Effect of different oleogelators on lipolysis and curcuminoid bioaccessibility upon in vitro digestion of sunflower oil oleogels

Sunflower oil enriched with curcuminoid compounds (CUs) was gelled by adding 5% (w/w) saturated monoglycerides (MG), rice bran waxes (RW) or a mixture of \u3b2-sitosterol and \u3b3-oryzanol (PS). The resulting oleogels differed for rheological properties and firmness due to the difference in gel network structure. PS oleogel was the firmest sample followed by RW and MG ones. Upon in vitro digestion, fatty acid release as a function of digestion time was greatly affected by oleogel structure: the extent of lipolysis decreased as oleogel strength increased (PS < RW < MG). On the other hand, the nature of the oleogelator affected CUs bioaccessibility, which was lower in oleogels containing crystalline particles (MG and RW). These findings appear interesting in the attempt to develop oleogels able to control lipid digestion as well as to deliver bioactive molecules in food systems

Weak localization and dimensional crossover in carbon nanotube systems

We investigate the effects of magnetic and electric fields on electron wavefunction interactions in single walled carbon nanotube bundles. The magnetoresistance measurements performed at 4.2 K and the dependence of the data upon the electric field reveal good agreement with weak localization theory. An electrical field conditioned characteristic length is associated to ohmic-non ohmic transition, observed below 85 K, in current voltage characteristics. This length results equal to the average bundles diameter just at T ≅ 85 K, indicating that 2D-3D crossover is responsible for the observed conductance transition

Occurrence of n-Alkanes in vegetable oils and their analytical determination

Vegetable oils contain endogenous linear hydrocarbons, namely n-alkanes, ranging from n-C21 to n-C35 with odd chain lengths prevalent. Different vegetable oils, as well as oils of the same type, but of different variety and provenience, show typical n-alkane patterns, which could be used as a fingerprint to characterize them. In the first part of this review, data on the occurrence of n-alkanes in different vegetable oils (total and predominant n-alkanes) are given, with a focus on obtaining information regarding variety and geographical origin. The second part aims to provide the state of the art on available analytical methods for their determination. In particular, a detailed description of the sample preparation protocols and analytical determination is reported, pointing out the main drawbacks of traditional sample preparation and possible solutions to implement the analysis with the aim to shift toward rapid and solvent-sparing methods

Charge-transport and tunneling in single-walled carbon nanotubes

We investigate experimentally the transport properties of single-walled carbon nanotube bundles as a function of temperature and applied current over broad intervals of these variables. The analysis is performed on arrays of nanotube bundles whose axes are aligned along the direction of the externally supplied bias current. The data are found consistent with a charge transport model governed by the tunnelling between metallic regions occurring through potential barriers generated by nanotubes contact areas or bundles surfaces. Based on this model and on experimental data we describe quantitatively the dependencies of the amplitude of these barriers upon bias current and temperature.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. Physical Review Letters (in press

Improved method for determination of waxes in olive oils: Reduction of silica and use of a less hazardous solvent

The evaluation of the content of waxes is request both by IOC Trade Standard and by Regulation (EEC) 2568/91 and its further amendments. The official method uses 15 g of silicic acid and elutes several fractions by using huge volumes of dangerous solvent (n-hexane). The developed method uses 1 g of silicic acid with a different particle size and less than 20 mL of solvent mixture, substituting n-hexane with less toxic isooctane. Briefly, after spiking with a suitable internal standard, oil sample is fractionated by SPE (Solid Phase Extraction) cartridge with 1 g of silica, waxes are eluted with 14 mL of isooctane/ethyl ether 99/1 (6 mL discarded and 8 mL collected), then, after elution sample is reconstitute in 200 \u3bcL of n-heptane and analysed by capillary GC. Data of "In home" validation, (repeatability, accuracy and recovery) and relative chromatograms are reported in this paper

Temperature dependence of oxidation kinetics of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and shelf-life prediction

Producers have to guarantee the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality characteristics reported in the Regulation (CEE) 2568/91 throughout the product shelf-life (SL). Unfortunately, due to the development of oxidative reactions, some quality indices change during storage leading to a progressive deterioration of EVOO quality. To avoid the risk of product downgrading in the virgin oil category, the development of effective shelf-life prediction models is extremely important for the olive oil industry. In this research, the accelerated shelf-life testing (ASLT) protocol was applied to evaluate the temperature dependence of selected oxidation indexes as well as to develop a shelf-life predictive model. The evolution of conventional (peroxide value, K232, K270, polyphenols, tocopherols and hexanal) and unconventional parameters (conjugated trienes and pyropheophytin a) was monitored in bottled EVOO stored in the dark at increasing temperature (25, 40, 50 and 60 \ub0C). Accordingly, for well-packed products with reduced oxygen in headspace, the best shelf-life index allowing the ability to predict EVOO SL turned out to be K270. In addition, pyropheophytin a (%) has been shown to be more sensitive to temperature changes than the secondary oxidation indices, thus suggesting its use as a freshness indicator for storage temperatures higher than 25 \ub0C

Post-hatching development of bovine embryos in vitro: the effects of tunnel preparation and gender.

The objective of this study was to compare morphological characteristics, kinetics of development, and gene expression ofmale and female IVP embryos thatwere cultured until day (D)15 (fertilization = D0), using either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or Milli-Q water (MQW) to dilute the agarose gel used for tunnel construction. On D11, embryos (n = 286) were placed in agarose gel tunnels diluted in PBS and MQW. Embryos were evaluated for morphology, and embryo size was recorded on D11, D12.5, D14 and D15. Then, embryos were sexed and used for gene expression analyses (G6PD, GLUT1, GLUT3, PGK1, PLAC8, KRT8, HSF1 and IFNT). The percentage of elongated embryos at D15 was higher (p < 0.05) in the PBS (54%) than in theMQW(42%) gel. However, embryos produced inMQWwere bigger (p < 0.05) and had a lower expression of GLUT1 (p = 0.08) than those cultured in PBS. There was a higher proportion of male than female embryos at D15 in both treatments, MQW(65% vs. 35%; p < 0.05) and PBS (67% vs. 33%; p < 0.05); however, embryo size was not signi?cantly different between genders. Moreover, D15 female embryos had greater expression of G6PD (p = 0.05) and KRT8 (p = 0.03) than male embryos. In conclusion, the diluent used for tunnel construction affected embryo development in the post-hatching development (PHD) system, and the use ofMQWwas the most indicative measure for the evaluation of embryo quality. Male and female embryos cultured from D11 to D15, either in an MQW or PBS agarose gel, demonstrated similar development but different gene expression

Paper Session I-C - Meteorological Support to Assure Safe Access to Space

On March 26, 1987 an Atlas Centaur rocket (AC-67) carrying a Navy communications satellite was given a green light for launch by Cape Canaveral Range Weather. There were rain-showers in the area. By the time liftoff occurred, one had moved over the launch complex. AC-67 ascended into a heavy shower where the plume of ionized exhaust gasses assisted in triggering a lightning strike...a deadly conduit to an electrically-charged atmosphere. The boosterÕs guidance system was fried and the rocket veered off course. To protect the public, the rocket was destroyed by the range safety officer (RSO). The accident cost taxpayers $250 million. A cloud quite literally formed over Air Force weather support to the space program. The good news is in the subsequent 10 years, the Department of Defense, in concert with universities and national laboratories, learned a great deal about how to prevent this kind of incident from happening again. As a result, the record since AC-67 has been flawless