Biodiesel Production by Methanolysis of Rapeseed Oil-Influence of SiO2/Al2O3 Ratio in BEA Zeolite Structure on Physicochemical and Catalytic Properties of Zeolite Systems with Alkaline Earth Oxides (MgO, CaO, SrO).

Alkaline earth metal oxide (MgO, CaO, SrO) catalysts supported on BEA zeolite were prepared by a wet impregnation method and tested in the transesterification reaction of rapeseed oil with methanol towards the formation of biodiesel (FAMEs-fatty acid methyl esters). To assess the influence of the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio on the catalytic activity in the tested reaction, a BEA zeolite carrier material with different Si/Al ratios was used. The prepared catalysts were tested in the transesterification reaction at temperatures of 180 °C and 220 °C using a molar ratio of methanol/oil reagents of 9:1. The transesterification process was carried out for 2 h with the catalyst mass of 0.5 g. The oil conversion value and efficiency towards FAME formation were determined using the HPLC technique. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were determined using the following research techniques: CO2-TPD, XRD, BET, FTIR, and SEM-EDS. The results of the catalytic activity showed that higher activity in the tested process was confirmed for the catalysts supported on the BEA zeolite characterized by the highest silica/alumina ratio for the reaction carried out at a temperature of 220 °C. The most active zeolite catalyst was the 10% CaO/BEA system (Si/Al = 300), which showed the highest triglyceride (TG) conversion of 90.5% and the second highest FAME yield of 94.6% in the transesterification reaction carried out at 220 °C. The high activity of this system is associated with its alkalinity, high value of the specific surface area, the size of the active phase crystallites, and its characteristic sorption properties in relation to methanol.

Comprehensive Analysis of StSRO Gene Family and Its Expression in Response to Different Abiotic Stresses in Potato.

As a highly conserved family of plant-specific proteins, SIMILAR-TO-RCD-ONE (SROs) play an essential role in plant growth, development and response to abiotic stresses. In this study, six StSRO genes were identified by searching the PARP, RST and WWE domains based on the genome-wide data of potato database DM v6.1, and they were named StSRO1-6 according to their locations on chromosomes. StSRO genes were comprehensively analyzed using bioinformatics methods. The results showed that six StSRO genes were irregularly distributed on five chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 30 SRO genes of four species were distributed in three groups, while StSRO genes were distributed in groups II and III. The promoter sequence of StSRO genes contained many cis-acting elements related to hormones and stress responses. In addition, the expression level of StSRO genes in different tissues of doubled monoploid (DM) potato, as well as under salt, drought stresses and hormone treatments, was analyzed by RNA-seq data from the online database and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Furthermore, the expression level of StSRO genes was analyzed by transcriptome analysis under mild, moderate and severe salt stress. It was concluded that StSRO genes could respond to different abiotic conditions, but their expression level was significantly different. This study lays a foundation for further studies on the biological functions of the StSRO gene family.

Integrating life cycle assessment and characterisation techniques: A case study of biodiesel production utilising waste Prunus Armeniaca seeds (PAS) and a novel catalyst.

Prunus Armeniaca seed (PAS) oil was utilised as a waste biomass feedstock for biodiesel production via a novel catalytic system (SrO-La2O3) based on different stoichiometric ratios. The catalysts have been characterised and followed by a parametric analysis to optimise catalyst results. The catalyst with a stoichiometric ratio of Sr: La-8 (Sr-La-C) using parametric analysis showed an optimum yield of methyl esters is 97.28% at 65 °C, reaction time 75 min, catalyst loading 3 wt% and methanol to oil molar ratio of 9. The optimum catalyst was tested using various oil feedstocks such as waste cooking oil, sunflower oil, PAS oil, date seed oil and animal fat. The life cycle assessment was performed to evaluate the environmental impacts of biodiesel production utilising waste PAS, considering 1000 kg of biodiesel produced as 1 functional unit. The recorded results showed the cumulative abiotic depletion of fossil resources over the entire biodiesel production process as 22,920 MJ, global warming potential as 1150 kg CO2 equivalent, acidification potential as 4.89 kg SO2 equivalent and eutrophication potential as 0.2 kg PO43- equivalent for 1 tonne (1000 kg) of biodiesel produced. Furthermore, the energy ratio (measured as output energy divided by input energy) for the entire production process was 1.97. These results demonstrated that biodiesel obtained from the valorisation of waste PAS provides a suitable alternative to fossil fuels.

Swallow root (Decalepis hamiltonii) pectic oligosaccharide (SRO1) induces cancer cell death via modulation of galectin-3 and survivin.

Swallow root pectic oligosaccharide fraction (SRO1) from swallow root pectic polysaccharide (SRPP) possessed a molecular size of 831 Da. Structural analysis revealed that it is a rhamnogalacturonan I type, bearing arabinogalactan side chain with ß-d-(1→4) galactose along with α-l-Araf (1→5)-α-l-Araf (1→3) structure on α-d-GalA-OAc-(1→2)-α-l-Rha-(1→4)- linear backbone. ß-d (1→4) linked galactose being the specific sugar for galectin-3, SRO1 had potentials in inhibiting galectin-3 mediated cancer progression. SRO1 inhibited galectin-3 mediated agglutination, in vitro, effectively with MIC of 1.08 µg/ mL and down regulated mRNA levels of galectin-3 (∼92%) along with its downstream key protein that inhibits apoptosis - survivin (∼78%) suggesting the capability of SRO1 in inhibiting galectin-3 mediated cancer promoting pathway. This is the first report, which highlights the inhibition of interplay of galectin-3 and survivin by a dietary pectic oligosaccharide.

Continuous flow through a microwave oven for the large-scale production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil.

This report presents a method for producing large quantities of biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO). Preliminary studies on optimization of the WCO transesterification process in a continuous-flow microwave reactor are carried out using commercial SrO as a catalyst. The SrO catalyst can be separated and reused for five reaction cycles without loss in activity. Challenges like mass flow and pressure drop constraints need to be surmounted. SrO nanoparticles deposited on millimeter-sized (3-6mm) silica beads (41wt% SrO/SiO2) are prepared and evaluated as a substitute for the SrO catalyst. A WCO conversion value to biodiesel as high as 99.2wt% was achieved with the reactor packed with 15g of 41wt% SrO/SiO2 catalyst in 8.2min with 820mL of feed. Excellent performance of the fixed-bed catalyst without loss in activity for a lifetime of 24.6min converting a feed of 2.46L to FAME was observed.

Eficacia del agregado del zinc al suero de hidratación oral versus hidratación oral clásica sobre el estado clínico nutricional e inmunitario en el tratamiento de niños con diarrea aguda / Effectiveness of the addition of Zinc in hydration serum versus oral hydration classic on growth and immune response in the treatment of children with acute diarrhea

Objetivo: determinar la eficacia del agregado del zinc en la preparación de suero de hidratación oral versus administración clásica de hidratación y su efecto en el crecimiento, estado clínico nutricional e inmunitario de niños con diarrea aguda menores de 5 años. Métodos: estudio experimental aleatorizado realizado en el Hospital del Nin@ Manuel Ascencio Villarroel. De 700 niños con diarrea aguda 117 ingresaron al estudio previo consentimiento de padres: 31 conformaron el grupo estudio, 42 fueron controles (44 abandonaron); con criterios de inclusión, exclusión. El GTROCRIN (SRO+ZINC) recibió zinc 20mg/1000cc en la misma preparación del suero y el GSROH (SRO) solución hidratante oral hipo-osmolar aparte zinc 2mg/Kg. Se realizaron: Examen clínico, tomas de muestras para hemograma, orina, heces además de antropometría, cuantificación de aporte calórico, tolerancia oral, gasto fecal y respuesta inmunitaria por ecografía de timo repetidos a diez días. Los datos fueron procesados SPSS 19, p< 0,05; IC: 95%. Resultados: al ingreso ningún niño presentó deshi-dratación grave ni complicaciones severas, copro-parasitológicos fueron negativos 51,61% (16) GTROCRIN, 35,71 % (15) GSROH. AMEBAS: GTROCRIN: 32,25%(10); GSROH: 50%(21).GIARDIA: GTROCRIN: 12,90%(4); GSROH: 14,28%(6). AMBOS PARÁSITOS: GTROCRIN: 3,22% (1). Al concluir el estudio GTROCRIN: P/TZ, T/EZ, P/EZ, IMC/Z,MM,MG,SOM mejoraron (p<0,0001). Diarrea duró 4,16±1,55 (GTROCRIN) vs7, 80±1,1 días (GSROH). GTROCRIN recibió mayor aporte calórico (P<0,0001), tolero mejor, tuvo menor gasto fecal, la diarrea cedió 81,64% (25). (p<0,001), mejoró la superficie, espesor del timo 617,52±111; 24,44±3,85vs GSROH: 453,46±74,82; 19,80±1,61 (p<<0,001) en este grupo la evolución fue tórpida en 11,9% (5) niños. Conclusiones: el estudio muestra mayor eficacia en el tratamiento de la diarrea aguda con el agregado del zinc en suero de hidratación oral que sin el, en la mejoría clínico-nutricional e inmunitaria.

Objective: to determine the efficacy of the addition of zinc in the preparation of oral rehydration serum versus classical administration of hydration and its effect on growth, nutritional status and clinical immune children with acute diarrhea in children under 5 years. Methods: experimental randomized study of the Children's Hospital Manuel Ascencio Villarroel. From seven hundred children with acute diarrhea 117 were studied prior consent of parents. 31 formed the study group, 42 were controls (44 abandoned ). The GTROCRIN group (SRO + ZINC ) received zinc 20mg/1000cc in the same preparation of oral serum, and GSROH group (GSROH ) received oral hypo-osmolar hydrating solution with zinc 2mg/Kg apart. It were performed clinical examination, samples for blood count, urine, feces plus anthropometry, quantification of caloric intake, oral tolerance, fecal output and immune response of thymus repeated ultrasound to ten days. Data were processed SPSS 19, p < 0.05; IC: 95 %. Results: on admission no child had severe dehydration or severe complications were negative copro-parasitological 51.61 % (16) GTROCRIN, 35.71 % (15) GSROH. AMOEBAE: GTROCRIN: 32.25% (10); GSROH: 50 % (21). GIARDIA: GTROCRIN: 12.90% (4); GSROH: 14.28% (6 ) . BOTH PARASITES: GTROCRIN: 3.22 % (1). At the conclusion of the study GTROCRIN: P/T, T/EZ, P/EZ, IMC/ Z, MM, MG, SOM improved (p < 0.0001). Diarrhea lasted 4.16 ± 1.55 (GTROCRIN) vs. 7,80 ± 1.1 days ( GSROH ) . GTROCRIN received increased energy intake (P < 0.0001), I tolerate better, had less stool output, diarrhea yielded 81.64 % (25), (p < 0.001), improved surface thickness thymus 617.52 ± 111; 24.44 ± 3.85 vs. GSROH: 453.46 ± 74.82; 19.80 ± 1.61 (p < < 0.001) in this group evolution was torpid in 11.9 % (5) children. Conclusions: The study shows greater efficacy in the treatment of acute diarrhea with the addition of zinc in serum without oral hydration in clinical nutrition and immune improvement.