Starch biocomposites preparation by incorporating organosolv lignins from potato crop residues

Plastic wastes accumulated due to food packaging pose environmental threats. This study proposes biopolymeric films containing lignins extracted from potato crop residues (PCR) through organosolv treatment as a green alternative to non-degradable food packaging. The isolation process yielded 43.9 wt% lignins with a recovery rate of 73.5 wt% achieved under optimum conditions at 180 °C with 50 % v/v ethanol. The extracted lignins were then incorporated into a starch matrix to create biocomposite films. ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed interactions between the starch matrix and extracted lignins, and XRD analysis showed the amorphous structure of lignins, reducing film crystallinity. The addition of 1 wt% of extracted lignins resulted in a 87 % reduction in oxygen permeability, a 25 % increase in the thermal stability of the film, and a 78 % enhancement in antioxidant. Furthermore, introducing 3 wt% lignins led to the lowest water vapor transmission rate, measuring 9.3 × 10-7 kg/s·m2. Morphological studies of the films demonstrated a homogeneous and continuous structure on both the surface and cross-sectional areas when the lignins content was below 7 wt%. These findings highlight the potential of using organosolv lignins derived from potato crop residues as a promising additive for developing eco-friendly films designed for sustainable food packaging.

Sustainable bioconversion of potato peel wastes into ethanol and biogas using organosolv pretreatment

Potato processing industries generate considerable amounts of residues, i.e., potato peel wastes (PPW). Valorization of PPW for bioethanol and biogas production via a biorefining process was investigated in this study. Organosolv pretreatment was performed on the PPW using 50-75% (v/v) ethanol solution at 120-180 °C with/without the presence of 1% (w/w) H₂SO₄ (as a catalyst). After the pretreatment, the solvent, i.e., ethanol, was recovered by distillation. Catalyzed organosolv pretreatment using 50% (v/v) ethanol at 120 °C followed by enzymatic hydrolysis resulted in a high hydrolysate yield of 539.8 g glucose/kg dry PPW that was successfully fermented to 224.2 g ethanol/kg dry PPW. To recover more energy, the liquid fraction of the pretreatment remained after solvent recovery and the unhydrolyzed solids that remained from the enzymatic hydrolysis were anaerobically digested. From each kg of dry PPW, the anaerobic digestion produced 57.9 L biomethane. Thus, the biorefinery comprising ethanolic organosolv pretreatment, solvent recovery, enzymatic hydrolysis, ethanolic fermentation, and anaerobic digestion of residues was produced 8112 kJ energy per kg of dry PPW.

Investigating Cognitive Functions in Methadone Users in Comparison with Methadone and Methamphetamine Users and Control Group

Background

Cognitive impairment in drug users is a marker for predicting recurrence and poorer adherence to treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the cognitive function in three groups of methadone users methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), compared to methadone and methamphetamine (MAMP) users (MMT + MAMP) and healthy people (control group).

Methods

Three groups of 90 people including 30 users of MMT, 30 users of MMT + MAMP, and 30 healthy persons participated in this cross-sectional and purposeful study. The study was performed on outpatients of MMT Clinic of Psychiatric Hospital in Kerman, Iran. The demographic and related data questionnaire was filled out. In addition, Persian version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) was used to assess cognitive function.

Findings

The mean of total number of scores and all BACS subscales were significantly better in control group than the other two groups of patients. Moreover, not only the mean of total number of BACS was significantly different between two substance abuser groups, but also there was a significant difference between them on verbal memory, digit sequencing, and token motor test, with MMT + MAMP group performing worse than MMT group.

Conclusion

Concomitant use of opioids and stimulant substance such as MAMP results in cumulative toxic effect of them on brain and cognitive functions.

Family caregiver burden in mental illnesses: The case of affective disorders and schizophrenia - a qualitative exploratory study

BACKGROUND

Caregivers of people with mental illnesses often experience a wide range of burdens. Although many studies have confirmed burdens among family caregivers of mentally ill relatives in general, specific knowledge regarding the concrete everyday hassle and existential sorrows from the caregiverś subjective reasoning perspective is lacking. Furthermore, there is little evidence on the possible different effects of affective disorders and schizophrenia on the quality of burden; this is also true with regard to the role of cultural traditions and lay beliefs.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to explore the specific burdens experienced by caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and affective disorders.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted by semi-structured interviews with 45 caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and affective disorders. Data were analysed by qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Eleven encumbering themes resulted from the interviews including incertitude, unawareness, emotional burden, stigma and blame, financial burden, physical burden, restriction in routine, disruption in routine, dissatisfaction with family, relatives, and acquaintances, troubles with patients' adherence to medication, and problems with health services and governmental support.

CONCLUSIONS

Caring for a person with mental illness affects caregivers emotionally, financially, physically, and it elicits some restrictions in their routine (daily hassles). Finally, it causes conflicts in family relationships. Despite some differences regarding perceived burden among caregivers of schizophrenia and affective disorders, a common pattern of burden could be identified. Thus, authorities should provide adequate financial, educational, and psychosocial supports for caregivers of mental illnesses.