7348 research outputs found
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Idejno rešenje za tretman plastičnog električnog i elektronskog otpada koji sadrži PBDEs kao usporivače gorenja
No full textU okviru Zelenog hakatona 2025, koji su organizovali Centar za čistiju proizvodnju Tehnološko-metalurškog fakulteta Univerziteta Beogradu i E-reciklaža 2010 doo, vodeća kompanija u oblasti reciklaže električnog i elektronskog otpada u Srbiji, a u sklopu UNIDO/YALE međunarodnog Programa za zelenu hemiju i inovacije (“Global Greenchem Innovation and Network Program”), tim GreenLaw (Olga Tešović, Željka Nikolić i Nebojša Radović) je 15. decembra 2025. godine prezentovao inovativno idejno rešenje za tretman plastičnog električnog i elektronskog otpada koji sadrži polibromovane difeniletre (PBDEs) kao usporivače gorenja. Tim GreenLaw je uspešno odgovorio na izazov/zadatak Zelenog hakatona 2025 – predstavljanje inovativne ideje ili koncepta koji omogućava uklanjanje ili razgradnju štetnih hemikalija iz plastike, konkretno PBDEs i/ili ftalata, bez upotrebe spaljivanja i uz primenu principa zelene hemije
Evaluation of Sugar and Organic Acid Composition of Apple Cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh.) Grown in Serbia
No full textApple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a widely cultivated fruit tree species valued for its nutritional and sensory properties. The global market is dominated by a limited number of cultivars selected for appearance, shelf life, and consumer preference. As a result, many traditional or autochthonous cultivars, which often possess richer phytochemical profiles and greater environmental adaptability, remain underutilized. Herein, a comprehensive study of the sugar and organic acid content of the apple pulp and leaves of 19 autochthonous apple cultivars, along with 5 standard and 6 resistant cultivars for comparison, was undertaken. Fructose (47.9–74.0 mg/g FW), glucose (16.4–33.7 mg/g FW), and sucrose (25.0–34.0 mg/g FW) were detected at the highest concentrations in the apple pulp, while sorbitol (49.9–71.5 mg/g DW) predominated in the apple leaves. Principal component analysis identified xylose, quinic acid, shikimic acid, arabinose, raffinose, malic acid, citric acid, and isocitric acid as the main factors responsible for the classification patterns among cultivars. A number of autochthonous cultivars, such as ‘Gružanjska letnja kolačara’, ‘Šećeruša’, ‘Demirka’, and ‘Hajdučica’, showed characteristics comparable to commercial cultivars such as ‘Red Delicious’, ‘Golden Delicious’, and ‘Gala Galaxy’. The obtained results empasize the value of some of the analyzed cultivars and contribute to the broader re-evaluation of the local apple germplasm
Depositional settings as an influencing factor on lipid biomarker distribution in pre-peloids from Serbia and Slovenia: initial step in determining the biotechnological potential
No full textAssessing the biotechnological potential of pre-peloids begins with identifying beneficial metabolites derived from microorganisms or higher plant precursors, whose presence depends on environmental conditions during peloid formation. Therefore, this study examines the impact of distinct depositional settings on lipid biomarker distribution in the organic matter (OM) of pre-peloids from freshwater continental (Vrujci, VRU), saline continental (Rusanda, RUS; Ovča, OVC), and marine (Sečovlje, SEC) environments using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The OM of the VRU sample is rich in higher-plant-derived odd long-chain n-alkane members, esters of tetracosanoic and octacosanoic acids, C29 regular sterane, retene, and aromatic triterpenoids with ursane or oleanane carbon skeleton. Mixed microalgae/bacteria and higher plant biomass comprise the OM of pre-peloids deposited under saline continental environment settings. A greater participation of microalgae/bacteria in the OM of OVC sample is inferred from the prevalence of short-chain n-C17 alkane and the highest content of fatty acid esters, while bimodal distribution of n-alkanes, with prevalence of long-chain homologs n-C27–n-C33, short-chain C21 and C22 steranes, and C27 regular sterane in the OM of RUS sample, are pointing to mixed microbial/higher plant biomass. The accumulation of short-chain even n-alkane homologs, C28 ster-2-ene and C29 ster-2-ene sterenes, along with C27 hopene and diploptene, possessing (cyano)bacterial origin, dominate the OM of the SEC sample. All the above-mentioned compounds, recognized for possessing a broad spectrum of biological activities, may contribute to the final peloid product quality and applicability
Molecular diversity of bioactive compounds from horned melon peel: Solvent dynamics, antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in silico interactions with virulence factors
