Search Results (339)

Background: Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom widely recognized for its high content of bioactive polysaccharides, particularly β-glucans with immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to optimize polysaccharide extraction conditions to maximize yield and glucan content, and to evaluate the biological activity of the obtained fractions in an experimental model of intestinal mucositis. Methods: Polysaccharides were extracted using a combination of hot-water extraction and ethanol precipitation, optimized by response surface methodology. Optimal conditions (121 °C for 120 min followed by 90% ethanol precipitation) yielded a crude polysaccharide fraction (Poli-GL). A subsequent freeze–thaw process generated a soluble fraction (S-Poli-GL). Structural and compositional characterization was performed using enzymatic assays, monosaccharide profiling, and NMR spectroscopy. The biological effects of Poli-GL and S-Poli-GL were evaluated in a 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis model following oral administration at doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg. Results: The optimized extraction protocol enabled efficient recovery of polysaccharides enriched in glucans. S-Poli-GL exhibited a high total glucan content, including 43.3% β-glucans and 3.45% α-glucans, along with minor amounts of galactose and mannose. Structural analysis confirmed the predominance of branched β-(1→3),(1→6)-D-glucans. While Poli-GL did not prevent mucositis development, S-Poli-GL significantly reduced the disease activity index and attenuated intestinal inflammation, indicating enhanced biological activity associated with the soluble glucan-rich fraction. Conclusions: Optimization of extraction and fractionation improves the functional properties of G. lucidum polysaccharides. The soluble glucan-enriched fraction (S-Poli-GL) demonstrated significant protective effects in intestinal mucositis, supporting its potential as a therapeutic candidate and warranting further investigation for clinical application. Full article

This study aimed to use intact mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a root canal sealer by hydrophilizing the gutta-percha (GP) surface. The GP specimens were treated with atmospheric air plasma, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), or a combination of both. The wettability and surface chemical properties were evaluated using contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The physicochemical properties of MTA mixed with water or 100 mM of CPC solution were evaluated using setting time, flowability, compressive strength, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Sealing ability was assessed by evaluating the dye penetration in obturated single-rooted teeth. Combined plasma and CPC treatment significantly decreased the contact angle of GP compared to that of the untreated group (p < 0.05) and showed the least hydrophobic recovery after 8 weeks. The XPS analysis confirmed the adsorption of CPC onto the GP surface. The XRD and compressive strength results indicated that the CPC did not interfere with the setting reaction of intact MTA, although the setting time was prolonged (p < 0.05). Dye penetration was significantly reduced in the plasma- and CPC-treated GP groups compared to the untreated GP group (p < 0.05), with a sealing ability comparable to that of the zinc oxide-based sealer. Full article

The sustainable recovery of high-value metals from wastewater has garnered significant attention in light of the circular economy and environmental preservation. Because of its appealing characteristics, membrane separation technology is essential for the sustainable and effective recovery of valuable metals from wastewater, in contrast to conventional methods, which are chemical- or energy-intensive. In this study, a rational design approach was utilized to synthesize a metal–organic framework (MOF) using a deep eutectic solvent (DES) as a mediating medium to control the reaction of framework formation and particle properties. While DESs have been widely used for the physical modification of materials, their role as a chemically modifying medium during MOF synthesis for structural tailoring remains less explored. This synthesized MOF (DM-Zn-PDC@MOF) was further introduced as filler in polysulfone (PSf)-based mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The performance of DM-Zn-PDC@MOF within the polymer matrix was examined. Several characterization techniques were used to thoroughly analyze the morphological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the MMMs and DM-Zn-PDC@MOF. The addition of the filler material significantly enhanced the membrane characteristics, including pure water flux, hydrophilicity, porosity, surface roughness, pore size, and heavy metal resource recovery in comparison with the pristine membrane. Stable incorporation of the filler within the membrane matrix was indicated by much less filler leaching (<5%) at all concentrations. With DM-Zn-PDC@MOF loading, the pure water flux increasedmore than nine times from 102.8 L/m²h (M-0) to 971.5 L/m²h (M-4). The functionalized membranes showed better flux retention in high-value heavy metal resource recovery using simulated wastewater: 871.8 L/m²h when filtering a Pb(II) ion solution (compared to M-0 with flux 120.6 L/m²h) and 526.8 L/m²h when filtering a Cr(III) ion solution (compared to M-0 with flux 97.1 L/m²h). These values represented approximately 7-fold and 5-fold improvements, respectively. Overall, Pb⁺² > Cr⁺³, but the rejection of Cr(III) ions was also improved, when compared with M-0. The high flux of the membrane makes it easier to process large volumes and concentrate metals in the retentate, turning diluted contaminated streams into a concentrated feedstock for subsequent recovery procedures. Full article

Safe drinking water production from compositionally variable surface sources requires treatment systems that combine effective contaminant removal with stable membrane operation. This study experimentally evaluated a hybrid treatment train consisting of slow sand or zeolite pretreatment followed by NF for surface water representative of South-East Kazakhstan. The results showed that pretreatment reduced turbidity, iron, and organic load before the membrane stage, thereby improving flux stability and decreasing fouling propensity. Among the tested pretreatment options, zeolite provided the most favorable feed conditions and extended stable membrane operation. These findings demonstrate that the practical performance of NF depends not only on membrane properties but also on effective upstream conditioning of the feed stream. Under the tested recovery conditions, the selected operating regime produced permeate of acceptable final quality, confirming that hybrid pretreatment–NF systems are a robust option for drinking-water treatment from challenging surface sources. Full article

This study developed high-oxygen-barrier active bilayer packaging films by combining corona-treated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with chitosan/glycerol (CS/Gl) and carvacrol@natural zeolite (CV@NZ) nanohybrid layers using industrially scalable processes. LDPE film was surface-activated via ambient-pressure corona treatment (0.75 s/cm² at 45 kV, 30 W) and assembled with solution-cast CS/Gl or CS/Gl/CV@NZ monolayers via hot-pressing (110 °C, 1 min). Corona treatment enabled robust interfacial adhesion, evidenced by statistical equivalence between monolayer and bilayer mechanical properties. Incorporation of 10 wt.% CV@NZ nanohybrid increased elastic modulus by 60% (to ≈2970 MPa) and tensile strength by 30% (to ≈50 MPa). The LDPE-CS/Gl film achieved a 64-fold reduction in oxygen permeability; CV@NZ incorporation maintained excellent barrier performance (22-fold reduction). Antioxidant potency increased 16-fold upon CV@NZ incorporation. The LDPE-CS/Gl/CV@NZ film demonstrated exceptional antibacterial activity (5.08–5.30 log reductions; >99.999% kill) against both Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli—substantially exceeding additive effects—confirming synergistic action between chitosan and carvacrol. In fresh minced pork preservation (8 days, 4 °C), the active film achieved a 1.73 log reduction in Total Viable Count (98.2% inhibition) and extended microbiological shelf life from 6 to beyond 8 days (33% increase). The bilayer configuration utilizes only 40% of the total thickness as biopolymer, aligning with circular economy principles. Unlike conventional high-barrier films (e.g., PA/PE) which require complex compatibilization for recycling, the water-soluble chitosan layer in this bilayer design can be readily separated from the LDPE backbone, enabling recovery of a pure polymer stream. This work demonstrates a feasible pathway for developing next-generation active packaging that combines a high oxygen barrier, potent antioxidant activity, and exceptional antimicrobial efficacy through industrially scalable manufacturing. Full article

The emerging demand for water pollution control has driven a significant interest in advanced porous materials for sustainable and effective wastewater treatment technologies. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been employed as promising substrates due to their versatile properties, especially their high surface area, tunable properties, and chemical functionality. However, their practical applications are often limited by poor aqueous stability, instability during recovery, and high production costs. Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is an abundant, low-cost, and renewable resource, primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, offering a sustainable solution for these challenges. This review critically examines the recent advances in design and applications of LCB-MOF materials for wastewater remediation. Several synthesis strategies, including in situ growth, ex situ impregnation, and post-synthetic modification, are systematically discussed in relation to their significance in enhancing stability, recyclability, and dispersibility of MOFs. The key, structural, morphological, and physicochemical properties of these LCB-MOFs were analyzed, along with their performance in removing organic dyes and heavy metal ions. Current drawbacks in long-term stability, scalability, and real-world wastewater performance are highlighted. Overall, LCB-MOFs demonstrate a promising class of sustainable materials that align with the principles of the circular economy and green chemistry, making them ideal for next-generation wastewater remediation technologies. Full article

Satellite-observed greening in arid regions is often interpreted as ecological restoration success, yet this assessment may conflate natural recovery with agricultural expansion. We developed an Arid Remote Sensing Ecological Index (ARSEI) incorporating a Comprehensive Salinity Index (CSI) to address systematic biases in the traditional RSEI when applied to irrigated drylands. ARSEI scores were validated against MODIS Net Primary Production (NPP) ($R^2>0.75$ at the regional scale), confirming its reliability in capturing ecosystem productivity, while CSI effectively maps the upper-bound of surface salinization potential dictated by intrinsic soil properties. Applied to China’s Mu Us Sandy Land (2000–2024), the ARSEI reveals that 2327 km² of sandy land—54% of current cropland—was converted to agriculture, creating “assessment-induced false greening” signals. While the traditional RSEI increased monotonically (+135%), the ARSEI shows a nuanced pattern with plateau (2010–2015) and decline (2015–2020) phases, reflecting salinization risks masked by high crop NDVI. Optimal Parameters-Based Geographical Detector analysis demonstrates that Land Cover × Precipitation interactions (q = 0.28) drive spatial heterogeneity through irrigation-mediated water redistribution. The ARSEI provides a dialectical evaluation framework: acknowledging agricultural greening’s economic benefits while monitoring subsurface degradation risks. This study offers a critical methodological advance for sustainable land assessment in global drylands undergoing agricultural intensification. Full article

Developing membranes with superior antifouling properties is crucial for efficient and sustainable water treatment. In this study, polysulfone (PSM) composite membranes were fabricated by incorporating hydroxylated titanium nanotubes (TNT@OH) via the non-solvent-induced phase separation method. The hydroxylation of TNTs enhanced their dispersion in the polymer matrix and promoted strong polymer–nanoparticle interactions. Comprehensive characterization using FTIR, XRD, TGA, FESEM, and AFM confirmed the successful integration of TNT@OH, resulting in membranes with improved hydrophilicity, porosity, and thermal stability. The contact angle decreased from ~88° for neat PSM to ~50° at 7 wt% TNT@OH, while surface free energy increased significantly. Mechanical strength and flexibility were also enhanced at optimal TNT@OH loadings (3–5 wt%), owing to uniform dispersion and strong interfacial bonding. Filtration experiments using humic acid (HA) and natural organic matter (NOM) demonstrated remarkable improvements in water flux, rejection efficiency, and fouling resistance. The composite membranes achieved HA rejection rates of up to 98%, with reduced irreversible fouling and higher flux recovery ratios across multiple filtration–cleaning cycles. The proposed antifouling mechanism is attributed to the formation of a stable hydration layer by surface hydroxyl groups, which prevents foulant adhesion and facilitates cleaning. These findings suggest that incorporating TNT@OH into polysulfone membranes is a promising approach for developing high-performance ultrafiltration membranes with enhanced permeability, mechanical robustness, and long-term antifouling stability, thereby making them suitable for advanced water purification applications. Full article

The development of tight heavy-oil reservoirs is severely hampered by the high viscosity and poor mobility of crude oil caused by strong intermolecular stacking interactions among asphaltenes, coupled with the substantial adsorption loss and inadequate deep transport capacity of conventional displacement agents. By targeted penetrant delivery, a novel nanoemulsion system with a well-defined “core–shell” architecture was synthesized to address these critical challenges. The physicochemical properties, stability and oil displacement performance were evaluated. The prepared nanoemulsion exhibited an ultrasmall and uniform particle size distribution between 10 nm and 20 nm. It also demonstrated exceptional dispersibility in aqueous media and remarkable thermal and salinity stability under reservoir conditions. Furthermore, an ultralow critical micelle concentration of approximately 0.01% could be achieved and the oil–water interfacial tension was reduced to 7.3 × 10⁻² mN/m, significantly outperforming the conventional surfactant AES. Core flooding tests revealed that the proposed nanoemulsion enhanced oil recovery by 37.1% and attained a displacement efficiency of 68.9% in oil-wet capillary models. Molecular dynamics simulations further elucidated the underlying synergistic mechanism. The hydrophilic shell minimized adsorption on rock surfaces, facilitating deep migration within nanoporous channels. The hydrophobic core, containing terpinene as a penetrant, effectively disrupted the π-π stacking of asphaltenes due to its nonplanar molecular configuration. This disruption transformed the asphaltene aggregates from a tightly packed state to a dispersed state, resulting in substantial viscosity reduction. This work elucidated the mechanism of asphaltene aggregate disruption by nanoemulsions at the molecular level, offering a promising and theoretically grounded strategy for the efficient exploitation of tight heavy-oil reservoirs. Full article

Pistachio hull (PH) is the largest by-product of the pistachio industry. It contains high levels of phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant properties and promote health. However, PH can accumulate during harvesting, potentially resulting in environmental pollution. This study aimed to optimize the operational conditions for conventional solvent extraction (CSE) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of phenolic compounds from PH using response surface methodology (RSM). The extracts obtained under optimal conditions for the two extraction techniques were compared. The highest values of phenolic recovery (9.92 ± 0.09 g gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g dried matter (DM)) and radical-scavenging activity for α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC50 = 0.16 ± 0.00 mg/mL) were achieved by the extract obtained by ASE (23% ethanol in water, 180 °C, 15 min). Regarding individual phenolic compounds, gallic acid accounted for 35.7–48.1% of the total phenolic compounds contained in the PH extracts, followed by 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The findings of this study demonstrate for the first time that PH can be valorized by ASE using eco-friendly solvents, obtaining extracts with a high phenolic content, reducing waste and promoting the bioeconomy development. Full article

Due to the ultra-trace concentrations of perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) existing in environmental aqueous matrices, it is imperative to develop sensitive and high-enrichment-efficiency approaches for the determination of these emerging pollutants. In this study, a nitrogen-doped carbon dot-functionalized hollow fiber membrane (NCDs@HFM) was fabricated and employed in solid-phase microextraction (SPME) mode for the simultaneous identification of eight perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs). The NCDs@HFM offers several advantages, including multiple active binding sites, chemical durability, a large specific surface area and environmental compatibility. Owing to these properties, the NCDs@HFM-based SPME demonstrated high extraction efficiency for PFCAs, where enrichment factors for target molecules could reach 35–61 fold under the optimum conditions. This established method was then integrated with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of eight representative PFCAs in drinking and environmental water samples. The limits of detection (LODs, S/N = 3) and quantitation (LOQs, S/N = 10) of the method were at the scale of 0.0018–0.015 μg/L and 0.006–0.050 μg/L, respectively. This proposed method exhibited good precision, with RSDs below 13.2% and satisfactory accuracy, with recoveries ranging from 70.6% to 122.5%. The developed method was successfully applied in the identification of eight typical PFCAs in drinking and environmental water samples. This method exhibits several merits, including low cost, high sensitivity, good reliability and reusability, representing a promising alternative for measuring trace levels of PFCAs in aqueous matrices. Full article

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a microorganism commonly found in water and food matrices, and its rapid and accurate detection is crucial for maintaining public health and ensuring food safety. However, traditional molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensors often face challenges such as tedious template removal and prolonged sensing times. This study develops a label-free bacterial molecularly imprinted sensor that utilizes the synergistic effect of polypyrrole (PPy) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to achieve highly sensitive detection of E. coli. Based on the large specific surface area and superior conductivity of MWCNTs, as well as the favorable electrochemical polymerization properties of PPy, a PPy/MWCNTs composite film was fabricated via a one-step electropolymerization process. The prepared sensor exhibited excellent kinetic characteristics, with a template removal time of only 15 min, and could be regenerated and used for subsequent detection within 30 min. Under optimized conditions, the biosensor showed a satisfactory linear response over the concentration range of 10²–10⁸ CFU/mL, with a low detection limit of 65 CFU/mL (3σ/S). Furthermore, recovery experiments conducted in tap water and lemon juice samples yielded satisfactory recoveries ranging from 87.1% to 114.8%, demonstrating the reliability and practical applicability of the proposed sensor for bacterial detection in real samples. This sensor offers advantages such as simple preparation, low material cost, and high sensitivity, providing a reliable and practical analytical platform for the rapid and reliable detection of bacteria. Full article

Developing environmentally friendly, multifunctional waterproof and breathable membranes (WBMs) has attracted extensive attention and is of great significance but remains challenging. Herein, an environmentally friendly and multifunctional waterborne polyurethane WBM with self-healing and self-cleaning properties is developed in two steps. Firstly, by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a hydrophobicity giver and tannic acid (TA) as a crosslinker, a dual-modified waterborne polyurethane (PTWPU) is prepared, which has high surface hydrophobicity due to the surface enrichment of siloxane segments and self-healing performance from the formation of a dynamic phenolic carbamate network. Secondly, by incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalyst nanoparticles to increase internal porosity and establish hydrophilic pathways, a multifunctional waterborne polyurethane WBM (TPTWPU) is developed. This membrane features further enhanced surface hydrophobicity from generated micro-roughness and effective self-cleaning performance, because TA acts as an electron trap to promote the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂. The TPTWPU membrane shows good hydrophobicity (water contact angle of 115.3°) and satisfactory moisture permeability of 135.0 g/(m²·24 h), which is 61.2% higher than unmodified membranes. Furthermore, it exhibits efficient self-healing, with a recovery rate exceeding 80% within 2 h. This feasible strategy will provide guidance for materials design in multifunctional coatings for textiles and leather. Full article

Agricultural waste management is a strategic priority for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a circular bioeconomy. The thermochemical conversion of residual biomass into biochar offers a dual solution: waste recovery and the production of high-value functional materials. This narrative review summarizes the relationships among the composition of agricultural biomass, the conversion process parameters, and the structural properties of biochar, highlighting advanced modification strategies: controlled pyrolysis, physical and chemical activation, surface functionalization, and hybrid composite formation. Fundamental adsorption mechanisms, redox processes, and photocatalytic behavior are discussed, with a focus on applications in water treatment (heavy metals, dyes, emerging contaminants). The article proposes an integrative structure–property–performance framework and explores emerging concepts such as sequential use and post-use valorization of saturated biochar. Challenges related to reproducibility, industrial scaling, life cycle assessment, and carbon accounting are analyzed. Finally, a SWOT analysis is presented that highlights the potential of modified biochar as a strategic material in the circular economy. Full article

Pomegranate marc is a major, underutilized juice industry by-product rich in lipophilic polyunsaturated fatty acids—notably conjugated α-linolenic acids (CLnAs)—and hydrophilic polyphenols with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite its potential for nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications, this matrix remains largely unexploited. This study presents a novel, sequential in-line extraction strategy combining supercritical CO₂ (ScCO₂) and subcritical water (scW) to recover complementary bioactive fractions. Both extraction steps were optimized via Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Box–Behnken optimization of ScCO₂ (43 MPa, 76 °C, 6.4 L min⁻¹, 124 min) yielded 30 g kg⁻¹ dry weight (dw) of oleoresin, achieving a 68% recovery of total oil. Subsequent scW extraction was optimized at 149 °C, with a 40 L kg⁻¹ water-to-solute ratio and 73 min extraction time, yielding 47 g kg⁻¹ dw of total phenolics (58% recovery). Strong agreement between experimental and predicted values confirmed the robustness of the models. Comprehensive profiling revealed a diverse phytocomplex including fatty acids, tocopherols, flavonoids, soluble sugars, and polysaccharides. Antioxidant assays confirmed that both γ-tocopherol and polyphenols significantly contribute to the extracts’ bioactivity. To improve physical handling, the aqueous fractions were converted into solid dispersions via spray drying with maltodextrin. Preliminary in vitro biological assessments on HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) and MCF-7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7) cell lines suggested that the maltodextrin-based formulations may modulate the cytotoxic profile compared to the free extract, with exploratory results showing dosage-dependent variations in cell viability across the two lines. This work suggests a potentially scalable and sustainable biorefinery approach for the integral valorisation of pomegranate marc, offering a basis for a pathway to produce solvent-free bioactives. Full article