A miniaturized solid-phase extraction of two tropane alkaloids (TAs) and twenty-one pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) from infusions of dry edible flowers using optimized µSPEed^® technique was developed. The optimization of the µSPEed^® methodology involved testing different cartridges and comparing various volumes and numbers of loading cycles. The final conditions allowed for a rapid extraction, taking only 3.5 min. This was achieved using a C18-ODS cartridge, conditioning with 100 µL of methanol (two cycles), loading 100 µL of the infusion sample (seven cycles), and eluting the analytes with 100 µL of methanol (two cycles). Prior to their analysis by UHPLC-IT-MS/MS, the extracts were evaporated and reconstituted in 100 µL of water (0.2% formic acid)/methanol (0.2% ammonia) 95:5 (v/v), allowing for a preconcentration factor of seven times. The methodology was successfully validated obtaining recoveries ranging between 87 and 97%, RSD of less than 12%, and MQL between 0.09 and 0.2 µg/L. The validated methodology was applied to twenty samples of edible flower infusions to evaluate the safety of these products. Two infusion samples obtained from Acmella oleracea and Viola tricolor were contaminated with 0.16 and 0.2 µg/L of scopolamine (TA), respectively, while the infusion of Citrus aurantium was contaminated with intermedine and lycopsamine (PAs) below the MQL. Full article

This study aims to focus on developing a food supplement for the geriatric population using disposal mushrooms, oats, and lactose-free milk powder. Lactose intolerance is most common in older adults, raising the demand for lactose-free foods. One of the major global challenges currently faced by humankind is food waste (FW). Most of the food that is produced for human consumption has not been utilized completely (1/3rd–1/2 unutilized), resulting in agricultural food waste. Mushrooms are highly valuable in terms of their nutritional value and medicinal properties; however, a significant percentage of mushroom leftovers are produced during mushroom production that do not meet retailers’ standards (deformation of caps/stalks) and are left unattended. Oats are rich in dietary fibre beta-glucan (55% water soluble; 45% water insoluble). Lactose-free milk powder, oats, and dried mushroom leftover powder were blended in different ratios. It was observed that increasing the amount of mushroom leftover powder increases the protein content while diluting calories. The product with 15% mushroom powder and 30% oat powder showed the highest sensory scores and the lowest microbial count. The GCMS and FTIR analyses confirmed the presence of ergosterol and other functional groups. The results of the XRD analysis showed that the product with 15% mushroom powder and 30% oat powder had a less crystalline structure than the product with 5% mushroom powder and 40% oat powder and the product with 10% mushroom powder and 35% oat powder, resulting in more solubility. The ICP-OES analysis showed significant concentrations of calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and zinc. The coliform count was nil for the products, and the bacterial count was below the limited range (3 × 10² cfu/g). The product with 15% mushroom powder and 30% oat powder showed the best results, so this developed product is recommended for older adults. Full article

People of all age groups consume cookies every day. Consumers’ preferences for cookies supplemented with functional plant raw materials have recently increased. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the influence of a mulberry leaf additive on the proximate and mineral compositions, total phenolic and total chlorophyll content, antioxidant activity, and the hardness and color properties of butter cookies. Wheat and rice flour butter cookies were prepared by replacing the flour with mulberry leaf powder at 0, 4, 8, and 12% (w/w). The results revealed that the investigated chemical and physical characteristics of butter cookies depend on the flour used (rice or wheat) and the addition of mulberry leaf powder. Wheat and rice flour cookies with 12% mulberry leaf powder had the significantly highest contents of fiber (20.34 and 20.23%, respectively), ash (1.73 and 1.75%, respectively), K (170.22 and 160.22 mg 100 g⁻¹, respectively), and Ca (170.45 and 160.68 mg 100 g⁻¹, respectively). The rice flour cookies enriched with 12% leaf powder had the greatest amounts of total phenolics (1.48 mg 100 g⁻¹), Zn (12.25 mg kg⁻¹), Mn (6.28 mg kg⁻¹), Cu (1.95 mg kg⁻¹), and antioxidant activity (67.98%). However, the wheat cookies without mulberry leaf powder contained the most B (9.12 mg kg⁻¹), while the no-added rice cookies contained the most Fe (14.30 mg kg⁻¹). Replacing flour with leaf powder increased the cookies’ hardness and decreased their lightness. In conclusion, enriching butter cookies with freeze-dried mulberry leaves can improve their nutritional value and antioxidant activity. Full article

