Quality Changes and Tocopherols and γ-Orizanol Concentrations in Rice Bran Oil During the Refining Process

The quality changes and the concentrations of tocopherols and γ-oryzanol, during successive steps of rice bran oil refining (RBO), were studied. For this purpose, samples of crude, degummed, neutralized, bleached, dewaxed and deodorized RBO were taken from an industrial plant and analyzed. The moisture, pH, acidity, peroxide value and unsaponifiable matter, were determined. The fatty acid composition was evaluated by GC, and the concentrations of tocopherols and γ-oryzanol were determined using HPLC with fluorescence and UV–Vis detection, respectively. To identify γ-oryzanol components, fractions of the HPLC eluant were collected and analyzed using mass spectrometry. Oil refining reduced the peroxide value and acidity to 1 and 3% of the values obtained in crude RBO, respectively. The fatty acid composition were not significantly altered during refining. The concentrations of the tocopherols in RBO followed the order α > (β + γ) > δ. The total concentration of tocopherols was 26 mg/100 g, and remained practically unaltered during refining. Up to nine components were distinguished in γ-oryzanol. After collecting the elution fractions, up to six components were identified by electrospray mass spectrometry. Refining reduced the total concentration of γ-oryzanol to 2% of its initial value.     

Synthesis of Carbonated Vernonia Oil

The research objective was to determine whether naturally occurring epoxy functional vernonia oil would result in lower viscosity compounds after converting the virgin oil into the cyclic carbonate using supercritical carbon dioxide as the reactant. The cyclic carbonate was produced using relatively mild conditions as described in the paper. Carbonated vernonia oil retains the characteristic low viscosity of vernonia oil, and offers potential as a valuable, biobased intermediate for synthesizing low viscosity resins.     

Thermally reduced graphenes exhibiting a close relationship to amorphous carbon

Graphene is an important material for sensing and energy storage applications. Since the vast majority of sensing and energy storage chemical and electrochemical systems require bulk quantities of graphene, thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO) is commonly employed instead of pristine graphene. The sp(2) planar structure of TRGO is heavily damaged, consisting of a very short sp(2) crystallite size of nanometre length and with areas of sp(3) hybridized carbon. Such a structure of TRGO is reminiscent of the key characteristic of the structure of amorphous carbon, which is defined as a material without long-range crystalline order consisting of both sp(2) and sp(3) hybridized carbons. Herein, we describe the characterization of TRGO, its parent graphite material and carbon black (a form of amorphous carbon) via transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and cyclic voltammetry experiments. We used the data obtained as well as consideration of practical factors to perform a comparative assessment of the relative electrochemical performances of TRGO against amorphous carbon. We found out that TRGO and amorphous carbon exhibit almost identical characteristics in terms of density of defects in the sp(2) lattice and a similar crystallite size as determined by Raman spectroscopy. These two materials also exhibit similar amounts of oxygen containing groups as determined by XPS and nearly indistinguishable cyclic voltammetric response providing almost identical heterogeneous electron transfer constants. This leads us to conclude that for some sensing and energy storage electrochemical applications, the use of amorphous carbon might be a much more economical solution than the one requiring digestion of highly crystalline graphite with strong oxidants to graphite oxide and then thermally exfoliating it to thermally reduced graphene oxide.     

Hydrothermal syntheses of ETS-10 like vanadosilicates using chiral organic molecules. Part I

Vanadosilicates with the structures of ETS-10 and AM-6 microporous materials have been hydrothermally synthesized using organic directing structures agent (SDAs) derivatives of decahydroquinoline, 3,5-dimethyl-piperidine, 2,6-dimethyl-piperidine and (S)-Sparteine. Derivatives of these chiral amines have not been explored before in the sol gel chemistry of vanadosilicates. Physicochemical characterization of the obtained vanadosilicate materials with these different chiral templates was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTA)/thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results suggest that the presence of the chiral organic templates have different effects in terms of the final phase of the synthesized materials and their morphology. The products obtained using chiral template derivatives of decahydroquinoline reveal that certain products might be very enriched with chiral polymorph A while others present structures which are similar to other large-porous vanadosilicate such as AM-6 and AM-13. Derivatives of 2,6-dimethyl-piperidine and 3,5-dimethyl-piperidine have not favored any structure that resembles a chiral polymorph A, but only known vanadosilicates such as AM-6, AM-13. Derivatives of (S)-Sparteine, on the other hand, have not only favored the formation of structures enriched with a large amount of chiral polymorph A, but also their use has resulted in other unknown vanadosilicate structures whose physicochemical characterizations are in progress.     

