Molecules最新文献

This study addresses the persistent challenge of polysulfide dissolution in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries by introducing magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles as a novel additive. MgO was integrated with sulfur using a scalable process involving solid-state melt diffusion treatment followed by planetary ball milling. XRD measurements confirmed that sulfur (S₈) retains its orthorhombic crystalline structure (space group Fddd) following the MgO incorporation, with minimal peak shifts indicating slight lattice distortion, while the increased peak intensity suggests enhanced crystallinity due to MgO acting as a nucleation site. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy demonstrated sulfur's characteristic vibrational modes consistent with group theory (point group D2h) and highlighted multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT's) D, G, and 2D bands, with a low I_D/I_G ratio (0.47), which indicated low defects and high crystallinity in the prepared cathode. The S-MgO composite cathode exhibited superior electrochemical behavior, with an initial discharge capacity (950 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 C), significantly improved compared to pristine sulfur's. The presence of MgO effectively mitigated the polysulfide shuttle effect by trapping polysulfides, leading to enhanced stability over 400 cycles and the consistent coulombic efficiency of over 99.5%. After 400 cycles, EDS and SEM analyses confirmed the structural integrity of the electrode, with only minor fractures and slight sulfur content loss. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further confirmed the enhanced performance.

The proton transfer (PT) complexation reaction between 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP), an important drug, and 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrphenole (DCNP) was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The experimental results indicated a chemical reaction occurred because of a hydrogen bonding, followed by proton transfer from the DCNP to the 3,4-DAP in different polar media. The Benesi-Hildebrand equation was used to estimate the formation constant (K_f), molar absorptivity (ε_PT), and other physical parameters. The formed PT complex was characterized using FTIR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectra. In addition, the nanocrystalline structure, particle sizes, and surface morphology of the complex were investigated by XRD and SEM-EDX. The structure of the 1:1 PT complex was calculated theoretically in the gas phase and the presence of solvent effects. Using TD-DFT calculations, the band observed at 406 nm (Calc. 379.5 nm) and 275 nm (Calc. 272.3 nm) could be assigned to the HOMO→LUMO transition (99%), and HOMO→L+3 transition (87%), respectively. The DNA binding ability of the PT complex was investigated, revealing an intercalative binding mechanism with a binding constant K_b of 4.6 × 10⁴ M^-1. Based on the results of the Ct-DNA binding study, the binding free energy of the PT complex with the receptor of human DNA (PDB ID:1BNA) is found to be -7.2 kcal/mol. The cytotoxic effects of the PT complex were evaluated on selected cancer cell lines, demonstrating significant antitumor activity against A-549 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines.

The objective of this research was to assess the potential of a Pickering emulsion based on lycopene extracted from guava by sunflower oil-water and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) isolated from banana residues as a novel ingredient for a French-style salad dressing. The aim was to determine the impact of this emulsion on the stability and rheological properties of the dressing as well as ascertain the presence of lycopene in the final product. The particle size distribution, rheological properties, and emulsion stability of the Pickering emulsion and salad dressing were evaluated. The sample exhibiting the optimal stability condition contained 0.5 wt.% of CNFs (EPI0.5). In order to prepare the French salad dressing based on this Pickering emulsion, three concentrations of vinegar were analyzed. All samples contained white salt and sugar. The findings suggest that alterations in emulsion stability may be influenced by the vinegar content and the presence of salt, particularly during the storage period, which also affects the concentration of lycopene. Notwithstanding these findings, the untrained panelists expressed a favorable opinion and acceptance of the dressings, indicating that the product could serve as an alternative means of enriching food through the incorporation of beneficial substances such as lycopene.

