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Abstract: The amino acid canavanine is a potentially toxic constituent of leguminous seeds. The aim of the present study was to determine the ability of different processing methods to reduce canavanine in sword beans (Canavalia gladiata). For this purpose a method for the detection and quantification of canavanine was developed using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of the dabsylated derivatives. The recovery of canavanine using this method was 88–91%. Optimum extraction of canavanine from raw and processed beans was obtained by addition of hot water prior to overnight soaking. The results obtained with this method agree well with previously published values for raw seeds. The method is sensitive, specific and can successfully be applied to the detection of canavanine in legumes. Overnight soaking and boiling in excess water followed by decanting gave the most pronounced reduction in canavanine content (around 50%), followed by boiling and decanting excess water (34%). Roasting as used in this study and autoclaving were less effective in reducing the canavanine content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) projects that the spatial resolution of feature sizes in integrated circuits is rapidly approaching nanoscopic dimensions. Consequently, there is an active interest in the design of nanoscale circuit elements such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors. The properties of materials used to fabricate capacitors pose an important design factor, as with all circuit elements. We analyze the critical materials properties that would influence engineering nanocapacitors (nanoscopic capacitors), and show that at nanoscale, dielectric properties (dielectric constant, dielectric strength, and dielectric relaxation) determine the practicality of such capacitors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]