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This paper explores an application of 3D printing technology on the food industry. Since its inception in the 1980s, 3D printing has experienced a huge rise in popularity. This study uses cost-effective, flexible, and sustainable components that enable specific features of certain gas chromatography. This study aims to optimize the process of gas detection using a 3D printed separation column and the MiCS-6814 sensor. The principle of the entire device is based on the idea of utilizing a simple capillary chromatographic column manufactured by 3D printing for the separation of samples into components prior to their measurement using inexpensive chemiresistive sensors. An optimization of a system with a 3D printed PLA block containing a capillary, a mixing chamber, and a measuring chamber with a MiCS-6814 sensor was performed. The optimization distributed the sensor output signal in the time domain so that it was possible to distinguish the peak for the two most common alcohols, ethanol and methanol. The paper further describes some optimization types and their possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inexpensive chemiresistive sensors are often insufficiently selective as they are sensitive to multiple components of the gas mixture at the same time. One solution would be to insert a device in front of the sensor that separates the measured gas mixture and possibly isolates the unwanted components. This study focused on the fabrication and characterization of a compact unit, which was fabricated by 3D printing, for the separation and detection of simple gas mixtures. The capillary, the basic part of the compact unit, was 4.689 m long and had a diameter of 0.7 mm. The compact unit also contained a mixing chamber on the inlet side and a measuring chamber with a MiCS-6814 sensor on the outlet side. Mixtures of ethanol and water at different concentrations were chosen for characterization. The measured calibration curve was found to have a reliability of R2 = 0.9941. The study further addressed the elements of environmental friendliness of the materials used and their sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing container cell size and nutrition is crucial for enhancing the quality of vegetable transplants. The current study evaluated the effect of different cell sizes and Ca(NO3)2 on some properties of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) transplants. Experimental treatment included four levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L-1) of Ca(NO3)2 and 5 different cell sizes of containers (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Ca(NO3)2 and larger cell size, increased height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots, and concentration of chlorophyll, protein, SPAD, carbohydrates, and macro/micronutrients. The results revealed that maximum shoot and root fresh and dry weight, photosynthesis pigments, N, P, K, Ca, and Fe concentrations were recorded at 150 mg L-1 × cell size 5. In comparison, the highest Zn and Mn concentrations were recorded at 100 mg L-1 × cell size 4 and 5. Our results demonstrated that applying Ca(NO3)2 and increasing the cell size of the containers improved the traits evaluated, so Ca(NO3)2 at 10 and 15 mg L-1 with cell size 5 can be recommended to transplant producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare chemical properties, in terms of the content of volatile substances, antioxidant compounds, and antioxidant activity (AOA), in samples of fruit and grape wines. For this purpose, the following types of wine were selected, namely fruit wines (apple, strawberry, and elderberry) and grape wines (Müller-Thurgau, St. Lawrence Rosé, and Blue Portugal). Basic analyses of fruit and grape wines were conducted by using the ALPHA method and volatile substances in wines were determined by the GS/MC method. The antioxidant content and AOA were estimated by spectrophotometry, using two types of DPPH method. The results of the experiment showed that the highest values of antioxidant compounds (anthocyanins and flavanols) were found in the samples of Blue Portugal wine and elderberry wine. Significant differences were determined among the wines in antioxidant content, which may have been influenced by the production technology. The results showed that the alcohol content of the wines ranged from 10.99% to 19.49% vol. The highest alcohol content was measured in the elderberry wine samples and the lowest in those of the apple wine. The strawberry wine had the highest titratable acid content, which corresponded to a pH of 3.38. The lowest content was measured in the apple wine samples. Due to the higher acid content of the strawberry wine, a higher residual sugar level of 46.9 g.L-1 was obtained. We noted that the red fruit wines contained a higher proportion of valuable bioactive substances than white grape wines. Wines with superior sensory properties did not contain higher levels of antioxidants or higher AOA. The research results can provide a helpful reference for the widespread use of grape and fruit wines in medical, nutritional, and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]