Influence of Micro-Encapsulated Probiotic <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i>R0052 on the Characteristics of Plain Yogurt

Micro-encapsulation is a method of providing probiotic living cells with a physical barrier against adverse environmental conditions. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the most effective forms of probiotic bacteria and is commercially available as pure culture and encapsulated form. It is not clear whether the use of micro-encapsulated L. acidophilus will result in yogurt of a better quality compared to non micro-encapsulated L. acidophilus. The objective was to determine the influence of micro-encapsulated L. acidophilus on the characteristics of fat free plain yogurt. Yogurt mixes were pasteurized and at 37℃ were inoculated with Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and micro-encapsulated L. acidophilus R0052 or non micro-encapsulated L. acidophilus R0052. Yogurt manufacture was replicated three times. Yogurts with micro-encapsulated L. acidophilus R0052 had significantly (P L. acidophilus counts, apparent viscosity, pH and syneresis, of the yogurts with micro-encapsulated L. acidophilus R0052 were not significantly (P L. acidophilus R0052. Use of micro-encapsulated L. acidophilus R0052 resulted in better tasting yogurts probably because of the taste imparted by the trace amounts of the micro-encapsulating material.

Encapsulation of PCM for Thermo-Regulating Fabric Application

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been used as a phase change material (PCM) to create a thermo-regulating fabric. PEG-600 (Mw) was encapsulated using an in-situ polymerization technique in an oil-in water emulsion with encapsulating water-immiscible liquid by the reaction of urea with formaldehyde at acidic pH. Both FTIR analysis and DSC studies verified the formation of PEG microcapsules (MC). Melting temperature (Tm) of the microcapsules was found approximately 21°C which was the same as neat PEG. The heat storage capacity of these MCs was determined to be 12.78 J/g by DSC analysis. FTIR analysis of the MCs exhibited the peaks at 3211 cm﹣1, 1650 cm﹣1, and 1400 cm﹣1. These are the characteristic absorption peaks of -NH2, -C=O stretching and -CH bending vibrations, respectively. Fabric coated with PEG microcapsules showed a 20% higher thermal resistance, than the uncoated fabric, when heated on a Sweating Hot Plate (MTNW Corporation).

Preparation and phase change performance of Na_2HPO_4·12H_2O@poly(lactic acid) capsules for thermal energy storage

Micro-encapsulated phase-change materials(micro PCMs) with Na_2 HPO_4·12 H_2 O encapsulated in poly(lactic acid)(PLA) shell were prepared by a solvent evaporation–precipitation method that involves the use of a coaxial needle. The effects of PLA concentration, stirring speed, injection rate of core and shell solutions, and polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) concentration on phase change properties were investigated. The thermal properties of microP CMs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). The capsules prepared under the optimal conditions are about 2 mm in diameter and show a latent heat of up to 122.2 J·g^(-1).

Self-healing of microcapsule-based materials for highway construction:A review

Maintaining the health and reliability of civil facilities is of strategic importance.In highway engineering,pavement cracking impairs the road service and travel comfort level,while structure cracking can cause catastrophic damage.Microcapsule-based self-healing materials offer solutions to auto-recovery micro-cracks and maintain structural health.Such solution has become available by laboratory synthesis and proved effective in addressing the cracking problem during long-term mechanical,thermal,and hydraulic conditions.However,full-scale applications of this technique are not prevalent,showing its potential limitations in highway engineering.Crack healing in highways is a big topic,therefore,this review has two insertion points.(1)We focus on the cracking issues on two specific materials:asphalt and concrete,which account for the vast majority of all the materials used in pavement and structures in highways.(2)Instead of the laboratory studies,we pay more attention to the practical applications,the meaning of healing performance,and the adverse effects of microcapsules to the main structural components(i.e.,tunnel lining,bridge piers and beams)and pavement in highways.The practical significance of self-healing materials in highway projects was discussed from the three aspects:strength,durability,and stress redistribution.The difficulty in applying this new technique is also discussed from economic perspective.For future-proofing,a material evaluation system that fits the load condition is required.The self-healing technique brings composites a chance to interact with the environment,showing high potential for contributing to the development of various types of long-lasting infrastructures.