Intrinsic Tween 20 improves release and antilisterial properties of co-encapsulated nisin and thymol

Antimicrobial delivery systems have been proposed as potential solutions to improve effectiveness of antimicrobials in food matrixes by shielding antimicrobials from contacting food matrix components and releasing them continuously. In this work, spray-dried capsules were produced from zein solutions with the same concentrations of nisin and thymol but with varying Tween 20 contents for characterization of release kinetics of antimicrobials and antilisterial properties. At intermediate levels of Tween 20, sustained and more complete release of antimicrobials was observed at pH 6.0 and 8.0. Most capsule samples were more effective than free antimicrobials against Listeria monocytogenes in 2% reduced fat milk, and the best capsule treatment reduced the bacterial population by 2 log CFU/mL more than comparable free antimicrobials after 4 h incubation at 25 °C. Our work demonstrated that nonionic surfactant can be conveniently used to modulate characteristics of delivery systems to effectively improve antimicrobial functions in food systems.     

Spray-dried multilayered emulsions as a delivery method for omega-3 fatty acids into food systems

Emulsion can be produced with electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition technologies to have cationic, thick multilayer interfacial membranes that are effective at inhibiting the oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids. This study investigated the stability of spray-dried multilayer emulsion upon reconstitution into an aqueous system. The primary (lecithin) and multilayered secondary emulsions (lecithin and chitosan) were spray-dried with corn syrup solids (1-20 wt %). The lecithin-chitosan multilayer interfacial membrane remained intact on the emulsion droplets upon reconstitution into an aqueous system. Reconstituted secondary (lecithin-chitosan) emulsions were more oxidatively stable than reconstituted primary (lecithin) emulsions. A minimum of 5 wt % corn syrup solids was needed to microencapsulate the secondary emulsion droplets. Maximum oxidative stability of both the powder and the reconstituted secondary emulsions was observed in samples with 5% and 20% corn syrup solids. Addition of EDTA (25 microM) inhibited oxidation of reconstituted primary and secondary emulsions. These studies suggest that a microencapsulated multilayered emulsion system could be used as a delivery system for omega-3 fatty acids in functional foods.     

Tensile properties and water absorption of zein sheets plasticized with oleic and linoleic acids.

Corn zein has been investigated for fabrication of biodegradable packaging materials. Our objective was to investigate the effect of added plasticizers, oleic and linoleic acids, on tensile properties and water absorption of zein sheets. Moldable resins were precipitated from aqueous ethanol dispersions of zein and fatty acids and rolled into sheets of approximately 0.5 mm in thickness. To increase plasticization effects, zein-oleic acid sheets were replasticized by heating them in fatty acid baths. Plasticization resulted in flexible sheets of high clarity, low modulus, and high elongation and toughness, although low tensile strength. Water absorption of zein sheets was lowered by plasticization, attributed in part to reduced mass fraction of zein. Polymerization of linoleic acid may have sealed off pores on sheet surfaces, thus slowing water absorption.     

Development of highly ordered nanofillers in zein nanocomposites for improved tensile and barrier properties

It has been a long-lasting challenge to prepare highly ordered biopolymer nanocomposites to optimize or tune the desired mechanical and barrier properties of the nanocomposite film. In this study, we developed a simple and cost-effective method to synthesize highly ordered zein nanocomposites. The method involved the synthesis of magnetic iron oxide (Fe(3)O(4)) nanofiller and the preparation of a highly ordered structure by in situ nanofiller reorientation under an external magnetic field. The successful preparation of Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoplatelets together with exfoliated and highly ordered zein resin nanocomposites was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and a vibrating sample magnetometer. As a result, in comparison to zein resin film, the exfoliated zein nanocomposites (Fe-Zein) showed dramatic improvement on mechanical and barrier properties. The tensile strength, elongation, and Young's modulus of Fe-Zein were increased by 218, 48, and 264%, respectively, while the water vapor and oxygen permeability decreased by 68 and 29%. More importantly, the highly ordered zein nanocomposites (Fe-Zein-Mag) showed additional improvement on the mechanical and gas barrier properties. In comparison to Fe-Zein, the tensile strength and elongation of Fe-Zein-Mag were increased by 10 and 48%, respectively, and a 30% decrease in Young's Modulus was observed, indicating the Fe-Zein-Mag film was more elastic. Besides, the water vapor and oxygen permeability of Fe-Zein-Mag were also decreased by an additional 48 and 17%, respectively.     

Effects of lamination and coating with drying oils on tensile and barrier properties of zein films.

