bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Environmental Microbiota on the Activity and Metabolism of Starter Cultures Used in Coffee Beans Fermentation
Authors: Pregolini Vanessa Bassi , de Melo Pereira Gilberto Vinícius , da Silva Vale Alexander , de Carvalho Neto Dão Pedro , Soccol Carlos Ricardo
Published: December 2021

Microbial activity is an integral part of agricultural ecosystems and can influence the quality of food commodities. During on-farm processing, coffee growers use a traditional method of fermentation to remove the cherry pulp surrounding the beans. Here, we investigated the influence of the coffee farm microbiome and the resulting fermentation process conducted with selected starter cultures (Pichia fermentans YC5.2 and Pediococcus acidilactici LPBC161). The microbiota of the coffee farm (coffee fruits and leaves, over-ripe fruits, cherries before de-pulping, depulped beans, and water used for de-pulping beans) was dominated by Enterobacteriaceae and Saccharomycetales, as determined by llumina-based amplicon sequencing. In addition, 299 prokaryotes and 189 eukaryotes were identified. Following the fermentation process, Pichia and the family Lactobacillaceae (which includes P. acidilactici) represented more than 70% of the total microbial community. The positive interaction between the starters resulted in the formation of primary metabolites (such as ethanol and lactic acid) and important aroma-impacting compounds (ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, and ethyl isobutyrate). The success competitiveness of the starters towards the wild microbiota indicated that coffee farm microbiota has little influence on starter culture-added coffee fermentation. However, hygiene requirements in the fermentation process should be indicated to prevent the high microbial loads present in coffee farm soil, leaves, fruits collected on the ground, and over-ripe fruits from having access to the fermentation tank and transferring undesirable aromas to coffee beans.
Concentrated Buffalo Whey as Substrate for Probiotic Cultures and as Source of Bioactive Ingredients: A Local Circular Economy Approach towards Reuse of Wastewaters
Authors: Alfano Alberto , D’ambrosio Sergio , D’Agostino Antonella , Finamore Rosario , Schiraldi Chiara , Cimini Donatella
Published: December 2021

Waste reduction and reuse is a crucial target of current research efforts. In this respect, the present study was focused on providing an example of local investment in a simple process configuration that converts whey into value-added compounds and allows recovery of a clean water stream. In particular, buffalo milk whey obtained during mozzarella manufacturing was ultrafiltered in-house on spiral membrane modules (20 kDa), and the two obtained fractions, namely the retentate and the permeate, provided by the dairy factory, were further processed during this work. The use of an additional nanofiltration step allowed the recovery of high-quality water to be reused in the production cycle (machine rinsing water within the facility) and/or in agriculture, also reducing disposal costs and the environmental impact. The ultrafiltration retentate, on the other hand, was spray-dried and the powder obtained was used as the main substrate for the cultivation of Lactobacillus fermentum, a widely studied probiotic with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and cholesterol-lowering properties. In addition, the same sample was tested in vitro on a human keratinocytes model. Resuspended concentrated whey powder improved cell reparation rate in scratch assays, assisted through time-lapse video-microscopy. Overall these data support the potential of buffalo whey as a source of biologically active components and recyclable water in the frame of a local circular economy approach.
Methods for Oxygenation of Continuous Cultures of Brewer’s Yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Granata Timothy , Follonier Cindy , Burkhardt Chiara , Rattenbacher Bernd
Published: December 2021

Maintaining steady-state, aerobic cultures of yeast in a bioreactor depends on the configuration of the bioreactor system as well as the growth medium used. In this paper, we compare several conventional aeration methods with newer filter methods using a novel optical sensor array to monitor dissolved oxygen, pH, and biomass. With conventional methods, only a continuously stirred tank reactor configuration gave high aeration rates for cultures in yeast extract peptone dextrose (YPD) medium. For filters technologies, only a polydimethylsiloxan filter provided sufficient aeration of yeast cultures. Further, using the polydimethylsiloxan filter, the YPD medium gave inferior oxygenation rates of yeast compared to superior results with Synthetic Complete medium. It was found that the YPD medium itself, not the yeast cells, interfered with the filter giving the low oxygen transfer rates based on the volumetric transfer coefficient (KLa). The results are discussed for implications of miniaturized bioreactors in low-gravity environments.
Effect of Metabolic Regulators and Aeration on Isocitric Acid Synthesis by Yarrowia lipolytica Grown on Ester-Aldehyde Fraction
Authors: Kamzolova Svetlana V. , Morgunov Igor G.
Published: December 2021

Isocitric acid (ICA) has found wide application in medicine as a promising compound with powerful antioxidant activity to combat oxidative stress. In the known microbiological processes of ICA production by non-conventional yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, the pure carbon sources are commonly used. ICA can be also synthetized by Y. lipolytica from ester-aldehyde fraction (EAF)-waste of the ethanol production process. A highly effective method of ICA production from EAF based on regulation of key enzymes (aconitate hydratase and isocitrate lyase) by metabolic regulators (iron and itaconic acid) and aeration was developed. It is recommended to cultivate Y. lipolytica VKM Y-2373 under nitrogen deficiency conditions, a high aeration (60% of air saturation), an addition of 15 mM itaconic acid, and 2.4 mg/L iron. Under optimal conditions, Y. lipolytica VKM Y-2373 produced 83 g/L ICA with isocitrate to citrate ratio of 4.1:1 and mass yield of 1.1 g/g. The putative mechanism of ICA overproduction from EAF by Y. lipolytica was suggested.
Dynamic Optimisation of Beer Fermentation under Parametric Uncertainty
Authors: Bhonsale Satyajeet , Mores Wannes , Van Impe Jan
Published: December 2021

Fermentation is one of the most important stages in the entire brewing process. In fermentation, the sugars are converted by the brewing yeast into alcohol, carbon dioxide, and a variety of by-products which affect the flavour of the beer. Fermentation temperature profile plays an essential role in the progression of fermentation and heavily influences the flavour. In this paper, the fermentation temperature profile is optimised. As every process model contains experimentally determined parameters, uncertainty on these parameters is unavoidable. This paper presents approaches to consider the effect of uncertain parameters in optimisation. Three methods for uncertainty propagation (linearisation, sigma points, and polynomial chaos expansion) are used to determine the influence of parametric uncertainty on the process model. Using these methods, an optimisation formulation considering parametric uncertainty is presented. It is shown that for the non-linear beer fermentation model, the linearisation approach performed worst amongst the three methods, while second-order polynomial chaos worked the best. Using the techniques described below, a fermentation process can be optimised for ensuring high alcohol content or low fermentation time while ensuring the quality constraints. As we explicitly consider uncertainty in the process, the solution, even though conservative, will be more robust to parametric uncertainties in the model.
Effects of Paper Mulberry Silage on the Growth Performance, Rumen Microbiota and Muscle Fatty Acid Composition in Hu Lambs
Authors: Xiong Yi , Guo Chunze , Wang Lin , Chen Fei , Dong Xianwen , Li Xiaomei , Ni Kuikui , Yang Fuyu
Published: December 2021

Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is widely ensiled to feed sheep in southwestern China, as unconventional woody forage. Feeding lambs with paper mulberry silage (PMS) may improve certain feeding characteristics, thereby affecting the growth performance and meat quality. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of four diets of PMS on growth performance, rumen microbial composition, and muscle fatty acids profile in Hu lambs. The results showed that 30% and 40% PMS increased the dry matter intake and average daily gain of Hu lambs compared to the control group. PMS30 and PMS40 increased the content of C24:1, and PMS40 increased the content of C20:5n-3. The content of microbial protein (MCP) was higher in PMS40 than in others, but PMS30 and PMS40 reduced the total volatile fatty acid in rumen. PMS30 significantly increased the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid. The abundance of ruminal Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and norank_f_Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group was significantly higher in PMS30 and PMS40 groups. Moreover, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group had a significant positive correlation with n3-polyunsaturated fatty acid. PMS40 might lead to a relatively high content of unsaturated fatty acids in longissimus dorsi muscle by increasing the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group in rumen.
Nutritional Contributions and Health Associations of Traditional Fermented Foods
Authors: Negrete-Romero Berenice , Valencia-Olivares Claudia , Baños-Dossetti Gloria Andrea , Pérez-Armendáriz Beatriz , Cardoso-Ugarte Gabriel Abraham
Published: December 2021

The growing interest in the consumption and study of traditionally fermented food worldwide has led to the development of numerous scientific investigations that have focused on analyzing the microbial and nutritional composition and the health effects derived from the consumption of these foods. Traditionally fermented foods and beverages are a significant source of nutrients, including proteins, essential fatty acids, soluble fiber, minerals, vitamins, and some essential amino acids. Additionally, fermented foods have been considered functional due to their prebiotic content, and the presence of specific lactic acid bacterial strains (LAB), which have shown positive effects on the balance of the intestinal microbiota, providing a beneficial impact in the treatment of diseases. This review presents a bibliographic compilation of scientific studies assessing the effect of the nutritional content and LAB profile of traditional fermented foods on different conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Wine Saccharomyces Yeasts for Beer Fermentation
Authors: Postigo Vanesa , García Margarita , Cabellos Juan Mariano , Arroyo Teresa
Published: December 2021

Multiple studies in recent years have shown the potential of Saccharomyces wild yeasts to produce craft beers with new flavour profiles and other desirable properties. Yeasts isolated from food (wine, bread, kombucha…) have shown potential promise for application in brewing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of 141 Saccharomyces yeast strains isolated from the Madrilenian agriculture (from grapes, must, wine, vineyard, and cellars) to produce a novel ale beer. Fermentation activity of the strains was compared against the commercial strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae Safale S-04. In addition to the other aspects such as melatonin production, thirty-three volatile compounds belonging to higher alcohols, esters, aldehydes/cetones, acids, lactones and phenolic groups, were analysed by GC for selection of the strains. Ten strains were finally chosen, among which the most relevant was the strain G 520 showing a higher production of esters, higher alcohols and acids compared with S-04. The apparent attenuation for this strain was lower than commercial strain, which translates into more residual sugars. Furthermore, G 520 was more capable of producing significantly higher amounts of melatonin studied by HPLC, as well as showing a higher antioxidant capacity. Consumer study showed that G 520 strain could be used to produce a potential beer that has a place in the current market.
Valorisation of CO2 into Value-Added Products via Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES) and Electro-Fermentation Technology
Authors: Quraishi Marzuqa , Wani Kayinath , Pandit Soumya , Gupta Piyush Kumar , Rai Ashutosh Kumar , Lahiri Dibyajit , Jadhav Dipak A. , Ray Rina Rani , Jung Sokhee P. , Thakur Vijay Kumar , Prasad Ram
Published: December 2021

Microbial electrocatalysis reckons on microbes as catalysts for reactions occurring at electrodes. Microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells are well-known in this context; both prefer the oxidation of organic and inorganic matter for producing electricity. Notably, the synthesis of high energy-density chemicals (fuels) or their precursors by microorganisms using bio-cathode to yield electrical energy is called Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES), giving an exceptionally appealing novel way for producing beneficial products from electricity and wastewater. This review accentuates the concept, importance and opportunities of MES, as an emerging discipline at the nexus of microbiology and electrochemistry. Production of organic compounds from MES is considered as an effective technique for the generation of various beneficial reduced end-products (like acetate and butyrate) as well as in reducing the load of CO2 from the atmosphere to mitigate the harmful effect of greenhouse gases in global warming. Although MES is still an emerging technology, this method is not thoroughly known. The authors have focused on MES, as it is the next transformative, viable alternative technology to decrease the repercussions of surplus carbon dioxide in the environment along with conserving energy.
Changes in Bioactive Compounds of Coffee Pulp through Fermentation-Based Biotransformation Using Lactobacillus plantarum TISTR 543 and Its Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Myo Hla , Nantarat Nara , Khat-Udomkiri Nuntawat
Published: December 2021

The use of biotransformation has become a popular trend in the food and cosmetic industry. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely used due to their safety and beneficial effects on human health. Coffee pulp, a by-product obtained from coffee production, has antioxidant activity because it contains different classes of phenolic compounds. To investigate the factors affecting the biotransformation process of coffee pulp using L. plantarum TISTR 543, a systematic study using 23 factorial designs in a completely randomized design (CRD) was done. After the coffee pulp was bio-transformed, its bacterial count, pH, phenol contents, flavonoid contents, tannin contents, changes in bioactive compounds by LC-QQQ, and antioxidant properties were studied. The highest phenolic content was obtained in the sample containing the substrate, water, and sugar in the ratio of 3:10:3 with a 5% starter. After the fermentation was done, for 24–72 h, total bacteria count, total phenol contents, and antioxidant activities significantly increased compared to their initial values. Protocatechuic acid also markedly increased after 24 h of the biotransformation process. Hence, the fermentation of coffee pulp with L. plantarum TISTR 543 can produce substances with a higher biological activity which can be further studied and used as functional foods or active ingredients in cosmetic application.
SASLedger: A Secured, Accelerated Scalable Storage Solution for Distributed Ledger Systems
Authors: Sun Haoli , Pi Bingfeng , Sun Jun , Miyamae Takeshi , Morinaga Masanobu
Published: December 2021

Blockchain technology provides a “tamper-proof distributed ledger” for its users. Typically, to ensure the integrity and immutability of the transaction data, each node in a blockchain network retains a full copy of the ledger; however, this characteristic imposes an increasing storage burden upon each node with the accumulation of data. In this paper, an off-chain solution is introduced to relieve the storage burden of blockchain nodes while ensuring the integrity of the off-chain data. In our solution, an off-chain remote DB server stores the fully replicated data while the nodes only store the commitments of the data to verify whether the off-chain data are tampered with. To minimize the influence on performance, the nodes will store data locally at first and transfer it to the remote DB server when otherwise idle. Our solution also supports accessing all historical data for newly joined nodes through a snapshot mechanism. The solution is implemented based on the Hyperledger Fabric (HLF). Experiments show that our solution reduces the block data for blockchain nodes by 93.3% compared to the original HLF and that our advanced solution enhances the TPS by 9.6% compared to our primary solution.
Evolution of the Parvalbumin Genes in Teleost Fishes after the Whole-Genome Duplication
Authors: Mukherjee Subham , Bartoš Oldřich , Zdeňková Kamila , Hanák Petr , Horká Petra , Musilova Zuzana
Published: December 2021

Parvalbumin is considered a major fish allergen. Here, we report the molecular evolution of the parvalbumin genes in bony fishes based on 19 whole genomes and 70 transcriptomes. We found unexpectedly high parvalbumin diversity in teleosts; three main gene types (pvalb-α, pvalb-β1, and pvalb-β2, including oncomodulins) originated at the onset of vertebrates. Teleosts have further multiplied the parvalbumin gene repertoire up to nine ancestral copies—two copies of pvalb-α, two copies of pvalb-β1, and five copies of pvalb-β2. This gene diversity is a result of teleost-specific whole-genome duplication. Two conserved parvalbumin genomic clusters carry pvalb-β1 and β2 copies, whereas pvalb-α genes are located separately in different linkage groups. Further, we investigated parvalbumin gene expression in 17 tissues of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), a species with 21 parvalbumin genes in its genome. Two pvalb-α and eight pvalb-β2 copies are highly expressed in the muscle, while two alternative pvalb-α copies show expression in the brain and the testes, and pvalb-β1 is dominant in the retina and the kidney. The recent pairs of muscular pvalb-β2 genes show differential expression in this species. We provide robust genomic evidence of the complex evolution of the parvalbumin genes in fishes.
Evaluation of the Thermofluidic Performance of Climatic Chambers: Numerical and Experimental Studies
Authors: Ramezani Bahareh , Tadeu António , Jesus Tiago , Brett Michael , Mendes Joel
Published: December 2021

Climatic chambers are highly important in research and industrial applications and are used to examine manufactured samples, specimens, or components in controlled environment conditions. Despite the growing industrial demand for climatic chambers, only a few published studies have specifically concentrated on performance analysis and functional improvements through numerical and experimental studies. In this study, a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a climatic chamber was developed using Ansys Fluent to simulate the fluid flow, heat, and mass transfer to obtain the velocity, temperature, and relative humidity fields in the interior box of a 1200 L climatic chamber. The results were then validated with experimental data from a prototype. Finally, the heat losses of the surrounding components of the chamber were calculated, and the relationship between the inside temperature and the overall thermal loss was modelled. This validated numerical model provides the possibility of optimising the performance of climate chambers by reducing the thermal loss from the walls and modifying the air flow pattern inside the chamber.
A Multiscale Accuracy Degradation Prediction Method of Planetary Roller Screw Mechanism Based on Fractal Theory Considering Thread Surface Roughness
Authors: Meng Junjie , Du Xing , Li Yingming , Chen Peng , Xia Fuchun , Wan Long
Published: December 2021

The wear problems are vital to the planetary roller screw mechanism (PRSM) as they have a great influence on transmission accuracy, working efficiency, and service life. However, the wear characteristics of the PRSM have been rarely investigated in the past. In this paper, a multiscale adhesive wear model is established by incorporating the effective wear coefficient and considering the thread surface roughness. The variation of surface roughness is characterized by the two-dimension Majumdar–Bhushan (MB) function. The multi-asperity contact regimes are used to estimate microcontact mechanics of the rough interface. Moreover, the influences of surface roughness, material properties, and working conditions on the wear depth and precision loss of the PRSM are studied in detail. The results reveal that as the surface roughness increases, the total actual contact area, wear depth, and precision loss rate rise. In addition, the adhesive wear increases with the growth of the axial load, and decreases with the increase in the material hardness and material elastic modulus ratio to a certain extent. The investigation opens up a theoretical methodology to predict the wear volume and precision loss with regard to thread surface roughness, which lays the foundation for the design, manufacturing, and application of the PRSM.
Newly Developed Analytical Scheme and Its Applications to the Some Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations with the Conformable Derivative
Authors: Yan Li , Yel Gulnur , Kumar Ajay , Baskonus Haci Mehmet , Gao Wei
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a novel and general analytical approach: the rational sine-Gordon expansion method and its applications to the nonlinear Gardner and (3+1)-dimensional mKdV-ZK equations including a conformable operator. Some trigonometric, periodic, hyperbolic and rational function solutions are extracted. Physical meanings of these solutions are also presented. After choosing suitable values of the parameters in the results, some simulations are plotted. Strain conditions for valid solutions are also reported in detail.
Sets of Fractional Operators and Numerical Estimation of the Order of Convergence of a Family of Fractional Fixed-Point Methods
Authors: Torres-Hernandez A. , Brambila-Paz F.
Published: December 2021

Considering the large number of fractional operators that exist, and since it does not seem that their number will stop increasing soon at the time of writing this paper, it is presented for the first time, as far as the authors know, a simple and compact method to work the fractional calculus through the classification of fractional operators using sets. This new method of working with fractional operators, which may be called fractional calculus of sets, allows generalizing objects of conventional calculus, such as tensor operators, the Taylor series of a vector-valued function, and the fixed-point method, in several variables, which allows generating the method known as the fractional fixed-point method. Furthermore, it is also shown that each fractional fixed-point method that generates a convergent sequence has the ability to generate an uncountable family of fractional fixed-point methods that generate convergent sequences. So, it is presented a method to estimate numerically in a region Ω the mean order of convergence of any fractional fixed-point method, and it is shown how to construct a hybrid fractional iterative method to determine the critical points of a scalar function. Finally, considering that the proposed method to classify fractional operators through sets allows generalizing the existing results of the fractional calculus, some examples are shown of how to define families of fractional operators that satisfy some property to ensure the validity of the results to be generalized.
Some Oscillation Results for Even-Order Differential Equations with Neutral Term
Authors: Al-Kandari Maryam , Bazighifan Omar
Published: December 2021

The objective of this work is to study some new oscillation criteria for even-order differential equation with neutral term rxzn−1xγ′+qxyγζx=0. By using the Riccati substitution and comparison technique, several new oscillation criteria are obtained for the studied equation. Our results generalize and improve some known results in the literature. We offer some examples to illustrate the feasibility of our conditions.
Investigation and Application of Fractal Theory in Cement-Based Materials: A Review
Authors: Wang Lei , Zeng Xiaoman , Yang Huamei , Lv Xingdong , Guo Fanxing , Shi Yan , Hanif Asad
Published: December 2021

Cement-based materials, including cement and concrete, are the most widely used construction materials in the world. In recent years, the investigation and application of fractal theory in cement-based materials have attracted a large amount of attention worldwide. The microstructures of cement-based materials, such as the pore structures, the mesostructures, such as air voids, and the morphological features of powders, as well as the fracture surfaces and cracks, commonly present extremely complex and irregular characteristics that are difficult to describe in terms of geometry but that can be studied by fractal theory. This paper summarizes the latest progress in the investigation and application of fractal theory in cement-based materials. Firstly, this paper summarizes the principles and classification of the seven fractal dimensions commonly used in cement-based materials. These fractal dimensions have different physical meanings since they are obtained from various testing techniques and fractal models. Then, the testing techniques and fractal models for testing and calculating these fractal dimensions are introduced and analyzed individually, such as the mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP), nitrogen adsorption/desorption (NAD), and Zhang’s model, Neimark’s model, etc. Finally, the applications of these fractal dimensions in investigating the macroproperties of cement-based materials are summarized and discussed. These properties mainly include the mechanical properties, volumetric stability, durability (e.g., permeability, frost and corrosion resistance), fracture mechanics, as well as the evaluation of the pozzolanic reactivity of the mineral materials and the dispersion state of the powders.
Power Law Kernel Analysis of MHD Maxwell Fluid with Ramped Boundary Conditions: Transport Phenomena Solutions Based on Special Functions
Authors: Riaz Muhammad Bilal , Rehman Aziz-Ur , Awrejcewicz Jan , Akgül Ali
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a new approach to find exact solutions is carried out for a generalized unsteady magnetohydrodynamic transport of a rate-type fluid near an unbounded upright plate, which is analyzed for ramped-wall temperature and velocity with constant concentration. The vertical plate is suspended in a porous medium and encounters the effects of radiation. An innovative definition of the time-fractional operator in power-law-kernel form is implemented to hypothesize the constitutive mass, energy, and momentum equations. The Laplace integral transformation technique is applied on a dimensionless form of governing partial differential equations by introducing some non-dimensional suitable parameters to establish the exact expressions in terms of special functions for ramped velocity, temperature, and constant-concentration fields. In order to validate the problem, the absence of the mass Grashof parameter led to the investigated solutions obtaining good agreement in existing literature. Additionally, several system parameters were used, such as as magnetic value M, Prandtl value Pr, Maxwell parameter λ, dimensionless time τ, Schmidt number “Sc”, fractional parameter α, andMass and Thermal Grashof numbers Gm and Gr, respectively, to examine their impacts on velocity, wall temperature, and constant concentration. Results are also discussed in detail and demonstrated graphically via Mathcad-15 software. A comprehensive comparative study between fractional and non-fractional models describes that the fractional model elucidate the memory effects more efficiently.
Blow-Up of Solutions to Fractional-in-Space Burgers-Type Equations
Authors: Alotaibi Munirah , Jleli Mohamed , Samet Bessem
Published: December 2021

We consider fractional-in-space analogues of Burgers equation and Korteweg-de Vries-Burgers equation on bounded domains. Namely, we establish sufficient conditions for finite-time blow-up of solutions to the mentioned equations. The obtained conditions depend on the initial value and the boundary conditions. Some examples are provided to illustrate our obtained results. In the proofs of our main results, we make use of the test function method and some integral inequalities.
Variations in Microstructural and Physicochemical Properties of Candelilla Wax/Rice Bran Oil–Derived Oleogels Using Sunflower Lecithin and Soya Lecithin
Authors: Sahu Deblu , Bharti Deepti , Kim Doman , Sarkar Preetam , Pal Kunal
Published: December 2021

Candelilla wax (CW) is a well-known oleogelator that displays tremendous oil-structuring potential. Lecithin acts as a crystal modifier due to its potential to alter the shape and size of the fat crystals by interacting with the wax molecules. The proposed work is an attempt to understand the impact of differently sourced lecithin, such as sunflower lecithin (SFL) and soya lecithin (SYL), on the various physicochemical properties of CW and rice bran oil (RBO) oleogels. The yellowish-white appearance of all samples and other effects of lecithin on the appearance of oleogels were initially quantified by using CIELab color parameters. The microstructural visualization confirmed grainy and globular fat structures of varied size, density, packing, and brightness. Samples made by using 5 mg of SFL (Sf5) and 1 mg of SYL (Sy1) in 20 g showed bright micrographs consisting of fat structures with better packing that might have been due to the improvised crystallinity in the said samples. The FTIR spectra of the prepared samples displayed no significant differences in the molecular interactions among the samples. Additionally, the slow crystallization kinetics of Sf5 and Sy1 correlated with better crystal packing and fewer crystal defects. The DSC endotherm displayed two peaks for melting corresponding to the melting of different molecular components of CW. However, all the formulations showed a characteristic crystallization peak at ~40 °C. The structural reorganization and crystal growth due to the addition of lecithin affected its mechanical property significantly. The spreadability test among all prepared oleogels showed better spreadable properties for Sf5 and Sy1 oleogel. The inclusion of lecithin in oleogels has demonstrated an enhancement in oleogel properties that allows them to be included in various food products.
Thermosensitive Polyester Hydrogel for Application of Immunosuppressive Drug Delivery System in Skin Allograft
Authors: Wu I-En , Anggelia Madonna Rica , Lin Sih-Yu , Chen Chiao-Yun , Chu I-Ming , Lin Cheng-Hung
Published: December 2021

Tacrolimus (FK506) is a common immunosuppressive drug that is capable of suppressing acute rejection reactions, and is used to treat patients after allotransplantation. A stable and suitable serum concentration of tacrolimus is desirable for better therapeutic effects. However, daily drug administration via oral or injection routes is quite inconvenient and may encounter drug overdose or low patient compliance problems. In this research, our objective was to develop an extended delivery system using a thermosensitive hydrogel of poly ethylene glycol, D,L-lactide (L), and ϵ-caprolactone (CL) block copolymer, mPEG-PLCL, as a drug depot. The formulation of mPEG-PLCL and 0.5% PVP-dissolved tacrolimus was studied and the optimal formulation was obtained. The in vivo data showed that in situ gelling is achieved, a stable and sustained release of the drug within 30 days can be maintained, and the hydrogel was majorly degraded in that period. Moreover, improved allograft survival was achieved. Together, these data imply the potential of the current formulation for immunosuppressive treatments.
Development, Characterization, and Evaluation of α-Mangostin-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticle Gel for Topical Therapy in Skin Cancer
Authors: Md Shadab , Alhakamy Nabil A. , Neamatallah Thikryat , Alshehri Samah , Mujtaba Md Ali , Riadi Yassine , Radhakrishnan Ammu K. , Khalilullah Habibullah , Gupta Manish , Akhter Md Habban
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate α-mangostin-loaded polymeric nanoparticle gel (α-MNG-PLGA) formulation to enhance α-mangostin delivery in an epidermal carcinoma. The poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) were developed using the emulsion–diffusion–evaporation technique with a 3-level 3-factor Box–Behnken design. The NPs were characterized and evaluated for particle size distribution, zeta potential (mV), drug release, and skin permeation. The formulated PLGA NPs were converted into a preformed carbopol gel base and were further evaluated for texture analysis, the cytotoxic effect of PLGA NPs against B16-F10 melanoma cells, and in vitro radical scavenging activity. The nanoscale particles were spherical, consistent, and average in size (168.06 ± 17.02 nm), with an entrapment efficiency (EE) of 84.26 ± 8.23% and a zeta potential of −25.3 ± 7.1 mV. Their drug release percentages in phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) at pH 7.4 and pH 6.5 were 87.07 ± 6.95% and 89.50 ± 9.50%, respectively. The release of α-MNG from NPs in vitro demonstrated that the biphasic release system, namely, immediate release in the initial phase, was accompanied by sustained drug release. The texture study of the developed α-MNG-PLGA NPs gel revealed its characteristics, including viscosity, hardness, consistency, and cohesiveness. The drug flux from α-MNG-PLGA NPs gel and α-MNG gel was 79.32 ± 7.91 and 16.88 ± 7.18 µg/cm2/h in 24 h, respectively. The confocal study showed that α-MNG-PLGA NPs penetrated up to 230.02 µm deep into the skin layer compared to 15.21 µm by dye solution. MTT assay and radical scavenging potential indicated that α-MNG-PLGA NPs gel had a significant cytotoxic effect and antioxidant effect compared to α-MNG gel (p < 0.05). Thus, using the developed α-MNG-PLGA in treating skin cancer could be a promising approach.
Microencapsulation of Chokeberry Polyphenols and Volatiles: Application of Alginate and Pectin as Wall Materials
Authors: Ćorković Ina , Pichler Anita , Ivić Ivana , Šimunović Josip , Kopjar Mirela
Published: December 2021

Microencapsulation is a rapidly evolving technology that allows preservation of various high-value, but unstable, compounds, such as polyphenols and volatiles. These components of chokeberry juice are reported to have various health-promoting properties. In the present study, hydrogel beads with alginate or alginate and pectin as wall materials and chokeberry juice as active agent were prepared using Encapsulator B-390. The effects of different compositions of wall material as well as the duration of complexation (30 or 90 min) with hardening solution on microencapsulation of chokeberry polyphenols and volatiles were investigated. Spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses showed that beads with pectin addition contained higher concentrations of polyphenols and anthocyanins compared to those prepared with alginate. Antioxidant activities evaluated with FRAP, CUPRAC, DPPH, and ABTS assays followed the same trend. Encapsulation of volatiles which were determined using GC-MS analysis also depended on the composition of hydrogel beads and in some cases on the time of complexation. Results of this study showed that the selection of the wall material is a relevant factor determining the preservation of polyphenols and volatiles. The incorporation of bioactive compounds in hydrogel beads opens up a wide range of possibilities for the development of functional and innovative foods.
Synthesis of a Cellulose-Co-AMPS Hydrogel for Personal Hygiene Applications Using Cellulose Extracted from Corncobs
Authors: Enawgaw Haymanot , Tesfaye Tamrat , Yilma Kelem Tiessasie , Limeneh Derseh Yilie
Published: December 2021

