Chain Branching Research Articles

Digging deep for nutrients and metabolites derived from high dietary protein intake and their potential functions in metabolic health.

Intake of high quantities of dietary proteins sourced from dairy, meat or plants can affect body weight and metabolic health in humans. To improve our understanding of how this may be achieved, we reviewed the data related to the availability of nutrients and metabolites in the faeces, circulation and urine. All protein sources (≥20% by energy) increased faecal levels of branched chain fatty acids and ammonia, and decreased the levels of butyrate. There were metabolites responding to dairy and meat proteins (branch chain amino acids) as well as dairy and plant proteins (p-cresol), which were increased in faecal matter. Specific to dairy protein intake, the faecal levels of acetate, indole and phenol were increased, whereas plant protein intake specifically increased the levels of kynurenine and tyramine. Meat protein intake increased the faecal levels of methionine, cysteine and alanine, and decreased the levels of propionate and acetate. The metabolite profile in the faecal matter following dairy protein intake mirrored availability in circulation or urine. These findings provide an understanding of the contrasting gut versus systemic effects of different dietary proteins, which we know to show different physiological effects. In this regard, we provide directions to determining the mechanisms for the effects of different dietary proteins.

Effects of water sprays on hydrogen autoignition in heated air

The effects of water mist with different diameters and mass loadings on hydrogen auto-ignition in air with elevated temperatures and pressures are studied. It is shown that smaller droplets with larger mass loading are the most effective in inhibiting the auto-ignition process. Under elevated initial pressures and temperatures, the role of water mist in impacting auto-ignition is minimal, primarily because the ignition delay is substantially shorter than the droplet evaporation duration. As the initial temperature decreases, there exists a temperature value below which water mist markedly extends the ignition delay time, even escalating it by up to two orders of magnitude or causing a complete suppression of ignition. The rate of production for important radicals was analyzed. The data indicates that the evaporation of the water mist lowers the initial temperature, leading to a reduction in the rate of the temperature-sensitive fast chain branching reaction. In contrast, the third body reaction that generates HO2 is not sensitive to temperature. Meanwhile, the introduction of H2O results in an earlier activation of the third body reactions. Consequently, the production of HO2 is enhanced, emphasizing the role of subsequent slow chain propagation reactions that generate OH, thereby extending the ignition delay. By deactivating the mass transfer between two phases and introducing artificial species, it is evident that water vapor dilution and thermal effects predominantly influence the ignition delay, while its role as a direct reactant is minimal.

Modifying the Resistant Starch Content and the Retrogradation Characteristics of Potato Starch Through High-Dose Gamma Irradiation

Potato starch is widely utilized in the food industry. Gamma irradiation is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for starch modification. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of comprehensive and consistent knowledge regarding the physicochemical characteristics of high-dose gamma-irradiated potato starch, retrogradation properties in particular. In this study, potato starch was exposed to gamma rays at doses of 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kGy. Various physicochemical properties, including retrogradation characteristics, were investigated. Generally, the apparent amylose content (AAC), water absorption, gel viscosity, gel hardness, and gumminess decreased as the doses of gamma irradiation increased. Conversely, the resistant starch (RS), amylose content evaluated by the concanavalin A precipitation method, water solubility, and enthalpy of gelatinization were increased. Additionally, swelling power, crystalline structure, and amylopectin branch chain length distribution either remained stable or exhibited only minor changes. Notably, the degree of retrogradation of potato starches on day 7 was positively correlated with the doses of gamma irradiation.

Outstanding Stability and Resistive Switching Performance through Octa-Amino-Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Modification in Flexible Perovskite Resistive Random-Access Memories.

Resistive random access memory (RRAM) has emerged as a promising candidate for next-generation storage technologies due to its simple structure, high running speed, excellent durability, high integration density, and low power consumption. This paper focuses on the application of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite (OIHP) materials in RRAM by introducing an innovative three-dimensional POPA modification strategy, which is realized by binding octa-amine-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (8NH2-POSS) onto the side chains of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), thereby enhancing the material's resilience under elevated temperatures and humidity conditions. POPA cross-links with perovskite grains at crystalline boundaries through multiple -NH3+ and -C═O chemical anchoring sites on its branch chain, enhancing the grain adhesion, optimizing the film quality, and improving the cage structure distribution at the perovskite grain boundaries. The experimental results demonstrate that the POPA-modified OIHP RRAM exhibits an excellent resistance switching performance, with an optimal ON/OFF ratio of 5.0 × 105 and a data retention time of 104 s. After 150 days of environmental exposure, the ON/OFF ratio remains at 1.0 × 105, indicating good stability. Furthermore, the POPA modification endows the perovskite film with considerable flexibility, maintaining stable resistance switching performance under various bending radii. This study provides a vital reference for flexible, high-performance, and long-lifespan perovskite memory devices.

