Proposing Novel Encapsulating Matrices for Spray-Dried Ginger Essential Oil from the Whey Protein Isolate-Inulin/Maltodextrin Blends

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the blending of whey protein isolate (WPI) with maltodextrin (MD) and inulin (IN) biopolymers as encapsulating matrices for spray-dried ginger essential oil. Encapsulation was performed by ultrasound-assisted emulsification and using spray drying, and the stability parameters of the emulsion (with or without ultrasound-assisted) were evaluated. The influence of these different wall material systems was investigated based on various functional properties of microparticles such as stability of the emulsion, encapsulation efficiency, reconstitution properties, chemical profile, microparticle stability, morphology, particle size distribution, and crystallinity. Higher viscosity values were obtained for the emulsions prepared with WPI and IN which had the apparent viscosity increased by the ultrasound-assisted emulsification process. Creaming index values indicated that ultrasound-assisted emulsions had higher stability. The composition of the wall materials did not affect the solubility and the moisture content of the particles. The wettability property of the powders was improved by the addition of IN. The lowest level of water adsorption under conditions of high relative humidity was also observed in microparticles containing IN. The partial replacement of WPI by MD significantly affected the efficiency of encapsulation. Moreover, MD led to high thermal microparticle stability. Larger particles were observed in the powders prepared with WPI. The powders obtained from WPI, WPI:IN, and WPI:MD treatments exhibited amorphous structures and did not have any cracks on the surface. The findings of this study indicate that IN and MD together with WPI proved to be good alternative secondary wall materials for spray-dried ginger oil.     

An External Heavy Ion Source for the Berkeley 88-Inch Cyclotron

A heavy ion source of the PIG type has been installed on the axial injection line at the 88-Inch Cyclotron. It is now in the testing phase. Arc powers up to 4 kW have been run, and hydrogen and nitrogen beams have been injected and accelerated in the cyclotron.     

Effects of abomasal infusion of tallow or camelina oil on responses to glucose and insulin in dairy cows during late pregnancy

Late pregnancy is associated with moderate insulin resistance in ruminants. Reduced suppression of lipolysis by insulin facilitates mobilization of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) from adipose tissue, resulting in elevated plasma NEFA concentrations. Decrease in dry matter intake (DMI) before parturition leads to accelerated lipomobilization and increases plasma NEFA, which may further impair insulin sensitivity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of elevation of plasma NEFA concentration by abomasal infusions tallow (TAL) or camelina oil (CAM) on whole-body responses to exogenous glucose and insulin. We further assessed whether CAM, rich in C18:3n-3, enhances whole-body insulin sensitivity compared with TAL. Six late-pregnant, second-parity, rumen-cannulated dry Ayrshire dairy cows fed grass silage to meet 95% of metabolizable energy requirements were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square with 5-d periods and 5 recovery days between each period. Treatments consisted of abomasal infusion of 500 mL/d (430 g of lipids/d) of water (control), TAL, or CAM administered in 10 equal doses daily. Intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and i.v. insulin challenge (IC) were performed on d 5 after 98 and 108 h of treatment infusions, respectively. Infusion of lipids increased basal plasma NEFA concentrations on d 5 (CAM: 0.25; TAL: 0.28; control: 0.17 mmol/L). Following glucose injection, the rate of glucose clearance (CR) was lower in lipid-treated cows (CAM: 1.34; TAL: 1.48; control: 1.74%/min) and time to reach half-maximal glucose concentration (T(1/2)) was longer (CAM: 54; TAL: 47; control: 42 min). Similar responses were observed after insulin injection. Increased plasma NEFA concentration tended to decrease insulin secretion in IVGTT. Infusion of CAM increased plasma C18:3n-3 content (CAM: 26.4; TAL: 16.1; control: 20.9 g/100g of fatty acids). Data suggest that CAM had an insulin-sensitizing effect, because the disposition index and insulin sensitivity index, derived from minimal model analysis, were higher in CAM than in TAL during IVGTT, and lower insulin concentrations during IC led to similar glucose clearance in CAM as in TAL. These results indicate that elevated plasma NEFA concentration per se induces whole-body insulin resistance in late-pregnant dry cows.     

Optimization of Fish Oil Spray Drying Using a Protein:Inulin System

The aim of this work was to investigate the use of an unconven-tional polymeric material, inulin, in fish oil spray drying. The influence of inlet air temperature, oil load, and carrier substitution (whey protein isolate by inulin) on the physical properties of particles containing fish oil was investigated. Increasing the oil load caused an increase in the surface oil; however, the presence of inulin favorably decreased the particle surface oil when a high oil lad was applied. The parameters hygroscopicity and wettability were also influenced by the inulin fraction. The higher inlet air temperature produced larger particles with lower densities. The best operating conditions were determined to be an air temperature of 185°C, a 40% inulin fraction, and a 6% oil load. The results indicate that inulin is an alternative carrier in the fish oil spray-drying process.     

Alcoholic Fermentation with Self‐Flocculating Yeast in a Tower Upflow Reactor

Ethanol production using self‐flocculating yeast in a batch tower upflow reactor system operating with a recirculation loop was examined. Ethanol productivity, yield, and residual sucrose concentration were evaluated experimentally according to a central composite design with initial cell and sucrose concentrations and recirculation flow rate as independent variables. Yeast cell concentration strongly influenced the reactor performance. Alcoholic fermentation was conducted using this strain and reactor configuration which allowed for high productivity and high sucrose conversion. The ethanol yield was comparable with industrial yields. A kinetic study of the fermentation process under optimized conditions was performed using the experimental data and considering inhibition by sucrose and ethanol.     

Compact antenna for efficient and unidirectional launching and decoupling of surface plasmons

Controlling the launching efficiencies and the directionality of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and their decoupling to freely propagating light is a major goal for the development of plasmonic devices and systems. Here, we report on the design and experimental observation of a highly efficient unidirectional surface plasmon launcher composed of eleven subwavelength grooves, each with a distinct depth and width. Our observations show that, under normal illumination by a focused Gaussian beam, unidirectional SPP launching with an efficiency of at least 52% is achieved experimentally with a compact device of total length smaller than 8 μm. Reciprocally, we report that the same device can efficiently convert SPPs into a highly directive light beam emanating perpendicularly to the sample.     

Effects of ultrasonication on the characteristics of emulsions and microparticles containing Indian clove essential oil

The effects of the emulsification method [either mechanical agitation or ultrasonication (US)] and proportion of gum arabic (GA)/maltodextrin (MD) on the characteristics of feed emulsions and microparticles containing Indian clove essential oil produced by spray drying were investigated. Emulsions produced using US were more stable with smaller droplets, lower polydispersity indexes, and higher viscosities. Increasing the proportion of GA resulted in an increased particle size. Powders produced by US exhibited a higher moisture content and hygroscopicity. The US improved oil retention, except for microparticles comprised GA. Powders with a higher proportion of MD exhibited smooth surfaces.