Biological activity of fluidized bed ethanol extracts from several edible mushrooms

In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of fluidized bed ethanol extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus PQMZ91109, PBS281009, M2191 (obtained from a laboratory greenhouse), Agaricus bisporus, Marasmius oreades, Craterellus cornucopioides, and Tuber melanosporum were investigated using free radical scavenging activities, metal chelating effects, inhibition of lipid peroxidation (inhibition of peroxyl radicals), xanthine oxidase, and lipoxygenase, and identification of antioxidant compounds. Levels of different compounds with antioxidant properties demonstrated the presence of more tocopherols than polyphenol carboxylic acids and flavones. HPLC showed that T. melanosporum extracts had high correlation values between levels of different active compounds and antioxidant assay results. Tocopherol levels were highly correlated (R ²=0.867) with anti-inflammatory activities and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Fluidized bed ethanol extracts from dried mushroom fruit bodies can be a source of products rich in tocopherols, and can constitute an important ingredient in food supplements.     

Characterization of the Composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caesalpinia bonducella</Emphasis> Seed Grown in Temperate Regions of Pakistan

Caesalpinia bonducella is an oilseed that is indigenous to Pakistan. The hexane-extracted oil content from the seed kernel was 17.3 ± 1.0% DM (dry matter). The proximate analysis of C. bonducella seed estimated protein, fiber and ash contents to be 20.8 ± 1.4, 5.3 ± 1.0 and 4.6 ± 0.8%, respectively. Trace metals were determined comparable to commonly consumed legume seeds. α-Tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol ranging from 345.10 to 460.21 mg/kg of oil, followed by γ- and δ-tocopherol. The major sterols were β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, Δ5-avenasterol, Δ7-stigmastenol and Δ7 avenasterol. The kernel oil was found to contain a high level of linoleic acid (72.7 ± 1.0%) followed by oleic, stearic and palmitic acids. The high percentage of linoleic acid revealed that this oil is a potential source for the manufacture of cosmetics, paints, varnishes, soaps, liquid soaps and other products including biodiesel. These investigations suggest that C. bonducella oil is potentially an important dietary source of essential fatty acids and protein which could be employed for edible and commercial applications in various industries of Pakistan.     

Fabrication of HA/PHBV composite scaffolds through the emulsion freezing/freeze-drying process and characterisation of the scaffolds

Biodegradable polymer-based scaffolds containing osteoconductive hydroxyapatite (HA) particles can be very useful for bone tissue engineering. In this investigation, HA nanoparticles were incorporated in poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV) polymer to fabricate osteoconductive composite scaffolds. PHBV and HA/PHBV scaffolds were made using an emulsion freezing/freeze-drying technique. The scaffolds produced were subsequently characterized using several techniques. It was found that the scaffolds were highly porous and had interconnected porous structures. The pore size ranged from several microns to around 300 mum. The spherical HA nanoparticles which were produced in-house through a nanoemulsion process could be incorporated into composite scaffolds although some of these nanoparticles existed on the surface of pore walls when a relatively large amount of HA was used for composite scaffolds. The incorporation of HA nanoparticles also enhanced compressive mechanical properties of the scaffolds.     

Oscillator strengths and transition probabilities from the Breit–Pauli R-matrix method: Ne IV

The atomic parameters–oscillator strengths, line strengths, radiative decay rates (A$A$), and lifetimes–for fine structure transitions of electric dipole (E1) type for the astrophysically abundant ion Ne IV are presented. The results include 868 fine structure levels with n≤$n\le$ 10, l≤$l\le$ 9, and 1/2≤J≤$\le J\le$ 19/2 of even and odd parities, and the corresponding 83,767 E1 transitions. The calculations were carried out using the relativistic Breit–Pauli R-matrix method in the close coupling approximation. The transitions have been identified spectroscopically using an algorithm based on quantum defect analysis and other criteria. The calculated energies agree with the 103 observed and identified energies to within 3% or better for most of the levels. Some larger differences are also noted. The A$A$-values show good to fair agreement with the very limited number of available transitions in the table compiled by NIST, but show very good agreement with the latest published multi-configuration Hartree–Fock calculations. The present transitions should be useful for diagnostics as well as for precise and complete spectral modeling in the soft X-ray to infra-red regions of astrophysical and laboratory plasmas.     

Development of energy and emission parameters for densified form of lignocellulosic biomass

The environmental performance of production and distribution of densified form of lignocellulosic biomass (i.e., agri-residue based pellets) in Western Canada in terms of energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission was assessed. The results show that energy usage and resulted emissions are highest in field activities especially if emission and energy are attributed to straw in farming stage where nitrogen fertilizer is the highest contributor. Significant reduction of energy use (64%) and emission (65%) are possible if the organic fertilizer is used in farming. Adopting the zero tillage option instead of conventional practice results in energy saving (10%) and emission reduction (8%). From the scenario analyses it is also evident that using biomass as an energy source during drying or no drying in pellet production stage or using alternate mode (i.e., truck and train) of transport for pellet delivery result in less than 5% reduction of the energy use and emissions compared to the base case. Agri-pellet has the potential to offset substantial amount of GHG emission compared to other fuel sources including wood pellets. The energy and emission of production chain of agri-pellets may vary between countries but overall trend compared to other fuel sources would be similar.     

Microscopic techniques for characterization and authentication of oil-yielding seeds

Investigation of alternative energy sources is need of current time due to growing power crisis and associated environmental issues. Biodiesel is considered as sustainable power source and promising alternative to fossil fuels. Therefore, our current investigation aimed to identify micromorphological characters of 10 novel nonedible oil-yielding seeds through scanning electron microscopy. It was revealed from light microscopic study that there is variation in seed size from 3 to 15 mm in length and 2 to 11 mm in width. Likewise, a huge variation in color was observed such as light green, greenish yellow, blackish brown, and various shades of brown. Presence and absence of Hilum was observed, and compression of seeds varied from depressed, lateral, and dorsoventral. Seed's shape differs from ovate, clavate, triangular ovate, cuneiform, ovoid, and elliptical shape. Seed oil content fall in range of 18–58% (wt/wt). Free fatty acid content of the seeds varies from 0.3 to 3.1 mg KOH/g. Ultrastructure of seeds exhibited huge variation in shape, size, periclinal wall, anticlinal wall, and surface ornamentation. Nonedible seeds varied in wall structure from angular, wavy, dentate entire, irregular, puzzled, elongated, even, and polygonal. The periclinal wall arrangements show alteration from flat, looped, raised, depressed, lofty, even, pentagonal, polygonal, and undulate seed margins. Outcomes of this investigation recommended that scanning electron microscopy could act as a helpful tool in disclosing the hidden micromorphological characters among nonedible oil-yielding seeds and subsequently helping in correct, authentic seed identification and classification as potential feedstock for biodiesel.