Determination of oil palm fruit phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activities using spectrophotometric methods.

There is scarce information on the phenolics of oil palm fruits (Elaeis guineensis). In this study, phenolics were extracted from oil palm fruits and analysed using spectrophotometry for information on the different types of palm phenolics and their antioxidative activities. Analyses of the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), o-diphenols index, hydroxycinnamic acid index, flavonols index and phenol index showed ranges between 5.64 and 83.97 g L−1 gallic acid equivalent (GAE), 0.31–7.53 g L−1 catechin equivalent, 4.90–93.20 g L−1 GAE, 23.74–77.46 g L−1 ferulic acid equivalent, 3.62–95.33 g L−1 rutin equivalent and 15.90–247.22 g L−1 GAE, respectively. The antioxidant assay, 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, showed antioxidative activities in all the extracts with results ranging from 4.41 to 61.98 g L−1 trolox equivalent. The high antioxidant activities of the oil palm fruit phenolics were also found to increase with increasing TPC and TFC

Chlorophyll and colour changes in grapevine leaves preserved by passive modification

Grapevine leaves are used to prepare the dish called as dolma, i.e., a Turkish term for stuffed vegetable. Our study was undertaken to monitor the desirable colour changes from bright-green to olive-yellow in grapevine leaves stored under modified atmosphere (passive modification). We also determined whether microbial growth occurred after a prolonged storage (9 mo) at 20 degrees C. For this purpose, grapevine leaves from two common varieties grown in Turkey were placed in hermetically-sealed glass jars and stored at 20 degrees C for 9 mo. Since the colour is the most important quality criteria for grapevine leaves, the changes in chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, and colour variables were monitored during storage. Chlorophyll-a and -b were identified and quantified by HPLC. Chlorophyll-b was more stable than chlorophyll-a in both varieties studied. Compared to varieties, chlorophylls in Narince variety were less stable than those in Sultani variety. Since consumers expect olive-yellow colour in grapevine leaves, Narince variety is more suitable for this technique. Excellent correlation was found between -a(*)b(*)colour variable and chlorophyll-a concentration (r=0.9829-0.9832). Mesophilic bacteria were found to be low level (3.2x10(1) cfu/g), whereas yeast and molds, lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were below the lowest detection limit (< 10 cfu/g) in the leaves stored at 20 degrees C for 9 mo. The results suggest that passive modification is very effective to achieve the desirable colour transformation of grapevine leaves in a very short period of time (2-6 days) depending on the variety. Moreover, this simple technique gives rise to a product with good microbial quality

Propuesta de abastecimiento de agua potable por gravedad, para la población del caserío de México, Julcán, La Libertad, 2018

La presente investigación se realizó en el caserío de México, provincia de Julcán, departamento de La Libertad, la misma que busca analizar el problema del consumo de agua potable y frente a ello proponer el desarrollo de un proyecto de aprovechamiento del recurso hídrico, para así satisfacer las necesidades de la población. El horizonte del proyecto se determinó en 20 años, el cual beneficiaría a una población de 415 habitantes. El estudio se realizó en diferentes etapas, se inició con la búsqueda de información en las diferentes fuentes y entidades del gobierno, ello nos permitió conocer la realidad de la población, sus necesidades, sus actividades y por otro lado, cuantificar los datos de su población y crecimiento. El siguiente paso fue realizar estudios técnicos que nos puedan apoyar en el diseño del sistema de abastecimiento de agua, acorde con las necesidades de la población, para ello se requirió hacer diferentes estudios: Topográfico, de Suelos y fuente del Agua. Los investigadores aprovecharon estos datos para efectuar los cálculos necesarios, desde la captación del agua, su línea de conducción, su reservorio, hasta la distribución del recurso. Se logró determinar que a pesar que los estudios de su población indican decrecimiento, esto no significa privar a la población de su necesidad de agua. Por otro lado, todo el diseño se desarrolló respetando la normatividad vigente en diseño redes de abastecimiento de agua a poblaciones rurales, con ello se determinó un abastecimiento de agua en 100% en horario continuo.The present investigation was carried out in the hamlet of Mexico, province of Julcán, department of La Libertad, the same one that seeks to analyze the problem of drinking water consumption and, in this regard, proposes the development of a project for the utilization of water resources, meet the needs of the population. The project horizon was determined in 20 years, which would benefit a population of 415 inhabitants. The study was conducted in different stages, it began with the search of information in different sources and government entities, this allowed us to know the reality of the population, their needs, their activities and on the other hand, quantify the data of their population and growth. The next step was to carry out technical studies that can support us in the design of the water supply system, according to the needs of the population, for this it was required to do different studies: Topographic, Soils and Water source. The researchers took advantage of this data to carry out the necessary calculations, from the capture of the water, its line of conduction, its reservoir, to the distribution of the resource. It was possible to determine that although studies of its population indicate a decrease, this does not mean depriving the population of their need for water. On the other hand, all the design was developed respecting the current norms in design water supply networks to rural populations, with this a 100% water supply was determined on a continuous schedule

Pre-treatment and extraction techniques for recovery of added value compounds from wastes throughout the agri-food chain

The enormous quantity of food wastes discarded annually force to look for alternatives for this interesting feedstock. Thus, food bio-waste valorisation is one of the imperatives of the nowadays society. This review is the most comprehensive overview of currently existing technologies and processes in this field. It tackles classical and innovative physical, physico-chemical and chemical methods of food waste pre-treatment and extraction for recovery of added value compounds and detection by modern technologies and are an outcome of the COST Action EUBIS, TD1203 Food Waste Valorisation for Sustainable Chemicals, Materials and Fuels

Nitrite in Nature: Determination with Polymeric Materials

Nitrogen compounds being important for the vital activities of living things are produced by the nitrification process and occurred spontaneously in the nitrogen cycle. Human vital activities are also responsible for the extra nitrogen released into the atmosphere. So, both human and environmental healths are negatively affected by the increasing nitrate and nitrate amounts in water and soil. For this reason, it is aimed to ensure regular control of nitrates and nitrites at certain levels in order to protect the universe and all living things. Their precise and selective determination by various methods is very important. Their determinations can usually be made by using electrochemical, spectrophotometric, chromatographic and titrimetric methods. Nowadays instead of these techniques, sensors are preferred in determining nitrate and nitrite due to their easy, fast, selective and sensitive application properties. Furthermore, polymeric materials have shown great promise for different sensing applications such as gas, humidity, explosive and water pollutants. Sensors, which are developed by polymerization, have very high quality for the determination of nitrite. The highly sensitive results of optical and electrochemical sensors attract the attention of researchers. In this review, different detection methods for nitrite ions and various studies on the preparation of polymeric sensors that can selectively capture the nitrite ions in complex matrices are examined

The Panacea Plants for Environment and Humanity: Caper and Ritha

Caper and Ritha are plants which have very important effects on both living beings and natural habitat. They are used in many areas like medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics and agriculture because of their positive features. Caper is compatible with the Mediterranean ecosystem and resistant to drought and high-salinity. When compared to the other most plants, it can remain green for a long time without water even in the summer season. Due to this magnificent property, this plant is effectively used for environmental protection. It has been reported that Caper contains biologically active compounds such as glucosinolates, alkoloids, phenolics, flavonoid, tocopherol and minerals such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. Ritha grows in Asia's tropical and sub-tropical regions. It contributes to the environment like Caper because, it has ability to capture the chemical pollution from the soil. So, it helps to improve the quality and efficiency of the land by holding heavy metals like mercury, iron and zinc in the leaves and grabbing lead and cadmium in its fruits. Moreover, it biologically decomposes injurious organic molecules such as hexachlorobenzene and naphthalene. Furthermore, the nectar of Ritha can kill the flies and larvae of Southern cattle mite's species called Boophilus microplus

wheat straw by a microwave-assisted process

Optimization of acid-catalyzed conversion conditions of wheat straw into furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), glucose, and xylose was studied by response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite design (CCD) was used to determine the effects of independent variables, including reaction temperature (140-200 degrees C), residence time (1-41 min), pH (0.1-2.1), and liquid:solid ratio (15-195 mL/g) on furan and sugar production. The surface response analysis revealed that temperature, time and pH had a strong influence on the furfural, HMF, xylose and glucose yield, whereas liquid to solid ratio was found not to be significant. The initial pH of solution was the most important variable in acid-catalyzed conversion of wheat straw to furans. The maximum predicted furfural, HMF, xylose and glucose yields were 66%, 3.4%, 100%, and 65%, respectively. This study demonstrated that the microwave-assisted process was a very effective method for the xylose production from wheat straw by diluted acid catalysis. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved