Assessing the carotenoid profiles and allelic diversity of yellow maize inbred lines adapted to mid-altitude subhumid maize agroecology in Ethiopia.

Biofortification of provitamin A in maize is an attractive and sustainable remedy to the problem of vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. The utilization of molecular markers represents a promising avenue to facilitate the development of provitamin A (PVA)-enriched maize varieties. We screened 752 diverse tropical yellow/orange maize lines using kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) makers to validate the use of KASP markers in PVA maize breeding. To this end, a total of 161 yellow/orange inbred lines, selected from among the 752 lines, were evaluated for their endosperm PVA and other carotenoid compounds levels in two separate trials composed of 63 and 98 inbred lines in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed among the yellow maize inbred lines studied for all carotenoid profiles. An inbred line TZMI1017, introduced by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) showed the highest level of PVA (12.99 µg/g) and ß-carotene (12.08 µg/g). The molecular screening showed 43 yellow maize inbred lines carrying at least three of the favorable alleles of the KASP markers. TZMI1017 inbred line also carried the favorable alleles of almost all markers. In addition, nine locally developed inbred lines had medium to high PVA concentrations varying from 5.11 µg/g to 10.76 µg/g and harbored the favorable alleles of all the KASP PVA markers. Association analysis between molecular markers and PVA content variation in the yellow/orange maize inbred lines did not reveal a significant, predictable correlation. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the underlying genetic architecture of the PVA content in this germplasm. However, we recommend strategic utilization of the maize-inbred lines with higher PVA content to enhance the PVA profile of the breeding program's germplasm.

Improving the performance of the photosynthetic apparatus of Citrus sinensis with the use of chitosan-selenium nanocomposite (CS + Se NPs) under salinity stress.

BACKGROUND: Abiotic stress, such as salinity, affects the photosynthetic apparatus of plants. It is reported that the use of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs), and biochemical compounds such as chitosan (CS) increase the tolerance of plants to stress conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the potential of Se NPs, CS, and their composite (CS + Se NPs) in improving the photosynthetic apparatus of C. sinensis under salt stress in greenhouse conditions. The grafted seedlings of C. sinensis cv. Valencia after adapting to the greenhouse condition, were imposed with 0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl. After two weeks, the plants were foliar sprayed with distilled water (control), CS (0.1% w/v), Se NPs (20 mg L- 1), and CS + Se NPs (10 and 20 mg L- 1). Three months after treatment, the levels of photosynthetic pigments, leaf gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence in the treated plants were evaluated. RESULTS: Under salinity stress, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, and SPAD values decreased by 31%, 48%, and 28% respectively, and Fv/Fm also decreased compared to the control, while the ratio of absorption flux (ABS), dissipated energy flux (DI0) and maximal trapping rate of PSII (TR0) to RC (a measure of PSII apparent antenna size) were increased. Under moderate (50 mM NaCl) and intense (100 mM NaCl) salinity stress, the application of CS + Se NPs significantly increased the levels of photosynthetic pigments and the Fv/Fm value compared to plants treated with distilled water. CONCLUSIONS: It may be inferred that foliar treatment with CS + Se NPs can sustain the photosynthetic ability of C. sinensis under salinity stress and minimize its deleterious effects on photosynthesis.

Removal of fluoroquinolone antibiotic and sulfonated dye by functionalized Persea americana seed powder: Appraisal on phase transfer kinetics, equilibrium, economics, and applications in rural settings.

The study focuses on reactive orange 16 (RO16), a sulfonated dye, and ciprofloxacin (CiP), a fluoroquinolone antibiotic treatment from aquatic surface by adsorption. The functionalized Persea americana seed powder (PASP) was developed by acid hydrolysis technique and investigated for RO16 and CiP removal in batch scale at different concentrations for CiP and RO16, pH (2-8), contact duration and temperature (303-318K). Utilizing a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), the generated native PASP were assessed for their morphological characteristics. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was applied to examine the performing characteristics of PASP. Experimental findings with four kinetic mathematical models allowed the estimation of the process involved in the biosorption. The most effective agreement was explained by the pseudo-second-order model and Sips isotherm (Cip = 34.603 mg/g and RO16 = 30.357 mg/g) at 303K temperature. For Cip Process economics of the biosorbent was done, and it was observed that it was less than the readily market-available activated carbon.

Sustainable biosynthesis of lycopene by using evolutionary adaptive recombinant Escherichia coli from orange peel waste.

This study aimed to evaluate the hydrolysates from orange peel waste (OPW) as the low-cost carbon source for lycopene production. Initially, the dilute acid pretreatment combined with enzymatic hydrolysis of OPW resulted in a total sugar concentration of 62.18 g/L. Meanwhile, a four-month adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) experiment using a d-galacturonic acid minimal medium resulted in an improvement in the growth rate of our previously engineered Escherichia coli strain for lycopene production. After evolutionary adaptation, response surface methodology (RSM) was adapted to optimize the medium composition in fermentation. The results obtained from RSM analysis revealed that the 5.53 % carbon source of orange peel hydrolysate (OPH), 6.57 g/L nitrogen source, and 30 °C temperature boosted lycopene production in the final strain. Subsequently, the optimized treatment for lycopene fermentation was then conducted in a 5 L batch fermenter under the surveillance of a kinetic model that uses the Logistic equation for strain growth (µm = 0.441 h-1), and Luedeking-Piret equations for lycopene production (Pm = 1043 mgL-1) with growth rate constant (α = 0.1491). At last, lycopene biosynthesized from OPH was extracted and analyzed for qualitative validation. Likewise, its data on phytic acid (between 1.01 % and 0.86 %) and DPPH radical scavenging (between 38.06 % and 29.08 %) highlighted the better antioxidant capacity of lycopene. In conclusion, the OPH can be used as a fermentation feedstock which opens new possibilities of exploiting fruit crop residues for food and pharmaceutical applications.

A Comparative Evaluation of the Dissolving Abilities of Eucalyptus, Orange, and Castor Oils in Endodontic Retreatment Using Conventional and Rotary Techniques.

INTRODUCTION: Endodontic retreatment is essential for periapical healing, involving the removal of inadequate fillings, thorough cleaning, and new filling application to prevent leakage. This study compares the dissolving abilities of Eucalyptus, Orange, and Castor oils in the re-treatment of resin-based endodontic fillings using conventional and rotary techniques. METHODOLOGY: Thirty single-rooted human teeth were prepared and filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. They were divided into three groups (n=10) based on the solvent used (Eucalyptus, Orange, or Castor oil) and further subdivided based on the techniques used (conventional and rotary). Standardised re-treatment procedures were performed, and the amount of residual material was measured. RESULTS: A significant difference (p<0.001) was found among the groups, indicating that both the type of solvent and the technique significantly affected the amount of residual material. The rotary technique generally left less residual material compared to the conventional technique for all solvents. Eucalyptus oil with the rotary technique showed the least residual material (mean = 5.8), while Castor oil with the conventional technique showed the most (mean = 10.2). CONCLUSION: Eucalyptus oil, especially when used with rotary techniques, is highly effective in removing resin-based endodontic fillings, providing a viable and safer alternative to traditional solvents. The study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate solvents and techniques for successful endodontic re-treatment.

The genome sequence of the Orange-tailed Clearwing, Synanthedon andrenaeformis (Laspeyres, 1801).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Synanthedon andrenaeformis (the Orange-tailed Clearwing; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Sesiidae). The genome sequence is 348.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.65 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 12,867 protein coding genes.

Mutation Breeding of Monascus to Produce a High Yield of Orange Pigment and Low Citrinin Content Using the ARTP Method.

Monascus is a filamentous fungus with a long history of application in China, which can produce a variety of secondary metabolites, including Monascus red pigments, Monascus orange pigments, Monascus yellow pigments, and citrinin. There is widespread attention being paid to natural pigments because of their safety. Among the many natural pigments, orange pigment has a wide range of applications because of its unique color, but current production levels in the orange pigment industry are limited to a certain extent due to the insufficiently wide range of sources and low production. In this study, the ARTP mutation was used to obtain a strain with high-yield orange pigment and low citrinin. The strain RS7 was obtained through two-step mutagenesis, and all three pigments were improved to different degrees. The color value of orange pigment was elevated from the original 108 U/mL to 180 U/mL, an increase of 66.7% compared to the original strain, and the citrinin content was reduced by 69%. The result of microscopic morphology showed that RS7 has more wrinkles and is more convex than the R1 strain, but there was little change between the two strains. Therefore, the ARTP mutation influenced the growth and the biosynthesis of pigments in Monascus. In addition, the conditions of ultrasonic extraction of Monascus pigments were optimized using the response surface, and the separation of pigments was achieved with the method of thin-layer chromatography. Pigment stability results showed that the temperature had no significant effect on orange pigment, while tea polyphenol could improve its stability. This study generated a strain with high-yielding orange pigment and could lay a foundation for the future application of Monascus orange pigment in the food industry.

Fabrication of electrospun PA66 nanofibers loaded with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles: investigation of dye degradation and antibacterial activity.

In the current study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) incorporated Polyamide 66 (PA66) nanofiber mat as a photocatalyst which was prepared using electrospinning technique for degradation of methyl orange (MO). Considering the lack of reported studies on the influence of the ultrasonication on the size and stability of AgNPs, the purpose of the study was to produce a small size of AgNPs and compare it with the continuous stirring method. It is reasonable to report that the advantage of ultrasonication is to generate relatively smaller AgNPs (u-AgNPs) compared to fabrication by continuous stirring method (s-AgNPs). Helichrysum arenarium (HA) extract was used as a reducing agent as well as a capping agent in green synthesis of AgNPs. AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). PA66/u-AgNs nanofibers were then successfully electrospun and characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), FT-IR, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and water contact angle measurement (WCA). Fabricated PA66-based nanofiber mat with smooth surface and uniform diameters (330-340 nm) was used as a catalyst in MO degradation. PA66/u-AgNP nanofibers were also evaluated for antibacterial performance and showed significant inhibition against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. According to these findings, it is expected that the fabricated novel PA66/u-AgNP nanofibers can be announced as a promising potent and applied to the wastewater applications.

Value addition to dietetic frozen yoghurt through use of fruit peel solids.

The study pertains to preparing value added frozen yoghurt through use of orange peel powder (OPP). The quality aspects of medium-fat (6.0% fat) frozen yoghurt prepared using OPP at three levels (1.5, 2.5, 3.5% as T1, T2 and T3 respectively) was studied. Frozen yoghurt was prepared by freezing blend of fermented yoghurt base with ice cream mix (25:75 w/w); other ingredients were sugar, stabilizer-emulsifier and orange crush. Inclusion of OPP in frozen yoghurt impacted the orange flavour favorably and enriched product with ß-carotene and dietary fiber. The control product (TC) was prepared in similar manner, avoiding OPP. As the level of OPP was raised in formulation, there was a marked increase in the protein, carbohydrate, ash and total solids when compared with TC. Presence of OPP markedly affected the acidity, viscosity, overrun and melting resistance of the product; maximum overrun was associated with TC. Product T3 had the maximum acidity and viscosity; T2 had maximum total sensory score. It is recommended to prepare medium-fat frozen yoghurt utilizing 2.5% OPP along with orange crush as flavouring. Such inclusion of peel solids enriched the product with ß-carotene and dietary fiber, contributed to stabilization of product and enhanced the products sensory acceptance.

Optimization of accelerated solvent extraction of zeaxanthin from orange paprika using response surface methodology and an artificial neural network coupled with a genetic algorithm.

