High Content Research Articles

Application of Isochoric Impregnation: Effects on Microbial and Physicochemical Parameters and Shelf Life of Strawberries Stored Under Refrigeration

This study evaluates the effectiveness of isochoric impregnation during isochoric cold storage in extending the shelf life of strawberries. Strawberries in two different impregnation solutions—(1) sucrose solution and (2) sucrose solution containing calcium chloride (CaCl2) and ascorbic acid (AA)—were first stored in an isochoric chamber at −2 °C/48 MPa for 1 week, followed by refrigeration at 4 °C for 3 weeks. For comparison, strawberries were also immersed in each solution for 1 week at 4 °C then refrigerated at 4 °C for 3 weeks. Additionally, a control group of fresh strawberries was stored at 4 °C for 4 weeks. The quality of the strawberries was assessed at 1-week intervals throughout the storage period. Isochoric cold storage effectively inhibited microbial growth and reduced the weight loss of the strawberries compared to refrigerated storage. Also, isochoric cold storage resulted in strawberries that retained their color attributes, whereas refrigeration led to a significant change in their color attributes. Isochoric impregnated strawberries in the sucrose solution containing CaCl2 and AA showed better mechanical properties and higher nutrient contents (anthocyanins and ascorbic acid) than those impregnated in the sucrose solution, impregnated in the solutions at 4 °C, and refrigerated with no impregnation (control). The results demonstrated that isochoric cold storage in a solution containing sucrose, CaCl₂, and ascorbic acid effectively maintained the quality of the strawberries, as indicated by parameters such as firmness, color retention, and reduced microbial growth. This method extended the strawberries’ shelf life by up to 4 weeks.

Partitioning Behavior of Lithium and Rare Earth Elements During Coal Preparation and Their Differences in Mode of Occurrence

ABSTRACT Coal preparation technology is an important and widely useful way to achieve clean utilization of coal. Furthermore, it has a huge effect on the recovery of critical elements in coal, including lithium (Li) and rare earth elements (lanthanides and yttrium, REY). In this study, the migration of Li and REY during coal preparation was investigated from industrial practice and laboratory. After industrial separation, Li is significantly enriched in the coal gangue with high ash content, while REY mainly migrates to fine coal, clean coal, and coal slime. Results of screening and float-and-sink from the laboratory show that Li is enriched in the +3 mm particle size fraction and the +2.0 g/cm3 density fraction, while REY is greatly enriched in the −0.5 mm particle size fractions and the −1.8 g/cm3 density fractions. Modes of occurrence of Li and REY greatly affect their migration routes during separation. Results of sequential chemical extraction and oxidation decomposition reveal that more REY occurs in organic matter-bound form compared to Li. REY-bearing minerals (monazite and bastnaesite) in feed coal were found by SEM-EDS, but they are embedded in organic matter. In addition, oxidation decomposition experiments confirmed that REY can directly bind to organic matter in coal, especially heavy REY. These findings demonstrate that REY is closely associated with the organic fractions, while the majority of Li occurs in inorganic minerals for these coals. This research could give support to clarify the Li and REY migration during coal preparation and their extraction in the future.

The effect of key factors on anaerobic co-digestion of leachate and crude glycerin by statistical design of experiments

Anaerobic digestion is a versatile biotechnology because of the energy recovery from different kinds of waste. In addition to anaerobic digestion, there is the anaerobic co-digestion process, which improves the energy recovery of many kinds of waste in a single installation. The association of landfill leachate and crude glycerin is promising, considering the respective characteristics of each one. However, data about the anaerobic co-digestion of these substrates is still scarce. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the factors: incubation time (20-40 days), pH (7-8), glycerol proportion (0.5-2.5% v/v) and substrate/inoculum ratio (0.2-0.6 g COD g-1 VSS) by Plackett-Burman statistical design of experiments. The advantages of anaerobic co-digestion were evaluated achieving the highest treatment performance of 98.1% efficiency of organic matter removal, and a high methane content in the biogas of approximately 79%. Furthermore, a positive effect of the key factor incubation time and glycerol proportion, instead of the substrate/inoculum ratio, which requires low values. Overall, the following parameters: incubation time, glycerol proportion and S/I ratio highlighted their significant effect in the bioprocess performance.

