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Evidence-based Complementary and... 2019Food industries typically use as concentrated (100× to 200×) and dried powders in their final products. These powders are obtained by extrusion of inner leaf gel...
Food industries typically use as concentrated (100× to 200×) and dried powders in their final products. These powders are obtained by extrusion of inner leaf gel (ILG) or whole leaf (WLP); the juice is filtered through diatomaceous earth and activated carbon before spray drying at temperatures below 70 °C. In another process, inner leaf gel was dried at ~80 °C and mashed to a powder rich in high molecular weight fibres and soluble polysaccharides (ILF). In contrast to ILG and WLP, the ILF sample was cytotoxic for the human intestinal cell line Caco-2 (CC = 1 g/l), even at concentrations below the recommended dose for human consumption. At lower concentrations (250 mg/l) with LPS challenged macrophage-like THP-1 cells decreased by 40% the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, whereas the release of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1 increased by 35% (compared to untreated but challenged macrophage-like THP-1 cells). Unexpectedly, under the same conditions, the less cytotoxic ILG and WLP, both samples with a lower fibre content, significantly increased (up to 2.4 times) the release of IL-10, while the concentration of IL-1 remained unaltered and of TNF decreased by 35%. Even more interesting is that a treatment of the ILF sample with activated carbon reduced its cytotoxicity and increased the IL-10 release (3.1 times). Based on these results, we suggest applying an activated carbon treatment on -starting products, which have high fibre content and have received high temperature treatment, in order to reduce their cytotoxicity and improve their immunomodulatory properties.
PubMed: 30941196
DOI: 10.1155/2019/5961742 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2022The poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biodegradable polymer, as well as natural, siliceous reinforcement in the form of diatomaceous earth, fit perfectly into the circular economy...
The poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biodegradable polymer, as well as natural, siliceous reinforcement in the form of diatomaceous earth, fit perfectly into the circular economy trend. In this study, various kinds of commercial PLA have been reinforced with diatomaceous earth (DE) to prepare biodegradable composites via the extrusion process. The structure of the manufactured composites as well as adhesion between the matrix and the filler were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses were carried out to determine crystallinity of PLA matrix as function of DE additions. Additionally, the effect of the ceramic-based reinforcement on the mechanical properties (Young's modulus, elongation to failure, ultimate tensile strength) of PLA has been investigated. The results are discussed in terms of possible applications of PLA + DE composites.
PubMed: 36143522
DOI: 10.3390/ma15186210 -
Journal of Animal Science Jan 2019The aim of this study was to investigate the growth performance and nutrient utilization responses of broiler chickens and the nutrient utilization of pigs to xylanase,...
The aim of this study was to investigate the growth performance and nutrient utilization responses of broiler chickens and the nutrient utilization of pigs to xylanase, experimental diet formulation method for energy (FME), and digestibility index marker (DIM). In Exp. 1, a total of 448 male broiler chickens were used in a randomized complete block design with body weight (BW) as a blocking factor. Seven dietary treatments were prepared in a 3 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement with inclusion of sand, diatomaceous earth (DAE), or wheat bran (WB) as FME and without or with xylanase (26,400 units/kg of diet) plus positive control. Each of chromic oxide and titanium dioxide was incorporated at 5 g/kg in diets. There were eight replicate cages of eight birds per cage. Birds were weighed on d 7, 14, and 21, and feed intake was recorded. Excreta samples were collected from d 19 to 21. On d 21, birds were euthanized, and ileal digesta samples were collected. In Exp. 2, twenty-one barrows (initial BW = 33.0 ± 0.3 kg), fitted with simple T-cannulas at the distal ileum, were used in a triplicate 7 × 2 incomplete Latin Square design with seven dietary treatments, which were prepared by the same arrangement as in broiler chickens, and two periods giving six replicates per diet. Fecal samples were collected on d 4 and 5, and ileal digesta samples were collected on d 6 and 7 of each period. In Exp. 1, the growth performance of birds was not affected by xylanase. There were interactions (P < 0.05) between xylanase and FME for apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein, His, Met, Thr, and Trp. Inclusion of xylanase decreased (P < 0.05) the AID of crude protein and Trp in sand diet and AID of His and Thr in DAE diet, but increased (P < 0.05) AID of Met in WB diet. The AID of energy and nutrients except Arg and Met were greater (P < 0.05) observed with Cr than Ti as DIM. In Exp. 2, there were interactions (P < 0.05) between xylanase and FME for AID of dry matter, energy, Arg, and Lys. Inclusion of xylanase decreased (P < 0.05) the AID of Lys in DAE or WB diet, but increased (P < 0.05) AID of Arg in sand diet and AID of energy in WB diet. The DIM type had no effect on responses in pigs. In conclusion, the efficacy of xylanase on ileal energy and amino acids digestibility depends on the choice of FME in broiler chickens and pigs, and DIM affects the determination of ileal digestibility in broiler chickens.
Topics: Amino Acids; Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Chickens; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Digestion; Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases; Feces; Female; Ileum; Male; Nutrients; Random Allocation; Swine
PubMed: 30312412
DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky396 -
Biotechnology Reports (Amsterdam,... Mar 2017Invertase immobilized on magnetic diatomaceous earth nanoparticles (mDE-APTES-invertase) with high sucrolytic activity was obtained by an easy and low-cost method. An...
Invertase immobilized on magnetic diatomaceous earth nanoparticles (mDE-APTES-invertase) with high sucrolytic activity was obtained by an easy and low-cost method. An experimental design was carried out to investigate the best immobilization conditions and it allowed obtaining an immobilized derivative with a residual specific activity equal to 92.5%. Then, a second experimental design selected the mDE-APTES-invertase with higher specific activity in relation to other derivatives reported in the literature (2.42-fold). Thermal and storage stability for immobilized invertase were found to be 35 °C for 60 min (85% retained activity) and 120 days storage period (80% retained activity), respectively. Besides, a residual activity higher than 60% and 50% were observed for mDE-APTES-invertase after reuse in short and long term, respectively. Given the simple and efficient method to obtain an immobilized derivative with high activity, the mDE nanoparticles appear to be a promising matrix for invertase immobilization as well as for other biomolecules.
PubMed: 28480172
DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2017.03.001 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2022This work studies the possibility of using geopolymer materials to enhance the mechanical and durability properties of hydrated lime-pozzolan mixtures, which gave rise...
This work studies the possibility of using geopolymer materials to enhance the mechanical and durability properties of hydrated lime-pozzolan mixtures, which gave rise to the so-called "hybrid systems". Two different waste types were used as pozzolan in the lime-pozzolan system: rice husk ash (RHA) and spent fluid catalytic cracking (FCC). The geopolymer fabricated with FCC was activated with commercial reagents (NaOH and NaSiO), and also with alternative sources of silica to obtain a lower carbon footprint in these mixtures. The alternative silica sources were RHA and residual diatomaceous earth (RDE) from the beer industry. The geopolymer mixture substituted the lime-pozzolan mixture for 30% replacement in weight. The hybrid systems showed better mechanical strengths for the short and medium curing ages in relation to the lime-pozzolan mixtures. Thermogravimetric analyses were performed to characterise the types of products formed in these mixtures. In the durability studies, hybrid systems better performed in freeze-thaw cycles and obtained lower capillarity water absorption values.
PubMed: 35454428
DOI: 10.3390/ma15082736 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024In this work, diatomaceous earth (Diat) was explored as filler for polycaprolactone (PCL) to obtain composite green materials with promising viscoelastic and thermal...
In this work, diatomaceous earth (Diat) was explored as filler for polycaprolactone (PCL) to obtain composite green materials with promising viscoelastic and thermal properties. The composites were prepared by blending variable Diat amounts (5, 15 and 50 wt%) with a molten PCL matrix. The viscoelastic characteristics of PCL/Diat hybrids were studied by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) under an oscillatory regime, while the thermal properties were determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). We detected that the presence of Diat enhances the energy storage capacity of PCL for temperatures lower than the polymer melting point. Both DMA and DSC data revealed that the PCL melting temperature is slightly affected by the Diat addition, while the TGA results showed that the thermal stability of the polymer can be significantly improved by mixing PCL with diatomaceous earth. Moreover, we observed that the dispersion of Diat into the matrix favors the crystallization process of PCL. Interestingly, the improvements of PCL properties (elasticity, thermal stability, and crystallinity) are proportional to the Diat concentration of the composites. These findings reflect the interfacial compatibility between PCL and diatomaceous earth. In conclusion, this study highlights that the preparation of PCL/Diat hybrids by melt blending is suitable for the development of composite materials for technological applications, including the remediation of air pollutants within museum environments.
PubMed: 38542840
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29061203 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2023In this study, injection moulding was applied to produce biocomposites consisting of polylactide (PLA) and amorphous diatomaceous earth used as a filler at different...
In this study, injection moulding was applied to produce biocomposites consisting of polylactide (PLA) and amorphous diatomaceous earth used as a filler at different concentrations. Natural wax and synthetic wax were added to improve processing properties, comparing the resulting biocomposites. The use of natural beeswax makes the composite environmentally friendly. The prepared composites contained 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% w/w filler. The test samples have been injection moulded. Rheological, mechanical, surface and other properties were assessed for the fabricated composites. The testing has shown that the use of wax additives has a significant influence on the mechanical properties (tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength) and the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of composite surfaces. The addition of natural wax, especially at lower concentration, has a positive effect on the rheological properties of composites (melt flow rate, MFR), flexural modulus and impact strength. Different composite parameters are modified by different wax types so both natural and synthetic waxes, can be used interchangeably, depending on the required final material characteristics.
PubMed: 36670202
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28435-0 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2019Here, we describe a simple, universal protocol for use in nucleic acid testing-based pathogen diagnostics, which requires only hand-powered sample preparation, including...
Here, we describe a simple, universal protocol for use in nucleic acid testing-based pathogen diagnostics, which requires only hand-powered sample preparation, including the processes of pathogen enrichment and nucleic acid isolation. The protocol uses low-cost amine-functionalized diatomaceous earth with a 1-μm Teflon filter as a reaction matrix in both stages of the process, using homobifunctional imidoesters. Using a simple syringe as a pump, the capture efficiency for a large sample volume (<50 mL) was enhanced by up to 98.3%, and the detection limit was 1 CFU/mL, 100-fold better than that of common commercial nucleic acid isolation kit. This protocol can also be combined with commercialized 96-well filter plates for robust sample preparation. Our proposed system is robust, simple, low-cost, universal, and rapid (taking <20 min), and it works regardless of the ambient environment and sample pretreatment, requiring no electricity or instruments. Its benefits include the simplicity of producing its components and its ease of operation, and it can be readily integrated with other assays for point-of-care diagnostics.
Topics: Aspergillus fumigatus; Brucella ovis; Diagnostic Equipment; Diatomaceous Earth; Equipment Design; Escherichia coli; Humans; Limit of Detection; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Nucleic Acids; Point-of-Care Systems; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Salmonella enterica
PubMed: 31705044
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52922-y -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2019Microalgae contains useful molecules such as β-carotene and fatty acids (FAs), which are considered high value-added compounds. To extract these molecules,...
Microalgae contains useful molecules such as β-carotene and fatty acids (FAs), which are considered high value-added compounds. To extract these molecules, supercritical carbon dioxide was used at different operative conditions. The effects of mechanical pre-treatment (grinding speed at 0⁻600 rpm; pre-treatment time of 2.5⁻7.5 min) and operating parameters for extraction, such as biomass loading (2.45 and 7.53 g), pressure (100⁻550 bars), temperature (50⁻75 °C) and CO₂ flow rate (7.24 and 14.48 g/min) by varying the extraction times (30⁻110 min) were evaluated. Results showed that the maximum cumulative recovery (25.48%) of β-carotene was achieved at 400 bars and 65 °C with a CO₂ flow rate of 14.48 g/min, while the highest purity for stage (55.40%) was attained at 550 bars and 65 °C with a CO₂ flow rate of 14.48 g/min. The maximum recovery of FAs, equal to 8.47 mg/g, was achieved at 550 bars and 75 °C with a CO₂ flow rate of 14.48 g/min. Moreover, the lowest biomass loading (2.45 g) and the first extraction cycle (30 min) allowed the maximum extraction of β-carotene and FAs.
Topics: Carbon Dioxide; Diatomaceous Earth; Fatty Acids; Humans; Liquid-Liquid Extraction; Microalgae; Pressure; Rheology; Solid Phase Extraction; Temperature; Time Factors; beta Carotene
PubMed: 30795597
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24040782 -
Insects Oct 2023Over the past two decades, there has been a worldwide resurgence in the bed bugs L. and (F.). This is primarily due to insecticide resistance, making bed bug...
Over the past two decades, there has been a worldwide resurgence in the bed bugs L. and (F.). This is primarily due to insecticide resistance, making bed bug management and eradication challenging and expensive. To address the need for more affordable control solutions, "lethal harborages" were explored. Cardboard squares were treated using insecticidal dusts at different dosage levels, including silica dioxide, diatomaceous earth, deltamethrin, permethrin, and fipronil. Two strains of , one susceptible and one resistant, were allowed to enter the treated harborages, and mortality rates were recorded daily. The silica dioxide products proved to be the most efficacious, consistently achieving 100% mortality between 14-17 d at the highest dose. An artificial environment trial using the "new ChinChex" formulation of silica dioxide resulted in the complete elimination of bed bugs in the treated harborages within 21 d. These findings suggest that lethal harborages, especially those impregnated with silica dioxide, offer a cost-effective solution that could be incorporated into broader integrated bed bug management strategies. This approach may help alleviate the burden of bed bug infestations in economically disadvantaged communities.
PubMed: 37887826
DOI: 10.3390/insects14100814