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Novel, innovative approaches like edible gels (hydrogels and oleogels) are important food materials with great scientific interest due to their positive impacts on structural and functional foods and other unique properties. Biopolymers (protein, starch and other polysaccharides) can be excellent and cost-effective materials for the formed edible gels. Recently, natural gums, although also as biopolymers, are preferred as additives to further improve the textural and functional properties of edible gels, which have received extensive attention. However, these studies have not been outlined in previous reviews. In this review, we highlighted the advantages of gums as additives to construct edible gels. Moreover, the various roles (including electrostatic or covalent interactions) for natural gums in regulation of food gel properties (solvent-holding and rheological properties) are highlighted. Finally, the use of natural gums as additives to improve the stability and targeted delivery of phytochemicals in food gels and their application in food systems are summarized. The information covered in this article may be useful for the design of functional foods that can better meet personalized needs of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ordos, China has a large amount of environmentally hazardous Pisha sandstone and desert sand. Pisha sandstone ceramic sand and desert sand can be compounded to prepare light and fine aggregates, which are often used in construction mortar. However, it is unknown how the density and particle shapes of light and fine aggregates affect their rheological properties. In this study, we establish a predictive model for the rheological properties of light and fine aggregate mortar, using the Krieger-Dougherty and Chateau-Ovarlez-Trung models as a basis. First, density and particle morphology parameters are introduced and modified for light and fine aggregate mortars. Then, the morphological parameters of different types of fine aggregate particles were measured using image analysis techniques. This showed that the roundness of the particles decreases with decreasing density, and both the roughness and the aspect ratio increase. A regression model between the particle morphology parameters and characteristic viscosity was accordingly developed. The rheological properties of different types of mortars were examined. We find that as the particle density decreases, the yield stress and plastic viscosity decrease continuously, showing shear thickening behavior. Based on the coupled density-form effect, a modified Krieger-Dougherty model and Chateau-Ovarlez-Trung model are proposed. These proposed models result in more accurate predictions of plastic viscosity and yield stress for light and fine aggregate mortars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycled post‐consumer rigid polyethylene (PE) packaging waste was washed and compounded on a pilot scale using different processing conditions and the processability of recycled materials with blow molding was assessed. Compared to virgin grade high‐density PE, the recycled materials showed a lower crystallinity, a lower thermo‐oxidative stability, a higher ash content, a lower viscosity and melt elasticity, and a lower melt strength and drawability. The thermo‐oxidative stability varied due to the different washing media. Rheological characterization by frequency‐sweep measurements indicated that the virgin grade PE had as expected more linear‐polymer‐like characteristics whereas the recycled materials showed chain branching or crosslinking related to the processing condition during compounding. The recycled materials were successfully blow molded into 4 L‐containers where they showed less resistance to flow than the virgin grade PE. The recycled materials differed in color when different washing media were used. There were no significant differences in the mechanical properties of the 4 L‐containers made of virgin grade and recycled PE. Highlights: Washing, compounding, and blow molding of rigid polyethylene packaging waste were studied.The degradation varied depending on the washing and compounding conditions.Rheological results indicated chain branching or crosslinking due to degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents an assessment of the rheological and anti-aging characteristics of 70# grade asphalts sourced from various manufacturers. By utilizing a range of experimental techniques at both macroscopic and microscopic levels—including gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), multi-stress creep recovery (MSCR), linear amplitude scanning (LAS), and bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests—the study investigates the performance of asphalt. Although all five 70# asphalts are classified under the same grade, their performance exhibits significant variation. A direct correlation has been established between microscopic attributes, such as molecular weight distribution and thermal stability, and macroscopic performance, which includes rheological behaviors and anti-aging properties. This study enhances our understanding of the factors influencing asphalt performance and provides guidance for selecting asphalt materials with improved characteristics for highway construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Higher reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in asphalt mixtures requires efficient rejuvenation. The efficiency of the rejuvenation can be evaluated by studying the rejuvenator, new and old binder blend. The blend must represent the binder blend inside the asphalt mixture to reflect reality. Extracting and recovering the binder of the rejuvenated asphalt mixtures containing RAP is the best practice to obtain the binder blend inside the asphalt mixture. However, extraction and recovery is not a common practice to study rejuvenation efficiency since it is time-consuming and energy-demanding with exposure to hazardous chemicals. Instead, blending rejuvenator, new binder and the extracted and recovered (E&R) binder from RAP limits the extraction and recovery to the RAP and minimizes efforts for studying rejuvenation efficiency. This study aims to find the blending conditions under which the blend of the rejuvenator, new and RAP binder represents the E&R binder from asphalt mixture concerning rheological performance and behavior properties. The rheological properties of three binder blends prepared under intense, moderate, and low blending conditions were compared with those of the E&R binder. Performance grade (PG), rutting potential (multiple stress creep and recovery test), fatigue resistance (linear amplitude sweep test) and behavioral characteristics (linearity and complex modulus tests) are the rheological properties of this study. It was found that intense and moderate blending conditions are good representatives of the E&R binder with regard to PG and PG+ designation. In addition, intense, moderate, and low blending conditions can be a surrogate for the PAV-aged E&R binder. It can be claimed that any intensity of blending conditions between intense and moderate lead to binder specimen that is almost identical to E&R binder with respect to rutting potential and characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the morphology and various thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties of polylactic acid (PLA)-based nanobiocomposites. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the potential of modified Algerian clay as a nanofiller through an examination of the characteristics of PLA/Mag-CTA and PLA/CMC nanobiocomposites with varying levels of prepared fillers. This study is concerned with the synthesis of poly(lactic acid)/Maghnite-CTA (PLA/Mag-CTA) and poly(lactic acid)/microcrystalline cellulose (CMC) nanobiocomposites, with two distinctive catalysts and organic reinforcements produced in solution. The outcomes of the various techniques employed demonstrate that PLA nanobiocomposites exhibit a mixed morphology, comprising intercalation and exfoliation. The results from the diverse techniques used show that the PLA nanobiocomposites developed have a mixed intercalated-exfoliated morphology. The dispersion of the Maghnite-CTA filler and microcrystalline cellulose was enhanced during the production of the various materials, as well as the presence of aggregates at high levels. The best rheological performance, corresponding to the optimal dispersion of the nanofiller, was observed for a low quantity of organic filler. Thermal behavior properties were significantly enhanced with the incorporation of the two nanofillers. Analysis by steric exclusion chromatography showed that the fillers used in the nanobiocomposite synthesis increased the average molecular weights of the PLA chains, while the polydispersity index remained constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: To improve the gel properties of natural inulin (FI), in this study, FI was phosphorylated to prepare natural inulin phosphodiester (PDFI). The structures of FI and PDFI were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), particle size and scanning electron microscopy. FI and PDFI gels (mass fraction 20%–40%) were prepared and stored for 0–7 days to study their effects on water‐holding capacity, rheology and texture properties. The FTIR spectra showed absorption peaks of P‐O‐C and P=O bonds, indicating that some hydroxyl groups were replaced and phosphorylation was successful. Compared with FI, the specific surface area of PDFI was increased 7.7‐fold and the microstructure was smoother. When the fraction of PDFI was 35%, the water‐holding rate of PDFI gel was 21.2%, 23.3%, 19.7%, 19.1% and 19.3% higher than FI gel at different storage time, respectively. PDFI gel with higher mass fraction (25%–40%) had lower hardness. Rheological analysis showed that PDFI gels had stronger viscoelastic and solid‐like properties. These results reveal native inulin phosphorylation improved gel properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing xanthan gum, a biodegradable polymer, in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is imperative wherever there is a need for innovation in oil production that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Xanthan, chosen for its natural sourcing, availability, controllability, eco-friendliness, and biodegradability, proves resilient against harsh reservoir conditions owing to its rigid structure and elongated polysaccharide chains. This study investigates two modified xanthan gum composites, achieved by grafting with synthetic vinyl monomers through emulsified polymerization. Spectroscopic characterization using FTIR and 1H-NMR, along with surface morphology analysis via atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermal behavior screening through TGA analysis, elucidates the properties of these modified composites. Rheological behavior under reservoir conditions, including stress scanning and viscosity/shear rate dependency, was evaluated. Material modeling with the Materials Studio program simulated the equilibrium adsorption of xanthan and modified biopolymer chains on SiO2-quartz crystal to assess wettability alteration. Simulation results indicate that XG-g-AM, MMA&TEVS exhibit greater stability and surface coverage with more negative electrostatic energies compared to XG and XG-g-AM&MMA. The laboratory runs on a sandstone-packed model to identify the disclosed XG-g-AM&MMA and XG-g-AM, MMA&TEVS biopolymers as promising EOR candidates and wettability modifiers in challenging sandstone reservoirs, as per experimental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compatibility of polycarboxylate-based water-reducing admixtures (PCEs) having different carboxylate, phosphate and sulfonate anionic groups with paste and mortar mixtures containing fly ash (FA) was investigated. It was found that, with an increase in the FA content of the mixtures, the PCE requirement for the target flow decreased and the consistency retention performance was improved due to the decrease in the amount of hydrated cement. An improvement in rheological parameters was observed with an increase in FA content from 15% to 30%. However, increasing the FA replacement level beyond 30% caused stability problems in the mixtures. This problem was eliminated with the addition of PCE. In the paste and mortar mixtures, regardless of the FA substitution ratio, the best performance was obtained with PCEs containing 7% and 5% phosphate and sulfonate, respectively. The most suitable FA replacement ratio in terms of rheological parameters and 28-day compressive strength was 30% and 15%, respectively. It was observed that the PCE anionic group content did not have any significant effect for all FA substitution ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible insect powder is a new ingredient that can be used to create innovative functional and nutritional properties in food products. However, adding insect powder to bakery goods could impact the dough's technological and sensory attributes. This study aims to investigate possible alterations in dough enriched with insect powder and examine the texture of salty snacks produced using a 3D food printer. The doughs were prepared using varying quantities of two types of edible insect powders. The stiff flow properties showed a pseudoplastic behaviour that fit well with a power-law equation. Viscosity and pseudoplasticity increased in proportion to insect powder concentration, with the strongest effect observed for L. migratoria. The linear viscoelastic behaviour exhibited G′ values exceeding G″ values, and both moduli increased with insect concentration. A. migratoria displayed a greater elastic contribution (lower tan δ) compared to A. diaperinus, which correlates with the lower printability of A. migratoria. The texture of the snacks prepared with A. diaperinus demonstrated a rise in the breaking force as the insect concentration increased and exhibited a corresponding texture profile to the control and the 4.6% sample. Moreover, the addition of A. diaperinus heightened the crispiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of the use of sawdust in drilling fluid formulation is covered in this study. The investigation focused on the physicochemical and rheological properties of water-based mud (WBM) drilling fluids that included four different dosages of sawdust. These properties included yield stress, plastic viscosity, rheological behavior, gel strength, filtration test (API filtrate; American Petroleum Institute), and pH. The sawdust was employed as a substitute for the polymers commonly used in water-based muds (WBMs) to serve either as a viscosifier or as a fluid loss controller. The current study set out to evaluate how sawdust (diameter ≤630 µm) affected the primary characteristics of the drilling muds. Sawdust was utilized in place of carboxymethyl cellulose polymer (CMC) as a viscosifier and polyanionic cellulose polymer (PAC) as a filtrate reducer at several dosages (0, 10, 20, 50, and 100 g/L). It was found that the sawdust dosage and its role had a significant impact on the rheological characteristics of the drilling fluids. At amounts between 20 and 50 g/L, the sawdust was added as a viscosifier to the drilling fluids under study, resulting in a significant improvement in their physicochemical and rheological parameters (yield stress, plastic viscosity, and gel strength). However, the drilling fluids showed extremely high rheological properties and a viscosity that can slow down fluid circulation in the well when 100 g/L of sawdust were used, totally substituting for the polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous combination flooding systems are composed of surfactant and viscoelastic preformed gel particles (PGP) that can migrate in the pores. The interactions between PGP and surfactants have an important impact on the system. In our research described here heterogeneous aqueous suspensions of PGP and an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, SDBS) or a nonionic surfactant coconut oil alkanolamide, (CDEA) were prepared. The effects of SDBS and CDEA on the swelling and rheological properties of the PGP was investigated. In addition, the influence of SDBS and CDEA on the thermal effects of PGP was studied. The results showed that the swelling ratio, apparent viscosity and storage modulus of the PGP decreased with the increase of SDBS concentration. On the contrary, the CDEA increased the swelling ratio and the rheological properties of PGP. The specific heat capacity ( C p ) of PGP increased with the SDBS concentration and decreased with the CDEA concentration. Similar to the rheological behavior, the influence of interactions on the PGP molecular thermal motion was related to the concentration of the surfactants. Therefore, studying the variation of C p with concentration can provide reference for the reasonable dosage of surfactants in heterogeneous oil displacement systems and a new perspective for investigating the interaction between surfactant and PGP or other polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using steel slag in architectural three-dimensional (3D) printing not only enhances its utilization efficiency but also significantly reduces cement consumption, thereby mitigating carbon emissions. This study evaluated the substitution of steel slag for cement in 3D printing and examined its impact on rheological properties, fluidity, green strength, and early hydration microstructure based on alkalinity level, particle-size distribution, and blending quantity. The relationship between the early properties of 3D-printed steel slag cementitious materials and their pore microstructures was investigated using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests. The results showed that high-alkalinity steel slag has superior rheological characteristics and generates a larger amount of gel water within the initial 30 min of hydration. Steel slag particles ranging from 5 to 20 μm had the most significant influence on enhancing the rheological properties of 3D-printed steel slag cementitious materials by facilitating the formation of a flocculated mesh structure during early hydration. Optimal rheological performance was achieved with a dosage level of 10% steel slag, effectively reducing porosity and improving compactness in the mortar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large deformation and strong rheological characteristics of the underground rock body under complex geological conditions have led to the failure of the support system and even the instability of tunnels from time to time. Based on the theory of groundwater seepage, the elastic solution of the mechanical model of the tunnel anchorage support system under seepage is solved, which reveals the influence of seepage on the peripheral rock and the support parameters of the anchorage support system; the viscoelastic solution is solved according to the corresponding principle of elasticity—viscoelasticity, which analyses the influence of seepage on the rheological process of the anchorage support system; and the model is simulated with the help of finite element software, which analyses the agreement and discrepancy of the numerical solution and the theoretical solution. The results show that the analytical and numerical solutions are basically consistent. This study can provide important guidance for controlling long-term stability of water-rich tunnel rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rheological properties and diffusion law of coal-based solid waste geopolymer grouting material (CGGM) slurry were investigated by rheological property test and diffusion theory model derivation. Based on the power-law fluid constitutive equation, a theoretical model of slurry diffusion in an inclined fissure aquifer was established, and the effect of slurry grouting time on the slurry diffusion distance under different fissure widths, fissure inclination angles, and grouting pressures were analyzed. The results show that when coal gangue:cement:fly ash = 5:4:1, sodium silicate modulus 2.0, sodium silicate content is 10%, CGGM slurry's bleeding rate of 1%, the liquidity of 227 mm, the initial and final setting time is 412 min and 825 min, respectively, to meet the requirements of the grouting project. CGGM slurry is a typical viscosity time-varying power-law type fluid, and the slurry diffusion distance is positively correlated with the grouting pressure, fissure width, fissure inclination angle, and negatively correlated with the rheological index. The established theoretical model can provide a reference for the parameter design of CGGM slurry in grouting construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nixtamalization is a process used in the production of tortillas. This process offers many advantages, such as improving the rheological, nutritional, and textural properties of the masa. This process is carried out under different steps which affect the quality of the final product such as the cooking and soaking conditions and the quantity of ash. In addition, the fragility of the masa makes the tortillas brittle. The present work was initiated with the aim of determining the nixtamalization conditions that would improve the textural, rheological, and nutritional properties of masa. The response surface methodology, using the central composite design was applied to three factors including the ash content and cooking and soaking times, and the responses evaluated were the adhesiveness, cohesion, final viscosity, and gelatinization temperature of masa obtained from two varieties of maize (Atp-Y and Kassaï). The optimums masa flours obtained were characterized using standard methods. Results showed that, the masa made from Kassaï variety needed a cooking time of 51.21 min and soaking time of 16.10 h in the presence of 0.80 g of ash. For the Atp-Y variety, the conditions included a cooking time of 49.17 min and a soaking time of 23.4 h in the presence of 0.24 g of ash. The responses obtained showed an adhesiveness of 0.10 kg/f and 0.05 kg/f, cohesion of 1.08 kg/f and 1.23 kg/f, final viscosity of 1504.80 cP and 1328.30 cP, gelatinization temperature 73.50 °C and 71.50 °C, and finally retrogradation 435.50 cP and 316 cP, respectively, for Kassaï and Atp-Y. Chemical characterization of the optimum masa showed that the white masa had a high protein content (10.50%), carbohydrates (71.70%), and fiber (2%) while the yellow masa presented the highest lipid content (5.47%). These finding demonstrated that Kassaï (white) maize‐masa flour obtained in optimal conditions can be recommended for the production of good quality tortillas because tortillas made with this masa are less crumbly and more elastic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, understanding the complex relationship between the mechanical properties and material characteristics of desulfurized rubber asphalt has received significant research attention. In this study, the rheological properties of rubber asphalt prepared by three kinds of desulfurized rubber powder are analyzed, and the mechanical response of rubber asphalt mixture is predicted using various mathematical models. Firstly, the rheological properties of desulfurized rubber asphalt are assessed through multiple stress creep recovery test, linear amplitude scanning test, and low-temperature creep test. The results indicate that the high-temperature performance index of desulfurized rubber asphalt is highly sensitive to the degree of desulfurization. As the degree of desulfurization of the rubber powder increases, the fatigue damage rate of asphalt gradually decreases, leading to an increase in the fatigue life. Notably, the difference between the m-critical temperature and stiffness-critical temperature (ΔTc) for only ML40MA does not exceed the threshold value, indicating that it has the best low-temperature cracking resistance. Additionally, the swelling capacity of desulfurized rubber powder in asphalt is better than that of ordinary rubber powder. Finally, the comprehensive performance of desulfurized rubber asphalt is characterized based on the gray correlation method. The gray correlation coefficient of ML60MA is 0.78, which is higher than that of ML40MA and ML80MA, indicating its best overall performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymers tailored with different nanofillers are potentially used to fill the gaps of conventional materials for