Dry Samples Research Articles

Microstructural, physicochemical, thermal, and rheological properties of buckwheat flour treated with high-pressure at selected moisture contents

This study investigated the role of water in the high-pressure treatment (300–600 MPa/15 min) of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) flour and property changes in post-process samples. DSC and XRD measurements demonstrated complete gelatinization of buckwheat starch occurred at 600 MPa. The particle size of flour decreased above 450 MPa. HP-treatment successfully transformed the crystalline A-type structure of hydrated samples into a B-type structure. Dry samples did not gelatinize or exhibit any structural change, even at 600 MPa. The progress of gelatinization and gel rigidity of post-process samples were measured on a rheometer. The thermal transition captured in rheometer and DSC differs significantly. The impact of further heating on the pressurized samples resulted in a significant improvement in their mechanical rigidity. Overall, this study confirmed that an optimum flour-to-water ratio should be maintained during HP treatment to achieve the desired changes in buckwheat flour so that it could be used in food formulation.

Utility of plasma anti-gSG6-P1 IgG levels in determining changes in Anopheles gambiae bite rates in a rural area of Cameroon

The applicability of the specific human IgG antibody response to Anopheles gambiae salivary Gland Protein-6 peptide 1 (gSG6-P1 salivary peptide) as a biomarker able to distinguish the level of exposure to mosquito bites according to seasonal variations has not yet been evaluated in Central African regions. The study aimed to provide the first reliable data on the IgG anti-gSG6-P1 response in rural area in Cameroon according to the dry- and rainy-season. Between May and December 2020, dry blood samples were collected from people living in the Bankeng village in the forest area of the Centre region of Cameroon. Malaria infection was determined by thick-blood smear microscopy and multiplex PCR. The level of IgG anti-gSG6-P1 response, was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anopheles density and aggressiveness were assessed using human landing catches. The prevalence of malaria infection remains significantly higher in the rainy season than in the dry season (77.57% vs 61.44%; p = 0.0001). The specific anti-gSG6-P1 IgG response could be detected in individuals exposed to few mosquito bites and showed inter-individual heterogeneity even when living in the same exposure area. In both seasons, the level of anti-gSG6-P1 IgG response was not significantly different between Plasmodium infected and non-infected individuals. Mosquito bites were more aggressive in the rainy season compared to the dry season (human biting rate-HBR of 15.05 b/p/n vs 1.5 b/p/n) where mosquito density was very low. Infected mosquitoes were found only during the rainy season (sporozoite rate = 10.63% and entomological inoculation rate-EIR = 1.42 ib/p/n). The level of IgG anti-gSG6-P1 response was significantly higher in the rainy season and correlated with HBR (p ˂ 0.0001). This study highlights the high heterogeneity of individual’s exposure to the Anopheles gambiae s.l vector bites depending on the transmission season in the same area. These findings reinforce the usefulness of the anti-gSG6-P1 IgG response as an accurate immunological biomarker for detecting individual exposure to Anopheles gambiae s.l. bites during the low risk period of malaria transmission in rural areas and for the differentiating the level of exposure to mosquitoes.

The influence of measurement conditions on the determined values of thermal parameters of different types of concrete

In recent years, great emphasis has been placed on the introduction of energy-saving solutions to the construction sector. Building envelopes made of concrete with a specially selected composition give great opportunities in this regard. As part of a wide-ranging experiment, the authors undertook to diagnose how much thermal conductivity, volumetric specific heat and thermal diffusivity can be improved with an aerating admixture and different types of aggregates. Three groups of composites were tested: B1 – on stone aggregate, B2 – on expanded clay aggregate, B3 – on sintered fly ash aggregate. Each of the groups was divided into 4 formulations made without an aerating admixture and with its increasingly higher content of 0.8, 1.1, 1.4% in relation to the weight of cement. The thermal parameters were measured on the top (T) and bottom (B) surfaces of 36 rectangular samples (3 samples from each of the 12 mixtures) with the ISOMET 2104 apparatus. Diagnostic tests concerning the influence of measurement conditions were carried out on dry and water-saturated samples. It has been proven that for each composite and in both conditions, the values of thermal parameters determined on the lower surfaces will not correctly describe the properties of the real structure present in the main volume of the element. Only measurements carried out on surfaces with a structure corresponding to the interior of the element provide adequate data that can be used in decision-making processes and in numerical simulations to assess the real thermal qualities of building envelopes.

