Refining of Roundup Ready® soya bean oil: Effect on the fatty acid,phytosterol and tocopherol profiles

In this study, genetically modified (GM) soya bean seeds with the event known as Roundup Ready® were used for the production of soya bean oil and their fatty acid, phytosterol and tocopherol composition was characterised. Since these compounds can be partially lost during refining, this study also aimed at evaluating the compositional changes along the GM soya bean oil extraction and refining processes carried out industrially. During the refining process of crude soya bean oil, neutralisation was responsible for the major losses on phytosterols (15%). The greatest reduction of tocopherols was also caused by the neutralisation step (20%), while the deodorisation step caused minor losses (9%). Along the refining process, the decreases of total phytosterols and total tocopherols were 20 and 30%, respectively, which are lower than the losses reported in other studies, reflecting the industrial improvements in preserving beneficial health compounds in the refined oil. The results showed that the refined GM soya bean oil presented higher contents of phytosterols (313 mg/100 g) and tocopherols (931 mg/kg) comparing to other reports.     

Optimization of growth operational conditions for CO2 biofixation by native Synechocystis sp.

BACKGROUND: A fundamental step in assessing the viability of a CO₂ biofixation system based on microalgae is to identify the maximum CO₂ biofixation yield that can be achieved for this microorganism when it is cultivated under optimum operational growth conditions. Response surface methodology was applied to determine optimum culture conditions for CO₂ biofixation by a recently isolated freshwater cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. The strain was cultivated in a 1 L bubble column photobioreactor, in semicontinuous mode. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that temperature (from 22 to 39 °C), pH (from 7.2 to 8.8) and light intensity (from 928 to 2272 µE m^?2 s^?1), in addition to some of their interactions, had a significant effect on CO₂ biofixation. An optimum CO₂ biofixation rate of 2.07 gCO₂ L^?1culture day^?1 was found within the experimental region, at an average light intensity 686 µE m^?2 s^?1, pH 7.2 and temperature 35.3 °C. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, it is concluded that Synechocystis sp. presents a good tolerance to both high temperature and light intensity, characteristics which facilitate its application in outdoor CO₂ biofixation systems. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Enhanced particle rearrangement during liquid phase spark plasma sintering of silicon nitride-based ceramics

Densification evolution has been analysed in liquid phase assisted spark plasma sintering (SPS) of silicon nitride (Si₃N₄)-based materials. Monolithic ceramics with variable amounts of Al₂O₃/Y₂O₃ sintering additives, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) containing Si₃N₄ composites have been considered. The shrinkage behaviour of SPSed monolithic Si₃N₄ showed a noticeable enhancement of the particle rearrangement stage, exhibiting a complete wetting of the grain boundary phase even for the lowest additive content (1.70 vol.%), unlike the corresponding hot pressed (HPed) material. An improvement of the liquid phase wetting by the presence of electromechanical forces is proposed to explain the enhanced densification occurring in the particle rearrangement stage of the SPS process. Furthermore, the addition of CNTs seems to increase the efficiency of this mechanism, decreasing the particle rearrangement temperature.     

Mercury(II) removal from aqueous solution by sorption onto alginate,pectate and polygalacturonate calcium gel beads. A kinetic and speciation based equilibrium study

Gel beads of calcium alginate, pectate and polygalacturonate salts have been tested as sorbent materials for mercury(II) removal from aqueous solutions. Physico-chemical properties of gel beads, defined by SEM–EDX, TGA and texture and density analysis, were correlated with gel beads sorption capacity towards Hg²⁺ ion. A speciation study in aqueous solution was carried out to define the strength of interaction of mercury ion with the polymers investigated and to assess the more suitable experimental conditions to achieve the best effectiveness of Hg²⁺ sorption by gel beads. On the basis of the speciation study, pH values in the 3–5.5 pH range were considered appropriated for mercury(II) sorption by gel beads. Kinetics of mercury(II) sorption and calcium(II) release from the sorbent materials were studied at pH 3, 3.6 and 5.2. The highest sorption rate (K) and amount of mercury(II) adsorbed were obtained at pH 3 and 3.6; therefore, pH 3.3 was chosen for the equilibrium study of Hg²⁺ sorption at 25 °C. The results obtained by using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations show the following sorption capacity trend: Ca–Pect > Ca–PGA > Ca–AA.     

Hydrophobic properties of cardboard coated with polylactic acid and ethylene scavengers

The corrugated cardboard used in food packaging readily absorbs moisture from the environment, especially when stored under high humidity conditions. In this research, the water barrier of cardboard was modified by changing the wettability of the cardboard surface, applying hydrophobic coatings of polylactic acid (PLA), alone or in combination with other substances that absorb gases (ethylene scavengers) such as clinoptilolite (C), sepiolite (S), and sepiolite permanganate (SP). The water barrier properties tested as water vapor permeability (WVP), water absorptiveness (WA), and water drop contact angle (CA) showed that the water resistance of the resulting cardboard was improved by the coating. The best results of these properties were obtained by using a coating of PLA 2% alone. In addition, PLA 2% with C 1.5% also showed good results, but the WA results were higher. The use of PLA coating produces a greater uniformity and smoothness of the coated cardboard surface due to the best filling of the pores or spaces between cellulose fibers. Our findings and the environmentally friendly nature of PLA strengthen the advantages of using these kinds of coatings on cardboard trays for the packaging, storage, and transport of foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables.     

