Applied Science and Engineering Progress

Nanolignin for Fire Retardant Composite

2026-01-26T15:36:52+07:00

Engineering Perspectives on Drying Technologies of Medicinal Plants: A Review on Kinetic Modelling and Bioactive Compounds Retention

2026-01-26T15:41:45+07:00

Medicinal plants, an integral part of the Indian traditional medicinal practices, are a reservoir of bioactive molecules proven to have therapeutic effects against various ailments. The post-harvest losses of medicinal plants have been estimated to range between 10-40% in Asian countries, including India, mainly due to improper handling, storage and packaging. Drying is an important post-harvest operation of plant materials that can significantly impact the functional bioactive compounds. This review aims to shed light on the various drying methodologies of medicinal plants, weighing their merits and limitations, and highlighting the latest advancements and current research. The review summarizes the influence of drying parameters on the stability and retention of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants, as well as focuses on the drying kinetic models employed to comprehend their moisture transport mechanism. In conclusion, the authors intend to address the major challenges and research gaps to offer insights for advancing research in improving the herbal drug quality through optimized drying conditions.

Research Progress on the Causes of Turbidity in Lujiu and the Treatment Measures

2026-01-26T15:49:36+07:00

Lujiu is a traditional Chinese alcoholic beverage made by extracting animal and plant medicinal materials in Baijiu (Chinese liquor) or Huangjiu (Chinese rice wine). Due to the precipitation of various substances in the base liquor, Lujiu has a richer taste and higher nutritional value. However, it is also prone to turbidity. The turbidity that occurs after the preparation and storage of Lujiu seriously affects its appearance, quality and commercial value. Although there is a lot of discussion about turbidity and precipitation in wine and fruit wine, articles about the turbidity phenomenon of Lujiu are not common. This article reviews the main components in Lujiu, such as proteins, polysaccharides and phenolic substances, as well as the complex interactions between these components, and the commonly used methods for removing turbidity. This article aims to provide a basis for the future development of Lujiu products and the prevention and control of turbidity.

A 1-D Convolutional Neural Network with Gradient Mapped Intensity Features for Detection of Mitosis in Histopathological Images

2026-01-27T10:49:20+07:00

This paper proposes a mitosis detection algorithm that utilizes gradient-mapped intensity (GMI) features integrated into a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1-D CNN) for the classification of mitotic cells in histopathological images. The proposed framework begins by preprocessing the input images through intensity compensation, followed by contrast enhancement using adaptive histogram equalization. Mitosis candidates are subsequently identified using adaptive thresholding techniques and morphological operations. From each detected candidate, GMI features are extracted through gradient estimation in both the x and y directions, construction of gradient histograms, and mapping of gradient magnitudes with corresponding intensity values. These features, derived from the red, green, and blue (RGB) channels, are used to train a 1-D CNN classifier that categorizes the inputs into two classes: mitosis and non-mitosis. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated using two benchmark datasets, ICPR 2012 and ICPR 2014, with performance measured via precision, recall, and F1-score metrics. The proposed model achieves an F1-score of 0.846, a recall of 0.859, and a precision of 0.863 on the ICPR 2012 dataset, demonstrating competitive performance compared to existing methods.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Myrmecodia sp. Bulb Extract: in vivo Wound Healing Potency in Mus musculus L.

2026-01-27T11:12:56+07:00

Myrmecodia sp. is a plant species often used in conventional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and wound recovery activities. This study was to determine the wound healing properties of AgNPs produced using bulb extracts of Myrmecodia sp. (M-AgNPs). M-AgNPs were synthesized by adding 100 mL of a 1 mM aqueous solution of silver nitrate to 100 mL of a 0.1% ethanolic bulb extract of Myrmecodia sp. The M-AgNPs experiment was characterized by visible changes in color, UV–VIS spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The present study used mice to conduct an in vivo examination of wound healing. The results showed a color transition from a dark brown hue to a lighter pale brown shade and a 460 nm peak in the UV-visible spectrum, indicating M-AgNP synthesis. Several possible wound-healing chemicals for M-AgNPs were identified (FTIR and XRD). The morphology of the M-AgNPs was mostly nanocubes (with average size of 805 nm). Mouse wounds treated with 20% M-AgNPs showed enhanced healing rates and reduced levels of proteins, DNA, and hydroxyproline. Histopathological wounds treated with M-AgNPs had notably elevated fibroblast counts. M-AgNPs-treated mice exhibited a notable enhancement in wound recovery, suggesting eco-friendly practices of M-AgNPs in wound medicine.