Compact, high-flow, water-based, turbulent-mixing, condensation aerosol concentrator for collection of spot samples.

A new high-flow, compact aerosol concentrator, using rapid, turbulent mixing to grow aerosol particles into droplets for dry spot sample collection, has been designed and tested. The "TCAC (Turbulent-mixing, Condensation Aerosol Concentrator)" is composed of a saturator for generating hot vapor, a mixing section where the hot vapor mixes with the cold aerosol flow, a growth tube where condensational droplet growth primarily occurs, and a converging nozzle that focuses the droplets into a beam. The prototype concentrator utilizes an aerosol sample flow rate of 4 L min-1. The TCAC was optimized by varying the operating conditions, such as relative humidity of the aerosol flow, mixing flow ratio, vapor temperature, and impaction characteristics. The results showed that particles with a diameter ≥ 25 nm can be grown to a droplet diameter > 1400 nm with near 100% efficiency. Complete activation and growth were observed at relative humidity ≥ 25% of the aerosol sample flow. A consistent spot sample with a diameter of (the diameter of a circle containing 90% of the deposited particles) was obtained regardless of the aerosol particle diameter ( ). For fiber counting applications using phase contrast microscopy, the TCAC can reduce the sampling time, or counting uncertainty, by two to three orders of magnitude, compared to the 25-mm-filter collection. The study shows that the proposed mixing-flow scheme enables a compact spot sample collector suitable for handheld or portable applications, while still allowing for high flow rates.

Assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in atmospheric dry deposition of Hamedan Metropolis, west of Iran: pollution status, spatiotemporal variation, health risk implications, and source identification.

The present study was designed to assess concentrations, contamination levels, spatiotemporal variations, health hazards and source apportionment of potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and V) of atmospheric dry deposition (ADD) in Hamedan Metropolis. In so doing, a total of 144 atmospheric dry deposition samples were collected from 12 sites during four seasons in 2023. The concentrations of the analyzed PTEs in dry deposition samples were determined using ICP-OES after samples were digested with acid. The results illustrated that the average contents of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn with 4.52, 0.591, 4.01, 36.5, 42.5, 10.9, 84.6, 69.6, 178, and 3.91mg/kg, respectively, were higher than those in the background samples reported for Iran, which could indicate the anthropogenic origin of these PTEs. The highest quantities of the tested PTEs in various seasons were observed in summer and/or fall samples and their highest amount in various functional regions pertained to the samples collected from the commercial or industrial regions, showing the effect of seasonal changes on emission sources and human inputs. Values of average contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (I-geo), and enrichment factor (EF) ranged from 0.013 to 4.45, - 7.07 to 1.56, and 0.120 to 41.3, respectively, showing 'slight to high' pollution, 'unpolluted to moderately polluted', and 'no enrichment to very severe enrichment' levels, respectively. The pollution load index (PLI) with an average value of 0.680 reflected slight pollution levels in the entire study area. The average hazard index (HI) values of the tested PTEs for the residents were all within the safe limit (< 1). Additionally, the total carcinogenic risk (TCR) values showed that the carcinogenic risk of As, Cr and Ni for both target groups were at an acceptable level. Based on the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, non-exhaust emissions and natural sources, fossil fuel combustion and industrial emissions, and traffic sources were identified as the primary contributors to ADD pollution, accounting for 26%, 38%, and 36%, of the total pollution respectively. In conclusion, further research is recommended to investigate the source-oriented ecological and health risks associated with atmospheric dry deposition pollution.

Microplastic Pollution and Risk Assessment in Packaged Teas in Türkiye

This article presents the first-ever findings on the release of MPs (microplastics) from tea bags containing tea leaves into tea infusions in Türkiye. The study aimed to investigate the possible distribution and abundance of MPs in cup of tea bags and teapot tea bags of fifteen packaged tea brands in Türkiye using ATF/FTIR analysis. The results showed that MPs were found in all the analyzed tea brands. Surprisingly, the highest particle number was observed in the dry tea samples (removed from tea bags) belonging to all brands. Brands A and O had the highest abundance of MPs. All MP particles identified were fiber in shape, and four colors were identified, with a predominance of navy blue. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the most abundant polymer type. The size of MPs varied from 33.65 μm to 1680.20 μm. The daily MP exposure by tea intake was analyzed for male and female groups, and the dietary exposure for males was greater than that for females. According to the MP contamination factor values, a wide variety of MP contamination levels were determined, with a predominance of significant and very high levels of contamination. The mean polymer risk index was determined to be 10.80, indicating a low level of risk. Additionally, this study also provides information on the potential health effects of these harmful MPs. Considering that consuming tea is a significant way for individuals to come into contact with MPs, tea prepared with tea leaves packaged in tea bags could potentially have adverse effects on the health of consumers.Graphical

Durability and mechanical characteristics of unidirectional jute/banana and synthetic fiber reinforcement epoxy composite

Corrosive environments affect the physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. In such a context, this study focuses on the durability and corrosive impact on the mechanical properties of bast fiber-based composites. Synthetic glass fiber, and aluminium foil were also used for hybridization. The composites and hybrids were made using unidirectional jute and banana-fiber mats. Composites were immersed in a NaCl solution to create a corrosive environment, and their mechanical properties were investigated. Hybridization with glass fiber has the lowest impact on corrosive conditions. However, in a saline environment, it substantially alters the mechanical properties of composite materials. XRD and SEM were also performed for dry samples, and samples immersed in pH 8. XRD analysis revealed that adding synthetic fiber to natural fiber decreases the crystallinity. Hence, this study shows that hybridizing bast fiber with glass fiber is a noble approach to use in corrosive environments. The experimental results were verified by finite element analysis using ABAQUS.

Electrodeposition of organic corrosion inhibitor prepared from eucalyptus robusta leaves

Eucalyptus Robusta leaves were used as raw material to develop a steel corrosion inhibitor. A straightforward approach was employed to extract organic molecules from Eucalyptus Robusta leaves, which were applied as a protective coating on steel surfaces to inhibit corrosion. The solution containing the organic inhibitor was electrodeposited onto the surfaces of ASTM A36 steel samples, and an investigation into the parameters of charge (positive or negative), voltage (5 or 20 V), and time (5 and 30 min) was conducted through a 23 factorial experiment. Electrodeposited wet and dry samples had their open circuit voltage (OCP) measured in an acid solution and compared with the OCP of samples in which the inhibitor was deposited by simple immersion (deposited samples) and samples without inhibitor (blank samples). All the samples that had contact with the inhibitor increased their OCP values, showing the effectiveness of the deposition of the inhibitor. Nevertheless, the electrodeposition process carried out for 30 min and with a positive charge (anodic) proved to be the most effective in increasing the OCP value. Optical and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed that the inhibitor solution effectively formed a thin, uniform, compact film on the metal surface. However, occasional deposition anomalies resulted in the formation of protrusions with organic material accumulation. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Tafel curves were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the organic inhibitors. Accelerated corrosion tests in an HCl solution indicated reduced corrosion and the formation of distinct corrosion products for samples with an inhibitor compared to a sample without an inhibitor.

Revealing pore size distribution in cellulose and lignin-cellulose man-made fibers – effect of draw ratio and lignin content

There are limited methods available for measurement of the porosity of cellulose fibers, even more so for obtaining a pore size distribution. Conventional pore analysis methods require dry samples, with intact pores. However, pores in cellulose fibers collapse when dried from water and thus present a challenge for sample analysis. Furthermore, the pore collapse is partially irreversible which should be accounted for in the analysis. In this study, analysis of pore structure was carried out in the wet state with thermoporometry and also for critical point dried samples, analyzed with N2 sorption. This study determines the effect of fiber lignin content and certain spinning parameters on the pore size distribution of spun fibers before and after drying. It could also be concluded that solvent exchange, drying from a non-polar solvent will result in an altered pore size distribution, with a total pore volume greater than if dried from water, however not representative of the never-dried state. It is concluded that thermoporometry together with the water retention value (WRV) measurement is a powerful combination to acquire insights to the pore size distribution of spun fiber.

Carbonation strengthening mechanism of dry cement-based materials under supercritical carbon dioxide

Long-term stability of concrete as a wellbore sealing material is enhanced by the interaction between Portland cement and supercritical carbon dioxide. This study is to explore the mechanism of the strengthening effect of supercritical carbon dioxide on cement-based materials. After supercritical carbonation curing, the compressive strength of dry samples is increased by 93 %∼123 %. By using regional characterization analysis, the relationship between chemical reaction process and local mechanical property changes is established. The supercritical carbonation process and reaction kinetics are uncovered. On the one hand, the carbonation products form a compacted layer in the external area of cement paste, with a local microhardness increase of 30 % for 7d and 102 % for 28d, playing hoop effect on strengthening; On the other hand, the inward aggregation of carbonation produced water promotes the local “rehydration”, increasing the degree of hydration by 3.89 %∼15.98 %, which benefits strength development. The transport and accumulation of the produced water are the main limiting factors which obstruct the continuous penetration of supercritical carbonation.

Formulation and evaluation of physical, chemical and sensory properties of instant functional beverage powder containing Pathum Thani fragrance rice, soy protein and milk powder

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of proportion and ratio of the following main ingredients comprising Pathum Thani fragrance rice powder, soy protein and milk powder on physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics of instant functional beverage powder. The experimental procedures consisted of prerequisite processing steps of cooking, drying, crushing and mixing all ingredients. The design was used to produce a total of ten samples of powdered beverage products. Whereas, dry samples and complete dissolution samples were analyzed for their physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics. Results indicated that the prepared beverage powder with various ratios of ingredient combinations delivered significant impact on their physical chemical and sensory characteristics. Principal component analysis (PCA) was implemented to group the attributes into three key dimensions that explained 76.51% of the total variance. Furthermore, Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was employed as a multivariate statistical tool to accurately determine carbohydrate, fiber, L* (dissolve), a* (dissolve) and b* (dissolve) as key drivers of liking. Having the highest consumer satisfaction levels and highest average liking scores of all sensory characteristics, the optimum formulation for instant functional beverage powder was formula 10 containing 23.34% of Pathum Thani fragrance rice powder, 13.33% of soy protein and 13.33% of milk powder, 20% of sugar, 10% of cocoa powder, 10% of malt powder, 5% of non-dairy cream powder and 5% inulin powder. More importantly, these research findings may influence decisions at many levels in increasing consumer acceptance of the product, manufacturing healthier products for people, and adding value to products of agriculture.

Effects of different drying methods on physicochemical, textural, flavor, and sensory characteristics of yak jerky

The work aimed to study the effect of four drying methods, namely constant temperature hot air drying (HD), microwave drying (MD), hot air microwave drying (HMD), and gradient hot air drying (GHD), on quality characteristics of dried yak meat. The analyses of physicochemical, textural, flavor, and sensory characteristics were carried out based on these four drying methods. The results revealed that microwave dried yak jerky exhibited better color and received the highest sensory score. Hardness of samples were affected by the drying methods, which showed significant differences. There were 21 free amino acids (FAAs) detected in dried yak samples. The samples treated by microwave drying showed the highest total free amino acid content (73.30 mg/100 g) and the EUC value was significantly higher than other methods, indicating the sample displayed greater flavor. A total of 153 volatile compounds were identified in dried yak meat samples, primarily including aldehydes, ketones, and esters. Moreover, the sensory evaluation indicated that the drying methods could significantly affect on color, flavor, and overall acceptability of different samples. Microwave drying samples scored higher than other drying methods. Overall, considering aspects of quality, time savings, and energy efficiency, microwave drying of yak jerky emerges as a more satisfactory option. This study could provide important theoretical support for the application of drying methods to improve the quality of yak jerky and enhance production efficiency.

Pore Size Distribution and Pore Connectivity Response Characteristics of Anthracite Injected with Carbon Dioxide in Different Phases

The adsorption of CO2 changes the pore content in coal. After CO2 adsorption, pore content in coal shows a trend of first increasing, then decreasing and then increasing. CO2 adsorption pressure, CO2 adsorption time and CO2-H2O slightly change the variation range of pore size, but the trend remains unchanged. For example, in the case of CO2 adsorption for 72 hours, the pore content of 2~10nm and &gt;700nm is generally increased, and the pore content of 10~700nm is significantly reduced. In the case of 144 hours of CO2 adsorption, the pore content of 2~20nm and &gt;700nm generally increased, and the pore content of 20~700nm significantly decreased. When water +CO2 was adsorbed for 144 hours, the pore content of 2~12nm and &gt;700nm generally increased, and the pore content of 12~700nm generally decreased. The coal samples show a certain lag of mercury removal before and after CO2, which indicates that there are some ineffective pores in the coal. The mercury removal efficiency of the coal sample after CO2 adsorption is generally lower than that of the dry sample, indicating that a large number of inefficiently connected pores are generated after CO2 adsorption. That is, CO2 does increase a large number of pores in coal, but the pores are mainly non-connected pores, that is, CO2 has a weak improvement in the connectivity of the pores in coal

Cohort profile: longitudinal and population comparison of children who are HIV-exposed uninfected and children who are HIV unexposed in Kenya (HOPE study)

PurposeGlobally, the number of children/adolescents exposed to HIV but uninfected (HIV-exposed uninfected, HEU) is growing. The HEU outcomes: population-evaluation and screening strategies study was designed to provide population-level evidence of...

Versatile simplistic correction of T-higrow sensors for improved soil moisture measurement accuracy

The use of soil moisture sensors for irrigation can help reduce water and energy consumption and risks of groundwater contamination, which are essential aspects for pursuing sustainable development goals. However, increased adoption of this technology is limited by calibration requirements, technical complexities, and sensor costs. In this work, a simplified method for reducing the measurement error of a recently released low-cost soil sensor (T-Higrow) is presented. The method only requires measurements of a dry sample from the target soil, which are inputted into a simple correction formula to reduce the measurement error at higher moisture levels. The requirements of the proposed method are simple enough for most labs or extension services. This method was compared to the commonly used linear, polynomial, and logarithmic regression models based on repeated bench-scale experiments within 0%–35% moisture range in silt and sandy loam soils and in silica sand. Uncorrected sensor readings correlated well with soil moisture (r: 0.94–0.98), but with significant overestimation (25%–60% error). The simplified correction method showed comparable error reduction to regression models across all soil types. All methods reduced error down to 2%–10% (0.02–0.1 cm3 cm−3) and maintained high correlations (r > 0.94), except for logarithmic regression which reduced correlation by around 3%. Variability amongst sensor measurements was generally low (Standard Deviation: 0.01–0.03) particularly at moisture ranges below 20%, this was also the case for sensor-to-sensor variability (Standard Deviation: 0.01–0.03). Sensor evaluation and calibration works are needed to increase the accessibility to this technology for improved water and energy conservation.

Effect of CO2-H2O Interaction with High-Rank Coal on Mechanical Properties and Acoustic Emission Characteristics under Confining Pressure.

The adsorption of CO2 by coal leads to changes in its mechanical properties, particularly when considering supercritical CO2 and water with supercritical CO2 adsorption. This is strongly linked to the efficiency of CO2-enhanced coalbed methane (CO2-ECBM) extraction and the safety of CO2 geological storage. This study focuses on 3# coal from the Datong Mine in Gaoping City, Shanxi Province. The high-rank coal's mechanical properties, including the triaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus, were examined under the combined effects of CO2 injection pressure, CO2 injection time, and moisture content. The triaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus of the coal showed a decrease following CO2 injection. Increasing the CO2 injection pressure, prolonging the CO2 injection time, and increasing the moisture content were favorable for coal softening. In particular, the triaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus of the coal sample after 144 h of water and supercritical CO2 softening decreased by 67.67 and 64.15%, respectively. Injecting CO2 into coal changed its failure mode. The dry raw coal sample exhibited a brittle shear failure mode, while the coal samples showed transitional shear failure after injecting 6 MPa CO2 and 8 MPa CO2 and ductile nondilatant barreling failure after injecting water and 8 MPa CO2 (with a moisture content of 3.02%). Moreover, the cumulative acoustic emission energy of the coal samples followed a similar trend to the decrease in mechanical properties under different conditions. The physical and chemical interactions among coal, CO2, and water caused the softening of coal; these included the generation of the swelling stress, the dissolution of minerals by carbonate solutions, the reduction in surface energy of coal owing to CO2 adsorption, and the extraction and plasticization reactions of organic matter in coal. The research results are of great significance for further understanding CO2-ECBM and CO2 geological sequestration.

Effect of packaging materials and storage duration on the functional quality of red hot peppers (Capsicum annum L.) pods

The preservation of the functional quality of red pepper requires appropriate packaging materials, storage duration, and condition. This study evaluated the effect of the packaging materials and the storage duration on the functional quality of the red hot pepper pod for ten months at ambient storage temperature (25±2 °C) in four packaging materials: Jute sacks, Fertilizer Liner Sheet (FLS), Fertilizer Woven Polypropylene + Liner Sheet (FWPP + LS), and PICS bags (Purdue Improved Crop Storage) using two-factor factorial designs. The samples were analyzed at two-month intervals for water activity (aw, extractable color, total phenolic compounds, pungency index and oleoresin content. Except for aw, other functional qualities of red hot pepper degrade with advanced storage in all packaging materials. At the end of storage, the maximum values of aw (0.76) and the minimum values of aw (0.38) were recorded in jute sacks and PICS bags. Extractable color (ASTA units) decreased from 225.42 to 133.11, 228.71–139.09, 274.29–171, and 288.91–218.98 in jute bags, FLS, FWPP + LS, and PICS bags, respectively. Phenolic compounds (GAE mg/g dry samples) degraded from 2.32 to 1.02, 2.33–1.37, 2.4–1.35, and 2.59–1.85 in jute bags, FLS, FWPP + LS and PICS bags, respectively. The pungency index (Abs/g dry samples) of the samples changed from 4.55 to 2.56, 5.49–4.00, 5.00–3.49, and 4.74–2.72 in jute bags, FLS, FWPP + LS, and PICS bags, respectively. The oleoresin content (%) decreased from 12.88 to 7.18, 12.92–7.78, 13.19–8.45 and 13.58–9.88 in jute sacks, FLS, FWPP + LS and PICS bags, respectively. The study revealed that the PICS bags retained the highest functional qualities compared to other packaging materials.

