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Catalysts
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Applications of Catalytic Reactions in Promoting the Health of Organisms
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Applications of Catalytic Reactions in Promoting the Health of Organisms

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Biocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 March 2025 | Viewed by 4401

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ryan Tian

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Interests: nanostructures; catalytic; sensing; biomaterial applications
Dr. Zhen Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Food Engineering, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang 233100, China
Interests: photocatalysis; hydrogen evolution; degradation; carbon dioxide reduction; heterojunctions; atomic defects
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past few decades, there has been significant global progress in the field of organism health. However, with this progress comes serious challenges in protecting the health of plants, humans, animals, and microorganisms. To address these challenges, innovative and effective solutions are required. Catalytic reactions, as a powerful tool, have demonstrated their crucial role in addressing these challenges. Catalytic reactions driven by enzymes, microorganisms, catalysts, and other substances have become crucial means of promoting the health and safety of organisms.

Therefore, we are pleased to announce the launch of our Special Issue, "Applications of Catalytic Reactions in Promoting the Health of Organisms". This issue aims to explore how catalytic reactions contribute to the health of organisms. We cordially invite authors to submit original research papers and review articles that focus on the roles of enzymes, microorganisms, genes, and catalysts in catalytic reactions, as well as their applications in gene studies, microbial control, and the degradation of harmful substances. This Special Issue aims to cover a broad spectrum of topics, including, but not limited to, the degradation of agricultural residues, enzyme catalysis, microbial catalytic reactions, gene catalysis, the removal of harmful substances in crops, and catalytic reactions in animals and plants, to explore new catalytic mechanisms and applications in the field of organism health.

Prof. Dr. Ryan Tian
Dr. Zhen Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • catalytic reactions
  • organism health
  • food safety
  • enzyme catalysis
  • disease treatment
  • drug synthesis