Abstract 4130929: The Effect of Weight loss and Weight Maintenance on Branch Chain Amino Acid Levels

Introduction: Elevated branch chain amino acid levels (BCAA) have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type-2 diabetes. While weight loss has been shown to improve BCAA levels, few studies have evaluated the impact of weight loss and weight maintenance with the OPTIFAST® weight loss program and supervised exercise training. Methods: The present study is a secondary analysis of the PREVAIL-P study. During the weight loss phase, overweight and obese adults (N=30) completed a 10-week OPTIFAST® program with supervised aerobic exercise training with the goal of achieving clinically significant weight loss (≥7%). Participants who met the weight loss goal were randomized to levels of aerobic training consistent with physical activity recommendations (PA-REC) (~550 MET minutes per week) or weight maintenance recommendations (WM-REC) (~970 MET minutes per week) for 18 additional weeks. Valine, leucine, isoleucine and total BCAA levels were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at baseline, after the weight loss phase (10 weeks) and at follow-up (28 Weeks) (LabCorp, Raleigh, NC). Results: Following the weight loss phase, participants had a significant mean reduction in weight (-8.8 kg, p<0.001), total BCAA (-37.4 μmol/L, p<0.001), valine (-15.2 μmol/L, p=0.012), leucine (-20.0 μmol/L, p<0.001), but not isoleucine (-4.1 μmol/L, p=0.214) levels. Improvements in BCAA levels were associated with changes in HDL levels (r=-0.39, p=0.03) and approached significance for visceral fat (r=0.34, p=0.07). Furthermore, changes in BCAA metabolites were not associated with weight, glucose metabolism or other lipid variables for the weight loss phase (p>0.05). In a subset of participants (N=14) who completed the weight maintenance phase (due to COVID pandemic), there were no group differences in the change in total BCAA, valine, leucine between the PA-REC and the WM-REC groups (all ps >0.05). Changes in total BCAA levels (baseline to 28 weeks) were associated with higher mean aerobic exercise training intensity during the intervention (r=-0.64, p=0.013). Conclusion: Weight loss using the OPTIFAST® weight loss program diet combined with aerobic exercise improved BCAA levels, which is associated with decreased CVD risk. Lower BCAA levels during weight maintenance may be influenced by higher exercise intensity exercise. Future studies should evaluate the impact of lifestyle interventions on BCAA levels during long-term weight maintenance.

Kinetic Analysis of PODE1-3 Combustion Mechanisms: Towards a general framework for reaction pathways

Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE) have emerged as promising clean alternative fuels for compression-ignition engines. The combustion characteristics of PODE vary with the degree of polymerization, necessitating a deeper understanding of their kinetic behavior. This study constructed and validated a kinetic mechanism for PODE2-3 based on a previously developed detailed kinetic mechanism for PODE1. The good performance of the proposed model in reproducing the data indicates the validity of the constructed kinetic mechanism for PODE2-3. A general framework for PODE reaction pathways was proposed, with special attention paid to the reaction kinetics of each original reaction. Three source routes of PODE reactivity were elucidated: (1) Route 1: a typical chain branching reaction after hydrogen abstraction from the primary carbon, followed by two oxygenation reactions; (2) Route 2: chain branching reactions in the decomposition of partial hydroperoxyl fuel radicals to carbonyl hydroperoxides; and (3) Route 3: chain branching reactions followed by hydrogen abstraction from secondary carbon, leading to low-polymerization fuel radicals. Routes 1 and 2 are chain-branching reaction pathways common to all PODE molecules; Route 3 is a reaction pathway exclusive to highly polymerized PODE, where low-polymerization fuel radicals in the decomposition products enhance the reactivity by continuing to react with oxygen. In contrast, PODE1 exhibited significantly lower reactivity than the other components because of the absence of Route 3 reaction pathway. The kinetic mechanism of PODE fuel reactivity as a function of the degree of polymerization was elucidated. Our findings are beneficial for the development of more precise computational models to predict the combustion behavior of PODE as an alternative fuel.

Effect of protease hydrolysis on the structure of acidic heating-induced soy protein amyloid fibrils

The effectiveness of using amyloid fibrillation to improve the functional qualities of soy protein had drawn growing attention. However, the relationship between protein subunits and the structural polymorphism of soy protein-derived amyloid fibrils (SAFs) was not yet completely understood. In this study, soy protein subunits were hydrolyzed to different degrees according to the different action sites of different proteases (Pepsin, Papain and Alcalase). The impact of subunits on the amyloid fibrillation of soy protein was investigated through various techniques including atomic force microscopy, thioflavin T fluorescence, 1-anililo-naphthalene-8-sulfonate, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The findings showed that the α and α’ subunits were associated with the formation of fibril branch chains. The degree of hydrolysis of β subunits was found to be proportional to the number of fibrils. The presence of the 11S component was identified as a necessary condition for the formation of long-rigid fibrils. Furthermore, enzymatic hydrolysis unfolded the protein structure, exposing hydrophobic groups, loosening the protein structure, and altering the proportion of parallel and antiparallel β-sheet structures. This promoted the formation of amyloid fibrils and accelerated the development of stable SAFs gel. This study advances the knowledge of the function of subunits in amyloid fibrillation.

The accumulation and properties of starch are associated with the development of nutrient transport tissues at grain positions in the spikelet of wheat

A wheat spikelet accumulates several grains, which show significant positional effects in terms of size, weight, and material accumulation. However, few studies have investigated whether starch accumulation in these grains is related to the development of vascular bundles. This study analyzed the correlation between the morphology of vascular bundles and starch accumulation. The area of nutrient transport tissues in G1 and G2 was greater than that in G3 and G4. The proportion of A-type starch granules in G3 and G4 was significantly greater than that in G1 and G2, with the greatest proportion of C-type starch granules occurring in G2. The short-order structure of the starch granules in G1 was more developed than that in the other samples, and the crystalline region in G2 was the greatest. The area of the nucellar projection and vascular bundle was positively correlated with C- or B-type starch granules but negatively correlated with A-type starch granules and swelling power. The area of wall ingrowth was positively correlated with the proportion of branch chains (DP 25–36 and DP 37–100), and negatively correlated with the starch content. The above results indicate that the developmental status of the vascular bundles in the wheat grains controls the accumulation, composition, and characteristics of starch in the endosperm. The novelty of this study lies in elucidating the grain position effect on starch accumulation in wheat grains. This provides a new perspective for agricultural production, aiming to enhance the accumulation of carbohydrates in inferior grains, thereby facilitating their transformation into superior grains.

Conductivity Insights Into the Carbon Nanotubes Mobility Restricted by the Long‐Branched Chains During the Thermal Annealing, Fast Shear Flow and Melt to Solid Cooling Process

AbstractThe present work provides a unique insight to reveal the long chain branching (LCB) influence to the nano‐fillers, that is via analyzing the conductivity evolution during the thermal annealing, fast shear flow and melt to solid cooling process. Meanwhile the crystallization behavior is also discussed. A linear polypropylene (PPC) and a long chain branched polypropylene (PPH) are chosen as the two polymer matrices with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the nanofillers. During the thermal annealing process, a more obvious growth of electrical conductivity of linear PPC nanocomposites are observed compared with LCB PPH nanocomposites. The harder movement of CNTs inside LCB PPH matrix may be the main reason. This also can be reflected by the conductivity evolution during slow cooling process where a decrease‐then‐increase (DTI) phenomenon is found for PPC/CNTs systems due to the rebuilding of CNTs conductivity network after crystallization. By contrast, this does not happen for PPH/CNTs systems.

Inverse dynamics analysis of 4-DOF stacking robot with closed chain structure

A four-degree-of-freedom PR1300 stacking robot with two parallel quadrilateral structures connected in series at the shoulder was designed. The hybrid robot with local closed chains has the characteristics of compact structure, high stiffness, and high modularity. To solve the dynamic problem of the hybrid robot. Firstly, by analyzing the induced relationship between joints, the stacking robot with a local closed chain structure is transformed into two branch chain mechanisms, and the kinematic model of the robot is established using the D-H parameter method. Secondly, the Kane method is applied to model the dynamics of the two branch chains separately, and the rigid body dynamics Kane equation of the entire 4-DOF stacking robot with a closed chain structure is obtained through the augmented matrix. Finally, the SolidWorks Motion mechanical simulation platform and MATLAB software were used to program dynamic simulations and numerical calculations, and the results were compared to verify the correctness of the dynamic theory derivation. This theory provides a necessary theoretical basis for the subsequent synthesis of robot dynamic scales.

Impact of molecular architecture and draw ratio on enhancement of targeted mechanical properties of machine direction oriented polyethylene films produced after blown film extrusion

Conventional multi-material multi-layer flexible packaging offers excellent properties. However, it has recycling challenges, necessitating a shift to mono-material multi-layer flexible packaging for example all-polyethylene (PE) packaging which can be tailored through various synthesis and processing methods for different layers. In this work, we study how the key molecular properties (number-average molecular weight ( Mn), weight-average molecular weight ( M w), molecular weight distribution (MWD), comonomer content (short chain branching)) and machine direction orientation (MDO) process draw ratio (MDX) influence the final morphology and mechanical properties of MDO-PE films which are intended as the outer layer of mono-material all-polyethylene multi-layer flexible packaging. Five PE grades and various blends were extruded and blown into films. Selected blown films were machine direction oriented to obtain the final MDO-PE films. Furthermore, one selected PE blown film was processed at different MDO process draw ratios while keeping other process parameters constant. From the molecular properties point of view, the higher molecular weight fractions provide a higher possibility for uniform stretching whereas lower molecular weight fractions provide a higher natural draw ratio and therefore higher modulus and stiffness enhancement. Further, the results show that increasing MDO process draw ratio leads to more fibrillation and increased crystallinity. Consequently, the tensile modulus and stiffness at the higher draw ratios increase as well and are comparable to conventionally used polymers in outer layers of multilayer flexible packaging. Thus, this work demonstrates that MDO-PE films with enhanced modulus can provide sufficient stiffness for the design of outer layer of mono-material multi-layer all-PE packaging which presents higher potential for mechanical recyclability.

Relationship between microstructure changes and embrittlement during chemo-oxidative degradation of bimodal HDPE with short chain branches

Bimodal HDPE with short chain branches (SCBs) has been the focus of recent research to provide long-term durability and improved resistance to cracking for pipe applications. This study aims to identify the structural changes of bimodal HDPE with SCBs when degraded by a chemo-oxidative environment and to interpret the ductile-brittle transition relative to microstructure including the molecular weight distribution (MWD), molecular entanglement and lamellar dimensions. Sheets of commercially available bimodal HDPE with SCBs preferentially placed in the high molecular weight (HMW) region were exposed to an oxidative environment (5 ppm chlorinated water at 65 °C) for up to 3000 h. Sample microstructure was evaluated by FT-IR, DSC, SAXS, GPC-IR, TREF and cross-fractionation chromatography (CFC), while mechanical performance was characterized by tensile tests. Data revealed an increase in carbonyl index, overall mass crystallinity (61–70 %), and crystalline lamellar thickness (98 A˙ to 113 A˙) with exposure time. Also observed was a decrease in weight average molecular weight (242–17 kg/mol) and amorphous lamellar thickness (68A˙to48A˙). Analysis of TREF and CFC indicated that, during chemo-oxidative degradation, chain scission primarily occurs in the high molecular weight tie chains with SCBs. After 1500 h exposure, the strain hardening modulus and strain at break are reduced to 4.57 MPa and 3.04, respectively. This onset of embrittlement was evaluated relative to changes in microstructure: the number of molecular entanglements (which was reduced from 736 to 74) and critical values for HDPE molecular weight (38 kg/mol) and amorphous lamellar thickness (53 A˙). The data show that these critical values and reduced entanglement standards are comparable to those developed for evaluation of brittle behavior in undegraded HDPE.

Identification and characterisation of dextran produced by a novel high yielding Weissella cibaria Fiplydextran strain

An exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing bacterial strain was isolated from fermented soy milk and identified as Weissella cibaria strain Fiplydextran through morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Here, we report the optimisation of cultural conditions for the organism to achieve maximum EPS production, along with its molecular characterisation, functional properties, and prebiotic potential. The exceptionally high EPS yield (0.61 g per g of sucrose) was obtained from the optimised medium (200 g/L of sucrose, 15 g/L of yeast extract) at 30 °C after 48 h. HPAEC-PAD analysis revealed that the EPS is homopolymer of glucose having Mw as 3.23 × 107 Da determined using viscosity method. Methylation analysis and NMR results confirmed the EPS as dextran with α (1 → 6)-linkage (96.5 %) as main chain and α (1 → 3)- as branch chain linkage (3.5 %). Thermogravimetric analysis exhibited higher thermal stability of EPS. The EPS was observed to support the growth of Bacteroides spp. in pure culture form but not that of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium spp. However, a low level of bifidogenic activity was observed upon use of mixed culture of B. fragilis and B. longum. The research implies industrial applications of W. cibaria Fiplydextran for the production of high molecular weight dextran with better yield.

Consolidated Description of Explosion Limits and Ignition Delays: Hydrogen and C1-C7 N-Alkanes

ABSTRACT This study computationally investigates the auto-ignition delay times and explosion limits of H2/O2 and C1-C7 n-alkanes/O2 mixtures based on detailed chemical kinetics. Comprehensive ignition responses are consolidated through three-dimensional response surfaces of the ignition delay time as function of the system temperature and pressure, yielding the essential kinetic characteristics governing ignition. The intersection curves of the ignition surface with the cross-section perpendicular to the three coordinate axes are the characteristic response curves of the ignition delay time and explosion limit. Therefore, the ignition delay time and explosion limit are the changing characteristics of the three-dimensional ignition surface observed from different perspectives. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that while the significant variations of the reaction pathways among different fuels are the primary reason of the wide spreading of the explosion limits curves for the various fuels in the low-temperature regime, their chain branching reactions tend to be similar in the intermediate temperature regime such that the explosion limit curves of different fuels are closely coalesced. Furthermore, in the high-temperature regime, the chain branching reactions of alkanes are primarily governed by small radicals, such as CH3, while it is still dominated by the H+O2=OH+O for H2.

A methodology to replicate LTGC engine conditions in a single-zone model and validate gasoline surrogate formulations versus experimental measurements

In this work, surrogate fuels for three premium-grade gasoline fuels were formulated and its autoignition behavior was validated, together with that of an existing surrogate for E10 regular gasoline, by comparison to experimental data measured in the Sandia Low-Temperature Gasoline Combustion research engine facility. Surrogate fuels have been previously designed by matching fuel properties such as octane number, fuel/air stoichiometric ratio and hydrogen/carbon ratio. However, similar octane rating can be obtained with several blends that will show different ignition characteristics. To avoid this issue, the surrogate fuels shown in this paper have been formulated by matching the main components of the fuel detailed hydrocarbon analysis. Validation of the surrogates was performed by replicating engine experiments run with the real fuel in a 0-D internal combustion engine reactor model with detailed chemistry. A fitted heat-loss model had to be implemented to properly replicate the experimental in-cylinder thermodynamic conditions, which invalidates the adiabatic assumption sometimes applied to engine simulations. Furthermore, minor species present in the EGR and residuals, such as CO and NOx, had to be taken into account to replicate the experimental low-temperature heat release (LTHR) trends. Therefore, accounting for heat losses and detailed in-cylinder composition are essential to accurately simulate the engine data. The bottom dead center temperature deviation required to obtain the same combustion timing as in the experiments was used as a metric to evaluate the accuracy of simulations. The surrogates gave good performance for the whole explored range, and replication of LTHR is a key factor in matching the experimental data. Chemical kinetic analyses showed that replication of LTHR is controlled by the ability of the surrogate to properly balance radical generation from low-temperature chain branching decomposition with radical consumption from stable species. Surrogate components that act as a sink of radicals tend to suppress the LTHR of the fuel, which may lead to large deviations between simulations and experiments. Especial attention should be paid to these fuel species when selecting the surrogate components.

Polysaccharide-based hydrogels for cartilage regeneration.

Cartilage defect is one of the common tissue defect clinical diseases and may finally lead to osteoarthritis (OA) which threat patients' physical and psychological health. Polysaccharide is the main component of extracellular matrix (ECM) in cartilage tissue. In the past decades, polysaccharide-based hydrogels have shown great potential for cartilage regeneration considering unique qualities such as biocompatibility, enhanced cell proliferation, drug delivery, low toxicity, and many others. Structures such as chain length and chain branching make polysaccharides have different physical and chemical properties. In this review, cartilage diseases and current treatment options of polysaccharide-based hydrogels for cartilage defection repair were illustrated. We focus on how components and structures of recently developed materials affect the performance. The challenges and perspectives for polysaccharide-based hydrogels in cartilage repair and regeneration were also discussed in depth.

