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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The aim of this work was to assess the chemical composition and physico-chemical, techno-functional, and in vitro antioxidant properties of flours obtained from the peel...
The aim of this work was to assess the chemical composition and physico-chemical, techno-functional, and in vitro antioxidant properties of flours obtained from the peel and flesh of pitahaya () to determine their potential for use as ingredients for food enrichment. The chemical composition, including total betalains, mineral content, and polyphenolic profile, was determined. The techno-functional properties (water holding, oil holding, and swelling capacities) were also evaluated. For the antioxidant capacity, four different methodologies, namely ferrous ion-chelating ability assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay; 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability assay, and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical assay, were used. Pitahaya-peel flour had higher values for protein (6.72 g/100 g), ash (11.63 g/100 g), and dietary fiber 56.56 g/100 g) than pitahaya-flesh flour, with values of 6.06, 3.63, and 8.22 g/100 g for protein, ash, and dietary fiber, respectively. In the same way, pitahaya peel showed a higher content of minerals, betalains, and polyphenolic compounds than pitahaya-flesh flour, with potassium (4.43 g/100 g), catechin (25.85 mg/g), quercetin-3-rhamnoside (11.66 mg/g) and myricetrin (12.10 mg/g) as principal compounds found in the peel. Again, pitahaya-peel flour showed better techno-functional and antioxidant properties than pitahaya-flesh flour. The results obtained suggest that the flours obtained from the peel and pulp of pitahaya () constitute a potential material to be utilized as an ingredient in the food industry due to the high content of bioactive compounds such as betalains, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, with notable antioxidant capacity.
Topics: Cactaceae; Antioxidants; Fruit; Flour; Polyphenols; Betalains; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38792103
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102241 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2024This study assessed saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH) and aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOAH) levels in grower-finisher feeds for pigs supplemented with 5%...
This study assessed saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH) and aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOAH) levels in grower-finisher feeds for pigs supplemented with 5% crude palm oil (CP), crude olive pomace oil (COP), olive pomace acid oil (OPA), or a blend of CP and OPA (50:50, /); the contribution of the lipid source to that contamination; and the ability of pigs to accumulate MOH in back fat and loin tissues after 60 days of trial. MOSH and MOAH were analyzed with liquid chromatography (LC)-gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization detection (FID) after sample preparation. Among the lipid sources, CP had the lowest MOH levels, but CP feeds showed the highest contamination. This, along with the different MOSH profiles, indicated the presence of more significant contamination sources in the feeds than the lipid source. The higher MOH contamination in CP feeds was reflected in the highest MOSH levels in pig back fat, whereas MOAH were not detected in animal tissues. Also, MOSH bioaccumulation in pig tissues was influenced by the carbon chain length. In conclusion, feed manufacturing processes can determine the MOSH contamination present in animal adipose tissues that can be included in human diets.
PubMed: 38791667
DOI: 10.3390/ani14101450 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jun 2024In natural and engineered environmental systems, calcium sulfate (CaSO) nucleation commonly occurs at dynamic liquid-liquid interfaces. Although CaSO is one of the most...
In natural and engineered environmental systems, calcium sulfate (CaSO) nucleation commonly occurs at dynamic liquid-liquid interfaces. Although CaSO is one of the most common minerals in oil spills and oil-water separation, the mechanisms driving its nucleation at these liquid-liquid interfaces remain poorly understood. In this study, using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we examined CaSO nucleation at oil-water interfaces and found that within 60 minutes of reaction, short rod-shaped nanoparticles (with a radius of gyration () of 17.2 ± 2.7 nm and a length of 38.2 ± 5.8 nm) had formed preferentially at the interfaces. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) analysis identified these nanoparticles as gypsum (CaSO·2HO). In addition, spherial nanoparticles measuring 4.1 nm in diameter were observed at oil-water interfaces, where surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) revealed an elevated pH compared to the bulk solution. The negatively charged oil-water interfaces preferentially adsorb calcium ions, collectively promoting CaSO formation there. CaSO particle formation at the oil-water interface follows a nonclassical nucleation (N-CNT) pathway by forming ultrasmall amorphous spherical particles which then aggregate to form intermediate nanoparticles, subsequently growing into nanorod-shaped gypsum. These findings of this study provide insights into mineral scaling during membrane separation and can inform more efficient oil transport in energy recovery systems.
PubMed: 38787535
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c02256 -
Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering May 2024Only a few reports available about the assimilation of hydrophobic or oil-based feedstock as carbon sources by Lipomyces starkeyi. In this study, the ability of...
Only a few reports available about the assimilation of hydrophobic or oil-based feedstock as carbon sources by Lipomyces starkeyi. In this study, the ability of L. starkeyi to efficiently utilize free fatty acids (FFAs) and real biomass like palm acid oil (PAO) as well as crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) for growth and lipid production was investigated. PAO, CPKO, and FFAs were evaluated as sole carbon sources or in the mixed medium containing glucose. L. starkeyi was able to grow on the medium supplemented with PAO and FFAs, which contained long-chain length FAs and accumulated lipids up to 35% (w/w) of its dry cell weight. The highest lipid content and lipid concentration were achieved at 50% (w/w) and 10.1 g/L, respectively, when L. starkeyi was cultured in nitrogen-limited mineral medium (-NMM) supplemented with PAO emulsion. Hydrophobic substrate like PAO could be served as promising carbon source for L. starkeyi.
PubMed: 38777650
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2024.04.005 -
Advances in Food and Nutrition Research 2024Historically vitamin D deficiency had devastating consequences for children causing rickets resulting in severe bone deformities often leading to death. The mystery of... (Review)
Review
Historically vitamin D deficiency had devastating consequences for children causing rickets resulting in severe bone deformities often leading to death. The mystery of the cause of rickets finally came to light when it was observed that cod liver oil and sunlight could prevent and cure rickets. The first vitamin D to be discovered was vitamin D from ergosterol in ultraviolet irradiated yeast. Vitamin D was discovered from UV exposure to the skin. Investigations revealed the two major functions of vitamin D were to increase intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption and mobilize calcium from the skeleton to maintain calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. Later studies demonstrated that vitamin D does not have an active role in bone mineralization. Vitamin D deficiency results in secondary hyperparathyroidism increasing bone resorption. As a result, this decreases bone mineral content and compromises the architectural integrity increasing risk for fracture. Vitamin D deficiency has also been shown to enhance aging of the bone causing cracks and enhancing bone fractures. Vitamin D deficiency also causes osteomalacia. Therefore, vitamin D sufficiency is extremely important to maximize bone health throughout life. It helps to prevent bone loss, but it cannot restore bone loss due to increased bone resorption that can occur under a variety of circumstances including menopause. The Endocrine Society Guidelines recommends for all ages that adequate vitamin D obtained from the sun, foods and supplements is necessary in order to maintain a circulating concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of at least 30 ng/mL for maximum bone health.
Topics: Humans; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Bone and Bones; Rickets; Bone Density; Osteomalacia; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 38777417
DOI: 10.1016/bs.afnr.2024.04.002 -
RSC Advances May 2024In this work, an attapulgite-graphene nanocomposite was prepared. The tribological properties of the prepared attapulgite-graphene nanocomposite as an additive for 200SN...
In this work, an attapulgite-graphene nanocomposite was prepared. The tribological properties of the prepared attapulgite-graphene nanocomposite as an additive for 200SN mineral lubricating oil were investigated using an SRV-IV tribometer through ball-on-disk contact mode for the first time. The characterization of the prepared nanocomposite indicated that attapulgite nanofibers are enveloped by the graphene nanosheets and present fine combination. The tribological test results show that the friction-reducing and antiwear properties of 200SN were obviously improved by adding the attapulgite-graphene nanocomposite. Through the characterization and analysis of the worn surface and cross-section, it was found that a tribofilm composed of Fe, FeO, FeO, FeO, FeOOH, graphite, graphene, SiO and organic compounds was formed on the worn surface. Furthermore, the bonding between the tribofilm and steel matrix is tight. The tribofilm and lubricating oil achieve a solid-liquid coupling lubrication effect, which is responsible for the improvement of the friction-reducing and antiwear properties.
PubMed: 38774619
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra01218f -
Scientific Reports May 2024Possibility of nuclear reactions in solid state is intriguing for two reasons: (1) It provides a means of studying nuclear processes in conditions that are much...
Possibility of nuclear reactions in solid state is intriguing for two reasons: (1) It provides a means of studying nuclear processes in conditions that are much different from traditional plasma-filled reactors or particle accelerators; (2) it dramatically lowers the cost and complexity of the experimental setups by eliminating the highly capital intensive components such as plasma/vacuum systems and particle accelerators. In this article we report the observation of neutron emission coincident with acoustic cavitation of deuterated titanium powder suspended in mineral oil. The resulting neutron emission was detected using an assembly of He proportional neutron counters. The peak neutron count rate was in excess of 6500 CPM, more than 10,000 times in excess of background. The observed neutron emission was coincident with the application of acoustic influence. The neutrons were present only when secondary acoustic waves originating from the complex bubble interactions inside the reactor constructively interfered resulting in massive, sharp pressure peaks on the order of a few thousand psi. We were able to sustain the neutron production for several hours and repeated the experiment multiple times under various conditions. We hypothesize that the observed neutrons originate from nuclear fusion of deuterium ions dissolved in titanium lattice due to the mechanical action of the impinging cavitation jets, although other processes (such as spallation) still need to be ruled out.
