菜籽粕对肉用仔鸡血清中甲状腺激素浓度和生产性能的影响

用放射免疫分析法研究了菜籽粕对肉用仔鸡血清中甲状腺激素(T_3和T_4)浓度的影响,考察了生产性能,比较研究了仔鸡性别对菜籽粕的不同反应。结果表明:1.12％菜籽粕使仔母鸡血清三碘甲腺原氨酸浓度均值显著降低(P<0.05),尤其在饲喂菜籽粕5周以内影响更大,而对仔公鸡没有显著影响;2.12％籽菜粕对仔鸡血清甲状腺素浓度无显著影响,但前期血清甲状腺素浓度略有增加,后期略为下降;3.12％菜籽粕使仔鸡前期增重减少,料肉比增加,但对后期生产性能没有显著不良影响;4.12％菜籽粕导致仔鸡甲状腺显著增大(P<0.05),而对肝重、肾重和脾重则无显著影响:5.12％菜籽粕组8周龄仔鸡血浆中未检出恶唑烷硫酮和异硫氰酸酯等毒素。     

冬小麦光合特性对CO2浓度与土壤含水量的响应机制

光合作用是衡量植物对环境响应的重要指标,通过光响应曲线拟合量化光合特征,可从生理机制方面揭示出植物在不同生长环境下自身的调节与适应机制。本文利用Li-6400便携式光合仪测定了冬小麦在4种不同处理条件下灌浆期旗叶的光响应曲线,采用直角双曲线模型(RHM)、非直角双曲线模型(NRHM)、直角双曲线修正模型(RHMM)、指数模型(EM)和指数改进模型(MEM)对光响应数据进行拟合,分析了不同CO_2浓度和土壤含水量对冬小麦光合特征的影响。结果表明,直角双曲线修正模型对各处理下冬小麦光响应曲线和光响应曲线参数的拟合值都与实测值较为接近,拟合效果最好;随着CO_2浓度升高,各水分处理下冬小麦表观量子效率(α)、光饱和点(LSP)和最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))增大,光补偿点(LCP)和暗呼吸(R_d)降低,即CO_2浓度升高能有效增加冬小麦的光能转化率和光能利用范围,提高冬小麦的光合能力;随着土壤含水量的降低,冬小麦光补偿点(LCP)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)升高,但表观量子效率(α)、光饱和点(LSP)和最大净光合速率(Pnmax)降低,即冬小麦虽然能通过提高初始光合效率抵消一部分干旱胁迫的影响,但干旱胁迫仍会降低冬小麦光合能力;此外,CO_2浓度的增加能抵消部分冬小麦因干旱胁迫引起的光合能力降低。     

Isolation and purification of moniliformin

A bulk purification procedure is described for moniliformin, a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium moniliforme. The method involves methanol extraction of suitably molded maize, aqueous extraction of the methanol-free residue, ion exchange chromatography with a NaCl concentration gradient, desalination, and crystallization. A pKa value of 1.70 as well as molar absorptivities of 19100 (lambda (H2O) max 229 nm), 5600 (lambda (H2O) max 260 nm), and 4700 (lambda (MeOH) max 260 nm) L/mole/cm are reported for moniliformin.     

Losses of dissolved CO2 through the cork stopper during Champagne aging: toward a multiparameter modeling

Measurements of dissolved CO(2) concentrations from Champagne bottles initially holding the same CO(2) level after having been elaborated (close to 11.5 g L(-1)), but having experienced different periods of aging after having been corked with natural cork stoppers, were done. Losses of dissolved CO(2) close to 3.5 g L(-1) experienced by the oldest Champagne samples aged for about 75 months were reported. This very significant loss of dissolved CO(2) was logically interpreted as a consequence of the continuous diffusion of gaseous CO(2) through the pores of the cork stopper. By combining the diffusion principle through a porous medium with Henry's law (which links the solubility of a gas species in a liquid medium with its partial pressure in the vapor phase), a multiparameter model was built that provides the dissolved CO(2) content found in Champagne during its whole aging period. Both Champagne temperature and bottle volume were found to be key parameters with regard to the kinetics of CO(2) losses through the cork.     

甘蔗叶片光合CO2响应参数分析及其品种间差异

甘蔗光合作用的CO2响应是甘蔗生理生态研究的重要内容。作为C4植物的甘蔗具有较高的光合效率,是最重要的糖料作物。为比较不同模型拟合甘蔗CO2响应曲线的效果,分析不同品种甘蔗光合CO2响应特性,探究甘蔗光合CO2响应参数之间的关系,本文使用LI-6400XT光合测定系统在云南开远进行了田间观测,用直角双曲线模型（RH）、非直角双曲线模型（NRH）、叶子飘（Ye）模型拟合6个品种甘蔗光合CO2响应曲线,并分析光合CO2响应参数。结果表明：RH和NRH模型拟合的最大光合速率（Amax）偏差较大,且无法得到CO2饱和点（CSP）。NRH模型拟合的初始羧化速率（η）与实测值最为接近,但得到的呼吸速率（Rp）和CO2补偿点（CCP）均为负。综合来看叶子飘模型模拟甘蔗叶片光合CO2响应的效果最佳。Ye模型得到的光合CO2响应参数中,η与Rp/CCP呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,Rp与η、CCP呈显著正相关（P<0.05）,Rp、η与CSP呈显著负相关（P<0.05）。有的品种在低CO2浓度时表现高光合特性,伴随高呼吸消耗,同时在高浓度CO2时光合能力较弱,易达到CO2饱和点。Ye模型得到的6个品种甘蔗的Amax平均值为32.44.5mol·m-2·s-1,η平均值为0.1280.060,CSP平均值为115277mol·m-2·s-1,CCP平均值为8.55.5mol·m-2·s-1。品种ROC22具有很低的Rp、CCP和最高的Amax,光合特性最好;除YZ99-91外其它5个品种甘蔗的CSP都较大,能适应大气中CO2浓度的升高。     

温度和二氧化碳浓度升高对青稞生长的影响

采用开顶式气室（OTC）模拟温度和二氧化碳（CO2）浓度升高的生长环境,以模拟大田环境为对照（CK）,通过大田原位模拟试验对“藏青2000”青稞品种在增温2℃（T2）、增温4℃（T4）和增温2℃同时增加CO2浓度100μL·L-1（T2+CO2）环境下进行观测,分析气候变化环境下青稞的生育期、光合作用、农艺性状及其耕层土壤养分的变化。结果表明：增温处理（T2、T4、T2+CO2）下青稞的生育期缩短5～7d。其中,T4处理的生育期最短,为92d,T2和T2+CO2处理为94d。增温处理中青稞叶片光合作用降低,其净光合速率（Pn）、蒸腾速率（Tr）和气孔导度（Gs）均显著低于CK。增温处理使土壤耕层有机质和速效钾含量显著降低,速效磷含量提高。与CK相比,T2、T4和T2+CO2各处理青稞产量分别下降31.4%、46.9%和39.4%;增温2℃使青稞农艺性状（株高、干物质量、穗长）有所提高,在增温的基础上增加CO2浓度对青稞的影响并不显著,增温4℃严重影响青稞的正常生长和产量。     

Evidence that homogenization of BSA-stabilized hexadecane-in-water emulsions induces structure modification of the nonadsorbed protein

The structural modification of globular proteins (bovine serum albumin, BSA) in the aqueous phase of emulsions produced by homogenization was studied using front-face fluorescence spectroscopy (FFFS). A series of hydrocarbon oil-in-water emulsions (30 wt % n-hexadecane, 0.35 wt % BSA, pH 7.0) were homogenized to differing degrees with a high-speed blender and a high-pressure valve homogenizer. The wavelength of the maximum in the tryptophan emission spectrum (lambda(max)) of serum phases collected from the emulsions by centrifugation was measured and compared to lambda(max) values of BSA solutions subjected to the same homogenization conditions. There was no significant (p < 0.05) change in lambda(max) with homogenization conditions for BSA solutions. In contrast, lambda(max) of serum phases from emulsions blended for 2 min in a high-speed blender was significantly smaller (p < 0.05) than nontreated BSA solutions (Deltalambda(max) = 2 nm). In addition, there was a further significant decrease in lambda(max) of the serum phases with an increasing number of passes of the emulsion through the high-pressure valve homogenizer (e.g., Deltalambda(max) = 4 nm for 12 passes). This study shows that globular proteins present in the aqueous phase of a hexadecane-in-water emulsion after homogenization could be altered, which is probably caused by surface modification of the protein structure during temporary adsorption to emulsion droplet surfaces during homogenization.     