This Special Issue (SI) of Foods, entitled “Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterization, and Potential Application”, was focused on algal organisms, both microalgae and macroalgae, which have recently been recognized as new, cost-effective, and valuable sources of health-promoting nutrients and bioactive compounds with a full spectrum of activities and beneficial effects on health [...] Full article

To enhance protection against corrosion and ice on iron metal material in frigid zones, an organic silicone resin coating was prepared using four monomers. Its structure and performance was analyzed via infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and thermal analysis (TG). Corrosion resistance of coating was tested by saltwater resistance and salt spray resistance and assessed using an electrochemical workstation, alongside anti-icing tests. The results showed that the organic silicone resin was successfully synthesized. The coatings could delay freezing onset by one-third compared to controls in low temperatures, with a detachment time also reduced by one-third, indicating excellent corrosion and ice resistance. The methylphenyl silicone resin had good anti-corrosion and anti-ice properties, with a low corrosion current density (i_corr) of 0.8793 μA/cm² and a high charge transfer resistance (R_ct) of 24,930 Ω·cm² in saline. Full article

Additive manufacturing (AM) is often used to create designs inspired by topology optimization and biological structures, yielding unique cross-sectional geometries spanning across scales. However, manufacturing defects intrinsic to AM can affect material properties, limiting the applicability of a uniform material model across diverse cross-sections. To examine this phenomenon, this paper explores the influence of specimen size and layer height on the compressive modulus of polycarbonate (PC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) specimens fabricated using fused filament fabrication (FFF). Micro-computed tomography imaging and compression testing were conducted on the printed samples. The results indicate that while variations in the modulus were statistically significant due to both layer height and size of the specimen in TPU, variations in PC were only statistically significant due to layer height. The highest elastic modulus was observed at a 0.2 mm layer height for both materials across different sizes. These findings offer valuable insights into design components for FFF, emphasizing the importance of considering mechanical property variations due to feature size, especially in TPU. Furthermore, locations with a higher probability of failure are recommended to be printed closer to the print bed, especially for TPU, because of the lower void volume fraction observed near the heated print bed. Full article

Background: While some long-term effects of COVID-19 are respiratory in nature, a non-respiratory effect gaining attention has been a decline in hemoglobin, potentially mediated by inflammatory processes. In this study, we examined the correlations between hemoglobin levels and inflammatory biomarkers and evaluated the association between hemoglobin and fatigue in a cohort of Long-COVID patients. Methods: This prospective cohort study in the Netherlands evaluated 95 (mostly hospitalized) patients, aged 40–65 years, 3–6 months post SARS-CoV-2 infection, examining their venous hemoglobin concentration, anemia (hemoglobin < 7.5 mmol/L in women and <8.5 mmol/L in men), inflammatory blood biomarkers, average FSS (Fatigue Severity Score), demographics, and clinical features. Follow-up hemoglobin was compared against hemoglobin during acute infection. Spearman correlation was used for assessing the relationship between hemoglobin concentrations and inflammatory biomarkers, and the association between hemoglobin and fatigue was examined using logistic regression. Results: In total, 11 (16.4%) participants were suffering from anemia 3–6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mean hemoglobin value increased by 0.3 mmol/L 3–6 months after infection compared to the hemoglobin during the acute phase (p-value = 0.003). Whilst logistic regression showed that a 1 mmol/L greater increase in hemoglobin is related to a decrease in experiencing fatigue in Long-COVID patients (adjusted OR 0.38 [95%CI 0.13–1.09]), we observed no correlations between hemoglobin and any of the inflammatory biomarkers examined. Conclusion: Our results indicate that hemoglobin impairment might play a role in developing Long-COVID fatigue. Further investigation is necessary to identify the precise mechanism causing hemoglobin alteration in these patients. Full article

