bed retention time (EBRT) and high inlet concentration than the pine bark filler. When EBRT was 40 s and the inlet load was 41 g/m³·h, the NH₃ removal efficiency of the composite filler was kept above 80%, and when the inlet load was 61.5 g/m³·h, it could be stabilized at about 60%. When EBRT exceeds 34 s, the H₂S removal efficiency of the two BTFs was maintained at 100%. Yet, when EBRT was 34 s, the H₂S removal efficiency of the bark filler BTF dropped to <80%. The microbial diversity and richness of the bark filler BTF were significantly higher than those of the composite filler BTF, which had higher community similarity under each working condition. However, the proportion of predominant bacteria in the composite filler BTF was higher than that of the bark filler BTF. As the inlet load increased, the diversity of predominant bacteria of the composite filler BTF increased, which means that the predominant bacteria were less inhibited by high-concentration odorous gases. The predominant bacteria with deodorizing function in the composite filler BTF included Pseudomonas, Comamonas, and Trichococcus, which might jointly complete nitrogen’s nitrification and denitrification processes. The proportion of these three bacteria in the composite filler BTF was higher than in the bark filler BTF. Full article

Activated carbon (AC) is produced by either a physical or chemical activation process. It is used in various industries such as water treatment, air purification, and in the processes of clarification, liquid deodorization, and alcohol distillation. They are also used for the recovery of volatile compounds from post-production and waste gases, as well as the recovery of active substances in the pharmaceutical industry. They are also used in technological processes during the production of a number of pharmaceutical, biochemical, and chemical preparations. In order to restore the original physicochemical parameters of granular activated carbon (GAC), we must carry out a regeneration process at high temperature (600–850 °C). During the process, high-pressure steam and carbon dioxide are injected into the regeneration kiln. The conducted research focused on the effect of the temperature of the regeneration process on the sorption and strength parameters of the WG-12 activated carbon samples tested. The entire process was carried out in a laboratory tube kiln MTTF-1200 under identical conditions for both samples. The results showed that the effect of temperature on the regeneration process is very significant. In both cases, it was observed that, as the specified temperature was exceeded, the adsorption capacity and mechanical strength of the tested activated carbon decreased. The efficiency of the process also deteriorated. Full article

As the human lifespan becomes longer, many people invest time and money in managing external beauty. However, managing external beauty has the disadvantage of causing side effects or that the effect does not last. Therefore, research and development are required to maximize effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and sustainably in beauty management. The purpose of this study was to experimentally identify the anti-aging effects, such as skin wrinkle and elasticity improvement, of extracts from Bahera, Phyllanthus emblica, Triphala, and Carica papaya, and to confirm their development as whitening and wrinkle functional cosmetic materials. In this study, a solid mixture was prepared using eco-friendly Terminalia bellirica, amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Triphala, and Carica papaya, and experimental samples were extracted. Antioxidant tests, antibacterial activity tests, polyphenol and flavonoid content, and deodorization tests were conducted to test the efficacy of experimental samples. The procedures and methods of these experiments are summarized in the following article. In this study, we found that the Bahera, Phyllanthus emblica, Triphala, and Carica papaya extracts had significant effects on whitening and wrinkle improvement, and that the effects of using ethanol-based extracts as the co-solvent were even greater. In other words, extracts of Bahera, Phyllanthus emblica, Triphala and Carica papaya showed antioxidant, whitening, and anti-wrinkle effects, and extracts that used ethanol as a co-solvent showed greater effects. In particular, we found that the optimal concentration of ethanol as a co-solvent maximizes its effectiveness at 70%. Full article

Animal production is identified as one of the main sources of high concentrations of odours, which are related to air pollution, health problems of living organisms and indirect negative impact on production results. One common method for reducing emissions of ammonia is using preparations containing probiotics and hygroscopic or disinfecting compounds. This study was undertaken in order to determine the impact of innovative mineral–microbial deodorizing preparation, which reduces odorous gases, applying to the litter once a week in poultry houses on the physiological status of breeder chickens, broiler chickens and turkeys. Samples were collected after slaughter and analyzed using ELISA tests, flow cytometry and biochemical methods. Biochemical markers of the liver and kidney profile (ALT, AST, LDH, ALP, CK, TP, CALC, PHOS) and the titers of specific antibodies against AEV, aMPV, AAvV-1, IBDV, HEV, BA were analyzed in serum samples. The percentage contribution of T and B lymphocyte subpopulations was determined in the samples of tracheal mucosa, blood, and spleen. No significant differences were found between the control and experimental group with regard to all the analyzed parameters, with some exceptions for biochemistry. The results of our study indicated that mineral–microbial deodorizing preparation did not affect the physiological status of birds. Full article

The distillate from the deodorization of palm oil (DDPO) is an agro-industrial residue, approximately 84% of which consists of free fatty acids (FFAs), which can be used for the production of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE). A catalyst (10HPMo/AlSiM) obtained from a waste material, Amazon flint kaolin, was applied in the esterification of the DDPO, reaching a conversion index of 94%, capable of maintaining satisfactory activity (>75%) after four consecutive cycles. Flint kaolin is therefore proven to be an efficient option in the search for new heterogeneous low-cost catalysts obtained from industrial by-products, contributing to the reduction of environmental impact and adding value to widely available wastes that would otherwise be discarded directly into the environment. Based on the catalytic results, esterification of DDPO using 10HPMo/AlSiM can be a cheaper alternative for the production of sustainable fuels. Full article

