Fighting SARS-CoV-2 with green seaweed Ulva sp. extract: extraction protocol predetermines crude ulvan extract anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibition properties in in vitro Vero-E6 cells assay

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to screen for novel compounds with antiviral activity against SARS-COV-2. Here we compared chemical composition and the in vitro anti- SARS-COV-2 activity of two different Ulva sp. crude ulvan extracts: one obtained by an HCl-based and another one by ammonium oxalate-based (AOx) extraction protocols. The composition of the crude extracts was analyzed and their antiviral activity was assessed in a cytopathic effect reduction assay using Vero E6 cells. We show that the extraction protocols have a significant impact on the chemical composition, anti- SARS-COV-2 activity, and cytotoxicity of these ulvan extracts. The ulvan extract based on the AOx protocol had a higher average molecular weight, higher charge, and 11.3-fold higher antiviral activity than HCl-based extract. Our results strongly suggest that further bioassay-guided investigation into bioactivity of compounds found in Ulva sp. ulvan extracts could lead to the discovery of novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 antivirals.

The emulsifying stability of soy hull polysaccharides with different molecular weight obtained from membrane-separation technology

Polysaccharides are macromolecules used for food development, and their further separation into different molecular weights allows their broader application in the food industry. Here, we performed microwave-assisted ammonium oxalate extraction of soy hull polysaccharide (SHP; MASP), followed by their separation and purification using membrane-separation technology and analyses of the emulsifying stability and MASP mechanism at different molecular weights. Additionally, we compared the composition and structural differences in SHP components and evaluated the separation and grading-emulsification stability properties of the membrane-emulsified components. The results showed improved emulsification stability properties of high molecular weight SHPs that had been separated and purified by membrane separation, with the formed emulsion exhibiting a high degree of viscosity, uniform particle-size distribution, smaller particle size, less interfacial tension, and a high Zeta potential. Moreover, the chemical composition, monosaccharide composition, and molecular weight of SHP were different.

Magnetic Superporous Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) Hydrogel Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

Magnetic maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles obtained by a coprecipitation of iron chlorides were dispersed in superporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) scaffolds containing continuous pores prepared by the polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) in the presence of ammonium oxalate porogen. The scaffolds were thoroughly characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometry, FTIR spectroscopy, and mechanical testing in terms of chemical composition, magnetization, and mechanical properties. While the SEM microscopy confirmed that the hydrogels contained communicating pores with a length of ≤2 mm and thickness of ≤400 μm, the SEM/EDX microanalysis documented the presence of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. The saturation magnetization of the magnetic hydrogel reached 2.04 Am2/kg, which corresponded to 3.7 wt.% of maghemite in the scaffold; the shape of the hysteresis loop and coercivity parameters suggested the superparamagnetic nature of the hydrogel. The highest toughness and compressive modulus were observed with γ-Fe2O3-loaded PHEMA hydrogels. Finally, the cell seeding experiments with the human SAOS-2 cell line showed a rather mediocre cell colonization on the PHEMA-based hydrogel scaffolds; however, the incorporation of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles into the hydrogel improved the cell adhesion significantly. This could make this composite a promising material for bone tissue engineering.

Optimization of sunflower head pectin extraction by ammonium oxalate and the effect of drying conditions on properties

Pectin is a kind of natural and complex carbohydrates which is extensively used in food, chemical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Fresh sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) heads were utilized as a novel source of pectin extracted by ammonium oxalate. The conditions of the extraction process were optimized implementing the response surface methodology. Under optimal extraction parameters (extraction time 1.34 h, liquid–solid ratio 15:1 mL/g, ammonium oxalate concentration 0.76% (w/v)), the maximum experimental yield was 7.36%. The effect of spray-drying and freeze-drying on the physiochemical properties, structural characteristics, and antioxidant activities was investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy, high performance size exclusion chromatography, and X-ray diffraction. The results showed freeze-drying lead to decrease in galacturonic acid (GalA) content (76.2%), molecular weight (Mw 316 kDa), and crystallinity. The antioxidant activities of pectin were investigated utilizing the in-vitro DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging systems. This study provided a novel and efficient extraction method of sunflower pectin, and confirmed that different drying processes had an effect on the structure and properties of pectin.

