Chemometric analysis of combined NIR and MIR spectra to characterize French olives

Chemometric treatment of near‐infrared (NIR) and mid‐infrared (MIR) combined spectra was used firstly to predict oil and water contents in fresh olive fruit samples (n = 223) and secondly to classify these samples into five principal French cultivar origins (Aglandau, Cailletier, Olivière, Salonenque, and Tanche). The study was carried out during four crop years (2005/2006 to 2008/2009) to take into account the seasonal variations. The comparison of the results obtained in the combined range (REP = 2.6% for the water content and 3.5% for the oil content) provides an obvious advantage compared to the NIR and MIR techniques used separately. Fresh olive fruit cultivars were satisfactorily classified with the partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) method in the combined range. After use of the K‐means clustering on the PLS‐DA scores, all the samples were well classified into their five groups of origin. The use of infrared combined spectra allows a considerable improvement in estimating olive fruit quality (oil and water contents, varietal origins).     

Studies on catalytic pyrolysis of empty fruit bunch (EFB) using Taguchi's L9 Orthogonal Array

This paper investigates the effects of four reaction parameters that include type of catalyst, catalyst loading, reaction temperature and nitrogen gas flowrate on the liquid (bio-oil) yield from the catalytic pyrolysis of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB). The experimental design is based on Taguchi's L9 Orthogonal Array in which the reaction parameters are varied at three levels. The maximum liquid yield is predicted based on systematic experimental runs, and is found to be at 5 wt-% of H-Y catalyst, 500 °C and at nitrogen flowrate of 100 ml min⁻¹. The predicted maximum liquid yield is validated with an experimental run at the corresponding predicted conditions. The bio-oil produced at the optimum reaction condition is characterized and compared with known bio-oil standards in the literature.     

The effect of hexamethylene diisocyanate modified ALCELL lignin as a coupling agent on the flexural properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch – polypropylene composites

ALCELL lignin has been employed as a coupling agent in oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB)–polypropylene (PP) composites. The lignin has been chemically modified with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI). Evidence for the reaction between HMDI and lignin has been observed by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The effect of lignin as a coupling agent on the flexural properties has been studied. The results show that the HMDI‐modified lignin is able to impart greater compatibility between EFB and PP. This is reflected in the greater flexural strength shown by the composites with HMDI‐modified lignin than those with the unmodified lignin. Scanning electron microscopy studies show that HMDI‐modification of lignin results in a better blending and compatibility between lignin and PP matrix. The glass transition temperature of lignin increases as the level of HMDI modification is increased. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of harvest time on the quality attributes of processed and non‐processed tomato varieties

This study examines physicochemical changes in newly developed and existing tomato varieties at different levels of maturity. Serum viscosity is an important factor in the selection of tomato varieties for processing. Most of the attributes indicative of quality for fresh and paste tomatoes occurred at a less mature stage and declined with maturity. The canned varieties ‘H9888,’‘H8892’ and ‘H9780’ had a greater ascorbic acid content and antioxidant capacity. The highest lycopene contents were found in the varieties ‘H9888,’‘CXD254,’‘CXD222’ and ‘H9780’. Total soluble solids levels increased with maturity. The highest acidity values occurred in canned ‘Shasta’, ‘CXD254’ and ‘H9780’ varieties. Mid‐ and late‐season varieties harvested at an early stage produced thicker pastes with greater serum viscosity and acidity than tomatoes harvested at other points in the ripening process. The best results were obtained from canned samples of ‘H9888,’‘CXD254’ and ‘H9780.’     

Changes in susceptibility of grape berries to splitting are related to impaired osmotic water uptake associated with losses in cell vitality

Background and Aims: High rainfall events after the onset of ripening commonly cause the skin of grape berries to split. The aim was to verify the suggestion, based on vineyard observations, that the susceptibility of grapes to splitting decreases during ripening, and to establish the role of cell vitality in this process. Methods and Results: The susceptibility of detached, ripening berries, cv. Shiraz, to splitting was assessed by immersing them in sucrose solutions or deionised water. At the onset of ripening, susceptibility to splitting was highest and decreased only slightly over 30 days. Thereafter, susceptibility decreased greatly until becoming negligible about 30 days later. Cell vitality within the pericarp, as determined by nitroblue tetrazolium staining, decreased from the onset of ripening. Conclusions: The reduction in the susceptibility of grape berries to splitting is attributed to a decrease in turgor-generating capacity within the berry as an increasing proportion of pericarp cells lose vitality. The loss of cell vitality corroborates previous evidence of this phenomenon, and indicates that this is a general feature of grape ripening. Significance of the Study: This study demonstrates the proportion of vital cells within the pericarp is the driver of turgor-induced splitting, in contrast to previous models in which the whole berry, enclosed in a semi-permeable skin, has been regarded as the osmotically functional system.     

杂果薄荷型中草药牙膏用香精的研制

报道了杂果薄荷型中草药牙膏香精的研制,所得配方解决了单纯橙味香精、酯类水果香精对中草药味道掩盖力不强、亲合性差的问题,可为中草药牙膏香精的开发提供借鉴。     

Preliminary studies on the use of modified ALCELL lignin as a coupling agent in the biofiber composites

ALCELL lignin has been employed as a coupling agent in empty fruit bunch fiber (EFBF)–polypropylene (PP) composites. The lignin has been chemically modified with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) to various weight loadings. The evidence of the reaction between TDI and lignin has been observed by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The effect of lignin as a coupling agent on mechanical properties has been studied. The results show that the TDI‐modified lignin is able to impart greater compatibility between EFBF and PP. This is reflected in the greater mechanical properties shown by the composites with TDI‐modified lignin than in those with the unmodified lignin. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed that TDI modification of lignin resulted in a better blending and compatibility between lignin and PP matrix. The glass‐transition temperature of the lignin increases as the WPG is increased. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1333–1340, 2001     

Effect of Co γ-irradiation on postharvest quality and selected enzyme activities of Pleurotus nebrodensis

Freshly harvested Pleurotus nebrodensis fruit bodies were exposed to four different doses (0.8-2.0 kGy) of ⁶⁰Co γ-irradiation and various physiological changes associated with postharvest deterioration, as well as the activities of selected enzymes (proteinase, polyphenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase) thought to play a role in the process of deterioration, were monitored during 22 days of subsequent storage at 4 °C and 65-70% relative humidity. An irradiation dose of 1.2 kGy significantly delayed (by 6-9 days) the onset of fruit body softening, splitting and browning compared with non-irradiated controls and test samples subjected to lower or higher irradiation doses. Irradiation with 1.2 and 1.6 kGy also had a positive effect on other indicators of mushroom tissue senescence, resulting in smaller decreases in soluble protein levels and more protracted increases in proteinase activity. Peak levels of polyphenoloxidase activity, widely recognized as causing postharvest browning of mushroom tissue, were also significantly lower (P < 0.05) in fruit bodies exposed to 1.2 kGy compared with non-irradiated controls. Our data increase our understanding of the effects of γ-irradiation on the biochemical changes associated with postharvest deterioration in P. nebrodensis, and improve the prospects of more targeted strategies for extending the shelf life of both this and other mushrooms.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity,and Nutritional and Chemical Composition of Ficus amplissima Smith Fruit

The present study was evaluated using the following in vitro antioxidant methods: 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiozoline)-6-sulfonic acid disodium salt, phosphomolybdenum, ferric reducing antioxidant power, metal ion chelating activity, super oxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical. Among these assays, acetone extract showed maximum free radical scavenging activity in 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiozoline)-6-sulfonic acid disodium salt, phosphomolybdenum, metal ion chelating, superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical assays. Moreover, the physiochemical, nutritional, and anti-nutritional parameters were analyzed. Its qualitative and quantitative composition was studied by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and out of 27 peaks, 27 compounds were identified. These compounds have the property of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity.