Influence of Fiber Diameter of Polycaprolactone Nanofibrous Materials on Biofilm Formation and Retention of Bacterial Cells.

To develop microbiologically safe nanofibrous materials, it is crucial to understand their interactions with microbial cells. Current research indicates that the morphology of nanofibers, particularly the diameter of the fibers, may play a significant role in biofilm formation and retention. However, it has not yet been determined how the fiber diameter of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL), one of the most widely used biopolymers, affects these microbial interactions.

Detection of botanical adulterants in saffron powder.

Saffron is a unique spice obtained by drying stigmas of saffron flowers (Crocus sativus L.). Due to its high price, economically motivated adulteration occurs relatively often.

Formation of Previously Undescribed Δ-Phytosterol Oxidation Products and Tocopherylquinone Adducts in Pumpkin Seed Oil during Roasting, Screw-Pressing, and Simulated Culinary Processing at Elevated Temperatures.

The influence of pumpkin seed roasting conditions (110-140 °C) and screw-pressing on the formation of previously undescribed Δ-phytosterol oxidation products and tocopherylquinone adducts with nucleophilic phosphatidylethanolamine species was investigated. The roasting process of pumpkin seed paste at a temperature above 120 °C for 30 min considerably enhanced the formation of Δ-oxysterols. Targeted analysis [electron impact mass spectrometry (MS), 1D-nuclear magnetic resonance] led to the identification of five novel markers of pumpkin paste roasting, among which (3β,5α,22,24)-stigmasta-7,22-dien-6-one-3-ol (6-oxo-α-spinasterol), stereoisomers of (3β,5α,22)-7,8-epoxystigmast-22-en-3-ol (7,8-epoxy-α-spinasterol), and (3β,5α)-22,23-epoxystigmast-7-en-3-ol (7,8-epoxy-α-spinasterol) were reported in edible oils for the first time.

On anammox activity at low temperature: effect of ladderane composition and process conditions.

The application of partial nitritation-anammox (PN/A) under mainstream conditions can enable substantial cost savings at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), but how process conditions and cell physiology affect anammox performance at psychrophilic temperatures below 15 °C remains poorly understood. We tested 14 anammox communities, including 8 from globally-installed PN/A processes, for (i) specific activity at 10-30 °C, (ii) composition of membrane lipids, and (iii) microbial community structure. We observed that membrane composition and cultivation temperature were closely related to the activity of anammox biomasses.

Effect of temperature on the compositions of ladderane lipids in globally surveyed anammox populations.

The adaptation of bacteria involved in anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) to low temperatures will enable more efficient removal of nitrogen from sewage across seasons. At lower temperatures, bacteria typically tune the synthesis of their membrane lipids to promote membrane fluidity. However, such adaptation of anammox bacteria lipids, including unique ladderane phospholipids and especially shorter ladderanes with absent phosphatidyl headgroup, is yet to be described in detail.

Adaptation of anammox bacteria to low temperature via gradual acclimation and cold shocks: Distinctions in protein expression, membrane composition and activities.

Anammox bacteria enable efficient removal of nitrogen from sewage in processes involving partial nitritation and anammox (PN/A) or nitrification, partial denitrification, and anammox (N-PdN/A). In mild climates, anammox bacteria must be adapted to ≤15 °C, typically by gradual temperature decrease; however, this takes months or years. To reduce the time necessary for the adaptation, an unconventional method of 'cold shocks' is promising, involving hours-long exposure of anammox biomass to extremely low temperatures.

Cranberries versus lingonberries: A challenging authentication of similar Vaccinium fruit.

Due to unique phytochemicals contained, Vaccinum berries are known to have a number of positive health effects. In this context, lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) are considered to be the most effective, thus finding many uses. Recently, fraud suspicion on lingonberries-based products has been reported, partial or even total replacement by less valued cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) was found.

Application of cyclodextrins in chiral capillary electrophoresis.

CE represents a very powerful separation tool in the area of chiral separations. CD-mediated chiral CE is a continuously flourishing technique within the frame of the electromigration methods. In this review, a brief overview of the synthetic procedures leading to modified CDs is provided first.

The study of enantioselectivity of all regioisomers of mono-carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin used as chiral selectors in CE.

This work documents the influence of the position of single carboxymethyl group on the β-cyclodextrin skeleton on the enantioselectivity. These synthesized monosubstituted carboxymethyl cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives, native β-cyclodextrin, and commercially available carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin with degree of substitution approximately 3 were used as additives into the BGE consisting of phosphate buffer at 20 mmol/L concentration, pH 2.5, and several biologically significant low-molecular-mass chiral compounds were enantioseparated by CE.