International Journal of Chemistry, Issue: Vol.18, No.1

Mass, Energy, and Electron-based Metrics in Anaerobic Digestion

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:12:13 +0000

Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable process, which generates biomethane using organic matters as feedstocks, and can be represented by Buswell’s equation. When the chemical formula of organic matter is identified, the mean oxidation number of organic carbons, theoretical amount of biomethane, theoretical biomethane potential, and theoretical number of transferred electrons can be determined. Currently, the biodegradability performance of organic matters in anaerobic digestion is measured by two metrics: the biodegradability index and the energy conversion efficiency. However, the concept of electron conversion efficiency has not been rigorously studied. This article serves two purposes: to develop a new electron-based metric, and to investigate the relationships between this metric and the two preexisting biodegradability performance metrics. Having calculated these said metrics through a series of procedures using mass percentages of elements and experimental biomethane potential as key parameters, this research concludes that the microscopic electron conversion efficiency and the macroscopic mass-based biodegradability index are numerically identical, and the electron conversion efficiency and energy conversion efficiency display a strong linear correlation.

An Exploration of Ionic Buswell’s Equation for Biomethane

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 01:06:48 +0000

Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable process that occurs under anaerobic microorganism-mediated conditions. In this process, organic matters generate biogas and digestate in the gas-aqueous solution-solid multiphases system. Molecular Buswell’s equation has been widely applied for neutral organic matter. In contrast, ionic Buswell’s equation has been given little attention. This article uses the proton method to develop a stoichiometric ionic Buswell’s equation for neutral and ionic organic matters. When an empirical formula of organic matter is given, its stoichiometric ionic Buswell’s equation can be balanced and deduced. Conversely, when a structural formula is given, it must go through either the fragmentation method to identify the designated products or the carbon-atom method to identify the organic fragmented formula. The designated products or the organic fragmented formula can then be input into the proton method to balance the ionic Buswell’s equation. Based on any given organic matter, regardless of its electrical charge and nature of formula, the mean oxidation number of organic carbons, parameters of organic matter, parameters of Buswell’s equation, and ionic Buswell’s equation can be determined. Compared to molecular Buswell’s equation, the established ionic Buswell’s equation is an extended model for understanding physical, chemical, and biochemical processes among water molecules, ionic species, and neutral species in the multiphases anaerobic digestion system.

Arithmetic Equation for Counting Heat of Formation of Biomass

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:33:42 +0000

Heat of formation is a critical parameter which represents the stability of matter and helps the understanding of the nature of chemical conversions. Biomass is a renewable energy material, however, there is very limited study on heat of formation of biomass. This situation inhibits study on the thermal nature of biomolecules and the counting of heat of bioconversions. The goal of this research is to formulate a simple mathematical equation for counting heat of formation of biomass. The research is divided into three sections: (i) determination of theoretical higher heating value by an empirical formula of biomass, (ii) identification of the relationship between atomic coefficients of empirical formula and stoichiometric coefficients of organic combustion, and (iii) counting of heat of formation of biomass in a thermochemical organic combustion equation. The research concludes that for any given empirical formula of biomass, the corresponding standard heat of formation can be determined by the established mathematical thermochemical organic combustion equation.

Thermochemical Buswell’s Equation for Biohydrogen: Counting Heat of Dark Fermentation

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:56:06 +0000

Dark fermentation is an anaerobic microbial-mediated redox system represented by Buswell’s equation for biohydrogen, in which thermal parameters such as theoretical higher heating value and energy conversion efficiency are applied to evaluate the degradability performance of organic matter, but the standard heat of Buswell’s equation for biohydrogen has not been established. Likewise, the standard heat of biohydrolysis and standard heat of bioredox, two sub-reactions of dark fermentation, have not yet been established. This study uses the stoichiometric Buswell’s equation for biohydrogen as an energy model to quantify the standard heat of Buswell’s equation for biohydrogen, the standard heat of biohydrolysis, and the standard heat of bioredox. Through the integration of the theoretical higher heating value of organic matter and mathematical thermal mathematical equation of Buswell’s equation for biohydrogen, this study concludes that (i) the standard heat of Buswell’s equation for biohydrogen is demonstrated as an endothermic reaction, (ii) the standard heat of Buswell’s equation for biohydrogen is identified as the sum of the standard heat of biohydrolysis and the standard heat of bioredox, (iii) the standard heat of bioredox can be calculated using the theoretical higher heating value of organic matter via the derived mathematical equation, and (iv) the standard heat of biohydrolysis can be determined by the difference between the standard heat of Buswell’s equation for biohydrogen and the standard heat of bioredox.

Synthesis and In Vitro Evaluation of Curcumin Analog Compunds Derived from p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde on Vero and T47D Cell Lines, and In Silico Studies on EGFR, Bcl-2, and p53 Mutant Proteins

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:45:01 +0000

Curcumin analogue compounds derived from benzaldehyde moieties originating from p-dimethylaminebenzaldehyde namely (1E,4E)-1,5-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]penta-1,4-dien-3-one (A1) and (3E,5E)-1-benzyl-3,5-bis[[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]methylidene]piperidin-4-one (A2), were synthesized through a base-catalyzed condensation using a sonication method. The reaction proceeded to afford a yellow crystalline product in 74.31% and 91.02% yield. The synthesized compounds were fully characterized using ATR-IR, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR. In addition, in silico studies were performed to evaluate the binding affinity of the curcumin analogues against key cancer-related proteins, including EGFR, Bcl-2, and p53 mutant, using AutoDock Vina. Docking results revealed that the analogues (A1 and A2) exhibited higher binding affinity toward EGFR and mutant p53 compared to curcumin and the native ligands. For Bcl-2, the analogues displayed a binding affinity higher than curcumin but lower than the native ligand. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated using the MTT assay on T47D breast cancer cells and normal Vero cells. The curcumin analogues (A1 and A2) demonstrated very strong cytotoxic activity with an IC₅₀ of 10.09 μg/mL and 7.66 μg/mL while curcumin exhibited an IC₅₀ of 4.010 μg/mL. Both compounds showed high selectivity toward cancer cells over normal cells. These findings indicate that the synthesized curcumin analogue possesses promising anticancer potential supported by both computational and biological evaluations.

Integration of Mathematical Framework and Thermochemical Equation for Counting Heat of Anaerobic Digestion, Heat of Bioredox, and Heat of Biohydrolysis

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 07:10:14 +0000

Anaerobic digestion is a microorganism-mediated bioredox and bioenergy system composed of series of biochemical conversions. Although heat of anaerobic digestion is an important thermal parameter, it has rarely been measured and calculated. In addition, heat of biohydrolysis and heat of bioredox for anaerobic digestion have not yet been explored. This study establishes Buswell’s equation as an energy model to quantify standard heat of anaerobic digestion, standard heat of biohydrolysis, and standard heat of bioredox. Examples for counting standard heat of anaerobic digestion are demonstrated by integrating theoretical mathematical framework and thermochemical equation of Buswell’s equation. Based on the derived mathematical equations, standard heat of anaerobic digestion, standard heat of biohydrolysis, and standard heat of bioredox can be determined accordingly. The graphical correlation between standard heat of biohydrolysis and standard heat of bioredox shows very strong linear relationship.

X-ray Diffraction Signatures of Highly Critical Rare Earth Element Oxides from Nova Scotian Coal Fly Ash Samples

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 22:18:19 +0000

This paper investigates the occurrence of rare earth elements (REEs) in coal fly ash (CFA) as a potential alternative source of critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy applications and advanced chemical technologies. In this study, bulk CFA samples from Lingan and Point Aconi power stations in Nova Scotia were characterized to assess the presence of highly critical rare earth element oxides (HCREEOs) and REE-bearing mineral phases. X‑ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted on both bulk materials and fine fractions (<45μm). Moisture content, particle size distribution, and carbon content were additionally measured to support resource assessment and extend prior research that focused primarily on environmental implications of CFA.

Both CFA samples exhibited low moisture and carbon contents, although the Lingan sample contained comparatively higher carbon content than the Point Aconi sample. Particle-size analysis revealed that the Lingan CFA is dominated by fine and ultrafine particles, whereas the Point Aconi CFA is enriched in intermediate fractions, with both materials largely demonstrating particle sizes within the 75–150μm range.

The identification of REE-bearing phases in these samples indicates the potential for further evaluation of CFA as a viable feedstock for REE recovery. These findings support further investigation into the technical and economic feasibility of commercial extraction of critical REEs from coal fly ash resources from Nova Scotia.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 18, No. 1

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:08:18 +0000

International Journal of Chemistry wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal is greatly appreciated. Many authors, regardless of whether International Journal of Chemistry publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers.

Reviewers for Volume 18, Number 1

Ahmet Ozan Gezerman, Toros Agri-Industry, Research and Development Center, Turkey

Daniel Rivera-Vazquez, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, USA

Ho Soon Min, INTI International University, Malaysia

Kevin C. Cannon, Penn State Abington, USA

Khaldun Mohammad Al Azzam, The University of Jordan, Jordan

Nanthaphong Khamthong, Rangsit University, Thailand

Nejib Hussein Mekni, Al Manar University, Tunisia

Sitaram Acharya, Dallas College, USA

Tony Di Feo, Natural Resources Canada, Canada

Albert John

On behalf of,

The Editorial Board of International Journal of Chemistry

Canadian Center of Science and Education