The inner and interfacial environments of self-assemblies provide fascinating nano-space for selective and efficient chemical reactions and processes. In biological systems, various chemical reactions, molecular recognition, and transport occur precisely and selectively by virtue of effective molecular interactions on biological membranes and proteins. Considering these advantages and the concept of nanoarchitectonics, we demonstrated that the photochromism of a lophine dimer was accelerated by using confined nano-spaces formed by surfactant micelles. The photoresponsive micelles were used for the rapid controlled release of a model drug upon ultraviolet light irradiation. Furthermore, selective ion recognition inside the self-assembled molecular films at the interfaces was investigated. The anion-π interaction between the anion and an electron-deficient aromatic ring was evaluated on a solid substrate modified with a naphthalenediimide (NDI) analog. Force curve measurements afforded a quantitative analysis of anion-π interactions on the NDI film. The strength of anion-π interactions is regulated by the electric fields on the electrode. An optical probe was developed to visualize the distribution of Cs ions in the soil, plant bodies, and aqueous media using an optode system. Advances in the development of molecular functional systems are expected based not only on molecular structures but also on the spaces and environments produced by them.

The flaxseed-sesame paste (FSP) was prepared by mixing the heat-treated flaxseed and sesame seeds in different proportions and grinding them in a colloid mill to obtain a FSP. In this study, flaxseed was added to sesame paste (SP) at different addition to assess its effect on the rheological properties, textural properties, and particle size. The effect of flaxseed addition on lipid oxidation and volatile aldehydes and ketones during storage of SP was investigated by accelerated oxidation experiments (63°C, 60 days). Notably, the addition of all different additions of flaxseed increased the linolenic acid content, and also enhanced the hardness, cohesiveness, and viscosity of SP. However, it increased the rate of lipid oxidation in SP during storage, mainly in the form of higher acid value (AV) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The content of volatile aldehydes and ketones from lipid oxidation increased significantly with storage time. It was found by using cluster analysis that mixing flaxseed with SP at a ratio of 20 g/100 g had little effect on its storage stability, the sample had a higher overall quality than the addition of 40 g/100 g flaxseed, and its linolenic acid content was 18.7 times higher than that of the SP. Collectively, the results indicated that the addition of flaxseed at an appropriate proportion might be a feasible way to prepare the functional formulated SP.

In this study, the effects of oil, water, glycerol monostearate, carrageenan and alginate concentrations, which have a significant effect on quality parameters in olive oil oleogel-based emulsion (OOE), were investigated and their optimum amounts were determined by mixture design for oleogel production with desired properties. OOE was produced using olive oil, water, glycerol monostearate (GMS), carrageenan and alginate at various concentrations in the range of 0-70%, 30-60%, 0-2%, 0-2% and 0-2%, respectively. The optimum quality parameters of OOE were evaluated in terms of optimum firmness value (5.5-7 N), minimum oil loss and peroxide value. The optimum composition was determined 53.5% olive oil, 43.5% water, 1.1% carrageenan, 0.92% alginate and 0.98% glycerol monostearate (w/w). Produced OOE under determined optimum conditions had 5.81 N firmness, 1.82 meq/O₂ peroxide value and 21.02% oil loss value. The margin of error between the experimentally obtained data and the estimated data in the study is average 2%. The results showed that the formulation used in OOE production have significant effects on the created OOE structure and quality parameters. In addition, different formulations to be created with the results of the present study will contribute to increasing the applicability of OOE in different foods.

Due to over worldwide use of frying oil, and due to its oxidation and deterioration after the usage for short time, huge oil amounts are wasted. So, most attempts are aimed to increase oil stability. Quercetin is a common name for the lipophobic strong natural phenolic antioxidant 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one. Thus, its solubility had been improved by converting it to a lipophilic compound via its appending to a fatty acid residue. So, regioselectively 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[Hexadecanyl]oxychromen-4-one commonly named as (Quercetin-3-palmitate) was synthesized. The formed compound was confirmed based on its elemental analysis and spectral data (IR, ¹H NMR and MS). The partition coefficient of Quercetin-3-palmitate in octanol/water (k) was determined and compared to that of palmitic acid and quercetin individually to prove its solubility enhancement. Its radical scavenging activity was then tested. The effect of this new antioxidant compound on the oil stability was studied through the frying process. All physical and chemical parameters of this oil were considered before and after the frying process compared to another reference antioxidant (TBHQ) and control sample. The safety of this compound was determined by acute oral toxicity using albino mice. The liver and kidney functions of these mice were also examined. The results showed non-significant change. A sensory evaluation of the fried potato chips has been done. The results showed that the properties of the potato chips were improved by adding Quercetin-3-palmitate to the oil. Thus, good protection against frying oils oxidation was achieved via the addition of Quercetin-3-palmitate. The Quercetin-3-palmitate effectiveness is mainly attributed to its stability at high temperatures. Moreover, Quercetin-3-palmitate was found to be a safe compound according to an acute lethal toxicity test. Consequently, it can be used as a food additive.

