Investigation of europium(III) uptake from highly sulphate solution via cloud point extraction by mono-Schiff base combined with Triton X-100.

Owing to its unique physico-chemical properties, europium is one of the most precious and sought-after rare earth elements in the field of high technology. The major economic and commercial importance of such an element, combined with the pollution risks associated with its intensive use, require the development of efficient and eco-compatible recovery and recycling processes. This study focuses on the recovery of europium from highly saline sulphate media (0.5 mol/L) using an environmentally friendly two-phase aqueous extraction technique (known as cloud point extraction (CPE)), using 2((phenylimino)methyl)phenol mono-Schiff base (HPIMP) as the extractant and Triton X-100 as the non-ionic surfactant. The influence of key experimental parameters such as pH, extractant concentration, surfactant concentration and separation temperature on the europium extraction process was systematically studied and optimized. Under optimum experimental conditions, a quasi-quantitative extraction with a minimal volume fraction of surfactant-rich phase (φs = 0.025), and concentration factor of (CF = 38) was achieved at pH 9.8, in one stage. The analysis of the extraction data revealed that the CPE of europium(III) takes place by a cation exchange-solvation mechanism. The stoichiometry of the complex extracted into the surfactant-rich phase was ascertained to have a composition of 1:2 [Eu:HPIMP] with the slope analysis method. A higher extraction constant was obtained for CPE compared with conventional solvent extraction, confirming the feasibility and usefulness of CPE for Eu(III) recovery. On the other hand, this new HPIMP/Triton X-100 chelating system showed superior extractability for Eu(III) in the CPE process relative to other systems reported previously.

Updating the Status quo on the Eco-Friendly Approach for Antioxidants Recovered from Plant Matrices Using Cloud Point Extraction.

The concepts of "green chemistry" are gaining importance in the agri-food sector due to the need to minimize pollution from toxic chemicals, improve the safety and sustainability of industrial processes, and provide "clean-labeled products" required by consumers. The application of the cloud point extraction (CPE) is considered a promising alternative to conventional organic solvents. In the CPE, the separation of compounds from the bulk solution occurs by adding a surfactant (either non-ionic or ionic). When the solution is heated to or above a critical temperature, referred to as the cloud point, two phases are formed-micellar and aqueous. Recently, the horizons of the traditional CPE have been increasingly expanding by improved procedures and integration with other techniques, such as the microwave- and ultrasonic-assisted extraction. This article provides an updated overview of the theory and research articles on the CPE from 2018 to 2023 and critically discusses the issues relevant to the potential applicability of the CPE as a promising and green technique for antioxidants recovered from plant materials. Finally, some future perspectives and research needs for improved CPE are presented.

Eco-friendly extraction of antibacterial compounds from enriched olive pomace: a design-of-experiments approach to sustainability.

The increasing interest in utilizing olive pomace bioactive molecules to advance functional elements and produce antioxidant and antimicrobial additives underscores the need for eco-friendly extraction and purification methods. This study aims to develop an eco-friendly extraction method to evaluate the effect of extraction parameters on the recovery of bioactive molecules from enriched olive pomace. The effects were identified based on total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity, employing a design of experimental methodology. The positive and the negative simultaneous effects showed that among the tested enrichments, those incorporating Nigella Sativa, dates, and coffee demonstrated superior results in terms of the measured responses. Furthermore, chromatographic analysis unveiled the existence of intriguing compounds such as hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and squalene in distinct proportions. Beyond this, our study delved into the structural composition of the enriched pomace through FTIR analysis, providing valuable insights into the functional groups and chemical bonds present. Concurrently, antimicrobial assays demonstrated the potent inhibitory effects of these enriched extracts against various microorganisms, underscoring their potential applications in food preservation and safety. These findings highlight enriched olive pomace as a valuable reservoir of bioactive molecules for food products since they can enhance their anti-oxidative activity and contribute to a sustainable circular economy model for olive oil industries.

An efficient and eco-friendly approach for the sustainable recovery and properties characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoates produced by methanotrophs.

