Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bozena Bukowska, Katarzyna Mokra, Jaromir Michalowicz
Summary: Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that is commonly found in the environment and human surroundings. It has been shown to have toxic effects on DNA, reproduction, neurology, and development. The metabolism of B[a]P is mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP P450) and its polymorphism determines the sensitivity to B[a]P. Additionally, B[a]P may facilitate the replication of viruses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Huimin Zhong, Cong Jiang, Jiahui Zou, Guancheng Zhu, Yanyan Huang
Summary: In this study, CeO2-based porous carbonaceous frameworks (CeO2 PCFs) were used as antioxidant nanozymes to scavenge reactive oxygen species and absorb benzo[a]pyrene. CeO2 PCFs exhibited excellent superoxide dismutase-like and catalase-like activity, effectively eliminating superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radical scavenging assay confirmed the free radical scavenging ability of CeO2 PCFs. Furthermore, CeO2 PCFs with large surface area and porous structure efficiently adsorbed benzo[a]pyrene. The designed CeO2 PCFs can serve as new antioxidant nanozymes for scavenging reactive oxygen species and adsorbing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Siwar Abouda, Omayma Missawi, Tiziana Cappello, Iteb Boughattas, Giuseppe De Marco, Maria Maisano, Mohamed Banni
Summary: Marine ecosystems are currently facing severe threats from multiple stressors, including microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This study assessed the toxicity of environmental relevant concentrations of microplastics and benzo[a]pyrene, and found that they can accumulate in marine organisms and cause cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and oxidative stress effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amor Hedfi, Manel Ben Ali, Montaser M. Hassan, Bander Albogami, Samia S. Al-Zahrani, Ezzeddine Mahmoudi, Paraskevi K. Karachle, Melissa Rohal-Lupher, Fehmi Boufahja
Summary: The majority of experimental studies on the effects of pollutants on meiofauna have been conducted in closed systems, with the current study revealing that single PAHs impact meiobenthic nematodes similarly in closed or open systems, with higher toxicity observed for benzo[a]pyrene. Closed systems contaminated with PAHs became organically enriched, resulting in changes in the types and numbers of deposit feeders. The responses of taxa to hydrocarbons in open systems were influenced by caudal morphology, with the effects of PAHs mixtures being both additive and synergistic. Based on this study, open systems are preferred over closed systems for more accurate research outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingnan Jin, Yahui Shi, Baozhong Zhang, Dongjin Wan, Qingye Zhang, Ying Li
Summary: In this study, a BaP-degrading strain Pannonibacter sp. JPA3 was isolated from oil well production water, which could remove 80% of BaP at an initial concentration of 100 mg L-1 after 35 days of culture. The metabolites BaP-4,5-dihydrodiol, BaP-4,5-epoxide, 5-hydroxychrysene, and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid were identified in the biodegradation process. A dioxygenase model was built and molecular docking was performed to investigate the interaction mechanism between BaP and dioxygenase. A hypothesis for the progressive degradation mechanism of BaP by this strain was proposed based on the identification of downstream metabolites. In conclusion, this study provided an efficient BaP degrader and a comprehensive reference for the study of degradation mechanisms at the molecular level.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Tamara Lazarevic-Pasti, Tamara Tasic, Vedran Milankovic, Nebojsa Potkonjak
Summary: The increase in production and consumption leads to the introduction of pollutants into the environment. The development of analytical methods for tracking environmental contaminants is crucial, especially high-throughput methods that eliminate time-consuming sample preparation techniques. Molecularly imprinted plasmonic-based sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity are promising for environmental protection.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barbara Campos Jorge, Ana Carolina Casali Reis, Erika Tissiana Sterde, Paola da Silva Balin, Wellerson Rodrigo Scarano, Hamilton Hisano, Arielle Cristina Arena
Summary: BaP exposure during the prepubertal period negatively impacted the reproductive parameters in adult male rats, leading to compromised copulatory behavior, reduced sperm quality and quantity, and histopathological changes in testicular tissue. A comprehensive risk assessment of prepubertal BaP exposure is necessary to understand its long-term effects on male reproductive health.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claire Baranger, Isabelle Pezron, Laurence Lins, Magali Deleu, Anne Le Goff, Antoine Fayeulle
Summary: Hydrophobic organic soil contaminants like PAH are poorly mobile in soil and filamentous fungi are efficient in degrading them, but the mechanism of their mobilization needs further investigation. A microfluidic device was designed to study the uptake of BaP by fungi, revealing the uptake and storage mechanisms as well as the release of surface-active compounds.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mercedes Quintanilla-Mena, Julio Vega-Arreguin, Marcela Del Rio-Garcia, Victoria Patino-Suarez, Santy Peraza-Echeverria, Carlos Puch-Hau
Summary: The study investigated the effects of BaP on the gut microbiome of Oreochromis niloticus. Dysbiosis was observed at 24 hours post-injection, followed by a slight recovery at 72 hours and stabilization at 120 hours. The gut microbiome played a significant role in PAH degradation mainly at 24 hours post-injection.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rosa Posada-Baquero, Kirk T. Semple, Miguel Ternero, Jose-Julio Ortega-Calvo
Summary: The study utilized desorption extraction method standardized by ISO16751 to determine the bioavailable concentration of the commonly regulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in industrial soil, showing comparable results to field-contaminated soils.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiushang Xu, Amy L. Vonder Haar, Rengo Yoshioka, Qizheng Zhang, Serhii Vasylevskyi, Andrew J. Musser, Akimitsu Narita
Summary: A benzo[rst]pentaphene derivative, BPP-MeOPA, was synthesized and characterized by NMR and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Investigation of its photophysical properties, including transient absorption spectroscopy, revealed improved absorption and emission features from an S-1 state with excitonic and charge-transfer character by introducing MeOPA groups.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Boying Yue, Xiaoyu Zhang, Xiyue Wang, Lili Lian, Wenxiu Gao, Hao Zhang, Shuang Hou, Dawei Lou
Summary: In this study, a needle-type device based on molecularly imprinted polymers was developed for the detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples. The method exhibited excellent selectivity and adsorption efficiency, with a good linearity dynamic range and low detection limits.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yue Liu, Xinguo Ren, Lixin He
Summary: This study identified six possible DNA adducts with BPQ, including four covalently bound adducts and two adducts purely bound by van der Waals interactions. Surprisingly, the two van der Waals-bound adducts have comparable, if not larger, binding energies than the covalent adducts. These findings provide insights into the interactions between PAH metabolites and DNA.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Li Liu, Maomin Peng, Ke Xu, Hong Xia, Xitian Peng, Lijun Peng, Jin Z. Zhang
Summary: Molecularly imprinted polymers with methylammonium lead halide perovskite quantum dots were prepared and used for the determination of benzo(a)pyrene. The interaction between MIP@MAPbBr(3) PQDs and BaP is a dynamic process, enhancing the PL intensity. The molecularly imprinted fluorescence assay shows good specificity and selectivity for BaP in complex mixtures.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jiezhang Mo, Doris Wai-Ting Au, Jiahua Guo, Christoph Winkler, Richard Yuen-Chong Kong, Frauke Seemann
Summary: Research indicates that environmental exposure to benzo[a]pyrene may cause osteotoxicity, which could be transgenerationally inherited. Genetic and epigenetic factors play important roles in regulating bone metabolism, and researchers propose two possible epigenetic regulatory circuits in relation to bone miRNAs and genes.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yue Wu, Wu Li, Enrico Colombo, Gregory J. O. Martin, Muthupandian Ashokkumar
Summary: In this study, the quantitative monitoring of ultrasound-induced inactivation of KTI and BBI was achieved, and its consistency with a traditional assay was verified. The effect of TI concentration, ultrasonic frequency, power density, and pH on the inactivation kinetics of KTI and BBI was explored. The results showed that various factors influenced the inactivation process, including TI concentration, ultrasonic conditions, and pH value.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Charitha J. Gamlath, Kuan Yen Lo, Thomas S. H. Leong, Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Gregory J. O. Martin
