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Introduction: Toxic heavy metal pollution has been considered a major ecosystem pollution source. Unceasing or rare performance of Pb2+ to the surrounding environment causes damage to the kidney, nervous, and liver systems. Microbial remediation has acquired prominence in recent decades due to its high efficiency, environment-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. Methods: The lead biosorption by Bacillus subtilis was optimized by two successive paradigms, namely, a definitive screening design (DSD) and an artificial neural network (ANN), to maximize the sorption process. Results: Five physicochemical variables showed a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the Pb2+ biosorption with optimal levels of pH 6.1, temperature 30°C, glucose 1.5%, yeast extract 1.7%, and MgSO4.7H2O 0.2, resulting in a 96.12% removal rate. The Pb2+ biosorption mechanism using B. subtilis biomass was investigated by performing several analyses before and after Pb2+ biosorption. The maximum Pb2+ biosorption capacity of B. subtilis was 61.8 mg/g at a 0.3 g biosorbent dose, pH 6.0, temperature 30°C, and contact time 60 min. Langmuir's isotherm and pseudo-second-order model with R² of 0.991 and 0.999 were suitable for the biosorption data, predicting a monolayer adsorption and chemisorption mechanism, respectively. Discussion: The outcome of the present research seems to be a first attempt to apply intelligence paradigms in the optimization of low-cost Pb2+ biosorption using B. subtilis biomass, justifying their promising application for enhancing the removal efficiency of heavy metal ions using biosorbents from contaminated aqueous systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study showcases a promising approach to sustainably unlocking plant biomass residues by combining biodegradation with artificial intelligence to optimize the process. Specifically, we utilized the definitive screening design (DSD) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to optimize the degradation of common bean biomass by the endophytic fungus Trichoderma asperellum WNZ-21. The optimized process yielded a fungal hydrolysate rich in 12 essential and non-essential amino acids, totaling 18,298.14 μg/g biomass. GC-MS analysis revealed four potential novel components not previously reported in microbial filtrates or plants and seven components exclusive to plant sources but not reported in microbial filtrates. The hydrolysate contained phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin compounds, as confirmed by FT-IR analysis. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy depicted structures resembling amino acid micelles and potential protein aggregates. The hydrolysate exhibited antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties and innovatively induced apoptotic modulation in the MCF7 cancer cell line. These findings underscore the potential of ANN-optimized fermentation for various applications, particularly in anticancer medicine due to its unique composition and bioactivities. The integration of the DSD and ANNs presents a novel technique for biomass biodegradation, warranting the valorization of plant biomass and suggesting a further exploration of the new components in the fungal hydrolysate. This approach represents the basic concept for exploring other biomass sources and in vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionToxic heavy metal pollution has been considered a major ecosystem pollution source. Unceasing or rare performance of Pb2+ to the surrounding environment causes damage to the kidney, nervous, and liver systems. Microbial remediation has acquired prominence in recent decades due to its high efficiency, environment-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness.MethodsThe lead biosorption by Bacillus subtilis was optimized by two successive paradigms, namely, a definitive screening design (DSD) and an artificial neural network (ANN), to maximize the sorption process.ResultsFive physicochemical variables showed a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the Pb2+ biosorption with optimal levels of pH 6.1, temperature 30°C, glucose 1.5%, yeast extract 1.7%, and MgSO4.7H2O 0.2, resulting in a 96.12% removal rate. The Pb2+ biosorption mechanism using B. subtilis biomass was investigated by performing several analyses before and after Pb2+ biosorption. The maximum Pb2+ biosorption capacity of B. subtilis was 61.8 mg/g at a 0.3 g biosorbent dose, pH 6.0, temperature 30°C, and contact time 60 min. Langmuir’s isotherm and pseudo-second-order model with R2 of 0.991 and 0.999 were suitable for the biosorption data, predicting a monolayer adsorption and chemisorption mechanism, respectively.DiscussionThe outcome of the present research seems to be a first attempt to apply intelligence paradigms in the optimization of low-cost Pb2+ biosorption using B. subtilis biomass, justifying their promising application for enhancing the removal efficiency of heavy metal ions using biosorbents from contaminated aqueous systems.

This study showcases a promising approach to sustainably unlocking plant biomass residues by combining biodegradation with artificial intelligence to optimize the process. Specifically, we utilized the definitive screening design (DSD) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to optimize the degradation of common bean biomass by the endophytic fungus Trichoderma asperellum WNZ-21. The optimized process yielded a fungal hydrolysate rich in 12 essential and non-essential amino acids, totaling 18,298.14 μg/g biomass. GC-MS analysis revealed four potential novel components not previously reported in microbial filtrates or plants and seven components exclusive to plant sources but not reported in microbial filtrates. The hydrolysate contained phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin compounds, as confirmed by FT-IR analysis. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy depicted structures resembling amino acid micelles and potential protein aggregates. The hydrolysate exhibited antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties and innovatively induced apoptotic modulation in the MCF7 cancer cell line. These findings underscore the potential of ANN-optimized fermentation for various applications, particularly in anticancer medicine due to its unique composition and bioactivities. The integration of the DSD and ANNs presents a novel technique for biomass biodegradation, warranting the valorization of plant biomass and suggesting a further exploration of the new components in the fungal hydrolysate. This approach represents the basic concept for exploring other biomass sources and in vivo studies.

A definitive screening design was used in order to evaluate the effects of starch, glycerol and montmorillonite (MMT) concentrations, as well as the drying temperature, drying tray type and starch species, on packaging film's functional properties. Optimization showed that in order to obtain films with the minimum possible thickness, the maximum elongation at break, the maximum tensile strength, as well as reduced water vapor permeability and low opacity, a combination of factors should be used as follows: 5.5% wt starch concentration, 30% wt glycerol concentration on a dry starch basis, 10.5% wt MMT concentration on a dry starch basis, 45 °C drying temperature, chickpea as the starch species and plexiglass as the drying tray type. Based on these results, starch films were prepared, and fresh minced meat was stored in them for 3 days. It was shown that the incorporation of MMT at 10.5% wt on a dry starch basis in the packaging films led to a decreased mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria growth factor compared to commercial packaging. When assessed for their biodegradability, the starch films disintegrated after 10 days of thermophilic incubation under simulated composting conditions. Finally, to prove their handling capability during industrial production, the starch films were rewound in a paper cylinder using an industrial-scale rewinding machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A definitive screening design was used in order to evaluate the effects of starch, glycerol and montmorillonite (MMT) concentrations, as well as the drying temperature, drying tray type and starch species, on packaging film’s functional properties. Optimization showed that in order to obtain films with the minimum possible thickness, the maximum elongation at break, the maximum tensile strength, as well as reduced water vapor permeability and low opacity, a combination of factors should be used as follows: 5.5% wt starch concentration, 30% wt glycerol concentration on a dry starch basis, 10.5% wt MMT concentration on a dry starch basis, 45 °C drying temperature, chickpea as the starch species and plexiglass as the drying tray type. Based on these results, starch films were prepared, and fresh minced meat was stored in them for 3 days. It was shown that the incorporation of MMT at 10.5% wt on a dry starch basis in the packaging films led to a decreased mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria growth factor compared to commercial packaging. When assessed for their biodegradability, the starch films disintegrated after 10 days of thermophilic incubation under simulated composting conditions. Finally, to prove their handling capability during industrial production, the starch films were rewound in a paper cylinder using an industrial-scale rewinding machine.

The dye molecules are scarcely biodegradable. They are stable to light and oxidizing agents, which makes their effluent treatment extremely difficult. In this work, the adsorption of methyl orange dye has been carried out using raw clay samples taken from the Jbel Lehbib region (North of Morocco) in an aqueous medium. The experiments were designed according to the definitive screening design (DSD) method. The DSD of the experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of six factors: initial solution pH, initial concentration of methyl orange dye, clay mass, stirring speed, and the temperature and contact time. Adsorbent material properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption tests were carried out in a batch system, and each experimental parameter was changed within its range. Based on the results obtained, a reduced quadratic model was determined to best fit the experiment data, and the most significant factors were found to be: pH, initial concentration, and quadratic term pH × pH. Detailed analysis of the effect of different factors as well as their interaction on the removal has been carried out as well. Maximum removal of 69% occurred at the following optimum conditions: pH = 3 and initial concentration of the dye 600 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on the optimization of process parameters for preparation of nano lipid carriers (NLC's) by emulsion solvent evaporation technique. A definitive screening design using JMP I 3 was used to analyze the effect of process parameters on nano lipid carriers. The critical process parameters evaluated were solid lipid- liquid lipid ratio, phase volume ratio, surfactant concentration and homogenization speed. Each variable was tested at two different levels. Thirteen formulations were prepared as per the design. The design was employed to estimate the effect of each variable on particle size, PDI and surface charge. Model validation was carried out at a significance level of p<0.05 and the process was optimized at a desirability of 0.90. Three optimized formulations were prepared in the design space using optimized process parameters. The percentage bias of particle size, PDI and zeta potential of the predicted and the observed values were found to be less than 5%. The optimized formulations were subjected for SEM study, which revealed the formation of nano particles. Gas chromatography of the optimized formulation showed the residual solvent content was within the limit as per ICH Q3 R6 guidelines. The suitability of the process to Improve solubility was proved by formulation of nano lipid carriers of highly lipophilic drugs. Therefore, the design was found to be effective for production of nano lipid carriers by emulsion solvent evaporation technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The paper investigates the potential use of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles as a cheap, natural and effective catalyst in the Fenton-like system for the removal of water-based Magenta flexographic dye from aqueous solution. The functional nZVI was successfully synthesized within an environmentally friendly method, by using the natural product extract, oak leaves (OAK-nZVI). The process of Magenta removal was optimized using statistically designed experiment. The influence of four quantitative parameters on decolorization efficiency was investigated: initial dye concentration (20–180 mgL-1), OAK- nZVI dosage (0.75–60 mgL-1), H 2 O 2 concentration (1–11 mM) and pH value (2–10). The results of statistical analysis show that OAK-nZVI dosage and pH significantly contribute to the decolorization efficiency, while the concentration of H 2 O 2 has a significant influence on their impact. The optimization yielded highest removal efficiency of 91.95% under following conditions: initial dye concentration of 180 mgL−1, OAK-nZVI dosage of 60 mgL−1, H 2 O 2 concentration of 11 mM and pH value 2. Optimization results were experimentally verified. Treatment of real effluent under optimized experimental conditions resulted within 84.06% Magenta removal after a reaction time of 60 min. The absorption spectra of Magenta dye clearly indicate the changes in the molecular structure in the form of the destruction of azo bond in the chromophore, leading to the decolorization of dye solution. Based on the GC–MS analysis, the mechanism for Fenton-like oxidation of Magenta was proposed. Graphical abstract Image Highlights • OAK-nZVI was used as a catalyst in Fenton-like process. • The applied treatment provided a significant decolorization efficiency of azo dye. • The process of Magenta removal was optimized using definitive screening design. • Dye degradation was up to 84.06% in real printing effluent under optimal conditions. • The findings provide insight into nanoremediation of printing wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a powerful additive manufacturing process, becoming, in the past years, more exciting for the academic and industrial researchers. With the growing number of available additive manufacturing technologies and newer materials, the effect of processing conditions on the material behavior and functionality of manufactured products need to be investigated. This study establishes the relationships between FDM process conditions and time-dependent mechanical properties using definitive screening design. Results from this study will help in a clear understanding and design outcome for the academic and industrial community for real world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]