Estimation of Some Useful Drugs in Water, Urine, and Medical Formulations Following Conventional and Modified Dispersive Microextraction Coupled with HPLC-UV

Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectroscopy was developed, as a fast and precise operation, for extractive recovery and estimation of two pharmaceuticals viz. moxifloxacin and galantamine, from water, urine, and medical formulations. The process was investigated for Extraction (ES) and Dispersive Solvent (DS) as well as pH, temperature, and salt concentration. Extraction was found effective using methanol (CH3OH), as the DS, employing 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (C2H2Cl4) and chloroform (CHCl3), as the ES, for moxifloxacin and galantamine respectively. The optimum pH was found to be 6.9 for moxifloxacin and 10.2 for galantamine. Temperature and salt were found to have some influence on the extraction efficiency of moxifloxacin but insignificant for galantamine. An improvement of the operation in terms of the Extraction efficiency (ER %), Preconcentration Factor (PF), thermodynamic feasibility, and greenness were achieved during surfactant aided DLLME (SDS-DLLME), where anionic surfactant (Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS)) was employed and no DS was required. Interestingly, the volume requirement for ES was found less, compared to that in the conventional DLLME, without compromising the performance. Moreover, quantitative recovery of both the drugs was achieved using a single ES. Thus, mutual separation and simultaneous determination of moxifloxacin and galantamine may be designed. A two-phase separation with concomitant enrichment of the solute in the sediment phase occurred. The drugs in the sediment phase, on subsequent dilution with methanol, were determined using the High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) system. The negative free energy changes for the operation indicated that the process was thermodynamically feasible. The process was found to be effective for the spiked recovery of the studied drugs from real samples viz, water, human urine, and commercial medical formulations.

Biogas/Biomethane Quality and Requirements for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Units/Gas Grids with a Special Focus on Siloxanes-a Short Review

The presence of siloxanes in biogas and biomethane is a major barrier to use them as renewable energy sources in Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units and national grids systems. Siloxanes in the shape of methyl siloxanes (incl. L2, L3, L4, D3, D4, D5, D6), Trimethylsilanol (TMSOH), as well as other contaminants such as H2S, NH3, relative Humidity (rH), halogenated compounds (including organic chlorine and fluorine), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) presented in biogas upgraded to biomethane quality are detrimental to engines, turbines and gas grids, therefore it is necessary to remove them before its high-value utilization. Under the oxidation, process siloxanes are converted into microcrystalline silicon dioxide (SiO2) deposits that can shorten the lifetime of the engine and affect the gas grids. The review presents the actual requirements of biogas and biomethane quality in context to their utilization in CHP units and national gas grids. Moreover, the methods of siloxanes removal based on adsorption, absorption, cryogenic condensation, membranes, and biofiltration are described.

Purification of Crude Sodium Di-Uranate from Tummalapalle Source, India to Nuclear Grade Ammonium Di-Uranate Using Sulphamic Acid Dissolution Route

Crude Sodium Di-Uranate (SDU) of Tummalapalle mine India, contains 2-3% (w/w) of silica besides 5-7% (w/w) of organic matter including polyacrylamides and humic masses with 2-5% Zirconium (Zr) (w/w) as major impurities, hence the direct conversion of SDU, to Nuclear Grade (NG) Ammonium Di-Uranate Cake (ADUC) for fuel fabrication via HNO3-Tributyl Phosphate (TBP) extraction route is onerous due to silica gel creation, third phase inception enounces presence of excess Zr and micro-emulsion formation confirms organic matter introduces difficulties in filtration, recovery and purification stages. Various analytical techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as Inductively Coupled Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) has been utilized to characterize raw material (SDU), intermediate products (gel and residues) as well as final product (NG-ADUC). In this research; an innovative, novel route for dissolution of SDU employing sulphamic acid (25% w/v) to remove silica, organic matter, and Zr followed by the conventional route to NG-ADU; eliminates the three major process difficulties viz., (i) gelation, (ii) third phase formation and (iii) microemulsion formation. In addition, sulphamic acid extracted Uranium (U)-bearing stream ultimately articulates 99.5% overall U recovery and enunciates nuclear grade U with desirable morphological characteristics.

