Search Results (201)

In order to develop a new environmentally friendly microbial herbicide for the field of weed control, this study used the metabolite butyl hydroxybenzoate (BP) of the HY-02 strain of Alternaria as the research object. The BP emulsion formula was determined to be a mixture of BP, methanol, and Tween-20 in a ratio of 1:1:2 g/mL. The seed germination inhibition effect, the phytotoxicity of living plants, crop safety, and the field effect of the emulsion were studied. Research has found that adding 0.75% BP emulsion to the seed culture medium inhibits the germination of weed seeds such as Amaranthus retroflexus L., Malva verticillata L. var., and Chenopodium album L. While Brassica campestris L. seeds were unaffected, Triticum aestivum L and Hordeum vulgare L. stem and leaf growth were inhibited. Cucumis sativus L., Lactuca sativa L. var. asparagina, Spinacia oleracea L., and Capsicum annuum L. seeds are significantly inhibited, with germination rates below 20%. We sprayed 0.75% BP emulsion onto live potted plants; among the weeds, the incidence of Amaranthus retroflexus L., Lepyrodiclis holosteoides, Thlaspi arvense L, Galium spurium L., Malva verticillata L. var. Crispa, Chenopodium album L., and Avena fatua L reached 100%. The Pisum sativum L. and Triticum aestivum L. crops were not affected (NS), and they had slight plant height inhibition and slight susceptibility (LS) to highland Hordeum vulgare L. and peppers. They were highly phytotoxicity to Cucumis sativus L. and Spinacia oleracea L. Some plant leaves became infected and died, with incidences of 85% and 82%, respectively. The field experiment showed that after diluting the BP emulsifiable concentrate, the seedling stage spray was inoculated into the Triticum aestivum L. field, and it was found that the BP emulsifiable concentrate at the concentration of 1.00%~0.75% had a herbicidal effect on weeds such as Chenopodium album L., Elsholtzia densa Benth, and Amaranthus retroflexus L. in the Triticum aestivum L. field, and it was safe for Triticum aestivum L. crops in the field. These results indicate that BP emulsion could be developed into a new environmentally friendly microbial herbicide for field application in grass (Triticum aestivum L. and Hordeum vulgare L.) crops. At the same time, BP’s excellent antibacterial, low-toxicity, hydrolysis, and other effects can promote diversification in herbicide development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Increasing the bioavailability of poorly absorbed drugs is a continuous challenge in modern pharmaceutical technology. This is due to the problematic nature of BCS class IV active pharmaceutical ingredients: these drugs possess poor solubility and membrane permeability. Moreover, many undergo immediate efflux and/or rapid systemic metabolism after absorption. This project aimed to improve the bioavailability of BCS class IV drugs by formulating gastroretentive self-emulsifying systems using curcumin as a model drug. Methods: The base of the systems was created by melting emulsifying agents, dissolution retardants, and PEGs together. Curcumin was added after the mixture was cooled slightly. Aqueous dispersions of several compositions were characterized by dynamic light scattering. After screening these results, the viscosities of the selected formulations were evaluated. Dissolution retardants were selected and added to the most superior samples, and their dissolution profiles were compared. Gastroretention of the final formulation was achieved by dispersing air in the molten system through melt foaming; internal structure was assessed by microCT, and physicochemical properties by PXRD and DSC. Cytotoxicity was measured in Caco-2 cells using MTT and Neutral Red assays, and transcellular transport was also studied. Results: Based on these results, a homogeneous gastric floating system was developed. We observed an advantageous cytotoxic profile and increased bioavailability. Conclusions: Overall, we were able to create a self-emulsifying gastroretentive formulation displaying extended release and gastric retention with a low amount of cost-efficient excipients. Full article

