Effect of calcinated oyster shell powder on growth, yield, spawn run, and primordial formation of king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii)

This study was conducted to evaluate the calcium (Ca) absorption efficacy of king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) grown on sawdust medium supplemented with Ca-sources, including oyster shell powder, and to determine the efficacy of oyster shell powder as a calcium supplement on growth, yield, spawn run and primordial formation of P. eryngii. Optimum calcination of oyster shell powder was achieved at the temperature of 620.56 °C. A 1% supplementation of oyster shell powder in sawdust medium did not suppress the mycelial growth of P. eryngii. Also the supplementation of 2% calcinated oyster shell powder to sawdust medium potentially increased the calcium content up to a level of 315.7 ± 15.7 mg/100 g in the fruiting body of P. eryngii, without extension of duration of spawn run and the retardation of the days to primordial formation. These results suggest that the shellfish by-products, including oyster shell powder, can be utilized to develop calcium enriched king oyster mushrooms.     

Biohydrogen Production from Mushroom Cultivation Waste by Anaerobic Solid‐state Fermentation

Mushroom cultivation waste (MCW) is a polypropylene bag stuffed with wood flour and nutrients for growing mushroom, which is a feasible feedstock for anaerobic biohydrogen production owing to its abundant availability, high organic and nutrient content. This study optimized the seed inoculum from various waste sludges (sewage sludge, cow dung and pig slurry), nutrient addition and operation conditions (moisture content and MCW powder particle size) for maximal biohydrogen production by solid‐state fermentation (SSF). SSF batch test was operated at a MCW 3 g total volatile solid (TVS)/L, temperature 55 °C and rotation speed of 15 rpm with a vertical rotative shaker. The peak hydrogen production performance of hydrogen production rate (HPR) 9.50 mol H₂/kg‐d and hydrogen yield (HY) 0.29 mmol H₂/g TVS) are obtained using sewage sludge 2 seed inoculum, nutrients addition, moisture content 70 % and particle size of 1.190～0.590 mm. The results show that the MCW has the potential for hydrogen production by anaerobic mixed microflora using solid‐state fermentation. The bioenergy of 1842 kWh while using SSF to conver MCW to produce biohydrogen and it could reduce CO₂ emission of 114–178 kg per year comparing using fossil fuel such as coal, fuel oil and natural gas.     

Standardisation of cooking and conditioning methods for preparation of quick cooking germinated brown rice

Quick cooking germinated brown rice (QCGBR) is a novel convenient food product with valuable health benefits. Different cooking and conditioning methods were studied for standardisation of its preparation process. Freshly harvested paddy of Prativa variety was milled in rubber roll sheller to get brown rice which was soaked in demineralised water at 30 ​± ​2 ​°C for 12 ​h followed by 24 ​h of germination in an incubator maintained at 27 ​± ​1 ​°C temperature and 85–90% relative humidity to obtain germinated brown rice. The germinated brown rice was immediately cooked using three different cooking methods such as atmospheric cooking at normal ambient pressure, pressure cooking with water in a domestic pressure cooker at 1 ​bar gauge pressure and pressure steaming (without water) with steam at 1 ​bar gauge pressure to predetermined cooking time. The cooked samples after washing were then conditioned by keeping them at 4 ​°C for 24 ​h (refrigerated storage) or −10 ​°C for 24 ​h (frozen storage) in a house hold refrigerator. The stored samples were taken out after 24 ​h and tempered for 1 ​h followed by drying in a tray dryer at 90 ​°C to obtain the quick cooking germinated brown rice. The samples obtained from different cooking and conditioning methods were analysed for cooking quality, physico-chemical parameters, damaged grain percentage, GABA content and sensory attributes to standardise the cooking and conditioning methods. Cooking time, water uptake ratio, solid loss and volume expansion ratio of quick cooking germinated brown rice varied significantly with cooking and conditioning methods of its preparation (p ​< ​0.05). Though frozen conditioning resulted in lowest cooking time, it was not accepted by the sensory panel due to high damaged grain percentage, distorted shape and softness after cooking. The QCGBR obtained by pressure cooking method followed by refrigerated conditioning resulted in highest sensory score.     

Physical ageing of crayfish flour at low moisture contents

Glass transition temperature of red crayfish flour (moisture 3.56%) was determined using a phase transition analyser (Wenger Technical Centre, USA). Due to the importance of physical ageing in functional properties of red crayfish flour (with 65% protein) the possible occurrence of physical ageing in dry powder of crayfish flour was studied at different temperatures below and close to the glass transition. Endothermic peaks that corresponded to relaxation enthalpy were observed for a commercial crayfish flour with 4.5% moisture. Enthalpy and peak temperature increased on storage of crayfish flour when it was held in the glassy-state at different temperatures (5, 15, 25°C).     

