Fe(III) grafted MoO3 nanorods for effective electrocatalytic fixation of atmospheric N2 to NH3

Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) offers a carbon-neutral process to fix nitrogen into ammonia, but its feasibility depends on the development of highly efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, we report that Fe ion grafted on MoO₃ nanorods synthesized by an impregnation technique can efficiently enhance the electron harvesting ability and the selectivity of H⁺ during the NRR process in neutral electrolyte. In 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ solution, the electrocatalyst exhibited a remarkable NRR activity with an NH₃ yield of 9.66 μg h^?1 mg^?1_cat and a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 13.1%, far outperforming the ungrafted MnO₃. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the Fe sites are major activation centers along the alternating pathway.     

Volatile and non-volatile compound profiles of commercial sweet pickled mango and its correlation with consumer preference

Sweet pickled mango named Ma-Muang Bao Chae-Im is a traditional preserved mango from Hat Yai, Thailand. This study investigated (I) volatile and non-volatile compound profiles of commercial Ma-Muang Bao Chae-Im and (II) their relationship to consumer preference. Untargeted metabolomics profiling was performed by gas chromatography-mass quadrupole-time of flight analysis. There were 117 volatile and 44 non-volatile compounds annotated in six commercial brands of Ma-Muang Bao Chae-Im. Furthermore, 46 volatile and 19 non-volatile compounds’ discriminant markers were found by Partial least square discriminant analysis. Among those markers, sorbic and benzoic acid were observed in several brands; moreover, the combination of both compounds altered the volatile profile, especially the ester group. Partial least square regression revealed that overall consumer liking is correlated to 1-heptanol; 1-octanol; acetoin; acetic acid, 2-phenylethyl ester; D-manitol; terpenes and terpenoids, while firmness to sucrose and L-(-)-sorbofuranose. On the other hand, most ester compounds were not related to consumer preference.     

Nickel‒cobalt bimetallic catalysts prepared from hydrotalcite-like compounds for dry reforming of methane

Ni–Co/Mg(Al)O alloy catalysts with different Co/Ni molar ratios have been prepared from Ni- and Co-substituted Mg–Al hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlcs) as precursors and tested for dry reforming of methane. The XRD characterization shows that Ni–Co–Mg–Al HTlcs are decomposed by calcination into Mg(Ni,Co,Al)O solid solution, and by reduction finely dispersed alloy particles are formed. H₂-TPR indicates a strong interaction between nickel/cobalt oxides and magnesia, and the presence of cobalt in Mg(Ni,Co,Al)O enhances the metal-support interaction. STEM-EDX analysis reveals that nickel and cobalt cations are homogeneously distributed in the HTlcs precursor and in the derived solid solution, and by reduction the resulting Ni–Co alloy particles are composition-uniform. The Ni–Co/Mg(Al)O alloy catalysts exhibit relatively high activity and stability at severe conditions, i.e., a medium temperature of 600 °C and a high space velocity of 120000 mL g^?1 h^?1. In comparison to monometallic Ni catalyst, Ni–Co alloying effectively inhibits methane decomposition and coke deposition, leading to a marked enhancement of catalytic stability. From CO₂-TPD and TPSR, it is suggested that alloying Ni with Co favors the CO₂ adsorption/activation and promotes the elimination of carbon species, thus improving the coke resistance. Furthermore, a high and stable activity with low coking is demonstrated at 750 °C. The hydrotalcite-derived Ni–Co/Mg(Al)O catalysts show better catalytic performance than many of the reported Ni–Co catalysts, which can be attributed to the formation of Ni–Co alloy with uniform composition, proper size, and strong metal-support interaction as well as the presence of basic Mg(Al)O as support.     

Effect of cooking temperature on texture and flavour binding of braised sauce porcine skin

To investigate the effect of cooking temperature (55, 65, 75, 85 and 95 °C) on texture and flavour binding of braised sauce porcine skin (BSPS), sensory acceptance, microstructure and flavour-binding capacity were investigated during the processing of BSPS. Samples cooked at 85 and 95 °C showed better texture and aroma scores. Hardness and chewiness of BSPS were obviously improved at 85 and 95 °C than control group. Collagen structure was significantly destroyed over 85 °C. The porcine skin collagen heated at 85 and 95 °C showed relatively higher flavour-binding capacity than other samples. The improvement of texture of BSPS was mainly attributed to the degradation of collagen. Higher aroma scores of BSPS were related to intense binding abilities with aroma compounds at 85 and 95 °C. Cooking at 85 or 95 °C could be an optimal cooking temperature for BSPS.     

