Physical and sensory properties of all-barley and all-oat breads with additional hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) β-glucan

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a substituted cellulose that reduces serum cholesterol at modest intake levels. HPMC has also been used for decades in gluten-free breads at a level to optimize loaf volume. Because consumers resist the consumption of whole wheat breads, the sensory and physical properties of all oat and barley breads incorporating HPMC were evaluated. Oat and barley also contain β-glucan, a glucose polymer similar to HPMC that also lowers cholesterol. The textural and sensory properties of the breads were determined by instrumental and chemical methods and sensory panels. HPMC increased the loaf volume of the breads by up to 2 times and decreased hardness immediately after baking and after up to 3 days of storage. Barley bread with HPMC was rated the highest in overall acceptability by sensory panelists compared to oat and wheat breads with or without HPMC.     

Isolation and identification of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) phenolics with antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory effect

This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects from the extract, fractions, and isolated compounds of sea buckthorn leaves. Six compounds, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-(6'-O-coumaryl) glycoside, 1-feruloyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, were isolated from sea buckthorn leaf extracts. The butanol fraction (EC(50) = 1.81 μg/mL) along with quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (EC(50) = 1.86 μg/mL) had a higher DPPH radical-scavenging activity and showed stronger reducing power (OD(700) = 1.83 and 1.78, respectively). The butanol fraction (477 mg GAE/g) contained the highest amount of phenolic compounds and also the most powerful α-glucosidase inhibitory effect (86%) at 5 μg/mL. The results indicate that sea buckthorn leaf extracts could potentially be used for food additives and the development of useful natural compounds.     

Enzymatic Activities in Soil Cultivated with Coffee (Coffea arabica L. cv. ‘Bourbon’) and Amended with Organic Material

The objective of this study was to investigate the growth of coffee (Coffea arabica L. cv. ‘Bourbon’) in soil amended with compost, vermicompost, and bokashi at 25%, 50%, and 66% while mycorrhizal colonization and activity of acid and alkaline phosphatases and urease in soil were monitored. Treatments with 25% compost as well as higher application rates of compost and bokashi (50% or 66%) increased coffee growth. Shoot fresh weight increased 5 times when 25% bokashi or compost was applied, 8 times when 50% was applied and 10 times when 66% was applied compared to the control plants without organic fertilizer. Acid and alkaline phosphatase and urease activity increased when organic fertilizer was applied to soil. Application of organic fertilizers increased the growth and fresh weight of root and shoot of coffee plants and improved the root mycorrizal colonization and enzymatic activity of the soil.     

Transport of Strontium Through a Ca-bentonite (Almer??a, Spain) and Comparison with MX-80 Na-bentonite: Experimental and Modelling

In this work, the sorption of strontium on a Ca-bentonite (CGA) from Almer??a (Spain) in column experiments was studied, and the results obtained were compared with the sorption onto the Na-bentonite (MX-80). The code CTXFIT (two site non-equilibrium sorption model) was used in order to fit the experimental data and to determine sorption and transport parameters. The effect of inlet Sr(II) initial concentration and the ionic strength were evaluated. The results obtained showed that the sorption capacities as well as the transport and sorption parameters of both bentonites were affected by the initial metal concentration. In experiments with higher inlet concentrations, columns were saturated faster, leading to shorter breakthrough and exhaustion times. On the other hand, a decrease of sorption and transport parameters was observed at higher ionic strengths, which would confirm ion exchange as the main mechanism of Sr(II) sorption onto both bentonites. The sorption parameters (sorption capacity and retardation factor) obtained indicated that the Ca-bentonite from Almer??a (Spain) presented better sorption performance than the Na-bentonite, which was related to the physical properties of the Ca-bentonite.     

Fruit development in artificially self- and cross-pollinated strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) and raspberries (Rubus idaeus)

Tunnel cultivation of berries is increasing on a global basis, and suitable management techniques are being studied for growing berry crops in a protected environment. Soil mulching and irrigation are among the techniques that significantly affect plant growth and yield. Tunnel cultivation is often limited to growing single cultivars, and little attention has been paid to the effects of growing several cultivars in the same tunnel. There are indications that crop yield and quality might benefit from cross-pollination. In this study, the effects of artificial self- and cross-pollination were studied in 15 strawberry and 6 red raspberry cultivars grown in a protected environment in a greenhouse. Four strawberry cultivars benefited from cross-pollination and one required it. In the case of raspberries, self- and cross-pollination had no effect on yield and fruit quality. In conclusion, particular berry cultivars are better suited to tunnel cultivation.     

How does tomato quality (sugar, acid, and nutritional quality) vary with ripening stage, temperature, and irradiance?

The objective of this study was to understand the respective impact of ripening stage, temperature, and irradiance on seasonal variations of tomato fruit quality. During ripening, concentrations in reducing sugars, carotenes, ascorbate, rutin, and caffeic acid derivates increased, whereas those in titratable acidity, chlorophylls, and chlorogenic acid content decreased. Fruit temperature and irradiance affected final fruit composition. Sugars and acids (linked to fruit gustative quality) were not considerably modified, but secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties were very sensitive to fruit environment. Increased fruit irradiance enhanced ascorbate, lycopene, beta-carotene, rutin, and caffeic acid derivate concentrations and the disappearance of oxidized ascorbate and chlorophylls. Increasing the temperature from 21 to 26 degrees C reduced total carotene content without affecting lycopene content. A further temperature increase from 27 to 32 degrees C reduced ascorbate, lycopene, and its precursor's content, but enhanced rutin, caffeic acid derivates, and glucoside contents. The regulation by light and temperature of the biosynthesis pathways of secondary metabolites is discussed.     

Earthworm (Aporrectodea trapezoides)–mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) interaction and nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by maize

The interactive impacts of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF, Glomus intraradices) and earthworms (Aporrectodea trapezoides) on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and nutrient uptake were studied under near natural conditions with pots buried in the soil of a maize field. Treatments included maize plants inoculated vs. not inoculated with AMF, treated or not treated with earthworms, at low (25 mg kg⁻¹) or high (175 mg kg⁻¹) P fertilization rate. Wheat straw was added as feed for earthworms. Root colonization, mycorrhiza structure, plant biomass and N and P contents of shoots and roots, soil available P and NO₃⁻–N concentrations, and soil microbial biomass C and N were measured at harvest. Results indicated that mycorrhizal colonization increased markedly in maize inoculated with AMF especially at low P rate, which was further enhanced by the addition of earthworms. AMF and earthworms interactively increased maize shoot and root biomass as well as N and P uptake but decreased soil NO₃⁻–N and available P concentrations at harvest. Earthworm and AMF interaction also increased soil microbial biomass C, which probably improved root N and P contents and indirectly increased the shoot N and P uptake. At low P rate, soil N mobilization by earthworms might have reduced potential N competition by arbuscular mycorrhizal hyphae, resulting in greater plant shoot and root biomass. Earthworms and AMF interactively enhanced soil N and P availability, leading to greater nutrient uptake and plant growth.     

Morphology,properties, and regimes of migrational–mycelial agrochernozems with different ground moistening (Belgorod oblast)

Agrochernozems of a catena (local divide, backslope, and footslope positions on a gentle slope of southern aspect) on the fields of Belgorodskoe farm were studied. The soils are developed from lithologically heterogeneous sediments with temporal accumulation of precipitation water above the lithological contact. A close correlation between the morphology and properties of the soils and the character of their water regime in different positions of the catena was found. Agrochernozems of the divide belong to the migrational–mycelial type of forest-steppe chernozems according to their humus profile, water regime, and slightly differentiated distribution of carbonates. Agrochernozems on the backslope with a higher ground moistening have a more contrasting water regime with the topsoil drying in the summer, a sharper decrease in the humus content down the soil profile, and a distinct carbonate-accumulative horizon with a smooth upper boundary, which makes them closer to the type of steppe agrochernozems. The soils of the footslope are characterized by alternation of the percolative and exudative water regimes; these soils are classified as quasigley agrochernozems with a shortened humus horizon and with dispersed and pendant forms of pedogenic carbonates. The character of moistening, morphology, and properties of the studied soils allow us to state that their genesis is controlled by the local ecological conditions with minimal influence of erosional processes on the slope.     

