Magnetic graphitized carbon black based on crystal growth method combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry for screening of 300 pesticide residues in Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis.

In this study, a high-throughput method for analyzing 300 pesticide residues in Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis was established by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF/MS) using iron tetroxide loaded graphitized carbon black magnetic nanomaterial (GCB/Fe3O4) as the purification material. It was optimized that saturated salt water and 1 % acetate acetonitrile were used as the extraction solution, then the supernatant was purified with 2 g anhydrous CaCl2 and 300 mg GCB/Fe3O4. As a result, 300 pesticides in Radix Codonopsis and 260 in Angelica sinensis achieved satisfactory results. The limits of quantification of 91 % and 84 % of the pesticides in Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis reached 10 µg/kg, respectively. The matrix-matched standard curves ranging from 10 to 200 µg/kg were established with correlation coefficients (R) above 0.99. The pesticides meeting SANTE/12682/2021 accounted for 91.3 %, 98.3 %, 100.0 % and 83.8 %, 97.3, 100.0 % of the total pesticides added in Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis respectively, which were spiked at 10, 20,100 µg/kg. The technique was applied to screen 20 batches of Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis. Five pesticides were detected, three of which were prohibited according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 Edition). The experimental results showed that GCB/Fe3O4 coupled with anhydrous CaCl2 exhibited good adsorption performance and could be used for sample pretreatment of various pesticide residues in Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis. Compared with the reported methods for determining pesticides in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the proposed method has the advantage of less time-consuming in the clean-up procedure. Furthermore, as a case study on root TCM, this approach may serve as a reference for other TCM.

Prevention of microbes-induced spoilage in sodium chloride-free cucumber fermentations employing preservatives.

This study evaluated preservatives to stabilize sodium chloride (NaCl)-free-cucumber fermentations. The brining of air-purged laboratory cucumber fermentations with 100.0 mM calcium chloride (CaCl2 ) and 25.0 mM acetic acid resulted in immediate rises in pH, the chemical reduction of the medium, and malodors. Supplementation with 3.0 mM sodium benzoate or 3.0 mM potassium sorbate enabled a decline in pH, a continuous oxidative state of the medium, and delayed rising pH spoilage. However, lactic and acetic acids eventually disappeared in fermentations supplemented with preservatives. The amount of preservatives needed to suppress growth of brined-cucumber-spoilage microbes was determined in Fermented Cucumber Juice Medium (FCJM). Supplementation of FCJM with 10.0 mM sodium benzoate was inhibitory for the spoilage yeasts, Issatchenkia occidentalis and Pichia manshurica, and the lactobacilli, Lentilactobacillus buchneri and Lentilactobacillus parafarraginis, but not of Zygosaccharomyces globiformis. Potassium sorbate inhibited the spoilage yeasts at 15.0 mM in FCJM but not the lactobacilli. Supplementation of FCJM with 20.0 mM fumaric acid had a bactericidal effect on the spoilage-associated lactobacilli. As expected, NaCl-free-commercial cucumber fermentations brined with 100 mM CaCl2 , no acetic acid, and 6 mM potassium sorbate resulted in complete fermentations, but supported rising pH, microbially induced spoilage during long-term storage. Post-fermentation supplementation with 12 mM sodium benzoate, 10 mM fumaric acid, a combination of the two, or 10 mM fumaric acid and 2 mM AITC prevented microbial activity during long-term bulk storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Several preservative-based strategies for stabilizing NaCl-free cucumber fermentation in a commercial production setting were developed, enabling the implementation of a processing technology that reduces wastewater volumes and environmental impact.

Enhancing anthocyanin-phenolic copigmentation through epicarp layer treatment and edible coatings to retain anthocyanins in thermally processed whole blueberries.

Anthocyanins in processed fruit degrade significantly due to their heat and oxygen sensitivity and water solubility. Copigmentation for stabilizing anthocyanins is less effective for whole fruit due to anthocyanins' location within cell vacuoles surrounded by the epicarp layer as barrier to prevent copigment complexing with anthocyanins. This study investigated strategies for enhancing anthocyanin-phenolic copigmentation on blueberry surface, and integrated copigmentation with layer-by-layer (LBL) coating to retain anthocyanin stability in thermally processed blueberries. Results indicated that epicarp layer treatment of fruit by Tween 80 (T80) and CaCl2 is important for enhancing anthocyanin-phenolic copigmentation. The sequential copigmentation treatment using T80, ferulic acid, and CaCl2 (T80→FA→CaCl2 ) or T80, tannic acid, and CaCl2 (T80→TA→CaCl2 ) resulted in higher (p < 0.05) retention of total monomeric anthocyanin (3.18 mg/g and 3.38 mg/g, respectively) in thermally processed blueberries after 7-day ambient storage than that of untreated fruit (2.79 mg/g). Percent polymeric color (PPC) of blueberries treated by T80→FA→CaCl2 (15.5%) or T80→TA→CaCl2 (17.4%) was lower (p < 0.05) than that treated by TA alone (22.5%). The LBL coating enhanced microstructure stability for preserving anthocyanins in thermally processed blueberries. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of sequential copigmentation of blueberries after epicarp layer treatment followed by LBL coating for enhancing anthocyanin stability in processed whole fruit. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: When anthocyanin-rich fruit is thermally processed, anthocyanins degrade and leach to aqueous packing solution because of its heat sensitivity and water solubility. This study developed an innovative technology through implementing sequential treatments of copigmentation and water- and heat-resistant coating for preventing heat and water degradation of anthocyanins in whole fruit during processing in aqueous media. The developed technology can be practically applied to enhance the quality and health benefits of thermally processed anthocyanin-rich whole fruit. The technology can not only be utilized to improve existing fruit products, but also develop new and novel fruit products.

Cell wall stabilization and calcium absorption on mango fruit treated with a quarantine hot water treatment combined with calcium salts and stored at chilling temperature.

Hot water treatment (HT) induces chilling injury (CI) tolerance in mango, but prolonged exposure to HT causes softening. In this sense, calcium salts stabilize the cell wall. Nevertheless, there is little information on the effect of HT combined with calcium salts (HT-Ca) on calcium absorption and cell wall stability during storage of mango at CI temperature. We evaluated the effect of quarantine HT in combination with calcium chloride (CaCl2 ), calcium citrate (CaCit), or calcium lactate (CaLac) on calcium absorption, CI tolerance, and cell wall stabilization. HT and HT-CaCl2 had the lowest CI development. HT increased firmness loss and electrolyte leakage, and HT-Ca counteracted this effect. Overall, HT-Ca treatments had a similar effect on the cell wall degrading enzymes. HT-CaCl2 was the best treatment and did not present alterations on the epicuticular wax as observed on HT. HT-CaCl2 is a useful technology to stabilize cell wall and preserve mango during chilling storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The addition of calcium salts in an established hot water quarantine procedure for mango exportation represents a viable alternative to counteract the negative effects of this thermal treatment upon cell microstructure, maintaining its positive effect of tolerance to chilling injury. In this sense, mango producers and packers can use a HT-CaCl2 treatment to reduce the presence of chilling injury and extent the fruit shelf life and improve its commercialization. Furthermore, technical and infrastructure changes are not necessary for the packaging chain.

Growth of ɣ-Proteobacteria in Low Salt Cucumber Fermentation Is Prevented by Lactobacilli and the Cover Brine Ingredients.

This study investigated the ability of É£-proteobacteria, indigenous to fresh cucumber, to grow in the expressed fruit juice (CJM) and fermentation. It was hypothesized that fresh cucumbers can support prolific growth of É£-proteobacteria but that the cover brine composition and acid production by the competing lactobacilli in the fermentation of the fruit act as inhibitory agents. The É£-proteobacteria proliferated in CJM with an average maximum growth rate (µmax) of 0.3895 ± 0.0929 and doubling time (Td) of 1.885 ± 0.465/h. A significant difference was found between the É£-proteobacteria µmax and Td relative to Lactiplantibacillus pentosus LA0445 (0.2319 ± 0.019; 2.89/h) and Levilactobacillus brevis 7.2.43 (0.221 ± 0.015; 3.35/h) but not Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 3.2.8 (0.412 ± 0.119; 1.87/h). While inoculation level insignificantly altered the µmax and Td of the bacteria tested; it impacted the length of lag and stationary phases for the lactobacilli. Unlike the lactobacilli, the É£-proteobacteria were inhibited in CJM supplemented with a low salt fermentation cover brine containing calcium chloride, acetic acid and potassium sorbate. The É£-proteobacteria, P. agglomerans, was unable to proliferate in cucumber fermentations brined with calcium chloride at a pH of 6.0 ± 0.1 and the population of Enterobacteriaceae was outcompeted by the lactobacilli within 36 h. Together these observations demonstrate that the prolific growth of É£-proteobacteria in CJM is not replicated in cucumber fermentation. While the É£-proteobacteria growth rate is faster that most lactobacilli in CJM, their growth in cucumber fermentation is prevented by the cover brine and the acid produced by the indigenous lactobacilli. Thus, the lactobacilli indigenous to cucumber and cover brine composition influence the safety and quality of fermented cucumbers. IMPORTANCE While the abundance of specific É£-proteobacteria species varies among vegetable type, several harbor Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae that benefit the plant system. It is documented that such bacterial populations decrease in density early in vegetable fermentations. Consequently, it is assumed that they do not contribute to the quality of finished products. This study explored the viability of É£-proteobacteria in CJM, used as a model system, CJM supplemented with fermentation cover brine and cucumber fermentation, which are characterized by an extremely acidic endpoint pH (3.23 ± 0.17; n = 391). The data presented demonstrates that fresh cucumbers provide the nutrients needed by É£-proteobacteria to proliferate and reduce pH to 4.47 ± 0.12. However, É£-proteobacteria are unable to proliferate in cucumber fermentation. Control of É£-proteobacteria in fermentations depends on the cover brine constituents and the indigenous competing lactobacilli. This knowledge is of importance when developing guidelines for the safe fermentation of vegetables, particularly with low salt.

Calcium Chloride and Calcium Gluconate in Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition Solutions without Cysteine: Compatibility Studies Using Laser Light Obscuration Methodology.

There are no compatibility studies for neonatal parenteral nutrition solutions without cysteine containing calcium chloride or calcium gluconate using light obscuration as recommended by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). The purpose of this study was to do compatibility testing for solutions containing calcium chloride and calcium gluconate without cysteine. Solutions of TrophAmine and Premasol (2.5% amino acids), containing calcium chloride or calcium gluconate were compounded without cysteine. Solutions were analyzed for particle counts using light obscuration. Maximum concentrations tested were 15 mmol/L of calcium and 12.5 mmol/L of phosphate. If the average particle count of three replicates exceeded USP guidelines, the solution was determined to be incompatible. This study found that 12.5 and 10 mmol/L of calcium and phosphate, respectively, are compatible in neonatal parenteral nutrition solutions compounded with 2.5% amino acids of either TrophAmine or Premasol. There did not appear to be significant differences in compatibility for solutions containing TrophAmine or Premasol when solutions were compounded with either CaCl2 or CaGlu-Pl. This study presents data in order to evaluate options for adding calcium and phosphate to neonatal parenteral nutrition solutions during shortages of calcium and cysteine.

Vacuum impregnation of firming agents in red raspberries.

BACKGROUND: Red raspberries are a delicate and highly perishable fruit with a fragile pulp tissue. In this study we used vacuum impregnation (VI) methods to incorporate pectin and calcium chloride into whole red raspberries to improve their firmness. Specifically, we impregnated low methoxyl pectin (LMP) at 10 g of pectin kg-1 of solution and calcium chloride (CaCl2 ·2H2 O) at 30 g calcium kg-1 of pectin, and on the other side pectin methylesterase (PME) at 10 g of enzyme kg-1 of solution, and (CaCl2 ·2H2 O) at 10 g of calcium kg-1 of solution, into whole red raspberries. We tested three vacuum levels 33.9, 50.8, and 67.8 kPa, three vacuum impregnation times 2, 7, and 15 min, and two temperatures, 20 and 40 °C, during VI treatment. Maximum force (FM ) and gradient (GC3 ) were evaluated to assess raspberry firmness. RESULTS: A vacuum level of 50.8 kPa, processing time of 7 min, and a LMP and calcium infusion at 20 °C resulted in the firmest fruit compared to the other treatments. At these VI treatment conditions, FM and GC3 values of red raspberries obtained were 28 N, and 8.4 N mm-1 , respectively. CONCLUSION: The optimal VI conditions identified in this study can be used to improve firmness and structural integrity of red raspberries by infusion of LMP and calcium. Findings on vacuum-impregnated red raspberries may be used to develop dehydrofrozen berries for incorporation into bakery and dairy products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fermentation Cover Brine Reformulation for Cucumber Processing with Low Salt to Reduce Bloater Defect.

Reformulation of calcium chloride (CaCl2 ) cover brine for cucumber fermentation was explored as a mean to minimize the incidence of bloater defect. This study particularly focused on cover brine supplementation with calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2 ), sodium chloride (NaCl), and acids to enhance buffer capacity, inhibit the indigenous carbon dioxide (CO2 )- producing microbiota, and decrease the solubility of the gas. The influence of the cover brine formulations tested, on the cucumber fermentation microbiota, biochemistry, CO2 production, and bloating defect was studied using metagenetics, HPLC analysis, a portable gas analyzer and bloater index, respectively. Cover brine supplementation with Ca(OH)2 and acetic acid resulted in complete fermentations with final pH values 0.5 units higher than the un-supplemented control. Lactic acid production increased by approximately 22%, possibly inducing the observed reduction in the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae by 92%. Ca(OH)2 supplementation also resulted in an increased relative abundance of Leuconostocaceae by 7%, which likely contributed to the observed increment in CO2 levels by 25%. A 50% reduction on acetic acid formation was detected when cover brines were supplemented with Ca(OH)2 and 690 mM (4%) NaCl. No significant difference was observed in bloater index as the result of Ca(OH)2 or NaCl supplementation in cover brines, given that the CO2 levels remained at above the 20 mg/100 mL needed to induce the defect. It is concluded that the modified cover brine formulation containing Ca(OH)2 and NaCl enables the complete conversion of sugars, decreases production of CO2 and levels of Enterobacteriaceae, but insignificantly reduces bloater index. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: A cucumber fermentation cover brine containing Ca(OH)2 , 0.26% CaCl2 , 345 mM (2%) NaCl, and acetic acid to pH 4.7 has a functional combination of ingredients enabling a complete conversion of sugars to lactic acid with reduced production of acetic acid and CO2 . It represents a process ready cover brine formulation with the potential to allow the manufacture of cucumber pickles with low salt, enhanced food safety, and reduce environmental impact and water usage. Pilot commercial scale cucumber fermentations brined with such ingredients are to reveal the efficacy of this process ready formulation in the presence of oxygen from air in tanks, as opposed to 3.8 L (1-US gal) closed jars in the laboratory.

Quantifying fat, oil, and grease deposit formation kinetics.

Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits formed in sanitary sewers are calcium-based saponified solids that are responsible for a significant number of nationwide sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) across United States. In the current study, the kinetics of lab-based saponified solids were determined to understand the kinetics of FOG deposit formation in sewers for two types of fat (Canola and Beef Tallow) and two types of calcium sources (calcium chloride and calcium sulfate) under three pH (7 ± 0.5, 10 ± 0.5, and ≈14) and two temperature conditions (22 ± 0.5 and 45 ± 0.5 °C). The results of this study displayed quick reactions of a fraction of fats with calcium ions to form calcium based saponified solids. Results further showed that increased palmitic fatty acid content in source fats, the magnitude of the pH, and temperature significantly affect the FOG deposit formation and saponification rates. The experimental data of the kinetics were compared with two empirical models: a) Cotte saponification model and b) Foubert crystallization model and a mass-action based mechanistic model that included alkali driven hydrolysis of triglycerides. Results showed that the mass action based mechanistic model was able to predict changes in the rate of formation of saponified solids under the different experimental conditions compared to both empirical models. The mass-action based saponification model also revealed that the hydrolysis of Beef Tallow was slower compared to liquid Canola fat resulting in smaller quantities of saponified solids. This mechanistic saponification model, with its ability to track the saponified solids chemical precursors, may provide an initial framework to predict the spatial formation of FOG deposits in municipal sewers using system wide sewer collection modeling software.

Encapsulated eucalyptus oil in ionically cross-linked alginate microcapsules and its controlled release.

Sodium alginate microcapsules containing eucalyptus oil were prepared by oil-in-water emulsification via Shirasu porous glass (SPG) membrane and cross-linked by calcium chloride (CaCl2). SPG membrane pore size of 5.2µm was used to control the size of eucalyptus oil microdroplets. Effects of sodium alginate, having a mannuronic acid/guluronic acid (M/G) ratio of 1.13, eucalyptus oil and CaCl2 amounts on microdroplet sizes and size distribution were elucidated. Increasing sodium alginate amounts from 0.1 to 0.5% (wv(-1)) sodium alginate, the average droplets size increased from 42.2±2.0 to 48.5±0.6µm, with CVs of 16.5±2.2 and 30.2±4.5%, respectively. CaCl2 successfully gave narrower size distribution of cross-linked eucalyptus oil microcapsules. The optimum conditions for preparing the microcapsules, oil loading efficiency, and controlled release of the encapsulated eucalyptus oil from the microcapsules as a function of time at 40°C were investigated. Release model for the oil from microcapsules fitted Ritger-Peppas model with non-Fickian transport mechanism.

Phosphorus Accumulation and Sorption in Calcareous Soil under Long-Term Fertilization.

Application of phosphorus (P) fertilizers to P-deficient soils can also result in P accumulation. In this study, soil P status and P uptake by apple trees were investigated in 5-, 10-, and 15-year-old orchards in the semi-arid Loess Plateau, China, and subset soils with different soil P statuses (14-90 Olsen-P mg kg(-1)) were selected to evaluate the characteristic P adsorption. Due to the low P-use efficiency (4-6%), total soil P increased from 540 mg kg(-1) to 904 mg kg(-1), Olsen-P ranged from 3.4 mg kg(-1) to 30.7 mg kg(-1), and CaCl2-P increased from less than 0.1 mg kg(-1) to 0.66 mg kg(-1) under continuous P fertilization. The P sorption isotherms for each apple orchard were found to fit the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.91-0.98). K (binding energy) and Qm (P sorption maximum) decreased, whereas DPS (degree of phosphorus sorption) increased with increasing P concentration. CaCl2-P increased significantly with the increase of Olsen-P, especially above the change point of 46.1 mg kg(-1). Application of surplus P could result in P enrichment in P-deficient soil which has high P fixation capacity, thus posing a significant environmental risk.

Heat stability of milk supplemented with calcium chloride.

Calcium chloride (0-25 mM) was added to skim milk powder that was reconstituted to 9% total solids. Heat stability was evaluated between 60 and 120°C for different times by observing whether samples had coagulated, and by measuring the amount of sediment and residual protein in the centrifuged supernatant. Milk samples were also dialyzed during their respective heat treatments to recover the soluble phase at different temperatures to measure pH and ionic calcium. The transition conditions between good and poor heat stability were established for different calcium chloride concentrations and temperatures. As temperature increased, coagulation occurred at lower levels of added calcium chloride. The transition was quite distinct at higher temperatures but less so at lower temperatures; it was initiated by an increase in sediment formation before a firm coagulum was formed. Both pH and ionic calcium decreased in dialysates as temperature increased. No coagulation was observed if Ca(2+) was <0.5 mM and pH was >6.3 in dialysates taken at their respective coagulation temperatures. Being able to measure pH and ionic calcium at high temperatures will allow better understanding of factors affecting heat stability. Electrophoresis of the supernatants permitted identification of the protein fractions participating in the coagulation process. When coagulation was observed below 80°C, substantial amounts of undenatured ß-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin were found in the supernatant, as well as some soluble casein fractions. All the major whey protein and casein fractions were found in the sediment.

Calcium chloride and sodium phosphate in neonatal parenteral nutrition containing TrophAmine: precipitation studies and aluminum content.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to determine concentrations of calcium chloride (CaCl) and sodium phosphate (NaPhos) that can be safely added to TrophAmine-based parenteral nutrition (PN) and to measure aluminum (Al) concentrations in PN solutions containing CaCl and NaPhos vs those containing calcium gluconate (CaGlu) and potassium phosphate (KPhos). METHODS: In study A, PN solutions containing varying amounts of TrophAmine, CaCl, and NaPhos were compounded and then evaluated visually for precipitation. In study B, Al concentrations were measured in PN solutions containing CaCl and NaPhos (S1), CaGlu and NaPhos (S2), or CaGlu and KPhos (S3). RESULTS: Study A showed that a maximum phosphorus concentration of 15 mmol/L could be added to a solution containing 12.5 mmol/L of calcium without evidence of precipitation when the amino acid (AA) concentration reached ≥3 g/dL (3%). In study B, the mean (range) Al concentrations were S1 = 2.2 (1.9-2.4), S2 = 8.5 (7.8-9.3), and S3 = 11.7 (10.8-12.2) µmol/L (means of 6.0, 22.9, and 31.5 micrograms/dL, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The data can provide a guide for compounding neonatal PN solutions containing TrophAmine, CaCl, and NaPhos. More studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of substituting CaCl for CaGlu in PN solutions for neonates. Substituting CaCl and NaPhos for CaGlu and KPhos significantly decreases Al concentrations in PN and potential Al exposure of neonatal patients.

Individual differences in the phosphorus metabolism of fattening bulls--testing effects of crude fibre and calcium chloride in the diet.

Urolithiasis due to struvite concrements occurs in fattening cattle, but only in 1-5% of a herd, in spite of identical nutrient supply. Developing dietetic measures for these cattle was the primary aim of this study. The feeding experiments were focused on the general effects of varying the crude fibre supply and adding CaCl2 as a urine acidifier, especially concerning individual reactions to the different diets. Five standard balance trials were performed with three fattening bulls. The crude fibre content in the ration varied between 14.8% and 24.0% DM. In two trials, coated CaCl2 was fed (per day 20 g/100 kg BW). Influences on the macro mineral metabolism and the acid-base-balance were investigated. Unexpectedly, the crude fibre content had no significant effect on the renal P excretion, but individual differences occurred concerning digestibility, renal excretion and serum concentration of P: one bull constantly showed significantly higher values. Adding CaCl2 resulted in reduced renal P excretion and pH values of the urine (< 6.5). Thus, using CaCl2 might be a beneficial dietetic measure for preventing struvite. The huge individual differences in the P metabolism could be linked to genetically-based variations, as known for sheep.

Targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents using improved radiosensitive liquid core microcapsules and assessment of their antitumor effect.

PURPOSE: Radiation-sensitive microcapsules composed of alginate and hyaluronic acid are being developed. We report the development of improved microcapsules that were prepared using calcium- and yttrium-induced polymerization. We previously reported on the combined antitumor effect of carboplatin-containing microcapsules and radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We mixed a 0.1% (wt/vol) solution of hyaluronic acid with a 0.2% alginate solution. Carboplatin (l mg) and indocyanine green (12.5 microg) were added to this mixture, and the resultant material was used for capsule preparation. The capsules were prepared by spraying the material into a mixture containing a 4.34% CaCl(2) solution supplemented with 0-0.01% yttrium. These capsules were irradiated with single doses of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2 Gy (60)Co gamma-rays. Immediately after irradiation, the frequency of microcapsule decomposition was determined using a microparticle-induced X-ray emission camera. The amount of core content released was estimated by particle-induced X-ray emission and colorimetric analysis with 0.25% indocyanine green. The antitumor effect of the combined therapy was determined by monitoring its effects on the diameter of an inoculated Meth A fibrosarcoma. RESULTS: Microcapsules that had been polymerized using a 4.34% CaCl(2) solution supplemented with 5.0 x 10(-3)% (10(-3)% meant or 10%(-3)) yttrium exhibited the maximal decomposition, and the optimal release of core content occurred after 2-Gy irradiation. The microcapsules exhibited a synergistic antitumor effect combined with 2-Gy irradiation and were associated with reduced adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that our liquid core microcapsules can be used in radiotherapy for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents.

Applicability of the energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis for quantification of irregular calcium deposits on fruit and leaf cuticles.

In our studies, we evaluated the relation between CaCl(2) concentration and the scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis parameters, net intensity, peak/background and standardized percentage of atoms and percentage of weight after application of single microdroplets on enzymatically isolated tomato fruit cuticles and apple seedling leaves. After analysis, the Ca/Cl ratio was calculated and the area ultimately covered with Ca and Cl within the droplet spread area determined. According to our findings, all evaluated parameters were influenced by both droplet volume and calcium chloride concentration, whereas Pearson's analysis revealed a strong correlation between net intensity and area ultimately covered by Ca or Cl, respectively. Simple linear regressions for net intensity, peak/background and Ca/Cl ratio showed variable determination coefficients (R(2)) ranging between 0.49 and 0.79. Multiple regression equations comprising net intensity, Ca/Cl ratio and deposit area were established to estimate the amount of calcium present on the cuticles. Equation slopes depended on droplet volumes, with determination coefficients of 0.89 and 0.81 for 0.5 and 1.0-microL droplets, respectively. The importance of the physicochemical properties of the spray solution was exploited in another study where a hydrophobic or a hydrophilic adjuvant was added to a 10 g L(-1) CaCl(2) solution, which was applied to apple seedling leaves. The addition of adjuvants increased values of net intensity and peak/background, which correlated significantly with the area covered by calcium. The importance of the methodology for studies on the interaction between leaf applied fertilizers (also extended to agrochemicals) and the characteristics of target surfaces is discussed.

Calcium Uptake during Immersion of Strawberries in CaCl2 Solutions.

The present study studied calcium uptake in strawberries during immersion in CaCl(2) solutions by analyzing total calcium and cell-wall calcium contents and the relationships between cell-wall calcium content, pectin content, and the degree of pectin esterification, considering different temperatures and concentrations of the immersion solution. In addition, calcium uptake at different zones of the strawberries was studied. Calcium uptake increased significantly when the concentration of the immersion solution increased from 1% to 10% (v/v), and calcium uptake was higher at 38 degrees C at some immersion times, but there were no significant differences between 1 and 24 degrees C. Most of the calcium incorporated by the strawberries was retained in the alcohol insoluble solids and it may be related to calcium bounded to the cell wall. Calcium content did not change during immersion in CaCl(2) solution in the internal or in the central zones; however, it increased significantly in the external zone.

Influence of calcium salt supplementation on calcium equilibrium in skim milk during pH cycle.

Calcium is a mineral essential for humans, especially for bone constitution. Yet most of the worldwide population does not satisfy their Ca needs. Hence, Ca supplementation is of major importance, even in western countries where some specific populations at risk do not satisfy the recommended daily intake of Ca. More than 70% of dietary Ca comes from dairy products. Calcium supplementation of naturally Ca-rich sources such as skim milk is then of special interest. To our knowledge, few data are available concerning milk Ca (MC) supplementation of milk, particularly when followed by pH cycle. In this paper, MC supplementation is studied and compared with Ca chloride (CC) supplementation as a well-known source of Ca. The effect of Ca salt supplementation followed by pH cycle was studied in reconstituted skim milk. Calcium supplementation was carried out with CC and MC at 25 mmol of Ca/kg of skim milk. Ionized Ca concentration and turbidity variations were followed in situ by Ca ion selective electrode and turbidimetry using light reflection. From normalized data on ionized Ca concentration and turbidity vs. pH, it appeared that hysteresis areas were smaller for CC-supplemented milk, whereas unsupplemented milk and MC-supplemented milk behaved similarly. For these 3 dairy systems, pH cycles to pH 5.0 led to a larger hysteresis area than pH cycles to pH 5.5. The shrinkage of the hysteresis area could be interpreted as a reinforcement of casein micelles with Ca ions over the pH cycle.

Chemical intervention strategies for substantial suppression of acrylamide formation in fried potato products.

Prototype processes were developed for the substantial suppression of acrylamide formation (40-95% compared to untreated controls) in cut surface fried potato products using potato chips (crisps) as the primary model. The most efficacious procedures employed sequentially both surface preparation and subsequent acrylamide precursor complexation and/or competitive inhibition processing steps. Surface preparation processing involved either various low-temperature (50-75 degrees C) aqueous (5-30 min) or ca. 80% ethanol blanch solutions for various times (1-5 min) combined with aqueous leaching steps (1-10 min) to reduce concentration of acrylamide precursors in the critical frying zone of cut potato surfaces. Acrylamide precursor complexation and/or competitive inhibition processing strategies included immersion exposure of prepared cut potato surfaces to solutions or dispersions of various combinations of either calcium chloride, phytic acid, chitosan, sodium acid pyrophosphate, or N-acetylcysteine.

Drug release properties of a gel bead prepared with pectin and hydrolysate.

A calcium-induced pectin gel bead (PB) containing pectin hydrolysate was prepared, and the drug release profiles and degradation properties of the PB were investigated in aqueous media. The stiff PB swelled in physiological saline and its drug release rate decreased with exposure to increasing concentrations of CaCl2 during preparation. And erosion of the PB was not observed in physiological saline. However, the PB did disintegrate in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and the rate of disintegration depended on the calcium chloride concentration used to prepare the PB. In addition, the drug release rate of the PB in buffer solution decreased as the rate of gel erosion declined. Consequently, it appears that the PB gel matrix is an effective medium by which to control the release of drug within the gastrointestinal tract.