Pathogen survival in chorizos: ecological factors

This study addressed health risks from ethnic sausages produced on a small scale, without inspection, in California and elsewhere. Mexican-style chorizo, a raw pork sausage that is not cured, fermented, or smoked, was contaminated experimentally in the batter with Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, or Salmonella serotypes and stuffed into natural casings. Formulations were based on a market survey in California. Physical parameters that were controlled were pH, water activity (a(w)), and storage temperature. The pH was adjusted with vinegar, stabilizing at 5.0 within 24 h. Initial a(w) levels adjusted with salt were 0.97, 0.95, 0.93, 0.90, and 0.85; levels declined with time because of evaporation. Pathogen numbers declined with storage up to 7 days, with few brief exceptions. Main effects and interactions of constant temperature and pH with declining a(w) on survival of the pathogens were determined. Maximum death rates occurred at higher a(w) for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella than for L. monocytogenes. Salt used to adjust a(w) affected palatability. Spices (black pepper, chili pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic, guajillo pepper, oregano, and paprika) comprised another, potentially significant aspect of the sausage formulation. Some (notably black pepper and cumin) carried an indigenous microflora that contributed significantly to the microbial load of the sausage batter. Only undiluted fresh and powdered garlic exhibited a significant antimicrobial effect on the pathogens. Although each of the tested formulations caused death of the inoculated pathogens, none of the death rates was sufficiently rapid to ensure safety within the probable shelf life of the product.     

Thermal,mineralogical, and microstructural characterizations of irradiated polymer blended cement mortar composites

In this study, the effects of styrene–acrylic ester (SAE), nanocalcined clay (NCC), and irradiation dose on the thermal, mineralogical, and microstructural characterizations of irradiated polymer‐blended cement mortar composites have been investigated. The composites were prepared by partial replacement of cement with 5 and 10% NCC and mixed with sand, SAE latex was added with different ratios (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 15%); the composites were subjected to various doses of γ‐irradiation ranged from 10 to 50 kGy. Physicomechanical properties, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy techniques were carried out. Mechanical investigation manifested that composites loaded with SAE up to 8% showed the best mechanical performance as compared with composites contains 10 and 15% SAE. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1849–1858, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Immobilization of Co(Ⅱ) Ions in Cement Pastes and Their Effects on the Hydration Characteristics

The immobilization of Co(Ⅱ) in various cement matrices was investigated by using the solidification/stabilization(S/S) technique.The different cement pastes used in this study were ordinary Portland cement in absence and presence of water reducing-and water repelling-admixtures as well as blended cement with kaolin.Two ratios of Co(Ⅱ) were used(0.5% and 1.0% by weight of the solid binder).The hydration characteristics of the used cement pastes were tested via the determination of the combined water content,phase composition and compressive strength at different time intervals up to 180 d.The degree of immobilization of the added heavy metal ions was evaluated by determining the leached ion concentration after time intervals extended up to 180 d.The leachability experiments were carried out by using two modes:the static and the semi-dynamic leaching processes.It was noticed that the concentration of the leached Co2+ ions in the static mode of leachability was lower than the solubility of its hydroxide in all the investigated cement pastes.     

Supplementation of pearl millet flour with soybean protein: effect of cooking on in vitro protein digestibility and essential amino acids composition

In vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and amino acids profile of pearl millet (Dempy cultivar) supplemented with soybean protein (5–15%) were investigated. Supplementation of dempy flour with soybean protein steadily decreased IVPD with increasing the portion of soybean in the blend. The in vitro protein digestibilities of the cooked supplemented dempy flours were higher when compared with the raw ones, whereas the highest value was that of the 5% soybean protein. All essential amino acids of dempy flour were enriched on supplementation with soybean protein. The levels of amino acids increased with increasing the amount of soybean protein in the blend. Essential amino acids in dempy supplemented with 15% soybean are comparable to those in the FAO reference pattern. Supplementation increased significantly lysine to 1.5–2.4 folds. Essential amino acids content remained higher in the cooked composite flours when compared with the cooked native dempy flour.     

Processing and characterization of reinforced polyethylene composites made with lignocellulosic fibers from Egyptian agro-industrial residues

Lignocellulosic fibers were extracted from Egyptian industrial crops, viz. cotton stalk, rice straw, bagasse, and banana plant waste. The chemical composition of these fibers was determined. Composite materials were processed from these natural lignocellulosic fibers using low density polyethylene and acid stearic as compatibilizer, or maleated low density polyethylene. The thermal and mechanical properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and tensile tests, respectively. The morphology of processed composites was studied by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Better compatibility and enhanced mechanical properties were obtained when using maleated LDPE as compatibilizer. The chemical composition of fibers, in terms of lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses contents, was found to have a strong influence on the mechanical properties of the composites.     

