Stabilized Naked Sub-nanometric Cu Clusters within a Polymeric Film Catalyze C-N, C-C, C-O, C-S, and C-P Bond-Forming Reactions
[EN] Sub-nanometric Cu clusters formed by endogenous reduction of Cu salts and Cu nanoparticles are active and selective catalysts for C−N, C−C, C−O, C−S, and C−P bond-forming reactions. Sub-nanometric Cu clusters have also been generated within a polymeric film and stored with full stability for months. In this way, they are ready to be used on demand and maintain high activity (TONs up to 104 ) and selectivity for the above reactions. A potential mechanism for the formation of the sub-nanometric clusters and their electronic nature is presented.
Electrochemical tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) characterisation using contact probe in situ voltammetr
[EN] An in situ electrochemical contact probe methodology for characterising tomato samples is proposed. It is based on the record of the voltammetric response of antioxidant compounds when glassy carbon electrodes are inserted into the pericarp of fresh tomato specimens cut in half. The absence of pretreatment and in situ sampling avoid sample contamination and the oxidation of air-sensitive compounds thus increasing the representativity of the analytical data relative to conventional electrochemical analysis. Characteristic voltammetric responses recorded for such compounds, including rutin, chlorogenic acid, naringenin, naringenin chalcone and ascorbic acid have been obtained. A positive…
Risk management of ochratoxigenic fungi and ochratoxin A in maize grains by bioactive EVOH films containing individual components of some essential oils.
Abstract Aspergillus steynii and Aspergillus tubingensis are possibly the main ochratoxin A (OTA) producing species in Aspergillus section Circumdati and section Nigri, respectively. OTA is a potent nephrotoxic, teratogenic, embryotoxic, genotoxic, neurotoxic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive compound being cereals the first source of OTA in the diet. In this study bioactive ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) films containing cinnamaldehyde (CINHO), linalool (LIN), isoeugenol (IEG) or citral (CIT) which are major components of some plant essential oils (EOs) were produced and tested against A. steynii and A. tubingensis growth and OTA production in partly milled maize grains. Due to …
Contact probe voltammetry for in situ monitoring of the reactivity of phenolic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) compounds with ROS
The application of an in situ electrochemical contact probe methodology for monitoring reactivity of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds in tomato fruits is described. Upon electrochemical generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), characteristic voltammetric responses were recorded for compounds resulting from the reaction of such species with tomato compounds. This suggests that new electrochemically oxidizable compounds are generated from the oxidation of highly reactive polyphenolic compounds with ROS. Therefore, an evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of such species could be made from voltammetric data for different tomato varieties.
Predictability of properties of ternary systems solvent/solvent/polymer from interaction parameters of the binary systems—III. Analysis of binary potential functions forming ternary ones
Abstract The assumption that the ternary parameter, g τ , and its derivative with respect to polymer concentration, ( ∂g τ / ∂φ 3 ) μ 1 , φ 3 → 0 , can be described by three binary interaction parameters, g o i 3 ( i = 1, 2) and g 12 , implies that these must be independent functions. This feature has been demonstrated by using g o i 3 values obtained from A/B/polymer(P) and C/D/P ternary polymer systems to predict the ternary properties, namely preferential solvation (λ), second virial coefficient ( A 2 ) and intrinsic viscosity ([η]), of a A/C/P ternary system. Two distinct polymers, polystyrene(PS) and poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS), have been utilized in three solvent mixtures, benzene(BZ…
Effect of calcium dips and chitosan coatings on postharvest life of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa)
Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) were treated either with 1% calcium gluconate dips, 1.5% chitosan coatings or with a coating formulation containing 1.5% chitosan + 1% calcium gluconate and stored at 20 °C for up to 4 days. The effectiveness of the treatments was assessed by evaluating their impact on the following parameters: fungal decay incidence, loss of weight, firmness, external color, pH, titratable acidity and soluble solids content. Calcium dips were effective in decreasing surface damage and delaying both fungal decay and loss of firmness compared to untreated fruit. No sign of fungal decay was observed in fruit coated with 1.5% chitosan which also reduced fruit weight los…
Impact of bioactive packaging systems based on EVOH films and essential oils in the control of aflatoxigenic fungi and aflatoxin production in maize.
Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus are the most common fungal species associated with aflatoxin (AF) contamination of cereals, especially maize, and other agricultural commodities. AFB1, the most frequent and toxic metabolite, is a powerful hepatotoxic, teratogenic and mutagenic compound. Effective strategies to control these fungal species and AFs in food and feed are required. Active packaging film containing essential oils (EO) is one of the most innovative food packaging concepts. In this study, ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer films incorporating EO from Origanum vulgare (ORE), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CIN) or their major active constituents, carvacrol (CAR) and cinnamaldehyde …