Essential fatty acids in trout serum lipoproteins,vitellogenin and egg lipids

This paper describes evidence of (n−3) and particularly of 22∶6 (n−3) fatty acid enrichment in trout lipoproteins as well as in vitellogenin, egg lipovitellin and oil globule. Among the lipoproteins, HDL and LDL were the main forms of blood lipid transport, whereas phospholipids and cholesteryl esters are the preferential chemical carriers for (n−3) fatty acid transport. However, cholesteryl esters were less important as esterified fatty acid carriers than in man. Taken together with the data obtained in mammals, our results suggest that there may be a relationship between EFA activity and the distribution of the EFA among the lipoprotein lipid fractions in vertebrates, irrespective of the EFA series. Administration of an (n−3) fatty acid deficient diet for three months prior to trout spawning produced a significant increase in egg lipid content, primarily as a result of the increase of the oil globule composed almost exclusively of triacylglycerols. This diet decreased the 22∶6 (n−3), as well as the (n−3) fatty acid contents of lipoproteins, lipovitellin, vitellogenin and the oil globule. In contrast, the (n−3) fatty acid level was always higher in lipoproteins and lipovitellin than in the vitellogenin and the oil globule. Moreover, the relative levels of 22∶6 (n−3) and total (n−3) fatty acids were quite similar in lipoproteins and lipovitellin on the one hand, and in vitellogenin and the oil globule on the other. These findings suggest a direct relationship between the two forms of plasma lipid transport and the two egg compartments. During ovogenesis, dietary lipids seemed to be diverted from the adipose tissue and essentially deposited in the egg.     

Chlorophyll adsorption on acid-activated clay

An acid-activated clay (Çanakkale montmorillonite from Turkey) was used to adsorb chlorophyll from hexane solutions. The phenomenon seems to be mainly driven by the interaction of chlorophyll with acid sites. The adsorption of chlorophyll on Brönsted acid sites was indicated by a characteristic infrared band for the -OH group at 3671 cm^?1. The variations in the structure of clay mineral and chlorophyll during adsorption have been examined by differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry and infrared spectroscopy of the activated clay before and after adsorption of chlorophyll. Oxidation of adsorbed chlorophyll was completed at quite a high temperature.     

(BaTiO3)1-x + (Co0.5Ni0.5Nb0.06Fe1.94O4)x nanocomposites: Structure,morphology, magnetic and dielectric properties

Two phase-based nanocomposites consisting of dielectric barium titanate (BaTiO₃ or BTO) and magnetic spinel ferrite Co_0.5Ni_0.5Nb_0.06Fe_1.94O₄ (CNNFO) have been synthesized through solid state route. Series of (BaTiO₃)_1-x + (Co_0.5Ni_0.5Nb_0.06Fe_1.94O₄)_x nanocomposites with x content of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 were considered. The structure has been examined via X-rays diffraction (XRD) and indicated the occurrence of both perovskite BTO and spinel CNNFO phases in various nanocomposites. A phase transition from tetragonal BTO structure to cubic structure occurs with inclusion of CNNFO phase. The average crystallites size of BTO phase decreases, whereas that for the CNNFO phase increases with increasing x in various nanocomposites. The morphological observations revealed that the porosity is highly reduced, and the connectivity between grains is enhanced with increasing x content. The optical properties have been investigated by UV−vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The deduced band gap energy (E_g) value is found to reduce with increasing the content of spinel ferrite phase. The magnetic as well as the dielectric properties were also investigated. The analysis showed that CNNFO ferrite phase greatly affects the magnetic properties and dielectric response of BTO material. The obtained findings can be useful to enhance the performances of magneto-dielectric composite-based systems.     

Evaluation of the removal of n-butanol vapor by the poly(lactic acid)-zeolite-TiO2 composite and formation of by-products

The use of polymeric films incorporated with zeolite-TiO₂ composites associated with UV radiation can be an alternative in the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through the adsorption and photodegradation processes. This study produced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films incorporated with 13× zeolite, TiO₂, and 13×-TiO₂ zeolite composite to remove n-butanol and evaluate the by-products generated in the process. The results showed that 13× zeolite and TiO₂ added individually or as a composite to PLA, gave the polymer matrix a significant increase in the removal capacity of n-butanol. The best performance was presented by the zeolite-TiO₂, composite, confirming a synergistic effect. However, the formation of CO and CO₂ exceeded the expected values, with the verification that the polymeric matrix underwent photodegradation action by TiO₂. The polymeric film only containing zeolite is the most suitable for the removal of VOCs, as it did not present degradation of the PLA, generating a lower concentration of by-products.     