Biological Evaluation of Multivalent Lewis X–MGL‐1 Interactions

Myeloid C‐type lectin receptors (CLRs) expressed by antigen‐presenting cells are pattern‐recognition receptors involved in the recognition of pathogens as well as of self‐antigens. The interaction of carbohydrate ligands with a CLR can trigger immune responses. Although several CLR ligands are known, there is limited insight into CLR targeting by carbohydrate ligands. The weak affinity of lectin–carbohydrate interactions often renders multivalent carbohydrate presentation necessary. Here, we have analyzed the impact of multivalent presentation of the trisaccharide Lewis X (Le^X) epitope on its interaction with the CLR macrophage galactose‐type lectin‐1 (MGL‐1). Glycan arrays, including N‐glycan structures with terminal Le^X, were prepared by enzymatic extension of immobilized synthetic core structures with two recombinant glycosyltransferases. Incubation of arrays with an MGL‐1‐hFc fusion protein showed up to tenfold increased binding to multiantennary N‐glycans displaying Le^X structures, compared to monovalent Le^X trisaccharide. Multivalent presentation of Le^X on the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) led to increased cytokine production in a dendritic cell /T cell coculture system. Furthermore, immunization of mice with Le^X‐OVA conjugates modulated cytokine production and the humoral response, compared to OVA alone. This study provides insights into how multivalent carbohydrate–lectin interactions can be exploited to modulate immune responses.     

Parameters affecting the synthesis of geranyl butyrate by esterase 30,000 from Mucor miehei

The factors affecting the synthesis of geranyl butyrate by esterase 30,000 of Mucor miehei were studied in a solvent-free system. The effects of substrate molar ratio, temperature, agitation speed, and initial addition of water were investigated. The equimolar ratio was most interesting for ester production in batch. There were no diffusion limitations, and the reaction could be realized at low agitation. The catalytic activity of the enzyme was irreversibly deactivated at 60°C, and the initial addition of water decreased the rate of conversion after 75 h of reaction. The enzyme activity increased with increased linear chainlength of the acid and was also affected by the alcohol structure. Esterase 30,000 gave the highest conversion of butyric acid with hexanol and terpenic alcohols (citronellol, nerol) and the lowest with the secondary alcohol (2-hexanol). Finally, five other industrial enzymatic preparations were investigated for their ability to synthesize geranyl butyrate and to hydrolyze olive oil. We observed, for the lipase from Rhizopus javanicua, that there is no relationship between hydrolytic and synthetic activities; this example shows that the hydrolytic lipase activity data cannot predict the capability of lipases in esterification reactions.     

Pollution in the water supply wells of Khartoum, Sudan

 The supply of water to Khartoum, Sudan, is from wells tapping aquifers in the Nubian Sandstone Formation. The boreholes are located in residential areas where sewage disposal is by means of a siphon septic tank system draining into the water table in the upper alluvial deposits. The aquifers are leaky to unconfined in nature and as the lower groundwater moves from the Nile towards the residential areas, it is susceptible to pollution from the septic tanks. Evidence that such pollution is occurring was found in three production wells where the presence of E. coli bacteria was identified. Received: 9 July 1998 · Accepted: 20 May 1999     

Cellulose membranes grafted with vinyl monomers in homogeneous system

The homogeneous grafting of a hydrophilic monomer onto cellulose derivatives was carried out in an aqueous system at 30, 50, 70, and 90°C during reaction periods of 30–180 min. The graft polymer was isolated by ethanol from the reaction mixture, dried, and weighed. The grafted polymer was characterized by the IR method, as well as the microscopic sample morphology detected by scanning electron microscopy. The water absorption capacities and grafting values of the grafted cellulose derivatives were also determined. The maximum grafting yield was obtained at 30°C. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2629–2638, 2002     

Characterization of hydrogen charging of 2205 duplex stainless steel and its correlation with hydrogen‐induced cracking

The effect of various experimental conditions (i.e., hydrogen charging current density, charging time, solution concentration, and temperature) on the embrittlement and cracking susceptibility of 2205 duplex stainless steel was studied by electrochemical hydrogen charging and slow strain rate tests. The results showed that the choice of the experimental conditions had obvious effect on the hydrogen concentration in the specimens. A relationship between the embrittlement and hydrogen charging conditions was established by the investigation of the fracture morphology. Under the free‐charging condition, the fracture surfaces were characteristic of dimples, while on the condition of the dynamic hydrogen charging, the hydrogen‐induced fracture showed the appearance of cleavage. Further examination of fracture cracks confirmed that the ferrite phase acts as a preferential path for crack propagation.