European intercomparison on electron spin resonance identification of irradiated foodstuffs

The results of a co-trial organized by the Community Bureau of Reference on the use of Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy for the identification of irradiated food in 21 laboratories are presented. The trial was qualitative on beef and trout bones, sardine scales, pistachio nut shells, dried grapes, and papaya, and quantitative on poultry bones. There was no difficulty in identifying irradiated meat bones, dried grapes, and papaya. In the case of fish bones there is a need for further kinetic study on different species. Identification of irradiation in pistachio nuts is more complicated and additional research is needed before further trials. All laboratories were able to distinguish between chicken bones irradiated at 1 to 3 kGy or 7 to 10 kGy although there was a partial overlap between the results.     

Optical data storage by novel photoelectrochromic polymer

A novel elastic polymer containing 4,4′-bipyridinium salts with tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate as part of the main chain was synthesized. The cast film showed persistent and reversible colour changes due to photoinduced electron transfer upon excitation of an ion-pair charge-transfer band (_ex >365 nm) in vacuo. The lifetime of the coloured state markedly depended on temperature. The optically written data were stored without decay below 0°C and were erased thermally at elevated temperatures. The colour changes were reversibly repeatable for many times.     

稀土溶液标准物质的研制

选择7种稀土元素:La、Ce、Sm、Eu、Yb、Lu、Y为研究对象,采用高纯稀土氧化物(≥99 99%)为原料,经ICP MS及ICP AES对纯度进行分析后,分别制备成浓度为1000μg mL的稀土溶液标准物质。采用准确、可靠并能溯源的EDTA络合滴定法进行量值核对、均匀性及稳定性检验。对标准物质的不确定度进行了全面的评定。研制的稀土溶液一级标准物质,总不确定度优于0 6%,稳定性达两年以上。     

Procedure for the evaluation of the accumulation of defects in metallic structural materials under complex elastoplastic loading

Within framework of the continual fracture mechanics, we describe the engineering approach to the assessment of scattered microdamage accumulation kinetics in metallic materials under elastoplastic loading conditions in case of plane stressed state. Automatized experimental stand and the respective investigation technique are discussed. The stand has been developed based on modification of the UMé-10T electromechanic test machine. State-of-the-art computer technologies and microprocessing hardware are incorporated in the stand automation. We present the technique of experimental assessment of damage accumulation kinetics in metallic structural materials under complex elastoplastic loading conditions with account of two different fracture (cleavage and shear) processes, which technique is based on measuring the specific electric resistance of the specimen. __________ Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 1, pp. 128–137, January–February, 2006.     

Lactic acid production from dining‐hall food waste by Lactobacillus plantarum using response surface methodology

BACKGROUND: Food waste generally has a high starch content and is rich in nutritional compounds, including lipids and proteins. It therefore represents a potential renewable resource. In this study, dining‐hall food waste was used as a substrate for lactic acid production, and response surface methodology was employed to optimise the fermentation conditions. RESULTS: Lactic acid biosynthesis was significantly affected by the interaction of protease and temperature. Protease, temperature and CaCO₃ had significant linear effects on lactic acid production, while α‐amylase and yeast extract had insignificant effects. The optimal conditions were found to be an α‐amylase activity of 13.86 U g^?1 dried food waste, a protease activity of 2.12 U g^?1 dried food waste, a temperature of 29.31 °C and a CaCO₃ concentration of 62.67 g L^?1, which resulted in a maximum lactic acid concentration of 98.51 g L^?1 (88.75% yield). An increase in inoculum size would be appropriate for accelerating the depletion of initial soluble carbohydrate to enhance the efficiency of α‐amylase in dining‐hall food waste fermentation. CONCLUSION: A suitable regression model for lactic acid production was developed based on the experimental results. Dining‐hall food waste was found to be a good substrate for lactic acid fermentation with high product yield and without nutrient supplementation. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation of monodisperse poly(vinyl alcohol) microspheres by heterogeneous surface saponification and iodine complex formation

Monodisperse poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) microspheres with high molecular weight obtained by suspension polymerization of vinyl acetate were saponified in alkaline aqueous solution to keep their spherical structure. The saponification was restricted on the surface of the PVAc microspheres and obtained particles had skin/core structure. Various poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microspheres with different diameters and degrees of saponification (DSs) were obtained. The conversion of PVAc to PVA during the heterogeneous surface saponification time were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and after 72 h hydrogel type PVA microspheres completely saponified were obtained. The crystal melting temperatures of the microspheres obtained by the saponification were measured a constant value of 238°C irrespective of varying DS, and the peaks became enlarged as reaction time. Iodine complexes were formed in saponified microspheres with DS of 41% and 99% by immersing them in I₂/KI aqueous solution and decomposed by the reduction of I₂ in the complexes to 2I^? using sodium sulfite to confirm whether the skin formed through the saponification was composed of PVA with high VA content. Obviously, characteristic blue color developments owing to I₅^?‐PVA complexes were observed in both saponified regions and a red in the PVAc core. Consequently, it was concluded that the PVA skins formed by heterogeneous surface saponification had high DSs. Such complexes endowed polymeric microspheres a good radiopacity which would be useful in clinical treatment of vascular diseases and were examined by X‐ray irradiation image. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation and characterization of metal-complex imprinted PVDF hollow fiber membranes

Using nickel-2,2′-dipyridyl complex as a template, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone as the metal coordination functional monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the crosslinker, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane as the supported membrane, metal complex imprinted polymeric membranes were prepared. The association constant of template-monomer interaction in the prepolymerization solution was estimated to be 4.38 × 10⁴ (L/mol)² by spectrophotometric titration analysis. The attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron micrograph characterization indicated that the surface of the support PVDF membrane was completely coated by the imprinted polymer layer after modification. The imprinted membranes exhibited the selective permeability for the template in certain nickel acetate solution. The molecularly imprinted membranes gave higher permeation separation factors at about pH 6, whereas increasing pressure would lower the separation ability. The effects of ion concentration, cations and counterions, ligand selectivity, pH, and trans-membrane pressure were investigated and the permeation performances of the imprinted membranes could be regarded as facilitated transport mechanism. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Establishing a System for Food Recalls to Protect Food Quality and Safety in China

There are no explicit laws concerning food recalls in China; moreover, some related regulations have weaknesses. China should first create a system of laws and regulations governing food recalls, establish a system to recall defective food, and strengthen administrative and legal remedial mechanisms related to consumer rights.     

Study on Preparation and Application of Ti／Si Complex Zeolite

A Ti/Si complex zeolite has been prepared. X-ray diffraction and infrared spectrometry study has shown that two structures, namely the ZSM-5 and MCM-41, exist in the sample. BET tests have revealed that the complex zeolite contains regular mesopores of 2.6 nm. Ultraviolet spectrometry analysis has shown that the Ti species exist in the zeolite skeleton in the form of tetra-coordinate valence. The Ti/Si complex zeolite (TS-1/Ti-MCM-41) has apparently improved catalytic activity with respect to the macromolecular organic compound oxidation as compared to individual components of either Ti or Si containing zeolites (TS-1 and Ti-MCM-41).     

铒氨基酸固态配合物的光声光谱研究

合成了Er(Gly)3Cl3·3H2O、Er(Ala)3Cl3·3H2O和Er(Gly)3Phen·3H2O二元及三元固态配合物微晶粉末,在300nm～800nm范围内测定并解释了其光声光谱。通过对光声相对强度计算得到铒氨基酸固态配合物的光声支量,讨论了氨基酸配体对中心稀土离子铒f-f跃迁的微扰作用。结合Er(Ala)3Cl3·3H2O配合物的光声光谱和吸收光谱研究了其荧光性质及弛豫模型。