Cold Storage Research Articles

P.331: Static cold storage using a novel kidney envelope for preservation of donor kidney.

P.331: Static cold storage using a novel kidney envelope for preservation of donor kidney.

The current landscape of in situ and ex situ machine perfusion utilization for liver grafts from cardiac donation after circulatory death donors in the US

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) is driving the increase in deceased organ donors in the United States. Normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) and ex situ machine perfusion (es-MP) have been instrumental in improving liver transplant outcomes and graft utilization. This study examines the current landscape of liver utilization from cardiac DCD donors in the United States. Using the United Network for Organ Sharing Standard Transplant Analysis and Research file, all adult (≥18 years old) DCD donors in the United States from which the heart was used for transplantation from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2023, were compared by procurement technique (NRP versus super rapid recovery [SRR]) and storage strategy (es-MP versus static cold storage). One hundred eighty-eight livers were transplanted from 309 thoracoabdominal NRP donors (61% utilization) versus 305 (56%) liver transplants from 544 SRR donors. es-MP was used in 20% (n = 38) of NRP cases versus 32% (98) of SRR cases. Of the liver grafts, 281 (59%) were exposed to NRP, es-MP, or both. While there is widespread utilization of machine perfusion, more research is needed to determine optimal graft management strategies, particularly concerning the use of multiple technologies in complementary ways. More complete data collection is necessary at a national level to address these important research questions.

261.10: Prolonged static cold storage results in significant pelvic hematomas during normothermic machine perfusion of porcine kidney grafts.

261.10: Prolonged static cold storage results in significant pelvic hematomas during normothermic machine perfusion of porcine kidney grafts.

Analysis of thermal stability and enthalpy in SSD systems with various thickening agents

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs) play a vital role in the improvement of efficiency of cold storage air conditioning for demand side management of electrical power. To enhance the thermal stability and the enthalpy of the system, the separation of Sodium Sulfate Decahydrate (SSD) hydrate crystals from their aqueous solution is a significant factor that needs to be addressed. The melt blending technique has been used to explore the effect of various thickening agents, namely Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC), Xanthan Gum (XG), and Sodium Alginate (SA) on the thermal stability and enthalpy of the system. The choice of the best thickening agent and its optimum concentration led to the enhancement in the thermal stability and enthalpy of the system. Experimentally, among the three thickeners, CMC proved to be the best thickening agent that remarkably improved the thermal physical properties of the SSD formulation. The paper described the detailed experimental procedures, including melt blending set-up, thermal characterization unit, and cyclic stability test unit. The experimental results showed that the formulation, SSD-CMC at 2 wt% CMC and 50% SSD significant, improved in their thermal physical performance, wherein the enthalpy decreased from 104.23 kJ/kg to 83.71 kJ/kg over fifty cycles, which are the 19.69% of the decay for such a long cycling. It was then concluded that the results would improve the effectiveness of thermal energy storage materials and that phase change materials should be optimized to be used in sustainable and efficient cooling applications and useful for the improvement of the storage capacity of thermal energy storage solutions.

Optimising recovery of DNA from minimally invasive sampling methods: Efficacy of buccal swabs, preservation strategy andDNA extraction approaches for amphibian studies.

Studies in evolution, ecology and conservation are increasingly based on genetic and genomic data. With increased focus on molecular approaches, ethical concerns about destructive or more invasive techniques need to be considered, with a push for minimally invasive sampling to be optimised. Buccal swabs have been increasingly used to collect DNA in a number of taxa, including amphibians. However, DNA yield and purity from swabs are often low, limiting its use. In this study, we compare different types of swabs, preservation method and storage, and DNA extraction techniques in three case studies to assess the optimal approach for recovering DNA in anurans. Out of the five different types of swabs that we tested, Isohelix MS-02 and Rapidry swabs generated higher DNA yields than other swabs. When comparing storage buffers, ethanol is a better preservative than a non-alcoholic alternative. Dried samples resulted in similar or better final DNA yields compared to ethanol-fixed samples if kept cool. DNA extraction via a Qiagen™ DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit and McHale's salting-out extraction method resulted in similar DNA yields but the Qiagen™ kit extracts contained less contamination. We also found that samples have better DNA recovery if they are frozen as soon as possible after collection. We provide recommendations for sample collection and extraction under different conditions, including budgetary considerations, size of individual animal sampled, access to cold storage facilities and DNA extraction methodology. Maximising efficacy of all of these factors for better DNA recovery will allow buccal swabs to be used for genetic and genomic studies in a range of vertebrates.

Optimization of Na2SO4•10H2O composites for cold storage by D-optimal mixture design

This study delved into the creation of a composite phase-change material (PCM), named SBNSC, for potential application in cold storage air-conditioning systems (8–16°C). The composite PCM was formulated using sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na2SO4·10H2O) as the primary PCM, borax as a nucleating agent, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) as a temperature control additive, sodium hexametaphosphate as a crystal modifier and carboxymethylcellulose as a thickening agent. The D-optimal mixture design was employed to optimize the composition, and this resulted in the identification of an optimal formulation characterized by the most desirable properties. The thermal properties were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry and revealed a phase-change temperature of 15.40°C. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the composite PCM. After 100 cooling and heating cycles, the crystallization temperature was 9.50°C, the melting temperature was 15.50°C and the supercooling degree was 0.70°C. The enthalpy values showed an 11.22% decrease, indicating reliable thermal performance. The study concluded that the optimal formulation (SBNSC) exhibits commendable thermophysical properties, demonstrating its potential for effective application in phase-change cold storage air-conditioning systems.

Protective effects of 10 °C preservation on donor lungs with lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury

ObjectivesHypothermic lung preservation at 10 °C has been recently shown to enhance quality of healthy donor lungs during ischemia. This study aims to show generalizability of the 10 °C lung preservation using an endotoxin-induced lung injury with specific focus on the benefits of post-transplant lung function and mitochondrial preservation. MethodsLipopolysaccharide (3 mg/kg) was injected intratracheally in rats to induce lung injury. Injured lungs were flushed with preservation solution and allocated to 3 groups (n = 6 each): minimum cold storage, 6-hour storage on ice (ice), and 6-hour storage at 10 °C (10 °C). Left lungs were transplanted and reperfused for 2 hours. After storage, lung tissue was used to evaluate the effects of hypothermic storage on the mitochondrial function: mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed by JC-1 staining; mitochondrial oxygen consumption was assessed using high-resolution respirometry. ResultsTwo hours after reperfusion, the oxygen tension/inspired oxygen fraction ratio from the graft was significantly greater in the 10 °C group than in the Ice group (P = .015), whereas the wet-to-dry weight ratio was significantly lower (P = .041). Levels of interleukin-8 in lung tissues were significantly lower in the 10 °C group than in the Ice group (P = .004). Mechanistically, we noted greater mitochondrial membrane potential and elevated state III respiration in the 10 °C group than in the Ice group (P = .015 and P = .002, respectively), implying higher metabolic activities may be maintained during 10 °C preservation. ConclusionsFavorable metabolism during 10 °C preservation prevented ischemia-induced mitochondrial damages in injured lungs, leading to better post-transplant outcomes.

Extending Cucumber Shelf Life: A Comparative Study of Low-Cost Drip Cooling Systems Using Different Fabric Coverings

Aims: Postharvest losses of cucumbers pose significant challenges for small-scale farmers in developing regions due to limited access to modern cold storage. This study investigated the effectiveness of low-cost indigenous drip coolers with different fabric coverings as an alternative preservation method. Study Design: Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments and three replications. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Crop Science, Surigao del Norte State University – Mainit Campus, Mainit, Surigao del Norte, Philippines on March 1-20, 2024. Methodology: Cucumber fruits were stored in indigenous drip coolers constructed with various recycled fabric coverings. Treatment combinations were: T1 - Control ambient temperature, T2 - Alpha Gina fabric, T3 - Silk satin bedsheets, T4 – Cotton comforter, and T5 - Cotton Blanket. The study evaluated color change, firmness, shriveling index, visual quality rating, weight loss, and damage rate over 20 days storage period. Results: Significant differences in cucumber fruit quality emerged at different time points across various parameters. Differences in color change and firmness were observed on day 15 (p = 0.023), while shriveling and visual quality showed differences by day 20 of storage (p = 0.042 and p = 0.042, respectively). However, in terms of weight loss, the Alpha gina fabric significantly had the highest loss among fabric covers used (p = 0.038). Consistently, the control ambient group exhibited the poorest quality, while treatments like the cotton comforter and silk satin bedsheet were most effective in preserving cucumber quality. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of indigenous drip coolers in preserving cucumber quality, with silk satin bedsheets and cotton comforter coverings consistently outperforming other materials and ambient conditions. These coolers were effective in slowing color change, maintaining firmness, reducing shriveling, and preserving overall visual quality. The study highlights the importance of fabric selection in drip cooler design, with cotton comforter and silk satin bedsheet coverings likely offering better air circulation, moisture retention, and insulation.

Optimal utilization of frequency ancillary services in modern power systems

The widespread global adoption of wind energy sources has established a significant presence in the existing power grid. However, the massive integration of intermittent wind energy poses forecasting errors, prompting the need for supplementary reserves from conventional energy sources with increased operational expenses and carbon emissions. Hence, to facilitate the seamless operation of large-scale wind-integrated power grids, it is imperative to harness the potential of renewable energy sources and leverage flexible loads to deliver power-balancing services. In this research, dynamic real-time power dispatch strategies have been developed for the Automatic Generation Control (AGC) system to integrate the reserve capacities of conventional generation units and wind power plants and utilize the demand response capabilities of flexible loads for power balancing services. A comprehensive power system grid model was developed in DigSilent PowerFactory software, consisting of coal-based energy systems, wind energy systems, gas turbines, and cold storage units as flexible loads. The study is divided into different case studies to assess the impact of each scenario on system operation in mitigating the forecasting errors of wind power plants. Further, a comparative analysis was performed to illustrate the effectiveness of each case study. The analysis showed that Case Study III, where reserves are provided by coal energy systems and cold storage units, yielded the highest reduction in Positive Regulation (PR) and Negative Regulation (NR) errors, at 89.0% and 94.15%, respectively. Conversely, Case Study IV demonstrated the least reduction in errors, with 67.82% in PR and 78.41% in NR. However, it indicates that reserves can be supplied from wind energy systems and flexible loads without the support of conventional power plants.

448.5: Improved recovery of rat hearts after prolonged cold storage by acid sensing ion channel (ASIC) inhibitor Hi1a varies with preservation solution.

448.5: Improved recovery of rat hearts after prolonged cold storage by acid sensing ion channel (ASIC) inhibitor Hi1a varies with preservation solution.

Research on Phase Change Cold Storage Materials and Innovative Applications in Air Conditioning Systems

Phase change cold storage materials are functional materials that rely on the latent heat of phase change to absorb and store cold energy. They have significant advantages in slight temperature differences, cold storage, and heat exchange. Based on the research status of phase change cold storage materials and their application in air conditioning systems in recent years, this paper provides an overview of the materials and their enhanced research progress. It summarizes the types of phase change cold storage air conditioning systems, optimization schemes, and system applications. This paper also identifies the current issues in phase change cold storage air conditioning and discusses the development trends in cold storage materials and air conditioning systems. It anticipates that future advancements will focus on composite phase change cold storage materials and low-energy consumption intelligent phase change cold storage air conditioning systems in steam compression using spherical capsules and concave–convex plate PCM.

The ethylene-mediated transcription factors PuERF13/PuDof2.5 and DNA demethylases PuDML2 promote ester biosynthesis in cold-stored 'Nanguo' pear

Aroma is the main sensory quality index of 'Nanguo' (Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim.), with esters being the predominant contributors. The 'Nanguo' pear exhibits extended shelf life when stored under refrigeration; however, the concentration of esters diminishes progressively over time. Our previous studies have demonstrated that PuERF13 and PuDof2.5 regulated PuAAT1 transcription in response to ethylene treatment, thereby promoting ester biosynthesis in 'Nanguo' pear under cold storage conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we found that PuDof2.5 activates PuERF13 transcription by binding to its promoter, whereas PuERF13 does not bind to the PuDof2.5 promoter nor regulate its transcription in vitro. Additionally ethylene treatment up-regulated the expression of a DNA repair enzyme gene, PuMAG1. PuMAG1 was found to bind to the PuDof2.5 promoter but not to the PuAAT1 promoter. Conversely, PuERF13 bound to the PuMAG1 promoter and subsequently induced its transcription. Notably, the methylation levels of the PuDof2.5 and PuAAT1 promoters were lower in fruit treated with ethylene compared to the control fruit. Additionally, the expression of the DNA demethylase PuDML2 was significantly higher in ethylene treated fruit, and an interaction between PuERF13 and PuDML2 was identified. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism by which ethylene promotes ester production in 'Nanguo' pear during cold storage.

Derivation of seed viability constants (KE and CW) and prediction of longevity of Solanum aethiopicum seeds

The seed viability equation uses species viability constants to predict seed longevity under different storage conditions. There are already established universal values of constants that account for the effect of temperature on seed longevity (CH and CQ) which can be applied to different crop species. However, constants accounting for the effect of seed moisture (CW) and genotype (KE) are species-specific. This study aimed to derive viability constants and predict seed longevity for African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) under genebank conditions. The seeds were subjected to experimental storage at 40°C and different seed moisture contents (6, 8, 10 and 12%) for 120 days to derive survival curves and hence, CW and KE. CW and KE values for S. aethiopicum were 3.32 and 7.4978, respectively. The validation of the derived constants show that they can be used to predict seed longevity of other seed lots within the same species. The genebank curators and other commercial seed technologists may be able to accurately predict longevity of African eggplant seeds under cold dry storage conditions using the improved viability equation and the constants established in this research.

Cold Storage Impacts on Technological and Sensorial Quality Traits of Meat from Broiler Chicken

Technological and sensorial quality of meat from broiler chicken stored at -200C were evaluated. Five treatments each consisting of 12 chicken meat samples; Treatment-1 (T1: fresh un-stored meat) and meat stored for 1 week (T2), 2 weeks (T3), 3 weeks (T4) and 4 weeks (T5). Thaw loss, cooking loss, water holding capacity, thermal shortening were technological qualities while colour, flavor, taste, texture and juiciness were sensorial traits assessed using 9-point hedonic scale.

Light energy harvested flexible wireless sensing for disinfection sterilization in food storage

Cold chain logistics involves all aspects of food storage, transport, and sales. This study focuses on innovating cold storage disinfection within this context. Regular disinfection reduces microorganism growth, improves food quality, and ensures safety. Traditional methods lack automation, accurate monitoring, and responsive control. Conventional sensors are unsuitable for curved bottles and need frequent power changes. This paper proposes a light energy harvested flexible wireless sensing for disinfection sterilization in food storage (FLWDS). FLWDS comprises five parts: light energy harvesting and power supply node (LEPN), sensing node, control node, monitoring node, and host computer. A predictive control model improves response speed and accuracy. Bluetooth technology ensures real-time communication between nodes. FLWDS collects light energy inside the cold store as a supplementary energy source and can be used in curved structures with a response time of less than 1 s. The maximum communication distance is 40 m. The flexible level sensing system can be designed according to the induction pad’s length, with a measurement accuracy of 0.3 mm, sampling every 4.8 ms, and a resolution of 0.2 mm. FLWDS provides self-powered flexible wireless sensing, ensuring accurate liquid level measurement, improved food quality, reduced pollution, and increased sustainability.

Thermodynamic performance of air-cooled seasonal cold energy storage for space cooling: A case study

With the improvement in people's living standards, there is a growing demand for cooling, making it urgent to develop a low-carbon and energy-efficient refrigeration system. Therefore, this paper proposes an air-cooled seasonal energy storage (ACSES) system. The heat transfer model of the system is constructed. The impact of relevant parameters on the system's cold storage performance was analyzed. The results show that larger glycol flow rates, windward velocity, number of tube passes and tube rows, and the volume ratio of ethylene glycol to water (VR) are beneficial for improving cold storage performance. However, excessively large parameters do not significantly enhance cold storage performance. The influence of ambient temperature on cold storage performance is greater than that of ice thickness. When VR is 0.02, the cold storage performance is relatively superior. To demonstrate the energy-saving performance of the system, the energy consumption saving rate (ECSR) indicator was proposed. The ECSR of the ACSES system is 72.75 %. The system can significantly conserve resources and reduce energy consumption.

Effects of Different Types of Starch on Physicochemical Properties and Microstructure of Beef during Cold Storage.

The purpose of this study was to identify the most effective method for enhancing the quality of beef gel during refrigeration. To achieve this objective, the effects of various types of starch on the physicochemical properties and microstructure of beef gel during refrigeration were investigated. In this study, ground beef gel was chosen as the research subject, and six different types of starch were added: 6% tapioca starch, cassava-modified starch (acetylated distarch phosphate, ADSP), potato starch (PSP), modified potato starch (acetate starch, SA), corn starch (CSP), and modified corn starch (hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate, HPDSP). The quality indicators of ground beef were measured and analyzed throughout the cold storage at 4 °C on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The results demonstrated that the water capacity of beef mince supplemented with PSP and HPDSP was significantly greater (p < 0.05). Additionally, the gel strength was found to be the highest, while the mesh structure formed in the ADSP group was the greatest. Furthermore, HPDSP, PSP, and SA effectively inhibited the oxidation of meat fat, with SA showing a relatively good effect on delaying the oxidation of meat mince protein. The addition of starch can, to a certain extent, inhibit lipid and protein oxidation in meat mince. In conclusion, starch significantly enhances the quality of beef mince by improving water retention, gel strength, and microstructure during refrigeration.

Role of Heavy Water in Modified University of Wisconsin Solution for Extended Cold Storage of Rat Liver

To resolve the critical donor shortage worldwide, enlarging the potential donor pool to include expanded criteria donors is necessary. Despite numerous attempts to establish new preservation solutions, no dramatic innovation has occurred since University of Wisconsin (UW) solution displaced Euro Collins’ solution; UW solution remains the global gold standard. We previously developed a heavy water (D2O)–containing organ storage solution, Dsol, which is effective for livers subjected to extended cold storage (CS), and reported its effectiveness. Dsol is a modified UW solution; however, the substances or conditions that exhibit a synergistic or additive effect with D2O are unclear. Here we made UWD solution by removing hydroxyethyl starch (HES) from and adding 30%-D2O to UW solution, and compared the effects of these solutions. After 48 hours of CS, the livers were reperfused at 37 °C on an isolated perfused rat liver apparatus, and their perfusion kinetics, functions, and injuries were compared. In the UW group, portal vein resistance significantly increased and the oxygen consumption rate and bile production decreased; in contrast, these changes were suppressed in the UWD group. Organ expansion and liver damage progressed in both groups. These results confirmed that the removal of HES from and addition of D2O to the UW solution reduced CS-induced cellular function impairments and microcirculatory disorders. However, to reduce injury during reperfusion after CS, it is necessary to provide conditions that inhibit injury progression after reperfusion.

Deciphering the behind blackspot exocarp disorder in avocado cv. Hass through a hormonal, transcriptional and metabolic integration approach

Avocado cv. Hass is an important sub-tropical crop with an increasing global demand. However, the avocado supply chain experiences significant fruit losses, particularly during the postharvest stage due to diseases and disorders that manifest after prolonged cold storage or the ready-to-eat stage. The blackspot exocarp disorder, which appears as brown or black blotches only after extended cold storage conditions, leads to substantial commercial losses for exported avocados. This research aimed to identify transcriptomic, metabolomic, and hormonal changes in avocado fruits affected by blackspot disorder, differentiating between the green and black exocarp tissues directly impacted by this physiological disorder. The results showed a correlation between the black-colored exocarp of blackspot affected fruits with high levels of gibberellins, cytokinins, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid hormones. Metabolically, these changes were accompanied by a high fatty acid content of oleate, palmitate and linoleate. Using a metabolic pathway reconstruction analysis, we integrated hormonal and metabolic data with transcriptomic information. This approach identified several genes involved in central carbon metabolism, long-chain fatty acid elongation, and jasmonate/salicylate biosynthesis pathways, as well as a possible accumulation of lignins due to a high expression of genes associated with the phenylpropanoid pathway in the black exocarp of blackspot-affected fruits. These findings suggest that blackspot disorder results from a combination of plant defense mechanisms triggered to strengthen the fruit exocarp tissue.

Comparative study of an innovative coldly integrated pumped thermal electricity storage system: Thermo-economic assessment and multi-objective optimization

Energy storage is an important means of solving the instability of renewable energy sources. As a novel energy-storage technology, thermally integrated pumped thermal electricity storage systems have gained considerable attention owing to their capacity to enhance the power-to-power efficiency of pumped thermal electricity storage systems by integrating low-grade heat sources. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on the integration of low-grade heat sources during the charging phase. In this paper, a novel coldly integrated pumped thermal electricity storage system that integrates liquefied natural gas on the discharge side is proposed. Seawater and R1233zd(E) were utilised as the system’s heat source and working fluid, respectively. The performance of the proposed system was compared with that of a previous thermally integrated pumped thermal electricity storage system that used geothermal energy as the heat source on the charge side. System models were constructed in MATLAB, and thermodynamic and economic comparative analyses were conducted. The Genetic Algorithm was adopted for the multi-objective optimisation of the two systems. The results indicate that, within given temperature ranges for thermal and cold storage temperatures, the proposed system exhibits a higher power-to-power efficiency and has a lower levelised cost of storage compared to the existing system. The optimal power-to-power efficiency and levelised cost of storage solutions obtained via multi-objective optimisation were 1.45, 0.297 $·kWh−1 and 0.807, 0.411 $·kWh−1 for the coldly integrated and thermally integrated pumped thermal electricity storage systems, respectively. The proposed system outperformed the thermally integrated pumped thermal electricity storage system under comparison in terms of thermodynamic and economic performance. The findings of this study shed light on the design and performance of coldly integrated pumped thermal electricity storage systems.