Rheological analysis of network structure of raw natural rubber prepared by different processing techniques

The performance of raw natural rubber (NR) is dominated by its network structure, particular the levels of long chain branching (LCB) and entanglement. Here, three type of raw rubbers were prepared using different processing methods for commercial grade NRs. Linear and nonlinear viscoelastic behaviors, as well as stress relaxation, were analyzed to access their network structures. The third relative harmonic, phase angle, and first to second quarter-period integral ratio of stress curve were utilized as indicators for the nonlinearity of samples. By combining these values with flow activation energy and characteristic times, it can be confirmed that naturally coagulated NR showed higher elasticity than acid-coagulated NR due to high levels of LCB and entanglement, and hot air drying could lead to chain degradation. These findings correlated with molecular weight parameters, gel content and Mooney viscosity results. This research establishes a method for monitoring raw NR quality and predicting its properties.

Performance of Recycled Opaque PET Modified by Reactive Extrusion

A comparative study of the structural integrity of an opaque recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET-O) has been carried out with two types of modified rPET-O by applying reactive extrusion techniques, namely (a) using a multi-epoxide reactive agent (REx-rPET-O) and (b) a 90/10 (wt/wt) rPET-O/polycarbonate (PC) blend. The chemical modifications introduced during reactive extrusion were confirmed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rheological dynamic analysis (RDA). For the quantification of the fracture parameters, an instrumented pendulum impact testing machine was used using specimens in SENB configuration. The structural modifications generated during reactive extrusion promote an increase of between 16 (REx-rPET-O) and 20% (rPET-O/PC) in the stress-intensity factor (KQ) compared to unmodified rPET-O. The most significant differences between both modifications are registered in the “specific work of fracture” (wf) (alternative parameter to the standardized impact strength), where an increase of 61% is reached for the case of rPET-O/PC and only 11% for REx-rPET-O. This trend can be attributed to the type of reactive modification that is generated, namely chain branching (REx-rPET-O) vs. the generation of a random copolymer “in situ” (rPET-O/PC). This copolymer decreases the crystallization capacity and degree of crystalline perfection of rPET-O, promoting an increase in the critical hydrostatic stress conditions for the generation of crazing and crack propagation.

Unraveling Chain Branching in Cool Flames.

In cool flames, autoxidation of organic compounds forms alkyl hydroperoxides and ketohydroperoxides, and this controls the critical rate of chain branching, but there have been large uncertainties in the decomposition rate constants. We synthesized a series of hydroperoxides and measured their decomposition rate constants in pyrolysis experiments by spray-vaporization jet-stirred-reactor synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry. Structural variation of the hydroperoxides, including alkyl, cycloalkyl, aromatic, and heterocyclic functionalities, has only a slight effect on their decomposition rate constants. Calculated rate constants are in good agreement with the experiment. The rate constant of ketohydroperoxide decomposition was obtained by theoretical calculation of 3-hydroperoxy butanal and tested by the pyrolysis of synthesized 3-hydroperoxy-3-phenylpropionate. The rate constant of ketohydroperoxide decomposition is close to that of alkyl hydroperoxides. The new chain-branching rate constants improves the cool-flame kinetic model, which is essential for removing discrepancies in model predictions and for the design of high-efficiency and low-emission engines.

Exploring the potential of taro (Colocasia esculenta) starch: Recent developments in modification, health benefits, and food industry applications

AbstractTaro is a tropical plant and an underutilized root crop that has a good source of carbohydrate. Taro tuber contains 70%–80% of starch on dry basis. This review highlights the extraction of taro starch, latest advancements in the modification such as physical, chemical and enzymatic modification of taro starch. Furthermore, after modification of taro starch, molecular weight and amylopectin branch chain length distribution, granular shape, percentage crystallinity, swelling and solubilization, pasting and thermal properties and in vitro digestibility of taro starch were significantly affected. Additionally, researchers have explored novel methods to modify the physicochemical characteristics of taro starch, enhancing its functionality as a thickening, gelling, and stabilizing agent in various food formulations. However, fabrication of nanoparticles from taro starch was also studies. Various health benefits of taro starch have been reported in this study. One significant health benefit of taro starch is its potential to improve blood sugar management. Furthermore, the versatility of taro starch in food applications has expanded, ranging from traditional staples to modern convenience foods. Its gluten‐free nature makes it an attractive option for individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Taro starch is increasingly incorporated into bakery products, snacks, noodles, and as a thickening agent in soups and sauces. The unique sensory attributes and nutritional profile of taro starch contribute to the development of novel, health‐conscious food products that cater to evolving consumer preferences.