Effects of temperature,pH, organic acids,and sulfites on tagatose browning in solutions during processing and storage

Tagatose browning in solutions might be unacceptable to certain products containing tagatose during processing and storage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of temperature, pH, organic acids, and sulfites on tagatose browning in solutions. Tagatose showed the fastest browning reaction, followed by fructose, xylose, glucose, and sucrose. Tagatose browning was temperature and pH dependent. As temperature and pH increased, tagatose browning was increased. Tagatose browning was slow at temperatures lower than 80°C and pH of 5. Organic acids, such as ascorbic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid, activated tagatose browning. Sodium bisulfite and potassium metabisulfite inhibited tagatose browning, whereas sodium sulfite had no effect on the inhibition of tagatose browning. During storage at 25°C, tagatose browning did not occur regardless of the pH, tagatose concentration, and storage time. It was suggested that tagatose browning in solutions might be prevented by controlling the temperature and pH.     

Development and validation of an analytical method for quantification of sulfuryl fluoride residues in agricultural products using gas chromatography with electron capture detection

Sulfuryl fluoride (SF) is used as a broad-spectrum fumigant due to toxicity against target pests, good dispersion, and a good penetrating ability. An analytical method for SF quantification in agricultural products was developed and validated to ensure food safety. SF residues were extracted from agricultural product samples using water in an airtight blender jar. Subsequently, an aliquot of the headspace was analyzed using capillary GC with an electron capture detector. Results were confirmed using GC-MS. The linear range of SF was 0.01–1.0 μg/mL with a correlation coefficient (r ²) of 0.999. Average SF recovery values ranged from 74.1 to 108.9% from spiked levels of 0.04–2.0 mg/kg, and the relative standard deviation was 0.5–6.8%. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification were 0.01 and 0.04 mg/L, respectively.     

Chinese Yam Extracts Containing β‐Sitosterol and Ethyl Linoleate Protect against Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E‐Deficient Mice and Inhibit Muscular Expression of VCAM‐1 In Vitro

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which is associated with increased expression of adhesion molecules and monocyte recruitment into the arterial wall. This study evaluated whether hexane extracts from the edible part (DB‐H1) or bark region (DB‐H2) of Dioscorea. batatas Decne have anti‐atherosclerotic properties in vivo and in vitro experiments. We also identified bioactive components in the hexane extracts. Thirty‐six apolipoprotein E (ApoE^?/?) mice and 12 control (C57BL/6J) mice were given a Western‐type diet for 11 or 21 wk. To examine the effects of yam extracts on lesion development, ApoE^?/? mice were orally administered DB‐H1 or DB‐H2 for the duration of the study (200 mg/kg b.w./day, 3 times per wk). Both DB‐H1 and DB‐H2 significantly reduced the total atherosclerotic lesion area in the aortic root. In addition, plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, oxidized‐low‐density lipoprotein, and c‐reactive protein were decreased by administration of DB‐H1 and DB‐H2. Consistent with the in vivo observations, DB‐H1 and DB‐H2 inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α–induced vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 expression and adhesion of THP‐1 monocytes to TNF‐α–activated vascular smooth muscle cells. It was also found that treatment with DB‐H1 or DB‐H2 resulted in the inhibition nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species production and iNOS expression in macrophages. Thus, DB‐H1 and DB‐H2 seem to influence atherosclerosis by affecting the production of inflammatory mediators in vivo. Our results suggest that yam extracts have the potential to be used in the prevention of atherosclerosis.     

Molecular layer-by-layer self-assembly and mercury sensing characteristics of novel brush polymers bearing thymine moieties

Two new brush polyoxyethylenes bearing thymine moieties at the bristle ends have been synthesized as model polymers in which the chemical loading of the thymine functional group into the polymer is maximized: poly(oxy(11-thyminoacetyloxyundecylthiomethyl)ethylene) (PECH(S)-T) and poly(oxy(11-thyminoacetyloxyundecylsulfonylmethyl)ethylene) (PECH(SO(2))-T). These brush polymers are thermally stable up to around 225 °C, and their glass transitions occur in the range 23-27 °C, but they have significantly different properties despite the similarity of their chemical structures. In particular, PECH(SO(2))-T films exhibit better performance in sensing mercury ions than PECH(S)-T films. These differences were found to originate in the differences between their morphological structures. The PECH(SO(2))-T film has a multi-bilayer structure without interdigitation, in which the layers stack along the out-of-plane of the film and provide a thymine-rich surface. In contrast, the PECH(S)-T film is amorphous with a relatively low population of thymine moieties at the surface. This study demonstrated that a thymine-rich surface is required for recyclable thymine-based polymers to provide highly improved sensitivity and selectivity as well as full reversibility in the sensing of mercury ions. A thymine-rich surface can be achieved with a brush polymer bearing thymine moieties that can self-assemble into a multi-bilayer structure. Because of the thymine-rich surface, the PECH(SO(2))-T thin films even in only 6 nm thickness demonstrate the detection of mercury ions in aqueous solutions with a detection limit of 10(-6) M.     

