Influence of fat replacers on chemical composition, proteolysis, texture profiles, meltability and sensory properties of low-fat Kashar cheese

Changes in chemical composition, proteolysis, lipolysis, texture, melting and sensory properties of low-fat Kashar cheese made with three different fat replacers (Simplesse D-100, Avicel Plus CM 2159 or beta-glucan) were investigated throughout ripening. The low-fat cheeses made with fat replacers were compared with full- and low-fat counterparts as controls. Reduction of fat caused increases in moisture and protein contents and decreases in moisture-in-non fat substance and yield values in low-fat cheeses. The use of fat replacers in the manufacture of low-fat Kashar cheese increased water binding capacity and improved overall quality of the cheeses. Use of fat replacer in low-fat cheese making has enhanced cheese proteolysis. All samples underwent lipolysis during ripening and low-fat cheeses with fat replacers had higher level of total free fatty acid than full- or low-fat control cheeses. Texture attributes and meltability significantly increased with addition of fat replacers. Sensory scores showed that the full-fat cheese was awarded best in all stages of ripening and low-fat variant of Kashar cheeses have inferior quality. However, fat replacers except beta-glucan improved the appearance, texture and flavour attributes of low-fat cheeses. When the fat replacers are compared, the low-fat cheese with Avicel Plus CM 2159 was highly acceptable and had sensory attributes closest to full-fat Kashar cheese.     

Melamine‐based microporous polymer for highly efficient removal of copper(II) from aqueous solution

In this study, we investigated the ability of a melamine‐based microporous polymer network as an adsorbent for removal of copper(II) species from aqueous solutions. A designed Schiff based network (SNW) with high specific surface area was synthesized using melamine and terephthalaldehyde monomers at 180 °C for 3 days followed by a freeze‐drying process. The porous structure of the material was confirmed by SEM analysis and CO₂ adsorption/desorption studies at 77.3 K. The adsorption character of the SNW polymer for various metal salts, namely Pb(II), Fe(II), Hg(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II), was investigated and a specific sorption behaviour against Cu(II) salts was observed. The role of pH and contact time was examined and the highest adsorption capacity for Cu(II) was found as 92% with pH 3.5 at the end of 300 min. As evidenced by XRD and Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis, the sorption mechanism is attributed to the coordination system formed between amino groups in the porous structure and Cu(II) ions. Reusability of the system was also demonstrated by applying four cycles without any significant loss of activity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermal Conductivity Properties of Bi2-αTlαSr2Ca2Cu3O10+z Glass-ceramic HT c Superconductor Rods

The Glass rods with nominal composition of (Bi _2- Tl )Sr ₂ Ca ₂ Cu ₃ O _10+z , where =0.15, 0.25 and 0.35, have been prepared by melt casting technique. Preferably c-axis oriented grains were grown after the sintering process. The thermal conductivity (T) measurements were performed between 30K and 290K and calculations were made using Wiedemann-Franz law. The (T) values of the samples varied between 3.8 to 8.9 mW/cm.K and showed strong dependence to the heating temperatures and compositions. The best T _c and T _zero were obtained to be 122 K and 115 K respectively.     

Penicillium digitatum immobilized on pumice stone as a new solid phase extractor for preconcentration and/or separation of trace metals in environmental samples

This study presents a column solid phase extraction procedure based on column biosorption of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) ions on Penicillium digitatum immobilized on pumice stone. The analytes were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The optimum conditions such as: pH values, amount of solid phase, elution solution and flow rate of sample solution were evaluated for the quantitative recovery of the analytes. The effect of interfering ions on the recovery of the analytes has also been investigated. The recoveries of copper, zinc and lead under the optimum conditions were found to be 97+/-2, 98+/-2 and 98+/-2%, respectively, at 95% confidence level. For the analytes, 50-fold preconcentration was obtained. The analytical detection limits for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) were 1.8, 1.3 and 5.8 ng mL(-1), respectively. The proposed procedure was applied for the determination of copper, zinc and lead in dam water, waste water, spring water, parsley and carrot. The accuracy of the procedure was checked by determining copper, zinc and lead in standard reference tea samples (GBW-07605).     