Synthetic biodegradable and bio-based polymers have emerged as sustainable alternatives to nonrenewable petroleum-derived polymers which cause serious environmental issues. In particular, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are promising biopolymers owing to their outstanding biodegradability and biocompatibility. The production of the homopolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) from type II methanotrophs via microbial fermentation was presented. For the efficient extraction and recovery of intracellular PHA from methanotrophs, different extraction approaches were investigated including solvent extraction using 1,3-dioxolane as a green solvent, integrated cell lysis and solvent extraction, and cell digestion without the use of organic solvents. Among various extraction approaches, the integrated method exhibited the highest extraction performance, with PHA recovery and purity exceeding 91 % and 93 %, respectively, even when the PHA content of the cells was low. Furthermore, the molecular weight, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the recovered PHA were comprehensively analyzed to suggest its suitable practical applications. The obtained properties were comparable to that of the commercial PHA products and PHA produced from other microbial species, indicating an efficient recovery of high-quality PHA produced from methanotrophs.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Taro Leaf Antioxidants Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents: An Eco-Friendly Strategy for the Valorization of Crop Residues.

Colocasia esculenta L. leaves are considered a by-product of taro cultivation and are discarded as environmental waste, despite their valuable phenolic composition. Their valorization to obtain value-added substances for medicinal, food, and cosmetic applications is the aim of the current work. An ultrasound-assisted extraction was developed for the environmentally friendly and sustainable isolation of taro leaf antioxidants using natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs). Among the utilized solvents, the NaDES based on betaine and ethylene glycol provided the best extraction efficiencies in terms of polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity. Multi-response optimization suggested a solvent-to-solid ratio of 10 mL g-1, a processing time of 60 min, an extraction temperature of 60 °C, and a water content of 33.8% (w/w) as optimal extraction parameters. Leaf extract obtained under these optimum operational parameters demonstrated a strong radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (65.80 ± 0.87%), a high ferric reducing antioxidant power (126.62 ± 1.92 µmol TE g-1 sample), and significant protection against oxidative stress-induced DNA damage. The chromatographic characterization of the optimum extract revealed its richness in flavonoids (flavones and flavonols). The outcomes of the present study suggest that the proposed method could serve as a highly efficient and green alternative for the recovery of polyphenols from agricultural wastes.

From Coffee Waste to Active Ingredient for Cosmetic Applications.

Coffee silverskin (CS) is the thin epidermis covering and protecting the coffee bean and it represents the main by-product of the coffee roasting process. CS has recently gained attention due to its high content in bioactive molecules and the growing interest in valuable reutilization of waste products. Drawing inspiration from its biological function, here its potential in cosmetic applications was investigated. CS was recovered from one of the largest coffee roasters located in Switzerland and processed through supercritical CO2 extraction, thereby generating coffee silverskin extract. Chemical profiling of this extract revealed the presence of potent molecules, among which cafestol and kahweol fatty acid esters, as well as acylglycerols, ß-sitosterol and caffeine. The CS extract was then dissolved in organic shea butter, yielding the cosmetic active ingredient SLVR'Coffee™. In vitro gene expression studies performed on keratinocytes showed an upregulation of genes involved in oxidative stress responses and skin-barrier functionality upon treatment with the coffee silverskin extract. In vivo, our active protected the skin against Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)-induced irritation and accelerated its recovery. Furthermore, this active extract improved measured as well as perceived skin hydration in female volunteers, making it an innovative, bioinspired ingredient that comforts the skin and benefits the environment.

Immobilization of TiO2NP@ oxidized cellulose nanocrystals for paper-based active packaging materials.

In the current work, we present a renewable alternative coating formulation made of durable titania nanoparticles and oxidized nanocellulose (TiO2NPs@OCNs) nanocomposites and sodium alginate (SA), to create an environmentally friendly and secure food packaging paper. OCNs sugarcane fibers are firstly hydrolyzed using ammonium persulphate (APS). Then, TiO2NPs@OCNs nanocomposites are made in situ with OCNs using a green water-based sol-gel synthesis. Gram (+) microorganisms as well as Gram (-) bacteria are used to test the antibacterial properties of the TiO2NPs@OCN dispersions. The results show that the TiO2NP@OCNs significantly decreases the growth for all bacterial species. The TiO2NP@OCNs nanocomposites are mixed with SA, and the resulting formulations are used to coat paper sheets. The corresponding physicochemical properties are evaluated using FTIR, TGA, AFM, SEM, and EDX. Furthermore, the mechanical strength, air permeability, and water vapor characteristics of the paper sheets treated with SA/TiO2NPs@OCN are carried out, resulting in a great improvement of these properties. Finally, the SA/TiO2NPs@OCNs coated papers have been used as packaging for strawberries. The findings demonstrate that coated papers could preserve strawberry quality better than unpacked fruit and extend strawberry shelf life from 6 to 18 days.

Comparison of pre-treatments mediated by endoglucanase and TEMPO oxidation for eco-friendly low-cost energy production of cellulose nanofibrils.

Specific kinds of enzymes have been used as an eco-friendly pre-treatment for mechanical extraction of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) from vegetal pulps. Another well-established pre-treatment is the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation, which has gained considerable attention. Pre-treatments assist in fiber swelling, facilitating mechanical fibrillation, and reducing energy consumption; however, some of these methods are extremely expensive. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of enzymatic pre-treatment with endoglucanase on the energy consumption during mechanical fibrillation of cellulose pulps. Bleached pulps from Eucalyptus sp. and Pinus sp. were pre-treated with endoglucanase enzyme compared to TEMPO-meditated oxidation. Average diameters of CNFs pre-treated with enzymes were close to that found for TEMPO-oxidized nanofibrils (TOCNFs). Results showed that enzymatic pre-treatment did not significantly modify the pulp chemical and morphological characteristics with efficient stabilization of the CNFs suspension at higher supernatant turbidity. Energy consumption of pulps treated with endoglucanase enzymes was lower than that shown by pulps treated with TEMPO, reaching up to 58% of energy savings. The enzyme studied in the pulp treatment showed high efficiency in reducing energy consumption during mechanical fibrillation and production of films with high mechanical quality, being an eco-friendly option for pulp treatment.

Salicornia ramosissima: A New Green Cosmetic Ingredient with Promising Skin Effects.

This study aims to validate a new cosmetic ingredient from Salicornia ramosissima S J. Woods through in vitro and ex vivo assays. The halophyte extracts were obtained by subcritical water extraction (SWE) at different temperatures (110, 120, 140, 160 and 180 °C). The antioxidant/radical scavenging activities and the phenolic profile were screened for all extracts. The optimal extract was assessed in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, while permeation assays were performed in Franz cells. The inhibitory activity of hyaluronidase and elastase was also evaluated. The sample extracted at 180 °C presented the highest phenolic content (1739.28 mg/100 g of dry weight (dw)). Despite not being efficient in the sequestration of ABTS•+, this extract scavenged the DPPH• (IC50 = 824.57 µg/mL). The scavenging capacity of superoxide (O2•-) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) was also considerable (respectively, IC50 = 158.87 µg/mL and IC50 = 5.80 µg/mL). The cell viability assays confirmed the absence of negative effects on keratinocytes, while the fibroblasts' viability slightly decreased. The ex vivo permeation of rutin, quercetin and syringic acid after 24 h was, respectively, 11, 20 and 11%. Additionally, the extract showed a good elastase and hyaluronidase inhibitory activity. The results obtained support the S. ramosissima bioactivity as a cosmetic ingredient.

Corylus avellana: A Source of Diarylheptanoids With α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity Evaluated by in vitro and in silico Studies.

Corylus avellana hard shells, green leafy involucres, leaves, and male flowers have shown to be a source of diarylheptanoids, a class of natural products with promising biological activities. Cyclic diarylheptanoids, named giffonins, were isolated from the Italian cultivar "Tonda di Giffoni." Even if many efforts have been made to establish the chemistry of these compounds, little is known about their biological properties. Herein, the inhibitory effects of diarylheptanoids isolated from C. avellana byproducts against α-glucosidase enzyme were evaluated. Molecular docking experiments disclosed the establishment of several key interactions between all the screened diarylheptanoids and the protein counterpart, whose model was built through homology modeling procedure, thus rationalizing the detected inhibitory activities. Specifically, the most active compounds giffonin J (10), K (11), and P (16) were able to make both H-bonds and π-π stacking contacts with different residues belonging to the binding site responsible for the catalytic activity of the investigated enzyme. To highlight the occurrence of the bioactive diarylheptanoids in the extracts of C. avellana byproducts obtained by eco-friendly extractions, their LC-MS profiles were analyzed. LC-MS analysis showed how giffonin J (10), K (11), and P (16) occurred in the ethanol extract of the leaves, while in the extracts of shells and green leafy involucres only giffonin P (16) was evident. Moreover, the quantitative analysis of giffonin J (10), K (11), and P (16) in C. avellana byproducts was carried out by an analytical approach based on LC-ESI/QTrap/MS, using the Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) experiment. These results prompt to evaluate C. avellana byproducts, especially the leaves, as a prospective source of bioactive diarylheptanoids for the development of functional ingredients for the treatment of diabetes.

Efficient extraction of chitin from crustacean waste via a novel ternary natural deep eutectic solvents.

Extraction of chitin from crustacean waste with acidic natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) is usually accompanied by degradation of chitin, which lowers the yield and molecular weight of product. Herein, this study proposed a eco-friendly and feasible route for effectively improving the yield and molecular weight of chitin by introducing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine into ternary NADESs. A high molecular weight chitin with molecular weight of 3.92 × 105 Da, purity of 90.2% and yield of 85.6% was obtained from crab shell. Compared with conventional acid/alkali and binary NADESs method, the maximum yield of chitin extracted by ChCl-G-FA2 was increased by 1.57 times and 1.39 times respectively. Molecular weight of chitin was 3.16 times that of acid/alkali method. Recycling performance evaluation revealed that the purity of chitin could still reach 80.4% after five cycles of NADESs. This study provided a eco-friendly utilization strategy for crustacean waste based on multifunctional NADESs.

Valorization of fruit and vegetables agro-wastes for the sustainable production of carotenoid-based colorants with enhanced bioavailability.

Carotenoids are pigments naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables, and responsible for their yellow to red colors. They also have several bioactive properties, making them interesting alternatives to the artificial colorants commonly used in the food industry. This review compiles an updated research progress about green production of carotenoid-based colorants focusing on the benefits associated with their sustainable extraction from agro-wastes, also considering the environmental aspects associated to the processes. Taking into account the hydrophobic nature of carotenoids and their susceptibility to degradation when exposed to technological and/or storage conditions (e.g., light, heat, and oxygen), protecting strategies based on nanotechnological approaches were presented as tools to avoid degradation and thus, retain the bioactive properties. Additionally, the effect of such nanotechnological strategies on carotenoids bioaccessibility and bioavailability was reviewed and discussed. Finally, the health-related properties of carotenoids that make them promising candidates to be used not only as functional food ingredients but also in therapeutic applications and in the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industries were also considered.

Environmental-friendly extraction of Peepal (Ficus Religiosa) bark-based reddish brown tannin natural dye for silk coloration.

The present study aims to extract a natural reddish brown colorant from Peepal (Ficus religiosa) for silk dyeing using the microwave radiation process (MW). The colorant was isolated in aqueous and acidic media, and MW treatment for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 min has been given to both fabric and extract to observe changes in color intensity. The dye variables have been optimized, and for sustainable shade making process with good fastness, 1.0-5.0 g/100 mL of sustainable chemical and bio-mordants has been employed. It has been found that after microwave treatment for 3 min, under selected conditions, the irradiated aqueous extract has given high color intensity onto silk fabric. The utilization of 3% of Al, 4% of Fe, and 2% of tannic acid (T.A.) as pre chemical mordant whereas 4% of Al, 4% of Fe, and 3% of tannic acid as post chemical mordant have given good color characteristics. In comparison, 4% of acacia and 3% of turmeric and pomegranate while 3% of acacia and turmeric and 4% of pomegranate extracts as post-bio-mordant have given excellent color characteristics. It is concluded that MW treatment has an excellent sustainable efficacy to isolate colorant from Peepal bark for silk dyeing, whereas the inclusion of bio-mordants has not only made the process more sustainable and environmental friendly but also best K/S, and L*a*b* values have been acquired.

Optimization of Two Eco-Friendly Extractions of Black Medick (Medicago lupulina L.) Phenols and Their Antioxidant, Cosmeceutical, α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibitory Properties.

