Review of Methods Used for Microalgal Lipid-Content Analysis

AbstractThis paper provides a brief overview of most recent strategies that used to analyze microalgal lipid content, including NIR spectroscopy and TD-NMR methods etc. Common methods like gravimetric quantification and staining quantification are also introduced in this report. The physiology background of microalgal lipid accumulation is stated in order to clarify the purpose of each individual analytical method. After all, online lipid content measurement method that has good accuracy has the best chance to be generalized for all the lipid analyzing researches

Effect of Antibiotics and Thermophilic Pre-Treatment on Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Pig Manure and Corn Straw

The excessive use of antibiotics in the pig breeding industry leads to the accumulation of antibiotic residuals in the environment, which is attributed to the improper treatment of livestock excrements. Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and Norfloxacin (NOR) are antibiotics used in pig breeding and veterinary medicines as growth promoters and antibacterial drugs. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of these antibiotics and thermophilic pre-treatment on methane (CH4) yield by anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) of pig manure and corn straw under mesophilic temperature condition (35 ± 1 °C). We used antibiotics at a concentration of 0, 20 and 60 mg L−1 (three stages) in two lab-scale continuously stirred tank reactors. The first reactor was run using untreated fed and the second reactor was run with thermophilic (55 ± 1 °C) pre-treated fed. The results showed that the CH4 productions from reactor one were 205, 163 and 128 and from reactor two were 222, 185 and 173 mL CH4 g−1 VSadded, respectively. This elucidates that the presence of antibiotics had a negative effect on CH4 production. Moreover, thermophilic pre-treatment improved the performance of the anaerobic digestion and CH4 production

Pentagalloyl Glucose: A Review of Anticancer Properties, Molecular Targets, Mechanisms of Action, Pharmacokinetics, and Safety Profile

Pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) is a natural hydrolyzable gallotannin abundant in various plants and herbs. It has a broad range of biological activities, specifically anticancer activities, and numerous molecular targets. Despite multiple studies available on the pharmacological action of PGG, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of PGG are unclear. Here, we have critically reviewed the natural sources of PGG, its anticancer properties, and underlying mechanisms of action. We found that multiple natural sources of PGG are available, and the existing production technology is sufficient to produce large quantities of the required product. Three plants (or their parts) with maximum PGG content were Rhus chinensis Mill, Bouea macrophylla seed, and Mangifera indica kernel. PGG acts on multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways associated with the hallmarks of cancer to inhibit growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis of several cancers. Moreover, PGG can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy by modulating various cancer-associated pathways. Therefore, PGG can be used for treating different human cancers; nevertheless, the data on the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of PGG are limited, and further studies are essential to define the clinical use of PGG in cancer therapies