Ultrasonic Power Research Articles

Effects of Ultrasonic Pretreatment on the Discharge for Better Recycling of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries

Discharge treatment is a vital process in the pretreatment of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This paper focuses on the effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on the discharge of spent LIBs from the perspective of electrolyte concentration and ultrasonic power. By integrating characterizations such as pH measurement and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the effect of ultrasonic pretreatment on the discharge of spent LIBs is evaluated. Experimental results show that sodium chloride (NaCl) solution and potassium chloride (KCl) solution have a more significant and better discharge efficiency (DE) under ultrasonic treatment, while organic electrolyte solutions which mainly contain formate and acetate generally show a less ideal DE. Under experimental conditions of using electrolyte discharge solutions with various electrolyte concentrations with the same ultrasonic power of 300 W, the DE generated from the experimental condition with KCl solution in 30 g/200 mL deionized water is the highest, 64.9%; under different ultrasonic powers in the same electrolyte solutions, the DE of 10 wt.% HCOONa solution is the highest at ultrasonic power of 500 W, at 4.7%. This work provides a reference for the efficient and cost-effective pretreatment of spent LIBs and the discharge mechanism in different electrolyte solutions with ultrasonic treatment is also explored to support the recycling of spent LIBs.

Predicting Dye Formulations and Ultrasonic Pretreatment Power in Wood Staining with a SAT Fusion-Gated BiLSTM Model Optimized by Improved Dung Beetle Algorithm

Wood dyeing plays a crucial role in enhancing the value of plantation wood and addressing the imbalance between supply and demand in the wood industry. However, challenges such as low dye uptake and inaccurate color matching persist. This study introduces a novel Separable Attention Feature Fusion-Gated Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (SAT Fusion-Gated BiLSTM) model to more accurately predict dye concentration and ultrasonic pretreatment power to address these issues. The model integrates multispectral data and uses ultrasonic treatment to open fiber gaps and decompose wood components, thereby improving dye uptake. Unlike traditional models, SAT Fusion-Gated BiLSTM combines a Maximum Information Coefficient (MIC)-based feature selection module, gated linear units for enhanced feature extraction, and an improved cross-attention mechanism for efficient data fusion. Compared to traditional deep learning models, the model’s performance is significantly improved, including an R2 of 0.9274, an RMSE of 0.0470, an RPIQ of 5.5825, an RPD of 5.0400, and a MAE of 0.0229. RPIQ and RPD improve by over 100.8% compared to traditional deep learning models, and the runtime is reduced by 83.94% when compared to Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNS). The Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) reveals the key spectral features that drive these predictions. These advancements in accuracy, efficiency, and interpretability make the model particularly promising for industrial applications, offering both improved operational efficiency and more precise resource management in the sustainable use of timber.

Ultrasonication-assisted lipase-catalyzed esterification of chlorogenic acid: A comparative study using fatty alcohol and acids in solvent and solvent-free conditions.

Chlorogenic acid, a well-known antioxidant, has potential applications in health care, food, and cosmetic sectors. However, its low solubility hinders its application at the industrial scale. The primary goal of the present study was to increase the lipophilic property of chlorogenic acid through esterification using an ultrasonication approach and Novozym® 435 as the catalyst. The esterification was executed in two ways. In the first method, chlorogenic acid was converted to chlorogenic acid ester using octanol in a solvent-free reaction. Catalytic factors such as reaction time (12h∼36h), enzyme dosage (10∼50mg), and ultrasonication power (90∼150W) were optimized using Box-Behnken design (BBD) while temperature (60 ℃) and molar ration (chlorogenic acid/octanol, 1:500) were kept constant. A maximum conversion rate of 95.3% was achieved when the esterification was performed for 12h at 120W ultrasonication power and 50mg enzyme dosage. Contrary to the first method, when esterification was done using caprylic acid in the presence of 2-methyl-2-butanol as a solvent, the conversion rate was relatively low. Despite optimization of factors including molar ratio, enzyme dosage, and reaction time, the highest conversion rate achieved was of only 36.8%. Moreover, molecular docking results revealed that the lowest binding energy was between lipase and octanol. The finding of the study clearly stated that the esterification of chlorogenic acid was more effective in a solvent-free condition as compared to in the presence of solvent.

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction of luteolin from peanut shells using ionic liquid and its molecular mechanism.

This study investigates the potential of ionic liquids (ILs) as sustainable solvents in ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) to efficiently recover luteolin from peanut shells. Among the range of ILs tested, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate stood out as the most effective solvent, achieving the highest extraction yield. Single-factor experiments were conducted to analyze the effects of ultrasonic power, extraction time, extraction temperature, IL concentration, and solid-to-liquid ratio on extraction efficiency. Further optimization of the extraction conditions was performed using response surface methodology and neural network analysis, resulting in a significantly enhanced luteolin yield of 3.71±0.06mg/g. Interaction energy analyses were conducted to elucidate the interactions between ILs and luteolin, confirming the experimental findings and highlighting the strongest interaction energy between 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and luteolin. A kinetic model for luteolin extraction was developed, demonstrating that the extraction process follows a second-order rate model, where the extraction rate is directly proportional to the square of the concentration difference between luteolin and the solvent. The outcomes of this research present an efficient protocol for luteolin extraction and provide novel insights into the application of UAE in extracting natural products.

Enhanced ultrasound-assisted controllable growth assembly of MoS2/Fe3O4 materials for piezoelectric Fenton reaction degradation of sildenafil.

The Fenton technique is known for its high efficiency and minimal environmental impact; however, its degradation reaction process requires a sustained acidic environment. In this study, nanoflower and cookie-like morphologies of composite piezoelectric materials were synthesized for ultrasound-driven piezoelectric-Fenton degradation of sildenafil. The most effective assembly method involves growing MoS₂ on the rough-surfaced Fe₃O₄ microspheres as a substrate. Characterization and degradation results indicate that these piezoelectric materials utilize different assembly modes when operating under neutral conditions, and evaluate in depth the effect of various factors such as pH, H2O2 dose and ultrasonic (US) power on the degradation of sildenafil. Both composites exhibit the ability to initiate reactions neutrally and sustain some degradation efficacy in a neutral environment. The composite catalyst almost completely removed 50 mg L-1 of sildenafil within 60 min, and AFM characterization showed a piezoelectric response of 56 pm/V for the core-shell nanoflower catalyst. These data suggest that the assembly of Fe3O4-based surface-grown MoS2 allows constructing of more active sites and provides favourable reaction efficacy for the Fenton reaction. The free radical experiments have shown that ·OH radicals are the main reactive species in the process. This work explored the effect of different assembly methods of composite piezoelectric material on the degradation reaction and provided new ideas for the subsequent construction of composite material systems.

Optimizing ultrasonic extraction of polysaccharides from Spirulina platensis and evaluating their antioxidant and antibacterial activities in acidic environments.

In this study, the response surface method was used to optimize the ultrasonic extraction of polysaccharide from Spirulina platensis. The optimal extraction conditions were ultrasonic time 50 min, solid-liquid ratio 1: 40, ultrasonic power 265 w, and the predicted extraction rate was 6.861 ± 0.116 %. The FT-IR and NMR confirmed that polysaccharide from S. platensis would protonate to form β-glucoside bond in acidic environment, and the original carbonyl group would be converted to carboxyl group and then esterified to form acyl group donor. In the acidic pH range (7.0, 6.0, 5.0 and 4.0), the antioxidant, nitrite scavenging and bacteriostatic activities of the extracted polysaccharide from S. platensis were measured in vitro. The results showed that polysaccharide of S. platensis had better antioxidant activity in acidic environment and better performance in low pH condition. In addition, it has the best inhibitory effect on Salmonella enteritidis (14.3-17.15 mm) in acidic environment, and the inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus (11.95-12.87 mm) is stronger than that in neutral environment (10.48-12.08 mm). To sum up, the structure of polysaccharide from S. platensis will change in acidic environment, and it has good antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Ultrasonic/microwave-assisted extraction and properties of polysaccharides from Elaeagnus angustifolia

This study aimed to optimize the ultrasonic/microwave-assisted extraction (UAME) technique of Elaeagnus angustifolia polysaccharides (EAP-UM) by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions include: solid-liquid ratio of 1:23 g/mL, ultrasonic power of 252 W, microwave power of 417 W, and extraction time of 11 min. Under these conditions, the yield of polysaccharides reached 7.87%, superior to ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE, 5.74%), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE, 6.86%), and hot water extraction (HWE, 4.91%). UAME could also result in higher carbohydrate, protein, and uronic acid contents compared to other methods. The properties of EAP-UM were further analyzed by infrared spectra (IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, EAP-UM exhibited a remarkable free radical scavenging ability (DPPH, IC50, 79 µg/mL) and reduced power. EAP-UM also showed α-amylase inhibiting activity (IC50, 2.826 mg/mL). UAME has the advantage of high extraction rate and short extraction time, and the obtained polysaccharide EAP-UM had better properties. These findings may serve as a reference for the development and application of E. angustifolia.

Ultrasonic dispersion mechanism of liquid Ga/In

Abstract Ga/In alloy, known for its low melting point and liquid state at room temperature, is a promising material for producing fine metal particles. Conventional methods often face challenges in efficiency or particle uniformity, particularly for particle sizes below 10 μm. Ultrasonic processing offers a potential solution, enabling efficient production of microscale and sub-microscale particles. This study examined the effects of ultrasonic frequency and power on the particle size distribution of Ga/In alloy. The effect on particle refinement of adding a second ultrasonic irradiation step was also evaluated. High-speed video imaging was used to capture the dispersion process in real time. The results indicate that particle size depended strongly on ultrasonic frequency and power, with higher frequencies yielding finer particles. The secondary irradiation effectively improved size distribution and dispersion. These findings provide insights into the controlled formation of metal microparticles using ultrasonic techniques.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of polyphenols from Lonicera japonica leaves and their α-glucosidase inhibition

IntroductionThe search for natural bioactive compounds that act as α-glucosidase inhibitors is a central focus in diabetes treatment research.MethodsThis study utilized ultrasonic-assisted extraction to optimize the extraction of polyphenols from honeysuckle leaves through response surface methodology (RSM). Enzyme inhibition and fluorescence quenching experiments were conducted to examine the inhibitory activity and binding behavior of the extracted polyphenols.ResultsThe results indicated that the optimal conditions for polyphenol extraction were as follows: ethanol concentration, 64%, liquid–solid ratio, 45 mL/g, ultrasonic power, 700 W, ultrasonic time, 6 min. Under these conditions, the yield of polyphenols from honeysuckle leaves was 9.16 ± 0.19%, which closely aligns with the predicted value of 9.18%. The total phenolic content of the polyphenol extracts was 20.6 ± 0.67%, with chlorogenic acid and luteoloside contents measuring 5.65 ± 0.40% and 2.51 ± 0.14%, respectively. The inhibitory effect of polyphenol extracts (IC50, 0.14 ± 0.01 mg/mL) on α-glucosidase was better than that of chlorogenic acid (IC50, 0.55 ± 0.02 mg/mL). Fluorescence quenching experiments indicated that the polyphenol extracts interact with α-glucosidase, resulting in alterations to the microenvironment of amino acid residues.DiscussionThis interaction can reduce the binding affinity between the substrate and α-glucosidase, thereby contributing to the objective of lowering postprandial hyperglycemia. Our research results can provide reference for the development and utilization of honeysuckle leaves.

