Influence of ultrasonic treatment on the structure and emulsifying properties of peanut protein isolate

Effects of ultrasonic treatment on emulsifying properties and structure of peanut protein isolate (PPI) were evaluated by analysis of particle size distribution, protein surface hydrophobicity, SDS-PAGE, circular dichroism spectra and environmental scanning electron microscopy. The emulsifying properties of the PPI were found to be improved by ultrasonic treatment. The mean particle size decreased from 474.7 nm to 255.8 nm while the molecular weight remained unaffected. The results of intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy and surface hydrophobicity indicated that ultrasonic treatment induced tertiary structural changes of the proteins in PPI. Emulsifying activity index and emulsion stability index were found to be correlated fairly well with surface hydrophobicity (H₀) (r = 0.712 and r = 0.668, respectively).     

外源GABA联合超声处理发芽绿豆淀粉的结构特性及血糖指标变化

研究外源γ-氨基丁酸（γ-Aminobutyric Acid,GABA）联合超声处理绿豆淀粉结构特性及血糖指标变化影响,获得低GI值绿豆淀粉制品,该文以不同萌发时间的绿豆淀粉为研究对象,通过扫描电镜、X-射线衍射、傅里叶红外光谱等分析方法,探讨外源GABA协同超声处理对绿豆淀粉萌发过程中结构特性和血糖指标影响。结果表明,处理后,绿豆中总淀粉含量从52.13%下降到发芽96 h的21.18%;发芽12 h时,抗性淀粉含量达到70.65%。发芽后绿豆淀粉颗粒形貌无显著变化。发芽后绿豆淀粉的相对结晶度由39.64%下降到96 h的12.72%,但发芽处理并未改变绿豆淀粉的结晶类型。发芽处理后绿豆淀粉没有产生新的基团,但淀粉晶体结构的有序性降低。发芽后绿豆淀粉的凝沉性增强,其抗消化能力也增强,在发芽12 h时,发芽绿豆淀粉的估计血糖生成指数达到了22.52,相较于未处理时的27.13,可起到减缓血糖升高的作用。外源GABA联合超声处理降低了总淀粉含量,提高了抗性淀粉含量,使绿豆淀粉的消化特性发生了显著变化,为其在功能食品中的应用提供了理论依据。     

Numerical investigation of gelled crude oil particle melting in water for hydrogen production

This paper describes a numerical analysis of the melting process of gelled crude oil in water for hydrogen production. The melting characteristics of crude oil particles are analyzed, and the influence of flow velocity, particle radius, and hot water temperature on the melting process is discussed. The results indicate that the melting rate on the surface of the crude oil is different, the oil particles do not melt concentrically, and the monitoring points and rate of increase in temperature are not substantially affected by the phase change interval. The flow rate and particle radius are found to have a significant influence on the phase distribution of the oil droplets, but changes in water temperature have little effect. After validating a model of the melting process, we investigate the influence of oil particle size, water temperature, flow rate, and oil temperature. It is found that increases in water temperature and flow rate, or a decrease in oil particle size, tend to reduce the melting time.     

Effect of microwave heating time on the gel properties of chicken myofibrillar proteins and their formation mechanism

The present work was conducted to illustrate the mechanism of gel formation of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) under different microwave heating times. The results showed that the denaturation enthalpy (ΔH) of the MPs significantly decreased when the heating time increased from 3 to 9 s and then completely disappeared as the heating time progressed, indicating that the MPs gradually denatured and subsequently aggregated with increasing heating time, which was further verified by the changes in the secondary structure, electrophoretic bands, and gel properties (e.g., water holding capacity and textural profiles) of the MPs. Microstructural images indicated that the MP gel formed under 12 s had the most compact network, indicating that extended microwave heating time could induce quality deterioration of MP gels. Moreover, the hydrophobic forces, electrostatic forces, and disulphide bonds of the MPs gradually intensified with increasing microwave heating time, suggesting that both non-covalent and covalent bonds could promote molecular denaturation and subsequent aggregation of MPs. In addition, correlation analysis revealed that the changes in the molecular conformation of MPs induced by different microwave heating times could effectively regulate the formation of MP gels and their related properties.     