High-Resolution Mapping of Topsoil Sand Content in Planosol Regions Using Temporal and Spectral Feature Optimization

Soil sand content is an important characterization index of soil texture, which directly affects soil water regulation, nutrient cycling, and crop growth potential. Therefore, its high-precision spatial distribution information is of great importance for agricultural resource management and land use. In this study, a remote sensing prediction method based on the combination of time-phase optimization and spectral feature preference is innovatively proposed for improving the mapping accuracy of the sand content in the till layer of a planosol area. The study first analyzed the prediction performance of single-time-phase images, screened the optimal time-phase (May), and constructed a single-time-phase model, which achieved significant prediction accuracy, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.70 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.26%. Subsequently, the model was further optimized by combining multiple time phases, and the prediction accuracy was improved to R2 = 0.77 and the RMSE decreased to 1.10%. At the feature level, the recursive feature elimination (RF-RFE) method was utilized to preferentially select 19 key spectral variables from the initial feature set, among which the short-wave infrared bands (b11, b12) and the visible bands (b2, b3, b4) contributed most significantly to the prediction. Finally, the prediction accuracy was further improved to R2 = 0.79 and RMSE = 1.05% by multi-temporal-multi-feature fusion modeling. The spatial distribution map of sand content generated by the optimized model shows that areas with high sand content are primarily located in the northern and central regions of Shuguang Farm. This study not only provides a new technical path for accurate mapping of soil texture in the planosol area, but also provides a reference for the improvement of remote sensing monitoring methods in other typical soil areas. The research results can provide a reference for mapping high-resolution soil sand maps over a wider area in the future.

Effect of growing temperature on root carbohydrate content and postharvest asparagus tip breakdown.

Tip breakdown has been identified as the main issue causing deterioration in asparagus quality during storage; however, the underlying mechanisms responsible for its development are unknown. Previous work showed higher incidence of tip breakdown occurring later in the season, when growing temperature was higher. Spears from two growing conditions (cooler vs warmer) were harvested throughout the season to assess tip breakdown incidence and quality attributes (asparagine and non-structural carbohydrates) during storage, with the aim of enhancing understanding and identifying potential biomarkers of this physiological disorder. Root samples were also collected just after harvest to determine if storage root carbohydrate content was associated with a predisposition to tip breakdown. Rapid growth due to warmer temperatures (up to 45 °C) resulted in spears with lower sugar content and higher incidence of tip breakdown in comparison with cooler conditions. Asparagine slowly increased through the season (7 to 11 mg g-1 DW) with no differences between growing conditions, suggesting that it is not a biomarker for tip breakdown. Pre-season spears (warm temperature only) had double the amount of sugar in comparison with early season spears, with no incidence of tip breakdown despite an extended storage period (up to 18 days at 7 °C). Sugar concentration in roots was similar between growing conditions and between pre- and early season despite clear differences in spear sugar content. These results showed a strong positive link between cooler growing conditions, high spear sugar content, and low susceptibility to tip breakdown, which was not reflected in root sugar concentrations. However, further research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for tip breakdown. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

ВЛИЯНИЕ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ ФОРМ МИНЕРАЛЬНЫХ УДОБРЕНИЙ НА АЗОТФИКСИРУЮЩУЮ СПОСОБНОСТЬ, УРОЖАЙНОСТЬ И КАЧЕСТВО ЗЕРНА ЛЮПИНА БЕЛОГО

Improving of technique of fertilizers’ application at white lupin cultivation which aimed increase of symbiotic nitrogen accumulation, productivity and products quality is an actual task in solution of the problem of protein deficit. The tests have been done on light gray forest soils in the South-West part of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia in Bryansk region in 2018–2020. The tests’ objects were white lupin variety Michurinskyi and fertilizers. Arable horizon had low humus content, high phosphorus content and increased potassium content. The tests’ results demonstrated the highest response of white lupin to the potassium application as the fertilizer Kaliy mag. The potassium in the dose 70 kg/ha as active substance resulted in increase of accumulation of dry plant mass and root system per a plant to the brilliant pod stage by 14.5 % and 57.4% respectively compared to the standard variant. In this case a part of the atmospheric nitrogen fixed by the white lupin is by 6.9 % higher at total admission compared to the standard. The yield increase level made 0.95 t/ha; raw protein content in seeds increased by 7.0 % compared to the variant free of fertilizers. The combined application of Kaliy mag as the main one and the complex fertilizer Aquarin on the green leaves enhanced the positive effect of this technique.The application of the fertilizers with the sulfur in their content had the positive effect on the ability of the nitrogen accumulation, productivity and products quality of white lupin.

