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Nature positive rhetoric, risk and reality: sector-scale political ecology at CBD COP16
Get PDFWe analyse political manoeuvres by global tourism industry associations, and responses by conservation organisations, that create new risks to biodiversity. There are a few tourism enterprises that make net positive contributions to conservation. Nature positive terms, however, are being used for marketing greenwash, to delay and avoid environmental fees and regulations, and to lobby for land grabs in public protected areas
Synthesis and inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase by new halogenated benzophenone and xanthone analogues: Toxicity assessment and molecular insights
No full textA series of benzophenone and xanthone halogenated analogues were synthesized using a one-step reaction method and characterized via NMR, FTIR, and GC-MS. Their inhibitory effects on mushroom tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis, were evaluated. Among these analogues, three new compounds (3), (4), and (5) exhibited potent tyrosinase inhibition, with compound (4) demonstrating the highest efficacy of tyrosinase activity. It showed IC50 values of 9.0 and 118 µg/mL against L-tyrosine and L-DOPA substrates, respectively. Enzyme kinetic analysis revealed that compound (4) acts as a mixed inhibitor, effectively reducing melanin formation. Additionally, molecular docking analysis (PDB: 2Y9X) confirmed strong binding interactions between compound (4) and the mushroom tyrosinase protein. Crystal structure analysis indicated that this compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system with a P21/c space group. Toxicity assessments, including brine shrimp lethality, normal skin HaCaT cell viability, and in vivo zebrafish embryo toxicity assays, confirmed its non-toxic nature. These findings highlight compound (4) as a promising, non-toxic skin-whitening agent with potential applications in treating hyperpigmentation
Effects of functional training on skill performance and movement quality among skilled youth male tennis players: A cluster randomized control trial
Get PDFPurpose: Functional training to improve athletes’ technical performance and movement quality is becoming increasingly popular, but few studies have focused on young tennis players. The aims of this study were to compare the effects of 12 weeks of functional training on skilled youth male tennis players’ skill performance and movement quality. Methods: Forty skilled youth male tennis players were assigned to the functional training group (n = 20) or the control training group (n = 20). The control group received a traditional resistance training program by their coach, whereas the functional training group was given Santana’s Racket Sports Program. Each group received 60-minute training sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. At baseline (T0), after six weeks (T6), and after 12 weeks (T12), the participants’ skill performance was measured according to the International Tennis Federation’s protocol, and movement quality was measured according to the functional movement screening assessment recommended by Gray Cook. The data were analyzed via a generalized estimation equation model. Results: The results revealed that there were no significant differences in skill performance or movement quality between the groups at baseline (p > 0.05), but there were significant differences in those variables between the groups after 6 weeks of the intervention and 12 weeks of the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that the functional training model seems to be more effective than the traditional resistance training model in terms of increasing athletic skill performance and movement quality. The inclusion of functional training as part of an athlete’s training routine is highly recommended, as it has proven to be an effective method for improving skill performance and movement quality. Trial Registration: ISRCTN67565717, registered 26/07/2024, retrospectively registered. © The Author(s) 2025
Efficient sanitation strategies: optimizing cleaning in place parameters for milk fouling deposit mitigation
Get PDFCleaning-in-place (CIP) operations necessitate optimization to maximize the efficiency of cleaning detergents while minimizing cleaning time. Therefore, this research endeavours to enhance CIP methodologies for effectively addressing milk fouling deposits in dairy industry settings. Through strategic manipulation of cleaning parameters, including sanitation temperatures, detergent-to-water ratios, and fluid velocities, the study aims to optimize the removal of milk fouling deposits during the detergent cycle phase of the CIP process. To achieve this, a physical model mimicking milk fouling deposits was developed using raw milk to replicate real-world industrial conditions. Subsequent controlled laboratory experiments, guided by Response Surface Methodology (RSM), were conducted to evaluate the impact of varying sanitation temperatures (30°C, 50°C, or 70°C), cleaning detergent-to-water ratios (0:1, 1:100, or 1:50), and fluid velocities (0.6, 0.9, or 1.5 m/s) on the efficacy of milk fouling deposit removal. The results reveal that optimal conditions, characterized by a temperature of 60°C, a detergent ratio of 1:90, and a fluid velocity of 1.5 m/s, significantly reduce the detergent cycle time to 12 minutes, ensuring complete elimination of milk fouling deposits from stainless-steel surfaces. These findings suggest potential cost efficiencies and promise improved operational effectiveness in dairy industry sanitation practices. Moreover, the study underscores the critical role of temperature and fluid velocity in enhancing cleaning efficacy, offering valuable insights for enhancing CIP processes within dairy facilities
Effect of broccoli (Brassica oleracea) florets and stems as a fat replacer on the physicochemical and sensorial properties of chicken patties
Get PDFThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing chicken skin with various levels of broccoli (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) on the physicochemical and sensory properties of chicken patties. Fresh broccoli florets and stems were blanched and minced before being added to the patties’ formulation, and all samples were analysed for their physicochemical and sensorial properties. The highest significant (P0.05) in terms of hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and work of shearing. Nevertheless, the sensory analysis determined that patties with 75% and 100% broccoli were negatively affected, especially in colour, flavour, and overall acceptance. However, 25% and 50% broccoli were comparable to the control. In conclusion, broccoli may be used as a fat replacer for up to 25 to 50% in producing healthier chicken patties without jeopardizing their physicochemical and sensory properties
Harnessing de-oiled Glycine max seed-anchored-CuO nanoparticles for adsorptive removal of crystal violet dye with comprehensive mechanistic insights
Get PDFA novel solution is introduced by harnessing the power of de-oiled Glycine max L. seeds (DO/S) and enhancing them with copper oxide-loaded nanoparticles (DO/S NPs) to effectively eradicate the toxic dye crystal violet (triarylmethane dye) from aqueous solutions. The presence of peaks at 653.87 cm−1 and 567.07 cm−1 in FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of CuO NP loading on G. max L. seeds. Furthermore, the smooth spherical cavities facilitated crystal violet adsorption, as revealed by SEM analysis. PZC results revealed that adsorption is more efficient under neutral and basic conditions (pH 7, 9, and 11) for DO/S, whereas DO/S NPs as an adsorbent facilitate excellent crystal violet removal in basic media (pH 9 and 11). Thermogravimetric analysis showed that major weight loss occurs at 21.49 min, 446 °C (DO/S), and at 22.64 min, 467.47 °C (DO/S NPs). Thermodynamics studies revealed less randomness, spontaneity, and favorable adsorption reactions by the copper-loaded adsorbent. Kinetics studies showed that the employment of a pseudo-second-order kinetic model efficiently fitted the obtained experimental data (R2 ≥ 0.99). A batch experiment was performed by applying varying adsorption parameters. In comparison to DO/S, DO/S NPs exhibited an improved maximum removal rate, i.e. a rate of 95% at a dye concentration of 80 ppm, a contact time of 90 minutes, 293.15 K, pH 9, and an adsorbent dose of 1 g. Since de-oiled G. max L. is an industrial byproduct, its potential as an adsorbent for textile dye removal is an effective approach toward a clean environment for future generations