various engineering applications. This can be done because of the exceptional synergistic properties of nanofillers and polymers. Nanofillers have unique mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. They can be reinforced with the flexible polymer matrix to develop advanced polymer nanocomposites and achieve great engineering performance. The nanofillers tailored nanocomposite have enhanced synergistic properties and functionality, which make it suitable for various engineering applications such as automotive, structural health monitoring, aerospace, coating, electronics devices, biomedical devices, and others. Polymer nanocomposites synthesized using techniques such as in-situ polymerization, the melt intercalation method, the solution intercalation method, and the mixing method showed improved properties. To obtain the polymer nanocomposite with the required quality and performance, we need to consider essential design parameters such as nanofiller types, concentrations, shapes, dispersity, sizes and interfacial relations during the design and optimization processes. The performance and properties of polymer nanocomposites evaluated by using the rheological tests, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), micromechanical analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed the enhanced synergistic properties compared to the pure polymer material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit firmness in sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) is a critical quality parameter highly valued by consumers as it is associated with fruit freshness. In general, firm fruit also cope better with storage and handling. Gibberellic acid (GA) is commonly used by sweet cherry producers to increase firmness, soluble solids content and fruit size. This study evaluated the effects of GA on the rheological properties of sweet cherry fruit at harvest and postharvest storage. Specifically, GA's influence on susceptibility to mechanical damage during handling was evaluated. The following GA treatments were applied to two sweet cherry cultivars 'Bing' and 'Lapins': T0, control, T30—GA at 15 ppm applied at pit-hardening and straw-colour stages; T45—GA at 25 ppm at pit-hardening and GA at 20 ppm at straw-colour; and T60—GA at 30 ppm applied at pit-hardening and straw-colour. The results indicate that GA delayed harvest by two to four days in both cultivars, with 'Lapins' also showing a significant increase in fruit size. Regardless of spray concentration, GA increased the modulus of elasticity and fruit resistance evaluated as stress at the maximum point at harvest. These effects persisted after 35 days of storage at 0 °C and an additional three days of shelf-life at 15 °C. While the strain or deformation capacity of the fruit at bioyield at harvest was constant across treatments, it was, however, lower in the GA-treated fruit than in the controls during storage at 0 °C under the high-humidity conditions of modified atmosphere packaging. The less mature fruit harvested at colour 3.0 (red/mahogany) were stiffer (reduced deformation) and more sensitive to induced mechanical injury than the fruit harvested later at colour 3.5 (mahogany). The GA treatments increased fruit resistance to damage without increasing tissue deformability. Other questions associated with stiffer tissues and lower deformability during storage at 0 °C under high humidity should be further studied, specifically cultivars that are naturally high in box-cracking sensitivity during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) gels create significant obstacles in industrial fiber spinning by forming insoluble networks that compromise solution stability and uniformity. This study investigates the rheological properties of PAN/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions, examining how aging time, moisture content, and polymer concentration affect gelation behavior. Dynamic rheological analysis revealed that both physical and chemical crosslinks play crucial roles in gel formation, with gelation accelerating markedly when moisture content exceeds 3% and aging progresses. Under heat treatment at 80 °C, samples with increased moisture content demonstrated rapid transitions to solid-like states, indicating a critical moisture threshold for enhanced gelation kinetics. Additionally, reductions in polymer concentration disrupted physical crosslink density, thereby mitigating gel formation. These results underscore the importance of precisely controlling moisture and concentration parameters in PAN solutions to stabilize solution properties and minimize gel formation, thus enhancing process efficiency and quality in PAN-based carbon fiber production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Condiment is the property of China Condiment and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recent advancements highlight the utilization of vegetable oils as additives in polymeric materials, particularly for replacing conventional plasticizers. Buriti oil (BO), extracted from the Amazon's Mauritia flexuosa palm tree fruit, boasts an impressive profile of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carotenoids, and tocopherol. This study investigates the impact of incorporating buriti oil as a plasticizer in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) matrices. The aim of this research was to evaluate how buriti oil, a bioactive compound, influences the thermal and rheological properties of LLDPE. Buriti oil/LLDPE compositions were prepared via melt intercalation techniques, and the resulting materials were characterized through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical property testing, and contact angle measurement. The addition of buriti oil was found to act as a processing aid and plasticizer, enhancing the fluidity of LLDPE polymer chains. TGA revealed distinct thermal stabilities for buriti oil/LLDPE under different degradation conditions. Notably, buriti oil exhibited an initial weight loss temperature of 402 °C, whereas that of LLDPE was 466.4 °C. This indicated a minor reduction in the thermal stability of buriti oil/LLDPE compositions. The thermal stability, as observed through DSC, displayed a nuanced response to the oil's incorporation, suggesting a complex interaction between the oil and polymer matrix. Detailed mechanical testing indicated a marked increase in tensile strength and elongation at break, especially at optimal concentrations of buriti oil. SEM analysis showcased a more uniform and less brittle microstructure, correlating with the enhanced mechanical properties. Contact angle measurements revealed a notable shift in surface hydrophobicity, indicating a change in the surface chemistry. This study demonstrates that buriti oil can positively influence the processability and thermal properties of LLDPE, thus expanding its potential applications as an effective plasticizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity of the chocolate matrix leads to it having characteristic rheological properties that may pose difficulties for its industrial manufacture. Many factors influence the flow behaviour of chocolates, such as raw materials, the amount of fat, the moisture content, particle-size distribution, the concentration of emulsifiers, or manufacturing conditions, among others. This study focusses on the rheological properties of an industrially manufactured chocolate with a 48% cocoa content, and the effect caused by the addition of two emulsifiers (soya lecithin and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)) on the rheological properties. In the case of lecithin, a clear effect has been observed on the plastic viscosity and the yield stress. Plastic viscosity decreases until a concentration of 0.6% lecithin is reached, and thereafter remains relatively constant, while yield stress increases over the studied range. This effect is not observed when PGPR is used as the emulsifying agent. In this case, a small concentration of PGPR decreases the yield stress. Thixotropy was determined using the Casson model, and its behaviour was found to be similar to that of plastic viscosity with respect to changes in the PGPR and lecithin concentrations. Textural determinations were also carried out, relating the rheology characteristics to the texturometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine and compare the dimensional stability, setting time, tensile strength, and rheological properties of kaolin clay powder-modified and unmodified alginate impression material. Commercially available alginate-based impression material was considered as a control (C) while experimental groups E-1, E-2, and E-3 were fabricated by adding 2%, 4%, and 8% of kaolin clay powder in the control, respectively. Analytical techniques were used for the characterization of the samples. A tensile strength, rheological property, dimensional stability, and setting time were recorded for control and experimental groups. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of kaolin clay powder in all experimental groups. SEM showed a round solid structure and irregular shape particle appearance in all experimental groups as well as a control group. The dimensional stability was improved by the addition of kaolin clay powder to the alginate impression material. The percentage dimensional change at 5 min, 6, and 12 h was increased for E3 adding (8% kaolin clay powder) and decreased for the control group. The mean value of tensile strength was highest for E3 followed by E2, E1, and least in control groups. Higher Young's Modulus and lower deformation values were measured for E3. The mean value of setting time was highest for E3 and the least was in the control group. The results for both setting time and tensile strength were very highly statistically significant (p < 0.001). The mean values of viscoelasticity, flow, and drip test were increased statistically by adding various concentrations of kaolin clay powder to the alginate impression material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A goal of this study was to investigate the influence of fluidised bed agglomeration process with guar gum (GG) binder (0–0.3%) on the physical and rheological properties of agglomerated milk protein isolate (MPI). Larger and more porous particles were formed by the agglomeration process, resulting in an improvement in powder flowability, wettability and solubility. The agglomerate with 0.1% GG binder exhibited higher viscoelastic properties than other agglomerates, with viscoelastic moduli values decreasing as the binder concentration increased (0.1–0.3%). The findings demonstrate that the agglomeration process with GG improved the powder characteristics of MPI and influenced its rheological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid treatment can alter the functional properties of whey protein isolate (WPI), but the effect of different acids on properties of WPI‐stabilised Pickering emulsion gel (PE) is unknown. Compared with WPI‐PE, droplet size of the acid‐treated WPI‐PE decreased but its zeta potential, apparent viscosity, binding water capacity and curcumin encapsulation were enhanced. Due to the formation of the tightest gel structure of malic acid‐Pickering emulsion gel, it showed the highest viscoelastic modulus, bound water content and gel stability. This work would introduce a novel method for the development of PEs with good gelatinisation and curcumin delivery system for food processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the comparative analysis of untreated, optimized non-thermal plasma (NTP)–treated (38 kV/631 s), extreme NTP–treated (45 kV/900 s), and thermally treated (95 ℃/12 min) pineapple juice (PJ) on enzyme activity, microbial count, protein structure, particle size, bioactive substances and, sensory, rheological, and biochemical attributes. The PJ treated with optimized NTP demonstrated merits over extreme NTP–treated and thermally treated in terms of the retention of bromelain, bioactive components, and biochemical attributes. Moreover, the fuzzy logic evaluation showed that optimized NTP–treated juice had superior sensory characteristics than extremely NTP– and thermally treated juice. The NTP approach, like thermal treatment (95 ℃/12 min), extends shelf life by assuring microbiological safety (<1 log10 cfu/mL) and enzyme inactivation (>90%). However, the thermal treatment resulted in loss of bioactive, sensory, and biochemical attributes. Particle size distribution indicates that NTP significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the sauter mean and volume mean diameter from 1617 to 894 nm and 1688 to 917 nm, respectively, which stabilized juice after treatment. NTP treatment substantially reduced the consistency from 1.22 to 0.31 mPa.sn and showed a pseudo-plastic behavior of juice. These results collectively imply that NTP has a tremendous ability to maintain bioactive compounds, and sensory and physicochemical attributes, as well as extend the shelf life of PJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the rheological properties of four multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/polyethylene (PE) composites containing 1 wt.% (mPEC1), 3 wt.% (mPEC3), 5 wt.% (mPEC5), and 10 wt.% (mPEC10) MWCNTs prepared by the masterbatch method were investigated and compared with those of the pure PE. The rheological investigation includes strain sweeping, frequency sweeping, stress relaxation behavior, yield stress, characteristic relaxation time, temperature effect on linear viscoelastic behavior, and gel behavior. It is mainly found that (1) the MWCNTs-MWCNTs interaction resulting in MWCNTs network structure in the PE matrix and the MWCNTs-PE interfacial interaction increase the storage and loss moduli of the MWCNTs/PE composite in comparison with those of pure PE; (2) the time-temperature equivalence principle is applicable only for pure PE and mPEC1; (3) for gel behavior of MWCNTs/PE composite at 160–180 °C, the φ g value decreases with the increase of temperature and the highest S g value is obtained at 170 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research conducted a comprehensive assessment of how aging processes and the powder to binder ratio (P/B ratio) influence asphalt mortar's performance. Analysis demonstrated that all tested performance metrics significantly differed (P<0.05), signifying a notable effect of the aging process, particularly long-term thermal oxidation aging, on key properties such as ductility and the complex shear modulus (G*). Adjusting the P/B ratio enables precise control over the rate of aging and the asphalt mixture's functional characteristics. The optimal P/B ratio, found to be between 0.8 and 1.0, effectively balances aging properties with mechanical strength. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the four main asphalt components shed light on aging's effects on both the composition and functionality of asphalt, highlighting the critical role of component dynamics in designing and assessing asphalt mixtures. Additionally, the study introduces a predictive model that uses linear regression to compute five parameters (β0 to β4), forming equations for various performance metrics. This facilitates optimized selection and combination of asphalt components at the design stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific and technical developments toward improving bio-oil are under investigation, with an emphasis on research into upgrading bio-oil bitumen. The current study presents a new development of eco-friendly bio-oil bitumen produced using some local materials as well as studying its physical and rheological properties. Two bitumen sources with penetration grade of 40/50 were used, Dora and Nasiriyah, which were locally obtained from Dora and Nasiriyah refineries in Iraq. Biobitumen was prepared by vacuum distillation after esterification of waste cooking oil, which was freely collected from local households and cafeterias. Methanol, sulfuric acid (as a catalyst agent), and zeolite were used in the biobitumen preparation process. Physical and rheological properties were tested in evaluating the performance. The physical tests included viscosity, softening point, and penetration, and the rheological properties involved sweep frequency and creep tests using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). Three