Interaction between Fish Skin Gelatin and Pea Protein at Air-Water Interface after Ultrasound Treatment

The interaction between fish skin gelatin (FG) and pea protein isolate (PPI) was investigated at the air-water interface (A-W) before and after a high intensity (275 W, 5 min) ultrasound treatment (US). We analyzed the properties of the single protein suspensions as well as an equal ratio of FG:PPI (MIX), in terms of ζ-potential, particle size, molecular weight, bulk viscosity and interfacial tension. The foaming properties were then evaluated by visual analysis and by Turbiscan Tower. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was employed to explore the role of the proteins on the microstructure of foams. The results showed that the ultrasound treatment slightly influenced physicochemical properties of the proteins, while in general, did not significantly affect their behavior both in bulk and at the air-water interface. In particular, PPI aggregate size was reduced (−48 nm) while their negative charges were increased (−1 mV) after the treatment. However, when the proteins were combined, higher molecular weight of aggregates, higher foam stability values (+14%) and lower interfacial tension (IFT) values (47.2 ± 0.2 mN/m) were obtained, leading us to assume that a weak interaction was developed between them

Identification of the Red-Necked Longhorn Beetle Aromia bungii (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) with real-Time PCR on frass

Aromia bungii (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), the red-necked longhorn beetle is native to eastern Asia, where it is an important wood-borer of fruit and ornamental species of the genus Prunus. A. bungii is a quarantine pest in the European Union, following its accidental introduction and establishment in Germany and Italy, and is currently included in the list of priority pests. To confirm its infestations in outbreak areas, adult or larval specimens are needed to perform morphological or molecular analyses. The presence of A. bungii larvae inside the attacked trees makes the collection of specimens particularly difficult. Thus, we present two diagnostic protocols based on frass analysis with real-time PCR (probe and SYBR Green). The results obtained show that a non-invasive approach for detecting the presence of this harmful invasive pest can be a reliable and accurate alternative diagnostic tool in phytosanitary surveys, as well as to outline a sustainable pest management strategy

Sorption Enhanced Water Gas Shift for H2 production using sour gases as feedstock

Even though hydrogen is considered the future of energy carrier, it is still produced from fossil fuels therefore with no benefits for the CO2 emission reduction. This paper discusses an innovative concept for hydrogen production which combines the Acid Gas to Syngas (AG2S (TM)) concept and the Sorption Enhanced Water Gas Shift (SEWGS) process. The AG2S (TM) process produces H-2 and elemental Sulfur from H2S and CO2, then H-2 purification is performed through amine scrubbing. The SEWGS technology is a Pressure Swing Adsorption process where the CO2 and H2S are adsorbed on hydrotalcite-based material. With respect to amine scrubbing, SEWGS takes advantage of a higher operating temperature of 350 degrees C -400 degrees C which reduces temperature swing losses, lower regeneration energy and the possibility to recycle the H2S while capturing the CO2. This study aims at exploring the potential of the SEWGS technology by means of the evaluation of detailed mass and energy balances, showing the potentialities of the AG2S (TM)+SEWGS technologies which more than double the H-2 production efficiency (25.0%) with respect to the amine scrubbing configuration (10.7%). Including the steam production, the overall process efficiency can be higher than 90% which is again more than twice the value of the AG2S (TM) reference case. (C) 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC

Selection of the solvent and extraction conditions for maximum recovery of antioxidant phenolic compounds from coffee silverskin

The extraction of antioxidant phenolic compounds from coffee silverskin (CS) was studied. Firstly, the effect of different solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and distilled water) on the production of antioxidant extracts was evaluated. All the extracts showed antioxidant activity (FRAP and DPPH assays), but those obtained with methanol and ethanol had significantly higher (p < 0.05) DPPH inhibition than the remaining ones. Due to the lower toxicity, ethanol was selected as extraction solvent, and further experiments were performed in order to define the solvent concentration, solvent/solid ratio, and time to maximize the extraction results. The best condition to produce an extract with high content of phenolic compounds (13 mg gallic acid equivalents/g CS) and antioxidant activity [DPPH = 18.24 μmol Trolox equivalents/g CS and FRAP = 0.83 mmol Fe(II)/g CS] was achieved when using 60 % ethanol in a ratio of 35 ml/g CS, during 30 min at 60–65 °C.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). The authors gratefully acknowledge Teresa Conde, student of Biological Engineering, for the help and interest in this work

Design of bio-nanosystems for oral delivery of functional compounds

Nanotechnology has been referred to as one of the most interesting topics in food technology due to the potentialities of its use by food industry. This calls for studying the behavior of nanosystems as carriers of biological and functional compounds aiming at their utilization for delivery, controlled release and protection of such compounds during food processing and oral ingestion. This review highlights the principles of design and production of bio-nanosystems for oral delivery and their behavior within the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract, while providing an insight into the application of reverse engineering approach to the design of those bio-nanosystems. Nanocapsules, nanohydrogels, lipid-based and multilayer nanosystems are discussed (in terms of their main ingredients, production techniques, predominant forces and properties) and some examples of possible food applications are given. Phenomena occurring in in vitro digestion models are presented, mainly using examples related to the utilization of lipid-based nanosystems and their physicochemical behavior throughout the GI tract. Furthermore, it is shown how a reverse engineering approach, through two main steps, can be used to design bio-nanosystems for food applications, and finally a last section is presented to discuss future trends and consumer perception on food nanotechnology.Miguel A. Cerqueira, Ana C. Pinheiro, Helder D. Silva, Philippe E. Ramos, Ana I. Bourbon, Oscar L. Ramos (SFRH/BPD/72753/2010, SFRH/BD/48120/2008, SFRH/BD/81288/2011, SFRH/BD/80800/2011, SFRH/BD/73178/2010 and SFRH/BPD/80766/2011, respectively) are the recipients of a fellowship from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT, POPH-QREN and FSE Portugal). Maria L. Flores-Lopez thanks Mexican Science and Technology Council (CONACYT, Mexico) for PhD fellowship support (CONACYT Grant number: 215499/310847). The support of EU Cost Actions FA0904 and FA1001 is gratefully acknowledged

Lavoro e dipendenza da sostanze psicoattive: idoneit\ue0 alla mansione e prospettive di prevenzione alla luce delle recenti innovazioni normative

The Authors consider a present widespread social problem i.e. the abuse and/or addiction to alcohol and drugs (psychoactive substances) with regard to the interferences and consequences it can have on one's working environment. In particular they look into the hardest problem an occupational physician has to face when required to pass judgement on a worker's specific duty fitness, which rightfully falls within the so-called "knotty qualifications". In addition the authors go over the rather complicated Italian laws regulating drugs, alcohol and their relevant problems, underlining how, despite the great number of regulations in force, it's still unclear what an occupational physician is allowed or not allowed to do in such cases. Although even the latest provisions fail to give a clue for correctly running such phenomena, the Authors suggest a diagnostic and rehabilitation/reinstating programme that, by involving the main operators in charge of prevention both at work and inside health territorial services, can set reasonable aims and feasible operating plans granting all due respect for the workers' dignity and self determinatio

Colloidal gas aphrons based separation process for the purification and fractionation of natural phenolic extracts

Following previous studies, the aim of this work is to further investigate the application of colloidal gas aphrons (CGA) to the recovery of polyphenols from a grape marc ethanolic extract with particular focus on exploring the use of a non-ionic food grade surfactant (Tween 20) as an alternative to the more toxic cationic surfactant CTAB. Different batch separation trials in a flotation column were carried out to evaluate the influence of surfactant type and concentration and processing parameters (such as pH, drainage time, CGA/extract volumetric and molar ratio) on the recovery of total and specific phenolic compounds. The possibility of achieving selective separation and concentration of different classes of phenolic compounds and non-phenolic compounds was also assessed, together with the influence of the process on the antioxidant capacity of the recovered compounds. The process led to good recovery, limited loss of antioxidant capacity, but low selectivity under the tested conditions. Results showed the possibility of using Tween 20 with a separation mechanism mainly driven by hydrophobic interactions. Volumetric ratio rather than the molar ratio was the key operating parameter in the recovery of polyphenols by CGA

Lung cancer in subjects suffering from silicosis in the Province of Genoa from 1979 to 2004

ABSTRACT. The Authors, after a survey of the latest experimental and epidemiological studies concerning the possible role of crystalline silica in lung carcinogenicity, examine the cases acknowledged by the INAIL in Genoa concerning subjects suffering from silicosis who, thereafter, developed a lung cancer in the period 1979 - 2004. Distribution of the degree of disability, of the length of occupational exposure to silica, of the workers\u2019 age at the time of death and of the different fields of activity have been tested; smoking habits and histological classification of the neoplasms have also been assessed, when available. Our data seem to agree with the point of view of the Authors who so far have expressed perplexities about the role played by silica in lung carcinogenesis, especially if associated with the exposure to powerful carcinogenic agents such as cigarette smoke. At present we share the opinion of those who think that a final regulation should be delayed up to the time when it will be possible to identify the occupational source of silica with such characteristic as to make it actually carcinogenic