Changes In Physicochemical Properties Research Articles

Structural Diversity and Mutational Challenges of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Antagonists as Inflammatory Pathway Blocker.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an important mediator that activates bacterial inflammation through its signaling pathway. It binds lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence of myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) to dimerise the TLR4-MD2-LPS complex. The TLR4 mediated signaling pathway stimulates cytokine production in humans, initiating inflammatory responses. Overactivation of the TLR4 pathway can trigger binding of LPS to the TLR4-MD2 complex, which may lead to the development of several inflammatory disorders. Therefore, the TLR4-MD2 complex is a potential therapeutic target for the identification of new and effective anti-inflammatory agents. Various biologically active TLR4 and MD2 targeting natural and synthetic molecules are explored with anti-inflammatory activity in micromolar ranges. But no FDA-approved drugs are available in the market as of now, and some are discontinued in clinical trials due to drug resistance and severe side effects. In this review, we have assessed recent molecular advancements in TLR4-MD2 antagonists which are showing direct inhibition in lower micro and nanomolar levels. Along with it, protein informatics analysis of the binding pockets of wild type and mutated TLR4-MD2 proteins are also discussed here to give a new insight about the changes in physicochemical properties of the ligand binding area. We have also pointed out several important residues in three different sites of the large LPS binding pocket of TLR4-MD2 complex to understand probable binding affinity of small molecule inhibitors (SMIs). In addition, the present status of clinical trials for TLR4 antagonists is also reviewed. The current assessment will pave a future perspective to design different small molecules as a direct inhibitor of TLR4-MD2 complex for anti-inflammatory activities.

Changes in physico-chemical and functional properties of liquid egg white by ohmic heating process

In the present study, ohmic heating system was developed for the pasteurization of liquid egg white. A batch reactor system was designed with a capacity of 100 ml and operated at varied gradients of voltage (20, 15, 10 V/cm), frequencies (10, 55, 100 Hz), holding times (1, 2.5, 4 min) at two different waveforms (sine and square). The treated liquid egg white was evaluated for validation parameters viz., heating rate, turbidity, soluble protein content, foaming capacity, and foaming stability. The viscosity of ohmically treated egg white was observed by subjecting the egg white to the shear rate ranges from 0.167 to 68 (s−1) where the viscosity decreased as the shear rate increased. The ohmic heating process variables were optimized using the Box-Behnken design and had a significant effect (P < 0.005) on the responses. The optimized parameters 17.93 V/cm voltage gradient, 10 Hz frequency, and 1.6 min holding time for sine waveform resulted in 19.6 °C/min heating rate, 0.01 turbidity, 98.35% soluble protein, 405.68% foaming capacity, and 31.84% foaming stability with the highest desirability of 78% of liquid egg white. The model developed from the dataset of this design can be used for predicting the responses within the limits of process variables.

Recent advances in cell membrane-coated porphyrin-based nanoscale MOFs for enhanced photodynamic therapy.

Porphyrins-based nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nMOFs) has been widely utilized to kills tumor cells by generating cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, porphyrin based nMOFs (por-nMOFs) still face challenges such as rapid immune clearance and weak tumor targeting. Researchers have discovered that using a top-down biomimetic strategy, where nMOFs are coated with cell membranes, can promote long blood circulation, evade the reticuloendothelial system, and improve cancer cell targeting, thereby significantly enhancing the photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect of nMOFs. This review summarizes the recent work on different cell membranes-coated por-nMOFs for enhanced tumor PDT. This review details the changes in physicochemical properties, enhanced homotypic cancer cell-selective endocytosis, improved tumor tissue targeting, and increased cytotoxicity and effective in vivo tumor suppression after the nMOFs are wrapped with cell membranes. Additionally, this review compares the biological functions of various types of cell membranes, including cancer cell membranes, red blood cell membranes, aptamer-modified red blood cell membranes, and hybrid membranes from the fusion of cancer and immune cells. The review highlights the enhanced immunogenic cell death function when using hybrid membranes derived from the fusion of cancer and immune cell membranes. By summarizing the augmented PDT effects and the combined antitumor outcomes with other therapeutic modalities, this review aims to provide new insights into the biomedical applications of por-nMOFs and offer more references for the preclinical application of porphyrin-based photosensitizers.

