Polysaccharide from <Emphasis Type=Italic>Anacardium occidentale</Emphasis> L. tree gum (Policaju) as a coating for Tommy Atkins mangoes

Policaju-based coatings were applied on “Tommy Atkins” mangoes and the effects of four different treatments on mango shelf-life were evaluated under storage condition at 4°C and 82 % of relative humidity over 28 days. The surface tension of mangoes was found to be 29.04 mN m⁻¹; the dispersive and polar components were 27.57 mN m⁻¹ and 1.47 mN m⁻¹, respectively, and the critical surface tension was 22.7 mN m⁻¹. A significantly lower mass loss was observed in all mangoes treated with Policaju-based coatings. For all applied treatments, no significant variation in the total soluble solids and pH was detected over the experimental storage time. The results show that Policaju-based coatings have a positive effect on the shelf-life extension of mangoes at low storage temperatures (4°C).     

Amino acid, fatty acid, and carbohydrate content of Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit)

A study is conducted to determine the amino acid, fatty acid, and carbohydrate content of breadfruit using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). An HPLC method is used for the determination of amino acids and fatty acids in breadfruit. Representative amino acid samples are derivatized with phenylisothiocianate and the resulting phenylthiocarbamyl derivatives are separated on a reversed-phase column by gradient elution with a 0.05M ammonium acetate buffer and 0.01M ammonium acetate in acetonitrile-methanol-water (44:10:46, v/v). Representative fatty acid samples are derivatized with phenacyl bromide and the resulting fatty acid phenacyl esters are separated on a reversed-phase column by gradient elution with acetonitrile and water. Amino acid and fatty acid derivatives are detected by ultraviolet detection at 254 nm. The analysis of the carbohydrates in breadfruit employs a GC method. Carbohydrates are derivatized using trimethylchlorosilane and hexamethyldisilazane to form trimethylsilyl ethers. Compounds in the samples are separated by the temperature programming of a GC using nitrogen as the carrier gas. Percent recoveries of amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates are 72.5%, 68.2%, and 81.4%, respectively. The starch content of the breadfruit is 15.52 g/100 g fresh weight.     

Effect of Heat Exposure on Activity Degradation of Enzymes in Mango Varieties Sindri,SB Chaunsa,and Tommy Atkins during Drying

Mango has been described as a valuable source of nutrients and enzymes that are beneficial to human health. Drying at different temperatures not only affects the nutritional properties but can also contribute to the degradation of valuable enzymes in dried fruit. The novelty of this paper is to investigate the quality of hot air dried mango in terms of activity retention of the heat-sensitive enzymes (HSE). For this, HSE was first screened in fresh mango flesh of the variety Samar Bahisht (SB) Chaunsa. Later, the combined effect of different drying temperatures (40 °C, 50 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C) and air velocities (1.0 ms⁻¹ and 1.4 ms⁻¹) on the activity retention of HSE in dried mango slices of the varieties Sindri, SB Chaunsa, and Tommy Atkins were investigated. The results showed that the drying temperature had a significant impact on the degradation of HSE, while at the same time some influence of the air velocity was also observed. Drying at 40 °C and an air velocity of 1.4 ms⁻¹ retained more HSE compared to those samples dried at higher temperatures. The least retention of HSE was found in samples dried at 80 °C.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on quality of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa cv. Hayward)

Ionizing radiation is able to inactivate the three pathogens of Botrytis cinerea, Diaporthe actinidiae, and Botryosphaeria dothidea in kiwifruit. Irradiated kiwifruits appeared softer compared to non-irradiated kiwifruits. The color and organic acid content of kiwifruits were minimally affected by the irradiation. Irradiated fruits showed a decrease in the total soluble solids content with increasing irradiation dose. Irradiation of kiwifruit up to 3 kGy had negative effects on vitamin C content and antioxidant activity, but it contributed to improving sensory quality.     

Comparison of Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties of Red (cv. Negramaro) and White (cv. Fiano) Skin Pomace Extracts

Wine pomace has attracted the attention of the food industry, due to its high content in bioactive compounds, and its multiple healthy activities. In this work, whole and separated skin pomaces from fermented (red) and un-fermented (white) grape by-products were characterized for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in order to exploit them as functional food ingredient. Antioxidant activity, measured by both ORAC and TEAC assays, was higher in whole than in skin pomace extracts. The characterization of phenolic composition in whole and skin pomace extracts confirmed the peculiarity of some compounds such as anthocyanins (107.84 + 10.3 mg/g TP) in red skin pomace and a great amount of flavanols (80.73 + 4.04 mg/g TP) in white skin pomace. Whole and skin pomace extracts displayed the same antibacterial activity at 250 µg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL. Red and white skin pomace extracts showed a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 31.25–62.5 GAE/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Pseudomonas spp. were more sensitive to red skin pomace extracts rather than white skin pomace extracts. Given these results, both red and white pomace extracts could be exploited for future application in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.     

Effect of the acrylic acid content on the permeability and water uptake of poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) latex films

In this contribution, a theoretical modeling of the latex film formation is presented and compared to experimental results: water vapor permeability and latex film capacitance are studied as a function of acrylic acid content in poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) latex films. It has been shown that both water uptake and water vapor permeability are mainly affected by film morphology which in turn is defined by intercolloidal interaction and drying rate.     

Effect of Light Environment on Growth and Phenylpropanoids of Yarrow (Achillea collina cv. SPAK) Grown in the Alps

A 2‐year field study on the effect of different light environments, obtained by using cladding materials (polyethylene films and shade net) able to cut off specific regions of the photosynthetically active radiation and ultraviolet wavebands, on the growth and phenylpropanoids content of Achillea collina grown in the Alps was conducted. Overall the plant growth was strongly enhanced in the second growing season irrespective of radiation treatment. The light environment did not affect total biomass accumulation, but only carbon allocation to leaves or inflorescences. Indeed the phenylpropanoid levels in inflorescences appeared to be more sensitive to the light environment than leaves as the latter showed high constitutive amounts of these compounds. However, the use of polyethylene films improved to some extent the content of caffeic acid derivatives in leaves. Our results showed that yarrow production, in the alpine situation considered, is influenced by the growing season and the light environment, providing a basis to optimize its quality, depending on the concentration of bioactive compounds, by means of proper agronomic practices.     

Effect of urea on poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(acrylic acid) aqueous solutions

The effects of urea on aqueous solutions of both poly(methacrylic acid (PMA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) have been investigated by using potentiometry, viscometry and study of the fluorescence of Auramine O, a cationic dye. The viscosity behaviour of unionized PMA obtained from direct dissolution of solid powder shows that the unneutralized macromolecules can be associated in water. The stability of such “aggregates” seems weak as indicated by their disappearance as soon as the charge density is very low. For PMA salt solution percolated through a cation (H⁺) exchange resin column, no association is observed. The pH-dependent conformational behaviour of PMA which, contrary to PAA, presents compact conformations in water at low charge density is discussed in terms of solvophobic/solvophilic interactions. It is shown that, even for urea concentration up to 8 M, the compact conformations of PMA are not completely destroyed. The formation of H⁺/urea complex is taken into account.     

Effect of chain length on the interaction between modified organic salts containing hydrocarbon chains and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) microgel particles

A series of four hydrophobically modified, diphenylazo-based organic salts have been prepared and characterized. To achieve this a C(x) (x = 4, 6, 8, or 10) hydrocarbon chain was inserted between the diphenylazo moiety and the quaternary ammonium headgroup of the salt. The absorption of each of the four modified organic salts into anionic microgel particles of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) has been studied at pH 8. In addition, the hydrodynamic diameters and electrophoretic mobilities of the microgel particles have been studied as a function of the organic salt concentration, also at pH 8. In addition to the electrostatic attraction between the quaternary ammonium head groups of the organic salts and the anionic groups within the microgel particles, hydrophobic association between the chains of the organic salts within the microgel particles plays a role, with this effect increasing strongly from x=4 to 10. Desorption of the x=4 and 6 organic salts occurs readily on changing, in situ, the pH from 8 to 2.5 (and thereby eliminating the electrostatic interaction) but is only partially achieved for the x=8 and 10 organic salts. Indeed, for the x=10 organic salt, only about 80% of the organic salt is desorbed upon dilution of the microgel particles into a large excess of water.     

Effect of copolymer composition on interpolymer complex formation of (co)poly(vinyl ether)s with poly(acrylic acid) in aqueous and organic solutions

The complex formation between vinyl ether of poly(ethylene glycol‐co‐vinyl butyl ether) with poly(acrylic acid) has been considered in aqueous and isopropanol solutions. The effect of copolymer composition on the complex formation process was clarified. It has been shown that the incorporation of hydrophobic fragments into macromolecules enhances the hydrophobic stabilization of polycomplexes in aqueous solutions. In organic media this effect disappears. The stability of polycomplexes formed both in aqueous and in organic solutions in respect to the addition of dimethylformamide has been studied.     

Effect of organic diluents on the extraction of uranium from phosphoric acid

Phosphoorganic solvents such as OPPA, DEPA/TOPO and OPAP are commonly used to extract uranium from wet phosphoric acid. They are used in concentrations between 1–10% wt/wt in organic diluents. These inert organic substances serve to dilute the solvent, decrease its viscosity and secure a greater contact between the acid and the solvent. The diluents should also be cheap, readily available, immiscible with water and volatile at the temperature of the extraction which is from 30–50°C. They should not reduce the extraction coefficient of the solvent and separate well at the temperature of separation as an organic phase. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of various organic diluents in order to select the most suitable one. It is established that paraffinic diluents are better than aromatic ones. Since kerosene is cheap, available and not very volatile at the temperature of extraction, it is commonly used in extraction. However, the kerosene used should be treated to reduce the aromatic content to a minimum.     

Analytical monitoring of photocatalytic treatments. Degradation of 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid in aqueous TiO(2) dispersions

The photocatalytic degradation of 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid (2,3,6-TBA) in aqueous TiO(2) dispersions irradiated with simulated solar light was investigated. Fast primary degradation of the herbicide, which obeys a pseudo-first order law, was observed. Complete mineralisation of the organic carbon to CO(2) was obtained after long term irradiation, with corresponding stoichiometric transformation of organic chlorine into chloride ion. Various aromatic intermediates, originating from 2,3,6-TBA, were detected during the treatment and identified using GC-MS. From the analytical data, a possible multi-step degradation scheme was proposed. The photocatalytic treatment of the pesticide was also performed in the presence of Brij 35 micellar solutions, although strong inhibition of the process was observed. When surfactant aggregates are present the photocatalytic destruction of 2,3,6-TBA is still possible at reasonable rates only after a proper dilution of the waste and by increasing significantly the semiconductor/pollutant ratio.     

Effect of sepiolite on the biodegradation of poly(lactic acid) and polycaprolactone

PLA and PCL nanocomposites prepared by adding 5 wt% of a sepiolite (SEPS9) were degraded in compost, leading to effective degradation for all samples.PLA and PLA/SEPS9 seem to be mainly degraded by a bulk mechanism, showing a significant level of polymer degradation, however the presence of SEPS9 particles partially delays the degradation probably due to a preventing effect of these particles on polymer chain mobility and/or PLA/enzymes miscibility. PCL and PCL/SEPS9 showed a preferential surface mechanism of degradation; and in contrast to PLA, sepiolite does not present a considerable barrier effect on the degradation of PCL.     

Two OPEEs (organic phase enzyme electrodes) used to check the percentage water content in hydrophobic foods and drugs.

The development and optimization of an analytical method using enzymatic biosensors able to operate in organic solvents [organic phase enzyme electrodes (OPEEs)] for the determination of the water content in food fats (butter, margarine) or pharmaceutical or cosmetic ointments is described. The method is based on the increase in enzymatic activity which is related to the increase in the percentage water content in the organic phase into which the biosensor is dipped. The enzymes used to assemble the biosensors were tyrosinase or catalase, the substrates were phenol or p-cresol and tert-butyl hydroperoxide, respectively, and the organic solvents were acetonitrile or dioxane. A gas diffusion amperometric electrode for oxygen measurement was used as electrochemical transducer. The results were compared with those obtained applying the Karl Fischer method to the same food or drug matrices. The correlations among the two methods proved satisfactory, as the difference in the computed values of water content was never higher than 7%. Also, the precision of measurements was acceptable (RSD < 6%) in all the analyses of real matrices.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of oxidation of organic compounds by silver(II) species. Part VI: Iminodiacetic acid and N-methyliminodiacetic acid

The kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of iminodiacetic acid and N-methyliminodiacetic acid by aquasilver(II) and Ag(II)-2,2′-bipyridine complexes has been investigated. The results are discussed with reference to the active reaction pathways, the equilibrium quotient of the title reactions, the protolytic equilibria which involve the oxidizing complex, and the intrinsic self-exchange rates of the oxidants.     

Effect of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Carotenoids from Papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. Sweet Mary) Using Vegetable Oils

By-products from fruits and are of great interest for their potential use in the food industry due to their high content of bioactive compounds. Herein, we examined the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of carotenoid and carotenoid esters from papaya pulp and peel using soybean oil and sunflower oil as alternative green solvents. Response surface methodology (RSM) was established to optimize the UAE process. Three independent variables, ultrasonic amplitude (20–60%), time (10–60 min), and co-solvent percentage (ethanol) (5–20%, v/v), were applied. The highest total carotenoid content in the UAE extracts was obtained from papaya pulp extracts (58.7 ± 1.6 and 56.0 ± 1.5 μg carotenoids/g oil) using soybean oil and sunflower oil, respectively (60% amplitude/ 10 min/ 20% ethanol). On the other hand, the highest carotenoid content (52.0 ± 0.9 μg carotenoids/g oil) was obtained from papaya peel using soybean oil applying the UAE process (20% amplitude/ 77 min/ 20% ethanol); a minor content of 39.3 ± 0.5 μg carotenoids/g oil was obtained from papaya peel using sunflower oil at 60% amplitude/ 60 min/ 5% ethanol. Lycopene was the most abundant carotenoid among all individual carotenoids observed in papaya oil extracts, obtaining the highest yields of this carotenoid when papaya pulp and peel were extracted using soybean oil (94% and 81%, respectively) and sunflower oil (95% and 82%, respectively). Great extraction of xanthophyll esters was detected using 20% of ethanol in the vegetable oil extraction solvent (v/v). High correlations (>0.85) was obtained between total carotenoid content and color determination in the UAE oil extracts. UAE vegetable oil extracts enriched with carotenoids from papaya by-products could be useful to formulate new food ingredients based on emulsions with interesting potential health benefits.     

Effect of binary aqueous‐organic solvents on the reaction of phenacyl bromide with nitrobenzoic acid(s) in the presence of triethylamine

Second‐order rate constants (k₂) of the reaction between phenacyl bromide and equimolar mixture of nitrobenzoic acid(s)–triethylamine have been determined in dimethylformamide (DMF)/acetonitrile (ACN)/acetone and aqueous mixtures of these solvents by conductometric method at 30°C. The rates of nitrobenzoic acids are found to be in the order: 4‐NO₂ > 3‐NO₂ > 3,5‐(NO₂)₂. Changes in the rate just by the addition of water (1% (v/v)) into organic component is rationalized. Decrease in the values of k₂ on increasing water content in organic solvent is explained on the basis of preferential solvation phenomenon. Single and dual regression analysis using the various solvent parameters of aqueous mixtures (E_T(30), Z, π*, β, α, and Y) resulted in π* and α as the best parameters to explain solvation of nitrobenzoates. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 401–409, 2004     

Effect of butyl lactate methacrylate content on the properties of acrylic acid copolymers

In the present work, the effect of butyl lactate methacrylate (BLM) content on the properties of acrylic acid (AA) copolymers was investigated. The BLM monomer was synthesized by reacting butyl lactate with methacrylic acid through azeotropic distillation method, which was confirmed by Mass spectrometric technique. Copolymers were synthesized by free-radical solution polymerization technique to obtain poly(BLM-co-AA). BLM monomer and copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) and proton decoupled ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. The Finemann-Ross method was used to determine the reactivity ratio of AA and BLM and the values were found to be 0.79 and 0.39, respectively. The wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) studies exhibited that the increase in BLM content in copolymers, shifted the amorphous halo from 21.34° to 15.39° and also increased the average molecular interchain spacing (〈R〉) from 5.20 to 7.18 Å, which was calculated from 2θ values of amorphous halo of copolymers. Moisture absorption of polymers followed Fickian absorption. Depending upon the copolymer composition, relative humidity and time, the moisture absorption of copolymers can be tuned to a wide range from 11 to 35% (wt/wt). Glass transition temperature of copolymers decreased from 106 to 72.1°C with increase in BLM content. Copolymers were thermally stable up to 150°C and thereafter exhibited three-step thermal degradation in nitrogen atmosphere. Thermal stability of copolymers can be explained on the basis of 〈R〉 value.     

Effect of ascorbic acid and its derivatives on the radiation-chemical transformations of hydroxyl-containing organic compounds

The effect of ascorbic acid, 5,6-O-isopropylidyl-2,3-O-dimethylascorbic acid, and 2-O-glucopyranosylascorbic acid on the formation of main radiolysis products of ethanol and aqueous ethanol, ethylene glycol, α-methylglucopyranoside, and maltose solutions was studied by means of continuous radiolysis. The obtained results indicate that ascorbic acid effectively reacts with the carbon-centered hydroxyl-containing radicals derived from the substrates, thus decreasing the yield of their recombination and fragmentation products. It was found that the interaction of ascorbic acid and its derivatives with the carbon-centered radicals during the radiolysis of deaerated ethanol and its aqueous solutions may occur via both reducing and oxidizing mechanisms and that ascorbic acid in the aerated solutions acts as a hydrogen donor, reducing mainly the HO ₂ ^· radical to hydrogen peroxide.     

Effect of water content on the size and membrane thickness of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) vesicles

The asymmetric amphiphilic block copolymer polystyrene962-block-poly(ethylene oxide)227(PS962-b-PEO227) canforms micelles with N, N-dimethylformamide(DMF) as co-solvent and water as selected solvent, and when the water content of the mixed solvent is higher than 4.5 wt%, the vesicle will be dominated. This work finds that once vesicles are formed in the DMF-water mixed solvent, the vesicle size and membrane thickness can be tuned by further increasing water content. As the water fraction elevated from 4.8 wt% to 13.0 wt%, the vesicle size dercreases from 246 nm to 150 nm, while the membrane thickness increases from 28 nm to 42 nm. In addition, the block copolymer packing and the free energy are analyzed as the vesicle size becomes small and the membrane becomes thick.