percentages (10%, 20%, and 30%) of biobitumen were blended with aged petroleum bitumen, which was obtained from excessive aging of the virgin bitumen by thin-film oven test (TFOT). It was found that a ratio of 1∶5 of biobitumen and aged petroleum bitumen exhibited the best performance. Results also highlighted that the new modified bitumen with biobitumen showed superior performance compared with that of traditional bitumen, taking into consideration the influence of biobitumen percentage and level of the age of the virgin bitumen. The current development and outcomes of the study can be considered as promising and encouraging for further investigations into sustainable and environmentally friendly production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene and its derivatives have garnered significant attention as novel nanomodifiers in the asphalt industry. Despite its vast potential, poor compatibility and dispersion between graphene and asphalt have been persistent challenges for researchers. To prepare well-dispersed graphene materials, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was grafted onto water-soluble graphene (WG), resulting in PVP-WG composites. This PVP-WG composite was introduced into matrix asphalt as a modifier to improve the compatibility and dispersion of graphene with asphalt. Various advanced techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, laser particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction confirmed the successful attachment of PVP to the surface of water-soluble graphene, thereby increasing the spacing between WG and promoting the intercalation of asphalt molecules. The loose structure of PVP facilitated the effective binding between WG and asphalt molecules. The multiple stress creep recovery and dynamic shear rheometer tests demonstrated that PVP-WG was effective in enhancing the elastic recovery performance, high temperature resistance to deformation, and viscoelastic properties of the asphalt binder. In addition, the results of the bending beam rheometer test showed that PVP-WG slightly reduces the low-temperature performance of asphalt, but PVP significantly improves the low-temperature cracking resistance of WG-modified asphalt. This study provides valuable insights into the potential application of graphene in asphalt pavement materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research aims to explore the possibility of incorporating atorvastatin calcium (ATC) in ultraflexible nanovesicles (UFNVs) to avoid the hepatic first metabolism and enhance its effectiveness as a potential alternative to oral treatment. ATC nanovesicles were developed utilizing the rotary evaporation‐sonication method and assessed in vitro concerning their vesicle diameter, zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency (EE), as well as in vitro release studies. The chosen formulation of ATC‐UFNVs was integrated into a different gel base that was evaluated for content uniformity, pH, spreading ability, viscosity, and rheological behavior. The skin permeation of the prepared nanovesicles was assessed using an ex vivo permeation and confocal laser microscopy images (CLSM). In vitro evaluation of the ATC‐loaded UFNVs showed that the mean diameter of the nanovesicles ranging between 60.84 ± 0.53 nm and 91.68 ± 2.11 nm, the Zeta potential values ranged from of –15.8 ± 0.31 to –25.1 ± 0.81 mV, the EE% were between 84.33 ± 1.94 and 86.53 ± 2.02%, and the ATC release from the formulations was 75.25–90.89%. All release patterns were analyzed kinetically following Higuchi's diffusion approach. Carbapol 934 gel bases containing ATC‐UF exhibited non‐Newtonian pseudo‐plastic flow with thixotropy equal to 2.013 cm2. Ex vivo data showed that ATC‐UFNVs had better penetration compared to free AC. CLSM revealed that the UF‐nanovesicle exhibited stronger and deeper fluorescence signals up to 90 µm depth of permeation in skin versus the rhodamine B‐free solution (50 µm). The transdermal ability of the ATC‐UFNVs gel formulation has been conclusively demonstrated by our research. Practical Applications: The successful development of atorvastatin calcium‐loaded ultraflexible nanovesicles (ATC‐UFNVs) in this study offers promising applications for researchers and healthcare professionals. The ability of these nanovesicles to bypass hepatic first‐pass metabolism and enhance drug delivery to the skin presents a potential alternative to oral administration, which can be associated with gastrointestinal side effects and variable absorption. The findings of this research can be applied in the development of novel transdermal drug delivery systems for the treatment of various cardiovascular conditions. ATC‐UFNVs may be incorporated into topical formulations for the management of hypercholesterolemia, reducing the need for systemic medication. Additionally, the insights gained from this study could be utilized to explore the feasibility of using nanovesicles for the delivery of other lipophilic drugs, expanding their potential therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Geological formations rich in clay tend to undergo expansion upon contact with water-based drilling fluids. The principal mechanism responsible for the disintegration and swelling of these formations is the migration of hydrogen ions into the nano-scale gaps between layers of shale platelets. Effectively mitigating the challenge of clay swelling involves introducing various materials tailored for shale stabilization into water-based drilling mud. In this article, flaxseed mucilage is used as an environmentally friendly drilling fluid additive in a water-based mud system, with the goal of enhancing the rheological, filtration, and hydrophobic characteristics of the water-based mud. The flaxseed extract was added in the mud in four different concentrations (5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL, and 50 mL). The result of the study reveals that the rheological properties at 38 and 65 degree centigrade after the addition of 10 mL and 20 mL flaxseed extract remained well within the recommended range set by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Both these samples also demonstrated transport index > 1.5 at both the temperatures. Moreover, the flaxseed extract was also effective in minimizing the fluid loss from the base mud. The 20 mL of flaxseed extract causes only 15 mL of fluid loss from the base mud, which was also three times lower than the base mud. Additionally, the flaxseed extract muds were also tested on the Ranikot shale sample for its stability. According to the immersion test, samples collected from flaxseed mud demonstrated a smooth surface with no cracks and fractures. Furthermore, these immersed shale pellets also revealed high hydrophobic behavior when tested through contact angle measurement. The 20-mL sample showed the highest hydrophobic behavior with contact angle of 56.056 degrees. Besides this, the 20-mL sample also displayed the highest cutting recovery of 70% out of all the samples. In addition, the 20-mL flaxseed sample also showed less shale swelling behavior in linear dynamic swell-meter test. Almost 1.5 times reduction in shale swelling was recorded with the addition of 20 mL flaxseed extract in the base mud. In light of these compelling findings, the study underscores flaxseed's potential as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional clay stabilizers in drilling operations, with the aim of minimizing formation damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to evaluate the gelation process of ferulated pectin (FP) and ferulated arabinoxylan (AXF) in a new mixed hydrogel and determine its microstructural characteristics. FP from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and arabinoxylan from maize (Zea mays) bran were gelled via oxidative coupling using laccase as a crosslinking agent. The dynamic oscillatory rheology of the mixed hydrogel revealed a maximum storage modulus of 768 Pa after 60 min. The scanning electron microscopy images showed that mixed hydrogels possess a microstructure of imperfect honeycomb. The ferulic acid content of the mixed hydrogel was 3.73 mg/g, and ferulic acid dimer 8-5′ was the most abundant. The presence of a trimer was also detected. This study reports the distribution and concentration of ferulic acid dimers, and the rheological and microstructural properties of a mixed hydrogel based on FP and AXF, which has promising features as a new covalent biopolymeric material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the relationship between the molecular structure of fibers and the differences in physicochemical interactions between fibers and asphalt on the performance of fiber-modified asphalt, this paper chose two types of fibers with different chemical structures: straw fiber and polyester fiber. First, the differences in molecular interactions between the two fibers and asphalt were explored using molecular dynamics, then the differences in the adsorption capacity of the two fibers on asphalt components were tested by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy experiments, and finally, the differences in the rheological properties of the two fiber-modified asphalts were tested by dynamic shear rheology and low-temperature creep experiments. The molecular dynamics simulation findings reveal that polyester fibers may intersperse into asphalt molecules and interact with them via structures such as aromatic rings, whereas straw fibers are merely adsorbed on the asphalt's surface. Straw fibers and asphalt exhibit hydrogen bonding, whereas polyester fibers and asphalt display van der Waals interactions. The results of attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy indicated that polyester fiber absorbed asphalt components better than straw fiber. The rheological tests revealed that the polyester fiber had the highest complex shear modulus in the temperature range of 46–82 °C, and at 64 °C, the phase angle was 4.289° lower than that of the straw fiber-treated bitumen. Polyester fiber-modified asphalt had a 32.48%, 15.72%, and 6.09% lower creep modulus than straw fiber-modified asphalt at three low-temperature conditions: −6 °C, −12 °C, and −18 °C. It is clear that fibers with aromatic rings as a chemical structure outperform lignin-based fibers in terms of improving asphalt characteristics. The research findings can serve as a theoretical foundation for the selection of fibers to produce fiber-modified asphalt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of the powder utilized in powder bed-based additive manufacturing are crucial in determining both the process parameters and the final quality of the fabricated components. Therefore, it is essential to assess powder characteristics, particularly particle morphology, size distribution (PSD), and rheological properties. This study aims to quantitatively characterize the PSD, morphology, and flowability of metal powders commonly used in additive manufacturing, such as AlSi10Mg, Inconel-718, Ti6Al4V, titanium, and stainless steel. To achieve this, we utilize a range of PSD models to accurately fit the measured size distributions based on volume and number, followed by conducting statistical analyses to determine the best-fitting models. Furthermore, we conducted a shape analysis using the elliptic Fourier series to characterize particle morphology quantitatively. Additionally, we examined the correlations between the powder rheological properties, measured by a Hall flowmeter, tapped density tester, and FT4 powder rheometer, and the PSD and shape indices using Spearman's coefficient test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of geopolymer as a grouting material has gained significant attention in research and construction applications. Geopolymer grout is a type of binding material that differs from traditional grouts, typically based on Portland cement. Researchers have explored its effectiveness and potential applications in grouting processes, considering its unique properties and characteristics. In this paper, various studies employing and utilizing geopolymer as a grouting material are reviewed. The emphasis is on mixture design of geopolymer grout, physical property, chemical composition of geopolymer grout, rheological behavior of geopolymer grout such as yield stress (in case of Bingham fluid) and viscosity, and engineering properties such as compressive strength, expansion, shrinkage, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science Technology & Engineering is the property of Chinese Society of Technology Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) and partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) have good application prospects in the field of petroleum fracturing field, but few studies on the rheological properties of KGM and HPAM double polymer gel systems have been reported. Optimal conditions for the high temperature and shear resistant organozirconium crosslinked double polymer gel system for petroleum fracturing were explored through optimization experiments. The thickener contained a mass ratio of 2:1 of KGM to HPAM, while the organic zirconium crosslinking agent had controlled molar ratios of 1:4:3:3 of zirconium butoxide to ligand acetylacetone, triethanolamine, and glycerol. This work presents a systematic analysis of the chemical structure, microstructure, delayed crosslinking performance, temperature resistance, and shear resistance of the gel system. The study found that the crosslinking ratio of 100:2 resulted in a controllable delayed crosslinking time of the gel formed by the organic zirconium crosslinking agent and 4.0 g/L KGM/HPAM thickener within 5–25 min at room temperature. The viscosity remained above 81 mPa·s even after shearing for 100 min at 140°C and 170 s−1. These findings provide a useful reference for the application of organic zirconium crosslinked KGM/HPAM gel system in the petroleum fracturing field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Diamond & Abrasives Engineering is the property of Zhengzhou Research Institute for Abrasives & Grinding and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To achieve higher strength and better durability, ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) typically employs a relatively small water-binder ratio. However, this generally leads to an undesired increase in the paste viscosity. In this study, the effects of liquid and powder polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCE) on UHPC are compared and critically discussed. Moreover, the following influential factors are considered: air-entraining agents (AE), slump retaining agents (SA), and defoaming agents (DF) and the resulting flow characteristics, mechanical properties, and hydration properties are evaluated assuming UHPC containing 8‰ powder PCE (PCE-based UHPC). It is found that the spread diameter of powder PCE is 5% higher than that of liquid PCE. Among the chemical admixtures studied, AEs have the best effect on improving UHPC workability, while DFs have the worst effect. When the addition of AE and SA is 1.25‰ and 14.7% of PCE, paste viscosity reduces by 35% and 19%, respectively compared to the paste with only 8‰ PCE. A low AE dosage (1.25‰) decreases compressive strength by 4.1%, while SA (8.1%) increases UHPC compressive strength by 9.1%. Both AE and SA significantly delay the UHPC hydration process, reducing the hydration heat release peaks by 76% and 27%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigment printing using screen technology has certain problems associated with the limited use of domestic raw materials. The expansion of the range of printing inks fills the need for small-circulation production of textile products with original artistic and color design and the use of modern printing equipment. In this work, the possibility of using new aqueous polyurethane dispersions as binders in pigment printing was explored for the first time. This will expand the range of thickeners through the use of polyurethane dispersions, ensuring the production of strong and elastic polymer films during low-temperature processing. Such dispersions are environmentally friendly products, since toxic solvents are not used. We propose the application of new polyurethane thickeners in compositions with polyurethane dispersions as a rheological modifier. The rheological parameters of printed compositions and the physical and mechanical properties of films of polyurethane dispersions were determined and it was found that the dispersions used are capable of forming a soft and plastic film. This confirms the suitability of these film-forming preparations for use in pigment printing. The new binders based on polyurethane dispersions make possible to create effective printing compositions, to improve the quality of prints and to impart improved performance properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The by-products of the extraction of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) concentrated juice may represent a functional food ingredient for white chocolate production, as a rich source of bioactive compounds. The effects of six treatments derived from the factorial combination of two types of by-products (with oil or without oil) and three different concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%), were assessed on rheological, quality, colour, antioxidant, and mineral properties of chocolate. The 15% addition of full powder led to the highest values of max firmness, total shear energy, shear energy, cohesiveness, gummosity, dry matter, and ABTS, compared to the untreated control, but the two highest concentrations of the oil-deprived powder resulted in the protein content increasing. The full powder addition always raised fat levels. Both the 'L' and 'a' colour component as well as total carotenoids, β-carotene, lycopene, and vitamin C increased with the rise of H. rhamnoides powder addition, compared to the untreated control. The opposite trend was shown by the 'b' colour component and pH, whereas polyphenols and antioxidant activity attained higher values with the oil-deprived powder. The content of potassium decreased upon the 15% addition of the Hippophae rhamnoides by-product powder, compared to the untreated control, whereas calcium and magnesium increased. The 15% H. rhamnoides full powder elicited the augmentation of phosphorus content in chocolate, compared to the untreated control, contrary to the effect of the oil-deprived powder on P and Zn. The employment of SBB by-products highlights the great potential for manufacturing innovative functional foods with high nutritional value, such as chocolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The revolutionized field of nanotechnology emerged in the oil and gas sector to enhance drilling fluid performance. This technology increases the success rate of drilling operations in different environments. However, their performance in presence of various salts has not been entirely discovered up till now. In this research, three different salt mud systems that include KCl, NaCl and MgCl2 were prepared and coated with silica iron oxide nanoparticles. The rheological and filtration characteristics of all the samples with the joint interaction of salt and nanoparticles were analyzed. Additionally, the stability of the mud samples after the interaction between the two entities was investigated using a visualization tool. This unique application will be useful in observing the changes in the mud system during nonproductive time events (NPT). The result of the study reveals that all the fluids in the presence of these entities showed shear thinning behavior with flow index < 1 . Reduction in shear stresses in the salt systems was observed mainly because of the neutralization of the negative charges associated with the base mud system. However, this behavior was weaker in monovalent cations as compared with divalent. KCL/(Si/Fe3O4) demonstrates the most stable mud system when investigated through intensity profile plots. Minimum segregation and maximum dispersion were the key parameters that demonstrated its stability. Moreover, all three cations in the presence of Si/Fe3O4 nanoparticles reduce the filtrate loss volume and provide a thin and smooth mud cake. The Si/Fe3O4 because of its spherical bead shape plugs the pore spacing of the filter paper while blocking of microsize spacing was done with the help of cations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of the article is the creation and study of thermosensitive and wound-healing gelatin-alginate biopolymer hydrogels modified with humic acids. Their rheological properties, swelling and contraction behavior were experimentally investigated, elucidated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and used to achieve the physiological melting point, which is necessary for successful drug delivery. It has been shown that in the gelatin-alginate-humic acid biopolymer hydrogels systems, it is possible to obtain a gel-sol transition temperature close to the physiological temperature of 37°C, which is important for drug delivery in the treatment of wounds. By changing the type and concentration of humic acids in the gelatin-alginate hydrogel, it turned out to be achievable to regulate the softening time of the gel on the human body in the range from 6 to 20 min, which provides the possibility of controlled prolonged delivery of drugs. Based on the study of the influence of calcium ions on the properties of humic acids and ion exchange, as well as the interaction of humic acids, sodium alginate and gelatin with the formation of tighter gel networks, approaches to regulate the rate of softening of hydrogels at physiological temperature and their swelling, which simulates the absorption of exudate, were proposed and implemented. In addition, low shrinkage of the hydrogel surface due to cross-linking of gelatin-alginate networks when modified with humic acids was experimentally confirmed, which is important for avoiding problems of wound contracture and contour deformations when using dressings for wound healing. Thus, the developed optimized innovative biopolymer hydrogels synergistically combine the outstanding properties of natural molecular polymers and humic acids and are promising for the creation of effective medicines for wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lubrication Engineering (0254-0150) is the property of Editorial Office of LUBRICATION ENGINEERING and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research unveiled new insights on the impact of incorporating whey proteins into kefir produced using three different methods. This aims to improve its quality and health benefits, primarily as a result of optimal proliferation of probiotic bacteria. In the initial part of the experiment, samples were prepared using three different methods (methods 1, 2, and 3) to examine the impact of introducing whey protein on bacterial count, the content of L(+)-lactic acid, lactase activity, and the lactic acid and ethanol levels. The methods differed primarily in the sequence of the inoculation milk with probiotic bacteria stage in the production cycle, as well as incubation time and temperature. No significant differences were found in the number of yeasts and bacteria between samples with and without whey proteins. However, it was revealed that the 5% addition of whey proteins enhanced the number of probiotic bacteria in kefir produced with method 2 (from 4.86 to 5.52 log cfu/mL) and method 3 (from 3.68 to 4.01 log cfu/mL). The second part of the research investigated the impact of whey proteins on firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, viscosity, color, and water activity of kefir. This part focused on testing samples with lower whey protein contents (1 and 3%, w/v). We found that the addition of 1% and 3% whey proteins resulted in decreased firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and viscosity compared to the control kefir. On the other hand, the addition of 5% whey proteins resulted in increased firmness and consistency compared to the addition of 1% and 3% whey proteins. The addition of whey protein decreased the white index WI of the kefir samples. Overall, our results revealed that incorporating whey protein concentrate (WPC) in the production of probiotic kefir can enhance its health benefits while maintaining its rheological properties and overall quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]