Decrease In Viscoelasticity Research Articles

Effects of pH-varying thermal modification on sewage sludge: A focus on releasing nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing substances

Sewage sludge is promising for the recovery and utilisation of nutrient components, but its complex nature hinders the release of these components. The combination of pH and thermal modifications shows promise for the release of nutrient components from sludge. However, comprehensive studies on the full spectrum of pH levels and corresponding mechanisms of pH-varying thermal modification are lacking. In this study, the main nutrient components, physicochemical properties, molecular structure, and noncovalent interactions of sludge were comprehensively investigated through pH-varying thermal modification (within a pH range of 2.0 to 12.0 under the same thermal condition). The experimental results showed that the release of main organics, particularly nitrogen (N)-containing organics, was well-fitted, with a tick-like function (R2: 0.74–0.96). The thermal protons exhibited a notable accumulative mutagenic effect on the N-containing organics release, while the thermal hydroxyl ions had a more direct effect, as revealed by the changes in multivalent metals and molecular structures with the protonation–deprotonation of carboxyl groups. The driving force for the release of N-containing organics was identified as the fluctuation of electrostatic interactions at the solid–liquid interface of the sludge. However, the release of phosphorus (P)-containing substances exhibited a contrasting response to that of N-containing substances with varying pH, likely because the reaction sites of thermal protons and thermal hydroxyl ions for P-containing substances were different. Moreover, high concentrations of thermal protons and hydroxyl ions collapsed the Lifshitz–van der Waals interactions of sludge, resulting in a decrease in viscoelasticity and binding strength. These propositions were further confirmed through statistical analyses of the main indicators of the main nutrient components, physicochemical properties, and noncovalent interactions of sludge. These findings can provide a basis for optimising characteristic-specific methods to recovery nutrient components (N/P) from sludge.

Promote or inhibit turbulence drag reduction behavior of surfactant solutions with different micelle structures by certain nanoparticle addition

The micelle structure of surfactant is easy to be destroyed in the flow process resulting in a decrease in its drag reduction (DR) efficiency; therefore, how to strengthen the stability of the micelle structure during the flow process and thus improve the drag reduction efficiency deserves intensive research. In this work, by comparing a variety of nanoparticles, hydrophobic silica nanoparticles were selected as the best additive to enhance the turbulence drag reduction efficiency of surfactant solution with spherical micelle structure. The experimental results also demonstrated that the hydrophobic silica nanoparticles had a reinforcing effect on anionic, cationic, nonionic, and zwitterionic surfactant solutions with the same concentration (dominated by spherical micelles), and the optimal nanoparticle addition concentration and maximum drag reduction rate were obtained. Meanwhile, the effect of silica nanoparticles on the turbulence drag reduction efficiency of surfactant solutions with different micelle structures was evaluated by inducing the surfactant micelle structure change. It was shown that the hydrophobic silica nanoparticles had a strengthening effect on the turbulence drag reduction performance of surfactant solutions with spherical micelle structure, while they had an inhibiting effect on the turbulence drag reduction performance of surfactant solutions with worm-like micelle structure. The change in solution viscoelasticity indicated that the decrease in viscoelasticity was the main reason for the decrease in drag reduction efficiency of surfactant solution with worm-like micelle structure when silica nanoparticles were added. A mechanism for the interaction of hydrophilic/hydrophobic silica nanoparticles with spherical micelles and wormlike micelle structures was finally discussed and proposed.

Plant-Based Emulsions as Dairy Cream Alternatives: Comparison of Viscoelastic Properties and Colloidal Stability of Various Model Products.

In the context of growing interest in plant-based food products for their potential health benefits and sustainability, this study investigates the effect of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids application on physico-chemical properties of various plant-based cream products, compared to lecithin application in rice cream. Rheological and textural parameters, colour profile, and colloidal stability were analysed. The application of mono- and diglycerides modified the creams' viscoelastic behaviour, showing a decrease in viscoelasticity across the samples; although in oat-coconut cream resulted in a higher viscoelasticity, indicating the formation of a gel-like structure. Rice cream with lecithin emulsifier showed lower viscoelastic properties characterised by higher phase angle (tan δ). All samples behaved as pseudoplastic materials (with a flow behaviour index n < 1). For coconut and almond creams, the consistency coefficient increased and flow behaviour index decreased after emulsifier application. Interestingly, the emulsifier addition did not significantly affect the cream's colour profile, characterised by yellow hue angle (h*) as a dominant spectral component. The colloidal stability, indicated by a stability index (SI), was determined as well.

Blood Clot Dynamics and Fibrinolysis Impairment in Cancer: The Role of Plasma Histones and DNA.

Blood viscoelasticity and plasma protein levels can play an important role in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. However, the role of histones and DNA in modulating blood clot properties remains to be investigated. This study investigates the differences in blood viscoelasticity and plasma protein levels among cancer patients, individuals with other diseases, and healthy individuals. Blood samples were collected from 101 participants, including 45 cancer patients, 22 healthy individuals, and 34 individuals with other diseases. Rheological properties of clots formed in vitro by reconstituted elements of fibrinogen or plasma were analyzed with an Anton Paar Rheometer, USA. Plasma protein levels of D-dimer, TPA, EPCR, fibrinogen, and histone H3 were measured through ELISA. Blood clots were formed with or without DNA and histones (H3) by adding thrombin and calcium to plasma samples, and were evaluated for viscoelasticity, permeability, and degradation. Cancer patients show higher blood viscoelasticity and plasma D-dimer levels compared to healthy individuals and individuals with other diseases. Our in vitro analysis showed that the addition of histone to the plasma results in a significant decrease in viscoelasticity and mean fiber thickness of the clot formed thereafter. In parallel studies, using plasma from patients, DNA and histones were detected in fibrin clots and were associated with less degradation by t-PA. Moreover, our results show that the presence of DNA and histones not only increases clots' permeability, but also makes them more prone to degradation. Plasma histones and DNA affect the structure of the clot formed and induce defective fibrinolysis. Moreover, the increased viscoelastic properties of plasma from cancer patients can be used as potential biomarkers in cancer prognosis.

Effects of therapeutic ultrasound and paraffin with or without vacuum massage on biomechanical properties of grafted skin after burn: a randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to compare the effects of therapeutic ultrasound and paraffin with or without vacuum massage on the biomechanical properties of grafted skin after a burn. A total of 44 patients with deep second- and third-degree burns, with a mean age of 35.89 (±11.53) years, who visited the Hospital Burn Unity, were included in the study. The therapeutic interventions were randomly defined by drawing lots, with a crossover design (crossover), and a minimum interval of 7 days (washout) between interventions. Skin biomechanical parameters such as distensibility (R0) and viscoelasticity (R6) were noninvasively evaluated by Cutometer before and after 0, 10, 20, and 30 min of intervention with therapeutic ultrasound and paraffin alone, as well as associated with negative pressure therapy of the skin (vacuum therapy). In this study, all groups showed increased distensibility (R0) in the period immediately after the application of the resources and a progressive reduction in the effects in the consecutive tests. Participants with skin grafts showed a decrease in viscoelasticity (R6) in all groups, except therapeutic paraffin and therapeutic ultrasound and vacuum massage. The biomechanical properties of grafted skin after a burn are altered after therapeutic intervention with ultrasound alone or associated with vacuum massage, such as intervention with paraffin associated with vacuum massage, for both parameters evaluated, skin distensibility (R0) and skin viscoelasticity (R6). However, the same did not occur for the intervention with isolated paraffin. There was no significant difference between the interventions therapeutic ultrasound and therapeutic paraffin.

Effects of vacuum degree, mixing speed, and water amount on the moisture distribution and rheological properties of wheat flour dough.

Effects of vacuum degrees (0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08MPa)on water distribution state, tensile properties, stress relaxation properties, and viscoelasticity of dough, as well as the effects of mixing speed (50, 70, 90rpm/min)andwater content (40%, 45%, 50%) under optimum vacuum degree were studied. The results showed that the proper vacuum degree (0.06MPa) could promote the full contact between flour and water and improved the water-holding capacity of the dough. Meanwhile, the dough had stronger tensile strength, the best viscoelasticity and the ability to recover from external deformation more quickly. Under the vacuum of 0.06MPa,with the increasing of mixing speed, the response to the external force of dough increased first and then decreased. Adding more water reduced the strength of dough, weakened the response to external forces, and led to a significant decreaseintensile resistance and tensile area of the dough, as well as a decrease in viscoelasticity (p<0.05). The propervacuum mixing allowed the preparation of dough to require more water and less energy. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In the processing of wheat flour products, vacuum mixing is considered to be beneficial to the quality of noodles and breads. As the intermediate of these products, the dough is of great significance for the monitoring of its rheological characteristics. In this study, a moderate vacuum degree led to a significant improvement in the rheological properties of the dough, and the processing performance was the best. Under the optimal vacuum degree, the influence of mixing speed and water amount cannot be ignored. Vacuum mixing is an efficient dough preparation method, which can produce certain economic benefits.

Analyzing the effect of germination on the pasting, rheological, morphological and in- vitro antioxidant characteristics of kodo millet flour and extracts

The present investigationwas carried out to determine the effect of germination on pasting, rheological, morphological properties of Kodo millet flour and in-vitroantioxidant characteristics of its phenolic and γ-amino butyric acid extracts. Rheological analysis depicted complex flour viscosity decreased with an improvement in shear intensity, symbolizing the shear-thinning action of flour upon germination. The frequency and temperature sweep demonstrated a decrease in visco-elasticity as a result of germination wherein, SEM revealed destruction in the continuous composite structure of starch which got entangled in dense protein matrix following germination. The in-vitroantioxidant activities such as total antioxidant capacity, DPPH*, FRAP, metal chelating ability and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities of both the extracts increased significantly. There was a decrease in pasting properties and gelatinization behaviour whereas, visco-elastic solid behaviour changed to visco-elastic fluid. This research explores the potential of germinated Kodo millet flour for valuable bioactive compounds extraction and its utilization in product development.

Magnetic Resonance Elastography reveals effects of anti-angiogenic glioblastoma treatment on tumor stiffness and captures progression in an orthotopic mouse model

BackgroundAnti-angiogenic treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) complicates radiologic monitoring. We evaluated magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) as an imaging tool for monitoring the efficacy of anti-VEGF treatment of GBM.MethodsLongitudinal studies were performed in an orthotopic GBM xenograft mouse model. Animals treated with B20 anti-VEGF antibody were compared to untreated controls regarding survival (n = 13), classical MRI-contrasts and biomechanics as quantified via MRE (n = 15). Imaging was performed on a 7 T small animal horizontal bore MRI scanner. MRI and MRE parameters were compared to histopathology.ResultsAnti-VEGF-treated animals survived longer than untreated controls (p = 0.0011) with progressively increased tumor volume in controls (p = 0.0001). MRE parameters viscoelasticity |G*| and phase angle Y significantly decreased in controls (p = 0.02 for |G*| and p = 0.0071 for Y). This indicates that untreated tumors became softer and more elastic than viscous with progression. Tumor volume in treated animals increased more slowly than in controls, indicating efficacy of the therapy, reaching significance only at the last time point (p = 0.02). Viscoelasticity and phase angle Y tended to decrease throughout therapy, similar as for control animals. However, in treated animals, the decrease in phase angle Y was significantly attenuated and reached statistical significance at the last time point (p = 0.04). Histopathologically, control tumors were larger and more heterogeneous than treated tumors. Vasculature was normalized in treated tumors compared with controls, which showed abnormal vasculature and necrosis. In treated tumors, a higher amount of myelin was observed within the tumor area (p = 0.03), likely due to increased tumor invasion. Stiffness of the contralateral hemisphere was influenced by tumor mass effect and edema.ConclusionsAnti-angiogenic GBM treatment prolonged animal survival, slowed tumor growth and softening, but did not prevent progression. MRE detected treatment effects on tumor stiffness; the decrease of viscoelasticity and phase angle in GBM was attenuated in treated animals, which might be explained by normalized vasculature and greater myelin preservation within treated tumors. Thus, further investigation of MRE is warranted to understand the potential for MRE in monitoring treatment in GBM patients by complementing existing MRI techniques.

Evaluation of the Physicochemical and Structural Properties and the Sensory Characteristics of Meat Analogues Prepared with Various Non-Animal Based Liquid Additives

This study investigates the effects of various non-animal-based liquid additives on the physicochemical, structural, and sensory properties of meat analogue. Meat analogue was prepared by blending together textured vegetable protein (TVP), soy protein isolate (SPI), and other liquid additives. Physicochemical (rheological properties, cooking loss (CL), water holding capacity (WHC), texture and color), structural (visible appearance and microstructure), and sensory properties were evaluated. Higher free water content of meat analogue due to water treatment resulted in a decrease in viscoelasticity, the highest CL value, the lowest WHC and hardness value, and a porous structure. Reversely, meat analogue with oil treatment had an increase in viscoelasticity, the lowest CL value, the highest WHC and hardness value, and a dense structure due to hydrophobic interactions. SPI had a positive effect on the gel network formation of TVP matrix, but lecithin had a negative effect resulting in a decrease in viscoelasticity, WHC, hardness value and an increase in CL value and pore size at microstructure. The results of sensory evaluation revealed that juiciness was more affected by water than oil. Oil treatment showed high intensity for texture parameters. On the other hand, emulsion treatment showed high preference scores for texture parameters and overall acceptance.

Effect of Sn and Al additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of amorphous Ti–Cu–Zr–Ni alloys**Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51671161, U1806219, U1660108, and 51327901) and the Research Project of the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province, China (Grant Nos. 2017JM5116 and 2020JZ-08).

Amorphous Ti–Cu–Zr–Ni alloys with minor addition of Sn and Al were prepared by melt spinning technique. The effects of Sn and Al additions on the microstructures and mechanical properties of glassy ribbons were investigated. The amorphous state of ribbons was confirmed by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, where those ribbons with Sn addition exhibited a fully amorphous state. The characteristic temperature indicates that Ti45Cu35Zr10Ni5Sn5 alloy has a stronger glass-forming ability, as proven by differential scanning calorimetry. Ti45Cu35Zr10Ni5Al5 alloy showed a better hardness of 9.23 GPa and elastic modulus of 127.15 GPa and good wear resistance. Ti45Cu35Zr10Ni5Sn5 alloy displayed a pop-in event related to discrete plasticity according to nanoindentation. When the temperature is below 560 K, Ti45Cu35Zr10Ni5Sn5 alloy mainly exhibits elasticity. When the temperature rises between 717 K and 743 K, it shows a significant increase in elasticity but decrease in viscoelasticity after the ribbon experiences the main relaxation at 717 K. When the temperature is above 743 K, the ribbon shows viscoplasticity.

Isolating the Pathological Contribution of Detyrosinated Microtubules in Human Myocardial Mechanics

Detyrosinated microtubules (dTyr MTs) buckle and bear load during myocyte contraction providing a viscoelastic resistance to myocyte shortening. The proliferation of dTyr MTs observed in heart failure increases myocyte viscoelasticity but the pathological consequences on myocyte and myocardial function remain to be quantitatively assessed. To determine whether suppressing dTyr MTs will reduce viscoelasticity and improve contractile dynamics proportional to the severity of disease, we utilize parallel genetic and pharmaceutical approaches to suppress MT dTyr in freshly isolated human cardiomyocytes and myocardial strips and measure active and passive mechanical properties. Compared to myocytes isolated from non-failing human hearts, suppression of dTyr MTs reduces viscoelasticity and increases unloaded shortening to a greater degree in failing cardiomyocytes. Manipulation of dTyr MT levels does not significantly impact excitation-contraction coupling and de novo mathematical modelling demonstrates that increased contractile dynamics can be attributed to the experimentally measured decrease in viscoelasticity. Preliminary results in myocardial strips from failing hearts display greater viscoelasticity than non-failing myocardium, with depolymerization of MTs in failing myocardium partially restoring passive mechanical properties. The results indicate that dTyr microtubules constrain myocyte contractile dynamics in heart failure. Moreover, the microtubules’ impact in regulating myocardial mechanical properties at rates consistent with diastolic filling is evident in the presence of an intact extracellular matrix.

Salt type and concentration affect the viscoelasticity of polyelectrolyte solutions

The addition of small amounts of xanthan gum to water yields viscoelastic solutions. In this letter, we show that the viscoelasticity of aqueous xanthan gum solutions can be tuned by different types of salts. In particular, we find that the decrease in viscoelasticity not only depends, as is known, on the salt concentration, but also is affected by the counterion ionic radius and the valence of the salt.

Effect of xanthan gum on palm oil in vitro digestion. Application in starch-based filling creams

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of xanthan gum (XG) on the structural changes of palm oil during in vitro digestion and to evaluate the application of the XG-palm fat system in filling creams. The textural, rheological and microstructural properties were studied in three systems: a XG-palm fat system, a filling cream with the XG-palm fat system, and a control filling cream with palm oil but without xanthan gum. Free fatty acids were measured at the end of the in vitro digestion as indicators of fat digestion and related with the structural changes.The incorporation of palm oil inside the xanthan gum matrix significantly reduces fat digestion. In comparison to the control cream, the microstructure reveals the presence of undigested fat when XG is present at the end of intestine in vitro incubation, while the presence of fat was significantly reduced in the control cream. After stomach incubation, an increase in the extrusion force and in the elastic and viscous modulus was observed in the xanthan gum systems, this was despite the greater water dilution, which was associated with an increase in fat globule size. In the control cream, a decrease in viscoelasticity is observed after stomach incubation.The results of the present research may have applications in the design of low-fat food and in applications where stomach content structuring is desired.

Molecular-based nonlinear viscoelastic chemomechanical model incorporating thermal denaturation kinetics of collagen fibrous biomaterials

In this article, we propose a constitutive model for soft collagenous biomaterials that takes into account their thermal denaturation. We created a large strain viscoelastic material model of collagenous microfibrils. The stress–strain curves from the coarse-grained simulations of collagen microfibrils have been used to calibrate the proposed rheological constitutive model. This modeling framework allows to predict viscoelastic mechanical behavior of collagenous materials for strain rates ranging from static tests to 1e9 s−1. Moreover, we enhanced the proposed constitutive model using the kinetic theory, to calculate the influence of thermal denaturation on long term viscoelastic properties of collagen. The proposed model can be directly used in micro finite element models of collagenous biomaterials as it allows to calculate the biomechanical properties of those materials for physiologically relevant deformation rates. The model incorporates both changes of stiffness and a decrease in viscoelasticity of collagenous materials exposed to elevated temperatures (for example laser surgeries or thermal treatments). The achieved agreement with experimental data demonstrates that the molecular-based chemomechanical framework constitutes a powerful tool for prediction of stability and mechanical behavior of collagen-based biomaterials.

Processing Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice (FCOJ) by High Pressure Homogenization (HPH) Technology: Changes in the Viscoelastic Properties

The rheological properties of a fluid have an important role in process development and optimization. Due to its high concentration, frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) shows viscoelastic behaviour, especially at low temperatures. In this study, high pressure homogenization (HPH) processing (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 MPa) was used to change the viscoelastic properties of FCOJ. The rheological behaviour of the FCOJ, before and after HPH processing, was evaluated using dynamic frequency sweep procedures. The storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli were modelled as a function of the oscillatory frequency using the power law. The sample processed at 0 MPa showed G′ > G″. On the other hand, all other samples presented G″ > G′. Both the elastic and viscous behaviours decreased with increasing homogenization pressure. The power law parameters were then modelled as a function of the homogenization pressure using exponential functions. Also, the Cox–Merz rule was verified for all the samples, showing good applicability when a linear mathematical modification was applied. The reduction in the elastic and viscous components was explained by the reduction in particle size and molecular size of the serum constituents. A decrease in viscoelasticity leads to less resistance to flow and therefore to lower energy costs for the FCOJ process. These results are useful to understand the phenomena leading to an industrial application of this technology.

Clean label starches as thickeners in white sauces. Shearing, heating and freeze/thaw stability

The linear viscoelastic properties and syneresis of freshly prepared and freeze/thawed white sauces prepared with different native starches (corn, waxy corn, potato and rice) at different shearing speeds were studied. Viscosity changes during processing were also measured using a starch pasting cell attached to a rheometer. The freeze/thaw cycle produced a significant increase in the viscous and elastic modulus and the appearance of syneresis in the corn and potato starch sauces, while the waxy corn and rice starch sauces were only slightly affected. Syneresis was significantly reduced upon subsequent heating. Greater shearing speed produced a significant decrease in viscoelasticity. Viscosity profiles revealed that the increase in shearing speed decreased the starch gelatinization temperature and swelling capacity and increased starch breakdown.

Acoustic Characteristics of Fresh Tea Leaves

The acoustic characteristics of sound fresh tea leaves were determined nondestructively by ultrasonic transmission analysis. As thickness increases, phase velocity and wavelength increase, and damping ratio and dynamic viscosity decrease, suggesting development of the fibrous tissues, accompanied by frequency convergence. The velocities of all the leaves studied were smaller than that of pure water. Decrease in viscoelasticity corresponds to increase in dynamic modulus. Thus, acoustically, we can regard the leaves as natural quasi-polymers with high viscoelasticity.

Pectin and the role of the physical properties of the cell wall in pollen tube growth of Solanum chacoense.

The cell wall is one of the structural key players regulating pollen tube growth, since plant cell expansion depends on an interplay between intracellular driving forces and the controlled yielding of the cell wall. Pectin is the main cell wall component at the growing pollen tube apex. We therefore assessed its role in pollen tube growth and cytomechanics using the enzymes pectinase and pectin methyl esterase (PME). Pectinase activity was able to stimulate pollen germination and tube growth at moderate concentrations whereas higher concentrations caused apical swelling or bursting in Solanum chacoense Bitt. pollen tubes. This is consistent with a modification of the physical properties of the cell wall affecting its extensibility and thus the growth rate, as well as its capacity to withstand turgor. To prove that the enzyme-induced effects were due to the altered cell wall mechanics, we subjected pollen tubes to micro-indentation experiments. We observed that cellular stiffness was reduced and visco-elasticity increased in the presence of pectinase. These are the first mechanical data that confirm the influence of the amount of pectins in the pollen tube cell wall on the physical parameters characterizing overall cellular architecture. Cytomechanical data were also obtained to analyze the role of the degree of pectin methyl-esterification, which is known to exhibit a gradient along the pollen tube axis. This feature has frequently been suggested to result in a gradient of the physical properties characterizing the cell wall and our data provide, for the first time, mechanical support for this concept. The gradient in cell wall composition from apical esterified to distal de-esterified pectins seems to be correlated with an increase in the degree of cell wall rigidity and a decrease of visco-elasticity. Our mechanical approach provides new insights concerning the mechanics of pollen tube growth and the architecture of living plant cells.

Control of viscoelasticity using redox reaction.

The viscoelasticity of a fluid was tuned with the Faradaic reaction of (11-ferrocenylundecyl)trimethylammonium bromide (FTMA), a "redox-switchable" surfactant. An aqueous solution of the reduced form of FTMA exhibited a remarkable viscoelasticity in the presence of sodium salicylate (NaSal) because of the formation of three-dimensional entanglement of wormlike micelles. Electrolytic oxidation of FTMA caused the viscosity of the system to dramatically decrease and the elasticity to disappear. This drastic decrease in viscoelasticity arose from the disruption of wormlike micelles. This novel electrorheological phenomenon is expected to be applicable to ink for inkjet printers, the electrochemically controlled release of substances entrapped in wormlike micelles of FTMA, and fluid flow rate control using electric signals.

Application of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) to determine the mechanical properties of pellets.

Pellets of a wide range of mechanical properties were produced by the process of extrusion and spheronisation using various formulation factors. A range of mechanical properties from a simple fracture load to detailed load/displacement curves obtained when pellets were subjected to diametral compression test and a bed of pellets was compacted, were used to provide measure of tensile strength, deformability, linear strain, elastic modulus, yield and shear strength. Such conventional techniques resulted in irreversible damage to the structure of the pellets and were unable to establish the viscoelastic properties of the pellets. The application of the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), however, allowed the determination of (1) an accurate Young's modulus of elasticity, which was found to be between 8.4 and 24-fold higher than that determined from the diametral compression test, (2) the presence of a reversible elastic deformation even after the yield point in terms of storage modulus and (3) a change in the values of the phase angle, which illustrates the increase in viscoelasticity of the pellets formed with ethanol, glyceryl monostearate (GMS) or glycerol, while a decrease in viscoelasticity with the incorporation of lactose into the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) pellets. This work further demonstrated that the only feasible technique for determining the elastic and plastic deformability of the pellets is the one which subjects the specimen to stress/relaxation cycles and can determine the dissipated energy in terms of loss modulus or phase angle, and that is DMA.