Valorisation of potato wastes

Potato processing industry has a high degree of discarding, which currently has low added value being used primarily for animal feed. However, potato wastes offer a broad range of interesting components such as antioxidants, starch, protein or fibre with potential applications in the food and non-food industries. The recovery of these high valuable fractions using efficient multistage and multiproduct processes could be of great interest. This short review provides a general overview on the integral valorisation of potato wastes, offering an updated vision of the main residual parts generated during potato harvesting and processing, the high valuable obtained components focusing on the bioactive ones and the potential of the emerging extraction techniques over conventional ones. In addition, innovative applications are discussed to highlight the scientific and applied interest of these underutilised and undervalued fractions and to emphasise the integral valorisation of raw materials.     

以有机化学课程内容为引导，加强课程思政的探索与实践

有机化学是化学化工、材料、制药、食品等多个专业的基础课程,在其教学过程中,教师可以根据课程的内容及特点,分别以有机化学发展中的重大历史事件、有机化物的性质及有机反应为引导,开展学生的思想品德教育,加强课程思政建设。     

Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species in Defense/Stress Responses Activated by Chitosan in Sycamore Cultured Cells

Chitosan (CHT) is a non-toxic and inexpensive compound obtained by deacetylation of chitin, the main component of the exoskeleton of arthropods as well as of the cell walls of many fungi. In agriculture CHT is used to control numerous diseases on various horticultural commodities but, although different mechanisms have been proposed, the exact mode of action of CHT is still unknown. In sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cultured cells, CHT induces a set of defense/stress responses that includes production of H₂O₂ and nitric oxide (NO). We investigated the possible signaling role of these reactive molecules in some CHT-induced responses by means of inhibitors of production and/or scavengers. The results show that both reactive nitrogen and oxygen species are not only a mere symptom of stress conditions but are involved in the responses induced by CHT in sycamore cells. In particular, NO appears to be involved in a cell death form induced by CHT that shows apoptotic features like DNA fragmentation, increase in caspase-3-like activity and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrion. On the contrary, reactive oxygen species (ROS) appear involved in a cell death form induced by CHT that does not show these apoptotic features but presents increase in lipid peroxidation.     

Development of green extraction process to produce antioxidant-rich extracts from purple coneflower

The present study was conducted to develop subcritical water extraction (SWE) of Echinacea purpurea flowers. The influence of temperature and extraction time on quality of extracts considering total phenols content, total flavonoids content, antioxidant capacity and extraction yield, was determined. Optimized extraction parameters for maximised investigated responses were as follows: 147.56 °C and 8.43 min. The experimental values agreed with the values predicted, thus indicating the adequacy of central composite experimental design for modelling the SWE of bioactive compounds from E. purpurea. Results of the study also highlighted the potential application of E. purpurea subcritical water extracts as a source of valuable bioactive compounds.     

Effect of hydrometallurgical process parameters on the Mn2O3 nano catalysts derived from spent batteries used in the plasma catalytic oxidation of BTX

Manganese oxide catalysts have been synthesized from the used batteries via hydrometallurgical method and effect of hydrometallurgical parameters such as the effect of acid type (H₂SO₄, HNO₃, HCl), acid concentration (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 %v/v) and powder to acid ratio (1/50, 1/60, 1/70, 1/80) were in detail investigated. The physico-chemical properties of as-prepared catalysts were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, BET, TEM, and TPR-H₂ analysis. The activity of as-prepared catalysts were investigated towards the oxidation of benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) in a plasma-catalytic process. The results show that benzene and toluene conversion were almost constant in the range of 97–98% in case of various acid types, acid concentrations and solid to liquid ratios. However, the xylene conversion were varied in case of different hydrometallurgical factors. The highest xylene conversion was obtained in the presence of MnS0.5–60, which was prepared using H₂SO₄ with concentration of 0.5%v/v and solid to liquid ratio of 1/60. The effect of the input voltage and BTX flow rate on the BTX conversion was also investigated using MnS0.5–60 catalyst in detail.