Cellulose Microfiber Encapsulated Probiotic: Viability, Acid and Bile Tolerance during Storage at Different Temperature

This work aimed to analyze the physicochemical properties of cellulose from OPT used in the fabrication of CMF and evaluate the efficacy of the hydrogel CMF as an encapsulant for L. fermentum InaCC B1295 stored at room temperature and in the refrigerator. The Kjeldahl method was used to evaluate the protein content; the gravimetric method was used to determine OPT's ash, moisture, and fiber contents; the Soxhlet method was used to determine the fat content carbohydrates were computed using the difference method. The levels of holocellulose, lignin, and cellulose were also determined. Viability, acid and bile resistance of strain B1295 were evaluated at various temperatures for 35 days. The most abundant component of OPT fiber was cellulose, followed by hemicellulose and lignin. XRD examination revealed that OPT cellulose has a crystal index of 83.40%. FTIR analysis was used to detect the stretching vibrations of the –OH group on cellulose at 3419.03 cm-1. CMF hydrogel from OPT sustained L. fermentum InaCC B1295 survival for up to 28 days at room and refrigerated temperatures. At acidic conditions and in the presence of bile, the viability of L. fermentum InaCC B1295 was excellent, with a drop in cell population of less than 0.2 log CFU/g over 35 days at room and refrigerated temperatures. CMF obtained from OPT can be used as an encapsulant to maintain viability, acid resistance and bile of probiotics. There is still a need for research into the usage of CMF from OPT in combination with other encapsulants to extend the storage life of L. fermentum InaCC B1295. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-01-08 Full Text: PDF

Non-respiratory functions of lungs in experimental intracerebral hemorage during fingolimod injection

Introduction. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is frequently accompanied by respiratory system complications. One of the correction method of post stroke complications is administration of immunosuppressive drug fingolimod. Theobjective of the study is to investigate non-respiratory lung functions in experimental ICH during fingolimod treatment. Materials and methods. Animals were divided into 3 groups: group 1 with ICH, group 2 with ICH receiving fingolimod and group 3 as reference group. Intracranial hemorrhage was modelled by 160 μl autologic blood injection into lateral brain ventricle (P=0.6; D=1.5; V=3.5). Fingolimod (FTY 720, «Sigma») was administered within 1 hour after ICH (intraabdominal, 1 mg/kg). Biochemistry and functional parameters of the lung surfactant in animals were studied. Phospholipids fractions spectrum was assessed by thin-layer chromatography, superficial surfactant activity by Wilhelmi method. Parameters of water metabolism, pulmonary blood filling were studied by gravimetric method. Level of blood nitric oxide was estimated by amount of nitrates and nitrites stable terminal metabolites. Results. We revealed that experimental ICH causes a decrease of alveolar stability index by 9 %, decrease of total alveolar phospholipids content by 25 % and change of its fraction composition, i.e. decrease of major surface active fraction (phosphatidylcholine) by 68 %, increase of phosphatidic acid amount by 151 % and increase of lisophosphatidylcholine by 163 %. Besides that, experimental ICH is followed by lung edema on the lung blood filling background and increase of blood NO. Fingolimod administration does not affect surfactant surface activity but totally corrects water balance, lung blood filling and blood NO content.

Physical and morphological characteristics of edible coatings based on pectin and guava by-products applied to guava pieces

ABSTRACT: Edible coatings based on polysaccharides have been applied on pieces of fruits and vegetables before drying because of their potential to improve physical and nutritional characteristics of dehydrated plant foods. In the present study, physical and thermal properties of pectin-based films, with and without the incorporation of by-products obtained from the processing of red guava, were determined. These properties allow one to predict the likely behaviour of these films when used as edible coatings on guava pieces, during and after their dehydration. Thus the structural and morphological characteristics and the physical, thermal and sorption properties of the films and of the fruit pulp were determined, using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the static gravimetric method to determine the water-sorption curves. The addition of by-products provided crystallinity to the pectin film, attributed to their cellulose content, and hardly altered the water retention capacity of the pectin films. However, the pectin contributed to presenting a slightly higher sorption moisture at equilibrium, as compared to the guava pulp. The glass transition temperatures reported at extremely low moisture contents, both in the pulp and in the films with added by-products, indicated that at intermediate moisture contents, the fruit/film ensemble was in the rubbery state at room temperatures, providing softness to the dehydrated product. The images showed good integration of the edible films with the surface of the guava pieces.

FORMATION OF SOL-GEL CATALYTIC COATINGS TO IMPROVE THE ECOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF INTERMETALLIC POROUS BURNERS

Экологические параметры энергетического оборудования важны с точки зрения минимизации негативного воздействия на окружающую среду. Интерметаллидные инфракрасные пористые беспламенные горелки являются новым поколением горелочных устройств с улучшенными характеристиками. Газовые горелки относятся к наиболее эффективным устройствам прямого преобразования теплоты горения в энергию инфракрасного излучения. Несмотря на улучшенные по сравнению с традиционными горелками экологические характеристики инфракрасных пористых горелок, при работе они могут выделять нежелательные и опасные продукты горения газовых смесей (или других топлив), особенно при переходных и высокомощных режимах. В этой работе были получены каталитические покрытия оксидных систем на основе церия с небольшим добавлением оксидов кремния. Осаждение каталитического материала на пористые интерметаллидные подложки фиксировалось с применением весового метода, оптической системы анализа и сканирующей электронной микроскопии, а изучение химической структуры - с помощью ИК-спектроскопии. Выявлено равномерное распределение покрытия по поверхности подложки и соответствие ИК-пиков химическому составу синтезированных систем. The environmental parameters of power equipment are important in terms of minimizing the negative impact on the environment. Intermetallic infrared porous flameless burners are a new generation of burners with improved performance. Gas burners are among the most efficient devices for direct conversion of combustion heat into infrared energy. Despite the improved environmental characteristics of infrared porous burners compared to traditional burners, during operation they can emit unwanted and hazardous combustion products of gas mixtures (or other fuels), especially during transient and high-power modes. In this work, catalytic coatings based on cerium-based oxide systems with a small addition of silicon oxides were obtained. The deposition of the catalytic material on porous intermetallic substrates was controlled using the gravimetric method, optical analysis system, and scanning electron microscopy, and its chemical structure was investigated using IR spectroscopy. The uniform distribution of the coating over the substrate surface and the correspondence of the IR peaks with the chemical composition of the synthesized systems were detected.

Development of nutrient medium for riboflavin biosynthesis by Eremothecium ashbyi ascomycetes

The object of the study is the riboflavin producer Eremothecium ashbyi Guilliermond 1935 VKPM F-340, the subject of the study is the regularities of riboflavin biosynthesis by the E. ashbyi F-340 strain under different cultivation conditions. Riboflavin is an important micronutrient that is a precursor of the coenzymes flavin mononucleotide and flavinadine dinucleotide, it is necessary for biochemical reactions in all living cells. Population growth and an increase in human needs for vitamin-fortified food and agricultural products is the reason for an increase in demand for riboflavin preparations. Considering this, it is important and economically beneficial to improve the technology for the production of vitamin B2. An important factor that affects the yield of the product is the nutrient medium. At present, the influence of agricultural waste on the biosynthesis of riboflavin is being actively studied in the world. However, not all of the studied types of raw materials are typical for the agriculture of this or that country. Therefore, in order to determine whether this direction of research is promising, it is important to check the effect on the biosynthetic activity of the riboflavin producer of the most common wastes of the domestic industry. In this work, this is done on the example of Ukraine. In the course of the study, microbiological (surface and deep cultivation of E. ashbyi F-340), physicochemical (determination of the amount of biomass by the gravimetric method, determination of the concentration of riboflavin by the spectrophotometric method) and mathematical methods were used. The proposed media with the addition of agricultural waste, providing a higher yield of riboflavin compared to conventional media. The influence of different types of agricultural waste on the biosynthesis of riboflavin by the producer E. ashbyi F-340 was evaluated. The efficiency of using sunflower cake as a component of the nutrient medium is shown. The optimal sources of carbon for the nutrient medium with oil cake have been determined, which increases the yield of riboflavin. Due to the large amount of sunflower cake obtained in Ukraine, its use for modifying the nutrient medium in order to increase the yield of riboflavin in the future will lead to a decrease in the cost of the target product due to the use of cheap and ecological raw materials.