This study aimed to optimize the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) condition of zeaxanthin from orange paprika using a response surface methodology (RSM) or an artificial neural network (ANN) with a genetic algorithm (GA). Input variables were ethanol concentration, extraction time, and extraction temperature, while output variable was zeaxanthin. The mean squared error and regression correlation coefficient of the developed ANN model were 0.3038 and 0.9983, respectively. Predicted optimal extraction conditions from ANN-GA for maximum zeaxanthin were 100% ethanol, 3.4 min, and 99.2 °C. The relative errors under the optimal extraction conditions were RSM for 10.46% and ANN-GA for 2.18%. We showed that the recovery of hydrophobic zeaxanthin could be performed using ethanol, an eco-friendly solvent, via ASE, and the extraction efficiency could be improved by ANN-GA modeling than RSM. Therefore, combining ASE and ANN-GA might be desirable for the efficient and eco-friendly extraction of hydrophobic functional materials from food resources. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01514-8.

Identification of characteristic compounds of sweet orange oil and their sweetening effects on the sucrose solution with sweetness meter, sensory analysis, electronic tongue, and molecular dynamics simulation.

The characteristic aroma compounds of five-fold sweet orange oil were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with the odor aroma value (OAV) method. The results indicated that limonene, linalool, dodecanol, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E)-citral, linalool, (E)-2-decenal, and geraniol are important contributors. The sweetening effects of key compounds on sucrose solutions were experimentally investigated. The results showed that the sweetness effects of five compounds (limonene, citronellal, geraniol, ß-sinensal and ß-caryophyllene) were better than those of (E)-citral, linalool and octanal. Molecular dynamics implied that the hydrogen bonding residues of the T1R2/T1R3-sucrose system were converted from LYS65, GLU302, ASP278, and SER144 to ASP278, SER144, ASP142, and ASP213 after the addition of limonene. Meanwhile, the hydrophobic interaction forces of the system are significantly enhanced. The total energy of the T1R2/T1R3-sucrose system decreased from -32.08 kcal/mol to -63.57 kcal/mol. The synergistic sweetening mechanism of characteristic aroma compounds of sweet orange oil on sucrose was revealed.

Hollow-like three-dimensional structure of methyl orange-delaminated Ti3C2 MXene nanocomposite for high-performance electrochemical sensing of tryptophan.

Tryptophan(Trp) is being explored as a potential biomarker for various diseases associated with decreased tryptophan levels; however, metabolomic methods are expensive and time-consuming and require extensive sample analysis, making them urgently needed for trace detection. To exploit the properties of Ti3C2 MXenes a rational porous methyl orange (MO)-delaminated Ti3C2 MXene was prepared via a facile mixing process for the electrocatalytic oxidation of Trp. The hollow-like 3D structure with a more open structure and the synergistic effect of MO and conductive Ti3C2 MXene enhanced its electrochemical catalytic capability toward Trp biosensing. More importantly, MO can stabilize Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets through noncovalent π-π interactions and hydrogen bonding. Compared with covalent attachment, these non-covalent interactions preserve the electronic conductivity of the Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets. Finally, the addition of MO-derived nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) atoms to Ti3C2 MXene enhanced the electronegativity and improved its affinity for specific molecules, resulting in high-performance electrocatalytic activity. The proposed biosensor exhibited a wide linear response in concentration ranges of 0.01-0.3 µM and 0.5-120 µM, with a low detection limit of 15 nM for tryptophan detection, and high anti-interference ability in complex media of human urine and egg white matrices. The exceptional abilities of the MO/Ti3C2 nanocatalyst make it a promising electrode material for the detection of important biomolecules.

Spectroscopic assessments on Sm3+ ions doped phospho-borate glasses mixed with fluoride modifiers for the applications of reddish-orange visible light.

Sm3+ions doped Phospho-Borate glasses were synthesized and their physical and spectroscopic parameters were studied to evaluate its potential reddish-orange emission for photonic applications. Structural investigation made through XRD analysis confirms the amorphous nature. The evaluated bonding parameters from the absorption spectral analysis confirm the ionic bonding of the Sm-O network in the prepared glasses. Four emission bands were observed from the luminescence spectra, and the HT 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 is observed at 601 nm. The oscillator strength values elucidate the intensity of the absorption bands, and the PBKZnF:Sm sample exhibits a higher oscillator strength value. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters were observed to trail the trend Ω4 > Ω6. > Ω2 for the majority of the samples. The CIE 1931 color chromaticity investigation confirms that the present glass samples are suitable for reddish-orange media. Barium and strontium-incorporated glasses exhibit outstanding lasing potential, which was confirmed through the efficiency of the quantum yield and some of the radiative parameters like effective bandwidth, transition probability and stimulated emission cross-section. Radiative parameters have been calculated from the luminescence spectra. Amid all transitions, 4G5/2 →6H7/2 transition has higher transition probability and higher stimulated emission cross-section values for all the prepared glass samples. Barium-incorporated glass exhibits a higher emission cross-section of 30.55 × 10-22 cm2 and a transition probability of 30.89 s-1 compared to all other glasses. The non-exponential decay profiles of the fabricated samples were plotted by examining the excitation wavelength at 402 nm and emission wavelength at 600 nm. Of all the prepared glasses, the quantum efficiency is found to be higher for the glass sample PBKSrF:Sm (65 %).

Production, purification and characterization of phytase from Pichia kudriavevii FSMP-Y17and its application in layers feed.

INTRODUCTION: Phytase, recognized for its ability to enhance the nutritional value of phytate-rich foods, has has gained significant prominence. The production of this enzyme has been significantly boosted while preserving economic efficiency by utilizing natural substrates and optimizing essential factors. This study focuses on optimizing phytase production through solid-state fermentation and evaluating its effectiveness in enhancing nutrient utilization in chicken diets. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to optimize phytase production via solid-state fermentation, characterize purified phytase properties, and assess its impact on nutrient utilization in chicken diets. Through these objectives, we aim to deepen understanding of phytase's role in poultry nutrition and contribute to more efficient feed formulations for improved agricultural outcomes. METHODOLOGY: We utilized solid-state fermentation with Pichia kudriavzevii FSMP-Y17 yeast on orange peel substrate, optimizing variables like temperature, pH, incubation time, and supplementing with glucose and ammonium sulfate. Following fermentation, we purified the phytase enzyme using standard techniques, characterizing its properties, including molecular weight, optimal temperature and pH, substrate affinity, and kinetic parameters. RESULTS: The optimized conditions yielded a remarkable phytase yield of 7.0 U/gds. Following purification, the enzyme exhibited a molecular weight of 64 kDa and displayed optimal activity at 55 °C and pH 5.5, with kinetic parameters (Km = 3.39 × 10-3 M and a Vmax of 7.092 mM/min) indicating efficient substrate affinity. CONCLUSION: The addition of purified phytase to chicken diets resulted in significant improvements in nutrient utilization and overall performance, including increased feed intake, improved feed conversion ratio, enhanced bird growth, better phosphorus retention, and improved egg production and quality. By addressing challenges associated with phytate-rich diets, such as reduced nutrient availability and environmental pollution, phytase utilization promotes animal welfare and sustainability in poultry production.

How Agent Orange impacts prostate cancer risk, pathology, and treatment outcomes.