Bi-layer gelatin active films with “Pitanga” leaf hydroethanolic extract and/or natamycin in the second layer

Research on biopolymers-based active films produced with natural antioxidants and/or antimicrobials has gained attention over the last few years; however, anti-mold activity has been less studied than those of anti-bacteria. The aim of this work was the development and characterization of bi-layer films based on gelatin with natamycin and/or “Pitanga” leaf hydroethanolic extract in the second thin layer in order to determine the effects of these bioactive compounds on bi-layered film properties. The films were characterized regarding their moisture content and solubility in water, optical properties, microstructure, mechanical and thermal properties, water contact angle, water vapor permeability, UV/visible light transmission, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and antioxidant and anti-mold activities. Active films presented activity against Penicillium spp and Aspergillus niger and demonstrated antioxidant activity, as measured by ABTS ^•+ and DPPH ^• methods. Neither additive used in the films' second layer significantly affected the films' moisture content, thermal properties or the molecular interactions of the polymer matrix, assessed by FTIR, although some mechanical properties were affected, and the water contact angle. In conclusion, bi-layer films have reduced the quantity of additives required to maintain the antioxidant and anti-mold activities, as compared to similar monolayer films of the same thickness.     

Production of NiO,NiO/Ag,NiO/Au,and NiO/Pt hollow spheres by using block copolymer stabilized microspheres as a template

Hollow spheres of nickel oxide (NiO) and silver, gold, and platinum nanoparticle loaded NiO composites were successfully produced by using polystyrene (PS) latexes as hard template. Due to the presence of tertiary amine based diblock copolymer stabilizer on the surface of PS, the tertiary amine functional groups provided homogene deposition of nickel hydroxide, and then the precursor NiO salt production on the surface of PS latexes with a controlled precipitation technique. Then, NiO and NiO/metal NP hollow spheres were produced by calcination at 600 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the amounts of NiO and NiO-composite after calcination were in the range of 21.1–29.7 wt%. The diameters of metal oxide spheres were in the range of 2.0–2.7 μm and the shell thickness were in the range of 250–350 nm. These structures had very low densities due to their porous and hollow structures and had outer layers with highly rough surfaces due to formation of nanosheets, which may offer important advantages for catalysis studies.     

Properties of Induction Plasma Sprayed Iron Based Nanostructured Alloy Coatings for Metal Based Thermal Barrier Coatings

Metal-based thermal barrier coatings (MBTBCs) have been produced using high frequency induction plasma spraying (IPS) of iron-based nanostructured alloy powders. The study of MBTBCs has been initiated to challenge issues associated with current TBC materials such as difficult prediction of their “in-service” lifetime. Reliability of TBCs is an important aspect besides the economical consideration. Therefore, the study of MBTBCs, which should posses higher toughness than the current TBC materials, has been initiated to challenge the mechanical problems of ceramic-based TBCs (CBTBCs) to create a new generation of TBCs. The thermal diffusivity (TD) (α) properties of the MBTBCs were measured using a laser flash method, and density (ρ) and specific heat (C _p) of the MBTBCs were also measured for their thermal conductivity (k) calculation (k = αρ C _p).     

Graphite intercalated polymer coatings on stainless steel

The use of graphite modified polymer films has been investigated, on stainless steel. Polythiophene and polypyrrole films have been synthesized electrochemically on stainless steel, and then very thin graphite layers were realized on polymer films. Since the graphite layer is not applicable as a top coat, polymeric top films were also electrosynthesized on graphite layers. Following this procedure, polypyrrole-graphite-polypyrrole and polythiophene-graphite-polythiophene coatings have been obtained on stainless steel. The corrosion behaviours of coated samples have been investigated in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ solution, by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and anodic polarization curves. The intercalation of graphite layer altered the performance and properties of coatings significantly. Especially, polypyrrole coating system was found to exhibit almost an excellent coating behaviour that hindered the attack of corrosive environment within 96 h exposure time. The EIS results of polypyrrole coating system were indicating to almost a perfect capacitive behaviour that the response was reflecting capacitive behaviour in a wide frequency region. This property was also examined with successive cyclic voltammograms in a potential range between 0.10 and 0.40 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The charge densities involved in oxidation and reduction regions were determined for successive cycles and it was shown that coated sample was able to exhibit charge-discharge (i.e. oxidation and reduction) behaviour successfully, without any degradation.