Pressure and temperature stability of 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid: a kinetic study

Detailed kinetic studies of [6S] and [6RS] 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-CH3-H4folate) degradation during thermal (from 60 to 90 degrees C) and high pressure/thermal (from 30 to 45 degrees C; from 200 to 700 MPa) treatments were carried out. The results confirmed that the temperature and pressure induced degradation kinetics of [6S] 5-CH3-H4folate were identical (within 95% confidence interval) with those of [6RS] 5-CH3-H4folate. Under equal processing conditions, the estimated degradation rate constants (k), activation energy (E(a)), and activation volume (V(a)) values of [6S] and [6RS] 5-CH3-H4folate were the same (95% confidence interval). The modified thermodynamic model proposed by Nguyen and co-workers (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2003, 51, 3352-3357) to describe the pressure and temperature dependence of the rate constant for folate degradation was reevaluated.     

Heat-induced changes in the susceptibility of egg white proteins to enzymatic hydrolysis: a kinetic study

A kinetic study was conducted on the effect of heating in the temperature range of 50-92 degrees C, on the susceptibility of ovalbumin and albumen solutions to enzymatic hydrolysis by a mixture of trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin at 37 degrees C and pH 8.0. Heat treatment resulted in an increase in degree of hydrolysis after 10 min of enzymatic reaction of both ovalbumin and albumen, as measured using the pH-stat method. The time-dependent change in the susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis after heat treatment was described by a fractional conversion model (based on an apparent first-order reaction kinetic model). Different end levels of degree of hydrolysis were obtained after heating for a long time at different temperatures, which suggests that the final degree of unfolding of the protein is temperature dependent.     

Photodegradation of penoxsulam

This study was carried out to characterize the photodegradation of penoxsulam and to evaluate the significance of photolysis for its fate and dissipation. Degradation studies of (14)C-labeled isotopes of penoxsulam in a "merry-go-round" reactor suggest that aqueous photodegradation proceeds via three possible pathways: cleavage of the sulfonamide bridge, stepwise degradation of the triazolopyrimidine system and its substituents, and photooxidation of the sulfonyl group. Seven major photoproducts were found, and six were identified. Two of the identified photodegradation products seem to be either rapidly biodegraded when formed or not formed in significant amounts in environmental conditions.     

Photodegradation of imidacloprid

The photolytic decomposition of the insecticide imidacloprid (1) in HPLC grade water and of imidacloprid as the formulated product Confidor insecticide in tap water was studied using HPLC methodology. The structures of several degradates have been determined in aquatic medium, and the DT(50) values of imidacloprid and Confidor have been measured. In addition, the influence of TiO(2) on the photodegradation of Confidor was studied. The photoproduct 1-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl-2-imidazolidinone (5) has been identified as the main degradate in each of the three series of experiments by several analytical techniques. The photolytic half-lives for imidacloprid under the conditions of this study were 43 min in HPLC grade water, 126 min formulated as Confidor in tap water, and 144 min formulated as Confidor in tap water in the presence of TiO(2).     

Effect of mild-heat and high-pressure processing on banana pectin methylesterase: a kinetic study

Pectin methylesterase (PME) was extracted from bananas and purified by affinity chromatography. The thermal-high-pressure inactivation (at moderate temperature, 30-76 degrees C, in combination with high pressure, 0.1-900 MPa) of PME was investigated in a model system at pH 7.0. Under these conditions, the stable fraction was not inactivated and isobaric-isothermal inactivation followed a fractional-conversion model. At lower pressure (< or =300-400 MPa) and higher temperature (> or =64 degrees C), an antagonistic effect of pressure and heat was observed. Third-degree polynomial models (derived from the thermodynamic model) were successfully used to describe the heat-pressure dependence of the inactivation rate constants.     

Inactivation of orange pectinesterase by combined high-pressure and -temperature treatments: a kinetic study

Pressure and/or temperature inactivation of orange pectinesterase (PE) was investigated. Thermal inactivation showed a biphasic behavior, indicating the presence of labile and stable fractions of the enzyme. In a first part, the inactivation of the labile fraction was studied in detail. The combined pressure-temperature inactivation of the labile fraction was studied in the pressure range 0.1-900 MPa combined with temperatures from 15 to 65 degrees C. Inactivation in the pressure-temperature domain specified could be accurately described by a first-order fractional conversion model, estimating the inactivation rate constant of the labile fraction and the remaining activity of the stable fraction. Pressure and temperature dependence of the inactivation rate constants of the labile fraction was quantified using the Eyring and Arrhenius relations, respectively. By replacing in the latter equation the pressure-dependent parameters (E(a), k(ref)(T)()) by mathematical expressions, a global model was formulated. This mathematical model could accurately predict the inactivation rate constant of the labile fraction of orange PE as a function of pressure and temperature. In a second part, the stable fraction was studied in more detail. The stable fraction inactivated at temperatures exceeding 75 degrees C. Acidification (pH 3.7) enhanced thermal inactivation of the stable fraction, whereas addition of Ca(2+) ions (1 M) suppressed inactivation. At elevated pressure (up to 900 MPa), an antagonistic effect of pressure and temperature on the inactivation of the stable fraction was observed. The antagonistic effect was more pronounced in the presence of a 1 M CaCl(2) solution as compared to the inactivation in water, whereas it was less pronounced for the inactivation in acid medium.     

Ferric reduction by geum urbanum: A kinetic study

The reduction capacity for ferric chelates of Geum urbanum L. showed a marked increase when plants were grown under conditions of iron‐shortage. Ferric ethylenediaminetetraacetate (FeEDTA) was reduced with a pH optimum between 5 and 6. The reaction exhibited a low substrate affinity with a K_m much higher than the expected concentration range of soluble iron in the soil. Analysis of the saturation plots conform to Michaelis‐Menten kinetics. Both V_max and K_m values varied to a broad extent with changing assay and plant culturing conditions. Ferricyanide was reduced at significantly higher rates than FeEDTA and inhibited the reduction of FeEDTA compete‐tively. The kinetic characteristics of iron reduction by plants will be discussed in terms of ecological significance as part of an adaptation to the soil conditions.     

Exploring the denaturation of whey proteins upon application of moderate electric fields: a kinetic and thermodynamic study

Thermal processing often results in disruption of the native conformation of whey proteins, thus affecting functional properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of moderate electric fields on denaturation kinetics and thermodynamic properties of whey protein dispersions at temperatures ranging from 75 to 90 °C. Application of electric fields led to a lower denaturation of whey proteins, kinetically traduced by lower values of reaction order (n) and rate constant (k) (p < 0.05), when compared to those from conventional heating under equivalent heating rates and holding times. Furthermore, the application of electric fields combined with short come-up times has reduced considerably the denaturation of proteins during early stages of heating (>30% of native soluble protein than conventional heating) and has determined also considerable changes in calculated thermodynamic properties (such as E(a), ΔH(?), ΔS(?)). In general, denaturation reactions during moderate electric fields processing were less dependent on temperature increase.     

A kinetic study on the isomerization of hop alpha-acids

In this article, a detailed study on hop alpha-acid isomerization kinetics is presented. Because of the complex wort matrix and interfering interactions occurring during real wort boiling (i.e., trub formation and alpha-acids/iso-alpha-acids complexation), this investigation on alpha-acid isomerization kinetics was performed in aqueous buffer solution as a function of time (0-90 min) and heating temperature (80-100 degrees C). Rate constants and activation energies for the formation of individual iso-alpha-acids were determined. It was found that iso-alpha-acid formation follows first-order kinetics and Arrhenius behavior. Differences in activation energies for the formation of trans- and cis-isomers were noticed, the activation energy for the formation of trans-iso-alpha-acids being approximately 9 kJmol (-1) lower.     

拟除虫菊酯类农药光降解的研究进展

拟除虫菊酯类农药的广泛使用,引起的环境问题及农业生产与日常生活中的安全问题日益突出。本文综述了拟除虫菊酯类农药的光降解行为,包括自然光照降解、紫外光照降解、光催化降解、光照下的微生物降解及辐照降解;探讨了影响光降解的因素,如光照强度、p H、氧气、溶剂、金属离子、腐殖质,及与其他农药的交互作用等。最后,总结了拟除虫菊酯类农药的光降解机理。     

Preliminary study on mechanics-based rainfall kinetic energy

A raindrop impact power observation system was employed to observe the real-time raindrop impact power during a rainfall event and to analyze the corresponding rainfall characteristics. The experiments were conducted at different simulated rainfall intensities. As rainfall intensity increased, the observed impact power increased linearly indicating the power observation system would be satisfactory for characterizing rainfall erosivity. Momentum is the product of mass and velocity (Momentum=MV), which is related to the observed impact power value. Since there is no significant difference between momentum and impact power, observed impact power can represent momentum for different rainfall intensities. The relationship between momentum and the observed impact power provides a convenient way to calculate rainfall kinetic energy. The value of rainfall kinetic energy based on the observed impact power was higher than the classic rainfall kinetic energy. The rainfall impact power based kinetic energy and the classic rainfall kinetic energy showed linear correlation, which indicates that the raindrop impact power observation system can characterize rainfall kinetic energy. The article establishes a preliminary way to calculate rainfall kinetic energy by using the real-time observed momentum, providing a foundation for replacing the traditional methods for estimating kinetic energy of rainstorms.     

Photodegradation of cassava and corn starches

The baking expansion properties of sour cassava starch (Polvilho azedo) are attributable to photochemical starch degradation induced by heterolactic fermentation after sun-drying. This study investigated the effects of UV irradiation on the different structural levels of cassava starch as compared to those of corn starch and dextrins. Photosensitive compounds excited at 360 and 290 nm in cassava starch were photodegraded when starch was exposed to sunlight or 360 nm irradiation. UV irradiation depolymerized cassava and corn starches, inducing modifications due, at least in part, to a mechanism involving free radicals. Lactic acid was also photodegraded. Photodegradation induced by UV absorption could have been due to fluorescent chromophores found in starches and nonfluorescent chromophores present in glucosidic units.     

阿维菌素3种剂型的光解研究

以太阳光为光源,利用玻片药膜法和高效液相色谱法研究浓度、水质硬度、pH和共存离子等因子对阿维菌素乳油、水乳剂和微乳剂3种液体剂型光解的影响。结果表明：3种阿维菌素液体剂型光解率随光照时间延长而逐渐增大。在试验初始浓度范围内,3种阿维菌素制剂光解均符合一级动力学方程,且与药液浓度呈负相关。在不同浓度、pH、共存离子条件下,阿维菌素的光解速率均表现为乳油〉水乳剂〉微乳剂,pH对单一剂型光解有较大影响,而共存离子对其影响作用较小。在不同浓度硬水条件下则表现为随水质硬度增加,微乳剂半衰期减少,水乳剂和乳油略微增大,在蒸馏水下的半衰期为微乳剂〉水乳剂〉乳油,而在684mg·L-1硬水时半衰期为水乳剂〉微乳剂≈乳油。相比于乳油,微乳剂和水乳剂光解速率较慢,可以有效延长阿维菌素持效期,进一步提高阿维菌素在田间的应用效果。     

碘甲磺隆钠盐在水溶液中的光解研究

为了解碘甲磺隆钠盐在水溶液中的光降解特性,评价其环境安全性,以太阳光和高压汞灯为光源,进行光解试验,研究了碘甲磺隆钠盐在不同水溶液中的光解行为及水体pH值对其光解的影响。结果表明,碘甲磺隆钠盐在所有试验水体中的降解均符合一级动力学方程,不同水体中碘甲磺隆钠盐的半衰期分别为14.29～21.26h（太阳光）与2.29～3.76min（高压汞灯）,两种光源下碘甲磺隆钠盐在各自然水体中的降解速率依次为井水〉河水〉池塘水〉稻田水。不同pH值水体中的光解实验表明,碘甲磺隆钠盐在酸性介质中的光解比在碱性介质中快,顺序为pH5〉pH7〉pH9〉pH11。     

Flavor release from iota-carrageenan matrices: a kinetic approach

Release of aroma compounds in selected iota-carrageenan systems was studied by static headspace analysis. By varying the sodium chloride content, different rheological behaviors were obtained ranging from solution to gel. From the release curves, mass transfer (h(D)) and partition coefficients (K(ga)) of ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, and linalool were extracted using a mathematical model based on the penetration theory. This model, previously developed for flavor release from stirred solutions, was found to fit well the data obtained from structured systems (nonstirred conditions) at the beginning and at the end of the release curves: this allowed the determination of h(D) and K(ga). Matrix effects appeared to be dependent on the chemical class of the compounds. For the alcohol, the main effect on both equilibrium partitioning and mass transfer across the interface was ascribed to a salting effect. In the opposite, for esters, iota-carrageenan addition induced an increase of aroma retention and also a slower transfer across the interface. The respective effects of an increasing viscosity of the medium and of the formation of a tridimensionnal network are discussed.     

