A novel method of shrimp blanching by CO2 heat pump: Quality,energy, and economy analysis

To reduce the energy consumption of the shrimp blanching process and improve the economic value of the blanched product, a transcritical CO₂ heat pump blanching system (THPB system) was designed in this paper. The trends of astaxanthin were investigated at atmospheric pressure near boiling temperature, combined with the color and structural properties of shrimp samples, and the optimal blanching times of 270 s and 240 s were obtained at 90°C and 95°C, respectively. In contrast to the fuel blanching system (FB system) at 100°C, the annual standard coal consumption of the THPB system with 90°C blanching is decreased by 79%, and the annual operating cost can be saved by CNY 63,800, with a payback period of about 3.13 years.Industrial relevanceBlanching is one of the effective ways to prolong the shelf life of shrimp. However, the research on the blanching time and temperature of shrimp is not comprehensive. In addition, the traditional fuel blanching process has high energy consumption and pollution, and can no longer meet the quality requirements of the modern food processing industry. Heat pump has been shown to have better performance in food drying, but it is less used in blanching. The information presented in this study may provide other insights into food processing.     

紫色马铃薯酒发酵工艺优化及主发酵期花青素与色泽的动态变化

以紫色马铃薯为原料，在单因素的基础上，通过响应面法对紫色马铃薯酒的发酵工艺参数进行优化。最佳发酵工艺参数为:马铃薯与面粉比1:0.6、料水比1:1 (g/mL)、α-淀粉酶添加量8.5 U/g、酒曲添加量0.45%。此工艺在28 ℃下发酵14 d，得到的紫色马铃薯酒酒精度13.5%vol，花青素含量166.34 mg/mL，酒体澄清透明呈紫红色，酸甜适中，有独特酒香，综合感官评定得分90分。测定主发酵期花青素和色泽的动态变化，分析表明，紫色马铃薯酒在发酵过程中花青素呈现先上升后下降的趋势，色度呈现先下降后趋于平缓的趋势，色调则与之相反。聚合色度和褐变指数总体均呈现逐渐上升的趋势。试验结果为工业化生产紫色马铃薯酒提供理论依据。     

Surfactant-free electrochemical synthesis of fluoridated hydroxyapatite nanorods for biomedical applications

Fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA) [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆F_x(OH)_2−x, x = 0–2] is believed to be a promising calcium phosphate (CaP) to replace pure hydroxyapatite (HA) for next-generation implants, owing to its better biocompatibility, higher antibacterial activity, and lower solubility. Notably, the shape and size of the CaP crystals play key roles in their performance and can influence their applications. One-dimensional (1D) FHA nanorods are important CaP materials which have been widely used in regenerative medicine applications such as restorative dentistry. Unfortunately, the traditional synthesis methods for FHA nanorods either employ surfactants or take a relatively long time. In this study, we aimed to propose a facile synthesis route to fabricate FHA nanorods without any surfactants using an electrochemical deposition method for the first time. This study focused on preparing FHA nanorods without the assistance of any surfactant, unlike the traditional synthesis methods, to avoid chemical impurities. FHA nanorods with lengths of 124–2606 nm, diameters of 28–211 nm, and aspect ratios of 4.4–21.8 were synthesized using the electrochemical method, followed by a heat treatment. For the as-synthesized FHA nanorods, the Ca/P ratio was 1.60 and the atomic concentration of F was 2.06 at.%. An ultrastructure examination revealed that each FHA nanorod possessed long-range order, good crystallinity, and a defect-free lattice with a certain crystallographic plane orientation along the whole rod. In short, we propose a novel, surfactant-free, cost-saving, and more efficient route to synthesize FHA nanorods which can be widely applied in multiple biomedical applications, including drug delivery, bone repair, and restorative dentistry.     

Effect of in-app components,medium, and screen size of electronic textbooks on reading performance,behavior, and perception

Although many app-based textbooks are available for students, reading have not been thoroughly outlined. This study aimed to understand how changes from paper to electronic textbooks have affected the academic reading task, investigate student users’ perceptions of in-app components and screen sizes, and identify issues affecting in-app components and task requirements. A mixed factorial design experiment was employed. Results showed that there were no significant changes in comprehension and time spent reading between print text and the iPad. Yet, student highlighting, notetaking, and reading behavior and perception significantly changed based on condition. In addition, students struggled to use in-app components and found them frustrating especially when accounting for sentence splitting. The findings presented can assist in understanding the changes in student reading behavior, which can be used to improve interface design of future e-textbooks.     