Pigment parameters determining spanish virgin olive oil authenticity: Stability during storage

The chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment composition in 12 mono-variety virgin olive oils was examined every 30 d during 1 yr of storage at 15°C in darkness. The oil authenticity parameters, as defined by the ratio of chlorophylls/carotenoids and the ratio of minor carotenoids/lutein, remained stable throughout storage, irrespective of the variety and degree of ripeness of the source fruit. The percent of violaxanthin, percent of lutein, and total pigment content, the classifying variables chosen as the best possible discriminators among olive varieties, also remained stable during storage. The prediction model for olive variety, which was based on a discriminant multivariate analysis of the observed values of these variables, gave a correct classification in 99.6% of the oils analyzed. The discriminant criterion established remained valid after 1 yr of oil storage. The detection of chlorophyll derivatives other than those associated with the physical extraction process was seen as a quality index, as small, analytically detectable transformations in the structure of pigments were indicative of oil storage.     

A comparison of silver‐ and copper‐charged polypropylene feed spacers for biofouling control

Implementation of nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) processes in treating traditional water sources can provide a steady‐state level of removal that eliminates the need for regeneration of ion exchange resins or granular activated carbon. Moreover, RO can help meet future potable water demands through desalination of seawater and brackish waters. The productivity of membrane filtration is severely lowered by fouling, which is caused by the accumulation of foreign substances on the surface and/or within pores of membranes. Microbial fouling, or biofouling, is the growth of microorganisms on the membrane surface and on the feed spacer as present between the envelopes. The fouling of membranes has demanded and continues to demand considerable attention from industry and research communities. Many of these applications use membranes in a spiral wound configuration that contains a feed spacer. The goal of this project was to develop low‐biofouling polypropylene (PP) spacers through the functionalization of PP by a spacer arm with metal chelating ligands charged with biocidal metal ions, investigate the use of this metal‐charged polypropylene (PP) feed spacers that target biofouling control, and to use some traditional and one novel techniques to autopsy the membranes after filtration to gain a better understanding of the biofouling mechanism and how the modified spacers are affecting it. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Structures and morphologies of in situ polymerized blends of PMMA and ASA

Blends of poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, and the elastomer ASA, a graft copolymer based on poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐styrene) (SAN) and acrylic rubber, were prepared by in situ polymerization and characterized according to structural, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties. The polymerization conditions, such the presence or absence of a chain transfer agent, stirring and an inert atmosphere, influence the morphological and structural properties of the blends. In spite of the evidences of the partial miscibility between PMMA and SAN phase of the ASA, the blends are heterogeneous and present a complex morphology. The morphology of some PMMA‐ASA blends is made up of an elastomeric dispersed phase in a glassy matrix, with a possible inclusion of the matrix in the elastomeric domains. The selective extraction of the blend components and infrared spectroscopy showed that crosslinking and/or grafting reactions occur on ASA chains during MMA polymerization. The syndiotacticity of PMMA obtained in the presence of ASA increases with the amount of ASA, due to possible interactions between the carbonyl groups of PMMA and the nitrile or phenyl groups of the SAN copolymer. The mechanical properties of the blends were influenced by the compositions of the blends and mainly by the conditions of polymerization. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Chromatic evolution of virgin olive oils submitted to an accelerated oxidation test

Six samples of virgin olive oil obtained from several varieties of olive fruits (Picual, Manzanilla, Lechín, and Arbequina) were submitted to an accelerated oxidation process during a 63-h period under the conditions of the oil stability index (OSI), as measured by a Rancimat (100°C) apparatus. Spectra were measured every 3 h, and chlorophyll and carotenoid indexes and CIFLAB color ordinates were calculated. As oxidation time increased, remarkable changes in the spectral characteristics and color ordinates were observed. Oxidation provoked less vivid colors (lower values for chroma, C _* ^ab ) in all the samples; however, only some varieties became darker (lower values for lightness, L^*). The pigment loss calculated for oxidized oils was 67% for the carotenoid index and 58% for the chlorophyll index. Mathematical models are offered to predict color changes with time of storage at 20°C.     

The Latin American DILI Registry Experience: A Successful Ongoing Collaborative Strategic Initiative

Drug induced liver injury (DILI) is a rare but well recognized serious adverse reaction. Pre-marketing studies may not detect liver injury, and DILI becomes very often apparent after the drug is launched to the market. Specific biomarkers for DILI prediction or diagnosis are not available. Toxic liver reactions present with a wide spectrum of phenotypes and severity, and our knowledge on the mechanisms underlying idiosyncratic reactions and individual susceptibility is still limited. To overcome these limitations, country-based registries and multicenter research networks have been created in Europe and North America. Reliable epidemiological data on DILI in Latin America (LA), a region with a large variety of ethnic groups, were however lacking. Fortunately, a LA network of DILI was set up in 2011, with the support of the Spanish DILI Registry from the University of Malaga. The primary aim of the Latin DILI Network (LATINDILIN) Registry was to prospectively identify bona fide DILI cases and to collect biological samples to study genetic biomarkers. Physicians involved in the project must complete a structured report form describing the DILI case presentation and follow-up which is submitted to a Coordinator Center in each country, where it is further assessed for completeness. During the last four years, several LA countries (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Colombia) have joined the network and committed with this project. At that point, to identify both our strengths and weaknesses was a very important issue. In this review, we will describe how the LATINDILI Registry was created. The aims and methods to achieve these objectives will be discussed in depth. Additionally, both the difficulties we have faced and the strategies to solve them will be also pinpointed. Finally, we will report on our preliminary results, and discuss ideas to expand and to keep running this network.