高光谱技术无损检测单粒小麦种子生活力的特征波段筛选方法研究

种子活力是种子质量的一项重要指标,高活力的种子具有较强的抗逆性、生长优势及生产潜力。而种子活力在种子生理成熟时最高,随后随着贮藏时间的延长而发生着自然不可逆的降低。因此,在播种前及时、准确地对种子活力进行检测和筛选具有重要的实践意义。针对传统种子活力检测方法存在的操作过程复杂繁琐、耗时长、重复性差且对种子有破坏性等缺点,研究尝试利用高光谱成像技术建立单粒小麦种子生活力快速、无损、精确的检测方法。以高温高湿老化后的190粒小麦种子（发芽128粒,不发芽62粒）作为研究样本,先利用可见-近红外(Vis-NIR)高光谱成像系统采集样本种子的光谱图像和进行标准发芽试验,并确保光谱采集试验和标准发芽试验的小麦种子一一对应。随后提取种子光谱图像的感兴趣区域并对其光谱数据进行平均和特征分析。分别采用一阶导数（FD）、均值中心化（MC）、正交信号校正(OSC)和多元散射校正（MSC）对原始光谱数据进行预处理,结合偏最小二乘辨别分析（PLS-DA）建立全波段PLS-DA模型,比较分析,并筛选出最适预处理方法。分别利用无信息变量消除算法（UVE）、竞争性自适应重加权算法(CARS)、连续投影算法(SPA)及耦合不同变量筛选方法对特征波段进行筛选提取,再分别基于所提取出的特征波段建立PLS-DA定性判别模型,对比分析,最终确立提取与单粒小麦种子生活力相关性最高的高光谱特征波段方法体系。结果表明：不同光谱预处理建立的模型其表现有所差异,在MC,FD,OSC和MSC中,采用MC对原始高光谱数据进行预处理,建立的全波段MC-PLS-DA判别模型,其校正集和预测集对小麦种子生活力的整体鉴别正确率分别为82.5%和83.0%,优于原始及其他预处理后建立的全波段PLS-DA判别模型,其校正集和预测集对小麦种子活种子鉴别正确率分别为94.8%和90.6%。进一步对比3种单特征波段提取方法及其耦合分析建模中,发现3种变量筛选方法耦合（UVE-CARS-SPA）的方式能够将光谱全波段的688个变量压缩至8个变量（473,492,811,829,875,880,947和969 nm）,利用所筛选出的8个变量建立的MC-UVE-CARS-SPA-PLS-DA模型获得了最优秀的鉴别效果,其校正集和预测集对小麦种子生活力的整体鉴别正确率分别为86.7%和85.1%,较全波段模型（MC-Full-PLS-DA）分别提升了4.2%和2.1%,活种子的鉴别正确率分别为93.8%和84.4%,经过此优秀模型筛选后,种子批最终发芽率可达到93.1%。实验结果表明,基于高光谱成像技术结合UVE-CARS-SPA-PLS-DA模型能够实现对单粒小麦种子生活力的定性判别。研究工作为小麦种子活力的快速、精确且无损的检测提供理论支持。     

Discrimination methods for biological contaminants in fresh-cut lettuce based on VNIR and NIR hyperspectral imaging

The rapid detection of biological contaminants such as worms in fresh-cut vegetables is necessary to improve the efficiency of visual inspections carried out by workers. Multispectral imaging algorithms were developed using visible-near-infrared (VNIR) and near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) techniques to detect worms in fresh-cut lettuce. The optimal wavebands that can detect worms in fresh-cut lettuce were investigated for each type of HSI using one-way ANOVA. Worm-detection imaging algorithms for VNIR and NIR imaging exhibited prediction accuracies of 97.00% (RI_547/945) and 100.0% (RI_1064/1176, SI_1064-1176, RSI-I_{(1064-1173)/1064}, and RSI-II_{(1064-1176)/(1064+1176)})_, respectively. The two HSI techniques revealed that spectral images with a pixel size of 1 × 1 mm or 2 × 2 mm had the best classification accuracy for worms. The results demonstrate that hyperspectral reflectance imaging techniques have the potential to detect worms in fresh-cut lettuce. Future research relating to this work will focus on a real-time sorting system for lettuce that can simultaneously detect various defects such as browning, worms, and slugs.     

基于高光谱成像技术结合SPA和GA算法测定甜玉米种子电导率

种子活力对于农业发展至关重要,而甜玉米种子普遍存在活力较低且不耐贮藏的问题。因此,及时准确地对甜玉米种子活力进行检测尤为重要。电导率测定法作为一种传统的种子活力检测方法,存在对种子有一定破坏性、耗时较长、重复性不佳等缺点。针这些问题,尝试利用可见-近红外（VIS-NIR）高光谱成像系统结合化学计量学算法建立甜玉米种子电导率快速、无损且精确的检测方法。以高温高湿老化的绿色超人甜玉米种子为试验材料,先通过可见-近红外高光谱成像系统采集种子的高光谱图像和进行电导率测定试验,随后对高光谱图像进行黑白板校正、提取感兴趣区域,获取光谱反射率数据。利用多种预处理方法分别为标准正态变量变换（SNV）、二阶导（SD）、一阶导（FD）、和多元散射校正（MSC）建立甜玉米种子电导率的偏最小二乘回归（PLSR）模型,比较分析并筛选出最适预处理方法。再通过连续投影算法(SPA)及遗传算法（GA）对MSC预处理后的高光谱波段进行筛选提取,基于选出的特征波段建立PLSR模型,并与全波段（Full）PLSR模型进行对比分析,得到与甜玉米种子电导率相关性最高的高光谱波段组合,最终确立一种能够预测甜玉米种子电导率的方法体系。实验结果显示：不同预处理方法（SNV,FD,SD和MSC）建立的PLSR模型性能有所差异,其中MSC-PLSR模型的表现最优秀,其校正决定系数和预测决定系数分别为0.983和0.974,相应的校正均方根误差和预测均方根误差分别为0.165和0.226。进一步分析MSC-Full-PLSR,MSC-SPA-PLSR和MSC-GA-PLSR模型,发现GA能够将全光谱的853个波段压缩至25个有效波段,所建立的MSC-GA-PLSR模型仍表现优秀,其校正决定系数和预测决定系数分别为0.976和0.973,相应的校正均方根误差和预测均方根误差分别为0.194和0.212。实验结果表明：基于可见-近红外（VIS-NIR）高光谱成像系统结合化学计量学算法实现对甜玉米种子电导率的预测存在一定的可行性。该研究为甜玉米种子电导率的快速、无损且精确的检测提供一定的理论支持。     

Classifying of Nellore cattle beef on Normal and DFD applying a non conventional technique

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy in the Normal and DFD classification in Nellore beef using a bench-top hyperspectral imaging system. A hyperspectral imaging system (λ = 928–2524 nm) was used to collect hyperspectral images of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (n = 78) of Nellore cattle. The images were processed, being selected region of interest and extracted spectra image and were selected the wavelengths considered most important for the treats evaluated. Six linear discriminant models were developed to classify beef samples on Normal and DFD. The model using all wavelengths associated with the reflectance and absorbance spectrum transformed with the pretreatment 2nd derivative resulted in an overall accuracy of 93.6% for both pretreatments. In this configuration, the model was able to classify correctly 73 samples from a total of 78 samples. The results demonstrate that the hyperspectral imaging system may be considered a viable technology for beef classification on Normal and DFD.     

结合高光谱成像和机器学习的棉种年份鉴别

棉花精量播种技术目前已经在新疆兵团全面推广,该技术能精确实现一穴一粒的农艺技术指标,但是也对高质量棉种的筛选提出了更高的要求。为了避免播种往年活力不足的棉种而导致发芽率降低的问题,结合机器学习和近红外（NIR）高光谱成像技术（HSI）进行棉种年份精确鉴别,实现棉种的快速无损筛选。采集2016年—2019年近四年外观无明显差异的棉种各360粒,共1 440粒棉种（按照3∶1∶1划分训练集、验证集和测试集）作为样本,按照每批60粒采集915~1 698 nm范围的棉种高光谱图像,去除首尾两端噪声大的光谱,保留1 002~1 602 nm范围的光谱为原始数据。利用Savitzky-Golay（SG）平滑算法对光谱进行预处理,采用主成分载荷方法（PCA-loading）选取13个特征波段,基于全部光谱数据和特征波段（±10 nm）数据建立逻辑回归（LR）、偏最小二乘判别分析（PLS-DA）、支持向量机（SVM）、循环神经网络（RNN）、长短记忆网络（LSTM）和卷积神经网络（CNN）六种分类模型。使用全光谱数据建模时,六种分类模型在测试集上的鉴别准确率分别为96.27%,98.98%,99.32%,96.95%,97.63%和100%,其中CNN和SVM模型取得了较好的结果;使用特征光谱数据建模时,六种分类模型在测试集上的鉴别精度分别为93.56%,97.29%,98.30%,95.25%,94.24%和99.66%,其中CNN和SVM模型仍有较好的分类结果。结果表明,使用全光谱数据建模时,六种分类模型都可以实现较高精度的棉种年份鉴别,使用特征光谱数据建模时CNN和SVM模型的鉴别精度仍可达到98%;其中深度学习方法优于传统机器学习方法,但是传统机器学习方法仍能保持较好的鉴别准确率。因此,结合近红外高光谱成像技术和机器学习方法能够实现棉种年份的高精度鉴别,为棉花精量播种过程中的优质棉种选种技术提供理论依据和方法。     

基于光谱及成像技术的种子品质无损速测研究进展

种子是农业生产过程的重要生产资料。种子质量评价、活力与老化检测、纯度与真伪鉴别、分类与溯源研究是种子品质检测中的常见问题。种子质量主要包含种子含水率、蛋白含量、脂肪酸含量、淀粉含量等,是种子品质分级的重要指标,并且关系到种子存储过程的安全问题。种子活力是种子发芽和出苗率、幼苗生长的潜势、植株抗逆能力和生产潜力的总和;高活力种子具有明显的生长优势和生产潜力。种子老化是指种子活力的自然衰退,表现为种子变色、发芽率低、生长势差、作物减产。种子的纯度与真伪则会影响作物产量和农产品品质;而种子分类与溯源则是保证种子纯度与鉴别种子真伪的重要方法,进而为作物产量与产品品质提供保障。对于种子品质分析,传统方法通常需要对样品做不可逆的破坏性分析,且分析时间长、过程复杂,难以适应现代农业对种子生产环节的需要。因此,开展种子品质无损快速检测技术研究成为当前亟待解决的问题。近年来,随着化学计量学的发展和计算机技术的进步,近红外光谱法以其快速、无损、高效等优势,在农产品、食品、农业投入品等的无损快速分析方面得以广泛的应用。进一步地,将光谱技术与成像技术相结合,高光谱成像技术近年来日益兴起,相比较于传统的光谱技术,高光谱成像技术在获得待测样品的光谱信息的同时,还可以获取样品的空间分布信息以及图像特征。基于近红外光谱及高光谱成像等无损快速检测技术,从种子质量评价、活力与老化检测、纯度与真伪鉴别、分类与溯源研究四方面对近年来关于种子品质无损快速检测文献进行综述。在分析不同检测技术特点的基础上,分别就上述种子品质检测方面的问题加以整理。进而对种子品质无损快速检测的技术特点进行了总结与展望。     

Comparison of ultrasound-assisted extraction with conventional extraction methods of oil and polyphenols from grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seeds

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (US) carried out at 20 KHz, 150 W for 30 min gave grape seed oil yield (14% w/w) similar to Soxhlet extraction (S) for 6 h. No significant differences for the major fatty acids was observed in oils extracted by S and US at 150 W. Instead, K₂₃₂ and K₂₆₈ of US- oils resulted lower than S-oil. From grape seeds differently defatted (S and US), polyphenols and their fractions were extracted by maceration for 12 h and by ultrasound-assisted extraction for 15 min. Sonication time was optimized after kinetics study on polyphenols extraction. Grape seed extracts obtained from seeds defatted by ultrasound (US) and then extracted by maceration resulted the highest in polyphenol concentration (105.20 mg GAE/g flour) and antioxidant activity (109 Eq αToc/g flour).     

