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This study investigated the effectiveness of novel and innovative pretreatments (NIP) using thermoultrasound and microwave-mediated freeze-thaw (TSFT, MWFT) for improving the mid-infrared drying of dragon fruit, as compared with recent pretreatment methods using cold plasma (CP), ultrasound (US), edible coating (EC), microwave and infrared blanching (MWB, IRB). Except for EC, all selected pretreatment methods induced ultrastructural changes, resulting in accelerated moisture removal and reduced drying time. In addition, all the pretreatments also induced modifications in colour, structure, and texture, with NIP demonstrating superior outcomes for colour, rehydration, shrinkage, and hardness properties. Blanching pretreatments (MWB and IRB) improved phytochemical and antioxidant properties, including total phenolics, betacyanin, betaxanthin, CUPRAC, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and ABTS, except for ascorbic acid, which was better preserved by TSFT. The study underscores the time-saving and quality enhancement advantage of NIP, over other recent methods for improving mid-infrared drying. • Assisted freeze-thaw drying pretreatments were compared with recent pretreatments. • Assisted freeze-thaw pretreatments presented better colour and structural outcomes. • Recent blanching pretreatments enhanced total phenolics and betalain contents. • Ascorbic acid preservation was improved by assisted freeze-thaw pretreatments. • Recent blanching pretreatments enhanced CUPRAC, hydroxyl, and ABTS activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usage and disposal of highly abundant single-use and multilayered plastics contribute to significant ecological problems. The thermochemical recovery of these plastics to useful products and chemicals provides opportunity for positive economic and environmental impacts. Most previous research use idealised and unrepresentative feedstocks. To address this, various mixed waste plastics collected from the rejected fraction of a municipal waste recovery facility in Ghana were pyrolyzed at varying temperatures of 450, 500 and 550 °C and their yields compared. The obtained chemical products were analysed using several different techniques. Energy and carbon balances of the processes were produced using the CHNS and energy content of the oil fraction and the compositional results of the pyrolysis gas fraction, the latter of which was measured by Gas Chromatography Thermal Conductivity Detection (GC-TCD). The oils were further assessed via Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify the available valuable compounds. The formed oil contained approximately 40% light hydrocarbons (C6 – C11), 18% middle hydrocarbons (C11 – C16) and 42% heavy hydrocarbon compounds (C16+). The optimal oil yield of 65.9 ± 0.5% and low heating value of 44.7 ± 0.1 MJ/kg for single-use plastics were recorded at highest heating temperatures of 550 and 500 °C, respectively. The findings provide indication that pyrolysis is a fitting solution for energy recovery from waste plastics. [Display omitted] • Rejected plastics from a municipal recovery facility were sub-categorised and pyrolyzed in a rotary kiln. • Pyrolytic conditions and the products from the decomposition of real-life waste plastics are presented. • Temperature is showed to play a significant role in the yield of products from waste plastics. • Energy rich pyrolysis oil (>40 MJ/kg) was compositionally analysed. • The obtained pyrolysis oil has similar compounds with conventional diesel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of mucilage from Dicerocaryum eriocarpum (DE) plant to act as biosorption medium in the removal of metals ions from aqueous solution was investigated. Functional groups present in the mucilage were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Mucilage was modified with sodium and potassium chlorides. This was aimed at assessing the biosorption efficiency of modified mucilage: potassium mucilage (PCE) and sodium mucilage (SCE) and comparing it with non-modified deionised water mucilage (DCE) in the uptake of metal ions. FTIR results showed that the functional groups providing the active sites in PCE and SCE and DCE include: carboxyl, hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. The chloride used in the modification of the mucilage did not introduce new functional groups but increased the intensity of the already existing functional groups in the mucilage. Results from biosorption experiment showed that DE mucilage displays good binding affinity with metals ions [Zn(II), Cd(II) Ni(II), Cr(III) and Fe(II)] in the aqueous solution. Increase in the aqueous solution pH, metal ions initial concentration and mucilage concentration increased the biosorption efficiency of DE mucilage. The maximum contact time varied with each species of metal ions. Optimum pH for [Zn(II), Cd(II) Ni(II) and Fe(II)] occurred at pH 4 and pH 6 for Cr(III). Kinetic models result fitted well to pseudo-second-order with a coefficient values of R 2 = 1 for Cd(II), Ni(II), Cr(III), Fe(II) and R 2 = 0.9974 for Zn(II). Biosorption isotherms conforms best with Freundlich