Tiger Nut Oil-Based Oil Gel: Preparation, Characterization, and Storage Stability.

In this study, Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) oil-based oleogels were prepared using the emulsion template method with whey protein (WPI; 0.5-2.5% (w/v) and Xanthan gum (XG; 0.1-0.5% (w/v). The microstructure of the oleogels obtained from the high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) and an emulsion after further shearing were observed using an optical microscope and laser confocal microscopy. A series of rheological tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of WPI and XG concentrations on the strength of the emulsion and oleogel. The texture, oil holding capacity, and oxidative stability of oleogels were characterized. The results showed that XG alone could not form oleogel, while the concentration of WPI had more effect than XG. When WPI was at a fixed concentration, the viscoelasticity of HIPE increased with the addition of XG. This was due to the complexation of WPI and XG, forming a stable gel network between the tight emulsion droplets and thus giving it a higher viscoelasticity. With an increase in WPI concentration, the stability and viscoelasticity of the emulsion were increased, and the oil-holding capacity and gel strength of the oleogels were enhanced. Moreover, the addition of XG could significantly enhance the stability and viscoelasticity of the emulsion (p < 0.05), and an increase in the concentration had a positive effect on it. The oleogels showed high gel strength (G' > 15,000 Pa) and good thixotropic recovery when the XG concentration was higher than 0.3% (w/v). WPI (2.0%) and XG (>0.3%) could be used to obtain HIPE with good physicochemical and viscoelastic properties, which in turn lead to oleogels with minimal oil loss, viscoelastic and thixotropic recovery, and temperature stability. Compared with tiger nut oil-based oleogel, tiger nut oil contained more polyunsaturated fatty acids, which were more easily decomposed through oxidation during storage and had lower oxidation stability. This study provides a reference for the preparation of oleogels from food-approved polymers and provides additional theoretical support for their potential application as solid fat substitutes.

Adsorption and controlled release performances of flavor compounds by rice bran insoluble dietary fiber improved through steam explosion method.

In this study, steam explosion was employed as a modification process for rice bran insoluble dietary fiber (RBIDF) to improve the flavor adsorption and controlled release capacities of RBIDF. Results showed that the flavor adsorption ability of RBIDF was effectively improved due to the unfolding structure, increased specific surface area and pore volume and exposure of more functional groups after steam explosion treatment. The mechanism of the flavor adsorption behavior of modified RBIDF was preliminarily explored using adsorption kinetics and isotherms combined with SEM and DSC analysis. Results showed that the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model yielded the best fit to the adsorption data, indicating monolayer adsorption of flavor onto the modified RBIDF, and the adsorption was mainly driven by chemisorption process. The flavor release profile of modified RBIDF was investigated by HS-SPME/GC-MS and E-nose. After long-time storage, the flavor compounds were retained at a higher concentration in the modified RBIDF compared with the untreated RBIDF, indicating that the steam explosion treatment prolonged the retention time and enhanced the retention and controlled release capacities of RBIDF for flavor compounds. This study provides indications for potential applications of steam explosion-modified RBIDF as a novel flavor delivery system and functional ingredient.

Greenhouse gas emissions and peak trend of commercial vehicles in China.

Commercial vehicles are important within the context of global warming, since they exhibit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are disproportionate to their quantity. The aim of this study was to create a bottom-up GHG emissions assessment model which considers GHG emissions of newly produced commercial vehicles and those in current use. Through this study, the number of future commercial vehicles were predicted, thereby facilitating a simulation of future GHG emissions. Our results show that the total GHG emissions of commercial vehicles in 2019 was 580 million t CO2-eq.. Among them, the GHG emissions stemming from the production of new commercial vehicles accounted for ∼0.3% of the emissions, whereas the use stage accounted for more than 99.0%. Moreover, the future ownership of commercial vehicles depends on GDP and the demand of freight and passenger transport. The ownership of commercial vehicles was predicted about 36.61 million in 2025, 45.44 million in 2030 and 55.85 million in 2035. The carbon peak of commercial vehicles varies across different scenarios, peaking around 2031-2034, at 680-780 million t CO2-eq.. This study systematically simulated the carbon peak of commercial vehicles, contributing toward a deeper understanding of commercial vehicles within the context of GHG emissions. These results can be applied toward creating quantitatively-driven pathways for carbon peak or neutrality targets in the commercial vehicle sector.

Study on pigmentation in the livers and kidneys of rats caused by a compound Chinese medicine preparationXIA / 预防医学

Objective@#To explore the cause and type of pigmentation in the livers and kidneys of rats caused by a compound Chinese medicine preparation. @*Methods@#The experiment consist of low, medium, and high dose groups and a control group, the Sprague-Dawley rats in these groups were orally given 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 g/kgbw of a compound Chinese medicine preparation of gardenia and distilled water for 30 days, respectively. The body weight, diet, hematology and histopathology of the rats in each group were observed for changes in pigment metabolism. @*Results@#In the first and second weeks of the experiment, the rats in the low, medium, high dose groups and the control group showed no abnormal symptoms or signs. From the third weekend, the urine of the rats in the high dose group turned thick yellow and green, and the stool color became light. During the experiment, no rats died. There were statistically significant differences in body weights and weight gains among these groups ( P<0.05 ) . There were statistically significant differences in total food utilization, direct bilirubin, r-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and liver/body ratios among these groups ( P<0.05 ). Gross examination revealed that the livers and kidneys of rats in the high dose group were dull and green. Microscopic examination revealed changes in dark pigment particles in the livers and kidneys of rats in the high dose group. Histochemical staining confirmed that pigments in the livers and kidneys were bile pigments. @*Conclusions@#At a dosage of 4.0 g/kgbw, a compound Chinese medicine preparation of gardenia can lead to bile pigment deposition in the livers and kidneys of rats due to cholestasis.