Umami taste components in chicken-spices blends and potential effect of aroma on umami taste intensity

In this study,umami taste intensity(UTI)and umami taste components in chicken breast(CB)and chickenspices blends were characterized using sensory and instrumental analysis.Our main objective was to assess the aroma-umami taste interactions in different food matrices and reconcile the aroma-taste perception to assist future product development.The impact of key aroma,including vegetable-note"2-pentylfuran",meaty"methional",green"hexanal",and spicy-note-estragole and caryophyllene"on UTI was evaluated in monosodium glutamate and chicken extract.We found that spices significantly decreased UTI and umami taste components in CB.Interestingly,the perceptually similar odorants and tastants exhibited the potential to enhance UTI in food matrices.Methional was able to increase the UTI,whereas spicy and green-note components could reduce the UTI significantly.This information would be valuable to food engineers and formulators in aroma selection to control the UTI perceived by consumers,thus,improving the quality and acceptability of the chicken products.

Solid-state NMR of vulcanized natural rubber/butadiene rubber blends:Local organization and cross-linking heterogeneities This article is part of the virtual special issue“Solid-state NMR studies on polymers and biological solids”

Elastomer blends,among which natural rubber(NR)and butadiene rubber(BR),are involved in many components of the automotive/tire industry.A comprehensive understanding of their mechanical behavior requires,among other features,a detailed description of the crosslink density in these mixtures.In the case of vulcanized immiscible blends,the distribution of the cross-link density within each of the NR-and BR-rich domains is key information,but difficult to determine using the conventional approaches used for one-component crosslinked elastomers.In this study,the vulcanization within NR/BR blends is investigated using a robust^(1)H double-quantum(DQ)MAS recoupling experiment,BaBa-xy16.Two kinds of cross-linked NR/BR blends were considered with two different microstructures for the BR component.The bulk organization of the resulting blends was first probed by analyzing the^(1)H spin-lattice relaxation behavior.In a second step,BaBa-xy16 was used to investigate,in a selective way,the cross-link heterogeneities within NR/BR blends.In particular,for immiscible NR/BR mixtures,the distribution of the cross-link density between both phases was compared and the observed differences were discussed.

Investigating Transport Properties of Environmentally Friendly Azeotropic Binary Blends Based on Evaporation in Auto-Cascade Refrigeration

The exploration of performance and prediction of environmentally friendly refrigerant physical properties represents a critical endeavor.Equilibriummolecular dynamics simulationswere employed to investigate the density and transport properties of propane and ethane at ultra-low temperatures under evaporative pressure conditions.The results of the density simulation of the evaporation conditions of the blends proved the validity of the simulation method.Under identical temperature and pressure conditions,increasing the proportion of R170 in the refrigerant blends leads to a density decrease while the temperature range in which the gas-liquid phase transition occurs is lower.The analysis of simulated results pertaining to viscosity,thermal conductivity,and self-diffusion coefficient reveals heightened deviation levels within the phase transition temperature zone.This increase in deviation attributed to intensified molecular activity.In terms of uncovering the physical mechanism of gas-liquid phase transition,the work illustrates the macroscopic phenomenon of the intensified existing disorder during phase transitions at the molecular level.Molecular dynamics simulations analyzing the thermophysical properties of refrigerant blends from a microscopic point of view can deepen the comprehension of the thermal optimization of refrigeration processes.

The Effectiveness of the Havriliak-Negami Model in Predicting the Master Curves of the Asphalt Blends with SBS Triblock Copolymer and Organic-Montmorillonite at Different Temperatures and Frequencies

The dynamic viscoelastic properties of asphalt AC-20 and its composites with Organic-Montmorillonite clay (OMMt) and SBS were modeled using the empirical Havriliak-Negami (HN) model, based on linear viscoelastic theory (LVE). The HN parameters, α, β, G0, G∞and τHN were determined by solving the HN equation across various temperatures and frequencies. The HN model successfully predicted the rheological behavior of the asphalt and its blends within the temperature range of 25˚C - 40˚C. However, deviations occurred between 40˚C - 75˚C, where the glass transition temperature Tg of the asphalt components and the SBS polymer are located, rendering the HN model ineffective for predicting the dynamic viscoelastic properties of composites containing OMMt under these conditions. Yet, the prediction error of the HN model dropped to 2.28% - 2.81% for asphalt and its mixtures at 100˚C, a temperature exceeding the Tg values of both polymer and asphalt, where the mixtures exhibited a liquid-like behavior. The exponent α and the relaxation time increased with temperature across all systems. Incorporating OMMt clay into the asphalt blends significantly enhanced the relaxation dynamics of the resulting composites.

Post treatment preparation of hybrid metal halide perovskite nanocrystal-embedded polymethylmethacrylate blends with enhanced stablity

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites have been the subject of recent intense interest due to advances in photovoltaic and other optoelectronic applications. However, their poor stability limits commercial market application We enhance water stability by post treatment preparation of hybrid metal halide perovskite nanocrystal-embedded polymethylmethacrylate （PM- MA） blend films. Through blending process without any cleaning of nanocrystals, crystalline hybrid organic-inorganic perovs-kite nanocrystals were incorporated into PMMA matrix with well-dispersion Passivation of PMMA on the surface of the per-ovskite nanocrystals results in decreased traps and a long photoluminescence （PL） lifetime despite the bromine vacancies in the crystal lattice. Moreover, such color purity and inherent high transmittance for fluorescence emission of perovskite nanocrystals will endow the films with promising potentials in diverse practice photonic applications.

Effects of two modification methods on the mechanical properties of wood flour/recycled plastic blends composites: addition of thermoplastic elastomer SEBS-g-MAH and in-situ grafting MAH

The effect of maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene- buty-lene-styrene block copolymer （SEBS-g-MAH） and in-situ grafting MAH on mechanical, dynamic mechanical properties of wood flour/recycled plastic blends composites was investigated. Recycled plastic polypro-pylene （PP）, high-density polyethylene （HDPE） and polystyrene （PS）, were mixed with wood flour in a high speed blender and then extruded by a twin/single screw tandem extruder system to form wood flour/recycled plastic blends composites. Results show that the impact properties of the composites were improved more significantly by using SEBS-g-MAH compatibilizer than by using the mixtures of MAH and DCP via reactive blending in situ. However, contrary results were ob-served on the tensile and flexural properties of the corresponding com-posites. In General, the mechanical properties of composites made from recycled plastic blends were inferior to those made from virgin plastic blends, especially in elongation break. The morphological study verified that the interfacial adhesion or the compatibility of plastic blends with wood flour was improved by adding SEBS-g-MAH or in-situ grafting MAH. A better interfacial bonding between PP, HDPE, PS and wood flour was obtained by in-situ grafting MAH than the addition of SEBS-g-MAH. In-situ grafting MAH can be considered as a potential way of increasing the interfacial compatibility between plastic blends and wood flour. The storage modulus and damping factor of composites were also characterized through dynamic mechanical analysis （DMA）.

Formulation of Motor Oil from Blends of Rubber Latex Cup Bottom Oil (RLBO) and Used Frying Oil (UFO)

Most motor oils are made from mineral oils derived from petroleum, the reserves of which are limited and exhaustible. The aim of this study is to produce and characterize motor oil formulations based on mixtures of rubber latex cup bottom oil (RLCBO) and used frying oil (UFO). The results show that these formulations have a density between 0.91 and 0.92. These densities evolve linearly with the proportion of cup bottom oil and temperature. Similarly, the kinematic viscosity of the blends follows an exponential relationship with temperature. By plotting the logarithm of these kinematic viscosities against the inverse of the temperature, we were able to determine the activation energy of the various blends and deduce that the formulations behave Newtonian.

Melting Behavior of PA6 and PA6/PE Blends Crystallized from Amorphous State

Aim To investigate the melting behavior of polyamide 6 in polyamide 6/polyethy lene blends crystallized from amorphous state. Methods DSC was used to test effects of annealing temperature, annealing time, DSC scan rate, and the step wise annealing on the melting peaks of the ice water quenched specimens. Results and Conclusion Varied melting peaks of PA6 component were obtained. The degree of perfection and the crystallization degree of PA6 crystals decreased in the blends, and the crystallization degree of PA6 increased with the increasing of the annealing time. The height of the upper melting peak of reference PA6 is higher than that in blends.

Effect of Thermal Treatment on the PA-6 in the Blends

Aim To investigate the multiple melting behavior of polyamide 6(PA 6) in polyamide 6/linear low density polyethylene blends crystallized from the crystal amorphous state. Methods\ The effects of annealing temperature, annealing time, heating rate, and the step wise annealing were measured by DSC. Results and Conclusion\ There exists a critical heating rate affecting the middle temperature melting peak. When annealed at the temperature close to the melting peak, the main melting peak of PA 6 shifted to a higher temperature. Within a short time, annealing time has much effect on neat PA 6 but little effect on PA 6 in the blends. Addition of PE results in a decreasing in the height of melting peak. These phenomenon show that the melting behavior of PA 6 was affected by PE, compatibilizer, as well as thermal treatment.