Surface functionalization of silver nanoparticles: novel applications for insect vector control

Every day, people and animals contract debilitating and life threatening diseases due to bites from infected flies, ticks, and mosquitoes. The current methods utilized to fight against these diseases are only partially effective or safe for humans and animals. When it comes to insect vector control, a conceptual paradigm shift is urgently needed. This work proposes a novel synthetic scheme to produce a nanoparticle-pesticide core-shell conjugate to be used as an active agent against arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes. As a proof of concept, we conjugated nanosilver to the pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin. First, electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy verified the presence of a 15 nm nanosilver core surrounded by deltamethrin. Second, when the conjugate was exposed to mosquitoes for a 24 h bioassay, mortality was observed at 9 × 10(-4) M. Silver was detected in the hemolymph of mosquitoes exposed to the conjugate. We concluded that the newly developed nanoconjugate did not inactivate the primary function of the pesticide and was effective in killing mosquitoes at low concentrations. These results demonstrate the potential to use nanoparticle surfaces to kill insects, specifically vectors of human pathogens.     

A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sponge for the selective absorption of oil from water

We present a sugar-templated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sponge for the selective absorption of oil from water. The process for fabricating the PDMS sponge does not require any intricate synthesis processes or equipment and it is not environmentally hazardous, thus promoting potential in environmental applications. The proposed PDMS sponge can be elastically deformed into any shape, and it can be compressed repeatedly in air or liquids without collapsing. Therefore, absorbed oils and organic solvents can be readily removed and reused by simply squeezing the PDMS sponge, enabling excellent recyclability. Furthermore, through appropriately combining various sugar particles, the absorption capacity of the PDMS sponge is favorably optimized.     

Highly uniform and reproducible surface-enhanced Raman scattering from DNA-tailorable nanoparticles with 1-nm interior gap

An ideal surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanostructure for sensing and imaging applications should induce a high signal enhancement, generate a reproducible and uniform response, and should be easy to synthesize. Many SERS-active nanostructures have been investigated, but they suffer from poor reproducibility of the SERS-active sites, and the wide distribution of their enhancement factor values results in an unquantifiable SERS signal. Here, we show that DNA on gold nanoparticles facilitates the formation of well-defined gold nanobridged nanogap particles (Au-NNP) that generate a highly stable and reproducible SERS signal. The uniform and hollow gap (～1 nm) between the gold core and gold shell can be precisely loaded with a quantifiable amount of Raman dyes. SERS signals generated by Au-NNPs showed a linear dependence on probe concentration (R(2) > 0.98) and were sensitive down to 10 fM concentrations. Single-particle nano-Raman mapping analysis revealed that >90% of Au-NNPs had enhancement factors greater than 1.0 × 10(8), which is sufficient for single-molecule detection, and the values were narrowly distributed between 1.0 × 10(8) and 5.0 × 10(9).     

Fabrication of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube‐Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composite

Functionally graded carbon nanotube (CNT)‐reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composites have been successfully fabricated by a powder metallurgy route. The gradient layers containing different amounts of CNT additions showed different microstructures and hardness. Each layer demonstrated good adhesion, with no serious pores or microcracks. We controlled the characteristics of the bulk composite by the efficient design of each CNT gradient layer. The functionally graded material concept offers a feasible approach to fabricating Al‐CNT nanocomposites.     

Sol-gel synthesis and characterization of nanostructured TiO2/gamma-Al2O3 composite membranes

Nanostructured TiO2/gamma-Al2O3 composite membranes with various compositions were prepared by sol-gel method. The structural and textural properties of the composite membranes could be modified by the mixing ratio of boehmite sol and titania sol, and calcination temperature. The existence of alumina in the composite membranes retarded anatase-to-rutile phase transformation, resulting in stabilization of textural properties. Defect-free composite membranes were confirmed by gas permeation test.