Application of new strategies for supramolecular self-assembly can significantly impact the properties and/or functions of supramolecular polymers. To realize a facial strategy for the development of solvent-free supramolecular polymers in bulk, "deep eutectic solvents" were employed. Cyclodextrins and natural acids were used to prepare deep eutectic supramolecular polymers (DESPs). Deep eutectic solvents have special characteristics that endow DESPs with unique macroscopic properties and excellent processability. DESPs exhibit supramolecular adhesion and temperaturedependent behavior originating from the combined effects of deep eutectic solvents and supramolecular polymerization. Because DESPs are solvent-free and display interesting macroscopic properties, they have potential as new adaptive materials.

BACKGROUND: The aqueous two-phase extraction (ATPE) based on organic solvent and inorganic salt was considered a promising method in the extraction, enrichment, and purification field. Ionic liquids (ILs) used as additives to the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) can improve the extraction yield. RESULTS: In this study, sevenILs were added to the ethanol/ammonium sulfate ATPS and used for the salting-out extraction (SOE) of sinomenine from Sinomenium acutum. The IL [C 2 OHmim]FeCl 4 was screened as the optimal additive, then the influencing factors IL amount, ethanol concentration, salt concentration, and temperature were investigated. The maximum extraction efficiency of 96.4% was obtained under the following conditions: 23.06 wt% ethanol concentration, 27.28 wt% (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 concentration, 4.0 wt% [C 2 OHmim]FeCl 4 and 40 ∘ C temperature. Moreover, the components in the SOE system can be recycled after extraction. CONCLUSION: Thus, this ATPS had lower cost and higher extraction ability, and it is feasible to scale up using a small amount of ILs. This system can also be used in the extraction of some other important active compounds from natural plant resources.

No abstract

No abstract

Natural adhesives have been widely replaced by industrial adhesives made from petroleum-based products. Compared with that of traditional natural adhesives, modern industrial adhesives show improved adhesion performance. However, the drawbacks of modern adhesives, including toxicity and nonbiodegradability, drive the need for new and high-performance adhesive materials from renewable and biocompatible natural feedstock. In this study, a new family of acid-sugar adhesive materials exhibiting excellent and long-term adhesion effects was developed inspired by the concept of deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The supramolecular polymerization between natural sugars and acids gave rise to both strong cohesion and adhesion properties. Moreover, high resistance to organic solvents is an advantage of acid-sugar supramolecular adhesive materials. This study not only dramatically expands the applications of DESs but also sheds light on the development of supramolecular adhesive materials as promising alternatives to polymeric adhesives.

No abstract

An alcohol/salt aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) composed of 1-propanol and (NH4)2SO4 was employed to purify anthraquinones (AQs) extracted from Aloe vera L. The main influencing system parameters such as type of alcohol, type and concentration of salt, temperature and pH were investigated in detail. Under the optimal extraction conditions, AQs can be extracted into alcohol-rich phase with high extraction efficiency, meanwhile majority polysaccharides, proteins, mineral substances and other impurities were extracted into salt-rich phase. Partitioning of AQs is dependent on hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bond interaction, and salting-out effect in ATPS. Temperature also played a great role in the partitioning. After ATPS extraction, alcohol can be recycled by evaporation; moreover, salt can be recycled by dilution crystallization method. Compared with other liquid-liquid extractions, this alcohol/salt system is much simpler, lower in cost with easier recovery of phase-forming components, which has the potential scale-up in down-processing of active ingredients in plant.

No abstract