Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanrong Cheng, Wenlin Xu, Yaqiong Wang, Xia Guo
Summary: In this study, a water-soluble calixarene, p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC[4]), was used as an adjuvant to improve the performance of the PEG 600/(NH4)(2)SO4 ATPS through multiple interactions. It was found that the formation of the ATPS was enhanced and the transfer of the target molecules into the polymer phase was promoted when SC[4] and SC[4]/imidazole ionic liquid ([C(n)mim]Br) complex were used as the adjuvants.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Yuzhan Li, Navin Kumar, Jason Hirschey, Damilola O. Akamo, Kai Li, Turnaoglu Tugba, Monojoy Goswami, Rios Orlando, Tim J. LaClair, Samuel Graham, Kyle R. Gluesenkamp
Summary: A novel salt hydrate-based phase change material (PCM) composite with high energy storage capacity, relatively higher thermal conductivity, and excellent thermal cycling stability was designed and developed. The addition of a polyelectrolyte additive, DSS salt, enhanced the thermal cycling stability by reducing phase segregation. Various graphitic materials and Borax nucleator were added to enhance the energy storage capacity and thermal conductivity. The final PCM composite exhibited significant improvements in energy storage capacity and thermal conductivity compared to pure salt hydrate, and has the potential to change the future of heating/cooling systems in building infrastructure.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Himanshi Singh, Sugam Kumar, Vinod K. Aswal
Summary: This study investigates the evolution of phase behavior and interactions between anionic silica nanoparticles, surfactants, and salt. The results show that the phase behavior can be controlled by the concentration of salt and the type of surfactants, providing insights into the design of nanoparticle-surfactant solutions.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Qiaoshu Chen, Yanwen Zhang, Hui Chen, Jianbo Liu, Juewen Liu
Summary: Increasing the local concentration of DNA-based probes can improve the sensitivity of biosensors. A classic aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) using water soluble polymers is studied as a method to enrich DNA probes, leading to enhanced detection limits in molecular beacon-based DNA detection systems.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Liujun Pei, Hao Li, Jifang Shen, Hongjuan Zhang, Jiping Wang
Summary: In traditional water-based dyeing systems, a large amount of salts and water are consumed, making it difficult to treat inorganic salts in dyeing wastewater. From a sustainable chemistry and engineering perspective, a salt-free reactive dyeing system was established and the adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm, and affinity between dye and cotton fiber were studied. The influence of inorganic salts on reactive dye pilot dyeing was also evaluated. The results showed that the concentration of sodium sulfate had little effect on the color depth of dyed fabrics and the fixation of dyes. The adsorption rate of reactive dye increased with an increase in sodium sulfate concentration.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. Valero, Natalya B. Sultimova, Judith E. Houston, Peter P. Levin
Summary: The study investigated the photochemistry and fluorescence properties of the anti-inflammatory drug naproxen in sodium dodecyl sulfate micellar solutions, showing that most of naproxen is localized in the micellar phase. The presence of naproxen in the micellar environment resulted in changes in its fluorescence and photodegradation behaviors. The study also observed different decay kinetics of photochemical intermediates in micellar solution compared to homogeneous media.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mustafa Yavuz Celik, M. Resit Korucu
Summary: Three types of carbonate building stones from Turkey were tested for their physical and mechanical properties after freeze-thaw cycles with salt solutions. Material characterization, including chemical and mineralogical-petrographic tests, pore size distribution, and physico-mechanical tests, was performed. The results showed that water absorption, uniaxial compressive strength, and ultrasonic wave measurement values of all samples increased after multiple freeze-thaw cycles. However, the water absorption of silver travertine and Burdur limestone decreased due to the presence of small pores. The ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) values of travertine samples decreased gradually with more freeze-thaw cycles, and the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) values of all samples decreased in all solutions.
BULLETIN OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Behnia Shahrokhi, Mohsen Pirdashti, Seyyed Mohammad Arzideh
Summary: The study investigated the partition and extraction behavior of Cu (II) in ATPS of PEG-zinc sulfate with ammonium thiocyanate as an extractor. Factors such as polymer weight percent, salt weight percent, polymer molecular weight, and pH were found to determine the partition coefficient of Cu (II) in the system. The model demonstrated a strong correlation between experimental and predicted values, indicating that pH and salt weight percent had major and minor effects on the copper ion partition coefficient, respectively. The study also found that the polymer weight percent decreased the partition coefficients, while increasing the polymer molecular weight increased the partition coefficient of Cu (II).
JOURNAL OF DISPERSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hao Li, Liangdong Zhao, Shuo Yin, Chuanyu Chen, Haixiong Liu, Jing Fang
Summary: This study highlights the importance of a salt-free extraction system, with the K4P2O7/isopropanol aqueous phase system identified as the optimal choice for biofuel recovery.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Baomin Fan, Xiaoqi Zhao, Peng Zhang, Yi Wei, Ning Qiao, Biao Yang, Razium A. A. Soomro, Ran Zhang, Bin Xu
Summary: In this study, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is used as an efficient protectant for long-term storage of Ti3C2Tx-MXene aqueous dispersion. Experimental data supports the capability of SDS to protect oxidation-prone sites on Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, providing extended colloidal stability of up to 213 days.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mojhdeh Baghbanbashi, Gholamreza Pazuki, Sepideh Khoee
Summary: An efficient drug delivery system based on an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) and SiO2 nanoparticles was developed for the partitioning and loading of the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The modified SiO2 nanoparticles effectively improved the partitioning of DOX, and the resulting nanoformulations showed promise as controlled drug release nanocarriers.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xin Chen, Wei Chen, Xianren Zhang, Daojian Cheng, Ying Ren
Summary: This study focuses on the dielectric properties of liquid and investigates the dielectric behavior of micellar systems with different structures based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The response of positive and negative ions is shielded in the high frequency range due to the polarization of the molecule's intrinsic dipole moment. The static dielectric constant can properly reveal the microstructural transformation of the micelles at low frequencies. The results demonstrate the close correlation between the dielectric constant and the atomic structure of micelles, and highlight the importance of the static dielectric constant in determining microscopic phase change processes.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chang Kyu Byun
Summary: Janus particles with two chemically different surfaces, useful in various fields, were fabricated by forming amide bonds through a chemical reaction and distributed in an aqueous two-phase system. The particles with carboxyl groups located at the top phase, and those with amine ligands went to the bottom phase, showing potential applications in biomolecule-probing sensors and reaction catalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marko Pavlovic, Heman Kumar Ramiya Ramesh Babu, Saveh Djalali, Zoran Pavlovic, Milan Vranes, Lukas Zeininger
Summary: A method for visualizing and quantifying surfactant effectiveness in different electrolyte environments using reconfigurable Janus emulsions as optical probes is presented. The effect of different types and concentrations of salt counter-ions on the surfactant surface excess was investigated for both ionic and non-ionic surfactants. It was found that the interfacial tensions of the ionic surfactants varied significantly, while the effect on the non-ionic surfactant was less pronounced. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of Janus emulsions as powerful tools for studying surfactant properties at liquid interfaces.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Kyudeok Oh, Zhenghui Shen, Soojin Kwon, Martti Toivakka
Summary: Thermal energy storage (TES) systems using phase change materials (PCMs) are of increasing interest for more efficient energy utilization. The prepared sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na2SO4 center dot 10H(2)O; SSD)/nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC)/graphite PCM composites showed improved thermal conductivity by 250% when 5 wt% of graphite was added, enhancing heat charging during the melting process.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sofia P. M. Silva, Jose A. Teixeira, Celia C. G. Silva
Summary: An enterocin whey solution was incorporated into gelatin/glycerol films to control Listeria monocytogenes. The films were shown to release bacteriocin and preserve anti-listerial activity for up to 90 days. When applied in cheese, the films were able to reduce L. monocytogenes contamination to undetected levels and prevent the migration of the pathogen.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Teresa Bonifacio-Lopes, Luis M. G. Castro, Ana Vilas-Boas, Debora Campos, Jose A. Teixeira, Manuela Pintado
Summary: Two methods of extracting bioactive compounds from brewer's spent grain were used, and their antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and polyphenol profile were measured. The extraction using 60% ethanol:water showed higher antioxidant activity and total phenolic content, while the extraction using 80% ethanol:water had higher bioaccessibility index for polyphenols. All the extracts demonstrated potential prebiotic activity by enhancing the growth of probiotic microorganisms.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Enrique Pino-Hernandez, Luiz Henrique Fasolin, Lina F. Ballesteros, Carlos A. Pinto, Jorge A. Saraiva, Luis Abrunhosa, Jose Antonio Teixeira
Summary: This study investigated the impact of high-pressure processing (HPP) and hydrothermal treatments (HT) on rejected chestnut starch. The results showed that HPP did not induce starch gelatinization and increased the size and resistant starch content of the granules. The HPP-treated starch also exhibited modified pasting properties and a novel gel structure.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rachma Wikandari, Daniel Reinhart Tanugraha, Anang Juni Yastanto, Manikharda, Rebecca Gmoser, Jose Antonio Teixeira
Summary: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in reducing meat consumption globally. As a result, the development of meat substitutes, such as mycoprotein, has gained momentum. This study focused on using residual water from a tempeh factory as a cheap substrate for mycoprotein production, and investigated the optimal conditions for biomass production and the characteristics of the mycoprotein.
Article
Polymer Science
Eduardo J. Gudina, Marcia R. Couto, Soraia P. Silva, Elisabete Coelho, Manuel A. Coimbra, Jose A. Teixeira, Ligia R. Rodrigues
Summary: A low-cost culture medium (CSLM) was developed for EPS production by Rhizobium viscosum CECT908, using sugarcane molasses and corn steep liquor as the sole ingredients. The EPS produced in this medium showed higher yield stress and flow consistency index, indicating its potential use in Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Luara Simoes, Natalia Fernandes, Jose Teixeira, Luis Abrunhosa, Disney Ribeiro Dias
Summary: Food and feed contamination by fungi, especially toxigenic ones, is a global concern. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been gaining attention for their antifungal and anti-mycotoxin properties. This study tested 14 LAB strains isolated from naturally fermented Brazilian table olives for their ability to inhibit the growth of certain fungi and reduce mycotoxin production. The results showed that certain LAB strains exhibited strong antifungal activity and reduced the production of mycotoxins such as Aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, and patulin. These findings demonstrate the potential of LAB strains as natural agents to control toxigenic fungi and their mycotoxins in fermented products.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Emanuel Cunha, Vitor Sousa, Pedro Geada, Jose A. Teixeira, Antonio A. Vicente, Oscar Dias
Summary: Microalgae are a sustainable and renewable source for various compounds used in industries such as cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals. However, their commercialization faces challenges due to low biomass and productivity. Strategies to enhance cost-effectiveness in microalgae cultivation focus on optimizing nutrient needs and environmental factors. Genome-scale metabolic (GSM) models aid in understanding metabolic processes and can be used to optimize compound and biomass production. This review provides an overview of key considerations and strategies in microalgae cultivation, emphasizing the use of GSM models for in silico-guided optimization.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Joao Simoes, Eduardo Coelho, Paulo Magalhaes, Tiago Brandao, Pedro Rodrigues, Jose Antonio Teixeira, Lucilia Domingues
Summary: This study explores the potential of non-Saccharomyces yeasts to produce low-alcohol or non-alcoholic beers. Selected yeasts with low-to-null ethanol production were used in large-scale fermentations, resulting in beers with ethanol concentrations below 1.2% and the presence of fusel alcohols and esters. Lager beers produced with Saccharomyces yeast were more accepted by taster panelists. This research demonstrates the suitability of non-conventional yeasts for producing low-alcohol or non-alcoholic beers and opens perspectives for the development of non-conventional beers.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Catarina Teixeira-Guedes, Joana S. Gomes-Dias, Sara A. Cunha, Manuela E. Pintado, Ricardo N. Pereira, Jose A. Teixeira, Cristina M. R. Rocha
Summary: The sequential use of enzymes in seaweeds has been shown to significantly improve extraction yield, solubilize carbohydrates and protein, and enhance antioxidant and prebiotic effects.
FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pedro Geada, Diogo Francisco, Francisco Pereira, Filipe Maciel, Leandro Madureira, Ana Barros, Joana L. Silva, Antonio A. Vicente, Jose A. Teixeira
Summary: Microalgae have gained attention as a promising feedstock for healthier food products, but high production costs and low productivities remain a challenge. This study used a two-step optimization strategy to maximize biomass production of a Chlorella vulgaris strain under heterotrophic conditions. After studying 24 variables, (NH4)2SO4, MgSO4middot7H2O, and C6H12O6 were identified as factors with a significant impact on biomass concentration. Optimization of the culture medium led to a 99.6% increase in biomass and a 48.0% increase in carbohydrate production.
FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hassan Laaroussi, Pedro Ferreira-Santos, Zlatina Genisheva, Meryem Bakour, Driss Ousaaid, Asmae El Ghouizi, Jose Antonio Teixeira, Badiaa Lyoussi
Summary: Bee pollen from Morocco was studied for its physicochemical, nutritional, biological, and techno-functional properties. The samples showed acceptable quality and had major constituents like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and polyphenols. The pollen exhibited good techno-functional properties and had potent antioxidant capacity and digestive enzyme inhibitory activity. The study suggests the potential application of bee pollen as a useful ingredient in the food industry.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
M. C. Coelho, A. S. Rodrigues, J. A. Teixeira, M. E. Pintado
Summary: The tomato processing industry is vital for the global market, aiming to optimize production and minimize waste while ensuring high-quality products. By-products generated in this industry are often discarded as waste, but they contain bioactive compounds with various beneficial properties. Recycling these compounds not only reduces environmental impact but also enables the development of value-added products for different purposes. This review discusses the recovery and utilization of bioactive compounds from tomato by-products within the context of a circular economy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francieli Colussi, Hector Rodriguez, Michele Michelin, Jose A. Teixeira
Summary: The economically viable alternative of agricultural by-product bioethanol provides a sustainable solution for expanding the use of renewable energy, ensuring greater energy supply security, and reducing environmental impacts. Improving the efficiency of existing processes is crucial to reduce costs, industrial waste, and carbon footprint. Ionic liquids (ILs) have shown promise in achieving cleaner processes and efficient dissolution and fractionation of lignocellulose for biofuel production. This review analyzes recent advances in biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass using ILs as pretreatment and highlights cost optimization techniques for robust conversion processes.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monica Serra, Ana Casas, Duarte Toubarro, Ana Novo Barros, Jose Antonio Teixeira
Summary: Microbial production of hyaluronic acid (HA) is gaining attention due to its increasing demand for industrial applications. HA is a linear, non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan widely distributed in nature, mainly composed of repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine and glucuronic acid. Its unique properties such as viscoelasticity, lubrication, and hydration make it attractive for industries like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. This review presents and discusses available fermentation strategies for HA production.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mariana Queiros, Guilherme Pereira, Ana Catarina Leite, Rita Leal, Rui Rodrigues, Jose A. Teixeira, Ricardo N. Pereira
Summary: This study investigates the effects of electrical fields and frequencies on the activity of pectinase in the clarification process of Vinho Verde wine must. The results show that electrical frequency can increase enzymatic activity, especially at lower temperatures. The temperature dependence of the enzyme's activity can be reduced when moderate electrical fields are applied.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
