Microencapsulated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG powders: relationship of powder physical properties to probiotic survival during storage

Freeze-dried commercial Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) were encapsulated in an emulsion-based formulation stabilized by whey protein and resistant starch and either spray-dried or freeze-dried to produce probiotic microcapsules. There was no difference in loss of probiotics viability after spray drying or freeze drying. Particle size, morphology, moisture sorption, and water mobility of the powder microcapsules were examined. Particle size analysis and scanning electron microscopy showed that spray-dried LGG microcapsules (SDMC) were small spherical particles, whereas freeze-dried LGG microcapsules (FDMC) were larger nonspherical particles. Moisture sorption isotherms obtained using dynamic vapor sorption showed a slightly higher water uptake in spray-dried microcapsules. The effect of water mobility, as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, at various water activities (a(w) 0.32, 0.57, and 0.70) and probiotic viability during storage at 25 °C was also examined. Increasing the relative humidity of the environment at which the samples were stored caused an increase in water mobility and the rate of loss in viability. The viability data during storage indicated that SDMC had better storage stability compared to FDMC. Although more water was adsorbed for spray-dried than freeze-dried microcapsules, water mobility was similar for corresponding storage conditions because there was a stronger water-binding energy for spray-dried microcapsule. This possibly accounted for the improved survival of probiotics in spray-dried microcapsules.     

Egg Consumption Modulates HDL Lipid Composition and Increases the Cholesterol-Accepting Capacity of Serum in Metabolic Syndrome

We recently demonstrated that daily whole egg consumption during moderate carbohydrate restriction leads to greater increases in plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and improvements in HDL profiles in metabolic syndrome (MetS) when compared to intake of a yolk-free egg substitute. We further investigated the effects of this intervention on HDL composition and function, hypothesizing that the phospholipid species present in egg yolk modulate HDL lipid composition to increase the cholesterol-accepting capacity of subject serum. Men and women classified with MetS were randomly assigned to consume either three whole eggs (EGG, n = 20) per day or the equivalent amount of egg substitute (SUB, n = 17) throughout a 12-week moderate carbohydrate-restricted (25–30 % of energy) diet. Relative to other HDL lipids, HDL-cholesteryl ester content increased in all subjects, with greater increases in the SUB group. Further, HDL-triacylglycerol content was reduced in EGG group subjects with normal baseline plasma HDL-C, resulting in increases in HDL-CE/TAG ratios in both groups. Phospholipid analysis by mass spectrometry revealed that HDL became enriched in phosphatidylethanolamine in the EGG group, and that EGG group HDL better reflected sphingomyelin species present in the whole egg product at week 12 compared to baseline. Further, macrophage cholesterol efflux to EGG subject serum increased from baseline to week 12, whereas no changes were observed in the SUB group. Together, these findings suggest that daily egg consumption promotes favorable shifts in HDL lipid composition and function beyond increasing plasma HDL-C in MetS.     

Mineralized structures in nature: Examples and inspirations for the design of new composite materials and biomaterials

Through the natural evolutionary process, organisms have been improving amazing mineralized materials for a series of functions using a relatively few constituent elements. Biomineralization has been widely studied in the last years. It is important to understand how minerals are produced by organisms and also their structure and the corresponding relationship with the properties and function. Moreover, one can look at minerals as a tool that could be used to develop high performance materials, through design inspiration and to find novel processing routes functioning at mild conditions of temperature, pressure and solvent type. As important as the molecular constituents are structural factors, which include the existence of different levels of organization and controlled orientation. Moreover, the way how the hierarchical levels are linked and interfacial features plays also a major role in the final behavior of the biogenic composite. The main aim of this work is to review the latest contributions that have been reported on composite materials produced in nature, and to relate their structures at different length scales to their main functions and properties. There is also an interest in developing new biomimetic procedures that could induce the production of calcium phosphate coatings, similar to bone apatite in substrates for biomedical applications, namely in orthopedic implants and scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine; this topic will be also addressed. Finally, we also review the latest proposed approaches to develop novel synthetic materials and coatings inspired from natural-based nanocomposites.     

Logit modeling for classification of monocultivar olive oils from southwest Spain: A preliminary study

A characterization study of the main olive oil cultivars of southwest Spain (Picual, Arbequina, and Verdial) has been performed in order to establish logistic regression models. Several quality characteristics (free acidity, peroxide value, K₂₃₂, K₂₇₀, oxidative stability index) and chemical data (fatty acids, sterols, erythrodiol–uvaol composition) were measured. Logit regressions were used to evaluate the correlation of the parameters and to create models that allow saving costs on identifying oils as Arbequina, Picual, or Verdial type. Multiple logit regression models were developed: one for Arbequina, three models for Picual, and two models for Verdial cultivar, allowing in this way to minimize the cost for classifying oil samples. Practical application: The olive oil marketing is increasingly focused on the chemical differentiation and characterization of the product because the chemical composition of these virgin oils is responsible for their valuable sensory and nutritional properties. Here we present a characterization study (quality characteristics and chemical data) from the main olive oil cultivars of southwest Spain, Picual, Arbequina, and Verdial, as a first step for the traceability of these three types of monocultivar virgin olive oils. The results may be used as a training to create models for other olive oil cultivars.     

