A simple, environmental friendly and selective sample preparation technique employing porous membrane protected micro-solid phase extraction (μ-SPE) loaded with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) is described. After the extraction, the analyte was desorbed using ultrasonication and was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits of OTA for coffee, grape juice and urine were 0.06 ng g−1, 0.02 and 0.02 ng mL−1, respectively while the quantification limits were 0.19 ng g−1, 0.06 and 0.08 ng mL−1, respectively. The recoveries of OTA from coffee spiked at 1, 25 and 50 ng g−1, grape juice and urine samples at 1, 25 and 50 ng mL−1 ranged from 90.6 to 101.5%. The proposed method was applied to thirty-eight samples of coffee, grape juice and urine and the presence of OTA was found in eighteen samples. The levels found, however, were all below the legal limits.
Orange peel was used as a plant-derived medium to prepare a ZnO–calcite mixed-phase nanostructured material, which was physicochemically characterized and evaluated for DPPH radical-scavenging, α-glucosidase inhibitory, and in vitro cytotoxic activities. XRD confirmed the coexistence of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO and crystalline calcite, with ZnO apparent crystallite sizes ranging from 9.2 to 28.3 nm (mean 16.4 ± 7.3 nm). FTIR identified Zn–O vibrations, carbonate-related bands, surface hydroxyl groups, and residual organic functionalities, while FESEM revealed irregular agglomerates composed of nanoscale grains. EDX showed Zn, O, C, and Ca as the principal elements, and the material exhibited a zeta potential of -14.86 ± 0.52 mV
... Show MoreThis review highlights recent advances in the development and use of eco-friendly polymeric membranes made from polymer blends for treating oily wastewater, a major source of environmental pollution. Among treatment options, membrane separation stands out because of its high efficiency and ability to selectively remove oil from water using semi-permeable barriers. The focus of this review is on polymeric membranes derived from polymer blends, which show improved mechanical strength, thermal stability, and resistance to fouling. Additionally, the role of nanomaterials such as titanium dioxide, graphene oxide, and iron nanoparticles is discussed for their ability to boost membrane porosity, permeability, and oil separation efficiency.
... Show MoreIn the cuurent article, the photophysical properties of 3,6-bis(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)-2,5-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-2,5-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione were investigated. The visible absorption bands at 527, 558 and 362 nm in propylene carbonate and the compound was found to be fluorescent in solution and in the plastic film with emission wavelengths between 550- 750 nm. The Stokes Shift of P.C., acetonitrile, diethyl ether, Tetrahydrofuran THF, cyclohexane, dibutyl ether, and dichloromethane DCM are 734, 836, 668, 601, 601, 719, and 804 cm-1 in respectively. The Stokes Shift Δ was less in THF and cyclohexane, than the solvents, which indicates that the energy loss is less between the excitation and fluorescence states. The
... Show MoreCollaborative learning is a way that prepares students practically for real-world applications. Working together as teamwork to execute various writing skills is essential in most professions since it increases the level of experience. Thus, the current study aims to identify the role collaborative writing in developing students' level of performance in writing. It is qualitative in nature since the researcher depended on the extant literature in achieving the objective of the study. The researcher touched upon related theories that addressed Collaborative learning, categories, and problems .It concluded that collaborative writing increases the students’ self-confidence, self-esteem, creativity, and motivation through the interact
... Show MoreThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of operating variables on, the percentage of removed sludge (PSR) obtained during re-refining of 15W-40 Al-Durra spent lubricant by solvent extraction-flocculation treatment method. Binary solvents were used such as, Heavy Naphtha (H.N.): MEK (N:MEK), H.N. : n-Butanol (N:n-But), and H.N. : Iso-Butanol (N:Iso:But). The studied variables were mixing speed (300-900, rpm), mixing time (15-60, min), and operating temperature (2540, oC). This study showed that the studied operating variables have effects where, increasing the mixing time up to 45 min for H.N.: MEK, H.N.: n-Butanol and 30 min for H.N.: Iso-Butanol increased the PSR, after that percentage was decreased; increasing t
... Show MoreBackground: Bilastine (BLA) is a second-generation H1 antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Because of its limited solubility, it falls under class II of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BSC). The solid dispersion (SD) approach significantly improves the solubility and dissolution rate of insoluble medicines. Objective: To improve BLA solubility and dissolution rate by formulating a solid dispersion in the form of effervescent granules. Methods: To create BLA SDs, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30) and poloxamer 188 (PLX188) were mixed in various ratios (1:5, 1:10, and 1:15) using the kneading technique. All formulations were evaluated based on percent yield, drug content, and saturation solubility. The fo
... Show MoreIn this research, A thin film of Rhodamine B dye and TiO2 Nanoparticles doped in PMMA Polymer has been prepared by a casting method. The sample was spectrum absorption by UV-Vis. The nonlinear optical properties were measured by Z- scan technique using Nd:YAG laser with (1064 nm) wavelength. The nonlinear refractive index (n2) and nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) were estimated for the thin film for different energies of the laser, n2 and β were decreased with increasing intensity of incident laser beam. Also, the type of β was two-photon absorption and n2 negative nonlinear reflective.