Drying of persimmons (Diospyros kaki L.) and the following changes in the studied bioactive compounds and the total radical scavenging activities

Fresh persimmons were subjected to two different processes: sun-drying during 1 month and dehydration at 60 °C during 12 h. To assess the effect of this process on nutritional and health-related properties of persimmons dietary fibers, minerals, trace elements, polyphenols and the total radical scavenging activities (TRSAs) were determined before and after processing. It was found that the contents of dietary fibers, minerals and trace elements in fresh and dried persimmons fruits were comparable. Total polyphenols in fresh persimmons was higher than in dried fruits (1.3 vs. 0.9 and 0.8 mg/100 g FW, respectively) and percentage of inhibition was higher than in dried fruits (70% vs. 59% and 55% and 58% vs. 53% and 46% for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) [ABTS] radicals, respectively (P>0.05 in all cases). In conclusion: (1) the differences in the contents of dietary fibers, minerals and trace elements in fresh and dried persimmons are not significant; (2) the contents of polyphenols and the level of the TRSA are higher in fresh persimmons than in dried fruits; however, both variables are also high in dried persimmons; (3) when fresh fruits are not available, proper dried persimmons could be used as a valuable substitute.     

Virtual Screening of FDA-Approved Drugs against Triose Phosphate Isomerase from Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia Identifies Inhibitors of Their Trophozoite Growth Phase

Infectious diseases caused by intestinal protozoan, such as Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) and Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) are a worldwide public health issue. They affect more than 70 million people every year. They colonize intestines causing primarily diarrhea; nevertheless, these infections can lead to more serious complications. The treatment of choice, metronidazole, is in doubt due to adverse effects and resistance. Therefore, there is a need for new compounds against these parasites. In this work, a structure-based virtual screening of FDA-approved drugs was performed to identify compounds with antiprotozoal activity. The glycolytic enzyme triosephosphate isomerase, present in both E. histolytica and G. lamblia, was used as the drug target. The compounds with the best average docking score on both structures were selected for the in vitro evaluation. Three compounds, chlorhexidine, tolcapone, and imatinib, were capable of inhibit growth on G. lamblia trophozoites (0.05–4.935 μg/mL), while folic acid showed activity against E. histolytica (0.186 μg/mL) and G. lamblia (5.342 μg/mL).     

Adsorption of Cr(III), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) ions onto phenolated wood resin

In this study, phenolated wood resin was used an adsorbent for the removal of Cr(III), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) ions by adsorption from aqueous solution. The adsorption of metal ions from solution was carried at different contact times, concentrations and pHs at room temperature (25°C). For individual metal ion, the amount of metal ions adsorbed per unit weight of phenolated wood resin at equilibrium time increased with increasing concentration and pH. Also, when the amounts of metal ions adsorbed are compared to each other, it was seen that this increase was order of Cr(III) > Ni(II) > Zn(II) > Co(II). This increase was order of Cr(III) > Ni(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process obeyed the intraparticle diffusion model. It was also determined that adsorption isotherm followed Langmuir and Freundlich models. Adsorption isotherm obtained for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin was consistent with Freundlich model well. Adsorption capacities from Langmuir isotherm for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin were higher than those of phenolated wood resin, in the case of individual metal ions. Original adsorption isotherm demonstrated the monolayer coverage of the surface of phenolated wood resin. Adsorption kinetic followed the intraparticle diffusion model. The positive values of ΔG° determined using the equilibrium constants showed that the adsorption was not of spontaneous nature. It was seen that values of distribution coefficient (K_D) decreasing with metal ion concentration in solution at equilibrium (C_e) indicated that the occupation of active surface sites of adsorbent increased with metal ions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2838–2846, 2006     

A technique for defining agent-oriented engineering processes with tool support

The formalization of engineering processes is necessary for guaranteeing the quality and cost of the products involved. Agent-oriented engineering has already proposed development processes that still need to be further formalized to be applicable by non-researchers. This paper proposes a technique to instantiate processes for specific agent-oriented methodologies. This technique is based on three orthogonal views that are respectively related with lifecycles, disciplines and guidances. In addition, processes are modeled with a tool, which is automatically generated from a process metamodel inspired by the software & systems process engineering metamodel. Accordingly, engineers can choose the methodology–process pair best-suited for the characteristics of their project. The paper illustrates the approach based on the unified development process and the scrum process for the INGENIAS methodology and compares the results with other existing alternatives.     

