Acid Levels Research Articles

Biomonitoring with Lichens: Evaluating Heavy Metal Concentrations, Environmental Factors, and Lichen Diversity in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Lichens are commonly used in biomonitoring due to their unique characteristics that make them a cost-effective option. Unlike chemical analysis, sampling lichen diversity is less expensive, enabling a more extensive sampling coverage while reducing costs. This diverse group of organisms can be used to detect areas that are affected by pollution, land use changes, and ecological imbalances. In recent years, researchers have been working to establish a reliable protocol for lichen sampling in biomonitoring to enhance its utility and minimize any variations caused by extraneous environmental factors. In this article concentrations of heavy metals s (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn), acidity and electrical conductance of few flowering trees bark (Albizialebbeck, Delonixregia, Pongamiaglabra, Callistemon Lanceolatus, Cassia Fistula, Cassia Javanica) were evaluated to determine the impact the lichen value diversity in six different places based on different environmental factors. It has been stated that the correlation between acidity level and lichen species exists in all investigated tree species. Six lichen species (Chrysothrixcandelaris (L.) Laundon, Graphisscripta (L.) Ach, G. scripta (L.) Ach., leucosorodes Nyl, D. consimilis (Stirton) Awasthi, D. aegialita (Afz. in Ach.) Moore and L.(perplexa Brodo) were registered, among them three were foliose and three were crutose. Lichen leucosorode Nyl was predominant in Albizialebbeck, Delonixregia, Pongamiaglabra trees. It was observed that the lichen diversity was less near heavy traffic location, industrial areas and also rougher bark of trees provided a better habitat of wider variety of lichen species.

Preparation of Liquid Soap Utilising Used Cooking Oil with Aloe Vera as an Antibacterial Agent

Waste cooking oil has been repurposed in the preparation of liquid hand soap, enriched with Aloe vera extract as an antibacterial agent. To ensure the safety and efficacy of the product in bacterial inhibition, comprehensive testing of physical quality and antibacterial activity has been undertaken on the produced liquid soap. The test results affirm that the soap product complies with the Indonesian National Standard for free alkali content, acidity level (pH), foam height, foam stability, and water content. Notably, the soap exhibits a free alkali content of 0.01873%, a pH of 10, a foam height of 65 mm, and a foam stability value of 84.61%. The water content in the soap is measured at 40%. These results collectively position the soap within the criteria for high-quality soap. In the antibacterial effectiveness test against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria, the addition of Aloe vera has markedly expanded the inhibitory zone, demonstrating a significant enhancement in antibacterial activity. In light of the above, this study aims to address environmental pollution and health risks associated with improper disposal of waste cooking oil. Moreover, the addition of antibacterial Aloe vera presents an economically valuable solution by repurposing waste cooking oil into a useful product.

Effects of Alterations in Acid-Base Effects on Insulin Signaling.

Insulin tightly regulates glucose levels within a narrow range through its action on muscle, adipose tissue and the liver. The activation of insulin receptors activates multiple intracellular pathways with different functions. Another tightly regulated complex system in the body is acid-base balance. Metabolic acidosis, defined as a blood pH < 7.35 and serum bicarbonate < 22 mmol/L, has clear pathophysiologic consequences including an effect on insulin action. With the ongoing intake of typical acid-producing Western diets and the age-related decline in renal function, there is an increase in acid levels within the range considered to be normal. This modest increase in acidosis is referred to as "acid stress" and it may have some pathophysiological consequences. In this article, we discuss the effects of acid stress on insulin actions in different tissues.

Effect of lozenge surface texture, taste and acidity on salivary flow rate: A crossover preclinical trial in healthy subjects.

