An activated charcoal with a high surface area of 4320–3800 m²/g with significant adsorption properties was prepared by the chemical and thermal processing of walnut residues. Iraqi walnut shells were sonicated with different ratios of potassium hydroxide (KOH). The mixture was then calcined at different temperatures using an electric oven until the best thermal conditions for a very high activated surface area and performance were identified. The resulting activated charcoal was further purified to remove residual KOH and metal impurities. Investigations revealed that the quality of the prepared activated charcoal was comparable to or surpassed that of commercially available counterparts in both the physical and adsorption properties. It was characterised for methylene blue degradation and the removal of heavy elements during water purification.

The problem: Ante-mortem diagnosis of Johne’s disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is normally achieved through faecal culture, PCR, or serological tests, but agreement as to which samples are positive for Johne’s disease is often poor and sensitivities are low, particularly in early-stage infections. The potential solution: Mycobacterial cells contain very complex characteristic mixtures of mycolic acid derivatives that elicit antibodies during infection; this has been used to detect infections in humans. Here, we explore its application in providing an assay differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA assay) for Johne’s disease in cattle. Method: Antibody responses to different classes of mycolic acid derivatives were measured using ELISA for serum from cattle positive for MAP by both faecal PCR and commercial serum ELISA, or just by PCR, and from animals from herds with no history of Johne’s disease, bovine tuberculosis reactors, BCG-vaccinated, BCG-vaccinated and M. bovis-infected, and Gudair-vaccinated animals. Results: The best-performing antigens, ZAM295 and ST123—the latter a molecule present in the cells of MAP but not of Mycobacterium bovis—achieved a sensitivity of 75% and 62.5%, respectively, for serum from animals positive by both faecal PCR and a commercial MAP serum ELISA, at a specificity of 94% compared to 80 no-history negatives. Combining the results of separate assays with two antigens (ST123 and JRRR121) increased the sensitivity/specificity to 75/97.5%. At the same cut-offs, animals vaccinated with Gudair or BCG vaccines and bTB reactors showed a similar specificity. The specificity in BCG-vaccinated but M. bovis-infected animals dropped to 85%. Combining the results of two antigens gave a sensitivity/specificity of 37.5/97.5% for the full set of 80 PCR-positive samples, detecting 30 positives compared 16 for IDEXX. Conclusion: Serum ELISA using synthetic lipids distinguishes effectively between MAP-negative cattle samples and those positive by both PCR and a commercial MAP serodiagnostic, without interference by Gudair or BCG vaccination. It identified almost twice as many PCR positives as the commercial serodiagnostic, offering the possibility of earlier detection of infection.

Benzotraazolium-based ionic salts have been prepared with an alkyl group (methyl and allyl), with iodine anion, the prepared compound ([diMBt]I (1), [AMBt]I (2) and [AMBt]I3 (3) structure have determined by single crystal x-ray and they used for desulfurization of sulfur from model diesel oil in order to obtain reduced sulfur fuel with more environmental friendly properties. The prepared compounds were characterized using several techniques, and their efficiency in removing sulfur from the sample oil was evaluated. The results showed that the removal efficiency was acceptable and could be improved in future research.

Most botanical species contain various types of bioactive compounds. This study focusses on the extraction and identification of bioactive compounds from Calicotome spinosa (Gorse), including flavones, α-linolenic acid and sugar. During the investigation of gorse flowers, leaves and bark, flavones were isolated from the bark and leaves. Calicotome spinosa showed a total isoflavonoid content of 1.5% from the bark of gorse and 1.3% from the leaves. To find the best conditions for flavone extraction, samples of Calicotome spinosa were extracted with different solvents (methanol, water and acetonitrile). Methanol was found to be a suitable solvent to selectively extract flavone. An unsaturated cis fatty acid (α-linolenic acid, C18:3 ∆9, 12, 15) was identified as the principal component of the triacylglycerol fraction from the flowers. Hydrolyses process conditions were used to study Gorse wood. The results indicated that the wood of gorse is not a suitable substance for making paper. The extracted bioactive compounds were analysed using NMR, GCMS, UV, TLC and Fibre Analyser techniques. The extracted compounds offered uses as antioxidants and agricultural chemicals in addition to other benefits.