Between 2.6 and 3.8 million veterans served in Vietnam while the US military dispersed Agent Orange (AO), although the exact number of exposed individuals is unknown. Agent Orange, an herbicide, is a known risk factor for various cancers, including sarcoma and leukemia, but less is known about its link with prostate cancer (PC). Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men and the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide. In 2023, approximately 288,300 patients will be given a diagnosis of PC, and an estimated 34,700 fatalities will occur in the United States. However, whether the pathologic characteristics of PC among those exposed to AO differ from those in the general population remains unclear. Our review synthesizes the literature regarding the impact of AO exposure on PC incidence and disease course. A comprehensive PubMed literature search of articles published beginning in 1950 was performed using the primary search terms "Agent Orange," "TCDD," and "tetrachlorodibenzodioxin" and the secondary search terms "prostate cancer" or "prostate neoplasm." The search was limited to studies that focused on human participants and were published in English. Four authors thoroughly reviewed the retrieved articles for relevancy to the study aims: discussion of PC diagnosis, prognosis, or management among patients exposed to AO. Of 108 studies identified in our search, 13 were included in this systematic review. Findings within studies concerning AO exposure with relation to PC incidence, age at diagnosis or treatment initiation, and PC severity seemed to be mixed and generally conflicting. However, the literature seems to indicate that there are no significant differences in survivorship between exposed and unexposed veterans who are given a diagnosis of PC. Given these heterogeneous outcomes, the evidence does not encourage a significantly different approach to the diagnosis and management of PC for veterans exposed to AO. Clinicians should make case-by-case decisions regarding PC screening and potential treatment options for this patient group, weighing clinical suspicion against the harms of diagnostic workup and treatment.

An economical preparation strategy of magnetic biochar with high specific surface area for efficient removal of methyl orange.

Magnetic biochar (MBC) was obtained from pepper straw by impregnation-microwave pyrolysis method. The pyrolysis temperature and FeCl3 impregnation concentration were investigated on the structural properties of MBC and the adsorption of methyl orange (MO) in water. Characterization results showed that pyrolysis temperature and iron species significantly increased the specific surface area of MBC, which could reach the maximum of 2038.61 m2/g, and also provided more active adsorption sites by promoting the generation of graphitized structures and surface polar functional groups. MBC0.2-900 was selected as the adsorbent for MO with the maximum adsorption capacity reached 437.18 mg·g-1, 3.4 times higher than the virgin biochar. The adsorption process was dominated by chemisorption as well as spontaneous and exothermic. The adsorption mechanisms included pore-filling interaction, π-π EDA interaction, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and Lewis acid-base electron interaction. In addition, MBC also exhibited excellent separability and reusability as a low-cost adsorbent. This study provided some theoretical foundation and technological support for producing high-performance biochar and developing pollutant removal technology in wastewater.

Facile synthesis and optimization of Acacia senegal gum hydrogel for kinetically treated adsorptive removal of targeted industrial effluents.

This context summarizes a detail on the fabrication of Acacia senegal Gum Hydrogel (ASGh) within well-engineered microemulsion, and thereafter chemical modification for environmental remediation. In brief, Divinylsulfone was used to crosslink polymeric chains and produce ASGh in ˂50 µm size within the reverse-microemulsion of Natrium-bis-(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate in gasoline. ASGh were subjected to chemical modification via versatile diethylenetriamine to produce m-[ASGh] for adsorptive removal of methyl orange (MO), eosin Y (EY) and congo red (CR) from waste-water. ASGh and m-[ASGh] were characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and zeta potential measurements. For instance, FT-IR spectra depicted new bands upon Diethylenetriamine modification. The zeta potential measurements confirm a positively charged surface of m-[ASGh] upon Diethylenetriamine addition. Interestingly, 0.05 g m-[ASGh] demonstrated 91.0, 84.1, and 73.0 % removal efficiency towards MO, EY and CR, respectively in 2 h equilibrium time. Langmuir, Freundlich and modified-Freundlich isotherms were applied to further delineate adsorption data. Modified-Freundlich model depicted comparatively more agreeable fit, and delivered R2 value nearer to unity. Further, 143 mg·g-1, 130 mg·g-1 and, 116 mg·g-1 maximum adsorption capacity (QM) was represented by m-[ASGh] towards MO, EY and CR, respectively in 2 h. Interestingly, real water sample were tested whereby, the QM against MO, EY and CR was 146 mg·g-1, 132 mg·g-1 and, 111 mg·g-1, respectively in 2 h equilibrium time. To conclude, m-[ASGh] could be treated as decolorizing agent in real waste-water polluted through negatively charged organic pollutants, particularly MO.