Dry mouth is a multifaceted condition which is caused by reduced salivary secretion. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of different lozenge surface textures, tastes and acidity levels on stimulated salivary secretion for increased oral moistening in participants without hyposalivation. This randomized, double-blind, clinical crossover trial with before and after comparison involved 33 healthy volunteers. Five lozenges, including a baseline control (C), apple (A), sour (S), sour apple (SA) and granular pectin (P) were tested on five different days with all the subjects. Salivary flow, pH value, and subjective feeling (visual analog scale) were measured before and after consuming the lozenge each day. Throughout all trial days the unstimulated whole salivary flow (UWSF) averaged 0.65 ± 0.26 ml/min. Lozenges S, SA, and P showed higher stimulated whole salivary flow (SWSF) than C (P < 0.001) by more than 0.5 ml/min. Lozenge P, with a rough surface, demonstrated the highest difference between UWSF and SWSF, 2.41 ± 0.69 ml/min. The stimulated saliva with the lozenges containing acidifiers (S, SA and P) was more than 1.4 pH units lower compared to lozenges C and A (P < 0.001). Subjects reported the strongest subjective feeling of increased saliva with lozenges SA and P. Overall lozenges SA and P provided the best objective results in enhancing salivary flow rate and subjective feeling of increased salivary flow.

What’s in Your Fruit Juice?—Rapid Quality Screening Based on Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy

Fruit juices (FJ) have gained widespread global consumption, driven by their perceived health benefits. The accuracy of nutrition information is essential for consumers assessing FJ quality, especially with increasing concerns about added sugars and obesity risk. Conversely, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), found in nature in many fruits and vegetables, is often lost due to its susceptibility to light, air, and heat, and it undergoes fortification during FJ production. Current analytical methods for determining FJ components are time-consuming and labor-intensive, prompting the need for rapid analytical tools. This study employed a field-deployable portable FT-IR device, requiring no sample preparation, to simultaneously predict multiple quality traits in 68 FJ samples from US markets. Using partial least square regression (PLSR) models, a strong correlation (RCV ≥ 0.93) between FT-IR predictions and reference values was obtained, with a low standard error of prediction. Remarkably, 21% and 37% of FJs deviated from nutrition label values for sugars and ascorbic acid, respectively. Portable FT-IR devices offer non-destructive, simultaneous, simple, and high-throughput approaches for chemical profiling and real-time prediction of sugars and acid levels in FJs. Their handiness and ruggedness can provide food processors with a valuable “out-of-the-laboratory” analytical tool.

Physical Characteristics of Fishbone Gelatin (Gel Strength, Viscosity, and pH): Review

Gelatin is a polypeptide molecule derived from collagen, the main protein that forms the skin and bones in animals. Gelatin serves various functions in the food industry, acting as a stabilizer, whipping agent, gel-former, and binder agent. Research on utilizing fish bones for gelatin production has been widely conducted. Gel strength, viscosity, and pH are some of the physical characteristic parameters of fish bone gelatin. Gelatin's ability to transition between the gel and sol phases, or its reversible nature, is reflected in its gel strength. Viscosity of gelatin reflects the molecule's ability to flow in solutions, whether they are simple organic liquids or dilute suspensions, playing a crucial role in maintaining emulsion stability. The acidity level (pH) in fish bone gelatin is influenced by the pH of the hydrolysis or extraction solution, while the source of gelatin, acidity level, extraction method, temperature, and duration also impact the gel strength and viscosity values. Therefore, there is a need for a study on the physical characteristics such as gel strength, viscosity, and pH of fish bone gelatin.

Antibacterial activity of vaname shrimp chitosan gel against Phorphyromonas gingivalis bacteria in mothers with periodontal disease

