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Heliyon Mar 2024In this report, naturally available materials have been utilized in the development of acoustic absorbers. This work presents the study of the effect of oil palm trunks...
In this report, naturally available materials have been utilized in the development of acoustic absorbers. This work presents the study of the effect of oil palm trunks dust (OPTD) loading to the mechanical and acoustical properties of elastomeric thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Four composite sheets of 3-mm thickness were prepared by varying the OPTD loadings with 10-40% wt into the polyurethane. Density, modulus elasticity, sound absorption coefficient and sound transmission loss of the samples were measured according to corresponding standards. The OPTD is found to reduce the density of the elastomeric polyurethane and at the same time, it increases the Young's modulus up to 215 MPa. The composite material can be applied as sound absorber panel installed in front of a rigid wall with an air gap. Increasing the air gap, thus lowering the air stiffness, shifts the absorption peak to a lower frequency. With OPTD loadings, the formation of micro-pores in the inner structure helps to improve the peak of sound absorption of the panel at the resonant frequency which can reach above 0.9. As the OPTD loading has effect on density, the effect on the sound transmission loss at the mass-controlled region is also apparent.
PubMed: 38463762
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26426 -
Applied Radiation and Isotopes :... May 2024The absence of genetic variability among crop genotypes is an impediment to breeding progress, hence mutagenesis could serve as a useful tool to create genetic variation...
The absence of genetic variability among crop genotypes is an impediment to breeding progress, hence mutagenesis could serve as a useful tool to create genetic variation to obtain desirable traits of interest. In this study, four maize genotypes, Obatampa, Dapango, Pann 54 and Honampa which were susceptible to maize streak disease (MSD) were acutely irradiated at 254.3 Gy, using a cobalt 60 (Co) at a rate of 300 Gy/hr. The irradiated seeds were planted with their parental controls at streak disease highly endemic environment. Field trials for the selected maize genotypes were conducted from the M to M generations to screen for MSD resistance and improved grain yield. Sixteen putative mutants and four individual parental controls were selected across the four maize genotypes at the end of the M generation based on disease severity score and yield indices. Detailed morphological screening and field evaluation of putative mutants showing improved plant architecture, increased grain yield and resistance to maize streak disease were tagged and selected. Obatanpa-induced-genotype was the best mutant identified with a grain yield of 6.8 t ha. Data on days to 50% flowering indicated that all 16 putative mutants were maturing plants.
Topics: Zea mays; Genotype; Phenotype; Seeds; Edible Grain
PubMed: 38461628
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2024.111279 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024Given that ketogenic diets (KDs) are extremely high in dietary fat, we compared different fats in KDs to determine which was the best for cancer prevention....
Given that ketogenic diets (KDs) are extremely high in dietary fat, we compared different fats in KDs to determine which was the best for cancer prevention. Specifically, we compared a Western and a 15% carbohydrate diet to seven different KDs, containing either Western fats or fats enriched in medium chain fatty acids (MCTs), milk fat (MF), palm oil (PO), olive oil (OO), corn oil (CO) or fish oil (FO) for their ability to reduce nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK)-induced lung cancer in mice. While all the KDs tested were more effective at reducing lung nodules than the Western or 15% carbohydrate diet, the FO-KD was most effective at reducing lung nodules. Correlating with this, mice on the FO-KD had low blood glucose and the highest β-hydroxybutyrate level, lowest liver fatty acid synthase/carnitine palmitoyl-1a ratio and a dramatic increase in fecal Akkermansia. We found no liver damage induced by the FO-KD, while the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL was unchanged on the different diets. We conclude that a FO-KD is superior to KDs enriched in other fats in reducing NNK-induced lung cancer, perhaps by being the most effective at skewing whole-body metabolism from a dependence on glucose to fats as an energy source.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Fish Oils; Diet, Ketogenic; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Plant Oils; Lung Neoplasms; Dietary Fats; Olive Oil; Diet; Carbohydrates
PubMed: 38453966
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55167-6 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024This study compared the pathogenicity of monokaryotic (monokaryon) and dikaryotic (dikaryon) mycelia of the oil palm pathogen Ganoderma boninense via metabolomics...
This study compared the pathogenicity of monokaryotic (monokaryon) and dikaryotic (dikaryon) mycelia of the oil palm pathogen Ganoderma boninense via metabolomics approach. Ethyl acetate crude extracts of monokaryon and dikaryon were analysed by liquid chromatography quadrupole/time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-Q/TOF-MS) coupled with multivariate data analysis using MetaboAnalyst. The mummichog algorithm was also used to identify the functional activities of monokaryon and dikaryon without a priori identification of all their secondary metabolites. Results revealed that monokaryon produced lesser fungal metabolites than dikaryon, suggesting that monokaryon had a lower possibility of inducing plant infection. These findings were further supported by the identified functional activities. Monokaryon exhibits tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan metabolism, which are important for fungal growth and development and to produce toxin precursors. In contrast, dikaryon exhibits the metabolism of cysteine and methionine, arginine and proline, and phenylalanine, which are important for fungal growth, development, virulence, and pathogenicity. As such, monokaryon is rendered non-pathogenic as it produces growth metabolites and toxin precursors, whereas dikaryon is pathogenic as it produces metabolites that are involved in fungal growth and pathogenicity. The LC-MS-based metabolomics approach contributes significantly to our understanding of the pathogenesis of Ganoderma boninense, which is essential for disease management in oil palm plantations.
Topics: Virulence; Chromatography, Liquid; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Phenylalanine; Ganoderma
PubMed: 38438519
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56129-8 -
Current Research in Food Science 2024Lipid crystallization under moderate hydrostatic pressure treatments (200 MPa, 20 °C, 1-24 h) was studied in palm kernel stearin (PS 100%) and its blends with...
Lipid crystallization under moderate hydrostatic pressure treatments (200 MPa, 20 °C, 1-24 h) was studied in palm kernel stearin (PS 100%) and its blends with sunflower oil (PS 80, 90 % w/w). Hyperbarically-crystallized samples exhibited significantly higher firmness, elastic modulus and critical stress values as compared to those of the samples crystallized at atmospheric pressure. These data indicate that moderate hydrostatic pressure favored the formation of a higher amount of small palm kernel stearin crystals as compared to those formed at atmospheric pressure. Pressurization did not affect fat polymorphism, but was able to enhance nucleation instead of crystal growth. This work clearly demonstrated the efficacy of moderate hydrostatic pressure in steering lipid crystallization, opening interesting possible applications of high-pressure processing technology in the fat manufacturing sector.
PubMed: 38435277
DOI: 10.1016/j.crfs.2024.100700 -
Journal of Genomics 2024Quality control (QC) is primordial for determining the efficiency in any downstream genomic applications. There are several steps in the verification of the quality of...
Quality control (QC) is primordial for determining the efficiency in any downstream genomic applications. There are several steps in the verification of the quality of RNA samples destined for genomic studies. The aim of this research was to determine whether RNA should be discarded at the level of the field lab if it fails preliminary quality control using Optical Density (OD) measurements. In this study, all samples were submitted to rigorous quality control in every stage of work. RNA samples showing poor OD values still gave excellent results in downstream QC and genomic applications. At the end of the quality control exercise, it was observed that the original samples were the same and had not undergone any deterioration along the different stages of handling and manipulation. This paper shows the different and most important stages of quality control on RNA samples (RIN) for an effective down stream application in genomic studies. RNA samples should not be discarded based on preliminary QC from our field labs.
PubMed: 38434105
DOI: 10.7150/jgen.92209 -
Heliyon Feb 2024F. the Asian weaver ant, is one of the oil palm plantation's () potential predators, for the invasive bagworm species Walker, but this ant is a nuisance species that...
F. the Asian weaver ant, is one of the oil palm plantation's () potential predators, for the invasive bagworm species Walker, but this ant is a nuisance species that irritates plantation workers with their sharp bites. Here we assess the foraging activities (FA) of major workers, identify its inactive times and the existence of supervision, a novelty for social insects. Between 2018 and 2022, the pattern of trunk foraging activity was used as a mitigation measure. The relationship between trunk FA and air temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), air pressure (AP), and rainfall interception (RI) was also investigated. Our results showed that, is a strictly diurnal ant species, has little to no crepuscular activity, and stopped foraging during darkness. Moreover, veteran bigger workers systematically acted as supervisors by monitoring trails, intercepting, and bringing back to nests smaller individuals during heat peaks. In relation to population size relative abundance, all colonies displayed greater intensity during the warmest daily periods with higher mean forager density among the bigger colony, regardless of the dry-rainy intervals corresponded to minimal activity from late scotophase to early photophase and showed a bimodal pattern. Thus, forager activity peaked between 1100-1530 h and 1745-1845 h, and an average two-fold daily sudden decrease in intensity between 1620 and 1650 h as a partial cut-off period (first report). Furthermore, foraging activity, AT, AP showed a significant positive correlation while RH was negative. Finally, we found that from the base palm trunks, defensive territorial layers extended to 5 m on average with different spatial configurations indicating greater foraging density within the first 2 m. Our study shows daily low activity periods, before 1000 h, being the most suitable to avoid forager attacks to facilitate pruning and harvesting tasks.
PubMed: 38434038
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26105 -
RSC Advances Feb 2024With China's increasing dependence on foreign wood, African wood has gradually become a potential imported species, but its use is seriously affected by problems such as...
With China's increasing dependence on foreign wood, African wood has gradually become a potential imported species, but its use is seriously affected by problems such as unpleasant odors. In this study, we investigate the effect of heat treatment medium on odor-causing VOCs, decomposition of structural polymers, Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) of hardwood. Samples of "" and "" wood were heated under air and palm oil for two hours at 160 °C, 180 °C, and 200 °C, respectively. Then, the nature of the odor of each VOC emitted by the wood before and after heat treatment was identified using the GCMS method. The decomposition of hemicelluloses, cellulose and lignin in wood samples was examined using a ThermoGravimetric Analyzer coupled to Fourier Transform InfraRed spectrometry (TGA-FTIR). The 3-point bending test was used to evaluate MOR and MOE. The results indicate that the main VOCs responsible for unpleasant smells are acetic acid and hexanal; the reduction in hexanal emissions after heat treatment is mainly due to the treatment temperature, while the reduction in acetic acid emissions depends on the heat treatment medium and is due to the chemical interactions between palm oil and acetic acid; thus, the heat treatment under palm oil reduces the percentage area of VOCs with unpleasant odors in and wood better than the heat treatment under air. Based on TGA-3D FTIR analysis and mechanical results, the reduction in MOR is greater in heat treatment under air because the said treatment induces a greater loss of woody matter, which was characterized by higher HO and CO emissions during heat treatment of wood under palm oil than during heat treatment of wood under air. On the other hand, palm oil more than air, promotes lignin deacetylation, which is characterized by the fact that the 1050 cm wavelength peak was far higher in samples treated with palm oil than in those treated under air; and this might explain why heat treatment under palm oil reduces MOE more than heat treatment under air.
PubMed: 38433946
DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07779a -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2024Citrus bergamia is a citric species known as bergamot. The species is widely used due to its derivatives, such as juices, extracts, and essential oil. Specifically, the...
Citrus bergamia is a citric species known as bergamot. The species is widely used due to its derivatives, such as juices, extracts, and essential oil. Specifically, the bergamot essential oil (BEO) is of great interest, with a chemical composition rich in terpenes and esters. Considering its chemical composition, bioactivity, and great economic potential, the characterization of BEO should be studied. However, this essential oil is almost unexplored in terms of a characterization associated with colloids. Chemical characterization was carried out by gas-chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer and by gas-chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was carried out to confirm the bioactivity of this important essential oil. Dynamic light scattering analysis was performed to create a pattern of droplet size distribution of BEO. Major compounds of BEO were linalyl acetate, limonene, and linalool. The BEO was active against E. coli and presented a MIC value of 2.000 µg/mL, while values of MIC and MBC higher than 2.000 µg/mL were observed for S. aureus. The dynamic light scattering analysis revealed a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 65.7 ± 2.2 nm. After a 1:10 dilution it was observed reduction of mean diameter and enhancement of the percentagem of low size droplets, resepctively 44.1 ± 1.2 nm and 14.5 ± 0.5 nm (28.8 ± 1.2%). Higher droplets and reduced polydispersity index were observed after 1:100 dilution. In the present study, the chemical characterization was in accordance with the species, as the characteristic chemical markers of the species were found. Moreover, it has presented antibacterial activity as expected for the BEO. The analysis of the colloid showed a pattern of droplet size distribution following the Ostwald ripening mechanism after dilution.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Terpenes; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38422264
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.275622 -
Microorganisms Feb 2024Glycerol is a carbon source that produces good biomass under mixotrophic conditions. Enhancing the composition of culture media in algae biomass production improves...
Glycerol is a carbon source that produces good biomass under mixotrophic conditions. Enhancing the composition of culture media in algae biomass production improves growth rates, biomass yield, nutrient utilization efficiency, and overall cost-effectiveness. Among the key nutrients in the medium, nitrogen plays a pivotal role. Urea can be effectively used as a nitrogen source and is considered a low-cost form of nitrogen compared to other sources. Urea metabolism releases some CO in photosynthesis, and magnesium plays a major role in urea uptake. Magnesium is another key nutrient that is key in photosynthesis and other metabolic reactions. To maximize glycerol consumption in the mixotrophic system and to obtain high biomass and lipid productions, the variations in MgSO4·7HO and urea concentrations were evaluated in the growth medium of the microalgae. A response surface methodology (RSM) using a central composite design (CCD) was designed to maximize glycerol consumption at the initial cellular growth rates (up to four days). The magnesium and urea supply varied from 0.3 to 1.7 g L. Response surface methodology was utilized to analyze the results, and the highest glycerol consumption rate, 770.2 mg L d, was observed when was grown at 1.7 g L urea, 1.0 g L MgSO4·7HO. Using the optimal urea and magnesium concentrations with acetate, glucose, and glycerol as carbon sources, the same lipid content (10% average) was achieved on day 4 of mixotrophic culture. Overall, the results show that mixotrophic growth of using urea with an optimum magnesium concentration yields large amounts of fatty acids and that the carbon source greatly influences the profile of the fatty acids.
PubMed: 38399783
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020379