Polyphenols Content,Antioxidant Properties and Allergenic Potency of Organic and Conventional Blue Honeysuckle Berries

Blue honeysuckle berries are a rich source of polyphenols with strong antioxidant properties. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of organic and conventional cultivation on the polyphenols, antioxidant and allergenic potency of blue honeysuckle berry cultivars: ‘No 30’, ‘Jolanta’ and ‘Indygo’ in two growing seasons. Identification of individual polyphenols was performed using the HPLC method; the total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The determination of allergic potency was tested by ELISA. In the second year of the study the total polyphenols were significantly higher in organic blue honeysuckle than in the conventional blue honeysuckle. In both growing seasons, the ‘Indygo’ cv. was characterized by the highest concentration of all bioactive compounds 3241.9 mg and 3787.2 mg per 100 g⁻¹ D.W. A strong correlation was found between the polyphenol content and the antioxidant activity for organic fruit in both years, as well as for allergenic potency. Contrary to the best bioactive properties was ‘Indigo’ cv., with the highest allergenic potency (108.9 and 139.2 ng g⁻¹ D.W.). The lowest content of specific allergens was found in the ‘No 30’ cv. Since honeysuckle is still a new cultivated plant, information about its allergenic potency is insufficient.     

Surface Properties of Saponin—Chitosan Mixtures

The surface properties of saponin and saponin-chitosan mixtures were analysed as a function of their bulk mixing ratio using vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG), surface tensiometry and dilational rheology measurements. Our experiments show that saponin-chitosan mixtures present some remarkable properties, such as a strong amphiphilicity of the saponin and high dilational viscoelasticity. We believe this points to the presence of chitosan in the adsorption layer, despite its complete lack of surface activity. We explain this phenomenon by electrostatic interactions between the saponin as an anionic surfactant and chitosan as a polycation, leading to surface-active saponin-chitosan complexes and aggregates. Analysing the SFG intensity of the O-H stretching bands from interfacial water molecules, we found that in the case of pH 3.4 for a mixture consisting of 0.1 g/L saponin and 0.001 g/L chitosan, the adsorption layer was electrically neutral. This conclusion from SFG spectra is corroborated by results from surface tensiometry showing a significant reduction in surface tension and effects on the dilational surface elasticity strictly at saponin/chitosan ratios, where SFG spectra indicate zero net charge at the air–water interface.     

A new mesogenic fluorene derivative: 2,7-bis(4-pentylphenyl)-9,9-diethyl-9H-fluorene

The title compound, 2,7-bis(4-pentylphenyl)-9,9-diethyl-9H-fluorene, is a new mesogenic compound containing the fluorene moiety. It exhibits a monotropic nematic liquid crystalline behaviour, with isotropisation temperature of 53°C. The compound is also polymorphic in the solid state, with one crystal phase melting at 103°C and another one melting at 71°C. The crystal and molecular structure of the high melting solid phase have been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystals are monoclinic, with cell dimensions a = 16.649(6) Å, b = 8.305(3) Å, c = 24.598(7) Å, β = 111.60(2)?, space group P2₁/c and four molecules in the unit cell. Refinement leads to R = 0.0558. The two terminal alkyl chains and one phenyl ring are disordered over two split positions. The imbricated molecular packing observed in the solid state seems to resemble that of the nematic phase that is formed upon cooling the melt.     

Liquid–liquid extraction of uranium(VI) in the system with a membrane contactor

Raising role of the nuclear power industry, including governmental plans for the construction of first nuclear power plant in Poland, creates increasing demand for the uranium-based nuclear fuels. The project implemented by Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology concerns the development of effective methods for uranium extraction from low-grade ores and phosphorites for production of yellow cake—U₃O₈. The Liqui-Cel^® Extra-Flow 2.5 × 8 Membrane Contactor produced by CELGARD LLC (Charlotte, NC) company is the main component of the installation for liquid–liquid extraction applied for processing of post leaching liquors. In the process of membrane extraction the uranyl ions from aqueous phase are transported through the membrane into organic phase. The flow of two phases in the system was arranged in co-current mode. The very important element of the work was a selection of extracting agents appropriate for the membrane process. After preliminary experiments comprising tests of membrane resistivity and determination of extraction efficiency, di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid was found to be most favourable. An important aspect of the work was the adjustment of hydrodynamic conditions in the capillary module. To avoid the membrane wettability by organic solvent and mixing two phases equal pressure drops along the membrane module to minimize the transmembrane pressure, were assumed. Determination of pressure drop along the module was conducted using Bernoulli equation. The integrated process of extraction/re-extraction conducted in continuous mode with application of two contactors was designed.     

