Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Capacity, and Consumer Acceptability of Ice Cream Incorporated with Avocado ( Persea Americana Mill.) Pulp

Avocado pulp is low in sugar contents but quite high in dietary fiber, nutrients, and phytochemicals with potential health benefits. In this study, the avocado pulp was incorporated into ice cream. The effects of replacing milk fat with avocado on the physical and chemical properties of ice cream and consumer acceptability were evaluated. Milk fat-based ingredients of the ice cream were partially replaced with avocado pulp at ratios of 10, 20, and 30% (w/w). All ice creams were subjected to physical and chemical analyses and were evaluated in sensory acceptability tests. Replacing milk fat with avocado pulp significantly reduced moisture content, protein, and fat content, while it increased the carbohydrate (3.70 to 7.91 g/100 g) and crude fiber content (0.39 to 1.38 g/100 g). A higher content of avocado pulp caused a reduction in overrun and retarded the melting rate due to the effect of high fiber content. Increased viscosity and hardness were observed. The ice cream with the highest avocado pulp content had approximately 3-fold higher total phenolic content determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau method and 2-fold higher antioxidant capacity evaluated as DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power compared to that of the control. Sensory evaluation showed the 20% (w/w) avocado pulp was the suitable ratio for incorporating in the ice cream, which showed a good level of overall acceptability. Thus, our results suggest the potential use of avocado pulp to replace milk fat in frozen dairy products

CO₂ Capture by As-Synthesized Amine-Functionalized MCM-41 Prepared through Direct Synthesis under Basic Condition

The as-synthesized amine-functionalized MCM-41 material was prepared through direct synthesis by co-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APS) at different molar ratios and a pH of approximately 13 for CO₂ capture under various CO₂ concentrations, temperatures, and moistures. The prepared as-synthesized APS-functionalized MCM-41 (as-APS/MCM) possessed nitrogen content up to 3.46 mmol N/g and CO₂ adsorption capacities up to 1.18 mmol/g under 15% CO₂ in N₂ at 35 °C and 1.74 mmol/g under pure CO₂ at 25 °C. The CO₂ adsorption capacity was 73% higher than the APS-grafted calcined MCM-41 prepared by postmodification. Because the CO₂ adsorption capacity of the as-APS/MCM was found to come mainly from the coated APS rather than the incorporated APS, prehydrolysis of TEOS and post-treatment including template removal and APS neutralization were not required. Dynamic adsorption–desorption cycles revealed that the as-APS/MCM possessed high thermal stability for CO₂ capture

One-Pot Synthesis and Pelletizing of Polyethylenimine-Containing Mesoporous Silica Powders for CO₂ Capture

Polyethylenimine-containing mesoporous silica powders (PEI-MSP) were prepared through one-pot synthesis from mixtures of tetraethyl orthosilicate and PEI in water/methanol. This proposed route required only 4% of reaction time and energy and used 50% of chemical reagents used in two-step synthesis of PEI-loaded SBA-15 (PEI/SBA) prepared through impregnation, thereby decreasing the cost of the resulting adsorbents. The PEI component in the one-pot route functioned not only to provide amine active sites for CO₂ capture but also as a basic catalyst and a pore-structure-directing agent. The pelletized PEI-MSP using our proposed binder solution possessed high mechanical strength, durability, and CO₂ adsorption capacity and recovery, satisfying industrial requirements and reducing the pressure drop in practical use. Dynamic adsorption–desorption cycles of PEI-MSP powders and pellets revealed high thermal stabilities. Therefore, this one-pot synthetic route is promising for preparing PEI-MSP as appropriate adsorbents for CO₂ capture when using a temperature swing adsorption technology