Smartphone-assisted detection of trace methyl orange in water by ratiometric nanosensors based on down/up-conversion luminescence.

A ratiometric nanosensor was developed for detecting methyl orange (MO) based on down/up-conversion luminescence achieved by a triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion luminescence (TTA-UCL) system. The probe, utilizing sensitizer and annihilator fluorophores encapsulated in nanomicelles, demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity for MO detection. The energy transfer from UCL to MO endowed the sensor with responsive capabilities. The unaffected triplet-triplet energy transfer process maintained the phosphorescence signal constant, serving as a reference to construct the ratiometric sensor along with the UCL signal. Additionally, a smartphone-assisted colorimetric detection method was also developed based on the ratiometric sensor, enabling rapid and convenient detection of MO without the need for a spectrometer. The performance of the nanosensor in real water samples confirmed its potential for practical environmental applications.

Assessment of potato surpluses as eco-friendly adsorbent for removal of Orange II: optimization and kinetic modelling at different pH values.

Orange II, an azo dye used in textile and leather industries, is toxic and contributes to reducing dissolved oxygen in water. In this sense, agri-food waste adsorbents offer efficient, cost-effective dye removal. In this study, potato surpluses were evaluated as adsorbents for the removal of Orange II at 22 °C and pH values between 4 and 9. The adsorbents were characterized by their morphology, elemental composition, infrared spectra, and point of zero charge. Adsorption isotherms were analysed using Langmuir and Freundlich models, revealing that the Langmuir equation (0.933 < r2 > 0.882) better described the adsorption process compared to the Freundlich model (0.909 < r2 > 0.852). The maximum adsorption capacity at pH 4 was 1.1 and 2.3 times higher than at pH 7 and 9, respectively. This increased capacity at pH 4 was due to favourable electrostatic interactions between the cationic adsorbent surface and the anionic dye. A kinetic model was developed to understand the adsorption dynamics of Orange II, demonstrating high accuracy with coefficients of determination (r2) exceeding 0.99 across various pH values. The predictions of the kinetic model aligned well with the Langmuir isotherm results, indicating a strong theoretical foundation. The critical contact time required to achieve the minimum adsorbent concentration necessary for meeting a discharge limit of 14.7 mg L-1 was determined using both the Langmuir and kinetic models. Simulation profiles showed that when the adsorbent concentration was increased from 12 to 40 g L-1, the contact time necessary to achieve the discharge limit decreased from 26 to 3.35 h, highlighting the trade-off between contact time and cost. This study offers a cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment and presents a robust model for optimizing batch adsorption processes, marking a significant advancement in using potato surpluses for dye removal.

Enhanced removal of acidic dyes (AB1 and MO) from binary systems using anion exchange membrane BII: kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic analyses.

In the current work, the adsorption of acid black 1 (AB1), a hair dye, and methyl orange (MO) on anion exchange membrane BII (AEM-BII) in a binary system was studied experimentally. The effects study for contact time, adsorbent's and adsorbates' concentration, and temperature of aqueous media on the AB1 and MO removal, AEM-BII recovery, and reusability were also investigated. The highest removal was observed at optimum conditions, 150-min contact time and 5 g L-1 of adsorbent for AB1 (91.2%) and MO (83.4%). Adsorption kinetics was estimated by pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics. The experimental findings were fitted well by PSO kinetics with an adsorption capacity of 19.45 ± 0.93 and 19.34 ± 0.84 mg g-1 for ABI and MO, respectively. Moreover, the adsorption isotherm study confirmed that AB1 and MO adsorption by AEM-BII from the binary system was followed by Langmuir isotherms. Adsorption thermodynamics revealed that adsorption of both AB1 and MO by AEM-BII was endothermic and spontaneous. Moreover, the desorption phenomenon of ABI and MO from the loaded AEM-BII showed that dye removal from AEM-BII was found to be 74.95%, demonstrating AEM-BII can be considered as good adsorbent for acidic dyes from the binary system.