Characteristic tryptic peptides and gelling properties of porcine skin gelatin affected by thermal action

Thermal action in extraction process had effects on characteristic tryptic peptides identification and gelling properties of porcine gelatin. SDS-PAGE, HPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry, texture analyser and rheometer were used to evaluate collagen depolymerisation degree, characteristic tryptic peptides and gelling properties of gelatins prepared in various thermal actions. Results showed that with increasing temperature and time, depolymerisation degree enlarged, while gel strength, gelling and melting temperature decreased. Mass spectra showed that 47 and 49 common characteristic tryptic peptides were identified in gelatins extracted at 50 °C and 100 °C with various times, respectively. Moreover, 34 common characteristic tryptic peptides were identified in all gelatin samples. Further comparison between this work and our previous investigations yielded 20 common characteristic tryptic peptides, which stably exist in various thermal actions. These common characteristic tryptic peptides may be very helpful for the accurate authentication of porcine gelatin.     

Generalized differential quadrature analysis of MHD mixed convective motion of Casson fluids past an isothermal irregular slender geometry via Cattaneo–Christov's approach

Classical Fourier's theory is well-known in continuum physics and thermal sciences. However, the primary drawback of this law is that it contradicts the principle of causality. To explore the thermal relaxation time characteristic, Cattaneo–Christov's theory is adopted thermally. In this regard, the features of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mixed convective flows of Casson fluids over an impermeable irregular sheet are revealed numerically. In addition, the resulting system of partial differential equations is altered via practical transformations into nonlinear ordinary differential equations. An advanced numerical algorithm is developed in this respect to get higher approximations for temperature and velocity fields, as well as their corresponding wall gradients. For validating our numerical code, the current outcomes are compared with the available literature results. Moreover, it is revealed that the velocity field is more prominent in the suction flow situation as compared with the injection flow case. It is also found that the Casson fluid is hastened in the case of lower yield stress. Larger values of thermal relaxation parameters create a lessening trend in the temperature distribution and its related boundary layer breadth.     

Bovidae-based gelatin: Extractions method,physicochemical and functional properties,applications, and future trends

Gelatin is one of the most important multifunctional biopolymers and is widely used as an essential ingredient in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics. Porcine gelatin is regarded as the leading source of gelatin globally then followed by bovine gelatin. Porcine sources are favored over other sources since they are less expensive. However, porcine gelatin is religiously prohibited to be consumed by Muslims and the Jewish community. It is predicted that the global demand for gelatin will increase significantly in the future. Therefore, a sustainable source of gelatin with efficient production and free of disease transmission must be developed. The highest quality of Bovidae-based gelatin (BG) was acquired through alkaline pretreatment, which displayed excellent physicochemical and rheological properties. The utilization of mammalian- and plant-based enzyme significantly increased the gelatin yield. The emulsifying and foaming properties of BG also showed good stability when incorporated into food and pharmaceutical products. Manipulation of extraction conditions has enabled the development of custom-made gelatin with desired properties. This review highlighted the various modifications of extraction and processing methods to improve the physicochemical and functional properties of Bovidae-based gelatin. An in-depth analysis of the crucial stage of collagen breakdown is also discussed, which involved acid, alkaline, and enzyme pretreatment, respectively. In addition, the unique characteristics and primary qualities of BG including protein content, amphoteric property, gel strength, emulsifying and viscosity properties, and foaming ability were presented. Finally, the applications and prospects of BG as the preferred gelatin source globally were outlined.     

Nano TiC-Graphene-Cu composites fabrication by a modified ball-milling method followed by reactive sintering: Effects of reinforcements content on microstructure,consolidation, and mechanical properties

A two-step mechanical milling followed by a reactive sintering process was used to synthesize Nano TiC-Graphene-Cu composites from a mixture of Cu, Ti, and Graphene (GN) powders in four different compositions, and effects of reinforcements content on the microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. The results showed that a part of GN reacted with Ti atoms in the matrix, leading to the successful formation of hybrid nanocomposites. Uniform distribution of in-situ TiC with nanometer size and unreacted GN in the nanostructured Cu (Ti) solid solution were obtained. Addition of high percentage of the reinforcements led to an increase in the porosity and microhardness, coarsening of TiC nanoparticles, and decreasing the grain size of the matrix after sintering. The simultaneous presence of GN and TiC nanoparticles in the Cu matrix improved the hardness and wear resistance and reduced the friction coefficient by self-lubricating behavior. The nanocomposite with the nominal composition of Ti-40 vol % TiC showed the highest wear resistance and the lowest friction coefficient.     

Fabrication method,dielectric properties,and electromagnetic absorption performance of high alumina fly ash-based ceramic composites

Mullite-Al₂O₃-SiC composites were in-situ synthesized through carbothermal reduction reaction of fly ash (FA) with a high alumina content and activated carbon (AC). The effects of sintering temperature, holding time, and amount of AC on the β-SiC yield, microstructure, dielectric properties, and electromagnetic (EM) absorption performance of the composites in the 2–18 GHz frequency range were studied. The results show that increasing the AC improves the porosities of the composites, with the highest porosity of 56.17% observed. The β-SiC yield varies considerably as the sintering parameters were altered, with a maximum yield of 23% achieved under conditions of 12 wt% AC, 1400 °C sintering temperature, and 3 h holding time. With a thickness of 3.5 mm, this composite has excellent EM absorption performance, exhibiting a minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of -51.55 dB at 7.60 GHz. Significantly, the maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) reaches 3.39 GHz when the thickness is 3.0 mm. These results demonstrate that the composite prepared under ideal conditions can absorb 99.99% of the waves passing through it. Because of the interfacial polarization, conductive loss, and impedance matching of the heterostructure, the synthesized mullite-Al₂O₃-SiC composites with densities ranging from 1.43 g/cm³ to 1.62 g/cm³ demonstrate outstanding EM attenuation capabilities. Therefore, this study presents a remarkable way of utilizing fly ash to fabricate inexpensive, functional ceramic materials for EM absorption applications.     

Influence of high energy ball milling on structural,microstructural and optical properties of TiO2 nanoparticles

The influence of high-energy ball milling on structural, microstructural, and optical properties of TiO₂ by modifying the nanoparticle size was studied. Five samples were extracted at different milling times (0, 2, 4, 8, and 13 h). The average particle sizes estimated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) were 205, 155.8, 116.8, 82.9, and 82.7 nm at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 13 h, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed progressive broadening of the peaks as the milling time elapsed. Besides, a correlation was found between d spacing and the average crystal size. The UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra of TiO₂ revealed a decrease in reflectance due to particle size reduction. Similarly, an alteration of the bandgap transition energy was presented, whose values gradually decreased from 2.966 eV to 2.861 eV for the sample without and with the maximum duration milling performed (13 h), respectively. Likewise, the SEM analysis showed a distribution in nanoparticle size that became more homogeneous and smaller average grain size as the milling duration was longer.     

Effect of organic solvent on the cold sintering processing of SrFe12O19 platelet-based permanent magnets

In this work we have investigated the effect of the solvent during the processing of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ platelet-based permanent magnets by cold sintering process (CSP) plus a post-thermal treatment. Several organic solvents: glacial acetic acid, oleic acid and oleylamine have been analyzed, optimizing the CSP temperatures at 190?270 °C, under pressures of 375?670 MPa and 6?50 wt% of solvent. Modifications in the morphological and structural properties are identified depending on the solvent, which impacts on the magnetic response. Independently of the solvent, the mechanical integrity of ferrite magnets obtained by CSP is improved by a post-annealing at 1100 °C for 2 h, resulting in relative densities around 92 % with an average grain size of 1 μm and a fraction of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ phase >91 %. H_C ≥ 2.1 kOe and M_S of 73 emu/g are obtained in the final sintered ceramic magnets, exhibiting the highest H_C value of 2.8 kOe for the magnet sintered using glacial acetic acid.     

Scallops as a new source of food protein: high-intensity ultrasonication improved stability of oil-in-water emulsion stabilised by myofibrillar protein

In this study, the effect of high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) (200 and 400 W for 0, 5, 10 and 15 min respectively) on conformational changes, physicochemical, rheological and emulsifying properties of scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) myofibrillar protein (SMP) was investigated. HIUS-treated SMP had lower α-helix content and higher β-sheet content compared with the native SMP. HIUS treatment induced the unfolding of SMP and increased the surface hydrophobicity. The particle size of SMP decreased and the absolute zeta-potential increased after ultrasonication, which in turn increased the solubility of SMP. The conformational changes and the improvement of physicochemical properties of SMP increased the ability for SMP to lower the interfacial tension at the oil–water interface and increased the percentage of adsorbed protein. As a result, the emulsifying properties, rheological properties of SMP and storage stability of emulsions were also improved. In conclusion, HIUS treatment has future potential for improving the emulsifying properties of SMP.     

Influence of Co/W co-doping on structural and electrical properties of Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9 piezoelectric ceramics

Co/W co-doped Na_0.5Bi_2.5Nb_2-x(Co_1/3W_2/3)_xO₉ (NBNCW-x) ceramic samples were prepared by the conventional solid state reaction method. The electrical properties and crystal structure of the NBNCW-x ceramic samples were analyzed in detail. The XRD and Rietveld refinement results showed that the samples lattice distortion decreased with the increment of Co/W doping. The XPS results showed that the number of oxygen vacancies in the Na_0.5Bi_2.5Nb₂O₉ ceramics could be reduced by the substitution of a small amount of Co/W. The weakened lattice distortion and reduced number of oxygen vacancies of the Na_0.5Bi_2.5Nb₂O₉ ceramics synergistically contributed to its improved electrical properties. In particular, the Na_0.5Bi_2.5Nb_1.97(Co_1/3W_2/3)_0.03O₉ ceramic exhibited the best performance, and its T_c, d₃₃ and P_r were 780 °C, 24.9 pC/N and 12.6 μC/cm², respectively. The dielectric loss was only 3.3% at 550 °C. In addition, this ceramic exhibited excellent thermal stability, with the d₃₃ value of the ceramic being 95.2% of its original value when annealed at 750 °C. These properties indicate that the Co/W co-doped Na_0.5Bi_2.5Nb₂O₉-based ceramics have potential application in the high-temperature field.