Printability and Thermophysical Properties of Three-Dimensional-Printed Food Based on "Cochayuyo" Durvillaea antarctica Seaweed Flour.

This research assessed the feasibility of adding Cochayuyo seaweed flour (at 30, 50, and 70% levels) to rice flour-based paste to improve its 3D printing quality. The paste's rheological properties, printing quality, texture profile, thermal properties, and color of 3D-printed foods were explored. Results showed that pastes with Cochayuyo addition exhibited shear-thinning behavior, and viscosity increased with increased Cochayuyo concentration. Viscoelastic properties and a Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) revealed that Cochayuyo improved mechanical strength and made the paste easier to flow, improving printed food's extrudability, fidelity, and shape retention, which was better observed in RC50 and RC70 printed at 15 mm s-1. A differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed a partial substitution of rice flour for Cochayuyo flour in the formulation. This increased the onset and melting peak temperatures and reduced the enthalpy of fusion. CIE color parameters a*, b*, and L* showed that Cochayuyo addition increased the color to yellow and red; however, lightness was considerably reduced. Therefore, Cochayuyo flour could have the potential to be used for the manufacture improvement of 3D-printed food with better rheological, mechanical, thermal, printing quality, and nutritional properties, making possible the exploitation of the native Cochayuyo seaweed, which is highly available in Chile.

Orchid seeds are not always short lived in a conventional seed bank!

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Orchid seeds are reputed to be short lived in dry, cold storage conditions, potentially limiting the use of conventional seed banks for long-term ex situ conservation. This work explores whether Cattleya seeds are long lived or not during conventional storage (predried to ~12 % relative humidity, then stored at -18 °C). METHODS: We explored the possible interaction of factors influencing seed lifespan in eight species of the genus Cattleya using physiological (germination and vigour), biochemical (gas chromatography), biophysical (differential scanning calorimetry) and morphometric methods. Seeds were desiccated to ~3 % moisture content and stored at -18 °C for more than a decade, and seed quality was measured via three in vitro germination techniques. Tetrazolium staining was also used to monitor seed viability during storage. The morphometric and germination data were subjected to ANOVA and cluster analysis, and seed lifespan was subjected to probit analysis. KEY RESULTS: Seeds of all Cattleya species were found to be desiccation tolerant, with predicted storage lifespans (P50y) of ~30 years for six species and much longer for two species. Cluster analysis showed that the three species with the longest-lived seeds had smaller (9-11 %) airspaces around the embryo. The post-storage germination method impacted the quality assessment; seeds equilibrated at room temperature for 24 h or in 10 % sucrose solution had improved germination, particularly for the seeds with the smallest embryos. Chromatography revealed that the seeds of all eight species were rich in linoleic acid, and differential scanning calorimetry identified a peak that might be auxiliary to selecting long-lived seeds. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that not all orchids produce seeds that are short lived, and our trait analyses might help to strengthen prediction of seed longevity in diverse orchid species.

Biophysical Insights into the Antitumoral Activity of Crotalicidin against Breast Cancer Model Membranes.

Bioactive peptides have emerged as promising therapeutic agents with antimicrobial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and, recently, antitumoral properties with a mechanism of action based on membrane destabilization and cell death, often involving a conformational change in the peptide. This biophysical study aims to provide preliminary insights into the membrane-level antitumoral mode of action of crotalicidin, a cationic host defense peptide from rattlesnake venom, toward breast cancer cell lines. The lipid composition of breast cancer cell lines was obtained after lipid extraction and quantification to prepare representative cell membrane models. Membrane-peptide interaction studies were performed using differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The outcome evidences the potential antitumoral activity and selectivity of crotalicidin toward breast cancer cell lines and suggests a mechanism initiated by the electrostatic interaction of the peptide with the lipid bilayer surface and posterior conformation change with membrane intercalation between the acyl chains in negatively charged lipid systems. This research provides valuable information that clears up the antitumoral mode of action of crotalicidin.

To flat or not to flat? Exploring the impact of flat-side design on rotary instruments using a comprehensive multimethod investigation.

AIM: To assess the influence of a flat-side design on the geometry, metallurgy, mechanical performance and shaping ability of a novel nickel-titanium rotary instrument. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-five new 25-mm flat-side rotary instruments (size 25, taper 0.04) and their nonflat-side prototypes (n = 65) were assessed for major deformations and examined regarding macroscopic and microscopic design, determination of nickel and titanium elements ratio, measurement of phase transformation temperature and evaluation of mechanical performance parameters including time/cycles to fracture, maximum torque, angle of rotation, maximum bending and buckling strengths and cutting ability. Additionally, unprepared canal areas, volume of hard tissue debris and percentage reduction of dentine thickness were calculated for each tested instrument after preparing mesial canals of mandibular molars (n = 12), using micro-CT imaging. Statistical analyses were performed using the U-Mann-Whitney test and independent Student t-test (α = 5%). RESULTS: The number of spirals (n = 8) and blade direction (clockwise) were similar between both flat and nonflat instruments, whilst the helical angles were equivalent (⁓25°). Flat-instruments showed inconsistencies in the homogeneity of the gold colour on the flat-side surface, blade discontinuity, and incomplete and variable S-shaped cross-sections. The titanium-to-nickel ratios were equivalent, but significant differences in the R-phase finish and austenitic start phase transformation temperatures were observed between the flat and nonflat-side instruments. The flat-side instruments demonstrated superior cutting ability compared to the nonflat instruments, as well as, significantly lower values for time to fracture, rotation to fracture and maximum torque to fracture (p < .001). No statistical difference was observed between tested instruments regarding angle of rotation (p = .437), maximum bending (p = .152) and buckling load (p = .411). Preparation protocols using flat and nonflat instruments did not show any statistically significant differences (p > .05). All flat-side instruments exhibited deformation after shaping procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The flat-side instrument showcased enhanced cutting ability compared to its nonflat counterpart. However, it exhibited inferior performance in terms of time, rotation and maximum torque to fracture, along with distinct phase transformation temperatures. No differences were observed in the titanium-to-nickel ratios, angle of rotation, maximum bending, buckling load, preparation time, percentage of untouched canal walls, volume of hard tissue debris and percentage reduction of dentine thickness.

DODAB vesicles containing lysophosphatidylcholines: The relevance of acyl chain saturation on the membrane structure and thermal properties.

The saturated LPC18:0 and unsaturated LPC18:1 lysophosphatidylcholines have important roles in inflammation and immunity and are interesting targets for immunotherapy. The synthetic cationic lipid DODAB has been successfully employed in delivery systems, and would be a suitable carrier for those lysophosphatidylcholines. Here, assemblies of DODAB and LPC18:0 or LPC18:1 were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. LPC18:0 increased the DODAB gel-fluid transition enthalpy and rigidified both phases. In contrast, LPC18:1 caused a decrease in the DODAB gel-fluid transition temperature and cooperativity, associated with two populations with distinct rigidities in the gel phase. In the fluid phase, LPC18:1 increased the surface order but, differently from LPC18:0, did not affect viscosity at the membrane core. The impact of the different acyl chains of LPC18:0 and 18:1 on structure and thermotropic behavior should be considered when developing applications using mixed DODAB membranes.

Multimethod analysis of three rotary instruments produced by electric discharge machining technology.

AIM: This study aimed to compare three rotary instruments produced by the EDM process with the heat-treated ProTaper Gold system regarding design, metallurgy, mechanical properties and shaping ability. METHODOLOGY: HyFlex EDM (25/~), Neoniti (25/.06), EDMax (25/.06) and ProTaper Gold (25/.08v) instruments (n = 58 per group) were compared regarding design, metallurgy and mechanical performance. Unprepared canal areas were calculated for each system after preparation of mesiobuccal, mesiolingual and distal canals of mandibular molars (15 canals per group) using micro-CT technology. Statistical analyses were performed using One-way anova post-hoc Tukey and Kruskal-Wallis post-hoc Dunn's tests (α = 5%). RESULTS: All instruments had asymmetrical blades, no radial lands, no major defects and almost equiatomic nickel/titanium ratios, but different cross-section designs, tip geometries and surface appearances. Although instruments had distinct transformation temperature curves, they showed crystallographic martensitic arrangement at 21°C and mixed austenite plus R-phase at body temperature. Neoniti and HyFlex EDM showed similar results in all mechanical tests (p > .05), while EDMax and ProTaper Gold had similar time to fracture (p = .841), maximum bending load (p = .729), and cutting ability (p = .985). ProTaper Gold showed the highest torque to failure (p < .001) and HyFlex EDM had the lowest buckling resistance (p < .001). Mean percentages of unprepared canal areas ranged from 20.4% to 25.7% in the mesial canals, and from 20.8% to 26.2% in the distal canal, with no statistical differences among systems (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Instruments' geometry and phase transformation temperatures influenced the results of the mechanical tests, but not their shaping ability.

Mercury ions impact the kinetic and thermal stabilities of human lens γ-crystallins via direct metal-protein interactions.

Loss of metal homeostasis may be involved in several age-related diseases, such as cataracts. Cataracts are caused by the aggregation of lens proteins into light-scattering high molecular weight complexes that impair vision. Environmental exposure to heavy metals, such as mercury, is a risk factor for cataract development. Indeed, mercury ions induce the non-amyloid aggregation of human γC- and γS crystallins, while human γD-crystallin is not sensitive to this metal. Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), we evaluate the impact of mercury ions on the kinetic stability of the three most abundant human γ-crystallins. The metal/crystallin interactions were characterized using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC). Human γD-crystallins exhibited kinetic stabilization due to the presence of mercury ions, despite its thermal stability being decreased. In contrast, human γC- and γS-crystallins are both, thermally and kinetically destabilized by this metal, consistent with their sensitivity to mercury-induced aggregation. The interaction of human γ-crystallins with mercury ions is highly exothermic and complex, since the protein interacts with the metal at more than three sites. The isolated domains of human γ-D and its variant with the H22Q mutation were also studied, revealing the importance of these regions in the mercury-induced stabilization by a direct metal-protein interaction.

Comparação entre Reciproc Blue e quatro instrumentos réplicas: aspectos metalúrgicos, geometria, comportamento em torção e flexão / Comparison between Reciproc Blue and four replicalike instruments: metallurgical aspects, geometry, and behavior in torsion and flexion

A introdução da liga NiTi na endodontia proporcionou a fabricação de instrumentos com excelentes propriedades mecânicas, e uma das principais características é a possibilidade de alteração das temperaturas de transformação da liga, o qual pode possibilitar a presença de martensita em temperatura ambiente e consequentemente um efeito memória de forma. Entretanto, alguns dos sistemas comercializados atualmente possuem pouca ou nenhuma informação científica relatando suas propriedades mecânicas, características de design e métodos de fabricação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar características geométricas, metalúrgicas e propriedades mecânicas (resistência à torção e flexão) de instrumentos Reciproc Blue (VDW, Munique, Alemanha), e quatro sistemas reciprocantes réplicas. Um total de 39 instrumentos de cada um dos sistemas reciprocantes, Reciproc Blue (RB), Prodesign R (PDR), V File (VF), V+ File (V+) e Univy One (UO) foram utilizados na pesquisa. O programa de Image J foi utilizado para mensuração dos diâmetros a cada milímetro da parte ativa e da área da seção transversal a 3 mm da ponta dos instrumentos. Imagens de MEV da parte ativa foram realizados para avaliar o acabamento superficial dos instrumentos. A composição atômica, fases presentes e temperaturas de transformação foram verificadas através de EDS, DRX e DSC, respectivamente. A flexibilidade foi aferida através de ensaios de dobramento até 45º conforme a especificação ISO 3630-1, e os ensaios de resistência à torção foram realizados de acordo com a especificação Nº28 ANSI/ADA. Todos os instrumentos apresentaram uma quantidade aproximadamente equiatômica de níquel e titânio. A análise qualitativa das fases cristalinas realizada através de ensaios de DRX, demonstrou a predominância de Fase R em todos os grupos, com exceção do grupo UO que apresenta uma mistura de fase R e martensita B19'. Na avaliação da área da seção, o instrumento RB obteve valores intermediários, os instrumentos PDR e V+ possuem menores valores e os instrumentos VF e UO possuem maiores valores. Observou-se grande impacto da geometria sobre as propriedades mecânicas, sendo que aqueles sistemas que apresentavam menor área que RB (PDR, V+) mostraram-se mais flexíveis e menos resistentes à torção (p<0.05), e o instrumento VF que teve maior área apresentou, como esperado, menos flexibilidade (p<0.05) e resistência torcional semelhante (p>0.05). A única exceção se deu com o sistema UO, que embora apresentasse uma maior área de seção, mostrou-se mais flexível e menos resistente à torção, provavelmente por influência da maior quantidade de martensita presente à temperatura ambiente. Nenhum dos instrumentos réplicas avaliados apresentaram características e comportamento mecânico iguais ao sistema padrão RB. Sugere-se que mais estudos devem ser realizados para a comparação do comportamento clínico destes instrumentos.

The introduction of NiTi alloy in endodontics has allowed the manufacturing of instruments with excellent mechanical properties, and one of the main characteristics is the ability to change alloy's transformation temperature, which can enable the presence of martensite at room temperature and consequently favor a shape memory effect. However, some of the currently marketed systems have limited or no scientific information regarding their mechanical properties, design characteristics, and manufacturing methods. The aim of this study was to compare the geometric characteristics, metallurgical aspects, and mechanical properties (torsional and flexural strength) of Reciproc Blue instruments (VDW, Munich, Germany) with four replica-like reciprocating systems. A total amount of 39 instruments from each reciprocating system, namely Reciproc Blue (RB), Prodesign R (PDR), V File (VF), V+ File (V+), and Univy One (UO), were used in the study. The Image J program was used to measure the diameters at every millimeter along the instruments active portion and the cross-sectional area at 3 mm from the instrument tip. SEM images of the active portion were obtained to evaluate the surface finishing of the instruments. Atomic composition, phases present, and transformation temperatures were determined through EDS, XRD, and DSC analyses, respectively. Flexibility was assessed by bending tests up to 45° according to ISO 3630-1 specifications, and torsional strength tests were performed according with ANSI/ADA Specification No. 28. All instruments exhibited an approximately equiatomic composition of nickel and titanium. Qualitative analysis of the crystalline phases using XRD tests demonstrated the predominance of the R-phase in all groups, except for the UO group, which exhibited a mixture of Rphase and B19' martensite. In terms of diameter and cross-sectional area evaluation, the RB instrument obtained intermediate values, while the PDR and V+ instruments had smaller values, and the VF and UO instruments had larger values. A significant impact of geometry on mechanical properties was observed, with systems exhibiting a smaller area than RB (PDR, V+) being more flexible and less torsion-resistant (p<0.05), and the VF instrument with a larger area showed, as expected, less flexibility (p<0.05) and similar torsional resistance (p>0.05). The only exception was the UO system, which, despite having a larger geometric configuration, exhibited greater flexibility and less torsional resistance, likely due to the higher amount of martensite present at room temperature. None of the replica-like instruments evaluated showed identical characteristics and mechanical behavior to the standard RB system. Further studies are suggested to compare the clinical performance of these instruments.

A Thermodynamic Study on the Interaction between RH-23 Peptide and DMPC-Based Biomembrane Models.

Investigation of the interaction between drugs and biomembrane models, as a strategy to study and eventually improve drug/substrate interactions, is a crucial factor in preliminary screening. Synthesized peptides represent a source of potential anticancer and theragnostic drugs. In this study, we investigated the interaction of a novel synthesized peptide, called RH-23, with a simplified dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) model of the cellular membrane. The interaction of RH-23 with DMPC, organized either in multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) and in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) monolayers, was assessed using thermodynamic techniques, namely differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and LB. The calorimetric evaluations showed that RH-23 inserted into MLVs, causing a stabilization of the phospholipid gel phase that increased with the molar fraction of RH-23. Interplay with LB monolayers revealed that RH-23 interacted with DMPC molecules. This work represents the first experimental thermodynamic study on the interaction between RH-23 and a simplified model of the lipid membrane, thus providing a basis for further evaluations of the effect of RH-23 on biological membranes and its therapeutic/diagnostic potential.

The Effect of the Addition of Copper Particles in High-Density Recycled Polyethylene Matrices by Extrusion.

In this study, the effect of the recycling process and copper particle incorporation on virgin and recycled pellet HDPE were investigated by thermo-chemical analysis, mechanical characterization, and antibacterial analysis. Copper particles were added to pellet HDPE, virgin and recycled, using a tabletop single screw extruder. Some copper particles, called copper nano-particles (Cu-NPs), had a spherical morphology and an average particle size near 20 nm. The others had a cubic morphology and an average particle size close to 300 nm, labeled copper nano-cubes (Cu-NCs). The thermo-chemical analysis revealed that the degree of crystallization was not influenced by the recycling process: 55.38 % for virgin HDPE and 56.01% for recycled HDPE. The degree of crystallization decreased with the addition of the copper particles. Possibly due to a modification in the structure, packaging organization, and crystalline ordering, the recycled HDPE reached a degree of crystallization close to 44.78% with 0.5 wt.% copper nano-particles and close to 36.57% for the recycled HDPE modified with 0.7 wt.% Cu-NCs. Tensile tests revealed a slight reduction in the tensile strength related to the recycling process, being close to 26 MPa for the virgin HDPE and 15.99 MPa for the recycled HDPE, which was improved by adding copper particles, which were near 25.39 MPa for 0.7 wt.% copper nano-cubes. Antibacterial analysis showed a reduction in the viability of E. coli in virgin HDPE samples, which was close to 8% for HDPE containing copper nano-particles and lower than 2% for HDPE having copper nano-cubes. In contrast, the recycled HDPE revealed viability close to 95% for HDPE with copper nano-particles and nearly 50% for HDPE with copper nano-cubes. The viability of S. aureus for HDPE was lower than containing copper nano-particles and copper nano-cubes, which increased dramatically close to 80% for recycled HDPE with copper nano-particles 80% and 75% with copper nano-cubes.

Evaluation of the polymorphic forms of ritonavir and lopinavir in raw materials and co-milled systems.

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first oral antiviral drug to treat mild to moderate cases of coronavirus disease. The combination of nirmatrelvir with an already used protease inhibitor class drug, ritonavir, has led to Paxlovid®. Several studies considered drug repositioning as the first trial for new drugs. The precise identification and quantification of polymorphs in raw materials and finished products are important to researchers involved in pharmaceutical development and quality control processes. In this work, we study the solid-state behavior of the antiretroviral drugs ritonavir and lopinavir in raw materials and in milled compositions. The results indicate that mixtures of ritonavir Forms I and II are found in different batches of raw materials from the same manufacturer; besides three equal crystalline samples, an amorphous batch was found in lopinavir. Furthermore, the milling process of the already amorphous lopinavir seems to facilitate the amorphization of ritonavir as well as the production of some unexpected crystalline forms of ritonavir. A phase transition of ritonavir Form I to Form II is only observed when co-milling with amorphous lopinavir. These findings reveal significant variations in phase purity of raw materials that affect the processing and solid-state properties, representing risks for the product quality.

Staphylococcus aureus Carotenoids Modulate the Thermotropic Phase Behavior of Model Systems That Mimic Its Membrane Composition.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a pathogenic gram-positive bacterium that normally resides in the skin and nose of the human body. It is subject to fluctuations in environmental conditions that may affect the integrity of the membrane. S. aureus produces carotenoids, which act as antioxidants. However, these carotenoids have also been implicated in modulating the biophysical properties of the membrane. Here, we investigate how carotenoids modulate the thermotropic phase behavior of model systems that mimic the phospholipid composition of S. aureus. We found that carotenoids depress the main phase transition of DMPG and CL, indicating that they strongly affect cooperativity of membrane lipids in their gel phase. In addition, carotenoids modulate the phase behavior of mixtures of DMPG and CL, indicating that they may play a role in modulation of lipid domain formation in S. aureus membranes.

A Multimethod Assessment of a New Customized Heat-Treated Nickel-Titanium Rotary File System.

This study aimed to compare three endodontic rotary systems. The new Genius Proflex (25/0.04), Vortex Blue (25/0.04), and TruNatomy (26/0.04v) instruments (n = 41 per group) were analyzed regarding design, metallurgy, and mechanical performance, while shaping ability (untouched canal walls, volume of removed dentin and hard tissue debris) was tested in 36 anatomically matched root canals of mandibular molars. The results were compared using one-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey, and Kruskal−Wallis tests, with a significance level set at 5%. All instruments showed symmetrical cross-sections, with asymmetrical blades, no radial lands, no major defects, and almost equiatomic nickel−titanium ratios. Differences were noted in the number of blades, helical angles, cross-sectional design, and tip geometry. The Genius Proflex and the TruNatomy instruments had the highest and lowest R-phase start and finish temperatures, as well as the highest and lowest time and cycles to fracture (p < 0.05), respectively. The TruNatomy had the highest flexibility (p < 0.05), while no differences were observed between the Genius Proflex and the Vortex Blue (p > 0.05). No differences among tested systems were observed regarding the maximum torque, angle of rotation prior to fracture, and shaping ability (p > 0.05). The instruments showed similarities and differences in their design, metallurgy, and mechanical properties. However, their shaping ability was similar, without any clinically significant errors. Understanding these characteristics may help clinicians to make decisions regarding which instrument to choose for a particular clinical situation.

Quality of red tilapia viscera oil (Oreochromis sp.) as a function of extraction methods.

This study aimed to propose a simple and efficient heating-freezing method for oil recovery from red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) viscera, suitable for industrial application and that does not affect its composition. Three methodologies for oil extraction were studied: a) direct heating (69 °C and 29 min) of samples followed by separation of the oil by decantation, b) direct heating with subsequent freezing and c) solvent extraction assisted by ultrasound. For the oil obtained by each methodology, the following factors were determined: peroxide and iodine values, oxidative stability index, yield percentages and fatty acid profile and, to evaluate the changes thereof, a thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry was performed. An oil extracted by centrifugation from fresh viscera was used as control. Results showed yields of 92,126%, 60,99% and 55,36% for the oil obtained by heating and freezing, heating and decanting and solvent extraction, respectively, the other evaluated parameters were similar among each other. The content of PUFA was not affected by heating when compared to the control oil, although a decrease was observed in the solvent extracted oil. This behavior was corroborated with the thermal analysis, which showed that the higher PUFA content, the lower the melting temperatures of the oils and the energy required for phase change. A principal component analysis allowed determining that while there are no differences in the abundance of fatty acids C20:1, 14:0, 18:0, 16:1 and C16:0, there are differences for fatty acids C18:1 and C18:2 depending on the method of extraction used in the oil obtention. The results of this study show that the heating-freezing extraction method is a good alternative for acquiring value-added products and facilitates their implementation in rural areas. Furthermore, allows obtaining a product with high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (at least a third of the total content).

The porosity of carbohydrate-based spray-dried microparticles containing limonene stabilized by pea protein: Correlation between porosity and oxidative stability.

In this study, the effects of different concentrations of pea protein concentrate (PPC) in the physical properties, porosity features, and oxidative stability of maltodextrin-based spray-dried microparticles containing orange essential oil (OEO, rich in limonene) were evaluated. The use of PPC resulted in spray-dried microparticles with encapsulation efficiencies of about 99 wt%, without visible pores, and relatively high glass transition temperature (66,4 °C) at Aw âˆ¼ 0.3. The nitrogen adsorption and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy measurements showed that the increase of PPC concentration from 2.4 to 4.8 wt% (g of PPC/100 g of emulsion) did not affect the porosity features of the microparticles. These results were confirmed by the profiles of OEO retention and limonene oxide production, which were similar for both samples throughout four weeks of storage. Based on these results, we verified that the lower amount of PPC we tested can effectively protect the OEO during storage, showing that a relatively cheaper orange flavor powder can be produced using less protein.

Characterization of Secondary Structure and Thermal Stability by Biophysical Methods of the D-alanyl,D-alanine Ligase B Protein from Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: Peptidoglycan (PG) is a key structural component of the bacterial cell wall and interruption of its biosynthesis is a validated target for antimicrobials. Of the enzymes involved in PG biosynthesis, D-alanyl,D-alanine ligase B (DdlB) is responsible for the condensation of two alanines, forming D-Ala-D-Ala, which is required for subsequent extracellular transpeptidase crosslinking of the mature peptidoglycan polymer. OBJECTIVE: We aimed at the biophysical characterization of recombinant Escherichia coli DdlB (EcDdlB), considering parameters of melting temperature (Tm), calorimetry and Van't Hoff enthalpy changes of denaturation ( ΔHUcal and ΔHUvH ), as well as characterization of elements of secondary structure at three different pHs. METHODS: DdlB was overexpressed in E. coli BL21 and purified by affinity chromatography. Thermal stability and structural characteristics of the purified enzyme were analyzed by circular dichroism (CD), differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence spectroscopy. RESULTS: The stability of EcDdlB increased with proximity to its pI of 5.0, reaching the maximum at pH 5.4 with Tm and ΔHUvH U of 52.68 ºC and 484 kJ.mol-1, respectively. Deconvolutions of the CD spectra at 20 ºC showed a majority percentage of α-helix at pH 5.4 and 9.4, whereas for pH 7.4, an equal contribution of ß-structures and α-helices was calculated. Thermal denaturation process of EcDdlB proved to be irreversible with an increase in ß-structures that can contribute to the formation of protein aggregates. CONCLUSION: Such results will be useful for energy minimization of structural models aimed at virtual screening simulations, providing useful information in the search for drugs that inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis.

Influence of Epoxy Resin Curing Kinetics on the Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composites.

In this study, the kinetic parameters belonging to the cross-linking process of a modified epoxy resin, Aerotuf 275-34™, were investigated. Resin curing kinetics are crucial to understanding the structure-property-processing relationship for manufacturing high-performance carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composites (CFRPCs). The parameters were obtained using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements and the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Kissinger, Borchardt-Daniels, and Friedman approaches. The DSC thermograms show two exothermic peaks that were deconvoluted as two separate reactions that follow autocatalytic models. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of produced carbon fiber/Aerotuf 275-34™ laminates using thermosetting polymers such as epoxies, phenolics, and cyanate esters were evaluated as a function of the conversion degree, and a close correlation was found between the degree of curing and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS). We found that when the composite material is cured at 160 °C for 15 min, it reaches a conversion degree of 0.97 and a UTS value that accounts for 95% of the maximum value obtained at 200 °C (180 MPa). Thus, the application of such processing conditions could be enough to achieve good mechanical properties of the composite laminates. These results suggest the possibility for the development of strategies towards manufacturing high-performance materials based on the modified epoxy resin (Aerotuf 275-34™) through the curing process.

Modeling microplastic with polyethylene (PE) spherical particles: a differential scanning calorimetry approach for quantification.

Detection, identification, and quantification of microplastics have become increasingly relevant for determining their contribution and role in environmental pollution. Thermal analysis is positioned as one of the alternative techniques employed to quantify microplastics. However, a deeper investigation that explores its capabilities is required, since in techniques such as difference scanning calorimetry (DSC), the result of the melting curve is potentially affected by the size of the micro particles. Therefore, to use this technique in the field of quantitative analysis of microplastics, it is necessary to make an evaluation of how the micro particle size affects the signal obtained. We use spherical polyethylene (PE) particles of different sizes (75-710 µm) as a microplastic model to study the effect of particle size and the mixtures of different particle sizes on the melting curve. The effect of possible interferences on the DSC signal was studied and real microplastics isolated from wastewater were tested. It was found that the DSC signal (both melting temperature and peak shape) is affected by the size of the particles, even in the case of mixtures of particles of different sizes. However, through an appropriate sample preparation, it is possible to identify the signals corresponding to microplastics of different sizes and thus quantify their contribution to the mass of the sample. It was evidenced that factors such as the presence of inorganic materials tend to modify the melting temperature. Also, removal of interferences of organic origin is feasible. In addition, the presence of PP, HDPE and LDPE was evidenced in wastewater samples. Our results represent an important advance in the use of the DSC technique in the field of microplastics, since the existence of particles of different sizes can be evidenced in the same sample allowing for an estimation of the number of microplastic particles. Finally, we show the applicability of DSC study on microplastics in environmental matrices.

Applying the concept of state diagram on the stability analysis of an NSP-rich ingredient extracted from overripe bananas (Musa cavendishii var. Nanicão).

In this work, an ingredient containing non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), obtained from overripe bananas, was characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vapor sorption isotherms. Soluble sugars from overripe bananas were extracted using ethanol, resulting in a solid NSP-rich fraction. The physical properties of this new ingredient and its response to temperature and water interactions are needed for its application as a fiber flour aggregate in food preparations. Results from thermal analyses, including gelatinization, glass transition and fusion, allowed building state diagrams, then compared to vapor sorption isotherms which resulted similar to a Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) type III isotherm at 25 °C, for NSP and standards samples as arabinoxylan and polygalacturonic acid. A good fit was obtained for the glass transition curves using the Kwei model. This approach enabled us to explore the stability of the material, regarding safety limits for microbial deterioration and structural changes due to glass transition.

Physical and morphological characteristics of edible coatings based on pectin and guava by-products applied to guava pieces / Características físicas e morfológicas de coberturas comestíveis à base de pectina e subprodutos da goiaba aplicados a pedaços de goiaba

Edible coatings based on polysaccharides have been applied on pieces of fruits and vegetables before drying because of their potential to improve physical and nutritional characteristics of dehydrated plant foods. In the present study, physical and thermal properties of pectin-based films, with and without the incorporation of by-products obtained from the processing of red guava, were determined. These properties allow one to predict the likely behaviour of these films when used as edible coatings on guava pieces, during and after their dehydration. Thus the structural and morphological characteristics and the physical, thermal and sorption properties of the films and of the fruit pulp were determined, using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the static gravimetric method to determine the water-sorption curves. The addition of by-products provided crystallinity to the pectin film, attributed to their cellulose content, and hardly altered the water retention capacity of the pectin films. However, the pectin contributed to presenting a slightly higher sorption moisture at equilibrium, as compared to the guava pulp. The glass transition temperatures reported at extremely low moisture contents, both in the pulp and in the films with added by-products, indicated that at intermediate moisture contents, the fruit/film ensemble was in the rubbery state at room temperatures, providing softness to the dehydrated product. The images showed good integration of the edible films with the surface of the guava pieces.

Revestimentos comestíveis à base de polissacarídeos têm sido aplicados em pedaços de frutas e vegetais antes da secagem devido ao seu potencial de melhorar as características físicas e nutricionais de alimentos vegetais desidratados. No presente estudo, foram determinadas as propriedades físicas e térmicas de filmes à base de pectina, com e sem a incorporação de subprodutos obtidos do processamento da goiaba vermelha. Essas propriedades permitem prever o provável comportamento desses filmes quando usados ​​como cobertura comestível em pedaços de goiaba, durante e após a sua desidratação. Assim, foram determinadas as características estruturais e morfológicas e as propriedades físicas, térmicas e de sorção dos filmes e da polpa do fruto, utilizando microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), difração de raios X (DRX) e método gravimétrico estático para determinação das curvas de sorção de água. A adição de subprodutos proporcionou cristalinidade ao filme de pectina, atribuída ao seu teor de celulose, e dificilmente alterou a capacidade de retenção de água dos filmes de pectina. No entanto, a pectina contribuiu para apresentar uma umidade de sorção ligeiramente superior no equilíbrio, quando comparada à polpa de goiaba. As temperaturas de transição vítrea encontradas em teores de umidade extremamente baixos, tanto na polpa quanto nos filmes com subprodutos adicionados, indicaram que em teores de umidade intermediários, o conjunto fruta / filme estava no estado borracha em temperatura ambiente, proporcionando maciez ao produto desidratado. As imagens mostraram boa integração dos filmes comestíveis com a superfície dos pedaços de goiaba.