Suitability of acid whey for fermented and fresh-pack cornichon pickle production

Suitability of acid whey (AW) as brine media in fermented and fresh-pack cornichon pickle production was investigated. Fermented and fresh-pack pickles were produced with AW and vinegar (control). Microbiological, textural, colour and sensory properties of the pickles were monitored during 12-wk storage at room temperature. Fermented and fresh-pack pickles manufactured with AW exhibited higher total solids content than the pickles manufactured with vinegar. Acid whey as pickling media increased the development of presumptive lactococci species both in fermented and in fresh-pack pickles. This study shows that AW is a suitable pickling media for fermented and fresh-pack cornichon pickle manufacture.     

Characterization of polypyrrole/azocalix[4]arene salts: Electrical properties and thermal stability

Polypyrrole (PPy) was doped with the azocalix[4]arene [(5,11,17,23‐tetrakis[(p‐carboxyphenyl)azo]25,26,27,28‐tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene)] host species. PPy/azocalix[4]arene salts were characterized by FTIR, TGA, SEM, X‐ray diffraction, and conductivity measurements. The properties of PPy were investigated in the presence of azocalix[4]arene host species. The conductivity of PPy increased in the presence of azocalix[4]arene. TGA results indicated that the PPy/azocalix[4]arene salts have higher thermal stability than PPy. It was observed from SEM analysis that the particle diameter of PPy decreased with increasing content of azocalix[4]arene. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effect of feeding pattern on biochemical storage by activated sludge under anoxic conditions

This study investigated the effect of feeding pattern on bacterial storage under anoxic conditions, emphasizing previous adaptation of biomass to a long term feeding condition, under steady-state operation. Storage was evaluated in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system operated in a sequence of anoxic/aerobic phases, fed with acetate as the sole carbon source during anoxic conditions. The experimental results indicated that biochemical storage of acetate as PHB occurred when substrate was fed as a pulse, while acetate was removed mostly through direct microbial growth under continuous feeding. For pulse feeding, the anoxic yield, Y(STOD) was calculated as 0.58mg COD (mgCOD)(-1) in two different ways, using mass balances on acetate utilization, PHB generation and nitrate consumption. This value was supported by parallel batch tests and similar results in the literature. Similarly, the rate coefficient for storage under anoxic conditions, k(STOD) was computed as 9.3day(-1) based on basic stoichiometry and model calibration of experimental data. Batch tests conducted with biomass adapted to different feeding patterns showed that substrate storage was insignificant when the feed was added continuously at low concentrations, even if the biomass was previously adapted to storage. Similarly biomass acclimated to continuous feeding could not store the excess substrate although fed instantly. For the operating conditions selected for the study, storage response was significant only with a microbial culture with metabolic activities previously adapted to storage and with short-term substrate feeding at high concentrations.     

Fluorene‐Carbazole Dendrimers: Synthesis,Thermal, Photophysical and Electroluminescent Device Properties

Novel hole‐transporting dendrimeric molecules containing dioctylfluorene, spirobi(fluorene) and spiro(cylododecane‐fluorene) as the core unit and different numbers of carbazole and thiophene moieties as the peripheral groups are synthesized. All the dendrimers are characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR, UV–vis, PL spectroscopy, and MALDI‐TOF. They are thermally stable with high glass transition and decomposition temperatures and exhibit chemically reversible redox processes. They are used as the hole‐transporting layer (HTL) material for multilayer organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a low turn‐on voltage of around 2.5 V and a bright green emission with a maximum luminance of around 25400 cd m^?2.     

Study on physiochemical structure and in vitro release behaviors of doxycycline‐loaded PCL microspheres

This study aimed to develop drug delivery system of doxycycline‐loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres. The investigated microsphere formulation can be considered for local application in bone infections and degenerative joint diseases, which generally require long‐term treatments via systemic drugs. PCL‐14 kDa and 65 kDa were used in microsphere preparation. Before release, the microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mean particle size of microspheres was in the range of 74–122 µm and their drug loadings ranged between 10 and 30%. In vitro release profiles were described using the Higuchi and the Korsmeyer–Peppas equations. Diffusion model was applied to experimental data for estimating diffusion coefficients of microspheres; calculated as between 4.5 × 10^?10 and 9.5 × 10^?10 cm²/s. Although long‐term release from microspheres of PCL‐14 kDa obeyed diffusion model, PCL‐65 kDa microspheres showed this tendency only for some period. Modeling studies showed that the drug release mechanism was mainly dependent on loading and molecular weight differences. Release behavior of PCL‐65 kDa microspheres, however, might be better represented by derivation of a different equation to model for the total release period. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41768     

Process and formulation variables of pregabalin microspheres prepared by w/o/o double emulsion solvent diffusion method and their clinical application by animal modeling studies

Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug used for neuropathic pain and as an adjunct therapy for partial seizures with or without secondary generalization in adults. In conventional therapy recommended dose for pregabalin is 75?mg twice daily or 50?mg three times a day, with maximum dosage of 600?mg/d. To achieve maximum therapeutic effect with a low risk of adverse effects and to reduce often drug dosing, modified release preparations; such as microspheres might be helpful. However, most of the microencapsulation techniques have been used for lipophilic drugs, since hydrophilic drugs like pregabalin, showed low-loading efficiency and rapid dissolution of compounds into the aqueous continous phase. The purpose of this study was to improve loading efficiency of a water-soluble drug and modulate release profiles, and to test the efficiency of the prepared microspheres with the help of animal modeling studies. Pregabalin is a water soluble drug, and it was encapsulated within anionic acrylic resin (Eudragit S 100) microspheres by water in oil in oil (w/o/o) double emulsion solvent diffusion method. Dichloromethane and corn oil were chosen primary and secondary oil phases, respectively. The presence of internal water phase was necessary to form stable emulsion droplets and it accelerated the hardening of microspheres. Tween 80 and Span 80 were used as surfactants to stabilize the water and corn oil phases, respectively. The optimum concentration of Tween 80 was 0.25% (v/v) and Span 80 was 0.02% (v/v). The volume of the continous phase was affected the size of the microspheres. As the volume of the continous phase increased, the size of microspheres decreased. All microsphere formulations were evaluated with the help of in vitro characterization parameters. Microsphere formulations (P1–P5) exhibited entrapment efficiency ranged between 57.00?±?0.72 and 69.70?±?0.49%; yield ranged between 80.95?±?1.21 and 93.05?±?1.42%; and mean particle size were between 136.09?±?2.57 and 279.09?±?1.97?µm. Pregabalin microspheres having better results among all formulations (Table 3) were chosen for further studies such as differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared analysis and dissolution studies. In the last step, the best pregabalin microsphere formulation (P3) was chosen for in vivo animal studies. The pregabalin-loaded microspheres (P3) and conventional pregabalin capsules were applied orally in rats for three days, resulted in clinical improvement of cold allodynia, an indicator of peripheral neuropathy. This result when evaluated together with the serum pregabalin levels and in vitro release studies suggests that the pregabalin microspheres prepared with w/o/o double emulsion solvent diffusion method can be an alternative form for neuropathic pain therapy. Conclusively, a drug delivery system successfully developed that showed modified release up to 10?h and could be potentially useful to overcome the frequent dosing problems associated with pregabalin conventional dosage form.     

Evaluation of various denture cleansers on color stability and surface topography of polyetherketoneketone,polyamide, and polymethylmethacrylate

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium perborate effervescent tablets and citric acid solution on the color stability and surface topography of a new generation of high‐performance polymer polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), thermoinjection‐molded polyamide, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Fifty disc‐shaped specimens were fabricated (10 mm × 2 mm) from PEKK (P group), polyamide (D group), and PMMA (M group). These groups were divided into five subgroups (n = 10) according to the storage media. The test groups were immersed in the following solutions: distilled water (Control), Corega, Protefix, Perlodent, and Curaprox. The color stability values (ΔE) were measured using a spectrophotometer before and after immersion in distilled water and four different denture cleansers for 8 hr/day for 140 days. Topography alterations after treatments were assessed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed by one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's Honest Significant Difference test. The p < .05 was considered significant. All denture cleansers increased the ΔE values relative to the baseline values in the M, D, and P groups (p < .05). The Perlodent denture cleanser demonstrated the highest ΔE value in all groups, which was unacceptable. Curaprox denture cleanser showed the lowest ΔE value in the M and D groups (p < .05). Curaprox in all groups showed a ?E value less than 3.7. For patients who have PEKK‐ and polyamide‐based prosthesis, the use of citric acid‐based cleansers may be more recommended than sodium perborate‐containing cleansers because of its clinically acceptable color changes on polymers in terms of color stability.     

Comparison of surface roughness of Locust acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and European oak (Quercus petraea (Mattu.) Lieble.) in terms of the preparative process by planing

Effects of number of the cutters (planing knives), feed rate (operational speed) and cutting depth (biting thickness) on the surface roughness of Locust acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and European oak (Quercus petraea (Mattu.) Lieble.) were investigated on the base of the preparative differences by planing. The specimens were prepared by planing with two and four knives at 5 and 9 m/min feed rates in 1, 2 and 4 mm cutting depths. Surface roughness was measured from the radial face of each sample according to TS 930 (1989) by using Mitutoyo SJ-301 stylus scanner device. These measurements were performed perpendicular to the fibers by the sampling length of 12.5 mm at a sensitivity level of ±0.01 μm. Considering between all types of the experimental preparations, Locust acacia had the smoothest surfaces than that of European oak. Comparing the results of the surface roughness of both species, it has been obtained that the surface roughness decreases when the feed rate and the cutting depth decreases, whereas it increases when the knives on the cutter heads decreases. Therefore, it may be suggested that the perfect faces could be particularly prepared for this considered species by the greater number of the knives (four) at the slow feed rate (5 m/min) in the condition of the light cutting depth (1 mm).     

Comparison of some properties on the different types of pestil: a traditional product in Turkey

Pestil is a traditional dried fruit snack, which is consumed in Turkey. Wheat starch is mixed with different clarified fruit juices such as grape, mulberry, apricot or plum and cooked using traditional techniques. In this work the proximate chemical composition (moisture, ash, fat, crude protein and total carbohydrate), energy value and thickness of grape, apricot and mulberry pestils were investigated. The colour properties (Hunter L, a and b) were determined by a Minolta Chroma‐Meter and the mineral content (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Cu, Zn, Mn) of each product was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES). The carbohydrate value of pestil samples ranged between 73.7 and 82.4% and energy value was between 321.5 and 356.4 kcal 100 g^?1. Mulberry pestil was a better source of energy than grape and apricot pestils. Apricot pestils were rich in calcium, sodium and zinc, and mulberry pestil samples were rich in magnesium.     

Comparison of Blackbodies for Calibration of Infrared Ear Thermometers

The article presents the results of the EURAMET Project No. 927 ??Comparison of blackbodies for calibration of infrared ear thermometers (IRETs)??. The objective of the comparison was to determine the agreement of blackbodies used for the calibration of IRETs among European national laboratories. To verify the accuracy of an IRET, a suitable blackbody (BB) is needed. Such a blackbody related to the EN standard, designed for the calibration of ear thermometers and immersed in a stirred water bath, was provided for the comparison by the pilot laboratory. The pilot provided also the transfer IRET and organized the comparison.