Influence of carboxymethylation on the gelling capacity,rheological properties,and antioxidant activity of feruloylated arabinoxylans from different sources

Feruloylated arabinoxylans (FAX) are gelling polysaccharides presenting antioxidant activity (AC) and potential application as delivery systems. The influence of carboxymethylation on the gelling capacity, rheological properties, and AC of FAX from wheat flour (FAX1) and maize distillers grains (FAX2) was analyzed. The degree of substitution of carboxymethyl groups was 0.27 and 1.77 for carboxymethylated FAX1 (CFAX1) and FAX2 (CFAX2), which presented a change in M _n from 446 to 362 kDa and from 120 to 180 kDa, and a loss in FA content from 1.05 to traces and from 10.13 to 0.12, respectively, after carboxymethylation. G′ value at the end of rheological tests for FAX1 (71 Pa) and FAX2 (726 Pa) was higher than the corresponding G″ value. In contrast, G″ value for CFAX1 (0.35 Pa) and CFAX2 (0.03 Pa) was higher than the respective G′ value, indicating that they do no form gels. The AC increased in CFAX1 in relation to FAX1 from 4.49 to 8.30 mmol Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) kg⁻¹, respectively, while it decreased in CFAX2 with regard to FAX2 from 11.31 to 9.43 mmol TEAC kg⁻¹, respectively. Carboxymethylation could be a path to design FAX derivatives offering alternative potential applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48325.     

Development of Undergraduate Students’ Professional Skills

The development of engineering students’ professional skills has gained considerable national attention from Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the National Academy of Engineering, ASCE, and other constituents. There is little debate that these professional skills are necessary. Engineering programs have tried many approaches to develop these skills in the undergraduate programs. Colorado State University (CSU) has developed a new approach modeled on the type of professional development that occurs in the professional environment. This new Professional Learning Institute (PLI) provides students with a broad array of workshops, presentations, and experiential opportunities addressing the areas of cross cultural communication and teamwork, innovation, leadership, ethics, and public service. This program introduces students to the concept of professional development through required extracurricular activities, includes minimum requirements along with requirements to earn certificates in specialty areas for motivated students. The majority of offerings in the PLI are presented by leaders from the engineering profession who have teamed with CSU to provide high quality programs for our students.     

Angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities of protein hydrolysates from Phaseolus lunatus and Phaseolus vulgaris seeds

Phaseolus lunatus and Phaseolus vulgaris protein concentrates were hydrolyzed with the enzymes Alcalase^® and Flavourzyme^® at different reaction times, and the angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE-I) inhibitory activity, antioxidant properties and amino acid composition measured in the hydrolysates. With Alcalase^®, the highest degree of hydrolysis (DH) in P. lunatus was 37.94% at 45 min, and in P. vulgaris was 49.48% at 30 min. With Flavourzyme^®, the highest DH's were 22.03% and 26.05%, respectively, both at 90 min. ACE-I inhibitory activity in the Alcalase^® hydrolysates was IC₅₀ = 0.056 mg mL⁻¹ for P. lunatus at 90 min, and IC₅₀ = 0.061 mg mL⁻¹ for P. vulgaris at 60 min. In the Flavourzyme^® hydrolysates this activity was IC₅₀ = 0.0069 mg mL⁻¹ for P. lunatus at 90 min and IC₅₀ = 0.127 mg mL⁻¹ for P. vulgaris at 45 min. In SDS-PAGE, the hydrolysates exhibited low molecular weight bands. Antioxidant activity was 11.55 mmol L⁻¹ TEAC mg⁻¹ protein for P. lunatus with Flavourzyme^® at 90 min and 10.09 mmol L⁻¹ TEAC mg⁻¹ protein for P. vulgaris with Alcalase^® at 60 min. Amino acid composition exhibited high amino acid hydrophobic residues content.     

Migration of α-tocopherol from LDPE films to corn oil and its effect on the oxidative stability

The migration of α-tocopherol (α-T) from low density polyethylene (LDPE) films, added with 20 (film A) and 40 mg g^?1 (film B) to corn oil for 12 weeks at 5, 20 and 30 °C was determined. A LDPE film added with no α-T was used as control (film C). Diffusion coefficient (D) values for the film A system were 1.4 × 10^?11, 7.1 × 10^?11 and 30.3 × 10^?11 cm² s^?1 at 5, 20 and 30 °C, respectively. Meanwhile, D values for the film B system were 1.3 × 10^?11, 9.6 × 10^?11 and 51.1 × 10^?11 cm² s^?1 at the same temperatures. The activation energy (E_a) for the diffusion of α-T was 126.5 (film A) and 105.9 kJ mol^?1 (film B). The effect of the migration of α-T on the oxidative stability of corn oil was evaluated by monitoring hexanal content by solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography. The hexanal content in the oil showed that both films added with α-T resulted suitable to maintain the oxidative stability of the oil for about 16 weeks at 30 °C, compared to 12 weeks for the oil in contact with the film C.