Boron difluoride modified zinc metal-organic framework-based "off-on" fluorescence sensor for tetracycline and Al3+ detection.

A novel fluorescence "off-on" probe was developed using a boron difluoride-modified zinc metal-organic framework (Zn-MOF3) for sensitive determination of tetracycline (TC) and Al3+. The Zn-MOF3 has excellent optical property and good applicability in aqueous phase. The fluorescence recorded at 436 nm was quenched at the excitation wavelength of 336 nm. Signal-off detection of tetracycline via fluorescence quenching of Zn-MOF3 is based on the inner filter effect. Fluorescence on-off-on detection of Al3+ occurs via the specific binding between tetracycline and Al3+. The limits of detection for TC and Al3+ were 28.4 nM and 106.7 nM, respectively. This probe exhibited high selectivity which was used for the determination of TC and Al3+ with satisfied recoveries (89.8 to 105.6% for TC, 90.0 to 110.4% for Al3+) and good precision (< 5%) in milk. The developed sensor represents the first "off-on" system for fluorescence detection of TC and Al3+ based on Zn-MOF3 with a better aspect of the innovation.

Life cycle environmental benefits of recycling waste liquor and chemicals in production of lignocellulosic bioethanol.

In recent decades, numerous bioconversion processes and techniques have been developed to utilize lignocellulosic biomass as feedstock in the production of bio-based fuels and materials. However, waste treatment, an important sub-system, is seldom considered in the life cycle assessment of lignocellulose derived products. This study comprehensively investigated the environmental impacts of bioethanol and electricity cogeneration from sugarcane bagasse, with a focus on recycling techniques adopted in waste treatment. A life cycle assessment indicated that high recycle rate of black liquor, acid and waste washing water can substantially reduce the consumption of fresh water, related chemicals and energy by 70-80%. Environmental impacts relating to global warming, acidification potential and primary energy demand can be decreased by 5-10 times or even entirely eliminated. These study outcomes demonstrate significant environmental benefits of integrating waste recycling techniques into lignocellulose biorefinery process, providing a solid foundation for future industrial development.

Synergistic fabrication of micro-nano bioactive ceramic-optimized polymer scaffolds for bone tissue engineering by in situ hydrothermal deposition and selective laser sintering.

Biodegradable three-dimensional porous scaffolds have attracted increasing attention as promising implants in bone tissue engineering. The micro/nano surface structure of scaffolds has also attracted significant attention due to its significant effects on scaffold physicochemical properties and cell behavior. Herein, polycaprolactone-polylactic acid-nano hydroxyapatite (PCL-PLA-nHA) ternary composite porous scaffolds with micro-nano bioactive surfaces were fabricated by combining selective laser sintering (SLS) and in situ hydrothermal deposition processes. The mechanical properties, micro/nano surface morphology, wettability, and cytocompatibility of the composite scaffolds were systematically evaluated. The results showed that the blending of PLA enhanced the compressive and tensile strength of the PCL scaffold, while also enhancing the modulus, but did not significantly change the tensile elongation. Moreover, the blending of PLA changed the fracture mode of the scaffold from ductile to brittle and its fracture mechanism was proposed. In addition, the formation mechanism of micro-nano surfaces under hydrothermal conditions was also summarized according to the micro-morphology of scaffolds. Besides, the PCL-PLA-nHA scaffold exhibited higher mineralization ability, excellent wettability, and better cytocompatibility, indicating its remarkable promise in bone tissue engineering applications.

Multi critical quality attributes monitoring of Chinese oral liquid extraction process with a spectral sensor fusion strategy.

The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extraction process is a complicated dynamic system with many variables and disturbance. Therefore, multi critical quality attributes (CQAs) monitoring is of great significance to understand the whole process. Spectroscopy is a powerful process analytical tool used for process understanding. However, single senor sometimes could not provide comprehensive information. Sensor fusion is a very practical method to overcome this deficiency. In this study, the extraction process of Xiao'er Xiaoji Zhike Oral Liquid (XXZOL) was carried out in pilot scale, where near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and mid infrared (MIR) spectroscopy were collected to determine the concentrations of seven CQAs (synephrine, arecoline, chlorogenic acid, forsythoside A, naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin) during extraction process. Based on fused data blocks, fusion partial least squares (PLS) models were established. Two fusion data blocks are obtained from the concatenation of original spectra (low-level data fusion) and the concatenation of characteristic variables based on band selection (mid-level data fusion) respectively. The results indicated that for all seven analytes, the mid-level data fusion models were superior to the single spectral models, with the prediction performance significantly improved. Specifically, the coefficients of determination (Rp2 and Rt2) of NIR, MIR and fusion quantitative models were all higher than 0.95. The relative standard errors of prediction (RSEP) values were all within 10%, except for models of neohesperidin, which were 10.76%, 12.39%, 12.05%, 10.03% for NIR, MIR, low-level and mid-level models respectively. These results demonstrate that it is feasible to monitor the extraction process of Xiao'er Xiaoji Zhike Oral Liquid more accurately and rapidly by fusing NIR and MIR spectroscopy, and the proposed approach also has vital and valuable reference value for the rapid monitoring of the mixed decoction process of other TCM.