EFFECTS OF POULTRY LITTER ON SOIL PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES FOR CROP PRODUCTION IN KAURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Poultry litter is an important source of soil nutrients that supports beneficial soil bacteria by serving as a substrate, however, its excessive have adverse effects that lead to soil pollution, contamination and acidification of soil and groundwater. This study analyzed the effects of poultry litter on soil physico-chemical properties for crop production in Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Data on soil properties at the control and poultry littered sites were collected by sampling four farmlands in Barwa, Ungwan Noma, Kurmin-Shado and Dan-Daura and analyzed in the laboratory. Results were subjected to ANOVA and Correlation analyses tools. The findings revealed significant changes in soil physico-chemical properties due to excessive poultry litter application. Compared to the control site, treated soil showed increased pH (6.26 to 6.89), decreased organic carbon (4.29 to 3.63), increased organic matter (5.92 to 6.99), increased total nitrogen (0.49 to 0.58), altered particle size distribution (clay, silt, sand), reduced aggregate, stability (0.818 to 0.715) and increased CO2 (64.8 to 65.88%). Also, Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between poultry litter application and soil physico-chemical properties (Sig. value &gt;0.05), indicating that poultry manure significantly alters soil parameters. The study concludes that while some of the soil properties identified were within safe limits, application of poultry manure altered other properties of the soil. Thus, the study recommends that farmers should use poultry litter in conjunction with other fertilizers and soil amendments to balance nutrient inputs.

Ultrasonic treatment of emulsion gels with different soy protein-hemp protein composite ratios: Changes in structural and physicochemical properties

To improve the emulsion gel system of single soybean isolate protein (SPI) and to broaden the application field of hemp protein isolate (HPI), ultrasonic treatment and HPI were introduced to improve the properties of SPI emulsion gel and to explore the mechanism. The results showed that the gel strength (218.6 g) and water-holding capacity (86.24 %) of the emulsion gels were improved under ultrasonic treatments when the ratio of SPI:HPI was >6:4, and the reticulation structure of the gels was enhanced. When the ratio of SPI:HPI was <6:4, the gel structure was loose and formless. Ultrasonic treatment has a significant effect on the emulsion gel with the ratio of SPI:HPI was >6:4. Appropriate ultrasonic treatment (400 W) changed the protein structure, improved the rheological properties of emulsion gels to form the protein-oil-coated network structure. However, excessive ultrasonic treatment (600 W) will destroy the conformation of the protein, reducing the stability of the structure. The effect of ultrasonic treatment on emulsion gels with the ratio of SPI:HPI was <6:4 is low, but improved the gel protein digestibility. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of ultrasonic in composite protein emulsion gels systems and the development and application of HPI.

Investigating the Multifaceted Changes in Physicochemical and Nutritional Attributes of Chicken-Based Nutri Cereal Mix under Cold Plasma Treatment

In this study multifaceted changes in physicochemical and nutritional properties of nutri-cereal mix (NCM) under cold plasma treatment (CPT) were investigated. In present investigation NCM was prepared and treated under CPT using a DBD-based plasma source for 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min at 9 kv. The results revealed that the water and oil absorbing capacity of cold plasma treated Nutri cereal mix (CPT-NCM) increased with increasing CPT time. The carbohydrate content in CPT-NCM decreased with increasing CPT time. From the colour analysis it was observed that the total colour difference (TCD) and whiteness index (WI) increased from 0.23 (NCM -5) to 0.97 (NCM -15), and 55.11 (NCM -5) to 56.08 (NCM -15), respectively. Additionally, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis suggested that the thermostability of CPT-NCM is likely affected by NCM levels and changes in protein structure and conformation. The diffractograms and micrographs confirmed the crystallinity and microstructural changes in protein content, respectively. Amino acid profiling confirmed that NCM -10 comprises the higher amount of most of the analysed amino acids. Overall, the current study recommends that CPT enhances the physicochemical and nutritional properties of NCM, making it suitable for producing a variety of food products with improved quality characteristics.

γ-irradiation of wheat flour dough: The influence of starch hierarchical structure and physicochemical properties

Irradiation has been shown to cause a change in physicochemical properties and starch depolymerization of wheat flour. However, the impact of starch hierarchical structure and physicochemical properties on dough's viscoelastic behavior during irradiation treatment remains unexplored. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of γ-irradiation (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kGy) on the viscoelastic properties of dough and the hierarchical structure and physicochemical characteristics of starches isolated from irradiated dough. Irradiation weakened the gluten network structure and decreased the starch-gluten interaction. Moreover, irradiation reduced the dough's elasticity, viscosity, deformation-resistant capacity, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and resilience. Irradiation treatment disrupted the short-range ordered structure, reduced the crystalline lamellae thickness and crystallinity, and dissociated the double helix structure of starch, thus increasing solubility and decreasing peak, trough, and final viscosities. Correlation analysis revealed that the lamellar structure, crystalline structure, short-range ordered structure, and pasting viscosities of starch were the key factors affecting the dough's viscoelastic properties during irradiation treatment.

