Characterization and Selection of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches for Strengthening Hydrogel Films

Microcrystalline cellulose(MCC)is one of the cellulose derivatives produced as a result of the depolymerization of a part of cellulose to achieve high crystallinity.When implemented in other polymers,high crystallinity correlates with greater strength and stiffnes,but it can reduce the water-holding capacity.The acid concentration and hydrolysis time will affect the acquisition of crystallinity and water absorption capacity,both of which have significance as properties of hydrogel filler.The study aimed to evaluate the properties and select the MCC generated from varying the proportion of hydrochloric acid(HCl)and the appropriate hydrolysis time as a filler for film hydrogel.MCC was produced by hydrolyzing cellulose of oil palm empty fruit bunches(OPEFB)with the HCl solution at varied concentrations and periods.The results show that the longer hydrolysis times and higher HCl concentrations increase crystallinity and density while lowering yield and water absorption.The extensive acid hydrolysis reduces the amorphous area significantly,allowing the depolymerization to occur and extend the crystalline area.The morphological properties of the MCC,which are smaller but compact,indicate the presence of disintegrating and diminishing structures.A 2.5 N HCl concentration and a 45-min hydrolysis time succeed in sufficient crystallinity as well as maintaining good water absorption capacity.The treatment produced MCC with absorption capacity of 4.03±0.26 g/g,swelling capacity of 5.03±0.26 g/g,loss on drying of 1.44%±0.36,bulk and tapped density of 0.27±0.031 g/cm^(3) and 0.3±0.006 g/cm^(3),respectively,with a crystallinity index of 88.89%±4.76 and a crystallite size of 4.23±0.70 nm.The MCC generated could potentially be utilized as a hydrogel film filler,since a given proportion will be able to maintain the strength of the hydrogel,not readily dissolve but absorb water significantly.

Optimization of High EPA Structured Phospholipids Synthesis from （u-3 Fatty Acid Enriched Oil and Soy Lecithin

The molecular structure of phospholipids can be changed enzymatically to obtain different tailor-made phospholipids. Incorporation of ω-3 fatty acids into phospholipids structure increased their oxidative stability, suggesting more health beneficial phospholipids. This study aimed to optimize eicosapentaenoic acid （EPA） incorporation into phospholipids structure by acidolysis reaction using free lipase （EC 3.1.1.3） from Rhizomucor miehei. Deoiled soy lecithin from anjasmoro variety was used as phospholipids source, while ω-3 fatty acid enriched oil was used as acyl source. Oil enriched with ω-3 fatty acids was obtained from low temperature solvent crystallization of lemuru （Sardinella longiceps） by-product. Response surface methodology （RSM） was used in this study to determine the relationship between the three factors （enzyme concentration, reaction time and substrate ratio） and their effects on EPA incorporation into soy lecithin structure. The results showed that the relation between EPA content with three factors （reaction time, enzyme concentration and substrate ratio） was quadratic. The significant factors were substrate ratio and reaction time. Optimum conditions at a ratio of 3.77：1 between ω-3 fatty acids enriched oil and soy lecithin, 30% lipase concentration, and 24.08 h reaction time, gave 22.81% of EPA content of structured phospholipids.

The Potency of Sargassum dupficatum Bory Extract on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy in Rattus norvegicus

Inflammatory Bowel Disease （IBD） was a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract especially in small and large intestines that induced by indomethacin. Potency of ethanol and ethyl acetate extract from brown seaweed （Sargassum duplicatum Bory） against indomethacin induced jejunum damage was evaluated in Rattus norvegicus. Control rats induced by corn oil orally. IBD rats induced by indomethacin of 15 mg/kg body weight （bw） orally and incubated for 7 days. Therapy rats were treated orally by brown seaweed extract of 100 mg/kg bw respectively for seven days. Based on phytochemistry test, Sargassum duplicatum Bory extract contains flavonoids, phlorotanin, and alkaloid. The result of preparative Thin Layer Chromatography （TLC） and Infra Red （IR） spectrum of extract spots showed the same result （function group similarity） with gallic acid standard as polyphenol. Sargassum duplicatum Bory extract decreased Malondialdehid （MDA） level （54.20%） significantly using Thiobarbituric Acid （TBA） assay, repaired ZO-1 and occludin protein expressions by immunohistochemistry and repaired jejunum damage by histological observation.

Production of chitosan-based composite film reinforced with lignin-rich lignocellulose nanofibers from rice husk

Lignocellulosic nanofibers(LCNFs),implying lignin-containing cellulose fibers,maintain the prop-erties of both lignin and cellulose,which are hydrophobic and hydrophilic,respectively.The pres-ence of hydrophobic lignin in LCNFs is expected to be an economical and attractive option that can improve the thermal and mechanical properties of polymers.Thus,this study was conducted to produce lignin-rich LCNFs from sugar-rich waste obtained from rice husks after acidic pretreat-ment.The LCNFs were produced from the lignin-rich solid fractions obtained after pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis,which were then incorporated as an additive into a chitosan-based film.The variations in lignin content in the range of approximately 50.6%-66.8%in differently obtained LCNFs gave significantly different optical strengths and mechanical properties.These controllable processes may allow for customized film formation.Additionally,the glucose-rich liquid fractions obtained after pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis were used as a substrate for ethanol fermentation to achieve total utilization of rice husk biomass waste.In conclusion,the lignin-rich biomass fraction holds promise as a suitable material for chitosan-LCNF film and has the potential to increase the economic feasibility of the biomaterial industry.

Natural versus synthetic anesthetic for transport of live fish:A review

An increased awareness of food safety and quality has led to an increased demand for live edible fish.This product requires effective and efficient handling technology and transport to ensure a low mortality rate,but live fish transport has not yet met this criteria.Anesthetized fish can be transported in larger quantities without being stressed during transfer,maintaining a higher quality.This paper explored synthetic and natural anesthetics derived from terrestrial and aquatic resources.This review of the different types,sources,and applications of natural and synthetic anesthetics was used to investigate the potential of seaweed as an anesthetic.In addition,advantages and disadvantages of anesthetics and the potential of seaweed as a prospect of anesthetic are discussed.