Highly accurate radiochemical neutron activation analysis of arsenic in biological materials involving selective isolation of arsenic by hybrid and conventional ion exchange

A highly accurate (definitive) radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) method was developed for the determination of traces of arsenic (As) in biological materials. It consists of the following steps: (a) irradiation in the nuclear reactor; (b) microwave-assisted sample digestion; (c) quantitative and selective radiochemical separation of arsenates on hydrated ferric oxide nanoparticles dispersed in a macroporous cation exchanger, preceded by a conventional strongly acidic cation exchanger column, and (d) gamma-ray spectrometric measurement of ⁷⁶As. The suitability and accuracy of the method was demonstrated by analysing several certified reference materials. The detection limit is 8 ng g^?1. The standard uncertainty in the determination of As in oriental tobacco leaves is around 3.4%. This, together with its compliance with several other formal requirements, makes the method comparable to primary methods based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry.     

Bispalladium(II) Complexes of di-p-Pyrirubyrin Derivatives as Promising Near-Infrared Photoacoustic Dyes

The insertion of palladium(II) into di-p-pyrirubyrin results in mutually convertible bimetallic complexes. Post-synthetic functionalization of one of them yielded bispalladium(II) dioxo-di-p-pyrirubyrin and, after demetallation, dioxo-di-p-pyrirubyrin, introducing for the first time the α,β′-pyridin-2-one unit into the macrocyclic frame. Bispalladium(II) di-p-pyrirubyrin 6 , bispalladium(II) dioxo-di-p-pyrirubyrin 9 , and dioxo-di-p-pyrirubyrin 10 absorb and emit light around 1000 nm and are characterized by high photostability. Thus, they are promising candidates for near-infrared photoacoustic dyes, ideally targeting ( 9 ) the wavelength of Yb-based fiber lasers. The incorporation of an α,β′-pyridine moiety into expanded porphyrins opens a highly interesting area of research due to the attractive optical and coordination properties of the resulting molecules.     

Porous Molecular Capsules as Non-Polymeric Transducers of Mechanical Forces to Mechanophores

Mechanical grinding/milling can be regarded as historically the first technology for changing the properties of matter. Mechanically activated molecular units (mechanophores) can be present in various structures: polymers, macromolecules, or small molecules. However, only polymers have been reported to effectively transduce energy to mechanophores, which induces breakage of covalent bonds. In this paper, a second possibility is presented—molecular capsules as stress-sensitive units. Mechanochemical encapsulation of fullerenes in cystine-based covalent capsules indicates that complexation takes place in the solid state, despite the fact that the capsules do not possess large enough entrance portals. By using a set of solvent-free MALDI (sf-MALDI) and solid-state NMR (ss-NMR) experiments, it has been proven that encapsulation proceeds during milling and in this process hydrazones and disulfides get activated for breakage, exchange, and re-forming. The capsules are porous and therefore prone to collapse under solvent-free conditions and their conformational rigidity promotes the collapse by the breaking of covalent bonds.     

Physical and Sensory Properties of Japanese Quince Chips Obtained by Osmotic Dehydration in Fruit Juice Concentrates and Hybrid Drying

Japanese quince has high health value, but due to its taste and texture, it is difficult to eat raw. The use of innovative drying methods to produce dried snack foods from these fruits may be of interest to producers and consumers. The physicochemical and sensory properties of 3 mm slices of Japanese quince fruit (with skin, without seeds) obtained by osmotic pre-treatment in chokeberry and apple juice concentrates, and with the use of convection (convective drying, C-D), freeze-drying (F-D), and convection-microwave-vacuum drying (hybrid) are assessed. The methods of drying osmo-dehydrated slices do not affect the dry matter content. In most dried quince, the water activity is 0.40 or lower. Pre-osmotic dehydration and drying have a significant impact on the mechanical and acoustic properties of quince chips. Sensory attractive chips emit loud acoustic emission (AE) during the breaking test. Chips that are osmo-dehydrated in a mixture of chokeberry juice concentrate and sucrose and dried by a hybrid method are attractive. They have a dark red color given by chokeberry concentrate and a slight sweet (with a slight sour-bitter) taste. The sensory evaluation was useful for determining the quality of the chips in terms of their texture (crispness) tested by mechanical methods. Their sensory ratings (overall desirability as weight of color, taste, crispness, and flavor) are high and similar (from 3.8 to 4.1). The use of innovative drying methods with pre-osmotic treatment allows obtaining dried material with properties comparable to those obtained by the F-D method, but in a much shorter time, i.e., with lower energy and using a simple method.