Advanced Materials Research Vols. 887-888

Abstract: Gelatins were prepared from tilapia, salmon and halibut skin through hot water extraction (60°C, 180 min) and their physiochemical properties were compared with commercial gelatins from porcine and bovine sources. Tilapia gelatin contained highest hydroxyproline content (8.45%) and had highest gel strength (376.6 g), followed by salmon gelatin. Halibut gelatin had the lowest hydroxyproline content (24.72% in average) and gel strength (47.56 g in average). Gelatin prepared from tilapia had much higher gel strength and viscosity than commercial pharmaceutical gelatins of porcine and bovine sources and showed a great potential to be utilized in pharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: Nitric oxide is a free-radical diatomic molecule and an important biologic messenger molecule involved in the regulation of diverse physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms in the cardiovascular system, the central and peripheral nervous systems and the immune system. The discovery of NO with these important physiological functions has led to the development of various analytical methods for its detection and quantification. The involvement of nitric oxide in a plethora of vital biological functions makes its detection and quantification of great interest. Among various methods of measurement of the production of nitric oxide in cellular systems, those based on the use of fluorogenic probes have been gaining popularity due to their simplicity and sensitivity. BODIPY has advantages of high extinction coefficients, high fluorescence quantum efficiency and stability to light. Moreover, its emission wavelength can be adjusted by modifying chemical groups. Our lab has been exploring functionalized DABs for labeling and detection of NO several years before. This study was aimed at an evaluation of the specificity of reaction of DAMBO-P^H with NO, in particular at an assessment of its reactivity with nitric oxide and its bioscreening application to biological systems.

Abstract: A thermal study (using TGA) was carried out on polyurethane (PU) paint modified with layered silicate (organoclay) nanocomposites. The result showed that by adding clay, the PU paint/organoclaynanocomposites demonstrated better thermal stability than the virgin polyurethanepaint. The PU paint was synthesized with polyol prepared from palm oil i.e. a renewable resource.Whilst polyurethane modified with layered silicate (organoclay) nanocomposite is considered a new class of material. A tremendous improvement of the nanocompositecompared to pure polymers, although the filler content is just 2-5 wt%.The unmodified layered silicate (kunipia-F) was treated with cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB-mont) and octadodecylamine (ODA-mont) were used as swelling agents to treat Na⁺-montmorillonite and forming organoclay through ion exchange.The morphology of the nanocomposites was characterized by X-ray diffraction (X-RD) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) and the pattern showed that all of the nanocomposites produced from this work are intercalated type.

Abstract: Gamma-valerolactone (GVL) represents a promising future source for both fuel alternatives and renewable materials. It can be formed from the hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA). However, when lower cost unprocessed biomass is utilized to form levulinic and formic acid, other organic compounds are created, primarily from the hemicelluloses portion. Therefore a two-stage conversion process was designed starting with a mild acid extraction to remove the majority of the pentoses while maintaining the hexose sugars in a solid form utilizing previously described optimized conditions. Mild sulfuric acid extraction experiments on hybrid poplar samples were performed and optimized. The resulting hexosan enriched biomass was then subjected to a series of experiments employing high sulfuric acid and temperature to form LA and FA with yield of over 60% achieved. Finally, the LA and FA were catalytically converted to GVL, which could be purified through solvent extraction with nearly 100% conversion achieved.

Abstract: In order to increase the application prospect of calcium lignosulfonate in phenolic resin, Calcium lignosulfonate was oxidatively degraded by Hydrogen peroxide under alkaline condition. Both lignins were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, UV, GC-MS and GPC. The optimal degradation conditions are: lignosulfonate:water=1:1, wt/wt, pH=10, temperature 60 °C, reaction time 2 h, and H₂O₂ dosage 6 wt% (based on weight of lignosulfonate). The results show that the degraded resultant is higher in phenolic contents, and lower in methoxyl content. Number molecular weight (M_n) of calcium lignosulfonate sharply decreases to 2294, versus 17774 before oxidative degradation.Guaiacly monoer content increased and kinds of phenolic compounds occurre in oxidative degradation fractions, mainly due to β-O-4 and β-5 cleavage. And reactive activity of the oxidatively degraded compounds is sharply increased.

Abstract: Chinese cabbage plants exposed to different concentrations of Uranium in water culture were used to discuss the physiological and biochemical responses:the plant height growth rate,root elongation,superoxide dismutase (SOD),catalase (CAT),Peroxidase (POD),Chlorophyll a,Soluble protein.The results show that high Uranium stress can hinder the plants growth because the plant height growth rate and root elongation of the plants treated with high Uranium concentration were both lower than the control group.Exposure to excess concentration of Uranium decreased the content of chlorophyll a,soluble protein and the activity of SOD.The CAT activity was induced in the presence of 0.1mg/L uranium concentration and inhibited under higher uranium stress.While the stimulation of POD activity can indicate that it act as H₂O₂ scavengers.

Abstract: The wool and aramid 1313 blended yarn by ratio of 80/20 was introduced. The 2/1 twill and 11-heddle double satin were selected. Then the high hydraulic pressure infiltration finishing and the dry cloth impact finishing were done. By carrying on the comprehensive performance test, two kinds of multi-functional fabric used in spring-summer and autumn-winter were developed. It provides a scientific basis for the further development of flame-retardant fabric with medium and high grade, and has a positive significance for its design and production in textile.

Abstract: Recently studies have demonstrated that anthocyanins from blueberry have anticancer effects. Here, HepG2 cells were treated with anthocyanins (200、400、600、800 and 1000 μg/ml) for 48h, the effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis were investigated. The results suggested that anthocyanins can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of caspase-3 was increased in the anthocyanins treatment group. Moreover, results of Western blotting shown that the expression of Caspase-3 protein increased significantly in the treatment group. Taken together, our data suggest that anthocyanins could be developed as an agent against liver cancer.

Abstract: A ferritin mutant A1C with 24 free SH groups on its outer surface was prepared, which was successfully cross-linked to hen eggshell membrane outer layer (ESM-OL) by a disulfide linkage as characterized by SEM and TEM. Generally, this ferritin conjugated ESM-OL (Ft-ESM-OL) exhibited a significantly higher activity of heavy metal ion uptake as compared to ESM-OL alone under the same experimental conditions. For example, the adsorption capacity of Ft-ESM-OL for U⁶⁺ and Fe²⁺ were 21.16% and 18.4% higher than that of natural ESM-OL, respectively. On the other hand, the recovery capacity of Fe²⁺ by Ft-ESM-OL was 8.11 mg/g ESM, a value 67.9% higher than that of natural ESM-OL. Thus, this newly ferritin-modified ESM-OL greatly improved the adsorption and recovery efficiency of heavy metal ion as compared to ESM-OL alone.

Abstract: The objective of this work is to study on preparation of peanut protein peptide by bacillus subtilis solid state fermentation method. Results indicated that soluble nitrogen concentration of protein peptide could reach 122.86mg/mL, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl free radicals scavenging rates were 85.22% and 84.88%, respectively, under the following optimum conditions: nutrient salt solution of 16.3mL, bacterial suspension volume of 3.8mL, temperature of 45°C, and time of 41h. IC₅₀ values for scavenging of DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide anion free radicals rates, iron and copper ion chelating rates, inhibition rate of anti-lipid peroxidation were 2.88mg/mL, 4.63mg/mL, 1.22mg/mL, 0.04mg/mL, 0.94mg/mL, 3.78mg/mL, respectively. When absorbance value of iron and molybdenum reduction capacities was 0.5, the required protein peptide concentrations were 7.28mg/mL and 1.85mg/mL, respectively.