Proportion Of Ingredients Research Articles

Development of a MgO-metakaolin binder system

The relatively high cost and limited availability of the constituent materials, are among the factors which limit the adoption of the magnesium silica hydrate (M-S-H) binder system in practice. Furthermore, the fresh and hardened properties of M-S-H binder systems vary significantly with the proportion of MgO and amorphous silica available for the hydration. In this paper, we demonstrate the application of metakaolin (Mk), a highly reactive aluminosilicate, to replace silica fume to develop a M-S-H-based binder system. To investigate the effects of component proportions on the workability, through variations in the required amount of super plasticizer, and compressive strength of the M-S-H-based mortar, a response surface methodology (RSM) is used where a series of mortar samples were prepared based on a central composite experimental design. The response surface model thus developed allowed optimization of the proportions of the mortar ingredients for a target set of workability and compressive strength. The model illustrates the highest sensitivity of water to cementitious material (w/cm) ratio for both workability and strength while revealing minor sensitivities to the other two variables of MgO/Mk ratio, and fine aggregate content. The mineralogical composition of the hydrated paste was investigated through FTIR and X-Ray diffraction and revealed the formation of a hydrotalcite-like phase along with the M-S-H gel.

Nitrogen calculator: A decision support tool for compost production of white button mushroom

White button mushroom is most favoured mushroom both in India and world. It is revered for one of the option to meet the growing vegetable demands of India as mushroom cultivation do not require additional land. The productivity of white button mushroom mainly depends on the quality of compost. Button mushroom compost is prepared from wide variety of substances and accordingly the nutrient content and quality varies widely. Mushroom growers facing difficulty in choosing ingredients for producing quality compost besides lacking understanding on proportion of different ingredients for making compost. This paper illustrates about the decision support tool for making ideal compost for button mushroom compost.

Design Mix Formulation and Optimization of Metakaolin Based Alkali Activated Geopolymer Concrete with the Taguchi Method

Concrete mix formulation is the science of deciding relative proportions of ingredients of concrete, to achieve desired properties in the most economical way. Formulation of concrete mix requires adequate knowledge of the properties of its constituents. Aluminosilicate materials have recently found applications in construction industry due to their unique and flexible properties. The metakaolin used for this study was the locally sourced kaolin calcined at 750oC. The alkali activating reagents include a fixed concentration of sodium silicate solution and sodium hydroxide solutions of three different concentrations. Strength development of metakaolin – based geopolymer concrete is quite different from that of ordinary Portland cement concrete due to differences in their constituents, hence, the need for special formulation, most especially when high strength is required. Taguchi method was adopted in this study to formulate mix proportion for high compressive strength of geopolymer concrete at ambient curing condition. Four parameters were selected that are more likely to influence the compressive strength of metakaolin – based geopolymer concrete, these include aggregate content, alkali – binder ratio, alkali reagent ratio and alkali reagent concentration. The effect of these parameters on the density, workability and compressive strength at 3, 7 and 28 days are determined. The result showed that an optimum mix obtained from a formulation formula (2.75SiO2 * Al2O3 * 0.55Na2O * 6.8H2O) produced a compressive strength of 62MPa at 28 days of open air curing. It was revealed that the molar concentration of the alkali reagent (sodium hydroxide) should be kept within 10M range for an open air curing, the alkali reagents to binder ratio should be kept at 0.7 or less with no addition of water to achieve reasonable workability. Also, it has been observed that the bulk density of metakaolin – based geopolymer concrete that yielded substantial strength fall within 2250kg/m3 and 2350 kg/m3.

Development Of Spring Roll Using Wrapper With Threadfin Bream (Nemipterus Japonicus) Flakes

This study aimed to determine the Development of Spring roll using Wrapper with Threadfin Bream (Nemipterus japonicus) Flakes and if there were significant differences in the Development of Spring roll using Wrapper with Threadfin Bream (Nemipterus japonicus) Flakes using three different proportions of ingredients per treatment in terms of aroma, color, flavor, texture and general acceptability. The present investigation employed experimental design to establish the level of acceptability of the Development of Spring roll using Wrapper with Threadfin Bream (Nemipterus Japonicus) Flakes. There are three treatments subjected for evaluation using a Researcher made Survey questionnaire. These were Treatments A, B, and C. There were fifteen (15) trained panels composed of faculty of NIPSC Ajuy Campus that were purposely selected to evaluate the product. The data gathered were analyzed using the mean, standard deviation and the Friedman’s Test (Freidman’s ANOVA). The criterion for rejection and acceptance of hypothesis was set at 0.05 level of significance. The study was conducted at NIPSC-Ajuy Campus, during the 2nd Semester of School Year 2020-2021. The findings were based on the data and the results of the analysis obtained were as follows: Treatment B with 150 grams of threadfin bream flakes was found to be “extremely acceptable” and comparable with the commercial spring roll wrappers (Treatment A) in terms of aroma, color, taste, texture, and general acceptability. No significant differences was found out in the acceptability of the Development of Spring roll using Wrapper with Threadfin Bream (Nemipterus japonicus) Flakes in terms of aroma, color, taste, texture, and general acceptability. Spring roll using Wrapper with Threadfin Bream (Nemipterus japonicus) Flakes has suggested retail price of P2.65 which is more than 100 % higher compared to the commercial spring roll wrapper with selling price of P1.00 per piece.
 Finally, it was recommended that continuous research and development shall be pursued in case commercialization of Spring roll using Wrapper with Threadfin Bream (Nemipterus japonicus) Flakes is considered especially in the cost aspects. A feasibility study shall be conducted first before commercialization is pursued. Other pelagic fishes shall also be ventured and tested to fortify spring roll wrapper. Although results positive results in terms of acceptability, researcher shall look into possible ways to lower the cost of the product to ensure profitability. The Municipality of Ajuy along with the academic community and research authorities to take action on making researches that shall promote the utilization of pelagic fishes in the town. This actions shall enable the economic development of the town that can help resolve poverty and shortage of food in the Municipality of Ajuy. The said activities shall also promote entrepreneurial spirit especially the small and local businesses in the community

Climate Change and Infant Nutrition: Estimates of Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Milk Formula Sold in Selected Asia Pacific Countries.

There is growing recognition that current food systems and policies are environmentally unsustainable. There is an identified need to integrate sustainability objectives into national food policy and dietary recommendations. To (1) describe exploratory estimates of greenhouse gas emission factors for all infant and young child milk formula products and (2) estimate national greenhouse gas emission association with commercial milk formulas sold in selected countries in the Asia Pacific region. We used a secondary data analysis descriptive design incorporating a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) concepts and methodology to estimate kg CO2 eq. emissions per kg of milk formula, using greenhouse gas emission factors for milk powder, vegetable oils, and sugars identified from a literature review. Proportions of ingredients were calculated using FAO Codex Alimentarius guidance on milk formula products. Estimates were calculated for production and processing of individual ingredients from cradle to factory gate. Annual retail sales data for 2012-2017 was sourced from Euromonitor International for six purposively selected countries; Australia, South Korea, China, Malaysia, India, Philippines. Annual emissions for milk formula products ranged from 3.95-4.04 kg CO2 eq. Milk formula sold in the six countries in 2012 contributed 2,893,030 tons CO2 eq. to global greenhouse gas emissions. Aggregate emissions were highest for products (e.g., toddler formula), which dominated sales growth. Projected 2017 emissions for milk formula retailed in China alone were 4,219,052 tons CO2 eq. Policies, programs and investments to shift infant and young child diets towards less manufactured milk formula and more breastfeeding are "Triple Duty Actions" that help improve dietary quality and population health and improve the sustainability of the global food system.

Bunkers or round bales: Losses and silage quality with or without acid treatment of low dry matter grass crops