Benthic foraminifer Ammonia beccarii as a proxy for paleoproductivity changes from West coast of India

We examined three hundred sixty-five (365) sediment subsamples for benthic foraminifera from beach cores sediment in the west coast of India. The study on the recent benthic foraminiferal faunal record, reveals the paleoecological preferences. A total of 38 species belonging to 22 genera were identified from the study. For benthic foraminiferal faunal study, dry samples were sieved over 125 μm-size sieve and split into suitable aliquots to obtain ~250 specimens of benthic foraminiferal species identified and counted. Ammonia beccarii was the most prevalent species found in all subsamples. The high productivity species of Ammonia beccarii can be found in sediments from Puthenthoodu beach ~75 to 60cm and 10 to 5cm depth, from Chellanam beach sediments 100 to 70cm and 30 to 5cm depth, from Azheekal beach sediments around 90 to 70cm and 18 to 5cm depth, 100 to 80cm and 20 to 5cm depth in Anthakaranazhi beach sediments, an indicates of shallow-marine environment. The species of Ammonia beccarii were utilized for biostratigraphy for several years and have also been confirmed very constructive in paleoceanographic and paleoclimatological reconstruction.

Actinobacteria diversity associated with marine sediments and a wetland system, Agulhas-South Africa

BackgroundSouth Africa is known for its great biodiversity. The Agulhas Plain represents one such unique environment where low-gradient topography has resulted in extensive wetland formation. It is fed by two major river systems, bringing in brackish, alkaline water. It has been exposed to major marine transgression and regression events, and harbours great Fynbos diversity as well as a Mediterranean-type climate, thereby creating unique ecosystems. It is therefore surprising that little is known about the bacterial diversity associated with the Agulhas Plain and associated marine ecosystems.MethodsIn this study, we focused on the actinobacterial diversity (Phylum Actinomycetota) associated with an emerging peatland on the Agulhas Plain (SF; Areas 1–3) and a marine site (ANP; Ocean, Rocky, Dry) located 10 km away from SF. A combined metataxanomics and isolation approach was taken to evaluate the actinobacterial diversity of the sampling sites and to determine the effect of environmental physicochemical parameters on these populations. Various genome analyses were performed on an Sva0096 marine bin to gain insight into its ecological role.ResultsMetataxanomics showed that the two sites shared defined major taxa, including Blastococcus, Geodermatophilus, Microbacterium, Mycobacterium, Nocardioides, Streptomyces, and the Sva0996 marine group. Analysis of the biosynthetic potential of an Sva0996 marine bin134 (obtained from GenBank) provided insights into the potential ecological role of this group of bacteria in both the marine and terrestrial environments. Higher actinobacterial diversity (Shannon index > 5) was observed for Areas 2 and 3 (SF), as well as the ANP Dry samples. The actinobacterial population composition was found to be driven by salinity, pH, Mn, and Ca, with certain areas of SF exhibiting similar (and even higher) salinity (SF: 70–100 Ω vs. ANP: 100–160 Ω) and lower pH levels (SF: 6.3-8.0 vs. ANP: 8.6–8.9) to that of the marine environment.ConclusionThis snapshot study has provided some insights into the actinobacterial diversity of the two sites studied. Analysis of an Sva0096 marine bin134 provided further insights into the potential ability of the Sva0096 marine group to survive in a unique terrestrial environment that is periodically exposed to environmental pressures that mimic the marine environment.

Determination of geometric properties of cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L.)

Objective: To determine the linear physical dimensions of dried Mexican cocoa beans to estimate their geometric properties and differentiate them through a principal component analysis. Design/Methodology/Approach: For the research, 51 dry samples of cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L.) were collected from three producer states in Mexico. The physical properties of cocoa beans were determined based on their linear dimensions: length, width, thickness, geometric diameter, sphericity, volume, and shape factor. Moisture, average weight, and ether extract were also determined. Results: The results revealed the relation between linear and geometric properties, particularly the fact that bean weight is significant (p&lt;0.001) regarding all the properties evaluated, except moisture. Said relation explained 98.8% of the total variation in the first two components observed in the cocoa samples from the three states (Tabasco, Chiapas, and Oaxaca). Average bean weight, sphericity, and volume contributed the most to the total variation. Findings/Conclusions: The only quantitative variable that showed significance was bean weight. The other measurements—length, width, and thickness—did not. However, there was significance when coupling the measurements in the expressions of surface area and volume.