Effects of Modified Atmosphere Packaging with Various Carbon Dioxide Composition on Biogenic Amines Formation in Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) stored at 5 ± 1°C

The profile of major biogenic amines was investigated in Indian mackerel packed in modified atmosphere for up to 12 days at 5 ± 1°C. Beheaded and gutted Indian mackerel was packed under different carbon dioxide compositions to study the effects on biogenic amines formation. The treatments were control air (C), vacuum packaging (VP), 30% CO₂/65% N₂/5% O₂ (M30C), 60% CO₂/35% N₂/5% O₂ (M60C), 80% CO₂/15% N₂/5% O₂ (M80C) and 100% CO₂ (M100C). Each amine responded differently to different CO₂ levels. After 12 days of storage, concentrations of histamine were reduced by 6.4%, 8.5%, 70.3%, 78.8% and 90.2% in fish packed under VP, M30C, M60C, M80C and M100C, respectively as compared with control air. Changes in putrescine and cadaverine showed a similar pattern. Gas mix of M30C and VP stimulated the formation of tyramine reaching 203 and 172 ppm, respectively. Higher composition of CO₂ had a significant inhibitory effect on tyramine concentration (p < 0.05). There were parallel increases of putrescine and spermidine in C, VP and M30C. No significant effect of CO₂ was observed on spermine (p > 0.05). After 9 days of storage, more than 300 ppm of histamine was detected in mackerel packed in VP and M30C; therefore, these atmospheres pose a histamine intoxication risk. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inhibition of Aluminum Alloy Corrosion in 0.5 M Nitric Acid Solution by 4-4-Dimethyloxazolidine-2-thione

The corrosion inhibition of Al-Alloy (Al2024) in 0.5 M nitric acid solution at 30 °C was achieved using 4-4-dimethyloxazolidine-2-thione (DMT) as a corrosion inhibitor. The electrochemical performance of the DMT was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization measurements, and scanning electron microscopic study (SEM). The results indicated that DMT acts as an inhibitor for Al2024 in 0.5 M nitric acid. Polarization curves indicated that DMT was a mixed-type inhibitor. Inhibition efficiencies were observed to be increased with an increase in DMT concentration and attains approximately to 93.4% at 2 mM of DMT in 0.5 M nitric acid. The adsorption of DMT model on Al2024 surface obeyed in accordance with Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The value of the free energy of adsorption ΔG _ads indicated that the adsorption of DMT molecule was a spontaneous process and was typical of physical and chemical adsorption.     

Effect of a post-weld heat treatment on the mechanical and microstructure properties of AA6061 joints welded by the gas metal arc welding cold metal transfer method

This work studies the effect of a post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on the mechanical and microstructure properties of an AA6061 sample welded using the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) cold metal transfer (CMT) method. The CMT method was used because the method provides spatter-free welding, outstanding gap bridging properties, low heat input and a high degree of process flexibility. The welded samples were divided into as-welded and PWHT samples. The PWHTs used on the samples were solution heat treatment, water quenching and artificial aging. Both welded samples were cut according to the ASTM E8M-04 standard to obtain the tensile strength and the elongation of the joints. The failure pattern of the tensile tested specimens was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A Vickers microhardness testing machine was used to measure the hardness across the joints. From the results, the PWHTs were able to enhance the mechanical properties and microstructure characteristics of the AA6061 joints welded by the GMAW CMT method.     

Woven hybrid composites: Tensile and flexural properties of oil palm-woven jute fibres based epoxy composites

In this research, tensile and flexural performance of tri layer oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB)/woven jute (Jw) fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites subjected to layering pattern has been experimentally investigated. Sandwich composites were fabricated by hand lay-up technique in a mould and cured with 105 °C temperatures for 1 h by using hot press. Pure EFB and woven jute composites were also fabricate for comparison purpose. Results showed that tensile and flexural properties of pure EFB composite can be improved by hybridization with woven jute fibre as extreme woven jute fibre mat. It was found that tensile and flexural properties of hybrid composite is higher than that of EFB composite but less than woven jute composite. Statistical analysis of composites done by ANOVA-one way, it showed significant differences between the results obtained. The fracture surface morphology of the tensile samples of the hybrid composites was performed by using scanning electron microscopy.     

Performance analysis of a double-pass photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar collector with CPC and fins

The use of PV/T in combination with concentrating reflectors has a potential to significantly increase power production from a given solar cell area. A prototype double-pass photovoltaic-thermal solar air collector with CPC and fins has been designed and fabricated and its performance over a range of operating conditions was studied. The absorber of the hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector under investigation consists of an array of solar cells for generating electricity, compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) to increase the radiation intensity falling on the solar cells and fins attached to the back side of the absorber plate to improve heat transfer to the flowing air. Energy balance equations have been developed for the various nodes of the system. Both thermal and electrical performance of the collector are presented and discussed.     

FTIR spectroscopic determination of soap in refined vegetable oils

A new analytical method was developed for the determination of soap in palm and groundnut oils by FTIR spectroscopy. Soap from 0 to 80 mg/kg oil was produced in situ in the oils by adding sodium hydroxide. The FTIR spectroscopy was with a sodium chloride transmission cell, and the partial least-squares statistical method was used to calibrate a model for each oil. The accuracy of the method was comparable to that of AOCS Method Cc17-95, with coefficients of determination (R ²) of 0.98 and 0.98 for both palm and groundnut oils. The standard errors of calibration were 1.84 and 1.36 for the two oils, respectively. The calibration models were cross-validated, and the R ² of cross-validation and standard errors of cross validation were computed. The standard deviation of the difference for repeatability of the FTIR method was better than that for the chemical method used for determining soap in palm and groundnut oils. With its speed and ease of data manipulation by computer software, FTIR spectroscopy is a possible alternative to the standard wet chemical methods for rapid (2 min) and accurate routine determination of soap in chemically refined vegetable oils.     

