Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Ina Erceg, Jasminka Kontrec, Vida Strasser, Atida Selmani, Darija Domazet Jurasin, Marija Curlin, Branka Njegic Dzakula, Nives Matijakovic Mlinaric, Suzana Segota, Daniel M. Lyons, Damir Kralj, Maja Dutour Sikiric
Summary: Liposomes have the potential to be a versatile tool for synthesizing advanced materials such as calcium phosphates and calcium carbonates. This study investigated the influence of different charged liposomes on the formation of these materials and found that negatively charged liposomes had the most prominent effect, forming (nano) shell structures in both cases. This research provides strategies for fine-tuning the precipitation process of calcium phosphates and calcium carbonates, which could be valuable for the production of novel materials.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Dunja Samec, Valentina Ljubej, Ivana Radojcic Redovnikovic, Stjepana Fistanic, Branka Salopek-Sondi
Summary: Low temperatures have significant effects on the physiological status and phytochemical content of kale sprouts, increasing proline content, decreasing sprout yield, reducing carotenoid and flavonoid content, and increasing phenolic acid and total glucosinolates content.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marko Vincekovi, Suzana Segota, Slaven Juri, Maria Harja, Gabrijel Ondrasek
Summary: This study investigates the encapsulation of biomass fly ash into calcium alginate microspheres and characterizes its physicochemical properties. The results show that the loading of biomass fly ash alters the crosslinking density and molecular interactions of the microspheres, leading to different release rates of its main components (K, Ca, and Mg). This novel microsphere formulation demonstrates significant potential for the prolonged and safe delivery of nutrients to crops.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Anastazija Hud, Dunja Samec, Helena Senko, Marko Petek, Lidija Brkljacic, Lucia Pole, Boris Lazarevic, Ivana Rajnovic, Nikolina Udikovic-Kolic, Armin Mesic, Goran Palijan, Branka Salopek-Sondi, Ines Petric
Summary: Climate change has negative impacts on agriculture, especially on plant growth and development, which will have strong consequences on future food availability. The effects of heavy rainfall events and waterlogging on different crops are still not well understood. This study investigated the effects of waterlogging on white cabbage, finding that it is not very sensitive to waterlogging, but repeated waterlogging can cause congestion stress.
Article
Plant Sciences
Igor Lukic, Nina Isic, Dean Ban, Branka Salopek Sondi, Smiljana Goreta Ban
Summary: In this study, the volatilomes of various Brassicaceae species were investigated using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. The data obtained were analyzed using uni- and multivariate statistical analysis. The study provides general knowledge about the volatile composition of different Brassicaceae species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jurica Duvnjak, Ante Loncaric, Lidija Brkljacic, Dunja Samec, Hrvoje Sarcevic, Branka Salopek-Sondi, Valentina Spanic
Summary: Drought stress can significantly reduce wheat growth and development as well as grain yield. This study investigated the morpho-physiological and hormonal responses of six winter wheat varieties to drought stress during stem elongation and anthesis stages and measured grain yield-related traits after harvest. The results showed that some varieties were more tolerant to drought while others were more sensitive.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dario Lucic, Iva Pavlovic, Lidija Brkljacic, Sandro Bogdanovic, Vladimir Farkas, Andrea Cedilak, Lucia Nanic, Ivica Rubelj, Branka Salopek-Sondi
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the phenolic compounds and antioxidant and anticancer potential of traditional Croatian kale and wild cabbage extracts. The results showed that both plant species extracts are rich in phenolic compounds and exhibited significant antioxidant activity, as well as anti-cancer effects on HeLa cells. Wild cabbage contained more sinapic acid, while kale contained more kaempferol and quercetin. Both extracts inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells, but did not affect normal human skin fibroblasts.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jasenka Antunovic Dunic, Selma Mlinaric, Iva Pavlovic, Hrvoje Lepedus, Branka Salopek-Sondi