Background: Dental plaque is a breeding ground for Phorphyromonas gingivalis bacteria which causes periodontal disease. Chitosan is a compound derived from the deacetylation of chitin in marine animals such as shrimp which has been proven to be antibacterial, non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. During pregnancy there is an increase in acid levels in the oral cavity, as well as exposure to stomach acid on the teeth and gingiva which results in inflammation of the gingiva and periodontal tissue. This study aims to determine the activity of chitosan in inhibiting the growth of Phorphyromonas gingivalis bacteria in postnatal mothers with periodontal disease. Method: True experimental randomized pre-test and post-test control group design, with topical administration of 2% chitosan gel to mothers with gingivitis in Badung Regency, Bali. The sample was 14 postpartum mothers, divided into control groups (given base gel) and treatment (2% chitosan gel). The degree of gingivitis is measured using Modified Gingival Indexes (MGI), for antibacterial by calculating the number of Phorphyromonas gingivalis deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) copies using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Descriptively, there was a difference in the decrease in the average MGI index in the control and treatment groups on the 7th and 21st days, as well as in the average number of bacteria. The Wilcoxon test showed p&lt;0.05, in the control and treatment groups, meaning there was a significant decrease in the MGI index on the 7th and 21st days. Calculation of the number of Phorphyromonas gingivalis bacteria showed p&lt;0.05, meaning there was a decrease in the number in the control and treatment groups. However, the Mann Whitney test results showed p&gt;0.05, meaning there was no significant relationship between the control and treatment groups, either on the MGI index or the number of Phorphyromonas gingivalis bacteria. Conclusion: Vaname 2% shrimp chitosan gel has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Omega-3 blood biomarkers relate to brain glucose uptake in individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease dementia.

Brain glucose hypometabolism is a preclinical feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dietary omega-3 fatty acids promote brain glucose metabolism, but clinical research is incipient. Circulating omega-3s objectively reflect their dietary intake. This was a cross-sectional study in 320 cognitively unimpaired participants at increased risk of AD dementia. Using lipidomics, we determined blood docosahexaenoic (DHA) and alpha-linolenic (ALA) acid levels (omega-3s from marine and plant origin, respectively). We assessed brain glucose metabolism using [18-F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Blood ALA directly related to FDG uptake in brain areas known to be affected in AD. Stronger associations were observed in apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers and homozygotes. For DHA, significant direct associations were restricted to amyloid beta-positive tau-positive participants. Blood omega-3 directly relate to preserved glucose metabolism in AD-vulnerable brain regions in individuals at increased risk of AD dementia. This adds to the benefits of omega-3 supplementation in the preclinical stage of AD dementia. Blood omega-3s were related to brain glucose uptake in participants at risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia.Complementary associations were observed for omega-3 from marine and plant sources.Foods rich in omega-3 might be useful in early features of AD.

Chemical Characterization of Coffee from Several Region of Indonesia (Cafein value, pH and Total Acid)

Coffee contains an active compound derived from the alkaloid group called caffeine. The content of active chemical compounds and various chemical properties of coffee are influenced by the area of the coffee is grown, the height of the plantation land, the type of coffee, and the processing process. In this research, a quantitative analysis of the chemical compounds and chemical properties of coffee from various regions in Indonesia was carried out with the aim of determining the caffeine content and acidity level (pH) as well as the total acid contained. This parameter is important to analyze due to it could influence the level of consumer acceptance. The method used in this research is the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) method using one research factor, the origin of the coffee area including Aceh coffee, Papua coffee, Wonosalam coffee, Sidikalang coffee and Ngawi coffee with the parameters observed being caffeine content, pH value and total titrated acid. The results showed that the caffeine content in Arabica Aceh, Excelsa Ngawi, Arabica Papua, Robusta Sidikalang and Excelsa Wonosalam meets the provisions of SNI 01-3542-2004, not more than 2% from 0.2% - 1.78%, the pH of these five coffee regions has significant differences from 5.69-6.55. These pH value has still considered safe for human consumption. Furthermore, the total acid value of these five types of coffee ranges from 0.97 to 1.36, with the total acid value of Sidikalang robusta being different from coffee from other regions.

Antidepressant-like Effect of the Eburnamine-Type Molecule Vindeburnol in Rat and Mouse Models of Ultrasound-Induced Depression.

Vindeburnol (VIND, RU24722, BC19), a synthetic molecule derived from the eburnamine-vincamine alkaloid group, has many neuropsychopharmacological effects, but its antidepressant-like effects are poorly understood and have only been described in a few patents. To reliably estimate this effect, vindeburnol was studied in a model of long-term variable-frequency ultrasound (US) exposure at 20-45 kHz in male Wistar rats and BALB/c mice. Vindeburnol was administered chronically for 21 days against a background of simultaneous ultrasound exposure at a dose of 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally (IP). Using four behavioral tests, the sucrose preference test (SPT), the social interaction test (SIT), the open field test (OFT), and the forced swimming test (FST), we found that the treatment with the compound diminished depression-like symptoms in mice and rats. The compound restored the ultrasound-related reduced sucrose consumption to control levels and increased social interaction time in mice and rats compared with those in ultrasound-exposed animals. Vindeburnol showed contraversive results of horizontal and vertical activity in both species and generally did not increase locomotor activity. At the same time, the compound showed a specific effect in the FST, significantly reducing the immobility time. Moreover, we found an increase in norepinephrine, dopamine, and its metabolite levels in the brainstem, as well as an increase in dopamine, 3-methoxytyramine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in the striatum. We also observed a statistically significant increase in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels in the region containing the locus coeruleus (LC). We suggest that using its distinct chemical structure and pharmacological activity as a starting point could boost antidepressant drug discovery.

INFLUENCE OF SHELTERBELTS OF DIFFERENT DESIGNS ON SOIL FERTILITY AND MOISTURE AVAILABILITY IN THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE

During 2020-2023, the authors studied nutrient reserves, namely the content of humus, mobile nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as the level of acidity in the soil layers of 0-20 and 20-50 cm in openwork-blowing, openwork, dense forest strips, determined the reserves of total and available moisture, the dynamics of productive moisture and moisture availability during the growing season in individual collective farms in the Uman district of Cherkasy region. Studies have shown that the humus content in forest strips of various designs ranges from 2.5 to 3.6%. That is, the humus content is low. The highest amount of humus was found in the openwork design of the forest belt. The pH level in the 0-20 cm soil layer ranges from 5.87 in the openwork-blown forest belt to 7.3 units in the dense one. The highest NO3 content is observed in the 20-50 cm soil layer in the openwork forest belt - 141.4 mg/kg. The P2O5 content in the lower soil layer ranges from 62.1 mg/kg to 142.0 mg/kg. The highest P2O5 content of 168.0 mg/kg was found in the 0-20 cm soil layer of the openwork-blow forest belt. The amount of K2O in the upper soil layer is the same for all variants, in the lower layer it varies from 73.3 to 91.0 mg/kg. The openwork-blown forest belt has an available moisture reserve of 44.88 mm, the openwork belt - 51.03 mm, and the dense belt - 67.24 mm, which, compared to the dense forest belt, the moisture content of the openwork-blown belt is 33.27% lower and that of the openwork belt is 24.11% lower. Investigating the dynamics of changes in moisture productivity and moisture availability during the growing season (May-October) in all variants of the experiment both in 0-20 cm and 0-50 cm soil layer, a significant decrease in these indicators is observed. Thus, in the openwork-blown forest strip in the 0-20 cm soil layer in May, from 68 mm and 78%, these indicators decreased in October to 17 mm and 18%, respectively, i.e., in terms of moisture productivity by 4 times and moisture availability by 4.3 times. This indicates that the productivity and moisture content of the experimental forest strips are much higher compared to the control (open field), where the moisture productivity is 42 mm and the moisture availability is 35%. At a depth of up to 50 cm, the soil moisture content in the blown forest strips is one and a half to two times less than in the openwork forest strips. In favorable years, this difference in soil moisture remains throughout the growing season. The growth and development of tree species in the first half of the growing season (May-June) is carried out at the expense of moisture accumulated during snowmelt or winter rains in the lower soil layers. In the second half of the growing season, tree species receive moisture from summer precipitation that falls in late July and early August and accumulates in the upper soil layers.

Современное состояние почв лесных питомников таежной зоны Европейской части России

When producing planting material in the taiga zone, it is extremely important to assess problematic sites in forest nurseries. Attention should be paid to poor soil quality, which can significantly affect the growth rate of seedlings and the yield of standard planting material. The article considers a comprehensive assessment of soil conditions in forest nurseries of the taiga zone of the European part of Russia. The research was conducted in six forest nurseries. Agrochemical and physical properties of soils were determined. The content of organic matter in the soils of forest nurseries is low, mobile forms of phosphorus, exchangeable potassium and alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen are insufficient for optimal growth and development of coniferous seedlings. The level of acidity in the soils of nurseries in the taiga zone of the European part of Russia turned out to be favorable. Half of the studied forest nurseries have increased density of soil composition, which can lead to the formation of soils with low pore volume, limiting air intake and moisture retention in the soil. A decrease in the intensity of seedling growth and yield of standard seedlings may occur due to the lack of technological measures such as weed control, lack of irrigation, etc., but one of the most important reasons is the insufficient supply of soils with mineral and organic substances. Equalization of soil fertility parameters in forest nurseries can be achieved by application of necessary fertilizers and by means of cultivation. The results of the presented work will make it possible to draw the attention of specialists engaged in the cultivation of planting material in the taiga zone of the European part of Russia to the problem of low soil fertility.

Relationship between Water Quality in Coal Mine Voids and Dental Health

Dental and oral health is a major challenge in East Kalimantan, and nearly 73% of the population has problems with oral health. Water quality is an important factor that causes tooth decay through enamel demineralization. In the context of coal mining, high water acidity is primarily due to the presence of pyrite sulfide minerals and low fluoride ion content. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between water quality, oral hygiene (OHIS), and the level of dental health in people who consume post-mining void water. The method was analytic observation with a cross-sectional approach, and the instruments used were the oral hygiene index, dental caries index, acidity level of water, and fluorine content test. The population included people who lived in void water areas after coal mining, and the sample included post-coal mining void water users. The sample was selected using a purposive sampling method with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The dependent variable was dental caries, whereas the independent variables were post-mining void acid water, fluorine content, and oral hygiene. The procedure of this study included testing water samples at the location with a pH meter, testing the fluorine content in the laboratory using spectrophotometry, examining oral hygiene with the oral hygiene index, and assessing tooth decay with the DMFT index. The results showed that there was a relationship between the level of acidity (pH), fluorine content, oral hygiene, and the level of dental health (DMFT) in people who use coal mine void water.

Hydrogeological and hydrochemical condition in planned tunnel B route of the Yogyakarta-Bawen toll road

The Yogyakarta-Bawen toll road tunnel, located in Magelang Regency, Central Java Province, is a national strategic project that connects Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta. It has geology resulting from volcanic processes, resulting in rocks with moderate aquifer properties and low to moderate permeability. The study covers 24 observation points, with 11 locations sampling groundwater for chemical analysis. The analysis results of hydrochemical facies are Na-K-HCO3. Water table depth varies from 623 m to 704 m above sea level, with the water table along the tunnel route at depths of 13-40 m above mean sea level, generally above the tunnel’s elevation. The groundwater flow pattern tends to move from southeast to northwest, perpendicular to the tunnel’s direction. Groundwater quality testing indicates that water in the research area falls under the category of fresh groundwater, based on electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids values. The overall acidity level is generally acidic, except at specific points. In general, the interaction of groundwater with concrete results in weak erosion. It can be concluded that the groundwater at the research location is shallow, situated above the planned tunnel elevation, exhibits hydrochemical facies variations, and has the potential to weakly erode concrete.

