1. Life cycle assessment (LCA) of the impact on the environment of a cosmetic cream with gold nanoparticles and hydroxylated fullerene ingredientsRebeka Rudolf, Peter Majerič, Zorka Novak-Pintarič, Andrej Horvat, Damjan Krajnc, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This review provides a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a cosmetic cream to assess the environmental impacts throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal, using the methodology according to international standards. The LCA was performed using the OpenLCA 2.0.1 software, with data from the Ecoinvent 3.8 database and relevant literature. The assessment focused on multiple impact categories, including climate change, acidification, eutrophication (freshwater, marine and terrestrial), ecotoxicity (freshwater), human toxicity (cancer and non-cancer), ionizing radiation, land use, ozone depletion, photochemical ozone formation, resource use (fossils, minerals and metals), and water use. The LCA of a cosmetic cream containing gold nanoparticles revealed significant environmental impacts across critical categories. The total climate change potential was 2596.95 kg CO2 eq., driven primarily by nanoparticle synthesis (60.7%) and electricity use (31.9%). Eutrophication of freshwater had the highest normalized result (3.000), with nanoparticle synthesis contributing heavily, indicating the need for improved wastewater treatment. The resource use (minerals and metals) scored 1.856, while the freshwater ecotoxicity reached 80,317.23 CTUe, both driven by the nanoparticle production. The human toxicity potentials were 1.39 × 10−6 CTUh (cancer) and 7.45 × 10−5 CTUh (non-cancer), linked to emissions from synthesis and energy use. The LCA of the cosmetic cream revealed several critical areas of environmental impact. The most significant impacts are associated with gold nanoparticle synthesis and electricity use. Addressing these impacts through optimized synthesis processes, improved energy efficiency, and alternative materials can enhance the product’s sustainability profile significantly. Keywords: life cycle assessment, cosmetic cream, environmental impacts, gold nanoparticles Published in DKUM: 17.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 9
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2. Vpliv gnojenja z izrabljenim gobjim substratom na aktivnost talnih encimov v posameznih letnih časih : magistrsko deloAna Štuhec, 2024, master's thesis Abstract: Izrabljen substrat za gobe (IGS) je stranski proizvod gojenja gob, ki sestoji iz raznovrstnih organskih materialov. Po nekaj sezonah rabe se substrat izčrpa in praviloma velja za odpadek, vendar sodobne raziskave nakazujejo številne koristne možnosti uporabe izrabljenega gobjega substrata. V projektni raziskavi se je IGS uporabljal kot organsko gnojilo na treh različnih lokacijah v ekološki, integrirani in biodinamični pridelavi paradižnika v rastlinjakih. V vsaki od pridelav se je v triplikatih testiralo gnojenje z SMS, standardno gnojenje (S), SMS+S in kontrola brez gnojenja. V sklopu magistrskega dela smo na obravnavanih lokacijah jemali vzorce zemlje v vseh letnih časih, v vzorcih pa smo analizirali aktivnost encimov N-acetil-glukozaminidaza (NAG), fosfataza (PHOS), beta-glukozidaza (β0GLU), arilsulfataza (ARS), ureaza (URE), arilamidaza (ARN), alkalna fosfataza (PAK) in kisla fosfataza (PAC) po standardu ISO 20130:2018- Kakovost tal - Merjenje encimske aktivnosti v vzorcih tal s kolorimetričnimi substrati na mikrotitrski plošči. Primerjali smo razlike v encimski aktivnosti med posameznimi letnimi časi ter med različnimi načini gnojenja. Rezultati so pokazali, da različni letni časi vplivajo na aktivnost encimov v tleh, medtem ko dodatek gobjega substrata kot gnojila ne povzroči nujno povišanja encimske aktivnosti. Keywords: talni encimi, izrabljen gobji substrat, aktivnost, gnojenje, kmetijstvo Published in DKUM: 03.09.2024; Views: 52; Downloads: 40
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3. Vpliv cemprinovega lesa na rast plesni penicillum roqueforte in asperqillus niger : magistrsko deloBranka Kristl, 2024, master's thesis Abstract: V magistrskem delu smo testirali vpliv cemprinovega lesa na rast gliv in oblikovanje spor Aspergillus niger ter Penicillium roqueforte. Vpliv lesa smo testirali tako, da smo glive inkubirali v škatlah iz cemprinovega lesa. Kot primerjalno kontrolo za analizo rasti gliv smo uporabili še škatle iz bukovega in smrekovega lesa, plastike in čisto eterično olje
cemprina. Največji zaviralni učinek na rast testiranih gliv smo opazili v škatlah iz cemprinovega lesa, sledile so plastične škatle z dodatkom eteričnega olja cemprina. Rast gliv v drugih škatlah je bila primerljiva. Cemprinov les je imel največji zaviralni učinek na rast glive P. roqueforte, hkrati pa je zavrl tudi oblikovanje spor gliv. Cemprinov les ima zaradi svojih protiglivnih lastnosti potencial za uporabo v živilski industriji kot material
za izdelavo škatel za shranjevanje kruha in končnih pekovskih izdelkov, kjer sta pojav in kvar zaradi plesni pogosta. Keywords: Pinus cembra, cemprin, Penicillium roqueforte, Aapergillus niger, protiglivno delovanje Published in DKUM: 03.09.2024; Views: 47; Downloads: 21
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4. A waste separation system based on sensor technology and deep learning: a simple approach applied to a case study of plastic packaging wasteRok Pučnik, Monika Dokl, Yee Van Fan, Annamaria Vujanović, Zorka Novak-Pintarič, Kathleen B. Aviso, Raymond R. Tan, Bojan Pahor, Zdravko Kravanja, Lidija Čuček, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: waste management, smart waste bin system, central post-sorting, sensor technology, deep learning, convolutional neural networks Published in DKUM: 23.08.2024; Views: 51; Downloads: 8
