STABILIZATION OF MARINE OILS WITH FLAVONOIDS

Antioxidant activity of a number of flavonoids in refined-bleached and deodorized (RBD) seal blubber oil (SBO) and menhaden oil (MHO) was compared with that of commercially used antioxidants, namely butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) as well as α-tocopherol. The study was carried under Schaal oven conditions at 65C and progression of oxidation was followed by monitoring weight gain, peroxide value (PV) and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value. Among the flavonoids tested in this study, the flavonols, namely myricetin, quercetin and morin exhibited a stronger antioxidant activity than BHA and BHT and effectively stabilized both SBO and MHO. Myricetin was the most effective flavonoid tested in this study and its effect in reducing lipid oxidation was similar to that of TBHQ.     

STORAGE STABILITY OF MICROENCAPSULATED SEAL BLUBBER OIL

The oxidative stability of microencapsulated seal blubber oil (SBO) was compared with that of its unencapsulated counterpart. Wall materials tested were β-cyclodextrin, maltodextrin and corn-syrup solids. Aqueous dispersions containing the wall material, Tween-80 as an emulsifier, and SBO were thoroughly mixed and then spray-dried. The storage stability of the spray-dried products at room temperature was determined by monitoring changes in their fatty acid composition, peroxide, conjugated diene and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Among the wall materials tested, β-cyclodextrin and to a lesser extent corn-syrup solids were found to be suitable encapsulating agents for SBO, but maltodextrin was inadequate. The encapsulated oils may be easily handled and incorporated into food formulations.     

POSITIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF FATTY ACIDS IN TRIACYLGLYCEROLS OF SEAL BLUBBER OIL

The positional distribution of long-chain ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the triacylglycerol (TAG) molecules of seal blubber oil was determined and compared with that of commercially available menhaden oil via stereospecific analysis. In seal blubber oil, EPA, DPA and DHA occurred mainly in the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of the TAG molecules. The amounts were EPA, 8.36 and 11.2; DPA, 3.99 and 8.21; and DHA, 10.5 and 17.9%, respectively. In menhaden oil, DPA and DHA occurred mainly in the sn-2 position of the TAG at 3.11 and 17.2%, respectively. However, EPA was equally distributed in the sn-2 and sn-3 positions and was present only in minute amounts in the sn-1 position.     

EFFECTS OF PROCESSING AND SQUALENE ON COMPOSITION AND OXIDATIVE STABILITY OF SEAL BLUBBER OIL

Effects of processing on constituents of seal blubber oil and that of squalene on oxidative stability of several oils were monitored. The content of α-tocopherol in oil decreased during processing, especially at the bleaching and deodorization steps. There was also a concurrent reduction in the contents of squalene and free fatty acids, especially during deodorization. Oils treated with squalene did not show any improved oxidative stability and in some cases were even less stable.     

A KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEM FOR COURSE SCHEDULING

Abstract

A knowledge-based scheduling system has been developed for the domain of university class scheduling. The problem addressed is how to schedule courses during the various time periods throughout the day. The class schedule must satisfy a variety of appropriate constraints. The system, written in Prolog, resolves conflicting assignments through backtracking. The inefficiency of Prolog's backtracking feature, with respect to this application, is partly circumvented by the use of a dynamic circular array. The system is now being used to help schedule industrial engineering classes at the Pennsylvania State University.