Studies on Carbon Materials Produced from Salts with Anions Containing Carbon Atoms for Carbon Paste Electrode

In the presented work, the properties of carbon materials obtained in the reaction of sodium bicarbonate (C–SB) and ammonium oxalate (C–AO) with magnesium by combustion synthesis were investigated. For the materials obtained in this way, the influence of the type of precursor on their properties was analyzed, including: Degree of crystallinity, porous structure, surface topography, and electrochemical properties. It has been shown that the products obtained in magnesiothermic process were found to contain largely the turbostratic carbon forming a petal-like graphene material. Both materials were used as modifiers of carbon paste electrodes, which were then used to determine the concentration of chlorophenol solutions by voltammetric method. It was shown that the peak current determined from the registered differential pulse voltammograms was mainly influenced by the volume of mesopores and the adsorption capacity of 4-chlorophenol for both obtained carbons.

Protection of Stone Monuments Using a Brushing Treatment with Ammonium Oxalate

Stone monuments and buildings are susceptible to weathering. Carbonate-based stones are especially vulnerable in acidic environments, whereas magmatic acidic stones are more susceptible to chemical weathering in basic environments. To slow down surface corrosion of limestone and marble artworks/buildings, protective coatings which inhibit calcite dissolution have been proposed. In this work, samples from two stone types with different porosity were treated with ammonium oxalate (AmOx) to create a protective layer of calcium oxalate (CaOx) using the previously developed brushing method. Two different synchrotron microscopy experiments were performed to determine its protective capability. X-ray powder diffraction (SR-μ-XRPD) in transmission geometry allowed visualization of the distributions of calcium carbonate and oxalates along the sample depths. In a second step, X-ray fluorescence (SR-μ-XRF) was used to check the efficiency/integrity of the protective surface coating layer. This was done by measuring the sulfur distribution on the stone surface after exposing the protected stones to sulfuric acid. XRPD showed the formation of a protective oxalate layer with a thickness of 5–15 µm on the less porous stone, while a 20–30 µm thick layer formed on the more porous stone. The XRF study showed that the optimal treatment time depends on the stone porosity. Increasing the treatment time from 1 to 3 h resulted in a decreased efficiency of the protective layer for the low porosity stone. We assume that this is due to the formation of vertical channels (cracks) in the protective layer.

Is the solubility of inorganic and organically complexed phosphorus in agricultural soils affected by chemical fertilizer and organic carbon additions?

<p>Understanding how the solubility of forms of inorganic and organically-complexed phosphorus (P) in agricultural soil is affected by inputs of organic matter (OM) could inform decisions on sustainable future farming practices. Different forms of OM provide organic P, carbon (C) and other nutrients to the system at different rates, depending upon their recalcitrance to decomposition, and the stoichiometric balance of elements between soil, OM amendment and microbial requirements.</p><p> </p><p>We describe an 18-month pot experiment that tested the hypothesis that additions of organic matter will affect the solubility of P forms in soil. Mesocosms (~30 kg soil) of two agricultural top-soils, of moderate and low P availability, were amended with a commercial humic soil amendment (lignite) or crop residue (barley straw) at two addition levels. Treatments with/without chemical P fertilizer were superimposed on OM treatments. The system was planted with Lolium perenne (perennial rye grass) and exposed to a natural rain and temperature regime. Leachate was collected and analyzed for soluble P, nitrogen and dissolved organic C (DOC) at 6 weekly intervals in order to investigate solubility over time. Destructive sampling at the end of the experiment yielded plant and soil samples for comparison of C, N and P stoichiometry between the treatments.</p><p> </p><p>Initial results showed increases in leachate DOC relating to crop residue OM treatments and a positive effect of P fertilizer on plant biomass in the low P soil. Concentrations of dissolved P in leachate were higher in the moderately P-sorbing soil compared to the highly P-sorbing soil. Ongoing analysis includes measures of biological activity including soil microbial biomass C, N and P by fumigation-extraction and soil phosphatase activity. Chemical measures include total C, N and P, soil carbon forms using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), total organic P and water and acid ammonium oxalate extractions. Interpretation of the final results will consider how the release of C and nutrients from OM and their subsequent impact on the system, are controlled by microbial activity and macronutrient stoichiometry. These results should help to inform future research into improving P utilization in agriculture through balancing nutrient ratios to regulate nutrient cycling. Such research seeks to improve agronomic P efficiencies alongside wider benefits associated with the drive to increase soil C.</p>