Rheological characterization of edible films made from collagen colloidal particle suspensions

A rheological characterization of collagen edible films is proposed through the experimental evaluation of shear elastic modulus, toughness, hydration capability and stress and stretch ratio at fracture. These properties are obtained from hydration, simple extension and compression tests and analyzed through the BST (Blatz, Sharda, & Tschoegl, 1974) hyperelastic model. Also precursor collagen particle suspensions, with solid concentrations in the range 0.5–4% w/w, are studied to evaluate their thixotropic responses in sudden imposed shear rates and shear loops. These responses are a consequence of particle aggregations leading to cluster formations. The particle size distribution function of suspensions is determined via scanning electron microscopy. Films are formed by casting and then fixed through either a coagulation process with a salt solution or a chemical process involving covalent cross-links with glutaraldehyde. Results indicate that these collagen films behave as colloidal particulate networks composed of particles and clusters. Also it is found that the fractal dimension of clusters is an intrinsic property of collagen particle suspensions, independently from the maturation time. Clusters in these suspensions are formed with a rather open architecture (low fractal value) due to rather large particle attractive forces. The evaluation of the BST rheological parameters allows one the estimation of the energy amount required to get film fracture for different collagen and cross-linker concentrations. Since the final films have to satisfy several quality requirements before using, the interplay between their stiffness and toughness is presented and discussed.     

In vivo antitumoural activity and composition of an oil extract of Brazilian propolis

The present study aimed to evaluate in vivo and in vitro the antitumoural activity of a propolis extract obtained with edible vegetable oil and its fractions and also to investigate its chemical composition by LC–MS and LC–MS/MS. To evaluate the toxicological aspects related to the propolis extract treatment, hematological, biochemical, histopathological and morphological analyses of treated animals were performed. All propolis extracts showed an in vivo antitumour activity in the experimental model with a moderate toxicity effect at experimental exposure levels. The oil extract was as effective as the ethanolic extract at inhibiting tumour growth. In vitro assays showed that the whole oil extract produced better inhibition of tumour cells than its fractions. LC–MS and LC–MS/MS identified four phenolic acids and three flavonoids. The anticancer potential of the oil extract of propolis has been demonstrated and the edible vegetable oil was shown as an attractive alternative solvent to extract bioactive natural propolis components.     

Effects of the addition of wild legumes (Lathyrus annuus and Lathyrus clymenum) on the physical and nutritional properties of extruded products based on whole corn and brown rice

The effects of the addition of wild legumes (Lathyrus) from the South of Spain on the physical and nutritional properties of extruded products based on whole corn and brown rice were studied. Samples were obtained with a Brabender single screw extruder. The physical characterisation of the expanded products was performed by the measurement of density, expansion, solubility and specific mechanical energy consumption (SMEC). Chemical composition, amino acids content, protein digestibility, total polyphenol content and potential availability of iron and zinc were determined.     

Functionalized galactoglucomannan‐based hydrogels for the removal of metal cations from aqueous solutions

New types of hydrogels derived from O‐acetyl galactoglucomannan (AcGGM) hemicellulose have been synthesized and characterized. The objective of this work was to analyze the sorption capacity (S) of three types of hydrogels containing AcGGM derivatives incorporated into the carboxylic groups of the polymer chain in the AA hydrogel, sulfonic groups in the APA hydrogel, and amide groups in the acrylamide (Aam) hydrogel. These hydrogels are capable of interacting and removing ions such as cadmium [Cd(II)], copper [Cu(II)], lead [Pb(II)], nickel [Ni(II)], and zinc [Zn(II)]. The results show that AA and Aam hydrogels had a lower sorption capacity of ions compared to the APA hydrogel, which had a high sorption capacity. The maximal sorption capacity was determined by the successive enrichment method, obtaining Pb(II) amount of 48.3 mg/g of AA hydrogel, 65.8 mg/g of APA hydrogel, and 40.8 mg/g of Aam hydrogel. Hence, Pb(II) ions are greatly retained by the three hydrogels. These results are promising for the development of new materials with potential applications in metal ion removal. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44093.     

Production and purification of a fused recombinant protein gp-36 (HIV-2) from Escherichia coli

A fragment of the gp-36 gene of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 2 (HIV-2) was fused to a stabilizer sequence, which encodes for the first N-terminal 58 amino acids of the human interleukin-2. The fused protein was expressed under the control of the tryptophan promoter in Escherichia coli, and expressed as 20% of the total cellular protein. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that the fusion protein formed cytoplasmic insoluble inclusion bodies. Inclusion bodies were semipurified by a wash pellet cell procedure, rendering a material with a purity higher than 70% by SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After solubilization with urea, this preparation was further purified by gel-filtration chromatography up to 95% purity.     

T-Cell Response against Varicella Zoster Virus in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis during Relapse and Remission

An association between varicella zoster virus (VZV) and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported in Mexican populations. The aim of this study was to compare the response of T cells from MS patients, during relapse and remission, to in vitro stimulation with VZV, adenovirus (AV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). Proliferation and cytokine secretion of T cells from 29 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 38 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed by flow cytometry after stimulating with VZV, AV or EBV. IgG and IgM levels against VZV and EBV were quantified using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Relapsing MS patients showed a higher percentage of responding CD4+ and CD8+ T cells against VZV compared to AV. In HC and remitting MS patients, proliferation of CD4+ T cells was higher when stimulated with VZV as compared to EBV. Moreover, T cells isolated from remitting patients secreted predominantly Th1 cytokines when cell cultures were stimulated with VZV. Finally, high concentration of anti-VZV IgG was found in sera from patients and controls. The results support previous studies of an VZV-MS association in the particular population studied and provide additional information about the possible role of this virus in the pathogenesis of MS.     

Assessing supply chain robustness to links failure

Supply chain networks need to respond efficiently to operation disruptions, as one of their aims is to guarantee the on time delivery of products. Hence, robustness has become one of the important issues to consider when designing supply networks. There are alternative ways to measure what robustness means in this context. In this paper, we propose a new metric based on the effect on service level of the collapse of active transportation links. Numerical experiments are carried out to understand how different design factors affect robustness. Robustness under a targeted attack is compared with robustness to random failures. Results show that flow complexity (i.e. the number of potential transportation links between supply network nodes) is the most influential factor affecting supply network and its robustness, as well as the service level that can be maintained after disruptions. Thus, diversification both in supply sources and transportation routes seems to be key to robustness.