Search Results (589)

An oat protein isolate is an ideal raw material for producing a wide range of plant-based products. However, oat protein exhibits weak functional properties, particularly in emulsification. Casein-based ingredients are commonly employed to enhance emulsifying properties as a general practice in the food industry. pH-shifting processing is a straightforward method to partially unfold protein structures. This study modified a mixture of an oat protein isolate (OPI) and casein by combining a pH adjustment (adjusting the pH of two solutions to 12, mixing them at a 3:7 ratio, and maintaining the pH at 12 for 2 h) with an atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment to improve the emulsifying properties. The results demonstrated that the ACP treatment significantly enhanced the solubility of the OPI/casein mixtures, with a maximum solubility of 82.63 ± 0.33%, while the ζ-potential values were approximately −40 mV, indicating that all the samples were fairly stable. The plasma-induced increase in surface hydrophobicity supported greater protein adsorption and redistribution at the oil/water interface. After 3 min of treatment, the interfacial pressure peaked at 8.32 mN/m. Emulsions stabilized with the modified OPI/casein mixtures also exhibited a significant droplet size reduction upon extending the ACP treatment to 3 min, decreasing from 5.364 ± 0.034 μm to 3.075 ± 0.016 μm. The resulting enhanced uniformity in droplet size distribution signified the formation of a robust interfacial film. Moreover, the ACP treatment effectively enhanced the emulsifying activity of the OPI/casein mixtures, reaching (179.65 ± 1.96 m²/g). These findings highlight the potential application value of OPI/casein mixtures in liquid dairy products. In addition, dairy products based on oat protein are more conducive to sustainable development than traditional dairy products. Full article

In the search for alternative protein sources, single cell proteins have gained increasing attention in recent years. Among them, proteins derived from yeast represent a promising but still underexplored option. To enable their application in food product design, their techno-functional properties must be understood. In order to investigate the impact of precipitation pH on their emulsion-stabilizing properties, yeast proteins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated via precipitation at different pH (pH 3.5 to 5) after cell disruption in the high-pressure homogenizer. Emulsions containing 5 wt% oil and ~1 wt% protein were analyzed for stability based on their droplet size distribution. Proteins precipitated at pH 3.5 stabilized the smallest oil droplets and prevented partitioning of the emulsion, outperforming proteins precipitated at higher pH values. It is hypothesized that precipitation under acidic conditions induces protein denaturation and thereby exposes hydrophobic regions that enhance adsorption at the oil–water interface and the stabilization of the dispersed oil phase. To investigate the stabilization mechanism, the molecular weight of the proteins was determined using SDS-PAGE, their solubility using Bradford assay, and their aggregation behavior using static laser scattering. Proteins precipitated at pH 3.5 possessed larger molecular weights, lower solubility, and a strong tendency to aggregate. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of yeast-derived proteins as bio-surfactants and suggest that pH-controlled precipitation can tailor their functionality in food formulations. Full article

Accurate characterization of oleosome particle size distribution is needed for understanding their functionality in various applications. Traditionally, high-cost methods such as static laser diffraction and confocal or electron microscopy have been used. The current study presents a cost-effective alternative by combining optical microscopy (OM) with image analysis and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to evaluate particle size distribution in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) oleosomes. Monodisperse and polydisperse standards (2 µm and 1–10 µm, respectively) were selected to validate instrument performance. The use of a smaller cuvette with a shorter path length in DLS extended its detection capabilities by minimizing multiple scattering and thermal effects. DLS and OM produced relatively consistent results, accurate particles’ diameters and distribution widths that agreed well with the standards. In contrast, static light scattering (SLS) showed strong sensitivity to the weighting method used (by number vs. by volume). In the case of polydisperse standard, volume-weighted SLS overestimated the particle size and yielded a broader distribution with a span of 2.2 compared to a span value of 0.8 as reported by the supplier. These findings highlight the importance of method selection and demonstrate the potential of combining DLS and OM as a practical and reliable approach for oleosome characterization. Full article

The in situ emulsification synergistic self-profile control system has wide application prospects for efficient development on offshore oil reservoirs. During water flooding in Bohai heavy oil reservoirs, random emulsification occurs with superimposed Jamin effects. Effectively utilizing this phenomenon can enhance the efficient development of offshore oilfields. This study addresses the challenges hindering water flooding development in offshore oilfields by investigating the emulsification mechanism and key influencing factors based on oil–water emulsion characteristics, thereby proposing a novel in situ emulsification flooding method. Based on a fundamental analysis of oil–water properties, key factors affecting emulsion stability were examined. Core flooding experiments clarified the impact of spontaneous oil–water emulsification on water flooding recovery. Two-dimensional T1–T2 NMR spectroscopy was employed to detect pure fluid components, innovating the method for distinguishing oil–water distribution during flooding and revealing the characteristics of in situ emulsification interactions. The results indicate that emulsions formed between crude oil and formation water under varying rheometer rotational speeds (500–2500 r/min), water cuts (30–80%), and emulsification temperatures (40–85 °C) are all water-in-oil (W/O) type. Emulsion viscosity exhibits a positive correlation with shear rate, with droplet sizes primarily ranging between 2 and 7 μm and a viscosity amplification factor up to 25.8. Emulsion stability deteriorates with increasing water cut and temperature. Prolonged shearing initially increases viscosity until stabilization. In low-permeability cores, spontaneous oil–water emulsification occurs, yielding a recovery factor of only 30%. For medium- and high-permeability cores (water cuts of 80% and 50%, respectively), recovery factors increased by 9.7% and 12%. The in situ generation of micron-scale emulsions in porous media achieved a recovery factor of approximately 50%, demonstrating significantly enhanced oil recovery (EOR) potential. During emulsification flooding, the system emulsifies oil at pore walls, intensifying water–wall interactions and stripping wall-adhered oil, leading to increased T2 signal intensity and reduced relaxation time. Oil–wall interactions and collision frequencies are lower than those of water, which appears in high-relaxation regions (T1/T2 > 5). The two-dimensional NMR spectrum clearly distinguishes oil and water distributions. Full article

Background/Objectives. Chronic inflammatory skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, require safe and effective topical treatments. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel anti-inflammatory emulsion enriched with menthol, capsaicin, amino acids (glycine, arginine, histidine), and boswellic acid. Methods. Three formulations were prepared: a control (E1), a partial (E2), and a comprehensive formulation (E3). Physicochemical analyses included texture profiling, rheological behavior, pH stability, moisture content, and particle size distribution. Results. E3 demonstrated superior colloidal stability, optimal pH (5.75–6.25), and homogenous droplet size (<1 µm), indicating favorable dermal delivery potential. Ex vivo permeation studies revealed effective skin penetration of menthol and amino acids, with boswellic acid remaining primarily in the epidermis, suggesting localized action. Under oxidative stress conditions, E3 significantly improved fibroblast viability, indicating synergistic cytoprotective effects of combined active ingredients. While individual compounds showed limited or dose-dependent efficacy, their combination restored cell viability to near-control levels. Conclusions. These findings support the potential of this multi-component emulsion as a promising candidate for the topical management of inflammatory skin conditions. Full article

The design of emulsions at the nanoscale is a significant application of nanotechnology. For spherical droplets and a given volume of dispersed phase, the nanometre size of droplets inversely increases the total area, $A={\displaystyle \frac{3V}{r}}$, allowing greater contact with organic and inorganic materials during application. In topical applications, not only is cell contact increased, but also permeability in the cell membrane. Nanoemulsions typically achieve kinetic stability rather than thermodynamic stability, so their commercial application requires reasonable resistance to flocculation and coalescence, which can be affected by temperature changes. Therefore, their thermoresponsive characterisation becomes relevant. In this work, we analyse this response in an O/W nanoemulsion of Palmarosa for antibacterial purposes that has already shown stability for one year at controlled room temperature. We now study hysteresis processes and the behaviour of the statistical distribution in droplet size by Dynamic Light Scattering, obtaining remarkable stability under temperature changes up to 50 °C. This includes a maintained chemical composition observed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and the preservation of antibacterial properties analysed through optical density tests on cultures and the Spread-Plate technique for bacteria colony counting. We obtain practically closed hysteresis curves for some tracers of droplet size distributions through controlled thermal cycles between 10 °C and 50 °C, exhibiting a non-linear behaviour in their distribution. In general, the results show notable physical, chemical, and antibacterial stability, suitable for commercial applications. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the microphysical structures of Meiyu heavy rainfall (near-surface rainfall intensity > 8 mm/h) across different life stages in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley (YHRV). We classified the heavy rainfall events into three life stages of developing, mature, and dissipating using ERA5 reanalysis and IMERG precipitation estimates, and examined vertical microphysical structures using Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) data from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite during the Meiyu period from 2014 to 2023. The results showed that convective heavy rainfall during the mature stage exhibits peak radar reflectivity and surface rainfall rates, with the largest near-surface mass weighted diameter (D_m ≈ 1.8 mm) and the smallest droplet concentration (dBN_w ≈ 38). Downdrafts in the dissipating stage preferentially remove large ice particles, whereas sustained moisture influx stabilizes droplet concentrations. Stratiform heavy rainfall, characterized by weak updrafts, displays narrower particle size distributions. During dissipation, particle breakups dominate, reducing D_m while increasing dBN_w. The analysis of the relationship between microphysical parameters and rainfall rate revealed that convective heavy rainfall shows synchronized growth of D_m and dBN_w during the developing stage, with D_m peaking at about 2.1 mm near 70 mm/h before stabilizing in the mature stage, followed by small-particle dominance in the dissipating stage. In contrast, stratiform rainfall exhibits a “small size, high concentration” regime, where the rainfall rate correlates primarily with increasing dBN_w. Additionally, convective heavy rainfall demonstrates about 22% higher precipitation efficiency than stratiform systems, while stratiform rainfall shows a 25% efficiency surge during the dissipation stage compared to other stages. Full article

This study explores the optimisation of nozzle design for external twin fluid, single-stage atomisation in handling high-viscosity, shear-thinning polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). A single PDMS grade was employed and atomised using unheated sonic air and the viscosity was varied by the fluid temperature. A systematic experimental approach was used, varying nozzle geometry—specifically apex angle, gas nozzle diameter, and number of gas nozzles—to identify the optimal nozzle configuration (ONC). The spray qualities of the nozzle configurations were evaluated via high-speed imaging at 75,000 FPS. Shadowgraphy was employed for the optical characterisation of the spray, determining the optimal volumetric air-to-liquid ratio (ALR), a key parameter influencing energy efficiency and operational cost, and for assessing droplet size distributions under varying ALR and viscosity of PDMS. The ONC yielded a Sauter mean diameter $d_{32}$ of 570 × 10⁻⁶$\mathrm{m}$, at an ALR of 8532 and a zero-shear viscosity of 15.9 $\mathrm{Pa}$ $\mathrm{s}$. The results are relevant for researchers and engineers developing twin fluid atomisation systems for challenging industrial fluids with similar physical properties, such as those in wastewater treatment and coal–water slurry atomisation (CWS). This study provides design guidelines for external twin fluid atomisers to enhance atomisation efficiency under such conditions. Full article

This study examines a Mei-Yu rainfall event using rain gauges (RG) and OTT Parsivel disdrometers to observe precipitation characteristics and raindrop size distributions (RSD), with comparisons made against Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulations. Results show that Parsivel-derived rain rates (RR) are slightly underestimated relative to RG measurements. Both observations and simulations identify 1–3 mm raindrops as the dominant precipitation contributors, though the model overestimates small and large drop contributions. At low RR, decreased small-drop and increased large-drop concentrations cause corresponding leftward and rightward RSD shifts with decreasing altitude—a pattern well captured by simulations. However, at elevated rainfall rates, the simulated concentration of large raindrops shows no significant increase, resulting in negligible rightward shifting of RSD in the model outputs. Autoconversion from cloud droplets to raindrops (ATcr), collision and breakup between raindrops (AGrr), ice melting (MLir), and evaporation of raindrops (VDrv) contribute more to the number density of raindrops. At 0.1 < RR < 1 mm·h⁻¹, ATcr dominates, while VDrv peaks in this intensity range before decreasing. At higher intensities (RR > 20 mm·h⁻¹), AGrr contributes most, followed by MLir. When the RR is high enough, the breakup of raindrops plays a more important role than collision, leading to a decrease in the number density of raindrops. The overestimation of raindrop breakup from the numerical parameterization may be one of the reasons why the RSD does not shift significantly to the right toward the surface under the heavy RR grade. The RSD near the surface varies with the RR and characterizes surface precipitation well. Toward the surface, ATcr and VDrv, but not AGrr, become similar when precipitation approaches. Full article

In recent years, the traditional orchard sprayer has had problems, such as waste of liquid agrochemicals, low target coverage, high manual dependence, and environmental pollution. In this study, an automatic swing-arm sprayer for orchards was developed based on the standardized pear orchard in Pinggu, Beijing. Firstly, the structural principles of a crawler-type traveling system and swing-arm sprayer were simulated using finite element software design. The combination of a diffuse reflection photoelectric sensor and Arduino single-chip microcomputer was used to realize real-time detection and dynamic spray control in the pear canopy, and the sensor delay compensation algorithm was used to optimize target recognition accuracy and improve the utilization rate of liquid agrochemicals. Through the integration of innovative structural design and intelligent control technology, a vertical droplet distribution test was carried out, and the optimal working distance of the spray was determined to be 1 m; the nozzle angle for the upper layer was 45°, that for the lower layer was 15°, and the optimal speed of the swing-arm motor was 75 r/min. Finally, a particle size test and field test of the orchard sprayer were completed, and it was concluded that the swing-arm mode increased the pear tree canopy droplet coverage by 74%, the overall droplet density by 21.4%, and the deposition amount by 23% compared with the non-swing-arm mode, which verified the practicability and reliability of the swing-arm spray and achieved the goal of on-demand pesticide application in pear orchards. Full article

The spray evaporation process in the boiler desuperheater involves complex droplet behaviors and fluid–thermal coupling, and its temperature distribution characteristics greatly affect the performance and safety of industrial processes. To better understand the process characteristics and develop the optimal desuperheater design, computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) was applied to numerically investigate the flow and thermal characteristics. The Eulerian–Lagrangian approach was used to describe the two-phase flow characteristics. Both primary and secondary droplet breakup, the coupling effect of gas–liquid and stochastic collision and coalescence of droplets were considered in the model. The plain-orifice atomizer model was applied to simulate the atomization process. The numerical model was validated with the plant data. The spray tube structure was found to greatly affect the flow pattern, resulting in the uneven velocity distribution, significant temperature difference, and local reverse flow downstream of the orifices. The velocity and temperature distributions tend to be more uniform due to the complete evaporation and turbulent mixing. Smaller orifices are beneficial for generating smaller-sized droplets, thereby promoting the mass and heat transfer between the steam and droplets. Under the same operating conditions, the desuperheating range of cases with 21, 15, and 9 orifices is 33.7 K, 32.0 K, and 29.8 K, respectively, indicating that the desuperheater with more orifices (i.e., with smaller orifices) shows better desuperheating ability. Additionally, a venturi-type desuperheater was numerically studied and compared with the straight liner case. By contrast, discernible differences in velocity and temperature distribution characteristics can be observed in the venturi case. The desuperheating range of the venturi and straight liner cases is 38.1 K and 35.4 K, respectively. The velocity acceleration through the venturi throat facilitates the droplet breakup and improves mixing, thereby achieving better desuperheating ability and temperature uniformity. Based on the investigation of the spray evaporation process, the complex droplet behaviors and fluid–thermal coupling characteristics in an industrial boiler desuperheater under high temperature and high pressure can be better understood, and effective guidance for the process and design optimizations can be provided. Full article

To address the technical problems of broad droplet size spectrum, insufficient atomization uniformity, and spray drift in plant protection unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications, this study developed a novel two-stage aerial electrostatic spraying device based on the coupled mechanisms of hydraulic atomization and electrostatic induction, and, through the integration of three-dimensional numerical simulation and additive manufacturing technology, a new two-stage inductive charging device was designed on the basis of the traditional hydrodynamic nozzle structure, and a synergistic optimization study of the charging effect and atomization characteristics was carried out systematically. With the help of a charge ratio detection system and Malvern laser particle sizer, spray pressure (0.25–0.35 MPa), charging voltage (0–16 kV), and spray height (100–1000 mm) were selected as the key parameters, and the interaction mechanism of each parameter on the droplet charge ratio (C/m) and the particle size distribution (Dv50) was analyzed through the Box–Behnken response surface experimental design. The experimental data showed that when the charge voltage was increased to 12 kV, the droplet charge-to-mass ratio reached a peak value of 1.62 mC/kg (p < 0.01), which was 83.6% higher than that of the base condition; the concentration of the particle size distribution of the charged droplets was significantly improved; charged droplets exhibited a 23.6% reduction in Dv50 (p < 0.05) within the 0–200 mm core atomization zone below the nozzle, with the coefficient of variation of volume median diameter decreasing from 28.4% to 16.7%. This study confirms that the two-stage induction structure can effectively break through the charge saturation threshold of traditional electrostatic spraying, which provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the optimal design of electrostatic spraying systems for plant protection UAVs. This technology holds broad application prospects in agricultural settings such as orchards and farmlands. It can significantly enhance the targeted deposition efficiency of pesticides, reducing drift losses and chemical usage, thereby enabling agricultural enterprises to achieve practical economic benefits, including reduced operational costs, improved pest control efficacy, and minimized environmental pollution, while generating environmental benefits. Full article

In this study, we present a basic idea for a robust optical measurement method for the practical monitoring of slurry sprays with high mass concentrations, as typically used in combustion processes. The proposed approach is based on analyzing the transparency properties of individual dynamic droplets within the slurry spray. These so-called dynamic slurry droplets consist of a base fluid and suspended solid particles. Our method enables the determination of the mass concentration of solid particles and provides an estimate of their average size. The resolution of this technique allows for the detection of errors in the slurry-mixing process and even in the milling process of the solid particles prior to mixing. To atomize slurries with high mass concentration, an experimental setup with a gas-assisted coaxial nozzle was employed. Slurries with three different mass concentrations and three particle size distributions were tested, resulting in five combinations. The theoretical expectations and experimental results show a strong correlation, highlighting the potential of the proposed method for slurry-spray monitoring. Full article

Background: Self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) is widely used to improve the oral bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. Emulsion droplet size was revealed to be a critical parameter that influences the thermodynamic stability, drug solubility, and drug absorption of the SEDDS. A high proportion of surfactant and/or co-surfactant was usually employed to reduce the particle size, which may lead the low drug loading and undesirable gastrointestinal toxicity. Methods: This manuscript proposed a novel strategy to reduce the particle size of emulsions using the hybrid of medium and long-chain triglyceride (MCT and LCT) SEDDS without promoting the concentration of surfactants and co-surfactants. The composition of SEDDS was selected based on the drug solubility. Particle size distribution and zeta potential of emulsion particles were determined using the dynamic light scattering technique. The bioavailability of formulations was evaluated in a mouse model. Results: The particle size of the emulsion was reduced from 113.50 ± 0.34 nm (MCT SEDDS) and 371.60 ± 6.90 nm (LCT SEDDS) to 21.23 ± 0.30 nm (MCT&LCT SEDDS). Progesterone, a poorly water-soluble drug, was selected as the model drug in the investigation of SEDDS. The hybrid of MCT&LCT progesterone SEDDS exhibited reduced particle size, enlarged self-emulsifying ranges, and increased drug content in the aqueous phase after lipolysis compared with the conventional mono-MCT or LCT SEDDS. In addition, the bioavailability of progesterone in the MCT&LCT SEDDS formulation was 3.82-fold higher than that of Utrogestan^® (a clinical oral administrated product) in a mouse model. Full article

As an innovative plant protection method in precision agriculture, electrostatic spray technology can increase the droplet coverage area by over 30% coMpared to conventional spraying. This technology not only achieves higher droplet deposition density and coverage but also enables water and pesticide savings while reducing environmental pollution. This study, combining theoretical analysis with experimental validation, reveals the critical role of electrode material selection in induction-based electrostatic spray systems. Theoretical analysis indicates that the Fermi level and work function of electrode materials fundamentally determine charge transfer efficiency, while corrosion resistance emerges as a key parameter affecting system durability. To elucidate the effects of different electrode materials on droplet charging, a coMparative study was conducted on nickel, copper, and brass electrodes in both pristine and moderately corroded states based on the corrosion classification standard, using a targeted mesh-based charge-to-mass measurement device. The results demonstrated that the nickel electrode achieved a peak charge-to-mass ratio of 1.92 mC/kg at 10 kV, which was 8.5% and 11.6% higher than copper (1.77 mC/kg) and brass (1.72 mC/kg), respectively. After corrosion, nickel exhibited the smallest reduction in the charge-to-mass ratio (19.2%), significantly outperforming copper (40.2%) and brass (21.6%). Droplet size analysis using a Malvern Panalytical Spraytec spray particle analyzer (measurement range: 0.1–2000 µm) further confirmed the atomization advantages of nickel electrodes. The volume median diameter (Dv50) of droplets produced by nickel was 4.2–8 μm and 6.8–12.3 um smaller than those from copper and brass electrodes, respectively. After corrosion, nickel showed a smaller increase in droplet size spectrum inhomogeneity (24.5%), which was lower than copper (30.4%) and brass (25.8%), indicating superior droplet uniformity. By establishing a multi-factor predictive model for spray droplet size after electrode corrosion, this study quantifies the correlation between electrode characteristics and spray performance metrics. It provides a theoretical basis for designing weather-resistant electrostatic spray systems suitable for agricultural pesticide application scenarios involving prolonged exposure to corrosive chemicals. This work offers significant technical support for sustainable crop protection strategies. Full article