Search Results (67)

The valorization of waste materials is essential for sustainability, with used cooking oils (UCOs) offering potential for transformation into valuable functional products. The study investigates the oxidative stability of sunflower and olive oils subjected to high temperatures (160–200 °C) and frying on their physico-chemical properties (acidity, peroxide and iodine value, total polar compounds). Significant deterioration occurred above 180 °C, with increased peroxide and polar compounds and reduced iodine values. A technological process for the purification and saponification of UCOs (sunflower, olive, and palm oils) was developed, demonstrating the potential to transform pollutant waste into a valuable and sustainable product—soap. The incorporation of oregano and thyme essential oils (EOs), identified by GC-FID as rich sources of carvacrol, thymol, p-cymene, and limonene, improved the functional properties of the soaps. The antimicrobial activity of soaps largely relates to their alkaline pH, while the incorporation of EOs contributes to additional antimicrobial effects, obtaining zones of inhibition of up to 10.8 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and up to 7.6 mm against Escherichia coli for palm oil. The study highlights a sustainable approach that transforms waste oils into functional soaps with EOs for added antimicrobial benefits. Full article

A series of silver-polygalacturonate complexes with improved structure and activity against bacterial infections was developed. Pure sodium polygalacturonate was obtained by saponification of a pectin precursor and identified by NMR as predominantly homogalacturonan (uronide content 95%). Polygalacturonate complexes with ionic and borohydride-reduced silver with a controllable metallic component were synthesized; the role of spontaneous Ag⁺ reduction was revealed. The presence of uniform 5 nm nanoparticles and negligible particulate by-products in the reduced complexes was verified. The complexes showed similar silver-normalized activity against non-resistant bacteria, irrespective of complex stoichiometry/silver state. Pharmaceutical silver proteinate with a similar nanoparticle profile exhibited the same silver-normalized activity, indicating the lack of a ligand effect. The Ag⁺ complex was more effective against some hospital drug-resistant strains. The cytotoxicity of the complexes depended on fibroblast type, silver state, ligand type, exposure time, presumably in association with cellular availability and glutathione depletion. The complexes were administered to rats with excisional wounds persistently infected with S. aureus. Swab/histological analyses of the treated wounds revealed decreased bacterial burden/tissue damage, along with promotion of wound contraction/closure and matrix formation. The nanoparticle complexes that were compared had similar antibacterial/regenerative effects, while the Ag⁺ complex demonstrated higher efficacy in vivo. These results encourage the use of the developed silver-polygalacturonate complexes as antibacterial substances. Full article

Bigels are promising delivery systems for bioactive compounds, combining the properties of hydrogels and oleogels. Pequi carotenoids, characterized by their natural yellow fluorescence, hold potential to replace the artificial dye tartrazine in foods while simultaneously enhancing their functional properties. This study developed food-grade bigels with varying oleogel-to-hydrogel ratios (40%, 60%, 80% OG) to assess the pigmentation capacity of pequi carotenoid extracts. Hydrogel contained agar and xanthan gum, while oleogel comprised beeswax, lecithin, sunflower oil, and 400 μg/100 g carotenoid extract. Bigel color was analyzed using the CIELAB system. Linear and multiple regression models were applied to assess the influence of crosslinking time (1 vs. 12 h), extraction solvent (acetone vs. [BMIM][BF4]), saponification, and oleogel ratio on color parameters. The color of the carotenoid-enriched bigels was mainly influenced by the extraction solvent and the oleogel ratio, while saponification and crosslinking time had only minor impacts. Although changes in L*, a*, and b* were observed across samples, ΔE* values generally reflected low perceptibility. Notably, more evident color differences were associated with variations in solvent type and oleogel ratio. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how formulation parameters influence the pigmentation behavior and support the development of natural, visually appealing functional foods. Full article