Considering the high stability of water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, contamination from emulsified pollutants poses a long-term risk to the environment. In this study, hybrid membranes composed of wheat gluten amyloid fibrils (WGAFs) and zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) were prepared and used as a separator to remove emulsified W/O droplets from the oily phase. ZNPs and WGAFs were synthesized through antisolvent method and fibrillation process. Next, a ZNP-functionalized wheat gluten AF/methyl cellulose (ZNP-WGAF/MC) hybrid membrane was fabricated, and its properties were investigated via various analytical techniques. Lastly, the separation efficiency of the ZNP-WGAF/MC hybrid membrane for various W/O emulsions was assessed using microscopy and light scattering. The formation of ZNPs or WGAFs was first verified via spectroscopic and microscopic methods. Our results indicated that the ZNP-WGAF/MC hybrid membranes were synthesized via chemical crosslinking coupled with the casting method. Furthermore, the incorporation of either WGAFs or ZNPs was found to improve the thermal stability and surface hydrophobicity of membranes. Finally, the separation efficiency of the ZNP-WGAF/MC hybrid membranes for various W/O emulsions was determined to be ~87–99%. This research demonstrates the potential of harnessing three-dimensional membranes composed of plant protein-based fibrils and nanoparticles to separate emulsified W/O mixtures. Full article

The increasing global interest in fish consumption leads to a greater generation of fish waste. Fish waste, rich in nutrients such as protein, bioactive compounds, and vitamins, is attracting growing attention for its potential applications in food. In this study, gelatin hydrolysate obtained from fish skin waste was utilized as a stabilizer and/or emulsifier in ice cream production. It was found that gelatin hydrolysate significantly increased the protein content of the ice cream samples. The K and n values in different ice cream compositions varied between 0.009 and 1.012 Pa.sⁿ and 0.356 and 0.863, respectively. The consistency coefficients of samples D1 (sahlep and mono-diglyceride) and D3 (sahlep and gelatin hydrolysate) were almost the same, indicating that the mono-diglyceride was replaced by an equivalent amount of gelatin hydrolysate. All the ice cream mixtures tested showed non-Newtonian, pseudoplastic flow, as indicated by their n values being less than 1. All mixtures demonstrated greater elasticity than viscosity, as their storage modulus (G′) was higher than their loss modulus (G″). In the third interval of 3-ITT, all ice cream mixtures displayed thixotropic behavior, indicating that their viscoelastic properties could be restored after a sudden deformation. The overrun levels of the samples ranged from 9.55% to 21.74%; the use of gelatin hydrolysate resulted in a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05). The highest hardness and stickiness values in the samples were determined in the specific sample containing equal amounts of emulsifier, stabilizer, and gelatin hydrolysate. Furthermore, gelatin hydrolysate prolonged the first dripping time and melting rate of the samples. Full article

This study focused on developing emulsion-coated active papers with antifungal properties to extend the shelf life of tomatoes during home storage, thereby reducing food waste in households. First, a mixture of essential oils (EO_mix)—composed of 33.3% oregano and 66.7% cinnamon leaf oils—was optimised through a mixture design and emulsified with cationic starches. Based on their stability and efficacy, two different emulsions containing 10% Tween 80, 6–8% EO_mix, and HI-CAT or EVO cationic starches (82 or 84%, respectively) were selected and applied on paper. Then, the antifungal performance of the coated papers was tested in culture media against Botrytis cinerea, demonstrating strong antifungal activity in the vapour phase, effective for up to 31 days at 4 °C. In tests conducted with fresh tomatoes, the active papers improved fruit appearance and significantly reduced mould growth while maintaining overall sensory quality, indicating that these materials could extend tomato shelf life and thus offer a promising, low-cost, and biodegradable solution to reduce fruit waste at the consumer level, combining effective antifungal protection with good sensory performance in real-use conditions. Full article

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

Limited recovery of the viscoelastic properties of aged asphalt on RAP surfaces at ambient temperature reduces interface fusion and bonding with new emulsified asphalt, degrading pavement performance and limiting large-scale promotion and high-value applications of the emulsified asphalt cold recycled mixture (EACRM). Therefore, a cold regenerant was independently prepared to rapidly penetrate, soften, and activate aged asphalt at ambient temperature in this paper, and its effects on the volumetric composition, mechanical strength, and pavement performance of EACRM were systematically investigated. The results showed that as the cold regenerant content increased, the air voids, indirect tensile strength (ITS), and high-temperature deformation resistance of EACRM decreased, while the dry–wet ITS ratio, cracking resistance, and fatigue resistance increased. Considering the comprehensive pavement performance requirements of cold recycled pavements, the optimal content of the activated cold regenerant for EACRM was determined to be approximately 0.6%. Full article

