The effect of composition of parenteral solution on the thermal resistance of Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis spores

Large-volume parenteral solutions were submitted to heat treatments after being inoculated with Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 (T _r =121°C) and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 9372 (T _r =104.5°C) spores. The average decimal reduction time for B. stearothermophilus ranged from a D _121°C value of 1.31 to 3.14 min, in glucophysiologic and Ringer’s solutions respectively. For B. subtilis, D _104.5°C value increased from 0.69 to 1.37 min, in Ringer’s (pH=5.91) and 50% glucose (pH 3.05) solutions respectively. The z value ranged from 7.95°C (20% mannitol solution) to 13.14°C (50% glucose solution), corresponding to an activation energy (Ea) of 81.48 and 49.30 kcal/mol, respectively.     

Properties of nitrocellulose‐coated and polyethylene‐laminated chitosan and whey films

Chitosan (chitosan acetic acid salt) and whey (65% protein) films were coated with a nitrocellulose lacquer or laminated with polyethylene to enhance their water resistance and gas barrier properties in humid environments. The barrier properties were measured by the Cobb₆₀ test and water‐vapor (100% relative humidity) transmission and oxygen (90% relative humidity) permeability tests. Mechanical properties were obtained with tensile tests. Packaging properties were studied with crease and folding tests. The Cobb₆₀ test revealed that the coated films were resistant to liquid water, at least for a short exposure time, if the coating thickness was at least 10–17 μm. Water‐vapor transmission rates comparable to those of polyethylene‐laminated films were obtained for coated chitosan at a coating thickness of 5–7 μm. The coated films possessed low oxygen permeability despite the high humidity. Coated films dried for 3 weeks showed oxygen permeabilities at 90% relative humidity that were similar to values for dry ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol at 0% relative humidity. The lacquer partly penetrated the whey films, and this led to excellent adhesion but poor lacquer toughness. The lacquer coating on chitosan was tougher, and it was possible to fold these films 90° without the coating fracturing if the coating thickness was small. The coated whey films were readily creasable. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 985–992, 2001     

Kinetic characterization of extracellular α-amylase from a derepressed mutant ofBacillus licheniformis

Three strains ofBacillus licheniformis were isolated and screened for α-amylase production by solid-state fermentation. Of these, IS-2 gave relatively higher enzyme production (32±2.3 U/[g·min]) and was selected for improvement after treatment withN-methylN-nitroN-nitroso guanidine (NG) or nitrous acid (NA) to enhance its hydrolytic potential. Among the mutant variants, NA-14 gave higher enzyme production (98±1.6 U/[g·min]), and hence, was selected for kinetic and thermal characterization. M1 as a moistening agent (pH 7.0, optimized) supported 2.65-fold improved amylolytic activity by the derepressed mutant 72 h after inoculation. The values of product yield coefficient (Y _p/x=1833.3 U/g) and specific rate constant (q _p=25.46 U/[g·h]) with starch were severalfold improved over those from other carbon sources and the other cultures. The purified enzyme from NA-14 was most active at 40°C; however, the activity remained almost constant up to 44°C. The NA-induced random mutagenesis substantially improved the enthalpy (ΔH _D=94.5±11 kJ/mol) and entropy of activation (ΔS=−284±22 J/[mol·K]) for α-amylase activity and substrate binding for starch hydrolysis. The results of this study (117.8±5.5 U/[g·min]) revealed a concomitant improvement in the endogenous metabolism of the mutant culture for α-amylase production.     

Thermal transitions in and structures of dried polyelectrolytes and polyelectrolyte complexes

Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to explore the thermomechanical properties of dried polyelectrolytes and polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) with different thermal and humidity histories. Although differences in the amount of water remaining in polyelectrolytes and PECs were small for ambient versus dessicator storage, the properties of polyelectrolyte‐based materials were drastically different for different humidity histories. Glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) were shown to vary by 100 °C, depending on humidity and thermal histories. These parameters also change glassy storage modulus values by 100%. Furthermore, we observe that dried PDADMAC is highly lossy. DMA of dried poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) was more complex and did not exhibit a glass transition in the tested range. DMA of a PEC of PDADMAC and PSS revealed a humidity history‐dependent water melt in the first heating cycle, as well as storage modulus values of dried and annealed PECs that only varied by 17–26% over a 275 °C temperature range. Based on these results, we report for the first time humidity history as controlling structure and properties of polyelectrolyte‐based materials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 684–691     

An improved method for extraction of β-carotene from blakeslea trispora

An improved method for the extraction of β-carotene from Blakeslea trispora is described. The fermentation broth was steamed at 121°C for 15 min, and the liquid was centrifuged at 5000g for 20 min. β-Carotene was removed from the biomass by extraction with absolute ethanol at a ratio of 1:100 at 30°C for 2 h in a rotary shaker incubator at 300 rpm. The carotenoid pigment was completely removed from the cells after three repeated extractions. The removal of β-carotene from B. trispora was higher during the first stage (75%) whereas in the other stages it was very slow.     

Intracellular release of recombinant green fluorescent protein (gfp uv ) from Escherichia coli

The recombinant green fluorescent protein (gfp _uv ) was expressed by Escherichia coli DH5-α cells transformed with the plasmid pGFPuv. The gfp _uv was selectively permeabilized from the cells in buffer solution (25 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0), after freezing (−70°C for 15 h), by four freeze (−20°C)/thaw cycles interlaid by sonication. The average content of released gfp _uv (experiment 2) was 7.76, 34.58, 39.38, 12.90, and 5.38%, for the initial freezing (−70°C) and the first, second, third and fourth freeze/thaw cycles, respectively. Superfusion on freezing was observed between −11°C and −14°C, after which it reached −20°C at 0.83°C/min.     

Thallium alloys of the rare earth: Sm?TI Phase diagram and molar volumes of the rare earth thallides

The Sm? Tl system has been studied by differential thermal, metallographic and X-ray analyses. The following intermediate phases were observed: Sm₂Tl (decomposes at 1030 ± 10°C); Sm₅Tl₃ (decomposes at 1060 ± 10°C); SmTl (melting point, 1220 ± 20°C); Sm₃Tl₅ (decomposes at 940 ± 10°C); SmTl₃ (melting point, 870 ± 5°C). Three eutectics occur: β-Sm—Sm₂Tl (840 ± 10°C, 18.0 ± 0.5 at % Tl); Sm₃Tl₅—SmTl₃ (860 ± 5°C, 72.0 ± 0.5 at % Tl); SmTl₃—β-Tl (～303°C, greater than 99.5 at % Tl); there is an eutectoidal reaction at 760 ± 10°C and 10 ± 1 at % Tl (decomposition of β-Sm phase). Following crystal structures have been determined or confirmed: Sm₂Tl hexagonal hP6—Ni₂In-type, Sm₅Tl₃ tetragonal tI32—W₅Si₃-type, SmTl cubic cI2—W or cP2—CsCl-type, SmTl tetragonal tP4—AuCu I-type, Sm₃Tl₅ orthorhombic oC32—Pu₃Pd₅ like-type, SmTl₃ cubic cP4—AuCu₃-type. The characteristics of the phase diagram and the molar volumes of the Sm? Tl compounds are compared with those of other RE? Tl alloys and briefly discussed.     

Cloning, heterologous expression, and characterization of Thielavia terrestris glucoamylase

Thielavia terrestris is a soil-borne thermophilic fungus whose molecular/cellular biology is poorly understood. Only a few genes have been cloned from the Thielavia genus. We detected an extracellular glucoamylase in culture filtrates of T. terrestris and cloned the corresponding glaA gene. The coding region contains five introns. Based on the amino acid sequence, the glucoamylase was 65% identical to Neurospora crassa glucoamylase. Sequence comparisons suggested that the enzyme belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase family 15. The T. terrestris glaA gene was expressed in Aspergillus oryzae under the control of an A. oryzae α-amylase promoter and an Aspergillus niger glucoamylase terminator. The 75-kDa recombinant glucoamylase showed a specific activity of 2.8 μmol/(min·mg) with maltose as substrate. With maltotriose as a substrate, the enzyme had an optimum pH of 4.0 and an optimum temperature of 60°C. The enzyme was stable at 60°C for 30 min. The K _m and k _cat of the enzyme for maltotriose were determined at various pHs and temperatures. At 20°C and pH 4.0, the enzyme had a K _m of 0.33±0.07 mM and a k _cat of (5.5±0.5)×10³ min⁻¹ for maltotriose. The temperature dependence of k _cat /K _m indicated an activation free energy of 2.8 kJ/mol across the range of 20–70°C. Overall, the enzyme derived from the thermophilic fungus exhibited properties comparable with that of its homolog derived from mesophilic fungi.     

