The use of plant extracts as antifungal agents is gaining increasing attention, particularly for the control of black pod disease in cocoa. Despite extensive research, current strategies haven’t been entirely effecti...The use of plant extracts as antifungal agents is gaining increasing attention, particularly for the control of black pod disease in cocoa. Despite extensive research, current strategies haven’t been entirely effective. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Cymbopogon citratus and Blumea balsamifora leaf extracts, both individually and in combination, against Phytophthora megakarya. We assessed the efficacy of the most promising combination (75% B. balsamifera, 25% C. citratus) after storage at room temperature for up to 9 days. Agar microdilution and in vivo bioassays were conducted to determine antifungal susceptibility and effectiveness. Blumea extract exhibited the highest overall inhibitory activity, with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (117 µl mL−1) while C. citratus had a narrower range of MIC (146 to 233 µl mL−1). The combination of C. citratus and B. balsamifera demonstrated a synergistic effect against P. megakarya, achieving growth inhibition on V8 media (92.72 ± 4.20% to 100%) and on artificially infected detached pod cortex (92.24 ± 4.53% to 98.75 ± 1.25%), which was not significantly different from the positive control (Ridomil). Furthermore, this combination maintained its effectiveness for up to 9 days at room temperature. These findings suggest that combining plant extracts can enhance their antifungal properties.展开更多
Natural rubber(NR)is not only the main compounding ingredient used to make the majority of components of tires as well as other rubber products,as it plays a significant role in ensuring that they operate well and com...Natural rubber(NR)is not only the main compounding ingredient used to make the majority of components of tires as well as other rubber products,as it plays a significant role in ensuring that they operate well and complies with environmental standards.The applications of NR products are lim-ited to high temperatures due to the revision tendency of NR vulcanizate.To address these issues,the potential engagement of a carbon black(CB)coupling agent(CA)in the presence of metal oxide i.e.Zinc Oxide(ZnO)was investigated in an NR-based system.This CA has dual functionality on physicomechanical properties.CA has the ability to reduce hysteresis loss as well as improve anti-reversion properties and these properties thorough-ly depend on the presence of ZnO.While ZnO was added to the master formulation,a 65%improvement in reversion properties was observed.On the other hand,while ZnO fully transferred to the final formulation,bound rubber(BR)content increased by 19%,the difference in storage modulus(ΔG’)is reduced by 22%,cure rate index(CRI)improved by 14%,loss tangent(tanδ)reduced by 18%and slightly improve in elongation at break compared to control compound.Thermo-gravimetric analysis(TGA)was engaged to understand the thermal stability and degree of purity of CA.A differential Scanning Calorimeter(DSC)was used to detect the phase tran-sition of CA.Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum(FTIR)was adopted to detect the presence of carboxyl and amine groups in the CA moiety.Payne effect,BR content and Transmission Electron Microscope(TEM)were em-ployed to investigate the micro-level dispersion of CB in the natural rubber(NR)matrix.展开更多
Two different kinds of black liquor from the papermaking industry were treated by acidification and reuse. The experimental parameters and conditions were discussed in detail. The experimental results indicated that t...Two different kinds of black liquor from the papermaking industry were treated by acidification and reuse. The experimental parameters and conditions were discussed in detail. The experimental results indicated that the treatment process mentioned in this article is an effective process for the treatment of black liquor from the papermaking industry. By the treatment, the solid materials in black liquor are transferred into two by products and the other components are reused or evaporated. Thus, no wastewater except some condensation water would be discharged in pulping process and the problem of pollution of black liquor would be effectively solved.展开更多
文摘The use of plant extracts as antifungal agents is gaining increasing attention, particularly for the control of black pod disease in cocoa. Despite extensive research, current strategies haven’t been entirely effective. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Cymbopogon citratus and Blumea balsamifora leaf extracts, both individually and in combination, against Phytophthora megakarya. We assessed the efficacy of the most promising combination (75% B. balsamifera, 25% C. citratus) after storage at room temperature for up to 9 days. Agar microdilution and in vivo bioassays were conducted to determine antifungal susceptibility and effectiveness. Blumea extract exhibited the highest overall inhibitory activity, with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (117 µl mL−1) while C. citratus had a narrower range of MIC (146 to 233 µl mL−1). The combination of C. citratus and B. balsamifera demonstrated a synergistic effect against P. megakarya, achieving growth inhibition on V8 media (92.72 ± 4.20% to 100%) and on artificially infected detached pod cortex (92.24 ± 4.53% to 98.75 ± 1.25%), which was not significantly different from the positive control (Ridomil). Furthermore, this combination maintained its effectiveness for up to 9 days at room temperature. These findings suggest that combining plant extracts can enhance their antifungal properties.
文摘Natural rubber(NR)is not only the main compounding ingredient used to make the majority of components of tires as well as other rubber products,as it plays a significant role in ensuring that they operate well and complies with environmental standards.The applications of NR products are lim-ited to high temperatures due to the revision tendency of NR vulcanizate.To address these issues,the potential engagement of a carbon black(CB)coupling agent(CA)in the presence of metal oxide i.e.Zinc Oxide(ZnO)was investigated in an NR-based system.This CA has dual functionality on physicomechanical properties.CA has the ability to reduce hysteresis loss as well as improve anti-reversion properties and these properties thorough-ly depend on the presence of ZnO.While ZnO was added to the master formulation,a 65%improvement in reversion properties was observed.On the other hand,while ZnO fully transferred to the final formulation,bound rubber(BR)content increased by 19%,the difference in storage modulus(ΔG’)is reduced by 22%,cure rate index(CRI)improved by 14%,loss tangent(tanδ)reduced by 18%and slightly improve in elongation at break compared to control compound.Thermo-gravimetric analysis(TGA)was engaged to understand the thermal stability and degree of purity of CA.A differential Scanning Calorimeter(DSC)was used to detect the phase tran-sition of CA.Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum(FTIR)was adopted to detect the presence of carboxyl and amine groups in the CA moiety.Payne effect,BR content and Transmission Electron Microscope(TEM)were em-ployed to investigate the micro-level dispersion of CB in the natural rubber(NR)matrix.
文摘Two different kinds of black liquor from the papermaking industry were treated by acidification and reuse. The experimental parameters and conditions were discussed in detail. The experimental results indicated that the treatment process mentioned in this article is an effective process for the treatment of black liquor from the papermaking industry. By the treatment, the solid materials in black liquor are transferred into two by products and the other components are reused or evaporated. Thus, no wastewater except some condensation water would be discharged in pulping process and the problem of pollution of black liquor would be effectively solved.
