微波干燥对天然橡胶硫化胶热氧老化性能的影响

研究3种不同干燥方式所得天然橡胶硫化胶的热氧老化性能。采用TG和DTG测定了空气氛围下干燥后样品硫化胶的热氧降解温度,运用Coats-Redfern方程计算N2氛围下样品硫化胶热降解活化能;采用RPA 2000在应变为0.5 deg下进行频率扫描来评估样品耐热老化性能,并测定了样品硫化胶老化前后的力学性能。结果表明,微波干燥天然橡胶的力学性能明显优于热空气干燥和自然干燥,性能变化率和老化系数更大,样品RPA频率扫描tanδ值的增值更大,微波干燥样品的热降解活化能高于热空气干燥9 kJ/mol,与自然干燥样品接近,说明微波干燥天然橡胶硫化胶的热稳定性好,耐热氧老化性能得到显著提高。     

2种凝固工艺制备的天然橡胶热降解表观活化能

用热重-微商热重(TG -DTG )方法研究了在流动的空气状态下 2 种凝固工艺制备的天然橡胶(NR )的热降解动力学,用 O zaw a 方程求取不同转化率 α 时的反应活化能 E,外推至转化率 α 为 0 的表观活化能 Eα→0,并用 Coats-Redfern 方程求取不同的加热速率 β 的反应活化能 E,外推 β 为 0 的表观活化能 Eβ→0。结果表明:甲酸凝固制备的 NR 在空气气氛中热降解反应表观活化能 Eα→0 为 101.6 kJ/mol,Eβ→0 为 104.5 kJ/mol,确定其表观活化能为 101.6￣104.5 kJ/m ol;自然凝固 7 d 制备的 N R 热降解反应表观活化能 Eα→0 为 107.7kJ/mol,Eβ→0 为 106.6 kJ/mol,确定其表观活化能为 106.6￣107.7 kJ/mol。自然凝固工艺制备的 NR 热降解反应的表观活化能高于甲酸凝固工艺制备的 NR 热降解反应的表观活化能。      

自然凝固和乙酸凝固的天然橡胶动态性能的比较

用橡胶加工分析仪(RPA)和动态力学热分析仪(DMA)对同一批新鲜天然胶乳的乙酸凝固和自然凝固工艺制备的天然橡胶(NR)生胶、混炼胶及硫化胶的弹性模量(G′)、弹性扭矩(S′)、损耗因子(tanδ)、储能模量(E′)、玻璃化转变温度(Tg)及损耗模量(E″)进行研究.结果表明:自然凝固的生胶、混炼胶及硫化胶的G及S′比乙酸凝固的生胶、混炼胶及硫化胶的高,tanδ较乙酸凝固的生胶、混炼胶及硫化胶的小;在低温时,自然凝固NR硫化胶的E′比乙酸凝固NR硫化胶的低,Tg及E″较乙酸凝固NR硫化胶的高,但当温度大于-80℃时,自然凝固的硫化胶的E′则稍高.     

不同干燥方式所得干天然橡胶的形态结构与性能

采用燃烧柴油产生热风干燥湿天然橡胶胶粒(热风温度115℃)和微波干燥湿天然橡胶胶粒(湿天然橡胶表面温度115℃),并研究其干胶粒的形态结构和性能.结果表明,采用微波干燥的于天然橡胶胶粒表面粗糙,仍基本保留湿天然橡胶加工胶粒过程所产生的切割痕迹;而热风干燥的干天然橡胶胶粒表面熔融平滑,已失去湿天然橡胶加工胶粒过程所产牛的切割痕迹.微波干燥的干天然橡胶分子量大于热风干燥的干天然橡胶分子量.微波干燥的干天然橡胶硫化胶的耐热氧老化性能得到显著提高,其老化前后拉伸强度变化率(-37%)和扯断伸长率变化率(-65%)明显高于热风干燥的干天然橡胶硫化胶的拉伸强度变化率(-57%)和扯断伸长率变化率(-87%).     

不同生产工艺对天然橡胶臭氧老化性能与结构的影响

胶乳的凝固和干燥是天然生胶生产的重要环节。在不同凝固方式（酸凝固、微波凝固、自然凝固、微生物凝固）、不同干燥方式（自然风干、热风干燥）等不同工艺下研究了天然橡胶（NR）的理化性能及其臭氧老化前后物理机械性能,发现微生物凝固胶在相同臭氧老化条件下其拉伸强度最高,且变化率最低。采用臭氧老化研究的结果表明：微生物凝固胶（m-NR）硫化胶在静态拉伸状态下臭氧龟裂达到16 h。热重分析探讨了不同工艺NR硫化胶热老化过程,并采用衰减全反射傅立叶红外光谱（FTIR-ATR）技术初步探讨了臭氧对微生物凝固胶的老化作用。     

两种割胶制度对NR硫化胶耐老化性能的影响

采用热空气老化箱常规法结合热重分析（TG）法、差示扫描量热（DSC）法及橡胶加工分析（RPA）法研究两种割胶制度对生胶（NR）硫化胶耐老化性能的影响,结果表明：s/2d/4＋ET2.5%割制硫化胶的耐老化性能优于s/2d/3＋ET4%割制硫化胶。     

微生物凝固和酸凝固对天然橡胶性能的影响

通过微生物凝固和酸凝固两种方法制备天然橡胶,对比二者性能的差别。结果表明：微生物凝固天然橡胶的溶胶含量较低,相对分子量大,门尼粘度和塑性初值大,塑性保持率略微低于酸凝固天然橡胶;微生物凝固天然橡胶硫化胶的交联密度高,物理机械性能好。     

炭黑品种对NR/ENR共混物减震材料的影响

研究不同理化性能炭黑品种对天然橡胶/环氧化天然橡胶(NR/ENR)共混物硫化胶的力学性能、压缩疲劳生热性能和减震性能的影响.结果表明,粒子越小、比表面越人、结构性越高的炭黑的补强性较大,力学性能较好;但其压缩疲劳生热较大.动态热机械分析(DMA)的研究结果表明:随着温度的变化,炭黑粒子大小、结构性等对共混物硫化胶的减震性能有较人的影响,在ENR相的Tg2处,粒子较大的炭黑所填充的共混物硫化胶的tanδ较大;在高于Tg2以上的使用温度范围内,粒子较小的炭黑填充的共混物硫化胶的tanδ相对较高,减震性能较好.     

γ-纳米Al2O3补强耐磨橡胶衬板的性能研究

以γ型纳米Al2O3补强[天然橡胶（NR）/顺丁橡胶（BR）/炭黑]耐磨橡胶衬板,研究纳米Al2O3对橡胶衬板混炼胶的硫化特性和加工性能以及硫化胶的力学性能、耐磨耗性能和耐热分解性能的影响。结果表明,纳米Al2O3适宜的添加质量分数为3％,此时,橡胶衬板混炼胶的焦烧时间和正硫化时间延长、加工安全性改善但不会影响胶料的硫化程度,并具有较好的加工流动性;纳米Al2O3增强的橡胶衬板硫化胶具有更优异的综合力学性能,且其磨耗量降低了46.2％,初始降解温度提高了58 ℃以上,从而使橡胶衬板硫化胶具有良好的耐磨耗性能和热稳定性能。     

环氧化天然橡胶凝胶与溶胶的热降解

采用热重法研究了环氧化天然橡胶的凝胶和溶胶的热降解和热氧降解,并用３次样条函数对热重数据进行插值和微分,通过二元线性回归求出了凝胶和溶胶的热降解活化能、反应级数和频率因子。凝胶的起始降解温度、热氧降解温度及活化能高于溶胶的起始降解温度、热氧降解温度及活化能,说明凝胶的热稳定性高于溶胶。     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus X in genotypes of wild tuber-bearingSolanum species

Summary Clones derived from thirty-one different accessions (nineteen of Argentine origin) belonging to eightSolanum species were screened for resistance to infection by potato virus X strain cp (PVX cp) by mechanical inoculation of plantlets that had been micropropagated in vitro. Estimates of PVX multiplication obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and slot blot nucleic acid hybridization allowed the identification of resistant clones derived from five accessions belonging toS. commersonii S. oplocense, S. sparsipilum andS. tuberosum andigena. Resistant genotypes supported PVX concentrations 5 to 15 times smaller than did the susceptible control cultivar Spunta. Graft inoculation test confirmed the presence of extreme resistance similar to that conferred by the ‘immunity’ gene X¹ (also called RX_act).     

Cyanobacteria Secondary Metabolites as Biotechnological Ingredients in Natural Anti-Aging Cosmetics: Potential to Overcome Hyperpigmentation,Loss of Skin Density and UV Radiation-Deleterious Effects

The loss of density and elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are among the first noticeable signs of skin aging. Beyond UV radiation and oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) assume a preponderant role in the process, since their deregulation results in the degradation of most extracellular matrix components. In this survey, four cyanobacteria strains were explored for their capacity to produce secondary metabolites with biotechnological potential for use in anti-aging formulations. Leptolyngbya boryana LEGE 15486 and Cephalothrix lacustris LEGE 15493 from freshwater ecosystems, and Leptolyngbya cf. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 and Nodosilinea nodulosa LEGE 06104 from marine habitats were sequentially extracted with acetone and water, and extracts were analyzed for their toxicity in cell lines with key roles in the skin context (HaCAT, 3T3L1, and hCMEC). The non-toxic extracts were chemically characterized in terms of proteins, carotenoids, phenols, and chlorophyll a, and their anti-aging potential was explored through their ability to scavenge the physiological free radical superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), to reduce the activity of the MMPs elastase and hyaluronidase, to inhibit tyrosinase and thus avoid melanin production, and to block UV-B radiation (sun protection factor, SPF). Leptolyngbya species stood out for anti-aging purposes: L. boryana LEGE 15486 presented a remarkable SPF of 19 (at 200 µg/mL), being among the best species regarding O₂^•− scavenging, (IC₅₀ = 99.50 µg/mL) and also being able to inhibit tyrosinase (IC₂₅ = 784 µg/mL), proving to be promising against UV-induced skin-aging; L. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 was more efficient in inhibiting MMPs (hyaluronidase, IC₅₀ = 863 µg/mL; elastase, IC₅₀ = 391 µg/mL), thus being the choice to retard dermal density loss. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data allowed the grouping of extracts into three groups, according to their chemical composition; the correlation of carotenoids and chlorophyll a with MMPs activity (p < 0.01), O₂^•− scavenging with phenolic compounds (p < 0.01), and phycocyanin and allophycocyanin with SPF, pointing to these compounds in particular as responsible for UV-B blockage. This original survey explores, for the first time, the biotechnological potential of these cyanobacteria strains in the field of skin aging, demonstrating the promising, innovative, and multifactorial nature of these microorganisms.     

Marine Pharmacology in 2009–2011: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis,and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action ?

The peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2009 to 2011 is presented in this review, following the format used in the 1998–2008 reviews of this series. The pharmacology of structurally-characterized compounds isolated from marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria is discussed in a comprehensive manner. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral pharmacological activities were reported for 102 marine natural products. Additionally, 60 marine compounds were observed to affect the immune and nervous system as well as possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 68 marine metabolites were shown to interact with a variety of receptors and molecular targets, and thus will probably contribute to multiple pharmacological classes upon further mechanism of action studies. Marine pharmacology during 2009–2011 remained a global enterprise, with researchers from 35 countries, and the United States, contributing to the preclinical pharmacology of 262 marine compounds which are part of the preclinical pharmaceutical pipeline. Continued pharmacological research with marine natural products will contribute to enhance the marine pharmaceutical clinical pipeline, which in 2013 consisted of 17 marine natural products, analogs or derivatives targeting a limited number of disease categories.     

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).