Effects of humidity and temperature on the electrochemical activities of H2/O2 PEMFCs using hybrid membrane electrolytes

Electrochemical characteristics of single cell performances at various humidity conditions and constant temperatures of 40?100 °C using membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) were studied. The MEAs consist of alternative proton-conducting hybrid membrane electrolyte and noble Pt/C catalyst for the H₂/O₂ proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The function of humidity on the cell performances was investigated at larger current density values of 501 mA cm^?2 and constant cell temperatures of 80 and 90 °C and the relative humidity of 100 %. The power density value of 400 mW cm^?2 was obtained when the same MEA at similar operating conditions was used. The effects of temperature on the single cell performances were investigated at various temperature ranges of 40–100 °C and constant relative humidity of 50, 70, and 100 %. The maximum current density and power density values of about 600 mA cm^?2 and 160 mW cm^?2, respectively, were obtained at 90 °C with 100 % RH. The results were compared with the reported results of Nafion membrane and similar hybrid membranes operating at low temperatures for H₂/O₂ fuel cells. Finally, the results provided an alternative proton-conducting electrolyte as promising candidate for low/intermediate temperature operating H₂/O₂ fuel cells.     

Synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnO by the thermal decomposition of [Zn(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)(O<Subscript>2</Subscript>C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>7</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>] in isoamyl alcohol

It was studied how the conditions of heat treatment of a [Zn(H₂O)(O₂C₅H₇)₂] solution in isoamyl alcohol at 120–140°C for 2–60 min affect the precursor decomposition mechanism and the characteristics of the obtained nanocrystalline zinc oxide. In all the cases, the product was a crystalline substance with the wurtzite structure and a size of crystallites of 14–18 nm, which was independent of the synthesis conditions. The thermal behavior and microstructure of the separated and dried nanostructured ZnO powder were investigated. It was determined how the duration and temperature of the heat treatment of the precursor solution affects the microstructure of ZnO coatings dip-coated onto glass substrates using dispersions produced at 120 and 140°C. The nanosized ZnO application procedure was shown to be promising for creating a gas-sensing layer of chemical gas sensors for detecting 1% H₂ (\(R_0 /R_{H_2 } \) was 58 ± 2 at an operating temperature of 300°C) and 4 ppm NO₂ (\(R_{NO_2 } /R_0\) were 15 ± 1 and 1.9 ± 0.1 at operating temperatures of 200 and 300°C, respectively).     

Highly Thermostable Xylanase of the Thermophilic Fungus Talaromyces thermophilus: Purification and Characterization

A thermostable xylanase from a newly isolated thermophilic fungus Talaromyces thermophilus was purified and characterized. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, diethylaminoethyl cellulose anion exchange chromatography, P-100 gel filtration, and Mono Q chromatography with a 23-fold increase in specific activity and 17.5% recovery. The molecular weight of the xylanase was estimated to be 25kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration. The enzyme was highly active over a wide range of pH from 4.0 to 10.0. The relative activities at pH5.0, 9.0, and 10.0 were about 80%, 85.0%, and 60% of that at pH7.5, respectively. The optimum temperature of the purified enzyme was 75°C. The enzyme showed high thermal stability at 50°C (7days) and the half-life of the xylanase at 100°C was 60min. The enzyme was free from cellulase activity. K _m and V _max values at 50°C of the purified enzyme for birchwood xylan were 22.51mg/ml and 1.235μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹, respectively. The enzyme was activated by Ag⁺, Co²⁺, and Cu²⁺; on the other hand, Hg²⁺, Ba²⁺, and Mn²⁺ inhibited the enzyme. The present study is among the first works to examine and describe a secreted, cellulase-free, and highly thermostable xylanase from the T. thermophilus fungus whose application as a pre-bleaching aid is of apparent importance for pulp and paper industries.     

Kinetic study of crystallization of PHB in presence of hydroxy acids

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, has been structurally modified through reaction with hydroxy acids (HA) such as tartaric acid (TA) and malic acid (MA). The crystallization kinetic of the samples was evaluated by isoconversional method through nonlinear fitting to obtain the estimation for activation energy (E _a ) and pre-exponential (A) values. The thermal behavior of the crystallization temperature, 44.8 and 58.9 °C at 5 °C/min, and results obtained to the average activation energy, 73 ± 9 kJ mol⁻¹ and 63 ± 1 kJ mol⁻¹, to PHB/MA and PHB, respectively, are suggesting that malic acid may be deriving plasticizer units from its own PHB chain. PHB/TA show increase in the medium value of E _a, 119 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ and T _c = 48.2 °C (at 5 °C/min), indicating that tartaric acid is probably interacts in different way to the of PHB chain (E _a=73 ± 9 kJ mol⁻¹, T _c = 44.8 °C at 5 °C/min).     

