Effect of vacuum impregnation on the phenolic content of Granny Smith and Stark Delicious frozen apple <Emphasis Type="Italic">cvv</Emphasis>

ABTS•+ test, o-diphenols (spectrophotometric) and HPLC-DAD phenolic content in vacuum impregnated apple slices from Stark Delicious and Granny Smith cvv. were studied. Vacuum impregnation (VI) was carried out in a pilot plant using an aqueous solution containing 37.9% dextrose, 15.2% sucrose, 1.0% ascorbic acid, 0.25% calcium chloride and 0.25% sodium chloride. The impregnation time was 30 min and the vacuum pressure was 100 mbar; the temperature was 25 °C during all processing steps and the solution/fruit ratio was 11:1. At the end of VI, samples were left 5 min in syrup. They were then rinsed with water, drained in a vibrating screen and quickly frozen. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) of the o-diphenol content was seen (17.84 and 12.32% of the initial content in Stark and Granny varieties, respectively). The same trend was confirmed by HPLC-DAD where reductions in total phenols were 21.57 and 26.86% in Stark and Granny, respectively. Individual phenolic compounds showed different rates of depletion, although in some cases there was no reduction. The ABTS•+ test was strongly affected by the presence of ascorbic acid (AA), which was much higher in treated samples. Sensory evaluation showed higher values of hardness, crispness, juiciness and sourness in VI Granny Smith than VI Stark delicious, with a higher retention of texture parameters in the former. Finally, sweetness was slightly higher in VI Stark. An erratum to this article can be found at     

超声波辅助木片常压浸渍及其漂白

采用化学热磨机械浆（CTMP）工艺,以桉木与杨木2种木材为原料,初步研究了超声波辅助木片常压浸渍及其漂白效果。通过监测体系中的残余氢氧化钠的量来探究外部环境体系（温度、时间和用碱量）对超声波辅助木片常压浸渍的影响,结果表明：超声波辅助处理浸渍,桉木为温度75℃,时间30 min,用碱量6%;杨木为温度75℃,时间30 min,用碱量5%,此较优条件下,桉木白度提高2.83%（ISO）,残余过氧化氢质量分数提高了4.4个百分点,碱吸收量达41.5 kg/t,较未经超声波处理后的桉木的碱吸收量提高了5.06%;杨木白度无变化,而残余过氧化氢质量分数提高了2.73个百分点,碱吸收量达38.75 kg/t,较未经超声波处理的杨木碱吸收量提高了6.15%。     

Effect of PCL concentration on PCL/CaSiO3 porous composite scaffolds for bone engineering

Porous polycaprolactone (PCL)-coated calcium silicate (CaSiO₃) composite scaffolds were successfully prepared by 3D gel-printing (3DGP) and vacuum impregnation technology in this study. The effect of different PCL concentration on porous CaSiO₃ scaffolds prepared by 3DGP technology was studied. The composition and morphological characteristics of PCL/CaSiO₃ scaffolds were tested by using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analysis. PCL coating amount on the scaffolds surface was calculated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Compressive strength was tested by a universal testing machine, and degradability was tested by immersing the scaffolds in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The results show that PCL coating thickness increased from 7.29 μm to 12.2 μm, and the compressive strength of the corresponding composite scaffolds increased from 17.15 MPa to 24.12 MPa following with PCL concentration increasing from 7.5% to 12.5%. When the porous composite scaffolds were immersed in SBF for 28 days, the degradation ratio was 1.06% (CaSiO₃), 1.63% (CaSiO₃-7.5PCL), 1.81% (CaSiO₃-10PCL) and 1.55% (CaSiO₃-12.5PCL), respectively. It is obviously that PCL/CaSiO₃ composite scaffolds, which are suitable for bone growth in bone repair engineering, are beneficial to improve the mechanical properties and biodegradability of pure CaSiO₃ scaffolds.     

Cross-linking of cellulose and poly(ethylene glycol) with citric acid

A novel approach to modifying native cellulosic fibres with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) impregnation and simultaneous cross-linking by citric acid (CA) was investigated. To understand the contributions of different components in the system, control references with just CA and cellulosic fibres (filter paper) were studied. The effect of sodium hypophosphite as a catalyst was also assessed. The results revealed that ester bonds are indeed formed in the cellulose–PEG–CA reaction system, as indicated by weight percentage gain (WPG) and FTIR analysis. The best results were achieved by using 5% CA and 10% PEG (calculated as weight-% from cellulose). In the reaction, the environmentally friendly CA prevents PEG from being leached out of cellulose during washing, resulting in promising future applications in dimensionally stabilized products based on cellulosic fibres.     

Evaluation of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) fabricated at low temperature (∼1,000 °C) using wet chemical coating processes and a catalyst wet impregnation method

The objective of this study is to evaluate metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells fabricated at low temperatures (～1000 °C) in oxidizing environments using wet chemical coating processes and a catalyst impregnation method. Typically, applying general wet chemical coating processes and heat treatment at low temperature is desirable for fabricating metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells when considering manufacturing productivity and efficiency. However, in the case of conventional anodes, a well-organized structure for high performance is rarely formed by sintering at low temperatures when using general fabrication processes. For this reason, a catalyst-impregnated anode is designed and applied to overcome the above issue. First, to evaluate the electrochemical performance of the designed anode, the area-specific resistances of half-cells are investigated. Then, the newly designed anode is applied to a single cell, and microstructural analysis and electrochemical performance measurements are performed. These results confirm that the catalysts are well distributed, that the electrolyte is fully dense and that the electrochemical performances are reasonable. Additionally, the high durability is also verified through a long-term test over 1000 h. Finally, the metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell with a catalyst-impregnated anode fabricated at low temperature is completely validated through the evaluation of a large-size single cell.     

Vacuum impregnation of chitosan‐based edible coating in minimally processed pumpkin

The goal of this research was to evaluate the use of vacuum impregnation (VI) and soaking techniques (ST) in the application of edible coatings of chitosan and chitosan + lauric acid to minimally processed pumpkins (MPP). The vacuum impregnation method led to greater component incorporation (5.9% and 1.75%, respectively) in the pumpkins when compared to soaking and consequently the formation of more uniform, thicker coatings (25.6 and 22.3 μm, respectively). However, VI caused greater changes in pH, acidity, colour and firmness. Relating to water content and carotenoid content, noncoated pumpkins presented greater losses during the storage period, regardless of impregnation method. The pumpkins with edible coatings, regardless of method, presented lower numbers of psychrotrophic micro‐organisms and coliforms during the storage period. Therefore, soaking was considered the best method for the application of chitosan‐based edible coatings to minimally processed pumpkins, as it led to smaller changes in the properties of the product.     

Vacuum impregnation of apple slices with Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. & Endl) fructooligosaccharides to enhance the functional properties of the fruit snack

This work aimed to incorporate prebiotic FOS from yacon in apple slices using vacuum impregnation (VI). Three FOS concentrations (10.3, 14.1 and 18.9 g per 100 g of dry matter (DM)), two temperatures (25 and 35 °C), reuse of extracts and stability of the impregnated slices were evaluated. The highest impregnation level (30.5 g per 100 g DM) was obtained at 35 °C with 14.1% FOS extract while levels of common sugars were reduced. Total phenolics and ABTS antioxidant capacity (AC) slightly decreased while ORAC AC was reduced by 55%. Reuse of the impregnation solution in successive cycles after restoring the FOS level maintained the FOS concentration and profile (GF2–GF7), sugars and phenolic antioxidants. FOS in apple slices remained stable during 4 week storage, while a_w, colour and fracture point changed during storage. This work demonstrated the feasibility of yacon FOS to improve the functional properties of dehydrated apple slices.     

Effects of loading transition metal(Mn,Cr,Fe,Cu) oxides on oxygen storage/release properties of CeO_2-ZrO_2 solid solution

Cerium zirconium-based(CZ) oxygen storage materials(OSMs) play a crucial role in three-way catalysts(TWCs),while CZ needs to be modified to satisfy more rigorous emission standard.In this study,transition metal(TMs=Mn,Cr,Fe,Cu) oxides modified CZ were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method to improve the oxygen storage capacity of CZ-based materials.To clearly illustrate the influence of TM oxides,N_2 adsorption-desorption,X-ray diffraction(XRD),oxygen storage capacity(OSC),temperature programmed reduction by H_2(H_2-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) were used to characterize the physical and chemical properties of samples.It is found that,all modified CZ have higher OSC,lower reduction temperatures than those of pristine CZ.Interaction between TMOs and CZ take precedence over specific surface to influence OSC.Notably,FeO_x/CZ has the highest OSC,which is about 1.9 times that of CZ and it could be attributed to synergistic effect between FeO_x and CZ;CuO_x/CZ has the lowest reduction temperature which is 168℃lower than that of CZ,and it can be explained by hydrogen spillover effect.     

高压静电场对玻璃纤维增强聚丙烯复合材料预浸料浸渍和断裂的影响

采用熔融浸渍工艺生产连续纤维增强热塑性树脂基复合材料,纤维预分散至关重要。结合现有机械分散装置,根据纤维束在高压静电场受静电场力的原理,设计并引入高压静电场分丝装置,对纤维束进行二次分散。结果显示,经过高压静电场分丝,促进了纤维束分散和纤维单丝之间的均匀性,改善了连续玻璃纤维增强聚丙烯（GF/PP）复合材料预浸料纤维和聚合物表面结合,降低了纤维分丝过程中的磨损和断裂,使通过此法制得的GF/PP复合材料预浸料的力学性能得到显著提升。实验表明,当静电场上下极板之间距离为20 cm、高压静电场电压30 kV时,GF/PP复合材料预浸料力学性能最优。     

Preparation and characterization of hollow silica nanocomposite functionalized with UV absorbable molybdenum cluster

The nanoparticle-based material technology has recently opened a new heat shielding material generation for window applications such as aerogel, vacuum insulation panel or nanospace materials. Aiming to prepare a nanospace-based heat insulation material functionalized with an ultraviolet (UV) absorbent, the Mo₆ cluster-deposited hollow silica nanoparticles (HSNs) were prepared by the vacuum impregnation process (VIP). The pore channels of the hollow silica wall filled with the Cs₂[Mo₆Iⁱ₈(OCOC₂F₅)^a₆] octahedral cluster (CMIF) were confirmed by an HR-TEM coupled EDX device, ICP-OES and BET analysis. The retention of the octahedral structure or the typical optical property of the Mo₆ cluster in the pores of the HSNs was demonstrated by ultraviolet (UV) light absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopes even though the powders were heated to 200 °C. The multi-functional CMIF@HSNs nanocomposite could adsorb the UV rays under 400 nm and scatter the NIR light through the pores of the silica wall in order to reduce the heat passing a window. For this purpose, the film preparation based on the CMIF@HSNs nanocomposite was performed by dip coating in the commercially available top coat suspension (TCS) on soda lime glass. Excellent mechanical and optical properties of the CMIF@HSNs-based thin film were visibly obtained with a relative transmittance. This study suggests a potential insulation material prepared by a high efficiency and simple method for reducing the air temperature in buildings.