Optimizing the Tyrosinase Inhibitory and Antioxidant Activity of Mango Seed Kernels with a Response Surface Methodology

This study describes the optimization of polyphenol extraction from mango seed kernels by using response surface methodology (RSM). In the solid-to-liquid selection, the extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity are all significantly increased with a decrease in the solid-to-liquid ratio (P?<?0.05). Between the Nam-Dok-Mai kernel (NDK) and the Tong-Dam kernel (TDK), the TDK was chosen for RSM with a fixed ratio of 1:30 solid-to-liquid. The variables in the independent processing were the concentrations of ethanol, the temperature, and the time applied to RSM. Ethanol concentration, temperature, and duration had significant individual and interactive effects on phenolic yield and antioxidant activities (P?<?0.05). The optimized condition that maximized the extraction yields, TPC, and antioxidant activities from TDK was an ethanol concentration of 62 %, a temperature of 63 °C, and a duration of 150 min. The obtained and validated optimized model could be used to describe the effect of these variables on the extraction of phenolic compounds from mango seed kernels.     

Properties of gelatin films from giant catfish skin and bovine bone: a comparative study

Edible films were prepared from the gelatin of farmed giant catfish skin (GC) (Pangasianodon gigas), bovine bone gelatin (BB) and their combination. The physical, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of the resulting films were characterized and compared. The molecular weight distributions of the giant catfish skin gelatin-containing samples had high quantities of α-chains, β-components and high molecular weight cross-links. The bovine bone gelatin-containing samples showed low contents of major bands with high degradation band components. The GC films had higher water activity (0.45) and mechanical properties [tensile strength: TS 41 MPa and elongation at break: EAB 34 (%)] but lower thickness (38 μm) and water vapor permeability than those of BB films. The lowest light transmission (200–800 nm) and film transparency (3.34) were found in the GC films. However, the color attribute (L, a and b) of BB films was closer to the low-density polyethylene commercial film (ΔE 1.2). The highest value of film and protein solubility (100%) was found in BB film, while the lowest value (41–56%) was found in GC film. The GC films showed the most compact, smooth and continuous surface without porous structures, which corresponds to the greater properties of films.     

Heterogeneous catalysis of transesterification of soybean oil using KI/mesoporous silica

Heterogeneous catalysis of transesterification using KI/mesoporous silica catalyst was utilized to produce biodiesel from soybean oil and methanol. The effects of reaction temperature, percentage of KI loading, reaction time, and amount of catalyst on the conversion to methyl ester were studied. The results showed that increasing reaction temperature, KI loading and reaction time can enhance the conversion. The optimum condition was the reaction temperature at 70 °C, 15 wt.% of KI, a reaction time of 8 h., and a catalyst amount of 5.0% by weight of the oil which yielded 90.09% of the conversion. The fuel properties of biodiesel from the optimum condition were tested and found that only viscosity showed over standard. However, the high viscosity can be reduced by separation of non-reacting soybean oil.     

Stability evaluation of ethanol dry reforming on Lanthania‐doped cobalt‐based catalysts for hydrogen‐rich syngas generation

Catalytic stability with time‐on‐stream is an important aspect in ethanol dry reforming (EDR) since catalysts could encounter undesirable deterioration arising from deposited carbon. This work examined the promotional effect of La on 10%Co/Al₂O₃ in terms of activity, stability, and characteristics. Catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements whilst catalytic EDR performance of La‐promoted and unpromoted 10%Co/Al₂O₃ prepared via wet impregnation technique was investigated at 973 K for 72 h using a stoichiometric feed ratio (C₂H₅OH/CO₂ = 1/1). La promoter substantially enhanced both metal dispersion and metal surface area from 0.11% to 0.64% and 0.08 to 0.43 m² g^?1, respectively. Ethanol and CO₂ conversions appeared to be stable within 50 to 72 h after experiencing an initial activity drop. The conversion of C₂H₅OH and CO₂ for La‐promoted catalyst was about 1.65 and 1.34 times greater than unpromoted counterpart in this order. The carbonaceous deposition was considerably decreased from 55.6% to 36.8% with La promotion due to La₂O₂CO₃ intermediate formation. Additionally, 3%La‐10%Co/Al₂O₃ possessed greater oxygen vacancies acting as active sites for CO₂ adsorption and hence increasing carbon gasification. Even though graphitic and filamentous carbons were formed on used catalyst surface, La‐addition diminished graphite formation and increased the reactiveness of amorphous carbon.     

Gelatinolytic enzymes from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens isolated from fish docks: Characteristics and hydrolytic activity

Fifty-five bacteria with gelatinolytic activity were screened from over 500 isolates obtained from fishing docks in Songkhla, Thailand. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, 3 selected strains (K12, O02, and S13) were identified as Bacillus cereus with 99.8% similarity. Three other stains (D10, G02, and H11) were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens with 99.7% similarity. Gelatinolytic enzymes of the D10, G02, and H11 strains were precipitated using ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by dialysis with an increase in purity between 19-34-fold. Maximal gelatinolytic activities towards fish gelatin were attained at 50°C and pH 7.5. Metallo- and serine-gelatinolytic enzymes were dominant for all 3 strains. All gelatinolytic enzymes showed similar hydrolysis towards fish gelatin to commercial Alcalase, but higher hydrolysis was found in the formers within the first 60 min. Therefore, gelatinolytic enzymes from selected B. amyloliquefaciens strains can be used for production of fish gelatin hydrolysate.     

Effect of Drying Methods on Odorous Compounds and Antioxidative Activity of Gelatin Hydrolysate Produced by Protease from B. amyloliquefaciens H11

Gelatin hydrolysates with antioxidative activity produced by protease from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens H11 with different hydrolysis times were prepared. Alpha-amino group content and antioxidative activities increased with increasing hydrolysis time (p < 0.05). When gelatin hydrolysate prepared with hydrolysis time of 3 h (GH-3H) was subjected to freeze drying and spray drying, the powder obtained from spray drying showed a decrease in antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and metal chelating activity. Spray-dried gelatin hydrolysate (GH-3H-SD) showed higher whiteness with lower fishy odor and off-odor associated with fermentation. This was concomitant with the decreases in several odorous compounds in the sample, except for nonanal, which was higher in comparison with the powder obtained by freeze drying. Thus, spray drying could be an effective drying method to improve color and reduce undesirable odor of gelatin hydrolysate.     

Polyisoprene modified poly(alkyl acrylate) foam as oil sorbent material

Biorenewable polyisoprene latex obtained from natural rubber, Hevea brasiliensis, was used to prepare the reusable polyisoprene–poly(alkyl acrylate) foam for petroleum‐based liquid absorption. The foam was produced via latex vulcanization and cured by steaming. The effect of various types of poly(alkyl acrylate) such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA), and poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) on oil sorption capacity of the foam were studied. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed interconnected open‐cell macrostructure with the foam porosity greater than 75% and good compression set. The oil sorption capacity of the foam was in the range of 2.0–16.6 g g^?1. The addition of poly(alkyl acrylate) enhanced hydrophobicity and oil sorption capacity of the foam. The absorbed oil was easily recovered by squeezing and the foam can be reused up to 30 sorption–desorption cycles and still preserve high quality sorption. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42688.