Macaroon-like FeCo2O4 modified activated carbon anode for enhancing power generation in direct glucose fuel cell

Macaroon-like FeCo₂O₄ nanomaterial was prepared and used as electrocatalyst in direct glucose alkaline fuel cell (DGAFC), which exhibited high catalytic activity towards glucose oxidation reaction. Maximum power density of 35.91 W m⁻² was achieved in the DGAFC equipped with a FeCo₂O₄ modified activated carbon (AC) anode, which was almost 151% higher than the control. Physical and electrochemical characterizations were performed to provide further understanding of the origin of its high activity. Our results show that the introduction of FeCo₂O₄ into the AC anode remarkably increase the exchange current density and reduce the charge transfer resistance. It is supposed that there is a synergistic effect between Fe (III) and Co (III), which accelerates electron transfer from glucose to external circuits. This study will promote the development of cost effective and environmentally benign catalysts for electrochemical energy applications.     

鳕鱼骨中可溶性钙提取工艺的优化

以鳕鱼骨为原料,用原子吸收分光光度法测定鳕鱼骨中可溶性钙的含量。采用酸法提取鳕鱼骨中的钙,应用响应面分析法对HCl的浓度、提取温度、反应时间及料液比进行优化。结果表明,鳕鱼骨中可溶性钙提取的最佳工艺条件为HCl浓度3mol/L、提取温度108℃、反应时间60min、料液比1:4(m:V)。该条件下鳕鱼骨中可溶性钙提取率可达22.36%。     

Effects of temperatures and storage time on resting populations of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Pseudomonas fluorescens in vitro

Assessment of microbial interactions is crucial for documenting bacterial growth in pure and mixed cultures and their potential for biological applications. Pseudomonas fluorescens (non-plant pathogenic and non-pectinolytic) has been used as a biocontrol microbe for plant pathogens and food-borne bacteria. We determined the growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (Ec) and P. fluorescens(Pf) in monocultures and co-cultures in sterile distilled water (SDW), buffered peptone water (BPW) and trypticase soy broth (TSB). The effects of temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, and 37 °C) and storage time (0, 2, 4, 6, 24, and 48 h) on bacteria populations were assessed. Bacteria counts in monocultures in SDW ranged from 2.14 to 3.03 and 2.54 to 3.31 Log CFU/ml for Ec and Pf; respectively. In BPW, mean bacteria counts (monocultures) ranged from 3.15 to 6.14 and 2.54 to 6.41 Log CFU/ml for Ec and Pf, respectively. Ec populations in co-culture varied with storage temperatures and time. After 48 h, Ec 43894 monocultures in TSB ranged from 2.17 to 8.75 and 2.31 to 8.85 Log CFU/ml at 20 and 35 °C; respectively. In co-cultures with Pf 2-79, Ec 43894 counts ranged from 1.71 to 5.83 (20 °C) and 1.90 to 9.03 Log CFU/ml (35 °C) in TSB. The reductions of Ec by Pf 2-79 varied among strains and generally ranged from 0.20 to 0.90, 0.63 to 1.18, and 0 to 0.56 Log CFU/ml in BPW (10 °C). Substrate availability, storage temperatures, and time significantly (P < 0.05) impacted Ec populations in co-culture. The liquid substrate experiments indicated suppressive conditions of Ec by Pf, however; the reduction of produce contamination by E. coli O157:H7 during transitory temperature abuse conditions such as the transportation of produce from fields needs further investigation.     

Low temperature cleanup combined with magnetic nanoparticle extraction to determine pyrethroids residue in vegetables oils

To quantify trace pesticide residue in vegetable oil rapidly, low temperature cleanup combined with magnetic nanoparticle based solid phase extraction was developed to determine eight pyrethroids in vegetable oils, including tetramethrin, fenpropathrin, cypermethrin, decamethrin, fenvalerate, acrinathrin, permethrin and bifenthrin. Polystyrene coated magnetic nanoparticles were synthesised by a modified chemical coprecipitation combined with emulsion polymerisation method. The nanoparticles were afterwards characterised by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy as well as vibrating sample magnetometer, and successfully employed as adsorbents for the magnetic solid phase extraction of pyrethroids which were cleaned up using low temperature approach in advance. Critical impact factors on the efficiency of the extraction method such as the mass of adsorbents used, volume and type of eluent solvent, extraction time as well as elution time were optimised subsequently. Regression analysis of the calibration curves of the eight pyrethroids yielded satisfactory correlation coefficients within the range of 0.980–0.998. Limit of detection and limit of quantification were calculated to be between 0.0290-0.0658 and 0.0890–0.1994 ng g⁻¹, respectively. Intra-day and inter-day reproducibility at different concentration levels also produced satisfactory recovery rates of 83.18–112.79% with relative standard deviations not exceeding 10.84% and 12.01%, respectively, suggesting desirable stability of the proposed method.     

A reliable and sensitive time-resolved fluorescent immunochromatographic assay (TRFICA) for ochratoxin A in agro-products

Immunochromatographic assays (ICAs) are considered as a suitable diagnostic tool for the detection of mycotoxins. Mycotoxins and especially, ochratoxin A are analytes with more demanding sensitivity requirements. To enhance the sensitivity of current immunochromatographic assays for ochratoxin A (OTA), a novel sensitive ICA was developed in this study. In the assay, microspheres enclosing fluorescent europium (III) [Eu(III)] nanoparticles (EuNPs) were used as a label for OTA monoclonal antibody (OTA-mAb) conjugation. Accordingly, assay was called time-resolved fluorescent immunochromatographic assay (TRFICA). The test strip was composed of three parts: a sample pad, nitrocellulose membrane and an absorbent pad. As for detection, a proper concentration of conjugated microspheres was pipetted into the microtube and sample extract was added to it. Then the strip was inserted into the tube and the fluid flow along the strip. The TRFICA results were obtained in 8 min and read by a portable TRFICA strip reader. The established method allows quantitative determination of OTA with limit of detection as low as 1.0 μg kg⁻¹ in the samples. For validation, spiked samples including wheat, maize, soybean and rice were respectively assayed by TRFICA and a standard high performance liquid chromatography equipped with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD), and good agreement of results was obtained between two methods.     

活性玉米醇溶蛋白肽的分离纯化及其还原活性研究

碱性蛋白酶水解玉米醇溶蛋白,精制后的水解产物为玉米醇溶蛋白肽。根据玉米醇溶蛋白肽对邻苯三酚自氧化的抑制活性,采用葡聚糖凝胶层析法及高效液相层析(HPLC)法分离纯化得到活性蛋白肽的几种组分,探讨了几种组分对超氧阴离子自由基的清除活性。同时,以α-生育酚为阳性对照,探讨了活性蛋白肽及其各组分的还原力。结果表明,经SephedaxG-10葡聚糖凝胶层析分离所得组分4的抗氧化活性最强,具有较高的还原力;组分4富含谷氨酸、丙氨酸、亮氨酸、组氨酸、脯氨酸和苯丙氨酸。     

玉米皮纤维素提取工艺优化及结构表征

在单因素实验的基础上,运用响应面法对玉米皮纤维素的提取工艺进行优化,并利用扫描电镜、傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、X-射线衍射仪和热重分析仪对玉米皮纤维素的微观形貌、化学结构、晶型结构及热稳定性进行表征。结果表明,最优工艺条件为料液比1:20 g/mL、提取温度96 ℃、提取时间2.6 h、硝酸体积分数27%,此条件下提取物纤维素含量为80.26%±0.88%。表征结果表明,玉米皮半纤维素和木质素得到有效去除,玉米皮纤维素结构没有受到破坏;玉米皮纤维素晶型未改变,仍为I型,结晶度为56%;玉米皮纤维素热分解起始温度222 ℃,热稳定性优于玉米皮。优化的玉米皮纤维素提取工艺可行,在工业上有广阔的应用前景。     

肽组学在食源性活性肽研究中应用的进展

肽组学作为食品科学技术领域一个新兴的重要研究方法,正逐渐应用到生物活性肽制备、纯化、结构鉴定以及构效关系研究中,涉及活性肽的定性与定量的各个方面的内容。本文综述了肽组学在食源性活性肽制备工艺优化、特定功能活性的活性肽筛选、活性肽与受体的作用机制以及构效关系等研究的国内外进展,以期为肽组学在活性肽中广泛深入地应用提供参考。     

响应面法优化微波辅助乙醇提取桑黄黄酮工艺的研究

本试验在研究微波时间、微波功率、乙醇浓度、物料比、浸提时间和浸提温度6个因素对桑黄总黄酮提取含量影响的基础上,利用响应面分析方法对提取工艺进行优化。根据中心组合设计试验并通过方差分析建立数学模型,进而分析四因素的显著性和交互作用。实验结果表明,最佳提取条件为微波时间62s、微波功率550W、乙醇体积分数68%、提取时间2.17h。在此条件下,桑黄总黄酮提取含量为29.96mg/g。     

Efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour model in predicting safe food handling practices

The majority of food-borne disease outbreaks result from malpractice during food preparation in small food businesses. Effective food safety management, including the adoption of safe food handling practices learnt during food safety training programmes, is thus an important strategy to limit incidences of food poisoning. This study explores the impact of basic or foundation level food hygiene training on the attitudes, and intentions of food handlers to conduct safe food handling practices at every occasion.The Theory of Planned Behaviour was used to evaluate the relative impact of different influences on the intentions and self-reported behaviours of 249 food handlers, in hospitality settings. Interviews were also conducted with food handlers, and their managers to seek further insight into the changes in attitude and intent to conduct safe food handling practices after basic or foundation level food hygiene training.