Solubility enhancement of steviol glycosides and characterization of their inclusion complexes with gamma-cyclodextrin

Steviol glycosidesrebaudioside (reb) A, C and D have low aqueous solubilities. To improve their aqueous solubilities, inclusion complex of steviol glycosides, reb A, C and D and gamma cyclodextrin were prepared by freeze drying method and further characterized by means of differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The effect of gamma cyclodextrin on chemical shifts of the steviol glycosides was also studied in proton NMR experiments as well as in solid state (13)C CP/MAS NMR experiments. These results indicated that the steviol glycosides were clearly in inclusion complex formation with the gamma cyclodextrin which also results in solubility enhancement of these steviol glycosides. Phase solubility studies showed that amounts of soluble reb A, C and D increased with increasing amounts of gamma cyclodextrin indicating formation of 1:1 stoichiometric and higher order inclusion complexes.     

A multiplexed separation of iron oxide nanocrystals using variable magnetic fields

The size-dependent magnetic properties of nanocrystals are exploited in a separation process that distinguishes particles based on their diameter. By varying the magnetic field strength, four populations of magnetic materials were isolated from a mixture. This separation is most effective for nanocrystals with diameters between 4 and 16 nm.     

A sustainability root cause analysis methodology and its application

In the design of chemical/energy production systems, a major challenge is to identify the bottleneck issues and improve its sustainability effectively. Due to the multi-dimensional feature of sustainability, how to account for the impacts of various design factors and the cause-and-effect relationships can be very difficult. This paper will present a sustainability root cause analysis method based on the combination of Pareto Analysis and Fishbone diagram. The sustainability of the process is assessed incorporating economic, environmental, societal and efficiency concerns.This methodology is able to help the designers focus the attention on the most important fundamental causes, discover opportunities for sustainability improvement and provide critical guidance to design for sustainability. The efficacy of this methodology will be demonstrated through a case study on a biodiesel production technology.     

Visible spectroelectrochemical characterization of Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms on optically transparent indium tin oxide electrode

We report visible spectroelectrochemical (SEC) characterization of cytochrome c₅₅₂ (cyt c₅₅₂) in viable Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms on tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) electrodes poised at 0.24 V vs. SHE. G. sulfurreducens biofilms were grown in minimal medium with acetate as electron donor (turnover conditions), followed by 24 h incubation in electron donor-depleted medium (non-turnover conditions). The electronic absorption spectra of G. sulfurreducens biofilms showed the lowest energy absorption band in the reduced state at 552 nm, which indicated excess of cyt c₅₅₂ in the biofilm. The spectra under non-turnover conditions displayed gradual reduction of the cyt c₅₅₂, following the step-wise decrease of electrode potential from 0.0 V to −0.6 V vs. standard calomel electrode (SCE). The spectral changes were fully reversible in both positive and negative direction of the scan potential, with average midpoint potential value of −0.42 V vs. SCE. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that the thickness of biofilms under turnover conditions and non-turnover conditions was approximately 35 and 3.5 μm, respectively. This is the first study to observe the reversible redox conversion of cyt c₅₅₂ in viable G. sulfurreducens biofilms.     

Synthesis and characterization of organo‐soluble poly(ether ether ketone)s and poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s containing pendant pentadecyl chains

Poly(ether ether ketone)s and poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s containing pendant pentadecyl chains were synthesized by polycondensation of each of the two bisphenol monomers viz, 1,1,1‐[bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4′‐pentadecylphenyl]ethane and 1,1‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3‐pentadecyl cyclohexane with activated aromatic dihalides namely, 4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone, and 1,3‐bis(4‐fluorobenzoyl)benzene in a solvent mixture of N,N‐dimethylacetamide and toluene, in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. Polymers were isolated as white fibrous materials with inherent viscosities and number average molecular weights in the range 0.70–1.27 dL g^?1 and 76,620–1,36,720, respectively. Poly(ether ether ketone)s and poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s were found to be soluble at room temperature in organic solvents such as chloroform, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, and pyridine and could be cast into tough, transparent, and flexible films from their solutions in chloroform. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction patterns exhibited a broad halo at around 2θ = ～ 19° indicating that the polymers containing pentadecyl chains were amorphous in nature. In the small‐angle region, diffuse reflections of a typically layered structures resulting from the packing of pentadecyl side chains were observed. The temperature at 10% weight loss, obtained from TG curves, for poly(ether ether ketone)s and poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s were in the range 416–459°C, indicating their good thermal stability. A substantial drop in glass transition temperatures (68–78°C) was observed for poly(ether ether ketone)s and poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s due to “internal plasticization” effect of flexible pendant pentadecyl chains. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effect of microwave pretreatment on the color degradation kinetics in mustard greens (Brassica juncea)

In the present work, the impact of microwave pretreatment on the thermal degradation of color (chlorophylls) in mustard greens was studied. The drying experiments were conducted in the range of temperatures from 50 to 80°C. The degradation in the levels of chlorophylls has been quantified using Hunter color values (L*, a*, and b*) and calculating total color difference (ΔE). From the color results, the changes in color values (L*, a*, and b*) were observed as inappreciable, and changes in ΔE were found to be increased during drying. Analysis of kinetic data displayed a first-order reaction kinetics for chlorophyll degradation. Arrhenius equation was used to calculate the activation energies for rate constants, and it has been varied from 13.3 to 27.4?kJ/mol. Thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy of activation (ΔH^#), and entropy activation (ΔS^#) were found to be in the range of 1.40–2.63?J/mol and ?293 to ?305?J/mol?·?K, respectively. The data from the present work revealed that the microwave pretreatment of mustard greens remarkably influenced the retention of chlorophylls in the final dehydrated powder.     

Isolation of High Oleate Recombinants in Peanut by Near Infra‐Red Spectroscopy and Confirmation With Allele Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction Marker

Near infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer offers rapid, noninvasive, nondestructive, and high‐throughput phenotyping of seed samples for use in agriculture and industry. In this study, a reflectance‐based NIR spectrophotometer was calibrated and used for the isolation of desirable higher‐oleic‐acid peanut recombinants from single‐seed‐derived segregating populations at F₇ and F₈ generations. A calibration model was developed through partial least‐square regression using wet chemistry data from 158 peanut genotypes. Desirable prediction for oil, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid in intact seed was obtained based on this calibration. It detected significant high correlations (r) and coefficient of determination (R²) between the actual gas chromatography values and NIR predicted values of fatty acid profile in another 123 peanut genotypes that were generated from crosses involving a high‐oleate mutant and Spanish bunch varieties with early maturity. From this recombinant single‐seed‐derived progenies, 15 higher‐oleate recombinants were isolated and later genotyped through an in‐house developed polymerase chain reaction‐based allele specific marker. The present study has generated high‐oleate peanut recombinants with early maturity in Spanish bunch background. The breeding materials generated here will be evaluated for yield attributing traits at different locations in future.     

Citrulline malate supplementation does not improve German Volume Training performance or reduce muscle soreness in moderately trained males and females

Background

Use of supplements to aid performance is common practice amongst recreationally active individuals, including those without a sufficient evidence base. This investigation sought to assess whether acute supplementation with 8 g of citrulline malate (CM) (1.11: 1 ratio) would improve anaerobic performance.

Methods

A randomised double blind placebo control trial was employed, using a counterbalanced design. We recruited recreationally active men and women to take part in an isokinetic chair protocol, based on German Volume Training (GVT) whereby participants attempted to perform 10 sets of 10 repetitions against a force representing 70% of their peak concentric force.

Results

The number of repetitions achieved over the course of the GVT was 94.0?±?7.9 and 90.9?±?13.9 for placebo and CM respectively. There was no significant difference between the placebo and CM treatment for number of repetitions (P?=?0.33), isometric (P?=?0.60), concentric (P?=?0.38), or eccentric (P?=?0.65) peak force following the GVT. Total muscle soreness was significantly higher in the CM compared to the placebo treatment following the GVT protocol over 72 h (P?=?0.01); although this was not accompanied by a greater workload/number of repetitions in the CM group.

Conclusions

We conclude that an acute dose of CM does not significantly affect anaerobic performance using an isokinetic chair in recreational active participants. Practical implications include precaution in recommending CM supplementation. Coaches and athletes should be aware of the disparity between the chemical analyses of the products reviewed in the present investigation versus the manufacturers’ claims.

     

Cyp1 Inhibition Prevents Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy in a Zebrafish Heart-Failure Model

Doxorubicin is a highly effective chemotherapy agent used to treat many common malignancies. However, its use is limited by cardiotoxicity, and cumulative doses exponentially increase the risk of heart failure. To identify novel heart failure treatment targets, a zebrafish model of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy was previously established for small-molecule screening. Using this model, several small molecules that prevent doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity both in zebrafish and in mouse models have previously been identified. In this study, exploration of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity is expanded by screening 2271 small molecules from a proprietary, target-annotated tool compound collection. It is found that 120 small molecules can prevent doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, including 7 highly effective compounds. Of these, all seven exhibited inhibitory activity towards cytochrome P450 family 1 (CYP1). These results are consistent with previous findings, in which visnagin, a CYP1 inhibitor, also prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Importantly, genetic mutation of cyp1a protected zebrafish against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity phenotypes. Together, these results provide strong evidence that CYP1 is an important contributor to doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and highlight the CYP1 pathway as a candidate therapeutic target for clinical cardioprotection.