Characterization of basil seed gum-based edible films incorporated with Zataria multiflora essential oil nanoemulsion
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
Authors: Gahruie, Hadi Hashemi; Ziaee, Esmaeil; Eskandari, Mohammad Hadi; Hosseini, Seyed Mohammad Hashem
Abstract
Direct introduction of essential oils (EOs) into biopolymer-based packaging materials faces various challenges such as insolubility and loss of activity. The aim of this study was increasing the bioactivity of Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMEO) through first making a nanoemulsion and then immobilizing within basil seed gum (BSG)-based film network. ZMEO (nano)emulsions were prepared using high intensity ultrasound approach at 150W and various sonication times (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 min). An increase in the antibacterial activity of ZMEO nanoemulsion was observed by decreasing the nanoemulsion droplet size. Increasing nanoemulsion concentration in BSG film matrix improved the mechanical properties. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the presence of ZMEO nanoemulsions resulted in significant changes in the microstructure of BSG films. Antimicrobial films were effective against potential foodborne pathogens. This innovative incorporation of EOs into biopolymer-based films may have implications in extending the shelf life of food products through retarding the release of volatile constituents. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Adsorption behaviors of Eu(III) on granite: batch, electron probe micro-analysis and modeling studies
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
Authors: Li, Hong; He, Bihong; Li, Ping; Fan, Qiaohui; Wu, Hanyu; Liang, Jianjun; Liu, Chunli; Yu, Tao
Abstract
Although granite has been widelyconsidered as the host rock of the high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) repository in the world, the adsorption behaviors of radionuclides on granite are quite complicated and still unclear, especially at molecular scales. In this study, the adsorption behaviors of europium(III) on Beishan granite (BSG), a preliminary selection of host rock for the HLRW repository in China, were explored under environmental conditions combining batch, electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), and modeling approaches. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed that albite, quartz and biotite were the main mineralogical components for the BSG grains. Eu(III) species on BSG grains are predominant as the ion exchange (X3Eu0) and the inner sphere complexes of (SOEu)-O-w(OH)(2)(0), (SOEu)-O-s(OH)(2),(0) (SOEu2+)-O-s, and (SOEu2+)-O-w. EPMA showed that the distribution of Eu(III) on BSG grains was strongly correlated to the biotite, which suggested that biotite is the host phase for retarding trivalent actinides in the BSG grains. The presence of soil humic and fulvic acids could enhance Eu(III) adsorption on BSG grains under low-pH conditions, and inhibit the adsorption under higher pH range.