Simultaneous Detection of Carbon Quantum Dots as Tracers for Interwell Connectivity Evaluation in a Pattern with Two Injection Wells.

This study aimed to develop and implement a nanotechnology-based alternative to traditional tracers used in the oil and gas industry for assessing interwell connectivity. A simple and rapid hydrothermal protocol for synthesizing carbon quantum dots (CQDs) using agroindustry waste was implemented. Three commercial CQDs were employed (CQDblue, CQDgreen, and CQDred); the fourth was synthesized from orange peel (CQDop). The CQDs from waste and other commercials with spherical morphology, nanometric sizes less than 11 nm in diameter, and surface roughness less than 3.1 nm were used. These tracers demonstrated high colloidal stability with a negative zeta potential, containing carbonyl-type chemical groups and unsaturations in aromatic structures that influenced their optical behavior. All materials presented high colloidal stability with negative values of charge z potential between -17.8 and -49.1. Additionally, individual quantification of these tracers is feasible even in scenarios where multiple CQDs are present in the effluent with a maximum percentage of interference of 15.5% for CQDop in the presence of the other three nanotracers. The CQDs were injected into the field once the technology was insured under laboratory conditions. Monitoring the effluents allowed the determination of connectivity for five first-line producer wells. This study enables the application of CQDs in the industry, particularly in fields where the arrangement of injector and producer wells is intricate, requiring the use of multiple tracers for a comprehensive description of the system.

Nanoliposomes for Controlled Release of Cannabinodiol at Relevant Gastrointestinal Conditions.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has significant therapeutic potential; nevertheless, its advance as an effective drug by the pharmaceutical business is hindered by its inherent characteristics, such as low bioavailability, low water solubility, and variable pharmacokinetic profiles. This research aimed to develop nanoliposomes using an easy and low-cost method to improve the hydrosolubility of CBD and achieve a controlled delivery of the active principle under relevant physiological conditions from the mouth to the intestine; the cytotoxic and antitumor activities were also evaluated. To achieve the objective, core-shell nanoliposomes based on CBD were synthesized in three easy steps and characterized in terms of shape, size, surface chemistry, thermal capacity, and surface charge density through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and potential charge (PZ), respectively. CBD-controlled delivery trials were carried out under simulated mouth-duodenal conditions and fitted to Korsmeyer-Peppas and Noyes-Whitney models to conclude about the pharmacokinetics of CBD from nano-CBD. Cytotoxicity studies on nonmalignant human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were carried out to evaluate its safety and the recommended consumption dose, and finally, the antiproliferative capacity of nano-CBD on human colon carcinoma cells (SW480) was determined as beginning proposal for cancer treatment. The characterization results verified the water solubility for the CBD nanoencapsulated, the core-shell structure, the size in the nanometric regime, and the presence of the synthesis components. The dissolution rate at duodenal conditions was higher than that in buccal and stomach environments, respectively, and this behavior was associated with the shell (lecithin) chemical structure, which destabilizes at pH above 7.2, allowing the release by non-Fickian diffusion of CBD as corroborated by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. In vitro biological tests revealed the innocuousness and cyto-security of nano-CBD up to 1000 mg·L-1 when evaluated on HaCaT cells and concentrations higher than 1000 mg·L-1 showed antitumor activity against human colon carcinoma cells (SW480) taking the first step as a chemotherapeutic proposal. These results are unprecedented and propose a selective delivery system based on nano-CBD at low cost and that provides a new form of administration and chemo treatment.

Development of Bio-Nanofluids Based on the Effect of Nanoparticles' Chemical Nature and Novel Solanum torvum Extract for Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (CEOR) Processes.

This study aimed to develop novel bio-nanofluids using Solanum torvum extracts in synergy with nanoparticles of different chemical nature as a proposal sustainable for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications. For this, saponin-rich extracts (SRE) were obtained from Solanum torvum fruit using ultrasound-assisted and Soxhlet extraction. The results revealed that Soxhlet is more efficient for obtaining SRE from Solanum torvum and that degreasing does not generate additional yields. SRE was characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectrophotometry, thermogravimetric analysis, hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, and critical micelle concentration analyses. Bio-nanofluids based on SiO2 (strong acid), ZrO2 (acid), Al2O3 (neutral), and MgO (basic) nanoparticles and SRE were designed to evaluate the effect of the chemical nature of the nanoparticles on the SRE performance. The results show that 100 mg L-1 MgO nanoparticles improved the interfacial tension up to 57% and the capillary number increased by two orders of magnitude using this bio-nanofluid. SRE solutions enhanced with MgO recovered about 21% more than the system in the absence of nanoparticles. The addition of MgO nanoparticles did not cause a loss of injectivity. This is the first study on the surface-active properties of Solanum torvum enhanced with nanomaterials as an environmentally friendly EOR process.

Optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction of polyphenol, mangiferin, and its antioxidant expressionin mango peel (Mangifera indica) using response surface methodology.

BACKGROUND: Emerging extraction techniques for bioactive compounds have been cataloged as efficient and cost effective compared to conventional ones. The objective of this research was to define the time and temperature that will guarantee a higher mangiferin content and antioxidant potential in Colombian Criollo mango peel through Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE). METHODS: To find the optimal extraction conditions, response surface methodology was used, proposing a 32 factorial experimental design having as response variables the content of mangiferin and total phenols, and the antioxidant activity measured through ABTS and ORAC techniques. RESULTS: According to the results obtained, the R2 values were in accordance with the adjusted R2 values, showing that the data fit the model well. The results showed that both time and temperature had a significant effect on all the variables evaluated (p < 0.05). The optimization of multiple responses showed that the optimal extraction conditions were 10 min and 54°C; these values were performed experimentally to compare theoretical values, finding percentages of standard residual error of less than 5%. CONCLUSIONS: This allows the conclusion that the optimal parameters of temperature and time in ultrasound- assisted extraction were defined in Criollo mango peel. On the other hand, the peel showed a considerable metabolite content and antioxidant activity, suggesting it as a possible functional additive in the production of juices, nectars, and other mango-based products.

Dual-Purpose Materials Based on Carbon Xerogel Microspheres (CXMs) for Delayed Release of Cannabidiol (CBD) and Subsequent Aflatoxin Removal.

The main objective of this study is to develop a novel dual-purpose material based on carbon xerogel microspheres (CXMs) that permits the delayed release of cannabidiol (CBD) and the removal of aflatoxin. The CXMs were prepared by the sol-gel method and functionalized with phosphoric acid (CXMP) and melamine (CXMN). The support and the modified materials were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), N2 adsorption at -196 °C, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and zeta potential. For the loading of the cannabidiol (CBD) in the porous samples, batch-mode adsorption experiments at 25 °C were performed, varying the concentration of CBD. The desorption kinetics was performed at two conditions for simulating the gastric (pH of 2.1) and intestinal (pH of 7.4) conditions at 37 °C based on in vitro CBD release. Posteriorly, the samples obtained after desorption were used to study aflatoxin removal, which was evaluated through adsorption experiments at pH = 7.4 and 37 °C. The adsorption isotherms of CBD showed a type I(b) behavior, with the adsorbed uptake being higher for the support than for the modified materials with P and N. Meanwhile, the desorption kinetics of CBD at gastric conditions indicated release values lower than 8%, and the remaining amount was desorbed at pH = 7.4 in three hours until reaching 100% based on the in vitro experiments. The results for aflatoxin showed total removal in less than 30 min for all the materials evaluated. This study opens a broader landscape in which to develop dual-purpose materials for the delayed release of CBD, improving its bioavailability and allowing aflatoxin removal in gastric conditions.

Effect of isoespintanol isolated from Oxandra cf. xylopioides against DNA damage of human lymphocytes.

Synthetic antioxidants are used in the food and pharmaceutical industry, however, there is concern about their safety; this has prompted the search for new antioxidants that are effective, safe and act at low concentrations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the oxygen radical scavenging capacity and clastogenic effect of the Isoespintanol /2-isopropyl-3,6-dimethyl-5-methylphenol) in DNA of human lymphocyte compared with the BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole). The oxygen radical scavenging ability was evaluated by methods ORACFL and ORACPGR, genotoxicity was determined by comet assay and data analysis was performed using ANOVA and Duncan test. The results show that the oxygen radical scavenging capacity of the BHA is higher than Isoespintanol, however according to the reactivity concept proposed by Lopez-Alarcon and Lissi, the Isoespintanol it is more reactive than BHA. Furthermore, according to some studies, BHA presented adverse effects on the health of consumers. Comet assay results revealed that at concentrations between 3 and 1620 µM the Isoespintanol don't show clastogenic effects on DNA. In conclusion, the antioxidant capacity for the BHA is higher than Isoespintanol, but considering reactivity concepts proposed by López-Alarcon and Lissi, the Isoespintanol is faster to neutralize radicals that the BHA, furthermore, according to the National Institute of Health "BHA" is a human carcinogen.

Development and Evaluation of Surfactant Nanocapsules for Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Applications.

The primary objective of this study is the synthesis of nanocapsules (NC) that allow the reduction of the adsorption process of surfactant over the porous media in enhanced oil recovery processes. Nanocapsules were synthesized through the nanoprecipitation method by encapsulating commercial surfactants Span 20 and Petro 50, and using type II resins isolated from vacuum residue as a shell. The NC were characterized using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, solvency tests, softening point measurements and entrapment efficiency. The obtained NC showed spherical geometry with sizes of 71 and 120 nm for encapsulated Span 20 (NCS20), and Petro 50 surfactant (NCP50), respectively. Also, the NCS20 is composed of 90% of surfactant and 10% of type II resins, while the NCP50 material is 94% of surfactant and 6% of the shell. Nanofluids of nanocapsules dispersed in deionized water were prepared for evaluating the nanofluid­sandstone interaction from adsorption phenomena using a batch-mode method, contact angle measurements, and FTIR analysis. The results showed that NC adsorption was null at the different conditions of temperatures evaluated of 25, 50, and 70 °C, and stirring velocities up to 10,000 rpm. IFT measurements showed a reduction from 18 to 1.62 and 0.15 mN/m for the nanofluids with 10 mg/L of NCS20, and NCP50 materials, respectively. Displacements tests were conducted using a 20 °API crude oil in a quarter five-spot pattern micromodel and showed an additional oil recovery of 23% in comparison with that of waterflooding, with fewer pore volumes injected than when using a dissolved surfactant.

CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES, PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY FROM PLANT CELL SUSPENSION CULTURES OF Thevetia peruviana / PRODUCCIÓN DE GLÍCOSIDOS CARDIOTÓNICOS, COMPUESTOS FENÓLICOS Y ACTIVIDAD ANTIOXIDANTE EN CULTIVOS DE CÉLULAS VEGETALES EN SUSPENSIÓN DE Thevetia peruviana

Cell suspension cultures of Thevetia peruviana were established under dark for 19 days to investigate kinetic behavior related to biomass, substrate, cardiac glycoside, polyphenols, reactive oxygen species and anti-oxidant activity. The results showed high biomass production (18.80gDW/L) as well as sucrose consumption in 7 days. Preferential glucose over fructose consumption was observed. Intracellular production of cardiac glycosides reached 2.58mg DE/gDW at day 19. Highest extracellular production was reached between day 2 and 7 (6.19mg DE/L). Highest extracellular phenolic content was 80.61 ± 5.16mg GAE/L at day 7. Intracellular phenolic content increased to 2.76 ± 0.14mg GAE/gFW at day 7 and remained constant until day 19. ROS production at day 7 could be related to sucrose and glucose total consumption. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (ρ) showed that the phenolic compounds in cell suspension cultures of T. peruviana were responsible for the observed anti-oxidant activity. All together, these results give the first steps in metabolic behavior in cell suspension cultures of T. peruviana.

Se establecieron cultivos en suspensión de la especie vegetal Thevetia peruviana en oscuridad, durante 19 días, para estudiar el comportamiento cinético de producción de biomasa, consumo de sustrato, producción de glicósidos cardiotónicos, polifenoles, especies reactivas de oxígeno y actividad antioxidante. Los resultados mostraron una alta producción de biomasa (18,80g PS/L), al igual que consumo total de sacarosa, a los 7 días de cultivo. Se observó un consumo preferencial de glucosa sobre fructosa durante todo el cultivo. La producción de glicósidos cardiotónicos intracelulares alcanzó valores de 2,58mg ED/g PS, al día 19. La mayor producción extracelular (6,19mg ED/L), se alcanzó entre los días 2 y 7. El mayor contenido de compuestos fenólicos extracelular fue de 80,61 ± 5,16mg GAE/L, en el día 7. El contenido de compuestos fenólicos intracelulares incrementó a 2,76 ± 0,14mg AGE/gPF, al día 7 y se mantuvo constante, hasta el día 19. La producción de EROs, al día 7, puede estar relacionada con el consumo total de sacarosa y glucosa. El coeficiente de correlación producto-momento de Pearson (ρ) indicó que los compuestos fenólicos en cultivos celulares en suspensión de T. peruviana eran los responsables de la actividad antioxidante observada. En conjunto, estos resultados brindan las primeras bases relacionadas al comportamiento metabólico de cultivos celulares en suspensión, de T. peruviana.