In February 2020, Coffea arabica L. grown on the coast and in the Southern Sierra Madre of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico obtained the denomination of origin. Which does not have data on color and chemical composition, the first associated with the degree of roasting and the second with lipids (17-18%), as the group of compounds responsible, in part, for flavor, consistency, and may contribute to health benefits. In the present work, color was determined on the CIE L*a*b* scale and the unsaturated fatty acids by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of ¹H and ¹³C in samples of medium roasted specialty coffee from the “Pluma” coffee-growing region, Oaxaca, Mexico. The average value of L* luminosity in ground coffee was 42.1 ± 0.1 reported for a light roast. Unsaturated fatty acids were quantified from the lipid fraction of the gr₁ ound grain by NMR ¹H and ¹³C, obtaining on average the highest abundance of linoleic (41.7 ± 0.5 by ₁ H and 41.24 ± 0.5 by ¹³C), followed by oleic (9.2 ± 0.2 by ¹H and 7.4 ± 0.2 by ¹³C) and linolenic (1.5 ± 0.1 by H and 1.1 ± 0.2 by ¹³C). This study indicates that ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy is a useful tool for the quantification of linolenic, linoleic, and oleic fatty acids by the method of key signal shifts of these acids found in lipid samples in roasted coffee grains.

A small-scale washing test model was proposed to reproduce the mechanical forces occurring inside a household washing machine in Japan. Washing tests were conducted using household washing machines, a tergotometer, and four types of small-scale washing test models using JIS-designated artificially soiled fabric. As a result of conducting washing tests in 10 households during winter and summer, we determined that the mechanical force of the washing machine was equivalent to 90―100 rpm agitation by a tergotometer. Similar detergency was obtained by rotating a 50 mL centrifuge tube with a tube rotator. Then, a centrifuge tube containing 35 mL of detergent solution, ten 1/4-inch stainless steel balls, and three 20 × 20 mm soiled fabrics was rotated at 50 rpm. Probability density functional theory analysis did not identify any kinetic problems, which means that the properties of the applied mechanical forces are similar to those occurring in the tergotometer and tube rotator test.

The friction characteristics of foaming body cleansers determine skin physical irritation, as well as the usability of the products. In this study, the friction of foam formed by a commercial body cleanser was evaluated using a sinusoidal-motion friction evaluation system. The friction profile of the foam was a hydrodynamic stable pattern, where the friction force increased with increasing velocity. In addition, soapbased cleansers, containing polyols, showed large friction coefficients. These properties suggest that the mechanical properties of the interfacial film and viscosity of the cleanser bulk affect friction properties. These findings assist in controlling the texture of body cleansers.

Lichen Usnea sp. is one of the sources of natural bioactive compounds which are currently being developed as medicinal ingredients. The purpose of this study was the isolation and identification of secondary metabolites from methanol extract, toxicity test and antioxidant activity of Usnea sp. Lichen was isolated by maceration using methanol solvent, then separated by liquid-liquid partition and separation using vacuum chromatography. Based on the results of the study, NMR-1D spectral data and FTIR spectrum is the presence of functional groups showed the presence of F15 compound is usnic acid consisting of 18 carbons with 3 carbons from the C=O carbonyl group. The results of the toxicity test showed that all of them were active against Artemia salina L. shrimp larvae with LC₅₀ values of 0.820 µg/mL (Usnea sp.), 1.030 µg/mL (n-hexane), 1.056 µg/mL (ethyl acetate), and 1.236 µg/mL (methanol extract). The results of the antioxidant activity test showed that the inhibitory activity of usnic acid isolate was very active with an IC₅₀ value of 11.696 µg/mL. Meanwhile, methanol extracts and ethyl acetate showed antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 18.098 and 26.917 µg/mL, respectively.

Perilla pomace, a by-product of oil extraction, is rich in nutrients, such as proteins, but it has not been used for purposes other than livestock feeding. The aim of this study was to determine how perilla pomace modulates glucose and lipid metabolism in Sprague-Dawley rats. Dried perilla pomace was added to diet at a concentration of 16%. One experimental group was administered perilla oil equivalent to that in the perilla pomace. After four weeks, the animals were euthanized, and biochemical parameters were measured. Two experiments were conducted using a low-fat (7% by weight) and a high-fat (21% by weight) diet. Regardless of the level of fat in the diets, no differences in food intake were found among the groups. In the low-fat diet-fed rats (Experiment 1), epididymal adipose tissue weight was slightly, but not significantly, lower in perilla pomace-fed rats than in those fed the control diet. Hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced by perilla pomace compared to those in the control group. Serum lipid profiles (triglycerides and cholesterol) were similar to those in the liver, without statistically significant differences. Perilla pomace significantly diminished hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity. In high-fat diet-fed rats (Experiment 2), pomace did not significantly lower epididymal adipose tissue weight. Hepatic cholesterol levels were lower in rats on the perilla oil than in control rats. The activity of hepatic enzymes involved in fat oxidation was significantly higher in rats fed the perilla pomace than in those fed the control diet. Collectively, these results show that perilla pomace favorably modulates fat metabolism, and the specific effects depend on the fat content in the diet.

Treatment with itadori extract inhibited the growth of mouse colon cancer cells (Colon-26) in mice. In addition, it induced DNA fragmentation and caspase 3/7 activation in Colon-26 cells, suggesting potent induction of apoptosis. Itadori extracts are rich in neochlorogenic acid and rutin and also contain quercetin and piceatannol. These polyphenols are thought to be involved in the observed DNA fragmentation and caspase 3/7 activation in colon cancer cells and may thus have anticancer effects. There is hence scope for development of the leaf of itadori, which currently has only a few known uses, as a novel anti-tumor therapeutic.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease that involves asymptomatic progressive expansion of the abdominal aorta. Aneurysm rupture is associated with a high mortality rate. Dietary conditions may be associated with the development and rupture of AAA. However, the relationship between nutrition and AAA is not completely understood. In this study, a nutrition survey was conducted using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) to evaluate the relationship between AAA and dietary habits. One-hundred and twenty-six Japanese people participated in the nutrition survey. Food intake status was analyzed in four groups: the analyzed group-1 (all men), analyzed group-2 (men with smoking history), analyzed group-3 (all women) and analyzed group-4 (women without smoking history). In group-2 and group-3, the intake of citrus fruits was significantly lower in the AAA group than in the non-AAA group. In group-2, the intake of soybean and soybean products was significantly lower in the AAA group than in the non-AAA group. In analyzed group-3, the intake of other vegetables (vegetables except for green and yellow vegetables and soybeans) and seafood was significantly lower in the AAA group than in the non-AAA group. This study suggests that AAA onset may be associated with low intake of fruits, soybeans, vegetables, and seafood.

Diesel fuel usage in Vietnam is increasing rapidly, but most of it is imported from overseas. In this study, we investigated the possibility of popularizing bio-diesel fuel (BDF) made from Vietnamese origin resources as a sustainable energy solution. The world’s energy cost fluctuates significantly depending on economic or political movements, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. This caused energy prices soar, attacking the global economy in a short period and requiring a wide range of energy supply sources. We aim to promote commercial BDF production in Vietnam for future energy security and contribution to the Vietnamese economy. Eight necessary factors were investigated to choose suitable material for BDF production. The factors are as follows: 1) material with Vietnamese origin, 2) sufficient and continuous supply volume, 3) sufficient quality to run diesel engines, including common-rail diesel engines, 4) inedibility, 5) low enough freezing point, 6) ease of collection, 7) affordability, and 8) availability of valuable elements in the material. If a suitable material candidate is not stable, it may be changed over time. In this study, the focus material was rubber seed oil. Because rubber production in Vietnam is quite stable with over 900,000 ha plantation area, and there is a potentiality to collect seeds and produce about 50,000 tons of BDF annually. In addition, the quality of rubber seeds based BDF is very high, such as low enough freezing point, etc. However, most of those rubber seeds are currently not collected and used.

Recently, Pickering interfacial catalyst (PIC) was widely applied for liquid-liquid reactions, in view of not only intensifying the mass transfer through significant reducing both the drop sizes and the diffusion distance, but also supplying a flexible platform for the immobilization of valuable active sites. However, the restriction of the mobility of catalyst somehow decreases the activity of a catalyst. To obtain a promise reaction efficiency, we firstly report a synergistic method to enhance the biphasic reaction by Pickering emulsion and ultrasound concepts, targeted at efficient production of biodiesel. Response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design was applied to optimize the reaction conditions, such as composition of catalyst, reaction temperature, ultrasound power, methanol to oil molar ratio and catalyst amount. An over 98% yield of biodiesel could be achieved within 2.5 hours by ultrasound assisted Pickering interfacial catalysis, which is over two times higher than that of ultrasound assisted homogeneous transesterification system. Besides, the ultrasound assisted Pickering emulsion shortened the reaction time by 3.6 fold when compared to mechanical stirring assisted Pickering emulsion system.

The increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain is beneficial for the treatment of depression, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD); BDNF can cross the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, foods that elevate BDNF concentration in peripheral tissues may increase BDNF in the brain and thereby induce preventive and therapeutic effects against depression, AD, and PD. In this study, we aimed to determine whether Citrus natsudaidai extracts can increase BDNF concentration using the human kidney adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN, which has BDNF-producing and -secreting abilities. As test samples, methanol extracts of C. natsudaidai peel and pulp, and their n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water fractions were prepared. The BDNF concentrations in culture medium of ACHN cells were assayed after 24 h cultivation in the presence of test samples. Compared with that of control (non-treated) cells, the BDNF concentration increased in the culture medium of ACHN cells treated with the methanol extract of C. natsudaidai peel and its hexane, butanol, and water fractions, as well as the butanol and water fractions of the pulp extract. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that ACHN cells treated with the butanol fractions of the peel and pulp extracts showed elevated levels of BDNF mRNA compared with those of non-treated cells. C. natsudaidai may increase BDNF concentration by acting on peripheral tissues and could be a medication for the prevention and treatment of depression, AD, and PD.