Journal Highlights November 2019
12 December 2019
SCI’s peer-reviewed journals provide research studies and commentary articles from leading scientists in emerging areas. Their work addresses global audiences by crossing academic, industrial, government and science policy sectors.
Here are some of the highlights from the latest issues of our journals. To view the full range of SCI’s journals, visit our publications page.
Organosolv fractionation looks promising for new bio-based chemicals
Lignocellulosic biomass has proven to be a promising renewable feedstock for bio-based fuels, chemicals and materials. There are several methods by which the raw feedstock can be pre-treated, the aim being to disrupt the structure of the lignocellulose to facilitate the microbial action that converts the biomass cell-wall components into biofuels and chemicals. Among the pre-treatment routes available, oganosolv fractionation has proven to be an effective process for isolating the polymeric components from lignocellulose. The process has many advantages; however drawbacks include the expense due the use of organic solvents which cannot be recovered. Researchers believe that the process needs to be further updated to improve efficiency. In addition research could be focused on the development of novel green solvents which could lead to clean biomass fractionation.
Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining DOI: 10.1002/bbb.2057
Skin improves with improved bioavialable collagen
Pharmacological bioavailability trials have shown that two major collagen dipeptides, namely prolyl-hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp) and hydroxyprolyl-glycine (Hyp-Gly), are available at high concentration in human blood several hours after having being ingested. Researchers found these collagen peptides to be stable and relatively resistant to peptidases in the blood and were able to reach skin tissues. It was also observed that Pro-Hyp enhanced the production of hyaluronic acid in dermal tissue. A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, where both types of collagen hydrolysates were ingested, indicated that the collagen hydrolysates led to improvements in facial skin conditions, including moisture, elasticity and wrinkles. The study is said to be the first of its kind to demonstrate that there is a significant difference between conventional collagen hydrolysate and new types of hydrolysates with higher bioactive dipeptides such as Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly for improvement in skin conditions.
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7606
Removing antibiotics from waterways
Conventional treatment processes are not effective for removing antibiotics from water. Antibiotics, including tetracycline, are frequently detected in surface water in the ng to µgL-1 range of concentration. Their presence in aquatic environments can lead to the unbalance of the microbial ecosystem. Development of practical and economic treatment technologies to remove these contaminants is a priority. Modified mesoporous silica has attracted great attention for the adsorptive removal of antibiotics from aqueous solution due to several factors, including its low cost and easy regeneration. It was found that incorporation of a low concentration of iron (1.03wt%, mainly as amorphous iron (III) oxide) on the SiO2 matrix not only increases the adsorption capacity but also changes the adsorption mechanism. A one step method for producing metal-doped mesoporous silica with highly dispersed iron species was investigated. The work may provide a way to design and develop highly stable supported iron absorbents with excellent adsorptive removal for antibiotics.
Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology DOI: 10.1002/jctb.6130
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