Comparative evaluation of the emulsifying properties of phosphatidylcholine after enzymatic acyl modification

The ability of enzymatically synthesized structured phosphatidylcholine (PC) containing caprylic acid to form and stabilize oil-in-water emulsions prepared with different triglycerides [medium chain triglycerides (MCT), soybean oil, and enzymatically synthesized structured lipids] was examined and compared with natural soybean PC and deoiled lecithin. Emulsions were prepared with varying oil and emulsifier concentrations. The particle size distribution, creaming stability, and viscosity were measured for the evaluation of the emulsifying properties. With an increase in the oil concentration, there was an increase in particle size, viscosity, and creaming layer. With an increase in the phospholipid (PL) concentration, there was usually a decrease in particle size and an increase in viscosity, where the emulsion stability was increased. General emulsions prepared with structured lipids resulted in smaller particle sizes as compared to MCT and soybean oil. Deoiled lecithin was able to increase the viscosity more significantly and give smaller particle sizes as compared to the other emulsifiers, thus producing more stable emulsions. However, in certain cases, structured PC was superior to deoiled lecithin and soybean PC. This observation was made for emulsions prepared with soybean oil or structured lipid at an oil/water ratio of 10:90. At an oil/water ratio of 30:70, the deoiled lecithin performed better as compared to the other PLs with all oil types. However, structured PC produced more stable emulsions as compared to natural soybean PC in MCT and soybean oil.     

Time-resolved spectral studies of blue-green fluorescence of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. Var. Scolymus) leaves: identification of chlorogenic acid as one of the major fluorophores and age-mediated changes

Synchrotron radiation and the time-correlated single-photon counting technique were used to investigate the spectral and time-resolved characteristics of blue-green fluorescence (BGF) of artichoke leaves. Leaves emitted BGF under ultraviolet (UV) excitation; the abaxial side was much more fluorescent than the adaxial side, and in both cases, the youngest leaves were much more fluorescent than the oldest ones. The BGF of artichoke leaves was dominated by the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids. A decrease in the percentage of BGF attributable to the very short kinetic component (from 42 to 20%), in the shape of the BGF excitation spectra, and chlorogenic acid concentrations indicate that there is a loss of hydroxycinnamic acid with leaf age. Studies on excitation, emission, and synchronized fluorescence spectra of leaves and trichomes and chlorogenic acid contents indicate that chlorogenic acid is one of the main blue-green fluorophores in artichoke leaves. Results of the present study indicate that 20-42% (i.e., the very short kinetic component) of the overall BGF is emitted by chlorogenic acid. Time-resolved BGF measurements could be a means to extract information on chlorogenic acid fluorescence from the overall leaf BGF.     

Occurrence of naturally acetylated lignin units

This work examines the occurrence of native acetylated lignin in a large set of vascular plants, including both angiosperms and gymnosperms, by a modification of the so-called Derivatization Followed by Reductive Cleavage (DFRC) method. Acetylated lignin units were found in the milled wood lignins of all angiosperms selected for this study, including mono- and eudicotyledons, but were absent in the gymnosperms analyzed. In some plants (e.g., abaca, sisal, kenaf, or hornbeam), lignin acetylation occurred at a very high extent, exceeding 45% of the uncondensed (alkyl-aryl ether linked) syringyl lignin units. Acetylation was observed exclusively at the gamma-carbon of the lignin side chain and predominantly on syringyl units, although a predominance of acetylated guaiacyl over syringyl units was observed in some plants. In all cases, acetylation appears to occur at the monomer stage, and sinapyl and coniferyl acetates seem to behave as real lignin monomers participating in lignification.     

Fermentation as a bio-process to obtain functional soybean flours

The effect of fermentation on the antioxidant compounds [vitamins C and E, total phenolic compounds (TPC), and reduced glutathione (GSH)], and antioxidant capacity [superoxide anion scavenging activity (SOD-like activity), peroxyl radical-trapping capacity (PRTC), inhibition of phosphatidylcholine (PC) peroxidation, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)] of soybean (Glycine max cv. Merit) was studied. Fermentation was carried out in solid state in cracked seeds inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae, Rhizopus oryzae, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus plantarum and in liquid state either in cracked seeds or milled soybean flours fermented naturally by only the microorganisms present in the seeds or by inoculation with L. plantarum. Vitamin C was not detected in the studied samples. Fermentation caused a decrease in vitamin E activity, except when cracked seed was fermented with A. oryzae, R. oryzae, or B. subtilis that increased 31, 30, and 89%, respectively. Fermentation produced an increase in TPC content and did not affect or reduce the GSH content. Fermentation decreased SOD-like activity drastically, while PRTC increased except when it was carried out naturally in cracked seed. TEAC values rose sharply when soybeans were fermented with B. subtilis. Processed soybean extracts inhibited PC peroxidation in comparison with the control assay. On the basis of the results obtained, the relative contributions of vitamin E, TPC, and GSH to antioxidant capacity were calculated and results showed a very high TPC contribution and a low contribution of GSH and vitamin E activity. Optimum results for functional soybean flours were achieved when fermentation was carried out with B. subtilis inoculum.     

Sedimentary characterization of Tagus estuarine beaches (Portugal)

Background, Aim and Scope  The distribution of sediments in estuarine beaches is controlled by the interactions between sediment supply, hydrodynamic processes and human intervention. The main purpose of this study is to characterize the sediments of Tagus estuarine beaches in order to understand their origin and to contribute to a better knowledge of the Tagus estuary sediment budget. Methods  Surface sediment samples were collected across beach profiles and sand grain size analysis was performed by dry sieving. Grain size statistics for the median (d₅₀) and standard deviation (SDM) were obtained using the Moment method. This study was complemented by a qualitative evaluation of the sediment composition. Cross-shore topographic surveys were conducted for selected sampling sites. Results  Tagus estuarine beach sediments are mainly composed of quartz sand particles which are fine-grained and well sorted near the mouth of the estuary and medium to coarse-grained and moderately sorted in the inner domain. Compositional results show evidence of active anthropogenic sediment sources, especially in the coarser fractions. Discussion  The analysis of the textural and compositional characteristics of beach sediments in the inner estuarine domain is compatible with local sedimentary sources, while a marine signature is present at the mouth and inlet channel sediments. In the inner domain, differences in the sedimentary processes are represented by the textural characteristics of the sediments, such as the sorting degree and the gravel content. Sediment characteristics also reflect human intervention in the system, with the introduction of anthropogenic and allochthonous particles and the mixture of sediments from different sources. Conclusions  The sediments of the inner Tagus estuarine beaches are derived from local Plio-Pleistocene outcrops while inlet and outer estuary beaches reveal a dominant marine source. Beach textural variability observed in the inner domain is not related to wave forcing gradients, but mainly to variations in the sedimentary processes along the estuarine margins and to human intervention. Results show that the Tagus estuarine beaches depended, almost exclusively, on sediment input from local sources until the last century. With increasing human occupation, sediment transfers became dominated by anthropogenically related activities mainly connected with the occupation of estuarine margins and dredging. Recommendations and Perspectives  Further studies should extend the present level of knowledge in what concerns sand transport patterns through additional compositional and geochemical analysis, and the development of new techniques in order to allow the quantitative evaluation of the impact of human activities on the sediment budget.     

往复式割刀切割马铃薯秧数值模拟分析

针对马铃薯收秧机械在国内发展空白和往复式切割器切割马铃薯秧蔓研究较少的问题,对往复式切割器进行三维建模、显式动力学分析,并仿真得到往复式切割器在切割马铃薯秧过程中的变形结果、应力和剪切力变化折线图。结果表明:马铃薯秧的最大变形为148.98mm,最大应力为2.7706MPa,最大剪切力为1.5368 MPa,且往复式切割刀的各项指标均在合理范围之内,能够充分实现马铃薯秧苗的切割。该研究内容可为往复式切割器在马铃薯秧蔓切割问题上的探讨提供参考。     

施氮量对超级稻‘松粳9号’产量及氮肥利用率的影响

为了探讨施氮量与‘松粳9号’干物质积累、产量、氮肥利用率之间的关系,明确最佳氮肥施用量,使其在生产中真正发挥超级稻的增产潜力。以超级稻‘松粳9号’为材料,通过田间小区对比试验,研究了不同氮肥施用量对超级稻‘松粳9号’产量及氮肥利用率的影响。结果表明,在水稻齐穗期,地上部植株干物质积累量和吸氮量都随着施氮量的增加而增加;成熟期地上部植株干物质积累量和吸氮量都随着施氮量的增加出现先增后减的趋势。氮肥利用率随着施氮量的增加而降低。随着施氮量的增加产量出现先增后减的趋势。产量与成熟期稻穗和植株干物重、齐穗期稻穗含氮量、成熟期稻穗和植株含氮量呈极显著正相关,与氮肥生理利用率呈显著正相关。施氮量195 kg/hm²能实现超级稻‘松粳9号’最高产量。     

不同水稻品种干物质积累与产量性状的相关研究

为了探讨黑龙江省南部稻区不同水稻品种干物质积累与产量性状的相互关系,选用了该稻区不同时期主栽的6个品种为试验材料,通过田间小区对比试验进行研究,结果表明：不同水稻品种干物质积累总的趋势是前期低、后期高、中期次之;不同水稻品种抽穗前、抽穗后干物质积累量比例不同,抽穗后干物质积累量明显高于抽穗前干物质积累量;干物质积累量由高到低的品种为‘松粳9号’、‘松粳3号’、‘松粳2号’、‘松粳6号’、‘五优稻1号’、‘藤系138’;产量由高到低的品种为‘松粳9号’、‘松粳3号’、‘松粳6号’、‘松粳2号’、‘五优稻1号’、‘藤系138’;拔节至齐穗期和齐穗至成熟期干物质积累量与产量呈显著正相关;抽穗前干物质积累量与每穗粒数、千粒重呈极显著正相关;抽穗后干物质积累量与产量呈显著正相关;总干物质积累量与产量呈极显著正相关;成穗率与产量呈极显著正相关,结实率与产量呈显著正相关。合理提高拔节至成熟期干物质积累量有利于提高本稻区水稻产量。     

五香‘绿岭1号’薄皮核桃烘烤工艺研究

以‘绿岭1号’薄皮核桃为原料,从烘烤工艺出发,在不添加抗氧化剂的前提下,对比不同烘烤温度下薄皮核桃的干燥速率和氧化程度,优化五香薄皮核桃的烘烤条件,达到缩短烘烤时间、降低氧化程度的目的。结果表明,‘绿岭1号’薄皮核桃在60~90℃梯度升温烘烤条件下,干燥时间、氧化程度均明显低于其他烘烤方式,并且产品质量良好。因此‘绿岭1号’薄皮核桃的最佳烘烤条件是60~90℃梯度升温,其次是持续80℃烘烤。     

新型绿色农药5-氨基乙酰丙酸的应用及合成方法

5-氨基乙酰丙酸是一种新型农药,由于其在环境中易降解,无残留,对人蓄无毒性,所以是一种无公害的绿色农药而倍受关注,在农业领域应用非常广泛,主要应用于植物生长调节剂、绿色除草剂、杀虫剂等方面,还可以应用到医学、有机合成等方面。本文还对其国内、外的生物方法、化学方法合成研究现状做了分析总结,为δ-ALA在农业、医学等各个领域的应用推广提供了理论依据,为以后δ-ALA的合成方法研究提供了研究方向。