Comparison of aging behavior and adsorption processes of biodegradable and conventional microplastics

With the increasing severity of the plastic pollution issue, biodegradable plastics are considered a critical approach to addressing plastic pollution. However, the aging process of biodegradable plastics and the resulting microplastics adsorption of pollutants in the environment are not clearly understood. This study investigated the physicochemical property changes of different microplastics (Biodegradable microplastics and non-biodegradable microplastics) during aging, examined the adsorption processes and mechanisms of biodegradable plastics and non-degradable plastics towards typical pollutants in the environment, and elucidated the different aging mechanisms and adsorption mechanisms of biodegradable plastics and non-biodegradable plastics. The experimental results indicated that compared to non-biodegradable microplastics, biodegradable microplastics are more prone to aging in the environment, forming smaller microplastic particles and easier adsorption of environmental pollutants. Biodegradable microplastics have abundant oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface, which enhance age biodegradable microplastics adsorption capacity for pollutants through electrostatic interactions, chelation, and hydrogen bonding. The experimental results show that a strong oxidation system has unique advantages in the aging removal of biodegradable microplastics and can effectively reduce the adsorption equilibrium capacity of biodegradable microplastics. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of biodegradable microplastics’ aging and adsorption behaviors in the environment, highlighting their significant role as carriers of pollutants.

Changes in physicochemical and sorption properties of bleaching clay during heat treatment

Changes in physicochemical and sorption properties of bleaching clay during heat treatment

Effect and mechanism of short time ball milling on physicochemical characteristics and pyrolysis kinetics of Pennisetum giganteum

This study investigated the variation of biomass pyrolysis kinetics with changes in ball milling (BM) intensity. Pennisetum giganteum was used as the pyrolysis sample, and different BM times were set to alter the BM intensity. A comprehensive analysis was carried out, combining physicochemical property measurements and pyrolysis experiments. The results showed that BM could change the sample’s particle size (1770–30.80 μm), specific surface area (0.0291–0.7554 m²/g), and pore volume (0.103–2.207 mm³/g) within a very short time (≥2 min). Interestingly, only a long BM duration (20 min) significantly reduced the sample’s crystallinity. The activation energy vs. conversion rate curve of the samples transitioned from being tangential to being parabolic as the duration of BM increased, with a notable change in the average activation energy observed after BM 20 min (152.65–135.50 kJ/mol). This was caused by the destruction of crystalline cellulose into amorphous cellulose, which reduced the thermal stability of the sample. Furthermore, changes in other physicochemical properties had no significant impact on the pyrolysis average activation energy. This study provided valuable references for the optimization of pretreatment parameters in pyrolysis production.

Changes in physico-chemical and functional properties of Pizza cheeses made using ‘dual acidification’ method during refrigerated storage

In some specific cheesemaking protocols, pre-acidification of milk is practiced to solve the quality problems otherwise faced in cheesemaking (from membrane-processed milk). Partial acidification (pre-acidification of milk or post-acidification of cheese curd) of Pizza cheesemaking utilizing the starter culture (SC) method may favourably influence the physico-chemical and functional properties of the resultant cheese with reduction in cheese production time. The Pizza cheeses were evaluated in terms of changes in their physico-chemical and functional properties during refrigerated storage. A marked increasing trend was noticed with regard to titratable acidity, soluble nitrogen, meltability and fat leakage during the storage period. A marked decrease in the moisture content of cheeses was noted with advancement in the storage period. The stretch value of cheese E2 (experimental cheese 2 prepared employing post-acidification step) increased during the storage period, while this property remained unchanged for cheese E1 (experimental cheese 1 prepared employing pre-acidification step). Contrary to the above findings, a decrease in the stretch value was noted for the two control cheeses on the 21st day of storage. It is advisable to prepare Pizza cheese using a ‘dual acidification’ process involving use of SC followed by post-acidification of cheese curd with Glucono delta-lactone (GDL) as per the standardized protocol with the resultant cheese possessing desirable functional properties throughout refrigerated storage.

Process modeling and optimization of photocatalytic treatment of dye-polluted effluent using novel polyaniline/graphene oxide-Fe3O4-Ag nanocomposites

This study developed a novel photocatalytic nanocomposite via in situ polymerization with 3 % blend of graphene oxide (GO), magnetite (Fe3O4) and silver nanoparticle (Ag-Nps) from AgNO3. Also, the process applied a new Fenton mediative approach for efficient abatement of toxic dye molecules in textile effluent under an energy-efficient source. The research focused on modeling and optimizing photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye (10 mg/L), using the most influencing variables such as pH (3–7), photocatalyst dosage (10–30 mg/100 mL) and irradiation time (20–90 min). The study demonstrated high photocatalytic efficiency for a 2.27 eV bandgap photocatalyst under 18 W visible LED light irradiation. The selected statistical model at optimized conditions allowed effective treatment of heavily polluted dye effluent from the flax textile industry, assessing efficiency via physicochemical property changes. The result suggested the selected quadratic model whose value of R2Adjusted was close to R2predicted with good correlation and reliability. All experimental variables via the analysis of variance were statistically significant (p-values <0.0001), with irradiation time and photocatalyst dosage having the greatest interactive influence on dye-effluent photocatalysis. Also, the optimization of the response gave an efficiency of 96.10 % which was validated by 5 repetitive experimental runs having an efficiency of 95.8 % ± 0.05 at selected optimized conditions of 79.24 min, 5.25 pH and dose of 21.76 mg/ 100 mL effluent. Thereafter, at the optimized conditions and 360 min of irradiation, 95.99 % dye effluent treatment were achieved. Thus, the study presents versatile industrial photocatalysts for treating heavily polluted dye effluent.

Quantification of soil nutrient stocks and stoichiometric ratios in Eucalyptus pellita biomass plantation chronosequence in Papua New Guinea

Eucalyptus pellita biomass tree plantations have been widely established in the native grasslands of Markham Valley in Papua New Guinea for bioenergy production and carbon capture. However, the impacts of converting grasslands to energy plantations, and the ensuing soil transformations across the plantation chronosequence, remain largely unexplored. Such land use transitions are associated with depletion of C sinks, increased C emissions, and potential implications for climate change. This study aimed to evaluate dynamic changes in key soil physico-chemical properties, as well as nutrient stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), alongwith their stoichiometric ratios. A chronosequence of E. pellita plantations aged 2-, 4-, 7- and 10-years along with native grassland sites, was examined across two sampling seasons (January and June). The results indicated significant (p < 0.05) impacts of tree stand age on SOC and TP concentration and stocks, while TN remained unaffected. Soil NH4+-N concentration declined with the plantation age, contrasting with relatively steady NO3–-N levels across the chronosequence. SOC and TP stocks within the top 45 cm of soil depleted at rates of 0.19 Mg (Mega Gram) ha-1y-1 and 0.011 Mg ha−1 y-1, respectively. The broader stoichiometric ratio of C:N (> 25:1) observed in soils of 4- and 7-year-old plantations suggest potential nitrogen immobilization and mineral N deficiency to tree nutrition. Conversely, the C:P ratios across the chronosequence were < 200, favoring the net mineralization of organic P compounds. Overall, afforestation of grasslands with E. pellita for biomass production does not appear ecologically beneficial in the short-term (<10 years), when considering only the belowground SOC sequestration potential.

Chemical structure analysis of chitosan-modified road bitumen after de-icing salt treatment

Asphalt pavements are constantly exposed to many destructive environmental factors including de-icing salts. The problem of the negative effect of salt ions on the performance and consequently the durability of road pavements occurs mainly in temperate climates and regions directly neighboring saline water areas. The salt ions react chemically with the bitumen components, which consequently changes their electronic structure and results in a weakening of the intermolecular interactions occurring between them. Therefore, this study focused primarily on an investigation into the potential for inhibiting the destructive erosion process of bitumen by its modification with chitosan. Studies involving changes in the acidity of the eroding solution as well as chemical and surface properties of the eroded bitumen were carried out for three different salts (NaCl, MgCl2, CaCl2) at varying concentrations, i.e. 5%, 10%, 15% (w/w) after 7 and 28 days of erosion process. Main findings demonstrate that chitosan prevents negative changes in the bitumen physico-chemical properties occurring during the salt erosion process. This effect is especially visible for the bitumen eroded with a solution of MgCl2 and CaCl2. For these salts, chitosan biopolymer reduces the introduction of Cl− ions into the bitumen-building hydrocarbon structures and formation of C–Cl bonds, which is demonstrated by a reduction in the pH changes of the eroding solutions. In addition, chitosan biopolymer inhibits leaching of organic matter from the bitumen, prevents C = O groups formation and reduces the negative effects of de-icing salts on the cohesion energy of the bitumen.

Passivation of Cadmium and Arsenic in Acidified Paddy Soil by Calcium Fertilizer with Biochar-ferromanganese Composites

Due to the aggravation of atmospheric nitrogen and sulfur deposition and the unreasonable application of fertilizer, soil acidification is becoming increasingly serious. In heavy metal-contaminated soils, acidification not only seriously affects fertility but also the effectiveness and sustainability of conventional passivation remediation materials such as biochar. The application of calcium fertilizer may improve soil acidification, alleviate the aging of biochar materials in soil, and improve its remediation ability to composite polluted soil. However, the mechanism of its effect is still unclear. Based on this, this study selected iron-manganese oxide （FM） and hickory cattails biochar （BC） to prepare biochar-ferromanganese composites （BFM） and conducted simulated acidification on it. Through characterization and an aqueous adsorption test, the changes in physicochemical properties and adsorption properties of the material after acidification were explored. Then, orthogonal tests were carried out to explore the effects of the combination of BFM and calcium fertilizer on soil pH and the availability of Cd and As under acidification conditions and to obtain the best combination scheme. The results showed that the optimal ratio of BC and FM in BFM was 7∶3 （quality ratio）, the removal rates of Cd（Ⅱ） and As（Ⅲ） were as high as 94.58% and 97.14%, respectively, and the adsorption capacities were 120.74 mg·g-1 and 129.29 mg·g-1 （solid-liquid ratio 1∶500）. After acidification treatment, the pore structure of BFM surface decreased, and the types and quantities of functional groups changed, resulting in the removal rates of Cd（Ⅱ） and As（Ⅲ） in aqueous solution decreasing by 73.97%-92.84% and 73.56%-93.61%, respectively. The combined application of calcium fertilizer and BFM could significantly increase soil pH, with an increase range of 3.06%-37.84%. The effect of increasing pH decreased with the increase in culture time and acidification degree. Compared with that in the blank control, the content of available Cd in soil was significantly reduced by 22.67%-97.78%. The content of available As in soil was generally stable. According to the effect curve analysis of the orthogonal test results, under the condition of weak acidification degree （pH=5.6）, the application of 2% supplemental amount with 2% silica-calcium fertilizer and 2% calcium-magnesium phosphate fertilizer had a good passivation effect on soil Cd. Under the condition of strong acidification degree （pH=4.0）, the application of 2% supplemental amount and 2% silica-calcium fertilizer had a good passivation effect on soil As. In summary, simulated acidification will affect the adsorption performance of BFM, and calcium fertilizer combined with it can increase soil pH, improve soil acidification, alleviate the aging of BFM in acidified soil, and improve its repair ability to heavy metal-polluted soil.

Effects of biochar-supported nano-hydroxyapatite on cadmium availability and pepper growth in contaminated soils

The remediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil using biochar (BC) derived from agricultural and forestry waste has gained significant attention due to its ability to convert active soil Cd components to stable forms, reduce bioavailability, decrease Cd absorption by pepper plants, and enhance the nutritional benefits of soil. However, there is limited research on the effects of different passivating agents on soil Cd during various growth stages (seedling, flowering, and maturity) of peppers. In this study, we investigated the cyclic changes in soil physicochemical properties, Cd chemical forms, and their effects on pepper growth by applying different biochar-supported nano-hydroxyapatite. Our results revealed a decreasing trend in the physical and chemical indicators of soil during the flowering stage, following an initial peak. Notably, in the mature stage, the application of nBC3 at an 11 % mass ratio significantly reduced soil Cd content by 57.6 % and fixed it by 77 %. This treatment also increased soil Cd by 48.1 % compared with the control (CK, without any treatment) and reduced its accumulation in the pepper plant by 36.6 %. pH, organic matter, and phosphorus were identified as the main factors influencing Cd fixation in the soil. These findings showed that the in situ application of nBC3 composite material throughout the entire cultivation cycle effectively remediated Cd-contaminated soil and enhanced the quality of agricultural products. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of passivating agents on soil Cd dynamics and offers a theoretical basis for practical remediation strategies.

