ANTIOXIDANT ACTIONS OF FRUIT, HERB AND SPICE EXTRACTS

The antioxidant properties of extracts of five fruits (apple, pear, peach, plum and grapefruit), three herbs (rosemary, tarragon and basil) and one spice (black pepper) were evaluated in a series of assays involving reactive oxygen species (ROS). In general, the crude extracts possessed potent antioxidant properties in vitro . Rosemary extract was 50-times more effective at preventing microsomal lipid peroxidation of human liver microsomes induced by NADPH/iron compared to peroxidation induced by iron/ascorbate, but tarragon was more effective in the iron/ascorbate dependent peroxidation. Analysis of the content of hydroxycinnamic acids of the pear, apple, plum and peach extracts measured after hydrolysis with sodium hydroxide showed that caffeic acid, p-coumaric and ferulic acids were the principal hydroxycinnamic acids present. Although the hydroxycinnamic acids and naringin do not contribute to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation by fruit extracts, they were able to inhibit deoxyribose degradation by 30% suggesting ability to weakly scavenge hydroxyl radicals (OH). Nevertheless, extracts of herbs and spices are increasingly of interest in the food industry because they retard oxidative degradation to lipids.     

Anthocyanin Pigment Composition of Red Radish Cultivars as Potential Food Colorants

Red radish ( Raphanus sativus L.) cultivars were evaluated with respect to qualitative and quantitative anthocyanin (ACN) pigment content. Radishes were grown at 2 locations (Corvallis and Hermiston, OR) and harvested at 2 maturity stages. Pigment content was dependant on cultivar, root weight and location, higher amounts being obtained at Hermiston. Spring cultivars (n=22) had pigmentation in the skin, ranging from 39.3 to 185 mg ACN/100g skin. Red-fleshed Winter cultivars (n=5) had pigment content ranging from 12.2 to 53 mg ACN/100g root. ACN profiles were similar for different cultivars, the major pigments being pelar gonidin-3-sophoroside-5-glucoside, mono- or di-acylated with cinnamic and malonic acids; individual proportions varied among cultivars. Estimated pigment yields ranged from 1.3 to 14 kg/ha.     

Selective Extraction of Phospholipid Mixtures by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Cosolvents

To optimize and enhance the value of a previously developed supercritical fluids (SF) process for removing oil from soybean flakes, we devised a two-step, sequential scheme for extraction of oil and phospholipid-containing fractions using SC-CO₂ alone or with ethanol. PLs were selectively removed from the flakes using the SC-CO₂/ethanol mixture. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were more readily solubilized in the SC-CO₂/cosolvent mixtures than were phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidic acid. The extent of recovery of PC and PE was a function of the molar fraction of cosolvent. Some fractionation of constituent phospholipids could be achieved by varying the molar fraction of ethanol. The extracts from the SF process were characterized by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP) and HPLC with evaporative light scattering detection.     

Effect of Chloride Incorporation on the Crystallization of Zirconium-Barium-lanthanum-Aluminum Fluoride Glass

One aspect of the influence of preparation procedure on the crystallization behavior of a zirconium-barium-lanthanum-aluminum fluoride glass was studied. The crystallization pattern of this glass may be affected by the chlorine concentration within it. In particular, when such glasses are heated at low temperatures, the α-BaZrF₆ crystalline phase forms only in those glasses which contain chloride.     

Vaporization Thermodynamics and Enthalpy of Formation of Aluminum Silicon Carbide

The vaporization thermodynamics of aluminum silicon carbide was investigated using Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry. Vaporization occurred incongruently to give Al( g ), SiC( s ), and graphite as reaction products. The vapor pressure of aluminum above (Al₄SiC₄+ SiC + C) was measured using graphite effusion cells with orifice areas between 1.1 × 10⁻²and 3.9X10⁻⁴ cm². The vapor pressure of aluminum obtained between 1427 and 1784 K using an effusion cell with the smallest orifice area, 3.9X10⁻⁴ cm², is expressed as
log p (Pa) =−(18567 ± 86) ( K/T ) + (12.143 ± 0.054)
The third-law calculation of the enthalpy change for the reaction Al₄SiC₄( s ) = 4Al( g ) + SiC( hex ) + 3C( s ) using the present aluminum pressures gives Δ H °(298.15 K) = (1455 ± 79) kJ·mol⁻¹. The corresponding second-law result is Δ H °(298.15 K) = (1456 ± 47) kJ·mol⁻¹. The standard enthalpy of formation of Al₄SiC₄( s ) from the elements calculated from the present vaporization enthalpy (third-law calculation) and the enthalpies of formation of Al( g ) and hexagonal SiC is Δ H °_f= -(221 ± 85) kJ·mol⁻¹. The standard enthalpy of formation of Al₄SiC₄( s ) from its constituent carbides Al₄C₃( s ) and SiC( c, hex ) is calculated to be Δ H °(298.15 K) = (38 ± 92) KJ·mol⁻¹.     

Master production scheduling: a multiple-objective linear programming approach

This paper describes and discusses a mathematical model for developing a Master Production Schedule. The model considers multiple objectives and several typical constraints. The input parameters to the model are determined and an example is solved to illustrate the procedure.     

Research for low-cost flexible feeding of headed parts using bi-directional belts

Part orientation for flexible manufacturing and assembly can be approached in several different ways. This paper reviews some approaches currently being developed and describes a potentially inexpensive method for the flexible feeding of headed parts. Utilizing adjustable tooling mid bi-directional belts to achieve part orientation. Some experimental observations of the feed rate for headed parts relating to feeder design are also discussed.     

SUSPENSION CHARACTERISTICS OF LARGE CYLINDERS IN AGITATED TANKS

Considerable research has been done concerning solid suspension in agitated tanks. Typically, such studies concern slurries or granular material, such as sand, and involve minimum suspension rotational speeds or suspension homogeneity.

The objectives of this work are similar, however we are concerned with rather large cylinders of varying length to diameter ratios. The work involves: 1) the determination of minimum impeller rotational speed for suspension similar to criterion used by Zwietering, 2) the measurement of suspension heights and times, 3) an investigation into whether the correlations by Zwietering, Kolar and Rieger et al., can be used for predicting minimum suspension rotational speed and 4) weight fraction effects on minimum suspension rotational speed.     

A framework for the study of due date management in job shops

This paper presents a conceptual model of due date management in job shops. The model describes, in general terms, some of the important variables in the due date management problem and some of their interrelationships. The model is used as a framework within which to discuss the treatment of the due date management problem in the literature, and some ideas for directions for further research are presented.