Impact of Hydro-Alcoholic Solvents on the Oil and Phenolics Extraction from Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Press-Cake and the Self-Emulsification of Extracts

The objective was to evaluate the performance of four hydro-alcoholic solvents to simultaneously extract oil and more polar molecules as phenolics, among others, to produce complex extracts that eventually could self-emulsify after solvent removal. Walnut press-cake was selected as the sourcing material. Extractions were performed as a semi-continuous operation up to a solvent-to-solid ratio of 28, with a fractional collection of the effluent. Among the solvents, labelled by their alcohol content EtOH 58, EtOH 86, iPro 60 and iPro 90 for ethanol (EtOH) and isopropanol (iPro), iPro 90 allowed to reach an oil extraction efficiency of 97% while the recovery for the other solvents was in the range of 30–40%. For both alcohols, the increase of the solvent hydration negatively influenced the oil extraction but positively increased the recovery of phenolics that reached 17.6 mg GAE/gcake when EtOH 58 was used. Several fractions contained enough surface-active material and oil to self-assemble as emulsions. IPro 90 and EtOH 86 showed better performances in the sense that most extracts were able to emulsify, though extraction kinetics pointed out differences. The most hydrated solvents behaved equally, with extraction yields in the same range and a similar but limited emulsifying capacity of only few fractions.

Brewing on an industrial and a craft scale – impact on the physicochemical properties and volatile compounds profile of the pale pilsener-style lager beer analysed with HS/GC-MS

The pale Pilsener-style lager beers produced on a massive and craft scale were taken to analyse their basic physicochemical properties (alcohol content, pH, haze, real degree of fermentation) and volatile compounds profiles. The research was carried out using a beer analyser equipment and a headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method (HS/GC-MS). The findings showed that in terms of physicochemical and flavour attributes, the quality of craft beers differed to a higher degree from the standard Pilsener beer quality than in the case of industrial beers.

Coexpression Analysis Identified PcMYB25 as a Patchoulol Synthase Gene Activator to Enhance Patchouli Alcohol Biosynthesis in Pogostemon Cablin

BackgroundPatchouli alcohol is an effective component of the medicinal plant patchouli. Similar to other secondary metabolites, its synthesis is likely also regulated by transcription factors. Although the biosynthetic pathway of patchouli alcohol has been characterized, the regulatory mechanism of patchouli alcohol biosynthesis has not been fully revealed.ResultsThis study combined the transcriptome data of patchouli leaves treated with different hormones and WGCNA to establish a coexpression network. The modules correlated to patchouli alcohol content were identified, and PcMYB25 played a crucial role in regulating patchouli alcohol biosynthesis. The overexpression of PcMYB25 can promote the expression of patchouli alcohol synthase (PTS), thereby increasing the content of patchouli alcohol.Conclusions This is the first report that MYB25 regulates the secondary metabolism of patchouli. These experimental results lay the foundation for further analysis of the regulatory mechanism of patchouli alcohol synthesis.

Mitigating Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Impact on Final Wine Composition

Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV), the causative agent of red blotch disease, causes significant decreases in sugar and anthocyanin accumulation in grapes, suggesting a delay in ripening events. Two mitigation strategies were investigated to alleviate the impact of GRBV on wine composition. Wines were made from Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) (Vitis vinifera) grapevines, grafted onto 110R and 420A rootstocks, in 2016 and 2017. A delayed harvest and chaptalization of diseased grapes were employed to decrease chemical and sensory impacts on wines caused by GRBV. Extending the ripening of the diseased fruit produced wines that were overall higher in aroma compounds such as esters and terpenes and alcohol-related (hot and alcohol) sensory attributes compared to wines made from diseased fruit harvested at the same time as healthy fruit. In 2016 only, a longer hangtime of GRBV infected fruit resulted in wines with increased anthocyanin concentrations compared to wines made from GRBV diseased fruit that was harvested at the same time as healthy fruit. Chaptalization of the diseased grapes in 2017 produced wines chemically more similar to wines made from healthy fruit. However, this was not supported by sensory analysis, potentially due to high alcohol content masking aroma characteristics.

Determination of alcohols in hand sanitisers: Are off-the-shelf hand sanitisers what they claim to be?

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 – the causative agent of COVID-19 – can be prevented through non-pharmaceutical interventions such as observing proper hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand rubs/sanitisers (ABHRs) as recommended by the WHO and local health authorities. However, this recommendation has led to high demand for ABHRs and proliferation of sub-standard products, which do not contain the recommended amount of alcohol. Fifty products of different origins and formulations obtained off-the-shelf and in public places in and around Pretoria (South Africa) were analysed for their alcohol content using gas chromatography. Ethanol was the most common alcohol used in the products, followed by isopropanol. Only 21 (42%) of the products analysed contained at least 70% alcohol; of these only 14 (28%) met the WHO recommended 80±5% alcohol content to have a virucidal effect on SARS-CoV-2. Of the 41 commercial off-the-shelf products analysed, 27 (66%) contained less than 70% alcohol in comparison to 13% of homemade products. Only 18% of gel products contained 70% alcohol, compared with 47% for liquid-based products. Most of the products did not contain the appropriate or correct declaration as recommended by the South African National Standards (SANS 289 and 490). The proliferation of substandard ABHRs is of great public health concern and calls for stricter regulations and enforcement in order to protect consumers, their rights and well-being during and post the COVID-19 pandemic period. However, in the interim, formulation of ABHRs using the WHO guidelines should be mandatory, as such formulations, when made correctly, do have the required virucidal effect against SARS-CoV-2.