With the deepening of the green and low-carbon concept in the field of road engineering, the cold construction asphalt pavement technology has developed rapidly due to its advantages such as low energy consumption, low pollution, and convenient construction. The adhesion between emulsified asphalt and aggregates, as a core factor affecting the performance of cold-mixed mixtures and the lifespan of the pavement, has attracted much attention in terms of its mechanism of action and evaluation methods. However, at present, there are still many issues that need to be addressed in terms of the stability control of adhesion between emulsified asphalt and aggregates, the explanation of the microscopic mechanism, and the standardization of testing methods in complex environments. These problems restrict the further promotion and application of the cold construction technology. Based on this, this paper systematically analyzes the current development status, application scenarios, and future trends of the theory and testing methods of the adhesion between emulsified asphalt and aggregates by reviewing a large number of relevant studies. The research aims to provide theoretical support and practical references for the improvement of adhesion in the cold construction asphalt pavement technology. Research shows that in terms of the adhesion mechanism, the existing results have deeply analyzed the infiltration and demulsification adhesion process of emulsified asphalt on the surface of aggregates and clarified the key links of physical and chemical interactions, but the understanding of the microscopic interface behavior and molecular-scale mechanism is still insufficient. In terms of testing methods, although objective and subjective evaluation methods such as mechanical tensile tests, surface energy evaluation, and adhesion fatigue tests have been developed, the standardization of testing, data comparability, and practical engineering applicability still need to be optimized. Comprehensive analysis shows that the research on the adhesion between emulsified asphalt and aggregates is showing a trend from macroscopic to microscopic, from static to dynamic. There are challenges in predicting and controlling the adhesion performance under complex environments, as well as important opportunities for developing advanced characterization techniques and multiscale simulation methods. Full article

This study systematically compares the predictive performance of single machine learning (ML) models (KNN, Bayesian ridge regression, decision tree) and ensemble learning methods (bagging, boosting, stacking) for quantifying the rheological properties of mineral powder-modified asphalt, specifically the complex shear modulus (G*) and the phase angle (δ). We used two emulsifiers and three mineral powders for fabricating modified emulsified asphalt and conducting rheological property tests, respectively. Dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test data were preprocessed using the local outlier factor (LOF) algorithm, followed by K-fold cross-validation (K = 5) and Bayesian optimization to tune model hyperparameters. This framework uniquely employs cross-validated predictions from base models as input features for the meta-learner, reducing information leakage and enhancing generalization. Traditional single ML models struggle to characterize accurately as a result, and an innovative stacking model was developed, integrating predictions from four heterogeneous base learners—KNN, decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), and XGBoost—with a Bayesian ridge regression meta-learner. Results demonstrate that ensemble models outperform single models significantly, with the stacking model achieving the highest accuracy (R² = 0.9727 for G* and R² = 0.9990 for δ). Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) analysis reveals temperature and mineral powder type as key factors, addressing the “black box” limitation of ML in materials science. This study validates the stacking model as a robust framework for optimizing asphalt mixture design, offering insights into material selection and pavement performance improvement. Full article

To investigate the performance degradation of emulsified asphalt cold recycled mixtures (CRM) during service, this study selected a 10 km section of the cold recycled layer (CRL) from the Changjiu Expressway reconstruction project as the research subject. The deterioration patterns of key pavement performance indicators—including the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), Riding Quality Index (RQI), Rutting Depth Index (RDI), and Pavement Structure Strength Index (PSSI)—were analyzed in relation to cumulative equivalent axle loads over a 7-year service period. Concurrently, comparative evaluations were conducted on the mechanical properties, water stability, high-temperature performance, low-temperature crack resistance, and fatigue characteristics between in-service and laboratory-prepared emulsified asphalt CRM. The results demonstrate that after seven years of service, the emulsified asphalt cold recycled pavement maintained excellent performance levels, with PCI, RQI, RDI, and PSSI values of 92.6 (excellent), 90.1 (excellent), 88.5 (good), and 93.4 (excellent), respectively. Notably, while the indirect tensile strength and unconfined compressive strength of the CRL increased with prolonged service duration, other performance metrics—including the tensile strength ratio, shear strength, fracture work, and fracture energy—exhibited an initial improvement followed by gradual deterioration. Additionally, increased traffic loading during service led to a reduction in the residual fatigue life of the CRM. Interestingly, the study observed a temporary improvement in the fatigue performance of CRM during the service period. This phenomenon can be attributed to three key mechanisms: (1) continued cement hydration, (2) secondary hot compaction effects, and (3) diffusion and rejuvenation between fresh and aged asphalt binders. These processes collectively contributed to the partial recovery of aged asphalt strength, thereby improving both the mechanical properties and overall road performance of the CRM. The findings confirm that cold recycled pavements exhibit remarkable durability and maintain a high service level over extended periods. Full article