Enhancing Rice Bran Soluble Dietary Fiber Yield Through Sequential Ultrasound–Xylanase Treatment

The main aim of this study was to enhance the content of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) derived from rice bran (RB) through various treatments, including physical methods (ultrasound and alternating magnetic field (AMF)) and enzymatic approaches (cellulase and xylanase), applied individually or in combination. The results revealed that AMF treatment was the most effective single modification technique for increasing SDF yield, followed by treatments with xylanase, cellulase, and ultrasound. Notably, among the combined approaches, the sequential ultrasound–xylanase treatment (U-X) demonstrated the highest potential for enhancing SDF yield. Further optimization experiments revealed that under the conditions of a xylanase addition of 4.3 mg/g sample, a material-to-liquid ratio of 50 mL/g, and an ultrasonic power of 72 W, the yield of U-X-SDF significantly increased from 1.03% to 18.4%. Compared to unmodified samples, the modified SDF groups exhibited marked enhancements in water holding capacity (42.5–86.4%) and water solubility (21.0–30.6%), while the unmodified SDF displayed superior oil holding capacity than the modified groups. In summary, the sequential ultrasound–xylanase treatment not only improves the SDF yield but also enhances the functional properties of RB-derived SDF, positioning it as a valuable health-promoting food additive with potential benefits for both laboratory and industrial food applications. The optimized treatment process can contribute to the development of new functional food ingredients from RB, thereby promoting health and wellness in consumers.

Ultrasonic vibration-assisted scribing of sapphire: effects of ultrasonic vibration and tool geometry

In recent years, semiconductors, electronics, optics, and various other industries have seen a significant surge in the use of sapphire materials, driven by their exceptional mechanical and chemical properties. The machining of sapphire surfaces plays a crucial role in all these applications. However, due to sapphires’ exceptionally high hardness (Mohs hardness of 9, Vickers hardness of 2300) and brittleness, machining them often presents challenges such as microcracking and chipping of the workpiece, as well as significant tool wear, making sapphires difficult to cut. To enhance the machining efficiency and machined surface integrity, ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) machining of sapphire has already been studied, showing improved performance with lower cutting force, better surface finish, and extended tool life. Scribing tests using a single-diamond tool not only are an effective method to understand the material removal mechanism and deformation characteristics during such UV-A machining processes but also can be used as a potential process for separating IC chips from wafers. This paper presents a comprehensive study of the UV-A scribing process, aiming to develop an understanding of sapphire’s material removal mechanism under varying ultrasonic power levels and cutting tool geometries. In this experimental investigation, the effect of five different levels of ultrasonic power and three different cutting tool tip angles at various feeding depths on the scribe-induced features of the sapphire surface has been presented with a quantitative and qualitative comparison. The findings indicate that at feeding depths less than 6 μm, UV-A scribing with 40–80% ultrasonic power can reduce cutting force up to 50% and thus improve scribe quality. However, between feeding depths of 6 to 10 μm, this advantage of using ultrasonic vibration gradually diminishes. Additionally, UV-A scribing with a smaller tool tip angle (60°) was found to lower cutting force by 65% and improve scribe quality, effectively inhibiting residual stress formation and microcrack propagation. Furthermore, UV-A scribing also facilitated higher critical feeding depths at around 10 μm, compared to 6 μm in conventional scribing.

Eco-friendly synthesis of Arabinoxylan-Catechin conjugates: Enhanced functional and antioxidant properties via cold plasma and ultrasonic methods.

Arabinoxylan-catechin complexes were synthesized using two eco-friendly methods: cold plasma and ultrasonic treatments. Their physicochemical, structural and functional properties were evaluated. Cold plasma and ultrasonic treatments did not significantly alter the molecular structure of arabinoxylan, although a decrease Mw was noticed. Grafting ratios increased by elevating ultrasonic power to 200W for 3min and cold plasma power to 50V for 3min. UV-vis, FT-IR, and SEM analyses revealed the formation of covalent bonds between arabinoxylan and catechin after cold plasma and ultrasonic treatment. Arabinoxylan's viscosity and thermal stability decreased upon catechin mixing. Furthermore, the in vitro antioxidant activities of the cold plasma and ultrasonic samples were significantly enhanced compared with those of the physically mixed sample. This work provides two eco-friendly methods: cold plasma and ultrasonic treatments, which are operationally flexible, chemical-free, and sustainable for the preparation of polysaccharide-polyphenol conjugates, consequently modifying the functional and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides.

Effect of ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction on proso millet bran protein: extraction rate, structural and functional properties.

Proso millet bran protein (PMBP), derived from agricultural by-products, possesses high nutritional value, despite its challenging extraction process. The present study proposes an extraction method for PMBP using ultrasound-assisted cellulase technology (UAE), and optimizes the process parameters. Non-waxy (N-PMBP) and waxy (W-PMBP) PMBPs, extracted through alkaline solubilization and acid precipitation (conventional treatment, CT), served as control groups to assess the impact of UAE on the structure and functionality of PMBP, as well as the distinctions between N-PMBPs and W-PMBPs. At an ultrasonic power of 420 W, cellulase concentration of 80 U g-1, enzymolysis pH of 5.0, enzymolysis temperature of 55 °C and enzymolysis time of 3 h, the maximum PMBP extraction rate was achieved at 76.80%. Compared to CT, UAE extraction resulted in enhancements in α-helix and random content, particle size, surface hydrophobicity (H0) and ξ-potential value, leading to improved functionality of the PMBPs. Additionally, significant functional and structural disparities were observed between N-PMBPs and W-PMBPs. Although no significant difference in molecular weight was detected, each exhibited three major bands. W-PMBPs exhibited significantly higher beta-sheet content compared to N-PMBPs, whereas the reverse trend was observed for α-helix content. W-PMBPs displayed strong solubility and water/oil holding capacity compared to N-PMBPs, albeit with lower emulsifying properties and H0. UAE could enhance PMBP extraction, inducing structural and functional changes in PMBPs compared to CT. Significant differences in functionality and structure were observed between N-PMBPs and W-PMBPs, providing fundamental data and a theoretical basis for PMBP development and utilization. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

A REVIEW OF ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED EXTRACTION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM COFFEE WASTE

The objective of this paper is to review the effectiveness of ultrasound-assisted extraction, particularly targeting phenolic and flavonoid compounds from coffee waste. The mechanism, advantages, disadvantages and some of the important factors affecting ultrasound-assisted extraction are discussed. Previous studies and current applications of ultrasound-assisted extraction on the extraction of phenolics and flavonoids from various coffee wastes are reviewed. Ultrasound-assisted extraction is easier to use, can be done at the room temperature, increases efficiency, utilizes less solvent and energy, reduces operating costs, and better preserves of the bioactivity of thermosensitive compounds. This review shows that key parameters affecting the extraction of bioactive compounds using ultrasound technology are temperature, contact time, type of solvent, solid to solvent ratio, ultrasonic power and ultrasonic frequency. In conclusion, all the reported applications reveal that ultrasound-assisted extraction stands out as an emerging and green extraction technique to extract phenolic and flavonoid compounds from coffee waste.

Ultrasound-Assisted Ionic Liquid Extraction of Polysaccharides From Crataegus songarica K. Koch Fruits: Structural Characterization and Antioxidant Activity.

In this study, we optimal the ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid extraction (UAILE) process of polysaccharides from Crataegus songarica K. Koch fruits. The optimal conditions determined were ultrasonic power of 400W, temperature of 79°C, extraction time of 78min, ethylammonium dodecyl sulfate (EADS) concentration of 1.52mg/mL, and liquid-solid ratio of 51:1mL/g. Under these conditions, the polysaccharides yield was 34.37%, which was significantly higher than that obtained by the conventional ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and hot water extraction (HWE) methods. After purification, we studied the chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and structural characteristics of polysaccharides (CSP). The results showed that CSP is a heteropolysaccharide containing α-linkage glucopyranose, which is mainly composed of mannose, arabinose, galactose, and glucose, with a molecular weight (Mw) of 27.82×104Da. In addition, CSP demonstrated significant free radical scavenging ability and was able to efficiently reduce the H2O2-induced HepG2 cellular malondialdehyde (MDA) content, while enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, showing its superior antioxidant activity. On the basis of these properties, CSP is expected to be used as a novel efficacy factor in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Enhancing Microwave‐Assisted Vacuum Freeze‐Drying Efficiency and Quality of Pineapple Slices Through Osmotic Dehydration and Ultrasonic Pretreatment

