Characterization of pili nut (Canarium ovatum) oil: Fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition and physicochemical properties

The fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition of pili nut (Canarium ovatum) oil and fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The oil obtained by solvent extraction was low in polyunsaturated fatty acids and high in saturates. The polyunsaturated fatty acid (18∶2 and 18∶3) contents were less than 11%, whereas palmitic (16∶0) and stearic acid (18∶0) were 33.3 and 10.9%, respectively. The saturated fatty acid level of the low-melting fraction oil was reduced from 44.4 to 35.5% and the total unsaturated fatty acid levels were increased from 55.6 to 65% by fractional crystallization. Triacylglycerol analysis showed that the high-melting fraction (HM) from pili nut oil consisted of POP, POS, and SOS+SSO (P=palmitic acid, O=oleic acid, and S=stearic acid) in the proportion of 48.6, 38.8, and 8.7%, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the HM fraction were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance. The results showed that the melting range and solid fat content of the HM fraction were very similar to those isolated from cocoa butter and olive oil. The content of POP played an important role in determining the melting range of the HM fraction. It is suggested that this HM fraction may have applications as a cocoa butter substitute in confectionery products.     

Improved Toughness of Polylactide by Binary Blends with Polycarbonate with Glycidyl and Maleic Anhydride-Based Compatibilizers

This work reports on the development of polylactide (PLA) and polycarbonate (PC) blends with different compatibilizers with enhanced toughness. Since both polymers are immiscible, two types of compatibilizers are tested: petrochemical-based copolymers Xibond 160 and Xibond 920 with maleic anhydride and epoxy groups, respectively, and natural-based compatibilizers with the same functionalities, namely maleinized linseed oil (MLO) and, epoxidized linseed oil (ELO). Mechanical, thermal, and morphological characterization shows better properties for the PLA/PC (80/20 wt%) blends with chemically modified natural oils (ELO and MLO). The addition of 5 phr (parts per hundred resin) of MLO gives the maximum values for impact strength and elongation at break. Moreover, the glass transition temperature (T_g) slightly decreases with the addition of natural compatibilizers, thus showing some plasticization effect. Petroleum-derived compatibilizers give interesting results regarding tensile strength and stiffness without plasticization. PLA/PC blends show higher thermal stability than neat PLA, regardless of the compatibilizer used, since PC is much more thermally stable than PLA. The obtained results indicate that both petroleum-based and natural-derived compatibilizers positively contribute to enhance the properties of the binary PLA/PC blends. Nevertheless, the results with MLO suggest this is an interesting biobased solution to provide increased toughness to PLA/PC blends.     

Stabilization of soil by means alternative alkali-activated cement prepared with spent FCC catalyst

Alkali-activated cements are widely studied as alternative and sustainable binder in soil stabilization. In this research work, a mold was designed and constructed, which allowed small cubic specimens to be made (40 × 40 × 40 mm³). With the newly designed mold, cubic samples of soil stabilized with portland cement (OPC) and alternative AAC (based on spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst FCC) were prepared from which compressive strength was obtained. Cylindrical specimens were also prepared using the same binders as in the previous case to obtain their compressive strength. The results obtained in both cases were compared. Greater resistances for cubic samples were achieved. The cubic specimens were selected for being better in terms of standard deviation of compressive strength for AAC stabilized soil. The obtained compressive strength and standard deviation results were compared between the soil specimens stabilized with different stabilizers cured at 7, 14, 28, and 90 days. The method allows small-sized cubic specimens to be prepared. It improves ergonomics. It also facilitates a large number of specimens being obtained with a small amount of sample. Soil stabilized with AAC yielded higher compressive strength after 90 days compared to that with OPC.     

Gemeinsame kondensation von harnstoff,melamin und formaldehyd. I. Einfluß der reaktionsparameter

The dependance of the simultaneous polycondensation of urea, melamine, and formaldehyde on reaction conditions was studied using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. The results indicate an increase in the reactivity between urea and formaldehyde and also between melamine and formaldehyde with increasing acidity. A. controllable reaction involving simultaneously urea, melamine, and formaldehyde was possible only in neutral and basic media. An increasing proportion of urea in the reaction mixture increases the degree of polycondensation. A comparison of the three-component-resin with the UF-and MF-resins gives information pertaining to the formation of cocondensats consisting of urea and melamine. Acetone dilutability and turbidimetric measurements are in agreement with the results of chromatographic and spectroscopic methods.     

