Search Results (316)

Poor solubility and bioavailability have limited the application of fucoxanthin in drug and functional food processing. In order to encapsulate fucoxanthin in delivery systems, in this study, cellulose was isolated from industrial brown algae residues and high-pressure homogenized into cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). Then, fucoxanthin was encapsulated into the Pickering emulsion stabilized by the CNFs. The effect of high-pressure homogenization on the characteristics of cellulose and the stability of fucoxanthin emulsion was evaluated. The results indicated that CNFs prepared at 105 MPa had a diameter of 87 nm and exhibited high zeta potential and thermal stability. Encapsulation efficiency peaked at 70.8% with 1.0 mg/mL fucoxanthin, and after three freeze–thaw cycles the encapsulation efficiency was higher than 60%. The DPPH scavenging activity after 12 days’ storage at 4 °C was still 42%. Furthermore, the Pickering emulsion with 1.0 mg/mL fucoxanthin showed high stability and antioxidant activity under different pH values, salinity, temperature, and UV light exposure duration. The CNFs effectively protected fucoxanthin from degradation, offering a novel delivery system for marine bioactive compounds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the fucoxanthin delivery system of Pickering emulsion stabilized by the CNFs. Such emulsion might benefit the encapsulation and release of bioactive components in marine drugs. Full article

The development of deep coalbed methane (buried depth > 2000 m) in the Yan’an block of Ordos Basin is limited by low permeability, the pore structure of the coal reservoir, and the gas–water occurrence relationship. It is urgent to clarify the key control mechanism of pore structure on gas migration. In this study, based on high-pressure mercury intrusion (pore size > 50 nm), low-temperature N₂/CO₂ adsorption (0.38–50 nm), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technology, fractal theory and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, quantitative characterization of multi-scale pore–fluid system was carried out. The results show that the multi-scale pore network in the study area jointly regulates the occurrence and migration process of deep coalbed methane in Yan’an through the ternary hierarchical gas control mechanism of ‘micropore adsorption dominant, mesopore diffusion connection and macroporous seepage bottleneck’. The fractal dimensions of micropores and seepage are between 2.17–2.29 and 2.46–2.58, respectively. The shape of micropores is relatively regular, the complexity of micropore structure is low, and the confined space is mainly slit-like or ink bottle-like. The pore-throat network structure is relatively homogeneous, the difference in pore throat size is reduced, and the seepage pore shape is simple. The bimodal structure of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance shows that the bound fluid is related to the development of micropores, and the fluid mobility mainly depends on the seepage pores. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that the specific surface area of micropores was strongly positively correlated with methane adsorption capacity, and the nanoscale pore-size dominated gas occurrence through van der Waals force physical adsorption. The specific surface area of mesopores is significantly positively correlated with the tortuosity. The roughness and branch structure of the inner surface of the channel lead to the extension of the migration path and the inhibition of methane diffusion efficiency. Seepage porosity is linearly correlated with gas permeability, and the scale of connected seepage pores dominates the seepage capacity of reservoirs. This study reveals the pore structure and ternary grading synergistic gas control mechanism of deep coal reservoirs in the Yan’an Block, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of deep coalbed methane. Full article

Microalgae proteins are increasingly recognized in the food and nutraceutical industries for their functional versatility and high nutritional value. Mild alkaline treatment is commonly used for cell wall degradation and intracellular protein solubilization, consequently enhancing the protein extraction yield. The findings of this study reveal that alkaline treatment alone, even at higher NaOH concentration (up to 0.3 M) and treatment time (up to 90 min), was ineffective (max. 2.4% yield) for the extraction of protein from Auxenochlorella protothecoides biomass. This challenge was significantly reduced through synergistic application of mechanical cell disruption using high-pressure homogenization (HPH) and alkaline solubilization. Single-pass HPH (35 k psi) alone without alkaline treatment led to 52.3% protein solubilization from wet biomass directly harvested from culture broth, while it was only 18.5% for spray-dried biomass. The combined effect of HPH and alkaline (0.1 M NaOH) treatment significantly increased protein extraction yield to 68.0% for a spray-dried biomass loading of 50 g L⁻¹. Through replacing spray-dried biomass with wet biomass, the requirement of NaOH was reduced by 5-fold to 0.02 M to achieve a similar yield of 68.1%. The process integration of HPH with the mild alkaline solubilization and utilization of wet biomass from culture broth showed high potential for industrialization of microalgae protein extraction. This method achieves high extraction yield while reducing alkaline waste and eliminating the need for energy-consuming drying of biomass, thereby minimizing the environmental impact. Full article

Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) minced muscle with 1 and 2% salt was treated with different high-pressure processing and thermal methods, including conventional heat-induced gels (HIGs), high-pressure processing (HPP) prior to cooking (PC), HPP prior to setting (PS), and setting prior to HPP (SP), to evaluate for their effects on the selected physicochemical properties. The results showed that the PC treatment produced gels with a significantly higher gel strength (496.72–501.26 N·mm), hardness (9.62–10.14 N), and water-holding capacity (87.79–89.74%) compared to the HIG treatment, which showed a gel strength of 391.24 N·mm, a hardness of 7.36 N, and a water-holding capacity of 77.98%. PC gels also exhibited the typical microstructure of pressure-induced gels, with a denser and homogeneous microstructure compared to the rough and loosely connected structure of HIGs. In contrast, SP treatment exhibited the poorest gel quality in all parameters, with gel strength ranging from 319.79 to 338.34 N·mm, hardness from 5.87 to 6.31 N, and WHC from 71.91 to 73.72%. Meanwhile, the PS treatment showed a comparable gel quality to HIGs. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed protein degradation and aggregation in HPP-treated samples, with a decrease in the intensity of myosin heavy chains and actin bands. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed minor shifts in protein secondary structures, with the PC treatment showing a significant increase in α-helices (28.09 ± 0.51%) and a decrease in random coil content (6.69 ± 0.92%) compared to α-helices (23.61 ± 0.83) and random coil structures (9.47 ± 1.48) in HIGs (p < 0.05). Only the PC treatment resulted in a significant reduction in total plate count (TPC) (1.51–1.58 log CFU/g) compared to 2.33 ± 0.33 log CFU/g in the HIG treatment. These findings suggest that HPP should be applied prior to thermal treatments (cooking or setting) to achieve an improved gel quality in reduced-salt pangasius products. Full article

To alleviate environmental pressures, manufactured sand (MS) are increasingly being used in the production of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) due to their consistent supply and environmental benefits. However, manufactured sand properties are critically influenced by processing and production techniques, resulting in substantial variations in fundamental characteristics that directly impact UHPC matrix pore structure and ultimately compromise performance. Traditional testing methods inadequately characterize UHPC’s pore structure, necessitating multifractal theory implementation to enhance pore structural interpretation capabilities. In this study, UHPC specimens were fabricated with five types of MS exhibiting distinct properties and at varying water to binder (w/b) ratios. The flowability, mechanical strength, and pore structure of the specimens were systematically evaluated. Additionally, multifractal analysis was conducted on each specimen group using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) data to characterize pore complexity. SM-type sands have a more uniform distribution of pores of different scales, better pore structure and matrix homogeneity due to their finer particles, moderate stone powder content, and better cleanliness. Both excessively high and low stone powder content, as well as low cleanliness, will lead to pore aggregation and poor closure, degrading the pore structure. Full article

