Optimization of technological procedure for amygdalin isolation from plum seeds (Pruni domesticae semen)

The process of amygdalin extraction from plum seeds was optimized using central composite design (CCD) and multilayer perceptron (MLP). The effect of time, ethanol concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio, and temperature on the amygdalin content in the extracts was estimated using both mathematical models. The MLP 4-3-1 with exponential function in hidden layer and linear function in output layer was used for describing the extraction process. MLP model was more superior compared with CCD model due to better prediction ability. According to MLP model, the suggested optimal conditions are: time of 120 min, 100% (v/v) ethanol, solid-to liquid ratio of 1:25 (m/v) and temperature of 34.4 degrees C. The predicted value of amygdalin content in the dried extract (25.42 g per 100 g) at these conditions was experimentally confirmed (25.30 g per 100 g of dried extract). Amygdalin (>90%) was isolated from the complex extraction mixture and structurally characterized by FT-IR, UV, and MS methods

Determination of Physico-Chemical and Functional Properties of Plum Seed Cakes for Estimation of Their Further Industrial Applications

The extraction of bioactive compounds from the waste material in the food industry is an important approach because, in that way, the plant raw material can be utilized before its landfill disposal or combustion. The interest of scientists is great for the development of innovative procedures for the further application of these materials. Plum kernels obtained after plum processing can be used for the isolation of oil enriched with unsaturated fatty acids and cakes remaining after oil isolation from plant material. This study aimed to consider the possibilities of the further utilization of cakes obtained after oil isolation from plum seeds using organic solvents in the Soxhlet extractor. The physical–chemical and functional properties of the obtained cakes were determined. The results indicated that the plum seed cakes are rich in proteins (36.95–61.90%) and crude fiber (6.36–9.85%). The HPLC analysis showed that the highest content of phenolic compounds had coumaric acid in the concentration range of 11.31–12.98 mg/100 g of dry weight. The amygdalin content (0.005–0.139 mg/g of dry weight) was in the allowed concentration range so that the cakes can be considered safe for human use. The antioxidant potential of the cakes (IC50 0.40–0.65 mg/mL) indicated that antioxidants are also present in this waste material so that the cakes can be used as a raw material for the development of sustainable products in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Carotenoids from Orange Peel Using Olive Oil and Its Encapsulation in Ca-Alginate Beads

The paper was aimed at developing an ultrasound-assisted extraction of carotenoids from orange peel using olive oil as a solvent. A central composite design was used to define the optimal conditions for their extraction. Under the optimal conditions (extraction time of 35 min, extraction temperature of 42 ℃, and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 15 mL/g), the experimental and predicted values of carotenoid content were 1.85 and 1.83 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively. The agreement of these values indicated the adequacy of the proposed regression model. The extraction temperature only had a negative influence on carotenoid content. The impact of extraction parameters on the carotenoid content was decreased according to the following order: extraction time, liquid-to-solid ratio, and extraction temperature. Ca-alginate beads were prepared using the extrusion process to increase the stability and protect the antioxidant activity of olive oil enriched with carotenoids. The encapsulation efficiency and particle mean diameter were 89.5% and 0.78 mm, respectively. The presence of oil extract in Ca-alginate beads was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity of the oil enriched with carotenoids before and after encapsulation in the alginate beads was determined according to the DPPH assay

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Encapsulation of Antioxidants from Orange Peels in Alginate-Chitosan Microparticles

The recovery of bioactive compounds from waste and modification of their properties by encapsulation are the main challenges today. In this study, the ultrasound-assisted extraction of antioxidants from orange peels was optimized using a central composite design. Ethanol (50%, v/v) was the solvent of choice for their extraction. The obtained total antioxidant contents were fitted using the second-order polynomial equation. The optimal conditions were the extraction time of 30 min, temperature of 60 °C, and the liquid-to-solid ratio of 15 mL/g. After that, the optimal extract was encapsulated in alginate-chitosan beads to modify the release of antioxidants under gastrointestinal tract conditions. The average size of beads was 252 µm, while the encapsulation efficiency was 89.2%. The results of the FTIR analysis indicated that there are no interactions between compounds of the extract and alginate-chitosan. In vitro release studies showed an initial rapid and then slow release of antioxidants. This release followed the simple Fickian diffusion. The encapsulation of orange peel extract provided improvement in the delivery of antioxidants after gastrointestinal digestion. The obtained encapsulated beads can be applied as the natural active ingredient of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products

The impact of educational reform and categorization of scientific journals and scientists on physics in Serbia

The trend of the increasing participation and importance of female physicists in Serbia continues. Many women have taken leading position in research and faculty governance and are contributing significantly to educational reform and the improvement of physics education in the primary and secondary schools. © 2013 American Institute of Physic