Zein films plasticized with oleic acid have been considered potentially useful for biodegradable packaging applications. However, moisture was found to affect their tensile and gas barrier properties. We investigated the effects of two converting processes, fusion lamination and coating with drying oils, on tensile properties and gas permeability of zein films. Zein films were laminated to 4-ply sheets in a Carver press and coated with tung oil, linseed oil, or a mixture of tung and soybean oils. Tensile properties and permeability to water vapor, oxygen, and carbon dioxide were measured according to ASTM methods. Laminated films were clearer, tougher, and more flexible, and had a smoother finish than nontreated sheets. Lamination decreased O(2) and CO(2) permeability by filling in voids and pinholes in the film structure. Coating increased tensile strength and elongation and decreased water vapor permeability. Coatings acted as a composite layer preventing crack propagation and increasing film strength. They also formed a highly hydrophobic surface that prevented film wetting.     

Development of zein nanoparticles coated with carboxymethyl chitosan for encapsulation and controlled release of vitamin D3

In this study, zein nanoparticles coated with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) were prepared to encapsulate vitamin D3 (VD3). VD3 was first encapsulated into zein nanoparticles using a low-energy phase separation method and coated with CMCS simultaneously. Then, calcium was added to cross-link CMCS to achieve thicker and denser coatings. The nanoparticles with CMCS coatings had a spherical structure with particle size from 86 to 200 nm. The encapsulation efficiency was greatly improved to 87.9% after CMCS coating, compared with 52.2% for that using zein as a single encapsulant. The physicochemical properties were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Nanoparticles with coatings provided better controlled release of VD3 in both PBS medium and simulated gastrointestinal tract. Photostability against UV light was significantly improved after encapsulation. Encapsulation of hydrophobic nutrients in zein nanoparticles with CMCS coatings is a promising approach to enhance chemical stability and controlled release property.     

芒果叶提取液生物合成纳米TiO2工艺优化及其抗菌性能

为了将生物合成法制得的纳米粒子应用于果蔬保鲜中,该研究以芒果叶提取液和偏钛酸（TiO(OH)2）为原材料,采用生物合成法制备纳米二氧化钛（titanium dioxide,TiO2）粒子。以单因素试验为基础,通过响应曲面分析法优化了纳米TiO2生物合成工艺,研究了其抗菌性能。优化合成工艺为：TiO(OH)2添加量0.65 g,反应时间10.2 h,灼烧时间2 h,灼烧温度786 ℃。纳米TiO2的光诱导降解率为96.24%,与理论值标准偏差为0.6%。X射线衍射（X-ray Diffraction,XRD）结果显示,生物合成的纳米TiO2为锐钛矿型。扫描电镜（Scanning Electron Microscope,SEM）显示,生物合成后改性的纳米TiO2粒径分布在10～30 nm,无明显聚集体。紫外（Ultraviolet,UV）光诱导,生物合成改性的纳米TiO2（P<0.05）对青霉菌表现出明显的抑制作用。该制备工艺可为光诱导抗菌性纳米TiO2的合成提供理论参考。     

Thermodynamics of antimicrobial peptide JCpep8 binding to living Staphylococcus aureus as a pseudo-stationary phase in capillary electrochromatography and consequences for antimicrobial activity

To understand the details of the permeation pathways of antimicrobial peptide JCpep8, the antimicrobial processes were investigated step by step in this paper. First, the characterization of the initial binding process was explored by introducing the living Staphylococcus aureus cells (LSACs) into electrophoretic buffer used as pseudo-stationary phase in capillary electrochromatography (CEC), and the thermodynamic parameters were determined. The binding constants at 298, 303, and 309 K were 7.40 × 1011, 1.43 × 1012, and 2.6 × 1012 M?1, respectively, which indicated the evident interaction between JCpep8 and LSACs. This binding process was spontaneous. Both the electrostatic force and hydrophobic effect play major roles in this binding process. Second, antibacterial activity kinetics and outer membrane and inner membrane disruption assays were investigated. Data indicated that JCpep8 killed microbes principally by breaking their cell wall and membrane, followed by cell lysis. The results were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In summary, JCpep8 kills microbes mainly by wall-/membrane-targeting pore-forming mechanisms.     

基于组态软件和模糊控制的分娩母猪舍环境监控系统

为解决北方寒冷地区分娩母猪对猪舍环境的要求,该文研究了一种舍内环境监测和控制系统。该系统综合考虑舍内温度、湿度、氨气浓度及其相互影响,利用组态软件、模糊控制技术和解耦控制技术,通过机械通风系统和热水采暖系统实现了舍内环境的智能控制。试验结果表明该系统可行且实用,在保证舍内所需温度基本恒定的条件下（舍内温度控制的最大相对误差为5.5%）,也能使舍内相对湿度和氨气浓度保持在适宜范围内。     

Chemical reactions in cottonseed protein cross-linking by formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and glyoxal for the formation of protein films with enhanced mechanical properties

