A review on synthesis methods of tricyclic 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazoles

In this review article, we discussed old to new synthetic methods used for the preparation of 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydrocarbazole (THCz) based on reported literature. Around the worldwide, various researchers energetically reported new synthetic methods for tetrahydrocarbazoles preparation using conventional method or microwave method or use of catalyst. This review will be helpful to synthetic and medicinal chemist to find selective method for the preparation of 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydrocarbazoles with good percentage yield and less time. This review will also useful to medicinal chemist to design new biologically active tetrahydrocarbazoles based on reported synthetic methods.

Comparative Characterization and Identification of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Producing Bacteria with Subsequent Optimization of Polymer Yield

In this work, the strains Bacillus megaterium BM 1, Azotobacter chrocococcumAz 3, Bacillus araybhattay RA 5 were used as an effective producer of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate P(3HB). The purpose of the study was to isolate and obtain an effective producer of P(3HB) isolated from regional chestnut soils of northern Kazakhstan. This study demonstrates the possibility of combining the protective system of cells to physical stress as a way to optimize the synthesis of PHA by strains. Molecular identification of strains and amplification of the phbC gene, transmission electron microscope (TEM), extracted and dried PHB were subjected to Fourier infrared transmission spectroscopy (FTIR). The melting point of the isolated P(3HB) was determined. The optimal concentration of bean broth for the synthesis of P(3HB) for the modified type of Bacillus megaterium RAZ 3 was 20 g/L, at which the dry weight of cells was 25.7 g/L−1 and P(3HB) yield of 13.83 g/L−1, while the percentage yield of P(3HB) was 53.75%. The FTIR spectra of the extracted polymer showed noticeable peaks at long wavelengths. Based on a proof of concept, this study demonstrates encouraging results.

Antimicrobial activity and physicochemical properties of Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil

This study was aimed to assess the antibacterial and antifungal activities of Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil and characterize the physicochemical properties. Seeds were collected from the local central market, Khartoum-Sudan (2019). The samples were dried under shade and grinded, then the oil was extracted with a Soxhlet extractor using n-hexane. The percentage yield of the extract was found to be 25.64%. The seed oil was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (G-), Escherichia coli (G-), Bacillus subtilis (G+), Staphylococcus aureus (G+), and Candida albicans to assess their antimicrobial properties. The extract of B. aegyptiaca seed oil has antimicrobial activity against most of the organisms tested. The fatty acid profile of the B. aegyptiaca seed oil was analyzed by GC/MS. The results revealed that the presence of five fatty acids, including saturated linoleic acid, oleic acid, and unsaturated palmate and stearic acids, also a unique antioxidant compound butylated hydroxytoluene. The physiochemical properties of the seed oil showed that the oil contained kinetic viscosity (57 cp), density (0.917 g/cm3), refractive index (1.472), acid value (49.96 mg/kg), saponification value (248.75 mg/g), ester number (234.79 mg/kg) and peroxide number (0.02 mg/kg). Through physiochemical analysis, it was found that oil can be used for human consumption due to the percentage yield of unsaturated acids (81%). In addition, the results of the antioxidant activity of the seeds oil showed that the seed oil had moderate antioxidant activity.

On the Use of Carbon Cables from Plastic Solvent Combinations of Polystyrene and Toluene in Carbon Nanotube Synthesis

For every three people on the planet, there are approximately two Tonnes (Te) of plastic waste. We show that carbon recovery from polystyrene (PS) plastic is enhanced by the coaddition of solvents to grow carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by liquid injection chemical vapour deposition. Polystyrene was loaded up to 4 wt% in toluene and heated to 780 °C in the presence of a ferrocene catalyst and a hydrogen/argon carrier gas at a 1:19 ratio. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy were used to identify multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The PS addition in the range from 0 to 4 wt% showed improved quality and CNT homogeneity; Raman “Graphitic/Defective” (G/D) values increased from 1.9 to 2.3; mean CNT diameters increased from 43.0 to 49.2 nm; and maximum CNT yield increased from 11.37% to 14.31%. Since both the CNT diameters and the percentage yield increased following the addition of polystyrene, we conclude that carbon from PS contributes to the carbon within the MWCNTs. The electrical contact resistance of acid-washed Bucky papers produced from each loading ranged from 2.2 to 4.4 Ohm, with no direct correlation to PS loading. Due to this narrow range, materials with different loadings were mixed to create the six wires of an Ethernet cable and tested using iPerf3; the cable achieved up- and down- link speeds of ~99.5 Mbps, i.e., comparable to Cu wire with the same dimensions (~99.5 Mbps). The lifecycle assessment (LCA) of CNT wire production was compared to copper wire production for a use case in a Boeing 747-400 over the lifespan of the aircraft. Due to their lightweight nature, the CNT wires decreased the CO2 footprint by 21 kTonnes (kTe) over the aircraft’s lifespan.

