Optimisation of enzymatic hydrolysis for concentration of squalene in palm fatty acid distillate

BACKGROUND: Squalene was concentrated from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) in this study using commercial immobilised Candida antarctica lipase (Novozyme 435^®). The PFAD was neutralised (NPFAD) using an alkali to liberate the free fatty acids and then hydrolysed at 65 ± 1 °C. The enzymatic hydrolysis on NPFAD was optimised using response surface methodology (RSM) before being neutralised again to obtain a concentrated squalene fraction. RESULTS: A five‐level, three‐factor central composite rotatable design was adopted to evaluate the effects of the enzymatic hydrolysis parameters reaction time (4–12 h), water content (50–70% w/w) and enzyme concentration (1.5–3.5% w/w) on the percentage yield of squalene concentration. The optimal reaction parameters for maximum yield of squalene concentration were identified from the respective contour plots. The optimal enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were a reaction time of 7.05 h, a water content of 61.40% w/w and an enzyme concentration of 2.23% w/w. CONCLUSION: RSM was used to determine the optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis of NPFAD with C. antarctica lipase for maximum recovery of squalene which could be implemented on an industrial scale. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical‐to‐Electricity Carbon: Water Device

The ability to release, as electrical energy, potential energy stored at the water:carbon interface is attractive, since water is abundant and available. However, many previous reports of such energy converters rely on either flowing water or specially designed ionic aqueous solutions. These requirements restrict practical application, particularly in environments with quiescent water. Here, a carbon‐based chemical‐to‐electricity device that transfers the chemical energy to electrical form when coming into contact with quiescent deionized water is reported. The device is built using carbon nanotube yarns, oxygen content of which is modulated using oxygen plasma‐treatment. When immersed in water, the device discharges electricity with a power density that exceeds 700 mW m^?2, one order of magnitude higher than the best previously published result. X‐ray absorption and density functional theory studies support a mechanism of operation that relies on the polarization of sp² hybridized carbon atoms. The devices are incorporated into a flexible fabric for powering personal electronic devices.     

Promoting the Transformation of Li2S2 to Li2S: Significantly Increasing Utilization of Active Materials for High‐Sulfur‐Loading Li–S Batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high sulfur loading are urgently required in order to take advantage of their high theoretical energy density. Ether‐based Li–S batteries involve sophisticated multistep solid–liquid–solid–solid electrochemical reaction mechanisms. Recently, studies on Li–S batteries have widely focused on the initial solid (sulfur)–liquid (soluble polysulfide)–solid (Li₂S₂) conversion reactions, which contribute to the first 50% of the theoretical capacity of the Li–S batteries. Nonetheless, the sluggish kinetics of the solid–solid conversion from solid‐state intermediate product Li₂S₂ to the final discharge product Li₂S (corresponding to the last 50% of the theoretical capacity) leads to the premature end of discharge, resulting in low discharge capacity output and low sulfur utilization. To tackle the aforementioned issue, a catalyst of amorphous cobalt sulfide (CoS₃) is proposed to decrease the dissociation energy of Li₂S₂ and propel the electrochemical transformation of Li₂S₂ to Li₂S. The CoS₃ catalyst plays a critical role in improving the sulfur utilization, especially in high‐loading sulfur cathodes (3–10 mg cm^?2). Accordingly, the Li₂S/Li₂S₂ ratio in the discharge products increased to 5.60/1 from 1/1.63 with CoS₃ catalyst, resulting in a sulfur utilization increase of 20% (335 mAh g^?1) compared to the counterpart sulfur electrode without CoS₃.     

Origin of High Ionic Conductivity of Sc-Doped Sodium-Rich NASICON Solid-State Electrolytes

Substitution of liquid electrolyte with solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) has emerged as a very urgent and challenging research area of rechargeable batteries. NASICON (Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂) is one of the most potential SSEs for Na-ion batteries due to its high ionic conductivity and low thermal expansion. It is proven that the ionic conductivity of NASICON can be improved to 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ by Sc-doping, of which the mechanism, however, has not been fully understood. Herein, a series of Na_3+xSc_xZr_2−xSi₂PO₁₂ (0 ≤ x  ≤  0.5) SSEs are prepared. To gain a deep insight into the ion transportation mechanism, synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is employed to characterize the electronic structure, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SS-NMR) is used to analyze the dynamics. In this study, Sc is successfully doped into Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ to substitute Zr atoms. The redistribution of sodium ions at certain specific sites is proven to be critical for sodium ion movement. For x ≤ 0.3, the promotion of sodium ion movement is attributed to sodium ion concentration increase at the Na2 sites and decrease at the Na1 and Na3 sites. For x > 0.3, the inhibition of sodium ion movement is due to the phase change from monoclinic to rhombohedral and an increasing impurity content.     