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of ultrasound emulsification to form whey protein-enriched double emulsions with minimum food-grade emulsifiers to fortify the protein content of cheese and other food products. The encapsulation loading rate of whey proteins within the double emulsion droplets was investigated in relation to ultrasound parameters and formulation loading rates. The results showed that high encapsulation loading rates can be achieved using ultrasound with comparable oil droplet diameters to native milk fat globules.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Aissa Dehane, Slimane Merouani, Oualid Hamdaoui, Kyuichi Yasui, Muthupandian Ashokkumar
Summary: In sonochemistry, acoustic bubbles serve as microreactors for producing hydrogen and oxidants. This study developed a novel semi-empirical method using hydrogen sono-production to determine the number density of micro-bubbles during water sonolysis. The results showed that the number density of bubbles ranged from -108 to -1013 L-1 s-1, depending on the experimental conditions, and the calculation method used. The study also found that the number of active bubbles increased with frequency, but decreased when calculated via the total single-bubble yield, especially at higher frequencies and colder liquid temperatures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nan Wu, M. Ines G. S. Almeida, Silvia Simeonova, Tony G. Spassov, Antoan Rangelov, Robert W. Cattrall, Maria Datcheva, Spas D. Kolev
Summary: The possibility of producing very thin polymer inclusion membranes (VT-PIMs) with a thickness thinner than 10 μm was demonstrated using four different membrane compositions. Among these VT-PIMs, the PVDF-HFP-based membrane exhibited the highest rate of transport of thiocyanate and had a thickness of 7.4 μm. The results showed that VT-PIMs have the potential to significantly improve the transport performance of PIMs, making them attractive for separation applications in industry.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Shunyu Yao, Wu Li, Yue Wu, Gregory J. O. Martin, Muthupandian Ashokkumar
Summary: Hempseed protein isolate (HPI) can be improved in functionality, such as solubility, emulsifying, and foaming properties, through ultrasonic-assisted extraction. The enhanced functionality is attributed to the changes in protein structure, including increased hydrophobicity and decreased particle size of protein aggregates. Prolonged high-power ultrasound exposure may negatively affect the functional properties of HPI.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haiyan Zhu, Sukhvir Kaur Bhangu, Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Francesca Cavalieri
Summary: Ultrasound-based engineering has allowed for the synthesis of carrier-free nanodrugs with anticancer and antimicrobial activities using supramolecular self-assembly. High-frequency sound waves were applied to transform small chemotherapeutic and antibiotic drugs into stable nanodrugs without the need for organic solvents or surfactants. Imaging techniques provided insights into the behavior of the nanodrugs inside cells. The findings suggest the potential for small antibiotic drugs to be transformed into chemotherapeutic nanodrugs with high selectivity against cancer cells.
Article
Acoustics
Juhyeon Park, Ahreum Min, Jayaraman Theerthagiri, Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Myong Yong Choi
Summary: Acoustic levitation is a unique tool for levitating and processing droplets and particles. In this study, gold and silver nanoparticles were synthesized using acoustic levitation and pulsed laser irradiation. The synthesized nanoparticles showed excellent catalytic behavior.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
Yue Wu, Wu Li, Haiyan Zhu, Gregory J. O. Martin, Muthupandian Ashokkumar
Summary: Liquid-liquid interfacial protein adsorption was proposed as a method to inactivate soy trypsin inhibitors. Ultrasound mixing generated the smallest and most uniform emulsion droplets, resulting in the highest adsorption amount and inactivation percentage. The adsorption amount of trypsin inhibitors increased in the presence of vegetable oil and rapidly increased with sonication time. The pathways of interface-induced inactivation differed for different inhibitors. Overall, ultrasound-assisted interfacial adsorption is a rapid and efficient method to inactivate soy trypsin inhibitors.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Reshma Kaimal, Madappa C. Maridevaru, Aashutosh Dube, Jerry J. Wu, Anandan Sambandam, Muthupandian Ashokkumar
Summary: The study focuses on the development of a sensor for the detection of low levels of As(III) in water. By synthesizing borophene and modifying the glassy carbon electrode with it, high sensitivity detection of As(III) is achieved. The sensor is low-cost, highly selective, and has good repeatability, making it suitable for practical applications.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Amrish Kumar Padmakumar, Nikhil K. Singha, Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Frank A. Leibfarth, Greg G. Qiao
Summary: Advances in nanomolecular engineering have led to the development of technology using ultrasonic irradiation to initiate polymerization. In this study, ultrasound-assisted reversible addition chain-transfer (Sono-RAFT) polymerization was used to compare batch and continuous flow polymerization methods on monomer conversion, polymer molar mass, and dispersity using different monomer substrates. Results showed that continuous flow polymerization had higher monomer conversion compared to batch reactions under the same conditions. Continuous flow reactors with stainless-steel microreactors provided higher cavitation intensity and lower oxygen contamination, making Sono-RAFT possible at higher monomer concentrations. These findings have implications for mechanochemistry and the practical and sustainable implementation of sonochemically regulated polymerization.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Kanokwan Kiwfo, Siripat Suteerapataranon, Ian D. McKelvie, Pei Meng Woi, Spas D. Kolev, Chalermpong Saenjum, Gary D. Christian, Kate Grudpan
Summary: The use of natural extracts as chemical reagents in flow analysis and downscaling techniques provides a greener development in chemical analysis. The Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) and the White Analytical Chemistry (WAC) are used to evaluate the environmental friendliness, analytical efficiency, and practicability of flow-based and downscaling procedures using natural reagents. These procedures are more environmentally friendly but less effective than standard analytical ones. However, the proposed Need, Quality, and Sustainability (NQS) index suggests that the use of natural reagents improves analytical procedures, especially in terms of need and sustainability. The NQS index can contribute to the development of analytical procedures that address social needs, analytical performance, and global sustainability.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shigehiro Kagaya, Kizuku Hida-Matsuda, Syunki Tsuzaka, Chikako Minami, Makoto Gemmei-Ide, Robert W. Cattrall, Spas D. Kolev
Summary: A column coated with a polymer inclusion film (PIF) containing Aliquat 336 was developed for the separation and determination of zinc(II) in flow injection and continuous flow analysis systems. The FIA method involves injection of a sample solution into a stream of Lithium chloride to convert zinc(II) ion into chlorocomplexes, which are then extracted by the PIF. The extracted zinc(II) is back-extracted and determined spectrophotometrically. The PIF-based method demonstrated good usability in the determination of zinc in alloys and impurities in commercial lithium chloride samples.
Article
Acoustics
Sivakumar Manickam, Daria Camilla Boffito, Erico M. M. Flores, Jean-Marc Leveque, Rachel Pflieger, Bruno G. Pollet, Muthupandian Ashokkumar
Summary: Ultrasonic waves can cause physical and chemical changes in liquid media through acoustic cavitation. The effects of ultrasonics and sonochemistry have been applied in various fields, such as material synthesis, emulsification, cleaning, and processing. The Editors of the Ultrasonics Sonochemistry journal share their perspectives on different aspects of ultrasonics and sonochemistry, providing valuable insights for students and early career researchers.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Devyani Srivastava, Amita Singh, Gabriele Kociok-Koehn, Suresh W. Gosavi, Ratna Chauhan, Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Abhinav Kumar, Mohd. Muddassir
Summary: Three new heteroleptic Co(iii) ferrocene dithiocarbamate complexes with dppe as ligand have been synthesized and characterized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed a distorted octahedral geometry around Co(iii) in the complexes. The compounds were used as photo-sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells and exhibited good photovoltaic performance.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Devyani Srivastava, Aparna Kushwaha, Gabriele Kociok-Kohn, Suresh W. Gosavi, Ratna Chauhan, Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Abhinav Kumar, Mohd. Muddassir
Summary: Three new nickel complexes were synthesized and used as sensitizers in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Among the three sensitizers, the DSSC fabricated using p-NiL exhibited the best photovoltaic performance with an efficiency of 3.40%, strong electronic coupling, and enhanced electron injection.