Physiochemical performance of electrospun PLA-lignin and PVA-lignin

Abstract Polylactic acid (PLA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) are promising biocompatible and biodegradable materials for biomedical uses, yet they have limitations. Similarly, lignin is a precursor for carbon fiber but requires plasticizers to be spun into fibers. This hampers their use in areas like carbon fiber production and tissue engineering, thus the reason for this study. Lignin was extracted from the plantain stem, and a lignin blend with PLA and PVA was made and electrospun into fibers. Thereafter, the physiochemical properties of the composite fibers were analyzed. The XRD spectra revealed increased crystallinity in PLA/Lignin fiber. When 0.75 wt.% of lignin was added to PVA, a new peak and peak shift were formed in the composite fiber, indicating strong interaction. The crystallinity of PVA/lignin decreased from 71.5 to 60.1% when 0.25 wt. % of lignin was added. DSC showed miscibility of polymers and improved melting temperatures from 155 to 228 °C, for PLA/lignin (0.5wt.%) fiber, but a reduction in melting temperatures of PVA, with higher lignin content (149–143 °C). FTIR showed notable functional groups, typical of PLA, PVA, and lignin, such as the OH group between 3800 and 3459 cm−1. The minor peak shift in PLA/lignin showed that the level of molecular interaction is less than that of PVA/lignin. PLA/lignin displayed better fiber morphology compared to PVA/lignin, where fibers became sheet-like with higher lignin content. The addition of lignin improved the tensile strength of PVA (0.7 to 2.7 MPa). Conversely, PLA/lignin’s tensile strength decreased, due to reduced load transfer efficiency. Overall, PVA/lignin and PLA/lignin composites exhibit potential as reinforcement materials for biopolymers and carbon fiber precursors, with PVA showing more promise for carbon fiber production due to robust polymer-lignin interaction.

Uncovering proteome variations and concomitant quality changes of different drying methods Cordyceps sinensis by 4D-DIA structural proteomics

IntroductionCordyceps sinensis is a fungus, serves dual purposes as both a medicinal herb and a food source. Due to its high water content, fresh Cordyceps sinensis is difficult to preserve, necessitating the drying necessary to process Cordyceps sinensis.MethodsUsing 4D-DIA proteomics, researchers analyzed the proteome profiles of fresh Cordyceps sinensis (CK) under three different drying conditions: vacuum freeze-drying (FD), oven-drying (OD), and air-drying (AD). In addition, it was found that the protein and free sulfhydryl content of Cordyceps sinensis decreased significantly and the disulfide bond content increased after different drying methods.Results and discussionA total of 3762 proteins were identified, showing variations between groups and high protein content. In the control groups consisting of fresh Cordyceps sinensis samples and the three drying methods, FD. vs CK exhibited the fewest differentially abundant proteins, with the majority being upregulated. On the other hand, CK vs OD displayed the greatest amount of distinct proteins, with a significant rise in both up-regulated and down-regulated proteins. Analysis of KEGG indicated that the distinct proteins were predominantly concentrated in pathways like the ribosome, synthesis of coenzymes, and metabolism of amino sugar and nucleotide sugar. Notably, there was a significant overlap between ribosome and ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes pathways. The process of drying Cordyceps sinensis resulted in a significant upregulation of the expression of proteins linked to various metabolic pathways. This observation suggests that the drying treatment might activate or enhance certain biochemical processes within the organism, potentially influencing its overall metabolic activity. This finding highlights the importance of post-harvest dry methods on the biochemical properties of Cordyceps sinensis, which could have implications for its nutritional and medicinal value.This study provides a theoretical basis for the realization of Cordyceps sinensis resource utilization and storage methods, and provides theoretical support for guaranteeing the sustainable development of Cordyceps sinensis resources.

Effect of Milk and Water Kefir Grains on the Nutritional Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Fermented Almond Milk

Today, the global trend toward plant-based beverages has grown for sustainability, health-related, lifestyle, and dietary reasons. Among them, drinks produced from almonds have been recognized as a concentrated nutrient source. Commercial almond milk was fermented under the same processing conditions using water and milk kefir grains to determine the starter culture leading to the beverage with the better nutritional profile. The resulting fermented beverages were investigated for protein, phenolic, and flavonoid content, fatty acid profile, and antioxidant activity, determined by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Comparing the results, it was found that the almond beverage from milk kefir grains had the highest protein. The lipid profile of both beverages was characterized by a high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and a lower saturated fatty acid concentration compared to almond milk. Despite the higher phenolic content of the almond beverage from milk kefir grains, the ABTS and DPPH tests showed increased antioxidant activity in both fermented beverages, but with no significant difference between them, while the FRAP test showed a pronounced predominance of iron-reducing ability in the beverage from water kefir grains. The evidence from this study suggested that both types of grains can be used as starter cultures to enhance the nutritional and bioactive properties of almond milk.

Performances of combination of maltodextrin-alginate encapsulant in protecting spray-dried iron

AbstractA successful spray-drying encapsulation is supported by the use of suitable matrix material. This research aimed to study the properties of maltodextrin-alginate matrix solution and its encapsulated iron powder. The study was conducted using the variation of iron concentration (8–20 mg g−1 matrix) and ratio of maltodextrin-alginate (10:0; 10:0.5; 10:1; 10:1.5; 10:2; 0:2). The results showed that a higher iron concentration increased the viscosity of the matrix solution, which led to the formation of higher moisture content particles, but reduced the encapsulation efficiency. Meanwhile, an increased ratio of maltodextrin-alginate allowed an increase in the viscosity of the matrix solution, the encapsulation efficiency, and the moisture content of the particles. However, iron loading capacity improved by increasing iron and alginate concentration. All samples appeared to be amorphous materials with a faster iron release at a pH 6.8 than that at a pH 1.2. In addition, incorporation of alginate improved the particle size, thermal stability, and antioxidant activity of the encapsulated iron powder. In brief, the improvement of the encapsulation efficiency, iron release, and thermal stability of spray-dried iron powder are highlighted in this study, which are important in food fortification and processing.

Research on the effects of contents and types of water‐soluble chitosan on properties of antibacterial natural latex foam

AbstractThis study used carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and quaternized chitosan (QCS) as antibacterial agents to produce antibacterial natural rubber latex foam (NRLF) via the Dunlop method. The micro‐morphology, physical properties, tensile strength, compressive properties, and antibacterial activities were evaluated. The experimental results show that adding chitosan significantly reduces the pore size of the NRLF foam and makes its microstructure more compact. Specifically, at 0.4phr NRLF‐QCS, 42% of the foam pores are 0.2 mm in size. Both NRLF‐CMCS and NRLF‐QCS showed increased density, cross‐linking density, and water absorption with higher filler content. Compared to the control, both foams exhibited improved tensile properties: NRLF‐CMCS increased by 85% to 0.26 MPa, while NRLF‐QCS increased by 178% to 0.39 MPa. However, rebound properties after compression declined, with 0.8phr NRLF‐CMCS showing the lowest rebound rate at 48.56%. In terms of antibacterial properties, both NRLF‐CMCS and NRLF‐QCS show enhanced antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, with NRLF‐CMCS demonstrating superior performance. The inhibition zone diameter increased from 10.6 to 13.24 mm, indicating significantly improved antibacterial efficacy.Highlights The antibacterial natural rubber latex foam (NRLF) was prepared by Dunlop method. Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and quaternized chitosan (QCS) were used as antibacterial agents to fabricate antibacterial NRLF. The physical properties of NRLF‐CMCS and NRLF‐QCS exhibit an increasing trend. Both NRLF‐CMCS and NRLF‐QCS exhibited enhanced efficacy against Escherichia coli.