The action of chain extenders in nylon-6, PET,and model compounds

The action of two complementary chain extenders is studied in model systems as well as in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and nylon–6. Chain extenders are low molecular weight compounds that can be used to increase the molecular weight of polymers in a short time. The reaction must preferably be fast enough to execute this step in an extruder. 1,3-Phenylene bis(2-oxazoline-2) (PBO) and isophthaloyl biscaprolactamate (IBC) are used in this study. Bisoxazolines react quickly with carboxylic acids. With model compounds it is shown that, under processing conditions, high conversions can be reached. However, the conversion is not complete. The high rate and the absence of volatile reactants are the most important characteristics of this reaction. Bislactamates are suitable coupling agents for hydroxy and amino functional polymers. The path of this coupling reaction depends on the type of nucleophile and on the reaction temperature. Under mild conditions the elimination of caprolactam is the main reaction. Under more severe conditions the ring opening mechanism may also be operative. The increase of the viscosity is studied with one as well as with a mixture of the two chain extenders. The effect is larger when both types of chain extenders are used simultaneously. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:1813–1819, 1997     

Chemical reactions and applications of the reductive surface of porous silicon

The chemical reactivity of freshly prepared porous silicon is similar to that of a reducing agent on the surface of the nanocrystallites. Ag+ spontaneously reduces to form Ag0 granular coatings on the surface of porous silicon at the expense of the oxidation of silicon hydride and silicon. Atomic Force Microscopy shows that the thickness and topography of the Ag0 coating depend on the concentration of Ag+ with the porous silicon surface being the limiting reagent. In-situ Raman Spectroscopy shows an Ag layer on the silicon and Si:O layer immediately after etching and exposure to Ag+ and O2 respectively. Ag0 coated on the surface and in the pores of the porous silicon proves to be an excellent material for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and the natural low electron affinity on the surface of porous silicon replaces the need for a negative bias to prepare very stable diamond coatings on the surface of silicon.     

Grid deformation strategies for CFD analysis of screw compressors

Customized grid generation of twin screw machines for CFD analysis is widely used by the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry today, but is currently not suitable for topologies such as those of single screw, variable pitch or tri screw rotors. This paper investigates a technique called key-frame re-meshing that supplies pre-generated unstructured grids to the CFD solver at different time steps. To evaluate its accuracy, the results of an isentropic compression-expansion process in a reciprocating piston cylinder arrangement have been compared. Three strategies of grid deformation; diffusion equation mesh smoothing, user defined nodal displacement and key-frame remeshing have been assessed. There are many limitations to key-frame re-meshing. It requires time consuming pre-processing, has limited applicability to complex meshes and leads to inaccuracies in conservation of calculated variables. It was concluded that customized tools for generation of CFD grids are required for complex screw machines.     

Characterization of Tribofilms Generated from Serpentine and Commercial Oil Using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

The chemical and tribological properties of serpentine particles suspended in lubricating oil were investigated using a pin-on-disk high frequency friction machine at 100 °C. The wear scar width of the upper steel pins was measured by an optical microscope. The tribofilm was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental mapping, and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. It was found that the addition of serpentine to commercial engine oil improves its tribological properties. The SEM and EDX elemental mapping shows that a tribofilm formed by the commercial oil with serpentine contains silicon, magnesium, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, zinc, calcium, and carbon on the worn surface, which is different from the tribofilm formed by the commercial oil without serpentine. The results of the XANES analysis show that the addition of serpentine to the commercial oil changes the chemical compositions of the tribofilms. This change may account for the better tribological properties of the lubricating oil containing serpentine. The formation mechanism of the tribofilm is discussed.     

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Mouse Coronavirus Inhibit Biofilm Formation by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus

The presence of co-infections or superinfections with bacterial pathogens in COVID-19 patients is associated with poor outcomes, including increased morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 and its components interact with the biofilms generated by commensal bacteria, which may contribute to co-infections. This study employed crystal violet staining and particle-tracking microrheology to characterize the formation of biofilms by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus that commonly cause secondary bacterial pneumonia. Microrheology analyses suggested that these biofilms were inhomogeneous soft solids, consistent with their dynamic characteristics. Biofilm formation by both bacteria was significantly inhibited by co-incubation with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 subunit and both S1 + S2 subunits, but not with S2 extracellular domain nor nucleocapsid protein. Addition of spike S1 and S2 antibodies to spike protein could partially restore bacterial biofilm production. Furthermore, biofilm formation in vitro was also compromised by live murine hepatitis virus, a related beta-coronavirus. Supporting data from LC-MS-based proteomics of spike–biofilm interactions revealed differential expression of proteins involved in quorum sensing and biofilm maturation, such as the AI-2E family transporter and LuxS, a key enzyme for AI-2 biosynthesis. Our findings suggest that these opportunistic pathogens may egress from biofilms to resume a more virulent planktonic lifestyle during coronavirus infections. The dispersion of pathogens from biofilms may culminate in potentially severe secondary infections with poor prognosis. Further detailed investigations are warranted to establish bacterial biofilms as risk factors for secondary pneumonia in COVID-19 patients.