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Search Results (2,947)

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30 pages, 2065 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Recombinant β-Propeller Phytase of the Bacillus Species Expressed Intracellularly in Yarrowia lipolityca
by Liliya G. Maloshenok, Yulia S. Panina, Sergey A. Bruskin, Victoria V. Zherdeva, Natalya N. Gessler, Alena V. Rozumiy, Egor V. Antonov, Yulia I. Deryabina and Elena P. Isakova
J. Fungi 2025, 11(3), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11030186 - 26 Feb 2025
Abstract
Phytases of the PhyD class according to their pH optimum (7.0–7.8) and high thermal stability can claim to be used in the production of feed supplements. However, today they have no practical application in feed production because there are no suitable producers sufficient [...] Read more.
Phytases of the PhyD class according to their pH optimum (7.0–7.8) and high thermal stability can claim to be used in the production of feed supplements. However, today they have no practical application in feed production because there are no suitable producers sufficient for its biotechnological production compared to the PhyA and PhyC class ones. Moreover, in most cases, the technologies with the enzymes produced in secretory form are preferable for the production of phytases, though upon microencapsulation in yeast-producing cells, the phytase thermal stability increases significantly compared to the extracellular form, which improves its compatibility with spray drying technology. In this study, we assayed the intracellular heterologous expression of PhyD phytase from Bacillus species in the Yarrowia lipolytica yeast cells. While the technology has been successfully used to synthesize PhyC phytase from Obesumbacterium proteus, PhyD phytase tends to aggregate upon intracellular accumulation. Furthermore, we evaluated the prospects for the production of encapsulated phytase of the PhyD class of high enzymatic activity when it accumulates in the cell cytoplasm of the Y. lipolytica extremophile yeast, a highly effective platform for the production of recombinant proteins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Yeast Metabolic Engineering)
32 pages, 2361 KiB  
Review
Advances in the Preservation of Plant-Based Pigments via Spray Drying—A Systematic Review
by Elsa Díaz-Montes
Processes 2025, 13(3), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030663 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 117
Abstract
Natural pigments derived from plant sources are notable not only for their vibrant colors but also for their nutritional value and proven biological activities. Spray drying has emerged as an efficient and cost-effective encapsulation technique, offering significant advantages such as enhanced stability, improved [...] Read more.
Natural pigments derived from plant sources are notable not only for their vibrant colors but also for their nutritional value and proven biological activities. Spray drying has emerged as an efficient and cost-effective encapsulation technique, offering significant advantages such as enhanced stability, improved handling properties, and protection against degradation. The diverse range of natural wall materials (e.g., polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids) and the variability in spray drying operating conditions provide numerous possibilities to optimize encapsulation processes. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and compare the key factors influencing spray drying encapsulation of plant-based pigments. ResearchGate, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched between July and December 2024. Data extraction was performed manually using a standardized form to collect information on plant source, pigment type, wall materials (type and concentration), spray drying conditions (in-let/outlet temperatures and feed flow rate), and process results (encapsulation efficiency, process yield, and total pigment content). Future advances in spray drying should focus on the optimization of spray drying conditions. Furthermore, innovations in spray drying formulations, such as customized combinations of polysaccharides and proteins or the incorporation of emulsifiers, could lead to more effective and scalable encapsulation processes, supporting the development of high-performance stable pigments for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Drying Technologies in Food Processing)
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23 pages, 35170 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Improved YOLOv8 for Precision Tomato Leaf Disease Detection in Sustainable Agriculture
by Yue Shen, Zhaofeng Yang, Zohaib Khan, Hui Liu, Wenhua Chen and Shuyang Duan
Sensors 2025, 25(5), 1398; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25051398 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 186
Abstract
Increasing demand for sustainable agriculture necessitates precise and efficient crop management to minimize resource wastage and environmental impact. To improve the precision of pesticide application in tomato leaves, a real-time tomato leaf detection method using an improved YOLOv8 algorithm is proposed. The framework [...] Read more.
Increasing demand for sustainable agriculture necessitates precise and efficient crop management to minimize resource wastage and environmental impact. To improve the precision of pesticide application in tomato leaves, a real-time tomato leaf detection method using an improved YOLOv8 algorithm is proposed. The framework was developed by integrating Depthwise Grouped Convolutions and an AdamW optimizer to achieve both computational efficiency and precise detection capabilities. The integration of SE_Block further enhanced feature representation by adaptively recalibrating channel-wise attention, improving detection accuracy and robustness. The algorithm was labeled and trained by using a diverse dataset of 1500 tomato leaf images consisting of four labels (All, Green Tomato, Downy Mildew, and Powdery Mildew), capturing variations in disease types, lighting conditions, and leaf orientations, enabling robust detection performance across real-world scenarios. The incorporation of Depthwise Grouped Convolutions into YOLOv8 reduced the computational complexity, enabling faster inference speed without sacrificing detection accuracy. Additionally, the AdamW optimizer enhanced the model convergence during training, ensuring robustness and stability. Compared with the original algorithm, the improved YOLOv8 achieved a significant performance improvement, with model precision (P%) increasing from 83.5% to 85.7% (2.2% increase), recall (R%) improving from 70.4% to 72.8% (2.4% increase), and mAP@0.5 improving from 75.7% to 79.8% (4.1% increase). mAP@0.5:0.95 also saw an improvement, rising from 44.2% to 51.6% (7.4% increase). Furthermore, the F1 score increased from 76.4% to 78.6% (2.2% increase), demonstrating enhanced overall detection accuracy. The system was deployed on the Spraying Robot LPE-260 to enable real-time, automated pesticide application in controlled environments. The improved detection framework ensures the targeted spraying of diseased tomato leaves, significantly reducing chemical usage and minimizing overspray. This system ensures that pesticide is sprayed exclusively on the diseased areas of tomato leaves, further minimizing chemical usage and overspray. It demonstrates the potential of computationally efficient deep learning techniques to address key challenges in precision agriculture, advancing scalable, sustainable, and resource-efficient crop management solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Smart Agriculture)
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19 pages, 2641 KiB  
Article
Nitrogen Fertilization Coupled with Zinc Foliar Applications Modulate the Production, Quality, and Stress Response of Sideritis cypria Plants Grown Hydroponically Under Excess Copper Concentrations
by Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Giannis Neofytou and Antonios Chrysargyris
Plants 2025, 14(5), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14050691 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 128
Abstract
The demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) has grown significantly in recent years, due to their therapeutic value. Among these, Sideritis cypria Post is a promising yet under-evaluated species. Existing research assessing the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization, zinc (Zn) foliar applications, [...] Read more.
The demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) has grown significantly in recent years, due to their therapeutic value. Among these, Sideritis cypria Post is a promising yet under-evaluated species. Existing research assessing the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization, zinc (Zn) foliar applications, and toxic copper (Cu) concentrations often overlooks MAPs such as S. cypria. Additionally, the interactions among these parameters, as well as their combined roles in MAPs plant physiology and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, hydroponically grown S. cypria plants were cultivated using nutrient solutions (NSs) with different N (75, 150, and 300 mg L−1) and Cu (5 and 100 μM) levels, combined with foliar spraying (0 and 1.74 mM Zn), to evaluate the growth, mineral uptake, secondary metabolites production and stress response. N levels at 75 and 150 mg L−1 resulted in increased dry matter content, whereas fresh biomass production was preserved. Foliar Zn applications enhanced chlorophylls and antioxidants, contingent upon N and Cu in the NS. Increased N accumulation was observed via the increase in N in the NS, while foliar Zn enhanced its uptake at moderate N levels. Excess Cu stimulated its accumulation, while a reduction was observed with foliar Zn at low and high N levels. Excess Cu increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) at low and moderate N in the NS, while foliar Zn decreased both MDA and hydrogen peroxide, contingent upon Cu and N levels. Low-to-moderate N in the NS can be applied under excess Cu without compromising the yield, quality, and safety of S. cypria plants, while foliar Zn can modulate the stress response of plants under excess Cu and the production of secondary metabolites. These results may be utilized for optimizing nutrient management strategies for the cultivation of MAPs, contributing to conservation efforts by supporting the cultivation of endemic species like S. cypria, considering the potential benefits of Zn foliar applications under Cu-contaminated conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Crops to Abiotic Stress)
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23 pages, 14582 KiB  
Article
Large Deformation Mechanism and Support Countermeasures of Deep-Buried Soft Rock Tunnels Under High Geostress State
by Luhai Chen, Baoping Xi, Na Zhao, Shuixin He, Yunsheng Dong, Keliu Liu, Pengli Gao and Guoqiang Liu
Buildings 2025, 15(5), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050704 - 23 Feb 2025
Viewed by 198
Abstract
To address the problem of large deformation in deep-buried high geostress soft rock tunnels, the Yuelongmen Tunnel was selected as the research subject and adopting the methods of on-site measurements, laboratory experiments and theories, the characteristics of large deformation and its mechanism in [...] Read more.
To address the problem of large deformation in deep-buried high geostress soft rock tunnels, the Yuelongmen Tunnel was selected as the research subject and adopting the methods of on-site measurements, laboratory experiments and theories, the characteristics of large deformation and its mechanism in high geostress soft rock tunnels are studied in depth, and based on the mechanism of large deformation in tunnels and the concept of active and passive synergistic control, an optimized support scheme that dynamically adapts to the deformation of the surrounding rock is put forward. The results show that (1) the deformation volume and rate of tunnel surrounding rock is large, the duration is long, and the deformation damage is serious; (2) the main factors of tunnel surrounding rock deformation damage are high geostress and stratum lithology, followed by geological structure, groundwater and support scheme; (3) the tunnel deformation hierarchical control scheme effectively controls the deformation of surrounding rock, and reduces the deformation of steel arch and the risk of sprayed concrete cracking, which verifies the applicability of this scheme to the project. It verifies its engineering applicability. The research results provide important technical reference and theoretical support for the design and construction of similar projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)
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36 pages, 12897 KiB  
Review
Research Progress on Post-Treatment Technologies of Cold Spray Coatings
by Yueyu Huang, Haifeng Li, Jianwu Liu, Zizhao Wu, Qun Wang and Chidambaram Seshadri Ramachandran
Coatings 2025, 15(3), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15030265 - 23 Feb 2025
Viewed by 99
Abstract
Cold spraying (CS), also known as cold gas dynamic spraying or supersonic cold spraying, is a process in which particles collide with the substrate at a speed greater than the critical value and deposit layer by layer to form a coating. As an [...] Read more.
Cold spraying (CS), also known as cold gas dynamic spraying or supersonic cold spraying, is a process in which particles collide with the substrate at a speed greater than the critical value and deposit layer by layer to form a coating. As an emerging coating preparation technology that has been developed rapidly in recent years, CS is characterized by a low deposition temperature, a minimal thermal effect on substrate, and a high deposition efficiency. It has received extensive attention from industry. However, the inherent high strength and low plasticity of CS coatings and the numerous defects present limit their wider application to some extent. Therefore, various post-treatment technologies are successfully applied to the CS coatings to improve their comprehensive performance. This paper reviews the latest research progress of common post-treatment techniques for CS coatings, including five categories: thermal, mechanical, thermo-mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical processing. A considerable amount of experimental research has demonstrated that post-treatment can effectively enhance the microstructure and properties of CS coatings, and this can serve as a powerful approach to expand the application scope of CS technology. In addition, the relevant post-processing parameters and corresponding results are summarized and compared systematically. Full article
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12 pages, 1932 KiB  
Article
The Development and Validation of a Novel HPLC-DAD Method for the Quantification of Icaridin in Insect Repellent Formulations
by Fernanda Fernandes Farias, Maria Cristina Santa Bárbara, Valéria Adriana Pereira Martins, Mariana Sbaraglini Garcia Silva, Vanessa Cristina Martins Silva, Newton Andreo-Filho, Patricia Santos Lopes and Vânia Rodrigues Leite-Silva
Processes 2025, 13(3), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030621 - 22 Feb 2025
Viewed by 284
Abstract
The quality control of insect repellents contributes to the population’s health since these products prevent mosquito bites and vector-borne diseases. In this study, we developed and validated a novel analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) for the [...] Read more.
The quality control of insect repellents contributes to the population’s health since these products prevent mosquito bites and vector-borne diseases. In this study, we developed and validated a novel analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) for the quantification of icaridin in insect repellent lotions. The analysis was performed on a phenyl chromatographic column 150 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm and stabilized at 30 °C. The detection of icaridin was achieved at 4.5 min with a 20 μL injection volume of the samples. The active ingredient was extracted from the lotion samples with isopropanol and water (50:50 v/v) and then diluted to the working concentration at 0.6 mg/mL with the mobile phase. The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 0.1 to 1.2 mg/mL. The method was robust, specific and precise (relative standard deviations—RSD < 2%). The accuracy of the method was demonstrated by icaridin recovery. The limit of detection and quantification were 0.03 mg/mL and 0.1 mg/mL, respectively. The present report puts forward a novel analytical method for the quantification of icaridin, contributing to improving the quality control and efficacy of marketed formulations and their different presentations such as lotions, gels and sprays, demonstrating its good applicability. Full article
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15 pages, 2393 KiB  
Article
Effects of Irrigation Water Amount and Humic Acid on β-Glucan Synthesis in Post-Anthesis Grains of Naked Oats
by Chunxiang Sun, Qi Wang, Wen Sun, Junying Wu, Shihua Gao, Yandi Liu and Baoping Zhao
Life 2025, 15(3), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030343 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 311
Abstract
Naked oats offer substantial nutritional and health benefits, primarily due to their main dietary fiber component, soluble β-(1,3)(1,4)-D-glucan (β-glucan). In a pool experiment, humic acid (HA) was applied once during both the booting and anthesis stages at varying irrigation amounts (60 mm, 120 [...] Read more.
Naked oats offer substantial nutritional and health benefits, primarily due to their main dietary fiber component, soluble β-(1,3)(1,4)-D-glucan (β-glucan). In a pool experiment, humic acid (HA) was applied once during both the booting and anthesis stages at varying irrigation amounts (60 mm, 120 mm, and 180 mm) to assess changes in β-glucan content in grains post-anthesis. Results indicated that at 5 days post-anthesis (DPA), the β-glucan content (3.14% W/W) in grains increased by 16%with the application of HA, compared to the control treatment of spraying an equal volume of water (p < 0.01). The β-glucan content (4.13%, 4.51%) at 15 and 25 DPA reflects increases of 9% and 5% compared to the control. Overall, the application of HA enhanced the β-glucan content in grains, with levels gradually increasing at 5, 15, and 25 DPA; however, the amplitude of the increase gradually declined over time. The β-glucan content in grains at 5 and 15 DPA, along with glucose content in panicles at 20 DPA, directly influenced the β-glucan content in grains at 25 DPA. At 10 DPA, the distribution of sucrose in the leaves and panicles influences the soluble sugar content, subsequently regulating the β-glucan content in the grains at 15 DPA. Specifically, the sucrose content in the leaves exerts a positive regulatory effect, whereas in the panicles exerts a negative regulatory effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Dryland Agriculture Science)
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18 pages, 4593 KiB  
Article
Effect of Deposition Parameters for Ni-Au Coatings on Corrosion Protection Properties of 2A12 Aluminum Alloy
by Shipeng Chen, Jinglan Xu, Dingchuan Huang, Weiwei Zhang, Tian Zhang, Liangliang Xiong and Xiaoqiang Fan
Materials 2025, 18(5), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18050969 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 176
Abstract
The Ni-Au coating with its inherent chemical stability is recognized as an effective method for boosting corrosion resistance in humid environments while preserving exceptional electrical conductivity. However, its anti-corrosion performance is affected by the structure characteristics of the coating due to the high [...] Read more.
The Ni-Au coating with its inherent chemical stability is recognized as an effective method for boosting corrosion resistance in humid environments while preserving exceptional electrical conductivity. However, its anti-corrosion performance is affected by the structure characteristics of the coating due to the high corrosion potentials of Au and Ni. To enhance its protection properties, the deposition process parameters, including deposition time, deposition current density, and zincating times, were investigated. The morphology and structure of the coatings were characterized, while its anti-corrosion performance was assessed through electrochemical and accelerated salt-spray tests. Eventually, the elevated current density in the Ni-Au coating resulted in reduced grain size and improved surface morphology, ensuring superior anti-corrosion performance. Additionally, extending the Ni deposition time provided a second physical barrier for the dense and thick Ni layer to resist the invasion of corrosive media. Furthermore, grey theory was applied to predict the service life of the Ni-Au coating. This research provides valuable insights and constructive guidance for optimizing Ni-Au coating in various engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Metal Corrosion and Protective Materials)
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29 pages, 8842 KiB  
Review
Development and Research Status of Wear-Resistant Coatings on Copper and Its Alloys: Review
by Fei Meng, Yifan Zhou, Hongliang Zhang, Zhilan Wang, Dehao Liu, Shuhe Cao, Xue Cui, Zhisheng Nong, Tiannan Man and Teng Liu
Crystals 2025, 15(3), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15030204 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 249
Abstract
Wear-resistant coatings applied to the surface of copper and copper alloys through diverse advanced technologies can substantially enhance their wear resistance and broaden their application spectrum. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the development and current research status of wear-resistant coatings fabricated [...] Read more.
Wear-resistant coatings applied to the surface of copper and copper alloys through diverse advanced technologies can substantially enhance their wear resistance and broaden their application spectrum. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the development and current research status of wear-resistant coatings fabricated on copper and its alloys. It presents the research findings on the preparation of wear-resistant coatings using both one-step methods (such as laser cladding, electroplating, thermal spraying, cold spraying, electro-spark deposition, etc.) and two-step methods (chemical plating and heat treatment, electrodeposition and laser cladding, laser cladding and in situ synthesis, etc.). This paper provides an in-depth examination of the characteristics, operating principles, and effects of various coating techniques on enhancing the wear resistance of copper and copper alloys. The advantages and disadvantages of different coating preparation methods are compared and analyzed; meanwhile, a prospective outlook on the future development trends is also offered. Full article
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16 pages, 7366 KiB  
Article
Potential Applicability of Air-Cooled Ladle Furnace Slag Fine Aggregate in Concrete Production
by Jeongmin Ra, Sunmi Choi, Sangchul Shin and Jinman Kim
Recycling 2025, 10(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10020030 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 258
Abstract
Electric arc furnace oxidizing slag (EAFOS) represents 80% of the electric arc furnace slag generated. Recently, EAFOS has been utilized as high value-added functional aggregate in a growing number of cases for the construction of air-cooling technology that turns EAFOS into fine aggregate-sized [...] Read more.
