Rheological and Microscopic Properties of Fat Blends with Similar Solid Fat Content but Different Trans Composition

In this study, two different groups of fat samples were prepared in a way that samples of each group had different trans fatty acid (TFA) composition but similar solid fat content (SFC). Samples of the first group (named group A) had TFA between 0.0 and 56.23 %, while the samples of the second group (group B) contained trans isomers ranging from 0.0 to 44.4 %. A polarized microscope was used to monitor the differences between the samples in terms of crystal size and crystal number during isothermal crystallization. In general, increasing TFA resulted in formation of larger crystals in a shorter time. Similar findings were also observed when small deformation time and frequency sweep experiments were conducted. A higher TFA content led to higher complex modulus values during isothermal crystallization. On the other hand, when the samples were stored at 4 °C for 48 h, the samples with the lower trans isomer had higher hardness values.     

Alginate/BSA/montmorillonite composites with enhanced protein entrapment and controlled release efficiency

Novel pH sensitive alginate–protein–clay composite beads were investigated for the in vitro oral delivery of the model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed that BSA enter between layers of montmorillonite (MMT) by expanding interlayer distance and finally an exfoliated structure forms in the alginate hydrogel. MMT incorporation increases protein entrapment efficiency to 78%, compared to 40% of conventional alginate beads. The release ratio of BSA from composite beads is 9–13% depending on MMT contents after around a 2 h stay in gastric fluid. More importantly, no BSA release is detected until 60–90 min after the first contact time of beads with gastric solution. The presence of clay in alginate beads prevents burst release in higher pH of intestine by slowing release rate of BSA to 45–55% within around 9 h, resulting in a potential matrix for intestinal release of protein drugs.     

Modeling and simulation of a fully air swept ball mill in a raw material grinding circuit

A raw material grinding circuit was modeled using plant data. Samples were collected from around the circuit and, following a crash stop, from inside the mill. The size distributions of the samples were determined down to a few microns. Using the data from inside the mill a modeling approach, based on perfect mixing, was developed. The modelling approach implicitly assumes that the mixture of feed materials broken is homogenous from the breakage point of view. The air classification around the circuit was modeled using the efficiency curve approach. In order to measure the success of the method the circuit performance was predicted by simulation studies while it was operating at different conditions. The results were then compared with the measured data. It is concluded that modeling gives a useful quantitative indication of what may occur in fully air swept mills.     

A microfluidic toolbox for cell fusion

Cellular fusion is a key process in many fields ranging from historical gene mapping studies and monoclonal antibody production, through to cell reprogramming. Traditional methodologies for cell fusion rely on the random pairing of different cell types and generally result in low and variable fusion efficiencies. These approaches become particularly limiting where substantial numbers of bespoke one‐to‐one fusions are required, for example, for in‐depth studies of nuclear reprogramming mechanisms. In recent years, microfluidic technologies have proven valuable in creating platforms where the manipulation of single cells is highly efficient, rapid and controllable. These technologies also allow the integration of different experimental steps and characterisation processes into a single platform. Although the application of microfluidic methodologies to cell fusion studies is promising, current technologies that rely on static trapping are limited both in terms of the overall number of fused cells produced and their experimental accessibility. Here we review some of the most exciting breakthroughs in core microfluidic technologies that will allow the creation of integrated platforms for controlled cell fusion at high throughput. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Production of activated carbon from olive bagasse by physical activation

Activated carbons were produced from olive bagasse and their characteristics were investigated. Olive bagasse was first carbonized at 500 °C in N₂ atmosphere. Then, the obtained chars were activated with steam. The effects of activation temperature and duration were examined. The resultant activated carbons were characterized by measuring their porosities and pore size distributions. The activated carbons produced had the BET surface areas ranging from 523 to 1106 m²/g. The total pore volume was increased from 0.2981 to 0.6067 cm³/g. Adsorption capacity was demonstrated by the iodine numbers. The surface chemical characteristics of activated carbons were determined by FTIR spectroscopic method and Boehm's titration method. The microstructure of the activated carbons prepared was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental data was proved that the properties of activated carbons depend on the final temperature of the process and duration of treatment at the final temperature.     

Utilization of Electrospun Polystyrene Membranes as a Preliminary Step for Rapid Diagnosis

Recent advances in clinical practice drive deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as an important class of biomarker. Monitoring the change in their concentration suggests the initiation and/or progression of various disorders. However, low quantity of DNA biomarkers in body fluids requires a delicate isolation methodology that provides efficient separation and easy handling. This study describes a newer‐generation separation technology relying on electrospun fibers of sub‐micrometer diameter of a commodity polymer for DNA biomarkers in simulative serum. Fibrous polystyrene membranes are prepared by electrospinning and they are subjected to post‐modification with Au. The composite membranes may provide a convenient environment for the removal of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from BSA and DNA mixtures. The eluent can be used as an efficient tool for detection of DNA biomarkers associated with diagnosis of numerous life‐threatening diseases.

     

Synthesis,characterization and polymerization of novel sugars based on methacrylate

The present study describes the synthesis and characterizations of polymerizable vinyl sugars. Glucose, mannose, galactose and fructose are abundant and sustainable natural compounds. As it is not possible to make many derivatives of sugars without using protective groups, first of all, diacetone derivatives [diacetone-d-glucose (1), diacetone-d-mannose (2), diacetone-d-galactose (3) and diacetone-d-fructose (4)] were synthesized according to the literature as starting compounds. The remaining free hydroxyl groups on C-3 (diacetone glucose), C-6 (diacetone galactose), C-1 (diacetone fructose) and C-1 (diacetone mannose), were reacted with epichlorohydrin (1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane) to produce then “-O-(2′,3′-epoxypropane-1′-yl)” ether derivatives (5, 6, 7, and 8) which are epoxy sugars in the basic medium. Next, the epoxy rings of the ethers (5, 6, 7, and 8) were opened with methacrylic acid in DMF to produce new sugar based methacrylates (9, 10, 11, and 12). Finally, free radical polymerization of these sugar based methacrylate monomers was performed, producing related polymers (13, 14, 15 and 16). The polymerizations were carried out using AIBN as an initiator at 70 °C in DMF. All the products were characterized by FTIR, ¹HNMR and ¹³CNMR techniques. Thermal properties of all polymers were investigated by TG, DTG and DSC. The data obtained has suggested that thermal stability of the synthesized polymers has changed with the structure of the sugar and increase in molecular weight.     

Preparation of laurel oil alkanolamide from laurel oil

A low-temperature synthesis of laurel oil alkanolamides directly from laurel oil and ethanolamine was carried out in essentially quantitative yields. The ethanolamine/laurel oil molar ratio used was 10∶1. Even though amine served as a catalyst in the reaction, we used sodium methoxide at a ratio of 0.2–2% as a second catalyst. The reaction was complete in 1–9 h at room temperature. The identity of the amide was confirmed by IR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Ring opening polymerization of 2,5-dihydro-2,5-dimethoxyfuran by electrochemical initiation

Summary 2,5-Dihydro-2,5-dimethoxyfuran (DHMF) was polymerized via constant current electrolysis (CCE), in CH₃CN-NaClO₄ solvent-electrolyte couple. Poly(DHMF) was obtained from the anolyte. The effect of current density, temperature, monomer and electrolyte concentrations on the polymer yield have been examined. The apparent activation energy for CCE of DHMF was found to be 37.2 kj/mol. The FTIR and ¹H-NMR analyses show that DHMF polymerizes by a ring opening. Molecular weight of poly(DHMF) was found by using cryoscopy.     

Improved catalytic activity by catalase immobilization using γ‐cyclodextrin and electrospun PCL nanofibers

Nanofibrous structures are promising for biocatalyst immobilization due to their large surface area which facilitates the enzyme attachment, stability, ease of separation, and fine porous structure. There is limited research available on the change in enzyme activity following interaction with cyclodextrin. In this study, catalase enzyme was immobilized into nanofibrous structures by various techniques, with and without γ‐CD addition, and the enzymatic activity of catalase was evaluated. In addition, catalase‐γ‐CD complex containing PEO polymer solution was electrospun in between PCL nanofibrous layers as a newly developed technique. The enzyme immobilized nanofibrous structures were characterized by SEM, XRD, and FT‐IR analysis methods. Among all the activity tests, best enzyme activity was recorded with catalase‐γ‐CD physical mixture encapsulated PCL nanofibrous layers. Moreover, the test results indicated that the use of cyclodextrin in immobilization process considerably improves the catalytic activity of the enzyme. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44404.