In this study, canola oil was used as a natural enriched source of C18 fatty acids and coconut oil as a natural enriched source of C12 fatty acids. The study synthesized five potassium carboxylate (RCOO⁻K⁺) liquid soaps via saponification of coconut–canola oil blends (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) using a novel in situ dissolution method with controlled KOH addition to prevent solid paste formation. The water demand required to dissolve RCOO⁻K⁺ and mitigate soap crystallization was determined, increasing from 1.76 to 5.18 g H₂O/g oil as canola oil content rose, with soap concentration decreasing from 55.1% (100:0) to 18.5% (0:100). Reaction kinetics revealed faster KOH depletion in coconut oil-rich blends (100:0, 75:25, 50:50; 2 h) compared to canola oil-rich blends (25:75, 0:100; 8 h). Key soap properties, including foam stability, detergency, wettability, viscosity, and thermal behavior, were assessed. The 50:50 blend exhibited the highest foam stability due to the synergistic effects of medium-chain saturated (e.g., laurates) and long-chain unsaturated (e.g., oleates) RCOO⁻K⁺. The short, saturated chains promoted rapid foam formation, while the longer, unsaturated chains enhanced foam film stability. RCOO⁻K⁺ detergency on hair tresses with artificial sebum ranged from 16.9% to 29.7% and was relatively higher compared to sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, and sodium cocoyl glutamate (6.1–13.2%) but lower compared to sodium isethionates (34.2%). RCOO⁻K⁺ wettability on cotton textiles improved with higher coconut oil content. RCOO⁻K⁺ contact angles on artificial sebum surface (6.1–13.7°) demonstrated excellent wettability, effectively penetrating and emulsifying hydrophobic residues. Viscosity ranged from 13–45 mPa·s with Newtonian Flow-type behavior. No crystals were observed in the soaps when cooled in the range of 60 to −30 °C. These results demonstrate RCOO⁻K⁺ soaps as tunable, sustainable liquid soaps with performance optimized by adjusting the oil blend ratios. Full article

Catalysis research is complex and interdisciplinary, involving diverse physical effects and challenging data practices. Research data often captures only selected aspects, such as specific reactants and products, limiting its utility for machine learning and the implementation of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) workflows. To improve this, semantic structuring through ontologies is essential. This work extends the established ontologies by refining logical relations and integrating semantic tools such as the Web Ontology Language or the Shape Constraint Language. It incorporates application programming interfaces from chemical databases, such as the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and the National Institute of Health’s PubChem database, and builds upon established ontologies. A key innovation lies in automatically decomposing chemical substances through database entries and chemical identifier representations to identify functional groups, enabling more generalized reaction classification. Using new semantic functionality, functional groups are flexibly addressed, improving the classification of reactions such as saponification and ester cleavage with simultaneous oxidation. A graphical interface (GUI) supports user interaction with the knowledge graph, enabling ontological reasoning and querying. This approach demonstrates improved specificity of the newly established ontology over its predecessors and offers a more user-friendly interface for engaging with structured chemical knowledge. Future work will focus on expanding ontology coverage to support a wider range of reactions in catalysis research. Full article

Achieving carbon neutrality requires not only reducing CO₂ emissions but also capturing atmospheric CO₂. Direct air capture (DAC) using amine-based adsorbents has emerged as a promising approach. In this study, we developed amine-epoxy/poly(vinyl alcohol) (AE/PVA) nanofibers via electrospinning and in situ thermal polymerization. PVA was incorporated to enhance spinnability, and B-staging of AE enabled fiber formation without inline heating. We systematically investigated the effects of electrospinning parameters, epoxy-to-amine ratios (E/A), and the degree of PVA saponification on CO₂ adsorption performance. Thinner fibers, obtained by adjusting spinning conditions, exhibited faster adsorption kinetics due to increased surface area. Varying the E/A revealed a trade-off between adsorption capacity and low-temperature desorption efficiency, with secondary amines offering a balanced performance. Additionally, highly saponified PVA improved thermal durability by minimizing side reactions with amines. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing fiber morphology, chemical composition, and polymer properties to enhance the performance and stability of AE/PVA nanofibers for DAC applications. Full article

This study focuses on the extraction, characterization, and biological evaluation of diterpenes from green coffee beans, specifically, cafestol and kahweol. These compounds, known for their potential health benefits, were isolated via optimized extraction and saponification processes. Separation was achieved using silver nitrate-impregnated silica gel, and structural elucidation was performed through advanced 1D and 2D NMR techniques, including HSQC, HMBC, and (IN)ADEQUATE. Due to kahweol’s instability, the research prioritized cafestol for the synthesis of rhodamine B conjugates. Initial ester-linked conjugates proved unstable, prompting the development of more robust derivatives through amide linkage strategies and further functionalization via acetylation and oxidation reactions. Some oxidation methods led to furan ring cleavage, impacting structural integrity. Selected compounds were tested for cytotoxicity using SRB assays on human tumor cell lines (MCF7, A2780) and non-malignant fibroblasts (NIH 3T3). While the parent diterpenes and many derivatives showed minimal activity, several cafestol–rhodamine B conjugates demonstrated notable cytotoxic effects. Compound 6, in particular, exhibited selective activity against cancer cells with reduced toxicity toward non-malignant cells. Full article

This research explores the potential of green encapsules uploaded with eucalypt essential oil (EEOs) in enhancing their functionality and application in pest control, focusing on suitable ecotype selection from King Abdulaziz University (KAU) campus, Hada Al-Sham (HAS) village, and Briman district as well as optimizing extraction processes. Eucalypt hybrids’ leaves were collected from three different sites, and the EEOs were extracted using microwave-assisted steam distillation (MASD) and electric steam distillation (ESD) techniques. The physical and chemical properties of the EEO were determined. The identification of volatile chemical ingredients in the resulting EEOs was conducted using GC/MS after saponification and methylation procedures, and the ingredients were compared to those obtained from Eucalyptus globulus Labill, the ideal species containing the 1,8-cineol, the principal compound in its essential oil. The 1,8-cineole was found to be the major chemical constituent of the EEOs all over the two extraction methods, regardless of the ecotypes examined, and was interfered with other minor components such as 3-carene, α-pinene, α-myrcene, D-limonene, and α-terpinene. Eucalypt ecotypes grown at Hada Al-Sham village had the highest cineole content (59.29%) among the other sites studied. Compared to the ESD technique, MASD showed much promise because it is simple, facile, more ecofriendly and cost-effective, it kept oils true to their original form, and it allows to warm larger machines and spaces. The polymeric encapsules of either guar gum crosslinked by borax or sodium alginate crosslinked by calcium chloride were fabricated. Moreover, a bioassay screening of the encapsules uploaded with 1,8-cineole was evaluated against termite infection. The encapsules were found to be versatile tools with a wide range of applications; in particular, the alginate encapsules displayed superior characteristics. Furthermore, regardless of the encapsule type and the exposure duration, the mortality (%) of the insects was exceeded significantly for the high cineol concentrations compared to the lower ones for both alginate-based encapsules (ABEs) and guar gum-based encapsules (GGBEs). The higher the cineol concentrations, the higher the mortality percent of the termites. This finding can be attributed to the rapid toxic effect of the cineol compound at higher concentrations. Full article

In this study, a straightforward and cost-effective HPLC-UV method was developed for the rapid determination of vitamin D₂ and ergosterol in mushrooms. These bioactive components are known to play a significant role in the nutritional value of mushrooms, particularly in the production of mushroom-based food supplements. The method, designed for routine analysis, involves a simple sample preparation process combining saponification and solid–liquid extraction, followed by HPLC-UV detection. High recovery rates (97–99%) were achieved by the method, with limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) of 0.1 mg/kg dry weight and 0.5 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. The enrichment of vitamin D₂ content in mushroom powders through UV irradiation was also investigated. In Agaricus bisporus, vitamin D₂ levels increased from an initial 1.92 mg/kg to 4.66 mg/kg following heat treatment at 100 °C, and reached a maximum of 28.13 mg/kg when heat treatment was combined with UV irradiation. In contrast, Lentinula edodes exhibited an initial vitamin D₂ content of 7–8.5 mg/kg, with the highest levels achieved through UV treatment alone, which also preserved ergosterol content. These findings highlight species-specific differences in vitamin D₂ conversion and present an effective approach for enhancing the nutritional profile of mushroom-based products, while providing a reliable analytical tool for quality control. Full article

This article demonstrates that the quality of laundry soap obtained by hot/cold saponification of two vegetable oils (olive and coconut) and an essential oil (such as Neem, Tea Tree or Thyme) influences the effects obtained after washing textiles: cleansing capacity and antibacterial effect. The results of FTIR, SEM, EDX, thermogravimetry and colorimetry analyses are presented comparatively for hot- and cold-prepared soaps. Saponification, Iodine number and Iodine Number Saponification values are determined for each oil but also for the mixture used in soap-making. Soap quality refers to texture, hardness, foaming capacity, stability, durability, cleansing capacity after washing and antimicrobial capacity. The removal power of greasy dirt (heavy used engine oil) of these laundry soaps is higher than that of some commercial soaps, obtaining dirt visibility <2.6% after washing at 100 °C, soiling addition density SAD < 0.0229 and cleansing capacity between 80.88 and 92.16%. UV-VIS analysis confirms the presence of essential oil in soaps (even after 10 months from manufacture) but also in textiles washed with them. The essential oil imparts strong antimicrobial properties to the laundry soaps (since they do not allow for attachment or multiplication of microorganisms from the environment), which makes them particularly useful in washing and disinfecting textile products used in hospitals. Full article

Avocado fruit drop after fruit set causes avocado orchards to suffer significant losses in the fruit yield, oil yield, and quality parameters of fruits. An insufficient crop load, as a result of excessive fruit drop, can reduce avocado orchard profitability. Hence, this study aimed to mitigate these problems using 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), and N-(2-Chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenyl urea (CPPU) as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective strategy to reduce accumulative fruit drop and enhance the productivity and quality of Fuerte avocado fruits. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive seasons using a randomized complete block design with eight treatments: control, 1-MCP (200 ppm), AVG (200 ppm), CPPU (5 ppm), 1-MCP + AVG, 1-MCP + CPPU, AVG + CPPU, and 1-MCP + AVG + CPPU. These treatments were applied twice, at full bloom and at the beginning of the fruit set. Avocado trees treated with 5 ppm CPPU significantly reduced accumulative fruit drop. Additionally, treatments with 1-MCP + AVG + CPPU and CPPU at 5 ppm notably improved the yield and quality of Fuerte avocado fruits by increasing fruit weight, length, width, dry matter content, total carbohydrates, crude protein, total soluble solids (TSSs), and fruit mineral content (P, K, Ca, Mg, and Fe). In contrast, treatments with 1-MCP or/and AVG had a negative impact on fruit TSSs, acidity, and carotenoid content, while producing the highest levels of chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll. Treatments with CPPU alone or combined with 1-MCP and/or AVG significantly enhanced avocado oil content, with slight effects on peroxide, iodine, and saponification values. Based on the results, 1-MCP + AVG + CPPU treatment is recommended for avocado growers to enhance fruit growth, yield, quality, and oil production. Full article

In Mexico, there is a deficit in the production of pine resin, because it relies on natural forests only. Therefore, it is necessary to select provenances and phenotypes of potential species such as P. oocarpa. The objective was to determine the difference between provenances and the variation in resin components and quality, as well as the effect of geographic and climatic factors. Resin from five provenances was collected from southern Mexico. The percentage of rosin, turpentine and water was obtained, as well as the acidity and saponification index. P. oocarpa resin had 80.94% rosin, 7.7% turpentine and 11.49% water. The saponification and acidity index was 125.47 and 117.49 mg KOH.g⁻¹, respectively. All variables showed differences (p ≤ 0.0001) between provenances. The provenance contributed between 6.44 and 11.71% to the total variance, the error contributed between 88.29 and 93.56%. Geographic and climatic variables only had an effect on the percentage of turpentine; the correlation was negative with altitude and longitude, but positive with temperature and precipitation. The results allow defining seed collection sites for resin plantations and orienting the selection for a P. oocarpa improvement program. Full article