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3004 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Some Plant Extracts, Piperine, and Piperic Acid and Their Anti-Obesity and Anti-Acne Effects Through the In Vitro Inhibition of Pancreatic and Bacterial Lipases
by Adel Sayari, Amira Mahfoudhi, Othman A. Alghamdi and Aida Hmida-Sayari
Catalysts 2024, 14(11), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14110776 - 2 Nov 2024
Viewed by 664
Abstract
Medicinal and culinary plants are identified as natural sources of antioxidants, bioactive molecules, and enzyme inhibitors, which are widely used for their nutritional and medicinal virtues. In attempts to identify natural extracts and molecules for overcoming obesity and acne issues, plant extracts of [...] Read more.
Medicinal and culinary plants are identified as natural sources of antioxidants, bioactive molecules, and enzyme inhibitors, which are widely used for their nutritional and medicinal virtues. In attempts to identify natural extracts and molecules for overcoming obesity and acne issues, plant extracts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), sage (Salvia officinalis), and ginger (Zingiber officinale) were prepared using solvents of different polarities. On the other hand, piperine was extracted from Piper nigrum with an extraction yield of 3.25 ± 0.12%. The piperic acid was obtained after the alkaline hydrolysis of piperine with a conversion rate of 97.2%. The ethanolic extract of ginger presented the highest radical scavenging activity with an IC50 = 17.3 ± 1.42 μg/mL, followed by the ethyl acetate extract of sage (IC50 = 20.16 ± 0.57 μg/mL). However, the ethyl acetate extract of ginger (IC50 = 27.87 μg/mL) presented the highest antioxidant activity with the β-Carotene-linoleic acid assay. Furthermore, only the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of sage, piperine, and piperic acid presented antibacterial activity against the B. subtilis strain. Using inhibition method A, 1 mg/mL ethyl acetate or ethanol extract of sage inhibited 94% or 79% of the chicken pancreatic lipase (CPL) activity, respectively. However, only 500 µg/mL of the same extracts or pure piperic acid completely inhibited the Staphylococcus xylosus lipase (SXL). Indeed, an IC50 of 54 ± 0.48 µg/mL and 68 ± 0.67 µg/mL were obtained with piperic acid and the sage ethyl acetate extract, respectively. Moreover, complete inhibition of SXL was obtained with piperic acid or ethanol extract of ginger, using inhibition method C, confirming the slight hydrophobic character of the inhibitors. Our results suggest that piperic acid and the studied ethanol/ethyl acetate extracts could play an important role as potent anti-obesity and anti-acne agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Catalytic Reactions in Promoting the Health of Organisms)
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14 pages, 4486 KiB  
Article
Efficient and Robust Photodegradation of Dichlorvos Pesticide by BiOBr/WO2.72 Nanocomposites with Type-I Heterojunction under Visible Light Irradiation
by Aoyun Meng, Wen Li, Zhen Li and Jinfeng Zhang
Catalysts 2024, 14(8), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14080548 - 21 Aug 2024
Viewed by 803
Abstract
In this study, we developed novel BiOBr/WO2.72 nanocomposites (abbreviated as BO/WO) and systematically investigated their photocatalytic degradation performance against the pesticide dichlorvos under visible light irradiation. The experimental results demonstrated that the BO/WO nanocomposites achieved an 85.4% degradation of dichlorvos within 80 [...] Read more.
In this study, we developed novel BiOBr/WO2.72 nanocomposites (abbreviated as BO/WO) and systematically investigated their photocatalytic degradation performance against the pesticide dichlorvos under visible light irradiation. The experimental results demonstrated that the BO/WO nanocomposites achieved an 85.4% degradation of dichlorvos within 80 min. In comparison, the BO alone achieved a degradation degree of 66.8%, and the WO achieved a degradation degree of 64.7%. Furthermore, the BO/WO nanocomposites retained 96% of their initial activity over five consecutive cycles, demonstrating exceptional stability. Advanced characterization techniques, such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) confirmed the composition and catalytic mechanism of the composite material. The findings indicated that the BO/WO nanocomposites, through their optimized Type-I heterojunction structure, achieved efficient separation and transport of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, significantly enhancing the degree of degradation of organophosphate pesticides. This research not only propels the development of high-performance photocatalytic materials, but also provides innovative strategies and a robust scientific foundation for mitigating global organophosphate pesticide pollution, underscoring its substantial potential for environmental remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Catalytic Reactions in Promoting the Health of Organisms)
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19 pages, 2772 KiB  
Article
Staphylococcus aureus Alkaline Protease: A Promising Additive for Industrial Detergents
by Mona Alonazi
Catalysts 2024, 14(7), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14070446 - 12 Jul 2024
Viewed by 924
Abstract
A novel alkaline serine protease, derived from the Staphylococcus aureus strain ALA1 previously isolated from dromedary milk, was subjected to purification and characterization. Optimal protease production occurred under specific culture conditions. The purified protease, designated S. aureus Pr with a molecular mass of [...] Read more.
A novel alkaline serine protease, derived from the Staphylococcus aureus strain ALA1 previously isolated from dromedary milk, was subjected to purification and characterization. Optimal protease production occurred under specific culture conditions. The purified protease, designated S. aureus Pr with a molecular mass of 23,662 Da and an N-terminal sequence, showed an approximately 89% similar identity with those of other Staphylococcus strains. It exhibited its highest enzymatic activity at a pH of 10.0 and 60 °C in the presence of 3 mM Ca2+. Remarkable thermostability was observed at temperatures up to 70 °C and within a pH range of 6.0 to 10.0 for 2 h. The presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+ and Zn2+ significantly enhanced both enzymatic activity and thermal stability. Additionally, notable stability was demonstrated in the presence of reducing and chaotropic agents as well as in surfactants, oxidizing agents, and organic solvents commonly found in detergent compositions. This highlights the enzyme’s potential as a versatile biocatalyst, especially in detergents. Its stability and compatibility with laundry detergents matched Alcalase 2.5 L, type Dx, and the Stearothermophilus protease, used as controls. Collectively, this study investigated the potential utilization of S. aureus Pr in industrial detergents as an excellent candidate for incorporation as an additive in detergent formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Catalytic Reactions in Promoting the Health of Organisms)
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17 pages, 7249 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Inhibitory Factors of Sucrose Hydrolysis in Sugar Beet Molasses with Yeast and Invertase
by Mikael Sjölin, Maria Djärf, Mohamed Ismail, Herje Schagerlöf, Ola Wallberg, Rajni Hatti-Kaul and Mahmoud Sayed
Catalysts 2024, 14(5), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14050330 - 17 May 2024
Viewed by 1560
Abstract
Sugar beet molasses is a low-value byproduct from the sugar industry. It contains significant amounts of sucrose (approx. 50% (w/w)), which can be used for many different applications, for example, as feedstock for the production of fuel (as ethanol) [...] Read more.
Sugar beet molasses is a low-value byproduct from the sugar industry. It contains significant amounts of sucrose (approx. 50% (w/w)), which can be used for many different applications, for example, as feedstock for the production of fuel (as ethanol) and biobased chemicals such as 5-hydoxymethyl furfural (HMF). To produce platform chemicals, sucrose is hydrolyzed into its monomeric C6 sugars: glucose and fructose. When comparing the hydrolysis rates of molasses with a pure sucrose solution, the specific reaction rate is much slower (Qp/x,60min = 93 and 70 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1 for pure sucrose and crude molasses, respectively) at the same sucrose concentration (300 g/L) and process conditions. To clarify why molasses inhibits the enzymatic hydrolysis rate, the influence of its viscosity and inorganic and organic composition was investigated. Also, the effects of molasses and treated molasses on pure enzymes, invertase (from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 0.05 mg/mL), compared with hydrolysis using whole cells of Baker’s yeast (3 mg/mL), were tested. The results indicate an inhibitory effect of potassium (Qp/x,60min = 76 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1), generally at high salt concentrations (Qp/x,60min = 67 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1), which could be correlated to the solution’s high salt concentrations and possibly the synergistic effects of different ions when applying concentrations that were four times that in the molasses. Also, the viscosity and sucrose purity seem to have an effect, where pure sucrose solutions and thick juice from the sugar mill yielded higher hydrolysis rates (Qp/x,60min = 97 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1) than molasses-type solutions with a higher viscosity (Qp/x,60min = 70–74 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1). Attempting to further understand the effects of different components on the invertase activity, an in silico investigation was performed, indicating that high salt concentrations affected the binding of sucrose to the active site of the enzyme, which can result in a lower reaction rate. This knowledge is important for future scale-up of the hydrolysis process, since reduced hydrolysis rates require larger volumes to provide a certain productivity, requiring larger process equipment and thereby higher investment costs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Catalytic Reactions in Promoting the Health of Organisms)
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