Adsorption of cationic methylene blue dye using microwave-assisted activated carbon derived from acacia wood: Optimization and batch studies

This study assesses the performance of optimized acacia wood-based activated carbon (AWAC) as an adsorbent for methylene blue (MB) dye removal in aqueous solution. AWAC was prepared via a physicochemical activation process that consists of potassium hydroxide (KOH) treatment, followed by carbon dioxide (CO₂) gasification under microwave heating. By using response surface methodology (RSM), the optimum preparation conditions of radiation power, radiation time, and KOH-impregnation ratio (IR) were determined to be 360 W, 4.50 min, and 0.90 g/g respectively, which resulted in 81.20 mg/g of MB dye removal and 27.96% of AWAC’s yield. Radiation power and IR had a major effect on MB dye removal while radiation power and radiation time caused the greatest impact on AWAC’s yield. BET surface area, mesopore surface area, and pore volume of optimized AWAC were found to be 1045.56 m²/g, 689.77 m²/g, and 0.54 cm³/g, respectively. Adsorption of MB onto AWAC followed Langmuir and pseudo-second order for isotherm and kinetic studies respectively, with a Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity of 338.29 mg/g. Mechanism studies revealed that the adsorption process was controlled by film diffusion mechanism and indicated to be thermodynamically exothermic in nature.     

Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Acacia nilotica (L.) Extract to Overcome Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Recently, concerns have been raised globally about antimicrobial resistance, the prevalence of which has increased significantly. Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) is considered one of the most common resistant bacteria, which has spread to ICUs in Saudi Arabia. This study was established to investigate the antibacterial activity of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against KPC in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we used the aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica (L.) fruits to mediate the synthesis of ZnO-NPs. The nanoparticles produced were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, zetasizer and zeta potential analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antimicrobial activity of ZnO-NPs against KPC was determined via the well diffusion method, and determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the results showed low MIC and MBC when compared with the MIC and MBC of Imipenem and Meropenem antibiotics. The results of in vitro analysis were supported by the results upon applying ZnO-NP ointment to promote wound closure of rats, which showed better wound healing than the results with imipenem ointment. The biosynthesized ZnO-NPs showed good potential for use against bacteria due to their small size, applicability, and low toxicity to human cells.     

Polyphenolics with Strong Antioxidant Activity from Acacia nilotica Ameliorate Some Biochemical Signs of Arsenic-Induced Neurotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Mice

Neurotoxicity is a serious health problem of patients chronically exposed to arsenic. There is no specific treatment of this problem. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathological process of neurotoxicity. Polyphenolics have proven antioxidant activity, thereby offering protection against oxidative stress. In this study, we have isolated the polyphenolics from Acacia nilotica and investigated its effect against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice. Acacia nilotica polyphenolics prepared from column chromatography of the crude methanol extract using diaion resin contained a phenolic content of 452.185 ± 7.879 mg gallic acid equivalent/gm of sample and flavonoid content of 200.075 ± 0.755 mg catechin equivalent/gm of sample. The polyphenolics exhibited potent antioxidant activity with respect to free radical scavenging ability, total antioxidant activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Administration of arsenic in mice showed a reduction of acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain which was counteracted by Acacia nilotica polyphenolics. Similarly, elevation of lipid peroxidation and depletion of glutathione in the brain of mice was effectively restored to normal level by Acacia nilotica polyphenolics. Gallic acid methyl ester, catechin and catechin-7-gallate were identified in the polyphenolics as the major active compounds. These results suggest that Acacia nilotica polyphenolics due to its strong antioxidant potential might be effective in the management of arsenic induced neurotoxicity.     

Characterization of Acacia mangium polyflavonoid tannins by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and CP-MAS C NMR

The MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) and solid state CP-MAS ¹³C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic technique were introduced to characterize Acacia mangium tannin (condensed tannins). The MALDI-TOF MS illustrated a series of peaks corresponding to oligomers of condensed tannins of up to 11 flavonoid units (3200 Da). A. mangium condensed tannins were found to consist predominantly of prorobinetinidin combined with profisetinidin and prodelphinidin. Both the MALDI-TOF mass spectra and the solid state CP-MAS ¹³C NMR indicated that the A. mangium tannins obtained from Kudat, had an almost completely linear structure; In addition, Lembah Beringin, consist of “angular” polymer structure; and Tawau, has included “twice-angular” polymer structures present in oligomers type of up to 7 flavonoid units. The high degree of polymerization of linear, angular type, twice-angular structures and longer oligomer (3200 Da) chains have not been observed in previous studies of condensed tannins. The spectra also indicated that A. mangium tannins are more heavily branched and have higher degree of polymerization (>7.0) compared to commercial mimosa (A. mearnsii) tannin (4.9). Because tannins are phenolic, it was expected that they can be used to replace phenol-formaldehyde (PF) adhesives.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activities of the edible and medicinal Acacia albida organs related to phenolic compounds

This study compared phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in different organs of Acacia albida (leaves and bark) and focuses on identification of phenolic compounds of leaves by HPLC-DAD. The analysed organs exhibited differences in total polyphenol contents (100 and 59.5 mg GAE g^? 1 DW). Phenolic contents of leaves were two times higher than those in bark. Ethanolic extracts exhibited good antioxidant activities with IC₅₀ = 26 μg mL^? 1 for DPPH and EC₅₀ = 50 μg mL^? 1 for FRAP. Identification by HPLC-DAD revealed the presence of nine phenolic compounds known for their high antioxidant activity. The results suggested that this species can be used as source of natural antioxidants.     

Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oils from Acacia mearnsii de Wild

The volatile oils of the leaves and the stem bark of Acacia mearnsii de Wild obtained by hydro-distillation were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. A total of 20, 38, 29 and 38 components accounted for 93.8%, 92.1%, 78.5% and 90.9% of the total oils of the fresh, dry leaves and fresh, dry stem bark, respectively. The major components of the oil were octadecyl alcohol (25.5%) and phytol (10.5%); cis-verbenol (29.5%); phytol (10.1%) and phytol (23.4%) for the fresh leaves, dried leaves, fresh stem, dry stem bark, respectively. Oral administration of essential oils at a dose of 2% showed significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory properties in the albumin-induced test model in rats. Oils from the fresh leaves and dry stems inhibited inflammation beyond 4 h post treatment. The potent anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils of A. mearnsii hereby confirmed its traditional use in treating various inflammatory diseases.     

Two new promelacacinidin dimers,including a novel flavanone-flavanol dimer characterized by a unique C(3)-C(4) linkage,from the heartwood of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nigrescens</Emphasis>

Two new promelacacinidin biflavonoids, mesquitol-(4α,5)-epimesquitol-4β-ol and a 3′,4′,7,8-tetrahydroxyflavanone(3,4)-ent-epimesquitol, were isolated among others from the heartwood of Acacia nigrescens. The flavanone derived dimer, characterized by a unique C(3) to C(4) bridge, which links the monomers via two stereogenic and sp³ hybridized C-atoms, is the prototype of a new subgroup of the flavonoid family. Assessment of the absolute configuration of all five stereogenic centers of this novel flavanone-derived biflavonoid was achieved by correlating the chiroptical properties of the benzoyl chromophore to the absolute configuration of C(2) of the flavanone moiety and hence the absolute stereochemistry of the other four chiral centers. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 437–441, September–October, 2007. Dedicated to Prof. E. Malan, who initiated and supervised this research project, for a noteworthy contribution in the flavonoid field, and who has since retired.     

Albidosides H and I,two new triterpene saponins from the barks of Acacia albida Del. (Mimosaceae)

Two new triterpene saponins, albidosides H (1) and I (2), along with the three known saponins were isolated from the barks of Acacia albida. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR studies and mass spectrometry. Albidosides H (1) and I (2) were assayed for their cytotoxicity against HeLa and HL60 cells using MTT method.     

Physico-chemical properties of new cellulosic fibers from the bark of Acacia planifrons

Identification of new natural fibers is growing due to their superior properties and the impetus for researchers to develop high-performance composites. This investigation was aimed at understanding the physico-chemical properties of Acacia planifrons fibers (APFs). The crystalline structure of APFs was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, and the crystallinity index (65.38%) was calculated. The chemical functional group of APFs was confirmed by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, the thermal stability measured by thermogravimetric analysis, and surface characterization established by atomic force microscopy. Taken together, all the properties of APFs can play a vital role in establishing APFs as new reinforcement in polymer composites.     

Flavonoid Aglycones and Indole Alkaloids from the Roots of Acacia Confusa

From the methanolic extract of the roots of Acacia confusa Merr. (Leguminosae), (‐)‐2,3‐cis‐3,4‐cis‐4′‐methoxy‐3,3′,4,7,8‐pentahydroxyflavan ( 1 ), (‐)‐2,3‐cis‐3,4‐cis‐3,3′,4,4′,7,8‐hexahydroxyflavan ( 2 ), (‐)‐2,3‐trans‐3′,4′,7,8‐tetrahydroxydihydroflavonol ( 3 ), (+)‐catechin ( 4 ), (‐)‐epicatechin ( 5 ), 3′,4′,7,8‐tetrahydroxyflavonol ( 6 ) together with N‐methyltryptamine ( 7 ) and N,N‐dimethyltryptamine ( 8 ) were isolated, and their structures were established by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Among them, compound 1 was a new flavonoid. Additionally, the results of chromatographic bioassay on lettuce seeds indicated that compounds 7 and 8 exhibited significant phytotoxicity at a concentration lower than 14 mM.