Characteristics of Membranes Derived from Pineapple Biowaste: The Effect of Nanoclay Addition

2026-01-27T11:29:47+07:00

Indonesia, a major pineapple producer, generates substantial biowaste that can harm the ecosystem. To address this, bacterial cellulose (BC) was produced through microbial fermentation of pineapple peel waste. The study aims to evaluate the properties of BC after it has been reinforced with nanoclay. Methods include cellulose synthesis via fermentation with pineapple biowaste extract, followed by cellulose alkalization, defibrillation, and the synthesis of bacterial cellulose with nanoclay concentrations of 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt.%, which is then dried to form a solid membrane. SEM, XRD, FTIR, tensile testing, antibacterial activity, and porosity analysis were used to characterize the samples. The results show that nanoclay has a considerable influence on the surface morphology of cellulose composites. XRD analysis confirmed that nanoclay incorporation disrupted the BC crystalline structure, reducing crystallinity as nanoclay content increased. Furthermore, nanoclay reduces the membrane’s crystallinity index to 75.3% at 8 wt.% nanoclay concentration, FTIR analysis revealed changes in functional groups, indicating strong interactions between BC and nanoclay. Although tensile strength decreased with higher nanoclay content, membrane porosity improved at 6 wt.%, enhancing membrane permeability. Antibacterial testing showed significant inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus, with the highest activity observed at 8 wt.% nanoclay.

Characterization, Compressive Strength and Output Voltage Properties of Silica/Barium Titanate Nanocomposite for Piezoelectric Applications

2026-01-27T11:47:25+07:00

The influence of nano-sized barium titanate addition on the compressive strength and output voltage of silica/barium titanate nanocomposites was investigated. Nano silica powder, synthesized from silica sand via an alkaline fusion method assisted by 200 Hz speaker membrane vibration, was combined with nano barium titanate using the solid-state method at 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt% variations. Samples were uniaxially compacted at 75 MPa and sintered at 1390 °C for 2 hours under atmospheric conditions. The highest bulk density (2.72 g/cm³) and compressive strength (37.01 MPa) were achieved at 10 wt% barium titanates. XRD analysis revealed quartz, tridymite, and cristobalite phases and the emergence of fresnoite (Ba₂TiSi₂O₈) and BaTiSiO₅ phases at higher BT contents. The maximum output voltage (5.51 mV) was obtained at 40 wt% barium titanate, indicating the material's potential for piezoelectric applications.

Citric Acid Production by Aspergillus niger in Stirred Tank Bioreactor

2026-01-27T14:59:42+07:00

The optimization of citric acid production by submerged fermentation using Aspergillus niger TISTR 2365 was studied on upstream and downstream processing using a modified medium. The Box-Behnken Design was used for optimization, varying carbon to nitrogen ratios (70, 85, 100 g/L), shaking speed (200, 250, 300 rpm), and CaCl₂ supplementation (0.01, 0.055, 0.1 g/L) across 17 experimental runs. Batch fermentations were conducted in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask for 7 days at 30 °C. Results found the optimum citric acid was obtained at 27.73 g/L at a carbon to nitrogen ratio of 97.32 g/g, shaking speed of 300 rpm, and CaCl₂ supplementation of 0.10 g/L. Model validation of citric acid production of 25.43 g/L was confirmed in a 5-L stirred tank bioreactor, with an 8.29% deviation from the predicted value. Three operational runs in a bioreactor yielded citric acid concentrations of 26.88 g/L, 21.76 g/L, and 26.88 g/L, respectively. The highest citric acid yield was achieved in the third batch, reaching 0.25 g/g glucose, while the average yield from substrate utilization was approximately 0.20 g/g glucose. The results highlight the effectiveness of fermentation conditions and the role of CaCl₂ in enhancing citric acid production. Downstream processing was performed to purify the citric acid by the precipitation method. Purified citric acid was then quantified and analyzed by HPLC and FTIR.