Electric arc furnace oxidizing slag (EAFOS) represents 80% of the electric arc furnace slag generated. Recently, EAFOS has been utilized as high value-added functional aggregate in a growing number of cases for the construction of air-cooling technology that turns EAFOS into fine aggregate-sized particles by spraying it into the air using high-pressure compressed air. Ladle furnace slag (LFS) is a product of the reduction process, accounting for approximately 20% of the steel slag enerated; however, LFS is predominantly landfilled without being utilized. This is mainly because LFS changes into sludge as it is turned into powder during water spray cooling. Therefore, in this study, spherical particles cooled at room temperature were fabricated as fine aggregates using LFS by applying atomization technology that uses high-pressure air in the molten state for the value-added utilization of LFS. Various experiments were performed to examine whether this aggregate can be used as a construction material. The experimental results showed that the air-cooled LFS (ALFS) fine aggregate generated from two different processes met the physical and chemical properties of the fine aggregate required for concrete despite its slightly lower spherical ratio compared to EAFOS aggregate. The volumetric stability experiment results also showed that ALFS fine aggregate is more stable than river sand and standard sand. In addition, the autoclave test results revealed that the mortar produced using ALFS fine aggregate was more stable for expansion than that of comparison groups. These results confirm the applicability of ALFS as an aggregate for construction. However, because the pop-out phenomenon caused by MgO was observed on the surface of some specimens, further research is required for improvement. Full article
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18 pages, 8660 KiB  
Article
Design and Testing of a PLC-Controlled Pressure Stabilization System for Targeted Spraying on Heading Vegetables
by Zhanxing Mao, Xinyu Xue, Zhu Sun, Yang Xu, Qingqing Zhou, Yuxuan Jiao, Haiwei Zhou and Suming Ding
Agriculture 2025, 15(5), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15050452 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 198
Abstract
In agricultural plant protection, pressure fluctuations during targeted spraying are a key factor affecting spray quality. To address the issue of pressure fluctuations in the system pipeline caused by the inconsistent opening and closing of nozzles during targeted spraying, this study proposes a [...] Read more.
In agricultural plant protection, pressure fluctuations during targeted spraying are a key factor affecting spray quality. To address the issue of pressure fluctuations in the system pipeline caused by the inconsistent opening and closing of nozzles during targeted spraying, this study proposes a pressure-stabilizing device based on programmable logic control (PLC). To verify the feasibility of the system, experimental tests were conducted to assess pressure fluctuations, spraying volume, and droplet characteristics. The tests were performed at three different pressure settings: 0.3 MPa, 0.4 MPa, and 0.5 MPa, and the effects of opening and closing between one and five nozzles on system performance were examined. The results revealed that as the Δn (defined as the change in nozzle number) increased during target application, the pressure fluctuation also increased, reaching up to −0.008 MPa. Conversely, as the number of closed nozzles increased, the pressure fluctuation grew, reaching up to +0.006 MPa. Due to the frequent opening and closing of the solenoid valve, pressure fluctuations occur in the pipeline, with the duration of these fluctuations closely matching the solenoid valve’s response time of 60 ms. A model correlating the Δn with the nozzle flow rate was developed, showing a strong fit. This indicates a significant correlation between the Δn and flow rate, while the nozzle flow rate is minimally affected by pressure fluctuations in the system. An analysis using a laser particle size analyzer revealed that the droplet characteristics of the targeted spraying exhibited good stability. In conclusion, the system demonstrated excellent spraying performance during targeted spraying operations. The results of this study offer valuable insights for the design and optimization of targeted spraying and provide support for advancements in precision spraying. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
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15 pages, 1347 KiB  
Article
Stabilization and Preservation of Bioactive Compounds in Black Elderberry By-Product Extracts Using Maltodextrin and Gum Arabic via Spray Drying
by Zorana Mutavski, Senka Vidović, Zorica Lazarević, Rita Ambrus, Anett Motzwickler-Németh, Krunoslav Aladić and Nataša Nastić
Foods 2025, 14(5), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14050723 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 201
Abstract
This study investigates the encapsulation efficiency and physicochemical properties of black elderberry pomace powders obtained by a spray-drying process employing maltodextrin and gum arabic as encapsulating agents. The formulations SD 1 to SD 6 were prepared in different ratios, from 100% maltodextrin (SD [...] Read more.