Agronomic Efficiency of Compost Extracts and Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria in Soybean Crops

Regenerative agriculture and the use of bioinputs have been gaining prominence in the global agribusiness sector, driven by the growing demand for healthier foods produced with minimal impact on ecosystems. In this context, compost and its derivatives (compost extracts and teas) are used to provide effective microorganisms to crops, although production processes affect the efficiency of compost extracts, as well as the soil microbiota. Thus, the hypothesis raised was that the organic matter source used for compost formation affects the agronomic efficiency of compost extracts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of compost extracts based on litterfall of angiosperm (AC) and gymnosperm (GC) species, and the use of inoculation with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense (Bra+Azo), on soil quality, crop growth, grain yield, and disease control in soybean (Glycine max L.) crops. Using AC and GC resulted in varying effects on soybean growth and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), confirming the hypothesis that the organic matter source affects the agronomic efficiency of compost extracts. Plants inoculated with Bra+Azo exhibited higher chlorophyll contents, resulting in a higher photochemical yield than for those treated with compost extracts (AC and GC). However, plants inoculated with AC and GC exhibited high plasticity in mitigating photochemical stress, reaching similar photosynthetic and transpiration rates to those observed in plants inoculated with Bra+Azo. Additionally, inoculation with Bra+Azo, overall, improved the photosynthetic efficiency of soybean plants, and the compost extracts (AC and GC) were more effective than the inoculation with Bra+Azo in increasing soybean 1000-grain weight, probably due to improvements in root development. The growth promotion observed with AC and GC is likely attributed to increases in SMBC by these compounds, denoting improvements in soil quality and biocontrol of damage caused by insect attacks.

Effects of oral γ-aminobutyric acid intake on muscle regeneration in diabetic mice.

Though γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) serves as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, its numerous biological activities in the periphery, including anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic functions, have been documented. Additionally, GABA may be a mediator underlying effects of ketone bodies/ketogenic diets on muscle regeneration. Here, we investigated effects of GABA on muscle regeneration in Type 1 Diabetes mouse models. Akita and wild-type (WT) mice were treated with GABA in drinking water for 6 weeks, followed by cardiotoxin (CTX)-induced muscle injury. At 5 days post-injury, GABA treatment exhibited no effects on regenerating myofiber size in both WT and Akita mice. Unexpectedly, regenerating GABA-treated Akita muscles exhibited significantly increased embryonic myosin heavy chain (eMHC) expression and higher intramuscular-macrophage content, suggesting delays in muscle regeneration and in elevated macrophage infiltration in diabetic muscles. Next, we determined if GABA treatment delayed the inflammatory process during muscle regeneration. Providing GABA in the drinking water during the peak inflammatory period (days 0 to 5 post-injury) resulted in a significantly greater amount of small regenerating myofibers and higher expressions of TNFα and eMHC in regenerating streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic muscles, indicating delays in inflammation process and muscle regeneration in diabetes. Plasma GABA levels were found higher in GABA-treated STZ mice than WT mice and negatively correlated with regenerating myofiber size. This delay in muscle regeneration in STZ-diabetic mice was abolished by a lower dose of GABA water that did not raise plasma GABA levels. Together, high doses of GABA intake during the early phases of muscle repair may delay regeneration.

Development and Characterization of Milled Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Filaments for Fused Deposition Modeling: Mechanical Performance, Moisture Absorption, and Morphological Insights.

Abstract This study explores the production, characterization, and performance evaluation of carbon fiber-reinforced
polymer (CFRP) composite filaments designed for fused deposition modeling (FDM) applications. The primary
objective was to investigate the influence of milled carbon fiber (MCF) content on the mechanical, moisture
absorption, and morphological properties of polypropylene (PP)-based composites. Composite filaments were
produced by blending micro-sized MCFs with PP granules, followed by a two-step extrusion process to create
filaments with varying MCF contents (1–24 wt.%). Test specimens were fabricated using 3D printing to evaluate
the performance of the composite materials.
The results demonstrated a significant enhancement in mechanical properties compared to neat PP. The composite with 9.09 wt.% MCF achieved optimal performance, exhibiting increases in tensile and flexural strengths
by 74% and 99%, respectively, relative to neat PP. However, higher MCF contents (16 and 24 wt.%) led to
reduced mechanical properties due to insufficient fiber-matrix adhesion, resulting in fiber pull-out. Moisture absorption studies revealed that the inclusion of MCFs increased the water uptake of the composites, with higher
fiber concentrations correlating to greater moisture absorption.
These findings underline the potential of MCF-reinforced PP composites for applications requiring improved
mechanical performance, such as lightweight structural components. The study identifies an optimal fiber content
of 9.09 wt.% for maximizing strength while minimizing moisture-related trade-offs. Future efforts could focus
on enhancing fiber-matrix bonding to improve performance at higher fiber concentrations.