Innovative enhancement of flavor profiles and functional metabolites composition in Pandanus amaryllifolius through lactic acid bacteria fermentation

Pandanus amaryllifolius, known as Pandan, serves as a coloring agent and spice in food. The effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on Pandan are underexplored. This study aimed to investigate changes in physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, volatile compounds and metabolites of Pandan fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Levilactobacillus brevis and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus. Fermented Pandan showed increased total phenol (13 %–21 %) and flavonoid (33 %–53 %) content. Pandan fermented with L. rhamnosus exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity, followed by those fermented with L. brevis and L. acidophilus. Key components like naringenin and volatile compounds such as α-ionone significantly increased after fermentation, with the production of new compounds, including damascenone and linalool. These compounds enhance the flavor and functional properties of fermented Pandan. This research lays a foundation for developing novel LAB-fermented Pandan products.

Changes in Soil Physicochemical Properties and Fungal Communities Following a Forest Fire in the Pine Forest of Uljin, Republic of Korea

Soil samples from the rhizosphere of pine (Pinus densiflora) stands in the fire-disturbed Uljin forest were collected to analyze their physicochemical properties and fungal communities. In the burned area, soil pH decreased by 0.56, and organic matter content decreased by 0.32%p compared to the undisturbed area. Fungal community analysis revealed that all alpha diversity indices decreased in the burned area, but there were no differences according to fire severity. Soil pH, available phosphorus, and total nitrogen showed a positive correlation with the alpha diversity. Additionally, beta diversity analysis also indicated significant differences in the fungal communities between the burned area and the control sites (p value = 0.031). The changes in fungal communities were considered to be influenced by the decline in the order Atheliales, genus Russula, and genus Trechispora. A prediction analysis of the functional traits of fungi showed that the number of fungi involved in nutrient absorption and decomposition decreased in the burned area. It seems that the soil restoration of pine forests is progressing very slowly, as the soil fungi related to nutrient absorption by pine trees have not recovered even 18 months after the forest fire. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor continuous fungal communities in pine forest restoration after a forest fire to determine forest ecosystem restoration success and stabilization.

Multi-modal characterization of rodent tooth development.

Craniofacial tissues undergo hard tissue development through mineralization and changes in physicochemical properties. This study investigates the mechanical and chemical properties of developing enamel, dentin, and bone in the mouse mandible. We employ a multi-modal, multi-scale analysis of the developing incisor and first molar at postnatal day 12 by integrating micro-computed tomography (microCT), nanoindentation (NI), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman spectroscopy. Our findings demonstrate distinct patterns of mechanical, elemental, and chemical changes across mineralized tissues. These results suggest that mineral composition drives mechanical properties across different craniofacial hard tissues. Integrating multi-modal characterization of mineralized tissues opens new opportunities for investigating structure-function relationships in craniofacial biology and genetics.

Changes of the bacterial and fungal populations present in organic dark leafy green vegetable juices during refrigerated storage

Dark leafy green vegetable juices (DLGVJs), prepared with vegetables such as kale and chard, have shown substantial market growth in the past decade due to its profound health benefits. Unfortunately, as an innovative product, there was limited research focusing on DLGVJs. This study aimed to bridge key critical knowledge gaps associated with the microbial quality and shelf life of DLGVJs and elucidate the changes in both physicochemical and microbial properties of different organic DLGVJs during refrigerated storage. Culture-dependent and culture-independent analytical methods were applied to profile the bacterial and fungal populations in three organic DLGVJs (kale, chard, and collard greens) during refrigeration. Plate count results showed that the initial total aerobic plate counts (APC) ranged from 6.49 ± 0.03 to 6.74 ± 0.08 Log CFU/mL, and the initial total fungal counts ranged from 5.19 ± 0.06 to 6.75 ± 0.04 Log CFU/mL in fresh DLGVJs. During refrigerated storage the pH of DLGVJs decreased as the storage time increased and the redness of the juices increased as well. The culture-dependent analysis revealed bacterial counts initially increased and then declined, while fungal counts showed an initial decrease followed by an increase. By the end of the storage, the highest APC and fungal population were observed in kale juice and chard juice (7.03 ± 0.05 and 6.70 ± 0.03 Log CFU/mL) respectively. 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that the dominant bacterial genera of spoiled DLGVJs at the end of storage included Serratia, Leuconostoc, and Hafnia-obesumbacterium, and the major spoilage fungal were composed of Mrakia, Filobasidium, and Vishniacozyma. Results of this study provide insights into the microbial populations present in DLGVJs and the dominant spoilage genera during refrigerated storage, laying the foundation for the development of intervention strategies in the future.