Fed‐batch fermentation of olive mill wastewaters for lipase production

In the Mediterranean basin countries, huge amounts of olive mill wastewaters (OMW) are produced by the olive oil industry. It constitutes a serious environmental problem, nevertheless its composition turns OMW into a potential growth medium to lipolytic microorganisms. The aim of this work was to study lipase production as well as OMW degradation in fed‐batch cultures of Candida cylindracea CBS 7869, Candida rugosa CBS 2275 and Yarrowia lipolytica W29 (ATCC 20460). Besides the improvement of lipase production, the fed‐batch approach enhanced the effluent degradation, since it led to good COD and lipids reduction, both higher than 50%. C. rugosa achieved the highest value of lipase productivity (130 U L^?1 h^?1), in parallel with highest lipids reduction (77%). This study demonstrates that OMW are becoming a competitive and valuable growth medium in fermentation processes with lipolytic microorganisms. The fed‐batch strategy used proved to be an efficient approach to enhance lipase production from OMW and to reduce significantly the final organic load of the medium. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Determination of nitrates,nitrites and oxalates in food products by capillary electrophoresis with pH-dependent electroosmotic flow reversal

This paper describes an innovative and rapid capillary electrophoretic method for the simultaneous analysis of nitrates, nitrites and oxalates, which are anions of food interest. The novelty of our method is based on reversing the electroosmotic flow without using any buffer additive nor performing a capillary coating, but simply employing a buffer at low pH values.     

Determination of acrylamide in local and commercial cultivar of potatoes from biological farm

This paper reports the results of a preliminary study on the characterization of parameters influencing formation of acrylamide in fried potatoes, from biological cultivation. The formation of acrylamide was investigated in relation to frying in biological extra virgin olive oil and commercial seed oil. Three different cultivars (Rossa di Colfiorito, Quarantina bianca genovese and Kennebec) were chosen. Asparagine, glucose, fructose and sucrose concentrations were determined in potato slice before frying, while acrylamide content was analysed by LC–ESI-MS/MS in the slices fried in seed and extra virgin olive oil. The Kennebec cultivar showed differences in its potential for acrylamide formation, which was primarily related to its relatively high asparagine and reducing sugars contents, respect the other local cultivars (particulary Quarantina). Values of acrylamide below detection limit (LOD) were found in Quarantina bianca genovese cultivar samples fried in extra virgin olive oil and peanuts seed oil and higher in peanuts seed oil fried potatoes of Kennebec cultivar.     

Excess electrons stabilized on ionic oxide surfaces

Surface excess electrons are remarkable chemical entities that provide great opportunities for the design of new materials with precisely tuned electronic and magnetic properties. In this Account, we describe the structure and electronic properties of excess electron centers generated at the surface of insulating oxides. We also outline the elementary mechanisms that are at the basis of the generation of excess electrons at solid surfaces, setting a comparison to the general problem of excess electron localization in condensed media. Emphasis is given to morphological aspects relative to the surface-trapping sites as deduced from combined electron paramagnetic resonance and accurate quantum chemical calculations. The remarkable reactivity featured by the so formed "electron-rich" surfaces is illustrated, describing the reduction of simple diatomic molecules that form adsorbed radical anions via direct surface to adsorbate electron transfer.     

An experimental comparison between LPG and engine exhaust gas as energy source for an absorption refrigeration system

This paper presents an experimental analysis of an absorption refrigeration system, comparing two different energy sources. The exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine was evaluated against the original energy source, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The experiments were performed in a domestic refrigerator, monitoring the air temperature and humidity inside the equipment. A production engine was tested with 25% and wide‐open throttle valve (WOT), mounted on a bench dynamometer. The energy demand, cooling capacity and coefficient of performance (COP) were determined for both energy sources. The results showed that engine exhaust gas is a potential source for absorption refrigeration systems. When the engine exhaust gas was used as energy source, the energy available for the refrigerator was higher with 25% throttle valve opening. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modeling of potassium sorbate diffusion through chitosan films