model for all the metal ions with correlation factors of 0.9994, 0.9987, 0.9554, 0.9621 and 0.937 for Zn(II), Ni(II), Fe(II), Cr(III) and Cd(II), respectively. Biosorption capacity of DE mucilage was 0.010, 2.387, 4.902, 0688 and 0.125 for Zn(II), Cr(III), Fe(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) respectively. The modified mucilage was found to be highly efficient in the removal of metal ions than the unmodified mucilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory profiles of vacuum-packed cooked low-salt pork belly at 4 °C (Group A) and 25 °C (Group B) for 50 d and 25 d. Color changed on 30 d (Group A) and 15 d (Group B) throughout storage. Also, the endpoints of pH (6.54/6.89), TVB-N (15.23/19.04 mg N/100 g), and TBARS (1.58/1.96 MDA/kg) in Groups A and B (P < 0.05) indicated temperature impact in exacerbating oxidative stress. Although the TVC in Groups A and B exceeded the 4 log CFU/g permitted for meat products by the China National Food Safety Standard (GB 2726-2016) on 30 d and 15 d, the products were not undesirable until 40 d and 20 d, respectively. While spoilers (Kocuria , Shewanella , Acinetobacter , and Psychrobacter) were detected in both groups, Pseudomonas (Group A) and Bacillus (Group B) abundance demonstrated the impact of temperature on bacterial community. Electronic nose sensitivity towards W1W (sulfides), W2W (organic sulfides), W2S (alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones), W6S (hydrides), and W5S (nitrogen oxides) sensors from 40 d (Group A) and 25 d (Group B) corroborated the microbiological results. This study provides valuable information on extending the shelf life of foods via an innovative vacuum packaging technology. • Vacuum-packed low-salt pork belly was stored at 4 °C (50 d) and 25 °C (25 d) to monitor shelf life. • Marked changes in color, pH, TVB-N, TBARS, and TVC were detected from 30 d to 15 d. • Pseudomonas and Bacillus dominated the samples at 4 °C and 25 °C, respectively. • E-nose PCA results affirmed rapid spoilage processes from 40 d (4 °C) and 25 d (25 °C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of ten metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Zn and Al) were measured in some commonly used moisturizing and skin-lightening creams in Nigeria with a view to providing information on the risk of exposure to metals from the use of these products. The metal concentrations in these products were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion of the samples. The measured concentrations of metals in the skin moisturizing creams ranged from <0.15 to 6.3 μg/g Cd, <0.02 to 17.5 μg/g Cu, 2.25 to 6.25 μg/g Cr, <0.25 to 124.3 μg/g Al, 0.2 to 7.3 μg/g Pb, <0.03 to 10.7 μg/g Ni, 17.3 to 372.0 μg/g Zn, <0.02 to 1.0 μg/g Co, 17.75 to 28.8 μg/g Mn, <0.1 to 89.8 μg/g Fe while the concentrations of metals in the skin-lightening products ranged from <0.15 to 16.5 μg/g Cd, <0.02 to 10.0 μg/g Cu, 4.25 to 8.0 μg/g Cr, <0.25 to 128.0 μg/g Al, 0.5 to 4.5 μg/g Pb, <0.03 to 1.65 μg/g Ni, 24.7 to 267.5 μg/g Zn, <0.02 to 2.5 μg/g for Co, 19.3 to 31.8 μg/g Mn, 9.5 to 211.63 μg/g Fe. In a significant number (>93%) of the samples investigated the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni and Co were below the specified limit, or the maximal limit for impurities in colour additives in cosmetics for external use. However, Cr was found at concentrations above the allergenic limit of 1 μg/g. The results also showed that skin-lightening creams contained higher concentrations of the studied metals than the moisturizing creams, except for Ni, which indicates that persons who uses skin-lightening creams in preference to moisturizing ones, are exposed to higher concentrations of metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein aggregation and oxidation could induce the generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Nϵ-carboxymethyl lysine (CML), Nϵ-carboxyethyllysine (CEL) are two typical AGEs markers in muscle foods. Catechins are considered to be excellent natural antioxidants for scavenging AGEs in muscle protein. We compared, for the first time, the inhibitory effects and explored mechanisms of (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), (−)-epicatechin (EC), and (−)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), in glycated myofibrillar protein (MPG) by measuring AGEs level, Maillard reaction degree, particle size and anti-oxidation ability using microstructure, multispectral and molecular docking techniques. The results showed that catechins dose-dependently inhibited AGEs in MPG through influencing lysine and free amino group, alleviating the Maillard reaction, detaching the particle size, affecting the protein-catechins interaction, relieving aggregates, and scavenging free radicals. The underlying mechanism behind the result indicated that catechins altered the structure information, SDS-PAGE bands, and the interaction sites of MPG via anti-aggregation and anti-oxidation. Particularly, EC and ECG showed weaker antioxidant ability than EGC and EGCG, EGCG exhibited a significant Pearson's correlation with the anti-oxidation and anti-aggregation of CML but no significant association with CEL. Overall, this study provides a theoretical insight into the applications of catechins to muscle foods as AGEs inhibitors. • Catechins inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). •The anti-AGEs mechanism was explored via multispectral and molecular docking. •Catechin interacted with lysine and arginine to reduce AGEs. •Catechin against the AGEs via anti-aggregation and anti-oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne pathogens and biofilm formation pose a critical threat to food safety. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen of interest in the food industry. High-power pulsed microwave (HPPM) is a non-thermal technology with proven efficacy towards bacterial inactivation. This study investigated the inactivation mechanisms and performance of different HPPM treatments (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 Hz for 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 min, respectively) to identify the optimum conditions to inactivate P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms. The results showed significant cell inactivation at increasing frequency/time (p < 0.05). Hence, HPPM treatment (200 Hz, 9 min) was selected following its efficacy and limited thermal sublethal effects to elucidate further the inactivation mechanisms against P. aeruginosa and its biofilm-forming ability. Cell viability, scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results demonstrated severe morphological disruptions, cell disintegration, and cell lysis in the treated cells. From the confocal laser scanning micrographs (CLSM), biofilm thickness was calculated, showing a significant reduction after treatment (17.56 vs. 42.16 μm in the treated and untreated groups, respectively), indicating that HPPM effectively compromised the integrity of the biofilm envelope. This study outlines useful insights into better understanding HPPM's efficacy on microbial inactivation and biofilm proliferation in the food industry. • High-power pulse microwave (HPPM) demonstrated significant cell inactivation at increasing frequency/time (p < 0.05). • Treated cells demonstrated severe cell deformation, membrane shriveling, and cell lysis. • It showed a marked reduction in biofilm thickness than untreated cells (17.56 ± 1.51vs. 42.16 ± 1.23 μm). • This study provides useful insights into validating HPPM's efficacy against bacterial biofilm formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of five thermal processing methods: boiled (95 ± 2 °C for 15 min, B95/15); deep-fried (180 ± 2 °C for 10 min, DF180/10); pressure braised (121 ± 2 °C, 0.15 MPa for 15 min, AE121/15); pan-fried (160 ± 2 °C for 10 min, PF160/10); and roasted (200 ± 2 °C for 15 min, R200/15) on the level of Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) in duck breast. The processing methods exhibited distinct mechanisms on CML formation in duck breasts, with the heat treatment directly affecting the moisture status. The B95/15 was affected by lipid oxidation. Furthermore, peroxidation production denatured the protein structure during deep-frying, promoting CML formation. Pressure braising had a complex effect on protein denaturation, while high pressure (0.15 MPa) led to the loosening of myofibrillar protein (MP) structure and deamidations that could also be responsible for protein hydrolysis and unfolding. The CML contents in pan-fried samples were related to protein folding and aggregation due to disulfide bond formation. The high roasting temperature on the antioxidant system damaged the meat structure, resulting in protein oxidation. Overall, this study provides some insights into the reduction and control of CML in processed duck meat. • Pathways of Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine formation in cooked duck breast were studied. • Intense Maillard reaction predisposed protein oxidation and aggregation. • Lipid oxidation affects protein aggregation and Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine level. • This work provides insights into controlling diet Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mutually corroborated density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methodology were employed to evaluate the inhibition performance of three thiourea derivatives (Inh1, Inh2, and Inh3) on carbon steel corrosion. Experimental results have shown that the corrosion rate follows the order: Inh3 > Inh2 > Inh1. Quantum chemical descriptors such as the frontier orbital energies ( E HOMO and E LUMO ), the energy gap between E LUMO and E HOMO (Δ E ), dipole moment (μ), and Fukui index have been calculated and discussed. Some significant factors such as solvent, temperature, and coverage have been considered when investigating the adsorption of aforementioned thiourea derivatives on Fe(1 1 0) surface. Our results provide important atomic/molecular insights into the anticorrosive mechanism of inhibitor molecules, which could help in understanding the organic-metal interface and designing more appropriate organic corrosion inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dehairing goat meat during processing using waste car tyres and plastic is a potential route of contaminants, hence the purpose of the study. Goat meat (muscle) samples (n = 50) collected from 3 abattoirs in Calabar, Nigeria, were analysed for heavy metals and poly aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The mean heavy metals in goat meat were: 0.20 ± 0.02 (Pb), 0.57 ± 0.06 (Cr), 4.31 ± 0.18 (Cd), 5.02 ± 0.54 (Ni), and 0.02 ± 0.01 (Co) mg/kg, with total PAH levels of 65.91 ng/g. The mean Cr, Cd, and Ni (mg/kg) in the meat were higher than the World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization (WHO/FAO) acceptable limits for food. The dominant PAH was benzo (a) anthracene. Diagnostic ratios and PCA revealed pyrogenic and petrogenic sources as contributors of the PAHs in goat meat. The carcinogenic risk of Cr, Cd, Ni, anthracene, benzo (a) anthracene, and indeno [1, 2, 3, cd] pyrene in adults and children were greater than 10−4, indicating risk. Ni and benzo (a) anthracene were the most ingested contaminants and main carcinogenic sources in adults and children. Given the impending chronic health risks in the practice, there is a need for safer processing methods that do not further contaminant the meat. • The concentration of some heavy metals and PAH varied significantly. • Cd, Cr and Ni concentrations were above regulatory safe limit in food. • The most abundant PAH was benzo (a) anthracene while naphthalene was the least. • Cd and Ni carcinogenic values were above safety value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of germination alone or in combination with solid-state fermentation on the physicochemical, antioxidant, in vitro digestibility, functional, and thermal characteristics of brown finger millet were evaluated. Germination and fermentation increased (p ≤ 0.05) the protein, crude fiber, minerals, resistant starch (7.64–9.69 g/100g), total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, antioxidant properties (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP), majority of the amino acids as well as in vitro protein digestibility (67.72–89.53%), while antinutritional factors and digestible starch (from 45.17 to 35.58 g/100 g) content decreased significantly. Germination and fermentation significantly increased water absorption capacity and protein solubility, and slightly modified the pasting and thermal characteristics of brown finger millet flour while bulk density decreased. Among the treatments, combined germination and fermentation greatly improved the physicochemical, antioxidant, functional and processing properties of the flour with reduced antinutrients. Such combined process could enhance the use of brown finger millet as a novel flour in food product development. • Impact of germination and fermentation (singly and in combination) was studied. • Combined germination and fermentation increased nutritional composition. • Germination alone resulted in higher levels of the minerals. • Both processes increased the thermal properties, except enthalpy of gelatinization. • Combination of both processes significantly improved the overall composition and properties of the flour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of different dual frequency ultrasound treatment (DFUT) times (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 min) on the structure of myofibrillar protein (MP) were investigated. Moreover, the effects of MP structure changes after DFUT on the stability and distribution of baicalein (BN) in emulsion were also evaluated. Results indicated that mild DFUT (≤6 min) promoted the unfolding of MP, thus increasing active sulfhydryl content (ASC), ζ-potential, and surface hydrophobicity (SUH). Moreover, secondary structure results showed that mild DFUT transformed MP from an α-helix to a β-sheet. Notably, the change of MP structures promoted the formation of stable emulsion, thus increasing the encapsulation efficiency (EEC) of BN in continuous phase. Also, BN in emulsion showed better storage stability and thermal stability after treatment. Overall, DFUT-modified MP can be used to establish a stable emulsion system, and it can be applied in embedding hydrophobic BN. • Effect of changes in MP structure on the stability of BN was investigated. • Mild DFUT improved the stability and distribution of BN in emulsion. • BN was stabilized by enhanced hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction. • Excessive DFUT was detrimental to the stability of a BN-based emulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to mitigate verticillium wilt is an important attribute of a biocontrol agent in terms of its global market potential. This study evaluated the protective effect of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus and an endophytic fungus (Penicillium pinophilum) inoculation against verticillium wilt in lettuce host. The seedlings in four treatment groups (control, AM, Penicillium , AM + Penicillium) were raised for six weeks in the presence or absence of the pathogen (Verticillium dahlia e) in a growth chamber. The foliar disease incidence was evaluated and recorded as 37 %, 35 %, 3 %, and 14 % for Control, AM, Penicillium , and dual inoculated treatments, respectively. V. dahliae decreased the plant growth indices, carbon, and nitrogen contents in all groups, except in Penicillium treatment. Trace elements concentrations were reduced due to disease across board, but manganese (Mn) was modulated by the endophyte. R. intraradices and its co-inoculation with P. pinophilum did not confer protection to lettuce, despite having lower quantity of pathogen DNA in their stems than Control and Penicillium inoculated plants. In mitigating the negative effect of V. dahliae , aside in vivo pathogen antibiosis, the endophyte modulated reactive oxygen species, nitrogen, manganese, and improved host growth indices, thereby, gave the most effective bio-protection. However, its co-inoculation with the R. intraradices reduced its efficacy. • In planta pathogen presence was inhibited by AM fungus and endophyte. • Only the endophyte conferred protection. • The endophyte additionally modulated ROS, N, Mn, and growth parameters. • Co-inoculation of AM fungus reduced the endophyte's efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of nine metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) were measured in selected brands of medicated, moisturizing and skin-lightening soaps and shower gels with the aim of evaluating the human health risk associated with metal exposure from the use of these products. The concentrations of metals in these products were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry after sample digestion with a mixture of acids. The concentration ranges of the metals in the bathing soaps and shower gels were found to be: <0.06–3.4 μg g −1 for Cd, <0.09–26.5 μg g −1 for Pb, <0.12–43.0 μg g −1 for Cr, <0.06–32.5 μg g −1 for Ni, <0.06–40.5 μg g −1 for Cu, <0.12–8.0 μg g −1 for Co, 61.8–4000 μg g −1 for Fe, <0.09–29.5 μg g −1 for Mn, and 25.5–1000 μg g −1 for Zn. The systemic exposure dosage values for these metals obtained from the application of these brands of bathing soaps and shower gels were below their respective provisional tolerable daily intake/or recommended daily intake values. The margin of safety values obtained for the metals were greater than 100 which indicated that there was no significant risk to the users of these brands of bathing soaps and shower gels, except in the case of Co. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The first wave of transcription, called zygotic genome activation (ZGA), begins during the 2-cell stage in mouse preimplantation development and marks a vital transition from the maternal genetic to the embryonic genetic program. Utilizing DNA microarray data, we looked for genes that are expressed only during ZGA and found Zscan4, whose expression is restricted to late 2-cell stage embryos. Sequence analysis of genomic DNA and cDNA clones revealed nine paralogous genes tightly clustered in 0.85 Mb on mouse chromosome 7. Three genes are not transcribed and are thus considered pseudogenes. Among the six expressed genes named Zscan4a-Zscan4f, three – Zscan4c, Zscan4d, and Zscan4f – encode full-length ORFs with 506 amino acids. Zscan4d is a predominant transcript at the late 2-cell stage, whereas Zscan4c is a predominant transcript in embryonic stem (ES) cells. No transcripts of any Zscan4 genes are detected in any other cell types. Reduction of Zscan4 transcript levels by siRNAs delays the progression from the 2-cell to the 4-cell stage and produces blastocysts that fail to implant or proliferate in blastocyst outgrowth culture. Zscan4 thus seems to be essential for preimplantation development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• PAHs were measured in vegetable oils fried three times and fish fried therein. • PAH concentrations/compositions changed markedly with oil types and frying cycles. • High molecular weight PAHs were dominant in both the oils and fried fish. • Concentrations of PAHs in the fresh and fried vegetable oils exceeded EU limits. • Cancer risk values for oils after three frying cycles exceeded the acceptable risk. The use of the same batch of oil for deep-frying on several occasions is a common practice. This study sought to determine the effects of repeated frying cycles on the composition, concentrations and risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in six types of vegetable oils and the samples of fish fried therein. The PAH concentrations in the oils were measured before use and after each of three successive cycles of frying. Fish was fried at each time of use of the oils and, also, monitored for their PAH content. The PAH content in all samples was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The concentrations of Ʃ22 PAHs in the unused oils ranged from 43.3–2107 μg kg−1, while those in the used oil ranged from 40.8–4090 μg kg−1. There were significant changes (p < 0.05) in the concentrations and composition of PAHs with respect to vegetable oil types and number of frying cycles. The cancer risk values for the vegetable oils (10−4 to 10−5) after three frying cycles exceeded the acceptable risk value of 10-6 indicating a probable lifetime carcinogenic risk. However, adverse non-carcinogenic risks through consumption of these oils and fried fish were low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]