Kariya (Hildegardia barteri) seed oil extraction: comparative evaluation of solvents,modeling, and optimization techniques

In this work, the effects of solid/solvent ratio (0.10–0.25?g/ml), extraction time (3–8?h), and solvent type (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and acetone) together with their shared interactions on Kariya seed oil (KSO) yield were investigated. The oil extraction process was modeled via response surface methodology (RSM), artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) while the optimization of the three input variables essential to the oil extraction process was carried out by genetic algorithm (GA) and RSM methods. The low mean relative percent deviation (MRPD) of 0.94–4.69% and high coefficient of determination (R²) > 0.98 for the models developed demonstrate that they describe the solvent extraction process with high accuracy in this order: ANFIS, ANN, and RSM. The best operating condition (solid/solvent ratio of 0.1?g/ml, extraction time of 8?h, and acetone as solvent of extraction) that gave the highest KSO yield (32.52?wt.%) was obtained using GA-ANFIS and GA-ANN. Solvent extraction efficiency evaluation showed that ethyl acetate, n-hexane, and acetone gave maximum experimental oil yields of 19.20?±?0.28, 25.11?±?0.01, and 32.33?±?0.04?wt.%, respectively. Properties of the KSO varied based on the type of solvent used. The results of this work showed that KSO could function as raw material in both food and chemical industries.     

食物成瘾的研究进展及启示

食物成瘾是一种复杂的慢性疾病，导致人们在日常生活中对某种食物产生过度依赖与过度进食等相关行为特征，近年来已被认为是影响欧美发达国家肥胖症、暴食症、糖尿病等发病率持续升高的关键原因，引起学术界的极大关注，成为研究热点。本文主要介绍食物成瘾的概念、诊断标准，综述了食物成瘾的病理机制、影响因素和应对措施等方面的研究进展，并探讨食物成瘾对我国食品界的启示，为预防食物成瘾，保障公众健康提供有益借鉴。     

Collection efficiency of liquid‐based samplers for fungi in indoor air

This study assessed the collection efficiency (CE) of two popularly used sampling devices (BioSampler and Coriolis sampler) for fungal aerosols. Phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) supplemented with or without surfactant (Tween‐20, Tween‐80, or Triton X‐100) and antifoam agent was prepared and used as collection liquids. The agar impactor (BioStage) was simultaneously operated with liquid‐based samplers to collect fungi from seven sites located at a university building, public library, and animal farming. Fungal concentrations determined by liquid samplers were divided by those by BioStage, and the ratio values represented CE. Results indicate that the CE of BioSampler was superior to that of Coriolis (P = 0.0001) and the PBS containing surfactant collected fungi better than that without surfactant (P < 0.0001), whereas antifoam agent showed no influence (P = 0.8). Moreover, fungal concentrations determined by BioSampler with surfactant‐added PBS were statistically indifferent from those by BioStage (P > 0.05) with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.81‐0.83 (P < 0.01). In addition to sampler and collection liquid, sampling location was also identified as a significant CE factor (P = 0.006), implying potential influences by fungal genera in the studied fields. Overall, BioSampler with surfactant‐supplemented PBS (eg, Triton X‐100) is recommended considering the great CE and compatibility with a variety of analytical assays.     

Antimicrobial residues survey by LC-MS in food-producing animals in Lebanon

ABSTRACT

The treatment of animals with antimicrobial products may lead to the contamination of edible tissues by their residues, which may represent a risk to human health. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of antimicrobial residues in food-producing animals (chicken, beef, and milk) in Lebanon. A total of 310 samples were collected and analysed using an LC-MS/MS for the determination of 48 compounds belonging to different families in order to map their compliance according to the European Commission decision 2002/657/EC. Results show that 60% of the analysed samples were not contaminated by any residue, while 12% presented a concentration higher than the MRLs for tetracyclines, sulphonamides, quinolones, and macrolides. Results revealed that chicken were the most contaminated by antimicrobial residues, when compared to beef and milk. The obtained results demonstrate the uncontrolled use of antimicrobials in some Lebanese farms and claim for better management of livestock.     

Microscopic and Macroscopic Growth Rates of Fatigue Cracks in Steels and Alloys under the Influence of Crack Closure

On the basis of the experimental data, we show that the difference between the macroscopic and microscopic fatigue crack growth rates in the second section of the kinetic diagram of fatigue fracture is caused by the effect of crack closure within the limits of its existence. We establish the relationships between the macroscopic and microscopic fatigue crack growth rates and the structure of the material in the second section of the diagram for various values of the load ratio with regard for the effect of crack closure and propose a procedure of examination of the fracture processes in structural materials based on the analysis of microscopic and macroscopic fatigue crack growth rates.     

Investigation of Centreline Segregation and Centreline Porosity in CC ‐ Slabs

Improvements of solidification processing in conventional or near net shape casting depend on sophisticated methods of macroscopic examination of central unsoundness and inhomogeneity of the cast material. As long as remarkable deviations referring to the quality features exist between the slab centre and the bulk material such methods should be looked after. Two semi‐macroscopic methods of segregation analysis are discussed in this paper: firstly, the potential of the emission spectral analysis combined with sectioning of a sample and secondly, the computer aided micro‐probe analysis. Both methods are restricted to small local areas. The proneness of elements and steel grades with respect to micro‐ and macrosegregation as well as distribution‐ and segregation coefficients are determined. The effect of a diffusion anneal on homogenisation of segregation is studied. Last not least the precipitation of sulphides, phosphides or carbonitrides is estimated. Ultrasonic detection of the central unsoundness of conventional slabs or thin slabs is a new approach towards a quantitative macroscopic examination. The sample size is 400 mm x 300 mm x 30 mm. To achieve a low ultrasonic noise using a 5 MHz‐transducer the samples are heat treated for grain refinement. “Dog bone porosity”, macroscopic topographical misfit between the upper and lower solidifying shells, periodical corner cracks or systematic transverse centre cracks are detected. Obviously, segregations do not reflect the ultrasonic beam. However, it can be presumed that an interrelation exists between porosity and segregation, although these might be locally apart from each other. This new ultrasonic test of the central unsoundness of continuous cast (c.c.) slabs gives valuable arguments to machine builders and maintenance people to decide on the right concepts for strand guidance, support rollers and secondary cooling. Soft reduction can be optimized and variations in casting speed counteracted by dynamic means. R&D service of this kind can help steelmakers when decisions are impending to build new casting machines or revamp old ones.     

利用高酸值餐饮废油脂制备生物柴油

以高酸值餐饮废油脂为原料,在酯化反应后再经两步酯交换反应制备生物柴油。在酯化反应中添加吸水剂可降低油脂的酸值,经一次酯化反应即可将油脂的酸值降至2m g/g左右,满足酯交换反应的要求。考察了酯化反应中吸水剂的添加方式、种类及其用量对酯化反应的影响,以及酯交换催化剂的种类及用量对脂肪酸甲酯(FAME)收率和产物组成的影响。实验结果表明,以凹凸棒土为吸水剂(用量为餐饮废油脂中游离脂肪酸质量的3%),且在酯化反应30m in时加入,酯化效果较好;以质量比为1∶1的NaOH和KOH混合物为催化剂进行两步酯交换反应时,催化剂的最佳用量依次为1.00%和0.75%(质量分数,基于油脂的质量),FAME收率最高达到96.33%。