A rapid method for extraction of total lipids from whey protein concentrates and separation of lipid classes with solid phase extraction

A modified procedure for extraction of total lipids from whey protein concentrates was developed such that stable emulsion with extracting solvents was avoided and the solvent system remained monophasic. Nonlipid contaminants from the extract were removed using gel filtration instead of traditional aqueous washing to prevent any loss of polar lipids. The extraction of total lipids by the modified procedure was complete and comparable with a reference procedure. Traditional thin-layer chromatography is tedious and more qualitative than quantitative for lipid class separation. Total lipids were further separated into free fatty acids, phospholipids, cholesterol ester, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, diacylglycerol, and monoacylglycerol, using modified solid phase extraction procedure. Columns with 2 g amino propyl packing allowed separation of up to 80 mg of total lipids into lipid classes gravimetrically. The values for anhydrous milk fat for all lipid classes agreed with those in the literature. Separation of total lipids into lipid classes with solid phase extraction is easy, quantitative, and can also be performed on a preparative scale.     

Classification by ensembles from random partitions of high-dimensional data

A robust classification procedure is developed based on ensembles of classifiers, with each classifier constructed from a different set of predictors determined by a random partition of the entire set of predictors. The proposed methods combine the results of multiple classifiers to achieve a substantially improved prediction compared to the optimal single classifier. This approach is designed specifically for high-dimensional data sets for which a classifier is sought. By combining classifiers built from each subspace of the predictors, the proposed methods achieve a computational advantage in tackling the growing problem of dimensionality. For each subspace of the predictors, we build a classification tree or logistic regression tree. Our study shows, using four real data sets from different areas, that our methods perform consistently well compared to widely used classification methods. For unbalanced data, our approach maintains the balance between sensitivity and specificity more adequately than many other classification methods considered in this study.     

High-throughput sample preparation for gene expression profiling and in vitro target validation

The demand for high-throughput RNA isolation has been dramatically increasing with wide applications of RNAi, expression profiling, and molecular diagnosis. A comparison of various RNA isolation methods that have been adapted to high-throughput platforms, focusing on consistently high yield and quality of isolated RNA, reduction of cross-contamination, and simplicity and robustness of the protocol is presented. The streamlining of RNA isolation with RNA quantification by qRT-PCR and amplification for microarray analysis is also discussed. In general, a microspheric bead-based approach results in more consistent RNA recovery than glass fiber filter-based RNA isolation method, and RNA can be eluted in a smaller volume. This is because beads can be fully re-suspended in solution to enable more thorough mixing, washing, and elution, whereas the glass fiber matrix is fixed in a filter plate.     

Effect of processing on the quality of edible argan oil

Sensory quality of edible oil is essential to get the consumer acceptance. Modifications during processing can alter edible oil sensory quality. The storage stability and sensory quality of argan oil prepared from (1) mechanically pressed unroasted kernels, (2) mechanically pressed roasted kernels, (3) hand-pressed roasted kernels, and (4) hand-pressed roasted kernels coming from goat-digested fruits was studied at room temperature and under accelerated conditions (60 °C). The roasting process had a positive effect on storage stability of the resulting oils, while argan oil prepared from mechanically pressed roasted kernels provides the optimum storage stability. Oil from hand-pressed roasted kernels originating from goat-digested fruits was not suitable for human consumption because of the unpleasant taste and odoûr. Only oil from mechanically pressed roasted kernels did not produce negative sensory attributes like fusty or Roquefort cheese.     

从光电子谱的峰背比及背景信号变化获得成分深度分布信息

光电子谱中的背景信号包含样品的信息 ,但过去往往被忽略。通过对背景信号简单的分析 ,可以获得成分随深度变化的信息。本文介绍了如何利用光电子谱的背景信号获得元素在深度方向的分布情况。本文所述方法可以用于纳米镶嵌结构、包裹物、表面偏析、氧化、钝化等体系的非破坏性深度剖析研究     