PubMed: 38769316
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62055-6 -
Discover Life 2024Small, spherical vesicles are a widely used chassis for the formation of model protocells and investigating the beginning of compartmentalized evolution. Various methods...
Small, spherical vesicles are a widely used chassis for the formation of model protocells and investigating the beginning of compartmentalized evolution. Various methods exist for their preparation, with one of the most common approaches being gentle hydration, where thin layers of lipids are hydrated with aqueous solutions and gently agitated to form vesicles. An important benefit to gentle hydration is that the method produces vesicles without introducing any organic contaminants, such as mineral oil, into the lipid bilayer. However, compared to other methods of liposome formation, gentle hydration is much less efficient at encapsulating aqueous cargo. Improving the encapsulation efficiency of gentle hydration would be of broad use for medicine, biotechnology, and protocell research. Here, we describe a method of sequentially hydrating lipid thin films to increase encapsulation efficiency. We demonstrate that sequential gentle hydration significantly improves encapsulation of water-soluble cargo compared to the traditional method, and that this improved efficiency is dependent on buffer composition. Similarly, we also demonstrate how this method can be used to increase concentrations of oleic acid, a fatty acid commonly used in origins of life research, to improve the formation of vesicles in aqueous buffer.
PubMed: 38765272
DOI: 10.1007/s11084-024-09645-6 -
Journal of Environmental Management Jun 2024In an exploration of environmental concerns, this groundbreaking research delves into the relationship between GDP per capita, coal rents, forest rents, mineral rents,...
In an exploration of environmental concerns, this groundbreaking research delves into the relationship between GDP per capita, coal rents, forest rents, mineral rents, oil rents, natural gas rents, fossil fuels, renewables, environmental tax and environment-related technologies on CO emissions in 30 highly emitting countries from 1995 to 2021 using instrumental-variables regression Two-Stage least squares (IV-2SLS) regression and two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimates. Our results indicate a significant positive relationship between economic growth and CO emissions across all quantiles, showcasing an EKC with diminishing marginal effects. Coal rents exhibit a statistically significant negative relationship with emissions, particularly in higher quantiles, and mineral rents show a negative association with CO emissions in lower and middle quantiles, reinforcing the idea of resource management in emissions reduction. Fossil fuels exert a considerable adverse impact on emissions, with a rising effect in progressive quantiles. Conversely, renewable energy significantly curtails CO emissions, with higher impacts in lower quantiles. Environmental tax also mitigates CO emissions. Environment-related technologies play a pivotal role in emission reduction, particularly in lower and middle quantiles, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the importance of tailoring interventions to different emission levels and leveraging diverse strategies for sustainable development.
Topics: Carbon Dioxide; Economic Development; Fossil Fuels; Conservation of Natural Resources; Natural Gas
PubMed: 38761617
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121091 -
Advances in Colloid and Interface... Jun 2024Pickering foam is a type of foam stabilized by solid particles known as Pickering stabilizers. These solid stabilizers adsorb at the liquid-gas interface, providing... (Review)
Review
Pickering foam is a type of foam stabilized by solid particles known as Pickering stabilizers. These solid stabilizers adsorb at the liquid-gas interface, providing superior stability to the foam. Because of its high stability, controllability, versatility, and minimal environmental impact, nanomaterial-stabilized Pickering foam has opened up new possibilities and development prospects for foam applications. This review provides an overview of the current state of development of Pickering foam stabilized by a wide range of nanomaterials, including cellulose nanomaterials, chitin nanomaterials, silica nanoparticles, protein nanoparticles, clay mineral, carbon nanotubes, calcium carbonate nanoparticles, MXene, and graphene oxide nanosheets. Particularly, the preparation and surface modification methods of various nanoparticles, the fundamental properties of nanomaterial-stabilized Pickering foam, and the synergistic effects between nanoparticles and surfactants, functional polymers, and other additives are systematically introduced. In addition, the latest progress in the application of nanomaterial-stabilized Pickering foam in the oil industry, food industry, porous functional material, and foam flotation field is highlighted. Finally, the future prospects of nanomaterial-stabilized Pickering foam in different fields, along with directions for further research and development directions, are outlined.
PubMed: 38759448
DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103177