Combination of supercritical CO2 and high-power ultrasound for the inactivation of fungal and bacterial spores in lipid emulsions

For the first time, this study addresses the intensification of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) treatments using high-power ultrasound (HPU) for the inactivation of fungal (Aspergillus niger) and bacterial (Clostridium butyricum) spores in oil-in-water emulsions. The inactivation kinetics were analyzed at different pressures (100, 350 and 550 bar) and temperatures (50, 60, 70, 80, 85 °C), depending on the microorganism, and compared to the conventional thermal treatment. The inactivation kinetics were satisfactorily described using the Weibull model.Experimental results showed that SC-CO₂ enhanced the inactivation level of both spores when compared to thermal treatments. Bacterial spores (C. butyricum) were found to be more resistant to SC-CO₂ + HPU, than fungal (A. niger) ones, as also observed in the thermal and SC-CO₂ treatments. The application of HPU intensified the SC-CO₂ inactivation of C. butyricum spores, e.g. shortening the total inactivation time from 10 to 3 min at 85 °C. However, HPU did not affect the SC-CO₂ inactivation of A. niger spores. The study into the effect of a combined SC-CO₂ + HPU treatment has to be necessarily extended to other fungal and bacterial spores, and future studies should elucidate the impact of HPU application on the emulsion’s stability.     

The use of non-cavitating coupling fluids for intensifying sonoelectrochemical processes

For the first time, we have investigated the beneficial effects of non-cavitating coupling fluids and their moderate overpressures in enhancing mass-transfer and acoustic energy transfer in a double cell micro-sonoreactor. Silicon and engine oils of different viscosities were used as non-cavitating coupling fluids. A formulated monoethylene glycol (FMG), which is a regular cooling fluid, was also used as reference. It was found that silicon oil yielded a maximum acoustic energy transfer (3.05 W/cm²) from the double jacketed cell to the inner cell volume, at 1 bar of coupling fluid overpressure which was 2.5 times higher than the regular FMG cooling fluid. It was also found that the low viscosity engine oil had a higher acoustic energy value than that of the high viscosity engine oil. In addition, linear sweep voltammograms (LSV) were recorded for the quasi-reversible Fe^2+/Fe³⁺ redox couple (equimolar, 5 × 10⁻³ M) on a Pt electrode in order to determine the mass-transport limited current density (j_lim) and the dimensionless Sherwood number (Sh). From the LSV data, a statistical analysis was performed in order to determine the contribution of acoustic cavitation in the current density variation |Δj|_average. It was found that silicon oil at 1 bar exhibited a maximum current density variation, |Δj|_average of ~2 mA/cm² whereas in the absence of overpressure, the high viscosity engine oil led to a maximum |Δj|_average which decreased gradually with increasing coupling fluid overpressure. High viscosity engine oil gave a maximum Sh number even without any overpressure which decreased gradually with increasing overpressure. The Sh number for silicon oil increased with increasing overpressure and reached a maximum at 1 bar of overpressure. For any sonoelectrochemical processes, if the aim is to achieve high mass-transfer and acoustic energy transfer, then silicon oil at 1 bar of overpressure is a suitable candidate to be used as a coupling fluid.     

Ultrasound effects on the degradation kinetics,structure and rheological properties of apple pectin

The effects of ultrasound on the molecular weight of apple pectin were investigated. The structure and rheological properties of the degradation products were also tentatively identified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography–Photodiode Array Detector (HPLC–PAD), Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and Rheometer. The results indicated that the weight-average molecular weight of apple pectin decreased obviously after ultrasound treatment. The molecular weight of degradation products had a uniform and narrow distribution. Ultrasound intensity and temperature play an important role in the degradation reaction. Degradation kinetics model of apple pectin fitted to 1/M_t ? 1/M₀ = kt from 5 to 45 °C. The degree of methylation of apple pectin reduced according to IR analysis when ultrasound was applied. Ultrasound treatment could not alter the primary structure of apple pectin according to the results determined by HPLC, IR and NMR. Meanwhile, the viscosity of apple pectin was 10³ times as large as that of ultrasound-treated apple pectin. The ultrasound-treated apple pectin showed predominantly viscous responses (G′ < G″) over the same frequency range. The results suggested that ultrasound provided a viable alternative method for the modification of pectin.     

Protection of cortical cells by equine estrogens against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity is mediated through a calcium independent mechanism

Background  

High concentrations of glutamate can accumulate in the brain and may be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. This form of neurotoxicity involves changes in the regulation of cellular calcium (Ca²⁺) and generation of free radicals such as peroxynitrite (ONOO^-). Estrogen may protect against glutamate-induced cell death by reducing the excitotoxic Ca²⁺ influx associated with glutamate excitotoxicity. In this study, the inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) along with the effect of 17β-estradiol (17β-E₂) and a more potent antioxidant Δ⁸, 17β-estradiol (Δ⁸, 17β-E₂) on cell viability and intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i), following treatment of rat cortical cells with glutamate, was investigated.     

Non-thermal pasteurization of lipid emulsions by combined supercritical carbon dioxide and high-power ultrasound treatment

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) is a novel method for food pasteurization, but there is still room for improvement in terms of the process shortening and its use in products with high oil content. This study addressed the effect of high power ultrasound (HPU) on the intensification of the SC-CO₂ inactivation of E. coli and B. diminuta in soybean oil-in-water emulsions. Inactivation kinetics were obtained at different pressures (100 and 350 bar), temperatures (35 and 50 °C) and oil contents (0, 10, 20 and 30%) and were satisfactorily described using the Weibull model. The experimental results showed that for SC-CO₂ treatments, the higher the pressure or the temperature, the higher the level of inactivation. Ultrasound greatly intensified the inactivation capacity of SC-CO₂, shortening the process time by approximately 1 order of magnitude (from 50 to 90 min to 5–10 min depending on the microorganism and process conditions). Pressure and temperature also had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on SC-CO₂ + HPU inactivation for both bacteria, although the effect was less intense than in the SC-CO₂ treatments. E. coli was found to be more resistant than B. diminuta in SC-CO₂ treatments, while no differences were found when HPU was applied. HPU decreased the protective effect of oil in the inactivation and similar microbial reductions were obtained regardless of the oil content in the emulsion. Therefore, HPU intensification of SC-CO₂ treatments is a promising alternative to the thermal pasteurization of lipid emulsions with heat sensitive compounds.     

Spectral properties of Nd:Ca2Nb2O7 crystal

This paper reports the spectral properties of Nd³⁺:Ca₂Nb₂O₇. The spectral parameters of Nd³⁺ in Nd³⁺:Ca₂Nb₂O₇ crystal have been investigated based on Judd-Ofelt theory. The spectral parameters were obtained. The parameters of line strengths Ω_λ are Ω₂=4.967×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=5.431×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₆=5.693×10⁻²⁰ cm². The radiative lifetime, the fluorescence lifetime and the quantum efficiency are 122 μs, 103 μs and 84.4%, respectively. The fluorescence branch ratios calculated: β₁=0.425, β₂=0.479, β₃=0.091, β₄=0.004. The emission cross section at 1068 nm is 6.204×10⁻²⁰ cm².     

Influence of simultaneous doping of Sb and Pb on phase formation,superconducting and microstructural characteristics of HgBa2Ca2Cu3O8+δ

We report systematic studies of structural, microstructural and transport properties of (Hg_0.80Sb_0.2−xPb_x)Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ (where x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2) compounds. Bulk polycrystalline samples have been prepared by two-step solid-state reaction route at ambient pressure. It has been observed that simultaneous substitution of Sb and Pb at Hg site in oxygen deficient HgO_δ layer of HgBa₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ cuprate high-T_c superconductor leads to the formation of Hg-1223 as the dominant phase. Microstructural investigations of the as grown samples employing scanning electron microscopy reveal single crystal like large grains embodying spiral like features. Superconducting properties particularly transport current density (J_ct) have been found to be sensitive to these microstructural features. As for example (Hg_0.80Sb_0.05Pb_0.15)Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ compound which exhibits single crystal like large grains (∼50 μm) and appears to result through spiral growth mechanism, shows highest J_ct (∼1.85 × 10³ A/cm²) at 77 K. A possible mechanism for the generation of spiral like features and correlation between microstructural features and superconducting properties have been put forward.     

Calcium-sensitive regulation of monoamine oxidase-A contributes to the production of peroxyradicals in hippocampal cultures: implications for Alzheimer disease-related pathology

Background  

Calcium (Ca²⁺) has recently been shown to selectively increase the activity of monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), a mitochondria-bound enzyme that generates peroxyradicals as a natural by-product of the deamination of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. It has also been suggested that increased intracellular free Ca²⁺ levels as well as MAO-A may be contributing to the oxidative stress associated with Alzheimer disease (AD).     

Pulsed laser deposition of BiCuOSe thin films

Undoped and 10% Ca-doped BiCuOSe thin films are prepared by pulsed laser deposition without ex-situ processing. The influence of the preparation conditions on structure and properties of Bi_0.9Ca_0.1CuOSe thin films on amorphous silica substrates is studied. The highest achieved concentration and mobility of free holes (3.9×10²⁰ cm⁻³ and 3.5 cm²/Vs) was close to that measured in strongly c-axis oriented samples on SrTiO₃ substrates (4.0×10²⁰ cm⁻³ and 7.5 cm²/Vs). The Bi_0.9Ca_0.1CuOSe films on SrTiO₃ show almost temperature-independent Seebeck coefficient and their resistivity increases with increasing temperature. The Seebeck coefficient of undoped BiCuOSe films on SrTiO₃ increases below 150°K, and the resistivity shows a flat plateau centered at this temperature. Optical measurements suggest that BiCuOSe has an indirect bandgap of 0.8 eV and a strong absorption edge at 1.45 eV. Ab-initio calculations of the electronic band structure, effective masses and optical properties of BiCuOSe are also presented.     

Manothermosonication (MTS) treatment by a continuous-flow system: Effects on the degradation kinetics and microstructural characteristics of citrus pectin

Modified pectin (MP) was reported to have increased bioactivities compared with the original one. However, traditional modification methods such as using an acidic solvent with heating are not only costly but causing severe pollution as well. In this study, manothermosonication (MTS) with a continuous-flow system was utilized to modify citrus pectin. The citrus pectin (5 g/L) treated by MTS (3.23 W/mL, 400 kPa, 45 °C) exhibited lower molecular weight (Mw, 248.17 kDa) and PDI (2.76). The pectin treated by MTS (400 KPa, 45 °C, 5 min) exhibited a narrower Mw distribution and lowered more Mw (48.8%) than the ultrasound(US)-treated (23.8%). Pectin degradation data fitted well to kinetic model of 1/Mw_t −1/Mw₀ = kt (45–65 °C). A lower activation energy of 13.33 kJ/mol was observed in the MTS treatment compared with the US-treated (16.38 kJ/mol). The MTS-treated pectin lowered the degree of methoxylation (DM), mol% of rhamnose and galacturonic acid (GalA) while increased mol% of galactose (Gal), xylose (Xyl), and arabinose (Ara). The ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance showed that MTS could not alter the primary structures of citrus pectin. However, an elevated (Gal + Ara)/Rha and reduced GalA/(Rha + Ara + Gal + Xyl) molar ratios after MTS suggested that MTS resulted in more significant degradation on the main chains and less on the side chains of pectin, in agreement with the result of atomic force microscope. Moreover, the MTS-treated pectin exhibited a higher 1,1-diphenyl-2picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging capacity compared with original pectin.     

Significant enhancement of electrical transport properties of thermoelectric Ca3Co4O9+δ through Yb doping

We report the significant enhancement of the power factor of Ca₃Co₄O_9+δ through Yb doping. The pellets were prepared by pressing under 0.5 GPa and 2 GPa. The highest power factor of 553 μW m^?1 K^?2 due to the significant increase of electrical conductivity was obtained for Ca_2.9Yb_0.1Co₄O_9+δ pressed at 0.5 GPa. This is 2.3 times higher than that of Ca₃Co₄O_9+δ (246 μW m^?1 K^?2). Nanostructure examinations show that the pellets pressed at 0.5 and 2 GPa have different nano-lamella structures. This work suggests that Yb is an effective doping element for enhancing the electrical transport properties of Ca₃Co₄O_9+δ, and the optimum doping level is related to the nanostructure of the bulk pellets.     

Band overlap via chemical pressure control in double perovskite (Sr2−xCax)FeMoO6 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 2.0) with TMR effect

The chemical pressure control in (Sr_2−xCa_x)FeMoO₆ (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 2.0) with double perovskite structure has been investigated systematically. We have performed first-principles total energy and electronic structure calculations for x = 0 and x = 2.0. The increasing Ca content in (Sr_2−xCa_x)FeMoO₆ samples increases the magnetic moment close to the theoretical value due to reduction of Fe/Mo anti-site disorder. An increasing Ca content results in increasing (Fe²⁺ + Mo⁶⁺)/(Fe³⁺ + Mo⁵⁺) band overlap rather than bandwidth changes. This is explained from simple ionic size arguments and is supported by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra and band structure calculations.     

Raman scattering investigations on Co-doped ZnO epitaxial films: Local vibration modes and defect associated ferromagnetism

Raman scattering spectroscopy has been performed on high quality Co-doped ZnO epitaxial films, which were grown on Al₂O₃ (0001) by oxygen-plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Raman measurements revealed two local vibration modes (LVMs) at 723 and 699 cm⁻¹ due to the substitution of Co²⁺ in wurtzite ZnO lattice. The LVM at 723 cm⁻¹ is found to be an elemental sensitive vibration mode for Co substitution. The LVM at 699 cm⁻¹ can be attributed to enrichment of Co²⁺ bound with oxygen vacancy, the cobalt–oxygen vacancy–cobalt complexes, in Zn_1−xCo_xO films associated with ferromagnetism. The intensity of LVM at 699 cm⁻¹, as well as saturated magnetization, enhanced after the vacuum annealing and depressed after oxygen annealing.     

Thermally stimulated luminescence of Ca3(PO4)2 and Ca9Ln(PO4)7 (Ln = Pr,Eu, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er, Lu)

The series of whitlockite compounds Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and Ca₉Ln(PO₄)₇ (Ln = Pr, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Lu) was studied in radioluminescence (RL) and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) excited by X-rays. f-f emission lines of Ln³⁺ were observed in RL for Ca₉Ln(PO₄)₇ (Ln = Pr, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) whereas d-d emission band of the impurity Mn²⁺ was observed in Mn:Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and Mn:Ca₉Lu(PO₄)₇ at 655 nm. In TSL, the Eu, Ho and Er compounds did not show any signal. As Eu³⁺, Ho³⁺ and Er³⁺ present the highest Ln³⁺/Ln⁴⁺ ionization potential (IP) of the series, this was interpreted as the inability of these lanthanides to trap a hole. On the contrary Pr³⁺ in Ca₉Pr(PO₄)₇, Tb³⁺ in Ca₉Tb(PO₄)₇, Dy³⁺ in Ca₉Dy(PO₄)₇, Mn²⁺ in Mn:Ca₃(PO₄)₂ and Mn:Ca₉Lu(PO₄)₇ were identified as hole traps and radiative recombination centers in the TSL mechanism. Ca₉Tb(PO₄)₇ was found to be a high intensity green persistent phosphor whereas Mn:Ca₉Lu(PO₄)₇ is a red persistent phosphor suitable for in vivo imaging application.     

Proton-conducting biopolymer electrolytes based on pectin doped with NH4X (X=Cl,Br)

Research has been undertaken to develop polymer electrolytes based on biodegradable natural polymers such as cellulose acetate, starch, gelatin, and chitosan, which are being used as polymer hosts for obtaining new polymer electrolytes for their applications in various electrochemical devices such as batteries, sensors, and electrochromic windows. Pectin is a naturally available material which is extracted from the skin of citrus fruits. Pectins, also known as pectic polysaccharides, are rich in galacturonic acid. The present study focuses on the proton-conducting polymer electrolytes based on the biopolymer pectin doped with ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) and ammonium bromide (NH₄Br) prepared by solution casting technique. The prepared membranes are characterized using XRD, FTIR, and AC impedance techniques to study their complexation behavior, amorphous nature, and electrical properties. The conductivity of pure pectin membrane has been found to be 9.41 × 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹. The polymer systems with 30 mol% NH₄Cl-doped pectin and 40 mol% NH₄Br-doped pectin have been found to have maximum ionic conductivity of 4.52 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.07 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹, respectively. The conductivity value has increased by three orders of magnitude compared to pure pectin membrane. The dielectric behavior of both the systems has been explained using dielectric permittivity and electric modulus spectra.

     