Nutritive value of chicken and potato mixtures for infant and preschool children feeding

Two chicken/potato protein mixtures (50:50 and 60:40) were prepared for use in formulas of high nutritive value and low cost for the diet of undernourished children and those with lactose intolerance. The proximate analysis and amino acid content of the raw materials and mixtures were determined and the chemical score (CS) was calculated. The proximate analysis and amino acid content of a commercial soybean formula were used as reference. The protein quality of the mixtures was evaluated by protein efficiency ratio (PER) and digestibility measurements. The protein content of cooked chicken and potato on a dry basis was 889 and 70 g kg^?1 respectively and the carbohydrate content of potato was 762 g kg^?1. Tryptophan was the limiting amino acid in chicken for infants according to the 1985 FAO pattern (CS = 76), but not for preschool children. Valine was limiting in potato for both infants and preschool children (CS = 56 and 88 respectively). Tryptophan was limiting in both 50:50 and 60:40 mixtures for infants; also the PER was higher in the 60:40 mixture and not significantly different from the control (casein), but both were different from the 50:50 mixture. Since both chicken and potato are available even for low‐income people, a formula prepared in the 60:40 ratio is of potential benefit for infants or preschool children who have lactose intolerance, mainly in developing countries. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Parameter estimation in emulsion copolymerization using reaction calorimeter data

The feasibility of estimating the kinetic parameters of emulsion copolymerization using only calorimetric measurements was investigated by simulation. It was found that for the case in which the average number of radicals per particle exceeds 0.5 only two of the three estimable parameters (k_I, k_a, and k_t) could be estimated together provided that an accurate value for the third parameter is available from independent measurements. For systems with n?<0.5, the three unknown parameters k_I, k_d, and k_a were accurately estimated. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cigarette smokers do more than just smoke cigarettes.

Hypothesized that 199 17–60 yr old light and moderate-to-heavy (MH) cigarette smokers, compared with 675 nonsmokers, would exhibit significantly less healthy attitudes and behaviors on several dimensions of the risk to coronary heart disease (CHD). A factor analysis of survey items measuring knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in 5 CHD risk areas produced 4 factors: Attitudes, Health Consciousness, Knowledge, and Unhealthy Behaviors. Smokers vs nonsmokers exhibited less positive attitudes toward CHD risk behaviors, whereas MH smokers, as compared with the light smokers and the nonsmokers, exhibited lower levels of health consciousness and enacted unhealthy behaviors at a greater frequency. Results support the hypothesis that smokers exhibit a less healthy lifestyle as shown by cognitive, behavioral, and motivational dimensions related to cardiovascular health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tunable Drug Loading and Reinforcement of Polycaprolactone Films by Means of Electrospun Nanofibers of Glycolide Segmented Copolymers

Electrospinning of a segmented copolymer having polyglycolide hard segments is successfully performed from 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropanol solutions. During the process, a bactericidal agent, i.e., chlorhexidine (CHX), is effectively loaded, which results in nanofibers with a smaller diameter because of the change in solution conductivity. New fabrics based on molding of alternate layers of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) films and the electrospun scaffolds of the segmented copolymer are prepared and characterized. The thermal molding process renders a PCL matrix homogeneously reinforced with nanofibers that compensate for the loss of mechanical properties caused by incorporation of CHX. Release of CHX is evaluated in different media. Results vary depending on the layer where the drug is incorporated. Thus, systems with an immediate bacteriostatic effect, as well as systems with a potential long term antimicrobial effect, are obtained. Growth inhibition and adhesion assays demonstrate the fast bactericidal effect of samples with CHX loaded in its outer layers.     

Nanostructure development in polystyrene‐b‐polybutadiene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (SBM) thin films by atomic force microscopy: Effect of copolymer composition and solvent

Surface morphology development for SBM triblock copolymer thin films has been studied by atomic force microscopy. The effect of copolymer composition and solvent on the final morphology has been investigated. Obtained results indicated that depending on the block ratio (symmetric or asymmetric with minority middle block) and solvent, lamellar, hexagonal, cylindrical, or spheres in lamellae (ls)‐type morphologies can be achieved at film surfaces. The influence of the interaction parameters among blocks and solvents and cohesive energy values of block pairs on the final morphology has been proved. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:422–429, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers