Innovative production of multistrain synbiotic product using Thai-pigmented rice and rice bran oil

This study found that the isolated probiotics Lactobacillus paracasei KUKPS6201, L. acidophilus KUKPS6107, L. reuteri KUKPS6103, L. rhamnosus KUKPS6007, L. salivarius KUKPS6202, Bacillus coagulans KPSTF02 and Saccharomyces boulardii KUKPS6005 had high potential for probiotic properties. All strains had antibacterial activity and high antioxidant activity of 1.654 ± 0.017 mg Trolox mL⁻¹ probiotic extract. The selected strains could survive in a simulated gastrointestinal tract under anaerobic conditions and showed no haemolytic activity. Furthermore, the probiotic strains were strongly auto-aggregated and also showed co-aggregated ability with pathogenic bacteria. The probiotic microorganisms demonstrated high ability to adhere to Thai-pigmented rice grains. The results of analysis of these probiotics showed that Riceberry rice bran oil was an excellent prebiotic. A synbiotic product containing Thai-pigmented rice grains (cultivar Riceberry, Luem Pua and Black Jasmine) and rice bran oil was produced. After 8 weeks of storage, the viability of the probiotics in terms of multistrains was 7.36 ± 0.04 log CFU g^–1 (85.78% survival rate). Microbiological safety testing indicated that the amounts of contaminants were acceptable. This study provided the first scientific report on the feasibility of applying Thai-pigment rice, rice bran oil and mixed-culture probiotics as a novel functional synbiotic product.     

Sensitivity Analysis of Corrosion Rate Prediction Models Utilized for Reinforced Concrete Affected by Chloride

Chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion is one of the major causes of premature deterioration in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Given the high maintenance and replacement costs, accurate modeling of RC deterioration is indispensable for ensuring the optimal allocation of limited economic resources. Since corrosion rate is one of the major factors influencing the rate of deterioration, many predictive models exist. However, because the existing models use very different sets of input parameters, the choice of model for RC deterioration is made difficult. Although the factors affecting corrosion rate are frequently reported in the literature, there is no published quantitative study on the sensitivity of predicted corrosion rate to the various input parameters. This paper presents the results of the sensitivity analysis of the input parameters for nine selected corrosion rate prediction models. Three different methods of analysis are used to determine and compare the sensitivity of corrosion rate to various input parameters: (i) univariate regression analysis, (ii) multivariate regression analysis, and (iii) sensitivity index. The results from the analysis have quantitatively verified that the corrosion rate of steel reinforcement bars in RC structures is highly sensitive to corrosion duration time, concrete resistivity, and concrete chloride content. These important findings establish that future empirical models for predicting corrosion rate of RC should carefully consider and incorporate these input parameters.     

Accurate determination of meat mass fractions using DNA measurements for quantifying meat adulteration by digital PCR

The alarming problem of meat adulteration emphasises the demand for accessible analytical approaches for food regulatory agencies to detect and, specially, to measure altered meat fractions. This study proposes a novel cross-species triplex droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay to simultaneously identify and quantify the ratios of pork/beef meat fractions from a total DNA content, including processed and autoclaved meat, without requiring a standard, achieving high sensitivity with a limit of quantification estimated at 0.1% (w/w) and a limit of detection down to 0.01% (w/w). A single copy nuclear gene, β-actin, was employed as a target, accompanied with myostatin gene as a cross-species target to quantify the meat background. The duplex assay provided a simultaneous quantification of pork and myostatin, whereas the triplex assay was able to detect pork, beef and myostatin with a decrease of technical error, cost and time.     

Neuronal classification and distribution in the central nervous system of the female mud crab,Scylla olivacea

The mud crab, Scylla olivacea, is one of the most economically valuable marine species in Southeast Asian countries. However, commercial cultivation is disadvantaged by reduced reproductive capacity in captivity. Therefore, an understanding of the general and detailed anatomy of central nervous system (CNS) is required before investigating the distribution and functions of neurotransmitters, neurohormones, and other biomolecules, involved with reproduction. We found that the anatomical structure of the brain is similar to other crabs. However, the ventral nerve cord (VNC) is unlike other caridian and dendrobrachiate decapods, as the subesophageal (SEG), thoracic and abdominal ganglia are fused, due to the reduction of abdominal segments and the tail. Neurons in clusters within the CNS varied in sizes, and we found that there were five distinct size classes (i.e., very small globuli, small, medium, large, and giant). Clusters in the brain and SEG contained mainly very small globuli and small‐sized neurons, whereas, the VNC contained small‐, medium‐, large‐, and giant‐sized neurons. We postulate that the different sized neurons are involved in different functions. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:189–200, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Adsorptive Recovery of Palladium(II) and Platinum(IV) on the Chemically Modified-Microalgal Residue

A biomass waste of microalgae was chemically modified by immobilizing the functional group of polyethyleneimine to prepare a new type of adsorbent. The adsorption test revealed that this adsorbent exhibited remarkably high selectivity for Pd(II) and Pt(IV) over base metal ions in HCl solution. From the adsorption isotherm, its maximum adsorption capacity for Pd(II) and Pt(IV) was evaluated as 2.0 and 0.8 mmol/g, respectively. This adsorbent also exhibited high affinity and selectivity for Pd(II) and Pt(IV) even in the presence of high concentrations of base metals in actual leach liquor.     

Selective recovery of gold by simultaneous adsorption–reduction using microalgal residues generated from biofuel conversion processes

BACKGROUND: This research provides a new approach to the effective use of microalgal biomass waste generated by biofuel conversion processes. In this study, a novel adsorbent for Au(III) recovery was prepared by treating microalgal residues with concentrated sulfuric acid. RESULTS: The prepared adsorbent, crosslinked microalgae, exhibited high affinity and selectivity for Au(III) over other precious and base metal ions in a hydrochloric acid medium. From the adsorption isotherms, the maximum adsorption capacity of the crosslinked microalgae for Au(III) was estimated to be 3.25 mol kg^?1 (640 g kg^?1), which was about eight times higher than the adsorption capacity of the microalgal residue. Microphotographs, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction confirmed the formation of metallic Au, suggesting that a redox reaction had taken place between the adsorbent and Au(III) ions during adsorption. Comparison of Fourier‐transform infrared spectra before and after adsorption indicated that hydroxyl groups as well as ether oxygen atoms in the crosslinked microalgae participated in the Au(III) uptake mechanism. It also suggested that the reduction of Au(III) to Au(0) was facilitated by hydroxyl groups in the crosslinked microalgae. CONCLUSION: The results presented in this paper are very promising for the practical use of microalgal residues for the recovery of Au(III) because of good selectivity and favorable adsorption capacity for Au(III). Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Identification of a Chitooligosaccharide Mechanism against Bacterial Leaf Blight on Rice by In Vitro and In Silico Studies

This study focuses on a commercial plant elicitor based on chitooligosaccharides (BIG^®), which aids in rice plant growth and disease resistance to bacterial leaf blight (BLB). When the pathogen (Xoo) vigorously attacks rice that has suffered yield losses, it can cause damage in up to 20% of the plant. Furthermore, Xoo is a seed-borne pathogen that can survive in rice seeds for an extended period. In this study, when rice seeds were soaked and sprayed with BIG^®, there was a significant increase in shoot and root length, as well as plant biomass. Furthermore, BIG^®-treated rice plants showed a significant reduction in BLB severity of more than 33%. Synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) analysis was used to characterize BIG^®’s mechanism in the chemical structure of rice leaves. The SR-FTIR results at 1650, 1735, and 1114 cm⁻¹ indicated changes in biochemical components such as pectins, lignins, proteins, and celluloses. These findings demonstrated that commercial BIG^® not only increased rice growth but also induced resistance to BLB. The drug’s target enzyme, Xoo 1075 from Xanthomonas oryzae (PDB ID: 5CY8), was analyzed for its interactions with polymer ingredients, specifically chitooligosaccharides, to gain molecular insights down to the atomic level. The results are intriguing, with a strong binding of the chitooligosaccharide polymer with the drug target, revealing 10 hydrogen bonds between the protein and polymer. Overall, the computational analysis supported the experimentally demonstrated strong binding of chitooligosaccharides to the drug target.     

Sensory evaluations and stability determinations of goat milk containing galactooligosaccharides

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of producing goat milk containing galactooligosaccharides (GOS) by β‐galactosidase and to determine the sensory attribute and stability of goat milk containing GOS. The results indicated that the maximum GOS obtained were approximately 13.9% of total sugars at pH 4.5 and temperature 40 °C. The sensory attribute of the obtained GOS was determined using a 5‐point hedonic scale in terms of taste, flavour, appearance and overall acceptability. There were significant increases in taste and overall acceptability of goat milk containing higher GOS concentration when compared to regular goat milk (control). Also, goat milk containing GOS presented a good stability over the acidic conditions. GOS in goat milk were also stable after the high heat treatment and shelf life conditions.     

Distribution and residue depletion of oxytetracycline in giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

Distribution and residue depletion patterns of oxytetracycline were examined in giant freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, after medicated-feed treatment at the feeding level of 4 g/kg of feed for 5 consecutive days. The concentration of oxytetracycline in prawn muscle tissues was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a fluorescence detector. The limit of detection was 0.1 microg/g. In the medicated-feed-treated group, oxytetracycline was detectable 8 days posttreatment at the feeding level of 4 g/kg of feed for 5 consecutive days. The depletion half-life and mean residence time of oxytetracycline were 30.96 and 100.3 h, respectively. The dose of 4 g/kg of feed for 5 consecutive days can be recommended for therapeutic dosage regimen in giant freshwater prawn aquaculture. The minimal withdrawal period of M. rosenbergii muscle tissue should be 8 days postcessation of medicated feed.