THERMAL BEHAVIOR OF THERMOTROPIC HYDROXYETHYL CELLULOSE ACETATE/POLYETHYLENE BLENDS

The thermal behavior of thermotropic hydroxyethyl cellulose acetate (HECA)/polyethylene (PE) blends has been studied by DSC. It is found that the blends of HECA and PE are immiscible but the crystallization of PE is affected by HECA chains in the blends with more than 50% HECA, which results in the subordinate crystallization of PE and the formation of imperfect structures in the PE crystals. The imperfection of PE crystals in the blends can be eliminated after annealing at 393K.

Study of Polymer Blends with Sub-cluster Theory Part 2 Comparison of PVC/ABS, PVC/SBS Blends

Series of PVC/ABS and PVC/SBS blends of composition 20/ 80. 40/ 60, 60 / 40 and 80 / 20were prepared in a screw extruder. The phase morphology, miscibility and rheological behaviour of two systems were investigated. The viscosity-composition plots were represented by sub-cluster equation, the various differences between two systems are interpreted with the equation parameters

IMPROVED PROPERTIES OF METALLOCENE-CATALYZED LINEAR LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE/POLYPROPYLENE BLENDS DURING ULTRASONIC EXTRUSION

Metallocene-catalyzed linear low-density polyethylene/polypropylene （mLLDPE/PP） blends were prepared by ultrasonic extrusion in this work. Their extrusion processing behaviors were estimated by online measured data, such as the die pressure and flow rate. Crystallization and mechanical properties of the blends were also investigated. The results show that the addition of PP improves the processing behaviors of mLLDPE, but has little effect on its mechanical properties. On the other hand, the addition of mLLDPE improves the impact strength of PP, but has little effect on its processing behavior. The processing behaviors and mechanical properties of mLLDPE/PP blends get further improved due to the presence of ultrasonic oscillation during extrusion. Compared with PP-rich blends, the apparent viscosity drop of mLLDPE-rich blends is more sensitive to ultrasonic oscillation. The ultrasonic oscillation affects the crystal nucleation, while barely the other crystalline behaviors of the blends.

FRACTAL BEHAVIOR OF DEVELOPMENT OF PHASE SEPARATION AND CRYSTALLIZATION IN BLENDS OF NYLON-6 WITH SODIUM SALT OF ETHYLENE /METHACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER

Phase separation was studied by the optical microscopy in blends of nylon 6 (PA6) with sodium salt of ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer (PEMA).The image collecting technology was used to keep track of the development of blends at a certain temperature.The fractal dimension of phase separation was calculated by the image solving technology according to the fractal theory and the self similarity behavior of the process was proved.The relationship of the fractal behavior with composition and experimental temperature was discussed.The fractal behavior of the crystallization development of the crystal phase of PA6 in blends was also discussed and the fractal behavior calculated.

“Cutting effect” of organoclay platelets in compatibilizing immiscible polypropylene/polystyrene blends

In this work, polypropylene (PP)/polystyrene (PS) blends with different organoclay concentrations were prepared via melt compounding. Differing from the results of previous reports, the organoclay platelets are mostly located in the dispersed PS phase instead of the interface. The dimensions of the dispersed PS droplets are greatly reduced and apparent compatibilization effect still exists, which cannot be explained by the traditional compatibilization mechanism. A novel compatibilization mecha- nism, "cutting" to apparently compatibilize the immiscible PP/PS blends was proposed. The organoclay platelets tend to form a special "knife-like structure" in the PS domain under the shear stress of the continuous PP phase during compounding. The "clay knife" can split the dispersed PS domain apart and lead to the dramatic reduction of the dispersed domain size.

Preparation and emission characteristics of ethanol-diesel fuel blends

The preparation of ethanol-diesel fuel blends and their emission characteristics were investigated. Results showed the absolute ethanol can dissolve in diesel fuel at an arbitrary ratio and a small quantity of water(0.2%) addition can lead to the phase separation of blends. An organic additive was synthesized and it can develop the ability of resistance to water and maintain the stability of ethanol-diesel-trace amounts of water system. The emission characteristics of 10%, 20%, and 30% ethanol-diesel fuel blends, with or without additives, were compared with those of diesel fuel in a direct injection(DI) diesel engine. The experimental results indicated that the blend of ethanol with diesel fuel significantly reduced the concentrations of smoke, hydrocarbon(HC), and carbon monoxide(CO) in exhaust gas. Using 20% ethanol-diesel fuel blend with the additive of 2% of the total volume, the optimum mixing ratio was achieved, at which the bench diesel engine testing showed a significant decrease in exhaust gas. Bosch smoke number was reduced by 55%, HC emission by 70%, and CO emission by 45%, at 13 kW/1540 r/min. However, ethanol-diesel fuel blends produced a few ppm acetaldehydes and more ethanol in exhaust gas.

EFFECTS OF COMPATIBILIZERS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE/LIGNIN BLENDS

Low density polyethylene(LDPE)/lignin blends were prepared using melt blending.Two kinds of compatibilizers, ethylene-vinylacetate(EVA) which is softer than LDPE and polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride(PE-g-MA) which is harder than LDPE were used to improve the interfacial adhesion.Scanning electron microscope(SEM) was used to investigate the dispersion of lignin in LDPE matrix.The results showed that both of the compatibilizers could improve the interaction between the low density polyethylene and l...

SUPER POLYOLEFIN BLENDS ACHIEVED VIA DYNAMIC PACKING INJECTION MOLDING:MORPHOLOGY AND PROPERTIES

As a long-term project aimed at developing super polyolefin blends, in this paper we summarize our work on themechanical reinforcement and phase morphology of polyolefin blends achieved by dynamic packing injection molding(DPIM). The main feature of this technology is that the specimen is forced to move repeatedly in the model by two pistonsthat move reversibly with the same frequency during cooling, which results in preferential orientation of the dispersed phaseas well as the matrix. The typical morphology of samples obtained via DPIM is a shear-induced morphology with a core inthe center, an oriented zone surrounding the core and a skin layer in the cross-section areas. Shear-induced phase dissolutionat a higher shear rate but phase separation at low shear rates is evident from AFM examination of LLDPE/PP (50/50) blends.The super polyolefin blends having high modulus (1.9-2.2 GPa), high tensile strength (100-120 MPa) and high impactstrength (6 times as that of pure HDPE) have been prepared by controlling the phase separation, molecular orientation andcrystal morphology.

Experimental investigation on DBD plasma reforming hydrocarbon blends

To improve the‘detonation-supporting’performance of fuel-rich catalytic combustion products,DBD plasma,stimulated by adjustable nanosecond pulse power supply,was used to further regulate the components and concentrations of the hydrocarbon blends.In this paper,the parameters including load voltage,frequency,rising(falling)edge,pulse width and feeding flow rate were changed respectively,and the corresponding concentration and proportion change of the components in blend gas were investigated.According to the experiment result,it was found that when the discharge frequency is low,the plasma mainly promotes the transformation of light gaseous substances,while it mainly promotes the conversion to heavy hydrocarbons when the frequency is larger.Increasing load voltage will strengthen this trend.The controlling and reforming effect of plasma on the blend gas will decrease with the increase of voltage rising(falling)edge and the feeding flow rate.The regulation effect will be strengthened with the increase of pulse width under 200 ns.With the increase of discharge intensity,the‘carbon’settles on the walls of the reactor,which will change the dielectric constant,leading to the loss of control of the discharge.

Some Mechanical and Thermal Properties of PC/ABS Blends

A series of blends of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) and Polycarbonate (PC) were prepared and some of their thermal and mechanical properties were determined. The Young’s modulus changed gradually and monotonically with the polycarbonate content. This effect was tentatively explained as the antiplasticization of the PC which is ascribed to the chain mobility, which permits the PC chains to pack more tightly, to the secondary cross-linking between the PC chains, or to the secondary attachment of bulky side-chains to the PC, thus producing steric hindrance to the rotation of the PC main chains. The experimental values found for the impact strength were intermediate between those of the neat polymers, depending upon the dispersed rubber particles of butadiene in the matrix of SAN (Styrene-Acrylonitrile), and the dispersed PC particles which generally make the ABS more brittle. A maximum value of about 88 KJ/m2 for the impact strength was observed for the blend with 90% PC. This may be attributed to the strong polymer-polymer interactions for this particular composition. The variations in the heat deflection temperature HDT and the Vicat softening point with the blend composition were very similar, and allowed us to assume that the phase inversion between the matrices of the two polymers takes place at 50% PC. The morphology of the blends revealed by SEM observation, show a co-continuous structure.

RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE/POLYAMIDE-66 BLENDS

Blends of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) containing trace amounts of branching and/or cross-linking in chain and Polyamide-66 (PA-66) have been prepared by melt blending. The rheological behavior of PPS/PA-66 blends has been studied by means of capillary rheometer, and compared with PPS. The effects of shear rate, shear stress and temperature on the how of PPS/PA-66 blends and PPS are discussed. The non-Newtonian indexes and the activation energies of viscous how are obtained. The results show that the apparent viscosity of PPS/PA-66 blends is not sensitive to shear rate and stress, but decreases with the elevation of temperature. On the contrary, the apparent viscosity of the PPS decreases obviously with the increasing of shear rate and shear stress, but it is increased by the elevation of temperature.