Assessment of Nutritional and Antioxidant Potential of Selected Vitality Strengthening Himalayan Medicinal Plants

Three Himalayan medicinal plants (Habenaria intermedia, H. edgeworthii, and Roscoea procera), widely used in vitality strengthening Ayurvedic formulations in India, were assessed for nutritional phytochemical constituents, and antioxidant activity. These target species emerged as a good source of minerals and possessed important micro elements. Individually, H. intermedia contained a high content of total phenols, thiamins, tannins, and calcium; R. procera was rich in potassium and iron content; and H. edgeworthii emerged as a good source of sodium. While various antioxidant assays provided evidences on the antioxidant potential of target species, greater antioxidant potential of H. intermedia as compared to the other two species was revealing. This study, therefore, highlighted the possibilities of harnessing nutritional and antioxidant potential of these species.     

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from aqueous solutions of organophosphorous compounds

Photocatalytic hydrogen production from water solutions of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), trimethyl phosphate (TMP), triethyl phosphate (TEP), and radiation protective amine WR 2721, that imitate nerve chemical warfare agents was studied for the first time. Platinized titianium dioxide Degussa P25 was used as catalyst. No significant hydrogen evolution was detected without organic electron donors – sacrificial agents.     

Luminescence properties of Ca1−xSrxSe:Ce phosphors and their potential application for GaN-based LEDs

A series of solid solution phosphors Ca_1−xSr_xSe:0.02Ce³⁺ were prepared using high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. Their diffuse reflectance and luminescent spectra at room temperature were investigated and discussed. The optical band gap E_g energies of CaSe and SrSe were derived. Because of its broad band absorption in the range of 400-500 nm, Ca_1−xSr_xSe:Ce³⁺ can suit the application requirements for GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The emission wavelength and the coordinates systematic shift from yellowish green to bluish green with an increase in x of Ca_1−xSr_xSe:Ce³⁺. Using Dorenbos's empirical equation, the values of energies of the lowest f-d transition absorption E, redshift D and Stokes shift ΔS for Eu²⁺ in the same host were predicted. The results were in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Mathematical modeling and mass transfer considerations in supercritical fluid extraction of Posidonia oceanica residues

Posidonia oceanica residues were extracted with supercritical CO₂ in order to isolate phenolic compounds. The process was optimized by developing a mathematical model based on mass transfer mechanism consisting of adsorption of supercritical fluid on the solid particles, desorption of solute and convective transfer of solute phase along the column. Henry relation between solute concentrations on the surface of the solid (Cs) and in the solid (q) was approximated in order to describe the adsorption/desorption equilibrium. The model parameters such as solid-liquid film mass transfer coefficient (kf), molecular diffusivity coefficient (D_AB) and axial dispersion (D_ax) were estimated using empirical methods. The linear driving force model was applied to improve the yield of total phenolic acid recovery. The optimum parameters were elicited as 25 MPa, 323.15 K and a co-solvent mass ratio of 20% yielding 34.97 μg per gram of dry feed and the model satisfactorily described the extraction yield which can be used for scale-up purposes.     

Controlled synthesis of crystalline calcium carbonate aggregates with unusual morphologies involving the phase transformation from amorphous calcium carbonate

Peanut-shaped CaCO₃ aggregates, featured of two dandelion-like heads built up from rod-like subunits, have been synthesized via a facile precipitation reaction between Na₂CO₃ and CaCl₂ at ambient temperature in the presence of magnesium ions and ethanol solvent. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results show that a high magnesium concentration and ethanol solvent are necessary for the formation of the unusual peanut-like aggregates. In addition, a multistep phase transformation process from amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) to a mixture of ACC and calcite and ultimately to calcite and aragonite was observed in the formation process of the unusual structures. A possible mechanism for the formation of the unusual peanut-shape aggregates has been proposed and discussed.     

Papaya Fruit Quality Management during the Postharvest Supply Chain

Papayas are popular in tropical and subtropical regions and are being exported in large volumes to Europe, the United States, and Japan. The fruit has a sweet, exotic flavor and is rich in vitamins A and C and antioxidants. However, due to its highly perishable nature, it has not emerged as a major traded fruit. Papayas are highly susceptible to qualitative and quantitative postharvest losses. Maintenance of papaya fruit quality during the supply chain depends on orchard management, harvesting practices, packing operations, postharvest treatments, temperature management, and transportation and storage conditions. Postharvest losses are attributed to mechanical damage, rapid flesh softening, decay, physiological disorders, pest infestation, and improper temperature management. The aim of postharvest technology and management in the supply chain is to provide favorable conditions to extend storage life and retain quality and nutritional attributes. This review focuses on the available research findings to retain overall papaya fruit quality and to reduce postharvest losses during the supply chain via adopting appropriate or novel postharvest technologies.     

Synthesis of 9,10-Bis-hetaryl anthracenes and their application on polyester fibres as disperse dyes

9,10-Dibromoanthracene ( 2 ) obtained from anthracene by bromination was reacted with cuprous cyanide in refluxing DMF to obtain 9,10-dicyanoanthracene ( 3 ). The key intermediate ( 3 ) was condensed with orthophenylenediamine ( 4a ), ortho-aminophenol ( 4b ) and dicyanodiamine ( 6 ) to give 9,10-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)anthracene ( 5a ), 9,10-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)anthracene ( 5b ) and 9,10-bis(4,6-diamino-S-triazin-2-yl)anthracene ( 5c ), respectively. The spectral properties of 5a-5c were studied. These compounds, when applied as disperse dyes on polyester fibres, gave excellent results.     

Oxidative detoxification of aqueous bark extracts. Part II: Alternative methods

The most important problem associated with the high-pH autoxidative detoxification of methanogenic toxins in debarking wastewater was its limited application to the aqueous extractives of bark from specific species. The autoxidative polymerization of coniferous bark extracts exhausted prior to complete removal of the toxic oligomeric tannins. As a result, highly toxic spruce bark extracts were only partly detoxified. Birch bark extracts were not detoxified, even though effective polymerization of the oligomeric tannins occurred. The non-tannin toxins in birch bark extracts and toxic intermediates produced by high-pH autoxidation of these extracts were responsible for the poor detoxification results. These problems can potentially be resolved by applying alternative oxidation methods. In this study a high level of detoxification was obtained for all bark species tested by short-term destructive oxidations with H₂O₂, or by long-term aerobic biological treatments which caused high levels of polymerization. The applicability of high-pH autoxidation was also made feasible for all species of bark by applying a granular active carbon treatment after the autoxidation. The active carbon was able to adsorb the residual toxic oligomeric tannins of autoxidized spruce bark extracts and the non-tannin toxins in autoxidized birch bark extracts. Additionally, a potential disadvantage of the autoxidative detoxification method is the formation of colored end products. Although these compounds are non-toxic and are non-biodegradable, their elimination from the wastewater would be necessary if discharge norms concerning color and non-biodegradable COD must be fulfilled. The destructive oxidation with H₂ O₂ produced non-toxic low-molecular-weight compounds which did not have much color. The autoxidation and long-term aerobic biological treatments produced highly colored humic end products which could be eliminated by calcium precipitation.     

Study of local environment of Ag in Ag/CeO2 catalyst by EXAFS

The combustion synthesized Ag/CeO₂ catalysts have been characterized by Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy at the Ag K-edge. It has been found that Ag⁺ like species is present in 1% Ag/CeO₂ catalyst, whereas mostly Ag metal clusters are found in 3% Ag/CeO₂. The analysis of EXAFS spectra indicates that about one oxygen atom is coordinated to Ag central atom at a distance of 2.19 Å in 1% Ag/CeO₂ catalyst along with eight coordinated AgAg bond at 2.86 Å. The AgO bond is absent in 3% Ag/CeO₂.     

Consideration of the influence of aging process,type of wine and oenological classic parameters on the levels of wood volatile compounds present in red wines

The contents of the volatile compounds extracted from wood: cis- and trans-whiskylactones, vanillin, syringaldehyde, furfural, 5-methylfurfural, eugenol, guaiacol, p-ethyl-phenol and p-ethylguaicol have been studied in 12 single-variety wines aged in new American oak barrels. The concentration of these compounds were determined after the following combinations of time in wood and time in bottle: 0 months in wood plus 18 months in bottle, 4 months in wood  + 14 months in bottle, 9 months in wood + 9 moths in bottle and 12 months in wood + 6 months in bottle. According to the composition of the wines, it is possible to conclude in general, that, the extraction of these compounds was faster during the first four or 9 months of aging in wood, depending on the wines. After 12 months of oak maturation, the extraction of these compounds slowed down. Furthermore, the final concentrations of these volatile compounds were different among studied wines. These differences could be related to some of the values of some of their oenological parameters, such as the contents of tartaric acid and sulphur dioxide of each wine.