The physicochemical properties and Pickering emulsifying capacity of acorn starch.

In this work, the granule characteristics, functional properties, in-vitro digestibility, antioxidant capacity, and phenolic composition of acorn starch were investigated and compared to those of potato starch and corn starch, and its Pickering emulsifying ability was also evaluated. The results showed that the acorn starch granules were spherical and oval in shape, with a smaller particle size, and the amylose content and crystallinity degree were similar to those of corn starch. However, the acorn starch was difficult to swell, with poor aqueous solubility, though it had a strong gel strength and setback viscosity. Because acorn starch contained more free and bound polyphenols, its resistant starch content after cooking and ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities were significantly higher than those of potato starch and corn starch. Acorn starch also exhibited outstanding particle wettability and could stabilize Pickering emulsions. The assessed emulsion showed an outstanding effect for protecting ß-carotene against ultraviolet irradiation and was positively correlated with the acorn starch addition amount. The obtained results may serve as a reference for the further development of acorn starch.

Preparation and characterization of foxtail millet bran oil using subcritical propane and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction.

The foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv) bran oil was extracted with traditional solvent extraction (SE), supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SCE) and subcritical propane extraction (SPE) and analyzed the yield, physicochemical property, fatty acid profile, tocopherol composition, oil oxidative stability in this study. The yields of foxtail millet bran oil by SE, SCE and SPE were 17.14 %, 19.65 %, 21.79 % of raw material weight (corresponded to 75.54 %, 86.60 %, 96.03 % of the total amount of the oil measured by using Soxhlet extraction), respectively. The effect of the extraction methods on the physicochemical properties (peroxide value, saponification value and color) was significant while the difference in fatty acid profile was negligible based on GC analysis. The major components of vitamin E in the obtained oils were identified as α- and ß-tocopherols by HPLC, and SPE was superior to SE and SCE in the extraction of tocopherols. In Rancimat test, the oil obtained by SPE showed the highest oil oxidative stability, which could attribute to its high tocopherol content and low peroxide value. In view of oil quality, SPE employed smaller times and lower pressures compared to SE and SCE. SPE was a suitable and selective method for the extraction of the foxtail millet bran oil.

[Changes of protein kinase A expressions in central amygdaloid nuclei during the process of chronic morphine-induced conditioned place aversion in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore neurobiological mechanisms of the withdrawal-induced aversion. The changes of protein kinase A were measured in central amygdaloid nucleic (CeA) of conditioned place aversion (CPA) model rats. METHODS: (1) All 72 male SD rats were divided into three groups, model group (MN group), and control group (MS group and SN group). MN group was injected with morphine,6.5 days, 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (ip), twice per day, naloxone injection, 0.3 mg/kg, ip, along with conditioned place aversion training, to develop the CPA model. The MS group was administrated equivalent volume of morphine and saline. Also the SN group was injected with equivalent volume of saline and naloxone. (2) During the process of morphine-induced CPA, the expression of protein kinase A was assayed with immunohistochemistry in the CeA. RESULTS: In the MN group, protein kinase A expressions in the CeA occurred adaptive changes at different points of CPA (P < 0.05). Protein kinase A expressions after establishment(Day7,134.43 +/- 4.481, P < 0.05), and after extinction (Day 13, 141.01 +/- 3.360, P < 0.01), and after reinstatement (Day 14,137.18 +/- 40.330, P < 0.05) were also lower than those before the establishment of the CPA (Day 5, 124.48 +/- 6.722). However, PKA expressions were not significantly different both in MS group (P > 0.05)and SN group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: (1) Protein kinase A expression, in turn regulating the aversion expression, in the CeA probably is a key pathway contributing to the development of CPA. (2) The neuroadaptation mediated by protein kinase A may be one of the important molecular underpinnings of CPA.