Explore the vast range of titles available.

This study explores the sorption capacity and field application of activated carbons (ACs) derived from plant residues for the remediation of oil-contaminated soils. ACs were prepared from rice husks, reed stalks, pine sawdust and wheat straw using two-stage pyrolysis and chemical activation with potassium hydroxide. The structural and physicochemical properties of these ACs were analyzed using BET surface area measurements, SEM analysis, Raman spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. Sorption experiments at room temperature demonstrated that AC from rice husks (OSL) exhibited the highest sorption capacities for gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel, with values of 9.3 g/g, 9.0 g/g and 10.1 g/g, respectively. These results are attributed to the well-developed microporous and mesoporous structures of OSL, as confirmed by SEM images and a BET surface area of 2790 m2/g. Field tests conducted at the “Zhanatalap” oil deposit showed that the ACs effectively reduced the oil content in contaminated soils from 79.2 g/kg to as low as 2.6 g/kg, achieving a purification degree of up to 67% within 16 days. This study highlights the critical role of structural properties, such as porosity and graphitization degree, in enhancing the sorption efficiency of ACs.

In recent years, we have witnessed an increasing interest in the application of mechanochemical methods for processing materials in biomass refining techniques. Grinding and mechanical pretreatment are very popular methods utilized to enhance the reactivity of polymers and plant raw materials; however, the choice of devices and their modes of action is often performed through trial and error. An inadequate choice of equipment often results in inefficient grinding, low reactivity of the product, excess energy expenditure, and significant wear of the equipment. In the present review, modern equipment employing various types of mechanical impacts, which show the highest promise for mechanochemical pretreatment of plant raw materials, is examined and compared—disc mills, attritors and bead mills, ball mills, planetary mills, vibration and vibrocentrifugal mills, roller and centrifugal roller mills, extruders, hammer mills, knife mills, pin mills, disintegrators, and jet mills. The properly chosen type of mechanochemical activation (and equipment) allows an energetically and economically sound enhancement of the reactivity of solid-phase polymers by increasing the effective surface area accessible to reagents, reducing the amount of crystalline regions and the diffusion coefficient, disordering the supramolecular structure of the material, and mechanochemically reacting with the target substances.

Morphological and anatomical study of medicinal plant raw materials plays an important role in the development of new drugs based on local natural raw materials. This work presents the results of macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the aerial and underground organs of the plant Patrinia intermedia (Hornem.) Roem. et Schult. from the Valerianaceae family, growing in Central Kazakhstan. The plant was collected during the mass flowering period in August 2024 in the Karaganda region, in the vicinity of the village of Karkaralinsk. Patrinia intermedia (Hornem.) Roem. et Schult. is characterized by a rich chemical composition, including essential oils, triterpene saponins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, vitamins, polysaccharides, which determines its pronounced pharmacological effect. During the study, the following macroscopic features were studied: leaf shape, structure and color of stems, structure and appearance of flowers and roots. Microscopic examination allowed to describe in detail the anatomical features of plant tissues, to identify features inherent to the leaf, stem and root. The obtained results can be used for identification and standardization of plant raw materials of Patrinia intermedia (Hornem.) Roem. et Schult. in pharmaceutical practice. The results can also serve as a basis for the development of regulatory documents and quality standards in the production of drugs, which significantly expands the possibilities of using this plant in medical practice.

The study of medicinal plants and having a protected status is an urgent issue for the conservation of biodiversity in Kazakhstan. Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Ilijn is a medicinal plant, and its excessive harvesting and destruction of habitats, as well as its conservation status, are of concern. We conducted a study to assess the ecological characteristics of the habitat of the species in the Tarbagatai National Natural Park, calculate the amount of medicinal raw materials, calculate both aboveground and underground phytomass, and calculate biological and operational reserves. A map has been developed to show the distribution of the species and potential harvest sites. In addition, a correlation analysis was performed to understand how population size affects productivity. The results highlight the need for continuous monitoring and protection of endangered species. The conservation of Rhaponticum carthamoides in the Tarbagatai State National Nature Park is currently ensured by its protected status. However, the study emphasizes the importance of developing a sustainable use regime to effectively manage plant resources and ensure their preservation for future generations.

To determine the rational technology for the production of medicines, an important element of the study of medicinal plant raw materials is the establishment of technological parameters. This article presents the results of studying technological parameters (grinding, specific gravity, bulk weight, bulk weight, porosity, porosity, free volume of the raw material layer, extractant absorption coefficients) and individual numerical indicators (loss in mass during drying, mass fraction of total ash, content of ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid, mineral impurities, organic impurities) of vegetable raw materials high-grade elecampane (Inula helenium L.). The dried aboveground part of the elecampane (Inula helenium L.) was used as an object. The following parameters (Inula helenium L.) were studied and determined: pulverization – 1-3 mm; specific gravity – 0.86 g/cm3; bulk weight – 0.3 g/cm3; bulk weight – 0.75 g/cm3; porosity – 0.13g/cm3; porosity - 0.6 g/cm3; free volume of the layer – 0.65 g/cm3; extractant absorption coefficient: water – 5.13 ml/g; 30% ethanol – 4.11 ml/g; 50% ethanol – 3.89 ml/g; 70% ethanol – 3.55 ml/g; 90% ethanol – 2.71 ml/g. The obtained data will be used in the technological process for the production of extracts from the roots and rhizomes of Inula helenium L.

Background/objectives: Interactions of infusions of Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, Yerba Mate, and green tea, with free radicals, were examined. The aim of these studies was to determine quenching of free radicals by the extracts from the selected plant raw materials that are useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: The interactions were tested by an X-band (9.3 GHz) EPR spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The model DPPH free radicals were used. The magnitude and changes with time of EPR and UV-Vis spectra of DPPH by the tested extracts were measured. Results: EPR and UV-Vis lines of DPPH free radicals decrease with increasing time of interactions of the extracts with DPPH, and after reaching the minimum value, it does not change with time. Ginseng infusion quenched free radicals the least. Ginkgo biloba extract quenches free radicals a little stronger than ginseng extract. Taking into account the tested extracts, Ginkgo biloba and ginseng extracts interact with free radicals less effectively compared to extracts of Yerba mate and green tea. Ginkgo biloba and ginseng extracts quench free radicals weaker than Yerba Mate and green tea extracts. Conclusions: Yerba Mate extract definitely had the strongest antioxidant properties. This extract quenches free radicals most effectively, what can be useful in the case of Alzheimer’s disease. Given its strong antioxidant properties, green tea extract can also be particularly recommended in the case of Alzheimer’s disease.

Hybrid (meat–plant) products can be a sustainable response to the increased interest in flexitarianism. Their development requires designing appropriate composition and functional properties and ensuring microbiological safety. This study aimed to determine the influence of using various multi-ingredient plant mixtures and pork in different proportions and two recipe variants on the characteristics of baked burgers. Additionally, the impact of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) application on the microbiological quality of raw hybrid/plant burgers was assessed. All products were analyzed in terms of basic chemical composition (NIR spectroscopy) and physicochemical and textural properties (instrumental methods). The raw plant and hybrid burgers met the microbiological requirements. The baked burgers did not significantly differ in terms of their chemical composition, except for the fiber found in plant/hybrid samples. Moreover, the reformulation of burgers had no effect on their cooking yield or water activity. As the content of plant parts increased, the baked burgers were darker (lower L*) and had a more tender texture (lower shear force and penetration force). Overall, the multi-ingredient plant mixtures showed great potential in the development of high-quality hybrid burgers. However, the texture formed can, importantly, determine final consumer acceptance. Therefore, research should be continued, especially in terms of comprehensive textural and sensory analyses.

— Sunflower meal, a renewable agricultural raw material, has been used to produce biochars via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). We have assessed the influence of biomass processing steps (HTC, carbonization, and alkaline activation), the amount of the alkaline agent, and graphene oxide (GO) additions on the physicochemical and sorption properties of the biochars. According to scanning and transmission electron microscopy data, the uncarbonized material has a disordered structure, which is determined by a considerable amount of amorphous carbon with low porosity. Carbonization opens pore spaces as a consequence of the removal of amorphous organics and formation of defects, which ensure a considerable amount of meso- and micropores. According to IR spectroscopy results, the HTC process includes active removal of thermally unstable organic compounds from the sunflower meal, and alkaline activation causes alkyl groups to appear in the composition of the material, which points to an increase in defect density in the material. These results are satisfactorily correlated with Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data. We have determined the adsorption capacity of the sunflower meal-derived biochars for Zn 2+ heavy metal ions and methylene blue (MB), a synthetic organic dye. Results of comparative sorption studies in static mode show that the highest sorption capacity for Zn 2+ ions and MB, 58.4 and 2301.2 mg/g, respectively, is offered by the GO-containing material. To identify the assumed adsorption mechanism, experimental kinetic data have been analyzed in terms of the pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich, and interparticle diffusion models. The results demonstrate that Zn 2+ ion and MB molecule sorption is a mixed diffusion process contributed by a pseudo-second-order reaction between the contaminant and active centers of the sorbent.

Plants of the genus Populus L. of the Salicaceae family are promising sources of many biologically active substances, including flavonoids. Populus balsamifera L. is interesting to study. The purpose of this work is a botanical and pharmacognostic study of vegetative buds. The objects of the study were the buds of the balsamic poplar collected on model trees growing in the southeastern part of the Orenburg region. The raw materials were harvested in the spring of 2023. The study was carried out on freshly harvested raw materials. Microscopy results confirmed the typical structure of the buds of the balsamic poplar. When quantifying the content of flavonoids in terms of pinostrobin in the buds of balsamic poplar, very good indicators were obtained, namely 27.42%..

The pharmacognostic analysis of the medicinal plant raw materials is an important stage to develop a new drug. Some species from the Lamiaceae families are of great interest. They have not been studied before. Only brief information on the chemical composition and biological properties can be found for these species. The research object consists of the aerial organs of Ziziphora clinopodioides of Lamiaceae family. The following diagnostic characters at a macroscopic level were determined as the macroscopic features of raw materials: leaf structure, stem shape, structure and color of the calyx and corolla of flower. The microscopic features of raw materials included the shape of the upper and lower epidermal cells, diacytic stomata, the presence of small multicellular trichomes and large essential oil glands in the structures of the leaf, stem, calyx and corolla of the flower. Mesophyll was divided into the palisade and spongy tissues on the cross section of the leaf, ant it was also defined as the microscopic features of raw materials. The histochemical features were characterized by the staining of various cell types as the result of the interaction of reagents with the detectable metabolites, and by the localization of the different components in plant organs.