Microencapsulated phase-change materials (MPCMs) with excellent thermal properties for low-temperature cold storage were developed in this study. Using 1-decanol as the core and methyl methacrylate as the shell precursor, the effects of emulsifier type and ultrasonic emulsification conditions were investigated. Styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer served effectively as a protective colloid emulsifier, producing MPCMs with high enthalpy and a well-defined, uniform microstructure. Under optimal conditions of 5 wt% emulsifier content relative to the oil phase, an ultrasonic power of 375 W, and an emulsification time of 12 min, the MPCMs exhibited a phase-change enthalpy of 126.7 kJ/kg. To further improve the thermal properties, a binary eutectic mixture was prepared by combining 1-decanol and 1-tetradecane at an optimal molar ratio (51.1:48.9). This binary-core MPCM showed a higher storage enthalpy (144.3 kJ/kg), with an increase of 13.9% compared to the single-core material (1-decanol). It also exhibited improved microstructural uniformity due to the stabilizing role of 1-tetradecane. These optimized MPCMs demonstrate phase-transition temperatures particularly suitable for low-temperature thermal storage, providing a practical and innovative technical solution for cold-chain logistics and vaccine refrigeration applications. Full article

Conventional micro-surfacing materials often delaminate, crack, or peel. These defects shorten pavement life. High-performance polymer-modified mixtures are essential for rapid pavement maintenance. We added waterborne epoxy resin (WER) at different dosages to styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) to create a composite-modified micro-surfacing mixture. A series of laboratory comparative tests were conducted to investigate the effect of WER content on the overall performance of the WER-SBR micro-surfacing mixture. In addition, the microstructure of the mixtures was observed to analyze the mechanism by which the composite-modified emulsified asphalt enhances material performance, and the optimal WER dosage was determined. The results showed that higher WER content improved abrasion and rutting resistance but gains plateaued above 6% WER. Below 9% WER, mixtures showed good water stability; at 3–6% WER, they also maintained skid and low-temperature crack resistance. Notably, when the WER content was approximately 6%, the WER-SBR micro-surfacing mixture showed significantly reduced abrasion damage after exposure to freeze–thaw cycles, moisture, and salt spray conditions. SEM images confirmed that 6% WER creates a uniform asphalt film over aggregates, boosting mixture performance. Therefore, we recommend 6% WER. This study has developed a WER-SBR composite-modified emulsified asphalt micro-surfacing product with excellent overall performance. It holds significant practical value for extending pavement service life and improving road service quality. Full article

Semi-flexible pavement (SFP) mixture consists of porous matrix asphalt mixture and cement-based grouting material. This composite material gains advantages from both the rigid cementitious material and flexible asphalt mixture. It exhibits excellent anti-rutting capability while no joints are needed. However, SFP is prone to cracks in the field. This study employs water-based epoxy resin and emulsified asphalt as polymer additives to modify the grouting material. A response surface methodology (RSM) model was employed for multi-factor and multi-response optimization design. The ratio of water-based epoxy resin to emulsified asphalt (w/e ratio), polymer content, defoamer content, and mixing speed were considered in the model. Fluidity, compressive strength, and fracture energy were selected as response indicators. It was found that a low mixing speed was not able to produce grouting slurry with acceptable fluidity. The addition of higher polymer contents would lower the compressive strength of the grouting material due to the low stiffness of the polymer and entrained air produced during mixing. The addition of defoamer eliminated the bubbles and, therefore, increased the strength and fracture energy of the samples. By solving for the optimal model solution, the values of optimized parameters were determined to be a w/e ratio of 0.64, polymer content of 3.3%, defoamer content of 0.2%, and mixing speed of 2000 rpm. Microstructural analysis further confirmed that the synergistic effect of water-based epoxy resin and emulsified asphalt can effectively make the microstructure of the hardened samples denser. The anti-cracking ability of the SFP mixture can be increased by 22% using optimally designed grouting material. The findings in this study shed light on the design of toughness-reinforced SFP materials. Full article