Mechanisms of N2O production in biological wastewater treatment under nitrifying and denitrifying conditions

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is an important greenhouse gas and a major sink for stratospheric ozone. In biological wastewater treatment, microbial processes such as autotrophic nitrification and heterotrophic denitrification have been identified as major sources; however, the underlying pathways remain unclear. In this study, the mechanisms of N₂O production were investigated in a laboratory batch-scale system with activated sludge for treating municipal wastewater. This relatively complex mixed population system is well representative for full-scale activated sludge treatment under nitrifying and denitrifying conditions.Under aerobic conditions, the addition of nitrite resulted in strongly nitrite-dependent N₂O production, mainly by nitrifier denitrification of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). Furthermore, N₂O is produced via hydroxylamine oxidation, as has been shown by the addition of hydroxylamine. In both sets of experiments, N₂O production was highest at the beginning of the experiment, then decreased continuously and ceased when the substrate (nitrite, hydroxylamine) had been completely consumed. In ammonia oxidation experiments, N₂O peaked at the beginning of the experiment when the nitrite concentration was lowest. This indicates that N₂O production via hydroxylamine oxidation is favored at high ammonia and low nitrite concentrations, and in combination with a high metabolic activity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (at 2 to 3 mgO₂/l); the contribution of nitrifier denitrification by AOB increased at higher nitrite and lower ammonia concentrations towards the end of the experiment.Under anoxic conditions, nitrate reducing experiments confirmed that N₂O emission is low under optimal growth conditions for heterotrophic denitrifiers (e.g. no oxygen input and no limitation of readily biodegradable organic carbon). However, N₂O and nitric oxide (NO) production rates increased significantly in the presence of nitrite or low dissolved oxygen concentrations.     

Transfer of Salmonella Enteritidis to four types of surfaces after cleaning procedures and cross-contamination to tomatoes

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the spread of Salmonella Enteritidis to different cutting boards (wood, triclosan-treated plastic, glass, and stainless steel) from contaminated poultry skin (5 log CFU/g) and then to tomatoes and to analyze the effect of different protocols used to clean these surfaces to control contamination. The following procedures were simulated: (1) no cleaning after handling contaminated poultry skin; (2) rinsing in running water; (3) cleaning with dish soap and mechanical scrubbing; and (4) cleaning with dish soap and mechanical scrubbing, followed by disinfection with hypochlorite. The pathogen was recovered from all surfaces following procedure 1, with counts ranging from 1.90 to 2.80 log, as well as from the tomatoes handled on it. Reduced numbers of S. Enteritidis were recovered using the other procedures, both from the surfaces and from the tomatoes. Counts were undetectable after procedure 4. From all surfaces evaluated, wood was the most difficult to clean, and stainless steel was the easiest. The use of hypochlorite as a disinfecting agent helped to reduce cross-contamination.     

Low progesterone concentration during the development of the first follicular wave reduces pregnancy per insemination of lactating dairy cows