Summary: Plant drought tolerance is determined by how the photosynthetic apparatus adapts to water deficit. This study analyzed the OJIP kinetics of seedlings from three Brassica crops under drought conditions to find parameters for distinguishing drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive varieties. The increase in PItotal, SFI, positive L and K bands, Delta DF, and DRI indicate drought tolerance, while negative L and K bands, PItotal, SFI, and RC/CS0 density can distinguish susceptible varieties. Kale was the most tolerant, Chinese cabbage was moderately susceptible, and white cabbage was highly sensitive to drought stress. The genetic variation among these crops could be utilized in breeding programs and crop management.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucija Mandic, Marija Matkovic, Goran Baranovic, Suzana Segota
Summary: The release kinetics of quercetin from magnetic nanoparticles can be controlled by stationary and alternating magnetic fields, affecting the distribution of quercetin between nanoparticles and the suspension within the membrane. This understanding can be applied to the release of insoluble flavonoids in aqueous suspensions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anja Sadzak, Zlatko Brkljaca, Mihael Erakovic, Manfred Kriechbaum, Nadica Maltar-Strmecki, Jan Pribyl, Suzana Segota
Summary: Products of lipid peroxidation can cause detrimental structural changes in cell membranes, including the formation of water pores. However, the influence of dicarboxylic acids on cell membranes is still not well understood. This study focused on dodecanedioic acid (DDA) as a model product and investigated the impact of different flavonoids on DDA aggregation. The results showed that the addition of flavonoids disrupted the formation of DDA aggregates, leading to a decrease in DDA concentration in cell membranes.
JOURNAL OF LIPID RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Anja Sadzak, Mihael Erakovic, Suzana Segota
Summary: Flavonoids, natural antioxidants, have potential in photodynamic cancer treatment but degrade at physiological pH. Studying their oxidation kinetics helps understand degradation and analyze release data. Incorporating flavonoids into magnetic nanocarriers can mitigate degradation and enhance solubility, with release controlled by magnetic fields. A new analytical approach combining ALS and multilinear regression is presented for considering flavonoid autoxidation in release studies.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Katarina Luksic, Ana Mucalo, Ana Smolko, Lidija Brkljacic, Luka Marinov, Katarina Hancevic, Maja Ozretic Zokovic, Marijan Bubola, Edi Maletic, Jasminka Karoglan Kontic, Marko Karoglan, Branka Salopek-Sondi, Goran Zdunic
Summary: The biochemical response and gene expression in different grapevine cultivars to water deficit were investigated in this study. The results showed that water deficit significantly increased abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and proline accumulation in the leaves of stressed genotypes. Lipid peroxidation was lower in stressed plants after nine days of water deficit. The cultivar 'Istrian Malvasia' showed the highest and earliest increase in ABA levels, and 'Grasevina' differed significantly from other genotypes in SA content.
Article
Plant Sciences
Katarina Sunic, Lidija Brkljacic, Rosemary Vukovic, Zorana Katanic, Branka Salopek-Sondi, Valentina Spanic
Summary: This study investigates the physiological and biochemical responses of wheat to Fusarium head blight (FHB) stress and finds that the activity of AsA-GSH metabolism increases in resistant varieties, while carotenoid levels decrease. These findings contribute to the understanding of FHB resistance mechanisms and provide insights for breeding resistant varieties.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Teuta Benkovic-Lacic, Iva Orehovec, Krunoslav Mirosavljevic, Robert Benkovic, Sanja Cavar Zeljkovic, Nikola Stefelova, Petr Tarkowski, Branka Salopek-Sondi
Summary: The drying method affects the color, aroma, dry biomass, and chemical profile of chamomile flowers. Sun drying resulted in the highest content of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity.
