Extraction of caffeine from natural matter using a bio-renewable agrochemical solvent

This paper reports experimental data on the pressurized liquid extraction of caffeine from green coffee beans and green tea leaves using ethyl lactate (ethyl 2-hydroxy-propanoate). This solvent is a new bio-renewable agrochemical solvent, naturally produced by fermentation from corn derived feedstock, which has been recently considered as a very suitable and environmental benign solvent for food industrial applications.Static extraction assays (one step during 10 min) were carried out in an Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) system at three different extraction temperatures, namely 100, 150 and 200 °C. Extraction yield and caffeine recovery were determined and compared with those obtained when using other liquid solvents, such as ethyl acetate or ethanol. High recovery of caffeine (≈60%) was found in the extracts produced using ethyl lactate, which demonstrates the potential use of this green solvent for the extraction of caffeine from different vegetable sources.     

Phytochemicals content,antioxidant and hypoglycaemic activities of commercial nutmeg mace (Myristica fragrans L.) and pimento (Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr.)

Commercially dried powder of nutmeg mace (Myristica fragrans) and pimento (Pimenta dioica) spices was investigated for their high performance liquid chromatography phenolic profile and their antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties by α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition tests. Generally, mace showed the most promising activity. An interesting protection of lipid peroxidation with an IC₅₀ value of 7.7 μg mL^?1 was found. A significant result was also obtained in ferric reducing ability power assay if compared to the positive control butylated hydroxytoluene (IC₅₀ value of 68.7 μg mL^?1 vs. 63.2 μg mL^?1, respectively). Mace also exhibited the highest carbohydrate‐hydrolysing enzyme inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 62.1 and 75.7 μg mL^?1 against α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase, respectively. Overall, these results support the use of these spices not only as flavouring agent but also as food preservative and functional ingredients.     

Side chain porphyrin moiety linked to polymer-fullerene composite solar cell

This work investigates the photovoltaic properties of a BHJ solar cell made of an active layer constituted by phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester and a novel polyalkylthiophene derivative functionalized in the side chain with porphyrin dye. The polymer was fully characterized by FT-IR, NMR, UV–vis, GPC, DSC and TGA techniques and the active layer by cyclic voltammetry and AFM. The results of this study indicate that the solar cell made of polythiophene containing a 25% molar content of sensitizer dye as the active layer, exhibits higher power conversion efficiency, short circuit current and fill factor values than the reference cell based on polythiophene completely devoid of porphyrin.     

Correlating the solubility of supercritical gases in high‐molecular weight substances using a density‐dependent equation

Chrastil (1982) established that the solubility of a substance in a supercritical fluid can be correlated with the density of the pure supercritical gas. Recently, the solubility of supercritical fluids in different organic liquids was successfully correlated as a function solely of the supercritical fluid density, since we demonstrated that the supercritical fluid density also defines the solubility of the gas in the liquid phase. In this work, the solubility of supercritical carbon dioxide in high‐molecular weight substances, such as high‐molecular weight paraffins, alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid methyl and ethyl esters, has been correlated and constants provided. More than 20 binary systems comprising around 1000 solubility data points were correlated, obtaining regression coefficients greater than 0.96 and confirming the goodness of the density‐dependent equation previously reported. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011     

Physical and mechanical properties of rock masses at Stromboli: a dataset for volcano instability evaluation

Stromboli island has a complex geological history with repeated changes in the volcanic activity alternating with destructive events, caldera collapses and flank landslides. The last activity resulted in the creation of the Sciara del Fuoco depression which was modified by the recent 2002–2003 landslide. The variation in lithology, degree of tectonization and disturbance has resulted in the presence of a wide spectrum of geotechnical materials. This paper summarises the physical and mechanical properties of Stromboli’s intact rocks, rock masses and loose deposits, based on field surveys and laboratory tests. A new classification of the rock succession is introduced and four lithotechnical units defined: Lava, Lava-Breccia, Breccia and Pyroclastic deposit. The range of variability in bulk volume, porosity, intact rock compressive strength and geological strength index is presented. The Hoek and Brown’s failure criterion was applied for each lithotechnical unit and the rock mass friction angle, apparent cohesion, tensile and compressive strength, global strength and modulus of deformation calculated in a specified stress range.      

Optimized synthesis of AMPA receptor antagonist ZK 187638 and neurobehavioral activity in a mouse model of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

Previous structure-activity relationship studies in the search for a potent, noncompetitive alpha-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist led to 2,3-dimethyl-6-phenyl-12H-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]imidazo[1,2-c][2,3]benzodiazepine (ZK 187638). However, the first synthesis had some drawbacks regarding reagents, processes, and overall yield, which furthermore decreased when the synthesis was scaled up. Therefore, we now report a new synthetic route for this compound which requires fewer steps and is suited for large-scale production. This compound significantly relieved the symptoms of neuromuscular deficit in mnd mice, a model of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis with motor neuron dysfunction. After oral administration, the concentrations of the compound in the brain and spinal cord were about threefold higher than those in the plasma. In summary, this novel AMPA antagonist is accessible through an optimized synthetic route, has good neurobehavioral activity, oral bioavailability, and favorable brain penetration. This opens new possibilities for the treatment of devastating neurological diseases that are mediated by the AMPA receptor.