Extrudate swell and flow analysis of polystyrene melt flowing in an electro‐magnetized die in a single screw extruder

An electro‐magnetized capillary die via a parallel co‐extrusion technique was used to study the changes in the overall and radial extrudate swell ratio of polystyrene (PS) melt flowing in a single screw extruder. The effects of magnetic flux density, wall shear rate (screw rotating speed) and die temperature were studied. The results suggested that, in the case of non‐magnetic die the average overall swell ratio of the melt ranged from 1.25 to 1.55. The swelling ratio increased with increasing wall shear rate up to 8.5 sec^?1 and then decreased at 17.1 sec^?1. Increasing die temperature caused a reduction of extrudate swell ratio. The changes in extrudate swell ratio can be explained using the simultaneously measured velocity profiles during the flow in the die, and the swell ratio decreased with increasing radial position. Melt contraction of the melt layer near the die wall was observed. The die temperature was found to have no effect on the change of the radial extrudate swell profiles. When an electro‐magnetized die was used, the average overall swell ratio was found to increase with increasing magnetic flux density to a maximum value and then decreased at higher flux densities. The magnetic flux density of the maximum swell was changed by the wall shear rate. It was associated with a balance of elastic and magnetic energies during the flow. The magnetic energy was thought to have a pronounced effect on the swell ratio at low shear rate and low die temperature. Considering the radial position, the highest swell ratio occurred at the duct center, in the range 2.4–3.3. There was no extrudate contraction of the melt layer near the die wall. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Deformation and molecular orientation in films of metallocene polypropylene,ethylene–butylene rubber,and their 80/20 (w/w) blend revealed by the simultaneous kinetic measurement of microscopic infrared dichroism,macroscopic stress,and mesoscale strain

Simultaneous kinetic measurement of microscopic infrared dichroism, macroscopic stress, and mesoscale strain was used to study the deformation mechanisms of metallocene polypropylene (MPP), ethylene–butylene rubber (EBR), and their blend (MPP/EBR = 80/20 w/w). As with pure MPP, the molecular orientation in the blend is dominated by the necking of the isotactic polypropylene matrix. During the necking passage through the mesoscale sampling area, the molecular orientation of the polypropylene matrix in the blend is smaller than that in the pure polypropylene film at the same level of mesoscale strain. However, the orientation of the EBR dispersed phase in the blend is larger than that in the pure EBR film. This may result from the partial miscibility of the two ingredients in the amorphous phases and their resultant strong interfacial interaction. The large stress supported by the MPP matrix extends to the island of the EBR domain and leads to its large deformation. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1520–1531, 2005     

Determination of phenamacril residues in flour and rice based on Z‐Sep+ using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Phenamacril is a new broad‐spectrum fungicide that is commonly used for the control of fungal diseases in wheat and rice. In this study, ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to establish a method for analyzing the residual phenamacril in flour and rice based on the improved QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method using Z‐Sep+ as the adsorbent in the pre‐treatment process. The average recovery of phenamacril in flour and rice was 82.2–96.0%, the relative standard deviation was 2.1–5.6% and the limit of quantification was 0.5 μg/kg. The accuracy and sensitivity of this method meet the requirements for residue analysis. The method was applied to commercially available flour and rice samples, and the detected concentrations of phenamacril were 0.005–0.033 mg/kg. This method provides technical support for the safety evaluation of phenamacril.     

Structure and Property Characterization of Oyster Shell Cementing Material

Oyster shell powder was used as the admixture of ordinary portland cement.The effects of different addition amounts and grinding ways on the strength and stability of cement mortar were discussed and proper addition amount of oyster shell powder was determined.The structure and property changes of cementing samples with different oyster shell powder contents were tested by XRD and SEM means.The results revealed that compressive and rupture strengths of the sample with 10% oyster shell powder was close to those of the original one without addition.Stability experiment showed that the sample prepared by pat method had smooth surface without crack and significant expansion or shrinkage after pre-curing and boiling,which indicated that cementing material dosed with oyster shell powder had fine stability.XRD and SEM observation showed that oyster shell independently exists in the cementing material.     

Production and evaluation of a reference material for moisture,ash, and total fat mass fractions,and titratable acidity in whole milk powder

Given the importance of reference materials (RM) in the structuring and maintenance of quality management systems for food analysis laboratories, RM were produced for the measurement of moisture, ash, total fat, and titratable acidity in whole milk powder. Two types of packaging and three storage temperatures were evaluated. The RM were considered homogeneous. The materials that were packaged in the pouches and those packaged in the amber glass bottles with screw caps (stored at room temperature) were not stable for moisture. Nevertheless, considering the four measurands, the amber glass bottles under refrigeration and freezing temperatures were the best packaging and storage conditions, respectively. Homogeneity and stability studies were carried out according to the ISO Guide 35, IUPAC harmonized protocol, and ISO 13528, considering the potential applicability of the produced materials as certified reference materials or even as RM for use in proficiency testing schemes. For homogeneity, despite the different criteria, there was agreement between the results. Considering the stability, the agreement depended on the evaluation of the regression assumptions, which is not required by the ISO Guide 35. The contribution of uncertainty associated with homogeneity was greater than that related to stability. The results indicated that the produced materials, i.e., the candidate certified RMs, were suitable for assessing trueness and could be submitted to further inter-laboratory characterization.     

Construction of a wheat-flour state diagram

We use pressure-variable differential scanning calorimetry to detect and characterize thermally induced transitions (glass, melting, gelatinization) in pre- and post-extruded wheat flour. The resulting data allow us to construct a two-dimensional state diagram which maps the physical states that pre- and post-extruded wheat flour can assume, at constant pressure, as a function of moisture content, temperature, and the specific mechanical energy, SME, generated in the extruder. We describe how this state diagram can be used to map the path of extrusion processing, to assess the impact of extrusion conditions, and, ultimately, to design formulations and processing conditions that result in desired end-product attributes. For the extrudates, we find that the extent of processing-induced fragmentation, as monitored by reductions in the extrudate glass transition temperature,T _g, increases with the SME generated in the extruder. We demonstrate that a wheat-flour state diagram, which includes the glass curve of the wheat-flour extrudates produced at various SME values, allows one to predict and control the impact of processing conditions on extrudate properties.     

Compatibility studies of blends of polycarbonate and poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Blends of bisphenol-A polyarbonate (PC) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. Blends were prepared by screw extrusion and solution casting with weight fractions of PC in the blends varying from 0.90 to 0.10. From the measured glass transition temperature (T_g) and apparent weight fractions of PC and PET dissolved in each phase, it appears that PET dissolves more in the PC-rich phase than does the PC in the PET-rich phase. The composition-dependent values of the Flory–Huggins polymer–polymer–interaction parameter were determined and found to be from 0.054 to 0.037 for extruded blends at 275°C and from 0.058 to 0.040 for solution casting at 25°C. The interaction parameter decreases with increasing PET concentration. This result is consistent with the values of the T_gs, the microscopy study, and the measured extrudate swell ratios which show that compatibility increases more in the PET-rich compositions than in the PC-rich compositions. The PC–PET blends are not microscopically miscible for all the blend compositions.     

The Application of Di-isocyante Modified Agro-polymer as Filler For XNBR/PA-12 Thermoplastic Elastomer Composites

Lignocelluloses industrial waste flour of olive husk powder (LCF) was utilized as reinforcement in carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR)/Polyamide-12 (PA-12) thermoplastic elastomer composites. To improve the bonding quality between the LCF and the blend, the powder was chemically treated by two means, the former is the treatment with toulene-2–4-diisocyanate (TDIC), and the latter is mercerization with sodium hydroxide followed by neutralization with acetic acid. The untreated and chemically treated powders were analyzed with attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR). The morphology of the powders before and after treatment was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The LCF reinforced composites were prepared using computerized Haake internal mixer coupled with rheometer. The processing conditions were 178°C and rotor speed of 80- round per minute for 7 min. The melt mixing process was monitored by the torque-time plastograms of the Haake internal mixer. The development of the stock temperature during the mixing process was monitored using the rheometer of Hakke internal mixer. The structural changes of the XNBR/PA-12 composites were inspected by SEM and attenuated ATR-IR spectroscopy. The influence of the modified filler on the toughness and hardness of the prepared samples are reported. The resistance of the prepared composites to water and toluene swelling are evaluated as well.     

