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Sponges are benthic filter-feeder invertebrates capable to produce a variety of high value bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, exploitation of sponges as bio-factories requires scalable and sustainable strategies to supply sponge biomass without threatening wild natural populations and to minimize the consumption of toxic organic solvents in metabolites extraction and purification procedures. Sponges farming in integrated facilities nearby fish mariculture cages represents a highly efficient strategy combining the production of sponge biomass with bioremediation. Here we report the results of the in situ rearing of the keratose sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus developed within three years in an innovative Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture system in the Gulf of Taranto (Southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea), capable to supply large-scale sponge biomass with a minimal impact on wild populations. Moreover, we demonstrate the proof of concept that it is possible to produce polyprenyl hydroquinones, selected as well-known bioactive model metabolites, in good yields, high purity degree and low organic solvent consumption, by means of an innovative protocol based on the combination of supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction and gel permeation chromatography. Such a combination of eco-friendly techniques paves the way to eco-sustainable supply of bioactive compounds from marine organisms highly profitable in terms of working times, costs, solvents, and energy saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper DNA extraction is an essential step in molecular biology research, for various downstream applications. Several modifications have been made to the first extraction protocol by Friedrich Miescher in 1869. The current work aimed to standardize an eco-friendly and quicker DNA extraction process that could be used in resource-limited laboratories by utilizing low-priced household liquid detergents and easily accessible salt. The pectoral fin tissues were lysed at 58°C with two modified lysis buffers using detergent 1 & 2 along with the conventional lysis buffer (SDS) as control. Instead of extraction with organic solvents, a 5M edible salt solution was used. This modified protocol resulted in yielding 3269.67 (±108.7) ng/µl and 3000 (± 15) ng/µl of DNA using detergent 1 and 2 with comparable quality of DNA as confirmed by OD260/280, i.e., 1.7 (± 0.026) and 1.72 (± 0.015) respectively, while the conventional method gave a maximum of 2512.33 (± 45.78) ng/µl of DNA with 1.76 (± 0.021) OD260/280 values. The overall cost of the proposed protocol was found almost 32 times less than the conventional method. The quality of DNA obtained by the modified protocol was pure enough to be used in PCR amplification of both nuclear (microsatellite) and mitochondrial (COX1) DNA for further application of genotyping. This modified protocol for DNA extraction from fish fin was faster (half the time required than the SDS lysis), of comparable quality and even better quantity with significantly lesser overall cost, and can be recommended for DNA extraction from fish samples in any resource-constrained laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A UPLC-MS/MS method with one-step extraction and simultaneous determination of bongkrekic acid (BA) and dehydroacetic acid (DHA) in rice noodles has been established in this study for the first time. The extraction solvent consisted of a mixture of methanol, ammonia, and water. Electrospray ionization negative ion mode (ESI-) was used for multiple reaction detection and external standard method was used for quantitative determination. The method demonstrated a good linearity range of 0–50 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9998 for BA, and showed a linearity range of 0∼500 ng/mL with r of 0.9993 for DHA. The limits of detection (LOD) were determined to be 0.1 μg/kg for BA and 0.6 μg/kg for DHA. Additionally, the method exhibited good recovery of 90.1%∼105.4% for BA and 80.4%∼102% for DHA. Meanwhile, the method also exhibited good precision with RSD of 0.4%∼7.5% for BA, and with RSD of 4.5%∼11.4% for DHA. Furthermore, the established method was sucessfully applied to the analysis of rice noodles from two production enterprises. BA was detected in one rice noodle sample and DHA was detected in 7 rice noodle samples in the enterprises A which was the manufacturer of food consumed by the poisoned patient. To investigate the cause of death of the poisoned patient, the toxigenic bacterium Burkholderia gladiolus was isolated and cultured to produce BA. The results showed that the established method could also be used to qualitatively screen BA and its isomer isobongkrekic acid (IBA) in GVC enrichment broth, potato glucose agar and rice sample, which facilitates a rapid and accurate judgement of whether the isolated bacterium strain produces BA. With high sensitivity and accuracy, and simple sample pretreatment, the proposed method shows potential for safety assessment of the entire production process of rice-derived products, addressing a significant public health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel from microalgae offers a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, with carbon dioxide utilization and capturing lipids without competing with food resources. The extraction, drying, and transesterification processes play a crucial role in converting raw biomass into high-quality biofuel. In this article, Chlorella vulgaris was grown in optimized conditions to improve the lipid content, and biodiesel was synthesized. Lipid content was evaluated from microalgal biomass, and the obtained data were given as input to two different production pathways, viz. solvent extraction and in situ transesterification. When utilizing the extraction and drying processes in the former method, it was discovered that they are the major cost contributors, which were eliminated in the latter through in situ transesterification. Optimization of various operating variables, such as methanol-oil molar ratio, reaction time, reaction temperature, number of stages, feed stage for distillation columns, and water and hexane flow rate for recovery of FAME, was studied in the simulation process. The solvent extraction method achieved 92% oil conversion, with 98% methanol recovery and 96% ester recovery after distillation. The in situ transesterification process achieved 92% oil-to-FAME conversion, with a payback period of 1.72 years for the non-heat integrated process and 1.88 years for the heat-integrated process. Capital costs were $3.48 million (non-heat integrated) and $4.51 million (heat integrated) compared to solvent extraction at $5.05 million (non-heat integrated) and $6.49 million (heat integrated), demonstrating superior economic efficiency. A techno-economic analysis reveals that in situ transesterification has the lowest capital cost and payback period but higher operating costs due to methanol usage; however, with process intensification and optimized configurations, it could become a commercially viable approach for biodiesel production. Regulatory frameworks and infrastructure investment support scalability, while eliminating costly steps like drying enhances economic and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical complexity of natural products, such as Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. plant, presents a challenge when extracting and identifying bioactive compounds. This study investigates the impact of different extraction systems and seasonal variations on the chemical profile and pharmacological potential of E. punicifolia leaves using NMR spectroscopy for chemical analysis and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) for bioactivity correlation. Extracts obtained with methanol (M), ethanol (E), methanol/ethanol (1:1, ME), and methanol/ethanol/water (3:1:1, MEW) were analyzed for antioxidant, antiglycation, and antiviral activities. Quantitative ¹H NMR, combined with the PULCON method, was used to quantify phenolic compounds such as quercetin, myricetin, catechin, and gallic acid. The results showed that the MEW extract obtained in the rainy season exhibited the highest antioxidant and antiglycation activities, with a greater than 93% of advanced-glycation end-products (AGEs) inhibition capacity. Furthermore, our results showed that all the extracts were able to inhibit over 94% of the Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in Vero E6 cells. The CCA established strong correlations between the phenolic compounds and bioactivities, identifying gallic acid, catechin, quercetin, and myricetin as key chemical markers. This study demonstrates the importance of selecting appropriate extraction systems and considering seasonality to optimize the pharmacological potential of E. punicifolia leaves and highlights the efficacy of NMR in linking chemical composition with bioactivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorogenic acid, which is extracted from a wide range of natural sources, is attracting the attention of many researchers in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields due to its various positive effects, such as such as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Considering the effects of economics and solvent toxicity, water, ethanol, and their mixtures were selected as the solvents for extracting chlorogenic acid at various temperatures (298~318 K) and over a whole range of concentrations. The solubility of chlorogenic acid increased with temperature regardless of the solvents, and the solubility was higher in pure ethanol than in pure water. The solubility of chlorogenic acid in mixed solvents exhibited a gradual rise as the water content increased, reaching a maximum at a specific water weight fraction. These trends were well predicted by the COSMO-SAC model and Hansen solubility parameter method. By comparing the σ-profile, it was confirmed that the maximum solubility in mixed solvent comes from the similarity of σ-profiles between chlorogenic acid and mixed solvent which represents the surface charge density of the molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oil content of shale oil reservoirs is a key parameter for reserve evaluation and "sweet spot" selection. However, discrepancies in the oil contents obtained by different methods have led to considerable disparities in the selection of exploration well locations and development strategies for shale oil. This study focuses on low to moderately mature sealed coring samples from the Dongying Depression in the Bohai Bay Basin. Three methods—NMR, Dean–Stark, and Rock-Eval—were employed to measure the oil content of shale. The results indicate that the oil content obtained by NMR is the highest, followed by the Dean–Stark distillation extraction method, while the pyrolysis method yields the lowest value. The study found that (1) the efficiency of the solvent extraction effect on moderately to low-mature shale is low since the occurrence of numerous closed pores leads to a lower yield when using the Dean–Stark method. (2) The exposure of shale samples to the air, sample crushing, and lag time for temperature increase cause a significant loss of light hydrocarbon components, resulting in the lowest oil content when measured by the Rock-Eval method. The NMR method, with its advantages of a short analysis time and non-destructive nature, appears to be the most advantageous method for shale oil content evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction of bio-compounds from medicinal plants provides opportunities for using the plant extract for health benefits. Rosa canina L. is considered a "natural superfood", and the valorization of its active compounds requires an extraction technique that ensures a suitable extraction yield while preserving the compounds' activity. In our study, infrared laser irradiation (IRLIR) technology was used for the first time in the bioactive compound's extraction from Rosa canina L. Different solvents (water–ethanol, hexane–ethanol) and different extraction times were tested to obtain a high extraction yield. Chromatographic and spectrophotometry methods were used to monitor the profile of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity of the extracts. The results obtained for IRLIR were compared with those obtained by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), an advanced extraction method. The IRLIR technology proved to be a more reliable analytical tool for the extraction of (+)-catechin, gallic acid, and lutein. In addition, a richer extract formula was obtained by IRLIR extraction with respect to ASE, with the IRLIR process ensuring a short extraction time, low volume of the extraction solvent, low energy consumption, and a less expensive device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solvent selection is essential for industrial and analytical extraction processes to ensure environmental safety and neutrality. Nevertheless, toxic and hazardous solvents are often used, due to their cost-effectiveness and ready availability. In green chemistry, alternative solvents such as supramolecular deep eutectic solvents are gaining attention due to their superior performance compared with traditional non-green solvents in certain applications. Here we review the use of supramolecular deep eutectic solvents as a green solvent for analytical and industrial liquid–liquid extraction processes, with focus on physicochemical properties, extraction conditions, the capacity factor, the enrichment factor, fuel desulfurization, extraction of biological active compounds, lignin valorization, and sample preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, eight natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs) consisting of food-grade ingredients were screened for the extraction of four bioactive compounds (acteoside, cinnamic acid, angoroside C and harpagoside) from radix scrophulariae (RS). Among these NaDESs, Proline-Glycerol NaDES with higher comprehensive score was selected. The Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) was applied to calculate the information entropy and the weight of indexes, and figured out a comprehensive score. The weights of acteoside, cinnamic acid, angoroside C and harpagoside were 0.369, 0.172, 0.241 and 0.218, respectively. Response surface methodology (RSM) mathematical model was used to optimize the extraction parameters. The optimal extraction parameters were as follows: extraction time with 42.21 min, NaDES concentration with 52.89%, solid-to-liquid ratio with 1 : 37.05 g/mL and the predicted value of comprehensive score was 0.885. Under the optimal condition, the comprehensive score was 0.903 ± 0.005. Finally, the antioxidant activity experiment revealed that the 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl · radical scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of the extract at 2.0 mg/mL and 1.5 mg/mL were approximately equal to those of ascorbic acid, respectively. The results showed that the extraction condition optimized by RSM combined with CRITIC was reasonable and dependable, and the extract of radix scrophulariae exhibited good antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining ultrasound and homogenization methods with ethyl acetate as a green solvent, this research designed and optimized an environmentally friendly protocol for cottonseed oil extraction. The extraction parameters were as follows: extraction time (30–90 min), extraction temperature (30–60 °C), and solvent to solid ratio (3:1–6:1 ml/g). The best extraction parameters were determined using the RSM and BBD: 65.67 min, 30.10 °C, and a solvent to solid ratio of 5.6:1. The optimized procedure resulted in 80.44% oil recovery, 80.22% radical scavenging activity, and 5.75% FFA as oleic acid. The most profound terms with the lowest P-values were linear terms of solvent to solid ratio for oil recovery, linear terms of temperature for radical scavenging activity, and linear terms of time and temperature for FFA and PV. This approach promises an effective, green option that enhances oil recovery and oxidative stability while lowering environmental impact, energy consumption, and operational risks with only a tenth of the energy required per gram of oil compared to hexane-based solvent extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Syzygium cumini (S. cumini) is an excellent source of anthocyanins, which are valuable natural compounds with potential pharmacological and food-related applications. In this study, the combination of natural deep eutectic solvents and ultrasound-assisted extraction was explored as green alternatives to conventional solvents for efficient anthocyanin extraction from the pulp of S. cumini. Eight different solvent systems were prepared with choline chloride (Cho) and citric acid (Ci) as hydrogen bond acceptors and oxalic acid, lactic acid, fructose, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, urea and maltose (Oxa, Lac, Fru, Eth, Prop, Ur, Ma) as hydrogen bond donors. The solvent systems were prepared using heating, stirring, and ultrasonication methods. The extraction yield was optimized based on the selection of the best natural deep eutectic solvent mixture, ultrasonication time, and extraction temperature using a single-factor experimental methodology. It was found that choline chloride and propylene glycol (ChoProp) was the most efficient NADES system. The maximum extraction of anthocyanins was observed at 25 °C for 5 min of ultrasonication, resulting in a total anthocyanin content of 308.81 mg C3G/100 g dry extract. Furthermore, ChoProp served as an efficient solvent for polyphenol extraction, resulting in a total phenolic content of 1.6 mg GAE/g dry extract. The radical scavenging assay (87.4%) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.058) were approximately equivalent to conventional solvents, indicating the natural deep eutectic solvents as a potential alternative. Overall, the integrative technique of natural deep eutectic solvents and ultrasound-assisted extraction showed to be a promising green alternative for efficient anthocyanin extraction, where S. cumini proved to be a great source of anthocyanins, yielding higher total anthocyanin content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrilotriacetamide (NTA amide) has been developed as an extractant for the mutual separation of minor actinides (MA; Am and Cm) and rare earth elements (REs) by solvent extraction. NTA amide is a tertiary amine in which the three carboxyl groups of nitrilotriacetic acid are amidated. NTA amides have six hydrophobic long-chain alkyl groups on the side chains, and they have enhanced solubility in organic solvents, thereby allowing for the use of nonpolar diluents, such as n-dodecane. This study examined the extraction behavior of MA and REs using four NTA amides with six side chains comprising n-octyl groups, 2-ethylhexyl groups, and a mixture of these groups. The results showed that the linear-type hexaoctyl NTA amide (HONTA) had the highest extraction ability for MA. Furthermore, the extraction behavior of MA and REs was different under low and high nitrate conditions, and that of scandium (Sc) was found to be considerably different depending on the side chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Atomic Energy Science & Technology is the property of Editorial Board of Atomic Energy Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. This has motivated the coffee industry to adopt sustainable practices, with an increased emphasis on environmentally friendly extraction methods. The objective of this study was to explore, through a bibliometric analysis, the identification of influential researchers, institutions, emerging topics, and gaps concerning the valorization of coffee by-products and residues using green extraction techniques. A total of 7306 scientific publications on green extraction were identified, 72 specifically addressing coffee or its by-products. The analysis highlights a focus on innovative green technologies, such as natural deep eutectic solvents, ultrasound-assisted or microwave-assisted extraction. These methods enable the efficient and sustainable extraction of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, caffeine, with potential applications in food, pharmaceutical, and energy industries. Despite this, research on coffee by-products remains limited, partly due to their use in other applications, such as biochar, animal feed, and construction materials, which do not rely heavily on green technologies. Key contributors to the field include countries such as Spain, Italy, Brazil, and China. This study emphasizes the potential of coffee waste to generate high-value products through sustainable methodologies, identifies noteworthy research and key actors in the field, and underscores the necessity for further innovation and collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to optimize the extraction conditions for a valuable source of antioxidants: seaweed. Therefore, ten seaweed samples were subjected to a solid–liquid extraction (SLE), where the extraction conditions (biomass (g): solvent (mL) ratio, temperature, and time) were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The seaweeds were also subjected to subcritical water extraction (SWE) (140 and 190 °C) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) (10 and 20 min). The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was determined through the ferric-reducing antioxidant power and the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). The total phenolic content revealed the significance of temperature and biomass; solvent ratio parameters in the extraction process with higher conditions generally promoting the release of phenolic compounds. Furthermore, applying RSM allowed for the identification of optimal conditions and the establishment of predictive models that can be valuable in industrial-scale extraction processes. The antioxidant potency composite index (APCI) shows that SWE at 190 °C stands out, with E. bicyclis reaching an APCI score of 46.27%. The AGREEprep evaluation showed that UAE is the most sustainable method, achieving the highest score (0.69). The results of this study contribute to the development of efficient and standardized extraction protocols for each seaweed species, allowing for the maximum yield of antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal extraction by the use of deep eutectic solvent (DES) is also called as "Solvatometallurgy" i.e. metal extraction from minerals and secondaries by using DES as prime solvent. Solvatometallurgical extraction is highly futuristic in the study as it involves nontoxic and ecofriendly solvents and comparatively more economic process flowsheet using lower water content. In this study, Cu was extracted from two different resources Cu spent catalyst and Cu concentrate by using DES. The DES mixture was obtained by mixing Choline Chloride (Quaternary Ammonium salt) with ethylene glycol (EG) at 80 °C. The leaching reaction takes place with the as obtained DES in a glass reactor. Elemental analyses of the leach liquor were carried out with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer after it reacted with aqua regia to break metal-ligand complex so that metal ion will be perfectly detected by the instrument. The maximum extraction of Cu was 81.6 and 99.9 pct in 72 hour for Cu catalyst and 24 hour for Cu concentrate. Parametric variations were performed such as variation of time, temperature, ratio of EG:Choline chloride and pulp density to obtain the optimized condition for the leaching reaction. The extracted Cu from DES is taken into an aqueous system via solvent extraction with LIX. DEHPHA and Na-DEHPHA. Here the solvent extraction is organic vs organic but they are separated easily because of their density difference. The stripping of 63.63 pct was recorded for 10 pct LIX-84 and the stripping of 66.6 pct was reported for 10 pct H2SO4. The advantage of DES extraction is that it is selective towards the metal of interest and generates no effluent or sludge thus making the downstream simple and cost effective. Efforts are given to establish the reaction mechanism of the DES and the Cu containing solid phases like Cu concentrate and spent catalyst sample with the help of the result analyses of NIR and NMR. One reaction mechanism is also proposed schematically to represent the reaction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nonferrous Metals (Extractive Metallurgy) is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study compares the solvent-extraction behavior of lithium (Li) using the cost-effective extractant PC88A (2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester) and the more expensive extractant HBTA (4,4,4-Trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione). PC88A achieved an optimal extraction rate of 37.6% at pH 5.43, with a maximum rate of 41.4% at pH 7.80. It required six stages at a 5/1 O/A ratio (organic phase-to-aqueous phase ratio) for 98% extraction and three stages at a 15/1 ratio for 100% extraction. In contrast, HBTA showed an optimal extraction rate of 86.2% at pH 6.23 and a maximum rate of 92.9% at pH 11.95. HBTA achieved 100% extraction with three stages at a 1/1 O/A ratio and 98% with one stage at a 5/1 ratio. By applying McCabe–Thiele methods, this study figured out that to achieve a 98% lithium extraction rate at 5/1 of O/A ratio, PC88A requires 6 stages, whereas HBTA achieves the same extraction rate in just 1 stage. This result indicate that a sixfold difference in efficiency if these extractants used in the counter-current solvent-extraction process. These findings reveal HBTA's striking superiority over PC88A in terms of efficiency. Future studies should include evaluations of equipment and extractant costs, and overall efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigated a comprehensive hydrometallurgical process designed for the selective recovery of vanadium (V) and aluminum (Al) from spent catalysts used in sulfuric acid manufacturing (SAM), to promote sustainable recycling of industrial waste. The process began with alkaline leaching using 0.5 M NaOH which effectively dissolved both metals under optimized conditions (25°C, 10 min, and a solid-to-liquid ratio of 100 g/L), resulting in a silica-rich residue. The resulting leach liquor, containing vanadium (V(V)) and aluminum (Al(III)), was subjected to solvent extraction with 10% Aliquat 336. Vanadium was selectively extracted at a pH of approximately 2, using an organic-to-aqueous (O/A) ratio of 1:1. Then, vanadium was stripped from the loaded organic phase using NaOH, producing a vanadium-enriched aqueous solution. Vanadium precipitated as ammonium metavanadate (NH4VO3) at 60°C and a pH around 7, using ammonium chloride. Concurrently, aluminum was recovered from the raffinate by precipitation as aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) at a pH of approximately 7.1, using sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid as pH adjuster. The developed process demonstrated high metal recovery rates with minimal environmental impact. This study underscores the effectiveness of integrating leaching, solvent extraction, and precipitation techniques for sustainable resource recycling from industrial waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFor the valorization of Eucommia ulmoides (EU) for the functional food industry, the process of