次氯酸钠催化交联的非水解聚丙烯酰胺微凝胶的研制

在次氯酸钠作用下水溶液中非水解聚丙烯酰胺的酰胺基经由异氰酸酯基转变为氨基 ,后二种基团反应生成二价碳酰二胺基 ,将聚合物分子交联而形成水基凝胶。将次氯酸钠用量与使一半酰胺基转变为氨基所需的次氯酸钠量之比定为交联度。实验微凝胶由 6 g/LPAM水溶液形成的凝胶稀释而成。配液用水有清水 (自来水 )、盐水 (2g/LNaCl水溶液 )和高矿化水 (矿化度 80 g/L ,含Ca2 + 、Mg2 + 各 1g/L)。用红外光谱表征了交联聚合物的结构。当PAM浓度为 2 g/L ,交联度为 11.4 %时 ,在宽剪切速率范围内清水微凝胶的粘度低于而盐水微凝胶的粘度则高于相应的 2 g/LHPAM溶液 ,高矿化水微凝胶 7s-1下的粘度 ,2 0℃时略低于而 4 5℃和 6 0℃时则高于清水微凝胶。在渗透率～ 1μm2 的填砂模型上 ,注入～ 0 .3PV的PAM浓度 1.0～ 3.0 g/L、交联度 11.4 %的微凝胶 ,在水驱基础上清水微凝胶提高采收率的幅度随PAM浓度增大而增大 (17.6 %～ 2 4 .2 %) ,盐水微凝胶在PAM浓度为 1.5 g/L时提高采收率的幅度最大 (2 5 .3%)。用于驱油的PAM微凝胶的最佳交联度为 11.4 %,PAM浓度为 2 .0 g/L时粘度为 2 1.0mPa·s ,在水驱基础上提高采收率 2 2 .3%。图 4表 3参 5。     

Dielectric reference coatings for the evaluation of thin film characterization techniques

Thin film technology has an increasing demand for industrial reliable characterization techniques. A precise absolute determination of layer thickness, interface width and the quantification of depth profiles in dependence on resolution limits of the measurement are required. Certified reference materials, certified reference coatings (CRCs) and non-destructive evaluation techniques can meet these requirements. Dielectric reference coatings (SiO₂, Si₃N₄) were used for metallographic preparation (e.g. bevelled cross-sections), optical characterization techniques (e.g. spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE)), and films of SiO₂, Si₃N₄ and Al₂O₃ were applied to reference measurements in depth profiling of layer stacks (e.g. radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy). Thickness and refractive index of these dielectric single-and multilayer coatings on different substrate materials are accurately determined in advance by means of SE. These values are subsequently used for precise angle determination of bevelled cross-sections, for reference and re-calibration purposes in thin film characterization (system reproducibility) and in surface analysis (determination of sputter and erosion rates, depth profiles). Examples are discussed for different applications and the calculated data are compared with experimental results. It is shown that reproducible commercial coatings are also of importance for use as CRCs.     

Comparison of the contribution of formaldehyde and lipid oxidation products to protein denaturation and texture deterioration during frozen storage of minced ice-fish fillet (Champsocephalus gunnari and Pseudochaenichthys georgianus)

Fillets of the ice-fish Champsocephalus gunnari and Pseudochaenichthys georgianus were minced and mixed with various additives to induce the formation of formaldehyde and oxidation of lipids. The mixtures were frozen and stored for several months and protein denaturation and changes in texture were measured. Samples containing high concentrations of formaldehyde were very tough in texture. However it was found that even severe lipid oxidation (up to 14 mg of malonaldehyde per kg wet mass) had only a slight influence on texture.     

Modeling incidence of lipid and sodium chloride contents on sorption curves of gelatin in the high humidity range

Water mobility and availability are predominant factors in controlling organoleptic and biological quality in food. To characterize and quantify the role of protein macromolecular mesh, sodium chloride and fat on the water retention in the high humidity range, sorption isotherms were measured at 20 °C. A specific method was used which provides rapid equilibrium and many experimental points in comparison with the standard saturated salt solution method. Experiments were carried out on gelatin gels to which either sodium chloride (0-45% w/w on an anhydrous gelatin basis) or vegetal hydrogenated fat (0-50% w/w on total sample mass) was added. Desorption isotherms of 40 points each were measured for each sample for a_w values in a range from 0.60 to 0.99. Results precisely show the specific behavior of water in a protein-sodium chloride mix for a_w values between 0.65 and 0.75. Water activity was then predicted from sample composition. Good agreement with measurements was obtained (1) assuming no incidence of lipids on water-holding capacity and (2) adapting a Ross-type model considering crystallization and introducing an interaction factor related to sodium chloride content.     

Effect of pH and ionic strength on phospholipid nanomechanics and on deposition process onto hydrophilic surfaces measured by AFM

The effect of ion-binding on a zwitterionic phospholipid such as 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) has been studied by measuring the zeta potential value of the unilamellar liposomes present in solution while varying the pH and the ionic strength in independent experiments. We have experimentally confirmed that DMPC binds cations, resulting in an increase of the zeta potential value. The liposome surface charge has been proved to have a strong effect on the supported bilayer formation on hydrophilic, negatively charged surfaces such as mica and silicon oxide as atomic force microscopy images reveal. Furthermore, thanks to force spectroscopy measurements we have proved that ion-binding also affects the nanomechanical response of the system, since it increases the force that has to be exerted on the membrane in order to puncture it. Last but not least, the nanomechanics of the bilayer does not depend on the substrate, thus implying that membrane properties are not influenced by the supporting material.