Effects of Different Extracting Solvents on Non-Phenolic Phytochemical Profiles of Selected Nigerian Spices and Spice-treated Foods

The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of extraction solvents on the non-phenolic phytochemical profiles of selected spices (Ocimum viride, Monodora myristica, Monodora tenuifolia and Tetrapleura tetraptera) and spice-treated foods in southern part of Nigeria. The spice samples were processed into powder for antioxidant screening. The spice extracts were obtained from the samples using 5 extracting solvents [distilled water, 95 % methanol, acetone / hexane (1:1 v/v), n-hexane / methanol / acetone (2:1:1, v/v/v) and acetone / water / acetic acid (70:29.5:0.5, v/v/v)]. Water extracts were obtained from beef, pork and fluted pumpkin leaves. The alkaloid, saponin, oxalate and phytate components of the spice extracts and the spice-treated foods were evaluated using standard methods. The laboratory analyses were performed at analytical laboratory, National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka during the 3rd quarter of 2020. The percentage yield of the extracts were low (0.32 - 0.96 %) and varied widely among extracting solvents, spices and spice-treated foods. M. myristica and T. tetrpleura had the highest yield, 0.96, in methanol extracts. Phytochemical contents differed significantly (p < 0.05) among spices, extracts of the same spice and among spice-treated foods. Spices had high contents of oxalate (2.0 – 7.0 mg/100 g), alkaloid (0.8 – 5.76 mg/100 g) and phytate (2.14 – 3.88 mg/100 g) but relatively low content of saponin (0.03 – 0.736 mg/100g). Methanol alone or in combination with other solvents extracted higher amounts of phytochemicals (0.96 %) than other solvent mixtures from the spices. Phytochemical contents of spice-treated foods were in the order: vegetable > rice > pork > beef.

THE DETERMINATION OF ETHYL P-METHOXY CINNAMATE IN KAEMPFERIA GALANGA L. RHIZOME EXTRACT HARVESTED IN RAINY AND DRY SEASONS

Objective: Kaempferia galanga L. rhizome (KGR), has been empirically used in Indonesia, particularly by Javanese, to cure inflammation. KGR contains various secondary metabolites which explain its pharmacology activities, among them is ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC). However, due to the different seasons of our country, the yield of extraction is often unalike. In this work, we determined the percentage of yield (w/w), the water content (thermogravimetric method), and the concentration of EPMC in the Ethanol extract of Kaempferia galanga L. Rhizome (EEKG) harvested from the rainy (EEKG-R) and dry seasons (EEKG-D). Methods: The sun-dried rhizomes were cold macerated for 3x24 h with 70% ethanol, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated at 40-45 °C until a viscous extract was obtained. The determination of EPMC in the extract was carried out using the RP-HPLC standard addition method. Detection was set at 308 nm; injection volume 20 µl; flow rate 1.0 ml/min. The column used is C18 (length 250 mm, internal diameter 4.6 mm, particle size 5 µm). Results: The yield of EEKG-R (harvested in the rainy season) = 14.56% w/w, water content = 4.37%, and the EPMC = 0.01%. Meanwhile the yield of EEKG-D (harvested in the dry season) = 5.79% w/w, water content = 18.76%, and the EPMC = 0.001%. Conclusion: Different climates affect the percentage yield and the quality of the extract. In our work, the EEKG-R (harvested in the rainy season) revealed a better quality compared to that of EEKG-D (harvested in the dry season) This study gives important information to standardize and optimize the harvest time of KG rhizomes for drugs development, which are strongly influenced by seasonal differences.

Revitalizing the ethanologenic bacterium Zymomonas mobilis for sugar reduction in high-sugar-content fruits and commercial products

The excessive consumption of sugars can cause health issues. Different strategies have been developed to reduce sugars in the diets. However, sugars in fruits and commercial products may be difficult to reduce, limiting their usage among certain populations of people. Zymomonas mobilis is a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) probiotic bacterium with the capability to produce levan-type prebiotics, and thrives in high-sugar environments with unique characteristics to be developed for lignocellulosic biofuel and biochemical production. In this study, the sugar reduction capabilities of Z. mobilis ZM4 were examined using two fruits of pear and persimmon and three high-sugar-content commercial products of two pear pastes (PPs) and one Chinese traditional wine (CTW). Our results demonstrated that Z. mobilis ZM4 can utilize sugars in fruits with about 20 g/L ethanol and less than 5 g/L sorbitol produced within 22 h using pears, and about 45 g/L ethanol and 30 g/L sorbitol produced within 34 h using persimmons. When PPs made from pears were used, Z. mobilis can utilize nearly all glucose (ca. 60 g/L) and most fructose (110 g/L) within 100 h with 40 ~ 60 g/L ethanol and more than 20 g/L sorbitol produced resulting in a final sorbitol concentration above 80 g/L. In the high-sugar-content alcoholic Chinese traditional wine, which contains mostly glucose and ethanol, Z. mobilis can reduce nearly all sugars with about 30 g/L ethanol produced, resulting in a final ethanol above 90 g/L. The ethanol yield and percentage yield of Z. mobilis in 50 ~ 60% CTW were 0.44 ~ 0.50 g/g and 86 ~ 97%, respectively, which are close to its theoretical yields—especially in 60% CTW. Although the ethanol yield and percentage yield in PPs were lower than those in CTW, they were similar to those in fruits of pears and persimmons with an ethanol yield around 0.30 ~ 0.37 g/g and ethanol percentage yield around 60 ~ 72%, which could be due to the formation of sorbitol and/or levan in the presence of both glucose and fructose. Our study also compared the fermentation performance of the classical ethanologenic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4743 to Z. mobilis, with results suggesting that Z. mobilis ZM4 had better performance than that of yeast S. cerevisiae BY4743 given a higher sugar conversion rate and ethanol yield for sugar reduction. This work thus laid a foundation for utilizing the advantages of Z. mobilis in the food industry to reduce sugar concentrations or potentially produce alcoholic prebiotic beverages. Graphical Abstract

Quality evaluation of differently processed whole egg powder yield, nutritional value and microbial load