稳定同位素技术在禽类及其制品溯源领域的研究进展

本文基于国内外禽类及其制品溯源的研究成果，针对市场上出现的禽类及其制品的产地和饲养方式造假（如普通鸡蛋冒充地理标志鸡蛋、自由散养鸡蛋、有机鸡蛋等）、禽类饲料成分掺假（如非法添加动物副产品、色素等）等问题，梳理了稳定同位素技术在禽类及其制品可追溯性的应用进展，在此基础上提出禽类及其制品溯源的现存问题和发展方向，以期为稳定同位素技术在禽类及其制品质量安全领域的深入研究及食品溯源体系完善提供参考。     

Improving storability,physiological disorders,and antioxidant properties of ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pears (Pyrus communis L.) by pre-harvest 1-methylcyclopropene spraying

Ethylene continues to be a major factor influencing quality of European pears during storage. Although research has been done on the effect of pre-harvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on physiological characteristics in pears, a full understanding of cultivar response and antioxidant metabolism remains elusive. Spraying 1-MCP on ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pears was studied with respect to physiology, storage and eating quality, disorders, and antioxidant properties at two harvest date (H1 and H2) during storage and ripening. Treatment with 1-MCP extended the harvest window of ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pears 3 and 4 days, respectively, without reducing storage or eating quality. Treatment with 1-MCP reduced ethylene production (EPR) and respiration rates (RR), maintained fruit firmness and green colour during storage and retarded development of desirable melting texture in both cultivars. Additionally, 1-MCP lowered the incidence of disorders by alleviating membrane lipid peroxidation, retaining high total flavonoids (TF) and antioxidant capacity, and enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity in both cultivars. Overall, pre-harvest 1-MCP applications could extend storage time of ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pears to 5 and 6 months, respectively, at −1.1 ± 0.5 °C, by reducing ethylene synthesis and enhancing antioxidant metabolism.     

MWCNTs-GONRs/Co3O4 electrode with needle-like arrays for outstanding supercapacitors

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes-graphene oxide nanoribbons (MWCNTs-GONRs) exhibit high specific surface area and good electroconductivity because of their unique three-dimensional cross-linking structure with the properties of both CNTs and GONRs. In this study, a hydrothermal method was employed to anchor MWCNTs–GONRs onto a Ni foam (NF) to obtain a precursor substrate. Subsequently, Co₃O₄ arrays were grown on the NF substrate to synthesize a MWCNTs–GONR/Co₃O₄ electrode. The electrode showed a capacitance of 846.2 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and a capacitance retention of 90.1% after 3000 cycles. Furthermore, MWCNTs–GONRs/Co₃O₄ and active carbon (AC) were used as the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, to assemble a supercapacitor, which delivered a maximum energy density of 38.23 W h kg⁻¹ and a high power density of 6.80 kW kg⁻¹. In addition, the specific capacitance of the device reached a maximum of 91.5% after 9000 cycles. Thus, the MWCNTs–GONRs/Co₃O₄ electrode showed huge potential for supercapacitor applications.     

扇贝沙司的研制开发

研究以扇贝豆酱淋汁为主要原料,通过添加蔗糖脂肪酸酯(HLB=15)与单硬脂酸甘油酯(HLB=3.8)两种乳化剂复配(HLB=13),并配以各种辅料,研制出了一种营养丰富、耐贮藏、高值化的海鲜调味品。     

Risk factors associated with the presence of aflatoxin M1 in raw bulk milk from Argentina

The objectives of this study were to assess aflatoxin M₁ (AFM1) contamination in bulk tank milk, and to further identify the risk factors associated with the presence of AFM1 in raw milk in Argentina. The presence of AFM1 was investigated in 160 bulk tank milk samples collected from farms located in the most important milk production region in Argentina during one year (four seasons). Samples were analysed using immunoaffinity column (IAC) cleanup and UHPLC-MS/MS method for determining AFM1 at low levels of concentrations (LOQ = 0.003 μg L⁻¹). A survey about the potential factors associated with the presence of AFM1 in milk was performed directly in the field through a questionnaire applied to the farmers. Chi-square and logistic regression were performed with presence of AFM1 in milk as dependent variable, and potential risk factors as independent variables. Incidence of AFM1 in raw milk was 38.8% and, in all samples, AFM1 levels were lower than the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) Regulation (maximum level accepted = 0.5 μg L⁻¹). Commercial feed consumption (OR = 4.630, P = 0.001), soybean expeller consumption (>0.95 kgDM/cow) (OR = 3.542, P = 0.019), and cotton seed consumption (>1.5 kgDM/cow) (OR = 2.949, P = 0.089) were associated with the incidence of AFM1 in raw milk. Despite the incidence and the level of AFM1 in milk produced and commercialized in Argentina is not a serious problem for public health. The farm breeding intensification and the supplementation with commercial feed, soybean expeller, and cotton seed seems to be the risk factors that impacts on the AFM1 milk contamination. Therefore, Argentina should improve its monitoring program on mycotoxins in animal feed and milk and improve the management practices in farms.