Effects of some technological processes on glucosinolate contents in cruciferous vegetables

Effects of blanching, boiling and freezing of selected cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, white and green cauliflower, broccoli, and curly cale) on their glucosinolate (GLS) contents were determined. It was found that blanching and cooking of the vegetables led to considerable (P < 0.05) losses of total GLS, from 2.7 to 30.0% and from 35.3 to 72.4%, respectively. No systematic changes in total GLS were found in the vegetables that were blanched and frozen for 48 h. In addition, the highest concentration of cancer-protective compounds, such as aliphatic and indole GLS, were found in Brussels sprouts (sinigrin and glucobrassicin) and in broccoli (glucoraphanin).     

Electrodeposition and heat treatment of nickel/silicon carbide composites

Electrodeposited Ni/SiC composite coatings were obtained in a Watts-type bath. The effect of fine SiC particles on polarization curves of the cathodic reduction of nickel ions was discussed. The incorporation of the particles into the deposit with respect to current density and SiC concentration in the bath was tested. Cathodic current efficiencies were also calculated. Structure of as-plated and heat-treated Ni/SiC composites were examined by means of metallography observations as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods. Two phase transformations in the temperatures range of 20-700 °C were found. For annealed samples, Ni₂Si and Ni₃Si₂ phases were identified. Hardening of the Ni/SiC composites as a function of the particle content in the deposit and annealing temperature was determined by means of the microhardness testing method.     

Terminal Mannose Residues in Seminal Plasma Glycoproteins of Infertile Men Compared to Fertile Donors

The impact of seminal plasma components on the fertilization outcomes in humans is still under question. The increasing number of couples facing problems with conception raises the need for predictive biomarkers. Detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms accompanying fertilization remains another challenge. Carbohydrate–protein recognition may be of key importance in this complex field. In this study, we analyzed the unique glycosylation pattern of seminal plasma proteins, the display of high-mannose and hybrid-type oligosaccharides, by means of their reactivity with mannose-specific Galanthus nivalis lectin. Normozoospermic infertile subjects presented decreased amounts of lectin-reactive glycoepitopes compared to fertile donors and infertile patients with abnormal semen parameters. Glycoproteins containing unveiled mannose were isolated in affinity chromatography, and 17 glycoproteins were identified in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. The N-glycome of the isolated glycoproteins was examined in matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Eleven out of 27 identified oligosaccharides expressed terminal mannose residues, responsible for lectin binding. We suggest that lowered content of high-mannose and hybrid type glycans in normozoospermic infertile patients may be associated with impaired sperm protection from preterm capacitation and should be considered in the search for new infertility markers.     

The Impact of Zeta Potential and Physicochemical Properties of TiO2‐Based Nanocomposites on Their Biological Activity

The aim of this research was to observe the relationship between zeta potential, morphology, surface area, porosity, chemical composition, and ecotoxicity of nanocomposite powders such as Au/TiO₂, Ag₂O/TiO₂, PdO/TiO₂, Ag/TiO₂/SiO₂, Ag/N(C)TiO₂, and SiO₂/TiO₂ from which Ag₂O/TiO₂, Ag/N(C)/TiO_2, and Ag/TiO₂/SiO₂ were exhibiting good antimicrobial properties. It was observed, that nanomaterials characterized by similar morphology and zeta potential revealed the similar toxic behavior. The samples of higher agglomeration and higher zeta potential, especially Ag/TiO₂/SiO₂ xerogel and TiO₂/SiO₂ aerogel were generally less ecotoxic to water organisms and plants. They were also not genotoxic in concentrations up to 500 and 250 mg/L, respectively.     

Dielectric properties of polyethylene terephthalate/polyphenylene sulfide/barium titanate nanocomposite for application in electronic industry

Polymer/ceramic nanocomposites designed for application as electronic packaging were prepared using corotating twin‐screw extruder. The dielectric properties of the composites made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide, and barium titanate were studied as a function of BaTiO₃ fraction in the range between 0.75 and 1.5 wt%. Processing parameters were optimized in order to obtain the nanocomposites with appropriate dielectric properties like dielectric permittivity ε′, dielectric losses ε″, and their temperature stability in a wide frequency range. The measurements showed the increase of the dielectric permittivity value ε′ in the composites in comparison to both pure polymers. The dielectric loss factor tgδ of the composites was found to be much smaller than that of the pure PET. The weak influence of the ceramics on the temperature stability of the dielectric properties of the composites was stated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1613–1619, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Triethylsulfonium Bistriflimide as the Reaction Medium in Catalyzed and Uncatalyzed Cycloaddition [4 + 2]

Triethylsulfonium bistriflimide, [S_2.2.2][NTf₂], has been tested and compared with other ionic liquids and molecular solvents as a medium in Diels–Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and dimethyl maleate. Triflates and chlorides of different metals have been combined with [S_2.2.2][NTf₂] and the catalytic activity of the systems formed have been determined. The effect of concentration of the catalysts in sulfonium ionic liquid and reactants on the yield and endo:exo ratio has been established. The representative catalyst—Yb(OTf)₃·xH₂O in [S_2.2.2][NTf₂] has been examined in the reaction of cyclopentadiene with various dienophiles. The use of sulfonium ionic liquids permitted recycling the catalysts. For the best four catalytic systems, the products have been isolated.     

Analysis of the intake of sodium with cereal products by the population of Poland

The study aimed to analyse the intake of Na with cereal products by the population of Poland. In addition, based on available literature, changes in the content of Na in bread sold in the Polish market from 2009 to 2018 were analysed with regard to Na intake reduction campaigns held in Poland since 2009 popularising information about the adverse effect of sodium on the human cardiovascular system. The results led to the conclusion that the analysed products contained 3.042 ± 3.4 g of Na per 1 kg of fresh product. The content of Na in the analysed products was bread > bread rolls > grains > pasta > rice. Cereal products provide 48.3 % of an adult’s intake of Na, where as much as 48.2 % is covered by bread, with only 0.04 % by grains, 0.04 % by pasta, and 0.01 % by rice. According to information available in reference literature from 2009–2017 the content of Na in baked goods has not been subject to significant modifications. In Poland, with regard to an excessive consumption of Na, efficient strategies must be developed to increase the awareness of consumers and to reduce the use of table salt in the most popular products, and in particular in baked goods. One of the ways to reduce the intake of Na would be consumers’ selection of an adequate range of foodstuffs naturally poor in this element or having its content reduced by means of a suitable technology. This can be a significant component of practices preventing the development of hypertension. However, the fact that information about the content of Na in cereal products is often missing from product labels makes consumer choice difficult.     

Effect of the compatibilizing agent on the structure,mechanical and thermal properties of polylactide filled with modified and unmodified montmorillonite

Polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites were prepared by an extrusion technique using a twin‐screw extruder. Nanofil2 (N) and montmorillonite (MMT) K10 (S) were used as nanoclays. To improve the nanoclay dispersion in the PLA matrix, a compatibilizer was introduced [poly(ε‐caprolactone) (K)]. The structure and morphology of obtained materials were determined using X‐ray diffraction technique and transmission electron microscopy. Thermal properties of nanocomposites were reviewed based on differential scanning calorimetry and differential thermogravimetry. Mechanical properties such as tensile stress and tensile strength were also studied. The introduction of layered silicates without a compatibilizer into PLA matrix did not improve the mechanical properties of the obtained nanocomposites. This research indicated that the compatibilizing agent can be used to improve the dispersion of Nanofil2 nanofiller, which resulted in the improvement of mechanical properties and at the same time did not affect the dispersion of the unmodified MMT. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1330–1337, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers