Effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the barrier properties of polyamide-6 films

Little is known about the barrier properties of polymer films during high pressure processing of prepackaged foods. In order to learn more about this, we examined the influence of high hydrostatic pressure on the permeation of raspberry ketone (dissolved in ethanol/water) through polyamide-6 films at temperatures between 20 and 60ºC. Permeation was lowered by increasing pressure at all temperatures. At 23°C, the increasing pressure sequence 0.1, 50, 100, 150, and 200 MPa correlated with the decreasing permeation coefficients P/(10(9) cm² s-1) of 6.2, 3.8, 3.0, 2.2, and 1.6. Analysis of the permeation kinetics indicated that this effect was due to a reduced diffusion coefficient. Pressure and temperature acted antagonistically to each other. The decrease in permeation at 200 MPa was compensated for by a temperature increase of 20ºC. After release of pressure, the former permeation coefficients were recovered, which suggests that this `pressure effect' is reversible. Taken together, our data revealed no detrimental effects of high hydrostatic pressure on the barrier properties of polymer films.

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) wine: Yeast selection, sensory evaluation and instrumental analysis of volatile and other compounds

To evaluate the potential for fermentation of raspberry pulp, sixteen yeast strains (S. cerevisiae and S. bayanus) were studied. Volatile compounds were determined by GC-MS, GC-FID, and GC-PFPD. Ethanol. glycerol and organic acids were determined by HPLC. HPLC-DAD was used to analyse phenolic acids. Sensory analysis was performed by trained panellists. After a screening step, CAT-1, UFLA FW 15 and S. bayanus CBS 1505 were previously selected based on their fermentative characteristics and profile of the metabolites identified. The beverage produced with CAT-1 showed the highest volatile fatty acid concentration (1542.6 mu g/L), whereas the beverage produced with UFLA FIN 15 showed the highest concentration of acetates (2211.1 mu g/L) and total volatile compounds (5835 mu g/L). For volatile sulphur compounds. 566.5 mu g/L were found in the beverage produced with S. bayanus CBS 1505. The lowest concentration of volatile sulphur compounds (151.9 mu g/L) was found for the beverage produced with UFLA FW 15. In the sensory analysis, the beverage produced with UFLA FW 15 was characterised by the descriptors raspberry, cherry, sweet, strawberry, floral and violet. In conclusion, strain UFLA FW 15 was the yeast that produced a raspberry wine with a good chemical and sensory quality. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fermentative behavior of Saccharomyces strains during microvinification of raspberry juice (Rubus idaeus L.)

Sixteen different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus were evaluated in the production of raspberry fruit wine. Raspberry juice sugar concentrations were adjusted to 16 degrees Brix with a sucrose solution, and batch fermentations were performed at 22 degrees C. Various kinetic parameters, such as the conversion factors of the substrates into ethanol (Y(p/s)), biomass (Y(x/s)), glycerol (Y(g/s)) and acetic acid (Y(ac/s)), the volumetric productivity of ethanol (Q(p)), the biomass productivity (P(x)), and the fermentation efficiency (E(f)) were calculated. Volatile compounds (alcohols, ethyl esters, acetates of higher alcohols and volatile fatty acids) were determined by gas chromatography (GC-FID). The highest values for the E(f), Y(p/s), Y(g/s), and Y(x/s) parameters were obtained when strains commonly used in the fuel ethanol industry (S. cerevisiae PE-2, BG, SA, CAT-1, and VR-1) were used to ferment raspberry juice. S. cerevisiae strain UFLA FW 15, isolated from fruit, displayed similar results. Twenty-one volatile compounds were identified in raspberry wines. The highest concentrations of total volatile compounds were found in wines produced with S. cerevisiae strains UFLA FW 15 (87,435 mu g/L), CAT-1 (80,317.01 mu g/L), VR-1 (67,573.99 mu g/L) and S. bayanus CBS 1505 (71,660.32 mu g/L). The highest concentrations of ethyl esters were 454.33 mu g/L, 440.33 mu g/L and 438 mu g/L for S. cerevisiae strains UFLA FW 15, VR-1 and BG, respectively. Similar to concentrations of ethyl esters, the highest concentrations of acetates (1927.67 mu g/L) and higher alcohols (83,996.33 mu g/L) were produced in raspberry wine from S. cerevisiae UFLA FW 15. The maximum concentration of volatile fatty acids was found in raspberry wine produced by S. cerevisiae strain VR-1. We conclude that S. cerevisiae strain UFLA FW 15 fermented raspberry juice and produced a fruit wine with low concentrations of acids and high concentrations of acetates, higher alcohols and ethyl esters. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mycaperoxides F and G and a related norterpene ketone from southern Australian marine sponges, Mycale species

Investigation of two southern Australian marine sponges, Mycale spp., resulted in isolation of the known norsesterterpene mycaperoxide F methyl ester (5) together with a new norsesterterpene mycaperoxide G methyl ester (10) and a new norterpene ketone 11. All structures were secured by spectroscopic analysis and chemical derivatization. The absolute stereochemistry previously assigned to 5 by application of the Horeau procedure has been revised by application of the Mosher procedure.

Cytotoxic iron chelators: Characterization of the structure, solution chemistry and redox activity of ligands and iron complexes of the di-2-pyridyl ketone isonicotinoyl hydrazone (HPKIH) analogues

Di-2-pyridyl ketone isonicotinoyl hydrazone (HPKIH) and a range of its analogues comprise a series of monobasic acids that are capable of binding iron (Fe) as tridentate (N,N,O) ligands. Recently, we have shown that these chelators are highly cytotoxic, but show selective activity against cancer cells. Particularly interesting was the fact that cytotoxicity of the HPKIH analogues is maintained even after complexation with Fe. To understand the potent anti-tumor activity of these compounds, we have fully characterized their chemical properties. This included examination of the solution chemistry and X-ray crystal structures of both the ligands and Fe complexes from this class and the ability of these complexes to mediate redox reactions. Potentiometric titrations demonstrated that all chelators are present predominantly in their charge-neutral form at physiological pH (7.4), allowing access across biological membranes. Keto-enol tautomerism of the ligands was identified, with the tautomers exhibiting distinctly different protonation constants. Interestingly, the chelators form low-spin (diamagnetic) divalent Fe complexes in solution. The chelators form distorted octahedral complexes with Fe-II, with two tridentate ligands arranged in a meridional fashion. Electrochemistry of the Fe complexes in both aqueous and non-aqueous solutions revealed that the complexes are oxidized to their ferric form at relatively high potentials, but this oxidation is coupled to a rapid reaction with water to form a hydrated (carbinolamine) derivative, leading to irreversible electrochemistry. The Fe complexes of the HPKIH analogues caused marked DNA degradation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This observation confirms that Fe complexes from the HPKIH series mediate Fenton chemistry and do not repel DNA. Collectively, studies on the solution chemistry and structure of these HPKIH analogues indicate that they can bind cellular Fe and enhance its redox activity, resulting in oxidative damage to vital biomolecules.

OpenDomo en Raspberry Pi

Portabilidad del sistema de control domótico OpenDomo a la arquitectura ARM (Raspberry Pi).

Jenkka and Jatsi, two new red raspberry cultivars

Selostus: Uudet suomalaiset vadelmalajikkeet Jenkka ja Jatsi

Evidence for hypothalamic ketone body sensing: impact on food intake and peripheral metabolic responses in mice.

Monocarboxylates have been implicated in the control of energy homeostasis. Among them, the putative role of ketone bodies produced notably during high-fat diet (HFD) has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of a specific rise in cerebral ketone bodies on food intake and energy homeostasis regulation. A carotid infusion of ketone bodies was performed on mice to stimulate sensitive brain areas for 6 or 12 h. At each time point, food intake and different markers of energy homeostasis were analyzed to reveal the consequences of cerebral increase in ketone body level detection. First, an increase in food intake appeared over a 12-h period of brain ketone body perfusion. This stimulated food intake was associated with an increased expression of the hypothalamic neuropeptides NPY and AgRP as well as phosphorylated AMPK and is due to ketone bodies sensed by the brain, as blood ketone body levels did not change at that time. In parallel, gluconeogenesis and insulin sensitivity were transiently altered. Indeed, a dysregulation of glucose production and insulin secretion was observed after 6 h of ketone body perfusion, which reversed to normal at 12 h of perfusion. Altogether, these results suggest that an increase in brain ketone body concentration leads to hyperphagia and a transient perturbation of peripheral metabolic homeostasis.

Raspberry Pi: a 35-dollar device for viewing DICOM images

Raspberry Pi is a low-cost computer created with educational purposes. It uses Linux and, most of times, freeware applications, particularly a software for viewing DICOM images. With an external monitor, the supported resolution (1920 × 1200 pixels) allows for the set up of simple viewing workstations at a reduced cost.

RPS : Red social para entusiastas de Raspberry Pi

El proyecto "RPS: Red social para entusiastas de Raspberry Pi", se desarrollará en el ámbito temático de desarrollo de aplicaciones móviles con HTML5. La idea principal de este proyecto se centra en dar visibilidad a la comunidad de Raspberry Pi, mediante una aplicación móvil destinada a compartir las experiencias de sus usuarios de una forma sencilla y atractiva.

Amphoteric behavior of di-2-pyridyl ketone benzoylhydrazone in ethanol-water mixtures

The ligand di-2-pyridyl ketone benzoylhydrazone (DPKBH) is widely used for the determination of transition metal ions in environmental samples. Due to its low solubility in water it is used in aqueous-ethanol (1:1) solvent and for higher sensitivity the pH must be properly adjusted. The properties of DPKBH solutions must be known at different ethanol-water percentages in order to achieve higher sensitivity and/or selectivity for metal analysis. The acid-base behavior of this reagent in aqueous-ethanol solvent and the dissociation/ionization constants (pK1 and pK2) of DPKBH have been determined in different aqueous-ethanol solvent mixtures (10, 20, 30 and 50 % V/V of ethanol) from potentiometric titrations at 25.0 ± 0.1° C. As the amount of ethanol increases from 10 to 30% the pK1 and pK2 values increased, but they decreased in 50% of the organic solvent. The results are correlated with the medium composition and its effects.

Structural and Spectral Investigations of Transition Metal Complexes Of Di-2-Pyridyl Ketone N (4), N (4)-Disubstituted Thiosemicarbazones

The study deals with structural and spectral investigations of transition metal complexes of di-2-pyridyl ketone N(4),N(4)-disubstituted thiosemicarbazones. The main objective and scope of the work deals with di-2-pyridyl ketone N(4),N(4)-disubstituted thiosemicarbazones are quardridentate NNNS donor ligands. To chosen this ligand for study because, the ligands are prepared and characterized for the first time, since there are two pyridyl nitorgens, dimmers and polymers of complexes may result leading to interesting structural aspects. The work includes the preparation of the thiosemicarbzones and their structural and spectral studies, synthesis and spectral characterization of complexes of copper(II),,nickel(II),manganese(II), dioxovanadium(V),cobalt(III),zinc(II),cadmium(II) of the ligand HL, synthesis and spectral characterization of complexes of copper(II),manganese(II), of the ligand HL and the development of X-ray quality crystals and its X-ray diffraction studies. The structural characterization techniques are elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, magnetic measurements, electronic spectroscopy, H NMR spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.

Investigations on the Structural, Spectral and Magnetic Interactions of Transition Metal Complexes of Multidentate Ligands from Di-2-pyridyl ketone and N(4)-substituted Thiosemicarbazides

The present work deals with the investigations on sthe structural spectral and magnetic interactions of transition metal complexes of multidentate ligands from D1-2-pyridyl ketone and N(4)-Substituted thiosemicarbazides.Thiosemicarbazones are thiourea derivatives with the general formula R2N— C(S)—NH—N=CR2. In the solution state, the thiosemicarbazones exhibit the thionethiol tautomerism similar to the keto-enol tautomerism, and in solution state the thiol form predominates and a deprotonation at the thiolate group in alcoholic medium enhances the coordination abilities ofthe thiosemicarbazones.The magnetochemistry of metal complexes of di-2-pyridyl ketone is a current hot subject of research, which mainly owes to the excellent structural diversity of the complexes ranging from cubanes to clusters, with promising ferromagnetic outputs.Only few efforts were aimed at the magnetochemistry of metal complexes of thiosemicarbazones, and that too were concerned with the complexes of bisttltioscinicarbazones). However, as far as the monothiosemicarbazones are concerned, the magnetochemistry of transition metal complexes of di-2-pyridyl ketone thiosemicarbazones turned up quite unexplored. Consequently, an investigation into it appeared novel and promising to us and that prompted this study, which can be regarded as the initial step towards exploring the magnetochemistry of thiosemicarbazone complexes, especially of di-2-pyridyl ketone derivatives.We could successfully isolate single crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction for the first three ligands. To conclude, we have synthesized some new thiosemicarbazones and their transition metal complexes and studied their structural, spectral and magnetic attributes. Some ofthe complexes revealed interesting stereochemistries and possible bridging characteristics with spectroscopic evidences. Unfortunately, single crystal Xray diffraction studies could not be carried out for many of these interesting compounds due to the lack of availability of suitable quality single crystals. However, the magnetic studies provided support for the proposed stereochemistry giving evidences for their magnetically concentrated nature. The magnetic susceptibilities measured at six different temperatures in the 80-298 K range are fitted into different magnetic equations, which provided an idea about the magnetic behavior of the compounds under study. Some of the copper, oxovanadium, nickel and cobalt complexes are found to possess anomalous magnetic moments, i.e., they revealed no regular gradation with temperature. However, some other copper complexes are observed to be antiferromagnetic, due to super-exchange pathways. The manganese complexes and one of the cobalt complexes are also observed to be antiferromagnetic in nature. However, some nickel complexes have turned up to be ferromagnetic. Accordingly, the versatile stereoehemistry and magnetic behavior of the complexes studied, prompt us to conclude that the transition metal complexes of di-2-pyridyl ketone thiosemicarbazones are promising systems for potential magnetic applications.

Transition metal complexes derived from ketone based N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazones: Crystal structures and spectral studies

Thiosemicarbazones have recently attracted considerable attention due to their ability to form tridentate chelates with transition metal ions through either two nitrogen and sulfur atoms, N–N–S or oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur atoms, O–N–S. Considerable interest in thiosemicarbazones and their transition metal complexes has also grown in the areas of biology and chemistry due to biological activities such as antitumoral, fungicidal, bactericidal, antiviral and nonlinear optical properties. They have been used for metal analyses, for device applications related to telecommunications, optical computing, storage and information processing.The versatile applications of metal complexes of thiosemicarbazones in various fields prompted us to synthesize the tridentate NNS-donor thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes. As a part of our studies on transition metal complexes with these ligands, the researcher undertook the current work with the following objectives. 1. To synthesize and physico-chemically characterize the following thiosemicarbazone ligands: a. Di-2-pyridyl ketone-N(4)-methyl thiosemicarbazone (HDpyMeTsc) b. Di-2-pyridyl ketone-N(4)-ethyl thiosemicarbazone (HDpyETsc) 2. To synthesize oxovanadium(IV), manganese(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes using the synthesized thiosemicarbazones as principal ligands and some anionic coligands. 3. To study the coordination modes of the ligands in metal complexes by using different physicochemical methods like partial elemental analysis, thermogravimetry and by different spectroscopic techniques. 4. To establish the structure of compounds by single crystal XRD studies

Copper(II) complexes derived from di-2-pyridyl ketone-N4-phenyl-3-semicarbazone: Synthesis and spectral studies

Five copper(II) complexes [CuLCl]2·CuCl2·4H2O (1), [CuLOAc] (2), [CuLNO3]2 (3), [CuLN3] (4) and [CuLNCS]·3/2H2O (5) of di-2-pyridyl ketone-N4-phenyl-3-semicarbazone (HL) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and electronic, infrared and EPR spectral techniques. In all these complexes the semicarbazone undergoes deprotonation and coordinates through enolate oxygen, azomethine and pyridyl nitrogen atoms. All the complexes are EPR active due to the presence of an unpaired electron. EPR spectra of all the complexes in DMF at 77K suggest axial symmetry and the presence of half field signals for the complexes 1 and 3 indicates dimeric structures