Source apportionment of ambient fine and coarse aerosols in Embalenhle and Kinross, South Africa

The South African Highveld is recognised as a region having significant negative ambient air quality impacts with its declaration as an Air Quality Priority Area in 2007. Such areas require the implementation of specific air quality intervention strategies to address the air quality situation. A greater understanding of the composition of the atmospheric aerosol loading and the contributing air pollution sources will assist with the formulation and implementation of these strategies. This study aims to assess the composition and sources of the aerosol loading in Embalenhle and Kinross located on the Highveld. Fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-10) aerosol samples were collected during summer and winter, which were quantified using the gravimetric method. Wavelength-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (WD-XRF) and Ion Chromatography (IC) analysis were used to determine the chemical composition of aerosols. Mean PM2.5 concentrations in Embalenhle and Kinross ranged from 16.3 to 34.1 µg/m3 during winter and 7.4 to 19.0 µg/m3 during summer. Mean PM10-2.5 concentrations ranged from 10.3 to 114 µg/m3 during winter and 5.9 to 11.2 µg/m3 during summer. Si, Al, S, Na (winter only), Ca (summer only), SO42- and NH4+ were the most abundant species in PM2.5 during both seasons. In PM10-2.5, Si, Al, Na (winter only), SO42- and F- were the most abundant species during both seasons. The elements S and Ca also had high abundances at Embalenhle and Kinross, respectively, during summer. Source apportionment was undertaken using Positive Matrix Factorisation, which identified five sources. Dust, secondary aerosols, domestic combustion, wood and biomass burning, and industry were determined to be the contributing sources. Any measures to mitigate particulate air pollution on the Highveld should consider these key sources.

Isolation and Identification of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteria from Polychaete Marphysa moribidii

Marine contamination caused by anthropogenic activities has side effects and causes severe contamination to the environment. Polychaetes are benthic organisms that live in the sediment and can be a good indicator of sediment contamination by organic compounds. In this study, bacterial strains were isolated and identified from the gut of polychaete worm Marphysa moribidii and the potential of the bacteria was evaluated to degrade hydrocarbon compounds. The isolated bacteria were primary and secondary screened on Minimal Salt Media (MSM) agar supplemented with 1% v/v of diesel oil. Diesel degradation analysis was performed by inoculating potential bacterium into MSM broth with 1% v/v diesel oil and incubated at 37 oC for 20 days. Diesel degradation percentage was analyzed using the gravimetric method, while the bacteria cell densities were measured using the standard plate count method. Then, the selected isolates were identified based on their morphological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequences. As a result, two bacteria isolates coded as Isolate 6 and Isolate 8 were able to degrade diesel oil up to 52.29% and 39.24% after 20 days of incubation. The 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that it was identified as Bacillus sp. strain UMTFA1 (RB) and Staphylococcus kloosii strain UMTFA2 (RS). Our result showed that these strains have the potential in oil-degrading processes, which will provide new insight into bioremediation process and decrease environmental pollution in soil and water contaminated with hydrocarbons.

Rubidium measured by XRF as a predictor of soil particle size in limestone and siliceous parent materials

Purpose Information about particle size distribution (PSD) and soil texture is essential for understanding soil drainage, porosity, nutrient availability, and trafficability. The sieve-pipette/gravimetric method traditionally used for particle size analysis is labour-intensive and resource-intensive. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry may provide a rapid alternative. The study’s aim was to examine the use of XRF for rapid determination of PSD in Irish soils. Methods Soils (n = 355) from existing archives in Ireland were analysed with a benchtop energy-dispersive XRF (EDXRF). Correlation and regression analyses were determined to compare Rb, Fe, Al, and Si concentrations to % clay, % silt, and % sand. Also, linear regression models were developed to compare % clay, % sand, and % silt measured by the gravimetric method to values predicted by EDXRF. Results The relationship between element concentration and PSD was dependent on parent material. Rb, Al, and Fe showed a significant (p < 0.05) correlation (r > 0.50) with % clay and % sand in soils derived from limestone and siliceous stone parent materials. Rb was the best predictor for % clay (R2 = 0.49, RMSE = 10.20) in soils derived from limestone and siliceous stone-derived soils. Conclusion Geochemistry and clay mineralogy of the soils’ parent material strongly influenced the EDXRF’s ability to predict particle size. The EDXRF could predict % clay in soils from parent materials which weather easily, but the opposite was true for soils with parent material recalcitrant to weathering. In conclusion, this study has shown that the EDXRF can screen % clay in soils derived from limestone and siliceous stone parent materials.

Hygroscopic Properties of Sweet Cherry Powder: Thermodynamic Properties and Microstructural Changes

Understanding sorption isotherms is crucial in food science for optimizing the drying processes, enhancing the shelf-life of food, and maintaining food quality during storage. This study investigated the isotherms of sweet cherry powder (SCP) using the static gravimetric method. The experimental water sorption curves of lyophilized sweet cherry powder were determined at 30°C, 40°C, and 50°C. The curves were then fitted to six isotherm models: Modified GAB, Halsey, Smith, Oswin, Caurie, and Kühn models. To define the energy associated with the sorption process, the isosteric sorption heat, differential entropy, and spreading pressure were derived from the isotherms. Among the six models, the Smith model is the most reliable in predicting the sorption of the cherry powder with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9978 and a mean relative error (MRE) ≤1.61. The values of the net isosteric heat and differential entropy for the cherry increased exponentially as the moisture content decreased. The net isosteric heat values varied from 10.63 to 90.97 kJ mol−1, while the differential entropy values varied from 27.94 to 273.39 J. mol−1K−1. Overall, the enthalpy-entropy compensation theory showed that enthalpy-controlled mechanisms could be used to regulate water adsorption in cherry powders.

Towards accurate non-contact moisture inspection using THz imaging and thickness information

This study proposes an approach for a non-contact moisture inspection in dried food products, which is crucial to maintain optimal quality and shelf-life, using terahertz (THz) signal. To achieve this, a sample-specific calibration curve needs to be determined first. HAITAI crackers were chosen in this work for demonstration purposes. Fifteen stacks of crackers with different heights were prepared and moisturized by covering with a wet tissue paper for different time periods, resulting in moisture levels between 3 and 40% R.H.. Then, each sample was placed on a conveyor belt system between a THz source and THz a detector, and transmitted signal was measured 5 times. After that, moisture percentage of the sample was determined based on a gravimetric method, whose results served as a ground-truth measurement. A thickness of the sample was also measured using a vernier. All signal measurements, together with their corresponding known thicknesses and moisture percentages, were used to calculate necessary coefficients that define a sample-specific calibration curve. Once a calibration curve for the cracker was obtained, it was used to estimate the moisture percentages in samples with different thicknesses. Mean absolute error (MAE) of the moisture percentage is found to be less than 12% when the sample thickness is modelled as part of the calibration curve, which is over 50 times less compared to the case when the sample thickness is not modelled. Therefore, the utilization of an automatic thickness determination would be promising for real-time and accurate non-contact moisture inspection. This approach can be also integrated into a production line to improve quality control in the food industry without interrupting existing processes.