Grain boundary (GB) precipitation-induced cracking is a significant issue for S31254 super austenitic stainless steel during hot working. Investigating the deformation behavior based on precipitate morphology and distribution is essential. In this study, continuous smaller and intermittent larger precipitates were obtained through heat treatments at 950 °C and 1050 °C. The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties influenced by precipitates were experimentally investigated using an in situ tensile stage inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM) combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The results showed that continuous precipitates at 950 °C had a stronger pinning effect on the GB, making grain rotation difficult and promoting slip deformation in the plastic interval. Continuous precipitates caused severe stress concentration near GB and reduced coordinated deformation ability. Additionally, the crack propagation path changed from transcrystalline to intercrystalline. Furthermore, internal precipitates were a crucial factor affecting the initial crack nucleation position. Interconnected precipitates led to an intergranular fracture tendency and severe deterioration of the material’s plasticity, as observed in fracture morphology. Full article

The challenges resulting from rapid economic growth, urbanization, and increased motorization in developing nations necessitate a comprehensive and sustainable approach to urban public transport planning. While sustainable urban public transport (SUPT) planning offers a solution, the complexity of choosing suitable policy measure options remains a challenge. This study first introduces a decision support framework (DSF) that integrates the sustainable urban public transport manual (SUPTM) adopted for generating the potential SUPT policy measure options, the KonSULT knowledge base applied for providing the performance scores of each measure option for all determined criteria, and the HMADM (including FAHP, FSM, and TOPSIS) technique to create, rank, and select SUPT policy measure options tailored to medium-sized urban areas in developing nations. A case study of Khon Kaen City, Thailand, illustrates the practical application of the framework, resulting in a set of 31 (91.2%) out of the total of 34 ranked policy measure options. Comparing these prioritizations with the city’s existing plan reveals a substantial agreement, which suggests the potential applicability of the DSF. Overall, the DSF marks a significant advancement in SUPT planning, which is crucial for shaping efficient, equitable, and environmentally conscious urban mobility in developing countries, which are undergoing transformative change. Full article

Although Chalcidoidea is one of the megadiverse superfamilies in Hymenoptera, numerous species are still being discovered and described. However, the difficulties in delimiting intra- and interspecific variation hinder this process. In this study, DNA barcoding methods using the COI gene were employed to investigate the morphological variation within Dzhanokmenia Kostjukov, 1977. The nuclear locus, 28S D2, was used to infer a phylogeny to gain an understanding of the relationship of Dzhanokmenia with other potentially close genera. Through a preliminary DNA barcode library established here, including eight species, we calibrated the intraspecific variation in certain diagnostic characters for the new species described here, D. brevifunis Ganbaatar & Cao sp. nov. Maximum likelihood results show that Dzhanokmenia is clustered with the genera associated with Tetrastichus, such as Chaenotetrastichus Graham, 1987, Baryscapus Förster, 1856, Tetrastichus Haliday, 1844, and Oomyzus Rondani, 1870 involved in this study. Our results indicate that the species diversity of Dzhanokmenia is understudied and tentatively confirm that Dzhanokmenia has a potential close relationship with Baryscapus. Along with the DNA barcode library, the referenced phylogeny datasets improve the understanding of the systematic position of Dzhanokmenia within the subfamily Tetrastichinae and the definition of this genus in terms of morphology, thereby facilitating species delimitation, discovery, and description within Dzhanokmenia. Full article

Near-field direct-writing electrospinning technology can be used to produce ordered micro/nanofiber membrane dressings. The application of this technology can simply realize the control of dressing porosity, compound different functional substances, and adjust their distribution, thus improving the defects of common dressings such as insufficient breathability, poor moisture retention performance, and single function. Herein, a novel multifunctional wound dressing was prepared to utilize near-field direct-writing electrospinning technology, in which calf skin collagen type I (CSC-I) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were used as the composite matrix, Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as the solvent, and erythromycin (ERY) as an anti-infective drug component. The results show that the micro/nanofiber membranes prepared by near-field direct-writing electrospinning technology can all present a complete mesh structure, excellent thermal stability, and good moisturizing properties. Moreover, the composite fiber membrane loaded with ERY not only had obvious antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. thermophilus but also a better slow-release function of drugs (it is rare to have both in traditional wound dressings). Therefore, this experimental design can provide relevant theories and an experimental foundation for preparing a new type of medical dressing with drug loading and has good guiding significance for the application and promotion of near-field direct-writing electrospinning in medical dressings. Full article

