Study on the Emulsifying Properties of Pomegranate Peel Pectin from Different Cultivation Areas.

Pomegranate peel pectin is an important acidic anionic plant polysaccharide which can be used as a natural emulsifier. In order to study its emulsifying properties, this paper systematically analyses pomegranate peel pectin samples from Chinese Xinjiang, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, through rheometer, interfacial rheometer, Zetasizer Nano-ZS and mastersizer. It is shown that pomegranate peel pectin can effectively reduce the oil-water interfacial tension, reaching an emulsion droplet size of only 0.507 µm, 0.669 µm and 0.569 µm, respectively, while the pectin concentration is 1.5% and the oil phase (MCT) is 10%. It has also shown that the extreme conditions of pH and ion strength can not significantly change its emulsion stability. However, freeze-thaw cycles can cause the pomegranate peel pectin emulsion to become less stable. Furthermore, the effects of decolourization, protein removal and dialysis on the emulsifying properties of pomegranate peel pectin are investigated using mastersizer rheometer and interfacial rheometer. It is found that the protein and pigment in pomegranate peel pectin have little effect on its emulsifying properties, while the results from dialyzed pectin show that the small molecule substances can reduce the emulsion particle size and increase the emulsion stability. The research outcomes of this study provide technical support for the further application of pomegranate peel pectin in the food industry.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture under continuous traction for treatment of lumbar disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture under continuous traction in prone position for treatment of lumbar disc herniation, to search a better clinical treatment for lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: The patients were randomly divided into group A (42 cases), group B (39 cases) and group C (38 cases). The acupuncture methods of three groups were the same, Jiaji (EX B 2), Weizhong (BL 40) and Chengshan (BL 57) etc. were selected, and the electroacupuncture was applied as a basic treatment. Continuous traction in prone position and electroacupuncture treatment were used at the same time in group A, group B was treated with supine position traction first and then electroacupuncture treatment, while group C was treated with electroacupuncture only, the therapeutic effects were observed and compared. RESULTS: The effective rate of 95.2% in group A was superior to that of 79.5% in group B and 65.8% in group C (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture under continuous traction in prone position is a better treatment for lumbar disc herniation.