Abstract: This study examined the effects of sterols (β-sitosterol) and their derivatives, such as sterol fatty acid ester (β-sitosteryl palmitate) and sterol ferulic acid ester (γ-oryzanol), on the release of 25 added volatile compounds from canola oil using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. δ- and γ-lactone release decreased after adding β-sitosterol or γ-oryzanol, in association with octanol-water partition coefficients (LogP). Moreover, only aldehydes with low LogP were suppressed. Hydroxyl groups in β-sitosterol or γ-oryzanol may play a key role in modulating volatile release. These findings provide insight into the aromatic retention mechanisms of oils.

Abstract: This study investigated the synergistic effect of dispersed microbubble (MB) liquids and siphon-type washing on the removal of starch paste, a model food soil, from five substrate materials with different surface properties: polytetrafluoroethylene, acrylic resin, glass, aluminum, and stainless steel. The cleaning performance was quantitatively evaluated through mass loss measurements and washing rate calculations. The influence of MB size distribution, stability, and surfactant type (anionic, cationic, and nonionic) on the detergency mechanism was systematically investigated. MB dispersions in tap water achieved a maximum washing rate enhancement ratio of 1.56 across all substrates. However, surfactant addition exhibited divergent effects on MB-enhanced cleaning: anionic surfactants [linear alkylbenzene sulfonate] significantly improved detergency, nonionic surfactants [polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether] showed moderate enhancement, whereas cationic surfactants [benzalkonium chloride] resulted in diminished or negligible cleaning performance on specific substrates. Characterization of MB dynamics revealed that surfactant-containing systems generated smaller bubbles with reduced stability and increased susceptibility to collapse, while MBs in tap water exhibited superior size retention and longevity. A positive correlation between washing rate enhancement and static contact angle reduction indicated that interfacial wettability modification is a critical factor in MB-assisted cleaning. The proposed detergency mechanism involves electrostatic interaction between negatively charged MB interfaces and soil particles, modulated by surfactant adsorption behavior at the gas-liquid interface. The vertical upward flow pattern characteristic of siphon-type washing was found to synergistically exploit MB buoyancy, resulting in enhanced soil detachment compared to conventional horizontal flow systems. These findings demonstrate that optimizing MB generation conditions, surfactant selection, and hydrodynamic flow configurations can significantly enhance cleaning efficiency for soil removal applications.

Abstract: This study investigated the interfacial adsorption behavior and emulsification performance of polyglycerol ester emulsifiers with varying hydrophilic group chain lengths in a mineral oil system containing three hydrophilic polyol solvents (glycerol, 1,3-butanediol, and 1,2-propylene glycol) by measuring dynamic interfacial tension and fitting the kinetic adsorption model. The results demonstrated that as the length of the hydrophilic groups increased, the interfacial critical micelle concentration (CMC_IFT) decreased, while the critical interfacial tension (γ_CMC) increased, leading to a larger particle size (D) of the emulsion. Furthermore, the study examined the impact of hydrophilic polyol solvents on the arrangement of emulsifier molecules at the interface and their emulsification performance. It was found that different levels of initial interfacial tension (γ₀) had a more pronounced effect on the particle size and uniformity of the emulsion. When γ₀ was low (< 20 mN/m), the interaction between the emulsifier and the hydrophilic medium became more significant, resulting in greater variability in the emulsion. This research provided new insights into the interfacial behavior of polyglycerol ester emulsifiers in polyol-oil systems and offered theoretical guidance for the development of more efficient P/O emulsions.

Abstract: Structural colors observed in nature have attracted considerable scientific interest and inspired the development of artificial coloring materials based on periodic nanostructures. Although numerous structural color materials have been proposed, reports on all-liquid systems, which can be incorporated into devices of arbitrary shapes, remain limited. We previously demonstrated that all-liquid emulsions composed of a long-chain amidoamine derivative (C18AA) and tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB) exhibit structural coloration within two temperature regions. For the formation of such coloring emulsions, the development of a stable interfacial layer of C18AA adsorbed at the toluene-water interface is crucial. However, it remains unclear whether other amphiphilic compounds can contribute to the formation of this interfacial layer. In this study, the effects of adding different amphiphilic compounds on the coloring behavior of C18AA emulsions was investigated, and their incorporation into the interfacial layer of C18AA was explored. Stearic acid, octadecylamine, and octadecanol did not considerably affect the coloring behavior. In contrast, C18AOH, in which the terminal amine group of C18AA is replaced by a hydroxyl group, could be incorporated into the C18AA interfacial layer. This insertion increased the toluene-water interfacial area, resulting in a blue shift of the observed color. Similar incorporation effects were observed for C16AOH and C14AOH, which have shorter alkyl chains. These findings can facilitate the color and thermal response tuning of all-liquid structural color emulsions based on interfacial engineering.

