Impact of γ‐irradiation and thermal processing on the antigenicity of almond,cashew nut and walnut proteins

Whole unprocessed almonds, cashew nuts and walnuts were each subjected to γ‐irradiation (1, 5, 10 and 25 kGy) followed by heat processing including autoclaving (121 °C, 15 psi for 15 and 30 min), dry roasting (138 and 160 °C for 30 min each, 168 and 177 °C for 12 min each), blanching (100 °C for 5 and 10 min), oil roasting (191 °C, 1 min) and microwave heating (500 W for 1 and 3 min). Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were raised against each major protein isolated from defatted, but not subjected to γ‐irradiation and/or any thermal processing, almond, cashew nut and walnut flours. Immunoreactivity of almond, cashew nut and walnut proteins soluble in borate saline buffer, normalised to 1 mg protein ml^?1 for all samples, was determined by inhibition enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. ELISAs and Western blotting experiments indicated that almond, cashew nut and walnut proteins exposed to γ‐irradiation alone or followed by various thermal treatments remained antigenically stable. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Val bean (Lablab purpureus L.) proteins: composition and biochemical properties

Val bean (Lablab purpureus L.) proteins were fractionated using the Osborne protein fractionation scheme and biochemically characterized. The seed flour contained 302 g kg^?1 protein (micro‐Kjeldahl N × 6.25) on a dry weight basis. Albumin, globulin, prolamin, and glutelin accounted for 22.8%, 45.1%, 1.8% and 30.3%, respectively, of the total soluble seed proteins. Among the solvents tested, 0.1 mol L^?1 aqueous NaOH was the most effective protein solubilizer. Isoelectric focusing indicated the seed proteins to be predominantly acidic (pI range was ～4–7). Val globulin is a glycoprotein composed of at least three polypeptides in the molecular mass range 51–64 kDa. Albumin fraction had the highest trypsin inhibitory activity, while the globulin fraction registered the highest hemagglutinating activity. Sulfur amino acids were the first limiting amino acids in the total seed proteins. The proportion of essential to total [E/T(%)] amino acids for the bean flour was 36.97%. Among the protein fractions, glutelin fraction had the highest E/T (42.86%) followed by albumin (41.57%), globulin (39.87%), and prolamin (39.15%). Native globulin, although resistant to pepsin, was effectively digested in vitro upon moist heat (100 °C, 30 min) denaturation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antiferromagnetism and the Effect of Exchange Bias in LaCr1−x Fe x O3 (x=0.40 to 0.60)

LaCr_1?x Fe _x O₃ (x=0, 0.4, 0.45, 0.6 and 1.0) have been prepared in single phase form with Pbnm space group. The x=0 sample exhibits antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition at Néel temperature T _N =290 K and it is found to reduce with increase in doping concentration up to x=0.45. Magnetization reversal below a compensation temperature of 100 K was observed in the x=0.45 sample and it is explained in terms of competition between two AFM interactions and associated magnetic anisotropy. Exchange bias was observed in the x=0.45 sample and the temperature dependence of exchange bias field and vertical magnetization shift were analyzed.     

Medicinal plants mediated the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their biomedical applications

The alarming effect of antibiotic resistance prompted the search for alternative medicine to resolve the microbial resistance conflict. Over the last two decades, scientists have become increasingly interested in metallic nanoparticles to discover their new dimensions. Green nano synthesis is a rapidly expanding field of interest in nanotechnology due to its feasibility, low toxicity, eco‐friendly nature, and long‐term viability. Some plants have long been used in medicine because they contain a variety of bioactive compounds. Silver has long been known for its antibacterial properties. Silver nanoparticles have taken a special place among other metal nanoparticles. Silver nanotechnology has a big impact on medical applications like bio‐coating, novel antimicrobial agents, and drug delivery systems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical qualities of medicinal plants, as well as a convenient guideline for plant‐based silver nanoparticles and their antimicrobial activity.     

Novel thin‐film reactor for photocatalytic degradation of pesticides in an aqueous solution

A thin‐film reactor was fabricated with immobilised TiO₂ and this reactor was used for photocatalytic mineralisation of common pesticides, 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (DPA) and monocrotophos (MCP), and their commercially formulated products in an aqueous solution. Zeolites HY and Hβ with different physico‐chemical properties were chosen as support material. The supported TiO₂ was used for the degradation and mineralisation studies. TiO₂/zeolite‐supported photocatalyst showed enhanced degradation efficiency compared with bare TiO₂ for both DPA and MCP. Formulated pesticides were mineralised at shorter irradiation times than technical grade pesticides. The results clearly demonstrated that the good adsorption capacity of the support, and the effective light utilisation by TiO₂, improved the photocatalytic activity of supported TiO₂. Reusability studies have also shown the stability of supported photocatalysts. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

DC electrical conduction in heat-treated poly nickel phthalocyanine

Heat treatment of poly nickel phthalocyanine leads to a charge transfer and hence there is an improvement in conductivity by 5 orders of magnitude. DC electrical conductivity measurements have been carried out in the heat-treated samples in the temperature range 270 K-10 K. Mott’s variable range hopping conduction in one dimension is observed in the temperature range 270K-77K and the conductivity remains constant in the temperature range 77K-10K.     

The Role of Fuzzy and Genetic Algorithms in Part Family Formation and Sequence Optimisation for Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Group technology (GT) is one of the key issues in the successful implementation of flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). The success of GT implementation is in the effective formation of part families (PFs) and similarity coefficients measures. Over the past three decades, many similarity coefficients have been proposed, but a better similarity coefficient measure is required. The decision-making process in a manufacturing system often involves uncertainties and ambiguities. Under such circumstances, fuzzy methodologies have proved to be an effective tool for taking fuzziness into consideration. The first part of this paper deals with the fuzzy part-family formation. This was achieved in the following ways: 1. A new similarity coefficient measure has been developed and this coefficient measure is used to form a part-family. 2. A mathematical model that uses this similarity coefficient for solving the part-family formation problems optimally in an FMS is developed. The fuzzy approach has the special advantage of producing more accurate results than conventional clustering and other methods. It not only reveals the specific part family that a part belongs to, but also provides the degree of membership of a part associated with each part family. This will give a balanced work load for the machine. In the second part of this paper, the introduction of the concept of genetic algorithms is proposed to eliminate more job sequences and, finally, the optimum sequence is obtained through the minimum penalty cost. Software is developed and implemented to obtain an optimum sequence and, finally, a numerical example is given as an illustration.     

Studies on the anodic dissolution of copper matte

Anodic polarisation studies on copper matte revealed that a copper matte electrode polariess abruptly in H,SO, solution but not in HCl solution. Anodic dissolution of copper matte was studied at various anodic potentials in 2 N solutions of HCl and H,SO,. It was found that at lower anodic potential (around 0.4 volt vs. saturated calomel electrode) copper dissolves preferentially (at 90% current efficiency) over iron (8–10% C.E.), in both the acid solutions. It was further observed that this preferential dissolution of copper takes place over a longer period (about 6 h) in HCl than in H₂SO₄ solution (about 3 h). Preferential dissolution of copper from copper matte was found to be independent of HCl concentration (0.5 N to 4 N). From the X-ray diffraction analysis of the original copper matte and electrolysed copper matte, it was established that digenite and bornite phases of copper matte dissolved causing preferential dissolution of copper.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly (aniline-co-acrylonitrile) using organic benzoyl peroxide by inverted emulsion method

An inverted emulsion process was adopted to synthesize conducting copolymers of aniline and acrylonitrile using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a novel oxidizing agent. The influence of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) ratio on the properties of conducting copolymers is reported. The chemical structures of the copolymers were characterized spectroscopically by UV-Vis, FT-IR, FT-Raman and EPR. The solubility of polyaniline (PAni) and PAni–PAN copolymers in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) was confirmed by electronic absorption spectra. The conductivity of these copolymers lie in the range (1.26–4.20)×10⁻² S/cm. TGA thermogram of copolymers showed multi-step thermal degradation behaviour. X-ray scattering studies reflected that the copolymers are semicrystalline and showed two crystalline peaks at 17 and 25 (2θ).     

Preparation of CdS<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Se<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> films by brush plating technique and their characteristics

CdS _x Se_1−x films were deposited for the first time by the brush plating technique from aqueous precursors. X-ray diffraction patterns of the films indicated polycrystalline structure with peaks corresponding to the hexagonal phase. Optical absorption measurements indicated the band gap to shift from 1.68 to 2.39 eV as the value of x is increased. XPS spectra indicated the peaks corresponding to Cd (3d_5/2 and 3d_3/2), Se (3d_5/2 and 3d_3/2) and S (3d_5/2 and 3d_3/2) levels. Surface morphology studies indicated the grain size to increase with increase of selenium concentration. The resistivity of the films changed from 20 ohm cm to 250 ohm cm as the sulphur content increased.