Adulteration of Crude Palm Oil with Red Dye from the Leaf Sheath of Sorghum Bicolor

The present work was undertaken to investigate the possibility of adulterating CPO with natural potash (lake salt) and red dye from the leaf sheath of sorghum bicolour. Concentrations of potash and red dye ranging from 0.01-0.1% and 0.1-1.0% respectively were prepared in water; and then added to fresh CPO at oil/adulterant ratios ranging from 10:1-10:10, to obtain adulterated CPO with known concentrations and adulterant ratios. Adulterated samples were examined visually for appearance, and evaluated for quality indices and sensory attributes. Values of quality indices were similar for both the adulterated and unadulterated samples, while the acceptability of taste and mouthfeel were clearly higher for the unadulterated sample. The use of potash changed the characteristic orange red color of CPO to yellowish red even at levels below 0.01%; and also resulted in product with increased consistency. CPO can be successfully adulterated with 0.25% red dye from the leaf sheath of sorghum bicolor at a maximum oil/dye ratio of 1:1. The adulterated oil can remain unidentified by consumers for at least 30 days. A simple, rapid and effective test by means of which a consumer can easily detect the presence of red dye in CPO was also developed. Keywords: Crude palm oil; Adulteration; Red dye; Natural potash; Sorghum bicolor

Bioavailability of the Polyphenols: Status and Controversies

The current interest in polyphenols has been driven primarily by epidemiological studies. However, to establish conclusive evidence for the effectiveness of dietary polyphenols in disease prevention, it is useful to better define the bioavailability of the polyphenols, so that their biological activity can be evaluated. The bioavailability appears to differ greatly among the various phenolic compounds, and the most abundant ones in our diet are not necessarily those that have the best bioavailability profile. In the present review, we focus on the factors influencing the bioavailability of the polyphenols. Moreover, a critical overview on the difficulties and the controversies of the studies on the bioavailability is discussed

What about greener phase change materials? A review on biobased phase change materials for thermal energy storage applications

The increasing energy demand in conjunction with greater environmental concern has lifted the development of sustainable energy sources, including materials for energy storage. The use of phase change materials (PCM) for thermal energy storage (TES) has become one of the emerging research fields. Paraffins are currently the most studied organic PCMs for TES applications due to their favorable physical and thermal properties. However, they are produced from non-renewable sources and their carbon footprint and associated environmental impact cannot be overlooked. A green alternative are the biobased PCMs such as fatty acid esters andfatty acids. The present paper reviews the current research status of biobased PCMs with focus on various limitations and drawbacks, and on strategies adopted for improving their TES characteristics. The paper also discusses the use of waste biomaterials such as waste cooking oil and non-edible plant oils as potential alternatives to edible oil based PCMs. Novel strategies which could serve as a cornerstone for further research on new biobased PCMs for the future, are also discussed. © 202