Egg is a nutrient dense food, however the cylical egg glut characterized by egg spoilage, quality deterioration and wastage imparts negatively on poultry farmers. Powdered dried egg provides a convenient alternative to this problem. The focus of this study was to compare and evaluate differently processed whole eggs into powder egg. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of whole egg powders made from different processing methods. The yield, proximate composition, microbiological load from differently processed (Spray dried- commercial, Freeze dried and Dehydrated) whole egg powders were compared. The treatments in this experiment were the Spray Dried, Freeze Dried and Dehydrator Dried Whole Egg Powders represented as SDWEP, FDWEP and DDWEP, respectively. Thirty-five eggs each were used to produce the FDWEP and DDWEP while the SDWEP was obtained from United State of America. The Experimental design was a completely randomized design. Powder percentage yield of 1000g raw eggs (26.7%) and crude protein (52.78%) was highest (P<0.05) from SDWEP. Salmonella spp observed in raw eggs was destroyed by heat from the processing methods in the whole egg powders. The microbial load was within the 2cfu/g acceptable limits. This study concludes that whole egg powders produced by spray, freeze or dehydrator methods are generally accepted and serve as good alternatives to fresh eggs in addition to their use in the confectionary industry not compromising the final product quality. L'œuf est un aliment riche en nutriments, mais la surabondance d'œufs cyclique caractérisée par la détérioration des œufs, la détérioration de la qualité et le gaspillage affecte négativement les éleveurs de volaille. L'œuf séché en poudre offre une alternative pratique à ce problème. L'objectif de cette étude était de comparer et d'évaluer des œufs entiers transformés différemment en œufs en poudre. Une expérience a été menée pour évaluer le potentiel des poudres d'œufs entiers fabriquées à partir de différentes méthodes de traitement. Le rendement, la composition approximative, la charge microbiologique de poudres d'œufs entiers traitées différemment (séchées par pulvérisation-commerciales, lyophilisées et déshydratées) ont été comparées. Les traitements dans cette expérience étaient les poudres d'œufs entiers séchés par pulvérisation, lyophilisés et séchés au dés hydrateur représentés respectivement par SDWEP, FDWEP et DDWEP. Trente-cinq œufs chacun ont été utilisés pour produire le FDWEP et le DDWEP tandis que le SDWEP a été obtenu des États-Unis d'Amérique. Le plan expérimental était un plan complètement randomisé. Le pourcentage de rendement en poudre de 1000 g d'œufs crus (26,7 %) et de protéines brutes (52,78%) était le plus élevé (P< 0,05) du SDWEP. Salmonella spp observée dans les œufs crus a été détruite par la chaleur des méthodes de traitement dans les poudres d'œufs entiers. La charge microbienne était dans les limites acceptables de 2 cfu/g. Cette étude conclut que les poudres d'œufs entiers produites par pulvérisation, congélation ou déshydratation sont généralement acceptées et constituent de bonnes alternatives aux œufs frais en plus de leur utilisation dans l'industrie de la confiserie sans compromettre la qualité du produit final.

Essential Oil from Lemon Peel (Citrus lumion) and application in Skin-Care Lotion

Essential oil from peels of lemon (Citrus Lumion) fruit had been evaluated for its physiochemical, phytochemical compositions and application in skin-care product. Lemon peel oil, which is one of the under-utilized essential oil was isolated from the matured fruits peel using petroleum ether by soxhlet extraction method. The percentage yield of 3.7 %, for air-dried peels and 2.30 %, for fresh peels are acceptable for most plants essential oils. The ash content of both the dried and fresh peels were 1.42 ± 0.001 and 4.007±0.003. Some phytochemicals like, saponins, flavonoids, terpenes, carbohydrates, tannins, were determined using standard methods. The lemon-peel-oil skin-lotion formulation was carried out by mixing 5 ml of the peel oil sample with corresponding mass of basic lotion compositions, in water base-tank, and homogenously mixed in oil base-tank under 700 C. The pH range(6.30), viscosity, spreadability, and properties of the lotion were compared to the non-lemon-oil lotion and to a commercial grade skin lotion.

Market weight, slaughter age, and yield grade to determine economic carcass traits and primal cuts yield of Hanwoo beef

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between market weight, slaughter age, yield grade, and primal cut yield in Hanwoo. MethodsA total of 403 Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) was assessed for carcass traits such as carcass cold weight, backfat thickness, ribeye area, dressing percentage, yield index, and marbling score. The production yield of the individual major primal cuts of Hanwoo beef was also measured. FindingsCarcass cold weight, ribeye area, and backfat thickness, which affect meat quality increased with increased market weight (p<0.05). The production yield of the ten major primal cuts also increased with increased market weight (p<0.05). In terms of slaughter age, carcass cold weight, ribeye area, and backfat thickness all increased from 25 months to 28-29 months, and the production yield of all prime cuts also increased with increasing slaughter age. According to the meat yield grade, carcass cold weight and backfat thickness increased from grade A to grade C, although the ribeye area was not affected. The combined findings of the study suggest that slaughtering Hanwoo at the weight of 651-700 kg and 701-750 and age of 28.23 and 29.83 months might be desirable to achieve the best quality and quantity grade of Hanwoo beef. However, the positive correlation of carcass cold weight and backfat thickness, and the negative correlation of the yield index according to primal cuts yield indicated that it is necessary to couple the slaughtering management of cattle with improved genetic and breeding method of Hanwoo to increase the production yield of the major prime cuts of Hanwoo beef.