Low-Field Benchtop NMR Spectroscopy for Quantification of Aldehydic Lipid Oxidation Products in Culinary Oils during Shallow Frying Episodes

Aldehyde-containing clays: a sustainable approach against the olive tree pest, Bactrocera oleae

A set of organic/inorganic layered materials was obtained by functionalizing a montmorillonite-containing bentonite natural clay with linear aliphatic C6 or C7 aldehydes through a cost-effective and technologically simple incipient-wetness deposition method. The solids were investigated by means of a multi-technique approach (X-ray powder diffraction, XRPD, scanning electron microscopy, SEM, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis, TGA, elemental analysis and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, ssNMR) to clarify the nature of the deposited organic species and the mode of interaction between the aldehyde and the clay. Since both natural clays and short-chain linear aldehydes find application as alternative strategies in the control of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, the hybrid layered materials were tested under real-life conditions and their insect-inhibiting capability was evaluated in open-field trials on olive tree orchards in Tuscany, Central Italy. Specific tests were conducted to evaluate the resistance of the solids to weathering and their capability to provide a constant and long-lasting release of the bioactive ingredient. Aldehyde-containing bentonite clays have shown promising performance in controlling B. oleae infestation (with up to 86-95% reduction of affected olive fruits) in open-field trials across two years in two locations with different pedological and meteo-climatic characteristics.

Investigation of the soybean infiltration process utilizing low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technology

This paper employs low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) technology to meticulously analyze and explore the intricate soybean infiltration process. The methodology involves immersing soybeans in distilled water, with periodic implementation of Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence experiments conducted at intervals of 20 to 30 minutes to determine the relaxation time T2. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is conducted every 30 minutes. The analysis uncovers the existence of three distinct water phases during the soybean infiltration process: bound water denoted as T21, sub-bound water represented by T22, and free water indicated as T23. The evolution of these phases unfolds as follows: bound water T21 displays a steady oscillation within the timeframe of 0 to 400 minutes; sub-bound water T22 and free water T23 exhibit a progressive pattern characterized by a rise-stable-rise trajectory. Upon scrutinizing the magnetic resonance images, it is discerned that the soybean infiltration commences at a gradual pace from the seed umbilicus. The employment of LF-NMR technology contributes significantly by affording an expeditious, non-destructive, and dynamic vantage point to observe the intricate motion of water migration during soybean infiltration. This dynamic insight into the movement of water elucidates the intricate mass transfer pathway within the soybean-water system, thus furnishing a robust scientific foundation for the optimization of processing techniques.

Perspectives on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Drug Discovery Research

The drug discovery landscape has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, owing to research endeavors in a wide range of areas leading to strategies for pursuing new drug targets and the emergence of novel drug modalities. NMR spectroscopy has been a technology of fundamental importance to these research pursuits and has seen its use expanded both within and outside of traditional medicinal chemistry applications. In this perspective, we will present advancement of NMR-derived methods that have facilitated the characterization of small molecules and novel drug modalities including macrocyclic peptides, cyclic dinucleotides, and ligands for protein degradation. We will discuss innovations in NMR spectroscopy at the chemistry and biology interface that have broadened NMR's utility from hit identification through lead optimization activities. We will also discuss the promise of emerging NMR approaches in bridging our understanding and addressing challenges in the pursuit of the therapeutic agents of the future.

From Oxidized Fatty Acids to Dimeric Species: In Vivo Relevance, Generation and Methods of Analysis

The occurrence of free fatty acids (FFAs) and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radicals (HO●) or hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is characteristic of inflammatory diseases, for instance, rheumatoid arthritis. Unsaturated fatty acids react with ROS yielding a variety of important products such as peroxides and chlorohydrins as primary and chain-shortened compounds (e.g., aldehydes and carboxylic acids) as secondary products. These modified fatty acids are either released from phospholipids by phospholipases or oxidatively modified subsequent to their release. There is increasing evidence that oligomeric products are also generated upon these processes. Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) are considered as very important products, but chlorinated compounds may be converted into dimeric and (with smaller yields) oligomeric products, as well. Our review is structured as follows: first, the different types of FFA oligomers known so far and the mechanisms of their putative generation are explained. Industrially relevant products as well as compounds generated from the frying of vegetable oils are also discussed. Second, the different opinions on whether dimeric fatty acids are considered as "friends" or "foes" are discussed.

Visual Colorimetric Detection of Edible Oil Freshness for Peroxides Based on Nanocellulose

Traditional methods for evaluating the edibility of lipids involve the use of organic reagents and complex operations, which limit their routine use. In this study, nanocellulose was prepared from bamboo, and a colorimetric reading strategy based on nanocellulose composite hydrogels was explored to monitor the freshness of edible oils. The hydrogels acted as carriers for peroxide dyes that changed color according to the freshness of the oil, and color information was digitized using UV-vis and RGB analysis. The sensitivity and accuracy of the hydrogel were verified using H₂O₂, which showed a linear relationship between absorbance and H₂O₂ content in the range of 0-0.5 and 0.5-11 mmol/kg with R² of 0.9769 and 0.9899, respectively, while the chromatic parameter showed an exponential relationship with R² of 0.9626. Surprisingly, the freshness of all seven edible oil samples was correctly identified by the hydrogel, with linear correlation coefficients greater than 0.95 in the UV-vis method and exponential correlation coefficients greater than 0.92 in the RGB method. Additionally, a peroxide value color card was established, with an accuracy rate of 91.67%. This functional hydrogel is expected to be used as a household-type oil freshness indicator to meet the needs of general consumers.