Valorization of galvanic sludge in sulfoaluminate cement

Every year increasing amounts of industrial waste are generated worldwide. Depending on their characteristics, wastes can represent an important source of secondary raw materials in order to replace natural resources. In this study, galvanic sludge (LDG) was used as raw material in sulfoaluminate cement. This waste was incorporated to sulfoaluminate cement (CSA), at a weight ratio of 25%, to compose an blended sulfoaluminate cement (BCSA). The compressive strength, drying shrinkage and products of hydration were determined. The efficiency of CSA towards the retention of chromium (the main pollutant present in the sludge) was also investigated. Compressive strength higher than 30 MPa was obtained. The main product of hydration (ettringite) was also identified and the encapsulation of Cr in hydration phases was verified.     

Improvement of the thermal behaviour of gypsum blocks by the incorporation of microcapsules containing PCMS obtained by suspension polymerization with an optimal core/coating mass ratio

The feasibility of incorporating microcapsules containing Phase Change Materials (PCMs), previously obtained by a suspension polymerization process, in gypsum wallboards to increase the wall energy storage capacity was studied. Firstly, the energy storage capacity of the resulting microcapsules and the microencapsulation efficiency was maximized by studying the influence of the synthesis variable core/coating mass ratio on the suspension polymerization process. Results indicate that the higher paraffin wax to styrene monomer mass ratio, the lower microencapsulation efficiency. A mass ratio of Rubitherm® RT27 to styrene monomer equal 1.5 allowed to obtain microcapsules with the highest energy storage capacity and a good microencapsulation efficiency. It was also observed that the energy storage capacity is dependent on the particle size; the maximum capacity was obtained for a particle size of 500 μm. Finally, the thermal behaviour of three gypsum wallboards one without PCMs and the others doped with 4.7% and 7.5% by weight of microcapsules containing Rubitherm® RT27 at the optimal core/coating mass ratio was studied. Results showed that the higher the amount of microcapsules containing PCMs incorporated to the gypsum wallboard, the lower or higher the external wall temperature for heating or cooling process, respectively. Besides, the incorporation of the microcapsules to the wall increased the time required to achieve the final steady state, verifying that the material insulation capacity was enhanced by increasing PCMs content in the wall.     

Sustainable design procedure: The role of composite materials to combine mechanical and environmental features for agricultural machines

The improvement of environmental performance of products is the main focus for many companies. Although, methodologies are fundamental in the design process in order to introduce environmental inputs in the development, it has not been a comfortable practice for companies. In this context, this study is concerned with the development of procedural guidelines for how ecodesign concepts may be introduced to the selection of material. The results point out the importance of the introduction of environmental parameters, since the beginning of the project. In regards to composite material, it is possible to note that vegetable fibers are good choice replacements for fiberglass.     

Treatment of recalcitrant wastewater from ethanol and citric acid production using the microalga Chlorella vulgaris and the macrophyte Lemna minuscula

Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to develop a procedure for biological treatment of recalcitrant anaerobic industrial effluent (from ethanol and citric acid production) using first the microalga Chlorella vulgaris followed by the macrophyte Lemna minuscula. This recalcitrant dark-colored wastewater, containing high levels of organic matter and low pH, prevents the growth of microalgae and macrophytes, and therefore, could not be treated by them. Therefore, the wastewater was diluted to 10% of the original concentration with wash water from the production line. Within 4 days of incubation in the wastewater, C. vulgaris population grew from 5 x 10(5) to 2 x 10(6) cells/mL. This culture reduced ammonium ion (71.6%), phosphorus (28%), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (61%), and dissolved a floating microbial biofilm after 5 days of incubation. Consequently, L. minuscule was able to grow in the treated wastewater (from 7 to 14 g/bioreactor after 6 days), precipitated the microalgal cells (by shading the culture), and reduced other organic matter and color (up to 52%) after an additional 6 days of incubation. However, L. minuscula did not improve removal of nutrients. This study demonstrates the feasibility of combining microalgae and macrophytes for bioremediation of recalcitrant industrial wastewater.     

Imbalance diets in preschool children: study in a day-care center in the Province of Buenos Aires,Argentina

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of low fat diets in children aged 2 to 5. Eighty two children (40 females and 42 males) attending a school cafeteria (Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina), in a cross sectional study, were evaluated. Body weight (W), height (H) and body composition (BC) by bioimpedance were recorded. The anthropometric raw data were processed as Z-score of the weight-for-age (WEZ) and of the height-for-age (HAZ). Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and Zinc/haemoglobin ratio (Zn/Hb) were also measured. Results showed that 73.2% of the children were adequate (A) according WEZ, 13.4% were lean (L) and 13.4% overweight (O). 8.5% presented simultaneously impairment in WEZ and HAZ. Body fat percentage and energy metabolism were higher in O than in L and A (p < 0.05). Serum IGF-1's children--aged 4 to 5 years--with HAZ deficit were low than adequate HAZ ones. No statistical differences in Zn/Hb ratio between A, L and O were found. This cross sectional study suggests metabolic disorders in young children attending school cafeterias. These conclusions will allow to design balanced diets in order to optimize the resources, promote optimal growth and development and prevent adult diseases through dietary practices in childhood.