基于联合偏度的高光谱图像波段选择对玉米种子分类研究

高光谱图像技术是在种子识别领域广泛应用的农产品品质无损检测方法。特征信息的充分提取和最优波段的选择是影响高光谱图像技术种子鉴选在线应用的关键因素。目的在于利用联合偏度算法选择高光谱图像的最优波段,用于开发在线的种子分级系统。论文利用高光谱图像采集系统获取10类共960粒玉米种子在438～1 000 nm(共219个波段)波段范围内的高光谱图像,并提取了种子高光谱图像的平均光谱、图像熵特征。利用联合偏度算法选择了高光谱图像的最优波段,分别建立了基于平均光谱、图像熵、平均光谱和图像熵联合特征条件下的支持向量机种子分类模型,比较不同特征下分类模型的识别精度。实验结果表明：无论是全波段分类模型,还是建立在最优波段基础上的分类模型,利用平均光谱和图像熵联合特征获得的分类精度均高于平均光谱和图像熵两种单一特征模型。在10个最优波段条件下,联合特征分类模型的识别精度达到了96.28%,比光谱均值和图像熵的识别精度分别提高了4.30%和20.38%,也高于全波段联合特征识别模型的93.47%。利用联合特征建立玉米种子分类模型时,基于联合偏度的波段选择算法的分类精度要高于无信息变量消除法、连续投影算法和竞争性自适应重加权算法。该研究为种子高光谱图像识别技术的在线运用提供了可行的途径。     

Stability of atmospheric-pressure plasma induced changes on polycarbonate surfaces

Polycarbonate films are subjected to plasma treatment in a number of applications such as improving adhesion between polycarbonate and silicon alloy in protective and optical coatings. The surfaces that undergo changes in surface properties due to plasma treatment have a tendency to revert back to their original states. Thus, the stability of the plasma induced changes on polymer surfaces over a desired time period is an important issue. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of ageing on atmospheric-pressure helium-plasma treated polycarbonate (PC) sample as a function of treatment time. The ageing effects were studied over a period of 10 days. The samples were plasma treated for 0.5, 2, 5 and 10 min. Contact angle made by water droplet on polymer surfaces were measured to study surface energy changes. Modification of surface chemical structure was examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Contact angle decreased from 93° for untreated samples to 30° for samples treated with plasma for 10 min. After 10 days the contact angle for the 10 min plasma treated sample increased to 67°, but it never reverted back to that of the untreated surface. Similarly, the oxygen-carbon (O:C) ratio increased from 0.136 for untreated samples to 0.321 for 10 min plasma-treated samples, indicating an increase in surface energy.     

Application of hyperspectral imaging for characterization of intramuscular fat distribution in beef

In this study, a hyperspectral imaging system in the spectral region of 400–1000 nm was used for visualization and determination of intramuscular fat concentration in beef samples. Hyperspectral images were acquired for beef samples, and spectral information was then extracted from each single sample from the fat and non-fat regions. The intramuscular fat content was chemically extracted and quantified for the same samples. Chemometrics including analysis of variance (ANOVA) and spectral similarity measures involving spectral angle measure (SAM), and Euclidian distance measure (EDM) were then used to analyze the data. An ANOVA analysis indicates that the two selected spectral variables (e.g., 650.4–736.4 nm) are effective to generate ratio image for visualization of the intramuscular fat distribution in beef. The spectral similarity analysis methods, which is based on the quantifying the spectral similarities by using predetermined endmember spectrum vector, provided comparable results for characterization and detection of intramuscular fat in beef. In term of overall classification accuracy, spectral similarity measure methods outperformed the ratio image of selected bands based on the result of ANOVA analysis. The results demonstrate that proposed technique has a potential for fast and nondestructive determination of intramuscular fat in beef.     

Effect of ultrasonic treatment on the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of extract from defatted hemp,flax and canola seed cakes

The effectiveness of ultrasonic extraction of phenolics and flavonoids from defatted hemp, flax and canola seed cakes was compared to the conventional extraction method. Ultrasonic treatment at room temperature showed increased polyphenol extraction yield and antioxidant capacity by two-fold over the conventional extraction method. Different combinations of ultrasonic treatment parameters consisting of solvent volume (25, 50, 75 and 100 mL), extraction time (20, 30 and 40 min) and temperature (40, 50, 60 and 70 °C) were selected for polyphenol extractions from the seed cakes. The chosen parameters had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the polyphenol extraction yield and subsequent antioxidant capacity from the seed cakes. Application of heat during ultrasonic extraction yielded higher polyphenol content in extracts compared to the non-heated extraction. From an orthogonal design test, the best combination of parameters was 50 mL of solvent volume, 20 min of extraction time and 70 °C of ultrasonic temperature.     

