Effect of acid and base catalyzed hydrolysis on the yield of phenolics and antioxidant activity of extracts from germinated brown rice (GBR)

The influence of both acidic and basic hydrolysis on the yield, total phenolic content and antioxidative capacity of methanolic extract of germinated brown rice (GBR) was studied. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical cation scavenging, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests were used for the measurement of antioxidant ability. There was a significant difference p < 0.05) in the TPC and DPPH radical scavenging assay results when comparing neutral with acidic and basic catalysed hydrolysis. The yield of the crude extract was slightly higher in acidic hydrolysis than in basic hydrolysis p > 0.05). The TPC and TFC were highest in acidic hydrolysis. A significant correlation was observed between ABTS radical cation scavenging and FRAP. The antioxidant activity measured using DPPH radical scavenging assay showed high activity in acidic hydrolysis, while the ABTS radical cationscavenging activity and FRAP showed the highest values in basic hydrolysis. The samples were further evaluated using HPLC to determine the individual phenolic concentrations in different hydrolytic media contributing to the antioxidant effects. This study revealed that acidic and basic hydrolysis can improve the yield, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of germinated brown rice.     

Interplay between size, composition, and phase transition of nanocrystalline Cr(3+)-doped BaTiO3 as a path to multiferroism in perovskite-type oxides

Multiferroics, materials that exhibit coupling between spontaneous magnetic and electric dipole ordering, have significant potential for high-density memory storage and the design of complex multistate memory elements. In this work, we have demonstrated the solvent-controlled synthesis of Cr(3+)-doped BaTiO(3) nanocrystals and investigated the effects of size and doping concentration on their structure and phase transformation using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of these nanocrystals were studied by magnetic susceptibility, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements. We observed that a decrease in nanocrystal size and an increase in doping concentration favor the stabilization of the paraelectric cubic phase, although the ferroelectric tetragonal phase is partly retained even in ca. 7 nm nanocrystals having the doping concentration of ca. 5%. The chromium(III) doping was determined to be a dominant factor for destabilization of the tetragonal phase. A combination of magnetic and magneto-optical measurements revealed that nanocrystalline films prepared from as-synthesized paramagnetic Cr(3+)-doped BaTiO(3) nanocrystals exhibit robust ferromagnetic ordering (up to ca. 2 μ(B)/Cr(3+)), similarly to magnetically doped transparent conducting oxides. The observed ferromagnetism increases with decreasing constituent nanocrystal size because of an enhancement in the interfacial defect concentration with increasing surface-to-volume ratio. Element-specific XMCD spectra measured by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) confirmed with high spatial resolution that magnetic ordering arises from Cr(3+) dopant exchange interactions. The results of this work suggest an approach to the design and preparation of multiferroic perovskite materials that retain the ferroelectric phase and exhibit long-range magnetic ordering by using doped colloidal nanocrystals with optimized composition and size as functional building blocks.     

Room-temperature diode-pumped Yb:KYF(4) laser

Continuous-wave laser action has been demonstrated in a diode-pumped Yb:KYF(4) crystal. Crystal growth, spectroscopic measurements, and laser results are presented. A maximum output power of 505 mW, a slope efficiency of 43%, and a continuous wavelength tunability range of 65nm, from 1013 to 1078 nm, have been obtained at room temperature.     

Neopentane and solid acids: direct hydron exchange before cracking

The hydrogen/deuterium exchange reaction of 2,2-dimethylpropane (neopentane) over D(2)O-exchanged zeolites (MOR, FAU, BEA, MFI) using a batch recirculation reactor was studied by means of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer. In the temperature range 473-573 K, H/D exchange proceeds without side reaction such as cracking at short contact times. Indeed the C-H bond has appeared favorably involved in the activation of neopentane compared to the less accessible C-C bond. The transition state allowing hydron exchange is most likely a carbonium species (pentacoordinated carbon) as in the case of the H/D exchange between methane and solid acid. The activation energies of the H/D exchange between neopentane and zeolites are the same for all zeolites indicating a common carbonium ion type transition state. On the basis of previous results in the case of the exchange between methane and liquid superacids, the deuterium exchange rates in neopentane were tentatively related to the acidity of the solids. However the order of activity MOR > MFI > BEA > FAU seems to be related to the size of the pores, which may suggest the involvement of a confinement effect in the zeolites cavities. Moreover we found that H/D exchange takes also place between neopentane and deuterated sulfated zirconia (SZ) emphasizing its strong acidity.     

