Use of Spondias Mombin fruit pulp as a substrate for biosurfactant production.

In this study, we explored the possibility of utilizing the succulent pulp of Spondias mombin (SM) as feedstock for the synthesis of biosurfactants by Pseudomonas spp. The cultures were composed of basic mineral medium amended with SM, SM + glucose, glucose (GLC), and nutrient broth (NB) as carbon sources. Biosurfactant production was determined by surface-active properties such as hemolysis, emulsification index (E24), drop collapse, oil-spreading assays, and reduction of surface tension. The stability of the biosurfactants was monitored across different temperature and pH regimes while chemical components of the extracted biosurfactants were determined by thin-layer chromatography. Biosurfactants synthesized from SM as sole substrate showed the highest emulsification index (56.35%), oil-spreading capacity (4.4 ± 1.31 cm), hemolysis (3.10 ± 0.02 cm), the shortest time for drop collapse (30 s), and surface tension reduction (24 mN/m). Biosurfactant concentrations ranged from 0.07 ± 0.01 in the NB to 2.08 ± 0.01 g/L in the media amended with SM. Chemical characterization revealed significant concentrations of carbohydrates and lipids in the biosurfactant produced from SM (1.2 ± 0.17 and 0.88 ± 0.04 g/L, respectively) when compared to SM + glucose (0.92 ± 0.05, and 0.62 ± 0.02 g/L, respectively), glucose (0.35 ± 0.04 and 0.13 ± 0.02 g/L, respectively), and nutrient broth (0.06 ± 0.03 and 0.01 ± 0.01 g/L, respectively). The biosurfactants were stable over a wide range of temperature while E24 increased with pH. Our results show the viability of SM fruit pulp as low-cost feedstock for industrial-scale production of biosurfactants using Pseudomonas spp.

Collective coordinate control of density distributions.

Real collective density variables C(k) [cf. Eq. 1 3 ] in many-particle systems arise from nonlinear transformations of particle positions, and determine the structure factor S(k) , where k denotes the wave vector. Our objective is to prescribe C(k) and then to find many-particle configurations that correspond to such a target C(k) using a numerical optimization technique. Numerical results reported here extend earlier one- and two-dimensional studies to include three dimensions. In addition, they demonstrate the capacity to control S(k) in the neighborhood of |k|=0. The optimization method employed generates multiparticle configurations for which S(k) proportional, |k|alpha, |k|

Constraints on collective density variables: two dimensions.

Collective density variables rho (k) have proved to be useful tools in the study of many-body problems in a variety of fields that are concerned with structural and kinematic phenomena. In spite of their broad applicability, mathematical understanding of collective density variables remains an underexplored subject. In this paper, we examine features associated with collective density variables in two dimensions using numerical exploration techniques to generate particle patterns in the classical ground state. Particle pair interactions are governed by a continuous, bounded potential. Our approach involves constraining related collective parameters C (k) , with wave vector k magnitudes at or below a chosen cutoff, to their absolute minimum values. Density fluctuations for those k 's thus are suppressed. The resulting investigation distinguishes three structural regimes as the number of constrained wave vectors is increased-disordered, wavy crystalline, and crystalline regimes-each with characteristic distinguishing features. It should be noted that our choice of pair potential can lead to pair correlation functions that exhibit an effective hard core and thus signal the formation of a hard-disk-like equilibrium fluid. In addition, our method creates particle patterns that are hyperuniform, thus supporting the notion that structural glasses can be hyperuniform as the temperature T-->0 .

Investigation on some nutritional and toxicological properties of Afzelia africana and Detarium microcarpum seed oil.

The characteristics of oil recovered from seeds of two tropical legumes have been investigated. Seed oils of Afzelia africana and Detarium microcarpum were low. The oils contained beta-carotene, plant sterols, phospholipid and glycolipids. Toxicological studies show absence of gossypol and no detectable mycotoxins. The gum content of the seeds were high. Linoleic acid were the predominant fatty acids. The implication of this study is a strong recommendation of the legume as alternatives to conventional legumes in human nutrition.