A synergistic approach to light-free catalysis using zinc oxide embedded multi-walled carbon nanotube paper

Nanoparticle embedded carbon nanotube papers can produce flexible functional films, whose function is based on the electronic coupling of the nanoparticles with the network of carbon nanotubes. Here we report on the expansion of a synergistic light-free catalyst system that requires both the molecular wire capability of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and the piezoelectric properties of ZnO nanoparticles. The electron–hole pairs can be induced by the piezoelectric effect of ZnO nanoparticles under the effect of pressure. The strong oxidizing radicals interact with the electron–hole pairs and aqueous solution to induce the degradation of methylene blue without the requirement of light. This study highlights the use of nanoparticles for the piezoelectric – light free catalyst system and the limitations of increased nanoparticle loading on the catalytic degradation of methylene blue.     

Microbial control using bacteria of the almond moth,Cadra (Ephestia) cautella Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Almond moth, Cadra (Ephestia) cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is one of the most serious pests of dried fruits and other stored products. Almond moth is polyphagous pest that is widespread in Turkey and all over the world. Almond moth larvae cause serious damages on trees, warehouse and threshing floor of drying fig. Though various cultural, chemical and biological methods are used to control this pest, it is still effective in Turkey and various part of the world. In order to find a significant microbial control agent against this pest, we isolated 13 bacterial isolates and identified these isolates based on morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characteristics. According to these characteristics, isolates were identified as Serratia marcescens (Eca1 and Eca3), Serratia sp. (Eca11), Bacillus thuringiensis (Eca2, Eca4, Eca6, Eca7, Eca8, Eca9, Eca10, Eca12, Eca13) and Bacillus axarquiensis (Eca5). The insecticidal activities of these isolates were performed against three insect species from Lepidoptera group which cause serious damage in warehouses. The highest insecticidal activity is 57% for Eca9 isolate on the 3rd instar larvae of C. cautella, 100% for Eca9 isolate on the 3rd instar larvae of Plodia interpunctella and 100% for Eca10 and Eca3 isolate on the 3rd instar larvae of E. kuehniella. Results indicate that Eca9, Eca3 and Eca10 isolates may be valuable as potential biological control agents for the control of warehouse pests.     

Chargeback for cloud services

With pay-per-use pricing models, elastic scaling of resources, and the use of shared virtualized infrastructures, cloud computing offers more efficient use of capital and agility. To leverage the advantages of cloud computing, organizations have to introduce cloud-specific chargeback practices. Organizations have to allocate IT service costs to business users in a way that reflects service consumption. To help organizations become effective users of cloud services, this article provides an overview of the factors that influence chargeback in the cloud services. This is an initial work that determines the factors influencing the chargeback in the cloud services. The findings of this research facilitate organizations to realize the implications of the cloud for their chargeback.     

Reduction of nitro phenols using nitroreductase from E. coli in the presence of NADH

The reductions of nitrophenols catalyzed by nitroreductase from E. coli in the presence of NADH were investigated in this paper. 4-Aminophenol and 4-hydroxylaminophenol were found in the reductive products of 4-nitrophenol and the maximum reductive ratio was about 83.49% when the reaction time was 70 min; 4,6-dinitro-2-pimelie kelone was found in the reductive products of 2,4-dinitrophenol and the maximum reductive ratio was about 75.28% when the reaction time was 80 min; 2,4-dinitrophenol and 4,6-dinitro-2-pimelie kelone were found in the reductive products of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol and the maximum reductive ratio was about 62.08% when the reaction time was 100 min. The similar reductive ratios of nitrophenols were obtained under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The results indicated that nitroreductase was an oxygen-insensitive enzyme.     

Effect of Phenolic Acid on Antioxidant Activity of Wine and Inhibition of Pectin Methyl Esterase

Antioxidant activity, malolactic fermentation and sensory evaluation of the grape must after fermentation in the presence of gallic acid and coumaric acid, as well as the inhibitory mechanism of gallic acid and coumaric acid on pectin methyl esterase (PME), were investigated. The content of malic acid and lactic acid increased 40.4% and 36.9% compared to the control when commercial pectic enzyme (CPE) was used. The increase in malic acid content was enhanced by 64.8% and 83.4%, compared to the control in the presence of CPE + Gallic acid and CPE + Coumaric acid respectively. Ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) increased in the samples with added CPE. In addition to an increase in the FRAP, antioxidant capacity was enhanced in the CPE + Gallic acid and CPE + Coumaric acid samples. No significant differences were found in the content of total anthocyanin and in the value of sensory characteristics. The content of total flavanols increased significantly in the samples with added CPE. Lineweaver‐Burk plots of PME, with gallic acid or coumaric acid, indicated that gallic acid and coumaric acid were mixed inhibitors of PME.     

Comparison of composition, enzyme activity and selected functional properties of potato proteins isolated from potato juice with two different expanded bed resins

Protein concentrates prepared by expanded bed adsorption (EBA) chromatography from industrial potato juice (PJ) were analysed for chemical composition, color, enzyme activities, thermal properties and selected functional properties (solubility and emulsifying stability). Two EBA multi-modal resins, MIMO I-45 and MIMO 1300 (UpFront Chromatography), were employed under various pH conditions resulting in four potato protein concentrates, A-D. Concentrate B contained an electrophoretically pure protease inhibitor fraction (20-21 kDa), whereas concentrate A, C and D contained both patatin (41 kDa) and protease inhibitors. The potato protein concentrates were explored for the presence of transitions from native to denatured states using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Concentrate C had lower heat of transition (ΔH) and T-onset than the other concentrates. The concentrate containing protease inhibitors exhibited the highest denaturation temperature and enthalpy. All concentrates differed significantly (P < 0.05) in color brightness, with concentrate B and D emerging as the brightest. The solubility of the concentrates was evaluated at pH 6 and pH 4.5. All concentrates had lower solubility at pH 4.5 than at pH 6 (70-80%). The stability of emulsions (1% protein, 20% oil, 0.08% xanthan gum) against creaming was analysed with a new method based on the Single electrode Capacitance Probe (SeCaP) technology. Small differences among concentrates were observed by the new SeCaP method.     

Comparison of the antioxidant activities of roasted and explosive puffed coffees

We investigated the explosive process effect on antioxidant activities of coffee bean. The total polyphenol contents of powdered extract of explosive puffing coffee bean at 0.75 MPa (PEP 7.5) and powdered extract of explosive puffing coffee bean at 0.9 MPa (PEP 9.0) were at a significantly higher than that of the powdered extract of roasting coffee bean (PER) (P < 0.05). PEP 7.5 showed the highest levels of 3‐CQA (86.23 μg mg^?1), 4‐CQA (43.71 μg mg^?1), and 5‐CQA (31.66 μg mg^?1), and PEP 9.0 had also similar levels of chlorogenic acids, with 3‐CQA (77.99 μg mg^?1), 4‐CQA (43.71 μg mg^?1), and 5‐CQA (30.32 μg mg^?1). PEP 7.5 and PEP 9.0 showed relatively higher antioxidant capacities in DPPH, ABTS, taurine, FRAP, and β‐carotene/linoleic acid assays. PEPs partly recovered the HepG2 cell damage induced by t‐BOOH. These results suggest that puffed coffee has beneficial health effects, and could be used for the development of novel processed coffee products.     

Equine milk proteins: Chemistry,structure and nutritional significance

Equine milk has important nutritional and therapeutic properties that can benefit the diet of the elderly, convalescent or newborn. The protein content of equine milk is lower than that of bovine milk but similar to that of human milk. In this review qualitative and quantitative differences between the caseins and whey proteins of equine, bovine and human milk are discussed. Important biological and functional properties of specific proteins are reviewed and their significance in human nutrition considered. As well as characterizing equine milk proteins in the context of human nutrition and allergology, the potential industrial exploitation of equine milk is explored. Cross-reactivity of proteins from different species is discussed in relation to the treatment of cows’ milk protein allergy. While there is some scientific basis for the special nutritional and health-beneficial properties of equine milk based on its protein composition and similarity to human milk, further research is required to fully exploit its potential in human nutrition.     

A novel one-step microbial transformation of betulin to betulinic acid catalysed by Cunninghamella blakesleeana

Betulinic acid and its derivatives are potential bioactive compounds present in nature. This study investigated the biotransformation of betulin to betulinic acid by Cunninghamella blakesleeana cells. LC–MS analysis demonstrated that betulin could be transformed into at least five products from cultured C. blakesleeana cells, among which betulinic acid was the most important. The presented method provides an attractive alternative approach to chemical synthesis, because is less time-consuming and more environmentally friendly. C. blakesleeana can transform betulin into potent derivatives with high pharmacological activities.     

Environmentally friendly preparation of a strong basic anion exchange fibers and its application in sugar decolorization

An efficient route for the synthesis of a strong basic anion exchange fibers is described. In this synthesis route, the commercially available p-chloromethylstyrene was directly grafted onto a polypropylene fiber substrate, which eliminated the need of the highly carcinogenic chloromethyl methyl ether in the chloromethylation of grafting fiber. Several interdependent parameters such as monomer concentration, bath ratio and the influence of solvents on the grafting copolymerization were investigated. The removal efficiency of sugar colorants by the anion exchange fibers was evaluated. The results show that simultaneous irradiation and grafting p-chloromethylstyrene onto polypropylene fiber can obtain a good grafting level under appropriate conditions. The optimal monomer concentration and bath ratio are 40% and 1:30 for a moderate grafting degree and the suitable solvent is toluene. The grafted fiber changed from flexible to rigid. And the prepared material maintains stable before 134.5 °C. The static ion exchange capacity of the synthesized anion exchange fiber is up to 4.72 mmol g⁻¹ and the fiber possesses better ability to remove sugar colorants. The experimental results indicate that the decolorization ratio of the product anion exchange fibers was greater than that of commercial material.