Preparation of a carbon ceramic electrode modified by 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol for determination of trace amounts of silver

A 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol (PAR)-modified carbon ceramic electrode (CCE) prepared by the sol-gel technique has been reported for the first time in this paper. By immersing the CCE in aqueous solution of PAR (0.001 mol L⁻¹), after a short period of time, a thin film of PAR was rapidly formed on the surface of the electrode due to its strong adsorption properties. A differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric (DPASV) method was developed for determination of Ag(I) at the modified carbon ceramic electrode. The analysis procedure consisted of an open circuit accumulation step in a sample solution which was continuously stirred for 12 min. This was followed by replacing the medium with a clean solution where the accumulated Ag(I) was reduced for 15 s in −0.6 V. Then, the potential was scanned from −0.2 to +0.2 V to obtain the voltammetric peak. The detection limit of silver(I) was 0.123 μg L⁻¹, and for seven successive determinations of 10, 100 and 200 μg L⁻¹ Ag(I), the relative standard deviations were 2.1, 1.4 and 1.03%, respectively. The calibration curve was linear for 0.5-300 μg L⁻¹ silver(I). The procedure was applied to determine silver(I) in X-ray photographic films and super-alloy samples.     

Synthesis of manganese oxide nanocrystal by ultrasonic bath: effect of external magnetic field

A novel technique was used for the synthesis of manganese oxide nanocrystal by applying an external magnetic field (EMF) on the precursor solution before sonication with ultrasonic bath. The results were compared in the presence and absence of EMF. Manganese acetate solution as precursor was circulated by a pump at constant speed (7 rpm, equal to flow rate of 51.5 mL/min) in an EMF with intensity of 0.38 T in two exposure times (t_MF, 2 h and 24 h). Then, the magnetized solution was irradiated indirectly by ultrasonic bath in basic and neutral media. One experiment was designed for the effect of oxygen atmosphere in the case of magnetic treated solution in neutral medium. The as prepared samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM, TEM), energy-dispersive spectrum (EDS), and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) analysis. In neutral medium, the sonication of magnetized solution (t_MF, 24 h) led mainly to a mixture of Mn₃O₄ (hausmannite) and γ-MnOOH (manganite) and sonication of unmagnetized solution led to a pure Mn₃O₄. In point of particle size, the larger and smaller size of nanoparticles was obtained with and without magnetic treatment, respectively. In addition, the EMF was retarded the nucleation process, accelerated the growth of the crystal, and increased the amount of rod-like structure especially in oxygen atmosphere. In basic medium, a difference was observed on the composition of the products between magnetic treated and untreated solution. For these samples, the magnetic measurements as a function of temperature were exhibited a reduction in ferrimagnetic temperature to T_c = 39 K, and 40 K with and without magnetic treatment, respectively. The ferrimagnetic temperature was reported for the bulk at T_c = 43 K. A superparamagnetic behavior was observed at room temperature without any saturation magnetization and hysteresis in the measured field strength. The effect of EMF on the sample prepared in the basic medium was negligible but, in the case of neutral medium, the EMF affected the slope of the magnetization curves. The magnetization at room temperature was higher for the samples obtained in neutral medium without magnetic treatment. In addition, a horizontal shift loop was observed in neutral medium at low temperature.     

MOF-Based Mycotoxin Nanosensors for Food Quality and Safety Assessment through Electrochemical and Optical Methods

Mycotoxins in food are hazardous for animal and human health, resulting in food waste and exacerbating the critical global food security situation. In addition, they affect commerce, particularly the incomes of rural farmers. The grave consequences of these contaminants require a comprehensive strategy for their elimination to preserve consumer safety and regulatory compliance. Therefore, developing a policy framework and control strategy for these contaminants is essential to improve food safety. In this context, sensing approaches based on metal-organic frameworks (MOF) offer a unique tool for the quick and effective detection of pathogenic microorganisms, heavy metals, prohibited food additives, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), toxins, veterinary medications, and pesticide residues. This review focuses on the rapid screening of MOF-based sensors to examine food safety by describing the main features and characteristics of MOF-based nanocomposites. In addition, the main prospects of MOF-based sensors are highlighted in this paper. MOF-based sensing approaches can be advantageous for assessing food safety owing to their mobility, affordability, dependability, sensitivity, and stability. We believe this report will assist readers in comprehending the impacts of food jeopardy exposure, the implications on health, and the usage of metal-organic frameworks for detecting and sensing nourishment risks.