Enhancing Superconductivity in Cu1/2Tl1/2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ with Graphene Incorporation: A Comprehensive Study.

We report a significant enhancement in superconducting properties of the Cu1/2Tl1/2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ (CuTl-1223) superconductor through the incorporation of graphene. The graphene quantum dots (GQDs) added to Gx/CuTl-1223 superconductors were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method and characterized using various analytical techniques including X-ray diffraction, temperature-dependent resistivity measurements, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and excess conductivity analyses. We found that all synthesized samples exhibit orthorhombic crystal structure, with the c-axis length and unit cell volume increased with the incorporation of GQDs. Notably, the zero-resistivity critical temperature has increased with higher GQDs content. Analysis of FTIR absorption spectra revealed a noticeable hardening of the apical oxygen and planar phonon mode (Cu(1)-OA-Cu(2), CuO2) with increasing GQDs concentration in the final compound. The sample morphology reveals that carbon from the graphene has been successfully incorporated in the CuTl unit cell, acting as an efficient pinning center. Excess conductivity analyses provided insights into the effects of GQDs on the coherence length along the c-axis, interlayer coupling, and Fermi velocity of carriers within the CuTl-1223 unit cell, showing a decrease followed by enhancement with further addition of GQDs. Additionally, parameters such as Bc0(T), Bc1(T), and Jc0(0) exhibited an increase with the incorporation of GQDs, suggesting a rise in the superconductor's volume fraction in the final compound. Overall, these findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of GQDs in enhancing the superconducting properties of Gx/Cu1/2Tl1/2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ superconductors.

POULTRY COMB-BASED FOOD PRODUCTS: APPROACHES TO SHELF-LIFE PREDICTION AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT

Poultry combs are considered as a valuable raw material for the production of various food products. A flowchart outlining the industrial manufacturing process for these products is developed and substantiated. The study details the physical and chemical properties of poultry combs, and the results are presented. To evaluate the alimentary value of the product developed, a comprehensive analysis of the chemical traits was fulfilled. The findings conclude that ready-to-eat products made from poultry combs are nutritious, technologically feasible, and accessible to a wide range of consumers. The chemical composition of thermally treated poultry combs, particularly the high protein content, contributes to the limited shelf life. This implies the need for scientifically-based predictions of safe storage periods, which can be achieved through practical research (which is time and labor-intensive but reliable) or sophisticated mathematical modeling (which is easier to implement but may be less reliable). This scientific paper substantiates the application of factorial testing methods to predict the shelf life of perishable meat products.

Correlations of Gelling Properties and 3D Printability to the Chemical Composition and Rheological Properties of Surimi from Different Marine Fish Species

Samples of marine surimi made from six different fish types have been comprehensively investigated and compared in terms of chemical composition, protease activity, gelling chemistry, gel properties and 3D printability. It has been found that surimi with high protein content, low fat concentration, low activity of endogenous protease (cathepsin B, cathepsin L, cathepsin D, calpain and serine protease) and low TVB-N showed better gelling capacity and gel properties. However, the 3D printability of surimi was more relevant to apparent viscosity. The surimi with viscosity between 5000 Pa·s and 12,000 Pa·s yielded better printing performance as indicated by higher printing accuracy than 97% and less cooking loss. This study clarified the effects of marine fish types on the corresponding surimi gelation and gel properties, and successfully established relationships between surimi properties and 3D printing performance, thus providing new insights on exploring new surimi sources and developing 3D surimi printing techniques.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AIR CONDENSERS

BACKGROUND: The refrigeration industry is constantly developing new technologies that are being incorporated into the daily operations of commercial and industrial enterprises. A clear example of this is the emergence of microchannel air heat exchangers. They are characterized by high energy efficiency, material savings and minimal refrigerant content. Despite all the advantages, microchannel capacitors have a major drawback - they are poorly understood. Therefore, this work is devoted to the study of these heat exchangers, namely, an experimental study of heat transfer parameters and a comparative analysis of microchannel and plate-tube air condensers. AIMS: comparative analysis of microchannel and plate-tubular condensers in terms of temperature gradient and thermodynamic efficiency of refrigeration machines based on these capacitors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the tasks were solved by conducting an experimental study of microchannel and plate-tubular capacitors in the laboratory, processing experimental data, assessing measurement errors, as well as thermodynamic analysis of the operating cycles of refrigeration machines based on air condensers. RESULTS: results were obtained on the temperature gradient, subcooling temperatures of the studied heat exchangers, and the values of the refrigeration coefficients of the machines were calculated. CONCLUSION: Studies have shown that the difference in condensation temperatures and the environment on a microchannel condenser is less than on a plate-tube heat exchanger. A refrigeration machine based on a microchannel unit has a higher coefficient of performance.

Metabolomic profiling of paper board sludge biochar for agricultural use.

The pulp and paperboard industries are the major industrial sector that consumes significant amounts of fresh water and generates large volumes of wastewater. The treatment of this wastewater resulted in the production of a substantial amount of sludge, which posed serious environmental challenges. This study explored a sustainable solution by converting PBS into biochar through slow pyrolysis of temperatures up to ≤ 500°C, offering an alternative approach to waste management and resource conservation. The physicochemical parameters of paper board sludge biochar (PBSB) exhibited a neutral pH of 7.49, electrical conductivity of 0.09 dS m-1, organic carbon of 38.12% and CaCO3 of 24.5%. Proximate analysis of PBSB revealed an increased fixed carbon of 76.43%, total organic carbon (TOC) of 7.13%, and reduced volatile matter and moisture levels. The TGA analysis of the dried paperboard sludge sample showed a 20% mass reduction when heated to 350°C. During this process, more than 90% of the volatile components were removed.. The micro nutrients viz., Fe 5.06mg L-1, Mn 419.3mg L-1, Cu 26.3mg L-1, and Zn 66.1mg L-1 contents were observed in PBSB. FT-IR analysis identified the presence of various carbon-containing functional groups, including C-Cl, C-N, C-C, H-C = O, C-H, and -C≡C-H, indicating substantial chemical transformations during pyrolysis. SEM-EDX analysis revealed that PBSB has fine particle size and a coarse fluffy spongy porous structure ideal for water adsorption. Elemental analysis (XRD) showed high carbon and oxygen content with significant amounts of aluminosilicates, carbonates, and nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, suggesting PBSB as a potential slow-release fertilizer. This research highlights the potential of biochar derived from paperboard waste as a sustainable solution for waste management and resource recovery.

Study of a novel micro‐cyclonic air flotation device for enhanced oil removal from wastewater

AbstractAs global oilfields advance into mid‐to‐late development stages, the produced fluids contain increasingly high water content, leading to substantial wastewater volumes. Existing oily wastewater treatment systems face challenges in meeting stricter discharge standards. To address this issue, this work proposes a micro‐cyclonic air flotation separator that integrates cyclonic and flotation technologies to enhance oil removal efficiency. An experimental setup was designed to systematically investigate the effects of structural and operational parameters on bubble formation and oil removal in a DN100 single‐tube micro‐cyclonic flotation device. Key operational parameters were selected, and structural parameters were optimized to support the development of a compact, high‐efficiency separator for oily wastewater treatment. The experimental results revealed that increasing dissolved air pressure reduces mean bubble size, increases bubble number density, and raises gas holdup. Conversely, as air flow rate increases, the mean bubble size grows, the number density initially rises before decreasing, and gas holdup follows a similar trend. Optimal structural parameters were determined, under which the device demonstrated excellent oil removal performance across an oil concentration range of 200–1000 mg/L, achieving a maximum removal efficiency of 85.69%.