Scaled-up production of zero-trans margarine fat using pine nut oil and palm stearin

An interesterified structured lipid was produced with a lipid mixture (600 g) of pine nut oil (PN) and palm stearin (PS) at two weight ratios (PN:PS 40:60 and 30:70) using lipase (Lipozyme TL IM, 30 wt.%) as a catalyst at 65 ^°C for 24 h. Major fatty acids in the interesterified products were palmitic (35.1–40.4%), oleic (29.5%), and pinolenic acid (cis-5, cis-9, cis-12 18:3; 4.2–5.9%). α-Tocopherol (1.1–1.3 mg/100 g) and γ-tocopherol (0.3–0.4 mg/100 g) were detected in the interesterified products. Total phytosterols (campesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol) in the interesterified products (PN:PS 40:60 and 30:70) were 63.2 and 49.6 mg/100 g, respectively. Solid fat contents at 25 ^°C were 23.6% (PN:PS 40:60) and 36.2% (PN:PS 30:70). Mostly β′ crystal form was found in the interesterified products. Zero-trans margarine fat stock with desirable properties could be successfully produced from pine nut oil and palm stearin.     

Thermophysical Properties and Morphological Changes of PEEK/LCP Blend System on Combined Effect of Polyphosphazene and HNT-COOH

This work explored the structural and morphological changes of poly ether ether ketone/liquid crystal polymer blend system, caused due to combined effect of polyphosphazene and acid-modified halloysite nanotubes. Surface modification of halloysite nanotubes gave these the adequate potential to make an effective combination with polyphosphazene. These were became the most promising factor on enhancement of thermophysical properties of blend system. Surface-treated halloysite nanotubes added nanocomposite drastically improves thermal stability than that of the other untreated nanofiller-based nanocomposites and pure blend. The storage modulus, tensile modulus, and tensile strength values increase due to the superior dispersion of the modified halloysite nanotubes in polymer matrix.     

Production of butanol (a biofuel) from agricultural residues: Part II – Use of corn stover and switchgrass hydrolysates

Acetone butanol ethanol (ABE) was produced from hydrolysed corn stover and switchgrass using Clostridium beijerinckii P260. A control experiment using glucose resulted in the production of 21.06 g L^?1 total ABE. In this experiment an ABE yield and productivity of 0.41 and 0.31 g L^?1 h^?1 was achieved, respectively. Fermentation of untreated corn stover hydrolysate (CSH) exhibited no growth and no ABE production; however, upon dilution with water (two fold) and wheat straw hydrolysate (WSH, ratio 1:1), 16.00 and 18.04 g L^?1 ABE was produced, respectively. These experiments resulted in ABE productivity of 0.17–0.21 g L^?1 h^?1. Inhibitors present in CSH were removed by treating the hydrolysate with Ca(OH)₂ (overliming). The culture was able to produce 26.27 g L^?1 ABE after inhibitor removal. Untreated switchgrass hydrolysate (SGH) was poorly fermented and the culture did not produce more than 1.48 g L^?1 ABE which was improved to 14.61 g L^?1. It is suggested that biomass pretreatment methods that do not generate inhibitors be investigated. Alternately, cultures resistant to inhibitors and able to produce butanol at high concentrations may be another approach to improve the current process.     

Constructing generative logical models for optimisation problems using domain knowledge

Machine Learning - In this paper we seek to identify data instances with a low value of some objective (or cost) function. Normally posed as optimisation problems, our interest is in problems that...     

Synthesis of iron nano-catalyst using Acalypha indica leaf extracts for biogas production from mixed liquor volatile suspended solids

A simple, rapid and eco-friendly procedure was adopted to synthesize iron nano-catalyst (FeNCs) using the leaf extracts of Acalypha indica. The effectiveness of synthesized FeNCs was evaluated for the biogas production from mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS). The FeNCs were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope and X-Ray Diffraction. The catalytic activity of the synthesized additives of FeNCs during the anaerobic process showed a drastic reduction in the hydraulic retention time of 6days for biogas production 85–90%. This study also showed a significant increase in the total biogas production when MLVSS supplemented with 0.3 g/L FeNCs. The aforementioned additive yielded 0.345 (L/g volatile solids reduced) biogas which is relatively lesser (63%) when compared with the control 0.25 (L/g VS reduced) and their bulk salts 0.055 (L/g VS reduced).     

In vitro regulation of enzymatic release of glucose and its uptake by Fenugreek microgreen and Mint leaf extract

Fenugreek microgreen and mint leaf displayed antidiabetic potential during in vitro assays including cell line‐based analysis. Aqueous fenugreek microgreen extract (FME) (2 mg mL^?1) inhibited α‐amylase by 70%. It also enhanced glucose uptake in L6 cells by 25% at 10 mg mL^?1 which further improved to 44% in the presence of insulin. On the other hand, fresh mint leaf extract (MLE) inhibited α‐glucosidase up to 90% and increased glucose uptake by 15% in HepG2 cells. Besides, both these extracts also inhibited nonenzymatic glycation of protein. FME and MLE were also found to have high levels of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidants which could play a possible role in the observed antidiabetic activity. As blood glucose levels in diabetes can be regulated by inhibition of enzymes regulating carbohydrate metabolism and improving glucose uptake in cells, the findings indicate a complimentary therapeutic role of these two dietary herbs in diabetes.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of NH2-UiO-66 and its application for adsorptive removal of dye

In this research paper we report hydrothermal synthesis of NH₂-UiO-66, a metal organic framework (MOF) with zirconium as metal and amino terephthalic acid as a linker. The synthesized MOF was characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM and BET surface area. As a potential application in water treatment, an adsorptive removal of safranin dye was studied using the synthesized material. The effect of initial concentration and pH of the dye solution was studied on the dye adsorption capacity of the material. An optimum set of conditions resulting into maximum dye adsorption was found out. The maximum adsorption capacity of the MOF was observed to be 390?mg/g at neutral pH of the solution and at room temperature. The experimental data was fitted with Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherm models. The kinetics of adsorption was studied using pseudo first order and pseudo second order model. The dye adsorption mechanism was also attempted.