Spatial variability of throughfall under a single tree: Experimental study of rainfall amount, raindrops, and kinetic energy

To evaluate the spatial variability of throughfall amount, raindrops, and erosivity under a single canopy during calm meteorological conditions, indoor experiments were conducted using a 9.8-m-tall transplanted Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) and a large-scale rainfall simulator. Drop size distribution, drop velocity, and kinetic energy of throughfall varied spatially under a single canopy as did throughfall amount and rain rate. Compared with throughfall rain rate, the variability was similar in drop size distribution, lower in drop velocity, and higher in kinetic energy. The results suggest that the spatial distribution of throughfall amount was dominated by the canopy shape and position of branches inside the canopy, and thus the spatial distribution was correlated with the radial distance from the trunk. Throughfall amount and rate were lower at the midway point between the trunk and the canopy edge. Throughfall drop size indices (drop size distribution, drop velocity, and unit kinetic energy) varied spatially while did not differ significantly. On the other hand, time-specific throughfall kinetic energy was correlated with the radial distance from the trunk. The dependence the throughfall kinetic energy on the radial distance from the trunk was dominated by the spatial distribution of throughfall amount. The trend in the spatial distribution of throughfall revealed in this study will aid in modelling canopy water processes and in predicting soil erosion on the bare forest floor.     

Photodegradation of sulfa drugs by fluorescent light

Thin layer chromatographic and liquid chromatographic procedures were used to show that sulfonamides containing a heterocyclic amine moiety and free N1 acidic hydrogen will photodegrade under fluorescent light in model systems containing riboflavin. The photodegradation product was characteristic of the drug. In-depth studies on sulfamethazine showed that the drug also photodegraded in the presence of lumichrome and flavin mononucleotide; the rate of photodegradation depended on the photosensitizer and its concentration. Crude polar liver extracts sensitized the photodegradation of sulfamethazine, but to a degree less than expected on the basis of reported riboflavin content of livers. It is recommended that procedures for quantitating sulfa drugs and their metabolites be performed in subdued lighting and/or that amber or low actinic vessels be used to prevent losses due to photochemical reactions.     

Photodecomposition of an acaricide,fenazaquin, in aqueous alcoholic solution

Fenazaquin (I) is a new acaricide of the quinazoline class. The photodecomposition of I was studied in aqueous methanolic and 2-propanolic solution under UV light (30 h) and sunlight (70 h) separately. The photolytic half-lives in aqueous methanolic solution were found to be 17.1 h (UV) and 38.1 h (sunlight), whereas these were 12.9 h (UV) and 29.2 h (sunlight) for aqueous 2-propanolic solution; all followed a first-order reaction kinetics. Six photoproducts were obtained: beta-phenyl (p-tert-butyl) ethyl alcohol (II), 4-hydroxyquinazoline (III), p-tert-butyl vinyl benzene (IV), 2,4-dihydroxyquinazoline (V), phenyl (p-tert-butyl) acetic acid (VI), and 2-methyl-2-[4'-(2' '-hydroxyethyl)phenyl]propanoic acid (VII). Compounds VI and VII could be isolated only from aqueous 2-propanolic solution under sunlight irradiation. The major degradation products are formed as a result of cleavage of the ether bridge linking the quinazoline and phenyl ring systems of the molecule, oxidation of the tert-butyl substituent, and oxidation of the heterocyclic portion of the quinazoline ring. A probable mechanism of formation of the photoproducts is also suggested.     

Photodegradation of metolachlor: isolation, identification, and quantification of monochloroacetic acid

The photolysis of metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl) acetamide] in a sunlight simulator under actinic radiation was investigated. The focus of the study was to determine the extent of monochloroacetic acid (MCA) production. MCA was concentrated and derivatized from photolysate as the n-propyl ester using propanol and sulfuric acid and then identified as the ester using GC/MS and GC/ECD. On the basis of regression analysis, it was shown that the direct photodegradation of approximately 10 microM metolachlor followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with respect to the metolachlor concentration, and the half-life of the herbicide ( approximately 74 h) was independent of the pH of the medium. Photolysis in synthetic field water (SFW) resulted in a significant reduction of photolysis time (t(1/2) approximately 9 h). Direct photolysis experiments indicate a 5.19 +/- 0.81% (n=3) conversion of metolachlor to MCA, while photolysis in synthetic field water and in a Don River water sample resulted in 29.8 +/- 4.6% (n = 3) and 12.6 +/- 4.1% (n = 3) conversion, respectively; MCA was shown to be hydrolytically stable over the time course of the photoreaction. The photodegradation of alachlor, butachlor and a model chloroacetanilide, 2-chloro-N-methylacetanilide, in SFW were also investigated.