Enzymatic synthesis of sugar esters and their potential as surface-active stabilizers of coconut milk emulsions

Sugar esters are compounds with surfactant properties (biosurfactants), i.e., capable of reducing the surface tension and promote the emulsification of immiscible liquids. On the other hand, as with all emulsions, coconut milk is not physically stable and is prone to phase separation. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the synthesis of fructose, sucrose and lactose esters from the corresponding sugars using Candida antarctica type B lipase immobilized in two different supports, namely acrylic resin and chitosan, and evaluate its application in the stabilization of coconut milk emulsions. The enzyme immobilized on chitosan showed the highest yield of lactose ester production (84.1%). Additionally, the production of fructose ester was found to be higher for the enzyme immobilized on the acrylic resin support (74.3%) as compared with the one immobilized on chitosan (70.1%). The same trend was observed for the sucrose ester, although with lower percentage yields. Sugar esters were then added to samples of fresh coconut milk and characterized according to their surface tension, emulsification index and particle size distribution. Although the microscopic analysis showed similar results for all sugar esters, results indicated lactose ester as the best biosurfactant, with a surface tension of 38.0 N/m and an emulsification index of 54.1%, when used in a ratio of 1:10 (biosurfactant:coconut milk, v/v) for 48 h experiments.     

Nanosized dispersions based on chitosan and NaPSS

Interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) were obtained by the solution mixing method from chitosan and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate), NaPSS. XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis indicated that IPEC formation inhibits the occurrence of crystalline regions in the resultant solid IPECs. Turbidimetry, viscometry, conductometry, and zeta potential measurements showed that at a sulfonate to aminium molar ratio = 1, the process of IPEC production is optimum. Average hydrodynamic diameters, calculated from DLS measurements, showed that IPEC formation occurs in two stages: first there is a decrease in macromolecular dimensions, as sulfonate to aminium molar ratio is increased. At a characteristic sulfonate to aminium molar ratio, soluble IPEC structures collapse to form phase segregated clusters that begin to nucleate the formation of larger, insoluble, IPEC particles.     

Antioxidant Stability in Vegetable Oils Monitored by the ASTM D7545 Method

The PetroOXY method was used to evaluate the kinetics of oxidation of two edible vegetable oils, extracted from moringa and passion fruit. This method, which uses pure oxygen at 700 kPa is effective and fast and our experiments were carried out at temperatures 110–140 °C with BHA antioxidant additive concentration ranging from 0 to 500 ppm. Moringa and passion fruit oils followed first-order kinetics although, in the case of passion fruit oil, mathematical approximations in the first-order kinetic expression resulted in a final equation that could also be interpreted as deriving from zero-order kinetics. The higher stability of moringa oil was characterized by an activation enthalpy ca. 50 % higher than the one related to passion fruit oil.     

Molds and Resists Studies for Nanoimprint Lithography of Electrodes in Low-Voltage Polymer Thin-Film Transistors

A low-cost patterning of electrodes was investigated looking forward to replacing conventional photolithography for the processing of low-operating voltage polymeric thin-film transistors. Hard silicon, etched by sulfur hexafluoride and oxygen gas mixture, and flexible polydimethylsiloxane imprinting molds were studied through atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission gun scanning electron microscopy. The higher the concentration of oxygen in reactive ion etching, the lower the etch rate, sidewall angle, and surface roughness. A concentration around 30 % at 100 mTorr, 65 W and 70 sccm was demonstrated as adequate for submicrometric channels, presenting a reduced etch rate of 176 nm/min. Imprinting with positive photoresist AZ1518 was compared to negative SU-8 2002 by optical microscopy and AFM. Conformal results were obtained only with the last resist by hot embossing at 120 °C and 1 kgf/cm² for 2 min, followed by a 10 min post-baking at 100 °C. The patterning procedure was applied to define gold source and drain electrodes on oxide-covered substrates to produce bottom-gate bottom-contact transistors. Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) devices were processed on high-κ titanium oxynitride (TiO _x N _y ) deposited by radiofrequency magnetron sputtering over indium tin oxide-covered glass to achieve low-voltage operation. Hole mobility on micrometric imprinted channels may approach amorphous silicon (～0.01 cm²/V s) and, since these devices operated at less than 5 V, they are not only suitable for electronic applications but also as sensors in aqueous media.     