Some Physical, Chemical, Sensory Properties, Mineral Substances, and Heavy Metal Contents of Moldy Cheese Produced in Bayburt and the Surrounding Area

Moldy cheese produced in Bayburt and its surroundings is a mature cheese with a distinctive flavor that can be prepared in three ways. It is made from only Civil cheese, only cottage cheese (çökelek) or mixing the shredded Civil cheese with cottage cheese made from moderately fatty, or non-fat milk, pressing it into appropriate containers, draining the water, and allowing the cheese to organically mold. It is produced traditionally, and there are no production standards. This study was carried out to identify some of the physical, chemical, and sensory properties, mineral substances, and heavy metal contents of moldy cheeses produced and consumed in the region. In the cheese samples (24 pieces), the average dry matter (DM) rate was 51.26%, ash rate was 5.68%, salt rate was 6.21%, fat rate was 4.81%, acidity level was 0.96% and pH value was 5.79, L color value was 74.94, a color value was 0.94, b color value was 8.24. In sensory analyses, the samples scored an average of 5.94 points for color and appearance, 6.10 points in moldiness, 6.11 points for texture, 5.72 points for odor, 6.03 points for taste, 6.30 points for saltiness, and 6.01 points for general acceptability. 29 elements were examined to determine mineral substances and heavy metal concentrations. These findings are important in terms of revealing some general characteristics and heavy metal content of moldy cheese produced in the region.

Lingguizhugan oral solution alleviates MASLD by regulating bile acids metabolism and the gut microbiota through activating FXR/TGR5 signaling pathways.

The preservation of the Lingguizhugan (LGZG) decoction and patient compliance issue often limit the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Hence, herein, an LGZG oral solution was developed for alleviating MASLD. Additionally, the potential mechanisms underlying LGZG-mediated MASLD mitigation were explored. A MASLD mouse model was constructed using oleic and palmitic acid-induced LO2 cells and a high-fat diet. The apoptosis, lipid deposition, and mouse liver function were analyzed to assess the therapeutic effects of the LGZG oral solution on MASLD. Serum untargeted metabolomics, gut microbiota, bile acid (BA) metabolism, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting analyses were performed to investigate the potential mechanism of action of LGZG oral solution on MASLD. The LGZG oral solution ameliorated lipid deposition, oxidative stress, inflammation, and pathological damage. Serum untargeted metabolomics results revealed the LGZG-mediated regulation of the primary BA biosynthetic pathway. The 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing of the fecal microbiota showed that LGZG oral solution increased the relative abundance of the BA metabolism-associated Bacteroides, Akkermansia, and decreased that of Lactobacillus. Additionally, the BA metabolism analysis results revealed a decrease in the total taurine-α/β-muricholic acid levels, whereas those of deoxycholic acid were increased, which activated specific receptors in the liver and ileum, including farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5). Activation of FXR resulted in an increase in short heterodimer partner and subsequent inhibition of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c expression, and activation of FXR also results in the upregulation of fibroblast growth factor 15/19 expression, and consequently inhibition of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, which correlated with hepatic BA synthesis and lipogenesis, ultimately attenuating lipid deposition and bile acid stasis, thereby improving MASLD. Altogether, the findings of this study suggest that modulating microbiota-BA-FXR/TGR5 signaling pathway may be a potential mechanism of action of LGZG oral solution for the treatment of MASLD.

Performance of Strawberry Cultivars under different Growing Environments in Nilgiris

Strawberry, an important berry fruit crop with high value and nutritional properties is picking up in the South Indian conditions, especially in Tamil Nadu under temperate region of Nilgiris district. Since the fruit is directly consumed by the children and all group of categories, the choice of varieties and its performance in terms of fruit yield and quality particularly sugar and acidity level will decide the marketability and preference. The field evaluation of strawberry varieties collected from different places and suitability will help the farmers to cultivate and get benefit and profitability out of the crop. A collection of nine strawberry varieties was done and assessed for the performance under greenhouse growing environment, in Nilgiris condition with randomized block design having three replications during the year 2018 to 2020 in Horticultural Research Station, TNAU, Ooty, Nilgiris.The variety Rania recorded better performance for plant height (33.81 cm), plant spread(E-W) [45.38 cm], (N-S) [43.96 cm] during 120 days after planting. Flavia recorded more number of leaves (24.80). Rania recorded a fruit length (4.05 cm), fruit width (11.29 cm), fruit weight (27.62 g). The variety Capri recorded more number of fruits per plant (68.86) which is on par with Flavia (68.80). The fruit quality parameters Total Soluble Solids (TSS) is high with 12.43o brix in Nabila and acidity (0.98 %) in Flaminia. The highest yield per plant (1190.20 g) was recorded in Flavia and with lowest yield in Capri (563.46 g). The variety Flavia recorded maximum in fruit parameters like fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight and highest yield whereas fruit quality parameters of TSS and acidity is highest in Nabila and Flaminia respectively.

Features of the selection of starter cultures in the production of functional fermented milk products

Modern trends in the formation of a healthy lifestyle have led to the active development of technologies for the production of functional fermented milk products. The selection of a rational combination of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria for creating starter cultures should provide products with functional properties and take into account the following criteria: the product must be safe (each microorganism included in its composition must be tested and assessed from a safety point of view, including confirmation of the absence of genes antibiotic resistance); the product must have nutritional value; the product must meet certain quantitative characteristics (amount of probiotics, acidity level, energy value). In the course of studying the features of the selection of starter cultures (lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria) in the production of functional fermented milk products, a search (using key words) for literature sources published between 2012 and April 2023 was carried out and related to the development of starter cultures and functional products. Using three search engines, 105 sources were selected and checked for compliance with the designated inclusion criteria. Among the selected sources, only 69 could be applicable for writing a review that has examined the effect of functional fermented milk products on the human body and has analyzed the potential of using lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria as a component of the starter composition.

Application of Citric Acid and Packaging Type Selection in Preserving Stability of Homemade Tomato Sauce

Tomatoes are horticultural product widely grown in Indonesia and consumed by societies. They contain minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds beneficial for health. Unfortunately, tomatoes quickly decline in quality, causing their post-harvest shelf life to be short. One attempt to prevent the wastage of tomatoes is to process them into sauce products. To extend the stability of tomato sauce, food-grade preservatives such as citric acid need to be added. Furthermore, different packaging also affects the stability of tomato sauce. This study used citric acid with varying concentrations of 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15%. The packaging used included Clear Glass Bottles, Dark Glass Bottles, Clear Plastic Bottles, and Dark Plastic Bottles. The tomato sauce was evaluated by room storage for 30 days to investigate the stability of water content, acidity level, and total microbes. Adding 0.15% citric acid may be considered in preserving tomato sauce with a difference in increasing water content of 1.7%, a difference in decreasing pH of 0.1, and a difference in increasing total microbes of 1.4 cfu/g. Using a dark glass bottle may better protect tomato sauce from quality degradation.

Controlled Growth of WO3 Photoanode under Various pH Conditions for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Performance.

Herein, the effects of the precursor solution's acidity level on the crystal structure, morphology, nucleation, and growth of WO3·nH2O and WO3 nanostructures are reported. Structural investigations on WO3·nH2O using X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirm that the quantity of hydrate groups increases due to the interaction between H+ and water molecules with increasing HCl volume. Surface analysis results support our claim that the evolution of grain size, surface roughness, and growth direction on WO3·nH2O and WO3 nanostructures rely on the precursor solution's pH value. Consequently, the photocurrent density of a WO3 photoanode using a HCl-5 mL sample achieves the best results with 0.9 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). We suggest that the improved photocurrent density of the HCl-5 mL sample is due to the efficient light absorption from the densely grown WO3 nanoplates on a substrate and that its excellent charge transport kinetics originate from the large surface area, low charge transfer resistance, and fast ion diffusion through the photoanode/electrolyte interface.