Chitosan-pullulan films enriched with Artemisia annua essential oil: Characterization and application in grape preservation.

Composite films were prepared using a flow casting method, with chitosan and pullulan as film-forming agents and Artemisia annua essential oil as the UV absorber. The utility of the composite films for preserving grape berries was assessed. The effect of the added Artemisia annua essential oil on the physicochemical properties of the composite film was investigated to determine the optimal amount of essential oil that should be added to the composite film. When the Artemisia annua essential oil content was 0.8 %, the elongation at break of the composite film increased to 71.25 ± 2.87 % and the water vapor transmission rate decreased to 0.378 ± 0.007 g‧mm/(m2‧h‧kpa). The transmittance of the composite film was almost 0 % in the UV region (200-280 nm) and <30 % in the visible light region (380-800 nm), reflecting the UV absorption by the composite film. Additionally, the composite film extended the storage time of the grape berries. Therefore, the composite film containing Artemisia annua essential oil may be a promising fruit packaging material.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of floral fragrance-related compounds in scented rose (Rosa hybrida) varieties and a subsequent evaluation on the basis of the analytical hierarchy process.

Scented rose (Rosa hybrida) varieties are valued as ornamentals, but they also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that produce pleasant aromas. In plants, aromas are produced via metabolism during growth, and each aroma compound has a unique function. In this study, the floral aroma compounds of diverse scented rose varieties were analyzed and classified. The VOCs of different rose varieties were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed via headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The test materials were the mature flowers of 55 scented rose varieties that were cultivated under identical conditions. Seventeen important aroma compounds were selected and an analytical hierarchy process (AHP)-based method was developed to identify the most suitable essential oil resources, aromatherapy resources, and healthcare resources. A floral fragrance evaluation model was established for the comprehensive evaluation of the scented rose varieties. The 55 varieties were classified into three grades according to their suitability for each use. 'Soeur Emmanuelle', 'Wollerton Old Hall', 'Accademia', and 'Tianmidemeng' were revealed to be suitable essential oil, aromatherapy, and healthcare resources. On the basis of their aroma compound types, the fifty-five rose varieties were divided into eight groups. The results of this study provide the theoretical basis for the classification of rose flower aromas as well as the rational use of diverse rose varieties to further develop the rose industry.

Bioinspired Superhydrophobic/Superhydrophilic Janus Copper Foam for On-Demand Oil/Water Separation.

Superwettable Janus membranes with unique interfacial characteristics have versatile applications in oil/water separation, microfluid transportation, and membrane distillation. However, it remains a significant challenge to simply fabricate three-dimensional (3D) metallic foams with Janus superwettability using a facile and environment-friendly method. In this study, a novel method is present to construct a Janus copper foam (CF) by combining superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity into CF. Based on gravity, the water in the light oil (LO)/water mixture can be transported from the superhydrophilic (SHL) side to the superhydrophobic (SHB) side, while the heavy oil (HO) in the HO/water/mixture can be transported from the SHB side to the SHL side. Therefore, cylindrical Janus oil/water separation devices with superior separation efficiency and excellent repeatability can achieve on-demand oil/water separation effortlessly. This design and fabrication method offers a novel avenue for the preparation of Janus interface materials for practical applications in liquid transportation, sensor devices, energy materials, and oil spills.

Purification and characterization of ZmRIP1, a novel reductant-inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase from maize.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) have long been thought to be activated by reductants and deactivated by oxidants, owing to the presence of a crucial sulfhydryl group in their catalytic centers. In this article, we report the purification and characterization of Reductant-Inhibited PTPase1 (ZmRIP1) from maize (Zea mays) coleoptiles, and show that this PTPase has a unique mode of redox regulation and signaling. Surprisingly, ZmRIP1 was found to be deactivated by a reductant. A cysteine (Cys) residue (Cys-181) near the active center was found to regulate this unique mode of redox regulation, as mutation of Cys-181 to arginine-181 allowed ZmRIP1 to be activated by a reductant. In response to oxidant treatment, ZmRIP1 was translocated from the chloroplast to the nucleus. Expression of ZmRIP1 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants and maize protoplasts altered the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in antioxidant catabolism, such as At1g02950, which encodes a glutathione transferase. Thus, the novel PTPase identified in this study is predicted to function in redox signaling in maize.