Physicochemical characteristics of soybean oil, palm kernel olein, and their binary blends

Soybean oil (SBO), palm kernel olein (PKO) and their binary blends (containing 5–40% PKO) were studied for their physicochemical characteristics. Decreases in band absorbencies of the resultant Fourier transform infrared spectra were observed in regions attributable to vibrations of the functional groups of unsaturated fatty acids, mainly the =C–H cis stretching at 3009 cm⁻¹and –C=C cis stretching at 1657 cm⁻¹. The solid fat content was measurable in the blends containing 15–40% PKO at 5 and 10 °C, ranging within 4–20% and 2–13%, respectively. The differential scanning calorimetry melting curve for SBO exhibited more complex transition peaks, suggesting a     polymorphic transformation when compared with PKO with a simpler     . Blending of SBO with PKO reduced the complexity caused by the polymorphic transformation, featuring the endotherms that only related to the β' fat crystals.     

The Effects of Triggering Mechanisms on the Energy Absorption Capability of Circular Jute/Epoxy Composite Tubes under Quasi-Static Axial Loading

The usage of composite materials have been improving over the years due to its superior mechanical properties such as high tensile strength, high energy absorption capability, and corrosion resistance. In this present study, the energy absorption capability of circular jute/epoxy composite tubes were tested and evaluated. To induce the progressive crushing of the composite tubes, four different types of triggering mechanisms were used which were the non-trigger, single chamfered trigger, double chamfered trigger and tulip trigger. Quasi-static axial loading test was carried out to understand the deformation patterns and the load-displacement characteristics for each composite tube. Besides that, the influence of energy absorption, crush force efficiency, peak load, mean load and load-displacement history were examined and discussed. The primary results displayed a significant influence on the energy absorption capability provided that stable progressive crushing occurred mostly in the triggered tubes compared to the non-triggered tubes. Overall, the tulip trigger configuration attributed the highest energy absorption.     

Tapping into 5-HT3 Receptors to Modify Metabolic and Immune Responses

5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT₃) receptors are ligand gated ion channels, which clearly distinguish their mode of action from the other G-protein coupled 5-HT or serotonin receptors. 5-HT₃ receptors are well established targets for emesis and gastrointestinal mobility and are used as adjunct targets in treating schizophrenia. However, the distribution of these receptors is wider than the nervous system and there is potential that these additional sites can be targeted to modulate inflammatory and/or metabolic conditions. Recent progress in structural biology and pharmacology of 5-HT₃ receptors have provided profound insights into mechanisms of their action. These advances, combined with insights into clinical relevance of mutations in genes encoding 5-HT₃ subunits and increasing understanding of their implications in patient’s predisposition to diseases and response to the treatment, open new avenues for personalized precision medicine. In this review, we recap on the current status of 5-HT₃ receptor-based therapies using a biochemical and physiological perspective. We assess the potential for targeting 5-HT₃ receptors in conditions involving metabolic or inflammatory disorders based on recent findings, underscoring the challenges and limitations of this approach.     

Algorithm of local features fusion and modified covariance-matrix technique for hand motion position estimation and hand gesture trajectory tracking approach

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Nowadays, visual recognition based dynamic hand gesture tracking has gained very considerable attention. Hand gestures can play an important role as a...     

Species Authentication Methods in Foods and Feeds: the Present,Past, and Future of Halal Forensics

We extensively reviewed the existing as well as the potentials of the molecular biology and nanotechnology methods for the identification of animal-derived materials in foods and feeds. The verification of animal-derived materials in foods and feeds is mandatory by several religious as well as regional and state laws. It is also essential to limit the transmission of food-borne pathogens and allergens. Verification of declared components further helps prevent unfair trades and protect consumers' trusts, religious faiths, and hard-earned fortunes. In this review, special emphasis is given to the molecular markers and their tracing tools in biology and nanotechnology. Among the four types of biomolecules, known as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, DNA has been reported as the most appropriate biomarker to identify the source of animal-derived materials. While PCR has got enormous attention as the most effective molecular identification tool, PCR-based methods are not suitable for the unambiguous identification of very short DNA targets (15–30 bp) which can survive even in the harsh conditions of food and feed processing. Nanotechnology-based approaches using nanogap electrodes, quantum dots (QDs), and SERS-active nanoparticle shells are highly sensitive and can detect very short oligo targets almost at single-molecule sensitivity. However, nanogap fabrication has remained a challenging task and also involves complicated surface modification and immobilization chemistries. QD and SERS-based techniques also demand surface modifications and immobilization chemistries. On the other hand, gold nanoparticle (GNP)-based hybridization detection is label-free, sensitive, and does not involve any modification chemistry and expensive instrumentations. GNP-based biosensors offer a low-cost platform to detect and quantify short-length DNA markers in mixed biological and processed commercial foods.     

Analysis of Pork Adulteration in Commercial Burgers Targeting Porcine-Specific Mitochondrial Cytochrome B Gene by TaqMan Probe Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

A TaqMan probe real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was developed for the determination of pork adulteration in commercial burgers. The assay combined porcine-specific primers and TaqMan probe for the selective amplification and detection of a 109-bp fragment of swine cytochrome b (cytb) gene. Specificity test with 10 ng DNA of 11 different meat-providing animal and fish species yielded a quantification cycle (Cq) of 15.5 ± 0.20 for the pork and negative results for the others in a 40-cycle reaction with a change of analysts and sources. Analysis of beef burger formulations with spiked pork showed the assay can determine 100–0.01% contaminated pork with a PCR efficiency (E) of 93.8% and a correlation coefficient (R ²) of 0.991. A plot of actual value against real-time PCR-predicted value also yielded a good linear regression, R ² 0.998, and small root mean square error of calibration, RMSEC 0.42. A strong correlation was found between the partial least square (PLS)-predicted values and real-time PCR-determined values. The accuracy of the method was ≥90% in all determinations of the standard set. Residual analysis also revealed a high precision in all determinations. Finally, a random analysis of 10 ng DNA of commercial burgers from pork, beef, chicken, mutton, and chevon yielded a Cq of 15.56 ± 0.22 to 16.24 ± 0.35 from pork burgers, and negative results from the others, showing the suitability of the assay to determine pork in commercial burgers with a high accuracy and precision.     

Discriminant Analysis of Selected Edible Fats and Oils and Those in Biscuit Formulation Using FTIR Spectroscopy

Recently, lard adulteration has highlighted the importance of checking raw materials and food products in order to assure their authenticity. Discriminant analysis (DA) using selected frequency regions (3,050?C2,800, 1,800?C1,600, and 1,500?C650 cm^?1) was exploited for the classification of lard and other commercial vegetable oils and animal fats. As a result, the Cooman plot showed that all vegetable fats/oils and animal fats, including lard, are clustered in a distinct group. DA was also employed to assign real food samples, in particular biscuit, into one of two groups. In addition, DA is a very useful means for Halal screening technique in order to enhance the Halal authentication process.     

Analytical methods for gelatin differentiation from bovine and porcine origins and food products

Usage of gelatin in food products has been widely debated for several years, which is about the source of gelatin that has been used, religion, and health. As an impact, various analytical methods have been introduced and developed to differentiate gelatin whether it is made from porcine or bovine sources. The analytical methods comprise a diverse range of equipment and techniques including spectroscopy, chemical precipitation, chromatography, and immunochemical. Each technique can differentiate gelatins for certain extent with advantages and limitations. This review is focused on overview of the analytical methods available for differentiation of bovine and porcine gelatin and gelatin in food products so that new method development can be established.     

Comparative Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of Jatropha Seed Oil from Malaysia,Indonesia and Thailand

The jatropha oil was extracted from the jatropha seeds collected from different origins viz., Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. The physicochemical properties such as density, viscosity, percentage free fatty acid (FFA), iodine value, saponification value and peroxide value of the extracted jatropha seed oil were evaluated. The evaluation of fatty acid composition using gas chromatography (GC) revealed that, oleic (42.4–48.8%) and linoleic acid (28.8–34.6%) are the dominant fatty acids present in the jatropha seed oil. The saturated fatty acids such as palmitic and stearic acid lie in the range 13.25–14.5 and 7–7.7%, respectively. The observed major triacylglycerol (TAG) composition was OOL (22.94–25.75%) and OLL (15.52–20.77%).