Effect of temperature on raw whole milk density and its potential impact on milk payment in the dairy industry

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of temperature on whole milk density measured at four different temperatures: 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C. A total of ninety-three individual milk samples were collected from morning milking of thirty-two Holstein Friesian dairy cows, of national average genetic merit, once every two weeks over a period of 4 weeks and were assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for milk composition analysis. Density of the milk was evaluated using two different analytical methods: a portable density meter DMA35 and a standard desktop model DMA4500M (Anton Paar GmbH, UK). Milk density was analysed with a linear mixed model with the fixed effects of sampling period, temperature and analysis method; triple interaction of sampling period x analysis method x temperature; and the random effect of cow to account for repeated measures. The effect of temperature on milk density (ρ) was also evaluated including temperature (t) as covariate with linear and quadratic effects within each analytic method. The regression equation describing the curvature and density–temperature relationship for the DMA35 instrument was ρ = 1.0338−0.00017T−0.0000122T² (R² = 0.64), while it was ρ = 1.0334 + 0.000057T−0.00001T² (R² = 0.61) for DMA4500 instrument. The mean density determined with DMA4500 at 5 °C was 1.0334 g cm⁻³, with corresponding figures of 1.0330, 1.0320 and 1.0305 g cm⁻³ at 10, 15 and 20 °C, respectively. The milk density values obtained in this study at specific temperatures will help to address any bias in weight–volume calculations and thus may also improve the financial and operational control for the dairy processors in Ireland and internationally.     

Hydrolysis of fats and oils with moist oat caryopses

To improve the economic feasibility of hydrolyzing fats and oils with moist oat caryopses, various factors affecting the efficiency of the process were studied. Caryopses produced with an impact-type dehuller exhibited greater lipase activity than those produced by a wringer-type dehuller. Abrasion of oat caryopses against each other in a fluidized bed released particles rich in lipase. Such lipase concentrates could be added to moist caryopsis reactors to speed fat hydrolysis. Beef tallow, lard, soybean oil and crambe oil were hydrolyzed more efficiently than corn oil, castor oil and milk fat. The poor hydrolysis of castor oil was attributed to the formation of esters with the hydroxy group of ricinoleic acid, and the hydrolysis of castor oil was increased by dilution of the substrate with hexane. Diglycerides inhibited the hydrolysis and accounted for the slower hydrolysis of corn oil. Hydrolysis of milk fat by moist oat caryopses resulted in preferential hydrolysis of C₆ to C₁₀ acids. Erucic acid was released from crambe oil at significantly slower rates than the other acyl groups. High conversions of fats and oils to free fatty acids could be attained by (i) exposing the fats and oils to two to three lots of moist caryopses, (ii) the use of special oat varieties with elevated lipase content, (iii) the addition of oat lipase concentrates to moist caryopsis reactors, and (iv) dilution of the substrate with hexane. Estimates of the cost of producing free fatty acids with these processes indicated that the first three should be profitable. Growth ofClostridium sporogenes spores could not be demonstrated in caryopsis reactors. During the incubation of moist oat caryopses immersed in oil, the free fatty acid content of the internal caryopsis lipid increased only slightly, but there were changes in its fatty acid composition.     

The importance of axial misalignment on the long term strength of polyethylene pipe butt fusion joints

The importance of axial misalignment at polyethylene pipe butt fusion joints has been assessed by undertaking elevated temperature lifetime tests. Both medium and high density polyethylene pipes were fusion joined to give aligned and controlled misaligned butt joints. These were tested under either a constant or fluctuating internal pressure loading using conditions that induced failure by slow, stable crck growth. It was observed that the lifetime of a butt joined system depends upon both the internal pressure or pressure range applied and the level of misalignment at the butt fusion joint. Increasing either the internal pressure (range) or the misalignment reduced system performance. These two variables of misalignment and internal pressure (range) may be incorporated into a single parameter, the amplified axial stress (or stress range) at the butt joint. This amplified or butt joint axial stress (or stress range) may be derived by considering the additional bending stresses introduced at the butt joint by virtue of misalignment combined with the axial stress loading.     

Effect of the Cryogenic Treatment on Polyamide and Optimization of Its Parameters for the Enhancement of Wear Performance

Polyamide (PA) is generally used in automotive applications in which the extensive mechanistic situations lead the material to wear. To deal with this situation, attempts are made to treat this material cryogenically using liquid nitrogen. The material is treated at different temperatures (?80, ?140 and ?185?°C) for stipulated time period (4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24?h) in the cryostat. Cryo-treated samples are then allowed to attain the ambient temperature and tested for studying the effect of cryogenic treatment. Selected material is also studied simultaneously for thermal ageing. The mechanical, thermal and structural properties of ??un-treated?? and ??cryo-treated?? PA are studied in a comparative manner. Mechanical properties like wear performance and tensile properties are evaluated. The morphological changes due to cryo-treatment are investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the change in % crystallinity, which is found to be the most important parameter responsible for enhancement of wear performance. In a similar way, thermal changes are also studied by using differential scanning calorimeter. Experimental data is evaluated for the polymer with improved structural, mechanical and thermal properties in order to get optimized parameters for the cryo-treatment.     

Metronidazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers to improve skin deposition and retention in the treatment of rosacea

The objective of the present investigation was to improve the skin deposition and retention of metronidazole (MTZ) in rosacea therapy by incorporating it into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The main challenge in this endeavor was the partial hydrophilicity of MTZ, which mandated careful selection of excipients, including solid and liquid lipids, surfactants, and their ratios in combination. NLCs were produced by the phase inversion temperature method and finally converted into a gel for topical application. The prepared nanoparticles were evaluated for their particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, solid-state characteristics, surface morphology, in vitro drug release, and permeation through excised skin. The gel was additionally characterized for its pH, drug content, viscosity, and spreadability. The prepared nanoparticles were spherical in shape and of size less than 300?nm. Incorporation of judiciously chosen excipients made possible a relatively high entrapment efficiency of almost 40%. The drug release was found to be biphasic, with an initial burst release followed by sustained release up to 8?hours. In comparison to the plain drug gel, which had a tissue deposition of 11.23%, the NLC gel showed a much superior and desirable deposition of 26.41%. The lipophilic nature of the carrier, its size, and property of occlusion enabled greater amounts of drug to enter and be retained in the skin, simultaneously minimizing permeation through the skin, i.e. systemic exposure. The results of the study suggest that NLCs of anti-rosacea drugs have the potential to be used in the therapy of rosacea.     

Comparative studies on the electrochemical and physicochemical behaviour of three different benzimidazole motifs as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in hydrochloric acid

This paper examines the anticorrosion characteristics of three different benzimidazole derivatives towards mild steel in 0.5?M hydrochloric acid at temperature ranges from 303 to 323?K. The benzimidazole derivatives used for the screening studies are 2-(2-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl) acethydrazide (EMBAH), 2-(2-ethyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl) acethydrazide (EEBAH) and 2-(2-propyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl) acethydrazide (EPBAH). The corrosion inhibition was investigated by weight loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization studies. The adsorption interaction between metal and inhibitor followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The Gibb’s free energy values clarify the spontaneous nature of adsorption process. The temperature dependence of inhibition efficiency was explained by considering thermodynamic parameters of adsorption and kinetic parameters of corrosion. These inhibitors showed good efficiency at lower as well as moderately higher temperatures. Quantum chemical calculations were done using DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G¹ level to study the electronic properties of the molecules for correlating the inhibitive effect and molecular structure.     

Role of carrier material in encapsulation of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) by spray drying

ABSTRACT

Yeast was encapsulated using different carrier materials and their combinations to explore the possible synergistic effect of carrier material during encapsulation using spray drying. Freeze-drying was performed for comparison. The dried cell powders were analyzed for the quality aspects (morphology, flowability, and storage stability). The best results were observed, with a combination of whey protein and corn starch (cell survival: 82.37% and yield: 56%, w/w) with a shelf life of 6 months (with only 10% reduction in cell survival). The survival was found to be 40% without any carrier material, which decreased to less than 25% within 4 weeks.     

The outlook of zeolite-Y hampered metal–ligand framework as heterogeneous catalysts: synthesis,spectral account and catalytic features

Zeolite-Y enslaved complexes were prepared by the Flexible ligand method. Synthesized materials were characterized by various spectral tools like powder X-ray diffraction, spectral studies (UV–Vis and FT-IR), chemical analysis (ICP-OES and elemental), scanning electron microscopy, AAS and ¹H-NMR techniques. Further, BET and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis were also done for characterization of surface area, pore volume, thermal behavior, and related parameters. Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone was carried out over Zeolite-Y enslaved complexes using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as an oxidant. The performance of the heterogeneous system with the homogeneous system was compared to determine the protection effect of the zeolitic matrix over the active center on the catalytic properties. In addition, the effect of experimental variables (various solvents, amount of catalyst, the mole ratio of substrate and oxidant, temperature, and reaction time) was examined in order to get absolute reaction conditions. Under the optimized reaction conditions, [Fe(nbab)₂]-Y was found to be a potential candidate, achieving 70 % ?-caprolactone selectivity.     

Viscoelastic properties of borax loaded CMC‐g‐cl‐poly(AAm) hydrogel composites and their boron nutrient release behavior

Borax (Na₂B₄O₇, 10.5% Boron) loaded CMC‐g‐cl‐poly(AAm) hydrogel composites were prepared by in situ grafting of acrylamide on to sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in the presence of borax by free radical polymerization technique to develop slow boron (B) delivery device. The composition, morphology, and mechanical properties of synthesized composites were studied by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, texture analyser, and dynamic shear rheometer. Characterization revealed formation of borate ion ( ) from borax during polymerization reaction leading to extensive crosslinking of cellulosic chains and generation of mechanically strong composite hydrogels. Dynamic release of from the synthesized composites hydrogels followed Fickian diffusion mechanism and composites with high mechanical strength resulted in slow release of B. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43969.     

pH‐sensitive crosslinked guar gum‐based superabsorbent hydrogels: Swelling response in simulated environments and water retention behavior in plant growth media

Crosslinked guar gum‐g‐polyacrylate (cl‐GG‐g‐PA) superabsorbent hydrogels were prepared to explore their potential as soil conditioners and carriers. The hydrogels were prepared by in situ grafting polymerization and crosslinking of acrylamide onto a natural GG followed by hydrolysis. Microwave‐initiated synthesis under the chosen experimental conditions did not exhibit any significant improvement over the conventional technique. The optimization studies of various synthesis parameters, namely, monomer concentration, crosslinker concentration, initiator concentration, quantity of water per unit reaction mass, particle size of backbone, and concentration of alkali were performed. The hydrogels were characterized by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and solid‐state ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. Swelling behavior of a candidate hydrogel [GG‐superabsorbent polymer (SAP)] in response to external stimuli, namely, salt solutions, fertilizer solutions, temperature, and pH, was studied. The GG‐SAP exhibited significant swelling in various environments. The effect of GG‐SAP on water absorption and the retention characteristics of sandy loam soil and soil‐less medium were also studied as a function of temperature and moisture tensions. The addition of GG‐SAP significantly improved the moisture characteristics of plant growth media (both soil and soil‐less), showing that it has tremendous potential for diverse applications in moisture stress agriculture. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41060.