Discrimination of Chinese traditional soy sauces based on their physico-chemical properties

This work aimed to classify the categories (produced by different processes) and brands (obtained from different geographical origins) of Chinese soy sauces. Nine variables of physico-chemical properties (density, pH, dry matter, ashes, electric conductivity, amino nitrogen, salt, viscosity and total acidity) of 53 soy sauce samples were measured. The measured data was submitted to such pattern recognition as cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), discrimination partial least squares (DPLS), linear discrimination analysis (LDA) and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) to evaluate the data patterns and the possibility of differentiating Chinese soy sauces between different categories and brands. Two clusters corresponding to the two categories were obtained, and each cluster was divided into three subsets corresponding to three brands by the CA method. The variables for LDA and KNN were selected by the Fisher F-ratio approach. The prediction ability of all classifiers was evaluated by cross-validation. For the three supervised discrimination analyses, LDA and KNN gave 100% predications according to the sample category and brand.     

The effect of neutron and mixed gamma and neutron irradiation on the solar properties of borosilicate glass

Neutron and mixed gamma and neutron irradiation, at different absorbed doses, of borosilicate glass with four different chemical compositions was conducted to investigate the effects on the solar properties of the glass. Irradiation was performed in the tangential beam tube and central thimble of a nuclear reactor. The effect of thermal and epithermal neutrons on such solar properties as secondary heat-transfer factor, solar factor (the total solar energy transmittance), and shading coefficient of the borosilicate glass were investigated to determine the effect on the solar properties of borosilicate glass, because of its neutron absorbance property.     

The effect of gamma irradiation on the structural properties of olivine

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Gamma irradiation studies of (Mg0.905Fe0.095)2SiO4 olivine were performed using X-ray fluorescence method, X-ray diffraction, Raman and...     

Evaluation of physico-chemical properties and antimicrobial synergic effect of ceftazidime-modified chitosan

The aim of this work was to study the effect of tris(3-nitrophenyl) phosphine (NPPh3), which showed a good thermal stability and carbon-forming ability, on the flame retardancy and thermal degradation mechanism of epoxy resins. A series of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) loaded with tris(3-nitrophenyl) phosphine (NPPh3) were prepared. It was found that NPPh3 can effectively improve the flame retardancy and thermal stability of the composites. When the loading amount of NPPh3 was 14%, the LOI value of the DGEBA composites was 29.2% (about 1.53 times the corresponding value of the original DGEBA resin). Thermal stability was studied by thermogravimetric analysis, and the results showed that the addition of NPPh3 can improve char formation of this system both in nitrogen and in air atmosphere. Specifically, its combustion residue at 800 °C in nitrogen atmosphere was about 4.26 times of the original resin. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that NPPh3 slightly decreased the glass transition temperature of epoxy resins. Additionally, the gaseous degradation products were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry, providing insight into the thermal degradation mechanism. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared were brought together to evaluate the morphology and structure of the residual char obtained after combustion.     

Effect of electron beam irradiation on physico-chemical properties of pullulan

Many widely used polymers undergo main chain scission or crosslinking when exposed to radiation. Effects of electron beam irradiation at different doses up to 500?kGy on the biodegradable pullulan polymer films have been investigated by ultraviolet?Cvisible (UV?CVIS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. UV?CVisible study shows increase of optical absorbance with increase of doses, attributing to the formation some groups or radicals. FTIR and TGA results reveal the processes of both crosslinking and degradation of polymer taking place depending upon the dose of e-beam radiation. The surface morphology of the film is found to be altered by the e-beam radiation as indicated by SEM micrographs.     

Pectin- and gelatin-based film: effect of gamma irradiation on the mechanical properties and biodegradation

Agricultural by-products, pectin and gelatin, were used to prepare a biodegradable film. The film casting solution including the pectin and gelatin was irradiated at 0, 10, 20, and 30 kGy to investigate the irradiation effect on the mechanical properties of the film. The tensile strength of the 10 kGy-irradiated film was the highest among the treatments but the elongation at break, water vapour permeability, and swelling ratio were the lowest. Hunter color L^*- and a^*-values decreased but the b^*-value increased as the irradiation dose increased. The total organic carbon content produced from the Paenibacillus polymyxa and Pseudomonas aeruginosa also showed that the film of 10 kGy-irradiated was lower than those of 0, 20, and 30 kGy-irradiated films. In conclusion, irradiation of the film casting solution at 10 kGy increased the mechanical properties of the pectin and gelatin based film. To manufacture the film by agricultural by-products, however, the irradiation dose of the film casting solution should be determined to achieve better mechanical properties.     

Effect of gamma radiation on the physico-chemical properties of alginate-based films and beads

Alginate solution (3%, w/v) was prepared using deionized water from its powder. Then the solution was exposed to gamma radiation (0.1?25 kGy). The alginate films were prepared by solution casting. It was found that gamma radiation has strong effect on alginate solution. At low doses, mechanical strength of the alginate films improved but after 5 kGy dose, the strength started to decrease. The mechanism of alginate radiolysis in aqueous solution is discussed. Film formation was not possible from alginate solution at doses >5 kGy. The mechanical properties such as puncture strength (PS), puncture deformation (PD), viscoelasticity (Y) coefficient of the un-irradiated films were investigated. The values of PS, PD and Y coefficient of the films were 333 N/mm, 3.20 mm and 27%, respectively. Alginate beads were prepared from 3% alginate solution (w/v) by ionotropic gelation method in 5% CaCl₂ solution. The rate of gel swelling improved in irradiated alginate-based beads at low doses (up to 0.5 kGy).     

Structure and physico-chemical properties in mixed aqueous solution of sodium alkvicarboxylate-alkyltrimethylammonium bromide

The physico-chemical properties of organized assemblies (micelle or vesicle ) from sodium alkylcarboxylate - alkyltrimethyl -ammonium bromide mixture have been investigated systematically. In different mixed cationic-anionic surfactant systems, micelles and vesicles can coexist or be transformed into each other on different conditions. The experimental results are explained prelimilarily from the viewpoint of molecular packing geometry. The solubilization of organic compound in the mixed surfactant system was also studied in detail.     

Effect of UV irradiation on the physico-chemical properties of iron crosslinked collagen

Collagen is the main component of connective tissue and finds immense applications as a biomaterial. In this study, effect of UV irradiation on collagen crosslinked with iron has been carried out. The physical and optical properties of crosslinked collagen affected by UV irradiation were analyzed using electrospectral and fluorescence studies. The electronic spectral studies showed that the photoproducts formed on UV radiation decrease in the presence of iron. Circular dichroic studies revealed that the conformational changes brought about in the protein due to UV irradiation have been reduced owing to the crosslinking with iron. However, prolonged irradiation does bring about conformational changes to the protein.     

Effects of gamma irradiation on the grape vine moth,Lobesia botrana,eggs

Eggs of the grape vine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermuller), ranging in age from 1–24 to 73–96 h, were exposed, at 24 h intervals, to gamma radiation ranging from 25–600 Gy. The effects of gamma radiation on egg hatch, pupation, adult emergence, sex ratio and rate of development were examined. Results showed that the radiosensitivity of the grape vine moth eggs decreased with increasing age and increased with increasing radiation dose. Egg hatch in 1–24 h old eggs was significantly affected at 25 Gy and completely prevented at 100 Gy. At the age of 25–48 h, radiation sensitivity was only a little lower; egg hatch at 100 Gy was <1% and at 125 Gy no egg hatch was observed. Egg sensitivity to gamma irradiation decreased significantly in the 49–72 h age group; egg hatch was 66% at 100 Gy, and 500 Gy did not completely stop egg hatch (<1%). Eggs irradiated a few hours before egg hatch (73–96 h old) were the most resistant; 150 Gy had no significant effect on egg hatch and at 600 Gy over 33% of the eggs hatched. When pupation or adult emergence was used as a criterion for measuring effectiveness, however, the effects of gamma radiation were very severe. In the most resistant age group (73–96 h old), 150 Gy completely prevented pupation and adult emergence and all larvae resulting from eggs irradiated <49 h old died before pupation. In addition, the rate of development of immature stages resulting from irradiated eggs was negatively affected and sex ratio was skewed in favor of males.     

Comparison of the efficacy of gamma and UV irradiation in sanitization of fresh carrot juice

As there is no pasteurization procedure for the manufacture of fresh vegetable juice, both industry and consumers have sought a method for improving the storage stability and shelf-life of this category of products. In this study, the effects of commercially available, non-thermal pasteurization processes, such as gamma and UV irradiation, were compared for their efficacy in sanitizing fresh carrot juice (FCJ). FCJ was manufactured, packaged, and gamma irradiated with doses of 0, 1, 3, and 5 kGy. The manufactured FCJ was also passed through 4 UV light lamps at doses of 3.67, 4.69, and 6.50 kGy. The total aerobic bacterial count of the FCJ approached the legal limit (10⁵ CFU/mL) after manufacturing. Both treatments were effective in reducing the number of total aerobic bacteria, and the reduced number was maintained during storage for 7 days. Gamma irradiation was more effective in suppressing microbial growth during storage. When the doses for UV treatment and gamma irradiation were higher, the inactivation effects were higher. The reduction of ascorbic acid content was greater upon gamma irradiation than UV treatment. No difference was found in the contents of flavonoids and polyphenols in FCJ after either treatment. After 3 days of refrigerated storage, the sensory scores of gamma- or UV-irradiated FCJ were superior to those of the control. The results indicate that both non-thermal treatments were effective in improving storage stability and extending shelf-life, but gamma irradiation was slightly better in suppressing microbial growth after treatment.     

The effect of gamma irradiation and surfactants on the size distribution of nanoparticles based on soluble starch

The effect of three kinds of surfactants (anionic, cationic and nonionic) on the shape and size distribution of nanoparticles based on soluble starch fabricated under gamma irradiation was studied. Aqueous solution of soluble starch was irradiated with a dose of 20 kGy. The TEM micrograph and size distribution plots showed that when irradiations were made in presence of surfactants the smaller and more distinct nanoparticles were created in comparison to pure starch solution.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on physico-mechanical properties of spice packaging films

Physico-mechanical properties of two types of laminated films, commercially used for spice packaging, are investigated after gamma irradiation at 8, 10 and 15 kGy. Data showed that polyethylene terephthalate/polyethylene terephthalate/linear low density polyethylene (PET/PET/LLDPE) was more resistant to radiation compared to biaxially oriented polypropylene/cast polypropylene (BOPP/CPP) and its barrier properties slightly improved up to 15 kGy. Oxygen transmission rate of BOPP/CPP was increased by 25%, and the melting peak temperature was decreased by 3.9% at 15 kGy, which may lead to oxidation of packaged spices and loss of their aroma/flavour, respectively.     

Synthesis and physico-chemical properties of a novel series of aromatic electron acceptors based on N-heterocycles

The synthesis of a novel series of N-based heterocyclic salts using a simple and efficient N-alkylation of 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane with reactive halides is reported. These compounds can be transformed into the corresponding pyridinium methylides by addition of a base. The former exhibit an unstable absorption bands at 395–410 nm. The structures of the salts were fully characterized by UV–vis, IR, NMR and MS spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The pK values of selected compounds were also determined and the acid–basic equilibrium was investigated by UV–vis spectrophotometry. The thermal stability of all species was determined by thermogravimetric analysis.     

The effect of gamma irradiation and particle size of CaCO3 on the properties of HDPE/EPDM blends

Mechanical blends formed of 50 wt% of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and 50 wt% of ethylene–propylene–diene-monomer (EPDM) elastomer have been loaded with 50 wt% of three different particle size of CaCO₃, namely CaCO₃ 300, CaCO₃ 700, and CaCO₃ 2000 whereby the latter has the smallest particle size of ～311, 82 μm. Mechanical, physico-chemical and thermal properties were followed up as a function of irradiation dose for loaded and unloaded blends. The results obtained indicated that the values of tensile strength, tensile modulus at 50% elongation, gel fraction and decomposition temperature increase with increasing irradiation dose. On the other hand elongation at break, permanent set and swelling number were found to decrease with increasing irradiation dose. Moreover, the effect of particle size of CaCO₃ was observed in a limited but apparent upgrading of mechanical, physico-chemical, and thermal properties. The order of semi-reinforcing capacity of three different types of CaCO₃ is as follow: CaCO₃ 2000 > CaCO₃ 700 > CaCO₃ 300 > unloaded blend. Whereby CaCO₃ 2000 has the smallest particle size.     

Effects of gamma irradiation on the physical and structural properties of β-glucan

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of gamma irradiation on the physical and structural properties of β-glucan. β-Glucan solution (10%, w/v) was exposed to a cobalt-60 source (10, 30, and 50 kGy). Gel permeation chromatography data showed that the average molecular weight of irradiated β-glucan significantly decreased as the irradiation dose increased. In addition, gamma irradiation improved the solubility and decreased the viscosity of β-glucan by the radiolysis of the glycosidic bonds, and this effect was dependent upon the absorbed dose. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that the functional groups of β-glucan were not significantly affected by gamma irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the irradiated β-glucan was deformed into smaller granules. Therefore, gamma irradiation could be used in commercial processes as an effective method to resolve the physical problems involved in the use of β-glucan with high viscosity and low solubility.     

Studies of physico-chemical properties of mixed adsorbent in the zeolite/SiO2 system

The paper presents physico-chemical properties of mixed adsorbents in the clinoptylolite (mordenite)/SiO₂ system containing 30, 50, 80 mass% zeolite. Adsorption capacity towards polar (water, butanol) and non-polar (n-octane) substances as well as total surface heterogeneity (energetic and geometrical) were determined. Desorption energy distribution functions as well as fractal dimensions were also determined and compared with the low-temperature nitrogen adsorption data. Irregular shapes of the curves q=f(E _d) as well as large values of volumetric fractal dimensions (D _f~2.6) revealed heterogeneous properties of the zeolite/SiO2 system surfaces. Addition of zeolite increases total heterogeneity of the material.     

Crease recovery properties of cotton fabrics modified by urea resins under the effect of gamma irradiation

Cotton fabrics initially dyed with reactive dyes were treated with dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU) resin in order to improve the crease recovery properties. As a comparison, the treatment with DMDHEU was carried out by the conventional thermal curing and gamma irradiation. The effect of treatments on the colour properties, crease recovery, mechanical and thermal properties was studied. It was found that the finishing of cotton fabrics with gamma irradiation affords better crease recovery values at low doses without affecting the colour intensity and the physical properties than the finishing by thermal curing. However, the finishing with higher doses of gamma radiation affects the mechanical properties of cotton fabrics. On the other hand, it was found that the thermal properties were improved with increasing dose.     

Precipitation and physico-chemical properties of a drug substance

The useful!ness of thermoanalytical techniques in early preformulation studies of drug substances is demonstrated with a substituted benzamide derivative precipitated from solvents containing various amounts of water. Slow ageing of the crystalline products registered as changes in the bonding of water could be registered with TA-techniques only.