Antifungal Activity of Crude Extracts of Coffee and Spent Coffee Ground on Areca Palm Leaf Sheath (Areca catechu) Based Food Packaging

This study observed the antifungal activity of crude coffee extract (CCE) and crude spent coffee ground extract (CSCGE) against Aspergillus sp., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillum citrinum, Penicillum chrysogenum and Eurotium amstelodami on the surface of an areca palm leaf sheath (Areca catechu). The agar dilution method was employed to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the CCE for the first, second and third extractions and CSCGE for the first and second extractions in malt extract agar at concentrations from 50 to 500 μg/ml. A mould test was then performed on durian paste product wrapped with the areca palm leaf sheath treated with the second CSCGE at its MIC. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) was performed to find the major components of the CCE and CSCGE and to measure the total phenolic content. For the second CSCGE treatment on the areca palm leaf sheath, the following qualities were studied: mould growth, wettability, measurements of hardness and thickness and a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy scan. It was found that the CCE and CSCGE MICs from the first and second extractions ranged from 100 to 230 μg/ml and from 300 to 460 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, the MICs showed the capability of CCE and CSCGE to provide protection against mould growth on the leaf sheath for at least 21 days in comparison with the control (3 days) during storage at accelerated conditions (25 °C and 100% relative humidity). Shelf life of durian paste product wrapped with areca palm leaf sheath treated with the second CSCGE at 460 μg/ml was extended from 3 days to 21 days under storage condition of 30 °C. Caffeine was the main constituent of CCE (79.69%) and CSCGE (84.92%). Also, the total phenolic content of CCE and CSCGE measured were 0.640 and 0.981 mol ferulic acid 100 g^?1, respectively. This study has demonstrated that the first and second CCE and CSCGE were capable of inhibiting mould growth under both in vitro and in vivo tests. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Activity of different zeolite-supported Ni catalysts for methane reforming with carbon dioxide

The catalytic performance of Ni based on various types of zeolites (zeolite A, zeolite X, zeolite Y, and ZSM-5) prepared by incipient wetness impregnation has been investigated for the catalytic carbon dioxide reforming of methane into synthesis gas at 700 °C, at atmospheric pressure, and at a CH₄/CO₂ ratio of 1. It was found that Ni/zeolite Y showed better catalytic performance than the other types of studied zeolites. In addition, the stability of the Ni/zeolite Y was greatly superior to that of the other catalysts. A weight of Ni loading at 7 wt.% showed the best catalytic activity on each zeolite support; however, the 7% Ni catalysts produced a higher amount of coke than that of two other Ni loadings, 3 and 5%.     

Potential of Ni supported on KH zeolite catalysts for carbon dioxide reforming of methane

The catalytic activity of Ni on a series of catalysts supported on the synthesized KH zeolite for the CO₂ reforming of methane has been investigated. The KH zeolite supports were previously synthesized via silatrane and alumatrane precursors using the sol–gel process and hydrothermal microwave treatment. Eight percent Ni was impregnated onto the synthesized KH zeolites, which have different morphologies: called dog-bone, flower, and disordered shapes. The prepared Ni/KH zeolites were tested for their catalytic activity at 700 °C, at atmospheric pressure, and at a CH₄/CO₂ ratio of 1. The results showed that Ni supported on dog-bone and flower-shaped KH zeolites provided better activity than that of disordered KH zeolite due to higher CH₄ and CO₂ conversions, a higher H₂ production, and a smaller amount of coke formation on the catalyst surface. Furthermore, the stability of the Ni/KH zeolite was greatly superior to that of Ni supported on alumina and clinoptiolite catalysts after 65 h on stream.     

Quantitative assessment of post-LASIK corneal infiltration with frequency domain anterior segment OCT: A case report

We present the use of frequency domain (FD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) for quantitative assessment of the infiltration in the eye with post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) corneal inflammation. Serial OCT images are taken in a patient with post-LASIK inflammation and are used to see the response to treatment over a time period. Clinical value of FD-OCT as a diagnostic tool in objective assessment of corneal inflammation and response to treatment is shown.