Fish oil, a rich source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), is a vital nutritional component, but considering its susceptibility to oxidation, it could benefit from an effective encapsulation system. This study aims to optimize high-pressure homogenization (HPH) parameters (pressure, number of passes) and wall material composition to maximize the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of fish oil, using different concentrations of maltodextrin with Arabic gum or sodium alginate. Key metrics such as emulsion droplet size, encapsulation efficiency, color, and oxidation in the final freeze-dried product were evaluated. Optimal values were achieved at 60 MPa, resulting in the lowest mean droplet diameter (369.4 ± 3.8 nm) and narrow distribution (0.197 ± 0.011) of the fish oil micelles prepared with a mixture of Tween80 and sodium caseinate as an emulsifier, without significant oxidation after four cycles of homogenization, while 80 MPa led to the highest EE (up to 95.6%), but increased oxidation. The combination of 10% w/w Arabic gum or 1% w/w sodium alginate with 20% w/w maltodextrin achieved the highest EE (79.1–82.9%) and whiteness index (82.5–83.0), indicating neutral-colored well-encapsulated fish oil without oxidation, which is desirable for product stability. Selecting optimal HPH conditions and wall material is crucial for the encapsulation efficiency and oxidation stability of omega-3 PUFA delivered in dehydrated forms. Full article

To address the issue of air pollution caused by automobile exhaust in China, a titanium dioxide/graphite carbon nitride (TiO₂/g-C₃N₄) composite photocatalyst capable of degrading automobile exhaust was prepared in this study. It was used as an additive to modify styrene–-butadiene latex (SBR) emulsified asphalt. The basic properties of modified emulsified asphalt before and after aging were analyzed, and the dosage range of TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ (TCN) was determined. The environmentally friendly micro-surfacing of degradable automobile exhaust was prepared. Based on 1 h and 6 d wet wheel wear test, rutting deformation test, surface structure depth test, and pendulum friction coefficient test, the road performance of TCN environmentally friendly micro-surfacing mixture with different contents was analyzed and evaluated, and the effect of environmentally friendly degradation of automobile exhaust was studied by a self-made degradation device. The results show that when the mass ratio of TiO₂ and melamine was 1:4, the TCN composite photocatalyst had strong photocatalytic activity. The crystal structure of TiO₂ and g-C₃N₄ was not damaged during the synthesis process. The g-C₃N₄ inhibited the agglomeration of TiO₂. The introduction of N-Ti bond changed the electronic structure of TiO₂, narrowed the band gap and broadened the visible light response range. When the TCN content was in the range of 1~7%, the softening point of SBR- modified emulsified asphalt increased with the increase in TCN content, the penetration decreased, the ductility decreased gradually, and the storage stability increased gradually. The penetration ratio and ductility ratio of the composite-modified emulsified asphalt after aging increased with the increase in TCN content, and the increment of the softening point decreased. This shows that the TCN content is beneficial to the high-temperature performance and anti-aging performance of SBR-modified emulsified asphalt, and has an adverse effect on low temperature performance and storage stability. The addition of TCN can improve the wear resistance and rutting resistance of the micro-surfacing mixture, and has no effect on the water damage resistance and skid resistance. The environment-friendly micro-surfacing asphalt mixture had a significant degradation effect on NO, CO, and HC. With the increase in TCN content, the degradation efficiency of the three gases was on the rise. When the content was 5%, the degradation rates of NO, CO, and HC were 37.16%, 25.72%, and 20.44%, respectively, which are 2.34 times, 2.47, times and 2.30 times that of the 1% content, and the degradation effect was significantly improved. Full article