Isomerization of lactose over natural sepiolite

Sepiolite (a hydrated magnesium silicate) was investigated as a catalyst for the isomerization of lactose. Factors such as temperature, concentration and time were studied. The main reaction product was lactulose; small amounts of epilactose, galactose, tagatose and 3-deoxypentulose were also formed. Product distribution indicated that the reaction routes were isomerization of the disaccharide followed by degradation of lactulose.     

Carotenoid Pigments and Colour of Hermaphrodite and Female Papaya Fruits ( Carica papaya L) cv Sunrise During Post-Harvest Ripening

The predominant carotenoids in extracts of female and hermaphrodite Papaya fruits (Carica papaya L) Solo cv Sunrise were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column using a diode-array detector. Three classes of carotenoids were separated and identified from the papaya extract without saponification; these were xanthophylls, hydrocarbon carotenoids and carotenol fatty acid esters. The xanthophylls were identified as trans-zeaxanthin, cryptoflavin and β-cryptoxanthin; other xanthophyls were detected in very small quantities. The major hydrocarbon carotenoid was identified as lycopene. Carotenol fatty acid esters were identified as carotenol fatty acid esters of β-cryptoxanthin, cryptoxanthin-5,6-epoxide, lutein, zeaxanthin and violaxanthin. There were no qualitative differences among the carotenoid pattern of female and hermaphrodite papaya fruits. Changes in carotenoid composition during ripening in hermaphrodite and female papaya fruits (cv Sunrise) were investigated in three different stages of ripeness. These changes could be shown in terms of Hunter colour values.     

Determination of the Composition of Commercial Tannin Extracts by Liquid Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (LSIMS)

The composition of various commercial tannin extracts were determined by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS). Spectra were obtained directly from tannin extracts without any pre-separation. Eight different tannin powders were analysed: three gallotannins (Chinese, Turkish, tara), three ellagitannins (sweet chestnut, pendunculata oak, sessile oak), one mixed hydrolysable tannin (myrabolans) and one proanthocyanidin (grape seeds). This method enabled the main molecules in these powders to be identified.     

The corrosion behaviour of NiAl in Molten Carbonate at 650°C

In Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC) the separator plates in a stack are exposed to severe conditions. The normal operating temperature of a MCFC is 650°C, while the electrolyte consists of an eutectic mixture of 62/38 Li₂CO₃/K₂CO₃. On one side the separator plate material is in contact with a reducing atmosphere and on the other side it is an oxidising atmosphere. Due to the application of a wet seal the material is also in contact with the molten carbonate. A wide range of materials is therefore being investigated to enable a justified materials selection either as base material or as coating. NiAl is one of the investigated materials, which has promising properties, due to the possible formation of a protective oxide LiAlO₂ layer. A comparison will be made with data available for pure Ni, with special emphasis on the protective character of the oxide layer based on quasi-stationary polarisation curves, exposure tests at open circuit potential and quenching experiments, incorporating earlier published results obtained on Ni with impedance measurements. All experiments were performed in molten carbonate, while the gas composition over the melt was 64% H₂, 16% CO₂, and 20% H₂O.     

Shock Consolidation of Aluminium Powder with SiC fiber reinforcement

For the explosive compaction of Al 2024 alloy powder the influence of E/M ratio and detonation velocity of the explosive as well as the influences of powder microhardness and initial density are discussed. With a choice of parameters that gives a fully compacted aluminium sample the results of embedding single SiC fibers are described and a procedure to avoid fiber cracking due to shock loads is derived. First results for the compaction of samples with 38% fiber content are presented.     

Condition monitoring of industrial machinery through lubricant oil analysis

A number of techniques exist that can be used to determine the condition of a machine by analysing a sample of the lubricant. However, there are only a few available techniques that can be used to determine the effect of more than one cause of deterioration with a single method of analysis. By sensing changes in the dielectric of the lubricant, it is possible to obtain information relating to both the deterioration of the machine by means of wear products, and the influence of any solid and liquid contaminants present in the lubricant. In this paper, the principle of operation for this method is described, and the results of some controlled tests are reported in which comparisons are made with results obtained using other types of ‘health’ monitor.     

Synthesis of Alkyl Fructosides

The anomeric alkylation of D-fructose is efficiently catalyzed by mild acid catalysts. Degradation of fructose is negligible under the conditions applied.     

Gal3 Plays a Deleterious Role in a Mouse Model of Endotoxemia

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia induces an acute systemic inflammatory response that mimics some important features of sepsis, the disease with the highest mortality rate worldwide. In this work, we have analyzed a murine model of endotoxemia based on a single intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg of LPS. We took advantage of galectin-3 (Gal3) knockout mice and found that the absence of Gal3 decreased the mortality rate oflethal endotoxemia in the first 80 h after the administration of LPS, along with a reduction in the tissular damage in several organs measured by electron microscopy. Using flow cytometry, we demonstrated that, in control conditions, peripheral immune cells, especially monocytes, exhibited high levels of Gal3, which were early depleted in response to LPS injection, thus suggesting Gal3 release under endotoxemia conditions. However, serum levels of Gal3 early decreased in response to LPS challenge (1 h), an indication that Gal3 may be extravasated to peripheral organs. Indeed, analysis of Gal3 in peripheral organs revealed a robust up-regulation of Gal3 36 h after LPS injection. Taken together, these results demonstrate the important role that Gal3 could play in the development of systemic inflammation, a well-established feature of sepsis, thus opening new and promising therapeutic options for these harmful conditions.