Preliminary Studies on High-performance Liquid Chro-matography Chemiluminescence Determination of theSaturated Fatty Acids(C_(16) C_(18))in Human Serum

The peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence(CL)detection of fatty acids in human se- rum combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)is described.Some fatty acids in serum were extracted with a 1 :1(v/v)mixture of chloroform-n-heptane.2-(4-Hydrazinocarbonyl- phenyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazole (HCPI) was used as a fluorescent labelling reagent of the fatty acids. The labelling reaction was carried out at 30℃ for 1 h at pH 6.5 and the resulting reaction mixture was sudjected to HPLC. The labelled fatty acid C_(17)(P-C_(17))was used as the internal standard. The la- belled fatty acids C_(16) and C_(18) were separated within 18 min on an ODS-8OTM column (150 mm× 6 mm ID,5μm,Tosoh Japan).The calibrlation curves of fatty acids from the spiked control serum were Y_1=-0.003 7 + 0.0028X_1,r=0.994 for FA C_( 16) and Y_2=0.00 1 2 + 0.00098X_2,r=0.999 for FA C_( 18),respectively.The average recoveries of facids from the spiked contrl serum were 107.2%(n=8,RSD=4.3%)for FA C_(16) and 97.35%(n=8, RSD=4.0%)for FA C_(18),respectively.The lower detection limits of fatty acids after reaction were 12μmol per 20μl injection for FA C_(16) and 18 μmol per 20μl injection for FA C_(18),respectively(signal to noise ratio, S/N=2).The HPLC/CL method was applied to the determination of FA C_(16) and FA C_(18) in normal human serum and the results showed that the concentrations of fatty acids in normal human serum were 0.134 ± 0.009 μ mol/ml serum(n=5) for FA C_(16) and 0.052±0.028 μmol/ml serum(n=5)for FA C_(18),respectively.

Synthesis of ε-Caprolactone by Oxidation of Cyclohexanone with Monoperoxysuccinic Acid

In the absence of catalyst,70%hydrogen peroxide was used to oxidize succinic anhydride to solid monoperoxysuccinic acid(PSA).Then PSA was applied to synthesis ofε-caprolactone(ε-CL)by oxidation of cyclohexanone in the heterogeneous system.In order to achieve material recycle,solid precipitated in the process of synthesizingε-CL was dehydrated via reactive distillation followed by recrystallization to prepare succinic anhydride,which was characterized by IR(infrared spectra)and1HNMR(1H nuclear magnetic resonance).Effects of molar ratio of PSA to cyclohexanone,acetic acid dosage,reaction temperature,reaction time on conversion of cyclohexanone,yield and selectivity ofε-CL were investigated respectively.The results indicated that conversion of cyclohexanone,yield and selectivity ofε-CL were upto 98.1%,97.5%and 99.4%respectively under the optimal conditions.In addition,in the process of synthesizing succinic anhydride,the optimal yield of succinic anhydride reached 67.4%.

Simulation of Continuous Esterification Process of Polyester Polyols

Based on the kinetic and thermodynamic equations, a comprehensive mathematical model for the con- tinuous esterification process of polyester polyols was developed, which was carried out in an innovational bub- bling reactive distillation tower （BRDT） at atmospheric pressure. In this new type of reactor, direct esterification between ethylene glycol and adipic acid was accomplished efficiently and rapidly. A bench BRDT with the height of 2 m was applied for the esteriflcation process of l^oly （ethylene adlpate） （P＇EA）. In the continuous operation, Hn- ear oligomers were discharged from the bottom of the column, while water passed a few column trays and a pack- ing section as a condensation byproduct. The influence of major operating conditions on reactor performance was also simulated. Simulation results were in good agreement with experimental data, providing a strategy for devel- oping and optimizing this process.

Green and efficient epoxidation of methyl oleate over hierarchical TS-1

The epoxidation of methyl oleate(MO)was conducted in the presence of aqueous H2O2 as the oxidant and hierarchical TS-1(HTS-1)as the catalyst;the catalyst was synthesized using polyquaternium-6 as the mesopore template.The effects of various parameters,i.e.,H2O2/C=C molar ratio,oxidant concentration,amount of the catalyst,reaction temperature,and time,were systematically studied.Furthermore,response surface methodology(RSM)was used to optimize the conditions to maximize the yield of epoxy MO and to evaluate the significance and interplay of the factors affecting the epoxy MO production.The H2O2/C=C molar ratio and catalyst amount were the determining factors for MO epoxidation,wherein the maximum yield of epoxy MO reached 94.9%over HTS-1 under the optimal conditions.

Reactive Flash Simulation of the Continuous Melt Transesterification Process of Polycarbonate

A model of the continuous melt transesterification process of bisphenol-A and diphenyl carbonate in a continuous stirred tank reactor to produce polycarbonate is presented. The model is developed by using the molecular species model of polycarbonate melt polycondensation and the modeling method of reactive flash. Liquid phase is treated as perfect mixed flow and the vapor phase is assumed following the ideal gas law. With this model, the continuous melt transesterification process of bisphenol-A and diphenyl carbonate is examined with respect to different orocess parameters.

The Modeling and Simulation of Reactive Distillation for the Esterification Process

In this paper,a generalized model of the reactive distillation processes was developed via rate-based approach. The homotopy-continuation method was employed to solve the complicated nonlinear model equations efficiently. The simulation on the reactive distillation processes was carried out with the profiles of stage temperature,composition and flow rate for both vapor and liquid phases obtained. Based on careful analysis of the simulation results, the pitfalls in experimental design were detected. Finally, a software package for the simulation of reactive distillation processes was developed.

Complete Valorization of Olive Mill Wastewater through an Integrated Process for Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate Production

An economical and environmental sustainability of bioplastic production is dependent on the use of low cost and waste C-sources as raw materials. OMW （Olive Mill Wastewater） with its high organic load represents a dangerous polluting waste. Herein the authors present an integrated process for the simultaneous recovery of polyphenols, high value natural antioxidants, production of PHAs （polyhydroxyalkanotes）, thermoplastic bio-polymers, in particular of PHB （poly-3-hydroxybutyrate） starting from OMW. The combination of membrane filtration and bacterial digestion of OMW resulted in very high yields of polyphenols （3 2.5 g/L） and PHB （31.4 mg/L.h） if compared with the state of the art. These results make the technical approach described here effective for reducing the polluting effect of OMW and maximizing the valuable product yield. Moreover the process is readily suitable for an industrial scale PHB production from OMW.

Studies on the Antioxidant Potential of Extracts from Unripe Fruit of Carica papaya

The antioxidant activities of the ethyl acetate fraction and aqueous extract of unripe fruit of Carica papaya were compared and investigated in vitro using thiobarbituric reactive species （TBARS） assay, total phenol content, evaluation of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in liver mitochondria, Fe2＋ chelating and 2,2-diphenyl-lpicrylhydrazyl （DPPH） scavenging activities. Both extracts had high antioxidant properties and could inhibit FeE＋ and sodium nitroprusside lipid peroxidation in the liver. Total phenol content of ethyl acetate fraction and aqueous extract were 4.50 ±2.26 and 1.21±3.12 mg/g, respectively. Both extracts had a maximal effect at the lowest concentrations tested （15 μg/mL for ethyl acetate and 150 μg/mL for the aqueous）. Ethyl acetate fraction showed that the highest values of antioxidant activity is probably associated with its high phenolic content, Fe2＋ chelating and DPPH scavenging activities. It is therefore concluded that ethyl acetate fraction and to a less extent the aqueous fractions are potent inhibitor of lipid peroxidation.