New analogues of (E)-β-farnesene with insecticidal activity and binding affinity to aphid odorant-binding proteins

(E)-β-farnesene is a strong and efficient alarm pheromone in most aphid species. However, applications in agriculture are prevented by its relatively high volatility, its susceptibility to oxidation and its complex and expensive synthesis. To develop novel compounds for aphid control, we have designed and synthesized analogues of (E)-β-farnesene, containing a pyrazole moiety present in several insecticides. Their structures have been confirmed by 1H NMR, elemental analysis, high-resolution mass spectroscopy and IR. Binding activities to three odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) of the pea aphid Acythosiphon pisum have been evaluated and correlated with their structures with reference to (E)-β-farnesene. Several derivatives were shown both to bind to A. pisum OBPs with a specificity similar to that of (E)-β-farnesene and to have aphicidal activity comparable to that of thiacloprid, a commercial insecticide. The compounds synthesized in this work represent new potential agents for aphid population control and provide guidelines to design analogues of (E)-β-farnesene endowed with both insecticidal and repellent activity for aphids.     

Effect of herbicide used with years (8 + 1) on soil enzymic activity and microbial population diversity

Purpose

Soil microbes play important roles in plant nutrition and soil conservation, and the diversity and population of soil microbe are influenced by abiotic and biotic factors associated with different soil managements. However, the information concerning soil microbe diversity and population structure and its relation with soil fertility and enzyme activities are scarce in crop rotation under different soil management system.

Materials and methods

This paper reports the effects of three weeding managements (herbicide (2-chloro-N-(ethoxymethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl) acetomide, C1₄H₂₀ClNO₂), manual weeding, and no weeding (CK)), on soil microbial diversity, population structure, and its relationship with soil active organic matter (AOM) and pH, and the activity of soil enzymes like sucrase, catalase, and urease activities from long-term test area in red soil upland field in southeast China, which was set up since 2006. Soil samples at 0–20-cm depths were collected before (8 years) and after (8 + 1 years) weeding management in April 2014.

Results and discussion

Soil enzymes (sucrase, catalase, and urease activity) and soil microbial populations had no significant difference (P > 0.05) under the three weeding treatments. Based on richness of microbial population up to 0.10%, the phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria highly dominated the three soil treatments, averagely accounting for 21.76 and 21.44%. Chloroflexi was the next phylum, about accounting for 6.84%. Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, and Planctomycetes phylum accounted for 4.98, 4.78, and 4.23%, respectively. The percentage of Gemmatimonadetes was 2.76%, and that of Bacteroidetes was about 1.45%. Armatimonade and Nitrospira were the lowest, with 0.69 and 0.26%, respectively. Among the 20 phyla, only 5 had significant correlation with some of the soil properties. Twenty-one in 46 classes had significant correlation with some of the soil properties. Armatimonadetes and Fusobacteria had positive correlation with moisture. Acidobacteria_Gp3, Deltaproteobacteria, Chthonomonadetes, Armatimonadetes_gp4, and Euryarchaeota also were positively correlated with moisture. Negative correlation between Armatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, Chthonomonadetes, and Armatimonadetes_gp5 and AOM exists, and Armatimonadetes, Chthonomonadetes, Clostridia, Armatimonadetes, and pH were negatively correlated. Fusobacteria was positively correlated with catalase. Acidobacteria_Gp10 and Armatimonadia were positively correlated with catalase. Chthonomonadetes, Clostridia, and Armatimonadetes_gp5 were correlated with urease. Gammaproteobacteria and Flavobacteria were correlated with sucrase.

Conclusions

For long-term herbicide experiment conducted on the Dongxiang upland site, no significant effect of herbicide on soil microbial community composition and enzyme activities was found. Further work is needed to relate microbial community structure and function in different herbicide systems or season sampling, even to detect herbicide effect on community structure during the growing season.

     

Immunochemical and mass spectrometric analysis of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine content of AGE-BSA systems prepared with and without selected antiglycation agents

The present study was designed to compare surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) methods for the analysis of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) in glucose-bovine serum albumin (BSA) model systems and to investigate the possible inhibitory effect of selected compounds (α-tocopherol, ferulic acid, rutin, thiamin, thiamin monophosphate, and thiamin pyrophosphate) on CML formation. The reported levels of CML detected were dependent upon the method of analysis employed. The highest reported concentrations were obtained with the SPR biosensor, whereas the lowest were found by ELISA. However, a high correlation was observed between these two immunochemical procedures. CML concentrations were dependent upon the type and concentration of the candidate CML inhibitor. All inhibitory compounds investigated, with the exception of α-tocopherol, decreased the level of CML formation in the glucose-BSA system.     