The mechanism of potassium sorbate (K-sorbate) release from chitosan films was studied as a function of immersion time in aqueous solution. Fick's law was applied to calculate the diffusion coefficient and the power law defining the type of diffusion mechanism. The novelty in this study is the compound diffusion mechanisms comparison through chitosan film (CF) and chitosan emulsion film. Initially, the lipid was selected to obtain the emulsion films. The evaluation was based on the water vapor permeability (WVP). The lower WVP (32.45% less than chitosan film) was found using 0.5 g/100 g of palmitic acid for 2.0 g/100 g of chitosan. Then, active chitosan films (ACF) were obtained incorporating K-sorbate on CF at 0.1 and 0.5 g/100 g of K-sorbate. Also, active palmitic acid-chitosan films (APEF) were obtained, incorporating 0.1 g/100 g of K-sorbate. The mechanisms of K-sorbate diffusion through ACF and APEF were mainly non-Fickian. However, the K-sorbate diffusion coefficient did not reduced in lipid presence.     

Protein Aggregation Landscape in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Clinical Relevance and Future Applications

Intrinsic disorder is a natural feature of polypeptide chains, resulting in the lack of a defined three-dimensional structure. Conformational changes in intrinsically disordered regions of a protein lead to unstable β-sheet enriched intermediates, which are stabilized by intermolecular interactions with other β-sheet enriched molecules, producing stable proteinaceous aggregates. Upon misfolding, several pathways may be undertaken depending on the composition of the amino acidic string and the surrounding environment, leading to different structures. Accumulating evidence is suggesting that the conformational state of a protein may initiate signalling pathways involved both in pathology and physiology. In this review, we will summarize the heterogeneity of structures that are produced from intrinsically disordered protein domains and highlight the routes that lead to the formation of physiological liquid droplets as well as pathogenic aggregates. The most common proteins found in aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases and their structural variability will be addressed. We will further evaluate the clinical relevance and future applications of the study of the structural heterogeneity of protein aggregates, which may aid the understanding of the phenotypic diversity observed in neurodegenerative disorders.     

Engineering nanoparticles for targeting rheumatoid arthritis: Past,present, and future trends

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by synovial joint inflammation and cartilage and bone tissue destruction. Although there exist some treatment strategies for RA, they are not completely safe and effective. Therefore, it is important to develop and test new drugs for RA that specifically target inflamed/swollen joints and simultaneously attenuate other possible damages to healthy tissues. Nanotechnology can be a good alternative to consider when envisioning precise medication for treating RA. Through the use of nanoparticles, it is possible to increase bioavailability and bioactivity of therapeutics and enable selective targeting to damaged joints. Herein, recent studies using nanoparticles for the treatment of RA, namely with liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and metallic nanoparticles, have been reviewed. These therapeutic strategies have shown great promise in improving the treatment over that by traditional drugs. The results of these studies confirm that feasibility of the use of nanoparticles is mainly due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, controlled release, and selective drug delivery to inflamed tissues in animal RA models. Therefore, it is possible to claim that nanotechnology will, in the near future, play a crucial role in advanced treatments and patient-specific therapies for human diseases such as RA.

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Edible Insects in a Food Safety and Nutritional Perspective: A Critical Review

Increasing world population worsens the serious problem of food security in developing countries. On the other hand in industrialized countries, where the problem of food security is of minor concern, health problems related to food refer to 2 main factors: food safety and environmental sustainability of food production. For these reasons, new ways must be found to increase yields while preserving food quality, natural habitats, and biodiversity. Insects could be of great interest as a possible solution due to their capability to satisfy 2 different requirements: (i) they are an important source of protein and other nutrients; (ii) their use as food has ecological advantages over conventional meat and, in the long run, economic benefits. However, little is known on the food safety side and this can be of critical importance to meet society's approval, especially if people are not accustomed to eating insects. This paper aims to collect information in order to evaluate how insects could be safely used as food and to discuss nutritional data to justify why insect food sources can no longer be neglected. Legislative issues will also be discussed.