Steam explosion improves extractability,antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the constituents of Java tea (Clerodendranthus spicatus)

In this work, the steam explosion (SE) technology was exploited to extract valuable phytochemicals from Java tea (Clerodendranthus spicatus). Modification effects of SE on apparent morphology and physicochemical properties of Java tea were investigated to confirm that SE destroyed the cell wall structure and enhanced pore space, which facilitated the dissolution of ingredients. After SE pretreatment, the contents of phenolics, triterpenes, and sterols of Java tea extracts were maximally increased by 40.68%, 25.69%, and 40.11% in the leaves group, and increased by 147.09%, 204.50%, and 115.24% in the stems group, respectively. The antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition capacity of extracts were also obviously enhanced. Multivariate analysis indicated that phenolics and triterpenes were the main active substances in the extracts, and the leaves treated at 1.0 MPa and stems treated at 2.4 MPa showed higher comprehensive score. This study provided a promising method for Java tea pretreatment for improving extractability and bioactivity.     

Study on dynamic response mechanism of rice grains in friction rice mill and scale-up approach of parameter based on discrete element method

Rice milling is a key step that decides nutritional quality and economic benefits of rice in rice processing. Because of diverse requirements for the bran removal degree and rice handling capacity, rice milling effect must be accurately controlled. In this study, the milling process of rice in milling cavity was simulated through discrete element method, and simulation effectiveness was verified by experiments. Dynamic response characteristics of rice particles to different parameters were clarified. The more energy input and the larger particle volume fraction in shear zone, the higher milling degree of rice. A scale-up mathematical model involving structural and operating parameters was established for the first time. There is a linear relationship between the model and the energy loss. Experimental results showed that the model can accurately predict the milling degree of rice. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the design of rice mill or similar equipment.     

Identification of peptides from defatted wheat germ proteins with dual functionality: Emulsifying activity and anti-adhesive activity against Helicobacter pylori

The objective of this study was to identify peptides derived from defatted wheat germ proteins with both emulsifying property and anti-adhesive activity against H. pylori. The emulsifying property was predicted by calculating the amphiphilic scores and secondary structures in silico. Six top-ranking peptides were synthesized for validation of their emulsifying and anti-adhesive activities. Three peptides (HLNLDFQLQEGGR, VNQAIYLLTTGAR, and ESLLNALTEHVK) showed high emulsifying activity by forming smaller oil droplet sizes of 1.396 ± 0.015 μm, 1.163 ± 0.010 μm, and 1.159 ± 0.257 μm, respectively. Compared to Tween 80, only VNQAIYLLTTGAR maintained good emulsifying stability at different pHs, ionic strengths, and heating. The anti-adhesive activity ranged from 36.3 ± 2.0% (VNQAIYLLTTGAR) to 5.5 ± 7.0% (AINDIRDQLER) at 10 mg/mL, which is attributable to binding of the peptides and H. pylori adhesins through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. In conclusion, VNQAIYLLTTGAR showed both biological and techno-functional properties, thus making it a strong candidate for further development as a dual functional food ingredient.     

The synthesis,characterization and DFT calculations of highly volatile aminogermylene precursors and thin film investigation for CVD/ALD technology

Compared to the difficult volatilization for germanium (IV) precursors, germanium (II) precursors usually have better volatilization but difficult to synthesize. A series of diamine germanium (II) precursors were synthesized, characterized and investigated by DFT calculations. These germanium (II) precursors were tested by TG experiments and showed excellent volatilization, which were suitable as a potential membrane material. Moreover, the Ge film was deposited on Si wafer directly and characterized by SEM.     

Esterase activity inspired selection and characterization of zearalenone degrading bacteria Bacillus pumilus ES-21

Zearalenone (ZEN), mainly produced by Fusarium species, is an estrogenic mycotoxin which causes reproductive disorders in livestock. In this study, we described a simple and rapid method for screening of ZEN-degrading bacteria by esterase activity assay. Soil bacteria strains were first tested for their esterase activities, then active strains were further evaluated for their ZEN-degrading potentials. A bacterial strain named Bacillus pumilus ES-21 was detected to be able to eliminate ZEN in the culture medium. ZEN degradation conditions were optimized through response surface methodology and the result showed that the degradation rate of ZEN by Bacillus pumilus ES-21 was up to 95.7% at the ZEN concentration of 17.9 μg/ml within 24 h. One of the degradation product was proposed to be 1-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-6′-hydroxy-l′-undecen-l0′-one according to LC-TOF-MS/MS analysis. This study provided a strategy for the isolation of ZEN degrading microbes and a promising degrading strain.