Elucidating the Molecular Anatomy of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase in Brassica Rapa for Evolving Climate-Resilient Interventions to Minimize Carbon Footprints

Climate change is an emerging threat to food & nutritional security. It adversely affects crop production by altering the gene expression patterns of genes encoding for growth, development, and crop yield. Further, carbon emissions during crop production processes coupled with rapid urbanization & industrialization, and deforestation drive aggravate the climate change problem. Therefore, innovative adaptive measures must be developed in terms of climate-resilient interventions for enhancing productivity by minimizing expanding carbon footprints. In this investigation, we developed molecular models of different components (biotin carboxylase (BC), biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP), and carboxyl transferase (CT)) of an important enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) of Brassica rapa which play a vital role in carbon sequestration in fatty acids and regulation of fatty acid metabolism. We successfully built molecular models of BC, BCCP, CT-α, and CT-β having sufficient degree of reliability and stereochemical quality scores as obtained from the structure validation using PROCHECK, ProSA, Verify3D, and ERRAT. Further, we did a set of molecular docking studies with models of BC, BCCP, and CT (CT-α, CT-β) with their ligands (ATP, biotin, acetyl coenzyme-A) to know the active site residues involved in catalysis reaction using AutoDock-Vina. Our findings on the molecular architecture of different components of ACC in Brassica rapa and ligand binding sites of component proteins from the molecular docking studies will help in two different ways. Firstly, structural information of model would facilitate designing of site-directed mutagenesis based functional genomic studies for comprehending the putative role of ACC in fatty acid biosynthesis, regulation of ACC by light & other molecular players reported in other species such as CTI & PII proteins. Further, functional haplotype markers can be designed using active site information of ACC in Brassica rapa to improve oil content by amalgamating desired set of available genomic variations present in different cultivars and landraces using the molecular breeding programme and genome editing tools. Such findings are potential drivers for minimizing carbon footprints by sequestering carbon in carbon skeletons of fatty acids in minimal input requiring oil-producing crop plants (Brassica rapa).

Pure Hydrolyzable Cellulose from Rice Straw, Wheat Straw and Sugarcane Bagasse by a Simple Scalable Two-Step Treatment

Utilization of amply available lignocellulosic biomass for a cost-effective conversion to renewable chemicals has proven more difficult than anticipated. Sustainable and viable fractionation of any biomass to its individual monomeric components for their further conversion to products at commercial scale therefore remains elusive. A rapid and scalable multi-step pretreatment strategy for fractionation of rice straw using a combination of dilute aqueous acid and aqueous alkali treatment steps under subcritical conditions was investigated. The process steps and parameters were optimized for yield and purity of the resulting biomass components. Effects of acid and alkali concentrations on the fractionation efficiency were studied in the range of 0.2% to 12% w/v at temperatures ranging from 110°C to 200°C for time spanning from 15 to 30 min. The simple optimum sequence of operations and conditions was found to be a diluteacid hydrolysis step at 130°C for 15 min with 2% HNO3 followed by the second treatment step at 130°C for 15 min with 2% NaOH. This combination gave 90% pure cellulose in more than 80% overall yield. Formation of furfurals in the hydrolysate was prevented significantly, and the cellulose obtained showed good amenability for enzymatic hydrolysis to sugars. The same process was applied to wheat straw and sugarcane bagasse, and the obtained results were found to be similar to those obtained for rice straw. The process was successfully scaled up to 50 L batch process with negligible deviations from smaller scale run results.

Computational Explorations and Interpretation of Bonding in Metallopharmaceutical for a Thorough Understanding at the Quantum Level

Metallopharmaceuticals are effective remedies and used to treat microbial infections. Generally, these drugs were derived from metal-organic frameworks and highly effective to cure many different types of microbial toxicities. In these metallopharmaceuticals, the moieties of the ligands governed novel medicinal properties. Computational explorations (simulations, modeling, and analysis) are the modern tools that explore the possibilities to design novel drugs, analyse the key and essential components required as per the theme of sustainable chemical engineering. To get information at the quantum level, there is an urgent need to explore the associated dynamics that existed in metallopharmaceuticals. These aforementioned strategies will assist to have sustainable chemical engineering models.

