Moisture Sorption Studies on Garlic Powder

The moisture sorption isotherms of two samples of garlic powder, one containing corn starch (CS) and the other without starch, were deter-mined using saturated salt solutions. Monolayer values were calculated from the isotherms using the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) equation. The addition of CS at 5% slightly increased the monolayer value of the garlic powder, but it had little effect on the caking behavior of the powder. Equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) of garlic powder corresponding to the monolayer value was found to be 14%.     

SUBCRITICAL WATER EXTRACTION OF CAFFEINE FROM BLACK TEA LEAF OF IRAN

ABSTRACT

This study examines subcritical water extraction (SCWE) of caffeine from black tea leaf. The effects of various operating conditions such as water temperature (100, 125, 150 and 175C), water flow rate (1, 2 and 4 g/min), mean particle size (0.5, 1 and 2 mm) on extraction yield and rate were determined. SCWE at 175C, water flow rate of 2 g/min and mean particle size of 0.5 mm were found to be able to recover 3.82% (w/w) of caffeine present in the black tea leaf within 3 h of extraction. In comparison to the SCWE, conventional hot water extraction showed 3.30% (w/w) extraction yield. It was found also that pressure had no effect on extraction yield and rate.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Recently, subcritical water has become of great interest as an alternative solvent for extraction of natural active compounds. Subcritical water, as a green solvent, can be used in many different fields of applications. In recent years, extraction of flavors, fragrances and antioxidant components from plant materials, and hydrolysis of carbohydrates, vegetable oils and fatty acids have been widely investigated by many researchers. Using subcritical water for analytical purposes, for soil remediation and applying it as a reaction media are some other interesting fields for practical applications. Subcritical water is an excellent solvent for caffeine as well as many other organic compounds but is safer than the organic solvents that are used for caffeine extraction.     

Aptamer based detection and separation platforms for ochratoxin A: A systematic review

Ochratoxin A (OTA), one of the most dangerous mycotoxins for human health, has been subjected to numerous studies for separation and detection in minimal amounts. Aptamers as novel recognition elements have been employed to fabricate ultrasensitive biosensors for the detection of OTA and designing delicate analytical tools. This review attempted to comprehensively examine all reported aptamer-based detection and separation platforms for ochratoxin. The most relevant databases were considered to discover all specific aptamers for dealing with OTA. Aptamer-based detection and separation devices specified for OTA were searched for, analyzed, discussed, and classified based on their specifications. The optical aptasensors have gathered a higher interest than electrochemical aptasensors, which can achieve a lower limit of detections. Moreover, some extraction platforms based on these aptamers were also found. However, aptamer-based devices seem to have some challenges in their application.     

Secondary antiviral metabolites from fungi with special reference to coronaviruses

Profound inspection of the life forms on the earth teaches how to be the complexity of interrelationships amongthe various systems. Because of the emergence of novel viruses all the time and the inadequate of vaccines and antivirals,viral contagions are amongst the most causative diseases affecting people worldwide. Fungi exemplify a massive source ofbioactive molecules as, many fungal secondary metabolities like Oxoglyantrypine, Carneic acid F, Scedapin C, AsteltoxinE, Phomanolide, Norquinadoline A and Quinadoline B have antiviral activity. This review deals with how secondarymetabolites of fungi can help in the war against viruses in general and especially Coronaviruses moreover severalpieces of literature pointed out that many clusters of fungi in different biotopes are waiting to be exploited.     

Global sensitivity analysis of certain and uncertain factors for a circular tunnel under seismic action

There are many certain and uncertain design factors which have unrevealed rational effects on the generation of tensile damage and the stability of the circular tunnels during seismic actions. In this research paper, we have dedicated three certain and four uncertain design factors to quantify their rational effects using numerical simulations and the Sobol’s sensitivity indices. Main effects and interaction effects between the design factors have been determined supporting on variance-based global sensitivity analysis. The results detected that the concrete modulus of elasticity for the tunnel lining has the greatest effect on the tensile damage generation in the tunnel lining during the seismic action. In the other direction, the interactions between the concrete density and both of concrete modulus of elasticity and tunnel diameter have appreciable effects on the tensile damage. Furthermore, the tunnel diameter has the deciding effect on the stability of the tunnel structure. While the interaction between the tunnel diameter and concrete density has appreciable effect on the stability process. It is worthy to mention that Sobol’s sensitivity indices manifested strong efficiency in detecting the roles of each design factor in cooperation with the numerical simulations explaining the responses of the circular tunnel during seismic actions.     

Effect of whey protein concentrate addition on the physical properties of homogenized sweetened dairy creams

The influence on their whipping properties of homogenization at first and second stage pressures of 3.5/1.5 MPa and addition of whey protein concentrate (WPC) powder at three different (0.7, 1.4, and 2.1 wt percentage) concentrations to sweetened and homogenized creams was studied. Homogenization of cream significantly decreased maximum overrun and made the foam microstructure less open, while increasing whipping time, cream and foam lightness (Hunter L -value) and apparent viscosity. It also resulted in a less elastic foam structure with an increased drainage. Addition of WPC decreased the amount of maximum overrun, foam drainage and its lightness in parallel with developing a more compact microstructure. It increased the whipping time, apparent viscosity of unwhipped creams and foams, and resulted in a less elastic foam structure. The apparent viscosity of whipped cream with 2.1 wt percentage WPC, however, was lower than that of whipped cream with 1.4 wt percentage WPC, due most probably to the start up of gel formation at 2.1% WPC concentration in sweetened cream when it was sheared. Fresh foam whipped from sweetened cream with 2.1 wt percentage WPC also tended to have a slightly but not statistically significant lower elastic modulus (G') than fresh foam whipped from sweetened cream with 1.4 wt percentage WPC. This concentration can be considered as the critical value for gel formation in sweetened creams enriched by whey proteins when sheared. This study indicated the potential of WPC powder for reducing foam drainage from whipped homogenized sweetened cream.     

Preparation of manganese-based perovskite nanoparticles using a reverse microemulsion method: biomedical applications

In this study, La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn_0.98Ti_0.02O₃ (LSMTO) nanoparticles with a perovskite structure and an average particle size of 23.5 nm were synthesized using a reverse microemulsion method. In this method, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was used as a surfactant, 1-butanol as a co-surfactant, n-hexane as a continuous oil phase, and an aqueous solution containing metal cations or precipitating agent as a dispersed aqueous phase. The aqueous nanodroplets of microemulsions were used for the formation of perovskite precursor. The obtained precursor was then calcined at 700 ^° C for 4 h to convert the precursor to the perovskite phase. In addition, the heating ability of the LSMTO nanoparticles was evaluated under a safe alternating magnetic field used in magnetic hyperthermia therapy. The results showed the fast magneto-temperature response of the prepared sample with sufficient heat loss at the therapeutic temperature range, indicating the LSMTO nanoparticles can be used as a self-regulated heating agent in the magnetic hyperthermia therapy.