Heat treatment is the critical step in achieving a refined microstructure and enhanced mechanical properties of TiAl-based alloys. This study investigated the influence of heat treatment temperature, cooling method, and heat treatment time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an extruded powder metallurgy Ti-48Al alloy, and achieved the control of fully lamellar fine microstructures and the enhancement of performance through a simple heat treatment, rather than the traditional approach of homogenization followed by heat treatment. The results indicate that the heat treatment temperature determines the type of microstructure, while the cooling rate dictates the lamellar width. As the heat treatment temperature was increased from the two-phase region to the α single-phase region, the microstructure transitioned from duplex to near lamellar, and the alloy strength initially increased and then decreased, influenced by both the lamellar colony ratio and grain size. A rapid cooling rate (water quenching) induces a non-diffusive massive phase transformation, whereas a slow cooling rate (air cooling) gradually forms α₂/γ lamellar colonies. Therefore, a suitable heat treatment regime for the powder metallurgy Ti-48Al alloy was determined to be 1340 °C/5 min/air cooling. The microstructure of the alloy was near lamellar, consisting of lamellar colonies approximately 50 μm and a small number of γ equiaxed grains of about 10 μm. Subsequently, the alloy exhibited a room temperature tensile strength of 784 MPa and a yield strength of 763 MPa, representing improvements of 17.0% and 38.7% over the extruded alloy, respectively. This research provides a reference for establishing a heat treatment process for powder metallurgy TiAl alloys. Full article

Na₄Fe₃(PO₄)₂P₂O₇/C (NFPP) is a promising cathode material for sodium-ion batteries, but its electrochemical performance is heavily impeded by its low electronic conductivity. To address this, pure-phase Mo⁶⁺-doped Na₄Fe_3−xMo_x(PO₄)₂P₂O₇/C (Mox-NFPP, x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) with the Pn21a space group is successfully synthesized through spray drying and annealing methods. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that Mo⁶⁺ doping facilitates the transition of electrons from the valence to the conduction band, thus enhancing the intrinsic electron conductivity of Mox-NFPP. With an optimal Mo⁶⁺ doping level of x = 0.10, Mo0.10-NFPP exhibits lower charge transfer resistance, higher sodium-ion diffusion coefficients, and superior rate performance. As a result, the Mo0.10-NFPP cathode offers an initial discharge capacity of up to 123.9 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C, nearly reaching its theoretical capacity. Even at a high rate of 10 C, it delivers a high discharge capacity of 86.09 mAh g⁻¹, maintaining 96.18% of its capacity after 500 cycles. This research presents a new and straightforward strategy to enhance the electrochemical performance of NFPP cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Full article

The “321” prefabricated highway steel truss bridge is widely used for highway rescue, disaster relief, and emergency traffic. This paper uses a 33 m double-row monolayer “321” prefabricated highway steel truss bridge to analyze its mechanical properties and component stability. The actual traffic flow capacity of a total weight of 53.32 tons is used in this study. The results show that the maximum internal force in the truss chord (including the stiffening chord) occurs in the middle span section when a centrally distributed load is applied. Meanwhile, the maximum internal force of truss diagonal members and truss vertical bars appears at the fulcrum section. Under the eccentrically distributed load, the maximum internal forces of truss chords (including stiffening chords) appear in the middle span section, which is closest to the vehicle load, while the maximum internal forces of truss diagonal members and truss vertical bars appear in the fulcrum section, which is closest to the vehicle load. While the maximum internal forces under the eccentrically distributed load are greater than the maximum internal forces under the centered-layout load, under the vehicle load, truss chords (including stiffening chords) are prone to buckling instability, and the buckling mode is mainly reverse out-of-plane buckling. The inclined members of the truss are prone to buckling instability, and the buckling mode is mainly the combination of out-of-plane bending and two-way out-of-plane bending. Truss vertical bars have good stability and are not easy to buckle. The main conclusions of this paper can provide references for the optimal design and operation safety of prefabricated highway steel truss bridges. Full article

The resolution of conventional optical microscopy is restricted by the diffraction limit. Light waves containing higher-frequency information about the sample are bound to the sample surface and cannot be collected by far-field optical microscopy. To break the resolution limit, researchers have proposed various far-field super-resolution (SR) microscopy imaging methods using evanescent waves to transfer the high-frequency information of samples to the low-frequency passband of optical microscopy. Optimization algorithms are developed to reconstruct a SR image of the sample by utilizing the high-frequency information. These techniques can be collectively referred to as spatial-frequency-shift (SFS) SR microscopy. This review aims to summarize the basic principle of SR microscopy using evanescent illumination and introduce the advances in this research area. Some current challenges and possible directions are also discussed. Full article

