Studying the Effect of Household-Type Treatment and Processing on the Residues of Ethion and Profenofos Pesticides and on the Contents of Capsaicinoids in Green Chili Pepper Using GC-MS/MS and HPLC

The first aim of this study was to create, test, and apply a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method, based on acetonitrile extraction, for simultaneous determination of pesticide residues in green chili pepper (fresh and dried forms). There is a group of 86 repeatedly detected pesticides in the agricultural food commodity in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. The suggested method is utilizing GC-MS/MS for simultaneous determination of those 86 pesticides. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for each pesticide was set as the lowest fortification level that achieved acceptable recoveries in the range 70–120% with precision (RSD ≤ 20%). The results indicated that two organophosphorus pesticides, ethion and profenofos, in the analyzed chili pepper samples have significantly exceeded the European maximum residual limit (MRL) for pesticides. The second purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of some different household-type treatment and processing procedures on the detected pesticide residues and on capsaicinoids (particularly, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) which are responsible for the pungency of chili pepper, using GC-MS/MS and HPLC. Some recommendations were concluded for the best practices.     

Heat transfer inside a horizontal channel with an open trapezoidal enclosure subjected to a heat source of different lengths

The heat transfer phenomena inside a horizontal channel with an open trapezoidal enclosure subjected to a heat source of different lengths was investigated numerically in the present work. The heat source is considered as a local heating element of varying length, which is embedded at the bottom wall of the enclosure and maintained at a constant temperature. The air flow enters the channel horizontally at a constant cold temperature and a fixed velocity. The other walls of the enclosure and the channel are kept thermally insulated. The flow is assumed laminar, incompressible, and two‐dimensional, whereas the fluid is considered Newtonian. The results are presented in the form of the contours of velocity, isotherms, and Nusselt numbers profiles for various values of the dimensionless heat source lengths (0.16 ≤ ε ≤ 1). while, both Prandtl and Reynolds numbers are kept constant at (Pr = 0.71) and (Re = 100), respectively. The results indicated that the distribution of the isotherms depends significantly on the length of the heat source. Also, it was noted that both the local and the average Nusselt numbers increase as the local heat source length increases. Moreover, the maximum temperature is located near the heat source location.     

A novel vacuum wastewater treatment plant integrated with a solar absorption system

In this investigation, a novel use of the solar absorption refrigeration systems was introduced by using it to enhance the operation of vacuum wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater treatment systems require a source of heat for evaporation, a cooling section for condensation and a mean of evacuation to facilitate evaporation. The solar absorption system can take over the first two tasks. Among the commercially available vacuum evaporators, one was selected and modified by replacing the conventional heat pump with the solar absorption system. Two validated mathematical models available in the literature, one for solar absorption subsystem and one for vacuum evaporation subsystem, were integrated together to perform the analysis. The impacts of solar absorption subsystem parameters along with vacuum evaporator subsystem parameters on the overall performance were investigated using the developed program. System performance was evaluated in terms of evaporation rate and condensate rate production. It was found that the degree of superheat had the greatest impact on the rate of evaporation. At low levels of supply temperature to the vacuum chamber, using only heat provided by the absorption system, the evaporation rate exceeded 60 kg/h. If the hot water was further heated by passing through the solar collector storage tank, the evaporation rate exceeded 200 kg/h.     

Fuzzy modeling and particle swarm optimization for determining the optimal operating parameters to enhance the bio-methanol production from sugar cane bagasse

This work aims to maximize the production of bio-methanol from sugar cane bagasse through pyrolysis. The maximum value of the bio-methanol yield can be obtained as soon as the optimal operating parameters in a pyrolysis batch reactor are well defined. Using the experimental data, the fuzzy logic technique is used to build a robust model that describes the yield of bio-methanol production. Then, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is utilized to estimate the optimal values of the operating parameters that maximize the bio-methanol yield. Three different operating parameters influence the yield of bio-methanol from sugar cane bagasse through pyrolysis. The controlling parameters are considered as the reaction temperature (°C), reaction time (min), and nitrogen flow (L/min). Accordingly, during the optimization process, these parameters are used as the decision variables set for the PSO optimizer in order to maximize the yield of bio-methanol, which is considered as a cost function. The results demonstrated a well-fitting between the fuzzy model and the experimental data compared with previous predictions obtained by an artificial neural network (ANN) model. The mean square errors of the model predictions are 0.11858 and 0.0259, respectively, for the ANN and fuzzy-based models, indicating that fuzzy modeling increased the prediction accuracy to 78.16% compared with ANN. Based on the built model, the PSO optimizer accomplished a substantial improvement in the yield of bio-methanol by 20% compared to that obtained experimentally, without changing system design or the materials used.     

Silver nanoparticle films by flowing gas atmospheric pulsed laser deposition and application to surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

For the fast uptake into industrial applications, the further development of robust methods of nanomaterials, which are inexpensive and simultaneously technologically feasible, is one of the major key factors. A newly introduced atmospheric pulsed laser deposition method, based on a flowing gas approach, was used for plasmonic metal nanoparticle (NP) film of silver. Contrary to vacuum, in this method, the ambient air restricts expansion of the ablation plume within 1 to 3 mm above the target surface. These sets constrain on the formation of NP film close to the ablation spot. For deposition on a widely spaced surface, ablation material was entrained in a flow of argon, supplied at ~32 ms⁻¹, and effectively delivered to the substrate at ~20 ms⁻¹. The films produced were crystalline and particulate in nature, showing spectral plasmonic feature of surface plasmon resonance in the visible region. The film was directly tested in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for chemical detection of crystal violet; the film with large particulates and aggregated crystallites was well-performed, showing enhanced Raman signals and detection sensitivity. Certainly, flowing gas atmospheric pulsed laser deposition seems a fast alternative to vacuum-pulsed laser deposition but needs further investigations to bring it in the industry for applications in sensor, catalysis, solar cell, and coating technology.     

Analysis of the flow field,thermal performance,and heat transfer augmentation in circular tube using different dimple geometrical configurations with internal twisted-tape insert

In this study, a numerical investigation for the fluid flow field analysis using different configuration dimple parameters in conjunction with an internal type insert in pipe is carried out. The effects of the dimple diameters with a center twisted tape on the flow pattern, pressure drop, friction factor, and heat transfer characteristics are investigated. The influence of the latter device on heat performance and thermal-hydraulic performance evaluation factor (PEF) were carried out in a pipe for fully developed flow with range for fully developed flow with range of Reynolds number (Re) of 1573 and 23 592. Experiments with numerical models are performed using different dimpled dimeters by inserting twisted tapes. The outcomes observe that the qualitative analysis for flow fields such as static pressure, dynamic pressure, velocity magnitude, wall shear stress, and turbulent kinetic energy as well as the quantities analysis for pressure drop, heat transfer coefficient friction factor, and Nu number in dimpled pipe fitted with twisted tape are greater than plain pipe. This is because using these devices cause more secondary flow, swirl flow, and flow mixing that lead to higher turbulence, which, in turn, enhance the overall heat transfer. The results indicated that the lower and higher values of thermal PEF are about 0.78 and 1.6, respectively, at the dimple dimmers of 1 mm.     

Performance analysis of hybrid/single nanofluids on augmentation of heat transport in lid-driven undulated cavity

This numerical study reveals the heat transfer performance of hybrid/single nanofluids inside a lid-driven sinusoidal trapezoidal-shaped enclosure. The right and left inclined surfaces of the trapezium have been considered as insulated, whereas the bottom sinusoidal wavy and the flat top surfaces of the enclosure as hot and cold, respectively. The governing partial differential equations of fluid's velocity and temperature have been resolved by applying the finite element method. The implications of Prandtl number (4.2-6.2), Richardson number (0.1-10.0), undulation number (0-3), nanoparticles volume fraction (0%-3%), and nanofluid/base fluid (water, water–copper (Cu), water–Cu–carbon nanotube, water–Cu–copper oxide (CuO), water–Cu–TiO₂, and water–Cu–Al₂O₃) on the velocity and temperature profiles have been studied. Simulated findings have been represented by means of streamlines, isothermal lines, and average Nusselt number of above-mentioned hybrid nanofluids for varying the governing parameters. The comparison of heat transfer rates using hybrid nanofluids and pure water has been also shown. The heat transfer rate is increased about 15% for varying Richardson number from 0.1 to 10.0. Blending of two nanoparticles suspension in base fluid has a higher heat transfer rate—approximately 5% than a mononanoparticle. Moreover, a higher average Nusselt number is obtained by 14.7% using the wavy surface than the flat surface of the enclosure. Thus, this study showed that applying hybrid nanofluid may be beneficial to obtain expected thermal performance.     

Inhibition of enterotoxicogenic strains Bacillus cereus GT1 and Staphylococcus aureus S1 isolated from double white cream cheese

In this study three different food preservatives (sodium nitrate, sodium benzoate and sodium sorbate) were used to evaluate their effect on two enterotoxicogenic strains (Bacillus cereus GT1 and Staphylococcus aureus S1). A significant decrease in the viability and production of virulence factors was observed. Yet, obvious tolerance to increasing concentrations (from 1 to 6?g/l) of the three preservatives was recorded reflecting possible resistance mechanisms within the tested strains. The two strains were subjected to increasing doses of gamma radiation (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10?kGy). Obvious correlation was observed between the initial counts of bacterial spores contaminating the products and the required dose for their complete elimination. Whereas the eliminating dose of B. cereus GT1 strain was 10?kGy only 4?kGy was sufficient to suppress the growth and virulence of S. aureus S1, reflecting its sensitivity to low doses of gamma irradiation. Also, inhibition of the two strains by probiotic strain Bacillus pumilus G4 was studied both in situ (in cheese) and in vitro (in culture media). The viable cell population of B. cereus GT1 increased from 10⁶ to 2.9?×?10⁸?CFU/g within 60?h in controls but decreased from 2.1?×?10⁶ to 2.3?×?10³?CFU/g after treatment with the probiotic strain. No viable count was observed after 60?h of incubation. Whereas, the viable cell population of S. aureus S1 increased from 10⁶ to 2.5?×?10⁸?CFU/g within 60?h in controls but decreased from 1.5?×?10⁶ to 4.3?×?10²?CFU/g after treatment with the probiotic strain. No viable count was observed after 54?h of incubation.     

Edible oils for liver protection: hepatoprotective potentiality of Moringa oleifera seed oil against chemical-induced hepatitis in rats

In the present study, in vitro antioxidant, antioxidative stress and hepatoprotective activity of Moringa oleifera Lam. seed oil (Ben oil; BO) was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ) induced lipid peroxidation and hepatic damage in rats. The oil at 0.2 and 0.4 mL/rat was administered orally for 21 consecutive days. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic (GOT, GPT, ALP, GGT) and bilirubin levels were significantly restored towards normalization by the oil. There was a significant elevation in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH), and total protein (TP) contents in the liver tissue. The results obtained indicated that BO possesses potent hepatoprotective action against CCl(4) -induced hepatic damage by lowering liver marker enzymes, MDA concentration, and elevating NP-SH and TP levels in liver tissue. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver. The results of this study showed that treatment with Ben oil or silymarin (as a reference) appears to enhance the recovery from hepatic damage induced by CCl(4) . The pentobarbital induced narcolepsy prolongation in mice was retarded by the Ben oil. Acute toxicity test in mice showed no morbidity or mortality. In vitro DPPH radical scavenging and β-carotene-linolic acid assay tests of the BO exhibited a moderate antioxidant activity in both tests used. The possible mechanism(s) of the liver protective activity of Ben oil activity may be due to free radical scavenging potential caused by the presence of antioxidant component(s) in the oil. Consequently, BO can be used as a therapeutic regime in treatment of some hepatic disorders.