A circular dichroism and fluorescence spectrometric assessment of effects of selected chemical denaturants on soybean (Glycine max L.) storage proteins glycinin (11S) and beta-conglycinin (7S)

Soybean glycinin (11S) and beta-conglycinin (7S) were subjected to select chemical treatments at various concentrations and resulting changes in protein structures were investigated by circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectrometry. Fluorescence quenching results indicated that urea >/=3 M caused significant unfolding of 11S, but not that of 7S. GuHCl was more effective than urea in denaturation of 11S. A two-step transition in 11S structure was observed with a possible existence of a folding intermediate at 2.5 M GuHCl. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) measurably altered secondary and tertiary structures of 11S and 7S below SDS critical micellar concentration (CMC), possibly due to formation of mixed peptide-SDS micelles. SDS treatment increased alpha-helical and unordered structures of both proteins at the expense of beta-sheet structure. NaCl and CaCl 2 caused a significant decrease in fluorescence intensity without shifting emission lambda max. Exposure of 7S and 11S to NaSCN respectively at >/=0.3 and >/=0.6 M NaSCN caused a significant increase in fluorescence intensity measured at the corresponding lambda max of the protein. beta-Mercaptoethanol (beta-ME), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), and phytic acid caused variable red shifts, 2.5-4 nm, in the emission lambda max.     

Optimization of lipase-catalyzed synthesis of octyl hydroxyphenylpropionate by response surface methodology

The ability of immobilized lipase Candida antarctica (Novozyme 435) to catalyze the direct esterification of hydroxyphenylpropionic acid and octanol in a solvent-free system was investigated in this study. Response surface methodology (RSM) and five-level-four-factor central composite rotatable design (CCRD) were employed to evaluate the effects of synthesis parameters, such as reaction time, temperature, enzyme amount, and pH memory, on percentage molar conversion of phenolic acid esters. Reaction time, temperature, and enzyme amount were the most important variables. On the basis of canonical analysis and ridge max analysis, the optimum synthesis conditions with 95.9% molar conversion were reaction time of 58.2 h, temperature of 52.9 degrees C, enzyme amount of 37.8% (w/w), and pH memory of pH 7.     

Solvent-free enzymatic preparation of feruloylated monoacylglycerols optimized by response surface methodology

The ability of immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435) to catalyze the direct esterification of glyceryl ferulate (FG) and oleic acid for feruloylated monoacylglycerols (FMAG) preparation in a solvent-free system was investigated. Enzyme screening and the effect of glycerol on the initial reaction rate of esterification were also investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the effects of the reaction temperature (55-65 degrees C), the enzyme load (8-14%; relative to the weight of total substrates), oleic acid/(FG + glycerol) (6:1-9:1; w/w), and the reaction time (1-2 h) on the conversion of FG and yield of FMAG. Validation of the RSM model was verified by the good agreement between the experimental and the predicted values of FG conversion and FMAG yield. The optimum preparation conditions were as follows: temperature, 60 degrees C; enzyme load, 8.2%; substrate ratio, 8.65:1 (oleic acid/(FG + glycerol), w/w); and reaction time, 1.8 h. Under these conditions, the conversion of FG and yield of FMAG are 96.7 +/- 1.0% and 87.6 +/- 1.2%, respectively.     

Structural characterization of new malvidin 3-glucoside-catechin aryl/alkyl-linked pigments

The condensation reaction between malvidin 3-glucoside and catechin mediated by isobutyraldehyde, benzaldehyde, and isovaleraldehyde was conducted in model solutions at two pH values (1.5 and 3.2). The formation of new alkyl/aryl-linked adducts corresponding to the structures malvidin 3-glucoside-isobutylcatechin, malvidin 3-glucoside-benzylcatechin, and malvidin 3-glucoside-3-methylbutylcatechin was respectively observed from each aldehyde. The structural characterization of these new structures has been elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry, and UV-vis techniques. These new adducts showed the same lambda(max) in the visible region at 540 nm, which is bathochromically shifted 15 nm when compared with the original anthocyanin (lambda(max) = 525 nm).     

Spectrofluorometric characterization of beta-lactoglobulin B covalently labeled with 2-(4'-maleimidylanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonate.

Bovine beta-lactoglobulin, genetic variant B, has been labeled with 2-(4'-maleimidylanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid through covalent attachment through the Cys-121 thiol group for the study of stepwise pressure denaturation of this whey protein by fluorescence spectroscopy. The labeling was performed under nondenaturing conditions with a factor of 5 excess of the fluorophore in dimethylformamide/water (1:10) to yield the whey protein highly labeled after chromatographic separation. MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy confirmed labeling. The emission from the fluorophore, which is sensitive to the microenvironment, has been characterized for the labeled protein (aqueous pH 7.4 solution, 25 degrees C) and has a lambda(em,max) = 410 nm (lambda(ex,max) = 318 nm) with a fluorescence lifetime of 6.1 +/- 0.2 ns. Fluorescence anisotropy increases and fluorescence quantum yield (Phi(f) = 0.103 at 320 nm) decreases with increasing excitation wavelength. For increasing hydrostatic pressure, fluorescence quantum yield showed a minimum at approximately 50 MPa, corresponding to the pre-denatured "pressure-melted" state in which thiol reactivity previously was found to increase prior to reversible protein unfolding.     

基于全局敏感性分析和贝叶斯方法的WOFOST作物模型参数优化

作物模型参数的敏感性分析、标定和验证可以提高模型的效率和精准度,进而为模型应用做好准备工作。该研究结合参数全局敏感性分析方法以及贝叶斯后验估计理论的马尔科夫蒙特卡洛(Markov Chain Monte Carlo,MCMC)方法,以华北栾城站三年的冬小麦观测数据(叶面积和地上生物量)为参照,对WOFOST模型的55个品种参数进行了敏感性分析、筛选和优化。发现:1)对叶面积影响较大的参数为:生育期为0、0.5、0.6和0.75时的比叶面积、生育期为1.5时的最大光合速率、叶面积指数最大增长率;对地上干物质影响较大的参数为:生育期为1.5时的最大光合速率、生育期为0时的比叶面积、35℃时叶面积的生命周期、生育期为0时的散射消光系数、生育期为1.8时的最大光合速率、储存器官的同化物转换效率。2)潜在和雨养产量水平下,最大叶面积和地上生物量对参数的敏感性差异不大。3)马尔科夫蒙特卡洛方法(MCMC)可以对WOFOST模型品种参数较好地优化;设计的3种校正-验证方案中,第1种方案(用1998-1999年作为校正年份,1999-2000年,2000-2001年作为验证年份)模拟效果最好。4)优化后的参数,模型对潜在产量水平模拟较好,一致性指数均大于0.9,相对均方根误差小于20%;而对有水分胁迫的雨养情况下比潜在产量水平的模拟结果差,表明模型对水分胁迫的模拟不足。该研究为WOFOST模型区域应用和模型调整优化提供科学理论依据。     

耐弱光基因型马铃薯在遮阴条件下的光合和荧光特性分析

为探寻遮阴对马铃薯光合和荧光特性及吸收光能分配的影响,本研究采用大田试验,以马铃薯不耐弱光品种‘丽薯6号’和耐弱光品种‘中薯20’为材料,出苗后用遮光率70%的黑色遮阳网进行遮阴处理(T),以自然光照为对照(CK),测定了遮阴30 d后马铃薯叶片的光合作用、光响应曲线、CO_2响应曲线、光诱导曲线和叶绿素荧光参数的变化。结果表明:1)遮阴后净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、最大净光合速率(P_(max))、光饱和点(LSP)、光补偿点(LCP)较CK显著下降;‘中薯20’的P_n、P_(max)、LSP较高,LCP和暗呼吸速率(R_d)较低。2)不同基因型CO_2响应参数无显著差异,但‘中薯20’的最大羧化速率(V_(cmax))和最大电子传递速率(Jmax)较高,CO_2补偿点(CCP)较低。3)高光诱导过程中,‘中薯20’反应较快,光合能力较强。4)初始荧光(F_o)、最大荧光(F_m)、最大光化学量子效率(F_v/F_m)较CK显著增加,PSⅡ实际光化学量子效率(?F/F_m′)、表观电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学猝灭系数(qP)较CK显著下降,非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)呈增加趋势。5)非光化学热耗散(ФNPQ)和荧光耗散途径(Фf,d)比例显著增加,光化学猝灭耗散途径(ФPSⅡ)比例显著减少,主要以增加热耗散为主。遮阴后,耐弱光基因型‘中薯20’的NPQ和ФNPQ均高于不耐弱光的‘丽薯6号’,说明‘中薯20’的光合机构保护能力更强。综合分析表明,遮阴后耐弱光基因型马铃薯具有较高的净光合速率、较低的光补偿点、较低的CO_2补偿点、较快的光诱导反应速度和较高的非光化学热耗散能力。     

Optimization of production of conjugated linoleic acid from soybean oil

Linoleic acid from soybean oil was used to synthesize conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and the response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the process. A temperature of -35 degrees C and a solvent to oil sample ratio of 8 were suggested for removal of saturated fatty acids by low-temperature crystallization. The ratio of oil sample/urea/methanol suggested was 1:2:5.5 (w/w/v) for removal of oleic acid by urea crystallization. A temperature of 150 degrees C and a time of 140 min were found to be the optimal conditions in the isomerization for the production of c-9,t-11 and t-10,c-12 CLA isomers.     

盐碱胁迫对黄瓜嫁接苗根际土壤细菌和真菌群落结构及丰度的影响

为了解盐碱胁迫对黄瓜嫁接苗根际土壤细菌和真菌群落结构的影响,本研究以2种耐盐碱砧木‘华砧108’(T1)、‘神力铁木砧’(T2)和2种盐碱敏感砧木‘辉太郎’(S1)、‘京欣砧6号’(S2)为试材,自根苗作为对照,以混合盐(盐分摩尔比为NaHCO_3∶Na_2SO_4∶NaCl∶Na_2CO_3=4∶2∶2∶0.15)浓度为100 mmol·L~(-1)、pH 9.0的处理液处理20 d、30 d、40 d(定植30 d、40 d、50 d),利用PCR-DGGE技术,研究了盐碱胁迫对不同砧木嫁接的黄瓜幼苗根际土壤微生物群落结构和丰度的影响。结果表明,耐盐碱的砧木品种T1、T2根际土壤真菌DGGE图谱条带数显著高于盐碱敏感的S2和自根苗对照CK,并且耐盐碱的品种T2土壤细菌的Shannon-Wiener指数与均匀度指数均显著高于盐碱敏感的品种S1、S2和自根苗对照CK。耐盐碱品种T1的细菌16S rDNA基因拷贝数在定植50 d时显著高于盐碱敏感的品种及自根苗;在定植40 d时,耐盐碱的砧木T2真菌ITS基因拷贝数显著高于盐碱敏感的品种以及黄瓜自根苗;定植50 d时,耐盐碱的砧木真菌ITS基因拷贝数显著高于盐碱敏感的品种,但与自根苗差异不显著。不同耐盐碱性砧木嫁接黄瓜幼苗根际土壤微生物群落结构组成和丰度存在差异。以上研究表明,随着盐碱胁迫时间的增加,耐盐碱性不同的砧木嫁接苗根际土壤微生物群落丰度与结构多样性产生了较大差异,间接改变了土壤微生态环境,致使土壤微生物数量和丰富度也发生改变。耐盐碱的砧木品种可能通过改善土壤微环境来加强其自身的耐盐碱特性。     

Wine distillery wastewater degradation. 2. Improvement of aerobic biodegradation by means of an integrated chemical (Ozone)-biological treatment.

Biological degradation of vinasses, generated during alcohol production from wines and pressed grapes, has been studied in four digesters operating in fill and draw mode. Digesters 1 and 2 were fed with nonozonated and ozonated mixtures of vinasses and domestic sewage (1:10 by volume), respectively. Digesters 3 and 4 operated with pure vinasses at acid and neutral pH values, respectively. The effects of pH, temperature, and ozone dose conditions were studied. Preozonation removed inhibitory compounds and improved the growth of nitrifiers. Ozone dose is the key variable to treat a vinasse-domestic sewage effluent effectively with a combined chemical-biological system. Contois's kinetic model has been applied to experimental results, and kinetic parameters related to the maximum specific growth rate of microorganisms, mu(max), and inhibitory effects, alpha, were calculated and compared for nonozonated and ozonated wastewaters.     

Glass transition and water effects on sucrose inversion by invertase in a lactose-sucrose system

Enzymatic changes are often detrimental to quality of low-moisture foods. In the present study, effects of glass transition and water on sucrose inversion in a lactose-sucrose food model were investigated. Amorphous samples were produced by freeze-drying lactose-sucrose (2:1)-invertase (20 mg invertase/49.4 g of carbohydrate) dissolved in distilled water. Sorption isotherms were determined gravimetrically at 24 degrees C. Sucrose hydrolysis was determined by monitoring glucose content using a test kit and the amounts of fructose, glucose, and sucrose using HPLC. The glass transition temperatures, T(g), at various water contents were measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The BET and the GAB sorption models were fitted to experimental data up to a(w) 0.444 and 0.538, respectively. Water sorption and DSC results suggested time-dependent crystallization of sugars at a(w) 0.444 and above. Significant sucrose hydrolysis occurred only above T(g), concomitantly with crystallization. Sucrose hydrolysis and crystallization were not likely in glassy materials.     

黑河中游绿洲区玉米冠层阻抗的环境响应及模拟

蒸散发(ET)是区域能量平衡以及水量平衡的关键环节,精确估算蒸散发,对于提高水分利用效率以及优化区域用水结构具有重要意义,而冠层阻抗则是准确估算蒸散发的一个重要变量。为了确定冠层阻抗模型区域适用性、解决其参数化问题,本研究基于黑河重大研究计划已有的通量观测数据,以Irmak模型为基础,考虑微气象因子与冠层阻抗之间的关系,增加了大气CO_2浓度对冠层阻抗的影响,构建了未考虑CO_2和考虑CO_2影响的两种Irmak模型,并将其与Penman-Monteith(P-M)模型耦合,利用已有涡度相关数据,分析和检验了两种冠层阻抗模型对环境变量和大气CO_2浓度响应的模拟结果,并对模型参数进行敏感性分析。结果表明:将考虑大气CO_2浓度影响的Irmak模型与Penman-Monteith模型耦合,能够更好地模拟玉米冠层阻抗和蒸散量对外部环境变量的响应过程。在参数率定期该模型所模拟的冠层阻抗和蒸散量与实测值之间的R2分别达0.76和0.95,RMSE分别达33.1 s·m-1和34.5 W·m-2;模型验证期冠层阻抗和蒸散量模拟值与实测值之间的R2分别达0.68和0.90,RMSE分别达63.2 s·m-1和49.0 W·m-2。两个独立验证点结果表明考虑了大气CO_2浓度影响的Irmak模型具有较好的空间可移植性和适应性,模型能够较为准确地模拟玉米在整个生长季半小时时间尺度上的农田耗水过程。敏感性分析表明玉米冠层阻抗及其蒸散量对净辐射和相对湿度变化最为敏感,其次是气温、叶面积指数和大气CO_2浓度。本文所构建的考虑大气CO_2浓度对于玉米冠层阻抗影响的Irmak模型能够较为准确地估算作物蒸散量,并可为种植结构调整、土地利用方式改变以及大气CO_2浓度变化环境下的农田耗水研究提供一定的研究依据。     

Application of response surface methodology to the study of methyl glucoside polyester synthesis parameters in a solvent-free system

Response surface methodology (RSM) and 3-level-3-factor fractional factorial design were used to evaluate the effects of synthesis parameters, including reaction time (4 to 8 h), temperature (110 to 130 degrees C), and substrate molar ratio of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from soybean oil to methyl glucoside (4:1 to 6:1) on the percent molar conversion to methyl glucoside polyester (MGPE), utilizing 15 g of methyl glucoside as the reactant in a solvent-free system. All synthesis variables (reaction time, temperature, and substrate molar ratio) exhibited significant effects on percent molar conversion to MPGE in the experimental range. Optimization of the synthesis reaction was suggested by ridge max analysis to compute the estimated ridge of optimum response for increasing radii from the center of the original design. Based on the ridge max analysis, optimum conditions were: reaction time 6.3 h, synthesis temperature 123.8 degrees C, and substrate molar ratio 5.9:1. The predicted molar conversion was 55.68% (i.e., 15 g methyl glucoside yielded 56.5 g MGPE) at the optimum point.