Cellulose-based hydrogels were prepared by the extraction of cellulose from corncobs after the removal of lignin and hemicellulose with the use of alkali–acid treatment. Acrylate-based hydrogels presently available for personal hygiene uses are not biodegradable. In this study, a biodegradable cellulose-co-AMPS personal hygiene hydrogel was synthesized. The hydrogel was synthesized by graft co-polymerization of 2-acrylamido2-methyl propane sulfonic acid onto corncob cellulose by using potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator and borax decahydrate (Na2B4O7·10H2O) as a cross-linking agent. Structural and functional characteristics of the hydrogel such as swelling measurements, antimicrobial tests, FTIR spectra and thermogravimetric analysis were done. The hydrogel showed an average swelling ratio of 279.6 g/g to water and 83.3 g/g to a urine solution with a 97% gel fraction. The hydrogel displayed no clear inhibition zone and did not support the growth of bacteria, Gram-positive or -negative. The FT-IR spectra of the hydrogel confirmed the grafting of an AMPS co-polymer onto cellulose chains. The thermal properties of the hydrogel showed three-step degradation, with a complete degradation temperature of 575 °C.
Genipin-Based Crosslinking of Jellyfish Collagen 3D Hydrogels
Authors: Riacci Laura , Sorriento Angela , Ricotti Leonardo
Published: December 2021

Collagen-based hydrogels are an attractive option in the field of cartilage regeneration with features of high biocompatibility and low immunogenic response. Crosslinking treatments are often employed to create stable 3D gels that can support and facilitate cell embodiment. In this study, we explored the properties of JellaGel™, a novel jellyfish material extracted from Rhizostoma pulmo. In particular, we analyzed the influence of genipin, a natural crosslinker, on the formation of 3D stable JellaGel™ hydrogels embedding human chondrocytes. Three concentrations of genipin were used for this purpose (1 mM, 2.5 mM, and 5 mM). Morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties were investigated for the crosslinked materials. The metabolic activity of embedded chondrocytes was also evaluated at different time points (3, 7, and 14 days). Non-crosslinked hydrogels resulted in an unstable matrix, while genipin-crosslinked hydrogels resulted in a stable matrix, without significant changes in their properties; their collagen network revealed characteristic dimensions in the order of 20 µm, while their denaturation temperature was 57 °C. After 7 and 14 days of culture, chondrocytes showed a significantly higher metabolic activity within the hydrogels crosslinked with 1 mM genipin, compared to those crosslinked with 5 mM genipin.
New Hydrogel Network Based on Alginate and a Spiroacetal Copolymer
Authors: Sandu Alina Elena , Nita Loredana Elena , Chiriac Aurica P. , Tudorachi Nita , Rusu Alina Gabriela , Pamfil Daniela
Published: December 2021

This study reports a strategy for developing a biohybrid complex based on a natural/synthetic polymer conjugate as a gel-type structure. Coupling synthetic polymers with natural compounds represents an important approach to generating gels with superior properties and with potential for biomedical applications. The study presents the preparation of hybrid gels with tunable characteristics by using a spiroacetal polymer and alginate as co-partners in different ratios. The new network formation was tested, and the structure was confirmed by FTIR and SEM techniques. The physical properties of the new gels, namely their thermal stability and swelling behavior, were investigated. The study showed that the increase in alginate content caused a smooth increase in thermal stability due to the additional crosslinking bridges that appeared. Moreover, increasing the content of the synthetic polymer in the structure of the gel network ensures a slower release of carvacrol, the encapsulated bioactive compound.
Ambroxol Hydrochloride Loaded Gastro-Retentive Nanosuspension Gels Potentiate Anticancer Activity in Lung Cancer (A549) Cells
Authors: Md Shadab , Abdullah Samaa T. , Alhakamy Nabil A. , Bani-Jaber Ahmad , Radhakrishnan Ammu Kutty , Karim Shahid , Shahzad Naiyer , Gabr Gamal A. , Alamoudi Abdulmohsin J. , Rizg Waleed Y.
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to develop gastro-retentive sustained-release ambroxol (ABX) nanosuspensions utilizing ambroxol-kappa-carrageenan (ABX-CRGK) complexation formulations. The complex was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, powder x-ray diffractometer, and scanning electron microscopy. The prepared co-precipitate complex was used for the development of the sustained-release formulation to overcome the high metabolic and poor solubility problems associated with ABX. Furthermore, the co-precipitate complex was formulated as a suspension in an aqueous floating gel-forming vehicle of sodium alginate with chitosan, which might be beneficial for targeting the stomach as a good absorption site for ABX. The suspension exhibited rapid floating gel behaviour for more than 8 h, thus confirming the gastro-retentive effects. Particle size analysis revealed that the optimum nanosuspension (ABX-NS) had a mean particle size of 332.3 nm. Afterward, the ABX released by the nanoparticles would be distributed to the pulmonary tissue as previously described. Based on extensive pulmonary distribution, the developed nanosuspension-released ABX nanoparticles showed significant cytotoxic enhancement compared to free ABX in A549 lung cancer cells. However, a significant loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) also occurred. The level of caspase-3 was the highest in the ABX-NS-released particle-treated samples, with a value of 416.6 ± 9.11 pg/mL. Meanwhile, the levels of nuclear factor kappa beta, interleukins 6 and 1 beta, and tumour necrosis alpha (NF-kB, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, respectively) were lower for ABX-NS compared to free ABX (p < 0.05). In caspase-3, Bax, and p53, levels significantly increased in the presence of ABX-NS compared to free ABX. Overall, ABX-NS produced an enhancement of the anticancer effects of ABX on the A549 cells, and the developed sustained-release gel was successful in providing a gastro-retentive effect.
Wheat Breeding, Fertilizers, and Pesticides: Do They Contribute to the Increasing Immunogenic Properties of Modern Wheat?
Authors: Mandal Sayanti , Verma Anil K.
Published: December 2021

