Polymers and protein-associated vesicles for the microencapsulation of anthocyanins from grape skins used for food applications.

BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins were extracted from grape skins by a combination of ethanolic-ultrasonic assisted methods and were then encapsulated by freeze-drying in soy phosphatidylcholine vesicles with the addition of different polymers, such as pectin, acacia gum, and whey protein isolate. The goal of this research was to microencapsulate anthocyanin compounds extracted from grape skins, to characterize the stability and behavior of the vesicles and then to use them to obtain a new light formulated mayonnaise. RESULTS: The particle size ranged from 900 nm in the control condition to 250 nm in vesicles loaded with whey proteins. The powders showed higher encapsulation efficiency for all variants, ranging from 81 to 96%. Vibrational spectroscopy revealed better inclusion of anthocyanins in polysaccharide-based coacervates, whereas in protein-based coacervates a possible interaction of anthocyanins with amine groups was observed. The vesicles were tested for in vitro release, and the results confirmed the gradual release of the anthocyanins in both stages of digestion, with a residual content of about 50% in the vesicles. The powders displayed high stability during storage in the dark at 4 °C. The panelists appreciated the new light formulated mayonnaises enriched with 10% dried vesicles compared with the control sample, in particular samples with acacia gum. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that polymer-loaded vesicles presented stability in simulated gastrointestinal fluids and have proved successful in obtaining new light enriched mayonnaises. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Improving Biodegradation of Clofibric Acid by Trametes pubescens through the Design of Experimental Tools.

Clofibric acid (CLF) is the main pharmacologically active metabolite in composition of the pharmaceutical products used for controlling blood lipid content. This xenobiotic compound is highly persistent in the aquatic environment and passes unchanged or poorly transformed in wastewater treatment plants. A white-rot fungal strain of Trametes pubescens was previously selected, for its ability for clofibric acid biodegradation (up to 30%) during cultivation in submerged system under aerobic conditions at an initial CLF concentration of 15 mg L-1. Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were used for experimental planning, mathematical modelling and statistical analysis of data of the biotechnological process of CLF biotransformation by Trametes pubescens fungal strain. After optimization, the capacity of the selected Trametes pubescens strain to degrade CLF was increased by cultivation in a liquid medium containing 3 g·L-1 yeast extract, 15 g·L-1 peptone, 5 g·L-1 glucose and mineral salts, inoculated at 2% (v/v) vegetative inoculum and cultivated at pH 5.5, during 14 days at 25 °C and 135 rpm. In these optimized biotechnological conditions, the CLF biotransformation yield was 60%.

Developing country-specific wheelchair service provision strategic plans for Romania and the Philippines.

Background: Achieving appropriate wheelchair provision at a national level is complex, requiring regulations, funding and policies established through governments. Understanding wheelchair provision within different countries is key. This paper describes the process used to support the development of wheelchair service strategic plans in Romania and the Philippines. It considers the influences, meaning, challenges and developments when producing strategic priorities within two different contexts. Methods: The International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) sponsored affiliates Motivation Foundation Romania and the Philippine Society of Wheelchair Philippine Society of Wheelchair Professionals (PSWP), to conduct organizational ethnographic mixed method stakeholder centred studies, to develop robust strategic plans. An affiliate coordinator for wheelchair provision in less resourced settings supported this process. Results: Diversity between the two-affiliate sites was evident, influencing value placed within both societies towards equality and participation. Common components to address included: advocacy; wheelchair service infrastructure; capacity building; education; training and research. Research process facilitation supported by affiliate coordinator is important. Conclusion: Understanding contextual dimensions, which sharp a countries wheelchair service, is essential. Member states should take action by conducting in-country wheelchair sector analysis, to create wheelchair provision strategies for sustainable development, to meet personal posture and mobility needs, primary for daily living, as a basic human right. Implications for rehabilitation Understanding the complexity of providing appropriate wheelchairs within different countries is essential to meet the diverse needs of citizens. Conducting situational analysis of the wheelchair sector involving key stakeholders in the process is important to understand different perspectives and develop strategic priorities towards sustainable development. Producing context specific wheelchair sector reports and strategic plans strengthens the evidence base when informing governments regarding the importance of developing sustainable wheelchair provision infrastructures. The affiliate coordinator role is important to support affiliates to produce robust documentation that clearly and objectively outlines the wheelchair sector issues and plans, to provide solutions.

Response surface optimization of experimental conditions for carbamazepine biodegradation by Streptomyces MIUG 4.89.

Carbamazepine an iminostilbene derivative compound with a tricyclic structure is one of the most widely prescribed drugs for the treatment of epilepsy. It is hardly or not degraded during the conventional technology used in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (up to 7%) and many studies have found it ubiquitous in various environmental matrices in concentrations typically ranging from µg L(-1) to ng L(-1). Streptomyces MIUG 4.89 was previously studied for its ability in carbamazepine biodegradation (up to 14%) during cultivation in submerged system under aerobic conditions at an initial CBZ concentration of 0.2 mg L(-1). The influence of some factors (independent variables) upon biodegradation potential was examined by Plackett-Burman analysis. Central composite design of experiments (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to get more information about the significant effects and their interactions of the five parameters selected upon their biodegradation potential in order to increase the elimination yield of this drug from a liquid medium. The investigated ranges of the independent variables were: 1.0-3.0 g L(-1) yeast extract, 3.0-10.0 g L(-1) glucose, 4.0-10.0% (v/v) inoculation level, pH 5.0-7.0 and 50-250 mL of medium at a constant initial concentration of carbamazepine (CBZ) of 0.2 mg L(-1). The response surface analysis results showed that the capacity of the selected strain Streptomyces MIUG 4.89 to degrade carbamazepine was high in submerged cultivation system by cultivation in a liquid medium containing 6.5 g L(-1) glucose and 2 g L(-1) yeast extract, inoculated at 7% (v/v) and cultivated at pH 6.0, during 7 days of incubation at 25 °C and 150 rpm. Under these culture conditions the achieved experimental CBZ biotransformation yield was 30%.