Electrochemical properties of systems with rubidium-tungsten-oxide bronze

Single-phase rubidium-tungsten-oxide bronze of the composition Rb_0.3WO₃ with hexagonal syngony (a = 0.7387 ± 0.0004 nm, c = 0.7547 ± 0.0004 nm) is synthesized. The ionic constituent of the bronze conductivity, determined for the first time ever, is nearly three orders of magnitude as small as the electronic constituent and varies from 1.1 × 10^?2 to 2.7 × 10^?2 S cm^?1 at 30–84°C. The reversibility of the Rb_0.3WO₃/Rb₆La₂Si₆O₁₈ interface increases with the environment humidity. The exchange current is equal to 6.4 × 10^?4 A cm^?2 at a temperature of 30°C and a relative humidity of 58%. It is shown that the synthesized bronze may, in principle, be utilized in the role of a reference electrode in solid-state potentiometric sensors for carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide that would be capable of operating in natural conditions.     

Physicochemical characterization and stability of microbeads containing cod-liver oil encircled with natural cyclodextrins

The ability of cyclodextrins (CDs) to solubilize cod-liver oil in aqueous solutions was evaluated. Only the natural α-cyclodextrin (αCD) and γ-cyclodextrin (γCD) were able to fully disperse 10 % (v/v) cod-liver oil in aqueous solutions. Confocal imaging revealed that the oil was located in the center of the CD enveloped microbeads (<20 μm in diameter) where it was enclosed within nanocompartments (<1 μm in diameter). The aqueous microbead suspensions were lyophilized to produce dry powder microbeads with rough surfaces. To assess the stability of the cod-liver oil/γCD (3:1 molar ratio) microbead powder, three groups of samples were incubated over a period of 1, 2, 4, 12 and 84 weeks. Group 1 (G1) and group 2 (G2) were incubated at 25 °C and 60 % humidity. G1 was exposed to O₂ for 10 min before sealing off the glass containers while G2 was kept under nitrogen. Group 3 was stored under accelerated conditions at 40 °C and 75 % humidity under nitrogen. The reference was pure cod-liver oil. Results indicated that encapsulating cod-liver oil with γCD delays oxidative degradation when oxygen is present, but does not significantly decrease or increase the long term stability of cod-liver oil under anaerobic conditions. Cod-liver oil/γCD microbeads could be compressed into tablets without decreasing the integrity of encapsulation. The cod-liver oil/γCD microbead powder might be of interest to the pharmaceutical industry as a carrier for lipophilic drugs.     

Processing-Moisture Resistance and Thermal Analysis of Macro-Defect-Free Materials

The system of sulfoaluminate ferrite belite (SAFB) clinkers premixed with Portland cement (PC) in mass ratio 85:15 in combination with hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) or polyphosphates(poly-P) was used for the syntheses of Macro-Defect-Free (MDF) materials. The subsequent moisture treatment and thermal stability of these MDF materials were investigated. The effect of individual humidity upon the evolution of mass is more intensive than the effects of composition of MDF materials or duration of the original MDF material synthesis. Detailed values of mass changes at 100% relative humidity (RH) and under ambient conditions are strongly affected by the nature of polymer used. A significant improvement of moisture resistance of MDF materials is achieved when the materials are dried after 24 h of finishing the pressure application. In the inter-phase section of MDF material samples, the content ofC-(A,F)-S hydraulic phases, mainly tetracalcium aluminate ferrite monosulphatehydrate (AFm) decomposing by 250°C and CaCO₃ decomposing at 600–700°C increase after the moisture attack, while cross-links in AFm-like section with typical thermoanalytical traces in temperature region 250–550°C remain intact. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal and electrical properties of Ca5Mg4−xZnx(VO4)6 (0 ≤ x ≤ 4)

Calcium vanadates Ca₅Mg_4−xZn_x(VO₄)₆ (0 ≤ x ≤ 4) have been studied for the first time using a set of high-temperature methods of analysis. The onset of melting process determined from differential scanning calorimetry decreases from 1158 to 881 °C (± 1.5 °C) with increasing of x (dopant’s content). CTE temperature dependence is found to show a hysteresis. Electrical transport properties measured by impedance spectroscopy in air of different humidity are also discussed. The value of electrical conductivity does not depend on air humidity. It is found to equal to 1.5 × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ at 720 °C for Ca₅Mg₄(VO₄)₆ which is specific for garnet-related crystals.

