-
Journal of Dairy Science May 2022Micro- and nano-bubbles (MNB) have unique properties and have attracted great attention in the past 2 decades, offering prospective applications in various disciplines....
Micro- and nano-bubbles (MNB) have unique properties and have attracted great attention in the past 2 decades, offering prospective applications in various disciplines. The first objective of this study was to investigate whether venturi-style MNB generation is capable of producing sufficient bulk MNB. A nanoparticle tracking system was used to measure the bubble concentration and particle size of MNB-treated deionized water. The MNB-treated deionized water had a bubble concentration of 3.76 × 10 particles/mL (∼350 million bubbles/mL more compared with control) and a mean particle size of 249.8 nm. The second objective of this study was to investigate the effects of MNB treatment on the microstructure and functional properties of milk protein concentrate (MPC) dispersions. Reconstituted MPC dispersions (21%, wt/wt) without air injection were considered as control (C-MPC), and MPC dispersions passed through the MNB system were considered as MNB-treated (MNB-MPC) dispersions. Control and MNB-MPC dispersions were evaluated in terms of rheological behavior and microstructure. The microscopic observations of MNB-MPC dispersions showed less aggregated microstructures and greater structural differences compared with C-MPC dispersions, therefore lowering the viscosity. The viscosity of MNB-MPC at a shear rate of 100 s significantly decreased to 57.58 mPa·s (C-MPC: 162.40 mPa·s), a net decrease in viscosity by ∼65% after MNB treatment. Additionally, MPC dispersions were spray dried after the MNB treatment, and the resultant MNB-MPC powders were characterized and compared with the control MPC in terms of rehydration characteristics and microstructure. Focused beam reflectance measurement of the MNB-MPC powders indicated lower counts of large particles (150-300 μm) during dissolution, signifying that MNB-MPC powders exhibited better rehydration properties than the C-MPC powders. This study, therefore, recommends the possibility of using MNB treatment for more efficient drying while improving the functional properties of the resultant MPC powders.
Topics: Animals; Desiccation; Milk Proteins; Particle Size; Powders; Spray Drying; Water
PubMed: 35282920
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21341 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jun 2019The colloidal properties of the casein micelles play a major role in the structural properties of milk protein concentrates. Because of their great technological... (Review)
Review
The colloidal properties of the casein micelles play a major role in the structural properties of milk protein concentrates. Because of their great technological importance, the structural-functional relationships of casein micelles have been studied for decades in skim milk; however, novel ingredients are now available with higher protein concentrations and varying in composition. The colloidal behavior of caseins in these systems is not fully understood. Concentrates prepared with membrane technologies, and subjected to pre- or post-modifications that affect their technological functionality, have become increasingly widespread. This has created large opportunities for innovation and generation of value-added ingredients. The manner in which caseins interact with themselves and the other components in these concentrates will affect the structure of the final matrix. During concentration by filtration, the interparticle distance between the micelles decreases considerably, increasing their spatial correlation and decreasing their diffusivity. Rearrangements occur due to changes in environmental conditions, such as ionic composition, osmotic stress, shear, pH, or heating temperature. This will have important consequences on bulk viscosity of the concentrates, as well as on the mode of formation of structures' building blocks. This paper aims at highlighting some of the important factors affecting the colloidal structure of casein micelles, their destabilization and network formation, namely, processing history, volume fraction, composition of the serum phase, and ionic equilibrium. Understanding these factors will lead to a better quality control of dairy ingredients and to the development of a new generation of ingredients with targeted functionality.
Topics: Animals; Caseins; Cattle; Micelles; Milk; Milk Proteins
PubMed: 30981474
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15943 -
Electrophoresis Apr 2023Identifying significant variations in genomes can be cumbersome, as the variations span a multitude of base pairs and can make genome assembly difficult. However, large...
Identifying significant variations in genomes can be cumbersome, as the variations span a multitude of base pairs and can make genome assembly difficult. However, large DNA molecules that span the variation aid in assembly. Due to the DNA molecule's large size, routine molecular biology techniques can break DNA. Therefore, a method is required to concentrate large DNA. A bis-acrylamide roadblock was cured in a proof-of-principle 3D printed device to concentrate DNA at the interface between the roadblock and solution. Lambda concatemer DNA was stained with YOYO-1 and loaded into the 3D printed device. A dynamic range of voltages and acrylamide concentrations were tested to determine how much DNA was concentrated and recovered. The fluorescence of the original solution and the concentrated solution was measured, the recovery was 37% of the original sample, and the volume decreased by a factor of 3 of the original volume.
Topics: Printing, Three-Dimensional; DNA; Acrylamide
PubMed: 36799437
DOI: 10.1002/elps.202200200 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jul 2021Concentration of milk in the dairy industry is typically achieved by thermal evaporation or reverse osmosis (RO). Heat concentration is energy intensive and leads to...
Concentration of milk in the dairy industry is typically achieved by thermal evaporation or reverse osmosis (RO). Heat concentration is energy intensive and leads to cooked flavor and color changes in the final product, and RO is affected by fouling, which limits the final achievable concentration of the product. The main objective of this work was to evaluate forward osmosis (FO) as an alternative method for concentrating milk. The effects of fat content and temperature on the process were evaluated, and the physicochemical properties and sensory qualities of the final product were assessed. Commercially pasteurized skim and whole milk samples were concentrated at 4, 15, and 25°C using a benchtop FO unit. The FO process was assessed by monitoring water flux and product concentration. The color of the milk concentrates was also evaluated. A sensory panel compared the FO concentrated and thermally concentrated milks, diluted to single strength, with high temperature, short time pasteurized milk. The FO experimental runs were conducted in triplicate, and data were analyzed by single-factor ANOVA. Water flux during FO decreased with time under all processing conditions. Higher temperatures led to faster concentration and higher concentration factors for both skim and whole milk. After 5.75 h of FO processing, the concentration factors achieved for skim milk were 2.68 ± 0.08 at 25°C, 2.68 ± 0.09 at 15°C, and 2.36 ± 0.08 at 4°C. For whole milk, after 5.75 h of FO processing, concentration factors of 2.32 ± 0.12 at 25°C, 2.12 ± 0.36 at 15°C, and 1.91 ± 0.15 at 4°C were obtained. Overall, maximum concentration levels of 40.15% total solids for skim milk and 40.94% total solids for whole milk were achieved. Additionally, a triangle sensory test showed no significant differences between regular milk and FO concentrated milk diluted to single strength. This work shows that FO is a viable nonthermal processing method for concentrating milk, but some technical challenges need to be overcome to facilitate commercial utilization.
Topics: Animals; Filtration; Flavoring Agents; Membranes, Artificial; Milk; Osmosis; Taste
PubMed: 33865601
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-20019 -
Journal of Dairy Science Sep 2023The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of varying the ratio of dietary palmitic (C16:0; PA) and stearic (C18:0; SA) acids on nutrient digestibility,...
Altering palmitic acid and stearic acid ratios in the diet of early-lactation Holsteins under heat stress: Feed intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, milk yield and composition, and plasma metabolites.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of varying the ratio of dietary palmitic (C16:0; PA) and stearic (C18:0; SA) acids on nutrient digestibility, production, and blood metabolites of early-lactation Holsteins under mild-to-moderate heat stress. Eight multiparous Holsteins (body weight = 589 ± 45 kg; days in milk = 51 ± 8 d; milk production = 38.5 ± 2.4 kg/d; mean ± standard deviation) were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design (21-d periods inclusive of 7-d data collection). The PA (88.9%)- and SA (88.5%)-enriched fat supplements, either individually or in combination, were added to diets at 2% of dry matter (DM) to formulate the following treatments: (1) 100PA:0SA (100% PA + 0% SA), (2) 66PA:34SA (66% PA + 34% SA), (3) 34PA:66SA (34% PA + 66% SA), and (4) 0PA:100SA (0% PA + 100% SA). Diets offered, in the form of total mixed rations, were formulated to be isonitrogenous (crude protein = 17.2% of DM) and isocaloric (net energy for lactation = 1.69 Mcal/kg DM), with a forage-to-concentrate ratio of 40:60. Ambient temperature-humidity index averaged 72.9 throughout the experiment, suggesting that cows were under mild-to-moderate heat stress. No differences in DM intake across treatments were detected (mean 23.5 ± 0.64 kg/d). Increasing the dietary proportion of SA resulted in a linear decrease in total-tract digestibility of total fatty acids, but organic matter, DM, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein digestibilities were not different across treatments. Decreasing dietary PA-to-SA had no effect on the time spent eating (340 min/d), rumination (460 min/d), and chewing (808 min/d). As dietary PA-to-SA decreased, milk fat concentration and yield decreased linearly, resulting in a linear decrease of 3.5% fat-corrected milk production and milk fat-to-protein ratio. Feed efficiency expressed as kg 3.5% fat-corrected milk/kg DM intake decreased linearly with decreasing the proportion of PA-to-SA in the diet. Treatments had no effect on milk protein and lactose content. A linear increase in de novo and preformed fatty acids was identified as the ratio of PA to SA decreased, while PA and SA concentrations of milk fat decreased and increased linearly, respectively. A linear reduction in blood nonesterified fatty acids and glucose was detected as the ratio of PA to SA decreased. Insulin concentration increased linearly from 10.3 in 100PA:0SA to 13.1 µIU/mL in 0PA:100SA, whereas blood β-hydroxybutyric acid was not different across treatments. In conclusion, the heat-stressed Holsteins in early-lactation phase fed diets richer in PA versus SA produced greater fat-corrected milk and were more efficient in converting feed to fat-corrected milk.
Topics: Female; Cattle; Animals; Palmitic Acid; Dietary Fiber; Digestion; Animal Feed; Diet; Lactation; Fatty Acids; Dietary Supplements; Stearic Acids; Eating; Milk Proteins; Feeding Behavior
PubMed: 37500434
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22934 -
Critical Care (London, England) Apr 2016Dabigatran is effective in decreasing the risk of ischaemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, like all anticoagulants, it is associated with a risk... (Review)
Review
Dabigatran is effective in decreasing the risk of ischaemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, like all anticoagulants, it is associated with a risk of bleeding. In cases of trauma or emergency surgery, emergency reversal of dabigatran-induced anticoagulation may be required. A specific reversal agent for dabigatran, idarucizumab, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Alternative reversal agents are available, such as prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) and activated PCCs (aPCCs). In this review we evaluate the role of PCCs and aPCCs in the reversal of dabigatran anticoagulation and consider which tests are appropriate for monitoring coagulation in this setting. Pre-clinical studies, small clinical studies and case reports indicate that PCCs and aPCCs may be able to reverse dabigatran-induced anticoagulation in a dose-dependent manner. However, dosing based on coagulation parameters can be difficult because available assays may not provide adequate sensitivity and specificity for measuring anticoagulation induced by dabigatran or the countering effects of PCCs/aPCCs. In addition, PCCs or aPCCs can potentially provoke thromboembolic complications. Despite these limitations and the fact that PCCs and aPCCs are not yet licensed for dabigatran reversal, their use appears to be warranted in patients with life-threatening haemorrhage if idarucizumab is not available.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Blood Coagulation; Blood Coagulation Factors; Dabigatran; Humans; Thrombin Time
PubMed: 27125504
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1275-8 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jan 2023Moringa oleifera leaf silage and Chlorella vulgaris microalgae mixture used at different levels replacing concentrate feed mixture in the diets of ruminant were...
Associative effects between Chlorella vulgaris microalgae and Moringa oleifera leaf silage used at different levels decreased in vitro ruminal greenhouse gas production and altered ruminal fermentation.
Moringa oleifera leaf silage and Chlorella vulgaris microalgae mixture used at different levels replacing concentrate feed mixture in the diets of ruminant were evaluated using an in vitro gas production technique. C. vulgaris was included in rations at 1, 2, and 3% concentrations. The concentrate feed mixture was replaced by M. oleifera silage up to 100%. Productions of total gas, methane (CH), and carbon dioxide (CO) and ruminal fermentation were measured. Interactions between M. oleifera and C. vulgaris levels were observed for the rate of total gas production, lag time of CH production, pH, and concentrations of ammonia-N (NH-N), total volatile fatty acid (VFA), and propionate. The lower level of C. vulgaris increased total gas production and decreased CH and CO production as well as improved nutrient degradability compared to the other levels of C. vulgaris which showed less improvement in these parameters. The replacement levels of concentrate at 10 to 40% with M. oleifera linearly increased the asymptotic total gas production and degradabilities of dry matter and acid detergent fiber (P<0.05), while the replacement levels of 80 to 100% lowered the asymptotic (P<0.01) for the ration containing 1% C. vulgaris. Rations containing M. oleifera linearly increased the lag time of total gas production (P<0.05), neutral detergent fiber degradability, and ruminal bacteria count and decreased the asymptotic CH and CO production and ruminal protozoal count (P<0.05). For the rations containing 2 and 3% C. vulgaris, M. oleifera linearly (P<0.01) decreased the asymptotic total gas, CH and CO production, and ruminal protozoal count. The lag time of CH production was not affected at 1% C. vulgaris, but reduced linearly at 2% and 3% C. vulgaris. Ruminal pH was not affected by M. oleifera, but was increased by C. vulgaris at 3% level. Overall, M. oleifera in the ration containing C. vulgaris at all levels increased ruminal NH-N concentration; however, C. vulgaris at 2% level and M. oleifera at levels up to 40% lowered NH-N concentration. M. oleifera rations with 1% and 2% C. vulgaris increased the concentrations of total VFA and propionate, whereas these variables were not affected at 3% C. vulgaris level. In conclusion, replacement of concentrate mixture with M. oleifera at 30% level and C. vulgaris at 1% in the diet due to associative effects may improve ruminal fermentation and feed degradability while decreasing CH production.
Topics: Animals; Silage; Chlorella vulgaris; Greenhouse Gases; Microalgae; Moringa oleifera; Carbon Dioxide; Propionates; Fermentation; Detergents; Rumen; Diet; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Plant Leaves; Digestion; Methane
PubMed: 35986854
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22559-y -
Water Research Sep 2018The much over-looked element in new sanitation, the transport systems which bridge the source and treatment facilities, is the focus of this study. The knowledge of...
The much over-looked element in new sanitation, the transport systems which bridge the source and treatment facilities, is the focus of this study. The knowledge of rheological properties of concentrated domestic slurry is essential for the design of the waste collection and transport systems. To investigate these properties, samples were collected from a pilot sanitation system in the Netherlands. Two types of slurries were examined: black water (consisting of human faecal waste, urine, and flushed water from vacuum toilets) and black water with ground kitchen waste. Rheograms of these slurries were obtained using a narrow gap rotating rheometer and modelled using a Herschel-Bulkley model. The effect of concentration on the slurry are described through the changes in the parameters of the Herschel-Bulkley model. A detailed method is proposed on estimating the parameters for the rheological models. For the black water, yield stress and consistency index follow an increasing power law with the concentration and the behaviour index follows a decreasing power law. The influence of temperature on the viscosity of the slurry is described using an Arrhenius type relation. The viscosity of black water decreases with temperature. As for the black water mixed with ground kitchen waste, it is found that the viscosity increases with concentration and decreases with temperature. The viscosity of black-water with ground kitchen waste is found to be higher than that of black water, which can be attributed to the presence of larger particles in the slurry.
Topics: Models, Theoretical; Rheology; Temperature; Viscosity; Wastewater
PubMed: 29793163
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.04.064 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2022Swelling of epidermal cell walls decreases cell-to-cell adhesion and increases cracking susceptibility in sweet cherry. Ca is suggested to decrease cracking...
Swelling of epidermal cell walls decreases cell-to-cell adhesion and increases cracking susceptibility in sweet cherry. Ca is suggested to decrease cracking susceptibility by crosslinking of cell wall components and, possibly, by decreasing swelling. The objective is to test this hypothesis. The effect of Ca on swelling of anticlinal epidermal cell walls was quantified microscopically in vivo using excised skin sections and in vitro using extracted cell walls. After removal of turgor, cell wall thickness increased. Incubation in CaCl decreased cell wall thickness up to 3 mM CaCl. At higher concentrations thickness remained constant. Decreased cell wall swelling in vivo also occurred with other salts of divalent and trivalent cations, but not with those of monovalent cations. Decreased swelling was due to the Ca cation, the anions had no effect. Ca also decreased swelling of cell walls that were already swollen. CaCl also decreased swelling of extracted cell walls in vitro. There was no effect on swelling pressure. The effect on swelling increased as the CaCl concentration increased. Chlorides of divalent and trivalent cations, but not those of monovalent cations decreased swelling in vitro. The decrease in swelling among the divalent cations was linearly related to the radius of the cation. The results indicate that Ca decreases cracking susceptibility by decreasing swelling.
Topics: Calcium; Calcium Chloride; Calcium, Dietary; Cations, Divalent; Cations, Monovalent; Cell Wall; Fruit; Prunus avium; Salts
PubMed: 36192436
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20266-9 -
Low duty cycle pulse trains for exchange rate insensitive chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI.Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Nov 2021To introduce and validate a pulse scheme that uses low duty cycle trains of π-pulses to achieve saturation that is relatively insensitive to exchange rate yet linearly...
PURPOSE
To introduce and validate a pulse scheme that uses low duty cycle trains of π-pulses to achieve saturation that is relatively insensitive to exchange rate yet linearly dependent on labile proton concentration.
METHODS
Simulations were performed to explore the exchange rate sensitivity of π-pulse trains and continuous wave chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) signals. Creatine phantoms with varying pH and varying concentrations were imaged to demonstrate pH insensitivity and concentration dependence of low duty cycle π-pulse saturation.
RESULTS
Simulations show decreasing the duty cycle of π-pulse saturation decreases peak sensitivity to exchange rate, and this range of insensitivity can be tuned to different exchange rates through average B power. The range of insensitivity is unaffected by changes in relaxation and magnetization transfer, while the sensitivity of CEST signal maintains linear dependence on labile proton concentration. Under B = 0.48 μT, 30 mM creatine with pHs ranging between 6.36 and 8.21 exhibited CEST contrast ranging between ~6 and 11% under continuous wave and ~4% across all pHs using 10% duty cycle π-pulses. Imaging these phantoms using duty cycles of 5, 10, 25, and 50% showed decreasing pH sensitivity with decreased duty cycle. Creatine phantoms with varied concentrations and pHs reveal that π-pulse train saturation exhibited stricter correlation to concentration at lower DCs.
CONCLUSION
Low DC π-pulse train is an easy-to-implement way of providing labile proton concentration-dependent CEST MRI signal that is insensitive to exchange rate. This approach can be useful in studies where a change of chemical exchange rate may interfere with accurate assessments of physiology or pathology.
Topics: Creatine; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Phantoms, Imaging; Protons
PubMed: 34196028
DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28896