39 research outputs found

    Functional Food Product Development and Quality Analysis of Whey Based Fruit Herbal Beverage

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    This study focuses on development of herbal fruit beverage based on whey. Whey was mixed with pineapple juices along with mentha flavor in the ratio 8:2:1. This study evaluated the physicochemical, sensory and microbial analysis of the developed product periodically till a period of 20 days. The analyzed physico-chemical parameters in the product reported a decline from 0.02 to 2% as the storage period increased. 0.18% of fat reduced to 0.16% during the study period. Protein content reduced up to 0.13%. Lactose content was reduced to 0.2% at the end of 20 days. Sensory evaluation had a high reading of 8.32 for taste and a least value of 6.64. The hedonic scale reading drastically decreased after ten days of storage. Whey based pineapple beverage can serve as a best alternative functional food in the present-day scenario

    Eco-friendly nanocomposites derived from geranium oil and zinc oxide in one step approach

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    Nanocomposites offer attractive and cost-effective thin layers with superior properties for antimicrobial, drug delivery and microelectronic applications. This work reports single-step plasmaenabled synthesis of polymer/zinc nanocomposite thin films via co-deposition of renewable geranium essential oil-derived polymer and zinc nanoparticles produced by thermal decomposition of zinc acetylacetonate. The chemical composition, surfaces characteristics and antimicrobial performance of the designed nanocomposite were systematically investigated. XPS survey proved the presence of ZnO in the matrix of formed polymers at 10 W and 50 W. SEM images verified that the average size of a ZnO nanoparticle slightly increased with an increase in the power of deposition, from approximately 60 nm at 10 W to approximately 80 nm at 50 W. Confocal scanning laser microscopy images showed that viability of S. aureus and E. coli cells significantly reduced on surfaces of ZnO/polymer composites compared to pristine polymers. SEM observations further demonstrated that bacterial cells incubated on Zn/Ge 10 W and Zn/Ge 50 W had deteriorated cell walls, compared to pristine polymers and glass control. The release of ZnO nanoparticles from the composite thin films was confirmed using ICP measurements, and can be further controlled by coating the film with a thin polymeric layer. These ecofriendly nanocomposite films could be employed as encapsulation coatings to protect relevant surfaces of medical devices from microbial adhesion and colonization

    Decontamination-induced modification of bioactivity in essential oil-based plasma polymer coatings

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    Plasma polymer coatings fabricated from Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil and its derivatives have been previously shown to reduce the extent of microbial adhesion on titanium, polymers, and other implantable materials used in dentistry. Previous studies have shown these coatings to maintain their performance under standard operating conditions; however, when used in e.g., a dental implant, these coatings may inadvertently become subject to in situ cleaning treatments, such as those using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet, a promising tool for the effective in situ removal of biofilms from tissues and implant surfaces. Here, we investigated the effect of such an exposure on the antimicrobial performance of the Melaleuca alternifolia polymer coating. It was found that direct exposure of the polymer coating surface to the jet for periods less than 60 s was sufficient to induce changes in its surface chemistry and topography, affecting its ability to retard subsequent microbial attachment. The exact effect of the jet exposure depended on the chemistry of the polymer coating, the length of plasma treatment, cell type, and incubation conditions. The change in the antimicrobial activity for polymer coatings fabricated at powers of 20–30 W was not statistically significant due to their limited baseline bioactivity. Interestingly, the bioactivity of polymer coatings fabricated at 10 and 15 W against Staphylococcus aureus cells was temporarily improved after the treatment, which could be attributed to the generation of loosely attached bioactive fragments on the treated surface, resulting in an increase in the dose of the bioactive agents being eluted by the surface. Attachment and proliferation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells and mixed cultures were less affected by changes in the bioactivity profile of the surface. The sensitivity of the cells to the change imparted by the jet treatment was also found to be dependent on their origin culture, with mature biofilm-derived P. aeruginosa bacterial cells showing a greater ability to colonize the surface when compared to its planktonic broth-grown counterpart. The presence of plasma-generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the culture media was also found to enhance the bioactivity of polymer coatings fabricated at power levels of 10 and 15 W, due to a synergistic effect arising from simultaneous exposure of cells to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and eluted bioactive fragments. These results suggest that it is important to consider the possible implications of inadvertent changes in the properties and performance of plasma polymer coatings as a result of exposure to in situ decontamination, to both prevent suboptimal performance and to exploit possible synergies that may arise for some polymer coating-surface treatment combinations

    BER ANALYSIS OF SM-MIMO AND CHANNEL ESTIMATED SM-MIMO

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    This paper presents a comparison of BER of conventional spatial modulated(SM) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) and channel estimated SM-MIMO. The conventional SM-MIMO multicast system was analyzed on correlated and non-correlated channels. After evaluating the results, we investigate the same for SM-MIMO with channel estimation. Finally simulations are exploited for the evaluation of BER of conventional SM-MIMO and channel estimated SM-MIMO multicast systems and validate the analyses

    Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity through Synergistic Effects of Cold Atmospheric Plasma and Plant Secondary Metabolites: Opportunities and Challenges

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    The emergence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms possesses a great threat to human health and the environment. Considering the exponential increase in the spread of antibiotic resistant microorganisms, it would be prudent to consider the use of alternative antimicrobial agents or therapies. Only a sustainable, sustained, determined, and coordinated international effort will provide the solutions needed for the future. Plant secondary metabolites show bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity similar to that of conventional antibiotics. However, to effectively eliminate infection, secondary metabolites may need to be activated by heat treatment or combined with other therapies. Cold atmospheric plasma therapy is yet another novel approach that has proven antimicrobial effects. In this review, we explore the physiochemical mechanisms that may give rise to the improved antimicrobial activity of secondary metabolites when combined with cold atmospheric plasma therapy

    Graphene oxide synthesis from agro waste

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    A new method of graphene oxide (GO) synthesis via single-step reforming of sugarcane bagasse agricultural waste by oxidation under muffled atmosphere conditions is reported. The strong and sharp X-ray diffraction peak at 2θ = 11.6° corresponds to an interlayer distance of 0.788 nm (d002) for the AB stacked GOs. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) confirm the formation of the GO layer structure and the hexagonal framework. This is a promising method for fast and effective synthesis of GO from sugarcane bagasse intended for a variety of energy and environmental application
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