Ethylene-propylene copolymers by a supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst based on TiCl4/MgCl2

Ethylene-propylene copolymers have been prepared by using Ziegler-Natta catalysts based on TiCl₄, MgCl₂, PCl₃ and (n-Bu)₃PO₄. The catalysts TiCl₄/MgCl₂/PCl₃ and TiCl₄/MgCl₂/(n-Bu)₃PO₄ were prepared by reacting TiCl₄ with pretreated MgCl₂. The support was prepared by ball milling of MgCl₂ with varied amounts of PCl₃ or (n-Bu)₃PO₄. The addition of PCl₃ has remarkably increased the MgCl₂ surface area in comparison with (n-Bu)₃PO₄. The effects of PCl₃ and (n-Bu)₃PO₄ on ethylene homopolymerization, ethylene-propylene copolymerization and on copolymer properties were evaluated. The catalyst system containing PCl₃ permitted to synthesize propylene-ethylene copolymers with up to 75% (w/w) of propylene and provided control of copolymer crystallinity. The reduction of the copolymer molecular weight distribution suggested that PCl₃ acted as an internal donor, poisoning some active catalytic sites. Received: 2 April 1997/Revised: 6 June 1997/Accepted: 18 June 1997     

Electrically conductive,melt-processed polyaniline/EVA blends

Mechanical blends of ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer and polyaniline doped with dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (PAni–DBSA) were prepared in a two-roll mill at 50°C and in a Haake internal mixer at 150°C. The effects of the blend composition and processing conditions on the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties were investigated. These blends exhibited high levels of electrical conductivity at a small amount of PAni complex. Blends prepared in a two-roll mill displayed conductivity values as high as 1 S/cm and a higher protonation degree than the pure PAni–DBSA, as indicated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Two different insulator–conductor transition points were observed in these blends. The mechanical performance decreased as the amount of PAni–DBSA increased, indicating blend incompatibility and a plasticizing effect of the DBSA. The morphology of the blends were studied by scanning electron microscopy. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 114–123, 2001     

Metformin Reduces Lipogenesis Markers in Obese Mice Fed a Low-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Diet

Lipogenesis is the process by which fatty acids are synthesized. In metabolic syndrome, an insulin resistant state along with high plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and hyperglycemia may contribute to the lipogenic process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral administration of metformin on the expression of lipogenic genes and glycemic profile in mice fed with low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet by evaluating their metabolic profile. SWISS male mice were divided into 4 groups (N = 7) that were fed with standard (ST), standard plus metformin (ST + MET), low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet (LCHFD) and low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet plus metformin (LCHFD + MET) (100 mg kg^?1 diet) diets respectively. Food intake, body weight and blood parameters, such as glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, glucose, HDL‐c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, ASL and ALT levels were assessed. Histological analyses were performed on hematoxylin and eosin‐stained epididymal adipose tissue histological specimens. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPARγ), sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC), were assessed by RT‐PCR. This study showed that metformin decreased adipocyte area, body weight and food consumption in obese animals when compared to the standard group. Furthermore, the expression of lipogenic markers in adipose tissue were diminished in obese animals treated with metformin. This data showed that oral administration of metformin improved glucose and lipid metabolic parameters in white adipose tissue by reducing the expression of lipogenesis markers, suggesting an important clinical application of MET in treating obesity‐related diseases in metabolic syndrome.     

The role of the ratio (PEG:PPG) of a triblock copolymer (PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG) in the cure kinetics,miscibility and thermal and mechanical properties in an epoxy matrix

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of different poly(ethylene glycol):poly(propylene glycol) (PEG:PPG) molar ratios in a triblock copolymer in the cure kinetics, miscibility and thermal and mechanical properties in an epoxy matrix. The poly(propylene glycol)‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(propylene glycol) (PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG) triblock copolymers used had two different molecular masses: 3300 and 2000 g mol^?1. The mass concentration of PEG in the copolymer structure played a key role in the miscibility and cure kinetics of the blend as well as in the thermal–mechanical properties. Phase separation was observed only for blends formed with the 3300 g mol^?1 triblock copolymer at 20 wt%. Concerning thermal properties, the miscibility of the copolymer in the epoxy matrix reduced the T_g value by 13 °C, although a 62% increase in fracture toughness (K_IC) was observed. After the addition of PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG with 3300 g mol^?1 there was a reduction in the modulus of elasticity by 8% compared to the neat matrix; no significant changes were observed in T_g values for the immiscible system. The use of PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG with 2000 g mol^?1 reduced the modulus of elasticity by approximately 47% and increased toughness (K_IC) up to 43%. Finally, for the curing kinetics of all materials, the incorporation of the triblock copolymer PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG delayed the cure reaction of the DGEBA/DDM (DGEBA, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A; DDM, Q3‐4,4′‐Diaminodiphenylmethane) system when there is miscibility and accelerated the cure reaction when it is immiscible. All experimental curing reactions could be fitted to the Kamal autocatalytic model presenting an excellent agreement with experimental data. This model was able to capture some interesting features of the addition of triblock copolymers in an epoxy resin. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Development of an Innovative Nutraceutical Fermented Beverage from Herbal Mate (Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil.) Extract

Herbal mate (Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil.) leaves are traditionally used for their stimulant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and diuretic activity, presenting as principal components polyphenolic compounds. The aim of this work was to develop an innovative, non-dairy, functional, probiotic, fermented beverage using herbal mate extract as a natural ingredient which would also be hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective. Among different strains used, Lactobacillus acidophilus was selected as the best for fermentation. The addition of honey positively affected the development of L. acidophilus and the formulated beverage maintained microbial stability during shelf life. Key ingredients in the extract included xanthines, polyphenols and other antioxidants with potential health benefits for the consumer. Caffeine levels and antioxidant activity were also studied. Acceptable levels of caffeine and large antioxidant capacity were observed for the formulation when compared to other antioxidant beverages. An advantage of this product is the compliance to organic claims, while providing caffeine, other phyto-stimulants and antioxidant compounds without the addition of synthetic components or preservatives in the formulation. Sensorial analysis demonstrated that the beverage had good consumer acceptance in comparison to two other similar commercial beverages. Therefore, this beverage could be used as a new, non-dairy vehicle for probiotic consumption, especially by vegetarians and lactose intolerant consumers. It is expected that such a product will have good market potential in an era of functional foods.     

