Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sarmento J. Mazivila, Juan M. Lombardi, Ricardo N. M. J. Pascoa, Santiago A. Bortolato, Joao M. M. Leitao, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva
Summary: The study demonstrates the use of FAPV algorithm as a proper method for aligning second-order chromatographic data with severe retention time shifts, showing successful decomposition by PARAFAC and MCR-ALS models. The results indicate that FAPV algorithm effectively restores trilinearity lost due to shifted and warped elution time profiles, leading to accurate trilinear decomposition with low relative prediction error values.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Spectroscopy
Faysal Selimoglu, Nazangul Unal, Zehra Ceren Ertekin, Erdal Dinc
Summary: A new UV spectroscopic method using PARAFAC and MCR-ALS was developed in this study for the rapid determination of pKa values of benzoic acid and its derivatives without the need for traditional titration. These methods provide a simple and fast way to determine the pKa values of relevant compounds.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Su-Yan Wang, Daniela D. Herrera-Balandrano, Xin-Chi Shi, Xin Chen, Feng-Quan Liu, Pedro Laborda
Summary: This study reviews the occurrence of aflatoxins in water bodies for the first time and discusses the decontamination methods. Aflatoxins have been detected in surface water, wastewater and drinking water. The sources of water contamination remain unclear and two main decontamination methods, degradation and adsorption, have been reported. Different methods show varying degrees of effectiveness, with gamma and UV irradiations, oxidoreductases and ozone being the most effective for degradation, while minerals, polyvinyl alcohol, durian peel and activated carbon are the most effective for adsorption.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Renxin Li, Jingquan Wang, Han Wu, Zhuoyu Zhu, Hongguang Guo
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive summary of the activation methods, reactive species generation, and degradation performance of periodate in environmental remediation. The reaction mechanisms and pathways of active intermediates are discussed. Challenges and prospects in the field are also addressed.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ramon A. Martinez, Diana C. Fechner, Mario R. Delfino, Roberto G. Pellerano, Hector C. Goicoechea
Summary: The textile industry is a potential source of environmental pollution due to chemical products used, particularly surfactants which can have toxic effects on aquatic organisms. A method based on fluorescent spectroscopy and multivariate calibration techniques was developed to accurately quantify surfactants in wastewater, showing good analytical performance and cost effectiveness. Environmental applications demonstrated successful detection of surfactants in textile wastewater treatment, with considerable reduction in analysis time and reagent consumption.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alicia L. -Costa, Teresa I. A. Gouveia, M. Fernando R. Pereira, Adrian M. T. Silva, Luis M. Madeira, Arminda Alves, Monica S. F. Santos
Summary: There has been a growing concern in the past decade about the presence of cytostatics in natural waterbodies. Conventional wastewater treatments have been found to be ineffective in removing them, thus new processes are being explored. This study investigates the performance of different ozonation and peroxone processes in degrading cytostatics, and the results show that these processes are effective in removing them.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Guru Karthikeyan Thirunavukkarasu, Sridhar Gowrisankaran, Maria Caplovicova, Leonid Satrapinskyy, Maros Gregor, Aleksandra Lavrikova, Jan Gregus, Radoslav Halko, Gustav Plesch, Martin Motola, Olivier Monfort
Summary: In this study, nanotwin structured TiO2 nanotube layers were prepared by electrochemical anodization to form Ce-TNT and V-TNT through surface modification. The efficiency of V-TNT was found to be higher than Ce-TNT and TNT, attributed to its negative surface enhancing interactions with CAF.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sarmento J. Mazivila, Jose X. Soares, Joao L. M. Santos
Summary: This tutorial demonstrates the exploitation of second-order advantage in processing excitation-emission fluorescence matrices acquired from analyte-triggered semiconductor quantum dots sensing platforms. The tutorial comprehensively addresses the successful quantification of complex samples by selecting appropriate advanced chemometric models based on data structure and assumptions. Three different analytical situations are considered, each involving specific data structures, to achieve second-order advantage.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xiang-Dong Qing, Xiao-Hua Zhang, Rong An, Jin Zhang, Ling Xu, Ludovic Duponchel
Summary: The first objective of this research is to introduce a new third-order multivariate calibration approach called self-weighted alternating quadrilinear decomposition (SWAQLD) for the analysis of organic pollutant fluorene (FLU) in water systems. The results show that SWAQLD inherits the advantages of the parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and alternating quadrilinear decomposition (AQLD). The second objective is to propose a new way of generating third-order data using excitation-emission matrix phosphorescence (EEMP) for studying the oxidation process of FLU in complex chemical systems. The results demonstrate that SWAQLD combined with EEMP allows the quantification and kinetic monitoring of FLU with excellent robustness.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Akshay Kumar Dey, Soumya Ranjan Mishra, Md. Ahmaruzzaman
