Structural and Rheological Properties of Succinoglycan Biogums Made from Low-Quality Date Syrup or Sucrose Using Agrobacterium radiobacter Inoculation

This study examines and compares the structural and rheological properties of succinoglycan exopolysaccharide made by fermentation of sucrose or date syrup at identical temperature, pH, and total soluble solid. Using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and rotational viscometery structural and rheological properties of prepared exopolysaccharides were assessed. The variables under studies were biogum concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% w/w), temperature (5, 25 and 40°C), and pH (2.5, 4.0, 7.0, and 10.0). Results revealed that the quantity of exopolysaccharide produced in the date syrup (DSE) medium was three to five times greater than that of sucrose (SE) medium. The biogums exhibited non-Newtonian, shear-thinning behavior, and the viscosity of DSE was higher than SE at all tested concentrations. The TLC and FTIR spectroscopy assessments designated that the biogum is composed of glucose and galactose units, carrying a carboxylic group and indicated the presence of succinoglycan. The outcomes of this study could be useful to food industries seeking low cost biogum.     

Extraction of protein from food waste: An overview of current status and opportunities

The chief intent of this review is to explain the different extraction techniques and efficiencies for the recovery of protein from food waste (FW) sources. Although FW is not a new concept, increasing concerns about chronic hunger, nutritional deficiency, food security, and sustainability have intensified attention on alternative and sustainable sources of protein for food and feed. Initiatives to extract and utilize protein from FW on a commercial scale have been undertaken, mainly in the developed countries, but they remain largely underutilized and generally suited for low-quality products. The current analysis reveals the extraction of protein from FW is a many-sided (complex) issue, and that identifies for a stronger and extensive integration of diverse extraction perspectives, focusing on nutritional quality, yield, and functionality of the isolated protein as a valued recycled ingredient.     

Electron-Impact Total Ionization Cross Sections of CH and C2H2

Electron-impact total ionization cross sections for the CH radical and C₂H₂ (acetylene) have been calculated using the Binary-Encounter-Bethe (BEB) model. The BEB model combines the Mott cross section and the asymptotic form of the Bethe theory, and has been shown to generate reliable ionization cross sections for a large variety of molecules. The BEB cross sections for CH and C₂H₂ are in good agreement with the available experimental data from ionization thresholds to hundreds of eV in incident energies.     

New Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Materials and Their Oxides for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions: Response Surface Methodology Approach

In this paper, Cu(II), Fe(III), Pb(II), and Zn(II) heavy metal ions were removed from their aqueous solutions by using novel inorganic–organic hybrid materials, Al-GPTS-H and Al-GPTS-NaOSiMe₃-H (hybrid material-1 and 2, respectively), and their oxides (calcined-1 and 2) as adsorbents. These ions removal by adsorption was optimized by using response surface methodology (RSM). Central composite design (CCD) method was used in order to investigate the effects of initial pH, initial metal concentration of solutions and adsorbent quantity on the adsorption efficiency (R, %). As a result of the experiments under optimum conditions, the maximum % R values were obtained by hybrid material-1 for Fe(III) (99.89%) and by calcined material-1 for Pb(II) (97.14%), respectively. These quite high adsorption efficiency values have shown that these hybrid materials and their oxides are suitable to use for heavy metal ions removal from aqueous solutions.     

Complexation of titanium alkoxides with pentenoic acid and allylacetoacetate and their hydrolysis and addition reactions with H‐silanes

Complexation reactions of titanium tetraethoxide [Ti(OEt)₄] and titanium tetra‐n‐butoxide [Ti(OBuⁿ)₄] with 3‐pentenoic acid (PA) and allylacetoacetate (AAA), in a 1 : 1M ratio, were studied in ethanol solution at room temperature. ¹³C‐NMR and FTIR spectra showed that all PA and AAA completely reacted with both titanium alkoxides. Hydridosilane compounds such as triethoxysilane and triethylsilane were added to titanium chelate complexes in a 1 : 1M ratio. The investigation of products by ¹³C‐ and ²⁹Si‐NMR and FTIR showed additions of ? SiH to the C?C double bond. The hydrolysis of titanium–PA and AAA complexes, by water in 1 : 4 ratios, resulted in released PA in an amount of 10% and AAA of 20%. The stability of hydrolyzed products was investigated by ¹³C‐NMR, ²⁹Si‐NMR, and FTIR. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 790–796, 2005     

Potential of chitosan coating in delaying the postharvest anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz.) of Eksotika II papaya

The in vitro and in vivo fungicidal activity of chitosan was studied against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the causal agent of anthracnose in papaya fruits. Chitosan at 1.5% and 2.0% concentrations showed a fungistatic effect with 90–100% inhibition (significant at P ≤ 0.05) of the fungal mycelial growth. Changes in the conidial morphology were also observed with the higher chitosan concentrations after 7‐ h incubation. In vivo studies showed that 1.5% and 2.0% chitosan coatings on papaya not only controlled the fruit decay but also delayed the onset of disease symptoms by 3–4 weeks during 5 weeks storage at 12 ± 1 °C and slowed down the subsequent disease development. However, when leaving the fruits to ripen at ambient temperature (28 ± 2 °C), 2.0% chitosan was less effective than 1.5% in controlling the disease development. Chitosan coatings also delayed the ripening process by maintaining the firmness levels, soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity values during and after storage.     

Effects of applied electric field and microchannel wetted perimeter on electroosmotic velocity

Parameters which affect electroosmotic flow (EOF) behavior need to be determined for characterizing flow in miniature biological and chemical experimental processes. Several parameters like buffer pH, ionic concentration, applied electric field and channel dimensions influence the magnitude of the electroosmotic flow. We conducted numerical and experimental investigations to determine the impact of electric field strength and wetted microchannel perimeter on EOF in straight microchannels of rectangular cross-section. Deviation from theoretical behavior was also investigated. In the numerical model, we solved the continuity and Navier–Stokes equations for the fluid flow and the Gauss law equation for the electric field. Computational results were validated against experimental data for PDMS-glass channels of different wetted perimeters over a range of applied electric fields. Results show that increasing the applied electric field at constant wetted perimeter caused the electroosmotic mobility, the ratio of electroosmotic velocity to applied electric field, to increase nonlinearly. It was also found that increasing the wetted perimeter at constant applied electric field decreased the electroosmotic flow. These findings will be useful in determining the optimum value of the electric field required to produce a desired electroosmotic flow rate in a channel of a particular dimension. Alternately, these will also be useful in determining the optimum channel dimensions to provide a desired electroosmotic flow rate at a specified value of the electric field.     

Mucoadhesive elementary osmotic pump tablets of trimetazidine for controlled drug delivery and reduced variability in oral bioavailability

The objectives of this work was preparation and evaluation of the mucoadhesive elementary osmotic pump tablets of trimetazidine hydrochloride to achieve desired controlled release action and augmentation of oral drug absorption. The drug-loaded core tablets were prepared employing the suitable tableting excipients and coated with polymeric blend of ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylethylcellulose E5 (4:1). The prepared tablets were characterized for various quality control tests and in vitro drug release. Evaluation of drug release kinetics through model fitting suggested the Fickian mechanism of drug release, which was regulated by osmosis and diffusion as the predominant mechanism. Evaluation of mucoadhesion property using texture analyzer suggested good mucoadhesion potential of the developed osmotic systems. Solid state characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction spectroscopy confirmed the absence of any physiochemical incompatibilities between drug and excipients. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed the smooth surface appearance of the coated tablets with intact polymeric membrane without any fracture. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rabbits revealed 3.01-fold enhancement in the oral bioavailability vis-à-vis the marketed formulation (Vastarel MR®). These studies successfully demonstrate the bioavailability enhancement potential of the mucoadhesive elementary osmotic pumps as novel therapeutic systems for other drugs too.     

Polymorphism and expression of the porcine Tenascin C gene associated with meat and carcass quality

The research aimed to screen for polymorphism, expression of Tenascin C (TNC) and association with meat and carcass quality traits. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected. In a Duroc×Pietrain F2 cross (DuPi) population, g.44488C>T was associated with meat color and ham weight; g.68794A>G was associated with pH at 24h post mortem in ham (pH24(H)) and muscle area but g.68841C>T was not statistically associated. Genotyping in a commercial Pietrain (Pi) population showed that g.44488C>T was associated with pH24(H), whereas g.68794A>G was associated with conductivity at 45 min post mortem in loin and backfat thickness. Diplotypes showed significant effects on pH24(H) in both populations. The expression was associated with pH at 45 min post mortem in loin and cooking loss. TNC was significantly higher in animals with higher muscle pH. Linkage analysis revealed four trans-regulated eQTL on four autosomes. These results suggest that TNC could be a potential candidate gene for meat quality traits in pigs.