Dynamic modeling of the secondary drying stage of freeze drying reveals distinct desorption kinetics for bound water

In freeze drying, the desorption step for reaching a low target moisture content may take a significant fraction of the total process duration. Because the long-term stability of freeze-dried biological products strongly depends on the current moisture content, modeling the desorption process may help safely optimize the secondary drying step. Most published models assume a first-order desorption kinetic, but experimental evidence shows that strongly bound water in the monolayer takes a much longer time to be desorbed than less bound water in multilayer. The proposed model for desorption of freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria preparation accounts for monolayer and multilayer water state in the solid matrix, with very different desorption kinetics. Results showed that the ratio of characteristic desorption times (monolayer/multilayer) was almost 30. Temperature dependence was adequately described by an Arrhenius law in the range of 15 to 40°C. Model parameter identification used simultaneously gravimetric measurements with high time resolution and direct Karl-Fisher titration, from several experiments at different, time-varying temperatures.     

Low-cost deployment proposal to urban mobility in smart cities

Rational use of cars in smart cities can represent an economical and cheaper way to decrease the quantity of cars on the roads to better the life quality of the populations. This paper presents a low-cost deployment proposal called “URCa project” to reach these goals and proposes a paradigm change by sharing the cars considering some logistic aspects including car ride mechanism. Technical feasibility to deploy this solution was checked by means of a proof of concept. The concept was proven by passenger counting and license plate that are essential information in this solution were obtained taking photographs, applying two types of recognition algorithms and sending the results to be stored and evaluated by analytic data processes of a transit regulatory agency showing that this project is technically viable. The low-cost solution was justified by a financial analysis based on both costs (URCa solution and a bridge) that has shown a ratio of 1:10,000.

     

Long‐Term Structural Evolution of an Intercalated Layered Semiconductor

Intercalated molecules can dramatically modify the electronic band structure of layered semiconductors, significantly altering the optical properties of the material. In the layered monochalcogenide Gallium Telluride (GaTe), exposure to air induces a nearly 1 eV reduction of its band gap due to the interlayer diffusion and chemisorption of oxygen. The effect of oxygen chemisorption at the Te‐terminated surfaces on the structure of GaTe, however, is much less known. To better understand the structure–property relationship of intercalated GaTe, a systematic, long‐term, X‐ray diffraction study has been performed on GaTe exfoliated crystals exposed to ambient conditions. It is observed that the structural changes are not limited to a previously observed short‐term increase in lattice expansion. Over the course of months and even years after exfoliation, the oxygen adsorbates continue to modify the structure of GaTe, inducing significant disorder and grain reorientation. It is estimated that approximately one out of every two grains is slightly displaced by the intercalating oxygen, demonstrating a significant increase in grain mosaicity, while still maintaining the original {?2 0 1} out‐of‐plane texture. Correlating these structural transformations to observed changes in electrical and optical properties will enable capitalization of the use of adsorbates to engineer novel properties in these layered materials.     

Automatic word naming recognition for an on-line aphasia treatment system

One of the most common effects among aphasia patients is the difficulty to recall names or words. Typically, word retrieval problems can be treated through word naming therapeutic exercises. In fact, the frequency and the intensity of speech therapy are key factors in the recovery of lost communication functionalities. In this sense, speech and language technology can have a relevant contribution in the development of automatic therapy methods. In this work, we present an on-line system designed to behave as a virtual therapist incorporating automatic speech recognition technology that permits aphasia patients to perform word naming training exercises. We focus on the study of the automatic word naming detector module and on its utility for both global evaluation and treatment. For that purpose, a database consisting of word naming therapy sessions of aphasic Portuguese native speakers has been collected. In spite of the different patient characteristics and speech quality conditions of the collected data, encouraging results have been obtained thanks to a calibration method that makes use of the patients’ word naming ability to automatically adapt to the patients’ speech particularities.     

Experimental Fuzzy/Split-Range Control: Novel Strategy for Biodiesel Batch Reactor Temperature Control

With respect to environmental concerns, biofuels have been used around the world, such as biodiesel, and any improvement in the biodiesel production process is desirable. This paper proposes three different control systems based on fuzzy logic and output control signal split-range. Regulating reaction temperature with low settling time and process variable oscillation are the process control aims, and smooth output control signal for actuators protection is also desired. An automated biodiesel production prototype was used and the experimental results demonstrate that a fuzzy/split-range structure with three input variables showed the best performance, resulting in process variable regulation in set-point value with small settling time and actuators premature wearing prevention.