Abstract: Xylocarpus mekongensis Pierre (Meliaceae), locally known as “Poshur” is a mangrove plant traditionally used in South and Southeast Asia for the management of diabetes and related disorders. This study comprehensively evaluated the phytochemical composition, safety, antidiabetic efficacy, enzymatic inhibition, and in-silico molecular docking analysis of its ethanolic bark extract. HPLC-DAD profiling identified six major phenolic compounds – catechin hydrate, catechol, (-) epicatechin, syringic acid, trans-ferulic acid, and trans-cinnamic acid. Acute and subacute toxicity assessments in Swiss albino mice (following OECD guidelines) confirmed its safety up to 3000 mg/kg without any physiological or behavioral alterations. In the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner. In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, daily oral administration of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) markedly reduced fasting blood glucose, restored body weight, and normalized hepatic, renal, and lipid biomarkers comparable to glibenclamide. Moreover. the extract also demonstrated potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 0.420 mg/mL), indicating delayed intestinal glucose absorption. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities of these compounds–particularly catechin hydrate and (-) epicatechin demonstrated strong binding affinities with key diabetic targets, including sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), glucokinase, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), suggesting multi-targeted modulation of insulin secretion, sensitivity, and glucose utilization. These findings provide the first comprehensive mechanistic validation of the traditional use of X. mekongensis and highlight its polyphenolic constituents as promising natural leads for developing multi-target antidiabetic therapeutics.

Abstract: Amorphous rice starch/glycerol/water ternary systems are used in food, cosmetics, and functional materials. In the present study, we investigated the water adsorption ability of crystalline and amorphous rice starches and the mixed state of rice starch/glycerol/water ternary systems. The effect of amorphization on the mixed state was evaluated with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurement (XRD). When amorphous rice starch was mixed with water and glycerol (40-80 wt%), the funicular and capillary states were observed: the funicular state is a dry state where solid and liquid form a continuous phase, and the capillary state is a sticky state where only the liquid is the continuous phase. This was attributed to the greater number of free hydroxyl groups in amorphous rice starch, which enhanced its affinity to hydroxyl groups. Amorphous rice starch systems exhibited a water evaporation temperature 14 °C higher than crystalline rice starch systems. Furthermore, when the mixed system contained amorphous rice starch and glycerol, the funicular region was expanded. A glycerol molecule has three hydroxyl groups, which enhance the adhesive force between starch particles and increase viscosity. These findings are useful for designing formulations for various products utilizing mixtures of rice starch and glycerol.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit overlapping molecular pathways characterized by oxidative imbalance and enzyme dysfunction. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the multifunctional potential of Folliculi sennae (F. sennae) ethanol extract as a natural therapeutic agent targeting these disorders. Phenolic profiling using LC-MS/MS revealed abundant bioactive compounds, including quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and gallic acid, with high linearity and reproducibility. The extract exhibited moderate antioxidant activity across DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays, highlighting its redox-modulating capacity. Importantly, enzyme inhibition assays demonstrated notable inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE, IC₅₀ = 10.34 µg/mL), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, IC₅₀ = 7.72 µg/mL), and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 6.66 µg/mL), indicating potential neuroprotective and antidiabetic effects. These findings suggest that F. sennae orchestrates a synergistic interplay between antioxidant defense and targeted enzymatic inhibition, positioning it as a promising multitarget natural candidate for managing oxidative stress-linked neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. The study lays the biochemical groundwork for future translational research exploring F. sennae as a safe, plant-based therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: Hirami lemon (Citrus depressa Hayata) is a small citrus plant native to southern Japan and Taiwan. This study distinguishes the essential oil composition, polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), total carotenoids, and sensory characteristics of Hirami lemons from Japan (Kagoshima and Okinawa) and Taiwan. The mature fruit essential oils of 23 evaluated strains (5 from Kagoshima, 16 from Okinawa, and 2 from Taiwan) primarily contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with limonene and γ-terpinene being predominant (40.4-76.2 % and 9.7-29.3 %, respectively). Distinct geographical signatures were also observed–piperitone and octanal in Kagoshima strains, ethyl dodecanoate and ethyl decanoate in Okinawan strains, and 2-hexenal and phenylacetaldehyde in Taiwanese strains–implying a potent aroma distinctiveness of each cultivation region. Nantou (Taiwan), Shikunin spicy (Kagoshima), and Izumi kugani (Okinawa) had higher PMF concentrations, including nobiletin and tangeretin, whereas Shikunin sweet from Kagoshima exhibited notably higher total carotenoid content than the other strains. Furthermore, variations in total soluble solids and titratable acidity were correlated with perceived differences in sweetness and sourness, while VOCs influenced aroma traits, including citrus, fruity, herbal, and green notes, refining overall flavor perception. These findings offer important implications for breeding strategies and product diversification of Japanese and Taiwanese Hirami lemons.

