Optimisation of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium for Soilless Production of Cannabis sativa in the Flowering Stage Using Response Surface Analysis

Following legalisation, cannabis has quickly become an important horticultural crop in Canada and increasingly so in other parts of the world. However, due to previous legal restrictions on cannabis research there are limited scientific data on the relationship between nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) supply (collectively: NPK) and the crop yield and quality. This study examined the response of a high delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis sativa cultivar grown in deep-water culture with different nutrient solution treatments varying in their concentrations (mg L–1) of N (70, 120, 180, 250, 290), P (20, 40, 60, 80, 100), and K (60, 120, 200, 280, 340) according to a central composite design. Results demonstrated that inflorescence yield responded quadratically to N and P, with the optimal concentrations predicted to be 194 and 59 mg L–1, respectively. Inflorescence yield did not respond to K in the tested range. These results can provide guidance to cultivators when formulating nutrient solutions for soilless cannabis production and demonstrates the utility of surface response design for efficient multi-nutrient optimisation.

Optimization of N, P, K for Soilless Production of Cannabis sativa in the Flowering Stage Using Response Surface Analysis

Following legalization, cannabis has quickly become an important horticultural crop in Canada and increasingly so in other parts of the world. However, due to previous legal restrictions on cannabis research there are limited scientific data on the relationship between nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) supply (collectively: NPK) and the crop yield and quality. This study examined the response of a high delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis sativa cultivar grown in deep-water culture with different nutrient solution treatments varying in their concentrations (mg L-1) of N (70, 120, 180, 250, 290), P (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) and K (60, 120, 200, 280, 340) according to a central composite design. Results demonstrated that inflorescence yield responded quadratically to N and P, with the optimal concentrations predicted to be 194 and 59 mg L-1, respectively. Inflorescence yield did not respond to K in the tested range. These results can provide guidance to cultivators when formulating nutrient solutions for soilless cannabis production and demonstrates the utility of surface response design for efficient multi-nutrient optimization.

Natural Ingredients-Based Gummy Bear Composition Designed According to Texture Analysis and Sensory Evaluation In Vivo

The increased interest in functional materials of natural origin has resulted in a higher market demand for preservative-free, “clean label”, or natural ingredients-based products. The gummy bear food supplements are more acceptable to consumers and have fewer limitations compared to other dosage forms. The aim of our study was to produce natural ingredients-based gummy bear composition, and evaluate the influence of the selected ingredients on the product’s textural properties, its acceptance in vivo, and the gummy bear’s quality. The optimal base composition was determined using a surface response design: gelatin 4.3 g and agave syrup 6.3 g. The investigated sweeteners did not affect the textural properties (p > 0.05). However, further studies demonstrated that a 100% increase of agave results in up to 27% higher flexibility (p < 0.05). The addition of calcium and cholecalciferol reduced firmness by 59.59 ± 1.45% (p < 0.05). On the other hand, acai berry extract had no significant effect. The presence of calcium resulted in a decreased smell and taste; however, the data indicated that experimental texture analysis is a more accurate technique than in vivo evaluation. The acai berry extract did not improve all of the tested sensory properties. We can conclude that the suggested gummy bear base can be supplemented with various active ingredients and commercialized, though further studies are needed to investigate the other natural sources to mask the unpleasant taste of active ingredients and avoid water loss.

Experimental Design Methodology Applied to Mercury Determination: Hair Samples as a Mercury Bioindicator

The application of modified magnetic nanoparticles in extraction of trace Hg was investigated. For this purpose, surfaces of magnetic nanoparticles were modified by 2-picolamine and then utilized as a solid-phase sorbent for Hg(II) extraction. A statisticalmethod, based on surface response design, has been used for the optimization of Hg ion elution from the magnetic nanoparticles. The sorbed Hg ions were eluted quantitatively with 5.5 mL of a solution containing 0.8 M HCl and 0.08 M EDTA after 12 min. The recovery value in this method was 98.6% with RSD of 1.4%,and the obtained LOD was 0.01 ng/mL. The preconcentration factor was calculated to be 179. The method was applied to the determination of hair Hg content for biomonitoring purposes.

Lignin Behavior During the Autocatalyzed Methanol Pulping of Eucalyptus globulus Changes in Molecular Weight and Functionality

Summary The molecular weight distribution and functional group contents (phenolic and carbonyl) of lignin samples from the autocatalyzed pulping of Eucalyptus globulus wood were determined. A total of 17 pulping runs were carried out at different conditions according to a surface response design experimental matrix (central composite). The influence of pulping temperature (170–200°C), pulping time (40–120 min) and methanol concentration (30–70%, w/w) on the characteristics of the isolated lignins was studied. Empirical models were developed and used to predict the lignin properties as a function of the cooking conditions. Under high temperature, long cooking time and low alcohol concentration, a rise in functional groups content and a drop in molecular weight of lignin