Effects of ultrasound on the enzymatic degradation of pectin

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic maceration (UAEM) has gained considerable interest in the fruit juice industry, owing to its potential to increase juice yield and content of polyphenols while simultaneously saving time and energy. In this study, the effects of UAEM (ultrasonic probe, 20 kHz, 21 W*cm⁻² and 33 W*cm⁻²) on pectin degradation in a continuous circulation system were investigated over 60 and 90 min. Main pectinolytic enzymes activities of (polygalacturonase, pectin lyase and pectin methylesterase) of a commercial enzyme preparation were examined for individual synergistic effects with US. Pectin hydrolysis by UAEM differed significantly compared to treatment with ultrasound or enzymes alone regarding the profile of degradation products compared to treatment with ultrasound or enzymes alone. Ultrasound fragmented pectin to less branched oligomers of medium molecular weight (Mp approx. 150 kDa), which were further degraded by pectinolytic activities. The low molecular weight fraction (<30 kDa), which is known to be beneficial for juice-quality by adding nutritional value and stabilizing polyphenols, was enriched in small oligomers of homogalacturonan-derived, rhamnogalacturonan I-derived, and rhamnogalacturonan II-derived residues. Synergistic effects of ultrasound application enhanced the effective activities of polygalacturonase and pectin lyase and even prolonged their performance over 90 min, whereas the effective activity of pectin methylesterase was not affected. Final marker concentrations determined by each enzyme assay revealed a considerable higher total process output after UAEM treatment at reduced temperature (30 °C) comparable to the output after conventional batch maceration at 50 °C. The obtained results demonstrate the high potential of UAEM to produce high-quality juice by controlling pectin degradation while reducing process temperature and equally highlight the matrix and enzyme specific effects of a simultaneous US treatment.     

Ontogeny of ATP hydrolysis and isoform expression of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+-ATPase in mouse brain

Background  

Plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPases (PMCAs) are high affinity Ca²⁺ transporters actively involved in intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis. Considering the critical role of Ca²⁺ signalling in neuronal development and plasticity, we have analyzed PMCA-mediated Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and PMCA-isoform content in membranes from mouse cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum during postnatal development.     

Emission-tunable phosphors Ca9MgM′ (PO4)7: Eu2+,Mn2+ (M′=Li,Na, K) for white light-emitting diodes

A series of single-composition phosphors Ca₉MgM′(PO₄)₇:xEu²⁺, yMn²⁺ (CMM′ P:Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺; M′=Li, Na, K; 0.003≤x≤0.03; 0 ≤y≤0.1) were synthesized by solid state reactions. Upon excitation at 337 nm, phosphors Ca₉MgM′ (PO₄)₇: Eu²⁺ exhibit strong blue emissions centered at 417 (Ca₉MgLi(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺), 457 (Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺), and 453 (Ca₉MgK(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺) nm respectively, which correspond to the 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transitions of Eu²⁺ ions, Through an effective resonance-type energy transfer, CMM′P:Eu²⁺,Mn²⁺ phosphors exhibit a series of colors by adjusting the concentration of Mn²⁺. The result indicates that CMM′P:Eu²⁺,Mn²⁺ can be potentially used as a UV excited phosphor for white light-emitting diodes (LEDs).     

M/Li+(M = Mg2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+) ion-exchange on lithium ion-conducting perovskite-type oxides and their properties

Lithium ions of perovskite-type lithium ion conductor La_0.55Li_0.35TiO₃ were replaced by divalent Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mn²⁺ ions in an ion-exchange reaction using molten chlorides. The polycrystalline Mg-exchanged and Zn-exchanged samples are solid electrolytes for divalent Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions, whose dc ionic conductivities (σ = 2.0 × 10^− 6 S cm^− 1 at 558 K for the Mg-exchanged sample, La_0.56(2)Li_0.02(1)Mg_0.16(1)TiO_3.01(2) and σ = 1.7 × 10^− 6 S cm^− 1 at 708 K for the Zn-exchanged samples, La_0.55(1)Li_0.0037(2)Zn_0.15(1)TiO_2.98(2)) were compared to those of the known highest Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ inorganic solid electrolytes. The Mn-exchanged sample, then, showed paramagnetic behavior in the temperature range of 2 to 300 K. The Mn ions in the exchanged sample are divalent and the spin configuration is in high spin state (S = 5/2).     

White-light generation through Ce3+/Mn2+-codoped and Eu2+-doped Ba1.2Ca0.8SiO4 T-phase phosphors

Hexagonal Ba_1.20Ca_0.8?2x?ySiO₄:xCe³⁺,xLi⁺,yMn²⁺ phosphors exhibit two emission bands peaking near 400 and 600 nm from the allowed f–d transition of Ce³⁺ ions and the forbidden ⁴T₁–⁶A₁ transition of Mn²⁺ ions, respectively. The strong interaction between Ce³⁺/Mn²⁺ ions is investigated in terms of energy transfer, crystal field effect, and microstructure by varying their concentrations. They show a higher quenching temperature of 250 °C than that of a commercially used (Ba,Sr)₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺ phosphor (150 °C). Finally, mixtures of these phosphors with green-emissive Ba_1.20Ca_0.70SiO₄:0.10Eu²⁺ are tested and yielded correlated color temperatures from 3500 to 7000 K, and color rendering indices up to 95%.