Characterizing VOCs emissions of coal chemical enterprise in China: a case study in five coal chemical enterprises.

Coal chemical-induced climate change has become a global concern. However, the dearth of comprehensive case studies and fundamental data has obstructed the accurate quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. This has failed to equip coal chemical industries with the necessary guidelines to implement effective emission reduction strategies. In response to this, the present study meticulously examined and contrasted the VOCs emissions from five distinct coal chemical enterprises in China. This was achieved through the application of life cycle assessment (LCA), a tool used to discern the primary factors influencing VOCs emissions and to identify potential avenues for VOCs emissions reduction. The analysis revealed that BT exhibited the highest emission intensity (5.58E-04 tons/ton), followed by ED (4.89E-04 tons/ton), YL (4.23E-04 tons/ton), XJ (2.94E-04 tons/ton), and SM (1.74E-04 tons/ton). Among these enterprises, coal-to-olefins enterprises predominantly discharged VOCs via sewage treatment (average 69.12%), while coal-to-methanol enterprises primarily emitted VOCs during circulating water cooling (40.02%). In coal-to-oil enterprises, storage and blending emerged as the principal source of VOCs emissions (56.83%). As a result, this study advocates that coal chemical enterprises concentrate on curbing VOCs emissions from highly concentrated wastewater, regulating the concentration of purgeable organic carbon in circulating water cooling systems, and instituting effective treatment methods for methanol storage tank emissions. These findings proffer invaluable insights for devising VOCs control measures in regions affected by intensive coal chemical production.

Advances in Phytochemistry and Modern Pharmacology of Saposhnikovia Divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk.

Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk (S. divaricata, Fangfeng) is a herb in the Apiaceae family, and its root has been used since the Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C.). Chromones and coumarins are the pharmacologically active substances in S. divaricata. Modern phytochemical and pharmacological studies have demonstrated their antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anticoagulant activities. Technological and analytical strategy theory advancements have yielded novel results; however, most investigations have been limited to the main active substances-chromones and coumarins. Hence, we reviewed studies related to the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of S. divaricata, analyzed the developing trends and challenges, and proposed that research should focus on components' synergistic effects. We also suggested that, the structure-effect relationship should be prioritized in advanced research.

Extraction, characterization and antioxidant activity evaluation of polysaccharides from Smilacina japonica.

Three polysaccharides of uniform molecular weight designated as SJP1-1, SJP2-1, and SJP3-1 from Smilacina japonica were studied in this paper. Respectively, their specific optical rotations were -45°, -75°, and -35°, their polysaccharide contents were 89.22%, 93.05%, and 59.83%, their relative average molecular weights were 1.87 × 105 Da, 1.04 × 105 Da, and 1.36 × 104 Da. Three polysaccharides were all composed mainly of the three monosaccharides mannose, glucose, and galactose, which together in SJP1-1, SJP2-1, and SJP3-1 respectively made up 96.34%, 98.23%, and 91.67% of the total polysaccharide. The polysaccharide structure was maintained mostly by ß-glucose (1 → 3), ß-glucose (1 → 4), α-mannose (1 → 3), and α-galactose (1 → 4) glycosidic linkages. Scanning electron microscopy showed that SJP1-1, SJP2-1, and SJP3-1 were smooth uniform microspheres with diameters of 10-20 µm that combined to form both uniformly dispersed particles and blocky structures. Finally, antioxidant assay showed that these polysaccharides all had a strong ability to scavenge ·OH and DPPH· radicals, with the effects of purified polysaccharides being greater than those of crude polysaccharides. This first report on the properties of these polysaccharides provides a basis for further studies to shed light on the medical properties of Smilacina japonica.

Effect of intestinal function-recovering decoction on treatment of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of intestinal function-recovering decoction on multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in rats, and to investigate a novel solution to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. METHODS: Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was induced in 60 Sprague-Dawley rats by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion combined with cecal ligation and puncture. Then these rats were intragastrically administered physiological saline (group I, n=20), ampicillin (group II, n=20) or intestinal function-recovering decoction (group III, n=20). After treatment, serum malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels were compared among three groups. Simultaneously, bacterial culture of various organ tissues was performed and bacterial and endotoxin translocation were observed. RESULTS: Compared with group I, serum malondialdehyde, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.05) and serum superoxide dismutase level was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the group III. However, there were no significant differences in these indices between groups II and III (P>0.05). The rate of bacterial translocation in the groups II and III was significantly lower than in the group I (P<0.05), and no significant difference was observed between groups II and III (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal function-recovering decoction can significantly reduce endotoxin and bacterial translocation and stabilize enteral oxidative-antioxidative balance.

[Furosteroidal saponin from Smilacina japonica].

Smilacina japonica is a perennial herb, belonging to Smilacina genus of Liliaceae. A new furosteroidal saponin (1) was isolated and purified from the ethanol extract of the rhizome of S. japonica by various column chromatography. Its structure was established as 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-furost-5-en-3beta, 12, 17alpha, 22xi, 26-pentol-12-O-acetyle-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside by physical and chemical properties and IR, MS, 1D, 2D NMR techniques. It showed strong cytotoxicity against the SPC-A-1 cancer cell lines.