Computational Screening and Molecular Docking Analysis of Bioactive Peptides from Spent Coffee Grounds as Potential α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibitors for Antidiabetic Therapy

2026-01-27T15:26:13+07:00

A metabolic disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is marked by chronic hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance or impaired secretion. Inhibiting carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, particularly α-glucosidase and α-amylase, is a therapeutic approach to regulate blood glucose levels. Protein components of spent coffee grounds (SCG), a byproduct of coffee production, can be hydrolyzed to produce bioactive peptides with potential health benefits. In this study, the 11S storage protein of SCG was simulated with alcalase digestion for peptide synthesis. These peptides were computationally screened for antidiabetic potential using bioactivity prediction tools and were evaluated for bioactivity, toxicity, bitterness, blood stability, and protein-binding potential. Most were predicted to be non-toxic, non-bitter, and had favorable blood half-lives (>830 s), suggesting therapeutic viability. Molecular docking was performed against α-glucosidase and α-amylase to assess binding affinity. The amino acids TRP406, ARG526, and ASP542 of α-glucosidase were strongly bound by the peptides GRPQPRL and RRF, which had binding strengths of -8.5 and -8.3 kcal/mol, respectively. Meanwhile, ASP197, GLU233, ASP300, HIS299, and HIS305 were key components of α-amylase’s binding with APHW (-8.7 kcal/mol). The presence of aromatic and polar residues contributed to binding strength and stability in enzyme active sites. These results indicate that SCG-derived peptides have promising inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase and may serve as natural, safe, and stable candidates for developing functional antidiabetic therapies.

Comparative Experimental Study between Hemp and Pineapple Fiber Wastes as Additional Materials to Improve Acoustic Performance in Concrete Blocks

2026-01-27T15:33:33+07:00

The sustainability of building materials is receiving increasing attention, particularly through the use of agricultural waste as a low-cost, renewable raw material in concrete mixtures, either as a replacement or an additional component. The additions of hemp and pineapple fibers at 10, 20, and 30% by volume of sand with lengths of 6, 12, and 18 mm were compared for their physical, mechanical, and sound acoustic properties. The results showed that increasing the fiber content decreased the density and led to higher water absorption in concrete containing hemp fiber, while there was a trending decrease in concrete containing pineapple fiber. The optimal fiber was found to be 10% with 12 mm of the highest compressive and tensile strengths. Superior acoustic performance at 1,000–3,150 Hz was detected in pineapple fiber incorporated with concrete, whereas hemp fiber was superior at the higher frequency of 4,000 Hz. For concrete blocks, the density and water absorption were higher than those of plain concrete blocks. Although the compressive strength of concrete blocks mixed with hemp and pineapple fibers decreased, it was still within the range of non-load-bearing concrete blocks. The finding demonstrated that hemp and pineapple fibers incorporated with concrete blocks proved effective for sound absorption on walls.

Detecting Changes in the Mean of an Integration and Fractionally Integrated MA Process on Double Modified EWMA Control Chart

2026-01-27T15:39:49+07:00

Stock market behavior is inherently volatile and sensitive to external influences, making effective monitoring tools essential for detecting shifts in financial time series. This study proposes a Double Modified Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (DMEWMA) control chart designed to improve the detection of small mean shifts in autocorrelated stock data modeled by Integrated Moving Average (IMA) and Fractionally Integrated Moving Average (FIMA) processes with exponential white noise. The Average Run Length (ARL) performance of the proposed chart is analytically derived using both an exact formula based on Fredholm integral equations and a Numerical Integral Equation (NIE) technique. The simulations confirm the accuracy of the analytical results. Comparative analysis demonstrates that the DMEWMA chart outperforms the Modified EWMA (MEWMA) chart across various shift magnitudes, exhibiting lower ARL₁, Relative Median Index (RMI), and Average Expected Quadratic Loss (AEQL) values. Real-world applications using Thai stock data further validate the practical utility of the proposed method, highlighting its superior sensitivity in detecting subtle process changes.

