Application of channel flow double electrode to the study on platinum dissolution during potential cycling in sulfuric acid solution

The applicability of a channel flow double electrode (CFDE) as an in situ monitoring method of Pt dissolution during potential cycling in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution at 25 °C was investigated. In the CFDE, Pt ions (Ptⁿ⁺) dissolved from a platinum working electrode were detected by reducing them to Pt on a gold collector electrode which was placed at the downstream. The detection of the Pt dissolution by the collector current was confirmed by EPMA analysis of the collector electrode surface. In anodic scan, a rise of the collector current above 1.05 V clearly indicated the platinum dissolution. The collector current showed two different rates of dissolution, i.e. a lower rate from 1.05 to 1.3 V where only one layer of oxide (PtO) is formed and the higher rate from 1.3 to 1.46 V where two layers of oxides (probably PtO/PtO₂) are formed. The collector current, in the cathodic scan, clearly showed two different reduction peaks due to the Pt deposition, which was confirmed by EPMA analysis. On the basis of collector current, the rate and potential range of the Pt dissolution are discussed.     

Formation of magnetic aluminium oxyhydroxide nanorods and use for hyperthermal effects

In the present work, we show that a porous alumina template can easily be filled with magnetic nanoparticles and then be sealed by a hot water treatment (by forming an aluminium oxyhydroxide (AlOOH) sealant layer). The porous layer then can be separated from the substrate by an etch to form free magnetic AlOOH nano-capsules. The process allows for a straightforward and highly defined size control of the magnetic units and can easily be scaled up. Furthermore, as AlOOH is biocompatible and has been used as a drug adjuvant for human use, the nanorod shaped capsules are highly promising for biomedical applications such as hyperthermal effects (heating in alternating magnetic fields).     

Bioprocess development for the production of an antifungal molecule by Bacillus licheniformis BC98

The optimization of process parameters for the production of an antifungal molecule produced by Bacillus licheniformis BC98 was carried out using novel statistical tools. The parameters studied were pH, temperature and agitation rate. Fed batch cultivations were carried out since the maximum production of the molecule was observed in the late log phase. The statistical design used allows the evaluation of the effects of several different process variables in a single batch. Data from several batches indicated that while the effects of two of the variable factors, viz., temperature and agitation rate, were significant at 95% confidence intervals, the agitation rate was most critical for the production of the molecule, and pH had no significant effect. The cultivation of the bacterium under optimized conditions (fed batch, 150 rpm, 32 degrees C, pH 5.8) resulted in a 30-fold increase compared with that under unoptimized conditions (shake flask, 100 rpm, 29 degrees C, pH 5.8) in the production of the antifungal molecule.     

Photovoltaics literature survey (No. 110)

In order to help keep readers up‐to‐date in the field each issue of Progress in Photovoltaics will contain a list of recently published journal articles most relevant to its aims and scope. This list is drawn from an extremely wide range of journals, including IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, Journal of Applied Physics, Applied Physics Letters, Progress in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. To assist the reader, the list is separated into broad categories, but please note that these classifications are by no means strict. Also note that inclusion in the list is not an endorsement of a paper's quality. If you have any suggestions please email Santosh Shrestha at s.shrestha@unsw.edu.au .     

Photovoltaics literature survey (No. 108)

In order to help keep readers up to date in the field, each issue of Progress in Photovoltaics will contain a list of recently published journal articles most relevant to its aims and scope. This list is drawn from an extremely wide range of journals, including IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, Journal of Applied Physics, Applied Physics Letters, Progress in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. To assist the reader, the list is separated into broad categories, but please note that these classifications are by no means strict. Also note that inclusion in the list is not an endorsement of a paper's quality. If you have any suggestions, please email Santosh Shrestha at s.shrestha@unsw.edu.au .     

Atmospheric pressure infrared MALDI imaging mass spectrometry for plant metabolomics

The utility of atmospheric pressure infrared MALDI mass spectrometry (AP IR-MALDI) was assessed for plant metabolomics studies. Tissue sections from plant organs, including flowers, ovaries, aggregate fruits, fruits, leaves, tubers, bulbs, and seeds were studied in both positive and negative ion modes. For leaves, single laser pulses sampled the cuticle and upper epidermal cells, whereas multiple pulses were demonstrated to ablate some mesophyll layers. Tandem mass spectra were obtained with collision-activated dissociation to aid with the identification of some observed ions. In the positive mode, most ions were produced as potassium, proton, or sometimes sodium ion adducts, whereas proton loss was dominant in the negative ion mode. Over 50 small metabolites and various lipids were detected in the spectra including, for example, 7 of the 10 intermediates in the citric acid cycle. Key components of the glycolysis pathway occurring in the plant cytosol were found along with intermediates of phospholipid biosynthesis and reactants or products of amino acid, nucleotide, oligosaccharide, and flavonoid biosynthesis. AP IR-MALDI mass spectrometry was used to follow the fluid transport driven by transpiration and image the spatial distributions of several metabolites in a white lily (Lilium candidum) flower petal.     

