Polymers and protein-associated vesicles for the microencapsulation of anthocyanins from grape skins used for food applications.

Background: Anthocyanins were extracted from grape skins by a combination of ethanolic-ultrasonic assisted methods and were then encapsulated by freeze-drying in soy phosphatidylcholine vesicles with the addition of different polymers, such as pectin, acacia gum, and whey protein isolate. The goal of this research was to microencapsulate anthocyanin compounds extracted from grape skins, to characterize the stability and behavior of the vesicles and then to use them to obtain a new light formulated mayonnaise.

Results: The particle size ranged from 900 nm in the control condition to 250 nm in vesicles loaded with whey proteins.

Improving Biodegradation of Clofibric Acid by through the Design of Experimental Tools.

Clofibric acid (CLF) is the main pharmacologically active metabolite in composition of the pharmaceutical products used for controlling blood lipid content. This xenobiotic compound is highly persistent in the aquatic environment and passes unchanged or poorly transformed in wastewater treatment plants. A white-rot fungal strain of was previously selected, for its ability for clofibric acid biodegradation (up to 30%) during cultivation in submerged system under aerobic conditions at an initial CLF concentration of 15 mg L.

Developing country-specific wheelchair service provision strategic plans for Romania and the Philippines.

: Achieving appropriate wheelchair provision at a national level is complex, requiring regulations, funding and policies established through governments. Understanding wheelchair provision within different countries is key. This paper describes the process used to support the development of wheelchair service strategic plans in Romania and the Philippines.