Microencapsulation of cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale,L.) juice using a new chitosan–commercial bovine whey protein isolate system in spray drying

The aim of this work was to obtain a new stable food product from cashew apple juice encapsulated by spray-drying technique using chitosan–whey protein isolate systems. The materials were evaluated according to their physicochemical stability during storage at different conditions and characterized with respect to their particle size distribution and structure. Encapsulated commercial and natural juices showed homogenous and unimodal particle size distribution with diameters ranging from 0.2 to 5.0 μm and from 0.2 to 40.0 μm, respectively. Both juices demonstrated higher physicochemical stability for vitamin C and color measurements than their respective non-encapsulated juices. X-ray diffractograms evidenced that the powder juices after the 140th day of storage were still in amorphous state. These results indicate that the new product was effective in protecting sensitive compounds present in the food matrix and it was also able to remain stable throughout the study period.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Allyl Fatty Acid Derivatives as Reactive Coalescing Agents for Latexes

This work evaluated the use of allyl fatty acid esters derived from vegetable oil (palmitic acid, soybean and sunflower oils) as reactive coalescing agents in a waterborne latex system. Allyl fatty acid derivatives (AFAD) from vegetable oils were synthesized by two different processes. The synthesis was monitored by IR-spectroscopy and the final product characterized by FT-IR, GC–MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The presence of conjugated double bonds in the aliphatic chain was confirmed, which is a determinant for the proposed autoxidative latexes drying mechanism. Each of the AFAD were subsequently added to a standard acrylic emulsion, in order to study its potential as reactive coalescing agent. The minimum film-forming temperature (MFT), glass transition temperature (T _g), drying time and rubbing resistance to solvents were evaluated. The results showed that, when added to water-borne acrylic resins, an AFAD acts as a non-volatile plasticizer capable of autoxidative crosslinking with itself.     

Correlation Between Chemical Composition and Adherence of Cr and Co Coatings Deposited by Electric Arc

This paper presents the adhesive strength of FeCr and FeCoCr coatings produced by electric arc thermal spray process on carbon steel plates. Carbon steels are not resistant to corrosion and several methods are used in surface engineering to protect them from aggressive environments such as the marine one. The main objective of this work is the evaluation of the mechanical and metallurgical properties of coatings produced by thermal spray on carbon steel. Five chemical compositions were tested in order to give a large panel of possibility. Coatings were characterized by several methods to result in a screening of performance. The physical properties of coatings were also evaluated by adhesion quantification, using pull-off test, and microhardness measurement. The assessment of microstructural morphology by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was made. The open circuit potential was monitored to evaluate the corrosion tendency. SEM results showed uniformity in the deposited layer and low amount of oxide and porosity. The adhesive strength of FeCoCr alloy coatings was higher than other coating conditions. In the immersion test, all sealed conditions presented high corrosion potential. Semi-quantitative phase calculation was performed by the Rietveld method using XRD. The presence of FeCr, FeCo, and austenite phases was determined. Based on the performed characterizations, the findings suggested that the FeCrCo deposition, with an epoxy sealing, is suitable to be used as an efficient coating of carbon steel in aggressive corrosive environments.     

Hyperthermia Enhances Doxorubicin Therapeutic Efficacy against A375 and MNT-1 Melanoma Cells

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and its incidence has alarmingly increased in the last few decades, creating a need for novel treatment approaches. Thus, we evaluated the combinatorial effect of doxorubicin (DOX) and hyperthermia on A375 and MNT-1 human melanoma cell lines. Cells were treated with DOX for 24, 48, and 72 h and their viabilities were assessed. The effect of DOX IC10 and IC20 (combined at 43 °C for 30, 60, and 120 min) on cell viability was further analyzed. Interference on cell cycle dynamics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis upon treatment (with 30 min at 43 °C and DOX at the IC20 for 48 h) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Combined treatment significantly decreased cell viability, but not in all tested conditions, suggesting that the effect depends on the drug concentration and heat treatment duration. Combined treatment also mediated a G2/M phase arrest in both cell lines, as well as increasing ROS levels. Additionally, it induced early apoptosis in MNT-1 cells, while in A375 cells this effect was similar to the one caused by hyperthermia alone. These findings demonstrate that hyperthermia enhances DOX effect through cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death.     