The management of urban flood disasters is a systematic engineering project that requires a great amount of manpower, material resources, and financial resources, and the interaction and coordination degrees of various elements in the system deeply affect the efficiency of the final governance. According to the theories of synergy, composite systems, and sustainable development, this research first established an evaluation index system to determine the synergy degree of urban flood disaster emergency management from the four dimensions of prevention and preparation, monitoring and early warning, response and rescue, and recovery and reconstruction. Then, the synergy degree was explored by using the developed composite system synergy degree model on the basis of the panel data of 18 prefecture-level cities in Henan Province from 2013 to 2021, and synergy level change characteristics were analyzed from the perspectives of time and space. Finally, the obstacle degree model was applied to explore the obstacle factors affecting synergy degree development. The results showed that the overall level of the urban flood disaster emergency management coordination degree in Henan Province was relatively low, and there were significant differences in synergy among cities. Among them, 12 cities presented mild synergy, and 6 cities showed mild nonsynergy. The spatial correlation of the synergy degree was not stable, which revealed a lack of mature coordination mechanisms for flood disaster emergency management among cities. The analysis of obstacle factors showed that recovery and reconstruction subsystems were the main obstacle systems that affected the synergy degree. Full article

Cucumbers are a popular vegetable consumed worldwide and are known for their nutritional value, containing carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamin C, etc. The abundance of a high moisture content is correlated to cucumber perishability, which encourages investigation into ways to maintain its quality and increase shelf-life. This study was carried out to determine the effect of a moringa oil–beeswax coating on the quality of fresh cucumber at different storage temperatures for 27 days of storage. Freshly harvested cucumbers were divided into two groups: the first group was coated with the moringa oil–beeswax edible coating, while the other one was not coated (control). Each group was divided into three other subgroups, for storage at 4, 10, and 22 °C. Different quality parameters, including weight loss, color change, firmness, total soluble solid (TSS), vitamin C, and pH, were evaluated. The findings showed that the weight loss of cucumber was highly increased in non-coated samples stored at high temperature. After 27 days of storage, the highest and lowest weight reduction % were recorded for non-coated cucumbers stored at 22 °C (38.09%) and moringa oil–beeswax-coated cucumbers stored at 10 °C (12.35%), respectively. Color analysis revealed that coating had a significant impact on color values, with distinct patterns in lightness, redness-greenness, and yellowness values for both treatments at various temperatures and days. The lightness values showed minimal fluctuations and stabilized at 13.65 at both 4 °C and 10 °C. Temperature and coating had a significant impact on pH levels, with the coating potentially exhibiting a protective effect on pH stability, particularly at lower temperatures (4 °C). Additionally, both groups’ total acidity levels held steady over time and at various temperatures, with the coating having a highly significant effect on total acidity levels. The amount of vitamin C varied significantly with temperature and storage period, but the coating did not affect vitamin C content. At 22 °C, there were notable variations in the vitamin C content over the storage period, with a final value of 37.7 mg/L on coated samples. Temperature and the duration of storage (p < 0.05) had a significant impact on the levels of total soluble solids (TSS), whereas firmness values changed significantly over the storage period only. Moringa oil–beeswax edible coating has the potential to preserve the nutritional value and quality attributes of cucumber. Full article

For the past two decades, researchers have been exploring the potential benefits of combining shape-memory polymers (SMP) with carbon nanotubes (CNT). By incorporating CNT as reinforcement in SMP, they have aimed to enhance the mechanical properties and improve shape fixity. However, the remarkable intrinsic properties of CNT have also opened up new paths for actuation mechanisms, including electro- and photo-thermal responses. This opens up possibilities for developing soft actuators that could lead to technological advancements in areas such as tissue engineering and soft robotics. SMP/CNT composites offer numerous advantages, including fast actuation, remote control, performance in challenging environments, complex shape deformations, and multifunctionality. This review provides an in-depth overview of the research conducted over the past few years on the production of SMP/CNT composites with both thermoset and thermoplastic matrices, with a focus on the unique contributions of CNT to the nanocomposite’s response to external stimuli. Full article