In this work, steam explosion (SE) was applied to prompt the rapid extraction of ergosterol and polysaccharides from Flammulina velutipes root (FVR) waste. Ultrasound-assisted saponification extraction (UASE) followed by water extraction was used to prepare ergosterol and polysaccharides. The results indicated that SE destroyed the complicated structure of FVR and increased its internal porosity and surface roughness. SE caused the thermal degradation of FVR’s structural components and increased the polysaccharide content 0.97-fold. As a result, the extraction yield and efficiency of ergosterol and polysaccharides were improved. The theoretical maximum extraction concentration (C_∞) and diffusion coefficient (D) were increased by 34.10% and 78.04% (ergosterol) and 27.69% and 48.67% (polysaccharides), respectively. The extraction yields obtained within 20–30 min of extraction time exceeded those of untreated samples extracted after several hours. For polysaccharides, SE led to a significant reduction in the average molecular weight, increased the percentage of uronic acids and decreased the neutral sugar percentage. The monosaccharide composition was changed by SE, with an increase in the molar ratio of glucose of 64.06% and some reductions in those of other monosaccharides. This work provides an effective method for the processing of fungi waste and adds to its economic value, supporting its high-value utilization in healthcare products. Full article

The present study is focused on the chemical and lipid composition of seed oil of the European ornamental and invasive wood plant Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae). Total lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, ash, and moisture in the seeds were determined. A high yield of glyceride oil (30.7%) was found, as well as a high content of fibers (29.6%) and proteins (18.7%). Physicochemical properties of the oil define it as semi-dry (129.4 g I₂/100 g Iodine value) with oxidative stability, refractive index, saponification value, and relative density similar to widely used oils with nutritional value and health benefits. The composition of the seed oil was determined chromatographically. Unsaturated fatty acids (95.3%) predominated in the seed oil, of which linoleic acid (48.6%) and oleic acid (44.8%) were the major ones. The main lipid-soluble bioactive components were β-sitosterol (72.6%), γ-tocopherol (74.6%), phosphatidylinositol (29.5%), and phosphatidic acids (25.7%). The proven in vitro DNA-protective ability of seed oil is reported for the first time. The seed oil exhibited a weak antiproliferative effect on HT-29 and PC3 tumor cell lines and showed no cytotoxicity on the BALB/c 3T3 cell line. In brief, the present study reveals that A. altissima seed oil can be used as a healthy food. Full article

Camellia oleifera oil (CO oil) extracted from C. oleifera seeds has a 2300-year consumption history in China. However, there is relatively little research regarding its non-edible uses. This study determined the physicochemical properties of CO oil extracted via direct pressing, identified its main components using GC-MS, and evaluated its antioxidant, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory activities. The results revealed that CO oil’s acid, peroxide, iodine, and saponification values were 1.06 ± 0.031 mg/g, 0.24 ± 0.01 g/100 g, 65.14 ± 8.22 g/100 g, and 180.41 ± 5.60 mg/g, respectively. CO oil’s tocopherol, polyphenol, and squalene contents were 82.21 ± 9.07 mg/kg, 181.37 ± 3.76 mg/kg, and 53.39 ± 6.58 mg/kg, respectively; its unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content was 87.44%, and its saturated fatty acid (SFA) content was 12.56%. CO oil also demonstrated excellent moisture retention properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and certain free radical scavenging. A highly stable CO oil emulsion with competent microbiological detection was developed using formulation optimization. Using CO oil in the emulsion significantly improved the formulation’s antioxidant and moisturizing properties compared with those of the emulsion formulation that did not include CO oil. The prepared emulsion was not cytotoxic to cells and could reduce cells’ NO content; therefore, it may have potential nutritional value in medicine and cosmetics. Full article