Acute toxicity of organochlorine insecticide endosulfan to the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrochium rosenbergii

Endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, is highly toxic and effective at controlling pests in agriculture, horticulture, and public health programs. In this study, static bioassays were used to evaluate the toxicity of endosulfan to freshwater prawns( Macrobrachium rosenbergii) of various lengths(1.5±0.03,4±0.08, and 7±0.06 cm). Additionally, the activities of peroxidase(POD), acid phosphatase(ACP),alkaline phosphatase, acetylcholinesterase(AChE), and Na + /K +-ATPase were analyzed to refl ect the effects of endosulfan exposure. The 96 h LC 50 of endosulfan for prawns 1.5, 4, and 7 cm long were 1.86, 4.53,and 6.09μg/L, respectively, improved tolerance to endosulfan with growth. The POD activities of test organisms exposed to low concentrations of endosulfan were inhibited, indicating the presence of oxygen damaged tissue. Moreover, a notable decrease in AChE activity was observed due to overstimulation of neurotransmission, which might result in abnormal behavior. The effect caused by endosulfan on phosphatase production in the hepatopancreas of prawns 1.5, 4, and 7 cm long was different because the ability of nonspecifi c immune regulation increased with growth. The 96 h LC 50 values obtained in this study could be used in the formulation of water-quality criteria in China. Moreover, the changes in enzymes activities of M. rosenbergii under stress of endosulfan could be applied in the establishment of early warning indicators for bio-safety.

Moro orange juice prevents fatty liver in mice

AIM:To establish if the juice of Moro,an anthocyaninrich orange,may improve liver damage in mice with diet-induced obesity.METHODS:Eight-week-old mice were fed a high-fat diet(HFD) and were administrated water or Moro juice for 12 wk.Liver morphology,gene expression of lipid transcription factors,and metabolic enzymes were assessed.RESULTS:Mice fed HFD displayed increased body weight,insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.Moro juice administration limited body weight gain,enhanced insulin sensitivity,and decreased serum triglycerides and total cholesterol.Mice fed HFD showed liver steatosis associated with ballooning.Dietary Moro juice markedly improved liver steatosis by inducing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and its target gene acylCoA-oxidase,a key enzyme of lipid oxidation.Consistently,Moro juice consumption suppressed the expression of liver X receptor-α and its target gene fatty acid synthase,and restored liver glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1 activity.CONCLUSION:Moro juice counteracts liver steatogenesis in mice with diet-induced obesity and thus may represent a promising dietary option for the prevention of fatty liver.

Process Optimization for Biodiesel Production from Animal Fat via Two-Step Catalyzed Process

The main propose of this research was to develop a two-step biodiesel production technique from animal fat as a raw material. The developed process consists ofesterification and transesterification steps. With special attention to optimize the first step is acid catalyzed esterification to reduce free fatty acid content and the second step is alkali catalyzed transesterification for converting triglyceride to fatty acid methyl ester or biodiesel. Animal fat containing 78.80 mg KOH/g of high acid value and molecular weight of 851 g/mol with the highest oleic acid content was used as raw material. Respond surface methodology （RSM） was applied for the experiment design. This were 20 experiments involving the three investigated variables of methanol to animal fat ratio, amount of sulfuric acid catalyst and reaction time that were studied on esterification to optimize the condition for decreasing acid value in animal fat less than 2 mg KOH/g. The animal fat with low acid value was further experimented in transesterification step to obtain fatty acid methyl ester or biodiesel. Animal fat biodiesel is further investigated by determining its fuel properties according to the ASTM standard test method.

Generating strongly basic sites on magnetic nano-stirring bars:Multifunctional integrated catalysts for transesterification reaction

Mass transfer and catalyst recovery are two crucial issues in solid base catalysis,while the cumbersome operation steps and the associated time and energy penalties are still inevitable for conventional catalysts.Achieving the technical upgrades through catalyst design is desirable but challenging because of the difficulty in satisfying diverse demands of different steps.In this work,a magnetically responsive solid base catalyst with the rod-like nanostructure was developed.The rod-like solid base catalysts are composed of Fe_(3)O_(4) cores,silica shells and calcium oxide active sites.The functions of magnetic recovery and stirring were integrated into the catalyst,which applies in both the general catalytic processes and microchannel reactors given their nanoscales.When applied to the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate by onestep transesterification of methanol and ethylene carbonate,an apparent enhancement on turnover frequency value(33.1 h^(−1))was observed for nano-stirring compared with that tested without stirring(12.1 h^(−1))within 30 min.The present catalysts may open up new avenues in the development of advanced solid base catalysts.