Characterization of Microplastics in the Atmosphere

For the purposes of this research, microplastics (MPs) can be defined as small fragments of plastic or synthetic polymer material that are less than 5mm in size. The goal of this study is to investigate MPs in the atmosphere. Previous research has primarily focused on MPs in marine and coastal environments; however, we are directing our attention to the atmospheric presence of MPs. This is due to the uncertainties associated with the impacts of MPs on human health upon inhalation. By the means of active and passive sampling, we aim to determine the atmospheric transport of MPs operating from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the Daytona Beach Campus. Active sampling entails using the Tisch High Volume Air Sampler, which will be collected daily. On the other hand, passive sampling utilizes a setup devised to hold the filter to collect MPs, this will be collected weekly. From this point, the MPs will be isolated and analyzed under a ZEISS Axioscope 7 compound microscope to determine the size of the microplastic particles. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy will be utilized to investigate chemical properties of MPs. Utilizing these methods, we will obtain a thorough understanding of the composition and origin of these atmospheric particles. To further assess the effect of weather conditions on the transportation of MPs in the atmosphere, this work will be conducted seasonally. This study has implications for the effects of MPs on human health via inhalation, as well as their effects on water bodies and soil upon deposition

Product Development from Apple, Grapes and Berries Food Waste: Market Research, Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment

This study focuses on the apples, berries, and grapes wastage produced by the population of North America and Europe. The research is aims to conduct in-depth comparison between these two regions based on volume and monetary value of fruit waste produced. The research was conducted by an inquiry based primary research with industry experts product development scientist and good waste management companies, and secondary research was conducted by collecting information from company’s websites, annual reports, white papers, and financial reports. This research open the reusability opportunity of fruit waste, optimize the food processing and manufacturing industry. The waste from apples, berries, and grapes are high in moisture and biologically active components (BACs) which make them ideal raw materials for the functional food product industry. The market research conducted in the study highlights the potential in the waste produced by apples, berries, and grapes during food processing and manufacturing through ingredient analysis and comparing it to the functional food ingredient requirements. The results of the market research and industry analysis will assist industries and researchers in finding and optimizing processes to reduce waste and maximize the extraction of fruits’ nutrients content. KEYWORDS: Food waste, Recycle, biologically active compounds, apple pomace, grape pomace, market valu

Electrochemical Protease Biosensor Based on Enhanced AC Voltammetry Using Carbon Nanofiber Nanoelectrode Arrays

We report an electrochemical method for measuring the activity of proteases using nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs) fabricated with vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs). The VACNFs of ∼150 nm in diameter and 3–5 μm in length were grown on conductive substrates and encapsulated in SiO₂ matrix. After polishing and plasma etching, controlled VACNF tips are exposed to form an embedded VACNF NEA. Two types of tetrapeptides specific to cancer-mediated proteases legumain and cathepsin B are covalently attached to the exposed VACNF tip, with a ferrocene (Fc) moiety linked at the distal end. The redox signal of Fc can be measured with AC voltammetry (ACV) at ∼1 kHz frequency on VACNF NEAs, showing distinct properties from macroscopic glassy carbon electrodes due to VACNF’s unique interior structure. The enhanced ACV properties enable the kinetic measurements of proteolytic cleavage of the surface-attached tetrapeptides by proteases, further validated with a fluorescence assay. The data can be analyzed with a heterogeneous Michaelis–Menten model, giving “specificity constant” <i>k</i>_cat/<i>K</i>_m as (4.3 ± 0.8) × 10⁴ M^–1s^–1 for cathepsin B and (1.13 ± 0.38) × 10⁴ M^–1 s^–1 for legumain. This method could be developed as portable multiplex electronic techniques for rapid cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring

Electrochemical protease biosensor based on enhanced AC voltammetry using carbon nanofiber nanoelectrode arrays

We report an electrochemical method for measuring the activity of proteases using nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs) fabricated with vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs). The VACNFs of ~150 nm in diameter and 3 to 5 μm in length were grown on conductive substrates and encapsulated in SiO[subscript 2] matrix. After polishing and plasma etching, controlled VACNF tips are exposed to form an embedded VACNF NEA. Two types of tetrapeptides specific to cancer-mediated proteases legumain and cathepsin B are covalently attached to the exposed VACNF tip, with a ferrocene (Fc) moiety linked at the distal end. The redox signal of Fc can be measured with AC voltammetry (ACV) at ~1 kHz frequency on VACNF NEAs, showing distinct properties from macroscopic glassy carbon electrodes due to VACNF’s unique interior structure. The enhanced ACV properties enable the kinetic measurements of proteolytic cleavage of the surface-attached tetrapeptides by proteases, further validated with a fluorescence assay. The data can be analyzed with a heterogeneous Michaelis-Menten model, giving “specificity constant” k[subscript cat]/K[subscript m] as (4.3 ± 0.8) x 10[superscript 4] Mˉ¹sˉ¹ for cathepsin B and (1.13 ± 0.38) x 10[superscript 4] Mˉ¹sˉ¹ for legumain. This method could be developed as portable multiplex electronic techniques for rapid cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring