LOREDANA-VASILICA POSTOLACHE, “Gheorghe Asachi”
Technical University of Iași, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical
Engineering and Environmental Protection, Iași, Romania
ALEXANDRU PALARII, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași,
“Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental
Protection, Iași, Romania ANA-MARIA NICUȚĂ, “Gheorghe
Asachi” Technical University of Iași, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of
Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, Iași, Romania GABRIELA-CĂTĂLINA SĂVUC, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical
University of Iași, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering
and Environmental Protection, Iași, Romania LAURA-GABRIELA SMOC,
“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, “Cristofor Simionescu”
Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, Iași, Romania
GABRIELA LISA, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University
of Iași, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and
Environmental Protection, Iași, Romania,
gabriela.lisa@academic.tuiasi.ro
Abstract In this work, the thermal and energy properties of four
types of textile wastes were evaluated: cotton, wool, polyester and acrylic.
For this purpose, thermogravimetric analysis in nitrogen atmosphere with
three heating rates in the temperature range 25-600ºC was used. The
processing of the thermogravimetric curves allowed the determination of the
temperatures at which 5% (T5%) and 30% (T30%) of the sample mass was lost,
with which the statistical heat resistance index (THRI) of the textile waste
was evaluated. Using the recorded thermogravimetric curves, the activation
energy for the main stage of thermal decomposition was calculated by
applying the ASTM E-698 standard method. The enthalpy of combustion of the
textile waste was also determined using the Berthlot-Mahler-Krocker
calorimeter. Keywords: textile waste, thermogravimetric characteristics,
kinetic parameters, combustion enthalpy
Unconventional and Environmentally Friendly Technique for Increasing the
Strength of Building Materials Through CO2-Absorbing and Trapping Inside
LUCIAN PĂUNESCU, Daily Sourcing & Research SRL Bucharest, Romania,
lucianpaunescu16@gmail.com ENIKÖ VOLCEANOV, Metallurgical Research Institute SA Bucharest, Romania,
National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Faculty
of Engineering in Foreign Language, Bucharest, Romania ADRIAN IOANA,
National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Faculty
of Material Science and Engineering, Bucharest, Romania BOGDAN VALENTIN
PĂUNESCU, Consitrans SA Bucharest, Romania
Abstract Self-compacting concrete using the iron dust waste ability
to produce FeCO3 by CO2-absorbing/trapping and favouring the increase of
concrete strength was designed and tested. Except for iron dust, other
materials rich in silica and alumina (clay brick waste and metakaolin) or
CaO-rich (calcium carbonate) and a catalyst (oxalic acid) were added to the
mixture, forming a carbon-negative binding material. The paper originality
was obtained by adopting new methods of intensive hardening the fresh
concrete by its immersing or exposure to CO2-enriched mediums, followed by
free storage in air for 7 or 28 days for CO2-absorbing (recommended by the
inventor). The results showed that replacing the cement with 12.3%
carbon-negative material, using usual ratios of sand, coarse aggregate,
lignosulfonate, and water and also applying the concrete hardening variant
through the two methods of immersing/exposure in CO2-enriched mediums,
concrete specimens with highest strength were made. Keywords:
carbon-negative, self-compacting concrete, iron dust, CO2-absorbing, iron
carbonate
Identification of Capsaicin from The Alcoholic and Oily Extracts
of Hot Peppers Using FTIR Spectroscopy
CLAUDIA COBZARU, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași,
“Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental
Protection, Iași, Romania ALEXANDRA BUJOR, “Grigore T. Popa” University
of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași, Romania MĂLINA-MARIA CERNĂTESCU, “Grigore
T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași, Romania CORINA
CERNĂTESCU, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, “Cristofor
Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection,
Iași, Romania,
corina.cernatescu@academic.tuiasi.ro
Abstract In this study, an attempt was made to identify capsaicin
from the hot pepper alcoholic and oily extracts, using FTIR spectroscopy.
Both the oily and alcoholic maceration were preserved for 5 years. The
spectra obtained show characteristics bands that confirm the presence of
functional groups specific to capsaicin. The antioxidant activity of the
alcoholic hot pepper extract was also determined by the spectrophotometric
method using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Even after a long period
of preservation, the alcoholic extract of hot pepper has a high antioxidant
activity, which can be used to the preparation of cosmetic and food products
to significantly increase their antioxidant properties and have a positive
impact on the body. Keywords: antioxidant activity over time, capsaicin,
hot pepper, spectrophotometric analysis
The Pericarp of Citruses: Waste Product or Polyphenol Resource
IOSIF CIOANCA, Theoretical High School “Al. I. Cuza” Iași, Romania GEORGE-ALEXANDRU MARIN, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of
Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania,
george17marin@gmail.com ȘTEFAN LUCA, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine
and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania IONUȚ IULIAN LUNGU, Faculty of Pharmacy,
“Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania CLAUDIA-ADRIANA CHITIC, Theoretical High School “Al. I. Cuza” Iași, Romania
Abstract Citruses, members of the Rutaceae family, are globally
renowned for their nutritional and health benefits. While the edible parts
are widely consumed, the peels are often discarded despite their rich
polyphenol content, particularly flavonoids like hesperidin, naringin, and
quercetin. These polyphenols offer significant antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The aim of our study was to
evaluate the secondary metabolites profile and antioxidant potential of
peels from four citrus species: sweet oranges, mandarins, grapefruits, and
lemons. Fresh peels were cut and prepared for a microscopic identification,
then methanolic maceration extracts were obtained in a ratio of 1:20 (m/v).
The major group of active compounds were first screened by chemical
reactions with sodium hydroxide, aluminium chloride, Folin-Ciocâlteu Reagent
and by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Total flavonoids, total polyphenols
and carotenoids were quantified with spectrophotometric tests. Moreover, the
antioxidant capacity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
(DPPH•) assay. The obtained results indicated that although the chemical
composition varies depending on species, there is a similar chemical profile
for all samples. Nevertheless, lemon peel extracts exhibited the highest
antioxidant activity, followed by mandarins and oranges, with grapefruit
showing the lowest. The findings underscore the potential of citrus peels as
a valuable resource for bioactive compounds, advocating for their
utilization in nutritional and medicinal applications to promote
sustainability and reduce waste. Keywords: citrus peels, polyphenols,
flavonoids, antioxidant activity, sustainable utilization.
Partial Replacement of Natural Aggregates by Incorporating Steel Slag
for The Manufacture of Asphalt Mixture
BOGDAN VALENTIN PĂUNESCU, Consitrans SA Bucharest, Romania ENIKÖ
VOLCEANOV, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA
Bucharest, Faculty of Engineering in Foreign Language, Bucharest, Romania,
Metallurgical Research Institute SA Bucharest, Romania LUCIAN PĂUNESCU,
Daily Sourcing & Research SRL Bucharest, Romania,
lucianpaunescu16@gmail.com
Abstract Creating high-durable asphalt mixtures by implementing
steel slag in the mix aggregate as a partial substitute constituted the main
objective of the work. The addition of slag is beneficial for increasing the
asphalt strength, but simultaneously, high content of this by-product tends
to reduce the Marshall stability. The experiment tested asphalt mixture
making up to 76% slag content, but the best results were obtained for the
specimen with 57% slag, i.e. compression strength after 24 hours of 4.8 MPa
and after 28 days of 3.6 MPa. In addition, less expensive materials (4-8
mm-slag granulometric class and electro filter dust) were adopted, without
negatively influencing the usual product characteristics. Keywords:
asphalt mixture, bitumen, natural aggregate, steel slag, filler
Spectrophotometric Characteristics of Rifaximin Aqueous Solution
and The Consequences for Quantitative Analysis
ELENA FASNIUC-PEREU, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iaşi,
“Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environment
Protection, Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, Iaşi,
Romania ANDREI-EUGEN BULGARIU, Emergency Hospital “Professor Doctor
Nicolae Oblu” of Iaşi, Romania LAURA BULGARIU, “Gheorghe Asachi”
Technical University of Iaşi, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical
Engineering and Environment Protection, Department of Environmental
Engineering and Management, Iaşi, Romania,
lbulg@ch.tuiasi.ro
Abstract Rifaximin is known as an oral antibiotic that can be used
in a wide range of digestive diseases, but not only. Chemically, rifaximin
is a yellow solid powder that can be relatively easily dissolved in methanol
and which, because of its color, can be analyzed spectrophotometric. To be
able to use such a simple method in the quantitative analysis of rifaximin,
the most important spectrophotometric characteristics are required. In this
study, these spectrophotometric characteristics (maximum wavelength (λmax,
nm), spectral band width (Δλ1/2, nm), molar absorption coefficient (ε,
L·mol-1·cm-1) are determined from VIS molecular spectra, recorded for
aqueous solution containing a known concentration of rifaximin (4.22–16.88
mg·L-1) and different pH (1.0–7.0). Based on the obtained experimental
results, the optimal conditions for the spectrophotometric analysis of
rifaximin were established, namely: pH = 7.0 (distilled water or phosphate
buffer) and λmax = 444 nm. These conditions are suitable for the
quantitative analysis of rifaximin with a detection limit of 0.0125-0.0179
mg·L-1 and a precision of 2.12-2.43%. The very good agreement between
theoretical and experimental values for rifaximin concentration in tap and
sea water samples shows that this method is valid and can be used in
quantitative analysis. Keywords: rifaximin, spectrophotometric
characteristics, aqueous solution, qualitative and quantitative analysis
Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis of Impurities in Chlorocholine
Chloride: A Review
LILIANA LAZĂR, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University
of Iași, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and
Environmental Protection, Iași, Romania,
liliana.lazar@academic.tuiasi.ro GEORGIANA MARDARE
(BĂLUȘESCU), “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași,
“Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental
Protection, Iași, Romania DUMITRU COMAN, CHIMCOMPLEX
S.A., Borzești, Romania
Abstract This study provides an overview of impurities in an active
substance / active ingredient and selective analytical methods of impurities
for their identification in chlorocholine chloride with applications and
literature references. Moreover, its reviews the importance to understanding
what determinates an impurity and identification of potential sources of
this impurity is discussed. The analytes include 1,2-dichloroethane and
trimethylamine which are relevant impurities acceptable by Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health
Organization. After a concise resume introduction regarding the properties
of chlorocholine chloride, attention is focused primarily to separation,
identification and detection for qualitative and quantitative analysis of
these two analytes. The determination method used after identification of
impurities are also discussed. In comparation with spectroscopic (UV-Vis,
FTIR, NMR), spectrometric (MS), chromatographic (GC, IC) characterization
methods, applications in impurities analysis have demonstrated that coupled
or tandem techniques (CG-MS, GLC-MS, HPLC-UV-VIS) gain popularity regarding
selectivity, high sensitivity, reliability, good accuracy, robustness and
precision for monitoring the impurities from chlorocholine chloride
production. According to European Food Safety Authority, chromatographic
techniques are recommended for identification purpose. Keywords:
characterization, detection, separation, 1,2-dichloroethane, trimethylamine
Sustainable Ergonomic Women's Clothing by Integrating Chemical Recycling
of Textile Fabrics
CARMEN BLEJAN, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University
of Iași, Faculty of Industrial Design and Business Management, Iași, Romania
ANTONELA CURTEZA, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași,
Faculty of Industrial Design and Business Management, Iași, Romania
Abstract The textile industry is the second most polluting industry
in the world, with a considerable impact on the environment due to
greenhouse gas emissions, high water and energy use, chemical pollution, and
by default the formation of a huge amount of textile waste. This has led to
an imbalance in nature through loss of biodiversity and global warming. This
analysis aims to provide an overview of the textile and fashion industry's
impact on the environment, social and economic, promoting sustainable and
ergonomic fashion. The paper also aims to punctually present the chemical
textile recycling methods used in recent years to combat the environmental
impact by transforming a waste product back into raw material. Keywords:
sustainability, ergonomic design, chemical recycling