Medicago lupulina is an ancient edible plant from the Fabaceae family. In this work, two eco-friendly methods for extraction of bioactive phenolics from M. lupulina were developed using mixtures of water with two non-toxic, skin- and environmentally-friendly polyol solvents: glycerol and polypropylene glycol. Ultrasound-assisted extractions were optimized using a Box-Behnken design. The independent variables were the concentration of organic solvent in water (X1), extraction temperature (X2) and time (X3), while the response was phenolic content. The optimum conditions for extraction of polyphenols were (X1, X2, X3): (45%, 70 °C, 60 min) and (10%, 80 °C, 60 min) for glycerol and polypropylene glycol extraction, respectively. The extracts prepared at optimum conditions were rich in phenolic compounds, mainly derivatives of apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, caffeic and ferulic acid, as well as coumestrol. Their cosmeceutical and antidiabetic activity was tested. Both extracts demonstrated notable antioxidant, anti-lipoxygenase and anti-α-amylase activity. In addition to those activities, the glycerol extract efficiently inhibited protein coagulation, elastase and α-glucosidase activity. Glycerol present in the extract displayed enzyme-inhibiting activity in several assays and supported the action of the bioactive constituents. Thus, the optimized glycerol extract is a desirable candidate for direct incorporation in antidiabetic food supplements and cosmeceutical products.

Tailoring hybrid carrageenans from Mastocarpus stellatus red seaweed using microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity.

This work deals with the use of microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG) for the recovery of hybrid carrageenans with specific mechanical features together with bioactive compounds. For this purpose, Mastocarpus stellatus red seaweed was used as raw material and the most adequate MHG processing conditions were studied. The physicochemical properties of the algae and the corresponding biopolymers, the fundamental characterisation of the bioactive compounds from the extracts (antioxidant capacity, sulfate content, protein content, among others) and the rheological features of the formulated gels were analysed. Results indicated that MHG is an adequate technique for obtaining functional extracts with potential applications in the food and non-food fields. Hybrid carrageenans with a wide range of viscoelastic features were recovered by MHG, saving time compared to conventional methods. The yields obtained for the recovered hybrid carrageenans and bioactive fractions were comparable to those obtained in red algae with conventional techniques.

Data on the extraction of benzoic, salicylic and sulfosalicylic acids from dilute solutions using PEG-based aqueous two-phase systems.

The use of green chemistry principles in the extraction of aromatic acids from dilute aqueous solutions has been considered. The extraction of a number of aromatic acids important for the food and pharmaceutical industries in heterogeneous systems based on poly(ethylene) glycol 1500 (PEG-1500) has been studied for the first time. This research presents a data of the quantitative characteristics of the extraction of benzoic, salicylic and sulfosalicylic acids using a PEG-1500 (15 wt %)/Na2SO4 (9 wt %) aqueous two-phase system under various conditions (temperature and рН). The effect of various phase-forming salts (Na2CO3, (NH4)2SO4, and (NH4)2HPO4) in a PEG-1500-based aqueous two-phase system on the extraction of aromatic acids has been found. For salicylic and sulfosalicylic acids, distribution coefficients when using (NH4)2HPO4 have been obtained that considerably exceed values for conventional water-organic solvent systems.

Recovery of bioactive molecules from chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) by-products through extraction by different solvents.

The underutilised forest and industrial biomass of Castanea sativa (Mill.) is generally discarded during post-harvest and food processing, with high impact on environmental quality. The searching on alternative sources of natural antioxidants from low-cost supplies, by methods involving environment-friendly techniques, has become a major goal of numerous researches in recent times. The aim of the present study was the set-up of a biomolecules extraction procedure from chestnut leaves, burs and shells and the assessing of their potential antioxidant activity. Boiling water was the best extraction solvent referring to polyphenols from chestnut shells and burs, whereas the most efficient for leaves resulted 60% ethanol at room temperature. Greatest polyphenol contents were 90.35, 60.01 and 17.68 mg gallic acid equivalents g-1 in leaves, burs and shells, respectively. Moreover, flavonoids, tannins and antioxidant activity were assessed on the best extract obtained from each chestnut by-product.