Transformation kinetics of fermented milk using Lactobacillus casei (Lc1) and Streptococcus thermophilus: comparison of results with other Inocula.

Probiotic-based starter cultures are generally used to produce fermented milks with improved characteristics in the final product. In this study, Lactobacillus casei and Streptococcus thermophilus (Lc1-St) were used as the starter inoculum. The transformation kinetics and properties of the final product were compared with systems produced with other inocula.

Novel Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-g-vinyl alcohol) Polyurethane Scaffold for Tissue Engineering.

The design of new synthetic grafted poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) as composite 3D-scaffolds is a convenient alternative for tissue engineering applications. The chemically modified poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) is receiving increasing attention for use as biomimetic copolymers for cell growth. As of yet, these copolymers cannot be used efficiently because of the lack of good mechanical properties.

Radiation-induced graft polymerization of chitosan onto poly(3-hydroxybutyrate).

Chitosan is among the most studied biopolymers and offers important advantages, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility and nontoxicity. In this study, this polysaccharide was grafted onto poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) using the simultaneous gamma-irradiation-initiated polymerization method. The polyester was immersed in diverse solvents, which allowed the preparation of graft copolymers with different yields and crystallinities.

Preparation of fullerene (C60) based SiO2 sonogel hybrid composites: UV laser induced photo-polymerization, morphological, and optical properties.

Fullerene (C60) spheres were successfully embedded by diffusion into a catalyst-free SiO2 sonogel network. By this method, homogeneous and stable solid state hybrid samples suitable for optical characterization were produced. Due to the high porosity exhibited by the sonogel matrix on the nanometric length-scale, the preparation of several C60 doped composites with variable dopant concentrations was achieved.