ABSTRACTThis article investigates the use of osmotic dehydration and ultrasonic pretreatment to improve the efficiency of vacuum freeze‐drying (FD) and microwave‐assisted vacuum freeze‐drying (FD‐VMD) methods. The study examines the influence of pretreatment time, osmotic solution concentration, and ultrasonic power on the moisture content of the pineapple samples. The results show that osmotic dehydration pretreatment can reduce moisture content and weight by up to 15.2% and 8.36%, respectively, while increasing sugar content by 7.5°Bx. Ultrasonic pretreatment is even more effective, with moisture content and weight decreasing by up to 37.5% and 19.45%, respectively, and sugar content decreasing by 4.1°Bx. The FD process shows no significant difference in moisture curve between pretreated and untreated samples, but the pretreated samples have a lower initial moisture content, leading to a potential 35.01% reduction in drying time. The study also evaluates the quality of the dried samples using eight performance indicators, finding that osmotic dehydration pretreatment improves sugar content, crispiness, and flavor, whereas ultrasonic pretreatment enhances rehydration rate, reduces final moisture and sugar content, and results in a softer texture. Additionally, pretreatment significantly reduces drying time and energy consumption, particularly ultrasonic pretreatment with a 120 W power and 40‐min duration, significantly reduces drying time and energy consumption by up to 30.02%. These findings demonstrate the positive impact of pretreatment on the energy efficiency and quality of pineapple slices under the FD‐VMD process.

Erosion characteristics of pulsed waterjets issuing from a novel ultrasonic nozzle

By taking advantage of the stress wave effect, pulsed waterjet has higher working efficiency when used in mining, cleaning, and surface treatment. To clarify the erosion performance of our newly designed ultrasonic pulsed waterjet (UPWJ), effects of the ultrasonic power and erosion time were experimentally studied and compared with a continuous waterjet (CWJ). Homogeneous material 6061 aluminum alloy suitable for evaluating the erosion performance of waterjet was used as specimen. The erosion morphology, surface parameters, and material removal rate were used to evaluate the performance. Results show that ultrasonic power and erosion time have a positive effect on the erosion capacity of UPWJ, and the erosion edge was more rounded, with the center showing an erosive layer owing to the water hammer effect. Compared with CWJ, the erosion depth of UPWJ was significantly increased by 34% at 450 W and 3 min, while the erosion area is hardly enlarged, meaning that UPWJ has a higher energy density. Moreover, the roughness of erosion pit of UPWJ is generally larger, and the uniformity of the erosion surface is better. The material removal rate of UPWJ is pronouncedly larger than that of CWJ, with a maximum enhancement of 76% at 450 W and 2 min. Besides, the specific energy consumption of UPWJ is up to 20% lower, showing that UPWJ has a higher energy efficiency.

Preparation of CuWO4/CaWO4 n-n heterojunction with enhanced sonocatalytic performance: Characterization, sonocatalytic mechanism and degradation pathways of organic pollutant

In this paper, a novel CuWO4/CaWO4n–n heterojunction was prepared by a hydrothermal method and characterized. Using acid orange 7 (AO7) as simulated dye wastewater, the sonocatalytic performance of CuWO4/CaWO4 composite was investigated. The results suggested that 15 %CuWO4/CaWO4 had the optimum sonocatalytic performance for the removal of AO7. The optimal reaction conditions were as follows: the addition amount of sonocatalyst was 1.0 g/L, the pH value of AO7 was 5, the initial concentration of dye was 5 mg/L, the ultrasonic power was 200 W, the molar ratios of K2S2O8 to AO7 was 70, and the time of ultrasonic irradiation was 120 min, the removal rate of AO7 could reach 93.37 ± 0.76(%). The results showed that the construction of CuWO4/CaWO4 heterojunction could significantly improve the production of active components in the sonocatalytic system, which played an important role in the sonocatalytic removal process of AO7. In addition, the CuWO4/CaWO4 composite catalyst showed good stability. Moreover, the results of AO7 degradation products and their environmental toxicity evaluation showed that the combined use of sonocatalysis and S-AOPs could achieve effective degradation of AO7 and significantly reduced the environmental toxicity of organic pollutants. These results revealed that the CuWO4/CaWO4 composite had potential value in the field of sonocatalysis and provided valuable information for the development of hybrid processes based on sonocatalysis coupled with S-AOPs to remove organic pollutants from wastewater.