Grass clover crops were harvested with or without application of 4 L/t of a formic- and propionic acid-based silage additive and ensiled in one bunker silo and 6 round bales per treatment in each of three harvests. The study aimed to compare losses, grass silage quality and aerobic stability obtained either with round bales or precision chopped grass ensiled in bunker silos. Round bales were either sealed immediately or after delay until bunker silos were covered. Unpredicted rain showers during the three harvests gave crop DM as low as 194, 186 and 213 g/kg, respectively.Due to the lower pressure exerted on the crop by the baler than by packing vehicles in the bunkers, and the longer particle length in bales, densities in baled silage were much lower than in bunker silage, 531 vs 833 kg/m3 (P < 0.001), and 111 vs 164 kg DM/m3 (P < 0.001). Presumably due to early cell rupture and higher release of effluent caused by the applied acid, densities were higher in treated than in untreated silage, in bunkers 170 vs. 159 kg DM/m3 (P = 0.08), and in bales, 114 vs. 109 kg DM/m3 (P = 0.02).A much lower proportion of ensiled crop DM could be offered to livestock from bunkers than from round bales, 833 vs. 927 g/kg (P < 0.001). The amount of moulded, wasted silage DM was significantly higher in bunkers than in bales, 26 vs. 0.6 g/kg, (P < 0.001), and the sum of DM lost by crop respiration, effluent runoff, anaerobic fermentation, aerobic deterioration and gaseous losses was significantly higher from bunkers than bales, 141 vs. 72 g/kg (P < 0.002). Acid treatment caused only minor decreases in DM losses. It restricted acid fermentation and improved silage intake potential both in bunkers and bales (P < 0.001), and caused higher stability in bales (P < 0.009). High ethanol concentrations were found in acid treated bunker silage but not in treated bale silage. Also, a reduction in heat induced increases in fiber bound protein obtained by acid treatment in bales, but not in bunkers, suggested that the applied dosage was too low to restrict heating in bunkers, and favored yeast growth. The larger surface area susceptible to heating, and loss of additive in effluent, make higher acid dosages, or a higher proportion of ingredients that inhibit yeast growth, necessary to low DM grass crops ensiled in bunkers.

Influence of Kersting’s (Kerstingiella geocarpa) groundnut proteins on the physicochemical, bioactive properties and storage stability of orange juice

Sweet orange ranks as one of the most acceptable fruit juices across the globe as it offers a healthy choice and pleasant taste to a wide spectrum of consumers. This makes it a promising vehicle for conveying functional ingredients into the human body. The present study was designed to produce functional orange juice by incorporating Kersting's groundnut proteins (isolate and hydrolysates) at different proportions (0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 w/v) into freshly produced sweet orange juice. The sample formulations were further analysed for changes in their physicochemical (pH, titratable acidity, total soluble sugars, ascorbic acid and total phenol content), sensory (appearance, colour, flavour, mouthfeel and overall acceptability), antioxidant (radical scavenging, metal chelating, ferric ion-reducing abilities, DPPH, total antioxidant) and antidiabetic (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme activities) properties as well as their storage stability over a 90-day storage period. The functional orange juice exhibited an improved physicochemical, antioxidant, antidiabetic and shelf life properties based on the respective protein concentrations used over the 90-day study period while the sample with the lowest proportion (0.6%) of functional ingredient had the highest sensory acceptability. Hence, the study concluded that Kersting's groundnut proteins could find useful applications in the formulation of functional orange juice.

Recycled Aggregates Concrete Compressive Strength Prediction Using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs)

The recycled aggregate is an alternative with great potential to replace the conventional concrete alongside with other benefits such as minimising the usage of natural resources in exploitation to produce new conventional concrete. Eventually, this will lead to reducing the construction waste, carbon footprints and energy consumption. This paper aims to study the recycled aggregate concrete compressive strength using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) which has been proven to be a powerful tool for use in predicting the mechanical properties of concrete. Three different ANN models where 1 hidden layer with 50 number of neurons, 2 hidden layers with (50 10) number of neurons and 2 hidden layers (modified activation function) with (60 3) number of neurons are constructed with the aid of Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm, trained and tested using 1030 datasets collected from related literature. The 8 input parameters such as cement, blast furnace slag, fly ash, water, superplasticizer, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and age are used in training the ANN models. The number of hidden layers, number of neurons and type of algorithm affect the prediction accuracy. The predicted recycled aggregates compressive strength shows the compositions of the admixtures such as binders, water–cement ratio and blast furnace–fly ash ratio greatly affect the recycled aggregates mechanical properties. The results show that the compressive strength prediction of the recycled aggregate concrete is predictable with a very high accuracy using the proposed ANN-based model. The proposed ANN-based model can be used further for optimising the proportion of waste material and other ingredients for different targets of concrete compressive strength.

Pharmaceutical validation of modified Chitraka Haritaki Avaleha: An ayurveda semisolid dosage form

Introduction: Chitraka Haritaki Avaleha (CHA) is a well-known Ayurveda preparation recommended in the management of chronic rhinitis, cough, asthma, anorexia, pthisis, and worm infestation. These diseases are more common in children, and, hence, CHA is one of the important formulations used in pediatric patients. However, considering its nonpalatable (bitter astringent) taste along with complexity of confection preparation, it is high time to amend and validate its pharmaceutical process. Aim: To prepare modified CHA and develop standard manufacturing procedures for this modified formulation. Materials and Methods: Five pilot batches with varying proportions of ingredients were prepared to fix the ratio of formulation composition and to make it palatable for children. In these five pilot batches, the proportion of the fifth batch was found to be most acceptable and, hence, the ratio of this batch was kept as a standard formulation based on organoleptic parameters; this procedure was repeated thrice to ensure the process validation. Results: Preparation of confection by the classical method by adding Terminalia chebula Retz. powder in decoction was not palatable for pediatric purpose. Jaggery was increased by 1.5 times, Terminalia chebula Retz. powder was reduced by 50%, and Terminalia chebula Retz. was added. Jaggery (1.5 times) used in condiments gave a desired palatable taste (mild bitter and mild astringent) for children. Conclusion: This modified process can be considered as a standard manufacturing process of CHA, especially for pediatric use.

Optimized ciprofloxacin release from citric acid crosslinked starch-PVA hydrogel film: modelling with mixture design

Projecting optimal composition for hydrogel blends, while designing sustained release formulation of hydrophilic drug, is of paramount importance. In present study, composite hydrogel incorporating ciprofloxacin (0.2% w/w) was prepared by sequential addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (20–95% w/w), starch (0–75% w/w), citric acid (5–80% w/w) as cross-linker in a heat-induced gelatinization process. A constrained simplex mixture design was adopted to rationalize the proportion of ingredients in hydrogel composition while modelling the time required for 50% drug release from the hydrogel under in-vitro conditions. Prepared hydrogels were also characterized for swelling ratio, tensile strength, and antimicrobial disc-diffusion assay. Decreasing proportion of starch relative to PVA results in a transparent hydrogel, with a high degree of equilibrium swelling (up to 104%). Drug release from all hydrogel blend arguably followed Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetics with quasi-Fickian to non-Fickian release behaviour. The time required for 50% drug release and the hydrogel dissolution was proportional, indicating disintegration-controlled release rate. Reduced cubic-model based on the forward selection offered good agreement with experimental data (R2, 0.98 and adjusted R2 of 0.91). Optimal blend projection by the model with a mass ratio of 0.38:0.21:0.41 for PVA: Starch: citric acid was verified to be reasonably correct.

Effect of replacing maize with raw Chrysophyllum albidum seed kernels on performance of broiler chicken

Maize most often, constitutes the highest proportion of ingredients in diet formulation of any poultry ration and this high inclusion rate translates to high cost of feed because of seasonality in its production and competition for it by man. Thus, an experiment was conducted using 210 unsexed one week old Marshall broiler chicks with an average initial weight of 99.38g to determine the effect of replacing maize with graded levels of raw Chrysophyllum albidum kernel meal (RCKM) on the performance of broiler chickens. The chicks were assigned into seven dietary treatments of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% graded levels of RCKMfor replacingmaize in the diets of the birds. The dietary treatments contained three replicates with 10 chicks per replicate. The proximate composition and phytochemical contents (saponins, phytate, tannins, oxalate, flavonoids, terpenoids and total phenolics) of the RCKMwere determined using the procedures of the AOAC (1990) and Sofowora (1993), respectively. The birds were given feed and water ad-lib and weighed weekly. Routine vaccinations and medications were carried out as at when due. In the course of the experiment, data were collected on the initial weight, feed intake, daily weight gain feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality rate, final live weights and analysed in a completely randomized design. The proximate composition of the RCKM is shown to contain valuable nutrients (high energy, low protein and appreciable mineral contents). The phytochemical content of the C. albidum revealed that, it contains very high amount of phytate, tannins, flavonoids and total phenolics. Results obtained on the performance characteristics revealed that, there was a very highly significant (p&lt;0.001) decrease in the final live weights, average daily weight gains, feed intake values as the dietary inclusion of the RCKM increased in the diets of the birds. The values obtained for the final live weights were 1,910.16g, 1,255g, 885.00g, 479.24g, 474.11g, 395.00g and 388.83g for treatments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively. The average daily weight gains were 32.34g, 20.66g, 14.04g, 6.78g, 6.69g, 5.29g and 5.15g, the feed intake valueswere 116.87g, 99.37g, 91.32g, 71.40g, 69.90g, 68.36g, 65.23g, respectively for treatments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively. This was accompanied by poor feed conversion ratios and high cost per kg weight gains. In conclusion, though Chrysophyllum albidum kernel meal has potentials for animal feeding due to its high energy levels but there is the need to adequately detoxify the antinutritional factors in the kernels before inclusion in the broilers diet.

Formulation and prediction of ready-mix concrete performances using neural networks

The objective of the research is to investigate the possibility of using artificial neural networks (ANN) during concrete mix design either to produce the optimal ingredient proportions to meet certain performance criteria or to predict the properties of an already proportioned mix. For this purpose, 81 different concrete mixes were prepared in the laboratory of a ready-mixed concrete plant. Sixty-nine randomly selected mixes (85% of the prepared mixes) were used to train two developed ANN. The first ANN produces optimal proportions of a concrete mix based on specified properties. The second ANN predicts the properties of a concrete mix based on its proportions. The remaining 12 mixes were used to validate the developed ANN and to compare their outcome with those obtained using three existing proportioning methods. It was found that both developed ANN produce results with root-mean-squared error lower than those obtained using the other studied methods. It is therefore recommended that concrete producers develop similar ANN for the set of their local materials and for the properties that they deem important for them. The expected better accuracy of the proposed procedure justifies its implementation and the money spent in the original testing programme used for the network training.

Quality attributes of probiotic-enriched chocolate: A preliminary study

Research on the development of foods containing probiotics is growing, such as research in the incorporation of probiotics in chocolate. Nevertheless, the quality attributes of the probiotic-enriched chocolate have not been fully explored. This present study is a preliminary study to the impact of ingredients proportion and processing method on the quality attributes of probiotic milk chocolate, more specifically on moisture content, appearance, hardness, rheological behavior, and microstructural characteristics. In this study, four different formulations and processing methods were involved. Skim milk powder was used as a freeze-dried probiotic replacer as it has high similarity in terms of physical characteristics. The result showed that chocolate containing freeze-dried probiotic powder replacer (Choc B) tended to have the comparable hardness and L*values to the chocolate reference (Choc A). However, hardness and L* values of milk chocolates enriched with freeze-dried probiotic powder replacer formulated with milk butter (Choc C and Choc D) were lower than that of chocolate reference (Choc A). Concerning the moisture level and flow parameters, Choc C exhibited higher moisture content and flow parameters values than other chocolates. Microstructural visualization showed that all chocolates exhibited a low level of agglomeration degree with particle sizes in the range of 19-32 μm.

Recirculating Aquaculture Is Possible without Major Energy Tradeoff: Life Cycle Assessment of Warmwater Fish Farming in Sweden.

Seafood is seen as promising for more sustainable diets. The increasing production in land-based closed Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RASs) has overcome many local environmental challenges with traditional open net-pen systems such as eutrophication. The energy needed to maintain suitable water quality, with associated emissions, has however been seen as challenging from a global perspective. This study uses Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to investigate the environmental performance and improvement potentials of a commercial RAS farm of tilapia and Clarias in Sweden. The environmental impact categories and indicators considered were freshwater eutrophication, climate change, energy demand, land use, and dependency on animal-source feed inputs per kg of fillet. We found that feed production contributed most to all environmental impacts (between 67 and 98%) except for energy demand for tilapia, contradicting previous findings that farm-level energy use is a driver of environmental pressures. The main improvement potentials include improved by-product utilization and use of a larger proportion of plant-based feed ingredients. Together with further smaller improvement potential identified, this suggests that RASs may play a more important role in a future, environmentally sustainable food system.

Development of a new bread type supplemented iron and folic acid– Chemical and technological characterization

Bread is a staple food prepared by baking a dough of flour and water. The virtually infinite combinations of different flours and differing proportions of ingredients has resulted in the wide variety of types, shapes, sizes, and textures available around the world. Considering the worldwide consume of this staple food, this study aimed to develop and assess the chemical and technological characteristics of a new biofortified blend, containing wheat, locust bean flours, iron and folic acid (applied in the form of powder or microcapsules), for the production of bread with nutritional and prophylactic characteristics for human health. Besides bread wheat properties for baking, locust wheat flours was added to the blend in a small amount (0.5%) to increase water absorbance through its polar amino groups of proteins, whereas folic acid and iron inclusion considered the human needs on a daily basis. An 85.89- and 3.93-fold increases for folic acid and iron was carried out through fortification. It was found that, relatively to wheat flour T65, the contents of some minerals (Ca, K, Si), fatty acids (C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1; C20:1) and sugars (raffinose, sucrose, glucose and fructose) were significantly higher in locust bean flour. Upon blends iron and folic acid fortification, toughness, deformation work / gluten strength and the elasticity index prevailed when powder was used, whereas minimum values were obtained for ash, toughness and gluten strength in the standard blend. Moreover, significant differences were not found for fatty acids. In bread biofortified with folic and iron in the form of powder, all fatty acids (excepting C18:2 and C18:3) prevailed, but lower values were found for sugars and total soluble solids. Moreover, breads height, weight, specific volume remained higher in standard bread, but upon application of benzoic acid or methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate lower shelf life values were found. Although from a hedonic perspective, consumers preferred the standard bread, the biofortified blend revealed a high-quality index suitable for development of a functional staple food incorporating iron and folic acid (in the form of powder or microcapsules). Nevertheless, folic acid as proved to be highly labile during baking, but incorporation of microcapsules slightly limited this degradation. Considering the shelf life of the biofortified bread, pulverization with methyl p-hydroxybenzoate seemed to be the most effective additive.

Production of geoploymer mortar reinforced with sustainable fibers

Abstract Geopolymer has been presented as new evolution in the concrete technology world, where cementitious materials such as ceramic powder and Slag have been replaced by high percentages of cement used in construction. Thus, the activation of such materials was performed by highly alkaline solutions in order to be acted as a binder in the mix. Therefore, the selection of suitable ingredients proportion of geopolymer mortar to achieve desired strength at required workability has been intended in this study. The experimental Program has been implemented for the preparation of geopolymer mortar mixes. The concentration of sodium hydroxide solution was kept constant in the order of 12 M throughout the experiment. The ratio of Water to geopolymer binder ratio was 0.35, alkaline solution-to- cementitiuos materials ratio was 0.30 and sodium silicate-to-sodium hydroxide ratio was 1.85 by mass. Workability of geopolymer mortar was measured by flow table apparatus and cubes of 50 mm side were cast and tested for compressive strength after 28 days of normal water curing. The study concludes that the combination of ceramic powder and Slag up to 40% (by weight), in the total binder material, can be used for developing the geopolymer mortar. Continuously, the use of 1% steel fibers or 1% steel fiber with 0.5% sisal fibers promotes the level of cement replacement by such cementitous materials (slag and ceramic powder) up to 60%.

Broaden the sugar donor selectivity of blackberry glycosyltransferase UGT78H2 through residual substitutions

Glycosylated secondary metabolites constitute a large proportion of nutrients or ingredients in consumed plants and related products. The glycosyl decoration largely depends on the activity of plant UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Mechanisms underlying the substrate selectivity and specificity of these reactions remain elusive. Here we report the cloning and functional characterization of a UGT, UGT78H2 in blackberry fruits. In vitro enzyme substrate specificity analysis and enzymatic kinetics evidenced that UGT78H2 glycosylate exclusively quercetin using uridine-5′ diphosphate glucuronic acid (UDP-glucuronic acid) and uridine-5′ diphosphate galactose (UDP-galactose). Site-directed mutagenesis was introduced into two residuals (N340P, K360N) previously unexplored. The mutation enhanced the protein catalyzing efficiency, especially toward UDP-galactose (23% higher), and expanded the sugar donor selectivity, which can use UDP-glucose as well. Molecular modeling and biochemical analysis results enable identification of the 23rd residue (360th in UGT78H2) of the PSPG (plant secondary product glycosyltransferase) motif as a key residue in defining this sugar selecting spectrum. Additionally, promoter of UGT78H2 was obtained. Transgenic analysis using the UGT78H2pro::GUS reporter system demonstrated that transcripts controlled by the promoter predominantly expressed in younger tissues. Subcellular localization study revealed that UGT78H2 was a soluble protein in the nucleus and cytoplasm. These results clarified the bio-function of UGT78H2 and provided a valid approach for substrate selectivity modification in horticultural plants, particularly for sugar donor selectivity.

Effect of oxide composition and ingredient proportions on the rheological and mechanical properties of geopolymer mortar incorporating pumice aggregate

Being a relatively newer material in construction sector, geopolymer based building materials have been of large interest for last decade. This study presents a comprehensive experimental study for assessment of the effectiveness of mix parameters and compound characteristics of the ingredients on the engineering properties of lightweight geopolymer mortar (LWGM). The investigated fresh properties are rheology and flow behavior of LWGMs. Mechanical properties of hardened LWGMs were monitored in terms of compressive and flexural strength as well as ultrasonic pulse velocity. Acidic pumice aggregate was used to reduce the unit weight of the mortar. The mix parameters taken into account are molarity of NaOH solution, the mass ratio of NaOH and Na2SiO3 solutions to fly ash (S/FA), proportions of Na2SiO3/NaOH (SS/SH), and the oxide compositions, which are percentage of Na2O, the ratios of H2O/Na2O, SiO2/Na2O, and H2O/Solid. The results indicated that SS/SH and S/FA significantly affected viscosity behavior and the fresh mortars were observed to conform well to Herscel-Bulkley rheological model with shear thinning tendency. The mechanical properties of hardened LWGMs demonstrated strong correlation with oxide compositions.

The use of stoichiometric bioenergetics to elucidate metabolic energy substrate use and specific dynamic action in cultured juvenile spiny lobsters (Sagmariasus verreauxi) of different nutritional status

Simultaneous measurements of nitrogenous (ammonia and urea) excretion and respiratory gas (O2 and CO2) exchange provide a non-destructive stoichiometric bioenergetic approach to elucidate metabolic energy substrate use which has rarely been used with aquatic ectotherms due to previous difficulties in measuring total CO2 excretion. This study examined metabolic energy substrate use and specific dynamic action (SDA) in cultured spiny lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi, of different nutritional status. SDA magnitude calculated by stoichiometry was compared to a traditional composite oxycalorific coefficient approach. Protein synthesis can account for a large part of SDA in aquatic ectotherms. This study used a protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide to investigate the contribution of cycloheximide-sensitive protein synthesis to SDA and the effect of cycloheximide on nitrogenous and CO2 excretion. Lobsters were subjected to five treatments: 2-day fasted juveniles sham injected with saline (FS treatment); 2-day fasted juveniles injected with cycloheximide (FC treatment); 10-day starved juveniles injected with cycloheximide (SC treatment); post-prandial juveniles fed squid Nototodarus sloanii (FED treatment) and; post-prandial juveniles injected with cycloheximide (FEDC treatment). Protein was the primary energy substrate (65% of oxygen consumption) for 2-day fasted juveniles, with lipid accounting for the remainder (35%). After 10-day starvation lipid became the main substrate, indicating lipid oxidation increased with extended fasting. Following feeding, protein contribution remained above 50%, while lipid (0–43%) and carbohydrate (0–37%) provided significant energy at different time periods, indicating besides protein appropriate proportions of non-protein ingredients are also essential to lobsters. SDA magnitude in FED and FEDC treatments estimated by the traditional approach was 10.5 and 0.4 J g−1, respectively, indicating S. verreauxi expended 96% of post-prandial energy on protein synthesis and that decapod protein synthesis can account for one of the highest proportions of SDA in aquatic ectotherms. SDA magnitude in the FED treatment evaluated by stoichiometry (12.6 J g−1) was comparable to the traditional approach. Interestingly, stoichiometry was not applicable in the FEDC treatment as the respiratory quotient exceeded the theoretical maximum under aerobic conditions. Cycloheximide did not affect CO2 excretion among all treatments or nitrogenous excretion among unfed treatments, while the post-treatment total nitrogenous excretion reduced in fed lobsters. The combined measurement of substrate use and SDA potentially helps optimize the feed to achieve sustainable aquaculture. However, more research is required to decipher limitations and the applicability of stoichiometry for crustaceans.

Determination of the Mono and Dibromo Derivatives Ratio Resulting from Semiconductor Bromination Using Ultraviolet-visible Absorption Spectroscopy and Gaussian Peak Fitting.

The chemical-industrial production of organic semiconductors urgently needs a cheap and fast approach to determine the components' proportion of the reaction system. In the present work, the Gaussian peak fitting method was applied to process monobromo and dibromo-substituted perylene diimide mixed solutions' ultraviolet-visible absorption curves. The functional relationship formula between the peak-intensity ratio and the component ratio is then concluded. Finally, field experiments of the perylene imide brominating reaction can be used to confirm that such a formula is able to accurately calculate the proportion of ingredients in the synthesis reaction solution system.