Degradation of Phenolic Compounds in Aqueous Sucrose Solutions by Ozonation

The sugar industry is concerned with color formation due to the oxidation of phenolic compounds in the presence of carbohydrates. In this study, we investigated the ozonation of a mixture of five phenolic compounds in water and aqueous sucrose solution: p-coumaric (p-COU), caffeic (CAF), syringic (SYR), and chlorogenic (CHO) acids, as well as the flavonoid quercetin (QUE). The experiments were carried out in a 3-L glass reactor with magnetic stirring and a diffuser plate at the bottom to feed the ozone-oxygen gas mixture. Initial solution concentrations of 5 mg L?1 of each acid, 15 mg L?1 of quercetin, and 40 g L?1 of sucrose were used. The degradation of phenolic compounds followed apparent first-order kinetics, with rate constants and percent removals decreasing in the presence of sucrose. In water, average consumed ozone dosages of 10.4 and 18.7 mg L?1 were necessary for 50% and 90% removals, respectively, for CHO, CAF, and p-COU; for QUE they were slightly higher (13.9 and 20.5 mg L?1, respectively). At a consumed dosage of 20.8 mg O3 L?1, more than 99% removal was obtained for CHO, CAF, and p-COU, while 96.2% was achieved for SYR. In contrast, QUE revealed to be more recalcitrant during ozonation in the absence of sucrose, with only 70% removal at the highest consumed O3 dosage. The consumed ozone dosages for 50% and 90% removals were higher for CHO, CAF, and p-COU in aqueous sucrose solution, which may impact ozone consumption during real sugarcane juice treatment. Sucrose and t-butanol were the main influential parameters that significantly affected the total amount of phenolic compounds degraded.     

Improvement of glycerin removal from crude biodiesel through the application of a sulfonated polymeric adsorbent material

The proposal of suitable processes for glycerin removal from crude biodiesel is an important task for making the overall biodiesel production process environmentally friendly and economically viable. In this article, we propose a dry purification process for biodiesel treatment with different polymeric materials [chitosan, cellulose acetate, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and sulfonated PVA]. Except for pure PVA, all of the proposed materials were able to reduce the free glycerin content of crude biodiesel from 0.03 wt % to values lower than 0.02 wt %. When the PVA was sulfonated, the glycerin removal increased from 12 to 82% compared that of pure PVA. The glycerin content in the biodiesel sample treated with sulfonated PVA was 0.0055 wt %. Mid‐IR spectrometric analysis showed that the sulfonation of PVA increased the band due to H? O? H stretching vibrations; this enabled greater hydrogen bonding between glycerol and the ? SO₃? groups of the sulfonated adsorbent. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45330.     

No effect of creatine supplementation on oxidative stress and cardiovascular parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Background

Exacerbated oxidative stress is thought to be a mediator of arterial hypertension. It has been postulated that creatine (Cr) could act as an antioxidant agent preventing increased oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nine weeks of Cr or placebo supplementation on oxidative stress and cardiovascular parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Findings

Lipid hydroperoxidation, one important oxidative stress marker, remained unchanged in the coronary artery (Cr: 12.6 ± 1.5 vs. Pl: 12.2 ± 1.7 nmol·mg^-1; p = 0.87), heart (Cr: 11.5 ± 1.8 vs. Pl: 14.6 ± 1.1 nmol·mg^-1; p = 0.15), plasma (Cr: 67.7 ± 9.1 vs. Pl: 56.0 ± 3.2 nmol·mg^-1; p = 0.19), plantaris (Cr: 10.0 ± 0.8 vs. Pl: 9.0 ± 0.8 nmol·mg^-1; p = 0.40), and EDL muscle (Cr: 14.9 ± 1.4 vs. Pl: 17.2 ± 1.5 nmol·mg^-1; p = 0.30). Additionally, Cr supplementation affected neither arterial blood pressure nor heart structure in SHR (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Using a well-known experimental model of systemic arterial hypertension, this study did not confirm the possible therapeutic effects of Cr supplementation on oxidative stress and cardiovascular dysfunction associated with arterial hypertension.     

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Concentrates of Carp Oil: Chemical Hydrolysis and Urea Complexation

The aims of this study were to compare three treatments in the chemical hydrolysis reaction of bleached oil from carp (Cyprinus carpio) heads and to obtain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrates by urea complexation. The three treatments were carried out with different oil:ethanol molar ratios. In the treatment with a 1:39 molar ratio, a higher yield of free fatty acids was found. These fatty acids were submitted to urea complexation (−10 °C for 20 h, and urea–fatty acid ratio of 4.5–1). There was a 31.4% increase in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and PUFA) content and a 75% decrease in saturated fatty acids (SAF) content. An increase of 85.4% in the EPA + DHA content was found. The non-urea complexing fraction can be considered a rich source of MUFA and PUFA with a total amount of 88.9%.