An influence of cooking on fatty acid composition in three varieties of common beans and in lentil

The fatty acid composition of three raw and cooked freeze-dried common bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris), namely enjevec, Semenarna 22 and Cipro, and of the lentil (Lens esculenta), var. Anicia, was determined and the influence of storage on their composition was studied. Analyses of fatty acid composition were conducted by in situ transesterification and capillary column gas-liquid chromatography. In raw milled beans average values of about 16% saturated fatty acids (SAT), 6% monosaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and 78% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were found. Somewhat different values of 15% of SAT, 25% MUFA and 60% PUFA were found in lentil. In cooked beans the content of all fatty acids was slightly decreased. In cooked lentil the decrease was almost 50%, but the ratios of SAT, MUFA and PUFA in both cases were practically the same. After two years of storage at 4 °C the fatty acid content in raw milled beans was unchanged, but altered in cooked ones. The amounts of linoleic (18:2, n-6) and -linolenic (18:3, n-3) acid decreased, but myristic (14:0), margaric (17:0) and arachidic (20:0) acids increased. It was found that freeze-dried cooked beans, prepared from raw seed beans, kept 2.5 years at 10 °C, have practically the same fatty acid composition as freeze-dried cooked beans 0.5 year after harvesting.     

Determination of carbendazim residues in fruit juices by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In this paper a rapid optimized method for routine analysis of carbendazim residues in fruit juices is reported. The procedure is based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) with diatomaceous earth and analysis of the extract by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, with electrospray ionization (LC-ESI-MS/MS). In the method optimization, finding of the optimal pH for the extraction of carbendazim from juice was particularly critical. Significant matrix effects were observed, but could be eliminated using matrix-matched standards. High recoveries (82-102%), good repeatability (RSD ≤ 12%) and low limits of detection (0.03 ng ml^-1) and quantification (0.1 ng ml^-1) were achieved with this method.     

Photoluminescence of spray pyrolysis deposited ZnO nanorods

Photoluminescence of highly structured ZnO layers comprising well-shaped hexagonal rods is presented. The ZnO rods (length 500-1,000 nm, diameter 100-300 nm) were grown in air onto a preheated soda-lime glass (SGL) or ITO/SGL substrate by low-cost chemical spray pyrolysis method using zinc chloride precursor solutions and growth temperatures in the range of 450-550°C. We report the effect of the variation in deposition parameters (substrate type, growth temperature, spray rate, solvent type) on the photoluminescence properties of the spray-deposited ZnO nanorods. A dominant near band edge (NBE) emission is observed at 300 K and at 10 K. High-resolution photoluminescence measurements at 10 K reveal fine structure of the NBE band with the dominant peaks related to the bound exciton transitions. It is found that all studied technological parameters affect the excitonic photoluminescence in ZnO nanorods.PACS: 78.55.Et, 81.15.Rs, 61.46.Km.     

Layer‐by‐layer assembled polyelectrolyte blend membranes and their use for ion separation and rejection

Polyelectrolyte blend films and membranes were prepared upon alternating electrostatic adsorption of polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and mixtures of polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) in different ratio on solid supports. Infrared studies indicated that the PSS‐PAA blend composition of the films always differed from the mixture composition in the dipping solution, PSS being preferentially adsorbed. Films deposited on porous supporting membranes (polyacrylonitrile/polyethylene terephthalate) were studied on their ion permeation under diffusion dialysis conditions, and their flux and salt rejection under nanofiltration and reverse osmosis (RO) conditions. Blend membranes prepared at pH 1.7 exhibit a significantly improved anion separation and salt rejection, the ideal separation factor α(NaCl/Na₂SO₄) of a membrane prepared from a PSS:PAA mixture of 1:1 (w/w) being 197 ± 10 (pure PAH/PSS: 45). The NaCl and Na₂SO₄ rejections under RO conditions are 85 and 97% (pure PAH/PSS: 15 and 27%), respectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Endotoxin and biogenic amine levels in Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and Mediterranean hake (Merluccius merluccius) stored at 22 °C