Interactions of a cationic antimicrobial (ε-polylysine) with an anionic biopolymer (pectin): an isothermal titration calorimetry, microelectrophoresis, and turbidity study

ε-Polylysine (ε-PL) is a food-grade cationic antimicrobial that is highly effective against a range of food pathogens and spoilage organisms. In compositionally complex environments, like those found in most foods and beverages, the antimicrobial activity of cationic ε-PL is likely to be impacted by its interactions with anionic components. The purpose of this study was to characterize the interactions between cationic ε-polylysine and an anionic biopolymer (high methoxyl pectin, HMP) using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), microelectrophoresis (ME), and turbidity measurements. ITC and ME measurements indicated that ε-PL bound to pectin, while turbidity measurements indicated that the complexes formed could be either soluble or insoluble depending on solution composition. Ionic strength and pH were also shown to affect the interactions significantly, highlighting their electrostatic origin. This study demonstrates that ε-PL can form either soluble or insoluble complexes with anionic biopolymers depending on the composition of the system. Our study provides basic knowledge that will facilitate the more rational application of ε-PL in complex food systems.     

Characterization of “Mais delle Fiorine” (Zea mays L.) and nutritional,morphometric and genetic comparison with other maize landraces of Lombardy region (Northern Italy)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The loss of agrobiodiversity is a topic of global impact. On a local scale, Lombardy, in the Alpine macro-Region, has lost more than 78% of its plant...     

High-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD)/HPLC-mass spectrometry (MS) profiling of anthocyanins from Andean Mashua Tubers (Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruíz and Pavón) and their contribution to the overall antioxidant activity

Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruíz and Pavón), an Andean tuber with high antioxidant activity, has sparked interest because of its traditional medicinal use. In this study, we evaluated the anthocyanin composition for three purple mashua genotypes and their contribution to the overall antioxidant activity of the tuber. Mashua anthocyanins, total phenolics, and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) antioxidant activity ranged from 45.5 to 131.9 mg of cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents/100 g fresh weight (FW), 174.9 to 275.5 mg of gallic acid equivalents/100 g of FW, and 16.2 to 45.7 micromol of Trolox equivalents/g of FW, respectively. The high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and HPLC-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/MS-MS) profiles revealed the presence of 11 different anthocyanins. The two major pigments (56.4-73.0% total area range at 520 nm) were identified as delphinidin 3-glucoside-5-acetylrhamnoside and delphinidin 3-sophoroside-5-acetylrhamnoside. Other pigments were delphinidin 3-glucoside-5-rhamnoside, delphinidin 3-sophoroside-5-rhamnoside, delphinidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-sophoroside, and cyanidin 3-sophoroside-5-rhamnoside. Cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside were only found in two genotypes, while pelargonidin 3-sophoroside and pelargonidin 3-sophoroside-5-rhamnoside were only found in the third one. Anthocyanins from mashua were the major contributors to the total ABTS values for only one of the three genotypes, suggesting that other phenolics present are playing a major role in the antioxidant power of mashua tubers. Results from this study provide important information for the Nutraceutical and Functional Food Market for the use of mashua anthocyanins not only as a source of natural colorants but also as a source of phytonutrients.     

Solar global UVB (280–315 nm) and UVA (315–380 nm) radiant fluxes and their relationships with broadband global radiant flux at an eastern Mediterranean site

The depletion in the concentration of ozone layer in the stratosphere may significantly increase the UV radiant flux levels (mainly the UVB, 280–315 nm) reaching the earth's surface. These modifications have raised concern among scientists and policy makers during the last two decades so that numerous field experiments have been conducted illustrating deleterious UVB effects on both ecosystems and human beings. This study aiming to explore the UV radiant flux levels in the eastern Mediterranean basin, hourly measurements of global UVB (G_uvb), UVA (G_uva) and broadband (G_h) radiant fluxes collected at Athalassa, Cyprus (35°N, 33°E, 165 m above MSL) from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006, during a joint research project between the Athens University and the Meteorological Service of Cyprus, are employed. These data were used to determine temporal variability of the UV radiant components further addressing their dependence on several atmospheric parameters.The analyses of hourly UVB and UVA values indicated significant diurnal variation of these radiant fluxes during daylight hours. The seasonal variation of the ratios obtained from hourly correlations ranged from 0.0299 ± 0.003 (winter) to 0.0311 ± 0.002 (autumn) with an annual mean of 0.0309 ± 0.003 for (G_uva/G_h), and from 0.00160 ± 0.0003 (winter) to 0.00168 ± 0.0003 (autumn) with an annual mean of 0.00164 ± 0.0003 for (G_uvb/G_h). The hourly ratio (G_uva/G_h) increased from 0.0306 ± 0.003 to 0.0318 ± 0.003 as sky conditions changed from clear to overcast; the hourly (G_uvb/G_h) ratio also increased from 0.00162 ± 0.0003 to 0.00170 ± 0.0004, as sky conditions changed from clear to overcast skies. Several atmospheric parameters such as sky clearness (?), brightness (Δ) and path length (sin h) were found to cause changes to both G_uva/G_h and G_uva/G_h ratios. The present data set indicated also a seasonal contribution of the aerosol extinction on these radiometric ratios. Finally, the inverse correlation between ozone and the UVB radiant flux by means of daily G_uvb/G_uva ratio has been verified for the Athalassa's environment.     

Distribution of Manganese(Ⅱ) Chemical Forms on Soybean Roots and Manganese(Ⅱ) Toxicity

Distribution of chemical forms of manganese(Ⅱ)(Mn(Ⅱ))on plant roots may affect Mn(Ⅱ)absorption by plants and toxicity of Mn(Ⅱ)to plants at its high level.The chemical forms of Mn(Ⅱ)on soybean roots were investigated to determine the main factors that affect their distribution and relationship with Mn(Ⅱ)plant toxicity.Fresh soybean roots were reacted with Mn(Ⅱ)in solutions,and Mn(Ⅱ)adsorbed on the roots was differentiated into exchangeable,complexed,and precipitated forms through sequential extraction with KNO_3,EDTA,and HCl.The exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)content on the roots was the highest,followed by the complexed and precipitated Mn(Ⅱ)contents.Mn(Ⅱ)toxicity to the roots was greater at pH 5.5 than at pH 4.2 due to the larger amount of exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)at higher pH.The cations Al~(3+),La~(3+),Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+),and NH_4~+competed with Mn(Ⅱ)for cation exchange sites on the root surfaces and thus reduced exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)on the roots,in the order Al~(3+),La~(3+)Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)NH_4~+.Al~(3+) and La~(3+) at 100μmol L~(-1) decreased exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)by 80%and 79%,respectively,and Ca~(2+) and Mg2+at 1 mmol L~(-1) decreased exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)by 51%and 73%,respectively.Organic anions oxalate,citrate,and malate reduced free Mn(Ⅱ)concentration in solution through formation of complexes with Mn(Ⅱ),efficiently decreasing exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)on the roots;the decreases in exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)on the roots were 30.9%,19.7%,and 10.9%,respectively,which was consistent with the complexing ability of these organic anions with Mn(Ⅱ).Thus,exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)was the dominant form of Mn(Ⅱ)on the roots and responsible for Mn(Ⅱ)toxicity to plants.The coexisting cations and organic anions reduced the exchangeable Mn(Ⅱ)content,and thus they could alleviate Mn(Ⅱ)toxicity to plants on acid soils.     

Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) assessment of δ(18)O and nitrogen and ash contents for improved yield potential and drought adaptation in maize

The oxygen isotope composition (δ(18)O), accumulation of minerals (ash content), and nitrogen (N) content in plant tissues have been recently proposed as useful integrative physiological criteria associated with yield potential and drought resistance in maize. This study tested the ability of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict δ(18)O and ash and N contents in leaves and mature kernels of maize. The δ(18)O and ash and N contents were determined in leaf and kernel samples from a set of 15 inbreds and 18 hybrids grown in Mexico under full irrigation and two levels of drought stress. Calibration models between NIRS spectra and the measured variables were developed using modified partial least-squares regressions. Global models (which included inbred lines and hybrids) accurately predicted ash and N contents, whereas prediction of δ(18)O showed lower results. Moreover, in hybrids, NIRS clearly reflected genotypic differences in leaf and kernel ash and N contents within each water treatment. It was concluded that NIRS can be used as a rapid, cost-effective, and accurate method for predicting ash and N contents and as a method for screening δ(18)O in maize with promising applications in crop management and maize breeding programs for improved water and nitrogen use efficiency and grain quality.     

