TEHRAN (ANA)- Iranian researchers reduced the synthesis time, cost of compounds and environmental problems by using rice husk derivatives to produce natural catalysts.
“For the first time, we were able to obtain catalysts from rice husk and of course rice husk derivatives like rice husk ash or rice ash modified with samples of iron and titanium,” Farhad Shirini, a faculty member of the chemistry department of Gilan University, told ANA.
He explained that these catalysts, in addition to having good performance capabilities in various reactions like the synthesis of various compounds can be easily isolated and reduce environmental problems.
“We were able to use taurine as an amino acid that is present in the blood and human body by creating suitable conditions as a catalyst and use it to increase the speed of reactions, specially in the synthesis of medicinal compounds,” Shirini said.
He noted that in the research, pregabalin was used as a cheap compound in a process that in chemistry is referred to as the process of preparing optically active compounds.
In a relevant development late in 2022, Iranian researchers at Islamic Azad University’s Maraqeh branch had also used the rice bran to increase the nutritional value of apple concentrate.
“Apple concentrate is considered as a tonic for the body due to its potassium, dietary fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin C, B group vitamins and plant compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids, and is effective in the treatment of many diseases, specially cardiovascular diseases,” Minou Tayefeh Nouri, a faculty member and head of the knowledge-based department of Maraqeh branch, told ANA.
“Rice bran is also a natural source of oil, carbohydrates, lignin, phenolic compounds, proteins, enzymes and vitamins but it is mainly consumed as animal feed. In recent years, researches have been carried out on using rice bran in certain types of drinks, including grape and orange juice and good results have been obtained,” she said.
Tayefeh Nouri added that stevia plant is also a completely natural product taken directly from the nature and plants and can be a suitable substitute for sugar and since it is calorie-free, it is very useful for people who follow weight loss diets.
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Source: ANA