Amino acids involved in cottonseed protein cross-linking by formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and glyoxal during protein film formation were identified by an original technique. The entire HPLC amino acid profile (after acid hydrolysis) was studied, along with variations in reactive lysine contents, in films cross-linked or not with increasing quantities of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and glyoxal. This strategy highlighted the formation of acid-resistant lysine derivatives that a simple reactive lysine determination would not have detected. The results-which agree with previously published data-enhance the overall understanding of cross-linking activities that occur in aqueous alkaline solutions during the formation of protein films made with cottonseed flour. Lysine was found to have a key role in protein cross-linking by dialdehydes, with the involvement of tyrosine in the presence of formaldehyde and of arginine in the presence of glyoxal. These results could provide valuable chemical tools for adjusting the mechanical properties of cottonseed protein films.     

农产品光学参数测量的双积分球系统及其应用

为了得到农产品生物组织光学参数,设计了一套双积分球系统实验测量装置。文中描述了其测量原理、系统组成和测量技术,采用650 nm的半导体激光器作为光源,对Intralipid溶液和Evans Blue溶液进行了实际测量,验证了该测量系统的准确性。通过实测,纯牛奶的散射系数为27.719±0.836,吸收系数为0.014±0.001,各向异性因子g=0.846±0.002。通过与其它测量方法对照,相对误差小于5%,该装置能够较准确地获得样品的散射与吸收系数,使之适用于农产品(如果品蔬菜、动物肉、牛奶等)光学参数的测量。     

Fermentation with Aspergillus awamori enhanced contents of amino nitrogen and total phenolics as well as the low-density lipoprotein oxidation inhibitory activity of black soybeans

A solid fermentation was performed on black soybeans with Aspergillus awamori. The effects of fermentation on the contents of total phenolics and amino nitrogen and on the inhibitory effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation of black soybeans were examined. Results revealed that fermentation significantly enhanced the LDL oxidation inhibitory activity and total phenolics and amino nitrogen contents of black soybeans. The increased content of amino nitrogen was closely related to the enhanced LDL oxidation inhibitory activity of fermented black soybeans and its water extract. Fermentation temperature and length affected the LDL oxidation inhibitory effect exerted by the prepared fermented black soybeans. The A. awamori-fermented black soybean prepared at 30 °C for 3 days exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation. The bioactive principles related to the inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation in black soybeans, regardless of fermentation, could be most efficiently extracted with water rather than 80% methanol or 80% ethanol.     

Lactones. 21. Synthesis and odoriferous properties of lactones with the p-menthane system

Starting from (R)-(+)- and (S)-(-)-pulegone, enantiomeric pairs of esters and lactones with the p-menthane system were obtained. The Claisen rearrangement of allylic alcohols and iodolactonization of gamma,delta-unsaturated acids were the key steps of syntheses presented. The structures of compounds were determined by both spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. Some of the synthesized compounds are characterized by interesting odoriferous properties.     

Coffee waste as an alternative fertilizer with soil improving properties for sandy soils in humid tropical environments

Arenosols cover extensive areas in coffee producing, humid tropical countries of Sub‐Sahara Africa (Angola, DR Congo) and Southern America (Brazil). A laboratory experiment was undertaken to examine the potential of using coffee waste to improve the physico‐chemical properties of an Arenosol from DR Congo. The amendment was applied at three rates to the topsoil and incubated in soil columns at field moisture capacity for 24 months. A control without any amendment was integral to the completely randomized experimental design involving three replicates. The soil columns were watered weekly with an amount of distilled water approximating to 87% of the average rainfall. Every 3 months, the soil chemical properties and the fraction of leached water and cations were measured. All application rates raised soil pH above 5.5 within 3 months. Exchangeable Ca, Mg and K showed respectively, 5 to 7‐, 2 to 3‐ and 7 to 14‐fold increases with increasing application rates. Organic C and total N significantly increased within 6 months to ca. 1.5 and 0.12% respectively, inducing a decrease in the C/N ratio from 17 to 13. The combined action of increasing soil pH and organic C contributed to a significant increase in cation exchange capacity. Increases in available P were significant, but temporary, with maximum values attained at 9 months. Coffee waste application significantly increased the fraction of retained soil water from 53% to 60%. It promoted the retention of basic cations, immobilized Mn, but increased the mobility of Fe. Coffee waste has the potential to be used as a liming material, an NPK fertilizer and has the benefits also of increasing water and nutrient retention.     

Evaluation of dwell as a nitrification inhibitor and its interaction with nitrogen source and soil properties

Abstract

A method is described in which boron is extracted from ignited soils with 0.05M mannitol and 0.01M calcium chloride. This method extracts similar amounts of boron to the commonly used hot‐water soluble method. Both methods are equally well related to the development of boron deficiency and with boron taken up by Pinus radiata D. Don seedlings grown in pot trials but the mannitol method is better suited to routine analyses. Increased mannitol‐extractable boron in surface soils was related to increased growth and less boron deficiency symptom development by P. radiata grown on yellow podzolic but not on yellow and red earth soils. In the yellow podzolic soils there was little extractable boron below the A1 horizon. In contrast the distribution of boron in the profile of earth soils was more uniform and thus the analysis of surface soils did not reflect the total amount of available boron.     

Soil organic carbon and physical properties as affected by long-term application of FYM and inorganic fertilizers in maize–wheat system

The physical quality of the soil, which creates suitable environment for the availability and uptake of the plant nutrients, is generally ignored. Though the effect of organic manures on soil physical quality has been widely appreciated but that of inorganic fertilizers is studied to a lesser extent. The present study carried out during 2004–2005 aims to characterize the soil physical quality in relation to the long-term (32 years) application of farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic fertilizers in maize (Zea mays L.) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system. The treatments during both maize and wheat crops were (i) farm yard manure at 20 Mg ha⁻¹ (FYM), (ii) nitrogen at 100 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁₀₀), (iii) nitrogen and phosphorus at 100 and 50 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁₀₀P₅₀) and (iv) nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at 100, 50 and 50 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀) in addition to (v) control treatment, i.e. without any fertilizer and/or FYM addition. The treatments were replicated four times in randomized block design in a sandy loam (Typic Ustipsament, non-saline, slightly alkaline). Bulk density, organic carbon content, structural stability of soil aggregates and water holding capacity of 0–60 cm soil layer were measured.The application of FYM to maize increased the organic carbon by 16% whereas N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀ increased it by 21%. The increased organic matter with both FYM and N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀ increased the total soil porosity and decreased soil bulk density from that in control plots. The mean weight diameter (MWD) was highest in FYM plots of both maize (0.160 mm) and wheat (0.172 mm) closely followed by that in N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀ plots. The effect of FYM in increasing the MWD decreased with soil depth. The average water holding capacity (WHC) was higher with FYM and N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀ application than that in control plots. The MWD, total porosity, OC content and WHC improved with the application of balanced application of fertilizers. The grain yield and uptake of N, P and K by both maize and wheat were higher with the application of FYM and inorganic fertilizers than in control plots. The uptake of N, P and K increased with the application of FYM and N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀.     

冷藏库用风冷太阳能双级水喷射制冷系统性能分析

对额定制冷量为8.3 kW的冷藏库用风冷太阳能双级水喷射制冷系统进行了变工况性能分析。该系统的制冷量随冷藏温度升高而增大,随环境温度升高而减小,随太阳辐照度增强而增大;性能系数（COP）的变化规律与制冷量类似,其差别是随太阳辐照度增强先迅速增大,但当太阳辐照度增大到一定程度后,COP基本保持稳定。在正常使用条件下（冷藏温度不低于6℃,环境温度不高于38℃,太阳辐照度不低于500 W/m2）,系统的制冷量为5.6～20 kW,COP为0.075～0.112。该系统能较好地与亚热带典型城市南宁的果蔬盛产季节气候条件相匹配。     

Dual inoculation of peanut with Glomus sp. and Bradyrhizobium sp. enhanced the symbiotic nitrogen fixation as assessed by 15N-Technique

Abstract

The response of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi (Glomus etunicatum) and Bradyrhizobiurn sp. was studied in pots by the acetylene reduction activity (ARA) and ‘A-value’ methods. The soil used was a Light-coloured Andosol and the treatments consisted of the inoculation of VAM fungi only, inoculation of Bradyrhizobium only, dual inoculation of VAM fungi and Bradyrhizobium and control, under non-sterilized and sterilized soil conditions.

In the non-sterilized soil the ARA and nitrogen fixation determined by the ‘A-value’ method increased significantly only by dual inoculation of VAM fungi and Bradyrhizobium at 100 days after planting (DAP), but no significant difference was observed at 70 DAP. In the case of dual inoculation, 75% of the nitrogen of the plant was derived from fixation whereas the plants inoculated only with Bradyrhizobium derived 68% of their nitrogen from fixation and the control plants, 64%. Amount of P in plant increased significantly only by dual inoculation with VAM fungi and Bradyrhizobium.

In the sterilized soil a highly significant increase in the ARA was observed of the dual inoculation at all the sampling times. Nitrogen fixation determined by the A-value technique and N and P contents in plant also increased significantly by dual inoculation. Results obtained by the A-value method showed that plants with dual inoculation derived 68% of their nitrogen from fixation while the plants inoculated only with Bradyrhizobium, 38%.

From our this study we conclude that nitrogen fixation as well as N and P contents in peanut increased significantly only by dual inoculation with VAM fungi and Bradyrhizobium.