Evaluation of seed yield and seed yield components in red–yellow (Pisum fulvum) and Ethiopian (Pisum abyssinicum) peas

Red–yellow (Pisum fulvum Sibth. et Sm.) and Ethiopian (Pisum abyssinicum A. Br.) peas have become of increasing interest to breeders in the last decade, as they have been found to be partially or completely tolerant to various biotic stresses, such as to attack by pea weevil, mildew blight or rust. A trial was carried out at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops at Rimski ?an?evi from 2005 to 2007, with 13 accessions each of red–yellow and Ethiopian peas sown at 100 viable seeds m^?2, in plots of 0.5 m². Seed yield per plant in red–yellow pea was significantly and positively correlated with seed number per plant (r = 0.881**), pod number per plant (r = 0.839**) and number of fertile nodes (r = 0.820**). The highest positive correlation among the agronomic characteristics in Ethiopian pea was between number of fertile nodes and number of pods (r = 0.937**). Seed yield in Ethiopian pea was highly significantly correlated with number of seeds (r = 0.807**), pods (r = 0.692*), and fertile nodes (r = 0.638*). The results suggest that plant morphology of the progenies between red–yellow or Ethiopian peas and grain-type common pea could not differ significantly from that of individual parents. That means that it could be possible to develop hybrid lines that could keep the desirable morphological traits of grain-type common pea, such as lodging-tolerance and high seed yields, and to make an introgression of a specific resistance from wild pea taxa, especially by back-crosses with the former. However, one must always be aware of unpredicted outcomes as a result of rather different genetic basis of individual seed yield components.     

Modification and characterization of biodegradable methylcellulose films with trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) by γ radiation: effect of nanocrystalline cellulose

Methylcellulose (MC)-based films were prepared by solution casting from its 1% aqueous suspension containing 0.25% glycerol. Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) monomer (0.1-2% by wt) along with the glycerol was added to the MC suspension. The films were cast and irradiated from a radiation dose varied from 0.1 to 10 kGy. Then the mechanical properties such as tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), and elongation at break (Eb) and barrier properties of the films were evaluated. The highest TS (47.88 PMa) and TM (1791.50 MPa) of the films were found by using 0.1% monomer at 5 kGy dose. The lowest water vapor permeability (WVP) of the films was found to be 5.57 g·mm/m(2)·day·kPa (at 0.1% monomer and 5 kGy dose), which is 12.14% lower than control MC-based films. Molecular interactions due to incorporation of TMPTMA were supported by FTIR spectroscopy. A band at 1720 cm(-1) was observed due to the addition of TMPTMA in MC-based films, which indicated the typical (C═O) carbonyl stretching. For the further improvement of the mechanical and barrier properties of the film, 0.025-1% nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was added to the MC-based suspension containing 1% TMPTMA. Addition of NCC led to a significant improvement in the mechanical and barrier properties. The novelty of this investigation was to graft insoluble monomer using γ radiation with MC-based films and use of biodegradable NCC as the reinforcing agent.     

Analysis of volatile compounds of taperebá (Spondias mombin L.) and cajá (Spondias mombin L.) by simultaneous distillation and extraction (SDE) and solid phase microextraction (SPME)

Volatile compounds of cajá and taperebá fruits, both classified as Spondias mombin, but from different geographic origins, were extracted (and analyzed) using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and simultaneous distillation and extraction (SDE). Forty-eight compounds were identified in taperebá and 47 in cajá by SPME using a DVB/CAR/PMDS fiber. (E)-Caryophyllene (18.7%), ethyl butyrate (10.0%), and ethyl hexanoate (7.0%) were the most abundant components in taperebá volatiles extracted by SPME, whereas myrcene (41.1%) and beta-phellandrene (8.5%) were the major compounds in cajá. In the taperebá SDE extract, 46 substances were identified, and (Z)-caryophyllene (13.2%) and limonene (9.5%) were predominant. From the 42 substances found in the SDE extract of cajá, the major components were myrcene (38.0%) and p-cymene (6.2%). The two fruits showed similar chromatograms upon the use of SDE and SPME. These methods made it possible to determine 30 identical components in both fruits by using SDE and 32 by using SPME.