In Silico Carotenoid Compound with Protein in Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) Seed Waste and Hedonic Test Innovation in Making Healthy Cereal Organic (HCO) (Nutrient-rich Functional Food Alternative)
Durians’ seeds have potential as a food source due to their content and nutrients. Durians’ seeds contain fiber, minerals, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, carbohydrates, folate, potassium and copper. Nutrients are needed for the body's health and growth and development process. Durians’ seeds have the potential as a nutrient-rich food alternative. Researchers made an innovation in the form of cereal, Healthy Cereal Organic (HCO). Analysis of durians’ seed content through two stages. First, wet lab examination and second, in silico method. The wet lab examination shows the results that durians’ seeds contain 10.17 Kcal of fat energy, 4.09% ash content, 11.25% water content, 72.79% carbohydrates, 1.13% total fat and 10.74% protein and the in silico method shows the content of carotenoid compounds (vitamin A, quercetin, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin) as a drug delivery system which means that this compound is able to be absorbed by the body with the help of albumin as a carrier that maintains stability and increases its activity. Feasibility analysis based on toxicity tests, Durians’ seed compounds show inactive (non-toxic) results. Allergenicity test showed non-allergen durians’ seed content. Hedonic test was conducted on 20 panelists dominant to the HCO1 sample for aroma by 60%, texture 90%, taste 40%. It can be concluded that durians’seeds can be used as a basic ingredient for making nutrient-rich Healthy Cereal Organic (HCO).
Application of Carbon Aerogels in Lithium-Air Batteries
One of the main challenges with today’s batteries is their relatively low volumetric and specific capacities. The highest specific capacity can be achieved with lithium-air batteries, which use metallic lithium as the anode and typically some form of porous carbon as the cathode. To enhance performance, aerogels—among the world’s lightest solid materials—are ideal candidates for cathodes. Resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF)-based carbon aerogels, for example, serve this purpose well. In my work, I utilized two types of carbon aerogels as cathode materials: one derived from pyrolyzed resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer and the other a graphene-oxide-modified version of this carbon gel. I integrated the carbon aerogels I had pyrolyzed into lithium-air batteries to improve the cell’s performance, energy density, and capacity compared to cells using activated carbon. In my research, I examined the pore structure and surface properties of these materials in aqueous media using NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) relaxometry and cryoporometry, exploring their impact on battery efficiency. I found that the graphene-oxide-containing sample's pores filled with water in a layered manner, indicating a more hydrophilic surface, which suggests a denser arrangement of oxygen-containing functional groups compared to the unmodified carbon aerogel. The pore sizes were reduced after adding graphene oxide, resulting in an increased specific surface area for the sample. Incorporating the reduced graphene-oxide-containing carbon aerogel enabled the creation of a more efficient, higher-capacity battery than with the RF carbon aerogel. This improved performance is likely due to the aerogel’s higher oxygen content and altered morphology. The increased oxygen content provides more active sites for oxygen reduction, meaning that a greater specific power output can be obtained from the battery.
Application of Carbon Aerogels in Lithium-Air Batteries
One of the main challenges with today’s batteries is their relatively low volumetric and specific capacities. The highest specific capacity can be achieved with lithium-air batteries, which use metallic lithium as the anode and typically some form of porous carbon as the cathode. To enhance performance, aerogels—among the world’s lightest solid materials—are ideal candidates for cathodes. Resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF)-based carbon aerogels, for example, serve this purpose well. In my work, I utilized two types of carbon aerogels as cathode materials: one derived from pyrolyzed resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer and the other a graphene-oxide-modified version of this carbon gel. I integrated the carbon aerogels I had pyrolyzed into lithium-air batteries to improve the cell’s performance, energy density, and capacity compared to cells using activated carbon. In my research, I examined the pore structure and surface properties of these materials in aqueous media using NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) relaxometry and cryoporometry, exploring their impact on battery efficiency. I found that the graphene-oxide-containing sample's pores filled with water in a layered manner, indicating a more hydrophilic surface, which suggests a denser arrangement of oxygen-containing functional groups compared to the unmodified carbon aerogel. The pore sizes were reduced after adding graphene oxide, resulting in an increased specific surface area for the sample. Incorporating the reduced graphene-oxide-containing carbon aerogel enabled the creation of a more efficient, higher-capacity battery than with the RF carbon aerogel. This improved performance is likely due to the aerogel’s higher oxygen content and altered morphology. The increased oxygen content provides more active sites for oxygen reduction, meaning that a greater specific power output can be obtained from the battery.