This paper presents the possibilities of using the reaction sintering method for the production of tool steel used in medicine. The applied method enables the sintering of powders in one technological process. The SPS (spark plasma sintering) process is a technology in which electric pulses generate heat and pressure, which allows for the quick and effective connection of powder particles into a homogeneous material with high density and good mechanical properties. As a result, a product of small dimensions and a precisely defined chemical composition, established at the stage of preparing the powder mixture, is obtained. The advantages of the applied production process are the sintering time and small amounts of post-production waste compared to conventional methods of producing a finished product from steel. The method of producing a semi-finished product is particularly useful in the case of small-scale and small-sized production. The subject of the research was the analysis of the conditions for obtaining X30Cr13 martensitic steel used for the production of surgical instruments. This paper analyzes the effect of sintering temperature and time on sinterability and on selected physical and mechanical properties of the obtained materials. The sintering parameters of the starting mixture have been optimized to obtain the highest possible sinter properties, such as density and hardness. Based on the analysis of the results, it was found that the powder preparation method for the SPS process and the grain size significantly affect the microstructure and mechanical properties of the final product. The optimal sintering parameters for X30Cr13 steel are a temperature of 950 °C and a sintering time of 12 min. Furthermore, the use of the SPS method allows for a reduction in the manufacturing costs of martensitic steel semi-finished products. Full article

The effects of soy protein and whey protein supplementation on glycemic control show inconsistency, and the mechanisms underlying the impact of a high-protein diet on blood glucose regulation remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the impact of a dual-protein (DP) blend comprising soy protein isolate (SPI) and whey protein concentrate (WPC), processed through high-pressure homogenization, on mice with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its potential mechanisms. In the in vitro experiments, an insulin-resistant (IR) HepG2 cell model was treated with DP, resulting in a significant enhancement of glucose uptake and upregulation of IRS1 and GLUT4 expression. For the in vivo experiments, male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 6) based on body weight: normal control, T2DM model group, Metformin-treated group, and DP-treated group. Following a 5-week feeding period, Metformin and DP significantly reduced levels of blood sugar, AUC, TC, TG, and LDL-C in T2DM mice. Additionally, TP and ALB levels in the DP group were notably higher in the model group. In the liver and pancreas, DP alleviated histopathological changes and promoted liver glycogen synthesis in T2DM mice. Moreover, the levels of IRS1 and PI3K in the livers of mice in the DP group were significantly higher than those in the model group. Compared with the model groups, DP significantly reduced the expression of CD45 and increased the expression of CD206 in the pancreas of mice. Furthermore, 16S rRNA analysis revealed that DP altered the composition of the gut microbiota in diabetic mice, increasing the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Parvibacter, and Lactobacillaceae. This suggested that DP could alleviate functional metabolic disorders in the gut and potentially reverse the risk of related complications. In conclusion, soy whey dual-protein may have an effective nutritional therapeutic effect on T2DM mice by regulating lipid metabolism, the INS/IRS1/PI3K signaling pathway, and gut microbiota. Full article

This experimental study examines the particle-level combustion behavior of high-volatile bituminous coal and walnut shell particles in oxyfuel environments, with a particular focus on the gas-phase ignition characteristics and the structural development of volatile flames. Particles with similar size and shape distributions (a median diameter of about 126 µm and an aspect ratio of around 1.5) are combusted in hot flows generated using lean, flat flames, where the oxygen mole fraction is systematically varied in both CO₂/O₂ and N₂/O₂ atmospheres while maintaining comparable gas temperatures and particle heating rates. The investigation employs a high-speed multi-camera diagnostic system combining laser-induced fluorescence of OH, diffuse backlight-illumination, and Mie scattering to simultaneously measure the particle size, shape, and velocity; the ignition delay time; and the volatile flame dynamics during early-stage volatile combustion. Advanced detection algorithms enable the extraction of these multiple parameters from spatiotemporally synchronized measurements. The results reveal that the ignition delay time decreases with an increasing oxygen mole fraction up to 30 vol%, beyond which point further oxygen enrichment no longer accelerates the ignition, as the process becomes limited by the volatile release rate. In contrast, the reactivity of volatile flames shows continuous enhancement with an increasing oxygen mole fraction, indicating non-premixed flame behavior governed by the diffusion of oxygen toward the particles. The analysis of the flame stand-off distance demonstrates that volatile flames burn closer to the particles at higher oxygen mole fractions, consistent with the expected scaling of O₂ diffusion with its partial pressure. Notably, walnut shell and coal particles exhibit remarkably similar ignition delay times, volatile flame sizes, and OH-LIF intensities. The substitution of N₂ with CO₂ produces minimal differences, suggesting that for 126 µm particles under high-heating-rate conditions, the relatively small variations in the heat capacity and O₂ diffusivity between these diluents have negligible effects on the homogeneous combustion phenomena observed. Full article

Hydrogen is critical for achieving carbon neutrality as a clean energy source. However, its low ambient energy density poses challenges for storage, making efficient and safe hydrogen storage a bottleneck. Metal hydride-based solid-state hydrogen storage has emerged as a promising solution due to its high energy density, low operating pressure, and safety. In this work, the thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes are investigated and analyzed in detail, and the effects of initial conditions on the thermochemical hydrogen storage reactor are discussed. Multiphysics field modeling of the magnesium-based hydrogen storage tank was conducted to analyze the reaction processes. Distributions of temperature and reaction rate in the reactor and temperature and pressure during the hydrogen loading process were discussed. Radially, wall-adjacent regions rapidly dissipate heat with short reaction times, while the central area warms into a thermal plateau. Inward cooling propagation shortens the plateau, homogenizing temperatures—reflecting inward-to-outward thermal diffusion and exothermic attenuation, alongside a reaction rate peak migrating from edge to center. Axially, initial uniformity transitions to bottom-up thermal expansion after 60 min, with sustained high top temperatures showing nonlinear decay under $∆$t = 20 min intervals, where cooling rates monotonically accelerate. The greater the hydrogen pressure, the shorter the period of the temperature rise and the steeper the curve, while lower initial temperatures preserve local maxima but shorten plateaus and cooling time via enhanced thermal gradients. Full article

The Cuyu gold deposit in central Jilin Province in Northeast China is located in the eastern segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC), as well as the eastern segment of the Xing’an–Mongolian Orogenic Belt (XMOB). Gold ore-bodies are controlled by NW-trending faults and mainly occur in late Hercynian granodiorite. The mineralization process in the Cuyu deposit can be divided into three stages: quartz + coarse grained arsenopyrite + pyrite (stage I), quartz + sericite + pyrite + arsenopyrite + electrum + chalcopyrite + sphalerite (stage II), and quartz + calcite ± pyrite (stage III). Stage II is the most important for gold mineralization. We conducted analyses including petrography, microthermometry, laser Raman spectroscopy of fluid inclusions, and H–O–S–Pb isotopic analysis to elucidate the mineralization processes in the Cuyu deposit. Five types of primary fluid inclusions (FIs) are present in the hydrothermal quartz and calcite grains of the ore: liquid-rich two-phase aqueous fluid inclusions (L-type), vapor-rich two-phase aqueous fluid inclusions (V-type), CO₂-bearing two- or three-phase inclusions (C1-type), CO₂-rich two- or three-phase inclusions (C2-type), and pure CO₂ mono-phase inclusions (C3-type). From stages I to III, the fluid inclusion assemblages changed from L-, C2-, and C3-types to L-, V-, C1-, C2-, and C3-types and, finally, to L-types only. The corresponding homogenization temperatures for stages I to III were 242–326 °C, 202–298 °C, and 106–188 °C, and the salinities were 4.69–9.73, 1.63–7.30, and 1.39–3.53 wt.% NaCl equiv., respectively. The ore-forming fluid system evolved from a NaCl-H₂O-CO₂ ± CH₄ ± H₂S fluid system in stage I and II with immiscible characteristics to a homogeneous NaC-H₂O fluid system in stage III. Microthermometric data for stages I to III show a decreasing trend in homogenization temperatures and salinities. The mineral assemblages, fluid inclusions, and H–O–S–Pb isotopes indicate that the initial ore-forming fluids of stage I were exsolved from diorite porphyrite and characterized by a high temperature and low salinity. The addition of meteoric water in large quantities led to decreases in temperature and pressure, resulting in a NaCl-H₂O-CO₂ ± CH₄ ± H₂S fluid system with significant immiscibility in stage II, facilitating the deposition of gold and associated polymetallic sulfides. The Cuyu gold deposit has a similar ore genesis to those of gold deposits in the Jiapigou–Haigou gold belt (JHGB) of southeastern Jilin Province indicating potential for gold prospecting in the northwest-trending seam of the JHGB. Full article

Aqueous biphasic catalysis has gained recognition as a sustainable and efficient method that combines the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic systems. This approach enables the separation and recycling of catalysts, leading to reduced environmental impact and lower operational costs. A key component of this method is the use of transition metal catalysts, which are crucial for facilitating various reactions when paired with different types of ligands, primarily hydrophiles. This combination is essential for achieving high success rates in recyclable catalytic systems. The reaction conditions, including temperature, pressure, and pH, significantly influence catalytic performance. However, challenges such as limited substrate solubility and catalyst leaching persist, underscoring the need for further research into advanced ligand design, catalyst immobilization techniques, and scalable process integration. This review systematically examines recent experiments in the aqueous biphasic catalysis of olefins, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework. From an initial pool of 597 articles, 104 were found to be relevant and focused specifically on aqueous biphasic catalysis. The study investigates key reactions, the factors that influence these biphasic reactions, and the catalytic systems that facilitate them. By highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges, this work underscores the potential of aqueous biphasic catalysis to bridge the gap between green chemistry principles and industrial applications. Full article

This work presents a new approach for the fabrication of 316L/Al₂O₃ composites, based on a combination of spray granulation, radio frequency (RF) plasma spheroidization and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Initially, a suspension containing 316L and alumina powders is formulated by precisely adjusting the pH and selecting an appropriate dispersant, thereby ensuring homogeneous dispersion of the constituents. The spray granulation process then produces granules with controlled size and morphology. RF plasma spheroidization, carried out using a TekSphero-40 system, is investigated by varying parameters such as the power, gas flow rates, injection position and feed rate, in order to optimize the formation of spherical and dense particles. The analysis reveals a marked sensitivity to heat transfer from the plasma to the particles, with a tendency for fine particles to segregate, which underscores the necessity for precise control of the processing conditions. Finally, SPS densification, performed under a constant pressure and a rigorously controlled thermal cycle, yields composites with excellent density and hardness characteristics. This study thus demonstrates that the proposed hybrid process offers an optimal synergy between a uniform distribution of alumina and a controlled microstructure, opening up promising avenues for the design of high-performance composite materials for demanding applications. Full article

Submicron particles are widely used in industrial applications due to their unique physical and mechanical properties that enhance the performance of composite materials. In particular, boron carbide particles are valued for their exceptional hardness and high wear resistance and are especially valuable in protective coatings and aerospace applications. However, these particles can agglomerate, significantly impairing their effectiveness. When this occurs during the development of composite materials, physical and mechanical properties are negatively affected. In this paper, a chemical-free method using a non-destructive, open-system dry mechanical deagglomeration technique is developed, leaving the primary particles unaltered, while breaking up strong adhesions between primary particles resulting from the manufacturing process. This method was tested for the deagglomeration of as-received boron carbide submicron particles, with an average primary particle diameter of d₅₀ = 300 nm, and its effect on particle size distribution is presented. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction and true density measurements were carried out on the raw powder. Submicron particles in the dry and as-received state were poured into an experimental mold without a dispersing agent or a protective atmosphere. Static pressure was applied up to 141 MPa to produce tablets at room temperature, finding that 70 MPa yielded the best results in terms of homogeneity, dispersibility, and reproducibility. In order to break apart the densified pressed tablets, ultrasonication was applied before running particle size measurements in the wet dispersed state. Using a tri-laser diffraction light scattering technique, it was determined that particle size distribution followed a Gaussian curve, indicating that this method is suitable to regain the primary submicron particles with uniform properties. It is also shown that applying ultrasound on the as-received powder alone failed to cause the complete deagglomeration of strongly adhering primary particles. These findings suggest that there is no significant wear on the primary particles and no alteration of their surface chemistry, due to the lack of any chemically supported mechanisms such as the alteration of surface charge or the adsorption of surfactants. Furthermore, as the static pressure exerts an immediate impact on all particles in the mold, there is a clear economical advantage in terms of a shorter processing time over other deagglomeration methods such as high shear mixing. Full article

The tight sandstone reservoirs within the Oligocene Huagang Formation represent one of the most promising exploration targets for future hydrocarbon development in the Xihu Depression of the East China Sea Basin. The reservoir has complex sedimentary and diagenetic processes. In this paper, a variety of methods, such as microscopic image observation, particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction measurement (XRD), heavy minerals, carbon and oxygen isotopes of cement, the homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions, zircon (U-Th)/He isotopes, and high-pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI), are used to analyze the thermal evolution history, diagenetic evolution process, and the causes of differences in diagenetic processes and high-quality reservoirs. This study shows that the provenance of the southern region is derived from western metamorphic rock, while that of the northern region is dominated by northern metamorphic rock, including some eastern volcanic rock. The northern region exhibits a stronger compaction and lower porosity, primarily due to a greater proportion of volcanic rock provenance. Additionally, coarse-grained lithofacies exhibit a higher quartz content and lower proportions of clay minerals and lithic fragment compared to fine-grained lithofacies, consequently demonstrating greater resistance to compaction. The Huagang Formation reservoir has three stages of carbonate cementation, two stages of quartz overgrowth, and two stages of fluid charging. The two stages of fluid charging correspond to two stages of organic acid dissolution. In the northern region, the geothermal gradient is high, and the burial depth is large, so the diagenetic event occurred earlier and is now in the mesodiagenesis B stage, while in the southern region, the geothermal gradient is low, and the burial depth is small and is now in the mesodiagenesis A stage. The southern distributary channel sands and northern high-energy braided channel sands constitute high-quality reservoirs, characterized by a coarse grain size, large pore throats, and minimal cement content. Full article

In milk, casein proteins orientate themselves into spherical micellar structures with hydrophobic casein subtypes concentrated in the core, while hydrophilic casein subtypes populate the exterior. Previous research demonstrated that milk with the addition of emulsifying salts coupled with high-pressure homogenization induced an unprecedented amount of casein micelle dissociation. This research aims to quantify the extent of casein micelle dissociation in diluted skim milk and evaluate the functionality of these proteins following emulsifying salt treatment coupled with high-pressure homogenization. To evaluate the extent of micellar dissociation, dilute skim milk solutions (20% v/v) were prepared with a varying amount of treatment: no processing (control), just emulsifying salts (Treatment E, 100 mM sodium hexametaphosphate), just high-pressure homogenization (Treatment H, at 300 MPa), and EH (a combination of E and H treatments). Samples were then put through varying filter sizes (0.22 µm, 0.05 µm), and the permeates were analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the control group (20% skim milk), 9.35% ± 2.53% casein protein permeated through a 0.05 µm filter. Alternatively, 93.2% ± 7.71% casein protein was present in EH samples post-filtration through a 0.05 µm filter, demonstrating a significant processing-induced dissociation of casein micelles. A potential benefit to this casein micelle size reduction is the exposure of highly functional hydrophobic subunits from the core of the micelle. In agreement, compared to the control samples, the EH samples had higher foam expansion index values (138.3% ± 12.58% vs. 33.33% ± 14.43% at 0 h), foam stability (113.3% ± 5.774% vs. 21.67% ± 2.887% after 8 h), emulsifying activity (ca. two-fold higher), and interaction with caffeine. These data demonstrate that E, coupled with H, enhances skim milk system functionality, and these changes are likely due to micellar dissociation and protein conformational changes. This work has direct applications in dairy systems (e.g., dairy foams, dairy ingredients) as well as implications for potential processing strategies for other protein-rich systems. Full article