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) can be prepared with or without heat. Fermentation and centrifuge processes can be done without the use of heat (cold process), while expelling involves heat due to friction. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from VCO samples prepared using these three methods were collected using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty-seven VCO samples from nine VCO producers were analyzed. The VOCs from refined, bleached, and deodorized coconut oil (RBDCO) were also obtained for comparison. Fourteen compounds were found to be common in more than 80% of the VCO samples analyzed. These included: Acetic acid; C6, C8, C10, C12, and C14 fatty acids, and their corresponding delta-lactones; and C8, C10 and C12 ethyl carboxylates. Fourteen minor VOCs were likewise detected which can be grouped into five types: Carboxylic acids (formic acid, butanoic acid, benzoic acid, and pentadecanoic acid), ketones (acetoin, 2-heptanone), an alcohol (ethanol), aldehydes (acetaldehyde, hexanal, benzaldehyde), esters (ethyl acetate, methyl tetradecanoate), and hydrocarbons (n-hexane and toluene). Five pyrazines were detected in expeller VCO. Various hydrocarbons from C5 to C14 were noted to be higher in old RBDCO and VCO samples. There were variations in the VOCs within each VCO process as each producer used different processing times, temperatures, and drying procedures. Principal components analysis (PCA) was able to group the samples according to the process used, but there were overlaps which may be due to variations in the specific procedures used by the manufacturers. These results may help VCO manufacturers control their production processes. Full article

The content of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) is one of the quality parameters to define if an olive oil can be classified as extra virgin as these compounds are considered markers for virgin olive oils obtained from poor-quality olives. In addition, FAEEs can also be indirect markers to detect soft deodorization treatment. In this study, an off-line HPLC-GC-FID method for determination of FAEEs is presented, revising the preparative step and the GC injector required by the official method (EU Reg. 61/2011). After optimization, the method was validated in-house by analyzing several parameters (linearity, limit of detection LOD, limit of quantification LOQ, robustness, recovery, precision, and accuracy) to determine its effectiveness. Linearity was measured in the 2.5–50 mg/L range; furthermore, intra-day and inter-day precision values were lower than 15%, while the LOD and LOQ were lower than 1 and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively, for all compounds considered. The main advantages of this revised protocol are: (i) significant reduction in time and solvents needed for each analytical determination; (ii) application of HPLC as an alternative to traditional LC, carried with manually packed glass columns, thus simplifying the separation step. Full article

In our previous in vitro research and also in laying hen production, attempts were made to minimise ammonia emissions in poultry houses with the use of Deodoric^® biopreparation. The objective of the present research was to evaluate the influence of the Deodoric^® on ammonia (NH₃) emission and turkey growth performance in a semi-industrial production system. Significant differences in NH₃ emission (p-value < 0.001), body weight (p-value < 0.001) and relative humidity (p-value < 0.001) were observed between the control group (C) and the experimental group (E) where Deodoric® was applied. In group C, an increase in ammonia concentration in air could have contributed to a decrease in the body weight of turkeys, but the above correlation was not observed in group E. In the control group, a relatively strong correlation between NH₃ emission and temperature (p-value = 0.0009; r = 0.74) and moderate correlations between NH₃ emission vs. relative humidity (p-value = 0.01; r = 0.59), air speed (p-value = 0.015; r = 0.60) and cooling (p-value = 0.005; r = 0.66) were noted. Studied correlations were not observed in group E. The preparation did not affect microbial levels in manure or body samples. Throughout the experiment, significant differences in the number of mesophilic bacteria (for the model: F = 46.14, p-value = 0.09; for mesophilic microorganisms: F = 3.29, p-value = 0.045) and Campylobacter spp. (for the model: F = 24.96, p-value = 0.008; for Campylobacter spp.: F = 0.25, p-value = 0.64) were not observed between group C and group E. The administration of Deodoric^® to manure decreased NH₃ concentration in the air and increased weight gains in the experimental group of turkeys relative to group C. Preparation may be applied in poultry farms to improve poultry farming conditions. Full article

Bioshell calcium oxide (BiSCaO) exhibits deodorizing properties and broad microbicidal activity. In this study, we examined possible utility of BiSCaO Water for that purpose. BiSCaO Water was prepared by adding 10 wt% BiSCaO to clean water and gently collecting the supernatant in a bottle. The same volume of clean water was gently poured onto the BiSCaO precipitate and the supernatant was gently collected in a bottle; this process was repeated fifty times. The produced BiSCaO Water contained nanoparticles (about 400–800 nm) composed of smaller nanoparticles (100–200 nm), and was colorless and transparent, with a pH > 12.7. In vitro assays demonstrated that BiSCaO Water eliminated more than 99.9% of influenza A (H1N1) and Feline calicivirus, Escherichia coli such as NBRC 3972 and O-157:H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus within 15 min. We compared BiSCaO Water with the other microbicidal reagents such as ethanol, BiSCaO, BiSCa(OH)₂ suspensions, povidone iodine, NaClO, BiSCaO dispersion and colloidal dispersion with respect to deodorization activity and microbicidal efficacy. The results showed that BiSCaO Water was a potent reagent with excellent deodorization and disinfection activities against pathogenic bacteria and viruses (including both enveloped and nonenveloped viruses). Full article