Article
Soil Science
Ines Petric, Dunja Samec, Erna Karalija, Branka Salopek-Sondi
Summary: Salt stress affects plant growth and yield, and climate change exacerbates the severity of salt stress. Beneficial microorganisms and molecules can induce plant defense mechanisms and promote plant growth under stress conditions. Understanding the mechanisms of salt stress and applying different molecules can mitigate the harmful effects of soil salinity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Panpan Zhang, Xu Wang, Yangyang Yang, Haifeng Yang, Chunsheng Lu, Mingru Su, Yu Zhou, Aichun Dou, Xiaowei Li, Xiaochuan Hou, Yunjian Liu
Summary: In this study, the influence of transition metal doping on the electronic and mechanical properties and electrochemical performance of 2HMoS2/NC was investigated using Cobalt (Co) as an example. Co doping was found to effectively improve the electronic conductivity and active site areas of 2H-MoS2/NC at different positions, optimizing the adsorption and diffusion capability of potassium ions. Furthermore, the study revealed the optimal roles of different types of nitrogen atoms in kinetic adsorption, diffusion, and interfacial stability of potassium ions. These findings provide guidance for the experimental design of high rate 2H-MoS2/NC electrode materials and the optimal design of other functional composite materials.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zeeshan Ajmal, Mahmood Ul Haq, Shahid Zaman, M. K. Al-Muhanna, Anuj Kumar, Mohammed M. Fadhali, Siwar Ben Hadj Hassine, Muhammas Qasim, K. F. Alshammari, Ghulam Abbas Ashraf, Abdul Qadeer, Adil Murtaza, Sulaiman Al-Sulaimi, Huaqiang Zeng
Summary: This study presents a novel heterojunction structure (SrTiO3/CN-TAL10.0) for enhanced photocatalytic water splitting (PWS). The incorporation of thiophenedicarboxaldehyde (TAL) through copolymerization significantly improves the photocatalytic activity of carbon nitride (CN) while maintaining its photostability performance. The optimized composition allows efficient isolation of photoinduced charge carriers and enhanced charge transport, resulting in a remarkable increase in overall photocatalytic efficiency.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Angela Arnosa-Prieto, Patricia Diaz-Rodriguez, Manuel A. Gonzalez-Gomez, Pelayo Garcia-Acevedo, Lisandra de Castro-Alves, Yolanda Pineiro, Jose Rivas
Summary: Macrophages can exhibit different phenotypes depending on the microenvironment and the characteristics of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs). This study demonstrates that the concentration and morphology of MNPs can influence the polarization of macrophages. The findings have implications for therapeutics targeting tissue regeneration and tumor progression.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu Fang, Cheng-Ye Zhu, Hao-Cheng Yang, Chao Zhang, Zhi-Kang Xu
Summary: This study demonstrates the advantages of vacuum-assisted interfacial polymerization (VAIP) in fabricating polyimide nanofiltration membranes. By using vacuum filtration, aqueous solutions of PIP can be evenly distributed on different microfiltration substrates, leading to the fabrication of uniform and ultra-thin polyamide layers with excellent performance. The membranes exhibit high rejection rates and water permeance, as well as satisfactory long-term stability.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Isaac J. Gresham, Edwin C. Johnson, Hayden Robertson, Joshua D. Willott, Grant B. Webber, Erica J. Wanless, Andrew R. J. Nelson, Stuart W. Prescott
Summary: Understanding the interactions between polymers and surfactants is crucial for optimizing commercial systems. This study tested the behavior of polymer-surfactant systems, revealing that they do not behave like polyelectrolytes in the presence of salt. Additionally, the structure of polymer-surfactant complexes under confinement differs from that of polyelectrolytes.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yunxiao Xie, Cui Liu, Jie Zhang, Yan Li, Bin Li, Shilin Liu
Summary: This study aimed to improve the microstructure and rheological properties of W/W Pickering emulsions by crosslinking sodium alginate at the water-water interface, thereby enhancing the activity of encapsulated probiotics in simulated gastrointestinal digestion.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sang Ho Lee, Yige Sun, Patrick S. Grant
Summary: This research developed an effective approach to enhance the charging rates of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) by strategically incorporating carbon nanotube (CNT) conductivity boosters into Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) electrodes. Multi-layer architectures comprising CNT-rich and CNT-free LTO electrode layers were manufactured using a layer-by-layer spray coating method to promote charge transfer kinetics of high mass loading electrodes. The best performing multi-layer was paired with a spray-coated LiFePO4 (LFP) positive electrode, resulting in attractive power performance that outperformed conventional LTO || LFP combinations.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jingwei Liang, Shaobin Li, Fengbo Li, Li Zhang, Yufeng Jiang, Huiyuan Ma, Kun Cheng, Liang Qing
Summary: A molybdenum-regulated self-supporting electrode material with rich vacancy defects has been successfully synthesized and shows exceptional catalytic activities and stability for electrocatalytic overall water splitting. This study provides a new perspective for the design and synthesis of non-precious metal bifunctional electrocatalysts.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jonas Blahnik, Jennifer Schuster, Rainer Mueller, Eva Mueller, Werner Kunz
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between the morphology of PMMA monopolymers and PMMA-PHEMA copolymers with the expected nature of surfactant-free microemulsions (SFMEs) before polymerization. It is found that previously mesostructured, surfactant-free mixtures can produce porous polymers of different morphologies, while unstructured, oil-rich regions lead to solid, transparent polymers without nanostructured morphologies. Additionally, a surfactant-based reference system shows similar phase behavior and polymer morphologies as the comparable surfactant-free system, indicating the importance of the hydrotropic behavior of HEMA in this system.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zheng-Fen Pu, Wen-Zhi She, Rong Sheng Li, Qiu-Lin Wen, Bi-Chao Wu, Chun-Hua Li, Jian Ling, Qiue Cao
Summary: This study synthesized two framework-isomeric covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and discovered that the light scattering signal of COFs can be used for the analytical detection of lead ions. By controlling synthesis conditions and introducing regulators, the morphology of COFs could be controlled and framework-isomeric COFs could be precisely synthesized.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuchen Weng, Ying Hong, Jingyu Deng, Sicheng Cao, Li-Juan Fan
Summary: This paper reports the preparation of dynamic color-changing fluorescent polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) by constructing a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) pair. The PNPs show excellent anti-counterfeiting effects and reproducibility. The study demonstrates a promising encryption strategy that can achieve multiple outputs with simple operation.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guodong Liu, Zijian Wang, Jianing Wang, Hanbin Liu, Zhijian Li
Summary: This study investigates the combination of multicolor switchable polyaniline (PANI) electrode and 1-methyl-4,4'-bipyridyl iodide (MBI), which demonstrates superior optical properties in visible and near-infrared light modulation, as well as excellent electrochemical performances. This combination can be used to develop novel electrochromic devices for applications in smart packaging, smart labels, and flexible smart windows.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huying Yan, Yang Guo, Xingzhi Bai, Jiawei Qi, Haipeng Lu
Summary: By modifying Ti3C2Tx through heterogeneous interface engineering, optimized impedance matching is achieved, leading to enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption performance.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kehu Zhang, Yang Zhou, Silvia Moreno, Simona Schwarz, Susanne Boye, Brigitte Voit, Dietmar Appelhans
Summary: This article presents an advanced crosslinking strategy to fabricate clustered polymersomes using host-guest interactions. By controlling the input of crosslinker and environmental conditions, reversible aggregation and disassembly of these polymersomes can be achieved. The size and structure of these clustered polymersomes can be regulated and visualized through a fluorescent enzymatic cascade reaction.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Junjie Xu, Weixiong Huang, Ruiling Li, Li Li, Jinjin Ma, Jiaou Qi, Haiyan Ma, Min Ruan, Lilin Lu
Summary: In this study, a potassium doped palladium catalyst was developed for acetylene hydrogenation, showing excellent catalytic performance and durability. The doping of potassium effectively weakened the adsorption of ethylene, improved ethylene selectivity, and lowered the barriers of hydrogen activation and transfer reactions.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)