Performance of H‐ZSM‐5‐supported bimetallic catalysts for the combustion of polluting volatile organic compounds in air

The performance of H‐ZSM‐5‐supported bimetallic catalysts with chromium as the base metal in the combustion of ethyl acetate and benzene is reported. A reactor operated from 100 to 500 °C at a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 32 000 h^?1 was used for study of the activity. A combination of 1.0 wt% chromium and 0.5 wt% copper yielded a catalyst (Cr_1.0Cu_0.5/Z) with improved conversion and carbon dioxide yield. Cr₂O₃ (Cr³⁺) and CuO (Cu²⁺) were the predominant metal species in the catalyst. In agreement with the Mars–van Krevelen model, improved reducibility of Cr³⁺ in the presence of Cu²⁺ led to an improvement in activity. The copper content in Cr_1.0Cu_0.5/Z also favored the formation of deep combustion products. Condensation and subsequent growth of coke precursors in the catalyst pores led to the formation of a softer and less aromatic coke fraction while dehydrogenation activity on acid sites formed a harder and more aromatic coke fraction. The use of Cr_1.0Cu_0.5/Z favored the formation of lower molecular weight intermediates, leading to reduction in formation of softer coke. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

A novel dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) analysis using artificial neural network (ANN)

Dengue fever (DF) is an acute febrile viral disease frequently presented with headache, bone or joint and muscular pains, and rash. A significant percentage of DF patients develop a more severe form of disease, known as dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). DHF is the complication of DF. The main pathophysiology of DHF is the development of plasma leakage from the capillary, resulting in haemoconcentration, ascites, and pleural effusion that may lead to shock following defervescence of fever. Therefore, accurate prediction of the day of defervescence of fever is critical for clinician to decide on patient management strategy. To date, no known literature describes of any attempt to predict the day of defervescence of fever in DF patients. This paper describes a non-invasive prediction system for predicting the day of defervescence of fever in dengue patients using artificial neural network. The developed system bases its prediction solely on the clinical symptoms and signs and uses the multilayer feed-forward neural networks (MFNN). The results show that the proposed system is able to predict the day of defervescence in dengue patients with 90% prediction accuracy.     

Sharing Malaysian experience with the development of biotechnology-derived food crops

Biotechnology-derived food crops are currently being developed in Malaysia mainly for disease resistance and improved post harvest quality. The modern biotechnology approach is adopted because of its potential to overcome constraints faced by conventional breeding techniques. Research on the development of biotechnology-derived papaya, pineapple, chili, passion fruit, and citrus is currently under way. Biotechnology-derived papaya developed for resistance to papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and improved postharvest qualities is at the field evaluation stage. Pineapple developed for resistance to fruit black heart disorder is also being evaluated for proof-of-concept. Other biotechnology-derived food crops are at early stages of gene cloning and transformation. Activities and products involving biotechnology-derived crops will be fully regulated in the near future under the Malaysian Biosafety Law. At present they are governed only by guidelines formulated by the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC), Malaysia. Commercialization of biotechnology-derived crops involves steps that require GMAC approval for all field evaluations and food-safety assessments before the products are placed on the market. Public acceptance of the biotechnology product is another important factor for successful commercialization. Understanding of biotechnology is generally low among Malaysians, which may lead to low acceptance of biotechnology-derived products. Initiatives are being taken by local organizations to improve public awareness and acceptance of biotechnology. Future research on plant biotechnology will focus on the development of nutritionally enhanced biotechnology-derived food crops that can provide more benefits to consumers.     

Total Phenolic Compounds, Flavonoids, and Radical Scavenging Activity of 21 Selected Tropical Plants

ABSTRACT:  Free radical scavenging activity of 21 tropical plant extracts was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH). Total phenolic compounds and flavonoids were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu and HPLC, respectively. Results of the study revealed that all the plants tested exhibited excellent antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ in the range of 21.3 to 89.6 μg/mL. The most potent activity was demonstrated by  Cosmos caudatus  (21.3 μg/mL) and  Piper betle  (23.0 μg/mL) that are not significantly different than that of     -tocopherol or BHA.  L. inermis  extract was found to consist of the highest concentration of phenolics, catechin, epicatechin, and naringenin. High content of quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol were identified in  Vitex negundo ,  Centella asiatica , and  Sesbania grandiflora  extracts, respectively. Luteolin and apigenin, on the other hand, were found in  Premna cordifolia  and  Kaempferia galanga  extracts. Strong correlation ( R  = 0.8613) between total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids ( R  = 0.8430) and that of antioxidant activity of the extracts were observed. The study revealed that phenolic, in particular flavonoids, may be the main contributors to the antioxidant activity exhibited by the plants.
Practical Application: Potent antioxidant from natural sources is of great interest to replace the use of synthetic antioxidants. In addition, some of the plants have great potential to be used in the development of functional ingredients/foods that are currently in demand for the health benefits associated with their use.