The effects of physical refining on the formation of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters in relation to palm oil minor components

The formation of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters in refined palm oil during deodorisation is attributed to the intrinsic composition of crude palm oil. Utilising D-optimal design, the effects of the degumming and bleaching processes on the reduction in 3-MCPD ester formation in refined palm oil from poor-quality crude palm oil were studied relative to the palm oil minor components that are likely to be their precursors. Water degumming remarkably reduced 3-MCPD ester formation by up to 84%, from 9.79 mg/kg to 1.55 mg/kg. Bleaching with synthetic magnesium silicate caused a further 10% reduction, to 0.487 mg/kg. The reduction in 3-MCPD ester formation could be due to the removal of related precursors prior to the deodorisation step. The phosphorus content of bleached palm oil showed a significant correlation with 3-MCPD ester formation.     

Integrating silicon nanowire field effect transistor, microfluidics and air sampling techniques for real-time monitoring biological aerosols

Numerous threats from biological aerosol exposures, such as those from H1N1 influenza, SARS, bird flu, and bioterrorism activities necessitate the development of a real-time bioaerosol sensing system, which however is a long-standing challenge in the field. Here, we developed a real-time monitoring system for airborne influenza H3N2 viruses by integrating electronically addressable silicon nanowire (SiNW) sensor devices, microfluidics and bioaerosol-to-hydrosol air sampling techniques. When airborne influenza H3N2 virus samples were collected and delivered to antibody-modified SiNW devices, discrete nanowire conductance changes were observed within seconds. In contrast, the conductance levels remained relatively unchanged when indoor air or clean air samples were delivered. A 10-fold increase in virus concentration was found to give rise to about 20-30% increase in the sensor response. The selectivity of the sensing device was successfully demonstrated using H1N1 viruses and house dust allergens. From the simulated aerosol release to the detection, we observed a time scale of 1-2 min. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests revealed that higher virus concentrations in the air samples generally corresponded to higher conductance levels in the SiNW devices. In addition, the display of detection data on remote platforms such as cell phone and computer was also successfully demonstrated with a wireless module. The work here is expected to lead to innovative methods for biological aerosol monitoring, and further improvements in each of the integrated elements could extend the system to real world applications.     

Effect of Co γ-irradiation on postharvest quality and selected enzyme activities of Pleurotus nebrodensis

Freshly harvested Pleurotus nebrodensis fruit bodies were exposed to four different doses (0.8-2.0 kGy) of ⁶⁰Co γ-irradiation and various physiological changes associated with postharvest deterioration, as well as the activities of selected enzymes (proteinase, polyphenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase) thought to play a role in the process of deterioration, were monitored during 22 days of subsequent storage at 4 °C and 65-70% relative humidity. An irradiation dose of 1.2 kGy significantly delayed (by 6-9 days) the onset of fruit body softening, splitting and browning compared with non-irradiated controls and test samples subjected to lower or higher irradiation doses. Irradiation with 1.2 and 1.6 kGy also had a positive effect on other indicators of mushroom tissue senescence, resulting in smaller decreases in soluble protein levels and more protracted increases in proteinase activity. Peak levels of polyphenoloxidase activity, widely recognized as causing postharvest browning of mushroom tissue, were also significantly lower (P < 0.05) in fruit bodies exposed to 1.2 kGy compared with non-irradiated controls. Our data increase our understanding of the effects of γ-irradiation on the biochemical changes associated with postharvest deterioration in P. nebrodensis, and improve the prospects of more targeted strategies for extending the shelf life of both this and other mushrooms.     