Development and Application of a Novel Flow-Through Plasma-Activated Water Generator for Household Food Safety: Characterization, Safety, and Antimicrobial Efficacy

2026-01-27T16:02:48+07:00

Despite the promise of plasma-activated water (PAW) as a chemical-free sanitization approach, its widespread adoption in households is limited by safety concerns and device complexity. This study presents the development of a compact, user-friendly flow-through PAW generator engineered for enhanced safety and antimicrobial performance. Compared to previous designs, the improved system drastically reduces leakage current by 99.6% (from 623 µA to 2.5 µA) and NO₂gas emissions by 25.7-fold (from 7700 ppb to 300 ppb), ensuring compliance with international safety standards (IEC DIN EN 60601) and air quality regulations (Thailand’s NAAQS and the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines). The antimicrobial efficacy of PAW was demonstrated using raw oyster meat, achieving a 93.5% reduction in total viable count (TVC), equivalent to a 1.19-log reduction, after just two rinse cycles. Importantly, the residual levels of nitrite and nitrate in treated oysters remained well below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) limits established by JECFA. Key technological advancements include a dual-chamber plasma reactor, integrated gas containment, RCBO installation, and optimized electrodes for enhanced plasma stability and reduced risk of electrical leakage. With an energy cost of approximately 0.00192 USD per liter of PAW produced, compact design, and chemical-free operation, this PAW system offers a viable, safe, and environmentally responsible solution for household food decontamination.

Development of Nanoemulsions Containing Essential Oils for Gel Formulations

2026-01-27T16:11:42+07:00

The formulations of nanoemulsions containing lime-peel essential oils (LPO) and LPO-encapsulated nanoemulsion gels (nanoemulgels) for a cosmetic product were investigated. The IC₅₀ value for LPO essential oils, which was determined using the 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method to determine the antioxidant activity of the oils, is 21.7 ± 0.5 mg/ml. To facilitate the preparation of the nanoemulsion formula and ensure that the essential oils were in the form of oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions, the most suitable surfactant, and cosurfactant utilized were Brij IC20 and glycerine, respectively. When LPO (concentration of 3% by weight) and the surfactant and cosurfactant (total concentration of 20% by weight) were mixed at a weight ratio of 3:1, the resulting LPO nanoemulsion contained fine particles with a uniform particle size distribution, low zeta potential, and good physical stability. All results exhibited that nanoemulsions stabilized by a mixture of Brij IC20 and glycerine are suitable as delivery vehicles for LPO. Nanoemulgel was also manufactured utilizing the nanoemulsion. The optimal gelling agent for the nanoemulgel was determined to be Carbopol 940 with a concentration of 0.3 % by weight. The nanoemulgel was physically stable with a pH of 5.3 (near the skin pH) and an adequate viscosity of 1290 cP.

Eco-Friendly Au@Al-MOF Nanocomposites Fabricated with Eleutherine bulbosa Extract for Mercury Detection in Cosmetic Product

2026-01-27T16:22:35+07:00

Mercury (Hg²⁺) contamination in cosmetics, particularly skin whitening products, poses significant public health risks due to its well-documented toxicity and bioaccumulative nature. This study reports the development of an environmentally benign colorimetric sensor for Hg²⁺ detection by incorporating gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) within aluminum-based metal-organic frameworks (Al-MOF), utilizing Eleutherine bulbosa extract as a green reducing agent. Extensive characterization (XRD, FTIR, TGA, TEM, SEM, FESEM) verified successful AuNPs incorporation (average diameter 25.96 nm) while maintaining MOF structural integrity. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed a distinct red shift in surface plasmon resonance from 541 nm (pristine AuNPs) to 548 nm (Au@Al-MOF), confirming strong interactions between the AuNPs and the MOF framework. The sensor exhibited exceptional Hg²⁺ selectivity with minimal cross-reactivity to interfering metal ions, achieving a 3.46 ppm detection limit and 54-day stability. Validation studies using commercial skin whitening creams demonstrated excellent correlation between the UV-Vis method (4.53 ppm Hg²⁺) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (4.59 ppm), with 98.7% agreement (±1.3% variance), confirming method reliability. These findings establish Au@Al-MOF as a robust, sensitive, cost-effective colorimetric platform for Hg²⁺ detection. The technology holds significant potential for integration into other heavy metal detection systems and portable devices, addressing critical needs in cosmetic safety, environmental monitoring, and food quality control.

