Volume 24, No. 1 (2023)

EXTRACTION OPTIMIZATION OF TRADESCANTIA SPATHACEA SW. LEAF CRUDE EXTRACT AND ANTHOCYANIN CONTENT

ANILÚ MIRANDA-MEDINA(1*), PAOLA LIBERTAD GARCÍA-MEDEL(1), KAREN RODRÍGUEZ-MARTÍNEZ(1), PATRICIA MARGARET HAYWARD-JONES(2), DULCE MARÍA BARRADAS-DERMITZ(2), GEORGINA LUNA-CARRILLO(1)

Considering both the health and energy areas where anthocyanins have been revealing their real and potential applications, research on their extraction optimization methods is a priority. Conditions to achieve the highest mass of crude extract from Tradescantia spathacea leaves with the highest absorbance (A) in the region of 500 - 540 nm linked with anthocyanins, were investigated through a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. Independent variables involved in the Box-Behnken design were solvent (ethanol) concentration (30, 50, 70 % v/v), solvent/fresh leaf ratio (1.67:1, 2.34:1; 3:1 v/w) and extraction temperature (30, 50, 70 °C). Dependent (response) variables were crude extract amount and the extract with the maximum A in the region of 500-540 nm. Experimental values of A 500 - 540 nm were 0.3562 and 0.7558; crude extract mass ranged between 0.285 g and 0.7157 g, corresponding to a yield between 144 to 347 mg dried extract per g of dried leaf. Using a solvent/fresh leaf ratio of 3:1 v/w, 70 °C, 65 % ethanol, the highest values of both crude extract mass and A 500 - 540 nm were obtained.

ANTIFUNGAL POTENTIAL OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OF BIOWASTE FRUIT PEEL OF PUNICA GRANATUM AGAINST PATHOGENIC FUNGI

RICHA SAXENA(1), RICHA SHARMA(2*), GAJANAND SHARMA(3), PANKAJ SAXENA(4)

The worldwide attention in scientific examination is to discover the herbal and natural medicine, as a result provided that them for pharmacological production and food security without any harmful property on human healthiness. Punica granatum plant is rich in medicinal properties and has high bioavailability. Pomegranate fruit has a biowaste fruit peel with potential therapeutic applications. Pomegranate biowaste fruit peel extract and fractions are most potential due to their high efficiency. The earlier study confirmed the significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties of pomegranate coating as herbal food additives. This paper highlights the relevant and recent antifungal applications against pathogenic fungi established in the prime alteration of biowaste fruit peel of P. granatum. Antifungal activity of the ethanolic extract and fractions of selected plant part were carried out by disk diffusion method against selected plant pathogenic fungi. The results showed that selected fractions of P. granatum biowaste fruit peel (PG II) have great potential as antifungal compounds against Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes (22 mm) than Rhizoctonia solani. The MIC value of both selected fungi was evaluated by agar dilution method varied as of 0.1 µgmL-1 to 2 mgmL-1. Therefore, the current study aims to account the PG II fraction of biowaste fruit peel of P. granatum is a major source of polyphenolic complexes. Although, the present study recommended the pomegranate biowaste fruit peel that can place as a relatively more precious plant source of herbal secondary metabolites for rising novel efficient food-pharma constituents with encouraging human being fitness.

ENHANCED BIOHYDROGEN PRODUCTION THROUGH REPEATED-BATCH FERMENTATION OF RICE-BRAN

EBENEZER O. DADA(1,2), ABASS O. ALADE(1*), ADEMOLA T. ADENIJI(3), TINUADE J. AFOLABI(1)

Repeated-batch fermentation experiments were carried out to determine the best switching time, stability, and consistency of the process for enhanced biohydrogen production from Rice-bran. After the initial batch process, one repeated Cycle was made for three ‘runs’ to determine the best switching time, the ‘runs’ were terminated after 45 h, 60 h and 75 h, respectively. The effect of switching time on cell growth, hydrogen yield and productivity was investigated. The pattern of cell growth suggested that switching from batch mode to repeated batch mode at the 60th h led to the production of the highest amount of hydrogen. The lowest pH value (5.22) was observed at the end of the first fermentation Cycle. Cycle 2 has the highest amount of cumulative hydrogen production (mL 1280.3 L-1 medium) and the highest pH value (5.38). The profiles of the biomass concentration for all the Cycles were similar showing the stability and consistency of the process. There was an increment of 22 % in the overall Hydrogen gas production rate for the repeated batch process when compared to that of the ordinary batch process this result justified the use of the repeated batch system as a process that enhances biohydrogen production.

NEW ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COMPOSITIONS AS INHIBITORS OF METAL CORROSION

IHOR SEMENIUK(1,4), OLENA KARPENKO(1,2), АNDRIY BANYA(1*), VIRA LUBЕNETS(2), SERGIY SHAPOVALENKO(3), GUO PENGXIANG(3)

The development of effective and safe corrosion inhibitors of metal constructions remains an urgent problem. The aim of the present study is evaluation of inhibitory action of new compositions based on synthetic and biogenic surfactants, waste glycerol (a by-product of biodiesel) and low-toxic biocides-thiosulfonates, on the corrosion of St3 steel in different concentrations of sodium chloride aqueous solutions, at various temperatures. It was shown, that at 20 °C in medium NaCl (0.1 and 1.0 wt %) the best protective properties have mixtures of biosurfactant BS-1 with Tween-80 (1:5 and 1:3, w/w) – protection degree in 0.1 % NaCl was 69 and 61 %, respectively. With temperature increased to 50 °C, the protection degree decreased to 63 and 48 %. Waste glycerol (5 g·dm-3) in 1% NaCl also proved effectiveness, increasing St3 steel protection up to 86 %. When using biosurfactants and waste glycerol, the film on the metal surface formed due to hydrogen bonds between inhibitors functional groups and iron ions probably decreased the corrosion rate of steel. Compositions of biosurfactant BS-2 with thiosulfonates TS-1, TS-2 (ratio 0.5 and 0.25 g·dm-3) at 20 °C contribute to steel protection 99 %. Thus, action synergism was observed, therefore for effective steel protection it is advisable to use additional synergists into composition. The results indicate new prospects of compositions of biosurfactants, products of biotechnology, for new "green" corrosion inhibitors.

FLY ASH WASTE FOR OBTAINING BUILDING MATERIALS WITH IMPROVED DURABILITY

MARIA HARJA(*), MIHAELA CAFTANACHI, MIHAELA FANACHE (VASILIU), GABRIELA CIOBANU

The fly ash wastes (materials rich in silica, aluminum, and iron) could be advanced valorized by using as pozzolanic materials in the formulation of mortar and concrete. The partial hydrolysis of its, during alkali activation process, gel formation, and polycondensation produce the compulsory properties. The study had as objective to determine the optimal conditions, and the relationships between the fly ash modifying parameters, particle size and morphology, and behavior in chemical agents of the mortar obtained from different wastes. The alkali activation process involved varying the liquid/solid ratio (quantities of liquid phase) and the concentration of the NaOH solution (8 - 12 M). The samples' morphologies, particle size distribution, Blaine surface values, and crystallography were significant changes as a result of the activation, as demonstrated by XRD and SEM analysis. The durability values were substantially improved comparatively with building materials on the base of cement. As a result, treated fly ash is suitable as a potential building material, saving disposal-related issues. Using treated fly ash is environmentally friendly method conserving a large amount of cement, used in the production of building materials and reducing the CO2 emissions.

IMPLEMENTATION OF APPLE ACIDIFIER IN CANNED CUCUMBERS PRODUCTION

DIANA CRUCIRESCU(1,2*)

The present study analyzes the acidifier from thinned unripe apples, in order to obtain a source of natural acidity. The technological scheme for obtaining the natural acidifier was developed, which was characterized by high acidity (2.21 ± 0.1 %) and significant amount of total soluble solids (7.93 ± 0.2 %). The contents of organic acids and carbohydrates were analyzed. The main organic acid was malic acid with 26.43 ± 0.003 g·dm-3, and the main carbohydrate was fructose with an amount of 35.17 ± 0.095 g·dm-3, glucose being 2 times less. The acidifier has been proposed as an alternative to acetic acid in the preservation of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus). Thus, 2 series of experimental samples were produced, using the substitution of 50 % (PA50) and 100 % (PA100) of acetic acid with apple acidifier, compared to the control sample (according to the classic recipe). All samples were characterized physico-chemically and subjected to organoleptic evaluation. The developed products showed very good results compared to the control. However, the most relevant and valuable was the PA100, having the best quality indices. The production and use of apple acidifier allows the efficient utilization of raw materials by increasing sustainability of horticultural sector and leads to obtaining healthy and ecological products.