Phenolic tyrosinase inhibitors from the stems of Cudrania cochinchinensis

The phytochemcal profiles of Cudrania cochinchinensis leaf, twig, stem and root were compared by HPLC analysis. It was found that C. cochinchinensis stem extract contained some unknown natural products with potential tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Therefore, the chemical constitutes in extract (95% ethanol) of C. cochinchinensis stem were further investigated in this study. A new racemic mixture, (±)2,3-cis-dihydromorin, and fifteen known phenolic compounds, dihydrokaempferol 7-O-β-d-qlucopyranoside, skimmin, quercetin-7-O-β-d-glucoside, 2,3-dihydroquercetin 7-O-β-d-glucoside, kaempferol-7-O-β-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3,7-di-O-β-d-glucoside, morin-7-O-β-d-glucoside, 1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthen-9-one, 2,3-trans-dihydromorin, aromadendrin, oxyresveratrol, genistin, protocatechuic acid, kaempferol 3,7-di-O-β-glucopyranoside, and naringenin were isolated. Spectral techniques (MS, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR) were utilized for their structural identification and their inhibitory activities on mushroom tyrosinase were also evaluated. The results showed that tyrosinase inhibitory activities of (±)2,3-cis-dihydromorin (IC(50) = 31.1 μM), 2,3-trans-dihydromorin (IC(50) = 21.1 μM), and oxyresveratrol (IC(50) = 2.33 μM), were more potent than that of kojic acid (IC(50) = 50.8 μM), a well-known tyrosinase inhibitor, indicating that Cudrania cochinchinensis stem will be a great potential agent for the development of effective natural tyrosinase inhibitors.     

蜂胶相关产品标准现状分析

蜂胶是一种极为稀少的天然资源,素有“紫色黄金”之称.目前有关蜂胶的标准包括国家标准,行业标准,地方标准,各标准并行有效,企业选择时缺乏依据,不利于统一管理和市场规范;有些标准中的方法成本较高,企业难以承受;有些标准内容交叠,也增加了企业的使用成本;如果能对这些标准进行统一整合,不仅有利于规范市场和产品,也有利于企业提升...     

Determining degree of roasting in cocoa beans by artificial neural network (ANN)‐based electronic nose system and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)

BACKGROUND

Roasting is a critical step in chocolate processing, where moisture content is decreased and unique flavors and texture are developed. The determination of the degree of roasting in cocoa beans is important to ensure the quality of chocolate. Determining the degree of roasting relies on human specialists or sophisticated chemical analyses that are inaccessible to small manufacturers and farmers. In this study, an electronic nose system was constructed consisting of an array of gas sensors and used to detect volatiles emanating from cocoa beans roasted for 0, 20, 30 and 40 min. The several signals were used to train a three‐layer artificial neural network (ANN). Headspace samples were also analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), with 23 select volatiles used to train a separate ANN.

RESULTS

Both ANNs were used to predict the degree of roasting of cocoa beans. The electronic nose had a prediction accuracy of 94.4% using signals from sensors TGS 813, 826, 822, 830, 830, 2620, 2602 and 2610. In comparison, the GC/MS predicted the degree of roasting with an accuracy of 95.8%.

CONCLUSION

The electronic nose system is able to predict the extent of roasting, as well as a more sophisticated approach using GC/MS. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

火焰原子吸收法测定蜂蜜中锌的不确定度分析

依据《GB／T5009．14—2003（第一法）》规定的火焰原子吸收法进行蜂蜜中锌的含量的测定,全面分析并计算测定过程中的各不确定度来源,建立其测定结果的数学模型。该方法可适用于火焰原子吸收测定蜂蜜中的锌含量的不确定度评定。     

一种改进的(3R/3S,3aS,6R,7aR)—二氢薄荷内酯的合成方法

用间氯过氧苯甲酸将(-)-异胡薄荷醇的烯键环氧化,用雷尼镍催化加氢还原8,9-环氧对薄荷烷-3-醇可直接制得(1R,3R,4S,8R/8S)-对薄荷烷-3,9-二醇,用KMnO4/CuSO4·5H2O将9位羟基选择性氧化成羧基制得(3R/3S,3aS,6R,7aR)-二氢薄荷内酯,产物用1H NMR,13C NMR谱和MS进行了表征。催化加氢还原步的优化条件为:雷尼镍/8,9-环氧对薄荷烷-3-醇质量比为3∶10,乙醇∶水(体积比1∶1)作为溶剂,8.0 MPa的氢气,150℃下反应3 h,氢化步产率为77%。     

开菲尔粒中分离酵母菌与牛乳发酵

本文研究了从开菲尔粒中分离的两株主要酵母菌的基本特征及其对牛乳发酵的情况,并通过 正交试验研究酵母菌与乳酸菌配合对牛乳发酵感官风味的影响。结果表明,酵母菌与乳酸菌的配合比 例对产品影响最为显著,最佳比例为1:1。