Functional Properties and Molecular Degradation of Schizostachyum Brachycladum Bamboo Cellulose Nanofibre in PLA-Chitosan Bionanocomposites

The degradation and mechanical properties of potential polymeric materials used for green manufacturing are significant determinants. In this study, cellulose nanofibre was prepared from Schizostachyum brachycladum bamboo and used as reinforcement in the PLA/chitosan matrix using melt extrusion and compression moulding method. The cellulose nanofibre(CNF) was isolated using supercritical carbon dioxide and high-pressure homogenisation. The isolated CNF was characterised with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR, zeta potential and particle size analysis. The mechanical, physical, and degradation properties of the resulting biocomposite were studied with moisture content, density, thickness swelling, tensile, flexural, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, and biodegradability analysis. The TEM, FT-IR, and particle size results showed successful isolation of cellulose nanofibre using this method. The result showed that the physical, mechanical, and degradation properties of PLA/chitosan/CNF biocomposite were significantly enhanced with cellulose nanofibre. The density, thickness swelling, and moisture content increased with the addition of CNF. Also, tensile strength and modulus; flexural strength and modulus increased; while the elongation reduced. The carbon residue from the thermal degradation and the glass transition temperature of the PLA/chitosan/CNF biocomposite was observed to increase with the addition of CNF. The result showed that the biocomposite has potential for green and sustainable industrial application.     

Effect of Botanical Extracts on the Growth and Nutritional Quality of Field-Grown White Head Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Nutraceuticals and functional foods are gaining more attention amongst consumers interested in nutritious food. The consumption of foodstuffs with a high content of phytochemicals has been proven to provide various health benefits. The application of biostimulants is a potential strategy to fortify cultivated plants with beneficial bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, it has not yet been established whether the proposed higher plants (St. John’s wort, giant goldenrod, common dandelion, red clover, nettle, and valerian) are appropriate for the production of potential bio-products enhancing the nutritional value of white cabbage. Therefore, this research examines the impact of botanical extracts on the growth and nutritional quality of cabbage grown under field conditions. Two extraction methods were used for the production of water-based bio-products, namely: ultrasound-assisted extraction and mechanical homogenisation. Bio-products were applied as foliar sprays to evaluate their impact on total yield, dry weight, photosynthetic pigments, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, vitamin C, nitrates, micro- and macroelements, volatile compounds, fatty acids, sterols, and sugars. Botanical extracts showed different effects on the examined parameters. The best results in terms of physiological and biochemical properties of cabbage were obtained for extracts from common dandelion, valerian, nettle, and giant goldenrod. When enriched with nutrients, vegetables can constitute a valuable component of functional food.     

Pomegranate By-Products as Natural Preservative to Prolong the Shelf Life of Breaded Cod Stick

This work evaluated the efficacy of pomegranate byproducts, specifically peel powder, as valid preservatives for food quality. Ready-to-cook cod sticks breaded with pomegranate peel powder were prepared. Shelf-life tests were conducted on breaded cod sticks during refrigerated storage (17 days) at 4 °C, monitoring the pH, microbiological and sensory quality. In addition, the nutritional quality of both the breaded and control samples was assessed. The results highlighted that active samples showed higher phenol and flavonoid content and higher antioxidant activity compared to the control fish, suggesting that pomegranate peel powder was responsible for a significant increase in cod stick nutritional quality. Furthermore, the cod stick active breading led to a delay in microbial growth without affecting the sensory properties; rather, it helped slow down the sensory attribute decline during the refrigerated storage. The data suggest that using pomegranate byproducts in breaded cod stick was effective in prolonging its shelf life, as well as improving its nutritional quality. Therefore, pomegranate peel powder can be considered as a potential resource as natural food preservative.     

化学系统性思维的背景、应用与特征*

当今地球与社会系统所面临的可持续发展、气候变化、环境退化等全球性挑战问题,用还原主义方法不足以应对,需要化学教育等领域的工作者采用系统性思维方法。梳理了国外学者在应用化学系统性思维理解化学学科系统复杂性、化学学习系统层级性、化学教育系统整合性的研究进展。概述了化学系统性思维具有重视跨学科关联、整体综合思考目标系统问题、强调可持续发展的全球观念等特征。建议加强化学教育内外部系统的协作,注重各学段化学课程与教学的跨学科、系统性,重视学生解决化学问题的认识方式差异。     

高校实验室安全教育在线资源调查研究*

对国内高校实验室安全教育在线资源现状进行调研。调查结果表明:在线资源主要有慕课、虚拟仿真实验及安全教育考试系统。因此,在安全教育过程中,可充分利用现有线上资源,弥补线下教学因时间有限、容量有限导致的不足,从而提高安全教育实效。线上、线下安全教育如何有机结合从而最大限度地发挥其在高校安全教育中的作用,仍需不断探索。     

面向产出的高分子化学课程教学大纲的构建*

基于工程教育认证的核心理念,制定了面向产出的高分子化学课程教学大纲。与传统课程教学大纲不同,本大纲的课程目标是使学生具备推演、阐述、分析和研究高分子材料领域复杂工程问题的能力,体现以学生为中心、面向产出和持续改进的理念。课程教学内容既包含知识点又包含能力要求,强调课程知识点与学生能力达成的支撑关系。在课程考核部分,提出了分目标模块化的考核方法和评分标准,满足了工程认证可衡量、易操作的考核要求。     

基于NVivo的卓越化学教师课堂教学创新能力评价*——以东芝杯教学技能创新大赛为例

研究采用视频分析法,利用NVivo软件,以东芝杯教学技能创新大赛的化学组选手为对象,从教学理念、教学情境、实验设计和教学手段等4个维度,评价卓越职前化学教师课堂教学的创新能力。结果发现:教学理念新颖,但具体落实尚有不足;情境创设生动,但主题与学生的联系不够紧密;实验设计别致,但在水平上还有提升空间;教学技术手段先进,但还需要深度融合。研究为创新型卓越化学教师的培养提供了启示。     

美国《科学教师培养标准(2020年版)》述评*

美国《科学教师培养标准(2020年版)》针对《新一代科学教育标准》的推行而修订,立足于科学教育最新研究成果,尤其突出学科内容知识的重要性,补充对科学本质和科学文化的要求,强化对工程和技术、交叉概念、学科观念的理解,突出学习进阶规律在科学教师培养中的应用。此外,在学科教学法、学习环境、安全、对学生学习的影响等维度做出相应的改动。该标准启示我国:借鉴国际改革趋势出台中国特色的科学教师培养标准,但科学教师培养也要本土化;学科内容知识对科学教师专业发展非常重要;科学教师的培养应立足于学习进阶的规律;职前科学教师培养需要注重学习环境建设。     

高职扩招背景下食品化学混合式教学设计的重构与实践*

在全国高职院校扩大招生背景下,高职院校的扩招生表现出与统招生不同的学习特点和学习基础,根据扩招生的学情特点和课程标准,对已有混合式教学模式的食品化学课程,从课时设置、课前、课中、课后等几个方面重新进行教学设计和实施。利用线上学习成绩、线下课堂成绩、期末成绩等多维度评价理论课学习效果。结合调查问卷分析学生对混合式教学的评价,表明扩招生的学习自律性和主动性有明显提高,考试不及格率下降,学生对混合式教学的认同度也较高。通过教学重构力图达到教学形式灵活多样,培养标准不降低的目的,并培养学生良好的学习习惯,树立学好课程的信心。