This study investigates the encapsulation efficiency and physicochemical properties of black elderberry pomace powders obtained by a spray-drying process employing maltodextrin and gum arabic as encapsulating agents. The formulations SD 1 to SD 6 were prepared in different ratios, from 100% maltodextrin (SD 1) to 100% gum arabic (SD 6). The encapsulation yield (EY) ranged from 75.36% to 83.84%, with SD 1 achieving the highest EY of 83.84%. Particle size analysis revealed average sizes between 1.73 μm and 2.20 μm, with SD 2 showing a uniform distribution. Flow and compressibility studies showed that SD 4 (40% maltodextrin, 60% gum arabic) had better flow properties (Carr index of 27.34) compared to SD 1 (Carr index of 39.91). The retention of bioactive compounds showed that SD 1 retained cyanidin 3-O-sambubioside at 17.55 mg/g and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside at 14.20 mg/g, while SD 4 showed high efficiency for kaempferol derivate 1 (97.86% in SD 5) and kaempferol derivate 2 (98.57% in SD 4). Overall, SD 4 proved to be the optimal formulation, significantly enhancing the stability and bioavailability of elderberry extract in food and nutraceutical applications. This is attributed to its high encapsulation efficiency and effective retention of bioactive compounds, making it an ideal candidate for incorporation into functional foods and dietary supplements aimed at promoting health benefits. Full article
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25 pages, 3128 KiB  
Article
Microencapsulation and Probiotic Characterization of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LM-20: Therapeutic Application in a Murine Model of Ulcerative Colitis
by Cynthia Garfias Noguez, Morayma Ramírez Damián, Alicia Ortiz Moreno, Yazmín Karina Márquez Flores, Liliana Alamilla Beltrán, Mario Márquez Lemus, Luis G. Bermúdez Humarán and María Elena Sánchez Pardo
Nutrients 2025, 17(5), 749; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050749 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 285
Abstract
Background: Microencapsulation improves the storage, handling, and administration of probiotics by protecting them from environmental factors and adverse conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. This process facilitates their controlled delivery in the body, which can simplify their use in therapies without compromising their therapeutic [...] Read more.
Background: Microencapsulation improves the storage, handling, and administration of probiotics by protecting them from environmental factors and adverse conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. This process facilitates their controlled delivery in the body, which can simplify their use in therapies without compromising their therapeutic efficacy. Objectives: This study investigates the microencapsulation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LM-20, its probiotic properties, and its effects in a murine model of ulcerative colitis. Methods/Results: Synbiotic microencapsulation was carried out using spray drying with maltodextrin, gum Arabic, and inulin, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 90.76%. The resulting microcapsules exhibited remarkable resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions in vitro, maintaining a survival rate of 90%. The drying process did not compromise the probiotic characteristics of the bacteria, as they demonstrated enhanced auto-aggregation, hydrophobicity, and phenol tolerance. The therapeutic potential of the microencapsulated synbiotic was evaluated in a murine model of dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis. The results revealed that mice treated with microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LM-20 showed an 83.3% reduction in the disease activity index (DAI) compared to the ulcerative colitis control group. Moreover, a significant decrease was observed in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β and TNF-α) and myeloperoxidase activity, with values comparable to those of the healthy control group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LM-20 could be a promising candidate for therapeutic applications in the prevention and management of ulcerative colitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Prebiotics and Probiotics)
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35 pages, 6109 KiB  
Review
A Review of Earth-Air Heat Exchangers: From Fundamental Principles to Hybrid Systems with Renewable Energy Integration
by Hanna Koshlak
Energies 2025, 18(5), 1017; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18051017 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 266
Abstract
Earth-Air Heat Exchangers (EAHEs) provide a compelling solution for improving building energy efficiency by harnessing the stable subterranean temperature to pre-treat ventilation air. This comprehensive review delves into the foundational principles of EAHE operation, meticulously examining heat and mass transfer phenomena at the [...] Read more.
Earth-Air Heat Exchangers (EAHEs) provide a compelling solution for improving building energy efficiency by harnessing the stable subterranean temperature to pre-treat ventilation air. This comprehensive review delves into the foundational principles of EAHE operation, meticulously examining heat and mass transfer phenomena at the ground-air interface. This study meticulously investigates the impact of key factors, including soil characteristics, climatic conditions, and crucial system design parameters, on overall system performance. Beyond independent applications, this review explores the integration of EAHEs with a diverse array of renewable energy technologies, such as air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic thermal (PVT) panels, wind turbines, fogging systems, water spray channels, solar chimneys, and photovoltaic systems. This exploration aims to clarify the potential of hybrid systems in achieving enhanced energy efficiency, minimizing environmental impact, and improving the overall robustness of the system. Full article
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