Structural simulation and protein engineering to convert an endo-chitosanase to an exo-chitosanase

To obtain an enzyme for the production of chito-disaccharides (GlcN(2)) by converting endo-chitosanase to exo-chitosanase, we chose an endo-chitosanase from Bacillus circulans MH-K1 (Csn) as the candidate for protein engineering. Using molecular modeling, two peptides with five amino acids (PCLGG) and six amino acids (SRTCKP) were designed and inserted after the positions of D(115) and T(222) of Csn, respectively. The inserted fragments are expected to form loops that might protrude from opposite walls of the substrate-binding cleft, thus forming a 'roof' over the catalytic site that might alter the product specificity. The chimeric chitosanase (Chim-Csn) and wild-type chitosanase (WT-Csn) were both over-expressed in Escherichia coli and purified nearly to homogeneity. The products formed from chitosan were analyzed by ESI-MS (electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry). A mixture of GlcN(2), GlcN(3) and GlcN(4) was obtained with WT-Csn, whereas Chim-Csn formed, with a smaller catalytic rate (3% of WT-Csn activity), GlcN(2) as the dominant product. Measurements of viscosity showed that, with similar amounts of enzyme activity, Chim-Csn catalyzed the hydrolysis of chitosan with a smaller rate of viscosity decrease than WT-Csn. The results indicate that, on inserting two surface loops, the endo-type chitosanase was converted into an exo-type chitosanase, which to our knowledge is the first chitosanase that releases GlcN(2) from chitosan as the dominant product.     

Photodeposition of AuNPs on metal oxides: Study of SPR effect and photocatalytic activity

Effect of photodeposition of AuNPs (gold nanoparticles) on TiO₂, CeO₂, Cu₂O and Fe₃O₄ supports has been illustrated on sacrificial donor based hydrogen evolution. The synthesized samples were characterized by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Highest photocatalytic activity was exhibited by Au/TiO₂ followed by Au/Fe₃O₄, Au/CeO₂ and Au/Cu₂O. Au/TiO₂ under optimized conditions has shown significantly high photocatalytic activity under both UV–visible and visible radiation. Au/TiO₂ shows hydrogen evolution rate of 920 μmol h⁻¹ and 32.4 μmol h⁻¹ under UV–visible and visible radiation, respectively. Significant enhancement in hydrogen evolution rate under visible light is very encouraging and may be attributed to polydispersed nature of AuNPs wherein larger particles facilitate light absorption and the smaller function as catalytic sites. Further studies are in progress to study the influence of various parameters on photocatalytic activity of Au/TiO_2.     

Edible coating materials—their properties and use in the fortification of rice with folic acid

This study investigated the technical feasibility of adding folic acid on to rice and coating with edible polymers. The coating solutions were cast into film and their properties were investigated. A concentrated premix of rice was prepared in a rotating coating pan by spraying first with folic acid solution, and then with polymer solutions and drying. The fortified rice premixes were evaluated for washing and cooking losses. The loss of folic acid in washing was lowest in rice premixes coated with ethyl cellulose followed by pectin, composite mixtures of locust bean and other coating materials with highest loss in gum arabic coated rice. No edible polymer could satisfactorily retain folic acid during boiling in excess water. Edible polymers failed to mask the yellow color of folic acid and additional masking agent was needed. The premixes had a higher water uptake ratio than raw milled rice had. Triangle tests did not show any significant difference (=0.05) between the sensory qualities of cooked fortified rice and raw milled rice.     

Survival of Listeria monocytogenes introduced as a post-aging contaminant during storage of low-salt Cheddar cheese at 4, 10, and 21°C

Traditional aged Cheddar cheese does not support Listeria monocytogenes growth and, in fact, gradual inactivation of the organism occurs during storage due to intrinsic characteristics of Cheddar cheese, such as presence of starter cultures, salt content, and acidity. However, consuming high-salt (sodium) levels is a health concern and the dairy industry is responding by creating reduced-salt cheeses. The microbiological stability of low-salt cheese has not been well documented. This study examined the survival of L. monocytogenes in low-salt compared with regular-salt Cheddar cheese at 2 pH levels stored at 4, 10, and 21°C. Cheddar cheeses were formulated at 0.7% and 1.8% NaCl (wt/wt) with both low and high pH and aged for 10 wk, resulting in 4 treatments: 0.7% NaCl and pH 5.1 (low salt and low pH); 0.7% NaCl and pH 5.5 (low salt and high pH); 1.8% NaCl and pH 5.8 (standard salt and high pH); and 1.8% NaCl and pH 5.3 (standard salt and low pH). Each treatment was comminuted and inoculated with a 5-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes at a target level of 3.5 log cfu/g, then divided and incubated at 4, 10, and 21°C. Survival or growth of L. monocytogenes was monitored for up to 90, 90, and 30 d, respectively. Listeria monocytogenes decreased by 0.14 to 1.48 log cfu/g in all treatments. At the end of incubation at a given temperature, no significant difference existed in L. monocytogenes survival between the low and standard salt treatments at either low or high pH. Listeria monocytogenes counts decreased gradually regardless of a continuous increase in pH (end pH of 5.3 to 6.9) of low-salt treatments at all study temperatures. This study demonstrated that post-aging inoculation of L. monocytogenes into low-salt (0.7%, wt/wt) Cheddar cheeses at an initial pH of 5.1 to 5.5 does not support growth at 4, 10, and 21°C up to 90, 90, and 30 d, respectively. As none of the treatments demonstrated more than a 1.5 log reduction in L. monocytogenes counts, the need for good sanitation practices to prevent post-manufacturing cross contamination remains.