Whole Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and Mediterranean hake (Merluccius merluccius) from the Croatian Adriatic were stored at 22 °C and changes in histamine, putrescine, tyramine and cadaverine levels were monitored in relation to bacterial endotoxin. After 12 h, histamine levels in sardine were above the legal limit of 50 mg kg^?1, set by the US Food and Drug Administration, and an increase in putrescine content preceded the increase in histamine. After 24 h, histamine contents in mackerel and sardine reached 1090 ± 101 and 577 ± 275 mg kg^?1, respectively, which exceeded the toxic threshold of 500 mg kg^?1. At the same time, the putrescine content was also high in both fish (353–420 mg kg^?1). The time-course of endotoxin production was similar in all fish species stored at 22 °C. A high correlation was found between endotoxin and histamine, and between endotoxin and putrescine in mackerel and sardine. On the other hand, high endotoxin levels in hake, after 24 h, were associated with the low histamine and putrescine content (40–60 mg kg^?1).     

Trauma/grief-focused group psychotherapy: School-based postwar intervention with traumatized Bosnian adolescents.

Results of a preliminary effectiveness evaluation of a school-based postwar program for war-exposed Bosnian adolescents are described. The evaluation centered on a manualized trauma/grief-focused group psychotherapy protocol for war-traumatized adolescents based on 5 therapeutic foci: traumatic experiences, trauma and loss reminders, postwar adversities, bereavement and the interplay of trauma and grief, and developmental impact. Fifty-five secondary school students (81% girls; age range?=?15–19 years, M?=?16.81) from 10 Bosnian schools participated in the evaluation. Students completed pregroup and postgroup self-report measures of posttraumatic stress, depression, and grief symptoms and postgroup measures of psychosocial adaptation and group satisfaction. The evaluation yielded preliminary but promising results, including reduced psychological distress and positive associations between distress reduction and psychosocial adaptation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Binary oxide ceramics for enhanced phenols degradation under simulated Solar light

Solvothermal synthesis of ZrO₂–TiO₂ binary oxides and pure counterparts at 150°C in water/isopropanol media is presented. Titanium (IV) isopropoxide and zirconium (IV) propoxide were used as precursors. XRD and TEM techniques were used for structural and morphological characterization of obtained samples. XPS spectra of mixed oxide samples were compared in order to correlate composition of samples with surface properties and presence of defects. Relative positions of defect states within band‐gaps of semiconductors were estimated from UCPL spectra. UV‐Vis DRS spectra revealed that both pure oxides experienced red shift of absorption thresholds compared to reference data. Photocatalytic activities of all samples were probed under simulated Solar light on three model compounds: phenol, 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP) and 2, 4, 6‐trichlorphenol (TCP). Pure TiO₂ showed the highest photocatalytic activity in the case of phenol. However, pure ZrO₂ and binary oxides showed higher photoactivity in degradation of 4‐CP and TCP. The activity of wide band‐gap semiconductors under simulated Solar light in photodegradation of phenol and its derivatives is most probably the consequence of formation of charge transfer complexes between pollutant molecules and semiconductors surface.     

Modeling of the porous nickel deposits formation and assessing the effect of their thickness on the catalytic properties toward the hydrogen evolution reaction

Hydrogen used as an energy carrier can be obtained by water electrolysis. To improve the energy efficiency of this process porous nickel catalysts are often used. The paper investigates the electrodeposition regularities and the porous nickel deposits morphology and the properties of nickel foams toward the hydrogen evolution reaction. During electrodeposition at high current density, nickel deposits with macro- and micropores are formed. The dependence between the fraction of macropores on the deposit surface and the electrolysis time is described by the empirical equation. Total porosity of loose nickel deposits is much higher than the porosity of foams. However, the surface macropores fraction of deposits studied is approximately the same, while the microporosity of loose deposits is significantly higher. The values of nickel deposits total porosity calculated by the model agree with the values obtained by experimental data. The highest density of macropores on the surface is observed for the foam thickness of 100 μm. These data correlate with the results of polarization measurements. When the foam thickness increases up to 100 μm, hydrogen evolution overvoltage in the alkali solution decreases and the efficiency of nickel foam as a cathode material increases.