Mesoporous activated carbon derived from fruit by-product by pyrolysis induced chemical activation: optimization and mechanism for fuchsin basic dye removal

In this study, pineapple crown (PC) feedstock residues were utilized as a potential precursor toward producing activated carbon (PCAC) via pyrolysis induced with ZnCl2 activation. The PCAC has a surface area (457.8 m2/g) and a mesoporous structure with an average pore diameter of 3.35 nm, according to the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller estimate. The removal of cationic dye (Fuchsin basic; FB) was used for investigating the adsorption parameters of PCAC. The optimization of significant adsorption variables (A: PCAC dose (0.02-0.1 g/100 mL); B: pH (4-10); C: time (10-90); and D: initial FB concentration (10-50 mg/L) was conducted using the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The pseudo-second-order (PSO) model characterized the dye adsorption kinetic profile, whereas the Freundlich model reflected the equilibrium adsorption profile. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of PCAC for FB dye was determined to be 171.5 mg/g. Numerous factors contribute to the FB dye adsorption mechanism onto the surface of PCAC, which include electrostatic attraction, H-bonding, pore diffusion, and π-π stacking. This study illustrates the utilization of PC biomass feedstock for the fabrication of PCAC and its successful application in wastewater remediation.

Brewing by-product valorisation: trub debittered for nutritional and quality improvement of pasta

Trub, a brewing by-product, can be used as alternative ingredient for foods nutritional enrichment after its bitter compounds extraction. Study presents the optimisation of bitter compounds extraction from trub by Box-Behnken design, and use of debittered trub (DT) as new ingredient to enrich pasta. Bitterness extraction process was evaluated at different pH levels, time and extraction steps, and physical-chemical properties of DT (obtained under optimal conditions) were evaluated. Pasta was enriched with DT (5%, 10% and 15%) and its physical-chemical and quality properties were evaluated. Protein structure and chemical composition of trub were altered after process, also modifying its technological properties. Pasta with 10% DT increased in 33.51% protein content. Interaction of DT and wheat proteins resulted in a more compact structure, and DT water absorption capacity provided pasta texture changes. DT use improved pasta nutritional and quality properties, enabling trub valorisation and its use as vegetable proteins alternative source.

Evaluation and Multi-Objective Optimization of Lightweight Mortars Parameters at Elevated Temperature via Box-Behnken Optimization Approach

In this research, the mechanical properties of lightweight mortars containing different percentages of additional powder materials has been investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). Box–Behnken design, one of the RSM techniques, was used to study the effects of silica fume content (5, 10, and 15%), vermiculite/cement (V/C) ratio (4, 6, and 8), and temperature (300, 600, and 900 °C) on the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), bending strength, and compressive strength of lightweight mortars. Design expert statistical software was accustomed to determining and evaluating the mix-design of materials in mortar mixtures and temperature effect on mortars. After preliminary experimental research of the relationships between independent and response variables, regression models were built. During the selection of the model parameters, F value, p-value, and R² values of the statistical models were taken into account by using the backward elimination technique. The results showed a high correlation between the variables and responses. Multi-objective optimization results showed that the critical temperatures for different levels of silica fume (5–10–15%) were obtained as 371.6 °C, 306.3 °C, and 436 °C, respectively, when the V/C ratio kept constant as 4. According to the results obtained at high desirability levels, it is found that the UPS values varied in the range of 2480–2737 m/s, flexural strength of 3.13–3.81 MPa, and compressive strength of 9.9–11.5 MPa at these critical temperatures. As a result of this research, RSM is highly recommended to evaluate mechanical properties where concrete includes some additional powder materials and was exposed to high temperature.

Optimization of trypsin extraction technology of Allium cepa L. polysaccharide by response surface methodology and the antitumor effects through immunomodulation

The trypsin-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Allium cepa L. was optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum extraction conditions were extraction temperature, extraction time, extraction pH, and enzyme amount of 37.16°C, 180 min, 8.57, and 5.16%, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the yield of A. cepa L. polysaccharides (ACP) reached 9.69%, which was comparable with the predicted yield (9.73%). Mid- and high-dose ACP significantly inhibited the tumor growth (43.93%) and the tumor inhibition percentage (38.05%), which were more than 30%. The ACP could extend the survival time of H₂₂ ascites tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, the ACP could reduce the thymus and the spleen atrophy and significantly promoted the Con A-induced proliferation of splenocytes and elevated the serum IFN-γ and IL-2 levels. Therefore, the ACP could inhibit the tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice and regulated the immune function of mice.