     

Production, purification, and characterization of a low-molecular-mass xylanase from Aspergillus sp. and its application in baking

An extracellular xylanase produced by a Mexican Aspergillus strain was purified and characterized. Aspergillus sp. FP-470 was able to grow and produce extracellular xylanases on birchwood xylan, oat spelt xylan, wheat straw, and corncob, with higher production observed on corncob. The strain also produced enzymes with cellulase, amylase, and pectinase activities on this substrate. A 22-kDa endoxylanase was purified 30-fold. Optimum temperature and pH were 60°C and 5.5, respectively, and isoelectric point was 9.0. The enzyme has good stability from pH 5.0 to 10.0 retaining >80% of its original activity within this range. Half-lives of 150 min at 50°C and 6.5 min at 60°C were found. K _m and activation energy values were 3.8 mg/mL and 26 kJ/mol, respectively, using birch wood xylan as substrate. The enzyme showed a higher affinity for 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronoxylan with a K _m of 1.9 mg/mL. The enzyme displayed no activity toward other polysaccharides, including cellulose. Baking trials were conducted using the crude filtrate and purified enzyme. Addition of both preparations improved bread volume. However, addition of purified endoxylanase caused a 30% increase in volume over the crude extract.     

Glycosidases of turnip leaf tissues

Four myrosinase (β-thioglucosidase EC. 3.2.3.1) and seven disaccharase (β-fructofuranosidase, EC. 3.2.1.26) isoenzymes were isolated from turnip leaves. The most active enzymes were isolated in pure form. Myrosinase and disaccharase mol wt was 62.0 × 10³ and 69.5 × 10³ dalton, respectively, on the basis of gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. Myrosinase pH profile showed high activity between pH 5 and 7 with the optimum at pH 5.5. The purified enzyme was heat-stable for 60 min at 30°C with only loss of 24% of activity. Its activity is strongly inhibited (100%) by Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions, and activated (70%) by EDTA at 0.04M. The pure enzyme failed to hydrolyze amylose, glycogen, lactose, maltose, and sucrose. TheK _m andV _max values of myrosinase using sinigrin as specific substrate was 0.045 mM and 2.5 U, respectively. The maximal activity of disaccharase enzyme was obtained at pH 4–5 and 35–37°C. The enzyme was heat-stable at 30°C for 30 min with only 10% loss of its activity. Its activity is strongly activated (70–240%) by Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, and EDTA at 0.01M. The enzyme activity is specific to the disaccharide sucrose and failed to hydrolyze other disaccharides (maltose and lactose). TheK _m andV _max of disaccharase were 0.123 mM and 3.33 U, respectively.     

Humidity controlled calorimetric investigation of the hydration of MgSO4 hydrates

The isothermal heat of hydration of MgSO₄ hydrates was studied by humidity controlled calorimetry. Two hydrates, starkeyite (MgSO₄·4H₂O) and a mixture of MgSO₄ hydrates with summary 1.3 mol H₂O were investigated. The solid-gas reactions were initiated at 30°C and 85% relative humidity. The heat of hydration was determined in a circulation cell in the calorimeter C80 (Setaram). The crystal phases formed after the hydration process were analyzed by thermogravimetry (TG) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Starkeyite reacted with the water vapour to the thermodynamic stable epsomite and the MgSO₄ hydrate mixture with 1.3 mol water to hexahydrite. The hydration heats of starkeyite and the mixture were determined to be −169±3 and −257±5 kJmol⁻¹, respectively.     

Storage Stability of LiFePO4/C in Humid‐hot Air

Storage stabilities of LiFePO₄/C composite at different conditions are investigated in terms of structural and electrochemical evolutions. The results from different aging tests indicate that moisture and temperature are the key factors that have the most profound effects on the structure homogeneity which in turn influences the electrochemical performance of LiFePO₄/C. Although the storage in a humid‐hot environment, such as saturated humidity air at 50°C, does not greatly influence the discharging capacity of LiFePO₄/C, it does reduce the initial charging capacity, thus the amount of reversible Li⁺ ions in a practical LiFePO₄/graphite cell decreases. This impact is explained by the lithium extraction during the storage, forming olivine FePO₄ and associated Li₃PO₄. Elevated storage temperature also favors the delithiation process. The degree of delithiation increases from about 6% at 50°C to 18% at 80°C. It is also found that re‐calcination at 650°C effectively resolves the problem of the structural heterogeneity of the stored LiFePO₄/C. Therefore both the initial charging capacity and coulombic efficiency of the stored sample in the first cycle revert to the original value of the fresh one.