Objectives were to determine the effect of progesterone (P4) concentration on fertility of lactating dairy cows induced to ovulate follicles of the first follicular wave. Lactating dairy cows (n=989) at 38±3d postpartum were balanced by parity and body condition score and randomly assigned to 3 treatments: first follicular wave (FFW), first follicular wave with exogenous P4 (FFWP), or second follicular wave (SFW). All cows had their estrous cycle presynchronized with 2 injections of prostaglandin (PG) F(2α) given 14 d apart. Cows in the FFW and FFWP treatments started the ovulation synchronization protocol 3 d after the last PGF(2α) of the presynchronization protocol, whereas SFW cows received a GnRH injection (100 μg of gonadorelin diacetate; Cystorelin, Merial Ltd., Duluth, GA) 3 d after the last PGF(2α) of the presynchronization protocol and started the synchronization protocol 7 d later. The synchronization protocol consisted of GnRH on d -10, PGF(2α) on d -3, and GnRH concurrent with timed artificial insemination (AI) on d 0. Cows in the FFWP treatment received 2 controlled internal drug release inserts containing 1.38 g of P4 from d -8 to -3. Progesterone concentration was determined on d -10, -8, -6, -3, and 0 from all cows and at 7, 14, and 21 d after AI from a subsample of cows (n=170). Cows (n=715) had their ovaries scanned by ultrasound on d -10, -3, and 7 d. Pregnancy was diagnosed at 38 and 66 d after AI. Concentration of P4 from study d -8 to -3 was lowest for FFW cows (1.4±0.1 ng/mL) and similar between SFW (3.7±0.2 ng/mL) and FFWP (3.7±0.1 ng/mL) cows. Diameter of the dominant follicle on study d -3 was greater for FFW cows (16.5±0.3 mm) than for SFW cows (15.4±0.3 mm), but diameter of the dominant follicle of FFWP cows was not different (15.9±0.3 mm) compared with that of SFW and FFW cows. The incidence of multiple ovulation was largest for FFW cows (SFW=19.5, FFW=33.6, FFWP=19.0%), but pregnancy per AI (P/AI) at 66 d was smallest for FFW cows (SFW=38.9, FFW=22.3, FFWP=32.0%). Anovular cows in the SFW (19.4 vs. 42.8%) and FFWP (22.1 vs. 37.2%) treatments had reduced P/AI compared with cyclic cows, despite having similar or greater P4 concentration from study d -8 to -3, respectively. Estrus and ovulation synchronization protocols for lactating dairy cows must result in growth of ovulatory follicle under P4 concentration >2 ng/mL to ensure high P/AI.     

Polypropylene/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites Containing Nisin as Antimicrobial Food Packaging

Antimicrobial nanocomposites prepared with polypropylene, montmorillonite, and nisin were developed as food packaging material. Nisin was incorporated at 1, 2.5, and 5 % (w/w) and the characterization included antimicrobial, mechanical, thermal, barrier, and structural properties. Composite films inhibited the Gram-positive bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens when tested on skimmed milk agar plates. Antimicrobial activity was released in food simulants after contact with the nanocomposites, increasing until 48 h in solutions containing the surfactant Tween 20 or acetic acid. The addition of nisin caused no significant modification in deformation at break values as compared with control films. However, results of tensile strength and Young modulus differed significantly among samples. The higher value for Young modulus was observed for films with 5 % nisin. Water vapor barrier properties were not significantly different among control and antimicrobial films, whereas oxygen permeability was higher for nanocomposites containing nisin. The nanocomposites tested had no significant differences in the melting temperature (165 to 167 °C), and the crystallization temperature ranged from 121 to 129 °C, with lower values for films containing 5 % nisin. Scanning electron microscopy showed that nanocomposites containing 1 and 2.5 % nisin present similar homogeneity to that of control films. Some film properties were affected after nisin incorporation in polypropylene/montmorillonite matrix but active antimicrobial films were obtained, showing suitable behavior as a food packaging material.     

Reduced progesterone concentration during growth of the first follicular wave affects embryo quality but has no effect on embryo survival post transfer in lactating dairy cows

Fertility of lactating dairy cows is associated with reduced progesterone (P(4)) concentration compared with nonlactating animals. The objective of the current study was to determine whether P(4) during growth of the first follicular wave (FFW) affects embryo quality. Lactating Holstein cows at 33±3 days post partum were allocated to one of three treatments. Cows in the FFW and FFW with P(4) (FFWP) treatments started the superstimulation protocol on day 1 of the estrous cycle and second follicular wave (SFW) cows started the superstimulation protocol on estrous cycle day 7. Cows were superstimulated with 400 mg of NIH-FSH-P1 (FSH) given twice daily for 5 days, two prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF(2α)) injections given with the ninth and tenth injections of FSH, GNRH given 48 h after the first PGF(2α) injection, and timed insemination 12 and 24 h after the GNRH injection. Cows in the FFWP treatment received two intravaginal P(4) inserts during the superstimulation. Embryos were recovered 6.5 days after artificial insemination and excellent/good and fair embryos were frozen and transferred. Blood was sampled daily from estrous cycle day 0 until insemination from donor cows. During the superstimulation protocol, P(4) was (P<0.01) greatest for SFW cows followed by FFWP and FFW cows respectively. The percentage of embryos-oocytes from SFW and FFWP cows classified as excellent/good and fair embryos was (P=0.02) greater than those of FFW cows. Pregnancy per embryo transfer was not (P≥0.73) affected by embryo donor treatment. Reduced embryo quality of cows induced to ovulate the follicles from the first follicular wave is a consequence of reduced P(4) during follicle growth.