In this paper, platinum nanoparticles with a size of less than 50 nm were rapidly and successfully synthesized in low-temperature molten salt using a microwave method. The morphology and structure of the product were characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, etc. The TEM and SEM results showed that the prepared product was a nanostructure with concave and uniform size. The EDX result indicated that the product was pure Pt, and the XRD pattern showed that the diffraction peaks of the product were consistent with the standard spectrum of platinum. The obtained Pt/C nanoparticles exhibited remarkable electrochemical performance in a formic acid catalytic oxidation reaction (FAOR), with a peak mass current density of 502.00 mA·mg^-1_Pt and primarily following the direct catalytic oxidation pathway. In addition, in the chronoamperometry test, after 24 h, the mass-specific activity value of the Pt concave NPs/C catalyst (10.91 mA·mg^-1_Pt) was approximately 4.5 times that of Pt/C (JM) (2.35 mA·mg^-1_Pt). The Pt/C NPs exhibited much higher formic acid catalytic activity and stability than commercial Pt/C. The microwave method can be extended to the preparation of platinum-based alloys as well as other catalysts.

Emodin (EMO) is an anthraquinone compound derived from Rheum palmatum L., which has rich pharmacological activity. However, studies have shown that EMO may cause hepatotoxicity. In this study, EMO was combined with tetrandrine and prepared as lipid nanoparticles (E-T/LNPs). The anti-liver fibrosis activity of EMO before and after formulation was evaluated by zebrafish and mice. In addition, the toxicity of EMO and E-T/LNPs was compared and the toxicity-efficacy concentrations of E-T/LNPs in zebrafish were verified. E-T/LNPs are morphologically stable (particle size within 100 nm), have high encapsulation efficiency and good stability, and are capable of long-lasting slow release in vitro. The combination and preparation can reduce the toxicity and enhance the effect of EMO, and increase the toxicity and effect concentration of E-T/LNPs in vivo. In a short period, low doses of E-T/LNPs can be used for the treatment of liver fibrosis; high doses of E-T/LNPs cause toxicity in vivo. Immunohistochemistry showed that E-T/LNPs inhibited hepatic fibrosis by downregulating the levels of IL-1β and TGF-β. Based on the advantages of combination therapy and nanotechnology, it can play a role in reducing the toxicity and increasing the efficacy of EMO in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from plants has several bioactivities, such as neurotransmission, anti-cancer cell proliferation, and blood pressure control. Its bioactivities vary when exposed to pH, heat, and ultraviolet. This study analyzed the protective effect of the GABA encapsulation technique using gum arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (MD) and the freeze-drying method. The impact of different ratios of the wall material GA and MD on morphology, GABA content, antioxidant activity, encapsulation efficiency, process yield, and physical properties were analyzed. Results showed that the structure of encapsulated GABA powder was similar to broken glass pieces of various sizes and irregular shapes. The highest GABA content and encapsulation efficiency were, respectively, 90.77 mg/g and 84.36% when using the wall material GA:MD ratio of 2:2. The encapsulated powder's antioxidant activity was 1.09-1.80 g of encapsulation powder for each formula, which showed no significant difference. GA and MD as the wall material in a 2:2 (w/w) ratio showed the lowest bulk density. The high amount of MD showed the highest Hausner ratio (HR), and Carr's index (CI) showed high encapsulation efficiency and process yield. The stability of encapsulated GABA powder can be kept in clear glass with a screw cap at 35 °C for 42 days compared to the non-encapsulated one, which can be preserved for only 18 days under the same condition. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the freeze-drying process for GABA encapsulation preserved GABA component extracts from brown rice while increasing its potential beneficial properties. Using a wall material GA:MD ratio of 2:2 resulted in the maximum GABA content, solubility, and encapsulation efficiency while having the lowest bulk density.

In this study, the formulation of doughs was investigated using varying percentages of Agaricus bisporus flour, with the aim of utilizing mushroom stem fragments, typically considered production waste. The stem residues were collected from a mushroom cultivation facility, cleaned, and washed to remove impurities. The material was then subjected to two different drying methods: conventional dehydration and freeze-drying. After drying, the material was ground to produce mushroom flour. Doughs were formulated with different proportions of this flour and analyzed for texture profile, color, nutritional value, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and sensory characteristics. The inclusion of mushroom flour resulted in darker doughs, particularly when the flour was obtained through conventional dehydration due to oxidation processes. This substitution also affected texture parameters, leading to increased hardness and reduced elasticity in most treatments compared to the control sample. In addition, cohesiveness progressively decreased from 0.35 in the control to 0.14 in the sample made with 100% dehydrated flour and 0.20 in the sample made with 100% freeze-dried flour, resulting in brittle doughs. The most significant impact on nutritional value was an increase in protein, fat, and dietary fiber levels, reaching values over 5% of crude fiber in the sample to which 50% of dehydrated mushroom flour was added. Additionally, mushroom flours exhibited a high proportion of phenolic compounds, reaching values near 700 mg gallic acid/100 g in the flour from freeze-dried samples and 320 mg gallic acid/100 g in the flour from dehydrated samples. These values reflect a higher content of phenolic compounds in products made with mushroom flours and an increased antioxidant capacity compared to the control sample. Sensory evaluation showed that the texture remained unaffected; however, flavor perception was altered at a 50% mushroom flour substitution. In terms of external appearance, only the 25% freeze-dried mushroom flour formulation was statistically similar to the control, while all other treatments were rated lower.

