Discrimination of Olive Oil by Cultivar,Geographical Origin and Quality Using Potentiometric Electronic Tongue Fingerprints

Legal regulations are set for protecting claims regarding olive oil geographical denomination. When meteorological or agroecological factors similarly affect different regions, the origin identification is a challenging task. This study demonstrated the use of a potentiometric electronic tongue coupled with linear discriminant analysis to discriminate the geographical origin of monovarietal Tunisian olive oil produced from local cv Chemlali (Kairouan, Sidi Bouzid or Sfax regions) and cv Sahli (Kairouan, Mahdia or Sousse regions). The potentiometric fingerprints of 12 or eight lipid sensors (for Chemlali and Sahli, respectively), selected using a simulated annealing meta-heuristic algorithm, allowed the correct prediction (repeated K-fold cross-validation) of the geographic production region with sensitivities of 92 ± 7% (Chemlali) and 97 ± 8% (Sahli). It was also confirmed the electronic tongue capability to classify Tunisian olive oil according to olive cultivar or quality grade. The results indicated the possible use of potentiometric fingerprints as a promising innovative strategy for olive oil analysis allowing assessing geographical origin, olive cultivar and quality grade, which are key factors determining olive oil price and consumers’ preference.     

In vivo study of hybrid biomaterial scaffold bioactive glass–chitosan after incorporation of Ciprofloxacin

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of bioactive glass as well as the presence of Ciprofloxacin drug (%Cip) into bioactive glass–chitosan composite on the in vivo behavior of these scaffolds. These scaffolds were implanted in the femoral condyl of an ovariectomized rat. The serum and organs (liver and kidney) of the under investigated rats were analyzed. Also the physicochemical properties of the prepared implants were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) before and after implantation (at different periods of implantation). Biochemical and histological analyses of the under investigated rats proved the biocompatibility of the prepared scaffolds. The hydroxyapatite like layer was significantly precipitated on the surface of BG–CH scaffold than BG–CH–20Cip. In this same period, FT-IR of BG–CH shows complete disappearance of Si–O–Si. Their characteristics bands were replaced by P–O group arisen form bone apatite bands. Physicochemical results show progressive degradation of BG–CH and BG–CH–20Cip that occurred at the same time as replacement of the implant by an apatite layer. However, the bioresorbability and bioactivity of BG–CH are faster than those of BG–CH–20Cip. Therefore, the incorporation of the Ciprofloxacin in the BG–CH induces a retarding effect on the formation of the hydroxyapatite, and consequently on the ossification, without any side effects on the liver–kidney.     

Template‐Based Synthesis of Aluminum Nitride Hollow Nanofibers Via Plasma‐Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition

Aluminum nitride (AlN) hollow nanofibers were synthesized via plasma‐enhanced atomic layer deposition using sacrificial electrospun polymeric nanofiber templates having different average fiber diameters (~70, ~330, and ~740 nm). Depositions were carried out at 200°C using trimethylaluminum and ammonia precursors. AlN‐coated nanofibers were calcined subsequently at 500°C for 2 h to remove the sacrificial polymeric nanofiber template. SEM studies have shown that there is a critical wall thickness value depending on the template's average fiber diameter for AlN hollow nanofibers to preserve their shapes after the template has been removed by calcination. Best morphologies were observed for AlN hollow nanofibers prepared by depositing 800 cycles (corresponding to ~69 nm) on nanofiber templates having ~330 nm average fiber diameter. TEM images indicated uniform wall thicknesses of ~65 nm along the fiber axes for samples prepared using templates having ~70 and ~330 nm average fiber diameters. Synthesized AlN hollow nanofibers were polycrystalline with a hexagonal crystal structure as determined by high‐resolution TEM and selected area electron diffraction. Chemical compositions of coated and calcined samples were studied using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). High‐resolution XPS spectra confirmed the presence of AlN.     

Acetanilide-loaded injectable hydrogels with enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility for potential treatment of periodontitis

Chronic periodontitis poses long-term challenges in dentistry, requiring the development of innovative dental composites with biocompatibility, bone regeneration, and antibacterial properties. This study focuses on synthesis of novel injectable thermoresponsive hydrogels composed of chitosan, sodium bicarbonate, bioactive glass (20 and 40% w/w), and acetanilide drug (0.3 and 0.6% w/w). These hydrogels exhibit a sol–gel transition at 37°C, addressing periodontal challenges with reduced gelation time. The smooth flow characteristic was evaluated through 17-22 gauge syringe needles at low temperature. Rheological studies demonstrated pseudoplastic behavior, with viscosity decreasing as shear rate increases. Fourier transform infrared and x-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the bioactivity of hydrogels, forming a bone-like apatite layer in simulated body fluid. The drug-loaded hydrogels demonstrated promising in vitro antibacterial properties against dental pathogens, specifically Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Drug dissolution analysis revealed relatively high release rate at 37°C, highlighting its role in rapidly eliminating bacterial colonies at the target site, while the subsequent sustained release contributes to the prevention of infection recurrence. Finally, biocompatibility was assessed with fibroblast, where the cells were observed anchoring into the polymeric chains of hydrogel through extended filopodia.     

A Systematic Study of Mixed Surfactant Solutions of a Cationic Ester-Bonded Dimeric Surfactant with Cationic, Anionic and Nonionic Monomeric Surfactants in Aqueous Media

A novel cationic biodegradable dimeric (gemini) surfactant, ethane-1,2-diyl bis(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammoniumacetoxy) dichloride (16-E2-16), containing an ester-linked spacer was synthesized. Its pure and mixed micellization properties with monomeric surfactants cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl pyridinium chloride, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, cetyl alcohol ethoxylate (20EO) and tert-octylphenol ethoxylate (9.5EO) were investigated by surface tension measurements at 30 °C. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 16-E2-16 is well below that of cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride containing the same number of carbon atoms in the hydrophobic tail per polar head. At different mole fractions of the gemini surfactant, the CMCs of the gemini-conventional binary mixtures were determined and were found to be less than the ideal CMC values in all the cases indicating synergistic interactions. Aggregation number and Stern–Volmer constant, obtained by the fluorescence quenching technique, also support the synergistic behavior of the surfactant systems.     

A Chemometric Approach to Assess the Frying Stability of Cottonseed Oil Blends During Deep-Frying Process: I. Polar and Polymeric Compound Analyses

The main goal of the present study was (i) to determine the formation of degradation products in cottonseed oil (CSO) blends during deep frying process by adsorption and high performance size exclusion chromatography techniques and (ii) to evaluate the impacts of food additives on total polar (TPC) and polymeric compound (PTAG) formation using a chemometric approach. In order to prepare the frying CSO blends; ascorbic palmitate, mixed tocopherols, dimethylpolysiloxane, lecithin and sesame oils were used as additives. To determine the real impacts of additives, a quarter-fraction factorial experimental design with two levels and five factors was used. The changes in TPC and PTAG data were carefully evaluated during 10 h of frying at 170 ± 5 °C with normal distribution (ND) graphs and analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey’s Post-hoc test (α = 0.05). The results indicated that the increasing values for TPC and PTAG during the frying processes for all blends, TPC and PTAG contents reached maximum levels of 16.37 and 6.01 % respectively, which are below the limit values stated by official authorities for the quality assessment of frying oils. The ANOVA test results were in good agreement with ND graphs and data indicated that the impact of mixed tocopherols was significant for TPC formation, meanwhile the impact of lecithin and ascorbic palmitate × dimethylpolysiloxane were significant for PTAG formation. Thus, the present study should be considered to be a very useful guide for developing new frying oil formulations based on CSO by using food additives.     

Preparation and characterization of crednerite glass–ceramics in the MnO·CuO·SiO2 system

Nanoscale crednerite (CuMnO₂) was prepared in the system MnO·CuO·SiO₂, using glass–ceramics technique for the first time. Based on obtained data from differential thermal analysis (DTA), the prepared samples were heat-treated at 700 and 800 °C for 2 h. The presence of crystalline phases after and before heat treatment was investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystallization of crednerite (CuMnO₂), manganese silicate (Mn₂SiO₄) and traces of cuprite (Cu₂O) and cristobalite (SiO₂) phases were recognized. Transmission electron microscopy showed nanoscale crystals in the range 5–10 nm. The prepared glass–ceramics showed ferrimagnetic properties with wide range coercivity from 53 to 2217 Hci and magnetization saturation from 0.21708 to 1.2 emu/g. From IR reflection data; the reflection intensity of the light is high in the range of orange–red color and violet–blue colors and low in the range of green color.     

Microwave Dehydration of Borax: Characterization,Dehydration Kinetics,and Modelling

Glass Physics and Chemistry - In the present study, borax (Na2B4O7·10H2O) was dehydrated using microwave radiation and the dehydration rate curves were calculated. The kinetic parameters and...     

Investigation of the effect of ytterbium doping on photoluminescence and photocatalytic activity of Li4Ti5O12

This work reports the combined effect of the morphology and crystallization to investigate the role of Yb³⁺ as an additive in Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ crystals on its photocatalytic and photoluminescence (PL) properties. With the pure phase, the synthesized samples have a spherical morphology and spherical structure with good crystallinity and uniform particle size distribution. Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ doped with ytterbium (Yb³⁺), were obtained by a new optimized hydrothermal approach. The crystal properties and surface morphology of the synthesized compounds were examined by X-ray diffraction method and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Bond structures and surface areas were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analyses. Finally, the excitation and emission spectra were obtained by a PL spectrophotometer. The PL results show that room-temperature PL of Yb³⁺ doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ phosphor has an emission peak at 710 nm which can be attributed to Li₄Ti₅O12 crystal defect emission. Moreover, it has been found that Yb doping resulted in enhancement of photocatalytic activity, evaluated by monitoring the degradation of methylene blue solution. Note that, 0.01% Yb doped lithium titania phosphor exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity.     

Synthesis, Antimicrobial Activity and Micellization of Gemini Anionic Surfactants in a Pure State as Well as Mixed With a Conventional Nonionic Surfactant

New gemini anionic surfactants were prepared from sodium salts of monoalkyl sulfosuccinate esters of ethylene glycol having variably long tails (C₁₂, C₁₆, C₁₈) and dichloroethane. The chemical structures of the prepared surfactants were confirmed using different spectroscopic techniques. The surfaces tension values of the synthesized surfactants were measured at 25 °C individually or mixing at different molar fractions with ethoxylated alkylphenol. In all cases, mixed micellar aggregates were formed and critical micellar concentrations of binary mixtures containing different mole fractions of the surfactants were measured. The micellization processes of the individual and mixed surfactants were investigated. The effect of different alkyl chains of gemini anionic surfactants on properties of binary systems and molar ratio in the mixed aggregates were deduced. The critical micelle concentration of mixed surfactants shifted to lower values compared to those of the single surfactants. Effectiveness values increased with decreases in the mole fraction of gemini anionic surfactants. The negative values of interaction parameter (β) increased with increases in the chain length of anionic surfactants. The activity coefficient (f ₁, f ₂) and total minimum surface area of mixed solution were calculated. Also, the gemini anionic surfactants prepared have moderate antimicrobial activity towards bacteria and not active towards fungi.