Practical ApplicationsThe trypsin-assisted extraction has high efficiency, is carried out through the polysaccharide extraction and the deproteinization at the same time, and is more convenient and fast than traditional methods. No detailed study on the optimization of the trypsin extraction of onion polysaccharides is available. Thus, this experiment aims to use the BBD (4 factors and 3 levels) to optimize the roles of extraction temperature, extraction time, extraction pH, and amount of enzyme on the yield of polysaccharides obtained from the fruit of A. cepa L. In addition, when looking for high-quality biological functional principles for the pharmaceutical industry, the antitumor activity of ACP was evaluated. A. cepa L. is one of the most widely cultivated and consumed crops worldwide. Polysaccharides are the main active ingredient, and studies have shown that a high intake of Allium vegetables is associated with reduced risk of cancers.

Optimization of Ultrasonicated Kaempferol Extraction from Ocimum basilicum Using a Box-Behnken Design and Its Densitometric Validation

Kaempferol (KA) is a natural flavonol that can be found in plants and plant-derived foods with a plethora of different pharmacological properties. In the current study, we developed an efficient extraction method for the isolation of KA from ultrasonicated basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum). We successfully employed a Box-Behnken design (BBD) in order to investigate the effect of different extraction variables including methanol concentration (40-80%), extraction temperature (40-60 °C), and extraction time (5-15 min). The quantification of KA yield was carried out by employing a validated densitometric high performance thin layer chromatography in connection with ultraviolet detection (HPTLC-VIS). The obtained data showed that the quadratic polynomial model (R² = 0.98) was the most appropriate. The optimized ultrasonic extraction yielded 94.7 ng/spot of KA when using methanol (79.99%) at 60 °C for 5 min. When using toluene-ethyl acetate-formic acid (70:30:1 v/v/v) as a solvent, KA was detected in basil leaves at an Retention factor (Rf) value of 0.26 at 330 nm. Notably, the analytical method was successfully validated with a linear regression of R² = 0.99, which reflected a good linear relationship. The developed HPTLC-VIS method in this study was precise, accurate, and robust due to the lower obtained results from both the percent relative standard deviation (%RSD) and SEM of the O. basilicum. The antioxidant activity of KA (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) = 0.68 μg/mL) was higher than that of the reference ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 0.79 μg/mL) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (IC₅₀ = 0.88 μg/mL). The development of economical and efficient techniques is very important for the extraction and quantification of important pharmaceutical compounds such as KA.

Enhanced oral bioavailability and hepatoprotective activity of thymoquinone in the form of phospholipidic nano-constructs

Background: The poor biopharmaceutical properties of thymoquinone (TQ) obstruct its development as a hepatoprotective agent. To surmount the delivery challenges of TQ, phospholipid nanoconstructs (PNCs) were constructed.Method: PNCs were constructed employing microemulsification technique and systematic optimization by three-factor three level Box-Behnken design.Result: Optimized PNC composition exhibited nano size (<100 nm), spherical morphology, within acceptable range of polydispersity index (0.55), high drug entrapment efficiency (>90%), controlled drug release pattern, and neutral surface charge (zeta potential of -0.65 mV). After oral administration of a single dose of PNC, it showed a relative bioavailability of 386.03% vis-à-vis plain TQ suspension. Further, TQ-loaded PNC demonstrated significant enhanced hepato-protective effect vis-à-vis pure TQ suspension and silymarin, as evidenced by reduction in the ALP, ALT, AST, bilirubin, and albumin level and ratified by histopathological analysis.Conclusion: TQ-loaded PNCs can be efficient nano-platforms for the management of hepatic disorders and promising drug delivery systems to enhance oral bioavailability of this hydrophobic molecule.

Preparation, Characterization, and Optimization of Folic Acid-Chitosan-Methotrexate Core-Shell Nanoparticles by Box-Behnken Design for Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery

The objective of this study was to investigate the combined influence of independent variables in the preparation of folic acid-chitosan-methotrexate nanoparticles (FA-Chi-MTX NPs). These NPs were designed and prepared for targeted drug delivery in tumor. The NPs of each batch were prepared by coaxial electrospray atomization method and evaluated for particle size (PS) and particle size distribution (PSD). The independent variables were selected to be concentration of FA-chitosan, ratio of shell solution flow rate to core solution flow rate, and applied voltage. The process design of experiments (DOE) was obtained with three factors in three levels by Design expert software. Box-Behnken design was used to select 15 batches of experiments randomly. The chemical structure of FA-chitosan was examined by FTIR. The NPs of each batch were collected separately, and morphologies of NPs were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The captured pictures of all batches were analyzed by ImageJ software. Mean PS and PSD were calculated for each batch. Polynomial equation was produced for each response. The FE-SEM results showed the mean diameter of the core-shell NPs was around 304 nm, and nearly 30% of the produced NPs are in the desirable range. Optimum formulations were selected. The validation of DOE optimization results showed errors around 2.5 and 2.3% for PS and PSD, respectively. Moreover, the feasibility of using prepared NPs to target tumor extracellular pH was shown, as drug release was greater in the pH of endosome (acidic medium). Finally, our results proved that FA-Chi-MTX NPs were active against the human epithelial cervical cancer (HeLa) cells.