Plant aspartic proteinases (APs) from Cynara cardunculus feature unique plant-specific insert (PSI) domains, which serve as essential vacuolar sorting determinants, mediating the transport of proteins to the vacuole. Although their role in vacuolar trafficking is well established, the exact molecular mechanisms that regulate PSI interactions and functions remain largely unknown. This study explores the ability of PSI A and PSI B to form homo- and heterodimers using a combination of pull-down assays, the mating-based split-ubiquitin system (mbSUS), and FRET-FLIM analyses. Pull-down assays provided preliminary evidence of potential PSI homo- and heterodimer formation. This was conclusively validated by the more robust in vivo mbSUS and FRET-FLIM assays, which clearly demonstrated the formation of both homo- and heterodimers between PSI A and PSI B within cellular environments. These findings suggest that PSI dimerization is related to their broader functional role, particularly in protein trafficking. Results open new avenues for future research to explore the full extent of PSI dimerization and its implications in plant cellular processes.

With the inherent demand for hydrophobic materials in processes such as membrane distillation and unidirectional moisture conduction, the preparation and application development of profiles such as modified cellulose acetate membranes that have both hydrophobic functions and biological properties have become a research hotspot. Compared with the petrochemical polymer materials used in conventional hydrophobic membrane preparation, cellulose acetate, as the most important cellulose derivative, exhibits many advantages, such as a high natural abundance, good film forming, and easy modification and biodegradability, and it is a promising polymer raw material for environmental purification. This paper focuses on the research progress of the hydrophobic cellulose acetate preparation process and its current application in the water-treatment and resource-utilization fields. It provides a detailed introduction and comparison of the technical characteristics, existing problems, and development trends of micro- and nanostructure and chemical functional surface construction in the hydrophobic modification of cellulose acetate. Further review was conducted and elaborated on the applications of hydrophobic cellulose acetate membranes and other profiles in oil-water separation, brine desalination, water-repellent protective materials, and other separation/filtration fields. Based on the analysis of the technological and performance advantages of profile products such as hydrophobic cellulose acetate membranes, it is noted that key issues need to be addressed and urgently resolved for the further development of hydrophobic cellulose acetate membranes. This will provide a reference basis for the expansion and application of high-performance cellulose acetate membrane products in the environmental field.

Cow milk is rich in proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals; however, its precise nutrient content varies based on various factors. In the current study, we evaluated the differences in the fatty acid and protein contents of milk and the factors associated with these differences. To achieve this, samples were collected from seven types of cows in different regions. These included samples from three dairy breeds: Chinese Holstein milk from Beijing, China (BH), Chinese Holstein milk (HH) and Jersey milk (JS) from Hebei province, China; and four dairy/meat breeds: Sanhe milk (SH) from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, Xinjiang brown milk (XH) and Simmental milk (SI) from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, and Shu Xuanhua milk (SX) from Sichuan province, China. Breed significantly affects total fat, fatty acid, and protein contents. Additionally, geographic region significantly affects the contents of different fatty acids, α-lactalbumin, and lactoferrin. JS has the highest total fat and casein contents. XH samples contain significantly higher unsaturated fatty acid content than BH samples and do not differ significantly from JS. Additionally, the low β-lactoglobulin and high lactoferrin contents in XH samples may be favorable for the growth and development of infants. Our results may inform the development of dairy products from different cow breeds and advance the process of accurate breed identification.