Response surface optimization of Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss (SCB) oil extraction via supercritical carbon dioxide

In this study, the essential oil of aerial parts of a species of a plant called Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss (SCB) was extracted by supercritical CO₂. The essence was analyzed by the method of GC/MS. Design of experiments was carried out with response surface methodology by Minitab 16 software to optimize four operating variables of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) extraction (pressure, temperature, CO₂ flow rate and extraction dynamic time). This is the first report announcing optimization of the operation of supercritical extraction of SCB in laboratorial conditions. Optimizing process was done to achieve maximum yield extraction. Independent variables were dynamic time (t_d), pressure (P), temperature (T) and flow rate of SC-CO₂ (Q) in the range of 30–150 min, 10–30 MPa, 40–60 °C and 0.5–1.7 ml/min, respectively. The experimental optimal recovery of essential oil (0.8431, w/w%) was obtained at 13.43 MPa, 40 °C, 150 min (dynamic) and 1.7 ml/min (CO₂ flow rate).     

Blood lead level and its relationship to certain essential elements in the children aged 0 to 14 years from Beijing, China

Objective

To investigate blood lead level and its relationship to copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron in the children aged 0 to 14 years old from Beijing, China.

Methods

We classified 3181 children into one of the four groups: Group A (n = 783, < 1 year old); Group B (n = 1538, 1-3 years old); Group C (n = 443, 3-7 years old); and, Group D (n = 417, 7-14 years old). All these metal elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results

The blood lead level was 0.207 ± 0.105 μmol/L. There was a significant gender difference for zinc (P < 0.05) in Group C, and there was also a significant gender difference for copper (P < 0.05) and lead (P < 0.05) in Group D. Controlling for gender and age, we observed that there was a negative correlation of lead with zinc (r = − 0.052, P < 0.01), magnesium (r = − 0.042, P < 0.05) and iron (r = − 0.031, P < 0.05), respectively. Furthermore, in the children aged 1-7 years old, we also found there was a negative linear correlation of lead with zinc, magnesium and iron, respectively (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Blood lead level in children from Beijing was markedly decreased. And deficiency of zinc, magnesium and iron is related to the elevated blood lead level in the children aged 1-7 years.     

景观设计的人文要素概念初探

在了解人文概念的基础上，文章确立了景观设计的人文要素概念，以及景观设计概念与文明进程，并对其在景观设计中的地位和意义进行了阐明，进而理顺景观设计的人文要素与其他要素的关系是十分必要的。     

高校食堂与室内设计

本文讨论了高校标准化食堂改造应遵循的三大原则———把握文化因素,善用建筑空间特点,坚持低造价、低成本、高品质设计。同时介绍了作者的设计实践。     

中美两国医院电气设计差异

简要介绍《美国国家电气规范》有关医院电气设计的部分内容,比对中、美两国在医院供配电系统设计方面的差异,并由此引发了一些思考:①美国NEC将电气负荷分为四类,并具体规定了接入这四类负荷配电回路的设备;②NEC强调应由独立的发电机组提供备用电源;③NEC规定重要负荷均采用双电源自切,但自切开关均设在首端;④NEC规定不同负荷种类的线路分开敷设,并由各自色标标明.     

Influence of the Oil Phase on the Microencapsulation by Complex Coacervation

The influence of oil type on the process yield, efficiency of encapsulation, particle size and morphological aspects of coacervated microparticles was investigated. Firstly, several factors affecting microencapsulation of oils by complex coacervation were simultaneously examined. The results indicated that the process yield is mainly dependent on the velocity of homogenization, temperature and polymer ratio. Using optimum conditions for producing microparticles [pH 4.0, 14,000 rpm, 50 °C, gelatin:gum arabic (GE:GA) 1:1 and 2.5 % w/v], different core materials were tested: a vegetable oil (almond oil), an oil with higher hydrophilic lipophilic balance (vetiver essential oil) and a highly hydrophobic oil (mineral oil). The oil phase exerted an influence on microparticle formation, disturbing the complexation of polymers and modifying the core distribution within the particles. Some of the polymers were complexed when mineral oil was used, and the highest efficiency of encapsulation (91.8 %) was obtained with vetiver oil, followed by the almond (70.6 %) and mineral (38.0 %) oils. Particles produced with vetiver oil were larger (43.5 μm) than those produced with mineral oil (35.0 μm) and almond oil (19.2 μm), and the increase in the size is due to the encapsulation of many small droplets of emulsion, characterizing these particles as multinucleate ones.     

Drying of Herbal Product in Closed System

A new product from a low temperature drying method that reduces the loss of highly volatile essential oils is presented. The proposed drying method consists of evaporation/sublimation of water and aromatic substances in a dryer with a closed drying agent cycle. In parallel, the evaporated compounds are continuously condensed in a heat exchanger. As a result of the drying process, high-quality dried plants and Fluidolat as liquid phase containing water and volatile organic compounds are obtained. The aim of presented investigations was to optimize the developed technology for the herb lavender.     

Preservative effectiveness of essential oils in vapor phase combined with modified atmosphere packaging against spoilage bacteria on fresh cabbage

This study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial effects of various essential oils (EOs) against pathogens using the disc volatilization method. Also, combined effects of EOs in vapor phase and MAP were evaluated for reducing levels of total mesophilic microorganisms on fresh cabbage. The vapor phase activities of EOs (thyme-1, oregano-1, lemongrass-1, and lemongrass-2 oils) observed strong inhibitory effects. The MAP results showed that 100% CO₂ gas packaging reduced significantly levels of total mesophilic microorganisms on cabbage and radish sprouts, and their reduction level was 1.55 and 2.26 log₁₀ CFU/g compared to control after 21 days of storage (p ≤ 0.05). Based on previous results, combined effects of EOs in vapor phase and MAP (100% CO₂) showed that lemongrass-2 oil with 20 discs showed complete inactivation by <1.0 log₁₀ CFU/g after 14 days of storage. These results could provide useful information for developing alternative preservation method to improve the freshness and shelf-life of fresh produce using natural antimicrobials.     

Native and modified porcine plasma protein as wall materials for microencapsulation of natural essential oils

Porcine plasma protein (PPP) is of interest as a wall material to encapsulate lemongrass oil, turmeric oil and eucalyptus oil using emulsion technique and freeze drying. The properties of microcapsules were used to evaluate two types of wall material (native porcine plasma protein; NPPP and modified porcine plasma protein; MPPP) at two different ratios of wall material (W) and core material (C) (W:C; 4:1 and 3:1). All NPPP and MPPP emulsions showed Bingham plastic fluid flow behaviours. Moreover, MPPP microcapsules showed lower free oil content on their surface (0.10–0.50%) with higher encapsulation efficiency (91–98%). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed the outstanding chemical structure of microcapsules. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy indicated holes on the surface of microcapsules encapsulated with essential oils. Both PPPs can be used as encapsulation material for natural extract and food additives to improve the food texture and as a biopolymer film to maintain the quality of food products.