A novel approach to quantitative ultrasonic naked gene delivery and its non-invasive assessment

The purpose of this study was to investigate practical, safe, easy-to-use, non-cytotoxic, and reliable parameters to apply to an ultrasound (US) naked gene therapy system. The ultrasound pressure at the point of cell exposure was measured using a calibrated hydrophone and the intensity calculated. An acoustic power meter calibrated using a hydrophone was used to measure the power of the transducer. Four cell types were exposed to US with different exposure times and intensities. Fluorescent microscopy, spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscope, laser scanning confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and histogram analysis were used to evaluate the results of the study. The plasmid of green fluorescent protein (GFP) served as the reporter gene. The energy accumulation E in US gene delivery for 90% cell survival was defined as the optimal parameters (E = 3.56 ± 0.06), and at 80% cell survival was defined as the damage threshold (E = 59.67 ± 3.54). US safely delivered GFP into S180 cells (35.1 kHz) at these optimal parameters without obvious damage or cytotoxity in vitro. Exposed cell function was proved normal in vivo. The transfection rate was 35.83 ± 2.53% (n = 6) in viable cells, corresponding to 90.17 ± 1.47% (n = 6) cell viability. The intensity of GFP expression showed a higher fluorescent peak in the group of adeno-associated virus GFP vector (AVV-GFP) than in the control group (P < 0.001). The effect of US gene delivery and cell viability correlated as a fifth order polynomial with US intensity and exposure time. With optimal parameters, US can safely deliver naked a gene into a cell without damage to cell function. Both optimal uptake and expression of gene depend on the energy E at 90% cell survival. E can be applied as a control factor for bioeffects when combined with other parameters. Stable caviation results in optimal parameters for gene delivery and the transient caviation may cause cell damage, which will bring about a sharp rise of permeabilization. The results may be applied to the development of a novel clinical gene therapeutic system.     

基于高光谱技术的玉米种子可视化鉴别研究

种子纯度是衡量种子品质的重要指标。提出一种基于近红外(874～1 734 nm)高光谱技术实现玉米种子可视化鉴别的方法。采集4个品种共384个玉米种子样本的高光谱图像数据,随机选择288个样本作为建模集,剩余96个样本作为预测集。对玉米种子光谱曲线进行分析后,通过连续投影算法（SPA）选取7个特征波段作为输入,结合偏最小二乘法判别分析(PLS-DA)模型,对预测集进行预测,获得较好的分类效果,其中R_C=0.917 7,RMSECV=0.444 2; R_CV=0.911 5,RMSECV=0.459 9,建模集和预测集的总体鉴别率分别为78.5%和70.8%。通过图像处理技术提取高光谱图像中每个玉米颗粒的平均光谱数据,输入建立的SPA-PLS-DA模型,在计算生成的鉴别图中以不同颜色标识不同类别,实现了混杂玉米种子样本的可视化鉴别。对3份不同组成的混杂种子样本进行鉴别,达到了较好的可视化效果。结果表明,通过可视化鉴别技术,可以直观方便地观察混杂种子样本中不同品种种子的分布和数量,为农业生产中种子的纯度鉴别和筛选提供了帮助。     

Ultrasonic pretreatment of corn slurry for saccharification: A comparison of batch and continuous systems

The effects of ultrasound on corn slurry saccharification yield and particle size distribution was studied in both batch and continuous-flow ultrasonic systems operating at a frequency of 20 kHz. Ground corn slurry (28% w/v) was prepared and sonicated in batches at various amplitudes (192–320 μm_{peak-to-peak (p–p)}) for 20 or 40 s using a catenoidal horn. Continuous flow experiments were conducted by pumping corn slurry at various flow rates (10–28 l/min) through an ultrasonic reactor at constant amplitude of 12 μm_p–p. The reactor was equipped with a donut shaped horn. After ultrasonic treatment, commercial alpha- and gluco-amylases (STARGEN^TM 001) were added to the samples, and liquefaction and saccharification proceeded for 3 h. The sonicated samples were found to yield 2–3 times more reducing sugars than unsonicated controls. Although the continuous flow treatments released less reducing sugar compared to the batch systems, the continuous flow process was more energy efficient. The reduction of particle size due to sonication was approximately proportional to the dissipated ultrasonic energy regardless of the type of system used. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were also used to observe the disruption of corn particles after sonication. Overall, the study suggests that both batch and continuous ultrasonication enhanced saccharification yields and reduced the particle size of corn slurry. However, due to the large volume involve in full scale processes, an ultrasonic continuous system is recommended.     

高光谱成像技术检测玉米种子成熟度

成熟度是影响种子活力的重要因素之一,是种子质量的重要指标。种子分级时将成熟种子和未成熟种子区分开来可提高种子批活力,使种子批活力具有一致性。采用400~1 000 nm波段范围的高光谱成像技术研究成熟和未成熟玉米种子,找出二者区分度最高的特征波段图像,通过图像处理方法进行种子分类。选用主成分分析(PCA)法分析高光谱图像,分析差异最明显的PC2主成分图像的各波段权重系数并提取出特征波段(501 nm)。从70粒成熟度较低玉米种子样本高光谱图像上选取成熟和未成熟两类感兴趣区域,采用偏最小二乘回归(PLSR)法分析两类感兴趣区域的平均光谱,选取与成熟度相关的敏感波段(518 nm)。采用波段比运算并结合KW检验,分析两类感兴趣区域的平均光谱,找出差异最大的最优波段比(640 nm/525 nm)。以864粒玉米种子为研究对象,提取特征波段对应的单波段图像和最优波段比对应的波段比图像,采用图像处理技术分析图像并判别。结果表明：采用单波段灰度图像分割容易将玉米种子冠部的浅色部分误识别为种子成熟度较低的区域,识别准确率低;而采用640 nm/525 nm的波段比图像可以减轻这种不利影响,平均正确识别率为93.9%。该方法可以有效识别未成熟的玉米种子,为进一步开发在线分级装备提供了依据。     

Molecular weight distribution,rheological property and structural changes of sodium alginate induced by ultrasound

In this study, the effects of ultrasound with different ultrasonic frequencies on the properties of sodium alginate (ALG) were investigated, which were characterized by the means of the multi-angle laser light scattering photometer analysis (GPC-MALLS), rheological analysis, circular dichroism (CD) spectrometer and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It showed that the molecular weight (M_w) and molecular number (M_n) of the untreated ALG was 1.927 × 10⁵ g/mol and 4.852 × 10⁴ g/mol, respectively. The M_w of the ultrasound treated ALG was gradually increased from 3.50 × 10⁴ g/mol to 7.34 × 10⁴ g/mol while the M_n of ALG was increased and then decreased with the increase of the ultrasonic frequency. The maximum value of M_n was 9.988 × 10⁴ g/mol when the ALG was treated by ultrasound at 40 kHz. It indicated that ultrasound could induce ALG degradation and rearrangement. The number of the large molecules and small molecules of ALG was changed by ultrasound. The value of d_n/d_c suggested that the ultrasound could enhance the stability of ALG. Furthermore, it was found that ALG treated by ultrasound at 50 kHz tended to be closer to a Newtonian behavior, while the untreated and treated ALG solutions exhibited pseudoplastic behaviours. Moreover, CD spectra demonstrated that ultrasound could be used to improve the strength of the gel by changing the ratio of M/G, which showed that the minimum ratio of M/G of ALG treated at 135 kHz was 1.34. The gel-forming capacity of ALG was correlated with the content of G-blocks. It suggested that ALG treated by ultrasound at 135 kHz was stiffer in the process of forming gels. The morphology results indicated that ultrasound treatment of ALG at 135 kHz increased its hydrophobic interaction and interfacial activity. This study is important to explore the effect of ultrasound on ALG in improving the physical properties of ALG as food additives, enzyme and drug carriers.     

Influence of postharvest ultrasounds treatments on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum,cv. Zinac) quality and microbial load during storage

Whole tomato fruits were treated at ultrasonic power levels from 10% to 100%, and at a constant frequency of 45 kHz, for different times (1–19 min). A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was applied to optimise ultrasonic treatments for tomato quality (colour, texture and total phenolic content (TPC)) maintenance. According to response surface analysis, the optimal treatment parameters were 55%_10 min, 80%_15 min and 100%_19 min. At these conditions, and especially at higher power levels, a maximum retention of colour and texture, as well as an increase of TPC and microbial reduction were obtained in comparison with untreated fruits during 15 storage days at 10 °C. The ultrasounds treatment was found to be effective in delaying colour development and texture losses, preserving sensorial quality of whole tomato, with increase of TPC and microbial load reduction. Moreover, this postharvest treatment can be used as an alternative for extending fresh fruits shelf-life.     