Improving the quality of steamed bread with whole soybean pulp: Effects of ultrasonic treatment on protein structure and reduction of beany flavor

Incorporation of whole soybean pulp (WSP) into wheat flour has been shown to improve the nutritional profile of steamed bread. However, this substitution often disrupts the protein network and introduces an undesirable beany flavor, compromising the overall quality of the steamed bread. This research explored the impacts of varying ultrasonic power levels on the quality of steamed bread containing WSP (WSPSB), with the goal of improving both the protein network structure and the flavor profile. The findings indicated that at an ultrasonic power of 300 W, WSPSB had an 18.10 % decrease in hardness and a 14.93 % increase in specific volume compared to the 0 W. Results from CLSM, SDS-PAGE, fluorescence intensity, surface hydrophobicity, and FTIR spectroscopy revealed that ultrasonic treatment modified the secondary protein structure by increasing the proportion of β-sheets and random coils. These changes facilitated better integration of soybean protein and gluten, thereby strengthening the steamed bread’s protein network. Furthermore, analyses of volatile flavor components, molecular docking, and correlation studies indicated that alterations in the protein structure mitigated the binding of beany flavor components to proteins, leading to significant reductions in their presence—specifically, a 7.12 % decrease in 1-Octen-3-ol and an 8.47 % decrease in Furan, 2-pentyl-. Overall, ultrasound treatment effectively refined the protein network and mitigated the beany flavor in steamed bread, thereby improving its quality.

Effect of ultrasound combined with edible coating based on guar gum on the physicochemical quality and texture of fried zucchini slices.

Edible coating (EC) can reduce excessive oil absorption in deep-fat fried food products. Ultrasound is an efficient pretreatment to preserve the quality characteristics of fried samples. The impact of guar gum based EC and sonication on the quality parameters of fried zucchini slices was investigated. The frying time, moisture percent, oil absorption, texture hardness, surface area change, crust color parameters (lightness, redness, yellowness, and total color change), and sensory attributes were assessed after the frying process. EC with guar gum and ultrasonic pretreatment significantly increased the frying time of the slices (p<0.05). Ultrasonic power (75 or 150W) did not have a significant impact on changing the frying time and moisture content of fried zucchini pieces (p>0.05). The guar gum based EC and sonication process reduces the oil absorption in samples by reducing water evaporation. The highest (17.87%) and lowest (12.19%) oil absorption were for the uncoated and coated-high-power-sonicated (150W) fried zucchini slices, respectively. The high-power ultrasound pretreatment significantly decreased the hardness of fried zucchini pieces (p<0.05). High-intensity ultrasonic pretreatment (150W) significantly decreased the crust area change of fried zucchini slices (p<0.05). The maximum lightness (82.54) and yellowness (41.25) indexes, the minimum redness (-7.24), and total color change (10.68) indexes were for the coated and high-power sonicated (150W) slices. The highest appearance, odor, texture, flavor, and overall acceptance were for the coated and low-power sonicated (75W) sample. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Ultrasound can induce various physicochemical effects, which can modify the structural properties of food products. Ultrasound (5min, ultrasound bath 40kHz and 75W) with guar gum dispersion (1%, w/v) was an efficient treatment for maintaining the quality attributes of fried zucchini slices. The combined edible coating-sonication method can be used to reduce oil absorption, improve the physical properties of fried zucchini slices, and produce better quality product properties than traditional frying.