RESUMEN
Flower-like ZnO architectures assembled with many nanorods were successfully synthesized through Thermionic Vacuum Arc, operated both in direct current (DC-TVA) and a pulsed mode (PTVA), and coupled with annealing in an oxygen atmosphere. The prepared coatings were analysed by scanning-electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray-spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray-diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. By simply modifying the TVA operation mode, the morphology and uniformity of ZnO nanorods can be tuned. The photocatalytic performance of synthesized nanostructured ZnO coatings was measured by the degradation of methylene-blue (MB) dye and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) antibiotic. The ZnO (PTVA) showed enhancing results regarding the photodegradation of target contaminants. About 96% of MB molecules were removed within 60 min of UV irradiation, with a rate constant of 0.058 min-1, which is almost nine times higher than the value of ZnO (DC-TVA). As well, ZnO (PTVA) presented superior photocatalytic activity towards the decomposition of Cipro, after 240 min of irradiation, yielding 96% degradation efficiency. Moreover, the agar-well diffusion assay performance against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria confirms the degradation of antibiotic molecules by the UV/ZnO (PTVA) approach, without the formation of secondary hazardous products during the photocatalysis process. Repeated cyclic usage of coatings revealed excellent reusability and operational stability.
RESUMEN
The present study evaluates the influence of gender and age-class on the carcass traits, meat chemical composition, and fatty acid profiles of randomly hunt-harvested wild boars from Romania's Frasin District hunting area, which is an important part of the stock density management strategy. Only 76 wild boars were chosen to participate in the experimental design from a total of 94 wild boars hunted over seven winter seasons, based on two main criteria: right carcass part intact and animal health status (suitable for human consumption) as determined by the veterinary health notice issued by the Food Safety Authority, with all wild boars being evaluated before slaughtering. After sanitary inspection and within the first 24 h postmortem, meat samples were taken in duplicate from the right side of wild boar carcasses (m. Biceps femoris). The aim of this study was to compare the carcass characteristics, chemical composition, and fatty acid profile of wild boar Biceps femoris muscle obtained from the right side of carcasses, as well as the effects of gender, age-class, and their interaction on these traits, in a context where venison is frequently regarded as organic food by consumers due to the natural habitat in which wild animals live. The age of the animals had an effect on the postmortem undressed warm and cold carcass weights (p ≤ 0.05). Considering the proximal chemical composition, only the intramuscular fat (IMF) content was higher in adult meat samples compared to young animals. C18:1 n-9 was the most abundant fatty acid in wild boar meat, followed by C16:0, C18:2 n-6, and C18:0. For IMF content, gender, age class, and their interaction influenced mainly MUFA fatty acids, in particular C16:1 n-9, C20:1 n-9 and C22:1 n-9, and also PUFA fatty acids C18:3 n-6, C20:3 n-3, C20:4 n-6, C20:5 n-3, C22:4 n-6, and C22:5 n-6. The appropriate amounts of individual fatty acids in the muscles of the wild boars translate into a ratio of P/S acids that promotes health as a bio-alternative resource of meat.