Celiac disease (CD) is a small intestinal inflammatory condition where consumption of gluten induces a T-cell mediated immune response that damages the intestinal mucosa in susceptible individuals. CD affects at least 1% of the world’s population. The increasing prevalence of CD has been reported over the last few decades. However, the reason for this increase is not known so far. Certain factors such as increase in awareness and the development of advanced and highly sensitive diagnostic screening markers are considered significant factors for this increase. Wheat breeding strategies, fertilizers, and pesticides, particularly herbicides, are also thought to have a role in the increasing prevalence. However, less is known about this issue. In this review, we investigated the role of these agronomic practices in depth. Our literature-based results showed that wheat breeding, use of nitrogen-based fertilizers, and herbicides cannot be solely responsible for the increase in celiac prevalence. However, applying nitrogen fertilizers is associated with an increase in gluten in wheat, which increases the risk of developing celiac-specific symptoms in gluten-sensitive individuals. Additionally, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) techniques can edit multiple gliadin genes, resulting in a low-immunogenic wheat variety that is safe for such individuals.
KSHV/HHV8-Associated Lymphoproliferative Disorders: Lessons Learnt from People Living with HIV
Authors: Bower Mark , Carbone Antonino
Published: December 2021

In 1992, Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV8) was discovered and identified as the causative agent for Kaposi sarcoma. Subsequently, the presence of this virus has been detected in a number of lymphoproliferative disorders in people living with HIV (PLWH), including: KSHV-associated multicentric Castleman disease, primary effusion lymphoma, KSHV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and germinotropic lymphoproliferative disorder. Each of these rare entities has subsequently been diagnosed in HIV-negative individuals. The recognition of some of these KSHV/HHV8-associated lymphoproliferative disorders has led to their inclusion in the WHO classification of lymphomas in 2008 and the revision of 2016; however, further revision is under way to update the classification. The relatively recent recognition of these lymphoproliferative disorders and their low incidence, particularly in the HIV-negative population, means that there is little published evidence and consensus on their clinical features and management. The publication of a new WHO classification of lymphomas should yield diagnostic clarity, providing an impetus for retrospective case series and prospective clinical trials in these KSHV/HHV8-associated lymphoproliferative disorders.
Hydrological System of the Plitvice Lakes—Trends and Changes in Water Levels, Inflows, and Losses
Authors: Radišić Maja , Rubinić Josip , Ružić Igor , Brozinčević Andrijana
Published: December 2021

The Plitvice Lakes National Park is inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The lake system is composed of 16 cascading lakes of different sizes separated by tufa barriers, which are the park’s key phenomenon. The lakes are characterized by highly diverse trends of the characteristic hydrological indicators—mean annual water levels, discharges, and tufa barrier growth. The analyses carried out in this paper identified that in the period before the early 1990s, Kozjak Lake had a trend of decreasing discharges, together with a trend of increasing water levels and growing tufa barriers. In contrast to this, in the period after 2001, a trend of increasing discharges was recorded, as well as a trend of decreasing water levels and decreasing tufa barriers. A potential cause of the barriers decreasing in size were the extremely high discharges during the last decade, which resulted in increased erosion of the tufa barriers. Losses of water due to the sinking from the lake system as well as the upper Korana course were confirmed, and it was identified that during the analyzed period the losses had not changed significantly. It was determined that the losses of water from Kozjak Lake occurred during low-water periods; however, they depended not only on the quantity of water flowing through the lakes but also on the hydrological conditions underground. The analyses carried out and the methodological procedures used in the analyzed area of the Plitvice Lakes are useful examples for the performance of analyses at similar lakes in karst formed by tufa deposition processes.
Riparian Vegetation Density Mapping of an Extremely Densely Vegetated Confined Floodplain
Authors: Fehérváry István , Kiss Tímea
Published: December 2021

The most crucial function of lowland-confined floodplains with low slopes is to support flood conveyance and fasten floods; however, obstacles can hinder it. The management of riparian vegetation is often neglected, though woody species increase the vegetation roughness of floodplains and increase flood levels. The aims are (1) to determine the branch density of various riparian vegetation types in the flood conveyance zone up to the level of artificial levees (up to 5 m), and (2) to assess the spatial distribution of densely vegetated patches. Applying a decision tree and machine learning, six vegetation types were identified with an accuracy of 83%. The vegetation density was determined within each type by applying the normalized relative point density (NRD) method. Besides, vegetation density was calculated in each submerged vegetation zone (1–2 m, 2–3 m, etc.). Thus, the obstacles for floods with various frequencies were mapped. In the study area, young poplar plantations offer the most favorable flood conveyance conditions, whereas invasive Amorpha thickets and the dense stands of native willow forests provide the worst conditions for flood conveyance. Dense and very dense vegetation patches are common in all submerged vegetation zones; thus, vegetation could heavily influence floods.