BACKGROUND:The world is seeing a substantial rise in the awareness of the health benefits of concentrated fruit juices resulting from their nutritional, functional and sensory properties, which are similar to the availability of natural fresh fruits in the market. Watermelon concentrated juice is enriched with lycopene, an important ingredient used in functional foods such as energy drinks and nutraceutical supplements. Lycopene helps to combat the risk of cancer and heart disease, and has diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. Capturing the fresh flavor of watermelon without losing its nutritional value is a real challenge using current manufacturing techniques.RESULTS: The present investigation describes using an indigenous hydrophilized polyamide membrane for the concentration of watermelon juice by forward osmosis (FO). The process enables juice concentration by retaining the original taste, color and nutrient contents. Bench-scale experimental trials were carried out using the FO process in a countercurrent flow direction at different liquid flow rates of 1.0 to 2.0 L min −1 and draw agent solution concentrations of 0.2 to 1.0 mol L −1 NaCl. The process ensured the recovery of 96.01% lycopene from the concentrated juice, which was found satisfactory with PRO/II simulation, by removal of 70-80% pure water from the juice.Conclusions: The experimental results demonstrated that the lycopene concentration factor showed a 4.14-fold increase and could be stored successfully at 4 ± 1°C for 30 days; the degradation of lycopene followed first-order reaction kinetics. Hence, the pure extracted lycopene can be recommended for use in food, medicine, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, coloring agents and pharmaceuticals.

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The current work focuses on designing a low-cost, reusable, and highly efficient facemask for protection from respiratory droplets that cause COVID-19, other infection-causing organisms, and dust allergies. Several masks available in the market are single-use that would choke the environment through plastic pollution or are expensive for the commoner to afford. In the present study, the facemask incorporates a waste-derived polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer and a non-woven polypropylene (PP) layer sandwiched between two tightly woven cotton layers. Combining these layers provides comfort and breathability, besides high bacterial and particulate filtration efficiency. Moreover, the unique PET layer provides mechanical strength and a 3D shape that enables hindrance-free speaking and prevents spectacle fogging. Compared to commercial N95 masks, the developed mask can be reused up to 30 washes and recycled with zero waste discharge ensuing green technology. Moreover, the mask was produced at an affordable cost of Rs. 17 (0.22 USD), including labor charges, and sold at a 100% profit margin @ Rs.35 (0.45 USD) per unit. Further, the mask was certified by neutral testing agencies and provided to a population of more than 6 lakhs, thus significantly contributing to the mitigation of COVID-19. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-022-24807-7.

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