In-vitro evaluation of hydrocolloid–based encapsulated fish oil

The release behaviour of hydrocolloid-based encapsulated fish oil was carried out to understand its applicability as a controlled release delivery system. A casein-based Maillard reaction product (MRP), [caseinate–glucose-dried glucose syrup, MRP] and its corresponding non-MRP-based encapsulant materials were used to form stable emulsions with fish oil. The emulsion particle size distribution was found to be uniform with 90% of the particles below 1.3 μm. These oil/water emulsions were spray dried to obtain free-flowing fish oil microcapsules. All casein-based microcapsules had a free fat content of <1% and the encapsulation efficiencies were all >97%. A sequential in-vitro release protocol and a method for evaluation of the released oil in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF/SIF) were developed and tested in this study. A comparative analysis of release behaviour between caseinate and whey protein-based MRP and non-MRP-based encapsulant materials was also obtained. The amount of released oil after subjecting to the sequential in-vitro protocol was found to be <2% and 36% for caseinate and whey protein-based MRP microcapsules respectively.     

Acidification,crushing and thermal treatments can influence the profile and stability of folate poly-γ-glutamates in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)

The influence of different treatments, i.e., crushing, high temperature short time (90 °C/4 min) (HTST) and low temperature long time (60 °C/40 min) (LTLT) blanching, acidification (pH 4.3), and sequences of these treatments on the folate poly-γ-glutamate profile and stability were investigated. In this study, broccoli was used as a case study. Regarding the folate poly-γ-glutamate profile, endogenous folate poly-γ-glutamates in broccoli florets were found predominantly as hepta- and hexa-γ-glutamates. Crushing raw broccoli, acidification and LTLT blanching enhanced folate deconjugation resulting in monoglutamate, di- and tri-γ-glutamates. Compared to other treatments, HTST blanching preformed prior to crushing resulted in the highest concentration of long chain poly-γ-glutamates. Regarding folate poly-γ-glutamates stability, acidification combined with LTLT blanching decreased folate stability whereas HTST blanching combined with different sequences of blanching and crushing did not affect folate poly-γ-glutamates stability. It was concluded that crushing (prior to heating), acidification and blanching could be strategically applied to increase the folate monoglutamate content of broccoli.     

Does stress exacerbate parental differential treatment of siblings? A pattern-analytic approach.

To develop a typology based on family members' perspectives on parental differential treatment of siblings, data from mothers, fathers, firstborn adolescent siblings (M?=?15 years), and second-born adolescent siblings (M?=?12.5 years) from 187 families were submitted to cluster analysis. A 4-cluster solution based on the convergence or divergence of reports and the levels of parental differential treatment was identified and replicated: convergent/all below average (n?=?94), convergent/all above average (n?=?48), divergent/all below average except older sibling (n?=?20), and divergent/all above average except mother (n?=?25). Analyses revealed cluster differences in family structure (e.g., sex of siblings, age spacing) and in parents' perceived levels of stress across several domains (e.g., work, marriage, and individual mental health). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An enhanced NAS-RIF algorithm for blind image deconvolution

We enhance the performance of the nonnegativity and support constraints recursive inverse filtering (NAS-RIF) algorithm for blind image deconvolution. The original cost function is modified to overcome the problem of operation on images with different scales for the representation of pixel intensity levels. Algorithm resetting is used to enhance the convergence of the conjugate gradient algorithm. A simple pixel classification approach is used to automate the selection of the support constraint. The performance of the resulting enhanced NAS-RIF algorithm is demonstrated on various images.     

Chemical Characterization of Bromine Oxidized Potato Starch

Potato starch was oxidized with a neutral aqueous bromine solution at seven different levels of molar ratios of bromine/starch (1/40–5/1). The molecular weight distribution of the products obtained was analysed by gel permeation chromatography on two different agarose gels, Sepharose CL-2B and Superose 6. A gradually increased fragmentation of the molecules with increased oxidation level was noticed. Some of the modified samples were debranched and the products obtained were analysed by gel permeation chromatography. For comparison amylose and waxy maize starch were also treated at the 1/20 and 1/5 molar ratios. The results indicate that the amylose is more easily degraded to small fragments than amylopectin during the oxidation process. An enzymatic starch analysis method was applied on the oxidized samples. This method was found suitable for estimating the total content of introduced keto and carboxylic groups into the modified product.