Comparison of metals content in peatlands with different anthropopressure in Welski Landscape Park (Poland)

The metal content was determined using the WD-XRF method in the peat from the Wąpiersk bog and the Las Nadwelski bog (Welski Landscape Park, Poland). The results of the study show that the concentration of metals, especially heavy metals in peat bogs in Welski Landscape Park is low in general. In both bogs, the concentration of heavy metals was lower in the center than on the border. This shows that heavy metals are absorbed by the peat at the border and their further migration is limited. There are more elements such as iron, calcium and magnesium in the Las Nadwelski bog. There is more light on the border of the forest, which also plays an important role in decomposing plant debris, releasing metals. Heavy metals content was higher in Wąpiersk bog – a bog with higher anthropopressure. To sum up, the peat bog actively captures heavy metals, immobilizing them, and acts as a kind of “filter”. Peat is a good agent for retrospective monitoring of metals migration and accumulation in the environment.

High Productivity Ethanol Fermentation of Glucose & Xylose Using Membrane Assisted Continuous Cell Recycle

Rapid and high yield conversion of xylose to ethanol remains a signi cant bottleneck in the cost-effective production of ethanol using mixed sugars derived from lignocellulosic biomass (LBM). The present study attempts to circumvent this by separate continuous fermentation of glucose and xylose using high cell densities of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant (ICT-1) and a Scheffersomyces stipitis mutant (M1CD), respectively with the help of external micro ltration membrane assisted cell recycle. Different cell densities and aeration rates for xylose fermentation were studied for optimizing continuous fermentation. Consistent high ethanol yields and productivities of 0.46 g/g and 5.19 g/L/h with glucose; and 0.38 g/g and 1.62 g/L/h with xylose; were achieved in simple media. This provided an average ethanol yield of 0.44 g/g on combined sugars, and average productivity of 3.4 g/L/h which is higher than typical molasses-based batch ethanol fermentation. The study thus highlights the potential of high cell density recycle strategy as an effective approach for separate ethanol fermentation of LBM derived sugars.

Swelling Properties of Biodegradable Superabsorbent Polymers

The size of the global market for biodegradable superabsorbent materials has been estimated at USD 120.64 billion. It is expected to register Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) at 6.2% in 2018-2025. Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are most frequently used in the hygiene products industry in the form of non-biodegradable poly (sodium acrylate). Most personal care products end up in landfills where decomposition times are estimated to be up to half a thousand years due to the synthetic polymers. Simple replacement of poly (sodium acrylate) with biodegradable superabsorbent polymer is a challenging task that includes several stages of scientific investigation. In this paper, the sorption of water and electrolyte solutions are discussed. Biodegradable superabsorbent polymers were obtained from polysaccharides, while a proportionally varying amount of the cross-linking agent was used. The absorption properties of deionized water and sodium salt solution were tested and the influence of polymer drying was discussed. The superabsorbent polymers were dried as follows: dM1-the sample was frozen at -20°C for 48 hours and was dried in vacuum (10-2Tr) at room temperature for 48 hours; dM2-the sample frozen to -200°C for 2 hours and was vacuum (10-2Tr) dried at room temperature for 48 hours; dM3-the sample was dried in a vacuum dryer (~10 Tr) at 50°C for 24 hours, dM4-the sample was frozen to -80°C for 24 hours and then freeze dried for 78 hours.

Integration of Operability Framework and Pareto Optimal Front to Calculate Optimal Condition of Ethane Cracking Process

The main aim of this research is to present an optimization procedure based on the integration of operability framework and multi-objective optimization concepts to find the single optimal solution of processes. In this regard, the Desired Pareto Index is defined as the ratio of desired Pareto front to the Pareto optimal front as a quantitative criterion to analyze the performance of chemical processes. The Desired Pareto Front is defined as a part of the Pareto front that all outputs are improved compared to the conventional operating condition. To prove the efficiency of proposed optimization method, the operating conditions of ethane cracking process is optimized as a base case. The ethylene and methane production rates are selected as the objectives in the formulated multi-objective optimization problem. Based on the simulation results, applying the obtained operating conditions by the proposed optimization procedure on the ethane cracking process improve ethylene production by about 3% compared to the conventional condition.