No full textThis study examines chemical composition and the antibacterial properties of various hydro-ethanolic extracts of Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey peel against the multidrug-resistant pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Several pa rameters, including ethanol concentration, extraction time, and ultrasonic power, were used in the ultrasound- assisted extraction of C. metuliferus peel. UHPLC-QToF-MS analysis was used to explore the molecular diversity of bioactive compounds in the sample extracts (25 in total), identifying nine hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives and eleven other compounds. Furthermore, antibacterial activity of these extracts was determined. Four of the tested extracts exhibited promising antibacterial properties, with MIC value 0.25 mg/mL and MBC value 0.5 mg/mL. Molecular docking simulations were employed to identify bioactive compounds within the extracts that target some P. aeruginosa virulence factors, specifically elastase B and lipase A. The results revealed that several compounds, including decaffeoyl-acteoside, as well as derivatives of vanillic and hydroxybenzoic acids, exhibited strong binding affinities to both enzymes, suggesting their promising potential as inhibitors of P. aeruginosa virulence. Furthermore, decaffeoyl-acteoside exhibited high binding affinity for both enzymes, highlighting its potential as a dual-target therapeutic agent. The study effectively leverages solvent dynamics to maximize the extraction and bioactivity of C. metuliferus peel compounds. It provides a clear demonstration of how manipu lating solvent conditions can influence molecular interactions, extraction yield, and the functional properties of bioactive compounds. The obtained results regarding promising antibacterial and virulence-inhibiting qualities support further research into C. metuliferus peel compounds as a natural alternative to traditional antimicrobial treatments
Effects of Polypropylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics on Trypsin Structure and Function
No full textIngestion is one of the main exposure routes of humans and animals to microplastics (MPs). During digestion, MPs can interact with both gastrointestinal enzymes and food proteins. This study investigated the adsorption of trypsin onto polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs, the influence of MPs on trypsin structure and activity, and the in vitro trypsin digestibility of bovine meat extract (BME) sarcoplasmic proteins and BME α-Gal-carrying allergens (α-GalA) in the presence of PP and PET MPs. Trypsin, BME and α-GalA proteins interact with MPs, resulting in the formation of a soft (SC) and hard (HC) corona. This interaction is dynamic, leading to the adsorption and desorption of protein through time. Trypsin adsorption onto MPs results in slight structural changes in the SC and bulk solution, while a trypsin fraction residing in the HC loses most of its specific activity. The presence of MPs slightly slows down the digestibility of proteins with a mass of 38 kDa, while it does not affect the digestion of α-GalA. According to our results, it is unlikely that realistic concentrations of MPs in the intestine would have significant effects on meat extract proteins’ and allergens’ digestibility by trypsin. We confirmed that during trypsin digestion, the corona on PP and PET MP is composed of BME sarcoplasmic proteins and allergenic α-Gal-carrying proteins.Research data: [https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_cherry_7064
Comparison of different clean-up protocols for the release of microplastic particles from a biological matrix: A model system of micro-polyethylene terephthalate and bovine serum albumin interactions
No full textUnderstanding exposure to microplastic (MP) requires effective clean-up procedures to isolate MPs for accurate analysis
from complex matrices, such as food, or biological tissues. microFTIR is the most frequently used technique for
complete chemical characterization of MP, however, it requires efficient removal of adsorbed biological material for
the reliable analysis. Proteins adsorb strongly to MP, forming a layer of hard corona. In this study, we evaluated three
different clean-up protocols for removing adsorbed bovine serum albumin (BSA) (hard corona) from micro
polyethylene terephthalate (micro-PET) particles as a model for protein adsorption and environmental exposure
conditions. PET MPs (<80 µm) were incubated with fluorescently labelled BSA and subjected to the following clean
up protocols: (I) treatment with 10% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) + 15% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), (II) two-step
treatment with 15% H₂O₂, and (III) treatment with 15% H₂O₂ + 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH). Clean-up efficiency
was assessed by fluorescence measurement for quantitative analysis, and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis followed by
fluorescence gel imaging using Typhoon™ FLA 7000, and fluorescence microscopy for qualitative analysis. Protocol
II resulted in the highest residual fluorescence (97.06 ± 6.08%), indicating strong protein binding and incomplete
removal of adsorbed proteins. In contrast, Protocols I and III significantly reduced residual fluorescence (5.79 ± 3.94%
and 1.19 ± 0.30%, respectively), demonstrating effective protein removal. Chemical and morphological assessment of
micro-PET was finally conducted by microFTIR proving that optimized cleaning protocols have not influenced polymer
integrity. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing MP isolation from biological matrices, which is
crucial for accurate exposure assessment and potential risks in environmental and toxicological studies
A rapid, reusable, and portable electrochemical assay for caffeine monitoring in beverage samples based on boron doped diamond and multi walled carbon nanotubes
No full textDespite potential health risks at high doses, caffeine remains the most widely consumed psychoactive drug globally, naturally occurring in more than 60 plants. Accurate determination of caffeine content is crucial to ensure the safety of consumers of caffeine-containing beverages. This work explores two different electrochemical sensors for caffeine determination: screen-printed carbon electrodes modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT SPEs) and screen-printed sensors with boron-doped diamond electrodes prepared by chemical vapor deposition (BDD SPEs). These sensors offer advantages over traditional methods, potentially providing faster and more portable analysis. Two linear ranges for caffeine determination were observed at BDD SPEs in 0.5 M H2SO4. A lower linear range between 20 μM and 80 μM resulted in a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.40 μM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 10.30 μM, while a higher linear range between 100 μM to 500 μM provided the LOD of 9.72 μM and the LOQ of 29.45 μM of caffeine. MWCNT SPEs showed the optimal analytical parameters in the Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 2 with a broader linear range from 33 μM to 500 μM; the LOD was 8.65 μM, and the LOQ was 26.20 μM. The determination of caffeine content was successfully conducted in real dietary samples using both sensors, with validation by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometric analysis.This is the peer-reviewed version of the article: Ostojić, J., Savić, S. D., Manojlović, D., Metelka, R., Stanković, V.,& Stanković, D. M.. (2025). A rapid, reusable, and portable electrochemical assay for caffeine monitoring in beverage samples based on boron doped diamond and multi walled carbon nanotubes. in Diamond and Related Materials Elsevier., 156, 112450. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2025.112450]Supplementary material: [https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/7107
Novel Adamantane–Sclareol Hybrids Exploit ROS Vulnerability to Overcome Multidrug-Resistance in Glioblastoma Cells
No full textMultidrug resistance (MDR) presents a significant challenge in the treatment of glioblastoma.
We evaluated six novel adamantane–sclareol hybrids that integrate a natural labdane
diterpene scaffold with an adamantane moiety to address this issue. Compounds 2, 5,
and 6 demonstrated the ability to bypass P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated resistance in
resistant U87-TxR cells and induced collateral sensitivity, with compound 2 exhibiting the
highest selectivity for glioblastoma compared to normal glial cells. Mechanistic studies
revealed that compounds 2 and 5 selectively triggered early apoptosis in MDR cells, significantly
elevated levels of H2O2 and peroxynitrite, and disrupted mitochondrial membrane
potential. Additionally, these compounds altered the expression of key genes involved
in glutathione (GSH) and thioredoxin (Trx) antioxidant defense systems and increased
ASK1 protein levels, indicating the activation of ROS-driven apoptotic signaling. Both
compounds inhibited P-gp function, leading to enhanced intracellular accumulation of
rhodamine 123 (Rho 123) and synergistically sensitized U87-TxR cells to paclitaxel (PTX). A
preliminary Rag1 xenograft study demonstrated that compound 5 effectively suppressed
tumor growth without causing significant weight loss. Collectively, these findings position
adamantane–sclareol hybrids, particularly compounds 2 and 5, as promising strategies that
exploit an MDR-associated reactive oxygen species (ROS) vulnerability, combining selective
cytotoxicity, redox disruption, and P-gp modulation to eliminate resistant glioblastoma
cells and enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutics
Interactive effects of microplastics and toxic metals pollution in Serbian urban environments
No full textMicroplastics (MPs) represent a global threat to soil biota, food chain, and human health [1]. Although MPs and toxic metals are ubiquitous contaminants, little is known about the hazardous nature of their coupled co-contamination effects [2]. This study examined the prevalence of MPs in Serbian (sub)urban soils and investigated the intricate relationship between MPs and accompanied toxic metals Cd, As, and Pb. MPs abundance was assessed by an optimized density separation method. Cd, As, and Pb contents in soil and model plant were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). On average, urban soils contained 489 ± 281 MPs per kg, whereby polystyrene (PS) was the main contributor (28.57%). The highest contents of MPs (600 MPs kg-1), Cd (2.23 µg g-1), As (36.92 µg g-1) and Pb (64.83 µg g-1) were found in soils from Bor. Spearman correlation analysis revealed the connection between MPs abundance, soil physicochemical parameters, and toxic metals mobility. MPs in soils negatively correlated with soil pH (-0.63). Significant positive correlations identified between soil MPs and bioavailable contents of Cd (0.82), As (0.95), and Pb (0.63) indicated that MPs presence may promote toxic metals mobility. In addition, Cd content in roots and shoots positively correlated with MPs in soils (0.61 and 0.65), suggesting that MPs in soils might improve toxic metal uptake by plants. These findings demonstrated that soil MPs could intensify the migration of toxic metals in the soil-plant system, increasing the risks to the environment and human health
