Anti-diabetic Potential of a Stigmasterol From the Seaweed Gelidium spinosum and Its Application in the Formulation of Nanoemulsion Conjugate for the Development of Functional Biscuits

The seaweed Gelidium spinosum was selected for the extraction of phytosterol by the Soxhlet method. The extracted phytosterol was chemically characterized as stigmasterol using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activity of stigmasterol has been confirmed by in vitro assays. The in vivo studies demonstrated an anti-diabetic effect in streptozotocin (STZ)—induced hyperglycemic rats. Biochemical analysis showed administration of stigmasterol reduced the blood sugar, urea, and creatinine level. The stigmasterol was then nano-emulsified and incorporated into dough for biscuit formulation. The stigmasterol incorporated biscuit showed higher proximate values, low moisture content, lighter color and the textural property revealed lower hardness. Sensorial results showed acceptability when compared to the control. This study demonstrated the stigmasterol reduced hyperglycemic effects and therefore could be used as a supplement in diets for diabetic patients.

Gas Phase Dehydration of Glycerol to Acrolein Over Nickel Phosphate Catalysts

We investigated the catalytic performance of glycerol conversion to acrolein on nickel phosphates samples (NiP-T (T = 300,400,500,600, and 700 °C)). The textural property, acidity of the fresh catalyst and carbon content of the used NiP-500 were also determined. The results showed that NiP was amorphous under the appropriate calcination temperature. The textural property, acid amount and strength were important in this reaction. Glycerol conversion was proportional to the acid amount of the sample. After 2 h on stream, NiP-500 with the largest pore size, largest acid amount and largest number of moderate acid sites had the maximum catalytic performance (89% glycerol conversion and 64% acrolein selectivity). NiP-700 showed the lowest performance (48% glycerol conversion and 34% acrolein selectivity), which is due to the lowest surface area, pore size and the lowest acid amount of NiP-700. Moreover, the catalyst deactivation was ascribed to carbon deposition on phosphates during the reaction.

TEXTURE AND STRUCTURE VARIATION OF PEROVSKITE LaFeO3/ZSM-5 DURING HIGH-TEMPERATURE DESULFURIZATION

Perovskite LaFeO3/ZSM-5 is synthesized via citrate route for H2S removal at high temperatures. It shows good thermal stability after heat treatment at 500–700∘C with respect to slight changes in crystallographic phase and textural property. It presents the optimal desulfurization performance at 600∘C with sulfur capacity of 1017[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mol[Formula: see text]S/g and products of S, LaS2, and Fe7S8. Sulfidation at 500∘C yields the same products as sulfidation at 600∘C but displays the lowest sulfur capacity of 408[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mol[Formula: see text]S/g. Sulfidation at 700∘C produces La2O2S, Fe3S4, and unreacted LaFeO3. The activation energy of the sulfidation reaction over LaFeO3/ZSM-5 is 109.6[Formula: see text]kJ/mol.