Effect of pH on lipid oxidation of red onion skin extracts treated with washed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) muscle model systems

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pH on the lipid oxidation of red onion skin extracts (ROSEs) treated with washed tilapia muscle model systems (WTMS). Minced and buffered washed samples were prepared at pH 6.3 and 6.8. The WTMS were treated with2 different concentrations of red onion skin prior to storage for 5 days. Lipid oxidation was investigated via peroxide values (PVs), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and the formation of volatile compounds. Fatty acid profiles of the samples were also identified. The ROSEs were able to significantly suppress the PV (~71%) and TBARS (~42%) formation. Hexanal and octanal formations in the WTMS were relatively less in the ROSE-treated samples. The WTMS samples prepared at pH 6.3 were more vulnerable to lipid oxidation than those prepared at pH 6.8. Red onion skin polyphenols may increase the lag phase of lipid oxidation, depending on pH levels, resulting in the shelf life extension of raw fish.     

Solid-state NMR study of Li-assisted dehydrogenation of ammonia borane

The mechanism of thermochemical dehydrogenation of the 1:3 mixture of Li(3)AlH(6) and NH(3)BH(3) (AB) has been studied by the extensive use of solid-state NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The activation energy for the dehydrogenation is estimated to be 110 kJ mol(-1), which is lower than for pristine AB (184 kJ mol(-1)). The major hydrogen release from the mixture occurs at 60 and 72 °C, which compares favorably with pristine AB and related hydrogen storage materials, such as lithium amidoborane (LiNH(2)BH(3), LiAB). The NMR studies suggest that Li(3)AlH(6) improves the dehydrogenation kinetics of AB by forming an intermediate compound (LiAB)(x)(AB)(1-x). A part of AB in the mixture transforms into LiAB to form this intermediate, which accelerates the subsequent formation of branched polyaminoborane species and further release of hydrogen. The detailed reaction mechanism, in particular the role of lithium, revealed in the present study highlights new opportunities for using ammonia borane and its derivatives as hydrogen storage materials.