Simultaneous and rapid determination of deoxynivalenol and its acetylate derivatives in wheat flour and rice by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with photo diode array detection

A simple and reliable method of ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photo‐diode array detection has been proposed for the simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol and its acetylated derivatives in wheat flour and rice, especially focusing on the optimization of sample extraction, cleanup, and chromatographic separation conditions. Sample pretreatment consisted of a first step using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe based extraction procedure and a subsequent cleanup step based on solid‐phase extraction. The method was extensively validated in wheat flour and rice, obtaining satisfactory analytical performance with good linearity (R² ≥ 0.999), acceptable recoveries (80.0–104.4%), and repeatability (RSDs 1.3–10.7%). The limits of detection (21.7–57.4 μg/kg) and quantitation (72.3–191.4 μg/kg) for deoxynivalenols were lower than those usually permitted by various countries’ legislation in these food matrices. The method was applied to 34 wheat and rice samples. The results were further compared with results of ultra high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.     

Effects of Poly(Ethylene Glycol) on the Physical Properties of Blended Molecules of Starch and Poly(Ethylene-co-Acrylate,Ammonium Salt)

Abstract

A mixture of starch (36%) poly(ethylene-co-acrylate, ammonium salt) (41%), water (12.5%), urea (8.4%), and poly(ethylene glycol) (M _n 4600) (2.1%) were converted to plastic test pieces by extruding (130°C), drying and grinding (25°C), and hot pressing (175°C). After equilibration at ?50% relative humidity and 25°C, the test pieces contained 3.5–4.6% moisture and 2.3% poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Among wheat, corn, potato, and rice starches, the wheat starch (WS) blend showed the highest Young's modulus (181.3 MPa), whereas the corn starch (CS) blend had a modulus and elongation that almost matched those of lowdensity polyethylene. When PEG was eliminated from the WS formulation, tensile strength remained constant, but Young's modulus doubled. The modulus decreased continually as test pieces absorbed water up to 27% moisture, but elongation and argon laser light transmittance were optimum at ?12% moisture. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that PEG formed a solid inclusion complex with amylose upon drying at 60°C, but no complex was detected in dilute alkali by optical rotation.     

Characterization of Chickpea Flour by Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

Near infrared (NIR) spectrometry was used for the rapid characterization of quality parameters in desi chickpea flour (besan). Partial least square regression, principal component regression (PCR), interval partial least squares (iPLS), and synergy interval partial least squares (siPLS) were used to determine the protein, carbohydrate, fat, and moisture concentrations of besan. Spectra were collected in reflectance mode using a lab-built predispersive filter-based instrument from 700 to 2500?nm. The quality parameters were also determined by standard methods. The root mean square error (RMSE) for the calibration and validation sets was used to evaluate the performance of the models. The correlation coefficients for moisture, fat, protein, and carbohydrates in chickpea flour exceeded 0.96 using PLS and PCR models using the full spectral range. Wavelengths from 2100 to 2345?nm had the lowest RMSE for quality parameters by iPLS. The error was further decreased by 0.41, 0.1, and 1.1% for carbohydrates, fats, and proteins by siPLS. The NIR spectral regions yielding the lowest RMSE of prediction were 1620–2345?nm for carbohydrates, 1180–1590?nm and 1860–2094?nm for fat, and 1700–2345?nm for proteins. The study shows that chickpea flour quality parameters were accurately determined using the optimized wavelengths.     

A novel method for the determination of steady-state torque of polymer melts by HAAKE MiniLab

HAAKE MiniLab is an apparatus specially designed for compounding polymer material and on-line testing of rheological properties. For the first time, it was used to establish a dynamic speed test method for the rapid determination of steady-state torque of polymer melts. The choices of sample feed quantity and screw rotation speed, as well as calibration for real torque, were carefully studied before torque measurements. The repeatability and reliability of torque data were also evaluated. Results showed that the torque could be calibrated by subtracting the torque without samples. Also, a feed quantity of ca. 6 g with a dynamic speed test range of 10–105 r/min was suitable for the determination of steady-state torque of polyolefin samples. The new method was quick, effective and reliable to correlate the steady-state torque with rotation speed. Therefore, MiniLab would be a very useful tool in exploring and characterizing polymer flow behavior through its torque measurements.     

Effect of the liquid–liquid phase separation on the crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene‐ran‐vinyl acetate) and paraffin wax blend

The effect of liquid–liquid phase‐separation (LLPS) on the crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene‐ran‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) with various amounts of vinyl acetate and paraffin wax blend was investigated. The blend of EVA‐H (9.5% vinyl acetate) and the wax became homogeneous at temperatures greater than its upper critical solution temperature (UCST) (98°C), and an LLPS was observed between UCST and the melting point of 88°C for EVA‐H in the blend. The existence of the LLPS is attributed to the relatively large amount of the hydrophilic component of vinyl acetate in EVA, although the molecular weight of the wax was just 560. However, LLPS did not occur for the EVA/wax blend when the content of vinyl acetate in EVA was less than 3%. This behavior was explained by using the Flory–Huggins lattice model with an effective interaction parameter. The degree of crystallinity of EVA‐H in the EVA‐H/wax blend, judged from a melting endothermic peak in differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) thermograms obtained during heating runs, decreased with increasing duration time in the LLPS region. The flexural modulus of the EVA/wax blend became maximum at certain blend composition (about 30 ∼ 40 wt % EVA depending upon the amount of vinyl acetate). This behavior can be explained by the fact that this blend composition has the largest relative degree of crystallinity of EVA measured by DSC and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering method. We found that the flexural modulus of the binder itself is directly related to that of a feedstock consisting of larger amounts of metal powder and the binder, which can help someone to develop a suitable binder system for a powder injection molding process. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1991–2005, 1999     

Evaluation of compatibility and properties of biodegradable polyester blends

Three different biodegradable polyesters, namely, polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (BIONOLLE), and a copolyester of adipic acid, terephthalic acid, and 1,4‐butanediol (EASTAR) were melt‐blended using a twin‐screw extruder. The percentage composition of each of the aforementioned polymers was varied to obtain different blends, and the mechanical properties were evaluated. Selected blends showed significant improvement in tensile strength as compared with the individual polymers used to prepare the blend. The compatibility between the polymer phases was examined via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonace (NMR) spectroscopy as well as dynamic mechanical analysis. FTIR and NMR data confirmed the occurrence of hydrogen‐bonding and ester‐interchange reactions. Thermal properties and changes in crystallinity of the blends were examined with differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction. A considerable increase in crystallinity was shown by the blend system containing BIONOLLE/PCL. The morphology of the blends was observed and correlated to the improved mechanical properties of the blend system. Results revealed an intermediate multiphase system in which a significant degree of mixing was achieved through the chemical interaction of the functional groups present, while using the twin‐screw extruder. Significant improvement in mechanical properties of some blends was observed, and information about the miscibility of these polyesters is provided. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2003–2014, 2002     

Low-Field NMR Study of Shortcake Biscuits with Cricket Powder,and Their Nutritional and Physical Characteristics

The growing human population renders challenges for the future supply of food products with high nutritional value. Here, we enhanced the functional and nutritional value of biscuits, a popular sweet snack, by replacing the wheat flour with 2%, 6%, or 10% (w/w) cricket powder. Consumer acceptance ratings for reference and 2% augmented cookies were comparable, whereas the higher levels of enhancement received inferior consumer scores. This relatively small change in biscuit recipe provided significant and nutritionally desirable enhancements in the biscuits, observed in a series of analyses. An increase in the protein content was observed, including essential amino acids, as well as minerals and fat. This conversion also affected the physical properties of the biscuits, including hardness, and water molecular dynamics measured by ¹H NMR. Cricket powder-augmented biscuits join the line of enhanced, functionally superior food products. This and similar food augmentation provide a viable scenario to meet the human food demands in the future.     

Optimization of solar photocatalytic biodegradability of seawater using statistical modelling

The performance of zinc oxide (ZnO) as a photocatalyst was evaluated for the treatment of pollutants present in seawater. Batch experimental studies were carried out by varying the dosage of photocatalyst (1–4 ​g/L). The effect of reaction time, pH and the dosage of photocatalyst was evaluated with the percentage removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), total organic carbon (TOC) and the biodegradability (BOD/COD) of the seawater. Response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD) and artificial neural network-Levenberg Marquardt (ANN-LM) statistical models were employed to optimize the photocatalytic biodegradability (BOD/COD). A quadratic polynomial statistical model was obtained to predict the percentage removal efficiencies of COD, TOC, BOD and biodegradability. For the experimental runs, the maximum percentage removal efficiencies for COD, TOC, BOD was found to be 62.3, 40.1, and 18.8%, respectively. Whereas, the maximum biodegradability was 0.036. As per RSM-CCD and ANN-LM statistical model method the maximum percentage removal efficiencies were found to be COD ​= ​58.14, 60.39%, TOC ​= ​33.74, 40.09%, BOD ​= ​18.47, 18.7% and Biodegradability ​= ​0.0315, 0.0360, respectively. The predicted values from statistical models were well correlated with experimental values. ANN modelling predicted better values for the responses with an average of R² ​= ​0.99697 than RSM modelling with average R² ​= ​0.8948.