ultrasonic-assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) extraction of EU polysaccharides (EUP) was optimized by response surface methodology. After response surface analysis and experimental verification, the optimum extraction conditions were as follows: the molar ratio of choline chloride to oxalic acid was 0.9:1, the water content of DES was 40.28%, the ratio of material to liquid was 1:22 g/mL, the time was 90 min, and the power was 320 W. The extraction rate of EUP was 1.71%, which was higher than the extraction rate of 0.75% by ultrasonic water extraction under the same conditions, and the optimization effect was better. After DEAE column gradient elution and Sephadex G-75 gel column chromatography, the elution curve and a refined polysaccharide (EUP-1) were obtained. The IC50 values of EUP-1 against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were 0.091 and 0.011 mg/mL. The IC50 values of EUP-1 on DPPH and ABTS·+ scavenging were 0.065 and 0.065 mg/mL. The monosaccharide composition of EUP-1 was analyzed as mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, and galacturonic acid in the following molar ratio: 1.00: 1.28: 1.53: 1.88. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct lithium extraction (DLE) from natural surface and geothermal brines is very challenging due to the low ratio of lithium to other metals, and the lack of suitable materials that bind lithium with sufficiently high selectivity. In this paper, a synergistic solvent extraction system is described that comprises a liquid ion exchanger (saponified bis(2-ethylhexyl)dithiophosphoric acid) and a lithium-selective ligand (2,9-dibutyl-1,10-phenanthroline) in an aliphatic diluent. The extraction mechanism was investigated and was confirmed to involve the binding of lithium to the selective ligand, while the liquid ion exchanger facilitates the transfer of metal ions from the aqueous to the organic phase. The variables influencing the selectivity for lithium were also determined. The selectivity improved greatly in highly concentrated salt solutions with low concentrations of lithium, rendering the process ideal for the sequestration of lithium from natural brines. Stripping could be achieved with stoichiometric amounts of hydrochloric acid. Applying the system to a synthetic geothermal brine, an extraction percentage of 68% was obtained in a single stage, with separation factors of 620 ± 20 for lithium over sodium, 3100 ± 200 for lithium over potassium, 596 ± 9 for lithium over magnesium and 2290 ± 80 for lithium over calcium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes four distinct crude oil varieties from the Kurdistan Region-Iraq: Taq-Taq (TQ), Sarqala (SA), Khurmala (Kh), and Tawke (TA). Fractionation produced five categories: naphtha, kerosene, light gas oil (LGO), heavy gas oil (HGO), and fuel oil. The research focused on distillation cuts of LGO (241–300°C) and HGO (301–360°C), which contained organic sulfur compounds, contributing to environmental pollution and health hazards during combustion. Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) using hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid at 75°C for 12 hours significantly reduced sulfur content. LGO sulfur content decreased from 0.72% to 0.11% wt in SA and from 2.02% to 0.50% wt in TA, achieving desulfurization efficiencies of 84.72% and 74.25%, respectively. In HGO, sulfur content dropped from 3.67% to 1.78% wt in Kh, with 51.49% efficiency. Gas oil recovery after oxidation ranged from 92.71% to 96.28%. Solvent extraction with acetonitrile, methanol, and acetic acid further enhanced desulfurization, with pre-oxidation extraction achieving 19.42% efficiency in LGO, increasing to 86% post-oxidation. Gas chromatography with a flame photometric detector (PFPD) assessed sulfur removal, highlighting the combined effects of oxidation and extraction on sulfur compound reduction. This approach demonstrated the efficiency of ODS in mitigating sulfur-related impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioplastics are emerging as a promising solution to reduce pollution caused by petroleum-based plastics. Among them, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) stand out as viable biotechnological alternatives, though their commercialization is limited by expensive downstream processes. Traditional PHA extraction methods often involve toxic solvents and high energy consumption, underscoring the need for more sustainable approaches. This study evaluated physical and chemical methods to extract PHAs from Pseudomonas putida U, a bacterium known to produce poly-3-hydroxyoctanoate P(3HO). Lyophilized cells underwent six extraction methods, including the use of the following: boiling, sonication, sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and chloroform. Physical methods such as boiling and sonication achieved yields of 70% and 60%, respectively, but P(3HO) recovery remained low (30–40%). NaClO extraction provided higher yields (80%) but resulted in significant impurities (70%). NaOH methods offered moderate yields (50–80%), with P(3HO) purities between 50% and 70%, depending on the conditions. Spectroscopic and analytical techniques (FTIR, TGA, NMR, GPC) identified 0.05 M NaOH at 60 °C as the optimal extraction condition, delivering high P(3HO) purity while minimizing environmental impact. This positions NaOH as a sustainable alternative to traditional halogenated solvents, paving the way for more eco-friendly PHA production processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]