Mill scale, an iron waste, was used to separate magnetite particles for the adsorption of phosphate from aqueous solution. Mill scale has a layered structure composed of wustite (FeO), magnetite (Fe3O4), and hematite (Fe2O3). Because magnetite shows the highest magnetic property among these iron oxides, it can be easily separated from the crushed mill scale particles. Several techniques were employed to characterize the separated particles. Mill scale-derived magnetite particles exhibited a strong uptake affinity to phosphate in a wide pH range of 3-7, with the maximum adsorptive removal of 100%, at the dosage of 1 g/L, pH 3-5. Langmuir isotherm model well described the equilibrium data, exhibiting maximum adsorption capacities for phosphate up to 4.95 and 8.79 mg/g at 298 and 308 K, respectively. From continuous operation of the packed-bed column reactor operated with different EBCT (empty bed contact time) and adsorbent particle size, the breakthrough of phosphate started after 8-22 days of operation. After regeneration of the column reactor with 0.1N NaOH solution, 95-98% of adsorbed phosphate could be detached from the column reactor.
Magnetite particles were synthesized by co-precipitation of water-soluble 밀 스케일-derived precursor by various concentrations of (0.5, 0.67, 1, 2 N) NaOH and (0.6, 0.8, 1.2, 2.4 N) NH4OH. It is theoretically known that as the concentration of the alkaline additive used in iron oxide synthesis increases, the particle size distribution of that iron oxide decreases. This trend was observed in both kind of alkaline additive used, NaOH and NH4OH. In addition, the magnetite synthesized in NaOH showed a relatively smaller particle size distribution than magnetite synthesized in NH4OH. Crystalline phase of the synthesized magnetite were determined by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy(XRD). The particles were then used as an adsorbent for phosphate(P) removal. Phosphorus adsorption was found to be more efficient in NaOH-based synthesized magnetite than the NH4OH-based magnetite.
Biofouling in brackish water reverse osmosis (RO) membranes still needs extensive research to understand cause and mechanism and to obtain methods for reduction of its impact on RO applications. Natural compounds with biofilm formation inhibitory properties are being investigated. Two compounds, vanillin and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), were selected due to their great potential on biofilm formation inhibition. Vanillin shows inhibition on quorum sensing mechanisms of biofilm formation. EGCG has potential to inactivate microbial activity. The two compounds were incorporated in typical polyamide reverse osmosis membranes and evaluated on flux behaviours and biofilm formation potential. The surface properties of membrane coated with vanillin were changed tremendously compared to those with EGCG. As a result, the flux was reduced substantially. The biofilm formation seems hindered with EGCG coated membranes compared to the virgin membranes. More research is needed to optimize coating methods applicable to RO membranes and to enhance biofouling reduction.
Resveratrol (RVT) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) individually inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The objective was to examine the possibility of interaction between RVT and EGCG, resulting in enhanced inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Preadipocytes were treated with RVT and EGCG individually at 6.25 or 25μM (RVT6.25 or RVT25) and 12.5 or 50μM (EGCG12.5 or EGCG50) and in combination (RVT6.25 + EGCG12.5 and RVT25 + EGCG50). RVT25 as an individual compound decreased lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by 24%, and RVT25 + EGCG50 further decreased lipid accumulation by 77%. In addition, exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to RVT6.25 + EGCG12.5 and RVT25 + EGCG50 combinations resulted in an enhanced increase of adiponectin release and inhibition of leptin release. Quantitative analysis revealed that the combination of tested materials (RVT6.25 + EGCG12.5 and RVT25 + EGCG50) decreased the expression levels of C/EBPα, PPARγ2, and aP2. These results indicate that the combined treatments with RVT and EGCG produce synergistic effects on inhibiting adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The overall results suggested that the combining RVT and EGCG might be more capable of exerting antiobesity effects than each individual compound by itself.