Physiochemical and cytotoxicity study of TPGS stabilized nanoemulsion designed by ultrasonication method

The main aim of the present work was to prepare TPGS stabilized D-α-Tocopherol, lemon oil, tween-80, and water nanoemulsion by low cost and highly effective sonication method. The prepared nanoemulsion showed good stability for 60 days at variable temperature conditions i.e. 4, 25 and 37 °C. The tolerance of the prepared nanoemulsion to salt (50 mM–500 mM) and pH (pH 2–pH 7.4) was also studied. The morphology and droplet size of pure and quinine loaded nanoemulsion was characterized with transmission electron microscopy. The prepared formulation was transparent and the obtained average particle size ranged between 25 nm and 35 nm. The nanoemulsion was found to be non toxic. The cell viability study of pure nanoemulsion carried out on Hep G2 cells revealed that the cell viability was 100%. The formulation further exhibited high quinine loading and release capacity with cumulative release up to 76 ± 2% and 65 ± 2% at pH 7.4 and pH 5.5 respectively. The interaction between quinine and vitamins (riboflavin, thiamine and biotin) was also carried out (aqueous medium). The study revealed that riboflavin had strong interaction with quinine and vitamins vis-à-vis thiamine and biotin.     

High performance batch production of LREBa2Cu3Oy using novel thin film Nd-123 seed

A batch production for fabrication of LREBa₂Cu₃O_y (LRE: Sm, Gd, NEG) “LRE-123” pellets are developed in air and Ar-1% O₂ using a novel thin film Nd-123 seeds grown on MgO crystals. The SEM and XRD results conformed that the quality and orientation of the seed crystals are excellent. On the other hand, new seeds can withstand temperatures >1100 °C, as a result, the cold seeding process was applied even to grow Sm-123 material in Air. The trapped field observed in the best 45 mm single-grain puck of Gd-123 was in the range of 1.35 T and 0.35 T at 77.3 K and 87.3 K, respectively. The average trapped field at 77.3 K in the 24 mm diameter NEG-123 samples batch lies between 0.9 and 1 T. The maximum trapped field of 1.2 T was recorded at the sample surface. Further, the maximum trapped field of 0.23 T at 77 K was recorded in a sample with 16 mm diameter of Sm-123 with 3 mol% BaO₂ addition. As a result we made more then 130 single grain pucks within a couple of months. Taking advantage of the single grain batch processed material, we constructed self-made chilled levitation disk, which was used on the open day of railway technical research Institute. More then 150 children stood on the levitation disk and revel the experience of levitation. The present results prove that a high-performance good-quality class of LREBa₂Cu₃O_y material can be made by using a novel thin film Nd-123 seeds.     

XRD and EPR structural investigation of some zinc borate glasses doped with iron ions

Glasses in the system xFe₂O₃·(100?x) [45ZnO·55B₂O₃] (0≤x≤10 mol%) have been prepared by melting at 1200 °C and rapidly cooling at room temperature. The obtained samples were submitted to an additional thermal treatment at 570 °C for 12 h in order to relax the glass structure as well as to improve the local order. The as cast and heat treated samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. The XRD patterns of all the studied samples show their vitreous nature. Structural modifications occurring in the heat treated samples compared to the untreated ones have been pointed out. EPR spectra of untreated and heat treated samples revealed resonance absorptions centered at g≈2.0, g≈4.3 and g≈6.4. The compositional variation of the line intensity and linewidth of the absorptions from g≈4.3 and g≈2.0 have been interpreted in terms of the variation in the concentration of the Fe³⁺ ions and the interaction between the iron ions. The EPR spectra of the untreated samples containing 5 mol% Fe₂O₃ have been studied at different temperatures (110–290 K). The line intensity of the resonance signals decreases with increase in temperature whereas the linewidth is found to be independent of temperature. It was also found that the temperature variation of reciprocal line intensity obeys the Boltzmann law.