A comparative study of the purification of betanin

Betanin is a natural pigment with antioxidant properties used as a food colourant. This work describes the spectrophotometric and chromatographic quantification of betanin (2S/15S) and its epimer isobetanin (2S/15R) in fresh beetroot juice, food-grade beetroot powder and betanin standard diluted in dextrin. Absorption spectra of all three samples were deconvoluted using a mixed three-function model. Food-grade beetroot powder has the largest amount of violet-red impurities, probably formed during processing. The purification of betanin from these complex matrices was carried out by seven different methods. Ion exchange chromatography was the most efficient method for the purification of betanin from all samples; however, fractions contain high amounts of salt. Reversed-phase HPLC as well as reversed-phase column chromatography also produced good results at a much faster rate. The longer retention time of isobetanin when compared to betanin in reversed-phase conditions has been investigated by means of quantum-mechanical methods.     

Reducing prepartum urine pH by supplementing anionic feed ingredients: Effects on physiological and productive responses of Holstein × Gir cows

This study compared physiological and productive parameters in 3/4 Holstein × 1/4 Gir dairy cows receiving a prepartum concentrate containing ammonium chloride to reduce urine pH near 7.0 (CON; n = 17), or a commercial anionic supplement to reduce urine pH near 6.0 (SUPP; n = 17). Nonlactating, multiparous, pregnant cows were assigned to receive SUPP or CON beginning 21 d before expected date of calving. Cows were maintained in a single drylot pen with ad libitum access to corn silage, and individually received their prepartum concentrate once daily (0800 h) before calving. Cows from both treatments completely consumed their concentrate allocation within 30 min after feeding. Cow body weight and body condition score were recorded once weekly, urine pH measured every 3 d, and blood samples collected on d ?21, ?14, ?9, ?6, and ?3 relative to expected calving date. After calving (d 0), cows were moved to an adjacent drylot pen with ad libitum access to water and a total mixed ration, and were milked twice daily (0600 and 1700 h). Cow body weight and body condition score were recorded once weekly and individual milk production was recorded daily until 30 d in milk (DIM). Blood samples were collected before each milking during the first 5 DIM, as well as at 6, 9, 16, 23, and 30 DIM before the morning milking. Based on actual calving dates, cows received SUPP or CON for (mean ± standard error) 19.2 ± 1.2 and 19.0 ± 0.9 d before calving, respectively. Urine pH was less in SUPP versus CON cows during the last 15 d of gestation (6.12 vs. 7.15, respectively). Milk yield during the first 5 DIM and throughout the experimental period was greater in SUPP versus CON cows (by 20 and 14%, respectively), whereas serum Ca concentrations did not differ between treatments during the first 5 DIM. Serum concentrations of fatty acids were greater in SUPP versus CON cows 3 d before and at calving (by 52 and 22%, respectively), whereas SUPP cows had lower serum glucose and cortisol concentration at calving (by 23 and 27%, respectively). Hence, the SUPP treatment decreased prepartum urine pH near 6.0 in Holstein × Gir dairy cows without depressing concentrate intake compared with CON, although total dry matter intake was not evaluated to fully investigate feed intake responses. Moreover, the SUPP treatment transiently affected serum glucose, fatty acids, and cortisol concentrations near the time of calving, and resulted in greater milk yield during the initial 30 DIM compared with CON.     

Use of SVET and SECM to study the galvanic corrosion of an iron-zinc cell

The work makes use of the scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) to investigate microscopic aspects of the electrochemical reactions that occur in an iron-zinc galvanic couple immersed in aqueous sodium chloride solution. Detection of the corrosion processes was made by sensing the phenomena occurring in solution. The SVET provided information on the distribution of ionic currents arising from the metal surface, whereas the SECM measured the concentration of chemical species relevant to the corrosion processes. The two techniques had comparable sensitivity for the corrosion of iron but significant differences were observed concerning the detection of corrosion of zinc.