Summary: In this study, a novel nanocomposite, Zn-modified CeO2@biochar, was synthesized via a one-step sol-precipitation method to investigate its photocatalytic activity for the removal of methylene blue dye. The nanocomposite exhibited significant photocatalytic activity and highest degradation efficiency of 98.24% under direct solar irradiation of 90 min, at an optimum dosage of 0.2 g l(-1) catalyst and 10 ppm dye concentration, in the presence of 25% (V/V) 0.2 ml (4 mu l/ml) hydrogen peroxide. The improved photodegradation performance was attributed to the generation of hydroxyl radical from H2O2 during the photo-Fenton reaction process.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jennifer Gubitosa, Chiara Mongiovi', Roberto Romita, Pinalysa Cosma, Sergio Nuzzo, Vito Rizzi, Paola Fini
Summary: Using β-EPI as an adsorbent to remove CBZ has been validated, and the effects of various physicochemical parameters on CBZ retention were assessed. The study found that the adsorption process is rapid, and the polymer can be reused for multiple cycles. Additionally, advanced oxidation processes were effective in removing CBZ.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mo Li, Qinxue Wen, Yongming Zhang, Zhiqiang Chen
Summary: This study investigated the promotion of effluent organic matter (EfOM) reduction using two Fe(II)-assisted oxidation processes. The addition of Fe(II) was found to be essential for promoting EfOM degradation, and the form of Fe(III) at different pH values strongly affected the degradation progress. By using fluorescence spectra and machine learning methods, the degradation behavior of EfOM was visualized, and the more refractory components were identified. The outcomes of this study provide new insights into advanced wastewater treatments.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Graciela M. Escandar, Arsenio Munoz de la Pena
Summary: PAHs are highly toxic pollutants that are present in the environment, and their degradation and analysis methods are constantly being studied. This article critically reviews the use of multi-way calibration protocols for quantifying PAHs in various environmental samples, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of different experimental and chemometric strategies.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Arbab Tufail, William E. Price, Madjid Mohseni, Biplob K. Pramanik, Faisal I. Hai
Summary: The persistent and low biodegradability of trace organic contaminants reduce their removal effectiveness in conventional wastewater treatments. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been extensively studied for degrading a wide range of TrOCs by producing reactive oxygen species. Factors such as concentration and nature of TrOCs, bulk wastewater characteristics, and dose of chemicals/catalysts used affect the degradation rates by different AOPs.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Christina Henriette Wegner, Juergen Hubbuch
Summary: When developing selective crystallization or precipitation processes in biopharmaceuticals, empirical screenings and tailored analytics are required. The chemometric approach called parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) coupled with UV/Vis spectroscopy allows for the prediction of specific concentrations and spectra from complex data sets. This study investigated protein mixtures, monoclonal antibodies, and virus-like particles in high-throughput crystallization/ppt screenings, and found that PARAFAC models can estimate specific concentrations and optimize process conditions. PARAFAC coupled with UV/Vis spectroscopy provides a fast overview of species concentrations in complex solutions.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jose Pedro Silva, Patricia Gonzalez-Berdullas, Mariana Pereira, Diana Duarte, Jose E. Rodriguez-Borges, Nuno Vale, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Luis Pinto da Silva
Summary: Chemiluminescence is a fascinating process that allows light emission without the need for photoexcitation. In this study, a halogenated Coelenterazine analog was synthesized, and its potential anticancer activity and chemiluminescence were characterized. The results showed that this analog exhibited enhanced emission in aqueous solution when triggered by superoxide anions and was compatible with human cell lines. The analysis also provided insights into the cytotoxicity and structural properties of brominated Coelenterazines, which have selective anticancer activity. Furthermore, the combination approach with a known chemotherapeutic agent improved its profile. These findings are valuable for future optimizations of halogenated Coelenterazine analogs.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
El Hadi Erbiai, Abdelfettah Maouni, Luis Pinto da Silva, Rabah Saidi, Mounir Legssyer, Zouhaire Lamrani, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva
Summary: This study investigates the chemical compositions and antioxidant properties of two wild edible mushrooms in northern Morocco. The results show that both mushrooms contain various bioactive compounds with important biological activities, making them potentially valuable for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hamza El Azhari, El Khalil Cherif, Otmane Sarti, El Mustapha Azzirgue, Houria Dakak, Hasna Yachou, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Farida Salmoun
Summary: The study aimed to improve the assessment of surface water quality and geochemical analysis in the Oued Laou watershed, Northern Morocco, in order to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic activities on surface water quality. By using emerging techniques such as multivariate statistical approaches, water quality indices, irrigation water quality indices, and Geographic Information System, the study found that most parameters had concentrations below World Health Organization (WHO) limits, except for bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and biochemical oxygen demand for five days (BOD5). It was also found that the Oued Laou river was exposed to contamination from both anthropogenic activities and water-sediment interaction. The combination of water quality indices, principal component analysis, irrigation water quality index, and Geographic Information System proved to be effective in assessing the suitability of surface water for drinking and supporting decision-making.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Diana Crista, Manuel Algarra, Maria Valle Martinez de Yuso, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Luis Pinto da Silva
Summary: This study reports the synthesis of N-doped carbon dots obtained from the dry heating of solid mixtures of glucose and urea. The optical properties and composition of the carbon dots were investigated, and two types of carbon dots were found, one soluble in water and the other only soluble at basic pH.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Amina El Mihyaoui, Saoulajan Charfi, El Hadi Erbiai, Mariana Pereira, Diana Duarte, Nuno Vale, Maria Emilia Candela Castillo, Alain Badoc, Ahmed Lamarti, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Marino B. Arnao
Summary: Cancer is a major health concern worldwide, and phytochemicals are considered interesting molecules for the development of anticancer drugs. This study investigated the effects of extracts from the plant Cladanthus mixtus on human tumor cells. The extracts showed significant antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines and a non-tumoral cell line. The aim was to identify bioactive compounds and evaluate the anticancer activity of the extracts.
Article
Microbiology
Alexandra Noites, Iara Borges, Bruno Araujo, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Natalia M. de Oliveira, Jorge Machado, Eugenia Pinto
Summary: This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of different parts and essential oils (EOs) of Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis), neem (Azadirachta indica), and manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) against prevalent microorganisms responsible for superficial infections. The results showed that C. chinensis EO and manuka EO exhibited some antifungal activity and had an effect against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. Neem EO showed activity against dermatophytes and P. acnes. Manuka EO demonstrated the broadest antimicrobial spectrum, showing activity against bacteria, yeasts, and dermatophytes, with greater activity against P. acnes and S. aureus.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amina El Mihyaoui, El Hadi Erbiai, Saoulajan Charfi, Eugenia Pinto, Maria Emilia Candela Castillo, Josefa Hernandez-Ruiz, Antonio Cano, Alain Badoc, Ahmed Lamarti, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Marino B. B. Arnao
Summary: The study investigated the chemical composition and bioactivity of methanolic extracts from Cladanthus mixtus in northern Morocco for the first time. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined and the composition of the extracts was analyzed by GC-MS. The extracts showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, with higher phenolic and flavonoid contents in flower extracts. The extracts were most effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton rubrum.
Article
Environmental Sciences
El Mustapha Azzirgue, El Khalil Cherif, Hamza El Azhari, Houria Dakak, Hasna Yachou, Ahmed Ghanimi, Nordine Nouayti, Joaquim Esteves da Silva, Farida Salmoun
Summary: This study investigated the pollution caused by the discharges from TAC's wastewater treatment plant on the Jouamaa Hakama groundwater and Ouljat Echatt river. The interactions between surface water and groundwater were examined through sampling and analysis of water samples. The results showed a significant relationship between river water and shallow groundwater, with different ion concentrations observed in both water sources.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ines M. F. Cardoso, Luis Pinto da Silva, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva
Summary: This review focuses on the critical analysis of nanocatalysts for advanced reductive processes (ARPs) and oxidation processes (AOPs) designed for the degradation of poly/perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water. The basic treatment technologies include ozone, ultraviolet, and photocatalyzed ARPs and/or AOPs. In addition to reviewing nanomaterials with great potential as catalysts for advanced PFAS processes in water, the perspectives for their future development considering sustainability are discussed. Moreover, a brief analysis of the current state of the art of ARPs and AOPs for PFAS treatment in water is presented.
Article
Biology
El Hadi Erbiai, Benoutman Amina, Abbassi Kaoutar, Rabah Saidi, Zouhaire Lamrani, Eugenia Pinto, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Abdelfettah Maouni, Luis Pinto da Silva
Summary: This study investigated the chemical characterization and antimicrobial properties of Ganoderma lucidum. The results showed that the methanolic extract of G. lucidum contained abundant phenolic and flavonoid compounds, exhibiting strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These findings highlight the nutritional and medicinal significance of G. lucidum.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carla M. Magalhaes, Tanja Ducic, Renato B. Pereira, Patricia Gonzalez-Berdullas, Jose E. Rodriguez-Borges, David M. Pereira, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da da Silva, Manuel Algarra, Luis Pinto da Silva
Summary: The mode of action of brominated Coelenteramine towards gastric cancer cells was investigated using synchrotron radiation-based FTIR spectroscopy. This method revealed that the anticancer activity of the compound is closely related to cellular lipids, impacting their organization and composition. Increased oxidative stress led to changes in membrane polarity, lipid chain packing, and lipid composition, which were not observed in noncancer cells, explaining its selectivity profile. Therefore, synchrotron radiation-based FTIR proved to be a powerful technique for studying the mechanism of anticancer drugs.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gabriela Rodriguez-Carballo, Ramon Moreno-Tost, Sonia Fernandes, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Luis Pinto da Silva, Eulogio Castro Galiano, Manuel Algarra
Summary: The effectiveness of different transition metal phosphate-based acid catalysts in the hydrothermal synthesis of carbon dots was evaluated. The existence of nanoparticles was confirmed regardless of the carbohydrate source. N-doped CDs with increased fluorescence were also synthesized and their photocatalytic activity was investigated. A Life Cycle Assessment revealed that the nature of the carbon precursor plays a decisive role in the environmental impact of the synthesis process.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hajar Ettakifi, Kaoutar Abbassi, Safae Maouni, El Hadi Erbiai, Abderrahmane Rahmouni, Mounir Legssyer, Rabah Saidi, Zouhaire Lamrani, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Eugenia Pinto, Abdelfettah Maouni
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil and crude extracts of Tanacetum annuum and evaluate their antioxidant and antifungal activities. The results showed that Tanacetum annuum contained important phenolic compounds and demonstrated strong antioxidant and antifungal abilities.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ricardo M. S. Sendao, Manuel Algarra, Eduarda Ribeiro, Mariana Pereira, Antonio Gil, Nuno Vale, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Luis Pinto da Silva
Summary: In this study, the conjugation of carbon dots (CDs) with TiO2 nanoparticles was reported to prepare a photocatalytic nanocomposite for enhanced visible-light-driven photodegradation. The addition of CDs led to an increase in visible-light absorption and hindered the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, resulting in a significant improvement in the catalytic performance of TiO2. The nanocomposites exhibited a different active species profile compared to bare TiO2, with superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals being the main active species. Additionally, a life cycle assessment showed that the nanocomposites had lower relative environmental impacts and the safety of the produced CDs was confirmed by in vitro assays. This study provides an important step towards the sustainable rational design of active visible-light-driven photocatalysts.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abhishek Kumar, Diana M. A. Crista, Ara Nunez-Montenegro, Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva, Santosh Kumar Verma
Summary: In this study, Eu2+/Dy3+ ions doped/co-doped into SrAl2O4 microparticles were synthesized through solid-state synthesis and ball milling. These particles exhibited a broad and long-persistent afterglow at the wavelength of 528 nm under broad excitation at around 400 nm. The luminescence intensity was optimized by selecting different annealing temperatures. Various characterization techniques were used to evaluate the preparation and application potential of these particles in latent fingermark detection. The persistence and stability of the particles were measured using a digital lux meter.
