Evaluation of Particle Size Influence on Proximate Composition,Physicochemical, Techno-Functional and Physio-Functional Properties of Flours Obtained from Persimmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diospyros kaki</Emphasis> Trumb.) Coproducts

The aim of the work was to study the influence of particle size in the composition, physicochemical, techno-functional and physio-functional properties of two flours obtained from persimmon (Diospyros kaki Trumb. cvs. ‘Rojo Brillante’ (RBF) and ‘Triump’ (THF) coproducts. The cultivar (RBF and THF) and particle size significantly affected all parameters under study, although depending on the evaluated property, only one of these effects predominated. Carbohydrates (38.07–46.98 g/100 g) and total dietary fiber (32.07–43.57 g/100 g) were the main components in both flours (RBF and THF). Furthermore, insoluble dietary fiber represented more than 68% of total dietary fiber content. All color properties studied were influenced by cultivar and particle size. For both cultivars, the lower particle size, the higher lightness and hue values. RBF flours showed high values for emulsifying activity (69.33–74.00 mL/mL), while THF presented high values for water holding capacity (WHC: 9.47–12.19 g water/g sample). The bile holding capacity (BHC) and fat/oil binding values were, in general, higher in RBF (19.61–12.19 g bile/g sample and 11.98–9.07, respectively) than THF (16.12–12.40 g bile/g sample and 9.78–7.96, respectively). The effect of particle size was really evident in both WHC and BHC. Due to their dietary fiber content, techno-functional and physio-functional properties, persimmon flours seem to have a good profile to be used as potential functional ingredient.     

Improvement of ink-jet printing performances using β-cyclodextrin forming inclusion complex on cotton fabric

Cotton fabric was modified with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) forming inclusion complex to yield color strength, pattern sharpness, and color fastness for ink-jet printing. The modified cotton fabric was confirmed with the presence of new strong absorption peaks around 1713 cm^-1 and 1243 cm^-1 in FT-IR. β-CD had been covalently grafted on cotton fabric via the esterification reaction of citric acid (CTR) with cellulose and β-CD. The results indicated that printing performances of the ink-jet printed fabric were enhanced through β-CD modification. The K/S value was enhanced from 4.21 to 6.72, the width of printed line was decreased from 1.48 mm to 1.25 mm, and the color fastness was improved to 3-4 level. These improvements were due to the truncated cone structure of β-CD, which can form inclusions with water-based pigment. Meanwhile, the crease recovery performance was also improved with the aid of CTR. A comparison between the unmodified and modified cotton fabric suggested that the crease recovery angle of β-CD modified cotton fabric was increased by 25.0 % in the warp direction. Therefore, printing performance and crease recovery performance of β-CD modified and water-based pigment printed cotton fabric were enhanced remarkably.     

Diversity of root-knot nematodes in Moroccan olive nurseries and orchards: does <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne javanica</Emphasis> disperse according to invasion processes?

Background

Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are major pest of olive tree (Olea europaea ssp. europaea), especially in nurseries and high-density orchards. Soil samples were collected from main olive growing areas of Morocco, to characterize Meloidogyne species and to discuss the contribution of biotic and abiotic factors in their spatial distribution.

Results

RKN were found in 159 soil samples out of 305 from nurseries (52.1% occurrence) and in 11 out of 49 soil samples from orchards (23.2% occurrence). Biochemical and molecular characterisation (PAGE esterase and SCAR) revealed the dominance of M. javanica both in nurseries and orchards with minor presence of M. incognita only in nurseries, and M. arenaria in only one nursery. RKN were distributed on aggregated basis. Frequent presence of M. javanica in orchards might have come from nurseries. In contrast, the detection of M. incognita in nurseries alone suggests that this species could not reproduce in orchards because of either the competition with other plant-parasitic nematodes or unfit local habitats. The impact of environmental variables (climate, habitat origin and physicochemical characteristics of the substrates) on the distribution of Meloidogyne species is also discussed.

Conclusion

Olive nurseries in Morocco are not able to guarantee the safety of rooted plants. As a result, olive production systems are exposed to strong RKN invasion risks. Consequently, the use of healthy substrates in nurseries may prevent plant-parasitic nematode induction in orchards.

     

High water content silk protein-based hydrogels with tunable elasticity fabricated via a Ru(II) mediated photochemical cross-linking method

Silk is very promising in the field of biomaterials as a natural biomacromolecule. Silk protein can be made into various forms of materials, including hydrogels. However, silk protein-based hydrogels have not attracted much attention due to its weak mechanical properties. Here, we report high water content silk protein-based hydrogels with tunable elasticity which were fabricated through Ru(II) mediated photochemically cross-linking tyrosine residues in regenerated silk protein. The regenerated silk protein was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The gelation kinetics of the silk protein was studied by rheology measurements. The compressive mechanical properties of the silk protein-based hydrogels was investigated using compressive tests and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Compressive modulus of the hydrogels reached 349±64 MPa at 15 % strain. The fabricated silk protein-based hydrogels were also characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing an interconnected porous network structure, typical of hydrogels, with an average pore size of approximately 130 μm. Finally, biocompatibility of the silk protein-based hydrogels was demonstrated through cell culture studies using a human fibroblast cell line, HFL1. The reported silk protein-based hydrogels represent a promising candidate for biomaterial applications.     

Nano-calcium carbonate reinforced polypropylene and propylene-ethylene copolymer nanocomposites: Tensile vs. impact behavior

Improvement of both the tensile and impact strength of the same polymeric material has always been a great challenge for the plastic industry. The study focuses on the effect of incorporation of calcium carbonate nanoparticles (0.3 wt% to 15 wt%) into three polypropylene (PP) based matrices viz. PP homopolymer, propylene-ethylene (PP-PE) copolymer and the blend of PP:PP-PE (30:70) to improve their impact behavior without hampering the tensile strength much. A loss in both the tensile and impact properties was observed in PP based nanocomposite. However, PP-PE based nanocomposites showed a significant improvement in impact strength (47 %) at 10 wt% loading with a loss of tensile strength by 22 %. To minimize this loss a blend of PP:PP-PE (30:70) was explored as a matrix. At 10 wt% loading, this matrix showed an improvement of 30 % in impact strength whereas the tensile loss was minimized to 10 %. Further, silane coupling agent which promoted good interfacial adhesion was used for best compositions. The variation of crystalline morphology of the nanocomposites with various formulations was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction.     

基于‘罗氏沼虾’养殖尾水灌溉条件下稻田养分利用效能提升技术研究

为了实现稻田消纳罗氏沼虾养殖尾水过程中水稻稳产及养分利用效率最大化,设置CK（空白对照）、BC（添加生物炭）、TG（添加土壤改良液）、BT（生物炭及土壤改良液分别减半）4个处理,依据养分运移状况及水稻生长指标的比较,筛选适宜材料类型。结果表明,BC、TG及BT的添加对表层土壤(0~10cm)TN累积、土壤(0~25cm)TP累积及养分损失,BC、TG对土壤(0~25cm)TN累积及养分损失均存在正面效应;TG显著促进表层土壤(0~10 cm)NO₃ ^-累积(P<0.05);除BC外,其他材料的养分表聚作用均促使TN、TP向根部运移(P<0.05);BT处理中灌浆期叶绿素含量显著高于TG和CK(P<0.05),材料处理组在第一节间长度均显著低于CK(P<0.05),其余处理间的差异性均未达到显著水平(P>0.05)。各处理的理论和实际产量间的差异性均未达到显著水平(P>0.05)。综上所述,相较于其他材料,有效截留NO₃ ^-为主氮素养分,提高养殖尾水养分利用率,降低淋洗污染风险;显著控制水稻底部节间生长,降低倒伏风险;且其对水稻生长及产量性状并无显著抑制作用,因而将其作为水稻消纳罗氏沼虾养殖尾水中养分利用效率提升材料具有一定应用潜力。     

浅谈楼房养猪除臭技术设计与应用

楼房养猪相较于传统平房养猪,占用面积更小,可节省用地60%以上。楼房养猪同时方便集中管理,易于采光通风和保暖;但是楼房养猪也有明显的缺点,相较于传统的平房养猪,楼房养猪作为集约化、规模化、现代化养猪的集中表现模式,建造及运营维护成本相对较高,消毒及防疫工作较为困难。高楼环境易于通风的同时,猪舍的污染问题也更加突出。猪舍给空气带来的污染不仅会影响猪舍内外的空气质量,同时还会影响猪只的繁殖、生长和发育,并将会对养殖人员与附近居民的身体健康产生重要影响。所以,必须采取相应完善的系统科学措施,处理楼房养猪中的空气除臭问题,保证生猪生活环境的清洁。文章通过结合平房养猪以及楼房养猪的特点,浅谈一下楼房养猪的除臭技术的设计与应用。     

有摩擦的高速气体管流

本文以多变热力过程为基础建立了有摩擦管路的计算公式,并对计算方法和有关问题作了分析说明.