Abstract: Myrsine linearis (Lour.) is a medicinal plant in Vietnam that was used to treat various diseases. However, the phytochemical and biological activities of this plant have not been extensively investigated. Therefore, this study extracted the essential oil from Myrsine linearis leaves (MLEO), followed by the identification of phytochemical components and the evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities in vitro and in silico. The results showed that major constituents in MLEO were β-caryophyllene (11.3 %), α-humulene (10.3 %), caryophyllene oxide (4.6 %), and spathulenol (4.3 %). MLEO inhibited the protein denaturation (IC₅₀ =34.01±5.64 µg/mL) and inhibited nitric oxide release in LPS-induced macrophage with the value of 33.19±1.78 %. The main compounds in MLEO bound to cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase, with binding energy values ranging from -6.1 to -7.5 kcal/mol, similar to those of positive controls. Additionally, MLEO demonstrated cytotoxicity against different cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 20.26±1.1 µg/mL to 21.11±1.41 µg/mL. Therefore, MLEO is a promising candidate for supporting the treatment of diseases relating to inflammation and cancer.

Abstract: Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa roots are used as ingredients in many herbal medicines in Japan. This study conducted field experiments using sticky traps during the growing period from 2023 to 2025 to assess the behavioral responses of aphids in relation to the aroma compounds from A. acutiloba Kitagawa. In a preliminary trial in 2023, essential oils (EOs) from A. acutiloba Kitagawa leaves were applied to sticky traps, which captured more winged aphids than untreated control traps. In 2024, although it was likely to attract the aphids with the EO-treated traps, no significant differences were observed between the EO-treated and control traps owing to the extremely low small number of aphids. However, in 2025, aphid abundance increased and significantly more aphids were captured in the EO-treated traps than in the untreated traps. Most of the captured winged aphids were Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In a follow-up experiment, traps treated with (Z)-ligustilide, isolated from the EOs, captured significantly more aphids than the control traps. A two-choice response test using a Y-tube olfactometer showed no significant behavioral responses (such as attraction or avoidance) toward the wingless aphid A. gossypii. The findings of the present study suggest that developing the EO- or (Z)-ligustilide treated traps to capture winged aphids on A. acutiloba may be an environmentally friendly and effective way to manage these insects.

Abstract: This study reports the successful synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride/bauxite (g-C₃N₄/bauxite) composites via a rapid and efficient microwave irradiation method. The primary aim was to investigate the influence of microwave-assisted synthesis on the morphological and structural properties of the resulting composites. Comprehensive characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) revealed a highly porous and uniformly dispersed microstructure, with homogeneous distribution of C, N, Al, Si, and O elements. This indicates the formation of abundant active sites favorable for surface-mediated interactions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the coexistence of distinct crystalline phases: characteristic bauxite reflections at 2θ ≈ 26.6° and 21-22°, alongside the typical (100) and (002) graphitic planes of g-C₃N₄ at 2θ ≈ 13° and 27°, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy further verified the preservation of the heptazine-based polymeric framework in the composite. The integration of bauxite not only improved the textural properties but also enhanced the interfacial contact between the two phases. The obtained g-C₃N₄/bauxite composite exhibited a high surface area, well-developed porosity, and synergistic structural features, demonstrating its potential as an effective material for heavy metal removal and related environmental remediation applications.