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5. 7th International Conference on Technologies & Business Models for Circular Economy : book of abstracts2024 Abstract: The 7th International Conference on Technologies & Business Models for Circular Economy (TBMCE) was organized by the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor in collaboration with the Strategic Research and Innovation Partnership - Networks for the Transition into Circular Economy (SRIP- Circular Economy), managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Štajerska. The conference was held in Portorož, Slovenia, at the Grand Hotel Bernardin from September 4th to September 6th, 2024. EIT RawMaterials RIS Hub Adria, SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency and Pomurje Technology Park (as part of the GREENE 4.0 and CI-Hub projects) have joined us as co-organizers. TBMCE 2024 was devoted to presentations of circular economy concepts, technologies and methodologies that contribute to the shift of business entities and society as a whole to a more responsible, circular management of resources. The conference program included panel discussions, plenary and keynote sessions, oral and poster presentations on the following topics: Sustainable Energy, Biomass and Alternative Raw Materials, Circular Business Models, Secondary Raw Materials and Functional Materials, ICT in Circular Economy, Processes and Technologies. Panel discussions addressed following topics: Circular Economy Transition in South East Europe, The transition to carbon neutrality in energy intensive industry, Valorization of used and contaminated wood, Circular economy trends in construction, Critical raw materials and circular economy transition, Industrial Symbiosis and its opportunities for industry, AI and circular economy. The event was under the patronage of Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport and Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development. Keywords: circular economy, sustainable development, processes and technologies, circular business models, research and development Published in DKUM: 22.08.2024; Views: 93; Downloads: 22
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6. A spatial decision support system for traffic accident prevention in different weather conditionsDanijel Ivajnšič, David Pintarič, Jaša Veno Grujić, Igor Žiberna, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Natural conditions play an important role as determinants and cocreators of the spatiotemporal road traffic accident Hot Spot footprint; however, none of the modern commercial, or open-source, navigation systems currently provides it for the driver. Our findings, based on a spatiotemporal database recording 11 years of traffic accidents in Slovenia, proved that different weather conditions yield distinct spatial patterns of dangerous road segments. All potentially dangerous road segments were identified and incorporated into a mobile spatial decision support system (SLOCrashInfo), which raises awareness among drivers who are entering or leaving the predefined danger zones on the street network. It is expected that such systems could potentially increase road traffic safety in the future. Keywords: GIS, mobile application, spatial databases, spatial patterns, traffic safety Published in DKUM: 20.08.2024; Views: 63; Downloads: 11
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7. Probiotic mechanisms affecting glucose homeostasis : a scoping reviewMaša Pintarič, Tomaž Langerholc, 2022, review article Abstract: The maintenance of a healthy status depends on the coexistence between the host organism and the microbiota. Early studies have already focused on the nutritional properties of probiotics, which may also contribute to the structural changes in the gut microbiota, thereby affecting host metabolism and homeostasis. Maintaining homeostasis in the body is therefore crucial and is reflected at all levels, including that of glucose, a simple sugar molecule that is an essential fuel for normal cellular function. Despite numerous clinical studies that have shown the effect of various probiotics on glucose and its homeostasis, knowledge about the exact function of their mechanism is still scarce. The aim of our review was to select in vivo and in vitro studies in English published in the last eleven years dealing with the effects of probiotics on glucose metabolism and its homeostasis. In this context, diverse probiotic effects at different organ levels were highlighted, summarizing their potential mechanisms to influence glucose metabolism and its homeostasis. Variations in results due to different methodological approaches were discussed, as well as limitations, especially in in vivo studies. Further studies on the interactions between probiotics, host microorganisms and their immunity are needed. Keywords: probiotic, mechanism, glucose, metabolism, homeostasis Published in DKUM: 28.06.2024; Views: 415; Downloads: 14
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9. Antimicrobial properties of different hop (Humulus lupulus) genotypesZala Kolenc, Tomaž Langerholc, Gregor Hostnik, Miha Ocvirk, Sara Štumpf, Maša Pintarič, Iztok Jože Košir, Andreja Čerenak, Alenka Garmut, Urban Bren, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The antimicrobial activity of hop extracts obtained from different hop genotypes were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus and Lactobacillus acidophilus. In this study the pure xanthohumol, purified β-acids rich fraction, as well as α-acids with β-acids rich fraction were used to test antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Lactobacillus acidophilus; whereby, the antimicrobial activity of different hop extracts against Lactobacillus acidophilus was studied for the first time. Microbial susceptibility to purified hydroacetonic extracts from different hop varieties was investigated by the broth microdilution assay to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The hop hydroacetonic extracts were more effective against Staphylococcus aureus than against Lactobacillus acidophilus. Strong inverse correlations of MIC and MBC values were obtained with xanthohumol, cohumulone, n+adhumulone, colupulone and n+adlupulone contents, suggesting that the identified chemical hop compounds are directly responsible for antimicrobial effects. Moreover, the effect of the growth medium strength on the MIC values of hop extracts against Staphylococcus aureus was systematically investigated for the first time. The current study also reveals the effect of different hop extracts on Staphylococcus aureus, which responds to their presence by lag phase extension and generation time prolongation. Keywords: hop extract, xanthohumol, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration Published in DKUM: 09.05.2024; Views: 203; Downloads: 18
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