This study leverages the efficacy of Voronoi diagram theory within a mixed-methods approach to thoroughly examine the spatial distribution, service coverage, and optimal locations for expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Bangkok. Drawing on data from field surveys and public data providers, our analysis unfolds in four key stages. Firstly, we delve into the spatial distribution of charging stations, scrutinizing density, proximity to various road types, and land use through the lens of Voronoi diagrams. Secondly, the application of Voronoi diagrams informs the evaluation of service boundaries. Thirdly, utilizing this effective tool, we assess population density per parking slot or charging head to anticipate future EV adoption. Finally, the study introduces an approach to identify suitable locations for new charging stations through the application of overlapping Voronoi circles. Findings reveal a clustered distribution of charging stations along roads, particularly in the central business district, showcasing the efficiency of Voronoi diagrams in spatial analysis. Residential areas and urban commercial zones also host significant charging station concentrations. Notably, service coverage in inner Bangkok surpasses that of middle and outer areas, highlighting underserved regions. Prospective areas for new charging stations, identified through Voronoi analysis, include Bang Khae, Phra Khanong, Min Buri, and Huai Khwang. This research, rooted in the application of Voronoi diagram theory, offers vital insights for various stakeholders involved in urban infrastructure planning. By employing Voronoi diagrams within Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the study contributes to strategically placing charging stations, optimizing spatial understanding, and enhancing resource allocation. This GIS-based approach not only supports the rise of electric vehicles but also promotes sustainable urban development practices through the efficient utilization of spatial data and analysis techniques. Full article

Currently, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into various variants, including the numerous highly mutated Omicron sub-lineages, significantly increasing immune evasion ability. The development raises concerns about the possibly diminished effectiveness of available vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics. Here, we describe those representative categories of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that retain prominent effectiveness against emerging variants including Omicron sub-lineages. The molecular characteristics, epitope conservation, and resistance mechanisms of these antibodies are further detailed, aiming to offer suggestion or direction for the development of therapeutic antibodies, and facilitate the design of vaccines with broad-spectrum potential. Full article

Understanding the dynamics of volcanic activity is crucial for volcano observatories in their efforts to forecast volcanic hazards. Satellite imager data hold promise in offering crucial insights into the thermal behavior of active volcanoes worldwide, facilitating the assessment of volcanic activity levels and identifying significant changes during periods of volcano unrest. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor, aboard NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites, provides invaluable data with high temporal and spectral resolution, enabling comprehensive thermal monitoring of eruptive activity. The accuracy of volcanic activity characterization depends on the quality of models used to relate the relationship between volcanic phenomena and target variables such as temperature. Under these circumstances, machine learning (ML) techniques such as decision trees can be employed to develop reliable models without necessarily offering any particular or explicit insights. Here, we present a ML approach for quantifying volcanic thermal activity levels in near real time using thermal infrared satellite data. We develop an unsupervised Isolation Forest machine learning algorithm, fully implemented in Google Colab using Google Earth Engine (GEE) which utilizes MODIS Land Surface Temperature (LST) data to automatically retrieve information on the thermal state of volcanoes. We evaluate the algorithm on various volcanoes worldwide characterized by different levels of volcanic activity. Full article

Khat leaves, indigenous to eastern Africa, have been chewed for centuries for their stimulant effects, attributed to alkaloids such as cathinone and cathine. Although associated with gastric disorders like gastritis and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the morpho-anatomy of khat leaves using light microscopy and histochemistry and to assess the effects of leaf extracts and alkaloids on human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1). The study identified specific cells in the palisade–spongy transition zone as storage sites for psychoactive alkaloids. Leaf extracts were prepared by mimicking the chewing process, including a prolonged salivary phase followed by a gastric phase. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were evaluated using LDH and MTT assays, respectively. Additionally, the impact on IL-8 secretion, a key chemokine in gastric inflammation, was analysed under normal and TNF-α-stimulated conditions. The results showed no increase in cytotoxicity up to 250 µg/mL. However, there was a significant decrease in cell metabolism and a reduction in both basal and TNF-α-induced IL-8 secretion, but cathinone and cathine were inactive. These findings suggest that khat may not directly cause the gastric issues reported in the literature, which would rather be attributed to other confounding factors, highlighting the need for further research to clarify its biological impacts. Full article