Effect of fermentation conditions on yeast growth and volatile composition of wine produced from mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit juice

In this study mango juice fermentation at laboratory scale with controlled inoculation using selected yeast strain was performed (Saccharomyces cerevisiae 101). Effect of fermentation conditions (temperature, pH, SO₂ and aeration) on wine fermentation was evaluated based on yeast growth, duration, fermentation rate and volatile composition. The composition of the major volatile compounds with low boiling points was determined by gas chromatography under the different operating conditions of fermentation temperature (15-35 °C), pH (3.5-6.0), SO₂ (100-300 ppm) and aeration (initial dissolved O₂ and shaking at 30 rpm). Temperature had important effect on yeast growth and on the levels of volatile compounds. It was observed that the final concentrations of ethyl acetate and some of the higher alcohols decreased when fermentation temperature increased to 25 °C (35 mg/l at 15 °C and 27 mg/l at 25 °C). SO₂ stimulated the yeast growth up to certain level and in excess it inhibited the yeast metabolism. Ethanol concentration slightly increased with the addition of 100 ppm SO₂ (8.2 g/l) and decreased with increase in concentration of SO₂ (6.2 g/l in 300 ppm SO₂). Aeration by shaking increased the viable cell count (from 52 × 10⁶ in the absence of oxygen to 98 × 10⁶ in shaking at 30 rpm) but decreased the ethanol productivity (from 7.2 in initial dissolved O₂ to 6.5 g/l shaking at 30 rpm). With the results obtained it was concluded that the temperature (25 °C), pH (5), SO₂ (100 ppm) and must with initial oxygen were optimum for better quality of wine from mango fruits. The results of the present study considering the traditionally recognized preference for low alcoholic fermentation temperatures in wine making.     

Dehydration of red bell-pepper (Capsicum annuum L.): Change in drying behavior, colour and antioxidant content

The sun, oven (50 and 70 °C) and microwave oven (210 and 700 W) drying behaviors of red bell-pepper slices were investigated. Effects of these drying methods in terms of colour indices and antioxidant activity of pepper slices were also studied. “Midilli and Küçük” model exhibited high coefficient of determination (R²) values for all the drying methods used in the assay, ranging between 0.994-0.999, while “Page” and “Modified Page” models fit better for oven drying at 70 °C. The calculated effective diffusivity (D_eff) values (m²/s) of pepper slices for the drying processes ranged between 0.31 and 87.39 × 10⁻⁹. Sun dried and followed by microwave oven (700 W) dried samples revealed the highest L^*, a^* and b^* colour values than the other dried samples. Microwave oven dried (210 W) and oven dried (50 °C) samples exhibited the lowest TEAC and DPPH radical scavenging activities among the dried samples.     

Extraction of phenolic compounds from pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) leaves by sequential extraction in fixed bed extractor using supercritical CO2, ethanol and water as solvents

With the goal of maximizing the extraction yield of phenolic compounds from pitanga leaves (Eugenia uniflora L.), a sequential extraction in fixed bed was carried out in three steps at 60 °C and 400 bar, using supercritical CO₂ (non-polar) as solvent in a first step, followed by ethanol (polarity: 5.2) and water (polarity: 9.0) in a second and third steps, respectively. All extracts were evaluated for global extraction yield, concentration and yield of both polyphenols and total flavonoids and antioxidant activity by DPPH method (in terms of EC₅₀). The nature of the solvent significantly influenced the process, since the extraction yield increased with solvent polarity. The aqueous extracts presented higher global extraction yield (22%), followed by ethanolic (16%) and supercritical extracts (5%). The study pointed out that the sequential extraction process is the most effective in terms of global extraction yield and yield of polyphenols and total flavonoids, because it produced the more concentrated extracts on phenolic compounds, since the supercritical ethanolic extract presented the highest phenolics content (240.5 mg GAE/g extract) and antioxidant capacity (EC₅₀ = 9.15 μg/mL). The most volatile fraction from the supercritical extract, which is similar to the essential oils obtained by steam distillation or hydrodistillation, presented as major compounds the germacrenos D and B + bicyclogermacrene (40.75%), selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one + selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one epoxide (27.7%) and trans-caryophyllene (14.18%).     

The effect of extraction techniques on yield,extraction kinetics,and antioxidant activity of aqueous-methanolic extracts from nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves

Five extraction techniques, maceration, reflux, Soxhlet, Tillepape, and ultrasonic extraction, were used to obtain the extractive matter from nettle leaves. The antioxidant activity of extracts was assessed by DPPH, FRAP, and H₂O₂ test, while the total phenolic and total flavonoid content was determined according to the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. Model Ponomarev and a non-stationary diffusion model through the plant material were used for modelling extraction process. The extract obtained by Soxhlet extraction, containing higher amounts of extractive matter as well as phenolic and flavonoid compounds, showed better antioxidant activity than those obtained by other extraction techniques.     

Varnish layer hardness of oriental beech (fagus orientalist L.) wood as affected by impregnation and bleaching

The impacts of impregnation and bleaching on the varnish layer hardness of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalist L.) wood were investigated. A number of bleaching combinations {[NaOH−H₂O₂], [NaOH−Ca(OH)₂−H₂O₂], [NaOH−MgSO₄−H₂O₂] [NaHSO₃−H₂C₂O₄], [NaSiO₃−H₂O₂], [KMnO₄+NaHSO₃+H₂O₃]} were applied at 18% concentration for bleaching to both impregnated and unimpregnated specimens of Oriental beech wood. Subsequently, water-based (WB) varnish was coated over the samples and the varnish layer hardness values were determined in accordance with ASTM D 4366-95. All of the chemicals used for bleaching reduced the surface hardness. However, after varnish coating, the hardness of most samples was similar to that of the varnish-coated natural (control) samples.     

Nitrogen requirements of corn (Zea mays L.) as affected by monocropping and intercropping with Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Intercropping perennials with corn has the potential to improve utilization of the growing season over monocropping corn in regions where a substantial portion of the growing season is too cool for corn growth. The biomass potential and fertilizer N requirements of monocropped corn (Zea mays) grown using conventional tillage were compared with those of corn intercropped with alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in 1987 and 1988. The intercropped alfalfa was harvested once prior to planting the corn each spring. Rotation effects on and N fertilizer requirements for monocropped corn following these treatments and also following monocropped alfalfa, were evaluated in 1989 and 1990. During the two years of intercropping for which data is presented, the critical intercropped corn biomass (13.05 Mg ha^–1) estimated using a quadratic-plus plateau model, was close to the monocropped corn biomass (13.01 Mg ha^–1), but an estimated 83 kg ha^–1 more N was required for intercropped corn to reach the critical biomass. Total biomass (intercropped corn and alfalfa) was 25% greater than that of the monocropped corn, and the total N uptake was 55% greater than that by monocropped corn over the two- year period. After rotation to monocropped corn using conventional tillage in 1989, corn biomass averaged over N rates following intercropping or monocropped corn was lower (P=0.01) than following monocropped alfalfa. Critical corn biomass estimated was highest following alfalfa and lowest following monocropped corn, and more N fertilizer was required to attain the critical biomass under continuous monocropped corn in 1989. Corn yields and N uptake values in 1990 were not significantly different among the cropping systems. The N fertilizer replacement values due to intercropping decreased from above 90 kg N ha^–1 in the first year of rotation to less than 40 kg N ha^–1 in the second year of rotation. Considering the higher potential for total biomass production and rotation benefit, intercropping is a viable alternative to conventional corn monoculture for forage production.     

Growth,yield components and micronutrient nutrition of field-grown maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by nitrogen fertilization and plant density

Growth and yield components in field-grown maize (Zea mays L.) were enhanced by nitrogen fertilization ranging from 50 to 200 kg N ha^–1. Ear diameter, kernel depth, grain: stover ratio, number of ears plant^–1, plant height and dry matter production increased as N fertilization rate was increased up to 100 or 150 kg N ha^–1. Tasselling in maize was hastened by N fertilization. Increasing plant density from 25000 to 75000 plants ha^–1 increased plant height, dry matter production and delayed tasseling but reduced ear diameter, kernel depth, grain: stover ratio and number of ears plant^–1. Increased N supply and plant density had no influence on the concentrations of Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe in ear leaf; except that Mn concentration increased as N fertilization rate was increased up to 150 kg N ha^–1. Nitrogen × plant density interactions on the concentrations of the micronutrients in maize ear leaf were not significant.     

Stability of Cold-Pressed Oil from Commercial Indian Niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.) Seed as affected by Blending and Interesterification

Blending and interesterification of cold‐pressed oil from commercially available niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.) seeds was performed to improve its stability. The fatty acid composition of cold‐pressed niger seed oil (NSO) revealed that it contained a huge amount of polyunsaturated linoleic acid (69.2 %). NSO being rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was susceptible to oxidation and hence was blended with saturated fatty acid (SFA) rich coconut oil (CNO) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) rich olive–pomace oil (OO) to enhance its stability. CNO contained a total of 91.3 % of SFA, while OO had oleic acid, C18:1 (74.3 %) as MUFA. Two blends of NSO with CNO and OO, i.e. NSO + CNO(B) and NSO + OO(B), were prepared in the ratio of 1:1. The blends were further interesterified using the lipase enzyme from Rhizomucor meihei and interesterified oils, i.e. NSO + CNO(I) and NSO + OO(I), were obtained. The oxidative stability of the oils was evaluated by incubating them at 37 °C and 55 % relative humidity (RH) for a period of 45 days. The peroxide values of NSO + CNO(B), NSO + OO(B), NSO + CNO(I) and NSO + OO(I) showed a reduction by 53.3, 42.6, 65.3 and 55.4 %, respectively, while the conjugated diene values showed a reduction by 75.0, 66.9, 76.7 and 75.3 %, respectively, as compared to NSO during the incubation period. This is probably the first report on the stability improvement of niger seed oil through blending and interesterification.     

The influence of different drying methods on cement paste microstructures as reflected by gas adsorption: Comparison between freeze-drying (F-drying), D-drying, P-drying and oven-drying methods

Drying of cement pastes is required prior to microstructure investigation by means of gas adsorption technique. An ideal drying method, which would give reproducible results that could perfectly remove only the non-bound water and, at the same time, preserve the microstructure, unfortunately does not exist. The different drying methods used affect the microstructures in different ways. However, an effective water removal and, less damaging drying method between the common methods used would be still of outstanding importance for sample preparation. Many drying methods have been investigated in the past for such a purpose, and a good agreement for the best drying method does not exist. The so-called D-drying method is being used in many laboratories as the “best” method for drying cement pastes. The surface areas and pore size distributions results of the current work confirm that D-drying (D-Drying C^− t) is a relatively good preservation and effective drying method, and that Freeze-drying gives slightly better results compared to D-drying (C^− t) and other methods. However the short time versions of some of these methods indicate the presence of very few “micropores”, which are not present with prolonged drying times. The outgas level is also a very important variable affecting the gas adsorption measurements especially in the case of short duration drying conditions, as indicated by the results of this work.     

Black sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds extracts by CO2 supercritical fluid extraction: Isotherms of global yield,kinetics data,total fatty acids,phytosterols and neuroprotective effects

In Brazilian folk medicine, black sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds are one of the most important ingredients present in the tea used to treat stroke victims. Nevertheless, extracts by supercritical extraction of black sesame seeds have not been applied in neuroprotection studies. The objective of this work was to investigate some process variables of supercritical fluid extraction in black sesame to generate extracts applicable in stroke research. Two isothermal (40 and 60 °C) were explored, combined with pressures that ranged from 200 to 400 bar, at a constant mass flow rate of 5.9 × 10⁻⁵ kg/s. The global yields ranged from 37 to 53% in dry basis. The highest mass yield was obtained at 60 °C and 400 bar. The fatty acid composition comprised a high unsaturated/saturated ratio. Chromatographic analysis of phytosterol content in the high global yield extract revealed higher amounts of β-sitosterol + sitostanol, cholesterol, campesterol + campestanol + 24-methylene cholesterol, Δ-5 avenasterol and stigmasterol, while lower levels of Δ-5,24 stigmastadienol, brassicasterol, clerosterol + Δ-5-23 stigmastadienol, Δ-7 avenasterol, eritrodiol and Δ-7 stigmasterol were present in the black sesame extract. Overall extraction curves from the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) in lower and higher global yields (200 and 400 bar at 60 °C) fitted the Tan and Liou, Goto et al. and Sovová models. These models presented the best residual sum of squares values. Pilot experiments suggest that black sesame extract is neuroprotective following endothelin-1-induced focal ischemia into the motor cortex of adult male rat, observing a decrease in leukocyte infiltration in the group treated with SFE of black sesame seeds when compared with control group.     

Extraction of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) by supercritical CO2: Kinetic data, chemical composition and selectivity of diterpenes

The supercritical carbon dioxide (SFE) extraction of Dalmatian sage (Salvia officinalis L.) was investigated and compared to extraction performed by Soxhlet ethanol-water (70:30) mixture extraction (SE) and hydrodistillation (HD). The supercritical extraction allowed isolation of wide spectrum of phytochemicals, while other applied methods were limited to either volatiles (HD) or high molecular compounds isolation (SE). The kinetics of the supercritical extraction and fractionation within the pressure range of 10-30 MPa at 50 °C were also analyzed as well as the chemical compositions of total extract and partial or differential fractions isolated at different CO₂ consumption. Volatile fraction could be isolated at low pressure and low CO₂ consumption, whereby the pressures between 10 and 15 MPa followed by increased CO₂ consumption were favourable for obtaining desired selectivity of diterpenes which contain compounds with expressed antioxidative characteristics.     

Growth response,yield and yield components of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) as affected by rates and time of nitrogen application in the Nigerian savannah

Effects of rate and time of nitrogen fertilization on growth, yield and yield components of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) were studied in two years (1975–76). Four rates of nitrogen application (0, 26, 52 and 78 kg ha^–1) timed at 3 or 8 weeks after sowing were compared. Seed cotton yield components increased significantly with increased N application at least up to 52 kg N ha^–1, with yield increases between 49% and 73%. Seed cotton yield was influenced by treatments mainly through boll number. Both crop growth rate and fruiting were enhanced by nitrogen fertilization. Applying N at 8 weeks (flowering) favoured yield only slightly over that at 3 weeks (thinning), but improved crop growth and fruiting by about 64% and 24%, respectively. There were significant N rate × time interactions in favour of fertilization at flowering. Applying 52 kg N ha^–1 at 8 weeks seems best for cotton in the Nigerian savannah.