Filters
Computer Modeling and Comparative Analysis of Surface Microrelief Control by the Method of Reflection of a Sliding Laser Beam
Heme iron as potential iron fortifier for food application – characterization by material techniques
Abstract The modern food industry requires new analytical methods for high-demand food supplements, personalized diets, or bioactive foods development. One of the main goals of the food industry is to discover new ways of food fortification. This applies to food products or supplements for human and animal diets. In our research, we focused on the solid particles of AproTHEM (dried porcine hemoglobin), which is approved for animal feeding and as a meat product additive, and AproFER 1000 (heme iron polypeptides), which is still being investigated. The study showed the possible application of advanced techniques for the examination of iron-based food additives. We evaluated selected techniques for particle size and morphology examination such as laser diffraction, optical microscopy, as well as scanning electron microscopy, and briefly discussed their usefulness compared with other techniques. On the basis of our results, we proposed a path of microscopic analysis for the study of material homogeneity. The structure of heme iron was evaluated by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy supported with thermal behavior analysis (differential scanning calorimeter). Furthermore, a portable colorimeter was applied for L*a*b* color analysis. Our study proved that for new food product development, particle size analysis as well as typically used advanced materials techniques can be successfully applied.
Berberine and its derivatives in collagen matrices as antimicrobial agents
AbstractThe combination of collagen with natural plant compounds confers anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities to the polymeric material. These favorable properties enable broad-spectrum application of traditional, natural polymers in biomedicine. In the present study, natural fish collagen was combined with commercially available berberine (BBR) and naturally occurring protoberberine alkaloids obtained from the medicinal herb Chelidonium majus L (BBR-F). The incorporation of plant constituents into collagen matrices was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. The antimicrobial properties of the plant-polymeric composites were assessed against typical pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans). The plant-based collagen matrices inhibited the growth of all the studied pathogens. Graphical abstract
The Relief of the Structured by Nanosecond Laser Stainless Steel Surface Inspection by Sliding Reflection of a Laser Beam
Light Beam Scattering from the Metal Surface with a Complex Mono- and Two-Periodic Microstructure Formed with Femtosecond Laser Radiation
Currently, the technology of imparting the necessary reflective properties to a surface is becoming increasingly important. Darkening the surface and matting it helps to diffuse the reflected beam and prevent glare. The surface’s reflective properties are determined by its microstructure. Modern pico- and femtosecond lasers make it possible to obtain surfaces with high precision and create various LIPSS (laser-induced periodic surface structure) types. In this article, we describe the process of formation of a complex two-periodic microstructure on the surface of AISI 321 stainless steel under the influence of radiation from femtosecond lasers and describe the process of scattering of a light beam by the resulting surface. Modeling shows that the presence of an additional transparent coating on a flat surface does not improve its scattering properties and does not eliminate glare. In the event that a complex two-periodic structure is formed on the reflective surface and the coating surface, the nature of the reflection has a clearly defined scattered character, regardless of the angle of incidence of the light beam. This study shows the feasibility and effectiveness of forming a two-periodic structure in order to give it stealth characteristics and reduce visibility.