Search Results (4)

Alternanthera philoxeroides and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix offer significant nutritional benefits. This study evaluates the proximate composition, amino acid profile, GC-MS analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM and EDX, and color values of edible paper sheets (EPSs) derived from Alternanthera philoxeroides incorporating different levels of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix flesh. The protein content in the EPSs varied based on fish flesh incorporation, peaking at 52.66% in Ap100/Hm300 (Non-boil). Protein and carbohydrate contents showed an inverse correlation across EPSs, with the highest carbohydrate content of 60.89% in sample Ap400/Hm0 (Boil). Lipid content was also found to correlate with H. molitrix flesh content in EPSs, ranging from 1.59% to 18.41%. Amino acid analysis identified 11 types, with methionine as the most prevalent, followed by leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine. GC-MS analysis revealed 51 bioactive compounds, including carbonic acid, hentriacontane, and various fatty acids. FT-IR analysis showed characteristic bonds, while color analysis displayed L* values ranging from 24.37 to 30.97. SEM analyses depicted the microstructure, surface view, and elemental composition of the EPSs, and EDX showed an abundance of Ca, N, K, O, C, Mg, Na, P, Cl, Mn, and Fe. Therefore, EPSs prepared from A. philoxeroides and H. molitrix could offer a promising approach for effectively utilizing aquatic biomass and providing both plant and animal nutrients to consumers. Full article

The rapid and unprecedented expansion of the global population highlights concerns about the sufficiency of food resources to sustain this growth. This study investigates and substantiates the feasibility of renewable food resources in order to meet the nutritional requirements of consumers. Three edible aquatic weeds, helencha (Enhydra fluctuans), malancha (Alternanthera philoxeroides), and kalmi (Ipomoea aquatica), were used to produce edible paper sheets. The composition of the raw aquatic weeds and paper sheet samples was analyzed, including the proximate composition, amino acid content, minerals and heavy metal contents, and bioactive compounds. The dried raw aquatic weeds and paper sheets showed similar proximate compositions, with carbohydrates being the highest component (50.38–64.63%), followed by crude protein (15.25–19.13%), ash (9.30–15.88%), and lipid (1.55–3.43%). The raw weeds and paper sheets were rich in essential minerals like Na, Ca, and Zn with contents ranging from 27.7 mg/100 g to 30.4 mg/100 g, 126.8 mg/100 g to 489.65 mg/100 g, and 4.5 mg/100 g to 16.3 mg/100 g, respectively. Acceptable levels of heavy metals, including Ni, Pb, and Cu, were found. The paper sheets contained seven essential and eight non-essential amino acids. Among the essential amino acids, the phenylalanine content was the highest at 2735.9 mg/100 g in E. fluctuans paper sheets, followed by methionine at 2377.29 mg/100 g in the raw E. fluctuans and histidine at 1972.6 mg/100 g in E. fluctuans paper sheets. A. philoxeroides sheets showed the highest total amino acid content (16,146.81 mg/100 g), while I. aquatica showed the lowest (13,118.67 mg/100 g). The aquatic weed paper sheets were rich in bioactive compounds, and the numbers in E. fluctuans, A. philoxeroides, and I. aquatica paper sheets were 31, 33, and 40, respectively. There were no significant changes in the nutritional content of the aquatic weeds in paper sheet form compared with the raw weeds, which suggests promising prospects for their production and consumption as a source of nutrition and bioactive compounds. Full article

To improve the quality characteristics of noodles and enrich nutritional value, Tremella fuciformis (TF) powder was incorporated into noodles. Tremella fuciformis (TF) is an edible fungus with rich nutritional value, and TF gel has good viscosity properties. This paper explored the effect of TF on noodle quality, and compared the difference between TF and three hydrocolloids: sodium alginate (SA), guar gum (GG) and xanthan gum (XG). The results showed that TF could significantly (p < 0.05) increase the hardness, adhesiveness and chewiness of noodles, and showed a decreasing trend for additions greater than 3%. The addition of 3% TF enhanced storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″) and elasticity of dough. The addition of 3% TF also increased α-helix and β-sheet content, and degradation temperature in noodles. Meanwhile, it elevated the deeply bound water content and retarded water mobility. In addition, the content of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch in the noodles increased with the addition of 3% TF. It was found that the effect of 3% TF on the above data was not different from the effects of the three hydrocolloids (respectively, their optimal additions), and improved the quality characteristics of the noodles. The results provide guidance for the application of TF and the development of a new natural hydrocolloid and nutritionally fortified noodles. Full article

Finding effective and environmentally friendly lubrication to use in sheet metal forming operations presents a substantial environmental and economic challenge to the automotive industry. This paper examines the effectiveness of different lubricants in the reduction of the coefficient of friction (COF) in the process of sheet metal forming of the low carbon steel sheets. These lubricants are based on a combination of boric acid (H₃BO₃) and edible vegetable oils, both of which are natural and environmentally friendly. To evaluate the friction characteristics of the lubricants in a forming operation, a strip drawing friction test is used. This test consisted in drawing a specimen in the form of a sheet metal strip between two non-rotating counter-samples with radii of 200 and 10 mm. The effectiveness of environmentally friendly lubricants in reducing the COF was compared to the traditional petroleum-based lubricants which are used in sheet metal-forming operations. The effect of lubricant conditions and tool surface roughness on the value of COFs is studied. It was found that palm oil in both configurations of countersample radius, both as pure oil and with the addition of 5 wt.% of H₃BO₃, was the most effective in lowering the coefficient of friction. In most of the conditions analysed, the addition of boric acid into vegetable oils leads to an increase in the lubrication efficiency by up to 15% compared to pure oils. The effectiveness of lubrication by olive and rapeseed oils in decreasing the frictional resistances clearly depends on the nominal pressure applied. Full article