Pelatihan Pembuatan Hand Sanitizer kepada Masyarakat Desa Tangguh di Kp. Pasir Honje, Ds. Sukawening Kec. Ciwidey Kab. Bandung

The Covid-19 pandemic that has been attacked almost all countries in the world since 2020 has changed the lifestyle and habits of peoples globally. Since this outbreak until now, peoples in all countries including in Indonesia must implement the health protocols to reduce the rate of virus transmission. One of them is by maintaining hand hygiene by washing hands using soap or hand sanitizer (HS). HS is used as an alternative in conditions which is difficult to washing hand. But, rural communities, especially in Tangguh Village in Kampung Pasir Honje, Sukawening, Ciwidey, Bandung Regency, are currently unable to use it due to limited access and economy. Training of making HS for the community can be a solution in overcoming this problem. Thie aims of this activity to provide skills to the people of Tangguh Village to make hand sanitizers made from alcohol and non alcohol. Method: conducted by lectures and do questions and answers about HS and then direct practice of making HS. Result: All participants can make hand sanitizers well. There are 2 types of HS that have been successfully made by the community, namely HS containing alcohol and HS free of alcohol. The alcohol content in the first type is around 60-70%, while the alcohol-free HS is made from betel leaf extract because it contains antibacterial compounds. The results of the evaluation show that 50% of the participants stated that they were very satisfied with the implementation of this activity and about 92% stated that this activity was very beneficial for them.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer-induced burns: A harsh reality in current times

Due to the recent coronavirus pandemic, there is a steep rise in the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHSs) over the past few months. For them to be effective against microorganisms, the minimum recommended concentration of alcohol is 60%. This high alcohol content makes the sanitizers easily flammable. Although, they are extremely convenient to use, they can also prove to be a hazard if used in an improper manner. Guidelines have been published for safe manufacturing and distribution of these sanitizers. There are recommendations for storage and use, which should be adhered to in a strict manner. Their use by children should always be supervised. We report four cases of burn injuries caused by injudicious use of alcohol-based sanitizers. The flammable nature of ABHSs can also be exploited as witnessed in one of our cases. With this report, we wish to emphasize that judicious and correct use of these seemingly benign products is essential.

Chemical Fingerprint of Non-aged Artisanal Sugarcane Spirits Using Kohonen Artificial Neural Network

This study focuses on the determination of the chemical profile of 24 non-aged Brazilian artisanal sugarcane spirits (cachaça) samples through chromatographic quantification and chemometric treatment via principal component analysis (PCA) and Kohonen’s neural network. In total, forty-seven (47) chemical compounds were identified in the samples of non-aged artisanal cachaça, in addition to determining alcohol content, volatile acidity, and copper. For the PCA of the chemical compounds’ profile, it could be observed that the samples were grouped into seven groups. On the other hand, the variables’ bearings were grouped together, making it difficult to separate the components in relation to the sample groups and reducing the chances of obtaining all the necessary information. However, by using a Kohonen’s neural network, samples were grouped into eight groups. This tool proved to be more accurate in the groups’ formation. Among the chemical classes of the compounds observed, esters stood out, followed by alcohols, acids, aldehydes, ketones, phenol, and copper. The abundance of esters in these samples may suggest that these compounds would be part of the regional standard for cachaças produced in the region of Salinas, Minas Gerais.

Interaction between mycorrhizal fertilizers and varieties to increase organic patchouli production in the Entisol soil of Aceh Besar

The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction effect of the use of mycorrhizal biofertilizers and varieties to increase the production of organic patchouli on the Entisol soil of Aceh Besar. This study used a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The first factor observed was mycorrhizal biofertilizer from the various genus, namely Glomus mosseae, Gigaspora sp. and the mixed genus of Glomus mosseae and Gigaspora sp. While the second factor is the use of varieties, namely Tapak Tuan and the Lhokseumawe variety. The results showed that the best interactions on the growth and production, P205 uptake, and oil content were found in the mixed mycorrhizal genus (Glomus mosseae + Gigaspora sp.) with the Tapak Tuan variety. From the patchouli alcohol content test results, the best results were obtained in a combination of mixed mycorrhizal biofertilizers and the Tapak Tuan variety by 30%.