Enhanced Biomass Productivity and β-cryptoxanthin Content of Chlorococcum sp. through Optimization Via Central Composite Design (CCD)

2026-01-27T16:28:23+07:00

β-cryptoxanthin is one of the most commercially valuable carotenoids, which is rare in nature and costly to synthesize. Microalgae is a promising alternative and renewable source for β-cryptoxanthin production. This study aimed to optimize the cultivation of the microalgae, Chlorococcum sp. TISTR 8266, in BG–11 medium, to achieve the highest yield of β-cryptoxanthin. Therefore, central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimize the addition of organic carbon and nitrogen sources under mixotrophic and heterotrophic conditions combined with aeration and agitation. The results showed that under the mixotrophic conditions, the BG–11 medium with 1.6 g/L of glucose and 0.16 g/L of urea enhanced the biomass of Chlorococcum sp. to 4.90 ± 0.14 and 4.85 ± 0.07 g/L with aeration and agitation, respectively. Furthermore, under the optimized conditions, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, and lutein content increased to 4.02 ± 0.49, 4.50 ± 0.71, and 12.76 ± 0.26 mg/g dry cell weight (DCW), respectively. In contrast, β-carotene presented the highest content of 5.05 ± 0.52 mg/g DCW for the control (non-modified BG–11 medium). Hence, the cultivation time was 50% decreased (from 14 days to 7 days) while the biomass increased from 2.50 g/L to 4.9 g/L and β-cryptoxanthin content increased from 0.064 mg/g cell dry weight to 4.02 mg/g cell dry weight when compared to the control conditions in our previous study. Overall, these findings offer new and economically feasible perspectives for β-cryptoxanthin production by the selected microalgal strain.

Enhancing Antioxidant Activity and Bioactive Compound Production of Cordyceps Mushroom Using Quinoa as an Alternative Substrate

2026-01-27T16:33:40+07:00

In the commercial production of Cordyceps militaris, cereal grains are commonly used as cultivation substrates, influencing both growth and bioactive metabolite profiles. This study evaluated the effectiveness of pseudocereals as alternative substrates by cultivating C. militaris on solid media containing different ratios of jasmine brown rice to quinoa (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% w/w) and assessing the impact on bioactive metabolite production, including cordycepin, adenosine, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities. The methanolic extract of fruiting bodies grown on 75% quinoa medium (75-SMQ) exhibited the highest cordycepin (8.71 ± 0.80 mg/g dry weight [DW]) and adenosine (0.20 ± 0.01 mg/g DW) levels (p ≤ 0.05). Meanwhile, the 100% quinoa medium (100-SMQ) enhanced TPC (13.90 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g DW), TFC (16.70 ± 0.17 mg RE/g DW), and antioxidant activities, with the methanolic extract showing a strong DPPH radical scavenging capacity (3.22 ± 0.02 mg AAE/g DW; IC₅₀ = 0.71 ± 0.01 mg/mL; % inhibition = 77.20 ± 0.11) and a ferric-reducing ability power of 4.42 ± 0.01 mg AAE/g DW. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using quinoa as an effective substrate for large-scale C. militaris cultivation, providing an efficient approach to enhance bioactive compound production and antioxidant activities for various industrial applications.

Enhancing Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Sugarcane Leaves through Sulfonation-Based Pretreatment with a Reusable Organic Solvent under Mild Conditions for Bioethanol Production

2026-01-27T16:37:48+07:00

Efficient pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is vital for enhancing bioconversion efficiency and reducing production costs sustainably. This study evaluates a sulfonation-based pretreatment strategy employing a reusable organic co-solvent system consisting of formic acid and methanesulfonic acid (MSA) for the pretreatment of sugarcane leaves. Comparative experiments were conducted with and without MSA under fixed conditions of 20% formic acid, 90 °C, and 90 min. Results indicated that the inclusion of MSA significantly enhanced sugar concentration by 1.73-fold and increased sugar yield by 70%. Optimization of pretreatment conditions was performed using response surface methodology (RSM) and a genetic algorithm (GA), with the MSA concentration maintained at 5%. Formic acid concentration, temperature, and pretreatment time were varied to determine optimal conditions. RSM identified optimal conditions at 27.5% formic acid, 81 °C, and 102 min, whereas GA optimization yielded 20% formic acid, 89 °C, and 177 minutes. The corresponding sugar concentrations were 29.4 mg/mL for RSM and 30.49 mg/mL for GA. Subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation produced ethanol concentrations of 12.6 mg/mL under RSM conditions and 12.0 mg/mL under GA conditions. Despite GA optimization utilizing 7.5% less formic acid, ethanol yields were not significantly different compared to RSM results; however, GA required a longer processing time and slightly higher temperature. These findings demonstrate the potential of sulfonation-based pretreatment for cost-effective and environmentally sustainable bioethanol production. However, the optimization was limited to mild pretreatment conditions, and the results were validated only at the laboratory scale.

Molecular Docking and in vivo Toxicity Evaluations of Jopan Nanoherbal (Clibadium surinamense L.) Leaves in a Zebrafish Model

2026-01-27T16:42:47+07:00

Nanotechnological advancements have significantly increased the effectiveness of herbal remedies, particularly Jopan (Clibadium surinamense L.) leaves, which are recognised for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant characteristics. This study aims to assess the toxicological potential of nanoherbal C. surinamense leaves via computational (molecular docking) and in vivo toxicity evaluations in a zebrafish model. ProTox-III was employed for the toxicity classifications; molecular docking simulations, using the CYP450 enzyme (PDB ID: 4R20); and in vivo zebrafish toxicity testing. Zebrafish were exposed to nanoherbal C. surinamense leaves at concentrations of 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/L for 96 hours following OECD Guideline 203. The acute toxicity was evaluated by determining the LC50 value, while the toxic effects on the brain, liver, and intestinal tissues were assessed via histopathological analysis. An LC50 value of 516.87 mg/L was obtained, indicating low toxicity, while concentrations ≥200 mg/L caused dose-dependent toxic effects, including Purkinje cell degeneration, hepatocellular necrosis, and villus fragmentation. Molecular docking simulations revealed 2-undecanone 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone as the most active compound, exhibiting the strongest binding affinity (-7.4 kcal/mol) for CYP450. In conclusion, while nanoherbal C. surinamense leaves show therapeutic potential, their toxicity at higher concentrations necessitates further investigation to establish safe dosages; further, their long-term effects and pharmacokinetic properties should be explored to ensure their safety for medical applications.

Natural Coagulants Extracted from Leaf, Shell, and Kernel of Jatropha curcas for Turbidity Treatment

2026-01-28T10:21:30+07:00

This research investigates the extraction of coagulants from the leaves, kernel shells, and kernels of Jatropha curcas, analyzing the effects of pH, temperature, and wastewater turbidity on coagulant activity. The coagulant extracts were obtained by mixing water with dried leaves, shells, and kernel samples in a proportion of 1:50. Turbidity removal was used as an indicator of coagulant activity. Coagulant activity was evaluated by applying different concentrations of the extracts (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6% v/v) to synthetic wastewater prepared at 770 NTU. The results showed maximum turbidity removal values of 81.2%, 76.6%, and 66.7%, identifying optimum dosages of 1, 0.5, and 4% v/v for the leaf, shell, and kernel extracts, respectively. These optimum dosages were subsequently applied to pharmaceutical wastewater, tap water, Dead Sea water, and groundwater samples. The turbidity removal results indicated that the extracts from all three fractions performed most effectively at pH 3, followed by notable turbidity reduction at pH 9. Increasing temperature further enhanced the coagulating activity of all extracts. Among the three, the Jatropha leaf extract exhibited the highest coagulant efficiency, except in the case of Dead Sea water, where its performance was limited due to high salinity. Overall, turbidity removal ranged between 80% and 90% in all water samples, except for the Dead Sea sample, where removal was 63%. This study concludes that the leaf fraction of Jatropha curcas possesses the highest coagulating power.

Performance and Pathway of 4-Chloroaniline Degradation: A Comparative Study of Electro-Peroxone, Ozonation, and Electrolysis Processes

2026-01-28T10:25:56+07:00

4-chloroaniline (4CA) is a carcinogen in animals and a possible carcinogen in humans. It is widely used as a feedstock in various industrial processes, leading to environmental contamination and potential risks to drinking water sources. This study evaluates the Electro-peroxone process (E-peroxone) for 4CA removal under various applied currents. The reduction of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ultraviolet UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV254) was analyzed to assess mineralization among the E-peroxone, ozonation, and electrolysis processes. The E-peroxone process (all applied currents) achieved 4CA removal within 5 min and partially reduced DOC. The E-peroxone process (640 mA) exhibited the highest 4CA removal rate constant (1.256 min^–1). Among the three systems, both E-peroxone and ozonation showed comparable 4CA removal but E-peroxone achieved greater UV254 and DOC reduction indicating enhanced mineralization. 4-chloronitrobenzene was identified as a byproduct, suggesting that E-peroxone and ozone can convert 4CA to less toxic compounds. Overall, these findings demonstrate that E-peroxone is more effective than ozonation and electrolysis, offering a promising approach for 4CA removal and mineralization. Residual DOC after oxidation could be further treated using biological processes.

Pickering Emulsions of Kaffir Lime Oil Stabilized by Modified Tapioca Starch: Impact of Particle Size Reduction Methods and Octenyl Succinic Anhydride Grafting

2026-01-28T10:30:13+07:00

The main challenges in using tapioca starch for pickering emulsions are its native micron-sized particles, which are too large to stabilize small oil droplets, and its highly hydrophilic nature, which limits its ability to balance oil-water interfaces. This study explores the modification of tapioca starch to encapsulate kaffir lime oil (KO) in pickering emulsions, emphasizing particle size reduction and surface functionalization. Methods included enzymatic hydrolysis (alpha-amylase, alpha-amylase with glucoamylase, and pullulanase), sulfuric acid hydrolysis, and ethanol precipitation. Ethanol precipitation emerged as the most effective, producing ultra-fine particles (96–150 nm) with superior emulsion stability. Surface analysis revealed that enzymatic treatments affected particle morphology, while ethanol precipitation formed the smallest, smoothest particles and the lowest crystallinity (8.4%), compared to sulfuric acid hydrolysis, which showed the highest crystallinity (37.7%). Surface functionalization with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) enhanced starch hydrophobicity, confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and increased water contact angles. Pickering emulsions prepared with ethanol-precipitated starch esterified with 5% OSA showed the highest stability. Incorporating medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil at a KO/MCT ratio of 0.4/0.8 further improved droplet size and emulsion stability. These findings highlight ethanol-precipitated and OSA-modified tapioca starch as an effective bio-surfactant for stabilizing Pickering emulsions, with potential for sustainable and high-value industrial applications.

Valorization of Jellyfish (Rhopilema hispidum) By-Products for Bioactive Peptides with Antibacterial, Enzyme Inhibitory, and Low Cytotoxic Activities

2026-01-28T10:41:15+07:00

The escalating concern regarding antibiotic resistance and metabolic disorders has catalyzed the search for natural compounds with multifunctional bioactivities. Marine-derived peptides have surfaced as promising candidates due to their diverse structures and bioactive properties. This study investigates the enzymatic hydrolysis of low-cost salted jellyfish (Rhopilema hispidum) by-products using pepsin to produce bioactive peptides with multifunctional attributes. The resulting hydrolysates were purified through reverse-phase and ion exchange chromatography and assessed for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Staphylococcus aureus. Among the synthesized peptides, NQKAMQELNE exhibited significant antibacterial effects against E. coli (28.95%) and S. aureus (51.93%) and demonstrated substantial inhibitory actions on α-amylase (100.00%) and α-glucosidase (46.99%). Additionally, PFTMYFLL displayed remarkable inhibitory activity against V. parahaemolyticus (42.88%). Importantly, all five synthesized peptides—NQKAMQELNE, TDSPAPSETTD, EQIYPMGEGDEL, PFTMYFLL, and PMETDDQPNN—exhibited low hemolytic activity (4.14–7.12%), indicating minimal cytotoxicity and a favorable safety profile. Mechanistic insights suggest that the antibacterial effects of these peptides may arise from their capacity to disrupt vital intracellular microbial processes. This research addresses environmental and economic challenges by valorizing underutilized marine by-products, thereby contributing to developing safe, natural, and multifunctional bioactive compounds. These findings highlight the potential of jellyfish-derived peptides as functional ingredients in the food and pharmaceutical industries.