A review on conducting polymer coatings for corrosion protection

Corrosion of metals is one of the most important problems in the manufacturing industries. Many corrosion control methods use coatings of conducting polymers and conversion layers that contain toxic and environmentally hazardous materials, especially chromium compounds. These objectives have led to the development of new protective coating strategies that employs nanocomposites and carbon-based materials. In recent years, conducting polymers have attracted much attention because of their wide range of industrial applications and economic viability. Polymers possess long-chain carbon linkages and therefore, upon adsorption are able to block large areas of the corroding metal surfaces. The thin films adsorbed on the metal substrate provide a barrier effect between the metal and its environment. This review article summarizes the different techniques used in corrosion protection of metals, conducting polymers and nanomaterials, nanocomposites, and carbon-based materials in corrosion science.     

Are antibacterial component additions in etchants and adhesives effective against Streptococcus Mutans?

The aim was to investigate the antibacterial activity of various acids and adhesives with and without antibacterial components against Streptococcus mutans. The antibacterial activities of 35% phosphoric acid (Ultra-Etch), 37% phosphoric acid with benzalkonium chloride (Etch-37), adhesive with chlorhexidine (Peak Universal Bond) and without any agent (PQ1) were investigated by agar-diffusion test. The inhibition-zones were measured after 48 h of incubation. For the tooth-cavity model test; cylindrical cavities were prepared on occlusal dentin surfaces of human molars and divided into four groups (n = 10 cavity/group). Group 1: Ultra-Etch + Peak Universal Bond, Group 2: Ultra-Etch + PQ1, Group 3: Etch-37 + PQ1 were applied. The fourth group without any agent application served as control. The teeth were immersed in 5.8 × 10⁶ cfu/ml of S. mutans solution to infect the cavities for 72 h before the application of the groups. After 72 h, dentin chips were collected from the cavity walls with burs for bacterial counting. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA, Bonferroni and Dunnett C tests (p < 0.05). Ultra-Etch and Etch-37 performed similar antibacterial activities in agar-diffusion test. Both acids showed better antibacterial activity compared to adhesives (p < 0.05). The antibacterial activity of PQ1 and Peak Universal Bond was observed to be inactivated by light-polymerization. According to the tooth-cavity model; Group I, II, and III demonstrated reduction in bacterial number and there was no significant difference between them. Antibacterial component additions in etchant and adhesive did not show superior antibacterial activity against S. mutans in both in vitro tests.     

Modification of Harris hawks optimization algorithm with random distribution functions for optimum power flow problem

Neural Computing and Applications - Harris hawks optimization (HHO) algorithm, which is inspired from Harris hawks hunting strategy, uses uniform random numbers in the optimization process. This...     

Influence of Boron Substitution on the Crystal and Electronic Properties of LiCrO2 Battery Cathode

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Boron-substituted LiCrO2 battery cathode material samples were investigated by X-ray-based techniques to probe the influence of boron on their crystal...     

The effects of thermoform molding conditions on polyvinylchloride and polyethylene double layer package materials

This work reports the effects of thermoform molding process conditions on polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) double layer package materials. Mechanical and microstructural properties of the package material were examined by different test methods which are tensile properties, tear resistances and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, package materials, which are produced in different conditions by thermoform molding. Effect of different mold depths and process temperatures on the samples are determined by thermal aging process at 60°C in first, third, and seventh days. With increase in mold depth from 25 mm to 75 mm, there is a significant increase in tensile strength from ～45 MPa to ～55 MPa, thermoform temperature at 150°C. The highest elongation of the material was obtained thermoform temperature at 165°C as 80%, mold depth at 35 mm. Tensile strength and elongation (%) of the material generally decrease by aging time with changing of mold depth (25, 35, and 75 mm) of the double layer package material. In addition, tear resistances of the material decrease via aging time in various thermoform temperatures (150°C, 165°C, and 175°C) due to the orientation of the segments. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images of the materials were taken for aging process in first, third, and seventh days. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers