Optimization of Mulberry Extract Foam-Mat Drying Process Parameters.

Mulberry powder was created from the extract using a foam-mat drying process. The studies aimed to evaluate the effects of egg albumin, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), digestion-resistant maltodextrin (DRM) contents, and whipping time (5 to 15 min) on the foam properties. The impact of different drying temperatures (60 to 75 °C) on the quality of the finished mulberry powder was also noted. The best foam expansion/stability value was determined using multiple regression models as a function of egg albumin, CMC, DRM, and whipping time. The results indicated that the main influencing factors for the foam properties were whipping time followed by egg albumin, CMC, and DRM. Optimum values of foam expansion and stability were achieved at 467.9% and 97.02%, respectively. The foam had a porous structure and good stability for subsequent drying, with optimal contents of egg albumin, CMC, and DRM used at 7.6%, 0.4%, and 2%, respectively, along with a whipping time of 14.5 min. The established models had a high coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.9) and a high correlation between the predicted and observed values. Therefore, the model could be adjusted to determine the characteristics of the foam suitable for subsequent drying. The optimal values were then also verified. Minimal fluctuations (1.78−2.98%) between the experimental data and the optimal value were found. The drying temperature also significantly affected the quality of the mulberry powder. The foam was dried at 65 °C for 4 h to produce apowder with a beautiful light color (L* = 62.65), a characteristic purple-red color of mulberry (a* = 5.97). The moisture, water activity, and anthocyanin content of the finished mulberry powder were 4.57%, 0.3, and 5.4 mg/g, respectively.

Vertical distributions and risk assessment of phosphorus in core sediments from the Can Gio coastal district in southern Vietnam.

In this study, total phosphorus (P) and P released forms were measured in core sediments from the areas affected by human settlement and shrimp farming activities and the core zone of the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, a coastal district in south Vietnam. Furthermore, ecological risk assessment and parameters controlling P release from sediments were investigated, including pH, major elements (Al-Ca-Mg-Fe), and fine fraction. The average total amount of P in the sediments varied from 287 to 669 mg/kg, with significantly lower values being observed in the mangrove biosphere reserve area. According to the results of the correlation analysis, organic matter was the primary source of P in the sediments, but the majority of the P released was inorganic. Positive correlations were found between Fe and non-apatite inorganic P (NAIP) and apatite P (AP), as well as intercorrelations between P fractions (r = 0.40-0.79, p < 0.05), suggesting that Fe might be the controlling factor of P release in the investigated sediments. The rank orders of concentrations of P forms were significantly different between the areas. The range of P forms was AP (35-248 mg/kg) > NAIP (63-201 mg/kg) > LP (labile P) (4-25 mg/kg) in the human settlement and aquaculture areas and NAIP (84-99 mg/kg) > AP (20-38 mg/kg) > LP (7-12 mg/kg) in the mangrove biosphere reserve area. Risk assessment based on the total concentration of P and the availability of P from a single extraction suggested a relatively low risk of P from sediment as an internal load in the studied areas.