CONTENTS 1. Introduction 1.1. Fundamental Theory of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering 1.2. Optical Properties of SERS Tags 2. Synthesis of SERS Tags 2.1. Noble Metal Nanosubstrates 2.1.1. Single Particle-Based SERS Substrates 2.1.2. Nanoparticle Cluster-Based Substrates 2.2. Raman Reporter Molecules 2.2.1. Selection Principles and Reporter Types 2.2.2. Self-Assembled Monolayer Coverage Strategy 2.3. Surface Coating for Protection 2.3.1. Biomolecule Coating 2.3.2. Polymer Coating 2.3.3. Liposome Coating 2.3.4. Silica Coating 2.4. Attachment of Targeting Molecules 3. Bioanalysis Applications 3.1. Ionic and Molecular Detection 3.2. Pathogen Detection 3.3. Live-Cell Imaging 3.3.1. Cancer Marker Detection 3.3.2. Intercellular Microenvironment Sensing 3.4. Tissue SERS Imaging 3.5. In Vivo SERS Imaging 4. Challenges and Perspectives 4.1. Reproducible Signal of SERS Tags 4.1.1. Precisely Controlled Hot Spots for Nanosubstrates 4.1.2. Calibration of SERS Intensities and Enhancements 4.2. Improving Multiplexing Capability 4.3. Reduced Size for Subcellular Imaging 4.4. Development of Multifunctional Nanoplatforms 4.4.1. Magnetic SERS Dots 4.4.2. Multimodal Imaging Dots 4.4.3. SERS Tag-Based Therapeutic Systems 4.5. Biocompatibility 5. Conclusions and Remarks

SERS Tags: Novel Optical Nanoprobes for Bioanalysis

Raman and infrared spectroscopy of carbohydrates: A review.

The past two decades have seen a rise in the number of investigations examining the health-related effects of religiously motivated fasts. Islamic Ramadan is a 28 - 30 day fast in which food and drink are prohibited during the daylight hours. The majority of health-specific findings related to Ramadan fasting are mixed. The likely causes for these heterogeneous findings are the differences between studies in the following: 1) the amount of daily fasting time; 2) the percentage of subjects who smoke, take oral medications, and/or receive intravenous fluids; and 3) the subjects' typical food choices and eating habits. Greek Orthodox Christians fast for a total of 180 - 200 days each year, and their main fasting periods are the Nativity Fast (40 days prior to Christmas), Lent (48 days prior to Easter), and the Assumption (15 days in August). The fasting periods are more similar than dissimilar, and they can each be described as a variant of vegetarianism. Some of the more favorable effects of these fasts include the lowering of body mass, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. The Biblical-based Daniel Fast prohibits the consumption of animal products, refined carbohydrates, food additives, preservatives, sweeteners, flavorings, caffeine, and alcohol. It is most commonly partaken for 21 days, although fasts of 10 and 40 days have been observed. Our initial investigation of the Daniel Fast noted favorable effects on several health-related outcomes, including: blood pressure, blood lipids, insulin sensitivity, and biomarkers of oxidative stress. This review summarizes the health-specific effects of these fasts and provides suggestions for future research.

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The impact of religious fasting on human health

Tree nuts contain an array of phytochemicals including carotenoids, phenolic acids, phytosterols and polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids, proanthocyanidins (PAC) and stilbenes, all of which are included in nutrient databases, as well as phytates, sphingolipids, alkylphenols and lignans, which are not. The phytochemical content of tree nuts can vary considerably by nut type, genotype, pre- and post-harvest conditions, as well as storage conditions. Genotype affects phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes and phytosterols, but data are lacking for many other phytochemical classes. During the roasting process, tree nut isoflavones, flavanols and flavonols were found to be more resistant to heat than the anthocyanins, PAC and trans-resveratrol. The choice of solvents used for extracting polyphenols and phytosterols significantly affects their quantification, and studies validating these methods for tree nut phytochemicals are lacking. The phytochemicals found in tree nuts have been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, antiviral, chemopreventive and hypocholesterolaemic actions, all of which are known to affect the initiation and progression of several pathogenic processes. While tree nut phytochemicals are bioaccessible and bioavailable in humans, the number of intervention trials conducted to date is limited. The objectives of the present review are to summarise tree nut: (1) phytochemicals; (2) phytochemical content included in nutrient databases and current publications; (3) phytochemicals affected by pre- and post-harvest conditions and analytical methodology; and (4) bioactivity and health benefits in humans.

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Tree nut phytochemicals: composition, antioxidant capacity, bioactivity, impact factors. A systematic review of almonds, Brazils, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts.

Effects of drying and grinding in production of fruit and vegetable powders: A review

Some compositional properties of main Malatya apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) varieties

Detoxification of aflatoxin B1 and patulin by Enterococcus faecium strains.

Rapid analysis of sugars in honey by processing Raman spectrum using chemometric methods and artificial neural networks.

In this study, sulphurated and nonsulphurated Hacihaliloglu apricots ( Prunus armenica L.) which is the most widely produced cultivar in Turkey were used to study the effects of different hot air drying temperatures (50, 60, 70, and 80 °C) and sun drying on color and β -carotene content of apricot. The time required to obtain the desired final dry matter in hot air drying was lower than sun drying. Sulphuration also decreased drying time at all drying conditions. Color values and β -carotene content of hot air dried samples were favorable in comparison to air drying. β -carotene content in dried apricots at 70 and 80 °C was 7.14, 7.17 mg 100 g −1 dry matter and 6.12, 6.48 mg 100 g −1 dry matter for sulphurated and nonsulphurated apricots, respectively. A good relationship was found between treatments (drying temperatures and drying times) and β -carotene content for sulphurated and nonsulphurated apricots ( R 2 =0.9422 and 0.9129, respectively).

Effect of hot air drying and sun drying on color values and β-carotene content of apricot (Prunus armenica L.)

The fatty acid, sn-2 fatty acid, triacyglycerol (TAG), tocopherol, and phytosterol compositions of kernel oils obtained from nine apricot varieties grown in the Malatya region of Turkey were determined (P < 0.05). The names of the apricot varieties were Alyanak (ALY), Cataloǧlu (CAT), Coloǧlu (COL), Hacihaliloǧlu (HAC), Hacikiz (HKI), Hasanbey (HSB), Kabaasi (KAB), Soǧanci (SOG), and Tokaloǧlu (TOK). The total oil contents of apricot kernels ranged from 40.23 to 53.19%. Oleic acid contributed 70.83% to the total fatty acids, followed by linoleic (21.96%), palmitic (4.92%), and stearic (1.21%) acids. The sn-2 position is mainly occupied with oleic acid (63.54%), linoleic acid (35.0%), and palmitic acid (0.96%). Eight TAG species were identified: LLL, OLL, PLL, OOL + POL, OOO + POO, and SOO (where P, palmitoyl; S, stearoyl; O, oleoyl; and L, linoleoyl), among which mainly OOO + POO contributed to 48.64% of the total, followed by OOL + POL at 32.63% and OLL at 14.33%. Four tocopherol and six phytosterol isom...

Ali Topcu

Papers

Some compositional properties of main Malatya apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) varieties

Detoxification of aflatoxin B1 and patulin by Enterococcus faecium strains.

Rapid analysis of sugars in honey by processing Raman spectrum using chemometric methods and artificial neural networks.

Effect of hot air drying and sun drying on color values and β-carotene content of apricot (Prunus armenica L.)

Fatty acid, triacylglycerol, phytosterol, and tocopherol variations in kernel oil of Malatya apricots from Turkey.