Antioxidant activities and bioactive compounds of five Jalopeno peppers (Capsicum annuum) cultivars

The present study was designed to evaluate the contents of different antioxidants compounds and their antioxidant activities in Jalopeno peppers (Capsicum annuum) cultivars (El Dorido, Grande, Tula, Sayula and El Rey) extracts. Free radical scavenging activity of Grande was recorded as high as 87% followed by El Dorido (83%). Results of reducing power (Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺) showed that Grande (0.85%) and El Dorido (0.81%) fruit extract absorbance value were close to synthetic antioxidant BHT (0. 97%) obtained at100 μg/mL. The results showed that total phenolic content of El Dorido and Grande were significantly higher compared to other Jalapeno pepper. Results indicated strong and positive correlation between antioxidant activity and carotenoids content (r = 0.75), vitamin C (r = 0.78) and total capsaicinoids (r = 0.84), respectively. The results of the antioxidant activity assays showed that the El Dorido and Grande had strongest antioxidant activity compared to other peppers cultivars in this study.     

Potential energy and atomic stability of H2O/CuO nanoparticles flow and heat transfer in non-ideal microchannel via molecular dynamic approach: the Green–Kubo method

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - It is interesting to investigate the number of nanoparticle (NP) and temperature effects on H2O/CuO nanofluid thermal conductivity and the atomic...     

Optimization of the reflux ratio for methanol–water stage distillation column

In this paper, the enthalpy-concentration method was applied in order to model a steady-state continuous methanol–water mixture distillation column. This work includes three steps; first, to develop a code in MATLAB v.7.6 to apply to the mathematical model of the column. The second step is to simulate the column using HYSIS v.3.2. While the third is the calculation of the optimized reflux ratio to minimize the operating cost. For a distillation tower such as the methanol–water splitter in this study, there are relatively few degrees of freedom that can be manipulated in order to minimize operating costs; the reflux ratio can influence the steady-state operating point and therefore the daily costs. In this paper, we have discussed the trade-offs between reflux ratios and operating costs. A correlation is derived to define the optimum value of the reflux ratio as an exponential function of a certain economic parameter of energy prices and depreciation costs. We demonstrate that, at low energy prices or high equipment depreciation costs, the optimum reflux factor is high.     

Estimation of concrete compressive strength by a fuzzy logic model

Concrete mix design is a process of proportioning the ingredients in right proportions. The aim of this study is to design a fuzzy logic model for determination of the compressive strength of a concrete. The datasets which have been loaded into a fuzzy logic model contain 1,030 concrete mixtures. Input fields of the fuzzy expert system are weight percent of cement, water, blast furnace slag, fly ash, super plasticizer, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, and age of the concrete. Output field is concrete compressive strength. Finally, 897 rules used for this fuzzy logic modeling.     

Catalytic effect of lucunary heteropolyanion containing molybdenum and tungsten atoms on decolorization of direct blue 71

In this research,a lucunary Keggin structure,[PMo₂W₉O₃₉]^7- was selected as an efficient homogenous catalyst for degradation of an azo dye（direct blue 71） and a simple method was developed for degradation of DB71.The method is based on the oxidation of azo dye in the presence of a lucunary Keggin form of polyoxometalates,K₇[PMo₂W₉O₃₉]? 19H₂O,as a homogenous catalyst at room temperature.The reaction is monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbance of dye atλ=585 nm.Some parameters including concentration of catalyst,concentration of H₂O₂,pH and reaction time were investigated and optimized. Results show that K₇[PMo₂W₉O₃₉]? 19H₂O is more efficient in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.Degradation of dye in the presence of the catalyst and H₂O₂ could lead to the disappearance approximately 65%of dye after 60 min.But degradation for the same experiment performed in the absence of catalyst or in the absence of H₂O₂ was 22%or 5%respectively.Approximately 87% azo dyes has been eliminated after 90 min in the presence of catalyst,H₂O₂ and optimize conditions(0.6 g/L of K₇[PMo_2- W₉O₃₉H₉H₂O,0.08 mol/L hydrogen peroxide and room temperature).     

Overcoming acid–base copolymer neutralization using mesoporous carbon and its catalytic activity in the tandem deacetalization–Knoevenagel condensation reaction

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Acid–base copolymer materials are of considerable interest because of their fundamental implications for acid–base bifunctional catalysis...     

Preparation of polybutylene terephthalate/silica nanocomposites by melt compounding: Evaluation of surface properties

Influence of nanosilica on surface properties of poly(butylene terephthalate) was investigated by the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurement (CAM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and reflectance spectroscopy (RS). FTIR results indicated that surface groups of silica have some interfacial interactions and bonding with carboxyl or hydroxyl end groups of PBT chains. AFM and SEM figures of the resultant nanocomposites illustrated increased surface roughness compared to pure PBT. Optical properties of nanocomposite films were finally determined by the aid of reflectance spectrophotometer.