Analysis of Alphalactalbumin and Betalactoglobulin from the Rehydration of Bovine Colostrum Powder Using Cloud Point Extraction and Mass Spectrometry

Alphalactalbumin (α-La) and betalactoglobulin (β-Lg) in the rehydration of bovine colostrum powder were successfully separated by cloud point extraction using a nonionic surfactant Triton X-114. The effects of different factors, including the surfactant concentration, sample volume, electrolyte, and pH were discussed. The optimized conditions for cloud point extraction of alphalactalbumin (α-La) and betalactoglobulin (β-Lg) can be concluded that the best surfactant is 1% (w/v) Triton X-114, 200 μL of sample volume, 150 mmol/L NaCl, and 6% (w/v) sucrose. After cloud point extraction, the capillary electrophoresis is used to check the efficiency of the extraction procedure. The results had been effectively confirmed by the characterization with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)

Harnessing dislocation motion using an electric field

Dislocations, line defects in crystalline materials, play an essential role in the mechanical[1,2], electrical[3], optical[4], thermal[5], and phase transition[6] properties of these materials. Dislocation motion, an important mechanism underlying crystal plasticity, is critical for the hardening, processing, and application of a wide range of structural and functional materials[1,7,8]. For decades, the movement of dislocations has been widely observed in crystalline solids under mechanical loading[9-11]. However, the goal of manipulating dislocation motion via a non-mechanical field alone remains elusive. Here, we present real-time observations of dislocation motion controlled solely by an external electric field in single-crystalline zinc sulfide (ZnS). We find that 30{\deg} partial dislocations can move back and forth depending on the direction of the electric field, while 90{\deg} partial dislocations are motionless. We reveal the nonstoichiometric nature of dislocation cores using atomistic imaging and determine their charge characteristics by density functional theory calculations. The glide barriers of charged 30{\deg} partial dislocations, which are lower than those of 90{\deg} partial dislocations, further decrease under an electric field, explaining the experimental observations. This study provides direct evidence of dislocation dynamics under a non-mechanical stimulus and opens up the possibility of modulating dislocation-related properties

Analysis of Rutin from Lespedeza virgata

A simple and rapid microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was developed for the extraction of rutin from Lespedeza virgata (Thunb.) DC. The influence of four extraction variables on extraction of rutin was discussed. The optimum extraction conditions found were 75% aqueous ethanol, solvent volume to sample weight ratio at 90 : 1, extracting temperature at 75°C, and extraction time for 15 min. A comparison was made among MAE, classical maceration, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). Yields were determined by high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). The whole analysis process was completed in ten minutes. The needful volumes of sample and buffer are very little. Compared with maceration and ultrasonic extraction, MAE is a rapid method with higher yield and less solvent consumption

Effect of modified atmosphere package on attributes of sweet bamboo shoots after harvest

Tender bamboo shoots undergo rapid senescence that influences their quality and commercial value after harvest. In this study, the tender sweet bamboo shoots (‘Wensun’) were packed by a passive modified atmosphere packaging (PMAP) to inhibit the senescence process, taking polyethylene package as control. The increase in CO2 and the decrease in O2 gas concentrations in the headspace atmosphere of the packages were remarkably modified by PMAP treatments. The modified gas atmosphere packaging inhibited the changes in firmness, as well as the content of cellulose, total pectin, and lignin in the cell walls of bamboo shoots. The enzymatic activities of cellulase, pectinase, and polygalacturonase that act on cell wall polysaccharides, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, peroxidase, and laccase regulating the lignin biosynthesis were modified by PMAP treatment different from control during storage. The expression levels of the lignin biosynthesis genes PePAL3/4, PeCAD, Pe4CL5, PeC4H, PeCCOAOMT, PeCOMT, cellulose synthase PeCESA1, and related transcription factors PeSND2, PeKNAT7, PeMYB20, PeMYB63, and PeMYB85 were clearly regulated. These results suggest that PMAP efficiently retards the changes in lignin and cell wall polysaccharides, thus delaying the senescence of tender sweet bamboo shoots during storage

Evidence of nematic order and nodal superconducting gap along [110] direction in RbFe₂As₂

Unconventional superconductivity often intertwines with various forms of order, such as the nematic order which breaks the rotational symmetry of the lattice. Here we report a scanning tunneling microscopy study on RbFe2As2, a heavily hole-doped Fe-based superconductor (FeSC). We observe significant symmetry breaking in its electronic structure and magnetic vortex which differentiates the (π, π) and (π, -π) directions of the unfolded Brillouin zone. It is thus a novel nematic state, distinct from the nematicity of undoped/lightly-doped FeSCs which breaks the (π, 0)/(0, π) equivalence. Moreover, we observe a clear V-shaped superconducting gap. The gap is suppressed on surface Rb vacancies and step edges, and the suppression is particularly strong at the [110]-oriented edges. This is possibly due to a dx2−y2 like pairing component with nodes along the [110] directions. Our results thus highlight the intimate connection between nematicity and superconducting pairing in iron-based superconductors

Microwave-Assisted Extraction and Capillary Electrophoresis

A simple and rapid microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was developed for the extraction of rutin from Lespedeza virgata (unb.) DC. e in�uence of four extraction variables on extraction of rutin was discussed. e optimum extraction conditions found were 75% aqueous ethanol, solvent volume to sample weight ratio at 90 : 1, extracting temperature at 75 ∘ C, and extraction time for 15 min. A comparison was made among MAE, classical maceration, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). Yields were determined by high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). e whole analysis process was completed in ten minutes. e needful volumes of sample and buffer are very little. Compared with maceration and ultrasonic extraction, MAE is a rapid method with higher yield and less solvent consumption

Analysis of Rutin from Lespedeza virgata (Thunb.) DC. by Microwave-Assisted Extraction and Capillary Electrophoresis

A simple and rapid microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was developed for the extraction of rutin from Lespedeza virgata (Thunb.) DC. The influence of four extraction variables on extraction of rutin was discussed. The optimum extraction conditions found were 75% aqueous ethanol, solvent volume to sample weight ratio at 90 : 1, extracting temperature at 75°C, and extraction time for 15 min. A comparison was made among MAE, classical maceration, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). Yields were determined by high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). The whole analysis process was completed in ten minutes. The needful volumes of sample and buffer are very little. Compared with maceration and ultrasonic extraction, MAE is a rapid method with higher yield and less solvent consumption